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London, 1971

“The artist is not free to do what he wants to do, the artist is free to do what he has to do” – JB

Jimmy Baldwin & Nikki Giovanni in conversation has always been one of my favorite things. As the great Donny Hathaway put it before covering Superwoman by Stevie Wonder: “from the black pool of genius.” And that’s exactly how I feel about these two. Like I talk about in the intro, if you put yourself out in the world just as you see it and feel it, you’ll always find an audience, step out on fear. That price paid for us that Baldwin talks about is never lost on me. Learn yourself and change yourself, I’m trying. Below is Giovanni’s words that pierced my soul from the first time heard. 

“Because I love you, I get least of you, I get the very minimum” 

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When someone completed the task of archiving all of Kanye’s interviews last year, I had the outlandish idea to listen (or re-listen to most) and extract what I felt was essential. I almost didn’t go through with it but as I I’ve often found out in my life, things like this that I consider part of my work while here, even if not understood by others, is not something I have control over, I have to do it. It’s important to speak and live our truth and honor people who have given us so much. Some selected quotes below aid me in demonstrating what he’s meant to a generation as Dr. Donda West put it. 

“The time is now. The time is now to express and for people to believe in themselves. The time is now for it to be ok to be great. People in this world shun people for being great. For being a bright color. For standing out.” 

“I don’t care if you like me, I care if you like yourself”

Because everyone’s compromising

Everyone is placing themselves in a social debt

Based on how big their house is or how fast their car is 

And how fast the car is next door to them 

They’re losing their art

They’re losing their passion

They’re losing their purpose

It’s like the whole world is based on showing how much you have or posturing in that way

I went into debt to chase my dreams.

-Kanye West 

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I wasn’t sure I was going to put this one out but it’s all part of the story. I told my friend earlier that I have a living, breathing, talking journal of my life & times. Pretty crazy to compare what was and what comes to be. Tomi Okunfolami is back for another one. Get on your spin bike and have a listen. 

[Please rate if you haven't and share with one person, see you soon!]

TOPICS >>>
DMX & Cam’ron 
When artists’ music videos ruin a song for you
Ghostface Killah & Raekwon
Mase & Puff 
Celebrities who take care of their people:
Spike, Lebron, Wes, Adam
Issues with Tinder
How many soulmates do we get? 
Entaglements
Meghan & Harry 
Brad & Jenn
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
One-sided friendships
George Floyd
White people joining the cause in 2020
BLM slogan 
Reparations
Prison System

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A change of pace for something I had to do, I’ve been carrying it for too long. It wasn’t the easiest to record, as you’ll find out. I’m not able to move on and do certain things unless I’m able to discard baggage I’m carrying. I believe almost every family has a loss similar to mine/ours. We lost our beloved family member, my uncle, 22 years ago and it was the turning point for so many people. It changed everything. How each family processes grief is something that I’m very interested in exploring. Now that I am older, I seek certain things out and I have a lot of questions I’m aware may never get answered. We have to find a way to honor those who departed before us and keep their memory and spirit alive, that’s all I’m trying to do. I recorded this episode in a very intimate setting with two kindreds, Isha McCauley & Claudia Espaillat, to honor him. I’d love to hear your feedback and how your family has been impacted by loss. I hope the day finds you well, enjoy.

[be sure to give a rating after you listen]

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The second half of the first episode's covered topics: who's allowed me to be my most free self, are we the same people online and off, why I tried Tinder, something we want but afraid we won't get, what's a movie I wish I made, my biggest fear, and what I hope to contribute to this world. Enjoy!

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The first half of the first episode is a behind the scenes look at the creative process of the podcast and a look into my background. My guest co-host, Tomi Okunfolami, and I discuss things such as: who this podcast is for, how I'll be different after the pandemic, what I lost in 2020, what we appreciate about our friendship, and my worst travel experience. Enjoy!

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brief backdrop 

"Success is a journey, not a destination"