ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek: Nick Cannon — A Hip-Hop Hustler’s Evolution

Podcast: ROC Solid
Host: Memphis Bleek (with The Black Effect & iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Nick Cannon
Date: September 2, 2025

Overview

Memphis Bleek sits down with Nick Cannon for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about Cannon’s journey from the 90s hip-hop scene to building legacy across TV, business, and culture. They discuss the evolution of hip-hop media, authenticity, business lessons learned, Wild 'N Out’s impact, Black entrepreneurship, the Nipsey Hussle documentary, and the changing face of content for the next generation. The episode is rich with untold Roc-A-Fella connections and motivational gems for anyone hustling in entertainment or facing crossroads.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Days & Authenticity in Hip-Hop

[03:02 – 05:29]

• Longstanding Ties: Nick and Bleek reminisce about coming up in the 90s, when both were navigating authenticity and personal style in their respective lanes.
  • “We go back to the 90s, yo, yo.” – Nick Cannon [03:02]
• Finding His Place: Nick credits Bleek and the Marcy crew for helping him shift from battle MC to understanding the importance of songcraft in hip-hop.
  • "I looked up to cats like you...I didn’t know at the time how to put a song together as an emcee." – Nick Cannon [03:40]
• Switch from proving himself to channeling his energy into purposeful projects (Wild ‘N Out) amid mainstream gatekeeping:
  • “That’s one of the reasons why I even created Wild N Out... I could still spit, talk that shit, but do it in a setting that's acceptable in mainstream." – Nick Cannon [04:42]

Creation & Legacy of Wild ‘N Out

[05:29 – 07:46; 13:34-14:29; 29:13-36:16]

• Origin Story: Created to merge standup comedy and battle rap, giving hip-hop authenticity a mainstream platform.
• Diversity in Comedy & Music: Recruited raw talents from both spaces—Katt Williams, Kevin Hart, DC Young Fly, and rising internet stars.
  • “It’s almost like I consider Wild ‘N Out like a comedy club... If you can make it on this stage, you can make it anywhere in the game.” — Nick Cannon [49:40]
• Platform Longevity: 22+ seasons; directly responsible for launching or catapulting several careers.
  • “Yo, I be trying to tell dudes that even with doing this...show them who you really are, man. You don't always carry guns and I don't drink Ace of Spades for breakfast every day.” – Memphis Bleek [07:06]
• Business Acumen: Nick’s executive deal structures meant he maintained leverage and ownership, protecting the show even during controversies.
  • "They couldn't remove me from Wild N Out if they wanted to...we was just doing business." – Nick Cannon [28:00]
  • "And the deal got better when we came back for everybody." – Nick Cannon [28:39]

Transition to Acting & TV—Breaking Stereotypes

[07:46 – 14:49]

• Breaking the Mold: Cannon details his transition to acting with “Drumline” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing”, seeking to prove range beyond 'hood roles.
  • “After the rapping...I remember when you saying, yo, I'm gonna try this acting thing.” – Memphis Bleek [07:46]
  • “I was just trying to show the diverse ability as an actor...did the knucklehead Harlem kid, then did suburban nerdy shit.” – Nick Cannon [13:10]
• Nickelodeon Ascendancy: From child star to Chairman of Teen Nick at 28, running major programming for a decade.
  • "By the time I was 28...I was the chairman of Teen Nick." – Nick Cannon [14:49]
  • “That was literally going from a teenager to being an executive...dream come true.” – Nick Cannon [16:15]
  • Clarifies: Did not own Nickelodeon despite persistent rumors.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Incredible Brand

[16:55 – 19:27]

• Vision: Inspired by Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella’s model of ownership, Nick set out to build a multimedia empire.
  • “I want to do shit that niggas don't think you can do.” – Nick Cannon [17:59]
• Inside Knowledge: Early intention was always to be a producer/executive, not just an artist.

Pivoting Amidst Controversy: The Viacom Fallout

[24:38 – 29:47]

• Corporate vs. Cultural Reality: Explores getting “canceled” by Viacom, heartbreak over loss of corporate “family”, and the necessity of Black ownership.
  • “A little of that shit was, like, heartbreaking almost, because I had been there since a teenager...but when you dealing with a corporate infrastructure...relationships don't matter at that point.” – Nick Cannon [24:45 – 25:10]
• Standing on Truth: Nick explains that his controversial podcast convo with Professor Griff was meant to celebrate Black culture and redemption, but became a lightning rod.
  • “Our truth can hurt and offend sometimes...when you speak your truth, your truth can be a weapon to somebody else.” – Nick Cannon [25:36]
• Resilience & Business Lessons:
  • “They couldn't remove me from Wild N Out if they wanted to...Could kill it from that setting. And, you know, the squad was like, no matter what y'all come with, we rocking with Nick.” – Nick Cannon [28:00-28:36]
  • “You gotta build your own...that was my saving grace in that process.” – Nick Cannon [29:32]

Black Ownership, New Media, and the Decline of Legacy Platforms

[29:47 – 34:46]

• Shifting Paradigms: TV and music networks (BET Jams, MTV) are fading; the digital shift means new kinds of content creators and business models.
  • “The kids don't watch TV no more...these kids don't watch TV no more. And so they're not making money no more. Favorite channels is gone.” – Nick Cannon [34:05]
• Wild ‘N Out as a Launch Pad: Continues to give opportunities to viral talents, new comedians, and performers as platforms shift.

Health, Holistics, and The Nipsey Hussle Doc

[38:02 – 45:33]

• Passion Project: Nick discusses his ongoing struggle to finish the Nipsey Hussle/Dr. Sebi documentary amid complex legal, family, and industry pushback.
  • “This game, not even. It's spiritual warfare. I'mma go a step deeper ...especially when you start dealing with stuff like Big Pharma." – Nick Cannon [38:39]
• Holistic Healing: Both men share personal health journeys—Nick with lupus, Memphis Bleek with high blood pressure.
  • “I ain't had to take that pill in almost 10 years...I used to ...take 30 something pills a day...Today I don't take shit.” – Nick Cannon [44:21–44:49]
  • “The two most important things to me is the food you eat and the doctor you have.” – Memphis Bleek [43:16]

Legacy, Fatherhood, and the Meaning of Success

[36:54 – 38:02; 49:35–58:57]

• Lineage vs. Legacy: Nick distinguishes between bloodline and the lasting impact of collective family achievement.
  • “When creating a legacy, I say it's lineage and legacy. Your children, your family—that's your lineage. And your legacy is what y' all build together.” – Nick Cannon [36:54]
• Building for the Future: Both agree that setting up the next generation, and giving back to the culture, is the highest achievement.

Black Media’s Next Chapter & The Power of Family Content

[49:35 – 54:53]

• Direct-to-Audience Models: Nick believes fame is being diluted by viral culture, but the ad-supported family/kids content space is now the most lucrative.
  • “The family content is where it's all at...if you want to make some money, you make that content that everybody gets.” – Nick Cannon [51:51]
  • “Content...fame is gonna go away. It’s crazy. Like, I think...everybody gonna be famous for 15 minutes...attention is the new currency.” – Nick Cannon [53:09]
• Adapting to the Digital Era: Both marvel at how kids consume content, noting YouTube, streaming, and the “kidfluencer” phenomenon.

Staying Grounded Despite Success

[58:07 – 63:23]

• Stay True: Memphis Bleek emphasizes the importance of never forgetting your roots or people. He credits his environment and relationships for keeping him real—contrasted with celebrities who become “untouchable.”
  • “Never forget where you come from...I could be in Malibu, I'm still subscribed to the hood newspaper.” – Memphis Bleek [61:14]
• Giving Back: Taking pictures, engaging with people, mentoring the next generation as part of the responsibility.
  • “I take a picture for everybody...the ones I understand the guys who be like, nah, no time, it's just because they had a hard time.” – Memphis Bleek [62:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity in Hip-Hop:
  “I looked up to cats like you...I didn’t know at the time how to put a song together as an emcee.” – Nick Cannon [03:40]
• On Gatekeepers, Legacy, and Wild N’ Out:
  “That’s one of the reasons why I even created Wild N Out... I could still spit, talk that shit, but do it in a setting that's acceptable in mainstream." – Nick Cannon [04:42]
• On Resilience & Black Ownership:
  "They couldn't remove me from Wild N Out if they wanted to...we was just doing business." – Nick Cannon [28:00]
  “You gotta build your own...that was my saving grace in that process.” – Nick Cannon [29:32]
• On Family & Legacy:
  “When creating a legacy, I say it’s lineage and legacy...Your legacy is what y’ all build together.” – Nick Cannon [36:54]
• On the Future of Content:
  “The family content is where it's all at...because at the end of the day, these platforms...it's an advertising business.” – Nick Cannon [51:40]
• On Spiritual Warfare in Media:
  “It's spiritual warfare...when you dealing with corporations at such a high level...Big Pharma...you want to make sure your fact check game is crazy.” – Nick Cannon [38:39]
• On Health and Food:
  "The two most important things to me is the food you eat and the doctor you have." – Memphis Bleek [43:16]
  "I ain't had to take that pill in almost 10 years...today I don't take shit." – Nick Cannon [44:21]
• On Staying Grounded:
  “I could be in Malibu, I'm still subscribed to the hood newspaper.” – Memphis Bleek [61:14]
  “Never forget where you come from.” – Memphis Bleek [61:19]
• On Influences and Mentorship:
  “Will [Smith] gave me my first official record deal and my first official television, put me in my first movie, Men in Black 2.” – Nick Cannon [58:07]

Important Timestamps

• [03:02] Roots: Memphis Bleek and Nick reminisce on the 90s, NYC, Marcy connections
• [05:29] Wild 'N Out origins and intentions
• [14:49] Nick's rise as Chairman of Teen Nick
• [24:45] Reflections on being “canceled” by Viacom, hard truths about corporate loyalty
• [28:00] Ownership and control: how Nick maneuvered Wild ‘N Out’s business structure
• [38:02] Nipsey Hussle documentary, Big Pharma, holistic medicine, and industry roadblocks
• [44:21] Powerful story: Nick no longer relying on lupus medication through holistic practices
• [51:40] Shift to family/kids content and the new content economy
• [58:07] Mentorship and legacy from Will Smith; staying grounded

Conclusion

This episode stands out as a masterclass in hustle, resilience, and culture-building from two respected voices. Nick Cannon’s journey illustrates the value of authentic self-expression, adaptation, and never abandoning your roots—even as you break new ground. The conversation is peppered with inside stories, practical advice, and motivational gems for those navigating entertainment, entrepreneurship, or personal evolution.

Quotes are as close to verbatim as possible and include speaker/timestamp attribution.