Drink Champs - Chris Gotti | ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek

Episode Date: December 23, 2025

Drink Champs Network Presents: ROC Solid with Memphis Bleek. This week on ROC Solid, we tappin’ in with none other than Chris Gotti —  The influential figure deeply connected to Roc-A-Fella’s rise and evolution. Chris opens up about his journey in the music industry and the role he played alongside his brother Irv Gotti in building the powerhouse Murder Inc. Records and the mindset it took to stay solid in the ever-shifting game. From shaping chart-topping records to navigating the highs and lows of the business, Chris provides rare insight into what it really took to turn Murder Inc. into a dominant force in music. This episode isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a real talk session that pulls back the curtain on life inside and outside the spotlight. Chris’s perspective delivers both wisdom and raw insight, giving listeners a front-row seat to the foundations of hip-hop history and the resilience required to survive and thrive. True hip-hop heads will feel every word. Tap in - history’s being told by the ones who lived it. This is ROC Solid. 💎 💯   Follow: ROC Solid https://www.instagram.com/roc.solidpodcast   Memphis Bleek https://www.instagram.com/memphisbleek https://www.twitter.com/rocsolidpodcast   Drink Champs https://www.drinkchamps.com https://www.instagram.com/drinkchamps https://www.twitter.com/drinkchamps https://www.facebook.com/drinkchampsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast, Guaranteed Human. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit

gentlemen's cut bourbon.com. Please enjoy responsibly. From NBA champion, Stefan Curry, comes shot ready, a powerful never-before-seen look at the mindset that changed the game. I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the work you do when no one else is around. Success is not an accident. I'm passing the ball to you.

Let's go. Steph Curry redefined basketball. Now he's rewriting what it means. to succeed. Order your copy of the New York Times bestseller shot ready today at Stefan Currybook.com. Welcome to Decoding Women's Health. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Pointer, chair of Women's Health and Gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. I'll be talking to top researchers and clinicians and bringing vital information about midlife women's health directly to you. A hundred percent of women go through menopause. Even if it's natural, why should we suffer

through it. Listen to Decoding Women's Help with Dr. Elizabeth Pointer on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro. We were in the car, like a Rolling Stone came on, and he said, there's a line in there about your mother. And I said, what? What I would do if I didn't feel like I was being accepted is choose an identity that other people can't have. I knew something had happened to me in the middle of the night, but I couldn't hold on to what had happened. These are just a few of the moving and important stories on my 13th season of Family Secrets.

Listen to Family Secrets on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategy. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What up, y'all? This your main man, Memphis Bleak right here. Welcome to Rock Solid, a production of IHeart Radio and the Black Effect Network in partnership with my guys over at drink champs.

I'm back at it Niggas notice the difference Just more prone Prezzi No stones Yeah y'all You already know what it is Back with another exclusive

And I tell you you see Many people sitting on this stage Sitting right here with me And not everybody It's like everybody But this man sent to the left of me This is family This is my brother

This is an OG Every time he spoke I listen So you know It's an honor To have him sitting here. You know, I got to say rest in peace to his brother, Erf Gotti, who is another legend in this game, a brother of mine who taught me many things

that I still apply to business to this day. So I want to welcome my guy Chris Gotti to the building. You already know, my brother, I love you, bro. What's up, man? Thank you for having me, man. I appreciate it. When they told me, it's so crazy how this happened because I was supposed to come here and interview somebody else yesterday and Armando was like yo I was just talking to Chris Gotti I was like what? They tell Goddy pull up he's like y'all I'm gonna get you on the

phone and I'm like yeah let's do it man so as he said that I was like what I was looking for you I promised you I told rule not too long ago I need to give bleak info because I want to come and talk to you about not just this but other things other businesses that I'm involved in that I think maybe makes some good sense

At the basketball league popping, man. Congratulations on that, man. Definitely want to talk to you about that. Yeah, man. You know, thank you. Season one, we did season one, you know, it's really just money. I got to raise more money. But season one was incredible.

We sold out every week. It's a small league, short seasons. CPL, right? CPL, Clash Pro League. You know what I'm saying? And again, it's all D1 players or plays that played overseas or, you know, and it's, I've been inside the street basketball for a decade. You feel me?

Help Greg Matthews with God bless Greg when he did Rucker, had it at the height, helping Ken Steven. Shout out Ken. You know what I'm saying? Helped him with Dykman to get Dykman really where it's at today. And that gave me a lot of insight. You know, I have a sports management business that I did.

Damn, that's what's up, man. You know, for almost going into 30 years. And I've been involved with either co-aging or co-managing or managing all these different NBA players or football players. I even had one golfer, professional golfer. So I'm inside of sports culture aside from just music.

Like I've been doing that. And the reason I went into it is because when them boys came, you got to diversify it because they shut off the faucet. That's a fact. But, yo, speaking on that, man, that's one thing a lot of people don't know, man. It's only two Gotties in the world

that beat the fans, man. You know what I'm saying? It's the Gadi brothers and it is Gadi, man. But y'all beat them boys, man. And that not many people just don't know. My lawyer was Gerald Shagel. He passed just not too long ago. God bless.

But he was also God, he's lawyer. Damn. Oh, so he knew, man. He had the playbook. He's the best attorney to ever seen. That's what's up, man. And you know, everybody know, y'all stood tall. You know, in this new world today of all these rappers catching cases and shit going down,

you know, it's like. You know, one of the things that went crazy, were crazy while we was in trial. The prosecutor, you know, she was always trying to change. or say things like that's what their job is or whatever. But he would tell the judge, no, this is the law, this is the case law. He would bring it down. And it got so real where the judge told her if Gerald Shargale says this is what it is, don't question me.

It's that. Damn. Nah, it was crazy. She was so mad. Damn. He was a beast, man. He was a beast, man. They called him a Superman in the courtroom, man.

And that shit happened at the height of murder ink, man. That's one thing I feel like, you know. a lot of people in this rap industry think rap beef can take shit down. But they don't understand that that happened all simultaneously. And it's like, that was crazy, man. No, we got some wonder. You want to crack the ducet watching. I'm only friends with you.

I'm just making me feel that way. No, man. No, but you know what? You just said something that's so real because, you know, I do a podcast with all types of them. They don't understand. you always bring up the beef. And I said, let me tell you something. That's just entertainment, bro.

I said, beef, it's entertainment. I said, number one, I never felt pressure. Number two was, let's say he took away Jock completely. Which never happened. Which you never happened. But let's just say that's what would have, like, happened. We was doing over $240 million, bro. Exactly.

Let's say Jaws were for $130. It was good. I'm still right, bro. It's good. But when the Alphabet boys come? When the Alphabet boys, and then what's even further that most people don't know is they, Universal IDJ, Def Jam,

cooperated with the Feds against us. You would expect that, though. Yeah, but you say that, but that's my machine. Yes. And how can I put out music? Yes. They're not, and then when you think of business, they didn't do anything but shifted from one side

from murder ink and put it over the aftermath, GM. That's all. All they did, it was a lateral move, boom. Yeah, the money got to move. The money don't change, though. They still eating. That's right. But they definitely, you know, did as dirty on that side.

That played a major role in that, man. But shit, before that, let's go back, man. The rise of murder ink, man. I remember when I first started coming around, a lot of people don't know. Godi was J.D.J. Yes. When I first met. That was DJ Irv.

Yes, DJ Irv, my G. Holding it down on the tour telling me, yo, you bugging. Don't be leaving the club, going home with no girls. You better bring them to the hotel. You don't go. I'm telling you, I was the young boy. It's wilding. Living your life.

My G. I remember when I first met Jai, all of y'all BJ, Ron Gutter, all of y'all, man. And we became a family. Facts. And then I watched y'all grow from the beginning, bro. And it was just like a tidal wave all at once. Like, I was that for you, man. You know what I mean?

It's really, like, unreal. surreal. You know what I'm saying? You go through these things. You watch all these things transpire. And you know, the reality murder ink that I've been trying to explain because everyone asked, how did Irv start murder ink? I said, technically he didn't.

Yeah. And what I mean by that is, Irv just wanted to be the biggest producer in the game. And we had Little Rob. Shout out Little Raw. Yep, Little Raw. That was the one producer we had with Earl. Shout out Little Raw. Bird, man. Little Rob was putting it. hits out. Yeah, but he didn't make a lot. See, so he was making hits, no question, but, you know,

when you're in business, it's quantity. I can't, I can't service the industry with just a few beats. I need a lot. And I told Irv, I had just made the transition, like, because I built the construction business. That was funding, Irv, saw making some money with top door productions. Yep, yep. You know what I'm saying? And he tells me, yo, I need you back with me because I started Earth. And then I said, okay. And I started doing both, but then after I did both, I got burnt out. And I said, I'm going to just do music. But to get

20% of $5,000, ain't going pay me. I don't know, man. If I sell three out of the four beats raw made, that's three racks. That's not enough. That's right. So I went back to Irv and said, listen, I'm going to go bring in more producers. And he was like, I don't care what you do. I'm not taking

less than $5,000. You know what I started laughing. It's like, of course, I got you. So that was the beginning And then I started adding in producers And then next year you know I took us from 5 to 15 to 25 to 50 In less than six months

We had 50,000 a track The first year we had 100,000 a track You know what I'm saying And that was the beginning of all of that And we just kept going We went to only up to 250,000 in track I was getting 250 but that's all these producers I got So we had a team

Of producers that's with her banging out That's how the crack house came about, man. That's the crack house. The crack house. Y'all was in there. That she was like a fortress. You know, you know. And she was like the Carter.

You know, yeah, the crack house was so real because I was controlling all the business on everything. So I'm seeing all the money we spend in, in studios. And I told Irv, I created something called Mink Rentals, M-I-N-C, Murder- Inc. M-Rentals. And we rents, we built our studios so we could rent our studio. so we could rent our studio to ourselves to make the money. You know, we bought houses to rent the houses.

We're traveling all over. This is when we start really rocking. And I'm watching these bills. We had 100 plus thousand a month in car services. So I stopped buying cars. That's right. And get all my hood. The whole hood is drivers.

That's right. That's the smart way to do it. And they got mad. Universal got mad because we was doing that. But I said it's our bills. And the Earth went in and we went in there and fight. We would go back and fight with all of them. And then next, you know, I see them doing it.

Yeah. They start their own little car services. Come on, man. We was the ones that started that. No, that's a fact. And that was because I've seen that. I seen that. And then, again, even the studio, we were the ones to do it because I'm watching all of those budgets go to Quad Studios.

Sony. Yeah. Right. Factory. Right track. And you look at the bill and you're like, damn, why are they getting all that money? That's a fact. That car service.

Then you send in there ordering food. circulated that money right back to us. Man, no, that was dope, man. That was a master plan. Yeah, for sure. That was ill, man. And we gave them a discount. They was mad.

We gave them a love price because it was us. Like, we're doing it for ourselves. So they got, we made albums cheaper. But if we had to produce for other people, they got to pay full rate, everything. But think about, I'm going back on what you said, man. From $5,000 a track. Yeah. $250.

Yeah, in about two years. In a two-year time frame. The game was sweet, my name. that that 95 to about 2015 run oh my jeez well our heights our heights is from 2002 to 2005 and that's but that's when the trial ends mm-hmm it ends in December 2005 yeah and here's the crazy yeah that's three years seemed like fucking 15 years no we had a lot of hits yeah herb is in a Guinness book for the the longest run at number one mean not like so what do you mean If he produced one artist,

the other artists he produced took that artist out, the next artist took that artist out. So he was the producer of the number one. So he was the producer of the number one. For, I believe it was like 48 weeks. Damn. Yeah.

That's crazy. Yeah, it's in the Guinness book. I'm not sure the time frame, but it's in the Guinness in there. They can fact check it. Yeah, they can fact check. He's still the only producer to do that. That's something that, you know,

as good as these other producers are, they might produce another artist, but they don't go number one. or the competition gets the number one slot. And you're the older brother, right? So look, the C. Little Brogo from DJ Earn. Then it was the Mike Geronimo run. Because I remember when Schitt's Real came out,

that was the shit was licked. You're kidding me? He was outside there. You know, the shit's real for, you know, Jay, to bring up Jay, shout out Jay, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, that's right. Shout always the OG. He's done, man.

But that's what made him fuck with Irv. probably more, in my opinion. This is, now I would have to ask him to be sure because he came to Irving's like, how are you getting him played? You know what I'm saying? This is when you know, I tell everyone, we was all a family,

but this is competition. At the all-time high. Look, it's a, rapper is a blood sport. And especially in that era. And remember, it's only 10 slots. I see. It's 100 rappers in the,

It's right. And it's only 10 slots. We're all fighting for that 10. There's only 12 magazine covers. That's right. And we're fighting for it. That's right. So it's like it's that competition, friendly competition, family competition, which is nothing wrong

with it because it really pushes each other to the next levels. And I believe we had that because I remember us going into sessions when we had our records and this is our album when we go play it for each other and be like, yeah. And be like, yeah, this is the date we come and don't come that day. And they give you, you know, don't come the same time so we don't interrupt each other's run. That's right. That's intellectual property. That's right. That's right.

We didn't give that to anyone outside of the family. Like, I remember even doing that with Diddy. Yeah. Running with Irv going into his sessions, like, yo, we coming. You know what I'm saying? Rough Fridays. It was it was Rockefeller Rough Fridays and Murder and Murder and. And bad boy.

Bad Boy was, again, inside of that as well. That's right. And we shared notes, and it was a real competitive thing, but we go in each other's sessions. They came in our sessions. I know Swiss came in our session playing heat. No. Shout out Swami.

Word up. Swiss is a one-man army. Swiss are coming to session and shut you down. One-man army. He'll come in there, play some shit, and you'll be like, I don't think I got records like that. No. Guy was the same way.

No, listen. was blessed, but everyone had their game what they was good at. Just beats and man, listen,

they came in with their fire man, guns blazing. No, that's a fact. It was major kind,

especially between murder, In Rockefeller and Roughriders. And then when I look back to me, that is part of something that

made it so special. I look back at that and when you put Irv in the middle, he was the, he was the kind of the person

that kept everyone Yeah, the glue. That glued them. He definitely was the glue, man. We can never take that away. And you was the OG in the background, man. You know what I mean? Like, shit, what was it?

Like, we had this conversation a little bit off camera, but I want to bring it up on camera because. Let's talk about it. I got a few cousins, right, that I used to be as a kid growing up, I used to be mad at, be like, damn, cuss, how you ain't rolling around? How you ain't got the bends, because you're supposed to add a condo up top, because you was eight.

in the 80s when niggas was making a million dollars on the corner. Right. A day. A week. Straight up.

Getting it. And you ain't go outside and get none of that. So I used to be as a kid looking at my cousins like, y'all fingers were soft. Y'all thinkers wasn't outside. You know, one of the things

for me, I never hustling. No way. Never hustling. Never? You just knew all the hustlers. I'm going to keep it all the way on hundred. I might have robbed. Oh, you was the stick up, man

Oh yeah Stick, you know, you can't do both That's why you're still here I was never on the block Because that block life I looked at the block life All my niggas was on that block Every day

I never seen them up up Never Not the block niggas Yeah, the niggas who was moved The niggas was getting it for them Yeah I seen them up Yeah

So I never wanted to It was like that's the road You had to travel To get to that next stage It was super vile It was super violent, like senseless violence. I'm talking about for Hollis. I grew up in Hollis, Queens.

You know, I'm from Brownsville. People always say that. We're from Brownsville. What part? Livonia. You know what I'm from mother? I'm from Rockaway at Dumont, man. Boy, they're raised, man.

So I'm just saying we was, my family's all in Brownsville. No way. My mother's mother and father bought us this house because they didn't want eight kids in Brownsville in a three bedroom apartment. And they got the house and Hollisville. a three bedroom house but we use every inch of the house but we hear hollis queens different lifestyle but again i always claim house because that's where i made my my life that's right

so that's where i did my work and i always go if i go back i always had guns so i was the kid in the neighborhood with the juice right that's the movies the gun the juice was the gun that's right you had the juice at two pop movies the juice is because he had the gun it was because thing it wasn't Like today, thing, it'd be five niggas. It's 30 guns in the car. That's right. Back in the day, it's five niggas. Who got it?

Who has it? That's right. One gun. So, you know, me, I had it, and everyone from my house would come get me to do shit. I was, again, I always say, you know, I was stupid. You know, God protect children and fools. Yeah. And I never thought of consequences and things of my actions.

I just, and it was never me. It was like, you come and get me. Yo, they just shot Lay-Lay, let's go get them. Come on. Oh, shit. It was like, let's go. You had that hard. Not only did I had that, but I had money because, again, I used to do, I was getting money my way.

They couldn't understand how I had money and they didn't have the money. I would take the niggas on a block shop and like, come on, nigga, let's get you fresh. Look at you. Your niggis is out here all day. I was like, you could get a job at McDonald's and do better. I would kill them because you would respect the money more. That's right. I would kill all the black niggies, man,

because I was fucking with the niggas that was behind them. And then they would tell me either come with them to go pick some shit up and then hit me off with some bread or they would line some shit up. You know what I'm saying? And I never had that gene called fear. So it was just, and once they said it, it wasn't me like, oh, man, I'm going to, I was like, cool, let's go. It's like it was never that.

And for me, I was, like you said, I was Irv's big brother. I never would tell Irv anything. because if I did it, Irv did it. And I didn't want him to do the things that I'm doing. No, that's what's up, man. Shit, my brother, he didn't give a fuck. Yeah. You're like, hey, nigga, I'm selling drugs.

Come on with me. Crack heads is right here. Bust that down. Here's what you got to do. You know what I tell you is? And I don't know what to say, but niggins because, like, I don't even smoke or nothing. And I was around it my whole life, you know, but I didn't have, I lost two uncles, though, to that blue magic on some real shit.

Oh, wow. Yeah. Man, that's crazy. My father, on my mother's side and my father's side. They grew up in Harlem and they got some bad dope. Yeah, man. That era back then was bad, man. You definitely had uncles that caught no aunts, all that.

That era was different, man. Yes, it was. But, like, I just heard you say, always kept the cool, always was level-headed. And I could definitely say, bro, at the height of murdering, from the beginning to the height, when Godi and Jai was running around, like these niggas was the Terminator. Yes. Chris will be the only one. Shout out rule.

Nigger be like your bleak. They're tripping right now. Don't even worry about that shit. Just come back in the morning. God he's going to have a beach for you. Don't even listen. We don't got time for that shit. We rock stars, nigger.

Yeah, that's what they're telling you. They're going crazy. I just put my music. Yeah, like, why I'm getting cursed out, that I'm not accepting I'm a rock star. Let me tell you, though. When they say, it was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

You know, we have, listen, everyone looks at us like, like we had a real plan and we understood every. No, we didn't, we learned as we go. We learned on the fly. We're quick learners. You know, for me personally, if I watch anyone do something, I do it. That's just me. I could do it.

That's my blessing. Like, I look at that, I built the whole construction company and I learned every trade. I didn't go to school. I learned every part of this music business. That's right. I'm a lawyer. I'm not a doctor.

I'm a doctor. Like, I really learned this shit and I have it. No one could take it from me no matter what it is. And my mind is different. And I always was quiet. You always tell you, I was quiet. Because why? I'm a student.

I'm watching everyone's actions. And my job was to protect my brother. And to protect everyone around. That's how I always used to see you as too. When you quiet and you fall back and you let Irv and Jaddy out there doing anything, you see everyone who's who. That's right. You see that when they're not paying attention,

the way they're looking at niggas, they're looking at her like, fuck you, you know, you could say it. You're watching all that. So now I'm telling them afterwards, yo, this niggas no good, bro. That's right. I'm telling you.

I've seen the looks. You ain't paying attention to it. But that's not their job. That's right. They're in the middle of the storm. I got homies like that in the crew that don't talk. They come around, don't say a word. You won't even remember they was there.

When we first started, when you go back, when you talked that, I was, it was just me. I'll be outside I tell them going to club if they're coming out hit me if there's a problem so I know what's coming

I'm outside and hammered up waiting for them niggas come out that's right it wasn't until I got fat boy shout out fat boy

shout out Todd you know what I'm saying when I got fat boy inside with me that was my first help like these are my niggas from Queens

they came out but Irving them I keep it a buck they didn't want them to come out they were always in trouble I said that's what I need that's right

we need them niggins you need some trouble for nights like this. I'll keep them away from you. Yeah. You know, they love them niggas, but they didn't want the trouble to bring them down. Irving Roole both love these niggins. They just didn't want to get caught.

They didn't want it. They didn't want to rise. We're trying to come up. We don't want nothing to pull it back. Yo. So I had to keep them niggas with me and keep them away from Irvin'nick. Yo, Hove is different than that. Hove have niggas, I'll be, you know, we got the party.

I'll be like, you know, it's a party. Be like, first of all, I'm too young, so I got an ex permission. Can I go? Yeah. be like, all right, yeah, you can roll a little nigga, you go. I get to this party, start seeing all the killers from the projects in here, these niggas popping bottles drinking, hovers with that, funnish that, yo, that's what I tell niggas, the, the hove you see now?

Yeah, this is the, man, I want to write the book about it. It's called the, what do you call that? Damn, you're making me forget right now. It's like the change of domestication. It's the domestication of a gangster. That's going to be in my book. I'm right. I like that type.

But that's what he is. He's a domesticated gangster. You know, I tell everyone, I said, you know, when they talk Jay and they talk about him today and where he's at and he's the businessman, Shrew. Businessman. I said, he got that because he honed his skills from this time. And ground him from the beginning. He says it in his songs.

You just ain't paying attention. I always tell people today, these kids today, I feel like they treat life like a book Now, they'd be like, yo, go do the book report at the crib, and as a kid, you cheated. You're like, man, I'm going to read a little bit in the middle, and I'm going to read the end, and I'm going to write what happened. Skip the whole beginning. So that's why I say, these kids today don't look at the beginning chapters of niggas' life. They just want to see the end result.

Everything he said, and everything he said has been facts. You know, I get that question all the time, and, you know, I'm not saying it because you hear. I say it all the time. He's the best. I'm Stefan Curry. And this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of, you know,

developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit gentlemen's cut bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit gentlemen's cut bourbon.com. Please enjoy responsibly. Hey, y'all, it's me, your man, M.G. Marcus Grant.

And I'm Michael F. Florio. And I'm Laquan Jones. If you're looking to win your fantasy football league, you need to tune in to the NFL fantasy football podcast. It's right there in the name. Every week, Florio, LQ, and I bring you the latest news from around the league. We break down every matchup, give you our analysis and advice so you know who to start, sit, drop, and trade to bring that championship trophy home. I just want to remind everyone how good Rishie Rice was last season. And there's three healthy games.

He was the wide receiver two in fantasy. I think Rishi Reich just goes off this week. The Chiefs come on a flip pass to Rice. This side, touchdown! Remandry Stevens is my sleeper this week. This is a match-out where I think I can slide in Stevenson into my flex position, and he could deliver double-digit points this week. Drake takes the snap, hands it off.

Remodry running it right and running into the end zone. Touchdown! It's never too late to turn your fantasy season around. Subscribe to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal, not just for myself, but alongside others. I'm Mike De La Rocha.

This is Sacred Lessons, a space for reflection, growth, and collective healing. What do you tell men that are hurting right now? Everything's going to be okay on the other side, you know, just push through it. And, you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath. Wow. Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people just breathe.

Next to the wound is their gifts. You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound. That's the hard thing. You think, well, I'm going to get my guess. I don't want to go through all that. You've got to go through the wounds you're laughing. Listening to other people's near-death experiences, and that's all they say. In conclusion, love is the answer.

Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the Maikultura Podcast Network, available on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zier is in jail. The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired. I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely. The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense. I will continue getting stuff from Target. And I will continue to not pay for it.

And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment. So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years who's both intelligent and articulate. You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things happening online in media and in politics with the Brad versus Everyone podcast. Hosted by me, Brad Palumbo. Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride who the most delulu takes on the internet, criticizing the extremes of both sides from an.

independent perspective. Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad versus everyone podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Like if we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here, and I'm looking at you know, as soon as I sign this, I'm going to get

a seven-figure check. I've told them I won't be working here in two weeks. From the underground clubs that shaped global music to the pastors and creators who built the cultural empire. The Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world. The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man. Each episode

explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise, featuring conversations with ludicrous, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more. The full series is available to listen to now. I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city as far as like, you know, seeing so many young, black, affluent, creatives in all walks of life. The church had dwindled almost to nothing and God said this is your assignment. And that's like how you know like okay oh you're from Atlanta for real I ain't got to say too much. I'm a great baby

shut up. Listen to Atlanta is on the I Heart Radio Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast. No I say it all the time too. People try to argue me down and again there's other great great other it's just like when you talk basketball Jordan

and I'm like there's no one better than Jordan yet we didn't see it. I said but there's other great players you're a fool to say LeBron is not great. Like one of one as well. Yes, he's one too. Like, you know what it is? Kobe has to take a back seat.

That's right. And he understood it. And Kobe is a, God bless Kobe family. God bless him. Kobe was a monster, man. Like, listen, I'm a New Yorker. I didn't like the Lakers. He used to kill every team.

I brought him to Rucker. I didn't appreciate him. I brought him to Ruck. You can never doubt that man. That's what made. me respect. When I seen Kobe in Harlem, that's right. Oh, shit. And I'm telling you, he was, and he did, he gave you streetball. Yeah, but I was a basketball fan. So I was hating from a basketball fan. Hold on. And he did it after he had five rings. Yeah, this ain't like rookie.

Right. This is five rings. No, this is five rings, co. Man. That's amazing. Shout out Kobe. God bless, man. God bless him. One of the greatest players I ever witnessed playing, got to shake his hand. Yeah. And watched them busts all my favorite. player's ass. She was heartbreaking, but I gotta admit it. One of my regrets in life is I didn't, you know, I never took pictures. I never took. All the times we used to get, I never took it. It wasn't, yeah, we wasn't, we didn't grow up with that. I know, yo, take a picture. As much as I was around him and with him and in LA, you know, when he scored, when he was dropped, in the garden, no, in New Garden. He broke, what, 63? 60, 64, 65. Go watch it. There's a video.

You're going to see the first person he run towards me. He didn't. talk to me the whole fucking game. I'm right there on the floor. I'm sitting next to James Dolan. And I'm calling him at halftime and everything. In the beginning, he wouldn't even look at me. As soon as it's over, he read,

I did it. He was that focus. Yo, he used to bust ass in the guard. Every time he came, he dropped 50 or some crazy. But I'm just saying, you know, I never took pitches with that man. It's like, I got pitches that I took for him and others, and nothing with me. And I'm like, because I wasn't thinking

he wasn't going to be here like that. We never think of it. I know, but that's something for people to understand out there to understand to make sure they get people they love and respect. I feel like they need to appreciate life because it's short, man. You don't know. It's a blessing. You really don't know. I just lost my brother, 54.

How do you figure that out? You know what I'm saying? And that was way unexpected, bro. Like, Sun just did the biggest deal of his career. We got so many things we was plotting on and planning on. Yeah. It's like, I curse him out now. Like when I wake up, I'm like, you look.

left me here for this shit for myself. What the fuck, nigga? You know what I'm saying? Like, how you leave this shit like that, man? And that, and... Because I really believe it could have been... It could have been different, but, you know... No, definitely, man.

All this shit, man, like, we are our own demise. You feel me? I believe that. Like, what we do to our bodies, if we don't take care of ourselves, we don't go get the proper. It's like... It's like a car, I feel like, right?

If you just drive around, drive around never take your car to get you wait for it to break that shit going to conk out it's going to break down and it's over might be on the highway somewhere so middle of the desert if you if you could take your car to get service you got to be able to take the body to get service too you know what i'm saying the mind too like like everything hills itself i try and eat healthier like i was fast a lot and you know um fast and the health factors that it comes with with the body yes we got to watch as you get older you know your body They don't break down that food.

No, it don't. That we used to eat in late night studios. And you don't heal as quick. You don't heal these, too. Come on. So it's like that, that's the one thing that I say, like, I always tell people, getting old sucks, but not getting no sucks to it. Yeah. So.

Yeah, when they say, oh, you old, that's the goal. That's right. That's right. That's what we have for. That's what we want to do. That's right, man. You don't want to know what the other side of that is. And I feel like these kids just got to take.

appreciate life, man, because it's not, it's not forever. We're only here for a short period of time. We got to live it to the best. I'm going to shout someone out that's doing something because when you talk that young, the young people, there's a young artist right now, NBA young boy. Oh, my God.

And congratulations for doing all the things you're doing on touring. They never thought that type of rap would go out and peacefully do tours. Keep pushing the envelope, man. Because, again, I'm a fan. you know I'm a fan of Dirk I know y'all have they have their little but I'm a fan of the musical vote for them

that's right and at the end of the day I'm a fan of hip hop I like to see these kids pushing it forward and it's their turn yes man it's their turn to sit back and watch them change the game

as OG you OG too is to help them is to tell you what to look out for what to do like this is why it's like that and hopefully they heat our word that's it's all we could do is give out a little bit of game it's a lot of ignorance in the game, though.

You got a few people out here who want to push the violent narrative and all the other shit about these artists. I don't see no one doing shit. But it's like, niggas just talking. Who'd you smack, nigga? Exactly.

You know they ain't doing none of that. Who'd you touch? Show me something. Someone said, yeah, he fucked me up. Yo, it's not. I don't hear it. I don't see it. Yeah, that didn't happen to hip hop no more.

And we don't need it. We don't need no violence. We need those kids to get money. What Jay said that? He said, you couldn't talk if you wasn't, you know, if it wasn't true, you know, if it wasn't true, you can't say it. That's right. That's right. If it wasn't true, you can't say it. That's it. Everything you need to know about this shit is in the words, dude. Couldn't say it. That's, that's where I'm from. It's in his words, bro. He gave you the game. Just listen. A hundred percent. But then, yo, y'all gave us J-Roo. Y'all gave us a shanty. Huh? Then y'all rebirth J-Lo. Like, bro, y'all, y'all pushed their. envelope too. Y'all are...

Rebirth... Rebirth Fat Joe? Fat Joe. Y'all gave him one too. Word. He'll admit it. He says it all the time. But I feel like a lot of things... He changed his whole trajectory. Shut out Joe and Jeter, man. What they doing is amazing over here, too. Y'all changed the trajectory, I feel like, of music.

And Murder, Inc. don't get the credit of that. Because before y'all, it wasn't like... Yeah, Puff did the, you know, the R&B and rap together. But it wasn't done as one. Like it was total featuring big or featuring Mays, featuring 112. You know, they never gave John the respect or credit. For pioneering a game that every, first of all,

I don't even think artists get deals now if you don't rap and sing. Think about that. You got to have some of that melodic flow in your shit. Straight up. And I remember when he first was doing it, y'all pioneered like coming out with that. And niggas used to be looking like, yo.

something though because i'm gonna give you the irv goddy i'm gonna speak like ervi's in me like that pause he's with me that part what you just said you don't hear it no more is the opportunity for the exact polar opposite because that means they want that there's a whole group of people that says we heard all of that already you got to be creative and fresh you know that was the DMX like puffy was killing it killing it yeah but we can't outshine Puffy. He's a shiny nigger. That's right. Shout out Puff, hold your head, boy. But you

can't outshine him. No. Her was like I got X. We're going to outshine him. He can't do that. That's right. And that's the polar opposite effect. So you've got to realize that is still true to this day in business and everything. When you see something saturated

with one way, the flip the polar opposite is a huge open potential if you know how of finesse it. Yes. And then y'all did it with Ashanti, bro. Like, think about it.

You didn't really hear that many. And it was remixes to R&B records where DJs would throw the rap. You know, or that. Okay, so that's Erv, DJ Irv. See, if you go back to DJ Irv, you go back to DJ Irv. There used to be lines around the block. No bullshit waiting for his mixtape. Damn, that's crazy.

No bullshit. Every drug dealer, all in Queens, everyone was coming to get DJ Irv, Volume 1, D.J. Urv, Volume 2. And I told him, never sell it. You know, he said, that nigga was greedy as a motherfucker, man. I said, never sell those tapes. Let's keep the mask. Yeah.

I might have one tape left out of like a hundred and something. DJ Earth volume 120 or something. Damn, that's crazy. Anybody got some DJ Earth tapes, man. Bring them to the table. I want to air them, please. But he was, what he did in those tapes, he was blending. again, hip-hop beats

with R&B acapellas. That's what I said. That's the only way you heard them on the Ron G tapes. You know what I mean? All of them type of tapes. And he bought it to real music. And he was a battle DJ,

so I would take him battling. That's how we actually, God bless Carl Kopp. That's how we met up, Claude. Shout out, Clark Kent. We met Clark at the Union Square. Irv went up there to battle. Brooklyn's in the house in full of effect. I thought we was going to go crazy in there.

We got into a little bit of, this stuff for nothing crazy but you know this is real I still got the flies because we had our Queens rapper Romeo and golf of noise Rizel I remember Rizel

he was part of Irves Cruz Romeo Rizel and Irv and we went in battle and they all won and we it's just a few of Queens and then Brooklyn it was a Brooklyn house New York Square come on you know what it is that's right yo shit y'all

but DJ Clark Ken is why I will tell you why we probably didn't get into more he respect He respected Irv that day because Irv beat him. No way. Yeah, this is a fact. This is a fact.

And he respected him and basically kept the wolves quiet. You know, we're ready, but we outnumbered. Yeah, you was in the difference? We outdone, yeah. Man, like fucking Aconnelli came through with y'all too. Yeah, well Akemele through. Like, look at Akenelli at one of the biggest records, man. Now got the biggest strip club.

That's fucking insane. Polar opposite. I know, Polopsy. You know what it takes. Yes. It's creativity, though. That's what you've got to understand. I learned so much shit from just being a fly on the wall watching, listening,

some of the conversations that I heard, you know. I was right there. I was sitting in the background right behind Irv. He's doing his talking, but the people he's talking to from Lear, even with Jay. Jay used to be waiting in my office to talk to the name. You know what I'm saying? Mm-hmm. Just like different moves he's going to make from a musical standpoint.

So the respect you know is always there. They respected Irves is. and his vision. That's right. And boom, got it. Gone. You know what I'm saying? Fucking leading to that, man.

You being the observer and listening and watching, that leads to you doing the movies, man. Tell me about that. You said you got a movie out now called Ballin, right? Yes, Lance Stevenson's my lead. Oh, Lance the homie, too. Hey, he got verses. Hey, he got bars, too.

I did the whole soundtrack for the movie with Lance. No way. Shout out Ricky. Oh, yo. Yo, listen. She, y'all got a joint That joint I think Erv produced

The first joint Yeah That's on one of my playlists Bro Come on man Listen You heard that Ricky I'm telling you

We gotta get up there And that's a fact Like we I remember I just We got to talk After this Yo I just was away With Jai for his birthday

And I'm playing He's like Yo play one of your playlist I've been rocking And the shit came on He's like Let me find I'm like

You know I fucks with the fan Man if it's dope No Ricky's a talent A complete talent But you know That's a whole other conversation She does her crocheting

She just got like stuff to bad bunny Like that's dope man God bless shout out Ricky man Shout out Shabuzi Yeah he got to reposted everything Again She's super talented I gotta get you laced

I get you some shit Yeah man yeah for sure Let's do it But you know we go In that zone man And everything just flow From the movie My partner Rich Black

And Andy and Trada shout both for them Rich wrote the movie He was asking me to do it for years Over a year and a half Almost two years He's like yo I got this movie And I was like yeah I'm not ready yet

You know I'm hit to you And then one day I just reached out I was like yo what's up Let me see this movie let's go Yeah yeah I think I got everything set up Damn that's dope man And he was like let's shoot it

So we went out Shouted in Miami 17 days Shotted it would have been even faster Shout out ever My director first time You know ever 17 days

Damn that's quick Yeah It could be, I'm telling you, the only way to do these types of films is fast. You've got to turn them over. And right now, I'm dealing with distribution. I'm working on distribution because without the proper distribution channels, it's very hard to get your money. See, Tubey, I know people that made millions off of Tube.

Yes. That was early, Tooby. Once Fox acquired it, the game changed. It's still the best place for black content. That's right. For any up and coming. They got over $110 million on that, this fucking channel, that watch black film. but the reality is they're not giving the deals out

to compensate and their CPM is super low but if you got the product that's worth it because you can't just give it's too many we was number one for five weeks I feel like in all perspectives of entertainment is oversaturated so how do you weed out who's real against you speak in my language

who's faking it because you can't just give everybody the money and hope what lands land and it's that so that's why these companies i tell everyone when you talk of music it's called the music business yes music is half business is half you got to make it marry each other and that's when you have success that's what i feel like because even in this space right like people look at it like yo you get the deal norie in them you did the deal i heart you got the youtube yo y'all cashing out and it's like yo bro no you got to put in the work the numbers have to speak you need you need a track record yes to go sell so people can buy into they're not just gonna

buy into because you you opened up the stores like yo what if you fall off next week we probably in a lot of similar type of conversation yeah because they think because of your history yeah yeah you're good no it's like yo it's still a process we still working and got to earn it yes you're like every day you just say this is what your third podcast today You know what I'm saying? You're working. Bro. At the end of the day, the work, you cannot short the work.

No, man. And the process is you can't cheat the process. I said, if you want money overnight, the only thing I know is Lotto, nigger. That's right. Good luck. I don't know how to hit Lotto numbers. Good luck. Word up.

Neither do I, man. So I'm going to go put it in my work. And consistency is part of what you have to be because of the saturation. That's right. So I tell all my independent artists, you know, I have a, I got tens of thousands. an independent artist on my platform adventure music. Shout out of adventure music.

We're going to talk about it. Shout out of adventures. I'm building some new shit for it. I really don't want to expose it, but I'm just letting you know it's coming. But the consistency, I look at music. Let's use them. And you could use this.

Podcasts. Podcast is like one of the most emerging, booming business industries once it started. Yep. And everybody jumped in it. And everyone's doing it. And everyone's trying to get their podcast. and they're streaming numbers and everything, all good.

We accept all competition, all the smoke. That's right. All, all the smoke. You heard me stacks? Shout out the fan. Yeah, shout out the fan. Yeah, but consistency is the differentiating factor, in my opinion, because if you don't feed them, let's use,

I like to always, like, dumb everything down so anyone understand. That's right. Simplified. Let's use this podcast show as food. You're feeding people with information. That's right. From me and yourself and whoever your guests are

and that's why they're going to tune in. It's entertaining. Yes. Food. If you don't feed them, they're going to go eat somewhere else. That's right. It's that simple. They're going to find the next best item on the menu.

And I said the only ones that get a chance to basically fast you, right, make you fast for that content. is the ones that's already at the top. Yep. Not the new up-and-coming guy. You got to put in that work. Look at the guy that was at the top

and look at their track record and you're going to see how much work they put in to get there. That's right. And don't discount that. Understand that there's no cheat code. There's no, you can't cheat the game. You can only play the game,

can never cheat the game. You can only play the game. I'm going to put it in the work. I never had a problem with rolling my sleeves up and getting the work. That's a fact, bro. So it don't matter what. And me, I'm the type of,

person I never had a problem with even if the W ain't looking promising for me but it's looking promising for you, we're going to push you to get you to W because when you win, going to make it easier for me to win because now why I can piggyback

off you. Instead of us fighting we all we got. We all we got me. We all we got, baby. That's my shit like that. Word up. That's a fact. You know, we mentioned I just shot a movie. We talking to movies you back i'm gonna just go back to that for a second because we just shot a spanish fly movie i'm not latino my mother's black my father was trinidad and filipino that's my lineage

that's right at the end of the day i got a partner don denaro and oscar you know what i'm saying both guilletans and they're very influential in the latino community don was a big artist at one point independent artist first he was the first rapper and really in spanish music back then Desiree calls him Desk calls him was calling him the Latin JZ. Go ahead

Goose, just check it out. You ask, I'm telling you no bullshit. And Juan knows him everyone, but that was back then. Then he evolved and everything but they're my Latin division is called it because the growth of the Latin communities we can't insane. No, it's insane. Go get

a globe and look at all the Latin American countries and then you start understanding why the growth is like that. And then you put into the fact that they're not being serviced. So I was, when I started adventures, I started a Latin division

10 years ago. This is way before any of this started. I was in front of this movement. So, and I have it now in film. So we did a movie called Spanish Flyers called, it's all Latino, like, actors, comedians, big names. Oh, wow.

That's dope, man. Right. And they all did it for nothing. See, that's what, because they know they all they got. That's where the whole reason I'm talking about that is because I watched the Latin community come in, all the best directing

people that's the production people telling De Niro, whatever you want, I'm here. That's right. We want to make it the best. That's right. I want to be part of this. Because if it worked, it works for everybody. But it wasn't about money. It was about they just wanted to help and be part of it. And that's what we have to get as a

community as people. That's right. Because if he went we all win, bro. It's the village. It's like, come on, man, we all win. That's it. But, you know, that's another dope movie we just finished, and we shot that, eight days. Eight days.

Damn, man, I got to come this, I got to pop out on one of these videos. Yeah, you got to shoot, man, please. We got me, you're going to get you, I got Lance acting. Come on, me get my skills sharp in, man. It's no problem where I show you how to do it. Like, I really have a system that I develop for, like, influencers.

You're in influencers. Yeah. I'm not just taking John Do's and have nothing because today I got to get an audience to watch my film. That's a fact. If you're in the film, you'll be here, yo, make sure you watch my film. That's right.

What's needed if we're doing it independent. Even if you just text me and tell me the film is out, yo, listen, make sure y'all go check out balling where they can find it at. Yeah, Tooby, right now. Right on a ton of other places. Amazon, it's going to be all over the place. That's right.

And Spanish Fly coming soon. You see, and I'm not even in the movie, but this is my motherfucking brain. So I'm going to promote. So if the movie I'm in, I'm going to tell you out right now, you might get a flyer on the windshield of your car. So if you see this fly on the windshield of your car, bleaking the movie, baby.

No, but I'm telling you, that's why I picked the cast of how I did it. You got to have, you can't get, I looked at movies in a different perspective again, and I looked at like, I love, let's say, Morris Chessna and Tate Diggs. These are incredible actors. Hell yeah, bro, you're kidding me? I can never. Oh, right. Here's the question.

How many people, if I had them in a movie, how much do I have to pay them? Mm-hmm. And then how many people they get to go watch it? See, that all comes with a tag when they establish like they are. I'm not knocking them. It's just the business they're in.

Yeah. They almost priced itself out. Yes. You understand? They're really great actors. Both of them, I fuck with both of them hard, you know, pause. But at the end of the day, they're both great actors,

but they'll want more money. then I could afford at this level. And then they're not going to work as hard because then they're going to want even more money for the marketing side. But if I go get these influences that want a chance to be actors or these actors that have a following,

they're going to push the movie for me. They're going to help market the movie and they're going to get people that's curious. Another part of, you know, this me and hers, like we had a lot of different philosophies and one of it was curiosity killed the cat. So a new artist was Slayer old artist. Right?

If I brought a new artist in the game, you're curious to see or hear his story. So that gave us some upside on that. So that's how I look at the same thing, that curiosity. I want that curiosity of damn, Lance is in the movie? He could act. Wait a minute, he got a whole soundtrack. He can rap?

He's really the Black Drake. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product with every sip you get a little something different. Visit gentlemen's cut bourbon.com or your nearest total wines or Bevmo.

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If you're looking to win your fantasy football league, you need to tune in to the NFL fantasy football podcast. It's right there in the name. Every week, Florio, LQ, and I bring you the latest news from around the league. We break down every matchup, give you our analysis and advice so you know who to start, sit, drop, and trade to bring that championship trophy home. I just want to remind everyone how good Rishie Rice was last season. And these three healthy games, he was the wide receiver 2 in fantasy.

I think Rishie Rite just goes off this week. The Chiefs come on a flip pass to Rice. This side. Touchdown! Ramondri Stevens is my sleeper this week. This is a matchout where I think I can slide in Stevenson into my flex position and he could deliver double-digit points this week. Drake takes the snap, hands it off.

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What do you tell men that are hurting right now? Everything's going to be okay on the other side, you know, just push through it. And, you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath. Wow. Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people just breathe. Next to the wound is there gifts. You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound. That's the hard thing.

You think, well, I'm going to get my guess. I don't want to go through all that. You got to go through the wounds you're laughing. Listening to other people's near-death experiences, and that's all they say. In conclusion, love is the answer. Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the My Coutura Podcast Network, available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Dr. Priyank-Walli.

And I'm Hurricane DeBolu. On our new podcast Health Stuff, we domesticify your burning. health questions. You'll hear us being completely honest about her own health. I'm talking about very serious stuff right now, and you're laughing at me. And you'll hear candid advice and personal stories from experts who want to make health care more human. Sometimes you're there to listen, to understand, to empathize, maybe to give them an understanding or a name for what's going on. That helps people a lot, understanding that it's not just in their head. We are breaking down the science, talking with experts, and sharing practical health.

health tips you can actually use in your day-to-day life. From when to utilize and avoid artificial light to how to sleep better. Everything you need to know about fiber and how to poop better. How to minimize the effects of jet lag and how to stay hopeful in times of distress. We human beings, all we want is connection. We just want to connect with each other. We want to make health less confusing and maybe even a little fun. Find health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Like, if we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here, and I'm looking at, you know, as soon as I sign this, I'm going to get a seven-figure check. I've told them I won't be working here in two weeks. From the underground clubs that shaped global music to the pastors and creatives who built the cultural empire. The Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world. The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man. Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise, featuring conversations with ludicrous. Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryan, DJ Drama, and more. The full series is available to listen to now.

I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city as far as like, you know, seeing so many young, black, affluent, creatives in all walks of life. The church had dwindled almost to nothing. And God said, this is your assignment. And that's like how you know, like, okay, oh, you're from Atlanta for real. I ain't got to say too much. I'm a Grady, baby. Shut up.

Listen to Atlanta is on the I Heart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Yo. He's spitting. I don't know if he drank, though. Listen, I ain't heard enough music. I promise you. I can't stamp that.

I'm not unstamping it. I just can't stamp it right now. I'm going to tell you why I say what I'm saying. He could make R&B hooks. That's why I said the Black Drake. He's come in the studio. Why he just sang Jaru? Come on.

He Jaru. Man, all these niggas is Jai. You're facts. Straight up, man. Facts. You can sing in rap, man. You just. because it was a time I was jealous of this nigga.

You heard of me in the studio. Think about it. When Gotti produced my joint, um, infatuated. Yeah. I'm sitting there. He's like, yo, bleak, we need a hook. I'm like, all right. Call you me.

Call John. Nick, the fuck. I don't sing. Hook master. Yeah. Jock came through, wrote the infatuated hook in five seconds. Yeah. We got to shout out the homie boxy, B.J.

Yeah, it was BJ artist at the time. Sung the hook and we got it done. But that's what I'm saying, man. All that, he was the first I saw do it, man. Yeah. Straight up. Listen, you could say bone thugs was part of it, but they different. Yeah, they were more harmony.

They were more harmonizing and synch like guys like that. He really took it to a different place. Yeah, man, as a solo act doing both, bro. I used to tell that nigga who fuck you think you is, Usher and Jay together. Come on, man, you're cheating, dog. You can't do that. Then you got muscles. Yeah.

Come on. Yeah, yeah, we used to make jokes He threw 10 pushups The next thing Everything's popping out Like that the hell If Drake was diesel Like Jod taking his shirt off

It'd be unfair It'd be unfair But really, Lance could do that though He had that ability I heard one song The joint with him and Jim Jones That he dropped his dope Ballin soundtrack

Go get it I promise you're gonna be able to hit the play And listen to every joint Like it Definitely Because when I did this thing I was only thinking I'm gonna make a record or two

Just to put it in the movie Not a whole soundtrack. So we go on the studio. I go to Circle House in Miami. Oh, shit. That's my house, man. That's my spot. Lance never been in a big studio.

He's like, man, I'm always making my rap's in the kitchen or something. So he never, then I bring in my producer. Shout out Neri. Neri boy of Beast. Yeah. Lives out in Miami. Comes in. He's chef, whatever you want up.

Yep, yeah. Any idea you give him. Circle House down there ruined my life, but go ahead. So he gets all of this and he's seeing all of this shit. I bring in Y.D. Mm-hmm. Another dope nigger out there. You know what I'm saying?

And we just started making records. Man, that's dope, man. But he kept... I'm going to keep it a buck. He's the one reason because he kept pushing me. Come on. Let's do more records. I just kept paying and getting more studio, more studio.

Because this is when ever went to go do something with Marri J. Blige, my director, so I had a little downtown. So we're going right there. Boom, boom, boom. Less than a week, we had like 18 joints. Damn, that's dope. No, he was working. Wow, that's dope.

He was working. And my niece, again, my niece, she's there pinning with him. they vibing together. They got hit records on that soundtrack. I believe it. I'm going to go check it out. You say he's the black, Drake. Drake is black, though, but he is the black girl, Drake.

That's what I mean. That's what I mean. He's the darker griszy. Shut out of drizzie, too, man. You know what I'm saying? Your word up, right? It's smoky out here. It's crazy.

It's smoky for niggins out here right now. It's crazy. It's crazy. But you would be able to see, listen. You were the perfect segue. For the things that he's dealing with. You know what I mean? The public, the media.

What advice would you give him? Because y'all been through it, bro. You know, he got Jay Prince behind him too. Shout out the Prince, fam. His birthday just passed. I missed you, bro. I can catch you out. I'm going to go to his island.

You know, he owns a couple islands. No way. I ain't know that. In Belize. He owns two islands in Belize. I ain't dope, man. That's fine. That's fine.

That ain't dope. That's fire. Super fire. Bying that hood niggas by islands. That's dope. I'm going to go out there and fuck with him. I just told him, I said, I asked him one question. I said, what's the law of these islands?

Is it Prince law? He said, yeah. I said, okay, I know how to come now. That's right. You know how to get over there. Bring it my strap. Yeah, yeah, facts. But, you know, all of these things, but you're going to hear his range.

Mm-hmm. You know, when you're an artist, probably most artists is insecure when it's time to release music because they stay safe they stay in their box and the one thing I kept telling them is don't be afraid

if you hear it do it we're in the studio you don't like it we don't play it for nobody that's the place you're supposed to try everything that's where you have free space that's when you might find

something that changed the game that you ain't even know you had that you didn't even know you had that's a fact yo one one thing I always say man God he gave me the best That's advice, man, when it comes to making records. I think to this day I apply it, and this is why I make records.

I could go in the studio and knock out two, three records. Because Godi used to always say, why you spending so much time on the verse? You ain't going to say nothing that Biggie, Nage, Jay, Tupac, they ain't say already. You just going to try to find a new way to spend it. Nigger, they only going to remember the hook. That's right. So long as the hook is hot, just stay on top and get it done. On to the next record.

We ain't got all the studio. He's done the verses damn near it's written. They write their self. It's crazy. You know, it's crazy once you have the chorus. The verses there and they write their self, bro. Like, it's like you don't even think. My favorite, one of my favorite Irv Gotti producing.

One of them is, like, as a producer, is when we did holla, holla. And we, again, Jay, we gave Jay to, Can I Get it? So we didn't have to, for the movie, the soundtrack and everything. So we didn't have a first single for the job. I found a beat. One of my producers. Irv, yo, I got it. So he's like, come to the studio.

We had Electric Lady. They had an electric lady. I go in there and he gives Jada, puts the beat up. He's like, this is it. This is hard. Yo, he goes, Irv is like, that's, like, because he didn't hear it. I just told him, I got it. Yo, that's hard.

Yo, come on. Jai, he said, on this record, don't start with the verses. The hook first. Write the hook. And Jaya was like, okay, went and wrote a hook. It wasn't it. Erv was like, that's not it. Now, again, these artists today got to be produced.

That's right. And accept the criticism or the opinion of that producer to help them make the best record possible. That's right. He came out with another hook. That's not it. And I give Jock all the credit because he was no ego. That's right.

It ain't it? All right, let me go. He came out and he's like, I got it. I'm going to double up this. He didn't have it, but he understood the concept. He wrote, her was like, go write it. He wrote it. Versus done like this, as soon as it's done.

It was like the record was made already. Yo. And that's three verses, 16 bars each verse. Like, that's back then when you had to do three verses. That's then. Now you get in the way with two. Yeah. Now, niggas is writing one verse, a minute, 18 seconds is the song.

I started cheating with two. There's a dude. There's one of my homies. I'm going to give him a plug right now. He's from Compton. You know what I'm saying? Terminator. What up? And, you know, I told him I want to make an album with him

because he has a voice and he tells a story that you're going to believe every word he says. It's a different feeling from everything, but he don't make records. He makes a verse and a hook, not even really a hook. He gives you a little something, and in that verse, out. And he's done because he's really a gangster

and he's only doing it for fun. You know, that's how the boss man Dilo songs is. You be like this, yo, shit hard. This shit, fire. And this shit go off. He's like, what happened? You know, what the fuck? Like, did, wait, I got, did I get the, I got to download the real version.

Yeah, so I can tell them. He's like, you know, let me play this shit 17 times in the road. Maybe that'll help change the game. You got to be out of the box. Everyone stays inside that. He said that. He said that. He said, yo, think about it.

When you listen to the radio, boss man Delo said, when you listen to the radio and they're on the mix show, the DJ only play about a good 30, 40 seconds of the record anyway. Anyway. So if it's hot, you're going to bring that shit back. That's it. Which is right. And when he said that, I was like, make sense. And then I said the way we do videos, I got a different concept.

I don't want to give everybody everything because Terry might do it. But, yeah, it's a different way to shoot the video for it. You know what I'm saying? Because he's talking some real shit. It's like almost, again, cinematic shit. Yeah. Come out on some cinematic shit, bro. It'll be just a different looking field.

When I look at all these videos, they're just trying to get it done because they lowered the budget. now and everyone's trying to do it for as cheap as possible. And that's why the game is suffering, in my opinion. Yeah, because everybody cutting budgets, but they don't got the money no more, man. The money ain't coming in like it was when we had it in that early 2000s, bro. That digital, I don't think these labels understand how to get that digital money yet, man. You know, they get more money from, like, sponsors and brands. Mm-hmm.

So it kind of offsets some of the mechanical sale that we had with the expenses way less. is way less. So, kind of, if you, I don't want to say it's not doing good. The labels are still around. No, no, the music. For a reason. These kids, because the to-or-in, the $3.60, the tour and the merch. Well, the taurin is always there, the merch and everything that's touring.

It's not off the record sales no more. No, no, it's not off the sale, but there's, again, I know the stream is, they're going to have to do something like I'm doing with the TV, the movies and TV is where the distribution has to be different. Mm-hmm. You know. Shout out Rock Nation Distro. They just launched some where.

Shout out Rock Nation. Free to everybody, 85, 15 split. They said they got a phenomenal, like, social media thing that you were telling me that, matter of time. I'm talking about, dang, you said. This is a new perfect segue. You can break it on down. Listen, I was early over there when it was equity,

with Christian, with OG-1. Shout out Christian, Brad, Carter, you know, I'm going to keep it a buck. And, OG, no, I was mad we didn't get it together because they wanted to do something. They know I had adventure music, I was like, let's figure something out. They was picking my brain on what's the problems. And me and O.G. had a meeting, and he said, it's really his sons.

And, you know, if he says, he says, you got to talk to him. I said, well, he could ask me whatever questions, and I'll answer it to prove that I'm not playing. That's right. So we had that meeting, and I answered every question and more. And Christian was like, yes, to everything. And I was looking at one, like, okay, let's figure this shit out, but we never figured it out. That's something that I don't, I get mad. mad at because the time in, if we white, we do it.

Yes, right. That's the part that I don't never understand this shit. It's like, if we white, we do it. I told Steve Stout that. You know, Irvin Stout was in the second grade together. Damn, I ain't know that. We play, I used to play football with him in the cage. Come to the parks and, you know, get his ball for him.

That's crazy, man. Now, niggas kicked his shit over the fence. Yeah, shit, you know, be crazy shit. But at the end of the day. You know, shit. He's in here, you don't be crazy shit. But, you know, at the end of that, I said, because he was the very first one to come to me for Adventures.

When I started Adventures, he's like, what are you doing over there? Before he starts his United Masters. United Masters. You know what I'm saying? We're all family. And I said, Steve, I'll shut this down and fuck with you. Because when I wrote my business plan, this is how real it is for Adventures,

what do I need to be successful after I wrote it? First thing I put. Steve style Because I know what I need I just don't want to give the game up I know how to change this game And get it right That's right

I just need someone to fuck with me Because I can't walk in the doors They don't fuck with me They do You just got it No the doors that I'm talking about Oh yeah They're scared

They're scared The history you never leave you They never get past it No it don't Once you say Because they want to know Your background You say from that

Right away See people don't know that Unless you live it I live in it. That's right. I understand my problem. So if I can't go to my family and friends. Once you stamped, you stamped.

You know, shout out Andy and try to, again, that's one of my partners, business partners. He accepted. That's right. We understood. I don't look at it as a badge of shame. I say, this is a badge of honor. That's right. Most of those white boys that have those executive jobs went through white collar crimes.

And guess what they did? No, they told me, and they still there. And they still move like it's all good. It's no big problem. America, man. If anybody looking at Crem, America is built on crime. Yeah. Our country is built on.

Of course. Come on. If you don't know that, you're in the wrong place. You live in space. But that's my, that's part of my plight that I got to walk to. Yeah, man. But we all do. You know, Irv went through, look, watch.

Irv went there and I'm going to give Jay a big shout-up because he, Earth started Tails. Remember Tows? Yeah. B-T. Shout out with tails. Okay, so here's a meeting. Me and Irv was plotting.

My sister Nikki working on that. Yeah. We have a whole meeting and all of this shit about tails, and we get a meeting with Stephen Hill, who ran BT at the time, and Jay's with him. So it was Irv and Jay. And Irv is pitching to get a pilot. Just the pilot.

Give me the money from BT to show you how powerful this TV show is, and it's dope. So he pitched to Steve, Steve turned to Jay. Like, I'll never forget this shit. And I give credit in flowers where he's doing. But if there's something foul, I say foul shit too. That's right. The truth is the truth.

And I'll never take it away. Never take it away. Because Jay, being who he is with my brother, it turns to Stephen Hill says, what would you do to Jay? Jay looked at him and they looked at Irv and looked at Steve again and said, I give him whatever he wants and get out of his way. That's right. And Erd didn't get a pilot deal.

He got an eight show season because Jay said that. And Earth can never act like if he was here, he could never act like that didn't happen. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Now, Hove do unbelievable blessings and stuff under the things and everything. He don't even want to be credited. He don't even want you to even tell the word.

He don't care. Like, he do what he do. I want it from a basketball league. He's a great, hearty, kind. He's the kindest person I ever know, man. Like, thing, gave me the biggest opportunity in my life. No, he's been nothing but great. This is the gift that keeps on giving.

That's why I always tell him, like, Jay. how can I pay you back, bro? Like, how? I don't put on my whole family. Now you pay someone like him back? Like, when? That's it. And that's what he said to me.

I bet on the right person. Yeah, that's what he's saying. Because he's betting on you. Yeah, all I want to do is see you when. I'm telling you, like, my last time I seen was an herb past. That's when I was with him. And, you know, he wrote me after the funeral and saying it was like amazing to watch me deal with everybody.

Mm-hmm. You know, I greeted everything. everybody, talk to everybody, and, you know, it was in the worst times for me right there. Hell, yeah. I couldn't even imagine, bro. You know, and, you know, him writing back and tell me, and he was like, if you need anything, let me know and everything. Again, it's just a blessing.

Yeah. A big homie like that on your, just to have somebody of that statue on your side, even behind you and understand. Because a lot of people forget, like I say, they look at billionaire hove, they don't understand. He's from Marcy fucking projects, man. They ate peanut butter and jelly, man. A nigga made fake pizza. Nigger with the crab cheese and the tomato sauce on the Wonderbread.

Stop playing, man. We regular hood niggas and they can never erase that, man. The heart that niggas have from what we came through to where we're at, it would never change, man. What you want to tell him? What's going on next? What's the next moves for my guy, Chris? Gody out here. Again, the movies is incredible, but again, the basketball league to go back to that.

like I said, I'm here raising my first season was incredible I got all on players and coaches and my streetball background and I have a real business there that when I get New York set I'm going to take it in multiple cities

not teams to everyone thinks I'm going to bring a team to Chicago no I'm going to bring the league it'll be the CPL of Chicago it'll be the CPL Miami Atlanta because what I'm servicing is all these players You think of the NBA.

There's only 32 teams. There's only two rounds every year. Think of Marsh Madness. How many players don't get to the league? That's a fact. And then out of those 64, how many some overseas? No, from overseas. Yeah.

And then they'd say, oh, you can go overseas and play. Okay. Overseas, it's two players that could be from America. The rest cannot. I had a conversation with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. I went to dinner with the... Shout out, T. Maggie. You know, that's fan, for real.

I went to dinner with them not too long ago. And they were saying, man, we miss the shooters in America. Once Curry leave like... Who we got? We don't have... All the shooters is from overseas, man. Everybody here, we just know how to dribble. And I was laying there.

I was like, damn, that's kind of crazy. I ain't ever look at it like that. You know, shooting like Curry has. Yeah. Think of how many shots he has to take to get that good. That's what I'm saying. Take that practice, man. You've got to work.

That's working when you're exhausted. got to go get it man you got to work for it it's not going to be just given to you if he wins another ring where do you put him oh he's up there he's number two he's number two he went another ring he number two and you look at the team he's got he's not he's not got no good team right i mean when you when you go back you got a draymart who only would work good with him you got let's go to clay when he was there clay was tough but he working but playing with playing with a great player like curry Don't never take out Andre Igadala, though. And what was my other man who had to stop Jay?

The old player. The homie, who had the Jay when they were winning? Is Agadala a star or is he a role player? Thank you. He was a role player in Philly. He was a star in Golden State. He was the MVP of the finals. I could argue that, but there's another part of it.

Again, he didn't average more points. But again, if you don't average more, but you got an impact. The impact is because of. Draymond don't score. But he impacted the game, though. my sister was just talking to me just now and she says the pace is she said she never like Halliburton

no you gotta like hold on why this is my sister she you know and she said I didn't like Halliburton so I never but man what are they one in 12 or something like that okay he's not playing yeah okay his impact now those role players when when it's see when sports is in and if you talk to players you could

ask them what I'm saying when it's when that star isn't on that court and now it's you, the game on the other side is geared to stop you. You, yeah, now they're running the defense on you. Okay, that's what just happened to all those role players? If they get to stop Iguadala, what is he going to do? It's only because he gets-

You know, he was jumping through the roof, dunking on niggins' heads in Philly. Are you kidding me? I understand he's athletic. We cannot erase who he was, man, no, y'all not going to do that. Listen to me, I'm not, I'm saying he's a role player. He never was a star. In Golden State, he was a star, man. Only because Curry takes all that attention.

I believe what. And then he's good enough. He's that good that if it's just him and that one player, he buzzing that nigger ass. See, that's the difference of a star. I use that. It's the difference of a star, bro. It's like you could go through the league. So Jimmy Butler, not a star?

Jimmy Butler is older now. But is he not a star? He was at one point. You wouldn't answer my question. At one point, I'd say yes. He's not now. He's not now. And I guarantee if you talk to him, he's going to take him.

He's going to tell you how much He loves playing with Steph Because it takes so much away from him With other plays It's no more dealing with twos and threes You know I told you I co-aging or co-managing

Monte Ellis Shout out Monte Ellis Man that was one of my dudes And he was mad Because David Lee Got a max contract White boy David Lee Yeah I remember

Shout out David Lee That was my man We used to play poker And all that shit together David Lee He's all right now I ain't worried about it I managed Phil Ivy

Best poker play in the world You know what I'm saying? But David Lee got an $80 million contract at the time And Monte Ellis said to me He said, how's a nigga get $80 million And never a double team for him? See, this is when you start analyzing players And understand the differences in who's really who

When you got a player that's taking all the attention And every team is geared to stop them, You fall through the cracks, bro. Yeah, so that means LeBron is number one. What are you talking about? Because LeBron, the whole league, the refs, the every team, the players, the fans, they've been geared towards him since he came out of high school. So he's number one, if he got through all line, did it?

Do you watch LeBron get double-teens? Ten-team? Ten-teens? Yeah, the whole Detroit. He dunked on the whole team. LeBron is power and speed. He don't shake nobody. He's just super athletic.

He ain't got to shake you. He's going to run through you. I understand that. And you're going to bow down. I would, and me personally, when I watched, when I watched LeBron, and again, I don't want to knock LeBron. Don't get me fucking. No, he's number one there.

By your analogy, he's number one. If you talk about the main focus or the he's been the main focus. What do you think Jordan was? Are you kidding me? Yeah, but them dudes was, come on, those plumbers, man. See? Because it wasn't athletic. They already put, I don't want to go back and forth with you with this.

Go look at the players that he played with. I'm not saying, no, but I'm saying that my eyes. He played with bums. Eyes that I saw Jordan play, Jordan is number one. I said, but by your analogy, the electricians and shit, makes LeBron number one. No, just because that analogy doesn't make him number one. So listen, so B.J. Armstrong wasn't, B.J. Armstrong and Jordan made him.

But he wasn't a star? Pippen became, he made him. Paxon's a role player. Paxon wasn't a star, though? Role players. What about Curs? What about CIR. What about Kerr?

Specialist, role player. He can't, he can't. had the illest role player team in history. This is what I'm trying to tell you. See, you just said, no, the team is designed. Yeah. You need a person for these places. They knew three people's on Jordan

someone's open. That's going to be reliable to knock it down. So they got specials. Hodges. Fuck then. What about Craig Hodges? Craig Hodges got busy. I'm telling you. Yeah. They had specialists. That's how you design a team. You know, listen. That's how you got a design team. I hear you.

There's no team. designed like that since Golden State. That's the only team since Chicago Bulls that was designed by the regular role players that dominated the game, bro. How did that happen? See, this is where you're missing this part. How did it happen? It's the same thing with Detroit Pistons.

How they wore one they ring? How did it happen? The team together, but these niggas was all stars. It's just nobody wanted to be the main star. I'm not talking about that, Detroit. I'm talking about Detroit with Ben Wallace, Chanty, Lups, Rip Hamilton, Tishaw Prim. That was my squad.

Okay. Motor City, that was my team. A bunch of niggas that you counted out. And we get together and show you we really number one. I'm here, too. So that's what I'm saying. You can't say Iqadala in them is not number one. If you get together and put the team together and all of y'all guys get busy or Chicago

goals level. What team was gearing up to stop Igwe dollar? That's what the problem is. A lot of teams. That's what, no one was getting up to stop Igadala in Golden State. Are you kidding me? No, are you kidding me? No, I'm not.

No, come on, man. We're going to get in touch with Andre. Jay, you're going to have to answer this one. They was gearing up to stop the whole Golden State. How is that possible? These niggins invented the move around giving them. They was looking like the globe troders when they first started. They were trying to guard the whole team.

I think they're the reason that NBA started switching. Stop. Stop. Who is the one out of all of them is running around? That's who they can. geared towards the whole plays is run because they had a iconic player listen to me they got an iconic playing step i'm not saying nothing step is the greatest shooter but i'm trying to explain to you so he's the iconic player you agree i'm gonna give you that okay so if that's the case their entire

offense is designed around him not igu dada you are you're a second and third option homie all right he'll tell you that but listen so listen right you can't beat the best and you're Second and third option. Let's break it down. I'm just trying to say who a star. He said iconic. Okay. Jay-Z is fucking iconic.

But we all stars on there, too. We role players, though. But we stars in the right. And nobody ain't going to tell me you just was the role player. I don't go to fuck if I was the fifth option. When he got to, when he got to going to state, he's the role player. You got, you got Steph and you had Clay. play.

Clay's a monster. Draymond is a star. So, Drey not a star? He a role player? If Draymond played for the Knicks, would Dreymond even play? You see, he only could do what he's doing. I feel like that. It's like, you know, again, it's like you get that perfect combination.

Steph and Dremont is the perfect combination. I fuck with Dre. Dremont, like he's a grinder, but he has to fit in a certain system or else he'll be irrelevant. So, nah, be chill. This conversation is going on. Because sports is crazy. No, this is what I love. This is the best ball in the CPL, nitty.

Yo, I love it. Y'all just want to tell you, don't lose my script in the mail like they just lose my invite. Word, send the script. We ready, baby. Yo, Gadi, I appreciate you pulling up, my brother. You know, I love you, man. Make sure y'all check out balling.

Yes. Make sure you check out Spanish fly dropping soon. Make sure you tap into the CPL. If any of y'all got some money and want to invest, Highland, Chris. Goddy, we outside, man. If you want to get involved with this basketball league, I promise you, this is a multi-billion dollar business.

I'm raising $3 million right now. Listen. Next raise is going to be $75 to $100. Stop being scared of niggas who beat the Alphabet boys and they tell. You should want to link with them. Absolutely. These other niggas out here, Bert and Ernie, nigger.

Watch you. Believe that. Believe that. For more podcasts from IHeart Radio, visit IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows at. You can follow me on any social media platform under the name Memphis Bleak. You see anybody fron, flag them.

I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cup Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit gentlemen's cuthuburn.com.

Please enjoy responsibly. Greatness doesn't just show up. It's built. One shot, one choice, one moment at a time. From NBA champion, Stefan Curry, comes shot ready, a powerful never-before-seen look at the mindset that changed the game. I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the worst.

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A decade ago, the Big Short was made into an Academy Award-winning movie. And now I'm bringing it to you for the first time as an audiobook narrated by yours truly. The Big Short's story, what it means to bet against the market, and who really pays for an unchecked financial system, is as relevant today as it's ever been.

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