The Uppity Knitter Podcast with Siedah Garrett

In this Season One final episode, we revisit each of our celebrity guests’ unusual or shocking life experiences that caused them to have a “oh, no, he didn’t!” type of reaction. Listen in as RuPaul, Marlon Wayans, Spike Lee, Sheila E., D-Nice and others, share their hilarious or thought-provoking “Knitter,  What?!” moments.

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Cindy Blackman Santana is an accomplished professional drummer, having come into prominence as a member of Lenny Kravitz' band for 15 years, and more recently performing and recording with her husband, the legendary guitarist Carlos Santana. In this episode, Blackman Santana shares her deep enthusiasm for her hobby of archery, and illustrates the profound connection between target practice and her ability to center her focus and concentration on both her musical aspirations and drumming performance.

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Actor Mykelti Williamson, celebrated for his role as “Bubba” in the Academy Awarding-winning film Forrest Gump first began acting professionally at the age of 18. After graduating high school, Williamson ventured into professional acting, appearing on television series Starsky and Hutch (1975), Hill Street Blues (1981) and China Beach (1988), among others. Beyond his acting career, Williamson is passionate about restoring classic cars, including his prized 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck. His other favorite hobby is playing blues harmonica.

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Often hailed as the Queen of Percussion, Sheila E. is a globally acclaimed drummer and percussionist, a multi-Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, winner of the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a celebrated author, and a dedicated humanitarian and educator. Throughout her illustrious career which spans over 45 years, Sheila E. has collaborated, recorded and performed with numerous legendary artists, notably establishing a longstanding musical partnership with Prince. Recently awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sheila opens up about her favorite hobbies and interests whenever she's not onstage or in a recording studio. 

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Renowned jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard is a maestro with seven Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations under his belt. Beyond his exceptional prowess as a brass player and bandleader, Blanchard is a versatile recording artist and a master orchestrator of film scores. Hailing from New Orleans, his work extends across various artistic domains, spanning film, television, opera, and stage, with a portfolio boasting over 50 remarkable scores. His collaboration with director Spike Lee has been an enduring musical partnership, scoring almost every Spike Lee film since 1991. Other notable film scores include the films Harriet, One Night in Miami, and The Woman King.This remarkable feat has earned Blanchard the distinction of being the second African-American composer to receive two Academy Award nominations, a status shared only by the illustrious Quincy Jones.

In this episode, Blanchard delves into his lifelong passion for the sport of boxing, sharing his admiration for the sport, its integral role in his personal fitness journey, and it's impact on his onstage musical performances.

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D-Nice, a highly sought-after DJ, recording artist, music producer, photographer, web designer, and entrepreneur, gained prominence as a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions alongside KRS-One & DJ Scott La Rock. In this episode of The Uppity Knitter Podcast, D-Nice reminisces about his evolution from a teenage hip-hop artist to his venture into photography, where he skillfully captures portraits of some of the most legendary figures in music and culture.

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Dawnn Lewis is an accomplished actor, singer-songwriter and voice-over talent beloved for her role as Jaleesa on the classic sitcom “A Different World”, for which she composed the well-known theme song sung by Aretha Franklin. In this episode of The Uppity Knitter Podcast with Siedah Garrett, Brooklyn-native Dawnn Lewis shares her favorite hobbies, and recounts her captivating journey as a certified open water scuba diver, adding yet another dimension to her already impressive repertoire. 

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Spike Lee, the iconic two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and educator, is not only a revered figure in pop culture but also a dedicated collector. In this edition of The Uppity Knitter Podcast, Spike delves into his lifelong hobby and love for amassing contemporary art, which includes baseball cards, comic books, photographs, and film memorabilia. This remarkable collection is currently on public display in an exhibition hosted by the Brooklyn Museum.

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RuPaul, an unparalleled figure in the world of drag, reigns as the most commercially successful of all time, boasting 12 prime-time Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a coveted star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. In this episode of The Uppity Knitter Podcast, RuPaul joins host Siedah Garrett, to discuss his favorite hobbies, including his lifelong passion for rollerskating, showcasing his commitment by keeping a pair of skates in the trunk of his car, and by skating in the most unusual locations. When he’s not in front of the camera, this versatile artist enjoys cycling at dawn, reading, watching Judge Judy, and working on his 60,000 acre ranch in Wyoming. RuPaul's life is a tapestry of many talents and diverse interests.

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Marlon Wayans is an fast-rising actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian. He joins Siedah Garrett on The Uppity Knitter Podcast to discuss his hobbies that fans may not be aware of. In this episode, Wayans reveals that, from a life of poverty in a NYC public housing projects, he developed a passion for collecting sneakers, and now has amassed a collection of 1300 pairs, including some very rare collectibles.

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