ROC Solid with Memphis Bleek – Episode Recap

Guest: Jae Millz

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Host: Memphis Bleek (The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode of ROC Solid dives deep into hip-hop’s untold stories and hustle, featuring Harlem’s own Jae Millz. The conversation ranges from the early streets to major label politics, the battle rap scene, personal growth, and reflections on legacy. Bleek and Millz keep it raw, funny, and nostalgic, keeping true to the “100% ROC Solid” spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Career Paths & Management of Expectations

• ROCAFELLA “Board” and Almost-Signings

  • Both discuss the infamous Roc-A-Fella “spitters list,” with names like Bleek, Cory Gunz, True Life, Papoose, and Jae Millz.
    • “So that mean I could have possibly been on...Rock La Familia?” – Jae Millz (05:15)
    • The industry was highly competitive, and “the board” reflected a hunger for lyrical talent.
    • [05:15–05:41]

• Young Money Transition

  • Millz explains his career journey — Universal, Warner Bros, then Young Money.
    • He shares how Lil Wayne’s gesture of a free verse was a turning point, exemplifying Wayne’s work ethic and generosity.
    • "Wayne sent me a verse...didn't ask for a dime. Damn." – Jae Millz (07:47)
    • “He said, so you ain't got no deal? At that point, I'm like, oh, that feature's a dub.” – Jae Millz (08:37)
    • [06:48–08:46]

2. Lessons Learned from Legends and Mentors

• Influence of Mase and Mysonne

  • Millz recounts how Mase and Mysonne shaped his early lyrical style.
  • “Mice raised me. I know. I know you...He was like an underground nigga battling.” – Jae Millz (09:01)
  • Reflections on how being around hungry, streetwise spitters toughened their craft.
  • [09:01–10:24]

• Bleek’s Experience with Jay-Z

  • Bleek describes how Hov supported and challenged him, especially regarding writing and creative ownership.
  • “Jay would leave you for dead...What I'm supposed to say after this? Hov.” – Memphis Bleek (37:33)
  • [37:33–38:16]

3. Inside Young Money & Roc-A-Fella

• Team Dynamics, Competition, and Realities

  • Both open up about being part of star-studded crews, the pressure, and reality versus perception.
  • Millz likens being in Young Money when Drake and Nicki arrived to “being Eddie Jones on the Lakers when Kobe came” — everyone recognized the incoming greatness.
  • “It's like being Eddie Jones on the Lakers when Kobe came. That’s what it felt like for all of us.” – Jae Millz (29:21)
  • “Out of the whole Young Money roster, only people they remember is Drake, Nikki, Tyga, you. That's it.” – Memphis Bleek (30:33)
  • [28:09–31:16]

• Unexpected Lessons from the Roc

  • Bleek shares stories from life in the Roc-A-Fella camp — from hats and durags to tour bus antics and industry-level flexing.
  • “Hov ain't do that. Everybody was ordering what they wanted. We all wasn't getting one thing, dog. Seven buses.” – Memphis Bleek (32:13)
  • [32:13–33:04]

4. Business, Changing Industry, and Staying Relevant

• Shifting Industry Economics

  • Both discuss changes in music distribution, streaming economics, and the necessity to diversify brand and business models.
  • "Music used to be the tree...now music is just a branch, and we are the tree." – Jae Millz (122:15)
  • “It's just to exit off...I feel like everybody want to do media. Everybody can’t do media.” – Memphis Bleek (122:27)
  • [70:01–70:58] | [122:15–124:44]

• Podcasting, Branding, and Legacy

  • The host and guest note the new wave of rappers-turned-media-personalities: N.O.R.E., Gilly, Cam’ron & Mase, and others.
  • Millz talks about building his podcast with his fiancée and exploring new creative outlets.
  • [150:58–153:05]

5. Real-Life Growth: Family, Safety, and Community

• On Family and Roots

  • Millz and Bleek open up about raising kids, making choices to shield them from street politics, and building secure, loving homes.
  • “You supposed to show your kids better than what you saw.” – Jae Millz (107:40)
  • [99:41–111:22]

• Surviving, Adapting, and Outgrowing Old Ways

  • Reflections on how their environments and priorities have shifted, especially after moving out of the hood and touring the world.
  • “You gotta have survivors’ remorse. The way you feel like you want to go back and still be regular...You can’t.” – Memphis Bleek (105:09)
  • [104:43–107:08]

6. On Respect, Ghostwriting, and Industry Politics

• Clearing Up Ghostwriting Rumors
  • Millz clarifies a misunderstood comment about Kanye possibly writing for Jay-Z, discussing the blurred lines between production, hooks, and pen game.
  • “Sometimes it’s the messenger...sometimes that’s when I learned, shut the fuck up when you talking about Hov.” – Jae Millz (56:10)
  • Both acknowledge how public opinion and social media can distort context and intent.
  • [54:03–56:18]

7. Battle Rap, Rap Styles, and the New Generation

• Battle Rap Then and Now

  • Millz delves into the transformation of the battle scene—from hungry street cyphers to modern URL spectacles.
  • “Battle rap is great...But now, the way the business done turned, it’s like rap. It’s like rap music.” – Jae Millz (63:30)
  • Discussion of shifting audience dynamics and promotional tactics.
  • [63:27–68:48]

• Changes in Music and Hustle

  • Both critique the brevity and formula of modern songs and albums, which stand in contrast to the lyrical hustle they grew up with.
  • “Whole albums be one verse through the joint. I thought when I got to two verses, I was cutting it short.” – Memphis Bleek (149:30)
  • [148:05–149:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Wayne sent me a verse for free…but this is around the time where he doing 300 features a year…He ain't ask me for a dime.” – Jae Millz [07:47]
• “It’s like being Eddie Jones on the Lakers when Kobe came.” – Jae Millz [29:21]
• “You had to have a Bleek. You had to have a Beanie...That’s right.” – Memphis Bleek [62:41]
• “Music used to be the tree…Now music is just a branch on the tree. We are the tree.” – Jae Millz [122:15]
• “Sometimes it’s the messenger…that's when I learned shut the fuck up when you talking about Hov.” – Jae Millz [56:10]
• “You supposed to show your kids better than what you saw.” – Jae Millz [107:40]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Early Roc-A-Fella board & street recruitment – 05:03–05:41
• Transition to Young Money, Lil Wayne’s influence – 06:48–08:46
• Mentorship from Mase and Mysonne – 09:01–10:24
• Inside competition at Young Money – 28:09–31:16
• Analogies and reflections on labels as ‘colleges’ – 18:01–21:12
• Industry changes: streaming, business, and branding – 70:01–70:58, 122:15–124:44
• Ghostwriting, Kanye, and rap politics – 54:03–56:18
• Battle rap evolution, crowd impact – 63:27–68:48
• Family decisions, moving to LA, and parenting – 99:41–111:22
• Legacy, podcasting, and new ventures – 150:58–153:05

Conclusion

In one of the most unfiltered and insightful episodes of ROC Solid, Memphis Bleek and Jae Millz reflect on their careers, the rap games’ glory days and pitfalls, staying relevant, and the value of legacy in family and business. Their stories mix humor, nostalgia, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of real talk — all wrapped in classic New York energy.

Stay solid. Stay ROC.