What if you were like the Black kid from Stranger Things, and you grew up knowing everything about comic books, and Dungeons and Dragons but you had to drive half an hour out of town to get a haircut?

Cheo Coker grew up in Storrs, Connecticut playing with multi-colored dice and reading J.R.R. Tolkien. But then after covering music while at Stanford University he found himself right at home in another world, one that better matched with his outsides: Hip-Hop

So what would you do if you could speak the language of two cultures and felt perfectly comfortable in both? Would you pick a side and stay in one lane? Or would you become the only one in the room translating Black culture for white people?

More from Cheo Hodari Coker:

Check out his book: Unbelievable: The Life, Death and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G

Finding Cheo Hodari Coker:

Instagram: @Cheo_Hodari_Coker

Twitter: @Cheo_Coker

Special thanks to our Sponsor Betterhelp:

Start living a happier life today! As an Only On In The Room listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at Betterhelp.com/One. Join the over one million people who have taken charge of their mental health with the help of experienced Better Help professionals.

Be sure not to miss Scott Talks on Wednesdays, our Sunday release called Sunday Edition & our brand new series On My Nightstand releasing on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. 

Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.

We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!

All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices