PBD Podcast - Dame Dash Heated Debate | Diddy Drama | Jay-Z Feud | PBD Podcast Ep. 395

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Starting point is 00:00:36 of hip hop, having signed Kanye West. Partner is Jay-Z, that they started Rockefeller in 95, which is kind of weird because a year prior to that is when Tupac got shot up when he went to visit Biggie. And then next year, 96, September 13 is when Tupac gets killed. And they started at that time where in 1995, the biggest rap songs that came out were some of the biggest rap songs ever. Dear Mama, Coolio, Gangster's Paradise, I Got 5 On It. You look at this list of stuff that came up in 95 that decided to compete, these

Starting point is 00:01:08 guys did an interesting, he said some very interesting things saying that Diddy and Biggie wanted to be like him and Jay. And then he got upset. Some of the stuff got heated when I asked about Aaliyah and some of the allegations that Diddy's been going through lately. We even talked about, you know, Leor Cohen when he said on Breakfast Club, who's Dane Dash? And he really reacted to that in a passionate way. And we talked Trump.

Starting point is 00:01:34 He kept bringing up Trump. Dane, you're going to watch this. You know what I'm talking about, because we had fun afterwards. But we laughed, we argued, we learned, and it's going to be a very, very entertaining and interesting scope, range of topics that we talked about. And on top of that, Dame is now officially on Manect, which means you can ask Dame any question you want. He chooses how he answers you, but you can download the app Manect, and if you go to

Starting point is 00:02:00 this QR code, you can literally text him, okay? Ask him the question, pay for it, and he'll respond back either in a text format, audio format, or video format, but he's now officially also on Manect answering questions that you may have. There will be parts where you're going to say, but, you know, I want to know about this. How come he didn't say anything about this, and what about that? You'll get to ask him whatever questions you got Monek, but having said that, enjoy this very entertaining'm a guy that came up from the West Coast side. I'm a two-pack, I'm a purely more on the West Coast,

Starting point is 00:03:05 but follow a lot of the East Coast, West Coast challenges that was taking place. I'm a class of 96 in high school when I graduated, and we all know what happened in 96 with Tupac. But you cannot mention the word hip hop and talk about power players that directly, indirectly, influenced the entire game without saying the name Dame Dash.

Starting point is 00:03:29 You can't. And one of the hardest things to do in an industry like this, or any industry that a lot of people are trying to fight for the power, is to try to manage three things. Try to stay loved, respected, and feared. It is very hard to do and he is one of those that was able to do all three, loved, feared and respect. And now you know of course there's a lot of people that maybe he's gonna create some enemies while he's doing that. But you're talking about Rockefeller founder, him

Starting point is 00:03:59 and Jay Z. You're talking about Rock aware that was doing I think at 1.700 million a year, almost a billion dollars a year. You're talking about RockAware that was doing, I think, at 1.700 million a year, almost a billion dollars a year. You're talking about working directly and signing Kanye. If you watch Kanye's documentary, you will see the scene where Dame is sitting up on the stage like this, and he's saying, you can ask Kanye a question, and then Kanye gives us commentary on all the stuff that's going on. Again, we can go on with names left and right. And obviously with all the issues that's taking place right now,

Starting point is 00:04:32 recently within hip hop, there's a lot of names that are coming up. A lot of the raids, I don't know if you know this one guy named Diddy was raided his house in LA and in Miami. And now names are being dropped with Jay-Z and a lot of other names are coming up. If anybody wanted to make a list of names of people, top ten that can speak on those

Starting point is 00:04:55 topics that know a lot, that maybe others wouldn't want them to talk about and stay quiet, I think, Dame, you're probably on that top 10 list of people that can comment on a lot of this stuff, specifically a part of history and involvement. With that being said, thanks for being on the podcast, man. Thank you, that was a hell of an intro. How you doing? How you feeling?

Starting point is 00:05:15 I'm good, I'm a little tired. You know, y'all definitely shoot early. Yes. So we had to pull up for the, we're on our way to uh to Gary from here So yeah, and I was up last night at our studio, but I'm good though. I'm pretty good. I feel uh, I feel secure You feel secure and find that what do you mean by secure? You know, I could go to sleep at night And I have to worry about things

Starting point is 00:05:39 You know and this I think that's the most important kind of wealth is to be guilty-free You know, and that's I think that's the most important kind of wealth is to be guilty-free You know never compromised Now let me ask you for I mean obviously there's a lot of things I want to go through here with the time that we Have to get a lot of stuff that I want to talk to you about For a guy like you who we've watched you from the other side, right we've watched you in interviews and Rockefeller, in stories, in your fire, in your interview with Breakfast Club, boss, entrepreneurship, business, hustle, the fight, the grind of coming up. Do you still have the same fire

Starting point is 00:06:22 as a startup entrepreneur, survival? Do you still have that fire fire as a startup entrepreneur survival do you still have that fire today at this phase of your life? It's a different kind of fire but definitely the fire is way iller you know just based on being confident of success so once I complete a dream I dream bigger so and and the fight that I've been having is just kind of remaining sucker-free You know again being in a position where someone wants me to do something that I feel might compromise my morals on my integrity I always had the wherewithal to say get the fuck out of it You know don't ever ask me no shit like that and then also be able to be like, you know

Starting point is 00:07:02 Did you hear what they just said and then I've been able to actually see people Look the other way so in my world. It's making my dreams come true and unfortunately Unless you're savvy enough or have someone around you that knows how to raise you money and knows how to do those kind of things you got to do with yourself and You have to sometimes create your own industry if you don't want to fit into somebody else's because the People that are running that industry again have a different kind of moral compass so

Starting point is 00:07:32 My fight has always been to do things fairly and to do things without robbing Creatives and fighting those that are robbing creatives and then to continue to dream for myself while I'm dreaming for other people so and then to continue to dream for myself while I'm dreaming for other people. So everything I do is a startup from my new television network, America New, from these glasses I have on, CEO glasses, the sneakers to the books. I'm on my way to go do schools with my girl, to read books,

Starting point is 00:08:00 go talk to the mayor of Gary, Eddie Milton, who I was a big part of his election, and a man that taught me how to pass laws. And then I'm bouncing over to a jail in Chicago, a kids jail, to shut it down. Because if you could really understand how they're torturing our kids when we're not looking, why that recidivism rate is at 99% is because most of these kids can't read, they're torturing them, they're making them live in moldy jails. And I'm not going to say any names right now, I'm on my way to Chicago, but if they don't

Starting point is 00:08:29 shut that jail down or fix what's wrong with it, I'm going at everybody. So that's been me, the guy that protects people that can't protect themselves, as well as having to make my own dreams come true without dealing with people that would make me compromise my morals and At the same time because I have so many ideas and so many different things to make things work You know, I have to do it myself out my own pocket. You know what I mean? So when you're dreaming in verticals, which I am, you know I do the octopus thing and there's always ten different things that I'm working on at one time and You know, I'm not raising any bread.

Starting point is 00:09:05 A dollar come here goes into something else. A dollar come here goes into something else. So the original question you asked me, do I have that fire? More than ever, I'm not using other people's money. I know who to stay away from, who I got to stay away from so I can sleep well at night. And I'm trying to help the world. You know, so again, I'm also down with this OSG, which is the principals, know hundreds of principles from economically challenged places and I go into the schools. I talk to the principals I talk to the teachers, you know, we have a syllabus from

Starting point is 00:09:33 The womb the three years old and like I said this this OSG is hundreds of principles from economically challenged places And what I do know when what I'm conscious of are the real problems The things that make the cycles continue to that to happen where it doesn't behoove us but it behooves somebody else. And now I know the problems, but I know how to actually bring the answers. And I can do that through entertainment. I could do that through education. I could do that through anything. Any language you speak, I can speak to you through that language.

Starting point is 00:10:03 So yeah, the drive is there more because I know how to fix the things that are wrong. Very cool. So and Dame, for you, where did you get your mindset from? Because I've had a lot of Italian. From Harlem. From Harlem. Harlem. But from-

Starting point is 00:10:18 Did you see Pain in Full? Yeah. Movie Pain in Full? But what I'm talking about is like, you know, I have the Italian New York was also filled with a lot of Italian mobsters, right and they ran it in a certain way and you're coming up from Harlem and You're doing what you're doing Was there any inspiration that came from how the Italian mob family built what they built or not at all? Definitely big influence was the godfather

Starting point is 00:10:41 so I read the book when I was younger because I wanted to know what he was thinking as opposed to what he was saying. And the ideals that came with being the Godfather, but also a big influence was, you know, the people that I grew up around, you know, like, you know, my family. Honor and integrity looked so cool. You know, the Godfather and the way he carried things, it just was cool to do things in a way that, you know, because Honorable's not always convenient. It's never convenient. There's always a test that comes with it to see if you're going to do what's the right thing or do what's easy or what appears to be. And he had a gop all those movies. I'm young Scarface.

Starting point is 00:11:17 Was a direct contact with any of them or not at all? What you mean? So for example, I've had Sammy the Bullock. Oh, did I know any of that? Yeah. So for example, I've had Sammy the Bull on. Oh did I know any? Yeah, yeah yeah, well I had a barbershop 112th Street and this dude named chill sold it to me and we used to sell weed in the back and had the barbershops in the front and apparently he had bought it from some Italians and 116 from Pleasant and You know, they were trying to take the shot, but he sold it to me

Starting point is 00:11:40 So I had to go down to Pleasant with him and they were like a chill You got a lot of nerve coming down and also I went to um School across the street from rails so I went to Manhattan Center, you know So I mean yeah, we had interaction and then you know There would be funerals I would go to for people in my family like my grandmother and all that and The whole mob used to be there. So yeah, really? Yeah, but I can't really talk about who had the bit who had the biggest influence. I know really talk about that. Who had the biggest influence? I know you talk about…

Starting point is 00:12:07 So many different people, man. And I guess what I'm asking is, who toughened you up? Who taught you street to know how to take that mindset of street of the word you said sucker free, right? Because a lot of times, as the saying goes, when a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with money leaves with the experience, the man with the experience leaves with the money. Okay?

Starting point is 00:12:32 So how do you go from that world to in the business world and then, hey, you know, $19 million, you book Jay-Z on a tour and then boom, you're doing deals with all these bigger guys. How did you know you could handle sitting across the table from these guys and negotiate with them? So if you saw Paid in Full, that was a story that really happened. I'm about to do the TV show on my own network or collaborative with another. But when you're in survival mode, you know, and the people around you bring you up a certain way.

Starting point is 00:13:05 Like I was born into an honor code. I never knew anything different and there was always accountability. So if I did something that would be against the grain, it would be like having a business and a board that would just be very, like you did, like I wasn't allowed to have a tattoo while I was in the street. You know, I was taught that. Like I was taught how to do everything. Like, unless to me, the only way,

Starting point is 00:13:29 and to me a successful criminal, if there is such a word, is one that never goes to jail. And the only way you can do that is if you're advised by an OG or other criminals that have done it before. So, I got a formula of how to survive and it was just being thorough and acting a certain way and it's nothing that is innate, it's people teach. That's why we need men in our lives. Men need to be raised by men or at least someone that can give them you know with a little

Starting point is 00:14:01 more testosterone than estrogen. And again if you do some clown shit, I got a whole team that's going to be on my head. You know? And then when you become at a position of a leader, you have to lead by example because what you do, your crew will do. So if you're goofy, you're going to have a goofy crew. If you're late, your crew's going to be late. You know, I would never send anybody in my crew on the front line to do something that I wouldn't do myself So, you know being a boss Means caring a little more about your crew

Starting point is 00:14:32 Than yourself so and I don't have any disrespect. Um, I don't get into the politics thing too much You know, no matter who's in charge. I'm gonna do my thing But you know, I lean a certain way but way, but I would talk to Kanye a lot about Trump and he'd be like, yo, he's a winner. And he just keeps winning, this was back in the day. And I'm like, well, to me, his whole crew is in jail. So if I'm out and Kanye went to jail and Jay went to jail and people died on my watch and everybody is doing bad

Starting point is 00:15:04 and I'm doing good, then I gauge that as an unsuccessful boss. And that means that they're not winning, they're losing. A real boss cares more about the people that he works with before himself, almost like how a parent cares about their family, you know? And again, a lot of what I was taught wasn't to stay in one place, it was to evolve. If I got one block, I need two. If I was able to get one bird, I flip, I make another.

Starting point is 00:15:33 What the street taught me was how to be independent. And when you're dealing with people that if you don't play the game right, will kill you, or you will go to jail, pivoting into a place where people, the recourse isn't jail, well, I didn't think it was back then, you know what I'm saying? Or jail or death or murder, it's very easy.

Starting point is 00:15:53 There's no fear there, you know? And I made a movie about what made me pivot. It was Pain in Full. So people that I looked up to got killed, and their brothers got kidnapped, and I'm like, you know, that could happen to them. It can happen to me. So I just took the arrogance and the confidence of the survive survival of Harlem. When crack first came out, the glory days, you know, when, when,

Starting point is 00:16:17 you know, I've been lucky enough to know in Harlem, damn near every person in my generation that people talk about, like people that people put in raps, I hustle with, or you know, I was friends with, or still am. And then go into the rap business, and you know, for the last like since 2000, let's say 96, well, I started in like 96, 94, and it's 2024. And up till last week, people are still saying my names and raps, from Biggie Smalls to Future. Future's talking about my past and the present. So that's the impact that I've had in knocking the world down.

Starting point is 00:17:00 But again, it was my survival skills and and the Harlem The accountability of people and then being scared of going to jail because that was fair for me. I did not want to go to jail That's why I knew I wasn't cut out to be a criminal because unless jail is alright with being on your resume Actually, you know that it's 85 to 90 percent chance at some point You got to go and you have to be alright with that and you won't be able to get yourself out by, you know, if you're honorable by telling on the people that you did the work with that you actually care about. If you're not willing to kill, then you got to stop. You got to pivot. So at a certain age, I'm like, yo, I'm not willing to do all this shit, especially time.

Starting point is 00:17:39 How old were you when you made that decision? 18. Okay. No, I put actually at 16. I put myself in boarding school, South Kent. So right after mom passed? When my mother died, I went to the street hard.

Starting point is 00:17:51 I was hustling hard. I was 142nd in Lennox with the lynch mob. Even I wasn't down with the lynch mob, I was on the same block as the lynch mob. And those are my boys. And what happened was when I was 15, cause I was spoiled my whole life. My mother made sure I had everything.

Starting point is 00:18:09 And you know I grew up in 1199, which you know, if you're from New York, it's like, you know, it was like day camp, it was gyms, and it was like the suburbs in the hood, you know what I mean, it was that kind of thing. How did mom make money? Well, she did everything. She was an entrepreneur. So she was always, she would sell clothes.

Starting point is 00:18:29 She would sell anything. She was an entrepreneur. She had to get a job. She got a job, but I went on vacation. She was like, knew how to buy things wholesale. So always had sneakers, 10 pair of sneakers. I had the pinball machine. I was a spoiled kid.

Starting point is 00:18:41 And my mother died when I was 16. But what happened was when I was 15 Because I was spoiled. I'm like mom these Suzuki Jeeps had come out They were only 10 grand and I'm like mom. Can you buy me a Suzuki? She like me? You can't drive a car you 16 you can't get in New York. You can't get like the 18 So I got kicked out of every private school that you could get kicked out of and they put me in Manhattan Center the one That's across the street from Rios and I go with legends like Colton Hines and it was an ill time over there. That's where I learned the game. And you know, my mother died. Well, I started to hustle there. And

Starting point is 00:19:15 then when my mother died when I was 16, you know, my homeboys, they started to do things that I wasn't ready to do. They was my age. I started catching bodies. And I had the opportunity to have a scholarship years before because I used to box at the boys club, but I went't ready to do. There was my age, I started catching bodies, and I had the opportunity to have a scholarship years before, because I used to box at the boys club, but I went and got homesick. And they were like, if you ever want to go, go. So when my mother died, that year I hustled hard, my boys started to get a little crazy,

Starting point is 00:19:37 and I put myself back in, I just put myself in boarding school. Like, I'm out there. Yeah. I didn't want to have to kill anybody. So who? It was guaranteed. The way you were going, with the friends that were taking people out? No way I was like everyone was had bodies like I was everyone had a body and we were teenagers

Starting point is 00:19:52 We were young did somebody check you meaning like was there a man cuz you know how you know You know why could check me not even like an uncle or a coach or a father You gotta think about getting more money than anyone older than you. And the only people that were around me that had more money than me got it from hustling. So that's all I knew at that point. Was there anybody that's like, damn, you gotta leave this life? Well, it wasn't leave this, okay, so you know what I'm asking, right? The dynamics of my family, you know, they kind of found out I was in the street in certain blocks and I remember I had my cousin with me and he was like and they were like,

Starting point is 00:20:26 Oh, you can't have both of you out there. We can't watch both of you. And I didn't know you're watching me at all, you know, because I was doing my own thing. And, you know, I wouldn't say super check, like, you know, you know, Malik, you know, like I grew up with them as well. Those guys were older than me. And, you know, I hustled on the West side and you know I'm from the east and most cats from the east side couldn't really do that go to the west side and scramble and so you know

Starting point is 00:20:51 those guys were older than me they were like kind of r&b dudes you know and they used to do things I didn't but they were like older and they kind of raised me up to that point and they always just be like because they never hustled they'd be like you know they would give me a hard time um but there was no man that you feared that kind of put you in your place and said, -"Damn, believe this life." -"No, no." -"Nobody like that." -"No, no." There were men that I don't say feared. Um, like, I had...

Starting point is 00:21:16 There would be things that my crew would be doing or people that I looked up to and I'd be ready to go. Like, I'd throw in my black right now, let's go. And they would be like, now you stay here. And I used to wonder why, but years later, if you look at the network, I was able to make a movie about it called Honor Up, and I was able to put my real OG, the person that hit me with my first pack in a movie,

Starting point is 00:21:37 and have him act as my OG. And when I was able to ask him on the set, like why you out, you know, when he was like, yo, it wasn't for you, man. We knew that you had a better life, and we bet right. So OG's job is to make sure that someone doesn't hurt themselves if they're a real OG. And there's been plenty of times I've had to have that conversation with people like, yo, you killing, man?

Starting point is 00:22:01 That's not sustainable. And I tell them, it ain't no girls in jail. But as far as for me, it wasn't no one that could scare me out of hustling other than the street itself. So the situation that happened with paying a full Rich Porter and all that, that's what scared me. And that's when I pivoted out the street

Starting point is 00:22:17 and I went into music. But then getting into the music business, I was like, man, this is crazy, I'm out of here. And that's what made me pivot into fashion and doing all the other things that I did. So 89 you're 18 years old because you're born in 71 right so 89 you're 18 you leave it you go into music bless you you go into music what what do you do between 89 and 95 before you start Rockefeller like what were you doing then to make money?

Starting point is 00:22:41 So I had got a record deal at 19 with Atlantic, with Kevin Woodley. He was an, well, not gonna say Kevin Woodley, Clark Kent. So what happened was, my cousin, Darien, Stacey Dash's brother, he always was doing some trickery with some brilliant, he always had like a scam going, or scheme, but intelligence out. And he and he was like yo you get money you want to you should get in the music business I'm like I'm not getting that right now I

Starting point is 00:23:11 didn't have too much of an interest in it you know and um you know when things got hot as far as with the pay the full situation then I entertained it and he went to college and his stepfather Cecil Holmes he was the president of Casablanca Records and a big A&R and his A&R or intern was Kevin Woodley who now worked at Warner or Atlantic so they sent me over there while I was going over there or you know Cecil hooked it up so that we could go and meet this, you know, dude Kevin Woodley was A&R at Atlantic and he had me shopping these two groups over there and I kept going over there, you know, I'm 19 18 I'm going back and forth

Starting point is 00:23:53 They curving me keeping me in the lobby and I just couldn't take it anymore and I ran into Clark Kent in the lobby and you know, he had just got there and he basically signed my first acts with East West and with He had just got there and he basically signed my first acts with East West and with with the Atlantic But I had original flavor in the future sound but we got signed Daz effects got signed and I remember Clark let me hear the demo. Well, he was ill, you know, and I actually stole the demo I stole it but he left it in my car and I made a copy of it and I was playing it for everybody But you know when they came out they did so well that

Starting point is 00:24:29 Original flavor and the future sound got left behind completely and then I had to learn how to do it myself So Clark Kent introduced me to to Jay-Z. He introduced me to ski from original flavor God, he brought me all around The country because he was a DJ and he was like just showing me the game So I would go with him and we had this thing that when he would sign an artist He brought me all around the country because he was a DJ and he was like just showing me the game So I would go with him and we had this thing that when he would sign an artist I'd give him 10 grand And he'd go buy Pellies and I was like in the music business It was there was always some type of skim going on some way shape or form with every transaction

Starting point is 00:24:56 Someone got paid a little on the side See, that's the problem with the music business because the things that were going on back then I just don't think they'd be legal now In hindsight that that's so that wouldn't be legal today to do he worked for Atlantic and he's giving me oh I got it I got it makes sense totally get it so a lot of times with people selling away a lot of suckers like a lot of people do is they have access to somebody famous or somebody that people think they can get in the plug they'll they'll they'll make you like yo you want if you want to have a meeting with such and such,

Starting point is 00:25:25 they'll make you pay them. And they won't tell the boss, they actually just got some money to let this person come in and meet you and not break a bread. Purely for an introduction, you're getting paid. And it's on you to close or sell or do whatever you do. Yeah, but you don't let the person that's doing that know.

Starting point is 00:25:42 Got it. So again, it's like the government, man. It's that are don't use their own money that pay a lot of people They pay who they want to pay but I'm coming to find out is they usually pay the person that they're physically entangled with Whether it's male or female, you know, I mean and you know, that's the way it moves around like that so it was like Friends keep the money and they pass it off to other friends, whatever connection they have, and that's the way you got to get a deal and everyone gets paid. So even in, like again, the government, you think, you know, you're outsourcing everything

Starting point is 00:26:12 to the private sector. So you know, you don't think anyone's ever getting some kind of, everyone gets a kickback, it's all it is. Sure. I mean, that's how the whole lobbyists make their money. It's another form of lobbying, is what you're saying. Just like raising money, you know, you raise money, you get a promote right whatever right? It's the same thing So Clark Kent from Atlantic is giving you these guys and he's a DJ you give him 10 grand and you know

Starting point is 00:26:34 That's so so then through him you meet Jay at this point Did you before you met him? Did you know that have you heard about nothing? When did you know there was he had a special talent with with with Jay? I know he could rap cuz he could rap really fast But him and I were just real cool cuz you know we were at that time I was you know, I started getting back in the street a little bit, you know had to plug right? So, you know, I passed him the plug, you know, I mean cuz you know, he was hustling different He was still copping from the hell so I had to you know introduce him to his man somebody who still went to this day, you know, and also enough

Starting point is 00:27:09 You know, I just what I usually do is come to a block and be like, you're not hustling, right? You know saying I'm like get him out of here. Go get that cut the middle man I'll get it, you know, and that's what I kind of did like I didn't even want to I mean I don't even get to that story but you know know it was like yeah, we just started to kick it and do things in the street and Or but not the street street but you know elevate whatever game that he had as well as us being on the road and him rapping with original flavor and You know for a long time, you know, I shopped Jada every single record company they all said no Kevin Lau said no on Lior said no. Lior said no? Yeah, Kevin Lau's worked for Lior.

Starting point is 00:27:50 Wow. They all said no bro. Every single one of them. No one. That's why I did it myself. I tried to get him signed but I couldn't. What were they saying? When they said no? Too old, rap too fast, he was with jazz and jazz wasn't so successful. So it's just his look. So what happened was he's from Brooklyn. And again, what you'll see a lot of time is they're always saying I'm talking about him. But if you're asking me questions about my story, he's part of it. So I don't like to really talk about him so much. But he was a Brooklyn cat

Starting point is 00:28:26 and he dressed like a Brooklyn cat. He didn't, you know, he didn't have it all together the way. So my guys used to tease him all day. All day. All day. Every little thing he did, they thought was corny. And we just kind of hollered him up, you know what I mean? But initially we thought he was cool.

Starting point is 00:28:42 I thought he was cool because he was wearing Nike Airs. And most dudes at the time from Brooklyn didn't wear Nike Airs. And so that's why I kind of thought he was cool. But I knew we could rap. And then we got to know each other in a different way. Pause. You know, we were doing certain things,

Starting point is 00:28:56 like sat passing the plug. We became brothers. And then, you know, we started Rockefeller just because no one else would sign us, you know? That's it. That's it So so let me ask you so was there you know how sometimes we tried it the easy way and it didn't work out and again If I'm a thorough person that comes from a certain cloth Yeah

Starting point is 00:29:15 if I walk in a room full of people that are completely different raised different different value systems and they're asking me to do certain Things like the day I we did the deal with with with death damn as co-venture We were asked me to go fight another black man for him and I'm like, are you fighting any of my battles? He tried me. It was like an immediately. He tried me to make me fight for his battles in A culture that wasn't and I just knew how to say no Like I just what I what I can do clearly is It doesn't make me because I'm a businessman she created it's hard for them to say no. Like I just what I what I can do clearly is it doesn't make me because I'm a businessman. See creators it's hard for them to say no.

Starting point is 00:29:48 They're non-confrontational. They speak through their art and you can push the creative to do things in the moment because they don't know how to verbally defend themselves. With me I have no problem being honest and telling you the truth. I don't have a problem asking for my money or saying how much am I getting paid or how much are we getting paid how we break? I don't those questions that make people especially creators awkward don't make me feel awkward You know, so that was always my job. What a great combo though. Yeah, what a great combo It's a one-two punch, right that was fantastic. So let me ask you, you know how when I was a 21 years old I'm broke. I got nothing going

Starting point is 00:30:26 on, there's this Denny's we would go to and I would sit with one of my friends, Saul, who's upstairs right now, and it was me, him and another guy and we would dream, hey, one day we're going to do this and we're going to take over the world and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, here's what we're going to be doing. Did you and Jay have that moment and then you said, you know what, screwed, we're going to call it Rockefeller. And is it, you know, called after Rockefellereller because we're gonna become tycoons and moguls Was there a moment between the two of you it wasn't between the two of us

Starting point is 00:30:51 It was a crew of us, but I used to sit and write and plot all day And I still do so if you ask my crew now the first thing I do when I get up in the morning Is we get around the table get the colored papers and the markers, and we talk about how we're going to eat. It's always been that plot and plan, always. And it was more like a moment that we were in St. Thomas, me, him, and Biggs, and we were like, fuck it, let's just do it ourselves. But we always knew we had to do it ourselves. It felt like, at least I did,

Starting point is 00:31:25 just based on the way the system was set up. No one in that business listens to you unless they have to. You understand what I mean? A lot of times, people that are in a position of power in the music business are in a position of power because, again, they're willing to compromise and do things that the average man would not do. And again, I're willing to compromise and do things that, you know, the average man would not do. And again, I wouldn't do that.

Starting point is 00:31:46 So then at the end, you get people that have funny ways in those positions that only look out for people that they have things on. And they only listen because they don't like a person that will compromise everything to get to the top. But once they get to the top, that person that they didn't like and disrespected before, that might got sent to the store or sent to drive someone's car, all of a sudden they're your boss.

Starting point is 00:32:12 And you hate that person, but you have to listen to them because they're gonna be now the person in position of your destiny. Even in the music business, like I don't know a PD, like a program director or someone that you know does the videos and Or works in a position where they can you know help an artist and when they walk in the room every artist and everybody Kisses their ass the minute they lose that job. No one talks to him no more You know because they don't have to so I don't talk to people unless I want to which may not be the best business Accrament, but based on the temperature right now

Starting point is 00:32:45 I'm really happy. I stuck to my gun by the way. I just googled right now 95 top 40 hip-hop songs of 95 okay, so this is when you guys start Rockefeller Here's here's who's on this list number one dear mama Tupac okay? Then they have mob deep shook once part two then it's KR1, MCs act like they don't know, right? Then you have Looney's, I got five on it, which was a big hit. Method Man, I'll be there for you, you're all I need to get by, you know, featuring Mary J. Blige, you got old Dirty Bastard, Shimi Shimi, you know, so that was a big hit. GZA, Liquid Swords, then you have Runnin', then you have Ice Cream featuring Method Man,

Starting point is 00:33:23 Ghostface, then you got Dre, keep their Heads Ringing, Tupac, So Many Tears. You see the competition? This is insane, Swamla. First of the month, Bone Thugs and Harmony. That was an incredible album. You got Ice Cube, Friday. This is 95. We're talking about all the survival of the fittest.

Starting point is 00:33:41 You gotta remember, back then there was no internet. So only a select few were getting hurt and in order to get her, you know You had to be like super and that was what we had to break into Guys like that that had record deals or people, you know majors backing them So, you know, that's that that's what was like kind of incredible the body No in hindsight, you gotta remember when I was doing all those things. Yeah, I was 21 22 I retired from Rockefeller at 35. So those things I were doing was self-taught.

Starting point is 00:34:10 And no one gave me no nepotism. Did it ourselves. And was making more money than mostly every single person that I had met in my life, in my family, my teachers, my principals, everyone that I thought was rich. I had more money then by the time I was 22 or 23. In business, I had a bigger first generation business, you know what I mean? Sometimes I'm around people that are like first, second, third generation, and it's

Starting point is 00:34:37 a different life when you don't have to worry about nothing ever since the day you opened your eyes. It might not be less stressful because everyone has the same amount of problems on matter money race or whatever But it's just different first generation. So when I'm around people that got money and they got it from their family Yeah, I don't care how much money totally I got as far as The character because I'm first generation. I'm out here fighting. I'm that person's father or grandfather you know what I mean so and in school it was like that when I went to boarding school anywhere I go I always took pride in the fact that I could break a social class at such a young age on my own without any

Starting point is 00:35:16 help from anybody that was related to me. And by the way while you're saying I mean obviously I relate to that I relate to what it is to be my that was a Cashier at a 99 cent store yesterday 99 cent store shut down all their stores He was a cashier at Englewood, California right next to great Western foreign By the way gangsters paradise also came out that same year, but let me let me let me continue with this year 94 We hit like a 96. I know but what I'm what I'm going here is 94 November 30th, 94 is when Tupac gets shot, right? When he's in the studio, Biggie, the whole controversy, what happened there.

Starting point is 00:35:58 Then he comes out, then he gets shot the second time, 96, 96. 913 is when he dies. He writes hit him up 6496 so you're starting 95 you said you're in same time as you guys are talking about Rockefeller would begin jay-z what's East Coast wait big oh bigs I'm sorry they said okay so what's what's East Coast West Coast looking like at this time how how how hot are things right now I mean it was they were beefing with Biggie. So, you know, we were like the only ones that would stand next to Biggie at the time. So if you notice, we made records. Brooklyn

Starting point is 00:36:37 Finers, which I produced with Clark Kent, was made. And, you know, he was in our videos, Ain't No Nig nigga and all that that Biggie was the only person that I used to smoke with I didn't smoke before at all I used to drink and you know supposedly Jay and Big went to school together but they didn't know him you know and our thing was because we were doing the stuff like going in and getting the money and doing the popping the bottles and all that in that moment we had always felt that biggie and puff were copying us Always they were always like they see us in the club and it seemed like the next day

Starting point is 00:37:11 A record would be made you thought biggie and puff were copying you guys. No, they were no no, who's we it's you and j Yeah, my whole crew rocker. So so we were we was really getting money, you know, I mean so You know no disrespect to biggie, but it was a different hustle. We weren't like on the street pitching work. You know, I mean, we was a connects connects connect So it was a different kind of thing But that lifestyle of hustler and all that that was us that was them copying us for sure for sure and um, you know So we kind of had problems so I would like run up some times and you know I was confrontational with beginning them at first and run up sometimes and you know I was confrontational with Big E and him at first and but when we finally got cool and he came to our video because again

Starting point is 00:37:49 this when no one would mess with him and he came through and again we were strategic so every time we did a video we have a meeting about what would be the most big willy shit we could do so what we came up with we go to BBQs and have a whole meeting about it you know I'm down with a crew called the best out from all of them and you know it's a And it was a lot of hood structure to it. You know what I mean? Like we had board meetings in certain places and shit like that.

Starting point is 00:38:11 But what we came up with was using real money, play Monopoly with real money, and just had Christelle all over the table. So a lot of heavyweights were there, and he pulls in and we we start kicking it and I'm like man we get into a drinking contest and you know he's 300 pounds and I just got too drunk this night he got too drunk we got we both got drunk and the next day Biggs and Jay hit me and they're like you know you was no good

Starting point is 00:38:38 last night or Jay really did and I was like the first time he'd ever said anything like that and I called Biggs I said what happened? He was like man you was telling him he's your favorite rapper you guys you were all trying to get in his car Like I was like what so then you know, I got mad or whatever. We went down to daddy's house pause and We booked them to open up for Jay in New Orleans So that Jay could perform in front of him and then we got real cool and then from there Or Biggie to open up in front of him and then we got real cool and then from there our biggie to open up in front of Jay no for so we booking Biggie he could perform yeah a lot of people come see Biggie right and Jay would open for him

Starting point is 00:39:11 Jaycee would open for Biggie yeah okay that's what we booked right we did yeah and at this point who is bigger Jay Biggie okay Biggie had a deal with Puff see Biggie always wanted to act at that point Biggie was a deal with Puff. See, Biggie always wanted to, after that point, Biggie was gonna, what was supposed to happen was, he was gonna do, he did that double album, he was gonna do a triple album, then he was gonna come to Rockefeller with us. Commission, the commission?

Starting point is 00:39:35 The commission, yeah. So he was gonna do the commission with you guys? Yeah, I was trying to get all, so I tried, again, you know, bitch ass thiefs out, I tried to sign the firm, so I was trying to get the firm that that record and reasonable doubt the AZ now I was supposed to show up for that record but he didn't but I was trying to give the firm a deal I was trying to get the whole that's why I signed clue but you know again I tell my ideas and Steve Stout you know being the

Starting point is 00:39:59 bitch that he is he would go around my back and do the deals, you know, and you know, these are the guys that the problem in that business is a lot of non-creative people take advantage of creative people and may steal the creative people's ideas and then go and sell them to the devil. The devil's money, you know what I mean? And that's what I didn't use. I never used to use the devil's money and I still won't. Who's the devil's money? Whoever's not a creator that's exploiting an artist.

Starting point is 00:40:28 Like a Leo Cohen type of guy? Definitely Leo Cohen. He's a culture vulture. I made the term up just for him. You know what I mean? Did you hear what he said about you on Charlamagne? Years ago? Yeah, I've been punishing him for that. You know, I benched him. He used to be in the music business. So now, you know, he has to sit up. You talking about this one here? Yeah, where he... He says, who is Dame Dash? I don't know. Yeah. So usually what happens

Starting point is 00:40:50 algorithmically You know another culture always tries to erase another culture that they're trying to empower its history So they're all their leaders they make don't exist So that's exactly what they do They try to erase our history But the thing that where he had the gall was that he did it on one of what supposedly our platform in front of our people and he did it so recklessly that he was unconscious that we were all watching. So to sit there and say, Damon, I don't know him. What are you saying when he's not around?

Starting point is 00:41:17 You're trying to act like he doesn't exist because you want to take credit for everything that he did. And that's what Steve Stout did and that's what Lior does if I'm a Person that won't let you rob an artist and your business model is robbing artists Of course, you're gonna try to paint a picture of me doing things I'm not being difficult because I'm difficult for you. I don't let you rob the artist Can you play the second half of that just press play real quick? John trigger me really no not at all quick. You're trying to trick me? No not at all. But I think it helped change the course of the crack epidemic. Oh this is him saying... I don't know what's this

Starting point is 00:41:51 opioid thing man? He got it easier. The crackhead wasn't cool back then. Now it's they seem like they're making it cool to be drinking lean and syrup. It's the most dangerous thing that's facing our society. So why sign an artist that would promote that? Because I already answered that question. You weren't paying attention. She asked me talent or issues and I said talent. But I have to, I can't give up on people We're saying that's hypocritical though Yeah, I got I got people to feed

Starting point is 00:42:35 We're proud I got a business to run you're gonna make Dame Dash take this clip and call you a culture vulture Who's the dash you want me to call you a culture You know, I mean I was his boss. That's how I looked at it. You know, I mean I was I was representing my company He was representing someone else's so he needed you because you were bringing opportunities to him Well, he needed volume for his company. You know, that's what they needed, right? It wasn't his company was Universal They had got bored got it and what I never liked about that situation is how did he keep a job and Russell didn't? She know I mean, then they got Russell sitting in the lobby trying to get a deal I'm like, yeah, yeah can't do that to Russell so Russell's doing and that's what usually happens right the person that starts it like a Russell ends up

Starting point is 00:43:33 not getting completely the credit for it down the line so he's gonna take credit for depth jam too in a minute he'll say you don't know Russell you know I mean that's what they do and the thing that was problematic about that is I didn't like when Charlamagne said, you're going to make Damon call you a culture vulture. Why didn't he just call him a culture vulture and check him right there? And that's the problem I be having with people from our culture. When they got that culture vulture on the show like a Noriega or whatever, they never ask them the real questions.

Starting point is 00:44:00 But they'll ask me everything under the sun. See, I say things in public because I'm cool with the accountability. Challenge me. Show me where I'm wrong. Show me a tape or a video with some receipts that prove me wrong. And I'll have a conversation with Lior, Jay, Steve Stout, any one of those people that have been painting a picture of me being a certain way so that other people won't work with me.

Starting point is 00:44:24 I would challenge each one of them. Let's see how many people are mad that you robbed and see how many people are mad that I made rich. You understand what I'm saying? When you hear this on difficult yelling, I've been working with principals that always, if you personally have had an experience with me that's been pleasant why would you listen to someone say that they've had an unpleasant experience and the person

Starting point is 00:44:51 that's saying they've had an unpleasant experience is really someone that has way more unpleasant experiences robbing artists I'm just the guy that checks you for robbing artists. You know what he does now? He works at YouTube he does customer service. Can you pull it up? He's the global head checks you for Robin artists. You know what he does now? Yeah, he works at YouTube. He does customer service. Can you pull it up? See, he's the global head of music for YouTube. Right. So that's the reason why they're suppressing CPMs and they don't give you the full benefit

Starting point is 00:45:14 of it. And they're not, YouTube is knocking. Wow. You're on YouTube, right? Yeah, of course. You know your CPM? Yeah. What is it?

Starting point is 00:45:22 It varies depending on what it is and what companies advertise on it. No, no, no, no. It's programmatic. The CPMs is what the money you get from the commercials that you don't get. So you don't know. 55% if that's what you're saying. No, no, no. Not from YouTube. You do not get 55%.

Starting point is 00:45:32 That's impossible. You wouldn't even be able to get accounting from YouTube. You'd have to get an email and then they have two of them get to you. So what happens is, and you're a genius, right? You're smart, you've done business, but you're letting them rob you and you don't even know how they're robbing you. And that's how they take advantage. Do you get the benefit of your data? No, not from YouTube or any other social media third party that you deal with you don't you don't have the ad tech

Starting point is 00:45:52 You don't understand it Most people do not right because I have a television network and I had to figure out how to do it I know what programmatic is I know what it is with ad tech is to have servers and ad tags and ad stacks and Waterfalls and all that I get it now so what I do know is this if You're getting a $22 CPM. Let's say they're gonna try to figure it out now, right? Yeah, I am so if they're if let's say Generally speaking that if you look at YouTube, they'll be like you get two three three dollars CPM, right? But you don't know how much they're getting so they could be be getting $23 and they're only giving you three, no accounting. And again, they're selling your data to advertisers and you don't get the benefit of it.

Starting point is 00:46:29 So how smart are you? So that's how they're taking advantage of us. So that's what I had to figure out early. And then I make every let everyone even including yourself and everyone else that's in the game and doesn't know how to get paid in the language they speak and don't understand that you're trusting Lior with your CPMs and he's taking full advantage of you. So that's why I had to build my own Because I I don't care how much money I make I want to know how much money you make off me and how you get it So you giving me ten dollars you must be making a hundred

Starting point is 00:46:57 And I'm not gonna do all the work walk on and be a Johnny and be a sucker and then have to compromise My integrity to get just 10% of what I use which so you got to look back at my past I'm the guy that was saying yo you should own your masters you know if you go back to the other Breakfast Club interview you know in 2000 whatever whatever it was and I'm like yo calling Charlamagne the Chattie Patty and I'm telling everybody I'm not saying quit your job say why you have a job invest in your dream or you a sucker? Because you're working for somebody else's dream, and I know you got to pay the bills

Starting point is 00:47:28 But there's eight hours is 24 hours in a day eight you working you got 16 to do other things It's interesting to me that this guy's this guy goes from there to not being YouTube global head of music Yeah, cuz you know how to rob music. He invented the 360. Yeah now he knows how to rob digital is a whole new world It is I mean AI so think about this like you know like I said I do this thing with the principles Rob music he invented the 360. Yeah, now he knows how to Rob digital is a whole new world It is I mean AI so think about this like, you know, I said I do this thing with the principals a Teacher and a principal right now did not get taught about AI CPM web 3 or any of the futuristic things that are happening now in school. So how are they gonna teach a student? How could the student be smarter than the teacher right now and that's what's happening, but that's the case still I know

Starting point is 00:48:04 So and how are they still teaching? Right. So he understood the game enough. The reason why the 360 deal was made was he was so mad that they couldn't get no money from Rock-A-Ware because I named it Rock-A-Ware not Rockefeller so they couldn't benefit from the name but people still knew the symbolism they knew what it was. So it wasn't owned by Rockefellers two separate companies? Yeah. So brand entities? owned by Rockefellers, two separate companies, separate entities? Fuck yeah. And then you had the structure with Jay-Z as the same structure as,

Starting point is 00:48:29 like was it a 50-50 type of deal? Yeah, between me and him, and whoever. See the thing is if I had known better back then, I would have just licensed it, I wouldn't have split the brand, but you know, you gotta learn, you live and you learn. But also you didn't mention I put Rachel Roy on, which is high fashion, I put Kevin Hart on,

Starting point is 00:48:44 I put Lee Daniels on in Every vertical it's not just a music. I put people on in every vertical So the biggest comedian right now, you know, he's the shortest would be Kevin Hart and he won't help and you know Look who's running in in in music, you know and in in in TV Lee Daniels You know what I mean in fashion Rachel Roy. You know, I've been done, I've made hundred million dollar companies in every vertical, but the problem is. What's your network today?

Starting point is 00:49:12 Zero, zero zip. It's all in the street, zip, period. When you say zip, you mean everything is in paper right now? Every single thing I got is in my dreams. I don't hold no money, there is no network. I don't believe in that. Yeah, but I mean, if Rockaware was doing 700 million a year,

Starting point is 00:49:28 if you combine all your companies right now, what would you say the revenue is today? That's gross, that's not net. No, I know that's the gross. Billions. Today? Oh, now I don't know what Rockaware's doing, we sold it. And again, I-

Starting point is 00:49:38 Oh, no, what I'm asking is, where are you at today? Like all these things that you have going on right now. So right now, the volume of America new, zero. Not zero, we have 50,000 downloads in a couple of better, but without raising money right now. I'm investing in my vertical So I have eight Verticals in a company how would I evaluate it? Well if I were to say that America new has 50,000 downloads and you know, I would say the extra strategy be $100 per download or a person that downloads it

Starting point is 00:50:03 That's what I would evaluate everyone has an evaluation now five million it would be 50 million a hundred times 50 thousand fifty thousand times a hundred bucks yeah fifty thousand times a hundred bucks is five million also then that would be worth five million yeah so whatever so then if you look at what the book sold you know it's first and this is year one like you know you're you know six months in three months in this is year one, like, you know, year, you know, six months in, three months in. Booked first year, 60,000 books, but there's a whole franchise, you know, the catalog that I have, all those things.

Starting point is 00:50:31 So let's go back to, let's go back to 95. So at this point, you have Biggie open up for, Jay open up for Biggie, okay? But you, so you're in between, you guys are doing what you're doing with Rockefeller. You got Diddy's doing what he's doing over there with Bad Boy. You got Pac, all the guys on the West Coast doing what they're doing with Shug. But you're saying they're trying to be us. Not there. I just said Biggie.

Starting point is 00:50:55 At that point, Biggie, and I'm not saying Biggie, but Puff, they were copying us. You know what I'm saying? Okay, I can see that because Puff is known for copying. So his model is a form of copying. But you know, again, in this moment, what we never did, we always had this kind of thing no matter what. He don't knock me, I don't knock him in public. We deal with our things in private and pause.

Starting point is 00:51:15 And that was, again, the honor system code that I abide by. So I don't sit here and especially now, I can't even know, you know, I don't know who's right, who's wrong. I just think whoever's lying should get punished. Period. Whoever's lying should get punished. You're talking about with the whole rating and everything that he's going through. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:51:32 So whoever is lying should get punished. So if Puff's lying, then he got to, you know, it is what it is. And if these people are lying on, then it is what it is and the truth will come out. Period. So, but just because... How's your relation? Do you guys have a relationship till today or no? Just as... We all know each other, you know, but I was a guy that back then...

Starting point is 00:51:51 I'm not an R&B... Like, remember Stax Records and Motown? Mm-hmm. I would look at bad boy like Motown and we were like Stax Records. We were more like the gangsters and shit. Not to say like on some tough shit, but just that's what we were about. More aggressive living. And they were more like R&B cats. Cats that would be with pants and barefooted and shit, not to say like on some tough shit, but just that's what we were about. More aggressive living. And they were more like R&B cats, cats that would be with pants and barefooted and shit like that.

Starting point is 00:52:09 So I wasn't doing none of that. So we always had a clear line. There was a respect, but it was always a competition. You know what I mean? So I'm from Harlem, Harlem. He was from Espanol, so it was different. But again, I'm not gonna do that and knock him just because of respect for the brotherhood of hip-hop. Let me maybe let me ask

Starting point is 00:52:29 the question since we're on this because again you're this is this is like 1962 and a two and a half that's when Target Walmart Kmart all got started with these super saving centers or like that was the year like what year came up? Walmart came our target 1962 and a half. Hey, what is the era of the American sports car late 50s early 50s? Corvette Mustang that I'd add that out right 1995 96 like this is the era right that you know how long ago that was I know so But you can't really expect me remember every emotion. Well, no, you're not But but I think but I think for a guy like you... The thing is the shit I be doing now

Starting point is 00:53:10 occupies my brain more than my... I totally get it. And to me it's more impactful. So like, you know, there's also DD 172. Did you know about DD 172? I did, I saw DD 172. And I can show you, like, to me that was more impactful than Rockefeller.

Starting point is 00:53:21 It's just that you know about Rockefeller, but the things that I did, the way it helped in sculpture the DNA now, but I'm not sure you'd buy it. Can I share with you maybe where my interest is, okay? And I'll give you where my interest with this is. So what you're doing is while you're interviewing me, you're Googling shit and then you're asking questions.

Starting point is 00:53:36 No, no, I'm not doing it. Rob is doing it. I'm not doing it. That's pretty good. What's your network? Cause you went to my network? Yeah. Again, I think saving money.

Starting point is 00:53:43 I didn't do that. I think saving money is a suck. What he does is, he is, anything you're saying, even when he said the movie, he just pulls it up so you can see. He's fact checking. No, he's not fact checking. He's pulling it up for you to see. But I want to ask you this question.

Starting point is 00:53:54 I want to ask you this question. You didn't pull up DD 172? Yeah, he did. It's right there, top left. DD 172 is a media collective founded by American entrepreneur Damon Dash. I like that. Yeah, he did. I like that.

Starting point is 00:54:04 You guys are prepared? so the question for you is So what is what is a I don't know What's the most painful moment in your life when Aliyah died? Okay, so when when that happened I think we were all shocked. I was broken I know you were nobody more than you because you guys my mother and father were who but They didn't move on at all ever and you can't but yeah, I was very painful there Do you still listen to any of her music or not? Yeah?

Starting point is 00:54:33 It hurts like on her birthday one day. I was listening to it. I forgot with a Nicolette and this girl big do so because she's an earlier fan and we were I was trying to write for a movie and that shit had me crying I was crying I didn't like the way I felt you know that's something it's a feeling that you have to learn to live with but I was you know I was really in love with her and she died tragically. Dame did that event ever want you to find that exactly who was behind it and what happened or did you block all the theories that people were presenting behind it? Or was it like, I'm going to get to the bottom of it and find out exactly what happened? I mean, I knew what happened, so I didn't have to get to the bottom of it.

Starting point is 00:55:15 Does what the media and the market write about what happened match? If I know what happens, why would I give a fuck about what the media says? So that's like saying I'm writing about my girl and I'm with her every day. You know what I mean? Yeah. So I don't do the media so what the media says. So that's like saying I'm writing about my girl and I'm with her every day. You know what I mean? So I don't do the media so much. You know what I mean? Of course, I've heard they said,

Starting point is 00:55:30 like everyone to me gets the turn, there's some conspiracy. So again, when you know what people write about you personally, it's hard to believe everything that you read. So to me, it's an oxymoron to be famous or be known and care about what people think. That's the dumbest shit in the world. And to let that dictate what you do, that's weakness.

Starting point is 00:55:49 And you know, I'm not driven by insecurity. It's not sustainable. It's that. And that's why a lot of people go nuts, because they're so scared about people that they don't know that are participating in the art. They are. Such a great point. And they're worried about what these people think.

Starting point is 00:56:02 And that's insecurity. I'm not that guy. I've never presented myself as that guy. You're May 3rd, right? Yeah, I don't usually care what people think other than if I respect exactly what you've done and you've done something that I need to do or I'm trying to do. But other than that, unless you're my family and shit,

Starting point is 00:56:17 I don't care what nobody think. Can I? I'm not gonna listen to a conspiracy theory if I know the truth. But I'm not gonna tell you what the truth is in this moment, we in public. Okay. There's a a conspiracy theory if I know the truth, but I'm not gonna tell you what the truth is in this moment We in public Okay, there's a lot of truths that I know that because I'm just not a sucker and I don't feel like dealing with certain things

Starting point is 00:56:32 That I'm not gonna come out publicly because a lot of things I've been saying and exposing years ago No one said shit up till until just now. So if you remember I was beefing with Harvey Weinstein. I'm beefing with Lior I'm beefing with Harvey Weinstein. I'm beefing with Lior I'm beefing with Steve stout most of the people that I'm beefing with and I'm saying beefing because they're Conspiring together having meetings about how to put me out of business to stop my cash flow. That's actually happening Do you believe in accountability? Of course, that's what's happening. So wouldn't you want to hold people accountable for what they did to Alia? Yeah So can I wait wait wait What happened to Aliyah that I don't know? What are you talking about? Can I give you what I... But don't tell me what you heard on TikTok. No, not TikTok. Oh, okay. It's not TikTok. Because you're smarter. No, no, it's not TikTok. So I always listen to the man

Starting point is 00:57:15 asking me the question, and I know the nature of the question by the intelligence of the man and what their intention is. So just be selective about that question. Yeah, I mean, listen, and what I respect about you is, Dame, you can simply say, don't want to comment, don't want to say anything, no problem. We'll move on to the next thing. Well, what I'm going to want to know is why. Right, no problem. And then there'll be accountability. For me, I got four kids, you know, and when you see somebody like this who had an incredible voice

Starting point is 00:57:40 and she was in that one movie with Jet Li... What did you hear though? What did you hear? What did you hear? My question is why are you saying it's a conspiracy? and she was in that one movie with Jet Li. What did you hear though? What did you hear? My question is why are you saying it's a conspiracy? No, it's not a conspiracy. So what I heard is she's coming up in the whole challenge where she used to be married to R. Kelly. She was 15, she wasn't married.

Starting point is 00:57:57 15 years old. She can't be married at 15 to a grown ass man. I know, but... So why would you still listen to him knowing that they said he married a 15 year old? That was the issue that you knew it was illegal to be married to a 15 year old and a dude could actually put out a fucking album that says AJ nothing but a number and y'all gonna listen to it and not say a word that's where people should be ashamed of themselves. I'm with you I agree so what's the

Starting point is 00:58:19 conspiracy so then it's not even a conspiracy so then you know R Kelly and her then you know You don't know the conspiracies then then Jay Then Jay no not at all. I'm not at all Rob. Not if I give me one stop Google link to stop Google because he's thinking I'm looking at what you're putting up What's the conspiracy that then so then Jay and then later on with you? She starts you know being with you for you. You said don't you want to find out what happened and I want to know what you heard.

Starting point is 00:58:50 I'm asking you what you heard happen. Why is it? She got in a plane crash. If Lenny, did Lenny Kravitz offer his plane? Yeah, because Hype did some bullshit. So why would Hype say no for the... Because Hype's a sucker for that and I'm never going to forgive him for that. So period.

Starting point is 00:59:02 We know it ain't no conspiracy. I've been told you all that. So you asking me did I find out the conspiracy if I'm curious I told you I already know So I'm asking you what you know that I don't yeah So if you know something I don't let me know so I can go deal with it I don't if you don't why are we talking about yeah, so I don't I don't think it's whether I know or you don't know What's the conspiracy that you talking about? I know no it's not even a conspiracy is if that was the event so I guess that was the event and what the public knows and what you know is the same thing

Starting point is 00:59:27 So what's the conspiracy with the gray area? But where I'm going with that is the frustration with the fact that you know that my partner did a fucking album and did a Tour with him. That was the frustration. That's the frustrate. Yeah, and it was a frustration Why y'all didn't say nothing about it? That's what my point was how is nobody saying nothing about like this thing of raping girls they know that it was a girl he said he married a 15 year old and everybody at that point until it became common or like it became the end thing to do, what nobody disrespecting R. Kelly, everybody was still going to his shows. Until it became popular opinion, people weren't looking any other way. So what I was, was

Starting point is 01:00:02 disappointed in every fan that didn't care that this dude was raping a little girl and actually tried to, you can't sugarcoat it. You cannot marry a 15 year old, period, in America. You understand what I'm saying? But she died, she died in a plane crash. It ain't no conspiracy. There is no conspiracy. The problem was, and again a lot of things happened behind the scenes to get up to that

Starting point is 01:00:23 point, but that's the stuff that people don't know. And I don't feel like talking about all that because it'll open up a whole can of worms. Yeah. So, you know, again, and I appreciate you for even sharing what you just shared. I know it's a sensitive topic. You just didn't tell me the conspiracy yet. No, it's not. For me, it's more like, okay, for example-

Starting point is 01:00:40 I was just holding you accountable for your question. You just said accountability. You said, do you go with the conspiracy that you hear? And I'm saying, which one did you hear that I didn't know about? Like what I'd be looking for? In August 25th of 2001, I was 21 years old applying for a job, 22 years old applying for a job at Morgan Stanley Dean Whittier on my first day was 9-10-2001. So at this point, I'm thinking about whether I want to go back into the Army and stay in

Starting point is 01:01:04 the marketplace. And no one knows what's going on with the story. We're reading about it and we know what happened until later on. The story is she was in the plane. Oh, that? We all knew what was going on. He made a record. You're in the world. No. It was common knowledge that he was married to a leader or he painted that picture of him being sexually with her at 15. Yeah. That was publicized. There wasn't no conspiracy. Everybody knows. The question is why you're in the army. Why didn't you think that was weird? Oh, for sure. I thought it was. Did you still listen to him? Listen to who? R. Kelly. At that time? Yeah. I'm sure I did. Knowing that he is having sex with a 15 year old

Starting point is 01:01:43 as a grown man. I mean, are you kidding me me the stuff that we heard with Michael Jackson everybody's trying to verify The reason why I'm asking you this is you know the DNA and the problems I have to deal with even though a smart man Like yourself know something is wrong. You still going to do it. You know, you don't you don't know something's wrong So it's kind of you do know wait a second. Wait, wait, wait, wait wait, you're telling me that if your little sister was 15 and Grown a man married her or said he married it you would know something wrong There's no question about and that was not a hidden thing is what I'm telling you But but it was not hidden but you're in the world. It's for example, it's kind of like I'm asking the public

Starting point is 01:02:20 Did you believe Trump was the Trump was dealing with Russia? Did you believe it? Did you think he was because I know you're not a you know, maybe you're not supportive of him Did you think he was colluding with Russia? I was with the gray areas. I don't really give a fuck Okay, but he's your president. He would be your president He was like to me my president is me see I don't depend on public assistance and no disrespect to anybody that does Right, but whoever is the the the the president only thing is gonna be affected with me is taxes But either way, I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do Did you think he was colluding with Russia I was curious, okay

Starting point is 01:03:01 So I think with Donald Trump there's always a great I think with Donald Trump, no matter what, it's a gray area. So were you surprised later on to find that Hillary Clinton paid for that fake Russia collusion that took place? I'm not even, again, that's the politics that I think people use to distract us from paying attention to ourselves. But what I'm saying is- What I'm saying is I didn't give it that much thought. Right.

Starting point is 01:03:22 And I wasn't listening to- But it affects your taxes though, right? Let me tell you something right now raping a little girl is way different There's three things in the streets who don't fuck with no matter what snitches Pedophiles and rapists. I'm with you So I don't give a fuck about politics if I hear that someone is raping a little girl I'm no longer supporting period and just because everyone else isn't looking the other way doesn't mean that you shouldn't so You as a common person that was not to say common but a person that you said was in the audience I'm curious to know then I'm curious to know how could you know that somebody?

Starting point is 01:03:56 Was raping a little girl right just because it was put in a different sentence structure Yeah, and you still think it's okay until the rest of the world says so then I got a question for you so you said you don't want to comment on Diddy mm-hmm right and I said I'm a comment on it I said there's certain things well wait a minute though then it's a double standard because with proven that what he's done with young you know he didn't go to speculation with young boys and all these other things that come up a million I'm not running Do you think the market needs to know about that? But I know him personally. You don't know Paul's puff.

Starting point is 01:04:28 I know him. I don't know R. Kelly personally. You do. Right. So why would I jump in conclusion if I don't know the guy personally? What I'm saying is if you hear a guy rape the 15-year-old, are you interviewing him? He's got an open invitation. I wouldn't. I know you wouldn yeah, that's what we that's what we differ

Starting point is 01:04:48 So I guess what I'm saying is what I was asking and again, I'm not saying I still fuck with puff at all I'm not saying I ever did it's just it's not for me to knock anyone down While they're down unless I had a personal problem with him, but I'm not doesn't mean I'm a fuck with him It's just I'm not gonna do that But just because I know him but I'm not gonna be a fan honestly as it relates to Michael Jackson I still listen to Michael Jackson Who's well and and I went to Never Neverland when he wasn't there with Kedada, you know, you were y'all see Yeah, well, I wasn't a kid, you know, he would get knocked out, you know, I mean, but I didn't I wasn't jacking that though

Starting point is 01:05:21 I wasn't cool with it. So I'm just saying I Wasn't a fan of him How could you be a fan of a person that you know and the reason I was using you is because what do you think? The average person is doing they see things that are immoral They look past it until his public opinion and I'm a person that can't look past thing Yeah until his public opinion. So so put it this, if I had a problem with Puff, and I may or may not, it didn't just start after everyone started having a problem with him. I was never at none of those parties. You never seen me in no real pictures with

Starting point is 01:05:55 him other than the last 20 years. And I was at his party once at the Hamptons with Aliyah, Jennifer Lopez, and Natani. But that's it. And we we left early but just cuz I don't fuck with someone publicly or privately it don't mean I'm a dissing publicly but if you diss me publicly I'm getting at you if I know you so then let me let me go let me go I was just trying to say the temperature like we're in a world that people look the other way because I agree when you again what I said about Trump is it all right that his whole crew went to jail? And just answer that I think I think is that a good boss I think no one is being I didn't ask you that

Starting point is 01:06:31 I'm asking you is it alright that his whole crew went? Yeah, I don't think anybody is being more demonized and carrot nasty. That's don't Republican me story I want you to answer my question independent. I'm a registered independent who liked voting for Clinton I and I voted I'm just asking you a question independent. I'm a registered independent who liked voting for Clinton and I voted Asking you a question. Yeah from an independent if Somebody's whole crew went to jail. Are they a good boy? Yeah, yes or no I yes or no, but but I don't know but I don't know yes or no No, but you're also not given the right answers when it went yes. I am no you're not

Starting point is 01:07:01 You're a part of, Dame, respectfully. Respectfully, I respect what you've done to the space you've been a part of. It is very hard to make it to the highest level. I got a lot of respect for you. It depends on what you consider the highest level. Well, where you have influence and you're able to sit down with bullies, you said you like to bully the bully. You know what's one of the affirmations I teach my kids?

Starting point is 01:07:21 Yeah, we do have to. Bully the bully. I tell my kids. Our new record is Punch You in the Face. That's our anti-bully kids. Yeah, we do have bully the bully. I tell my kids my Our new record is punch you in the face. That's our anti bully record Yeah So but the point is a lot of the things you talk about with raising boys family Those things we may be on the same page in a situation right now when I'm bringing up Diddy dollars And I'm bringing up diddies because you bring them up. Yeah the last two months every day something new is coming up about you

Starting point is 01:07:43 Can't not bring them up. Listen, he's the top of the conversation. You can't, unless you don't bring him up, you're not going to... So maybe, let me ask this other question. Are you familiar with Jaguar Wright? I'm not friendly with her, but I remember her when we did The Unplugged. The MTV unplugged, Heart of the City, I think she was doing the... She's just saying the background, but that's the only time I remember really interact Right, but we were I always remember us being cool

Starting point is 01:08:10 There's now some rumors circulating and you can shut it down the second I say it that there was a tie with the Jay-Z had some stuff to do with Diddy and they're kind of both being you know Aligned and quite about it. There are a lot of pictures together. So yeah You know, I'm aligning quite about it. They're in a lot of pictures together. So yeah What about I don't know I haven't been around in the last 10-15 years got it, okay I know it's great. I don't know about certain things because I haven't been around That's the reason why that's fair the reason why I pivoted because the gray area thing Yeah, I don't play those games at all. So whatever was going on I just never even engaged in those or anything

Starting point is 01:08:45 Not even look the other way doesn't look at all. I just left I don't see me in none of them pictures has the has the Fed at all reached out to you for information or no I haven't been around him like that. I'm not around him like that just cuz we black don't mean shit No, that's not it. But you guys were partners like that's a part of me and Jay at one point Why would they reach out to me for it? I don't know if they want to say hey Is there anything you want to talk to us about you know what what happened? They've they reach out to me for it? I don't know if they want to say hey, is there anything you want to talk to us about? You know what what happened they've never reached out to you. Yeah They're reaching out to a lot of weird people right now. I'm not weird. Okay, they're not gonna do it to me

Starting point is 01:09:15 I'm not weird. All right, so so let me let me ask this other question Well, maybe within this context, I hope they don't leave her. They better not come knocking at my door over that bullshit I ain't got shit to do with none of that. So so let me ask let me ask this other question. See I'm out of there for me Class of 96. See I'm the only one that can still talk. I'm the one that can come outside I'm not hiding cuz I ain't got nothing to hide and that's what I mean. I could sleep at night Well, that's what I'm saying. I think no gray area. You would be the one that they wouldn't want to talk They would be worried about you knowing stuff You remember like people that are committing crimes only tend to commit crimes around other

Starting point is 01:09:50 criminals. I'm not a criminal like that. I'm not gonna, they're not gonna do things on my watch that I'm not gonna be alright because they know I'm gonna say something. So if I see anything that's unsavory or someone tries me, I'm not keeping that a secret because I'm not scared of the recourse. I have no fear of any of those people That's why I could say no because there was no fear not you can't even look at you can't even ask me certain questions Because you know you won't get embarrassed. That's what's gonna happen You know, I mean and if I if I lose that fight I lose it But I'm fighting it and everyone gonna know what I'm fighting about and I'm not gonna be scared of not being able to get

Starting point is 01:10:22 A check from somebody because I'll go earn my own or like you said or like I said, because I'm not worried about what people perceive as a win. I'm worried about being creative and love is my currency. I care about being able to walk in here with my family and be able to work with my family, do books with my family, go to schools, go help close down jails. You know, I think there's way better stuff that I'm doing. And that's what I noticed. What they don't talk about, with no one makes a big deal until it's too late, is damn,

Starting point is 01:10:52 I'm going into schools three or four times a week and talking to kids and teaching them how to dream and I'm going into jails trying to get the recidivative rate down. That's the shit that matters. None of this bullshit matters. What's happening with the government, no matter who is president, them kids in Chicago are still sitting in a warehouse with no fucking outdoor space, with a fourth grade reading and education,

Starting point is 01:11:13 and they still foaming at the mouth because they're giving them drugs to get out of jail called the CUT program. And they're breathing mold in their head. And we forgot about the kids. We got bigger issues. I'm not worried about other people's problems. I'm worried about my culture, the people I love and how they're being oppressed and the

Starting point is 01:11:28 cycles that need to stop and the people that are enabling us. And that's who I'd be going at. Success for me and how much money I make is how I move the needle for my culture. And I'm not talking about black, white. I'm talking about creative thinking. I think politics are dumb. If we're both fighting for America, how are we going to fight each other to fight for one thing? If i'm trying to save a block and you're trying to save my block i'm not going to fight you to save the block

Starting point is 01:11:53 We're going to fight together So instead of worrying about the bullshit, we need to worry about what's going on with these kids why they can't read Why do they build a jail cell for every time a kid can't read past the fourth grade? That's the problem. It's why is all this independent sector, the government with these big budgets, paying people to do things for the people, but they're not looking at where they're spending the money or how they're spending the money. How could a jail, a kid's jail be a million, 1.2 a bed for a child. And they don't even let them,

Starting point is 01:12:25 they don't even let them buy a real toothbrush. That's the problems that I'm dealing with in this moment is education and, and, and, and teaching, you know, my culture. If you could have the people that give a fuck about Trump or Biden, they probably don't even know how to get a law passed. They don't know how to lobby. They don't even know how to change things. You understand what I'm saying? Like, to make a law or to make change in America is a unilateral decision. A lot of people gotta agree.

Starting point is 01:12:53 So that should be what we should be doing is trying to work on how to stick together instead of what makes us separate as a social class. It's not about black or white. It's about 99% of the world that got to work for the 1%. And the way they make the one to 99 fight each other so that we continue to separate and work for the 1%. So either way, all these people that care about the president are paying for a billion in, but both of them, I'm not jacking none

Starting point is 01:13:23 of that pause because I don't know what's going on. They're all gray areas. I can just control what I see and know. I'm not depending on the government to pay for my hospital bills. I'm not depending on the government to pay for my, to pay for my, my, where I live. I'm not knocking anyone that does, but I'm in the, the, the, the, the, unless it's capital gains, the 40 to 50% bracket. And I always owe taxes. So when you owe $12 million of taxes,

Starting point is 01:13:48 how do you pay that back without making 24 million? But they snatch in your money every day. That's they fucking with your working capital. You know what they don't teach you in school how to have money, how to keep money. You know why my network is, I don't know how to keep it. I never went to school. No one told me how to keep money and when to pay taxes with capital gains is what's a trust You know, no one taught none of that shit. So that's what we do we talk about people that don't matter shit that doesn't affect our personal life and we're worried about what other people do and

Starting point is 01:14:17 What they could do for us when we should be worried about focusing on how to do for ourselves and understanding the money is man-made I don't give a fuck about money. There's no goal behind it It's all a Ponzi scheme. I care about love as my currency how much time I spend with my child What's my net worth? I'm a dad that I pick my kid up from school and I bring him to school that I could bring him to work and I Could bring him to a jail. I could bring him to a school and he gonna watch his daddy be a superhero That's all that matters to me. So when you look at all these so-called moguls, you don't see their family life.

Starting point is 01:14:47 You see contrived pictures of something that doesn't even matter on a red carpet, and their children aren't with them. I'm at home with my kids, and then I'm being creative, and I'm creating my own, like I direct my own movies. I get them funded or fund them myself. I put them out, distribute them myself, and then I put them on my own streaming service

Starting point is 01:15:05 That's amazing to be able to write a book and sell 60,000 books by myself and you don't know it. That's amazing That's impressive to have my own sneakers to have my own all that shit is amazing. Yeah to me I'm not worried about that bubblegum shit. That's why I left it You understand to me, but I'm not gonna be grouped up and never and the friends don't need to call me Because if they watching the listen And they like yo this motherfucker just live in a nice pleasant boring life The only lawsuit you're gonna get for me is I yelled at you. That's it You're not gonna get none of that old funny shit because that's not what I do

Starting point is 01:15:35 You're not there is no gray area with Dame Dash and the receipts of it Period I tape everything So yeah Period I take everything So yeah That was great By the way, why do you think crime is so high in Chicago? Because it's so such a big state you think because it's a big state. Yes, like 16. You see there's plenty of big states But why is Chicago so I don't Google it

Starting point is 01:15:57 It's the reason why they say the crime rate is what's relative to how many people there So so many people get killed because so many people in one spot. You understand what I'm saying? It's just a big spot. That's why it is. But I would say the reason why is because the government enables the kids. They're not doing anything to stop it. It's happening worldwide. They're getting kids used to going to jail. So what happens? Bad policies? I just think that if you put a kid in a situation where he has enemies and then take him away to go to jail and come back and put him back in the same situation.

Starting point is 01:16:33 He going back to jail. I think if you don't educate a child and you disenfranchise his family, you're going to jail. Rob, could you pull up the clip? Could you pull up the clip by Ice Cube? I still have one last question within that context that I go back to, but I want to play this clip for you. Here's Cube with Bill Maher, okay?

Starting point is 01:16:51 And I kind of want you to hear this and tell me if you agree with him. Go for it. Okay, let's take rap music. Same people who own the labels own the prisons. True. So literally the same people who own the labels on the prisons. True. So, literally the same people, literally the same people who own the labels on private prisons.

Starting point is 01:17:15 So, so, you know, it seems really kinda suspicious, if you wanna say that word, that- It seems really kind of suspicious, if you want to say that word, that. It seems obvious. You know, the records that come out are really geared to push people

Starting point is 01:17:39 towards that prison industry. But they didn't make you write those lyrics. It's not about making, it's didn't make you write those lyrics. It's not about making, it's not about making somebody write the lyrics. It's about being there as guardrails to make sure certain songs make it through and certain songs don't. Certain flavors are exposed on the record.

Starting point is 01:18:03 You know, some records are made by committee. Meaning record company guys sit around and tell the artists, this is hot, say that, do this. We're gonna have this guy write the lyrics. We're gonna have that. So the narrative is really kind of, So the narrative is really kind of structured

Starting point is 01:18:30 and really made into what the record company want the record to be and what the, a lot of artists are frustrated with this kind of music making. A lot of people feel like they're being controlled by the label. This is how they do it. What are your thoughts on what he's saying here? It's true. It's obvious. You never told me if a boss is a good boss, if his whole crew goes to jail. Not Trump, just in general.

Starting point is 01:18:56 If a whole, if a boss... If his whole crew goes to jail, he's around the mob. Right. If his whole crew goes to jail, is he a good boss? You ever been to jail? Can you answer my question? I don't judge it that way. I'm asking you a question. I wouldn't judge it that way Okay, so you don't judge. Yeah, I wouldn't by that how good his family rose Well, let me ask you a question. I'm asking you a question. How about I ask you a different question?

Starting point is 01:19:17 Here's the question for you. I'm asking you how do you judge a boss if 47 people around them and I didn't ask you I didn't ask you that. Oh, it depends. If it was 4,000 people and only 47 got killed, then I'll say that's not a bad odd. Got it. So then it depends, would be the answer, right? I asked you if his whole crew goes to jail, is he a good boss? I thought you were trying to unify. Now you're trashing the president. I mean, what kind of a unifier are you? What happened to you, Dan? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, choose a position. No, don't you can't tell me what to tell me Listen, listen, you're not listening. Yeah, I'm not saying that about Trump

Starting point is 01:19:53 I'm saying that in general forget Trump if you're a boss and Your man right there and everyone that's in here goes to jail, but you Are you a good boss boss so was sugar good boss you're not gonna answer my question because it depends it's the same I'm not talking about another man I would tell you it depends okay so it's a it's a it's in what way could your whole crew go to jail and you're a good boss but in what way can 47 associates close to get killed? What does that have to do with what I'm talking about?

Starting point is 01:20:26 I'm asking a question from you. But you're not answering mine. You're not answering mine. Because I'm giving you the same answer you're giving us. I didn't give you a... Wait, I'm asking you a question. No, I'm asking you... All I said was...

Starting point is 01:20:34 You said it depends. I didn't say it depends. I said if a boss goes... If his whole crew goes to jail and he does not, is he a good boss? I'm not talking about Trump. You are talking about him. No I'm not. You know how many motherfuckers I know whose whole crew went to jail? That's just a shoe fit to wear. I don't have no beef with this. Let me get this clear. I'm not in here to be Trump-bashing or Biden-bashing or any of

Starting point is 01:20:58 that. I'm just asking you a question of logic, not about politics. Dame, do you think racism exists? So you're not going to answer my question. I gave it to you. I said it depends. That's not the answer. Dame do you think racism exists? So you're not going to answer my question. I gave it to you I said it depends. That's not the answer you know that. Do you think racism exists? Of course it does. It does. Yeah I'm racist as fuck.

Starting point is 01:21:31 Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha You said you're racist yourself? Why are you? I'm against bitch ass niggas. Okay, so but is that skin color or could that be white, black, Asian, anything? White, black, Asian, anything. Okay, so let me specify. Do you think racism towards a skin color or nationality, ethnicity, this is he exists. There's definitely things that I assume Yeah, because of color if you want to call that racism here just because of natural experience. What do you think about when you see a white guy? Executive of a major label. What do you think about of a major label like music label?

Starting point is 01:21:59 Let's just say let me finish. Yeah, I made there a major black label if a white guy's running a black label That's it. That's problematic for me. If a white guy's running a black label Yeah, how about a black guy running a white label? It doesn't happen, but it doesn't I think There's no such thing as a white label. That's what's funny, right? When you go into music Yeah, black music, but there's no white music. They don't have a white music division. It's just a black music division Why is that? Is that racist so I'm asking you was that can you be I'm not in the space So I don't know so be specific like who has a black every every music Do they say black or do they say hip-hop? They say them is white and he sold my records. I'm not sugarcoating shit

Starting point is 01:22:38 Yeah, I said it's called black music Head of black music. I'm not black and I listen to pop. It's not what I think You're not answering any of my questions. Yeah, I said is it race me on your podcast. I'll answer. I will Yeah, come come come to America new you know you owe me. Yeah, I'm with you. That's my thing I'm game. I'm with you. I'm with what I'm saying is There is a black music division in every label there is time and there isn't a white music division in every label okay so I'm asking you was that racist but you're not gonna answer it's gonna depend I know no no I don't know the

Starting point is 01:23:14 facts I gave you the facts you do know the facts no no I don't I'm telling you the facts yeah why are you doing I would say a how much what's your network hip-hop should that work what's worth? I got a couple dollars. So you ask me and I'm asking you. What's your net worth? Put it between three to five hundred. Three to five hundred million? No, since I'm older.

Starting point is 01:23:33 Since I'm what? Since I'm older. When you say net worth, that means you're looking at half a billion cash? Yes. You pay taxes on it? Cash, I would say shy of two hundred cash. Oh, yeah since I'm over man. Yeah, you want you want I have I'm at an auction I'm about to sell my interest of reasonable doubt Rockefeller Inc. Okay, you want buy it. What's it going for? At auction at auction. Tell me you send me an information. I'll look into it. I'm telling you

Starting point is 01:23:59 I send it to me if it's an auction. I'm talking and I'm gonna be able to bid. No, you said auction It's as an auction. I'm also a how much is it? It says that all but you know, you have a judgment So once I have a feeling our dinner would be ten times better than this podcast because you paying for it I don't have a problem. There's no question. Can I ask you this? Question, how do you look at a half a bed? I would blow all of that shit Well, how did you save it? You save it? Just look at it. Yeah.. How do you look at a half a billion? I would blow all of that shit. How did you save it? You save it? You just look at it?

Starting point is 01:24:27 Who do you look at? Do you just look at your money? How often do you look at your bank account? Like say, oh, let me make sure I got it. Once a quarter, I meet with my guy. You meet your guy? Yeah, once a quarter. We meet with the whole team.

Starting point is 01:24:37 It's too hard. Saving money is so hard. I'm saying saving it, like when money's sitting, there's so many laws that come with it. And unless you're savvy about how to hold it,'re gonna lose it man, but you know what it is Oh, hi pause well listen. I lost everything at 23 24 25 the first time I made my 23 years old I just suppose we get it, but but I lose everything every year Let me tell you when I hit rock bottom at 25 my my entire mindset changed. What's rock bottom jail?

Starting point is 01:25:03 No, I didn't go to jail was rock bottom the rock bottom is what's your version lost financially I'm about to fall bankruptcy I don't have a penny to my name that's not all my credit cards are maxed out relationships are gone it's not girlfriend fiance and I'm about to go back into the military to me at 24 25 that wasn't rock bottom that was rock bottom for me spoiled you're so funny let me tell you something rock bottom is when you don't have a place to live Yeah, and you're a drug addict and you don't have your health. That's not and you're not mentally stable financially rock bottom That's financially right 25 everyone's financially rock You know what it did do you know what I did?

Starting point is 01:25:39 I'm just usually are in college coming out of college with fucking debt right you know Warren Buffett Obviously, and you know Charlie Munger Charlie Munger is his partner that passed away. There's a book he wrote called The Poor Charlie's Almanac. It's a very good book for you to have in the house. Just kind of look through. They interviewed his kids, and they said, what did Charlie talk about during dinner with you guys? He said, that's the book right there by the way, he said that always talked about people he knew that could have been rock stars that totally ruined their lives because of bad decisions. He taught more how to make bad decisions and avoid them than how to make good decisions. A

Starting point is 01:26:18 lot of times when we get money or fame or success, sometimes you don't know how to handle the limelight, sometimes you don't know how to handle the limelight, sometimes you don't know how to handle the money. Again, how does somebody coming from a social class of 99% understand day one, how to deal with it? Zero, I'm with you, for sure. But I'm saying at 24, let's say you're broke, it's hilarious, every one of 24 is broke right now, just ask the same question.

Starting point is 01:26:38 No, but I was a worker and I was a sales guy, I was a guy that actually worked my ass off. I think it was way worse at the time than you thought. In hindsight now, but you're older. The worst point of my life was living in Iran, going through a war till 10 years old and we got bombed 167 times in a day. That's real stuff that we have. Where did that happen?

Starting point is 01:26:57 Iran. Oh, you're from Iran? I'm from Iran. Yeah, I was born in 78. We left Iran at 89. So I lived in Iran for almost 11 years. Yeah. So going lived in Iran for almost 11 years Yeah, so we'll go back selfish question. It's selfish question. They Say whatever you want to this answer. Okay, just want to see what you're gonna say

Starting point is 01:27:12 You do know I'm always gonna say whatever I know you are. I know you're out there Yeah, I don't need the permission. You don't need any no one's permission I know it's selfishly selfishly fast the question came on. Come on historian. You're selfish. I'm not a story. I'm high a lot I'm very cloudy Well at this point after spending an hour and a half with you I'm probably high as well because I've been smelling it for an Hour and a half smoking it if I could I will light up. Yeah, so but here's here's a question for you. Here's a question for you Do you know? Yourself you don't have to say it,

Starting point is 01:27:45 do you know for a fact yourself who killed Tupac and who killed Biggie? Mm-mm, I've heard. You don't know? I don't know. Okay, got it. I mean, all I know is what I saw on the documentary there, but I don't know if I believe in it or shit.

Starting point is 01:27:57 Got it, got it. So the thing about algorithms is, and what I see, especially with social media and things that pop up on your phone, They just push certain things every day to where it becomes Like if something if you see something seven times or someone tell you something seven times you memorize it No matter what like a song if you hear a song you hate seven times great cuz your kid likes it You're gonna know the song so there's things that I don't want to know about all day

Starting point is 01:28:24 But because they're putting it put like this puff situation every day all day Conspiracy be about puff conspiracy about Jay Conspiracy about this one conspiracy about that one all day long I'm just happy that I'm not clear if it's true or not because I wasn't around those guys For the last ten years and I made the choice for certain reasons. So that should tell you enough. What was your reason?

Starting point is 01:28:50 I didn't want to get caught up in the gray area. You have to be like, see, when Nancy Reagan did that slogan, just say no, I took it to heart. Just say no. You have to know how to say no. Be careful with that. She was a Republican. Be very careful. See, what you're doing is trying to divide us and I never said that I'm for or not for I didn't say that

Starting point is 01:29:10 All I did was bring there's things about Joe Biden that I'll bring up that I'll say buh-buh-buh You know, I mean, yeah But in one instance just because I want someone to validate and I want to know what their morals are like So listen to me if I ask somebody and this is not a question I ask about Trump this is because I want to know the nature of the person if You're Doing well and the rest of your crew is not. Mm-hmm. Are you a good boss now? There are people that will say yes, and then I say I'm not fucking with them

Starting point is 01:29:41 No, I don't I don't I don't agree with that. That's what I'm saying. So that's the nature. So for me, again, I look at how people look at things and know how much business I want to do with them. So if you're a guy that says, yo, if my whole crew goes to Japanese, you're gonna sell your crew under the bus. That usually means you're a rat.

Starting point is 01:29:57 And it usually means that you're getting people to do the work that you should be doing yourself. But I don't want anyone to ever walk away from having an experience with me. Now look, even though maybe some of the people that I put on aren't having the best lives, but when Jay's not with me, he's a billionaire. Kanye, when he chooses to be, is a billionaire.

Starting point is 01:30:17 Kev Hart, Lee Daniels, Rachel Roy. People don't walk away from me going to jail, they walk away from me going to a bank. Now is that a good boss? Now- That's a builder, that's a builder leader. Is that a good boss? I don't know if I define it as a boss.

Starting point is 01:30:35 What do you define a boss? So we might have two definitions. Leader. A boss isn't a leader? Not necessarily, no. Not necessarily, to me I- You're not gonna like that you said that. You have to lead by example when you're the boy agree So how is he not the leader some people when it comes on then that's not a real boss

Starting point is 01:30:51 Listen if a boss if a company can't run without the boss We're probably saying the same thing if a company can't run a mission for me if a company can't and maybe the words are different That's what it is. We're saying the same but if a company can't run without the boss. You're not a good boss Well when I was 28 years old, I'll tell you this. So, Dave. Everybody, listen to me. I made a record, because I'm also in a rock band called the Black Guns, and I have a record out coming out with... Can he Google it?

Starting point is 01:31:14 Yeah, yeah. 365. I wasn't mad. See, you think because I bring something up. I'm having fun with you. I'm having way more fun with you. I'm having way more fun with you. But I don't want you to have a bunch of Republicans on my door. You know what I'm having way more fun with you. I'm having way more fun with you. But I don't want you to have a bunch of Republicans on my door. You know what I'm saying? I don't want that.

Starting point is 01:31:29 I'm not here for that. You know what I'm saying? So stop that shit. We're going to be lobbying Dame Dash to be. I knew once I saw the American flag. I said, oh, it's going to... We love America, man. I mean, would you rather have an Iranian flag here?

Starting point is 01:31:40 I don't even care about that. Are you one of those obsessed kind of guys with this guy? Which guy? Trump. No, I love America. But motherfuckers are, I didn't ask you that. You know what I noticed that I can't get a direct question out of people that love that guy. No, nothing. What do you want to know about that relationship? I didn't ask you your relationship. I said are you obsessed with him? Because this is an... No, I'm obsessed with my family, my dreams, our vision. Let me speak. What I see... We're about to get into a big argument. No, we're not don't do this. It's not an ongoing we're doing good I'm not an argument

Starting point is 01:32:08 It won't be good unless there's an argument What I see yeah are people obsessed with him living picariously through him from a certain social class sure and it's either They're really broke without teeth in their mouth and usually not the brightest Mm-hmm and probably never voted until they had to do this Okay, and then I see people that sometimes have um a lot of money that want their taxes cut and For me the reason why I can't get involved because there are certain things that I can't look away from so I Don't get involved because yeah, it might be in my best interest from the tax bracket, I mean, when I have money to be a Republican,

Starting point is 01:32:49 but I come from the 99%. But now I'm seeing a lot of the 99% of Republicans and the whole Republican party is completely different than it was before. Not everyone's wearing a suit at the Republican party anymore. A lot of people don't even take showers. No disrespect, but I don't even wanna say it like that, but sometimes you see them and what they- I want to make sure you know, I took a shower this morning.

Starting point is 01:33:08 You look like clean. Part of the independent party. But there's, but it'd be people that be like no teeth in their mouth that are just obsessed with this man. And then, so I'm not mad at him because he hasn't ever really said nothing bad about me. I was around him and his family, you know, and, and, and I ain't gonna, again, it's like when you know people, you can't just diss them. I can't do that. You know and and and I again it's like when you know people you can't just dis them I can't do that, you know Even if there's a problem with the rest of the public perception we were cool at one point

Starting point is 01:33:30 We're gonna be cool, but I just see that people are fanatical about him That's all and and that is part to me fanatic. You're making a good argument Now it's problematic to me because whatever this fanatical. I think wait wait whenever this fanatical There's always some bullshit that comes with it. It's a gray area. I think the same could be said about Obama. Obama people are fanatical about him. That was dramatically fanatical. Like he was black Jesus for a lot of people. No, no, no, no, no.

Starting point is 01:33:53 You know, there were hardcore fanatical about him. Let me ask you a question. If there was ever a president of America from Iran, do you know what that would mean for the people of Iran? Meaning that are from there to know that and someone from my rank could actually be a president He's a bad a good president for us as black people. We never saw her black president didn't matter if he was a good about I agree. You know, I was a negative. I'm not I'm not saying Was a hero I was saying that I don't the fanatical part is I don't see the fanatical part You're saying and if you can compare the two that would be

Starting point is 01:34:25 A little so that's exactly I mean what you got from the but nobody wearing hats and doing all this violent and rushing the motherfucking People come on, bro. He actually turned white people into black people. That's it was funny as hell Yeah, but I was breaking shit and running in the stuff. That was a proper riot But not only and again, I'm not dissing the man, but I'm just looking at the circumstance. Not only did his whole crew- What do you have against him? What did he do to you? I don't have anything against him.

Starting point is 01:34:51 Why does he trigger you? Why do you get upset about Trump? Why do you think I'm upset about Trump? You're trying to make that answer. Because this, he keep coming back five, six times. You brought it up. You, nigga, you just brought up, that's, to me, Trump is- Tell me how I brought it up.

Starting point is 01:35:05 Listen, Trump is white Diddy. Trump is white Diddy? People talk about Trump all day long because... Not a lot. What's being linked to Diddy is young boys. There's nothing about that with Trump is beautiful woman, young boys with... You're not hearing me. See, you're not letting me...

Starting point is 01:35:22 Diddy is young boys, Bieber video, Usher living Listen to what I'm saying. These are concerning stuff. For black people, everyone is going to be talking about Diddy. For Puff. Right now. For white people, everyone's going to be talking about Trump. So Trump has the most charges out right now, so people go ask about him and talk about him. Diddy has the most charge. That's what you're saying Yeah, I got no, that's why I'm asking you. I got I got I got so It's not different. Well, you asked me 30 questions about puff and me asking you two questions about Trump Maybe the question is what you got against puff. I don't why you keep asking about him because I think he was behind Tupac's murder So why you keep asking me why you because I want because if you really want to know

Starting point is 01:36:06 Why you ask me about him because you're in the space? I'm not in this space That's racist. Are you kidding me? What's 95 96? What year is it now? It was 2025 to pock.9 25 years ago, that's what I'm talking to the most qualified guys from that era I am NOT the most qualified guy from that era. I am not the most qualified guy from that era. Come on. I'm just black in that era. Dame, I'm asking you. I'm from the East Coast.

Starting point is 01:36:30 I'm not... Brother, so you're talking 94, November 30. I'm talking 2024 Trump. I know. What I'm asking you is... You're talking 20... 20... 1996.

Starting point is 01:36:38 1996, puff. Look, 95, you guys started freaking Rockefeller 96. I've been rolling for 30, 40 years. Do you know who Greg Kading is? Yeah, Greg Kading is the detective who was on the biggie case on the Tupac case. I'll get back to that. Okay So so far is that trending or some shit? I'm telling you look listen if if you want to know who I've interviewed everybody I can get my hands on with the JFK assassination I'm curious guy. I'm not a guy. I don't I understand that and now I know that you're not the guys

Starting point is 01:37:08 So I never said I was the guy I'm heartbroken, you know No, no because I was hoping to get more in I'm yo, can you say you want to do an investment or something like 300 million? Let's talk some business me I want to talk no gossip. I want to get some money. What we doing? What are we doing? You let me know Since I'm over I'll flip it Paul Send some over what we doing. Let's see what we got here. Give me a second here. Okay All right. I got a couple last questions for you before we wrap up Let me see what you're gonna say about this see see if we can even get an answer here

Starting point is 01:37:39 I'm hoping we can't from you if I ask you a question. I ain't getting no name question for you I'm gonna ask you one AI. How do you think AI is gonna affect hip-hop? Hip-hop Like, you know chat GBT people are sitting there. You know I'm saying I'm trying to yeah, I'm trying to process Um, I think that chat GBT as relates to lyrics I don't know that that will help but you know cheating but I think that if I don't know that that will help, but you know cheating, but I think that if Artist wants to be a boss and put his own stuff out chat

Starting point is 01:38:12 GBT can organize a lot of business for them like make decks and you know That kind of thing if you know how to use chat GBT It can help a boss cut a lot of course if you're depending on people to give you a job It might take your job It depends on how you look at it. There's a yin and a yang of everything. There's a dark and a good Of everything, you know i'm saying so so if dame today is 22 years old How would you leverage ai today in hip-hop if it's a 22 year old dame? There would be no assistance You know, I mean i'd be writing my own deck. You know what? Notes, you know even down to like zoom and ai why you do Zoom and all, just the things that the little things, a lot of little things and also organizing

Starting point is 01:38:49 my thoughts. So like if I have a treatment and I want to, I wouldn't have to hire someone to write a treatment. I could have it right. There's a lot of things that if you know what AI does as a boss, you can eliminate costs. So if I look at AI, my perspective is how much cost can I eliminate by using AI? So this time, instead of paying the lawyer to write a legal letter, I just go to AI.

Starting point is 01:39:08 You know what I mean? If there's some facts I need to know. You have to be smart to know how to use AI. Like if you're good at movies, you can make scripts with it. It doesn't mean it's writing it for you, it just organizes it for you. If you know how to, if you're in the movie business, you can, instead of hiring a line producer

Starting point is 01:39:23 to break a script down, you could just have it break a script down So it takes a lot of the little jobs away that cost 1200 here 1500 here just to take notes or just to organize or just To break things down. It does a lot of that for you. So on the creative side You don't think it's gonna do anything on the creative side or do you think you can have an impact? I think that it's gonna like this vinyl then there's digital. Yeah, so there's gonna be a place for vinyl The AI is gonna be or digital AI is gonna be a place for vinyl, which will be real I don't think you'll ever be able to replace the show with AI because people want to see and see people sweat

Starting point is 01:39:56 You know anything that's physical a physical thing like, you know, the music business the way you make your money is through the show Contrary to what anybody thinks, it's through your show and your merch. So, you know, you might have AI design your merch, but, you know, you physically have to still get it made. And you know, there's these holograms, but, you know, I don't think people are going to pay to see a hologram. You're going to have to be on stage. So no matter what, fundamentally in the music business, you have to know how to route a

Starting point is 01:40:24 tour, you have to know how to build your your brand you have to make your octopus with your seven legs And you have to be able to take advantage of yeah the music being a commercial to stimulate maybe eight other things That's important now again. I'm not sitting with 500 million in a bank But I think I have more fun than you. I don't know about that. 100%. I don't know about that. 100%. You think you have more fun than me? Come on, bro.

Starting point is 01:40:49 I'm telling you, I don't think you have more fun than me. You think so. Are you creative? I am very creative. What do you do? Creatively? Creatively? Let's go video for video, movie for movie.

Starting point is 01:41:00 No, no, not sure level. No, I'm not a professional singer. No, but you are, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, direct answer. We run a direct questions, but no direct answer You should be a comedian day. I well, you know, I just got your name. I'm your father I know I remember you saying that and my mom but you know, I discovered Kevin Hart. Tell me what you mean I took him off the stage and put him in his first director this first movie So you don't even know paper soldiers get on the Google come on get it get it get it get it Think about him. I mean I Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it support would be good. But, you know, hopefully you didn't do no funny shit. There's Paper Soldiers, there's Kevin Hart.

Starting point is 01:42:07 Boom, bang, bang, boom. It's in his book. You didn't even know that, it blew your mind again. Did you know I put on? I had Kevin Hart perform at one of our events six years ago. He didn't even tell you about it, right? I'm the guy that put him on, discovered him next day,

Starting point is 01:42:21 put him in a movie. First two or three. And by the way, he's killing it, and he's gonna be a billionaire. Well, it's just that when you say you should be a comedian I hit you with some mega bullshit and say bong I just discovered the best you are funny dog damn you got it you got a very interesting sense of humor with a three-second delay I gotta it takes me three seconds to kill me ask you a question here rap top five greatest all-time instead of saying you

Starting point is 01:42:41 can't say it let's see I don't bro, I've been in rap my whole life. So who's your top five? My top five rapper? Ever, all time. You'd be surprised, the ones I like. I actually don't think I'll be surprised. Like OC, Chub Rock, I think Busta Rhymes is off the hook.

Starting point is 01:43:04 Oh, shit. Yeah, Busta Rhymes is off the hook. Oh shit. Busta Rhymes could rap. Most Def, it's too many, that's what I'm saying. It's like a lot of people that I like for different reasons, for different, as far as rap goes. Biggie, but you know the thing about it is, you know, Biggie only had a couple years, so it's curious. Like I look at the whole, the whole career, you know what I mean?

Starting point is 01:43:22 So like, you know, I'm curious to know what Jimi Hendrix would have looked like past 27 you know I mean 3040 or Janis Joplin or all these rock stars so you know it's easy to be cool when you're young mm-hmm it's hard not for me but when you're really cool when you're 50 come 53 I've been rolling since I'm like 1918 I've been in the public eye I'm still relevant now why I haven't had a hit anything in a while you know I mean I've been focused in my retirement now has been just learning how to love and healing. You know, I have a lot of unrecognized trauma. So, you know,

Starting point is 01:43:54 things that I thought were normal or not, like imagine this life that every, like, you know how you're talking to me? This was normal to me. It was normal to walk away. It was normal to tell people that things weren't right and people not listen. You know what I mean? You know, like I said, I think I'm the only ones that's just not compromised. There is no funny little tapes on me There is no conspiracy of people and what they are like it's tough to do good for you. It's not it's not In that space though if you're thorough like again, you know

Starting point is 01:44:20 I'm a real not to say like I don't want to say anyone else isn't but I'm just a guy that was never scared to say no and Was never scared to say yo, you're not gonna compromise her See what happens is once somebody got something on you they control you Mm-hmm. So what they do is they get people in a compromising situation and now they've shared a crime and one could always tell me Well, that's what they say about Diddy the fact that he had cameras in every single room and recording I had so much info They're calling him the Epstein of hip-hop industry. That's crazy. It is crazy, yeah. And if it's true, he deserves what he gets. If it's not true, then he doesn't deserve it. For sure, and

Starting point is 01:44:54 it's a not so proven guilty. Exactly, but I'm not leaning toward anything. I know, again, I just know that there was certain energy I stood away from and You know you could tell by the pictures which energy that was good for you last question we wrap up I'm gonna give you five rappers see if you can rank them. Okay, I don't rank rappers Just just dude help me help me with this scene. Which one of these guys you think are better? Okay, you got Nas You got Andre 3000 you got M. you got to pocket you got Biggie being and and and and Pac died early. Mm-hmm. I want a 3000 doesn't do shows, but he could rap

Starting point is 01:45:34 Who else Nas and an M&M? No, what about him? Eminem is white and he could rap really well He could really rap but he's still white and And what's the, I don't know. What does that mean, he's still white? If you were to ask about hip hop, out of 10 white people that came in here, would any of them be specialists, if they were from that era?

Starting point is 01:46:00 Probably not, other than him and him. If you were to ask 10 black people from that era, like myself, about hip-hop They would know because in that moment the pop was a black sport created by black people So it's hard for a black man to say a white man is the best at anything that's supposed to be a black sport You're not gonna get that from me Interesting yeah, I'm racist At least you're consistent. I don't call it racist, but racist is when you judge a man for his color to me.

Starting point is 01:46:29 I don't judge a person because of the color of their skin. I judge them because of the color of their soul. I'm racist in that way. But also, I also rock out with the culture when I say I look for the overall, the biggest impact. I don't consider success what most people consider success and I don't want anyone on here to anti I'm not Saying anything about again. I when I know people I'm not like even though I don't agree with a person It don't mean I'm a disson in public if we have an issue if I disagree with you out of respect for the relationship

Starting point is 01:47:04 We'll take care of it behind closed doors So you're asking about questions about people that I might run into and be like, you know Why are you talking about me on this? You know, I mean you don't have to worry about that So I'm not doing that because we've had like Puppet and I've had those interactions was like yo We don't why you calling me out on the radio. We have you know, we don't do that with each other You know I'm saying so it's just regardless of what's going on I just still respect certain morals because just cuz someone ain't right don't mean I'm gonna not be right and I just consider it

Starting point is 01:47:33 chatty like girly to talk about people When they're not there unless They've done something to me personally that I need to rectify as it relates to narrative. So there's a narrative about me that there's things that I'm difficult, blah, blah, blah, and that's coming from people that have conspired against me so that they could get the money that they're trying to get and they want to use my business model or they want to get

Starting point is 01:48:02 with one of my artists or artists I work with and become their you know source of Business acrimate, you know I'm saying as opposed to me doing it like you can't get no money with him if I'm around You know, I mean you can't joke that man pause if I'm around. I'm not gonna let this man do some corny I'm not talking about jam talking about in general. I'm the guy that's always protected the artist I'm the guy that protects the culture. I'm the guy that's the least less. I'm the least that's always protected the artist. I'm the guy that protects the culture I'm the guy that's the least less. I'm the least toxic. So in business was toxic to you something that if you buy it You could get a lawsuit. That's toxic

Starting point is 01:48:34 The only lawsuit you're gonna get out of me is I yelled at somebody. There's no gray areas and I've been through it. So I've had lawyers because being accused of something is part of the game I've been through it. So I've had lawyers because being accused of something is part of the game And it's not true So I've had I've been accused of sexual assault and went through full trials and that person be straight lying You know, I just went through one straight line and they'll put it in a newspaper when they accuse you of it But they never put you in a newspaper when you innocent So I won this girl Monique tried to say that you know I because I because I got sued for defamation but allegedly I said I caught her stealing because I you know I said the words wrong and you know she came

Starting point is 01:49:14 out and said that you know I had sexually assaulted her and all this other shit and it was so far from the truth not even a not even a gray area so I went I took it to trial and beat it. But it was all over the New York Times, it was all over the news, and when I went, not a word. Same lawyer, Paul's name, Chris Brown. See, what they've been doing is this hustle, like I'll say allegedly,

Starting point is 01:49:33 just so this bastard can't sue me, because that's what he always does. So I'll do a movie with somebody or something, and we'll have an agreement, you know, you promote it, we promote it, blah, blah, blah. I go promote it. They take the copyright,, blah, blah. I go promote it. They take the copyright, they take the asset, they go copyright it behind my back

Starting point is 01:49:48 and then say I violated the copyright and pieced on the copyright so as if I hurt the business. It's like a setup. So they've done this like three, four times. It's through Chris Brown, Pauls, Allegedly. I'm gonna just keep saying Allegedly no matter what because they keep suing me. Not the-

Starting point is 01:50:04 Just your good clothing brand. Not the singer. Allegedly. Yeah, it should be, that's a not that not the uh, just a good clothing brand not the singer Yeah, it should be as ago. So you choose a clothing brand So did you make that suit you got tailored now, this is Tom Ford wait wait You wait wait, you have a couple hundred million a bank and you buying off the rack? No, no, this is Tom Ford's double-oh-seven suit I got on. This is a Richie shirt. So did you buy that out of a store? Was it tailored up or what happened? This is tailored up. This is... So wait, wait, you went to a thing and they tailored it up for Tom Brown? I'm really curious to know where you're going with this. I'm just curious to know. You want to get into suit business? Is that what you want? I make suits? I was training the Savile Row

Starting point is 01:50:47 I make all my suits in my shirts and everything really so I was one that I was gonna make sure there's no glue in there I wonder I was like, yo I would make sure you say that's a Tom Brown or Tom Ford Tom Ford, you know Tom Ford Yeah, you know Tom Ford not like, you know, we've run into each other in fashion. I personally say what's up I don't like the fact that he said that he could bone any man pose I didn't like that so you got to be careful when you wear someone's brand you represent exactly what I agree So what you not wear at all? I'm not wearing time for it. What else do you know where I usually wear my own brand?

Starting point is 01:51:17 So like my man willy esco made this my man barter made these I wear my own sneakers. These are my own glasses It's nothing like nothing I won't wear but if I know a person and so what happens when you buy a brand you're buying what they represent So no disrespect to being gay or anything. It's not gay So if a gay man and yes, when he's projecting like he's been and said like yo every man could get boned This is what he said, you know I'm saying I saw don't think if I'm like I'm not wearing none of that shit cuz that's the lifestyle that it represents So he's gay Tom Ford is gay. Yeah allegedly

Starting point is 01:51:50 Allegedly brand see where you keep going back to now. I just don't get sued listen I mean it doesn't matter but yeah time you were that you were that gear wait wait Tom Ford is like proud of it Bro, what are you talking about? Let me see you better watch what you wear bro. You want to know what you don't really know what you're saying I'm serious like what fuck is me like if you look at a brand is about saying this I had no idea I had no idea I cuz you know Tom Ford like Three four hundred million in the bank should be doing Lord Piana little what Lord Piana you know that now Let me tell you what I let me get you right

Starting point is 01:52:23 Let me let me let me tell you what I like if you got that kid like if you're gonna do a suit Are you do it today? Are you familiar with Stefano Ricci? I'm Samson man. That's what I like. Stefano Ricci is who? Stefano Ricci he designed it just a district designer you Stefano Ricci is the man that that's that's what I Go to Stefano Ricci. Stefano Ricci is what I like. Purely from Italy. Everything they do is they make.

Starting point is 01:52:52 It's not like they use... I like British suits. You do? They do. I like... Can I have a suit or two? I like a British... I'm Saburo. I really got trained in Saburo. Go ahead. What are you saying? No, no. I'm just saying this is what I wear.

Starting point is 01:53:04 But that's Tom Brown This is Tom Tom Ford rather. Yeah, but you just taught me something about Tom Ford This is this is what happens when you when you hang with Dame I'm very I break down everything, you know, I mean, so I'll be like if I'm so I wear Ralph Lauren because he kind of you Know he's a guy's name was Ralph Lipschitz, right? I like the way he brought his brand and ties You got to deal with blooming deals and then he expanded his categories blah blah blah, but he's from the Bronx You know, I mean Ralph Lipschitz So I know what he represents like to me when you wear a brand you have to understand the DNA of the brand

Starting point is 01:53:35 Cuz you put it on your clothes. That's why the name of my brand is CEO Is this why you respect Kanye when it comes on to fashion? Cuz you said he took fashion to a whole different level you said I'm in it But he took it to a whole different level. Yeah, I mean he cracked the French code French never fuck with black people before He made he cracked it. I wasn't impressed with nothing He did till he bought me that Louis Vuitton sneak and I was like, yo You got the French to fuck with you you ever hire somebody from France can't fire them Well, if you're in France, they think they can't get fired. So, you know at one time when I was starting a

Starting point is 01:54:04 Rachel Roy, yeah, you know I You know I crewed up I wouldn't got like the the president or of Givhan she of France when she got to America She didn't know shit about anything in America, and she just thought I couldn't fire because you can't find nobody in France What are you guys leaving you leaving right now right after this yeah, okay next time you're in town We got to do dinner at the house. Okay, next time you're in town, we got to do dinner at the house. All right. Next time you're in town, I'll... Well, actually, you have to come through now. You owe me an interview.

Starting point is 01:54:28 No problem. So I'm in Wintahaven. I'm two hours away. You know, just come on up, take your helicopter. You got a jet? But Rob, this is going to continue like this for a long time to come. I can't wait to break bread, to really talk. Let's break some bread.

Starting point is 01:54:44 Anyways, this was a blast, Dame. Brother, appreciate you for coming out. This was great. Folks, just so you know, Dame is also on Manect. If you got any questions, you can Manect with Dame. That's the QR code right there. You started Manect? Is that your thing?

Starting point is 01:54:58 Yeah. Manect is a download the app, pay to ask any questions you want. Any questions you want, you can ask him on Manek. We talked about a lot of different things. Manek, the one and only Dame Dash. Did you build that or did you like- You know the story of it? No, no, no.

Starting point is 01:55:14 Eight years ago, I have a call with a lawyer. Seven minute call, he bills me for 30 minutes. I call him back, I say, why are you billing me for 30 minutes? He says, because minutes roll up. Yo, lawyers ain't shit. I'm going to arbitration with a lawyer. What do you do when you tell your lawyer? Like I tell my lawyer to do something when I pay him, he don't do it.

Starting point is 01:55:31 And then he tried to bill me for some shit I didn't ask him to do and I'm like I'm not paying for that. And now we in fucking court. I hate lawyers, bro. I hate them. Well, that's exactly why I created this. Fucking hate lawyers. So I went to the lawyer and I said I want to pay you by the minute. He says no lawyer charges by the minute. I said I'm going to build an app one day, I want to pay you by the minute. He says, no lawyer charges by the minute. I said, I want to build an app one day where I get to pay people by the minute.

Starting point is 01:55:48 So this is, do you have a minute to connect? Yes. Let's connect. It's like cameo. It's like cameo. The difference is cameo, you ask people for their birthdays, here you have conversation with them and every time you ask them any questions, you pay for it. 95% of the time people get back to you here.

Starting point is 01:56:04 Less than 5% of the time people get back to you here, less than 5% of the time people get back to you on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. You'll see here. You're going to fall in love with this app. Anyways, ask- How much am I charging? How much you charging? You put your price.

Starting point is 01:56:14 How much you charge? My texts, I respond 100% in audio. I do $100. Then I think I'm $300. Then my 15-minute call is $9000. Wait a second. Now, what we need to talk about is after a man has a couple hundred million in the bank Yeah, and he's still texting motherfuckers. That's a different kind of savage. There's only difference though. You ready for this

Starting point is 01:56:35 Because I don't answer anything else anywhere else, but on my neck. I'm just saying that you're still hustling Oh, there's no question about it brother. Honestly the way that all that work I'd be like, this thing might be broke. Yeah. You know what I mean? Oh you got your man? Uh huh. Okay. Yeah you got a few guys on that they can ask questions with. I ain't gonna be able to be up there. Okay. Alright sounds good. Okay. Dame, thank you. Gang, take care everybody. Bye bye bye bye.

PBD Podcast - Dame Dash Heated Debate | Diddy Drama | Jay-Z Feud | PBD Podcast Ep. 395

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