Club Shay Shay - G Herbo Part 2

Summary

Club Shay Shay – G Herbo Part 2 (October 8, 2025)

Overview

In this episode of Club Shay Shay, host Shannon Sharpe continues his in-depth conversation with Chicago rapper G Herbo. The discussion explores Herbo's roots, personal relationships within hip hop, moving away from Chicago's violence, navigating stardom, overcoming substance abuse, the importance of therapy, fatherhood, relationships, and the inspiration for his latest album. The conversation is candid, raw, and often vulnerable, providing a profound look into G Herbo’s growth, mindset, and legacy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Friendship and Loyalty in Hip Hop

• Relationship with 21 Savage

  • Herbo praises 21 Savage, calling him "one of the realest" people he’s met. Their relationship is described as mutual, family-like, and deeply trusting.
    • Quote: “My friends, my brothers became his brothers and vice versa…we really got that type of love and mutual respect.” (00:13–00:54)

• Impact of Chief Keef (“Sosa”) Moving to LA

  • Chief Keef paved the way for other Chicago rappers to move to Los Angeles, providing a safer environment and new possibilities.
    • Quote: “When Sosa moved to LA…it made it possible for us…you could just go to Cali…that was the coldest shit ever to me.” (01:55–02:31)

2. Early Career and Influences

• Meeting and Collaborating with Chief Keef

  • G Herbo explains how their studios, neighborhoods, and friends overlapped, forming a lasting creative and personal bond.

• Nicki Minaj’s Role in His Career

  • Nicki Minaj was the first major artist to reach out for a feature, fundamentally inspiring Herbo with her professionalism and respect for his flow.
    • Quote: “I’mma always fuck with Nicki and respect Nikki…she was like, I’m trying to use your cadence and your flow…” (05:27–08:34)

• Touring and Cam’ron’s Support

  • Cam’ron promoted Herbo up the bill on tour, recognizing his ability to hype crowds—turning brief meetups into platform-building opportunities.

• Chicago Rappers and First Meeting Common

  • Herbo recounts learning from Common and being supported for acting endeavors. Common urged him to “gather information, read on stuff before you make a decision” for music and life. (13:45)

3. Musical Process and Experiences with Kanye West

• Recording with Kanye
  • Herbo details how working with Kanye meant redoing verses, adapting to Ye’s unorthodox process. He never took it personally when songs didn’t get released, focusing instead on gratitude for the opportunity.
    • Quote: “He made me redo my verse about three times…One thing I learned in this business though…you can’t really take it personal.” (15:46–17:23)
  • Kanye’s first words to Herbo highlighted industry influence: “You gotta start like tripping with these niggas. You gotta start dissing these niggas. Stop letting n steal your style and steal your flow.” (18:42)

4. Reflections on Chicago and Hip-Hop Legacy

• Mount Rushmore of Chicago Rappers

  • G Herbo’s picks: Chief Keef (Sosa), Juice WRLD, Kanye West (Ye), and Lil Durk (Smurk). He emphasizes each artist’s influence and perseverance.
    • Quote: “I’m gonna do Sosa, Juice WRLD, Yay, and I’m gonna do Smurf…girls can go through shit and reinvent himself…that’s what really makes him the goat to me.” (20:46–22:41)

• Juice WRLD’s Death Compared to Tupac/Biggie

  • Herbo describes the generational shock of Juice WRLD’s passing and how his music empowered marginalized youth.
    • Quote: “He gave people reason to want to live…his music’ll forever live on…that’s what I meant by that [comparing to Tupac/Biggie].” (22:45–24:25)

5. Personal Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Recovery

• Open Discussion on Drug Use
  • Herbo is transparent about his long battle with pills and lean, starting as a teenager to numb trauma and emotions.
    • Quote: “I couldn’t function without it. Like I had to drink lean every day…just to go to sleep…my mind is somewhere else, because I’m altering my brain with these drugs.” (27:11–28:53)
  • Rehab, relapse, and eventual commitment to sobriety are covered in depth.
    • Quote: “I just felt like I was losing myself…you lashing out…angry…You just gotta go to rehab.” (30:09–31:46)
  • Real talk on the dangers of withdrawals and the realities of substance abuse in street and celebrity contexts.

6. Therapy, Emotional Health, and Communication

• Importance of Therapy

  • Both Sharpe and Herbo share lessons from therapy, highlighting its necessity for growth, healthy relationships, and overcoming mistrust or trauma.
    • Shannon Sharpe’s therapist advice: “Are you arguing to be right or are you arguing for right?” (34:01)
    • Herbo: “That’s some of the realest shit I ever heard…99.9% of the world argue to be right.” (34:56)
  • Discussing cultural skepticism about therapy, especially in Black communities and among men.

• Triggers, Healing, and Family Advice

  • G Herbo shares advice from his girlfriend’s father:
    • Quote: “Whatever you going…look at that doormat and leave that shit outside…leave it at the door at your house.” (39:48–40:55)

7. Fatherhood and Breaking Cycles

• Parenting After Growing Up in Trauma

  • Herbo aspires to be honest, present, and open with his kids, especially noting the changing dynamic between his own father as he matured.
    • Quote: “I want my kids to feel like they could tell me, and I might be highly disappointed…but you gotta tell me the truth.” (49:07)

• Financial Stability Before Fatherhood

  • He wanted to be ready—financially and emotionally—before having children, after seeing struggles in his community.

• Protecting Kids from Street Life and Fame

  • G Herbo addresses how he navigates co-parenting, protects his children from social media, and encourages them to think beyond idolizing street culture.
    • “My son is a regular kid, but he a celebrity…you gotta protect your kids from that.” (52:55)

8. Relationships, Co-parenting, and Gender Roles

• Forgiveness and Accountability in Co-parenting

  • Herbo highlights the need for forgiveness and accountability to foster healthy relationships for the benefit of his child.
    • Quote: “No matter what, my son, he’s smart as shit bro…I always was able to just, like, throw shit under the rug.” (56:30–57:33)

• Social Media & Privacy

  • Sharpe and Herbo agree on the perils of public relationships, emphasizing that “if you date publicly you gotta break up publicly.” (62:42–62:59)

• Men, Emotions, and Platonic Relationships

  • A nuanced discussion on men’s pride, communication, and whether men and women can truly be platonic friends.

9. Growth, Legacy, and New Album

• Marriage and Future Plans

  • Herbo expresses readiness for marriage and further family life, wanting to mark his commitment with financial stability and growth.
    • Quote: “That’s where I’m at with life. Like, that’s my next step. I’m finna get married.” (65:46–66:07)

• Drill Rap’s Evolution

  • Herbo is candid about Drill music’s evolution, recognizing New York and UK’s vital scenes while Chicago lost some of its initial spark.
    • Quote: "Chicago just got too gangster... New York and the UK learned to master that, they mastered and started making hits from it." (67:14–68:43)

• Album Cover Story

  • The cover features a childhood mugshot; Herbo wants to remind fans of his origins and struggles—speaking to kids who may not know his journey.
    • Quote: “That kid on that mugshot could not be here right now. You feel what I’m saying? And I wanted people to see the pain in my eyes.” (69:39–71:21)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Moving to LA 100% saved my life.” (03:42)
• “Nicki…wanted to do the song, like, with my cadence…that just really inspired me. Like, boy, it’s a lot of money out here. You gotta go get this shit.” (08:34)
• “Common…told me: ‘read articles about the touring business…read the dictionary…The more knowledge you get, it’s just gonna make you better as an artist.’” (13:45)
• “Kanye…made me redo my verse about three times for sure on that one record.” (15:46)
• “I really credit [Nicki Minaj] for it…after I did that video, I probably made like a half a million dollars just grinding.” (09:01)
• “I want my kids to know how it feels to work hard and earn…just being a parent, being honest, letting them know the harsh realities.” (46:50–47:59)
• “You gotta have somebody…that could really be able to say, right is right, wrong is wrong, correct. And that’s what therapy does for you.” (37:36)
• “Women will try to really come between it…they want what the next woman got…men don’t really do that.” (60:55–61:09)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Savage 21’s Tribute & Friendship: 00:00–01:51
• Chief Keef’s Move to LA: 01:51–04:35
• Early Collaborations & Nicki Minaj: 05:20–09:14
• Touring with Cam’ron & Meeting Common: 09:14–13:45
• Advice from Common on Knowledge: 13:45–15:29
• Work with Kanye West: 15:29–19:23
• Chicago Rappers Mount Rushmore: 20:39–22:41
• Juice WRLD’s Legacy: 22:41–25:10
• Substance Abuse & Recovery: 26:39–32:45
• Therapy, Communication & Family: 32:45–40:18
• Fatherhood & Parenting Style: 46:40–49:51
• Financial Stability & Parenting: 49:51–51:01
• Protecting Kids from Street Life: 52:27–54:56
• Co-Parenting & Forgiveness: 55:03–57:33
• Social Media & Relationships: 62:06–63:26
• Platonic Relationships Discussion: 64:24–65:25
• Marriage & Next Steps: 65:29–66:55
• Drill Rap’s Global Spread: 67:10–68:43
• Album Cover & Legacy: 68:43–71:21

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Summary

G Herbo’s second appearance on Club Shay Shay is an intimate, unfiltered portrait of an artist who has endured trauma and triumph. Through stories, advice, and reflections, the episode captures both the spirit of survival and the power of evolution—serving as caution, inspiration, and encouragement for those navigating similar paths. Herbo’s respect for his roots, his commitment to growth, and his openness about vulnerability make this a standout conversation on art, life, and legacy.

Transcript

[A]

Thank you for coming back. Part two is underway. Savage 21. Savage, he did a tribute. I know you very. You good friends with Savage. What did that mean to you, man?

[B]

Just. I ain't gonna lie. Savage, one of the realest niggas I ever met in life. For real. Like, he's so solid, bro. And it's because, like, my friends, my brothers became his brothers and vice versa, right? You know what I'm saying? Like, when he lost, like, people that he lost, like, when he lost Skinny and CJ and them, you feel I'm saying, like, that, you know, it made me feel.

[A]

I sat down with him. You guys personality, y'. All. Y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

I can see how y' all guys became friends.

[B]

Yeah, no, for sure. Yeah. We both Libras, too. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah, that's my brother. Like. Like, how we locked in. Like, I'm seeing how he really take care of his people.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And he care about his brothers, you know what I'm saying? Like, I do the same thing. You feel me? And he was seeing it. So it's like, when I'm coming to Atlanta, I'm really only going around him. I'm hanging around him and his homies. Like, sometimes he not even coming outside. I'm with his man's them, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, they really became my brothers and vice versa. The same way, like, he come to Chicago, like, he was just in Chicago. He was in my hood with my homies. I wasn't there. You feel me? Like, we really got that type of love and mutual respect for each other. You feel me? It's like, when he saw what that did to me, like, with Libro, that shit really hurt him, too. He called me about it, like, man, whatever you need. Like, anytime any situation happened with me or anything, he called me, like, whatever you need, call me. You feel what I'm saying? It's like, I still. I'm not gonna hit him for sure. That's my brother, you know? But it's like, I know for a fact he. He there for you, he there for me, and in any situation, he gonna be there. You feel what I'm saying? Like, I talk to bro down there every day, right?

[A]

When Chief Keef moved to la, was that when you felt that you needed to make the move, too?

[B]

Yeah, I ain't gonna lie. That was goaded. I talk about that so much, bro. Like, when Sosa moved to la, it just. It made it possible for us. Like, damn, you could Just go to Cali and ain't gotta look over your shoulder no more. Like, that was the coldest shit ever to me. Like, I didn't even really like. And that's crazy. We was just so like, young and dumb and naive to how much life is outside of Chicago, you know what I'm saying? We like, damn, Sosa just moved to LA and got a big ass mansion. Like, I couldn't wait to do that shit. As soon as what Uncle Elroy said, when I got that check, I was gone.

[A]

I changed.

[B]

As soon as I got a chance to move to la, I was up. I'm like, damn, bro, Sosa just started a whole new life here. Like, he don't even gotta, like, think about that shit no more. You don't gotta look over your shoulders none of that. Like, when we moved to la, it's not even like how LA was, for real. Like, I mean, how LA is now? Like, I feel like Covid kind of LA up where it's like, yeah, N getting robbed and searched.

[A]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

That shit wasn't going on like that when we first came here. Like, I've been in la for like seven years, okay? Sosa been here like 10, 11, some shit like that, you feel me? So, like, when he first moved to la, I was like, damn, I can't wait. When he made that move, it was like. And Sosa always been the blueprint for like. Like certain might not say it, but like, I' ma always give bro his flowers. Like, he really the greatest thing that happened in Chicago, in my opinion.

[A]

Like, would you have ever left Chicago had he not moved to la?

[B]

No. Hell no. I wouldn't even know what to do. I wouldn't have knew that, like, he could just leave and go. Like, you feel what I'm saying? Like, I would have had to see it, like, to see it to believe it, you know what I'm saying? Like, he moved to la. I'm like, damn, that hard. You feel what I'm saying? Like, and. And soon as I got a chance to, I did it. You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

Like, just the best thing you've done.

[B]

Hell yeah. And like, I feel like it saved my life. For real, for real, for real. Like, Moving to LA 100% saved my life, you know what I'm saying? Like, when Sosa got all that money, Sosa was 16 with real millions of dollars, you know what I'm saying? Like, I was 16 with some money, had a couple hundred thousand, but I ain't had no millions of dollars at 16 years old.

[A]

You feel what I'm saying?

[B]

So it's like his life was different, you know? Like, he had the big mansions, the cars. He was really, like, the inspiration for us. And my homie, who I was saying kept like. My homie Marvin, who I was saying was, like, cocky on the block, where he told us not to move, that was one of Sosa's best friends. They grew up together. They from the same project. So that's how I knew Sosa. Like, when I first started rapping was around the time he started rapping, and we really, like, was homies, you know what I'm saying? Like, Sosa is somebody who I really consider my brother. And it's somebody that still, like, even though we the same age, he always inspired me, you know what I'm saying? Like, motivated me. Like, all right, bet.

[A]

So that was your first interaction with him because one of your partners was his partner. That's how y' all met.

[B]

Y' all linked up interactions, was in the studio together.

[A]

Okay. Real.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. Like, when we, like, 15 years old, you know what I'm saying? I started. He had his own. Basically, kind of like his own studio in his hood with his homies and his engineer. And we just came in and, like, paid for studio time there. You feel me? Because my homie, like, Cap and Wap, who. Brothers who grew up with Sosa, they. They, like, referred us like, man, y' all should go record right there. Just pay for the studio time. And we would come, like, Sosa be recording when he. Of course, he was always the first priority. So it's like, when he done recording, then we get studio time. So, like, that's how we really met.

[A]

You said Nicki Minaj was really the first one to give you an opportunity. She wanted a feature. Yeah, but when she called you, you ain't answer the phone.

[B]

Nah, I ain't believe it.

[A]

I didn't believe it. So she called the phone. She called your phone. You like. You, like. She said what she said now.

[B]

She was just. She was so. Look, she didn't. The original call, it wasn't her on the phone, okay? You feel what I'm saying? It was Safaree on the phone. They called. So when they hit us, it was like 4 in the morning. I'm in the studio, I'm half lean and pills and all type of bullshit, okay? They like, yeah, man, Nicky, them trying to get you to come to Atlanta and do no verse. I'm doing verse like this. Nick and them team on the phone. You like, want to talk to them. Like, man, hell no. Ain't no nicking them, bro. Like, man, go on with that shit. Like, that's why I told my manager, like, bro, he like, you wanna talk to him on the phone? I'm like, man, no, I know that's not them. Like, man, you tweaking. You just. Cause at that point, we hot. So people call and playing on the phone all the time. So it's like, oh, man, that ain't them, bro. They called back, like, two, three years later. I mean, not two, three years. Two, three days. Two, three days later. Like, what the y' all doing? Like, we trying to put y' all on the plane in LA to come do this song. So then I wind up talking to him on the phone for real. Like, all right, bet. Nah, they serious. And I got on the plane and I did the verse. And she was just telling me, like, how she fucked with my music. And, like, she wanted to do the song, the beat that she had. She wanted to do the song, like, with my cadence. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's why, like, I'mma always fuck with Nicki and respect Nikki. Cause she was like, I'm trying to use your cadence and your flow. And I ain't want to feel like I was, like, biting. Like, biting your flow or swagger Jack. Even though she a female and I'm a male, like, it don't really matter. I ain't want to feel like I was using your flow and not show love and put you on the record. And at that time, like, I wasn't really, like, a real. Like, I felt I could rap, but I wasn't, like, a real MC where I would have called it. Like, if she would have put that song out without hitting me, I wouldn't have been like, oh, she stole my flow on this shit. I wouldn't even notice. Cause it's Nicki Minaj. I wouldn't even thought about. Damn, she using the same pockets that I be in. I didn't know that much about lyrics and pockets and shit. Like, I always just go and rap. Like, everybody used to say. I rapped off beat when I first started rapping, because I would just go like, you know, I was one bar, two bar, three bar, four bars. And it's a different pocket or cadence on the beat that classifies what's one to four bars. I wouldn't start on a one. Sometimes I'll start on the two. Sometimes I would start on a three and just rap. So people would say, I Was offbeat. Technically, I was, but I was fitting a whole bar into that. Like a whole sentence into it where it's still made sense. So it's like some people hated me for it, some people love me for it. You feel what I'm saying? So it's like I never would have noticed anything, you feel me? But she pulled me out there and I did the verse with her in the studio. She had me in the studio with me. I mean, with her. And I spent like a whole day with her. Yeah, we was just chilling and talking and shit like that. And her studio was big as shit. So first I started, like, recording part of my verse in the booth. And she like, all right, I want to do something real quick. I'm trying to do like. She told me she was finna do something, like, for her verse and work on another song. So she like. Like, it's another studio, another booth over. I never seen no like that.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

She like, yeah, you can record on the other side. I'm like, damn, it's the other side. Like, I couldn't believe this shit. Like that just really inspired me. Like, boy, it's a lot of money out here. You gotta go get this shit. You know what I'm saying? Like, and after I did it, I went home and just turned me into, like a monster. Like, I made. After I did that video, I probably made like a half a million dollars just grinding. Just like, I'm going to do shows, I'm doing shit right? I was young as hell. Like, I'm probably like 16, 17 years old.

[A]

Got bread like that.

[B]

I wasn't no longer no older than 18. Hell yeah. I made a lot of money after I did that song. And it was like, I really credit it to her. Cause she just made like, well, I got a song with Nicki Minaj. I gotta go get all the money that's out there. And I did it.

[A]

Is that how you got a tour with Cam, cam', Ron, Future and TI So is that how you got on with them? Because you did the verse?

[B]

Yeah, I did a. I was on really. I did got a shout out to Johnny Shipes, man. That's my brother. He managed me for about a year and a half. And he had put me on the Smokers Club tour. So that's how I really had met. I met Cam and I met TI and we went to Atlanta for that tour, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's when I first met him. And it was just, like, brief. Like, just in passing, chopped it up with him, Told him my name and shit like that. And when he came to Chicago, the next time he linked up with me.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

Yeah, I fuck with Tiff. He's solid.

[A]

I mean, I mean, Cam, I mean, look, I ain't heard nothing but good. I met Cam once at a CU game. But every artist that you hear talk about Cam, they say, what a straight. What a solid dude. No Cam, I've never heard an artist say anything negative about Cam. Like, what you see is what you get. He 1 thou with you all the time.

[B]

Yeah, Cam did some real shit too. When I was on tour, on the Smokes club tour, I was like. I think I was probably like the first opening act. And he was headlined, Wow, I was first. It was like two more people after me. He like, he told ships them like, bro, you don't see he turning up every night. You need to make him like co headline before me. So I went from like the first opening act to headliner with Cam just off of him, like seeing my show and turning the shit up. Like, I really kind of. I bumped up. Bumped up a couple acts. Like, if you know you do that, you get paid a little more.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, hell yeah. I ain't trying to open, but I might not close. But put your boy closer to the back.

[B]

Yeah, no, for sure. He's super solid for that.

[A]

When you talk about Chicago rappers, obviously you, Kanye, Keith, Common. Common, I think you was trying to. You were going to audition for Barbershop 3, right?

[B]

Yeah, I was. I was talking about that today too.

[A]

So did you had. Had you ever met Common prior to that?

[B]

I did, I did. I had met. My first time meeting Common. I believe we was at like a event, like some non for profit stuff. I just like introduced myself to him. And then the second time we met, me, him and Chance had a song that was going on my mixtape and Mickey, my manager, put it together like he. I had already knew Chance, so I had put Chance on the record. And then he reached out to Common team, put Common on the record. Common so solid. He pulled up, shot the video on 87th and Stoney, like in his old hood for real. Like, damn, he was super solid. And I just always like, damn, he a real, like, he a real one. So when I did the audition for the barbershop for the script, I had already had his info. And they told me like, comment in the movie, I'm like, man, I ain't never read no script before, bro. Like, I need some help with this shit. And it's like he told Me to come to his hotel. He was staying at the Langham downtown. I'll never forget. And like, I'm like, damn, man. This rich as hell. This big ass was. This big ass hotel room, man. This shit was huge. Coming there. We auditioning for the. Well, he like helping me with the lines. He helped me read. And it's like it gave me a different kind of respect for him just because he gave me that opportunity to do it. And two, I wasn't like, I wasn't ready to be an actor yet. Like I didn't have it in me at that moment. And he was so like, it went from ah yeah, this Common big bro to know I'm acting and you acting like just like the look like in it. Like, because the script I'm reading, I'm having to talk to like a gangster, you know what I'm saying? It's like his whole.

[A]

Everything, his whole demeanor changed.

[B]

His whole demeanor changed where it's like he really transformed.

[A]

He locked in.

[B]

And I'm in my head like, what the. How the fuck can he do that? It was crazy to me, bro. And it's like it made me uncomfortable. Cause I'm like, all right, bro, snap back real quick.

[A]

So we get back to talking like we were.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. You feel what I'm saying? It's like. But he helped me. I did it, I put it in. And I didn't get the role though. I didn't get the role cause I just, I couldn't lock in into that. Like I couldn't. But I just. I'mma always with bro. Cause he really, he told me like, man, come here, I'm finna help you with this shit, right?

[A]

So I'm saying, what's some of the best advice Common gave you? Because obviously he's in the rap game, but you know, he's kind of. He does more in the TV and the film industry now. But what are some of the advice that he passed along to you that day?

[B]

That exact day. He told me like, bro, you gotta always like gather information, like read on stuff, like, you know what I'm saying? Before you make a decision, read, learn about it. You know what I'm saying? Like that's. He told me that and it was like. And it had nothing to do with acting though, right? He talking about like music. If I'm saying being an artist, like he like read articles about like label. If I'm saying, like read articles about the touring, like, like that, like read articles about the touring business. You know what I'm Saying, like, read the dictionary. Like. Like that. He like, bro, if you really want to be a lyricist. And he said that because he had put me on his album right before that, and that got nominated for a Grammy too. He put me on his album, and the project, the. The beat that we did was produced by no id. And he was just like, bro, like, you young, but, like, you a real mc, Like a spitter. He like, the more knowledge you get, it's just gonna make you better as an artist. Like, better as a rapper. And I listen, though, I ain't gonna lie. Like, I. I really, like, I read a lot of shit now. Like, I ain't gonna lie, Like, I read a lot of shit. And I be reading like, I read a dictionary. I'll be trying to learn new words, like, from that point on. And my homies know, like, seeing my homie Mansky, he had contest to it. Like, he like, bro, I always be reading the dictionary, all type of shit. Like, I go to Google and just try to learn new words before I start rapping. And I feel like that make it like, it just elevate, where it's like, you not rapping about the same shit. You feel what I'm saying? Can't nobody really teach you that but a mc, Like, a real MC for real. You know what I'm saying? So, yeah, shout out to big bro. Man, I got a lot of love for Common, for sure.

[A]

You did a song with Kanye, but I don't think it came out how many times. Kanye. Kanye is known for making guys redo their verse over and over and over. Rose told a story that he had had him do a verse, and he said, what you mean? Rose ain't hard? But he said, hey, Ross, I know you go harder than that.

[B]

Yeah, he did that to me for sure. He made me redo my verse about three times, for sure, on that one record. I think I did two records for Kanye. That didn't come out right. I pulled up on him in the studio, and I seen, like, so basically, like, how he record or work on certain projects. Like, it's just live mics. I had all us in here right now, everybody just doing cadences, rapping, saying, shit, it's loud, Mike. So there's so much going on, that shit kind of, like, got confusing, right? You feel me? I'm like, I ain't never seen it before. And he freestyle, and he asked me, like, all right, hit something, say four bars or eight bars. And I'm like, all right. I try, but I don't Even know like what we basically rapping on. It's getting the acapella, all type of shit. So I ended up getting the song. He like, man, I'mma just sing you it and I want you to record your verse to us. So I recorded my verse in like New York, sent it back. He told me to redo it again, like change so much stuff. And I sent it. The final verse that I sent though was like super fire. Like hard, hard, hard. I wish I could really like call him and just get the shit. Like you don't even gotta be on it. Give me my verse and I'm gonna redo that shit and put it out right now. You feel what I'm saying? That's one of the hardest verses. I feel like I spit for sure though, man. One thing I learned in this business though, like when you do stuff and it might not work out or come out, like, you can't really take it personal, right. I didn't like fault Kanye or nothing like that. Or feel like, damn, I did all this shit and he ain't put the song out. I ain't really care. I was just really grateful for the opportunity and grateful to be able to get in the studio with him and just.

[A]

But do certain rappers do get upset if they give him a track and the guy don't really.

[B]

A lot of rappers get upset about that? Hell yeah. Rappers getting rap beefs about that type of shit.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. Hell yeah. N get mad about that shit for sure. Like when you don't put them on a project or they pull up on you and do shit, but it's all art, it's all creativity. And a lot of times for a lot of artists it be out of their hands. I wouldn't say that for me because I've always picked my songs for every project, you know what I'm saying? Or majority of them. And then I believe in like constructive criticism. So my team around me might be like, nah, this a better song. This the hit, this radio. And I don't really. I never really focused on like radio records and stuff early on in my career. So they would have that input, but I would really do the body of work for real. So. But other artists who write who they team pick the whole mixtape or album and like they have no input or they don't, you know what I'm saying? So like that happened a lot, you know, a lot of times people just don't make the cut. And artists that get mad, like they'll stop with you for real, you know what I'm saying. But I never been that artist though. Like, I always just never took it personal. Like, yeah, it's cool. I ain't really tripping. My first interaction with Kanye was he walked up to me like, man, you gotta like, you gotta start like tripping with these niggas. You gotta start dissing these niggas. Stop letting n steal your style and steal your flow. And in my head I'm like, damn, I ain't even know you really listen to me enough for like, you to say, right, you know what I'm flow, like what my flow is. And then you hearing somebody else record be like, oh, he using herbo flow. He using this shit. And that was the first thing ye ever said to me. You know what I'm saying? It's like, it just made me like, kind of like, oh, yeah, I fuck with you, boy. You know what I'm talking? You feel what I'm saying? That was way before I did the records with him or any of this shit. You know what I'm saying? So when it didn't make it though, I was really just mad that I don't have a verse to use.

[A]

Cause I don't had you asked me for the verse back.

[B]

No, I didn't. I need to. I'm asking you right now. Yeah, send me the verse and I'mma put that shit out for sure. Like just my verse. Because it was fire. I was talking about like Chicago shit. Just a lot of shit that was like, near and dear to me. Right.

[A]

Yeah, you mentioned that you want to rap on his song through the Wire. You want to rap over that?

[B]

I wind up. I actually winded up doing it. I did it for my project, Greatest rapper alive. But I was always scared of that sample though. Cause it's just like, that's one of the hardest songs ever to me in general. You know what I'm saying? And then me being from Chicago and it being yay and being that sample, like some things you just don't want to run up on because the Internet gonna troll you.

[A]

Oh, yeah, right, man. Hey, hey, Herbal. Should have left that alone.

[B]

Kept that shit.

[A]

You know what's coming if you don't do it right, man, he could have left that alone.

[B]

Yeah, so certain ones I don't really run up on. But at that time, I had a lot of like, pain in me. Like built up emotion. My pops had just died. I was talking about like, you know, I felt like I couldn't rap on that unless I had something that was like super like, pain Driven like how he did, you know what I'm saying? From him getting into that car wreck, almost losing his life. He rapped about almost losing his life, you know what I'm saying? I came from a perspective of me rapping about the stuff that I'm enduring at this moment and being successful. And I ain't gonna lie. They with it, right? Yeah, the fans definitely with it.

[A]

Well, I'm gonna put you on the spot. Give me your four best Mount Rushmore Chicago rappers.

[B]

I ain't gonna cool myself, though.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

I'm gonna do Sosa Juice World. Yay. And I'm gonna do Smurf. And I could go. I could, like, explain it. I didn't really include myself because I don't really like, including myself.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like that. Even though I do feel like I'm on a lot of people's Mount Rushmore, you know what I'm saying? But I'm just talking about me personally, and that got to do with, like, influence and what you did, right, for the music and, like, the music industry coming out of Chicago. So it's like, gotta go. Juice Real, because he just. He did something phenomenal that nobody really ever did. For real. And then Sosa, because just, like, the impact that he had on us in Chicago, in the world, and so young doing it, like, Sosa's still one of my favorite artists still. Regardless. You feel what I'm saying, then? Ye. That's an undeniable answer. And then smirk is just what I admire the most about Durk is he always been, like me watching from the very beginning. He always been somebody that, like, through all the adversity of any trials and tribulations, he always been able to, like, overcome that shit and reinvent himself. Like, I've seen him reinvent himself so many times and just become one of the biggest artists in the world. You feel me? Like, that's one thing like, that I admire the most about Durk, like, outside of his talent, you know what I'm saying? That's what really make him the goat to me. Because when you come from where we come from and been through the stuff that we've been through, it's like, it's easy to give up. It's easy to be like, man, I'm finna just keep track. Like, he'll switch it all the way up and master that, and then if that don't work, switch it up, master that, and just keep elevating. You feel me? Like, that shit like a superpower to me, right?

[A]

You compare Juice wrld's death to Tupac and Bigot for your generation. Why?

[B]

Because all of the lives that he influenced while he was here, you feel what I'm saying? Like, he was somebody that. He was like a real global superstar mogul for, like, the kids that were, like, misunderstood and the lost and the hopeless and stuff like that. Like, you feel what I'm saying? He gave people reason to want to live. Like, people who contemplated suicide and stuff like that. Those were the people that his music touched. And when his life was cut so short, it devastated so many people. You know what I'm saying? It devastated a generation of kids. You feel what I'm saying? The same way Big and Tupac devastated a generation of people, you know what I'm saying? Like, I wasn't trying to, like. And people kind of, like, took that the wrong way. I wasn't trying to say, like, he was as big as Biggie and Tupac. Like, you feel what I'm saying? Like, he done as much as Biggie and Tupac. I'm talking about the effect that it had on a whole generation of people. Whereas, like, his music of forever live on. And when people die, like posthumous music, posthumous, it always, like, go up and become big. But, like, his is 10 years, 20 years, 30 years from now, like, it's still gonna be here. You feel what I'm saying? That's what I meant by that. Because the people who loved him so much, if they was 10 years old or whatever, when they turn 40 years old, those songs gonna still touch them the exact same way that he did, because they gonna remember his legacy. That's what I meant by that.

[A]

When you got the word that he had tragically passed away from an accidental overdose.

[B]

Yeah, I was in LA at the time, and I think my girl called me. My girl called me first and told me, and I got mad at her. I'm like, man, what the is you talking about? She like, juice, WRL just passed away. I'm like, man, you tripping. And just hung up. Like, when. Like, I be in disbelief when I be hearing that type of shit. I don't. It just. It throw me forward.

[A]

Because it's hard when people that, you know, people that you know, they not supposed to die at 20th and the 20th and then their 30s. That's not supposed to happen. We supposed to be like 75, 80 years old. Well, such and such had a heart attack and such and such. You don't expect somebody.

[B]

He was so, like. He had reached like, the height of, like, so much success. Yeah, you see What I'm saying. And I feel like he was just reaching his peak, like it was his birthday. I think he died six days after his birthday or something like that, you feel me? It's like that was my little brother. So it really like it messed me up mentally, you feel me? And he died on December 8, I believe. And we supposed to shot a video on the 11th. So I was on my way to him feeling like for the meet him in Chicago. And it's just like that shit just threw me all the way off when I got the information. And just him being. He was just like a good ass kid, bro. For real. Even the way he died, you rich as juice. Like you rich as a. You get pulled over by the police and you swallow 50 pills, 40 pills. However, the many pills he swallowed because he's scared like you was gonna overcome that shit. Them little pills, they ain't give a about that, bro, I threw that. I would have had that sitting on the counter like, man, come get it from there. Like, bro, I got 50 million. I ain't finna go to jail for these little dumb ass pills right here. Like, you feel me? Like, it just lets you know like how pure he was. Like, you feel what I'm saying? He didn't know no better. Like, you know what I'm saying? You know the term like God forgive fools and babies like that type. Like he was just like super naive to shit. You feel what I'm saying? That's what me up the most. Cause it's like, bro, you ain't even have to do that shit wasn't about nothing.

[A]

You've told a story a few times about how you had a substance abuse problems. You mentioned, I think early in the interview that you was 15, you started taking pills, you started, you know, smoking weed. You know, obviously, you know, you talked about how you graduated to lean and so you went to twice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How diff. How difficult is it to come to the realization I got a damn problem, man?

[B]

Yeah. Wouldn't it become like part of your lifestyle for real?

[A]

Like, so you couldn't function without it.

[B]

I couldn't function without it. Like I had to drink lean every day. I had to pop pills, I had to do this shit to eat food, to like I say a lot of times, like I used to really be in rooms and I wasn't there because mentally my brain is somewhere else. I'm high, I'm thinking about shit, I'm grieving, like just thinking about trauma where it's like I'm just maneuvering through the room, I might say, what's up? Introduce myself. But it might be somebody that I probably should have had a conversation with, right? But I couldn't do it because my mind is somewhere else. Because I'm altering my brain with these drugs. I'm thinking I need this shit to function.

[A]

But it's really like you masking something.

[B]

It's making. You're masking something. You feel like I can't even be in the moment because what's that saying, like, when you live in the past is grief, and when you live in the future, it's anxiety. I'm never in the moment. Like, I'm thinking about before I get in this room, what's gonna happen, how it's gonna play out. You feel me? Instead of just enjoying the moment, and I became that person for, like, so many years. You feel me? Like, I used to have to, like, take Zans and perks and shit just to go to sleep. Like I said, Like, I still. Right now, to this day, I have insomnia. I don't sleep. I've been like that since a kid, since 15 years old, you feel me? Like, And I used to drink a lot of it. It don't make it no better when you got money, right?

[A]

Yeah. Cause you got access to it.

[B]

You got access to it. You feel what I'm saying? So it. I'm going through pints and pint saline and going through 100 pills a month. Like, damn. Like that. Yeah. For real was bad.

[A]

Like a honey.

[B]

A hundred a month. I'm popping four, five pills a day. You feel what I'm saying? Like, probably more than that.

[A]

Did you? Because you said you started, like, what, 15, was it? Dealing with the trauma that you saw? You saw your friends, you saw your homies and they losing their lives. And you trying to mask that because you. You know, kids.

[B]

I feel it. Yes.

[A]

Kids are not supposed to have to deal with that.

[B]

Yeah. Like, you don't want to feel it, man. You got like. I was a. I was a freshman in high school still. You feel what I'm saying? When I started experiencing all this stuff, I'm taking these drugs to not feel emotions. Like, as a human being, you supposed to feel emotions. The only way you going.

[A]

That's what makes us human.

[B]

That's the only way you going to grow. You see what I'm saying? So it's like I was trying to not feel stuff. And this was really, like, when I learned the fact that, like, all right, bet. Yeah, you might temporarily. All right. You might be High. But when you wake up the next day, that shit, you gonna have to deal with it. At some point in time, it get worse. Like, you wake up the next day, like, damn, like, I was tripping. Like, you know what I'm saying? You might get into a situation. It's like, all right, I'm finna get high. I don't wanna think about this.

[A]

Right?

[B]

When you wake up sober, it's still.

[A]

It's still there.

[B]

You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

That situation that you tried to run from is right there.

[B]

It's still there. You know what I'm saying? And I was just like. I didn't say I was gonna go to rehab. You feel what I'm saying? But people close to me, like, my closest. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

Family, people that you trusted the most.

[B]

Yeah, they like, bro, you just gotta go. Like, you know, I had. Just had a son. I just had my first son. And they like, bro, you just gotta go to rehab. Like, you know, you getting too high. Like, you just. You lashing out. You angry. You feel what I'm saying? Like, you ain't listening to nobody. Like, that shit make you angry as fuck. I'm not gonna lie. It make you real angry. Like. And I just. I felt like I was losing myself. Because at the time when I first started, I was a regular dude. Like, you feel me? Like, I was becoming somebody. But now it's like, you 22 years old, you got a son, you a superstar. Like, you can't just be out here like. Like that. You feel me? Because at the end of the day, what you think is normal is not people judging you, people seeing you outside. Like, he's high all the time. This, like, you know, he's. Why would I want to give you some money? Like, why would I want to.

[A]

Can I count on you?

[B]

Can I count on you? Are you reliable? And I was just like, all right, I'm gonna try it. I'm gonna do it. But I went. I got sober. It was good. And probably like a year, a year and a half later, one of my closest friends died. And I went right back. I just started back getting high. Like, you know, that was like my escape, the thing you run to. You feel what I'm saying? It's like, damn, man, I'm stressed out. I don't want to be around this bitch. Sad, crying, finna just get high so I don't feel it, you know? And I started back getting high for about probably another year, year and a half, and I went again. Like both times when I had to go to rehab, I spent like 30,000 or some shit to go. It was like a seven, eight day process. You get out, they flush all. Everything out your system. You on iv, so you don't gotta go through the withdrawals. That's another thing. Like when you drinking lean and popping pills and perks and all that shit.

[A]

The withdrawal's worse than.

[B]

It's worse than anything in the world. You don't even want to. You feel what I'm saying? So it's like, that's another thing that people run from. Like, you can't. Like, regardless, you gonna. It's gonna come. What happened in the wash, come out in the rinse, you know what I'm saying? Every time. You feel me? So it's like you might run from the withdrawals and you might keep on doing this shit for however long and then it's gonna catch up to you when you get older. Cause your body can't take shit. You feel me? So it's like, it's best to just. If anybody or you do something crazy.

[A]

When they put you in that. When they put you in that. When they put you behind that concrete wall.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. That's the worst.

[A]

Yeah, that's the over. They ain't doing no drugs again. They have to withdraw.

[B]

I seen that though. Like, I. I seen that with my own eyes. Like getting arrested and he was seeing like dope fiends and on the floor shaking and using the bathroom on itself and all that. Like, that is real, for real.

[A]

You speak very, very highly of therapy. You say we should do it. Trust me, as someone that have gone through therapy. You say someone has gone through therapy. You need to do that. Thug, I don't know how well you know him. He said caused some criticism that he would feel less than a man if his girl went to therapy.

[B]

His girl went to therapy. I think what he, like, I can't really say what slime meant by that. For real. Like, that's my brother. But I feel like slime. One of them people, like, he a critical thinker too.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And he one of the people that like to dig deep into conversation.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like he feel like. I think what he meant by that is like he feel like his girl.

[A]

Should be able to talk to him.

[B]

And confide in him so much where it's like, you know. And I don't know if Slam ever tried therapy before. Right. You feel me? So he probably might not even understand what it might do for a woman or a female. There's Certain things that a woman just not gonna talk to a man about. You feel what I'm saying? Like, no matter how much y' all trust each other, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

Cause sometimes you want someone that doesn't have a dog in the fight.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

She talking. You talking. Slime got a dog in the fight.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

As someone. That's when therapy and as my therapist, and I'll never forget one of the greatest things she ever told me.

[B]

Herbo.

[A]

She said, she sat. I mean, she sat across from me just like you. My girlfriend was sitting right there. She said, Mr. Sharp, are you arguing to be right or are you arguing for right?

[B]

Hmm. What did that do, though? Like what I like?

[A]

She said, because at the end, right is there. Are you arguing to be right or you arguing for right? I want to be right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is how it was. This is how it is.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I ain't arguing for no right. I want to be right.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Once I understood Shannon, we can. It ain't me versus you.

[B]

Yeah. That just.

[A]

It's us versus the problem.

[B]

It's right versus wrong. Absolutely.

[A]

She said, shannon, you communicating. You speaking. She said, your girlfriend is speaking Mandarin Chinese. You speak in Spanish. So either you learned each other's language, or you're never gonna be able to communicate.

[B]

That's some of the realest shit I ever heard. I never heard. Arguing to be right or you arguing for right? 99.9% of the world argue to be right.

[A]

To be right.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

And so when she explained it like that, and I was one of those guys, you know, grew up in the south, man. We don't. Hey. We don't have no emotions, and we don't go talk to nobody about problem. You could talk to me. We could work it out. Yeah, but once she's like, but no, you got a vested interest in this. Somebody needs to hit a problem that doesn't get the benefit from it. And so when you share. When. When you, your girl or your wife or whomever share their problem with someone, they just listening. Okay. Somebody come in and share that problem, they're just listening. Because me, I'm. Hey. And that's why you have to keep family out, because family, they gonna side with her boat. Yeah, you better side with me. Okay. I'm gonna turn the water off.

[B]

No, for sure.

[A]

I'm turning the water off. I'm just saying.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

But that. But being all honesty, my sister is the only person that I've ever met that I can tell. I would tell us Things. And she would tell me I was wrong.

[B]

Yeah, you gotta have people like that. She would tell my brother like that, too, though.

[A]

And I was like. I'm like, I'm your. She's like, shawna, you're wrong.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And takes me to a place, and it helps me understand. But therapy, it took me a while to understand, because I was the exact same way. But when that lady told me she had enough, she said, Mr. Sharp, are you arguing for right or you arguing to be right? And she said about the communications. Mandarin Chinese in Spanish. I was like, man, communication is everything.

[B]

Yeah, it is. Definitely. It is.

[A]

And for sure. It's just. It's just. And I'm. I'm not a great communicator. I'll be the first to admit. I'm a withdrawal.

[B]

Right?

[A]

So I'm just.

[B]

I'm the same way, too, though.

[A]

I just need space. I just. I don't want to talk anymore.

[B]

I'm the same way. I'm not gonna lie. I'm definitely the same way.

[A]

I just know what he's talking about.

[B]

I try to avoid a lot of communication and confrontation.

[A]

You right.

[B]

I want to take it all the way there.

[A]

I'm just gonna go ahead and give it to you. Right. I was wrong. No, you just saying that, you know, I was like, what the.

[B]

Ain't that what you want, though?

[A]

Now, see, if I elevate my voice, you go talking about, why you doing that? I just said you was right. I was wrong. But you don't mean it.

[B]

Yeah, no, I'm definitely the same way. But I feel like when you have somebody, like you said, you just gave a perfect analysis. Like, when you don't have a dog in a fight, you need to have somebody that really could be able to say, right is right, wrong is wrong, correct. You know what I'm saying? And that's what therapy does for you. You feel me? And I was never, like, the type of person that felt comfortable opening up anyway. Cause, for one, I don't want nobody to judge me.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

Two, I don't really wanna feel.

[A]

I want you in my business.

[B]

Exactly. I don't want you in my business. I don't wanna feel, like, certain emotions where it's just like, I don't wanna relive a situation. You feel me? Like, if I feel like I. You never really move past it. You just ball it up and put it in your back pocket, and you try to run from reliving that situation. But sometimes you have to in order to really, like, grow and being Able to, like, deal with certain people. Because as humans, we have triggers, you know?

[A]

Yeah. For sure.

[B]

You don't know what trigger you. You find what I'm saying? So it's like, you gotta get over certain situations. Cause you might treat somebody who really good for you and doing right by you because you got a certain trigger for something that you done live 10 years ago.

[A]

You got to heal.

[B]

And they don't even know about this situation. So they wondering why you so mean to me? Or why you doing this? Or why you snap so quick when we talk about this subject. And you never talked about that trigger. So, like, I feel like that's what like therapy is. Has done, like help.

[A]

Therapy will help you from bleeding on somewhere that didn't even cut you.

[B]

Exactly, exactly.

[A]

Because no matter where we go, how big we.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

When you're in a relationship, you're dealing with that person's trauma, Be it childhood, be it adolescent, be it. At some point you're gonna have to address that, whatever it is, and you have an issue and you're gonna have to address that trauma. And if you don't get it addressed, the person that you care about the most or that's with you at that.

[B]

Point in time, gonna feel it for sure. It's like, I didn't really. I ain't understand that early on, though. Like, I used to try to be so good at going outside and smiling, acting like I'm okay and like taking on masking that pain and just. You feel what I'm saying, Like, dealing with people. Because I gotta be an artist. I gotta take pictures, I gotta do shows. Then when I come in the house, I'm releasing all that anger and it's just like. It's so I'm not being the right person that I should be to my girl or to my mom, to my kids, the people who closest to me. Because I feel like I'm comfortable here. And it's like, I'm angry, I'm pouting around. They like, what did I do?

[A]

And you take it on the people that's the closest to you.

[B]

Like, you always do that. And I had to really, like, learn to stop doing that. Like, I ain't gonna lie. My girl Pops told me some of the realest shit I ever heard in my life. He like, bro, I know you deal with a lot of shit, but just remember, whatever you going, look at that doormat and leave that shit outside, bro. Like, he told me that. And I swear he told me that probably four years ago. And I really think, like, that, like, if I go in the house and I'm angry, I got an attitude. Like, I try to, like, take some time to breathing. Cause they don't got nothing to do with that.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

Like, we take it out on the people that we sometimes the closest to us that we love the most.

[B]

Yeah. Because he told me that he, like, bro, I know you. Like, I know you going through shit. Like, I know. And it had to be from conversations he having with her.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You feel what I'm saying? He like, bro, just leave it at the front door. Like, you feel me? Like, if something happened where it's like, all right, bet she caused the problem, or, you know, like, address it. But, like, you can't go in there on defense mode where it's just like, you don't want to have certain conversations, or you upset because you done dealt with this, this, this, and this. Like, leave that shit at the door. When you leave, back out, pick it up and address the world with that energy. If you have to, leave it at the door at your house.

[A]

You've also worked with Lil Durk. How difficult is it to see him going through the situation that he's going through right now?

[B]

That shit is painful for sure. Because I feel like the whole situation with Durk is like, that shit could happen to anybody. In my opinion, like, in this field, because you moving fast, you don't know, like, who to trust or who doing. You can't be accountable for other people. You know what I'm saying? Like, you feel me? Like. And not even to speak on this situation, because it's still he going through it, but it's like, you can't be accountable for situations or what other people have done or whatever the. And a lot of times when you get that big, people work overtime to try to pull you down, to try to pull you off of that mountaintop. You feel what I'm saying? And I feel like that's what happened to Smurk. You know what I'm saying? It's like, me still, like, I'm not even gonna lie on Be like, for real, for real. I know. I feel it. Like, I feel it. I know he coming from under that shit. I know for a fact that's not the end of his story. He coming from under that shit. You feel what I'm saying? It's like, a lot of times you kind of. I hate to say, but, like, coming from where you come from, certain times, God, just, like, throw situations at you so you could be able to see the playing field for what it's for. Like, see who for you, who not for you. See the people that's counting you out and come back 10 times stronger. Like, sometimes that shit just make you a different type of animal, type of beast, where you just like hearing like, damn, everybody counting me out. You think it's over for me, huh? And then when you come out, it's just like, you better than you ever been. Like, you feel what I'm saying? Like, I know for a fact that's what's gonna happen to Smurf.

[A]

My grandma used to say, boy, life will give you a lesson until it teach you what you need to know. Now to keep giving it to you. Now you gonna. Like, you gonna.

[B]

Hey, yeah.

[A]

One way or another. Yeah, it's gonna learn. You gonna learn this lesson that's being taught. And you. But you're right when you're around people you don't know. And. And the thing is, the hardest thing is the trust. And sometimes you trust the wrong people. You put your trust in the wrong person, and it's just ain't no coming back from. Let me ask you this. Purchases. You got some money now you say you get that bread for half a bill. Got a half a bill at 16.

[B]

You're like, oh, okay.

[A]

When you first got your bread, what'd you do?

[B]

First thing I did was I bought my mama the house. I moved my mama out Chicago, far away. And like, I started, like, I ain't gonna lie, just doing dumb shit, buying cars, buying jewelry. Like, going to the hood, just looking out for everybody. You feel what I'm saying? Like, shit like that. Like, when I was 17, like, I'm. I was still outside on my block, like, all the time. You feel me?

[A]

And you got bread like that and you still outside.

[B]

Yeah, still outside. Riding around through the neighborhood. Like, I didn't. I didn't really, like, lock in and fully focus on my craft until I became, like 22, 23 years old. Like, for real, for real. I was still in the hood and going through all type of silly ass shit. You feel me?

[A]

Like, you look back and have us.

[B]

Like, man, I squandered some.

[A]

Man, I squandered some damn good money on some foolishness.

[B]

Yeah. And it's like, I feel like I wasted a lot of time where I really should have been, like, locked in better. Like, I feel like I feel like I would have 20 times more than I have now if I had that mentality early on, because I would get up and I wouldn't go to the studio. You know what I'm saying? Like, I wouldn't go to the studio. I would go outside. I go shopping, go buy clothes, go get high, ride around my homies, Nims just doing shit like that and go to the studio. When somebody called me to go to the studio, it wasn't my mindset. Like, I wouldn't wake up, be like, I want to go to the studio. It would have to be for my manager. Somebody was like, yeah, we got a studio book. I need you to do this. I need you to do that. Like, my mindset was never on music. It was just on being in the streets. I woke up and wanted to be in the streets, like, every day. So the purchases are limitless. Like, I was buying all type of, like, just car. I used to buy cars, and I was just so young and fried. I had money. Like, I could have built my credit up. I never wanted to put a car in my name. Like, I used to just tell people, like, yeah, go give me a car, like, any way you can. Like, I just pay you, and I lose the car, impound it, and never go get it back. Go get another car. Like, what? Cause I was so fried, I'm like, I don't want to call my name. Shit, anything happened. This motherfucker don't need to be in my name.

[A]

But you building credit like that, though.

[B]

I didn't know nothing about no credit. Ain't nobody tell me.

[A]

Like, I'm glad we're talking about credit. Cause our credit would tell.

[B]

Yeah, Like, I had for 400 credit without.

[A]

So I had for the.

[B]

So you said when you started getting the money, your credit was like, yeah.

[A]

But when I got some of this.

[B]

Shit in your equipment.

[A]

No, no. To be honest with you, G, when I got. When I. When I. I was in the league, man, I couldn't even. I had to get a co signer to get a car.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But that's. Cause we don't get taught about credit, though. Ain't nobody teaching nobody about credit. Like, you right about that. So it's like I and my mom and them, like, they knew about it, but I kind of, like, shut them out. You feel me? Like, my moms and my pops. This what I really regret, though. Like, when it come to family, I should have let my family in more because they had my best interest.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I was, like, shutting them out because I felt like, man, y' all don't know what y' all talking about.

[A]

Y' all ain't never had no money. Like, this how y' all telling me.

[B]

Y' all don't know what y' all talking about? You know what I'm saying? Like, and I really should have listened for it because my pops was trying to tell me to, like, build your credit, go through this bad building. Like, I ran through, like, six cars in one year. Like, buy a Porsche, crash and do something. Buy beans, buy this, buy a Jag. Like, shit like that. Just damn stupid.

[A]

You got kids now. What type of dad are you trying to be? What type of example are you trying to set for your kids?

[B]

For real. For real. I wanna, like, just being a hunted, like, being honest, bro. I just want to be a hunted with my kids, but I just want to be honest and let them know, like, the harsh realities of, like, the world, okay? The stuff that I've been through to get to where I am. You feel what I'm saying? And especially with having a daughter, I want to let her know, like, niggas ain't shit. Like, you know what I'm saying? Niggas ain't shit. You feel what I'm saying? Like, I was this kind of man, baby. You feel what I'm saying? Like, you gonna deal with this. Like, you beautiful. You gonna deal with this. You. And just understand, but make your own decisions as a woman. Do what you want to do, but know right from wrong. Know what's right. Know what a man's intentions is, regardless. And then you make your decision based off of that, right? Like, especially for my daughter and for my sons, I want them to. And I think a lot of people who, like, got money and made it out and have kids that's, like, born out of poverty think like this. Like, I want my kids to know how I feel, to work hard and earn something.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah, like, something. Just know how it feels to work hard and earn. And with my oldest son, I see it like, he's very spoiled and privileged. So when I try to, like, be stern and discipline him, I feel like a conversation will go further than a whooping. Like, I can't really hit him all the time when he doing wrong, right? I gotta talk to him and tell him, like, this is what you did. This is what I feel like you should have done. This is what happens if you keep on going down this road. You know what I'm saying? And he only 7 years old, so I gotta talk to him and have them kind of conversations. Like, I wanna be that dad where you, like, you could trust me. You feel me? Like, and my father was. And I get that. From my father. But I was naive. Why? I felt like I shouldn't talk to him. And I could have talked to my dad about anything I was going through, and he wouldn't have judged me. He would have helped me. Like, I was afraid because for a long time, I feared my dad. You know? Like, it's. I mean, you're supposed to fear your parents, you know, but you should, like, respect them and feel comfortable enough where you could talk to him.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I would lie to him before I tell him the truth because I was afraid of what he might think or what he might do. I don't want my kids to feel like they got a lot of me. I want my kids to feel like they could tell me, and I might be highly disappointed. You know what I'm saying? But you gotta tell me the truth. And I didn't learn that about my dad until I became an adult. When I became an adult, me and my dad got real close. Like, we became best friends. But for years, I didn't communicate with him about certain shit. And he was right there. Like, he was with my mom in the house with me. And I wouldn't tell him certain shit because, like, I feared him until I didn't. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, got to a point where it's like, I ain't scared of you no more. I don't gotta tell you shit. You feel me? Like, I don't want my kids to act like that with me.

[A]

Why was it important for you to wait until you became financially stable before you had kids?

[B]

Yeah, that was mandatory for me. I had to. I just felt, like, the stuff that I seen, like, with my family and people around, like, I wanted to be able to provide for my kids and be able to, like, do it comfortably, like, right. I couldn't. I couldn't see myself having a baby. And I'm just still on knucklehead shit, right? You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

Like, I couldn't, or. You a baby yourself, basically.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. So it's like, I didn't. I knew. Like, you know how you get that gut feeling, that intuition? Like, all right, it's cool. I could have a kid. Like, you get to a point where, like, you get enough success or money, like, I could have a kid. Cause I want to have a kid. I don't even gotta have to be with the mama if I don't want to. You feel what I'm saying? Like, that was kind of like my mentality when I was growing up like, you know, like, I'm like, hell no. I ain't having no kid right now because I don't want to deal with like no baby mama shit and not having the control where it's like, you know, when women get upset, they do spiteful stuff, especially when money involved.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? So it's like, no matter what, I want to always be in a position where even if we not cool or on the best of terms or whatever, I could provide for you because you the mother of my child or provide for. Like, I understood that. Cause I seen it so many times. I seen my aunties crashing out and doing the worst of the worst because you mad about the smallest thing. You know what I'm saying? That really could just be a conversation. And me and the most frustrated when we broke.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

So it's like, you don't want to talk. You don't want to have conversations. You don't want to do this. And you just be like. Like, you might neglect your kid, you might neglect your baby mama or whatever the case, just cause you like, I need to go get some money. I don't even want to talk to you. So you miss it so much. It's like, I never wanted to be that guy. Right.

[A]

Your son's on social media and he went viral because he said, stop calling me a y. N. Calling me a.

[B]

Y. N. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And I mean, that had to make me proud. You took the words out. I said, that had to make you feel good. Yeah.

[B]

Nah, that made me super proud, man. It's like, my kid. He's really smart. Your son is very, very smart. He's very articulate. Like, he. And I don't even know what made him say that. You know what I'm saying? It's like, because he look up to me. Don't get me wrong. Like, he look up to me and he, like, read stuff. Like, he know, like, I come from the streets. I've been through certain stuff. And it's like, he just was like, I don't want to be classified. There's no y N. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

Does he ask you about. Does he ask you about your upbringing? Does he ask you a little bit about what?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, he do. Like, he asked me about, like, certain stuff, like what I did to ever be arrested. Right. And if, like, ask me about, like, my homies who passed away. You see what I'm saying? Shit like that. Like, what happened? What happened when you got shot? Cause it's all public record.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

He could see it.

[A]

That's what you got. The Internet now is different.

[B]

That's what you gotta protect. It's different now for sure. Like, you gotta protect your kids from that. And you gotta be so in front of it where it's like, you don't make split decisions because it's gonna be there forever.

[A]

Right?

[B]

You feel what I'm saying? So, yeah, he asked me certain stuff, and I gotta tell him the truth.

[A]

You got to. Cause you gonna go read. Gonna go dig and read and find out.

[B]

And I told him I had a conversation with him, not too long. And I'm like, son, the streets is like. It's bad. Like, you live a great life. Like, you know what I'm saying? Your dad is a millionaire, your mom a millionaire. You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

You don't have to make the choices.

[B]

Make the choices that I made. You feel what I'm saying? Because he still, like, he might go around, like, family members, my cousins on my mom on them side, like, they still in the trenches a little bit, you know what I'm saying? I gotta remind him, like, you not that kid. Son, when you wanna live that lifestyle, it's only two things that come from it. Death or in jail, you know what I'm saying? Like, literally. And you have the opportunity to be everything you wanna be. Anything you wanna be, like, you so smart. You feel what I'm saying? Like, you don't have to, like. Because the Internet, like, he wanna be around his cousins, them. And they listen to, like, King Von and Lucha music. But y' all not that, though. It's okay to listen to the music and enjoy it. You could enjoy music. Your dad a rapper.

[A]

It's cool.

[B]

But don't fall so deep into it where you wanna, like, idolize it and be that. Yes, and be that. You know? So I had to have that conversation with him, and his mom even called me, like, I don't know what's wrong with him when he think he, like, tough. You know what I'm saying? She like, you ain't tough, boy. Your ass living a penthouse up here. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, you ain't never had a tough day in your life, you feel me? So, like, I had to have these conversations with him, you know? And then it's like, my son is a regular kid, but he a celebrity. So everybody, like, boost him up and let him get away with it. Like, yeah, your son is cute to them. You feel what I'm saying? It's like, it's cool when you seven, but then when you get 17, 17.

[A]

Ain'T gonna be a problem.

[B]

You think? It's the. You know what I'm saying? So. So I had those conversations with him where he know for sure. Like, nah, this is not what we doing.

[A]

Like, co parenting. You make it work. I mean, you go on vacation.

[B]

Thank God. How you able to do that for me, man? I'm not gonna lie. It's like, I always. Just with women, you gotta be able to forgive. You feel what I'm saying?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You gotta be able to forgive, and you gotta be able to hold yourself accountable, too, when you do wrong, you know?

[A]

For sure.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

So it's like, but that ain't how we operate.

[B]

That's not how I want to talk.

[A]

About what you did. Don't worry about what I did. We'll talk about that later. We could be 20, never.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. So, like, with me, I just. I promise, bro, I always, like, felt like, man, it's gonna be all right. Like, shit'll get greater later. Like, whenever I'm going through shit with my girl, even at home, while I was going through shit with my baby mama.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I just always was able to, like, forgive. And sometimes my girl used to get mad at me. Like, you just forgive her all the time. Like, no matter what she do, it's like, I don't really take it personal. Cause it's like, I know for a fact I'm not going like, no, I'm not gonna say I don't take it personal. I took a lot of shit personal.

[A]

When you younger. You and you young.

[B]

So, yeah, all of it's like, I know for the love of my son, I can't hate you. Correct. I feel like that'll make me a bad dad. It's certain people who really, like, start hating they baby mama. So now it kind of like, it dictate how you parent your child.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? Like, I never wanted to be that guy.

[A]

And guess what? That situation will never change. She always go, be the mother of your child. So whether you see, he's six months. He's 6, 16, 26, 36.

[B]

Regardless, she. Yeah. And I never wanted my son to grow up and be like. And to see y' all treated my mama bad. You feel me? Like, so that was always something that, like, I just was like, man, I got the short end of the stick a lot, a lot, a lot. Just trying to be like, man, I just want this shit to work somehow, you know what I'm saying because you my woman. I love you. You feel what I'm saying? This my son, Mom. You feel what I'm saying? I'm gonna have love for them regardless, you know, because it's my son, Mom. And I love my son unconditionally. And I have to, no matter what. Like, even if I'm upset, my son, he's smart as shit, bro. I could be mad. Me and his mama probably was arguing or some shit. And then it's like, when I pick him up, I don't wanna, like, argue.

[A]

Have the energy around.

[B]

Have the energy around. I'm gonna be like, hey, what's up? Get my son. Get in the car. You feel what I'm saying? Like, shit like that. So it's like, I always was able to just, like, throw shit under the rug.

[A]

A fan called. A disagreement you seemingly was having with one of your kids in the car.

[B]

Yeah, it's just like one of my. With Tyena, you said? Yeah. No. You know what's so crazy? It was recently, like, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So this situation, me and her wasn't arguing. She was frustrated because actually, me and my security. Him right there. I was arguing with this guy right there. Me and him. So it was like a situation where we was in a club and I had, like, words with a security guard and just telling him, like, man, move around. Get away from me. And I think he did something that offended my girl, right? Like, you know, And I was like, telling him, like, you feel what I'm saying? Telling him, like, he did something that offended her. And he was like. Kind of like, my security was just like, all right, cool. I know him. Like, he was like, I'm trying to tell her to explain this story. Like, explain it. He was like, talking back to me. So me and him, just. Me and my security, we like this. We like brothers. So it's like we had those heated arguments. And when I'm. When I'm on 10, I'm on 10. You can't really, like, calm down.

[A]

Ain't no reason, ain't no ratchet.

[B]

I'm already on 10. So my window was down, right? And Tyena kept telling me, like, let your window down. I mean, let your window up. You arguing, somebody's gonna catch you. Somebody's like, she know, like, she don't. She don't play that shit. She don't want to go viral. She don't want no type of nothing. Like, you feel what I'm saying? She telling me, like, let your window up. Somebody's gonna record you arguing. Cause his fans walking out. I'm not listening to her. I didn't care. Me and him already.

[A]

We already hear.

[B]

We already heated. I'm like, man, all that. So when the girl walked up, she just catched me arguing. But she catch Tyena, like, with an attitude too, like, telling me, like, let your window up. I'm steady telling you, let your window up. And she see the girl recording. So they thought I was arguing with her. But I never was arguing with her. I was arguing with my security.

[A]

Yeah, it was him back there.

[B]

It was him. It was his.

[A]

Women. Cardi B said, it's more like, do you see a woman to go after a man in a relationship, as opposed to a man going after a woman in a relationship.

[B]

So, like, I don't really get what she meant by that, though.

[A]

She said women, like, if. Say if a guy's in a relationship, it's more likely that a woman would approach a man knowing he's in a relationship, as opposed to a man knowing a woman is in a relationship would approach her.

[B]

I believe that you agree with it. Yeah, I agree with that.

[A]

I think I do too.

[B]

I agree with her.

[A]

Hey, you. Introduce you. Hey, how you doing? I got a man. Once you tell me you got a man, I'm good. Yeah, you can't have no friends. Yeah, you know, I hate none of that. You told me you got a man. I'm cool with that.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

I'm cool. Cause I already know how men are. Men might not even like that woman. Yeah, but let another man show interest in them.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Now you got a problem. I don't want no problem.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Cause I'm just going by what she said. She said she didn't have nobody. She got somebody. Yeah, well, let me take that back. She might not have him, but he got her.

[B]

He got her. Right. So it's still a problem for sure. And then it's like with women, I ain't understand it early on, you know. Cause I was raised by women, for real. So I understand that. I understand like, women, like, I heard some real shit when I was young. Like, women, emotions are like oceans. Like, men say what they mean, women say what they feel.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

You know, so it's like when you dealing with a woman, especially if you in love with her, you love your woman and you doing right by her. Women will try to really come between it, you know what I'm saying? And really try to, like, you know, just want what the next woman got.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

You know what I'm saying I feel like men don't really do that. Men don't really be like, oh, yeah, I want this. Cause so and so got it. They just. Yeah. Like that's not really in our nature. You feel me? So I definitely agree with her when she say that for sure. And then you thinking about it, certain men would not. Like, if you got sense, common sense, like me and you got. It's like, you know that certain men gonna go to the furthest extent about a woman. Like some of the biggest empires, some of the biggest world. The wars in the world over a woman.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? So it's like if you're not really willing to risk your life or risk your freedom and do certain shit behind trying to pursue a woman. And you know that that's probably what come with it. It's like nine times out of 10, most men just gonna wash their hands when they see it getting to a certain extent. You feel what I'm saying? Like, so women. Not like that, though. When women feel that friction from a woman and they going back, they just keep going.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? It's the opposite.

[A]

Right. I saw, I saw this thing the other day. Let me know what you think. They said like, men would probably, if a woman, if his girl, significant other, whatever the case may be, cheated on him. If his friends didn't know, homeboys didn't find out, he would probably take her back. But it's when the homies or the friends find out. Yeah, he can't do it.

[B]

Yeah, he can't do it. That's a lot. Yeah, it's like, nah, I can't. Yeah, for sure. Absolutely.

[A]

That's why you keep your stuff off the Internet.

[B]

You do.

[A]

That's why you keep people out of your business. You can work a lot of things out, just you and her.

[B]

You and her for sure.

[A]

But the moment. Because if you date publicly, you gotta break up publicly.

[B]

Yeah, definitely.

[A]

If everybody's in your business and they know you dating such and such, when you break up, everybody gonna be in your business and know why you broke up.

[B]

Yeah, no, definitely. And like, I feel like. I definitely feel like that's true. It's like when. If you love somebody enough, you could see past a lot of. You can. You can. You can work past it. You feel what I'm saying? But then when you got a lot of people in your ear, the homeboy.

[A]

You know, like the sharp. I know, I know you ain't gonna put up with that, man. The Sharp. I know.

[B]

That's tough.

[A]

Yeah. I've been knowing, man. I know you 40 years.

[B]

That's tough. That's tough for sure. That's definitely tough. Cause it's like, as a man, like, you know, we possessive as well. That's mine. You know what I'm saying? This is mine. So, like, even if your girl might have stepped out on you or did certain shit, it's like you really deep down don't want to see her with nobody else. You feel me? Like, you don't want to see her with nobody else. But your pride of might let you, like, all right. Bet you lose her and you might really live your whole life in regret. Like, damn, this the one I let get away. You know what I'm saying? Like, I done seen that shit happen a lot of times. Like with my uncles, like people in my family. I done seen it happen a lot. You feel what I'm saying? I think my mom and dad, like, lasted and been together 30, 40 years. Cause no matter what, my daddy was not letting my mama leave. I done seen my mama try to leave my daddy a couple times. Nah, nah, nah. He wouldn't let her go.

[A]

They took that death duel apart.

[B]

He wouldn't let her go. Nah, he gonna lie. Like, I know for a fact my mama done tried to leave my daddy at least three, four times.

[A]

Right. Can men be in platonic relationships with women? Can you have a best friend that's a woman?

[B]

I believe so. I really believe you can for sure. It's just like certain men, if you attracted to a woman, that's another thing. I think that's what makes.

[A]

Yeah, that's the problem.

[B]

That's what make it frustrating. You can't be attracted to your best friend. Cause y' all know too much about each other. One of y' all gonna damn near try each other at some point. You know what I'm saying? But. But I definitely do feel like that though. Like, you know, like, I seen it for sure. Like, I've never. I think just cause I was in the streets, I never, like, befriended a woman before.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Okay. Because I just know, like, women's emotions. Like, I just feel like I could never really trust a woman unless I'm in an intimate relationship with them. Correct. I couldn't trust a woman to just be my friend and know shit about me. Only person I open up to is my woman.

[A]

Woman.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, hey, you coming up on 30.

[B]

Married and it Shay something else, man. I need something.

[A]

You got. You take the bottle.

[B]

It's Shay Smooth man, hey, y', all, you smooth as a motherfucker, man.

[A]

So marriage in the future, I mean. I mean, you want more kids, you want a wife?

[B]

That's where I'm at with life. Like, that's my next step. I'm finna get married. Like, for real. About to marry my woman. I think I was.

[A]

You gonna go do that, huh?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Hell, yeah. I'm about to marry. And I was really just like. Just that elevation and growth. Like, I was always that. I'm a critical thinker. I take steps ahead. I ain't want to get married so I could afford a ring that cost 300,000.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Damn. Awareness. A million like, shit like that. I was always on that type of time. I always envisioned myself to have that. You feel me? I kind of cut my relationship short because she didn't want. She didn't even want that, like, need all that. That's what I was on, right?

[A]

That's what you wanted.

[B]

Let me go get the money, do this and do that, and get in a comfortable space where it's like, all right. I could do it right.

[A]

You know, big weddings are. Depress other people. That ain't for you and your girl.

[B]

And I wanted to impress other people. I ain't gonna lie. I did. But it was still, like, for her too, though, because when a woman feel that, it's like you don't get the experience that again. You know what I'm saying? Like, you only get one life. You only get one real dream wedding. And like, that. You feel what I'm saying? But, like, where I am right now, though, like, I'm. I definitely. I can't wait to marry my girl.

[A]

So that soon we get what we talk. We talking about a year, two years.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. Hell, yeah. I'm ready to.

[A]

Like, you ready to do that thing now, you see? You see right now, you set up in the chair, ready to get on.

[B]

One knee right now, ready to go home and propose.

[A]

Drill Rap. Are you shocked that New York and UK taking over Drill Rap?

[B]

Honestly, I'm not. I'm gonna be honest.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Because, like, I feel like Chicago kind of lost touch with Drill. Like, just the. What I mean by that is like the production, the sound, you know, like the up tempo shit. Like in Chicago, Drill, it always was about, like, street shit, you know what I'm saying? You talking about gangster shit, but I think Chicago just got too gangster where they just talking about it ain't even, like, appealing. Like, when Drill came out, that shit, you could play that shit. It'll turn the whole club up, right? Like, turn everything up. And when New York and the UK learned to master that, they mastered and started making hits from it. I haven't heard a real Drill hit from Chicago that's undeniable in so long. Like, yeah, the young niggas, they go up, they talk about street shit and shit, but it's like, I feel like we lost that touch of drill. And New York and the uk, especially the uk, still got it for sure. Like, it's kind of dying out a little bit in New York, but in the UK, 100%, like, they got it when it comes to the drill wave. You feel what I'm saying? Like, I'm a gear to my til my hat as one of the pioneers of, you know what I'm saying, Drill rap. And I think that's only because you have to, no matter what you rapping about. That shit gotta be catchy, bro. They still making undeniable hits on the Drill shit, you know what I'm saying? It's like, I'm a fan of it. I listen to it myself.

[A]

All right, we're gonna get you out of here on this one. Tell us about the album and what made you choose the photo that you chose for.

[B]

I just wanted to, like, go back and, like, remind the world of who I am, like, what it took to get here, like, where I come from. You feel what I'm saying? Because I could really be dead on jail right now, you know? And I've done so much. And I had a conversation with my manager when Mickey told me, like, bro, you don't really understand, like, how much legendary, like, you didn't really did. Like, you really like somebody that's influenced and impacted so many lives and done so much, and you got so much to go. Yeah, like, you have. You still have. Your trajectory is so high.

[A]

After you've come a long way, you.

[B]

Got a long way to go. Like, it's still looking good for you, you know what I'm saying? And when he said that, I just started, like, going back, looking at my old videos, like, looking at old interviews and, like, Googling, like, my old pictures when I was a kid. And I came across those mug shots, and I'm like, I'm finna make this my album cover. You know what I'm saying? Like, I wanted to, like, paint that picture and tell a story. Like, I've been doing it at a high level kind of since I was a teenager. But at that time, I was really, like, I was up against a lot like, that kid on that mug shot could not be here right now. You feel what I'm saying? And I wanted to like people to see the pain in my eyes. Like, when I put the first announcement out, my first mug shot, I was like, 11 years old. Wow. I couldn't believe it. Like, I seen that picture like, I was a kid. I looked like your son going to jail. I couldn't picture me seeing my son with a mug shot. That just let you know what we was up against early on. You feel me? Like, it could have went totally left, but I did it right. Like, I went the right way. You feel what I'm saying? And that's what I wanted to, like, show the world. Because I'm always. Don't get me wrong, I got my core fan base, the people who love and support me. But I'm trying to tell that story to the people who never heard me ever before. Like, never heard my name. So that's what I wanted to like, you know, because you might Ken G herborn. All you probably know is went legit, right? You don't know nothing about walking the face over land. You don't know nothing about that kid that was 15, 16 years old on the block freestyling and made it from there to here. You feel me? So, like, that's why I chose that picture for sure.

[A]

Go cop the album. Little Herb. Here he is. G Herbo. Appreciate you, bro. Appreciate you. All my life been grinding all my life Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, wanna slice, got to roll a dice that's why all my life I be grinding.

[B]

All my life Love all my life.

[A]

Been grinding all my life Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, wanna slice, got the roll a dice that's why all my.

[B]

Life I've been grinding all my life.