Independent Hip Hop, Streaming, and Building Community with Ras Ceylon and Sunspot Jonz

Hard Knock Radio

The conversation on Hard Knock Radio shifted from politics to the economics of music as host Davey D challenged the growing gap between record industry profits and what artists actually earn from streaming. Joined first by activist, educator, and recording artist Ras Ceylon, and later by Living Legends co-founder Sunspot Jonz, the discussion explored what …

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Hard Knock Radio host Davey D welcomed longtime Bay Area artist, educator, and organizer Ras Ceylon to discuss his ninth album, Scrolls of Lion Rock, and the role politically conscious music continues to play during a period of growing repression, war, and social upheaval. The conversation began with Davey D asking whether songs like “Free the World” are created with the intention … Continued


On a recent edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Bay Area organizer Rachel Jackson and veteran anti-fascist organizer Daryle Lamont Jenkins, founder of the One People’s Project, to unpack what they described as a growing and coordinated assault on civil liberties, political dissent, and independent journalism in the United States. … Continued


One of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve heard this week on Hard Knock Radio wasn’t simply about the passing of music executive Clive Davis—it was about power, ownership, and the lasting impact of Black music on American culture. Host Davey D assembled an impressive panel of scholars and music historians, including author and funk historian … Continued


Hard Knock Radio

Civil Rights and Structural Attacks: Conversations with Walter Riley (Encore)

On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with community activist and journalist Jesse Strauss and longtime civil rights attorney Walter Riley to discuss their new book, Civil Rights and Structural Attacks: Conversations with Walter Riley. The conversation explored Rileys decades of movement work, the importance of preserving radical history, and the lessons todays … Continued


Hard Knock Radio

Media Narratives, Community Solidarity, and the Future of Black Journalism

On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D continues an important conversation about media, race, and the power of storytelling. In Part Two of our discussion on Black-Asian relations, Davey D is joined by San Francisco State University professor and activist Russell Jeung and journalist, artist, and community organizer Rocky Rivera. Together, they … Continued


What happens when media narratives, social media algorithms, and historical trauma collide? That was the focus of a powerful Hard Knock Radio conversation hosted by Davey D featuring San Francisco State University professor and activist Russell Jeung and journalist, artist, and community organizer Rocky Rivera. Together, they unpacked the growing tensions between Black and Asian communities while offering … Continued


Hard Knock Radio

AI, Juneteenth and the Fight for What’s Ours

If you think the battle over artificial intelligence only affects tech companies and Silicon Valley insiders, think again. On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with music industry heavyweight Damion “Damizza” Young to break down how AI is rapidly changing the rules for artists, educators, content creators, and everyday … Continued


As Juneteenth approaches, the San Francisco Black Film Festival (SFBFF) returns with a powerful lineup of films, community events, and cultural programming designed to celebrate Black life, history, and creativity. On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with SFBFF Executive Director Cree Ray, who discussed the festival’s legacy, this year’s theme, and why preserving Black stories … Continued