Kevin Powell on Tupac, Hip-Hop History & the Stories That Need to Be Told

Episode notes

Award-winning journalist, author, and poet Kevin Powell joins longtime friend Frank Ski for a powerful conversation about hip-hop history, personal growth, and the responsibility of preserving the stories that shaped a generation. Kevin reflects on growing up in Jersey City, being raised by a single mother, and the unexpected path that took him from humble beginnings to MTV’s The Real World and the pages of Vibe magazine. He shares how his career brought him into the lives of some of hip-hop’s biggest names, including Tupac Shakur, and opens up about their friendship, the impact of Tupac’s death, and why it has taken him decades to tell his story through a biography. Frank and Kevin also explore hip-hop’s lasting cultural influence, the importance of documenting Black history, and the experiences that shaped Kevin’s perspective on life, relationships, and community. The conversation takes a personal turn as Kevin discusses his poetry collection, A Poem for Evangeline, And Other Songs, inspired by love, marriage, and the music he grew up listening to. From honoring the past to embracing the present, Kevin shares what it means to keep evolving while staying connected to where you came from. Join the Frank Ski Family Follow Frankly Speaking for more unfiltered conversations, cultural commentary, and the truth without the sugarcoating. 🔥 Get Your Daily Inspirational Vitamin! For over 25 years, you’ve listened to the Inspirational Vitamin on the radio—now you can get it delivered straight to you every single day! Join our Patreon community for just $4.99/month to receive daily encouragement, uplifting audio messages, and practical wisdom in your inbox or app every morning at 6:00 AM before your day starts. Subscribe today, or gift an Inspirational Vitamin membership to a family member, college student, or friend who needs a positive uplift each morning! 👉 Subscribe to the Inspirational Vitamin on Patreon: bit.ly Frank Ski’s Inspirational Vitamin™ is a trademark of Frank Ski. All rights reserved. Connect with Frank Ski: Instagram: www.instagram.com/frankski TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@frankski Website: www.frankski.com Connect with Kevin Powell: Instagram: www.instagram.com/poetkevinpowell Facebook: www.facebook.com/poetkevinpowell TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@poetkevinpowell X (Twitter): www.x.com/poetkevinpowell Threads: www.threads.net/@poetkevinpowell YouTube: www.youtube.com/@poetkevinpowell LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/poetkevinpowell Website: www.kevinpowell.net