Black in a Box

The Black Guys back from their own Boxes!

In the second of our soundclash specials, we dissect the latest BGIAB Soundclash - this week it's the 2005-2009 hip-hop edition. The guys start by eulogising about J Dilla's classic "Donuts" (10:27), before they each step up to the. podium to defend more questionable picks.

First up is Nate with Nas and Jay-Z's flop "Black Republican" (21:37), Dom's seemingly polarising "Intl Players Anthem" (24:44), Dan with arguably the worst track in our recent sound clash history (32:05) and Angelo almost convinces himself that Italian Electro guru Crookers is Hip-Hop royalty (37:33).

The Black Guys live from their own Boxes!

In the first of a series of lockdown specials, the guys revisit ESPN/Netflix's latest phenomenon, The Last Dance (02:10). We dive into the age old Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, the legend of Dave Thompson and Scottie Pippen's contract woes.

Then we dissect the latest BGIAB Soundclash - this week it's the 2000-2004 hip-hop edition (22:08). Dom (28:09), Angelo (32:11) and Nate (37:25) take it in turns to defend their picks, but will anyone cop a plea?

Don’t call it a comeback. For the return of season 2 of Black Guys in a Box, the four horsemen of the blapocalypse Dan, Dom Nate and Angelo are back in residence. As is The Official Voice of Women™, Alahna, who survived the season 1 cliffhanger.

Sadly one member did not. This episode we pour out some liquor for (and spray some corn at) our fallen brother Kofi; before delving into the importance of Allyship and the roles we all play (2:38); Courtney Lawes vs. Chardine Taylor Stone and how we can educate without being condescending (30:13); Dave's Brits performance (37:15); Ash Sakar vs. Britain First on Question Time (49:25); and we finish on (58:28) Windrush and British Identity in light of the government’s recent deportation flights and the guys share a few unfortunate brush-in's with the law (01:13:50).

Episode 9 feature is “Songs to say…goodbye…to” in honour of Kofi (01:30:20). Good luck, big guy.

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Black Guys (and Gals) in a Box Season 1 finale!

Dan and Dom are joined by very special guests Alahna and Tunde (of Tales from the Plantation fame) to conclude the end of decade retrospective.

Do our London cohort feel more hopeful at the end of the decade than the guys up North (04:14)?

We talk about our own importance in our circles and broader representation (19:00), Alahna takes us Stateside on a poignant trip down memory lane (46:41), Dom makes a confession and Tunde details the toxic life of a teenage glow-up (01:03:10), before revealing their songs/albums of the decade (01:09:40).

And of course, in keeping with an age-old tradition, Dan is armed with a sack of corn throughout.

The end of decade retrospective!

Angelo, Kofi and Nate reflect on the decade and consider the big questions:

Do we feel more hopeful at the end of the decade than we did at the beginning?

What our lives looked at in 2010 vs today

Is society in a better place racially now then it was in 2010?

How do we plan to "Slay in our Lane" (s/o Yomi Adegoke & Elizabeth Uviebinené) in the upcoming decade?

And the biggest question: how much will Nate drink on his Phil Mitchell tour of the north?

The Wakanda Social Club Presents — Black Guys in a Box

The BAME *just kidding*...The Black History Month special!

The one where Dom sends shots at a famous footballing family member...

Topics:

Our culture growing up (02:46)

Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy (30:35)

Naga Munchetty (44:03)

John Barnes', the Racism Warrior (59:42)

Amber Guyger and the murder of Botham Jean (1:06:38)

The guys start by talking about their cultures growing up. From discovering when they were first described as black, to what cultural experiences shaped them growing up, be it music, sports or food, in what is an at times hilarious and at times moving conversation.

From there, the conversation veers into a discussion on the situation with Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy. Is a friend and teammate posting a picture online of a racially insensitive image racist? Is this the biggest race issue in the game of football, when FA Cup games are being called off and international matches are halted for racism? This discussion goes into the kind of depth that is sorely lacking in a lot of news discussions on race.

Next, we discuss the controversy surrounding the censure the BBC gave to presenter Naga Munchetty. Can a company as diverse as the BBC be truly impartial and objective when it has so many different experiences and point of view? What was wrong with what she said?

After, the national spokesman for black people, John Barnes, (lol) catches some strays, particularly from Dom who pulls no punches when criticising him for some of his recent statements.

Lastly, the guys get into the topic of the Botham Jean murder and conviction of Amber Guyger. The coverage went viral when the black judge hugged the convicted murderer and handed Guyger a bible. The coverage touched a nerve and the guys look at how the coverage is different when the perpetrator is a person of colour

The Wakanda Social Club Presents — Black Guys in a Box.

The one where Dom realised that he can't party like he used to - before realising he's got another trip to Ibiza to navigate

We talk about the (at time of recording) current Prime Minister Boris Johnson - his proclamation that he is going to recruit 20,000 police officers. The guys talk about why language like "tough on crime" fits into previous dog whistle campaigns, why constantly demonising minorities can traumatise entire communities and how Johnson's rhetoric has historically not matched up to his actions (01:48).

We then have a spirited discussion about Jeremy Corbyn - has he been an effective opposition leader and what reservations do we have? (19:25)

We seamlessly transition into a discussion on the wisdom of putting anti knife messages on chicken boxes. Why has the government done it and what could they be doing instead? (24:51)

Next, we tackle Jay Z and his new deal with the NFL. Why is there such anger on both sides? What is a fair critique of Jay Z, a man who has donated a lot of money to charities and has been vocal about supporting African Americans? (39:24)

Then we get into it about Dave Chappelle's latest Netflix standup "Sticks and Stones", having a hearty but nuanced discussions on the context of reception and whether Chappelle is still as funny as he was. Things got spicy on this one (59:40).

As always, we finished with "Songs that you would___to". This week, it was songs you would listen to down the chicken shop (01:14:50)

Take a gander at us on Medium:

medium.com/wakanda-social-club

Like what you hear? See what we look like on Instagram:

Kofi - @kofi_smiles

Dom- @dom_ht

Angelo- @theblackunicornblog

Nate- @nasdesignmdi

Dan- @copycatgram

Don't hate, mail us:

Enjoy!

The Wakanda Social Club Presents — Black Guys in a Box.

The one where Angelo angered the Beyhive (RIP Angelo)

We start with Dan and Dom reminiscing about Glastonbury and explain why the notorious south east corner is a place that angels fear to tread.

From there the, the talk turns to Disney remakes - are they a problem and is there an issue with casting people that look different to the cartoon versions? (20:40)

From there, things get spicy as Angelo worries that "The Lion King won't be successful because Beyonce's record as an actress is...spotty. (38:00)

Afterwards, the guys talk about the news that R. Kelly has been charged (again) and wonder what it will take to get him out of here. (50:08)

In happier news, Dom talks about his eye-opening (and stereotype busting) family trip to Kenya. (57:20)

And as per usual, we close with our regular feature — “What song would you _____ to?” This time, it’s "What Disney song would you secretly listen to?" (01:21:45) —

The Wakanda Social Club Presents — Black Guys in a Box.

Because you asked for more, in our second full meet up we gon' give you MOAR!

We dance through topics like some Charleston/Crip Walk hybrid - they shouldn't go together but we make it work - starting with a look back at our most recent offering of essays (06:18).

Kofi opens a Pokéball of issues as he recounts some troubling moments when watching Pokémon as yute and reading Enid Blyton books (13:14).

Can Prince Archie unite the Kingdom in a way Daenerys failed to do so? We have the answers, kinda, at (22:00).

With the untimely passing of Director and Screenwriter John Singleton, we take a moment to reflect on our first encounters of his work and it's legacy (33:55).

In the case of Olympic Gold Medallist Caster Semenya, the recent treatment by the IAAF seems like the work of internet trolls, but is actually paid professionals. Join us on a deep dive discussion through her case (36:15) and seamlessly (if i do say so myself) into the recent abortion rulings in Alabama and Northern Ireland (59:46).

Still with us?

Good.

Because we didn't think we've touched on enough sensitive topics, we round this episode off with a chat about mental health (01:08:11). Honestly it's one of the best chats we've had, probably about two years in the making and here we are, sharing it with you!

And as per usual, we close with our regular feature — “What song would you _____ to?” (01:51:16) — this time it’s "What song would you cheer up and set a good vibe to?"

Dom: Kanye West - The Glory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfj5FYaCxIA

Kofi: Kanye West - All Of The Lights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAfFfqiYLp0

Nate: PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AOVf9p9ht4

Dan: Maribou State - Steal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZkdmtbDUnY

Angelo: Outkast - SpottieOttieDopaliscious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXmqauitBkM

Take a gander at us on Medium:

medium.com/wakanda-social-club

Like what you hear? See what we look like on Instagram:

Kofi - @kofi_smiles

Dom- @dom_ht

Angelo- @theblackunicornblog

Nate- @nasdesignmdi

Dan- @copycatgram

Don't hate, mail us:

Enjoy!

The Wakanda Social Club presents — Black Guys in a Box.

Episode 2 has slowly rolled round but at last, it's here and ready for your ears!

*DISCLAIMER* We did this one over Skype and we have some audio issues in places but none the less, this one is still a riveting listen.

Nate can't be with us this time but we still manage to digest the reaction to Dom's reality slapping and honest essay 'Grandma's Rules' which tells us of a sweet night out gone sour (07:30).

The untimely passing of Nipsey Hussle opens up a dialogue around digital detox (37:01), Dr Sebi (48:54) and the relationship between black communities and conspiracy theories (50:00) before discussing the harsh realities of having to cut friends who refuse to wake up and address their racially insensitive bullshit (01:04:30).

And as per usual, we close with our regular feature — “What song would you _____ to?” (01:20:57) — this time it’s "What song would you glide passed a bouncer to after they initially denied you entry but then you get let in!"

Take a gander at us on Medium:

https://medium.com/wakanda-social-club

Like what you hear? See what we look like on Instagram:

Kofi - @kofi_smiles

Dom- @dom_ht

Angelo- @theblackunicornblog

Nate- @nasdesignmdi

Dan- @copycatgram

Don't hate, mail us:

Enjoy!