The Matriarch (Feat. Ms. Tina Knowles)

Summary

The Read Podcast - Episode: "The Matriarch" (Feat. Ms. Tina Knowles)
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hosts: Kifiri (Kid Fury) and Crystal (Crissle)
Featured Guest: Ms. Tina Knowles
Platform: LoudSpeakers Network

---

1. Celebrating Black Excellence

Dominique Malanga - Trailblazing in the WNBA
Kifiri opens the episode by highlighting Dominique Malanga, the youngest player ever drafted into the WNBA at just 19 years old. Selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle Storm, Dominique stands tall at six feet six inches, bringing impressive stats to the court.

Quote:
"She's averaging 15.4 points this season, 10.3 rebounds, and 1 1/2 assists. Congratulations, Dominique." (02:08)

Crystal adds her admiration for Dominique's charm and Cameroonian heritage, emphasizing her potential impact on the Storm.

Quote:
"She's Cameroonian. Her little French accent... she is going to go to the Storm and start whipping you bitches asses." (02:56)

Naomi Girma - Pioneering in Women's Soccer
The discussion shifts to Naomi Girma, who at 24 becomes the first female soccer player to secure a million-dollar contract. Her four-year deal with Chelsea Women Football Club includes a staggering $1.1 million transfer fee, setting a new benchmark in the sport.

Quote:
"At just 24 years young, Naomi Girma has become the first million dollar player in women's football, soccer as they call it here." (03:55)

Crystal expresses her surprise at the magnitude of Naomi's contract, noting the growing popularity of women's soccer.

Quote:
"I'm shocked that nobody's ever had a contract that large. Women's soccer is so popular. I'm shocked." (04:32)

---

2. Pop Culture Deep Dive: "Sinners" Movie Review

Initial Impressions and Emotional Impact
Crystal shares her profound experience watching "Sinners," directed by Ryan Coogler. Despite its limited theatrical release in only eight U.S. theaters, the film left a lasting impression on both hosts.

Quote:
"I cannot stop thinking about it." (06:36)

Kifiri echoes Crystal's sentiment, expressing eagerness to rewatch the film to catch missed details.

Analyzing Themes and Storytelling
The hosts delve into the movie's intricate storytelling, highlighting its blend of supernatural elements with deep-rooted black cultural themes. They discuss how the protagonist, Sammy, uses music to conjure spirits, symbolizing the healing of ancestral trauma.

Quote:
"Sammy starts to sing and conjure these spirits... I cried." (09:15)

Crystal praises the film's portrayal of diverse cultures in 1930s Mississippi, emphasizing the seamless integration of music genres and historical context.

Character Analysis and Memorable Scenes
Ms. Tina Knowles introduces key characters, notably Annie, whose fierce and protective nature becomes pivotal in the storyline. The hosts commend the casting choices, particularly Delroy Lindo's performance as a complex character navigating loss and vengeance.

Quote:
"The cast is incredible... Delroy Lindo was just the entire cast." (11:38)

They recount specific scenes, such as the juke joint performance where Sammy's music becomes a conduit for spiritual healing, and Annie's confrontational approach to the invading vampires.

Quote:
"Annie is so caring... she remains so calm and collected while everyone else is panicking." (26:18)

---

3. Special Guest Interview: Ms. Tina Knowles on "Matriarch"

Introduction to "Matriarch"
Ms. Tina Knowles joins the podcast to discuss her book "Matriarch," delving into themes of motherhood, mental health, and familial relationships. She shares personal anecdotes that shaped her perspective on parenting and self-worth.

Navigating Motherhood and Mental Health
Tina speaks candidly about her experiences growing up, addressing how unrecognized conditions like ADHD led to misunderstandings and labeling as "bad." She emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting children's unique needs.

Quote:
"They just took it as acting up... you have to really notice your kids and do the research." (68:14)

Forgiveness and Healing Through Therapy
The conversation turns to mental health therapies like EMDR, which helped Tina process past traumas and rebuild her relationship with her mother. She highlights the significance of forgiveness and self-acceptance in healing.

Quote:
"EMDR allowed me to see where the feelings of not being worthy came from... I was able to have a conversation with my mom and forgive her." (84:44)

Legacy and Supporting the Next Generation
Tina reflects on her role as a mother, striving to support her children without imposing fear-based protection. She contrasts her approach with her own mother's passive protection, aiming to empower her daughters to pursue their dreams.

Quote:
"That's why I love both sides of the argument... support your kids no matter what." (104:53)

The Importance of Authenticity in Storytelling
Tina discusses the authentic voice in her memoir, thanks to her collaborator Kevin O'Leary, who preserved her natural speech patterns and cultural expressions. This authenticity makes the narrative relatable and impactful.

Quote:
"He loves the way I talk... it's like reliving those moments." (78:24)

---

4. Addressing Controversies: Shannon Sharpe's Legal Issues

Allegations and Public Response
Later in the episode, Kifiri and Crystal address recent allegations against Shannon Sharpe, condemning his actions and expressing frustration with the situation's handling by media outlets.

Quote:
"A 50-something-year-old man fighting to hold on to a 20-year-old girl is... everything about it is gross." (115:38)

Critique of Media Framing and Industry Standards
They critique how media outlets like Variety sensationalize negative headlines, especially concerning original films' box office performances. The hosts also draw parallels to similar behaviors observed in industry responses to scandals.

Quote:
"They have a ways to go before they make up their budget... completely different how you approach movies." (109:18)

Emphasis on Consent and Power Dynamics
The discussion underscores the importance of recognizing consent and the inherent power imbalances in relationships where significant age differences exist.

Quote:
"A 50-something-year-old man fighting to hold on to a 20-year-old girl is... everything about it is gross." (115:38)

---

5. Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

Final Endorsements and Takeaways
Kifiri and Crystal reiterate their strong endorsement of "Sinners," encouraging listeners to watch the film despite its graphic content due to its profound storytelling and cultural significance.

Quote:
"It's an excellent movie. Go see 'Sinners'." (58:48)

They also commend Ms. Tina Knowles for her impactful book "Matriarch," urging listeners to read it for its valuable insights into motherhood and personal growth.

Quote:
"Ms. Tina Knowles, I can't say thank you enough for blessing The Read with your presence today." (130:25)

Closing Remarks
The hosts wrap up the episode by promoting upcoming content and expressing gratitude towards their guest and listeners.

Quote:
"Take care of yourselves." (131:25)

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dominique Malanga's Achievement:
  "She's averaging 15.4 points this season, 10.3 rebounds and 1 1/2 assists. Congratulations, Dominique." (02:08)

• Naomi Girma's Contract:
  "At just 24 years young, Naomi Girma has become the first million dollar player in women's football, soccer as they call it here." (03:55)

• Crystal on "Sinners":
  "I cannot stop thinking about it." (06:36)
  "Her character was really amazing and just so important." (25:52)

• Tina Knowles on Forgiveness:
  "Through EMDR, I saw the nuns and I was like... I was able to have a conversation with my mom and forgive her." (84:44)

• Shannon Sharpe Condemnation:
  "A 50-something-year-old man fighting to hold on to a 20-year-old girl is... everything about it is gross." (115:38)

---

Summary:
In this episode of "The Read," hosts Kifiri and Crystal celebrate notable achievements in sports, review the culturally rich horror film "Sinners," and engage in an insightful interview with Ms. Tina Knowles discussing her memoir "Matriarch." The episode navigates themes of black excellence, cultural heritage, mental health, and familial relationships, providing listeners with a blend of entertainment and profound discussions. Additionally, the hosts address recent controversies in the media landscape, emphasizing the importance of consent and ethical storytelling. The episode concludes with strong endorsements for both the film and Tina Knowles' book, encouraging listeners to engage with content that promotes understanding and empowerment.

Transcript

[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

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[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

And each add what you need.

[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

So no more milkless cereal. Minimize the stress of the weekly shop with family carts. Download the Instacart app and get delivery in as fast as 30 minutes. Enjoy.

[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

Service fees apply for three orders in 14 days.

[Crystal]

Excludes restaurants. Happy day.

[Kifiri]

Welcome back to another. Yet another episode of the podcast. I'm Flick from A Bug's Life and.

[Crystal]

I am so happy that I went and saw Sinners and this is the read. Thanks for coming back.

[Kifiri]

What the fuck?

[Crystal]

Okay.

[Kifiri]

We'll get there.

[Crystal]

Okay.

[Kifiri]

All right.

[Crystal]

Amen.

[Kifiri]

Let's start with some black excellence this week. Some fantastic people to give honor to athletes. Because I talk about sports and I know about it. Yeah, you do a lot about it a lot in life. So first of all, 19 year old Dominique Malanga has made history as the youngest player ever drafted to the W of the NB of the A. She was the second overall draft pick by the Storm of Seattle. I like that name. Seattle Storm.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Pretty, pretty Incredible franchise.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. Six foot six at 19.

[Crystal]

Yeah, she is.

[Kifiri]

And 16 was going viral for dunking with ease during practice, which I imagine one can do when you're 6ft and 6 inch. 6ft and 6 inches tall. She's averaged 15.4 points this season, 10.3 rebounds and 1 1/2 assists. Congratulation. Congratulations, Dominique. You're also super adorable and I hope you have a great, great time playing the thing and being celebrated for it. I think it's also a sickening, fierce time to be a badass WNBA player because it feels like the league is up more than ever.

[Crystal]

It. It has really exploded over these past few years. And I am such a fan of Dominique. She's so cute. She's Cameroonian. Her little French accent. Yeah, hearing her speak is just really sweet. But she is going to go to the storm and start whipping you bitches asses. So I'm very excited to see what she does. So, yeah, congrats, Dominique.

[Kifiri]

What do you do when you see that person get up and enter the league and you're just like, fuck, I have to play this bitch.

[Crystal]

You know? And it's just a matter of time before.

[Kifiri]

God damn it.

[Crystal]

She is posted up and I'm finna get my ass beat.

[Kifiri]

God damn it. Devil.

[Tina Knowles]

See?

[Kifiri]

Fine.

[Crystal]

You know, we will see the Storm are in a rebuilding kind of place right now. But yeah, I think Dominique is not finna make it easy on y'all. So.

[Kifiri]

At just 24 years young, Naomi Girma has become the first million dollar player in women's football, soccer, as they call it here. Her recent four year signing with England's Chelsea Women Football Club comes with a $1.1 million transfer fee, making a high, making her the highest valued woman in the sport to date.

[Crystal]

Wow. Wow, wow.

[Kifiri]

So work. Naomi Girma.

[Crystal]

I guess I'm shocked that nobody's ever had a contract that large.

[Kifiri]

Cause me neither.

[Crystal]

Because women's soccer football is so popular. Like, I'm shocked. But yes, I mean, very well deserved. I know she's a former number one overall pick, so I guess it's not really shocking. But yeah, go. Naomi.

[Kifiri]

Kind of is though. Like, not shocking for her, but like the first, right?

[Crystal]

I'm like at a million dollar player in women's soccer. Of all the white girls I can name who played soccer, none of. Not of them that it don't that.

[Kifiri]

Feels weird seem right? But like, maybe darts.

[Crystal]

It's like, huh, Things are worse for women than I thought because the women's game is more popular here than the men's.

[Kifiri]

So I'm lost.

[Crystal]

Me too. I really just. Okay, well, okay, great though for her, like, I'm not trying to take away from her. This really is for a black girl.

[Kifiri]

To be the first criticizing the industry.

[Crystal]

This is criticizing society culture.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, yeah.

[Crystal]

The misogyny, the sexism is really outrageous with that. But okay.

[Kifiri]

His butt. All right.

[Crystal]

It isn't making sense, but work, Naomi.

[Kifiri]

All right, let's get into our pop culture segment that is called Sinners. So.

[Crystal]

Oh, yay.

[Kifiri]

Thoughts. This, this is the hot box. I don't really have. There are things and we can get to other things if we have time or care. I saw Sinners. You saw Sinners. Thoughts?

[Crystal]

Are you going to give us your thoughts?

[Kifiri]

Yeah, but you started saying you're so glad that you saw this terrifying bloody movie. So I'm more interested in what you have to say.

[Crystal]

So why I'm so glad that I saw it is because it really is fucking incredible.

[Kifiri]

It is excellent.

[Crystal]

So good. My God, there's only eight theaters in all of the United States that are showing it in the way that Ryan Cooper. Yes. In the 70 million. So now I have to go.

[Kifiri]

I'm going Friday.

[Crystal]

Now I have to go. Thank God one of them is here in New York City. I'm going, right?

[Kifiri]

Because I'm going Friday.

[Crystal]

And I said I wasn't going to see it again because it. So I guess. Are we doing spoilers or no?

[Kifiri]

Yes. Okay, so spoiler alert for three, two, one, boom.

[Crystal]

Okay, so I. I don't know why I said that because I didn't. What I was going to say was not actually a spoiler, but.

[Kifiri]

Oh, wrong.

[Crystal]

I said I wasn't going to go see it again because it isn't necessarily scary. But there's a lot of blood. There's a lot of gore. People die very, very violent, graphic deaths.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

I don't want to see niggas with their throats slashed open and blood gurgling out. You know that.

[Kifiri]

I'm fine.

[Crystal]

I really. So there was so much. The last 15 minutes of the movie, I'm like, literally woof.

[Kifiri]

Because, like, you literally have like a good hour and a half where you're pretty.

[Crystal]

You're pretty good, like scares. There's not too many jump scares there. It's. It's scary in a way that is more of a thriller to me. It's. And it's because I know how this story goes.

[Kifiri]

You don't need.

[Crystal]

You're not.

[Kifiri]

You don't need monsters.

[Crystal]

You know how it's.

[Kifiri]

For this to be tense and terrifying. Fierce. Absolutely. 1,000%.

[Crystal]

So, you know, it wasn't for all of you other scaredy cats. If you're fine with blood and gore and stuff like that, then you will be fine at this movie. But I. So I said afterwards, incredible film that I hated and will never watch again. But I do actually have to see it again. I cannot stop thinking about it.

[Kifiri]

It's. It's.

[Crystal]

The story is so beautifully told. The care and consideration. Ryan Coogler. Weaving in these different cultures that are all existing in Mississippi in the 1930s. These Chinese immigrants who came in and had businesses. The Native American population that tried to warn these crackers and then went home. Baby, baby, baby in the juke joint where the music said. And all these different. All these different kinds of music. All these different genres of music. And the spirits and the present and past. All of that. The future, all of that together. Oh, my God. Ryan Coogler. The things that we're seeing.

[Kifiri]

So let's talk about that scene. Really sick. Let's talk about that.

[Crystal]

The juke joint or the nature.

[Kifiri]

The juke joint scene where Sammy begins to sing and conjure these spirits.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

From throughout time and stuff.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

I cried.

[Crystal]

Yeah. That was beautiful.

[Kifiri]

I was like. When he started to say. And I said that, I feel like this has something to do with that, even though I didn't know anything about it. But when he said it was not just that it happened. Cause the movie starts, like, say, with. I wanna say it's Annie who's narrating at the top of the movie. It doesn't matter.

[Crystal]

I don't even know. I don't even know.

[Kifiri]

But the intro of the movie is like, o. You know, they're said to be people who can do blah, blah, blah, blah. So it sets it up. But when Sammy starts to sing and you see that first, like, woman who I assume is from West Africa, because they mentioned that at the beginning of the movie as well. But you see this lady who's very clearly a spirit, and she's dancing and then you see another one, and there's no, like. There's no preface to it. She just appears as if she's another person in the juke. Joy dancing. And then another one and then another one. And it is just this beautiful gliding shot throughout the entire thing where the music then starts to blend throughout these different eras in time where it becomes as I. When I saw that first spirit, or a second one, maybe, I. My mouth, like, opened, my jaw dropped and I said out loud, oh, shit, am I about to start crying? Am I gonna cry? And I was not just like. I was like. I was shaking, crying.

[Crystal]

Oh, wow, like, weeping.

[Kifiri]

Yes.

[Crystal]

Okay.

[Kifiri]

Because, like, this is kind of my wheelhouse. Anyway. I'm very connected to, like, the innate black connection to earth and the elements and spirituality and our ancestors. Like, it just speaks to me. Anyway, okay, so that part of the movie where he's singing and also singing in song through healing. You go to the scene where Stack and Sammy, they went and picked up Slim the alcoholic.

[Crystal]

Shout out to Delroy Lynn Doe.

[Kifiri]

The.

[Crystal]

The cast is incredible. Oh, my fucking. Down to the one.

[Kifiri]

Him and Omar Miller, who played Cornbread.

[Crystal]

Oh, baby.

[Kifiri]

This is probably like. He usually gets. He usually gets the role of, like, cute, lovable big guy.

[Crystal]

Yeah, he looks like, you know, teddy.

[Kifiri]

Bear type since he was like, itty bitty and this. He. I feel like he got a lot of room to do a couple different things, but Delroy Lindo. God, that was. The cast was just the entire, entire cast. But yeah, when they went and picked him up and he was. They were like, driving back, I guess, the direction of the Jew joint, and he started talking about his friend, how they had, like, worked. Fuck, I forgot where. After they got locked up and they were doing something and he was telling a story about how he got some Money. And he drank all his money. And a friend of his said that he was gonna use the money to like, open something else.

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah. But when he paid for his train ticket, he went.

[Kifiri]

He paid for his train ticket? Like, the Klan killed him, like, brutally.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

And slim after that, there was a beat of silence and you could see him struggling, hurting. And he started to hit his leg out of frustration and just going, mmm, getting it out. And then he caught a beat and started humming to it. And then the next thing you know, they're singing, and it was just like it let that energy go. So before we even see it in a supernatural way, it is again reminded of us.

[Tina Knowles]

How.

[Kifiri]

Reminded to us how often black people have kind of swept our hurt and our pain underneath and done it to attune in a way to feel better. So all that to say.

[Crystal]

Literally born out of blues, Literally.

[Kifiri]

When Vannegan was in there singing and all them ghosts were twerking and shit.

[Crystal]

Oh, shit.

[Kifiri]

Bitch. Bitch. Even the Chinese spirits, baby.

[Crystal]

It was.

[Kifiri]

I was weeping.

[Crystal]

So beautifully done. Really incredible. I can't. I cannot stop thinking about this damn movie.

[Kifiri]

Same. That's how I know a movie is excellent to me. Because I go to movies or watch movies all the time and be like, I really liked that. And I go on about my life, right? But when I go to a movie and it is in my head for the rest of the day, next day, yeah, that movie tore ass.

[Crystal]

Yeah. This was so well done that after about 10, 15 minutes, I forgot that Michael B. Jordan is not a twin bitch. I lit at first. It was a little disconcerting.

[Kifiri]

Washed the plates immediately.

[Crystal]

It was like, nigga, me being able to tell the difference between smoke and stack. You literally are giving these two characters, these twins, two very distinct personality mannerisms.

[Kifiri]

They're so similar in a lot of the way that they like, they think and behave and stuff. But smoking Stack are different niggas.

[Crystal]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kifiri]

No, outside of the gold T. Their voice, the way that they behave, like, everything.

[Crystal]

One of them wants smoke and one of them want the stacks. That baby who plays Sammy Miles. Excellent, baby. Shout out to her for introducing. You need to go. You need to go. He said that her because he was on tour with her. I think he opened for her.

[Kifiri]

I didn't know that.

[Crystal]

Yeah. And so she told him when auditions were starting to go around, she said, you need to go audition for this part. Like you are made for this role yet. Because when he's speaking, voice, boy is already it. It's already it. When that boy Opened up his mouth and sang. I said, oh, oh, we dealing with.

[Kifiri]

Me and Stack had the same face. I said when Stack turned to him and was like, wait a minute, nigga, you can sing.

[Crystal]

Since the fuck went, right? Cause at first you just strumming on the guitar. Okay. And I lied and told you where I got it from, right?

[Kifiri]

God, this movie is well written.

[Crystal]

But when. Oh. And so I. I really don't want to break down the whole. First of all, because I do want to see it again. I am actually gonna go against my desires and see it again.

[Kifiri]

But you know where to close your eyes now?

[Crystal]

No, it's still the goal. It's still really. I mean. And there's also bodily fluids. Like when Mary is Stack and he's like, you're drooling. She's like, you want to taste it? I threw up.

[Kifiri]

I've never seen that in a movie before.

[Crystal]

I was so grossed out that I've.

[Kifiri]

Never seen that in a movie before.

[Crystal]

I gags for the casting in the story to be so good that Hailee Steinfeld actually does have a mulatto granddaddy. I didn't even the. Maybe I didn't know that she had that. That's what TikTok has told me that this girl actually does have.

[Kifiri]

I laughed because I was like, hailee Steinfield looked like she could have a great idea.

[Crystal]

And that's. Oh, my God. So. So there's so many things that jumped out to me about this movie. One of them being that black people will literally let anybody into blackness. And we always have. We always have. Girls like Mary have always been like us. Now, if you were light enough to pass, then you could go get a white husband, move to Arkansas, pretend you've always been white. Like back in the 30s, you could just do that. You could just do that. But they've always been in the community. Okay, so. So there's that. Cause y'all always talking about black people make you feel a certain way. You've always been one of us. It's the white people who make you an other. It's not us.

[Kifiri]

Well, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say.

[Crystal]

So there's that.

[Kifiri]

But to that point, really quick, to that point that you just made, because that's a comment. And again, I didn't know anything about this. I saw the trailer. That's it. And I stayed away because I wanted to get into it. But knowing horror shit, I'm like, well, a common thing in vampire lore is that they aren't allowed into places unless you invite them.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Kifiri]

And if this is a thing about vampires being attracted to the power and talent and ability of blackness, yeah, I can't wait to discuss the overlap of how niggas really be letting white people. Because it's true. Why is Post Malone here? Because you let him in?

[Crystal]

Well, I mean, and as soon. Because they asked, when they were all at the door, they asked him to come in. The niggas are like, we ain't this door.

[Kifiri]

Right?

[Crystal]

But then they ask how Mary got in, and Annie says, she family. Immediately they was like, so this is the one. So this. And. And she. I mean, to be fair, she really did. I don't know why she turned her back when she was out there with them.

[Kifiri]

Bitch, I said the same thing.

[Crystal]

Maybe because she thought y'all think I'm white. Probably y'all white, so she probably.

[Kifiri]

You're not stupid.

[Crystal]

Annie clocked more of the vampire haint spiritual shit going on. Mary was probably just thinking more of these as crackers, you know, that's literally.

[Kifiri]

That's the reason she went out there. Because I'm white, so they're not going to bother me.

[Crystal]

But if you had known it was really something, you would have never turned Joe back.

[Kifiri]

I don't think so.

[Crystal]

Yeah, everybody in the cast, everybody does something where you like, damn, if only you hadn't done this. But it's important to remember that, like, it's no one person's fault except the vampires. Which I think is another message. We get so caught up in tearing each other down, criticizing each other by, you ain't shit. You ain't shit. You this, that you fucked up. We wouldn't have to do all that if we didn't have a threat attacking all of us at the exact same fucking time.

[Kifiri]

The clan is coming here to literally kill y'all in the morning.

[Crystal]

You got predators in the night and then predators in the day. You got them coming from both ends and no shade.

[Kifiri]

The church don't like your ass either. So, like, where are you? Good.

[Crystal]

Anyway, that's what I was gonna say after Sammy had. Sammy had the worst night of his life. As he said, he started as the greatest, right? But he said, until the sunset, that was the best day of my life.

[Kifiri]

The best day of my life.

[Crystal]

He had the night from hell at 80.

[Kifiri]

I have weekly nightmares still about what?

[Crystal]

So that made me think about how many of our great great grandparents, great grandparents, et cetera, went through shit like that. Like, you just went out on a Saturday night and half your family died. And it was nothing about it. Nobody went to jail. It wasn't no process. You simply never saw them again. It's just.

[Kifiri]

You don't talk about it, the trauma.

[Crystal]

Them people have gone through. But what I was going to say is that it's. So. What really stuck out to me was that after Sammy had a night where anybody else would have went and laid on the cross directly, he went back to that church. He went back to his daddy's church and said, I actually am going to keep doing this. Anybody else would have said, christ, I'm a sinner. It's real bad. I need sister. Never ever, Daddy.

[Kifiri]

All those things. I'm just gonna lay down on this crock.

[Crystal]

I'm just gonna. If you just excuse me, choir. That was just funny to me a little bit. I'm gonna go later.

[Kifiri]

That was funny to me.

[Crystal]

I just need Jesus to come right on directly into my spirit. But the poor thing, the fact that he went through all that and still was like, yeah, I'm a. I'm gonna do music. This is actually like, that pull that what is in you is so strong. And, you know, it's not the music that's the problem. It's these people who tried to take over you and take it for themselves, which, again, if it's one thing these whites will do.

[Kifiri]

And it's like he realized that, okay, like, my cousins that I thought were so lit and so cool, really, all of this stuff that they had, they got through fucked up means that I don't want to be a part of. And they're all dead. So the church. The church is really not prepared to do a living thing for me because I began to pray for Savior, for saving last night. And the devil, with his clawed hands just prayed along with me. So I. I don't know that my.

[Crystal]

Heart turned cold when they were out there dancing that fucking Irish jig.

[Kifiri]

That was really cool.

[Crystal]

The Pick and Robin Clean song made me deeply uncomfortable from the beginning. All of it. It was so good.

[Kifiri]

It was so good. The overlap, too, of having the villain, a white man who literally just wants your essence and doesn't give a fuck about how he gets it.

[Crystal]

This is what I'm saying.

[Kifiri]

Having him still be able to charm you using a pretty interesting perspective of like, oh, you know, I, too, was once somewhere where a bunch of white people came and forced this. These words on me and our folk and then told us what they were, you know, never really fucking liked it. Don't you just want community and fellowship and all of this?

[Crystal]

Other stuff.

[Kifiri]

Because these white people, they gonna come and kill you anyway. I understand it. They're never gonna like you or respect you. Just come and die and sing with us. All this Irish music, it was just so well written. The shot of him singing with all of them dancing around him in a circle.

[Crystal]

But it's dark. Oh, my God. So.

[Kifiri]

So you can really mostly just see the glowing eyes. Oh, that was shot so well. That was so cool.

[Crystal]

It was incredible, but creeped me right the fuck out.

[Kifiri]

All of the shots of them driving through the cotton fields were excellent shots.

[Crystal]

When Slim said that, one of the many, many incredible lines in this movie when he started talking about how there are some things that we brought over from home, like our music, our cultural practice, things like that. Like, that's not something from that church. That's not something from their religion. Like, yeah, this is stuff that is ancestral to us. Like, it's literally in our bones. It's who we are. But they're teaching us that, like, our ways, our customs, our practices are wrong. And we need to follow their religion, follow their rules, follow their Bible. I thought, well, that's very fucking poignant. And then Annie, first of all, just.

[Kifiri]

Umimasaku.

[Crystal]

I. I was about to say. Can we just talk about how when.

[Kifiri]

I saw her in the trailer, I was like, sold. Because immediately, I've loved this lady and everything. Loki Lovecraft country. What was that movie that she. That she was in another scary movie where she was like. Like a refugee. I think his house was like a scary movie. Like a Hanukkah. This. She's an excellent, excellent actor and also fine as a bitch. Like, I was so thrilled to see her in this trailer.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

And the fact that her character was fierce.

[Crystal]

Yes. Her character was really amazing and just so important. The whole. When everything went down at the juke joint, when Stack died and Smoke shot Mary, and that bitch popped up and said, we're gonna kill all of you. And danced her ass on the Internet.

[Kifiri]

And sprinted out of. I screamed. That was so funny. I'm sorry. Why did she shove him to the side and run outside like she was in the Olympics?

[Crystal]

Oh, my God.

[Kifiri]

But so Annie, from that.

[Crystal]

Right from that moment for Annie was like, let me tell y'all, you not dealing with no normal shit. And everybody simply shut the fuck up and listen to Annie.

[Kifiri]

God.

[Crystal]

It wasn't no bunch of arguing. It wasn't no. I ain't gonna take no direction from a woman. It was straight. I thought, what she talking about? And we.

[Kifiri]

I was prepared for That I was really prepared for it to be like, oh, we're not so glad it was black bitch. And I'm so glad too, when Cornbread came up to the door. That was also a very funny, well done segment.

[Crystal]

When he was out there pissing and in the bushes. It was. I sure do love Cornbread. You can hear the vampires out there.

[Kifiri]

It was so fucked up. They're really rude. They're really rude.

[Crystal]

They wanted Sammy. Of course, the rest of y'all were collateral damage. They wanted that gift.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. And he said flat out too, when the other two weren't even nearby him. But he said flat out when he was alone. Remick or whatever.

[Crystal]

Yeah, Remic.

[Kifiri]

Jack OConnell's character, he was like. He flat out was like, I'm trapped and I wanna see my people from my time again. I need your gift, so come die over it. And just spelled it out. He was like, I don't care. And in fact, like, I really just want him. So I'll even let y'all leave if you want, but he has to die.

[Crystal]

I love that Annie reiterated that, like, these, these souls are trapped like this and death is truly. She made Smoke promise. If I get bit, you have to, you have to kill me so that I can go see my baby again.

[Kifiri]

That's right.

[Crystal]

You have to. I can't be stuck in the in between forever.

[Kifiri]

What you're talking about? Do not let me do. I want to see my baby if this happens. And when she said that, I was like, don't kill her.

[Crystal]

No. You know she finna die at that point. You know she finna die.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, at that point I knew she was gonna die and go see the baby. Um, getting married to me in the.

[Crystal]

90S looking like hood rats.

[Kifiri]

Bitch.

[Crystal]

Okay, first of all, I know when.

[Kifiri]

Hailee Steinfeld pulled up the set and went to wardrobe, she was like, you are lying.

[Crystal]

Not this ponytail.

[Kifiri]

This ponytail. These door knocking earrings. What are we doing? Let's do it.

[Crystal]

Let's have a last.

[Kifiri]

Cause she straight up told Stack in a jig toy. She was like, I didn't want no white man. I wanted to be with you. You don't like these crackers? And then.

[Crystal]

Bitch.

[Kifiri]

This movie is fierce.

[Crystal]

It is Ms. Van very good.

[Kifiri]

But one more thing on Annie, right? And how much I love this character, how well written she was. And this is part of the reason why I do feel like, just let me hold your hand. Y'all take a break. I do think many, in many times, like, hating witchcraft is anti black in A way.

[Crystal]

Okay.

[Kifiri]

And I feel like this movie kind of dances with that theory of mine. And I would just say if you look at Annie, the character Annie, a witch essentially, she's pretty much always looked at as helpful, sexy, bad bitch, mothering.

[Crystal]

Oh, he bent her protecting. In the apocryphal healing. He said when she grabbed his dick and said, your body ain't. Forgive me. I said, oh, y'all finish.

[Kifiri]

You know what time it is. Drop those drawers.

[Crystal]

Do it now. Do it right now.

[Kifiri]

The kids coming over to get, like, healings things and stuff like that. That lady was doing good work. She's the medicine.

[Crystal]

The medicine lady in her community, like that.

[Kifiri]

She had the information. And even when she was robbed, she was like, okay, now these ain't haze. These are vampires.

[Crystal]

So if my.

[Kifiri]

I don't know too much about that, but we go eat this garlic.

[Crystal]

Oh, my God. The poor nigga that was just drunk and passed out. So they dragged him outside. I fell for him.

[Kifiri]

That.

[Crystal]

Cause they realized he was just drunk.

[Kifiri]

Fierce, right? And I mean, he was already having a shitty day. He was drunk because he got slashed in the face by a hater.

[Crystal]

He said, nigga, they doing weird shit out here. Please open the door. But they can't open the door, bro. I'm sorry.

[Kifiri]

Not for Cornbread.

[Crystal]

They can't risk it.

[Kifiri]

Cornbread got that vampire speed now.

[Crystal]

That was really hilarious when. When. When Kornbread was, you know, out there pleading his case. And Andy's immediately like, yo, big ass, can't just come in here, like. And smoke is like, yeah, n. You've been in and out all day. Why you gotta ask now? So at that moment, they all knew what was going on.

[Kifiri]

Exactly.

[Crystal]

When. When Slim was like, what are we supposed to be doing? The cornbread said, we're supposed to be loving each other.

[Kifiri]

Loving each other, bitch. I open mouth laugh. See, some of you laugh.

[Crystal]

I cried.

[Kifiri]

I open mouth laughed at that part.

[Crystal]

That is white logic. White people say that kind of dumb sh.

[Tina Knowles]

So they was just.

[Kifiri]

And you know, they're all sharing. They were all sharing, like, yeah.

[Crystal]

Memories that get into your. Your shit. That's how. When they. When they killed the Chinese man, they told that lady in Chinese, I know how you like your pussy. There was a lot of pussy eating in this movie, too. And no dick, sucker.

[Kifiri]

Lots of pussy eating and pussy eating instruction.

[Crystal]

When Sammy wanted to eat, I was gonna say, so Stax is the one who told Sammy how to do it. And then he saw Pearlene at the club and was like, let me get that. And she said, nigga, I walked all the way here. Let me rinse it off. And he was like, I want that.

[Kifiri]

Monkey with that deep, sexy ass voice.

[Crystal]

Mississippi ass. You.

[Kifiri]

That married lady said, well, I mean, if you want to take.

[Crystal]

Well, I mean, if you want right? Pussy, then hearing.

[Kifiri]

It, serve it up, baby. She got on that stage and began to sing and dance. He ate that pussy into next year. Because she began performing shortly after. This movie is fierce. I want to talk about the mom, Grace, because you mentioned before about how there were a couple of characters who do things where you're like, what are you thinking about?

[Crystal]

Oh, she's.

[Kifiri]

And then it's like, okay, well. And she was the one who was like, come on in, motherfuckers, or whatever, and essentially lets all the vampires in. And literally, for half a second, I was like, grace, what the fuck? And then I'm like, she don't care. She's thinking about her baby, right? Like, she's thinking about. They literally just threatened her daughter, who's alone. And she's like, okay, I'm killing as many of these motherfuckers as I can, and I'm gonna do the best I can to make sure that they are up by sunrise. If I have to go in the. You know, in the interim, then that's what it is, because at least I'll know that there aren't vampires headed to go kill my child. So for, like, half a second, I'm like, what the fuck is wrong with this bitch? And I'm like, that's her maternal instinct. She can't even think straight, I'm sure, right? She's just like, I have to protect my kid.

[Crystal]

I mean, yes, I. I really do see both sides of this argument. This whole girl is not just about you. They don't even really want you. They just saying shit. Like, how do you not clock that they're just saying shit to get us to invite them in or to get us to come outside. Like, they are here for Sammy. This really don't have nothing about you. And also, you know, looking at Grace's character in a way of, like, opening up that conversation of when immigrants come into black American communities, how do they make themselves part of the community? And then in what ways do they try to aspire to whiteness or white acceptance? If you notice, her husband runs the store for niggas, and she runs the store for white folks.

[Kifiri]

You know, I did notice that divide, but not in that way.

[Crystal]

It was just something. Yeah, it was just something about Grace that You know, I. Obviously, I understand the maternal instinct, but some of it really gave white women in immense distress and not thinking about everybody else and what they are also going through. That is such a good analogy, which is why. That's why I love both sides of the argument. Because I don't think anybody's wrong or right. Like, all of this is valid. It's both of those things. Or it can be both of those things. But when she did that. When she did that, when she did the. Come on in, motherfuckers, I'm like, girl, now everybody's dead. Now everybody's dying.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. And it wasn't even just like she screamed it. She screamed it and one of them covered her mouth and then she bit them so that she could say it.

[Crystal]

Right?

[Kifiri]

It's dead serious.

[Crystal]

After you do that, we all. Now, we all just gotta try to arm ourselves and do our goddamn best. Cause you.

[Kifiri]

And that's exactly. She didn't even seem worried. She screamed, and then she immediately picked up a weapon. Like, that lady was ready to fight. So in my mind, I was like, she's completely desperate. I want to take action now because my kid is in danger. But you were so on point in the analyzation of that perspective and the reasoning around it. Because it's like, okay, sure. But also now everyone in here, including you, is going to die. And you aren't certain that none of these vampires will get away, right?

[Crystal]

Like, they. Because you don't even necessarily know that all of them are right there at the party, girl. Like, either your. Either your daughter dies or she grows up without you guys, or y'all die now and she dies tomorrow. Like, it's. But I'm also incredibly certain it's already a traumatic experience in ways that I can't fathom.

[Kifiri]

That's what I'm saying.

[Crystal]

It's already that bad. But then somebody threatens your child's life. I'm sure your brain goes pure primal.

[Kifiri]

And that's what I said to them.

[Crystal]

But that's why people like Annie are so important. If you can just calm down and listen to somebody who knows what she's talking about. If you can just regulate just a little bit. Like, if you could just. Because we're all anxious, we're all antsy, everybody's doing it.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, she said that. Annie said we, like, trip, don't trip. They're gonna try and get in your head. All we have to do is make it to sunrise. That's what she was saying. We just have to make it to sunrise and it's like, if you could calm down for a bit and. And remember that they want the nigga who's right here, right? So they're not gonna go all the way into town right now to go get your kid when Sammy is here. Chill.

[Crystal]

If they wanted to kill the whole town, they would be heading that way. They're all right here because they want that one nigga. And all we have to do is keep the doors. Like, we don't have to sacrifice him. We can just keep the door shut and everybody will see tomorrow. And Grace said, I. I don't fucking think so.

[Kifiri]

I don't think so. Grace said, we have final act to get started.

[Crystal]

I think it's.

[Kifiri]

We have a climax to do, babes.

[Crystal]

The fact that that character is named Grace, I think, is not a coincidence. Ryan is asking us to really think about that.

[Kifiri]

That's very, very funny. And I did, too, because I told one of my homies that saw it too. I was like, in the. In the same breath as you saying, you know, that's an experience that you can't really identify with, is a lot of trauma. I'm like, I'm not a woman or mom, and I know that moms tend to have almost like a chemical connection to parent to their kids somehow.

[Crystal]

Absolutely.

[Kifiri]

Outside of, you know, what you're saying. And I don't have a kid. I feel like there's probably just a natural adrenaline reaction to that comes with it that I don't understand. So I'm like. Although a part of me initially was like, Grace, for real. I'm like, maybe that's a part of.

[Crystal]

It too, but absolutely, that is fully a thing that happens. I understood her. And at the same time, I was like, girl, everybody else has to control themselves.

[Kifiri]

At least listen to Annie.

[Crystal]

Speaking of the fact that the protection, the necklace thing, the little amulet that she made for Smoke kept him alive, kept Stack from killing him, and. But then he had to kill Annie. Like, you have to. You have to drive a steak through her heart. And so then when it's all over, the vampires are burning up in the sun and all this, and he snatches it off. I said, oh, that man. He. First of all, they knew Smoke and Stack knew the crackers was coming.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

Anyway, they. They were ready for the crackers to come the next day. What they wasn't ready for was their vampire. But he snatched it off because he said, I don't want protection no more. If you're not in this world, I'm finna take out all these clan niggas. I'm finna take these niggas out and then I'm finna come see you and my baby.

[Kifiri]

He didn't have anything else?

[Crystal]

No. His brother's dead. His brother's a undead.

[Kifiri]

He's dead.

[Crystal]

Finna Rome the planet for however long with Mary and you gotta move every 15 years because niggas start getting suspicious.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, why?

[Crystal]

Anyway, black don't cry. It was just so crazy because that normally the clan coming and y'all didn't gave all this money and then the clan come and kill y'all and burn the down or whatever. Anyway, normally that would have been the story of the movie movie the way it was just like oh yeah. And remember that? Remember them? Remember that white man? It was like tacked on at the end like oh yeah. Don't forget about that part. Like.

[Tina Knowles]

Hey y'all.

[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

Another thing I loved about the movie is that there it was. Oh God, it's so well written because there's so many fucking layers and sub stories that are tied up. It's like, how did this nigga keep up with all of the. From the, like, from everything with Smoke and stacking their own individual relationships and the depths of stacking his relationship with Mary, smoking his relationship with Annie and their baby and how the baby was lost. The whole background with them working for Capone and then setting them up with like the Irish or whatever and robbing both of them and how they assume that maybe that's a part of what's going on. There were so many things that were like beautifully like woven and established and then, you know, tied up and dealt with. But you made me think of the moment at the end. God, I loved Annie and Smoke's relationship so much and I was like, so sad to see how things went. But then I was also like, it was super telegraphed. Like, Sammy comes. The movie begins with Sammy pulling up to the church looking like Nell turned.

[Crystal]

Over with that guitar. And I was scared that he had turned. And I'm sure that's what Ryan Wanted us to think that he had turned on.

[Kifiri]

I think he did too.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

Cause I didn't even, you know, when I thought that. The very end, I didn't even think about it. But when it came back to the beginning and he pulled up outside again.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

I feel like, thankfully there weren't that many people in my theater with me, because I went, oh, no.

[Crystal]

I had so many reactions. Yes. I went, thank God. I went at 11:30am because I went at like 3:00. Well, that end. I'm not finna I'm not finna watch sinners and then go outside into the dark.

[Kifiri]

Why would you.

[Crystal]

This is just, you know, all of the stuff that just always felt like old wives tales and just southern shit that my grandma and aunties and uncles and shit was saying. It was like all of that just flooded right back to me. Like there really was a reason we did not darken nobody's door. There really was a reason that we did not just, you know, you just don't show up. There's certain practices and you don't just let any damn body into your house. Like, there was a reason for all of that. There was a reason that we were that vigilant and just constantly staying on top of like that paranoid, really, all that. It's like the natives trying to save them. Them white folks.

[Kifiri]

Oh, wait, really quick before. Because I do want to talk about.

[Crystal]

That, because that was so fucking funny.

[Kifiri]

The really quick point was when the clan comes and smoke, thankfully murders the little.

[Crystal]

I mean, he's a soldier. He's a soldier. This is what he does.

[Kifiri]

And they left the trunk out somewhere else, but he went and grabbed it. But, you know, he is like mortally wounded. And as he's about to die, he sees Annie there with the baby and she's all done up and oh, my God, she's so gracious. Oh, my God, I loved it. I cried there too.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

Even though I knew it was gonna happen. But she. She's like, you can hold him. If you put that cigarette out. I don't want smoke all over the baby and stuff. It was so sweet. It was the reason I'm bringing that up, though. Another laugh out loud if that cracker would have just shut the. But you always gotta have the last word. That's all you had to do. And I was actually, I was like, damn, Ryan. I guess I get. Yeah. Like the clan is still, always alive. You know, it doesn't die.

[Crystal]

They don't all wear robes. They still do.

[Kifiri]

You would get away fine, Da. Da, da, da, da. Why did this white man open his mouth up again? Talking about some I got money, bitch. Now smoke, you came to their nightclub. They have money too. Bitch, you have money.

[Crystal]

I just gave you that money. Is that the money you talking about? The money I just gave you? You're here to kill. You came here to kill me. Y'all said, let's kill us a nigga today. Some niggas today. That's what y'all said when y'all pulled up. So now with the last energy I have in my body, I have to. I. I have to riddle you with bullets.

[Kifiri]

I was going to cradle my son and go into eternal sleep, but since you want to interrupt that, I loved it.

[Crystal]

White people can't get out their own way. They really can't. God, that was great. Let's discuss that native of the Klan at the end was great.

[Kifiri]

Delicious was great. Let's discuss the native tribe coming to them white clan also.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

The Klan house, Mississippi Choctaws, and telling them white people, hey, Ruthie. Ma'am.

[Crystal]

Yep.

[Kifiri]

You have likely let a bloodied stranger into your home recently. He's incredibly dangerous. He's a liar.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

And if you have come in contact with him, your life is in danger. While she's got this like, old school double barrel shotgun pointed at his face. He's not sweating. Cause he's just trying to help other people.

[Crystal]

But that's just how people answer the door. She did the same thing. They did the same thing with the white man when Remix showed up. That's just how you open the door back then.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, that's true. Especially when you live alone.

[Crystal]

Right? You out in the middle of the middle of nowhere. Fucking nowhere. Yeah, that's fair because what the fuck you want?

[Kifiri]

But that man said, listen, don't do it. And they lied to him and was like.

[Crystal]

She said, oh, no, we ain't letting nobody in. And then old boy in the back was like, hey, the sun is setting.

[Kifiri]

He was like, listen, I don't give a fuck what them crackers talking about. We tried.

[Crystal]

He said, you didn't. You said something.

[Kifiri]

Let's go. And then that man said he did not sweat either.

[Crystal]

Yeah, look, I thought maybe, but you can see the clan robes in the background. So it's like, I'm not even. Why would I try too hard to save you? But I am trying. However, it's time for us to head on back to the crib.

[Kifiri]

Goodbye, you're all you got.

[Crystal]

Good luck through the night, child. She went downstairs, her husband and her baby. First of all, where was the baby? Did he eat the baby? TikTok. TikTok said Remic ate the baby.

[Kifiri]

There was a baby. There was a crib.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Holy shit. You went downstairs talking about it with some engines at the door, baby, and your husband is gone and you finna be holy.

[Kifiri]

It was a crib.

[Crystal]

Yes. I cannot wait to see this movie again. I think this next time is gonna be the last time, but I'm definitely watching it again.

[Kifiri]

Oh, my God.

[Crystal]

What a.

[Kifiri]

He must have eaten the baby.

[Crystal]

This was 45 minutes of I told.

[Kifiri]

You I didn't want to talk about shit Elf.

[Crystal]

You're right. That's fine. Nothing else happened anyway.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, the movie was absolutely. Yeah.

[Crystal]

TikTok said Remick ate the baby.

[Kifiri]

I didn't even. Like, I remember that shot, like, you know what I mean, where Remit's just sitting there and the husband's on the ground. But I. And I remember there being a crib next to him, but I didn't even process that.

[Crystal]

They didn't pack up no vampire infant and take it to the club. That baby was gone. When you go downstairs and you find your husband is a vampire and your baby's dead, at that point. Point, you probably welcome in the vampire switch. You probably, girl.

[Kifiri]

That's what I'm saying. Tea. Like, okay, come on.

[Crystal]

And I mean, when Annie said so, like you said, when Grace got so activated over being afraid that something was going to happen to her daughter and Annie was still able to remain so calm. I think part of that is also Annie's child's not living. If somebody had threatened her baby, maybe she would have. Maybe. I don't think so. Because black women tend to think more about the community than just themselves.

[Kifiri]

She probably would have tried to come up with a plan.

[Crystal]

But something. You know, she would have. But she also knew that if she got bit, Smoke was gonna make sure she died and she was gonna be reunited with her child. So even the worst thing that could happen is still a little sweet for you. Cause you get to be with your baby again. So.

[Kifiri]

Whereas Grace had no idea what the fuck she was.

[Crystal]

Whereas Grace had no. You know, trying to give some understanding because you really don't know. This is 1932.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

You. You can't text your daughter real quick and be like, make sure you lock the door and don't let nobody in.

[Kifiri]

Like, she went out like a G, though.

[Crystal]

Well, they all did that last. Like I said, them final 15 minutes or so. I was like, can I watch?

[Kifiri]

Can I really watch this movie was really excellent. First of all, also, do you, you know, you remember Shawna, the rapper getting some.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

You know, older Sammy. That's her. That's her dad. Buddy guy.

[Crystal]

Oh, I was about to say. So I knew that the man who played Sammy in the 90s was like an actual Buddy guy. Yeah, yeah, Was Buddy Guy. But I did not know that was her daddy. Wow.

[Kifiri]

That's Shawna's dad.

[Crystal]

That was.

[Kifiri]

Wait, so she was so adorable.

[Crystal]

I. The fact that Smoke made Stack promise to leave Sammy alone, like, just let him.

[Kifiri]

I was not surprised that he didn't kill him either. It was so sad when he was.

[Crystal]

Like, you ain't got that much time left. I could smell or I could tell something like that. Like, he could tell when people are about to die. It's like, oh, that's creepy. But. But also. Yeah, that was 60 years ago.

[Kifiri]

Very old.

[Crystal]

And I was 18 then. But if you. So what I was left pondering was, do you think one of the many questions. Do you think Stack and Mary were going. Were about to go outside to their death. Were they, like, trying to hurry up and get back home? Because it looked like the sun was coming up when they were walking out of that club at the end in like, 92.

[Kifiri]

I didn't do that either.

[Crystal]

It looked like the sun was coming up to me. So I'm like, are they saying, okay, Sammy's about to die, so we're okay with dying? Or y'all just like, the sun's coming up, we need to hurry up and get back in the house? Because they did have their shoes.

[Kifiri]

I would think that. I would think that they were probably. If the sun was coming up, they were probably heading out to go.

[Crystal]

Yeah. I don't think they were, like, trying to burn up and. No, it looks like Mary and Stack are having the life they dreamed of. They're forever young and fine. They just got done shooting a video.

[Kifiri]

With the LL Cool J look.

[Crystal]

Y'all clear? You clearly still out here scamming or maybe you done finally learned how to do something and got a job because you out here.

[Kifiri]

Coogee dripped. Made it through the AIDS crisis.

[Crystal]

I was just wondering, you know, like, that's suspicious. But.

[Kifiri]

No, I think they have full intention to continue living possibly in another movie.

[Crystal]

It's. It's 5:45am we have to go home.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. You know how it is.

[Crystal]

Shooting music videos, sunlight, things.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. Directing an episode of A Different World.

[Crystal]

Ryan Coogler. Your mind, your. Your mind, your eye. Jesus is so well Done. Very, very well done.

[Kifiri]

You took a story about. Essentially, with all due respect, you took a story that is about music, black authenticity, and vampires and made something that is not only entertaining and scary, that is just so full, that has so much depth and nuance and specificity and, like, it's so on the money in so many ways.

[Crystal]

So good.

[Kifiri]

I can't, like, I personally feel like the hype is well worth it. I think that everybody from acting ate their food. Production design, ate their food. Costuming, Ruth E. Carter, food, ate hair, makeup, effects. I think I said production design. The music.

[Crystal]

Everybody, girl.

[Kifiri]

Everybody. The music. Even the white people who were like the. When the three of them came up to the door and they started playing them little banjos and shit.

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah.

[Kifiri]

It was another way, actually, you know, we letting them in. We let them in because we're like, oh, this sounds kind of good. Oh, they got a little jazz in them all the time.

[Crystal]

We not literally inviting y'all in, right? Y'all can go to the white club somewhere. White people trying to come in here don't want nothing but trouble.

[Kifiri]

Smoke said it's lots of establishments for.

[Crystal]

Y'All down on the road.

[Kifiri]

I thought this movie was excellent. I can't wait to see it on Friday in 70 millimeter. Especially now that you've also pointed out at least two or three things that I did not peep. I want to see if I'll, like, catch on to those, catch on anything new as well, and really get into the horror some more. Cause I was so. I said, like, maybe 30, 40 minutes in, I was like, oh, I'm invested. I like everyone. I don't want anything bad to happen.

[Crystal]

Too bad. That's too damn bad.

[Kifiri]

I loved it. And I swear, like, two minutes in, the first jump scare actually scared me. The one where he's walking into the fucking church and then you get that flash.

[Crystal]

Oh, right.

[Kifiri]

I promise. When that thing happened, the very hand to God, the very first thought I had was, poor Crystal.

[Crystal]

I swear to God, when that first.

[Kifiri]

Jump scare happened, I was like, oh.

[Crystal]

Crystal, God damn it.

[Kifiri]

Poor thing. She just wants to know what's happening.

[Crystal]

But it really wasn't too bad. It wasn't that bad with that stuff. I'm not looking forward to seeing all the blood and everything again. But this 70 millimeter thing, I will never get the opportunity to see it as Ryan intended it. I will never. Obviously, you can buy it, but I won't be able to see it like this ever.

[Kifiri]

So I'm just. People who want to can't even go right.

[Crystal]

It's only eight.

[Kifiri]

There's one in your city.

[Crystal]

It's one 25 minutes from my apartment.

[Kifiri]

Like I'm saying, there's only 20 minutes for me. I'm going.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

So the only reason I didn't go already is because the only seats that were left were, like, in the first two rows.

[Crystal]

I'm not doing it.

[Kifiri]

Okay. I want to see it right. But. Yeah. I don't have anything else to talk about.

[Crystal]

No, I can't recommend it enough. It was excellent. Go see Sinners.

[Kifiri]

Even if you don't like scary that much, but you do like black. I think there's something in there for you. It's a great, great film.

[Crystal]

But if you are sensitive to blood and gore, I just want you to know there's a lot of that.

[Kifiri]

So there's quite a bit. There's quite a bit.

[Crystal]

But two thumbs up if you can get past it, baby. What an incredible fucking movie.

[Kifiri]

I still would take the blood and gore over Haley Stanfield or anybody else spitting in somebody's mouth. And worse than that was that. That Grand Dragon spitting every five.

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah, right.

[Kifiri]

That was disgusting.

[Crystal]

And they peeped immediately that there was blood on the floors that they had tried to clean up because y'all killed the last. Y'all sold this.

[Kifiri]

Exactly.

[Crystal]

So they knew the clan was coming. It was just.

[Kifiri]

They knew that they didn't even remix it right.

[Crystal]

Cheryl.

[Kifiri]

I think I also said out loud at some point, I love black people. They're so cool.

[Crystal]

When Mary told Sammy, boy, if you don't get the fuck out of my face, bitch.

[Kifiri]

Oh, my God, Crystal, thank you so much. Thank you so much. You always do this. You always come right on the back end and you give me the reminder and you bring me back. Because I wanted to bring that up. When I took. I turned around because I laughed. I was like, let me make sure I didn't bother anybody again. Thank God the delivery of that line was.

[Crystal]

It was so good.

[Kifiri]

The delivery of that line was spectacular. I can't remember. Sammy was trying to tell him, like, he couldn't be here or something like that.

[Crystal]

Yeah, she told him we were with the club. He said, I'm with the twins. I'm with the twins.

[Kifiri]

You with the twins? Boy, if you don't get the fuck out my face.

[Crystal]

You with the twins? What the fuck did that mean to me? At first I was like, I don't know how I feel about it.

[Kifiri]

Maybe Haley do have some black kid, because she said she delivered that line Way too well. Somebody on set was like, no, that's what they said.

[Crystal]

That's correct. You do it just like that.

[Kifiri]

She said, boy, if you don't get the. On my face.

[Crystal]

I had never heard of Hailee Steinfeld before. I don't know that I've ever seen her in anything but that. That cracked me the up.

[Kifiri]

I've seen her in a couple of things.

[Crystal]

I know now she's engaged to Josh Allen. Somebody should have told me that from the beginning.

[Kifiri]

Oh, I did not know that at all. But she was looking pitch perfect. She was in pitch perfect. She's in the MCU as. Oh, chick's name? Yeah, she's the girl.

[Crystal]

Okay. Oh, it was Kate Bishop. Oh, that is. Oh, God. She must have been so young then.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, Pushburg was okay.

[Crystal]

I was like, this looks like a different person, but she was just so okay. Well, regardless, that really cracked me the fuck up.

[Kifiri]

That line delivery was excellent.

[Crystal]

It was just. I fucking love this fuck out my face. Like, stack your little cousin. You just feel. Nigga. She was like, nigga, I just thought, you know that nigga, right?

[Kifiri]

And brought him a drink. But that was so funny, too. Like, when they saw him, when they first saw Mary at the train station.

[Crystal]

He was like, that white woman.

[Kifiri]

A white lady stared at you. Zach was like, oh, shit. He didn't see her. He was like, okay, just don't look at her, dad. She's walking over here. God damn. God damn. Don't say, like, no. But I was like, t, here's a white woman staring. Fuck.

[Crystal]

But that ain't no white woman, and you know it. Yeah, and even not then, she was no white woman to them. She is now.

[Kifiri]

Oh, I didn't realize I was a white woman when you were sticking your tongue in my coon and fucked me until I something. So whatever.

[Crystal]

She said, yeah. When he was like, yeah, I also told you I hated you and never wanted to see you again. She was like, well, I thought you changed your mind after you stuck your tongue in my pussy and fucked me so good. Like, oh, my God.

[Kifiri]

I was like, okay, well, Mary does not give.

[Crystal]

He talked to her crazy, though. Like, she just buried her mama and you talking about, yeah, that's all. She was warm.

[Kifiri]

Your mama. That was basically your name.

[Crystal]

Your mama that nursed. She nursed y'all when yalls mama died. She nursed you. She nursed you.

[Kifiri]

And this is how you're quarterback mammy.

[Crystal]

Sure. That would have really, really pissed me off.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. No, that would have been him after.

[Crystal]

He did all that the day after.

[Kifiri]

Your mama, her stupid young.

[Crystal]

Why your white husband not with you? Because your white husband can't know you got a black mama.

[Kifiri]

Well, she got her get back. I guess they both did now.

[Crystal]

Well, after that night, you wasn't never going back to that white man. No way. So like, my wife went home for her mama funeral and she just never came back all the way in. Our.

[Kifiri]

Probably went home and killed. Oh yeah.

[Crystal]

You know, they, they, they were attracted because. Because Sammy was. Agreed. Because Sammy had that ability with his musicianship to bring, you know, spirits in and all that. Where, where was that flavor? Finna be at that white man's plantation in Arkansas. No, ain't none there. Anyway, excellent film.

[Kifiri]

I'm so glad that you agree. I was so worried. It was great. Oh, God, I don't know if Crystal's gonna make it through this. It's scary and there's a lot of blood, but it's also really blood. We still like it.

[Crystal]

Excellent. It was just an incredible story. The storytelling was top tier. So, so good. Well, I guess that's the hot.

[Kifiri]

The hot box. The sinner box.

[Crystal]

That's what it was. Instacart is here to keep you on the couch this basketball season. With pre game rituals and post game interviews, it's hard to find time for everything else. Let Instacart handle your game day snacks or weekly restocks with delivery in as fast as 30 minutes because it's bad luck to be hungry on game day. Download the Instacart app today and enjoy. Zero dollar delivery fees on your first three orders. Service fees apply for three orders in 14 days. Excludes restaurant. Oh, my goodness. Ms. Tina, I. You look beautiful today. Thank you for being here.

[Tina Knowles]

Oh, thank you for having me. I haven't seen you guys since the launch.

[Crystal]

Yes, the sacred launch. And you know, you trimmed my hair that day and you told me, you said, in a very sweet way, you basically said, girl, your ends are chewed and you need to trim them on a regular basis. And I have been doing that. I have. It is. It's much more voluminous now. I've been using my sacred. That reconstructed mask like you told me to. And I went and got myself a good pair of scissors and I started doing my own trims. Because I said my own trims. Ms. Tina, who can I let in my head after you did it?

[Tina Knowles]

Girl, when you in la, just call me and I trim for you.

[Crystal]

Okay? See the problem, you done said that two times, so I'm gonna have to. I'm have to email Sienna.

[Tina Knowles]

You guys are in New York?

[Crystal]

I am, yeah.

[Tina Knowles]

I'm in New York. All. I'm serious about that. I love trimming hair.

[Crystal]

Oh, okay. Well, you don't have to say it no more.

[Tina Knowles]

You can't be trimming your own hair.

[Crystal]

Well, I. Do it like you said. Like, you were like, blow dry first. Do it. Trim it curly. Yes, ma'am. Cause I was listening close because you said them curly cuts is not it, so.

[Tina Knowles]

And how you been doing, you kid? You've been putting it on your beard.

[Kifiri]

My beard has just been so luscious and so, so full. I cut my hair down a little bit more up on top. But this beard has been keeping me together with that oil and that moisturizer. And I'm so blessed to say that. Oh, my goodness. I am in Los Angeles, California. Yes. So thank you for reminding this one that there is a West coast and there's love on it available for her.

[Tina Knowles]

Right. It's way here with open arms.

[Crystal]

Well, Los Angeles is great. But I had, you know, people say, oh, just let me know. I'll do your hair. And, like, okay, that's so nice. But you done said it twice now, so I'm really gonna have to do it.

[Kifiri]

There it is. By way of the Lord. Thank you so much for coming on the show today to talk with us about your book. We are so excited and so grateful, and, man, this book is amazing. There's so much with so little time that we have to talk about, but you just kind of get into it from the beginning. The mother tree, this, like, familial tree that's laid out for you is so, like, homey and black, and it makes you just feel proud. Even though I don't know these people personally. But one of the things that, like, right out in the beginning pages that stood out to me was when you were talking about being a child and being hyper, and you talked about. You said that you were pretty sure you, like, you're pretty sure you had adhd, but nobody knew what that was back then, so they just called you bad.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

And like, unpacking and discussing our mental health has been something we've done a lot on the show for a while. So I guess I wanted to know, like, what you're hoping people get out of that little bit about, like, I guess people's perception of children and their activity and stuff.

[Tina Knowles]

Well, I think, you know, for me, again, you know, I was told all the time by adults, you know, they say, oh, that girl is so bad. And she's got such a mouth on her. I think my brain, like, moved way faster than then, you know, the rest of me had to catch up all the time. And I had trouble sometimes concentrating in school and was easily bored, like, very easily. Had to be into something all the time, which I think back then they didn't recognize it, and so they just took it as acting up. But you have to really notice your kids and, you know, do the. Back then, they didn't have the research, but now we have so much research available to us, all we gotta do is get on and Google and try to understand your child and why they act up. Sometimes, you know, there are all these things that, you know, I just found out about this sickness called Panda. And then I don't know if y'all have heard of it, but it causes kids to be very emotional and to throw temper tantrums. And that can be confused as just being bad or, you know, I hate the term bad. I never call kids bad because usually it's a reason for them being so hyperactive. So I hope people will just listen and try to research and figure out their kids very early on.

[Crystal]

Yeah, I love that you brought that up. Your own sort of struggles with being young and having this stuff going on and people not understanding because the theme of, like, doing right by my kids, doing right by the next generation comes up repeatedly throughout this book. And the way you talk about your parents really illustrates just how complicated that relationship can be. And I love the detail you go in. It's up and down. It seems like with your mother especially, you know, you went through a lot of mistreatment. You went through a horrific incident at the hospital, and your mother's sort of first response was to not really stick up for you, to not defend you. You felt betrayed. But then on the other hand, you had these dreams that your. Your parents really supported your singing group and, you know, your mom helping you with the outfits, your dad driving you around to stuff. So there's just a lot of feelings that may conflict. And then when you talk about having Beyonce looking at her and saying, I am going to do right by you. I am not going to let fear influence the way you are raised. And that line really, really struck to me. You also talked about you and your mom kind of having some distance between you and not really reconciling until the 70s.

[Tina Knowles]

So with what's in the teenage years, I want to be very clear about that because my mom was my world until I got to be a teenager and I started growing up and what I realized now is she was very fearful for me as a teenager. And I often wonder what happened to my mama. Something happened to her, and she never talked about it, but obviously something traumatic happened to her to make her so afraid of me and men, or men, you know, people. My mouth being. She was like, teeny, that mouth is going to get you killed. You know, with the police, with the whoever. I just had a mouth on me, which I still have. You know, it was my protection. And thank God I had that mouth because my mama was passive, and she was not a protect. She protected me from behind the scenes. That's what I realized when I got older, is that my mama was. That was her way of protecting me. But I felt like she didn't fight for me when I, you know, she wouldn't fight because she wasn't a fighter.

[Crystal]

Right. And that whole thing about, I'm doing this to keep you safe, you kind of said that she did the same thing with Johnny, that she taught him to sew because the exchange of making stuff with people would, you know, and that she really couldn't dream for him beyond survival. And maybe those dreams were the way she showed love. So I'm wondering with all of that into consideration, when you're looking at this beautiful, innocent baby that you've just given birth to, and she's growing up and finding her way, and there's hiccups here and there, how did you draw upon all that experience when you're faced with your own child's dreams? Like, you had this dream of a singing career, it didn't really pan out for you. And now you have a daughter with all this potential. You must have felt some of that nervousness your mother felt about your child going out into the world and being part of something so big.

[Tina Knowles]

Yeah, because, you know, when I was a kid growing up, you just knew Motown. You saw all the glamour and the glitz. You didn't know about the other things that go on in the music industry. So it was very glamorous to me. And then my dreams were kind of cut off early. And then it's kind of like I forgot about that whole thing and went on with life. And then when my daughter wanted to do that, it was very scary for me. And part of my, you know, being a part of that, you know, people have often accused me of being a stage mother and saying, oh, she just loves that. No, it was. That was not the case. My husband really liked, you know, the. He liked the music business. That wasn't my first Choice for my kid. But whatever my kid wanted to do, I was gonna darn sure do everything I could do to help their dreams come.

[Crystal]

Beautiful.

[Tina Knowles]

But did I love it? No. And when Solange got ready to do it, I was like, oh, no, not again. Like, never wanted to do anything but sing and dance and entertain. She didn't care about school. She was like her mama, you know, school was a joy for her and. But salon school was a joy for her. She was popular, she was popping, you know, she was having a good time. And I was like, girl, go have fun. Why do you want to do this? But that was her, her intention, you know, that was her, her intention for her life. And so all I could do was go along with. But that was not. I'm probably the farthest thing from a stage mother, but I am protective. And if you gonna do this, then I want to be there to make sure that you get to do it right.

[Crystal]

It just sounds like your protection didn't come from a place of fear like your mother's did, but more of a sense of duty. This is my child and I'm going to take care of her because that's what good mamas do. I'm not trying to hold her back.

[Tina Knowles]

It didn't do for me. But my only criticism of my mother because she was a great mother, was that I felt like she, you know, was too passive and too weak when it came to challenging people. And I just never was going to be that with my kids. Like, I will fight you.

[Crystal]

I know that's right.

[Kifiri]

I know that it's right. That is me as well. I do also consider, you know, your mother's perspective. There's things I'm reading and reminded of or learning, like the names you're, you know, Beyonce being spelled different because these racist folks in healthcare places didn't know or care how to properly spell it in. And your mother was told, be glad you even get one, you know, in sixth grade, being as far as black folk, you know. So, like, I understand, I guess there's that aspect of it, but I think it's kind of. And I think that that's another part of the reason why. I like the way that the book is segmented between like daughter, mother and like these eras. It's really cool to see like the kind of ripple effects of you doing handstands under this pecan tree to like, I'm going. The amount of times that I read you snatching your arm away from someone, some well intentioned family member. Ms. Tina was like, I'M going. No, I'm going to get that ice cream. It is amazing to me. One of the things I love about the book, too, is that there's a lot of, like, dialogue, and it feels like it is your voice. Like, I just heard you say dern. And I read dern near so many times in this book, and I'm like, oh, this Loki. It reminds me of talking to Crystal. It reminds me a little bit of Chris. Yeah. But, you know, we joke about your, you know, accent and Texas isms and all of these things. So I was like. Because of the dialogue, some of it kind of felt like reading fiction a bit. It felt like I was almost like in. In your biopic, you know, as opposed to just reading a typical nonfiction thing. I just felt like it was. It just characterized you in these moments with your family in a really, like, engaging way. And I wanted to know if that was, like, an intentional approach to the writing aspect of it, if you wanted us to, like, feel like we were in those moments.

[Tina Knowles]

You know, I. It's interesting because, you know, most people that write memoirs, they have a co writer. And the guy who worked on the book with me, his name is Kevin O'Leary. And I was in love with his writing before, you know, I even knew him. But he got me. So I would. We. I would just, you know, he would be recording, and we would just be going, and I would be telling him all these stories, and he did it word for word. And I would say to him, kevin, I sound so country. It's good.

[Kifiri]

It's good.

[Tina Knowles]

Trying to convince me, because I was like, you know, I don't know if people want to read the way I talk. I say, don't do, you know, and he'll write Gone. And. And I'm like, I don't know what go mean, that it means going to learn today.

[Kifiri]

Yes.

[Tina Knowles]

Like, absolutely not. This book has People know how you speak. They know your country. Like, be yourself. And that's. It was such a joy to work with him because, you know, I was thinking he was going to say, no, we need to have correct English. And that's what his job was. Because I'm telling my own stories, I'm writing my own book. But he is putting it on paper and organizing it and fact checking and doing all those things. But I was like, ready for somebody to say, you, grammar is hideous. You know, we need to correct. And he did the opposite. He was like, no, I love the words. Way you talk.

[Crystal]

I love.

[Tina Knowles]

You know, I'm like, yeah, because you Know, they want too much sugar for a dime. For a dime. And he would write won't sugar. Sometimes I said, listen, I sound like a slave. Like, we got to clean it up a little bit. You know, I'm like, being like, too, because that's how we talked in the South.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Tina Knowles]

No, it really was. And. And even when I go back to the South, I find myself saying, gone. I still say gone. I live in California all these years. But it's. It was refreshing to have somebody who really appreciated, you know, the country. Ness.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. I think most readers likely will, too, because I love.

[Crystal]

Feels very. The. The book feels very genuine to you. It's like sitting down and. And listening to someone talk about their life. The story is so rich and full and. And again, just packed with these ups and downs. It's like Kefiri said, we're reading it, and I'm in 1968 with you when you are righteously angry over your school being integrated and all the black kids having to give stuff up and the white kids just being able to do whatever. And you mentioned something in that particular anecdote about the school administration being upset because y'all said black power at the end of your black history event.

[Tina Knowles]

Well, what we did is we didn't say black power. We held up our fists.

[Crystal]

Oh, you held up your fist. Okay.

[Tina Knowles]

Asked y'all not to do that. But they were about it afterwards. People loved it. You know, they erupted in applause when we did that. But it was, like, taboo, because remember that those. The three guys that went to the Olympics and they held up. This was during those times. So they were like, we don't want any, you know, because it was about the Black Panthers, which was.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Tina Knowles]

I think the school was progressive. And as I read the book, sometimes I'm like, I hope I wasn't too hard on them, because even for them to let us do that at that time was pretty progressive. And that was, you know, some of the student body and some of the faculty, and then some of it. Hate. Some of them hated it. So when we did the fist, they were like, we told y'all not to do that, but, you know, it's done, so you.

[Crystal]

I can't undo it.

[Tina Knowles]

One less than permission. Right.

[Crystal]

So, I mean, when you're doing the right thing. Absolutely. And so that moment, what you said in response to that was, you know, being pro black does not make you anti white. And that is a sentiment the rest of us first heard from you on Solange's album A Cedar at the Table. What Was it like for you to hold fast to these ideas of your inherent self worth? Because it seems like you never once doubted that, you know, they couldn't break your spirit. That's something you say repeatedly throughout the book. So how did you hold on so tight to this idea that yes, I am worthy just as I am, when it seems like most of the people around you wanted. They wanted you to assimilate in one way or another?

[Tina Knowles]

Well, you know, I was young when I went to Catholic school. I was young. And then, you know, I went. When I got to go to public school, I had a certain. I mean, I had really had a lot of freedom for the first time. And not somebody. The first time a teacher liked me was when I went to public school. I couldn't believe it. I was like me, I mean, because I was always the person that they just really did not like at Catholic school. So when I went to this public school, I had a teacher that actually liked me and told me that, you know, what, for the first time was positive about me. And then that went on, I guess, till my. I just got mad in my teenage years. I got angry at my mom. And just so happens that I got so angry because I couldn't go to Central High School because that was when I lived for my whole life. And it was so disappointing because. And just all of the things, all this changed at 14 because remember that's when my brother, they almost killed my brother.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, I was literally about to mention that. Yeah, like, y'all went through a lot.

[Crystal]

There was a lot. A lot, a lot.

[Tina Knowles]

So imagine them taking your school away, harassing your family, you know, and my mom, me feeling like my mother didn't trust me and that she didn't have faith in me, you know, and all of that came to me in my teenage years. So I was pissed off for some years.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Tina Knowles]

You know, I couldn't wait to get away from them, away from my mama, away from that little one hearth town. I was like, I gotta get up out of here. And once I got out of there and got into the world, I was like, dog, my mama was really a great mom. Thank God that I got exposed to some mothers because we assume that in my little mind, I assumed that everybody had a great mom. And when I saw an example of a mother that was not so great, I was like, God, I really did my mama wrong because, you know, I wasn't talking to her. She would ask me to call her and I say, oh, I'm gonna call you. And I Think, you know, as teenagers, we find a little power in disappointing our parents. I'm sad, you know, and I just, you know, wouldn't call her back, and she was worried about me. And, you know, I remember the day that I called her and I apologized and I said, mama, you have been a really great mom. And from that time on, me and my mama were tight. And I just thank God for that because I could have gone through wasted so many more years because this was from the age of 14 through 18. So thank God it wasn't a long time.

[Crystal]

Yeah, you said you went to LA and met somebody who didn't have a nice mama. You said, let me go home and call my mama right now, actually.

[Tina Knowles]

And I was crying and she was like, oh, it's okay. Because, you know, my parents were old too, and they. They were old and they had those thick accents and, you know, kids tease you a lot, especially in Texas. Like, they teased you here in la. It's a melting pot here of all people from all different parts of the country. But in Texas, it's different. And so, you know, being called to geechee and all of this, you know, the negativity. I didn't. I feel so sad for those years that I didn't respect my parents or just that they were good people. I was like, all they always. My daddy come around here in this old car. He old, he talking with that accident. Like people would make fun, you know.

[Crystal]

Well, it was developmentally appropriate for you at that age. You know, that's when people rebel. That is when you push back and you were treated unfairly sometimes. But we do have to grow up, get out into the world, get some context. And then we say, oh, things were actually not anywhere near.

[Tina Knowles]

No, they could have been a lot worse.

[Crystal]

Yes, you could have had a much worse mother.

[Kifiri]

So I want to ask about your best friend, Johnny. And I loved reading more about him in this book and you sharing a bit more of his story and talking about the experience with him just not wanting to play basketball and how you stepped into the right frame as a best friend and was like, hey, I want to play. That took him home. And as Krystal mentioned, your mom put him onto, you know, making clothes, and eventually he moved in with you and was basically just running the house and making dresses for the girls and stuff. And I guess, like, I wanted to know how it feels or what the experience has been like to kind of commemorate that friendship and sort of like immortalize your friend and have people, you know, get to really connect with with this person. And. And it really feel impacted because as like, a. A gay black man who has experienced a lot of those things and recognizes all those things, it's very touching. And it also really touched me that his friend is, you know, putting his story out there and sharing, you know, the love that. That y'all had.

[Tina Knowles]

Well, I mean, that's one of the best parts about this. You know, when B did that album and he got that recognition, oh, my God, it was the happiest feeling. And I know that he is, you know, up there in heaven playing his house music. I was gonna be famous. Cause he used to tell me he was gonna be famous, and I'd be like, okay, Johnny. Okay.

[Kifiri]

It is.

[Crystal]

He.

[Tina Knowles]

He prophesized that he manifested it. And she came out with that record. And then I would go to these concerts, and I had no idea that she had that picture at the end of the concert of me and him, because, you know, they rushed me out of the concert every night in the car Fair. Okay, we don't. So you're not. She's not waiting on you, right? Get in the car. You got to go get in the car. And I'm, like, staying out here tonight because y'all have me sitting in there, and it take her, like, 10 minutes to get there. So I stayed and I saw that picture. Oh, my God, I cried. And. And, you know, Johnny gave us that picture because Beyonce called me. Beyonce's office called me one day, and they were like, we need a picture of Johnny. And I said, oh, my God, I gotta go. And I was going to, like, a podcast. And I said, I don't have time, because I have these four big things of pictures. And I went in there and pulled it out, and that picture was at the top. And I said, I don't know if they told me they wanted a picture of him. This one has me in it, but they could just crop me out of it. And so when I saw that picture up there, I was just so happy. And when I saw all these young people, that reminded me of him, because I would stay at the. And I would say, oh, my God, go get him. And he would come over, and I would say, your outfit is fabulous. And they would have on these outfits that were. They look like what was on the stage. And I knew how much that cost and how long that takes. Every week or two weeks at home.

[Kifiri]

That's right.

[Tina Knowles]

And they would be like, me. And I was like, that's Johnny. Like, it just. It was the best. And so now for me, to follow that up with a book is just. I mean, he was my favorite person in the world. So, yeah, it's like reliving those moments. And it's so funny because I just finished. I had finished the audiobook, and as many times as I read this book, I cried, you know, at the loss of humor. And my mom and my dad and Marseille and all the people that I lost. It was. It never. It never. It never stops hurting that I lost him, you know? But I know he's here. I know he's here, and I have to tell y'all a quick little story. So on the 29th of July was the day that the album came out. And, you know, I never keep up with dates, but I went to do this interview with TS Madison, and she said, oh, Beyonce put the album out on the anniversary of Johnny's death. And I said, no, no. Do you know it was July 29th. It was the same day as his put that album out. You know, that's the end. That's him talking to us.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Kifiri]

That was that picture at the top of the thing, too. We're not even gonna waste time. Johnny said, here you go.

[Tina Knowles]

That's right.

[Kifiri]

There's this photo.

[Tina Knowles]

That's right. I mean, definitely seeing this.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Your daughter has such attention to detail that I think I just assumed she did it deliberately. But you talk about getting signs, they did, too.

[Tina Knowles]

And I was like, oh. And I couldn't wait to get out of there. And I called her and I said, guess what? You know how you put the record out on July 29th. That's the thing of Johnny's death. And she got really choked up about it. Had no idea. Like, you know, she was beautiful, 14 when he passed away.

[Crystal]

Right. And in that same vein, I don't know too many people, black or white or anything else, who were not homophobic in the 50s and 60s. So reading about your family and how everybody just embraced Johnny and was like, what you not gonna do is come for my cousin and, you know, trying to keep him safe, teach him how to, you know, fit in with others and all that.

[Kifiri]

How.

[Crystal]

How on earth. You were like a little natural ally going, you know, talking to the white boy about where the gay club was at and going with him so he could find his people and not feel so alone. When you left Galveston, do you look back now, like, oh, my goodness, we were really different. Like, progressive. Yes.

[Tina Knowles]

When I said that, my family was progressive, but I don't think they knew. I think they just, you know, it started with his Mama, Selena, my sister. And from the time Johnny was like, you know, I asked her, I said, when did you know that Johnny was gay? And she said, girl, I knew from day one. But they were, like, super tight. And she treated him so well. My mama treated him so our family treated him well and gave the example for my, you know, my brothers were like macho men. They were athletes and my nephews were, too. And so they all protected Johnny. There was never any of that because it came from, you know, we do things in the image of our parents, and the example that they gave us is, no, people are not going to mistreat Johnny. And I really, I didn't even realize it. It's just like, you know, in the book, I talk about the fact that my mom was married before and that her. Her ex husband, who she had a really tumultuous relationship with. My mama had to go live with him.

[Crystal]

Yes.

[Tina Knowles]

And then we grew up with him as our grandfather, other grandfather. Like, his kids were like our sisters and brothers.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Tina Knowles]

Now, we didn't know that was weird, but we got to remote that people would be like, that's your stepbrother. And I'm like, no, that was my mama's first husband, husband's kids. And it's funny because my ex husband, his ex wife is my best friend. So I don't have those reservations about rules. Like, if I love somebody, I love them because they're a good person. And I don't care how they came to me. Doesn't matter. But I realized that my progressive thinking was because of my family, because we just weren't the traditional family and we had to protect each other because it was a whole bunch of us, because my sister had eight kids, my brother had four kids, and then it was us five kids. And when you fought one person, you had to fight everybody. We had to stick together.

[Crystal]

Yes. And you were a fighter. You were clear about that, too. Like, who wanted. I'm ready.

[Kifiri]

Amen.

[Crystal]

I just finished my degree. I was telling you at the Sacred Salon, I finished my master's in mental health counseling. Thank you. Thank you. And you. So you talked about, you know, making up with your mom at 18 after you had moved to LA, but that you didn't really feel the depth of the pain and working through the effects of it and coming to this place of, like, true forgiveness until around 2012.

[Tina Knowles]

Yes.

[Crystal]

With therapy. And you mentioned EMDR specifically, which I've also done and was huge. Very, very powerful. Yes, It's. It's incredible. So I'm Wondering if you can talk a little bit more about that experience. Because I think a lot of people can relate to, you know, sort of feeling an up and down dynamic, maybe feeling like something's missing. Yeah. And you've tried to talk to your parents about it, and they don't understand, or maybe their parents are no longer here, so that conversation can't even happen. So. Yeah. Are you okay with talking a little bit more about emdr?

[Tina Knowles]

Emdr?

[Crystal]

Oh, me too.

[Tina Knowles]

I didn't even know what it was, but when I had it, you know, it really connected the dots for me because my therapist kept saying, tina, you sure your parents weren't abusive? And I was like, I promise you, my parents, they just weren't, you know, I didn't even get spanking. So they were definitely not abusive. But she was like, well, there's some abuse that made you, you know, the codependency and, you know, because it's almost like two people are living in me, you know, one is I'm a beast and I can fight when I need to fight. But then the. On the other hand, you know, I love so hard, and I don't. It's hard for me to give up on people. So I take a lot of, you know, abuse from the people that I love. I take a lot. And through emdr, I saw the nuns and I was like, you know, the dots with the messages that they gave me that were. On one hand I was fighting them, but on the other hand, that stuff seeps in. And the messages that they give me about gave me about not belonging and not being worthy, they were a part of me. And when I went through that, I saw and I made the connection about where, you know, the part of me that feels not worthy came from. And. And then I saw my mom, which was, you know, and I was able to have a conversation with my mom and forgive her, really forgive her, because I forgave her when I was 18. And know what? You know, at 18, you don't know anything. You are, you know, you don't. Today I saw a bad mama, so I'mma forgive you. But I really didn't, you know, my heart really, really forgive her. And I loved her and I was so close to her and I looked at all the great stuff about her. That's what I did. I chose to look at all the great things from that day on. And it's interesting because my sister would sometimes say to me, you know, you. Yeah, you just saw everything good about mama. You just didn't want to hear Anything, you know, that's how I cope. But I did forgive her that day, and the EMDR allowed me to do that.

[Crystal]

Yes.

[Tina Knowles]

With another therapy. And you probably know the name of it where you point. Do you know that one with the pointer? I have the same of it, but I did that some years ago, and it was amazing. And it's. It's. You take this pointer, and it's very similar to it, and it was very helpful for me because there was somebody who just the mention of their name would. Is there anybody in your life that the mention of their name just pissed you off?

[Crystal]

And you say, yes, there is.

[Tina Knowles]

And I'm like, I gotta deal with this person. I gotta be around them. I gotta learn how to cope. So. So my therapist suggested this therapy, and for the life of me, you know, I'm 71 years old. I can't think of the name of it, but it's wonderful. And it really helped me so that the next time I was around them, I was able to function and not feel that anxiousness like, I want to.

[Crystal]

Pop pop gave you a little bit of your patience and. And your resolve back really good. Okay.

[Tina Knowles]

And I wish more black people would try these things, you know.

[Kifiri]

Fantastic. I have therapy after today, so I'm. I'm looking into it today.

[Crystal]

Yes, indeed. So was it something, do you know? Did you have to train your eye on the pointer stick? Because it may have been an earlier version. It's this.

[Tina Knowles]

It's this music that they play.

[Crystal]

Okay.

[Tina Knowles]

And it's like really, really, really. You go into almost like a trance because it just relaxes you and you breathe, and then it's a pointer. And I'm gonna find out the name of it.

[Crystal]

That's fine.

[Kifiri]

I was just gonna get your hands done again. She'll tell you.

[Crystal]

Yes, Wonderful. Okay, I know we only have a few more minutes. I do want to bring up one more anecdote from the book. When Beyonce was very small and you guys had a house fire and had to stay in a hotel overnight, and you mentioned that you realized the only difference between you all and the situation your parents were in back in Louisiana was the presence of money.

[Tina Knowles]

That's right.

[Crystal]

But also that it wasn't your money, it was your husband's money. And you didn't really have all that much faith in the relationship with your husband. So it was like, mary, you're in a very unique position, one that most of us will never know anything about, because you have been both very poor and very well off. How do you think that Shift has influenced the way you see money and the. And how people who really deserve things simply don't have access to them because of a lack of money. How do you think your perspective has changed? Because you've been on both sides of this spectrum.

[Tina Knowles]

You know, one of the things is that I have always. I don't even know how to say this, but like, very, very, you know, I try to be frugal with money and always had this underlying little feeling in my stomach that I was going to have to go back to that. You know, I never want to.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Tina Knowles]

So I'm very aware of it and I think so. So I think my perspective on having money has. I just never been like, just not worried about money. I still, I don't worry about it because I know God has got me. He got me every time I've been in, you know, I've been had some really hard times in my life.

[Crystal]

Yes, you talked about it. We have no idea.

[Tina Knowles]

And gone through some real struggles. But when he always makes a way. And so I do have faith, but I still am still scared of always having to go back to that because it was not a pleasant time.

[Crystal]

So you really, you understand how that foundation of poverty can stick with you even throughout your life. And being in a place of such comfort now there's this sort of, ah. Because you, you know what it's like to be without. Well, I have to say, Ms. Tina, you have really been such an inspiration to countless people. I think this book is so important. I especially hope women of your generation read it. I think they can learn a lot from you and your progressive mindset, your way of the way. How even when you brought in your niece and her daughter Ebony to the house, how you were like, you know what? I could learn something from her because this child is six months older than mine and she doing dishes and getting herself dressed and Beyonce thinks she a princess. So I'm like, girl, what's wrong with you?

[Kifiri]

It be them cousins. It be them well mannered cousins get you every time.

[Crystal]

How come mine don't do that? But when you went to see Alvin Ailey with your brother's girlfriend and you said, not only am I leaving Galveston, I know I'm gonna take Galveston with me. And the Galveston is absolutely still in you. And I just love that. Yes.

[Tina Knowles]

It's funny because Beyonce always says that's her stock answer. I say, now you know, because you know why? And she was like, well, you know, cause you from Galveston and the Galveston came out of you. She says it all the time. Because that's a different kind of thing.

[Crystal]

Well, it's different, but beautiful.

[Kifiri]

This book is out, Matriarch. We're so excited. Well, we've read it.

[Crystal]

Yeah, I'm excited for the rest of you to read it.

[Kifiri]

Yeah, we're excited for the rest of you to read it. Sorry. But yes, I'm sure this book has been a time coming. I'm sure people have been asking you, when you go write a book, you go do a book. You go do a book. The time is now, I'm sure. Is there anything you're specifically excited about?

[Tina Knowles]

Done. It's scary. I mean, really, it's scary because, you know, I know that it opens up for people to create their own narrative from everything and headlines from everything. And so it's scary. But I feel good. I feel like it's a tribute to my mama and my daddy and, you know, and to all mothers, really, that. That want to help their kids reach their dreams. Like, that's. That's important. That, that. That. That was important for people to understand. Not that I got it all right. Because I, you know, I definitely screwed up sometimes, but people ask me all the time, how did you do this? And. And so I hope that it helps them to just know you got to support your kids no matter what you got to make. So it's a lot of lessons in there too.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

And I think those two are an excellent place to start.

[Kifiri]

So those two are a great starting.

[Crystal]

Place because a lot of people are not even there. So we just go try to get them to the place of supporting and prioritizing their children.

[Kifiri]

Let's start that.

[Crystal]

Yes. Thank you for putting a sort of blueprint out there for the rest of them. Again, Matriarch out now, wherever you get books. Ms. Tina Knowles, I can't say thank you enough for blessing the Reed with your presence today.

[Tina Knowles]

Oh, thank you guys for having me. I have a great time with y'all.

[Crystal]

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[Kifiri]

All right, we have returned. It is time now for the read. Before that, one more Time for our guests.

[Crystal]

Shout out to the legend, Ms. Tina Knowles. Like, they're. What can we say? She is that lady. We are honored that she actually came on this program and talked to us. Like my. She's literally my auntie. What? That's my auntie. Don't play with me.

[Kifiri]

I was shaking, but God. All right, let's do some black. Nope, that's not it. Let's do the read. And I was going to read Variety for this article they wrote on Sinners this past weekend that said something to the headline. Said something to the effect of Sinners is a box office hit, but it's far away from. No, Sinners is a hit, but it's far away from doing something at the box office. Essentially, like, they have a ways to go before they make up their budget. The budget being like, I think, 140 or 150 million or something like that. And I think at the time.

[Crystal]

It's opening weekend. Oh, sorry.

[Kifiri]

I think at the time it was like 46.

[Crystal]

That sounds great.

[Kifiri]

It was like 60.

[Crystal]

Okay. That's after three days.

[Kifiri]

So when I read this, I was like, are y'all sick or is this like, do y'all. Who do you hate that's involved with. What are you talking about? So I was fully prepared to come on here and drag, but then I realized that, like, half the industry did that already.

[Crystal]

Oh, good. Cause. What the fuck? Why would you say that on opening weekend? The movie just came out.

[Kifiri]

That's literally.

[Crystal]

Why are you being weird? Okay, well, work.

[Kifiri]

But, yeah, I think I saw Ben Stiller say something. Oh, yeah? He said, in what Universe does a $60 million opening for an original studio movie warrant this headline?

[Crystal]

Ben Stiller?

[Kifiri]

Yeah. Creator of Severance.

[Crystal]

What? Wait, no, I'm thinking of something else. I'm thinking of a different Ben Stiller.

[Kifiri]

Ben Stiller is the white Ben Stiller. From what?

[Crystal]

I'm thinking of the. The. The comedian. The.

[Kifiri]

Yes.

[Crystal]

Zoolander. That same person.

[Kifiri]

Yes.

[Crystal]

Wow. I just knew it was some black Ben Stiller I had never heard of. Wait, so what did he say? Say it again.

[Kifiri]

First. Let me read the actual thing.

[Crystal]

Okay. Yes. Okay.

[Kifiri]

Sinners hasn't. Has amassed 61 million in its global debut. It's a great result for an original R rated horror film, yet the Warner Brothers Release has a $90 million price tag before global marketing expenses. So profitability. Profitability remains a ways away. That's Variety. Wow. Ben Stiller said, in what Universe does a $60 million opening for an original studio movie warrant this headline?

[Crystal]

Oh, it's something about a white man doing that that really tickles the fuck out of me.

[Kifiri]

He's not.

[Crystal]

No, but answer the question. Answer the question, because not in this universe. In this universe, nobody writes that about a movie. An original. This is not the thousandth remake. This is not AI bullshit. This is an original studio film that made $60 million in its opening weekend. Why the fuck. What is the reason for this?

[Kifiri]

Kristin Shaw.

[Crystal]

Oh, I love her voice of Louise Belcher. I love her.

[Kifiri]

She responded saying, no one will ever. No one will write anything without a negative spin anymore. Patrick Schwarzenegger, acting son of the obvious, also responded to this Variety post saying it's opening weekend ellipses, mind you, these are all white people. Joe Russo responded to this exact same tweet of the Russo brothers. Avengers. They directed the Avengers.

[Crystal]

I do know Avengers.

[Kifiri]

Avengers.

[Crystal]

We do that.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Yep.

[Kifiri]

He responds. Or wait, are they. Are they talking about. Yeah, they're talking about showrusso Jo Ruzo. Yeah. Okay. He responded, Variety, colon, and in quotes. Why don't. Why didn't the movie make all its budget back in three days? Like.

[Crystal]

Make it make sense? Why would they do that?

[Tina Knowles]

Who. Who.

[Crystal]

Who decided that that story and that lead was the correct way to go? Like, if. If this was. If Sinners had been in theaters for two months and hadn't made 60 million, then we could have that conversation. 60 million, maybe 60 million opening weekend. A 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.

[Kifiri]

That is a huge. That's huge.

[Crystal]

Massive.

[Kifiri]

To Ben Stiller's point. An original movie.

[Crystal]

I'm really shook.

[Kifiri]

An original movie. Not a movie that is adapting a superhero from a book.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Kifiri]

A wizard from a book, not a marvel. A character from a cartoon, a character from a video game.

[Crystal]

An original story, original screenplay, original script.

[Kifiri]

Pulled in 60 million bands in three days.

[Crystal]

Wow.

[Kifiri]

And you're reaching them for having a ways away before they hit 90. Bitch don't hit 90 before Friday.

[Crystal]

I was gonna say who. What was the reason?

[Kifiri]

I'm going again.

[Crystal]

I can't wait. Like, I'm. I just don't understand it.

[Kifiri]

But to Kristen's point, yeah, people just be writing anything for us to click on. I don't even give a. They wrote about this. I mean, they wrote about this. Variety posted an article about everybody responding.

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah, because you gotta get. You gotta get that engagement. You gotta get them clicks. That's really what it's about.

[Kifiri]

So Franklin Leonard.

[Crystal]

It worked. It worked.

[Kifiri]

Franklin Leonard, founder of the Blacklist, said, I wonder if Variety covered Once Upon a Time in Hollywood which made 10% less at the domestic box office on 10% more theaters. Pre pandemic. And at the same budget with a similar date.

[Crystal]

Damn.

[Kifiri]

Not pre pandemic in the same way. What the. Spoiler alert. They did not spoil. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is this movie with Leonardo DiCaprio on Brad Pitt. I feel like Quentin Tarantino directed it.

[Crystal]

Yeah, that's what I'm looking at.

[Kifiri]

I've never heard Margot Robbie's in it.

[Crystal]

Yeah. I mean this is a huge cast. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt.

[Kifiri]

Yeah. It's like pretty star studded, but Timothy to their point.

[Crystal]

Wow. Al Pacino. God damn. Everybody's in this movie.

[Kifiri]

But to Franklin's point, they did not eat. And he then posted a response to that saying, spoiler alert. They didn't. With a Variety article that just says box office. Once upon a time in Hollywood start strong with 41 million. Oh.

[Crystal]

Quite literally. Oh, wow. Oh. So Once Upon a Time in Hollywood had more theaters and made less. But the framing around their movie was a strong start. But sinners had fewer theaters, made more. And their framing is. Profitability is a ways away. Okay. We see what you are. We see where you are.

[Kifiri]

So anyway, I was going to go see this movie again because I loved it. I will now be going to see it at least three more times. Once. Because I missed a couple of things. Now I'm realizing like Remic possibly eating a baby.

[Crystal]

I think we all missed some things.

[Kifiri]

Then I'm gonna go see it again. Cause I love it. And then I'm gonna go see it again because what the fuck do you think this shit is today, bitch?

[Crystal]

Yeah. Yeah. It's an excellent movie. I just don't understand like, nevermind, y'all.

[Kifiri]

Just like how just even on math, since we're putting numbers in here. Right, Right. The budget is 100 million. You saying it took three days for me to make 60? How long will it. How many days will it take for little Timmy to make 100? Not a long ways. Many.

[Crystal]

It's just weird.

[Kifiri]

Bitch. What are you talking about? Bitch? Shut the fuck up, bitch. Matter of fact, who wrote this?

[Crystal]

I think her name is Rebecca. I clicked on it and then I clicked off of it because I wasn't reading this for myself. What's your.

[Kifiri]

Rebecca Rubin?

[Crystal]

What's your issue?

[Kifiri]

She probably played the lady who sold a band. Who. Who played a banjo. Baby got eaten. You sound like that white lady who came to the door singing about Valhalla.

[Crystal]

That was just strange weird behavior. But not shocked. Honestly, that's how y'all do.

[Kifiri]

Oh, okay.

[Crystal]

Oh, I'm like, is that it?

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

Okay, well, Shannon Sharp, you big dumbass, brute ass idiot ass nigga. You big oaf.

[Kifiri]

What the is going on there, Shannon?

[Crystal]

So if you don't know, Shannon Sharp is accused of raping a woman, young woman that he used to have some sort of relationship with. Shannon sharp is like 56. This girl was 19 or 20 when they met two years ago.

[Kifiri]

20. Allegedly.

[Crystal]

20 when they met two years ago. So you were 53?

[Kifiri]

54.

[Crystal]

54. And this person was 20. All right.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

So automatically I'm disgusted. What the. What the are you doing with a 20 year old white girl in the first place? Like, I'm already not understanding. However, I did. The very first thing I saw was that Tony Busby was her attorney. And so automatically I was like, yeah, okay. I don't know. This might just be a cash grab because I now associate his name with Ms. And yeah, doing shit for the plot. But the details don't look good for Shannon Sharpe now. So she, they, her team, her and Tony Busby, whomever, decided to release audio. This phone call of them talking.

[Kifiri]

I didn't know about this.

[Crystal]

Oh, so there's a phone call, audio, where she's. They're talking and she says something about how she doesn't want to be manipulated. And he said, there you go with that word again. You say that again, I'm gonna choke the out you. When? Next time I see you.

[Kifiri]

What?

[Crystal]

Yeah, and she said. There was like this long pause. And then she said, well, I don't want to be choked. And he said, yeah, you do. You acting like it or it's. Yeah, you do, and it's not up to you.

[Kifiri]

Oh, my God, I'm getting physically angry.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Yeah. So she says that this happened twice with the sexual assault. Once in October of 2024, and then in January of 2025, which is obviously this year, she's suing for over 50 million. And so apparently Shannon Sharpe, for weird reasons I don't really understand, released text messages that this girl sent. And it's basically saying that she's trying to extort him for money. She knows that he's up for this big podcasting contract, so she's up for all this money. But this lady is.

[Kifiri]

I don't care if she is.

[Crystal]

Now she's a sex worker. And it was all consensual, you know, there was. It was like a consensual dom sub type of relationship. And there's, you know, there's so the text is like, I want you to put a dog collar around my neck and choke me with it while you fucking me. So what they're trying to say is the phone call, which we don't hear the whole thing. You know, we don't hear hello to goodbye. We hear the snippet. But his attorney is basically saying, y'all are taking it out of context because they have a choking Dom sub. Like, choking is a part of the thing they do sexually kind of relationship. Her attorney is obviously saying, no, that's not true.

[Kifiri]

But is part of it her acting like she doesn't want to be right?

[Crystal]

So I don't know that I haven't heard that.

[Kifiri]

It is.

[Crystal]

For some people, it is. No, I know, but. So this is what I'm saying. I'm reading through all the details. I'm like, this phone call does sound bad. These text messages look worse. Talking about, you know, he come put a big black baby in me. And, you know, I know you miss this big, juicy ass. 25k for each cheek. And what? So what got me.

[Kifiri]

Yep.

[Crystal]

So what? What? What got me to. Because I don't want to think about nobody telling Shannon Sharp, put that baby gravy in me. She said she wanted to put her tongue in his asshole.

[Kifiri]

I know a few people that do. No shit.

[Crystal]

She said, you better be craving it. I'm sure I'm assuming the it is this pussy. Cause you're gonna be stuck with it for life after you put a big black baby in me. All this.

[Kifiri]

So someone says this to you, and you're like, I'll continue communicating with them.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

And in any context, I don't.

[Crystal]

I do not know. I don't know. What I know is that or what. What got me to start looking at Shannon Sharpe funny in this situation.

[Kifiri]

I hate this.

[Crystal]

Is his attorney coming out and saying, well, we offered her $10 million to settle this privately, but. And it looked like she was going to take it. But then all of a sudden, at the last minute, she walked away from our offer and then filed the case. So explain to me, like, I'm five years old, please, why you offered this girl $10 million to not press charges? Yeah, no, that looks very bad. That's where I'm like, oh, Tony Busby may have actually got him one this time. Because one thing about the situation with Jay Z was he was like, I'm not giving you one fucking dime. You came out of nowhere with this shit. This nigga Shannon Sharpe offered this girl $10 million to not press charges. Not take this any further. Why would you do that? Please, if you. If the relationship was completely consensual, please explain that to me.

[Kifiri]

Did she blackmail you off top? Was she like, oh, I've clipped these. These audio whatever, these phone calls out of context, and I'm gonna make you look like rape and sue you now, please.

[Crystal]

He would probably say so. But. So it was that I found that very suspicious. Quite strange is not indicative of somebody who's innocent. And then the second thing was that the attorney's like, I'm just letting y'all know now a video is gonna be coming out, but we believe it's heavily doctored and it's not what you think it is.

[Kifiri]

His attorney said that?

[Crystal]

Yes.

[Kifiri]

Shit.

[Crystal]

So I said, okay, all right, so you.

[Kifiri]

So you greased her up with 10mil up top before we got here.

[Crystal]

All right.

[Kifiri]

And you telling me you already know about a tase? So what's the giving? Yikes.

[Crystal]

I'm just so between. Between the offer for 10mil and the tape that you warning us now is going to come out. All right, all right, all right. I actually think I've seen enough. All of that on top of you're in your mid-50s and she's in her early 20s.

[Kifiri]

That's really my stopping. That's my stop.

[Crystal]

It's more than discussing enough. And people have been circulate recirculating that clip of Monique on Club Shay Shay where she straight up told him, you need to get you a woman your own damn age.

[Kifiri]

Oh, she did say that.

[Crystal]

Some nice pretty fat girl who will cook and rub your feet and pour you some cognac and quit leaving them young girls alone. And Shannon Sharp said, I cannot hear you. I do not speak English. What's crazy to me is that Shannon Sharp even has $10 million to give somebody because that can barely read. Only in America could Shannon Sharp even have $10 million to give to somebody else. He's a stone cold dumbass. I've never been a fan of him on that Club Shay Shay. I've continuously said he's a terrible interviewer. Does not have the range for this. You need to get your ass up on first take with Stephen A. Smith hollering ass and talk about football. That is the only thing I've ever speaking of. ESPN took Shannon Sharp off the air today and. Or not Shannon. Yeah, Shannon and Stephen a said, well, I talked to Jimmy Pitaro who is like CEO at ESPN or something, and that he's. Jimmy said that they are taking the matter very seriously. They're looking into it very, very closely. And once they gather as many facts as they possibly can, they will go from there. We may have seen Shannon Sharp on ESPN for the last time, but I. This video, whatever this video is going to be, any, any, anything can be done, especially in this age of AI. You can make a video like that probably for free on chat GPT. But there's ways of authentic, authenticating things like this. There's ways and that'll be, you know, up for the judge to order forensics or, you know, that will go through its own process as far as legality is concerned. But for your attorney to come out and say y'all finna see a video. Don't believe what you see is on top of the 10 minutes.

[Kifiri]

So wild. And on top of this, like at.

[Crystal]

This point I, at this point I'm inclined to believe that you actually did violate that girl.

[Kifiri]

She's been bracing yourself for God knows how long, but you're right. We'll see what happens. I suppose.

[Crystal]

I guess we will.

[Kifiri]

But I was hoping that that one Instagram live moment or story would have been the. Would have been.

[Crystal]

So she said that that actually was part of the catalyst here, that I guess they were together when that happened. So it was proof that. That he was cheating on her and that she like was confronting him and was trying to leave him all this. And that's when he got very possessive, verbally abusive, controlling, etc. Etc. So yuck. A 50 some year old man fighting to hold on to a 20 year old girl is this. Everything about it is gross. Everything about it is gross. But I don't, you know, there's been a lot of. That's what you get for messing with white girls. That's what you get for messing with young girls. No, that's what you get for being a fucking abuser. Yeah, I would not have rather you have done that to like a 55 year old black woman. Leave them alone too.

[Kifiri]

I'm supposed to hear these n. Don't do that to women their own age. Like it is just like a different level of disgust and manipulation when you do it to people whose brains are still growing.

[Crystal]

Yeah, why don't you just stop being a dick?

[Kifiri]

But just stop whatever it is that has you so goddamn broken, lost, confused, scared, anxious that you can't confront your own goddamn self. And you feel like you have to go out in these streets and constantly be absorbing the energy of people 30 years goddamn younger than you. You need to go and figure out what that is and Put that shit to bed and put that shit to rest so that you can at least be good to you. Okay? Because all the money and world in the world, all the jets, all the court side seats, all that shit is not gonna make you go away.

[Crystal]

Right.

[Kifiri]

Because you should not be Nowhere in your 50s, 40s, even mid to late.

[Crystal]

30S talking to no 20 something, talking.

[Kifiri]

To nobody who is 20, 21, 22. What is wrong with you?

[Crystal]

I actually think. Because I was thinking, I was actually going through this in my mind a few days ago, because I'd love to just ponder things out for myself. I think if you're over 30, you have no business with somebody under 25.

[Kifiri]

I agree.

[Crystal]

Now, the closer they are to 25 and the closer you are to 30, I'm more accepting.

[Kifiri]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

But in general, big groans brain, fully developed skull is all the way hard. And all that 30 pluses need to stick to 30 pluses, leave them young. She was 19. 19. You're old enough to be her damn daddy.

[Kifiri]

Grand, grand.

[Crystal]

And if it's just sex work, if it's just, you know, paying for sex, which a lot of niggas do, then pay for it and leave her the fuck alone. Just pay for it and leave her alone. What's all this extra about? So I guess we'll see. But yeah, it's not looking good for that. And I was going to give the benefit about of the doubt, Tony Busby as a side eye, but the rest of this is not looking good.

[Kifiri]

It really isn't. I didn't know about that phone call.

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, the phone calls out.

[Kifiri]

That's wild.

[Crystal]

Yep. It's on TMZ right now where he straight up said, say that word again and I'ma chuck the shit out you next time I see you. And when she said, I don't want to be choked, he said, yeah, you do. And I don't think it's up to you. How is that? All right.

[Kifiri]

So glad this is not okay. Because death. Because death.

[Crystal]

Death, literally. Now you gotta try. Now, now, now I gotta call my cousin that don't give a About going back.

[Kifiri]

I know where you sleep.

[Crystal]

This is. Well, that will wrap up this week's episode of the Read. Thank you again to Ms. Tina Knowles for coming on the show. Yes. Her book, matriarch. Go get it. Incredible book. Incredible story. What a lady.

[Kifiri]

Incredible book.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Kifiri]

Like, not even, just biased. Oh, my goodness. The queen. The queen mother. Like, this book is actually fierce. It's incredible.

[Crystal]

Yes. So go get it. Go read it. Congrats. Ms. Tina. Follow us on social media at. This is the read. Do you have any news or announcements this week?

[Kifiri]

Go see sinners. Go get some sunlight, if possible. Go see some form of nature. Something green.

[Crystal]

Amen.

[Kifiri]

And we'll see you here next week, same time, same place.

[Crystal]

All right? Take care of yourselves.