Club Shay Shay – Tony Yayo Part 2

Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: Tony Yayo
Date: September 10, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media

Episode Overview

In this rich, unfiltered follow-up, Shannon Sharpe welcomes back G-Unit co-founder Tony Yayo for a deep, often hilarious, and highly personal conversation. The two dig into the realities of loyalty, success, hip hop's evolution, money management, and the complex dynamics between friends turned business partners. Yayo offers stories from his storied career, from signing his daughter's birth certificate in jail, to iconic music beefs, the G-Unit era, life lessons on money, faith, and humility, plus some memorable tales about working with legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Beyoncé, and more. The episode brims with wisdom, laughs, classic hip hop nostalgia, and some sharp candor about the pain and pride of his journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family, Fatherhood, and Incarceration

[03:15–04:01]

• Tony Yayo recollects the emotional moment of signing his daughter's birth certificate while incarcerated at Rikers Island, with a corrections officer as the witness.
  • "That was tough. That's when I knew I had to go home." – Tony Yayo [03:24]
• Fatherhood fundamentally changed his priorities from chasing fame to protecting and caring for his family.
  • "It's not about the money, the cars and the jewelry. It's about taking care of your family and making sure your kids is correct." [03:41]

2. Fame, Hate, and Social Media's Double-Edged Sword

[04:41–08:29]

• Yayo and Sharpe discuss the negative impact of online comments and how easy it is to become a target of hate, regardless of success.
  • "The Internet is undefeated." – Tony Yayo [05:22]
  • "You always get love in your hood last...music breaks all barriers." [08:10]
• The struggle for respect, particularly in his home borough versus international fans.

3. Hip Hop's Evolution & Regional Dynamics

[09:17–18:28]

• Detailed stroll through hip hop history: 80s lyricism, early New York dominance, and the eventual shift to the South (Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans).
• Nostalgia for classic battles (KRS-One vs. MC Shan, LL vs. Kool Moe Dee, etc.), the social consciousness of early rap, and why contemporary music lacks the same exclusivity.
  • "It'll never be like it was in the 80s. Hip hop, not rap." — Interviewer [13:33]
• Spirited debate: Is New York still the home of true hip hop, or has Atlanta and the South surpassed it?
  • "I feel like everybody kind of hates New York. Cause we feel like we the innovator." – Tony Yayo [13:45]

4. G-Unit, Loyalty, and the Realities of Group Dynamics

[22:13–24:56]

• Tony shares his perspective on loyalty and G-Unit's bonds versus business relationships like Jay-Z’s with his crew.
  • "Everybody can't be Beyonce. Everybody can't be Jay Z. Everybody can't beat Nas..." [22:57]
• Conversation turns to issues of credit, how G-Unit was perceived as "the most hated," and why not all members got equal respect.
  • "Game wanted to do his own thing...he didn't have to be loyal to 50." [49:14]

5. Surviving and Giving Back

[24:22–30:34]

• Challenges and dangers of returning to the neighborhood after attaining fame.
  • "You always gonna be a target in the limelight, especially in your hood. Rappers die in the hood, they don’t die in the suburbs." [25:08]
• Importance of supporting and mentoring youth, working with the Knicks’ "Garden of Dreams" foundation.

6. Money, Success, and Hard Lessons

[30:55–34:36]

• Real talk on managing money, learning from past mistakes, and financial literacy often missing in entertainment.
  • "The money thing about money is save it. Save it for a rainy day." [30:58]
  • "We don't go to school and we don't learn about real estate and taxes and sh*t like that." [32:57]
• On impulsive spending vs. the discipline shown by 50 Cent and Eminem.

7. Notable Industry Stories & Hip Hop Culture

[35:23–47:02]

• Studio moments with Dr. Dre's relentless perfectionism and working with Beyoncé before her global solo stardom.
  • "Dre is a perfectionist as well as Eminem. That was an experience." [39:32]
• The economics of touring, being a support act vs. being the star, and handling being "bumped out of the way" as the hype man.

8. Long-Lasting Beefs, Industry Politics, and Keeping It Real

[47:39–51:04]

• Still no love for Ja Rule—some beefs are eternal.
  • "Till the day we're not here, I just would never like you." – Tony Yayo [56:23]
• The line between business and friendship in the music industry, and why it's important to accept it for what it is.

9. Hip Hop Beef, Battle Rap, and the Culture of Competition

[58:34–62:38]

• Celebrating the competitive side of hip hop, from classic battle tracks to the recent Drake vs. Kendrick feud.
  • “I come off of battle rap. KRS-One, MC Shan, Nas Ether vs. Jay Z. Tupac 50, Ja Rule, Tupac Machiavelli dissing Diddy.” [59:03]

10. Brand Loyalty, Influence, and Supporting Black Businesses

[63:20–64:53]

• Importance of supporting emerging brands, not just established luxury labels, especially from fellow Black entrepreneurs.

11. Reflections, Lessons, and Humility

[70:54–74:16]

• Living in the moment and stories of being starstruck around legends, while staying humble and grounded.
  • “I live in the moment, man. Like, I’m living in the moment here. I’m on Shay Shay’s show.” – Tony Yayo [71:21]
• Love for classic tour memories with Nas, Cash Money, and the early days with 50 Cent.

12. Lessons on Loyalty, Egos, and Group Downfalls

[84:00–89:56]

• Yayo’s personal definition of loyalty, acceptance, and the pitfalls of ego—especially in groups and business relationships.
  • “Loyalty is just being real. That’s it.” – Tony Yayo [84:15]
  • “You know your friends for who they are… Accept them for that.” [85:15]
• The tragic consequences of beef (the Jimmy Henchman and Lodi Mac situation) and the very real violence that can emerge from industry conflicts.

13. Final Reflective Thoughts & Legacy

[90:50–95:10]

• Advice to his younger self: Avoid trouble, be careful about your circle, recognize the impact of decisions, and stay humble.
  • “One decision could change anybody’s life.” [90:40]
• Ponders what his book would look like and the lessons of surviving the street and industry beefs.

14. The Future: Podcasting, Cannabis, and Hustle

[96:15–96:38]

• Yayo is looking to transition into podcasting, inspired by recent appearances on big platforms.
  • “Because I could talk forever, man.” [55:50]
• Mentions new music, merch (Free Yayo & Passport Gang shirts), and a cannabis line on the way.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You always get love in your hood last. See, music don't have nothing to do with color, race. The best thing about music is it breaks all barriers.” – Tony Yayo [08:10]
• “With social media now, everybody gets it... Put your kids up. Your kids is ugly. Put your car up. I hate your car. The Internet is undefeated.” – Tony Yayo [05:21]
• “It’s not glazing, it’s not d*ck riding. You give credit where it's due. That's it.” – Tony Yayo on loyalty to 50 Cent [34:50]
• “Give me a simple life. Simple.” – Tony Yayo [38:45]
• “When you in a limelight, you a walking lawsuit.” – Tony Yayo [43:48]
• “I had more fun before the money came in.” – Tony Yayo [46:24]
• “Some people just never get along. And it's cool.” – Tony Yayo on perpetual industry beefs [57:28]
• “Loyalty is just being real.” – Tony Yayo [84:15]
• “You know your friends for who they are… Accept them for that.” – Tony Yayo [85:15]

Key Timestamps

• 03:21 – Talking about signing his daughter's birth certificate in jail
• 05:22 – The Internet is undefeated (social media hate)
• 08:10 – “You get love in your hood last.”
• 14:47 – Female MCs: giving props to Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and more
• 17:23 – South’s rise in hip hop, the shift away from New York
• 22:13 – Loyalty in G-Unit vs. business with other crews
• 25:08 – Dangers of being in your own hood after fame
• 30:58 – Lessons about money management
• 39:05 – Studio stories with Dr. Dre (perfectionism)
• 46:24 – Fun before the money
• 55:50 – Tony Yayo talks about transitioning to podcasting
• 56:23 – Explaining ongoing Ja Rule beef
• 58:39 – Why the Drake-Kendrick beef was good for hip hop
• 63:20 – Supporting (or not supporting) brands and culture
• 70:54 – Tony on living in the moment and expanding horizons
• 84:00 – Loyalty and friendship deconstructed
• 90:50 – "Stay out of trouble," advice to his younger self
• 96:15 – Promotion: upcoming podcast, cannabis, new music, merch

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the unfiltered, streetwise, and candid energy characteristic of both Tony Yayo and Shannon Sharpe. Yayo’s voice is authentic, forthright, peppered with vivid storytelling, hip hop history, and hard-earned wisdom. Humor often breaks up the heavier moments, always anchored by a sense of gratitude and humility about his journey.

Conclusion

This episode is a window into the real-life costs and rewards of hip hop fame, the challenges of staying true to oneself and your friends, and the resilience required to survive and adapt in an industry as cutthroat as rap. Yayo’s storytelling, combined with Sharpe’s insightful prompts, make for an episode rich in entertainment, nostalgia, and authentic life lessons—necessary listening for hip hop fans and anyone interested in the realities behind the headlines.

For further information or full context, listen to the full episode of Club Shay Shay – Tony Yayo Part 2.