Black Deth 101 Podcast: Black Film, Blaxploitation, Exploitation Movies, 1970s Film History, Soul

Nubius Black and Johnny Deth

Black Deth Blaxploitation 101 A bold, funky, history-deep Blaxploitation show blending film-school analysis with streetwise swagger— Nubius Black & Johnny Deth break it down like nobody else. Step into the funk-soaked world of Blaxploitation cinema. Johnny Deth and Nubious Black—two unapologetic voices breaking down the boldest, Blackest, baddest films of the '70s and beyond. From Shaft to Super Fly, from Curtis Mayfield grooves to Isaac Hayes' cinematic revolution, this podcast goes deep into the stories, sounds, and soul of a genre that changed everything. Raw, funny, fearless—and always funky.

  1. HELL UP IN HARLEM! Black Caesar's Sweet Revenge: Fred "The Hammer" Williamson Black Film Classic 1972 1970s Blaxploitation Classic

    4D AGO

    HELL UP IN HARLEM! Black Caesar's Sweet Revenge: Fred "The Hammer" Williamson Black Film Classic 1972 1970s Blaxploitation Classic

    Hell Up in Harlem — The Sequel to Black Caesar Slide on in… you’re back with Black Deth 101, where the streets talk, the funk walks, and the cinema hits like a back-alley deal gone wrong. This week, Nubius & Johnny break down Hell Up in Harlem, the hard-hitting sequel to Black Caesar, starring the one and only Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs—a man clawing his way back from death’s doorstep. After being gunned down in the streets he once ruled, Tommy ain’t finished—not by a long shot. This time it’s personal. Betrayal, revenge, and power collide as he fights to reclaim what’s his in a city that’s already moved on. The rise and fall… and rise again of Tommy GibbsHow this sequel doubles down on grit, violence, and revengeThe shift from empire-building in Black Caesar to survival mode in Hell Up in HarlemWhy Fred Williamson became one of the coldest antiheroes of the 70sStreet-level storytelling with no apologiesRaw energy and real-deal locationsThat unmistakable 70s edge—slick suits, hard choices, no heroesA story about power… and the price that comes with itFred Williamson as Tommy GibbsGloria HendryJulius W. HarrisDirected by Larry Cohen“First he took the throne… then they took him down… now he’s back to settle the score.” Follow Black Deth 101 on Spotify, share it with your crew, and keep the conversation alive. Because this ain’t just a podcast……it’s a revolution with rhythm. 🔥 Black Caesar Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O9VS95GJVxyIpPT3MR0ei?si=tLVysJ8-TEySy3TsM-iR6Q 🎬 What We Break Down:🎧 What Makes It Hit:🔥 Key Players:🎤 Black Deth Take:📢 Tap In

    57 min
  2. Candy Tangerine Man - Blaxploitation Pimp 1975 Movie 1970s AfroSoul Black Film History

    APR 23

    Candy Tangerine Man - Blaxploitation Pimp 1975 Movie 1970s AfroSoul Black Film History

    Black Deth 101 episode: The Candy Tangerine Man (1975) Slide on in, cool cats… this week Nubius and Johnny cruise through the neon-soaked, streetwise hustle of The Candy Tangerine Man — a slick slice of mid-70s L.A. life where the daytime grind meets the nighttime game. By day, he’s a straight-laced businessman.By night… he’s Candy. 🍊 This ain’t your typical blaxploitation pimp flick—it’s a character study wrapped in Cadillac chrome, with a beat that rides somewhere between ambition and illusion. Year: 1975Director: Matt CimberStar: John DanielsGenre: Blaxploitation / Drama / Slice-of-LifeSetting: Los Angeles – day hustle vs. night fantasy🔸 Dual Identity HustleJohnny by day vs. Candy by night — we dig into what that split really means. Is Candy power… or performance? 🔸 The Illusion of ControlCandy looks like he runs the streets—but does he really? Or is he just another player in a bigger system? 🔸 Masculinity & Image in the 70sFlash, women, cars… but underneath? Pressure, insecurity, survival. 🔸 L.A. as a CharacterFrom quiet suburban streets to neon-lit boulevards—this film feels like 1975. Johnny / Candy – John DanielsThe Women in Candy’s WorldDirected by Matt Cimber, known for blending exploitation with oddly personal storytelling.Star John Daniels also co-wrote the film—this is his vision of the lifestyle, not just a role.Shot on location in Los Angeles, giving it that raw, lived-in authenticity.This ain’t just about a man with two names…This is about the cost of becoming what the world expects you to be. Candy ain’t just a persona—he’s armor.And every night he puts it on… he loses a little more of the man underneath. Funky, laid-back groovesStreet jazz energyThat cruising-at-night, windows-down L.A. feelUnlike heavier hitters like Super Fly or Shaft, this film plays it quieter… more personal. It’s not about taking over the system—It’s about surviving inside it… and maybe fooling yourself along the way. “Some cats chase the crown…Candy? He wears it—Even if it’s made of glass, baby.” What do you think—Is Candy in control… or just playing the role too well? Drop your thoughts, leave a review, and keep those reels rollin’. 🎬 Film Basics🧠 What We Break Down🎭 Key Players🎥 Behind the Scenes🔍 Subtext Corner (Johnny Deth Style)🎶 Vibes & Sound🧨 Why It Matters🎤 📣 Join the Conversation

    46 min
  3. Lady Sings the Blues Vs. Billie Holiday’s Real Story, classic 1972 movie,

    MAR 13

    Lady Sings the Blues Vs. Billie Holiday’s Real Story, classic 1972 movie,

    In this episode of Black Deth 101, Nubius Black and Johnny Deth dis into Lady Sings the Blues (1972), the landmark film that brought Billie Holiday’s life to the screen and launched Diana Ross as a movie star. We had trouble with this one, neither of us liked it as much as we remembered. Released at a time when Hollywood was learning how to tell Black stories to mainstream audiences, Lady Sings the Blues became a major cultural moment — earning five Academy Award nominations and producing Motown’s fastest-selling album up to that time. But the film also raises questions. How much of Billie Holiday’s real story made it to the screen… and how much was softened for Hollywood prestige? Nubius and Johnny explore the movie’s history, its powerful performances, the real-life events behind the story, and the surprising things the film leaves out. • America in 1972 and the Hollywood climate that produced the film• Diana Ross’s first feature film role and Oscar nomination• Suzanne de Passe becoming the first Black woman nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award• The real story behind the film’s opening narcotics arrest — and why it didn’t happen• How Richard Pryor turned a one-day role into a scene-stealing performance• Why Billy Dee Williams got the role of Louis McKay after Levi Stubbs declined it• Berry Gordy taking over the film when it went over budget• Motown’s fastest-selling album and the film’s huge commercial success• Billie Holiday’s Cabaret Card and the legal system that limited her career• The real musicians missing from the film — including John Hammond, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington All this and a Nubius rant about Timothee Chalemet!

    42 min

About

Black Deth Blaxploitation 101 A bold, funky, history-deep Blaxploitation show blending film-school analysis with streetwise swagger— Nubius Black & Johnny Deth break it down like nobody else. Step into the funk-soaked world of Blaxploitation cinema. Johnny Deth and Nubious Black—two unapologetic voices breaking down the boldest, Blackest, baddest films of the '70s and beyond. From Shaft to Super Fly, from Curtis Mayfield grooves to Isaac Hayes' cinematic revolution, this podcast goes deep into the stories, sounds, and soul of a genre that changed everything. Raw, funny, fearless—and always funky.