On this episode we get to kick it a little extra before getting to the culture shock. We chopped it up with Journalist Ashlee Reyes who is a guest co-host for the month of March. We get to hear about Banz's photography filled weekend; he photographed Dominican artist Tokischa's first show in America (PROVIDENCE!). Cristina tells us the defining qualities in a good barber and after struggling to find a good barber - she found one. Ashlee tells us all about her birthday weekend and how and who she...
Mar 23, 2022•2 hr 2 min•Season 12Ep. 142
On this episode we sit with Manal Founder and Executive Director of a non-profit organization She Community Club. She shares her passion for community and togetherness and puts emphasis on wellness being at the forefront of the organization. Tap in with us to hear all about Manal's business mindset and how she hopes to enhance and help women, network and find resources to grow in their own right. You can find more information at www.shecommunity.club Follow She Community Club on Instagram @sheco...
Mar 15, 2022•2 hr 1 min•Season 13Ep. 141
On this episode we sat down with Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune who is running for Mayor of Providence, RI. LaFortune has already made history by being the first Haitian American to hold elected office in the state of Rhode Island. If she wins the Mayoral race she will make history again by being the first black person and the first woman to be Mayor in the history of Rhode Island. We talked about some of her policies and concerns for the city including: affordable housing, education, small and lo...
Mar 08, 2022•2 hr 23 min•Season 13Ep. 140
This episode features educator, scholar, activist, Marco McWilliams. We learn about McWilliams' upbringing from Mississippi to Rhode Island and his thoughts on black history, the social climate and pop culture.
Mar 01, 2022•2 hr 53 min•Season 13Ep. 139
We sit down with the intellectual Sara Lopes to talk about her brand Distant Relatives, the black experience, the African Diaspora and more.
Feb 22, 2022•3 hr 13 min•Season 13Ep. 138
A Valentine's Day Special: On this episode, Sev and Banz sat down with Christian artist Roderick Jones and his wife Shanice Jones. The Jones couple talk all about how they met, the troubles they went through and how God brought them together. They also get into Roderick's new EP 'Unashamed' and how he went from secular music to Christian music. This love story is one for the books.
Feb 14, 2022•2 hr 5 min•Season 13Ep. 137
On this episode we are joined by Sex Confidence Coach Coco a.k.a "The Conversational Freak." Coco sits down with us to talk all about her sexual trauma, how freaky she is and how she turned all that into a business to help other people have healthy sexual experiences. You can check out her page on Instagram and find out how to sign for a membership to access her sex classes, information, and advice. https://www.instagram.com/theconversationalfreak/ https://www.instagram.com/officialwetspot/ Chec...
Feb 09, 2022•2 hr 16 min•Season 13Ep. 136
Is it too late to say "happy new year?" Either way we are back and we had so much to talk about.
Feb 01, 2022•2 hr 36 min•Season 13Ep. 135
In this podcast we talk about the top R&B projects and songs of 2021 We also talk about "What is R&B?" This episode features guest appearances by: Zuzu from What Do I Know Blog https://linktr.ee/mr_zuzu Ashlee Reyes from AP News https://www.instagram.com/ashleereyes/ Sound from C Ambition https://linktr.ee/itsavibe
Jan 05, 2022•57 min
We got together with some creatives and hip-hop to talk about music in 2021 to wrap up the year. Thank you to Zuzu from What Do I know, Ashlee Reyes from AP News, and Sound from C Ambition
Dec 28, 2021•1 hr 19 min
Cristina Sev and Ruben start the pod by remembering Ruben's grandma and talking about the Christmas spirit. Then they go on to the culture shock - The omicron variant; Hocus Pocus 2 in the hood; Rick Ross with possibly his worst album; the evolution of 21 savage and 85 South Show, some of 2021's pop culture moments and more. Then they end it off with talking about the Spark Up moments of 2021. Thank you to all our supporters from day and the new ones. We will see you all in January. For no...
Dec 22, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 12Ep. 134
We're just speaking from our hearts. Happy Holidays. Rest in peace Hammer Hendrix.
Dec 14, 2021•2 hr 30 min•Season 11Ep. 133
This week on Mic Check: We start by celebrating Nicki Minaj on her birthday and then talk about Drake withdrawing from the Grammys and share our theories on how/why Drake did it; Cardi B working for playboy; Roddy Rich's "The Box" goes diamond; Bizzy Bone and his Bizzy lips; Akademiks & more.
Dec 09, 2021•55 min•Ep. 21
Let's be friends forealz.
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 11Ep. 132
We did a while lotta lusting but all in the name of Hip-Hop. On this episode we talking Adele & French Montana new music review; Birdman saying NBA YoungBoy is one of the best rappers due to YouTube numbers; Soul Train Awards 2021 Recap; and more
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 20 min
Baby its cold outside
Nov 30, 2021•44 min•Ep. 131
There is power in telling stories and helping others tell theirs. Our guest Ashlee Reyes knows that best. As a journalist, she understands the importance of telling someone's story and how it effects those who come in contact with it. Learn all about Ashlee's passions and family support that keeps her going on the path of success. Thank you Ashlee Reyes for coming through. We loved having you. Shout-out to our sister Regina for sitting in for Ruben; Happy Thanksgiving family!
Nov 23, 2021•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 130
On this episode we talk about the devastating news of Young Dolph's life being lost (0:00) Updates on the Astroworld Fest (5:25) Next 2 Verzuz was announced and we discuss 36Mafie vs. Bone Thugs N Harmony and Stephanie Mills vs. Chaka Khan (14:07) Halle Berry and Cardi B are executive producing a first ever all-female Hip-Hop soundtrack for "Bruised" directed by Halled Berry and coming out on Netflix ( 17:54) Lil Wayne is dropping another mixtape on streaming platforms then we discuss Lil Wayne'...
Nov 18, 2021•59 min•Ep. 18
Just listen.
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 11Ep. 129
On this episode of Mic Check: Hip-Hop gets nationwide respect when congress proclaims November as "Hip-Hop History Month"; We break down the tragedy at Astroworld; Ye on Drink Champs spilling all the tea on his "friends"; Summer Walker project, new singles & more
Nov 12, 2021•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 17
Cristina Sev opens up the episode by talking about how much she loves SZA and her interaction Scottie Beam. (0:51) Banz comes in with a new stlye and Cristina Sev is shook. (3:04) Banz talks about being bald AGAIN and getting fake hair (3:50) *SPOILER ALERT* This week on the culture shock we talk about Lawrence in Episode 3 of Insecure (7:34) Rumors about Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian dating and getting caught outside together and how Kanye West would feel about it (13:38) Shouting-out DJ Kri...
Nov 09, 2021•47 min•Ep. 128
Hip-Hop is getting the recognition it needed with Missy Elliott getting a star in Hollywood, & Jay -Z & LL Cool J getting inducted into the hall of fame. Things get interesting with Jay-Z opening an official Instagram account. With all the good things happening for Hip-Hop, we always get some f*** s*** DJ Akademiks continues bringing toxicity to the culture with on-going petty beef with Freddie Gibbs. As we stay in the dark clouds, we talk about DMX & Juice Wrld getting highlighted in a new docu...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 14
It's November and Banz and Cristina Sev start the podcast out by talking about how fast the year has gone by and how busy they've been. Cristina Sev is now 30 and shares some wisdom about where she is in life (6:58) Banz brings up a hypothetical scenario where your significant other holds on to love letters from an ex (18:55) This week for the culture shock they talk about actor Kal Penn surprising everyone by revealing that he is gay and in an 11 year-old relationship with his fiancé (33:11) Li...
Nov 03, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 127
DISCLAIMER: THIS AUDIO IS NOT HIGH QUALITY; We celebrated our 5th anniversary at The Black Mecca of restaurants Troop in Providence, RI We answered questions from our supporters in front of a live audience. Thank you to everyone who came and everyone who continues to support us. P.S Our Friend Eliana has the best adlibs
Oct 13, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 11Ep. 126
Spark Up is at the 5th year mark - words from Cristina Sev Join us in celebration of our 5th anniversary at Troop PVD Wednesday October 6th at 7pm
Sep 28, 2021•14 min
We go in on 'Donda" Kanye West's 10th studio album released on Sunday August 29th. Rest in peace Donda West.
Sep 01, 2021•1 hr 22 min
Yur
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr•Season 10Ep. 126
On this episode: We talk about the legendary Producer of music Chucky Thompson passing away at 53 years young and is responsible for so many classic songs in Hip-Hop & R&B. Nas' new album King's Disease II; Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" hitting 1 BILLION play on Youtube; Kanye's second live stream and is it enough to keep peoples attention? The fishy business surrounding the release of Aaliyah's music on streaming platforms. Celebrating the 20th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of W...
Aug 12, 2021•54 min•Season 10Ep. 14
Watagatapitusberry
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 10Ep. 125
On this episode of Mic Check we discuss Dababy's controversy leading to getting dropping from a bunch of music festivals and having a baby on the way with artist Danileigh; The biggest bachata group Aventura collaborating with the biggest Latin artist Bad Bunny; Rihanna becoming a billionaire being the richest female artist ever; The lovers & friends tour in Vegas - is it real or fake? Kanye West's success at Gap; Diddy in full rollout mode calling this stage in his career the love era; Is Hip-H...
Aug 07, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 10Ep. 13
