KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

Davey D sits down with acclaimed hip-hop artist, journalist, and activist Rocky Rivera to discuss her latest collaborative project, Long Kiss Goodnight, an album created in partnership with fellow Bay Area artist Otayo Dubb. In this candid and insightful conversation, Rocky Rivera delves into the creative process behind the album, its inspirations, and the themes it explores”ranging from resistance and resilience to love and liberation.

As a pioneering figure in feminist hip-hop, Rocky shares her perspective on the intersection of music and activism, reflecting on her evolution as an artist and her role in using storytelling as a tool for social change. The album, a testament to the dynamic artistry of both Rocky and Otayo Dubb, weaves personal narratives with sharp political commentary, offering listeners a soundtrack for these turbulent times.

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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Immigration Raids and Union Suppression

In this powerful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with longtime labor activist John Reimann about the intersection of immigration raids and union suppression. Reimann reveals that recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, particularly around sweatshops near Home Depot, have targeted areas with active union organizing campaigns led by SEIU and allied NGOs. He suggests the raids are not just about immigration enforcement “theyre being used to intimidate workers and disrupt labor movements.”

Reimann points out the absence of employer pushback in L.A., unlike other cities, implying tacit employer approval or collaboration. He argues that the Trump administration, driven by figures like Stephen Miller, is using immigration policy as a weapon against labor and political opposition, especially in Democratic strongholds like Texas and California.

The conversation highlights the arrest and mistreatment of union leader David Huerta, and the weak or absent response from many union leaders. Reimann critiques mainstream political figures like Bernie Sanders for offering rhetorical support but failing to mobilize concrete labor action. He stresses that real power lies with workers”especially immigrant laborers in agriculture”whose collective action could disrupt the food supply and challenge Trumps perceived dominance.

The interview ends with a call to action: Reimann urges listeners, especially union members, to demand mass rallies and broader labor solidarity campaigns. He emphasizes that true working-class unity requires standing with the most vulnerable”including immigrants, Black communities, and LGBTQ individuals.

For more, Reimann can be reached [email protected] read atOaklandSocialist.com.

Hard Knock Radio Highlights the Legacy of Hip Hop Pioneers Grandmaster Caz and MC Sha-Rock

In a lively and deeply reflective conversation, host Davey D welcomed Hip Hop trailblazers Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers and MC Sha-Rock of the Funky 4 Plus One toHard Knock Radio. The interview served as a lead-up to the Bronx Revolution event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, honoring Hip Hops origins and its foundational figures.

Caz, known for penning iconic rhymes and hosting NYCs legendary Hush Tours, discussed the natural evolution of his radio career and how his love for writing helped shape his lyrical prowess. He emphasized the importance of preserving Hip Hop history, noting that his early rhyme books are now housed at Cornell University.

Sha-Rock, often credited as Hip Hops first female MC, spoke on her South Bronx roots, her adaptive emceeing style, and her commitment to educating youth about the cultures foundation. She shared how she strategically loans her artifacts, including rhyme books stored at the Smithsonian, to ensure her legacy is respected and visible”not buried.

The two discussed ageism in Hip Hop, dismissing the notion that the culture is only for the young. Both see their current roles as elders as crucial to keeping the culture alive, engaged, and respected.

The conversation ended with excitement for the upcoming live event, which will feature live performances, community ciphers, and rare archival photos by Joe Conzo. Both artists stressed the urgency of reclaiming and preserving Hip Hops roots amid growing efforts to erase Black and Brown history from public institutions.

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 Immigration Raids and Union Suppression and The Legacy of Hip Hop Pioneers Grandmaster Caz and MC Sha-Rock appeared first on KPFA.

Immigration Raids and Union Suppression

In this powerful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with longtime labor activist John Reimann about the intersection of immigration raids and union suppression. Reimann reveals that recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, particularly around sweatshops near Home Depot, have targeted areas with active union organizing campaigns led by SEIU and allied NGOs. He suggests the raids are not just about immigration enforcement—they’re being used to intimidate workers and disrupt labor movements.

Reimann points out the absence of employer pushback in L.A., unlike other cities, implying tacit employer approval or collaboration. He argues that the Trump administration, driven by figures like Stephen Miller, is using immigration policy as a weapon against labor and political opposition, especially in Democratic strongholds like Texas and California.

The conversation highlights the arrest and mistreatment of union leader David Huerta, and the weak or absent response from many union leaders. Reimann critiques mainstream political figures like Bernie Sanders for offering rhetorical support but failing to mobilize concrete labor action. He stresses that real power lies with workers—especially immigrant laborers in agriculture—whose collective action could disrupt the food supply and challenge Trump’s perceived dominance.

The interview ends with a call to action: Reimann urges listeners, especially union members, to demand mass rallies and broader labor solidarity campaigns. He emphasizes that true working-class unity requires standing with the most vulnerable—including immigrants, Black communities, and LGBTQ individuals.

For more, Reimann can be reached at [email protected] or read at OaklandSocialist.com.

Hard Knock Radio Highlights the Legacy of Hip Hop Pioneers Grandmaster Caz and MC Sha-Rock

In a lively and deeply reflective conversation, host Davey D welcomed Hip Hop trailblazers Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers and MC Sha-Rock of the Funky 4 Plus One to Hard Knock Radio. The interview served as a lead-up to the Bronx Revolution event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, honoring Hip Hop’s origins and its foundational figures.

Caz, known for penning iconic rhymes and hosting NYC’s legendary Hush Tours, discussed the natural evolution of his radio career and how his love for writing helped shape his lyrical prowess. He emphasized the importance of preserving Hip Hop history, noting that his early rhyme books are now housed at Cornell University.

Sha-Rock, often credited as Hip Hop’s first female MC, spoke on her South Bronx roots, her adaptive emceeing style, and her commitment to educating youth about the culture’s foundation. She shared how she strategically loans her artifacts, including rhyme books stored at the Smithsonian, to ensure her legacy is respected and visible—not buried.

The two discussed ageism in Hip Hop, dismissing the notion that the culture is only for the young. Both see their current roles as elders as crucial to keeping the culture alive, engaged, and respected.

The conversation ended with excitement for the upcoming live event, which will feature live performances, community ciphers, and rare archival photos by Joe Conzo. Both artists stressed the urgency of reclaiming and preserving Hip Hop’s roots amid growing efforts to erase Black and Brown history from public institutions.

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 Immigration Raids and Union Suppression and The Legacy of Hip Hop Pioneers Grandmaster Caz and MC Sha-Rock appeared first on KPFA.

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D dives into the impact of mass deportations and ICE raids, especially on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Hes joined by Aquilina Soriano Versoza of the Filipino Workers Center and Cha Vang of AAPIs for Civic Empowerment. Together, they push back on the harmful narrative that AAPI communities are absent from the immigrant rights struggle.

Soriano Versoza details how Filipino and other AAPI communities are actively organizing, mobilizing, and responding to ICE raids”often as first responders in rapid response networks. She emphasizes that many Filipinos in the U.S. are recent immigrants or undocumented workers, making them highly vulnerable to raids, detentions, and exploitation.

Vang explains that over 3 million AAPI immigrants reside in California, with nearly half a million undocumented. Many are directly targeted by ICE, despite media erasure. She highlights the unique challenges faced by Southeast Asian refugees, including being deported to countries theyve never lived in, and the systemic double punishment of being deported years after serving time for youthful offenses.

The conversation connects deportation policies to U.S. foreign interventions and economic exploitation, revealing how these tactics destabilize immigrant communities and fuel a prison-to-deportation pipeline. Both guests draw parallels between todays ICE quotas and the racialized policing of the 1990s drug war.

They close by urging solidarity across Black, Brown, and AAPI communities in fighting not just unjust immigration policy, but an expanding authoritarian state that threatens civil liberties for all. The episode is a call to action, truth-telling, and cross-community unity.

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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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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A Rising Voice from Richmond

Debut EP New Beginnings Drops Friday

Not Just an Artist”A Whole Human

Their first collaboration was a track on environmental justice created with Hip Hop Public Health, tackling issues like climate change and community health through a Black cultural lens. That was my first time recording, Jayydon recalled, and Jahi helped me build confidence from the jump.

Music with Purpose, Not Posturing

Tracks like Walls and Mirrors offer inner reflections about breaking mental barriers and silencing self-doubt. The closer, Gratitude, pays homage to the artists who paved the way without receiving their due, connecting todays youth to Hip Hops deeper legacy.

Ownership and Integrity

Celebrating the Launch

Jayydon is the Future

Later Poor News Magazine explores America’s war on the poor.

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Fighting Back Against Censorship

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Emerson Sykes, senior staff attorney at the ACLU, to unpack the growing wave of book bans and attacks on free speech sweeping across the U.S. The conversation spotlights the federal government’s removal of nearly 600 books—including Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: Young Adult Edition, co-authored by Davey D and Jeff Chang—from Department of Defense-run school libraries.

The Bigger Picture

Sykes draws a direct line between executive orders issued by the Trump administration and an aggressive purge of materials deemed connected to DEI, gender identity, and so-called “divisive concepts.” He explains how keyword searches—rather than thoughtful review—were used to yank hundreds of titles from circulation, many centering women, LGBTQ voices, and communities of color.

Free Speech Under Siege

Sykes outlines how the ACLU differentiates between broad ideas of free expression and the legal scope of First Amendment protections. He underscores that the First Amendment shields private speech from government censorship—not private moderation by platforms like Twitter. The current censorship campaign, he argues, is a clear violation of constitutional rights and part of a broader authoritarian push to whitewash history and suppress dissent.

Court Battles & Legal Strategy

The ACLU has successfully challenged similar laws in states like Florida and New Hampshire, particularly where public universities faced restrictions on curriculum. Sykes details how the federal government, in the current case, is arguing that it has unchecked authority to pull any material in the name of compliance with the Commander-in-Chief—a stance the courts have not yet upheld.

What’s at Stake

Davey D and Sykes explore how legal definitions—like those attempting to equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism—could pave the way for dangerous precedents that criminalize dissent. They warn that the broader implications could extend to banning speech critical of police, the military, or U.S. institutions under the guise of “protecting” certain groups.

Call to Action

Sykes urges listeners to stay vigilant in their communities—whether in schools, workplaces, or local governments. He stresses the importance of pushing back on censorship at the local level and supporting organizations that are fighting for civil liberties nationwide.

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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Voices of Spirit, Resistance, and Revival: Jennifer Johns and Rev. Dereca Blackmon on Unity, Media, and Movement-Building

In this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with singer-activist Jennifer Johns and Reverend Dereca Blackmon about the upcoming East Bay Freedom Revival, a four-day celebration blending Juneteenth, Pride, Winter Solstice, and cultural resistance. The conversation moves from media distortion of LA protests to deep spiritual reflections on collective healing, justice, and the need to reclaim sacred joy in movement spaces.

Jennifer Johns critiques sensational media narratives and emphasizes the spiritual and strategic grounding behind much of today’s organizing. She speaks on the power of small, intentional acts and the importance of keeping love and unity at the center. Rev. Blackmon reflects on her role in the National Hip Hop Political Convention and the Oscar Grant movement, noting that healing, community, and shared ritual are not separate from resistance—they are resistance.

Both speakers uplift the idea that joy, music, and togetherness are essential weapons against oppression. They invite listeners to the East Bay Freedom Revival—a multi-day festival featuring house music, film screenings, sacred rituals, wellness spaces, and teachings rooted in collective liberation. Events take place at East Bay Church of Religious Science, with details at eastbayfreedomrevival.com.

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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Hard Knock Radio Summary: Davey D in Conversation with Dr. Rupa Marya

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D spoke with Dr. Rupa Marya—physician, musician, and author of Inflamed—about her recent firing from UCSF. Marya asserts that her termination was retaliation for her outspoken support of Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. She frames the dismissal as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in academia, especially targeting women of color, under pressure from pro-Israel forces and political allies like Senator Scott Wiener and billionaire donors such as the Diller family.

Marya detailed past institutional harassment for her advocacy work, including efforts to defend marginalized patients and call out systemic racism in healthcare. She described how groups like Canary Mission and Project Esther have sought to discredit and silence pro-Palestinian voices, and how UCSF leadership capitulated to these pressures. Despite UCSF’s stated support for free speech in other political contexts, Marya’s calls for ceasefire and health justice for Palestinians were met with disciplinary action.

She also raised concerns about the ties between UCSF, real estate interests, and conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, connecting her case to wider attacks on academic freedom and diversity efforts.

Davey D highlighted the double standard in how political doctors like Dr. Oz or Ben Carson are embraced, while Marya was punished for similar activism. Marya closed by urging listeners to ask their healthcare providers where they stand on genocide in Gaza and support healthcare workers fighting for equity and justice.

Hard Knock Radio Pays Tribute to Sly Stone’s Legacy with Professor Rickey Vincent

OAKLAND, CA — June 10, 2025

Vincent, known as “The Uhuru Maggot,” framed Stone as one of the true architects of funk—placing him alongside James Brown and George Clinton. But unlike Brown’s disciplined, militaristic approach, Sly offered something looser, freer, and more colorful. “He gave artists permission to get funky with it,” said Vincent, crediting Stone with injecting both attitude and rhythm into Black music’s evolving narrative.

The conversation traced Stone’s regional roots, not just in San Francisco—where he gained fame as a DJ and artist—but also in Vallejo, East Oakland, and Sacramento. Vincent explained how the multicultural, gender-integrated lineup of Sly and the Family Stone reflected the ethos of the Bay Area’s countercultural explosion, touching on civil rights, psychedelia, and sonic experimentation.

“While Marvin Gaye asked ‘What’s Going On,’ Sly answered with ‘There’s a Riot Goin’ On,’” Davey D noted, hinting at the deeper social commentary embedded in Stone’s seemingly upbeat tracks. Vincent agreed, highlighting how mainstream hits like Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) carried defiant political messages—even as audiences danced to them.

The tribute also recognized Stone’s ability to straddle musical worlds—headlining both the Harlem Cultural Festival and Woodstock in 1969. “He was a superstar in Black America and White America at the same time,” said Vincent, noting the heavy toll such visibility took.

Listeners were encouraged to tune into Vincent’s upcoming tribute on The History of Funk this Friday, where he’ll dive deeper into Sly’s catalog and his rivalry—or synergy—with Marvin Gaye.

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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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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