KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

This Independence Day, we reflect on the meaning of July 4th through the lens of Black truth-telling, resistance, and cultural commentary. The program opens with a powerful rendition of Frederick Douglass’s 1852 address, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” performed by the legendary Ossie Davis. We then feature a searing sermon from Rev. Jeremiah Wright—often cited for his provocative line “God Damn America”—in which he delivers a prophetic critique of American injustice and hypocrisy.

And to close, we lighten the mood with the comedic genius of Kyle Grooms. In his unforgettable Bad Boys of Comedy routine, Grooms channels “Conspiracy Brother” to hilariously unpack the contradictions behind the Fourth of July.

A mix of history, fire, and humor—this special broadcast challenges us to reckon with the past while laughing through the pain.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Other America appeared first on KPFA.

In a wide-ranging and timely conversation, host Davey D sat down with Professor Stephen Zunes of the University of San Francisco to break down the current situation with Iran, the history that informs it, and the often contradictory role the U.S. plays in Middle East policy.

Zunes began with an “Iran 101,” noting the country’s rich history, strategic size, and its role as a major regional player. He argued that much of the U.S. and Israeli hostility toward Iran stems less from human rights concerns and more from Iran’s refusal to submit to U.S.–Israeli hegemony in the region. While Iran’s regime is undeniably repressive, Zunes pointed out the glaring hypocrisy in how the U.S. tolerates similar or worse abuses from allies like Saudi Arabia.

Davey D steered the conversation into historical context, recalling the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected leader, Mohammad Mossadegh, for trying to nationalize oil. Zunes agreed, saying this U.S. interference directly contributed to the eventual rise of the current theocratic regime. The irony? It was the secular Left that was destroyed in the years following the coup, leaving a vacuum for the Ayatollahs to fill.

A major point of discussion was the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Zunes described as extremely restrictive and effective. He criticized Trump for tearing up the agreement, and Biden for not rejoining it. This, Zunes argued, has helped provoke unnecessary conflict, made diplomacy harder, and provided political cover for Israel’s aggressive actions.

Davey raised the concern about double standards and the potential targeting of Iranian Americans. Zunes acknowledged those fears, highlighting the possibility of civil liberties being curtailed in the name of “national security”—a pattern familiar from post-9/11 America.

The conversation concluded with Zunes warning about a manufactured crisis: keeping the spotlight on Iran helps distract from Israel’s war in Gaza and settler colonialism in the West Bank. He called for a renewed anti-war movement and for Americans to hold both Democrats and Republicans accountable for reckless foreign policy.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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On this urgent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Pastor Mike McBride of the Black Church PAC and LiveFree.org to break down the far-reaching implications of a sweeping federal bill, dubbed sarcastically by critics as the “Big Billionaire Looting Bill” or BBL Bill. As headlines focused on celebrity scandals like Diddy’s legal troubles, Pastor Mike and Davey call attention to the much more dangerous developments quietly moving through Congress.

Pastor Mike warns that this 1,000+ page bill includes one of the largest tax breaks in U.S. history—effectively transferring over $1 trillion to the wealthiest Americans. Meanwhile, $925 million is being cut from essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid, disproportionately impacting poor and working-class communities. On top of that, the bill earmarks $75 billion for ICE expansion, including:

The bill signals a return to over-policing and racialized targeting, especially in sanctuary cities. Pastor Mike notes the growing alignment between federal agencies and private for-profit detention centers, creating economic incentives to criminalize and detain marginalized people. A new wave of ICE enforcement is poised to hit Haitian and Black immigrant communities hardest—many of whom have lost Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Even U.S.-born citizens with criminal records could be subject to extreme legal overreach.

Davey and Pastor Mike also expose how right-wing networks and doom-loop websites are manufacturing a crime narrative—often funded by police unions or conservative operatives—to justify harsh policing. They explain how these fear-based tactics are being used to promote authoritarian policies, all while suppressing grassroots democratic reforms.

Pastor Mike calls on listeners to act fast, stressing that we may have less than 24 hours to stop this bill in Congress. He urges folks to:

The interview closes with a sobering reminder: this bill isn’t just bad policy—it’s a roadmap toward a more authoritarian and unequal America. Davey D and Pastor Mike urge listeners to see past the distractions, stay organized, and stand firm in values rooted in justice, humanity, and dignity for all.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post In Conversation with Pastor Mike McBride on the Dangers of the Big, Beautiful Bill and the Rise of Authoritarianism appeared first on KPFA.

In a wide-ranging and urgent discussion, Hard Knock Radio host Davey D spoke with veteran journalist Tim Redmond of 48 Hills to unpack the political dynamics shaping San Francisco and their connections to national trends, especially under a potential second Trump administration.

Redmond criticized San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s proposed budget, calling it the “Billionaire’s Budget” for prioritizing law enforcement and jails over critical social services. He noted that the city is opening new jails and cracking down on unhoused residents, without meaningful investment in permanent housing. Despite an $800 million budget shortfall, there’s no talk of taxing the city’s wealthiest—something Redmond argues could easily generate enough revenue to cover the gap and fund affordable housing and education.

Davey D and Redmond called out a pattern of quiet cooperation or muted dissent from Democratic leaders—including Lurie, Nancy Pelosi, and Gavin Newsom—when it comes to Trump’s policies. While national Democrats have fiercely attacked progressive candidates like New York’s Zohran Mamdani for proposing bold economic reforms (like taxing the rich to pay for housing and transit), they’ve been comparatively silent about Trump’s dangerous and racist agenda.

Redmond warned that Democrats fear Mamdani’s model could succeed—and become contagious. “They’re afraid people will like it,” he said, which could trigger a broader demand for progressive taxation and public investment.

The conversation turned local again with concerns over San Francisco Unified’s apparent move to pause its ethnic studies program. Redmond said this reflects a chilling national trend—aligning with right-wing attacks on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)—even in so-called liberal cities. Teachers, he noted, are being silenced when it comes to discussing reparations, colonization, and Palestine. Davey D pushed back, recalling his own sanitized curriculum growing up and how hard-fought the current gains in ethnic studies have been.

Redmond emphasized that San Francisco and California have the resources—and the moral obligation—to push back. He proposed taxing the wealthiest residents to offset any threats to federal funding. “If Trump wants to pull $500 million from SF, fine—let’s raise it ourselves,” he said. Redmond also reminded listeners that California already pays far more in federal taxes than it gets back.

Davey D echoed this, calling out the gaslighting in political language: “That federal money is our money.”

The two also discussed recent Supreme Court decisions, including a ruling that may enable Trump to revoke birthright citizenship. Redmond warned this could render thousands of Bay Area residents effectively stateless, especially children born to immigrant parents. He also criticized the Court’s selective application of judicial restraint—blocking liberal policies like student loan relief while letting right-wing initiatives proceed unchecked.

Despite San Francisco’s sanctuary city label, Redmond called out the lack of meaningful resistance from the mayor or police in the face of ICE activity, including a recent incident involving a trans performer detained at Pride. “They say they don’t enforce ICE laws,” he said, “but they’re not doing anything to help either.”

Redmond urged listeners to organize at the local and state levels. He argued that California could pass a wealth tax and fund its own priorities without federal interference. “It starts locally,” he said. “We have to stop playing scared.”

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post In Conversation with Journalist Tim Redmond (48 Hills) appeared first on KPFA.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Hard Knock Radio – June 30, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

In a powerful and expansive conversation on Hard Knock Radio, Associate Dean Dr. Eileen Tejada of San Francisco State University joined host Davey D to break down the revolutionary roots of Bomba, an Afro-Caribbean tradition often misunderstood as just dance and music”but which, at its core, is a weapon of resistance.

Reclaiming Erased Histories

Dr. Tejadas work focuses on the Congrejo region of Puerto Rico, a space where formerly enslaved Africans”granted freedom by the Spanish in exchange for labor and conversion to Catholicism”were able to build autonomous communities. These communities, Tejada explains, preserved knowledge, healed the sick, developed agricultural and medicinal systems, and crucially, passed down the practice of Bomba out of sight of colonial powers.

A Ceremony of Alliance and Resistance

In Bomba, she emphasized, each participant must learn all roles. Its anti-capitalist, communal, and everyone plays for the sake of the collective.

Hidden Rhythms and Forbidden Drums

Cultural Healing and Liberation

Davey D drew parallels between Bomba and Black church traditions, cipher circles in Hip Hop, and second line parades in New Orleans”where people enter collective euphoria and communion through rhythm. Its not that we lose ourselves, Tejada clarified. We gain access to our true selves.

Lessons for Todays Struggles

As anti-Blackness, displacement, and censorship continue to rise, the interview closed on a note of radical joy and resilience. Even if the world ends, Tejada said, I intend to go out singing and dancing.

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We also air a powerful segment from Poor News Magazine, diving into Americas ongoing war on disenfranchised communities. From the criminalization of poverty to systemic neglect, the report sheds light on stories too often ignored by mainstream media.

Tune in for music, truth, and community-centered storytelling.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Uncovering Resistance: Dr. Eileen Tejada Breaks Down the Subversive History of Bomba (Part Two) and Poor News Magazine appeared first on KPFA.

In a powerful and expansive conversation on Hard Knock Radio, Associate Dean Dr. Eileen Tejada of San Francisco State University joined host Davey D to break down the revolutionary roots of Bomba, an Afro-Caribbean tradition often misunderstood as just dance and music”but which, at its core, is a weapon of resistance.

Reclaiming Erased Histories

Dr. Tejadas work focuses on the Congrejo region of Puerto Rico, a space where formerly enslaved Africans”granted freedom by the Spanish in exchange for labor and conversion to Catholicism”were able to build autonomous communities. These communities, Tejada explains, preserved knowledge, healed the sick, developed agricultural and medicinal systems, and crucially, passed down the practice of Bomba out of sight of colonial powers.

A Ceremony of Alliance and Resistance

In Bomba, she emphasized, each participant must learn all roles. Its anti-capitalist, communal, and everyone plays for the sake of the collective.

Hidden Rhythms and Forbidden Drums

Cultural Healing and Liberation

Davey D drew parallels between Bomba and Black church traditions, cipher circles in Hip Hop, and second line parades in New Orleans”where people enter collective euphoria and communion through rhythm. Its not that we lose ourselves, Tejada clarified. We gain access to our true selves.

Lessons for Todays Struggles

As anti-Blackness, displacement, and censorship continue to rise, the interview closed on a note of radical joy and resilience. Even if the world ends, Tejada said, I intend to go out singing and dancing.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Uncovering Resistance: Dr. Eileen Tejada Breaks Down the Subversive History of Bomba on Hard Knock Radio appeared first on KPFA.

Guest: Charles Barron, former NYC Councilman, State Assemblyman, and Black Panther

In a passionate and politically charged interview on Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with veteran Black Panther and longtime New York politician Charles Barron to unpack the unexpected defeat of establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo by Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani in the NYC mayoral primary.

Barron, who served alongside both candidates, described Cuomo as a political fraud who failed Black communities by slashing public benefits, underfunding education, and overseeing deadly COVID nursing home policies—all while dodging accountability for sexual harassment allegations. Mamdani, by contrast, was praised for his consistency on progressive issues, though Barron warned that Mamdani did not earn the Black vote and must now be held accountable by Black communities who were largely sidelined in his campaign.

“Cuomo didn’t deserve the Black vote, and Mamdani didn’t earn it,” Barron said, calling on Black voters to abandon “plantation politics” in favor of radical, independent organizing.

Barron criticized the Black political establishment—including figures like Gregory Meeks—for backing Cuomo despite prior condemnation, exposing a pattern of political expediency over principle. He emphasized the need for “transformative politics” over transactional compromise, pointing to his 21-year record of radical wins in East New York, achieved without capitulating to neoliberal forces.

Davey D and Barron also explored how progressives risk being labeled “anti-Black” if they fail to build genuine, long-term relationships with Black communities. Barron insisted candidates must speak unapologetically on issues like reparations, AFRICOM, and Black political prisoners, rather than appeasing external pressure or donor-class interests.

The conversation ended on a note of strategic clarity: radical change is possible—but only if Black communities organize with clarity, power analysis, and collective vision.

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Kev Choice on Art, Cuts, and Culture: A Hard Knock Radio Conversation

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Oakland-based musician, educator, and activist Kev Choice to discuss Black Music Month, his upcoming show at Yoshi’s, and the urgent threat to Oakland’s arts and culture ecosystem.

Kev Choice is no stranger to the stage or to civic engagement. From working with Lauryn Hill to serving on commissions in Oakland, he represents a tradition of artist-activists deeply rooted in community. But this year, his Black Music Month celebration is bittersweet. Oakland’s city budget proposes deep cuts to the arts — a move Kev and Davey both see as short-sighted and damaging.

Kev emphasized that art in Oakland isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the city’s identity, economic engine, and public safety infrastructure. “When you travel the world and say ‘Oakland,’ people think of the Panthers and our artists,” Davey added, noting that the city has global cultural currency it isn’t properly investing in.

Both Davey and Kev called out the hypocrisy of defunding the arts while ignoring the vital role artists play in social transformation. From Ryan Coogler to local symphonies, Oakland’s creative scene is rich and expansive. Kev stressed that beyond big names, it’s community-based artists, youth programs, and local festivals that suffer the most from budget slashes.

He warned that these cuts signal more than neglect — they point to a targeted disempowerment of Black and marginalized voices. “If you empower art, you empower the people,” Kev said.

Kev encouraged listeners to speak out: write letters, show up to city council meetings, and advocate for funding. “When violence happens, the community responds. The same energy is needed when arts are on the chopping block.”

Kev’s upcoming show, The Highest Self, drops Friday at Yoshi’s. It’s more than just a concert — it’s a healing space, a showcase of local talent, and a call to remember the power of Black music to transform, uplift, and organize.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Charles Barron: “Mamdani Didn’t Earn the Black Vote. Cuomo Didn’t Deserve It” and Kev Choice on the Arts appeared first on KPFA.

On today’s edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with acclaimed poet, playwright, and screenwriter Chinaka Hodge, the creator and head writer of Marvel’s Ironheart, one of the most anticipated projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ironheart follows the story of Riri Williams, a teenage Black girl genius from Chicago who builds her own advanced suit of armor—outsmarting even Tony Stark’s Iron Man. As Marvel continues to expand its universe with more diverse and complex characters, Ironheart stands at the forefront, offering powerful representation and fresh storytelling rooted in real-world struggles and triumphs.

Chinaka Hodge, an Oakland native and a longtime cultural force, brings her deep artistic background to the Marvel universe. Known for her bold work in spoken word, theatre, and TV writing (Snowpiercer), Hodge infuses Ironheart with authenticity, Black brilliance, and political consciousness. In this conversation, she and Davey D talk about the creative process behind the series, the importance of representation in superhero narratives, and what it means to shape the next generation of heroes.

Later in the hour, host Davey D sits down with poet, author, and cultural warrior Jessica Care Moore to celebrate the release of her first children’s book, Your Crown Shines: For Ketanji Brown Jackson and You. The book, inspired by the historic rise of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, is an illustrated poem that uplifts Black children—especially girls—encouraging them to dream boldly and unapologetically.

Jessica explains how the book was born from a commissioned poem she performed during a “Win With Black Women” virtual gathering celebrating Jackson’s confirmation. The event, which included Oprah Winfrey, led to Oprah sharing the poem publicly—opening the door for Jessica to land a deal with HarperKids. Illustrator Dare Coulter brought the words to life with powerful, emotionally rich visuals that Jessica says often bring her to tears.

Throughout the conversation, Jessica and Davey D discuss the toxic messaging children of color often receive from authority figures—like guidance counselors and teachers—who discourage ambition. Jessica shares a personal story about someone telling her son to have a “backup plan” instead of pursuing his passion. Her response: “I am my son’s backup plan.”

Jessica critiques the broader systemic assaults on Black and Brown youth—from book bans to defunded education and attacks on diversity programs—calling them part of a wider culture war. She stresses the need for community involvement, showing up for all children and pouring into their dreams with intention.

Moore is currently touring schools and community spaces to share the book with young readers. She will be reading at Oakland Public Conservatory alongside Angela Wellman’s Black Girls Play program, spreading the message that every child’s crown deserves to shine.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

The post Chinaka Hodge discusses Marvel’s Ironheart and Jessica Care Moore Honors Black Brilliance With New Children’s Book appeared first on KPFA.

Guerline Jozef on Haitian Immigrants and Racial Injustice

In this powerful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, to shed light on the often-overlooked struggles of Haitian immigrants amid nationwide ICE raids and immigration crackdowns. Jozef shares harrowing accounts—including a Haitian father being kidnapped by ICE while leaving a courtroom with his infant child—exposing the inhumane and racialized treatment Black immigrants face.

Jozef argues that Haitian and Black immigrants are systematically targeted, yet rendered invisible in mainstream immigration debates. She details the long history of anti-Haitian discrimination, including the U.S. government’s role in falsely blaming Haitians for the AIDS epidemic, warehousing them in Guantanamo, and decades of destabilizing policies that have forced many to flee.

Davey D and Jozef call out the double standards in immigration enforcement—highlighting how Ukrainians and other non-Black immigrants are welcomed, while Haitians and other Black communities are criminalized. They denounce the use of media and algorithm-driven narratives that promote division, noting that these efforts serve elite political interests and echo the goals of Project 2025.

Jozef calls for solidarity across the Black Diaspora, stressing the need for a “family reunion” to confront systemic racism and U.S. policies that treat immigrants as disposable. Her final message is clear: many of those being targeted were invited here legally. The fight for immigrant justice is a fight for all Black people.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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