Podcast Summary: "Getting Paid with Influencer Besties Raymonte Cole and DeAndre Brown"

Baby, This is Keke Palmer hosted by Wondery presents an engaging episode titled "Getting Paid with Influencer Besties Raymonte Cole and DeAndre Brown." Released on June 24, 2025, Keke Palmer sits down with Raymonte Cole and DeAndre Brown to explore their journeys from traditional careers to successful content creation, the dynamics of their enduring friendship, and the intricacies of monetizing their online presence.

1. Introduction and Personal Connections (00:05 – 01:40)

Keke Palmer warmly introduces her guests, highlighting Raymonte Cole’s viral energy and DeAndre Brown’s sharp critique of corporate culture. She reminisces about meeting Raymonte at Broccoli Fest in Washington, D.C., expressing her admiration for his content:

Keke Palmer [01:46]: "From that moment on, I was a fan."

This sets the tone for an intimate and candid conversation between friends who have navigated the tumultuous waters of internet fame together.

2. Transitioning from Traditional Careers (02:17 – 08:04)

DeAndre Brown shares his background in corporate America, specifically in investment banking, describing it as "very boring" and explaining his transition to full-time content creation as a means to find fulfillment and creativity:

DeAndre Brown [02:22]: "I was in corporate and, like, investment banking. So very boring, you know, so it's fun to just, like, be with my girls, have fun, be on the podcast, be with Keke Palmer."

Raymonte Cole discusses his struggles before achieving TikTok fame, including personal loss and financial instability. The loss of his brother became a pivotal moment that steered him towards sharing his story online, ultimately leading to viral success:

Raymonte Cole [02:57]: "I was in the trenches. I was trapping. I was trying to figure out how I was gonna make a dollar..."

3. Authenticity and Staying True to Oneself (08:04 – 13:19)

The trio delves into the significance of authenticity in content creation. Raymonte emphasizes his commitment to genuine expression:

Raymonte Cole [10:00]: "I never really care what people say. So I would always say what I thought and, like, what I felt..."

DeAndre Brown highlights the importance of leveraging his corporate background to create relatable and insightful content, asserting that authenticity has been a cornerstone of his success.

4. Managing Financial Responsibilities and Family Expectations (14:07 – 17:09)

Raymonte Cole opens up about the challenges of managing financial success, especially when family members seek financial assistance. He expresses the guilt associated with saying no and the struggle to balance generosity with personal financial stability:

Raymonte Cole [15:12]: "I'm always kind of guilty into saying yes. But I feel like this is what I'm doing for the people around me."

Keke Palmer relates by sharing her own experiences of financial dependency from a young age and underscores the importance of setting boundaries to ensure she can continue to support her loved ones effectively:

Keke Palmer [16:16]: "If I'm not, I'm not going to be no good for nobody else."

5. Building Relationships with Brands (24:07 – 28:42)

The conversation shifts to monetizing content through brand partnerships. DeAndre Brown discusses his strategic approach to collaborations, emphasizing the importance of building long-term relationships rather than transactional partnerships:

DeAndre Brown [26:31]: "It's important that you build relationships with these people on the teams."

Raymonte Cole provides an example of his partnership with Chipotle, highlighting his genuine affinity for the brand as the key to successful collaboration:

Raymonte Cole [25:10]: "So I like Chipotle is good, but I love Chipotle."

Keke Palmer reinforces the idea that authentic connections with brands resonate more deeply with audiences, leading to more meaningful and profitable partnerships.

6. Dealing with Visibility vs. Profitability (28:43 – 31:53)

The discussion explores the distinction between being visible online and achieving profitability. Raymonte Cole expresses frustration with brands that prioritize profit over genuine engagement:

Raymonte Cole [30:53]: "These people aren't really profitable, they're platable. So sometimes people just, it's not that your content is good... you're a space filler..."

Keke Palmer emphasizes the importance of creators knowing their unique value and building communities that support sustained success beyond fleeting visibility.

7. Maintaining Authenticity and Representation (31:54 – 34:02)

Keke Palmer and her guests address the challenges of maintaining authenticity while representing marginalized communities. They discuss the balancing act of expressing oneself freely while respecting platform constraints and the importance of setting boundaries in parasocial relationships to preserve personal integrity and mental health.

8. Viral Moments and Content Strategy (34:02 – 40:34)

The trio reflects on their unexpected viral moments. DeAndre Brown recounts his surprise at the virality of his "I love a good hood jam" video, while Raymonte Cole shares his spontaneous content creation approach:

Raymonte Cole [37:03]: "I love Ri. Ri's beautiful. She's so iconic. I love her, but I'm not really feeling this vibe."

They discuss how authenticity and relatable content can lead to unanticipated viral success, reinforcing the importance of staying true to one’s self rather than chasing trends.

9. Friendship and Support Among Creators (40:34 – 46:17)

Keke Palmer highlights the strength of Raymonte and DeAndre's friendship, noting how their mutual support has been instrumental in their individual successes. They touch on handling external judgments and maintaining a supportive environment, emphasizing the value of having genuine friendships in the often competitive world of content creation.

10. Personal Stories and Light-hearted Segments (46:17 – 51:02)

The episode concludes with playful interactions, including the "Fi or Nah" game where they assess celebrity hairstyles and personalities. This segment showcases their camaraderie and ability to balance serious discussions with light-hearted fun, reinforcing the depth and versatility of their friendship.

Notable Quotes:

• Raymonte Cole [08:05]: "If you don't have a degree in this, but you got your cars, your post, everything—you are a professional."

• DeAndre Brown [26:31]: "It's important that you build relationships with these people on the teams."

• Keke Palmer [16:16]: "If I'm not, I'm not going to be no good for nobody else."

Conclusion:

Keke Palmer wraps up the episode by celebrating Raymonte Cole and DeAndre Brown’s unique paths to success. She emphasizes the power of authenticity, genuine relationships, and supportive friendships in building a lasting and impactful presence online. The episode serves as an inspiring guide for aspiring content creators, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself, managing financial and personal boundaries, and cultivating meaningful brand partnerships.

Shout out to Raymonte and DeAndre for their candidness and authenticity. Tune in next week for another insightful episode of Baby, This is Keke Palmer.