Funny story, Too $hort was scheduled to be the very first guest on Day 1 Radio podcast nearly 8 years ago. Although we did do a live interview with the legendary artist at A3C in the past, this is $hort’s first official appearance on the pod. Another classic in the books. Subscribe, Rate, Review!

1:30 - $hort is celebrating his birthday and he explains why he doesn't celebrate it as just a day, but as a season.

2:40 - $hort explains how the super group Mt. Westmore with him Ice Cube, E-40 and Snoop Dogg came to be. He says that they've always done shows together as separate entities, but this allows them to be a stronger unit. He also states his case for being the opener of the show.

6:25 - $hort talks about his history and musical relationship with the late Shock G of Digital Underground and how they were friends before making music together.

9:00 - Too Short came from a family of college graduates and even played instruments himself in high school. He shares a story about how one of his only regrets in life is giving up his school band aspirations.

15:45 - $hort speaks on being in the game for almost 40 years. He also talks about the reception to his retirement album "The Pimp Tape" and the blessing of Hip-Hop putting him in a position to exactly what he wants in his life and career.

19:30 - Branden runs down a list of legendary Oakland names and gets Short to share memories about them with us. 

24:15 - Maurice gets $hort to talk about relocating Atlanta in the early 90s and what the Hip Hop music scene was like back then. Like so many other people, he came for Freaknik and never left. He also talks about how he first met Lil Jon and how their musical relationship started.

30:40 - $hort breaks down how he and Lil Jon made two of his biggest hits, "Shake That Monkey" and "Blow The Whistle."

35:00 - $hort talks about how he was banned from radio and TV for explicit lyrics back in the day, but now explicit are the norm.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

This weeks' guests Cardo and Payroll Giovanni have been making dope music for a few years now and it doesn't sound like they are slowing down anytime soon. Here we talk with them about how they met, their chemistry and how they've been able to mesh their individual styles together so seamlessly. 

1:00 - Cardo is originally from Minnesota and moved to DFW. Payroll is from Detroit. So, we had to ask how these two even met and started making music. Ironically, their incredible chemistry was from working together in Atlanta on a halted super group album with Jeezy and YG. Cardo and Payroll remind a lot of listeners of the Bay Area's "mob music" sound. They both speak on how the style influences their music. 

10:00 - Payroll and Cardo talk about how their chemistry hasn't been impacted too severely by not being able to work together in the studio during COVID. They reveal how even though email has become their primary mode of communication, the magic is still there.

15:15 - Payroll will be starring in a film about Detroit icons Chedda Boyz. He clarifies that the film he is in focusing on the street crew, not the rap iteration that many are familiar with.

17:20 - Detroit Hip-Hop is starting to be recognized to the point that other regions are actually starting to borrow some of their slang, style and fashion. Payroll speaks on how crazy it is to see it happening.

19:40 - Cardo explains the origins of 2020's Game Related album that featured Payroll, Larry June and Kid HBK. While it was well-received by fans, the album happened to drop the same day as Kobe Bryant's death and days before the world stopped because of COVID.

23:00 - Cardo has produced megahits for the likes of Drake and Travis Scott, but he has also created cult classics with people like Payroll, Curren$y and others. Here we ask him if he ever tries to get artists on their level to rap on some of his more "underground" type beats. 

28:15 - Payroll speaks on his upcoming tour with Oakland rapper Philthy Rich and how it feels going back on the road as things are opening back up. We also get them to speak on new music they are working on.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

This week we talked with former NBA player and current cannabis industry innovator Al Harrington. While many know him from his days as a hooper, this conversation focuses on his endeavors in the cannabis industry as the founder of VIOLA. Listen in as he shares his journey in this business why he views it as an opportunity for Black people and people of color to create generational wealth.

2:00 - Al shares the remarkable story about how his grandmother inspired him to start his company VIOLA and how the company is actually a platform for more people of color to get into the legal cannabis industry. He also explains the challenging, expensive process of how he actually got into the business. Al then talks about the different ways people can enter the game outside of being an actual cannabis grower.

8:00 - Al talks about the business incubator he has started to create 10,000 entrepreneurs in the cannabis space. He then talks about people still having "PTSD" in dealing with marijuana and their hesitance to enter the business. He also talks about how he feels generational wealth is on the line when dealing with cannabis and offers his thoughts on if and when marijuana will become legal federally.

17:30 - Al talks about how minorities need to bring their resources together to make an impact in the business and feels that celebrities should shift their approach to entering the space as well.

22:30 - Al clears up the intention and operation of the 100 millionaires concept behind his VIOLA CARES initiative. He also brings attention to how MSOs (multi state operators) find loopholes to get licenses in different states. 

24:30 - Al speaks on the importance of reentry programs for people who have been locked up behind weed charges and putting them through cannabis curriculums to get back on their feet legally. He also speaks on how he doesn't just view VIOLA as a money maker but as a community builder.

30:20 - Al gives some advice on how to educate yourself on how the business goes and how to get started in it. 

32:00 - Al talks about how he feels about professional sports leagues finally being open to taking marijuana off the banned substances list. And of course, lifelong Golden State Warriors fan gets Al to reflect on the 2006-07 "We Believe" Warriors team that Al was on and their legendary playoff run.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

This week we caught up with award-winning journalist and university professor Christopher A. Daniel to have a candid talk about the upcoming Grammy Awards. In addition to writing for the Grammy’s, Chris’ byline has also appeared on CBS News, The Washington Post, MSN, The Undefeated and more. We also took some time talking about the current state of Hip-Hop and Black journalism and the somewhat muted response to Drake's new music.

9:30 - With the Grammy Awards coming up, we each offer our takes on this year's nominees in the Rap music categories. 

27:40 - The three of us take a moment to talk about the new music Drake is dropping and how the reaction has been tepid compared to prior year. 

32:00 - Chris and Branden speak on some of the nominated music that they didn't expect to see or that people slept on this past year. We also spoke on the new Silk Sonic (Anderson.Paak and Bruno Mars) music and hopes for a tour. 

38:00 - With each of us being journalists and writers, we have a discussion on the state of Black-centered journalism and media outlets. 

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

This week's guest Dustin Canalin is the creative force behind some of our favorite and most meaningful sneaker and streetwear designs and logos. With a resume that includes adidas, Nike, And 1, Undrcrwn and more, he is now using his talents to launch new campaigns and product lines with L.A. Gear and Puma. Here we talk about a small part of his journey so far and what it has been like navigating the creative space over the last 12 months. 

3:30 - Dustin talks about adjusting to the realities of COVID as a creative, especially in the design field. He speaks on how working from home is not new to him and how he's pivoting to designing more casual items now that so many of us are at home a lot more. 

7:00 - Dustin is the lead designer for PUMA's new "Black Fives" campaign celebrating the first wave of all-Black professional basketball teams. Here he talks about how the collection came together and its significance. He also talks about he specializes in telling stories through products and if brands are always open to the ideas. 

17:30 - Dustin is one of the designers getting LA Gear and Payless back in the spotlight. Here he talks about his intentions behind working with the two brands.

23:30 - Dustin speaks on how designers are now considered "cool" and more high-profile. He credits it to people being more interested in wanting to know who and what they are supporting.

26:47 - Dustin speaks on his experience being on the design team for the NBA's City Edition jerseys, specifically the Golden State Warriors' "The Town" jerseys.

36:00 - Dustin talks about launching his new brand Trophy Hunting and explaining the soul and inspiration behind it. 

41:40 - Here we try to unpack the current NFT phenomenon. We are still trying to figure it out too. We also speak on some of the technology coming out that is poised to shake up the art and fashion worlds. Key takeaway: "Technology is your friend when you stay on top of it."

46:00 - Dustin talks about how he developed his prolific drawing style and how a visit to the Charles Schultz (Peanuts) museum inspired how he works and creates. We also talk about some of his favorite sneakers that he designed and his thoughts on "knock offs" now becoming cool.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

After starting the year with interviews focusing on film history, this week are talking about present and future music. Seddy Hendrinx is the latest signee to Generation Now (Lil Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow) and he is poised to have a good run. Here we talk to him about growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, developing his musical style and of course the struggling football franchise in his city.

3:00 - Seddy is perhaps the first rapper from Jacksonville to break out nationally. Here he talks about how much talent is in "Duuuuval" and how he aims to give more than the "shoot em up bang bang" that many rappers from there come out with.

5:30 - He talks about his upbringing in Jacksonville and how his mother is the one who introduced him to music as a form of therapy. He also reveals how Kendrick Lamar Good Kid, Maad City is the album that inspired his style and content when he decided to start a rap career. 

11:00 - Seddy talks about the moment he realized that he wasn't the only one going through tough times and how his music started to resonate with other people, even if it was just one person. He also speaks on staying true to himself and not hopping on trends and waves to get on. He also speaks on cutting back on using autotune on his voice.

15:30 - Seddy is signed to DJ Drama and Don Cannon's Generation Now label. Here he speaks on how he landed in Atlanta, sneaking into their Mean Streets Studios building and working his way up from there. He also gets into being such a prolific artist, dropping a new project every year since he's come out.

20:00 - Seddy also has his own company Florida Boy that he started with his uncle and talks about why he still decided to sign with another label. He also keeps it real about how the culture of support in Jacksonville's music scene.

23:30 - Seddy's breakout song "Lowkey" is currently at 10 million views on YouTube. He talks about how the song came about, how he knew it was a hit the first time he heard the beat and how it has changed his life.

26:00 - Seddy also paints on the side and talks about being able to have multiple artistic outlets.

28:00 - We couldn't talk to a person from Jacksonville and not talk about their football team. FYI, his head dropped when he started talking about them.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

Day 1 Radio has started 2021 speaking with a number of influential filmmakers and this week's episode keeps the trend going. Actor/director Nate Parker opened up about what inspired him to write his recently released film American Skin. In the conversation, we speak on race, police brutality, and all of the themes covered in the film and how it acted as a mirror to real life. 

1:30 - Who did you make this film for? Nate talks about taking in his young nephew and Michael Brown's 2014 death as inspirations to make this film about young Black men and their relationship with the police. He calls the film an "answer" for young people with questions on how to protect themselves.

7:40 - Nate speaks on the first time he had to have the "the talk" with his mother about how to deal with the police. 

9:45 - Nate talks about if he feels films like this will actually change people's (i.e. cops, cop apologists, etc.) minds about how they see the police's relationship with the Black community. 

13:40 - Branden asks Nate to speak on one of the more emotionally-charged parts of the film when a young Black male character confronts a Black cop attempting to calm the family of a man who has been killed by police. He also speaks on the "old playbook" move of getting the family members of victims of police brutality to get on TV and ask for peace. He also speaks on how many people enter the police force to create change, but simply cannot. 

18:00 - Nate reveals that there were plenty of instances of having to stop filming to allow cast members to process the scenes and dialog they were acting out. He also talks about the advantages of having the film being released direct-to-consumer because of current COVID restrictions.

24:00 - Spike Lee’s involvement with the film. 

27:35 - Nate shares his feelings on whether or not police reform is actually possible. He also talks about the need to have both politicians and militants working together to make a change in the Black community. 

30:45 - Nate gives an update on some of his other projects that are attacking the prison industrial complex and inner-city life. Nate also speaks on the importance not alienating younger generations in the quest for freedom and justice. 

35:00 - Nate speaks on having Mt. Rushmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, Too $hort) release their first song together on the American Skin soundtrack. He also talks about how Snoop himself made it come together in less than a month.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

Fresh off the heels of celebrating what would've been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 92nd birthday, we interview Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated director Sam Pollard about his new documentary MLK/FBI. Here he talks about the journey of making the film and how he used newly declassified files and never-before-seen footage to present new information about the FBI’s surveillance of Dr. King.

1:45 - Pollard talks about the responsibilities of a documentarian. He speaks on not wanting to use his documentary to further deify MLK, but present him as a man who had a lot on his plate as he led a movement to combat discrimination in America. 

5:30 - Pollard gets into the two-and-a-half-year journey of making this film and how so much of what was captured 50-60 years ago still rings true today. He also talks about where the research began when starting the project.  

10:35 - Pollard talks about why after all of the work MLK had done, the March on Washington is what made the FBI start paying attention to the movement he was building. He also speaks on how MLK has gone from being considered a threat when he was alive, but a hero after he was assassinated.

15:00 - Pollard talked to Ambassador Andrew Young and a few others for the documentary. He talks about trying to approach people like Young to tell a story that they are probably tired of talking about.

20:00 - Here we all ponder how after decades of documented corruption; the FBI is still active and as strong as ever. He also talks about how his interview with former FBI director James Comey came together. 

28:45 - Pollard gives up and coming filmmakers some advice on how to get in the game, navigate and flourish.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio

This week's guest is one of those guys that you just let talk and share wisdom and experiences. Actor/producer/director Mario Van Peebles is no doubt a legend in the film and television game. But, he's also still out here putting in work. His contribution sees him directing Salt-N-Pepa's upcoming Lifetime movie. MVP sits down with us to talk about how he landed the opportunity, some funny stories about his classic film New Jack City, plus he drops all kinds of other gems he learned from his father Melvin Van Peebles too.

2:20 - Mario Van Peebles lays out the decades-long history he has with Salt-N-Pepa and how he wound up being the director of their upcoming Lifetime movie. After years of working with both of them directly and indirectly through different projects, SNP felt comfortable with him bringing their stories to life. He also speaks on working his son Mandela into the script.

8:15- - MVP addresses Lifetime's history of Black culture biopics and how he approached them to make sure that the best project possible was made. He also speaks to the importance of having Black woman-empowering roles on the big screen and why he jumped at the chance to direct this film.

18:25 - MVP is one of the first, if not the first, directors to cast rappers in his films as actual characters (i.e. Ice-T in New Jack City), not just extensions of their music personalities. He speaks on knowing how to cultivate inexperienced actors (like Chris Rock) in order to get the best performances out of them. Maurice also asks MVP about the internet rumor that Gee Money actually misses the shot in the infamous "I'm taking fools money like the IRS" scene. 

24:30 - MVP talks about the upcoming 30th anniversary of "New Jack City." He says that he knew the film was a once in a lifetime opportunity to make. He also talks about the intention of making the cops in the movie cool enough to look up to.

30:30 - GAQ (Good Ass Question) alert! Branden asks MVP if he thinks the current socio-political climate will lead will shift Black creatives thought processes. 

41:40 - MVP speaks on how he's been able to have a long career without sacrificing his morals or identity. He shares some gems he got from his father as well as Andrew Young on how to move up and ahead in this world and still be true to yourself. 

50:00 - MVP speaks on the sequel to his film "Posse" and his future endeavors that include working on the Wu-Tang Clan television series.

Day 1 Radio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public, and CLNS Mobile Media app. Follow us on Twitter, FB, and IG at @day1radio