London Brown Shares Difference Between Working With Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Compared To 50 Cent & Courtney A. Kemp
HBO Hit Show Ballers looked at the lives of past and present football players. Ballers’ half-hour comedy series follows former superstar Spencer Strasmore played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He is trying to get his life on track after retiring from the NFL. Spencer Strasmore mentors other current and former players about the business side of professional sports.
London Brown had the opportunity to work with Johnson during their time on the Baller set from 2015-to 2019 and had the opportunity to experience how Johnson ran things as an executive producer. He has also worked with 50 Cent and Courtney Kemp on the upcoming series of Power Book III: Raising Kanan. It is a prequel series of the original power series featuring 50 Cent, Omari Hardwick, and Joseph Sikora.
In a recent interview, I asked Brown the difference between working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as an executive producer and Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cent.
“The things that we shot that day, they all get sent off, and they have to be cleared. I know 50 was involved in that process and had his say in it. They are hands-on with this project [Power Book III: Raising Kanan] is a little different from how it was on Ballers. On Ballers, they were involved, too, do not get me wrong. This was just a little bit different and both unique in their own way, but it worked for me because I like the artistic freedom that they allow me to have with this particular project,” said Brown.
“I was able to do my thing on Ballers as well, but since it was so focused around Dwayne, I think if it did not involve Dwayne directly, then it did not get that much attention where here everything counts. I mean, every vowel and every word count because I am from LA. I am playing a New York character. So, literally every vowel, every letter [AEIOU]. For example, on the east coast, do not say final instead of about to or whatever it is. Just little things like that count, and they are very good at Power; make sure they catch all of the details. So, in that dynamic, they are different but unique in their own way.”
He would continue, “In a nutshell, both are effective, and I like the details that we get when we deal with Power. All the way down to the vowels someone is clearing them, and you have to because it takes place in 1991. So, we cannot be slipping because it will take the audience out of the picture. So, they are good for that. So, both are good just are using different styles.”
Power Book III: Raising Kanan will premiere on Starz on Jul 18, 2021.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
