To many, Marc Lamont Hill is an academic, author, activist, and incisive TV commentator, but now he wants to grab drinks with rapper Cardi B on national television.

The 37-year-old North Philly native lends his powerful voice to issues from Islamophobia to race in America, regularly contributing to outlets such as CNN and BET News. Now he’s hosting a weekly late-night talk show, “VH1 Live!,” on VH1 that will focus on pop culture and current issues.

By bridging these worlds, Hill says, he’s “really committed to doing late night differently.”

Q: How will “VH1 Live!” set itself apart from other late night shows?

A: Anyone who follows me on Twitter or sees the world I occupy (knows) they’ll get some celebrity gossip, they’ll get my snarky commentary, some sports talk, they’ll get my reality TV opinions. And I might go out and grab a drink. Now you can get all of that on my show at one time. It’s the right mix of ratchet and wokeness.

Q: A lot of people don’t know that side of you.A:

A: You’re right. If you only know me from cable news, then you may think I only talk about heavy serious stuff all the time. The truth is, I’m a goofball. I’m silly and I don’t like to talk about serious stuff all the time. And if I do, I like to mix in fun stuff. That’s what people want. I think mature audiences want smart TV, they want TV that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Q: Is having a late-night talk show ever something you saw for yourself?

A: (laughs) No. When I was pursuing a Ph.D. at Penn, I wasn’t thinking, “This is the best way to get a late-night show.” I stumbled into this. My academic work led to a desire to write to bigger audiences. My writing to bigger audiences led to my job as a TV commentator. As a TV commentator, I decided I didn’t want to just be in the conversation, I wanted to set the table for the conversation. That’s how I became a host. When I became a host, I realized I didn’t want to just talk about nuclear disarmament or offshore drilling. I also want to talk about … twerking, without shame!

Q: But with recent events, how would you talk about Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the shooting in Dallas in a pop-culture space?

A: Whenever you talk about pop culture, it connects with what’s going on in the world. At “VH1 Hip Hop Honors,” I hosted the red carpet with Amber Rose, and we talked about how hip-hop can make the world better, how artists can play a role in this. I think that on the show there will be a space for me to comment on things that happen in the world. My goal isn’t to turn this into a cable news show.

Q: What are some ways you think artists can tackle these issues?

A: One person who has modeled it recently has been Beyoncé.

Q: WWBD: What Would Beyoncé Do? That’s what everyone needs to ask.

A: I’m literally sitting at a desk with a plaque that says that. Apparently, that is the question. I need to get bracelets together.

Q: What’s your media diet?

A: I used to read five books a week. Now, I read three to four.

Q: No skimming?

A: I read them all. The Kindle helps. I read on the subway. Every book isn’t heavy. I may read a book on Syria and right now I’m reading a book on players who go straight from high school to the NBA. And I was reading L.A. Reid’s biography. For me, that mix is what keeps me sane. Every day, I watch international news and CNN, then I read two to three newspapers to catch up.

Q: Who are some dream guests you have for the show?

A: I have different categories. From the hip-hop world, you know, people I look up to. I want people like Nas, Mike Tyson … he’s a good interview and he’s good people. Of course, Beyoncé.

Q: Get Beyoncé and you’d be the next Oprah.

A: Or if you get Oprah. I want to get some of the legends people who make good music and don’t fall off. Janet Jackson doesn’t fall off. And I’m going to sneak a politician into the show. Don’t get it messed up. I don’t know if you watch “Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta.” …

Q: I don’t.

A: Ah, there’s something missing in your life. Beyoncé would be so unhappy with you. Who doesn’t want to sit with Stevie J or Joseline? K. Michelle, she’s my girl. From N.Y., Rich Dollaz or Cardi B.

Q: Wait, Cardi B! I love Cardi.

A: Everybody loves Cardi B. We’d get to see them more relaxed. Even more uncensored and have some alcohol.

Q: What? This is a party?

A: It is a party. We want it to feel like a party that everybody has access to.