This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa dive into the CRT controversy. Where does it come from and where is it going? As well, they take a good hard look at the real conditions in schools as told by Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Propaganda and others. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss last week's military coup in Sudan, giving background on the history and tactics of nonviolent struggle against military control in the African nation and reflection on the lessons they may hold for us stateside.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

"This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss mental health: manifestations of its lack in the music of Geto Boys, Lil Wayne, Dave and Aesop Rock, as well as institutional and cultural barriers to healthcare access that make it necessary for emcees to find therapy in their music." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week Linqua Franqa sits down with lawyer, emcee, and community organizer Travis Williams in a ranging discussion on everything from their orientations toward modern Hip Hop, their views on education, and building power in marginalized communities.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The Department of Justice dunks on the Texas GOP! The internet dunks on Meek Mill! Dave Chappelle dunks on queer folks and is himself dunked on by our hosts! In this week's episode, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa give a round-up of recent news and pop culture from Squid Game to Senator Warnock. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Linqua Franqa chats with Sao Paolo-based writer and researcher Alex Hochuli about the anti-Bolsonaro movement and the state of fascism and democracy in Brazil. Plus: Indigenous People's Day, the fresh Facebook debacles, and more.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

"This week, Linqua Franqa is back on the scene to discuss the ""Trump of the Tropics,"" Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, comparing and contrasting the far-right leader with his North American counterpart and Brazilian Hip Hop's various takes on his administration." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, the hosts chop it up with Colorado-based hip hop duo The Reminders, made up of Brussels-born emcee Big Samir and Queens-native emcee/vocalist Aja Black. They discuss their musico-political roots, the influences of their diasporic experiences on their ideology and aesthetics, and unpack the impacts of colonization, sexism, and other systemic forces on their lyrical stylings. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, host Dope KNife delves into the plight of black entrepreneurs in the south, particularly in times of pandemic protocols and chats with Elbi Elm, a Small business owner in Georgia, about navigating that very issue. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Our hosts have a chat with Professor Mark Katz of the US State Departments "Next Level" initiative, about using Hip Hop in the world of diplomacy Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week Dope KNife chats with a former Army Ranger about his experience in Afghanistan and what's next for the country and America's Foreign policy. Also, the pair discuss there reactions to Kanye West's album 'Donda'  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Our Hosts Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife have a chat with Democratic Socialist candidate for Minniapolis city council, Robin Wonsley Worlobah about their journey to running for office, police brutality and the need for rent control Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week we our hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss the UN climate change report, it's implications for our furture and environment and what action is being taken to prevent impending doom. They also check out some environmentally conscious rap tunes and talk about "Eco-Rap"  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

"This week, hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa break down the results of special Democratic primary in Ohio's 11th Congressional District, largely seen as a proxy fight between the left flank of the Democratic party, represented by Bernie Sanders surrogate Nina Turner, and its center, represented by Councilwoman Shontel Brown. LF and DK also survey the musical landscape of the congressional district as well as its political contours, with selections from Kid Cudi, Bizzy Bone and Lil Cray...

Evictions! Voting rights! DaBaby! The Olympics! This week, hosts Dope KNife and LInqua Franqa dip their toes into current events of the week before bringing on Jasmine from DARC (Defund Atlanta Police, Refund Communities) to discuss the #StopCopCity movement.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

"With Kanye West back in the news for his forthcoming album and erratic antics in Atlanta, hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa take a look back at and unpack some of the icon's controversial political stances and alliances, from his questionable comments on slavery and abortion to his team-ups with right-wing talking heads like Candace Owens and Alex Jones. Their walk down memory lane includes stops along various points of West's discography, with discussion of both its sociopolitical content...

This Week our hosts Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife dive into the issue of succession and Americas growing political divide. To do so, they do an in depth review of the 2004 Spike Lee produced film 'CSA: Confederate States of America' and see how well the mockumentary predicted things to come Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This Week, hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss the origins, aims, and contours of The CROWN act, recently reintroduced in the House by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and in the Senate by Cory Booker. They take a gander, too, at how a group of middle and high school aged emcees used hip hop and TikTok to lobby for passage of a municipal version of the bill in Louisville, Kentucky and how their predecessors India Arie, Akon, and Mario addressed hair discrimination and the centrality of hairstyle...

This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa take a data dive into recent nationwide crime statistics and put them into historical context, unpacking how both the left and right spin these numbers towards political ends and examining the roots of violent crime as explored in the lyricism of Nas, Murs and Big L.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, the hosts recap recent happenings in the worlds of rhyme and government, from the losses of legendary Blackalicious emcee Gift of Gab and anti-war icon Mike Gravel to the controversy-stirring bars of right-wing rhymesmith Tom McDonald. They also speak with Amazonians United founder and AOC campaign alumnus Jonathan Bailey about the outcomes of the New York Democratic primary and, surprisingly, the professional ballroom dancing scene.  Learn more about your ad-choices at...

"This week, Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss the women in Hip Hop. The contributions, the struggle and the outlook for the future. Speciall guest interview with journalist and hip hop historian, Kathy Landoli" Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Ahead of next week's Democratic primary for the New York mayor's race, Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife take a look at some of the top candidates for Gotham's highest office and two polar-opposite representations of the Big Apple in Hip Hop-- Nas's NY State of Mind and Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, Dope KNife chops it up with leftist activist and battle rapper extrordinaire Soul Khan and discusses the roots and ethics of battle rap culture with cohost Linqua Franqa, reflecting on famous rap battles of history-- Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee, Boogie Down Productions vs. Juice Crew, as examples -- in the closeout.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, Linqua Franqa and Dope KNife break down the role of the district attorney and discuss the "progressive prosecutor" movement with focus on one of its figureheads, Larry Krasner, who two weeks ago faced off with police-union backed, law-and-order challenger Carlos Vega in the Democratic primary for District Attorney of Philadelphia. They discuss what these election results mean for the progressive prosecutor movement in the wake of the George Floyd uprising as well as how DAs shape...

This week, Linqua Franqa is joined by journalist Matt Pulver to discuss the impacts of neoliberalism on the city of Atlanta, touching on housing, water privatization, the rise of the police state and how the neoliberalization of these facets of life in Atlanta shows up in the music of T.I., Gucci Mane, Denzel Curry, Goodie Mob and others. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com