The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean - Backwoods Backstage w/ VIC THE BARBER | 85 SOUTH SHOW

Episode Date: June 16, 2025

DC Young Fly, Lex P and Drea Nicole sit down with Vic the Barber at Backwoods Backstage!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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You might have seen him on Instagram, you dig. He's the, you know what? He's the coldest white boy I know, man. He can come to the barbecue. First of all, because a lot of y'all are going to eat your hair cut. So, it definitely going to cut your hair, and it's going to be up to par. You dig what I'm saying? Hey, man, he's a goodhearted brother.

You dig what I'm saying. And he's go viral. Every chance you see him. Y'all make some noise for Vick. I appreciate that, man. Thank you. Always, brother. out the red carpet for me. I appreciate that, bro.

When we saw you, we were like, man, push over, man. Well, poor mine saw you. They were like, look at it away, boy. I'm going to get him back. He'd be in the L. So we had to make sure you stop through, man. Welcome to Dreamville, man. What's happening? Y'all appreciate that, bro. You been here before?

No, nigga. It's my first time. What you think? It's lit. Compared to, like, another festival, what do you feel about Dreamville? Peaceful? Yeah, it is. Y'all know how to interact. It's real people.

Family and friends, for real. Atlanta, this would have been shut down. Oh, three hours ago, 12 times. I got a hot summer. Before it even got a party. Come on, man. But, you know, it's a beautiful event. You dig what I'm saying.

And it's not about us, bro. It's about you, man. You know, we don't saw you on the net. You know what I'm saying? Giving out free haircuts. Not only just giving out free haircuts, taking the time out to actually get to know the people who you're talking to. You feel what I'm saying?

Allowing them to tell their story. And then you are giving off some good energy back on just showing them like it's really people out here. that care for them, you feel what I'm saying? So the message that you send out to the world, bro, you feel, me. It's appreciated. Thank you, bro. I appreciate that a lot.

It's appreciated. It's appreciated. So it made you, first of all, as a barber, want to give out free haircut. Right. Because that's your trap. Yeah. That's how you make money. Right.

Why did you say, I'm going to lead a barbershop to go outside to give people a haircut for free? Yeah, I'm from favor of North Carolina, which is Dreamville, you know, Carolina raised, man. So coming from a small town like that, you know, Barbering was my way out, and then I moved to Atlanta, 2019, from cutting my mom's garage in favor, cutting my brother's garage, getting my license. And then eventually I knew if I wanted to go the places that I was dreaming about, I got to go somewhere that I could make that happen. So Atlanta was going to give me an opportunity to jump in, meet people network, and just see success up

close. Like, seeing a guy like you, I remember seeing you at Bolero years ago. You don't remember, but I remember what I seen you, and I was like, yo, that's D.C. I'm at Boeh, I just moved to Atlanta. I just seen D.C. at the at the Bolero, you know, so stuff like that motivate me. When I get to see that, it's really possible. And a person like you, you're just a testimony to that. I appreciate it. So when the pandemic happened, you know, I came to Atlanta with a goal to cut all the rapists, cut all the artists I can. And I did so. I got up there. I'm charging $100 a haircut. It's cool. It's a hustle. Right.

But for a purpose to inspire, I wanted to do something that was more attainable to other people, to everybody that could be watching. So when the pandemic happened, you know, I couldn't do my thing. Couldn't cut. Trapp got shut down. Right. So now what am I going to do? I can't even get to a person. So I just had to listen to what God was telling me

because I think pandemic was kind of a transformative time for a lot of people. Talk your talk. You really got to dig deep and figure out what you're here to do. So in that time, you know, I felt like I was always called on to use my voice to some sort. Right. So during the pandemic, I started making small motivational videos because if I can't cut hair, what else can I do?

I could talk. You'd have to put me in the dirt for me to start talking. Talk to talk. You'd have to put me in the dirt for me to start talking. Talk to talk. You know, so I'll keep talking. and then I made small motivational videos. People appreciated it.

So when we got out, you know, I'm thinking I got a passion to cut, but I got a purpose to inspire. How do I do these two things together? Because they both live together and they both can exist together. But I came with an idea. Like, yo, I'll go give a stranger a cut and that'll be my stage to speak. I won't wait for another person to say, all right, you got enough experience, come talk to my school

or come here and speak on this stage. And now we need you. I'll create my stage. And that was just the barbershare. That's what we do for others. You know, that's the beauty of making somebody laugh for giving them a fresh cut. It's like, we're here to serve other people.

And, you know, I gave somebody a free cut on the street. And, you know, I changed my life. A story, a story that can be impactful and that you can learn from, tell so many words. Like, so what made you want to get into, like, barber and, bro, like, you know, y'all use half-sizzles. You got real clippers with the guard and all that. Because I don't been in both barbers. Well, I'm like, hey, no clippers. Cut on.

It's a, she-she-she-s-s-s. You don't want it. You don't want your cut there. You don't want the string, scissors. It's like, what made you start like, because I'd be barbering myself. Like, what made you want to, you know what I'm saying, become a barber? Man, I was just a hustler growing up. 14, 15, get my own money.

And then, you know, I wasn't into school. Like most of us, I didn't want to go to college. I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't have, like, yo, I'm going to be a doctor or an aspire to be whatever. I just had a hustle. My dad told me from a young age, a man, don't ask a mom for money if you want to get it. You got to go get on your own. So, shoot, man.

I was trying to figure out how to get it. it. And I thought I had to go to college. I thought I was getting forced to. So I asked my barber, because I was working at a restaurant at the time, I didn't want to work in a restaurant no more. I didn't want to be the dude. Like, I was scared of the dudes in the back because I didn't want to get to that age. Like, I'm in the back of a kitchen making pizza all day. Like, you know, and everybody got to hustle and do what they got to do. But I was looking at it, like, man, I don't want to be stuck here. You know, so I asked my barber, what should I do to make money? He said, if you learn how to cut hair, you'll make money for the rest of your life.

I was like, damn, rest of my life and money in the same sentence. I got to see what that's going to do. So that was going to be my hustling college. So I started at the beginning of my senior year of high school, and by the time I was going to graduate, and I grew a passion for it, and God told me that if I took it serious, who would open doors for me.

And that was the first time I ever heard the word of God in my life was he told me to take barber and serious in the open doors. So I was too scared to see my life without it. I was too scared to see what happened if I didn't do it. Right. So I had to go back home. I told my parents, like, yo, I had already went to the open.

open house, got my college classes paid for, schedule picked out. I had the book bag, the lanyard. I'm like, damn, I'm about to go to college. Had to come back home that day, God told me, you know, take it serious. And I had to tell them I'm going straight to barber school, get my license. And I had a small agreement. I was trying to tell them I'll go to college right after. Like, if I get my barbers license, I promise you, right after I graduate,

I'm going back to college and get my degree. Right. And back in my mind. So you kind of kept your word. Nah, I knew. You weren't going. Now, I knew I wasn't going back. Right.

But I had to get my license. and so they let me go. And then, you know, I just try to make them proud since then. Yeah. Let me ask you this, though, because it's like two different worlds, I know for men and women. Like, when we get our hair done, we know we go to black girls. They do our hair? Yeah.

And I think it's the same thing for, you know, black men. So do you feel like in the beginning you had to, like, convince him like, bro, I really know how to cut hair. Like, I know what I'm doing. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, aside from anything, your work, I always speak for yourself. And, you know, my first couple's my best friend, Justin, he's black. And, you know, a lot of my friends growing up, you know, we're also black. And I think that's just what I was cutting. You got a little flavor to you.

I know, I can see it now. You know, my O.G. is a Jamaican, man. So the shop I grew up in, the shop I grew up in, the shop I grew up in Jamaica. So, you know, I just had good rules, good people around me that, man, that put me on early. And, you know, man, it's just, I love cutting hair. Yeah. So, you know, in the barber shop, he's standing out anyway. So, motherfucker going to sit in there and watch him first.

They're like, yeah. Yeah, they got to see if it's good. Bro, they're like, you next. You're like, yeah, but I'm going to go to him right quick. Let me go to Hill. So obviously you do a lot to give back to the community, a lot of philanthropy. With doing that, what is one experience that you had where you felt like you were really making an impact on the community? Man, one, you know, it's hard to pinpoint, like, one thing that I felt like changed everything.

I think coming back home for one of our givebacks, and being like, God bless, man. The mayor blessed me with a key to the city of my hometown. And I feel like that was like, wow, you know, I wanted to, all I ever wanted to do being a barber was like, yo, show kids another way to do it with a trade. You could be celebrated and you can live your life to the highest that you can see it with whatever it is that you love. And I just wanted to show them what's possible with barber and so I don't want you to feel like, you know, if you ain't, if you ain't as funny as this dude or if you can't hoop or if you can't rap, like, yo, there's some other stuff out there for you, no matter what it is. It ain't lame to cut. It ain't lame to pick up the camera and shoot, you know. So I just wanted to show people that it was possible with whatever it is that you love.

Okay. Who was, like, a moment, like, when you were cutting their hair, you're like, okay, I'm, like, cold. I'm making it, like, people fuck with me. I cut Barack Obama last year, my father died. Oh, wow. Oh, wait. I was not expecting that. That's crazy.

I was not expecting that. That's a big flex. Yeah. I was on a video. Okay. That man, Obesey, man. Wow. He was, like, I don't let nobody.

That's a real nigg. Yeah. You got the. The president said, I don't let nobody cut my hell. He did. You can cut my help. I don't have some rappers and I want to cut. I had some artists and I get to cut.

But, man, when they told me he was going to let me cut his hair out, man, I lost it. Wow. Were you nervous? Hell yeah. I feel like I was going to pass out. But that the first time you were like, come on, man. It's like, I need it. So look, I have 45 minutes on the dot to cut Barack.

So they said when he walked through the door, your camera's got to roll and the timer going to start. Oh, my God. But you got to be ready for him to walk through. You know how production is. Okay, time. So, time out. Before you get to this story, how do you even set up a meeting to cut the president's head?

How did they approve it when they be like, hey, he's with it? Like, he's down for it. Nah, it was a long process, but, you know, he was a guest on my show, Deep Cut, my podcast, and it was around election time, man, I tried to be tactical with it. I had a vision for it, and one of my mentors, this guy changed my life, This guy, Scott Budnick, he works in prison reform in California. He made ARC anti-recidivism coalition.

You know, we were working on some stuff in the prisons together. But, you know, he was a board member on one of Obama's foundations years ago. And I sent him the idea maybe six months before he was going to be here for the rally. And I was like, yo, what do you think about this? And he was like, I got the right email that could get it to the right person, to get it to the right person to think about it. Right. To get it to the next person that might think about it. Right.

So it was like four or five months of back and forth on emails, man, and God's grace, bro. I was manifesting it. I remember when we sent the initial email, every day when I would go to the sauna, and I would be by myself. I would say it out loud. I'm a cup of Rock Obama. I'm about a cup of Rock Obama. I would say it every day, bro. So it was a long process.

But anyway, they said I had 10. They said I had. I have 45 minutes. So talk about being nervous. I had to be ready at my chair. And I had to be ready just to like clippers ready, cameras rolling. and it was like five minutes of a wait, but it felt like an hour. Right.

And I swear, I've never felt like I'll, I've never passed out in my life. But I promise you, right there, I felt like I was. And then you would hear his voice on the other side of the door. And you would tell he's coming. Oh, I'm coming. I can only imagine. I just want to be crazy. When you hear his voice, it's like, it's just, man, it's insane.

That's fire, bro. I mean, being that you cut Barack Obama's hair, like, what are your next goals? Like, where do you go from there? Is it? That's what I'm saying? Man, like I said, me and my guy, Scott, we opened in a barber school in the California prisons this year. Okay. For the guys to get their license while they're incarcerated.

So, I mean, I'm writing my first book. But, I mean, I don't know. I could never even told you I would cut Barack Obama here. Like, if you asked me the same question years ago. So I think God want to hear his name on the highest stage possible. So whatever he going to take me and I'm willing to go. And I didn't think I'll make it this far, but I'm just, shit, hella grateful to be here. So when you get your barbering license, like, do you have to know how to cut all the hairstyles?

Nah, you really don't. You know, like a lot of people cut really well without going to school. And, you know, a lot of people that got licenses obviously can't cut. A lot of people are like that. I don't talk about how you got your license? But, you know, you get your license. It's like earning your stripes. Right.

You earn your stripes. You earn your stripes. You go through school. You pay your dues. You could cut your, you could have anywhere because you got your license. You could, yeah, I mean, yeah, pretty much. If you got a, because there's hours per state. So if you get to their state, like North Carolina, it was 50. 1,800, 28 hours, because there's only one other state that got more hours of

requirement, I could cut hair in, like, all 50 states except for, like, one or two. So you're pretty much good, but, man, get your L's regardless. Like, anybody, if you chase in the trade, if you ain't got the license. In fact, plumbing, electrical, like, whatever. Go get it, man. Yeah. Man, if I wasn't doing anything social media, then barber and alone would make me be able to take care of my family.

So I'd be wanting the kids in Atlanta and the kids in Fayetteville, the kids back home. Like, man, pick up a trade. There's not too many barbers out there, I promise. There's enough hair to cut. Everybody's living. Everybody grows, right? Everybody hair grows. Even if you ain't got a lot, you can have to get something.

That's true. And now they add in hair so we could go to Turkey. Yeah. Go ahead and get you a new hairline. You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Look, that's the BBL for men nowadays. You go to Turkey.

You set. It is. It really is. So having a trade is so important. And I love how you use yours being a barber to segue into so many other areas. So could you tell us maybe some goals that you have for your podcast? Because you also have a podcast. Yeah, yeah.

where we had Obama at Deep Cut Podcast, but, you know, the goals take the, you know, make the show. Keep telling stories. Like I said, I'm writing my first book, so telling my own story is going to be part of this journey too. But shoot, man, I don't know, man. I just want to see the show. I got to have D.C. on there, man.

I ain't let nobody cut my head a long time, but I let you cut my head. You cut your own hair? Yeah, I cut my own hair. You remember the first time you cut your hair? The first time, the first time I had to cut it all off. Because I messed up. Me and my nephew.

Because I realized I messed him up by cutting his hair all off. And I was like, you know what? I'm going to cut mine too. So you won't be out here messed up by yourself. Oh, that's nice. But my nephew used to cut hair. So that kind of got me on cut. He never went to the barbershop.

Where's that line? You know, I cut hair outside. Have you ever got cut somewhere crazy, not in a barbershop before? Yeah, outside, studio. You know how that'd be. If they pull up, they pull up. You know what I mean? The charity event, yo, I'm going to get one, too.

With the kid. I'm gonna get one too Yeah, I'm with it Do you see what you get a fade again? What you got to be thinking about cutting it all, man I'm about ready to get it on, I'm ready Get back to the little hair cutting You know what I'm gonna keep my hat on

Curates for though You know it represents strength Happy hair is a lot of work It is I'm not a lot but you can hook me up my little bitty bees In the back You can get you getting a thrilled up We get you to get you together

Don't worry Nah man we appreciate you for stopping through man You know what I'm saying Anything you got going on man Make sure you let poor minds know. You let 85 know. You dig what I'm saying. And we're proud to have you, man.

Bro, I'm so proud of you, bro. You inspire me so much. You have no idea, man. Like, this is so dope, bro. Nah, bro. You're going to inspire each other, brother. Thank you, man. Thank you to these ladies, man.

I appreciate the conversation. Thank you so much. This is amazing. Badwood backstage, man. Vickie. You did? who's having a high of shit man the hottest gear the hottest apparel man it's 85 south it's too many flavors bro when in the vault y'all know what's going on man we got a drop lid

fred red man led into my city man come on man y'all know who having this shit man ain't if i don't know about to do it like good man we're too wrong with the clothing man y'all look at the end of man you know the folk don't get down like that man come on man go crazy man y'all know them folk don't get down to get that room one ain't hundred wretches like that but fly say, man, come on. And we got the fit. Come on, man. There ain't nobody's doing it like that, bro. Fred Pellar, God damn, Philo. No, F-O-1. You go, F-O-1,

you go, F-O-1, sure. N. Go Craig, go Craig, got to Craddenacru-K crave. You know what I mean? Got the motherfucking name. We are, man. 8.5-Aparacco.com, bro. Tap in. Ain't nobody doing it like this, bro. Keep it real. Let's stop playing.

Don't nobody do it like a other. Tap in. Join Iheart Radio and Sarah Spain in celebrating the one-year anniversary of I-Hart Women's Sports. With powerful interviews and insider analysis, our shows have connected fans with the heart of women's sports. In just one year, the network has launched 15 shows and built a community united by passion.

Podcasts that amplify the voices of women in sports. Thank you for supporting IHart Women's Sports and our founding sponsors, Elf Beauty, Capital One, and Novartis. Just open the free IHard app and search IHard Women's Sports to listen now. I knew I wanted to obey and submit, but I didn't fully grasp for the rest of my life what that meant. For My Heart Podcasts in Rococo Punch, this is The Turning, River Road. In the woods of Minnesota, a cult leader married himself to 10 girls and forced them into a secret life of abuse. But in 2014, the youngest escaped.

Listen to The Turning River Road on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Do you remember Vine? It changed the internet forever, and it vanished in its prime. I'm Benedict Townsend, and this is Vine, six seconds that changed the world. The untold story of genius, betrayal, and the app that died so that TikTok could thrive. From overnight stars to the fall that no one saw coming, we're breaking down what made Vine iconic. Listen to Vine on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I always had to be so good No one could ignore me.

Carve my path with data and drive. But some people only see who I am on paper. The paper ceiling. The limitations from degree screens to stereotypes that are holding back over 70 million stars. Workers skilled through alternative routes rather than a bachelor's degree. It's time for skills to speak for themselves.

Find resources for breaking through barriers at tailorpapersealing.org. Brought to you by opportunity at work and the Ad Council. This is an IHeart podcast.