VITAL HOOPS Podcast

On Episode 83 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Roman speaks on his basketball journey from being made fun of as a child to practicing with the Brooklyn Nets. Roman expands on New York City’s hottest Streetball tournaments and how basketball is part of NY’s DNA. Roman and Fernando reminisce on playing together in Cuba at Bobbito’s Full Court 21 and Paris at Quai 54.  The show ends with Roman’s Rodney Par...

On Episode 82 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast as we celebrate 100 years of Malcolm X, Fernando speaks about how he was inspired by Malcolm X and the importance of understanding what Malcolm X stood for. VITAL HOOPS: PayPal -  https://www.paypal.me/fernandocardenasxb Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/vitalhoops IG -  https://www.instagram.com/vitalhoopspodcast/ X -  https://x.com/vitalhoopspod?s=21&amp...

On Episode 81 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast John Robinson speaks about his experience growing up in the South Bronx, the founding of Scienz Of Life and longevity in Hip Hop. John Robinson and Fernando later talk about the plant based lifestyle and they share their love for the New York Knicks as they head into the NBA Playoffs.  VITAL HOOPS Podcast Ep. 70 Feat. Eloh Kush & Sol Messiah https://www...

On Episode 80 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Marcel speaks about his experience as a public high school history teacher in the state of Oklahoma. He later talks about teaching Hip Hop to the youth. Fernando and Marcel also chat about old school rappers moving to the right and the importance of revolutionary culture. VITAL HOOPS EP. 37 Feat. Marcel P. Black. https://youtu.be/twrpZAQOApg?si=VIh4TO4ixes9...

On Episode 79 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast “Solutions” Fernando speaks about the first edition of the BESE SAKA Afro Vegan Fest. PANAF’ HIP HOP LIVE #6 Feat. Elom 20ce https://youtu.be/wrgv6vm4QSw?si=8uw180-WcHbwq27D VH Episode 22 Feat. Amzat Boukari-Yabara https://youtu.be/e6Mlobs4WKo?si=atHe0Si9XPzUlECo VH Episode 49 Feat. Tre https://youtu.be/GCsOYEQztUI?si=OLLbVc8rpUT3KVQo VH Episode 69 Feat. El...

On Episode 78 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Kodjovi speaks about how he became a panafrican and a vegan. Kodjovi and Fernando speak about the importance of holistic health as they introduce the BESE SAKA Afro Vegan Fest which will be held on March 16th 2025 in Paris, France.  Book Recommendations: “Parlons éwé” by Jacques Rongier “Une Histoire du Vodoun” by Arnaud Zohou “Africa Unite! : Une histoire...

On Episode 77 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Phoebe begins by sharing her personal experience as a young girl of Nigerian origin in the UK and how her path led to veganism. Fernando and Phoebe also discuss “white” veganism, Afro Veganism and other facets of veganism. Phoebe finishes by sharing her experience as head chef at L’Embuscade, an Afro Vegan Restaurant in Paris, France. Book Recommendations:...

On Episode 76 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast REKS and Fernando speak about the origins of Hip Hop and the problematic discussion around that, the importance of living a holistic plant based lifestyle, studying ourselves and our enemy, and decolonizing every aspect of our culture. The conversation ends with some NBA talk and some interesting book recommendations.  REKS Videos: FELA - https://youtu.be/0...

On Episode 75 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Vladimir and Fernando speak about the situation in Cuba, the lack of political consciousness, racism and the Conference for the Decade for People of African Descent.  Habana Negra https://youtube.com/@habananegra2024?si=gOqJSrLGipFw_eR4 Book Recommendation “The Black Jacobins” by C.L.R. James Vladimir Mitchell Gonzalez IG -  https://www.instagram.com/vladmg...

On Episode 74 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando speaks about the positive reasons to consume CBD and hemp while Isaac breaks down the importance of hemp and the positive impact it could have on our ecosystems and our overall health. They later talk about smoking cannabis and finish with some NBA takes. The Indigenous Nightmare Network (TINN) YouTube - https://youtube.com/@theindigenousnightmaren...

On Episode 73 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando speaks about Kwanzaa, Cuba holding the International Conference for the Decade of Afro-Descendants, Kendrick vs Drake, NBA ratings and a new message for 2025! Panafrican League UMOJA (LP-U) Panaf’ Hip Hop “Live” (YouTube) https://youtube.com/@lpumoja?si=nU9gKClce4RvpNOk Solidarity with Mayotte https://www.helloasso.com/associations/ligue-panafricai...

On Episode 72 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast “Black Power 215” Dr. Ikemba Ojore speaks about the black radical history of the city of Philadelphia. Fernando and Ikemba later speak about Philly Hoops and Philly Hip Hop. Catch Dr. Ikemba Ojore and Fernando Cardenas on the Rise Up! International Morning Show. Tue-Fri at 7 AM EST! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgK7KurzJEEbsGEvHiJ-eYgeXYD_ctB61&si...

On Episode 71 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast “Africa United” Ruben speaks about growing up in Germany playing basketball, facing racism and eventually understanding the importance of identifying as an Afrikan. Ruben later speaks about his latest trip to Cuba and his organisation Africa United S.C.  Download Afropiq Magazine Volume 2 (for free) and check out the article “Hidden History” on the Independ...

On Episode 70 of the Vital Hoops Podcast “Dart Vader” Feat. Eloh Kush & Sol Messiah break down every track on their new album, the creative process, and how they started working together.  DART VADER by Sol Messiah & Eloh Kush https://music.apple.com/fr/album/dart-vader/1776934982?l=en-GB https://open.spotify.com/album/2Jbu6NFKtrqzPvFbHzWIO5?si=DxPP-jnbRvylmcGb16MICg VITAL HOOPS Podcast Ep...

On Episode 69 of  the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Elom 20ce speaks about his humble beginnings, being an Artivist, Hip Hop culture, Panafricanism, teaching the youth and  remaining authentic. Book recommendations: “Journal du Congo” by Ernesto Che Guevara “À Quand L’Afrique” by Joseph Ki-Zerobo “Africa Unite!” by Amzat Boukari-Yabara “Vie et enseignement de Tierno Boka” by Amadou Hampâté Bâ Elom 20ce “Tit...

On Episode 68 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast “Koupe tet boule kay”, Natacha breaks down the Haitian Revolution from Dutty Boukman and Cécile Fatiman to Toussaint L’ouverture to Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Natacha later speaks about the current situation in Haiti and the importance of us telling our stories and educating ourselves and our children from an african centered perspective. Natacha and Fernando...

On Episode 67 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Solaire speaks about all things related to Afro-Veganism, from chattel slavery to the modern day meat industry. Rastafari, the animals, the planet and our health.  AFROPIQ MAGAZINE:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/112763875?utm_campaign=postshare_fan VITAL HOOPS Podcast Ep. 32 “Afro-Vegan”:  https://youtu.be/CAiV-9vGg_c?si=TkO12LK6JS-SaOoU L’Afro Ecologiste...

On episode 66 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast ShakaRa breaks down the ideology of Race First and what it means to be an Afrikan. ShakaRa and Fernando also speak about Cuba and afro cubans among other topics all related to Panafrikanism. “Was Castro’s Cuban Revolution a Victory for Afrikan People” https://youtu.be/PuzHIAjE9QM Book Recommendation: “Race First: The Ideological and Organizational Struggles...

On episode 65 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Rosa Clemente and Fernando speak about African identity in Spanish speaking countries, latinidad, misogyny in Hip Hop and third party politics.   HABANA NEGRA (with Sekou) -  https://youtu.be/p8ptP4GL-ek?si=LLm0b7AAUF6ctbn9 VITAL HOOPS Podcast Ep 2 Feat. Toni Blackman -  https://youtu.be/ctRd-iviN0o?si=ofX0AhlZDpmDLixs Book Recommendations: Rosa: “War Again...

On episode 64 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast AshEl SeaSunz speaks about Hip Hop, Reggae, the plant based lifestyle, healing and creating liberation through restoring ecosystems and regenerating communities. Book Recommendation: The 5 Principles by Khnum “Stic” Ibomu. Belonging Without Othering by John A. Powel. Dificult Conversations by Douglas Stone AshEl SeaSunZ Eldridge: Instagram -  https://www.in...

On episode 63 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Kalonji breaks down the history of Black August and the importance of commemorating.  https://unitedstatesofrhythm.bandcamp.com/album/rhythm-united-presents-black-august-the-past-present-and-future-of-a-black-liberation-movement https://www.thepeoplesarmy.org/blackaugust Book Recommendation: Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson. Blood in My...

On episode 62 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Vladimir and Fernando talk about The Alliance of Sahel States, the importance of political education, black people supporting Donald Trump, capitalism and propaganda. HABANA NEGRA https://youtube.com/@habananegra2024?si=l8yUABaGrRGYaK4s Rise up! Morning Show on BPM https://tinyurl.com/Rise-Up-Morning-Show Breaking the Backboard on TINN https://www.youtube.c...

On episode 61 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Rakeem and Fernando talk about the NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks, basketball in the olympics and African athletes representing colonial nations. They also elaborate on the origins of Hip Hop, its African roots and the importance of the underground. Wise The Dome TV https://www.youtube.com/@WiseTheDomeTV Heaven and Hell...

On Episode 60 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Stewart and Fernando talk about veganism, intersectionality in the struggle, capitalism and liberation. Book Recommendation: Liberation Summer by Stewart Mitchell https://www.amazon.com/dp/107266321X?language=en-US&ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_5T8NBEPWH1VSQS5BYFF9&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_5T8NBEPWH1VSQS5BYFF9&skipTwisterOG=1&social_share=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_...

On Episode 59 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Bouna and Fernando continue the conversation on Palestine and its connection to South Africa as well as the global African Liberation struggle. Book Recommendations: International Brigade Against Apartheid, The Israel Connection, White Supremacy Confronted, Israeli Foreign Policy, Rivonia's Children, The Unspoken Alliance, The Unnatural Alliance, The Mi...