Day 1 Radio

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Unseen Weapons feat. Ernie Paniccioli Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

This week's guest on Day 1 Radio is award-winning photographer and Hip-Hop documentarian Brother Ernie Paniccioli. In this talk, Brother Ernie gives us glimpses and stories about his career and encounters that date back to the 1970s.

1:30 - Brother Ernie wastes no time with the gem dropping. He kicks off our conversation explaining why Hip-Hop as we know it did not start with Kool Herc in the Bronx, but that it started in ancient Africa because all four of its main elements can be traced back there. He then goes in the history of how Blacks and Indigineous people were portrayed in the media and how that inspired him to start documenting history.

9:45 - Brother Ernie drops a bombshell and reveals how he really got his first camera, and it wasn't the widely reported story that he borrowed it.

14:00 - Brother Ernie is not a Nelly fan, and he explains why with no hate involved. He then goes into why record labels are enemies of Hip-Hop. Ernie also speaks on artists who aren't known for being socially conscious in their music can still be powerful via their actions in the community.

17:30 – The photographer’s "Hip Hop at the End of the World" features Queen Latifah and MC Lyte on the cover. Here he explains why (with some advice from his editor) he chose to feature two women on the cover.

21:00 - Brother Ernie attempts to answer the "complicated" question of who is his favorite person to photograph. He winds up giving us a handful of stories of his favorite photography moments, one involving the image he captured of Ice Cube choking a replica of the Statue of LIberty.

30:00 - Ernie talks about how his business and censorship fued with with Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch almost led to the book never coming out.

36:50 - Brother Ernie says Doug E. Fresh is the only person to ever deny him a photograph. He then tells a crazy story about how many years later him and Doug E. connected again and prevent a fight at a Russell Simmons event.

42:45 - Brother Ernie talks about how he feels it is his personal responsibility to document Hip-Hop culture and shares a story about how he was blessed with the name of his first book by an FOI member that he didn't know at the time, but eventually became friends with.

48:45 - Brother Ernie shares another unique story about a former mentee, Rayon Richards, who went on to become a high profile real estate photographer.

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

Black Wealth Building feat. VC Sarah Kunst Jul 09, 2020

Show notes

Tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Sarah Kunst has been named Future Innovator by Vanity Fair, Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 and a top 25 innovator in tech by Cool Hunting, amongst a bunch of other accolades. Currently the Managing Director for Cleo Capital, Kunst drops plenty of gems in our talk with her. Listen as she gives up some game on how to get in, what to do once you are in there, and why and how she is leading a charge to create some change and diversity in the field.

2:30 - We start our talk with Sarah about how she is keeping her sanity and doing the work. She bluntly says she is motivated by the money she can make and wanting to make an impact and create more diversity in the field. She also breaks down what "diversity" actually means and that racists don't have any business being capitalist. Kuntz also speaks on how tech is an industry that changes so rapidly that it is almost impossible for barriers to last for generations.

9:00 - Sarah advises future founders on how they can go out and find investors and information for free on the internet. "It's never been deeply diverse or equitable," she says. "But it has been accessible." She also shares some stories about how even the richest people in tech had a hard time finding investors and knowing when and how to find angel investors and accelerators for various levels of funding.

14:50 - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah started Chrysalis to help laid off start-up employees and she talks about why the move was necessary. She also speaks on some of the ideas that have been birthed out of it.

19:30 - Sarah offers her thoughts on corporate America responding to the new energy behind Black empowerment. She insists that the companies not just focus on uplifting Black voices, but actually investing in Black people.

24:00 - Sarah identifies the actual barriers between Black people and success in the tech industry. She also shouts out some of the organizations out there who are trying to make things better for Black engineers and whoever else is interested in getting in the game.

29:30 - Sarah talks about how even though Black people are under-represented in the tech industry, there is no Black monolith and that Black talent can come from both Ivy Leagues and HBCUs.

32:45 - Sarah gives her suggestions on what budding tech entrepreneurs should be watching, reading and listening to. FYI: they are all either free on the internet or on Netflix. "Learning about an industry doesn’t have to feel like work," she says.

36:30 - Sarah shares how she thinks corporate America and the tech industry can move past just hiring Black diversity officers after a controversy, only to go right back to their discriminatory practices.

40:00 - We end the conversion discussing one of Sarah’s passions, sports. The Michigan State University alum offers her thoughts on the new energy behind high school athletes considering HBCUs over PWIs.

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

NBA Head Coach Lloyd Pierce Talks Activism, Hoops & Hip Hop Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

This week Day 1 Radio sits down with Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce. Pierce has been on the frontlines sharing his views on the current social unrest. During this conversation we discuss his activism, the renewed NBA season and Vince Carter’s retirement. Check it out and as always, rate, review and share!

1:20 - Pierce explains why he's been using his profile and platform to speak out not only for himself, but for his family and his people.

3:40 – LP is part of a committee leading NBA head coaches in discussions about race relations and history in America. He talks about being educated on the levels of systematic racism by different experts and organizations who have been in on the meetings as well.

10:00 - Pierce talks about how he's been talking to his young team about what's going on in the world and how quickly things can change. He also gets into how he is explaining to them that they are not exempt to anything just because they are rich and famous.

14:00 - Lloyd talks about how he understands all sides of the argument where it comes to whether or not the NBA should be re-starting their season in the midst of a pandemic and social unrest. He also speaks on why the NBA tends to handle societal issues that impact their players with a more progressive approach than other sports leagues.

19:45 - Coach Pierce breaks down what it’s like to be NBA head coach in a virtual space.

22:30 – LP explains how his team is handling the draft in the midst of a pandemic.

24:00 - Pierce tells us what it was like interacting with the recently retired Vince Carter on and off the court and what he thinks Carter will do next.

26:36 - Pierce has been listening to Nipsey Hussle, Public Enemy and Run the Jewels to keep him going over the last few months.

28:45 - Pierce played college basketball with Steve Nash, coached Steph Curry during his time with the Golden State Warriors and now coaches Hawks star Trae Young. Here he settles any barbershop debates on who is the best shooter among the three.

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

Black Media, Giving Back and Staying Solid w/Datwon Thomas Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

This week Day 1 Radio catches up with media veteran and current Editor-In-Chief of VIBE Datwon Thomas to talk about the role of Black members of the media in days like this and the overall experience of being a Black journalist and editor in a field where things change on a daily basis. Listen as Datwon paints a picture of this journey through stories and forward-thinking ideas as only an OG like himself could.

4:30- The Vibe EIC talks about what he feels is his primary responsibility is right now as a leading creator in Black media. Among them are continuing to tell Black stories and support the younger voices and activist who are drawing attention to important issues right now.

7:30 - Datwon talks about how even the best in Black media are still being placed the lowest on the totem pole when it comes to getting access to Black superstars. He shares a couple stories from his experience talking to the cast of Marvel's "Black Panther" that shows how this happens often. 15:45 - Datwon talks about his current role as the Editor-In-Chief of VIBE and the challenges that come with it. He talks about how the brand has stayed alive due to a number of different editors refusing to let it die. He talks about the challenges he's facing and why it's important to keep and protect legacy brands like this. 20:00 - The conversation shifts to the future of journalism, especially with the immediate changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Datwon compares the need for physical newsrooms to the magic that happens when recording artists still work together in the studio. But he also stresses that it's important to use all of the new technology at our disposal. 24:25 - We discuss the cycle of people who create the culture, not owning the culture and how this moment in time may lead to a break in that cycle. 29:00 - Here we talk about entering the space where OG music writers have to decide what music they should offer their thoughts on and how to find younger writers to talk about that music instead. 34:00 - Datwon talks about the role that Black media should be playing in times like these and how we need different kinds of writers to tell different kinds of stories. 41:00 - Here we talk about the idea and realities of members of the Black media pooling their resources together to create their own mega media outlets. 44:30 - Branden asks Datwon and Maurice about their experiences working with young journalists and if they have the same vigor to cover Black issues as earlier generations.

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

Stay Dangerous w/Security expert Mike Smith Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

With everything going on in the world right now, self-defense and preservation is a top priority. So this week, we brought on security and protection expert Mike Smith. With more than 30 years experience in security and executive protection, Smith has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to maneuver. Listen, study and share.

2:30 - Big Mike talks about how he got into doing security and eventually started his own executive protection business. He then gives advice on how to get your family and children accustomed to handling firearms and becoming your own first line of defense.

6:15 - Smith breaks down what happens when you act out of self-defense without the proper gun permits. He also speaks on the state of Georgia suspending open carry applications during COVID-19 and differences between open carry laws for handguns and rifles. 10:00 - Big Mike shares his thoughts on what he considers a good age to introduce children to learning about guns. He advises to start off with education and responsibility and then gradually introduce them actually carrying toy guns and shooting real guns. He also speaks on why he feels Black people have a distant relationship with firearms. 14:00 - PAY ATTENTION. Our guest talks about the rights that we have when defending ourselves as citizens against the police. The key is articulating yourself and knowing the law. 18:00 - Big Mike shares other self-defense and preservation tactics we should be taking in addition to carrying a weapon. He talks about having good "situational awareness" and finding escape routes in public places as well. 22:04 - Here, we talk about what to consider when choosing a gun. He advises choosing based on your hand size and level of comfortability. He also stresses the importance of training and practicing. He then talks about how to find good and affordable training and trainers. 29:45 - "Don't prepare for a war your not going to fight." Big Mike shares advice on how many guns a person or family should have in their home. He says at least two is good a starting place. He also advises choosing guns depending on where you live. 32:12 - Big Mike talks about the misinformation about having to register your weapon in different states.

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

Keep That Same Energy w/ Tiffany Williams Roberts Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

This week's guest on Day 1 Radio is Atlanta-based Attorney/Organizer Tiffany WIlliams Roberts. In this conversation, we unpack the current civil unrest in the wake of the string of recent police murders. Here she offers information on how to get involved in the movement and explains what concepts like "defund the police" actually mean.

2:20 - Are we making progress? Tiffany calls the last two weeks the most astounding narrative shift she's seen in some time where people are actually talking about prison abolition, police defunding, and white supremacy by name. 6:30 - Tiffany lists the ways that people can get involved. She suggests finding places to use your talents. She also speaks on why marches or "righteous rage" cannot be the only action taken. 11:40 - Tiffany speaks on being aware of what is already legal or illegal when talking about police reform. She also urges people to pay more attention to local politics and not get so caught up in federal conversations. We also talk about what "defund the police" actually means and what it should look like. 22:15 - Tiffany talks about how to find the right group to join and what separates the solid from the shaky. 26:30 - Here the conversation shifts to how to spot non-allies at protests and the importance of joining with legitimate organizers. 31:00 - It seems like Black people hire the same lawyers every time something tragic happens. Tiffany suggests we support more local lawyers when looking for justice. We also talk about how the rich and famous should get involved by writing a check, but not necessarily speaking out. 38:30 - Tiffany gives us a list of organizations she feels is doing the work and are worthy of your attention, time, and support. 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

Sha Money XL talks Protests, New Album and the State of the Game Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Sha Money XL has one of those names that everyone knows, but now everyone knows what he's accomplished.

For this week's episode, we sat down with the producer, label exec and dot connector to not only talk about his latest project Chain on the Bike Vol. 1, but also his history in the music business and the things he's doing for his community in New York in the wake of the current uprising.

Kick back, listen and learn what he saw in artists like 2 Chainz, Yo Gotti, Bobby Shmurda and BIG K.R.I.T. and why he signed them to their first major label deals. Plus his take on what labels owe back to the culture.

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

Time For Some Action May 28, 2020

Show notes

This week Branden and Reese host a no-guest show and catch up on current events and unpack some of the things in the news and the streets that have many of us upset. Here they discuss the potential aftermath of the George Floyd police murder, Joe Biden's "Black agenda," the remaining NBA season and a lot more.

2:30 - The death of George Floyd at the hands of police has led to protests breaking out. It's also another case of the murder being recorded by bystanders. Branden and Maurice ponder if it is time to move beyond recording injustices and doing something about it on the spot.

14:30 - Joe Biden's "Black agenda" has left us with some questions. Is it specific enough to be taken seriously? Branden feels that it address Black problems but doesn't offer actual solutions. Here we unpack it. 19:00 - Maurice starts to ponder why Black people aren't prepared to deal with injustice and crisis and have the right people in place to get things done. Branden follows by talking about how life itself often becomes a barrier for some people who want to make a difference. 31:00 - Should people actually be mad about singer Doja Cat's racist self hate remarks resurfacing? We discuss what worth getting upset over and what can be looked past. 36:00 - Branden and Maurice speak on the speculation that the NBA is considering restarting their season in a new format that will essentially have teams playing and living in closed quarters. 41:00 - Branden feels that the organizers behind Verzuz (Swizz Beatz and Timbaland) jumped the gun and aren't getting the most out of the situation. Maurice suggests that artists follow Erykah Badu's example of creating online content. 48:00 - After Dr. Dre's comments in GQ magazine about artists losing mystique due to social media, Branden and Reese go back and forth about examples where this rings true and cases where it doesn't really matter.

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

Just Blaze talks Quarantine, Beats and Biz May 21, 2020

Show notes

Legendary producer Just Blaze joins Day 1 Radio for the second time to talk about what he's been up to during quarantine. Always known as an innovator, Just has been using the downtime to tie up some loose ends as well as create some new opportunities for himself. Listen as he tells BP and Maurice about everything from the time he couldn't tell Jay-Z "no" about a beat he gave to someone else, to the status of a project he produced with Griselda.

:55 - Just has been about the quarantine for real, noting that he's only left the house four times since February. He admits that while he is more fortunate than most, he has been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well. In addition to raising a two-year-old, Just and his wife own a franchise of ramen restaurants they've had to shut down. But fortunately, they were able to feed thousands of people with the food they had leftover, plus launch a Kickstarter to help keep people fed.

13:30 – Here the Grammy award winning producer reveals why he started canceling shows months ago and was excited about a few projects that he promised were unexpected. He talks about how he is using the downtime to work on his branding across streaming platforms. Just also gets into his history as one of the early adopters of creating content via blogging and YouTube and how DJing during quarantine has created another source of income.

32:30 - Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz had an epic producer battle years ago and it pretty much laid the groundwork for the Verzuz battles we've been watching on Instagram. He talks about being a part of that moment and seeing what it has grown into. He also talks about being asked to do one recently.

37:34 – The NJ native is a HUGE X-Clan fan and he talks about the impact they had on him in the midst of the 30th anniversary of their album To The East Blackwards. He gets into the science behind their music and the difference between them and KRS-One in the realm of "conscious" music.

44:36 - Just talks about the infamous “Mircacle” beat, one of his favorite beats he made, but never got placed. He says that Jeezy, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Chris Brown have all had it, but could never write a song to it. He also talks about how trying to force songs to happen could lead to bigger songs not happening...like the time he made a beat for Dr. Dre but it wound up going to Usher.

51:34 - Just talks about the time he posted his infamous "Super Freak" beat on his Myspace and how it went "viral." He follows by telling the story of how it originally belonged to Saigon, Questlove heard the beat and told Jay-Z and then wound up becoming "Kingdom Come."

55:20 - Just produced Saigon's oft-delayed The Greatest Story Never Toldalbum and he talks about how it stood out at the time and the impact it could have made if it came out as originally scheduled.

1:02:15 - Just reveals that while he may not be in the mental space to lock in and make music with any artists right now, he would like to see the project that he and Griselda put together see the light of day soon.

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

Friends x Business w/ Eric Bellinger & Nieman J May 07, 2020

Show notes

Singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger has put out 27 projects since 2010, on top of writing hit songs for Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Usher, and Trey Songz. Now he is accomplishing a new personal and professional milestone by hooking up with his best friend and business partner Nieman Johnson to put out their new album Optimal Music. In this episode of Day 1 Radio, the two of them talk about their journey as independent artists, the pros and cons of creating during quarantine, and what they really think about those Versuz battles.

1:30 - We switch it up and have longtime friends and business partners Nieman Johnson and Eric Bellinger introduce each other. You can tell they really rock with each other. They also talk about how their joint project came together, and the roles they played.

9:00 - Eric says he "doesn't wait to create" so that's why he's been able to become one of the most, if not the most prolific artists in the industry. Nieman credits it to his innate ability to articulate what's in his head, as well as being able to learn from industry vets on the songwriting side early on. 13:00 - Eric says the streaming era has been more beneficial to him than the CD age. He compares the days of having to press up his own mixtapes to simply uploading it to Soundcloud and Youtube. 16:25 - Eric says because he and Nieman were friends before entering the music industry is why they've been able to stick together in it. 20:15 - Pros and cons of releasing music during a quarantine. Pro: everybody is at home and has a chance to see it when it drops. Con: Not being able to do press runs and shoot videos. Nieman also explains why having a song on the radio is still a big deal, even in the internet/streaming era. Eric reveals that he would rather spend marketing dollars on social media promotion. 25:30 - Eric isn't bothered by the fact that his music isn't necessarily at "household" status yet. He says he knows it's not because of his talent, but because of everything around the music industry and the politics of creating a hit record. He also talks about building his "Bellringer" fan base. 32:00 - Eric talks about wanting to work with fellow Compton native Kendrick Lamar, but understanding why there needs to be a good reason and a good look for both parties for it to happen. He also talks about working with Nipsey Hussle early in both in their careers. 37:00 - Nieman and Eric created "Malibu Nights" to give artists an opportunity to showcase their talents in a battle format. Eric says he would definitely go against any other songwriters in a Versuz battle. 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

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