Keep it Positive, Sweetie - BET MEDIA HOUSE: All Power, All Purpose

Episode Date: July 7, 2025

We’re back at the BET Media House, and Part 2 is filled with even more gems, laughter, and soul-stirring conversations. Day 2 of BET Media House was full of insightful conversations from start to finish with some of the biggest power houses in the industry.

Hey, sweeties, I'm so glad you enjoy BET Media House Part One, but there is more. We're about to drop Part Two. There are so many gems dropped and I hope you enjoy it. Kim's family, we are at the BET Media House for the 25th BET Awards, and I have with me right now the iconic, the beautiful Angie Martinez. Hey, sweet. What's up, mama? Nothing much. How are you feeling? I'm so happy to have you on the couch now. I get to be on this side. Yes. Last time you was on that side.

I was in the hot seat. So you have your podcast in real life at A.G. Martinez. What has been something for me, cause I know for me with doing my podcast, I've learned things about myself. It's almost therapeutic. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, how has that been for you?

Cause it forces you to frame the way you think about things. Yes. Cause you gotta have something to say about the thing. Cause it forces you to be like, how do I really feel about this? Right. As you're talking about it. For me too. I talk less about my personal stuff on the radio.

The radio is like about what's trending topics and what artists are doing and music. And the podcast is like, you know, we're talking about real things, real lessons, real like, just light bulbs and ways that we got to the other side of things, just the things we learn in real life. Yeah. And so that requires me to be honest about some things.

And so yeah, definitely. Yeah. It's interesting. It is? For sure. It's just been priceless. Yes. We're all about positivity here. Keep it positive, Sreelene.

By the way, I told you already this. I love the name of this product. Thank you. It was funny because I was trying to change it at one point, and Shana was like, no. You cannot. It's so good. Thank you. I hear the name.

I know exactly where I stand. I feel comfortable sitting with you. I know there's no like, if somebody didn't know the platform on the pod, that name lets you know out the gate with the bias. Yes, yes. How have you been able to keep it positive in an industry that has been so negative and chaotic at sometimes?

Sometimes it's really hard. I don't know that my whole career, I have always, I definitely have fell victim to like getting high headed or upset about something or maybe react overly reactive to things. But that never feels good. Yeah, right. You know what I'm saying? Yes. Ultimately, being positive and trying to take the high road and and do right by people. And that just feels better. Yeah. So I just tried to do that as much as I can. I love that. Yeah.

Sometimes people get under your skin. Yes. But, you know, life is short, man. You do bad things, bad things happen. I really believe in karma. I have, you know, I believe in God. I don't wanna piss him off in any way. Same.

Yes, absolutely. I feel like I'm one of those people too. Like, if I were to do something that was not positive and not the right thing to do, I would immediately feel the blowback of that. Definitely. I feel you. I'm the same way. Immediately. I could get sick. I could just suck it. Something's going to happen. I immediately feel the blowback because I know better.

Right. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Like do something I wasn't supposed to do, I immediately, it's going to hit me in the head every time. I'm with you on that. So it's easier to do the right thing. Yeah, no, for sure.

What's up, kids' family? I have someone with me that we all know, because she's already been on the sofa, the one, the only, Lee Vassy. What's up, boo? Hey, girl. Yes, so Iassy. What's up, boo? Hey, girl! Yes, so I would love to ask you, we always talk about positivity here on Keep It Positive, sweetie.

What is one way that you've kept it positive during this season? One way I've kept it positive during the season is I've started to work out. Okay! I've now become a Pilates girlie. Oh, Pilates is everything. Girl, and it's become a big part of, you know,

my weekly, you know, day to day things that kind of keep me grounded. I love that. You know, keep me taking care of my temple, you know? So that's been a huge addition, you know, to my day to day. I love that, I love that. Before you get out of here, I want to play a quick game of this or that.

Okay, let's do it. You ready? All right. Pray first or journal first? Pray. Audiobook or paperback? Paperback. Me too, I love the smell of paper. We were just talking about this.

I love the smell of paper. It's something about like just flipping the pages and highlighting. Yes. Yeah, I'm that girl too. Ride in a car in silence or ride with music blasting? You know, I used to be silent, but I just got a new car and I love the sound system.

Listen, I gotta listen to the album in the car. You gotta ride to it. Listen, no, like anytime I do music, I have to get in the car and see how it feels when I'm riding. Yes. And I got a blast, it is loud as it can go. Right.

I love that. Are you the first to arrive or the last to leave? Probably first to arrive. And first to leave. Yeah. That's me. I'm gonna go in and get there so I can get out. Right, right, right. I love that first to arrive. And first to leave. Yeah. That's me. I'm going to get there so I can get out.

Right, right, right. I love that. All right. Let it slide or we ride it done. I know for me, I ain't letting it slide. So I don't believe in the dying at all, actually, right? I believe in, I know this is a this or that, right? But it's like, I believe in grace,

but I'm not about to die for you. So it's kind of like, I'm like somewhere in the middle. Right, somewhere in the middle, right? I love it. Positive Patty or negative Nancy? Positive Patty. I know this one, yes. Cause we what? Keep it positive, sweetie. Hello.

Oh my gosh, y'all. I first laid eyes on this woman on Instagram, was instantly obsessed. Then I got to meet her and get to know her, the beautiful Kaiser. Hi, gorgeous. Hi. I'm so excited to be here.

I am so excited. When I saw you coming in, I was like, we gotta get her on the couch. How are you feeling? I'm good. You know, this is new territory for me. You know, new people, new environments, but definitely feel like God placed me here

and to be surrounded around people like you is just more fulfilling. Oh, I love that. I love that you have a personal relationship with God. I'm really big on faith and I'm really big on talking about it here on Keep It Positive, sweetie. How has God guided you through like even this transition

where you're like, you're embarking on different territories. How has that journey been with him? Yeah, I mean, he's the only reason why I'm on this journey, to be honest. If it were to leave it up to me, Lord knows I would probably be keeping myself one dimensional. Being able to see the gifts that he has given me

and to utilize them. I think that's the gift that I am able to give back to him. I love it, I love it. And I pray that God continues to blow your mind. You are so deserving. Likewise as well. Thank you. Girl, you can see him all on you.

Thank you so much. Same, same. I'm really big on mental health and so are you. How has, I know like probably within the past four or five years, mental health has become really big in our community. Whereas we were just kind of trained to like push things aside and keep pushing.

How have you been able to find those moments to really deal with your mental health? Yeah, I think me making the ultimate decision when I was at the height of my career, so young. When I was a rookie coming in, I was a top five pick and I had chose to walk away from the game. Even though I had spent my whole life working up to this moment and it didn't feel what I thought it would be because of all the trauma

that I've endured, things just trying to sweep underneath the rug to go play the games, you know, I had just lost my father right before I got drafted in the middle of this evening, showed up the next day, playing, like just things that behind closed doors, people didn't know about. And when I saw myself on a billboard and when I would come home, I realized I was living a double lifestyle. And that's when I realized I'm like, okay,

I'm gonna choose me instead of choosing the world. And this is when I started learning about mental health. Now it is part of like my boundaries. I need my solitude. I need to have time with myself. I need to recharge and check in. Lord knows I'm Leo-coded. So I appreciate my alone space, but it's a matter that I am, the matter I can be for others around me. That is so true. That is so, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Yeah.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Yeah. I am with none other than 20 time Grammy award winning my brother, Kirk Franklin. What's going on, Crystal? That's your theme music. That's it, we're gonna keep that sound bite. That's gonna be at the beginning of season eight. That's gonna be horrible.

Good to see you, Queen. You too, love, how you feeling? Good. Good, it's always good to see you. You always have the best energy. How you feeling? Good. Good. It's always good to see you. You always have the best energy. How you feeling today? I'm good. I got up, did my cardio this morning. So my anxiety levels are down.

Right, right, right. You have a new single. I feel like, do you live in the studio? Because you stay on top of it. You're always coming out with new music. You're always collaborating. I love it. You got a new single. Yeah. Let's talk about it.

I saw you in the car playing it for Tandy. That was so cute. Thank you. Yeah, it's called Do It Again. And for people to have spiritual amnesia, it's so easy to forget what God did because you come up to another problem. It's like, I'm panicking, I'm panicking, I'm panicking.

And then someone like God is like, bro, didn't you just see me pull up the last situation? But our fears won't allow us to hold on to those memories. And so hopefully this song does the job of reminding us that if he did it before, he'll do it again. He'll do it again. And he will. That is so good because we do get spiritual amnesia.

That's real. And we all do. Oh my goodness. We all do. I do, we all do. That's so good. I love that. I'm gonna have to use that because I do, we all do. That's so good. I love that.

I'm gonna have to use that because I know for me, I definitely like, as soon as something crazy happens, my first instinct is to panic. Like, oh gosh, not remembering how many times he's brought you out. And you got a history with him and we still do it. So, and what's so beautiful though, is that he don't throw us away because of that.

He sure, come on now. He does not. He doesn't. He does not. He doesn't. He does not. I have with me a woman that is near and dear to my heart. The one and only Ms. Kimberly Page. How are you doing? I am so excited for you.

You look so good. And to be here and you look amazing as always. Thank you, you too. I'm serious, like the fashions, you are like the epitome of class. No, seriously. Yes, no, you are like, I just wish I could be as ladylike as you.

Oh, please. Cause you walking in just like, like your feet don't touch the ground like. That's the inner spirit. I love it. It starts from within. I love it. No, that is amazing.

No, you do it very well. Thank you. I'm gonna get there. I'm working on it. I really am in this stage of my life. I'm working on being more ladylike and exuding my soft girl air and softness. So I'm'm gonna get there. I'm working on it. I really am. In this stage of my life, I'm working on being more ladylike and exuding my soft girl air and softness. So I'm trying to get there.

Yeah, you're there. But a lot of people do not know that you are literally the heartbeat behind everything that happens at BET. You so into so many people, a lot of things that you see happening that are big. You're the person that's signing off saying, yes, let's support them.

How did you come to be the Kim Pager everyone knows now? You know, I think for me, I've always been, I have a spirit of service, if that makes sense? Yes, ma'am. And so as I'm thinking about anything, whether it's work, my family, my friends, my team, I try to come and center from that space of service. And I think when you're willing to serve,

great leaders have to be servers. Yeah, I love that. This next guest, y'all have seen him on the Kip sofa. He is my friend, my brother. I love him so, so much. He hit me and he said, hey sis, you at that meeting? I said, yeah.

He said, I'm pulling up. And he is here, major. What's happening? How are you, my love? It's so good to see you in your light. Thank you. You are light, but it's good to see you spotlighted and you have a whole corner.

You don't get corners in the media house unless you're doing something. Somebody else said the same thing. I wanna be clear. This is called favor. It's called, God said, now is your time and you're showing up for showing up for her. I love you. Thank is called favor. It's called, it's called, God said, now is your time. And you're showing up for showing up. I love you. Thank you so much. Let's talk about everything you have going on.

I prayed for you. Number one, two weeks in a row. That's right. That's right. That's my new new. That's my new new. And I'm super excited. So I prayed for you just went number one on Billboard, a gospel airplay more specifically. Why I Love You went platinum. And the thing as an independent artist whose mama named a major,

the journey is very unpredictable. And oftentimes the things that you expect to happen, happen out of order. And it's kind of wild, but out of order from how I planned it. You know what they say? Give God your plans and make him laugh. Yeah.

So it's crazy that, you know, years later, I get my first ever number one on Billboard with a song about prayer. And, you know, to talk about that song, Crystal, it came by way of a text message that Chadwick Boseman sent me. He said, at 1045 Eastern Standard Time on April 4th, 2020, let's collectively pray for the hope of the world because people are drowning in a sea of hopelessness

from their mindset on how to heal, how to recover from COVID-19, the civil unrest in the land. And I didn't know that my brother would be passing four months later, but my thing is, if he had the audacity to hope for the world while he was going through his own thing, I think I can lock in on that. Yeah, that's beautiful.

But no, I am so proud of you. You have been very open about the ups and downs of this industry, the impact that it has had on that. Yeah, that's beautiful. But no, I am so proud of you. You have been very open about the ups and downs of this industry, the impact that it's had on your life. Absolutely. And you work so hard and you want to be noticed and you want to be awarded for your good works. You know, and like, it's like you were almost there so many times and now it's like God is like, yo, you know what I'm saying? You know what it feels like when you've been on this journey of hoping and wishing and believing and sacrificing and giving.

And when you're in a season as you are, it's a perpetual rollout. Only a God like our God can plan a rollout like that. Only. But it's like- The church said amen, y'all heard? Did the church say amen? The church said amen.

Yeah, y'all know what I'm talking about. Literally it has been perpetual. I saw you. I've had you. I got you. Berkeley College of Music, my alma mater just inducted me into the Hall of Fame. I got the number ones for two weeks in a row.

There's just so many things. Tamron Hall, I do her one show, and then she's like, can we bring you back next month? I'm like, yes. Yes, and I stayed at the hotel that I knew you, I said, I know a hotel, I ain't gonna tell them. We don't know, we don't give our secrets away. That's a great hotel.

You know, that was my first time staying there, because when I used to stay there, there was some tech time staying there, because the one I used to stay at was, there was some tech conference going on. But that one, it hits different. Oh, yeah. And they upgraded me to this, like, like. Oh, you got upgrades. Yeah, I got a little living room and a bedroom set.

I had a little corner little, you know, a little side view. Yeah, that's the new one thing, where you open up the hood soon. You might have had my room. You're right. You're like, that sounds very familiar. That thing was nice. I watched it and I said, this is nice. This is nice.

But it's the fun thing, the beautiful thing is when we take a beat and just let God be God, He shows us that He's the master curator of answered prayers, of blessings, of I see you, I got you. When I say yes, nobody can say no. No. That's what we're living with

and that's what we're living in. So I'm excited about it. I'm so excited for you. You deserve everything. I, when I say I love you, I truly love you. I'm always rooting for you. You have a heart of gold. Thank you so much, as do you.

And I enjoy seeing you win. Thank you so much. What's up. Thank you. And I enjoy seeing you win. Thank you so much. Yeah. What's up, y'all? Kips Family Day 2 at the BET Media House. And I'm sitting here with my good sis, Shemeah Morton. What's up, boo? Hey, best friends. Hi, I'm Bezzy.

How you doing? You know, I'm excited to hang out with the Kips family. Listen. Anytime I get an invitation to come hang out with y'all, I am jacking it over. We love you. Like, so much, so much. So last time we talked, you had just gotten your peach.

Yes. The season had not dropped yet. So how is that going now on the real housewives that I learned? Oh my goodness. When I tell you there have been such high highs and low lows, it's been insane. I mean, I started out.

It was amazing. And you know, I've been saying, oh, we love Shemeah. And then I was in the hot seat for like three weeks. They're like, oh, she's Forrest's lap dog. She's, you know, all these things. And I'm like, oh, please, let's give me a break, people. Yeah, when I say they were giving it to me, but what it gave me is thick skin.

There you go. Yeah. Like, you know, it made me like, I gotta stay out the comments. But now I'm back in a good place with our fans. I love that. I love that. Such a wave, such an emotional roller coaster. We just finished shooting our reunion.

Oh wow. That's always exciting. Which had me with such anxiety. Like it's the craziest thing. Because you never know what's gonna happen. You never know what's gonna happen. You never know who's gonna come for you. And you also have to recap 16, 17 episodes.

You have to recap an entire year in one day. And it's a very long day. I wanna say it's like a 12 hour shoot. Oh wow, yeah, that's exhausting. It's exhausting. And even leading up to it, it's just emotionally draining cause you're like, you've lived some dark moments on TV. Then you have to watch them.

And the second time you see it. The union is the third time that you relive it. And so it's like reliving something over and over again is just overwhelming at times. But I'm so happy I survived it. I survived my first season. You look good. That's my peach on it, thank you.

So when people, I started out the season saying it was Sweet 16, Sweet 16, I'm so excited, Sweet 16. And I'm ending the season saying it's a bittersweet 16. You know, it had its bitter moments and it's had its sweet moments, but I would not change any of it. That's all that matters. I have no regrets. Good, that's all that matters.

It's Chris Rene Hazlett and I have with me the legendary Salt. Hey! What's up, girl? How are you? I'm great, I'm great. I'm fangirling out inside because I can't believe you're sitting here.

Thank you. Congrats to you on all your things. Thank you. You're doing all the things. I'm loving it, keeping it positive. Oh, thank you so much. That's my vibe, being positive. That's right.

I keep this allowed. So this is the 35th year anniversary of your album, Black Magic. How does that feel to 35 years? Yeah, you know what? We always say Salt and Pepper bought fun fashion and femininity to hip hop. We were authentically ourselves,

and I feel like that's why we lasted this long. We also made timeless music. So it feels amazing. Did I think it would be to this level still all these years later? No. So I appreciate it. It's kind of surreal.

You know, there's Salt and there's Cheryl, right? I'm Cheryl, yeah. I'm like, Salt be killing it out here in these streets. It's amazing, she's amazing. She is amazing, I love that. And you also have some solo music. Can you tell us what you're working on? Yes, I'm working on some personal music,

just about my journey, just sharing with the ladies some things that I've been through is very personal, kind of, testimonial and also fun. Just expressing myself as an artist still. That's amazing. That is what we do and that's what resonates. And that's what resonates. And we will want the music.

Yes, they do. They want to hear your stories because that's how they connect with you. Yeah, absolutely. I love that for you. And I am so excited about the awards. I cannot wait to see you rock the stage. You're going to kill it.

And congratulations on everything. It's going to be a moment. It will be. Yeah. Appreciate you. You're welcome. Thank you so much. And I have with me none other than the director of Zatima.

You may see me on that. He is the writer of the latest season of Sisters. He also has a short film that's gonna be presented at many film festivals, starting with ABFF this coming week. The Old Grey Mayor starring Deval Ellen. Yeah, yeah, the pro. And Ty Leppley. Ty Leppley, Sharnel Brown.

Sharnel, oh my gosh. Yes, yes, yes, people know her ass. Yes. Kimberly Reese from different, Yeah, yeah, yeah. So good. Yeah, yeah. So, so good. So let's get into it.

We also have a film coming out. That's what we do. Soon that we're gonna make together called A Love. We can give y'all that little sneak tip right there. So talk to me. Tell me what you are most excited about in this season of your life. Everything has literally skyrocketed.

A Love. A Love, yeah, because A Love is, I know, so the love is, I know. So the thing is I've always had to make films with what I had, not what I wanted. So like, you know, like I saw you on the team, I saw the things that you do, I saw what you've done on film.

And honestly, some of the things that people, you guys get to see aren't the things that, that's not all the shots. So I get the opportunity to see her in a light to where it might not make that particular cut, to where she cries, she's happy, she's sad, and all of that. And I saw something in her

that made me wanna bring her into a part. So now I had the opportunity to choose the actress that I want. And we built such a great relationship. This will be the first time that I'm working with somebody, one that I love and I respect. And we get to do this dance. I'm really, really excited to do this.

Because now I can show who Courtney is versus kind of like pulling tooth and nail trying to make money for this and adjusting. I don't have to adjust. So yeah, now they get to really, really see it. So I'm excited for them to see this. And I'm excited for them to see who Crystal is as an actor, because I think this will be the first time I'm actually able to like really like take time and cultivate the character.

Absolutely, the character. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh yeah, yeah. Really build it up. This ain't the Crystal that y'all are used to seeing, just to be very clear. This ain't the same Crystal. Yeah.

And I guarantee, I'm not doing it now, cause we gonna tell them I might end up talking about something. Yeah, we'll talk about it. We gonna spoil it. You'll talk about it later. Y'all gotta tune in to the next crystal. So, and I guarantee I'm not doing it now because we're going to tell them I might end up talking about something. Yeah, we're going to spoil it. You're talking about like. Y'all got to tune into the next episode. Yeah. No, no, it's going to be great though. But that's my, that's what I'm excited about this year. You know. For you and I'm proud of you. Oh, thank you. So proud of you and everything that you're doing. It seems like we just met a year ago. Yeah. Oh, you're out of this world. Yeah, nah, it's up. And again, I think I do give a lot of credit to you of shepherding me into what the Talipera universe

was going to be like. And all of this shit, like this ain't, you know, you know what I'm saying? But just hit me, check in on me, making sure that I'm good. The one thing that you guys need in This in this industry, especially when you're entering it It's somebody that's a veteran into it that can tell you what corners to turn what corners and who to stay away from

You know I'm saying so you've definitely been there Yeah, yeah, yeah, and go and go call you and tell you hey this this hill. Oh I don't know about this one, I don't know about this one. I don't know about this one. You know what I love about you is that you take my advice. But you should hear me. Either you can throw it away or you can keep it, but you hear me every time.

Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I wanna be better, man. I want you to be the best. And I'm gonna let you know, hey, bro, because I know what you're capable of. I know who you are. Great friends ain't people that just tell you,

you good at everything. This one gonna be like, I don't know about that're capable of. I know who you are. Great friends ain't people that just tell you, you good at everything. This one gonna be like, I don't know about that shit, bro. I don't know if you should. Yeah, so you know what I'm saying? It's good to have you in my corner always. I appreciate you. And I have with me none other than LaRussell. Yeah, her. What's going on?

Yeah, her. How are you feeling? I'm well, I feel great. I love talking about ownership. What is the impact of ownership and what does it mean to you? You don't have the ability to fully execute your vision if you don't own it.

Cause there's always somebody that could tell you no. And sometimes your vision is just based on how you feel. You don't have data or anything to prove it. It's just like, I want to do this cause this is what feels good to me. And it's hard to do that when you don't have data or anything to prove it. It's just like, I wanna do this cause this what feels good to me. And it's hard to do that when you don't have control or reign over what you create and what you do. So ownership just, it means a lot

because it just allows you to move from your heart. I love it. I love it. It's your girl, Chris, Renee Haislett. And right now I have with me Kiki Lane. Kiki, what's up beautiful? Man, I'm so happy to be here. Yes, is this your first BT Award? It is. How exciting is that? It's amazing. I love us, I love celebrating us, so when I can be in that room, I'm most happy. What has been like some of the lessons that you've learned during this time? You know, the first thing that popped in my head was something that Regina King said to me.

It was actually she was presenting the um Essence Black Women in Hollywood award to me. Yes. And I got up on the stage and she knows me so well she could tell I was freaking out and she just said breathe. Oh she just said breathe. Yeah. Because you know we get to going and going and going and we forget. Yeah I was at a retreat and the lady who was doing like our our session she said we live in a world of shallow breathers and we don't even realize we don't take deep breaths because we're like you said we're just going going going. Yeah so it's important to just breathe. Yeah. Yeah. That is there. Everything else can grow, but it always starts with your brain. Yeah, I love that. And I have one of my favorite people. He is so funny. I love him on Instagram.

This is my actually met at a Hawks game. I don't know if you remember. No, you kind of looked at me like you. I know who you are. Okay, cuz you kind of looked like you didn't know who I was. I was like, it's like sometimes it's like it's just it's just like in shock. I'm still in shock to be able to be in rooms with you know, great was. I was like. Sometimes it's like, it's just like in shock. I'm still in shock to be able to be in rooms with, you know, great people. I feel you.

No, I still pinch myself. I was on the plane the other day in LA, her daughter recognized me and she said next to me, she goes, are you famous? And I'm like, it hasn't really sunk in. Cause it's like, I'm just crystal. You look famous. Like you can like, you know, I worked at Popeye's.

Imagine you at Popeye's, like what's she doing here? That's when you know you just look famous. Somebody asked me. Like you can like, you know, I worked at Papa's. Imagine you at Papa's, like what's she doing here? That's when you know you just look famous. Somebody asked me. You're so sweet Marco. It's charming. Yeah, I use that line on a lot of people. It works. It worked.

You are so funny. So what brought you to BET this weekend? The airplane, I was like. You are stupid. That's not with the cue card, dad. I don't even need a card with him. Sorry, no. So what it will brought you to be to this weekend the airplane also The cue card that I don't even need a car with But um, you know what I start to learn that just been in a room with people and leaving Energy in moments of more important. Yeah, you know when you when you Come in your era and you build your career. Sometimes you just think it's about

When you come in your era and you build your career, sometimes you just think it's about your team setting things up. And also sometimes you think it's about money. But sometimes it's just better to meet people real life and just leave moments with them. And you never know who you're running to and like start a relationship. And then y'all can start, you know, and bring something to it. And build together from there. Yeah, I love that. I love that. So you have your father as well.

And you're so beautiful. Thank you. Yes. Oh, my God. as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you're so beautiful. Thank you. Yes. Oh my God. Gorgeous. What is it like balancing your life and then also being a father? It's just being there for, like being something that you never had.

My nigga was like, he was like that guy. He was a drug dealer and stuff. So with him being in and out, and when he got like, when he got killed, it just showed me to be more about for my kids because I knew I was not to have a father. So I won't be there for my kids. And I'm also a good step daddy.

So ladies, if you have any problems with your baby daddy, I'm the guy that come to. I'll be doing matching pictures and stuff. Oh, with the kids outfits and everything. I really don't like when I talk to girls that got kids, I want their baby daddy to be out the way. Cause I'll be like, I'm trying to be the daddy. I know that's right.

I ain't got time to be fighting nobody. No, we too girl for that. Yeah, yeah. Y'all heard here. No one wants step daddy. Yeah. You remember that song, Step Daddy? Yeah, that's it. Yeah.

That's it. Yeah. That's you. Yeah. That song was great. I like your flyers too. I like how you carry yourself and you're very consistent. Thank you. It's like you just. I appreciate it. It means a lot coming for you,

because I really admire your work. You say that about everybody. No. No. So if somebody asks, what's another answer you'll say? If someone says. Yeah, say the same thing. Thank you.

Oh, okay. Okay, that was good. All right, good. Thank you. Yeah. She clocked in to was good. All right, good. Thank you. Thank you, Arthur. Yeah. She clocked in to feel ready.

This is curzy. Oh, wow. Okay. Thank you. Oh, is he here? And I have with me one of my favorite people growing up. Y'all, I just love her. When I saw her, I was like,

we have to interview her, the one and only Maya. How are you? Hey, lady. You look so good. How are you? Hey, lady. You look so good. How are you? You too. Like you literally have not aged. Thank you.

You have not. We have all aged. And many reds. You look good. Gracefully, honey. So what is it like to continue to work on your crafts? I love touring. I stay on the road.

I'm an independent artist. I've been just producing a lot of projects since the end of 2007, independently. Wow. Through my own label. Yeah. And it's been a wonderful educational journey. I bet.

And also empowering. Yeah. And then creatively very fun. So Give It To You comes out June 10th and it is basically a nod and a salute to all the music that I grew up to in my living room. It feels like my living room when I was a kid. Oh, I love that.

The funk of the eighties, the late seventies vibes, Prince, Jamin Lewis, The Tide, Mary Jane Girls, Patrice Rushin, all that and barbecue music. We're hitting the summer very soon. So it's a summer record, roller skates, rock parties. Yes, oh wow me that. Me that. You are also big on philanthropy. What does community mean to you? What does it mean to give back? Yeah well communities to me means a reflection of self. You know we all had someone to hold our hand. Yeah. We all came into this world pretty much incapacitated without the ability to even hold our heads up.

Then we crawl and then we stand and then we walk and then we run. And so to be that light for someone or at least involve yourself, it makes life worth living. And then it's very rewarding to be able to affect someone's life for the positive and elevate because everyone has a purpose, each and every one of us. And the simplest thing is your gift.

That's so true. And we have many of those things. So we all come from a place of needing community and it's also culturally a part of us that sometimes society interferes with. And that's the most functional part of life when you are aligned with your community or you create that for others

and be a light in this world that goes so far beyond what you could even imagine. Just a conversation can change somebody's trajectory. No, so that's what this podcast, Keep It Positive, sweetie, has been about. And I didn't wanna do it at first because I'm private about. And like, I didn't want to do it at first because I'm private. And I was like, but in order to do it,

you kind of have to open up about who you really are. And just talking about it has built a community of healings and growth. It's just been beautiful. So you are absolutely spot on with it. Yeah. Kips family, you guys have seen this next guest. You have binge watched his new show on Netflix forever.

The one and only Michael Cooper Jr. How are you doing? I'm good, I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm grateful. Thank you. Like I literally lit up when you walked up. I read the name, I was like,

Oh my God, man, I looked up and you were there. Let me just, I'm gonna give you your flowers right now. You were absolutely phenomenal in Forever. The way you captured your character, Justin, it just, I don't know, it was something about you. The way you just, he has a form of ADHD, right? The way you embody that. Oh my God, and it was so subtle.

But like you could, oh, it was so good. Thank you. Yes, from one actor to another, I was like, he really did the character breakdown and really figured out how to develop his character. You did's so good. Thank you. Yes, from one actor to another, I was like, he really did the character breakdown and really figured out how to develop his character. Yeah. He did it so well. Thank you.

Thank you. So talk about, like, I want to know, like, what was that process of bringing Justin to life? Yeah, I mean, it really starts with the writing. So when I got the script, you know, Mara's very specific with her writing, which is so beautiful. Yes.

And I just remember reading it. He has one foot in confidence, the other foot in insecurity. Yeah. You know, he goes to a speech therapist and he has ADHD, all these different things that I thought, you know, I've never seen a guy like Justin on my TV screen before.

No, no. And so I thought it was a challenge to step into and ultimately a gift. He's such a vulnerable dude. And through that character, I was able to be able to become more vulnerable, more into my feelings. So it's a gift I'm grateful for.

I love that. I love that. You guys have shifted the culture with this show. It's something that we needed to see. The family dynamic that you guys have shown on the show with your mom and dad. Oh my gosh, shout out Woody. And oh my God.

Best TV dad, best TV mom. Your mom, oh my God. I absolutely love Karen. She's phenomenal. Beast. Oh my goodness. Beast. And it's how lucky are you to work beside two icons?

Like they are phenomenal. Like I'm sure you're like soaking so much up on set. From Regina King, to Mara Rockakill, to Anthony Hemingway, Garrett Pittman, Wood Hairs, Lovey, Niall, cause I grew up watching even Lovey and Niall. So it's just to work with these people who I've seen on my screen for so long. It's like, what is going on?

But again, bless it. Yes, what is going on? You know? But again, blessing. Blessing. Yes, what a blessing. Bless y'all. Love that. Sweets, I hope you guys enjoy these moments just as much as I did, because I sure enjoy sharing them with you. Well, you had to wait no longer.

Season eight is coming up next week. I know y'all have been waiting patiently and I appreciate it. So make sure you tell a friend to tell a friend, subscribe, and make sure you turn on those notifications because you do not want to miss it. I'll see y'all next week.