Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Episode: Joy, Pain & Purpose w/ Young Dro
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett (The Black Effect & iHeartPodcasts)
Date: January 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode, Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with hip hop artist Young Dro for an honest, heartfelt conversation about his journey through pain, addiction, and ultimately, purpose. From surviving a near-fatal gunshot as a teen to overcoming a decades-long struggle with substance abuse, Young Dro opens up about his darkest moments and the faith, therapy, and community support that fueled his transformation. The two explore topics of self-worth, legacy, mental health, the spiritual side of recovery, and the responsibility to use one's platform for good. This episode is a testament to resilience, healing, and the role of grace—and it's full of laughter, raw truths, and memorable insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Young Dro’s Upbringing, Style, and Musical Roots

• (03:01–06:07) Dro and Crystal talk about fashion, family influence, and authenticity in personal style. Young Dro reveals he’s styled himself since high school—decades before influencer culture.
  • "You have been repping Polo since before there was influencers. You was a Ralph Lauren influencer." (Crystal, 02:42)
  • Young Dro recalls his love for fashion as embedded in who he is, later inspiring music like "Put It On."
• Recognition in Atlanta: Young Dro shares his pride at being given an official "Young DRO Day" in Atlanta and his intention to use it for community impact (05:34–06:07).

Civic Engagement and the Importance of Voting

• (06:29–10:32) Dro discusses why voter registration and local elections matter, especially in Black communities where voting was once overlooked due to more pressing survival priorities.
  • "We have these complaints, and then we don't do nothing about it. ...if you want real, real change around you, you have to vote locally." (Young Dro, 08:23)

Messages to Black Men, Fatherhood, and Legacy

• (09:08–11:37) The conversation turns to legacy. Dro urges Black men to engage in voting and community leadership for the sake of their children’s futures.
  • "It's okay to be a part of what your children's future look like." (Young Dro, 10:32)
  • He reflects on his own son and anxiety about safety and protection, emphasizing the need for supportive systems and laws.

Musical Gifts and Early Career

• (11:37–16:48) Dro shares stories of discovering his musical and poetic talents in high school through rap battles, admiring Tupac and Biggie, and his early musical influences from the neighborhood and church.
  • Mentions his early friendship and collaboration with T.I., describing their humble beginnings and the community that shaped them.

Surviving a Gunshot as a Teen

• (16:49–22:19) Dro recounts the harrowing story of being shot at 15, his choices leading up to it, and the trauma afterward, including crawling into the hospital and nearly dying.
  • "I could have came up with a better decision than I came up with. ...The decision I came up with at that age was to go get my cousin." (Young Dro, 18:52)
  • He reflects on the cycle of violence and the impact of youthful anger.

Addiction: Origin, Impact, and Recovery

• (22:19–28:52) Dro describes how his dependency on painkillers began in the hospital, compounded by family normalization of drug use, lack of education around addiction, and the emotional and physical pain he endured.
  • "I don't know how it is to be born, but it felt like I was just coming into the world…this feels insanely good." (Young Dro, 00:19/23:22)
  • Details how his addiction became fused with his public persona in hip hop, masking deep pain with bravado and substance use.

Overdose, Confronting Reality, Faith, and New Purpose

• (28:52–35:24) Dro speaks candidly about a near-fatal overdose in the studio, saved by Damani (T.I.’s son), which forced him out of denial and into true recovery.
  • "I'm all out of options...when that happened at the studio, I was like, man, I'm out on the floor. ...I can't lie no more. I can't pop it to you like I got control." (Young Dro, 29:04–31:56)
• He describes his spiritual awakening and how he now brings faith and testimony into his music.
  • "God was telling me...nothing can be the same. And I went back in there, and I was cleaned up, right? ...Where you’ve broken that, I'll rebuild you." (Young Dro, 31:56–33:23)

The Role of Faith and Change in Music

• (35:24–37:12) Both Crystal and Dro talk about balancing authenticity, spiritual truth, and responsibility as artists with a platform. Young Dro emphasizes that growth doesn’t require abandoning who you are, but being conscious and open.
  • "You can be yourself, but I need you to keep me in it...he's in the midst, even if I am being myself." (Crystal, 35:24)

Mental Health & Therapy

• (37:36–39:08) Dro outlines his active commitment to therapy and mental health—sharing how clinical work and detaching from digital distractions help keep him grounded.
  • "Being healthy mentally is very powerful. And it all coincides with the piece that God gives me that surpasses all understanding." (Young Dro, 37:49)
  • Reveals he uses a flip phone to disconnect from negativity and social media influence.

Friendship, Loyalty, and Business in Hip Hop

• (39:36–44:40) Dro discusses navigating success, moments when T.I.’s rise eclipsed his own, and how loyalty, love, and acceptance—rather than jealousy—define his approach to friendship and business.
  • "To be a great leader, you have to follow...I was good, going around and following in his footsteps and seeing the connects..." (Young Dro, 41:19–42:08)
  • Shares lessons learned from T.I. about humility and caring for one’s team.

New Ventures: Acting and Creative Growth

• (44:55–46:46) Dro talks about his budding acting career, getting cast in upcoming projects like "Apartments 2" and "Situationships," and his excitement for the future.
  • Jokes about turning down a role in "ATL" due to being high—highlighting the unforeseen costs of addiction on opportunity.

Music Sober: Proving the Critics Wrong

• (46:50–48:16) Young Dro is back in the studio, working on new music with Zaytoven ("10 Piece Hot") and the PSC/Grand Hustle crew, aiming for a January release.
  • Addresses the myth that drugs fuel creativity:
  • "The devil convinced me that, oh, you can’t do this without drugs. ...God say, you think I haven't equipped you with everything you need to get what you got?" (Young Dro, 47:43–48:33)

Advice to Young Men & Listeners

• (48:58–49:40) Dro leaves the audience with a memorable call to honest self-reflection and growth:
  • "It's okay to admit that you walked in the wrong door than to spend your lifetime in the wrong room." (Young Dro, 49:06 & 49:09)
  • "If you can’t see the good in me, I’m just gonna give you a hug and tell you, life is difficult for the blind." (Young Dro, 49:40)

Grace, Community, and Final Reflections

• (50:09–End) The episode ends on the importance of empathy, grace, and mutual support, as Crystal thanks Young Dro for his vulnerability and reiterates the value of faith and honest conversation in healing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Surviving Trauma:
  "I don't know how it is to be born, but it felt like I was just coming into the world…this feels insanely good."
  —Young Dro (00:19/23:22)

• On Voting & Community Change:
  "If you want real, real change around you, you have to vote locally."
  —Young Dro (08:23)

• On Addiction & Recovery:
  "I'm all out of options...I can't lie no more...I don't have any more control."
  —Young Dro (31:56)

• On Redemption & Growth:
  "Where you’ve broken that, I'll rebuild you."
  —Young Dro (33:23)

• On Grace:
  "We need a lot of that in the world today. People to feel for people."
  —Young Dro (49:54)

• On Self-Acceptance and Change:
  "It's okay to admit that you walked in the wrong door than to spend your lifetime in the wrong room."
  —Young Dro (49:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03–03:01 — Young Dro reflects on pain and comfort following his shooting, segues into his introduction
• 03:01–06:07 — Fashion, style, and the origins of “Put It On”
• 06:29–10:32 — Voter registration, the importance of local elections
• 11:37–16:48 — Early music, creative discovery, and friendship with T.I.
• 16:49–22:19 — The shooting, trauma, and surviving a near-death experience
• 22:19–28:52 — Pain medication, the origins of addiction, and its normalization
• 28:52–35:24 — Overdose, intervention, faith, and the redemptive power of returning to music
• 35:24–37:12 — Art, authenticity, and spiritual responsibility in music
• 37:36–39:08 — Therapy, mental health, and avoiding digital toxicity
• 39:36–44:40 — Navigating friendship, envy, and loyalty in hip hop and business
• 44:55–46:46 — Acting aspirations, missed opportunities, and new roles
• 46:50–48:16 — Creative process, new music without substance use
• 48:58–49:40 — Advice to young men and listeners: "the wrong door" metaphor
• 50:09–End — Reflections on grace, support, and closing thoughts

Tone & Atmosphere

This episode is intimate, candid, and emotionally rich. Crystal and Young Dro maintain an uplifting, warm rapport—even as they dive deep into pain and vulnerability. There are moments of levity, nostalgia, and gentle humor, but the conversation always circles back to authenticity, healing, and empowerment.

For Listeners:

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, you are not alone. Resources are available, and seeking help is a step toward healing and reclaiming your purpose.

Follow the show and join the movement:
@lovechrystalrenae | @keepitpositivesweetie
Email: keepitpositivesweetiemail.com

Remember:
Keep it honest. Keep it healing. And always… Keep It Positive, Sweetie.