From Addiction to Success: Danny Brown's Sobriety Journey | Danny Brown DSH #940

Summary

Digital Social Hour: From Addiction to Success – Danny Brown's Sobriety Journey (DSH #940)
Release Date: December 1, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly

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Episode Overview

In Episode #940 of Digital Social Hour, Sean Kelly welcomes acclaimed rapper Danny Brown to discuss his profound journey from addiction to sobriety. The conversation delves deep into Danny's struggles with substances, his path to recovery, the impact of sobriety on his creativity and music career, and his perspectives on the evolving music industry. This insightful episode offers listeners an authentic look into Danny Brown's personal and professional transformation.

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Early Struggles with Substance Use

Danny Brown opens up about his long-term relationship with substances, particularly cannabis and alcohol, and how they intertwined with his creative process.

• Cannabis Consumption:
  [00:01] “Smoking weed is not the worst, but it can be a gateway. And I truly do believe that it is a gateway in some sense..."

  Danny acknowledges that while weed was a constant in his life since he was 18, it eventually became a hindrance rather than a helper in his creative endeavors.

• Alcoholism and Drug Abuse:
  [08:23] “Yeah, definitely. I probably wasn't too satisfied with where I was at in my life, but at the end of the day, it was pretty much all my own doing for my alcoholism and my drug abuse..."

  He takes full responsibility for his addictions, emphasizing the personal nature of his struggles despite external pressures and environments.

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The Path to Sobriety

Danny details his decision to seek help and the steps he took towards sobriety, highlighting the importance of changing his environment.

• Rehabilitation and Environmental Change:
  [07:23] “That was like my main focus of going to rehab, because moving out here. I was moving out here to get sober, to get in the clean up, you know, I feel like, you know, your Environment is everything..."

  Relocating from Detroit to Austin was pivotal in distancing himself from old habits and triggers associated with substance use.

• Challenges During Recovery:
  [05:35] “So I don't. Yeah, I don't even have no desire to ever smoke weed again, dude."

  Danny shares the difficult moments post-rehab, particularly the temptation to relapse when surrounded by familiar cues and peers who still engaged in substance use.

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Impact on Creativity and Music

Transitioning to sobriety significantly altered Danny's creative process and his approach to making music.

• Journaling and Self-Reflection:
  [01:16] “Yeah, that's just something I picked up in rehab and just been keeping it going...”

  Implementing daily journaling as a discipline from rehab helped Danny maintain focus and channel his thoughts productively.

• Enhanced Creativity Without Substances:
  [06:33] “I thought so then, but now since I'm not using and I'm still. And I'm way more creative than ever, so I feel like if it's anything, it was clouding my. You know, it was blocking my creativity."

  Contrary to popular belief among some artists, Danny finds that abstaining from substances has actually enhanced his creative abilities rather than stifled them.

• Music as a New Addiction:
  [09:34] “I mean, really now I've just been. I mean, I've just been more focused on making music as hard as, like I say it was fun..."

  He describes his music creation process as a healthier addiction, deriving dopamine from both the act of creation and performing.

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Perspectives on the Music Industry

Danny offers his insights on the current state of the music scene, the role of technology, and the importance of authenticity.

• Embracing Technological Advancements:
  [10:14] “I love it. I think it's always been. People can always complain and say, you know, the good old days and stuff like that...”

  He appreciates how digital platforms have democratized music distribution, allowing artists to reach audiences without traditional gatekeepers.

• Genre Diversity and Misconceptions:
  [10:43] “I mean, it's, it's. That's the thing about hip hop is that they all box it into one thing...”

  Danny criticizes the oversimplification of hip hop, advocating for recognition of its diverse sub-genres.

• Quality Over Quantity in Releases:
  [17:03] “But you know, the best thing to do is, because I learned this from working with Q tip, is that you need to give the music all the love it can possibly get before you put it into the world..."

  Emphasizing the importance of taking time to refine music, he discusses his strategy of allowing songs to mature before release to ensure quality.

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Interactions with Media and Social Platforms

The episode explores Danny's evolving relationship with media and social interactions in the digital age.

• Empathy for Journalists:
  [11:32] “Hey, yeah, it's fun. It's something. You know, it definitely gave me more empathy for journalists and people that do interviews."

  Having his own podcast experience helped Danny understand and respect the challenges journalists face.

• Avoiding Negativity and Drama:
  [15:47] “I mean, I Used to. But, you know, I'm. I'm 40 years old now... I try to not even involve myself in any type of negativity."

  Danny emphasizes his maturity in handling online interactions, choosing to steer clear of drama and negative engagements.

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Current Projects and Future Endeavors

Looking ahead, Danny shares details about his ongoing projects, collaborations, and inspirations.

• Upcoming Album:
  [12:11] “Yeah, just pretty much in the beginning stages, actually. As soon as I leave them here, I gotta go to studio."

  He outlines his creative process for his new album, focusing on experimentation and collaboration.

• Collaborations and Influences:
  [16:22] “You'd say Nas has always been my favorite rapper... Dizzy Rascal is like one of my hugest influences...”

  Highlighting a mix of old-school and contemporary artists, Danny acknowledges their impact on his music style and philosophy.

• Touring and Performances:
  [16:54] “I'm actually going to Detroit this weekend and opening up a Red man and Method Man...”

  Expressing excitement for upcoming performances, particularly in cities that hold personal significance to him.

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Concluding Insights

Danny Brown's candid discussion on Digital Social Hour offers a compelling narrative of overcoming addiction and reinventing oneself. His journey underscores the importance of self-discipline, the benefits of a supportive environment, and the pursuit of authentic creativity. As he continues to evolve both personally and professionally, Danny serves as an inspiring figure for those navigating similar challenges.

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Notable Quotes

• "Smoking weed is not the worst, but it can be a gateway."
  — Danny Brown [00:01]

• "Creativity is almost like a discipline thing."
  — Danny Brown [01:38]

• "Once addiction grabs you, you're doing it by yourself. You don't even got a party no more."
  — Danny Brown [09:17]

• "People can always complain and say, you know, the good old days and stuff like that."
  — Danny Brown [10:14]

• "You need to give the music all the love it can possibly get before you put it into the world."
  — Danny Brown [17:03]

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Where to Follow Danny Brown

Stay updated with Danny Brown's latest projects and performances through his social media:

• Twitter/X: @DannyXBrownX

Be sure to check out his upcoming performances and new music releases, as he continues to make significant strides in the music industry.

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This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and insights from Danny Brown's appearance on Digital Social Hour, providing a comprehensive overview for both fans and new listeners.

Transcript

[Danny Brown]

Smoking weed is not the worst, but it can be a gateway. And I truly do believe that it is a gateway in some sense, because I could totally see myself being high at some party after the 90 days. I didn't have no craving for it, to do it or anything. So once I made it a year, I was like, man, you know, maybe I can just try it, you know, man, this weed is different nowadays, man. I literally took two puffs and was wondering what was going on in my life. It was almost one of those things, like, when does it end? Like, I used to willingly do this. I can't believe it.

[Interviewer]

All right, guys, got Danny Brown here today. Thanks for coming on, man.

[Danny Brown]

Thanks for having me, brother.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Out here in your hometown, Austin.

[Danny Brown]

I wouldn't call it my hometown just yet. Only been here a few years.

[Interviewer]

Home for now. You liking it though? You're gonna.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I love it here.

[Interviewer]

What makes you like it here?

[Danny Brown]

I mean, it's just a. I mean, coming from Detroit, it's just a healthier lifestyle to live here, you know.

[Interviewer]

Detroit's cold, man.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I mean, obviously that too, so. But it gets so hot here is almost the same thing in some sense.

[Interviewer]

Like sweating my ass off.

[Danny Brown]

Yesterday, my favorite thing about Detroit was that at least two months, three months out the year, you can't go outside. So that's what I think breeds a lot of creativity being there. But here, same thing gets so hot sometimes. Three to four months out the year, you can't even go outside.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You are very creative. You were just journaling outside just now.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, that's just something I picked up in rehab and just been keeping it going. I mean, it's just something like, you know, get up and get all your thoughts out in the morning and kind of is almost like I learned. It's kind of like a discipline thing too. Like if I put it down on paper, then I kind of have to do it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You know, so you're just writing how you feel.

[Danny Brown]

Just like a stream of consciousness. Just writing out everything that's cool.

[Interviewer]

Because these days it's hard to self reflect because everything's so fast paced, you know, people never just sit down and think about their day.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't say it's more like a planning of my day, but sometimes, like, I just put certain things in there. Like I have to record a song today.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

And I. I don't know something about it. When you write it down, it just makes it like you have to do it. It sticks in my brain or something. I guess.

[Interviewer]

No, it's powerful. I do it too. I have a gratitude journal. I have a little diary, and I have a sleep journal.

[Danny Brown]

What is that?

[Interviewer]

I keep track of my dreams.

[Danny Brown]

Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm digging some of my. I mean, some of my dreams, I just can't remember them when I wake up. And then it's like I have a feeling.

[Interviewer]

Well, once you start writing them, you'll start remembering them. So now I remember four days I'd.

[Danny Brown]

Be having, like, weird dreams that don't make any sense though. So it's like. I don't know.

[Interviewer]

I saw you say on another show you had sleep paralysis?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, a few times.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. That shit's no joke.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I thought I was dying.

[Interviewer]

Same.

[Danny Brown]

I really. I didn't. Yeah, I had it a few times, but it happened once when I was like a teenager and I wasn't like, drinking or doing anything then. But the last time I had it, I was like, you know, I was partying and stuff.

[Interviewer]

So. Yeah, I had it when I was a teenager. Dude, the guy was choking me out.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, it's pretty much the same thing.

[Interviewer]

Crazy.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. I thought it was real life.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, like. Like in, like my mom, she called, like, the witch riding your back. It's like almost like some. I don't know. But it was definitely a scary thing to go through. I mean, what is the basic. Like, do you understand it? Like, why does that happen?

[Interviewer]

I don't think anyone fully knows, but I did find out my old house was haunted.

[Danny Brown]

Oh, okay.

[Interviewer]

Recently, so I think that guy just didn't like me or whatever that ghost was. Who knows though? I believe in ghosts. I know that's a controversial thing, but.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I can't say I've came across any ghosts. I mean, I believe in energies and spirits. I guess so. I guess I do, you know? Yeah, So I guess I do in some sense.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. I think when you pass, there's. Because I've had some close people pass to me and I feel like I've felt them in certain moments. You know what I mean?

[Danny Brown]

That's deep.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Yeah, I know. We're getting deep real quick. You do still sleep at 10pm yeah, definitely. Damn. So you're super disciplined.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, you know, I just. I feel like I'm catching up. It's been many nights. I didn't sleep for days, so. And then it was a point in time in my life where I couldn't get more than four hours of sleep.

[Interviewer]

Geez.

[Danny Brown]

So it's. It's been really great I mean, obviously I use a sleep aid now, you know.

[Interviewer]

Cannabis.

[Danny Brown]

No, I don't smoke. I don't do anything. Oh, yeah, no, I'm pretty. I don't even smoke. I used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. I don't even smoke cigarettes no more. I mean, obviously I'm Zen nicotine pouches.

[Interviewer]

Now, but those are addicting.

[Danny Brown]

I don't. No, I don't smoke weed. I actually, once I became a year sober, you know, because I love smoking weed. I still do love it, you know, but I was like, you know, I made it a year. And plus, when I first got out of rehab, it was. It was real cool. I was in there. Of course you in there. You don't really have no thoughts. But as soon as I got home, it was almost like, like, what do I do? You know, because everything I did revolved around me smoking weed with it. Like, if I'm recording music, playing video games, it just, you know, just chilling every day. So when I got home, it was really hard for me to sleep at night, all type of. So I was, you know, going to my therapist and stuff, and I was just talking to him a lot, like, you know, just asking him questions about. He was like, man, at least make it 90 days, you know, while you in a free world. And, you know, if you still feel the same way, probably, you know, smoking weed is not the worst, but it can be a gateway, you know, And I truly do believe that it is a gateway in some sense, because I could totally see myself being high at some party and somebody like, yo, you want to drink? And in my high brain be like, one drink ain't too bad. Before I know it, I'm back in the loop. But. So I did give it 90 days. And after the 90 days, I didn't have no craving for it to do it or anything. But I was on tour and, you know, my. Everybody around me smoked weed all day. So it's like, once I made it a year, I was like, man, you know, maybe I can just try it, you know, but, man, this weed is different nowadays, man. I. I literally took two puffs and was wondering what. What was going on in my life. It was almost one of those things, like, when does it end? Like, I used to will do this. I can't believe it. So I'm glad I got that FOMO out the way.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

So I don't. Yeah, I don't even have no desire to ever smoke weed again, dude.

[Interviewer]

It's too strong now. It's like probably 10 times as strong.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. Because the weed I grew up as a kid smoking, you know, it. It just make you sleepy and probably eat some bad food or something. But now this weed is almost like doing heroin, man.

[Interviewer]

This has you questioning existence.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. So it's real. I just was like. So I'm glad I did get that out the way with. So now anytime I even think about smoking weed, I just remember back that time in that Seattle dressing room where I was going through my whole life, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I had to stop with edibles, too.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I used to love edibles.

[Interviewer]

Used to love them.

[Danny Brown]

But I was up to taking like 1200 milligrams a day.

[Interviewer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, that was around the time, like I said, I was only getting like four hours of sleep a night, so it was really helping me sleep good.

[Interviewer]

Dude, If I take 10 milligrams out.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll be the same.

[Interviewer]

Way now, you know, 1200 is insane. Damn. So weed was a huge part of your life growing up?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I smoked weed. I mean, I dabbled with it in my teenage years, but at least every day of my life since I was like 18.

[Interviewer]

And did you feel like it helped your creativity?

[Danny Brown]

I thought so then, but now since I'm not using and I'm still. And I'm way more creative than ever, so I feel like if it's anything, it was clouding my. You know, it was blocking my creativity. But wow. So I'm impressed with myself. To be able to do what I've done, as much stuff as I used to do.

[Interviewer]

That's interesting because there's a lot of artists that say it helps.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, you know, I would take a lot of Adderall too, so that's.

[Interviewer]

A whole nother demon. Yeah, Adderall. You're not eating all day.

[Danny Brown]

It's almost not sleeping.

[Interviewer]

Just everyone's taking. What's that? Ozempic now? Yeah, that shit's everywhere. Yeah, we don't need it.

[Danny Brown]

I'm too skinny for Ozempic, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I've. I've been skinny my whole damn life.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, same, same. I mean, I'm a little skinny fat. I get my little penguin belly every now and then. Yeah, I mean, I'm dropping ever since I've stop drinking, obviously, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah. So you're done drinking Completely.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. That was like. That was like my main focus of going to rehab, because moving out here. I was moving out here to get sober, to get in the clean up, you know, I feel like, you know, your Environment is everything. And in Detroit, you know, being around my friends and everybody, you know, it would have been really harder for me to, you know, to get clean. But I moved out here and, you know, I was getting. I was away from the blow and, you know, stuff like that. But I would go out drinking all the time. My mistake sometime because, you know, we was living downtown, and I could just end up going to, like, the Whole Foods, and before I know it, I'm. Something in my alcoholic brain was like, just stop at this bar and have a drink. And before I know it, it's been 10 hours I've been at this bar, now I'm doing blow with a random stranger in the bathroom. So it was like, it's gonna find you if it needs to, you know, that escalated quickly.

[Interviewer]

There's a lot of bars out here, though.

[Danny Brown]

Yes. I'm saying. But I just don't even. I kind of just don't even really put myself in that situation no more.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Environment's important. Why. Why do you think you wanted to drink? Like, was it a coping thing?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, definitely. I probably wasn't too satisfied with where I was at in my life, but at the end of the day, it was pretty much all my own doing for my alcoholism and my drug abuse, you know?

[Interviewer]

That's crazy. You had a lot of success and you're like, notoriety, but you still weren't happy.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I mean, I think. I think everybody always feel like they want more, but, you know, at the end of the day, I really just believe that it was. I was. I was a drug addict. I was, you know, I was alcoholic. So you can't really get all your blessings when you Clouding yourself like that, clouding your judgment, too, and, you know, ruining relationships, being up all the time, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You see a lot of people with that lifestyle actually end up in rehab or something serious.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, it starts out fun, then before you know it, it's not fun anymore, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah. I don't. I'm not a partier, to be honest.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. You know, I mean. I mean, you don't have to be if you really. I mean, once it. Once addiction grabs you, you're doing it by yourself. You don't even got a party no more.

[Interviewer]

You know, I would say I'm addicted, though, just to, like, success and networking. Yeah, that's great business.

[Danny Brown]

That's the best way to be.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, once, you know, you drop. I mean, one. One good thing when you drop all the bad habits, you know, you pick up healthier Ones?

[Interviewer]

Absolutely, yeah. What's the main focus for you now? Because I know you do a few things.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, really now I've just been. I mean, I've just been more focused on making music as hard as, like I say it was fun, you know, you party and you. And you make music and stuff. But then it get to the point in my life where I was like, let me just. It became more like work and I'll be like, let me just get this out the way with so I can go back and do what I was doing. But now it's like, that is my drug now. It's just creating stuff. So because you, you literally get a high, you get a high of making something crazy and just sitting back listening to it and be like, oh man, I can't wait to people hear this or just even being on stage. And after you leave stage, it's like a dopamine rush kind of thing. So I'm just more addicted to that now.

[Interviewer]

I feel. How do you feel about the current state of the music scene?

[Danny Brown]

I love it. I think it's always been. People can always complain and say, you know, the good old days and stuff like that. But I think me being in Detroit all my life and not really an industry there, so I had to go to like to New York and LA to be able to get situations or to be able to work. And now you can just upload a song. Anybody can just be able to just make a song and just put it up and if it's good, you know, you can get a following from it. So I think that's, I think that's great in anything, you know.

[Interviewer]

Let's dive more into that because I just had Charleston White on yesterday and he said he wants hip hop band. So you're like the complete opposite.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, it's, it's. That's the thing about hip hop is that they all box it into one thing. You know, it's so many different genres, sub genres inside the genre. I mean, if it was more, you know, like rock, it's alternative rock, hard rock, slow rock, metal, you know, I think hip hop probably needs to be divided up more. So he probably just talking about one style of hip hop.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, he's talking about the drug style, killing style.

[Danny Brown]

I understand that.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I wouldn't say. I mean art, art is art. You know, if that was the case, then movies need to be banned, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, well, he said Russia banned it. I didn't even know that, but I can see that. Apparently Putin Banned it. Yeah, they're strict over there. God damn. Banning a whole genre, it's crazy. You're killing it with your pod too.

[Danny Brown]

Hey, yeah, it's fun. It's something. You know, it definitely gave me more empathy for journalists and people that do interviews.

[Interviewer]

Oh, yeah, because you were anti media before that.

[Danny Brown]

I wouldn't say never anti media, but, you know, sometimes just doing a lot of press, you can get, you know, you can get warped, you can get tired of it, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

And not be your best self. So it was some times where I wasn't putting the best representation of myself out in interviews.

[Interviewer]

I feel that you see that with artists and athletes, but now they're starting their own shows, and it's cool to see their actual perspective on things like Draymond Green and. And stuff.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I love it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Before, it seemed like the media would just provoke them with certain questions.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. So you. You. I definitely have a lot more empathy for people that do this.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You working on an album right now?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, just pretty much in the beginning stages, actually. As soon as I leave them here, I gotta go to studio.

[Interviewer]

Nice. What's that process look like when you want to start one? Like, how long does it take on it?

[Danny Brown]

Right now it's just pretty much throwing everything to the wall and seeing what sticks. Then after a while, you know, you're starting to see what works and start the craft around that.

[Interviewer]

Okay. Do you have collabs you want to do?

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I'm. Right now I'm actually going to a studio with Frost Children, so I've been working with them a lot, you know, just a lot more people. I feel like that would challenge me.

[Interviewer]

The scene's good out here for music, though, in Austin.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, it's a musical place, but I wouldn't say for hip hop as much, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

Right now it's going through, like, a comedy renaissance, I would say.

[Interviewer]

If anything, you know, okay, I'm a big food guy. So is the food better here or Detroit?

[Danny Brown]

I think Texas is just crazy in general, you know, it's almost. It's almost a cosign to be fat here. You skinny here. They like how you do that, you know, But I mean, it depends on. It's certain things. Every. Everybody got their certain thing, you know, Like, I feel like I can't get a better corned beef sandwich than Detroit, you know?

[Interviewer]

Corned beef. I love corned beef. I love brisket, too.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. But the brisket here is crazy. I. I would. You can't get any Better brisket than in here, you know.

[Interviewer]

All right, I got that tonight. Where's your favorite spot to perform? At cities or.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I always love being in Europe because I got more of. I mean, I've just been so like London, you know, my record labels there I've been. So this is like one of my biggest influences and how I make music is a lot of the London music. So when I'm out there, it's crazy. It's always love, you know, So I really love London.

[Interviewer]

So your label's in London?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. Warp.

[Interviewer]

What made you want to sign to an overseas label?

[Danny Brown]

I mean, at the. I mean, they get me, like I say a lot of my music is influenced from, from. From the uk, so but you know, during that time and then it's just such a. A really like historic label. Like all the things they've been doing for over the years and just to be able to be involved with them was just like an honor for me.

[Interviewer]

What did you think of this recent beef with like these artists?

[Danny Brown]

With what artists?

[Interviewer]

Drake and Kendrick.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, that was just something brewing. I mean, hip hop is always a dick slinking contest. So I mean, it was something that been brewing. I'm glad they got it up, got it over with.

[Interviewer]

I don't know if it's over with.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I think it's over.

[Interviewer]

Rick Ross, I think the best.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, but I'm talking about with Kendrick and Drake. I think Rick Ross, once they, you know, turns to like physical violence and that's outside of rap music, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Have you ever gotten any beefs like that or.

[Danny Brown]

No.

[Interviewer]

So you stay in your own lane.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, but like I say, rap, it, it can come.

[Interviewer]

You know, I could see why people do it because I heard a lot of them were fake. I mean, the views were nuts.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. I don't think, I don't think this one was, but yeah, because being. Because people lose careers, there's been a lot of artists that they never been the same after they went through something like that. So I don't think anyone would want to fake it, you know.

[Interviewer]

So you don't think any of them have been fake in the past?

[Danny Brown]

Nah. Really? Not. Not none that I can think of. You know, I mean, if it was fake, then it probably wasn't that big, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I could see that.

[Danny Brown]

Because you gotta hit below the belt, you know.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

You can't take things back and so.

[Interviewer]

You know, you don't engage in anything on Twitter, any trolls or anything.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I Used to. But, you know, I'm. I'm 40 years old now. It's like, that's like. Even though I was in my 30s doing shit like that, but at this age of my life, I try to not even involve myself in any type of negativity.

[Interviewer]

You've really mellowed out and just kind of don't want any drama.

[Danny Brown]

No, definitely.

[Interviewer]

That's cool. Yeah, I'm like that now too, but I used to really get wrapped up in comments, to be honest.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I mean, once you understand how trolling works, you know, you understand it. So I really don't get. I don't let anything that I see online affects me in my personal life.

[Interviewer]

I feel that, man. Any upcoming performances or.

[Danny Brown]

I'm actually going to Detroit this weekend and opening up a Red man and Method Man.

[Interviewer]

Nice.

[Danny Brown]

So been a huge fan of them all my life, so it'd be real great. I actually met them a few times, so it's pretty cool.

[Interviewer]

That's cool. Who are your biggest inspirations for your music?

[Danny Brown]

You'd say Nas has always been my favorite rapper, you know, but like, Dizzy Rascal is like one of my hugest influences. On me, I would say MF Doom and Andre 3000 and Prodigy from my deep. It's like my top five, you know. Then of course, like Ghostface and E40, but, you know, they can all. All switch to one to five or whatever at any given time.

[Interviewer]

So you got a little old school taste.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, I'm old. I mean, what's. What's newer that I feel. I mean, like, I feel like Kendrick has consistently been the best rapper of this newer generation, so.

[Interviewer]

Well, he took a few years off, but yeah, coming back, I mean, we.

[Danny Brown]

Just look at it like that in this new generation. But artists always took two years off, really. You know, Nas never. I mean, now you've seen him be more productive because this is what the climate is. But it always been rappers. I remember me growing up, like every two years.

[Interviewer]

Okay. See, I like that more, actually, because then they actually have time to think.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, you can get the best project out of them that way. And then it also give you. Give you time to miss somebody, and it also gives you time to grow with the album that you got from them.

[Interviewer]

Agree.

[Danny Brown]

You know, when someone releases music so quick, it's just you obviously know they didn't have enough time to sit with the music to see if they really like it. There's nothing worse than putting out a song. And now you on stage and you like, I don't really like this shit no more.

[Interviewer]

No. Because now these labels. I don't know if it's the labels, but I feel like artists are dropping an album with year.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, that's just them. I'm pretty sure labels don't want that.

[Interviewer]

Oh, they don't want that.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Danny Brown]

They want to put out the best possible project that they can.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Danny Brown]

You know, that's why you see a lot of artists always complaining like, they can't drop music. I can't drop music. I mean, the best thing to do is, because I learned this from working with Q tip, is that you need to give the music all the love it can possibly get before you put it into the world, because once you put it out there, you can't take it back. So the best thing to do is sit with it post, you know, always tinkering with it. Do something like, I'll sit around with a song for a year or two years before I even think about releasing it.

[Interviewer]

And do you have people you send it to to get on?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, you know, my A R is my manager and stuff, but it's almost like if you can sit around with a song for two years and you still love it the same way as when you first listen to it, then you know, that's. That's something you can put in the world, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

Wow.

[Interviewer]

I didn't know that much time went into your stuff. That's cool, though.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, probably. Yeah. Pretty much put out albums every two sometimes. This last album, I think took four years, maybe four years.

[Interviewer]

Wow. You ever have songs that just popped off that you didn't expect it or.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah, I mean, my. One of my biggest songs grown up. I mean, I just made that song in, like, 15 minutes. It's almost one of those things where you'd be like, what? You know, because sometimes, like I say, you spend so much time on a song and making music, and then you can just do something so quick, and it becomes, like, your biggest song. It's like, great. But I think that's just lightning in a bottle.

[Interviewer]

You hear stories of that where, like, their artist's biggest song, they wrote it in, like, 10 minutes.

[Danny Brown]

I mean, it's lightning in a bottle for the most part.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Danny Brown]

But you still want to be able to have that groundwork of really solid material that you always fall back on, you know?

[Interviewer]

Do you ever go through writer's blocks?

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. But I believe when you writing about your life and you're telling the truth, you can never really have a writer's block.

[Interviewer]

Facts. Yeah. If you're not making up shit.

[Danny Brown]

Yeah. That's when you can't think of. Because you're trying to be. You're trying to be the coolest and you're trying to say the dopest stuff you can possibly say. But when you just writing about what you're going through and you being honest with your. With your words and whatever you're putting out there, I don't think you can really have a writer's block with that.

[Interviewer]

I like that. Yeah. I feel like people can sense authenticity.

[Danny Brown]

Better these days, but also sometimes I feel like if I do have, like, you know, just a creative stint, I think it's time for me to go live life so I can have something to talk about.

[Interviewer]

Right? Yeah. Cause, you know, just home all day.

[Danny Brown]

If you're just in the studio every day, every day, and that's all you're doing, before you know it, you're just gonna be rapping about. Rapping.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. It's like those guys that read books all day, they never take action on it. 100%, dude. It's been cool. Where can people find you and find where you're performing next?

[Danny Brown]

You know, all my social medias is X, Danny X Brown X. And I just pretty much finished a few tours, so now it's time for me to make music, you know, so I'll probably be chilling for a little bit.

[Interviewer]

We'll link your podcast, too.

[Danny Brown]

Thank you. Definitely.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Thanks for coming on, man.

[Danny Brown]

Thank you, man.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Thanks for watching, guys. See you tomorrow.