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42 CEO
I was talking about Taylor Swift's new stuff because, dude, I know she's the biggest artist. I respect her and she's done amazing. But I mean, she had 28 different variants of her last album.
Interviewer
Why?
42 CEO
Which, like, yeah, basically if you wanted to, you could purchase 28 versions of her album, which, to me, that's a money grab. Like, you're just begging to get more money.
Interviewer
Okay, guys, complex con day two. Got a special guest for y' all today. 42, what's up?
42 CEO
Let's go, man.
Interviewer
You've been making a lot of videos about the event. Some of them have been popping off.
42 CEO
Yeah, thank you, bro. I appreciate it. It's been fun to cover this stuff. I love going to festivals and, like, different events like this and interacting with all the fans of the music, of course, and just having fun with the actual, like, listening part of the music. It's such a good time.
Interviewer
So when did you start making content?
42 CEO
I started making content. I had a blog page actually for like, two years. I was running, like, 2021 is when I started. But I didn't start doing, like, the personality, like the 42 CEO stuff until November 2023. So we're coming up on two years, actually. Might be with a personality.
Interviewer
Pretty new.
42 CEO
Yeah, yeah, really new.
Interviewer
Honestly, how'd you get the name?
42 CEO
Original name was Music for Tonight. And then funny thing is that was my username, right? I was like, all Music for Tonight, right? Sick ass name. And then all these people were, you know, calling me Music 42 Music 42 Night. They just, like, didn't understand, you know, the wordplay I was trying to get at. And it looked pissed me off at first, but then I kind of just was like, fuck it, let's call myself 42, right? Because then I can expand. Because I love sports, I love, like, you know, other things as well. Gaming, you know, memes, shit like that. I'm like, hey, why not expand? Maybe make it not copy, but like a barstool in the sense. So I created 42 daily from that, which is my blog page, which. That was my first thing that I started, like 2021 after the music for Tonight stuff, which was just promoting artists for free, stuff like that. But 42 kind of became the name. 42 daily is what I was working on. And then when I wanted to start my personality content, I was like, how can I make it work? And it kind of made sense. Like I'm the CEO of like, 42 and what I got going on, 42. So people mostly just call me 42, which is kind of what I prefer, but like, I go by, you know, 42 CEO and. Because that's just what I run. Yeah.
Interviewer
And what were the first viral videos?
42 CEO
Yeah, first viral videos probably. Okay, so a lot of people know me for my stuff with Cardi, Playboy, Carti. Yeah. And then have you ever, you know, net spend? No. Oh, you gotta tap in. Yeah, yeah. So he's a rapper, blonde, teenage kid. Everyone loves him. He's like way smaller, but people treat him like Justin Bieber. Like, that's how he's treated. Like when he. When he goes someplace, when he's leaving, people are just chasing his car. You know, I mean, like going crazy for him. And so I, I kind of went. I. I had a few videos that went crazy and me just going net spend. I just say his name in a funny way. You know, just the way I talk with the, The. In the inflections or fluctuations, whatever, how I speak. And so Netspend, that was a. A big thing. And a lot of people were like, hyped to just to hear me talk about him. And I mean, honestly, it was just kind of covering big news because that's what I love to do. And so covering big news stories was what really just started going up. And it was about, you know, rappers that are popping like Cardi, Osama Son, who's an underground artist. Netspend, of course, you know, all the Opium Crew. Yeet. Stuff like that. Travis Scott, future. So it really was just like a combination of that and then also pulling up to the events, you know, bow tie up, that was kind of the vibe, because they'd be calling me unk, and so I'm like, hey, I got to pull up like an unk. You know, I mean, bow tie, shit like that. So that's really where it started from.
Interviewer
That's cool. So, so do you cover the drama too, or you just cover the times?
42 CEO
You know, I'll be honest. I try to keep it really positive. You know, I really like that's. That's kind of like my thing being positive about everything. But I think too, it's important to talk about the drama, stuff like that. I try to keep it more positive though, because I think there's so many, like, actual media pages out there that are covering everything that's negative and all the drama, all that stuff. So it's like I could. I can mostly focus on the positivity. But yeah, I think it's fun too, because it's like, it allows me to go out to more places and Be in public more and just have, like, more positive moments in the community. You don't got to worry about what.
Interviewer
Happened to Trap Laurence yesterday.
42 CEO
Yeah, I just heard about that. You were talking about it. I didn't even know. I was so focused on the Yeet and Nike stuff and everything else. I. I didn't realize that happened. That's crazy, though.
Interviewer
Yeah, that happened. And then one of my guests got punched in the face yesterday. What, the Digital nos.
42 CEO
You had Digital Nasan? Yeah. Oh, he's here.
Interviewer
Yeah. So. So he got punched literally right before our episode. He was pissed. I don't know what Complex Con is normally like, but sounds like it's getting.
42 CEO
A little crazy, you know, I'm going to be honest. Is. Was. I don't know if, you know, was that. Wasn't there an incident with Digital Knots getting punched at Complex Con before?
Interviewer
Oh, really?
42 CEO
I didn't know that he got in a fight before. Wow. Maybe he. He's a. I mean, do you know his, like, lore. He's a little controversial.
Sponsor/Host
A little bit.
Interviewer
It was my first time meeting him. I only had limited time to prepare for the interview.
42 CEO
But, yeah, he said, actually, it's funny about Digital Oz. He. I don't know what he thinks of me now, but he used to hate me. Then he said he loved me, so he's kind of all over the place with me.
Interviewer
Why did he say he hated you at first?
42 CEO
It's just the energy that I give, you know, I mean, sometimes when you're like, too. I'm not crazy, but, like, I. I give a lot of energy in my videos. Right. I just love, you know, bringing energy. That's what it's all about. The artists do it on stage. I want to do it for the video and for. For the people. I think some people are just kind of offput by the energy that.
Interviewer
I can see that.
42 CEO
Yeah. They're just like, think it's a little too much. But he tweeted saying he hated me. Then he said, I love him. So I'm like, all right. I don't know what it is, but I. I think he's cool with me.
Interviewer
So how many times has an artist, like, been angry at you? Is that, like, a compliment? Oh, a lot.
42 CEO
Oh, really? A lot of teams get mad at me. Honestly, they. The thing is, I'm like a news reporter at the end of the day. That's my passion. That's why I do it. And so sometimes, you know, I like to not. Not leak stuff, but I like to, you know, give a Early scoop to my. To my followers and, and tell them what's going on. And when you do that, you piss off some teams, you know what I mean? Because you're giving out some information that they might not want out there, but it's all in good fun too. And I think I have a positive relationship with most of them. But, you know, I do get texts from time to time, basically saying, like, hey, let's. Let's get that video down. And I'm like, I don't think so.
Interviewer
But have you ever taken a video down?
42 CEO
Yeah, a few times more so just because I realized, like, I probably was either invading privacy or like, it wasn't smart for me to post in the first place. So I think there's a few times I only do it if it makes sense. And I think sometimes, you know, teams provide a reasonable explanation for me to take it down, but sometimes they don't. And so then I'm like, I'm just gonna keep it up, you know?
Interviewer
Yeah, I've only taken stuff down for legal reasons, like if. If the guest requested and he said the wrong thing and doesn't want to get sued, but other than that, I'm leaving it up.
42 CEO
Exactly.
Interviewer
You know what I mean?
42 CEO
I'm kind of the same way.
Interviewer
Like you chose to come on the show.
42 CEO
Exactly right.
Interviewer
There's something you want cut before I release it.
Sponsor/Host
I'll do that for you.
Interviewer
But once it's up, it's up, bro.
42 CEO
Yeah, I like that, you know.
Interviewer
Yeah, you said it, not me.
42 CEO
Yeah, exactly. Right. I mean, you're just here asking questions. They're the ones that are responding to. Yeah, so, yeah, that makes sense.
Interviewer
It is interesting in your space because you cover mainly hip hop, right?
42 CEO
Yeah, yeah, I. I do a little bit of pop. Like I went to Lalapalooza. I was actually running their. Their Tick Tock for them.
Interviewer
Oh, nice.
42 CEO
I do that with, you know, Rolling Loud.
Interviewer
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
42 CEO
I did that with Rolling Loud too. And so I had the opportunity to do it for Lollapalooza this year and it was super fun covering like, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, the K pop group. They're cool as on much more wholesome audience. They're so nice too. We were doing videos, they were like all happy and stuff like that. It was. It was amazing, honestly, the energy they gave. But mostly hip hop. I touch a little bit of pop though, just from time to time. And then if, honestly, if something crazy happens in like, country, might as well talk about it, you know, I mean, if it's interesting Enough.
Interviewer
Taylor Swift will always get views.
42 CEO
Exactly. I. Honestly, I was. I was talking about Taylor Swift's new stuff because, dude, I know she's. She's the biggest artist, right? Like, I respect her and she's done amazing, but I mean, she had 28 different variants of her last album.
Interviewer
What?
42 CEO
Which, like, yeah, basically if you wanted to, you could purchase 28 versions of her album, which, to me, that's a money grab. Like, you're just. You're just begging to get more money. And it probably wasn't her choice. It was her team's choice.
Interviewer
So was it the same songs on every album?
42 CEO
Yeah, it was like they were doing, like, acoustic versions. They were doing, like, instrumental. Wow. They were doing, like, added a few added songs here and there. You had to purchase a different version and then, like, certain bundles for, like, vinyls and CDs.
Interviewer
She must have made a fortune.
42 CEO
Yeah, she's good for the rest. I mean, she was already good for the rest.
Interviewer
Yeah.
42 CEO
But now she's, like, really good for the rest of her life.
Interviewer
I've never seen an artist do that.
42 CEO
Oh, I know. It was crazy. I think she. Funny thing is, I posted about it. I think she added another variant after that. So she just kept going. But, I mean, the fans ate it up, so I guess it. It worked. But I was just talking about stuff like that because I'm like, damn, people are really doing this. And, you know, it's not, like, anything to bash them. I get it, you don't want it. You want to get your bread. But it's just crazy to me when I see stuff like that.
Interviewer
So she might have the most loyal fan base I've ever seen.
42 CEO
Oh, yeah, without a doubt. Like, I've seen comment sections that just go to war for her. Like, absolutely. And I mean, the way they cry over, like, just like, not simple stuff, but just, like, crazy stuff. Like, not even that crazy stuff that happens. It's, like, insane to see that. Like, she has a Ride or Die fan base, which I think some hip hop fan bases have that to a certain extent, but nothing like her, you.
Interviewer
Know, has the biggest hip hop fan.
42 CEO
Base right now, I'd say. Okay. I think there's two things so biggest in my mind. It's Travis Scott, but most loyal. Ride or Die craziest. Gonna do the most. It's Cardi right now.
Interviewer
Really?
42 CEO
Cardi? Yeah. They. They will do anything for that, man. The stuff they do, the. The things they go through just to see him just do whatever. It's got to be Cardi.
Interviewer
Was Cardi. Was he the one that went on Aiden Ross's stream or was that someone else?
42 CEO
Yeah, for six minutes. Right, that was him. He paid him. Allegedly. He paid him 2 million. I think actually it was like a few hundred thousand and Ross later clarified as a few hundred thousand. But yeah, he did that and then basically just had Cardi on stream for five minutes and then.
Interviewer
Yeah, very short. Right?
Sponsor/Host
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42 CEO
Really short. Yeah. I think the thing is Cardi didn't really know how, like, streams worked and stuff like that, and I think he just didn't understand it and whatever. So he was, I think also too, he really wasn't comfortable. I think he looked uncomfortable. Yeah. I think the thing is, like, with Cardi, you got to put him in a comfortable spot. Like, if he's gonna be down to do stuff, like, it just got to be like what he wants. Yeah. You know, I mean, that felt a little bit more like, not forced, but just like, I don't think it was the right time.
Interviewer
I feel, though. What's the biggest thing you've learned just hanging around him that you picked up from Carti?
42 CEO
Honestly, I think the. The biggest thing is a lot of people, like, are misunderstanding of, like, his, his kindness. Honestly. When he had invited me to his truck or his car and we had the conversation that we did, he was super kind, honestly, and super, like, just, well, willing to listen to what I had to say and, like, gave me a lot of hugs and it was super nice, honestly. And so I Think, you know, there's some, like, news that comes out and stuff that happens time to time. And a lot of people kind of, you know, bash him and the whole, like, image he has is like this aura, mysteriousness, and I get that. But he, he is really like, you know, if you, if you treat him well, like, he will treat you well too, honestly. He's a really nice guy, so at least in my, in my own experience with him.
Interviewer
So I've noticed a lot of artists are misunderstood, actually.
42 CEO
Yeah.
Interviewer
Because once a certain Persona is painted about them, they kind of have to buy into it.
42 CEO
Yeah.
Interviewer
And keep acting in that way.
42 CEO
Exactly. It happens a lot, honestly. I think a lot of artists are misunderstood. Even, like, honestly, at the point we're getting with hip hop, a lot of producers are kind of becoming like personalities themselves and. And they're getting misunderstood too, I think. And so I think it just happens, honestly, when you only see someone behind a screen or like in different situations with different fans, all that stuff, I think it can be honestly, mis. Misconstrued so 100%.
Interviewer
And people put them on a pedestal. They don't see them as humans. So they make one mistake and it's like.
42 CEO
Yeah, I think that's the thing is like, we're all human. We all make mistakes. We all do things that are wrong on accident or on purpose. Like, we don't. I think, I think everyone has good intentions for the most part, like most people do. And sometimes, you know, people just make mistakes. But when you're a personality or a celebrity, if you. If you do make a mistake, it can often get very much so, like, expanded upon. Like kind of they put the spotlight on you and all that.
Interviewer
So what do you think of Rolling Loud, skipping Miami this year?
42 CEO
It. It sucks, honestly, but I think, I think it's going to happen soon. I think they honestly just kind of wanted to take the international route. They're doing Australia, they're doing India.
Interviewer
Yeah.
42 CEO
I think they might do Europe too, but I think they're just kind of focused on like, what they got internationally and then, you know, they're going to come back to. To America. I think hopefully California next. I've been missing rolling out. Honestly. I love it out there. It's so amazing. It's just so fun because, like, not only are you with the artists and their teams, stuff like that, but all the, all the cool personalities that come by for hip hop stuff, like, it's just really cool to see everyone. It feels like kind of one. One big happy family, honestly. And not really with the artists, but it's more so the content creators. Like, I think the hip hop content creation scene is very, like, close with, you know, each other. Like, not everyone has to with each other. That doesn't really have to happen. But a lot of people do really, really support each other. And I love that. Honestly. It's such a great group. And I was low key nervous about that going into it. I didn't really know how it was going to be, but honestly, it's been. It's been nothing but amazing.
Interviewer
That's dope.
42 CEO
Yeah.
Interviewer
Are you cool with academics?
42 CEO
I actually get. Never really had a conversation. Oh, really? 1. I've only been like, with academics for, you know, Blackboy Max, right? Yeah, Black boy Max. He has me, like, judge song or stuff like that. Academics was a song word judge with me. And so we only really had that interaction. We never interacted otherwise. I'm not gonna lie. He seems cool. He's not really tapped in, though, honestly, with this underground shape. He's tapped in with like the, the. He's tapped in with like the. The main street rap. He knows everything about that. He's very tapped in. But I. I low key think he's got to get tapped in with the underground stuff because underground is. Is. Is kind of bubbling. There's a lot of personalities. It's getting. It's getting really good looks too. Like they're streaming well too. And so I think he's got to start getting tapped in with that. Like, apparently he didn't even know who Osama san was, which I feel like he's got to know because Osama san is underground. Yes. But he's right now like, he's. He's king of the underground, and so I hope he's.
Interviewer
Yeah, but underground's how Adam 22 built.
42 CEO
No jumper. Exactly. Yeah. And Adam 22 is really starting to get more adapted. I think there's a little bit of time he took to focus on the stuff. Yeah, yeah, that stuff. And now he's kind of getting, you.
Interviewer
Know, he's going back to his roots and now his views are going back up.
42 CEO
Really? I didn't notice that.
Interviewer
Yeah, I was on his YouTube the other day. I was like, he's pulling, you know, 100k plus on videos now, so.
42 CEO
Yeah, yeah, he's got to. He's got to tap it back in because I feel like that's really where the. The strong culture is, honestly, right now, like, the underground has like the. The culture, like with all these bubbling artists and new sounds coming out. And I mean a lot of them, you know, might not have the longevity that like these mainstream artists do, but I think like it's really cool for the moment right now.
Interviewer
So what's next for you? What events are you going to? Where could people find you, man?
42 CEO
Yeah, so I mean I'm just, you know, focusing on what I got going on with my, my own short form stuff. I'm working on potentially a show 42 show, kind of like a, a Saturday night Weekend Update vibe, maybe with a mix of kind of like a drama alert, but positive drama alert, positive drama alert. And that's the focus right now. I'm trying to cook up an album, like an executive produced album, Get a lot of artists that I fuck with, a lot of producers that I fuck with. And then I'm gonna be at Camp Flognons Tyler Creators Festival, gonna be working with my. With bars. I have a series with rap TV and bars. It's called on the Ground. Just talking to fans, talking to artists, really fun stuff. And so gonna be in LA for that. And then streams, of course. I'm really honestly rest of the year just trying to have an artist pull up every day and just get different artists on stream. Just have fun with them, you know, do some fun shit. Like I just went to Universal with, I don't know if you know Ian Triplin, he's a cool rapper. And we, we went to Universal, just had some fun times for horror nights with Halloween popping up and we actually ran into like Opium too and Lacy Fazel conversation on the show. Oh, that's cool. Yeah, we had a conversation with him and it was super fun. So that's. I'm honestly just all, all cylinders go, you know, I mean, kind of trying to finish the year off strong. I'm so passionate about it that I really don't feel like I'll ever burn out. And I'm just excited for what's to come.
Interviewer
Love it, man. I'll be ruined for you. Thanks for confident.
42 CEO
I really appreciate it.
Interviewer
Check them out guys.
Sponsor/Host
Peace. I hope you guys are enjoying the show. Please don't forget to like and subscribe.
Interviewer
It helps the show a lot with the algorithm. Thank you.
Episode: @42ceo: Why Fan Bases Defend Artists No Matter What | DSH #1719
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: 42 CEO
Date: December 29, 2025
In this engaging episode, host Sean Kelly sits down with 42 CEO, a dynamic content creator known for his high-energy hip hop coverage and positive spin on music culture. They explore the power of modern fan bases, why certain artists evoke near-religious loyalty, the fine line between reporting news and stirring drama, and how the landscape of music content creation is evolving both online and at live events. Insights range from Taylor Swift's record-breaking album strategies to the misunderstood personalities behind hip hop, providing a lively look at the intersection of music, media, and fandom.
Beginnings in Blogging:
"I had a blog page actually for like, two years ... But I didn't start doing, like, the personality, like the 42 CEO stuff until November 2023." (00:47)
Adopting the Name '42 CEO':
"People were calling me Music 42 ... I kind of just was like, fuck it, let's call myself 42, right? ... So people mostly just call me 42, which is kind of what I prefer." (01:07)
Early Viral Content:
"I had a few videos that went crazy ... Netspend, that was a big thing. A lot of people were like, hyped to just to hear me talk about him." (02:19)
Positive Approach to Drama:
"I try to keep it really positive ... I think there's so many ... pages out there covering everything that's negative ... So I can mostly focus on the positivity." (03:39)
Dealing with Backlash:
"A lot of teams get mad at me ... you're giving out some information that they might not want out there, but it's all in good fun too." (05:34)
Boundaries of Content Removal:
"I only do it if it makes sense ... teams provide a reasonable explanation ... but sometimes they don't. And so then I'm like, I'm just gonna keep it up." (06:10)
Diving into Multiple Genres:
"I do a little bit of pop ... I had the opportunity to do it for Lollapalooza this year and it was super fun ... But mostly hip hop." (07:00)
Event Reporting:
Taylor Swift’s 28 Album Variants:
"If you wanted to, you could purchase 28 versions of her album, which, to me, that's a money grab ... But ... the fans ate it up, so I guess it worked." (00:00, 08:28)
Power of Fan Communities:
“I've seen comment sections that just go to war for her.” (08:53)
Top Hip Hop Fan Bases:
“Biggest in my mind it's Travis Scott, but most loyal ... it's Cardi right now.” (09:20)
Misunderstood Artists:
"The biggest thing is a lot of people, like, are misunderstanding of, like, his kindness." (11:35)
Persona vs. Reality:
"Once a certain persona is painted about them, they kind of have to buy into it and keep acting in that way." (12:20)
Humanizing Artists:
"We're all human. We all make mistakes. ... But when you're a personality or celebrity, ... they put the spotlight on you." (12:55)
Rolling Loud’s International Expansion:
"I love it out there. ... Not only are you with the artists ... but all the cool personalities that come by ... it feels like one big happy family." (13:34)
Comparison With Media Figures:
"Academics ... he's not really tapped in, though, honestly, with this underground shit. ... Underground is kind of bubbling." (14:25)
Upcoming Projects:
"I'm working on potentially a show ... like a drama alert, but positive drama alert. ... Trying to cook up an album ... gonna be at Camp Flognons, Tyler Creator's festival." (16:07)
Future Ambitions:
"Honestly just all, all cylinders go, ... so passionate about it that I really don't feel like I'll ever burn out." (17:17)
On fan devotion:
"[Taylor Swift] has a ride or die fan base ... I've seen comment sections that just go to war for her." — 42 CEO (08:53)
On Taylor Swift’s marketing:
"If you wanted to, you could purchase 28 versions of her album, which, to me, that's a money grab." — 42 CEO (00:00, 07:52)
On artist personas:
"Once a certain persona is painted about them, they kind of have to buy into it and keep acting in that way." — Sean Kelly (12:20)
On the underground hip hop scene:
"Underground is ... kind of bubbling. There's a lot of personalities. It's getting really good looks too." — 42 CEO (14:25)
On the positivity in content creation:
"I try to keep it really positive ... there's so many ... pages out there that are covering everything that's negative and all the drama." — 42 CEO (03:39)
| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:47 | 42 CEO's start in content creation and name origin | | 02:19 | Discussion of viral hits and unique presentation style | | 03:39 | Philosophy on covering drama vs. positivity | | 05:34 | Managing difficult relationships with artist teams | | 07:00 | Broader event and genre coverage, work with festivals | | 07:52 | Taylor Swift's album strategy and fan devotion | | 09:20 | Travis Scott vs. Playboi Carti fan base loyalty | | 11:35 | 42 CEO's personal experience with Carti | | 12:20 | Misunderstood artists and the impact of personas | | 13:34 | Rolling Loud expansion, hip hop content creator community | | 14:25 | Analysis of DJ Akademiks, Adam22, and underground rap scene | | 16:07 | Upcoming projects and ambitions for 42 CEO | | 17:17 | Closing thoughts, unwavering passion for content |
Tone and Style:
Throughout, the episode balances 42 CEO's high-energy, humorous style with honest reflections about the music industry. Both guest and host speak candidly, often joking but always returning to real talk about the responsibilities and rewards of documenting and interacting with music culture online and in person.
For listeners:
This episode is a must for anyone interested in the power of fan communities, the evolving face of music content creation, or the real-world dynamics behind the biggest artists in music today.