1 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: What angel y. I'm here with my girl Jazz Mein Brand. 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 2: Yes, and we had somebody who is an entrepreneur all 3 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:10,719 Speaker 2: into the media. 4 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: We have Dr Aka David. 5 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 2: Ramiworld here with us. Thank you for joining us today, 6 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me. And I know you from Rolling 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 2: Stone Africa because I followed Rolling Stone Africa and you 8 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 2: actually led the acquiring of Rolling Stone Africa. 9 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: Is that your company? 10 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 3: That's right? That's right. So in twenty twenty one, I 11 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 3: founded a company called one kom So monkuin Sili means renaissance, 12 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 3: and you know, essentially we wanted to celebrate the Black 13 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 3: renaissance that was happening on the continent and also in 14 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 3: the diaspora. And for us, it was very important to 15 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 3: unify all the countries. So you know, music being one 16 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 3: of the main unifiers. We felt our Rolling Stone Africa 17 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 3: would make the most sense and that's why we started 18 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 3: talking to PMC and you know, organize the purchase of 19 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,639 Speaker 3: a license for ardings toon Africa. 20 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: Where are you from originally? 21 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 3: So, I was born in Paris, grew up there, but 22 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:08,960 Speaker 3: my parents, my dad is from Haiti and my mom 23 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 3: is from. 24 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: Guadeloup, Okay. 25 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: So I want to talk about mon com Plus because 26 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 2: you guys don't just have ronnesson Africa, like you said, 27 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,559 Speaker 2: this is a whole multi media company, that's right, So 28 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:19,119 Speaker 2: tell us. 29 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:19,680 Speaker 1: What that is. 30 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 3: Sure? So one Complus is an olding company, so we've 31 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 3: got rodings soon Africa. We also have a new company 32 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 3: called Flavors. So Flavors is a music label that we 33 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 3: set up for up and coming artists on the continent 34 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:39,559 Speaker 3: but also from the das for us, so our aim 35 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 3: is to sign up to one hundred thousand artists within 36 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 3: the next twenty four months. 37 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 1: That's right. Wow. 38 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 3: We've got an established relationship with a number of governments. 39 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 3: So in Nja, for instance, we work closely with ubi Asika, 40 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 3: with a good friend of mine with the with helping 41 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 3: them in so of culture to support musicians from Nigeria. 42 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 3: So just in Nigeria alone, we will be signing thirty 43 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:12,119 Speaker 3: thousand artists within the next eighteen cities eighteen months. 44 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: So and so what services do you guys then provide 45 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 2: with Flavors. 46 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 3: So we we've signed a partnership with the Old Child, 47 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 3: which is the distribution arm of Sunny Music. And the 48 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 3: aim is really to help artists to you know, get 49 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 3: paid for their for their music, So we're not really 50 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 3: looking for the next the video on COO really wants. 51 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: Who has been on a cover on Africa? Absolutely fact, okay, 52 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 1: but go ahead. 53 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 3: So yes. So the aim is really to support like 54 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 3: talented artists that are not really you know, that probably 55 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 3: don't have the setup that other artists will have, and 56 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 3: give them the platform so you know, the public can 57 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 3: appreciate their music and then hopefully they can you know, 58 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 3: get paid through our setup. 59 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 2: What is your background, just to get a better idea 60 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 2: who there is that has led you to this space. 61 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 2: I wanted to make sure that you help artists, promote artists, 62 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: but also multi media and all of that. 63 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 3: Sure, no, that's a good question. So I mean my 64 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 3: background it's pretty simple. You know, I grew up in 65 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 3: Paris in the suburbs. So if you've ever been to Paris, 66 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 3: you similar to New York really right, So we've got 67 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 3: different side of the city. So where I grew up 68 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 3: is called Sandany if if people know Paris, they would 69 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 3: know where where Sunday is and essentially that's a place 70 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 3: where you've got Caribbean African mixing together. Growing up, I 71 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 3: was a Breakdoanncwer so. 72 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: What a big boy. 73 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 3: A big boy, that's right. So shout out to fantasticald 74 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 3: That was my crew at the time, and in two 75 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 3: thousand and four we became you know, world champion as well. 76 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: So oh my gosh, that's amazing that that was really 77 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,839 Speaker 2: I used to work with Crazy Legs and rock Steady Crew. 78 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, you used to live around the corner from me. 79 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 4: That's where your musical background or interest in music kind 80 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 4: of started. 81 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, you could say that. You can say that, so 82 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 3: you know. 83 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: You're still breakdown space. 84 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 3: No, I mean, you know, obviously not anymore, but I 85 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: appreciate the. 86 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 4: How I feel like you could how did that transition. 87 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 4: So it's where we are now with with like supporting 88 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 4: artists and. 89 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:35,239 Speaker 3: So yeah, no, for sure. I mean, you know, growing 90 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:37,279 Speaker 3: up being part of the culture and then you know, 91 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,359 Speaker 3: obviously being a B boy, we would also you know, 92 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:42,280 Speaker 3: spend time with. 93 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 2: Rappers, like who are some of your favorites growing up? 94 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 3: Uh, Well, in France, I would say like Pete Bacardi 95 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 3: that's a good friend of mine sector which you know, 96 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 3: they really like, you know, help help the culture to 97 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 3: the rap culture in France. But then you know, in 98 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 3: the US, I was listening to jay z Nas. 99 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: And you know, okay, the fundamentals, that's right. 100 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 3: So but you know also a deep set and other 101 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:10,840 Speaker 3: guys there. 102 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,239 Speaker 2: So yeah, okay, Now I love this because I also 103 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:17,600 Speaker 2: have seen so many people and I know that you're 104 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: a part of this. Like I just saw Jonathan Majors 105 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 2: and Meghan good were in Guinea and they got their 106 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: dual citizenship. 107 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 3: That's right, the diplomatic passport actually from Guinea. 108 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 2: Okay, so it's a diplomatic past, but it's not dual 109 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: citizenship or is both. 110 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 3: Sure, so essentially they don't the DNA taste test. And 111 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 3: then they realized that, you know, part of the heritage 112 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:48,599 Speaker 3: was from West Africa, Guinea. So we we've got me 113 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 3: and my team, We've got a relationship with different government 114 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,159 Speaker 3: in Africa, so we were able to reach out to 115 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 3: Guinea specifically and they invited us with Meghan and Jonathan, 116 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 3: and you know, obviously they had some discussion. They liked 117 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 3: the idea of having Megan and Jonathan supporting the culture, 118 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,479 Speaker 3: so they named this, they named them Global Ambassador for 119 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 3: Guinea and gave them the diplomatic passport. 120 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 1: And Sierra was up here. 121 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,479 Speaker 2: She was talking about Roneston, Africa because she was also 122 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 2: on the cover. 123 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 3: That's right. 124 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, so she went to Bennie. 125 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 3: She went to Billinie. We we went with her to Benin. 126 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 3: I mean you know she, I mean she she spoke 127 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,479 Speaker 3: about it, right, So it was a great trip. She 128 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 3: just came back from Beni actually because she was there 129 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 3: a few weeks ago for Fooding Days, the festival in Benin, 130 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 3: and he was also in Benin that we made a 131 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 3: connection between Sierra and diamond platinums. 132 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 2: Diamond plants has been up here and he is he 133 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 2: is a good time. 134 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: I want to say. 135 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 2: He was in New York going crazy. He was in 136 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 2: the studio, he was doing songs with everybody. 137 00:06:58,920 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 3: He was active. 138 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 2: But you know, I think that there's also a lot 139 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 2: of things that we don't understand about different governments too, 140 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 2: because then I saw there was like some drama after 141 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 2: that with the government and I don't know. 142 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 3: Oh yes, in Tanzania, yes, because that was the election there. 143 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 2: Okay, you know, we think it's bad here. Do you 144 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 2: like I want to ask you this, do you are 145 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 2: you entertain? I want to know what you guys think, 146 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: just you know, as somebody from that's you know, born 147 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 2: in Paris, lives in London, Canada, you know, Africa. What 148 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 2: do y'all think about the United States right now? Because 149 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 2: I hear that people are apprehensive about coming here. You know, 150 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 2: we see that even tourism has been down and all 151 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 2: of that. What are your thoughts, just as somebody who's 152 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 2: not from the United States, To be honest. 153 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 3: I would say, it's very interesting right now what's happening 154 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 3: in the US. I mean, you know, I don't leave here, 155 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 3: so it would be hard for me to come. 156 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 2: But that's why I'm saying, I want to know what 157 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 2: people who don't live here perception. 158 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, I think he's like, let me, I 159 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: want to come back whenever I want to start. 160 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 3: That's why I want to go back here. Now, I 161 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 3: would say, like, you know, people are probably looking at 162 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 3: other options. So if they were thinking to come here, 163 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 3: they're probably thinking, okay, let me, let me, let me 164 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 3: go elsewhere first, and then you know, revisit the US 165 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 3: in a couple of years. 166 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: Now it's not a good time. That's wait three years 167 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: and then what happens. 168 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 3: But you know, the US is still the US, so 169 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 3: I think, you know, ultimately people also can see through 170 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 3: what's happening and make their own opinion, you know. I mean, 171 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: I don't think everyone is thinking the US is is 172 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 3: a bad place because of one or a few people. 173 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, it might be like let's just put it on 174 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 2: ice for a second. 175 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 1: No, not that ice. 176 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 4: But you know what I do, I hope that people 177 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 4: don't think that the people are reflection of the government, 178 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:55,839 Speaker 4: Like I hope that. 179 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 2: People That's what's really hard, right, yeah to me, Like 180 00:08:58,360 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 2: I'm down with this. 181 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: I don't think yeah, because. 182 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, I mean, well, especially in Africa, people have 183 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 3: you know, most people have family here, so yeah, yeah, 184 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 3: they know really what's happening on the ground, right, So 185 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 3: I don't think I don't think is bad. I think 186 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 3: it could be better for sure. I don't think is 187 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 3: bad to the point that people are saying I'm not 188 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 3: going there. 189 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 4: Yeah. 190 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:25,079 Speaker 1: Yeah. What do you think now? Music industry wise? 191 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 2: What are some things that you have seen as far 192 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 2: as when you first got into this space to where 193 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 2: we are now, because the music landscape has changed so 194 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 2: much as far as how we distribute artists, how artists 195 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 2: are promoted, even media right having Rolling Stone Africa, you 196 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 2: know a lot of times with media and print and 197 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 2: all of that that's kind of like everything's moved to 198 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 2: digital and and people want to do things like instantaneously. 199 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I would say, like, you know, especially with 200 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 3: social media, you know, people don't have patients, so you 201 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 3: have to be very active, I would say as a 202 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 3: media I would also say the reason we decided to 203 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 3: do more common Rolling Soon Africa was because we felt 204 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 3: there was a lack of amplification for black artists, you know, so, 205 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 3: and this is why it is great to be in 206 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 3: our position today where we are able to put you know, 207 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 3: some top talent on the cover and our opportunities sometime 208 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: is tolen from them. So I like to think, you know, 209 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 3: Rolling Soon Africa can fill that gap. And one thing 210 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 3: that I also want to see in the in the 211 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 3: coming years is more collaboration between American artists and African 212 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 3: artists or Latino artists. And this is something that we 213 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 3: are actively trying to to to assemble. 214 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: Yeah. No, I've seen the progress. 215 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: I mean I feel like when we look at musical 216 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 2: war shows and we were at cancers selling up, when 217 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 2: we look at all of those things, Africa has definitely 218 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:03,320 Speaker 2: been you. 219 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: Know, embraced for sure. 220 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:08,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, And we've seen like how exponentially that growth has 221 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:10,559 Speaker 2: been when it comes to streaming numbers and everything. 222 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 3: That's right, but you would know, you know, if you 223 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:15,079 Speaker 3: if you don't own the voice, if you don't own 224 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 3: the narrative, it's very easy to because when I'm when 225 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 3: I'm seeing like hip hop not being on you know 226 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 3: top Yeah, you know, I just feel like this is 227 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 3: to me, it's insane, you know, to think that hip 228 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 3: hop is no longer on the Billboard list. 229 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, there, it has been a tough year when 230 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 2: it comes to those numbers. You guys also at Rolling 231 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 2: Song Africa have a collaboration with the Africa Center. Yes, 232 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 2: and I just want to announce your research. And I 233 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 2: haven't even talked about this yet, but my coffee shop 234 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:49,319 Speaker 2: Cup we're actually going to have a space and the 235 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 2: Africa Center is starting tomorrow, so we're going to. 236 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 1: Have a shop. And what the Africa Center is one 237 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: of you yeah. 238 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 3: You can, okay, So there's a few Africa Center. Our 239 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 3: partnership is with the one in London Harlem, that's right, 240 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 3: but we spoke to the one in Harlem. So essentially, 241 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 3: the Africa Center is is a herb for all African 242 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:15,319 Speaker 3: nations and Caribbean nations as well to come together and 243 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 3: you know, this is a place where you've got panel 244 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 3: talks about you know, different artists, different writers and so forth. 245 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 2: And even having like shops and different things like that 246 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 2: that are also going to be in the space. But 247 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 2: it's like a cultural center and its rooted and based 248 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 2: in Africa. Rooted in Africa, thank you. Yes, Now let's 249 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 2: talk about Rooted in Africa and that collaboration with Netflix too. 250 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 3: Sure, so it's still early days, but we like that. 251 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 2: Talk about stuff early so that when people see it, 252 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 2: like we talked about this, you know on it for sure. 253 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 3: So Rooted in Africa is essentially the plant this year 254 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 3: is to do six to eight episode bringing an Afro 255 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 3: American or a couple of Afro American celebts to Africa, 256 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 3: like we did with Siarra and Megan good and and 257 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 3: Jonathan Major. But this time, you know, we want to 258 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 3: record the whole journey, so from the DNA tests to hey, 259 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 3: we're from this place, and then you know they leave 260 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 3: the US and and go to Africa, experiment the place, 261 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 3: visit different historical places in the country, share some some 262 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 3: some great time with with the people with the locals. 263 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 3: So that's that's essentially what we did in Africa is going. 264 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 4: To be How far along are you in the project? 265 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 3: We've we've selected all the talents. 266 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 4: Can you tell us any other towns TBD? 267 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 2: Like breaking stories over here? Okay, okay, okay, let's just 268 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: say somebody. 269 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:54,320 Speaker 3: But you would know some of them. 270 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: I know, I'm sure I want to ask you this. 271 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 2: Let's just say somebody is like, Okay, I've never been 272 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: to anywhere in the continent before, and I want to 273 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 2: know if I'm going to go there for the first time, 274 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,960 Speaker 2: where would you say? This is like the this is 275 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 2: the map of where you should go, just to kind 276 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 2: of you know, get Yeah. 277 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 3: I mean, it all depends what you what you're. 278 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: Looking for, right, So break it down. 279 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 3: So you've been to South Africa. 280 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, been and Johannesburg. Shout to my girl and grad 281 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 2: best and I best wines. She has an amazing South 282 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 2: African wine, the best wine. 283 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 4: I've never been there. So where would I need to 284 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 4: go and where do I need to make sure I 285 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 4: have to go to these places or experience these places there? 286 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 3: Sure? So if you like, if you if you want 287 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 3: to go to Africa, but then you know you still 288 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 3: want to experience some Western culture. I would say South 289 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 3: Africa is a good is a good bet. 290 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 2: I would say the food, amazing, clubs, amazing, accommodations, top tier. 291 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:55,479 Speaker 3: Okay, now if you want to you're a great ambassador. 292 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 2: Now food though, I just want to say she's a foodie. 293 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 2: When I say the food is so fresh, it tastes 294 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 2: so much, like you'll come back here and be like. 295 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: I need to go back to South Africa just for 296 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 1: that alone. 297 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 3: That's right now. If you like fashion, if you want 298 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 3: to experience like local music, I would say West Africa 299 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 3: is probably the best place to go, So Nigeria of course, 300 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 3: but also Ghana. If you want to experiment West Africa 301 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: but not so developed like Nigeria and Ghana, I would 302 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 3: recommend he early on places like Guinea. Senegal is a 303 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 3: beautiful place only when they're recently fell in love with 304 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 3: the place, from the local markets to the people, how 305 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 3: things are organized, the architecture, it's a really good place. 306 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 2: What about investing, because I see a lot of people 307 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 2: talking about investing. You if you were going to say, okay, 308 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 2: there's some because I also think the education of that 309 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 2: is important, Like people are looking and saying, oh I 310 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 2: saw this person saying they're investing here, and this person 311 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 2: is doing this development here. How do Where would you 312 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 2: direct people if they want to get started? 313 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 3: Okay, So I would say, if you're looking for real 314 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 3: estate investment, me personally, I would go East Africa, So Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. 315 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 3: You know it's off the ocean, Indian Ocean, so you know, beach, food, scenery, 316 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 3: beachfront and you know it's really nice. It's still accessible. 317 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 3: I would say, you know, with a fifty thousand dollars budget, 318 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 3: you can you can get something. We can run it up, 319 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 3: you know exactly. 320 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 4: You know. 321 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I would say like East Africa would recommend for 322 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 3: real estate investment now depending on I mean, if you 323 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 3: into you know, food and restaurant, I would say West 324 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 3: Africa is a good place. You know, they love to 325 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 3: go out, so investing into a restaurant would make sense, 326 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 3: or hotels would make sense as well. Ingred is doing 327 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 3: well in South Africa with wine, so I definitely feel like, 328 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,640 Speaker 3: you know, there's more to be done there. 329 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,479 Speaker 2: You know what I love is there. She's out there 330 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 2: right now. When she goes, she'll be there for like 331 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 2: a month or two no, that's right, and she did 332 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 2: not ever want to come back. 333 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 4: I know, I enjoyed it so much. 334 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 2: Now not only are you working closely here in the 335 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:22,120 Speaker 2: United States, but you're also working with places like Columbia. Yes, 336 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 2: when I come to music, can you break that down? 337 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 3: Sure? So. I don't know if you know this, but 338 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 3: the first black VP in South America is the VP 339 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 3: of Columbia, Miss Francis Vasquez. So she invited us back 340 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 3: in May to participate in the conference that she was 341 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 3: organizing in Cali. And this is how I got to 342 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,399 Speaker 3: know the place. You know, I've never been to Columbia before. 343 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 3: That was my first time. And to see so many 344 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 3: Afro Colombian in Colombia. You know, I'm from the Caribbean 345 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 3: and affair really at home in Colombia, except from the language. 346 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 3: I don't speak Spanish, but you know, I definitely wanted 347 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 3: to learn it when I was there. And there's so 348 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 3: much to be done there, I mean, from music to film, 349 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 3: there's a real appetitive and fashion. They they really you know, 350 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 3: push the culture forward with not not much means, you know, 351 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 3: to do it. So there's definitely a green space in 352 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 3: Colombia and we're planning to do more so this year. 353 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 3: So Columbia organized the biggest music festival every year in 354 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 3: Cali called Petronial Barres, which is happening in August. So 355 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 3: it's about six hundred thousand people, you know, going there 356 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:43,400 Speaker 3: for a week. 357 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 1: That's huge. 358 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 3: So we'll be we'll be attending this year and also 359 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 3: helping them to organize the festival. 360 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,439 Speaker 2: I do want to just from listening to you and 361 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 2: all the things that you've been talking about stress, the 362 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 2: importance of travel and getting out of your comfort zone. 363 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:01,880 Speaker 2: You know, I think that there's nothing that's more educational 364 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: than being able to actually and there's ways that people 365 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 2: can do this on a budget, but being able to 366 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 2: experience other cultures and. 367 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 3: Other No, that's the story of my life, to be fair, 368 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 3: because you know, growing up in France English, I had 369 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 3: to learn English, right, so that was an part of 370 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 3: my you know, my family spoke French or Creole. So 371 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 3: from the age of nineteen I realized, Okay, if I 372 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 3: want to step up into this world, English is a must. 373 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 3: So I moved to London and then from that experience, 374 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 3: really that kind of gave me the courage. 375 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 2: I would say to you to go anywhere, you know, 376 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 2: And I will say that you starting this off by 377 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 2: talking about being a breakdancer, that is such an international thing. Now, yeah, 378 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 2: you know, I think even that alone affords you the 379 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 2: opportunity to travel and so many different crews and things 380 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 2: like that that you end up having competitions against that 381 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 2: really is like a melting pot. 382 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 3: Absolutely, but also coming to New York actually, because I 383 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 3: came to New York first time in two thousand and ten, 384 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 3: I want to say, and then you know, being able 385 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 3: to see how similar it is to Paris, but obviously 386 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 3: in a different country. So I would say to everyone 387 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,719 Speaker 3: that can travel, you know, do so and get to 388 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:20,880 Speaker 3: meet other culture and expland your network, you know. So 389 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 3: for me, that's really how I got to I am today, 390 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 3: by networking, meeting new people and you know, and really 391 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,160 Speaker 3: believing in in the vision. 392 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 4: What languages do you speak? 393 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:37,399 Speaker 2: French, French and tiny bit of Spanish now because he 394 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:43,399 Speaker 2: went to Columbia, now he thinks he speaks Spanish, but 395 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:45,199 Speaker 2: now I do. I want to thank you so much 396 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 2: for coming up here just from what we've learned, like 397 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:49,239 Speaker 2: all the moves that you made when it comes to 398 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 2: Rolling Stone Africa, when it comes to the partnership with Netflix, 399 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 2: when it comes to the Petronio Albarez festival that you 400 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 2: talked about that's going to be in californ When it 401 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 2: talks to Flavors, partnership with distribution with Sony, it feels 402 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 2: like partnership and collaboration has also been the key to 403 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:12,400 Speaker 2: making sure that you elevate these voices that are important. 404 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:15,199 Speaker 3: Absolutely, so we need to collaborate as well, you know, 405 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 3: bring some more African unties to your platform. 406 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 4: We have Africa well, definitely definitely season two of the 407 00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 4: Netflix show. I think Angela should be cast. We can 408 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 4: test your DNA and figure out, you know. 409 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: And I found out my roots are in Nigeria. Okay, great, 410 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: we can do that. Yeah, we can do that. I 411 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,959 Speaker 1: did my African ancestry to Nigeria. 412 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 3: You should come for a fashion week or something. 413 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:37,439 Speaker 4: She would love that. 414 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:41,160 Speaker 2: I heard Nigeria is comparable to New York. That's what 415 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:43,120 Speaker 2: he seems hesitant with them. 416 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 3: No, No, I think I think culturally, yes, absolutely. 417 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, culturally that's what she works with me. She's Nigerian 418 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 2: and she was breaking down like all the different countries 419 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,200 Speaker 2: and she's like, when it comes to Nigeria, the people 420 00:21:57,240 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 2: from Nigeria are most like New Yorkers as far as 421 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:01,880 Speaker 2: like the hustle aggressior of it. 422 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 3: For sure, I agree with you, I say so much 423 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:07,680 Speaker 3: more of it. 424 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 2: But again, do you I think how can people find 425 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 2: you if they want to collaborate, if they have artists, 426 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 2: if they have ideas, Like where is it that people 427 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 2: can reach out to you, if they want to pitch, 428 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 2: you know, not to put you out there like that. 429 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 3: But no, no, for sure. So actually I just came 430 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 3: back on i G yesterday. So do you need to 431 00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:31,440 Speaker 3: get off just like you know twenty twenty six? Yeah, exactly, 432 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 3: So oh you mean like what did you say? 433 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 1: I just came back? 434 00:22:35,119 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 3: Uh No, I was just like, you know, busy and 435 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 3: have time to check in navy. 436 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 1: Day, you know, yeah, get back. 437 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, So Dr Bill Guard, that's that's. 438 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:48,919 Speaker 1: My okay, Ay, cool, all right? Dr and just b 439 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 1: E L L E G A R D E D 440 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 1: R Bell Guard. I just want to make sure and 441 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: nobody's going to know. 442 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,360 Speaker 2: How to just spell it from how you say it. 443 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,119 Speaker 2: All right, Well, thank you so much. We appreciate thank 444 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:01,600 Speaker 2: you for coming here and making time for us. I 445 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:04,400 Speaker 2: know we've been trying to work this out for months. 446 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 3: I appreciate it. 447 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 2: But anything that you have going on, let us know 448 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:09,239 Speaker 2: so that we can always amplify that too. 449 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 3: We'll do for sure. 450 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 1: Thank you, Okay, well,