2 Dope Boys & a Podcast

Leonard Dixon (ig:international_lenny) of Hypebeast.com joins us in studio this week to talk about what 'hypebeast' means, how a company retains 'cool', and the place of sneaker culture in political times.

Former basketball player and writer Paul Shirley (@PaulThenShirley) joins 2DB tonight to discuss his new book, 'Stories I Tell On Dates.' We also discuss misconceptions people have re: professional athletes, and why he wanted to produce a sitcom about NBA players that showed a *lack* of luxury in NBA lifestyles.

The return of Steve Lewis, nightlife correspondent for 2 Dope Boys, talking to us about his upcoming events with DJ Jonathan Peters at FREQ in NYC beginning December 1st. Why there are 'no clubs in Manhattan' currently. 'Cabaret Laws' and their effect on nightlife. De Blasio's governance of nightlife compared to prior NYC mayors.

Sydney Thomas (@sydneypaige10) investment associate at Precursor Ventures, joins us this week to discuss the turmoil in Silicon Valley. The importance of mentorships and personal relationships in private industry. How venture capital firms resemble minor fiefdoms. Why it’s becoming more apparent that utopian Silicon Valley rhetoric has departed from the actual reality. Check out Sydney's list of black women in venture capital:...

Strategist and designer Gitamba Saila-Ngita (@monumentsinking) joins us this week to discuss his approach to designing experiences and products. Further topics include the Boston experience and how to get corporations to think about what the next 150 years will look like.

This week, 2 Dope Boys returns with an On Point recorded in early August with Detavio Samuels (@Detavio), President of iONE Digital, to discuss how he set about building the company's stacked digital media division, which operates sites like CassiusLife.com, GlobalGrind.com, HelloBeautiful.com, NewsOne.com, Bossip.com, MadameNoire.com and HipHopWired.com. How Detavio was able to see branding and advertising from all important sides of the process. The importance of avoiding the 'Mushy...

Creative and Marketer Kane Sarhan (@Kanes) joins us in studio this week to discuss his work with 1 Hotels. Will people pay more to stay at, and be loyal to, a sustainable hotel? The importance of patience in creating something new, and the importance of long-term thinking. The “hustle and float” of creative enterprises. The nature of the competition between hotels and AirBnB.

Michael and Phil break down the infamous Google memo circulated by (since) fired James Damore. Also, a note on a new phase for 2 Dope Boys. https://www.recode.net/2017/8/11/16127992/google-engineer-memo-research-science-women-biology-tech-james-damore

Critical Mass’ Conor Brady (Chief Creative Officer) and Grant Owens (Chief Strategy Officer) joins us in studio this week to discuss design, particularly with sound interfaces. @cbrady @grantowens www.criticalmass.com

Brand Eff Up: “Hotel Industry Releases Attack Ad Accusing Airbnb Of Enabling Terrorists,” Gothamist http://gothamist.com/2017/08/01/airbnb_terrorism_ad.php What’s Up? “Sen. Cory Booker just introduced a bill that could legalize marijuana nationwide,” Vox (https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/1/16073124/cory-booker-marijuana-legalization) What’s Next? “‘Black America’: Amazon Alt-History Drama From Will Packer & Aaron McGruder Envisions Post-Reparations America,” Deadline...

Building Everyday People into a national party-throwing enterprise, the hyper-materialism and racial components of New York nightlife, Incorporating music from/for different diasporas, and more. More from Saada: Everydaypplnyc.com @saada__

Brand Eff Up: Bedrock Detroit: “We Screwed Up” https://www.facebook.com/BedrockDetroit/posts/1528777023855661 What’s Up? “The Producers of HBO’s Confederate Respond to the Backlash and Explain Why They Wanted to Tell This Story,” Vulture (http://www.vulture.com/2017/07/hbo-confederate-producers-exclusive-interview.html) What’s Next “This New Site Sells Food And Household Essentials–All For $3 Or Less,” Fast Company...

How Roger went from growing up in Brooklyn to witnessing Bob Marley firsthand. The evolution in music represented by reggae. Bob Marley’s broader cultural caricature as opposed to the real Marley. The significance of Rastafari to Bob Marley.

Brand Eff Up: “In Yet Another Airline Fail, Flight Attendants Do Nothing As Man Masturbates Next To Woman,” Refinery29 (http://www.refinery29.com/2017/07/163433/american-airlines-masturbating-man) What’s Up? “Hip-Hop Takes the Throne, Passes Rock as Most Consumed Genre in U.S.,” HypeBeast (https://hypebeast.com/2017/7/hip-hop-rock-most-consumed-music-genre-united-states) What’s Next? “The Pop-Up Employer: Build a Team, Do the Job, Say Goodbye,” NY Times...

Nightclub designer Steve Lewis joins us in studio once again. What it takes to “design a space.” Why Bill DeBlasio has been positive for NYC nightlife. What movies really capture New York, and more.

Jay-Z is Back! But Is He Still Capitalist? Tory Minister Deploys Obscure Slur, and Silicon Valley CEOs Grovel “A Tory MP Has Had The Whip Suspended For Using Racist Language,” Buzzfeed https://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/a-tory-mp-has-described-a-potential-no-deal-brexit-as-the?utm_term=.ihmkDrXG0#.rtQPAexRj What’s Up? Michael and Phil discuss the impressive release by Jay-z, 4:44. What’s Next? “How the Tech World Apologizes,” The Ringer...

Ric Leichtung (@ricleichtung), Events Director at AdHoc, joins us in studio this week. The sort of people who work in the nightlife industry, Building inclusive DIY spaces. Reacting to the changes at Webster Hall. Why there is still a stigma by venues about hip-hop crowds/acts. @ricleichtung @adhocfm

Nancy MacLean is an award-winning scholar of the twentieth-century U.S. history at Duke University. She joins us this week to discuss her book on an important topic: "Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America." Why the Elite Libertarian project has been destroying American democracy. John C Calhoun and James Buchanan as forefathers of Neoliberalism. The still-operative property rights arguments that were born of defending slaves as property. Why...

This week we’re joined by film director Shan Nicholson and musical artist and activist Roxiny. What motivated Shan to make “Downtown Calling” and “Rubble Kings.” New York’s mix of danger and opportunity. The DJ set that led to “Downtown Calling.” How DJing and archival research are nearly the same thing. Shan’s 2010 film “Rubble Kings.” Roxiny’s song on the soundtrack of “Rubble Kings.” How New York has evolved culturally and economically, largely for the worse. Check out Roxiny’s single....

Brand Eff Up: “Undercover Police Handcuff Teens Selling Water on National Mall,” US News (https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-06-23/teens-handcuffed-for-selling-water-on-national-mall) What’s Up? “What Amazon’s Purchase of Whole Foods Really Means,” New Yorker (http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/what-amazons-purchase-of-whole-foods-really-means) What’s Next? “Popcaan And Davido's New Song Is Literally About Snapchat,” Fader...