The Breakfast Club – Best Of: Lola Brooke Talks ‘Iight Bet!’, Career Growth, NY Roots & Pressures of Success (Jan 6, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features a candid and inspiring interview with Brooklyn rapper Lola Brooke. Hosted by DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, and Angela Yee, the conversation covers Lola’s new project ‘Iight Bet!’, her growth since her breakout, navigating fame, imposter syndrome, pressures facing women in hip-hop, and her deep New York roots. Lola shares honest stories about her journey, creative process, family, relationships, and learning to celebrate her achievements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emotional Growth & Navigating Success

• Lola reflects on her mental and emotional state during her early success with the Dennis Daughter Project, admitting she wasn’t fully present and struggled to enjoy the moment.
  • “My mom wasn't there. Like, I wasn't there.” (01:18)
  • “I was trying to trick myself into thinking that I was okay, but I wasn't.” (02:12)
• She describes the challenge of imposter syndrome and anxiety about her future.
  • “You don't know what that feeling is. Like, you know you feeling something, but you don't know how to explain it... You don't want people to look at you like you crazy.” (02:41)

2. Artist Confidence, Authenticity & Pressure

• Lola discusses growing into her confidence and the tension between being unapologetically herself and worrying about others’ feelings.
  • “It's not about having a confidence. It's about being confident enough to not care, to show my confidence.” (03:18)
• She refuses to chase her previous success and is now focused on enjoyment and creativity.
  • “This time around, it's like, no, I'm having fun. Like, I gotta remember that I'm rapping because I enjoy doing it. So no pressure.” (04:01)

3. Being a Woman in Hip-Hop: Pushbacks & Stereotypes

• Lola candidly addresses the unique pressures placed on female rappers.
  • “They put so much pressure on you...unnecessary pressure, and then you'll get tricked out your spot.” (05:30)
• On industry expectations:
  • “They want you to either be sexy or gangster or just do club records... You have to have way more confidence than the male artist, for sure.” (10:11)
• Resists being placed solely in the ‘drill’ rap box, embracing her versatility.
  • “They tried to, but I cleaned that up.” (10:33)

4. New York Influence & Staying True

• Lola proudly reps her Brooklyn roots and New York’s cultural stamp on her music.
  • “If anything, they asked me to be more New York... Can I hear your accent?... I don't just talk to me.” (07:56)
• Heavily influenced by DMX and New York rap, mixing grit with storytelling.
  • “I was going to put on some Tims... I'm very much influenced by DMX, though.” (08:26)

5. Evolving Relationships & Personal Dynamics

• Lola speaks about people changing after she received industry success—friends, family, and fellow artists.
  • “I'm not a person that's into drama. So I know when you feed into drama, then you don't feed into yourself.” (08:53)
• Describes her supportive romantic relationship and how her partner understands her industry grind.
  • “When you have somebody that's like your soulmate and they love you, when somebody love you, they willing to work whatever out.” (22:35)
• She values privacy in her love life, balancing openness and boundaries.
  • “We have this thing where we...we not hiding. Yeah, but we still private. You know what I'm saying? It's not a secret, but it's private.” (23:33)

6. Celebrating Achievements & Overcoming Survivor’s Remorse

• The hosts surprise Lola with a Gold plaque for her single “Iight Bet!” Her joy is palpable.
  • “Wish I could call my moms, yo. Oh, man. Yeah, because, listen, they. People was doubting me before I got my first one. Like, they was doubting me all around the board. And then it's like, sheesh, I gotta do it again.” (12:28)
• She opens up about survivor’s remorse—feeling guilty for her progress when others struggle.
  • “The littlest things was holding me back...why would you feel bad when it's your time?” (14:35)
• Now, she's determined to celebrate wins and put herself first.
  • “When nobody was there, when I was going through it in my room by myself... I got through it. So I'm like, okay, now you got to start putting yourself first.” (15:03)

7. Creative Process & Inspirations

• On her writing and the emotions she channels:
  • “Just continue to be yourself. Like, the only way to sell music is if you're being yourself.” (20:23)
  • “I don't make a song dwelling on my feelings of feeling pain or anything like that. I just be like, I'm in the gym doing push ups. Get money.” (20:55)
• “Pain,” her single with the Mary J. Blige sample, is about self-affirmation and refusing to be played.
  • “I bet you wanna play with me. I got you. Hold that thought. Because I'm really that girl... And that's not just to a man either. That could be for anybody.” (21:58)

8. Teamwork & Staying Grounded

• The importance of her close-knit team for business and emotional well-being.
  • “When I wake up, I know I'm gonna have a team that's laying stuff out for me and saying here, just say yes or no. And that's all I want.” (27:43)
• Emotional support from her team is more valuable than business alone.
  • “The most important thing. Cause people do not be caring about people.” (28:23)

9. Money, Values & Future Aspirations

• On what “investing” in a partner means:
  • “I realized that money is not everything for me. I mean, I wasn't raised in a household of a lot of wealth. It was a single parent. So I like to be loved on and I like to give love as well.” (28:34)
• Lola is clear that her life goals come before the industry’s expectations:
  • “Forget what do you want for your career. What do you want in life?... whenever I feel like that time coming, I'm going.” (30:18)

10. Advice to Young Artists & Manifestations

• Lola’s advice to young women who want to rap:
  • “When they tell you too aggressive, be even more aggressive. Say with your chest, girl. Say it with your tatas. Just don’t show them.” (34:30)
• Her most powerful manifestation for 2026 is knowing her worth and refusing to settle:
  • “When somebody know they worth, they ain't taking no...I'm standing on it like I'm 6'2” (34:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On confidence and self-expression:
  “It's about being confident enough to not care, to show my confidence... I know I can do this... But dang, would this person feel a way if I start feeling myself a little bit more? And it's like, so what?”
  – Lola Brooke (03:18)

• On industry pressure:
  “Being a female artist... you get tricked out your spot. So I’m like, basically I’m saying, you ain’t gonna trick me out my spot. What’s up with it?”
  – Lola Brooke (05:30)

• On celebrating her Gold plaque:
  “Oh, slap, y’all. I can’t believe this...Wish I could call my moms, yo... People was doubting me before I got my first one... You still get slept on, but it’s cool.”
  – Lola Brooke (12:28)

• On team and family:
  “My mom is the reason I resigned from my job to pursue a music career. So I will always, like, have her back because she always had mine.”
  – Lola Brooke (13:38)

• On her values in love and partnerships:
  “Invest in me, spiritually, mentally, physically... The financial thing, that’s just to secure everything else. But we could get that together. I’m down. Let’s make some money, baby.”
  – Lola Brooke (28:34, 28:59)

• On advice to Brooklyn girls:
  “When they tell you too aggressive, be even more aggressive.”
  – Lola Brooke (34:30)

• On manifesting her future:
  “The scariest thing right now for me would be knowing that I know my worth...I’m standing on it like I’m six two.”
  – Lola Brooke (34:53)

• Lighthearted moment:
  In a push-up challenge, the hosts and Lola joke about fitness and “getting money.”
  – (17:33–20:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:09] – Lola reflects on feeling like a different person with the new project.
• [02:36] – The group discusses imposter syndrome and industry anxiety.
• [05:30] – On pressure against female rappers and holding her spot.
• [07:56] – Lola explains her deep New York identity and influences.
• [10:11] – On industry trying to box-in female rappers.
• [12:28] – Emotional reaction to Gold plaque surprise.
• [14:35–15:03] – Survivor’s remorse and learning to prioritize herself.
• [20:23] – Artist process: being herself, channeling emotions into music.
• [27:43] – Importance of her team for personal and business growth.
• [30:18] – Balancing career with life goals and family.
• [34:30] – Advice to young rappers from Brooklyn.
• [34:53] – Manifests knowing her worth as the scariest and most powerful thing.

Conclusion

Lola Brooke’s interview is an honest, energizing, and insightful look at what it means to grow as an artist and as a person in hip-hop—especially as a proudly New York, proudly woman MC. She deftly navigates vulnerability, pressure, and expectations with humor and clarity. Whether discussing industry challenges, her creative drive, family, love life, or her unapologetic ambitions, Lola offers plenty of inspiration for anyone charting their own course.