On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, we had the privilege of sitting down with Boots Riley, the renowned rap artist, organizer, activist, and now filmmaker of The Coup. Our conversation centered around his latest TV project, “I Am a Virgo,” and delved into his experiences with television compared to his previous film, “Sorry to Bother You.”

Initially hesitant about venturing into the realm of television, Boots explained how his perspective shifted once he assembled his current team and witnessed the end result of “I Am a Virgo.” The series revolves around a 13-foot-tall Black man living in Oakland, a concept that promised unexpected twists and turns, much like his previous work. Needless to say, Boots did not disappoint.

Having had the opportunity to preview the first four episodes, I found them both captivating and complemented by stellar performances. The cast includes comedian Mike Epps, who delivers a powerful portrayal, Carmen Ejogo, who keeps viewers engaged, Jharrel Jerome, known for his outstanding roles in “Moonlighting” and “When They See Us,” and Olivia Washington, daughter of Denzel Washington, who truly shines as the female lead character, Flora. Boots described Washington as a rising star in the making.

When asked to define the project’s genre—whether it’s a sci-fi, coming-of-age, or adventure story set in Oakland—Boots emphasized his aversion to confining his work to a single category. He purposefully crafted the narrative and direction to defy neat categorization, mirroring his approach to music, which resists being neatly packaged.