122. Rob Kenner

heCast: The Official Podcast of HeChangedIt

In this conversation, Mike Chisholm interviews Rob Kenner about various topics including the Bob Marley movie, unity and polarization, Nipsey Hussle's story, writing the Nipsey Hussle book, self-discovery and flow state, Rob Kenner's journey, the rise and fall of magazines and hip hop, and the combination of DJing and journalism. They also discuss the state of journalism then and now, including the issue of fake news and alternative facts. This conversation with Rob Kenner explores the power of journalism and the writing style of influential writers like Greg Tate. It delves into the legitimacy and cultural impact of hip hop, as well as the responsibility of hip hop artists. The conversation also touches on the distinction between rappers and hip hop culture, and the future of hip hop and cultural conversations. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the inspiration that comes from recognizing the fleeting nature of life.

Takeaways

• The Bob Marley movie received positive reviews and highlighted the need for unity in a polarized world.
• Nipsey Hussle's story was turned into a book because he was underappreciated during his lifetime and his movement needed to be properly documented.
• Writing the Nipsey Hussle book was a challenging but fulfilling process that allowed Rob Kenner to reflect on his own self-care and self-discipline.
• Rob Kenner's journey in the music industry, from DJing to journalism, has been driven by his passion for music and the desire to uplift hip hop culture.
• The rise and fall of magazines and the music industry have shaped Rob Kenner's career, but he remains dedicated to telling the stories that matter.
• Combining DJing and journalism has allowed Rob Kenner to express his love for music and share the stories of artists and the hip hop culture.
• The state of journalism has changed, with the rise of fake news and the inability to agree on basic facts, posing a threat to society's understanding of the truth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Bob Marley Movie

03:16 Unity and Polarization

04:13 Nipsey Hussle's Story

08:34 Writing the Nipsey Hussle Book

12:29 Self-Discovery and Flow State

19:02 Rise and Fall of Magazines and Hip Hop

29:36 Combining DJing and Journalism

32:26 Journalism Then and Now

34:02 The Power of Journalism and Writing Style

36:11 The Influence of Greg Tate and Vibe Magazine

38:21 Hip Hop's Legitimacy and Cultural Impact

39:42 Recognizing Hip Hop as a Dominant Culture

44:52 Hip Hop's Role in Reflecting and Translating Society

46:19 The Responsibility of Hip Hop Artists

49:48 Distinguishing Between Rappers and Hip Hop Culture

54:41 The Future of Hip Hop and Cultural Conversations

01:02:02 The Inspiration of Life's Fleeting Nature

About Rob Kenner

Rob Kenner is one of the most prolific and influential voices in hip hop publishing. A founding editor of Vibe, Kenner joined the start-up team of Quincy Jones’s groundbreaking hip hop monthly in 1992. During a nineteen-year run at Vibe he edited and wrote cover and feature stories on iconic cultural figures ranging from Tupac Shakur to Barack Obama as well as writing the acclaimed column Boomshots. Kenner’s writing has appeared in Complex, Genius, Mass Appeal, Pigeons & Planes, Ego Trip, Poetry magazine, The New York Times, and Billboard. He’s also produced and directed documentary shorts on the likes of De La Soul, Nas, and Post Malone. As an editor at Vibe Books, Kenner worked on the New York Times bestseller Tupac Shakur and contributed to The Vibe History of Hip Hop. He went on to co-author VX: 10 Years of Vibe Photography and produced the book Unbelievable, a biography of The Notorious B.I.G. by Cheo Hodari Coker, which was optioned for the motion picture Notorious.

Learn more about Rob here: https://linktr.ee/RobKenner

Or Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertjkenner/

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