Conversations Are Key

Episode Chapters & Search Keywords00:00 – Mixtape Culture OriginsMixtape era history, hip hop before streaming, DJs as gatekeepers, street tapes, cassette culture02:00 – Malik Buie’s Career at BETBET Rap City, hip hop television, music video culture, behind-the-scenes BET stories06:30 – Rap City & the Birth of the CypherRap City freestyles, Hip Hop Awards cypher origins, BET programming innovation12:10 – Why Tale of the Tape Had to Be MadeHip hop documentary filmmaking, mixtape history, preserving Black culture14:45 – Early Footage: Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole & MoreKendrick Lamar early career, J. Cole mixtapes, Big Sean rise, Future first TV appearance16:40 – Clark Kent Interview & Hip Hop ArchivesDJ Clark Kent interview, hip hop historians, archival storytelling, Peerspace filming21:40 – Challenges of Independent Documentary FilmmakingIndependent film production, editing challenges, budget constraints, creative perfectionism27:15 – Mixtapes vs Streaming & PlaylistsSpotify playlists, Apple Music, Rap Caviar, DJs vs algorithms, music discovery changes38:15 – Owning Your IP & Cultural PreservationIntellectual property, owning your masters, archival rights, Black media ownership41:35 – Combat Jack & Mixtape Legal HistoryMixtape legality, DJ Drama case, hip hop law, music industry prosecution49:25 – DJ Mentorship & Voiceover InfluenceMegatron radio DJ, DJ mentorship, voiceover technique, mic control55:30 – Advice to Filmmakers & CreatorsCreative advice, documenting the process, never taking no for an answer57:25 – Legacy of Tale of the TapeHip hop legacy films, Style Wars, Beat Street, hip hop documentaries64:50 – What’s Next for Malik BuieRed Summer TV, HBCU Honors, Morgan State hip hop history, upcoming projects68:20 – Key to the StreetsMotivation, belief in yourself, creative perseverance, hip hop wisdomTale of the Tape: How the Mixtape Revolutionized Hip Hop is available now on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.Follow Red Summer TV for more hip hop documentaries, DJ culture stories, and archival footage.

In this episode of Conversations Are Key, host Keyon Williams sits down with acclaimed actor Omar J. Dorsey for a powerful, honest conversation about the long game.Fresh off his 50th birthday, Omar reflects on a career built not on shortcuts or hype—but on craft, consistency, and conviction. From his Atlanta roots and lifelong immersion in the arts to unforgettable roles in Queen Sugar, When They See Us, Snowfall, Selma, Django Unchained, Bookie, and the Halloween franchise, Omar breaks down what it really takes to stay working—and evolving—in Hollywood for decades.They talk rejection that later made sense, the auditions you think you nailed (until you don’t), and how missing out on Luke Cage led to a life-changing call that reshaped his career. Omar opens up about leadership on set, protecting your peace, portraying Black men with dignity and complexity, navigating Hollywood politics, mental health, financial literacy, and why success today is about legacy—not validation.Plus, a perfectly timed Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots voiceover story that underscores the power of alignment and divine timing.This episode is a masterclass in longevity, growth, and staying ready.Follow the conversation: @ConversationsAreKey @omarjdorsey Host: @KeyWillVoice

From dirt-poor Memphis beginnings to owning 23 roofing locations, 11 companies, a sunglasses brand, and a cult-following in country music — Shi Eubank has lived every lyric he writes. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Keyon Williams sits down with the man behind “Shi Country” to unpack the grind, the trauma, the entrepreneurial hustle, and the music that turned his story into a movement.Shi opens up about growing up with nothing, the moment he took accountability for his life, the two years he lived on $5 a day, and how he turned $1,200 into a multi-million-dollar empire. He also shares unheard stories about Memphis grit, the toxic relationship that pushed him to Nashville, the insane COVID controversy that landed him in jail twice, and the 73-songs-in-13-days writing camp that changed everything.This episode is heavy, inspiring, hilarious, and vulnerable — one of the most powerful conversations on Conversations Are Key to date.Timestamps: 00:00 — Shy Country origins 05:10 — Growing up dirt poor 13:40 — Accountability & the $5-a-day grind 23:00 — How he built 11 roofing companies 38:20 — The Nashville move & toxic love 55:00 — The COVID controversy 1:08:00 — Car collection & Shy’s Garage 1:21:00 — Keys to the Street🔑 Follow Shi Eubank: @shieubank (all platforms) 🎵 Stream the music: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube 🎙️ Follow Conversations Are Key: @conversationsarekey @keywillvoice 🔗 Subscribe for more interviews with culture-shifting creators & visionaries.

Nineteen years. That’s how long it took executive producer and actor Markuann Smith to bring his dream project, Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker, to the screen. In this powerful episode of Conversations Are Key, Markuann sits down with host Keyon “Key Will Voice” Williams to talk about what it really costs to chase a vision with no Plan B.From growing up in Far Rockaway and Harlem, to touring the world with his brother Father MC, to doing the heavy lifting that sold Godfather of Harlem and landed him on camera as “Junie Bird,” Markuann breaks down the grind behind the glory. He shares how he literally had to audition for a role in his own show, why he’ll never compromise his vision for “peanut butter and jelly” budgets, and what creators need in place before they approach a producer: decks, scripts, research, relationships, and a clear understanding of ROI.The two dig into:Persistence as a superpower – why there’s “no bunk beds in the graveyard” and how to keep going when success is a slow burn, not microwave-fast.Ownership & the business side – attorneys, industry rates, heavy lifting, and why networks only speak the language of return on investment.Authentic storytelling – making history cool, building big, believable characters, and protecting the integrity of a story in Hollywood.Relationships & integrity – treating everyone from the mailroom to the C-suite the same, protecting your energy from jealousy and envy, and doing good business even when deals fall apart.Keys to the Street – Markuann drops his own “keys,” from staying sucker-free in a world full of lollipops to building your own door when opportunity won’t open the first one.Whether you’re a writer, actor, producer, or anyone grinding toward a dream, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, relationships, and refusing to take no for an answer.

Key Will Voice is joined by award-winning editor Deanna Nowell (Marvel’s Ironheart, Raising Dion, Sistas,) and JaBarr “Barr Foxx” Lasley, creator of Cosplay Your Way. They dive into cosplay as a space for people of color, breaking stereotypes and why authentic representation matters. Deanna shares how cosplay helped her land her Marvel dream job and drops gems for aspiring editors. Barr Foxx delivers sharp insights on nepotism vs. real talent. Real talk, real laughs, real keys.

Key Will Voice Keys It Up with Chanel Nicole Scott — the Queen of Relationship Talk, host of CheMinistry, and CMO of In The Black Network. They dive into red flags, trauma bonds, and the pain of staying too long in unhealthy relationships. Chanel also opens up about eight years of celibacy, losing everything, and the journey of rebuilding through self-love and purpose.