The DOPE AS USUAL Podcast: The BabyTron Episode!!
Hosts: Marty O'Neill & Thomas Araujo
Guest: BabyTron
Date: March 17, 2026
Episode Overview
This energetic episode features Detroit rapper BabyTron, known for his witty bars, cultural references, and genre-bending mixtapes. The conversation covers everything from music creation, wild touring stories, and psychedelic use, to nostalgic deep dives into sports, cartoons, video games, and pop culture. The tone is lively and comedic, as the hosts riff with BabyTron about life, creativity, and the realities of independent rap stardom.
Major Themes & Discussion Points
1. BabyTron in "Coach Mode": New Album & Creative Process
- Album Drop & Features:
- BabyTron just released a new album featuring Rio Da Young OG, BOP, Kosher, 1900 Rugrat, and “Scatts” (a Flint rapper he met in jail).
"It was fitting that I threw him on there. I actually went to jail with him." [03:22]
- BabyTron just released a new album featuring Rio Da Young OG, BOP, Kosher, 1900 Rugrat, and “Scatts” (a Flint rapper he met in jail).
- Coach Mode:
- Describes his current mindset as "running all plays."
- Favorite quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff, Matt Stafford, Michael Vick).
- On making multi-beat tracks and not worrying about monetization:
“It ain't even about the money... I put so much into the last one knowing I’m not gonna get paid. Just for the art, for real.” [05:48]
- Artistic Philosophy:
- Always pushing creativity, doing what’s never been done—alphabet, numbers, or all 50 states in a song.
“Just trying to do the undone before, for real, and having fun.” [06:04]
- Always pushing creativity, doing what’s never been done—alphabet, numbers, or all 50 states in a song.
2. Life on Tour: Hotel & Airbnb Nightmares
- Bad Airbnbs:
- Hidden cameras, roaches, ending up in tough neighborhoods (“nicest house in the hood”), things missing after checkout.
“In Memphis, it was cameras in the house, like in a plant. Nah, we just gonna go to a hotel on this one.” [44:41]
- Hidden cameras, roaches, ending up in tough neighborhoods (“nicest house in the hood”), things missing after checkout.
- Wildest Hotel Story:
- First time in LA, tried to smoke in a fancy hotel, got evicted immediately.
“I was thinking I was the cool guy... They escorted my ass right out that.” [43:56]
- First time in LA, tried to smoke in a fancy hotel, got evicted immediately.
- Losing Expensive Glasses:
- Left Buscemi glasses at an Airbnb, never got them back despite owner's reassurances.
“Their excuse was, ‘We gotta ask who cleaned the house’, like, oh yeah, never getting those again.” [49:24]
- Left Buscemi glasses at an Airbnb, never got them back despite owner's reassurances.
- Meet & Greets:
- Strangest gift: a candle with his face as Jesus.
- Signing weird things—baby, car, gun clips.
“A candle, but like, it was me on Jesus. My face on Jesus.” [37:30]
3. Psychedelics, Weed, & Drug Stories
- Favorite Substances:
- Strictly mushrooms, never tried acid or DMT, and stays away from Salvia due to wild stories.
- Psychedelics Impact:
- Used shrooms for over a year straight; claims they boost creativity but didn’t “rewire” his brain. [18:57]
- Details grueling and surreal high-dosage experiences, including having to eat all his shrooms during a police stop in Kentucky.
“The inside of the car was moving. The door wasn’t even there... I just went to sleep, woke up, still high.” [12:08]
- On Alcohol:
- Only blacked out once (late night with Cole Bennett, Kodak Black, celebration got out of control).
“All I remember, shotguned a beer, woke up at Cole’s house the next day...” [21:45]
- Strictly prefers weed, noting massive difference between Michigan and California strains.
- Only blacked out once (late night with Cole Bennett, Kodak Black, celebration got out of control).
4. Pop Culture, Cartoons & Gaming Nostalgia
- Favorite Cartoons:
- SpongeBob (“I'd wear a Patrick Star jacket”), Family Guy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Tom & Jerry, old Scooby Doo.
“Family Guy, SpongeBob, Courage. That was it.” [51:25]
- SpongeBob (“I'd wear a Patrick Star jacket”), Family Guy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Tom & Jerry, old Scooby Doo.
- Reruns & Nineties References:
- Didn’t vibe with The Simpsons, but watched shows like Everybody Hates Chris, Zack & Cody, Drake & Josh, Ned’s Declassified.
- Video Games:
- Bought a PS2 on tour, hunted for rare games (never found Def Jam: Fight for NY), reminisces about Blitz Football, and wrestling games.
“I just want to buy a PlayStation 2... every game except Def Jam Fight for New York.” [24:08]
- Bought a PS2 on tour, hunted for rare games (never found Def Jam: Fight for NY), reminisces about Blitz Football, and wrestling games.
- Wrestling Stories:
- Loved wrestling action figures, did wild moves as a kid: “Everyday, whoop my neighbor’s ass in the yard... real wrestling moves.” [29:15]
5. Sports Talk: Football, Basketball, and Cultural Impact
- Favorite Players & Sports Memories:
- “Favorite QB all-time? Michael Vick. Because of Madden, you couldn’t touch me.” [02:21]
- Calvin Johnson, Barry Sanders, Matt Stafford, Reggie White as legendary picks.
- Basketball: heavy references in lyrics, a LeBron and Luka Doncic fan, also roots for Detroit teams.
- Life in the Cold & Regional Pride:
- Grew up near Canada—used to brutal Michigan winters, “all we get is snow.”
- Comparing luck in New York City (“dark cloud follows me there”) and experiences in other cities.
6. AI, Tech, The Future & Culture
- On AI:
- Sees AI as a double-edged sword—potentially useful for tedious tasks (like cataloging football cards), but ultimately "the devil."
“AI... that's Skynet, bro. That really is like the devil.” [35:10]
- Offers comedic takes on how rappers fire their graphic designers: “You can fire Kevin, GPT. Chat GPT, that’s your best friend.” [36:02]
- Sees AI as a double-edged sword—potentially useful for tedious tasks (like cataloging football cards), but ultimately "the devil."
- Near-Future Tech:
- Skepticism about flying cars (not driving one!), speculates about 2050s VR and digital psychedelics.
"20, 26, bro... Where’s the flying cars at?" [33:52]
- Skepticism about flying cars (not driving one!), speculates about 2050s VR and digital psychedelics.
7. Music Creation & Philosophy
- Freestyling vs. Writing:
- BabyTron rarely writes—most music is off-the-dome.
“I don't really ever write… first time in years was when I just went to jail, just to be silly.” [39:16]
- BabyTron rarely writes—most music is off-the-dome.
- Advice for Independent Artists:
"Be yourself and believe in yourself. It's cliché, but if you don’t believe in you, nobody else will." [61:49]
- Importance of originality and self-trust.
- Video Production:
- Collaboration and organic shoots, such as the “Certified Trapper” video filmed on an iPhone while on shrooms.
“Made that song off of an eighth of shrooms.” [64:44]
- Collaboration and organic shoots, such as the “Certified Trapper” video filmed on an iPhone while on shrooms.
8. Random Rapid-Fire & Memorable Moments
- Choosing Not to Discuss Certain Adventures:
- Some hangover-level tour stories too wild for air. [43:19]
- Memeable Segment: "Pause" & 'No Diddy'
- Multi-minute riff on innuendo, “pause” culture, and that infamous P. Diddy/Kevin Hart/Usher house party video.
- ‘What Would You Do to a Predator?’ Bit:
- Brainstorming comic punishments for predators (pies in the face, ruining their credit, making them eat mushrooms).
- Rants about sports heartbreak (Brett Favre disses), power slap competitions, and random late-night TV.
Notable Quotes & Time-Stamped Highlights
-
On creative risk:
"I put so much money into that just to know I’m not about to get paid off this at all. Life of independence, just for the art, for real." — BabyTron (05:48)
-
On Mushrooms:
"The biggest dose I ever went on mushrooms was a quarter, 7 grams...The inside of the car was moving, door wasn't there. I just went to sleep, woke up, I was still high." — BabyTron (12:08)
-
On originality:
“Be yourself and believe in yourself. Cause if you don't believe in yourself shouldn't nobody else.” — BabyTron (61:49)
-
On writing:
“I don't really ever write. The first time I wrote in years was when I just went to jail.” — BabyTron (39:16)
-
On meet and greet gifts:
“A candle but like, it was me on Jesus. My face on Jesus.” — BabyTron (37:30)
-
AI & Technology fears:
"AI... That's Skynet, bro. That really is like the devil, damn near." — BabyTron (35:10)
-
On Michigan winter:
“All we get is snow, so I can’t complain. I’m used to it. It could be worse.” — BabyTron (09:26)
-
On fan base:
“You got five people showing like five other homies. It’s cool, dude. That’s a start.” — Thomas (62:57)
Structured Timeline (Key Segments & Timestamps)
| Timestamp | Topic | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:13 | Introduction of BabyTron ("Coach Mode", new album drops) | | 04:10-06:16 | On creative risk, song structure, MADLIB-style references | | 10:14-19:14 | Shroom stories, high-dose experiences, impact on creativity | | 21:45-22:02 | Wildest blackout experience with Cole Bennett/Kodak | | 24:08-25:27 | Video games: nostalgia, PS2, Def Jam, Blitz Football | | 29:15-31:39 | Wrestling, childhood, favorite wrestlers/wrestling injuries | | 35:10-36:21 | AI: "Skynet energy," fears and practical uses | | 37:30 | Weirdest meet & greet gifts ("Candle Jesus") | | 39:16 | Creative process ("I don't write, I freestyle") | | 43:56 | Hotel/Airbnb horror stories | | 50:05-53:40 | Cartoons and TV shows: Spongebob, Family Guy, etc. | | 54:38-56:39 | Michigan sports legends, football fandom | | 61:49 | Advice for up-and-coming indie artists | | 64:44 | Video "Certified Trapper" made on shrooms | | 67:55 | Favorite rewatchable movies | | 79:21-82:53 | Sports banter: Raiders, Bills, Mahomes, money & motivation | | 86:49-89:31 | Brainstorming comic punishments for 'predator catches' |
Final Thoughts & Closing
This edition of DOPE AS USUAL blends high-energy humor, deep nostalgia, and raw authenticity. BabyTron shines as a rapper who’s honest about his process, his love for psychedelics, and his commitment to originality. The episode is packed with hilarious anecdotes, sincere wisdom on independence, and plenty of fan-favorite pop culture shout-outs.
“More coaching, all 2026... More plays to be set.” — BabyTron (90:03)
Connect with BabyTron:
- babytron.net for merch and updates
- Follow on socials for new releases and upcoming appearances
Summary by the DOPE AS USUAL team — Have a dope ass day!