The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Belly Gang Kushington Talks Vulnerability, Childhood Upbringing, Identity, Lil Wayne Linkup + More

Episode Date: January 20, 2026

Today on The Breakfast Club, Belly Gang Kushington Talks Vulnerability, Childhood Upbringing, Identity, Lil Wayne Linkup. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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You're all finished or y'all done? Morning, everybody. It's DJ NV. Just Hilarious. Salomey and the Guy. We are the Breakfast Club. Lola Roses here as well. We got a special guest in the building Yes indeed

We got belly gang Cushington Welcome brother How you feeling man Good man I'm blessed I'm at breakfast club That would your name come from Brother Man back when I was doing the wrong thing

I don't like when people like Make their own names You know what I'm saying But they were just like Everybody got cushed by the time And Cushston Then I started getting fat So they were calling me Belligame

Start rapping I couldn't really think of now I just put it together Belly Gang Cushington. Yep. That makes sense. Mm-hmm. And you're from Atlanta.

Yep. So how did you get into music since you were doing the Cushington thing? What made you say, you know what? Let me put this to the side and take music series to start rapping? Take music here, catching Casey. I had a son. He autistic. Like, I got to beat up for my son.

What I'm saying? My mama loved me. My dad ain't really nice. So, like, I got to beat up for him. Yeah. That would make you take a series. Let me take the series. Get out the streets because I can't get locked up.

Yes, sir. And when did it for? finally connect to you. When did you know that this was the thing that was going to make you where you needed to be to take care of your son? When was it real for you? I met my mom's Monday. Like, he understood how to make the dots connect in my head. His name is Monday, not he met him on Monday. His name is. I know that. I just met the brother. Yeah. But he understood how to make the dots connect in my head. Like, bro, you know, you can pay your rent all day. Like, you ain't got to worry about getting rich. Like,

just worry about not having to work, you know what I'm saying? Or get money like that. So, that when I knew like okay he talked about streaming all that you're from Atlanta right yeah okay now are you scared at first

because it was like you're going from something that you knew you knew how to make money off the you know it's a different from like you just a dirty nigga running around with a gun you know what I mean I actually were like raising a family out there actually like

about houses and all that you know what I'm saying so we were real hard Like, that was the harder thing I ever had to do, like, leave street. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I hear people say it, what was so hard about it? Because you know the end result, right? The result is jail or death, so what was so hard about it?

I think, really, like, yeah, I think, boy, you wake up, you know, like, I'm missing a $20,000 play right now. Like, that's going through your head no matter what you do, like a headache. Like, I'm waking up every day, like, that's a 20 out of your past, 30, 40, like, very hard. And you've always felt like that was worth the worry of going to jail or dying or, you know. Yeah, I knew it was bad, though, and, like, I was getting locked up and it was just regular. Like, I ain't even killed. Like, it would come with it.

Like, what I'm saying? Like, nah, they're getting bad. Yeah. Who made you believe that you could actually turn this into a whole career for real, for real, for a Monday? Okay. I mean, because there's one thing with somebody to tell you, but to actually instill that confidence in you, like, you know what? I mean, I always had a confident. I could tell, like, I could rap, like, I knew, like, when I get around my peers who rap,

like, they weren't really, it weren't really, like, coming across, like, man. So, I would have to comfort with me. So they shit was trash, basically, you're saying? So I knew, like, man, I might go crazy if I take a series, I'm saying. But I couldn't get the business right. Like, I ain't understand, like, marketing or nothing like that. You know what I just knew, like, drop a song. It didn't blow it.

well, I was it. You remember the first time you wrote something? Yeah. It was at a studio on Camerton. My buddy who JetPad actually had wrote me something, and I killed telling him, like, write me something. He's like, nah, bro, like, you got to talk, bro, just put it down on the wags, you know what I'm saying?

I think I wrote a song like true religion or something like that. That's a name of a song. Yeah. Your music does feel rooted in real life hustle. So I'd be wondering, like, what part of your story do you feel people still don't fully understand. Man, really, I paint them pictures so good. Like, they really understand.

Like, I got so many different type of supporters, like, someone gonna be rocking with the deep stuff, someone gonna be rocking with the bounce that like your friend. That's my shit, by the way. Tell it's like one line. I mean, that's the catchy line, but I like the whole song.

That shit, jam. Yeah, he being hip popping his ass, bouncing his ass. He ain't never bounced. I don't bounce no motherfucking ass. You don't bounce no motherfucking ass. You got it for you. He never did no. Anyway, brother.

What was we talking about? I was going to ask you, you know, with being, you're a mix, you're mixed. Yeah, yeah. So being mixed, was it difficult for you because people were like, ah, nah, we're not fucking with him. He's too, he looks white or he looks light skin or he looks this. Was that difficult for you at all? For sure, for sure.

But I understand marketing, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I knew the shop value were there. So it's just like, okay, cool, go crazy. I ain't any answer, you know what I'm saying? Because it's just like in real life. Like, this is the internet, right? this ain't real. I don't been in a cell block.

I've been in other peoplehood across the country, trapping. Like, I ain't answering, I'm pulling up on me. So I ain't fined to get on internet in Spain myself. Figured out.

Did you ever think he was light skin? Did I ever think? I'm light school? Nah, I'm mad. Yeah, I'm talking. Because you said light skews. I was like,

what? No, I think you meant, because you mixed like two. I saw you say, when you sat down with Big Bank and a Big Fax podcast that when you were younger, you felt like,

or it was, was like you were too black for the white kids, too white for the black kids. I think that's what I was trying to. Yeah, I definitely felt like that. Like, you know what I'm saying? But, like, I only were raised by my black side. So I definitely, like, it was definitely weird with the white kids,

you know what I'm saying? Because they're like, don't folk looking at me, like, what's you doing, like, you know what I'm saying? Yeah. But the black folks just were like, like, in my area, like, they knew, you know what I'm saying? So I was used to that. Like, I was spoiled with that. But, like, when I go to otherhood,

and stuff like that play football. Like, they used to be like white, well, who, you know what I'm something? And did it bother you then, like younger coming up? It kind of probably did, but I think everybody got some of the different about their bothering them. What about when you were selling Cush bought a ton? Like, did you ever be on the phone with somebody and they, like, oh, hey, whoopty-whoop, then you pull up and they're like, yo, hey. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Until you hear him talk. Oh, okay. Yeah, that's crazy. Yeah, that happened a lot. lot of times. Police! How do you get through that? What do you do to show them like,

yo, I'm not undercover. So do they start talking? I mean, you know, work, you know, where I get around in that field. So, you know what I'm saying? People like start knowing as I, you said you understood the shock value. I know people didn't understand.

They didn't know your race at first. So when they were here you say the N-word, there was a lot of backlash for that. Yeah. And that's what you're talking about. When you said you understood the shock value, and you kind of like didn't respond, but leaned into that.

Yeah. I mean, they're the thing, like, I ain't looking at it like that. Like, Drake meets, he said, what I'm saying? So it just, like, that's just what it is. Like, I ain't really kill to explain or care to, like, do too much. Like, I mean, it's just me. I always think you should just say half of it when you mix. It's be like, Nick.

You know what I'm not. You know what crazy. You know what crazy. You know what crazy. I don't even really like. Just sit back and be like, I'm fin to say this word. Like, it's just my lingo. Like, when I be rapping, like,

I be talking like, this is what it is. Like, mm-hmm. You've been talking like that almost your whole life, so it's like- Yeah, my whole life. My dad would call me that. You know what I'm saying? I know this is you and I know this is who you are

because I like I know people that have known you for a while and it's like, now that's really, really who he is. But do you ever feel like, you know, when you say you were raised by your black side, you leaning in the stereotypes? Am I leaning into a black stereotype? Hell, no, I'm just being me. You know what I'm saying?

Being authentic me. I ain't... What would you say to the people who say that though? Like, they were like, okay, he says he's raised by his black side, so he wears the jewelry and he got the tats and, you know, he talks a certain way. In my culture, like, it's my culture. I don't even talk a certain way. They just had come out.

It's my culture, you know what I'm saying? You know, I'm not. You know, I'm not. You know, don't dominate this culture for real. We're being honest before this. old rap I'm saying touching out

a pretty female getting all the money you know what I'm saying getting back to the community I'm saying I don't really you know what I don't say nothing to them

I just get the money and keep moving yeah what about to the people who would have would take issue with hearing I leaned into

that like shock value of people thinking on white and I'm saying it inward because that's such a like sacred conversation for some people

nah I ain't lean into it I just didn't answer it just like the girl in my intro on the aisle like please tell us what you I don't owe you no explanation like where are you you a person on the internet just type them

I'm going You said you had to learn I guess the business of music What lessons did you have to learn the hard way about like ownership and leverage? I ain't really I kind of would bliss

with a good lawyer early because he liked my music and then like just being a hustler period like I'm a tilt So before I just jump in anything, I'd do nothing, you know what I'm saying, until I figure it out. So I ain't really been through that yet.

I sure I am going to go through that, but, like, I ain't been through nothing that I feel like, damn, you know what I'm saying? Maybe being in a distro, and then it wasn't really what I thought it would. That's probably like the worst thing, you know. You're independent, right? Yeah, I'm with LVRN, though. Okay, okay. Yeah, that's my family, like, we're going crazy.

Do you see yourself staying independent long term? Are you open to like some strategic partnerships? I want to be big, but, you know, the game, the game changing right now. I don't know, you know what I'm saying? You might not need that in a minute, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, we going to bid, J.S.S. I love that.

You actually opened up for Wayne on his tool last year. Yeah, went on to a Wayne. Yeah, how was that when you got that call? Like, what was that? I didn't believe it at all. We was already doing like five, six shows a week, so I'm like, I was just like, nah, Wayne ain't calling me. What he need me for?

Like, this is Lil Wayne. So I still didn't believe it. And they were having a conversation for like over a month. I ain't believe it until I sent the email. Like, he did the dates. What time you got to be here? Like, it's crazy. Yeah.

Monday probably like, Nick, you still don't believe, Nick? Like, come on. He can't believe even, boy. What, when y'all got the call, he ain't believe? Damn. I thought it would just probably like some age and shit. or just like, I ain't think like they hit me up. So you said when you had your son, it changed you a lot.

Yeah. And in one of your songs on the album, you talk about your son being autistic, you feel like that could be common for being in the streets. Break that down. Man, I really feel that, you know what I'm saying? Really, man, my daddy, like, used to tell me, like, you know, you do wrong.

They come back on your kids. Like, you know what I'm saying? I don't know if there's some folk-tale shit or what, but, like, I think, like, you know, waking up every day doing the wrong thing. Like, you never know. Maybe God wanted to slow me down, sit me down, you know what I'm saying? It definitely did, though.

It turned my hustle up, though, but... Legally. Back then, like, it had turned my hustle up. But I became, like, I understood morals and values, you know what I mean? Like, you know, people different. Like, it's crazy because, like, I grew up different. My son, now he's growing up different. That's interesting though because the reality is your son ended up being your biggest blessing

because you said that finding out he was autistic ended up being your biggest motivation. Yeah, for sure. I can't say that was a wrong thing, you know what I mean? Yo, yeah, yeah. I do know he's going to have not a hard life because of my situation now, but I do know like all the autistic parents out there like they feel the same way I do. I see the interviews, I talk to them in means and stuff. like, because he's like, man, like, my son, like,

I really don't never want to leave him. Like, I don't know somebody's going to kill for him. Like, I do. Like, I was locked up with a, uh, I was locked up one time and, like, it was this guy, like, he was just locked. And, like, I could tell he was slick, like, you know what I'm saying, a little different. So, like, I'm like, I ain't what wrong with him.

And we seen, we checked his paperwork. And he was enough for, like, I think, like, burglary or something. But, like, all he did. was like walking on a later porch and drunk some lemonade and left. And they locked them. You know, sometimes they hit you with a bigger charge. You know what I'm saying?

He had never been locked up before. And I was talking to him. He was just like, yeah. I was like, how you don't get no stole like on there? He was just like, nah. He ended up telling me he get a check. He lived at a boarding house. And then kind of find out.

Like, he was autistic. It's like, bro, like he was like 50. Damn. Yeah, it's like, bro, this lady getting his check. probably, you know what I'm saying? Like, he ain't held locked up on a $200 bun for burglary. Yeah. Being in the streets and then having your son who is autistic,

which takes a lot more patience and, like, you know, what did you have to tap into the most to make sure that you were present enough for him physically, but mentally? Man, it was hard. I ain't going to lie, like, the crime, you know what I'm saying? Like, he can't talk when he got older. then what's so crazy like he started to talk regularly

and then it just stopped you know I don't know I've been seeing a lot of like kids, his age born around them years like go through that so but I really just had to be like look man did what it is

you know what I'm saying and then at a certain point I wanted to be the like every day all day I'm saying to make sure like who else gonna do it my baby mom's she's a good moment but like

who gonna do the man for it You would never leave your child based off how your situation was Yeah, for sure You know Her sorry, mom Yeah, for sure I would never leave him

Because of that You do you Do you resent your mom for leaving? I did You know what I'm saying He's gonna whack hey Hey Call her back

He can only call her if you're gonna sing Your line Do your thing Do your thing You gotta sing and dance How you be dancing When he's not here girl What's up

Yeah. Milk does Eddie. He acted so shy in front of company. This is crazy. What's up? You on drugs. No, actually. He's looking for. Hey.

Y.K. What you looking for? I'm geeked up looking for. E. Oh. What up, Y.K.? Hey y'all. Hey.

When you're coming to see us, man? When you need me to? Whenever you're ready. That's on you. I'm ready right now. All right. You're dropping up. You drop.

dropping a project this year? I am, but I got my first headline sold out show today, so. Congratulations, babies. Thank y'all. When you drop whatever you drop and pull up on us. I'm going to drop tomorrow, a single first. Period. Period.

The whole project, though. Oh, okay, I dropped that in like two weeks. Come on up. Yeah, you got to. Okay. I'm going to call you out. All right, baby. Bellie gang, the plug.

He's still the plug. Damn, don't put that on. Yeah, me. You're going to pass. Yeah. All right. I see. I'm talking about.

Man. Okay. So when you were growing up, right, who did you look to, like, who were some of your favorite rappers? Who was your inspiration? I took a liking to the trap store, obviously. Like, Rock old G. Geezy, T.I.

Gucci. You know what I'm saying? Then, like, future. I mean. Out of trap. Yeah. They've been comparing you to GZ, though. You ever met them?

No. I think they're doing that just because I wear dickies and talk about selling bricks. Like, I don't even sound like geez and nothing. Like, just because I put the diggers on and talk, draw up, talk. That's why I think. And they see the movement. I go out of hunting deep, stuff like that. Yeah.

How you, YK got so cool? How you YK got so cool? Oh, the song? Oh, they from the song. Yeah. But it crashed. Like, the first day we met, we just clicked. Like, we've been to each other for 20 years. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. It crashed because she was right up the street from my hood. I ain't even know. I see you know, Killer Mike co-signed you too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What did that mean for you?

That would be, because it was so early on, probably had like 10,000 followers. He's on curator because Lightyear had heard me. I had wrote a song, Lord propelled me, I wrote that. So like, he heard, he was like, but I might like, that he wanted to get on, then he got on it. And he was like, matter of fact, I wanted for my album. That was big, like me, I had never did.

I had no accolades in rap. Just out somebody walking past studio hearing my song. That's hard. That's hard. What if you learned from Mike? You know, Mike always dropping some jewel. Man, how to win a Grammy? No.

No, just that, just that, you know, he ain't got to be all about gang school. You know what I'm saying? You could take a look at politics. I mean, you could take a look at what's really going on and speak on that, too. That's a good segue, Because what version of yourself did you have to kill

in order to grow into the artist you are now? Probably the hot head, you know what I'm saying? Like, she's reacting off as soon as I feel, so. Like, when I first came to game, it was like, yeah, this shit go with anything I do, and I realize, like, you cannot bring that over here to this. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, I had to kill that hot head stuff.

Damn. I'm looking at just stats, and I see, All right, so 78% you got your fan-based black. Five percent of y'all is Hispanic. I'm black. I'm not Hispanic. I'm fully black.

Don't do that to me. 8.4 Asian and then 8.4 white people. You got some more Asians up in there. What about your people? Well, Mexicans. Mexicans on there? Shut up. That's Hispanic, right?

Yeah, Hispanic is, yeah. I'm black. Yeah, anyway. Did it shock? How many girls on there? Oh, yeah. You got 45% females and then 50%? 34% male.

Oh, that's cool. That's what's up. That's, that's up there. Are you shocked to know you got any Asian fans? Asian. Yeah. You shocked for real?

Yeah, a little bit. It'd be like clothing lines in Japan and stole him me up, though, so. Yeah. I kind of knew they were playing the music out there. Yeah. Now that you've been in the industry a little bit,

what's something about the industry you wish artists talked about more honest? Being they sell, we're really going on. I see a lot of folks trying to follow the leader for real. Just be yourself. I'm saying. We got to push that.

You need kids and everything because everybody can't be no rapper. Everybody can't be no... You know what I'm saying? Somebody might need to be a manager. Somebody might need to be a computer tech guy. Those people cool, too. How has it been meeting, like, you know,

people that you might have looked up to or listened to music, like I saw you linked up with Drake? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. How has that been? That would be, like, they hit me, like, pull up, pull up, out the gate gave my flowers

like I'm supposed we're getting your flowers yeah no that would be it though I don't really want to meet nobody else though why because it ain't always

like when I met Drake future them like it was cool like you know what I'm saying they really rock with me like though he really rocked with me you know what I'm saying you must have met somebody

that but it wasn't yeah from the crib from the crib or like out of state um out of state Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Were they not familiar? Are they working? I just can feel that. Like, boom, woo, for real, like. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Well, people might get that from you, though, only because you come from the streets and, you know, you had to move a certain way

kind of for survival. Yeah. This season on Dear Chelsea with me, Chelsea Handler, we've got some incredible guests like Camel Nangiani. Let's start with your cat. How is she? She is not with us in. Okay, great.

Great way to start. So this is a great beginning. And hopefully you'll be able to, I don't know, maybe you will cry. Amanda Seifred. Life is so short. If you feel something like that, you have that fire in you for this experience. It's not for a guy. It's for the experience of being in love.

And like, it's bigger than a guy. Elizabeth Olson. I love swimming naked so much. And I know you love taking pictures of yourself naked. Yes. I love to be naked. I just want to be in my brown underwear all the time. Ross Matthews.

You know what kids always say to me? Are you a boy or girl? Oh my God. All the time. That's so funny. I love it. So I'm always like, hi. I try to butcher it up for kids, you know, so they're not confused.

Yeah, but you're butching it up is basically like Doris Day. Right? No, I turn into Be Arthur. Listen to these episodes of Dear Chelsea on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A new year doesn't mean erasing who you were. It means honoring what you've survived and choosing how you want to grow. It means giving ourselves permission to feel what we've been holding and knowing that it's okay to ask for help.

I'm Mike Dolorotcha, host of Sacred Lessons. This podcast is a space for men to talk openly about mental health, grief, relationships, and the patterns we inherit, but don't have to repeat. Here, we slow down. We listen. We learn how vulnerability becomes strength and how healing happens in community, not in isolation. If you're ready to let go

of what no longer serves you and step into the year with clarity, compassion, and purpose, sacred lessons is your companion on your healing journey. Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike DeLroch on America's number one podcast network, IHeart. Follow Sacred Lessons with Mike

Delo Rocha and start listening on the free IHeart Radio app today. Hey there, this is Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health and host of the member Room podcast. Each January guys everywhere make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix, what's broken? But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Polter, a psychologist with over 30 years experience helping men

unpack shame, anxiety, and emotional pain they were never taught to name. In a powerful two-part conversation, we discuss why men aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others. Guys who are toxic, they're immature, or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes empathy as in compassion. If you want this to be the year you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath, listen to the mailroom on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. This show contains information subject to but not.

Not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? This is your boy, Navring, from the Broken Play Podcast. Look, it's the end of the season, the playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcasts with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs.

They're cheese. What's a rap? It's time to rebuild. Who's your MVP right now then? Drake May up there, Josh Allen up there still. Oh, my boy, Matthew Stafford. Where did his Bull Nick's at? He ain't too far behind.

He did all this talk about. What Matthew Stafford is doing statistically, bro, is crazy. Bro, you know I ain't no Josh Allen fan, but Matthew Stafford got better weapon. Caleb Williams. Hey, he should be in that conversation. In what conversation? He should be in it.

Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app. Apple Podcast or whatever you get your podcast. Right? Like even when you said you used to react to everything. probably saved you a lot of times in the street. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But now you're not there, no,

somebody might be looking, trying to figure out your disposition, but you, you know. No, I think that's my fault for, like, listening to somebody's music thinking they was, you know what I'm saying? That's my fault. Oh, I got you.

I see what you're saying, yeah. Did that disappointment, I mean, you said you don't want to meet anybody, but what else did that disappointment bring for you outside of just not wanting to meet people? Like, how is it jaded your experience just as an artist? Probably made me become more vulnerable,

like more letting them see exactly why. I know my having real vulnerable, but this next one's going to be overly vulnerable. Let them know, like, this is all the way me. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, for sure. Did you ever struggle with your identity as a mixed kid growing up?

What you mean? Just in general, like, did you ever even want to see what the other side was doing for real, for real? No, no, no. Okay. But did you have a choice? I should have had my baby pieces on file. Mm-hmm.

Yeah, nah, I thought I was like a little bowie, a little Romeo or something. Early on. But never like McCauley Coggin and nothing. You're just, oh, home alone, nah. Nah, you wouldn't, okay. So you never even knew your other side of the family. I never, I met my mama one time. That's crazy.

Yeah, I met her one time. Like, that's it. I saw you say you were raised with so much, like, love and just whatever. You didn't even know that there was a difference until you had to know. Yeah, like, I. I ain't even know. Like, I ain't even miss that. Mama's, like, you know what I'm saying?

My cousin raised me, like, call her mom. Like, her mama, I called her mom before she died. It's like, Grandma Nana cooked chicken every Wednesday for the congregation. Like, they come in the preach in the basement. Like, I got to help her cook the chicken with a suit on in the hood. You know what I'm saying? Like, so, like, I ain't really know. Like, they grew up, ghetto fabulous for real.

Like, my other grandma and my dad and mama, she stayed up here. Oh, I forgot when she stayed at I went to 106 apart all that I was like nine free and AJ put me on stage and everything Oh that's what I'm sad man I was just

Yeah as a kid I was like nine years old Oh got you got a kid as a prop Yeah could you imagine he's trying to pick on him He'll be going to get my cousin Like go get your little white cousin Then he comes back with the old wife That's happened before No that's another thing

I got brothers and sisters too My big brother he He's the worst so like, you know what I'm saying? It would like that for sure. So when you look at like a racist white person, what goes to your mind? What do you be thinking?

I mean, I don't understand why the day is over, you know what I'm saying? I don't understand why they like that. Any racist person for real. I'm saying? But at least you're telling me you're racist and that's what you will. He ain't undercover with it. You know what I mean? I think I get, I think my type of people get it the worst

because, like, you know, like, I don't have. and like white people like and black people like older like real older be like you're a mixed breed like that ain't it's nothing you could do like yeah you ever had has you ever have an encounter with a white person that look at you like like you yeah like you sleep sound like you want to be black so bad like like yeah yeah i mean like growing up like my demeanor i way kind of been like this So I ain't really never dealt with stuff personally. You know what I'm saying? But I don't encounter stuff like that for sure.

And I'm sure, like, even in that game, like, you probably got like gatekeepers, like, looking at it, like, man, trying too hard, but it's cool, though. Just work hard and so on. You never had to call. I'm going to rent across a couple of them, too. You never had the cold switch. You get your homies out of a jam?

You know what I'm saying? Yeah. You know what crazy? We were looking out of my records. You know, every jail put me in as black. For real. Yeah, like, I know. Never told her I don't wrote white on number four

I thinking they're going to help you Yeah When you're playing When you met Drake The caption was Rich Mixed Kids combos in the back of the area right I know area is the strip club

Yeah So was that just like a fly captioner Were y'all really having conversations about navigating this industry as a mixed kid Because he gets a lot of like Slack for like going in and out No we didn't speak on being mixed

But like we was too rich mixed kids in the back of the area to a night having a conversation They were just live I asked was it just a fly

conversation You just never know They'd be on drink Nah we wanted to Not we weren't talking about No mixed though We're just too Mixed kids

I don't know Why this just came through Famail were going to say Tell them do a white voice Do a white voice Yeah It's crazy Hi I'm a suburban kid

I know You don't use that You don't use that privilege at least once to help the homies get out of jam, man. How you had to? I ain't never tried that. I'm going to try that. You got to try that.

Hi, this is Billy Ging Cush. How are you doing today? He's already out. He's good. I'm going back. I be getting pulled over now like they all know who I am in Atlanta. In Atlanta? I wanted to meet with, I wanted to meet you and talk to you for a little bit before I

said this, but Drewski definitely was acting like you. He claimed he went to. No, no, no, no. Now, I met you, definitely was acting like belly game. I wasn't familiar with you when he did the sketch. So, to me, it was just. They're really, like, I ain't gonna lie that change.

Like, when he did that, though, like, that really skyrocketed me for sure. Wow, really? Yeah, for sure. What was the first, like, oh, this is skyrocketing? Was it a phone call for an opportunity? Like, what signal to skyrocketing? Oh, no.

You think it was a Drewske's shit, like? No, no, I'm saying from Drusky. Like, you said he skyrocketed you. What came from? No, I'm talking about that skit. Yeah, so, like, did your numbers go up on social media? Did people call you first? My father was just going crazy out of nowhere.

Like, who was on the road? He was like, why my father was going crazy? Then, like, he's seen the Drewski. I'm like, oh, he definitely. I ain't even watched the whole skit, though. I ain't see the end where he went home to the white family. Like, hell, no, that ain't, you know. Yeah, but I know, like, he definitely seen.

And at the time, I think that was Drusky, biggest skit he had, like, yeah. That was so funny. And he's from Atlanta. So he definitely, no, Drewsku's already, he was already following me and everything. Oh, right, right. He had already followed me and everything. Been studying you just to do a skit. So, I had put the laughing face in like the comment, kind of got a lot of lights and shit.

But then I posted a picture on like, black as he could get or something like that. He DM me like, bro, I just want to let you know a thousand percent one time about you. I'm like, no, it's cool. I need that glow up, for real. He put them laughing emojis. Did y'all need to do a part two where y'all meet each other? Yes.

Man, he brought me out at the, uh, could have been fished. Like, no. Man, I fought went crazy. Then, like, when I went and sat down, like, he was making bell again and could jokes the whole time. Like, yo, Drusky, like, that's a big brand for him to just not even know me and, like, just really pass out of emotion to me.

Like, yeah, y'all fought with Drewski. That's dope. What's the life change of all it has been like for you? Because I saw a billboard article that lists you as one of the top 10 songs played in the trip clubs in Atlanta, like over Young Thug, GZ, young nudie. Like, you know what I mean? Like, what's that life change been, like,

big superstar now? Um, I don't know. It kind of feel like, I don't know, it kind of feel like, I guess, like my pad life, kind of feel like, shit, I don't know. Sometimes I walk in it in their lit-ass spot, jumping these little-ass cars and just be like,

man, this should be going tomorrow, like, work hard, all day. Like in my spot, I got, when you walk in, I got all my mudshots on the wall. Just to remind me, like, don't ever go back. Yeah, in my house. Oh, got you. Yeah. Yeah. What does the belly gang movement mean beyond music? Like, what's the philosophy of the belly game? I ain't man. No gang or nothing. It's just music. It's all music. What's what he said? I didn't know. I didn't know. What's what you're like deeper meaning? What's the, like, deeper meaning? What's the, like, deeper meaning? of the movement because you get very vulnerable in your music and you inspire people.

I mean, that name is just a name for real. Like, you know what I'm saying? But my personal movement, I think just showing these kids like morals, values, like, you ain't got to kill nobody, you know what I'm saying? They get the money. Like, let's get the money to have fun. You don't know what I'm saying. You ain't got to sell them to drugs either.

Has success changed your circle or just exposed it? It changed it for sure. I seen some, I think, I forgot who said it, but they were like, I don't think money to change you and change the people around you. You know what crazy? Like, my manager told me,

I used to tell him like, right, Ben had the motion, like Ben had the money, like, nah, that fame gonna change this shit. Like, he was totally right. Like, their fame made them for that crazy. Like, I'm overly humble.

But, like, fame, it changed a lot of folks. It really changed everybody for real to be, And in what way? What's the noticeable way? Just like the girl I had, you know what I'm saying? You know, asking for more money, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, not really can about my day.

And then, like, you know, it'll be like, I can't even have a conversation no more with, like, man, I'm tired of work. It's just like, anytime they talk to me, it's the saw a story first. Yeah. And it's just like, God, damn. I gotta go talk to somebody who ain't trying to do all that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Have you learned to say no? Yeah, yeah.

So, learn not say nothing at all, but... Yeah. Real talk, because, you know what crazy? People are literally not care that you got a child. They'll not care that you work every day all day. Man, I've been woke. I just went to sleep last night for the first time and two days. I'm fin to be woke for two more days.

In like three, four different cities, like, they don't care. Stop what you doing and fix my problems. Like, nah, that ain't going to work. You do give back a lot though, from what I seen on your Instagram. Yeah, for sure, for sure. Yeah, I give back a lot, real actually. But I think that's needed when I do it. You know what I'm saying?

I'm talking about the personal. Like, no, we ain't doing that. Do you create music more off emotion or intention? I think both, like friend do. I kind of, like, sat back and wrote that for six of red. I was, like, rain thinking, like, I'm going to get this six of red. But, like, in my mind, I was just thinking, like, girls don't never just go to the club and twerk by themselves.

She's going to stand by the ball during the drink. She with her friend, they're going to twerk together. Like, I was like, your friend was like, I guess that was more so our emotion. I had just noticed that before I did the song. Y'all can. Yeah, what's going on, yo? What's going on? That's the merch right though.

Oh. I know what the fuck that was? That's $100 tea. You just sold out of those, right? Yo, Charlemagne was like, well, he was very much. Yes. He was like, I just, yeah.

Y'all got to go to police in a minute. Not one on. They pulled it out so slow. Man, what the fuck going on? You need a brick white tea. Oh, all right. Burnt white tea. You open it up and make sure.

You can't open them. know they're going to be worth what I'm saying? You gonna give us one? Oh, okay. Oh, thank you. Thanks for my birthday.

Y'all go for us. But you, so you sold out of those T's, right? We sold out like for a week when we first drop read up again, sold out again. Amazing.

Now it just became like, I guess, like, a novelty idol. Mm-hmm. Because the idea went so crazy. Yeah. I love it. Who I did was?

It was yours? Yeah, that was mine. I got a team. We come up with idea, but it's all me. Yeah. I like that. Yeah, for sure.

Are you more focused now on building a brand or like perfecting the art of music? Or do you see them as inseparable? Yeah, they're in several. You got to do both. You know what I'm saying? Right now I'm focusing on music all the way. I think the brand building last year was pretty good. You know what I mean?

But this year's like focus on the music all the way. I keep coming with them hit. Is it been hard to be consistent? It's been hard to like find time to record, yeah. But I'm always in my phone, like rain down. ideas, shit like that. So what's been harder? Getting in the door or staying consistent now that you're in the door?

Getting in the door. Okay. I work 24-7. I don't take off. I don't do it. If you see me in the strip club, that because I got booked. Yeah. I don't take off at all.

So when you are off, you stay in the studio with your son, I'm assuming. Yeah, I'm with my son, studio. Got to find time for the vibes. You know what I'm doing. But usually, I just bring on the work with him. Does he like the music? Is it? My son?

Yeah. I don't know. No, I know, but you know something like, they have a vibe. My mom, my cousin where I caught my mom, she sent me a video the other day. She claimed he was hung and friend do when it came on the radio. That was she claimed. But you never know, you know, you know. He don't really express itself, like, at all.

Yeah. They feel waves too. Like, they feel the vibe. So I was just wondering if he'd lob his head to the music or... I wrote the whole album, though, like, with him in the car, just me and him in the car. Yeah. Do you miss the girl that, um, you miss the girl? You broke up with, I guess?

Yeah, I miss all, I miss all my friends. I miss all my girls. I miss all my friends. I miss all my vibe. Could you ever see yourself with a white vibe? I like all girls, all colors. Good answer. I like all girls, all colors.

He know the numbers of hundred girls on that chart. You said 54% of women, 45% of me. I love all the worlds. Like a Megan, a Katie. Hispanic. You know, like one of those ever get you like, oh yeah. Like a go derio. I like, I like Kim Kardashian mom.

Oh, Christian. Take on a date. Okay. You had to get past court. Why not? I can't wait to talk to you in the future. Because, you know, the funny thing about talking to guys when they like kind of like fresh out the street,

it feel like you interrogating them a little bit. And they're saying, like they're getting interrogated. Like, you know. We seen it with GZ. We've seen it with all of them. When you asked them when his movement was. We see the what else in all y'all, of course. No, you did, you did.

But in a very, you got to talk to my lawyer kind of way. When you ask them about the movement, oh my God. He was like, no, no. It's ain't no gang at all. Nothing. And then they pull out bricks in the back. Show them had got scared. You seen that baby?

Never do. No. I've seen some wild shit You can't do that in it. No. What do you think he was doing it? I've been around long enough. I've seen new artists fresh out the street

do some wild shit in the studio. You know? So bricks and idiot? I don't know. You can't do that. It's not him. It's the people that was with him in the back. Not Monday.

Monday told him to not be careless. I don't know. I just saw what I saw them pulling out the bag. You got scared. So this is my last question. What's next for Belligang Cushinson? And you spoke about wanting to do big music, beyond track music, like with Adele and, you know.

So, yeah, now, working on the second album, I think the second album, the most important album, in somebody career, you know what I'm saying? That first one, you can get lucky. But that second one, like, show you if you're going to be it forever. That pressure, yeah, come with the pressure. So, yeah. I'm just working on the music right now, you know what I'm saying?

I'm turning down shows and all that right now. Focus. Yeah. Yeah. somebody listening to this right now, like what's one song in your catalog that you think best represents who Belliggan, Cushington really is? Introduction

to everything. It's show how the fans perceive me. It's so how I perceive them. It's so how I perceive my pad life and a new life. Let's get into a joint of the album. Not friend do. Go be played that already. What else would you want to hear of that? Birdlight, Pope, for sure. They were going to wait, man. You can't even pull up to no red light in Atlanta

without hearing it right now. That's a tribute to the Yonkita scooter, right? Yeah, it's on his beat. Yeah, okay. Well, let's get into the now. And Megan ain't reached out yet for that. Megan is dying. You know, she just opened up the Popeye franchises.

For real? Yeah. She got one in Miami. I could, no, I could actually do that. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, absolutely. We gave out, we gave out. How many turkeys we gave out from Popeye?

150 turkey from Popeye, Popeye, Popeye's and all that. That Popeye's turkeys slap. It looks a little crazy. You had it, but, hell yeah. I never wanted to try that. It's a lot. It's a little.

It's a little. It look a little crazy, but it... I ain't even get one. They're crazy. What? Yeah, that pop-bite turkey is pretty aight. Seasoning? Yes.

He's on point? Yes. That's what said. Well, belly gang, Cushitin, we appreciate you for joining us. Absolutely. Don't be estranged. Make sure you come back up here. Yeah, for sure.

Yes. I don't want Patty wrong like 10 times. I can't wait. I get in Bruff Club. Oh, that's what I'm. But there you have it. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

Oh, no. You are. Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The breakfast club. You're all finished or y'all done? This show contains information subject to, but not limited to personal takes,

rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? This is your boy, Nav Green, from the Broken Play Podcast. Look, it's the end of the season, the playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season.

You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcasts with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs. They're chief. Time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio Apple Podcasts or whatever you get your podcast.

Whether it is getting swatted or just hateful messages online, there is a lot of harm and even just reading the comments. That's cybersecurity expert Camille Stewart Gloucester on the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. Every season is a chance to grow. And the Therapy for Black Girls podcast is here to walk with you. I'm Dr. Joy Harden-Brand, Bradford. and each week we dive into real conversations

that help you move with more clarity and confidence. This episode, we're breaking down what really happens to your information online and how to protect yourself with intention. Listen to Therapy for Black Girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. You know Roll Doll. He thought up Willie Wonka and the BFG. But did you know he was a spy?

In the new podcast, the secret world of Roll Doll, I'll tell you that story. and much, much more. What? You probably won't believe it either. Was this before you wrote his stories? It must have been. Okay, I don't think that's true.

I'm telling you. I was a spy. Listen to the secret world of Roll Doll on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, we always say New Year, New Me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit

the same attention you give your goals. Hey, everybody. It's Michelle Williams, host of Checking in on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast, we talk mental health, healing, growth, and everything you need to step into your next season, whole and empowered. New Year, Real You. Listen to checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Thank you.