Club Shay Shay - Wiz Khalifa Part 2: A Deep Dive into Friendship, Business, and Personal Journeys

Hosted by Shannon Sharpe, NFL legend and Club Shay Shay co-host, this episode features a candid and insightful conversation with renowned artists Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg. Released on December 11, 2024, the episode explores their enduring friendship, ventures in the cannabis industry, involvement in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), personal lives, and perspectives on the music business.

I. Enduring Friendship and Mutual Respect

The conversation opens with Wiz Khalifa reflecting on his long-standing friendship with Snoop Dogg, highlighting the genuineness and depth of their bond.

Wiz Khalifa [02:06]: "I've known Snoop probably 30 plus years and the only thing he's one of the few people that when you meet him he makes you feel like he's known you for 100 years."

Snoop Dogg echoes this sentiment, emphasizing how Wiz's authentic approach created a comfortable and collaborative environment.

Snoop Dogg [02:42]: "I love that about him too. He did the complete opposite of hate on me. He made a movie with me. He was like, 'I'm kidnapping you. You coming to LA. We're making a movie.'"

Their mutual respect sets the foundation for a heartfelt and engaging dialogue throughout the episode.

II. Ventures in the Cannabis Industry

A significant portion of the discussion delves into the cannabis industry, where both artists share their experiences and aspirations.

A. Ownership and Ethical Practices

Wiz Khalifa raises a critical point about the scarcity of Black-owned dispensaries, expressing a desire for systemic change within the business.

Wiz Khalifa [03:51]: "Dispensaries, you know, obviously weed has become legal, but there's not a whole lot of or if any Black that own dispensaries. Would you like to see that change?"

Snoop Dogg concurs, advocating for Black-owned businesses to adopt ethical practices to ensure longevity and legality.

Snoop Dogg [04:05]: "I just wanna see the business change... You can't do both. You gotta do it the right way."

B. Business Partnerships and Investments

Snoop discusses his investment strategies, highlighting partnerships with influential figures like Kevin Hart and involvement in ventures such as Liquid Death.

Snoop Dogg [08:07]: "It's something that they brought to me as an idea, and we went full in on that shit."

He emphasizes the importance of partnership over mere licensing, aiming to elevate businesses through collaborative efforts.

Snoop Dogg [09:25]: "Yeah, I usually don't take as much up front, but I usually take ownership of the company, right? Like, if I can get a piece of the company for helping blow it up. Yeah, we can work."

III. Involvement in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Both Wiz and Snoop share their passion for MMA, discussing their training, investment in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and thoughts on celebrity matches.

A. Personal Training and Philosophy

Snoop narrates his journey into MMA, highlighting the community aspect and the discipline it instilled.

Snoop Dogg [12:22]: "I just stumbled in the gym, bro. Like, just walked in there and never left."

B. Celebrity and MMA Matches

The duo entertains the idea of celebrity MMA matches, contemplating the challenges and entertainment value such events could bring.

Wiz Khalifa [09:47]: "Do you wanna do a celebrity or MMA match with somebody?"

Snoop explains the intensity of MMA training, suggesting that only those with prior experience could withstand the rigorous workouts.

Snoop Dogg [18:59]: "Anybody walking straight into the gym... you're getting killed. 100%."

IV. Personal Lives: Parenting, Divorce, and Relationships

Snoop Dogg opens up about his personal life, offering insights into his parenting style, coping with divorce, and preferences in relationships.

A. Parenting and Family Dynamics

Comparing his approach to parenting with his own parents, Snoop highlights a balance of sternness and leniency, fostering a supportive environment for his child.

Snoop Dogg [33:22]: "I would say that I'm very similar to how my dad parented me. He was stern... and my mom is super chill and lenient."

B. Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting

Snoop candidly discusses his amicable divorce with Amber and the challenges of co-parenting, emphasizing mutual respect and prioritizing their child’s well-being.

Snoop Dogg [35:01]: "Sometimes being in a relationship can, like, dilute that... But now that's all we have to focus on."

C. Relationship Preferences and Challenges

He shares his perspective on dating outside the celebrity sphere, acknowledging the complexities and social challenges involved.

Snoop Dogg [40:20]: "I don't. I'm probably gonna get killed. A normal woman that worked a 9 to 5... more difficult to have them understand your lifestyle."

V. The Music Business and Artist Management

Snoop Dogg provides a masterclass on navigating the music industry, particularly focusing on artist management and the pitfalls of 360 deals.

A. Understanding 360 Deals

He explains the intricacies of 360 deals, advocating for artists to retain control over their work and financial decisions.

Snoop Dogg [58:42]: "A 360 deal is when they manage you, they own part of your publishing, they own everything... it's better that you own the majority of your stuff."

B. Advice for Emerging Artists

Emphasizing independence, Snoop advises new artists to manage their careers proactively, suggesting that partnerships with legends like himself can come later.

Snoop Dogg [30:43]: "My advice for any artist would just be like, just do it all yourself... You don't have to give them your music."

C. Artist Signings and Collaborations

Discussing his label, Snoop highlights past collaborations with Juicy J and Ty Dolla Sign, emphasizing timing, mutual respect, and mutual appreciation of each other's work.

Snoop Dogg [27:04]: "Juicy already being a legend and just having a reinvention... it just all had to do with like timing and us really being cool with each other."

VI. Upcoming Projects and Creative Endeavors

Snoop Dogg reveals details about his upcoming album "Cushion Orange Juice 2," showcasing his commitment to musical depth and collaborating with talented producers.

Snoop Dogg [61:26]: "I have a new album coming out... It's called Cushion Orange Juice 2. It returns to the original sound that people love me for."

He discusses the creative process, involving live instruments and a collaborative environment aimed at delivering a rich musical experience.

Snoop Dogg [62:33]: "It's like, we did not just like, scheduled everything... It really, really fun for me to be able to, like, just show people what I think is cool."

VII. Personal Anecdotes and Light-Hearted Moments

Interspersed with serious discussions, the episode features humorous and relatable moments, such as visits to strip clubs and managing a high intake of cannabis.

A. Unique Experiences

Snoop shares amusing stories about going to strip clubs with his ex-wife and mother, highlighting the unconventional dynamics and their lighthearted approach.

Snoop Dogg [35:55]: "We bought each other lap dances... she got the big stack of money and she's throwing it on the ass."

B. Cannabis Consumption and Preferences

Further into the episode, Snoop delves into his cannabis habits, preferences for certain strains, and humorous takes on smoking practices.

Snoop Dogg [54:07]: "I'm getting smaller tattoos now... I'm not sitting there for eight, you know, I used to do like eight, 10, 12-hour sessions."

VIII. Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

As the episode concludes, both artists reflect on their journeys and express aspirations for future endeavors, including acting roles and expanding their business ventures.

Snoop Dogg [56:00]: "There are roles that I could play... I would definitely wanna do acting. I wanna get into like action stuff."

Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg share mutual appreciation for each other's contributions to their industries and express excitement for future collaborations and projects.

Wiz Khalifa [63:54]: "Appreciate you, bro."

Notable Quotes:

• Wiz Khalifa [02:06]: "I've known Snoop probably 30 plus years and the only thing he's one of the few people that when you meet him he makes you feel like he's known you for 100 years."

• Snoop Dogg [04:05]: "You can't do both. You gotta do it the right way."

• Snoop Dogg [58:42]: "A 360 deal is when they manage you, they own part of your publishing, they own everything... it's better that you own the majority of your stuff."

• Snoop Dogg [61:26]: "I have a new album coming out... It's called Cushion Orange Juice 2. It returns to the original sound that people love me for."

Conclusion

This episode of Club Shay Shay offers listeners an intimate look into the lives of Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg, blending discussions on business acumen, personal growth, and the entertainment industry with light-hearted banter and personal stories. Shannon Sharpe adeptly steers the conversation, allowing both artists to share their journeys and insights, making it a valuable listen for fans and those interested in the multifaceted lives of contemporary icons.