G'd Up and Degree'd Up University

Episode 18: "Hip Hop 101: Back to the Basics" ft. Shorty-G

Meet Kai aka Shorty-G. She is currently an Arts Leadership graduate student at the prestigious USC Thornton school of music. Hailing from The Town (aka Oakland, CA), she brings her own style of Bay Area hip hop into her lyrical genius. In closing this week’s double-header, she dissects her craft for us, introducing us into the ways she breaks down the way she lays out her tracks and how she prepares to get her mind right for free styling. She also talks about the business of hip hop and how her degree has helped her merge academics and her passion for hip hop music.

Episode 17: From Motor City to the City of Palm Trees ft. Tim Herd

Tim is currently a third-year Ph.D .student in the Higher Education & Organizational Change program at UCLA where his research centers on governance, culture, and student success. Along with being a doctoral student, Tim engages in community work with his mentorship organization & alumni associations, along with serving as a creative consultant in the areas of mentorship, culture, and student success. Get to know Tim and how he balances his academics and his goals of making it big in the entertainment industry.

Episode 16: West Coast Hip Hop Superstar to Higher Education Guru ft. Gustavo Tepetla aka Detane

Episode 16 merges with our latest series, G'z on Beatz ©, to bring you a special episode with a West Coast Hip Hop artist who has since moved on from music to serve the community. Meet Gustavo Tepetla, principle producer of the UCLA Learning Centers. A native of Los Angeles, Gustavo was introduced to hip hop at an early age. Professionally known as Detane, Tepetla would rock the hip hop world with his unmatched, vivid lyrical prowess, collaborating with the likes of Ras Kass, Chino XL, Glasses Malone, Killah Priest (member of Wu Tang Clan), and many more. Tepetla has since moved on from his music, graduating with his Bachelors Degree from UCLA in Design and Media Arts, where he leads the UCLA Learning Centers to its current success. The UCLA Learning Centers is a digital technology hub for UCLA students and staff where they have free access to music and media labs, a studio, and a wide array of visual and audio equipment. Thanks to Tepetla and the UCLA Learning Centers, G'd Up and Degree'd Up University has been able to produce its content, feature guests from the community, and inspire college students, graduates, and staff alike through exclusive in-depth interviews and fun segments. And we couldn’t just feature a West Coast hip hop emcee without the proper way to end this special #50yearsofhiphop episode. Stay tuned for more! While Detane has since hung the mic on the mic stand, will we see the return of Detane? 👀. As we ponder this possibility, Tepetla will continue serving the community with his selfless work through the means of media, music, and education.

Episode 15: College Football, NIL Endorsements, and Life as a Student Athlete ft. Chase Griffin

Chase Griffin is a star quarterback for the NCAA Top 25-ranked UCLA football program. Born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Texas, Chase would eventually become a Gatorade Texas Athlete of the Year before committing to UCLA. After earning his degree is Public Affairs, he is now expected to graduate with his M.Ed. from the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies in Spring 2023 with his sights on beginning his Master of Legal Studies in the next academic year. Briana Savage (from Episode 13) also returns, who was a former mentor of Chase while interning at UCLA. Briana and Chase both speak on the journeys of Black student athletes and provide advice on going pro versus pursuing a career outside of sports. Through Briana's research lens and through Chase's personal perspectives on navigating finances and work after college, this episode is for all aspiring or current student athletes needing some guidance on the next steps in life after sports.

Episode 14: Too Talented to Take for Granted w/Amanda Finzi

Amanda Finzi is a woman of many hats whose journey spans the Bronx, Miami, and Jamaica before setting foot in Los Angeles, CA. She is a renowned leader in the community who is recognized in the UCLA Bruin network for leading the development of UCLA's first-ever Black Bruin Resource Center. She holds a B.A. in Hospitality Management and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Florida International University. On the side, she also does freelance work for BET. This episode explores Amanda's Miami and Jamaican roots and how her event planning experience began, eventually leading to seemingly "random" opportunities in higher education and the entertainment space. As her story unfolds, it is evident that her limitless talent and trials and tribulations have forged her into the leader and business woman she is today. Fun Fact: Amanda is also a member of Divine 9 sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.