The Black Film Canon: From Masterpieces to Classics (w/ Marcus Pinn)

The Black Film Canon: From Masterpieces to Classics (w/ Marcus Pinn)

In this episode, I speak to film critic, writer, podcaster, and musician Marcus Pinn of the blog Pinnland Empire and the podcast Zebras in America. We discuss the history of efforts to build a Black film canon, groupthink in modern Black film criticism, and the reasons that critics like Armond White and Angelica Jade Bastién stand out as unique figures. We also get into the limitations of using representation as a lens to provide a corrective to the established Black film canon. In addition, we talk about the importance of balancing ones film diet and whether it's possible for "bad" movies to be good. Finally, we give love to seminal Black indie directors of the 1980s, such as Charles Burnett, Julie Dash, Wendell B Harris, Jr., and Charles Lane, all of whom have not had nearly enough opportunities to make films, despite their talents. * Marcus Pinn's website: Pinnland Empire: pinnlandempire.com [http://www.pinnlandempire.com/] * Marcus' podcast Zebras in America: soundcloud.com/zebras-in-america [https://soundcloud.com/zebras-in-america] * Full episode notes here: blacketcpod.com/episodes/016-marcus-pinn [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/016-marcus-pinn]

Classic Albums and “Golden Eras”: The History of the Hip Hop Canon (w/ Dart Adams)

In this marathon episode, I speak to Boston writer and hip hop historian Dart Adams about the history of the hip hop canon starting from the early days of recorded old school classics through the mainstream/underground schism of the late 90s and beyond. We talk about the development of the rap album as a serious artistic form and how Dart defines the 2 "golden eras" of hip hop. Dart's contribution here is nothing short of a hip hop history lesson, with meticulous references to the many popular and unsung artists that defined the 80s and 90s, as well as some of the lesser known underground greats of the 21st Century. We touch on the music business, mass media, hip hop journalism, and the competitive spirit that spawned countless classic hip hop albums. Dart Adams' bluesky account: dartadams.bsky.social [https://dartadams.bsky.social/] Writing on Medium (Dart_Adams) : dartadams.medium.com/ [https://dartadams.medium.com/] Full show notes here: blacketcpod.com/episodes/015-dart-adams [https://blacketcpod.com/episodes/015-dart-adams]

on Black Food Fridays, Power, and Social Media Influence (w/ KJ Kearney)

My guest for this episode is community organizer, food writer, educator, and social media influencer. KJ Kearney. He is the creator of the James Beard Award winning Instagram account Black Food Fridays, the newsletter Who Made The Potato Salad?, and the live Black food storytelling event Bite The Power. We have a wide-ranging discussion about several topics, including the history of red rice as a Gullah/Geechee dish with roots in West Africa, using Black food media as a vehicle for racial uplift, the responsibility of social media influencing, the limitations of the internet as an organizing tool, and KJ's evolving ideas on the meaning of power. KJ Kearney's Instagram account Black Food Fridays: instagram.com/blackfoodfridays [https://www.instagram.com/blackfoodfridays/] His newsletter Who Made The Potato Salad?: whomadethepotatosalad.substack.com/ [https://whomadethepotatosalad.substack.com/] The Charleston Red Rice Day proclamation: scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/3453.htm [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/3453.htm] Full show notes here: blacketcpod.com/episodes/014-kj-kearney [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/014-kj-kearney]

Black Theatre, Education, and the “Black Arts Movement” (w/ J.e. Franklin)

The guest for this episode is renowned playwright, author, educator, and activist J.e. Franklin. Ms. Franklin is the founder and producing artistic director of Harlem's Blackgirl Ensemble Theater, Inc. and has written numerous plays, including the seminal "Black Girl," which has been on stage, TV, and film. We discuss her decision to make her home in New York City, after growing up in Houston, her time volunteering with Fannie Lou Hamer and Bob Moses in Mississippi, and how she became involved in theatre. Ms. Franklin explains the connection between theatre and education and speaks eloquently about the need to incorporate philosophy and participatory practices when teaching children. In addition, Ms. Franklin recounted the many Black writers, poets, playwrights, actors, and musicians that thrived in Greenwich Village and Harlem in the 60s and 70s in what would come to be known as "The Black Arts Movement." Finally, Ms. Franklin details the issues she had with the film adaptation of "Black Girl" and lays out why she wasn't a good fit for Hollywood. Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/013-je-franklin [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]

The History and Enduring Legacy of Quiet Storm Radio (w/ Chris Stevens)

My guest is writer and music critic Chris Stevens, who hosts the R&B podcast On The Groove Line. Chris and I discuss the first ever quiet storm R&B radio broadcast by Melvin Lindsey at Howard's WHUR radio station, which aired 50 years ago and sparked an explosion of quiet storm radio programming on Black radio in multiple cities across the U.S. We get into the hallmarks of the music itself and what makes it unique, the subgenre's appeal to different audiences based on age and class, and the social and cultural context surrounding the music. On The Groove Line Podcast site: onthegrooveline.com [https://onthegrooveline.com/] Chris' BlueSky account: bsky.app/profile/christhewriter.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/christhewriter.bsky.social] Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/012-chris-stevens [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]