Episode 67

Beats and the boardroom: what leaders can learn from hip hop

We chat to Nels Abbey, broadcaster, satirist and author of ‘The Hip Hop MBA’

What can organisations learn about leadership from the unlikeliest of teachers - hip hop's biggest moguls? On this thought-provoking episode, we're joined by writer, broadcaster, media executive and satirist Nels Abbey to break down the invaluable leadership insights found in his new book The Hip Hop MBA.

From the book's origins after a chance London street encounter to unpacking why hip hop icons like Jay-Z, Missy Elliott and 50 Cent deserve to be studied alongside traditional business legends, Nels compellingly redefines the way we think about leadership success.

We explore the resilience, decision-making skills, and sheer grit required for rap artists to beat the odds and build enduring empires. Nels shares priceless lessons from the paths of visionaries like Ice Cube walking away from a record deal and Suge Knight's tragic downfall after his ambition went unchecked.

How have hip hop's greatest overcome adversity to display a leadership mastery that leaders should study? Nels argues that nurturing this same authentic, passionate, innovative mindset is exactly what we all need to escape the traditional, myopic view of what a leader should be.

Get ready to have your preconceptions shattered as Nels uses hip hop's most controversial and unlikely success stories to teach an urgent masterclass in courageous, forward-thinking leadership. You'll never see the boardroom the same way again.

In tech news, Paul and Zoe chat through what’s new in the world of AI.

Photo credit: Asimina Giagoudaki

LISTEN HERE

Notes

Nels Abbey’s new book https://canongate.co.uk/books/3972-the-hip-hop-mba-lessons-in-cut-throat-capitalism-from-raps-moguls/

Follow Nels on social media:

https://twitter.com/nelsabbey?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/nelsabbey/

Tech news

AI and the Met Gala https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68968708

Open AI releases Deep Fake detector https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/technology/openai-deepfake-detector.html

Email us with your questions and ideas for future episodes startsatthetop@gmail.com

And please leave us a review if you enjoy what you hear!

Editing and production - Syren Studios with Paul Thomas