Black In A Box podcast

47:15

You know those ones where the mic is hot and you forget you've got a job to do? Yeah, sometimes it be like that. After we've spent 10 minutes bullsh***ing about Oasis tickets and rockstar conspiracy theories, we get into the real talk… Are we all proud to be British (or British residents, in Alahna’s case)? We discuss our best and worst opinions of living on this island (8:24) and ponder, what even is the “culture” of Britain (24:20)? Finally, whilst we all live in London, we discuss where else in the world we have felt at-home and why.(35:00). Like, share and subscribe…

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612 - Wakanda Workchats & Code Switching 47:04

6 weeks ago47:04

47:04

A recent study showed that almost half of Black Gen Z feel they can’t be themselves in the workplace. From name-changing, to code-switching, to creating sideline minority work chats, it seems the latest generation in the workforce feels unsupported in their authenticity. Are we surprised? (4:40) We discuss this and the influence of older generations on Gen Z in the workplace and how can we extend a hand to pull them up (11:50). Also, how do we show up to support other minority groups at work? (22:45) And all this sparks a fun clash of the most egregious code-switching we’ve witnessed, before ending with our favourite (ahem) “indigenous” British Slang (32:40). Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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611 - Crash Outs 49:21

8 weeks ago49:21

49:21

It’s Q1 2025 and the crash out threat is already HIGH. Living, working and travelling in London provides a very special level of crash out potential, which the BIAB crew discuss (1:17). So how does one find peace and relief, in these over-stimulating, highly-agitating times? Let’s talk mindfulness, spirituality and general peace-seeking (24:00). Enjoy the episode! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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610 - "Black Narnia" - Krept & Konan's Saveways & The Greatest 3-Track Runs 52:59

12 weeks ago52:59

52:59

Cold open on Angelo’s hairline (let’s address the elephant in the room)… from there we discuss Krept & Konan’s latest venture into part-ownership of Saveways, a BAME-centric grocery chain. Why are they getting some backlash within the culture and is it warranted? (7:35) Shifting gears, we clash over the BEST three-track runs on an album (31:18). Do you agree with our choices? Let us know your thoughts and whether we missed out on your favourite 3-track run over at @blackinaboxpodcast on Instagram. Enjoy the episode! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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609 - "Safe Ninja" - Black Childhood, Auntie/Unclehood and much more 44:42

16 weeks ago44:42

44:42

Dom, Alahna and Dan are joined by Tales From the Plantation host Tunde to discuss growing into the Auntie/Uncle era, from dancing embarrassingly to growing old (dis)gracefully. After a quick detour into the serious world of gym hygiene and etiquette, they embark on a thoughtful discussion of childhood moments that defined our identities (16:00), before finishing with Dom's take on Paramore (40:30). Enjoy! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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608 - "Annus Horribilis" - Year End Recap 44:47

21 weeks ago44:47

44:47

The BIAB end of year special! We dive into the winners (5:39) and losers (19:16) of the year. A Canadian man's annus horribilis is mentioned. In detail. We then go into our tracks of the year (34:20) and give flowers to artists on both sides of the Atlantic before ending with wild predictions for 2025 (41:59) Tune in for the positivity, stay for the dissection of the greatest beef of the century. Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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607 - "Things Have Changed" - Gentle Parenting, Modern Masculinity and More 57:00

22 weeks ago57:00

57:00

This time, we're joined by an old friend of the pod, with Tunde Odufisan from the Tales from the Plantation podcast back in the studio with the gang. We discuss the challenges with gentle parenting (02:21), before looking at the challenges and rewards of parenting as a modern man (05:42). Next, is an honest conversation about having to teach your parents how to interact with their grandchildren and learning from the successes and failures of the generation that came before (10:18), narratives around absent black fathers and how it shapes parenting (19:54). Alahna asks what masculinity means in 2024 (28:38), before we round things out talking about Diddy, his case and how and why such behaviours are so pervasive in the entertainment industry and beyond (39:15). Please rate and review if you enjoy what we do. Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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606 - "Electing Chaos" - US Election, Protesting & DJ AG 53:44

23 weeks ago53:44

53:44

When people show you who they are believe them the first time. But this time we are talking about America the nation, not Donald Trump, as the former reality star wins a second term against Kamala Harris. The results of the US Election are in and are we surprised? Now that feelings have been felt, we have a few thoughts about what happened (3:40). We also have a few questions, like ‘What is the US vs UK mindset around politics?’ (20:00) and ‘Are slogans more influential than facts amongst voters?’ (25:00) and 'If we aren’t happy with our government, how do we protest?' (32:10) Finally, we end on a brighter note, chatting about the latest viral sensation, DJ AG (41:50) Please rate and review if you enjoy what we do. Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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605 - Heroes, Chris Kaba, Palestine & Israel 48:32

26 weeks ago48:32

48:32

We're back with another episode, diving into some of the biggest talking points from the past few weeks. Have you ever seen your heroes up close? The pod discusses some of the times they were lucky enough to bear witness to notable people they'll be telling their grandkids about (01:38). This time, we take a look at Israel and Palestine, just over a year on from the October 7th attacks and the ensuing massacres in Gaza, focusing on perceptions, propaganda and if there is any space for hope (09:08). Back in October, the Met officer charged with the murder of Chris Kaba, Martyn Blake, was acquitted by a jury of his peers. We discuss the case and dialogue surrounding Kaba's death (34:33). There's some heavy topics, but as always, we sprinkle it with as much levity as possible! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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604 - In Search of Shame 58:41

27 weeks ago58:41

58:41

We're back! The team had a much needed break over the summer, focusing on getting married, having babies, jet-setting and just LIVING, but now we're back on our BS. This time around, Alahna, Angelo and Dom discuss some of their highlights of the hiatus (7:44). There's a discussion on women in rap music and exactly why they are DOMINATING in 2024 (19:05), before we look into the latest trend of right-wing comedy and their attempts at reframing racism (34:00) and Dom closes with a few words on a personal milestone from earlier in the year (55:20). Enjoy! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

Black in a Box

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603 - Diane Abbott, Emoji Trials and Dancehall Tribulations 1:06:34

1 year ago1:06:34

1:06:34

We're back with another episode, diving into some of the biggest talking points from the past few weeks. We had to kick things off with the disgusting, racist comments made by Tory donor, Frank Hester, about Diane Abbott and the horrific handling by the press and UK parliament as a whole (4:52), before a brief discussion on our voting intentions for the upcoming elections (28:26). After Jamaican dancehall star, Vybz Kartel, saw his murder conviction overturned due to juror misconduct, the team discuss the situation and what it means for the genre as a whole (34:55), before finishing with another trial, which saw a young Black man acquitted of hate crime charges after sending a raccoon emoji to a prospective Conservative MP on social media (50:22). Enjoy! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

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602 - Donna "The Iron Empress" McConnell 1:06:09

1 year ago1:06:09

1:06:09

On this episode, we are joined by the inspiring and formidable Iron Empress herself, Donna McConnell… Ironwoman, Triathlete, Hip-Hop OG, Journalist and much more! Donna and Alahna met during Ironman training and Donna shares her journey to becoming an Iron(woman) in her 50s! A journey that includes growing up in West London in the 70’s, the emergence of hip-hop in the 80’s, having a daughter in the 90’s and then discovering a love for cycling after age 40 (7:25). We discuss the importance of finding shared culture and community in sport, especially for women of colour in white, male-dominated spaces (20:52). We discuss, the equally important aspect of self-determination (30:10). Donna then shares some legendary stories about the emerging hip-hop scene in the 80’s, her own rapping career (42:22) and using her journalistic platform to be a gate-opener for other emerging artists (50:56). Enjoy the episode! Please rate & review! Like. Share. Subscribe.…

Black in a Box

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601 - Black Fatherhood, Manhood and Emotional Wellbeing w/ Marvyn Harrison and Tunde Odufisan 1:31:38

1 year ago1:31:38

1:31:38

It's a new year and we're starting with a big one. This time, we welcome two amazing guests to the studio - the collab of all collabs - we're joined by Dope Black Dads founder and BELOVD co-founder, Marvyn Harrison, and we welcome back an old friend of the pod, Tunde Odufisan, from the fantastic Tales from the Plantation Podcast. Dope Black Dads is an incredible community which focuses oncelebrating, healing, inspiring and educating Black fathers for better outcomes for Black families. In a powerful and enlightening conversation, we meander through a wide range of topics, from the changing face of comedy and entertainment (02:40), the inception and purpose of Dope Black Dads and Black fatherhood (30:24), Marvyn's television work (27:48), avoiding red-pill culture (43:52), raising children in London (1:03:22) and much more. As always, tell a friend to tell a friend - all ratings and reviews really help the pod!…

Black in a Box

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511 - Beyonce's Politics, Hip-Hop #MeToo & Wrapped 1:09:13

1 year ago1:09:13

1:09:13

It’s almost a wrap on 2023, but we still have plenty to discuss! Starting with a review of this year in music - what were the vibes, how are people consuming music and where to discover new artists (3:00)? We also address the long-overdue #MeToo movement needed in Hip-hop and whether recent headlines are a sign that the movement is on the horizon (21:31). And finally we talk the politicisation of popstars, particularly of Beyonce and her Renaissance film (43:38). This will be the final Black in a Box episode of 2023! So get caught up on anything you missed. Like. Subscribe. Rate. Share. And we will see you with big things in 2024!!…

Black in a Box

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510 - In The Bin: Suella Braverman, The Cost of Parenting & Black History Month? 1:01:46

1 year ago1:01:46