For Taboo, hip-hop is just one dimension of his larger creative identity. The Black Eyed Peas member is also a toy collector, comic book writer, sneakerhead, and self-proclaimed geek. He’s even writing music with his nine-year-old daughter Jett for the new Dora series. Now, he’s channeling all those passions into a new multimedia venture: a podcast called Comics and Kicks.
Launching later this year via CTG Sports, Comics and Kicks is more than celebrity banter — it’s a celebration of fandom and culture as viewed through the lens of comics, sneakers, and storytelling.
“I geek out on toys. I geek out on comics. Comic-Con, storytellers… those are the things that inspire me outside of BEP,” Taboo said. “This is the conversation I’m all about. This is the frequency I love tapping into.”
Born from Geek Mode
The seed for the podcast was planted during guest appearances Taboo made on shows hosted by Byron Scott and Shawn Stockman.
“We built a relationship through sports, my advocacy, and my love for it,” Taboo said. “Then Sean and I started talking about music, and then I talked about my comic. He’s like, ‘Yo, you’re into comics?’ I said, ‘Yeah, straight geek mode, bro.’”
That shared love of pop culture sparked something deeper.
“We turned into nerds and fandom and geek mode,” Taboo said. “And I loved it.”
Producer and founder of CTG Sports Brian Amlani, who’s been behind the mic for years and saw an opportunity.
“I was like, ‘Yo, Tab, I see something with this,’” Amlani said. “Let’s build something around that energy.”
The result was Comics and Kicks, a show where guests from across music, film, sports, and art come to nerd out with Taboo — and reveal the sneaker and comic book stories that shaped them personally.
A New Kind of Culture Crossover
The show promises a rotating mix of celebrity guests — actors, athletes, musicians, comic creators — with each episode centered around their personal passions.
“If they have more of a passion or connection to toys or comics or sneakers, that’s kind of where the show will start,” Amlani said. “Then we’ll go into memory lane: what was your first pair of sneakers, or the first comic you read?”
Taboo’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his guest list is personal. He mentions Dante Basco (“Rufio from Hook”) as a dream guest, and points to others who’ve shared his interests: Pete Rock, Pharoahe Monch, and Kwame, among others.
“You wouldn’t think they’re so hardcore into comics and toys,” Taboo said. “But they are. I want to tell those stories.”
A Platform for Representation
At the heart of Comics and Kicks is something deeper than nostalgia: a drive to uplift overlooked voices.
“I want to share space with heroes that have flown under the radar,” Taboo said. “People in storytelling, in animation, in comics, in sneakers. Even athletes who geek out.”
That mindset echoes his mission at Marvel, where he’s worked on Werewolf by Night, Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and other projects focused on Indigenous representation.
“No one’s advocating for Indigenous voices at that level,” Taboo said. “So if I have a platform, I’m going to bring everybody to the party that deserves a shining light.”
In that same vein, Taboo paid tribute to the late artist Jeffrey Veregge, a frequent collaborator.
“He worked with Marvel for five years under the radar,” Taboo said. “People saw his variant covers but didn’t know his story. I always brought him into every book we did.”
The Look, the Feel — and the Room Full of Toys
Comics and Kicks isn’t just about conversation — it’s also a visual feast.
“We film everything in 4K, cinematic level,” Amlani said . “Video has probably surpassed audio. People want an experience. They want an appointment.”
The set will reflect Taboo’s passions: comics, collectibles, and a lot of kicks.
“I’m going decorate the set with toys and comics and just everything that is this beautiful journey,” Taboo said. “It’s a little museum, bro.”
Much of his collection had to be rescued from a house threatened by fires in Southern California.
“The structure survived, but everything around it burned down,” Taboo said. “Now I’ve got my stuff in storage — and I’m bringing it out for the podcast.”
Aside from the comics/toy focus, sneaker culture is a major through-line. Taboo, who’s connected with Jordan Brand and designer Tinker Hatfield (“He’s like the Stan Lee of sneaker design”), sees how vital storytelling is to sneakers.
“Even sneaker design has storytelling behind it,” Taboo said. “And now it’s bleeding into comics — you see Miles Morales rocking Jordans.”
Amlani agreed, adding, “Everybody has a sneaker story and everybody has a comic story. Even if you’re not a collector. You remember that first pair of Jordans. That moment sticks.”
A Legacy in the Making
So, what exactly does success look like for Comics and Kicks?
“I’m competitive, bro,” Taboo said laughing. “Whether I’m doing a Marvel comic or Black Eyed Peas, I want to be competitive. I want this to be a marathon, not a sprint.”
For him, this isn’t a side hustle — it’s part of a larger vision.
“I’ve seen what podcasts did for Byron Scott, for Shawn Stockman,” Taboo said. “I’m invested in this. I know it’s a viable business.”
It’s also deeply personal. When asked to dream up a comic-sneaker crossover, Taboo didn’t hesitate: “Red Wolf. Or Jake Gomez from Werewolf by Night. Something Indigenous. Something that speaks to my legacy at Marvel.”
He paused, then smiled: “But also… Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. That’d be fun.”
Stay tuned for the launch of Comics and Kicks on June 24th, where fandom meets culture, and geek mode is always engaged. Follow Comics and Kicks on Instagram and keep an eye out for news and updates.
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