Podcast Summary: Grits and Eggs Podcast - Episode 76: Black Lip Pastor ft. Ab-Soul

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: Deante’ Kyle
Guest: Ab-Soul
Description: Deante’ Kyle goes raw and unfiltered, delving into pop culture, current events, conspiracies, and more.

1. Introduction to the Guests and Setting

The episode begins with a smooth exchange between Ab-Soul and Kembe X (Python P), setting a collaborative and relaxed tone. They introduce their rapport and hint at the deep, unfiltered conversations to come.

2. Music Production and Collaborations

Discussion Highlights: Ab-Soul emphasizes the importance of consistent collaboration with trusted producers like Nine Mile and Bucko Senior. He reflects on producing cohesive soundscapes and the value of long-term partnerships.

Notable Quotes:

• Ab-Soul [00:48]: "We gotta make it look like... let me get my Bradley educating the hoes."
• Ab-Soul [02:18]: "But yeah, not to... But to answer it. Yeah, yeah. I really really like primarily work with the producers that I came in with."

Insights: The conversation underscores the significance of maintaining a unified production team to ensure the quality and consistency of musical projects. Ab-Soul credits his success to these enduring relationships.

3. The Importance of Artist Development and Label Support

Discussion Highlights: Kembe X praises TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) for its tight-knit community and effective artist development. They contrast TDE's structured approach with other labels' more scattershot methods, highlighting how thoughtful development fosters longevity in artists.

Notable Quotes:

• Kembe X [05:03]: "Long term is a true testament of long term, like the definition..."
• Ab-Soul [10:02]: "We are a trusted. It can be frustrating at times because you can have like, things that you believe in..."

Insights: TDE's holistic support system—spanning creative development, marketing, and touring—enables artists to build substantial bodies of work, ensuring sustained relevance in the music industry.

4. Reflections on the Music Industry and Creative Integrity

Discussion Highlights: Ab-Soul and Kembe X critique the current state of the music industry, where rapid content production often compromises quality. They advocate for creating meaningful, cohesive projects over fleeting singles.

Notable Quotes:

• Kembe X [11:49]: "I took my stance that I took last year... putting out these bodies of work that you could really sit down and live with."
• Ab-Soul [14:29]: "Cause that's like, you know, in the shadows."

Insights: They stress the importance of depth and substance in music, pushing back against the trend of quantity over quality. This approach not only benefits artists but also enriches the listener's experience.

5. Personal Journeys in Music: From Beginnings to Success

Discussion Highlights: Ab-Soul shares anecdotes about his early days in music, including battling in school, recording with minimal equipment, and the challenges of gaining recognition. Kembe X relates with his own experiences of uploading music on platforms like MySpace.

Notable Quotes:

• Ab-Soul [27:00]: "I tell everybody this, bro. I stole a Radio Shack desktop mic..."
• Kembe X [30:00]: "I'm graduating high school 608..."

Insights: Their stories highlight perseverance and passion as key drivers in their rise within the hip-hop scene. Overcoming initial setbacks and leveraging available resources were pivotal in their journeys.

6. The Role of Philosophy and Intellectual Pursuit in Creativity

Discussion Highlights: The duo delves into deeper philosophical discussions, touching upon topics like vibrational energy, the law of vibrational energy, and references to texts like the Emerald Tablets and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Notable Quotes:

• Ab-Soul [39:50]: "What vibration are you trying?"
• Kembe X [40:07]: "The revolution is love, bro."

Insights: Their exploration of philosophical concepts reflects how intellectual and metaphysical ideas influence their creative processes, enriching their music with layers of meaning and depth.

7. Overcoming Ego and Maintaining Community in the Music Scene

Discussion Highlights: Ab-Soul and Kembe X discuss the dangers of ego in the industry and the importance of fostering a supportive community. They emphasize humility, collaboration, and the need to "knock on that ego."

Notable Quotes:

• Kembe X [26:13]: "You don't want to be the nigga that nobody knows, but got all this ego."
• Ab-Soul [25:01]: "You know what I'm saying? And... we're a team. Absol is a brand. It's a business that we've created."

Insights: By prioritizing community and mutual support over individual acclaim, they aim to build a resilient and enduring presence in the hip-hop landscape.

8. Future Directions and Closing Remarks

Discussion Highlights: The conversation wraps up with reflections on past achievements and anticipations for future projects. They hint at upcoming parts of the interview and encourage listeners to engage with their ongoing work.

Notable Quotes:

• Kembe X [65:20]: "This is part one of the Ab-Soul interview. Part two coming soon."
• Ab-Soul [65:05]: "It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a movement."

Insights: Looking forward, both Ab-Soul and Kembe X express enthusiasm for continued collaboration and the expansion of their creative endeavors, promising more in-depth discussions in future episodes.

Conclusion

Episode 76 of the Grits and Eggs Podcast offers a profound exploration of the intricacies of music production, artist development, and the philosophical underpinnings that drive creative expression. Through candid conversations, Ab-Soul and Kembe X provide listeners with valuable insights into maintaining artistic integrity, fostering community, and navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Ab-Soul [00:48]: "We gotta make it look like... let me get my Bradley educating the hoes."
• Ab-Soul [02:18]: "But yeah, not to... But to answer it. Yeah, yeah. I really really like primarily work with the producers that I came in with."
• Kembe X [05:03]: "Long term is a true testament of long term, like the definition..."
• Kembe X [11:49]: "I took my stance that I took last year... putting out these bodies of work that you could really sit down and live with."
• Ab-Soul [14:29]: "Cause that's like, you know, in the shadows."
• Ab-Soul [27:00]: "I tell everybody this, bro. I stole a Radio Shack desktop mic..."
• Ab-Soul [39:50]: "What vibration are you trying?"
• Kembe X [40:07]: "The revolution is love, bro."
• Kembe X [26:13]: "You don't want to be the nigga that nobody knows, but got all this ego."
• Ab-Soul [25:01]: "You know what I'm saying? And... we're a team. Absol is a brand. It's a business that we've created."
• Kembe X [65:20]: "This is part one of the Ab-Soul interview. Part two coming soon."
• Ab-Soul [65:05]: "It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a movement."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the rich discussions between Ab-Soul and Kembe X, highlighting their experiences, philosophies, and aspirations within the music industry.