In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli", Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with world famous percussionist, drummer, actor, and member of Ben Harper's Innocent Criminals band:
LEON MOBLEY
Here's what they got into:
- Leon's experiences coming up in the Roxbury Fort Hill area of Boston, MA
- Being raised with the seven principles of Nguzo Saba (African Heritage)
- How he got the chance to play with the great Duke Ellington
- Leon's early days of percussion, banging on cans with silverware
- What many missed about Questlove's documentary, "Summer Of Soul"
- How master drummer Babatunde Olatunji helped Kweli get his career started
- Olatunji's incredible legacy and Leon's connection to the drum icon
- J Dilla and how his approach to drum patterns changed music
- Leon's experiences with Fela Kuti and the infusing of afro-beat into new music
- Being an understudy during the first Broadway musical of "Raisin In The Sun"
- His experiences coming up under the METCO bussing program
- Gaining celebrity status for his years of starring in the PBS show "Zoom"
- Talib's vision for Reflection Eternal's song "Africa Dream"
- Leon's not realizing the legacy of Nas when he started working with him
- The incredible journey of Senegalese drummer, Ibrahima Camara
- Drum circles being all about freedom of expression and having fun
- Using Hollywood as a tool to share African drums with the world
- How Leon became part of Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals in 1993
- Doing music for the love of the art and never chasing the dollar
- Commissioned by the Japanese government to make 'Afro Dance Groove'
- The enriching experiences of playing at the West Indian Carnival
- All the connections that Leon has with the Marley family
- The drums keeping him focused and avoiding the pitfalls of life
- How art has always been a product of the environment
- Visiting South Africa during Nelson Mandela's release from prison
- The spirit of African drums within all music
- White Reggae bands and appropriation versus appreciation
- What's next for Leon Mobley
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