On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Ryan Nicole”a Grammy-nominated musician, educator, playwright, and community advocate”whose work seamlessly blends art and activism. The wide-ranging conversation delved into Oaklands housing crisis, media narratives targeting Black and Brown cities, and her groundbreaking creative projects, including her new EP Yours Truly and the acclaimed musical Co-Founders.
From Track Star to Cultural Advocate
Davey D opened by highlighting Ryan Nicoles multi-faceted journey, from holding high school track records to starring in commercials and producing socially conscious films. One of her notable works, The Haven Project, was born during the pandemic to shed light on Oaklands housing crisis. The film emerged after a 2019 United Nations visit declared Oakland a public emergency due to its soaring unhoused population”then over 7,000 people.
The Musical Co-Founders
Ryan Nicoles hit play Co-Founders exemplifies her approach to cultural activism. Co-written with Beau Lewis and Adisha Adefala, the musical tells the story of Asada Thompson, a Black woman coder from West Oakland who battles gentrification and systemic barriers in Silicon Valley. The play explores themes of race, gender, and economic survival while paying homage to Oaklands spirit of resilience.
Everywhere we performed, it sold out, Nicole said, hinting at efforts to bring the production to Oakland and San Francisco by 2026.
Music with Depth
Nicoles latest EP, Yours Truly, offers a deeply personal glimpse into her life. Recorded in just 30 days, the project reflects on mental health, loss, and self-discovery. The title track, she revealed, addresses depression and suicide awareness, inspired by personal losses during the pandemic. Before I tell people to march, I think you should know me, she said, underscoring the importance of vulnerability in her art.
Cultural Collaboration and Future Projects
Ryan Nicole is part of a vibrant creative ecosystem alongside names like Ryan Coogler, Boots Riley, and Cat Brooks. Together, theyre shaping Oaklands cultural renaissance. If you can get the hearts of the people, you can shift how they live, vote, and build, she said.
With her work in the Grammy-nominated group Alphabet Rockers and her growing solo catalog, Ryan Nicole continues to blend music, activism, and storytelling.
Later on we hear from Poor News Magazine and America’s War on disenfranchised communities.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.