LOGIC

sir on there, so technically I'm the first. Thing. When I named my son after me, he'll be the third, but really he'll be the second, believe it or not. I followed that, I love your name though. Your name is so regal. It's just like dang. I mean, how many people get a name like it? Served up a name like that a birthing. You sound like you were created. God created you for the limelight. I know. I'm glad I kind of lived up to the name. That's pretty rad.

It is pretty rad. And boy, you had every opportunity to to go a different direction. That sounds like yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean growing up was very hard, you know what I mean? So many uh, so many things that I had witnessed because both of my and my parents were, you know, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and uh, they weren't together. Uh, my dad wasn't really in my life that that much as a child, and my sisters were running around and my brothers were selling drugs and so

it was crazy. There was a lot of things that I saw but did my best to over overcome. And you did you have to go through recovery or did you never make those choices? Me personally, I was never addicted to any substance. Um, you know, I I ran around and did a bunch of things I shouldn't have done, not so much to the point where I regret and look in the mirror and you know, can't stand the

person I see. But yeah, you know I've I've done some dumb things, but never never regarding a heavy substances or anything like that, because I I was raised in a family to put the fun in dysfunctional. And uh, I did not choose the path of of addictions to substances like you say, But I chose to be addicted

to people who were addicted to substances. Yeah, so that was that was my even in my sisters you know what I mean, like wanting to fix men or finding men who are broken, but possibly because you know, just deep down they're also broken and they just want to try to try to fix something. It's all quite psychological. I heard a wonderful pastor one time speaking to that, and he said, whatever language you learn in the first five years of your life is going to be your

native language. And he said, so, how much more so does that apply to our love languages? If we were raised in a household where drugs and alcohol and addiction is the primary language, and we see that in the first five years of life, of course you're going to grow up and be attracted to somebody who speaks your language. And I went, whoa light came on. Yeah, it's actually pretty amazing, And it's funny how we can find those that, you know, the self really station moments anywhere in life,

which is kind of crazy. It's actually even right now. I never really thought about it that way, and I'm glad you. Isn't that amazing? It's true. I mean when I went to school, when I went to college and never quite finished, but when I went I would walk in the cafeteria and we had a multicultural, multiracial kind of school that I went to. It was a community college, and I mean there were people from every nation that

seemed like at this little community college. I'd walk into the cafeteria and here would be a table filled with children and children, young adults, you know, from the Middle East, talking amongst themselves. Right next to them would be a table of kids that were speaking Spanish. And I'm thinking I was just sitting with all these folks in my math class ten minutes ago. You know, class dismisses, You go to lunch, and everybody goes to a group that

is identified by the language they're speaking. Yeah, it's pretty I think culture is one beautiful thing for sure. And you and I could probably talk for hours, having both been raised by people who were alcoholics, because that's our native language. I think that's also why I make the music that I make, because there's so many people there that understand that message and and and know what it's

like to go through it. So I think I'd like to just make music to kind of say, hey, like, no matter what you are going through, there is somebody else out there who hears it. And even if you're not going through these things, yes, these things actually exist, and maybe your life isn't so bad, so you should appreciate the things you have. Logical that thought will continue this conversation in just a minute. This podcast has been

made possible by the American Cancer Society. They're known for their work in research, of course, but that's just one part of what they offer. They also provide free lodging near treatment centers when your best chance is far from home. When it comes to cancer, the American Cancer Societ it is the only organization attacking from every angle. When I recently learned all that this organization does, I was so taken with their commitment to be there for those in need.

Visit cancer dot org to donate and to help attack cancer from every angle. I'm speaking with a talented young man. He's a singer, a rapper, a writer, a producer. We're talking about music and staying true to who God intends you to be. And the song that we're playing right now that everybody's talking about seven three logic is so good, so so good. And when my producer Janie brought it to me, she's like, this isn't really your typical love song, but we're going to play it. Oh, yes we are.

I have UM, I don't know if you know this, but I have a big, big, big family. I have thirteen children in number fourteen just joined us. And uh, I have a teenage son who is battling with depression right now. Thank god he told someone, thank God he sought help. Thank God there is a counselor a couple of counselors that are deeply committed to him and talking to him. But uh, two of his friends that he went to high school and didn't reach out for help. I'm sorry, And I wonder if you know they had

heard those words that you wrote in the song. You know, your life is so precious, you are so valuable, if anybody could have gotten that through to them, you know, I think, um, I think what has happened in general is unfortunate and we can't change it. That's the crazy part about all of this, because we'll drive ourselves crazy if we consciously, if we're constantly thinking about in retrospect,

you know, what if this or what if that? But the only thing that we can focus on is the present moment, and is also ourselves and unfortunately all the people that we've lost. As as hard as it is. The truth is that we can't do anything about that.

But what we can do is continue to live, thrive, prosper and spread that message, the message of life in their memory, as harder as as blunt as that may sound, and I know it can be hard and very scary because you think about the people who have gone, you know, young, old, everyone in between, all colors, everyone, And then you can think about someone like your son or your son's friends, or your husband or your you know, your wife, or you this or you that, and think, oh, my goodness,

you know this person that is going through it, or could be going through that you don't even know is going through it, could have taken it to that extreme. And what we must appreciate is um life itself, not those that are still here or this or but the fact that we are aware enough to discuss it. And I think in society us as people, especially in entertainment,

everything is perfect, everything is strong, chiseled, beautiful. And the truth is is, you know, the people who are actually consuming this perfection are the real beauties of the world being told that they are not, regardless of the things that they're into or you know, you're a nerd or you're this or you're that, And the truth is we are the people that run this world, and we should not be made to believe that we are imperfect or because it is our imperfections, I think that actually make

us human and you know, being humanist about that. So I think my biggest thing that I could say to you and to everyone listening at the end of the day, as you must continue to fight for who you are because as I've I've said this a million times and I heard it somewhere else, I'd rather be hated for who I am than love for who I'm not. And I think that's what we all just got to learn

and keep telling ourselves. But here's the beautiful thing. Once you embrace who you are, and once you not just embrace it and accept it like yeah, I guess this is who I am, but celebrate it and say, yeah, this is who I am. Not only will you find other people who celebrate with you, you will be loved beyond measure. Yeah it's crazy. I mean, you know, Alan Watts, the philosopher said anything you're into, you will find others

who are. And I think that's a really beautiful thing because I think, as once again we all want to be into the coolest thing that this so that I had a blah blah blah, but we feel like we can't join that because those people don't want us to join. So instead of trying to satisfy and please others and do what others you know, would want you to do, you just gotta do what you want to do and eventually it will kind of kick on. I mean, look

at me, you know what I mean. Like, I'm a Fannie Pack wearing Rubik's Cube solving rapper like it was. It was no easy feat to get where I am. Like, but at the end of the day, you know, I did it, and I said, hey, this is me, you know, excepted or not. And the crazy thing is I realized way more people accepted me than me trying to be accepted, which is really beautiful. Fanny Pack wearing Rubik's Cube solving rapper. Yes, ma'am, that's me. I love you, young man. I want to

reach through the phone and ague I appreciate that. Thank you so much. Yeah. I used to be ashamed of so many things or quiet about it. Anyway. I had a boss one time that told me when I came back from giving birth to my son. You're allowed to mention your baby one or two times on the air. After that, nobody wants to hear about your kid. Yeah. I had another boss tell me I would be fired if I showed up an appearance with my husband who

was black. Uh, that I would be fired if I showed up at a station appearance with my husband, that my listeners would would not accept that. I've had bosses tell me I have to cover my tats, that I can't go out in publicum to meet my listeners if I, you know, have my hair pulled up so that you can see I have a tat. And I'm like, you know what, people, I am so done with being told who and what I can be. I know, and now

you know it's crazy. Imagine that from the perspective of the youth with the Internet and Twitter and and you know what I mean, where every every post you do,

somebody's telling you why it's wrong. You know, you know, some some young girl wants to wear her hair this way, and there's fourteen other girls from different classes in her from her school telling her, no, it's this way if you want to be like us, and the other girls are like no, it's this way or you know, the young man and this it's like so insane that you have to deal with that and they have to deal with this, because it's not about who's going through worse.

It's about the fact that we're all going through something, so why not talk about it? And that's the whole thing, Like just to be completely blunt, like this song, it's so much deeper, Like I'm not the suicide guy. I'm the human being guy. And you know the music on this entire album, you know, everybody, really, let's let you

all know that. Like I'm an advocate not just for mental health and you know, depression, I'm an advocate for human beings, for living life, for having fun, for enjoying yourself. And that's honestly why I can't even believe that we're on the phone right now, because this song has given me a platform. Like you think this song is crazy, just just wait till you hear all the stuff I'm

cooking up for the future. And I'm so excited because it's just all about a message of having a blast, having a great time, you know, you know, riding it things to the wheels fall off and uh and loving yourself at the end of the day, logic. I heard a read a statistic the other day I think was in the New England Journal Medicine that said, the average teenager today in America has more mental stress and anxiety than a person in the fifties that was hospitalized for

mental illness. No way, yes, way, So the average kid is walking around dealing with more stress and anxiety from just what you said, you know, social media pressure, trying to fit in, trying to pay bills. They have to pay their phone bill, they have to pay this bill. They have to get a job, they have to go to school, they have to get so many credits, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. They have more stress today in than the average mental patient had

back in the fifties who was hospital list. That's insane and that's just you know, that's just the world we live in. It's the world we live in. So yeah, yeah, for you to get the message out there to live life, love life, love your friends, love yourself, and have fun. Well no, wait a second, can we just say yea for you for even giving me the platform to do such a thing. You're welcome and I thank you for for caring. Okay, one, I know you've got a busy schedule,

But what I have a question. A lot of teachers listen to this show, A lot of educators. I think our teachers are like the unsung heroes. What would you say to a teacher, a principal, parent, who volunteers at the school, who suspects or knows that a young person is contemplating ending their life. Wow. See, it's so hard because you know, the first thing is in your heart is almost like their loved one, so that nothing extreme

does happen. But at the same time, you could list their loved ones but not really know if their loved ones that are making them feel this way, you know, quote unquote their you know, their family, or their this or that or whatever. So it's very hard. I think I think the biggest thing would be too as selflessly as possible, UM try to navigate your way into the world and into their life without prodding, because we have

to remember what it's like to be that young. And when you're that young, you don't want to talk about anything, and you don't want to deal with anything. And because work, once again we're told you know that it's weaker that

with this or that. So my my biggest thing would just be just just be a be a friend, and be of a voice and you know, of compassion and and but don't make it all about them, you know, because when you shine a huge light on them and you're like, are you going through something, everybody they're gonna no, I'm not gonna do anything, leave me alone and run away. So it's almost like trying to feed a deer in

the wilderness, you know. I think my my biggest advice is do your best if you even can, to remember what it was like, you know, to be that age, but not only that, to be that age, and think of reasons why they could even want to take their life. And it's it is sad and sickening and dark, you know, whether it's domestic violence or sexual assault, or bullying or this or that, and maybe so many things that those principles or teachers never even truly experienced. Maybe it came

from a good home. So it's it's about kind of going into their world, which is going to be a dark place. So you're going to also have to get ready and prepare yourself for that ride. But I would say do your best to go to them and not tell them what to do, and not tell them what they need to do. Oh you should, you should live. But just just ask and just be there. That's I know. That's all I needed as a kid, and I never got it. I am sorry for that. It's all great,

don't worry about it. I'm not. But I wish that I had known you when you were a kid. Me too. You're pretty awesome because I wouldn't have respected those boundaries though, Baby, I would have been in your face. I would have said, you go sit here and we're gonna talk. We're gonna cry, and we're gonna talk some more. Yeah, no, thank you, thank you. Okay, what are you most grateful for? What are you so thankful for in life that you just want to stand on a mountaintop and just shout because

you can't believe you're this lucky, you're this blessed. My wife, she's my best friend and she she's always there for me through everything, and you know, she's really she's very extremely supportive, and she also tells me like it is and she's so honest, and um, you know, because like your gut and my gut is like oh, to be financially stable, and the fact that I'm here right now and I have all these things, and I'm so blessed, and I came from nothing and I have this, But

what is the entire world with no one to share it with? So I think, I think that's the most important thing in the whole world. I can't believe I have such a beautiful, suite wife who's also a kick ass pop singer and you know, doing what she loves in life, and I get to be her cheerleader. So it's really special. You are indeed blessed, young man. Thank you, Thank you for your song, Thank you eight to five five. Thank you for engaging people in the conversation. Thank you

so much. All right, thank you logic God bless you. Thank you for being on the Delila Chew amazing. Have a have a good night. It's so down and Les