If You Don't Know

This week we chat to music manager, businessman, and internet influencer Bouncer. We talk all things Likkleman and get Bouncer’s take on their contract as well as the Wicked n’ Bad trademark. Plus, we speak with BBC reporter Daniel Henry about bias in AI. He tells us about Lauren Rhue’s research into how the tech can sometimes discriminate against black people. And we chat with Lavender who’s been...

This is the episode that made us laugh the most… comedian, actor and 1Xtra presenter Eddie Kadi tells De-Graft and Roshan how he started out and reveals the moment he won his dad around. We also talk about changes to the rules on who can donate blood and hear how it’s particularly important for black people. With thanks to Remarkable Television for footage from Pointless. Hosts: De-Graft Mensah &a...

De-Graft and Roshan are both back this week. Today we think it's important to focus on what's happening in Ukraine. We speak to two Nigerian students, Mary and AJ, who had moved there to study. They talk us through what life’s like now that Russia has invaded the country. Mary is still stuck there, scared and missing her family, while AJ has managed to leave and get to a safer place. This one is a...

Ft. LD (67). We look back at the life of Jamal Edwards, the music entrepreneur and YouTube star who died on Sunday, aged 31. As well as the rapper LD (67), De-Graft chats to Marvyn Harrison, from the Dope Black Dads podcast, who was friends with Jamal, and also Andrietta, who was supported by Jamal's charity work. Host: De-Graft Mensah Producers: Jack Suddaby & Roshan Roberts Sound Designer: J...

"Successes, mistakes and failures are all just a part of life". DJ Locksmith from Rudimental joins Roshan, whilst De-Graft is still away, talking about what life was like growing up managing his anger, loneliness and staying resilient. Plus we get into the shooting at Justin Bieber’s afterparty, the Met Police acknowledging racism in the force and sprinkle some Black Girl Magic, as U.S. Speed Skat...

This week, Roshan goes solo and social housing man Kwajo rolls through. He’s been fighting for social housing rights across the country, having just secured £10k via Steven Bartlett from Dragon's Den. We talk about Kwajo's childhood struggles, his mental health journey, and, of course, his social housing work. Roshan also chats with Journalist Alicia Adejobi about THAT Thandiwe Newton video, plus...

Being a Black comedy pioneer, father and managing anxiety... This week De-Graft and Roshan chat with Tolu (aka: Don’t Jealous Me), the actor, artist and author… It’s a rare interview and it’s well worth the time! We talk to Regina Chisholm, an Occupational Therapist, about the U-turn on mandatory vaccines for NHS staff. And we give an update on the death of Lauren Smith-Fields. Plus, we also go in...

Black, hyper-visible and what it means to be authentic... This week on the pod... Tay Kabs, Chan Kabs and Teija Kabs roll through. They're on a wild ride, with millions of subscribers on YouTube and Insta. So, what's the story? How does it all feel? And where is it actually going? De-Graft and Roshan speak with Sports Journalist, George Addo, who witnessed the awful Afcon stadium crush in Cameroon...

Fetishisation, influencer culture and super powers... This week De-Graft and Roshan chat with Fats Timbo, TikTok star, content creator and model. This is one of our favourite conversations of the year. We get into the details of what happened in THAT Pastor Mike Todd video. Sam Chanda, a student pastor in Manchester, jumps on the podcast with all the views. And also, is Danny Dyer really making a...

What is it REALLY like working in Parliament? It's been a huuuuuuuge week in politics and a great time for De-Graft and Roshan to chat to Labour MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy. She talks through some of the horrific racist abuse she’s seen during her time in politics. Also, why do so many people think Love Island is trying to get more non-binary people on the programme (they're not btw)? What's going on at...

A story of race, inequality and activism... This week Roshan goes it alone and talks to Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees, about the four people who have been cleared of criminal damage for removing a statue of Edward Colston. We also catch you up on the passing of Desmond Tutu, potential new plans for cannabis users in London, and Usain Bolt’s new album. 00:00 Hey! 00:43 Cannabis usage in London 2:51 RI...

He’s more than gospel… This week De-Graft and Roshan chat to the rapper and author Guvna B. They talk through his journey so far, how to inject positivity into rap music and what it's like to feel angry at God. We also bring you the news that all those entering Ghana must now be double jabbed. We celebrate Tion Wayne and Russ Millions. And we talk to Jadea about her time living on the streets. 00:...

Losing the Strong Black Woman label... De-Graft and Roshan sit down at the BBC with online personality and now TV presenter Zeze Millz. They talk about gaining respect from the scene, being lukewarm as a Christian, and getting dragged online. We also discuss the No 10 Christmas Party, Nigeria being added to the red list and the case of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, the two murdered sisters who...

De-Graft and Roshan speak to brothers Obi ‘O1’ and Uche ‘U1’. We talk about their lives growing up, getting RAYE to rap on a drill track and their experiences with PTSD. We also discuss Rihanna being crowned a national hero, the new Covid variant and the passing of Virgil Abloh. Hosts: De-Graft Mensah & Roshan Roberts Producers: Jack Suddaby & Roshan Roberts Researcher: Siham Ali Editors:...

AG Baby drops in... De-Graft and Roshan chat to the Nigerian songwriter about what's happening with music back home. Also, we breakdown what's happening with Barbados becoming a republic, why the UK government is looking into "medical device racial bias" and also how people are celebrating this week's Brit Awards news.   0:20 Trolling on Twitter Spaces 2:39 News from Barbados 9:11 Medical device r...

In conversation with the Jamaican legend... De-Graft and Roshan chat to Sean Paul about Jesy Nelson, the rise of afrobeats and how he's managed to keep making music for basically our entire lives. Also, we break down what happened at Astroworld, speaking with American music entrepreneur and writer Nabil Ayers. Host: De-Graft Mensah & Roshan Roberts Producers: Jack Suddaby & Roshan Roberts...

We're talking about the Jamaica deportation flight which left this week... Cashh released his new project, Return Of The Immigrant, this week. It tells the story of the rapper's removal from the UK and the return of the man five years later. Also this week, a deportation flight from the UK to Jamaica left with just four people on board. What's going on and how is all this affecting the people invo...

Thousands are taking to the streets in protest over growing reports of drink spiking and injection spiking. But where are all the Black people? This week De-Graft is in Manchester speaking with two student protesters, Anna and Sabina. They're among many women across the UK who have been boycotting nightclubs this week to highlight the issue of spiking. So, what's going on? What is Girls Night In t...

And now they are redefining the UK comedy scene.. You know the comedy show, Live at the Apollo? Well, we've been looking through their lineups, and it turns out that between 2015 and 2019, out of 90 potential slots onstage, there were only four performances from two Black female comics. What's going on? This week De-Graft is heading to The Top Secret Comedy Club in London to chat to three comedian...

A conversation with people in power... Sounds like lots of British communities have strained relationships with the police right now, especially since the murder of Sarah Everard and response on the TL. People are anxious and calling for change... So, today we're looking for solutions. Chris Excell, who's a serving Met police officer and chair of the Black Police Association, gets together with Sa...

Could it happen? Daniel Craig has done his last film as 007, leaving cinema lovers speculating about who will replace him next time. For lots of people, James Bond represents Britishness so this one is a big old conversation right now. So on today’s episode we’re going to talk it through. Amon Warmann, who reviews films for Empire Magazine, explains what's going on representation-wise on the big s...

The singer could go to prison for the rest of his life... A jury in New York has found R Kelly guilty of running a scheme to sexually abuse women, men and children for more than two decades. The trial has been going on for a few weeks and it's been heavy. So in this week's episode we're gonna reflect. Chi Chi Izundu, who used to work at 1Xtra (and met R Kelly in 2008) explains what's hapenned in t...

How bad is banana-shaped blood? We always knew we’d do an episode about sickle at some point down the line, so why not give it a go during Sickle Cell Awareness Month? And why not do our first full outside-the-studio recording too… in Birmingham! In this week’s episode we’re gonna feel. Shyarntai, a 19-year-old student, talks to us about her experience of living with sickle cell and Jenica Leah, a...

Surviving on government hand-outs.. Next month, Universal Credit - the new combined benefit payment - is going to drop by £20. The extra cash was brought in to help during the pandemic and was never going to be permanent, but it got us thinking: What affect is that going to have on people who have got used to it? We chat to Selina Flavius from Black Girl Finance about how big a deal this is. And N...

The £££, the emotion and the journey. In August, house prices hit a record high across the country, and it got us thinking: will we ever be able to buy a home? In this week’s episode we’re gonna learn. Lala Raeee talks to us about her experience of being a first time homeowner and property coach, Abi Oniru, comes through with the gems on how to secure a place on the property ladder and navigate th...