We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson - The DJ Every Star Wants To Perform With - And Why He’s Using His Platform For More

Episode Date: September 22, 2026

DJ AG became one of the internet’s most recognisable street DJs through his viral TikTok LIVE performances, hosting stars including Will Smith, Skepta and Ne-Yo. But long before the millions of views, Ash was growing up in Tottenham, working at McDonald’s, building a corporate career and only taking the leap into full-time DJing at 37. Ash opens up about a health scare that led him to get his prostate checked, and why fear and stigma still stop some men from doing the same. He explains why the issue is especially important for Black men, and how speaking publicly about his own experience encouraged others to get tested. He also looks back at taking his DJ setup onto the streets, being arrested while livestreaming, and the moment Will Smith joined him on the decks. Ash reveals what happened behind the scenes, and how his street sets grew from a few people watching online into appearances with some of the world’s biggest artists. But behind the viral moments is a deeper purpose. AG shares how his grandmother’s dementia inspired him to perform in care homes, and why bringing people joy through music has become the most important part of what he does. DJ AG, We Need To Talk This episode includes discussion of of prostate cancer and dementia. We have included links to support resources here: Prostate Cancer UK: https://linkly.link/2tkKz  Dementia UK: https://linkly.link/2tkKj  Alzheimer's Research UK https://linkly.link/2tkKt  Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow DJ AG here: https://www.instagram.com/djagonline https://www.tiktok.com/@djagonline (00:00) Intro to DJ AG (02:05) Childhood in Tottenham (05:36) The Music Scene in Tottenham (07:32) AG as a Child (10:25) AG’s Family Situation Growing Up (16:48) Prostate Cancer and the Importance of Getting Checked (21:08) AG’s Relationship With His Mum and Dad (27:27) DJ AG Reads a Letter From His Mum (29:49) Anthropic Ad (31:09) How AG Discovered His Love of DJing (46:08) The Art of DJing (49:21) Why AG Became a Full-Time DJ (57:21) Cometeer Ad (58:57) Taking DJ Sets Outdoors (01:10:51) AG’s Most Notable Guests (01:17:05) AG’s Community Work and DJing in Care Homes (01:19:38) Huel Ad (01:20:48) AG Fest (01:22:19) What Is DJ AG’s Greatest Fear? (01:27:27) AG’s Outlook on Dating and Relationships (01:30:30) Paul Reads a Letter From AG’s Dad (01:36:27) Most Memorable Conversation (01:39:42) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by:  Anthropic - https://www.claude.ai/talk  Cometeer - https://cometeer.com/PAUL for $20 off your first order   Huel - http://uk.huel.com/WNTT use code WNTT for £10 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've had the biggest of the big playing. Yeah, man. I'm Will Smith, oh my God. He's a lot of TV TV set. Play the music is just happiness and enjoy it, man. People dancing, singing. Where does human beings, man? That's what it should be.

My dad would sit me down in his room and they're just bare records. He gave me that gift of music. But I'd also say, gave me the gift of the gab, for sure. I kind of went into it and my rapper, MC kind of stage. What was your name? No, I don't worry about that. No, no. One of my friends scribbler, he was like,

oh, you're not good enough. And then that's when I kind of started to dabble back into DJing him. house parties, zinjee pubs. Student events were really, really good. Oh, we're halfway there. Everyone's like, ah, nice. I will play what I need to play. You're 37, you're DJing on Mix Cloud live,

and your audience was how big? Maybe eight, if I'm lucky, it was small. 800, 8,000. No? Eight people. And all I cared about was making enough money to pay my bills. And then my kids were like, oh, like TikTok.

I just started going live, man. Then I'll go back to work, lunchtime, back on TikTok. I was like, raw, first month, like, $5.00. First month, man. Do you think there's a misconception? conception about how much money you make. So, I never told this story. But it's not about just the money.

The care homes is my favorite piece of work. My grand had dementia. I just saw how music had a great impact in her life. People light up. Come and sing this song. What song do you want to sing? I want to sing some Elvis Presley. Whatever you want, making it happen.

We all have fears. What would you say your greatest fear is? It's a really good question. And I'm going to be honest of you. Look, pause with me for just a second. Today marks 100 episodes if we need to talk And honestly, I just want to say thank you. Now, whether you've been with us every single week since day one,

or you just drop in when a guest catches your eye, I see you. I truly appreciate you. Every comment, every share, every time you show up, it matters. We're building a really special community here. If you want to support what we're doing without spending a penny, please take a second and hit the follow button. It costs nothing, but it signals to the world that these conversations matter. Thank you for being on this journey with us.

Now, let's get started. When you think about where your story begins, where is it? Nice, in North, man. Come on, man. It's back in the ends. hometown, Tottenham. Okay, Tottenham. Yeah, so it starts in Tottenham. Yeah, man, good times, man.

Living in the council estates. What I love about that is, like, it's just diverse, man. a melting pot of just people. So you've got, obviously, you've got Caribbean people, white people, you've got Asian people. Everyone's just, it's a melting pot, so you're getting to learn. So I might go to my brethren's house and then they're cooking their food.

I'm learning that culture, the things that they say, how they navigate in life. And yeah, man, like, the council state was amazing. I specifically remember, like, growing up and, like, got a lift and the lift just smells of urine, yeah? but I still remember that smell and I was like you know what I need to get out of here man I need to like build and do a bit better

and help my mum help my family getting them out of this situation so yeah man like Tottenham's but Tottenham's home man Tottenham's home Tottenham a little bit because so I came to the UK eight years ago and I then moved south right and what I realised quickly

moving south, South London was that most folks in South don't go north. Yeah. Most folks north don't go south. So you know what's wild is the only time I've been to Tottenham is to the stadium to see... To the toilet. Went to the toilet. Man.

It's a toilet. You didn't go like Chick King. You didn't go to like the Tottenham. No, no, no. So that's what I'm saying. So, all right. But no, no. I wanted to say him to see Kendrick Lamar though.

All right. Fair enough. Fair enough. All right, give me a pass on that. Right. But Tottenham stands out as one of these areas within London that has, it's more than a vibe. Like it will always be remembered. But I think there was also an era that will always be remembered.

And I think it was the era that you came up in Tottenham. So what was that era like? And what made Tottenham unique? It's a really good question. And I'm going to be honest of you. I was a homebody, yeah. So I was a good boy. So I would go to school and then come back.

I weren't really stepping out, trying to do too many things kind of growing up. But what I will say, if you think about, like, the legends, like Jamie, Skeptor. Right. Like, we can go Frisco. Like, so many artists have come out of Tottenham. I can go on forever.

But, like, for me, Tottenham, it's a vibe, man. It's a vibe. It's an energy. Like, it's a way of life. And there's just so many talented people in Tottenham that deserve their flowers, man. Right. Was it because of, was it because of the community, right? So, for example, I grew up in New York. I grew up in Queens. Yeah. And we had Brooklyn. We had, you know, we had all the boroughs, right? And what I distinctly remember is, is that there were certain people who would pop in the borough. And as a result, they inspired.

So from Queens, I moved to Long Island. Yeah. And in Long Island, we had what was called Native Tongue. I don't know if you remember this. This is old school, native tongue click. It was folks like Moni Love, Queen Latifah, Buster Rhimes. You had leaders of the new school, Tribe Call Quest, right, all these folks.

But you had one group kind of popped, and they inspired all the kids to perform. Was Tottenham like that? Was it like one person that popped and that inspired? I would say so. Yeah, I would say so. I took a lot of influence from, you know, some of the bigger artists, you know, like your skeptors, like, your GME's, like seeing them go on to pirate radio and then going to have success. And pirate radio for us, like in ton, obviously in all of the boroughs, but pirate radio used to have a heat FM. So that was a big pirate radio station. You had both FM as well. This was before all the internet radio stations started to come in. Okay. And to listen to them, imagine that everyone's going to school or going in sick form. And after, like, you're listening. listening to people that are just down the road on the radio. That's a big deal. So that was certainly inspiring. I think back then a lot of youth clubs, a lot of community centers.

So for me, Selby Center in Tottenham, that was a big place for me. So I go and play football and my friends and really just make friends there and have a good time, man. So I think maybe if all to now, you don't really have as many community centers or youth clubs because obviously things are getting shut down. Yeah. Yeah. was happening now. So when you said you were a home body, all right?

So you were a home body, but it sounds like you were out a little bit. Nah, but I was more like to go. I was just good, man. Go to school, do my schoolwork, come home. Maybe I go out for a few hours, but we would just be playing football in the block. Playing football, chance of my friends.

But then straight home, man, play computer. Okay. Just chill out. So it wasn't like stepping out, going to this borough, that barry, this borough, that borough. A lot of it was just, no, man, look, school's important. get school locked in,

but I've got my close-knit friends in these blocks of flats that I can still have fun with and just catch a vibe, you know? Okay. I want to show you something. Okay. And I want you to give a lesson. All right.

Okay, you have to close your eyes for this one. All right, trust me. Trust me. Trust you. All right. All right. So now I'm going to put this in your hand. I want you to tell me who this is.

Yeah. What was happening in this moment? Yeah. Right. And then I'll ask you a question. First tell me who this is and what was happening this moment. Oh my days. Man like A.G.

So that was little Ashley, man. Yes. Where would I have been here? I would have been in primary school. So St. Paul's in all hallows. I don't know how old I was then. It's an honest truth. I definitely couldn't get girls at that age.

Okay. So you were roughly, what do you think? I was definitely primary. Six, seven? Yeah, I must have been that age, man. Six. Okay. And that's where girls were at first, you know.

I never told this story. I don't think I've told this story before, but there was this girl, Shade, I hope you're not listening. A girl called Shadee, and I really liked her in primary school. I don't know why I even liked girls in. And whatever, it is what it is. So yeah, I liked her. And I was like, yeah, I really like to go out of you.

And then she's like, no, I can't. I'm like, why? She had the bogey on your nose. Because I had like cross though. It's dark. Darkness. Big up Sharday, wherever you are, man. Did you just wipe it away then ask again?

I thought it just didn't ask again. I think that was it. Yeah, good times in primary, man. Obviously, you know, being with Jamie, being with Boss Man Birdie, some of my, like, really good people, man. Like, those are good times in that school. Mr. Wilson, the head teacher.

So in this school, it was, you said, Jamie was skepta at the school too? Yes, he was there as well. And some other artists there as well, man. Okay. And Keisha White also, like a really good singer. Got some hits there. Good times.

Incredible. So now with everything that you've experienced in life, your grandfather was still with you at this time. Yeah, yeah. When you think about everything you've experienced, if you could go back and tell him one message, one thing, what would it be? To little Ashley. Yes.

I'll probably tell him, wipe his nose. Okay. Okay. Before you talk to Shaday, wipe your nose. What you do it, man? Check your nose. But, yeah, I think for me it's just taking risks, you know. Take risk, man.

Be brave. Take risks because you have one life, all right? I don't believe in reincarnation. And I think once your life is done, your life is done. So we've got to live it to the best of our ability. Take risks. Love it, love it. Hold on to that.

I'll give that to you. Who was the circle? that you had from a family perspective. Who did, you know, who, I'll say it like this is, yeah, who did you love? Who did a lot? Oh, family wise.

Yeah. Oh, man. I suppose growing up, I love all my family, but big up, big up my family, big up, big up the borders, big up the martyrs, big up, big up, big up. I love it, he said, all my family.

But yeah, my granddad, man. My granddad is someone that, um, yeah, man, holds a, holds us there for my granddad, man. So yeah, my granddad, man. Okay. What was it about your granddad? He's the first person. I know this is like, Citi,

but it's the first person that made me cheese on toast. Third person that introduced me to avocado. Like, I'll go stay at my grandparents' house and that they care, the love, like how they look after me, and we feel welcome. I think that was amazing. Like Christmas, like gathering around, all of us gathering.

And we're having fun. What's we're young, we're jumping on the bed, and something stupid when my grandma's like, stop the night. So I just remember those things. Like he passed away when I was young, passed away from cancer. And that really did impact me just because of that particular journey, like him having cancer. And I was very young.

How old were you? Teens, like maybe I must have been like, what, 12, 13? Okay. I was young. So for me, it's like coming to terms of the fact that he had cancer, kind of staying away from it because I was scared. seeing him periodically and seeing him deteriorate and then

before he passed away the night before I was in South London because I got family in South yeah, okay, okay, all right yeah so the night before I had a dream and I was like I said to my mum the next day

I was like listen you need to go to the hospital man I got a bad feeling and I had seen him for a while and we went there and when I got there like he's just on these last legs like last breaths

and he passed away when I was there. First time I see someone pass away, but my granddaughter was such a prominent person and I regret that I was absent during that period, you know? Something that I found really interesting is when I talk to people is when they tell me they don't know anyone who's passed. And I always tell them, you know how blessed you are? Yeah.

To not know anyone who's past. Yes, mad. But then when I talk to people who have known, people who have passed and they've been a young age, it's always a profound moment. Yeah. It changes them. So when you think about how this person was so close to you, who you loved, I said, tell me who do you love?

You say your granddad immediately. Straight up. How do you believe that moment, if you take me back to that moment, what was going on for you when you witnessed that and what were the feelings and how did that change you? Bittersweet. Bittersweet. I think sweet because I got to see him and say my goodbyes while he was alive. And it was just so quick, man.

Like, within half an hour being there. I remember it like it was yesterday. Like, within half an hour, that was it. He was gone, you know? And I think more just like bitter just because I feel like there's a lot more I wanted to say to my grand than to talk and to reason. And, you know, like he was a very powerful figure within our family, you know. So for him to be gone, I think that that was maybe the start of the beginning of just the family

dismantling. We're all doing our own thing now, et cetera, et cetera, rather than the family get-togethers and all the rest of it. So yeah, it did have a big impact, man. And bless my grand because, you know, obviously she had to go through that. So it must have been tougher. Yeah. Do you remember the last words he shared with you?

I don't. This is so sad because I don't remember the last words, no. But I think I more remember the feeling. You know, the feeling that he gave me, like the confidence that he gave me as well. And I think a lot of his caring and kind qualities and his work ethic, I think, are with me today. Yeah, yeah. I'm sure he planted a seed. 100%.

That has, obviously, that's blossom. Yeah, 100%. Do you remember your last words to him? Yeah, man, yeah, before he passed, telling him that I loved him. He made a kiss on his forehead. See, I remember it, man. Like he was yesterday. pretty much.

Yeah. So, yeah, tough, tough being so young and someone passing away like that. So, you know, certainly I've got a lot of empathy for people that are in similar situations that maybe have still a bit of anxiety about, you know, losing people so young. Yeah. If I can ask on this, so you kissed him and you said that you loved him. Yeah, yeah. Had you ever told him that you loved him prior to that?

Probably not, you know. Maybe not in those words, probably sure, in different ways. But you know, it's like a macho thing where you don't really say that much, you know. Yeah. Because that really hit me when you said that. Yeah. Because that was similar to when my best friend passed away a few years ago. He's my best friend.

But I had never told him I love you. Right. When he passed at his funeral, I told him I loved him. Right. And I wish I had said it before. You know? It's tough. Losing people, man.

My condoneses is because that's still Risa, bro. Yeah. Yeah. It's one of those where you, I think with grief, you know, it's just, I heard someone said, it's actually Scott Galloway, who's been a guest here, he mentioned that it's misplaced love, you know, it's love that has nowhere to go. Yeah. That's really what grief is.

And when you also said when your grandfather passed, the family dismantled, that's real as well because that happens to many families. Does, yeah. someone who's who's like anchoring the family. So how did his passing then reshape the family dynamic? It's a good question. And I think I was probably still too young to really understand it, I would say. Obviously, look, there was a lot of grief.

People were still around to support my grand. So that was still happening. And there was still cohesion. Don't get me wrong, but I suppose it just wasn't to me, to me, through my lens, maybe wasn't as strong as what it was. And that's understandable, man. losing someone so people talk like that, you know, it's a big loss for everyone. And it was a big loss for everyone.

Yeah, yeah. Something that's very important for me to underscore is how prevalent prostate cancer is. Crazy, man. So prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Yes. 64,000 men diagnosed 12,000 die each year. But what a lot of us don't realize is that while one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Yeah. For black men, the risk doubles. Yeah, it's crazy. To one in four. Yeah. And the UK is saying now that it's investing 18 million pounds into the transformed trial, which is research into ways to better screen and diagnose prostate cancer early. All black men aged 45 to 74 who have not already had a recent PSA test will be offered the chance to participate.

Yeah. And a PSA test is a blood test. is a blood test that checks for prostate conditions. So this is such an important topic, especially for us. And when I was researching that, it made me think I was like, why is it more prevalent for us? And what I've seen is there's a lot of debate, right? There's some debate that points to biological factors. But then there's a lot of emphasis on the research on black men, we.

wait later to be diagnosed. So we're already in later stages. And then once diagnosed, are not participating in the same level of care. Correct. Yeah. That's required. Yeah.

Last year, I had some discomfort in that area, like my testicles and that. And I was like, oh, that sounds wrong, man. What's I'm on this journey right now? I'm trying to live right now, you know? Yeah. So I went to the doctors. I didn't do a PSA.

they actually done it internal. And that is brutal. I understand why people don't do it, but you need to do it. So they don't have done it internal. Check my prostate. So for men, especially in our community,

it's like, nah, that's gay. Like, that's whatever. Me, I'm trying to live, bro. Like,

we've got to do what we've got to do. Like, there's no sexual, the person that's doing the procedure, there's no sexual, they're not thinking that way, man, they're just trying to just check,

like, is your prostate in large or not in large, whatever. I told the story, And I posted it on my socials like last year. And I actually encouraged a lot of people to get checked. There was a lot of negative because like, no, you can't and that's nasty.

It comes a bit descriptive in terms of kind of what you've got to put your knees up. You got da-da-da-da. And I said, this is what it is, but this is what we've got to do. But I asked some people message me and say, listen, I got a checked chair. And I found that I had prostate cancer. And if your video, if you didn't post that video, I would have never have checked. That's enough. You know what to me was so interesting about that is,

I remember the first time that I was checked. And I remember being like, I was like, oh, my God, this is wild. I don't know. I didn't say it. I was like, this is wild, right? And I did the same thing you did. Then I posted about it. Like I had my wife over to the side.

She took like this photo. I posted it. Comment, comment, comment. This is gay. You're gay. Yes. And it hit me how ignorant as a society we are. Yeah.

And how something that is, something that literally is in place to prevent our death. Yes. Some of us rather ridicule. Right. There are people saying that I'd rather die. I'd rather die than get checked. I was like fair.

Look, we've got the fingerprint now. It's a lot easier to test. To save my life, I'll do it again. Same. I think the starting point is for those that are watching, if you're worried or you feel discomfort, like, please, like, get checked. You're my uncle.

My uncle was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now, he's decided a different journey for him, which is not to have treatment and just it is what it is. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. We all got to make our choices, right? And we are where we are. But, yeah, definitely get checked, man.

Don't leave it. Yeah. How about the relationship with your mother and father during that time? As in me personally. Yeah. Yeah, good, man. Yeah, good, man.

My mom's a legend, man. Okay. She's a legend, man. She's a legend, man. She's lit. All right. Both my parents are lit anyway. My dad's like my twin, and my mom is like the voice of reason as well. So it's a nice, like, balance.

What do you believe you learned, especially early in life from both your mother and your father? As first from my dad gave me the gift of music. A lot of my family members did, but my dad would sit me down in his room. And they'd just bear records, bear records, bare vials like you've got your soul your rare groove you got your your reggae your dance all and he just sit me down and just he just got his turntables and just run in tunes i'm just sat there i'm just listening like listen taking it all in so he gave me that gift of music but i'd also say gave me the gift of gave me the gift of gave me the gab for sure they're both we're both jokers so he definitely

gave me that yeah um in terms of like work like his work ethic crazy And in terms of like milestones, first black manager in his company. Okay. So for me, those are, I'm looking to those things and thinking, oh, like, not really understanding it too much at that age. Right. So I started working myself. But I'm like, yeah, actually, like, you're someone that I can look up to,

like, look at the things you've done and how you're doing it. And I've got the gift of music now. I'm working with that. So you're powerful on that side. And then my mom is like my mom, man. Like, that's the voice of reason. Like, I'll see my mom, like, struggle, man. Like, put food on a table.

like, again, her work ethic, how hard she works. She works really hard. Even up until this day with her job now, she's like, son, I'm still outpacing the youngest with what I do. This is my, so she gave me like her metrics in terms of how she's performing. I'm like, mom, slow down, man. Like you're in your 60s, man. She's like, no, that's not how I work.

Like, yeah, when I'm working, I'm worked. So I got that from her. And just, yeah, man. Two lit parents, man. Yeah. I think that's such a blessing in particular. to have both of those parents and those characteristics. Like with your father, you said he was the first black manager.

Yeah, in his company, yeah. In his company. You know, I don't think that we as a society give enough credit to the first of because we always look at it from where we are today and say, oh, well, you're a manager, that's easy. But to be the first. The first in the Ae's to do that is next level.

Like, you know, this jersey, we say jersey. I know y'all say kids. This jersey. You know whose jersey this is? Tell me. So this is Will O'Reigh. Okay. He's the first black player in the National Hockey League.

Oh, wow. Okay. Right? And I remember talking to my boys when I first put this on, and they were like, well, how hard was it to be the first black player? I was like, let me tell you. It's hard, man. Can you imagine people were probably literally like pissing them? singing his water bottle. The refs gave him no break. He was like teammates hated him. Like you think

about what he had to go through. Yeah. To just to survive, right? But that's why I say that we stand on the shoulder of the first. And so that's why I say what a blessing it is for you to have that man in your house. Yes. And to witness that. Yeah. You know. And then with your mother, you said it was the work ethic? Yeah, the work ethic, voice of reason. Like, I could be in a bad mood and she can, she can change it. Do you know what I'm saying? Or give me advice. Today I go to my mom today. And I'm like, mom, like, what do you think of this situation? And she'd be like, son, man, da-da-da-da-da, whatever it is.

And I'd be like, yeah, it makes sense. Or she'd be like, son, like, maybe think about not doing that. I'd be like, you know what makes sense. I'm mad about this, what happened today on the stream or whatever. She'd be like, son, why are you even worried about that? And I'd be like, you know what? You're actually right, man. Let me just go with my...

So, yeah, having them, they both got different qualities, man, which is amazing. Yeah. Can I ask you about love? Yeah, of course. What do you believe you learned about love from your parents early on? Let me take a seat.

You know, I don't know. You know, could I say, this is why I was so excited. This is why I stalked you to come here. Yeah. Because I... I, these are all the questions that I've been dying to ask you. Yeah. Right?

Because I think you are, right, you're going to think I'm saying this just to say it, but this is the honest to God truth. Because I don't say anything I don't believe. Yeah. I think you are a national treasure. I appreciate that. And I think, and it's rare that I see black men and black women be placed in that category of national treasures in the UK. 100. I firmly put you in that space.

I appreciate. You have made the qualifications. a hundred times over. But what I haven't been able to see, why I was so excited for you to be here, is to be able to ask you questions outside of music. Yes. You know, to understand how you think and how you feel.

So that's why I go to. I love that. Yeah. I love it. But I don't know the answer to that question. I honestly don't know the answer. I knew I was always loved as a child. My mom went, bent over and back.

quids man to like give me things like the latest kicks or if there's a game that I want should work to get it through to being at the table and we're having rice or whatever and she's eating the bottom of the rice you get me it's those little things that I now use with my family or kids or even my friends would be like I call man look we can make it work do you know I'm saying and we just we share so I think that's what they taught me in terms of love I'm that answers your question a little bit. It does. Yeah.

It does. Can I share something with you? Of course. All right. I've got a gift for you. Okay. I like a gift. I like gifts.

Ooh, a letter. A letter. If you could open that and read that for us. All right. Let me open us and read it. Yes. Let's have a look. A trip to Las Vegas for two.

Yes. I don't read this. All right. There are some things in life that are so difficult to put in. into words because they are felt so deeply. Today I want to try. I want you to know just how much of a blessing you are to me. Watching the incredible young man you have become fills my heart with more pride than I could ever express. You have grown into someone who is kind, thoughtful, dependable and selfless, and I feel so incredibly lucky to call you my son. Thank you for always

being there for me, whether it's picking me up for work about hesitation, making sure I get home safely or helping me financially when things have been difficult. You never made me feel like to a burden. Instead, you make me feel loved, supported and cared for. Those acts may seem small to you, but to me, they mean the world. More than anything, thank you for being someone I can talk to. You listen to me about judgment. You come from me when life feels heavy. And somehow you always know the right thing to say. Knowing I have someone I can confine and give me a shrimp, I didn't know I had. Let me frame this letter. As your mum, I've always believed it was my job to take care of you. Yet somewhere along the way, you've shown me that love comes full circle.

you become one of my greatest sources of comfort, encouragement and support. That is something I will never take for granted. You have impacted my life in ways you may never truly realize. You remind me that kindness that exists, that family is everything, and that even during the hardest times, I'm never alone. You inspire me every day to keep going, to keep believing, and to appreciate the people who stand beside us. I hope you always remember how deeply you are loved

and how incredibly proud I am of you. Not because of what you do for me, but because of the wonderful person you are. Wow, this is amazing. Your heart is one of your greatest gifts. and I hope life returns to every ounce of love, generosity and compassion that you so freely give to others. Thank you for being my son, my support,

and one of my greatest blessings. No matter how old you get, you will always be my little boy, and I will always be grateful that God chose me to be your mum. I love you more than words can say. That's beautiful, man. Big up my mum ten times, man. I love this. Yeah.

That's so nice. Yeah, I thought that was beautiful. That's so beautiful. And this is a lovely little. I really appreciate you, man. That's so. Yeah, that's great. Yes, I'll hold on to it.

I'll give it to you at the end. Yes. What a great love. Thank you, Mom. Yeah. I thought that was so beautiful. Hey, Paul, we've got a surprise for you. You do.

All right. Who's it from? It's love from your listeners. We Need to Talk is sponsored by Claude Bionthropic, the AI for Mindset Don't Stop at Good Enough. So we thought we'd use it to make Paul something special from you. Using Claude, we analyzed every comment letter. on all the 102 YouTube episodes and then prompted it to turn that data

into something beautiful. This design is 1010. We talk to each other, 6,021. That's how many ongoing conversations were sparked in the comments of your episodes. Wow, thank you for giving us the confidence to be as open with each other as your guests are with you. That is a lot of conversations.

And that, I would say, has been my biggest surprise about we need to talk is how many people continue the conversation from the episode into their lives with people they love, with their friends, with their family, with their partners, and how those conversations then help them to change their behavior. And so that's all I can ask. For delving deeper, get started with clod.a.ai slash talk. That's clod.a.com. I want to go back to Tottenham.

From what I've read is you used to take speakers. Yeah. Put them out your window. Yeah. To play music for everyone. Crazy. Right. So not for yourself.

No, man. For everyone else. Catching a vibe, yeah. Why did you do that? I feel like me... I think it's from sitting with my dad and playing music and the feeling it gave me. For it to be in my aunt's in South London. So, Depford.

So being there And my aunt's cooking the food She's playing music I think music is just a great feeling And people are outside Like just catching a little vibe You know what I mean Just from the power of just

A bit of electricity A little CD And just music But what was the feeling That you That overcame you Watching other people catch that vibe No it's amazing

Because for me it's just like Obviously I was young then So I didn't really I probably didn't understand it Then I was just like I'm having fun Like, but you're having fun as well. So this is a great thing.

But I think for me, looking back on it, it's like, you're helping to alleviate someone's pressure, man, because life is not easy. Maybe it's not meant to be easy, but life is just not easy, man. It's tough. And I suppose being on the council estate, maybe it's not your ideal place to be, you know? And we're just all trying to get by

a managing little community together, man. And I love the togetherness of the block, man. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So when that's Ash as a little boy, right? So that's how old is, are you? So that's you, when you put out the music out the window, you are still. Probably the same age. So my mom bought me my first pair of like CD decks.

So big up Mumsy again. Okay. Yeah. So I probably would have been around 13, 14. Okay. I started to dabble in just having my own set up. Like a time where my mom used to give me five pound a week, yeah. It's like, yeah, you got $5 a week.

And then I had a choice. I could either get the bus to school or I could save that money and do something with it. I was walking to school, man. I was walking. How long was school, though? How far was it?

It's like half an hour. Half an hour walk. Yeah, that's a long walk. Yeah, it's like a half an hour walk. So me and my brother, big up, Dwayne, my brother, we would just walk to school. Yeah, he was a year older than me. We just walked to school.

And at end of the week, I would go to, I'm like, yes, I can get music. I would go to R price or an equivalent store. I'll go buy a CD. These times CDs are like $2.99 or $3.99. So I can only buy maybe like one a week if I'm lucky. I might get a special offer where they do like a pack. I don't really want the pack because I can get more CDs out of it.

I'll just take the pack, you know? So yeah, I remember those times, man, at times of Mom's giving me that money, I build on my CD collection. As soon as I get back, I make sure I put that CD in, banging it out on the block. And he was having a good time, man. Did you think, did you consider yourself a DJ at that point? No.

I just consider myself as someone that was playing music, having a good time. The CV that's my mom bought me, you could mix with them. But I couldn't comprehend what mixing was. So I see my dad just selecting songs. So select, then take the vinyl off, then select. He wasn't really going from one to the other mixing them up. So that wasn't a comprehension for me. Okay.

So yeah, just selecting that. time. Okay. So now did you get into, did you like progress that and think, okay, you know what, I'm going to start mixing or I'm going to start writing. I'm going to start rapping. Like, did you think, or I'm going to start singing? Like, did you think about that? So when I got to sick form, so I would have been like 16, my friends introduced me to Tupac. I'd heard him before, but my friends like Chris, like they got Chris Cargill, like they were listening to Tupac heavy and Oren as well and Sean and I was like let me listen to it

and let's see what's going on and when I was unpacking two pack I was like this is sick man combined with at the time at my school Black the Ripper rest in peace so he was a cold spitter man

he was cold and he was going on to Heat FM and doing his thing so my friends were writing music my friends were writing music as well so I left the DJ in behind or select whatever I was doing I left it I just started writing and I kind of went into

my writing rapper, MC kind of stage. Did you? I'm retired now. Go on. You're tired. How long was your career? Oh, man.

To my early 20s. Okay. Yeah, my early 20s, man. I've released quite a few mixtapes. Don't try and find them. Are you serious? You did? Yeah, I went on to radio.

I had my radio sting. And then... What was your name? No, don't worry about that. No, what was your name? No, seriously. Ash, what was your name? My name was nothing.

Well, they were nothing. MC nothing. MC nothing. MC retired. Yeah, so kind of go through that journey, releasing music. I'm going to fire this day. Yeah, yeah, you're going to find nothing.

So, yeah. So, like, breaking even, or losing money on projects. Okay. And then one of my friends, Scribler, he was like, oh, big up scribbler. He was like, oh, bro, he's like, you're not good enough.

Like, he just told me outright. That was that American style. He's not American, by the way. But he's like, listen, bro, like, you're just not good enough. enough, bro. And I had to just, I sat on that maybe for a few days. I'm like, you know what? You're right. Like, I'm not making money. Like, my, I'm, yeah, it's just not working. And then it's when I kind of started to dabble back into DJing again. Okay. Okay. So you were how old

that time? So I probably quit, or not quit, but I just, maybe it was 20, 25, 26 maybe. Okay. Okay. Can't, yeah, put it in there on the head. Okay. Let me just stop. So then at that What were you doing for income? I was always working. So even from like my 16th birthday, my first job was MacD's. So I remember that's when I started, 16th birthday. And I thought, I was like, yeah,

am I going to wear the cap? And I'm going to be the cashier. And I'll give me a burger, give you the money. And it wasn't that. It was gone and get the toilets, bro. So yeah. Why did they put you on the toilet? I don't know, man.

Why? Listen, tell me why managers. You know what's crazy? So you know what one of my first jobs was, Wendy's? Oh, Wendy's, yeah? And I had to fight, because everybody wanted the drive-through cashier. The best job. That was the best, the drive-through cashier.

I had to basically, like, bribe my way to get to the cashier drive-through. Right. It was the best. So why didn't you get, I would imagine. I don't know. That wouldn't be easy. Man, if you're still alive, you better DM right now. Let me know.

But, yeah, so kind of, that was interesting, working in Enfield Town. And for those of people that know, in Enifold Town, that was a, Tough place to be, man. A lot of racism there during that time. And I remember eventually I did get to the till. After a few burns in the kitchen, like, whatever, like, just going through the process of making things. Like, yeah, man.

Like, a group of people come in. And they were like, yeah, monkey, da-da-da-da-da. And you got to, at that age, like, not really expecting that, you know. Because Tottenham's not that far away, you know. So that was difficult to deal with that and still go to work. But I was doing mad hours, man. I was three pounds, 75 an hour. I'll do my shift there, like 6 a.m.

And you were still? I was still doing my thing, man. Yeah, still going school. What time was this? What year is this when that was happening? So I would have been 16, which is what? Was it 90s? It was in the 90s, yeah.

Yeah. Because, you know, one thing, when you said that, you were like, all right, I had to deal with this racism here. One of the things that I don't think as a. Americans, we realize was how much of a racial reckoning was happening in the UK in the 90s. You know, when I think about, oh my gosh, what was the brother's name?

He was Stephen Lawrence. Stephen Lawrence. Yeah, when I think about Stephen Lawrence, he was killed in the 90s. When I look at a lot of the protests and riots that were happening happened in the 90s. And it didn't, I didn't. never knew that in the States. And so I think that we have to understand that was the environment

that you were growing up in. And to step back, so for me, it would have been early 2000s that happened to me during that period. That's probably, that's probably the first time that I had experienced racism at that time, you know, which is, which is interesting. Yeah. How does that then, how does that then impact you? I remember talking to my mum and my dad about it and just explaining what had happened and I had to show a lot of resilience because I had a temper at the same time

but you got to think about like the reason why I took that job is because I wanted to take the pressure of my mum so that she didn't have to struggle but I also wanted some nice things I wanted to get a PlayStation I wanted to get certain jackets and certain like my Aver H jacket

those were things that were in fashion then you know and I knew maybe my mum couldn't maybe support me with. But I wanted to take that pressure off her. It's like I can buy my own clothes. I can buy my own thing. I can do X, Y, Z. So it was tough, but you don't want to get fired because at the end of the day, you're

going to get fired. So for me, it's just like sticks and stones, man, keep it stepping. Yeah, yeah. And I think that's also one of the most insidious things about racism is that the victim is the one who always, who typically pays the price. Yes. You know what I mean? Yeah.

And so I understand. So you had to just zip it up. It's got to zip it up. Keep it moving, man. That's fine, man. Oh, man. It's cool, whatever, man. Keep it moving.

So, yeah, like, it's just one of them things, man. It's unfortunate. So then lots of jobs in and around that time. So while you're working, are you then, do you consider yourself a DJ? No. Or no? Still not. I don't really consider myself a DJ until 2011.

That's when it changes for me. So we go back. We go quite far forward. 2011, I'm working at TFL and is a party and one of the workers was like, bigger, bigger, bigger up, bigger out, bigger out. Yeah, she's like, yeah, can you DJ? Now I've been collecting, I've been collecting stuff.

I'm using virtual DJ at this time. For those of you don't know what that is, a nice basic software. I've got a Hercules controller. That's where I started. So Hercules controller, virtual DJ. I got my laptop and then I do this party. It's in South London, yeah?

South London. You love South London. Yeah, I love it, man. but it's going, the party's going off. I'm like, oh, so man, I can do this. I can, and I'm mixing tunes, I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm like, yeah, man, this is what I meant to be doing. The emceeing thing is great, but this, like, giving people this feeling,

I could never do that as an MC, but as a DJ, I can do it. Okay, so that's 2011. Yes. You were how old? Should we do our maths? Yeah, yeah. Tell me. Because you were computer science.

Yeah, 15. ago, so I would have been what, 25, 26? That's probably when I, yeah, that hits the nail on the head. Okay. I'm at TFL at that time, yeah. All right, so you're 25, 26. And TFL is what, the... Transport for London.

Transport for London. Yes, I'm just about to leave that job. Yeah, that was an interesting story. I got fired from that. But I didn't get fired. I resigned. Did you resign before you got fired? Yeah, yeah, I resigned.

I resigned. I resigned, I resigned. So, yeah, I resigned. And was it, I mean, was it like music related why you were resigned? Yes, it was music related, yes. Okay, can you tell the story? Yeah, I don't care, well, man. Yeah, so I was working for TFL and, yeah, this is bad.

I would do, yeah, it is ways. Look, we live and we learn. But I had an event, so I had events. So what I used to do, so I needed money, yeah? So I was doing overtime. But what I would do is I would do the overtime in terms of the work. So I'll do the output, but then I'll sneak out and I'll go and sell my event tickets. And I'll come back and then I'll carry with my work and I'll leave.

So obviously you're claiming for time, but you're not actually there. I see what I'm saying? I see it. So, yeah, someone caught me doing that. And then, yeah, it was like meetings, meetings. And then I was before that even happened because I was like, I'm done. Like, I was like, I have to resign. I just resign, go out of there.

While you're working these places, do you still think, but my passion is, is DJ. Yeah, yeah, and I was still DJing. Okay. So I was still DJing. It was like house parties, dingy clubs, dingy pubs, the darkest of pubs. Like, oh, but whatever. You can still book me if you want. Anyway, yes.

Pubs, like clubs, student, student events. I love the student events. The student events were really, really good, man. Okay. Really, really good. Oh, we're halfway there. I was like, ah. Nice.

I will play what I need to play. You play anywhere. What do you think about the wildest place at that time that you had ever DJed? Where was it? Probably like there was a place in East London, yeah. I can't remember what the pub's called, but it was a pub. And what I loved about it, yeah, is so yeah, like Romanians and Albanians, they ran, they kind of really had that pub unlock and they'll come over with like,

yeah, listen, I want this song. I'm like, what song is it? And they'd be like, oh, like, Florian Salam, yeah? I'm like, yeah, cool, man, whatever, man. But bro, when I play that song, everyone's going off and the tips are flying. Oh, really? And all I'm thinking about is, yes,

this is going to be for my shopping this week. Yes, this is going to be for the petrol this week. Yes. So yeah, but that was amazing. And I got to learn about other music. So even like Forre and Salam, I would love to get him on a live stream. I think that goes off.

That's, you're going to see everyone step out for that. Yeah. So I got to learn about culture, which I love about London, man. So it is a true melting pot. Yes, yes. That's beautiful. Yes, that was crazy.

Obviously, I've had other crazy times, but that's more with like female-related people going mad. But I always like, take a step back. I mean, can we dabble into that? Of course. A little bit. Of course. Because I, so, all right, so I was, I'm never at your level.

Come on, like you're there, no, no, no, no. But in high, especially for DJ and too, in high school and in, in, in university, I DJ. And what I noticed about the DJ, the reason why I wanted to be a DJ is different from, I think, what brought you into it. You are a supporter.

You wanted to be able to share the love. I'm a control freak. So I was like, I wanted to control the vibe and what was happening. But what I noticed, what I didn't realize is that the DJ gets a lot of attention, you know, from everybody. A lot of attention.

So when you, think about that. What was your experience? Well, you control the mood, right? You control everything. So I suppose you're going to have people gravitate to you. Demand them gravitating because they want to be with the DJ because that looks cool. Through to the

women, the single ones, the ones that are not single, that want to be close because you're the vibe controller. So it's definitely interesting. Definitely has some interesting moments. Can you share an interesting moment?

to just because there's a lot of folks who've never experienced that. Yeah, yeah. Hey, listen, be a DJ, man. That's what I'm just, if you're single you're looking for a good time, be a D. But yeah, like, look, it's just nice in terms of like,

even females, for me, like, I would even say there's certain females that you look at and you think, I could never, like, get you, I could never. But being a DJ, you've got half a chance. You know what? You got half a chance. And maybe a bit more than that.

Yeah, like, It kind of definitely opens the doorways to conversations where maybe you think, oh, like, maybe that person is a bit too, I can't, like, yeah, you're on a different level, but then you can, you know? And music's that's the entry point. Yeah. And I would imagine it's the music, but it's all, it's your positioning. Positioning, yeah.

Because I feel like in a party, if there's like a social structure in a party, the DJs, like, right at the time. You're up there, man. It's whoever is, even, even you could even be just as high as the headliner if there's a. Yeah, sometimes. Yeah, sometimes. Wouldn't be like, yeah, you know, yeah, sometimes. Yeah, sometimes.

Sometimes, yeah. It's a nice place to be. Yeah. Obviously, pressurized because you want to make people happy. And if you don't, if you get it wrong, like, you'll feel it. You'll feel it on the dance floor. You'll feel that, you know. But you also got to shift the music because you've got encouraged people to go to the bar.

Like there's a science to, it's not just playing music. There is a science to doing it. Interesting. So you're saying that you will, so what is that? What is that science to shift people to go to the bar, to control the mood? Yeah, because I'm open format. So I can play most genres of music. So for me, you might be playing, and you've got to know the times to play songs.

So you don't want to play all the hit records at 10 o'clock. You're going to wait until, like, 12, 1, like, to start playing the hits. But you also need to feel the crowd, right? So if you feel it's getting a bit too rowdy, you'll go from, I don't know, dance or or where people are staggering each other and you'll switch it up. Maybe you play a bit of pop for a little while. And that just eases it. it down and you're controlling the mic, you're on the mic.

Because when you're like, listen, everyone, listen, make sure you get your drinks at a bar. I know you got a thirsty from doing that bad thing. And then people just chill through to the end of the night. You're playing your slow jams because you're trying to get people down rather than going to, so you might play a bit in the dilemma. Like you might just nice and then everyone's exiting and it's just good energy, you know?

Gotcha. So when you think about the skills required to be a phenomenal DJ, right? And then you think about that time period to from like 2011 and as you now are entering your 30s. Yeah, yeah. Are you thinking that you have those skills, and this is still a possibility for you? Because in your 30s, a lot of people are thinking,

oh man, like I should have found my career by now. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I should be in it. Yeah. I should have, like, I should have found my place. From what I understand about your trajectory was that in your 30s, you're DJing part-time, but you're still working full-time jobs.

Correct. So yeah, I'm still working the same. So I have one job now, and that is still at that Futsi 250 company. Okay. And what's kept me there is I've been able to progress and progress and progress. And I get to sales manager, which is amazing. So I felt loved. And I thought that was my end job, man.

Really? Yeah, I thought that was it. I was like, yeah, I'm progressing. I'm progressing and progressing. The last bit for me is sales director. And once I get that, where do I need to? I'm good. You know what I'm saying?

Then it is really blue sky thinking. And I can start to write my own history in terms of how I want this to go. Obviously, that didn't happen. My self-director left and they went external, which happens a lot of the time, you know. And I was really disgruntled about that.

So that was disappointing. At the time, my son and my daughter were like, oh, go on TikTok. So I would have been, what, 37 then? So that 2002. Okay. Like, yeah, go on TikTok. And I'm like, I don't really want to do that.

Yeah. But hold on though, Ash. Before you went on TikTok, though. Yeah, tell me. Weren't you, weren't you, you were doing lives, but not on TikTok? Where were you doing this? No, so I was doing lives on MixCloud. On Mix Cloud, that's right.

Yeah, that's where the audience are like five people. They got mixed cloud, though, but there's a small audience for me, man. But all right, so this is big, though. Right, so you're 37. Yeah. You're DJing on Mix Cloud live, and your audience was how big? Five, five, maybe eight if I'm lucky. It was small.

800? No, 8,000. Eight people. bro. And I love giving it my oh, I'm like, come on. So obviously, we're in COVID right now so no one can go out anywhere.

So it's like, that's why I started MixCla. I'm like, eight people. But I'm like, make this work. Obviously, you're not making no money. You're not monetising by a Mix Cloud either. It's just like, right, it's dark. I say, you know what? I'm bored of this, man.

Let me just allow this. So I still putting out mixes. I was still doing that. I was like, life in now. And then my kids were like, oh, like TikTok. I'm like, ah, TikTok. I'm like, no, I don't want to do that. Because people are dancing on there

and I'm not here to be doing the trends, man. I just wanted to do my music. And I just started going, started making content. I started off making gym, not gym, but outside content doing push-ups. So I used to go to, I went to Tottenham first, obviously, hometown. Then my push-ups stay outside.

My son recorded. I was just going around, just doing fitness. I was like, what am I doing this fitness? I'm not, what am I doing, man? Wait, hold on for a second. Yeah, I was going mad. For real. I was doing mad.

So your son was filming you doing push-ups. Push-ups outside the stadium. And you were just posting. I'll just post it and I'm like I don't know why am I doing this? Then I posted a mix a mix like an R&B mix

like a little medley and that went off that got me enough followers so I could then go live on TikTok I just like going live my kitchen like in the mornings going live

then I'll go back to work with working remote so then work lunchtime back on TikTok work finishes back on TikTok and I just for three months I just went mad

like just every hour I could give TikTok I gave it And I knew I could make, I was like, oh, raw, I could make money, you know. And at the first few months, I was like, raw, first month, like $12,000. First month? First month, man. First month.

So how did you make $12,000? Because people donate. People donate, right? Okay. So, and they like the old, it seemed to me that they're like, oh, they like old school music. But as a combination of me DJing, but also sitting with the people just on my phone and be like, oh, you guys, you guys are right. And it's building relationships with people.

obviously people would donate. Now, then it wasn't as saturated as it is now. There's a lot more creators now. It's a lot harder to do things. But the first three months, and TikTok, to be fair, to big at Harrison, like, he gave me a push. Gave me, like, giving me a push on whatever. Like, giving me, like, one-to-one coaching.

Even, like, the look of my room. Like, before when I started, I used to have the camera to the side. So I had to twist my neck to see what the chat's saying. He's like, bro, why are you doing that? I'm like, because that's what I'm, that's what I see online. And it's like, no, no, no, go front facing. So then you can see, they can see you, they can see your hands, what you're doing.

Like, these little intricate things make a difference. And this is, the company, TikTok, literally was like, let me help you. They were helping me, huh? That's incredible. Yeah. That's incredible. So then that first month, you said you made 12,000. 12, had you ever made 12,000 in your life in a month?

Never. Never. When I actually left, I think it's when my emotion changed. So for three months, I could demonstrate that, yes, I could make money. so I could survive. And all I cared about was making enough money to pay my bills. That's all I cared about.

As long as I've done that, I don't care. Now, thankfully, I made more, which is fantastic. So I had a bit of a buffer. I got a little package from them, big up for Zupi for a little package. I didn't even fight for nothing big. I could have got a lot more. I just wanted to get out of there.

But when I got out of there, I was like, raw. Like, if I don't make money, like people do not donate, yeah? I'm done. So there's a lot of sleepless nights My mom Was very anxious And

Worried Because I had a mortgage I got kids like Family So yeah She was scared man And I added a little bit of pressure To me

Because I'm like right I have to make this work But it was a good pressure Because I'm like Look I'm still do the hours man If I do the hours I will get 20 to be I've got the personality

Where people will gravitate to me I know they'll do that I'll play the music that people love as well I'm going to make this happen and I made it happen but for the first maybe 12 months I had a lot of sleep as nights man there was a lot of fear there

I'm at home doing this period as well so this outside life hasn't started yet it's more being doing the inside I'm doing forfeit challenges I'm eating chilies if I lose the games on TikTok if I so the game so TikTok it's like a

people don't know but you'll play battles so it's you versus a co-host like it's me versus you so it's based on tapping the screen that gives you points like a boxing match and you've got the points that are swinging it's a five minute game and you've got like gamification

and then it's gifting so if it gets the most gifts there's been times where I've got less gifts or less of a score and the fourth is you eat a chili you drink a dirty pint now dirty pint you've had a dirty pint before

dirty pint that's where you've got the phone like this yeah you point the phone to your fridge and that person is saying listen get the phanta get milk oh no it mix it get coffee granules

mix it Drink it. Garlic, back that in there. Now drink it. And you're doing that on live. I'm having to like, straight, I'm doing it, but it's just dead straight face. I'm not giving you anything.

You're not going to know that I'm suffering. Yeah. Yeah, flower in my car, like, egg yourself. Like, I've had to do crazy things, man. Yeah. Going to a shower, cold, yeah, do like star jumps with it. Yeah, it's been mad, man.

So while you're doing it, so you're 37, 38. Doing that madness. Right. Are you thinking to yourself, like, Damn, how'd I get here? I was actually enjoying it in a way. Okay. Yeah, because it was going from corporate

to being able to throw away all my suits, all my trousers, to be in an a track suit. I'm catching a vibe, man. Look, I'm having to do some stupid things, but I'm making money. I can support my family. And everyone else on TikTok is having a good time.

What's there to be upset about? I see it. You're free. I'm free from this matrix of being told. what to do, how to do it, clocking at this time. Yeah, I'm free from that. Yeah. And that makes sense why you've become so successful because you enjoyed it. Correct. You know, you enjoyed it. All right, so who wants a coffee? I'll take an ice latte, please. Done. All right, so Breyer wants

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It takes just a second and it helps us to continue to grow this podcast. podcast. So how do you go from inside to now outside? Because I feel like that's what you're known for is being outside. So how did you make that move? So there's a year in. So 23, I saw another DJ Sue at. They got DJ Sue at. He has the dextract to him. Ah, okay. And he goes into town centers, shopping centers and just create, he's playing his music, but he's creating havoc. He got security running after him. I'm like, yeah. Yeah, I said, I'm bored of the inside now. I made money, but it's not about just the money.

I have to keep, I have to feel like I'm pushing on. And that's why I feel like I survived that job for so long because I was able to go like that. Or sidestep or go up and side step. It kept it interesting. So I replicated these set up. We travelled to Stoke and I got Greg to make this set up. Now, it wasn't exactly the same, but it was a start, right?

And I would go outside, I'd go in, like wood green to North London. and going to, I'm causing havoc. I'm doing a similar thing. Yes. But I was like, this don't sit with me, man. Like, why am I causing havoc? Now, I had...

All right, so, help me with this, though. So you've been inside the entire time. You never played outside. No. Do you remember the first, after you got your outside setup? The first outside set you ever play. Yeah. All right.

Yeah, Woodgroom was the first. So, going into like Sainsbury's and I've got the whole thing, and this thing's heavy. This thing weighs about, like, 26. KG, man. This is not a joke. I'm only a small boy. I'm funny way, what, like 70, 75, maybe now. But yeah, like, so having to hold that, I'm not a gym go either. I wasn't going gym, so I wasn't strong. So I'm trying to hold it for that hours. And you by yourself? I'm with Chris. So me and Chris, and then Buffy would come as well. So he would hold a table. We would carry a table behind us.

So I've got the decks. Okay. He's got like a trolley and it's got a table in there. So when I get tired, he'll put a table up. And I get a breederer. You got the phone and say, yeah, it's all going mad, we're going in there. And you're going to Sainsbury and you're playing. We're playing. But Sainsbury is a supermarket, right? Yeah, so going in there, stop, play music, cause havoc. Go outside, going to the Cine World, like, course havoc.

Going to the shopping center, cause havoc. Then go outside on the main strip. And an event, we were doing that for a little while. We'd go to different places. And then one day, the thing was just too heavy, man. I couldn't carry this thing, though. I'm just like, I can't carry this thing, man. This is long.

So we ended up stopping in the middle of the road. Inward Green. I was plonked it down. I was like, yeah, man, I'm done, man. So I was just DJing. But my viewer level went up. Oh, wow. So I'm like, I'm so, why I didn't even do it?

I'm not going to cause in havoc. Like, what's going on? But the reason why I went up is because how it looks, the buses are close. So they're waiting to see if I get hit by the bus or by a car. It's dark, in it? It's dark.

That's dark. That's mad. They're waiting to see if you get hit by the bus. I know they're waiting. They're waiting. They're waiting. They're waiting for that. It never happens, but it looks so tight on camera. There's a bit more space, but it looks so tight.

Yeah. So I'm like, all right, cool. People still don't really understand what it is I'm doing, playing music. But as only when I sat it down, I really understood the power of what I was doing. Because then you've got time. I'm not worrying about my back hurting or whatever. I'm now seeing things now. So I'm seeing the homeless.

I'm seeing people out on substance. I'm seeing people are going to work, but they're upset about it. Like, the mood is just mad. And then you can kind of see the gravitation from them crossing the road to, like, them smiling. But, oh, thank you for that music. That's made my day.

Like, I'm like, oh, right. Okay, actually, there's something impactful to do here. And then, yeah, I just kept going there, man. Wow, that's incredible. Until I stopped going there. That's, man, that's so fascinating. Yeah. That's how it started.

Yeah. because it almost felt like you were almost given up, like, I can't even do this anymore. Yeah. You put it down. Crazy. And then all of a sudden. So then after that moment happens, right,

what's your thought in terms of the potential? Of what could happen? Because you've now gone to extreme heights. So were you, did you have this vision then? No. And we didn't have artists then. So it was just literally me, just out. outside, DJing, but then you get certain moments.

So I would in a day play R&B music. Then the school kids come out, play popular music. And they all come in and they say, oh, you want to TikTok? I got thousands of people in there. But what I like to buy is it is also sharing the kids love. And they need that love, man. So, like, showing them love to the point where, like, it's Easter. We're giving them Easter eggs.

Like, just doing little things that they were, it's a little touch point. Maybe you might remember in the future or it's Christmas. We've got advent calendars. I'm dressed as Santa. Like just having a, you know what I'm saying? We're just creating moments in the community to me just like doing sports day. I'm like, listen, hop on one leg. I'll give you two pound if you do it.

Like we're just having fun, man. Like just trying to bring them in as well. But I never foresee it being what it was. Chris then said to me, he's like, bro, like get artists on. Like, no, I don't want to do that, man. These are times where I'm dealing with a lot of pressures outside. I'm trying to manage TikTok. And with TikTok as well during that time,

there was a bit of, there was racism there as well. so I could see the N word flying up on the chat or whatever black this whatever whatever I'm dealing with a lot man to then have artists on that's another thing that I need to worry about but credit to him because he was right right and we tried, we gave it a go got a few local artists to come on

and I just pass through so they just walk across all right yeah I'm C I'm C I'm C all right cool man I'll just play with him for you man and then yeah we just started to build that side of it and I guess the rest is history now all right at that point was there anyone doing that. Because when you hit my radar,

it was like 20, 24. Yeah. And you were the first that I've, like, DJ, that I've ever seen do this. Like to be outside with the people, with an artist. Was there anyone else that you knew of? Like, I'm sure at some point DJ's been doing it.

There must have been people, yeah. But were you aware of someone who was doing it on a regular basis? No. Like you. Yeah, because it feels like you pioneered this space. Yeah. like me. Now I've heard and I've seen, so Wiley was outside as well, during COVID doing stuff.

And I never seen him do it. It wasn't until after I started doing my ting. People are like, oh, like, you know Wydde was doing this before? I was like, oh, I didn't even know. I didn't know he was doing that. Okay. I suppose sound system culture, people always used to string upsets outside. Yes. But never, obviously no digital presence. So maybe it's the first time that I've seen digital presence of me being outside,

We've multiple artists and not just the big ones, but up and comers as well. Yes, because I think what makes it so unique as well is that you're playing to the digital audience. Yes. You know, you have the massive audience with you in real time or should I say in person, but you're playing to the digital audience. Correct. Which, yeah, which makes it entirely unique. It's crazy, man. You're trying to juggle a lot.

Do you want to keep them happy? Because they're helping you power this, man. Without them, gifting and helping and supporting, you're done. So through to the outside, you're trying to navigate. And I didn't have security then. So you're trying to navigate. You're trying to make sure that you're safe. Like, you know what's going to happen.

So, yeah. So what were some of those things that happened? Because I've read like you've been egged. It's been crazy. So what are some of the more dangerous, terrifying things that have happened to you outside? I think, yeah, the egging in with green was, that was disappointing, man. But I get it. They did pretty understand what I was trying to do.

So I understand that. Fireworks in Brixton being let off. And that was dangerous, man, because that could have hit anyone in the face. So it was let off while you were playing? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Dangerous, man. I think there's kids doing stupidness.

So I had that. I had silly things like people touching my decks. Obviously, that can be quite dangerous just because as a DJ, you don't know on touching your stuff in it. Don't touch my equipment. So you've got to really try and keep calm during those moments.

You know what's why? I did see a clip of you. Yeah. I think you put it out of people touching your decks. Yeah. And you say, and you responded to them. Yeah, man. Yeah, not all the time.

Yeah. But sometimes it's like you can't always be that pushover person. You have to put your foot down. Yeah. So with a couple people I had to like get a bit physical. Just a little push, a little shove. Yeah. Say, listen, it's not that time.

And I make sure I repost this to other people know. You might see me as this like, ha ha ha ha but I'm from Tottenham yeah there's another side to me man so we have to just temper that anyway yeah so bro so that been arrested

in Shoreditch that's a play of music Oh yeah what happened there So I was just playing music man So I think maybe a couple of weeks prior I was in Shoreditch in a different location And I had like community officers police

to say oh you can't play him wherever whatever whatever So I was like all right course safe I was gonna move keep it moving I think I posted that online that went off whatever, a couple weeks later, I went back in a different location.

And I was playing there for a little while. And then some community officers came again and said, listen, I can't play music here, whatever, whatever. And I'm like, why can't I play music here? I'm not in any residential area. I'm by a box park. They haven't got a problem with it. I'm underneath this passageway.

What am I actually doing? That's wrong. And they're like, oh, if you don't move it, we're going to call the police. I just say, call the police then. Like, call the police, man. Let's see how this goes. So the police came.

and they're like, yeah, listen, need to stop. I'm like, but what am I, what is it? What rules am I breaking? Just so I know. So we're online now. This is skying off. I've kept the stream on.

And I'm like, listen, if you don't stop, I'm going to seize your equipment. Like, we're going to arrest you wherever, whatever. So we're going to back and forth. If we let you go, you're going to do this again. I say, cool, it's what I do, man. I'm outside, isn't it? It's what I do.

And then they arrested me on live. Wow. Like 10,000 people watching. I'm like, see, this is, this is a madness. I know they regret it now. I know they regret it now. Because what was the reason for the arrest? So I think what it is in shoredish is that you can't play music in that particular zone.

I think my argument is, you see London, the world anyway, but London, it's quite a dark place, right? People are going through a lot of situations. And for me, playing music, if you look at some of my clips, going back at that time, it's just happiness and enjoying. man, people dancing, singing, catching a vibe, no issues. So for me, my argument is just, this is what London needs, man. We need to go back to what it was like, where it was sound system culture, where people could string up, like music so powerful.

And it can really change your mood, man, you know. And I think we've lost that. So for me, it's just about bringing it back to the beginning. I hear it, I hear it. So they just didn't get it. They didn't get it, man. Also, they were following their rules. Whatever.

That's fine. And look, I know like I said before, they regret that it got to that point. I mean, look now, look at, look at where we are now. Yeah. Like we're bringing the biggest artists. And I think if you look at London as a whole, some people can't access these artists, man. They can't afford to go to shows or festivals or clubs. But for that little 10 minutes or 15 minutes, you get to see someone that you love.

Like, and it's safe. We've not had one issue. There's not been one incident that someone can say, yeah, AG, your thing is cause that. Yeah. Can you brag on some of these artists? Because I mean, I know probably all of them. All of them written right here. But I think for people who are unaware, the five people who are unaware of what you do is talk about someone. Because you've had the biggest of the big play with you. Yeah. Look, Will Smith is probably like the most iconic I would say. Yeah. Just and he was such a nice guy, man. Nice, accommodating, making moments. I feel like that also filled his cup as well.

You know, and he got the love from the crowd. I think he really felt that. Yes. And someone like Will Smith, how does that happen? Because it feels, I don't know, looking from the outside in, it looks like they're contacting you because they want to have access to you in what you do. Yeah, so I've got a great management team and they handle a lot of this stuff. Suppose like labels, PR company, like artists I feel are getting a bit smarter in terms. terms of rollout because yes you can go to national radio but you also got to look at the

creators and influencers that is another currency and so I think I don't know what happened whether it's assisting or my team reached out but whatever so that happens and I suppose it's like a mixture of we will outreach and we will message people and also people will hit us up and say look got this so-and-so artist can we make it happen and then with Will Smith obviously whatever happened we met on the day we had a nice conversation before we board the live stream. We don't normally do that, but yeah, we met beforehand. And he was like, yeah, I was like, how can I make this like good for you? That was these words to me. How can I make this good for you? I'm like, bro, I'm a little AG, bro. Your big Will Smith. Who am I to tell

you anything? You just tell me what you want to do. Is that now, bro, okay, what do you want to do? I'm like, show me your set list. Show me the set list. I'm like, bro, this is cold. Like, this is cold. You got summertime in there. You got men in black in there. But I'm like, bro, there's something that's missing. He's like, what's missing? I'm like, bro, you can't come to London, Kings Cross, and not do the fresh prince over there. You've got to do that, bro.

What will be doing it, man? So he's like, you know what? Add it. Added it. No questions asked. I did it. And that is my biggest video to date. When he played that song,

the whole of Kings Cross erupted. And for those of you that haven't seen, go and check out the footage, the aerial shots. Yes. You've never seen Kings Cross that busy in your life. like, apart from Burnabwey, which happened soon off the other, but yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, so crazy, man.

Yeah, it's incredible too, because I think what makes that moment is not only the artist, but it's your awareness of the crowd. Yeah. Like, it seems like that could be, I always thought your superpower. Look, I thought your superpower was like just you and your charisma. But now I'm beginning to think that it's more so your awareness. of your emotional intelligence. That's really what it is.

Like how aware you are of people, their emotions, and how music impacts those. That's my secret skill. I think there's a lot that people don't see. So I think some people that watch my content would be like, oh, A.G, you're just standing there. I'm not just standing there. There's about 20 million things

that are going in my mind to make this moment. Obviously, I'm thinking about TikTok or wherever I'm streaming from, but TikTok. I'm thinking, oh, how do you? I make you guys happy because you guys are making this moment happen. Yes. Then I think, all right, cool. How do I make the artist happy?

How do I get them a moment? It's not always busy, like how you may see. Like sometimes it's like 30, 40 people. It just depends on the artist that's going to be there. How can I make this moment? So you get that viral moment, which enlists you onto bigger things, you know? Yes. So my mind is constantly ticking.

I can I pull that person from the crowd? That person singing the lyrics. Let me bring them over. Let's get a fan moment. Like I'm thinking like, this, this, how can I get a minimum? And then we can just put it all out. My brain is constantly ticking.

You know? Before, during, and then after, like the edit, what does the edit look like? Is that edit going to do what it needs to do for the people, you know? So, yeah, there's a lot going on in my mind. Yeah, I like it. You're not just standing there. No, there's a lot.

There's a lot. Yeah, there's a lot. Yeah. Who have you been the most surprised by? In terms of artists. Artists. Yeah. We've had so many, man.

I would say Miguel was sick, man. Okay. While I'm about Miguel, Miguel came to Toward, and Miguel came one up. One, came with one person. No security, no entourage, no fancy-dancy, like, just pulled up. Dani's Ting, super professional, was embracing of the crowd, let them get close. Like, I love that. We're just human beings, man.

Like, that's what it should be. True. There's human beings catching a vibe. And these are your fans that have taken a time at short notice to come and see you, you know. True. And he was so good. Can I say, too, that's what I noticed about you too. You pulled up by yourself here.

Why not, bro? Yeah. I see so many, we have, I mean, this is not to disrespect any of our guests, right? But sometimes you'll have guests who come full on entourage, right? And then you have those who come by themselves. And I've noticed that when those, when the people show up by themselves, there's typically like a another level of awareness and self-confidence that they have. You know, so it sounds like that's exactly what Miguel.

Same thing, bro. Same thing you did. To me, like I walk the streets, man. If I don't need security, I will not have security. I have security because that is a condition of me going to certain council, certain boroughs, that I have to have a security for risk assessment. But normal day to day, I'll be on my own. I'll drive the van with the equipment.

I load the equipment. I unpack it. I say it up. I pack it away. Like, I just roam the streets on my own, man. Wow.

And I'm happy. And people, look, I don't wear any fancy jewelry chains and I think people respect also what I'm doing for the community. So I've never been,

no one's ever tried to test me in a negative way, you know? It's always just love and long may that continue. Yeah. And I think that's why you've won so many awards.

Like you won, what, social impact? Yeah, yeah. Award, timeout award. Yeah. Right. And I think it's because of what you're doing in the community.

But also, and these have to be some of your most viral videos, are you in the care homes? Yeah. How did you know or what led you to set up in care homes? My grand had dementia. And she wasn't in a care home. But I just saw how music had a great impact in her life. So forgetting, obviously, words, names, but just the music. and how it impacted her, you know?

So for me, I was just like, when I get some time, when I'm able, I'm going to go into care homes. And I started off in Tottenham. So there's a care home in Tottenham. So me and Unx, who went to this care home. And when I went in there, I was just like, yeah, man, this is what I meant to be doing. This is my charitable thing that I'm meant to do

because you just see the impact on people, man. People light up. Like, I suppose in care homes, you don't get many visitors, man. Like everyone's busy. You're working. Everyone's trying to make ends meet. Some of these people don't get visitors. So to have that visit, that hour of time of just, yeah, come on, come up.

Like, come and sing this song. Like, what song do you want to sing? I want to sing some Elvis Presley, some Joe House rock or like, whatever you want to sing, man. But whatever you want. We're making it happen. Yeah. And make it happen, man. Make moments.

Yeah. You know, are you familiar with these statistics on dementia? Tell me. And music. Tell me. An Australian study in 2025 found that older adults who consistently listen to music reduce their risk of developing dementia by nearly 40%. Crazy.

I didn't know that. 40%. Some care homes use music therapy to support communication, mood, thinking, and behavior in elderly people. Obviously, they want you to be there. So you could see that you are literally healing people. Yeah. You know, by your presence. Yeah.

And I'm hoping that in the future we can do more. And, you know, we can link up with some of these music slash. tech companies to really deliver more change. I think it's a lot more support that we can give to our elders, man. So hopefully we can get there. Yes. That seems to give you, would you say more joy in the care homes? I would say the care homes is my favorite piece of work.

Then it's to schools and then it's outdoors. It's in that order. Okay. If you're anything like me, you come back from a break, determined to get into a good routine. And then you plan. like you're suddenly going to become someone who spends Sunday night batch cooking chicken and rice no wonder the wheels come off after the first week now I have to

remind myself not to overcomplicate it the easier something is to fit into your life the easier it's going to be to keep doing it which brings me to Huell Black Edition sponsors of this show and my cupboard which is fully stocked with this stuff now I used to think Huell was just a protein shake I was wrong This is a complete meal with 40 grams of protein, high fiber, and 26 essential vitamins and minerals. If I wanted to get that level of nutrition in the morning, you'd think I'd have to cook some eggs and take supplements. But in a Hewell study, 73% of people said they actually felt healthier since using Hewle. So, if you're trying to get into a better routine, you don't necessarily need to make your life more complicated to do it.

To try Hewle for yourself, use code WNTT to get 10 pounds off at UK.huel.com WNTT When did the festival become a dream for you? Last year. He's like last week, I just decided. Yeah, last year, that was the first time that I started going to festivals.

Okay. Because I was on the bill and I got to, I couldn't afford to go. I was earning good money, but I was supporting my family. I was doing, so I didn't want to use the money to go and do that. stuff. I was like, all right, cool, boom. All right, this festival's like this, it's like this. But I can do my own festival and swing it in the way that I feel like would make sense to my

community. I was like, yeah, let's do it. I spoke to Fee and Z who look after me. I said, yeah, let's see a festival. And they look to me, they're a bit perplexed. I'm like, listen, let's do this festival, man. We can make this work. And for me, how I see it is a space where you can bring your auntie, your uncle, your grandparents, your kids, without fear of profanity, you know, because going to some festivals, I'm like, rah, man, some of the artists, man, I was seeing little 13-year-old Sally down there just listening to us. I was like, oh, I don't know, man. So yeah, for me, hand-picking artists that I know can keep it clean.

Yes. And you can still have a good experience, man. I still have a good time. So I think for me that was really important. And just having a family atmosphere. So whether you are coming on your own or if you're coming with your full family, it's going to be family with people that are just less. I can see it. You know, we all have fears.

Yeah, yeah. What would you say your greatest fear is? Crashing out and matches on. Yeah, I think crashing out is definitely a fear because, and I've had to learn this again, being in corporate and learning about your primal instance. And I didn't know about none of that stuff. When I get angry, especially like being a team leader within like sales for that company, bro, when I was team leader, remember I was working with the same people, yeah. So I'm now up and you're here.

That's how you see it. I'm going to say, look, bro, I beg you, like, can you just do this for me? And the man, they're like, no, I ain't doing that for you. And I'm like, what? So I'm going crazy. So they brought a course in, like, about primal instincts. and I learn about how to control my temper. And it's definitely been situations out on the street

where I've had to really control myself and have patience because one crash out, you lose your brands, you lose everything, and then you've got to start again. It's dark. And we really rely on brands and sponsors to help us to keep going. That is definitely a fair. I don't really have any more fears, if I'm honest, because I have gone through the ups of having money, gone through the downs of just not making money

like I've been through it all man so yeah do you think there's a misconception about how much money you make 100% yeah people think I'm bawling and I'm not I think I like to be transparent in all shapes so when I'm doing well

to say that I'm doing well and for me it's not about bragging rights it's about I want the youth to understand this is what is possible for you and and even for those that are older, that adults, I was 37 when I took this risk, right? Right. That it is possible to make money.

Some people would argue that I should be making more money, like, because of what I'm doing and the influence. But I think for me, timing is everything. But I've also, like, said, oh, look, this month, I made nothing. I went to, I went to... This month? Bro, last few months, I've had it hard, like, in terms of they're not making money. But I'll give you an example.

So, I never told this story. So this week, I went to a care home on Monday. Also, I go live on TikTok. Now, I'm relying on people to help us. And people love the content. They love it. I earn $7 for that TikTok stream. It's an hour.

Then I went to another care home on Wednesday. And I earned $11 for that stream. Now, obviously, we have a festival. So we've plowed everything and you have to. If you look at every stream outside, that's, like it's £1,300 on average. Every time you seem, yeah, because you've got security, you've got artists liaison, you've got all the people that you need

to power it and make it work. Your edit, you're a camera person. So if the money is not coming back, it's like, raw, like, you're just losing money. Then you rely on a brand to come or, you know, a DJ set somewhere. So, oh, my God, thank God, like, I can survive, you know. So yeah, I say the last six months, I've had it hard where I've had to really be like, raw, right.

If something doesn't change, I'm going to have to really pivot and maybe go back inside for a little while, you know, build myself up again and then go again. That's incredible. I don't think that's the thought most people are thinking. People think I've got money. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm just honest with it.

It's like if I have, then I have. If I haven't, then I haven't. If I've got to support this person, support this person and do what I need to do. But yeah, it's been a hard six months. I mean, I think that's being incredibly honest. Yeah. And I think that's something that not only do we, as adults need, because there's so many of us trying to pivot in our careers.

But the kids, to your point, need to have that level of honesty so that they can better understand paths that they want to take or not take. Yeah. I would say Americans are a lot more transparent when it comes to money, salary, and how to do it. I think in the UK, we're still a bit behind. But I have people telling me like, oh, don't say this, don't say what you're making. And I understand the logic because you say what you're making.

People don't have a perception. people have a tool to criticize you with if they want to. But for me, I just see it as if you're making a mill, bro, tell me how you're making the mill, in it? Because I want to make the mill too. If I can make it and it's logical to me in my mind. And my thing is like, what can I share of people? So even the outside DJ is like, what can I share?

Is it equipment that I can share with you that you need to use? Is it how I'm doing the stream and why I'm doing it that way? I'm not here trying to do a masterclass, man. Like I'm just, here's what the information. That's what I know. Maybe in the future, I might, something from you, you know. Exactly.

I messaged G. Smalls the other day, another DJ from outside. I was like, bro, I noticed, yeah, yourself. You've got this tripod thing. And that would really help me, yeah. Can you tell me where it is? And he just told me. Like, you're just like, yeah, it's this.

So we have that commandery where, but not everyone has that, where they're going to tell you how they're doing certain things. I don't particularly agree with that. One topic, just a few more, that we haven't talked about. Yeah.

And you probably know it's my favorite topic. Tell me. What do you think my favorite topic is? Um, Sutton United. Yes, Sutton United. Oh, God. That you will be at. Yeah.

Next to Sutton United. Yeah. My favorite topic is relationships. Okay. Tell me. And so, well, if, I want you to tell me. What do you know? I want to know.

Are you? Single. Single? Seeing someone. Seeing someone thinking. Do you have a, do you, do you feel like, it's important to have a partner, what your thought? Yeah, it's a good question.

I would say, so look, I'm single. I would love to settle down, you know, being 41, I would love to settle down. I think it's just trying to find the right person that one can understand. You've got to have a lot of emotional intelligence because this game that I'm in is no mercy. Like, it's full gas, no brakes. But it's not just about them adding value to my life It's whether also I can add value to theirs Like can we build, can we grow

The dating scene right now is Interesting is what I'm going to see It's definitely interesting in terms of just The next, it's a bit dark As I would say But I haven't really put myself out there More time I'm just, I just stay on brand And I'm just like, yeah, I'm good, I'm right

But look, it would be great to settle down Okay, so you're open. I'm open. The right person. The DMs are open. The DMs are not open. But if I see you somewhere, maybe I might see you in a festival and we get talking. So you rather meet someone face to face, have that conversation.

Because it's interesting. Some people are so fearful of the in-person interaction first. But you rather have that. You don't want to see him on dating apps, man. I was on dating apps like many years ago. But given what's going on now, like, I'd be scared to go on a dating app. I know there's like, there's one for like celebrities and influences or whatever. But even I think they're how they, I don't think they do it right.

So yeah, for me, it's just like, nah, it's like, if I see you, I see you. And if we have a conversation great, and my DMs are closed. But if I see you in person and I catch a good vibe from you, then it's a conversation. You know, I think you are one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK. That's why I don't. That's why my DMs are closed. I don't want loads of DMs, like, but I guess also on socials,

you don't necessarily see my personality. You see what I'm doing, but remember, this platform is not about me. It's about everyone else. I'm just the man that's on the side, right? Yes. So you can't really see what I'm like. So it's good to sit down.

Maybe people get a bit of an idea more about my personality, what I stand for. Yeah. But my DMs are still closed. I like it. No, we've seen a lot of personality today. Yeah. A lot of personality.

I want to share with, you. Another surprise. Okay. Last surprise I have. Okay. Here for it. You know what it? This is. It's a holiday to Jamaica. I wish. I wish. I wish. This could be better. Okay. Than a holiday. Okay. Okay. Okay. Now, do you know who this letter is from? No idea. This letter is from someone who's been incredibly instrumental in your life. Okay. And they wrote this and I'm going to read it to you. All right. Cool. Okay. All right. Here it is.

I couldn't be prouder of my first born son, Ashley. From the very beginning, he was surrounded by love. As a baby, he went through one of the scariest moments any parent can face when we were told that he had meningitis. Thankfully, he pulled through, and from that day on, he was cherished even more. His grandparents absolutely adored him and loved him as if he were their own son. And this adds up to what you were saying. Music has always been part of Ashley's life. As I was a DJ myself, he was exposed to it from a very young age.

I can still picture him sitting on that bed rocking away to the music I was playing. Looking back now, it almost feels like the beginning of a journey that none of us could have imagined. Life hasn't always been easy for him. Losing his granddad to cancer was heartbreaking. And then a few years later, watching his beloved grand battle dementia, before she passed away was another painful chapter. They were incredibly close, and those experiences shaped the compassionate young man he has become.

One thing that has always stood out about Ashley is his resilience. I remember in the early days in Wood Green, where he would perform DJ sets in the middle of the high street. And on one occasion, people even threw eggs at him, which he talked about. Many would have given up, but not Ashley. He dusted himself off, kept believing in himself and carried on. That determination is one of his greatest qualities. From those humble beginnings, his journey has taken him into incredible places.

I watched him perform at Kings Cross alongside major artists such as Will Smith and Ed Sheeran. Then he traveled to Jamaica. Jeez. Yes, spending time with the legends, including Barras Hammond. I didn't know this. Yeah, man. Bearers Hammond is one of my favorites. Legends.

Yeah, it's one of my favorites. As a father, those moments filled me with an immense pride. They reminded me that he had chosen the right path and stayed true to himself. What makes me even prouder, though, isn't the recognition or the famous names. it's the person Ashley has become. Seeing him take music into care homes to bring joy to elderly people was something truly special.

And it shows that he isn't just playing music, he's using it to make a real difference. I love this part. Ashley is a devoted son. If his mom finishes a night shift after midnight, he'll happily go out of his way, collect her or take her to work without a second thought. That's just who he is, kind, caring, and always thinking of others. One of my proudest memories was when he invited me onto stage

during one of his shows and introduced me to the crowd by saying, this is my dad. For those few moments, I felt like the celebrity. Another unforgettable moment was seeing him perform at Arsenal Stadium. Those are moments I'll truly treasure. Ashley, your achievements speak for themselves, but what makes me proudest isn't your success, it's your character. You're resilient, compassionate,

humble, thoughtful, and generous. You've never forgotten where you came from or the people who love you. Watching the man you've become has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I love you with all of my heart and I can't wait to see where your journey takes you next.

We got pops, man. Bigging what? We got pops, man. It's beautiful. That was beautiful. Beautiful, man. Two beautiful letters. I'm telling you, you were blessed.

Bless, man. You were blessed. So I have to ask in that letter what stays with you the most? I mean, look, for me, yeah obviously he knows the pain in terms of my granddad so he knows that affected me a lot so like I said my dad's like my twin

we are very very similar in many many ways and for me it's just nice to for me it was just nice to take him on the stage or stages so we did like reggae land together done the one in peter bra together but I always like to make sure that he gets due credit.

Do you know what I'm saying? That is my dad. That is a big reason why I am where we are today. Not just with music, but just the graft, like the resilience, like going through certain things like and being able to manage those things, you know? So yeah, big up parks, man. It's beautiful, beautiful little. Yes, yes.

Two letters that I'll cherish very much. Yeah, all right. I'm going to give those to you. But I have one last question for you. Tell me. All right. So every guest gets this question. If you think about all of the incredible conversations you've had with everyone in your life,

what conversation stands out the most? Who was it with? And what did you learn? Guy called Stephen Peacock, yeah. I always remember this. Someone who I worked with who managed me. And he said to me, actually, this was the time when I was like a bit angry at work, being a team leader. but just not knowing how to navigate.

It's like, bro, like, don't be the arseal. That's all he said to me. Those words have stuck with me. Everything I do, don't be the arseal. And I had to think, I was like, what does that even mean? And when I thought about it, I was like, I use that to this day. So I could have a, not a confrontation, but maybe there's an artist as unhappy with something. And all I want to say to that artist is, you know what, jog on me.

Like, I don't give a damn. about what you've got, I've got 20 other million things going on. But then that makes me the asshole. So I'm like, okay, let's use some emotional intelligence and work on how to get a satisfactory outcome for that person. Saying everything I do, the competitions I have, my history of selling things, history of working in customer service,

having to hear someone. People that call customer service, they're not here to tell you, oh, you're great. They're there to tell you, listen, you're crap. This is why you're crap and fix my problem. Right. And you have to really dig deep and not get angry. And that's what I remember.

Don't be the asshole. Well said. Well said. Well said. Ash, I really appreciate you coming. Big love, man. Come on. Man, I tell you what.

We fought hard to get you here. We got there. We're here. And I'm so glad that we had this conversation because it's interesting. I knew there was so much more to you than what I saw, you know, what I continue to see, continue to be proud of. But now, having had this conversation, I fully understand it, you know. And I could see that you are walking a path of passion. And I can see how you've been informed by generations in your family.

You've been informed by the public. Like, I love your observations of people walking across the street and seeing this. Like, your emotional intelligence, I see, and awareness is super high. And I also appreciate how transparent you've been about the struggles. Yeah, yeah. You know, especially even now, like the financial difficulties of it. And I think it's for all of these reasons that you will win. Because you're one of the good guys.

You know what I mean? Yeah. And I think that we ultimately, we root for the good guys. We support the good guys. And that's who you are. I appreciate it. Likewise, man. No, no.

Thank you for your time, man. I appreciate it. No, I really, really appreciate it. And I'm going to get you married, man. Yeah? I was like, you were so eligible. Like, oh my God, if I was, you know, I used to have a matchmaking agency. Is it?

Yeah, my wife and I had a matchmaking agency. I would assign you as a client immediately. My DMs. I'd have you married in a year. Bro, my DM. Truly, I can have you married in one year. Bro. My DMs.

I'm telling you. I close. Yeah. Ash, DJ AG. I think many of us probably fall into this trap. of seeing him perform and thinking he's a guy that spins records like and he is doing so much more than that he's creating something so much bigger than that and that in itself is beautiful but you could see that he really is mobilizing community what stands out to me the most is

how going to care homes is the favorite his favorite part of what he does care homes number one Number two, schools. So that's before he's performing with Will Smith or Ed Shearren. He's at the care home performing for what he told us was, could be seven pounds for the hour. So that to me is profound and shows how much character he is. I don't think you can argue that he's not a national treasure. You believe in polyamory.

So then Acon, can you say, how many wives do you have? I'm serious. Yo, because I like you and you are my brother. Not only are you a musician, artist, but also a businessman. I just wanted to be rich. But the problem is popularity comes with a cost. Like Michael Jackson is my boy. But I just feel like there's a lot of holes on the explanation of his death.

So as your power and influence grows, do you ever fear a threat against your life? against your life. I'll go with some Richard Dye trying literally. It was stealing cars. Yeah, and I'm in jail. That's what inspired me, man, to do this, man. Because I feel like this ain't the life I would have.

When I was in there, I would just write on strength. So now, every time a guard would walk past, we would sing the song out together. Locked up, they won't let me out. Bitch, they won't let me out a lot. That's when I realized, okay, music is just a vehicle for me to do what I need to do. Alright, so I didn't know we would get into this topic. Right. But we got it, I mean, we're here.

We're here. I'm giving you my word today. You'll be the one I give the exclusive. This family is on the brink of Civil War. Mobland, the hit original series is now streaming on Paramount Plus. We are the Harrogans. Don't know the land? And Google us. From the underworld of Guy Ritchie. Do you want to step up the ladder?

I won't come up dead. Starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren. Do I have to do everything myself? You want to want! I'll give you a... Moblad. New season is now streaming on Paramount Plus.