(#12) Datwon Thomas: The Universal Connector

The Great Unfamous

This episode is the a-side of a conversation with Datwon Thomas, a man who who has more friends than anyone you’ve ever met.

It’s not because he’s a legend is music circles, which he is -- Editor in Chief of Vibe magazine, VP of Cultural Media for all Penske brands, which includes Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard and 30 others. He was the EIC of hip-hop’s authority DoubleXL, King magazine, Rides magazine. He's produced the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Country Music Awards -- even Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve. He’s done it all.

But the real reason Datwon is special -- is because if you met him -- you would remember three things about him -- his smile, his laugh and his heart. He’s one of the most beautiful human beings you’ll meet and we’re gonna learn why … and who helped pave the way for him.

These are Datwon's Lessons:

5:16 -- Life as a creative

8:40 -- Burden of being a connector

13:45 -- Wisdom of Mr. Homer -- Live, learn, let go

15:25 -- How I earn respect

18:22 -- One thing I learned in Brooklyn, South Carolina, Japan and Albuquerque

25:30 -- Kevin Powell, Scoop Jackson

27:23 -- Life lessons from Selwyn Seyfu Hinds

31:14 -- 'Gunshots In My Cook-Up'

32:01 -- Fast cars, Music and Best Advice

36:30 -- My reality checks

39:09 -- Good or bad, this too shall pass

42:40 -- Back to the Future and thinking heroes

44:47 -- Datwon's mantra: Gratitude of love

48:19 -- Being a source of energy, recharging

49:57 -- How you make people feel

51:27 -- Terry: 'Thank you for everything'

Datwon's Book Recommendation

"Gunshots In My Cook-Up"

By Selwyn Seyfu Hinds

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