This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa take a data dive into recent nationwide crime statistics and put them into historical context, unpacking how both the left and right spin these numbers towards political ends and examining the roots of violent crime as explored in the lyricism of Nas, Murs and Big L. 

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This week, the hosts recap recent happenings in the worlds of rhyme and government, from the losses of legendary Blackalicious emcee Gift of Gab and anti-war icon Mike Gravel to the controversy-stirring bars of right-wing rhymesmith Tom McDonald. They also speak with Amazonians United founder and AOC campaign alumnus Jonathan Bailey about the outcomes of the New York Democratic primary and, surprisingly, the professional ballroom dancing scene. 

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"This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss the women in Hip Hop. The contributions, the struggle and the outlook for the future. Speciall guest interview with journalist and hip hop historian, Kathy Landoli"

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Ahead of next week's Democratic primary for the New York mayor's race, Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife take a look at some of the top candidates for Gotham's highest office and two polar-opposite representations of the Big Apple in Hip Hop-- Nas's NY State of Mind and Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind. 

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This week, Dope KNife chops it up with leftist activist and battle rapper extrordinaire Soul Khan and discusses the roots and ethics of battle rap culture with cohost Linqua Franqa, reflecting on famous rap battles of history-- Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee, Boogie Down Productions vs. Juice Crew, as examples -- in the closeout. 

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This week, Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife break down the role of the district attorney and discuss the "progressive prosecutor" movement with focus on one of its figureheads, Larry Krasner, who two weeks ago faced off with police-union backed, law-and-order challenger Carlos Vega in the Democratic primary for District Attorney of Philadelphia. They discuss what these election results mean for the progressive prosecutor movement in the wake of the George Floyd uprising as well as how DAs shape the lives of rappers from Meek Mill to Biggie and more.

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This week, Linqua Franqa is joined by journalist Matt Pulver to discuss the impacts of neoliberalism on the city of Atlanta, touching on housing, water privatization, the rise of the police state and how the neoliberalization of these facets of life in Atlanta shows up in the music of T.I., Gucci Mane, Denzel Curry, Goodie Mob and others.

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This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa take a look back at the historical and material ties between Black liberation movements and the Palestinian liberation struggle, tipping their hats to Palestinian emcees DAM and Belly along the way.

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This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa shake the Shakur family tree, probing the revolutionary lives of Tupac's godmother, Assata Shakur, his mother, Afeni Shakur, and his stepfather, Mutulu Shakur. In the music discussion, they examine how these black revolutionary influences are found in Pac's catalogue as well as rap writ large, from Pac's own "White Manz World" and his collection of poetry, "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" to Common's biographical track, "Song for Assata." 

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This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa explore Haitian unrest past and present, from the Haitian Revolution of the 1790's today's uprising against president Jovenel Moise. Linqua Franqa speaks with journalist and activist Eugene Puryear about his recent travels to Haiti and coverage of the most recent popular uprising against authoritarianism and government corruption that has taken the country by storm in recent months. And in closing, the rappers introduce rappers to the Rap Kreyol stylings of Izolan and Yani Martelly.

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