ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek
Episode: Dave East & Young Chris
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Memphis Bleek
Guests: Dave East & Young Chris (a.k.a. Young Gunner)
Episode Overview
In this lively, freewheeling episode of ROC Solid, Memphis Bleek sits down with Harlem’s Dave East and Philly’s Young Chris for an unfiltered rap session. The conversation dives into the making of their collaborative album Fine Dining 2, the challenges and changes in hip-hop over the decades, the grind of indie artistry, stories from the Roc-A-Fella era, acting, business insights, and keeping it solid through legacy, growth, and competition. Laced with true hip-hop camaraderie, humor, and nostalgia, the podcast delivers honest industry reflections and advice for the next generation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
[02:32] Collaborative Chemistry & Fine Dining 2
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Dave East and Young Chris discuss their process recording Fine Dining 2, emphasizing how most songs were created together in the studio, not by sending verses.
- Memorable Moment: Both admit to friendly competition in the booth.
"Keep it real. Who y'all niggas was trying to murk each other?"
— Memphis Bleek [05:12]
"I ain't gonna lie… But bro, he get busy. It was like, damn, I gotta up it."
— Dave East & Young Chris [05:16]
- Memorable Moment: Both admit to friendly competition in the booth.
-
Dave East explains his approach to his first indie project, highlighting creative control, no outside influence, and a blend of new and longtime collaborators.
- Producers include Buddha & Grands, Mike & Keys, and Canadian beatmaker Nick Craven. [03:43–04:35]
[06:57] Longevity and the Roc-A-Fella Era
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Young Chris reflects on a 23-year career, emphasizing work ethic and appreciating the journey.
"I ain't done. I'm just getting started… Never got off my bike. Even when they haven't heard me mainstream, I was delivering.”
— Young Chris [06:57–07:14] -
Young Chris discusses his past projects and underground success; Bleek stresses that the "right people" always checked for his work, regardless of mainstream buzz. [07:45]
[09:30] Navigating Hip-Hop Legacy and Mentors
- Dave East shares his early mentorship from Wayno and being welcomed into the Roc community, giving him insights and a “cheat code” to the game. [08:26–09:11]
"Wayno really, he walked me in this shit. Yeah."
— Dave East [09:11]
[09:30–12:19] Acting, Diversification, and Modeling
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Dave East talks about his acting journey—playing Method Man in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga was transformative.
“I feel like that was one of them once-in-a-lifetime experiences... shots to RZA... But Meth, everybody... that was dope.”
— Dave East [09:50–10:10] -
The conversation touches on hip-hop artists’ evolution, with Dave East and Young Chris’s work in modeling and brand partnerships (Puma, Kith, Sprite, McDonald’s).
[12:19–15:28] Hometown Pressure, Marking Legacy, and Competition
- Both guests discuss representing their cities—Philly's storied spitters and Harlem’s legendary rap lineage. Dave East feels he’s made his mark for his generation.
“For this generation… If you was born in 2000… I feel like that generation, everybody you just named inspired me to do it.”
— Dave East [12:59–13:21]
[15:55] Industry Evolution: From Authenticity to Algorithms
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Bleek and Dave East reflect on changes in the music business, warning against losing your voice to industry or label pressures.
“When you first start making music, you making music for yourself… then you start making music for the niggas and you lose your way.”
— Memphis Bleek [15:29] -
Dave East emphasizes returning to his artistic roots now that he’s independent.
“I think this is the first time… I really was able to get back to that.”
— Dave East [17:00] -
They discuss mixtape era freedom vs. album pressures and major label strategizing.
[19:23] The Streaming Dilemma and The Importance of DJs
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Celebrating Dave East’s billion streams accomplishment, they critique streaming payouts.
"To have a billion people play your music is amazing… but the money they give you for it… we should equate it to a billion dollars."
— Memphis Bleek [19:46–20:00] -
Bleek urges new artists not to neglect radio and DJ relationships, as DJ support is crucial for building sustained success.
“Don’t give up on radio. Don’t give up on the DJ. The DJ is very important, bro…”
— Memphis Bleek [20:55]
[22:18] Changing Brand Relationships & Corporate Endorsements
- Dave East talks about bagging deals with brands he grew up on – Sprite, McDonald’s, etc. Bleek marvels at the endorsement opportunities newer artists have compared to the old days. [22:18–23:12]
[23:58] Roc-A-Fella, State Property, and the Question of Reunions
- The group reflects on the history and breakup of Roc-A-Fella. Both Dave East and Young Chris accept that some eras are best left as they were and reunions are unlikely—but acknowledge "the bag" is always on the table for the right situation.
“Some shit just gotta did what it did. Gotta embrace what it did. On to the next.”
— Dave East [24:51–24:54]
[27:43] Generational Changes: Social Media, Dating, and Fame
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The trio poke fun at changes in the dating scene, the pressure for expensive dates, and the impact of social media on expectations, image, and hustle. [27:43–34:59]
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Dave East and Young Chris talk about how Instagram and online culture are a gift and curse: heightened exposure, but also stranger DMs and 'access' to celebrities.
“The curse of [social media] is everybody is too familiar with everybody…”
— Dave East [34:20]
[36:57] Unity and Division in New York (and Philly) Hip-Hop
- Bleek, East, and Chris discuss why Atlanta’s hip hop scene wins due to unity, and the challenges in bringing NYC together because of ego, lack of radio support for locals, and disconnected scenes.
"Our ego go get in the way nine times out of ten… not speaking for me personally.”
— Dave East [38:05]
[41:27] Staying Power and Growth
- Both guests share strategies for staying relevant—developing their images, leaving destructive habits, and recognizing it’s about the full “package,” not just rapping anymore. [41:27–42:13]
[43:41] Drug Culture & Changing Generational Vices
- A candid and comic discussion about the evolution of drug use from lean to shrooms and pills, warning against losing control or getting caught up in dangerous trends. [43:41–47:36]
[48:09] Roc-A-Fella, Touring, & Old School Hustle
- Bleek reminisces about the grind before social media—how they found weed on tour, the limits on entourage size, and how new opportunities have changed. "We had to go to the mall and look for a n***a who look like us…" [50:46]
[54:31] Plug Status and Traveling
- Bleek jokes about being the worldwide plug for anyone needing connects—in any country, referencing stories about friends needing weed globally. [54:31–55:59]
[56:24] Fine Dining: Leftovers & The Creative Process
- Teasing leftover tracks and possibly new releases beyond Fine Dining 2.
“We might gotta give them the leftovers.”
— Memphis Bleek [56:05]
[58:32] Mentorship, Nas, and Rivalries
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Dave East shares what it’s like working with Nas, the advice received, and how initial fan awe quickly turned into a real relationship.
"The fan shit kind of went out the way… solid, solid dude."
— Dave East [58:53] -
Humorous exchange with Bleek on how former rivalries (e.g., with Nas) sometimes start on hearsay and could be avoided.
"Imagine I sit there and I ask the… yo, son on this record, like, ‘yo, was you talking about me?’ And he like, ‘nah’… that means I started smoke for nothing."
— Memphis Bleek [58:12]
[60:17] Unity > Division; From Rapper to Entrepreneur
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Bleek stresses, "unity brings checks," pointing out Queen Latifah and others who've converted a music career into multimillion-dollar brands. Dave East is praised for parlaying his image into acting and endorsement deals.
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Dave East notes rappers must keep evolving and investing, for music is no longer a secure, lifelong income stream on its own.
“I ain’t getting this to not keep doing what I’m doing… I ain’t never look at it like that.”
— Dave East [63:46]
[69:00] Financial Advice & Investing
- Bleek gives sincere advice to younger artists: don’t blow your money, invest, and don’t try to keep all the ownership—small percentages add up if the project gets big.
"Anything you own 100% of is not making no money... break bread for it to make money... give me 1%. That 1% turns to a billion, that’s a hundred million for me."
— Memphis Bleek [70:10]
[71:16] The Economics of Hip-Hop: Then & Now
- They compare how artists earned money in the past vs. today. Bleek explains why massive show fees today don’t always mean wealth, due to the lack of investment and recoupment issues. He recounts blowing studio and video budgets on luxuries, making recoupment impossible. [71:16–72:14]
[73:48] The Importance of Visuals and Mixtape Culture
- Visual content is paramount; Young Chris admits past mistakes in not shooting enough videos, and Dave East shares that today’s youth need visuals even more than lyrics.
[75:15] Producer Wishlists & Creative Energy
- Dave East dreams of working with Alchemist and Dr. Dre; both praise Swizz Beatz for his vision and energy.
“Swiss Energy One on One.”
— Dave East [77:20]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On friendly competition:
"I ain't gonna lie... But bro, he get busy. It was like, damn, I gotta up it."
— Dave East & Young Chris [05:16] - On the value of radio and DJs:
“Don’t give up on radio. Don’t give up on the DJ. The DJ is very important, bro…”
— Memphis Bleek [20:55] - On enduring albums vs. mixtapes:
“That be the best music, bro. When you’re not thinking about it, that’s the best music.”
— Dave East [17:11] - On streaming’s lack of payout:
“To have a billion people play your music is amazing… but the money they give you for it… we should equate it to a billion dollars.”
— Memphis Bleek [19:46] - On acting with Wu-Tang:
“That was one of them once-in-a-lifetime experiences…”
— Dave East [09:50] - On the DMs, strangers, and accessibility:
“I get DMs that say I’m being evicted… It’s me and my eight month baby… These are complete strangers.”
— Dave East [35:01] - On past vs. present for dating culture:
“Half of the joints today that are getting the Uber would have not gotten a yellow Cab.”
— Dave East [30:14] - On the impact of visuals today:
"You a fool at this day and age, if you dropping music and you don't got a visual to follow it."
— Dave East [74:17] - On the competitive ethos of NY:
“Our ego go get in the way nine times out of ten.”
— Dave East [38:05] - On financial health:
"Invest your money wisely... Anything you own 100% of is not making no money."
— Memphis Bleek [70:10] - On staying in the game:
"I ain’t getting this to not keep doing what I’m doing.”
— Dave East [63:46]
Highlighted Timestamps
- [03:43] — Dave East on new album, creative independence, and producers
- [05:12] — Bleek stirs up friendly competition: “Who was tryna murk each other?”
- [07:14] — Young Chris on work ethic, catalog, staying active
- [09:30–10:10] — Dave East on the Wu-Tang series, acting, and learning from RZA
- [15:29–17:00] — The shift from music for self to music for fans and returning to roots
- [20:55] — Significance of radio and DJ relationships
- [24:51] — On why the Roc-A-Fella era may never reunite
- [34:20] — Social media’s double-edged sword: fame and direct access
- [38:05] — Why NYC has trouble with unity
- [41:27–42:13] — Elevating image and giving up destructive behaviors
- [63:46] — Dave East on commitment to longevity in rap
- [70:10] — Bleek’s advice on investing and the illusion of 100% ownership
- [74:17] — Dave East: Visuals now essential to music
- [77:20] — Praise for Swizz Beatz's energy in the studio
Takeaways
- Realness, friendly competition, and work ethic are driving forces behind the guests’ continued success.
- The hip-hop industry has changed, both for better and worse—streaming has globalized music but changed earning potential, and social media brings both access and challenges.
- Collaboration and unity—from cities to crews—remains the key to building wealth and legacy, something other cities have modelled and NYC has struggled with.
- Staying focused on your own path and investments is crucial for long-term stability in a fickle industry.
- Adaptability—in music, branding, acting, or hustle—is what keeps veterans relevant, as shown by all three hosts.
Tone & Vibe
The episode is full of rapid-fire banter, inside jokes, competitive flexes, unfiltered real talk, and nostalgic storytelling—true to ROC Solid’s tagline: "raw, unfiltered, and 100% ROC solid." It’s both a masterclass in industry wisdom and a celebration of hip-hop’s evolving culture.