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Author: Earl Hopkins

  • ⭐ MLK Day, Restaurant Week deals, and new Mummers band competition|Things to do

    ⭐ MLK Day, Restaurant Week deals, and new Mummers band competition|Things to do

    I’ll be candid. The Eagles’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers was a sting to my winter plans. I looked forward to the crazed tailgates outside the Linc and the wave of excitement each tush-push touchdown generated among our rabid fanbase.

    We were all hoping for a back-to-back Super Bowl run, even when the glaring holes in our offense signaled something far different. Unfortunately, we’ll have to see how things shake up next season. But that doesn’t mean our winter plans should be in the gutter. There are still plenty of things to do this weekend (and beyond) to mend our broken hearts and fill our typical Eagles Sundays.

    Along with Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations throughout the city, restaurant week specials will be in full swing, plus the return of a Wilma Theater favorite, a toast to Ben Franklin’s 320th birthday, and more.

    Read below to see what’s in store this week and beyond.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Sporting a face that sums up the magnetism of mummery Robbie Reid (top), a member of the Froggy Carr comic club, pauses for a moment along the parade route yesterday. At left, the Fralinger String Band performs during the competition judging – it won – at City Hall. And at right, Mayor Nutter appears to be doing a version of the mummers’ strut as he kicks off the string band division yesterday with the Greater Overbrook String Band leading off.

    Mummers string band competition will duke it out at the Linc

    Thirty to 60 mph winds led to a postponement of the Mummers’ string band competition, and put a momentary damper on what was otherwise an extraordinary New Year’s Day. But the string bands may have gotten an even sweeter prize out of the ordeal, according to my colleague Henry Savage.

    The judged string band competition will now take place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Linc, parade officials announced last week. The annual competition is still open to the public, with tickets available on Ticketmaster for $12 to $25. It will also be broadcast on WFMZ-TV.

    The best things to do this week

    ⭐ Celebrate MLK: Celebrate civil rights icon, and my dear fraternity brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at the African American Museum in Philadelphia starting Saturday. AAMP’s “Celebrating MLK 2026: Radical Peace and Public Memory” offers a screening of Selma, art-making, gallery talks, and other family-friendly activity through Jan 19.

    🎉 Ben’s Birthday Bash: Stop by the Franklin Institute to celebrate Ben Franklin’s 320th birthday. The birthday bash for the founding father will be packed with games, music, and a few surprises. Visitors can even hear the song “Happy Birthday” being played on one of Franklin’s own inventions: the glass harmonica.

    🦸🏼‍♂️ Unleash your inner superhero: The Bingo Verifying Divas will step out donning superhero ensembles for Superhero Smash GayBINGO at the Congregation Rodeph Shalom. The crew will bring its typical brand of entertainment and laugh-out-loud comedy, plus some prizes between each round.

    🔍 A watchful eye on this famed detective: For theater-lovers and inquiring minds, Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective, directed by Bill Van Horn, now runs through Feb. 15 at Walnut Street Theatre.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Trestle Night Fever Happy Hour Dance Party and Tramp Stamp: Trashy 2000s Party at Kung Fu Necktie.

    Pig Iron Theatre Company’s ‘Poor Judge’ premieres at the 2024 Fringe Festival, running Sept. 11-22 at the Wilma Theater.

    The thing of the week: ‘Poor Judge’ is back

    The brainchild of beloved performer Dito Von Reigersberg (aka Martha Graham Cracker) is now back on stage.

    Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Poor Judge, a story of love, Hollywood ambition, and the darkness of the American success story, returns to Wilma Theater for the first time since its debut two years ago.

    The show, brought to life by the music of Aimee Mann, is running through Jan. 25. Tickets are available at wilmatheater.org.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🎭 Final curtain call: Catch the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs, a story chronicling women’s struggles for the right to vote, at the Academy of Music before it closes on Jan. 18.

    🍜 Restaurant Week in Center City: Center City District Restaurant Week returns with a bevy of prix-fixe dinner menus, ranging from $45-$60 at select restaurants, plus two-course lunches for $20 at other nearby eateries. Visit the official website for the full list of participants.

    🥘 Bucks County bites: New Hope and Lambertville join forces for a PA-NJ-style restaurant week through Jan. 25, which includes two dozen restaurants along both sides of the Delaware River.

    🍻 Philly Flurry in Fairmount: Small business in Fairmount, Brewerytown, Francisville, and Spring Garden are offering limited-time promos and discounts on drafts, cocktails, ice cream pints, and food orders through Feb. 1. Here’s a full list of participants.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎸 Thursday: Singer and guitarist Bill Kirchen, best known for their 1972 hit “Hot Rod Lincoln, stops at Sellersville Theater on Thursday. He will perform one set with his band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, and another set with his Bob Dylan tribute band.

    🎤 Friday: Long-time soul balladeer Peabo Bryson is on tour, 35 years since his Grammy-winning duet with Celine Dion on the title song for 1991’s Beauty and the Beast. He will be at City Winery on Friday.

    🎤 Saturday: Chuck D and Flavor Flav will be joined by fellow hip-hop legends and R&B acts on Saturday at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Other veteran performers include Montel Jordan of “This Is How We Do It” fame, KRS-One, Sugarhill Gang, Philly’s Schoolly D, and the Furious Five – minus the group’s leader Grandmaster Flash.

    Thanks for sticking with me for another newsletter entry. As I said at the top of the year, some amazing things are happening in 2026, even if our Birds came up short in the playoffs. I’ll do my best to capture the highlights. so tay tuned for more.

    – Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Kevin Hart, Dawn Staley, and WURD are among Philadelphia-area NAACP Award nominees

    Kevin Hart, Dawn Staley, and WURD are among Philadelphia-area NAACP Award nominees

    Several Philadelphia-connected entertainers have been nominated for the 57th NAACP Image Awards.

    The nominees, announced Monday, include Philly-based filmmaker Chisom Chieke and WURD Radio.

    Chieke, whose projects explore romance and identity across Black diasporic communities, earned a nomination for outstanding short form (live action) for her film, Food for the Soul.

    The film, which follows a couple navigating the challenges of their relationship amid family pressures, premiered at the BlackStar Film Festival in August. It won the award for favorite short narrative at the annual fest.

    “Receiving this nomination is indescribable,” Chieke said. “I’m so grateful to BlackStar for giving me the opportunity and trusting the vision. They really are the foundation of the project. I’m doubly grateful for my crew, the support I got from Philly, and just being able to grow my network of collaborators.”

    “Food for the Soul” by Chisom Chieke, who is based in Philly, is up for an NAACP Image Award. The film won the award for favorite short narrative at the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival.

    WURD, the only Black-owned and operated talk radio station in the state, was nominated in the outstanding podcast — scripted/limited series/short form category for its six-part podcast series, Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction. WURD is the only local radio station nominated in the category.

    “We’re in a category that has some real heavy hitters, but we’re telling the story of everyday Philadelphians who have overcome extraordinary barriers and obstacles, and still are,” WURD president and CEO Sara Lomax said.

    The podcast series, hosted by author, consultant, and educator James Peterson, highlights the experiences of wrongfully incarcerated people and the support they draw from their own communities.

    The series also spotlights the work of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, which has secured the release of more than 30 people and provides reentry support and advocacy.

    Peterson said the nomination is a credit to Lomax and others’ hard work, but also to the Philadelphians who have supported the station over the years.

    “It’s validation for the people who listen to WURD when they wake up in the morning and until they go to sleep at night,” he said. “And there’s a level of dedication from some of our listeners that sets the bar for what we’ve done throughout the years. It’s a team win and team effort, but it’s really a community win.”

    WURD’s podcast series, “Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction,” is nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award.

    Other Philly-connected nominees include Temple University graduate Jalen Blot, whose film, Before You Let Go, was also nominated for outstanding short form (live action). Also competing in the same category is Ella, starring Jill Scott, who’s affectionately called “Jilly from Philly.”

    The Kevin Hart-produced Kingsland was nominated in the outstanding podcast category. Also, Hart, who grew up in North Philadelphia, stars in the animated sitcom Lil Kev, which was nominated for outstanding animated series.

    Philly native Kevin Hart, seen here in 2017, has two NAACP Image Award nominations, for outstanding podcast (“Kingsland”) and outstanding animated series (“Lil Kev”).

    Other Philly-linked nominees include Colman Domingo for outstanding directing in a comedy series for Netflix’s The Four Seasons. And Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman, whose podcast Shawn Stockman’s on That Note, was nominated in the outstanding podcast — arts, sports, and entertainment category.

    Philly’s own Dawn Staley received a nod for outstanding literary work — biography/autobiography for her memoir, Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned From All Three.

    The winners will be announced Feb. 28. Public voting is available through early February.

    The 57th NAACP Image Awards will be telecast live on BET and CBS on Feb. 28.

  • 💫 Some Bowie stardust, Eagles postseason hype, and more| Things To Do

    💫 Some Bowie stardust, Eagles postseason hype, and more| Things To Do

    We’re back, baby!

    I hope by now you’ve shaken off the holiday rust and are back to your normal routine. Me? Well, I’m still recovering from the overabundance of Christmas-themed cakes and the Champagne slushies on New Year’s Eve. But I’m slowly getting back to form for what will be a special year for all of us in the region. (Even folks at the New York Times think so).

    The new year is going to be a transformative one for the city. Y’know, the World Cup and the nation’s 250th celebration and all — and it’s already kicking off with some exciting events.

    This week, there’s a reveal of a new waterfront art installation, the opening of a Tony Award-winning musical, and some David Bowie-loving festivities happening throughout the week.

    Read below to find an event (or three) that catches your eye.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    First lady Abigail Adams, portrayed by Johanna Dunphy, introduces city officials and historical and cultural leaders to start a news conference at the National Constitution Center, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, announcing 52 Weeks of Firsts. In honor of the Semiquincentennial. The Philadelphia Historic District will celebrate 52 weeks of Philly firsts in 2026. Each week throughout the year, the citywide celebration will honor everything from the first African American Methodist Episcopal Church, first Flower Show, first American flag, first zoo, first Children’s Hospital, first penitentiary, first Thanksgiving parade and first Slinky.

    Philly ranked the top travel destination for 2026

    Of course, we Philadelphians already know our city is a great tourist attraction. But with everything planned in 2026, even more folks are taking notice.

    The New York Times named Philadelphia the number one travel destination in the world this year. Along with the Semiquincentennial, Philly will be home to the MLB All-Star Game, top-end World Cup matches, a pumped Fourth of July concert, and other notable happenings.

    The Times editors and reporters noted that other original colonies, like Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, will also have stacked Semiquincentennial calendars. But Philly stands above the rest.

    Read the rest of my colleague Mike Newall’s story here.

    The best things to do this week

    🦅 Eagles Night at the Rink!: Kick off The Birds’ postseason with a celebratory prep rally, featuring a drum line performance and appearances from Eagles cheerleaders at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest on Friday.

    🕺 Some Prince and more Bowie, please: The entire week is filled with Bowie-themed parties and musical jams, but the curators at Underground Arts are adding some Prince to the mix. The venue is hosting a Bowie and Prince dance party with DJ George Purkins on Friday.

    🩺 “When the Day Comes” at Theatre Exile: What happens when a documentary filmmaker collaborates with a physician diagnosed with cancer to make a film? Find out in this limited-run production written and directed by Philadelphia native, Mikel Java. Jan. 10,11.

    🎭 “Suffs” at the Academy of Music: Suffs, the Tony award-winning musical about the brave and resilient women who fought for the right to vote, is running at the Academy of Music through Jan. 18.

    🌳 A Longwood Christmas continues: Just when you thought the Christmas magic was over, Longwood Gardens is extending the joy of the whimsical holiday at its magnificent conservatory. All ages are welcome to see the glimmering fountains and towering wildlife.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Fire & Frost Fun at Peddler’s Village, Le Cirque de Monsieur at Fabrika, Dr. Sketchy’s Tribute to Nosferatu at Arch Enemy Arts.

    David Bowie performs with backup singer Carlos Alomar at Veterans Stadium during his Glass Spider tour July, 30, 1987.
    G. Loie Grossmann / Philadelphia Daily News

    The thing of the week: It’s all about Bowie

    In celebration of the magnetic star, who was born on Jan. 8, 1947, and died 10 years ago on Jan. 10, 48 Record Bar kicked off a Bowie-themed week with its third annual free Philly Loves Bowie Week listening party.

    But the Bowie-loving didn’t stop there, Starman. On Thursday, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar hosts Bowie Quizzo, with DJ Robert Drake spinning and John Stanley of John’s Dollar Bin fame serving drinks.

    Then, Sara Sherr’s Sing Your Life Karaoke goes all Bowie at MilkBoy. Two more Bowie-themed dance parties are happening at the Trestle Inn and Underground Arts, before the closing celebration returns to Union Transfer on Saturday.

    The party will feature 30 Bowie songs performed by 14 vocalists, including Richard Bush, Johnny Showcase, and Olivia Rubini.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🍿 “A Wrinkle in Time”: Madeleine L’Engle’s sci-fi classic, A Wrinkle in Time, comes to life at Old City’s Arden Theatre. The musical journey through time and space runs through Jan. 25.

    ❄️ Winter at Dilworth Park: The winter fun continues at Dilworth Park, with the reopening of the ice rink, winter garden, and holiday market. Stop by for some hot cocoa and a whimsical evening beneath the glimmering lights through March 14.

    🎨 A new installation at Cherry Street Pier: Photographic artist Jackie Neale reveals her bold reimagining of Cherry Street Pier at the waterfront on Friday. Titled Wide Awake In Blue, the museum-scale installation incorporates stories of immigration, human rights, and collective identity through striking portraits, textiles, and sound. It runs through March 1.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎸 Friday: Alabama-born, Texas-based country singer Dale Watson kicks off the weekend with a performance at the Sellersville Theater on Friday, and another at Elkton Music Hall in Elkton, Md. on Saturday.

    🎤 Saturday: Philly rapper Reef the Lost Cauze and DJ Sat One will be featured, along with pioneering graffiti artist Cornbread, at a street art and hip-hop event at Vizion Gallery in Kensington on Saturday.

    🎤 Sunday: Johnny Brenda’s will host a one-night-only concert in support of former World Cafe Live workers still reeling from the venue’s mismanagement. The show will feature Philly acts Carsie Blanton, Ray Dreznor, Izzy True, and Sad13.

    The year is just getting started, but all signs are pointing to another strong year of events. And I’m the one lucky enough to compile them all for you. Stay tuned.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Will Smith sued by violinist claiming sexual harassment and wrongful termination

    Will Smith sued by violinist claiming sexual harassment and wrongful termination

    Actor and musician Will Smith is facing a lawsuit filed by violinist Brian King Joseph, who has accused Smith of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation during Smith’s “Based on a True Story” tour.

    Joseph, who rose to fame as an America’s Got Talent contestant, was hired for Smith’s concerts in 2024. Now, he is suing Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, over an alleged incident that took place in March 2025 during the tour’s Las Vegas stop.

    According to a civil complaint filed in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday, Joseph said he returned to his Las Vegas hotel room at 11 p.m., which was booked by Smith’s company, to find it was “unlawfully entered” by an “unknown person.”

    Brian King Joseph plays the National Anthem before the Los Angeles Rams host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Divisional Round at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2019.

    Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    A handwritten note was left behind, according to the lawsuit. It read, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us, Stone F.” The note was left behind with other items that allegedly include “wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication with another individual’s name, an earring, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to a person” unknown to Joseph, the lawsuit states.

    Joseph said he reported the incident to hotel security, local police, and tour management. The musician claims he was accused of fabricating the story and was “shamed” for reporting the incident. He was subsequently fired from the tour, with management telling him the tour was “moving in a different direction.” Another violinist was promptly hired in his place.

    In the lawsuit, Joseph claims that tour management had suspiciously lost his bag, which included his room key. Joseph called these a “sequences of events” which, paired with the nature of the hotel intrusion, “all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident.”

    The lawsuit also claims that Smith, a Philadelphia native, was “grooming and priming” the violinist for “further sexual exploitation.”

    Will Smith poses for a portrait on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    Joseph said in the filing that he and Smith had developed a close relationship while working together on Smith’s latest album and concert tour.

    “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else,” Joseph claims Smith said to him.

    Joseph is seeking compensation for personal and financial damages. He claims he made significant financial investments for the tour, and now suffers from major physiological damage and PTSD.

    Smith’s attorney, Allen B. Grodsky, denied all claims, calling the allegations “false” and “baseless.”

    “They are categorically denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and to ensure that the truth is brought to light,” Grodsky said to People in a statement on Thursday.

  • The urban designer whose weekly work commute is from Philadelphia to Atlanta, and back

    The urban designer whose weekly work commute is from Philadelphia to Atlanta, and back

    Philadelphia’s congested highways or crowded SEPTA platforms don’t get in the way of Daniel Rodriguez’s commute to work.

    That’s because the Philadelphia-based urban designer’s commute between his firm’s two offices consists of two flights, two trains, and a bus between two states each week.

    Rodriguez, who lives with his wife in their Jewelers’ Row apartment, ping pongs between his home (and his Center City office) in Philadelphia and his office in midtown Atlanta, twice a week.

    Rather than moving to Georgia or embracing a simpler, work-life balance, Rodriguez prefers an 800-mile trek to work that doesn’t have him dealing with Philly rush hour traffic and the restrictions car owners face.

    Daniel Rodriguez travels to the Philadelphia’s Suburban Station on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Rodriguez uses the station to commute between Philadelphia and metro Atlanta, taking a train from Center City to Philadelphia International Airport before boarding flights to and from his company’s Atlanta office.

    “I want to live a life that’s intentionally, anti-whatever everybody else is doing,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like there are problems in society, and this is one of them that just trickles and affects so many things in our personal and professional lives. It’s not anti-car. It’s really about getting away from the dependency and focusing on building systems that help people move. That’s my whole philosophy.”

    Rodriguez, who grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, said it’s a lifestyle driven by the independence and movement he felt was missing in his youth.

    The geographical barriers of the island often led to feelings of physical and mental entrapment as a child.

    “Where I come from, I’ve never seen people so hungry to have something in life, with no ability to achieve it,” he said. “And I’m willing to do extreme things to do that.”

    In May, the 34-year-old began posting videos of his travels to and from Philadelphia and Atlanta. His TikTok and Instagram posts have drawn millions of viewers, with hundreds of users questioning how Rodriguez balances his workload and travels.

    His schedule varies each week, but he usually flies into Atlanta on Sunday nights and returns to Philadelphia on Tuesday nights. Sometimes, he will fly out on Monday mornings and return on Wednesday mornings. He also does same-day round trips a couple of times a month.

    The planning for his trips to Atlanta begins the night before. Rodriguez packs his bags and puts toothpaste on his toothbrush before going to bed.

    Daniel Rodriguez travels through Philadelphia’s Suburban Station on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Rodriguez uses the station to commute between Philadelphia and metro Atlanta, taking a train from Center City to Philadelphia International Airport before boarding flights to and from his company’s Atlanta office.

    He wakes up at 4 a.m., grabs his belongings and walks to Suburban Station. Here, he boards the train to the Philadelphia International Airport and lands in Terminal F for his flight to Atlanta. He does have to factor in the regular delays.

    “Terminal F is like the dingleberry of Philadelphia. It’s the last one at the airport, and really far,” he joked.

    After the 90-minute flight to Atlanta, he walks over to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority platform for a 30-minute train ride to his company office in midtown Atlanta.

    He’s not completely “anti-car,” he insists. He often rents a Zipcar for small errands and to explore Atlanta restaurants, art galleries, and sites that feed his architectural interests.

    “I’m more along the lines of, ‘I don’t want to be dependent on a car,’” he said. “I don’t want to put my money toward that. I’d rather put that into something else, and suffer the consequences.”

    Once his work day is finished, he either uses ride-share or takes a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to a friend’s apartment in Decatur, arriving around 9 p.m. And before he rests his head for the night, Rodriguez begins his routine all over again for his return to Philly the following morning.

    Rodriguez said his travel costs come out to about $180 each week, with the most significant barrier being the time and energy he spends to balance out his travels.

    Daniel Rodriguez travels through Philadelphia’s Suburban Station on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. Rodriguez uses the station to commute between Philadelphia and metro Atlanta, taking a train from Center City to Philadelphia International Airport before boarding flights to and from his company’s Atlanta office.

    “It’s not unachievable,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like the pain point for a lot of people is the time. People don’t want to spend the time.”

    Rodriguez didn’t always live like this. His super commute began after years of uncertainty. He moved to Philly in 2022 and between 2023 and 2025, Rodriguez was laid off twice and incurred thousands in debt.

    “I wasn’t even paycheck to paycheck anymore. I was living in the negative,” he said.

    After another eight months of job hunting, he was at a crossroads. With limited jobs in his industry in Philly, he applied for roles in other cities.

    He applied to an urban design firm in Atlanta, and the week his unemployment ran out, he landed his current role in May 2025. While the company has an office in Center City, the Atlanta location was the only one hiring in his specific field.

    Rodriguez consults on transportation, green space, urban design, and master planning in Atlanta and other cities along the East Coast.

    While the demands of the commute were challenging at first, Rodriguez believes he has made a decision that works for him. “I have my wife here, and I don’t want to uproot her,” he said.

    Since he started making videos of his commute, his world has “completely flipped,” Rodriguez said.

    He’s landed brand deals with travel-based companies and has spoken in various cities across the country about how fellow millennials can traverse the country without the burden of a vehicle.

    Daniel Rodriguez travels through Philadelphia’s Suburban Station on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. Rodriguez uses the station to commute between Philadelphia and metro Atlanta, taking a train from Center City to Philadelphia International Airport before boarding flights to and from his company’s Atlanta office.

    Rodriguez plans to become a content creator full-time to encourage viewers across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms to avoid the pitfalls of car ownership.

    His ambitions haven’t gone unchecked. Environmentalists who watch his videos often point to the carbon footprint he leaves behind, despite his aversion to car ownership.

    Rodriguez admits his lifestyle could be viewed as contradictory. His modes of travel contribute to gas emissions, but he contends he’s not the sole source of the issue, simply a product of a system already in place.

    “I did not pass the laws that allow oil barons to drive or force corporations to fuel jets that release stored carbon,” he said. “I am a participant in society, and there is no fully ethical way to exist within it.”

    While he understands people’s precaution and confusion, Rodriguez is confident his weekly commute and lifestyle will work as well for others as they do for him.

    “I love to create. I love to build. And I don’t want to do anything where you’re just staying still,” he said.

  • South Jersey’s ‘King of Collectibles’ has laid his hands on Messi’s childhood soccer jersey

    South Jersey’s ‘King of Collectibles’ has laid his hands on Messi’s childhood soccer jersey

    Even after selling more than $2 billion worth of sports and pop culture memorabilia, and adding celebrities like Drake, Kim Kardashian, and Shane Gillis to his client list, South Jersey’s Ken Goldin hasn’t lost the thrill of the chase.

    During a visit to Japan last summer, Goldin made sure to post on social media that he wanted to meet nearby collectors and appraise their items.

    Goldin’s years of collecting are evident in his office. The walls are lined with framed photos, encased music records, World Series trophies, and other prized collectibles, like signed baseball bats from Phillies legend Mike Schmidt and Reebok sneakers worn by Shaquille O’Neal.

    The owner of Goldin Auctions in Runnemede said the things he has collected are invaluable heirlooms. Yes, they are rare, but they are also artifacts that carry the glory of pivotal moments in sports history, especially ones he witnessed himself.

    Ken Goldin holds a 1976 Phillies bat used by Mike Schmidt, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Goldin, the star of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles,” the South Jersey-based collector and high-profile dealer has several new finds sure to excite Philadelphia sports fans.

    Every time Goldin, 60, looks at the signed 1980s Phillies team poster in his office, he’s reminded of the World Series games he attended with his parents, sitting in the 500 level at Veterans Stadium.

    The Phillies were playing the Kansas City Royals, and the teenage Goldin watched relief pitcher Tug McGraw tap his chest on the mound, a sign of his fiery competitiveness.

    It’s those memories, not the money, that keep Goldin in the auction game, he said. They’re also the reason Netflix built a reality show around his collection and his business of selling high-value memorabilia.

    “Every collectible I sell is a moment, it’s a piece of history,” he said. “And to me, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. What drives me is that I really enjoy what I do.”

    Ken Goldin shows a childhood soccer jersey that belonged to Lionel Messi, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at his office. Goldin, the star of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles,” the South Jersey based collector and high-profile dealer has several new finds sure to excite Philadelphia sports fans.

    On Tuesday, Goldin invited viewers back to his office to take a peek at his treasures for Season 3 of Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch. “We got lucky this season,” he said.

    Among the season’s biggest surprises is a soccer jersey worn, or verifiably used, by Lionel Messi as a child. The story of how it landed in his hands, he said, is almost too good for TV.

    “I’m not allowed to say any more than that, except that the provenance is unbelievable and the story behind it is remarkable,” he said in an interview prior to Tuesday’s premiere.

    For Philly sports fans like himself, Goldin said there will be several Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson items making an appearance on the six-episode season.

    Ken Goldin unpacks a 2006 signed Allan Iverson jersey on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 at his office in Runnemede. Goldin, the star of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles,” the South Jersey based collector and high-profile dealer has several new finds sure to excite Philadelphia sports fans.

    Some will be things Goldin acquired on his travels to Tokyo, where he met the “single-best Iverson collection in the world.”

    Among the people who responded to his social media post was this Iverson fan who had a signed 2006 alternate blue jersey of the Hall of Fame player. It features a classic “Sixers” wordmark with white letters, and red and black trim. It was photo-matched and could be forensically linked to Iverson.

    “When I saw it, I was like, ‘Whoa,’” Goldin said.

    When it comes to Philly sports, certain athletes and figures transcend international lines, and Iverson is one of them, Goldin said.

    “AI is one of those players who connects with everyone, whether they’re 14 years old or in their 50s,” he said. “I’ve lived and breathed Philly sports my whole life, so I know.”

    Ken Goldin holds a pair of Converse basketball sneakers on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, that belonged to 76ers star Julius “Dr. J” Erving and were worn during a game against the Boston Celtics in the 1980s. Goldin, the star of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles,” the South Jersey based collector and high-profile dealer has several new finds sure to excite Philadelphia sports fans.

    On a recent Thursday afternoon, Goldin dug into his personal collection to reveal the sneakers of another legendary Philly sports icon: Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

    The Converse All-Stars, worn by the revolutionary ABA and NBA star, feature his signature on both shoes. The sneakers are photo-matched to an early 1980s game that Erving’s Sixers played against Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics.

    No stranger to TV-level theatrics, Goldin wore former Phillies center fielder and famed broadcaster Richie Ashburn’s 1980s World Championship ring that afternoon.

    “I wear it almost never. It is set in a vault. But for this [interview], I said, ‘I’m going to put the ring on,’” Goldin said.

    Ken Goldin shows his 1980 Richie Ashburn bicentennial ring on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Goldin, the star of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles,” the South Jersey based collector and high-profile dealer has several new finds sure to excite Philadelphia sports fans.

    But sports memorabilia won’t be the only thing Goldin is dealing with this season.

    To further hone in on the Philly nature of the show’s new season, Goldin promised a Rocky-related find but wouldn’t share details. The show will also showcase high-priced items like Paul McCartney’s guitar, paintings by Bob Ross, and even the alleged mummified hand of Cleopatra.

    Goldin said there will also be guest appearances from Logan Paul, Steve Aoki, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and his three brothers.

    He knows Sixers fans aren’t the most welcoming to Eastern Conference contenders, but Goldin makes an exception for Antetokounmpo. “I know it’s Philly, but you have to love the guy,” he said of the Milwaukee player, before signing off with something of a prophecy.

    “Who knows, maybe we can get him next year.”

    The new season of “King of Collectibles” is streaming on Netflix.

  • ❄️ Holiday markets, Dickens classics, and winter lights | Things to do

    ❄️ Holiday markets, Dickens classics, and winter lights | Things to do

    Days after the year’s first snowstorm in Philly, there seems to be a clearer and sunnier path toward the holidays.

    While there’s less snow and slush than in previous years, the Christmas spirit is still filling the air. There’s also a bevy of holiday-themed events worth adding to your to-do list, too.

    For the final newsletter entry of 2025, I wanted to leave you with a thoughtful gift. Untie the invisible bow that adorns this week’s edition of Things to Do, and feast your eyes on the musicals, concerts, and pop-ups happening this weekend. I hope you enjoy.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Cody Lewandowski, Michael Covel, and the cast of Walnut Street Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

    The many versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ you can watch in the region

    Since Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was first published on Dec. 19, 1843, the story of three ghosts haunting the wealthy Ebenezer Scrooge to save his soul has remained a Christmas classic.

    The book was so popular, the first printing sold out before Christmas Eve, and the haunting narrative was adapted for the stage just a year after its release.

    The work of the English novelist has drawn countless theater productions, and there are currently several actively running in the Philadelphia region. There are productions at Walnut Street Theatre, New Hope Arts Center, the Lantern Theater Company, and at People’s Light in Malvern running until Jan. 4.

    Read more about the slew of productions here.

    The best things to do this week

    🎶 An operatic return: Opera Philadelphia returns to the Kimmel Center from Friday to Sunday for three performances of The Seasons, a reimagining of Antonio Vivaldi’s string masterpiece, The Four Seasons.

    🎁From Center City’s Christmas Village and Dilworth Park’s Made in Philadelphia market to Bucks County’s Peddler’s Village and Bethlehem’s iconic Christkindlmarkt, these holiday markets are worth a look before they close.

    🎅🏼 Frightful festivities: Join the annual foray into Christmas fright at PhilaMOCA on Friday. The showroom will screen a 16 mm horror double feature and holiday-themed shorts, plus a potluck of assorted foods, snacks, beverages, and desserts.

    🎄 Let your creativity shine this Christmas: Get crafty in the days leading up to Christmas. Historic St. George’s Museum & Archives invites community members to make Victorian ornaments, wax seals, and holiday cards on Saturday.

    🎭 A momentous play at the Ardmore: The Mountain Top, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, is a reimagining of the night Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famed (and final) speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” The play will be running at Ardmore through Sunday.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Pancakes & Booze at Underground Arts and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Walnut Street Theatre.

    Tyler Childers sings on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden.

    The take: Best pop music albums of 2025, according to our pop music critic

    Our pop music critic Dan DeLuca drops his 10 best pop albums of 2025, and it’s a list driven less by hype than by heart. From Tyler Childers’ soul-baring Snipe Hunter at No. 1 to bold turns by Rosalía, Geese, PinkPantheress, and Philly’s own Florry, these are records built on storytelling, risk-taking, and songs that reward close listening. Bonus: There’s a Spotify playlist at the bottom if you want to sample before committing.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🏮Don’t miss the Wanamaker Light Show: The holiday tradition, which dates back to 1956, will feature thousands of dancing snowmen, candy canes, and the incredible sounds of the Wanamaker Organ through Dec. 24.

    🚂 Holiday Garden Railway: The train displays at the Morris Arboretum will be filled with thousands of lights through Dec. 30. The glimmering G-scale mini locomotives will wind and loop throughout the garden, filling the space with the kind of holiday spirit fit for such a beautiful site.

    🩰 Philly’s Nutcracker season is in full swing: There are four versions to choose from — classic Balanchine, a new one-act for little kids, a tap-dancing trip through Paris, and a vibrant Chocolate Ballerina Company twist.

    🍿 A child-friendly rendition of a classic fairytale: The Curio Theatre Company invites kids to help shape the pint-sized retelling of Hansel & Gretel Brothers Grimm. Children aged 3—10 can help with pre-show prop-making and in-performance participation from now through Dec. 31.

    🚥 An immersive strand of lights: Otherworld Philadelphia’s annual “Magic of the Willow” is back with immersive sights and shows that incorporate 600 strands of LEDs and music from now through Jan. 4.

    Staffer picks

    While our good friend Dan Deluca is out this week for the holidays, here’s a short list of the top concerts this weekend.

    🎸 Thursday: Allen Stone and Ripe take the stage at the Filmore Philadelphia for the “Get Sweet Tour.”

    🎤 Friday: Rapper-singer Rod Wave brings his signature melodic heartbreak tunes to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday for the “Redemption Experience Tour.”

    🎸 Saturday: The Front Bottoms, an alt-indie rock act out of Woodcliff Lake, NJ, will close out back-to-back “Champagne Jame Nights” at the Fillmore.

    🎤 Sunday: Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform back-to-back shows on Sunday for the metal band’s “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve” show at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Thanks for reading the final Things to Do entry of 2025. I can’t wait to kick things off in the new year, especially with everything transpiring for the semiquincentennial. Until then, enjoy the holiday with you and yours and see you back in inboxes on Jan. 8.

    — Earl

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • The Fairmount resident who dreamed up a women’s fightwear empire from her college apartment

    The Fairmount resident who dreamed up a women’s fightwear empire from her college apartment

    Maya Nazareth was 17, living in Malaysia, when she started training in Brazilian jiujitsu and discovered the discomfort and limitations of women’s fightwear.

    She kept adjusting her sports bra, fixing her rash guard and pants while trying to focus on the martial art that demands immense discipline and control. Nazareth, who struggled with body image issues, said the feeling of discomfort and frustration affected how she moved in the gym and in the world.

    Back in the U.S, as a “naive” college student with $2,000 to her name, she dreamed of building Alchemize Fightwear, an apparel brand to empower women fighters across the world.

    She founded the brand in 2020. Five years later, she won $300,000 on ABC’s Shark Tank, backed by Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, Lori Greiner, and Kendra Scott in exchange for a 15% stake.

    Maya Nazareth at the Vault Jiu Jitsu, Morton, PA., is the founder and CEO of Alchemize Fightwear, Friday, December 5, 2025.

    “I was having my chest exposed, my stomach exposed, and my pants fell during training,” she said. “That’s a huge barrier for women to train in these sports, especially in front of 50-plus men in a training room. I just thought I could create something better.”

    Nazareth, who grew up in Malaysia and all over New Jersey, realized that she shared her reality with many women in male-dominated gyms and martial arts academies, who are often led to quit before they experience the confidence and power martial arts brought to Nazareth.

    “Jiujitsu transformed me into someone who felt strong, powerful, and confident, but the gear I was training in didn’t make me feel that way,” she said.

    While studying international business at the University of Delaware, Nazareth placed her first purchase order of rash guards from a manufacturer, trying them out herself and putting them to test.

    Her college apartment was Alchemize’s first headquarters, and her car was a mobile sales office.

    She started by surveying 1,500 fighters, from amateur athletes to professional competitors, asking them what elements would make their apparel more comfortable and functional for their specific disciplines.

    At left is Ashley Razzano with Genisis Medina-Arce in embroidered Gi’s by Alchemize Fightwear. They are shown at the Vault Jiu Jitsu, Morton, PA, Friday, December 5, 2025.

    Nazareth reshaped necklines in the tops, removed center seams from the bottoms, inserted silicone waistbands, and built in sports bras for added support and comfort.

    What she offered was both stylish and functional for women fighters in jiujitsu, wrestling, and later boxing, Muay Thai, and other disciplines. They were all “customer-centric designs,” she said, that made for a more fluid and functional fit for martial arts practitioners. She even tapped MMA fighter Michelle Waterson to design a collection of her own.

    “It’s nothing revolutionary,” Nazareth, 27, said, “but it’s really just thinking about the customer first and what they need from their fight wear.”

    When she formed the brand in 2020, she built a company for every woman, in and outside the gym.

    “Moms are fighters. People going through medical diagnosis are fighters. People trying to push through in their careers are fighters. And I think fighting is just a natural human movement that we all innately know how to do, want to do, and need training around,” Nazareth said.

    “I really love that we have created an avenue for more women to step into that. I think it’s really powerful to say, ‘Hey, it’s safe to show up and express yourself in this way.’”

    Ashley Razzano with embroidered gi from Alchemize Fightwear, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

    Under the Alchemize brand, Nazareth hosts free self-defense classes for survivors of domestic and sexual assault. She also organizes grappling camps in gyms and martial arts academies throughout the region to increase accessibility for women athletes.

    “I’m personally passionate about what fight sports can offer survivors of assault and of domestic violence,” Nazareth said. “Just being able to make fight sports accessible to the everyday woman who may think, ‘I’m not a fighter,’ or who doesn’t see themselves rolling on the mat with a bunch of sweaty men. I think that’s something I’m really proud of and something I would like to continue doing.”

    Maya Nazareth at the Vault Jiu Jitsu, Morton, PA. She is the founder and CEO of Alchemize Fightwear, Friday, December 5, 2025.

    Her work and advocacy haven’t gone unnoticed. In December 2024, the Fairmount resident was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for groundbreaking work in women’s sportswear and retail.

    Less than a year later, she was pitching on Shark Tank.

    She received an email from the Shark Tank production team in March 2025 and immediately questioned its legitimacy.

    “I try not to overcommit to an opportunity before it happens,” Nazareth said.

    Despite her initial suspicion, she filled out the application and took the phone screening. Two months later, she flew out to California to compete on the show.

    ”You never know if you’re going to actually air on the show or what’s going to happen,“ she said. ”But I started my business for the love of the sport and because I wanted to do something cool for women’s jiujitsu. So, every single opportunity that comes up, I try to do my best. It was really exciting.”

    As she practiced her script, Nazareth took a moment to reflect on her journey. “I kept saying to myself, this is not the time to play small,” she said. “This is the time to be courageous.”

    When she walked out to present, Nazareth said she “blacked out.” But her proposal sparked immediate interest from Ohanian.

    She started out seeking a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 5% stake in Alchemize, and ended with $300,000 and a shared deal with Ohanian, Greiner, and Scott.

    “It was really emotional and really, really cool,” she said.

    In the months since the episode’s airing Oct. 22, Nazareth said the company has seen increased sales and a growing list of new customers. Having weathered the chaos of Black Friday, she looks forward to the slower Christmas season before things pick back up at the top of the year.

    Genesis Medina-Arce wears an embroidered gi from Alchemize Fightwear, Friday, December 5, 2025.

    She’s excited about the new developments at Alchemize. In 2026, Nazareth and her business partner, Suzette “Suliy” Melendez, will launch the flagship Alchemize Fightwear Athlete Program.

    The online program will support athletes as they scale their current and future businesses in and outside of combat sports. Melendez said the move aligns with Nazareth’s mission to empower women in sports and business.

    “We want to give other women opportunities outside of jiujitsu and give them a platform to scale,” Melendez said. “Being able to have shoulders to lean on, on the mats or off the mats, helps create community with our events.”

    Nazareth also plans to expand Alchemize’s sports camps, making it the “South by Southwest” of women’s combat.

    Through all these ventures, the goal remains the same, she says: creating pathways for women to enter martial arts and encouraging them to “own their inner ferocity.”

  • ✨ The whimsical wonders of the holiday season | Things to do

    With Christmas two weeks away, I’m sure the last thing you want is a list of events that distract you from your holiday plans. But believe me, there are too many good ones to pass up. And I, being your guide to what’s happening in Philly, am here to offer what I call “welcome distractions.”

    I get it. Finalizing Christmas dinner plans and checking off your last-minute shopping list come first. But between a new Scandinavian sauna retreat, a hot chocolate bar crawl, and an adult night at Legoland Discover Center, there are plenty of ways to pass the time this season.

    Read below, and I’ll show you.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Olivia DiEmedio, 16, is rehearsing for the Nutcracker in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

    The family of dancers that has danced the Philadelphia Ballet ‘Nutcracker’ for at least a dozen years

    The holidays are all about tradition — and few Philly traditions run deeper than the DiEmedio family dancing The Nutcracker. Three sisters, each at a different stage in the Philadelphia Ballet pipeline, return to the Academy of Music this year as snowflakes, flowers, and even the occasional piece of candy. Their mother, former company dancer and current schoolteacher Charity Eagens, sometimes takes the stage alongside them. Together, they’ve formed a 12-year-long thread through Balanchine’s classic, a living reminder that this ballet isn’t just a seasonal ritual. For some families, it’s a way of life.

    Philadelphia Ballet performs “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” Dec. 5—31 at the Academy of Music.

    The best things to do this week

    🎄 Want the tree without the hassle? Philly and the suburbs have multiple delivery options that’ll drop a fresh-cut fir — and sometimes even set it up — right in your living room.

    ❄️ Philly’s first measurable snow is likely early Sunday — up to 3 inches — and the deep freeze will stick around all day. If your plans involve the Eagles game or outdoor events, layer up and plan for wind chills in the teens.

    ☕ A sip of hot cocoa: Sip the finest of specialty and boozy hot chocolate offerings during East Passyunk’s 4th Annual Hot Chocolate Crawl on Saturday. All you have to do is purchase a commemorative mug to join the fun.

    🔨 Unleash the holiday stress: As part of Pluto TV’s new Holidays are Brutal campaign, the streaming service is offering a free, one-day-only rage room in Northeast Philly this Thursday. Get in on this furious fun.

    🎶 It’s giving fa-la-la: Through Sunday, the Bearded Ladies will join the Philadelphia Voices of Pride for a joyous and humorous sing-along at the Wanamaker Building. It will be a drag spectacle.

    🧱 Stack ‘em up: The kiddos can’t have all the fun. On Friday, adults are encouraged to break out their inner child at Legoland for the annual Holiday Bricktacular.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Carols & Cocktails in East Market, uCity Square Holiday Fest, Adult Gingerbread House Decorating at Bloomsday

    Thing of the Week: FringeArts is back in year-round action

    Big things are ahead for FringeArts in 2026. After a record-breaking Philly Fringe Festival, the organization is restoring year-round programming for the first time since 2020. Kicking off with its Winter—Spring 2026 season, FringeArts will bring four productions from local and international artists to its Old City venue, plus a monthly Scratch Night series where creators share works in progress. Tickets go on sale Friday at fringearts.com — and longtime readers will recognize the byline on Rosa Cartagena’s full story.

    Christmas Village features a new 30 foot ‘Christmas Pyramid’ at LOVE Park on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 in Philadelphia. Christmas Village is open until December 24.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🩰 Philly’s Nutcracker season is in full swing: There are four versions to choose from — classic Balanchine, a new one-act for little kids, a tap-dancing trip through Paris, and a vibrant Chocolate Ballerina Company twist.

    🇺🇸 Historic walk across the Delaware: Join thousands at Washington Crossing Historic Park to watch the 73rd reenactment of General George Washington’s daring trek across the Delaware River on Sunday. A second reenactment will take place on Christmas Day.

    🎁 From Center City’s Christmas Village and Dilworth Park’s Made in Philadelphia market to Bucks County’s Peddler’s Village and Bethlehem’s iconic Christkindlmarkt, these holiday markets are worth a look.

    🐟 Seven-fishes feasts are popping up all over Philly — and selling out fast. If you’re planning a no-cook Christmas Eve, get your reservations or takeout orders in now.

    🔵 Filled with lights: This Saturday, the historic Boathouse Row will illuminate nearly 6,400 LED lights in blue and white for Hanukkah. Don’t miss it on your routine walk or drive along Kelly Drive.

    🧖🏼‍♂️ Bask in a steamy Scandinavian tradition: The Ebba Sparre Sauna Collective at the American Swedish Historical Museum is opening a pop-up Scandinavian retreat that offers a steamy solo cedar barrel and group sauna experience. The ancient Swedish tradition is available starting Saturday through March 29, 2026.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎤 Thursday: Pittstown, N.J.-born and Philly-based pop-rock quartet, the Happy Fits, headline the Fillmore on Thursday.

    🎤 Friday: Off the heels of his ninth album, Rhett Miller will play Free at Noon at Ardmore Music Hall on Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: Philly pop-punk band the Starting Line, which released its first album in 18 years, plays back-to-back nights at the Fillmore Philly.

    🎤 Saturday: Inspired and eccentric Detroit rapper Danny Brown plays the Theatre of Living Arts on South Street on Saturday. He’s touring behind his new album Stardust.

    🎤 Sunday: Rapper-turned-rocker MGK is touring behind his new album, Lost Americana, which was accompanied by a trailer narrated by the iconic Bob Dylan. He takes the stage for the “Lost Americana” tour at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday.

    🎤 Monday: This year’s Q102’s Jingle Ball, featuring a lineup of musical stars such as Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Laufey, Monsta X, Miles Smith, Raven Lenae, and others, will take center stage at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday.

    Click here for more music picks.

    Between your last-minute Christmas shopping and holiday dinner plans, make sure you check out some of these seasonal events.

    — Earl

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • The West Philly rapper whose work has landed on ‘Abbott Elementary.’ Twice.

    The West Philly rapper whose work has landed on ‘Abbott Elementary.’ Twice.

    When Philly artist Amir Bey Richardson first uploaded his rap songs online in 2010, he was told his music was “too corny” to garner an audience.

    “I definitely had friends who encouraged me, but I had other friends who used to call it ‘bus driver rap,’” Richardson said. “Or they said, ‘Too many people rap. Get out of here.’”

    Today, Richardson is a go-to musician-for-hire for major network shows, including for the Emmy-winning, Philly-set comedy series Abbott Elementary.

    Philly artist Amir Bey Richardson in his home studio on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

    Richardson, who goes by Bul Bey, knows his music doesn’t have the same musical edge that has long defined Philadelphia’s hip-hop sound. But he makes up for it with his more soulful and personal hip-hop records that speak to his West Philly roots and connect with a wider range of rap fans.

    “Philadelphia is one of those cities where rapping is held to a higher standard, so I had to listen to my heart,” he said. “I was an artist whether I wanted to be one or not.”

    While his sound didn’t match that of his contemporaries, he believes it sets him apart from other Philly artists.

    On the Oct. 22 episode of Abbott Elementary, Richardson’s 2024 track “Elbow Deep” can be heard in the background as characters Gregory and Janine (played by Tyler James Williams and show creator Quinta Brunson), set the vibe for a friendly hangout.

    “I lost my mind when I heard it,” Richardson said. “There are some explicit moments in the song, but when I saw the scene, it all made total sense.”

    This was the second time Richardson’s music was placed in the hit series.

    Back in February 2022, Richardson sent an “awkward” introductory message on LinkedIn to Abbott Elementary music supervisor Kier Lehman. Among the tens of tracks Richardson pulled from his catalog to include in that message, the 2014 single “Where I’m From” struck a chord with Lehman.

    Philly artist Amir Bey Richardson at his home studio Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

    In early 2023, the Grammy-nominated music supervisor reached out to Richardson to request the use of “Where I’m From” for season two, episode 19, of the show.

    Richardson said he’s still processing the achievement. “Sometimes I go back to the episode just to make sure it wasn’t changed,” he said.

    That song placement, Richardson said, arrived at a “time of desperation.”

    After a decade of making music, Richardson was at a creative crossroads. He was confident in his musical talents, but it felt like there were limited avenues to showcase them. “I felt very lost and desperate,” he said.

    He stumbled onto Abbott Elementary like everyone else. Only he paused the TV to find Lehman’s name in the credits and reached out to him months later on the networking platform.

    While he’s now “embarrassed” by his direct message to Lehman, the eventual song placement was the first time Richardson was ever paid for his music.

    “That was definitely me crossing a threshold,” he said. “And in my mind, I was like, ‘I have to do that again.’”

    It would be two years until that would happen. Earlier this year, Lehman reached out to Richardson to use “Elbow Deep.” Richardson approved immediately.

    Philly artist Amir Bey Richardson at his home studio Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. He is seen doing the voice-over for a Joel Embiid Skechers commercial.

    In the meantime, that first placement opened several creative doors.

    Between his role as an event coordinator for the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Richardson dropped a pair of collaborative EPs with producers Sam Live and Patrick Feliciano. He also contributed music to WHYY programs, such as Albie’s Elevator and The Infinite Art Hunt, and served as host of the Franklin Institute’s So Curious podcast.

    He was even tapped to narrate a Skechers ad featuring Sixers star Joel Embiid, showcasing his abilities as a voice-over talent.

    It’s all been a surprising path, Richardson said. One that has inspired him to pursue avenues that meld his love of music and Philadelphia.

    “It let me know I had a narrower view of what I could do as an artist,” Richardson said. “I wouldn’t say I’m doing unconventional things, but it’s more of a wider range.”

    Philly artist Amir Bey Richardson in his home studio Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. He did the voice-over in a new Joel Embiid Skechers commercial, seen on screen.

    His goal is to be a more notable name for big-budget shows and eventually land a placement on a blockbuster film. He currently has his sights on Sony’s animated Spider-Man multiverse saga, which Lehman served as the music supervisor for in 2018.

    For someone who started out making songs from his college radio station at Pittsburgh’s La Roche University, and now sees his name on TV screens, Richardson has learned to avoid limiting his art and musical reach. And to the friends who previously doubted his abilities, he’s proving his music can take him places he’s never been, including prime-time television.