Points on the Board

Not every performer can make a hit, let alone land a few that make waves on the charts. In an era where music heads consume, create, and demand quality music all the time, it's difficult to let songs that could stand on its own, time to grow.  Singer-songwriter Elle Varner's never had that problem. Debuting in 2012 with a pair of R&B hits that were a breath of fresh air for the genre, the LA native is back with Ellevation, an EP project that was made on her own terms.  Varner stopped by the POTB set to chop it up about her approach to crafting a hit, and what's required to be consistent.  "It doesn't matter if you have all these co-signs, or if someone 'hands it to you', it doesn't matter. You can't cheat the hard work," Varner said about staying loyal to your craft. "So the ones that will last, the ones that will stand the test of time, they must ride peaks and the valleys. There's no way around it."  Highlights How has her writing process evolved over her career Adopting Kobe's winning mindset to her live shows The state of women in R&B Serena Williams' impact on Compton What's required for her to get into her "Flow state"  Crafting songs for your core audience, b side tracks Defining success as an artist on her own terms The first hip hop, r&b albums you give your kids The greatest songwriters to study Her musical family Versus: The greatest 90s movies soundtrack of all time.   And more.  On The Points On The Board podcast, we interview the closers and finishers from every discipline. Each week, digital producer, journalist Kyle Harvey sitdowns with rising athletes, sportswriters and creatives to breakdown the lessons they learned from the field of competition and how they applied to dominate it their crafts. Subscribe here for the latest episodes. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

On The Points On The Board podcast, we interview the closers and finishers from every discipline. Each week, digital producer, journalist Kyle Harvey sitdowns with rising athletes, sportswriters and creatives to breakdown the lessons they learned from the field of competition and how they applied to dominate it their crafts. Subscribe here for the latest episodes.  Since Colin Kaepernick took a knee, the terms "stick to sports" and "shut up and play" are often regurgitated by those who are willfully ignorant or want to remain in the dark about the undeniable and current connection between politics and athletics. Coming off the heels of last week's twitter meltdown directed towards the World Cup-winning US Women's National Soccer Team and his latest rant against 4 congresswomen of color, there was no better person to talk about Trump and his historic insecurities against the "other" than MSNBC's Joy-Ann Reid. A consistent MSNBC on-air presence since the killing of Trayvon Martin, Reid puts points on the board for challenging, debating and exposing the hypocrisy of those who profit off spreading fake news. In an hour-long discussion at the Shadow League office with host Kyle Harvey, The Man Who Stole America author, compared 45's warped brand of American demagoguery to an 80s villain among other things, specifically the Batman's eternal nemesis the Joker. "The reason why I open the book up by calling him the Joker is because most of the time, the Joker is this really rich guy, who's angry about the existence of Batman," Reid begins at 15:15 min mark. "The two are both rich, both angry, and what Batman decides to do with his anger is to fight criminals. "He doesn't like the fact that people are abusing the 'little guy'. And what the Joker decides to do is fight Batman. In fact, doesn't really kind of doesn't exist without Batman. There's no real purpose for the Joker other than messing with Batman. He hates the fact that Batman is popular, that people love him, he just hates him". Every villain needs a foil. If Trump is just a clown with an agenda, its not hard to figure out who Bruce Wayne is.  "Obama could be his Batman, the culture could be his Batman...like all these things he wanted for himself, like growing up in Queens and wanting to be respected by the Anna Wintours of the world, they never let him in," Reid elaborated on Trump's view of fame. "So now he hates that. He started hating the thing he wanted the most."  Do you agree? Check out full podcast here and let us know what you think in the comments below Highlights Reid's time as the managing editor at theGrio Trump's WWE Bravado Covering every major black death (Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Jordan Davis) as a black mother for cable news The art of politely eviscerating ill-prepared political talking heads The greatest hip hop activists of this generation Why Heath Ledger is the greatest Joker of all time The first hip hop, r&b albums you give your kids Versus: Dru Hill vs 112 Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

On this episode of POTB, No Limit's own Master P stopped by to put some points on the board. With "I Got The Hook Up 2" dropping this month, P came through to talk hoops, Toronto Raptors, his time in the NBA, and why building a record label/business is like coaching a team. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

After a wild 2019 NBA Draft, NYC hoops coach Randy Millard stopped by to put some Points On The Board. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Coach Millard’s a proud Brownsville native with ties to VA due to his time at Norfolk State. With written bylines at Bounce and other hoops hubs, Millard’s active on the court and a historian of NYC hoops culture. We just witnessed the most important #NewYorkKnicks draft in a generation with the #3 selection of RJ Barrett, so it was only fitting to bring Millard by #POTB to unpack the state of NYC hoops as a whole. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Salaam Remi told us the flyest emcees hail from Queens. He would know. The Grammy-nominated instrumentalist's discography is disgusting, having worked with everyone from Kurtis Blow, Nas, The Fugees, the late Amy Winehouse, and Miguel.  Always working, Remi dropped by #PointsOnTheBoard to talk about his new music, his creative process, and how he plans on celebrating his #BlackMusicMonth. Points New Single, Shake Dat Je'llo, with Joell Ortiz Breaking down the essential ingredients of a hit. DJ Khaled Vs Billboard Take What does producing mean in 2019 The hip hop album you'd give your future child Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

On this episode of POTB, Host Kyle Harvey sat down with NYC based creative Jordan Page. The High Point, NC native broke down his career path from the halls of North Carolina A&T to Brooklyn, NY. POINTS - Creator of 90’s Streetwear account @veryadvanced - Calling out culture vultures for pilfering from black creatives - DJ, producer, stylist, placements include Reebok, 2Chainz, @Fader Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Journalist, commentator, and host of BuzzFeed's Hella Opinions, Sylvia Obell stopped by the office to put some points on the board. You've probably seen her byline online or in print, but Sylvia's rise in the new media space wasn't overnight. The New Jersey native reflects on the stages of her career that have shaped her editorial voice and ability to secure written opportunities. Highlights include: Obell's time at North Carolina A&T Learning her craft as a writer/reporter in Kentucky Fly Eagles Fly How she broke the internet/black twitter with her Black Chyna / Kardashian profile How to maintain authenticity on social media, on camera, and in the written world The responsibility of hosting Hella Opinions Her latest byline, Lizzo interview for Essence Magazine. The Greatest HBCU homecoming of all time And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Black Enterprise’s Selena Hill returns to #POTB to discuss the historic donation to cover the tuition of the 2019 graduating class of Morehouse. The Black billionaire, Robert F. Smith, and his family promised to pay over $40 million in student debt to set these young men on what could be an incredible financial path. Selena schools us on what this means for future HBCU classes and more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

We can’t believe it, home team. It is our one year anniversary for Points on the Board. On this special episode, Bryon and I are going to take a look back on past of our favorite guests and moments that stood out. The mission of points on the board was to put on display and show how sports and culture and the leaders in both industries are forever intertwined for their love of competition. And the POTB clips we dropped in this episode most definitely reflect that. Guests featured on this episode Kareem Biggs Burke Eboni K Williams Freeway Coodie and Chike Taylor Rooks Maude Arnold And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. The low key OG director duo Coodie and Chike stopped by during the Tribeca Film festival to talk about their latest project on Stephon Marbury - A Kid From Coney Island. A New York basketball great and a legend in China, Marbury’s story is one that sheds light on mental health, failure and success, and overcoming adversity. The guys also reflect on what it was like making "Benji" for ESPN's 30 for 30 film series. Highlights include: Early Kanye West stories Gaining Stephon Marbury’s Trust Similarities in Benji and Nipsey Hustle’s death Music videos they would have loved to direct The most important sports jerseys in Chicago and New Orleans And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. One of the pilots for the ForAllNerds' spaceship, DJ BenHaMeen, stopped by to talk about arguably one of biggest weekends in film nerd history. The Houston native sat down to discuss the Avengers: Endgame, Game Of Thrones, and the late John Singleton's legacy. Highlights include: Houston upbringing Life & Times at Howard University Lessons learned from the late Combat Jack Blog era rap Who will win the Iron Throne Singleton's impact Avengers Endgame takes And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Sports journalist and Bleacher Report’s own Taylor Rooks stopped by the Shadow League studio for a taping of the Points on the Board Podcast. The Georgia native sat down with host Kyle Harvey to discuss the 2019 NFL draft, the significance of black quarterbacks, Atlanta’s contribution to the culture and more. A simple google search would show that Rooks was destined to work in the sports world in some capacity.  The Take It There host started her career at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in broadcast journalism. Shortly after graduating she worked for the Big Ten Network and later became a reporter and correspondent at SportsNet New York where she interviewed athletes and covered sports news. Topics include:  Her new show, Take It There With Taylor Rooks What makes for a good interview Words to live by  The one album you give your first child OutKast over everybody  And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. Today we have Syracuse Alum, football player, Philly native and food entrepreneur, Derrell Smith. Though he grew up in Philly, Smith spent his high school football days in New Castle, Delaware. After winning Gatorade Player of the Year, he was recruited by Syracuse and spent his best seasons under the tutelage of, then head coach, Doug Marrone.  Life happened soon after. After making the roster of a few NFL teams, Smith turned his eyes to other endeavors, that lead him to become an award-winning chef, tv host, and businessman.  We talk about the moments in between that lead to his pivot. Plus... Philly, Delaware football  Nipsey Hussle's impact on black business  When Rell decided to give up the game How he came up with Amazeballs, his first dish Syracuse memories  Wearing the same college uniform of Donovan McNabb The evolution of the black QB  Why aren't there more Black offensive coordinators in the NFL and NCAA The one album you give your first child (He killed this question) The most important jersey in Philly Sports history.  And more.  Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. WNBA Reporter, host, and model Arielle Chambers stopped by the office to put some points on the board.Ari and I take a deep dive into the evolution of the WNBA and women's basketball in general. And with March Madness starting, we couldn't think of a better person to give us context on the game.  The Raleigh, North Carolina native found her niche, merging her passion for athletics into a career that's uniquely her own.  Highlights include:  Why the WNBA is the most competitive league in the country  Rahlay upbringing  Lessons learned from volleyball  Her time as competitive cheerleader  Which WNBA player deserves their own movie  The greatness of mixtape Lil Wayne  Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Today we have the journalist, commentator, Twitter killer and the new host of Unbothered, Detroit’s Own JemeleHill. Over the past 1.5 years, a lot's gon down in Jemele Hill's life. From her tweet to 45, her departure from ESPN, to her new column at the Atlantic, and now with her new gig at Spotify, Hill represents what happens when you speak truth to power. With Women's Month wrapping and with MarchMadness entering into Sweet 16 territory, we couldn't think of a better person to give us context on the game. Shoutout to Michigan State University. Highlights include: Hill's unknown ties to the Shadow League Context to MSU's TomIzzo and the smoke he gave his freshman Malice at the Palace 15 years later, why racist fans haven't learned yet The one word that could describe what happened to her after her 45 tweet The one #Detroit story that must be told by her The one hip hop album you must give your future child. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. NBA veteran, Al Harrington spent 16 years in the league but pivoted into a more budding industry. And he stopped by the office to put some points on the board. The New Jersey native was drafted straight outta high school and was a part of his generation's more memorable rosters. During his time as a professional hooper, Harrington also gained a personal, professional, and medical appreciation for cannabis. His newfound passion evolved into a business-- VIOLA--, of high-end cannabis products, the first of few Black people that are in the legal marijuana service industry.   And on this episode of POTB, we talk about that and everything in between.  Including:  The NBA's new age limit, NCAA losing  Playing with Golden State, Baron Davis' creativity How more black people can immediately insert themselves the cannabis space  Memorable life advice from cipher sessions The hip hop album you give your first born. Rate.Comment.Subscribe.Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeague www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague

Aaron “Ace” Simpson, is a former college basketball player, actor, and entrepreneur who found salvation through fitness. The rising businessman in the LA exercise industry stopped by the office to put some points on the board. On this episode, POTB and Ace and I jump into his Detroit beginnings on the competitive basketball AAU scene and the moment where he let his passion go. From there Ace pivoted on his life and found his then calling for the arts and how his face/physique led him to the grind of NYC. Minor breakthroughs and major setbacks broke and then shaped Ace to leave NYC for Cali skies. Internal Detroit hustle combined with external help from like-minded friends became the backbone and foundation for him to launch a successful physical fitness business/network that caters to the stars. All that plus: The hip hop album you give your first born. Is Eminem washed? Detroit vs Everybody And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeagueTSL www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague #TSLCulture #PointsOnTheBoard

Points On The Board is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, Shadow League contributors, and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. The one benchmark for every iconic superhero is to have an equally as cold super-villain. Batman has the Joker. Professor X will always be frienemies with Magneto. T’Challa and Killmonger are killing cousins. Hey Aunty. Tobias Whale is the super gangsta in the super hood for the CW's hit series Black Lightning. Played by actor Marvin Jones III aka @Krondon in rap circles, Whale has crept up the short but very strong list of iconic black cinema villains. The Strong Arm Steady emcee stopped by the Shadow League office to put some points on the board. We take a deep dive into his career on both the music and film side, including: Writing for himself and other Cali emcees. Growing up in LA with albinism. The greatness of Blade, Robert Townsend, and the legacy of Meteor Man. Why Dr. Dre is the Bill Belichick of West Coast Hip Hop. Most Iconic 90s Black Hood Villain And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeagueTSL www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague #TSLCulture #PointsOnTheBoard Music brought to you by Epidemic Sound. Visit their pages below: Listen to Epidemic Sound Playlists on Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/epidemicsou…BkSWqj05KWIJPRIw Epidemic Sound Corporate Show Reel 2018: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF1649LkO…&feature=youtu.be Epidemic Sound Website: www.epidemicsound.com

You’ve seen her on Fox News, Fox Sports, The Breakfast Club and more but attorney, TV host and Charlotte native Eboni K. Williams stopped by the Shadow League office to put some points on the board. The multi-hyphenated Williams’ career lives between the intersections of sports, race, and culture. With nothing off limits we cover: Super Bowl fallout, ICE, #21Savage and knowing your rights Eboni’s childhood, Old Charlotte Hornets Vs New Charlotte, #NBAAllStar weekend in the QC, Breaking point at #FoxNews, time in conservative media, transition into Fox Sports Time at UNC, what #CarolinaPanthers #JuliusPeppers means to the state both on and off the field. Outdated dating traditions that died with social media's evolution And the one album that defines hip hop and would give to her future kids must hear. And more. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeagueTSL www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague #TSLCulture #PointsOnTheBoard Music brought to you by Epidemic Sound. Visit their pages below: Listen to Epidemic Sound Playlists on Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/epidemicsou…BkSWqj05KWIJPRIw Epidemic Sound Corporate Show Reel 2018: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF1649LkO…&feature=youtu.be Epidemic Sound Website: www.epidemicsound.com

Hometeam, what's good?. On this 23 min episode of POTB, preacher, TV/Film producer, and author DeVon Franklin stopped by the Shadow League office to put some points on the board. Franklin is a recognized authority on spirituality, faith, and the entertainment business. He is best known for the films Miracles from Heaven, Heaven Is for Real, and the New York Times best-seller book The Wait, which he co-wrote with his wife Meagan Good. The Oakland native and myself breakdown his time growing up in the Bay, maneuvering through Hollywood as an active Christian, and what he learned about toxic masculinity while writing his new book The Truth About Men. Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Share. Check out more from the League at: www.TheShadowLeague.com twitter.com/ShadowLeagueTSL www.facebook.com/TheShadowLeague.TSL www.instagram.com/theshadowleague #TSLCulture #PointsOnTheBoard Music brought to you by Epidemic Sound. Visit their pages below: Listen to Epidemic Sound Playlists on Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/epidemicsou…BkSWqj05KWIJPRIw Epidemic Sound Corporate Show Reel 2018: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF1649LkO…&feature=youtu.be Epidemic Sound Website: www.epidemicsound.com