Conversations with Unc: Success Beyond The Fame with LARussell

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – “Conversations with Unc: Success Beyond The Fame with LaRussell”

Release Date: December 26, 2024

Hosts:

• Charlamagne Tha God
• LaRussell

Overview: In this engaging episode of The Breakfast Club, host Charlamagne Tha God sits down with LaRussell, a West Coast rapper and founder of Good Company—a collective dedicated to promoting rising Bay Area artists. The conversation delves deep into LaRussell’s journey in the music industry, the importance of authenticity, the impact of social media on fame, and the essence of true success beyond public recognition.

---

1. Introduction and LaRussell’s Background

The episode kicks off with Charlamagne introducing LaRussell, highlighting his role in the music industry and his dedication to uplifting local talent.

Notable Quote:

Charlamagne Tha God [03:02]: “For those that don't know, LaRussell runs a collective called Good Company and is deeply involved in the Bay Area rap scene.”

2. LaRussell’s Path to Understanding Success

LaRussell reflects on his incremental understanding of success, emphasizing that his comprehension evolved over time through various life experiences.

Notable Quotes:

LaRussell [05:34]: “It's really come in increments throughout, like every time I thought I had it, I learned something new.”

Charlamagne Tha God [05:15]: “You already have the understanding of everything. Even when they tried to get you on the shots, you didn’t need much from me.”

3. Work Ethic and Personal Growth

Discussing his early job at UPS, LaRussell illustrates how his work ethic and capacity for hard work were foundational to his personal and professional growth.

Notable Quote:

LaRussell [06:07]: “I learned how different my capacity and work ethic was. I was improving the workflow that I was noticing early on.”

4. Authenticity and Personality in the Music Industry

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the importance of authenticity. Charlamagne asserts that genuine personality is more valuable than scripted personas in entertainment.

Notable Quotes:

Charlamagne Tha God [08:06]: “People see themselves in you or a family member in you. That’s what draws them to you.”

LaRussell [08:13]: “I didn’t even think it was my personality then. I thought it was the fact I was working hard, but it was real.”

5. The Role of Social Media and Changing Entertainment Dynamics

Charlamagne and LaRussell discuss how social media has transformed the landscape of fame and entertainment, often prioritizing attention over genuine talent.

Notable Quotes:

Charlamagne Tha God [18:41]: “Fame ain't nothing but attention. People want attention because it feels like love when they aren't used to love.”

LaRussell [19:24]: “Cancel culture has shown how much attention is valued and how fragile it can be without genuine love.”

6. Mental Health and Life’s End Goals

The conversation takes a introspective turn as LaRussell shares his desire for a peaceful end, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being over material success.

Notable Quotes:

LaRussell [24:19]: “In life, I just want to die peaceful. It’s not about a specific way, just at peace.”

Charlamagne Tha God [24:38]: “Always think at the end and go backwards. That’s how you do it.”

7. Challenges of Maintaining Authenticity

Both hosts acknowledge the difficulty of staying true to oneself in an industry that often demands conformity and scripted interactions.

Notable Quotes:

Charlamagne Tha God [25:03]: “I have to keep my business simple. Once you give everybody your business, it becomes saturated.”

LaRussell [29:40]: “Boozy is always getting deleted and rebuilt because he’s not doing anything but being himself.”

8. Community Influence and Representation

The importance of community support and representation is highlighted, with Charlamagne emphasizing how his community has molded his identity and career.

Notable Quotes:

Charlamagne Tha God [25:57]: “I give all the credit to my community because they molded me into who I am today.”

LaRussell [27:02]: “Charlamagne is a great representation of someone who remains authentic no matter the level.”

9. Future Aspirations and Collaboration

As the episode winds down, both Charlamagne and LaRussell express enthusiasm for future collaborations and maintaining their authentic selves in their respective careers.

Notable Quotes:

LaRussell [39:18]: “This was great. We both got information we needed to hear from each other.”

Charlamagne Tha God [36:34]: “Keep it simple stupid. That’s my model. Kiss.”

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation between Charlamagne and LaRussell, reinforcing the importance of authenticity, community, and genuine connections in achieving true success.

Notable Quote:

LaRussell [39:40]: “This was dope as fuck, man. I appreciate you.”

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Final Thoughts: In “Conversations with Unc: Success Beyond The Fame with LaRussell,” The Breakfast Club offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music industry while staying true to one’s self. Through candid discussions on work ethic, authenticity, social media’s impact, and the significance of community, both Charlamagne Tha God and LaRussell underscore that true success transcends public recognition and lies in personal fulfillment and genuine relationships.

Transcript

[Ryan Seacrest]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024 the Coca Cola Company.

[Lil Duvall]

Hey, comedy fans. The funniest comedians in the world are on tour, and you can get tickets to see them live near you. Laugh at the biggest names in comedy like Atsuko Okatsuka, Chelse Handler, Jimmy Carr, Kathy Griffin, Matt Matthews, Matt Rife, Sarah Silverman, Sebastian Maniscalco, Stavros Helkias, Wanda Sykes, and so many more. All kinds of shows, all kinds of venues, all kinds of funny. Head to livenation.comcomedy to get your tickets today. That's livenation.com comedy critics and audiences are.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Falling in love with the Fire Inside.

[LaRussell]

As long as I'm boxing, I'm gonna be okay.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Based on the inspirational true story.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Damn proud of you, y'all. Golden girl.

[Ryan Seacrest]

It's a knockout crowd pleaser. They can agree on my baby going to the Olympics. It's this generation's Rocky.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Can't nobody beat me.

[Ryan Seacrest]

You'll stand up and cheer. It's one of the best movies of the year.

[LaRussell]

You represent out there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Somebody would do it in Flint.

[Ryan Seacrest]

The Fire Inside based on the Incredible true story rap 13 inappropriate for children under 13. Now playing only in theaters. How crispy are the new deli mix? Crispy quesadillas. Let's see. I'm going to pop one in the microwave. Yeah, Deli Mex Crispy quesadillas are crispy even from a microwave. I can already smell it. Heads up. If you hate loud crunching, you might want to mute. So crispy. Like, barely hear myself think crispy. These should come with a warning. If this crispiness is making you hungry, get to your closest grocery store for Deli Mex Crispy quesadillas in the frozen aisle.

[Lil Duvall]

Where'd you get those shoes?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Easy.

[Lil Duvall]

They're from dsw. Because DSW has the exact right shoes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

For whatever you're into right now. You know, like the sneakers that make.

[Lil Duvall]

Office hours feel like happy hour, the.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Boots that turn grocery aisles into runways, and all the styles that show off the many sides of you, from daydreamer.

[Lil Duvall]

To multitasker and everything in between. Because you do it all in really great shoes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Find a shoe for every you at your DSW store or dsw.com I'm Lil Duvall, and this is Conversations with UMP. The podcast. Today's guest is a West coast rapper and founder of Good Company, an organization that helps promote the rising Bay Area artists. Let's welcome my guy, LaRussell. What's up? It's Live and Direct. It's your boy, little dude for all your country cousins, you know, vibe in D.C. y'all back here with all you know, you got a special guest just like every time we on this. But this here just like one of the young, young, young OG minded that I with from a distance I never got a chance to goddamn get to. Get to meet. Now I finally get to meet him on this. So let me introduce y'all to my man Le Russell. What's up?

[LaRussell]

Come on, man. Gratitude. That was a great intro. As you were saying it. I. I wish my mama did this interview with me. I should have went to the damn house.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

For real, how you is, man?

[LaRussell]

Would have been excited. I'm 29.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

29. Hey, man, me. Me and Charlemagne talk about you all the time, man. Cause, like, like, some. Some young. I be like. Like, I see. I'll be like, all right. They might need a little help in certain. But with you, I'd be like, man, he. He got it. You know what I'm saying? It's like, I ain't talking about as far as you. You already made it. But I'm saying, like, the mindset and the understanding, right? You already got the understanding of everything. So it's like, even when it's doing. Even when they was like, hey, man, let's get him on the shots. Like, he don't really need much from me. Maybe a life shit. But as far as understanding the game, you got it.

[LaRussell]

Or, you know what's dope about that? I'm finally at an age now where I see certain young, and I'm either like, he got it, or I'm like, could use a man. You feel me? So that's.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's how it is.

[LaRussell]

For real Honor.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's. It's. It's for real. Cause, like, it's like certain kids. Like, when you have kids, I don't know if you got any now, but when you have kids, you'll start looking at some kids. You'd be like, oh, no, I ain't got to worry about him. He gonna be all right. But then you see that one kid, you be like, nah, man, I gotta goddamn get his bail money ready, cuz. He gonna be wild. You see what I'm saying? So. But some people, you just ain't gotta. You ain't gotta worry about so with you, we just be like, man, this. This here good, man. But so tell them about you, man. For the people, my hornets, that don't know, you know, because, you know, I'm. I'm an old head, you know what I'm saying? Which I like being. You know what I'm saying? But introduce yourself and let them know a little about you, mate. For those that don't know.

[LaRussell]

First of all, I run a collective called Good Company. I rap. I hate having to say all these things.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I know what you're saying, man. Cause you, like, you're a humble guy. Like, it's hard to. I hate when people ask me, so what you did, man? They're like, I don't know, man.

[LaRussell]

Right. A lot of. A lot of. You know a lot of things, and I do a lot of. That's the best.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let me ask you this. Yeah, let me ask you this. So. Because it seemed like you got. Understand, like I said, when did you figure out, like, all right, I got it. I think I understand how to. I ain't saying you got the. You know the game, but you got understanding enough to understand how to move at the situation you at now.

[LaRussell]

It's really came in increments throughout, like, every time. Every time early, I thought I had it. I learned some shit later and be like, nigga, I don't know what the fuck I was talking about. You feel me? So it's really. It's a growing thing I've had. I have a moment every day where I feel that, but I feel like the insurgents was like, I started working for, like, UPS after I graduated high school.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, that's a good job, nigga. Nah, nigga.

[LaRussell]

I was a driver helper throughout the winter for the season. It was like. It was a cool job, though. Nigga was, you know, But I learned a lot from that job. I learned how different my capacity and work ethic was. Like, nigga, I used to grab packages and run to the houses and drop them bitches off and hop back in the truck. I used to go in the back, and it was just a lot of shit that I was doing that was improving the workflow that I was noticing early.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Was you rapping at that time too, or was rapping wasn't even a thing then? I was.

[LaRussell]

I was like, rapping subsequently, though, like, not trying to make it just as a hobby and just as fun as a hobby.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. Like, this hobby behind me, this. I feel Lego. These are my little Legos. I'll be building this.

[LaRussell]

Down Duvall Lego man, my. One of my best friends, he got. We got some Lego figures around the crib.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, don't make me show. I got asking whatever. He think I got anything. He think he got. I bet you I got it.

[LaRussell]

Hilarious.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got all this, man. I love this, man. But yeah, finish, finish. What you were saying in my fault. I'm high too, so. But you go, that's perfect.

[LaRussell]

That's a perfect combination. Combination. No, but when I was doing that, every driver that I had worked with took a liking to me and they was like, I'mma hit you when I do my route, when I, When I'm. Make sure they give me you. You feel me? So I started noticing that early and as I advanced throughout my journey doing jobs, whatever position I came in as was never what I left as. And it was happening fast. So I just, I just knew like the work, I knew I understood that part of my journey then you feel me?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You understood that you had a personality that people was drawn to.

[LaRussell]

You know what's crazy? I didn't even think it was my personality then. I thought it was the fact I was working hard, but it was real.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hell no. It was your personality.

[LaRussell]

That's hella funny. That could have been it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's all it is. What you. That's why people like us, like in general, like why people like me is. I mean the talent is. Is a. Is a bonus, but it's. They see they self in you or they, or they see a family member in you. You know what I'm saying? It's like that's what they see it. That's what draw them to you. Don't ever get it over. That's what. Especially in this day and age with influencers and everything. That's what it is, right? It's the. And it's genuine, you know what I'm saying? Because a lot of you can see through it or what I can. Like you can fool a lot of. Because a lot. It's a lot of good at being good. Being a good fake guy, you know? Right? Yeah. But some people you could just see right through. You can see like it's them and, and don't get it twisted, it's still a character because you have to be a character for entertainment wise. But you can see it's a character of who you are in general. You get what I'm saying? And that's what, and that's what's. And that's what's genuine in your. And your lyrics and, and your personality and your presence and in your social media and everything. That's why you win.

[LaRussell]

Come on. Gave me the word. Come on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hey, man, this. That's the weed talking here. That's the weed fact.

[LaRussell]

I love it. Gratitude, man. I appreciate that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So I heard you was going on. They was telling me, because yesterday was supposed to do it, but you had to do something. It was telling me you going on a retreat or some, right?

[LaRussell]

Yeah. Yep.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What kind of going on, man?

[LaRussell]

So it's this Indian mystic named Sadhguru who's one of my favorite. Just a. A favorite human of mine, but he teaches. Like, you go on YouTube and he just teach you about life, but, like, just ask him questions and he just give you an answer, right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He wrote.

[LaRussell]

He wrote a couple books. He author. And so I just been reading his and watching his for, like, the past few years, and randomly, they reached out to me and was like, we doing a private retreat, and. And we want to welcome you, to invite you, and it was just like, what the.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's dope, man. That's dope that you're doing that haze, too, man. Right? You feel like you're a little son. Like. Like I say, I ain't no kid to you, but you feel like my little nephew. Like, man, this. Doing everything right. Like. And you're doing it at the right time, too, you know what I'm saying? Because it's. That's what you're supposed to be doing at that journey at your age, at the. You turning 29, going into your 30s, you know what I'm saying? So you have full understanding, and you gonna be all right.

[LaRussell]

Come on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So like I say, this. This show, too, is about, like, you ask any kind of question you can ask for, anything about life, anything you. Anything. And if you. You If. If the answer too deep or too crazy that you don't want to answer it, well, we can cut this out, because this is my. I don't give a. Like, I don't have to. I'm not. No clickbait. I do this. I give a.

[LaRussell]

Okay, here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got.

[LaRussell]

I got my first question because you have. You have this cast, but you get to. You get to smoke weed and talk your shit in the. In the form that you do. So how did that. How does that deal look for you? And what did you negotiate with this one right here?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

With. With this right here, right.

[LaRussell]

This one? Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, honestly. Honestly, this deal was because I really never want. I. I'm. I really never want to do a podcast, honestly. Only reason I did this, because my man, he My man Clay. This is like my. My. My. My manager, like my older brother and everything. He was everything to me. And he. He kept forcing my hand to do it because everybody wanted me to get in the podcast. And I ain't never want to do this because I'm one of the people. If I see everybody doing it, I don't want to do it. You know what I'm saying? And then. Then once I see how it's getting, how. How the. The game win, it's like, all right, I ain't. But everybody keep telling me to do it. So he was the main one told me to do it. Then he died. He just died. Ah, you see what I'm saying? So I'm really doing it for him, to be honest with you. So really, the deal. The deal was really all for this, you know what I'm saying? Like, he. He got. He got the money. He got half the money and died.

[LaRussell]

Left a. In contract, I swear to God.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And. And I did it with Black Effect because they're really my family, like with Dolly and. And Charlemagne. So it's really like a family thing. I do it for. Because, like, honestly, I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for them. Honestly, because I. I post that. This. This. This. This show. This was three, four years old. I. I probably been there. This. I just ain't did it. But they so cool. They so cool because, like, this is real, like, family. Family. And that's a good thing because, like, for. For people to be in power, they have family, and you could do what you want to do. Like, because I was up when I got hit by a car, so I was out for like a year, so they could have took the money back and everything, but I said. But they. They didn't trip off of it, and they. They waited for me. So really, I'm just doing it now just because of them.

[LaRussell]

That's hard. That's beautiful, man. That's. That. That shit leads to such a grander outcome than. Than you know, when It's.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I do everything for money, bro. I mean, I'll do every. I mean, I do everything for love. And the money part, it just came natural. I never had to chase money in my life, you know what I'm saying? Like, and I'm blessed like that because I. In certain times when I came in the game when I was younger, so I. It just was a blessing. But at the same time, I never had to chase it, so I never cared about money like most people do. It just naturally came And. And the business came. Part of it just ought to just understanding the simple. Like I never complicated my business. You know what I'm saying? I always kept my business simple as fuck. And I always kept my business kind of private too. I don't let everybody in on my business because once you give everybody your business, it's not a big. It's. It becomes. It becomes saturated like the podcast business. You see what I'm saying?

[LaRussell]

Right? No, hey, right. It becomes very filtered. Like it don't be real, it be scripts and it's not an extra. Do you think that that improves the.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Outcome though, as far as what? Give me what you mean.

[LaRussell]

I do you feel like when we be going to like those podcasts and they be having the scripts and to say and all that, like it'd be better quality or. Or so not really though, because no.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It'S like, I mean, honestly, when you do the podcast, do them. I do it for a reason. It has to be a real reason behind why I'm doing it or I have to be a person that I really with. You see what I'm saying? Like if it's somebody I really with, I just do them. You know what I'm saying? Like. Cause.

[LaRussell]

Cause there's some podcasts where they have a whole script and like the questions written and you gotta like, yeah, they do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And it's. Because that's the way. That's the way. And honestly it's a gift and a curse because honestly, I hate that's. It seemed like that's all that entertainment as far as far as our community has gotten to is just talking. You see what I'm saying? And like, I hate like. And I hate it because we doing it right now, just talking. But it's like. I hate that this is what it's come to. Like we do more of this than we do in a tainted. You see what I'm saying?

[LaRussell]

Why you ain't rapping, right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, for real rapping and entertaining performing. Like, but. But see, I started in performance so it's never. I never. I never got out of perform and I always understood the power of it. And now it's got to the point where the audience, they don't. They.

[LaRussell]

You.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You can't fool them no more. So you gotta goddamn entertain or something. So that's why people like you are gonna always win because you have all that all in one. You see what I'm saying? So it really works in my favor in the long run.

[LaRussell]

You get it? You're a who like bruh that what's crazy is, like, if you do the entertaining part, you really don't even have to do the talking part. Like, we do this because it's like you said you finally got around to, like, all right, I do that. You feel me? But you don't have to.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

My little cousin, he, like, I'd be crying this, right? Like, he's a perfect example of somebody that he's just so talented, he let his talent do the talking. His name, Jahan Sweet. He a producer. You just with him.

[LaRussell]

Yeah, he grew with Kalani. I. I've heard. I've seen this.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, Kalani, Taylor Swift, this. He Drake. He just. On Drake 3. Three songs on Drake album and everything.

[LaRussell]

That's your nephew. Like, your nephew nephew or nephew.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is like. This is like my cousin. Cousin, like, from born. This is like my blood cousin. Like, we are. Like, I could. I got pictures in there. I send it to you or whatever. But like, he went to Juilliard and everything. Like, he was raised right and he came out right. Like, especially he came in the era of. Of your hair. Because he's like 29 too. So he's the same exact age as Kalani. You know, all them. Like, so. So you understand who he is. So he came up the right way without doing all the fuckery. And he's success. Success. You see what I'm saying? So he's. He's one of the people always use as an example of you don't have to play the game. Like, and I don't. And I don't know that play game because sometimes that's all you got.

[LaRussell]

And. But you know what it is? It's like, it's how we antiquate success, right? John Sweet is successful, but he's not famous. Like, quote unquote. And that's what. We live in a time where niggas associate fame with success, right? Some people would rather be famous than successful. Like, somebody was like, yeah, that's kind.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Of always been like, that just got magnified is because fame ain't nothing but attention. Like, people want attention. And attention feels like love when you ain't used to love. So. And that's what. And that's all it is. People just want attention. It's as simple as getting the shout out in the club. Back in the day, that's what social media is now. It's a shout out. You just feels attention into the love. And that's what is magnified now. So everybody wants love. They want that more than money, honestly. You see what I'm saying, so it's, it's, it's the catch 22 of everything. So that's why. And that's where we are as an entertainment wise. It's like people so trying to chase the attention that we've lost value in the, in the, in the entertainment. And there's no value in it now.

[LaRussell]

Because you know, you know what's crazy? Cancel culture has shown niggas how much it's attention and how much when a nigga don't love you, that attention can always be swayed. But there's no love in it. And that's what I mean.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you have to already be programmed as a comedian. Well, for me, you kind of sign, that's what you sign up for, to get blackballed. You know what I'm saying? If you're a real comedian, if you're.

[LaRussell]

Really talking about life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, like most comedians, you're not really a comedian if you haven't got canceled, you know what I'm saying? I get canceled once a month. Damn near. I don't think nobody got canceled more than me because I've been canceled for over 50, for over 15 years straight. You get what I'm saying? So it kind of comes with the territory. So it's like. But it comes with tough skin. But now I guess the order.

[LaRussell]

Like, do you be apologizing for.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I've never apologized. I lost millions not apologizing today. Ask anybody about me, you better. I don't. My, my reputation speaks for itself. Yeah. Tell you, but I lost some. I still got. Now I can't do now because you.

[LaRussell]

Have to come in.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I wouldn't recommend doing that with me, like what I do because like I, I stand on what I say. But I understand what come with it too. So I'm not one of the people that cry and be like, man, they don't with me because of such and such. It's like being mad at your aunt for not with you. You know what I'm saying? Like, I know what comes with it. You see what I'm saying? So if I, if I say if, if I say this and I'm not apologizing about it, I, but at the same time, if I, if I'm wrong, I can stand a straightening too. You see what I'm saying? But if I don't feel like I'm wrong, I'm not apologizing.

[LaRussell]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You see what I'm saying? But I don't recommend that to everybody.

[LaRussell]

Nigga, you gotta come to the crib. Please. When you out here? Just come by the crib.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I told you I'm gonna be up there next week. I mean, yeah, next week.

[LaRussell]

Perfect. We gotta lock in after this.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We locked in, baby.

[LaRussell]

You know how. Nigga be planning shit in the head already. I'm already trying to get you to do a set. I'm in my head like, nigga, Oh, I got.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, I got some vibe shit for the backyard now.

[LaRussell]

Come on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm a full round entertainer. Just give me a drum and a keyboard, bitch. We vibe.

[LaRussell]

Oh, God, that's me. Give me some keys.

[Ryan Seacrest]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024, the Coca Cola Company.

[Lil Duvall]

Hey, comedy fans. The funniest comedians in the world are on tour and you can get tickets to see them live near you. Laugh at the biggest names in comedy like Atsuko Kotzuka, Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Carr, Kathy Griffin, Matt Matthews, Matt Rife, Sarah Silverman, Sebastian Maniscalco, Stavros Helkias, Wanda Sykes, and so many more. All kinds of shows, all kinds of venues, all kinds of funny. Head to livenation.comcomedy to get your tickets today. That's livenation.comcomedy.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Critics and audiences are falling in love with the fire inside.

[LaRussell]

As long as I'm boxing, I'm gonna be okay.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Based on the inspirational true story.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Be damn proud of you, y'all. Golden girl.

[Ryan Seacrest]

It's a knockout. Crowd pleaser. The whole family can agree on my.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Baby going to the Olympics.

[Ryan Seacrest]

It's this generation's Rocky.

[LaRussell]

Can't nobody beat me.

[Ryan Seacrest]

You'll stand up and cheer. It's one of the best movies of the year.

[LaRussell]

You represent out there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Somehow we do it in Flint.

[Ryan Seacrest]

The Fire Inside. Based on the incredible True Story Radio PG13. Inappropriate for children under 13. Now playing only in theaters. Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertson's and Safeway. This holiday season unwraps sweet savings on all your favorite holiday Candy. Now through December 31st, shop in store and online and save on holiday candy like Ferrero Rocher, Russell Stover Gift Box, Brax Soft Jellies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Candy Cane kisses, M&MS. And Hershey Milk Chocolate Kisses. Get these holiday favorites before they're gone. Offer ends December 31st. Restrictions apply. Promotions may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details. An O'Reilly Auto Parts gift card is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The perfect gift for that.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hard to buy for person. Give the gift of convenience from O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, oh, oh. O'Reilly Auto Parts. Let me ask you this here. What's your. What's your end goal? What's your end goal, man? And there's two in two parts in the game and in life.

[LaRussell]

In life, I just want to die peaceful. And that's not to say, not in any type of specific way, but just at. At peace. But I. I guess that don't even matter. I don't know. I don't be. I don't be thinking about that shit as much as maybe I should or something.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Always think at the end and go backwards. That's how you do it. Like, you think about that and go on backwards and that's your life. That's what I do.

[LaRussell]

It's funny because I'll be talking about like, digging a hole, right? And as you dig a hole, you're like, oh, I can put a pool in here. And once you get a pool, it's like, oh, we can add lights around here. But some people just draw up the whole blueprint first and then start that. But, but does that, does that give you room to like, yo, your journey to where you are now, Was that a thing? And you. And you went backwards?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yep. I knew from day one, like, even as a jit, I already understood. Even though I didn't understand the path, I kind of understood what I was supposed to be. You know what I'm saying? Like, I don't like to give my example because it sounds cliche, but then it sounds like this, just think he's just God's gift or some. But it's just like, I really just kind of understood. I had real understanding at a young age. Even like. Like nowadays being an entertainer ain't nothing. But when I came up in it, saying you was gonna be an entertainer, especially where I'm from, it was like saying being an astronaut. You see what I'm saying?

[LaRussell]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So right. It was because.

[LaRussell]

Bar was Michael Jackson.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It' it's like you watched it, but you didn't think you could do it. You see what I'm saying? Like, it's just like you didn't understand it. But some in my mind, or maybe it was my. I always give the credit to my community because they kind of molded me and sheltered me to. To make me who I am, who I am now. That's why I always go back to my community and, and try to give back and do whatever I can. You see what I'm saying? So my whole name is my community. My Duval is, is Duval County. That's the whole city.

[LaRussell]

You know what's crazy? You've always been a multifaceted figment in my life. Like, and it's, it's really dope because it's very reflective of myself. I've never been able to pinpoint specifically what you do because it's always something different depending on what time we in. And that's really dope. Just, that's just a nod. That was just a thought that crossed my mind. I started thinking, I'm like, damn, this do, do comedy. He got the song.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's kind of like what I said, what I say I see in you. It's like we are, we are in one of each other. So we understand each other because we connect. We connect just through, just through our DNA, you know what I'm saying? Through our heritage, through who we are as a people. And that's what the connection is, you know what I'm saying? Even if you. And it's genuine, you get what I'm saying? So even if you don't, even if you don't never seen a stand up of me, you see me as, as a, you see what I'm saying? Especially through social media. Because what most people don't realize, I've been on social media more than anybody and, and what we don't understand is nothing been more powerful than social media in the last 15, 20 years. And, and every morning you wake up and gonna see Laduva. So every morning if you waking up, I'm like your family member. So you was raised with me. It's like being raised on Nickelodeon, right? I'm saying it's like, it's like people that was raised on Nick Cannon, like now people 40 years old, they still love Nick Cannon because they was raised on the knee. And that's what it kind of, it is with social media and everything with me. It's like you was raised with me through Twitter, through MySpace, through Instagram, through YouTube, through Comic View, through the TV show, through the movies, everything. Because I, I just. And that's all entertainment. And that's all everybody do. That's all you do. You ain't just a, a rapper, you, everything. You, you're a businessman, you're, you're act. You can act at any moment. That's all this whole generation is. That's how entertainment was at one time. In general, it just. In the 80s, it broke off into different shits. But we was always doing everything. Like that's, that's why I call myself Sammy Davis Duvall because that's all he did. Everything that sang dance.

[LaRussell]

How much in your life now is shit that you don't do. You still have to do shit that you don't desire to do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm gonna tell you another. That's a blessing that I've always had. I've always had the luxury to do what the fuck I wanna do. It's harder for me to try to do other. I swear to God I be trying to do like. Because like I'd be like, damn, maybe if I try to. But I'm so programmed to do what the I want to do. I don't know how to do nothing else. I don't know how to. I don't know how to filter myself. That's why I always get the lead on social media. Because I'm so used to being able to do what the I want to do. I can't even do right if I tried.

[LaRussell]

Right. And that's a beautiful thing. It made me think. It made me think of Boozy. Boozy gonna always get deleted and rebuild some because Boozy not doing nothing but being boozy. Yeah, yeah, that gone.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But even with me, I. I'm just who I am because. But I've never. It's never intentionally like trying to people over, trying to intentionally hurt people or their minds up. It's just me being. It's like. And honestly I'm a reflection of who our whole community is when it comes to social media because they, not only when they flag me or some, they really flagging our dialectical how we talk because that's usually what it is. And all I talk just a reflection of who our community is.

[LaRussell]

So, you know, so funny. That's true. Like they, they're taking intentional things that we just say to each other. Because when you come up from here like that's, that's how, that's the.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's like in the comments, like if somebody tell me to shut up, they get flagged for telling me to shut up. When we just, you know, we just like man, shut up, man.

[LaRussell]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But they take it like that because. But that's what they always do. They use us to come up on the. They've been doing this even before social media. They use our platform as our culture to build the brand. And once they build the brand, they move on. And then on our. They've been doing that. So they did that with Fox Network.

[LaRussell]

Have you met anyone in your journey that surprised you in terms of who they were? Like, they were either way better than you thought or like, nigga, that nigga ain't nothing like y'all think he is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's plenty of them niggas. Ain't nothing that they think he is. But as far as I could tell you the most genuine person in hip hop, that's Snoop. Snoop, the most genuine person in hip hop. I. I think Snoop, I mean, as far as the biggest names, but as far as like, like DJ Pool, he a genuine good guy. These are OGs, Tip. A genuine TI. He's a genuine good guy, but he's like one of them stubborn. Like, if he love you, he love you. He want them stubborn good guys. But if he witch he gonna ride with that. Which genuine good guy? Who else? I'm just trying to think off the top of my head. My managers passed clay.

[LaRussell]

A good few.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's plenty of. It's plenty of good people in there. Like, it's. It's plenty of good people. And then two. I. I can't say too many people me over because I don't look for out of people a lot. So you can't over because I'm not expecting from most people. You know what I'm saying? I don't have expectations on people. So I rarely. I rarely see the in. In people like that there. You know what I'm saying? Like now that's plenty people. Like, I see Charlemagne. Charlemagne, he's a different type of like, he. He'll help anybody. Then I was like, hey, man, that is a. He gonna. Yo, you're gonna realize, dang. And then nine times out of 10, every person I told them wasn't and what gonna them over they end up doing. You know what I'm saying? But for the most part, who else? It's a lot. It's a lot of genuine people, man. A lot of black genuine women out here, man. That's. That's where you're gonna see most of the black women. They do a lot of. They. They the ones on the low that show a lot of love fact.

[LaRussell]

They may say shape. Come on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, yeah. Hell yeah, man. But. Yeah, man, but anything else, this is the last thing. And then we out this, man. Cause we didn't talk enough.

[LaRussell]

Right, Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't do long. This is another thing I don't like just random. Just. Just. Just random. Just talking. I like to make it make sense. Like talking two hours. I hate. I swear to God, I've never watched the 2 hour. I've never watched the 2 hour. I've NEVER watched a podcast.

[LaRussell]

Right? That. That's the craziest part. You know, but the thing is like, I get it only because one episode, like I'm a who, right? Every time I do an interview, I go in and I take all the pieces I need out of that interview. And it's like, if you had one good episode, you got about 40, 50 clips for the rest of your year. You ain't got to do else on social media but run them clips and run your ass and you know, like you eat. But sometimes it'd be two hours.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But see, that got played out now. Cause don't ran that in the ground, right? You know?

[LaRussell]

Yes, but no, bro, it's funny because earlier you were saying how you was like, you'll see doing. And you be like, I ain't doing that. Cause doing it. But really with your mind. If you see doing that's just an opportunity to be like, I could do that way better than them. Because you have. You have the actual thing like me and you have that thing that everybody pushed. They like, we can do whatever Charlotte.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Kick telling me and dialing them. They say the same thing. But I'm. I'm stubborn. But I listen. I listen to certain people. So they tell me, listen to me. Do it just like this. Only doing it because of them.

[LaRussell]

No, but listen, look, just this talk me and you had on Riverside with our blurry screens. And. And you feel me. Like, imagine if you somewhere in this same. Like when it happens when you come to the. To the yard or we meet and we get the cameras and like, bro, it only amplifies it in the. That you already do because it's like you already doing it. Just. Just watch.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You're right, man. You're right. That's God, man. That's God telling you to tell me, man. Stop.

[LaRussell]

Right? For real. Cause this, bro, we just had a great time and it was short and it's better than that scripted. Oh this was organic as. So it's like if you know you could do it on that level because everybody doing it this a W, then that was a. That was. Is a W. This was great. This is one of my favorite interviews. And we did this on zoom with. With a blurry screen.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Broke like a.

[LaRussell]

Like a. When you. When it only. But it's like it don't even have to be. Yeah, but I get it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Keep it simple stupid. That's my model Kiss. Keep it simple stupid.

[LaRussell]

Bro. I still record in the crib. But I'm getting to it's that point where like, okay, we got to maintain what we want. So we do whatever the fuck we want because I have to do whatever the I want. But it's like. It's like when you got to go to the airport, you could have A Honda Acura T06 pick you up or you could get a black Escalade. And neither of those is really going to cost you difference when you're doing the. You supposed to do the work. You feel me? So Nick, I just already see it because this was a good ass interview. Them don't be having that thing they don't have. So like we're flooded with a bunch of amateurs who don't have that thing. Who are trying to have that thing. But.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And see, that's what honestly, when it comes up. When it comes to art, when it comes to art, it's like I need people around me that's gonna make me. Make me want to give a. I don't. I'm not impressed with nothing.

[LaRussell]

That's what I mean no more.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because it's like in the last and it'd be like last 20 years and this ain't the on nobody movie. I can name maybe two moves. I'd be like, damn, I wish I would have did that. Other than that ain't no movies made me give a about being ain't nothing. I'd be like, damn.

[LaRussell]

You know what's crazy though? Because we have representations. Like Charlamagne is a really great representation of a who's been a. But at. At a. They said like professional, like no matter what level he has to do it, he remains in Charlemagne. And that'd be our biggest thing. We like once that get there come it become. But like she's saying if niggas like me and you decided to do it, niggas a home run. Cause we don't have to do nothing but be us. Everybody else gotta get the lives and they gotta the dance and they got to do all the extra. But we don't have to do nothing but be us.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you know what's so hard about it? You know? You know what's so hard about it? When it's really you, you take it for granted. I'll be taking it for granted sometimes because it comes so second nature everyday life.

[LaRussell]

Right? And you know, I'll be battling with that because I be like some days I'll be upset that everybody thinks, knows and feels like I'm the nigger that I am.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. Yeah, that so rich.

[LaRussell]

I'll be like, wrong with these. Wrong with these.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ah, man, this is so real. Now I gotta come out there and with y'all, for real, man. I gotta come out there and with y'all, for real, for real.

[LaRussell]

Yeah, please do. Please do. I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna hold you no more. No, no longer. But just. This was great. I feel like we both got information we needed to hear from each other.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm so glad for her.

[LaRussell]

Come on, Steel Sharp and steel.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That was the same shit, nigga, we said the same thing.

[LaRussell]

Hey, this was dope as fuck, man. I appreciate you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, but I appreciate you too, man. But like I say, man, I appreciate you checking in, man. Y'all tune in next time. The Black Effect, man. And I'm out this. Thanks for listening to another episode of Conversation with Unc with me, Lil Duvall. We out this. Don't miss an episode of Conversations with Listen and subscribe on the Black Effect podcast network, iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcast. Conversation with Unk Podcast is a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network, and our executive producer is Dolly Bishop and produced by Aaron A. King Howard.

[Lil Duvall]

Hey, comedy fans. The funniest comedians in the world are on tour, and you can get tickets to see them live near you. Laugh at the biggest names in comedy like Atsuko Okotuka, Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Carr, Kathy Griffin, Matt Matthews, Matt Rife, Sarah Silverman, Sebastian Maniscalco, Stavros Helkias, Wanda Sykes, and so many more. All kinds of shows, all kinds of venues, all kinds of funny. Head to livenation.comcomedy to get your tickets today. That's livenation.comcomedy how crispy are the new.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Deli Mex Crispy Quesadillas. Let's see. I'm gonna pop one in the microwave.

[LaRussell]

Yeah.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Deli Mex Crispy quesadillas are crispy. Even from a microwave. I can already smell it. Heads up. If you hate loud crunching, you might want to mute. So crispy. Like, barely hear myself think crispy. These should come with a warning. If this crispiness is making you hungry, get to your closest grocery store for deli crispy quesadillas in the frozen aisle. January 2nd on ABC. Get ready to move that bus. The beloved series Extreme Makeover Home Edition is making a triumphant return to kick.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Off the new year.

[Lil Duvall]

Join the makeover mavens Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer as they hit the road.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

On a mission to transform the lives.

[Lil Duvall]

Of deserving families they have just four.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Days to rally communities, demolish old homes and rebuild not just houses, but lives.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Extreme Makeover Home Edition premieres January 2nd at 87 Central on ABC and will be available to stream next day on Hulu.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway this holiday season. Unwrap sweet savings on all your favorite holiday Candy, now through December 31st. Shop in store and online and save on holiday candy like Ferrero Rocher, Russell Stover Gift Box, Brax Soft Jellies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Candy Cane kisses, M&M's and Hershey Milk Chocolate Kisses. Get these holiday favorites before they're gone. Offer ends December 31st. Restrictions apply. Promotions may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.