2 Dope Boys & a Podcast

Leonard Dixon (ig:international_lenny) of Hypebeast.com joins us in studio this week to talk about what 'hypebeast' means, how a company retains 'cool', and the place of sneaker culture in political times.

Former basketball player and writer Paul Shirley (@PaulThenShirley) joins 2DB tonight to discuss his new book, 'Stories I Tell On Dates.' We also discuss misconceptions people have re: professional athletes, and why he wanted to produce a sitcom about NBA players that showed a *lack* of luxury in NBA lifestyles.

The return of Steve Lewis, nightlife correspondent for 2 Dope Boys, talking to us about his upcoming events with DJ Jonathan Peters at FREQ in NYC beginning December 1st. Why there are 'no clubs in Manhattan' currently. 'Cabaret Laws' and their effect on nightlife. De Blasio's governance of nightlife compared to prior NYC mayors.

Sydney Thomas (@sydneypaige10) investment associate at Precursor Ventures, joins us this week to discuss the turmoil in Silicon Valley. The importance of mentorships and personal relationships in private industry. How venture capital firms resemble minor fiefdoms. Why it’s becoming more apparent that utopian Silicon Valley rhetoric has departed from the actual reality.

Check out Sydney's list of black women in venture capital:
https://medium.com/@sydneythomas/the-list-of-black-women-in-vc-dff25e8d52dc

Strategist and designer Gitamba Saila-Ngita (@monumentsinking) joins us this week to discuss his approach to designing experiences and products. Further topics include the Boston experience and how to get corporations to think about what the next 150 years will look like.

This week, 2 Dope Boys returns with an On Point recorded in early August with Detavio Samuels (@Detavio), President of iONE Digital, to discuss how he set about building the company's stacked digital media division, which operates sites like CassiusLife.com, GlobalGrind.com, HelloBeautiful.com, NewsOne.com, Bossip.com, MadameNoire.com and HipHopWired.com. How Detavio was able to see branding and advertising from all important sides of the process. The importance of avoiding the 'Mushy Middle."

Creative and Marketer Kane Sarhan (@Kanes) joins us in studio this week to discuss his work with 1 Hotels.

Will people pay more to stay at, and be loyal to, a sustainable hotel? The importance of patience in creating something new, and the importance of long-term thinking. The “hustle and float” of creative enterprises. The nature of the competition between hotels and AirBnB.

Michael and Phil break down the infamous Google memo circulated by (since) fired James Damore.

Also, a note on a new phase for 2 Dope Boys.

https://www.recode.net/2017/8/11/16127992/google-engineer-memo-research-science-women-biology-tech-james-damore

Critical Mass’ Conor Brady (Chief Creative Officer) and Grant Owens (Chief Strategy Officer) joins us in studio this week to discuss design, particularly with sound interfaces.

@cbrady
@grantowens
www.criticalmass.com

Brand Eff Up:
“Hotel Industry Releases Attack Ad Accusing Airbnb Of Enabling Terrorists,” Gothamist
http://gothamist.com/2017/08/01/airbnb_terrorism_ad.php

What’s Up?
“Sen. Cory Booker just introduced a bill that could legalize marijuana nationwide,” Vox
(https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/1/16073124/cory-booker-marijuana-legalization)

What’s Next?
“‘Black America’: Amazon Alt-History Drama From Will Packer & Aaron McGruder Envisions Post-Reparations America,” Deadline
(http://deadline.com/2017/08/black-america-amazon-alt-history-drama-will-packer-aaron-mcgruder-envisions-post-reparations-america-1202139504/)

DitC:
P: Quincy Jones, ‘The Dude,’ Labelle, ‘Ladybirds’
G: “Four Laws of Prosperity,” by Edwene Gaines, Ryan Leslie, “I’ll Be Waiting.”
M: “The Experience of Insight,” by Joseph Goldstein

Building Everyday People into a national party-throwing enterprise, the hyper-materialism and racial components of New York nightlife, Incorporating music from/for different diasporas, and more.

More from Saada:
Everydaypplnyc.com
@saada__

Brand Eff Up:
Bedrock Detroit: “We Screwed Up”
https://www.facebook.com/BedrockDetroit/posts/1528777023855661

What’s Up?
“The Producers of HBO’s Confederate Respond to the Backlash and Explain Why They Wanted to Tell This Story,” Vulture
(http://www.vulture.com/2017/07/hbo-confederate-producers-exclusive-interview.html)

What’s Next
“This New Site Sells Food And Household Essentials–All For $3 Or Less,” Fast Company
(https://www.fastcompany.com/40439810/this-new-site-sells-food-and-household-essentials-all-for-3-or-less)

DitC:
M: “Promoting the Commons in the Time of Monsters,” Common Dreams
(https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/06/03/promoting-commons-time-monsters)
P: “Will the Flower Slip Through the Asphalt: Writers Respond to Capitalist Climate Change,” Essay collection.

How Roger went from growing up in Brooklyn to witnessing Bob Marley firsthand. The evolution in music represented by reggae. Bob Marley’s broader cultural caricature as opposed to the real Marley. The significance of Rastafari to Bob Marley.

Brand Eff Up:
“In Yet Another Airline Fail, Flight Attendants Do Nothing As Man Masturbates Next To Woman,” Refinery29
(http://www.refinery29.com/2017/07/163433/american-airlines-masturbating-man)

What’s Up?
“Hip-Hop Takes the Throne, Passes Rock as Most Consumed Genre in U.S.,” HypeBeast
(https://hypebeast.com/2017/7/hip-hop-rock-most-consumed-music-genre-united-states)

What’s Next?
“The Pop-Up Employer: Build a Team, Do the Job, Say Goodbye,” NY Times
(https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/business/economy/flash-organizations-labor.html)

DitC:
Michael: “Ex-diplomat Carne Ross: the case for anarchism,” Guardian
(https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/09/carne-ross-case-for-anarchy-accidental-anarchist-interview)

Phil: “Sounds from the Other Side,” by Wizkid

Nightclub designer Steve Lewis joins us in studio once again. What it takes to “design a space.” Why Bill DeBlasio has been positive for NYC nightlife. What movies really capture New York, and more.

Jay-Z is Back! But Is He Still Capitalist? Tory Minister Deploys Obscure Slur, and Silicon Valley CEOs Grovel

“A Tory MP Has Had The Whip Suspended For Using Racist Language,” Buzzfeed
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/a-tory-mp-has-described-a-potential-no-deal-brexit-as-the?utm_term=.ihmkDrXG0#.rtQPAexRj

What’s Up?
Michael and Phil discuss the impressive release by Jay-z, 4:44.

What’s Next?
“How the Tech World Apologizes,” The Ringer
https://theringer.com/tech-silicon-valley-women-sexual-harassment-fixes-listening-b31aa1ff5318

DitC:
P: “Spider-Man: Blue” limited series.
“Craven’s Last Hunt,” Spider Man series.
M: “Archer,” TV Show

Ric Leichtung (@ricleichtung), Events Director at AdHoc, joins us in studio this week. The sort of people who work in the nightlife industry, Building inclusive DIY spaces. Reacting to the changes at Webster Hall. Why there is still a stigma by venues about hip-hop crowds/acts.

@ricleichtung
@adhocfm

Nancy MacLean is an award-winning scholar of the twentieth-century U.S. history at Duke University. She joins us this week to discuss her book on an important topic: "Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America." Why the Elite Libertarian project has been destroying American democracy. John C Calhoun and James Buchanan as forefathers of Neoliberalism. The still-operative property rights arguments that were born of defending slaves as property. Why the Koch Brothers’ time horizon was key to their success. The Koch’s goal of a constitutional convention to shackle majority will.

This week we’re joined by film director Shan Nicholson and musical artist and activist Roxiny. What motivated Shan to make “Downtown Calling” and “Rubble Kings.” New York’s mix of danger and opportunity. The DJ set that led to “Downtown Calling.” How DJing and archival research are nearly the same thing. Shan’s 2010 film “Rubble Kings.” Roxiny’s song on the soundtrack of “Rubble Kings.” How New York has evolved culturally and economically, largely for the worse. Check out Roxiny’s single.

www.shannicholson.com/
https://soundcloud.com/roxiny/9-months-2
@Shan_Nicholson
@RoxinyOfficial ‏

Brand Eff Up:
“Undercover Police Handcuff Teens Selling Water on National Mall,” US News
(https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-06-23/teens-handcuffed-for-selling-water-on-national-mall)

What’s Up?
“What Amazon’s Purchase of Whole Foods Really Means,” New Yorker
(http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/what-amazons-purchase-of-whole-foods-really-means)

What’s Next?
“Popcaan And Davido's New Song Is Literally About Snapchat,” Fader
(http://www.thefader.com/2017/05/30/popcaan-davido-my-story-snapchat)

DitC:
M: Meditation Retreats
P: “The 90's FreakNik Atlanta Story (Documentary)”
(https://www.topbuzz.com/article/i6233796863485542915)
R: The Secret Lives of Playlists
(https://watt.cashmusic.org/writing/thesecretlivesofplaylists)

Today's On Point is Andrea Bell, is director of insight at WGSN. How Andrea transitioned from journalism to trendwatching. What is a ‘Feelings Forecast?’ Why corporate clients often hate to ‘start from zero.’ What is ‘futurism’ and how is it used? How “athleisure” was predicted in 2008. The importance of certitude, validation, and a jumping-off point.

The original link between the Two Dope Boys joins us in studio. Where we are after 5,000 years of modernity, and where ongoing revolutions could take us. How can we actually change the current capitalist superstructure. Why the Standing Rock protests are so profound. Why we need to unlearn modern ideas of ‘progress.’ Why things won’t be able to continue, and why worldwide protest movements are cause for optimism.

Follow Alnoor @AlnoorLadha

Anil Dash, entrepreneur, activist and writer joins Dope Boys in studio this week. How Anil started in tech, and his desire to enable creators. Anil’s goals of asking tech “humane” and “ethical.” Discovering tech’s lack of openness with regard to inclusion, and how that amplified inequities in society. Where does tech’s problem with diversity stem from? Anil’s perspective of the place of Indian-American men in tech. The incompetence or malice of tech leaders cooperating with Trump on photo ops. IBM’s history of collaborating with fascists. Silicon Valley is unprepared for the contempt that developed toward the Wall Street being aimed at them. Uber’s incredibly cartoonish culture problems. Peter Thiel as a tech gatekeeper and puncturing the cowardice of the tech press. Anil’s Prince enthusiasm and how it intersects with tech.

Follow Anil @AnilDash

Brand Eff Up?
“Et Tu, Delta? Shakespeare in the Park Sponsors Withdraw From Trump-Like ‘Julius Caesar,’” NY Times
(https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/arts/delta-airline-trump-public-theater-julius-caesar.html)

What’s Up?
“Dos Equis Drops Agency That Created Most Interesting Man,” Ad Age
(http://adage.com/article/agency-news/dos-equis-leaves-agency-created-interesting-man/309297/)

What’s Next?
“Embattled Uber CEO Travis Kalanick takes indefinite leave of absence,” Guardian
(https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/13/uber-ceo-travis-kalanick-leave-absence-scandal)


DitC:
Black Terry Cat, by Xenia Rubinos
“Satellite Flight,” on IndieGogo

Indiegogo campaign
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/satellite-flight-drama-technology#/

Is New York still dope? Michael’s magical early New York experience. Michael’s visit to New York while in The Tubes. The magic of disco- and early hip-hop-era New York. Entering the music scene, meeting Jean Michel Basquiat, and the beginning of NY hip hop, including the time it was referred to as “executive style.” Britain's history of “biting” styles like punk. How Michael brought together the main elements of hip-hop on Sept 15, 1981.

@MoneyMikeHolman
michaelholman.com

Brand Eff Up?
“Harvard Revoked Admission Offers To At Least 10 Students After They Posted Offensive Memes,” Buzzfeed
(https://www.buzzfeed.com/briannasacks/harvard-revoked-admission-offers-to-at-least-10-students?utm_term=.kvoO9j1KJ#.vkKA8pJDa)


What’sUp?
“The Silicon Valley Billionaires Remaking America’s Schools,” NY Times
(https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/technology/tech-billionaires-education-zuckerberg-facebook-hastings.html)

What’s Next:
“Your Fidget Spinner Is Reshaping The Retail Industry,” Buzzfeed
(https://www.buzzfeed.com/leticiamiranda/hoverboards-vapes-and-spinners-are-reshaping-economy?utm_term=.shpqg0aWB#.xgNvjBPXG)

DitC:
M: The Black Jacobins, by CLR James
P: Lawrence in Arabia, by Scott Anderson

Liza’s journey from modelling to acting and finally to writing and poetry. How she ended up becoming a poetry teacher at Riker’s “Island School.” Seeing the realities of mass incarceration first-hand. Why the 16-17 year olds in her Riker’s class took her teaching. Becoming awake to the prison-industrial complex, and then sharing it with Riker’s students. Riker’s a cautionary threat for NY adolescence. Why adolescents all go crazy at some point. On Riker’s getting shut down.
Liza’s play, The Peculiar Patriot, out in September at the National Black Theater.

Brand Eff Up?
“What Was Bill Maher’s Big Mistake?” NY Times
(https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/04/arts/television/what-was-bill-mahers-big-mistake.html?_r=0)

What’s Up?
“...Young Viewers are Unable to Identify Network Behind Programs,” Global News Wire
(https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/06/05/1008090/0/en/New-Report-on-How-Millennials-Discover-Programming-Consume-Content-and-Recognize-Network-Brands-Reveals-Young-Viewers-are-Unable-to-Identify-Network-Behind-Programs.html)

What’s Next?
“The Supreme Retirement Plan: How to Become a Millionaire by Flipping Streetwear,” WealthSimple
(https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-us/magazine/data-supreme?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=)


DitC:
M: Brazil (1985 film)
P: Skin, by Ephraim Lewis (1992)

Daniel Stedman, film director, producer, writer, joins us to discuss his numerous projects, including The L Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, BAMbill, Taste Talks, SummerScreen in McCarren Park, and the Northside Festival.

The different events Northside Media puts on, including a “discovery festival,” and a culinary thought-leader conference. Moving to NY on September 11, 2001 for a film career. The thinking behind decisions to sell a company and re-buy the company to independence.
 
@danielstedman
northsidemedia.com/
northsidefestival.com/

Brand Eff Up:
“Amazon’s first bookstore in New York City sucks the joy out of buying books,” Quartz
https://qz.com/990164/amazons-first-bookstore-in-new-york-city-sucks-the-joy-out-of-buying-books/


What’s Up?
The current television game show revival.

What’s Next?
“Instagram is the most harmful social network for your mental health,” Quartz
(https://qz.com/988765/instagram-fb-is-the-most-harmful-social-network-for-your-mental-health-but-youtube-goog-has-a-positive-effect-a-new-report-says/)

Diggin’ in the Crates:
R: Roger Moore, recently deceased James Bond actor. (Live and Let Die, Moonraker)
M: “The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom,” by Rod Stryker
P: “Children of the New World: Stories,” by Alexander Weinstein; “War Against the Weak,” by Edwin Black