DOPE AS USUAL Podcast: "Killa Season" w/ Adamn Killa!

Hosts: Thomas “Dope as Yola” Araujo & Marty O'Neill
Guest: Adamn Killa (Adamn Kelly), with Forever Band
Date: November 18, 2025

Overview

This high-energy episode features Adamn Killa, the viral Chicago rapper and online sensation, breaking down his astronomical rise to internet stardom, his unconventional approach to music and fan engagement, the chaos and joy of in-person meetups, the importance of staying independent, and his surprising background as a top-tier athlete. Alongside him is Forever Band, the right-hand man, adding perspective from years around hip-hop legends. The conversation is fast-paced and hilarious, with a focus on hustle, authenticity, and the power of connecting with fans—plus a healthy dose of baseball nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adamn Killa’s Meteoric Rise on the Internet

• Ultra-viral Status: Adamn Killa shares that he's hitting around 530 million views a month, and has 950 million unique viewers on TikTok.

  "So not views but like individual people have watching my TikTok. So like almost a billion people," (02:44–03:05)

• Mainstream Attention: He’s been covered by news outlets from TMZ to Fox to the India Times, sparked by the “Arrest Me Daddy” viral moment.

• Fan Engagement: Adamn Killa is relentless about directly responding to fans:

  "I've probably done almost 300,000 comments so far. ...I do meet ups all the time. Take pictures, autographs, and all that stuff is completely free." (05:00–05:30)

2. The Live Nation Incident & DIY Tours

• Show Canceled: Live Nation canceled his show last minute due to underestimating his fanbase's turnout—despite Adamn’s warnings.

  "Capacity is only 350. ...But my fanbase, they pull up the day of and sell it out." (07:03–07:36)

• Vindication: He proved them wrong by drawing thousands to the venue anyway, even in the rain.

  "I just did one right now before I came here. ...It was like a couple thousand people." (05:58)

• Commitment: He self-funds travel and accommodation:

  "I'm independent, so I spend my own money on flights. I bought my own hotel knowing I wasn't gonna make money from the show because it got canceled." (10:09)

3. The Reality & Risks of Fan Frenzy

• In-Person Mayhem: Adamn and Forever Band describe near-mob scenes, escape plans with staged getaway cars, and a crowd that’s "Michael Jackson" level intense.

  "Once we ran, like a thousand people just ran after us." (17:43)

• Chaos, Joy, and Gratitude:

  "You'll see 3,000 people and approach him, and he just has this big smile on his face, and he, like, you know, like, yeah, come get me." – Forever Band (22:13)

• Positive Vibes & No Security: The fan connection is authentic, and Adamn believes his crowd would protect him from harm.

  "Honestly, I think my fans will protect me, to be honest." (25:09)

4. Staying Sober and Independent

• Sober Lifestyle: Adamn doesn’t smoke or drink and sticks to a strict, content-focused routine:

  "Wake up 5, 6am, go outside, make videos, post 20 times a day." (01:45)

• Turning Down Major Deals:

  “The biggest deal I turned down was worth like six point something million... And I had zero dollars in my bank account." (12:43, 13:03)

• Motivation: Prefers creative freedom and believes he can earn more on his own long-term.

  "Twelve years of my life is worth way more than 6 million." (13:28)

5. Chicago to Europe – Early Career and Overseas Fans

• European Fan Reactions: As a teenager with Young Lean, Adamn experienced Beatlemania-energy crowds in Europe.

  "How people treat me now. They were treating me like that in Europe back then." (14:46)

• Running from Fans: The only way to leave a show safely is sprinting away and staging cars like a heist.

  "We staged these cars. So we had like three cars staged in different places. So you can get away." – Forever Band (17:12)

6. Meetups, Virality, & Direct-to-Fan Movement

• Accessibility: Adamn’s meetups are always free, in contrast to expensive or exclusive artist events, creating deeper bonds with his audience.

• Posting Strategy: Consistently posts 20 times a day, sometimes riffing on real-life experiences for content (e.g., "Can I wash the dishes instead?" videos).

  "I just post anything. Like, that's how it starts... I started posting these new videos where I'm like, can I wash the dishes instead? Like when I'm at a restaurant." (58:29)

7. Baseball Past, What-Ifs, and Life Lessons

• Athletic Background: Adamn was a D1-level baseball player with professional workouts and a .375 college batting average.

• Sacrifice: Left behind a promising baseball future for music—though he often dreams about playing in the MLB.

• Real Talk: <u>He demystifies minor league struggles—most players barely get paid.</u>

  “You see like MLB players that’s in the minors, they’re like working at grocery stores... So they get like a $10,000 signing bonus and make like 500 a month." (33:54)

• On Education: College wasn’t a fit—he found English pointless compared to his passions.

  "I'm like smart, but... books and like stuff I didn't like doing—I can't do it. ...I failed English because I didn't buy the book." (35:06–35:41)

• Baseball Movie Nostalgia: Deep dive into baseball classics—Sandlot, Mr. 3000, Hardball, and more.

  "Sandlot... Mr. 3000... Hardball... League of Their Own..." (37:05–38:16)

8. The Mandela Effect & Conspiracy Banter

• Pop Culture: Entertaining banter about the Mandela Effect, Shazam/Kazaam, the Berenstein Bears, and reality glitches.

  "That Mandela fix shit’s real." (50:15)

• Philosophy:

  "I feel like I'm in my best timeline." (51:42)
  "For me personally—yeah, that's what I'm saying. I feel like my life is great." (52:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On turning down a $6 million deal:

  “I turned down six point something million. And I had zero dollars in my bank account. My dad was like, you're stupid." (13:03–13:06)

• On fan meetups:

  "When I first started a year ago, three people came... Now it’s a couple thousand." (05:46)

• On controlling your destiny:

  "I just like being able to do what I want." (12:43)

• On positivity:

  “We positive. ...Y’all changing my life. I appreciate y’all for this, and I’m gonna rock with y’all.” —Forever Band (21:41)

• On fan chaos:

  "That's Michael Jackson shit." —Marty (19:16)

• On his motivation:

  “If they're offering me 6 million, I’m worth 12.” (13:12)

• On the future:

  "For 2026, I want a platinum song. I want a Billboard Hot 100 number one." (52:19)

• On hustle advice:

  "Post 20 times a day. ...Everything you want to do is a lot of work, to be honest." (58:11–58:19)

Highlighted Timestamps

• 00:44–03:31: Adamn explains the scale of his digital stardom and viral moments
• 05:46–08:50: The Live Nation cancellation, the turnout, and Adamn’s commitment to fans
• 16:47–22:13: Forever Band narrates the “escape” from fans and the unique intensity of Adamn’s crowds
• 24:45–25:21: On safety, crowds, and mutual respect with fans
• 29:25–33:54: Adamn’s baseball past, realities of pro sports, and why he left for music
• 37:05–38:46: Baseball movie nostalgia
• 50:02–52:19: The Mandela Effect and “being in your best timeline”
• 52:19–53:15: Goals for 2026 and pride in friends’ achievements
• 58:11–59:44: Posting strategy and the creative process for viral videos

Tone

The conversation is relentlessly upbeat, honest, and unfiltered, with tons of anecdotes, jokes, and mutual respect. There’s a sense of camaraderie, underdog pride, and a hustler’s mentality throughout. Adamn’s transparency about his journey, business decisions, past struggles, and future ambitions offers encouragement for creatives and fans alike.

Takeaways

• Adamn Killa’s approach is redefining what it means to build a global fanbase—direct, free, and authentic engagement beats traditional music industry machinery.
• Staying independent allows for creative and personal freedom—even when the big labels come knocking.
• Sincerity, hustle, and being accessible have built Adamn a following that transcends the internet and translates to sold-out shows and euphoric in-person experiences.
• Real connection with fans has led to a level of mania usually reserved for pop superstars—and Adamn handles it with humility and joy.
• The work ethic—getting up at 5am, posting 20 times a day—is as important as any music or athletic talent.
• Always trust your gut, stick to your principles, and never be afraid to run your own race—even if it means running for real.

For More:
Follow @adamnkilla, @dope_as_usual_podcast, and tune in for more unfiltered artist stories.