My guest today is Guvna B, the MOBO-award winning rapper, author and broadcaster. He grew up on a council estate in East London and went on to study at the University of Hertfordshire before forging a full-time career in music. He's since released 10 albums and a memoir, Unspoken, in which he examines toxic masculinity and male identity.
Guvna B - otherwise known as Isaac Borquaye - joins me to talk about the death of his father, and two of his close friends, and how he had to address his grief in order to carry on living. We discuss the power of vulnerability, fatherhood and finding 'blessings in the struggle'. We talk about faith, identity, race and inter-generational trauma. Plus we discuss failures in exams, driving tests and...erm...mobile phone storage - and why he once blew £4000 on trainers in Westfield.
Thank you Isaac, for opening up with such generosity in what turned out to be a deeply inspirational conversation.
*
Unspoken by Guvna B is out now and available to buy here.
*
My new novel, Magpie, is out on 2nd September. I'd love it if you felt like pre-ordering as it really helps authors! You can do that here.
*
How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp. We love hearing from you. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com
*
Social Media:
Elizabeth Day @elizabday
How To Fail @howtofailpod
Guvna B @GuvnaB
TWIXMAS BONUS EPISODE! How To Fail: Clemency Burton-Hill
How to Fail: A Christmas Message 2021
S12, BONUS EPISODE How to Fail: Holly Willoughby
S12, Ep8 How to Fail: Meg Mason
S12, Ep7 How to Fail: Lady Hale
S12, Ep6 How to Fail: Stanley Tucci
S12, Ep 5 How to Fail: Ruby Tandoh
S12, Ep3 How to Fail: Phil Wang
S12, Ep2 How to Fail: Jacqueline Wilson
BONUS EPISODE! How to Fail: Tanya Reynolds
S12, Ep1 How to Fail: Derren Brown
S11, BONUS EPISODE How to Fail: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
S11, Ep8 How to Fail: Maggie O'Farrell
BONUS EPISODE: HEERRREE'S DOLLY!
S11, Ep7 How to Fail: Martine Wright
S11, Ep6 How to Fail: Paris Lees
S11, Ep5 How to Fail: Christie Watson
S11, Ep3 How to Fail: Ed Miliband
S11, Ep2 How to Fail: Jessica Ennis-Hill
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
Dear Alice | Interior Design
Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast
Great Expectations
Anne of Green Gables
The Magnus Archives
Fresh Air