Fear of a Border Planet

Nelson, Ramis, & Kerry•borderplanetpod.wordpress.com

Tune in to FEAR OF A BORDER PLANET, a podcast about immigrant rights and other stuff we like--hip-hop music, culture, movies, and more.

Ramis, Kerry, and Nelson are lawyers/legal advocates working in the immigrant rights and criminal justice space in Detroit, Michigan. They are also hip-hop nerds.

Each episode tackles two topics: one more educational/impactful, the other more entertaining/frivolous, feat. song snippets, dope lyrics, and legal gossip about rappers.

New episodes every ~3 months!! (Less is more!!)

FOLLOW BORDER PLANET POD:

Twitter: @BorderPlanetPod (https://twitter.com/BorderPlanetPod)

Instagram: @BorderPlanetPod (https://www.instagram.com/borderplanetpod/)

Website (https://borderplanetpod.wordpress.com/)

#FightThePower #AbolishICE

Last refreshed: July 26th, 2025 at 2:36 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Dreams Deferred + 21 Savage

In our seventh episode, we discuss DREAMERS, the DACA program, and Democrats' cowardly abandonment of the rights of noncitizens who taken to the U.S. as children. We wind down with a chat about world-famous rapper and recent Green Card recipient, 21 SAVAGE. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (05:10) "Serious" Topic: Dreams Deferred (DACA & Dreamers) (38:53) "Fun" Topic: 21 Savage SONGS FEATURED: "A Lot" by 21 Savage "8AM in Charlotte" by Drake "Drake Welcomes 21 Savage into Toronto After Getti...

Jun 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 7

Palestine Behind Borders + Palestinian Rappers

In our sixth episode, in light of Israel's ongoing GENOCIDE in Gaza, the hosts expose how BORDERS and immigration policy have been used to oppress the Palestinian people. Then we shout out some superb PALESTINIAN RAPPERS and hip-hop artists (except for DJ KHALED...). TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (05:49) "Serious" Topic: Palestine Behind Borders (36:21) "Fun" Topic: Palestinian Rappers SONGS FEATURED: "El Kofeyye Arabeyye" by Shadia Mansour (feat. M-1) "Assalamu Alaikum" by Shadia Mansour "De...

Feb 04, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 6

SCOTUS Shafts Migrants '23 + Lyrics About Court

The FEAR OF A BORDER PLANET hosts return to reminisce about the U.S. SUPREME COURT's 2022-23 term, specifically the decisions that eroded rights for our noncitizen neighbors. Then we break down rap music's best bars about being in court.

Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 5

Deported Dissidents + Black Star [Mos Def/Talib Kweli]

In our fourth episode, we fry the Feds' fetish for DEPORTING DISSIDENTS, including Marcus Garvey and many others, followed by a deep dive into one of hip-hop's dopest duos, BLACK STAR, which consists of rappers Yasiin Bey (f.k.a. Mos Def) and Talib Kweli.

Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 4

Forgotten Refugees + Fugees

The FEAR OF A BORDER PLANET crew returns to discuss the shameful shortcomings of international refugee resettlement and U.S. refugee policy. Then we shift focus to the phenomenally talented and controversial hip-hop trio FUGEES, consisting of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and recently-convicted Pras Michel. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (04:52) "Serious" Topic: Forgotten Refugees (36:35) Musical Interlude: Dope Bars by O.G. Ronald Reagan (38:24) "Fun" Topic: Fugees SONGS FEATURED: FOLLOW: Twitter...

May 30, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 3

Locked Up By ICE + Akon

In our second episode, hosts Nelson, Ramis, Jomi, and Kerry reconvene to rag on the rampant human caging by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We fry Biden's asylum ban. Then we explore the music and career of the sensational, Senegalese-American rapper/singer AKON. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (02:08) "Serious" Topic: Detention and Incarceration of Noncitizens by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (46:11) "Newsy" Topic: "Transit Ban" Begs Question--What's the Difference...

Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 2

Why We Fear A Border Planet + Public Enemy

In the inaugural episode of FEAR OF A BORDER PLANET, hosts Nelson, Ramis, Jomi, and Kerry share our worries that the world is spiralling into a racist, restrictive border zone. We find Biden's border policy abysmally similar to Trump's. Then we discuss legendary hip-hop group PUBLIC ENEMY. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (feat. Cesar Chavez & Flava Flav) (00:45) "Serious" Topic: Why the Hosts Fear that Our Planet Will Become Consumed by Borders (34:48) "Fun" Topic: Public Enemy and their Ic...

Feb 11, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 1

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