Slauson Girl Speaks

Before South Central (1992) became a Hollywood classic, it began with a South Central educator determined to reach young people caught in the growing influence of LA gang culture. In this episode, I sit down with Donald Bakeer, author of the 1987 novel Crips, which inspired the 1992 film South Central. We discuss his years as an educator and dean, his encounters with young men who would become notorious figures in LA's Crips, including Big U and Tyquan "Lil Fee" Cox, and how his independently published book caught Hollywood's attention. From Oliver Stone and John Singleton to the untold rivalry surrounding Boyz n the Hood and Menace II Society, Bakeer takes us behind the scenes of Black cinema history and reveals why he says Warner Bros. never honored his agreement to receive 2% of the film's profits. More than 34 years later, we're preserving the oral history behind one of South Central's most recognizable films, told by the man who wrote the original story.

In this episode, Slauson Girl speaks with female rappers from The Cypher House for a raw, unfiltered conversation about lyricism, visibility, and carving space in a male-dominated industry. These artists speak on the power of the cypher as a community practice, the realities of being women in Hip-Hop from Watts, Compton and Long Beach and what it means to build something collective in a culture that often prioritizes individual clout.From navigating gender bias to preserving authenticity, this conversation goes beyond music—it’s about movement, sisterhood, and ownership. The Cypher House isn’t just a platform; it’s a statement. And these women are proving that bars, brilliance, and leadership can—and do—coexist.The Cypher House honors the fact that women have always been part of Hip-Hop’s foundation—and are actively shaping its future. Guest: The Queen of Compton, Bon Tha Don, Queen Ye, and Leelee babii.

South Central, Los Angeles author DT West has released his debut novel, Lil Blue Devil, a gripping story inspired by his life growing up in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles, in the heart of the legendary Rollin 60s Crips territory. Drawing from personal experience, West captures the reality of inner-city Los Angeles gang life including the iconic lowriders on Crenshaw, and the struggles and resilience of the community he calls home. West was raised by his grandmother after being saved from the foster care system. Growing up on Crenshaw, he witnessed the streets firsthand, giving him a unique perspective that he felt was missing in other books about gang culture in Los Angeles written by outsiders.

On this episode Slauson Girl Speaks with Altadena native Zaire Calvin, about a report that came out noting that nearly 50% of burned properties in Altadena have been purchased by outside investors. Zaire and his mother both lost their properties and his sister was one of the people who tragically lost her life in the fire. He speaks on what's next for Altadena residents in the rebuilding efforts, and discusses his advocacy for the community and his cross collaboration with county and city officials. Our conversation also touches on Attorney Benjamin Crump's help with the lawsuit against Edison, who recently accepted fault for the Eaton fire.

On this episode Slauson Girl speaks with honorable Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. during his recent visit to Los Angeles where he also stopped in Leimert Park. The discussion covered his thoughts on the Los Angeles Black Panther Party, healing from decades of state sanctioned violence and repression of our Black political leaders, being brought on by Ryan Coogler as a consultant on the film 'Judas and the Black Messiah' which covers the cointelplro assassination of his father and more.