South Africa, April 22 -- Coffee, black like vinyl. The fuel of legends. Tea's too tame, matcha's a fad. My coffee's unfiltered, keeps you sharp when the world's tuning in. My lady makes the most insane Ethiopian roast, it's Africa in a cup, grounded, just like home.

Starts early, 4 a.m. Dawn's for my three-year-old, her giggles set the tempo. The mother city is quiet, My bike roaring, I beat the audience to the radio show by six. Nerves buzzing like it's my first gig. I'm a rookie again, and I love it! Serving the airwaves, the people, and something bigger.

Xhosa pronunciation lessons from callers, Afrikaans quips, English swagger and maybe a quick chat with a street poet in Khayelitsha. Daytime is playtime, tweaking beats, creating au...