Killer Mike: The African-American Community Must Be Strong for America to Thrive
*By Chloe Aiello*
Rapper, entertainer, and activist Michael Santiago Render, a.k.a Killer Mike, is helping rival gangs, the Bloods and the Crips, start rival soda brands ー and he says there's no shame in that.
"For people who find some horror in that, because gangs or street fraternities will be selling soda, I'd like you to think very seriously about the fact that the sugar in soda kills far more people than guns and gangs," said Render, who is half of hip hop duo Run the Jewels.
That conceit ー that outlandish stunts can lead to teachable moments ー is the basis for Render's new show, "Trigger Warning with Killer Mike," on Netflix.
In the episode "White Gang Privilege," Render helps the two gangs develop their own beverages ー "Crip-a-Cola" and "Blood Pop" ー so they can sell their products legally.
"We have for the last 50 years, two warring factions called the Crips and the Bloods that I think we should take that competition in the fair market ー put it in the real world with a real product," he said. "And see if that competition that once led to crime and violence and death can be used to lead to prosperity and jobs."
It's all part of Render's broader mission to economically strengthen the black community ー because when the African-American community is strong, so is America, he said.
"In New York, when Harlem was strong, all of New York was stronger. In Atlanta, when Edgewood and Auburn are strong, the greater community was stronger," Render added.
Render is known almost as much for his politics as he is for his music. The rapper stumped for Sen. Bernie Sanders in the run-up to the 2016 election, and he said he'd support the progressive senator from Vermont again, should he decide to run.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/killer-mike-dishes-out-his-unconventional-ideas-to-fix-society-in-new-netflix-series).
U.S. sports betting is booming as NFL and college football fuel massive activity. BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt breaks down trends, growth, and what’s next.
President Donald Trump says a deal struck by Netflix last week to buy Warner Bros. Discovery “could be a problem” because of the size of the combined market share. The Republican president says he will be involved in the decision about whether federal regulators should approve the deal. Trump commented Sunday when he was asked about the deal as he walked the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors. The $72 billion deal would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry.
Disney's changes to a program for disabled visitors are facing challenges in federal court and through a shareholder proposal. The Disability Access Service program, which allows disabled visitors to skip long lines, was overhauled last year. Disney now mostly limits the program to those with developmental disabilities like autism who have difficulty waiting in lines. The changes have sparked criticism from some disability advocates. A shareholder proposal submitted by disability advocates calls for an independent review of Disney's disability policies. Disney plans to block this proposal, claiming it's misleading. It's the latest struggle by Disney to accommodate disabled visitors while stopping past abuses by some theme park guests.
With a merger this big, creators, studios, and theaters all face uncertain futures. Here’s what experts are worried about and what good could come from it.
With disengagement rising and hybrid work shifting, 'Everybody Matters' author Bob Chapman explains why treating people well could define the future of work.
We sat down with Ali Furman, U.S. Consumer Markets Industry Leader at consulting firm PwC to ask what trends she garnered from the initial data this year.
Seth Schachner breaks down Zootopia 2’s record-smashing debut, holiday box office trends, early 2026 Oscar contenders, and what’s next for Netflix and WBD.
