(HKR-05-12-25) — On this episode, host Davey D spoke with two powerful cultural workers—Refa One and Madzoo. Refa is an aerosol artist and political educator from Oakland. Madzoo is a grassroots organizer based in Senegal. Together, they represent the RBS Crew, a collective that bridges the U.S. and West Africa through Hip Hop and art.
Their mission is simple but bold: use culture as a tool for global Black liberation.
“Art isn’t just about expression,” Refa said. “It’s about consciousness. It’s a tool of resistance.”
Both emphasized the urgency of reclaiming African identity in the face of neocolonialism.
Burkina Faso and the Leadership of Ibrahim Traoré
Much of the conversation focused on the unfolding movement in Burkina Faso. It is currently led by President Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in 2022. At 34, Traoré became the youngest head of state in the world.
Since taking office, Traoré has become a beacon of African resistance.
“This is about taking back what was stolen,” said Refa. “Burkina Faso is the tip of the spear.”
Madzoo added, “People in West Africa are waking up. They’re realizing the wealth under their feet has been stolen for centuries.”
Reclaiming Sovereignty: Expelling France and Halting Exploitation
Traoré’s policies have made headlines. He expelled French troops, cracked down on gold theft, and opened new relationships with countries like Russia. Moreover, he continues to emphasize African unity and self-determination.
Yet, Western media frames him as a dictator.
“That’s propaganda,” said Madzoo. “The people love him. He’s doing what their puppets never would.”
Refa agreed. “When African leaders stop obeying the West, they become threats. But to us, Traoré represents a new future.”
Exposing AFRICOM and U.S. Imperialism in Africa
The conversation also turned to U.S. military presence in Africa, especially AFRICOM. Refa delivered a sharp critique:
“AFRICOM is a professional terrorist operation. The U.S. is the biggest terrorist on the planet.”
He criticized leaders like Obama and Kamala Harris for supporting militarization while promoting progressive images. For Refa, this contradiction reveals deep hypocrisy.
“You can’t fight for the people while backing AFRICOM,” he said. “That’s cultural and economic warfare.”
Additionally, Refa linked this occupation to the psychological scars of colonization. “Even speaking English right now? That’s part of the problem,” he pointed out.
The Oakland Mural: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Back in Oakland, RBS Crew is painting a mural at the Kingmakers space. The mural shows a young Black boy lifted by revolutionaries—some famous, others unnamed. The piece connects historical resistance to today’s struggles.
“It’s about legacy and accountability,” said Refa. “We’re creating a visual roadmap for the next generation.”
The mural also reminds Hip Hop of its radical roots.
“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Refa explained. “We just have to remember how to steer it.”
Call to Action: Study, Organize, and Create
Both Refa and Madzoo stressed the importance of political education and unity across the diaspora. They urged people to read scholars like Cheikh Anta Diop and Kwame Nkrumah.
“This is a moment to unify, not divide,” Madzoo said. “When you know your history, you know your direction.”
They closed with a clear message: study the past, organize in the present, and resist across the globe. Whether through murals, music, or activism, everyone has a role to play.
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