Episode 549 | Akeem Ali
00:00This is an IHeart podcast.Guaranteed Human.Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin Unfiltered podcast?Here's what you missed.There should not be a single law enforcement agency.It does not have body cameras.It's real.Black farmers have been under attack.
00:16This is just the latest example of them just slapping DEI on anything.It's raw.And I'm sitting here going, they are playing y'all for fools.Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network.And download Roland Martin Unfiltered on.on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts.Or wherever you get your podcasts.Good old Saratoga.
01:11I know y'all just put it in this bottle.Just, you know, for the ambience.That's 100% what we did.I'm on my Icelandic now, though, but...That shit is good.Saratoga, Icelandic actually got twothe best sparkling waters, too.Yeah.
01:22Saratoga sparkling water is crazy.Yeah.The Icelandic now in the glass bottle,that's a water game change.Oh, no.They sparkling water and the glass bottle.Yeah.So, no, we can record this one.
01:33It's not an ad.We just believe in this water.I ordered glass bottles.I ordered on Amazon.Glass bottles of this water.Game changer.They sent me to plastic.So it happened before and I was like,
01:47I said, yo, I ordered glass because it's more for the glass bottle.Yeah, of course.So I hit Amazon back.I said, hey, I ordered glass.They sent me plastic.They refunded me the last time I bought like three cases of it.So this time they sent plastic in and I went to go do the samething, that option no longer exists.
02:06Because they never had it. So even if you orderthe glass bottles and they send plastic, youcan't even be like, yo, but I order the glass, like I want a refund.Like you can't, they did will not refund you anymore.I only see them at my deli. I don't see themat every other deli. Yeah, so now that's what I've got to findlike a grocery store to actually go inand buy the glass bottle. Go to Whole Foods
02:21and get that glass sparkling.Icelandic? Yeah, yeah.And it's not like, you know, some of them be like super carbonate.It's like a crisp, cleanbubble. Yeah. And it's likenot like super bubbly to where it's likeStrong as a Coke or Sprite.It's like soft bubbles.
02:37That's just like.That's how you're a strong.Yeah, I'm a fancy nigga now.I can tell by the time.You know what I mean?If you haven't noticed yet,we are joined by the very talented,very charismatic,
02:52the most viral niggerprobably on Instagramwhen it comes to any rapper,any artist.You can't open Instagram without seeing this gentleman.We are joined by Akeem Ali.It's beenthe bill.
03:03It was in today.I appreciate it.Appreciate it.We've been trying to connect with I keen for a while.Roy, you remember years ago.I played Kimi Kassanova on the old show.And a lot of people hit me after I played a record.Like, yo, is he joking?
03:17Is he for real?Like, I'm like, no, he's rapping for real.This is the character that he created.But the bars are always there.But talk to us about the character,Kimi Kassanova.Obviously, what most people probably know you from.Yeah.
03:33Like, how did that whole idea come about?Was that something you was like, I need to create kind of like an alter ego.Was it intentional like this is going to just grab people's attention because the aesthetic of it all is so different?I just kind of didn't know.It was more so of an active desperation.Okay.And so it was supposed to be the name of a song.I named the song Kimi Kassanova.
03:57Right.And people liked it so much that they thought that's his name.But it was like, no.this is not who I am.It's just like, you know, I'm naming that song that.Yeah.And it just stuck, man.And so I just had to be the character and like do that.
04:11And it was like a let me just create content type of situation.And so like even now where you see me doing like different freestyles for the cities that I'm going to be going on tour to.It was like I had to turn into serve mix a lot.I had to turn into like bone thugs.I had to turn it to like, you know what I'm saying?And take that character wrong.And it was like that type of thing.But it's like it's stuck and it's like most people's introduction.
04:31And it's like, no, you hear it now.like yeah and we don't want shit but that yeah yeah just stuck it man and had to wiggle myself out ofthat because i had like pigeonholeed myself into it i was how did you get out of that because that'sthat's tough that's a gift and a curse yeah a lot of fucking work i had to kind of like ooze or easewho i really was back into it you know what i'm saying because for a long time when people wouldsee me out and i didn't have a fro man why you ain't got on the fro why you're having a ass guy whereyou're your bitch is at and I was just likewhere your bitches are
05:05yeah it was just like all type of shitI would have led with that questionyeah he isyeah yeahnigga I'm in here grabbing milkI can't wear in the jugI'm like what the fucklike sparkling water
05:15yeah I'm just grabbing some sparkling waterbrotheryeah yeah man it wasthat shit was a lot of workbut I maneuver my way backinto like regular contentand even now it'd be people likehe need to go back to Kimi Kassanova
05:27and when I'm doing too much Kimi Kassanovahe need to go back to Akim Alior he needs toand so it's goodbecause it sets the tone for me being able to give everything.And so it's nothing that's too far left or too far right.And it's like, if he puts out Akema Ali music, well, he kind of came out like this firstfor y'all who didn't know.
05:44Then he'd do Kimi-Cast-Nove, it's like, well, he's kind of been doing that frombecause we didn't know.And so it's like, boom, perfect.You go through the storm and it's like, like, hectic at first.And then when you get out of it, it's like, now I can do what the fuck I want to do.Right.You know what I'm saying?Drake makes a Caribbean album.
05:58It's like nobody or international albums like, well.So he kind of been doing this.He gave us moments of this.Yeah.So we can't say we didn't know or he's experimenting or losing it.We've had this.You're a Kendrick fan.You can.
06:11Huh?Man.But I want to talk about just that whole moment because this was 2020.Yeah.Right.Now, when I had first sort of video, like a lot of people, that was the first time I had heard the record.Yeah.That sort of video.
06:29And immediately I was like,I understood.I said, okay, I see what he's doing.Yeah.But I'm listening to the lyrics, though,just because that's where I come from the music.I'm listening to what you were saying.So immediately I knew, like, I'm like, no, he can really rap, though.
06:42This is obviously a character that he's created.I like it.Yeah.But I was like, I wanted to see if it was just for the moment,that's who you were going to be,or you were going to transition out of thatand really show people who your true self was.Then seeing what you were doing as far as just rapping in the car.
06:59Yeah.seeing all those videos I'm like okay nohe can really really rapwas that something you feel liketook people a while to catch on tolike yo but now I'm reallybecause I even hit in your bars you say it a lotlike none of these dudes can rap better than me
07:14like I don't know if y'all have caught that yetyeah they can'twhat I will say is likenow the Kimmy Katsanova character did help elevatethe branding for meokay on a branding level that shit didnumbers once I, I mean, wonders once I learned that like, nobody gives a fuck about how goodyou rap. It's about how it's packaged or what it looks like. Because there's people who've
07:38come before me who rap really good or people who you've heard rap really well. And it's just likenothing attached to it that people can like attach themselves to or like associate themselveswith. And so like it also helped me like rap different subject matter. So it's like when you hearKimmy Kassanova, you expect fly shit from like a player like a pimp type.boom, boom, boom.So I can just rap about that shit all day fucking long.And I don't have to say shit about nothing else,but that's what you expect from that character.
08:06So when I'm doing my car freestyle,it's like battle rap based or like, you know what I'm saying?Like one minute.And it's just like me just, wham, well, bar, bar, bar, bar, bar, bar, bar, bar.And then over here in my personal,I can rap about something.So it just opens the gate to just prove like,whatever lane is there or wherever I'm at,
08:23like, you do not win against me.Like, you know what I'm saying?And so it just helped me learn how to like,elevate my pen for real, for real.And that's what I, you know, I don't give enough creditto that character for that.Yeah.Because I was forced to talk about different shit
08:36and still make it sound good.Yeah.Like it still has to be like, you know,like your book.Yeah.I think like Ludacris, I think,was similar in that way too.He was packaged so well and his videos were so amazing.
08:47Sometimes I think people forgethow good of a rapper ludicrous is.Yeah.And people forget, like,people just want to hear barsor they either want to hear like,relatability.Technique.
08:58is a thing that is like lost, like certain times,like technique is so fucking important.And like I tell people from a technique standpoint,there's like three or four people who are like godsor like dogs when they come to that shit.Like Eminem, a technique god.For sure.Gid, technique.
09:14Like, you know what I'm saying?And I can't say that Eminem or Gid were like outbar Wayneor side how to prince.But they're like, you know what I'm saying?When they come to technique, you have these people who are like,or like a fucking loopie.Yeah.You know what I'm saying?
09:27And so it's like.students of the real art of rock.Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm.Now, you've mastered this thing of, like I said,any time I open Instagram,I'm seeing Akeem Ali, whether it's, you know,you're promoting the tour.Yeah.
09:45Was that something that you came up with on your own,or do you have, like, a team of peoplewhere y'all just sit down and throw ideas and, like,how do we attack the algorithm? How do we, you know,get more visibility? How do we let people know that,this tour is coming to stores out,but in a unique,Akeem Ali way.
10:01So my book agent called me one day,and he was like, man,you know,the ticket sales ain't doing so goodin this market or none of the markets.You know what I'm saying?And I was like,he was like, well,
10:11do you think you could get onlineand do like a freestylefor just New Orleansand see how that works?If it goes good,you can think about doing more.And I'm like, yeah,so I sit down one day.
10:23I do shit like,I treat this like a job.Like,don't know about how to tell me.the clock in. So I get up some mornings at like 3.34 in the morning and we'll sit at thetable and just write all fucking day literally for like eight, nine, 10, 11 hours. And gotup, wrote the New Orleans freestyle. And I was like, you know what? While I'm writing New Orleans,I'm going, I'm going to do the Carolinas. I'm going to do Memphis. I'm going to do X, Y, Z.
10:46I'm going. I'm going. I'm going. You know what I'm saying? And so doing that,I did it, dropped it. And people was like, we like, we like this. And I was like,hold my beer.You know what I'm going to be right back.And he gave me that idea.And he was like, just do one of them.And I was like, you know what?I'm just going to do all the shits.
11:05You know what I'm saying?And I had seen one of my partners,Dear Silas, he had done it a couple of timesfor cities he was going to.But I was like, you know,and I always want to give him credit.You know what I'm saying?We're seeing it there first
11:17because he'd be like going to Dallasand he like turned into whoever he needs to be for that.Or going to Houston and he like takes on that.You know what I'm saying?And so I was like,I'm going to do this shit for every fucking city,though. And every time you open your Instagram, Twitter, whatever, whatever, you're going to see me.Right. Like, once a week I need to have a video, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
11:36Content in between that, boom, boom, boom. And that shit takes a lot. I'm going to 40 cities.And so it had to be like... We did it just for Detroit. You remember.Detroit wasn't clicking, so I had to rap like Eminem for a promo.Yeah, I got my Detroit promo sitting in my phone. Like, I got to do that. I got to do DC still.And they're sitting in my phone. I just got to like, you know, record them and shit. Like, do the videos for them.But like, yeah, man.Is it, is it, I remember,you said to me after I did that,
12:01Eminempshire, say,if this don't sell tickets, we never going back again.Yeah, that's how it be.And I told, I told people,I'd be telling people that from these cities,y'all be like, come to this city,come to my city, come and see us.Nobody ever comes here.
12:13And then I didn't like literally went out.Like, I dropped the EP and a project this yearand had to do 40 more songs.These ain't like 30 second freestyle.Exactly.These are full, like I'm happening to engulf.I'm happening to like study, do work.sure these places look at what's there
12:28figure out the culturecall people and be like hey such such stillopen is that a still a thing like I'm havingto do dead live researchright for motherfuckers to be like greatwe still won't buy a ticketand I'm like what the fuck did I just do out of this shitfor like and then motherfuckers
12:44it's like they don't pay attention they likeoh my god you should come to this cityI'm like motherfucker I'm telling you I'm goingon tour to this city with thisfreestyle yeah like name and shit in your cityAnd they was like, I could be like doing a Houston freestyle.They'd be like, come to Houston and see us on tour.Yeah.
13:00All right.Just listen to the freestyle.Like, did you hear anything I fucking said?And then I'm like, I'm going on tour.Get your tickets.Then the motherfuckers would be like, see all of the tour dates and be like, come toIttawamba.I'm like, this ain't enough.
13:12Come to Africa.I'm not selling the tickets where I'm going first of all.Like, give me in.Damn.I'm like, fuck with me.I'm like, what the fuck?Come meet me here.Yeah.
13:22Come meet me here.Then maybe I can get to that shit.The worst shit is.The worst shit is when you do like individual flyers for cities and then all the comments will be from another city.It's like, yo, we in Chicago tomorrow.And all the comments is like, why are you not in Dallas?Yeah.And then I go to Dallas and no one from Dallas came.
13:37I would tell you the worst.I would tell you the fucking worst.Go to Dallas.The show don't sell out or it don't come out how you wanted to.Or it may sell out or a few shorter selling out.Leave.Come to Dallas.Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
13:49Brother, sister.Oh, they didn't know you.They're like, oh, you was here like I just read last night.Christ.But that's, I mean, you know, it's kind of a good and a bad thing because obviously peopleare engaging, people are saying they want to see you come to my city.But then it is, like you said, I'm sitting here writing all of this, shooting thesevideos for the promo for the show.
14:09And it's still not connecting to certain people.Is that something that you look at like you're doing something wrong or you're not doingenough or some people just ain't going to never connect to it?All three of them.Okay.It's something that I'm not doing.to win you over.You know what I'm saying?
14:28Because it's likeAll right, so like we were just talking about the waterAll the waters that are out thereYou chose to drink the water you were drinking.But it's like, Ozarka is sitting over hereOr you got like fucking pure life like, hey, I exist.And it's something they're not doingTo pull you in.
14:45Like you've drinking it before.You subscribed to it.I had a bottle of.But it's like, yeah, no, I just don't want that.So what is it that y'all are not doing?And we can't be mad at youfor not drinking our water.Right.
14:55It's just like, you do what you want to do.But if I'm the water company, I'm like, hey, what do we need to double down on?How do we need to, like, capitalize on X, Y, Z markets or, like, target this demographic of people in this area?Like, how do we do the thing to, like, you know, scale our business larger?And that's what I'm always thinking about.Like, it's not that they're not buying a ticket.What am I not doing that's making them not want to buy a business?Yeah.
15:18Okay.I mean, because even...That's a great way to look at it.Yeah, like, even when we fired our previous booking agent, I was a lot of, I wasstill thinking on the accountability side of like we would put our London vlog out and all thecomments to be like damn they was in London i'm like what the fuck are we doing how the fuck did the personthat follows us not know we was in London last week that's not a booking agent problem though i know it'snot okay so no we took accountability on that regard like even with infrastructure being fucked up
15:43it does fall on us at the end of the day of not reaching our own fans but part of me thinks that'salso an algorithm thing too that yeah it's tough to control like how the fuck do you follow usYou pay for our Patreon and you still, this still did not get on your phone.That's a battle that I've yet to figure out.I don't understand that algorithm part where I can't even reach the people that follow me anymore.It's an attention game.I learned this.And I think the guy from the who created the Savannah bananas, the baseball team.
16:16Yeah.And so they was trying to find a mascot and it was like, what do we do?How do we make this a thing?And it was like when he decided that the mascot would be like a banana,people were fucking pissedand it was likewe don't want to be bananaslike oh whatever
16:30he's going to fucking ruinda da da da da and you know whatat the time it would seem like such a bad thingyou'd be like oh no I'm upsetting to peopleor somebody's going to say somethingbad or they're going to send threatsit da da da da da da da it's not about whether it's right or wrongit's not about whether it's right
16:45because if you can't bring attentionto it gets absolutely nothingrightso it's likeit's like almostif a tree fallsyou know what they're there that happened like if it didn't have attention or eyes on itdoes it even matter and so it was so bad that it turned out to be good like because the banana
17:03idea is fucking ridiculous until we win a game right and we can celebrate or we can have somethingthat's like marketable like everybody we sell bananas at the games or it helps the economy orthese are the ways that we can do X Y Z and it's like oh okay I'm a proud banana now you know whatI'm saying and it's like no fuck you because at first like you gave me all type of shit aboutan idea that you just didn't understand you don't know what it takes to get here or how toput some of this shit together.You don't understand a shit that y'all thought about me, said about me,and like try to like shut down, you know what I'm saying?
17:29And so it's like get attention.Once you get the attention for the thing about, you know, the algorithm,once it gets attention, if somebody says something negative in my comments,I respond and I pin it to the top.If they say something negative.Yeah.Okay.Yeah, like this shit is trash.
17:46He can't rap as good as he think he does.He's not better than Kendrick.He's not better than this person.Why does it even matter?He's gay.He's this or he's too flamboyant.He's too, pen it.I don't care about how you feel about me as long as you feel something, right?
17:58Because guess what happened?You just tricked yourself into telling your algorithm.Well, you just tricked your algorithm into like showing you me again.Don't you know when you comment on something?When you like something, enough to comment on it, share it, whatever, whatever the algorithmsaid, oh, they must like this.They're subscribing to it.They're commenting on it.
18:16Oh, and then what happens is now you've got to come to your own defense in my commentsand respond to other people.And the algorithm don't know what.whether it's good or bad, it just keeps saying, oh, they keep responding.They must like this thing.I don't give a fuck what you say about me.Say something, right?So I can make you look bad how you're trying to make me, you know what I'm saying?
18:34And now the algorithm is going to say because these apps are designed to keep you on the app.Yeah.You know what I'm saying?It's not just like with certain keywords or certain shit that you do.You can't say click the link or do XYZ because it doesn't want you to go to external sources.It wants to keep you in that app.And that's how it's designed, right?You know what I'm saying?
18:51If you're in Walmart, I want to keep you a Walmart sharper.Why the fuck I got shit going on about Target? X, Y, Z.Boom, boom, boom.And so it's like, whatever I got to do, keep you here.If you don't like me, you still got to see me.Yeah.Right?Even shit you don't like sometimes you send it to people.
19:03Like, bro, look at this.Or check this out.Or da-da-da-da-da.It don't matter whether it's right, wrong, up down, purple green, left, right.It just gets attention.Yeah.And that's what the algorithm is based off for these apps is gain the fucking attention andand stop worrying about.
19:17We base shit out.All feelings a lot of the time.I feel like this show.where I feel like, no, get the fucking attention.And that is the base level.If it can keep them on the app, you win thembecause the app will keep showing it to them.You know what I'm saying?
19:29It may not be this post,but that's how you strike virality for like one post down,three, four posts down because it's showing that.The same motherfucker that said something bad about youor, man, they don't know what the fuck they're talking about that,and you got people on there coming.And we get offended sometimes like,they don't know me.
19:42Why would they say?I don't give a fuck what you say.You talk about my grandma, my dog.You call me what you want.Pint it.And I'm going to say it.something so you can argue with me and I'll sit up and go back and forth in the comments with youjust so you can keep on comment coming so you do you do subscribe to that type of interaction is healthy
19:59for the for the for the algorithm as far as your content of going back and forth with yeahfor the sake of words getting the job done because and then another thing is too even if somelike if you're a fan of me and you see something you'd like hey this's too far on the keen bro like y'allcome on y'all don't have to do this what it does is when you'reyou come and coming, it also, boom, triggers your algorithm.Everybody who was coming under a comment, it triggers your algorithm.Like, and so I'm just, even though you're seeing all types of shit,and that's why I stay in there and stay engaged with those people
20:32because it's going to keep popping up on your algorithm.Yeah.Every time you say something about me, I'm going to be like, somebody was like the most gay rapper ever.I'm like, they say you're gay?Well, so the persona or Kimi Casanova is meant to be like a 70s, like, pimp.And if you looked at the 70s, like, niggas wore makeup.in the 70s, they had high waters on, like, tight pans.They were cropped up, and they were very, like,
20:55um, they had very, like, feminine gestures.It was very like, you know what I'm saying?And so when I'm playing a character, I'm going to play the character.Like, yeah.Now, however it looks to y'all, it's like, whatever, whatever.And at first I used to get offended because I'm like,motherfuckers don't know me from the character.And it was just like, but if you're looking at the character,
21:10you assume that is me.Right.And so I was just like, offended and shit at first.But once I learned, I was like, oh, nigga, that's not, too.You're just playing.I'm like, you're letting people like, troll you into like,and that's when I had to start learning.They're going to keep saying shit.
21:21But you have to figure out a way to flip itand, like, trigger people to say stuffand then keep them there.Because you're reacting.Once you start reacting, I can control you.If you don't do nothing, it's just like,if you look at it and bypass, you never did it come in.I never knew you were there. Once you start reacting, boom,
21:37got you. Yeah. Let's hone in on that.Like, let's see what's going on right here.But I mean, nothing about the Kimi-Castanova.I mean, well,sitting with the leg crossed, maybe.Only, hey, the only two people who see with their legs crossed are women and really rich people.Right.Men with a lot of, shit.
21:55Right.Women.Can you pull up the Jay Z. New York Times interview and just do Google images?When I was young, we were talking not to sit like this because that's for women.The older I got, I was like, every rich white man that I see sits like that or every person that got a lot of money, they'd be like.And they lean into it.And I was just like.Yeah.
22:16See, we hit the motherfucking goddamnlike this, you know what I'm saying?See, you got some money.Yeah.But you ain't got this type of money.You know what I'm saying?You got some shit.Now, he ain't got no money.
22:27Right.He's levels to it.You know what I'm saying?No money.Wide open like a slut.But show money?Some more money.Yeah.
22:33You know what I don't see nothing about, you know,I mean, they call anybody gay.But I don't see how people will see the Kimi Kassanoa characterand say, you know, oh, he's gay.Like that, to me, that is.But, you know, it ain't for me to decide.You know what I'm saying?And it's like, I just love that you feel something about it.
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24:08And the argument is, do you want to win?If you don't win, you have no power.It's real.Those are the very people.who I always say vote against their own economic interestand they complained about the very thing to receive.It's raw.I knew that the issue of transgender athletes
24:26was not going well with a lot of black men.Roland Martin unfiltered.I went off, I said, this is exactly what I'm talking about.Y'all going to scream at Chanel,but you don't want to see a black luxury company in the same vein.Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network.seats, those are moving south.So if you Democrats, you don't wait to 2030,
24:54you better be hitting the ground going hard in the south now.And download Roland Martin unfiltered on the IHart radio app, Apple Podcasts.Wherever you get your podcasts.How much of it you feel like is, like, how thin is the line between gimmickyand like really just trying to get visibility, though?Like, how much of it do you battle with like, okay, this may start.feel like too much of a gimmick.I got to be careful.
25:24It was that in the beginning, shit.And it was like an attention thing.And that's why I was like it was a mistake, but people liked it more than I wanted them to.And so then I was just like, shit, I made the mess.Now, how do I clean it up?You know, I got a mop.I got a broom.I got some bounty quicker, picker-picker.
25:39I got a dish towel.Like, what the fuck do I use?And so it's like, with the tools I got, just shimmy all that shit together,to clean it up and, like, make it look presentable.So now it doesn't feel like a gimmick.It just feels like.And I accidentallylike superbly trapped myself
25:55into becoming a like a brand masterand like branding some shitor like learning how to marketbecause like I was just doing shitpressing buttons and making mistakesand it taught me how to like brandand like you know my director right that same right therehe was like we was shooting last week
26:08and he was like yeah youyou don't care about looking stupidor failing or shit being wronghe was just like you just have this thingwhere like because some of that shitdon't be looking like you think you'd be looking,but it's like you don't have that button in your headthat says, I shouldn't be doing this
26:24because it wouldn't look right to people.It's just like, do it and show people the process,show them like, it ain't always what you think it isin the beginning or it turns into something different.And so if you've seen me before, it's like,you know, you go from rapping in your car to like,I can't stop seeing any nigga.But at first it's just like, you know,
26:39or you got the pimp personaor you got this, this, and then some of the videosor songs I've put out, like, I haven't even liked all of them,but it's like, I don't have a button that says,don't do it.You're willing to just try it.Just try it, you know what I'm saying?And let shit, you can't make it perfect if it doesn't exist.
26:56It has to be a thing first for you to even start nitpicking, removing, putting stuff into placeand trying to make it perfect.So people get so caught up in perfection.If you're a perfectionist, you probably won't be rich.Yeah.If you care about what people think or say too much.You feel what I'm saying?And so it's like, get the thing into existence first.
27:15Make it exist and then fix it.like a Tesla didn't just come outlike what it is today or the car you driveor some of these shoes that we wear a shit likeyou know what I'm saying?Worm of twigs on their feet.You know what I'm saying?For shoes.
27:28Yeah.You know what I'm saying?In the BC days and it's like now we got bootsthat come up to here and shit like moon bootsall type of shit like to cover you.But just make it exist.We don't wear Jesus sandals butyou know it's
27:41people all fucked up.They just care too much about what people think.Yeah.You ever felt likewith knowing thatI don't want to say, well, yes, negativityto some degree based on your commentsof pinning those type
27:55of responses tolean more into negativity.I think you've done a great job of not doing that,but has that felt like maybe easier route?I'm not a negative person.I don't like that.Like, I don't, I don't want negativity,but when it's there, I'm like,
28:10everything that's happening is for meto see things a certain way.So it's like stop fighting against itand, like, start using it.Yeah.If negativity is coming my way, I'm like, come on.Like, what's up?Like, fuck, we're here.
28:23If y'all are going to be negative and if all this is going to be is negative,like find a way to make my negative a positive life.Yeah.I'm not going to fight the negative with the negative.You know what I'm saying?I'm just going to be like, I'm just going to use it.Yeah.For what it's used for.
28:36Like, if that's that energy that's over there and shit, like,capitalize on it.Shit, figure out a way to do that.You know what I'm saying?We got, we got crazy motherfuckers out here.or people like just crazy and like not mentally ill but just like do shit.And we have managed to make a place for those people.Right.
28:54Like you know what I'm saying?And all of the negative shit that they can do.Like people go out to kill people.People go out to cuss people to fuck out, beat people up.Right.Oh, let's create a place to keep all of these people together.Yeah.Like create places for that shit.
29:05Positiveity.Yeah.Like we got spaces for everything.Like, you know what I'm saying?It's like, oh, positive people.Come over here and let's kumbaya in the park and like, you know what I'm saying?Hold up.peace signs and smoke weed together.
29:17We're like, oh, y'all believe in Jesus.We got a place. We got all this church.Y'all can come here, like make a place for all of this shit.You know what I'm saying? So how did the relationshipwith you and Louville come about?My partner, my barber, we cut each other hairand he went to, he cut Lou hair too.Okay.
29:34You know what I'm saying? So we both, we was both barbers.And he was at Lou House cutting his hair one day.And it was like, my boy, he do music, X, Y, Z, blah, blah, blah.He was like, what shit, play me something.played him something and wow got him and then he wanted to meet me you know what i'm saying he heard the musicand it's just like shit all right well i think i want to sign you and i'm just like me all right niggum yeah let's do ityeah yeah and so from there we just kind of like kicked it on some cool shit like homeboy shit likeyou know what I'm saying just formed a relationship and shit like that and at first i was just like
30:07i was skeptical about all this shit you know signing to somebody or doing business with somebodyand there's a bunch of people in your face in one time it's like picking the beststranger.Yeah.I don'tfucking know y'all.Like,yeah.
30:17And you're myhomeboy'shomeboy.That don't meanyou're the sameperson to me.Right.Right.
30:21Or you're gonna bethe same wayto me that youare to him.You know what I'm saying?So it was just like shit.Doing it was cool starting outand you know,
30:29luckily we became like homeboysor friends first because some of thisthis shit that we didn't have to tell each otheror say to each otheror express them been like enough to make motherfuckers likewe're not fucking fall out in the street.Yeah.Yeah.
30:41Yeah.Yeah.But I don't,you know,I tell people,feelings towards me getting mad cussing me out saying your peace and just being like i was tripping welli'm like all right fuck it you know so you and will so you and lou will creatively have y'allyou y'all had your differences on or is it on the business oh yeah on the business tip hell yeah yeah we
31:02didn't have differences like we yeah yeah we bumped heads like a motherfucker but you know when we wasjust friends or it's like i noticed like at one point of time i could i was calling him he wasn't answering my phone callsAnd I'm like, I'm your artist.I ain't got no money.I can't do X, Y, Z.Right.You know what I'm saying?And then he'll pick up the phone one day when I call him.
31:21Like, yeah, I ain't gonna lie.You can shit.You didn't blew me.Like, nigga, you just, this shit.You know what I'm saying?I'm spending money on X, Y, Z.And you ain't trying to do what the fuck I want to do because it's my money.It's my investment.
31:29Or like, you know what I'm just like, well, on the other end, I got a child onthe way.Or I got this going on.And I can't depend on people to do X, Y, Z.And in no capacity, shit, an artist or anybody be depending on another grown man,unless you're a woman maybe, or a child, another grown man to fund their lifestyle or fundtheir career.It's not lose dream to be a rapper as mine.
31:48And so I had to start taking accountability, like, stop asking for shit.And if you're going to do shit your way, make your own way.Won't nobody be offended.And that's how I got myself to like right here.And it was just like, okay, shit.I noticed like if, and which is, is logical.Yeah.You're spending money on a project and somebody who don't listen to you.
32:07It's like, why the fuck am I spending money for you to just do what you want to do with my money?You have to learn that, though.Yeah, and it's a gamble.I'm gambling on you because it's not guaranteed.Any of this shit is going to work.Also on the other side, if I'm signing someone, I'm signing them because I think their vision is incredible.Sometimes you've got to leave them the fuck alone.That's part of your investment.
32:24That's true.Literally.To me, that's someone that's work with artists, I'm investing because I think you have the vision that you want to do.Like, I'm going to shut the fuck up and let you do what you want to do.I'm here to fund your vision.Yeah.But when you don't know that, and it's, they're a vision.been, we've sat on the phone day in and day out and just say, hey, we've gotten calls
32:41some labels and we get on the phone like, yeah, I don't know what the fuck going on.Or I don't know what to do.Or I don't know none of the lingo they were talking about.And we get on the phone and say that.Like, he like, I don't know what I'm doing.And I'm like, yeah, me neither.And so that's where it's like, he got the funds.I got the talent.
32:55But we still don't know what if, what, um, what eggs to put in what basket.You know what I'm saying?And so it's like, you can't just, we, we spent a lot of money in the beginning, just throwing eggsin random baskets that and it wouldn't work.And I was just like, fuck it.When he stopped giving me eggs, I was just like, fuck it.I turned into a chicken.I pop my own shit out and just get this shit grooving some type of way.
33:19And so that's where we're seeing the effects of right now.And all this shit you're seeing, it ain't taking like a big budget, a whole lot of money.It's just taking like studying, watching shit, learning, and like capitalizing on it.When you get a moment, like when God give you the ball, ball.Right.Like a ball like a motherfucker.Well, like you just said, too, also we have to first just start and create something and then we work on it and then we figure it out and perfect it and get it to a place that we're all happy.But the fact that, you know, Lou even gave you a shot and was like, listen, I want to invest in you.
33:51Yeah.That takes a lot because a lot of times people don't want to invest in you.They think you got some talent.That don't mean they're going to put you in a position to give you an opportunity to create your dream and your vision.He was smart because he knew labels and shit was calling to at the time.Yeah.This is one of the things where it was like...Absolutely.
34:07There's this motion over.Yeah.He ain't got to do too much work.And then he got in and he was like, bam, got you.Right.There's something happening already.I just want to be a part of it.But even that bump does help too when you're negotiating with labels.
34:19Like, I got a bank over here.Yeah.I have access to some capital.I think that hurt us a lot of times too.Okay.Wow.My motherfuckerger's knowing that you got a bank and it's like...Because they assumed...
34:31Like, so you walk in the labels, some people know who he is.Some people don't know.some people just don't give a fuck.We know, but we don't give a fuck.That's his money.Right.He's not us and he don't have the infrastructure that we have.They see it all the time where athletes or people who make a lot of money
34:44try to invest or get into the music business.They know that you don't know what's going on or how to operate any of this shit.So sometimes it hurt us is like, okay, you got money.We don't have to offer you so much money.Okay, y'all sing like y'all got to figure it out.And then like a lot of times people's like, hey, I thought you had a deal because,and, you know, we're independent.So it's just a person who sees.
35:05the talent and they're spending their money.And then it's like, you're not major or signed until you're signed to a major label for peoplewho don't know.So it's like you saying, hey, bro, I believe in you and I want to sign you to me.But you're not a label.Right.Or y'all ain't a label.You know what I'm saying?
35:21And people would think, I'm signed.But now that I'm signed to y'all, now what?Because guess what?Y'all wanted to get this podcast on a network.Because y'all aren't.It's like independence is like that is separate.And so it's like, even y'all are trying to make strides to like, if I'mI can get my shit on, God damn Hulu, Netflix, Peacock at the same time, that would be
35:38fucking great.Or if I can shine to somebody who's guarantee me X amount of dollars per month or per year,that would be great.And that's the goal.And man, when I tell you, bro, that shit was just so nasty, like on some crazy.Because motherfuckers always was like, we didn't know exactly what we needed or how to askfor it.And we also was just like, you know what I'm saying?
35:58Give us an offer.And then when somebody giving us an offer, it don't sound right.Or it don't sound like something we feel like we can take or everybody.about it be comfortable.And it's also you don't knowwhat the fuck to look forbecause I have never beenin this position.
36:09You're not a music niggily.And that's dangerous because,you know,sometimes those labels they smell that.They're like,you know,they don't know what they doing.Yeah, yeah.
36:16You know what I mean?Like, yes,they have access to some capitalbut they don't know what they don't.And luckily we didn't signor didn't do anythingbecause now I would be like,fuck.
36:26Yeah.And I'm glad that I had to like,you know,me and Lou kind of likebumped heads and I had to likedo the shit myselfor start like executing on my own.It's taught me so much.
36:34so much that now, and he'll tell you, like, I sit back and let, let brother do his thing,and sometimes I'd be like, damn, like, I ain't gonna lie. He called me one time. I was on tourlast shit. He was like, ain't gonna lie. You, you're hitting that motherfucker. Like, you're doingyour thing. Like, for real. Like, he said, you're putting this shit together for real. You knowwhat I'm saying? And that was just like, whether he gives it to me or somebody elsemakes it happen for him. It's gonna happen. Like, it's my shit. It's going to happen.Right. Yeah. Because we even saw that with like Meg and Carl Crawford, I think.Yeah, and again, I don't know their personal business,
37:06but you just saw that maybe a label did take advantage of somebody with some moneyand a very talented argument.You can't say that about Meg, though.You can't say that.You shouldn't say that about Meg.Why?That was just some clickbait so people can look at it in.I was wondering what the fuck you said.
37:22It's about it gets attention.If it gets attention, if it gets attention, if you clickbait that shit and be like,they had an argument about Meg this day and then you see me like, you can't say that.Why?Why not?Let me see what he said.Yeah, exactly.Oh, they trolling.
37:35Jackson, Mississippi.Do we think that rappers from Mississippi may be better at the internet than anybody else if we're going to rank?Right now, yeah, hell yeah.I mean, Soldier Boy started everything.Yes, but I'm like...There's a lineage of...Yeah, like, Soljiboy...I got mixed bills about how Soldier Boy, like, and Soldier Boy, if you're hearing this,
38:00you don't fuck with us, that's fine.But don't play both sides of the defense.I understand.And don't get on the enemy at telling us.Akeem, Ali, you a bitch.Don't do all that.Like, I'm not playing.I know how to fight.
38:15I ain't said I want to fight.Don't take that the wrong way.Don't get on there doing all that.But like, we barely have anything.We'd be so proud to big you up and, like, speak on your name and just say, like, you know what I'm saying?But just fuck with us.Don't fuck with Ali.Give us a little credit.
38:27You know what I'm saying?And like...Okay.So I'm trying for you are you upset with Soulja Boy becausehe's from Bompton nowand he's not from Mississippi. I can't tell him what to claim, but I can't tell peopleI'm from Jackson, Mississippi, tried and true, proud,born and raised, but I wouldn't be the artist that I am without Atlanta.
38:44Gotcha.I'm never going to misleadjia.And he could be from Leland.I just don't know how he grew up.Well, he's from Bombton.He told Floyd May with that to his face.Oh, man.I can't say where he's from.
38:54I can't say where the man from.Yeah.Mr. Drake. Drake.Drake.Drake.Drake old.Big soldier.Man.
39:01Boy.Soldier boy man.Kiss me through the phone.I can't say where you from, man.I don't tell you none of that.But it's like, give credit or pay homage.And I'm not saying that you have to, but I got to pay homage to Atlanta because I wouldn'tbe the artist or I wouldn't be seeing here in front of you out without the director
39:16right there shooting and hitting me up with ideas on me back and forth and bouncingideas off him.My photographer right there, like Latisha Marie Kavana, Kavanaugh, like I can't bewithout B-flat or without, you know, Roy O'Olland's or without Kilton.I can't be the artist that I am right now without some of these people who've hit.or put me in position.Like, I met Lou in, like, Atlanta.Like, Atlanta has, like, started my career.
39:37Yeah.And so I can't just ever be like, you know, fuck them folks.Like, if you were in Mississippi when this shit started, this is a part of some of theshit that you, like, your friends or your surroundings or the people that were there with you,they helped you do some of this shit.Or this is the reason why you probably was raised in Atlanta and influenced by it wholeheartedly,which same with me and Jackson, right?You don't get the type of nigga that I am without the Jackson in me.
39:58Right.But it's like, at what point do you say, like, shot.out to all my people in Mississippi.And maybe he's done it.I just haven't seen it.But it's just like, we'd be trying to claim Soldier Boy and people were,Solisible Mississippi, and he'd be like, I ain't from no motherfucking Mississippi.And I'd be like, whoa, nigger, what we do?
40:13Is this so bad that you just can't say to this.Like, what's up?Yeah.But we, yeah.If you mean about rappers being the best on the internet from Mississippi, yes, I am.Gotcha.I am the best on the internet.The best rapper on the internet.
40:26Yeah, me and Dersailles and one other rapper,I got to give his credit, La Russell.It's two people that I get a lot of my marketing from.I looked up to how La Russell market.At one point, you could not see La Russell on the internet.Like three, four, five years ago, you could not see that.This month, I said, God, are they paying him to do this?Who's behind this?
40:46And I got so sick to see him.He mastered that.You're a better rapper than La Russell, but he's incredible.I'm a better rap than everybody.It ain't just him.It's everybody.It's you, your best friend, your grandma, your dog, all y'all are in anxiety.Soldier boy.
41:00Salty boy tooI'm a better rapping to solie boyI'm not fucking with youI'm not fucking with youI'm goodI work very very hardfor very fucking longto be this good
41:12and it ain't just likehe popped up out of nowhereand it's likehe just started rappingyou've seen me consistentlyfor six years straightrap this goodbe this present
41:21and likeyou know what I'm sayingit ain't likelike you just saidoh okay he can really rapthis ain't a facadehe didn't just pop downand like pull some shit
41:28and just struck by lookYou know what I'm saying?No, I work very fucking hard to be this good.And why am I doing it if I'm not better than all y'all niggas?Man, like, what?Come on, though.Is there anybody that you reached out to to work with?I thought people would say to anybody you think.
41:42I'm for the hell now.No, no, no.That's your name.Jesus.No, anybody that you.God, like, you can't.You tried to work with and they weren't as receptive as you would have liked them to be.Like, you reached out to them.
41:56Yeah.I reached out to people.I used to reach out to people all the time.When people didn't get it for me or when people.when people didn't see it.And I see people now who like, I didn't DM them before.Man, listen to my project, but could you check me out?And they didn't see it because I was a nobody.
42:08And then it's like, years later, like, whatever.Hakee Mali.I'm like, shrew bitch, your ass up.Right, right.I'm just like, I'm just glad they recognized it.What's the Sierra record doing for you, though?Because that's a, that's a great look.Man.
42:20And how is that connection happening?Okay, so right here, my photographer, Letitia Marie is one of the people,one of the people who worked very close with KP.KP hit me about the recordKwan PratherHe hit me about the recordAnd was just likeYou know, C got this record
42:38And we thought you would sound good on itMe, I'm just likeBecause sometimes people would have you do recordsAnd not use themOh yeahAnd so I'm just in the groove of likeI'll be working so muchI'm like yeah I do the record
42:47The Sierra and she use itWhateverAnd she don't whateverI'm so used to writing and putting shit outI'm just like fuck itAnd I sent it to himHe was like oh boy you killed this motherfuckerAnd I was like
42:57Appreciate itand I'm just thinking nothing of itIt's sitting in my phoneThen one daySomebody hit meAnd was like hey it's meAnd C wants to knowWhen can you do content
43:06Or shoot a video or somethingI'm likeOh yeahAnd I'm still not thinking nothing of itEven now I'm just kind of likeDamn it's so surrealBecause I'm likeI grew up watching Sierra
43:14On a money carLike you know what I'm sayingDoing her thing on top of Money CarloYeahAnd it's just likeNow I'm sitting on the back of aChevalYou know what I'm saying
43:22Rapping my verse with herShe's driving crazyYeah I'm just likeFuck you knowIt's very sweetYou know what I'm sayingvery kindred spirit man like nice um man it was just like damn you know and it was almost justkind of like while i'm sitting on the backseat rapping i just wanted to be like is she real yeah
43:42yeah you yeah you for real what's your last name i'm like shit no the song is dope thoughthank you i appreciate it yeah yeah yeah yeah i like the visual for the album i mean for the for the song aswell.And I just think that's fire that she had the record and wanted you on it, not the other wayaround.And was ready, willing to, like you said, just shoot a visual full.I think it was a mixture of things too, like meeting people who've known people or who meetpeople and like they believe in a vision.
44:11I don't think that she just had like, let's put a Kim Ali on it.I think somebody saw a vision for her and said, hey, this guy would be good.But at any rate, she could have heard him and been like, yeah, no, fuck that, somebody else.And she heard it and was like, I like this.Yeah.You know what I'm saying?It takes a lot for a motherfucker to just like it.You can like it.
44:25He can like it.That don't mean she's going to like it.She's going to like it.Everybody don't feel the same about it.So for everybody to be in agreeance and like, hey, this is the guy.And like, yeah, I was like, shit.That's dope.Yeah, man.
44:36Do you also got into the joint with money, money long as well?Yeah.Well, it's on her album, but nobody knows that.But y'all will hear that later on.I see what you doing with these features, man, with the women, man.It's still some Kemi Kassanova in there.They get like, do you hate it?What?
44:53What do you mean, man?Everybody's married in that situation, too.No, no, no, everybody's married, but it's a lot.It's just like you in this picture, you money right here in this picture.Money isn't married.Money isn't married.Okay, my bad.People think she's married.
45:06So, like, you know, I don't want to have like a misperception or people be like, you know,isn't she married?Why aren't you?You know what I'm saying?My bad iceberg?Yeah, no.I saw you at the BET Awards on the carpet, you know.The aesthetics was, was very, very nice.
45:22Uh-huh.You know, just putting that out there.Do with that what you will.Uh-huh.But I like the record.Man, hey, what record?But don't you have a record with her?What record have you heard?
45:33I've been seeing y'all.You saw me in a video of hers, probably.Yes.And yeah, so that was a record that was off her album, and it was for a rollout.Okay.So we did the video, and it's just like, you know, the video looks so fucking amazing, so good.The Richest by Money Long go stream that today.All right.
45:51also streamed DeLulu.I think that's out.Yeah, support her.Support her.And support Akeem Ali.Yeah, support me.That's why I'm here.Mall football is back, and it's time to level up your approach to the NFL and college football this season because Polly
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47:34We're building a ramp for Tony Hawk.It's the same hosts and the same chemistrywith all the hilarious moments you've been missing.Right on your screen.Cheers.Open the free IHR Radio app.Search video podcasts and tap watch.Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin unfiltered podcast?
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48:46Wherever you get your podcasts.Texture tape.The texture tape three is available now.Yeah, hell yeah.What was that process for youfinally getting that togetherand getting that out on DSPs?I wrote some of that shit on tour last year
49:07just in passing some of those songs.Some of them I had already prepared.Some of them just came up on like, you know,the biggest song off there right now,Mesh wasn't even supposed to be on there.I was trying to find a song that went in betweenlatex and yarnand just got home from the studio one night
49:24and just literally started homeand a voice memoir into my phoneand just like went to the studio.you recorded that.Stuff like Ray Young was more curatedand just writing that and passingwhile I'm jotting down lyrics every day.Stuff like acrylic.
49:37I think I started writing like acrylic on tour.Spandex was a song that I just kind of like revamped.Wool was something about some crazy shit.Silk was, you know.Velvet, I was coming from a baby shower one dayand literally just made the hook to Velvetjust on mistake.I was just in the booth doing runs
49:55and just came up with thatand was just like,All right.You're doing a lot of that more, too, like, letting people know that you actually have, like, you can, you can, you can rap and kind of hold a melody.Yeah, my name is Talented.Talented.Yeah.Talented.
50:11Welcome to my Ted Talk.Welcome to my Ted Talk.You know what I'm saying?I'm talented.And welcome to my talented talk.Hell yeah.This is my best project out right now, like, as far as, like, uh.Most artists say their latest project is their best.
50:25I don't always say it.Yeah, I don't always say.I intentionally don't put out my best shit.People think they have heard like the pinnacle of me rapping.No.And like not to be funny about it,but to be in all seriousness,you haven't heard me decline rapping.
50:42Or you haven't heard like, like,maybe you don't like it as much as you like something else,but you can't say it's lacking barsor that it's lacking, like,the achim alineeness of it.Like rap-wise, this is good.Songs, this is good.I got shit so wicked sitting in my phone.
50:57I'm like, my ears bleed sometimes when I'm listening.Well, why are you holding it?I'm not.I just put out a project.Nah, but you just said you got some shit in your phone.Yeah, it's going to come out.It's going to come out.Just not text your tape.
51:14I'm thinking about doing a text of the album.And that's going to be the end of that.End of that series.Yeah, the end of that.But this is getting people like in the groove.Shout out to my photographer, Latitia.She shot this.The art, the artwork.
51:28Yeah, and then somebody else put the,the three over it.Shout out to her for that.Shout out to Ari.Kavon, he was there that day.We shot like the velvet visual.That's a whole velvet wall,suede wall type shit.
51:42So like, yeah.How do you time out putting projects?Like, you say you have stuff that's unreleasedyou want to do the texture album.Like, how long do you wait in between?Do you kind of judge that off algorithm shit too,the way you go with social media?When you're independent,
51:57you kind of just do what you want.And it's like a different structure.set up like I'd be one to take like the young boy or the Larry June approach and justboom boom boom boom but for my shit it's like give it a minute let it settle in like live withit sometime like I don't want to drop another project at least until like anotheryear and a half two years and just let people live with this one yeah I don't want to behungry to just drop music all the time but when it dropped it needs to be like this what thefuck is he doing or like how is and when you hear it you're gonna be like I thought this
52:25this thing was bullshit like I thought he was playing but he really not fucking playing you know what I'mMan.So far I've been right about everything.I said I was going to do.So far I've been right about everything.What do you think the biggest misconception about you is as an artist?I think a lot of people just think I give a fuck, man.I don't know.
52:44And they just be thinking.I thought it was the gay pimpsing.Yeah.Fuck all that.I would be like, whatever.I don't be giving them fuck about a lot of stuff.And people be thinking I do.But I just be like, y'all do y'all.
52:59thing, man, and I'm just going to sit over here and chill and rap and just vibe, you know.No, but people be thinking I'm somebody they can play with and I'm not.Who be thinking that?Everybody.You seem like such a just a cool, in your own zone type of dude.I don't, I be trying to convince people of that, but they don't give a fuck.And so I just be like, all right.People think I'm just like talking shit when I be saying I rap good or they just be like,
53:23he can't rap this good.I've never heard of him.Anybody that sees your videos or hear your bars can't.They can't not say you don't rap.Like, anybody that listens to rap and the end you rap,they're going to say,yo, this dude can rap.You'd be surprised.
53:36No, that's just,niggas just hating.You'd be surprised.I'm telling you, like, they'd be on some shit, patch.I'm telling you,they're disrespecting me in my own hood.Can't do that.That's just them.
53:48Having that video with Sierra,music come on money long,like,that changes all of that.I will tell you,like a very big misconceptionthat a lot of people have aroundwhat I do is that.
53:59They think that I have it all figured out or that I got it all put together or that I have more than I already do or that I'm probably rich or that I'm like, you know, you see people on the red card.I got invited to the fucking BETT Award.Like I'm not rich or famous and like, you're in a video over Sierra.You must have a million dollars.No, I don't have none of this shit figured out.I don't have it like y'all think I do.I'm just one person who just decides not to quit.Keep pressing them buttons.
54:23Like, when you're playing the game, you don't know what to do, you just start pressing shit.I'm that nigger.Like, if I'm losing, I'm going to just start doing.shit and I just press all the buttons at one time and like you know what I'm saying like so I don'thave it all figured out or I don't have like this grand you know what I'm saying people be like can youlisten to my stuff or give me some advice I can tell you to stop going but then you're goinggoing be like he's trying to be funny I mean uh to don't stop going or don't quit you're goingyou're going to think I'm being funny yeah keep going that's literally the answer to all of this
54:48shit like don't stop you know what I'm saying and just like make sure you got the rightdirection right execution I was telling somebody the other day you know what's crazy they was likewhy people be like why ain't I further ahead than what they think I should be you know if you stand at the top of Madison Square Garden and shoot a basketball into the hoop and make it that shit is so impressive rightmm-hmm still two points though right or three it's three no it's not even um it only counts when you're playing inside of this rectangle that's true you know what I'm sayingand when you're shooting on the correct goal and when it's your team's turn to like when you've stolen the ball or got the possessionit's impressive from way up therebut until you learn how to like doexecution like you got the fastest car on the track
55:33but you're outside oflike you're out of bounds or you're on thefucking side wall riding andyou're faster than everybody but you never cross thefinish line because the finish line ain't on there like overthere and so it's like have allthese things and be goodbut execution matters
55:48and how you're doing it where you're doing itwhen you're doing it all of that shit mattersthat's a fair you know what I'm sayingand so some of it is very impressivelike hot sauce kids put itball on this shirt and throw that motherfucker aroundboom boom boom boom but you knowwhat I'm saying
56:01my guyand not that he's fucking phenomenallethal shooterokay yeahmotherfucker could shoot a basketball from out of spacerightwhy don't he got Steph Curry moneyright
56:12you know what I'm saying likewhy don't he got Kevin Durant moneythere's other nuances you have to learn beforeyou feel me and so it's just likewe could just post this motherfucker up and justpass on the ball and justevery timeit just don't work that way though yeah you know
56:26absolutelyYeah.Oh man, we really, reallyHold on, man, I'm going on tour.Oh, yeah, no.Let the people know.Listen, we want you to plug everything.I'm going on tour, man.
56:35Let the people know where they can find you, when they can see you.I'm going on tour.Y'all buy tickets to see me on tour.Now, let me tell y'all because people tell me.Are you going to wrap it, though?Am I going to wrap it?Yeah.No, no, no, it's too much shit to wrap.
56:46Hold on, let me see if I can.Also send us the image.We'll put it up right here.When you say the dates.When you come into New York,or are you because, y'all,I sound like one of the niggas in the comments now.Right.
56:59Right.What is my New York date?Hold on.Let me look this up because let me tell y'all exactly.I definitely got to make sure I see you.How y'all embarrassing y'all city and state good people?By not showing up the way y'all said y'all would.Where's New York?
57:12November 5th.November 5th?Damn, y'all are you.Okay, it is right there.Yeah, November 5th.Uh-huh.Uh-huh.Now, this is missing the, um, the, uh, fucking Las Vegas date.
57:26which is October the 14th.It's missing Las Vegas,which is October to 14th.Okay.Let me tell y'all some of these ticket sales.Columbia, South Carolina,y'all are okay, but you do need a bell on your ass.Out of 1,200 tickets, I've only sold 421.
57:41Okay.Orlando, Florida, you need your ass beat.Out of 816 tickets, I've only sold 135.This tour starts in like a week and a half.Yeah.You know what I'm saying?Yeah.Who else?
57:53I love it.Miami.I know these.950 tickets need to be sold.Only 265 to sold.Y'all told me to come to Miami.What the fuck happened?Did the promoter say it's a good walk-up crowd?
58:03That's my favorite thing.Oh, it's a big walk-up town.Big walk-up town.It's a big walk-up town.And then when the show ends,they're like, hey, there was a Marlins game.Man, but watch this, though.Tampa Bay, 550 tickets need to be sold.
58:21234 sold.Oklahoma City, 850.151 tickets need to be sold.187 have been sold.You need a belt on your ass.You might need to shove a belt up y'all ass.San Diego,705 tickets need to be sold.
58:36Only 91 sold.Yeah, they need to be.Las Vegas, I built up your ass.Las Vegas, 750 tickets need to be sold.Only 118 are sold.Who else?Omaha, Nebraska.Only 119 tickets out of 600.
58:50Denver, only 124 out of 450.Oh, Portland.You need to be able to be.belt up your ass, pull through your mouth andwhoop with the belt, because out of550 tickets, only 79 have sold.New York, Irvin Plaza.The trailblazers have a game that day.
59:05Watch this. New York, you need a timbling boot.That's the size 15.Shut up your ass.Because out of 1,100 tickets, only 151 tickets have been sold.It's funny now.Thanksgiving, you know.Yeah, Little Rock.Little Rock.
59:21You need the same treatment, New York guy.But somebody need to wrap you upside your fucking head,because out of 1,300 tickets only 85.The Clintons will solve that one.Who else?Birmingham, 182 tickets sold out of 1,000.Huntsville, 133 tickets sold.Only shows that are sold out.
59:36And I had to do a second Atlanta showare Jackson, Mississippi, my hometown, and Atlanta.Right.Y'all tell me to come to these places,and if you're not a fan, I get it.I'm not forcing you to buy tickets.Tickets are only $30.I've been promoting this tour for five and a half months.
59:49It costs five fucking dollars to fart.You poop, it costs you $5.And you can say $5 a month, $4 a month, you spend, come on, I just spend $10.Right.Just then.Just breathe.In New York, maybe $10.It comes to $20 a hour to walk outside of you.
01:00:05And y'all tell me to come to these cities.And then y'all say, oh, he's complaining.He's a cry, baby, he's doing this.And he's trying to force us.He's trying to pocket.I'm not trying to pocket watch you.If you're a fan or if you know somebody.And this is me advocating for myself because maybe the algorithm isn't showing you.
01:00:18So the people who got tickets and you do support me, I love you.I appreciate you.You mean a lot to me.I want your business.I want your support.I want to love and I want to reciprocate that to you and for you.I do appreciate it.And I am grateful to be in this position, all right,
01:00:29that you are taking time out of your busy day, schedule,life to spend effort, time, money, and energy on me.But for the people who haven't seen this,I'm bringing his belt.I'm bringing them Tims.And if you ain't got them tickets, don't hop on my live.Tell me how you're a fan and you ain't got no ticket.If y'all not at the show, I'm coming back up here.
01:00:49I know where y'all live at.Oh, no.I'll be at the show.I got to see what you do.What's your money bag, man.The algorithm, you got to tack that.It was one last thing.I want to give a shout out to some artists in Jackson.
01:01:00Okay.All right.I'm going to get a shout out.And I'll leave y'all along.I'll get out to y'all.All right.So shout out to some artists and some platforms in Jackson, Mississippi from the I love.I love that you're doing this, by the way.
01:01:09Yeah, man.Appreciate it.Ant Toosey, franchise, Hollywood luck, Jay, Skye, King, King, Tricky, T, Hurtie,T, T, Tee, Nawley, Naurley, Nalachie, Fattiexie,Nottie, Nottie, J., Nalachie, Farrie,Norley J, Fat Dilsle, Malik Cash, Casting Boy, Drake, Jewels, Ariel J, Sierra Archie, Lake Forrest D,D, Air Slim, Hershey Black, Flores, Vitamin C, B King of Go, Kenny Pahina, Nogh,Cooke, Cool Jaze, Coke, Coolmoye, Deer Siles, Trulminati, Nileile, Nile, Nile,
01:01:34L'Hin, Little C, Doe Hicks, Dirty Costello, Slim Pusher, the Joker, Cool KM, RBA,Sko, Joddy Boy, Ray Kincaid, Dono Vegas, DJ Pinnis, Dunwin, that's my DJ, DJ T Lewis, DJ T-Lewis,DJ Reese, DJPM, DJ Pretty Ricky, DJ ScrabDirty, DJ Twigger, Fly Walker as a producer, Markell producer, Rasha Street producer, Seagherty producer, now some platforms that y'all can subscribe to too.Rita Brent, my dog, cousin Tim, John the Net tapped in reviews, bars to blow, Squirrel World, Chrysler's 3rd on that C-Money TV, Fox Codrome, Chronicle, 6-1 in Park, Michaela Fillsills, Big Mooch, Porsche C, Alexis Noble.Shout out to all y'all, my closest friends, you know, Chuck and Javidrick.God damn Brian, BJ, Tim,Rollo, shout out to my dolls,my sister, shout out to you, I love you.
01:02:21I don't say my sister name,I don't want about knowing what my folks is.Real like that.Y'all nigs be weird.You know what I'm saying?Shout to all my people back at home, man.If you ever in Jackson, if y'all go visit Jackson,go eat at Johnny Tees, go eat at,
01:02:32go to M. Boar, go to Names and Faces,F. Jones, shit, fourth lounge,trio, a couple of businesses and places you can go to.What is looking like in Jackson?Just go, eat at the places I told you to eat at.They're shaking ass in them placesI'll go doWhen I told you
01:02:49I don't go to the booty clubWhat? Why?Why?I work hard for my moneyYeahAll I complain and I do aboutNot having the moneyJust to go in there and be like
01:02:58Take itYeah but sometimes you needYou know, inspirationNo and I'm gonna tell youI'm gonna tell youNo, I'm gonna tell you somethingAs hard as I work for my moneyGive me
01:03:09All my moneyAnd a rolls of quartersI'm gonna knock somebody out in this bitchI'm throwing him.I'm throwing rolls a quarter.Don't too much.It's $5 a quarter.Mom are going to knock it up, lumped up.
01:03:23The text you tore, Akeem Ali.Listen, man, go get them tickets.Have you been to Jackson?I've never been to Jackson, Mississippi.Oh, man, okay.I've been twice.Pige and I got robbed in New Orleans,and then we drove to Jackson, Mississippi.
01:03:35And got robbed again.Dang.We came home after that.I just had.Barely made it.All of our stuff taking New Orleans robbed,and we went to Jackson, Mississippi with the shirts on our backand somehow made it back to New York.
01:03:49Fuck you.Jackson took us in.Nicky we made it.No,some of the greatest people,the nicest, most genuine peoplewho were ever meeting your life from Jackson.Yeah,
01:03:56definitely.Jackson, it was a cool city,the time that we spent there.Yeah.For sure.Akeem Ali, we appreciate you, man.This has been long overdue.It's a pleasure to finally have you in the studio.
01:04:05Thank you for having me, man.Anytime you back in New York,you want to come through,pull up to November 5th.I'm gonna be back tomorrow.Shit, I'm gonna come.No, definitely for the show.You definitely got to come through
01:04:13whenever you get to the city before the show.Come kick it with us.Detection tour.Go get those tickets now.Support Akeem Ali.Real talent.Real bars.Yeah, man.
01:04:22I'm that nigga.He's just ginger.Peace.The gender niggas.Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin unfiltered podcast?Here's what you missed.There should not be a single law enforcement agency.It does not have body cameras.
01:04:39It's real.Black farmers have been under attack.This is just the latest example of them just slapping DEI on anything.It's raw.And I'm sitting here going, they are playing y'all for fools.Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network.And download Roland Martin unfiltered on the IHart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.This is an IHart podcast.
01:05:03Guaranteed Human.
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