Freestyle (Rap) + Philosophy with Brenton Zola

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April 12, 2022 • 72 mins

Brenton Zola (he/him) uses the power of words to cultivate humanity. He is a writer, thinker, and multi-disciplinary artist. Informed by an upbringing from Congolese immigrants and travel to over 60 nations, his writing and creative work blend narrative, philosophy, and history to examine how we build ethical societies. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, LA Times, Inc., American Theater, Boulevard Magazine, Prism, and on NPR member-station WBUR Boston and PBS, among others. His professional journey started with living at a meditation and martial arts school in Asia, which led to work through social impact and the arts. Brenton has been an artist-in-residence at theaters and collectives worldwide and serves as a curator for the Tilt West Journal. He is a Moth story slam champion, a proud member of Playback Theatre West & Storytellers Acapella, and a TEDx speaker and organizer at one of the world’s largest events. He believes truth can be found at the intersection of disciplines and stories.

In this episode, Brenton and Brandi talk about the intersections of Freestyle (Rap) + Philosophy, including:

The tension between “intelligence” and “creativity.”
His mom’s love of Tupac, where his love of rap began.
How he defines “philosophy.”
What philosophy brings to the table that science doesn’t.
Rap as resistance and a demand for equality.
What Brenton calls “smashing atoms” and why he loves it.
A story about his time in speech and debate, a kind of freestyle performance, and his first early foray into mixing disciplines together.
How the Greek “stoa” was the ancient version of the modern rap cipher.
Freestyle and philosophy as a practice of spotting patterns and making interesting connections.
The value of a public forum for debating ideas, and how rap still practices this tradition.
Brenton’s current favorite “atom smashers,” rappers, and all-time favorite philosophers.
And, a closing freestyle rap!