Donald Goines is considered the "Godfather of Ghetto Realism." He wrote fantastical stories based on the realities and struggles of living in urban places and among vulnerable Black communities. 

Goines, born in Detroit in 1936, grew up during a time when the world was heading into World War II. He joined the military at 16, and fell into the world of heroin. He ended up in prison for drugs after returning from the war. 

Once released, he turned things around and wrote 16 books in four and half years before being murdered alongside his wife Shirley in their Highland Park apartment. Almost 50 years later, the murders remain a mystery. 

With the help of the film company Detroit Son, Goines’ story — and the mystery behind his untimely death — is being revisited.

Craig Gore is the executive producer of the documentary, digging into the life and death of Donald Goines. The film also highlights his contributions to hip-hop culture after his death. 

Robert “Tape” Bailey is the founder of King Tape Productions and the author of “The Hustle Code," a guide on how to change perspectives and circumstances with empowering messages.

They both joined The Metro to talk about the documentary’s progress and Goines’ impact on their work. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.