Keepin' It A Hundo

Solvan “Slick” Naim is a talented dude. He raps, he writes, he acts and he directs. In his first feature film, “Full Circle”, he does all four. He’s also the younger brother of my good friend Habib. In the rap game he goes by the name “Slick Da Misfit”. Lately, he’s been directing episodes of several well-known TV shows including The Blacklist, Power, Snowfall, Blindspot and The Get Down. With all the deals he’s been signing it’s a good thing his brother is an attorney. In our recent conversation, in Beverly Hills, we discussed second floor elevator pushing motherf@#$%*s and what to do when a guy on a popular HBO show tries to holler at you.

Today's guest is Nick Friedman. He has spent the last few years coaching in the NBA G League and running a pre draft workout for NBA prospects. He is also on the coaching staff for the Haitian National team. Our connection is basketball and Boston.

Back in 2009, when Jimmy Bannos Jr. was only 25 he opened The Purple Pig on Michigan Ave in Chicago. Since then, this 4th generation chef has not only survived, but he has thrived. He has racked up many accolades including a James Beard Award and in January People Magazine named him one of America's sexiest chefs. More importantly, he has built a reputation in Chicago as an elite chef and The Purple Pig is one of the top restaurants in a great culinary city. I've been eating at The Purple Pig since it opened and it reminds me of my Grandma's food. That is the highest compliment you can bestow upon any restaurant. Great food isn't just about taste. It's about nostalgia. It reminds us of where we come from. My Grandma died about 6 years ago, but her food lives on thanks to places like The Purple Pig and chefs like Jimmy Bannos Jr.

Episode 14 of Keepin’ It A Hundo with Riddick Bowe is now available on Apple Podcasts.

Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe is literally and figuratively the biggest guest I've had on my podcast. He's 6'5" 300 pounds...allegedly. He is a 2 time heavyweight champ of the world and finished his career 43-1. He beat Evander Holyfield twice and he was the first man to ever KO Holyfield. He was also a big humanitarian like his idol Muhammad Ali. He did a lot of charity work including a trip to Somalia where he donated $2 million worth of medical supplies and food. Riddick Bowe is a living boxing icon.

The Champ briefly joined the Marines after retiring at age 28. He also has had some legal issues since retiring, including an 18 month stay at a federal prison for kidnapping his wife and kids. In the podcast, Bowe speaks candidly about this incident. It has been quite a journey since growing up in the rough neighborhood of East New York in Brooklyn. His sister was mugged and murdered one night for her welfare check and he had a brother die of AIDS. Considering where he came from, this dude made quite a life for himself.

My friend, Xavier Powell knows Bowe well and I couldn't have made this happen without him. I spent the day with The Champ. We did the pod, we ate lobsters, and I even motivated him to workout a little bit. Something he definitely doesn't like to do. The Champ is here!

Epsiode 13 of Keepin’ It A Hundo is my first international podcast. I took my podcasting talents to Mexico and had a very relaxing conversation with my “primo” Cesar Carrillo aka Young Al Capone. The podcast was recorded on a private beach at his home in Isla Mujeres. Sometimes all you need is a laptop, a microphone and a bottle of Mezcal to make it happen.

Cesar defied the odds when he was taken in the first round of the MLB draft in 2005. Chicago isn’t exactly a breeding ground for baseball prospects. After growing up on the Southside, Cesar was drafted out of high school due to his dominance at Mt Carmel High School. He turned down the chance to go pro to pitch at the University of Miami instead. He started his career at The U 24-0, the second best start to a career in college baseball history. This led to the San Diego Padres taking him with 18th pick in the draft.

Cesar played professionally in the big leagues as well as leagues in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Taiwan, and currently lives and plays in Mexico. Cesar and I met thru our mutual friend Too Tan Disco Dan at the University of Miami. Not only have been we been good friends ever since, but he has also been a Hundo Health & Fitness client. We will discuss the origin of his nickname Young Al Capone and if Little Leaguers should be playing whiffle ball or swimming on days they have games. He definitely made me laugh as usual and I’m not sure anybody has done a better job of Keepin’ It A Hundo than Young Al Capone.

Today’s guest on Keepin’ It A Hundo is Jeff Koen (pronounced Kee-Own). I played high school football with Jeff, but more importantly he now makes a living as a standup comedian and a part time dog sitter. Growing up Jeff was always the funniest kid in the room, unless Johnny Heck had a a six pack in him. We recently sat down at The King's Grant Inn on Rt 128 in Beverly to discuss how a spin-kick at Lynch Park changed his life, Joe's Pizza vs. Little Italy, and how his vindictive Sicilian grandma slapped him with a lawsuit.

Please be advised names and locations have not been changed to protect the identity of those discussed on the Keepin’ It A Hundo podcast. We apologize in advance if anybody is offended. If you were mentioned in this podcast chances are we love you, but there is a also the possibility we do not and the only reason your name came up is because you did something you shouldn't have.

In 2002 I was in a bad place. One of my closest friends, Chris Campbell, had just died in a car accident on his way to pick me up. It messed me up pretty bad. I stopped working. I was suffering from severe depression. At the same time, a kid from Miami by way of the US Virgin Islands, named Raja Bell had been languishing in the CBA for the Yakima Sun Kings. He had been written off by all of the so-called experts, but was now in the first full season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He took a circuitous route to the NBA and along that journey we crossed paths. His sister, Tombi Bell was engaged to my good friend Chris, until the night he passed away. It was at this time the Bell family adopted me. I had no family in Miami and I was grieving. Without the love and support of this family I would not be where I am today. I firmly believe that.

Raja has always embodied what it means to keep it a Hundo. He always played with a chip on his shoulder the size of St. Croix and he always speaks the truth. He is one of the first and best “3 and D” guys of his generation. He was one of the top 3 point snipers in the league and was named to the NBA All Defensive team twice. Most importantly, he is a man of integrity. They don't make 'em realer than this dude.

Jayne Caldwell and Quincy Hewitt started playing football in Australia. They loved playing so much that they moved to the US to play in the LFL, the highest level possible for women. LFL stands for Legends Football League, but many people know it as its previous name, the Lingerie Football League. They both play for the Chicago Bliss, a force every season in the LFL. Jayne is the quarterback and Quincy is her tight end. If you have ever seen a game then you know these women take football serious. Jayne and Quincy are great athletes, fierce competitors, and they're beautiful. My girlfriend plays for the Bliss as well, so I got to know Jayne and Quincy over the past couple of years. I recently caught up with my "mates" in Chicago to talk about the upcoming LFL season. We also discussed controversial topics such as the criticism the league has dealt with and creepy fans that request game worn socks and panties.

Jesus “Zeus” Hernandez is the epitome of the American Dream. He and his mother Idalia immigrated to the US in 1980, when they boarded a boat in Cuba’s Mariel Harbor, seeking asylum from oppressive dictator Fidel Castro. The Mariel boatlift is part of modern American history. It changed the entire city of Miami forever. It also gave a young boy an opportunity he never would have had. I did this podcast for Donald Trump. I know D. Trump listens to Keepin’ It A Hundo while he does his hair and when he lays down in the tanning booth.

Zeus Hernandez is a self-made millionaire. He was fortunate to survive the streets of Allapattah, a crime-riddled neighborhood in Miami. He became a walk-on for the football team at Florida St and eventually was named All ACC first team, while winning a national championship. He is now a successful entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Total Home Health. He also has a home in one of Miami’s most exclusive neighborhoods. But most importantly, he is living his dream of being a great husband and great father to two boys. I met Zeus on the basketball court about 10 years ago and we have a mutual love for the game, but I have learned much more from him off the court. And contrary to popular belief, the first time I flew private was not with my old friend Birdman, it was with Zeus. Check out his inspirational story on Keepin’ It A Hundo.

Long before he was Blacknoyz, he was part of The Committee. That was our crew back at the University of Miami. I've been hanging with him since the 90's. This was back when nobody could touch The U. The football team was undefeated and won a National Championship in 2001. Not only were they unstoppable on the field, but they were undefeated on the intramural basketball court too. That is until they ran into a buzz saw that included Blacknoyz, the Booty Knockin' Moroccan and myself. Needless to say, I won an intramural championship with this dude.

Blacknoyz aka Noyz, hails from the West Side of Chicago, and was actually an engineer. He taught himself how to use a camera and the intracacies of how to to shoot videos. Noyz is now an accomplished director. He's made music videos for some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Snoop Dogg, and Pusha T. So just like any other day we recently sat down, in Los Angeles, to discuss the nuances of hip hop, film and TV.