Hard N.O.C. Life

Latest Episodes:

Episode 112: This is Donald Glover's America May 25, 2018

Show notes

Coming off the heels of wrapping the second season of Atlanta on FX and a successful stint hosting SNL -- as well as being the musical guest -- he captivated the internet with the release of the music video "This is America." Now, he's currently portraying a young Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story before going on to voice Simba in the live action Lion King adaptation for Disney. It may be safe to say that 2018 is shaping up to be the year of Donald Glover.

On Hard NOC Life, Keith and Shawn Taylor talk about the discourse about the discourse of "This is America," Glover's very public journey to identity as it parallels his evolution as an artist, and how Atlanta celebrates Black Weirdness and the Black Mundane. They also briefly debate the qualities of The Last Jedi and Shawn's negative history with Star Wars before previewing Glover's take on Lando. Finally, Shawn announces That Moment, the newest addition to the Hard NOC Media family of podcasts!

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! Support us on Patreon!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 111: Javier Muñoz is Non-Stop May 18, 2018

Show notes

This week on Hard NOC Life, we have the honor to be joined by star of stage and screen, Javier Muñoz.

After Keith pesters Javier about starring in both In the Heights and Hamilton, they talk about shifting from the stage to television, going from one rabid fandom to another, and how his own Shadowhunters fandom got him a role on the show. Then they discuss other franchises he'd like to join -- hint, it's Star Wars -- and Javier nerds out about his love of science fiction. Finally, he reveals what it was like writing a comic book story for the upcoming Ricanstruction anthology.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 110: Lewis Tan Shatters Through the Badlands May 11, 2018

Show notes

It's been a hell of a year for Lewis Tan. And for the next seven days, it's going to be one hell of a week! An O.G. and official Friend of the NOC, Lewis Tan is back on Hard NOC Life.

Keith and Lewis talk about the amazing run he's on, making his debut on Into the Badlands on Sunday May 6, then following up that debut with a starring role as Shatterstar in next weekend's Deadpool 2! Lewis shares how he booked both roles -- while Keith takes full credit for his part on Badlands. Lewis also describes the training regiment he and his co-stars undertake, what it's like working with his cinematic heroes, reveals a secret about how he was cast as Shatterstar, and what people may or may not do with a Lewis Tan action figure. Ladies and gentlemen, #HisThirstiness is in the building!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 109: Breaking Down 'Avengers: Infinity War' May 04, 2018

Show notes

Keith invites his DC TV Classics co-host Britney Monae back to Hard NOC Life to break down the biggest movie in the universe: Avengers: Infinity War!

Spoilers throughout!!! Go see Infinity War and come back as Keith and Britney go plot-point by plot-point to discuss what they loved about the latest chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts and Google Play!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 108: Secret Origins of WICOMICON and Martian Manhunter with David Harewood Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

On a new Hard NOC Life, we're joined by Supergirl star David Harewood! But first, Keith takes a minute to tell the origin story of the WICOMICON Pop-Up in Baltimore over the weekend.

David Harewood talks about growing up as a nerd in the UK reading comic books and watching Monty Python. Then reveals what it was like being cast as the Martian Manhunter on Supergirl. He also explains what it was like working alongside another classic J'onn J'onnz in Carl Lumbly and itching to wear a superhero costume. David also discusses the difficulties of being a Black actor in Britain, the difference between mo-cap and traditional acting, and why representation in media is so important.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 107: Al Letson Reveals Errthang Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

This week on Hard NOC Life, Peabody-winning journalist, poet, and podcaster extraordinaire Al Letson joins the pod!

Keith and Al engage in a wide-ranging conversation that touches on, well, Errthang: how comics taught him to read, the ways nerd culture predicted the rise of Trumpism, his time in DC Comics' Talent Development program, Superman's red trunks, why he sobbed during Black Panther,and what to look forward to in the second season of Errthang!

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One! Support Hard NOC Media on Patreon.

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 106: Jen Yamato on 'Isle of Dogs' and the Need for Film Critics of Color Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

LA Times film reporter Jen Yamato is the special guest on Hard NOC Life as we break down the reaction to Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs.

Ever since Anderson's latest animated feature was released in select theaters, the conversation around the film has revealed a split in the way white film critics and Asian American film critics perceive the movie. Yamato has received a fair amount of blow back on social media from Anderson's rabid following which places Isle of Dogs in the middle of the ongoing "war" between critics and fans.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 105: Ricanstruction with Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

On Hard NOC Life, we continue Ricanstruction week on The Nerds of Color as Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez joins the show to talk about the origins of the anthology.

Originally announced in the New York Times, Ricanstruction brings together over 100 artists, writers, and celebrities telling stories of Puerto Rico's past, present, and future, including crossovers between DC characters and La Borinqueña. In addition to discussing the aftermath of Hurricane Maria -- and how a conversation with Dan Didio at New York Comic-Con led to an arrangement to feature DC Comics super heroes in the anthology, they talk about the importance of intersectionality, social justice, and representation. Another Ricanstruction preview can be found in The Village Voice.

Ricanstruction will be available in stores everywhere on May 23. You can pre-order it on Amazon or use the Diamond code JAN189143 when ordering through your local comic shop.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 104: Making 'Puerto Rico Strong' Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Out in comic shops this week is Puerto Rico Strong, a new anthology from Lion Forge Comics created to aid in the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. On Hard NOC Life, we speak to one of the book's co-editors, and fellow NOC, Desiree Rodrguez.

Keith and Desiree discuss the work that went into turning a massive project like this around in a matter of months, and why it's important that the book be seen as an educational tool for readers to understand the history, culture, and people of Puerto Rico. They also go on a brief tangent about the business of the direct market and the comic book retail industry.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

Episode 103: Daniel Wu Unlocks the Secrets of 'Tomb Raider' Mar 09, 2018

Show notes

On Hard NOC Life, Keith is joined by one of the stars of Warner Brothers' upcoming Tomb Raider movie, Daniel Wu!

Daniel talks about his role as Lu Ren and being a leading man in Hollywood and how movie magic turned South Africa into Hong Kong and the South Pacific. He also gets fans excited for season 3 of Into the Badlands, which returns to AMC on April 22. Tomb Raider, starring Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft, opens in theaters everywhere on March 16.

All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit "play," and check this. Subscribe to all of podcasts in the Hard NOC Media family on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NPR One!

As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.

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