In this episode of Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast, Rich and Kevin break down the intersection of culture, politics, and influence—who’s using their platform for change and who’s just collecting checks. From Outkast’s long-overdue Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination to the legacy of Barack Obama, the duo explores the power of entertainers, athletes, and institutions like HBCUs in shaping Black political engagement. Plus, Rich shares a deeply personal story about how a chance encounter and a little tough love got him into Morehouse.

Topics:

📍 03:12 – Outkast & The Politics of Celebrity Influence:
Does every Black artist have to be an activist, or is it enough just to make great art?

📍 09:52 – Do Celebrity Endorsements Still Move the Needle?
John Legend, Dave Chappelle, and why some artists actually show up for the people.

📍 19:55 – Michael, Kobe, LeBron: The Evolution of Athlete Activism
From "Republicans buy sneakers too" to More Than A Vote—how sports stars got political.

📍 26:39 – Malcolm vs. Martin, Obama vs. The System:
Good cop, bad cop, or just two necessary sides of the same fight for justice?

📍 46:34 – How a Random Conversation Got Rich Into Morehouse:
A lesson in faith, fate, and the power of just showing up.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Awards Go To…

🐍 Barack & Michelle Obama (and the whole damn family, including Bo & Sunny) – For redefining Black excellence on the world stage with intelligence, class, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

🐍 HBCUs Everywhere – For taking in kids the world overlooked and molding them into leaders who change the game.

🐍 The Educators Who See Potential Before You See It in Yourself – Special shoutout to Ms. Portia Potts, William Murray, Michael Hodge, Andre Patillo, and the countless Black teachers shaping futures every day.

🐍 Outkast – For showing the world that being unapologetically Southern, weird, and Black is a damn superpower.

🐍 Dave Chappelle & John Legend – For understanding that showing up for the people matters more than just saying the right things.