Best of full interview: 803 Fresh Talks 'Boots On The Ground', The Rise Of Southern Soul + More

Summary

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The Breakfast Club: Best of Full Interview – 803 Fresh Talks "Boots On The Ground," The Rise Of Southern Soul + More

Original air date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guests: 803 Fresh, Young Guy

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club dives into the vibrant Southern soul music scene with special guests 803 Fresh and Young Guy. The conversation centers around the meteoric rise of 803 Fresh’s hit song “Boots on the Ground,” the growing influence of Southern soul and line dance in Black culture, and both artists' personal journeys in music. It's an insightful look at how grassroots music movements gain national momentum, rooted in community and real-life experiences.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Viral Success of "Boots On The Ground"

• DJ Envy introduces 803 Fresh and Young Guy, noting the widespread popularity of "Boots on the Ground"—especially across HBCUs and Southern events (04:45–05:09).
• 803 Fresh drops the release date:
  “December 24th. That was like my Christmas gift to everybody.” (05:12)
• Charlamagne points out the movement's roots beyond just the song, referencing line dances' longstanding impact in the South (05:19–05:24).

Quote:
"The unity in it... Got the two year old, you got the 82 year old... That's what makes it more genuine for me, man."
—803 Fresh (06:11)

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2. Origins and Meaning of Southern Soul

• 803 Fresh unpacks Southern soul as an authentic blend of gospel, blues, and soul, specific to the South (07:34–08:07).
• He shares how Southern soul offered him purpose and healing, and resonated even with family members who hadn’t related to his rap music (08:09–08:42).

Quote:
"Southern soul is a mixture of... gospel, blues, soul, all mixed together... It's feel good music. When you hear it, it’s that music that touch your bones."
—803 Fresh (07:36)

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3. Personal Journeys: Music, Struggles & Breakthrough

• Both guests trace their musical roots back to small-town upbringings and church choirs, later diversifying into various genres (06:56–07:34, 12:12–13:20).
• Young Guy highlights the challenge of making it in music from places with few resources and no established music industry infrastructure, contrasting Mississippi and South Carolina with Atlanta’s vibrant scene (13:20–14:34).

Quote:
"You gotta have a little bit more muscle behind you just to get out there, you know, from the South."
—Young Guy (14:29)

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4. Boots On The Ground: Inspiration & The Culture of Line Dance

• The origin story: 803 Fresh explains "Boots on the Ground" wasn't even intended as a line dance song—it was inspired by seeing women with fans at trail rides and merging that with party/arrival energy (15:39–16:16).
• They discuss trail rides as crucial communal events — combining ATVs, horses, and, of course, line dancing (16:16–16:47).
• The phenomenon of fans as both functional (to stay cool!) and as dance props is examined, showing how songs can latch onto cultural symbols (25:27–26:13).

Quote:
"Boosts on the Ground was not intended to be a line dance song. It was just blessed to be that way."
—803 Fresh (25:20)

Memorable Moment:
803 Fresh and the crew struggle to learn and perform the dance live: "Oh, this too hard for me."
—803 Fresh (32:22)

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5. Independence & Community Impact

• 803 Fresh explains how he and his team are staying independent, learning as they go, and building from the ground up (11:38–12:09).
• The hit sparked an entrepreneurial wave—merch, fans, and shirts—empowering others in the community to earn as well (30:11–30:33).

Quote:
"I'm inadvertently employing people that I don't have to hire... Everybody's selling Boots on the Ground shirts. Everybody's selling fans... So I just feel like I'm an employer."
—803 Fresh (30:11)

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6. Relevance, Representation, and Movement

• 803 Fresh states his mission to bring Southern soul from the “chitlin’ circuit” to mainstream visibility, acting as a torchbearer for the genre (27:01–28:05).
• Charlamagne reframes this as the “heart and soul of Black America,” emphasizing how this grassroots music resonates with real-life experiences (28:49–29:06).

Quote:
"We don't advocate for violence, man. We advocate for unity... real life relatable stuff, bro. It ain't fabricated... That's why everybody's been gravitating towards it.”
—803 Fresh (29:06)

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7. Looking Forward: Versatility and Staying True

• Discussion on not wanting to be boxed in as just a line dance artist; 803 Fresh teases more versatile projects to come (16:51–17:46; 26:35–26:56).
• They acknowledge the challenge and privilege of representing their communities, hoping to open doors for others (27:01–28:43).

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Notable Quotes

• Charlamagne Tha God:
  "Really, what I call it is the heart and soul of black America... that's what the majority of black people in America are in the South." (28:49)

• 803 Fresh:
  "I just want to be a good advocate... When I bring my boots on the ground, I want to bring them as well." (28:05)

• Young Guy:
  "It's a big thing in the black culture... We just trying to shine light on (line dance) so people can experience." (18:38)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and background: 04:34–06:31
• Origins in music & Southern soul: 06:56–08:42
• How "Boots on the Ground" went viral: 09:19–10:16
• The Chitlin Circuit & representation: 27:01–28:43
• Trail ride and “fan” culture: 15:39–16:47, 25:27–26:13
• Live dance lesson & laughter: 30:33–34:09
• Closing remarks and social handles: 34:25–35:14

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Episode Highlights & Memorable Moments

• The organic way "Boots on the Ground" became a viral line dance hit, chosen by fans, not forced by the artist.
• 803 Fresh and Young Guy sharing how Southern soul offered a path “out of the struggle” and into community pride.
• The relatable struggle of learning viral dances on the spot — even for the hosts!
• Discussion of how fan-driven songs are empowering Black entrepreneurship and small-town pride.
• Insightful debate about how to balance personal success with the responsibility — and weight — of representing one’s people and genre.

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Where To Find the Artists

• 803 Fresh:
  "Just type in 803 Fresh. You can get my music from Apple Music, Spotify, your local bootleg man, flea market. I definitely appreciate y’all." (34:28)

• Young Guy:
  "Follow me on all platform, man. Young guy. I'm pretty much the same on everything. Check me out on all music streaming platforms." (34:57)

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This episode is a feel-good, in-depth look at a Southern genre and the real lives it’s changing—proving grassroots, community-driven music can still win big in the digital age.

Transcript

[Ben]

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[DJ Envy]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[803 Fresh]

All.

[DJ Envy]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit chant. Echo drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, adding ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

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[Sophie Cunningham]

Is on the horizon and your 2026 savings start here. Right now. You can access the Washington post for just $2 every four weeks. Head into the new year with six months of savings at the special intro rate. After that, it'll cost $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. You'll get unlimited access to trusted journalism that helps you understand the year ahead and the world around you. Now's the perfect time to subscribe because great habits and great savings start together. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart that's washingtonpost.com iheart and start your year informed with the Post. This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snore loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on osa.com this information is provided by Lily, a medicine company.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wake that ass up early in the morning.

[803 Fresh]

The Breakfast Club.

[DJ Envy]

Morning everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne the Guy. We are the Breakfast Club. We got some special guests in the building.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, Indeed.

[DJ Envy]

We got 803 fresh, home team and young guy here in the building.

[803 Fresh]

What's up?

[DJ Envy]

Welcome fellas.

[803 Fresh]

What's going on, everybody?

[DJ Envy]

How y' all feeling?

[Young Guy]

Morning, man.

[DJ Envy]

Where them fans at?

[803 Fresh]

Where they.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They bought them.

[DJ Envy]

Now, if you don't know, 803 fresh. Of course, they got the record right now. That's if you've been out and about, especially in the south, especially hbcu. Boots on the Ground is their song. Yeah, Congratulations, boy is that song moving, man.

[803 Fresh]

Thank you, brother. Appreciate that.

[DJ Envy]

When did the song actually come out?

[803 Fresh]

December 24th. That was like my Christmas gift to everybody now.

[DJ Envy]

Charlemagne Alive. Charlamagne's like, that song been out for three years. I'm like, charlamagne? No, it has.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was talking about just the whole line dance movement from. From South Carolina, like, you know what I'm saying?

[803 Fresh]

It's definitely been going on more than three years. It just started picking up more in like the past year and a half.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah. People don't really get to see the line dance, especially on the east coast as much, but when I. When I DJ everywhere, you get to see it. And I remember I was in Charlotte and a girl came up to me, was like, can you play the boots on the ground? I had no idea what she's talking about. I thought it was a mob deep song. I was like, is that a mob deep?

[803 Fresh]

Boots on the ground.

[DJ Envy]

I had no idea. And shout out to Louis V. Louis V was like, yeah, I'm gonna send it to you right now. Send it to me. And then when I played it, I seen the.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

It went up, the fans moving.

[803 Fresh]

I said, whoa.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know what's crazy? As crazy as it sounds, the current political climate kind of boosted the record too. Because I remember people started posting saying, you know, we ain't tripping off what this administration is doing. Black people are finding joy learning new line dances. And it would always be boots on the ground with the fans.

[803 Fresh]

Yep. It took everybody, like, everybody's mind away from like the, you know, the current, you know, stuff that's going on, man. And so for me, it's like the unity in it. That's what makes it more appealing for me. You know, you got the. Got the two year old, you got the 82 year old, you got the everybody. I mean, grandmamas, aunties. That's what makes it more genuine for me, man.

[DJ Envy]

The dope thing about it was a lot of the line dance songs a lot older. Yeah, like you talking 20 years older. Like when you go to a family reunion or wedding or a hbcu, it's always the wobble wobble. It's always the chop chop slide, electric slide. Before I let go. Then you play the Beyonce version. And this is something fresh and new. So let's start from the beginning. For people that don't know, yo, who is 803fresh, where are you from? And how did you get into this thing called the music industry?

[803 Fresh]

What's going on, everybody? 803 fresh. The kid live in the Building, man. Listen, I'm from a small town in South Carolina called Wagner, South Carolina. One stop sign, one stop light. We all share the same dog.

[DJ Envy]

Neighbors there. Cause you just about the same thing.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Most corner bigger than Wagner.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, yeah, bigger wagon, man. But started off in the church, man. Humble beginnings, man. Started off in the church, man, Singing in the choir, whatever, you know, like the product of, son. I live away from it, you know. I went out and I started venturing into like more genres. I tapped into pop, I tapped into R B. I rapped a little bit. And then I. I found something. Soul. Well, really Southern soul found me, man. Been doing it about a year and a half now, man. And it actually saved my life, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So explain to the people what sovering soul is.

[803 Fresh]

Southern soul is a mixture of. It has a like a fine undertone mixture of gospel, blues, soul, all like mixed together, meander together, man. And it's only based in the South. But when you hear it, it's like feel good music. When you hear it, it's like that music that touch your bones, you know, It's a beautiful thing. You just gotta be in one of the, like one of the events to actually feel it. It changes the environment totally, you know what I'm saying? We advocate for good time, we advocate for unity in that. And so that's why I. I chose to piggyback on that genre the most now.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah, you said it saved your life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How.

[803 Fresh]

What were you into before, you know, with, with being in the rap culture. You say you had to, you know, adapt to that, you know, that rap environment. When I came to Southern soul, I, you know, I was battling some stuff, you know what I'm saying? And it pulled me out of that because of the good feeling that it had, you're saying, made for me Then my mama was. She was able to be proud of it, you know, when I'm rapping, she don't want to hear none of that. She couldn't halfway understand some of the stuff. So when she first. When she heard my very first Southern soul song that I dropped, called All Night Long, man, and I got that first confirmation from her. I already knew then that this was the genre for me, you know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you remember the first record that. That made you say, oh, like the one that touched your soul? What Southern soul record touched your soul.

[803 Fresh]

As far as mine?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, just in general.

[803 Fresh]

Shouts out to King George, man. He's from down my way as well, man. He definitely kicked the door down for us, man. Keep on Rolling is Like, one of those that, you know, really, really, really punched me, you know, and it gave me, like, some inspiration, bro. You know, one of those brothers. I mean, he from South Carolina. You know what I'm saying? He keep the door, like, wide open for us. And when I heard that song, I'm saying, I automatically knew that this was the type of genre that I wanted to be in.

[DJ Envy]

Were you surprised how fast this record caught on?

[803 Fresh]

Of course.

[DJ Envy]

I mean, because it's. It's everywhere, and, you know, and people are learning to dance quickly. When did you realize how big the record was?

[803 Fresh]

Man, I woke up one morning, I checked my TikTok. I mean, I had so many notifications on TikTok and IG, you know, saying I thought somebody had died. You feel me? So. So when I checked it or whatever, I seen the video. The video was in a spot down my way called S Bar. You know, it's. It's a. It's a mecca for, like, the lion Dance, you saying? So I seen that, and it was like, maybe 20 videos. I went to sleep, and I woke up, it was like 500 videos, you know what I'm saying? I knew at that point right then that it was. I might have a little something, you know what I mean? And over the course of time now, what being, what, three months, Almost four months, man, it is past me. So right now, I'm playing catch up to the song. Everybody have been trying to put a face with the music, so here I am. Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I feel like that's what. In salute to King George. I feel like that's what he haven't done yet. He hasn't put a face to his music because everybody listens to. You know, at least down south, you see people play a lot of King George music, and he a young dude. He only, what, 30 something years old, right?

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, bro.

[Young Guy]

I think Joe about 30 something, 38, about 39.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, okay.

[803 Fresh]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. But I'm saying I feel like he haven't done that yet. I wonder why.

[803 Fresh]

I don't know. I mean, timing is everything, especially for me. I mean, look how long I've been doing music. I've been doing music for over 20 years. As far as Southern soul. I dropped five songs before Boots on the Ground, and then it picked up, you know? So, I mean, timing is everything. So y' all definitely stay tuned. Y' all gonna see a lot more of him and a lot more of the Southern soul front coming.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

When I noticed it got big was when I seen kids doing it, you know, from old People to kids, it was. Everybody got their kids doing it and it's something, it's feel good. It's like music that you had the family reunion and stuff like that. Did anybody try to like reach out about signing you or anything like that?

[803 Fresh]

Lord mercy. I didn't. IG been blowing up angle Crazy. Crazy. It's definitely been crazy, man. But you know, we started this company shouts out to Snake Eyes music group. Man, we started this company, you know, from the bottom up. You know, we came with a vision. It was just a vision. And I think that we've done more in a year than a lot of folks have done in like five, seven years.

[DJ Envy]

Are you, are you a sciento major or. No, you're doing everything independent.

[803 Fresh]

We are independent over here.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, so you get everything that you eat?

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, we've been. I'm proud of us, man. I ain't gonna lie. I'm proud of us. You know, we all learn from each other. You're saying as we move, we learn, we grow. And shouts out the young guy, man, you know, that's why I brought him. He's one of the united fronts that we stand with as far as southern soul. And they open, they accepted me with open arms, man. And they had been doing it, you know, prior to me, but they showed me the roles that definitely wouldn't stand your game. And I can appreciate that, man. So everything independent. So we're gonna. I'mma entertain something, but just not right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How long have you been young guy? Young guy?

[Young Guy]

Man, I've been young guys for, for a long time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

30 years.

[Young Guy]

I told, I said I'm going change my name to uncle guy in a minute, man. I'm getting on up there now.

[803 Fresh]

Cool.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They going be like that.

[Young Guy]

That would be crazy cuz folks see me, they'll say, you know, you, you a rapper? I like.

[803 Fresh]

Nah.

[Young Guy]

Then I, then they, I get on stage and I'm singing some soul for. And they like, damn, you know, I ain't expect it, but that I kind of kept my name back from the younger day when I was a rapping man. So I come when I, I jumped into music, my story kind of, you know, similar to his. You know, I've been, I've been rolling in the southern soul game probably about two and a half years now. And power social media. I had a record that, you know, I was singing in the garage and posted it and changed my life, you know what I'm saying? Instantly. So yeah, man, so I kind of, I was tapped in on the rap Side just like him, man. Came up in the church, you know what I'm saying? Try different things. As far as just me physically doing music, man, I stepped away from music almost 14 years. So when I finally just made up my mind, like, hey, I'm finna get back in the studio, get it rolling, you know what I'm saying? Professionally, record me a song, sit down and that record, you know what I'm saying? Two records later, I was driving trucks, man. I ain't drove a truck in almost a year and a half now, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You stepped down just because of the frustration coming from South Carolina, man. I don't know if people even realize that there's so many people in South Carolina who do music, whether it's rapid, whether it's sing, but it's hard for people from South Carolina to get that break. So you just had got frustrated.

[Young Guy]

I'm from Mississippi, man, so it works, you know what I'm saying? It's worse. So I'm from.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

At least y' all got, y' all got ban in crit though. Yeah, we ain't had one yet, man.

[803 Fresh]

You right. Yeah, I got Peter Pablo, man.

[DJ Envy]

That's North Carolina, That's North Carolina.

[Young Guy]

Yeah, I tried.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you had got frustrated with the music or you just.

[Young Guy]

Nah, man, for sure, man. Cause when you, when you come, where we come from, man, you don't have the resources like that, you know, years ago I moved to Atlanta. I was gonna, you know, try to be around when you're not around a music scene. Like a music scene where? You know, Atlanta. When I moved to Atlanta, man, they got an open mic on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. They got, you got studios everywhere you can network. You got a lot of people that can, that can connect what you're trying to do. And Mississippi ain't really got this. So you think about a big crit. Big crit came out of, you know, shout out to Crick. He came out there. Crick is a one stop shop. Write his own music, produce his own music. He the whole nine. So you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Just stand it too.

[Young Guy]

Yeah, for real. So like, you know, you got. You gotta have a little bit more muscle behind you just to get out there, you know, from the South.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So how'd y' all connect, man?

[Young Guy]

We. We met a couple about two years ago.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, I think my very first show out there in Natchez, I think. Yeah, Natchez. Natchez, Mississippi, man. My first show. Kind of nervous, you know what I'm saying? Me personally, you know, I Had just started with Southern soul. So bro came, he hollered at me, saying he gave me that little pep talk or whatever you're saying. I shrugged my shoulders and I went in and did it.

[Young Guy]

He came to me like, man, like, young guy, man, what I. What I. Because I was kind of moving pretty good then, you know what I'm saying? I had a record that was. That was keeping me busy. And he was like, man, what, What. What I gotta do? What advice can you give me? I like, man, you know, keep grinding, bro. You gonna get that one, and you gonna know you got it. So when I heard that Boost on the ground, I called him, I said.

[803 Fresh]

You getting ready to be a rich nigga. You know it when you know what I'm saying.

[Young Guy]

I knew it it from the first 10 seconds. 10 seconds of the song. I was like, man, this. This finna go crazy now. I just see you look on social media, Shaq dancing too. You got. Yeah, like, man, that is crazy. You know what I'm saying? So it's. It's a blessing. And, man, I just. I'm proud of my brother. And we just trying to keep it going.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What inspired Boots on the Ground, though? Like. Like when you sat down and said, you heard that beat and you're like, this is what I want to write about, man.

[803 Fresh]

I tell the story all the time, man. And this. I had a show in Phoenix City, was in the back of the van or whatever. I say it like this. I had my. Had experience. I had a chance to experience my first trail ride last year. Went to the trail ride. You're saying a couple of ladies had fans or whatever. It was hot. So I, you know, they got fans. So I got a chance to go to my second trail ride, and I ain't see no fans. So I pulled the question, where them fans at? You know what I'm saying? So with Boost on the Ground. Boost on the ground is already aligned. That terminology you're saying. So you know, when they say boost on the ground, you know, about to have a party, we just touched down type of deal. So I just really merged the two ideas, and it became a good marriage.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the trail ride for the people who don't know?

[803 Fresh]

Listen, man, trail rides is, you know, ATVs, horses. You're saying that line dancing, it's a whole combination of all good things. It's definitely a culture. It's not really just an event, you know what I mean? And that's why I feel like Southern soul and line dancing is a perfect Mixture, you know what I mean? It's a great marriage. It piggybacks off of one, piggybacks off of the other. And if you ever come to the TR right now and then, man, I promise you, you going have a good time. You might get a little dusty, but I promise you, you going to have a good time.

[DJ Envy]

Now, now, every time you make a song, is it a line song now or no?

[803 Fresh]

Okay, see, see, that's one thing I didn't want to get caught in. I didn't want to get caught in, you know, just being the line. The line dance guy. The boot at the boot, You know. And I've been thinking about you're saying names for like a EP or album, whatever you're saying. And I really wanted to be versatility because I want to show them on all skills. I got different skills. Music.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, but you could do it like. Remember how Jermaine Dupree did back in the day? He like, he had the, the all the. What was it called? The Beat All Stars where it was just one album, just doing all the up tempo.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You're talking about like the like Shorty Swing My Way.

[DJ Envy]

He had a whole album of that. Then he had a whole album different ways of doing things. So you could do that like a. A anthem like that. Because your HBCU is going to be crazy this week. Spring flings, homecomings, all that. They should start booking you now to try to get the cheapest prices possible.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Probably book, man.

[803 Fresh]

I got like schedule crazy.

[DJ Envy]

But it's out till next year.

[803 Fresh]

October.

[Young Guy]

He got a show tomorrow. What is tomorrow? Yeah, I fly tomorrow on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

You booked on a Monday?

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, that's the least.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah, that's what's up, man.

[803 Fresh]

Blessing, man. Definitely.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

I know you don't want to just fall into the line dance genre of music, but it's like nobody has made any that are great since all like the five that we got.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Cha Cha. That's the last one I can.

[803 Fresh]

That could be. Yeah. Cupid Shuffle.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

But like. But none since then. And it's like it's kind of hard to do like. You know what I mean? So for you to just come up with one and just do it just off of what you felt, you got to do that more like. I. I'm tired of that.

[Young Guy]

I tell people like to me, I feel like my opinion, I feel like Lion Dance is like the new disco.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah.

[Young Guy]

You know what I'm saying? It's a big thing in the black culture that. You know what I'm saying? We just trying to shine light on because you got. You got people who y', all, you know, y' all from the city, man. It'll make people from the city, man. I'm gonna go get me some boots. They gonna buy me a van, cowboy hat.

[803 Fresh]

It's just.

[Young Guy]

It's a culture that they shine a light on so people can experience. So it's just lion dance.

[Ben]

You all know this time of year is my reset season. New energy, new plans, new ways to grow my brand. And if you're trying to start 2026 ahead of the game, like really ahead, now is the time to get moving. For me, Shopify has been the platform that keeps my whole merch business tight. As a creator, as a businesswoman, I need my tools to work hard. And Shopify is like having a chief of staff, a personal assistant, and a co founder all in one. And look, I always tell other women building their own brands, especially small, independent black creators, don't overcomplicate it. Whether you're running a side hustle or you're trying to run a full storefront, selling to your community or around the world, Shopify takes the guesswork out of everything. Shopify also, like, my favorite thing about it is they teach you as you grow, you can look up anything, get information on anything, and it's simple. They give you, like, easy one, two, three steps. I used to juggle 10 different logins and apps. Now one platform I manage, my store, sell online, sell, sell on social, even tag products right from my phone, wherever I am. And Shopify Sidekick. Listen, you keep Hearing all about A.I. let me tell y', all, this A.I. is a lifesaver. It gives me reports, content, ideas, helps me edit images. It's literally like having a smart assistant in my back pocket guiding me to my next move. So let's be real. It's time to stop thinking and start doing. And there is no better way to do that than Shopify. Use our link shopify.com b e n now to start getting serious about building your future.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Matchup.

[DJ Envy]

We got y'.

[Young Guy]

All.

[DJ Envy]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance, echo, drum beat, everybody showing that school pride game like this.

Yeah.

It calls for an ice cold Coca Cola.

[803 Fresh]

Ah.

[DJ Envy]

Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[Young Guy]

Mmm.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like a band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[LG Gram Advertiser]

Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop, voted PCMag's reader's choice top laptop brand for 2020. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere and Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit lgusa.com iheart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag reader's choice used with permission. All rights reserved.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures [e-mail] Disclosures A new year.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Is on the horizon and your 2026 savings start here. Right now. You can access the Washington post for just $2 every four weeks. Head into the new year with six months of savings at this special intro rate. After that it'll cost $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. You'll get unlimited access to trusted journalism that helps you understand the year ahead and the world around you. Now's the perfect time to subscribe because great habits and great savings. So start together. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart that's washingtonpost.com iheart and start your year informed with the Post. This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity they may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly a medicine company.

[Young Guy]

Been around for a while, but like. And this thing got bigger, man. They got seven South Carolina. To be 7,000 people out there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Young Guy]

You feel me?

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, I do African music too.

[DJ Envy]

African music. Has it.

[803 Fresh]

Has it as well.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

They got African lines.

[DJ Envy]

They got line dancing. Like Jerusalem is a line dance. Yeah, absolutely.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[803 Fresh]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's the ill thing though. The artist, like, it's not like you created the dance.

[803 Fresh]

No, see, that's. That's the sweetest thing about it too. You said, oh, you didn't create the dance. No, I didn't know. They choose it. They choose it whether it's going to be. You said a live dance to it or not. You know what I'm saying? So when they seen it on Tick Tock, it was like four or five dances, different dances to it, you're saying? I reposted one shouts out to Trey Little when I posted it. Everybody took on, you know what I'm saying to that one because it was real easy. It wasn't tamiya ish, you know, to me it got by.

[DJ Envy]

I'm still confused with that.

[803 Fresh]

I still can't get down.

[DJ Envy]

That's a line dance.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, it's a line dance.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But they do a line dance.

[DJ Envy]

That's a line dance.

[803 Fresh]

I ain't gonna lie. It's like the cursive of lion dancing. You feel me?

[Public Investing Advertiser]

I'm just so confused, man.

[803 Fresh]

With that one, you gotta be your.

[Young Guy]

Pro for that one.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, yeah. Definitely not intermediate anyway.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you had to learn your own dance, basically.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[803 Fresh]

And I can't dance.

[DJ Envy]

So you just picked that one and was like, this is the one we rocking with. Cause if 20 people said different dances.

[803 Fresh]

That's why I said.

[DJ Envy]

And everybody be in sync.

[803 Fresh]

The people chose it, man. Boots on the Ground was not intended to be a line dance song. It was just blessed to be that way.

[DJ Envy]

Even with the fan.

[803 Fresh]

Bang bang, like with the fan.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

That's just something that you do when you hot them out, you know?

[803 Fresh]

And I didn't know that fans, like, the fans were like a big part of the, you know, the, the Trevor, I seen. Until I made the song with it, and now I hear like, you know, 10, 20 different songs with fans now I'm saying. So it definitely is a part, like a big important part of the culture. So I. I think I just revived it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why not the church fan?

[803 Fresh]

Church fan, too.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They use the church.

[803 Fresh]

I think the. The sales on church fans is at an all time high right now. Yeah. Damn church fans. You know, Amazon, when I. When I first came up with. With the song or whatever, they were just clacking fans. If you go on Amazon right now, they Boots on the Ground fans. You got Louis Vuitton got fans.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That was some.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But that's when I knew y' all was getting. I was like, oh, they out of.

[803 Fresh]

Here on the ground fast, you're saying, so it definitely has been impactful to the culture, man. I'm just proud to be a part of it.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah, well, they're gonna be waiting forever for them Teemu fans, I tell you that.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, yeah, I got a thousand out there right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But anyway, everybody gonna be waiting for new music. Do you got more after Boots on the Ground?

[803 Fresh]

Let me tell you something. I got so much music, I'm saying, and I got music like, before, I got a. You know, our previous catalog, I got five songs that I dropped. Like I said, I've only been in a year and a half now. I mean, but as far as the catalog, man, I got a widespread catalog that's getting ready to come. It was just the. The timing we was waiting on, you know what I mean? So I think it's the perfect time for everybody to see me, and, you know, what I got to offer. Versatility is coming.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the toughest challenge about being an artist from South Carolina?

[803 Fresh]

The weight that's on my back, you're saying. Because not only do I. I mean, yeah, boosting the ground is for me, but I stand with a lot of weight that I'm carrying as far as, like, Southern soul as a whole. Because, see, this is what my main part is. And I ain't gonna lie. This is the reason why I came here. You saying this morning, I want to make Southern soul that main genre. You know, it's been, you know, sublime. Like, it's been, like, undertone for so long. And, you know, that chitlin circuit has been going on. Like, you got greats that came through that chitlin circle, like Tyrone Davis, Marvin Cease, James Brown. There's Muddy Waters. All these guys have come under that chitlin circuit, man. And it hasn't really had a. A catalyst for it has been brought to the front. So I. I take myself to be a martyr in that. You're saying, I want to be able to display that as being a main genre and showing that, you know, we come with a united front. I got Shamika Joquil out there. You saying, grown, grown ass woman. I got Frank Johnson out there. You can hate on me. I got young guy right here. You know what I'm saying? Like, take heed. These are all very impactful songs to the culture. And when I bring my boots on the ground, I want to bring them as well. So that's probably like, the biggest thing as far as, like, you know, I'm carrying that weight, and I want to be a good advocate for them.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, you know, you got to get yourself all the way through the door first, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's. That's why I think a lot of people falter a little bit because they want to represent for the whole state, and they want to bring everybody with them. And usually all those people end up weighing them down before you get to where you need to be.

[803 Fresh]

I think that with me, how I present myself, how I carry myself, I carry myself as, you know, hey, you know, he's. He's a strong front by himself. You know, it's just. I want to be a good representative for him. You know, it's not that I'm. I'm pulling them up. You're saying the way that I walk, my character is what, you know, it puts it out there. Like, oh, oh, I like him. Let me see what they got going on. You know what I'm saying? I let my walk, you're saying, speak for me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I mean, it's South Carolina having a moment right now. You got trapped, Dicky.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, man. Shouts out to trap, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, Black Zach.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Little balls. Rest in peace. Speaker knockers. Like, it's a lot of people doing it, but I really love what the Southern soul is doing because that's a whole different genre, and we. And we call it the chitlin circuit. But really, what I call it is the heart and soul of black America.

[803 Fresh]

Definitely, bro.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like. Like, that's what all the majority of black people in America are in the South.

[803 Fresh]

Don't advocate for violence, man. We advocate for unity. Like, good timing, you know what I'm saying? You just got to pay attention to a lot of this music, man, and it's like real life relatable stuff, bro. It ain't, you know, Fabricated, you know what I'm saying? It's real life, relatable things. And I think that's why people gravitate, like, towards it a little bit more, because I'm able to. You say, oh, yeah, I'm going through that right now. You know what I mean? So I think that's why everybody's been gravitating towards it. But it's definitely a movement, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

If you had to pick one song that best represents you, that's not Boots on the Ground, what would it be?

[803 Fresh]

You know? That's a tough one, Charlemagne.

[Young Guy]

One you ain't got out yet.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah, I don't know. You know, because, like, all of them is, like a representation of me. You're saying I feel all of them?

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Yeah.

[803 Fresh]

You know, I mean, so y' all just stay tuned, man. I ain't gonna lie. Y' all just. I got. I got so much that's coming behind me, I don't even know how to pick it.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

I mean, you gonna get these patents, huh? You gonna get these.

[803 Fresh]

I think we got them stamped.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Okay.

[Young Guy]

All right, good.

[803 Fresh]

I think we got them stamped, man.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Because I'm looking here.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Yeah, you're right.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Amazon, they didn't jack them prices up. 16, you need me, you know, I'm.

[803 Fresh]

Inadvertently employing people that I don't have to hire. You know what I mean? You know, everybody's selling Boots on the Ground shirts. Everybody's selling fans or whatever. You're saying this was something that nobody had thought about. They weren't tapped into it. So everybody's able to make money. So I just feel like I'm an employer, you know, I gave everybody. I'm saying something that they can make their money off of it. And, you know, that's what hit me the most, too, you know? Hey, I'm helping you out.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You gotta teach us the dance before you leave, man.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, you gotta show us something.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Somebody put the song on.

[DJ Envy]

I will say this, though, Jess.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You say you know how to do it.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

No, I'm saying I'm gonna have these old ass.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

First of all, it's for everybody. It's for all age groups, okay? The old to the young. All right?

[DJ Envy]

It's big hbc. Bring Lauren know how to do the dance. She was trying to show me.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

All right, guys, we got our mechanic coming in here.

[DJ Envy]

Our mechanic.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who gonna get under the hood of her wig. Goddamn. Who all want to learn to dance.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

And don't fan in her direction too damn hard, cuz. No, I'm just saying, cuz.

[803 Fresh]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Because.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, I Know who going to teach us? You going to lead us Fresh. You say you know how to do the dance?

[Sophie Cunningham]

Oh, I got.

[Ben]

Just learned it though.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who going to lead us? You going to lead us first, man.

[803 Fresh]

I'll try something. I tell you.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

That's why he lowkey picked that easiest one.

[803 Fresh]

Oh, This too hard for me.

[DJ Envy]

I can't do this.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Look like that kid in school. Way too much kid.

[DJ Envy]

I can't fuck with y'. All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

They said.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They said the instructional version dropped the day.

[DJ Envy]

Okay, all right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So all DSPs.

[803 Fresh]

Hold on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What you mean so it tells you how to do it?

[803 Fresh]

Man, I'm tired of here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay?

[DJ Envy]

They're on YouTube. They got an instruction. I was looking.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, well, tell them where to follow you. 803 Fresh.

[803 Fresh]

It'll be press the kid liability. Y' all can follow me on all stuff. Streaming platform everywhere, man. Just type in 803 Fresh. You said you can get my music from Apple Music, Spotify, your local bootleg, man. Flea market. You can get it from everywhere. I definitely appreciate y'. All. Listen, man. Charlemagne, I appreciate you, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Listen, always love for the home team. Yeah, that's right.

[803 Fresh]

You definitely putting South Carolina on the map as well.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes.

[803 Fresh]

What you're doing. DJ Envy, man. I appreciate you. You saying just Larry, I definitely appreciate you.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

Thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You pretty young guy. Young guy.

[Young Guy]

Man, follow me on all platform, man. Young guy. I'm pretty much the same on everything. Check me out on all music streaming platforms. Hey, we got a lot coming, man. 2025, we're gonna finish it out next year gonna be even bigger, man.

[803 Fresh]

Sounds like I'm tuned for that feature too.

[Young Guy]

I represent Mississippi, man. South Carolina. We're just all trying to put it together, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[DJ Envy]

Alrighty, guys, it's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wake that ass up early in the morning.

[803 Fresh]

The Breakfast Club.

[LG Gram Advertiser]

Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iheartra for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag reader's choice. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Support for the show comes from public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index, and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisor Services by Public Advisors, LLC SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures hey audiobook lovers. I'm Kalpen.

[DJ Envy]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[DJ Envy]

Each week we sit down with your.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very.

[DJ Envy]

Special guests to discuss the latest and.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

Greatest audiobooks from audible. Listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company at CVS.

[Ben]

It matters that we're not just in.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you.

[Charlamagne's Co-host]

When you need us, day or night.

[Ben]

And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack.

[Ben]

At cvs, we're proud to serve your.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Community because we believe where you get.

[Ben]

Your medicine matters so Visit [e-mail] or.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you.

[Ben]

Store hours vary by location.

[Sophie Cunningham]

A new year is on the Horizon, and your 2026 savings start here. Right now, you can access the Washington post for just $2 every four weeks. Head into the new year with six months of savings at the special intro rate. After that, it'll cost $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. You'll get unlimited access to trusted journalism that helps you understand the year ahead and the world around you. Now's the perfect time to subscribe, because great habits and great savings start together. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart that's washingtonpost.com iheart and start your year informed with the Post.

[Ben]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.