#132 - Token

out to odd Socks. They've just been dropping so much heat at odd Socks. They just put out a whole bunch of new socks. Man to have baked socks, the scarface socks. I'm hearing some of these new licenses they're working on and they're gonna be crazy. Get the basics, get the boxers, all of it. Go to odd socksofficial dot com. Use the promo code bootleg. That's wait, bootleg keV. It's not just boot leg, it's bootleg keV. We should make a simpler promo code, but listen, Bootleg keV is

the promo code all together. B O O T l A G K EV all together no spaces. Use that as your promo code odd sexofficial dot com, odd Socksofficial dot com. Uh and get twenty percent off at checkout. Let's get into the Token interview. Bang Yah Bootleg keV Show. We got a special guest here, my guy Token. Hey, your new albums. It's officially out, man, your major label debut. Yeah. How's it feel, man? It feels I don't know, kind

of feels the same. Like, I mean, I've just been working on for so long, so it just it just feels good to be out. I've been working on the music for so long, and I'm just what feels the most different is that people just finally have it, and your fans have been waiting for this for a while so long. Yeah, and like it just feels I'm just happy to have it and breaking it down and listening to it, and most I'm excited. You said on the

album that you signed the deal when you lost your ambition. Yeah. Yeah, it wasn't like I signed the deal when I lost my ambition, But when you signed the deal, maybe you were in a tough place as far as when I signed the deal was in a great I was in a great place like when I when I made the decision I was going to sign. But no, where that line came from was just what was happening in my life. And basically you got to like listen to the the

album as a whole to like understand it. But it wasn't It was had nothing to do with my career. Like the last two years have just been like crazy for me, Like I've grown up a lot, A lot has happened, you know, like the beginning, a lot of people know me from shit I did as like a teenager, so this like like turning twenty and like the last two years, for real, I've just been like crazy, So

you're not even twenty one yet. No, I'm twenty three now, wait what the fuck I'm like, So what that line is about is just like I was really for real just like dealing with the catalysts of it was like my first breakup that ever like been through, and that just like it showed me a lot by myself because it was like the first time like I just I don't know, I was like really by myself and I learned a lot by myself and it just it just woke up all these parts of me that I haven't

seen since I was like real young. So at that time, like it was just weird how so many things were happening at the same time. It was like this my

first relationship ended. I got a crib, I got a whip, I got the deal, but I had no one to like really share, man, So it was like a lot of and then shit gone with my mom and then my sister, and it was like I kept getting tested and then I just I just really like it was a journey, bro, But it turned out amazing, because like I just feel like I feel like I'm not living through my career really anymore. Because when I was younger,

you know, a lot of people know me. When I was like a teenager, I'm like, You're trying to fit in every cipher, going crazy rapid round, improve myself. Like I'm just trying to make it. I forget what tour I what to What tour were you on early on Option I saw, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I was on just like just trying to prove myself, just trying to make it.

And it was honest at the time, but like now it's just not about It's just not about like proving anymore, Like I don't really feel like I have anything to prove, and whether people like know it or not, I'm not here because of how I can spit like people might not know that, but I'm here because of like the way I write in my perspective and the life I've lived.

And now it's just feels like everything at this point is like synchronizing, like I really feel I really feel me again, Like I don't feel like I'm living through my career. My last project. I know I'm written, but bro, last project you know is I feel this way because of my career. This girl looks at me because of my career. It's literally called between somewhere. It's like I'm

between fame and a normal person. It's like, I'm all this is because of my career, and then with this one, it's just like, Bro, I feel this way because I'm me, this people, this person looks at me because I'm me, Like I really feel mean now I forget what the fuck you even not what you just said. We know a lot of people who were probably fans of who could rap really really good, but don't have any real fans, Like they're like they don't they can't tour, they can't

sell much, but they could rap really good. So when you said like I'm not here because I could rap, I mean, yeah, you obviously you're very talented, right, but you're obviously people relate to your story, people connect with you as a human being more than anything, which is why you actually are at this point. Because if you if you didn't have a fan base, if you know, you know what I mean, probably what are you gonna you probably wrap it and doing a day job working

at a call center. I'm just I'm just lucky to have the fans that I do for real, like the you know that just love me for me and you know I've gone like viral with just the rapping ship. But the reason I can sell as many tickets I can, and the reason like I just have this base is is because I think it's it's I'm gonna need to be like forty to like really wrap my head around

like my life and everything that's going on. But but I think it's just because I'm just like I'm just trying to tell the truth, and especially with this new album, like there's a lot of truth telling on the album. Man, that was that was the only problem An adulterated just I was like, shit, he's letting them, He's letting some ship fly. I'm just at the I'm just at the point now where if it's just not the truth, it's

just not fire to me. Like there's a lot of things I'm trying to accomplish, like of course I want to make the best records, like be a bigger artist, Like of course I'm trying to do that as well. But shit, I could just, for real, when I was younger, I could just like not tell the truth easier, like when you're young, like you lie, Like I wasn't that far from like lying to my mom about like what I'm doing, And shit, I was just used to more.

Not that I was lying, but you know, I used to rap like I want to rip, I want to beat these rappers and competition, like but for real, in reality, I never looked at this shit like competition. I don't give a fuck what anybody else is doing. I just knew people were like into that shit. Now it's like every time, if like I think of a line and it's not true, I can't say it. It's like it's not fire to me unless it's just like the truth, yo, the It feels like the breakup you went through motivated

a lot of this music. And I always say, through heartbreak we've gotten some of the best hit just music in general ever, you know, my beautiful, dark, twisted Fantasy. We could go on and on down the line, but like how much of that specific situation was like the catalyst for just the inspiration of the project. It was just that it woke you know, when you're in a relationship, you kind of I shouldn't speak for other people, like for me, like I was just it was really a

part of me. It's like part of my identity. And I was in the thing. It was like my first relationship, and I made a lot of mistakes with it, and like I strung this girl around and shit, and like she so she was like a big part of my life for a while. And it wasn't that I'm so

sad about this breakup. It's that it being by myself for the first time, Like it woke these things up in myself, and you know, I had to go down some some like negative shits, Like that's what the whole Like Pink is Better is is like pink is like represent it represents a lot, but it's like the balance of these two two sides, that these two like roads that I went down to within the last within the

last like two years. One of them is like this red hot fun shit, you know, having new crib space, I can do whatever the fuck I want to here my neighbors are so far away, like I can really like have fun, like real fun for the first time. And then this other thing that woke up with me is like just feeling like I never really feel defeated, Like I'm a very confident person, but when I was younger, I used to feel defeated, Like that's what brought me

music and shit. I used to just like want to give up, bro real And what the breakup did was made me feel like I failed in something. And then that's feeling of failure. That's what the line you brought up is connected to. Like it just made me feel like it just reminded me of like what it even feels like to like, damn, failure is an option, and it led me down this road of just like feeling like I'm not that I would give up, but just

like down on myself. And that represents like the white side, like the white flag side, like giving up and shit. So that's kind of the whole album is like themed about these two rows that went down, and the whole album was like, you know, I want people to like decide their own shit about it, but it's really about finding the balance of you can still have fun, you can still be in touch with your emotions, but don't know d on it, Like I have a tendency to

owe d on shit. Like listen, man, I think that this is the kind of project that like could change your life because I feel like there's not a lot of music coming out that is very relatable that people are very vulnerable on, that are like honest and you're very honest on this body work. Talk about this caught on camera record? No one asked me about that one. Yeahah, the caught on camera record. Now I listened to it, and did you get caught on camera fucking some of somebody?

What is this record about? Caught on camera? It's like the catalyst from my breakup? Yeah, okay, so what happened? So you just I mean listen, you put it on the album, so we you know, yeah, yeah, she just like saw some ship. So you got caught on camera doing something like was it like a sex tape or was it like you know, you're out and somebody is put you on the story and you're with a bitch on this you know that happens, Like yes to both of those. So it was a sex tape and that

uh yeah, damn man, you you're a wild boy. How did did something? Did someone did you have? Like let's break down, this was the sex tape on your phone? Or did someone send it to her? Did I already confirm that was a sex tape? I feel like I didn't even do that. You just did? You said yes

to both. I don't like subscribe to this, by the way, but at that point in my life, it's just so much news shit going on, and like what I've learned about, like what I've learned about something in me is like, well, my life is fast, and there's a lot of exciting shit. It's it's moving. It's like a lot of like crazy shows and crazy experiences. I always try to like match

that energy with some shit. I always try to because it's like when you get fit, because I've been like I've had really highs, like really big highs, Like I probably lived more than I should have with this level of fame. I'm that because I feel like only people know me as like my fans right now. But I've lived like a lot of shit has gone on, so so you know, I've done shit where it's like you if you haven't lived it it, I think it's just

kind of hard to understand. But when these big highs of like performing and everybody like needing something from you, it's it's very quick to for me, at least to feel very low afterward. Like I've had like shows where it's like the highest I've ever been, and then I it in the tour bus. I just cry or I just like go my go to the bathroom and just

like be so down. So what the only thing that like makes that makes that going from here to going from here, like what I tried to do in my life is like stay the fuck up there with some shit, and that just makes you make decisions that are like not within your character, you know. So I think at this point like I know how to balance it a little more. The difference is back then I felt very like my eyes were so big, like like the last project.

The last project, I'm like whoa, like this girl thinks this and and you got groupies now and this money or female fans that are willing to show you how appreciative of just your music they are. But whatever, even it is like you know, like whatever, And I was like I treated every famous person I met. It was like, this is I got to take advantage of this upper This is so much bigger than me. Now I feel like I belong here. This is what I'm this is

what my this is. It doesn't feel so far fetched anymore. If this was an interview where I was doing this like three years ago, I would be nervous. I'd be like, make sure you're come across the right way. Now I don't really give a fuck because I know I'm here for like me, like this is probably the first time

like this press shit I'm doing that. My friends are gonna watch these interviews and they can be like, that's my friend yourself, yeah, the last one that the I mean, I don't really watch my old interviews, but I have a feeling like my friends would be like, oh, I see what he's doing. He's trying to like do his business, he's trying to like but now it's just like I don't I know I'm here to be me, so I'm just be me. That's how I'm really gonna survive. That's

how I'm really gonna last. Because I can rewrite history. I can. I can try to recreate history and wrap and go viral. I know what it's like to go viral. I know what it's like to do that. I've done it. I've seen what it does. It's cool for a week, But if it's not you it, it doesn't feel as good as you think it does. What feels good is this album. And even if it doesn't do what I wanted to do. But if there's some people who say, like, bro, I love that song, that's like someone saying I love you,

That's what it feels like. So I feel so much better now. I just feel because you're like this, this album is me. This is my life right now. Yeah, I have nothing high Like that's dope. Man. You talked a lot about your family on the album. For people who don't know, I kind of give us like a little breakdown of like where you come from, Like you know what I'm saying, like where you're from and yeah,

and just kind of some of your come up. Yeah, I'm originally from Salem, Massachusetts, but I spent like the majority of like my forming years in this like small town Marblehead. Basically, my parents were together in Salem. My mom my mom was born in my I think my mom was born in Salem for real. She was born in Massachusetts, and she always talks about the Salem with shit, so she was born around there somewhere. Yeah. But I but I for real spent like most of my like

I went to school. I ended up going to scho go to Marblehood because I was staying with my mom. My dad stayed in Salem, so I was kind of bouncing back and forth. But my my like friends and shit that I developed, we're in Marblehead and shit, Like you know, people have it like much more like hard

than me and stuff. But I was just always like a kid who just just felt a lot like it was like you know, I just I just always felt very like overflowed, like I always I always felt very different and like it's hard to ex like I had. You know, it wasn't the crazies. Shit in my house. There's a lot of fights. There's fights about money and everybody. You know, I grow up from a family that everyone's on like medication and shit. For feelings and stuff. So

that's where I come from. Like I come from a very emotional family, and I think that's why I like feel a lot. But you know, and I was just a kid who at a young age. I know it sounds stupid, but when I was like like starting when I was like or maybe starting when I was like six or five, like, I was just so sad, Like every day I woke up, it was just like fuck this, Like I just and I know it sounds silly because you think yourself when you're six, but I'm telling you,

like every day I was just like, wow, am I here? Bro? Like I just felt like I like, there wasn't a day I didn't like just cry about my life. And then but really that's what brought me to writing about it, and it just made me feel so much better. I literally just felt overploned. I had to write about it, and it made me feel better. So one thing led to another. It found form in music, and then my

earliest songs are just me like talking about like sad shit. Yeah, I mean I kind of remember like listening to some of your shit and like not really remembering there being books. Yeah. Well it's funny because like I'm saying when I'm like ten eleven twelve thirteen, you were rapping at that point. Yeah,

I was releasing songs. I was like on you two by ten, ten eleven, twelve thirteen, all my songs were like I'm sad, and then fourteen is like no. I was like, no one is, no one is listening, Like I was just getting like clown down in school and stuff and like I didn't get it. Wasn't like getting attention. And then I ended up like losing like a bunch of weight at that age, and it showed me that like if you work hard towards something like you can get it. And I'm like what am I? And then

I decided like I'm gonna try this music shit. And then I tried to like really think about it, and I was like, what do people actually want to see? And then I was like, oh, people just want to see like that this little white cake can rap, Like That's what I was thinking. And then it started working short, So yeah, so one thing led to another where it's just like, oh, they want to see I can rap.

They want to see I can rap, and just and now I got this bass that like there's a lot of people that just want to see me rap, but they don't like the beginning, the core of this shit. Why am I even doing this? Why I need this is because writing about my shit. So that's what this album is like. That's why I feel it was like better because I feel like Ben again, Like I haven't felt like Ben since I was like thirteen. Now you know wait wait wait? How old were you when you

went on Sway? Because that was that was I feel like that was kind of like a moment that changed things for you. I changed things for me. Yeah, I think I was seventeen. Who was in the room when you were rapping? Because there was someone else there? There was Tracy G was there another? I feel like there were other rappers. Was there another rapper that was there? That was there were two other rappers? Do you remember who they were? I don't, but shout out to them.

I love you guys, no disrespect. They're killing it. Yeah. No, I remember seeing that and being like, oh shit, this is you just look so unassuming and just like like someone like I grew up with nervous. Yeah. I was just trying to I just the opportunity felt so much bigger than me, so I just like had to go crazy. How like, when do you feel like you started to kind of break out of the quote unquote because you kind to had pointed out that people would didn't you

have a song called YouTube rapper? Yeah? Yeah, so and I remember that was like a thing. Yeah, because I'm tight with Futuristic who's from Phoenix, and people will call him a YouTube rapper. And then there's guys like Das who are called you know, like, but I feel like you kind of break broke that mold? What what like? When when did that happen where you felt like you

kind of finally started to kind of shake that that. Yeah, I don't know if they really ever like people people never was like he's a YouTube rapper because they knew like I always like have real real like when you listen to to real songs about me, like you would see my attention to detail. Well, I guess I don't even know what a YouTube rapper is. I guess you made the fucking song, but I don't know me. Yeah,

I don't know. Yeah, people call me a rapper. Like at first, at first they called me like a cipher rapper because I was just like going around to Boston and like doing ciphers, so they just always just like

local people. It's like he's just a cipher. And then I started going viral on Facebook and my Facebook rapper, then YouTube, and then I did the stupid shit on TikTok at twenty twenty just to like feed people, and they call me a TikTok wrapper, and then went viral on Twitter and then they call on me Twitter rappers. So they just had to feel like you've mastered the internet for sure. Yeah, It's like, at what point can I just be a rapper? Yeah? But or a musician?

But uh so, I don't know. I guess, I guess it depends who you ask. Like I never, I never. I always knew I wasn't because I sold more tickets and everybody facts did do you think you hitting the road early with like someone like hops In and seeing like how he kind of cultivated that cult following? Yeah, like did that help? Yeah? Yeah, for sure help. I toured it, I like did some ship before Hopson and then I and then we did we toured the world together.

We did like like the US, Canada. The nicest guy for sure, great guy face and everything. Yeah, but uh uh yeah, and then I just started touring and then like my manager for real was like you got a real base, like you need to tour this, and and I just prioritized touring since you know, I always see it like I've done like five tours in Europe. I don't even know. And I'm just lucky that like people in Europe like me, so it's not just like some US shit, Like I can sell more tickets in Europe

than I can the US. What's your biggest market? Uh, in Europe? Probably the UK. We did like I don't even know how many tickets every single show sold out. I saw more tickets in like London than I did in my hometown. I was wonder that, like artists who have like huge followings overseas, like, uh my, Homi Gashi is like Goshi. I just called him Gashy, But what the fuck is he calling himself? Now? I know he dropped the four out of his name, but he's super

huge overseas. Like is that like when you when you're like more popping overseas. I guess if you feel like you're like more hardcore fans are over there, does it? Is it kind of weird? Like like a fork in the road where you're like, all right, well, should we like kind of start focusing more on doing it over here? Like uh, all money is green, But there's also like I'm from the US, so I want to really go crazy here. Well it's not that it's not that far off.

It's not like I'm the I'm a European. Like it's not like a fucking European pop star. No, like I got I got, I got core fans in the in the like you're not going to get a flat in the UK. Yeah, no, no, no no, no, no, I you know it's it's it really showed me like damn, I don't know, I don't know what about it. Like I wonder, honestly speaking, I wonder if it's like you know, people have like other people love to say, like oh people

don't give you a chance because you're white. But I've seen like the privilege, even in a hip hop sense, Like I wonder like would I even be this big in Europe if I didn't look like them? Like is it my music or is it? Like you know what's crazy is now you're you're right, because like I remember in the nineties and two thousands, like all the alternative rock stations are playing eminem and we're playing it rap records on rock stations, and it's like people don't. Yeah,

people don't. I wonder what's different about eminem Yeah, for real, for real. It's like people think that shit is dead. People think that, like you know, you know, when I'm on like certain lists, people like love to say, man, they're only doing that because and it's like, bro, like you don't even know like a lot of people, like, I mean, a lot of people just don't. They don't. They don't like feel the responsibility that I feel, like just being aware that I'm white in a culture that

like it's not for me. So I mean that's part of the reason why I am so truthful, because like I'm not pretending to be something I'm not. And at the same time, as like maybe some of that exists, bro, like you can see shit from the other side and it's real life, and it's like I don't expect fans to see that. I don't expect fans to know that, but I've seen it, bro, and I'm in hip hop yo. Stop top of the interview. Got to tell you about our good folks at odd Socks, Man. Listen, go to

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ass cheeks and thank me later. Yo. On the on the project this record with Little Skies, which is the only video that's out right now, right, No, there's I got a video with Rico, Rico Nasty High Heels and then I've been like spacing out the city. I saw you put a trailer out for No No that that this video for high Heels, Chit Chat and Sit. I just dropped them a while ago. But the on that record, uh shout out to Little Skuys another amazing dude. Man, Yeah,

nice guy. You talk about your sister drug problem, right, which is you know, I come from a family of nothing but uh just drug addicts. And you know, I've witnessed a bunch of people overdose and I had a pretty fuck up childhood myself. But like, what, what's what? What's what's the you know, for people who are going through that, who have loved ones who are dealing with that, ship, Like, you know, how's that? Like, what is some advice you

could give them to cope with that? Man? I think like all situations are different, So I don't really think my sister's like she's one of the most special people, if not the most special person, Like my life like she's she's like like it's hard for me to compare it to anybody else because her story isn't like some person who got into some ship. Like she's so much bigger than that. Like at this point, she's tackled it and she's just back. She's she's like, she really inspires me.

She's the one who like show me music and everything. She's like, she's like an amazing, amazing person. So, I mean, where the biggest the biggest takeaway from that whole thing was because I was dealing with my own ship at the same time, and and seeing you know, it just it just showed me like this is in my blood, you know, Like it's not just drugs. It's just like it's just like over obsession. It's just like your family

in general. Like yeah, I mean you mentioned your mom was eating, Like did she have like an eating problem? When you were like you was like, yeah, I just been around a lot of ship. That's that's excessive o D and ship and like and and I've done that too, and and and what was weird about it is that, like, in a sense, it's really helped my career because I

focused the fuck on my shit, on your craft. I'm like, bro, that's why it's so hard for me to keep a fucking relationship healthy because it's like I am so focused on this shit, Like it's hard for me to like really focus on some other shit. I'm obsessed, like with music, like I'm obsessed with it. It's hard to talk about some other shit sometimes, so like you know, like I you know, I didn't touch anything until well, I was getting like fucked up at like ten eleven, twelve thirteen,

like really stupid early. But when I was fortun what though, just like weed and drinking and shit, but too early, like I wasn't ready. So then I was like, this isn't for me. And then when and then do you remember the first time you smoked weed? Did it did it hurt? Because I remember when I bro I didn't get high until I had to smoke weed mad times before I got high. It was weird. I remember the first time I ever hit something that was a pipe, and I just remember it hurt my throat bad and

I was like a kid. I don't remember that, but I remember the first time I got high. I felt like I'm uh, oh, they don't know they like a little person. I felt like a little person on stilts and mad colors and shit. And at that point I smoked weed mad times, so I already thought I'd been getting high and it was just a placebo thing. So the first time I actually got high, I was like, this is the best weed ever. This is like magical.

We need to make this shit last, right, And by the way, shout out to you man twenty twenty two, little person not a midget. Yeah see bro, see you bro win getting canceled over here, motherfuckers anyway, go ahead, but uh yeah, and then I was this little ass kid getting high, like so high. Where were you getting your weed from? That? That who was your plug? This is his name, just like some dude in the hood,

like neighborhood. Sure the statute of limitations, all right, at this point, I don't think it's that you're just getting higher ship as a little kid so high and then uh and then it started giving me anxiety like bad like not sleeping and ship. Uh. So then I was like and that it was around the same time that was happening, and I was starting to focus on music more so. Then I took the route like I just got to focus. I can't let anything mess with my mindset.

And then I was like just that kid, I was like the sober kid. And then and then I started and then went on to a hopson. So it's easy to like not fuck with shit because because he's a straight edge yeah uh. And then you know, I grew up and I just realized it's not really that deep as long as you like control ship. Problem is I began not controlling ship. You know, did you ever dabble with any other ship besides the weed? Not really know, like like like no, and I'm not even a big

weed smoker. It was mostly alcohol. It was mostly like it's mostly that uh, and just like it was just in a it was an escape, you know, like it sometimes it was just like the only thing when out when music wasn't doing it was the only thing that made me feel happy. Like I just remember being like I want to be happy. I want to drink. Like they were like becoming that they were they were beginning to feel like synonymous kind of like I wouldn't really

have a good time without it. And it happened so quick. It was like I was sober recently, like and they just showed me how quick I can go places like how quick I can like well, and then all should happened with my sister and I'm like whoa and then and then other stuff and and yeah, so so yeah, you got jid on the album you got Benning the Butcher on the album too. The best rappers in the world as well, you know, but uh, who are like

some of the MC's. Obviously those two are, I'm sure on that list, But who are some of the other mcs that kind of just inspire you that you're a fan of right now that you're like people the people who inspire me the most, like for this album, we're like just in general, man, I mean you're a hip hop kids in general. I mean honestly what I'm I'm inspired by, Like Earl Sweatshirt, I love Lucky, I love every talking about shit I'm listening to now like Bka

the Ruler Cardi. But you know I come from like you know, Jay and Push and Right and Am and like I'm like a Wayne stand Like I only listen to Wayne mixtapes, Like that's all I listened to sometimes? Is Wayne your goat? Like Wayne, Wayne, Yay Jay? Uh, Like I don't even know bro, like maybe Kendrick but like maybe future but like maybe who am I forget? I don't know, but like my three like people, I'm like,

Yay Yay has changed my life. Wayne has changed my life and like Jay has, like I don't know changed my life, but like really like I like him. I always say if people, if you have Biggie in your top five, I respect it. He only had two albums. Yeah, so if I say I got Kendrick in my top five, you can't say shit to me if you're an old motherfucker. Because Kendrick got three. I mean, we're not even including his mixtapes or Section eighty, but his three official major

albums are all classics. Like, yeah, it's stupid, it's stupid, but yeah, I went through like a huge like I went through a huge Kendrick phase. I listened to him too much and I just start to sound like him. I was gonna say, do you feel like I do? Feel like that's a thing. Right if you're an artist and if you're like really listening to so much shit, can it influence you when you record drone shit? Yeah? Well right now? Well, like I said, I obsess over things,

no matter what it is. It could be the stupidest thing, Like I'm those bars I was eating, Like I'm obsessed with those right now. But it's a healthy it's like healthy, So like I used to be obsessed with eminem That's why I used to sound like eminem That's why I stopped listening. There was a stage where I was obsessed

with Kendrick. When Damn came out, I only listened to Kendrick and then I made like three songs and I released them and they all sounded like Kendrick and people like you sound like Kendrick, and I was like, that makes sense. I only listened to Kendrick, So I like took a step away, and now I try to like now, maybe I don't know who I would sound like. I listen to different shit now, but yeah, what would you say? Well, how about this when you looked at your Spotify wrap

up for the year. I don't know if you Spotify or Apple Music, but did you like who did you listen to the most last year? Because it tells you right, Yeah, I listened to Cardi the most because I love whole lot of ren. I listened to Tyler's album the most that as well. I listened Westside Gun BK the Ruler. Those are like my n Yeah, I think shout out to Cardi, man, that's an acquired taste. Yeah, I mean

your Cardi has just changed my life. Where I was late to Cardi and like like I still am like not, yeah, I'm not there yet. I don't know if I'll ever get there, but I'm gonna be honest. I've listened a whole lot of Red and I was like, yeah, man, this just ain't for me. That's the only honestly, Playboard Carti is the only artist that I've ever listened to where I just threw my hands in the air and

was like, I'm old, this is it, It's happened. I can listen to Ouzzy, I can listen to the Future, I can listen to any of the new shit, little Pump even when Pump was popping in he had a few of those, Like few of those records on sound Club are fires. Fuck the Cardi shit, It's just music is subjected. It's sure the powers of you to being honest, because bro, I know some not saying you're old, but I know some old people who like, yeah, I get it. I just really get Playboard Cardi, Like I get what

he's trying to do. And it's like they don't fuck up. They don't. They're probably like they probably live in like those people you're talking about, probably living like Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and they probably sip lot bro, just listen to music you want. It's not that deep. Sure, the but you got to fucking de collected tajing from Westside Gun to Playboy CARDI, that's that's a beautiful thing. Yeah, were you

like obviously signed with Atlantic's a big deal. But was there ever a time where you ever considered signing anywhere else? I'm sure everyone was courting you for a while, you know, yeah, I mean, of course it was all a discussion, but I I didn't feel like, listen, I'm just blessed to like have what I've done independently and still have that independently.

Like so I was just able to Money was never the thing that made me make a decision, Like, I'm just very lucky to I'm okay in that in that area. So it was really just about people who I felt like aligned with what I was trying to accomplish, and just it was just timing for me because I know if I signed earlier, I know I wasn't ready Like now, whether it happens this album or the next album, Like I know this records on this album that if the world's heard, they would be huge records. Now it's just

like getting into the world. And before I was never like making big sounding records like now you know now it's just and it happened real naturally. I never was like we got to make a hit like Atlantic was never like that either, Like it was never on some you know, we we we have an understanding of like

what I'm trying to do. I think they have a lot of respect for I feel more comfortable going like this rather than you know, because I'm all I mean on that same record, we're time earlier you had said, And maybe I'll just let them have someone write me some hits or some shit. Yeah, which is the thing that Atlantic has done. Shout out to Bruno Mars. I don't know, Bob, remember yo, shout out Atlantic because they they had Bruno Mars on every fucking hook in like

twenty eleven. If I didn't, if I didn't, if I didn't write my shit, people would know and like, but but isn't it okay to get help with hooks? I make good hooks? No, But I'm saying, like, let's say you're in the studio with like I don't know whoever the fuck and like they have an idea for a hook and it's fire and you execute the hook. That should be all right, right yeah, I mean, bro, people, I just don't think you should ever get help with

your verses as an MC. To me, that's like that's the that's the no going lets you know, I personally wouldn't, but bro, like it depends what you're trying to accomplish, because like people, I understand it's like a culture and shit, but like, at the end of the day, I'm just trying to make the best music I can. So someone's got a fire idea in the studio. The problem is, I don't think that much is fire, so like it need to be something like it hasn't really happened yet.

But maybe I don't know. I for me, you know, like is it a pride thing you think? Or is it more like these aren't my words, this is my this, this didn't come from me, so I can't Maybe it's pride, but like I said, at this point, it's only fire to me if it's true. So it's it's gonna be hard for someone to write my truth. You know. That's some real ship. That's some real ship. Man. Where do

you like with this project? Are you already working on new music or is this something you're gonna work throughout the year or I'm definitely bro. I look at this album like it's like, uh, it's just like the the new chapter has begun and I just want to keep dropping. I haven't like started. I mean, I got tons of records that I made after the album has done that. But right now I'm like working on some some other ship that's not my ship, and uh, that's what's happening now.

But this this year, when you say not your ship, do you mean just like, uh, just another I can't disclose too much, but is it music related? Yeah, fucking supergroup. No, there's nothing to do with like my name. I'm just it's been this trip has been a trip. Are you helping right for Kanye or something? I don't know, but I want to make a lot of music this year. Was that a nice like shot in the dark that

might be accurate? No, Okay, I just got to ask because I feel like every time someone comes to LA they end up writing for Kanye West randomly in a studio session. It's like, oh shit, so you're writing for ya. That's big, that's big. Don to two bars? Don to two bars? Huh, I'm gonna make so much music this year. Hey, so when Kanye reached out to you, man, like, did he DM you? Or did he like? Did he get in touch? So much music this year is gonna be

so good knowing ye changed your life? What's it like working with him? I do love Yea's music. Have you met Let me just ask you this. Have you ever met Kanye West? That's a fair question, right without revealing anything. Have you ever met the guy? Yes? And is he was he nice? Yeah? Did you meet him recently? Dude? I'm so everything I'm gonna make so much music is

gonna be so good. Man. The Ya fucking Toe record is gonna be crazy, like when you look, because this is a So I met Kanye when I was sixteen. My best friend's brother Raka is a part of a group called Dilated People's Dilated People's Legendary LA rap group. They toured on the College drop Out toard with Kanye. They evidence produced Last Call on College Dropout and they had a song called this Way featuring Kanye. So I met Kanye when I was sixteen twice wow, And I

still have the photo but I haven't met him since then. So, like I always think to myself like, like, Kanye is

my favorite artist ever. Me too, And I'm always like, man, if I ever really got to chop it up with Kanye, like, I don't know how I like I would say to him, you know, like, bro, you changed my life, or like, if I ever had that opportunity to do the interview with Kanye West, I feel like it would be like no one else's interview because everyone else is gonna ask him about all this bullshit going on with sucking his wife or you know, his new girl. I don't care

about none of that shit. I just want to talk about some nerdy discography shit, you know what I'm saying. So, what was your conversation like with him when you met him? I just listened, right, but he knew who you were. I just listened to everything he's gotta say. Then you know who you were, though I don't know what he knows to be honest everything obviously. Yeah that's what it seems, nothing at all, But yeah, this album is crazy. Shout

out to token man. Hey, man, Hey, everybody who's always like, why do I need to go to La? May come to La because she might fuck around and right for ya. You know what I'm saying happened with Griselda. They came, they were in La, left my spot, went to the fucking Sunday service, and then we're on a plane to Wyoming within like forty eight hours. I love Griselda. Yeah, Griselda to me, Griselda. Freddy Gibbs, Like I love Freddy

Gibbs too, A lot of it. Yeah, man, I just love shout out to r J. Shout out to There's just so much dope, ill real rap shit. That's finally, Like, I feel like the pandemic kind of brought the world back to listening in their earphones or listening at home as opposed to being at the club. Yeah. So I feel like, yeah, I think they, you know, twenty twenty, like they really like has a hard reset man. Yeah, and like people who might not have gotten the attention before,

like I think they had. Like if you think of those those nominees for Best Rap Album, Yeah, Royce Jay, Electronica, Freddy, who else got nominated that year? Last year? Nas, I'm missing someone else who's dope oh d smoke. Yeah, So yeah, shout out to have you ever met Freddy? We're gonna make it happen that'd be a random ass interaction you and Freddie. I would love that. I'm like a big fan, Like I'm a big fan of him. Yeah. So the album is out, More videos on the way, Yeah, more

videos come in. Yeah, and just and just like and just next, you know, the next chapter. Like I really look at this project, like I know it's like my main your label debut, But the way I'm looking at this, it's like, bro, just put in a universe that's the new like place that people are gonna have their reference of me. And now I just want to move on. I just want to keep dropping, Like I hope I don't watch this ship in the year and I'm like, damn,

I didn't drop shit. I think I think I'm gonna Yeah, what you say? You're super obsessive. So besides your music right now, what are you obsessed in those bars? Like do you play video games? Are you fucking binge? Watching any TV? Like? What do you what are you doing when you're not pushing this album? Uhuh? Sparkling Water, the Cucumber one, and the blueberry one. Yeah, we're gonna buy those. Do you own any percentage of this? By the way, No, fuck, but I'd love to bro That's how I feel about.

There's this energy drink it's Ghost Energy and I and the Coconut ones. I like, I don't know how many episodes I have a Ghost Energy can sitting here and they're not paying me a fucking dime, but I'm like obsessed with these energy drinks. You gotta take the wrapper off like me, It's like a yeah, I'm like, fuck, I've been telling this for like broke. We gotta fucking talk to these people. Yeah, I like DM their page and ship and like, yeah, I used to have like

a thing. I used to like quest bars, quest bars. I mean I'm be on the I just got on the Keto ship, So those are acceptable. Yeah, be careful though they'll they'll clog you up a little bit, as

in like you'll be constipated. They made me constipated a little bit, but I again upset, so I have like I think I think they're terrible, but yeah, most people don't like it's like like take like like like a flavored piece of rubber, but you never know, like reach out because I was I was like obsessed request and like I posted a picture with them and they DM me and they like send me a bunch of shit and I was supposed to be in the commercial that

ever happened, But you never know. What's the last TV show you binge watched? I don't really binge shows. I like movies more. What's your Who's your? Who's Like? Like, give me your top five movies of all time? Mother Ship? I mean good Fellas, maybe like Scarfee, I mean those are the obvious ones. But I really like Place Beyond the Pines. Damn. I really like some like somewhat new, like I really like I like Ship like Nightcrawler and Prisoners Ship like that. They're not my favorite. But I

don't know what the fuck. I just know that two of the two other five you've mentioned I've heard of Damn. Yeah, man, I just watched the movie. Oh like Eyes Wise Shut, I like shit like that. Yeah. Have you seen Mother? I've heard of it. I haven't seen Mother. Bro go see Mother and like put your phone away and try to watch it on like a big screen I saw in theaters. But like, don't get distracted, and really it's about it's just it's just a trip. It's just like

you just got It's like a roller coaster. You just gotta going for a ride and and like it changed the way I wrote all my music videos. Like that movie like inspired all my treatments. You've ever seen The Big Lebowski. That's my favorite movie right there? No, it's that you've never seen The Big Lebowski. No, I haven't seen a lot of like classic movies. It's ninety seven, it's a it's a Cohen's Brothers movie. It's it's it's the greatest comedy ever. Oh it looks it looks fun.

It's about a loser in La named the Dude. I always used to be like super I didn't fuck with superhero movies. But you know, I hit my friend. I was like, what's a charming movie? Like I was just I just want to be charmed? And he said, like the First Spider Man, like the New Spider Man, but the first one, And I actually kind of liked it. It was very like warming that shit's fire, the New

Spider Man. Shits got I never, I never. I just always hate it, Like I like hanging food man, It's like it's it's okay sometimes, like you could go into a movie and know it's like you know what it is, so you just gotta you gotta like, enjoy it for what it is. It's like when you're in the if someone plays some ship that you're not going to listen to in your car, but you're like, I'm in the club. Let me fucking enjoy this shitty playboy CARDI record. You

know what, I'm just fucking with you. That kid, though, is very charming. No, yeah, Tom Holland ends and Day is an incredible actress. Shout out to her Ephooria. Have you watched it for you? Yeah? That sh it's like fucking kids, man. I watched it with my girls. She like loves it and she h yeah, she got me into it. I like that so a lot too. She keeps, I've been here, but we gotta watched like the new one.

We know the new one's crazy. It comes out. Have you watched the new episode one of the new seasons. I haven't seen anything new. I've just seen the one the new season. The new season, they don't play that ship comes out? What the fuck damn it? It's fucking that's a dark ass show man. My girl loves it. I like it too, but she loves it. It's a

good show man. Well listen, I appreciate you pulling up the album is out, looking forward to hearing whatever you got going on with Kanye and uh yeah, last question, if you could do a collab album really realistically, don't say fucking jay Z. I'm not saying that you and jay Z won't do it an album one day, but like right now, if you could do a collab album with somebody who would be man Like, there's like dreams and then there's like what I think would turn out good?

What would you think would turn out good? My Baby Keen, maybe Baby Team's five, Maybe Ski Ski is incredible. Yeah, I think I think I'm a really big fan of Baby Keen and I think he just like it's gonna keep Like I just I really like what he's doing. I think he's getting better and everything. Like so you his album is crazy, Yeah, and I love like his first album like I love like Honest is one of my favorite songs off his first ship. So Baby Keem

token project there it is, Ladies and gentlemen. I would go get the album streaming. I'm sure you got merch on the website right Yeah? Are there gonna be vinyls? That's kind of a thing the CDs. See, we put a lot of effort into the CDs, and I really gave a breakdown of like where I was that mentally. You do the pink vinyl, Yeah, we definitely gonna do. The problem is, is is a Dell fucked up the whole

vinyl supply chain with thirty Oh my god. Yes, people are waiting like six to nine months for vinyl because they made like more adele thirty vinyls and they've made for an album and like I don't know how many fucking years. Oh my god. So yeah good. I mean you're gonna probably have to. You probably do the vinyl in like that and then right there will take care of it. He looks like he's got a dusty sick vinyl collection. The vinyl I know, I just know he's

been thinking, wake wakes he wakes up. He's like pink marble vinyl for the one year anniversary. That's that's what he's here for. There it is, man, Thank you