In this powerful episode, we continue our conversation with Dana “Detroit Showtyme” Burton, the man known as the Godfather of Chinese Hip-Hop. Dana takes us on a journey from the gritty beginnings of his Iron Mike rap battle—the longest-running in the world—to the heart of Shanghai’s electrifying nightlife.
We explore how a young man from Detroit became a cultural ambassador, fostering a hip-hop community in China against all odds. Dana shares incredible stories, from securing his first sponsorship to bringing legendary US rappers to China. But the conversation takes a deeper turn as he issues an urgent call to action, drawing from his family’s history and firsthand experience to warn against a new Cold War and the devastating human cost of American militarism in Asia.
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00:00 – Introduction: The “Godfather of Chinese Hip-Hop”
02:23 – Dana’s Humble Take on the “Godfather” Title
05:16 – The Early Days: Arriving in Shanghai & Finding the Scene
07:03 – Starting “The Iron Mike” & Building an Empire from Nothing
11:54 – The Johnny Blaze Story: His First Sponsor & Hip-Hop Fashion
15:38 – The Rise of Chinese Rap Stars from The Iron Mike
21:25 – Being a Bridge: Bringing US Hip-Hop Legends to China
27:28 – A Night Out in Shanghai: Futuristic Clubs & Opera Singers
33:45 – The “Didi” Adventure: Living in the Future
39:35 – Karl Meets Karl: Surreal Moments in Fuxing Park
46:50 – INS Club: A 6-Story Nightlife Amusement Park
51:10 – The Universal Feeling of Safety & Quality of Life in China
55:38 – A SOBERING WARNING: The US War on China & A Personal Plea
57:00 – A Grandfather’s Legacy: The Hidden History of Black Soldiers in Asia
59:35 – The Poverty Draft: Then and Now
01:01:00 – The Final Message: “Join the Party, Don’t Bomb It”