Dope Interviews

From a breaking the internet moment to heartfelt stories about athletes overcoming struggles, Rob Villanueva has been a part of it all in the sports and brand management space. Listen as Rob shares behind the scenes stories about his work at the Players' Tribune, managing his former NBA player brother Charlie, being starstruck by Patrick Ewing and the future of athlete branding through crypto and...

Dani Diarbakerly designer and founder of King Pro discusses pop culture's influence on streetwear and customization. She touches on her successful career working with brands like Instagram, General Mills, Target, & Pepsi. We also explore her love for Jamaica and work with celebrities like Chronixx and Popcaan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dope-interviews--50...

I got 5 on it is a hip-hop classic drenched in controversy and shady dealings behind the scenes in the making of the track. R&B singer Mike Marshall who voiced the hook joins the show to tell the story of the song and the gift and curse of its success. Follow Dope Interviews on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dope_interviews Support for "Dope Interviews" in part is sponsored by Rich Kid Clothing: htt...

Maia Chaka reflects on her first season as the first Black woman to become an NFL referee. She discusses her love for teaching and helping at-risk students while being an inspiration on and off the field and maintaining a dope social media profile. Tune in to hear her share stories from her first season on the field as we dive into the good, the bad and the humorous. Follow Dope Interviews on Twit...

Darrell Alston gives us the real story behind the brand: Bungee Oblečení'. After finding early success as a rapper, Alston found himself in prison on drug-related charges. Following his release, he started designing shoes and today he is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Designer of Bungee Oblečení', a luxury lifestyle sneaker brand. Follow Dope Interviews on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dope_interviews...

Rising R&B Star, Singer/Songwriter, "Marzz", discusses being discovered by Timbaland and her musical influences. She dives into her feelings about her growing success notated by large musical platforms Tidal, SiriusXM, Youtube, and BET. The "Countless Times" singer talks about future music collaborations with other up-and-coming music artists and 'cooking' up new music with Timbaland. She also dis...

Welcome to Dope Interviews with Warren Shaw as we talk to celebrities, players and executives about their path to success. Take the journey with me. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dope-interviews--5006633/support . Follow Dope Interviews on X: https://www.twitter.com/dope_interviews Follow Warren Shaw on X: https://www.twitter.com/thewarrenshaw Follow Warren o...

Vernon Davis has left the NFL to pursue a career in entertainment and he's off to a fast start playing in roles alongside Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis and others. Davis is also producing, cooking, investing and building an empire that will keep the checks rolling in. He joined Dope Interviews to discuss how it's all going and some of his acting influences including Will Smith, Sidney Poitier and m...

Actress Dayna Dooley's path to Hollywood wasn't easy but she's enjoying success after 17 years in the game with recurring roles on Insecure (HBO) and The Upshaws (Netflix) in addition to starring in a web series written with her in mind called Looking For Me. Dayna discusses staying strong, finding her comedic voice and so much more on the latest Dope Interviews Support for Dope Interviews in part...

Mack Wilds breaks down all his recent success as an actor and musician. From Broadway to Swagger on Apple TV to crooning out R&B songs, Wilds is having an amazing year in the entertainment space. Support for Dope Interviews in part comes from MyBookie. AG. Use the promo code DOPE for a bonus on your first deposit. Bet anything, anytime, anywhere with MyBookie and use the promo code: DOPE #Swagger...

Black women have often been overlooked when it comes to traditional standards of beauty. Director, Jennifer Holness joins Dope Interviews to explore that issue as addressed in her documentary Subjects of Desire. The film was made to explore the historical narratives that place Black women outside of the dominant standards of beauty and examines the cultural shift in beauty standards towards embrac...

O'Shea Jackson Jr discusses his role in Kevin Durant's new TV show Swagger on Apple TV. Jackson plays a struggling travel basketball team coach who gets the DMV's top prospect to join his team. Jackson dives into his love for the game, teasing KD, coaching influences and what makes this basketball show special from any other we've seen before. You don't want to miss O'Shea's wit, humor and comment...

The way people work, travel and just exist in general is forever changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. Alex Levine, CEO of Xebec has created a unique technical advantage for people from all walks of life with the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 (a snap-on dual screen monitor for your laptop). The story behind the product is amazing. Learn how you can multitask on the go with this life-hacking product. Become a...

Antoine Walker breaks bread to discuss his involvement in Dreamville's Chi-League powered by Wilson, the importance of building the Chicago community and where hoopers from the Windy City rank. He also discusses the importance of family, his thoughts on the Celtics and Heat and his hopes to work in player development. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dope-interv...

Godfather of Harlem Executive Producer Markuann Smith discusses telling the story of Bumpy Johnson on TV, working with Forest Whitaker, getting checks from Epix, paying is dues starting as a roadie for his brother Father MC, hip-hop aspirations and the grind of being in the entertainment business. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dope-interviews--5006633/support...

Josiah Johnson explains how he parlayed riding the bench at UCLA into a career in the entertainment industry, social media personality, comedian and relatable dude doing it for the culture. Josiah also discusses what it's like to get props from LeBron James and working on multiple projects with Ava DuVernay. Later he touches on imposter syndrome, the pressure of content creation and being a resour...

The Ringer's Mirin Fader drops by to discuss her first book covering NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo. She explains why Giannis is a one-of-a-kind superstar who is focused on family and being a good person above all else. Later we get into her path to success which includes stops at ESPN W and Bleacher Report, overcoming haters and humbly being an inspiration to young female journalists. Become...

Wilson takes over as the new basketball of the NBA and partnership milestones will continue to roll out throughout 2021 with announcements and activations across the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League (BAL), and into the NBA’s 75th anniversary season. General Manager of Team Sports at Wilson, Kevin Murphy drops by to discuss the...

We're joined by Bleacher Report writer and author Jake Fischer to discuss his book on NBA tanking. He shares stories from over 300 interviews about the Trust the Process Sixers, L.A. Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and more. Plus there is a great story about LeBron James butting in on an interview. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dope-int...

Film director Mat Whitecross chats about the making of The Kings, a four-part series on Showtime featuring four champions who ushered in a boxing renaissance. The series showcases the dominance of Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard and their battles in and out of the ring. Touching on the politics of the 80's with Ronald Regan, social injustice and boxing's...

Director Michèle Stephenson joins the show to discuss her award-winning documentary Stateless. In 1937, tens of thousands of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent were exterminated by the Dominican army on the basis of anti-black racism. Fast-forward to 2013: the Dominican Republic’s Supreme Court stripped the citizenship of anyone with Haitian parents, retroactive to 1929, rendering more tha...

Writer and director Jessica Kavana Dornbush joins the show to discuss her film REEFA which is based on the true story of Israel "Reefa" Hernandez Jr., an 18-year-old Colombian immigrant and art prodigy, who is spending his last summer in Miami with friends, family and his new girl Frankie before moving to New York City on an art scholarship. Israel and his friends skateboard the city streets and s...