SPACE and TIME

Send us a text[Dedicated to King Qudus Kafo]Our parents will never hear who we truly are when we’re with our friends. They’d shutter and scoff at the posture. Feel fright of the monster. They forget they were us one day. And we’ll do the same someday. Who will keep our stories alive? The nights we look unrecognizable to our responsible future selves? They shake their heads but we act like black is the only thing that matters in fact. Listening to Mobb Deep brought me comfort, they wouldn’t expect that. “What up, Black, hold your head wherever you at,” I can’t hear that line without thinking of you, and I always told you, too. Show the culture. I speak truth cause that’s what I saw in you. I descended upon this land and asked them to help with your ascension. This life thing is just the dash in between arriving & departing they said, you made it look really good while in it; transition easy, beloved. and what of all my wild friends / and the times i’ve had w them / we’ll all fade to grey soon on the tv stationQudus Kafo May 31, 1985 — Jan 24, 2022voice credits: Julio Goncalves, Edson Evora, Jerome Fonseca, Qudus Kafo

Send us a textMany of us grew up thinking that certain moments needed to be respected in a very strict way. They can’t be tarnished with “insensitivities” that show a lack of respect. The epitome of this surrounded death and the processes that proceeds it. The older I get, the more I realize how archaic and unfounded much of these things are. My maternal grandmother passed away on November 27 and it’s been beyond difficult as expected. But the time we had to grieve her even before she left has allowed us to cope in a way we wouldn’t have otherwise. And as close as we already were, it has brought our main tribe that much closer together. I’m eternally grateful that I grabbed my camera and mic and whatever else I needed to capture moments that will allow me to keep the spirit of this singular woman alive. I wanted to do something that honored her correctly. Us not mentioning our departed makes us hurt much more than we have to, let’s speak and sing about them. Like I heard one time: “no one comes out of this alive.” So live a life worth being remembered; Mama certainly did that, and we’ll spend the rest of ours thanking her for it. Andreza Barbosa Amado Semedo2/4/41 – 11/27/21

Send us a textno fear. no fear.‘it’s frustrating when you just can’t express yourself / and it’s hard to trust enough to undress yourself / stand exposed and naked / in a world full of hatred’ [Better In Tune With the Infinite, Jay Electronica] i think about these lyrics as i release this episode. i release this just as i see myself, the way i let my mind wander and it says exactly what i want to in the end. without fear of judgment. without too much editing to be more palatable. come as you are. thank you to every single person who lent their effort to this one; let us meet again in late October.

Send us a textLondon, 1971“The artist is not free to do what he wants to do, the artist is free to do what he has to do” – JBJimmy 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”

Send us a textWhen 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 compromisingEveryone is placing themselves in a social debtBased 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 artThey’re losing their passionThey’re losing their purposeIt’s like the whole world is based on showing how much you have or posturing in that wayI went into debt to chase my dreams.-Kanye West

Send us a textI 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 youGhostface Killah & RaekwonMase & Puff Celebrities who take care of their people:Spike, Lebron, Wes, AdamIssues with TinderHow many soulmates do we get? EntaglementsMeghan & Harry Brad & JennMr. & Mrs. SmithOne-sided friendshipsGeorge FloydWhite people joining the cause in 2020BLM slogan ReparationsPrison System

Send us a textA 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]

Send us a textThe 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!

Send us a textThe 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!

Send us a textbrief backdrop "Success is a journey, not a destination"