Race Of Your Own

Before reggaeton, before Big Pun, before "Latin rap" was even a category, there was The Mean Machine.

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Rivera, better known as Mr. Schick, the hip-hop pioneer known as the first MC to rap in Spanish on a commercial record. As a member of The Mean Machine, a group of Puerto Rican MCs out of New York City, he made history on the 1981 single "Disco Dream," released on the legendary Sugar Hill Records. The Mean Machine is widely cited as the first bilingual rap group, and one of the first to blend English and Spanish on wax. They helped open the door for every Latino artist in hip-hop who came after.

We get into: 🎤 How Latin music shaped The Mean Machine's sound 🇵🇷 Being Puerto Rican in the Bronx-born culture of hip-hop 🗣️ Latino and Afro-Latino identity in hip-hop 📼 The group's 1986 follow-up, "At The Party," and the legacy they left behind This is a history lesson from someone who lived it. Hip-hop's story has always been bilingual.

Mr Schick IG: @mr.schick_tmm

Race Of Your Own IG: @raceofyourown

This week on Race of Your Own, actress and storyteller Adargiza De Los Santos joins us to talk about identity, Hollywood, and what it means to take up space when the room was never built for you. Adargiza grew up in Brooklyn straddling two worlds: a Dominican household and American everything else. She was code-switching before there was even a word for it. Her mother, an immigrant, raised 8 kids sola y sin ayuda, and that strength runs through everything Adargiza does. Somewhere between those two worlds she found storytelling, the one thing that made sense in both languages. Today you've seen her in The Pitt, Ted, The Lincoln Lawyer, Abbott Elementary, The Horror of Dolores Roach, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us, Shameless, Bosch, Criminal Minds, and Castle. Before Hollywood she was a Museum Educator at El Museo del Barrio, The Museum of the City of New York, and The Queens Museum of Art. There she used storytelling to give people access to art and history that was never meant for them. Her motto: build the door if it doesn't exist. Ya tú sabes.

In this episode: 🔸 Growing up Afro-Dominican in Brooklyn and learning to live in two cultures 🔸 How Afro-Latinas are seen, and too often overlooked, in Hollywood 🔸 Lessons from a mother who raised 8 kids on her own 🔸 Turning museums and classrooms into spaces of belonging 🔸 Living in New York, Houston, Puerto Rico, and Spain, and reconnecting with her Dominican roots 🔸 Her work as a mental health advocate and why being different is never being wrong 📲

Follow Adargiza: Instagram @adargizadelossantos

🎧 Subscribe to Race of Your Own for more Latino and immigrant stories that deserve the spotlight.

#AfroLatina #Dominicana #AfroLatino #LatinaActress #ThePitt #AbbottElementary #LatinoStories #Representation #DominicanAmerican #RaceOfYourOwn

Choreographer and creative director Noel Bajandas breaks down the real work behind the biggest stages in pop culture, from Madonna to Miley Cyrus and Kim Petras. In this episode, the mind behind Kim Petras's viral "Future Starts Now" debut and "Coconuts" EMA performance opens up about 25+ years in dance, choreography, and creative direction. Noel Bajandas has choreographed and performed with Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Adam Lambert, and Thalía and his film work includes the Oscar-winning "La La Land," the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," "In The Heights," and "SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run." On TV, he's brought his choreography to "Dancing With The Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance," and the Emmy-winning Hulu series "East Los High." He spent time performing with Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium." A World Choreography Award winner for SuperFruit's "The Sweet Life" and a top-three finisher on "Every Single Step," Noel now works with rising pop artists Bryce Xavier, Alice Chater, Kaitlin Butts, and Frankie Grande, all while training dancers worldwide as a sought-after master teacher. This episode goes beyond the highlight reel. Noel talks candidly about the grind behind the glamour, how he built a career as a choreographer and creative director, and what it really takes to survive and thrive in the entertainment industry. 🎬 Watch now to hear Noel Bajandas tell all. Noel Bajandas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/noelbajanda... RSS FEED : https://rss.com/podcasts/araceofyourown/ SUBSCRIBE to our Substack : https://raceofyourown.substack.com/ Race Of Your Own Instagram: / raceofyourown

He's got the charm, the moves, and the humor to back it up, meet Cris Sosa, the comedian the internet couldn't stop sharing. In this episode, we sit down with the Houston-raised, Dominican/ Puerto Rican / Mexican proud funny man who went from making YouTube sketches in his bedroom to performing alongside comedy legends like Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. Cris breaks down how he built a fanbase one viral skit at a time, what it really means to rep your culture through comedy, and why the "Dominican Usher" comparisons just might be the greatest compliment he's ever received. From his early break on HBO's "Insecure" to selling out rooms in New York City, this is the story of a comedian who refused to wait for a co-sign ,and created his own lane instead. Funny, real, and undeniably him.

Cris Sosa on Instagram: / cristinososa

Website: http://www.crissosa.com

Race Of Your Own :

IG @raceofyourown

Here is PART TWO of my sit down with Vincent Paterson.

In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Paterson, one of the most influential yet often unseen architects of modern pop performance. From redefining how movement meets camera to shaping the visual language of iconic artists and eras, Vincent reflects on a career built on innovation, intuition, and deep artistic trust. A centerpiece of the conversation is his groundbreaking work on "Smooth Criminal" with Michael Jackson a collaboration that fundamentally changed how choreography, narrative, and cinematography coexist on screen.

Vincent unpacks the creative process behind one of the most analyzed performances in pop history, including the precision, experimentation, and risk required to make movement feel cinematic, dangerous, and timeless.

This conversation goes beyond credits and choreography. Vincent speaks candidly about authorship, collaboration, and what it means to create work that outlives trends. We explore the tension between visibility and legacy, the emotional labor behind iconic moments, and how choreography functions not just as movement, but as direction, storytelling, and cultural authorship.

With rare honesty, Vincent also reflects on power dynamics in the industry, creative ownership, and how dancers and choreographers have historically navigated systems that celebrate the final image while obscuring the makers behind it.

For artists, creatives, and anyone curious about how pop culture is truly constructed, this episode offers both a masterclass and a meditation on what it means to leave a mark—sometimes without standing in the spotlight.

This is a conversation about movement, memory, and the long arc of creative legacy.

In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Paterson, one of the most influential yet often unseen architects of modern pop performance. From redefining how movement meets camera to shaping the visual language of iconic artists and eras, Vincent reflects on a career built on innovation, intuition, and deep artistic trust. A centerpiece of the conversation is his groundbreaking work on "Smooth Criminal" with Michael Jackson a collaboration that fundamentally changed how choreography, narrative, and cinematography coexist on screen. Vincent unpacks the creative process behind one of the most analyzed performances in pop history, including the precision, experimentation, and risk required to make movement feel cinematic, dangerous, and timeless. This conversation goes beyond credits and choreography. Vincent speaks candidly about authorship, collaboration, and what it means to create work that outlives trends. We explore the tension between visibility and legacy, the emotional labor behind iconic moments, and how choreography functions not just as movement, but as direction, storytelling, and cultural authorship. With rare honesty, Vincent also reflects on power dynamics in the industry, creative ownership, and how dancers and choreographers have historically navigated systems that celebrate the final image while obscuring the makers behind it.

For artists, creatives, and anyone curious about how pop culture is truly constructed, this episode offers both a masterclass and a meditation on what it means to leave a mark—sometimes without standing in the spotlight.

This is a conversation about movement, memory, and the long arc of creative legacy.

In this powerful conversation, Mellow Man Ace takes us from his early roots as a Cuban immigrant to becoming one of the first artists to carve out space for Latin voices in hip hop. Long before Latin hip hop had industry support or even a clear label, he was blending English and Spanish, street reality and romance, Afro-Caribbean rhythm and West Coast rap, creating a sound the mainstream didn’t yet know how to receive.

We talk about what it meant to be Afro-Latino in a genre still defining itself, and why Afro-Latinoism isn’t a trend but a lived history one shaped by migration, erasure, resilience, and pride. Mellow Man Ace reflects on navigating identity in an industry that often wanted him to choose one box, the cultural pushback he faced, and the quiet ways his work opened doors for future generations of Latin and Afro-Latin artists.

This episode is about more than music. It’s about authorship, visibility, and the right to exist fully, Black, Brown, bilingual, and unapologetic, within hip hop culture.

From Cuba to South Gate Los Angeles, from the margins to the mic, this is a conversation about legacy, truth, and reclaiming narrative in a genre built on voice.

Mellow Man on IG: / mellow_man_ace

Krooked Treez / krookedtreezofficial

Race Of Your Own : / raceofyourown

In this episode of Race of Your Own, Brian Friedman joins us for an honest conversation about building your own lane, redefining success, and leading with purpose. Brian shares insights on mindset, identity, and navigating pressure while staying true to your path. All while choreographing and working with artists like Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, PINK and many more. If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader looking to take control of your journey, this interview will challenge how you think about success and ownership.

Topics include:

- Building a race of your own

- Identity, leadership, and mindset

- Redefining success on your terms

Subscribe for more interviews with leaders running their own race.

Follow Brian Friedman at : https://www.instagram.com/brianfriedman/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@BrianFriedman

Follow Race Of Your Own: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxF4L7oFRWvFl4G0ru5GRuQ https://www.instagram.com/raceofyourown/

Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YOHILgy0h1UYSmd72Knaz

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/race-of-your-own/id1773612135

In this episode sit down with Chris Denson he talks about his monthly men's group called "Personal Innovation Studio" and we have a wide-ranging conversation about the loneliness epidemic, the future of better farming, and how race, food, and community are more connected than we often realize. As society becomes more disconnected, we explore how local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and intentional community-building can help restore human connection and collective well-being. Chris shares insights on cultural identity, systemic challenges, and why rethinking how we grow food might also be key to healing social isolation. This episode challenges listeners to see farming not just as food production, but as a powerful tool for rebuilding trust, belonging, and resilience in modern life. If you’re interested in conversations about race, culture, food systems, and the social fabric of our communities, this episode offers an honest, forward-thinking perspective on where we are—and where we could be headed. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful insights and industry conversations.

A Race of your Own IG : /@raceofyourown

Website: http://www.raceofyourown.com

Chris Denson https://www.chrisdenson.co/ https://www.instagram.com/densonology

Don't forget to subscribe. Thank you for tuning in.

Listen also on: Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3yohilgy0h1uysmd72knaz

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/race-of-your-own/id1773612135

Subscribe to our Substack: https://raceofyourown.substack.com/

Post from Hispanic Heritage Month