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Keke Palmer
This episode is presented in partnership with Airbnb. Baby, Memorial Day weekend is all about family, food and kicking off summer. And with Airbnb, you can celebrate in one of the most loved homes in America. All right, y'all, let's dive in. Ugh. I loved my conversation with entertainer, content queen, and all around diva, Saweetie. So today we gonna throw it back, okay? We got everything from MySpace and mood boards to reprogramming your mind when it comes to self criticism. I was living for all the self awareness that she brought to the table. You know, I appreciate a woman that knows what she wants. And Saweetie is that girl. Let's get into it, y'all. No matter what we doing in the car, just chilling, pop on Amazon music, sit back and listen. Life, love, sex, science covered it all, especially the bad. Cause money always evolved. No matter what it is, we gonna make it make sense. There's nothing else to do but kick it with the hom k. So grab you a drink and a snack you enjoy and get into the vibe that only you know it's your girl. This is Kiki, baby. This is Kiki Palma. Yeah. Hey, mom. Hello.
Keke Palmer's Mother
How are you?
Keke Palmer
I'm thrilled and I'm very excited to talk to you about this conversation we're having today, which is how to build a brand. And honestly, the impact that a brand has in really giving you longevity in your career in whatever field, right? Especially now, the social media era. You can be a doctor or a psychologist, therapist. You can be so many different positions that people necessarily wouldn't have imagined needed branding and actually see how it can leverage what your mission is and overall, just word of mouth on what it is you do. So I want to start with my career because you are the reason why and how I built the Kiki Palmer brand. You've been my best and most amazing collaborator to date. But building a brand is kind of like having people with ease identify who it is you are and what it is you're bringing to the table. So for me, I'm your daughter. When we came into this industry, I was just trying to sing. I was just trying to act. But you had, or maybe you didn't, bigger plans in mind in terms of building my brand.
Keke Palmer's Mother
You know what? That's funny. No, I did not. I just. Again, I. I just wanted you to go to college. I wanted you. I had a girlfriend that was a school teacher, and she was telling me how her son had done all these commercials and her daughter. Actually, her daughter had done all these commercials and she was going to college. She was like, my daughter's going to college. So anyway, but it's funny that you talk about brand. Cause do you remember when we made the decision for you to be Keke Palmer? Like, Keke was just.
Keke Palmer
Yes, yeah.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Keke was a nickname. I mean, it was what your family called you. But when you went to school, you were Lauren. And when you did your very first movie, Barbershop 2, if you look in the credits, it says Lauren Kiki Palmer. And so when we came. When we went out. Cause, you know, you did barbershop, too, in Chicago. And then when we went out to California, you were in Mr. Berman's office. Remember the guy, your first manager?
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Richard Berman.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Yeah. And you were messing with something on the table. You were just being a precocious kid. And I kept saying, stop. Leave that alone. And I was talking to him, and I said, kiki, stop. Leave that alone. He said, who is Kiki? I said, oh, that's Lauren. He said, no, Kiki. That's what she is. That's what she looks like. I was like, good, because that's what we call her anyway.
Keke Palmer
That is so freaking funny. I do feel like when Kiki became my name in the industry, that I did start bringing some of that natural vibe that you just have at home with friends and family even more into my career. Because it was like, you know, when you. Your names really do trigger different vibes in you, like Lauren, I immediately feel like, time to get professional. Time to get serious. But with Keke, I'm like, time to have fun. Time to wild out. And so when we started doing the Keke Palmer as my name as entertainer, I was like, well, it kind of opened me up to be that. That silly, goofy, crazy person that I was at home with my family.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Yeah. Yeah, you definitely have a Kiki energy.
Keke Palmer
When did you understand the concept of a brand? Because I remember we came into California, what, 2004, 2005. And I think this is pretty much. I mean, the Internet was around, but it was really starting to kind of be a tool. And I remember when you decided to make keke palmer.com. i'm not sure if that was when you started to understand the concept of a brand or imprinting your identity outside of your roles. So I'm curious, at what point for you, did you say, I gotta build her a brand?
Keke Palmer's Mother
Okay. So I've been really blessed in my life. I've been tremendously blessed in my life that I ran across people who would tell me things, and I would like to you know, my mother would always say, don't, you know, don't pat your own self on the back. Let somebody else do that. But. But I will, in this case, pat myself on the back. Because I actually. Because I actually listen to people. When I didn't know something, I was humble. I didn't act like, oh, I know it. You don't gotta tell me. When they would tell me things and I didn't understand, I would go read or research. And so when you did a movie called the Woolcap with William H. Macy, I had a gentleman on set. His name was Alan Duke. And Alan came up to me. Yes, Alan's awesome. And he came up to me and he said, you, daughter is amazing. She's gonna be really big one day. And I was like, oh, thank you. Just the usual stuff. And he goes, does she have her own website? Like kekepalmer.com, you better hurry up and get it, because if you don't get it, someone's gonna snatch it up. And I didn't understand what he was talking about with Snatch it Up. Cause I'm like, keke Palmer. No one has his name. What is he talking about? Snatch it up. And I really didn't understand what he was saying, but I was polite and I just kept it moving. Literally, two years later, you were everywhere. People were talking about Akilah and the Bee. You were working. You were doing a Tyler Perry movie. And Alan called me and he said, hey, did you ever get thekeypalmer.com? and I said, allen, I didn't even know what you were talking about. I'm so sorry. I said, I tried to get it, but it was taken. So now I understand what you mean when you said, get it before someone takes it. And he says, I know who owns it. And I said, who? He says, I do. I knew you didn't understand me, but you were such a nice lady that I went on and purchased it two years ago, and now I'm turning it over to you free of charge.
Keke Palmer
Wow. Yes. I never realized that Alan did that for us.
Keke Palmer's Mother
He did.
Keke Palmer
He did.
Keke Palmer's Mother
I mean, he was that much of a visionary, and everything he told me actually happened. So I was preparing for this to happen.
Keke Palmer
So I think it's safe to say that having an online presence, right, you know, having a narrative in, you know, a digital footprint for yourself is an important aspect of building a brand out of whatever you do. Would you agree?
Keke Palmer's Mother
Yes, without question. I think that people just feel comfortable one way or the other. They want to feel like they know who you are. But the one thing that I like about what you and I were able to build by the grace of God is we build a brand on authenticity, like you are genuinely who you present yourself to be. And I think that one is the hardest to do because most people create Personas to protect themselves. They create and, you know, just. They just go into a whole character because they don't want people to know who they are. They don't want to be vulnerable. And I just think that when people see you and they see you out and they see you, whether you're with the National Guard or when you're, you know, with kids, you're consistently. Keke Palmer.
Keke Palmer
Well, let's talk about that, because I think that it's also a choice in branding, as you so well put what you want to represent and what you want to speak to. And I think it's all subjective, right? But very early on, you guys made it clear to me as a person, and that folded into my brand to really be about community. When you would have me speak at schools or the Boys and Girls Club or working with, later on, saving our daughters. How did for you, what aspect of the brand, of what you were building, why was that important to you?
Keke Palmer's Mother
Well, having had been a teacher, I had been a high school teacher, and then we had always been very active in our community and our church. As, you know, your father, you know, would cook and feed, you know, go to the homeless shelter and all that kind of stuff. So community was embedded in us, you know, from the. We were young people. My mother, you know, had me in church very. My sisters and I in church. And your dad, he was an altar boy. And so we grew up in a church community. So that was our foundation. And I just really felt like you needed community. You needed to be around other kids that were your age, but also what I guess would say normal kids, kids that were going to school, going to public school, kids that were playing games and, you know, just regular, in a regular environment. Because most of the time, your environment was Hollywood.
Keke Palmer
I love what you're saying because it also just hits on again, what comes naturally to you, what is in your world that you want to bring to the forefront. It's no different of. If you're a person that has always grew up on fashion and your family were artistic in that way. And, you know, if that is a part of who you are, folding that into your brand, that might mean going to Fashion, Fashion Week, that might mean, you know, collabing with a. A fashion designer or Supporting an up and coming fashion designer and me coming from the background I come from of being community driven and service driven, it, it, it again is folding into who you are, what you are, what's important to you and figuring out how also be front facing with that and representing that. And I, I really am grateful for it because in my generation I just love being able to have a connection to them.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Yeah.
Keke Palmer
In this real way.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Yeah.
Keke Palmer
Because there is so much that feels unreal, you know, and I'm not saying I'm the realest person out there, but just knowing that through my career I've been able to have real conversations and you know, also be silly and crazy but like really what's going on, like the parasocialness of it all. I feel really grateful to be in a position to be able to have that kind of relationship with them.
Keke Palmer's Mother
I think I have a question for you. Can I ask you your question? Okay, great.
Keke Palmer
Please. Of course.
Keke Palmer's Mother
After your time on True Jackson vp, how did you to continue to keep your brand going? You know, how did you keep yourself at the top of people's minds in the industry? Cause that was. You go from true Jackson VP, that's over. Now what is a 18, 19 year old Keke Palmer do?
Keke Palmer
Well, it's so funny because it's kind of twofold. It's like I did a little bit of the first two which was fold into my digital footprint a little bit more like go, go to my social media and realizing that that was a way that I could outreach to my audience and see what they wanted from me. You know, continuing to speak to the things that were important to me through my digital, you know, media. But then also I think the third aspect of that that I learned through content creation was investing and producing my own stuff. I think that is a big part of building your own brand that I don't know if everybody always thinks about. You know, there's kind of this thing with entertainment where it's like you got to wait for somebody to choose you or pick you and why aren't they choosing me or picking me? Especially when you are someone that feels like okay, in society, maybe I am not the one they would push. It's even more on you to actually push yourself. When I was having a problem with traditional acting and we went to the hosting, that created a whole nother avenue for me. So when it came to roles, I didn't have to take a role I didn't really want to take. Because you know what, I got my hosting to fall back on For a few years where nobody was offering me a movie, I was on Good Morning America hosting the third hour with Michael Strahan and Sarah. And then when I started doing movies again and I wanted to go back into the schools and continue to talk and, you know, there's always somewhere else that I could go. And I always talk about that with hustle, culture and brand building, because I think there's a negative connotation.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Absolutely. Let's talk about. Yeah, definitely. Let's talk about Good Morning America because I know when that job offer came, there was a lot of people who. Saying, what in the hell is she doing? Why is she doing a talk show? What's going on here? You and I, you and I know why you did it, and it worked out well. But tell me about how you felt about that. Like how some people thought that you were taking yourself out of being a serious actress.
Keke Palmer
Sure.
Keke Palmer's Mother
By taking that job.
Keke Palmer
Well, I personally don't believe that. There is no world where you can't be everything that you want to be. That's how I was raised. That's how y'all raised me. Like you guys raised me with the concept of vaudeville. Right. Everybody in vaudeville did everything. You know, you think about Sammy Davis Jr. Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, all those kinds of Josephine Baker. She was sexy and kooky, like, there is no Lola Falana. You know, you had to do everything there was. It was actually kind of crazy if you did only one thing. So that's number one for me is I come from, like the old theater esque concept of entertaining where you should do it all. And then on the other side of that, again, I think I was, you know, taught the business early on, whether it had been from my family or it had been from my attorney, Ken Hurts. You know, he's been great for us and just different people. I've learned and I've listened and I thought to myself, well, the truth of the matter is I need more capital. Right. I need more money to be able to invest in the ideas that I want. So, number one, this is a good job. If we're putting it plainly, this is a good, consistent job that will allow me to get the income that I need to be able to spread out amongst all the other things that I want to do from a. From a solely passionate place.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Absolutely.
Keke Palmer
I think there's another aspect to my brand which is bringing nuance. Right. I think especially for being a woman and then being a black woman and all of whatever stereotypes come with that. It's like I'm A nuanced person. And I feel like that is a conversation we have a lot within my generation. And so for me, when I think about my art or who I am as a person and what I want to bring to my, to my public facing work is like nuance. I could play Pimp and I could be on Password. You know what I mean? I could be on Password and I could be, you know, in the, in the pickup with Eddie Murphy. I can be on the podcast and I can be talking to a professor at Harvard. Why can't you be all. I can have a long tattoo on the side of my body and pray.
Keke Palmer's Mother
And do a hello Fresh commercial.
Keke Palmer
And do a hello Fresh commercial. So I think for me that's also like a big part of what I like to do with art is say, hey guys, people are diverse, you know, and that's so representative, again, like I said, of the millennial generation. And I think, you know, with what we bring to the forefront, I think there's obviously still more things that the Gen Z is going to take over and continue to expound upon, but understanding that people are multi hyphenate that everybody is dynamic and allowing space for that, right?
Keke Palmer's Mother
Absolutely.
Keke Palmer
Any more questions for me that you have before I let you go and get into the convo with Sweetie?
Keke Palmer's Mother
No, you know what? I just think that you're awesome and amazing and keep on doing you boo.
Keke Palmer
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Saweetie
Thank you, girl.
Keke Palmer
Okay, so I want to go back to the beginning because I met you, like, what, 2016, 2017. We had mutual friends, and this was around the time that. Well, first of all, let me say this. I think you're amazing at your marketing, and I watched it build over time. So I want to go back to the beginning of where you were when you decided to actually start taking rap seriously.
Saweetie
I think when you met me, I was already taking rap seriously. I just didn't have the resources to, you know, pursue it correctly. But for those who don't know, me and Keke met lit at a party I was in college. She was already the amazing Keke Palmer. And she's just always been, like, a really dope girl who supported me. So shout out to you, Keke.
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh, I love you so much. Well, yeah, because I seen you, I was like, I remember we met and then I went to your Instagram page and I saw you was rapping in your car, and I was like, girl, you. Like, what are you doing with this? Like, I loved your flow, your vibe, I loved your. Your image. Like, and just like, you know, okay, this is a cute chick. She giving you some rhymes real quick. It's very effortless and laid back. And, you know, I know you. I know you just said you were trying to get your coins together, but what was the kind of first step of you making it a real career for you aside from putting the content out?
Saweetie
Honestly, rapping in my car, I feel like social media and content has created a lucrative business. You know, back then, we were all just immersing ourselves into, like, Instagram, Twitter. But because those videos went viral, I was Actually able to, you know, create a case for myself. Like, hey, I'm an artist. I'm just starting out. I may not have a resources, but y'all gonna hear me. So I feel like even before social media was what it is today, I was already. I was already utilizing it as my resource. So I think that was just, like, my stepping stone into the business.
Keke Palmer
Okay, now, I know you said in an interview before you see yourself more as a brand than just a rapper. What does that mean? What does being a rapper to you mean? And then what. What is a brand to you?
Saweetie
I feel like as a rapper, as an artist, that's specifically music. And what I've built over these past couple of years, I think I became a multifaceted business beyond artistry. And I think that's what makes me a brand. A brand is Icy Girl. A brand is the Snowflake. A brand is. I know.
Keke Palmer
Music.
Saweetie
Yeah, Pretty Girl music. A brand is all these things that have. That have became centric for the Saweetie lifestyle.
Keke Palmer
Yes, sweetie. Lifestyle. I'm here for that.
Saweetie
Yeah, it's me. You know, it's. It's just a multifaceted image, and that's what I, fortunately, have become. So I'm really thankful for that, and I am very grateful for the fans who have stuck with me along the way.
Keke Palmer
I wanna talk to you a little bit about your grandma real quick. Cause I like something that I heard you said about her, that she kind of told you to always have seven different sources of income. Like, she was an entrepreneur herself. So how did your lessons from your grandmother kind of help you figure out how to manage this so you could support your career?
Saweetie
Well, when she told me that, I automatically was like, you know, how am I gonna get this money? And when she told me that, I was, like, in middle school. So I probably started. I started doing sales, and I was.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Come on.
Saweetie
Yeah, I've always been about that money. Okay. But then after that, another life lesson. I learned that, yes, I want seven streams of income, but what's going to be the platform for that? The platform was music. So I had to put all my time and my energy into music. And from there, I was able to tap into these other ventures that I was interested in, like content, like makeup, like beauty, like fashion, like all these other things that I've always had an interest in. But you have to put your focus somewhere and then build off that.
Keke Palmer
I think that is important. Also a key piece you said is, like, you know, because people always say, what is it, Jack? Of all Trades master of none. And I kind of resent that statement because it's this idea that you only can do one thing. But the truth in what it is you just said is you need a bouncing board to be able to be important and seen in another area. So if I got something off the ground real quick, even if it's just real quick now I can leverage that. So I think that's a great point.
Saweetie
And you all people should know that because you started in acting, you're great at music, you're now starting this thing with the podcast that has grown out to be this beautiful thing. You now get into all these other things. And we've seen Kiki from Akilah and the Bee, so it's. I've always been a fan, so it's just nice to see another woman doing that as well.
Keke Palmer
Yeah, it definitely does feel good. And I think that's why I've always had such an affinity for you, even just from seeing the music, but then like, realizing, no, this girl is for real. Because you never know if people are for real. And I know a lot of people say, oh, you know, they. First of all, I like when you explained it on one of these interviews where people were trying to make, you know, asking you about pretty girl music, and you're like, no, pretty girl music is if you feel pretty and you not a hater. That's what it is. And I love when you said that because it's like, don't push your stuff on me. This is what I'm actually saying. But I want to zero in on it because how do you feel? You know, I feel I have my own stuff that people box me into when they try to make it seem like you're just supposed to be pretty. Like they don't want. You know what I mean? Don't do this, don't do that. We don't want to hear that. We don't want to do this. How do you manage dealing with that? Because you are beautiful. But it's like, that's not all I am.
Saweetie
Honestly, how do I manage that? I manage myself. And my best. My best way to respond to those type of people is through winning. It's through my music, it's through my brand deals. It's to. Is through persevering. And I love me a good quote. I read one yesterday and it's. And it said, the people who are not where you. Where you are will always say more than the people who have gone past you. So it's just like, yes, me and you may get that. Those constructive criticisms or those criticism or those comments, but it's just like, when you see the person who's giving it to you, where are y'all at in your life now?
Keke Palmer
That's t, boo.
Saweetie
For real. Because when I see the girls who are winning, those are the girls. When they see me and they're out, they're like, keep going. Like, you got it. And then let's go to the other side of the spectrum. For those who want to give, like, those. Those critiques and those remarks, it's just kind of like they're at home and on their couches.
Keke Palmer
If you on your couch, look that it. Don't. Don't. Don't be mad, y'all. Don't be mad.
Saweetie
No, I'm just playing couch comments. We don't want those.
Keke Palmer
Now, when it comes to your music story, right, like, a big part of branding is your brand evolves every step, you know, and also with our social media era, we also have to deal with people being in our personal life and how that affects branding. I've dealt with that myself. Like, just people thinking they know. They don't know everything. And you got to just like, okay, I want you to focus on what I want you to focus on. Like, this is my career. This is my what I do. This is my craft. So when it comes to you, when you think about originally Icy Girl, what was the story you were telling then and how has that story changed, you know, both musically and brand wise?
Saweetie
Well, I see girl. I feel like Icy Girl is like, pretty girl music. When you think of Icy Girl, you think of, like, the blonde hair, the ice, my boss wife girl. Exactly. The luxurious lifestyle. But for those who don't know, like, I wrote Icy Girl when I was running rooms off of Craigslist and all I had was a mattress. And for me, like, in that moment, I was like, I'm still an Icy Girl. I'm a hustler, and I'm gonna get to where I need to go because I'm really ambitious and I'm reach my dreams. So I feel like a real Icy Girl is a go getter. So I feel like I am still that girl, but just at a different level of my life. And I think that's why my fans are able to, like, gravitate towards my music is because I feel like they all see themselves in me, no matter where they are at in their life, because I've been there before. You know, I love that my purpose is, yes, I love being fabulous, but my ultimate Purpose is to inspire. Because I know what it feels like to be that girl who just wants to be heard, who just wants to make this next, you know, this next payment of rent, who wants to just, you know, live. Live out this dream that you have in your head that sometimes only you can see.
Keke Palmer
And that's why it's so important that you got to go forward on your own. Seriously. Because it's true. Like, everybody doesn't see or get what it is you're going for. When we're getting into your new music, like birthday and just some of the other songs you drop. I'm a Barbie girl. Is it just about lifestyle? What is that? Or. Or. Or is it about, like you said, go getting kind of. What is the. What is this new era of Sweetie that we're about to get into?
Saweetie
I feel like I said the premise with this freestyle that I dropped last night.
Keke Palmer
You know, I reposted that.
Saweetie
Thank you, honestly. But I feel like immortal freestyle. I feel like that's the premise of where I'm at in my career. I mean, I feel like you've. You've. You've even been here before, but it's just like Immortal to me is just getting up over and over again no matter how many times you get knocked down. And I feel like men or women, if you're in the industry, you know that feeling really well. Because although we are blessed to, like, live out these 1%, 2%, 3% dreams, whatever that data might be for whoever's able to live in our positions, it's just like, it's. It's tough being. Being in the industry.
Keke Palmer
So it is.
Saweetie
For me, it's just like, yeah, I took my little break. I was low key, but now I'm back because I'm a bad. And you can't kill me.
Keke Palmer
Yeah. And breaks are good because in those breaks, you kind of, like, are quiet enough to hear and feel and experience life. Because as an artist, you do got to experience. As a creator, you have to experience so you know what you want to talk about. So that's important.
Saweetie
Absolutely.
Keke Palmer
So how much of your true self do you put into. I mean, obviously, I know your name is Sweetie. I know your name is also Diamante. Like, your name is Sweetie Diamante.
Saweetie
No. So my MySpace name was Saweetie. And, like, I was really popping on MySpace. Like, I had all the codes. I know that's right, girl. I was like, I didn't even realize it was coding, but I had a really dope MySpace. I would accept everybody as My friend. So I became like known as Saweetie in high school through my MySpace. So people would meet me at a party or at a gas station or at the McDonald's and be like, hey, are you Saweetie from MySpace? So that's how the name just organically stuck to me.
Keke Palmer
So how much of. Because it sounds like you was even low key branded back then, having your page and having like a public facing Persona.
Saweetie
Absolutely. Like I had the photo bucket, I had my space, I had Tumblr girl. To me, branding has always been second nature. And I'm really grateful that branding has took off to what it is because for me, like, that's just what I love to do as a little girl. I've always been a mood boarder.
Keke Palmer
Like, you love to curate.
Saweetie
I love to curate, absolutely.
Keke Palmer
So how much of how, how much do we actually know? Diamante? Like, I know you're from the Bay. You know, obviously I do feel you from knowing you, but I actually know you. So in your work, how much do you decide to give us and pull back? Because that's also a push and pull in our industry. Like, do I want to like expose myself or. You know what I mean? I want to be authentic, but I also want to keep enough for me at home. How do you balance that?
Saweetie
I feel like with each moment or with each song or with each interview that I do, I decide how much I decide to share. But I've always just been like a super private person. Like my parents are super private. They've always been like low key people. So I think that's where I get it from. So I like pick and choose what I, what I share.
Keke Palmer
So how do you decide to share? Because I know for me growing up my mom used to always be like, your career is your own. Don't you share your career with anybody else? And it was always geared towards like relationships. So I always was very, oh, do I be public? Do I not be public? Like, I don't know, like, but I'm also happy and I've had my own ups and downs with that whole public facing relationship thing. So how do you decide? Like, okay, you know what, you, I'll be seen with you, or you know what, I don't want to be seen with you no more. You know what I mean? Because once that person gets the chance to be like in your presence or a part of what you're doing, if they do something crazy or if shit go left, then you got to deal with what they done did.
Saweetie
Honestly, I'm At a moment where it's just like, if I get caught, I get caught. We can go from there.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Oops, Whoops.
Saweetie
There it is.
Keke Palmer
I know, exactly. But I. I will say that I feel like you've, like, you did, like, when you just did, like. Shh. I feel like you've handled it so much so well, because that's literally what it gets to a point where it's like I'm just quiet because I've, you know, I'm at my, my, my, my limit of what I think is deserved here. And like, make do with what you want and think what you're gonna think. Cause I'm not about to try to control what you think.
Saweetie
Yeah.
Keke Palmer
How has it been for you, navigating the business? Like, what has kind of been. And I don't even wanna say as a woman, but as a woman and just as an artist and a creator in general, how. What have you learned trying to navigate this business stuff?
Saweetie
I think it's been very difficult for all the artists listening. You are only as strong as the people around you. And I think that I've learned that through trial and error. But this industry, man, like, I was raised differently. So, yeah, I was. I was super green when I came in. I'm just thinking, like, if someone's nice and they cool. No, that's not always the case. Sometimes people have, like, ulterior motives. And I think the best thing that I've done for myself is always to just be thorough with each relationship that I have. Know the intention, know the reasoning of why, you know, you're dealing with certain people. But it's honestly been, like, a lot of trial and error. And if I was like, just sharing what I would like to share on social media, because I'd be like, I don't know, I'd be happening, like, Right. But I choose not to. But I think it's just a lot of trial and error. And I think that I wish that as artists, as. And, you know, actress and actors, they're artists too, in their own right. I just wish that people actually, like, took our careers more serious and protected us more. There's a lack of. A lack of protection when it comes to artists. It's like, we're like. We're these, like, exotic animals that everyone loves. And then once they get us, it's like, let's try to tame them. Let's try to make them miss. No, you wanted us because of who we were. And they take us. They try to control us. They want to manipulate, they want to they want to do things for themselves, and it's just not fair because, like, all we want to do is create art. But it's unfortunate that we have to, like, to be very aware because we never know who's around us.
Keke Palmer
I think it's really important, what you just said, because it can totally feel like that, and then you don't really have the space because people assume that you're rich. And even if you are rich, it's like, at that point, you don't have a right to feelings, which everybody. I really do want to be clear that everybody in the industry don't have money like that. And even if they do got a little bit, they got a business that they have to, like, afford. Afford to keep up. And you. I mean, it's just like the overhead.
Saweetie
Even what Taraji said, like, with. With all. All, like, the markdowns, and it's just like the people who. Who be close to us and the people who feel like they may know us, they just be thinking, oh, you're rich, you're okay. No, I have teams that I have to take care of. So I really love that, that. That interview that she did, because it truly broke down all the knockdowns that we had and what we truly take.
Keke Palmer
Home, you know, and hopefully humanize the reality that we are all dealing with corporate struggle in every industry. Like, our issues may not be the same, but corporations are going to corporate, whether they are in the Hollywood world or they're in the, you know, factory world. Like, every industry across the board in America is dealing with being underpaid, undercut, and having to maintain something. And so I also love the aspect of what you said of that is like, you know, we just want to create. So there's that aspect where it's like, oh, my gosh, I love my fans. This parasocial relationship. I appreciate this. I love this, this. But because it's parasocial, you really. You really don't know me. So I had to learn how to not take it personal, even though it. Even though sometimes, you know, it will hurt your feeling. I've been doing it for 20 years, and I remember the first time I got dragged on Twitter. You know what I'm saying? Or when I got dragged on Instagram. You know what I mean? Like, you just be like, why is y'all dragging me like this? Y'all done hook me up to the back of this truck, and y'all are going 100 miles per hour. Damn. But then you just sit back and say, you know what they Love my work. They don't know me. And I guess the motherfuckers hated that last project.
Saweetie
You know what has helped me with. To, like, in those dealings, I'm like, okay, you're. You're dragging the. The Persona of me. It's not me, because if you know me, you wouldn't be dragging me. So it's just like, how I've dealt with that. It's just kind of like, okay, Saweetie, you have a public image. The public image of you is being dragged right now. But don't take it personal, because you're still like, diamante and all these other, like, you know, I have other existences. So how I've dealt with that, with any time things may not go how I want to, especially with the Internet, I'd be like, oh, damn. Like, because, you know, when it's not you, you just be like, damn, who want to see who you be like, hold up.
Keke Palmer
Let up off me real quick. Let up on me real quick.
Saweetie
You on the back of that check, hitting all the.
Keke Palmer
It's bad, man. It is.
Saweetie
No, it's especially in trolling culture because sometimes people would just join because they enjoy trolling. So just I hope that. That you know that as public figures, we're able to detach from that public image, because if you don't, it can really take a toll on your mental health.
Keke Palmer
It really can. Well, let's get into the fact that people use constant gifts of you. There's a lot of love out there. You know, everybody gets the criticism, but you also get a lot of love. Like, you're everybody's home girl. You know, like you said, you're inspiring on an aesthetic level. Like, people like, well, let me get into the look. Let me get into what Miss Sweetie done did. You know, it's giving curated, it's giving mood board. You know what I mean? So how does that feel when the love comes in? Obviously, I know it's like you don't want to want it to take you up too high, but it must feel good to see that people are responding to what you put so much work into creating.
Saweetie
I feel like as long as I can inspire and as long as I can give you something and were able to create, like, a positive moment, like, I love that. For. For me or for anybody else? For me, like, my creativity is. Is my therapy. So anytime someone else feels good about it, it always touches my heart because it's coming from, you know, like, the inner child of myself.
Keke Palmer
I love that. What is there? Your unique approach to branding and marketing because, I mean, I've even been in the studio with you, and you've looked like sweetie. Does that make sense? Like, there's not anywhere where I've seen you and you didn't look like the. The role of being sweetie. So how. Like. Like, how is it? Like, you sit down and you're like, okay, you know, I live. I love a little bit of this, and I love a little bit of that. Or I want to be like, what is the makeup that have. That you have created as to what your brand that you follow?
Saweetie
I honestly do what makes me happy. And anytime I try to be too strategic with something, that's when I feel like it's not me. Because I feel like when you're authentically you, it's second nature. And when it's something that's not necessarily that, you know, is not. May not be your most authentic self, that's when more thinking goes into it.
Keke Palmer
Is there something that comes into your mind where it's like, oh, you know what? That was this. When I did this project that really wasn't me, or I would have did that differently now. Like, something from In Hindsight.
Saweetie
Yes. There was a. There was a record that came out. It was called the U Sil Record. It was with Kid Ink and Lil Wayne. And I remember when the song came. When the song came to me, it was super. Like, it was more freaky than usual, you know, And I wanted to, like. But for me, I always love a challenge. So I was like, okay, how do I do, like, a dope spin on this to where it's like, I'm still me, but I'm able to tap into this world. Girl, I struggled so hard in that studio. Like, at first, it took me, like, a really long time to say pussy on records.
Keke Palmer
Like, it just was like, I mean, well, that's a big. That's a big thing with your brand where it's like, do I want to be. Even if you say it in your own life, it's like, do I want to say that in front of the world? How is that going? So it's a. It's an.
Saweetie
I get it now, but it took me a really long time to, like, say pussy on music.
Keke Palmer
Even right now, I'm spooked.
Saweetie
Yeah. No, but like. Like, for me, it was like, it took a long time. Now I'm used to it, but I remember just being in the studio, and it's just that studio pressure when some. When people who aren't in the room that really Know you, it's just like, man, just say the word like. And I'm just like. It's making me cring, you know, this at least for me, you know, because I grew up, I feel the same way, right? Because how I grew up, I was a super tomboy. But as an artist, having that level of success so young, and when you're the only person in the room who can only stand up for yourself, and everybody's like, just say this or that, and I'm just like.
Keke Palmer
Yeah, but you have to go through those scenarios, you know what I mean? It's important because then it gives you the strength to know how to act the next time. So I mean, like. I mean, do you still use. Do you with it now? Or like, what has it changed? Have you been like, nah, nah, nah, I ain't gonna do that.
Saweetie
Honestly, I say it with intention, but if it's not needed, it's not a word that I'm just gonna throw in there, you know, period. I've been recording a lot, lady, lately, and when I'm in the room, I try to stay away from it. Unless it really, like, you know, it feels right. Unless it feels right. You know, if it's empowering. Oh, like my song. Let's see. I love that record because I feel like I was. It was meaning I was empowering women to let them know that they have the power. Because, you know, the puntani is power. So that's when I love to use the word. But if it's. If it's like, if it's just no intention, I'm just throwing it away and it's just casual. I'm like, no. Because I feel like pussy is such a sacred word.
Keke Palmer
Yes, I agree with you. It's like, it's like if I don't want to just use it in a way where it feels exploitative to me, but if it feels necessary, then, yeah, I'ma say it, baby. This is Iki Palma. Yeah. This episode is brought to you by Saks. I learned early on that fashion is a language of its own. And, baby, Saks Fifth Avenue has arrived on Amazon to help you make a statement without saying a word. What you wear speaks volumes. And now you can have a luxury fashion that amplifies your message, all with a couple of taps. And when I say luxury, I'm talking luxury. Luxury. Okay, Saks on Amazon is bringing the heat. Sultry and sexy. Dolce and Gabbana. Modern and eco friendly. Stella McCartney. Edgy and powerful. Bomaha. I mean, y'all Know I love me a little statement shoulder, honey. Okay. My body is just tingling thinking about this fabulosity at my fingertips. They have got you covered on everything from head to toe. Clothes for everybody, then bags you've been dreaming about, shoes that'll make you strut, and beauty products that'll have you glowing brighter than a disco ball. At Studio 54, my stylist Zoe Costello and I are always creating looks that make statements. I know y'all saw that gorgeous Stella McCartney coat and satin Dolce dress I wore on Good Morning America. Thanks, boo. And now you can get that same energy with Saks curated edits. Whether you're looking for the perfect spring wedding ensemble, casual, cool weekend vibes, show stopping party looks, or vacation ready pieces, it's like having your own personal stylist at your fingertips. Thanks to the easy, seamless and personalized Amazon platform. So go ahead baby, let your style do the talking. Because when it comes to self expression, these luxury finds are hitting all the right notes. Get the Saks designer brands you love delivered just like that new on Amazon. What is the, the, the kind of standard for not only music you want to do, but people you want to collaborate with? Like, is there a thing, a rule of thumb that you have, honestly is.
Saweetie
Do I love it? And like I said, when it's second nature to you, you don't have to think. If it's too much thinking going into it, that means, oh, girl, I follow this, this page. It was a vintage, it's vintage icons. And there was this wonderful woman, I forgot what her name is. And she talks about the, the difference between the heart and the mind. She goes, the heart always knows. It's the mind that talks us out of situation or it's the mind that kind of like tells the heart. Okay, you may not like it, but let me, let me start thinking about it. Let me persuade you out of what your initial thought is. So I try to listen to my heart as much as possible now. Because my mind, especially in this industry, I'm like, I'm second guessing myself. I'm like, well, you know what, it's not that bad. No, girl, if it was a no from the get go, it's a no now. So I try to listen to my heart as much as possible now.
Keke Palmer
Yeah, I love what you said with that because I think it becomes quite difficult to, you know, again. People are trying to build brands, trying to figure out how to be able to get big collaborations. They want to do what's right, they want to put themselves in the best position. But if you really are authentic in terms of how you feel, what's comfortable for you, what's true to your heart, then it will actually lead you to the better opportunities for you.
Saweetie
Absolutely.
Keke Palmer
Are you critical of yourself? I know that's a silly question, because I'm sure you are. You're an artist, you know, but what do. What, what. What are the kinds of things that you have to fight against in your mind when it comes to being critical of yourself?
Saweetie
Well, I'm a cancer.
Keke Palmer
Oh, girl what's your rising and what's your moon?
Saweetie
I'll tell you offline.
Keke Palmer
She don't want you in her business, y'all.
Saweetie
Astrologist. And once they find out the big three, they'd be trying to feel like they know you. I honestly have been, I think, since last summer, I've been proactively reprogramming my mind because I think. I think so negatively about myself, and I think that I only started to do that once I became a public figure, because there was a time where I got dragged online so much, and that's all I was reading. And when you learn about the subconscious mind, like, what you allow to enter into your mind gets programmed. So honestly, I'm doing a lot of deprogramming right now.
Keke Palmer
That's me, too. I've been through some traumatizing stuff publicly and privately. So I can. I mean, I. I feel. You feel like everybody in the world has to some degree, but maybe not on the public scale that, you know, an entertainer could. Could experience. But what I will say is what I've learned for my own self is like, traumatic stuff is a part of life. And it's actually, like. I don't want to say it's necessary, but, like, on a soul level, you know, we chose our experience to a certain degree. And the questions that I've pushed myself to ask myself is instead of saying, why did this happen to me? I say, you know, why did this happen for me? What am I supposed to learn? Because if I wanted to go through this on a spiritual soul level, if I wanted my Sims character to experience X, Y and Z, what am I supposed to take from it? Because if I don't take nothing from it, then I'm not doing my job. It's not, I didn't do my job because I went through it. It's. I didn't learn something from it. And if I don't, then that means I'm not doing my job. So.
Saweetie
And there's a. There's an act. Honestly, I Love following like my little random pages that be having the quotes and like the little me too.
Keke Palmer
The memes.
Saweetie
But there's a. I think it was the butler of Batman. You know his name? I feel so bad. Cause he's so iconic.
Keke Palmer
So Alfred. You talking about Alfred?
Saweetie
Alfred? Yeah. He was doing an interview and I forgot what the analogy. I forgot the analogy that he used. But he basically gave this dope story. I forgot what it was. But he was like, use problems. Use traumatic experiences. Like, what is the opportunity in that? What's the positivity? So for me, I'd be excited and I'd be like, okay, this feels bad, but how do I make it a positive moment? So for me, it's like I now look at challenges as obstacles. I get excited for them because I know I'm going to turn it into something better.
Keke Palmer
Yes, I feel you.
Saweetie
It's reprogramming.
Keke Palmer
You know, it's that reprogramming. Because honestly, it's a narrative. If I have to have it. If I. If I have my inner monologue, I'm gonna let my inner monologue be on that Jordan Sparks. And for step at a time, it's no need to merge. You know what I mean? Like, I want my shit to be positive no matter what I'm going through. Okay, well, give me a day in the life of sweetie. Because I feel like your life is quite fabulous. You're probably gonna try to downplay it, but like, what is a day in life? Sleep. Does she wake up? Are you turning your. Are you going to the studio? Are you laying back?
Saweetie
I love loud music. I love loud music. And coffee in the morning. I love it. That's like my go to come on stimulant. I love Afrobeats. Or I love like 90s reggae tone. Like, those are my.
Keke Palmer
I love the accent that went with it. Reggaeton.
Saweetie
Yeah. So those are my two starters. We go into the islands in the morning and we drink at the park. Yes. I love to work at Uber. Oh, girl. Have you tried Pilates?
Keke Palmer
Girl, I love Pilates, but I like it mostly with the machines. I don't like when we're on the ground.
Saweetie
Oh, yeah, I tried machine Pilates. Oh, girl.
Keke Palmer
It's very severe.
Saweetie
My stomach look good the next day. I said, I'm coming here every day. So for try Pilates. You know, we getting ready for the summer body for everybody who listening. What else? Meetings. I prefer studio time during the day because I hate. I minimum, I'm in the studio six to eight hours. So I don't I don't like going at night because I'm gonna be there until, like, the morning time, literally. I love Pinterest.
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. I live for it. You really are a mood board.
Saweetie
Grow. Yeah, I love. I love Pinterest. I like. I like binge watching shows.
Keke Palmer
Like, what show you watching right now?
Saweetie
I just binge watched Griselda and Black Cake.
Keke Palmer
Oh, I gotta watch those. So wait, Griselda I've heard of, but what's Black Cake?
Saweetie
It's basically about how the mother. She was an immigrant and she came to the States, and before she. Well, she. She passes away, and she basically uncovers her whole life through this recording for her kids. And it just. It made me, like. It humanized my mother.
Keke Palmer
And I hope.
Saweetie
I hope that in the most respectful way, because, you know, sometimes when I look at my mom, I don't want to generalize and say how everybody looks at their mom. I only see her as, like, mom, you know, not realizing that she went through all these things to become the woman she is today. And I feel like, especially with immigrant parents, they hide a lot of things. They hide a lot of their trauma. And. But through those experiences and when they share it, it helps, you know, us as kids, like, learn. Like, learn about them as humans, and it takes away that title. So I really appreciated Black Cake. It really made me look at my mom in a different way.
Keke Palmer
That's very, very amazing. I gotta check that out.
Saweetie
No, you definitely do. And my mom, like, she a tiger mom, you know, and a lot of tough love, but I realized that she was loving me. She was teaching me through her teaching style because of her trauma. And it just. It just. It just made me just have a lot of empathy towards my mom.
Keke Palmer
It's so true, man. Isn't it?
Saweetie
Absolutely. And then even, like, through talking to my mom about different, like, love styles, there's like, anxious attachment, avoidant, and. And help, and then healthy attachment. And I. Girl, I could learn about myself. I ain't gonna tell you what I am.
Keke Palmer
I'll tell you what I am after this.
Saweetie
Okay, I'll tell you, too.
Keke Palmer
Mine is, like. I feel like, actually, I'm gonna say here, y'all can edit mines out. But she could still respond to it right now. But mine is fearful avoidant. Could you believe? It's like, I wanna be close, but I don't really wanna be close, but I wanna be close, but, like, back up. For real. I love those little quizzes, girl. I be doing them quizzes, dawn, like, tell me about myself.
Saweetie
Please. Me too. The older I get, the more I just want to learn about myself so that I have better relationships with those around me.
Keke Palmer
I guess the last question of the question half of this conversation I would ask is, what do you want your legacy to be? I know it's loaded because, you know, you're so young, but what is kind of like, you know, what you would want people to take away from, you know, Sweetie?
Saweetie
Honestly, Consistency. Oh, yeah. I think that consistency is what builds legacy. So honestly, I'm not. I'm not sure what my legacy will be until the legacy is. Is, you know, imprinted into, like, history. But my word of the year, and I tell everybody that's around me, like, yes, I want to win, and yes, I want to achieve this and that, but I honestly just want to be consistent.
Keke Palmer
And I couldn't agree with you more. I define legacy and, like, longevity based off consistency as well. So. You're amazing. I love how you're taking the world by storm. And I know you always going to have so much, so much, so much, so much to show us on the show. We like to play games, and we always end our convos with a little game. So the game is called but the gag is. And I'll share a take, and then you just share your honest opinion for it. You ready? Okay. Sampling other songs means maybe you're not original artists, but the gag is you are, period, period, period.
Saweetie
Because hip hop was based off of sampling. And yeah, girl, I'm a sample for the rest of my career.
Keke Palmer
And I also think it's like, again, it's telling a story. Like when we were talking about the Icy girl, icy world, like, it's dope. When you can put a flip on something that you feel, but you make it your own. And that's the original aspect of it. It's like, yo, we feel this vibe, but I'm gonna take it to another. I'm taking some rap. I'm gonna take it my way. Okay. If you already know who you want to be as an artist, college is a waste of time. But the gag is, honestly, it's not.
Saweetie
Because I feel like college, it made me a confident person. Like, yeah, I can go in any room and just be comfortable. Because USC is just like, girl, to be in those kind of rooms. And sometimes being the only black girl, you just like, oh, no, I'm gonna make this work. And. And also, like, if your homegirl or your homeboy wants to be a rapper, like, for the friends around you, because, like, I don't know about you? I like to work with people who.
Keke Palmer
Like, oh, me too.
Saweetie
Like, I could be who I could vibe with, because I'm with them all the time. If your homegirl wants to be a rapper, learn how to lay a wig, learn how to do some makeup, because you're gonna need those kind of people around you. And I'm pretty sure you know this. You want to hire people who you love.
Keke Palmer's Mother
Like, yeah, I want to put that.
Saweetie
Money into someone's pocket who I know who I actually know. So for those people who are listening, if you're. If your homeboy or homegirl or is trying to be something, figure out a job that can, like, service that so that you guys can always, like, stick together.
Keke Palmer
You on that LeBron James? I'm on the LeBron James, too. Me and all my friends is coming up, period. Okay. Pretty privilege is real, but the gag is.
Saweetie
It's really not. I feel like, because, like, the pretty privileged thing got kind of reverse. I'd be feeling like he was like, I'm be mean to her because everybody's probably nice to her, or I'ma treat her like this. She can feel like this. And I just. Honestly, because my emotional intelligence is so up, I'll be like, okay, you got it.
Keke Palmer
Yeah. I do think that people try to do this whole humble. You think, like, not you particularly, but just like, anybody, like, if they feel like somebody think they cute, like, oh, you think you cute? Like, let me humble you real quick. And it's like, don't be a hater and disguise. It's so apparent what you're doing right now. Female rappers are forced to compete against each other, but the gag is healthy.
Saweetie
Competition is great. You know, Iron Shop is iron. It's the. It's the. It's the. All the extras that come with it. You know, I love that there's other talented women out there, because when I see them, I'm like, I got to do better. And I feel like that's always. It's always good when it's healthy.
Keke Palmer
Girl, you ate that down.
Saweetie
And honestly, for all, like, new artists, female artists, male artists, always fact check. Because there's been plenty of times where, like, I've heard that someone didn't like me. When I see them, I ask them, do we have a problem in the most respectful way? And 10 times out of 10, it's like, no, I thought you had a problem. Oh, girl, we good. Like, I feel like the Internet and other people create the beef. It's not really the. The female rappers or the artists so it's just like we all just got to ask them questions because honestly, sometimes there's nothing even there.
Keke Palmer
But if somebody meets you, there's no way that they wouldn't like you even if they didn't like you before. Because you are literally like a personality that's a character on the episode of the Parkers. Like, you literally are Parker's episode character. Like, I love her. Like, you just. Like a sitcom person. Like, it just gives life. Okay, last one. Social media is crucial to success and fame nowadays. But the gag is.
Saweetie
It is.
Keke Palmer
Yeah, that is. I agree. It's definitely crucial to being able to sustain your business.
Saweetie
I feel like with Generation Z and the upcoming generations, they're so online, and if those are your consumers, we have to adapt. And unless you're a two or three decade company who already have those built in fan bases and consumers, you have to create and serve the people who are upcoming, and those are the younger generation. And the younger generation really enjoys the Internet and social media. So I think that it's always important to adapt to the business climate.
Keke Palmer
I couldn't agree with you more. And that's why you are my business, girly. And I'm so happy to have had you on this show. Hearing you talk and also having a conversation, I think around just so many of the things that I want people to know about you as somebody that personally knows you and has watched your evolution on a. On a personal level. Like, I just, you know, I'm. I'm excited for people to hear this conversation and really get into the mind of you.
Saweetie
Oh, thank you, Kiki. And girl, you know I'm a fan since day one. You've always just been you, you on screen, off screen. Kiki is always a good time.
Keke Palmer
Girl, we got to get up in the studio again. How we was having fun. I fell asleep on the couch. Y'all was. Y'all was giving me too much drinks. Y'all was giving me too much drinks. But I. I was. Remember, I was. I was like, oh, good night. Good night.
Saweetie
We have fun in the studio.
Keke Palmer
So much fun. Thank you again. Thank you to your team. And I know I see you around.
Saweetie
Yeah, I'm gonna see you soon, girl. Thank you, guys.
Keke Palmer
Okay. I'm honestly leaving this conversation feeling inspired and impressed. I feel like I can relate a lot to what Sweetie said. You know, it's one thing to succeed in your art, but it's a whole other ball game to become bigger than. Than your craft and really become a brand in itself. One thing I know for sure is. It's not something that just happens on its own. It's something that you got to put work into. All right listeners, this was another good one and I know there will be yet another good one next week. Until then, you know it's your girl. Enjoy. Baby this is Keke Palmer on the Wondery app, wherever you get your podcasts and now on YouTube where you can watch full episodes. Subscribe to the wondery channel on YouTube and don't miss any episodes you can listen to. Baby this is Keke Palmer early and ad free on Wondery. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Baby this is Keke Palmer is hosted and executive produced by me, Keke Palmer. Lucas Siegel is our post producer. Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez. Our original theme song was written and performed by me, Keke Palmer for Team Kiki. My producer is Sharon Palmer for Wondery. Our managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Senior producers are Tristan McNeil and Candace Manriquez Wren. Our executive producers are Emily Feldbrake, Dave Easton, Erin O'Flaherty and Marshall Louie.
Podcast Summary: "ENCORE: The Secrets to Sweet Success with Saweetie"
Podcast Information:
Overview: In this engaging episode of "Baby, This is Keke Palmer," host Keke Palmer delves deep into the intricacies of personal branding and success with special guest Saweetie. The conversation seamlessly transitions from a heartfelt discussion with Keke's mother about building a lasting brand to an insightful interview with Saweetie about her journey in the music industry. Throughout the episode, listeners gain valuable perspectives on authenticity, resilience, and the strategic nuances of maintaining a multifaceted career in the digital age.
Introduction to Branding: Keke Palmer opens the episode with an emphasis on the importance of building a personal brand, especially in the social media era. She highlights how branding provides longevity and a distinct identity in any career field.
Influence of Family: Keke credits her mother for shaping her brand, emphasizing authenticity and community involvement.
Authenticity vs. Persona: The discussion underscores the challenge of maintaining an authentic brand versus creating a protective persona.
Strategic Online Presence: Keke’s mother recounts how industry insights led to securing the domain kekepalmer.com, ensuring an online presence that wasn’t snatched by others.
Community and Service: Keke integrates her community-driven values into her brand, influenced by her upbringing and family’s involvement in community service.
Navigating Opportunities: Post her role in "True Jackson VP," Keke discusses leveraging social media, content creation, and producing her own projects to stay relevant.
Keke's Brand Philosophy: Keke emphasizes versatility and the ability to embody multiple personas without being confined to a single identity.
Introduction to Saweetie: Keke Palmer welcomes Saweetie, a two-time Grammy nominee and founder of a nonprofit, highlighting her expertise in content and marketing.
Early Career and Branding: Saweetie shares her early experiences in rap and the pivotal role of social media in building her brand.
Lessons from Her Grandmother: Inspired by her entrepreneurial grandmother, Saweetie discusses the importance of having multiple income streams.
Brand vs. Artist: Saweetie differentiates between being an artist focused on music and being a brand that encompasses a lifestyle.
Handling Criticism: Both Keke and Saweetie address dealing with public criticism and negativity, emphasizing resilience and staying true to oneself.
The Role of Consistency: Consistency is highlighted as a cornerstone for building a lasting legacy.
Navigating the Business Side: Saweetie discusses the challenges artists face in the industry, such as ulterior motives and lack of protection, advocating for thoroughness in relationships and business dealings.
Personal Insights and Daily Routine: Saweetie provides a glimpse into her daily life, including her love for music, Pilates, and creative outlets like Pinterest.
Legacy and Impact: When asked about her legacy, Saweetie emphasizes consistency and leaving a positive, inspiring mark.
Towards the end of the episode, Keke and Saweetie engage in a playful game called "But the Gag Is," where they share humorous takes on various statements.
This segment adds a lighthearted touch, showcasing their camaraderie and quick wit.
Authenticity is Paramount:
Strategic Online Presence:
Diversification for Longevity:
Resilience Against Negativity:
Consistency Builds Legacy:
Community and Service:
Balancing Personal and Public Life:
Adaptability in Business:
This episode of "Baby, This is Keke Palmer" offers a rich exploration of personal branding, authenticity, and resilience in the entertainment industry. Through candid conversations with her mother and the inspirational Saweetie, Keke Palmer provides listeners with actionable insights and relatable experiences. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a professional in any field, or simply interested in the dynamics of personal branding, this episode encapsulates the essence of building and maintaining a successful, authentic brand in today's ever-evolving landscape.