As a self-proclaimed “Music Man,” Assanté covers all things music on The Friend Zone podcast. Alongside co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Dustin Ross, the trio discuss what’s new in entertainment, health and wellness and current events.Every week, a Black business is featured to help and encourage consumers to promote and support entrepreneurs of color. For over seven years, the trio has consistently provided their audience with weekly episodes and new ways to engage with the show.

Before moving to New York in 2009, Assanté built a modest following from his YouTube channel, where he shared his life experiences, created comedic and musical visuals, as well as shared commentary on music-related news and popular tv culture. Embodying all things black boy joy, Assanté leaned into his passion to become an authority in the music and comedy space, finding inspiration in Wayne Brady’s career. He extended his reach when he joined Twitter to provide live commentary to accompany “real-time” events and connect with other artists and entertainers. Assanté jumped into creative freelancing as soon as he got to the city, doing photography and videography for several music and entertainment blogs while also interning at a major record label. Music and art have always been passions for him and he uses this passion to fulfill his purpose to promote, uplift, and feature artists that he saw as undiscovered or underrated.

After settling into The Big Apple, he connected with other creatives that uplifted and inspired him. When friends Kid Fury and Crissle West began their own podcast The Read, Assanté helped produce live shows and moderate during tours. It was after appearing as a recurring guest that he was approached to begin his very own podcast in 2015. The Friend Zone podcast has since produced over 350 episodes and has completed partnerships with Nike, HBO, McDonalds, and Target – all on the strength of the trio of hosts’ personalities and familial bond.

Assanté has also lent his MC and hosting abilities to other podcasts and projects like Gettin Grown and Whoreible Decisions Live. When he’s not hosting or spinning fun music theories, you can find him playing video games or deep in the Black sci-fi world – breaking down TV and films like Lovecraft Country, Black Panther, Black Mirror, and more.