Raised in the 80s: From Rubik's Cube to House Music and Hip Hop

What was it really like growing up in the 1980s? In this episode of Raw & Refined: The Gentleman’s Hour, Rich, John, and Greg take a journey back through the decade that shaped them—breaking it into three defining stages: elementary school (1980–1982), high school (1982–1986), and college (1986–1989). From Saturday morning cartoons and the Rubik’s Cube to the explosion of hip hop, the birth of Chicago house music, and the cultural impact of MTV, the conversation explores the music, movies, fashion, and everyday experiences that defined the era. The hosts reflect on iconic television shows like The Cosby Show, the influence of soap operas like General Hospital, and the emergence of stars like Denzel Washington on St. Elsewhere. They also revisit the rituals of the time—recording songs off the radio, crafting the perfect answering machine message, spending hours at the arcade, and hoping your favorite movie was still available at Blockbuster. More than just a nostalgic look back, this episode explores how the 1980s helped shape identity, community, and manhood for a generation of Black men.Thank you from Raw and Refined. Please like, comment, subscribe and share with men who might benefit from this episode or this podcast!You can check out the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.This episode is brought to you by Holver Travel