In this episode of “People’s Party With Talib Kweli”, Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer, director, and entrepreneur:
SELEMA MASEKELA
Here’s what they got into on this one:
- Selema’s cousin, South African rapper Selema Writes
- George Zimmerman reinforcing racists’ sense of power and vigilantism
- His father, iconic jazz musician Hugh Masekela and his rich legacy
- The musical collaboration Alekesam between Selema and Sunny Levine
- The US government’s lack of response to the refugee crisis in Haiti
- Attending elementary school with Method Man and what he was like as a kid
- Coming to the realization that he wanted to be addressed by his birth name
- The culture shock of moving from Staten Island, New York to Carlsbad, California
- Encountering racism on the beaches, while learning how to surf
- People being triggered online when he stands up for pro-Black causes
- How the emergence of the X Games changed boarding culture forever
- Visiting South Africa to film the doc series “Umlando” with his father
- The paddle out at Moonlight Beach held in George Floyd’s honor
- 150 Black surfers united at Manhattan Beach in response to racism
- Selema’s motto of “be blocked and be blessed” dealing with online racism
- His clothing brand Mami Wata and it’s concept of African-themed surf wear
- Detailing the inspiration for Talib’s “Ocean Song”
- Selema’s friendship with fashion designer and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh
- “Fuck your tolerance, start with acceptance…”
- His biggest takeaways learning from snowboarding pioneer Jake Burton
- What Selema has on the horizon
“People’s Party With Talib Kweli” is also available to give a listen via Spotify | SoundCloud | Google Play | Apple | Luminary