Laughs & Deals: Chronicles of Comedy and Business with TK Kirkland - podcast episode cover

Laughs & Deals: Chronicles of Comedy and Business with TK Kirkland

Dec 29, 202349 min
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Navigating life's complexities with humor and wisdom, TK Kirkland returns to the Vegas Circle to share the secrets behind his success both on stage and in business. With a regimen as disciplined as it is hilarious, TK takes us through the trials and triumphs of performing while sick, navigating fatherhood, and providing a platform for some of the brightest stars in comedy. His journey is not just about the laughter, though; it's a profound look into the resilience required to make it in the cutthroat worlds of entertainment and entrepreneurship.

In a realm where words carry the weight of the world, TK recounts the sobering moments alongside hip-hop greats and the night that shook the music industry—the shooting of Notorious B.I.G. His anecdotes serve as a powerful reminder of the impact our environment has on us and the importance of adaptability. Beyond the mic, TK emphasizes the lost art of communication in the digital age and the critical role mentorship plays in shaping the younger generation, sharing candid insights from his own experiences and the lessons inherited from his father.

This episode isn't just a stroll down memory lane; it's an invitation to reflect on the importance of authenticity, the value of strategic life planning, and the necessity of financial independence. As TK opens up about his deal with Live Nation and his gratitude for the unwavering support from fans, he extends a heartfelt offer to continue the conversation personally through his social media. Join us for a masterclass in life strategy, where comedy meets the corporate world, and every laugh has a lesson.

Transcript

Building a Thriving Business and Brand

Paki

Welcome to Vegas Circle podcast with your hosts , Paki and Chris . We are people who are passionate about business , success and culture and this is our platform to showcase to people in our city who make it happen . On today's podcast , man , we got something super special . Man , we got a legend with us bringing them back to the podcast .

We're going to delve into the art of building a thriving business and a comedic brand with legendary comedian and businessman Mr TK Kirkland .

TK Kirkland

Man , so welcome back to the circle Love in the room , love in the room , that's right .

Paki

This man . I've been tracking him down for years , but we connected about three , four years ago . He was able to come on one of our episodes a couple years back during the pandemic .

TK Kirkland

It's been that long ?

Paki

Yes , it's been two years , man , but a little over two years , about two and a half man time flies and 63 years old , which I still don't believe .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , 63 , yo .

Paki

So what you been doing , man ? You've been running around man Probably 200 tours a year around the world , but what you been doing I wake up every day and I'm just truly blessed , you know One being a great dad .

TK Kirkland

That's the most important thing to me , and then just health I could get up early in the morning , like we talked two years ago . It's always about health .

I push that more than ending the work , because so many people don't take care of their health , don't get they checkups and all that , and I'm glad that I really started that lane because a lot of people don't talk about it . So I talk about it in my stand-up , I talk about it in interviews .

So , with that , because everybody pushes for success but don't stay around long enough to enjoy the money . So I want people to take care of their health so you can live long enough to get whatever you want .

Chris

That's all . Yeah , it sounds like important , Because a job like yours is very demanding right Day in day out you're traveling , it's easy to find opportunities to do unhealthy things .

TK Kirkland

Right , that's true , whether it's drinking or eating out . Yeah , I have no vice , I don't gamble , I don't drink . Oh lucky .

Chris

Yeah , I do what .

TK Kirkland

I'm supposed to do . Yeah , I do what I'm supposed to do .

Paki

Yeah , how you'd not be able to do that . That's crazy . So you just very disciplined , and do you think that started with being an athlete ? Right , because you were a runner ? Yeah , yeah , yeah .

TK Kirkland

I was a track star . I was just disciplined and as you get older you really understand and I learned from mistakes . I've seen people not just in entertainment , just walks of life , Drinking the alcohol and things that people do that damage their bodies . I love life too much to even mess it up , so I do what I got to do .

I think I feel when you get to the universe , the universe is good to you . If you avoid negative and crazy situations , you have an absolute better chance in life . So I avoid all those things and all my past experiences have taught me to be the man who I am today too .

Chris

But you're , like you know , going town to town . You know what are you doing in those locations , that you're not going to party , you're not drinking . I go to bed . Yeah , yeah , I go to bed .

TK Kirkland

I don't like talking , so I stay in my room pretty much all day I'm a workout , and then when I get on stage , because I've been quiet all day , I'm excited to talk . That's the strategy . Yeah , Like don't talk to me Like I stay quiet all day and then I get on stage Ta-da , that's what's up ?

Paki

Yeah , so talk a little bit about , like back in the day , right , you had seven comedy clubs , right , yeah , about seven . Why did you get into that business ? Was it something that you were just looking at ? You saw that we were missing it , or what ? No , no , no , well , michael .

TK Kirkland

Williams had the first club . It was called the Comac Theater , ok . And then everything else . Like everything else , I'm like well , he's been at the right place at the right time . So , one opportunity leads to this and I just really love and I was just ambitious . So I would go to club owners and say , hey , let me do a comedy night here .

And the next thing you knew , I had like seven throughout the city the palace in Hollywood , the Burlant , weston , long Beach , California , the Golden Tale , paradise 24 , if I didn't say that already . So we just like doing it .

So all the comedians here had to come through me the Robin Harris's , the Tommy Davidson's , the when DL first got started , jamie Foxx then got started . They all came through all my clubs . That's what's up . These were all in LA , these all in Los .

Paki

Angeles , ok , yeah , these all in LA , ok . So what was it that ? So you connected with DL , right ? Yeah , you mentored to DL and Jamie Foxx and Mike Epstein . What did you see in them that made you say , ok , I'm going to come up .

TK Kirkland

Well , dl wasn't even doing stand up , he was just outside talking to me . That shows you how long ago that was . Yeah , he was a boss at LA Times .

Paki

He was a he had an office , had people working for him , he was corporate . Yeah , he was corporate DL was corporate .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , ok , yeah , dl was an awesome guy from the beginning . Ok , dl was going to make it in life , no matter what he was doing .

Paki

I can see that Very intelligent .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , whether it was stand up comedy or in LA Times . I really feel he's been in LA Times . He's probably been owning LA Times because he had . When I went to his office and I saw the people the way they you can tell leadership . He had great leadership skills .

Chris

So he was on his way .

TK Kirkland

So I took him under my wing , you know , tore him again . He learned very quick and then boom , the rest is history Went on to be very successful .

Chris

Yeah , it's kind of crazy because you know , part of comedy is that leadership and that confidence and to be able to stand up in front of the room and kind of command the people right , right , right , right , it seems like one of those business translates to comedy and vice versa .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , everybody's different . You know , like Mike Geppes is different , Goughry is different , All these are my personal handpick people that I took and made them better , but they all listened . That was the key . They all listened , yeah . And the rest says and there's a lot of other people , you know Ricky Smiley , who used to open up for me back in the day .

Oh man , this is long .

Paki

Yeah , this is long , so you also have your own successful podcast , right ? Yeah , let's go to TK Kirk , but I don't do no video .

TK Kirkland

That's what makes it audio Audio . Yeah , because when we first started was Collins and then what I did was I had people hit me in my DM . They tell me their personal problems . I give them my advice . Okay , and the reason why I can't do studios like this ? Because , like you guys , you're patient . I can't be in one spot like that .

Chris

You look so weird , that would drive me insane .

TK Kirkland

Yeah . So Charlemagne , the guy who was there to do something yeah , charlemagne , and he created an app for me to do my event . So , no matter where I'm in the world , I could interview the people I want and I never want to do celebrities , because I knew the complication of celebrity Schedule in conflict the same way you had with me , yeah , you know .

So I never want to deal with this . I just deal with regular life , regular people , okay , and I've given them so much knowledge . Like the last episode guy was crying , you know , he got caught up with the wrong girl and he lost his soul .

So this week got baptized and he was looking for me for help and I explained to him that if he didn't listen to me , that he was going to die . And I said so , listen to me . So what I'm going to tell you got to do , and he said he was on . So we'll see . I wish you the best .

Chris

You have that kind of like you know , commanding demeanor about you , right when people want to listen to the feedback that you get . Yeah , where do you think that ? Kind of stems from ? Is it like personal confidence , trials and tribulations ?

TK Kirkland

I'm just a fly motherfucker . You know what I'm saying and it's in my DNA . You got to throw it out there and it's in my DNA . It's in my DNA . It's a Kirk , I mean , it's a Kirkland thing . Yeah .

Chris

Yeah , that's exciting . You know you kind of you know you touch on celebrity right , celebrity is hard to navigate a lot of different situations . You know how do you navigate your personal life with that celebrity . Do you get people that kind of try to dig into your family and personal situations ?

TK Kirkland

No , I don't move like a celebrity , though . I think it's all mental . I think people act like they're celebrities or people who never had nothing , never had a fame before in their life or attention . And I've been fly since I was like 13 years old . You know what I'm saying . So I'm doing this because the money's good .

I'm doing this because I got to travel the world . There was a time in my life where I was going to throw that dick tour . You know what ? I'm saying so . I don't know if you could curse on him . No , you could you know , and the reason I said it because I thought it was funny , and then the look in your eyes is hilarious too .

Chris

So just that alone is funny . I'm cracking up Me . I'm like is that the name of the house , the name of the two ? That's what I was having .

TK Kirkland

I was just having sex with everybody . You know that was an entertainment . That's the thing that I wish I could have control the best , but throw my dick tour .

Chris

This is always a trick man .

TK Kirkland

You know what I'm saying yeah , because you know , and I sit back now like man . It's just too much responsibility and I wish one woman had my child instead of that , I wish one , I wish I had one mother I wish I had one . And you learn through these . You deal with it .

You know I tell men play the hand that you dealt , hold yourself accountable and you'll be okay . You know some men wish they had somebody else's life and that's when the depression comes in .

Paki

I think that's what social media is kicking everybody's behind .

TK Kirkland

Yeah and you have to be strong , you know . That's why they call me .

Paki

Yeah , I get it . So when you start an off , right Did you , because you're not like a goofy guy like I know . You've mentioned that multiple times .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , yeah .

Chris

I like a Exactly and .

Paki

I remember the first time I saw you . I think maybe 13 or 14 years ago was the first time I seen you Actually stand up . You like a motivational speaker , man , right , that's what I got to now .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , yeah , that's what I've got to now .

Comedian's Career Journey With TK Kirkland

You came to see me the fourth of July and I'll see you at the exact . Yeah , and what people don't know . That day I was so sick I wouldn't even know , yeah , I was playing it all well , yeah because if you ever knows my stand up , my stand up flows and on that day it felt like I had a boot on my voice .

Oh , sure , because I wasn't able to flow the way I like to flow , so I was still able to maneuver a little bit . But , that's a calm on my live nation tour coming up , we coming back to Vegas ? Oh , you are . Oh , yeah , I'm coming Vegas every year with live nation . Okay , so to come .

I'm truly excited To redeem myself in the sense , because people have been waiting for me come to Vegas for years , and last time I was here , prior to that , you hit getting one of those hard rock . Yeah , yeah , I can't show my big shows with my gaps at the palm .

Paki

That's the one we want to 12 , 12 , 13 years ago . Yeah , it's been a minute . Yeah , that's why I had kids . Yeah , yeah , so .

TK Kirkland

So to be on this level now is awesome to me .

Paki

I'm excited , yeah where do you get your content from you ? Just paying attention , yeah , just paying attention , yeah .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , a lot of people have that ability to make everything funny . I , I can take something funny . I could take something serious . Make a funny . Well , I could just take something serious and put my little twist on still make it serious , but deliver a message in to the world .

Chris

So I like that we were to do the podcast the other day . We were talking about comedians and it was like you know , you have to be a Philosopher in a sense , right ? Yes , you have to identify and pick things apart . But right the message in a funny way .

TK Kirkland

That's so true .

Chris

And you know , to me it's like you take , these content is very polarizing and you have to make it relatable and a lot of times , for better or worse , right , you love it , people who hate it right , that's true how do you like navigate that polarization ? You just don't give a shit .

TK Kirkland

I don't give a fuck , yeah , yeah , whatever , but I'm so good at it that I know it's gonna win , yeah , like . And then that's that's where the confidence comes in , because even if it doesn't work , because you have the confidence , you project Like . I don't know what you talk about , I know what I'm saying . It's not so much conviction , yeah , but it wins .

Chris

I've been , I've been consistent for 40 years in this business and you see , like a big shift , though now that seems like everything people are saying is like so over the edge is so controversial . I've never had that problem .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , I never had the problem . The thing that's happened for me is , every day , every week , every month , my star gets bigger , like it's a new birth because of social media and I knew years ago in the 90s that my career was gonna go where it needed to go .

But the people who was gonna help me there were young y'all were kids at the time because I couldn't get on the David Letterman show . I couldn't get on our senior hall . So when the young kids invented podcasting , when you invented social media , it was the perfect thing for me . And yeah , the rest is history .

So now in the world is finding out about me .

Paki

So you know , that's a good thing you big on like Basically live in life , right ? Yes , not like it's short , I've talked a lot about it . Can you share just kind of your perspective ? I love how you break it down .

TK Kirkland

I believe Pat words are very powerful . Mm-hmm and when I was coming up in the hip-hop world , hung out with everybody . But if you take these two examples , when Biggie did his album , he always talked about death .

When Tupac talked about , it is always about death , but Jay-Z and Diddy talked about money and women , and Two people talked about death , the dead and people talked about money and women . One is in trouble because of women , but everybody still got money and I just believe what comes out of your mouth is powerful .

So I think that every time you say life is short , well , the universe hears you and I think you take time off your life because I think words are powerful , because I'm really 62 I would say I'm 63 because I Project that I have to make that . So that's my goal , was always day ahead .

Let's just , you know , have my own little tricks if I listen to it , is it correct ?

Paki

Were you ? Were you there with Biggie when the day he died and when I was there , the whole day was together , the whole day and Biggie went to go to get Tattoos done me and Puffy's assistant late note , late note .

TK Kirkland

The note a black . Nor who was Puffy's assistant to time . We all went out to glass stones in Malibu . We came back tonight we all split up because we was going to the party this is Biggie's thing and me pup big . We was all hanging and I had a comedy show at the comic theater that same night .

But I saw all the hustlers you know , because you know I know the street guys and I saw I was gonna be some problems here . I could see it coming just felt the energy , yeah but I left to go do my party , me loving women .

I took some women with me , we drove down to do my comedy show and we came back we saw all the police and all that but I sort of didn't know what was going on . It wasn't talking about it . But then somebody said to get big , you got shot . I was like , yeah right , whatever went up to . It was a club on sunset , because I'm outcast is there .

I was friends with them too , so I want to open it up for them Outcast . And I went into the other room and looked out the window on sunset and I called the load day but her phone was off and something just told me go to see the Sinai Hospital . I drove there and she told me a big year pass , and then . A year before that it was with Tupac .

We was all here in Vegas hanging out and because I worked out a lot , still learning life , I took some fat burners the little . Why ? Still this day ? Don't know why .

Chris

I took some fat burners .

Paki

Yeah , I can't even imagine . You know , I had cardiac arrest man .

TK Kirkland

I drank alcohol . They're still doing it today and it did something to me and I wound up going to my hotel . I was so sick I stayed in my hotel for seven days . I saw everything on the news about Tupac . Yeah , I saw the Situation news . I mean pain and the day he died was the day I was catching a flight to go to Charlotte , north Carolina .

It's crazy .

Paki

Yeah , sorry .

TK Kirkland

I remember that and that's crazy . So it's those two and the night that general avert died , we was doing a show in that's cross , the South Carolina , so we had to cancel it . This is years later , this is late 90 , but Me , he was doing a show at the same time and he passed away . We couldn't do the show .

Paki

Did Tupac really come up with your name or give you a name ? Yeah , we got that ejector rapper . Oh . Yeah , yeah , just ejector rapper Okay , playing around Okay .

TK Kirkland

So then , the guy who produced um House party was a house party . No , no house .

Paki

We're kidding playing them . Yeah , house party . Yeah , we're kidding , there's a guy who's a producer .

TK Kirkland

He died , I don't know . So , it's Michael's , I've got his name . If you like somebody get a chance , let's Google who is the producer for house party , okay , and . He said to me one day he said TK , t to the motherfucking K . He said TK Kirkland is the philosopher . I see that , and T to the motherfucking K is my philosophy . That's what you said .

Paki

No , that's , oh , that's what he said , of the house of blue . You took that brand with it .

TK Kirkland

So that's what ? Yeah , so the some to park to that ? Yes , it's history .

Chris

And this was years ago .

TK Kirkland

This is early 90s . Yeah , early 90s .

Chris

You've been moving in some big circles of big names for a long time , right ?

Oh yeah , you know you've been in these places with people that I'm sure a lot of personalities big personalities and you know , have you found it just easy to like intermingle in those kind of and you know , with all those people , those names , those Interactions , and you know how important you think , well , I knew all these people before they were famous .

TK Kirkland

Okay so we all came up together , so to speak , you know . And then I was famous before most of them . I had a little stardom before a JZ had a little stardom before 50 cent . I've seen everybody come up . So I pretty much had like a little edge , a skyrocket , a skyrocketed Pass me , which is great .

But when I talk about my career the thing that's awesome I've seen people go up , become halfway down and some people get locked up , but with me I'm what you call a steady fix .

Chris

Consistent , yeah 40 years and no one could say that yeah . Be consistent how important you think that networking is to your success , the fact that you can , you know , hang out these people . I Don't you know .

TK Kirkland

Put yourself well back in the day he was hanging out networking , you had to be everywhere . Now I stay away . I don't even want nobody see me . Why I'm tired like I want to enjoy my home smokers , cigar , do a little shopping , have sex . If I can , you know , play with the kids , I'm good . You know that's what happens when you're 63 ?

I'm about to you stay out the way , man .

Paki

Yeah , what's the biggest thing ? Like do you think you've learned me ? You would do a lot . What's , what's the biggest thing that you think you've learned ? That you've pretty much adapted , you know and and made it like your own respect and honesty .

TK Kirkland

Okay , I think respect and honesty is that is it's key and know how to communicate extremely well .

Okay , communication things can get you could be a straight-up , honest person , you could be thorough , but miscommunication can change everything that to make you look like you look right full of it or and that's bad , I had situations like that happen and because I stand on being a great man and little things can make the world Think that you're not , and when I

when I have that , I tried my best to try to fight it to Convince people . But then you realize in life , you , you really can't convince everybody , so you , you let people think what they think and you actually did .

Paki

You get your master's degree in communications .

TK Kirkland

Yes , it's speech communication . I'll say no through his 1984 . That's what's up .

Paki

Yeah , yeah , yeah , I think more people should actually get that . Degree is what you're talking about as far as communication , because it seems like with social media , oh , they don't know how to interview .

TK Kirkland

Oh , my god .

Paki

It's hard , but they don't know how to communicate because everything is this versus BRB . And I'm curious what your perspective is on I text you , you'll be like .

TK Kirkland

I was in Detroit and . Give me , do an interview , thanks , give me weekend and I'm sitting in the green room and they

The Importance of Communication and Mentorship

actually . The next episode was a Professor at school . Okay , they are starting a class . The teach kids how to communicate with each other . Shut up in college and college and Communicate .

Chris

Yeah , because we don't forget me .

TK Kirkland

Social media destroy that and my daughter was saying that not too long ago about in college people Don't talk no more . And just like when you go to clubs , people get dressed to go hold their phones . You know , I'm not dancing . We went out back and down .

Chris

I'm much older than you . I'm 44 .

Paki

Oh yeah , you still yes , it yeah .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , but back in the day we got dressed to dance . Yeah , people go now get dressed to go school , hold a phone or stand on furniture . So you got a room from Chicago region today . Yeah , yeah .

Paki

So that's what I was used to seeing . Right , right and we communicate on . My dad raises like better . Talk to me , man , he texts me right .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , I got rules about that , you already know . Yeah , I know , text me .

Paki

I think that's probably why we clicked is because of that . Right , you're communicator but , yes , you teach a lot , of , a lot of Regeneration and they're paying attention and a lot of a hard-headed . What would you say to them about communication of what you've learned , like how they should move or whatever scenario ?

What's the gym that you can leave for them just by communication ?

TK Kirkland

I think if you don't know how to talk , you lose in this game . Yeah you got another talk , got to know what you want , especially when it comes to women . What I find most men are liars , right , yeah , most men lie to be with the woman , most woman , most men and women now to have become habitual lies because they don't have accomplishments .

And I was talking some other day started laugh . I said they should have never got rid of the draft .

Paki

Military drama . Military draft why ?

TK Kirkland

No , because it gave people structure . It made you understand life , that this game was for real . Yeah and it would have saved . It would have killed a lot of people , but it would save a lot of people as well , and it gives them a foundation too . I think a lot of people aren't built on a foundation .

Chris

They're kind of just learning , running out there and figuring shit out as they go .

TK Kirkland

The reason why I'm taking off , because the kids look at me as this uncle I never had a dad and they're like yo , who's this guy ? And I'm shocked . I'm like nobody's what . Like y'all , y'all don't notice . This is insane to me , but I'm just being something that I've always been and I've learned through trial and error . So I'm self-made , so to speak .

So I'm here to do whatever I have to do .

Chris

That's so amazing . How important is that to you at this stage in your career . You know to pass on that information . You really helped develop these kids that are looking you as that inspiration or that figure in their life . That's important . That they may not have , I don't care , if I'm , it doesn't change .

Like your perspective you say that no , I don't care , I don't care . And let me tell you why I don't care .

TK Kirkland

Because , it's too much shit to worry about in life . And I ain't going to take all this like I get so many messages from them because I deal . Put it like this I'm in Washington DC and the gentleman saw me working out .

He saw one of my episodes on Facebook and he thought I was this brilliant guy and he was talking about these events that they put with some of the biggest speakers in the world and I can't remember them . but I do remember Mads Johnson and he said take care , we want you to come talk Because I put people on how to make money in my own little way .

That's phenomenal Information . That's right in front of you . And I explained something to him . He was blown away and he said how did you come up with that ? I said most people want to get successful . They talk to the 1% . I talked to the 99% .

Chris

That's a good way of looking at it . Yeah , I say .

TK Kirkland

I talked to the 99 . Because if people follow me on my Instagram or come to my shows , in 20 years I can make almost anybody listen to me , and I mean this , this is self-proven . I could make anybody anywhere between $200 to $500,000 . Easy , in 20 years . Now most people get in the stock market , Most people .

I tell people you're going to rock with the stock market , no more . What I got is so it's right in your face that it will blow you away . And that's just what I tell people . Also is that America has truly let a lot of us down . See , when you travel the world , you know that people talk to three , four languages . They sure do . We don't .

Paki

My kids do , which I wish I did learn .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , you look helpless when you travel , because when we were young , you didn't care .

Paki

You're right , you were forced to take it , but you weren't really learning . It took Spanish class . You didn't have somebody else do your homework or something .

TK Kirkland

It's really one of the most things that we all should know . I talk about history . Like everybody should know history , like I also have people and maybe you know I always ask crazy questions . I say a lot of . You all even know who Gladys West is .

Chris

All right listeners , take a break from the podcast to talk about something that's been a real game changer for both Pacquiao and myself Magic Mind Productivity Shot . I've been using it for a while now and it truly is a game changer .

Paki

You guys got to check out Magic Mind . I've actually added it to my daily routine , not drinking a coffee like I used to before , able to stay way more focused than I've usually done . It was actually working out 11.30 last night , so love it , and it's not just a caffeine boost either .

Chris

It's packed with organic matcha adaptogens , new tropics . It really helps me cut down on my personal to-do list and just overall , not get that in mid-afternoon jitters , the power through the day , yeah .

Paki

Hey . So for all the Vegas Circle listeners , if you're looking to change your daily routine without compromising , definitely check out Magic Mind . So let's get back to the podcast he's looking around . I don't think I can do that . I'll just say I don't have to do that . I didn't go loud . I don't know who it is .

TK Kirkland

Gladys West is the lady . Everybody knows her because she's in your hand . Gladys West is the lady who invented the GPS .

Paki

You kid me yeah old black woman .

TK Kirkland

That's what's up . She created the GPS , so I put people up on that .

Paki

I knew it was a black woman who created it , but I didn't know that was her name . Yeah , yeah , gladys West . So , yeah , that's what's up .

TK Kirkland

So I put people up on that all the way down to the teach people other than Black Wall Street how there was other things going on .

Paki

I knew about Black Wall .

TK Kirkland

Street . Yeah , but it was other just as big racial riots in this world other than Tulsa Black Wall Street , so I teach people about all the other things you remember Chicago Connection by any chance . I talk about all that stuff that's my pops was was part of Chicago Connection . Yeah , and other than the Black Panthers . So that's what I get on people about .

Paki

That's what's up , and I love that . Yeah , yeah , I love that . Talk a little bit about the crazy stuff that happened right in the news , right Starting with Deja Pell , people coming on stage Right , charleston White coming up you know dealing with this situation . How would you handle the situation ?

What's your perspective on somebody coming up and how you would handle that if somebody was heckling ?

TK Kirkland

I had a situation once where a guy tried to come on stage and we actually fought on stage . You kidding me ?

Paki

Yeah , we actually fought , and recently , Because this must have been a long time ago .

TK Kirkland

Yeah 12 , 13 years ago and we finally settled our differences because I realized I was up against someone that was never going to truly tell the truth .

So I ran up on a radio station and we talked it out and we shook hands and I told them we will leave it alone here because people will put you in situations to make penitentiary chances and that's what you have to stay away from in life .

You have to love you so much that you avoid things to get you locked up , because people can be tough all they want . But they got a place for you 1,000% . They got it . You could have tough all you want , I'll tell you something .

Paki

I'm talking to my kids right now .

TK Kirkland

They got a place for you when I saw the situation with Mr Charleston . To this day I still love Charleston . We had a little situation earlier this year .

From Comedy to Corporate

Then , through the things I've gone through in life , I never want to wish anybody any pain . I don't want no man to have trouble . I don't want no man not to have inner peace .

I don't want no man to have obstacles that can take him off this planet or destroy his life and I just hope everybody you any man , women just can go through the rest of their life , making good choices to stay here as long as they can , because life is amazing .

You can't take no risk , whether hitting somebody with a plant , hitting somebody with a microphone . Learn to diffuse the situation so you can continue to eat . Because at the end of the day , you've got to get that money .

Paki

You always have the bag .

Chris

Yeah , you've got to get that money .

TK Kirkland

I was taught at a young age you don't want to grow old and be broke . You don't want to do it . That's a sad situation . Yeah , it's sad , and my people don't . My people , they're not ready . It's coming , y'all .

Chris

It seems hard . You know you have a lot of people that just you know . Get out there , get too intoxicated , get too drunk , they start heckling , going crazy , talking all this nonsense . How do you keep your composure ?

TK Kirkland

Yeah , you got to one . You got to be funny . Yeah , two , you got to stay controlled . I did a cash money tour once and Lyok Owen Leonor , what's his name ? I sounds Leo , yeah . Leo , yeah .

Paki

He was in the audience he does all the stuff by the music . Yeah , yeah , with Jays . I can't think of Jays' company With Jays' and all them . Yeah , nori and all them . I can't think of his damn name .

TK Kirkland

And shout out to him . Anyway , he said I remember this to this day . I was hosting the tour and he gave me the biggest compliment . That's .

Paki

Def Jam .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , he was working with Def Jam and this is the hard knock life tour DMX , the Cash 20 Millionaires Eve . It was a great concert and I held it down . A lot of people don't know how difficult it is to hold down a concert and he said man . He said you got the most hardest job on the tour , he said because you got to control the climate of the room .

And when I see people not controlling the climate of the room ? So you can make a choice . You can make a choice to be violent and create a riot or you can diffuse it . The goal is get the money , get out , because today somebody can hurt you . Today it can really go to the left if you really don't put yourself together .

But other than that I normally don't have problems .

Paki

This is Chris . Probably I don't think you've seen him live before , but he is so funny with the control of the room . He has people raise their head to go use the restroom .

Chris

Oh yeah yeah , yeah , I had never seen that before in my life .

Paki

It's quiet . You can hear a pin drop . I don't know how he at , but it's hilarious .

Chris

I've been in the drive , watch a ton of them , because people get up to use the bathroom and I'll be talking to somebody . I had never seen no one do this before , because they don't see it coming . It's shit , as hilarious I was like excuse me . Can you have a seat for a second ? No , I got to go back .

TK Kirkland

No , no , no , no , wait , have a seat . And I look around and say let another man come out and don't raise their hand . I said I'm here to deliver a message and it's funny and it's different , it's unique , it's never been done before .

Paki

And I love that . It's a good diffusion Because it makes you feel like you're in a partnership . But this is the most funny People will be raising their hand Right , right , right , yeah , it's hilarious . It's hilarious , it's hilarious , but talk a little bit about so you've been doing a lot on your own . Everything is on TK Network right ?

Chris

Yes , tk .

TK Kirkland

Curcum Network .

Paki

Have you always been independent ? You never had Always been independent until this year .

TK Kirkland

And that's how I come to sign with Live Nation . And Live Nation of course corporate . You know when you get corporate you don't get your check right away with corporate . That's the only thing about Live Nation . But they take care of you Counts payable .

Paki

You gotta wait , yeah .

TK Kirkland

And it started because I was trying to do an event with improv and one of the execs over there wasn't giving me what I want because I get 90% of the door and they wasn't going to give me that . So a guy named Jiru Tillman , who is my connect to Live Nation they have been after me for three years .

I kept saying nah , nah , nah , okay , because I'm thinking independence is the way to go and the world has changed . And what I mean by that is people don't do good business or just aggravating . And I'm at a point now I'm tired . So when improv didn't give me what I wanted , I called Jiru . I said , yo , I'm ready .

We did a couple of cities that I wanted to do where at the improv's I was going to do , but I wound up making probably 15 , 20 times more than about to win with the improv . And I actually sent a later email about two , three months later thanking her for not giving me the deal that I wanted because , I would have never signed with the nation .

Okay , and the rest is history . So Live Nation gave me a seven year deal 42 cities for the next seven years .

Chris

So , we start the last week .

TK Kirkland

We start the last week of February . I get 90% of the door and I'm doing my thing . So that's why I got staying shape , that's why I got to take care of myself , you know , because in seven years I'll be 70 . So I really want to be getting that bread , and that's what's happening , travelling the world laying on the beach , you know .

My kids , you know , get my back row One of my women's , so I live

Jamie Foxx, Netflix Special, and Advice

.

Paki

Did I hear that Jamie Foxx was going to be doing your Netflix special ? Did I hear that right ?

TK Kirkland

Well , we were supposed to do it . We feel Jamie got sick . Okay , and we have been talking to him , me , him , michael King . This is when Jamie was in Paris , when he was shooting this movie , and all I kept saying on that phone call was Lord , please let us live Like are we all getting older .

Paki

Yeah .

TK Kirkland

And bam , a month later Jamie had got sick . Wow , and I haven't talked to him since . You see he's got better , yeah , but I'm quite sure him directing a show with me now is the last thing on his mind Trying to get here .

But I was thinking the other day I got some things happening and one I've always done my own specials , but in two years I'm going to have my Netflix special and I'm only going to do it because the people want it .

Paki

I want it . I want it Me personally .

TK Kirkland

And it's going to be something unique . You know , because I've seen the what people have put out there and what I'm gearing for in my career and the knowledge See , the longer the way I just become more knowledgeable . So by the time in two years , the stuff that I'm going to drop on the world is going to be so amazing .

They're going to be like wow , yeah , and I'm excited about that .

Paki

Yeah , I can't wait to see that man ? Yeah , I can't wait to see that . I'm looking forward to it . What else do you focus on , ram ? Just I know coming up 22 . Because you always a way ahead , man . Like I've talked to you before You're like five , seven years ahead . I've never seen nobody as strategic as you are .

TK Kirkland

I'm far out there , Like right now . I think I'm on 20 , 33 .

Paki

Damn 10 years .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , I always say I've been like that my whole life .

Paki

But you actually have it in your calendar , like you have it in my head . Oh , ok , ok , yeah , I have it in my head , yeah .

TK Kirkland

And it gives you stuff to do , because a rule of mind is you have to be better than you was last year Mentally , physically , financially and spiritually . You , you . It's mandatory Me I have to be better than I was last year . So that's what's up ?

Paki

Yeah , so what did you think about this puffy situation , man , what he's dealing with ? Because you dealt with a lot of powerful people and women coming back and talking crazy about you . Man , what would you say ?

TK Kirkland

I'd tell any man and woman that has seen Puff , or any man that would go through any kind of crime or pain , wish that person the best and hopefully they can get out of it and become a better person from this .

Yeah , sometimes you got to go through something to make you a better person , right , and when you see all the stuff about Puff so many bad things coming out so that means he's been truly a bad person for years , right , and I've been on that side of the coin . I've been , I've been in court .

Paki

That's why I wanted to hear what you're going to say . Yeah , I've been in court .

TK Kirkland

I've been humiliating in a sense Just for social media . Worst case scenario with me I was on um photo the Week in Jet magazine . That was our social media back in the day and um , I don't wish nobody no problem when I see what Puff went through , and if you watch this Puff , I wish you the best , you know .

I just think that men who have information shouldn't come out on social media now and put their foot on your , on your neck while a person is down . That's not how men move , you know , um , you keep it moving .

You wish that person the best , because even when I went through my trouble what was crazy , fly brother , I was in Atlanta and , um , I was at an event . It was Shaquille O'Neal , okay , yeah . And he said you okay . And I said , yeah , I'm a man . No one else , when I was going through , I was going through took that approach .

He , I could tell his you okay , was sincere . And Shaq looked at me and said , yo , are you okay ? And I was like yeah , and I just love that . And today , and you talk about 1996 , 97 , that's how long ago it was and I remember that to this day .

So let's wish people the best and not just keep throwing stuff at them , because what people don't realize them tables can turn Like 50 , I know you knew and I don't want to make this negative , but 50 is crazy , if you live on this planet long enough , man . Anything is possible , bro . That's a real .

That's a real thing If you stay here , if you , on this planet , 70 , 80 years , I'm telling you as as God's my witness , we learned having this podcast .

Paki

We had a podcast for five years Right , and one of the things that I was honestly learning from from you is being consistent . We've never took a break for five years Right . Consistence whole time . But you're right . You start meeting so many different people . A lot of people know everybody . They know our brand and know the people .

But if you do one person wrong , they're going to know .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , yeah and there's two different things . You can't help to make somebody upset , but it's a difference when it's crime Fair enough . So what the ?

Paki

tough situation is is a crime .

TK Kirkland

That's a crime ?

Paki

Yeah , it's an actual crime .

TK Kirkland

And that's between him and the women the situation . So whenever you see somebody go through something , just say I wish you the best , my brother , you ain't got to throw more on to it .

Chris

You know , that's not gasoline .

TK Kirkland

Men move a certain way . Men move like you know , like it ain't that serious to me . I'm not benefiting anything by putting you down these things I've learned in life . I'm not benefiting . 50 is a whole different situation . 50 is hilarious man . I love 50 . I know , you know who he is . He's my guy .

Paki

I'm going to prove everything he does . You know a bunch of videos and stuff with it .

TK Kirkland

I've done a lot of stuff with him . So I could never say nothing bad about him . 50 is purposes . That's his purpose . That's the best thing . You got a bastard in the heck of it , yeah , yeah yeah , yeah , it's something else .

Paki

Yeah , talking a little bit about business advice , right , us being a business show . What would you tell somebody that maybe they want to be a comedian because there's a lot of business and a lot of ROI and that ?

What would you tell them for whatever dream they're trying to accomplish , what would you tell them for somebody that wants to be their own business owner ?

TK Kirkland

Well , one . You got to get money , but you got to know stages in life . Okay , yeah , comedy , if you could start young , it's an excellent situation because you're not a man yet . Let me explain to you what I mean . Most men , when they get into this game , they go chase women . So now you got a girl in your life , you start having sex .

You might have a child . That girl is working . But you have felt all these dreams that you're going to be this big star but you're not working . Years go by . She's been footing the bill because she believed in your dream , but you're not a man . You're not helping paying the bill , you're not bringing food on the table .

So you kind of destroyed this woman based on your dream , because it was your dream . And what I mean by that is if you know , by a certain time you're not where you want to be . You got to go get a job . You got to be a man .

You have to contribute to the household of the family and the woman that you're living with , because I tell people all the time , sex makes babies , not love . Most men don't know the difference in that and you put yourself in bad situations because you out here being careless you out here on your dick toy type thing .

Paki

That's straight up true . That's straight up true .

TK Kirkland

That's the advice I would give , because a lot of comedians are not funny . They're not putting the work in . I travel 40 years . You've seen a lot . I see people who want to be funny and when I come back the following year , the year after that , I say they're not putting the work in , they just go on our stage . Nobody is putting the work in .

Paki

Would you recommend that you work a job and build a side hustle then ? Because you do a lot of side hustling , I believe , a certain time .

TK Kirkland

A lot of people are not businessmen . That's why most people got to have an agent or a manager . They don't know how to speak for themselves . They don't know what they're worth . They don't have the confidence to talk up . I do deals all around the world All around the world but I've been quiet about life . We live in an era you tell your business .

It's sad that basketball players and football players they have to announce how much they make , Such as $700 million . Back in the day , you never knew what a person would make . I think people should stop talking about how much they've made . It doesn't matter . We need to go back to that . Stop telling our business .

Paki

Dana White's been talking a lot about that with the UFC . None of their salaries or whatever they sign or deals or sponsorship . None of those athletes are brought up on the UFC .

TK Kirkland

That's the only athlete that I know of . I think their situation is different because I think they're robbing them .

Chris

Yeah , probably not . Yeah , that might be a strategy . Yeah , that's right .

Paki

I've heard that before , but I didn't know how true it is . No disrespect to their business deals .

Chris

I get it .

TK Kirkland

I'm up at three in the morning in my living room , candles , sipping on tea , and I read a lot . That story has come across Plenty times . Yeah , they robbing them guys .

Chris

So that's the reason why they don't now and every time they talk about what they make , then they get bashed and kicked out of the UFC and can't fight no more . That might be a strategy . That might be a strategy . They get robbed yo .

Paki

Okay .

TK Kirkland

For the kind of money that the UFC is bringing in them . Boys getting robbed yeah , they sold . Yeah , it's crazy yeah , they get robbed .

Paki

We always ask I know you didn't answer this last time about restaurants , man , but give us a gym , give us a great restaurant in Vegas that somebody should check out . I know you don't have a favorite one , as you showed us last time , but what would you say if somebody wants to check ? I'm going to go out in Vegas . Oh , that's what it is .

You stay home .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , well , I'm never home , I'm never Vegas . You ain't lying because you're freaking . Yeah , I've been here 20 years . I couldn't tell you where to go because I'm always going . I'm here maybe out of the year , maybe 40 days . Damn for real , Maybe 40 days out of the year ? Oh jeez crazy . I didn't sleep up a lot of days . You didn't leave that .

Traveling that much yeah , I traveled that much , Are you probably ?

Paki

right , because every time I talked to you on the phone , you were here damn .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , yeah , I've been moving , yo , I've been moving . I love it , though Switch up a little bit , then what's your ?

Chris

favorite thing to cook or have somebody cook for you at the TK Kirkland house .

TK Kirkland

I eat a lot of salmon . Okay , I eat a lot of fruit but nothing special .

Chris

That's your pretty Unless . My kids are there and they cook .

TK Kirkland

My kids can cook Okay . So I'm looking forward to my oldest son . He's a great cook because I have grandchildren now , so I'll be in LA with my grandbabies for the first time .

Chris

I'm excited about that that's what's up , man .

Paki

Congratulations , man , but I'm really looking forward to my son's food . You're a grandfather now . I just caught that .

TK Kirkland

Okay , yeah , so I'm going to Congratulations , man . I'm looking forward to just laying with the grandkids eating my son's food , but also bringing something to the house . I'm that kind of man I'm looking forward to stopping at the store , picking up something , bringing something .

It gives me meaning , another meaning in life to be with my grandkids and my son and my kids .

Chris

I love it . It's a traditional vibe . Yeah , exactly , and I told them that too .

TK Kirkland

I said now I know what I'm doing every Christmas . So , I love that Coming to them yeah .

Paki

That's what's up , man , and you have seven children .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , I got seven yo .

Paki

That's great you were playing around back in the day .

TK Kirkland

The thing in my life that's the most complicated , Because when you get older , you realize that either you should have one or two , but not that many , and you shouldn't have that many women in your life , that you have a child . But everybody is at fault in a sense , and that's why I tell men if you have sex with a woman , you don't have a condom .

She controls your life for the rest of your life and it's something to think about , because when you get older and you really understand life , you go damn . That's the I know , I do .

Business Ownership and Fatherhood

Paki

One of the first questions I forgot to ask you . I just want to step back for one second . What was the first business you owned ?

TK Kirkland

Well , I have a lot of business .

Paki

So let me tell you what I did . Let's go open up everything .

TK Kirkland

Let me tell you I stayed quiet while I learned in life because of baby mamas right , and when you have the kind of kids mothers I had in my life , I'm broke .

Chris

So they tell you yeah , I had a thing you said that year .

Paki

I don't have anything . I don't have anything .

TK Kirkland

Man , I'm broke , even though my kids are grown . My kids is grown . My youngest is about to be 17 .

Paki

Oh , was that right Okay .

TK Kirkland

Yeah , so they all kind of they all pretty much grown . My oldest daughter is a surgeon . My son is executive in LA music industry .

Speaker 2

Oh , that's what's up . All my kids are doing very , very well , that's beautiful .

TK Kirkland

Very well , so no complaints . And I say it's me because you can't be seven , everybody consistent . So I got seven . I know it all from daddy , so that's awesome .

Paki

Yeah , yeah . What do you want to leave us out on , man ? What would you want to leave us out on the podcast , man ? Anything we forgot to ask you .

TK Kirkland

No , no , no . I just , if anything to the world that's listening , be a man of your word , because I kept my word with you .

And I appreciate you and I think that is more valuable than anything I've said tonight on this show , and it's to keep your word , because I know you've been wanting to get me the all year and I kept like we're going to do it , we're going to do it . I was like , nah , I can't do it , can't do it .

And the day when I was getting ready , I said yeah , I'm good , I'm going to make this happen for my man . And when you I keep my word , blessings happen . So I love doing stuff for people because I know the blessings come down the line , and that's I'm in line with the universe , so I love that .

Paki

Yeah , I was appreciate you for sure . No , that's one thing , and it's funny you said that I was one of the first things my pops had told me when I was a young man . He was always just say that , and he's always talked about doing business with a handshake Right . That's that old school mentality .

TK Kirkland

Yes sir .

Speaker 2

Yes , sir , I like it there . Yeah , 82 years old , yeah 82 years left .

TK Kirkland

I'm moving into Vegas ? Okay , great .

Paki

But um 82 years old , and he would always talk about that man Like if you tell him something , if you don't do it , he or you're here , yeah , yeah .

TK Kirkland

That's very important . Yeah , I go , cause all you have to do is shut up . But most men have this , this , this weakness of talking so fast that you put yourself in the hole , and in women too , in emotions . Yeah , so you got to slow down , take your time to think . Or if you can't get a good answer , always say can I get back to you ?

And it's nothing wrong with saying get I got to get back to you , cause now you got tired of thinking . And then you talk to the person next day . You go . I looked at my calendar . I see the situation . I can't make it happen , but maybe we can do it on this day , like I did .

Paki

Yeah , that's exactly what I was going to say . That's the strategy , I get it , I get it , I get it . Yeah , so just up over time .

TK Kirkland

So yeah , just up over time yeah . But yeah , I'm doing a big event here for um , for the Super Bowl um , with the NFL alumni . That's what was having the meeting . That's what's up . I'm doing here um some great things happening and then um I stopped my live nation tour , so make sure you get your tickets .

Paki

When you come to Vegas , you know the date . I don't know the dates . We got the city , we got 43 cities .

TK Kirkland

So what we're doing now is they get in the venues . I should have that before um Martin Luther King weekend . Okay , before . I do something big in LA and I talked to them yesterday and they said I will have the . We got the buildings . Okay , now we got to find the actual dates and then , we'll make

Appreciation and Contact Information for Fans

the announcement . Okay and um , just excited man .

Paki

Yeah , gk doing his thing . I know I'm paying attention every day . Yeah , we watch you around the world , man Doing my thing , yo , well , I absolutely appreciate you , man , seriously , you're man of your word man man .

TK Kirkland

I really appreciate it , man . That's important to me .

Paki

Um where can I reach y'all ? Give your social handles and all that good stuff .

TK Kirkland

Yes At tk , underscore Kirkland . Ladies and gentlemen , if you got situations , hit me on my DM um and tell me what's going on and I hit you back . Yeah . We could discuss it . Yeah , um other than that . I wish everybody the best . Yeah , that's the best thing .

Paki

I could tell you . I wish everybody the best yeah . Well , I appreciate you , brother . Thank you , my man . Yeah , I appreciate you too , you too yo Thank you .

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