The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: YG Talks 'THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB,' Vulnerability, Evolution, L.A. Street Politics, Grief + More

Episode Date: July 8, 2026

Today on The Breakfast Club, YG Talks 'THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB,' Vulnerability, Evolution, L.A. Street Politics, Grief. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Salomein Nagai. We are the Breakfast Club. Lon La Roses is here as well. special guests in the building yes indeed ladies and gentlemen y g welcome back brother what how you're what are you feeling how's your energy this morning brother i'm good i feel good you just landed you just you just arrived right here yeah something like that you dress like that on the plane no i'm like i know they pulled you to the side no no no no no i just put this on though you know what i'm saying it's the fit right here the album uh the gentleman's club yeah is that the new way that

the state therapy, the therapist office? Yeah, pretty much. Okay. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Well, break it down, well, break it down the meaning of gentlemen's club and why you called it that, because the first thing people are going to think is

when you see gentlemen's club, strip club, booty club, titty ball. You got listed out. But it's a lot different from that. So break down why you play with the words like that? Um, so, like, I took the gentleman's club concept, you know what I'm saying? because like I'm known for like party music and all that.

It's like, I bet, but I put a little twist on it, you know what I'm saying? Like the gentleman's club, like with the album, like, for me, like, it means grown man, growth, you know what I'm saying? And like, with the concept of the album, like I built the world, it's like, oh, the gentleman's club is like a place, like, you can come and we can talk as men, you know what I'm saying? and talk about things that man don't normally speak about. You know what I'm saying? And the entrance, how you get in this club,

you know what I'm saying? You got to kill your old self. You know what I'm saying? So that's your entry. Like, so yeah, bro, I just play with it. Like, you know, I put the dress code with it, black tie fare. Yeah.

I love the concept, man. Did you ever feel trapped by a version of yourself? like that the OG street version I guess um yeah for sure like I'm I want to say I felt trapped but like you know I was doing that and giving a world that for so long like people started to think you know what I'm saying that was all I had or you know what I'm saying that was all I knew how to do you know what I'm saying and I'll really be on some artist shit so I'm like all right this this album right here, I'm gonna let y'all know like, I'm older than that. You know what I'm saying?

You can look at me like different, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, so I had to, like I had to get this off my chest, you know what I'm saying, to move forward. Was it hard to be that vulnerable, getting those things, was it difficult? I felt like I held back for so long. I'm talking about just a lot of stuff due to like my situation with the labels and shit. You know what I said? I was holding back a lot. So like,

when I finally was like, yeah, I'm going there. I'm going to do this. Like, I was ready. I'm like, bad, let's talk. You know what I'm saying? And then I was just going through life at the time. So like,

like, it felt good to like, you know what I'm saying, busting records down. Like, yeah. So did the label tell you not to do it that was they specific with like, we only want club records from you? Were they specific with telling you

what to do or what they wanted to put money? into us? No, no, no, no. So I was just, like, I was just going through, like, me finding out, like, what type of deal I was in, you know what I'm saying? And when I found that out, like, early on, like, I told myself and all my people, I'm like, look, I'm not really giving no real albums and shit.

So I'm feeling to just drop projects until I get out my deal. Is using a bad deal? Oh, hell yeah. Just like most of everybody, you know what I'm just? like most of everybody, you know what I'm saying? But I just basically chose to crash out. Like, you know what I'm saying? I just, you know, I'm feeling just running this shit up.

But like what I was doing, it basically hurt me in the long run. Like, I felt, you know what I'm saying? But, like, I made sure on every project I dropped, you know what I'm saying? I got a hit. Like, that's mandatory. But, like, as far as putting together, like, full, complete albums, like how my crazy life was and all that. I wasn't on that at all.

I'm like, no, I'm not doing that. Yeah, you can't do that. The reason you can't do that is because of my crazy life. My crazy life was such a complete body of work from top to bottom with the skits and the storytelling. You can't, we expect that from you at this point. And that's, you see me, that's why I said I crashed out because, you know, it's like, all right,

you was mad at your situation, but it's like, you know what I'm saying? You just start doing whatever, and people start looking at you, like that, you know what I'm saying? So that's what I was doing. I saw that you said you had a conversation with Kendrick about not putting out rushing to get through albums and get out of a deal?

Yeah, we're talking about this same situation. Oh, so it was in the midst of all of this? So was he hearing the music and he came to you like, yo, just hear something about, hey, Jess? No, no, no. So I was just telling him like the whole like the whole concept of the album and my intentions and my goals, you know,

and then, like, I just explained the same thing. Like, yeah, I was just doing that. Like, get out my deal. And I'm like, yeah, you tripping, nigga. You know what I'm saying? I'm like, yeah, I know. Yeah. When did you realize, YG, that you actually needed

to evolve instead of just survive? And I realized that, like, 2020, like, two, three, but I started working on this. 24. Yeah. So what happened in your life that made like self-examination important?

Like more so than just self-reservation? Like what made you finally take that step back and start doing that inner work? I think like the situation like I was explaining like like I asked people like I start asking people

this question like 2021 2021 and 22 like I'm like when you think of YG what you, like what's the first? thing that come up in your mind, you know what I'm saying? And I'm asking like, homies, females, people I work with.

I'm saying, I'm just asking people. And everybody like, super blood, pump the power, red. No, that's true. Gang, gang, gang, gang. And hard bottoms. No, that's, but look. So she's living in LA and seeing you maneuver, it's literally that party in heart bottoms.

Nah, but when you just said it, the first thing, I thought I was like, the first thing that came to my mind was blood. That's the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about Waji. The second is the music. And honestly, his style. We got a very particular style. I think you dressed like Michael Jackson. So, yeah, so like, ah.

He did. I'm serious. You know, the horror bottles of a gym. He always got a style. No, he always got his own. Prince. I got it. I got what you said.

Prince, he would have been like, no, hold up. Michael Jackson is who I feel like he dressed like. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, yeah. Hey, that's a compliment. Yeah. Yeah, I ask, like, I ask people that question, and, you know, they were saying that, and then I'm just like, at this time, I'm like, damn,

I'm like a fashion thing, I'll be dressing. I'm like a dad. I got, like, two, three businesses. I'm running, like, myself. Like, you feel me, that's all y'all think? You know what I'm saying? And then I had to like, so I'm asking, like, why do y'all think that?

They're like, well, bro, that's all we see. We get on the internet. We see news clips. We see you in red. We see gang shit. We see your homies dying. We see you. And I was like, damn you right.

Like, and then when it comes to the music, right? When it comes to the music, you know what I'm saying? Like, I've been giving the same shit in the videos. Like, that's all they seen. It's just all that. You know what I'm saying? So I was like, all right. Like, I got to intentionally go and show y'all and give y'all me

and a different way, you know what I'm saying? So, you feel me, when I came with the whole gentleman's script, I'm like, yeah, I'm feeling black tie fair, dress cold, you know, I'm saying, everything, black and white, you know, some grown shit. But don't get it fucked up. Like, like, what you think of me, all that? Yeah, I'm not for sure. You know what I'm saying?

But it's like, that's just not it. You're more than that. Yeah, more than that. You know, so, yeah, that's what happened, bro. And how has the change been for you? Because we've seen the chain, we've seen you dress up, we've seen you step outside of the box before Moore did. Has it been well received or?

Oh, yeah, yeah, people, yeah. No, they, you know what I'm saying? Like, I've been on some other shit. Like, he's just mentioning, like, and I've been dressing, like, how I've been dressing for a long time. You know what I'm saying? So like, people already know, like, if you know me, if you around me, you already know, like, yeah, that thing is some other shit.

But as far as me as an artist, like, what I've been giving to the world, like music, music videos and all that, I've been giving them the same shit, you know, so, but I've been on some other shit. Two of the best moments on the album, you know, because they kind of crystallized the album is, of course, hitman and ready to die, right? Because as you said, you know, you've got to kill off an old version of yourself. Do you think you have to always kill off the old version of yourself to become who you're supposed to do?

I mean, like, when you come from, like, places like I come from, your lifestyle is what your lifestyle is, and you learn, like, you learned, like, a lot of things that you learn in the streets. Like, I feel like to get to that next point in life and, like, like, being grown, like, you definitely got to kill yourself. Because all I know is crash out. like burnt fried nigga shit you know what I'm saying that's and I think we all think that's regular and it's normal and then you know you like when you hit a certain age and you just

start looking at like life and then like damn like when you start really breaking down like how this happened what happened and it's like well you crashed out yeah you responded to this like that you yeah you you you understand like you really you shouldn't have been up over there like that or your home he even sitting in the middle like why is he still over there It's really, you know what I'm saying? You got to deal with yourself. So I felt like you come from the streets, you gang banging, whatever, you know what I'm saying?

You got to unlearn a lot of the shit that we was taught. You know what I'm saying? I agree wholeheartedly, but the streets won't let you do that a lot of times. Streets are like, you may not be on that no more, but we are. We still on that. Yeah, no, I mean, yeah, the streets is going, like the streets is going for show to be the streets, but it's like, bro, like, I feel like everybody from,

Where I'm from, bro, they already know. It's like, bro, I didn't did the streets all the way up. Like, so it's like, like, the only thing that had come next with me, like, still trying to do the streets up, like, not musically, but like in real life. Like, it's like, I'm gonna end up dead on jail. Like, so it's like, you know, like,

everybody knows this, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, I got a pass. Like, you feel, that's how I feel. Mm-hmm. But, yeah. Like, you feel me, this album is not, like this whole era, this album is not like, oh, I'm a square now, like.

It ain't, like. I actually, what you're doing now was more gangster than anything you've ever done. Because you have to let go of that old version of yourself that probably served as like a mask, right? Like a shield, protection, that armor. Now you're saying, nah, I can't use that no more. That don't serve me no more.

So here's me. The real me. That's more vulnerable and more than anything else. Yeah. The Tyler Creator record, that was like totally different from what we usually get from YG. How did that collaboration come above? How did that collab come? It's lit though.

It's just different. I'm like, okay. Yeah, no, when I, like when I made the record, Tyler produced the little beat. He made the beat. I went in there, did the song, and then I'm whispering. And I'm just like, like, whoever I put on this song, it got to be an artist that, like, know how to, like,

like play with his voice or just do some different shit right so Tyler was one of the first motherfuckers I thought about and um I sent it to bro and then this niggas sent it back and he didn't even whispering I'm like what the fuck like this nigga just did the whole opposite but you feel me that's why it's a good balance exactly like you know what I'm saying um but yeah like yeah that's how that happened that's what's that one of my favorite songs on the album is uh insecure right because i think that you talking about anxiety in a very relatable way you're insecure as fuck i want to fuck this slut but i'm scared thinking how early i might nut die you can tell he been there before you can tell you all have you know what i'm

insecure that's why i'm off the liquor that's why i pop dick pills when i hit a stripper but i understand what you're saying you're just talking about anxiety that comes with life. That's just what you used to talk about. You on some niggins shit. Yeah. What made you want to, you know, do that record? I mean, like the album is the gentleman's club, you know, we're talking about, we talk about things that people who I'm from don't really talk about. You know what I'm saying? So like, like the record or the insecure record, like as I'm piecing the album together, you know I'm saying, that was probably like one of the, like,

the third last record I did, you know what I'm saying, was that one, the fourth. But I'm piecing the record together. The first concept record I made on the gentlemen's club that's on the album was the Midlife Crisis record, right? That's the last song, right? So, boom, I made that. record and then I'm like I'm killing myself you know what I'm saying my oh like

you know what I'm saying the old me right like so now boom I know how the album ending I'm putting together it's like all right how did we get here though you know what I'm saying so I'm working backwards so then boom like I make hit me boom and I'm just like all right all right cool like like I know I'm killing myself how do we get here i put a hit out on myself trying to hire hit me all right cool boom so then i'm just keep pitching it together and it's just like how do we get here like i'm going through every phase of like you know i'm saying want to kill your old self and i like i feel like um man niggas like we like we be having insecurities you know what i'm saying and in in in life like to get

He filled me to the next phase, wherever you're going through. Like, you got to get through that shit. You got to get over that shit. So, like, like, insecurities is some shit that, you know what I'm saying? Like, you got to kill, too. How hard did they admit that? Especially when, you know, you come from a culture where it's showing any type of weakness, vulnerability can be taken as, you know, you get sold. Yeah.

That's why I feel like everybody got insecurities, right? But, like, I'm not, like, insecure when it comes. come to like, like, I know I ain't a soft nigger. Like, I know like, you feel me, so it's just like, me and the homies, we be in the group chat talking about all type of shit we be talking about, you know what I'm saying? Like, niggas don't really talk about to the world. So I'm just like, nah, I'm gonna talk about all this shit.

Like, we be talking about all type of shit, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, no, we can put this in the record, you know, and I feel like on a verse, like I came, I came on a verse, My verse represents like the street niggas, like the fried niggins, like, you know what I'm saying? And then like everybody else did that thing. Jid and a half soul. Yeah, Jid and a sot.

That would have me insecure being on there with them dope-ass, rapping ass niggas. Oh, me, that nigga A-Saw said this verse back. We're like, what the fuck? This niggie just went crazy. And then gist and this thing. I'm like, oh, y'all I'm saying. But like, I'm a famous rapper,

so I can have any girl that I want, except for the girl that I want. want. God damn. And then just how he's like, like, like, like how he did his verse, like, you know what I'm saying? On some like spoken words type of shit. Like that shit was crazy. But, yeah, bro, that record, I feel like it was, like it was needed.

Like if I'm, if I'm trying to, like, if I'm like killing my old self, like, insecurity is, like, it's definitely part of that. What were some of the things that you realized that you hadn't killed off by the end of the two your span, like when you got to the end of this album, that you were like, maybe I didn't deal with that the way I thought I did. Like personally. So like, just anything that you addressed on the album, whether it's like vulnerability or whatever, as you're, because you're working backwards.

Like you know, right? So what's one thing that she was like, I thought I got over this. I thought I dealt with it, but I didn't. The, we know the truth record is, is, that was like the last record. No, that was the second to last record I did. on an album and, you know, I'm a street nigga, so, you know, I'm like the last of a dime breed, I'm like a street nigga that was like in the streets when the internet became a thing. You know what I'm saying?

So like, like a nigga, like, all I know is like, we don't get on the internet talking about nothing. Like we don't talk about nothing. We don't talk about nothing on the phone. We don't do none of that right. So a situation happened And my name was all in it like Like I did something or whatever right

And people just aren't anything just talking I took like the street nigga Like the dude you feel me the law Like I'm not saying nothing about nothing I ain't talking about nothing And I thought I deal with that shit like that you know Yeah By being silent like

But then it just got to a point to where it's like I'm like, nah, I gotta say something. You know what I'm saying? Like, I gotta speak on this. So, that was that moment right there. But do they, I guess, do the people from the other side, do they believe that? Like, when you say, you know, I had nothing to do it,

that, blah, blah, blah, blah. Do they believe it? I mean, like. You don't give a fuck? No, it's like, it's, like, it's, like, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, Like, like, like, I'm not even gonna say what, I wanna say, but like. You're doing great, YJ, you're doing great.

You're doing great. You look like one of them interpreters at essence. Yeah, he was doing great. I love it. Self-control is amazing. Because even when I'm listening to you talk about the record right now, it's kind of hard for you to speak about it because of the severity of the situation, right?

That's why I know it was hard to recall. Yeah, like, why now? Like, there's never been any charges officially for you. Like, you've never been charged with anything. You kind of left everything alone when the room was circulating. Why talk about it now? Because people keep talking about it on the internet, and then, like, you know, family, like, calling, like,

you know what I'm saying? Like, it's just... Your family or the opposite side's world? No, my family, like, people, like, and everybody, like tapping in, like, I'm like, bro, ain't got nothing to do with that. like, like. Well, break it down because a lot of people might not know what you're talking about.

No, nigga. I don't want to break it down. To hear what I think about L.A.S. Creed politics. Whether he rapped about it or not, I don't want to break it down. Yeah. I'm over here like, and what's saying with a girl? Like, I'm going to go to break up or something. My bed, I ain't know.

Okay. Yeah. Got you. Yeah. One thing that you did mention in that record, though, you talked about the grief you was going through at that time. Yeah. Because Slim had just back.

Yeah. Like. like a week before that you know what I'm saying so that was one of the main things and it's like bro I got paid 600,000 to do this show

you think I like like I came for that like you know what I'm saying it only made no sense like um and then you like the homie I just got killed you know so it was like

bro like what they're saying and how they're saying and it's like bro that shit all kept you know what I'm saying did you even give you

self-time degree slim or did you just keep it moving no no no no I had time I still you know I'm saying we like going through that book yeah like I had to put the homie obituary together you know what I'm saying yeah his family was like no we want you to do it so like yeah that shit right there was crazy like yeah I was fucked up doing that like it was it was crazy but it's dope though yeah yeah yeah you Why is L.A.S. Creek politics one of the most complicated things to ever even just witness? I can only just imagine living it because just on the outside looking in. It just seems so impossible to navigate.

I mean, when you're from out there, that's all you know. So it's normal. Like, you said, why is it so impossible? It feels like it's almost impossible to navigate. Like you said earlier, to not end up dead, to not end up in jail in that lifestyle seems like. Okay. So look. Incredibly complicated. So I tell people this all the time, right?

I'm like, look, bro, most of everybody who become successful from where they're from, you know what I'm saying? They leave. They go move to Atlanta. They go move to Miami. They go move to L.A. They go move wherever the fuck they go move to. When you, a nigger from L.A., Compton, wherever you're from, Long Beach, Inwood, South Central,

whatever, you're from L.A., we ain't leaving. You know what I'm saying? You see me, this is the place everybody want to move to, be from, visit, all that. It's like, we really ain't really leave. Canadian women are looking for more. More to themselves, their businesses, their elected leaders, and the world are of them.

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Even like that, you know what I'm saying? So niggas get money, become successful. And you know, you'll move out the way. but everybody moving out the way you know what I'm saying and then you feel me when you come outside like you 20 miles away from

like where you're from where it's happening that you 10 miles away from where some shit is happening at so it's like um you would go out and you would think you being low

you'll be at Maestro's in Malibu and there's a whole table with like niggas that's probably your ops like you know what I'm saying because they touch your money you got some money so niggas all like it gets tricky like that but like

what I'm trying to say is we stay in the city you know what I'm saying and you know what I'm saying we like it's close you know what I'm saying um like it's close so like

it's a dangerous like it's a dangerous lifestyle, you know what I'm saying? Because you still, like if you go, and you having a club hosting or a booking in, like, Hollywood or like downtown, all the hummies pulling up, it's like whoever else pulling up. Like, it's a whole bunch of gang members in the party. Like, that's just what it is, you know what I'm saying? So as far as on my side as an artist, you know what I'm saying,

having success and all that, being, from the city, still living in the city, you know what I'm saying? It get tricky, like, it get tricky because being a real nigga, you know what I'm saying, you're still pulling up, you're still around popping out, like, anything can happen.

But does that make it fun or did that make it work, right? If I got to be on peas and cues and cues when I went to my son, I got to be peas and cues and cues, I'm taking my daughter, if I want to be peas and cues, if I want to go to maestros or I want to go shopping, Does that make it fun and worth it to you? Especially in that life. See, there's the fuck the part.

I'm from the shit. So that lifestyle, living like that and all that, I know that. Like, it's kind of fun. You enjoy the bullshit. Man, what? That's what we're from? Like, not like the, not the bullshit really.

It's just like, it's like, bro, like, like. I want to block outside too. Yeah, like, so like everything that comes with that is like, bro, this is what it consists of, right? So you, you accept that, learn that, like, early on. And, yeah, like, but that's the part of me that's like, you gotta unlearn that shit, bro.

Because it's like, yeah, like, it's all fun and games until it get back, you know what I'm saying? it didn't got bad plenty of times. You know, I'm just blessed. Niggis still here. So, yeah. But, like, you feel me, when it's kind of my kids and, like, moving around, like, I don't really play with that.

So, like, yeah. Never thought about moving that line at all along? I was literally about the ex-in-man. Moving? He looked at me, like, moving. I just told you that's the place everybody won't be. But for Bob and Harmony, like, for the baby girls. Like, would you ever take them up out of there?

like my daughter played tennis so yeah so I was like like if we move we'll be moving to like Florida like so she can go to IMG Academy you know what I'm saying shit like that but outside of that like I don't got no plans on moving yeah I don't got no plans to move it like is y'all leaving New York I don't live in, I live in Jersey now. That's like me saying I live in the valley. Does your daughter use C-Words?

C-Words? Nah. So you'd be like A-B-B-B-B? No, A-B-B-D. No, my little daughter, like my youngest one, she fried. What you mean? Matter of fact, her birthday tomorrow.

Well, I don't know how you say. No, birthday. You say birthday? You say birthday. She turned seven, but the year, she'd be like, she'd be like, what's up, four, honey? Oh. Oh, me, she'd see me, she'd be like, what's up, four, honey?

I'll be like, man, what the fact? I'd be like, Vaugh, who taught you that? Like, who told you that? Why? That's what it is. I guess, like. Merry Christmas, Daddy. So 400 dismantle when you decided to step away from,

like when you didn't want to do label deal situation or still, there's 400 still a label? Yeah, I got an artist like right now. Oh, so you're doing an artist thing again. Yeah, I'm back, I'm back, though, but I'm like, I'm taking it slow. Like, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, rebuild it. What made you want to?

Because I saw you say you wouldn't, it's not easy. He didn't want to do art, dealing artists no more. Yeah, because I feel like, like early on, like when I had, like, my label, my JV, a lot of more artists was like homies and people that became, like, friends because, you know, we young. And everybody that come around me, you feel,

they end up feeling like a part of the family and homie vibes and all that, because you feel me, that's just my energy. which I learned it's not good. You know what I'm saying? You can't really, like it ain't good, you know what I'm saying, all the time. So like a lot of stuff just, I feel like went left

or ain't really be what it could be, meet as full potential because of like that. So, you know, I like, I shut the, like, the label down for like some years. And I'm like, man, look, I'm like, I'm not feeling to do nothing with no artist yet. I gotta figure this shit out. And then I, that's the part I figured out.

I'm like, I become like the bro. You know what I'm saying? And it's like the bro. I become the bro and the homie and it's like, yeah, that's straight. But it ain't always good for business. You know what I'm saying? So like my approach now is just like fallback. Like if I got artists like let them do their thing,

chime in when I need to chime in you know what I'm saying um yeah but I got a new orders his name pack got he and shit he watched um you're on the gang business record yeah the gang business record you know I'm saying young nigga he got it yeah

let's talk about the uh the Tiffany record that was trending right before we went on a break I didn't know if people was mad at you or not some people say it was a cautionary story I just felt like it was reinforcing harmful stereotypes about transgender people Not like, like, so like I said, like the album The Gentleman's Club, like it's a place like, man come to talk about things that we normally don't talk about. And when I was making this album, I don't know if, if y'all remember, but like one of the first songs I put out from this whole era, it's called 2004. I remember.

And the song started. And it's like, when I was young, I got raped. By a bitch twice my age, you know what I'm saying? So I put that song out first to, like, kind of, like, let people know, like, I'm on that. You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm feeling, like, I'm feeling, I'm on that, right. So when I was making this album, we had had sessions, like, in the studio and shit, we had, like, sessions with, like, homies are, like, we all talk about.

like shit that we never, like, talked about. You know what I'm saying? And, um, like, everybody was saying like, yeah, bro, this happened. And what happened? You feel me? I had my shit. You feel me, homies like, I ain't even know. Like, you ain't never talked about that.

You feel me? Half the homies like, yeah, that same shit happened to me. Oh, no. You know, like, it's like, yeah, like, we all got raped. Like, you know what I'm saying? And one of the homies, he, like, he told his story. it was like hard for him to like really like tell it and then um you see me he told it and like damn and he was like yeah bro like like like you i'm saying you should like if you can find a way

to like rap about this like make a song about it you know what i'm saying like i think you should do it and i'm just like i'm like yeah like because it's like it's like it's a situation that like happens in our community um And like, people don't know how to talk about it. People are scared to talk about it. You know, and then when they come to, like, artists and making music, like, or just speaking about certain things, people were scared, you know what I'm saying? Because people are like, oh, I don't want to get canceled or whatever, right?

So I was just like, yeah, that's kind of hard to, like, make a song about, like, without nobody getting mad. You know what I'm saying? So, like, it took me a minute, and I'm just like... You gotta tell the story, though. You gotta tell the story. Yeah, the truth is the truth. I'm an artist, I'm storytelling, you know what I'm saying? And this is a real situation that happens, you know?

And I'm like, what, what, well, let me put the record out. While I was like, all right, yeah, I'm cool with this, is because I ended up telling the both sides, you know what I'm saying? And I'm like, you see me, just as a human, I'm like, all right, if I write this record, listen to this record, and it's sound, I sound, and then at the end you get, you got both sides of the story. I'm like, people are like, like, understand that

and appreciate that and look at it like, no, this art. Like, you know what I'm saying? It's real, like, this art. He's storytelling, you know what I'm saying? So, yeah, bro, that's all it was. It's not no hate record. I'm not trying to tell nobody to, like, do anything violent to nobody. You know what I'm saying?

It's just like somebody I knew story. Exactly. How was it received? How was the feedback to you that you got from it? Feedback being great. I think a lot of people is taking it for what it really is, you know what I'm saying? Of course, you're going to have people talking about whatever they choose they want to talk about, you know, but like a lot of people like

nah bro I like like you did that you know what I'm saying like you did that you took us on a crazy story journey and it's like nah this shit real and it's like you really took us there though you know I'm saying with the pen

A lot of transgender is hitting you up in the DMs I don't be really checking my DMs you don't you know what I mean man because you did speak from both you mean out of support like You can't just seeing what they say. Like, yeah, thank you.

Talking about this topic. I seen, I seen, like, a website, a website from that community. Oh, gay magazine. Yeah. They was like, they was like supportive of the record, I think, right? I mean, I think they're in the middle. They're posing the question to the readers, do, is it harmful or is it just insight as to like, what is like to experience that and providing context to how you can get through the situation?

They were trying to figure it out, in my opinion, too. Okay, okay, but... Did you get your homie's approval? Did you have to tell them you were doing it, or... You know, the homies was like, like, the homies who wasn't a part of, you feel me, them, them sessions, like, the homies. Like, when, like, when niggas heard he, like, niggas was like, bro, what? Like, like... Which one?

Which one? They're like, they like, why would you, like... They're like, why would you, like, like, why? And I'm like, that's why. Yeah, that's why, because the niggas is like, well, it's like, yeah, bro, we got to talk about it. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, when you listen to the album, bro,

we're talking about insecurities, right in my rooms, midlife crisis, trying to kill the old me. Like, we just talk about a lot of things that, like, man, from when we come from, don't talk about, you know what I'm saying? And that's what the album is about. You feel me? That's what the gentleman's club about. and your entry to this club, bang.

Killing your old song. When you make a song like Tiffany, what responsibility do you think you have for how people interpret it? But it sounds like you really put a lot of thought in how people interpret. For sure, like, like, yeah, the responsibility, like,

like I said for me to put the record out, like I had to like, like I had to feel like people was gonna hear it had their thoughts as they're listening or you get to that last first and it's like

oh shit like damn like um yeah that had to like that had to happen it took some time

it took some time but that record took me that was like the longest record because I did the first record and then when a beat switch and the beat change, you know what I'm saying, I did that record like four months, five months later. Well, art is supposed to create some type of discomfort,

I think, good art. Yeah, exactly. And I knew like when I came into this album, I'm like, like my goal with this album was, since I was putting out just whatever for so long, you know what I'm saying? I feel like people was playing on my name. I mean, like as an artist, you feel me, as a rapper.

So, like, one of my main goals was like, hey, like, you got to come and get right because, you know what I'm saying, you're with that. So, you know what I'm saying? I was one of my main goals and I knew, like, to do that, like, it might be, like, it's going to be risky. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to have to, like, it's going to be uncomfortable.

Like, I'm going to be uncomfortable. You know what I'm saying? It's a part of it. So I was just like, fuck it. Let's do it. Yeah. You know what I was thinking about when I listened to this album? When I was like, yo,

Nipsey would really be proud of you. Damn. Just of the evolution and you opening up in that way. And trying to show street, it's something different. Yeah. That's one of the first things came in my mind, like, Nipsey would be, especially after her and insecure, I was like, you're Nipsey was really proud of this.

Yeah. And then I wrote this whole, like, I put the whole thing together. Like, and as I'm putting everything together, I'm just like how this shit gonna look on tour like I'm saying I'm thinking about this tour

I'm thinking about this show I'm thinking about like like like the hits like my catalog mixed in with like

the storyline of the album like you know what I'm saying that's how I'm putting this shit together I'm like yeah she'll be hard yeah

did you think about when you was creating this album of course all the time like for sure like the nip shit you know what I'm saying

like it'd be fucking me up a lot because um like I'll be like what me and bro was doing in the city with the music and just you know what I'm saying the relationship

like in the music like it ain't gonna be able to be recreated and it's just It's just avoid this mission, you know what I'm saying? Because, like, a lot of people from, like, other places be like, why, dude, you're the only, like, street, like, from the West Coast that, niggas, like, fuck with.

Like, like, what's up? What you doing? Like, I'm like, damn, bro. Like, I'm like, me and it was like the ones. Like, you know what I'm saying? Streets all the way doing the music shit. Now it's like, a nigga like, dolo. You know what I'm saying?

that should be fucking with me a lot we're gonna get any visual I see the gentleman's club being like a visual album where you can tell your story of the album visually like right

with a whole bunch of videos like Michael Jackson did yeah it's not a song that Michael Jackson got we ain't got no videos to it yeah yeah yeah so you gonna do that no we had talks about it

like we had talks about it said I got like some shit lined up with this whole gentleman's club world um yeah we talked about it like like this album campaign

it's gonna be like a loan campaign you know what I'm doing um but yeah because even what you said about the tour you can see it like you putting it the whole story you putting it together on tour saying how it would look like a movie I think it would be dope

I mean a video to every every track in the order of the way the story is told. That'd be dope. Yeah. Yeah. Let's get into a join off the album, man. Hold on, what you want to say, Lauren?

I was gonna ask, you feel like this album, because I saw, I think was GQ said it this is like your best album since my crazy life? Yeah. You feel like this album gonna get you on BDOT's list this time now? See, he did the best albums. West Coast, you, you was upset about that. Yeah, I'm sure like when I made this album, like, yeah, I got all that in my mind. I'm like, yeah, I remember this. I remember you, niggas saying this.

this, niggas ain't mentioned my name, like, I already bet. Like, this whole next era, like, why, geez, like, I'm tripping. I'm, I'm tripping. And I know, like, why a lot of people heard the album, they're like, oh, it's far, but like, like, niggas wanted more slaps and all that. Like, it's like, yeah, we're going to get to that, you know what I'm saying? You feel? That ain't nothing.

We're going to get to that. Like, I have to get this off, though, you know what I'm saying? This art piece. I had to get this all. You feel like this is like your Mr. Morale and the Big Stepper. Yeah, I heard a lot of people saying that too. That's one of my favorite Kendrick album, probably top two, maybe. Just because of what it represents for men in that moment.

I think that's one of the moms you go back and you listen to in the future. When you start to see a lot of men evolve and start doing more work on their stuff, they're going to point to that album and 4-4-4. Yeah, that's what's up. What's the biggest thing you had to kill about your old stuff? in order to become the man you ought to do. Was it ego? Was it pride?

Was it revenge? What was it? Yeah, I think revenge, like, just crashing out. Like, like, just in every aspect of my life, like, whenever I, like, I feel, like, mad or disrespect to the plague, like, like, my solution always be crashed out. You know what I'm saying? And, yeah, like, just, even when I'm dealing with, like now when I'm dealing with certain stuff, people, like,

I'm calm. I'm like, I'm trying to talk. I'm trying to be growing. I'm like, I don't even want to argue, like, bro, like, I'm saying. Like, I'm like a whole different motherfucker. Like, I'm like, if you got some weird energy, I'm going the other way. I'm trying to run. certain shit, I'm like, it's a certain thing.

I'm like, man, I hope I don't ever be in the same place as this person because I'm gonna run. You just said that earlier. Yeah, I'm like, I'm gonna run the other way because if I don't crash out. You know what I'm saying? I'm on that. I'm like, man, I don't want no smoke, man.

I'm chilling. You know. If you run into the girl from dinner dates and heartbreaks, that's going to be calm too. You funny Was that a personal story That was your personal story Was that one of the homies?

No, that was my story and shit Like me like Yeah But she's not like Like A nigga be dealing with you girls and shit Yeah On that song he talks about

Finding out he was getting cheated on Yeah And I thought I knew who it was In the song And then you threw me off a bit Exactly Twisted Yeah, because you was like

We got caught outside the country I'm like, okay, I remember those photos Hey, everything on the album is twisted as fuck You see me So you probably think you know what you're talking about And you got to really like

It's twisted up Okay It's twisted up It's twisted up Ah It's a YG man Let's get a joy What you're here up the album, brother

Huh? What you want to help the album? Play that, oh my God, my God. Push your thing, that's hard. That's good. That's doing it's all push your tea. All right now. Hey, congratulations.

Keep growing, too. That's right. Thank you. Likewise. It's YG. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. Every day I wake up.

Wake your ass up. You're all finished or y'all's done. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joy existence, Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, Hoda Kotby. If you're craving inspiration to maximize your joy, tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Open your free Iheart radio app. Search Joy 101 and Listen Now. Joy 101 with Hoda Kotby is presented by CVS. Hey, this is Chuck from Stuff You Should Know, and we're submitting our most sciencey episodes for your

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