Noble Champions

By SantigoldSociety & Culture Arts Music Performing Arts Music Interviews

Noble Champions episodes

February 18, 2025 The Future is African: Unity, Vision & Collective Liberation
In this episode of Noble Champions, Santigold explores the potential for deeper collaboration between Africa and its global diaspora. She’s joined by two visionary guests from Nigeria: Seun Kuti, musician, activist, and son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, who has continued his father’s revolutionary legacy both artistically and politically, and Adesuwa Aighewi, a model-turned-entrepreneur redefining ethical fashion through her company, Legacy World.
Together, they examine the structural forces that have historically worked to divide Black people worldwide—colonialism, slavery, and systemic exploitation—and discuss how unity, vision, and cultural reclamation can drive real transformation. Seun shares his sharp and unfiltered take on Nigeria’s political landscape, the challenges of rebuilding broken institutions, and the necessity of grassroots movements in reclaiming power. Adesuwa, having moved between continents, offers a personal perspective on identity, representation, and the struggles of bridging the gap between African talent and the global market.
Seun often says, "A nation cannot grow above the consciousness of its people," a truth that resonates far beyond Nigeria. Whether in Africa or here in America, the systems that govern us are a reflection of the awareness, education, and collective vision of the people. This conversation challenges us all to examine how we contribute to that consciousness—through the culture we consume, the histories we uphold, and the futures we dare to imagine.
This episode doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—about the commodification of African culture, the economic barriers facing the continent, and the deep-seated impact of historical trauma. But more importantly, it imagines what a liberated and self-sufficient Africa could look like, centering the voices of those actively shaping its future.
As Santigold wraps up this season, she reflects on the power of these conversations and the necessity of continuing them. Stay tuned for more, and as always, we are Noble Champions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 28 min
January 03, 2025 The Future of Music: Art, Industry, and the Power of Collective Connection
In this episode, Santi sits down with legendary bassist Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), visionary solo artist Syd (formerly of The Internet and Odd Future), and Gen Z pioneer Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first member of Congress from his generation. Together, they unpack the shifting landscape of the music industry and the challenges of staying true to one’s creative purpose in an age of constant change.

Flea reflects on how music education saved him as a troubled teen, the necessity of creating from a place of truth, and the role of community in sustaining artistic passion. Syd shares her evolution from a teenager producing beats in her bedroom to an artist fiercely protecting her independence in an industry often driven by image over substance. Meanwhile, Maxwell offers a fresh perspective on how music shaped his political ideals, his vision for policies that sustain careers in the arts, and how Flea’s music left an indelible mark on his own journey.

This conversation dives deep into the intersections of art, identity, and resilience, shedding light on how authenticity, collaboration, and integrity remain vital—especially in times of cultural and political upheaval.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 14 min
December 04, 2024 Reckoning with Patriarchy: Nurturing Love, Accountability and Connection in a Broken System
In this episode, Santi sits down with musician and creator Vince Staples, comedian and actor Wyatt Cenac, and acclaimed writer and academic Kiese Laymon for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about patriarchy—its impact on individuals and society, and what it takes to break free from its grip. Kiese reflects on a pivotal childhood experience at a 2 Live Crew concert, the profound role male touch played in his upbringing and how, for men, the act of receiving touch often demands a kind of vulnerability that patriarchy teaches them to fear and reject. Wyatt unpacks the influence of male figures in pop culture on his early ideas of masculinity, and how patriarchy teaches men to equate strength with silence. He reflects on the emotional toll of this conditioning, describing how the refusal to express vulnerability in relationships can feel isolating. Vince offers a critique of how systems of slavery, capitalism, and religion have worked together to obscure self-awareness, distorting the ability of individuals to imagine themselves outside the constraints of imposed identities and collective ideologies. Together, Santi and her guests explore how patriarchal systems have shaped their identities, relationships, and creative work while sharing the steps they’re taking to move beyond its shadow, and imagine a path toward a more equitable future.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 19 min
November 20, 2024 Offline Living: Breaking Free from Tech
In this episode, Santigold sits down with actor and activist Shailene Woodley and Odille Zexter-Kaiser to discuss how stepping away from technology can nurture a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Shailene shares insights from her years of consciously minimizing her reliance on technology, while Odille reflects on her experience as a member of New York City’s Luddite Club—a group of high school students who chose to limit their tech use in pursuit of a more intentional, grounded lifestyle. Together, they examine the profound impact of technology on our relationships and explore the benefits of embracing a more mindful way of living.

Note: The sound quality on this episode is perfectly imperfect. The irony is not lost on us. I guess since it’s an episode about stepping away from technology (one of our guests was even calling in on a flip phone), the tech gods decided to mess with us. Think of it as a lo-fi tribute to living intentionally. Thanks for rolling with it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
52 min
October 30, 2024 Afrofuturism: How Human Imagination Shapes Our Future
Episode 1 with John Jennings and Terence Nance dives into Afrofuturism and the power of human imagination in shaping our future. In a time of global uncertainty, art that envisions a better world is essential. Santi sits down with acclaimed graphic novelist, comic book author, illustrator, and professor John Jennings, alongside artist, filmmaker, and musician Terence Nance (creator of HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness) for a rich discussion. Together, they explore the tools of imagination, the role of rituals, the concept of deindustrializing oneself, nonlinear time, and much more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr
December 05, 2022 Idris Elba and Dan Kovalik
On this week's episode, Santi is joined by Idris Elba and Dan Kovalik to discuss "cancel culture" through the lens of perpetual growth. They cover the origins of the concept, how it has evolved to become a relevant and modern societal and political topic, and the effect it has on culture.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
58 min
November 28, 2022 Bun B and Resmaa Menakem
In this episode, Santi and her guests, Bun B and Resmaa Menakem, talk about intergenerational and racialized trauma, how our ancestors' and our own traumatic experiences can often set the tone for how we view and interact with the world around us, and the deep-rooted effects that have on our communities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 5 min
November 21, 2022 Saul Williams and Mary Annaïse Heglar
In this episode, Santi and her guests, Saul Williams and Mary Annaïse Heglar, talk about the intersection of race and climate change, and how it impacts the future of our world. They also touch on Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s recent trip to Africa, the landmark climate legislation just passed by the U.S. Senate, and the assassination of the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 3 min
November 14, 2022 Olivia Wilde and Rebecca Walker
In this episode, Santi and her guests, Olivia Wilde, and Rebecca Walker share their experiences as mothers who are creatives. They discuss the challenge of balancing motherhood and their own creativity, explore the concept of working mothers "having it all", and Rebecca relays her experience as the child of another creative mother, Alice Walker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48 min
November 07, 2022 Questlove, Angela Yee and Tunde Adebimpe
In this episode, Santi rallies her longtime friends Questlove, Angela Yee, and Tunde Adebimpe, who are fellow artists, industry insiders, and cultural critics, to try to tackle the question, 'What exactly is Black Music?'. They discuss complex issues like what happens when you step out of the genre box - specifically when Black artists are making music that’s left outside the 'Black Music' box, who built the box, and what’s the bigger impact of caging in or boxing out music and the artists that make it? All this while geeking out about some of their favorite seminal recording artists like Bad Brains, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, The Last Poets and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
51 min

About Noble Champions

From the publisher's feed

Noble Champions is a modern day salon, created and hosted by the multi-platform visionary artist, Santigold. In each episode, she sits down with some of today’s leading artists, authors, activists,…