We sat down with well known local rapper Clotaire K who gave us the breakdown of Beirut’s burgeoning Hip Hop scene. Clotaire K has made major inroads with a slamming album called ‘Lebanese’ which has a lot politically charged lyrics rapped over boomin’ beats.

He noted that he a long with many other middle east rappers have a love for old school Hip Hop from the US, but Southern France is where he spent most of his days. It is also Hip Hop’s epicenter in that part of the world. Clotaire who spits many of his rhymes in French felt it was vitally important to also include music and references reflecting his native Lebanon. The mixture is music that will not only make your head bob, but also let anyone who thinks Hip Hop begins and ends in New York or in the US, that it’s a new day and time.

Breakdown FM - Straight Outta Beirut, Meet  Clotaire K  (2006 intv)

Oakland Museum Hip Hop is 50 Mix

We sat down and spoke w/ former political prisoner, Black Panther and BLA member Dhoruba Bin Wahaad who gave us an incredible in depth history about the relationship between the Black Panther Party and the Palestinian Liberation Movement.. He spoke at length about what led to the formation of Israel. He talked at lenght about the role of colonial powers in particular Britain and France and how they fostered a climate that eventually resulted in the current conflict we see going on now in the Middle East..

Dhoruba detailed how and why the Panthers linked up with the Palestinians and the important role that the struggles in Algiers played in bringing folks together. Dhoruba explained his role as a liason between the Panthers and Palestine.

We were joined in our conversation by local activist and scholar Danea Martinez who detailed the relationship between Palestine and the Black freedom struggle in South Africa. She gave us the accurate perspective on Nelson Mandela, the ANC and where they intersected with the Palestine struggle. She also gave us perspective on Israel displacing Palestinians in 1948 from their homeland and the formation of Apartheid that same year.. Its remarkable and sobering history.

Both Danea and Dhoruba talked at length about Arab racism and slavery on the continent. Dhoruba who lived in Africa for a number of years detailed the racial politics and reminded folks that many of the Arabs were are talking about involved in slavery in places like Mali and the Sudan are 'Blacker than you and me' in appearance. The information he breaks down in this segment is extremely insightful and gives important context to this discussion on Arab racism.

We also talk at length about the impact the cold war had on the liberation struggles in both America amongst Black people and in Palestine. We talk about the role it played in heightening racist Zionism..

We conclude the conversation with a discussion of how Israel's policies and practices are being exported to US police departments and SWAT teams here in the US.. There is an NYPD office in Tel A Viv and many officers have taken leaves of absence to go fight for Israel's IDF to hunt down Palestinians. 





HKR  08-01-14: Fight The Power-Black Liberation, Palestine & Zionism

Alanis Morissette - Hand in My Pocket (SickMix intro) (clean)
Janet Jackson, Q-Tip, Joni Mitchell - Gone Til It's Gone 
Counting Crows,Vanessa Carlton - Big Yellow Taxi 
Sara Bareilles - Lie to Me
Alanis Morissette - Thank You
Ana Tijoux - Creo en Ti (feat. Juanito Ayala)
Dido - Don't Believe In Love
Sara Bareilles - Lie to Me
Femme Deadly Venoms - Femmenomenon (radio edit)
Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back to Me 
Estelle - Thank You
Katy B ft Kaytranada - Honey 
Alanis Morissette - You Learn
Chantal Kreviazuk - Julia
Seinabo Sey - Pretend
Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar & Chantal - Pay For It 
Alanis Morissette - Hands Clean
Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason
Rosie Gaines - I Want U (Inner City Blue) [Earth Mama Version]
Alanis Morissette - Crazy (James Michael Mix)
Ike & Tina Turner - Livin' for the City
Ike & Tina Turner & Tina Turner - Cussin’, Cryin’ and Carryin’ On 
The Memphis Horns & Mavis Staples - Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
ARETHA FRANKLIN - ROCK STEADY
Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know
Sara Bareilles - Morningside
KAYTRANADA - What You Need (feat. Charlotte Day Wilson)

Vibes For The Heart, Soul and Mind

In a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged in a captivating conversation with filmmaker Justice 4Tyranny, who is part of an organization called Tha Hood Squad. The discussion centered around his  documentary, that's been years in the making called  "Little Nairobi". It sheds   light on the history of East Palo Alto, a city that is 30 miles south of San Francisco and across the freeway from Stanford University and Palo Alto which is one of the richest communities in the country.  and its transformation over the years.

HKR (02-09-24) Little Naroibi Documentary and Corrine Bailey Rae

People Get Ready Take the Evil People Out #1

Why I Left Sade to Marry Taylor Swift #1

Black Revolutionary Freedom

People I'm Ready (Fight the Power)

I Need a DC Comic Lover (Lemme Be Your Superman)

Never, Ever Put Sugar on Grits

Altadena Rising from the Ashes (intro) #1

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Minneapolis-based educator and freelance journalist Marjaan MJ Sirdar. The conversation delved into the deeper history of Target’s involvement in law enforcement, racialized surveillance, and its strategic influence over public policy. As Target rescinds its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Sirdar's research reveals that the corporation’s commitment to racialized policing has remained steadfast.

HKR-02-18-25 Marjaan MJ Sirdar on the Evils of Target Mixdown 1

Time is Running Out (DD house Mix)

Give Drake His Flowers

Miranda First Friday March 25 pt1

Barbara Lee Theme Song

It All began in Africa Raise (Spirit Comes from Water)

Barbara Lee Speaks for Me (Hip Hop Mix)

It all Began in Africa (Bongo drum Mix )

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D chops it up with filmmaker Byron Hurt and sports journalist Dave Zirin to break down the real story behind Shedeur Sanders’ fall to the fifth round of the NFL Draft. What was billed as a celebration of talent turned into a public spectacle rooted in race, control, and the politics of power.

HKR-04-28-25-Byron Hurt and Dave Zirin speak on Shedeur Sanders

Across the country, a growing number of conservative-led efforts are targeting the very existence of Ethnic Studies. From the banning of books to the defunding of DEI programs, and now legislation like California's AB 1468, educators and communities are fighting to protect hard-earned progress. On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, we dive into the issue with two guests on the front lines—Professor Lupe Carrasco Cardona and Professor Mark Allan Davis.

HKR-04-29-25 The Fight to Save Ethnic Studies

In this urgent and timely episode of Hard Knock Radio, we sit down with former New York Assemblymember and longtime freedom fighter Charles Barron, who breaks down the global political dynamics behind the growing “Hands Off Burkina Faso” movement. Barron, known for his unapologetic Pan-African stance, contextualizes the rising tide of resistance against neocolonial control in the Sahel and beyond.

As Burkina Faso and other West African nations push back against French and Western interference, Barron outlines how these countries are reclaiming sovereignty, national dignity, and control over their resources. He connects the dots between the revolutionary legacy of Thomas Sankara and today’s youth-led uprisings, while highlighting how Western media distortions and imperialist tactics aim to undermine these efforts.

Barron also addresses the worldwide demonstrations taking place in solidarity with Burkina Faso, from New York to Accra. He reminds us that the struggle is global—and calls on people of conscience everywhere to raise their voices.

This episode is a frontline report from the battle against modern-day colonialism, and a rallying cry to stand with African nations resisting domination.

Listen to the full broadcast. Share the message. Hands Off Burkina Faso!

HKR-05-05-25 Charles Barron and the Fight for a Free Burkina Faso

On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D connects with Refa One from Oakland and Madzoo from Senegal—two members of the RBS Crew using Hip Hop and art to spark global liberation. From murals in Oakland to resistance in Burkina Faso, they break down U.S. imperialism, uplift President Traoré’s bold leadership, and call for unity across the African diaspora. This is art as activism—direct, unapologetic, and rooted in history.

HKR-05-14-25 Refa 1 and Madzoo Speak on Burkina Faso

Tulem KPOP Party

Juneteenth Mix 2025

Bomba as Resistance: Dr. Eileene Tejada Breaks Down the Subversive Power of Afro-Taino Culture on Hard Knock Radio
By Dave 'Davey D' Cook | Hard Knock Radio

On a special episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Dr. Eileene Tejada, Associate Dean of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University, to unpack the powerful history and cultural significance of Bomba—an Afro-Caribbean tradition born of resistance, healing, and survival.
Uncovering Erased Histories

In a time where cultural memory is being erased and rewritten, Dr. Tejada emphasized the importance of reclaiming traditions like Bomba, which emerged in spaces free from colonial oversight. Her research focuses on the Congrejo region of Puerto Rico, where freed Africans created autonomous communities alongside Taino people. There, Bomba thrived—not simply as music, but as a ceremonial act of defiance against colonial domination.
More Than Music: A Sacred Alliance

Bomba is a living alliance between African and Taino traditions. Its instruments—the barriles (drums), maraca, cuás (wooden sticks), and call-and-response vocals—represent the merging of cultures under shared struggle. Bomba was never just a performance; it was ceremony, resistance, and survival encoded in rhythm. Some rhythms were so powerful they were outlawed, because colonial authorities recognized the drum as a tool of rebellion.
Language of Rebellion and Healing

Dr. Tejada revealed how Spanish, the colonizer’s tongue, became a language of resistance, used strategically among diverse African and Indigenous groups. Bomba lyrics often carried hidden messages, and the dance—especially the sacred rhythm of Yubá—became a space of healing from generational trauma. “Time collapses in the batey,” she said, “and you come home to your true self.”
A Model for Unity

As Black and Brown communities today face renewed attacks, Dr. Tejada sees Bomba as a blueprint for alliance. “We must build unity the colonizer can’t destroy,” she urged. “There is no Black-Brown conflict—that’s a colonial myth.”

The conversation closed with a moving passage from Tejada’s dissertation describing her first experience inside the batey. It wasn’t just music—it was transcendence, connection, and ancestral memory restored. At 52, she entered the world of Bomba—and never looked back.

During the conversation Dr Tejada gave major props and credit to Tata Cepeda, grand daughter of Rafael Cepeda Atiles, as she continues to preserve the Cepeda family legacy through her Bomba school. The tracks played throughout the show come from the Cepeda family.

Dr Tejeda noted that he voice of the spoken word is Petra Cepeda, daughter of Rafael Cepeda Atiles, whose legacy in Bomba continues today.

HKR-06-26-25 History of Bomba & Resistence w/ Dr Eileene Tejada

HKR-06-30-25 Javier Gonzalez Speaks on Mass Deportations, ICE and the Survellience State

House Mix for the People #1

(HKR-07-08-25) On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with DJ, emcee, and actor Juan Amador—aka DJ Wonway—to talk about his role in the play Atzlan, written by Luis Alfaro and running at San Francisco’s Magic Theater. The conversation explores the significance of storytelling during a time when cultural expression, ethnic studies, and historical truth are being suppressed.

Atzlan follows a man recently released from prison who reconnects with his family—descendants of Aztec gods—offering a powerful reflection on mythology, identity, incarceration, and survival. Wonway, who plays three characters (including a set of twins and the protagonist’s father), discusses how he prepared for the demanding roles. He shares that observing his partner’s twin daughters helped him capture the duality and choreography required for live performance.

Davey D and Wonway reflect on the broader meaning of Atzlan, a mythical homeland often erased from mainstream narratives. The play becomes a form of resistance—especially as ethnic studies programs are under attack and community histories are being banned or rewritten. For Wonway, who studied La Raza Studies at SF State, the role carries both artistic and political weight.

They also highlight a Bay Area renaissance in community-rooted theater, giving love to artists like RyanNicole, Cat Brooks, and others pushing boundaries with unapologetically Black and Brown narratives. Davey asks whether the goal is still to “make it” in Hollywood or if the real power lies in building outside the industry. Wonway believes both paths have value but stresses the importance of maintaining integrity and creating work for the people, not just for corporate platforms.

The conversation ends with a reminder: Atzlan has been extended for an additional week at the Magic Theater. Wonway encourages folks to come out and see the show—and notes that if ticket prices are a barrier, they can reach out directly for help.

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. 

HKR-07-09-25 Atzlan and the Bay’s Cultural Renaissance: A Conversation w/ DJ Wonway

(HKR-07-08-25) On this July 8th edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with veteran anti-fascist organizer Daryle Lamont Jenkins of One People's Project about the dangerous political landscape unfolding in the U.S. The conversation centers on the passage of the big ugly bill, a federal spending package that gives more funding to ICE than to the U.S. Marines. Jenkins warns this opens the door for far-right extremists"like Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Patriot Front"to embed themselves further in government agencies under the guise of immigration enforcement.

Jenkins and Davey D point to the silence"and in some cases, complicity"of centrist Democrats who seem more focused on crushing progressives than opposing fascist forces. They highlight how politicians aligned with AIPAC and corporate interests are working to derail movement candidates like Jamaal Bowman, Corey Bush and Mondaire Jones, while staying quiet on policies that fuel mass surveillance, raids, and immigrant detention.

The conversation also addresses inflammatory rhetoric from figures like Laura Loomer and Ann Coulter, who've made genocidal statements targeting Latinos and Indigenous people. Despite their extremism, these influencers have ties to powerful players and are amplified by platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook. Jenkins argues this unchecked speech isnt just noise"it shapes policy and endangers lives.

Davey D and Jenkins call out attempts to divide Black communities from immigrant struggles, particularly through social media campaigns that stoke xenophobia and erode solidarity. They stress the importance of organizing, resisting ICE on the ground, and demanding transparency from those in power.

Jenkins closes with a clear message: were not powerless"but we do have to act. From confronting masked ICE agents in the streets to building up independent political platforms and third-party options, the fight against fascism and complicity must be bold, creative, and sustained.

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. 

HKR-07-08-25 Daryle L. Jenkins: How the State Is Arming White Supremacy

We Are the Icebreakers ...We Ain't Playing Nice

We Are the Icebreakers We Ain't Playing Nice #2

suzy Bday jam pt1

Suzy Bday pt 2

(HKR-07-10-25) On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D checks back in with journalist James Farr on the six-month anniversary of the devastating Eaton Fire that ravaged Altadena, California. The conversation opens with sharp criticism of the Biden administrations militarized show of force at MacArthur Park"a move seen by many as a cruel distraction from the lack of federal attention and relief for disaster-stricken Black and Brown communities across the country.

Farr, host of Conversation Live: Altadena Rising on KBLA Talk 1580 and a contributor toLA Progressive, detailed the slow and burdensome recovery process in Altadena. He described how corporate developers were circling like vultures, exploiting the crisis to acquire land in a historically Black neighborhood that has already endured a legacy of displacement due to redlining and freeway construction. Despite early promises, residents have received limited financial relief, with only about 20 rebuilding permits granted and bureaucratic red tape holding back the process. Many elders and long-time residents, especially renters or those without formal lease agreements, are left with no viable path to recovery.

Farr revealed that upwards of a billion dollars has been raised through charitable donations, but most of that money hasn't reached the people who need it. He raised concerns about nonprofit gatekeeping and how some organizations are only required to disburse 5% of raised funds annually, banking the rest. He also pointed out the emotional toll on displaced seniors, many of whom are now living in unfamiliar apartments after decades in their homes. These psychological stresses, compounded by insurance stonewalling and potential IRS entanglements, underscore the deep inequities embedded in the recovery process.

The conversation closed with a sobering reminder:Disasters don't discriminate, but recovery does.Farr urged listeners not to forget Altadena or any community that suffers in silence. The story of Altadena, he stressed, is a microcosm of a broader national failure to support vulnerable communities after catastrophe.


HKR-07-10-25 James Farr :Altadena Fires 6 Month Later

(HKR-07-15-25) On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with long-time organizer and CURYJ co-founder George Galvis, fresh off a deeply spiritual and politically charged trip to South Dakota. The conversation centered on Galvis’ recent visit with Leonard Peltier, the longtime political prisoner and American Indian Movement (AIM) elder who is finally free after nearly 50 years of incarceration.

Galvis shared how his encounter with Peltier offered a powerful sense of renewal and spiritual grounding during a time when Indigenous communities—and all people of color—face escalating threats from ICE raids, surveillance, and repression. He described the ceremony they shared together, marking Peltier’s first Sundance in five decades. The gathering was more than symbolic—it was a reclaiming of culture, faith, and resistance.

Throughout the interview, Galvis drew deep historical parallels between current anti-immigrant crackdowns and past operations like Operation Wetback in the 1950s. He reminded listeners that Indigenous traditions were long criminalized in the U.S., and even now, Indigenous spiritual practice remains under threat—from law enforcement, from cultural erasure, and from digital suppression.

The conversation also connected recent uprisings like Standing Rock to prophetic traditions such as the Eagle and the Condor, and how spiritual practices and youth leadership sparked what became one of the largest Indigenous mobilizations in U.S. history. Yet, Galvis warned about how even well-meaning allies can unknowingly reproduce colonial mindsets, undermining Indigenous movements.

He also reflected on the wisdom of his late mentor Harry Belafonte, who taught him the importance of building bridges with those in power—even if flawed—if it means moving movements forward. Galvis highlighted the need for inside-outside strategy, people power, and grassroots organizing to counter billionaire-backed repression and modern-day digital colonization.

Calling ICE raids “state-sponsored human trafficking,” Galvis emphasized the need to build modern-day underground railroads and practice intentional, sustained resistance. “It’s war,” he said, pointing out that even our feeds are weaponized—serving trauma without context, while resistance voices are silenced by algorithms.

Peltier’s release, Galvis argued, is not just a victory for him—it’s a victory for the movement, a symbol that faith, culture, and resilience can and will outlast empire. “He beat them,” Galvis said. “We beat them.”

HKR-07-15-25-George Galvis Report Back From South Dakota on Leonard Peltier

(HKR-07-12-25) On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for a timely and urgent conversation about the devastating implications of the recently passed federal spending bill—dubbed by critics as the “Big Ugly Bill.” Representing California’s newly redrawn 12th Congressional District, Simon pulls no punches in breaking down what she calls an “insidious attack” on poor and working-class communities across the nation, particularly in the Bay Area.
A Budget of Brutality, Not Care

Simon outlines how the bill strips over $1 trillion from health care programs including Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 17 million people will lose healthcare by 2034, and 90 million dollars in Planned Parenthood funding—including Oakland’s Barbara Lee Health Center—has been cut immediately. In her words, “they are literally kicking women in the neck.”

SNAP benefits (aka food stamps) are also on the chopping block, along with $5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. The bill simultaneously boosts ICE and Homeland Security by 19%, making ICE the largest federal law enforcement agency in the country. “This is no accident,” Simon says. “This administration wants this country whiter and more male.”
Local Impact: Bay Area on the Frontlines

Simon emphasizes that this bill directly harms people in her district. Over 35,000 residents are expected to lose healthcare, and 9,000 families may lose access to food assistance. “This isn’t abstract policy—it’s life and death for our communities,” she says.

Simon points to the defunding of NIH clinical trials at Oakland Children’s Hospital as an example of how the bill’s cruelty extends even to children battling cancer. ICE, now armed with an expanded budget, is already escalating deportations, and Simon warns that marginalized diasporic communities—from Haitians to Armenians—are being targeted with little media attention or recourse.
What’s Next: Midterms, Mobilization, and Mutual Aid

With urgency and clarity, Simon stresses that the midterms are critical: “If we don’t win, we may not have a republic.” She explains that Democrats have lost control of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch—and without the numbers, they lack subpoena power and oversight authority. Still, she remains committed to harm reduction, filing amendments (six on this bill alone), visiting detention centers, and working across the aisle when necessary.

But she also insists this cannot be a fight left to elected officials alone. “Not one right was ever given to us without a fight,” she reminds listeners, quoting Grace Lee Boggs and Wanda Johnson. Simon encourages folks to contact her office, stay politically engaged, and push all elected officials to be accountable.
The Role of Taxes: A Call for a Peace Dividend

Davey D and Simon also discuss the question of where taxpayer money goes—and where it should go. Echoing former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, they call for a “peace dividend” that funds education, housing, childcare, and diplomacy—not war and mass incarceration.

Simon closes the conversation grounded in faith and community: “Injustice cannot stand forever. I’m here every day fighting because I believe in our people.”


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. 

HKR-07-14-25 Intv w/ Congresswoman Lateefah Simon

Title: Digital Fabrication and the Struggle for Self-Determination: Blair Evans Breaks Down Community Production

In Episode #5 of the Build and Fight Formula series, produced by Rootwork and Cooperation Jackson, host Kali Akuno sits down with technologist and community organizer Blair Evans to unpack the transformative power of community production. This session zeroes in on digital fabrication—its promise, potential pitfalls, and how it fits into a broader struggle for land, labor, and liberation.
From Skepticism to Strategy

Kali opens the session with honesty, sharing how his initial fear was that digital production might replace Black labor. But it was Blair Evans—founder of Insight Focus and a leader in the People’s Network for Land and Liberation—who helped him reframe digital tools not as threats, but as powerful instruments for self-determination.
The People’s Network: A Decentralized Ecosystem

Evans describes the People’s Network as a six-node consortium committed to building solidarity economies. Each node operates independently but shares core values and collaborates to aggregate resources, knowledge, and strategies. Their goal: shift from dependence on extractive systems to autonomous, place-based economies.
Why Digital Fabrication Matters

The episode dives deep into the rise of digital fabrication, described as the “third digital revolution” following digital communications and computation. Evans argues we’re at a crucial crossroads: either we shape this emerging field to serve our communities—or we let it be hijacked to reinforce inequality, as happened during the internet boom.

Digital fabrication labs (or “Fab Labs”) enable communities to design and manufacture their own tools, housing, electronics, and daily goods. With falling equipment costs and rising capabilities, these labs can democratize innovation. But the tech itself isn’t enough.
Fabrication is Political

Evans stresses that simply owning tools isn’t transformative. We must build new modes of production, which include different relationships—co-ops, land trusts, and regenerative economics. Fab Labs, when embedded in local ecosystems and guided by community values, can become centers of liberation, not exploitation.

He breaks this down into a three-legged framework for community production:

    Digital Fabrication: The hardware—3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines—that make physical things.

    Ecosystem Thinking: Grounded in permaculture, agroecology, and Indigenous worldviews that emphasize sustainability and regeneration.

    Human Systems: Cooperative governance, agile project management, and social trust frameworks like land trusts and worker co-ops.

Owning the Future—Now

Blair challenges the audience to “skate where the puck is going.” That means investing now in skills and tools that will define the next generation of production. It might cost more in the short term to build locally instead of buying from Walmart, but it positions communities to own the means and mode of production in the long term.

Evans also introduces a staged roadmap:

    Stage 1: Use commercial equipment.

    Stage 2: Build your own equipment.

    Stage 3: Create machines that fabricate using locally grown or recycled materials.

    Stage 4: Mimic biology—build systems that can self-repair and grow, like living organisms do.

The End Game: A New Relationship With the Planet

Digital fabrication is not just about machines. It’s about reorienting our relationship with the planet, each other, and our own potential. When we control production, supply chains, and governance, we move toward true self-determination.

As Evans puts it: “Fight for what you want now—or fight against what you don’t want later.”

MrDaveyD

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