Gettin' Grown – "The Great American Game"

Podcast: Gettin' Grown (Loud Speakers Network)
Airdate: February 18, 2025
Hosts: Jade and Dr. Keia

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and candid episode, Jade and Keia dissect the layered social commentary, cultural artistry, and unapologetic Blackness of Kendrick Lamar’s much-discussed "Great American Game" Super Bowl halftime show. The episode weaves in current news, themes of community resilience, Black self-care, and an unfiltered assessment of how Black history and culture persist—despite attempts to undermine, contain, or appropriate them. Listeners are treated to the hosts’ signature blend of deep analysis, playful banter, and memorable moments rooted in Black joy and survival.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections & Black Self-Care (04:21–11:00)

• Finding Balance Amid Chaos:
  Jade and Keia open by discussing gratitude and the importance of emotional balance during hard times. They both express thankfulness for safety, sufficiency, and their ability to find small respites—“I am safe and I have what I need” (Jade, [04:25])—while acknowledging the ongoing turmoil Black communities face.

• Ancestral Resilience:
  Jade honors her ancestors’ endurance through even greater struggles like the Great Depression, reminding herself and listeners:

  "My grandmother did this through more and worse... They have lived through everything we've lived through, and they've lived through worse." ([06:04])

• Community Appreciation:
  Keia highlights a listener’s message expressing how the podcast serves as a weekly sanctuary, reaffirming their purpose:

  "...you and Jade are one of my weekly bowl of cherries. I wanted to tell her, thank you. High Quality Seven..." ([08:29])

2. Kitchen Table Talk: Global News & Perspective (11:14–19:30)

• Current Events Updates:
  Jade covers crucial news on Palestine, Sudan, and Congo, calling attention to ongoing violence, ceasefire violations, and civilian suffering.

  "I wanted to make sure we did some news this week because there are some developments... We want to be sure to continue to keep our eyes on what's happening in Sudan as well as in Congo." ([14:09])

• Emphasis on Awareness & Community Action:
  Listeners are encouraged to stay aware, keep their "eyes and ears on the ground," and be vigilant in both self-care and activism.

3. Super Bowl Halftime: “The Great American Game” (19:51–86:38)

A. Cultural Reprieve During Black History Month (19:51–25:04)

• Jade and Keia celebrate the Super Bowl as a rare moment of widespread Black joy and affirmation, especially poignant in Black History Month.

  "It gives like a reminder to the world that you cannot cancel us... you cannot cancel Black History Month." (Keia, [20:51])

• They critique the "one drop rule" and assert not all are invited into the fullness of Black culture:

  "What I would like to cancel is the one drop rule. Because, you know, some of you just can't come." (Jade, [21:11])

B. Halftime Show Deep Dive – Layers of Symbolism (25:04–85:12)

i. MC Lyte & Symbolic Staging

• Praise for MC Lyte’s narration:

  "MC Lyte is a fucking snuggie for my soul." (Jade, [42:44])

• Homage to protestor Zul Carne Nantambu, who waved the flag for Gaza and Sudan, and brilliantly connected Islamic tradition to social justice:

  "As a practicing Muslim, the prophet Muhammad teaches that if you see wrongdoing, stop it with your hands...I take those words very seriously..." (Jade, [27:34])

ii. Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam (36:41–42:21)

• Samuel L. Jackson’s role is unpacked as both actor and activist, giving weight to the metaphor.

  "...Samuel L. Jackson is not only an actor, but an activist and has been this person literally for most of his life." (Keia, [41:43])

iii. The Game Board & American Symbols

• The set was a giant tic-tac-toe board, symbolizing the “great American game” and the constructed, competitive nature of American society.

  "We got a zoom out of the stage that Kendrick designed... a tic tac toe game...one of the most classic games...I thought that to be really intentional." (Jade, [35:25])

iv. Costuming, Choreography, and Color

• Red, white, and blue dominated the sets—direct allusions to American identity but rooted in Black subcultural fashion (boot cuts, wide legs, Deion Sanders sneakers).

v. Musical and Political Narrative

Layered analysis of each segment and performance choice:

• Gil Scott-Heron Reference:

  "He quotes Gil Scott Heron—the revolution will be televised. The revolution’s about to be televised—you pick the right time, but the wrong guy." (Jade, [44:04])

• Be Humble / DNA / Flag Imagery:
  Kendrick (and dancers) forms the American flag, emphasizing Black bodies as the literal and figurative fabric of America:

  "Our bodies actually create this flag... And at the same time, y' all tell us to be humble and sit down, but end up emulating." (Keia, [50:01])

• Community as the Cheat Code:
  Samuel L. Jackson (as Uncle Sam) warns Kendrick for bringing his “homeboys”—symbolizing Black collectivity as the “cultural cheat code.”

  "Our culture is the cheat code. This is how we all advance and get further faster in the great American game." (Keia, [54:46])

• Peekaboo & Cultural Gatekeeping:
  Kendrick uses "peekaboo" to call out cultural tourists and the difference between proximity and true belonging:

  “You are a peekaboo ass person...They want the rhythm, but they don’t want the blues.” (Jade, [60:19])

• Beef, Petty, and "Not Like Us":
  The hosts clarify that the Kendrick/Drake “beef” operates as a metaphor for authenticity and resistance to appropriation.

  "Drake is a proxy...He represents a pattern of things that keep happening.” (Keia, [71:22]) “They tried to rig the game, but you can't fake influence.” (Kendrick, quoted by Jade, [71:05])

• Serena Williams’ Crip Walk:
  The powerful cameo by Serena Williams serves as a reclamation:

  “Watching Serena C. Walk...was a reclamation of authenticity...A lesson we can all take notes from, Wimbledon and America included.” (Keia quoting Popsugar, [76:53])

• TV Off & Closing Symbolism:
  The set’s concluding message—turning the TV off—signifies the power of unplugging, resisting mass distraction and manipulation:

  "I love that he closed the set with TV off...unplugging from the constant machine that is trying to instill fear into us." (Jade, [81:05])

• Notable Quote:

  “The messaging that was part of the set as well, which was lights in the crowd that read 'Warning: Wrong Way'...we are headed in a wrong direction.” (Jade, [82:43])

4. Lessons in Black Women Self-Care (87:48–92:28)

• Jade spotlights community self-defense as self-care:

  "They have set up their own militia points to make sure that the residents of a historically Black neighborhood are taken care of." (Jade, [88:50])

• Keia celebrates the D.C. church that took legal ownership of the “Proud Boys” trademark after winning a lawsuit, calling it:

  “...the kind of petty that I will always celebrate.” (Keia, [91:42])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Endurance:

  “We can't walk through every day with the heaviness. It's just not good for our nervous systems...” (Keia, [06:23])

• On Community as Survival:

  “Literally, that is all we are. All we are is each other.” (Jade, [08:55])

• On Black Joy & Culture:

  “You cannot cancel who we are and what we contribute. Good luck to you.” (Keia, [20:51])

• On White Consumption of Black Spaces:

  “They're adult podcasts...so it's not for you either.” (Jade, [03:15])

• On “Cheat Codes” of American Success:

  “We are the cheat code…and when they see that, they start to think about who they can pull down to divide us.” (Keia, [56:17])

• On Appropriation:

  “You want the rhythm, but you don't want the blues." (Keia, [60:19])

• On Petty and Black Excellence:

  “I'm waving the most giant of petty flags this week...” (Jade, [93:40])

• On DEI/Government Gaslighting:

  “Do you know how crazy it is to suggest that the people that cleaned your house and raised your kids and don't deserve care…” (Keia, [97:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | Notable moments | |-----------------------------------------------|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Opening, Black Self-Care & Gratitude | 04:21 | “I am safe and I have what I need...” | | Gaza, Sudan, Congo News Update | 11:14 | “We want to be sure to continue to keep our eyes on...” | | Kitchen Table Talk – Super Bowl Reflection | 19:51 | “We had a high black...in Black History Month.” | | Halftime Show Deep Dive – Symbolism | 25:04 | “Just a host of meat and substance and content for us...” | | Samuel L. Jackson/Uncle Sam Analysis | 36:41 | “Samuel L. Jackson is not only an actor, but an activist...” | | DNA/Be Humble/Flag Imagery | 50:01 | “Our bodies actually create this flag...” | | "Not Like Us" Segment | 71:05 | “They tried to rig the game, but you can't fake influence.” | | Serena Williams & Black Women Joy | 76:54 | “Watching Serena C. Walk…was a reclamation of authenticity...” | | TV Off, Warning Messages, & Final Symbolism | 81:05 | “I love that he closed the set with TV off...” | | Black Self-Care – Community Militia | 87:48 | “...they have set up their own militia points...” | | Petty Peeves & DEI Gaslighting | 93:24 | “I am waving the most giant of petty flags this week...” | | Closing Affirmations & Self-Moisturizing | 107:32 | “Moisturize your mind...your black will crack if it’s dry.” |

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Jade and Keia remain true to their signature blend of insightful analysis, humor, and radical honesty. Their language and tone are bold, joyful, grounding, and fiercely protective of Black culture. The conversation is both a celebration and a call to vigilance, reminding listeners of the necessity—and possibility—of joy, solidarity, and critical thinking even in turbulent times.

“You can try all day, but you can't [take our swag]. It's going to be sauceless.” (Jade, [106:59])

For Further Conversation

• Join the Community: Share your thoughts on the episode’s themes, halftime symbolism, and how you’re caring for yourself and your community.
• Listen Ad-Free: Video version and additional content available on Patreon.

“You can’t fake influence.” —Gettin’ Grown