Podcast Summary: "From Rapstyle Mondays to Run’s House: JoJo & Zach Reunite"

Podcast: For Good
Host: Joseph "JoJo" Simmons
Guest: Zach Ellis Chevitz
Date: September 23, 2025
Episode Theme:
Grounded conversations about friendship, music, Black male vulnerability, and the evolution from childhood dreams to adult healing. JoJo reunites on-air with his lifelong best friend and Team Blackout co-founder Zach, reflecting on their journey from elementary school rap battles to MTV’s Run’s House, and how their bond—and paths—have transformed.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the enduring friendship and creative partnership between JoJo Simmons and Zach Ellis Chevitz. Through storytelling and open dialogue, they explore growing up in each other's families, building a hip hop group, navigating the spotlight of reality TV, and maturing into roles as advocate, educator, and godfather. The conversation threads personal growth, legacy, mental health, and the often unexpected ways our childhood passions shape our lives’ trajectory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood Connection and Foundation of Friendship

Timestamps: 00:28–06:23

• JoJo and Zach met in first grade and became best friends around fifth grade, drawn together by their complementary personalities: JoJo, energetic and bold; Zach, quiet and grounding.
• Their families played a major role, with Zach’s parents often stepping in to support JoJo growing up.

"Your mother and father was like, yeah, you know, we’ll pick up JoJo...I kind of felt like part of your family at a very young age." – JoJo (06:23)

• Zach is now godfather to JoJo's daughter Mia, a role he treasures:

"Oh, man, it meant everything, man. You know, like you said, I don't take that title lightly..." – Zach (07:26)

2. Navigating the Spotlight on Run’s House

Timestamps: 09:09–17:28

• Zach reflects on the challenges and excitement of being thrust onto reality TV as a teenager, juggling two identities:

"I felt like I was living two different, different lives...in high school, you know, you're still learning yourself...and you on TV now too." – Zach (09:48)

• While JoJo was comfortable in the spotlight, Zach remained humble and tried to keep the experience discreet at school.
• Both highlight humorous, sometimes awkward moments, such as hiding their "Team Blackout" status by parking an old Toyota around the corner at clubs to protect their image.
• The pressure of living up to perceptions, balancing authenticity, and choosing humility are recurring themes.

"It's kind of tough, you know, trying to try to meet a, you know, idea of what people may view you as and perception." – Zach (16:27)

3. The Origins of Team Blackout & Early Music Passion

Timestamps: 18:00–28:43

• The group started with Rap Style Mondays, their own version of 106 & Park’s Freestyle Friday, which became a middle school phenomenon and was eventually banned for being “too impactful.”
• Zach’s quiet artistry became known through these battles; JoJo recounts being relieved to partner up rather than battle each other.

"My only solution...was like, ok, cool, I can battle this guy...but I was probably gonna lose...so I came up with a solution and said, no. The two undefeated guys aren't battling each other. We're actually now doing two on twos. And Zach is my rap partner." – JoJo (24:08)

• They reminisce about recording demos in JoJo’s basement on karaoke machines, obsessive study of rap’s craft, and Zach’s encyclopedic love of the genre.

4. The Power of Hip Hop Identity and Studying the Greats

Timestamps: 28:43–35:39

• Zach describes rapping as a superpower and therapeutic outlet for a quiet kid:

"Writing rhymes, that was like my superpower. That was a chance for me to like be the superhero version of myself...that was my therapy." – Zach (28:43)

• Both draw meaningful parallels between their story and Run DMC’s origin myth—both dynamic duos bonded by sports, friendship, and then music.
• Zach is praised for his love of hip hop history; JoJo credits his preparation and artistry to consuming everything from Big L to obscure instrumentals.

5. Friendship, Legacy & The Reality of “Making It”

Timestamps: 35:39–44:52

• The friends reflect on the role of chance, family, and the universe ("could only be God") in their journey from private school in Queens to forming a group with a hip hop legacy.
• Zach’s perspective on group success:

"It was a total blessing...to even show and display my abilities like the way that we did on tv, it was an overall blessing." – Zach (42:33)

• Both agree that Team Blackout reached meaningful (if cult-status) success, regardless of outside reviews or challenges.
• The journey wasn’t only about music—friendship, mutual support, and making memories matter most.

6. Discussing the Third Member: Reggie, Loss, and Closure

Timestamps: 44:52–63:23

• They address the absence of Reggie, the group’s third member—his crucial role, how he "leveled up" the team (studio connections, driving, energy), and the pain of grown-up distance.

"Regardless of the communication now...he's always going to be a brother to me, regardless of how he's feeling." – Zach (56:12)

• JoJo and Zach express forgiveness, a desire for reconciliation, and gratitude for the shared history.

"Life is too short to be beefing with people you've made special moments with." – JoJo (56:56)

• The segment is a model for public vulnerability, closure, and honoring lost connections.

7. Pivoting from Rapper to Music Educator

Timestamps: 63:23–70:05

• Zach’s professional pivot: After college, he’s recruited back to their elementary school by principal Robin Corn to teach music—a “full circle moment.”
• Teaching gives Zach new purpose and a sense of responsibility for the next generation:

"I found teaching really gave me a great sense of purpose...It makes you more responsible because it's not just about you now."

• He describes his journey through two master’s degrees (childhood ed + school leadership) and passion for both music and shaping young minds.
• JoJo expresses admiration for Zach’s calm, patient nature, calling him "perfect for the job."

8. Representations, Jewish Identity & Drake

Timestamps: 47:09–51:04

• JoJo recalls encouraging Zach to lean into his Black/Jewish identity as a rapper—a dynamic later embodied by Drake. Zach reflects on seeing himself represented when Drake arrived on the scene:

"Seeing Drake blow up and becoming who he is, you know, for me, that was definitely someone that I felt like I connected with as an artist...that representation, like, goes a long way in inspiring others." – Zach (48:28)

• They laugh about missed opportunities but also celebrate Drake’s success and wider cultural representation.

9. Music, Mental Health, and Daily Healing

Timestamps: 70:05–73:52

• Zach is open about the importance of therapy as a tool for navigating life’s decisions, not just crisis management:

"Just using it as a tool to just help me just think out my thoughts and decision making...I would recommend going and finding a professional therapist." – Zach (70:05)

• He uses routines like avoiding social media first thing in the morning and aspires to meditate more.
• Current inspiration: reading the autobiography of Hurricane Carter (the boxer falsely accused and portrayed by Denzel Washington).
• Both advocate for lifelong growth and mental health as essential elements of legacy and healing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• JoJo on friendship:
  "You're the brother that I didn't have before Diggy and Rusty came into my life...the yin to my yang, as we would say. The guy that was calm, but I was loud. But it worked." (73:52)

• Zach on finding confidence:
  "When you find like something that you know that you're good at and you feel really confident about it...that's usually something you should continue to pursue." (26:47)

• JoJo on legacy and passion:
  "My passion for music will never stop, you know, and if you look at the history and my trajectory...I studied the art of rap..." (32:43)

• Zach on representation:
  "[Drake's] representation goes a long way in inspiring others...when I see Drake, I feel inspired and I feel just proud." (48:28)

• JoJo on Team Blackout’s unseen hustle:
  "People don't know about because, you know, they see Runs House and they think, oh, like, we just appeared on the show...We've been doing this for a long time, even prior to Runs House." (54:01)

• Zach on teaching:
  "Becoming an educator really changes you as a person. It makes you more responsible because it's not just about you now. You're working...with the youth, the future of the world." (66:23)

Important Timestamps (Segment Guide)

• 00:28–06:23: Friendship origin stories, becoming Mia’s godfather
• 09:09–17:28: Reality TV's double-edged sword: growing up on Run’s House
• 18:00–28:43: Rap Style Mondays, Team Blackout’s formation
• 35:39–44:52: Parallels to Run DMC; hip hop legacy debates
• 44:52–63:23: Reggie, group dynamics, handling distance, reunion hopes
• 63:23–70:05: Zach’s evolution into a music educator
• 70:05–73:52: Mental health routines, current inspirations

Tone & Atmosphere

Warm, deeply nostalgic, humorous, and candidly vulnerable. Both JoJo and Zach balance reflective wisdom with playful back-and-forth and a sense of lifelong brotherhood.

Episode Takeaways

• Legacy isn’t about fame—it’s about connection, impact, and the courage to embrace your story’s twists.
• Healing is as much about honoring your roots and repairing old wounds as it is about personal growth.
• Representation, both in music and daily life, has real power for inspiring the next generation.
• Friendship and creative chemistry can shape not only careers, but also hearts, worldviews, and communities.
• Giving back—through teaching, parenting, showing up—can be a natural evolution of artistic passion.

Closing Thoughts (JoJo, 73:52)

"You've always shown up at every turn...appreciate you...I love you, my brother. I appreciate you coming on the For Good podcast."

Final outro: Zach closes with original rhymes—a full circle tribute to the friendship and journey they've shared.