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Discover the raw and thrilling energy of 1974 New York through David's eyes. He recounts navigating the city's initial grit and discovering its vibrant opportunities, including an unforgettable Aretha Franklin concert at Radio City Music Hall. As David adjusts to his new surroundings, his connections with industry icons and attendance at a black gospel church in Harlem illustrate the profound influence of music and community on his life.

David's Selections

A Brand New Me - Aretha Franklin

Baby Hang Up the Phone - Carl Graves

Ready For This - Revelation

That's the Way of the World - Earth, Wind & Fire

Face The Music - The Dynamic Superiors

Everybody Loves the Sunshine - Roy Ayers Ubiquity

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Something is electrifying about the click of a camera shutter capturing a moment in time, and no one knows that better than Normski, the man behind the lens in the golden age of UK hip-hop. My conversation with this photographic maestro takes us from chuckles over technology's quirks in podcasting to the profound depths of personal and cultural identity. Laugh along as we transcend technical malfunction, discourse dysfunction, and life's serendipitous hilarity. Then, journey with us into nostalgic memories of family influence on Normski's craft and the dance show that shaped a cultural era.

The art of storytelling through photography is much like composing music; it's about emotion, narrative, and connection to the audience. Normski delves into the arduous yet rewarding odyssey of birthing his book, 'Man with the Golden Shutter,' a visual symphony of hip-hop's raw energy and street art's vivid stories. Experience the tug-of-war of selecting just the right images, the collaborative dance with editors, and the creative crescendo that is a published anthology of one's life's work.

Preserving men's mental health is important. We wanted to ensure we could talk freely and in our own way, leaving an example of how men can express vulnerability without shame. A change of mindset historically unavailable for many of us in our formative years. A step towards remediating the effects of toxic masculinity.

Normski's Choices
Inner City Life - Goldie
Hold No Hostage - Hijack
My Philosophy - Boogie Down Productions
I Know I Got Soul - Eric B & Rakim

Hosts: Mista Pierre
Producer: Mista Pierre

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When the clock strikes midnight on your 39th birthday, it’s not just another year ticked off; it’s a heralding in of a new era, brimming with opportunities just waiting to be seized. And that's precisely the vibe Leenanne Adu brings to this episode of Fortified 45s. Armed with a bucket list dreams and the wisdom gleaned from personal and professional evolution through the years. Her laughter is infectious, her stories, a vibrant tapestry of a life lived with gusto, and her forward-looking mindset is a beacon for anyone at the crossroads of a new decade.

Join us as we lace up for an episode that's as much about pacing the marathon of life as it is about the strength found in numbers. We sprint through the transformative arc from hesitant jogger to proud marathoner, and we see how a good crew can be both your cheerleading squad and your anchor.

Leanne's Chosen Choons

No Limit - 2 Unlimited
No No No Pt2 - Destiny's Child
21 Seconds - So Solid Crew
Non Stop - Hamilton Soundtrack
Alien Superstar - Beyoncé

Hosts: Mista Pierre
Producer: Mista Pierre

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