Legendary Nikki Giovanni Speaks on her "Thug Life" Tattoo + New Book "Chasing Utopia"
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- The legendary Nikki Giovanni has been granted countless accolades like, Woman of the Year by Essence, Outstanding Woman of Tennessee, Ohio Hall of Fame, NAACP Image Award, and many more, for her incredible leadership and publications. Kanye even shouted her out in Dear Mama!
"If you're bored, you're not paying attention." She says on Sway in the Morning after speaking on her accolades.
Chasing Utopia is the name of her newest book, which she stopped by Sway in the Morning to speak about. She explained to us that the book is mainly about the relationship she had with her Mother, & that "Utopia" is named after what is, arguably, the best beer - which runs at about $300.
Nikki is a fan of hip hop, and proved by reciting a piece of her famous poem, All Eyez on U, dedicated to Tupac Shakur. In fact, she even showed the crew her only tattoo - "Thug Life," which is tatted on her left forearm.
Watch above for more, plus why she is upset with The White House.
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Legendary Nikki Giovanni Speaks on her "Thug Life" Tattoo + New Book "Chasing Utopia" | Sway's Universe
• Legendary Nikki Giovan...
Sway’s Universe
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She was love. Rest in love Queen.
Crazy this just came up when I was looking at James Baldwin and Nikki on “The Conversation”. Never heard of her. 5 years after sway posted.
How could you have never heard of Nikki Giovanni? I mean shes one of those people I just always heard of. I can understand not knowing her works specifically, but never hear of her. That's shocking. I'm glad you know now though.
yea sameeeee wow
Rite.me too
MsFears many of us just wasn’t exposed to her or Baldwin. It’s just facts unfortunately. I wasn’t raised in or around a household that taught or spoke of black poets, writers etc. My school system never exposed me to people like her. Now I’ve heard of her in younger days but I was never exposed to her. It is possible depending on a persons upbringing.
Not crazy, Google's recommendation algorithms are deadly accurate
I remember an interview when she was 28 in an interview with James Baldwin.. Its a must see..
Observant One some of the best media I have ever seem in my life.
Superb interview
It is awesome
I watch it religiously!!! It is a classic interview!
@@robertjean7705 the truth
How can anyone not love Niki Giovanni? I know that I surely do.
she truly was GODD'S gift to black people.....
@@goddbod.junyawinston3012Stop lyin !!!
Rest in Power -- Great One!
Her historical knowledge is astounding!!
Yes it is. !!!!!!
Legend...one of the best writers of all time, Ego Tripping is the first poem I knew by heart. The realist.
Big ups to Sway, real life almost shed a tear hearing Kanye give our elder Ms. Nikki Giovanni her flowers while there still blooming and vibrant. to be honest being born in 1995- i never really heard of Nikki Giovanni before, until Kanye mentioned her name on “Hey Mama” - and even then, I didn’t indulge much into her writing until I came across a conversation between her & brother James Baldwin a few days ago. beautiful dialogue, anyhow our history is so enriching. thank you sway for bringing the queen on
I grew up with queen Giovanni thank you sway this was awesome
This interview will be a classic. What a legend this woman is.
I adore her. Saw her in college. Have a signed book of her poetry which I hold near and dear. Will definitely add this to collection :-)
Sad that many of our ppl have no clue of who this legend is! She is still beautiful as ever❤❤
One of the best interviews i've seen sway
Nikki is truly a national treasure
Man she is dropping some knowledge
An inspiration. I am happy to see Sway do this interview.
God bless this woman.
An Icon!!! ....Thanks for your sharing of your beautiful mind........One Love
More people need to watch this interview! Amazing
God bless this black queen! Its amazing all this time and 2pac is still missed man if pac would have lived and biggie too. Hip-hop isn't what it should have been.
Luv her Nikki Giovanni❤❤❤❤💯💯💯💯💯epic!!
Man I loved her video interview with James Baldwin
Haters. Let an elder speak her mind. She wasn't hating on Bey. Giving her opinion isn't hating, some of the comments are examples of why 'fans' is shorthand for FANATICS. Everyone doesn't have to worship Beyoncé. She gave her props for being talented. Nikki Giovanni is from a different era & likes things from that era, that was all she was saying.
The problem with some elders is that they're stuck in the music of their youth. Sway was right. Give the new music a try without any biases. The new music is from the old music. Tupac in Thugz Mansion he mentions Billie Holliday, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Miles Davis.
And I betcha none of them would even listen to his music.
@@drummajorshe loved pac obviously
"I am a thug" -Nikki Giovanni
Daiyaan Winston I’m not sure if she knew how factual that statement was. knowing her she probably did.
R.I.P. Queen Nikki Giovanni 🙏🏽🖤🕊️✨.
This interview is AWESOME.. I can feel her positive ENERGY ..Thanks
This is a great interview!!!! I really enjoy Nikki and her stories!💕 Excellent job!!! PURE GOLD!!!💕✌🙌💜
Rest easy Dr. Giovanni. We’ve lost a big tree! 🌳🖤
Awesome interview!!!
My mother and paternal Aunt introduced me to Nikki as I recall..made me see the world different
I need to meet this queen ✨👑
Rest in Peace my Queen.
Nikki Giovanni is a "National Treasure" I loved HER back N the day and LOVE HER even more 2 DAY. One of the SHARPNESS minds N the Modern Day, Nikki Giovanni is my GREAT Motivator still. Love U Nikki and I've seen a few of her interviews thru the year's but 1 of my favorites is the James Baldwin interview there was a side of her that so Defines the WOMEN she is 2 DAY, she was NOT 1 who BITE her TONGUE she spoke & wrote with Confidence and Definition. 😍😍😍 I love ME SOME Nikki Giovanni she's an ICON. Peace Out Abdul rahman
.
Correction: on a bit of my grammatic 4 mation, if I were being checked by Nikki or my other sister Rasheedah I'd probably get maybe a B- having said that Nikki also did another 1 of my favorite interviews with the Champ Muhammad Ali. And 4 the sake of redundancy I LOVE me some Nikki Giovanni..!!! 😎😎😎 Peace Out Abdul rahman
when she touched on the history of the black america he reminded me off paul mooney say "every want to be a nigga but nobody want to be a nigga" it a funny thing when a comedian and a outstanding writer are on the same page with the world we live in
Great interview! I will be doing some more research on this woman.
Please do Joe. You will be awarded. I guarantee it.
Thank you for this. #inspired
Love Her!!!Factz about Tupac
19:42 - 20:58 I admire that Professor Nikki Giovanni said that she doesn’t like up correct people. Big ups to honoring the inner intangible parts of Us. This Bitter Earth by Dinah Washington playing now. I didn’t know that slice of history until now. Hey Ella Ella Ella “Aye” Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday are also entering the queue. 🌬️ 🌹 🌳 🌴 🌲 🍃 🍂 🥀 🌊 “Teach me tonight” 🎷 🥁 🎻 🎹 🎺 🗣️ Well done, Griot Nikki Giovanni… we are a wealth people who have supported and contributed so many things taken for granted by those who Mae Jamison 👨🚀 said “Aren’t paying attention.” (Note to self) 👋 🪓 🪣 📚
Nikki Giovanni. My Ace.
pac smiles in heaven ! to see this smart wonderful woman with a thug life tattooe ! you see how big pac iz ! thug life ! ya cant stop the movment!
I like that the balled of Dorthy Parker by prince was playing in the background ..thank you nikki Giovani I’m still new to her works so I’m studying now 🖤
Rise in infinite power GODDESS QUEEN ASHE
This needs more views.
Rest easy, Ms. Giovanni.
Pure excellence!
great interview
Sleep peacefully queen 🫶🏾🕊
*Eastside Low Bottoms shit !*
"If ur bored, ur not paying attention."
I'm watching kz yesterday i discovered she and James Baldwin going back and forth from the early '70's, for 2 hours. And i watched every second of it ! Very informative...
#RespectYaElders
Queen Nikki Giovanni, you'll always be appreciated. I absolutely love the thug life tattoo and what it embodies is powerful. For people who can see Pac's pure soul surrounded by the chaos experience life from a different view point than others and those are the people I respect.
"All Eyez On You" is a beautiful poem. 🫶🏾💎🕊
She is too cool 💜
Tupac was assassinated -nikki giovanni
💎💎💎💎Nikki Giovanni ❤️Sway
she is too cute...love her!
Overall, the interview had some key,points. I agree with her perception abt barack's status in the white house. totally appreciated the quick lesson on winnie mandela. she spoke on legends and those who cared abt the ppl with the exception of bey. Altho she is an influential singer, her focus is SELF.
GENIUS.
Rest
In
Power
Saw, heard rather, Nikki in the book store on L street way back. Ain't heard from her in awhile... Cool!~
Someone need to make a movie about how our poets came to be👍🏿😃✌🏿🔥👏🏿
She looks amazing! Who tf can just call up Essence??!! Power.. Plugged up
Historical ❤❤❤
I was with her at Virginia Tech ♥️m
Beautiful ❤
I actually had to catch and stop myself from clapping after those accolades.
That 'Thug Life' tat got me - WOW - #rRESPECT!!!!
One Love Queen Nikki Giovanni
Nikki was in London?!?! 😥 I missed her... I love her.
🙏🏾❤️🕊️
I love U forever Ms. Giovanni!! Forever!! Yup!!
SHES MY HERO!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
❤❤❤😢
I'm a thug... She was a beacon of light and truth
One of the greatest
I love Nikki.
Everything we make popular at YT 👋🏻 goes over it fried chicken, seasoning rice, ki Ngombo (okra stew) seafood boils and seasonings, bluegrass country music blues, fashion break dance 👩🏾🌾👩🏿🍳👨🏿🎤💃🏿🏇🏿🍗🥊 inventions 🚗🚥 folding chair 🪑 etc. stay WOKE 📚🕵🏾♀️👀 love this Legend 🪽🙌🏿✨✊🏿📖👩🏿🏫📚🪽
Word bless her, I'll in that same seat sway
ICON
❤️🌹🙏🏾💪🏾🕊
R.I.P.
Literally found this video same way. 😅
💜💗💖
Sway recommended "Beyonce" to Nikki Giovanni... yeeesh.
Dude quit hating Lemonade is epic
Dinah Washington integrated las Vegas.. - nikki Giovanni
She keeps talking about women that does and did real things. Not dummy's that hate they own men !
Why I always share about Black men who made and impact on me and more especially my daddy and #TupacShakur ! #TupacTuesday #transformationtuesday #tuesdaymotivation #TuesdayThoughts
After Tupac was killed they pacified us this his sing and video of him shot in all white, head to toe, harp playing, ...I ain't mad at cha, that's when we said he was alive. It was a prophetic in nature❤
Best beer is red stripe from Jamaica.
🤔🏆
Tupac
''Where did you get it from Germany?'' You not playing attention Sway!!!... (BOSTON lager)!!!!! LOL
How much more proof do you need that 2Pac was the man, when a older living legend like Nikki Giovanni praises him? God bless her!
She was right when she said the death of TUPAC should be categorized as an assassination because the message his music sent was to fight and stand strong for what you believe in no matter what, Y'all on here praising MLK and MALCOLM X when it's well known that one cheated on his wife and the other was a gangster in his own right hence him being imprisoned and a lot of things TUPAC said back then are still being utilized in today's lessons...."JUDGE YE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED"
Terrance Bankhead X's imprisonment discredits him how...bullshit. Pac was jailed too for an alleged rape...both guys impacted the ppl.
Back Talk I dunno wat he meant by MLK cheating, but with X he just meant don't discredit PAC, since X was a thug too. All three were legends for us to learn off.
PAC=🐐
We ❤️ you Nikki!
1:43 ... sips tea.
Nikki thinks we came here and changed. When in fact we never left home and we are very much like our Ancestors. Most of us just don't know that part of ourselves to realize it. But if you suppose you are an African or some other Immigrant, then through that lense you have changed a great deal.
RIP
👇🏾👇🏾- THAT PART!!!
15:33 "Barack gotta look in the mirror and realize...."
Nikki Giovanni just to name a few...
If I have all these black heroines and heroes fucking hell I must be the richest woman alive .