This is the Black Information Network Daily podcast, and I'm your host, ramses Jah. And sometimes the amount of stories that make their way to us means that we simply can't cover everything that comes our way. But from time to time, a story just stays with me and Bill compelled to share it with you and give you my thoughts. And now one more thing, So, if you were paying attention to the news yesterday, you noticed that we suffered a couple of losses, notable losses in Black America, and far be it from us to ignore those losses. Indeed, we discuss black issues, we discuss black people. This is the Black Information Network, and I think that it's important for us to commemorate these losses in a way that only we can. And our late show producer, Anita Myers always told us to make everything black ay black, black black if we could, and today we are doing just that. We're going to discuss the one and only mister c who lost his life on April tenth, and the one and only O. J. Simpson who also lost his life on April tenth. And I could not ask for any better guests than the two that I have today. Morgan would and Bree would are joining me to cover these stories. So Morgan, first I will say, welcome to one more thing here on the Black Information Network. Thanks. Ramsey's glad to be here absolutely and Bri It's always a joy to have you as well, so welcome to the show.

This is the Black Information Network Daily podcast, and I'm your host, ramses Jah. And sometimes the amount of stories that make their way to us means that we simply can't cover everything that comes our way. But from time to time, a story just stays with me and Bill compelled to share it with you and give you my thoughts. And now one more thing, So, if you were paying attention to the news yesterday, you noticed that we suffered a couple of losses, notable losses in Black America, and far be it from us to ignore those losses. Indeed, we discuss black issues, we discuss black people. This is the Black Information Network, and I think that it's important for us to commemorate these losses in a way that only we can. And our late show producer, Anita Myers always told us to make everything black ay black, black black if we could, and today we are doing just that. We're going to discuss the one and only mister c who lost his life on April tenth, and the one and only O. J. Simpson who also lost his life on April tenth. And I could not ask for any better guests than the two that I have today. Morgan would and Bree would are joining me to cover these stories. So Morgan, first I will say, welcome to one more thing here on the Black Information Network. Thanks. Ramsey's glad to be here absolutely and Bri It's always a joy to have you as well, so welcome to the show.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, So I'm going to roll this into this one. First up, we're going to acknowledge the passing of the pioneer wrap DJ and radio host mister C. I'm going to share a bit from Rolling Stone. Calvin Lebrun, known in New York as the legendary DJ, mister C, has died at fifty seven. Hot ninety seven announced the news, citing his family confirmed the death, Peter Rosenberg took to x or Twitter to pay tribute to his former colleague. In the station's official statement regarding his death, New York's Hot ninety seven said quote, as a family at Hot ninety seven in WBLS, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved mister C. He wasn't just a DJ, he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary throwback at noon and Friday night live sets. See who was helming this set it off show on Sirius XM's Rock the Bells Radio was also renowned for DJing parties all over the Tri State area for decades. Along with being a legendary radio fix fixture. The Brooklyn Night known as the Finisher, was the DJ behind Big Daddy Kyne's long lived The Cane debut album, and also had a hand in the early chapters of Late Notorious BIG's career. Late Brooklyn DJ fifty Grand received Notorious BIG's original demo and introduced him to C, who told Rock the Bells about meeting Biggie, and you know, the story goes from there. So I obviously I'm familiar with with mister C being a DJ. He and I also shared a birthday, and I just kind of knew that he was a titan in hip hop. But I know that there's a lot more to his story. And you know, we we this is a news program and we we share the news. And so I'm gonna get your thoughts first on this one, Bri and then Morgan, we'll get your thoughts afterwards.

All right, So I'm going to roll this into this one. First up, we're going to acknowledge the passing of the pioneer wrap DJ and radio host mister C. I'm going to share a bit from Rolling Stone. Calvin Lebrun, known in New York as the legendary DJ, mister C, has died at fifty seven. Hot ninety seven announced the news, citing his family confirmed the death, Peter Rosenberg took to x or Twitter to pay tribute to his former colleague. In the station's official statement regarding his death, New York's Hot ninety seven said quote, as a family at Hot ninety seven in WBLS, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved mister C. He wasn't just a DJ, he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary throwback at noon and Friday night live sets. See who was helming this set it off show on Sirius XM's Rock the Bells Radio was also renowned for DJing parties all over the Tri State area for decades. Along with being a legendary radio fix fixture. The Brooklyn Night known as the Finisher, was the DJ behind Big Daddy Kyne's long lived The Cane debut album, and also had a hand in the early chapters of Late Notorious BIG's career. Late Brooklyn DJ fifty Grand received Notorious BIG's original demo and introduced him to C, who told Rock the Bells about meeting Biggie, and you know, the story goes from there. So I obviously I'm familiar with with mister C being a DJ. He and I also shared a birthday, and I just kind of knew that he was a titan in hip hop. But I know that there's a lot more to his story. And you know, we we this is a news program and we we share the news. And so I'm gonna get your thoughts first on this one, Bri and then Morgan, we'll get your thoughts afterwards.

You know, I did not know much about mister C aside from the fact that he was a legendary DJ. But I mean, you can just tell by the reactions online the effect that he had on the entertainment industry and the hip hop hip hop community specifically. Several people have expressed their condolences in losing him fifty cent he said, you know, rip to the legend mister C. God bless them to all his family and friends. I said my condolences, and DJ Premier he honored mister C with a message saying that he had endless memories in the hip hop culture and rest peacefully to the finisher, which you just referenced. He also got condolences from Chuck D of Public Enemy and called him the beats Man and said he was a good dude. And Peter Rosenberg you also mentioned of Hot ninety seven. He said, we lost an iconic DJ and mister C. And he was just talking about just listening to him yesterday and he's in complete shock. So apparently he was a dear friend to several people and was very impactful. DJ Gendary, DJ Jazz Jeff mentioned him as well, sharing his grief and he simply said rest in peace. So, you know, regardless of what other things he was in the news for, he was a beloved figure in the music industry, most known for his work with Big Daddy Kane and for, like you said, discovering Biggie. So his contribution to hip hop will last, and hip hop culture, it will last. And I think that will I think that will be what people remember, not anything dramatic, but basically the impact that he had on the culture, especially in New York.

You know, I did not know much about mister C aside from the fact that he was a legendary DJ. But I mean, you can just tell by the reactions online the effect that he had on the entertainment industry and the hip hop hip hop community specifically. Several people have expressed their condolences in losing him fifty cent he said, you know, rip to the legend mister C. God bless them to all his family and friends. I said my condolences, and DJ Premier he honored mister C with a message saying that he had endless memories in the hip hop culture and rest peacefully to the finisher, which you just referenced. He also got condolences from Chuck D of Public Enemy and called him the beats Man and said he was a good dude. And Peter Rosenberg you also mentioned of Hot ninety seven. He said, we lost an iconic DJ and mister C. And he was just talking about just listening to him yesterday and he's in complete shock. So apparently he was a dear friend to several people and was very impactful. DJ Gendary, DJ Jazz Jeff mentioned him as well, sharing his grief and he simply said rest in peace. So, you know, regardless of what other things he was in the news for, he was a beloved figure in the music industry, most known for his work with Big Daddy Kane and for, like you said, discovering Biggie. So his contribution to hip hop will last, and hip hop culture, it will last. And I think that will I think that will be what people remember, not anything dramatic, but basically the impact that he had on the culture, especially in New York.

Yeah, and I think that, you know, the the dramatic things, and hip hop is still hip hop is still growing up. You know, there's some you know, to be for the sake of informing our listeners. Mister C was arrested in twenty thirteen, and for a lot of people that didn't know him at that time, they became familiar with him. And I remember hearing that later in his career he identified as trisexual. He came out as trisexual. And so this is something that when I say hip hop is still growing up, these are things that it's taking folks who are really subscribed to hip hop culture, particularly in New York, to get comfortable with. I think that I've seen some growth in hip hop, but mister C kind of owning his sexuality in whatever way he chose to define it. I think that there's some good in that, in that there is kind of like a pioneering spirit in that capacity as well, because there are people who have different sexual identities who love hip hop culture, and hip hop famously has been very welcoming to peoples all around the earth, and for a lot of people who have different sexual orientations, it might feel like maybe it's it's for everybody else but me, or maybe I should probably keep that under wraps. And so when people like mister C, people like Lil nas X, you know, young in May is a name that came up recently as well in other folks when they own that part of who they are and they still kind of stand on business and they're still these huge figures. I think that it ultimately contributes to the growth of hip hop and a more welcoming version of hip hop that is not so exclusive and excludes people based on what I believe to be, you know, the circumstances of their birth. I believe that people are kind of born with a sexual orientation, and to be fair, I recognize that scientifically speaking, that can be fluid, but for the most part, you know, folks are kind of born knowing what it is that they're into and it goes from there. So I didn't mean to jump in front of you here, Morgan, of course, want to get your thoughts on this as well.

Yeah, and I think that, you know, the the dramatic things, and hip hop is still hip hop is still growing up. You know, there's some you know, to be for the sake of informing our listeners. Mister C was arrested in twenty thirteen, and for a lot of people that didn't know him at that time, they became familiar with him. And I remember hearing that later in his career he identified as trisexual. He came out as trisexual. And so this is something that when I say hip hop is still growing up, these are things that it's taking folks who are really subscribed to hip hop culture, particularly in New York, to get comfortable with. I think that I've seen some growth in hip hop, but mister C kind of owning his sexuality in whatever way he chose to define it. I think that there's some good in that, in that there is kind of like a pioneering spirit in that capacity as well, because there are people who have different sexual identities who love hip hop culture, and hip hop famously has been very welcoming to peoples all around the earth, and for a lot of people who have different sexual orientations, it might feel like maybe it's it's for everybody else but me, or maybe I should probably keep that under wraps. And so when people like mister C, people like Lil nas X, you know, young in May is a name that came up recently as well in other folks when they own that part of who they are and they still kind of stand on business and they're still these huge figures. I think that it ultimately contributes to the growth of hip hop and a more welcoming version of hip hop that is not so exclusive and excludes people based on what I believe to be, you know, the circumstances of their birth. I believe that people are kind of born with a sexual orientation, and to be fair, I recognize that scientifically speaking, that can be fluid, but for the most part, you know, folks are kind of born knowing what it is that they're into and it goes from there. So I didn't mean to jump in front of you here, Morgan, of course, want to get your thoughts on this as well.

To your point, we only just last year celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of hip hop and this tragedy that you know, losing this Brooklyn DJ, mister C he's dead at fifty seven. Now right now we don't know the cause of his death, but seven years prior to you know, he was just born. So not only was he a pioneer in the hip hop scene, but to your point, he had a major impact. He was extremely respected, and that twenty thirteen situation where he was caught with a transsexual prostitute. He was arrested and initially denied being gay, but then ten years later came out and said that he was trisexual could have been a pivotal turning point to your point in hip hop, in the hip hop industry and how it deals with homophobia, because then you start to see the emergence of artists like Young and May Lil nas X and even Santana. So it is it's you know, it's very sad, but there is a deeper conversation to be had about people who are so respected in the impact that they had, regardless of their sexuality.

To your point, we only just last year celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of hip hop and this tragedy that you know, losing this Brooklyn DJ, mister C he's dead at fifty seven. Now right now we don't know the cause of his death, but seven years prior to you know, he was just born. So not only was he a pioneer in the hip hop scene, but to your point, he had a major impact. He was extremely respected, and that twenty thirteen situation where he was caught with a transsexual prostitute. He was arrested and initially denied being gay, but then ten years later came out and said that he was trisexual could have been a pivotal turning point to your point in hip hop, in the hip hop industry and how it deals with homophobia, because then you start to see the emergence of artists like Young and May Lil nas X and even Santana. So it is it's you know, it's very sad, but there is a deeper conversation to be had about people who are so respected in the impact that they had, regardless of their sexuality.

Yeah. One of the things that I end up and I know that mister C is associated with hip hop, not with his sexual orientation. Indeed, every human being is more than just their sexual orientation. But while we're here and while we're able to discuss this, especially.

Yeah. One of the things that I end up and I know that mister C is associated with hip hop, not with his sexual orientation. Indeed, every human being is more than just their sexual orientation. But while we're here and while we're able to discuss this, especially.

What's going on with you know, some of his his own colleagues.

What's going on with you know, some of his his own colleagues.

Boy.

Boy.

Yeah, Yeah, that's a great point. That's a fantastic point. But one of the things that I want to say here, and this is just because I have a microphone in an audience. One of the things that I've learned in recent years and in covering the amount of gun deaths that we're subjected to in this country, a huge number of suicides by handgun, a huge number of young people, a huge number of people with different sexual orientations that would end their lives rather than endure a reality. You know, I on this show, we have always affirmed that life is precious. Black life is precious, but life is precious. Just imagine how complicated it is to create life, and how unique life is, and how easy it is for it to just be extinguished. Life is precious, and so to understand the amount of pain and the amount of trauma and hurt that a person must endure prior to deciding to take their own life. It certainly caused me to rethink how to approach the topic of human sexuality. And I, you know, I was born a straight man. There's you know, but I like to think of myself as an ally to people who are marginalized, people who have a tougher go at life. I recognize that I was very lucky and work harder than anybody. Everybody works hard, you know what I mean. I'm not smarter than everybody. Everybody smart, you know what I mean. I was very lucky to be in the position that I am, and I've always tried my best to heed the responsibility that comes with having again a microphone in a city that'll listen to you, are now a country that'll listen to you. And so when I look at stories like you know, mister C's story, where he had to go that extra ten years of perhaps wrestling with the truth, you know, wrestling with a part of who he is, part of how he identifies, a part of perhaps even how he lives his life, or maybe he just didn't live that part of his life because of fear. I feel like sharing his story might encourage people to keep going. It might encourage people to maybe soften their ears when they're interacting with folks who might have a different sexual orientation. You know, maybe there's a ripple effect that comes from mister C standing up and affirming his truth and us sharing that part of his very full life. This isn't the only part of it, but his very full life, us sharing that. I think that that might do some good. I salute mister C. He's my birthday twin, of course, and of course a pioneer. And you know, we don't get to talk about these sorts of things very often in hip hop culture, so there's another reason to salute him. And you know, it feels like he's gone too soon, but you know, I would say, a life well lived, and I think we're all a little bit better for it, all right. And next up, we have someone who is Yeah, he's a problematic figure. I think that would go without saying. O. J. Simpson, one of the most infamous, high profile Americans of all time, is dead after a cancer battle. I'll share a bit of this story and then of course, we'll go to you two to get your thoughts as well. So it's from TMZ. The former NFL great who stood trial for the double murder of his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in the nineties only to be acquitted, passed away Wednesday in Las Vegas. This according to his family. There's a tweet from the family that says, on April tenth, our father o Reenthal James Simpson succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren during this time of transition. His family asked that you please respect there which is for privacy and grace and its signed the Simpson family. And we now know that that was prostate cancer that he was battling. I'll share a bit more from the article. It goes without saying OJ's life was momentous for a variety of reasons, lots of good and bad, especially in his later post football years. Before that, though, he was a beloved All American hero on the field, a Heisman winner from usc and a Buffalo Bill's legend. Even after football, he was a bona fide a lister in Hollywood acting and tons of movies and TV shows. He actually acted in a film with my uncle, was one of the Naked Gun movies or something like that. But OJ and my uncle the film together. I'd learned that recently, so anyway, and he famously served as the face and pitchman for Hurts for many, many years. His death marks the end of a multi decade saga of crime and intrigues surrounding OJ, which peaked after the brutal slangs of Nicole, his ex wife, and Ron, her friend in nineteen ninety four and in the aftermath of what was dubbed the trial of the Century when OJ was prosecuted on national TV. So we're gonna this time. We're going to start with you, Morgan. Let's get your thoughts, you know, and then we will follow up you.

Yeah, Yeah, that's a great point. That's a fantastic point. But one of the things that I want to say here, and this is just because I have a microphone in an audience. One of the things that I've learned in recent years and in covering the amount of gun deaths that we're subjected to in this country, a huge number of suicides by handgun, a huge number of young people, a huge number of people with different sexual orientations that would end their lives rather than endure a reality. You know, I on this show, we have always affirmed that life is precious. Black life is precious, but life is precious. Just imagine how complicated it is to create life, and how unique life is, and how easy it is for it to just be extinguished. Life is precious, and so to understand the amount of pain and the amount of trauma and hurt that a person must endure prior to deciding to take their own life. It certainly caused me to rethink how to approach the topic of human sexuality. And I, you know, I was born a straight man. There's you know, but I like to think of myself as an ally to people who are marginalized, people who have a tougher go at life. I recognize that I was very lucky and work harder than anybody. Everybody works hard, you know what I mean. I'm not smarter than everybody. Everybody smart, you know what I mean. I was very lucky to be in the position that I am, and I've always tried my best to heed the responsibility that comes with having again a microphone in a city that'll listen to you, are now a country that'll listen to you. And so when I look at stories like you know, mister C's story, where he had to go that extra ten years of perhaps wrestling with the truth, you know, wrestling with a part of who he is, part of how he identifies, a part of perhaps even how he lives his life, or maybe he just didn't live that part of his life because of fear. I feel like sharing his story might encourage people to keep going. It might encourage people to maybe soften their ears when they're interacting with folks who might have a different sexual orientation. You know, maybe there's a ripple effect that comes from mister C standing up and affirming his truth and us sharing that part of his very full life. This isn't the only part of it, but his very full life, us sharing that. I think that that might do some good. I salute mister C. He's my birthday twin, of course, and of course a pioneer. And you know, we don't get to talk about these sorts of things very often in hip hop culture, so there's another reason to salute him. And you know, it feels like he's gone too soon, but you know, I would say, a life well lived, and I think we're all a little bit better for it, all right. And next up, we have someone who is Yeah, he's a problematic figure. I think that would go without saying. O. J. Simpson, one of the most infamous, high profile Americans of all time, is dead after a cancer battle. I'll share a bit of this story and then of course, we'll go to you two to get your thoughts as well. So it's from TMZ. The former NFL great who stood trial for the double murder of his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in the nineties only to be acquitted, passed away Wednesday in Las Vegas. This according to his family. There's a tweet from the family that says, on April tenth, our father o Reenthal James Simpson succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren during this time of transition. His family asked that you please respect there which is for privacy and grace and its signed the Simpson family. And we now know that that was prostate cancer that he was battling. I'll share a bit more from the article. It goes without saying OJ's life was momentous for a variety of reasons, lots of good and bad, especially in his later post football years. Before that, though, he was a beloved All American hero on the field, a Heisman winner from usc and a Buffalo Bill's legend. Even after football, he was a bona fide a lister in Hollywood acting and tons of movies and TV shows. He actually acted in a film with my uncle, was one of the Naked Gun movies or something like that. But OJ and my uncle the film together. I'd learned that recently, so anyway, and he famously served as the face and pitchman for Hurts for many, many years. His death marks the end of a multi decade saga of crime and intrigues surrounding OJ, which peaked after the brutal slangs of Nicole, his ex wife, and Ron, her friend in nineteen ninety four and in the aftermath of what was dubbed the trial of the Century when OJ was prosecuted on national TV. So we're gonna this time. We're going to start with you, Morgan. Let's get your thoughts, you know, and then we will follow up you.

Yeah, let's uh.

Yeah, let's uh.

He was called the Juice.

He was called the Juice.

Because I cover sports on the Black Information Network. I will touch on the sports aspect. Was picked number one in nineteen sixty nine by the NFL. In the nineteen sixty nine NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, he went number one. He rushed for two thousand three yards in nineteen seventy three, making him the first player to reach the two thousand yard mark, and the only player to do so in a fourteen game season. The Juice He was also the first player to rush for at least two hundred and fifty yards in a game, and his two hundred and seventy three yards against the Detroit Lions, sorrybree on Thanksgiving Day in nineteen seventy six is the sixth highest total in NFL history still to this day. So oh, Jay the Juice Man, not the rapper, but the actual football player, which goes to show you know, he was. He had such a dynamic life. We know him for so many different things. Of course, the Bronco even has made a return because of the infamous chase that you know, we all remember watching watching nationally televised car speeding chase in which he was driving that white Bronco in LA in nineteen ninety four where the police were looking for him. So a dynamic person for sure, and it's just, you know, it's unfortunate that his his his reputation for various things will precede him.

Because I cover sports on the Black Information Network. I will touch on the sports aspect. Was picked number one in nineteen sixty nine by the NFL. In the nineteen sixty nine NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, he went number one. He rushed for two thousand three yards in nineteen seventy three, making him the first player to reach the two thousand yard mark, and the only player to do so in a fourteen game season. The Juice He was also the first player to rush for at least two hundred and fifty yards in a game, and his two hundred and seventy three yards against the Detroit Lions, sorrybree on Thanksgiving Day in nineteen seventy six is the sixth highest total in NFL history still to this day. So oh, Jay the Juice Man, not the rapper, but the actual football player, which goes to show you know, he was. He had such a dynamic life. We know him for so many different things. Of course, the Bronco even has made a return because of the infamous chase that you know, we all remember watching watching nationally televised car speeding chase in which he was driving that white Bronco in LA in nineteen ninety four where the police were looking for him. So a dynamic person for sure, and it's just, you know, it's unfortunate that his his his reputation for various things will precede him.

Yeah, all right, Well I appreciate that because I'm not the biggest football sportsperson famously, and so I know that that's obviously a big part of his story, Brie, Let's get you to weigh it here as well.

Yeah, all right, Well I appreciate that because I'm not the biggest football sportsperson famously, and so I know that that's obviously a big part of his story, Brie, Let's get you to weigh it here as well.

You know, the first word that comes to mind when I think of O. J. Simpson as polarizing, and that is especially because of the Trial of the Century, which has been talked about at nauseum since it happened. I was just a child, but I will never forget watching the verdict live where he was found not guilty of the murder of his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. That is a case that followed him for the rest of his life. He's had lawsuits the rest of his life. And you know, whatever you felt about O. J. Simpson, he was multifaceted. We didn't know him for that first again, Morgan went over his sports history and outstanding athlete and then he pivoted into a career in film and television. Also, before I jump into that, Morgan, I want to say that Bronco, you know, his friend Al Collings was the one driving that he was in the back tried not to be photographed, so he was speeding down the freeway just trying to get him somewhere where the news couldn't find him. But as far as O j. Simpson and his career. He had a notable acting career following his success as a professional football player. And just to highlight a few you mentioned the Naked Gun film series. He appeared in The Naked Gun as Detective Norberg, which included titles like The Naked Gun from the Files of the Police Squad and Naked Gun two and a half and Naked Gun thirty three in the third which is one of my favorite movies because it's Hilary's. He also had a role in the classic movie The Towering Infernal that was back in nineteen seventy four, and also was a part of the cast of HBO's football sitcom First and Ten, and on television, he was part of the cast of I'm Sorry. His other credits include movies like Cocaine and Blue Eyes that was in the eighties and Capricorn One, among others in the seventies. And so he was diverse in his acting career.

You know, the first word that comes to mind when I think of O. J. Simpson as polarizing, and that is especially because of the Trial of the Century, which has been talked about at nauseum since it happened. I was just a child, but I will never forget watching the verdict live where he was found not guilty of the murder of his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. That is a case that followed him for the rest of his life. He's had lawsuits the rest of his life. And you know, whatever you felt about O. J. Simpson, he was multifaceted. We didn't know him for that first again, Morgan went over his sports history and outstanding athlete and then he pivoted into a career in film and television. Also, before I jump into that, Morgan, I want to say that Bronco, you know, his friend Al Collings was the one driving that he was in the back tried not to be photographed, so he was speeding down the freeway just trying to get him somewhere where the news couldn't find him. But as far as O j. Simpson and his career. He had a notable acting career following his success as a professional football player. And just to highlight a few you mentioned the Naked Gun film series. He appeared in The Naked Gun as Detective Norberg, which included titles like The Naked Gun from the Files of the Police Squad and Naked Gun two and a half and Naked Gun thirty three in the third which is one of my favorite movies because it's Hilary's. He also had a role in the classic movie The Towering Infernal that was back in nineteen seventy four, and also was a part of the cast of HBO's football sitcom First and Ten, and on television, he was part of the cast of I'm Sorry. His other credits include movies like Cocaine and Blue Eyes that was in the eighties and Capricorn One, among others in the seventies. And so he was diverse in his acting career.

He could do.

He could do.

Comedy, he could do action, he could do a little bit of drama. But it just seems as though, you know he will the one thing. He will go down in history as being as someone who got off And I only say that because every time he's mentioned in the media, they start with his murder case. Yeah, so you know, don't fit, you must have quit. Rest in peace to Johnny Cochran. It's like, you know that literally was a defining moment for the rest of his life and it will follow us that. That's like pop culture history that will just follow us period, but.

Comedy, he could do action, he could do a little bit of drama. But it just seems as though, you know he will the one thing. He will go down in history as being as someone who got off And I only say that because every time he's mentioned in the media, they start with his murder case. Yeah, so you know, don't fit, you must have quit. Rest in peace to Johnny Cochran. It's like, you know that literally was a defining moment for the rest of his life and it will follow us that. That's like pop culture history that will just follow us period, but.

Which so much ate racial undertones. By the way, do you remember.

Which so much ate racial undertones. By the way, do you remember.

Reaction And that's why I said polarizing is the word.

Reaction And that's why I said polarizing is the word.

People reactions down the middle.

People reactions down the middle.

It was almost like down the middle.

It was almost like down the middle.

You had white people and black people on both sides, and they would just go to people were having reaction parties stop or work stopped, school stopped, and you had people being filmed their reaction. As soon as the verdict was dropped. Also, people standing outside of the courthouse. I think that was like the birth of court TV or shortly thereafter, because everybody was so invested in this trial and then when they say not guilty, all you saw on the news were reactions from across the country from groups of white people and groups of black people, and the black people the majority of the clips they're cheering, crying and saying, oh my god, thank you Jesus, and then you have white people on the other side of the aisle that are stunned, gasping and crying tears of sadness, not joy. So a lot of people feel like there was no justice in that case, including Nicole Brown, Simpson's family and the family of Ron Goldman, who famously know his father food O. J.

You had white people and black people on both sides, and they would just go to people were having reaction parties stop or work stopped, school stopped, and you had people being filmed their reaction. As soon as the verdict was dropped. Also, people standing outside of the courthouse. I think that was like the birth of court TV or shortly thereafter, because everybody was so invested in this trial and then when they say not guilty, all you saw on the news were reactions from across the country from groups of white people and groups of black people, and the black people the majority of the clips they're cheering, crying and saying, oh my god, thank you Jesus, and then you have white people on the other side of the aisle that are stunned, gasping and crying tears of sadness, not joy. So a lot of people feel like there was no justice in that case, including Nicole Brown, Simpson's family and the family of Ron Goldman, who famously know his father food O. J.

Simpson Civilly.

Simpson Civilly.

So you know, that's just something unfortunately that will always be attached and no disrespect to the victims. Their stories are important as well. But he was a family man before all of that. He was a beloved athlete, a beloved actor. He did have qualities that people loved about him. You have people who believe he was innocent to this day. So you know, regardless of how we feel about OJ Simpson, he is definitely someone that will be talked about for years to come.

So you know, that's just something unfortunately that will always be attached and no disrespect to the victims. Their stories are important as well. But he was a family man before all of that. He was a beloved athlete, a beloved actor. He did have qualities that people loved about him. You have people who believe he was innocent to this day. So you know, regardless of how we feel about OJ Simpson, he is definitely someone that will be talked about for years to come.

I want to ask a question or get some clarification on something really quickly. The reason that he was released the second time was that because of good behavior or this this recent cancer diagnosis.

I want to ask a question or get some clarification on something really quickly. The reason that he was released the second time was that because of good behavior or this this recent cancer diagnosis.

So that wash he just was released on parole. Yeah, it just was a parole thing. In fact, that's kind of one of the bullet points that I wanted to hear, which I'll get to in just a second. But I think I want to talk about that that trial because I might have been a little older than you two at the time when that happened, and I know everybody was kind of tapped in, but I might have been maybe twelve years old when that verdict was read, and I remember I remember watching the Chase. Yes, and of course the trial was on every day or every other whatever it was. And sounds like I'm name dropping, I swear I'm not. But Johnny Cochrane and my my father they are when to school together. They were like really really good friends, and so I was able to see Johnny Cochran on TV. It was like, yo, you know, and I'm in Arizona at this time, but like Johnny Cochran is on TV. It was crazy and I'm not really you know, these are just people. I don't really know how important they are because you know, you're twelve, You're not reading like Johnny Cochran is this big deal, you know whatever? In any event, Oh and then the other name drop. My uncle Gary Cooper was in the film with OJ in the film Naked Gun thirty three and thirty Yeah, and so you know, that was a name that was so OJ's on. I didn't know Oj or anything like that, but anyway, these are names that you know, I'm like, wow, this is this is crazy, you know. But anyway, when the verdict was read and there was this divide in America, I think what it The reason it was so important was because it was such a a role reversal. It was like opposite Day or freaky Friday or something like that. Because for a moment and a critical moment, and indeed a lasting moment, white people got a chance to know what it felt like to come up against the criminal justice system and it fail you wow. And for a moment, a lasting moment, Black people got a chance to come up against a criminal justice system that sentenced us to death, that took kids away for kid crimes that you know, let people walk free for lynching em at till and hanging children in trees and raping and all this stuff. Black people got a chance to know what it felt like to get a win, to get a point on the board, right, And so I think the cheers were more based on that fact, not the fact that OJ got away with murderer murder. I think on some level, you know, people are.

So that wash he just was released on parole. Yeah, it just was a parole thing. In fact, that's kind of one of the bullet points that I wanted to hear, which I'll get to in just a second. But I think I want to talk about that that trial because I might have been a little older than you two at the time when that happened, and I know everybody was kind of tapped in, but I might have been maybe twelve years old when that verdict was read, and I remember I remember watching the Chase. Yes, and of course the trial was on every day or every other whatever it was. And sounds like I'm name dropping, I swear I'm not. But Johnny Cochrane and my my father they are when to school together. They were like really really good friends, and so I was able to see Johnny Cochran on TV. It was like, yo, you know, and I'm in Arizona at this time, but like Johnny Cochran is on TV. It was crazy and I'm not really you know, these are just people. I don't really know how important they are because you know, you're twelve, You're not reading like Johnny Cochran is this big deal, you know whatever? In any event, Oh and then the other name drop. My uncle Gary Cooper was in the film with OJ in the film Naked Gun thirty three and thirty Yeah, and so you know, that was a name that was so OJ's on. I didn't know Oj or anything like that, but anyway, these are names that you know, I'm like, wow, this is this is crazy, you know. But anyway, when the verdict was read and there was this divide in America, I think what it The reason it was so important was because it was such a a role reversal. It was like opposite Day or freaky Friday or something like that. Because for a moment and a critical moment, and indeed a lasting moment, white people got a chance to know what it felt like to come up against the criminal justice system and it fail you wow. And for a moment, a lasting moment, Black people got a chance to come up against a criminal justice system that sentenced us to death, that took kids away for kid crimes that you know, let people walk free for lynching em at till and hanging children in trees and raping and all this stuff. Black people got a chance to know what it felt like to get a win, to get a point on the board, right, And so I think the cheers were more based on that fact, not the fact that OJ got away with murderer murder. I think on some level, you know, people are.

Like the most likely person to have done this is I mean, you know, he wrote a book if I didn't in the moment where you're just kind of watching it and you're like, oh, man, listen, you know he's he's in the back of a truck, he's he's you know, he's you know, like, this is this is not the behavior of somebody he you know. So I think on some level, you know, a lot of black people, maybe not everyone, because Johnny Cochran is a masterful lawyer, right right, provide a masterful defense, right, But some people just kind of felt in their in their gut, in their spirit like he probably did that, you know what I mean?

Like the most likely person to have done this is I mean, you know, he wrote a book if I didn't in the moment where you're just kind of watching it and you're like, oh, man, listen, you know he's he's in the back of a truck, he's he's you know, he's you know, like, this is this is not the behavior of somebody he you know. So I think on some level, you know, a lot of black people, maybe not everyone, because Johnny Cochran is a masterful lawyer, right right, provide a masterful defense, right, But some people just kind of felt in their in their gut, in their spirit like he probably did that, you know what I mean?

But why cheer? Well, you know what, there's been so many instances of us getting hammered by the criminal justice system when we're innocent. That again, that role reversal is somebody actually walking free, someone black actually walking free when he probably did it. It's just like, yeah, okay, now you got you all get a chance to know what it feels like to be us all the time and.

But why cheer? Well, you know what, there's been so many instances of us getting hammered by the criminal justice system when we're innocent. That again, that role reversal is somebody actually walking free, someone black actually walking free when he probably did it. It's just like, yeah, okay, now you got you all get a chance to know what it feels like to be us all the time and.

Not even venture to say if I can piggyback off what you just said, because that was what nineteen ninety four, we're just a few years from the Rodney King beating.

Not even venture to say if I can piggyback off what you just said, because that was what nineteen ninety four, we're just a few years from the Rodney King beating.

Yeah, and we happened with that case.

Yeah, and we happened with that case.

And the LA riots. And I'm talking about early nineties. Black people were Yeah, black people were still riled up about that.

And the LA riots. And I'm talking about early nineties. Black people were Yeah, black people were still riled up about that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Two yes, that predated Oh, that was the biggest story for black folks in the country before OJ came along. And again I was just a small child, but I know what happened. I saw. I remember watching the video of them beating Rodney King.

Two yes, that predated Oh, that was the biggest story for black folks in the country before OJ came along. And again I was just a small child, but I know what happened. I saw. I remember watching the video of them beating Rodney King.

They had it on tape.

They had it on tape.

Yeah, and what happened in the courtroom with these two white It's like that was the catalyst for the LA riots. But you have now nineteen ninety four, we're watching the trial of the injury, as everyone likes to call it, and O. J. Simpson gets a break to your point that I think is and I never even put that together in my mind, but just you mentioning that reminded me of the fact that we just came off of a huge disappointment at first. And I believe those officers got off the first time.

Yeah, and what happened in the courtroom with these two white It's like that was the catalyst for the LA riots. But you have now nineteen ninety four, we're watching the trial of the injury, as everyone likes to call it, and O. J. Simpson gets a break to your point that I think is and I never even put that together in my mind, but just you mentioning that reminded me of the fact that we just came off of a huge disappointment at first. And I believe those officers got off the first time.

Yeah, Like they were.

Yeah, Like they were.

Not prosecuted, or I should say, they didn't receive the punishment that fit the crime. According to most people, when they beat Rodney King. So I think that black people were angry. I think that black people, regardless of whether they had concrete evidence against OJ Simpson to say he in fact did it, they would have been happy that he didn't go to jail simply because we were looking for some type of justice, and if it wasn't going to be street justice, let it be justice in the courtroom.

Not prosecuted, or I should say, they didn't receive the punishment that fit the crime. According to most people, when they beat Rodney King. So I think that black people were angry. I think that black people, regardless of whether they had concrete evidence against OJ Simpson to say he in fact did it, they would have been happy that he didn't go to jail simply because we were looking for some type of justice, and if it wasn't going to be street justice, let it be justice in the courtroom.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, they're definitely presented a huge, a larger picture.

Yeah, they're definitely presented a huge, a larger picture.

Yeah. Now, I do want to be very fair here because we're trying to tell the whole story.

Yeah. Now, I do want to be very fair here because we're trying to tell the whole story.

O.

O.

J jay Z came out with a song recently and it was it was a song about OJ. What was called the I forget the name of the song, but he starts it by reciting a quote from OJ and he says, I'm not black, I'm OJ. And OJ actually did say that. So it's it's actually called the story of OJ that I was just about. And that got me to thinking, and I was like, you know what, I do remember way back then during the trial, that people were trying to say that OJ isn't really for us. You know, OJ tries to fly above the black you know, and and there's a lot of athletes I know a handful. I know that Muhammad Ali is an athlete that is very much fisted up for the people. And I know that there's a football player I want to say, Jim Brown. Does that sound familiar? Yes, yeah, okay, all right, so Jim Brown. And the only reason I would even know his name is because of his activism. So I hope I got that right. If I didn't, forgive me, I'm just not tapped into that stuff like I should be. I probably should be now because I do this. But anyway, and oj was not. He just wasn't cut from that cloth. And he was in a really good position to be, and famously he kind of went in the opposite direction. Instead of being neutral, he was almost like, hey, there's nothing to see here, everybody, let's all part you know, it's all good. I got mine, y'all could get your you know what I mean. And one of the things that I say a lot, of course, is that you know, I'm very lucky to be here, and everybody works hard, everybody know does all these things, right, of course, But some people have that kind of mentality like Ojay, which is like to look at yourself and say, oh, I'm here because I worked hard, ignoring the fact that other people work hard. Oh I'm here because I'm special, because I'm smarter than everyone else are, because I have I deserve this instead of Oh, I'm very lucky and fortunate, and a certain set of circumstances came together to allow me to be in this position. And I would like to see more people in this position. So let me try to create the sort of changes that allows more access to this station in life. You know, for me personally, and I know that it's a widely held view in our community, is that, you know, talent and brilliance is something that is equally distributed throughout humanity, regardless of race, and opportunity is not right. And so when you have the opportunity coupled with the talent coupled with you know, a couple of things that is kind of standard issue, then you get the success stories. And for people that choose to not view it that way and choose to think of themselves as, Oh, I'm him, you know, it looks a little bit goofy, And so I want to say that OJ is a little bit goofy for more than just you know, what people know him for being goofy for he's kind of goofy for that statement, and from what I understand, he really did kind of feel that way all the way through to the end. So you know, he's black. We got to talk about him.

J jay Z came out with a song recently and it was it was a song about OJ. What was called the I forget the name of the song, but he starts it by reciting a quote from OJ and he says, I'm not black, I'm OJ. And OJ actually did say that. So it's it's actually called the story of OJ that I was just about. And that got me to thinking, and I was like, you know what, I do remember way back then during the trial, that people were trying to say that OJ isn't really for us. You know, OJ tries to fly above the black you know, and and there's a lot of athletes I know a handful. I know that Muhammad Ali is an athlete that is very much fisted up for the people. And I know that there's a football player I want to say, Jim Brown. Does that sound familiar? Yes, yeah, okay, all right, so Jim Brown. And the only reason I would even know his name is because of his activism. So I hope I got that right. If I didn't, forgive me, I'm just not tapped into that stuff like I should be. I probably should be now because I do this. But anyway, and oj was not. He just wasn't cut from that cloth. And he was in a really good position to be, and famously he kind of went in the opposite direction. Instead of being neutral, he was almost like, hey, there's nothing to see here, everybody, let's all part you know, it's all good. I got mine, y'all could get your you know what I mean. And one of the things that I say a lot, of course, is that you know, I'm very lucky to be here, and everybody works hard, everybody know does all these things, right, of course, But some people have that kind of mentality like Ojay, which is like to look at yourself and say, oh, I'm here because I worked hard, ignoring the fact that other people work hard. Oh I'm here because I'm special, because I'm smarter than everyone else are, because I have I deserve this instead of Oh, I'm very lucky and fortunate, and a certain set of circumstances came together to allow me to be in this position. And I would like to see more people in this position. So let me try to create the sort of changes that allows more access to this station in life. You know, for me personally, and I know that it's a widely held view in our community, is that, you know, talent and brilliance is something that is equally distributed throughout humanity, regardless of race, and opportunity is not right. And so when you have the opportunity coupled with the talent coupled with you know, a couple of things that is kind of standard issue, then you get the success stories. And for people that choose to not view it that way and choose to think of themselves as, Oh, I'm him, you know, it looks a little bit goofy, And so I want to say that OJ is a little bit goofy for more than just you know, what people know him for being goofy for he's kind of goofy for that statement, and from what I understand, he really did kind of feel that way all the way through to the end. So you know, he's black. We got to talk about him.

But that is something that but they say when you reach a certain text bracket, that's what it is. I mean, I've heard people have the same commentary about Oprah.

But that is something that but they say when you reach a certain text bracket, that's what it is. I mean, I've heard people have the same commentary about Oprah.

Yeah, yeah, that's fair, that's fair. But you know, I think that, you know, Oprah, you don't get to be that wealthy and that successful without people picking you apart. You can't please everybody. There's not everything you can do. And this is in no way is a defensive Oprah or is it a further condemnation of oh Jah. I just think that that comes with the territory. Unless you give all your money away and live like a hopper, you know, there's going to be people having, you know, an issue with you. People take issue with the car I drive, you know, if I wear a Rolex or something like, the people will take issue with that. Because I'm super you know, for the people, right, and I understand that, you know, I get it, because you don't need a Rolex, you don't need a sports car. You don't need these sorts of things. But I also feel like life is not just one thing. This is a little bit beyond the scope of the OJ thing, But you know, life is not just one thing. Life is a lot of things, and you should take a moment to sample every part of life. And in this moment, I'm sampling activism. I'm a fight for my people. I mean, I don't want to spend my whole life fighting. Nobody does. I wasn't born to fight. I should be able to be happy and laugh too. I should be able to not have to read the news and cry before I turn on the cameras you know. And I feel like the same is true with Oprah. But I feel like turning your back on it like an OJ Simpson, I feel like that's the wrong way to be, particularly when you come from a group of people who look up to you, who you're a de facto hero, and for you to say, nah, you know, I'm not black, I'm OJ. That just feels a little bit insulting. And that's not the only part of his story. Of course, there's a lot more here that I'm sure that our listeners can can read up. If you if you want to learn more about this. Of course, Uh, there's the the chase uh in the Bronco that's probably the most famous police chase in history. For those that are not familiar, please check that out. Johnny Cochran's defense, you know, if the glove don't fit fit, you must have quit. You know, that statement is probably one of the most famous things ever uttered in a courtroom setting. You know his book, the book If I Did It, which was extremely problematic, and I think the proceeds of that ended up going to the Goldman family because OJ was not in a position to profit off of that. But there's a whole story there. There's tons of documentaries on this too, if you're if you're brilliant, and the.

Yeah, yeah, that's fair, that's fair. But you know, I think that, you know, Oprah, you don't get to be that wealthy and that successful without people picking you apart. You can't please everybody. There's not everything you can do. And this is in no way is a defensive Oprah or is it a further condemnation of oh Jah. I just think that that comes with the territory. Unless you give all your money away and live like a hopper, you know, there's going to be people having, you know, an issue with you. People take issue with the car I drive, you know, if I wear a Rolex or something like, the people will take issue with that. Because I'm super you know, for the people, right, and I understand that, you know, I get it, because you don't need a Rolex, you don't need a sports car. You don't need these sorts of things. But I also feel like life is not just one thing. This is a little bit beyond the scope of the OJ thing, But you know, life is not just one thing. Life is a lot of things, and you should take a moment to sample every part of life. And in this moment, I'm sampling activism. I'm a fight for my people. I mean, I don't want to spend my whole life fighting. Nobody does. I wasn't born to fight. I should be able to be happy and laugh too. I should be able to not have to read the news and cry before I turn on the cameras you know. And I feel like the same is true with Oprah. But I feel like turning your back on it like an OJ Simpson, I feel like that's the wrong way to be, particularly when you come from a group of people who look up to you, who you're a de facto hero, and for you to say, nah, you know, I'm not black, I'm OJ. That just feels a little bit insulting. And that's not the only part of his story. Of course, there's a lot more here that I'm sure that our listeners can can read up. If you if you want to learn more about this. Of course, Uh, there's the the chase uh in the Bronco that's probably the most famous police chase in history. For those that are not familiar, please check that out. Johnny Cochran's defense, you know, if the glove don't fit fit, you must have quit. You know, that statement is probably one of the most famous things ever uttered in a courtroom setting. You know his book, the book If I Did It, which was extremely problematic, and I think the proceeds of that ended up going to the Goldman family because OJ was not in a position to profit off of that. But there's a whole story there. There's tons of documentaries on this too, if you're if you're brilliant, and the.

Story of OJ which was redone that that won awards and was full of some amazing actors. So if you want to know all this, you could watch the story of OJH you answer all of those.

Story of OJ which was redone that that won awards and was full of some amazing actors. So if you want to know all this, you could watch the story of OJH you answer all of those.

Questions and it's all there and then and then, and there's some things that happened. Oh and real quick, I want to make sure that I say that he was found liable for the deaths in nineteen ninety seven. I think we touched on that and he was ordered to pay thirty three and a half million dollars for the deaths of his ex wife and Ron Goldman, and he figured out a way to kind of skirt that somehow to where he didn't have to actually pay that money. And then later in two thousand and eight, he was convicted of ten counts of armed robbery in Vegas. He was trying to steal back some sports memorability that was stolen from him, but he was stealing it from the person that not from the person that stole it, but from the person who had it, and that ended up getting him in prison, and he was in there for nine years something like that, and then he got out and lived his last years as a free man. But by then he started to age and so forth, and those some of these things may not make it into every documentary, but there's a whole story there. Obviously, Ojay is as a huge American figure, and we could spend all day talking about him. But I think we've done a brilliant job. Certainly you both have provided context, and I'm gonna be honest, you guys really did educate me a lot on mister c before we even started rolling. So that credit goes to you and then of course Chris Thompson for inspiring us to record this episode. So I'd like to thank you both for taking some time and talking about this. I couldn't have asked for a better pairing to cover these topics with. So once again, today's guests are Morgan Wood and Bree would thank.

Questions and it's all there and then and then, and there's some things that happened. Oh and real quick, I want to make sure that I say that he was found liable for the deaths in nineteen ninety seven. I think we touched on that and he was ordered to pay thirty three and a half million dollars for the deaths of his ex wife and Ron Goldman, and he figured out a way to kind of skirt that somehow to where he didn't have to actually pay that money. And then later in two thousand and eight, he was convicted of ten counts of armed robbery in Vegas. He was trying to steal back some sports memorability that was stolen from him, but he was stealing it from the person that not from the person that stole it, but from the person who had it, and that ended up getting him in prison, and he was in there for nine years something like that, and then he got out and lived his last years as a free man. But by then he started to age and so forth, and those some of these things may not make it into every documentary, but there's a whole story there. Obviously, Ojay is as a huge American figure, and we could spend all day talking about him. But I think we've done a brilliant job. Certainly you both have provided context, and I'm gonna be honest, you guys really did educate me a lot on mister c before we even started rolling. So that credit goes to you and then of course Chris Thompson for inspiring us to record this episode. So I'd like to thank you both for taking some time and talking about this. I couldn't have asked for a better pairing to cover these topics with. So once again, today's guests are Morgan Wood and Bree would thank.

You, Rams. It's always a pleasure.

You, Rams. It's always a pleasure.

Yes, this has been a production of the Black Information Network. Today's show is produced by Chris Thompson. Have some thoughts you'd like to share, use the red microphone talkback feature on the iHeartRadio app. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe and down with all of our episodes. I'm your host, Rams's job on all social media. Join us tomorrow as we share our news with our voice from our perspective right here on the Black Information Network Daily Podcast

Yes, this has been a production of the Black Information Network. Today's show is produced by Chris Thompson. Have some thoughts you'd like to share, use the red microphone talkback feature on the iHeartRadio app. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe and down with all of our episodes. I'm your host, Rams's job on all social media. Join us tomorrow as we share our news with our voice from our perspective right here on the Black Information Network Daily Podcast