No Jumper - Shawn Smith on Signing to Roc Nation, Rapping at the BET Cypher & More

Episode Date: June 9, 2023

Shawn Smith talks about growing up in Philly, signing with Roc Nation, going to the Brunch, making Flakko jealous, and more! ----- 00:00 Intro 0:49 Shawn's school was wild, Flakko says he was never a fighter: "I've been p***y my whole life" 2:54 The new Philly sound, copying everybody else? 5:17 Shawn says the new Philly sound is cool even if it's for younger kids 6:41 Shawn was an artsy kid and super smart in high school, was on the paper for his prowess 7:53 Flakko says Leaf Ward never showed up for his interview and hasn't heard from him since 8:33 From Philly to signing with Roc Nation 9:58 Joe Budden podcast played his music which definitely boosted his visibility 11:38 Meek been showing love to Shawn for years, brought him to the studio, gave him a verse!!! 13:23 Shawn says Black Thought is his mentor 15:10 Shawn says he's a good drawing artist and almost became a cartoonist 15:45 Flakko says he hates talented dudes because he only gossips for a living 16:26 Shawn on the BET cypher, Flakko asks about the other lyricists Roc Nation signed 17:54 Flakko says by signing lyricists Roc Nation looking for his next J Cole 19:15 Shawn says he's the best regardless of how a rapper should feel 19:40 Shawn has some things in the works with Reuben Vincent 22:12 Shawn has been to the Roc Nation brunch like 3 times already!! Flakko is jealous says he's a natural groupie and would lose his mind being there 23:47 Flakko says if he would meet Drake at the brunch, he would bend knees and ask for a verse if he was Shawn 24:20 Being inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat 25:34 Shawn on working with Don Cannon 28:23 Shawn says Uzi was always fire and knew he would be a huge artist 29:40 Flakko has an issue with rappers calling themselves "rock stars" 32:01 Flakko asks why 'God Dad' is such a short song, says the future of music is a min song or even loops 36:00 Shawn also says hip hop shouldn't cater to Tiktok 37:49 Flakko asks Shawn his Philly goats 39:59 Flakko says Quilly Millz aint hot anymore 42:39 Is Cassidy the greatest battle rapper from Philly? Shawn says he could battle Arsenal for 500K 47:31 "Kurr made me wish I had sh** stain draws" - Flakko 49:25 Flakko tells Shawn to stay away from Philly Scoop Hall 50:05 How Flakko sees Shawn's career and says he'd rather see him as a Tech N9ne than a Trinidad James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Jumpa coolest podcast in the world, man. We're here with Sean Smith. How you feeling, brother? What's up? I'm feeling good. Man, Sean, yo, I heard you from Philly, man. Definitely from Philly. Southwest, Philly, but I represent the whole Philly.

Now, listen, now, like, right before this interview started, we, like, we were talking about, like, the Philly versus. And how North Philly would. Listen, like, you even, like... I don't know if they're comparable, though, because, like, North, like, way bigger than Southwest, though. Oh, where? Yeah, yeah, yeah. North is like way over, but...

No, I feel like Southwest, they're just mad Africans there. Like, North is like we're like the, you know, like the FBAs, right? Yeah, South West is a lot of Africans. I can vouch for that, for sure. Matt, listen, a bunch of librarians. I know for sure, right? Definitely. A lot of Africans, like, for sure. With the, so, like, you went to Bartram? Yeah, yep. Bartram.

Okay, right? Bartram was crazy. Don, listen, listen, right, so... We used to fight teachers. I've seen a teacher squaring up with a kid I know. Multiple times. That, and there was this weird, like, for example,

like back, like, there's just weird, like, African-First American shit going on, right? Yo, how you know about that? Yeah. Yo. Right? No, right. No, right.

I was at, um... Did you get caught up in that? Hell, no, listen. Yeah. Listen, no, bro. I've always been pussy by the whole life. Right? I stopped the bullshit.

Not right. Not right. Not right. But I was at, um, at, um, at, a pet wood from like eighth to like the 11th, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah, right? So, right?

So, like, right so, like, there'll be kids, kids, like, coming from our school to go into Barcham to help fight. Yeah, it was nice. Yeah, I won part of that. Man, stop it, man. I'm not after you. I wasn't there every time they went down. No, I'm cool.

They bought hobbies. Like, yeah, you got to be cool with them. Like, they're cool. Like, so I never was really a part of that. That never really makes sense to me anyway. Yeah, that was some cool, bro, that's cool in it right there, right? I think it was just a specific couple, you know, Africans and the specific couple, and they had just had issues. The Rati once, man.

Wait, though, so were you ever part of, like, what's called it, like, dollar boys or? No, that was a little after me, but, like, they was popping, though, like. How old are you? I'm 29. Ah, that was, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's way, that's way after you. So they're, like, a couple years. In my day, it was, like, like, YBE, party boys and stuff like that. So it was like dollar boys, but like a generation before and all that.

And wait, so like D-Macking came when? Like, like, like, like, like- What year was that, though? Like after you or like during your time? It was during my time, yeah. Ah, D-Met, let me see? Yeah, it was, yeah, I can't hear it. Hey, man, listen, man, listen. That's crazy.

Not fact. D-Macket. Yeah, right? There's D-Macking now, now here, right? So there's people saying, right, that, okay, so this new Philly sound now, now, right? right, is copying everybody else. So, let's break it down, right? All right, let's break it down.

Because Sean is somebody who, you have your own style, right? Like, you are a spitter. But, Sean, you are original, right? But, for example, let's say 2016, right? Yeah. Where 30 Wops started popping with the whole, like, melodic trap thing, then everybody in Philly started doing the melodic trap thing, right? It's the wave, like, you know, if it's pop, like, you know.

I feel like Philly is like, I can't, we can't look at it as like a copy and thing. It's just like really, really up-to-date with shit. Like, whenever it's lit, like, we're fucking with it. If it's hot to us, we're just fucking with it. We're going to make it our own. But when I went around just snatching waves, it's like, if we fucking with it, we're going to rock with it. And that's just how it be until. But I feel like a lot of people take from Philly.

Like, I hear it growing a lot now, like, especially on TikTok, like Philly TikTok. Yeah. Yeah, just how we talk, period. Like, a lot of people take our slang, our style and all that, but, you know. Yeah, right, but then, like, I feel like that's the issue, right? It's, like, for example, like, we are up to date and you feel me, right? You know, but, like, what's our sound, though? Well, it's Philly.

Yeah. I feel like if it's not a sound, it's just like a culture and an attitude kind of, you know what I'm saying? Even if we do do something, like if they're doing the rap they're doing, it's like, it's Philly slang. Like, I heard them on there like, dung, dickhead. Yeah, that's Philly. Like, you know, no matter how you twist it, it's, like, our style on it. So I feel like we just make everything hot.

Of course. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, of course. That's what it is. Yeah, right? Now, here, right? Now I. Now, like, you're 29, right?

Mm-hmm. So how do you feel about, you know, like, the new, I guess, I guess, like, a party, Jersey type wave now going on like for example like there's like Philly goons Philly goats Yeah right yeah sorry goats They saw it right

So like how do you feel about that new sound Now now again I'm also claim fully because you know I was there for a couple years You feel me so you feel me right Right right right so How do you feel about that new sound Like unbiased like not even trying to be

political like I like it I think it's lit. Yeah. Especially if the kids love it, it's popping, it's fun. It ain't, like, corny. Yeah. I'm not with it. You know what I mean?

Even if it's, like, not in my age record that I want to, like, listen to. Of course. I understand, like, why it's fire, yeah. Bro, fan. Bro. Like, to me, like, they're tough as hell. Yeah, it ain't dangerous.

You know what I'm saying? Yeah. So that's why I like about it the most. See, it's fun is not dangerous. Yeah. Because one thing we know about Philly, man, is Philly can get dangerous, right? Yeah.

So how do you know? navigate, you know, like being an artist, being a rapper, and staying out the nonsense. Man, it's like, it's kind of embedded in you as you grow up. Because, like, from a young age in Philly, like, you probably see some crazy shit. And even if nobody tell you, you see it, you remember it, you're like, I got to be careful. Or I got to keep my hand a swivel. Or you know something that happened to somebody. You're like, oh, I got to get my hand to swivel.

So just how I move, period. Even when I'm out here, like, I move like I'm in Philly. Yeah. That's just how I know I move. So I just keep my head on the swivel and like, just pay attention to my surroundings, but like, I mean, just stay out the way. Yeah, I ain't too, too mixy.

Nothing. No, no. No, you can't be mixing, man, like, at all, bro. Hell no. At all. At all. I ain't even in my, like, DNA, like, I'm, you know, I chill, you feel. Wait, what kind of kid was you, though?

What kind of kid was I? Yeah. Artistic, I was sure. Very artistic. I was always known for, like, even since, like, four or five, drawing. right then I'd be drawing on people with arms with pen making all this art then like I was super smart in school like got put it in the newspaper a few times just for being like super smart yeah

always rap so when I start rapping like yeah when I start rapping like my class got behind me and the school got behind me and my neighborhood got behind me and then the city got behind me so yeah I was always cool I was like a bully like a jock in school yeah I was like chilling in school like everybody Had all the holes, huh? I don't know about all that. In school, I was, like, that big. And I was real scruly. The reason I would have to girls

is because I rat. You know what I'm saying? Of course, all the girls, like, because I rap. Listen, it's the rappers and the ball niggas. Bald niggas and rappers? Had all the holes, man. Bald niggas? Yeah.

Like the one who ball, yeah. Oh, I'm like, ball. Oh, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Like, what ball and niggas? Nah, man. For sure, yeah, yeah. You play ball for sure, yeah. Fem, bro, fan.

Listen, like, there's a light-skinned nigga named Leaf in almost every school. And, like, who played Varty basketball? Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. You're at the Leaf War from the city. Yo, bro, listen. Yo, I was supposed to interview, like, like, a Leaf War, right? Yeah.

Bro, I don't know, like, what happened, right? So, so, like, so the, like, the, like, night before, right? Yo, we good? Oh, yeah, me, for me, man. The day came, man. Oh, man. I can't even speak for the schedule. I ain't heard from Leaf Sense.

You feel like that? Right? Yeah, yeah, right? Tell me your story, though, man. So how did you go from, from Baltimore, from Southwest Philly to being signed by Rock Nation? How did that journey happen? All right. I tell you.

It was all like, some of the moments was kind of cinematic, like a movie or whatever. but like from going to school to like rapping and like coming up and see like high school or whatever it all kind of started with being in west philly down the bottom i was just rapping outside and my manager at the time heard me and said yo i'm gonna take you to the studio like that next week we went to the studio i started uploading youtube videos just started getting a whole lot of views and all that and after that i really just started staying in the studio learning how to like make songs and shit So after the YouTube videos came like songs and shit And I was getting songs like that was like doing a lot of views

And I just kept chugging like kept going after that But the journey in between it was like a lot of like Of course like disappointments like a lot of things that could have been done but didn't And I realize you get a lot of people that run up to you like You know I could do this and that or you should be doing it this way And none of that shit really turned out to nothing like So it's hell of a journey like I'm doing this like really long time

Yeah to still be young, you know what I'm saying? Right, right. So, all right. So, like, wrap it down West, got into the stew, start dropping videos, right? Yep. Now, tell me about that first video that clicked and, like, took you out of here.

Who was it? Damn, it was, um, man, Earl called. Heaven? Heaven? I can say it probably was Heaven. Heaven? Heaven was fire because Joe Bunn and them put it on the podcast mall. Yeah. And, you know, it just went far.

Like, it did a lot of... It blew you up, right? Yeah, basically. God. I did the BT Cypher or all that. Wait, hold up. The Joe Bulletin podcast blew you up? That's crazy.

Like, the Heaven song. Yeah. Y'all has nuts. Yeah. Like, it really, like, started from there. Like, a lot of the traction started from a sleeper pick that they put up. Yeah. Of course.

Wait, and who played it? Was it Roy? Oh, was it Joe? Oh, Maher picked it. Mall played it. Now, wait, wait now.

All of them got behind it, though. So, like, wait now. There's no collusion here going on, right? What? So, Ma is linked to Jay Z and Rock. So, wait, so, like, was that truly like a sleeper pick,

or did, you know, some, you know, some fun's gear? That's a good question, though. If I really got to, like, break it down, like, a homie of mine, listen to the like Joe Button podcast all the time. He was a huge fan. And he was like, yo, I'm not to send Sean's song and they might pick it or whatever.

So then made the homie of mine tell my manager to actually send it in. And that's how we got sent it in. And as soon as he did that, I started tuning in to the podcast. And I'm like, oh, shit. And then they actually paid this. So I was like, oh, shit. And that went crazy, right?

So after that started going wild, Who was the first, I guess, an industry player and who reached out to you? I don't know, because, like, all right since I was, like, probably, like, 15, 16. Like, I've been fucking with, like, Meek and all that. Oh, really? Yeah, me used to show me like,

I used to come down to Batcave Studio. Yeah. Meek would be in, I don't think I ever told this story. Not. Meek gave me a verse one time. For the Frisky. For the freesky. God, this is around the time

he first got signed to Mayvac music. Yeah. And I walk in the Batcave, and he in there, I think it's like a lot of people in there, you're in there. And he was, he was like knocking out features, like, for other people, like, just getting paid, though. Because I remember this was early, but I remember after every feature, he'd be like, that's another 20,000. Yeah. That's 15,000.

Oh, man. He's not writing the verses. He's just knocking them out. You're freestyle. And then he just look over to me and he, like, you got something pull it up. And I was like, oh, shit. Yeah. I just pulled up whatever song I had, threw a verse on it and just gave it to me.

You know what I'm saying? For the free. For the free. And that was thorough, you know what I'm saying? Are they out yet? Yeah. I think I never said it because I would have like to find it. Yeah.

Yeah, it's like. Where's it at? It's in a cup. What's it called? What's it called? I don't even remember. Just. Now, yo, that's crazy.

Yo, bro, listen. Yo, listen up, bro. Nah, I'm not going to lie. No, niggas going to find it. Find out of it? Nicking is? And put on the EP, man. What you're going?

Right? No, I got to get the new meek verse. like that's but uh yeah it's out there like yeah it's out there but yeah that was that was just like an example of running around in philly like yeah the older niggas always fuck with me so of course they always show love or whatever man but after that like you said after the heaven all that or maybe even before i having black thought it was like my mentor like black oh that's where the bars come from yeah that's like that's like that's where you like nah bro because i'd be wondering right because heaven right like you was like bro who was you then like well like 20 what

22, 23? Probably, yeah, like 23, something. Right? Yeah. It was bars, right? Yeah. So, like, how did you link up with Blackthaw? Again, I personally say, like, for example, right?

Like, my, like, Tafout lyricist of all time, right? I say J. J. Electronica. I say Absal, right? And I say, I think I put Biggie and then Blackthor, right? Damn. Yeah, right? So, bro, like, you have an access to, like,

to one of, like, the all-time great lyricist, like, one of, right? Yeah, like. How do you even, like, tap into that, you know, like, like, how'd that even happen? I felt how you felt at first. Like, I'm like, yo, this is black thought. First, I wasn't in reaching out,

I ain't know what to say with him. You know what I was saying? But, like, he's so thorough and he rocked with me, like, I rock with him. Yeah. He just, like, really, like, told me a lot from down to, like, even breath control

rap topics like I did like exercises with him yeah he got me to perform at Carnegie Hall yeah yeah just a lot of dope opportunities even just like personal dinner

it's like really tapping in I think I went to the the Tonight Show I kicked it with him before so like it's a cool mentor besides rapping like being that incredible rapper he into like all the other shit

I want to do too like film you know what I'm saying Like, just a lot of humanitarian work. Yeah, definitely. No, like, but do you draw, draw? I can draw. I can draw. I can't do a portrait right now, you feel.

I can hook you up. Like, I could do a tent or something. You draw, draw, draw, draw. Yeah, I can draw. I'm gonna pull something. I'm gonna pull something. Word. Yeah, I could draw, yeah.

It's my first love. Like, real shit. Was I actually drawing? Yeah, like, I really thought it was gonna be an artist. Like, I could pull up an old newspaper. I was 10 years old. Yeah. My picture in there

and I told them I'm gonna be a cartoonist when I grew up and shit and I love Carmelo Anthony or something shit yeah yo bro listen bro right

bro look like I hate me in like real talented niggas right right because bro like it makes me like bro listen like

I feel bad right because bro listen bro listen bro listen because I don't do shit but gossip you feel me right as I do you like tea

yeah right listen bro listen bro listen bro Listen, bro, listen, yo. I just gossip for a living and tell rapper's business. You actually got to tell us. You're on the platform, though. You feel it?

Yeah. Niggas do that for free. Listen. Yo, listen. That's true, right? Now, here, a question, though, right? So who put up, okay, so, like, who, like, orchestrated the, like, BT Cipher for you? Um, there's definitely a rock move, I believe.

Wait. You, like, best signed a rock nation. For a couple years, yep. Got you. Here, tell me this, though. So, like, exactly, okay, so exactly, like, what is Rock Nation up to, bro? Because they sign, like, a bunch of spinters, bro. Like, you, I think Ruben Vincent as well, right?

Yeah, yep, yep. Like, y'all both are, like, supreme, like, lyricists and spit up, bro. Fire, yeah. Like, what is Rock Nation up to? Like, what did they sign you? Did it tell you? I really like, I really like the, like you said, just. It's the essence of hip hop, like the culture is still intact.

Like, you know what I mean? It's like intent, you know what I'm saying? And I really rock with that the most even from the beginning, working with them. Yeah. So kind of like what you mentioned, that's what I like the most. I wasn't really fine in that where I was moving around that. So, you know, I'm big on that. Big on like impact, legacy.

And I really love money and all that. I like thinking of success. of success, but it don't drive me as much like, as, like, having, like, legacy or, like, impact or just creating something, like, for the future where other artists get to, you know, be a part of. And, you know, just making a way. You know what I'm saying?

I'll fuck with that. But, bro, like, there's some, like, heavy shoes to feel, though. Because you know, like, for example, right, like, when I see guys like you and, like, Ruben Vincent, right? Uh-huh. The first thing that I think of is, oh, Jay's trying to find his next Jay call. right

because j and had jay call he was sure for a little minute that he started right right do you like do you like like here

do you even understand like why people will compare let's say like you or like Rubin to jay call yeah I think I'm like

I studied like the average consumer people every day I even study myself I consume yeah and how I consume yeah and how I think I view rappers and people.

I think the closest thing people may get is like, oh, he's signed a Jay. Yeah. But, you know, to a person's mind, that's enough for them to be like... Of course. Connecting right to Jay Cole and he rap too, but I just think, you know, Jay Cole had a crazy

success story, and I think, you know, we do too. I think a lot of what he did is the reason while we're able to do what we do. He inspired us. Yeah. But obviously the story is like, somewhat different, but somewhat the same. You know what I mean?

Bro, do you feel like, though, here? So, like, just in terms of, like, just terms of, like, bars, right? Mm-hmm. Are you at that caliber yet? I feel like I'm the best. Ooh, talk that shit, man. You know how people say that. You know how people would say that because, like, you know,

how people would be, like, say that because, like, you know, they feel like that's what they're supposed to say. I literally, like, I'm the best. Yeah, of course, man. Now, listen, though. Now, have you in, like, Ruben locked in yet? Yeah, yeah. A word.

Not locked in, but, like, we worked on some stuff. I feel like- Drop that shit, man. Yeah, I'm gonna drop it. It's fire. Word, like, what? Like, what? Like, you're some bar shit or some, like, actual song?

We did some bars stuff, some actual song stuff, but never, like, really sat in and did songs on our own accord. Like, it was always set up for us to do some drums. No. I think we need to lock in, like, on our own. I heard his music, you heard of my music, and we really like it. Nah, man, Fasta. Really lock in on some shit.

Yeah. Yo, and like, who's chiefie? That's my cousin. Ah, right? Right now, right? Look, right? So, okay, so, is he party right now? Hell yeah.

Man. Yeah, you wish he could be out of here. Oh, wait, so like, he's still back in Philly? Mm-hmm. Bro. Right now. How do it feel, though, right? When you're, let's say, like, with Jay-Z.

Z, popping, no jumping, right? BT, right? Yeah. Bro, I know them calls got to be like, yo, bro, you made it, bro. Like, I'm proudy, right? You feel me, right? Yeah.

But, like, for example, right? Like, we're on right now, right? Mm-hmm. But family, like, I don't understand that we not, like, on, on, you feel me? Right? Yeah, yeah. That level.

Yeah, right? Yeah, yeah. Do family understand that, though, or do they think y'all, you know, like, he's up millions, I need to check. No, like my family, I'm like super tapping with my family.

Yeah. They understand everything I'm going through. Like, they know I'm here. Mm-hmm. Yeah, they're just super supportive. Like, I mean, I can't really ask for a better, like, situation when it comes to them. Yeah.

Like, super open. I could tell them anything, ask them for anything or they'll do anything I need them to do. Yeah. And vice versa. Yeah, but vice versa. Yeah. Yeah.

They just, they so amazed this stuff I even did so far. Like, you know what I'm saying? My family, we from Philly, so it's not much we really got to do or see or even go. You know what I'm saying? So far as traveling, I probably did the most of my family already in the last couple years. I've been, like, you know, only time I've been out of the country is like Mexico. God damn I. Like, it's all around the country just pop into places we never think.

Like, I even went to the BET Awards. I didn't even think I never go there. Oh, were? Yeah, it's Miami. Like, it's anywhere where I really wanted to go. Yeah. I'm ready to go, like, to Paris, though. Yeah.

I ain't been there yet. That's where I want to go. Have you been to the Rock Nation brunch? Yeah, like three times. Now, bro, listen, though, man. Now, listen, now, tell me, like, because, bro, listen, because I'm a natural groupie, right? So, bro, if I hop in, like, a Rock Nation brunch,

and I turn to see, see Megan Estallion, and I see Jamie Fox. It's like that. I turn, I see, man, bro. The coolest thing that you see him, but was even cooler, it, like, you walk up to them. It ain't just like, you know how you'd be like,

oh, I see Meg. Yeah. It's like, Meg may walk up to you. Or, like, she might be, like, right next to you. To just talk. Yeah, it's like no security. Like, it ain't like the vibe. It's like, just super open and it's chill.

You know what I'm saying? But people, like, really right there. You just walk up. Who you talk to, man? I know he was by the accent. Yeah, man. Yeah, who you talk to, man? I feel me?

I talk to a lot of people. I'm not going to lie. Like Meg? I didn't talk to Meg. I remember the one year she came. I didn't talk to her. She was far away. Of course, I talked to Jay.

I talked to with the RDC. I had a good time talking to him Supreme RDC board. Funny, like. Wait, that was there? Yeah, he was there. Yeah, he was there.

Oh, God. Yo, they was there for real? Yeah, he was there. Yo, E40, real one. Oh, for sure. We still connect with him. I talk to him. He's a real one.

Damn, it's so many, like, chance. You told a chance? Yeah, chance. Push your tea. Oh, damn. I seen Mika in there a few times. Drink ever there? No, I never seen me.

Damn, man. No. Damn, man, listen. Yo, I ain't going to lie, bro. That'd be crazy. If I seen Drake there and I'm you, bro. No, I'm begging for that verse, man. There you go.

Don't, bro. I'm going to bend the knees, bro. Oh, okay. I was going to ask me what would you say to him? Please, bro. Oh, okay. Listen, bro, listen. Like, because of Drake Stimless package, you is going fast, man.

Just like that. Yeah. Man. So why are you inspired by John Battiste? Jean-Michot. Yeah. Boschiat. Oh, Baski-i.

Yeah, yeah. His art is just like, it's just raw. You feel me? Like, I like the stories behind his art. the anatomy stories. I like the truth behind it, the statements behind it. I like just the expression. I like when he created on a few at a time.

You know what I'm saying? I feel like that's one of my ways I really, really like the work. That people really can't understand. They want you to work on one thing. But sometimes your mind just want to go in different places. It's everything about him. Just like it's being a young black king that's expressive. I feel like I really embody that as well

Yeah, but not like, not like Because I've seen that Jay-Z like got like his hair to model that, right? Yeah, they both from Brooklyn. Really? Wait, hold up, he's from Brooklyn? He's from Brooklyn? How a Negro from Brooklyn named John Ma-Boskeet?

I think he's Haitian. Oh, he Haitian. And Hispanic, Haitian or something. I don't want to be wrong. Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's probably why, right? Yep.

Now listen, speak on the chain gang freestyle, man. How do you and Don Ken, who's another, like, Philly Legend, man? Definitely a legend. How did y'all link up? Man, I used to, yo, you ever heard the Don Cannon of you on Freeway and Low Wing? Like, dun-d-d-dun-a-d-kennet? No. Oh, my God.

But I used to sing that shit every day. I used to get in trouble for singing that school. Yeah, of course. Anyway, that just take it back. Like, that's just how far I heard Don Cannon had voice just ringing in my ears just as a kid. Of course. So to be able to do this right with. him like, appreciated it, you feel me.

Mani made the beat. Moni made the beat. Who? Moni made the beat? Yeah, his name, Moni the Great. Oh, okay. Monty the Great, he made the beat. Weatherman, crazy production group I work with it.

They also made a different version of the beat that's how old. But, like, Chang'an was just sick. I just came in the studio. I did it like 10, 15 minutes. This is one of them joins. I just went off on. But the state property sample, it really just reminded me to watch the state property, too.

and State Property One Yeah Yeah like I think that was I think that was one of the soundtracks that was on air Like so it just brought me back I just wanted to do it for nostalgic purposes And just kill that shit Man now like did I try to sign you

No Man listen like what because it's Don and Wait is Don and like And like DJ and did Don and drama right like the sign of everybody right Well yeah If I you break that down right Right

So why do you choose to signed with Rock Nation and Brooklyn instead of Generation Now, which is drama and Don Cannon? I don't know if Generation Now directly really offered me, like... It's not like, you're from Philly.

I'm not to sign with them. Like, they gotta fuck with you. And yeah, drama did. It's crazy to ask that. Drama did folk with me. Yeah. B.L. Shoddabell. I think.

Cannon was down there. We tried to work something out I guess we just couldn't really Like work it out So it just didn't But that was like years of it. What it is, right? Because I think around that time though

Right? Because that was Because like you popped with like 2018, right? I think. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, listen, around that time like Uzi Oh yeah

Was coming up again Oh yeah Out of here. He just going, right? Yeah, I seen like the very beginning of it. Oh, where how? I just seen like like, because we used to work with the same producer, Charlie Heat.

Yeah. He's fired. So I seen like, even before him working with Charlie Heat with Diamond Cuts. Yeah. We was on like the same song a long time ago with Diamond Cuts. That's why I first met him. Yeah. So even though I still see him to this day, like he's shaking my hand.

Yeah. Kick it, we talking to all that. So I think like, who's he a stand-up dude, you feel me? Did you know, though, but that he was going to be as big as he is? Yeah. Were? Yeah. How did you even spot that?

You just heard it from it. I just heard it from the, like, this shit was always fired. Ah. From his early shit, like when you first heard it, you was like, who is this?

It was like, rapper, yeah, it was like really set apart. Yeah, it was like really set apart. Yeah. And then if you've seen him, it was just like,

oh, already, like you did it, you know what I'm saying? So, yeah, I think everybody kind of knew, you know what I'm saying?

Word. Yeah, it was never in a time when niggas was like, oh, when I don't know about woozy, when you fucking, yeah.

Yeah. Wait, did he transition into that sound like Woll in Philly? I don't know I don't know I think he always just sound like

how he sounds to me A word right Yeah he always really Ah right here right now Because we've seen like All the videos and shit Of him like 14 at the park And on like the basketball court

Like, like it's spinning like you You feel me? Right, you feel me? But I But when you found him though and he was just always you know like the rock star yeah it's like it's kind of like we talked about in Philly

like you know whatever we fuck with we just going like you know put our own spin on it yeah of course that's what I fuck with about Philly though no matter of fact what do you feel about this though right I think Yadhi also said this too right you know there's Yaddy and that's Uzi right they say

I'm not a rapper I'm a rock star right okay now listen I've always took issue with that right and and here's why if hip hop is our shit right now if you're saying that like hip hop is not

profound enough for you and it's rock star shit a lot of some white shit that dad's good enough for you right I think rock star shit is black shit bro how rock star shit is like red like that's that's black behavior to me period of course it's radical it's like Fuck you, I'm this.

Yeah. I think black people started that and got stolen, but the other man, you feel me. Hey, hey, you got to drink it. Hey, that's, but that's why you see us, like, we get into that mold where we get a little rock story, but that's because it's naturally really us. Yeah.

I think it's really on it. You're a rapper, though, right? Yeah, it's like, it's different, like, yeah. That's how I feel about it. Of course, though. Hair, though, right? So, hair, right?

But when I have, right, here, though, I'm not a rapper. I'm just like, I, like, why are we, like, so quick to just denounce hip hop? I don't know if they denounce in hip hop. Yeah. I think they just trying to express themselves so we can understand it. Because, yeah, it was at a point where it's like everybody was like, what are you? What are you?

Why aren't you like everybody else? And they just like, I'm this, like, because I'm not like everybody else. I'm doing this, you know what I'm saying? So I don't think they're trying to, I'm pretty sure. sure they was just inspired, just as inspired it, with hip hop as I was or anybody was, you feel me? Like, it's just a style. You feel me?

Yeah. It ain't just hip-hop now. Like, you got like hip-hop. Nah, bro. It's all type of shit now, man. Yeah, you got a different. There's some pop shit, like some alternative shit, niggas. Bro, niggas go on type of shit right now, man.

Yeah. You film dresses and pink, brer, niggas is wild and out, right? Don't what they want. Not what they want. No, my facts, man. Yo, God Dad, bro. man Why was it

Listen, right? Listen, like There's only one thing wrong With Goddad, bro It was too short Why was it Bro, bro, why was it that short?

You know it's crazy? I agree. Yeah. I just had this though Like last week I'm gonna be tripping But I got a couple of songs I've been recording

Like in the past couple weeks And I like chop like 40 seconds of them Where? Wow. And I, like, religiously played them 40, 30 seconds, like, over and fucking over again. It's, like, almost an addiction. It's like one moment. It's like a moment that's just over and over.

And I realize when I be cutting songs down and making them shorter, it makes me love them more because I just want more and more and more. You know what I'm saying? And I think that was really, like, that kind of play. And for some reason, I could see, like, the future being, like, niggas is going to make really short songs. but they're going to be really incredible moments that can loop over and like you can't play one time

you're going to want to play 10 fucking times like I was just like going nuts over just 30 seconds but like it's like when you play a song you usually got that 30 seconds that you fuck with the most of it. Yo, it's my part coming up and you sing for like 20 seconds

I kind of just took that best part that moment and just made it that it was just a moment so a lot of them start Like when you start the song, I'm rapping as soon as they start. Oh, really? I just have been doing that lately. I don't know.

Like, it ain't like a lazy thing or I still make full songs. Yeah, of course not. But some shit, I just want to chop and just have it as a moment. Yeah, bro. I don't even know how I explain it. Nah, bro, like, listen, bro, because Goddad, like, you'd be vibed to it like, yo, this nigger is... Be it hard, right? I don't know what.

I don't know what? I don't know. A minute and like 20 seconds? Yeah, a minute 20, like... Man, come on, man. You know what? I give him a minute. at 20 because, you know, it really don't got nothing to, like, do with a lot of people.

I don't really hear nobody rapping. Yeah. Like, you said the only thing wrong with God that is too short. Yeah, of course. I'd be just sick and teed that I can't hear a rapper that make me feel how people would say I'll make me feel. Like, gosh. You said this?

It ain't like a lot of that. I feel like if it comes to that, I'm running it. Yeah, fast. It comes to rap. I feel like I'm bringing lines to hip-hop. that ain't never been. Niggas was like repeating, like, lines and shit like that. Oh, yeah.

New bars, like, I'm keeping up. I was that rapper, though, right? Fit, bro. Bro, listen. But even other rappers, like, like, niggas just, I'm just bringing new bars in the game. Noggins, gonna sample this in the future. Of course. They go through my shit, they got a lot of, like, gems to get from it.

That's how I feel. Yeah, man. On the rap shit. Yeah, bro, listen, right? Like, speaking of bars, right? So on you, me, him and her, and you says, in the game where our hip-hop chances are TikTok dances,

what do that mean? I think it comes from me trying to adjust to, like... The hip-hop... Yeah, like, trying to be a content creator and an artist, like, and I have my team on my line every day, like, you can't just make the song, but, like, you got to make a dance to it. Not how, not.

Not literally. But it's like, you got to just interact with the shit. Like, you got to, like, post it and be somewhere and do this shit. And it's kind of lit if you could make a dance to it too. You too good for that, right? Yeah. But it's not, like, for me, you know what I'm saying? Granted, like, I got people I see it work for, and it's fire for them.

And I just don't like when people try to make, like, everything that's, like, out there for everybody. Like, you know, it ain't going. You know what I'm saying? I'm just not wish her shit. People that do work for it. Like, our homies are crazy for it. Of course. Listen, bro.

So, like, I just don't want hip hop can't get to a point where we got to be TikTok artists to succeed. Too late, though. It's already that time, right? I don't think. Maybe it might be. But, like, I don't listen to just that side of hip-hop. Yeah, yeah, of course, man.

I don't know. Dog, fan, bro, when I've seen, like, actual gangster rappers, or TikTok like slapping their hips I was like nah it's gonna wait now bro

they do all that they do all that don't slap the hip for him I can do the TikTok it just gotta probably be in my way I can't like be following

too much of the trends yeah cause at least got to set my own way but just make it like he's thorough enough to where I could rock with it

can you dance though no not getting this at all well right I think I could dance a little bit but no Like, like, okay, like, dance like what, though? Like, actually like some likes.

Like hood, nigga dancing. Not no pop-blocking, you know what I'm saying? I'm just bopping around. Oh, no. Dougie. Dougie, yeah, I got, yeah, I used to be a dude. Right. That, listen, like.

But then, you never caught me doing the Dougie. Now, why not, too? You never seen me doing the cat daddy, literally. Yo, bro. I know I can never cat daddy, though. Oh, it's, yeah, it's a, it's a, a little... Bra.

Yeah. Bad knees, man. Yeah. You gotta get down there. Man, what? Man, man. Man, that's torture, man. I remember seeing that.

Then Kanye, like, tweet that video one time. Yeah. Right? My first time seeing it, and that was like the fucking most insane shit I seen. And, wait, they're,

like, from where, though? Like, they're not from Philly, right? The Caddadi? Yeah, they're from Kali, I think. Oh, where? Man, man. Man. Man.

Yeah. Yo, like, who's your Philly goat for the best Philly rapper of all time, man. That's crazy, bro. Or, or look, we can do this. Best mainstream Philly goat

and best underground. And when you say mainstream, do I got, like, go off day success or like? Nah, nah. You feel me? It's entirely up to you. Mainstream Philly. Like, for example, like the Meek, the Beanie Seagulls,

the Wolfsmiths. you guys, Bini Siegel. If I had to pick out of those three goats, I just said, you know, it was hard to pick. I would probably say, from my generation, it probably was Meek. And for my big brother's generation, it was Beanie Siegel and thought.

You know what I'm saying? Or of all time. Of all time. Yeah. Who's the Philly goal? Just like rapping, like, empirical ability. well like rap again

by okay so by like Sean Smith listen by bye bye by Shaw Sanders who's the Philly Goe

who's the greatest rapper of all time to ever come out of Philly I don't know I might have to be selfish to say me that's that's too hard

you know what I'm saying like it's like I could say like I could be like all right thought I could be like right though but then like

I love I love Beanie's eagle. I love meek. Yeah. You know, I was, like, coming down my years with meek in the city. Of course.

Man, bro, it was crazy, right? Mix tape after mixtape, you feel me, like. Rosey, red, my name is, boom. Yeah, it was around that time. People bad bitch, like, five times, too.

Man, listen, man, man, bro, no, nah, listen. I, like the aggressive meek, bro, you feel me, man? Yeah, the early. Yeah.

Dun, damn. Boundhouse. That's the, but, I got, I do but. But now you have to really answer this stuff Who's the underground goal? Because I personally have Like one person in mind

I know who you might say Who? You want to say Cassie? And he's mainstream Well he, oh yeah, that's right Yeah, he's mainstream Yeah I just talk because he battered right, yeah

Yeah Oh, you're going to say, uh, read Of course, man, read dollars Of course, come on now You can say read Of course, yeah, then read dollars You could say read because is meek mainstream.

Yeah. Whoa, Quilly like... Oh, Quillie. At some point was like the hottest, right? Quillie's still hot. Nah, man.

Like... Again, I love Quilly. But he's been cold... He's been cold... Like, Cole for a year or so, but Quilly Mills. Cole, like, as far as, like, whether him dropping or something like that?

Yeah, you feel I mean? Right. That... Yeah, I feel like... Yeah. Well, I can't say... I don't know him too much, but I feel like if he's not dropping it's probably because...

he just not dropped. I don't think of his cool because when he dropped, like people would be fucking with it. Of course. No, listen, the last, the last,

the last fully hit, though, was the Tribby remix. Who? Like, Quilly hits, like, was like,

Tried me. Was the, let a nigger try me. Yeah, yeah, that, you know, you, yeah,

that's shit after that. Yeah, yeah, no. Yeah, no. You probably, you probably,

you probably, you probably, hell not? Hell not. What, what, 18? What was that?

What was seen? I don't know. I don't know. Yeah, but, yeah, all right, but, like, you're, like, underground Philly goal. Damn, all right. I might have to go left, like. Uh-huh.

I'll give it to, I'll give it to Reed. See, oh, okay, read that is right? Yeah, read. Why do you think, though, like, Reed never had a success, though, like that Meek had? I think he got his own success. Mm. You feel me, like.

Yeah. Put it like this, like, I remember I was T. Mm-hmm. I went on on-demand. Reed had a music video on there. A word. Yeah, he had a music video on there.

Oh, nah. It's like, you know, he got the, he got the move in shape. You know, it probably ain't go far as mainstream, but, like, where he at now, I'm pretty, pretty shortly, like, he lit and he's hot where he had now. Yeah, man.

So. Yeah, of course. You know, battle rapper read. It's, like, it's, like, different from the, yeah, he hard. But, like, I feel like that's a nice solidify answer for Top Underground. Yeah, man.

I give it a read. Now. I fuck with Joey Jahad Heavy, too. Yo. I forgot Hattie. No. Bro, listen,

though, me and Hattie is sitting down soon, man. Oh, yeah? Yeah, man. Listen, bro,

it's gonna go crazy, right? Yeah, yeah. Now, wait. All right, so look, though,

is Cassie, though, the greatest Philly battle rapper of all time? Who else for Philly battle? What? You got out?

Reed, the freeway. Freeway. Is that it? No, yeah, read Cassie Freeway, right? Like, it's like, it took, like, in terms of dudes who are, like, culturally relevant, right? Like, right now?

Damn. I'm trying to think about that. I don't know, bro. Yeah, right? I like Cassie. Would you battle right? No. No?

Why not for the right bag? Say, say, look. Yo, yo, Sean, we got like $500,000 right now. Maybe I would. You feel of me? You, listen. $500. You and let's say Arsenal go together.

Me and who? Like, let's say Arsenal. Arsenal. Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. 500,000 to battle arsenal. I feel like I could battle rap, like, lyrically.

Yeah, of course. For sure. The only thing about battle rapping and the shit that come with it, like having to be loud or letting it again my face and having to scream in his face. Yeah. And then he, like, the extra shit, I don't really be with. You feel me?

Yeah. He gets, bro. But lyrically, I feel like I could definitely do that. Oh, where? Yeah. Bro, listen. I definitely want to see you do it, me. So me, man.

Yeah, maybe. Wait the question though, right? Like, you're 29 years old, right? Dude, you got kids yet? No kids. Bro, you might be 30, man. Why? Damn, you know, I just ain't running to that opportunity.

Nah, no, come on, bro. Listen, bro. Listen, brother. Yeah. There's mad chicks right now trying to have to make a kid. I'm real, like, I'm super select. I'm scared. Where?

To have a fucked up situation. How do you know though that like she's the right one to have a kid with? I don't know if I do yet. I ain't had one. Nah? I don't know. But I, no, real shit, I think I don't know. I don't know.

Damn. I just feel like you got just certain things you really like rock with about a woman that you're looking for. And I had mine. Yeah. But I really don't know too much about being a parent. Like, I got to know. I got little siblings. I got nieces.

I got guide kids. But, like, really lock it in and knowing what to, like, expect or knowing what I, like, want, like, it's going to be, like, a brand-new adventure for me. I only get, like, when my parents give me and my pupils get me. So, I don't know.

I just think about that shit. Yo, bro, listen, my last question, man. Mm-hmm. In five years, right? Five years. What exactly will success look like for Sean? Five years. Hmm.

I think in five years, people will respect me as one of the best rappers, if not the best. I think I'll be respected by a lot of people who did it before me, who paved away. I think I gained a lot of respect. I think a lot of people in the game are respected. I think I do a lot of film. I think I do more acting. And anything that involves just giving back to the streets, all type of, like, just give back. heavy on the give back.

I kind of want to make that like shit cool. Of course. Like that kind of shit lit, like mainstream. You always hear about like what art is doing. And it's like, oh yeah, on the side, I got this little foundation. But like, I want my shit to be like known. Like, I am that nigger that's going to give back. Of course.

You know what I'm saying? Man, nah, that's hard. The art, art direction, like, it's really hard to say where I want to be because, like, I really like do a lot of different shit. It's just like physical art, installations, you know, directing my own film, filming my own shit, writing. You said art and like installations? Yeah, like

really creating a bunch of physical art and like, you got you got you got you got to feel me like yeah, fashion shit like A word. Fashion stuff, super into that so five years that's plenty time to like really like get busy. Master one thing though, right? I'm gonna master many.

I don't think I'm a master one thing because of person like I think I got a lot I'm supposed to do. Yeah, man. Nah, bro, listen. Nah, bro, bro, like, I feel like, the one thing, though, that you know is that Rock Nation,

like, has a proven track record of, like, creating stars, right? Right? So, no, bro, listen, man, I have high hopes for you, for Rubin. Yeah, bro, like, in terms of, like, like,

you know, in terms of, like, the new guys coming up who can really rap, but, like, like, honestly, like, that's it, right? Like, you and. is HD.

He's fired. He really, right. Wait, uh, and he's from where? HD Ben Dope. I think he's from New York. All right. So you, so HD and there's Rupert? Core.

Yo. Is, could we say he's part of the label? I don't know. Core? But I fuck with Corey. Yo, listen, bro, Cor. Yo, fan, listen. Yo.

Definitely one of my favorite. Like, you know, court made me like, listen. Like, I grew up like, you know, like, you know, like, you know, a two family household, right? great, you know, I was not hungry, bro. Corr made me wish that I had shit stang's, man. Come on, bro. Yo, you know, core, yo.

I feel you, though, like, the impact was crazy. Like, bruh, every bar was about shit. Yeah, he's sick, man. He just got that in his voice, like, he just makes you see that shit. Yeah, bro. Yeah, fire. Wait, though. But Corr is signed to me, right?

Right? Yes, I believe. Yep. And that's also like Rock Nation-ish. There's like an intermingling of a, yeah, you feel me? Yeah, yeah. Oh, man. Where Corbin at, though?

He's driving doing this thing. Is he still dropping, though? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Man, yo, listen. That's one of the things I like about. I feel like he, like, consistent.

Of course, though. Always tap in when he want to draw. I'm like, you know, you're doing your thing. He's quiet, right? Yeah. I think, like, maybe in his nature, in his nature, he'd just be, like, chilling. So it seemed like he quiet, but, like, as far as motion. The TikTok, he don't do, right?

Right. Like, it's, you know, like, he's like a calm dude who stay out the way, right? Like, I don't, like, see core on Philly's schoolpaw, you feel me? Unless it's, like, some, unless it's, like, a catchphrase that he made. Yeah. People, like, like, like, when he talk. Of course. You know what I'm saying?

So, like, yeah, it's like more of a positive, like, you fucking with you. Don't listen, though. Last question, bro. Well, no, sorry. Last statement. Bro, please stay out of Philly School Paul, man. Don't listen. Don't listen out, man.

Anything crazy, like, I like to throw the music up there. Nothing crazy, though. Yeah, listen. I don't ever want to wake up and see you. You feel me? What you know about that? You'd be tapped in on that? What?

Bruh, it's the fuckery, the drop. Da' all that's so messy, man. You feel me? Yeah, you get to really see you. Philly. Do it's messy as hell, bro. Bro.

I'm talking about, like, who fucking, who, who doesn't? Oh, man. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Man, man. But, bro, listen, man,

but bro, bro, bro, I appreciate you, man. Tell me, man, listen. I appreciate you, man. Thanks for having me. Yeah, man.

Okay. You'll listen, yo, in five years, you're gonna be, you know, listen, I definitely, like,

see taking, like, the, like, here. So, like, here's the path that, that I see, like, I'm Sean taking,

right? Like, where, like, you carve out, like, this, like, you know, like, you know, a diehard core fan base, right? Mm-hmm. Like, who just rock, like, like, like, for example, right? Like, I, like, much rather be, like, tech nine than less the Trinidad James, right? Like, fuck the smash hit.

Mm-hmm. Give me a core audience where I can make millions of dollars. tour, get M's off the merch, right? And be good, right? Yeah, that's a crazy situation. Man, right? Crazy situation. Would you want that success, though?

Or, yo, listen, my core fan base, my tour, I got M's, I'm good. I think I'm an icon. Listen, man. I'm dead serious. My nigger's sad dog. Oh, fuck that course shit. No disrespect to nobody. I'm a star, man.

Not facts, bro, listen. I got a lot of offer to the world. Not facts, of course. me like I can't I can't shade it yeah man yeah now with the would you ever like like like like go from Sean Smith to just Sean the icon come on man I mean nah I'd be thinking I think about that like I slick I slick I don't think about that you feel me right right right Michael he's just one name man feel me it's Sean you feel me you feel me Drake you feel me? Drake come on now yeah right so hey man

Nah, man. Maybe. Right. Hey, man. But, bro, I appreciate you, man. Yo, man. No jumper. Coolest podcast in the world, man.

Sank a swim. Oh, no, Sean. The new EP, tell him, you feel him? Oh, hell yeah. When it's dropping, man. Hope Diller, new EP. That's dropping, what, like next week or like two weeks. This month for sure.

It's called Hope Diller. That shit fine. In two weeks? Yep. Hope Diller that's coming out. Tregless out yet? History out. What is that?

It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, Is the track list all yet? No, no, no, no. Tracklist's not out. But it's sick. It's a EP. It's an art piece in his own. Everybody would be like,

yo, drop something like this. Like, nothing I dropped ever going to sound the same. Yeah. You know, it's his own thing. So it's fire. Man. Listen, man. No jumper, Quill's podcast in the world, bro.

Hope Diller coming out soon, bro. Go get that. Tap in and check it out, man. Peace, man.