INTERVIEW: DaBaby Talks Gratitude, Processing Trauma, Advice To The Youth, New Album + More

Summary

The Breakfast Club – INTERVIEW: DaBaby Talks Gratitude, Processing Trauma, Advice To The Youth, New Album + More

Air Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: DaBaby
Podcast: The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode features rapper DaBaby in an in-depth conversation with The Breakfast Club crew about his new album Be More Grateful, his journey through personal and professional challenges over the past four years, the evolution of his music and mindset, and the importance of gratitude, healing, and legacy. DaBaby reflects candidly on trauma, growth, responsibility to the next generation, and finding new purpose after public controversy. The hosts explore his return to music, his experiences with therapy, and his renewed outlook on artistry and life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

DaBaby’s Season of Gratitude & New Mindset

(02:16–03:46)

• DaBaby expresses he’s in a “season of gratitude” and a great personal space.
• He credits life experience and personal growth for this perspective shift.

  “I'm blessed, man. I'm in a season of gratitude. I'm way more grateful.” — DaBaby (02:16)

Growth Trigger

• Growth wasn’t sparked by a single moment, but through “a moment that lasted about four years.”

  “It was a moment that lasted about four years, you feel me? So, you know, but it's beautiful to get on the other side…” — DaBaby (03:15)

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Creative Intentions on Be More Grateful

Lyricism and Artistic Direction
(03:46–05:41)

• DaBaby intentionally leaned into raw lyricism and deeper themes.
• Sought to show versatility, not just club bangers, but tracks with substance:

  “I wanted to reestablish my audience… it was real important that this checked all the boxes and really showed you what I could do, put this shit on display.” — DaBaby (04:17)

• Nearly made a “full blown, what they call a conscious album” but wanted to show all his layers:

  “I'm like an onion. It’s layers to me.” — DaBaby (05:17)

Growth in Music & Life
(05:41–06:42)

• DaBaby acknowledges evolution from only party/club records to more meaningful content.
• Says he’s now walking in his purpose, wanting to teach, not just entertain:

  “I'm not leaning in and, you know, walking in my purpose fully... I could teach you something. And I can make it sound good. I can make you feel good while I’m teaching.” — DaBaby (05:56)

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Advice, Accountability & Addressing the Youth

Trolling, Public Tests, and Accountability
(08:05–09:37)

• Discusses being tested by people (including trolls), how his growth influences his reactions.
• Reflects on calculated responses rather than impulsive ones — “know a threat when I see a threat.”

  “That’s a prime example of growth and just understanding… I’m way more calculated when it comes to how I respond.” — DaBaby (09:39)

Message to the Youth: “Letter to the YNS”
(10:57–12:41)

• “Letter to my Y N” is highlighted as a pivotal song, made two years ago, but only released now when the world was “ready to receive that type of music.”
• Focused on creating timeless messages for the next generation:

  “I wanted the whole project really to be some shit a motherfucker can put on 10 years later and really learn something.” — DaBaby (12:18)

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Family, Responsibility, and Purpose

On His Nephew & Legacy
(12:41–14:29)

• DaBaby describes his pride in including his nephew in a video, referencing scenes inspired by Belly.
• Sees himself as a role model and seeks to “speak to the real”, sharing wisdom not just for his family but for the world.
• Emphasizes that authentic, honest songs matter more to people than previous party records.

Responsibility as an Artist
(14:29–16:05)

• DaBaby accepts the responsibility to guide youth and new artists, sharing lessons from his own mistakes and successes.

  “My purpose is much bigger and much more important than what I thought it was… I got real wisdom, real experience, real life experience.” — DaBaby (15:00)

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Healing, Therapy, and Processing Trauma

Therapy & Documentary
(19:56–24:31)

• DaBaby reveals he undertook his first real therapy sessions (five, each 2-3 hours) and filmed them for an upcoming docuseries, Should’ve Told the Therapist.
• Candidly describes the impact:

  “By the third day, man, this had me on camera crying, man. I’m on that crying for like 20 minutes straight.” — DaBaby (21:47)

• Says this transparency is critical to his music and personal healing—“the meat and potatoes of it is mental health.”

Processing Loss and Continuing On
(24:31–26:02)

• Hosts remind listeners DaBaby was experiencing deep personal loss (father passed as he hit #1, then brother’s suicide during his second major hit) amid his career climb.

  “You still gotta just keep going… The hustle and just the schedule… allowed me to cope with that.” — DaBaby (24:56)

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The Road Back to Music, Endurance & Motivation

Hiatus, Motivation, and Return
(29:58–31:37)

• Four-year break (= "season of cancel culture"), fans' expectations, and how his drive was rekindled by his children:

  “I had to find my love for this shit again… My kids, my family—my kids, my nephew—all them… To them, I'm a walking superhero.” — DaBaby (30:41)

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Artistic Collaborations & Industry Relationships

On Kanye West and "Clear This Shit"
(31:37–33:48)

• DaBaby discusses the anticipated Kanye sample and how Ye “cleared that shit” after DaBaby manifested it (“I spoke this into existence”).
• Shares a wild studio moment:

  “He flashed the fuck out…He told everybody, everybody get the fuck out. Everybody. Everybody get out. Y’all texting while my mama album playing…only I stayed.” — DaBaby (32:48)

Relationship with 50 Cent
(45:30–48:03)

• 50 Cent is described as a big brother:

  “That’s the realest I done ever dealt with in this… we ain’t never did a single piece of paperwork… He spent his own money to help me do things… That’s a real nigga right there. Love that nigga to death.” — DaBaby (49:12)

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The Message & Target Audience for the Album

Who Is the Album For?
(34:11–35:30)

• Explicit: “Fuck the critics. It ain't for them. It's for everybody, but for me and the fans, more than anything.”
• Album’s intent is to have lasting impact, connecting deeply with his fans.

Hits vs. Peace of Mind
(35:30–36:15)

• DaBaby prefers peace of mind over chart hits:

  “Peace of mind now, and then the hit's gonna come. If I got peace of mind, the hit's coming.” — DaBaby (35:35)

Motivation — “Kobe in 2009” Mindset
(36:15–37:54)

• Sees himself in “finals MVP” mode:

  “I can’t miss this shot… I’m here to win, I’m here to do what I’m called to do…” — DaBaby (36:28)

Live Performance & Tour
(37:54–38:55)

• Excited to connect with audiences on the Be More Grateful tour, expand live artistry with a live band, deeper emotional setlist:

  “Bring boxes of tissue, it’s gonna be motherfuckers out there pouring their heart out.” — DaBaby (38:28)

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On Relationships, Reconciliation & Giving Back

On Stunna 4 Vegas
(38:55–41:48)

• Proud of Stunna 4 Vegas’ growth and independence—a model of mutual respect:

  “I want for my people, I want for a stranger what I want for myself.” — DaBaby (39:05)

Culinary Passion
(43:32–45:30)

• DaBaby expresses a lifelong love for cooking and looks forward to “chefing” on tour.
• Reveals cooking was his dream before music:

  “Only thing I ever wanted to be…a chef. It wasn’t never a rapper…” — DaBaby (44:46)

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Energy, Growth, and Legacy

Intentionality About Energy
(50:06–51:22)

• Now fiercely protective of his circle and the energy around him:

  “I gotta value my energy and protect it at all costs right now. That’s what I’m on.” — DaBaby (51:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m in a season of gratitude. I’m way more grateful.” — DaBaby (02:16)
• “It was a moment that lasted about four years… It’s beautiful to get on the other side.” — DaBaby (03:15)
• “I’m like an onion. It’s layers to me.” — DaBaby (05:17)
• “I wanted the project to be something you can put on, ten years later, and learn something from.” — DaBaby (12:18)
• “By the third day [in therapy], man, this had me on camera crying, man. I’m on that crying for like 20 minutes straight.” — DaBaby (21:47)
• On losing his father and brother: “I get the call my pop's no longer here…My brother commits suicide…that I probably needed to heal from.” — DaBaby (24:54)
• “My kids…to them, I’m a walking superhero.” — DaBaby (30:41)
• On Kanye: “He flashed the fuck out…He told everybody, everybody get the fuck out…only I stayed.” — DaBaby (32:48)
• On 50 Cent: "That’s the realest I done ever dealt with in this…we ain’t never did a single piece of paperwork…That’s a real nigga right there.” — DaBaby (49:12)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:16 — DaBaby on his new mindset and gratitude
• 03:46 — Reflection on lyricism and creative direction
• 05:41 — Growth and message in new music
• 10:57 — "Letter to the YNS" and advice to youth
• 12:41 — Family influence; putting his nephew in video
• 14:29 — On artistic responsibility
• 19:56 — Discussing therapy and the upcoming documentary
• 24:31 — Grieving his father and brother amid career highs
• 29:58 — Overcoming cancel culture and hiatus
• 31:37 — The Kanye West “Clear This Shit” story
• 34:11 — Audience for the new album; lasting impact
• 35:30 — Peace of mind over chart success
• 36:15 — "Kobe in 2009" motivation
• 37:54 — Excitement for live performance and tour
• 38:55 — Stunna 4 Vegas and supporting others' growth
• 45:30 — Relationship with 50 Cent
• 50:06 — Protecting energy and legacy
• 51:22 — Recommending "Marinate" off the album

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Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation maintains a genuine, soulful, and uplifting tone. DaBaby is honest and unfiltered—mixing humor, humility, and pride. The hosts encourage depth, and DaBaby responds with stories, laughs, and real talk about hardship, healing, and his renewed sense of purpose.

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Conclusion

DaBaby’s interview on The Breakfast Club offers a revealing narrative of personal evolution, accountability, and creative rebirth. By addressing past challenges head-on and openly sharing his healing journey, he reestablishes himself as both a respected lyricist and a figure intent on making a positive, lasting impact—for his family, the culture, and his fans.

Transcript

[Podcast Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.

[Sports Announcer]

Tonight, kick off the Winter Olympics in style with the opening ceremony from Italy, featuring a special performance by Mariah Carey. Celebrate the greatest athletes from around the globe as they come together to go for gold.

[DJ Envy]

Lipsy for sensational.

[Sports Announcer]

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

[DaBaby]

Ilya Malin redefining this Sport tonight at.

[Sports Announcer]

8 Eastern, 7 Central Central on NBC. And Peacock.

[DJ Envy]

That's right, it's DJMG.

[DaBaby]

It's your girl.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Jeff Valeria and I go by the name of Charlamagne Tha God. And we are the world's most dangerous morning show, the Breakfast Club. You just finished listening to, you know, our podcast for today.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And we want you to go watch the visuals on Netflix. You know, we. We're still on YouTube, but it's the clips on YouTube. But if you want to watch the Breakfast Club in full, if you want to see what you just listened to, go to Netflix.

[Angela Yee]

That's right, find us on Netflix.

[DaBaby]

Show.

[Podcast Narrator]

When segregation was a law, one mysterious black club owner Charlie Fitzgerald had his own rules.

[DaBaby]

Segregation in the day, integration at night. It was like stepping on another world.

[Podcast Narrator]

Was he a businessman? A criminal? A hero?

[DaBaby]

Charlie was an example of power. They had to crush him.

[Podcast Narrator]

Charlie's place from Atlas Obscura and visit Myrtle Beach. Listen to Charlie's place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DaBaby]

And the winner of the iHeart Podcast Award is.

[DJ Envy]

You can decide who takes home the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards podcast of the year by@iheartpodcast awards.com now through February 22nd. See all the nominees and place your vote@iheartpodcast awards.com Audible is a proud sponsor.

[Sports Announcer]

Of the Audible Audio Pioneer Award. Explore the best selection of audiobooks, podcasts and originals all in one easy app. Audible.

[DaBaby]

There's more to imagine when you listen. Sign up for a free [e-mail] hold up. Every day I wake up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club finish or y' all done it.

[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Jess. Hilarious Charlemagne, the guy. We are the Breakfast Club. Lon Larose is here as well. We got a special guest in the building. This album is out right now. Be more grateful. Ladies and gentlemen.

[DaBaby]

The baby, baby. The baby. What's up? It's a pleasure. I'm blessed, man. I'm in a season of gratitude. I'm way more grateful.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I just want you to know I like what I just saw, by the way.

[DaBaby]

Come on, man. Come on, man up. Don't let do that. I'mma wait till we like, 17 minutes in to get started. I ain't going to get started. Well, how are you feeling? How's everything, man? I'm blessed, bro. I'm. I'm blessed. You know what I'm saying? And I feel like, you know, the way I'm feeling is. Is showing. It's reflected in the project I just dropped, you know what I'm saying? I'm in a season of gratitude. I'm. I'm in a. I'm in a great place, bro. You know what I'm saying? If we. If we go back and just, you know, we. We revisit the conversations the last few times we done met, like, you would see it, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm just. I'm in a great space, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Was there a particular moment that made you realize you wasn't being grateful enough or you just.

[DaBaby]

Oh, shit, it was a. It was a moment that lasted about four years, you feel me? So, you know, but it's beautiful to get on the other side of that shit, man. It's beautiful. You know what I'm saying? So that's why I'm at with it right now. It wasn't no particular moment. Like, it wasn't no pivotal. It was several. Several, you know what I'm saying? Moments that I could identify as that. But, you know, it take time. It's all a part of just, you know, life itself, you know what I'm saying? And growth. You know, you gotta stand across the street from yourself sometimes and look at what's going on. Stand across the street, See how big your house really is. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

The mind frame for this album, right? Listening to the album. The one thing I always say about Dababy is I don't think people respect you as a lyricist as they should, right?

[DaBaby]

Yeah, they got me fucked up.

[DJ Envy]

Listening to the album. Jesus Christ. Now, listening to the album, man.

[DaBaby]

You.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You.

[DJ Envy]

I mean, I. I love to hear you spitting.

[DaBaby]

I love the.

[DJ Envy]

I love the songs as a dj because I love to play the records.

[DaBaby]

In the club, but I love when you. When you rapping. Rapping.

[DJ Envy]

That reminds me back in the day when we used to go to Charlotte and see you out there passing out CDs. Your mommy's back to that da baby. Was that intentional?

[DaBaby]

That raw? It was super intentional. You know what I'm saying? I ain't. I ain't shy. Shy away from it. I won't even say shy away from it. Cause I ain't never Been, you know, I ain't never been shy about getting in front of a microphone and just rapping. Like, I actually love doing that. But I ain't dumb it down or try to, you know, let me make a hit or satisfy you get what I'm saying? A particular audience. Like, it was real important to me with this project to like, make sure that I. I wanted to reestablish, you know what I'm saying, my audience, you get what I'm saying? And like, you know, it was real important that this shit checked all the boxes and really showed you, you know what I'm saying? Like, what I could do and really put this shit on display. Because before, you know, how I make a club record, I make a banger. I know how to do that. I know how to market them. I know how to blow it up. I know how to do all that. But that's something everybody can do, you get what I'm saying? When it comes to just that raw talent, that raw lyricism, like getting in front of a microphone, just rapping, not all them extra instruments in the beat. Open that bitch up and let me. Just give me a blank canvas and let me paint. Like, I definitely, like, I know, I understand, Like, I'm one of the best in this shit right now at doing this shit. So I ain't shy away from it. I made sure I got like eight, nine records on there. I almost made a full blown, what they call them, conscious album, you get what I'm saying? But I'm like, nah, like, nah. Still, you know, it's layers to me, you know what I'm saying? I'm like an onion. It's layers to me. So I'm like, I gotta make sure, you know, I. I showcase each and every last one of them, like at the highest level. And that's how I come up with 23 songs and stones.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

In the intro, you said you're not rapping about that childish no more. I'm growing.

[DaBaby]

I've been growing up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What does that growth look like, though? Because I. I always felt like you had a good balance of both.

[DaBaby]

Yeah, like, I don't, you know, only the, Only the turn up shit. Only the, you know, like, like I said in the. It may be that song too now. It's a different song. But like, you know, just making club records, party records. I know how to make them shake some ass. I know how to get the party started, all that. So I wouldn't even necessarily call it childish, you know what I'm saying? But you know Just the fact that I understand that I can do so much more and I'm not leaning in and, you know, walking in my purpose fully. You get what I'm saying? Like, I ain't really showcasing all my gifts, you feel me? I'm just giving energy. When I could really put something on your mind. I could teach you something. You get what I'm saying? And I can make it sound good. I can make you feel good while I'm teaching you something. Like, I can, you know, I can get in there and dance with the best of them. So, yeah, that was childish to me to not, you know, really lean all the way into that shit half a decade ago, because I could have been doing that off the rip, you know what I mean?

[Angela Yee]

And you got a few of them. You got a few. Balance that ass.

[DaBaby]

I'm not for sure.

[Angela Yee]

Then you got records like Mic Check. Yeah, those, like, where you went off on that. Were you more excited to do those kind of records?

[DaBaby]

I was, because the other ones, I mean, I didn't been there, done it. Everybody know I can, you know, I can make them shake some ass. Everybody know I can turn the party up. But them other ones, I was definitely. I was super excited to really do them. And, you know, and really, I want to leave speechless after they hear that shit, you know what I'm saying? I want to. I want to come to New York and the New York niggas, like, boy, like, you get what I'm saying? Like, I want. I want that. You know what I'm saying? I want. Because I'm getting that type of. You know, they like, the. The. Is really the real lyricist, Hip hop. Yeah, I ain't tripping on that. But, you know, they give me my flowers. They give me my flowers. You get what I'm saying? But, like, it's up to me. Like, I'm. My way of doing is more, like, disruptive. Like, I kick doors down. Like, I blitz. You get what I'm saying? So the same way I did that with the. With the energy and the other type of music, like, I never, you know, I never gave myself, like, a run where I like, just boom. Like, just really, like, just whoop they ass with that lyricism and shit, and that's what I'm on, you know what I mean?

[Angela Yee]

Like you said, you want. When you come to New York, you want the New York niggas to be like.

[DaBaby]

But New York fuck with me, though. So it's everywhere, though. Envy.

[Angela Yee]

Listen to this. And he was happy about those. Those more conscious records on there. 100%, you know, so.

[DJ Envy]

100%, you know, with the evolution, I always feel like when people evolve and try to do what's right, I feel like they get tested more.

[DaBaby]

Do you feel that?

[DJ Envy]

Like, with you, that. That. That happens?

[DaBaby]

Nah. I mean, I not just lyricist.

[DJ Envy]

I'm just me. Just.

[DaBaby]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nah, I get shit. I got all my tests early and passed them. I graduated early. When it come to that type shit, I don't. You know. Yeah. Niggas leave me alone. That's why niggas leave me alone.

[DJ Envy]

Thank you.

[DaBaby]

Thank you, too, bro. Please just keep doing it. And I'm watching the video, like, the most recent. Somebody call you out, And I'm like.

[DJ Envy]

And I'm. And I'm saying, I'm screaming to the My phone. I'm like, please don't do it.

[DaBaby]

Thank God.

[DJ Envy]

But I was like, I wonder if that happens more often. Like, people test him.

[DaBaby]

Cause he's a nicer. Ain't like, that was like the first time. And that's why it kind of threw me off. And, you know, if you watch the video and I wasn't on no serious type time, Like, I wasn't. It's really the security guards that worked for the Spectrum center, it was leaving the Hornets game. Yeah, Hornets game or whatever. But he, like, got his hands on my. Like, he holding me back so it make it look like I'm. You know what I'm saying? But I wasn't tripping. I just wanted to look the nigga in the eyes who said, I'm like, let me take. That's why I don't like wearing shades too. I just started wearing shades. I only like the Prada ones. Probably I need to send me some for that. I only like the Prada ones. You know what I'm saying? But I had to just take them off. Like, who the fuck said. Cause you right here at the end of the day. So I just wanted to look at him and just. You know what I'm saying? But by the time I took the shades off and turned around and told him, like, bro, watch out. I'm not. I'm not the security guard, you know, and looked up at him, he. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[Angela Yee]

I'm like, man, just wanted your attention.

[DaBaby]

Yeah, that's that young. That troll that these. These little be doing. But see, a lot of them, they ain't even. Like, he don't even know, like, because he even po. Like, he posted it, but, like, he don't know. Like. Like, you know, like, when that type of would have got you a different reaction for me. Like, he was probably in, like, middle school somewhere or some, so he probably don't know. He may know the way he apologized real quick, but it's like he don't know. Like, okay, he posted it. I didn't already. Boom. Clicked on his Tick tock. You in Charlotte. I know what school. I know exactly where you at. If I want to come do something to you, make somebody do something to you, it's like, bro, it's nothing to it. You get what I'm saying? But, you know, that's like, little troll shit. You know what I mean? Like, I wouldn't even post. The little nigga don't even know to take the part of the video out where he got scared and apologized. I'm like, this little nigga green as hell. He just happy that I even gave him a moment. You feel me? And it's like, you know, like, that's a prime example of, like, you know, with growth and shit and just understanding, like, what's going on. Like, I'm way more, you know, calculated when it comes to, like, how I respond to, like. Like, that I won't eat. You got to be close enough to me for me to even. You know what I'm saying? Like, I wouldn't get that. No, I wouldn't get that. Even if he wasn't. If he would have been, you know, the way we can cross paths, like, I wouldn't. I know a threat when I see a threat. You get what I'm saying? And I know. I know how to.

[DJ Envy]

That's part of the letter to the Y INS I see.

[DaBaby]

There you go, you know, break that.

[DJ Envy]

Down, because you got a record called Letter to the.

[DaBaby]

Yeah, for sure. And I had that record, like. And that's a prime example, right when I say, you know, ain't rapping about that childish shit no more. I redid that record, like, two years ago. So you look at the bullshit I done put out in between the time that I made that record. Like, that makes no sense. You know what I'm saying? And when I drop it, the world like, oh, my God, like, this is it. And I'm sitting here, but me and my circle, like the people who done heard it, that surround me, we been like, that's it. That's it. My older cousin, you know what I'm saying? They used to sell dope. He. That's it, cuz. That's it. You know what I'm saying? So we already knew what it was. But me, like, more importantly, like, I felt like the world had to get with me. They had to get the listeners. They had to get in the space to where they was able to receive that type of music from me, you know what I'm saying? And that's up to me to put them there. So it take time for me to take a step back, not put out certain type of shit, relax, understand the climate of the game or whatever. Lead by example with the way I move and shit, period. I ain't trying to go from telling you goddamn shake something to goddamn letter to my Y N immediately. Like, you know? Cause I got so, so goddamn on the hook with this, you know? So it was just. It's all. It's all a learning experience with me. You know what I'm saying? I'm just. I'm moving and grooving through it. But this album here, I made sure I checked all them boxes, you know what I'm saying? Letter to my Y N. Beautiful song. I wanted the whole project really to be some shit a motherfucker can put on 10 years later and really, like, you know, learn something. Some shit you can put on, you know, a decade or two from now. And really, you know, whoever that is in that time period, they can still gain some understanding and some knowledge from this. Like. Like them classics, like the type of I ride to, you know what I'm saying, on a daily basis. Like, I wanted to make a classic. You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You think your nephew. Do you think about your nephew when you.

[DaBaby]

100, 100. So having him in the video, for having him star in that video, you know, that was beautiful. You know, I mean, to see. Even to see him, you know, digesting it. He been. Had the song, you know, he know, oh, my. That's my. That's my little right there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's your little twin right there.

[DaBaby]

Come on. What? Love that boy to death. But like, even, like, wow, doing a music video and there's parts where I'm sitting, you know, I. I played on the concept of a belly when Nas went and sat on the bench with the. With the young nigga projects or whatever. Like, that's the concept I wanted to approach, like, with the music video or whatever. But even when I'm sitting there and I'm, like, giving game to him in the music video, of course we act. We shooting a music video. He understand this too. Like, he know that, but he's really. I'm looking him in his eyes, rapping, and he really, like, digesting What I'm saying even further, like, while I'm rapping. And it's blowing the director's mind. All of them, they like, damn, bro. He really like. He really like a little grown man, bro. What the. Like, they talking to him like, yeah, we just, you know, we gonna. We getting ready to. We getting ready to reset the lights. And then they talking to him. He's sitting there on the bench. I'm standing up. He already sitting in place. He's sitting on the bench just like this. This little 8 years old G, a whole G. He's sitting there on the bench like this. The director talking to him. Yeah, we getting ready to do this. We're gonna reset the label. This is how you wrap it again and do this. And my nephew just.

[Angela Yee]

Like him.

[DaBaby]

I said, bruh, he good, bruh. Like, he. I said, he good, bruh. He got it. He looking like, come on, bro, play the music. Like, it's all like, nigga, this my real life. Like, that's how he look and that's what it is. So, you know, I'm really speaking to, you know, people like the cloth that I'm really cut from real, real family members. Like, and not only that, it speak to the world. It speak to people all around the world, like, they need that way more than they need, you know, a lot of the other shit that I put out. So, yeah, putting songs out like that, man, that shit, you know, it feel good. You know what I mean? Feel real good.

[Ryder Strong]

In this season of, you know, you being more grateful and all the things that you're talking about, do you feel like you. Because when I listen to the project, I feel like there's a sense of responsibility that you have that you realize 100%. What is that responsibility? Like, what did you. What was the moment? What did you realize about that?

[DaBaby]

I mean, I don't even know, like, where I realized that, you know, in the time where, okay, I sat back and it's really like, God, like, Like, he. Like, hell no. Like, what you supposed to do? Way bigger than all this. I feel like all this shit is, you know, it went exactly how it was supposed to go. So until I was ready to he, like, I wasn't, you know, asserting myself like, the way I could. You get what I'm saying? Like, I was holding back. So, you know, I feel like until I did realize that and understand, like, you know, my purpose is much bigger and much more important than what the fuck I thought it was. It ain't just to be, you know, the hottest nigga in the world do this and do that. Like, I got a real story, I got real wisdom, real experience, real life experience. Like I done been through real shit, you know what I'm saying? More than a lot of these niggas, any of these other rap niggas. Like, like I really. A lot of it, I done, I done went through it right here in front of the world. So it's like if, if I don't feel like it's my responsibility to, you know, to get the people that's going to come up behind me and the kids and whoever. If I don't feel like it's my responsibility to, to teach them how to navigate through that shit, avoid certain shit that I done went through, you know what I'm saying? Not make the mistakes I done made, then who the fuck else is better to do it? Especially when they didn't really see me go through it, you get what I'm saying? And I feel like, you know, the artists that do understand that or the people that do understand that shit, you know, with they art form like them, the ones that God bless the most, you get what I'm saying?

[Ryder Strong]

What about me? That's kind of like an open letter to God.

[DaBaby]

What about me? Yes, yes. That was one of my favorite ones, you know what I'm saying? It's just a, it's a, it's a. It's so much depth to it. Yeah, I like, I like your, I like your, your perspective on it. Like an open letter to God. It's really. And it ain't even the God, it's just more so just me just being. Just transparent, you know what I'm saying? Really? I tried to make sure I was transparent throughout the entire project, but I made sure I put that song early in the track list, you get what I'm saying? So it wouldn't. Making the track list was so motherfucking difficult, man. Cause there's so much shit to it. But I wanted to make sure, okay, off the rip. I come with sticks and stones, then I gotta come, I gotta give em some energy. I gotta make sure they have a good time. And the production on Pop, that thing like made that easy to do. Cause it's still like. I think the genre is like, what's that house music or something? What would you call that shit? Jersey clay music mixed with like. Yeah, it's different.

[Ryder Strong]

There were a lot of songs that gave me Uncle Luke a little bit.

[DaBaby]

You know what I'm saying?

[Angela Yee]

You can see it's house music and that's what it gives off for sure.

[DaBaby]

But I wanted to go straight into something. Like, why I still had that mellow, but still some shit that make you move coming out. Pop that thing. I'm like, all right, let me goddamn speak to him, though. Let me. At the beginning, like. Like, you know, with the first from the first three songs, I wanted to make sure, like, you understand, like, who I am. You know what I'm saying? Strip me. I ain't talking about no. I ain't talking about nothing material. I ain't talking about none of that shit. You get what I'm saying? And that's what I wanted to do with what about me? Just pretty much, you know, let motherfuckers in on, like, how I'm really feeling, you know what I'm saying, on the inside, you know what I mean? So songs like that, I feel like, is just super important. That's just a display of transparency.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you feel like the culture allows black men room for redemption or they just demand apologies?

[DaBaby]

Shit, man. Just like. Just like everything else back in the day, we got to go get that shit, you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, the culture going to allow what you. What you get up out of it. At the end of the day, you know, they ain't allow us to do none of this shit. We had to go do this shit. Everybody in here, you know what I'm saying? It ain't just. It was never just no, huh, you know, and it's. And everybody hadn't been battle tested within whatever lane that they in. You get what I'm saying? Like, that's what's going to come with it. So, you know, I'm really not only, like, in a season of gratitude, but, like, well, I guess it took me to be in a season of accountability prior to that. That's kind of like more so where I was last time I came to see y', all, you know what I'm saying? I feel like that come first, you know, just identifying, you know, what mistakes you made and how you could have did it better. And then, you know, you gotta make the adjustments, move accordingly. And when you get on the other side of it, okay, then you. You know, you get to. You get to be, like, where I'm at with it right now in this headspace. So, you know, I don't really feel entitled for nobody to take it easy on me. The culture, the business, none of that shit, you know? And when you do, you know, just to put motherfuckers up on game, like, when you do you know, fall into like that sense of entitlement or feeling like a motherfucker owe you something. You ain't doing nothing but distracting yourself from what it is you're supposed to do out here.

[Angela Yee]

Coming off of your four year hiatus. Would you say making this album was more therapeutic?

[DaBaby]

A thousand percent in any way? A thousand percent. Especially when I, you know, when I do it the way I did it. Like I can say making music is therapeutic, period. You know, certain music make you feel good, but once that song go off, okay, it's back to reality. It shit don't hit it, you know, they can talk to anybody that's going through whatever. It don't matter what it's, you know, everybody feeling different at every single moment of the day. It's a song on this, on this damn track list for everybody in this world, you get what I'm saying? Motherfuckers that don't got nothing. Motherfuckers that got everything. Motherfuckers that, you know, they, they got everything and they, and they happy and they feel good. Got everything and ain't at peace with themselves. There's something on there for everybody. So it wasn't. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't only therapeutic for me, but therapeutic for the listeners, you know what I'm saying? Like some that really, really, you know, tap into them emotions and your face, something to make you feel some type of way. Like that's what I'm on the other.

[Ryder Strong]

You mentioned therapy. I think there was no. What about me? Are you, you actively doing therapy or is that.

[DaBaby]

So I did it. I'm. I'm finishing up my documentary. It should end up coming out this year. That's gonna be like Must see TV too. It's gonna be like a docu series. There's gonna be multiple like parts of it and. But I. When the way that I approached it, like I sat down and did. And did therapy. I started my. This is. I hadn't did therapy at all last time I saw you. I had. I never in my life, you know what I'm saying? And I've. I filmed it. I filmed it. So I got, I filmed it for a week straight. I did therapy. I did five therapy sessions, I believe all of them like two to three hours long, you know what I'm saying? But I didn't meet the therapist or nothing. Like, I found the good one, I got recommendations, I found the good one or whatever. I had the camera crew go in, set the lighting up. I had my peoples talk to him. After that, I didn't even know who the nigga was when I walked in the room to come do it. Cause I wanted to be organic. Like, I'm not doing this to. I had already handled all the, you know, like, sign off on me being able to use your voice and document all that type shit. Cause I don't. I wanted the. That part out the way, you know what I'm saying? The business part, legal part, whatever you call it, you know, because they're really not even allowed to do that. Yeah. You see what I'm saying? Like, by law, they not allowed to do that unless. You know what I'm saying, Like, give him permission to do it over there. So he was big on it. Like, nah, you gotta. Hell nah. Like, you gotta say that you okay with this happening. Because it's, you know, it's against, like, you know the rules and that come with his profession. But when I walked in, I didn't even know who he was. So I'm getting ready to go talk to a camera nigga. Like, I had to tell him, but, like, which one? Therapist. Which one? He told me which one was the therapist. And then I go over, I greet him, we sat down, got straight to it. Charlamagne. I know you real big in the mental health space by the third day. And he ain't talk about no music to, like, the last day, you know what I'm saying? By the third day, man, this had me on camera crying, man. I'm on that crying for like 20 minutes straight. Yeah. Ain't never, you know. Cause I'm. Even when it come to, like, you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Know, what was the breakthrough?

[DaBaby]

Oh, man, it really. It piled up on me. I ain't gonna lie, like. Cause he, like, he know. He know what he doing. I recommend it to anybody, you know what I'm saying? Like, I can't even. Like, he. Bro, he rocked me to sleep and he figured me out, bro. I can't lie. Like, I don't. Cause you know me, like, from interrogations and all this. I done been questioned by homicide detectives, everything. Like, I didn't, you know, like, like, and. And didn't even lawyer up, you know what I'm saying? In certain situations, the way I answer one thing wrong, like, I wouldn't have never been able to sit right here ever. You know what I'm saying? Like, so I. When it come to, like, okay, somebody being intentional with. With talking to me and, like, trying to get something out of me, like, I kind of. I feel like I'm. I'm Better or I'm more equipped to navigate through this type of, you know what I'm saying, than. Than most people, you know what I'm saying? Like, I ain't just going to sit there. I kind of know, okay, this. Why this asking me this or whatever. Unless I got, you know, respect for motherfucker. Like when I sit down with y', all, I don't sit down like that. Like I ain't thinking, okay, what this. What's her angle? What's his angle? What's his angle? When you talking to me, I just talk, you know what I'm saying? I got respect for y'. All. I feel like y' all got respect for me in my mind, you know what I'm saying? So it's different. But with certain, like everybody else though, it's like I'm kind of, you know, I'm gonna control the conversation like, you know what I'm saying more than anything. And nah, he the he talking about. He's asking me. I've never been asked before. You get what I'm saying? So I'm. When that. When A had me that third day when A. And. And then I'm crying and still talking, I'm like, what the going on? I'm like, what type of is this? And he's still. While I'm crying, just still sitting there. It's okay. Instead of asking me, I'm like, what the. It's in there, you know, like my partner is working on a documentary with me. Like he. He a part of my in house production team or whatever. When I got done and got up, he and. And walked back around. Like the curtains that we had in there where we had all the production set up at and the monitors, all that and the just recording the audio, listening to the audio, all that. Them couldn't even look at me like that because they hearing my story. Like they didn't heard, you know, days and day, like without him, they're hearing they've never even knew about me. And these didn't know me for 10 years, 15 years by now. I come around the corner, he like, bro, just go ahead and go home, bro. I'm gonna wrap everything up. Just. I'm like, was you crying too? Nah, for real. Like, so that's. That's gonna be. And that adding that component to it, right? Adding like the making like, because it really didn't turned into a mental health piece. You get what I'm saying? But it also got all that other violence, you know what I'm saying? Controversy, all the Shit that make, that make must see tv, you get what I'm saying? The messy this and that. They got the money, they got the glitter, the gold, they got the struggle, got the success. But it's all the skeleton of it. The meat and potatoes of it is mental health, you know what I'm saying?

[DJ Envy]

It's a healing piece to it.

[DaBaby]

Absolutely. The title of it is should have told the therapist.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I am glad. I'm glad you had like some time just to be still the last four years though, because I think you always had a lot of, you know, trauma that you never got the process 100, you know, stuff before you even got in the game.

[DaBaby]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I think people always forget that. That moment when you get, you got the number one record in the country. You get a call that your pop's no longer here.

[DaBaby]

Exactly, man. Exactly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You still gotta just keep.

[DaBaby]

Gotta keep going. And that's what I did. And the song I got out is the I'm got going on. It's fun, it's packing. The mail is gone. So I got the whole world turned. Yeah. Okay, cool. I, I that the hustle and just the, the schedule being so busy and the type of year I had, 2019, that allowed me to cope with that. I get to carry the name, you know what I'm saying? For my pops. I named my second album Kurt, you know what I'm saying? In honor of them or whatever that go number one. I'm doing all the, I'm checking all the boxes. BET Award. I grew up on that. That was my Grammy, you get what I'm saying? Best new artist. All this. I'm breaking all these records doing all this, right? Then I go with Rockstar in the Heat of COVID Number one record, Billboard Hot 100. Number one for like eight weeks straight. But I can't move around and keep myself busy or whatever. But this is. Okay, another, this is highest as you can go as an artist, you get what I'm saying? I got the top streaming song in the world. My brother commits suicide, you know what I'm saying? So it was never, you know, coming in. It was already shit that, you know, that I probably needed to heal from or whatever. Yeah. And then, you know, lost my pops, then my brother.

[Sports Announcer]

Tonight, kick off the Winter Olympics in style with the opening ceremony from Italy, featuring a special performance by Mariah Carey. Celebrate the greatest athletes from around the globe as they come together to go for gold.

[DaBaby]

Lipsey Vaughn.

[DJ Envy]

Sensational.

[Sports Announcer]

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

[DaBaby]

Ilya Malin Redefining this Sport tonight at.

[Sports Announcer]

8 Eastern, 7 Central on NBC and.

[DJ Envy]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every January, we set intentions and make resolutions. But by February, a lot of those goals start falling off. Not because we don't want it, but because we think taking that next step is going to be so hard. Especially when it comes to starting a new business. That's why I rock with Shopify. If you're finally ready to invest in yourself and start that business, Shopify makes things simple. And if you already have a business, trust me, Shopify can handle anything you throw its way. That's one of the reasons Black Effect moved our stores there. Whether you're selling a few products or a full catalog, Shopify grows with you. One login gets you everything. No password chaos. Thousands of site templates mean you don't need to be a designer and your site still looks uniquely yours. The reason I love Shopify is because it's easy to access. Whenever you are getting somebody to support your business, you need to make it as easy for them to support your business as possible. And Shopify does that. They even have Shopify Sidekick AI that actually helps with marketing, planning and all the back end business stuff. It even help you sell on social media and even directly through ChatGPT. Starting a business is hard, but it's worth it. Trust me, I know don't be one of those people who let their dreams die early. Let Shopify help you and thank yourself later for not giving up. It's time for you to invest in your own business, not someone else's. For a change, head on over to shopify.combreakfast club and see what it feels like to be the one in control of your future.

[DJ Envy]

Segregation in the day, integration at night.

[Podcast Narrator]

When segregation was the law, one mysterious black club owner had his own rules.

[DaBaby]

We didn't worry about what went on outside. It was like stepping in another world.

[Podcast Narrator]

Inside Charlie's Place, black and white people danced together. But not everyone was happy about it.

[DaBaby]

You saw the kkk. Yeah, they was dressed up in their uniform. The KKK set out to raid Charlie, take him away from here. Charlie was an example. Power they had to crush him.

[Podcast Narrator]

From Atlas Obscura, Rococo Punch and visit Myrtle beach comes Charlie's Place, a story that was nearly lost to time until now. Listen to Charlie's place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DaBaby]

You get what I'm saying? And then, okay, soon as the world opened back up from that, you got the whole cancel culture shit. It ain't never been a season for me, you know, it took. Yeah, it took that whole four years. I ain't even realize it was four years since I dropped the album until I really put it out and seen the date on this one. And the date I say, damn, four years. Like, that's crazy.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah. Your fans knew?

[DaBaby]

Yeah, not for sure they knew. They like, what you doing? You know what I'm saying? Shout out to them for not letting me settle with, like, how I approached it. They ain't never let me come play the small game, but I. I had to find my love for this shit again and, you know, and figure it out. Like, when I do something, I like to do it. I like to put my heart into it. And I just wasn't in a space, you know, My heart wasn't full enough to empty it out into. You know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What got you back, though? Cause on paper, though, you said you didn't even want to make music no more.

[DaBaby]

Yeah. Yeah. And then I said, I be damn. I let them make me soft. Be damn. I let them make me quit them devils. Still can't stand the way I stand in here and make these hits. Really. I mean, more than anything, my kids. You know what I'm saying? Cause, you know, while I'm. While I'm looking at myself knowing I can be so much better. They still looking at me like I'm the best thing in the world, you know what I'm saying? So I credit it all to my kids, man, My family, my youngest, my nephew, all them. To them, I'm a walking superhero, you know what I'm saying, in real life form. And I look at them the same way. They amazing, you know what I'm saying? Every last one of them, they amazing in their own way. And I ain't just saying it because they. My kids. People who they. Not their kids like other people. Like, see, like, the way my kids is set up and they like, damn, like, they mind blowing, you know what I'm saying?

[Angela Yee]

They love you too.

[DaBaby]

No, for sure, I love them too. Like, that's my whole world right there. My kids is. They don't play by me, and they don't mind letting you know, goddamn not play by me.

[DJ Envy]

Now clear this shit. Was that. Was that your text to Kanye?

[DaBaby]

Yeah, for sure. You know what I'm saying? You see, I named the song Clear this Shit. What we naming it? When I did it, though, my engineer, I said, clear this shit. That's what we naming it. You get what I'm saying? And I kind of put, you know, I kind of challenged them to clear. I asked him to clear it in the song, you know what I'm saying? But ain't gonna have no choice when Kanye clear this. Like, I. I manifested it. I spoke this into existence, you know what I'm saying? He cleared that. I didn't. He cleared that I wasn't even. When I do symbols, I try not to even, like, fall in love. I don't like to get married to the idea of even having it on a project, because I know how that going. I hate falling in love with a song. And the around can't get cleared because I know that's one of them. I know that's a classic, like, you know what I'm saying? I know that's Kanye, like, era. For real, for real, like, you know what I'm saying? I was listening to that shit. I don't know. I was probably, what, high school or something, you know what I'm saying? Matter of fact, I said it yet. When this shit dropped, I was in ninth grade. I was probably in, like, ninth grade when that shit dropped, so. Nah, shouts out to him. He cleared that shit.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Y' all had a good relationship, though.

[DaBaby]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I fucked with Brett, one of the most, you know, artistically like that, man. A whole nother animal Brad, man, a genius, you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And some of the wildest you ever seen while being with Kanye in the studio.

[DaBaby]

You know, I seen some wild. Somebody was texting, why that music was playing, man. Damn. Oh, he was. Now I got caught again. That flashed the out. He did, bro. He flashed the out. He told everybody, everybody get the out. Everybody. Everybody get out. Y' all texting while my. While my mama album playing flashed on everybody. It was about 50 in there, including me. Everybody got their ass up and got out too, except for me. I sit right there just like this whole time while he got everybody. I'm just looking dead at him. Like he looked over at me. He looked the way he kept cussing everybody else up and walked in the other room, shout out to Kanye.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did he really make everybody wear robes?

[DJ Envy]

He act like he don't know.

[DaBaby]

Like he didn't even. I don't know what the hell he made do. I ain't. I ain't with no robe.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, not you.

[Angela Yee]

Of course not.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

While in the studio, while he was listening.

[DaBaby]

Oh, no. Ain't nobody had no robe on in the studio. Not when I was there. Nah. Ain't nobody have on the road. Not when I was there. I don't robe.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't. I just heard a rope.

[DaBaby]

Yeah. Nah, nah, not while I was there. He ain't make wear robes, man. But that, man, you know, he on a whole nother level when it come to, you know, creativity and just. It's admirable, you know what I'm saying? Like, he got so many different things in one room and, you know, he feed off of him, but like, just like everything else, that shit come with a lot. So, you know, hopefully he, you know, get back to where he need to be, you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So who's this album for, right? Is it for the fans, the critics.

[DaBaby]

Or you fuck the critics. It ain't for them. It's for everybody. I ain't gonna lie. Like, it's, you know, it's for everybody, but for me and the fans, more than anything, like, you know what I'm saying, For the fans more than anything. I gave the album to myself prior to releasing this, you know what I'm saying? So it's for the audience. Like, I'm real big right now all the way around the board. Like, not even just with the music. Like, even with what I do. Like, press wise, everything. Like, I've been like, nah, ain't doing that, ain't doing that. Like, I'm doing I only want to do shit that's really connecting, like, to the audience. Like, I'm back on that, like, the importance of really connecting to the audience. Because at the end of the day, like, that's what. That's what got them. Get the. You know what I'm saying? Get the ball moving. Like, that's what it's about. At the end of the day, Anything can go any type of way as long as you connected with your audience. So I'm real big on making sure I don't. I don't get in the space to where, you know, I leave room between me and the. That really matter, the who my music really impact who it's for, who lives are changed, you know what I'm saying? So it's. It's a thousand percent, you know what I'm saying, for the audience. And it feel great to myself, by the way. So I take that, too. And the critics. Yeah, y' all got it too, you know what I'm saying? It's not gonna stop, though. I'm on what I was on when I came in. I'm really ready to bomb again.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But, yeah, you care about having hits or having peace of mind?

[DaBaby]

Peace of mind now and then the hit's gonna come. If I got peace of mind, the hit's coming. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? Just like a record, like pop that thing, like, that's like the last one I recorded on the album. I really already had the album done and shit, but it needed one of them. Like, it needed that, you know what I'm saying? Like, I was looking for one of them, but I wasn't trying to force it, you know? And, like, even on that record, like, I ain't. Like, I could have approached it several different ways, you know what I'm saying? And I found myself just on some shit, like, just letting that shit flow. She got the world in her hands I'm just vibing, you know what I'm saying? I ain't. I ain't doing nothing. Nothing too crazy, nothing too major. And that's how the hits come. You get what I'm saying? Just organic. When you just. You know, when you allow it to happen and shit, you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When you have an outro like Kobe in 09.

[DaBaby]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, that was Kobe's year where he had to prove all the doubters.

[DaBaby]

Come on now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He won his first chip without Shaq. Finals MVP. Is that the mindset you in?

[DaBaby]

100%. And that was originally the intro, you know, What I'm saying? But I was like, I would play that and then play other songs at the. That was the intro until I made sticks and stones. And the second I made it, I'm like, nah, that's the intro. Cause I played Kobe in 2009. That shit deep, you know what I'm saying? That shit go off and everybody. Whoa. Like, it's. It's heavy, you know what I'm saying? That one heavy. Even, like, with the. With the singing, this going on in the background like that there, you know? So I'm like, this is actually perfect for the outro. But that's definitely, like. I feel like, you know, that's like the chef's kiss on the project. You get what I'm saying? And it definitely, you know, it. It leave your ass at the very end of that, like, whoa. You know what I'm saying? So that's definitely the mindset with it. Like, just knowing, you know, I'm. I'm at a stage to where, yeah, like, I. I can't miss. I can't miss this shot. You get what I'm saying? I'm trying to win rings and. And not in the sense of trophies. Like, I'm talking about just in life, period. Like, I'm here to win. I'm here to. To do what I'm called to do. You get what I'm saying? Like, I'm here to really, you know, walk in my purpose. Like, I'm. I. I really understand, you know what I'm saying? Like, why I'm here. And it's super important that I, you know, put that on display, and I have discernment along the way, and I make the right decisions and everything calculated. And did I apply the type of pressure that, you know, being given this type of gifts, like, did that shit require, you know? So that's definitely the mindset. Kobe in 2009, these niggas playing. I'm in the gym.

[Angela Yee]

I'm excited. You just announced the tour.

[DaBaby]

100%. Be more grateful to her.

[Angela Yee]

Are you more excited.

[DaBaby]

Are you excited to get back than a motherfucker? I can't wait to get back in front of him. I can't wait. Especially, like, with a project like this, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, that they make it even. Cause it's layers of the live performance. Like, the energy part, okay, boom. Been had that in the bag. But it's layers of the live performance that I'm super excited to put on display. Like, it's a whole nother level of Artistry that I ain't never even get the chance to tap into, you know what I'm saying? Like, having a fucking live band playing just me and a microphone and rapping every single word, that's just gonna be amazing, you know what I'm saying? So I really can't wait to get in front of people. Like, it's gonna be motherfuckers out. Bring your tissue, bring boxes of tissue. It's gonna be motherfuckers out there pouring their heart out, you know what I' and I can't wait to connect with him and really, you know, the performance was my favorite part of this shit, you know, So I just can't wait to, you know, get in front of the people and really, really meet the people and. And, you know, exchange that energy, you know what I'm saying? And exchange that energy and see right there, face to face, like, you know, what my music then been able to do for people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did you see when Stunner was up here?

[DaBaby]

Yeah, I did. Yeah, I did. Super proud of that man. Super happy for that man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What do you think? He called you his brother. He thanked you for launching his career. Like he's got number respect for you, man.

[DaBaby]

Look, it go both ways, man. Like I said last time, man, I ain't never wanted to do nothing but see that man win. So, you know, to see him win like a grown man, you get what I'm saying? Hats off to him and everything he got going on. I love that. I love that for him. You get what I'm saying? Niggas ain't. I'm not the type of nigga to where, okay, you gotta be. You gotta win with me, or I don't wanna see you in hell. Nah, nah, I love that. I really want for my people. I want for a stranger what I want for myself. You get what I'm saying? I do. You just don't feel like you got to step on my toes to get it, you know what I'm saying? It's my only thing with anybody, with a stranger, whoever. And he ain't have to do that. You get what I'm saying? So to see him come up here and clear the air, you get what I'm saying? That was respectable. I ain't got nothing but the utmost respect for that. Because like I said, we didn't have. Like I said last time, we had several conversations, you know what I'm saying? Behind closed doors, privately or whatever, we didn't have conversations we didn't know already, you know, gained a level of understanding. I didn't told him how I felt about this. He didn't already told me the same. He came up here and said like, you know what I'm saying? So like that's just another, another step forward that, that I'm. I'm happy for him and I'm proud of him to be able to sit there and do that shit, you get what I'm saying? Like, I respect that as a man, not as a. That used to, you know what I'm saying, do business with you, that signs you that they put you in position. None of that. Don't. None of that shit matter because I didn't do that shit expecting nothing in return. You get what I'm saying? I did that shit to see you goddamn, you know, go to where I feel like God got a plan for you to go. So to see you go even further. And I'm super proud of it and have understanding along the way too. Like it's a, it's a beautiful. He. He in a season of gratitude as well, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's so, so I'm aligned with that. I get that. I understand it and you know, it, it feel, it felt good. Nigga, I appreciate it. You get what I'm saying? Like, don't have motherfuckers out here thinking, you know what I'm saying something, what it is? Like, I ain't a nigga. You know, you, you know me. If you know me, you know, like it ain't, you know, I don't, you know, I'm a. That don't deserve it, you get what I'm saying? Clear that up and then goddamn move forward gracefully. But I'm proud of that man. I'm proud of him and his wife.

[Ryder Strong]

But it get back to the point with y' all weren't like, y' all are like talking all the time and like we kind of like you guys have built that relationship again where it was like a day to day thing kind of.

[DaBaby]

I mean it's gonna, it's gonna go how I go. Yeah, it's gonna go ahead go end of the day, like I ain't tripping. I ain't opposed to than nothing. It's all good. It's all good. But seeing that, you know what I'm saying, out here happy as a grown man. You get what I'm saying? Got, got a, got a son, got a kid that looked just like him. You know, I got four kids by now I didn't have. So like, that's the Type like it take that. You know what I'm saying? It take that. Having a strong dope woman in this corner. You get what I'm saying? Like, man, look that. That I'm. I'm more happy about that than anything. I ain't looking. Nah. This, this y' all time, this y' all moment. That ain't never been my thing. You get what I'm saying? So the rest of that shit, you know, it'll happen how it happened.

[Angela Yee]

I ain't tripping now on the tour, right? Is it strictly be more grateful or are you we gonna get some old hits.

[DaBaby]

That what I'm saying. Like, you know, I still got. I still got a hit for every bump on your face. This is what I like to say at my shows when I get to popping my shit. That's why I did not look her.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You.

[DaBaby]

I don't see a blemish. Flawless chocolate. Yeah, exactly. You know what I'm saying? No disrespect, Envy. It ain't nothing but some. Some beautiful chocolate people envy skin. Clint too my. You know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, don't do.

[DaBaby]

See, I don't even know why, you know.

[DJ Envy]

Continue on, sir.

[DaBaby]

You know, but I don't even know where we was at, man. Pretty than a motherfucker.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[DaBaby]

So classic as far as like performing. Yeah, I'mma definitely. I'll let them decide when they come to that. I probably throw like one or two in, but I ain't gonna like, like through with throughout this time. Where I ain't dropped in like four years. Like, I done been blessed enough to like the way I hit the ground running when I first came out the. Where I got a catalog. You get what I'm saying? The web. Like, some songs I done been able to, you know, feed my family and continue to make a living. I ain't take four years off and end up goddamn out here back selling drugs, goddamn in prison somewhere homeless. My house goddamn still sitting right there where it's at, my car still parked, everything still, everything like, you know, so that ain't nothing short of a blessing. But at the same time, like, I done been performing them songs and it's time to really like, you know, I got the volume of music and the body of work within this new project to really give them a different experience. But I'm gonna definitely take em down memory lane, though. Definitely. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you have a caterer on tour or you gotta do all the cooking yourself.

[DaBaby]

It's no knife, man. You know how I get out. Carolina music man, you know how I get.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's no knife.

[DaBaby]

Fuck a caterer. These caterers can't with me. I'm just keeping it real. Like when I have people like, cook for me. Like I'm real picky. Like I be on they ass. Like I'm looking at the way they just. I ain't eating that. You ain't eating, man. Hell no. How much you gonna tell them? Ask them what I owe him. I pay a. Won't even touch it. Goddamn. Be trying to goddamn make the plate look all pretty. Putting that green on top of it. That grass. Put no grass on top of my plate. No flour. Did you wash that off? Look, purple flowers they put on. Man, don't put that on my.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They love doing that.

[DaBaby]

Come on, man, don't do that. I don't want to see FL from the ground. You get what I'm saying? But nah, I. You know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you was cooking the whole time?

[DaBaby]

Even on. On my. On the last tour when I went out with Whiskey. Yeah. Def. Oh, or have I just been cooking? Yeah, I. This rap. I just started rapping, bro. I've been cooking.

[Angela Yee]

Oh, you've been cooking all your life videos with.

[Ryder Strong]

With your daughters and stuff like that?

[DaBaby]

No knife. You don't know no knife? You don't know? No. I got to put you down. Yeah, no knife. That's my. My. You know the. When I cook, I'm no knife.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, okay. Cuz I watched it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You never seen the cooking with Kirk?

[Ryder Strong]

No, I just see you post videos when you're in the kitchen with your daughters and they're like, y breakfast and stuff like that. I didn't know that.

[DaBaby]

I call my baby right now and be like, baby, what your daddy? Is she gonna a chef? She might say a chef. I swear to God. But nah, like, I get it in. I've been cooking for a long time. The only thing I ever wanted to be, like when I was a kid, you'd ask me when I wanted to be a chef. It wasn't never a rapper or none of that until I looked at. They give you something in school. I don't know what grade it is. Like middle school maybe, where they. Where they show you all the different professions and. And like, okay, what they make. Yeah. And then I'm like, okay, now I don't want to be. I don't. I don't want to be none of that. Like, I'm like, I don't know what I want to be. I just got to make a lot of money. That's what I used to say, yeah, but I always, you know, had a passion for cooking, had to feed myself. So, yeah, I know something in that kitchen for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How important is 50 cent to who you are, man?

[DaBaby]

That's. That's the. That I could really say that's a big brother to me, you know? And I done lost a big brother, so I don't play like that, you know what I'm saying? In terms of I ain't know this my big homie type of nigga, I ain't never had no big homie, you know what I'm saying? So. Nah, that's my big brother. That nigga really got real genuine love for me, you know what I'm saying? He really want to see me win. And real shit for the people who don't know 50, he's like this with everybody, you get what I'm saying? Now for the niggas who didn't cross the Maverick, and that's how I be with niggas with big hearts, you get what I'm saying? So I understand it, you know, you don't. You don't do wrong by a who, you know what I'm saying? Who wouldn't do wrong by you, who ain't got nothing but good intentions for you, you know? But that is the most selfless, like, I didn't ever met in this business, you know what I'm saying? Like, he ain't never stood nothing again with me. We ain't doing business deals and none of that, like, you know, and I met 50 like, like, literally like a week before the. The. The. The whole little cancel, you know what I'm saying? A week before. So when I met him, you know what I'm saying? Like, we had our first conversation. That's the perfect time to say, oh, no, hell no, I ain't got them. You know, he ain't got no. No relationship that we didn't built, you know what I'm saying? To. To honor at that point, he ain't had nothing, but it was an honor for me to finally meet him and connect with him, you get what I'm saying? And instead of, you know, giving me distance, like majority of did, including who I made millions of dollars with, this and that, whatever, that goddamn pulled a closer, put his arm around and, you know what I'm saying? And really, you know, made it his. He. He made it a part of his responsibility to help me navigate through that, you know what I'm saying? And. And ain't let up on it since, you know, and that didn't been, bro. That was five years ago. That was half a decade ago. You get what I'm saying? So I ain't got nothing but love for bruh. He always put me, any opportunity he get to put me in a room to get around who. Who he feel like my potential. You get what I'm saying? Like, I should be in a room with these people. Like, my. My potential. Give me the ability to tap in with these people and see the other side of this and see, you know, what's really out here for me and what I should be doing. He do that without a question, you know what I'm saying? Like, without a question, without a shadow of a doubt. That. Get on a jet and come fly somewhere. And goddamn, he didn't. Did it at Interscope, got on the jet, flew out. Now we having a meeting. Call out him, tell him, have everybody in there, go around the table. What you do, what you do, what you do? Okay, so you supposed to do this when he dropped. Okay, you supposed to do this. Like, he. He really. You know what I'm saying? Once he win, you got no EP.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Or nothing on your projects.

[DaBaby]

Nah, that's crazy. None of that. It ain't Nothing but love, 100%.

[Ryder Strong]

How many people got fired after that meeting?

[DaBaby]

One more time.

[Ryder Strong]

How many people got fired after that meeting?

[DaBaby]

I don't know. I mean, I can't fire the people at Interscope, you know what I'm saying? Like, I don't. You know, I don't know. Cause I don't even. I don't get off in them. I don't get off into that in there anyways. Like, you know what I'm saying at this point? Like, I don't. I don't get off into that. I make the music pop up with it. This how I'm gonna market it. I let them, you know, chime in and throw gas on the fire after. I like that.

[DJ Envy]

Most people don't know 50. Do that with a lot of artists, a lot of people, and he never get credit for it.

[DaBaby]

It's a lot of that. Got them stories they just don't tell them. They may fuck around, tell them 10 years later. But me, like, the type of person I am, because that's the type of I do for people. So I understand, like, you know, how, like, how I feel like, to, you know, to ever, like, have motherfuckers out here, like, you know, painting a picture of your character when you really is, you know, a selfless person, like, you know, it's important and N like me, I don't. You know, I'm speaking myself. Like, I ain't tripping on getting credit for shit. You get what I'm saying? Like, I don't. That ain't what I trip on. But when a motherfucker do it, just like when you. When you asked me about stunning when he came up here, and if I saw what he said and all that, I wasn't never tripping on it. But when he. When you do do it, you get what I'm saying? I know how that shit feel for a motherfucker to. To acknowledge, you know what I'm saying? What you do for a. Out the kindness of your heart and out of love and all that shit. So I ain't gonna never be a person that, you know, take credit away from anybody. Even if I do fuck around and, you know, and you do some shit I don't like, you know what I'm saying? Or whatever. Like, it's plenty motherfuckers that I gotta deal with, do business with like that. I don't like a lot of shit about them, you know what I'm saying? So even if I do end up addressing that, keeping it real about that, what I'm gonna always do is revisit what they did the right way. You get what I'm saying? I just feel like that type of is super important. But 50, that's. That's the realest I didn't ever dealt with in this, you know? And I ain't saying it. Cause he 50. Like, we don't. We ain't. You know, we ain't. We ain't never did a single piece of paperwork. No, none of that. You get what I'm saying? No, none of this. And he didn't. He didn't spent his own money to. To help me do things. You get what I'm saying? Like several times. You get what I'm saying? Yeah, that's a. That's a real right there. Love that nigga to death.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Are you more intentional now about the energy you allow, Ron?

[DaBaby]

100%. Super intentional. Like, I can't motherfucking. I can't be passive on that shit at all. You know what I'm saying? I can't, you know? Yeah, we. You know, I can't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I seen you do it.

[DaBaby]

Like, I can't, you know, like that shit. That shit's super important, man. It ain't room for that. You know, times before where I kind of let it, you know, when I ain't worried about it, I still, you know, What I'm saying, Nah, now I'm more so. I'm just. I'm super hands on with that shit. And I don't, you know, I'm gonna do it right there, right there on the spot the first time. You know what I'm saying? Cause I know, you know what I mean? What's on the back end of that shit of not paying attention to that shit. So I'm not even with, like, you know, allowing certain energy to, like, get comfortable around me and shit like that. I don't got time for this. It's too much at stake. And I know at the end of the day, like, you know, on the receiving end of it, when it go, how it go, ain't nobody help, you know, ain't nobody responsible for that shit but me. And that trickled down into my family and how I'm able to provide for them and my kids, how I'm able to provide for them, and how my story's told, how my, you know, how my legacy is written out. And that's super important to me. You know, my legacy is everything to a lot of people. You know what I'm saying? So, yeah, I gotta value my energy and protect it at all costs right now. That's what I'm on.

[DJ Envy]

Well, the album is out right now.

[DaBaby]

Be more grateful. The album out right now.

[DJ Envy]

What you wanna hear off the album? What you wanna get into?

[DaBaby]

I like Boom. But you can pick whatever you want. Yeah, yeah. Cause Colby, Don Julio, that's that dmv. Don Julio, Lemonade. Y. The options is there, man. Damn, it's so many. Let's do marinating. I'm go to the ladies. Let's do marinade.

[DJ Envy]

All right, There we go.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, that just made.

[DaBaby]

Okay, talk to me.

[Ryder Strong]

That just made me think of a question. Okay, so look, you go from Don Julio to marinate. I know, because. No, because when I was listening to the project, I'm listening and I'm hearing you go through these songs, and I'm like, now tell me if I'm wrong. You're speaking to somebody. Whoever this girl is, she been holding you down through a lot of, like, you trying to figure your life out.

[DaBaby]

I'm speaking to you. I'm speaking to whoever the fuck listening to that shit while you blush.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Speaking.

[DaBaby]

Nah, like, I got. Like you got. And remember this, you know, I ain't made a project in four years. And then even the shit I've been putting out, it's more, you know, I'm making a song for a certain reason. Okay? Let me make this hit. This gon. You know, this. Okay, people into this type shit right now. Whatever. Okay, boom. Let me do that. Let me go get the money. Let me do this. This is like half a decade of energy and experiences and, you know what I'm saying, storytelling and all this shit. So, you know, it's really more than anything. Like, it's teaching you how to love me. It's teaching you how to deal with a nigga like me. Like, that's what it is. You know, I seen somebody comment on that shit. When I posted that particular song this morning, I posted a clip of it where I'm just rapping it live. And motherfuckers like. Like, their perspective. Like, it was a great take on what the song was. It wasn't even something I would have came up with on my own. Cause I'm just making the music at the end of the day. But, yeah, they, like, this is kind of like a fucking, you know, a guidebook on you, like, teaching somebody, like, how to love you and. And type of man you is and, you know, and. And how to. You know what I'm saying? How to keep your mind at peace and. And what's important to you and. And how you would like to keep their mind at peace. So it's. Overall, you know, it's as much. It's for whoever it connect with, you know, I ain't. I ain't writing no love letter to nobody in particular. Yeah, well, there we have it.

[DJ Envy]

Let's get into it right now.

[DaBaby]

Baby, baby.

[DJ Envy]

It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[DaBaby]

Every day I wake up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.

[DJ Envy]

That's right. It's DJ Envy.

[DaBaby]

It's your girl Jess.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hilarious. And I go by the name of Charlemagne. Tha God. And we are the world's most dangerous morning show, the Breakfast Club. You just finished listening to, you know, our podcast for the day.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And we want you to go watch the visuals on Netflix. You know, we. We're still on YouTube, but it's the clips on YouTube. But if you want to watch the Breakfast Club in full, if you want to see what you just listened to, go to Netflix.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Angela Yee]

Find us on Netflix, y'.

[DaBaby]

All.

[Podcast Narrator]

When segregation was a law, one mysterious black club owner, Charlie Fitzgerald, had his own rules.

[DaBaby]

Segregation in the day, integration at night. It was like stepping in another world.

[Podcast Narrator]

Was he a businessman? A criminal? A hero?

[DaBaby]

Charlie was an example of power. They had to crush him.

[Podcast Narrator]

Charlie's place from Atlas Obscura and visit Myrtle Beach. Listen to Charlie's place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DaBaby]

This is Ryder Strong and I have a new podcast called the red weather. In 1995, my neighbor Anna Trainor disappeared from a car. It was nature and trees and praying and drugs. So, no, I am not your guru. And back then, I lied to everybody. They have had this case for 30 years. I'm going back to my hometown to uncover the truth. Listen to the Red Weather on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Narrator]

When segregation was a law, one mysterious black club owner, Charlie Fitzgerald had his own rules.

[DaBaby]

Segregation in the day, integration at night. It was like stepping in another world.

[Podcast Narrator]

Was he a businessman? A criminal? A hero?

[DaBaby]

Charlie was an example of power. They had to crush him.

[Podcast Narrator]

Charlie's Place from Atlas Obscura and visit Myrtle Beach. Listen to Charlie's place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryder Strong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Narrator]

Guaranteed Human.