The Idea of...

Mike and Bassey take a winding, hilarious ride through hip hop memory and modern rap metrics. From Jay-Z verses that feel like short films to the Gen Z re-discovery wave, they debate what makes an MC “undeniable,” why Drake’s legacy feels fumbled, and why Kendrick’s greatness still sparks weird arguments (including a surprisingly intense debate about haircuts and “cool”). Bassey gets mad at Mike, and it's hilarious.Then the convo pivots to the Diddy documentary fallout, 50 Cent’s role in shaping the narrative, and what happens when nuance gets labeled as “support.” They close on holiday life, family dynamics, book recs, party games, and the kind of real talk that only happens when culture, critique, and community collide.See y'all in 2026!

In this episode of The Idea Of…, Bassey and Mike sit with the tension of being Gen X, being outside in the 90s, and watching the fall of one of the most powerful figures in hip hop culture. This is not a scene-by-scene breakdown of the documentary. It is a conversation about how Diddy became the blueprint for fame as reward, how Bad Boy shaped the way we dressed, partied, and saw black excellence, and how all of that now sits next to stories of violence, manipulation, and sociopathy.They talk parenthood & distance, empty nests and loneliness, mobster energy in the music industry, and what it means when the people who built the soundtrack to your formative years also tainted the memories attached to those songs. From Wendy Williams and Mase to 50 Cent and Trump, Mike and Bassey trace the networks of protection, power, and silence, and ask what we do with nostalgia when we finally know the whole story.

In this deeply personal solo episode of The Idea Of…, Mike hits record with no notes and lets his mind and heart run. What starts as a reflection on being a verbal processor turns into a full exploration of belonging, isolation, and the complicated ways family, fatherhood, and hurt shape how we show up.Grounded in his lived experience and his research on Black fathers, Mike wrestles with the fear of being “70 and alone,” while admitting he often feels okay being solo in the present. It’s honest, messy, and vulnerable—a mirror for men who are quietly carrying similar questions about love, family, and what it means to belong.

In this episode of The Idea Of…, Bassy and Mike slide from Thanksgiving travel and college-kid logistics into a deeper conversation about what it means for Black kids — and Black folks in general — to grow up under constant scrutiny. They unpack the difference between having a coach who believes in you versus one who’s waiting to humble you, and reflect on Shédeur Sanders, the college transfer era, and the environments that either let you play free or keep you small. Their sons’ soccer journeys become a lens for understanding how belief, confidence, and grace shape us far beyond the field.From there, the conversation widens into culture: the quarter-zip phenomenon, TikTok’s obsession with All Her Fault, the legacy of Eddie Murphy, and the messy truth of separating the art from the artist. They wrestle with how hip hop is aging, why people love to drag Black men with mics, and what it means to hold nuance in a world that rewards hot takes over humanity. It’s an episode about identity, confidence, community, and the rare spaces where Black people can be fully themselves without apology.

Mike and Bassey start with a real-time homeowner disaster (a “simple” toilet fix gone wrong), then shift to Ellington’s wild NCAA playoff run—weather delays, snow, and a heartbreak loss that still leaves room for growth. From there they tap into listener comments about Trump and Nigeria, Wale’s new album and lyrical density, Kendrick stans getting Bassey blocked, old tweets and stan culture, and the quarter-zip wave giving Black boys a new, nerdy-fly lane to exist in public. Culture, parenting, hip-hop, and the internet—all in one conversation.00:00 Homeowner Challenges and Life Updates02:55 Soccer Playoffs and Emotional Resilience05:37 Listener Feedback and Cultural Reflections08:28 Wale's New Album and Hip Hop Dynamics11:23 Identity and Artistic Expression in Hip Hop23:01 The Blog Era and Its Impact on Hip-Hop24:26 Colorism and Industry Dynamics26:14 The Evolution of Music Consumption28:43 The Rise of New Artists30:38 The Influence of Record Labels31:50 Kendrick Lamar's Fan Culture35:57 The Nuances of Online Spaces38:14 The Dangers of Rewriting History41:22 The Impact of Social Media on Identity47:54 Generational Differences in Cultural Engagement52:11 Technical Troubles and Podcasting Challenges53:30 The Quarter Zip Phenomenon01:02:10 Cultural Commentary and Youth Trends

Bassey & Mike open with weather swings and sick-day vibes, then celebrate Ellington’s undefeated run and Catholic University’s conference championship—using that moment to unpack what every parent really wants for their kids: to be considered, valued, and included. From there, they dive into culture: Outkast’s Rock Hall tribute (Tyler, The Creator = perfect; Doja Cat… not so much), André 3000’s honest anxiety, and a sober look at Kanye’s apology—can accountability and mental health coexist with public harm?The episode closes with a parenting riff on how schools can either build or break confidence in Black kids. Plus, a classic “the government cut our internet” technical-difficulty cameo.

What starts as a hilarious midlife check-in about weight gain and vanity turns into one of Bassey & Mike's most grounded and thought-provoking conversations yet. They move from aging and metabolism to the chaos of modern politics, the fragmentation of the left, and how white frameworks of protest and resistance are shaping young Black thinkers.This episode wrestles with what it means to think and act through a Black lens—not in theory, but in practice. From Afrocentrism to authenticity, from fixing instead of burning, Mike and Bassey unpack how culture, history, and honesty should guide our politics, not chaos or performance. It’s sharp, funny, layered, and deeply human.00:00 – 02:30: Aging, vanity, and midlife weight struggles02:30 – 06:00: The chaos of modern politics and media manipulation06:00 – 10:00: MAGA unity vs. liberal fragmentation10:00 – 18:00: Why moral purity isn’t a political strategy18:00 – 26:00: Centering Blackness vs. adopting white frameworks of protest26:00 – 33:00: The loss of Afrocentric thinking and the rise of white political mimicry33:00 – 41:00: Resistance, church roots, and the disconnect of “new Blackness”41:00 – 46:00: “Fixing, not burning” — reimagining how we build and repair46:00 – 54:00: The exhaustion of politics and the need for cultural clarity54:00 – End: Reflections, humor, and technical chaos

In this episode of The Idea Of..., Bassey holds it down while Mike’s away and welcomes the brilliant Kendra Linsdey — educator, author, and host of Midlife Flyness. Together, they dive deep into the intersections of hip hop, aging, womanhood, culture, and authenticity.What starts as a headline about Drake and Kendrick Lamar turns into a rich, layered conversation about Black art, fame, and the responsibility that comes with cultural power. From the evolution of hip hop to the trap of “Black don’t crack,” Bassey and Kendra unpack what it really means to age gratefully — not gracefully — and to claim joy, beauty, and purpose as acts of resistance.They talk Mad City and Madonna, midlife reinvention, Essence Fest, Aisha Curry, the myth of “having it all,” and the sacredness of community between Black women across generations. It’s equal parts cultural critique and auntie real talk — sharp, soulful, and funny as hell.Guest Bio: Kendra LinsdeyKendra Linsdey is an educator, author, speaker, and media voice expanding how we think and talk about aging. Through her acclaimed podcast Midlife Flyness, her social media presence, and her partnerships with top brands, she reimagines what it means to grow older — especially for Black women and others often left out of the narrative.Her work bridges research and real life, reminding the world that aging is not decline, it’s depth — and that visibility and vitality don’t fade with age, they deepen. Whether she’s in front of a camera, behind a mic, or consulting in boardrooms, Kendra’s mission is simple: to center aging as a site of power, possibility, and truth.Follow her:📸 IG: @kendralinsdey🎧 Podcast: Midlife Flyness (Season 6 returns in 2026)

This week, Bassey & Mike start in the most unexpected place — the weather. What begins as a playful debate over hoodies versus humidity unfolds into one of the most layered cultural conversations they’ve ever had.From Tyler, the Creator’s evolution and the internet’s obsession with punishment, to Black Twitter’s moral high ground and the “recently Black,” they unpack what happens when outrage becomes currency and when “harm” becomes performance. Through humor and honesty, they question why so many of us are addicted to digital righteousness — and what it’s costing us in empathy, nuance, and grace.Mike connects it back to critical thinking, mental health, and the psychology of online engagement — drawing lines between COINTELPRO, culture wars, and how algorithms weaponize Black emotion for profit. Bassey challenges the performative morality that masquerades as activism, calling out how “cancel culture” mirrors the same carceral logic it claims to oppose.Yeah, it was one of those!

What happens when you start saying the quiet parts out loud — the doubts, the what-ifs, the things you might’ve done differently?In this episode of The Idea Of..., Bassey & Mike explore the messy middle between confidence and confession — from awkward run-ins with artistic heroes to the public vulnerability of women like Ayesha Curry and Michelle Obama.They talk about the cost of visibility, what it means to be misunderstood in public, and how aging in hip-hop (and in life) comes with its own quiet inventory of regrets.There’s laughter, reflection, and the real-time processing that happens when two Black creatives decide not to hide behind perfection.Whether it’s Mike realizing he’s the “old head” at his son’s soccer game, or Bassey unpacking the grace we owe each other while stumbling toward understanding — this one sits in the tension of love, legacy, and letting yourself be seen.

Bassey and Mike unpack a week of heavy headlines and internet rabbit holes: parenting athletes without projecting anxiety, the algorithm’s “frictionless” trap, and why some narratives feel engineered. They grapple with the spectacle surrounding public tragedies, the role of bots and psy-ops, the line between skepticism and cynicism, and the American tradition of myth-making—from Helen Keller lore to textbook propaganda. With humor and straight talk, they consider what solidarity and discernment look like now: how to stay human, hold critical thought, and refuse to be played by fear, clout, or culture war scripts.00:00 – Cold open & vibe check. Camera/lighting banter; DIY podcast ethos.02:30 – Parenting, pressure, and D1/D3 soccer. Second-hand performance anxiety; “trust your parenting.”08:45 – Reframing as a fan. Joy vs. control; music, team culture, letting kids process.13:10 – Listener Corner. “Frictionless society” and the cost of convenience.19:10 – Isolation, parasocials, and over-diagnosing everything. Life happens vs. victim rhetoric.22:40 – Spectacle & suspicion. Public tragedy narratives, algorithm pushes, and manufactured reverence.31:00 – Media hygiene & who’s missing from the mic. Where are the families? What’s amplified—and why?35:00 – Power optics. The hug, performance politics, and universal “that’s weird” moments.41:10 – “I’m not suicidal” posts & ambient threat. Performative fear vs. real risk.43:20 – Overlooked stories. NC river shooting; what trends, what doesn’t.46:30 – Psychological warfare 101. Leaflets → bots; anti-intellectualism ascendant.51:30 – Amelia/Helen confusion & mythology. How school taught us to believe.1:00:00 – Words matter. “Revolutionary” misuse and clout economics.1:07:00 – Are we cooked? Pessimism, systems, and what would have to change.1:12:30 – Handmaid’s Tale pipeline. White Christian nationalism & control.1:16:00 – Lies My Teacher Told Me. Swindled history, banned books, curated innocence.1:23:30 – Protest asymmetry & risk calculus. Who’s safe to confront, and what that reveals.1:28:40 – The One-Drop teaser & sign-off. Topic punt to next week; chaotic clarity.

Special shout-out to a dope t-shirt and merch site, www.murchdrop.com. FIRE hip hop influenced designs and shirts!In this episode of The Idea Of…, Bassey and Mike,dive deep into the tension between community, isolation, and the way algorithms shape how we see each other. What begins with reflections on marriage, generational differences in relationships, and the conservatism of their 20s shifts into an unflinching conversation about CeeKay's memorial, white supremacy, and the eerie normalization of violence.They unpack how technology is rewiring our sense of humanity, how isolation culture fuels extremism, and why Black people remain the conscience of America. Along the way, they talk nostalgia, hip-hop-inspired merch, and what it means to call white people—not just white supremacy—to the front lines.00:00 Welcome to the Conversation00:54 Reflections on Marriage and Relationships03:35 Cultural Differences in Social Norms08:42 The Impact of Urban Living on Identity12:21 Introducing New Segments and Structure12:21 Listener Engagement and Feedback27:31 Reflections on CeeKay's Memorial30:44 The Rise of White Supremacist Rhetoric33:31 Doomscrolling and the Impact of News35:26 The Disproportionate Focus on Violence Against Black People38:23 The Role of Algorithms in Shaping Perceptions41:09 The Need for White Allies44:19 The Visibility of White People Post-Election47:50 The Extremes of Political Discourse50:49 The Call for Collective Action55:06 The Responsibility of White People in Social Justice01:04:03 The Call for Action Over Words01:08:52 Understanding Ignorance and Awareness01:13:27 The Role of Creatives in Education01:18:44 Community and Connection in a Divided Society01:22:58 The Fallout of Racial Tensions on Campus01:27:54 The Impact of Isolation and Online Communities01:33:24 Patterns of Violence and Racial Dynamics01:37:49 Activism and the Fight Against Racism01:39:36 The Impact of Isolation Culture01:42:37 The Role of Technology in Human Connection01:45:25 AI and Its Influence on Society01:48:36 The Disconnect in Online Interactions01:51:26 The Importance of Community and Communication01:54:34 Reflections and Takeaways

This episode moves from the personal to the political, and back again. Bassey opens with a braid-shop humbling and a parking garage misadventure, a story about seeing the work only when the mirror turns. From there, the conversation shifts to the week’s events: fast media cycles, thought profiling, and why Black folks don’t celebrate death—we’ve mourned too many icons of our own.As we unpack the murders of Biggie, Pac, Nipsey, and others, we land on a new phrase: Gangsta Racism. Just as “gangsta rap” was mass-marketed as an exaggerated version of life “in the hood,” this brand of white nationalism performs itself like wrestling—part caricature, part entertainment, all spectacle. It’s not politics, it’s theater.The second half stretches into why “average” often gets celebrated while Black excellence gets doubted—whether in conversations about DEI hires, workplace dynamics, or who gets to hold certain spaces. We talk about the politics of “spot-taking,” the energy shifts that ripple through campuses and locker rooms, and the ways resentment shows up in everyday encounters. The episode closes with James Cone’s The Cross and the Lynching Tree and what it reveals about America’s unfinished history. Through it all, the refrain is the same: pause, discern, don’t take the bait.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Week's Events11:58 Cultural Reflections on Current Events16:21 The Impact of Historical Events on Present Day22:08 Understanding Patterns in Society27:51 Reactions to Recent Tragedies31:51 The Setup: Sacrificial Lamb or Real Anger?37:31 The Response from the Victim's Family and Community43:27 The Speed of Government Action46:27 Understanding the Victim's Background49:14 The Reaction from the Black Community52:11 Reflections on Violence and Racism55:10 The Power of Words and Death Threats57:51 The Impact of Violence on Black Culture01:00:27 Understanding the Connection Between Art and Life01:03:58 Cultural Icons and Their Influence on Identity01:06:30 The Disparity in Mourning Public Figures01:08:04 Comparing Cultural Icons: Black Excellence vs. Average01:11:44 The Fear of Replacement in White Culture01:15:56 The Psychological Impact of Racism01:20:25 The Role of Average in White Identity01:24:03 The Absence of Non-Entertainer Role Models in White Culture01:27:26 The Gangster Racist Phenomenon01:28:41 Incels and the Trans Pipeline01:29:41 Cultural Shifts and Youth Dynamics01:31:41 Navigating Campus Politics01:33:38 The Trap of Sympathy and Empathy01:35:31 Youth Sports and Racial Dynamics01:37:25 The Role of Religion in Politics01:39:20 Hypocrisy in Political Rhetoric01:41:03 The Cross and the Lynching Tree01:45:48 Understanding Historical Contexts01:51:40 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of The Idea Of…, hosts Bassey & Mike explore hip-hop’s cultural reset. They reflect on why first-week sales no longer matter, how elder statesmen like Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar have carved space for mature artistry, and what it means when rap becomes a job versus a career. They spotlight JID and Clipse as album-of-the-year contenders, celebrate the renewed energy of Chance the Rapper, and highlight Ghostface Killah and Raekwon’s timeless craft. Along the way, they discuss Lizzo’s “serve your core” strategy, Drake’s post-beef choices, and revelations from Metro/Thug. This conversation situates hip-hop within a bigger truth: naming and centering Blackness in art is not optional—it’s essential.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates03:04 Creative Projects and Cultural Consulting05:48 College Soccer Experiences and Future Prospects08:45 The State of the Music Industry11:43 The Evolution of Rap and Artistic Integrity14:42 The Impact of Streaming on Music Consumption17:28 Emerging Artists and the Future of Rap23:43 Kanye's Influence on Modern Sound27:08 The Evolution of Hip-Hop and Aging Artists29:25 Jay-Z's Cool Factor and Longevity32:27 The Complexity of Artist Relationships37:09 Drake's Identity and Cultural Impact45:20 Drake's Disconnection from the Culture47:00 Kendrick's Influence and Industry Politics49:57 Drake's Controversial Actions and Industry Backlash52:47 The Evolution of Hip-Hop and Emerging Artists57:54 Cultural Identity and the Role of Black Artists01:00:54 Drake's Current Standing and Future in Hip-Hop

This week, Mike and Bassey dive into what “settling in” actually looks like—for their kids and for themselves. They explore the contrasts between Division I and Division III confidence, culture shock on predominantly white campuses, and the new freedom Gen Z claims without relying on the old respectability playbook. The conversation moves from Atlanta rap eras to the internet’s role in flattening tastes, then flips into creativity: ego versus purpose, the role of “conductors” like Kanye, Quincy, and Khaled, and why low-stakes wins might be the key to saving your art.They also name the quiet PTSD of parenting—how the body stays braced even after the crisis has passed—and how to rebuild routines, therapy included. Bassey floats a “trash on purpose” romance novel and a soccer-world story called Offsides, while Mike connects it to Kendrick’s GNX pivot: the permission to make what you need, not what others expect.For anyone raising college athletes, navigating identity on campus, or trying to love their craft again, this episode resonates.00:00 — Cold open & welcome back00:29 — D1 vs. D3: confidence, coaches, care, and Black kids in white spaces02:36 — Exposure & culture shock (athlete circles vs. wider campus)04:45 — Respectability then vs. authenticity now: Gen X/’Xennial to Gen Z05:29 — Hip-hop eras, Atlanta’s shift, and kids’ rejection of “street code”08:08 — Internet homogeny, niche communities, and taste diversification10:37 — Classes, “free time,” and pacing yourself in college11:13 — Ellington’s DC vs. “very Catholic” campus life; city options vs. beach town14:32 — Helicoptering later: wise course picks & seeing kids’ gifts16:21 — “Boy mom” culture vs. healthy attachment (quick riff)18:21 — Naming the fog: depression, routines, and analysis paralysis20:06 — Parenting PTSD: coming down from a hard season22:42 — Regulating the body after stress; redefining “what is life now?”23:23 — Hair, tiny decisions, and when your brain won’t choose26:11 — Low-stakes wins: “trash on purpose” novel & getting momentum back30:30 — Kendrick’s pivot as template (Mr. Morale to GNX)32:45 — Ego vs. purpose: creating for people, not applause35:36 — When writing feels like a rap battle: execution and table-flip bars38:31 — Offsides: the soccer story; TV vs. novel and character seeds40:12 — Public accountability (with love but no nagging)41:13 — HBCUs and soccer: the gap and the dream54:56 — Q4 logistics, segments, and community comments01:01:14 — Outro, CTAs, and what’s next

In this solo episode of The Idea Of…, Mike gets real about the heavy and beautiful struggle of fatherhood. Reflecting on his relationship with his own dad and the lessons he’s living while raising his 19-year-old son, he digs into the emotional labor fathers carry but rarely name out loud.From the grace he gives his son, to the wounds he still feels from his own father, to the words that broke him open during his doctoral defense—this episode is about the cycles we inherit, the burdens we hold, and the intentionality required to father differently.This episode is a wake-up and a spicy love letter for fathers to recognize that without us, the whole ship sinks.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Reflection and Fatherhood02:41 The Role of a Father: Personal Reflections05:25 The Emotional Weight of Fatherhood08:07 Challenging Narratives Around Fatherhood11:09 The Importance of Fathers in Child Development13:48 Personal Stories and Academic Insights16:34 The Impact of Black Fathers in Education19:28 Validation and Emotional Accountability22:45 The Collective Narrative of Parenthood25:22 The Need for Serious Fatherhood Engagement27:52 Concluding Thoughts on Fatherhood and Identity32:22 The Silent Struggles of Fatherhood42:31 Understanding the Role of Fathers55:58 The Grace of Fatherhood

This week, Bassey and Mike unpack the emotional rollercoaster of sending their sons off to college as student-athletes. From soccer fields to dorm rooms, they reflect on the fears, lessons, and surprising parenting curveballs that come with watching your kids step into adulthood.They wrestle with questions like:How do you prepare your child for things you can’t possibly teach in advance?What does it mean to “let go” when the world isn’t as forgiving to Black boys?And what does urgency even look like for Gen Z?Of course, it wouldn’t be The Idea Of… without tangents: the Ape Walk, Amanda Seales in battle mode, and why every (college) soccer team mysteriously only has three Black players.Parenting, culture, and real talk—this episode is both heavy and hilarious.

We late... and we apologize. Also, the sound is like .3 seconds behind on one of the tracks. We new to this. LOL. We're a mess... and we apologize. We gon' get right... promise.This week on The Idea Of…, Mike returns from a Clipse hometown show in Virginia Beach with stories about the music, the magic, and the meaning of seeing hip hop performed with no gimmicks—just bars and presence. Pharrell’s timeless production shines (even though he didn’t make an appearance), making it a full trip through sound and culture.The conversation then pivots to the current state of hip hop journalism, with pointed takes on figures like Toure and Elliot Wilson. They break down the shift from byline prestige to performative bitterness, and why some media OGs seem to be missing the moment—while artists like Clipse show how to age with grace in the culture.The episode closes with real talk about their sons beginning their college soccer journeys, exploring the different ways each parent sees the transition, and the uniquely Black parent worry of “life skills vs. letting them figure it out.” It’s culture, clarity, and the joy in the journey—this is The Idea Of….

In another revealing episode, Mike and Bassey unpack what it means to feel out of place—in your body, your home, your city, your friendships, and even your own story.What starts as a reflection on jaw alignment and dental school consultations quickly turns into a vulnerable conversation about aging, displacement, cosmetic culture, class, identity, and the very real loneliness that creeps into our lives when the noise fades and the invitations stop.Mike shares what it feels like to live in a big, beautiful house in North Carolina that feels too big, too empty—and too disconnected from who he once was. Bassey opens up about being in a city that doesn't quite "fit," navigating parenthood as a single mom, and struggling with the dissonance between the life she imagined and the one she’s living.Yeah, it's one of THOSE episodes...

This episode is part of an ongoing series on Aging, where Bassey and Mike explore why getting older—especially for Black folks born between 1975 and 1985—feels so profoundly different than it did for generations before.In this installment of The Idea Of..., they take listeners deep into the noise and nuance of aging in a time where there’s no real blueprint. As immigrant Xennials shaped by an old-world perspective, introduced to the internet through 90s-era chatrooms and ushered into adulthood by the algorithm, they unpack what it means to grow older without a model—to carry cultural memory and grief while living under the constant surveillance of a hyper-connected world.From parenting regrets to Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s legacy, from Ralph Lauren's Oak Bluffs capsule to generational shame disguised as advocacy—this one covers it all. It’s honest, funny, intimate, and as wide-ranging as life itself.