For Good Podcast with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons

Episode: Hip-Hop, Hard Lessons & Healing: Dr. Sahpreem A. King’s Journey of Redemption
Date: September 16, 2025
Guest: Dr. Sahpreem A. King (multi-platinum hip-hop producer, author, educator, founder of Solar Astronauts, Army vet)

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode dives deep into the power of healing, personal accountability, and transformation, as seen through the remarkable journey of Dr. Sahpreem A. King. From the heights of hip-hop production success and public acclaim to financial devastation, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption, Dr. King shares raw truths about breaking generational cycles, self-love, learning, and the practical path to healing — not just for oneself, but for families and entire communities. Host JoJo Simmons and Dr. King model a vulnerable, wisdom-filled conversation to inspire listeners to grow from the inside out.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Being a Jack of All Trades & Intention

• Dr. King embraces his multi-hyphenate identity (producer, educator, veteran, father):

  “No one ever tells you about being a jack of all trades. It’s better to be a jack of all trades than the master of just one thing… I am all of these things…90% of that is about positivity. And why I say 90%...10% of my time I’m fighting off negativity…Wu Tang said, ‘protect your neck.’ I’m out here telling you, protect your positivity.” (02:54, 02:54–05:03)

• The need for intention:

  “To be a positive force, you have to have intention. And that's really what it's about.” (05:33)

2. Hip-Hop Origin Story & Humility

• Early inspiration from hip-hop culture and the DJ’s power:

  “I’m mesmerized by the control that this cat has…and I’m thinking to myself, that is the career that I want.” (06:06–07:37)

• On “arriving” as a producer:

  “Being good is a state of being. Your only good is dynamicism. It’s not static…There’s never been a point in my music career that I’m not learning something…ABL, always be learning…Even to this day, after things I’ve accomplished, I still feel like I’m just starting.” (07:37–08:44)

• Every project is a new “I made it” moment grounded in gratitude, not ego.

3. Democratizing Knowledge: “Gotta Get Signed” Book

• Dr. King wrote the first-ever hip-hop production manual in plain language:

  “The dude making beats in his crib...isn’t gonna read the book written by a lawyer or executive. He wants to know in plain language...So I wrote my own manual as if I was going back in time and saying, here, young brother, here’s the blueprint.” (09:33–12:34)

4. Lessons From Financial Failure & Humility (Finance and Purpose)

• Twice lost everything:

  “...the first time I did it...music industry...made a couple million dollars...didn’t know anything about taxes…You don’t have to become a financial wizard...but you do need to know enough to have the right conversations.” (13:04–15:54)

• The second time in real estate (2008 crisis):

  “What God did for me…put me in a situation to give me tremendous growth in a fast amount of time, but not the knowledge. The test was...understand what it is you’re in.” (15:54–16:58)

• Failure as fuel:

  “I embrace failure. I look forward to failing because the faster you fail…the faster you’re going to get through those 10,000 hours...Every decision I make is from a place of love…If it’s not lifting my own vibrational energy and the vibrational energy of other people, I’m not in it.” (16:58–17:52)

5. ADHD, Education, and Multiple Intelligence

• Only diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, reframed self-perception:

  “You’re taught in school, especially as young Black males...by a left-brain learner…But what determines smartness?...There’s multiple ways to be smart.” (19:38–21:03)

• Inspired by his son’s learning struggles: Embraced Howard Gardner’s “multiple intelligences” and found personalized approaches can unlock potential.

6. Breaking Cycles: Domestic Violence, Vulnerability & Healing

• Dr. King witnessed and repeated domestic violence:

  “I went from watching domestic violence in my home and then being the abuser myself…as a young man, I was handsy with women…I had a choice and control.” (24:50–25:24)

• The turning point came looking at his infant son:

  “It’s gotta end with me. This has to die with me. That was…the moment…” (27:38–30:21)

• Actively sought help at a time with few options, found solidarity in accountability-based men’s groups:

  “...when we’re not taught properly how to govern ourselves in a relationship...violence is never an answer to being hurt, because hurt people hurt people. That light bulb came on and I said, you know what? That’s it for me. I can’t have this life.” (29:00)

7. Identity and Ancestry

• At nearly 50, learned the man who raised him was not his biological father (via DNA test).

  “Not only was my father not my biological father, but I was, like, 47% Caucasian. Here it is, I’m almost 49…For me, it was, like, oh, okay, this explains a lot of stories that just didn’t add up…Now I got more family, more people to love.” (31:17–33:45)

8. Grounding Practices: Tools for Healing

• Ho’oponopono – forgiveness ritual, healing the inner child:

  “I carry a baby picture of me when I’m about four…that’s who I’m healing… I love you. Please forgive me. I’m sorry. Thank you.” (34:14–35:39)

• Binaural Beats – for vibrational alignment, brain chemistry change. (36:12–40:11)
• Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) – body-based trauma release for “mini-traumas” that accumulate daily:

  “We’re walking around like loaded guns of built-up tension and trauma. And that’s what EFT does.” (38:00–39:53)

9. Solar Astronauts: A Platform for Healing and Consciousness

• Solar Astronauts as a spiritual, consciousness-raising movement:

  “It’s a platform, a movement, not a religion. It’s a mindset of awareness…We are spirits having a human experience…First healing this spirit and then going outward with that.” (41:17–44:10)

• Meditation, grounding, clear intention as essential skills for young people and all ages.

10. Community Impact & Legacy

• Most rewarding part of training/teaching:

  “When it clicks…what they care about is the impact… the love that you poured into them …without wanting something back. So…always about healing and positivity.” (48:45–49:55)

• New book: No One Starts at Zero: Using Life Experiences to Level Up (career advice, spirituality, self-mastery) (54:02)
• Animated children’s TV series in development: “Systemic Flow Force” — merging STEM and hip-hop for Black and Brown youth:

  “If I teach you how to breakdance, I could teach you physics (breakdancing is physics)…If I teach you rapping, I could teach you how to be a public speaker. These are skillsets to impact kids and teach them science, technology, engineering and math.” (55:51–58:20)

11. Advice to His Younger Self

“Be humble. I was not humble...But arrogancy came from fear of not being good enough…The thing is, I would tell that dude: you deserve to be here. God doesn’t put you where you need to be by accident…it’s on purpose for you to learn something.” (58:52–59:22)

On confidence:

“Confidence isn’t loud. Confidence is confident…Confidence is quiet, people. You don’t need to yell to the mountaintops.” (62:18–62:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Protect your positivity.” — Dr. King (02:54–05:03)
• “Every decision I make is from a place of love…If it’s not lifting my own vibrational energy and the vibrational energy of other people, I’m not in it.” (16:58–17:52)
• "You can't fail if you don't get out of bed." — Dr. King (19:16)
• "I looked into my son's crib...and I burst out crying...It's gotta end with me. This has to die with me." (27:38)
• “Hurt people hurt people.” — Dr. King (29:00)
• “You gotta go in before you go out. Because God is in all of us.” (48:05)
• “When it clicks…what they care about is the impact… the love that you poured into them …without wanting something back.” (48:45–49:55)
• “Be humble. I was not humble. But arrogancy came from fear of not being good enough…You deserve to be here.” (58:52–59:22)
• "Confidence is quiet, people. You don't need to yell to the mountaintops that you're the greatest at anything. The work shows." — JoJo Simmons (62:44)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 02:54 – Dr. King’s philosophy as “jack of all trades,” intention, and protecting positivity
• 06:06 – Hip-hop origin story, early DJ inspiration, humility, and always learning
• 09:33 – Creating “Gotta Get Signed” for aspiring producers
• 13:04 – Losing and rebuilding fortunes, financial lessons, humility
• 19:38 – ADHD, education, and redefining “smart”
• 24:50 – Impact of childhood domestic violence, accountability, and healing
• 27:38 – Turning point: breaking the cycle for his children
• 34:14 – Healing practices: Ho’oponopono, binaural beats, tapping
• 41:17 – The vision and philosophy of Solar Astronauts
• 48:45 – The most rewarding aspect of his impact work (when it “clicks”)
• 54:02 – New projects: book (No One Starts at Zero), house music EP, animated TV series
• 58:52 – Advice to his younger self: humility and self-worth

Tone & Style

Raw, open, and warm — Dr. King and JoJo are both honest and relatable, blending the soul of hip-hop, the rigor of lived experience, and real tools for healing. The language is direct and sincere, with a focus on practical reflection but plenty of humor, humility, and hope.

Summary prepared for those seeking growth, healing, and inspiration through lived wisdom and actionable tools — especially for Black men, fathers, and anyone ready to break cycles and reimagine legacy.