Built Not Bought Podcast

James Washington III and Darious Lawson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

Stay the course...from the ground up🧱💰

  1. Sep 26

    Ep. 40: “Yea, I’m Hatin’” | Kanye, Raven-Symoné & Lil Durk

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we start with a temp check before getting into a random thought that everybody has probably wrestled with at some point: when is hating actually warranted? From there, we get into Raven-Symoné and her relationship to Black identity over time. We also talk Kanye West’s recent concert run and whether these performances are actually changing anything about how his legacy is viewed — or if the music are standing on their own. To close, we get into Lil Durk federal charges being dropped. Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course!Follow the movement:IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stcX: https://x.com/bnb_stcTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpodListen to us on Spotify! :https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487AMore from D — The Cultural Preserver:https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeperPlease COMMENT, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

    Ep. 40: “Yea, I’m Hatin’” | Kanye, Raven-Symoné & Lil Durk

  2. Sep 12

    Ep. 39: “Jail Cell Freestyles” | Lil Durk, Pooh Shiesty & AI Music

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we start with a temp check before getting into Russell Westbrook’s retirement and where his career ultimately lands in NBA history. We talk through the résumé, the records, the MVPs, the longevity, and whether Russ belongs in the top five point guards of all time. To close, we get into the growing conversation around AI and music after hearing Fenix Flexin’s “RUBBERZ” and Tyga’s “StarFace.” If AI-generated music keeps getting better, will listeners actually care how the song was made—or will the only thing that matter be whether it sounds good? Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course! Follow the movement: IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stc X: https://x.com/bnb_stc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpod Listen to us on Spotify! : https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487A More from D — The Cultural Preserver: https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeper

    Ep. 39: “Jail Cell Freestyles” | Lil Durk, Pooh Shiesty & AI Music

  3. Aug 15

    Ep. 38: “Anti-Black Antics” | Tuskegee Dress Code & GHOE Prices

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we start with a temp check and random thoughts before getting into Tuskegee University’s new dress code and the bigger conversation around HBCUs, student expression, professionalism, and respectability politics. Should HBCUs be setting stricter standards around how students dress, or does that cross the line into policing culture and individuality? From there, we get into GHOE and the rising cost of ticket prices surrounding one of the biggest HBCU homecoming weekends of the year. At what point does celebrating the culture start becoming too expensive for the people the culture is built around?Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course!Follow the movement:IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stcX: https://x.com/bnb_stcTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpodListen to us on Spotify! :https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487AMore from D — The Cultural Preserver:https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeperPlease COMMENT, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

    Ep. 38: “Anti-Black Antics” | Tuskegee Dress Code & GHOE Prices

  4. Aug 15

    Drake “ICEMAN” Review | Mid or Masterpiece? + HABIBTI & MAID OF HONOUR - [RE-UPLOAD]

    On this special release of Built Not Bought Podcast, we tap in for a full review of Drake’s ICEMAN, breaking down our first impressions, standout moments, replay value, and where the project sits within this chapter of Drake’s catalog. We also get into HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR, comparing the projects, talking through what connected, what missed, and what we may still need more time with. Is ICEMAN the Drake project people have been waiting for? Did HABIBTI or MAID OF HONOUR leave the stronger impression?Music Notice: Built Not Bought Podcast does not own the rights to any music referenced or played in this episode. Music is included solely as part of the album review and commentary discussion. All rights belong to the respective copyright owners. Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course! Follow the movement: IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stc X: https://x.com/bnb_stc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpod Listen to us on Spotify! : https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487A More from D — The Cultural Preserver: https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeper Please COMMENT, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

  5. Aug 15

    Ep. 36: "Done Having Fun" | Jaylen Brown, LeBron & Beyoncé - [RE-UPLOAD]

    This week we get into one of our favorite kinds of episodes; where sports, music, and random conversations all collide. We kick things off with a Temp Check before asking whether a former friend can ever truly become your friend again. Is enough time enough, or do some relationships simply expire? From there, we break down the latest NBA storylines, including Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto, Jaylen Brown joining the Philadelphia 76ers, and where LeBron James could realistically finish his career. On the music side, we react to Beyoncé's surprise release of "Morning Dew" on streaming platforms and discuss whether it adds more fuel to the long-running theories surrounding a new album coming soon. We wrap things up reviewing Rylo Rodriguez's latest project, SKATE (Silence Keeps All Targets Exposed), talking about his place in today's rap landscape, how he stacks up against artists like Gunna, Lil Durk, G Herbo and Playboi Carti, plus some of our favorite records from the album. Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course! Follow the movement: IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stc X: https://x.com/bnb_stc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpod Listen to us on Spotify! : https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487A More from D — The Cultural Preserver: https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeper Please COMMENT, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

    Ep. 36: "Done Having Fun" | Jaylen Brown, LeBron & Beyoncé - [RE-UPLOAD]

  6. Aug 1

    Ep. 37: “The Real Me” | Jay-Z, Artist Rebrands & Future

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we recap Jay-Z’s three-day concert weekend, reflect on his performances, and discuss what may be coming next. Is another HOV album possible? Could a Super Bowl performance eventually be part of the plan? We also address what it means for an artist to rebrand. When is reinvention necessary, what separates genuine evolution from forced marketing, and what does a successful artist rebrand look like today? To close, we review Future’s new album, break down what worked and what went wrong, and ask whether this is the weakest project of his career or simply a misstep within an already established legacy. Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course!Follow the movement: IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stc X: https://x.com/bnb_stc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpod Listen to us on Spotify! : https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487A More from D — The Cultural Preserver: https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeperPlease COMMENT, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

    Ep. 37: “The Real Me” | Jay-Z, Artist Rebrands & Future

  7. Jul 4

    Ep. 35: "Restoring The Feeling" | NBA Draft, Giannis & TNE

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we start with a temp check and random thoughts before getting into the latest NBA conversations, including AJ going number one in the draft and Giannis heading to the Miami Heat. From there, we talk Key Glock, give flowers to his run, and take a moment to honor the late Tay Keith, whose production and influence left a major mark on hip-hop and Memphis music. We close with a full TNE Juneteenth Weekend recap — the moments, the energy, the lessons, and what it meant to restore the feeling in real time.Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course!Follow the movement:IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stcX: https://x.com/bnb_stcTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpodListen to us on Spotify! :https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487AMore from D — The Cultural Preserver:https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeper

    Ep. 35: "Restoring The Feeling" | NBA Draft, Giannis & TNE

  8. Jun 22

    Ep. 34: "I Love Her But..." | Roots Picnic Recap, Jay-Z & Latto

    This week on Built Not Bought Podcast, we start with a temp check before getting into a random thought that somehow always feels true: why does your mom’s side of the family and your dad’s side of the family always feel completely different? From there, we talk about Philly’s BYOB policy and whether a similar approach could ever make sense in the DMV. We also recap Roots Picnic, including Jay-Z’s performance and what stood out from the moment. Later, we get into Latto’s Big Mama album, her current position in female rap, and the bigger conversation around artists, longevity, and whether musicians can ever truly retire. Welcome to Built Not Bought Podcast! Where culture, perspective, and real conversations live. Not just commentary, but how we see it. Stay the course! Follow the movement: IG: https://instagram.com/bnb.stc X: https://x.com/bnb_stc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtnotboughtpod Listen to us on Spotify! : https://open.spotify.com/show/0n68eqSappfe9whNsuI6qC?si=ByBLzaeDR4WwqgnrBE487A More from D — The Cultural Preserver:https://substack.com/@blkcryptkeeper

    Ep. 34: "I Love Her But..." | Roots Picnic Recap, Jay-Z & Latto
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About

Stay the course...from the ground up🧱💰

Information

  • Creator
    James Washington III and Darious Lawson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © James Washington III and Darious Lawson
  • Show Website
    Built Not Bought Podcast