Black in a Box
Black in a Box
Black in a Box
Black in a Box began as an intention to turn up the volume on the rural black voice, before becoming an exploration of modern life, politics and culture for all black faces in white spaces. Black in a Box is Alahna, Angelo, Dan, Dom and Nate. It is nuanced thinking about structural and systemic issues. It is learning and debating and sometimes shelling. It is hip-hop, rare groove, reggae and grime. It is rural and it is urban. It is fun and serious. It is educational and very occasionally it is therapy. And it is about and for all of us.
502 - You People, Emotional Butlers and Vicarious Trauma
For whose comfort should Black people be cultivating their conversations? Alahna, Dan, Dom and Gelo negotiate exactly that question, in relation to cinema and conversations within the Black community, as well as the role of trauma porn in indicating the value of black life. We open discussing Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill race rom-com and Guess Who remake “You People” (2:20) and whether it is harmless fun of harmful to stereotypes in 2023. The viral clash on Higher Learning podcast between Van Lathan and Emmanuel Acho then has us talking, asking whether anyone should be comfortable when the topic is discrimination against Black people (25:41). The killing of Tyre Nicholls at the hands of police in America set us on to an all too familiar topic. We discuss the prevalence of trauma porn (42:48) and whether it is necessary or simply results in death becoming content. Finally, we finish on film and music culture (1:05:04). Is Batman the REAL villain? When did we lose our male SANGERS? Like. Share. Subscribe.
Feb 8, 2023
1 hr 17 min
501 - Prince Harry, CheckTate and Benedict's last plantation party.
The episode about broken social contracts. We begin our first pod of 2023 with Prince Harry's media blitz about his stripped royal status. He thought he was the Prince who was promised until the reality of falling in love with and marrying a mixed race woman revealed royal status is not unconditional, nor is it afforded equally (4:41). We then discuss the rise and elevation of misogynist huckster Andrew Tate to internet sensation status by a generation of men feeling as though they were promised more than what they have (21:17). The family of Benedict Cumberbatch may well be about to have less than they have. We talk about Barbados its high profile plans for reclamation of generational lands used for slave plantations (37:19). Finally we finish on Home Sec Suella Braverman's reported Windrush generation betrayal (53:11), before closing out on the music that made our 2022 (1:01:05). Like. Share. Subscribe.
Jan 18, 2023
1 hr 13 min
410 - A Tale of 2 Comedians
We needed to talk about some Daves. Dave Chappelle's monologue on SNL generated heat with some commentators saying it engaged in anti-semitic tropes whilst others praised its nuance. We discuss it and how Chappelle's skill as a comedian doesn't always translate. (5:22) We then get onto David Baddiel, his appearance on Jason Lee's podcast, his documentary "Jews Don't Count" and how the effects of his anti-black racism have blighted his efforts to talk about anti-semitism (27:19) Lastly, the team is split on following the World Cup, with some all out and others all in. Is it possible for this specific tournament to be escapism? (48:25) As always, like. Share. Subscribe
Dec 1, 2022
1 hr 6 min
409 - Jason 'Scully' Kavuma - "The bigger you live, the longer you live"
Lock in for a journey through astrology, living the life that fulfils you, lunar travel, pirates and miscellaneous money and so much more with Jason “Scully” Kavuma. Scully – one of the voices behind the rise of lockdown internet sensation #NS10v10 at No Signal – cut his teeth as a new media dabbler at Vice before becoming a presenter and A&R as well as a producer on the rise. It has to be said though that the 29-year old is much more than all this. After a wild journey through him bursting onto the scene(20:48, we hear how a life turning point (38:02) brought him back...until covid had other ideas. After talking #10v10, the conversation switches to grime and “gatekeeping the culture” (1:02:10), before we turn to Kanye, Nore and podcasters calculating the cost of clicks and clout (1:13:45). We close with heartfelt condolences to actress and writer Josephine Melville who tragically passed away in October, during a run of the much-lauded Nine Night. Like. Share. Subscribe.
Oct 31, 2022
1 hr 32 min
408 - Musa Okwonga - In The End, It Was All About...Ginger
The one where we talk about football. Football podcasting great and award-winning writer Musa Okwonga joined the pod at the start of the season for a wide-ranging deep dive on the relationship of our game, media and the England team with Black Britain. We begin talking about how Blackness has permeated football culture (5:17), charting from Wenger's Arsenal through Nike's Londoner advert to now. We then discuss the marketing of the England team(35:28) behind not just Black faces but Black identities with the unspoken caveat of "Conditional Identity" afforded to those players(43:19). We then touch on the traditional media discourse about Black athletes(50:15) and why there have been no "clever" Black footballers(1:01:06), before finishing on Musa's experience moving abroad and the impact it had on his life and career(1:18:02). Our regular segment "Black in the Box" closes out pod, with us giving love to chicken, carnival, Munya and Musa's exceptional latest book "In The End, It Was All About Love"(1:29:41). Like. Share. Subscribe.
Sep 12, 2022
1 hr 37 min
407 - Nels Abbey - "All Skinfolk Ain't Kinfolk" - Identity Politics & Black Tories
The Tory leadership contest has seemingly been a showcase for diversity. Our guest, Nels Abbey, a celebrated author and essayist joins the team to talk through the candidates. We start off with "Black out the Box" where we celebrate the best of Britain, big and small (1:30). Then we ask whether the ethnic diversity in the contest makes us feel represented (10:31) and we have an in depth discussion on Kemi Badenoch and what her reaching the final four tells us about the direction of the Conservatives and Black Britons. We close things off with our first reactions to The Forde Report into racism within the Labour Party and the lack of news coverage it has been given (49:05), before discussing Nels' (and Dr Boulé Whytelaw III) superb book "Think Like a White Man" and his journey in making it (1:04:42). Like. Share. Subscribe.
Jul 25, 2022
1 hr 14 min
406 - Ewa Effiom - Movin' on Up - Architecture, Housing and Black Communities
As we reflect on the anniversary of Grenfell, we are joined by guest Ewa Effiom, architect and expert on the built environment, to discuss his success as a Black face in a predominantly white industry, as well as housing and development issues affecting Black and Brown people. First we get to know Ewa as he takes us through his rise, experiences and observations as a prominent Black architect (6:05). Then, we discuss Grenfell and why not much has changed since the tragedy (44:13) and finally, we look at some of the barriers to home ownership for Black people and examine the question of ‘will there ever be Black middle class communities in Britain?’ (59:10). Like. Share. Subscribe.
Jul 7, 2022
1 hr 11 min
405 - Joanna Jarjue - Started on The Apprentice now she's here...
We follow up our March episode with Symeon Brown and Neef Ekpoudom, in which we discussed the plight of young people chasing fame and money as influencers, by welcoming former BBC Apprentice contestant, businesswoman Joanna Jarjue. Joanna joins Alahna, Dan and Dom to talk about achieving through adversity. We begin with her journey growing up in Wakefield after leaving Gambia (8:46), before moving on to Joanna's experience as a Black woman at a redbrick university (28:50). And then the juicy stuff, we speak about the Apprentice (41:28), the depiction of Black women by TV producers in the UK and finally her life path since the show (57:19). It's honest, it's candid and its good for your soul. Like. Share. Subscribe.
May 17, 2022
1 hr 10 min
404 - Isaiah's Triumph (feat. Mr Magoo & the Big Steppers)
In a shorter episode this week and a body short, with Alahna back in the mean-streets of Palm City, we discuss what is an exciting time for rap powerhouse - Top Dawg Entertainment. Last week, BIAB favourite, Isaiah Rashad, made a heart-warming return on the one of the world's biggest stages - the influencer olympics...Coachella (01:16). We discuss how he did, or didn't, address the leaked video and how hip-hop has grown to a much greater level of acceptance. Then a couple of days later KING KENDRICK HIMSELF announced the release date for his new and last album on TDE, Mr Morale and the Big Steppers. We chat about what to expect (19:22) and round things off with our favourite K. Dot albums (32:45). Like. Share. Subscribe.
Apr 25, 2022
45 min
403 - Slaps & Crazy Baldheads
We know you're probably sick of it by now and we are too, but we had a hiccup with the recording so we're a week late...but anyway, we start with the spectacle on everyone’s feeds…the SLAP heard around the world (01:26). Such a brief moment, yet so much to unpack...or maybe not? We get into it nevertheless. We then discuss the disgusting, disturbing, but not so surprising case of Child Q and the systemic failures that led to this violation (27:13), before finishing up with Jamaica’s response to Will & Kate’s visit (43:44) and what this may foretell for the future of the Monarchy in the Caribbean, whilst throughout we consider the question, “How are these three issues connected?” Like. Share. Subscribe.
Apr 6, 2022
54 min
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