Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
Glen Braget welcomes Polish Joe Ciupik to the program to share more AWA memories as well as inform the listeners about www.classicwrestling.com, how it came about and what’s currently on the site for viewing. Polish Joe worked behind the scenes at the American Wrestling Association from the mid 80s all the way up to the promotions demise in the early 90s. Joe is never at a loss for Classic Wrestling memories
There’s a Reason They Call it “Greater Minnesota” ;p by Doug MacRostie.
This week on Centerstage MN we’ve got a lot of Northern MN talent to enjoy. We’ll be hearing a recording of a concert by Yasen Marie, a 4 piece “hippie pop-rock” band operating out of the Twin Cities. Three of the four members are from Bemidji.
We’ll also hear from Sela Oveson, a very talented and unique singer-songwriter from Orr. I’ve got a copy of her forthcoming, debut release “Rogue Lightning”. Plus Uncle Shurley from Bemidji, an organic roots-rock band with a great vibe. And we’ll hear from Aurora Baer – she plays a unique style of blues/folk and is one of my newest fav MN musicians.
“BlackMaled by Toki Wright” by Doug MacRostie. Toki Wright is a hip-hop artist out of Minneapolis. Raised in a Buddhist household, and immersing himself in Black history, world culture, and community work, Toki’s awareness of the diverse world we live in is translated through his content driven music. Toki is not only a well established emcee but one of the hardest working community activists in the Twin Cities area. With numerous accolades and a tour history that has taken him from New York to Uganda, he is a powerful voice prepared to educate and challenge as well as entertain. Toki Wright joins me this week on Centerstage MN.
Toki told me, “I’m driven to create music by trying to get the craziness out of my head. I think we all have these thoughts and ideas and we express ourselves in different ways… I chose to write and I feel like there’s a voice that isn’t always represented every time that you hear a hip-hop song or a rap song… But yet, we can still be eloquent in our speaking and we still can be creative… I’m driven to represent people from my era, from my neighborhood, people that think similarly and who question things we think to be true.”
Toki also runs the first fully accredited Hip-Hop diploma studies program in the U.S. at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul. His last full-length album was 2009’s “A Different Mirror.” His latest release is an EP supported by the MN State Arts Board called “BlackMale” which is based on the experience of African Americans in Minnesota. It’s all powerful stuff, don’t miss this interview!
To set up the conversation with Toki we’ll hear from fellow Rhymesayers rappers: Brother Ali and Atmosphere, two of MN’s premiere Hip-Hop artists.
We round out Season 2 of our Native Lights podcast by exploring the cultural influences that have shaped the work of two celebrated and accomplished Native artists.
Chaz Wagner (Bois Forte Ojibwe) is a musician, singer, traditional drummer, and co-leader of the Native American rock band, War Bonnet, which was nominated for two 2019 Native Grammy Awards.
Dyani White Hawk Polk (Si?angu Lakota), is a mixed media visual artist. Dyani has earned many grants, fellowships, and awards, including “Artists of the Year” from the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper. The honor was shared with five of her peers for their work curating the ground-breaking “Hearts of Our People” touring exhibition, launched in June of 2019 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Eco-Friendly instrumentalists Lazy Scorsese stopped into Studio K(http://www.radiok.org/instudios/) to talk about marionettes, collaboration, and their latest album! Recorded 6.21.19 at Radio K. http://radiok.org Check out their music here: https://lazyscorsese.com Radio K is the award-winning student-run radio station of the University of Minnesota, playing an eclectic variety of independent music both old and new. Listen to Radio K at 770 AM, 100.7 FM and 104.5 FM, as well as online at radiok.org. Video shot and edited by Jeremiah Michalik. Interview by Emma Checkroun. Mixed by Will Kushman.