INTERVIEW: IDK Talks New Album 'BRAVADO INTiMO,' Getting Into Music, Virgil Abloh, DMX, Billie Eilish + More

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Interview with IDK

Episode Title: INTERVIEW: IDK Talks New Album 'BRAVADO INTiMO,' Getting Into Music, Virgil Abloh, DMX, Billie Eilish + More
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Host: Charlamagne tha God
Guest: IDK
Duration: Approximately 35 minutes
Knowledge Cutoff: October 2023

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1. Introduction and Background

The episode kicks off with DJ Envy and Charlamagne tha God introducing the guest, IDK, a rising artist from PG County, Maryland. They humorously navigate through the confusion about his origins, with IDK clarifying, “IDK stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge” (03:33)—an acronym he coined while serving time in state prison. This moment sets the tone for an honest and introspective conversation.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “IDK stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge because I wanted people to be like, what does IDK stand for? Does that mean I don't know?” (04:16)

2. Journey into Rap and Overcoming Adversity

IDK shares his tumultuous path into the rap industry, marked by multiple incarcerations due to technical violations rather than repeated offenses. He reflects on his time in prison, where he began writing music and tutoring others, stating, “If I can make people that's pissed off in prison make music, maybe it'll work for me when I get out” (07:10). This period was pivotal in shaping his dedication to music as a means of personal transformation.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “When I first got locked up, I realized it wasn't for me, like, right away. Like, right away, I was like, no, no, no, I can't do this.” (05:03)

3. Evolution of IDK's Music and 'Bravado INTiMO'

Discussing his musical evolution, IDK explains that his latest album, 'Bravado INTiMO,' represents a maturation in his sound. He emphasizes the integration of consistent melodic elements with diverse drum patterns to maintain a cohesive emotional experience across genres. “This now is more like I'm creating a sound, like a feeling,” he notes (10:02), highlighting his growth from dabbling in various styles to cultivating a distinct musical identity.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “It's like taking a certain melodic element and then trying to put different drums around it, maybe to switch the genre up. But the feeling is constant, consistent.” (10:02)

4. Collaborations with Industry Giants

IDK discusses his collaborations with iconic figures like DMX and Kanye West. He recounts the experience of securing DMX’s sample for his album: “He know who I was at that time. ... That was a crazy one... and he got it done” (11:07). His interaction with Kanye West is equally candid, sharing how Kanye reached out after hearing his work, leading to multiple collaborations and personal interactions.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “Ye has reached out to me, and I've hung out with him multiple times. So, you know, it's not that.” (13:28)

5. The No Label Academy and Emphasis on Mental Health

A significant portion of the discussion centers around IDK’s initiative, the No Label Academy at Harvard, where he conducts lectures on branding, financial literacy, team building, and mental health. He articulates the necessity of mental health education in the music industry: “Fame is something we created, that's not something we were built for... a lot of people deal with fame in a way that could be detrimental” (16:09). This initiative aims to equip emerging artists with the tools to navigate the pressures of fame sustainably.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “Mental health is really important because I always say this, like as human beings we've evolved socially a lot... a lot of times people deal with fame in a way that could be detrimental.” (16:09)

6. Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Fame

The conversation delves into the pervasive influence of social media, where even mundane activities like choosing an ice cream flavor become scrutinized. IDK remarks, “Everybody has some form of fame if you have social media” (21:14), addressing the amplified pressures artists face in the digital age. He relates this to his personal resilience, having endured significant hardships, which buffers him against the negative aspects of online fame.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “Because you have social media, when you post something, even if it's just a local before you, they had to see you do it.” (21:14)

7. Challenges and Opportunities in the DMV Music Scene

IDK reflects on the unique challenges of emerging from the DMV area, which lacks the established media infrastructure of cities like New York or Atlanta. He appreciates the region's rich cultural tapestry, particularly its Go Go music roots, stating, “There's a lot of culture I come from Go Go” (27:48). Despite the obstacles, he believes the DMV's originality offers a fertile ground for distinctive sounds, anticipating a breakthrough as local teams like the Commanders gain national attention.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “When Art meets Commerce, that's what happens. You make that decision once you decide to do art.” (23:01)

8. Future Aspirations and Personal Life

Towards the episode's conclusion, IDK touches on his personal aspirations, including contemplating retirement at 40 to focus on family. While humorously addressing rumors about dating Billie Eilish, he emphasizes his priority on establishing a stable future: “I'm constantly competing with myself to do better every time... ensuring everything is structured and laid out for me” (31:55). This introspection underscores his commitment to balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “I'm not even in the mental space with how I view success.” (31:56)

9. Collaborative Project: "Supernova"

In a lighter segment, IDK discusses his collaboration on the track "Supernova" with a budding artist. He praises the artist's talent and the seamless integration of their styles, expressing enthusiasm about the project's creative process: “She sent me the verse, like, probably in three days. And then I was just like, wow, she really killed this” (36:18). This collaboration highlights IDK's dedication to nurturing new talent within the industry.

Notable Quote:
IDK: “I'm going all the way.” (37:24)

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Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive look into IDK's personal and professional journey, shedding light on his resilience, artistic evolution, and commitment to mental health advocacy. Through candid discussions and insightful reflections, IDK provides listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities of fame, the importance of mental well-being, and the unique dynamics of the DMV music scene. His interactions with industry mentors and peers illustrate a network of support and collaboration, positioning him as a thoughtful and dedicated artist poised for continued growth.

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Timestamp Reference:

• 03:33: Clarification of IDK’s name acronym.
• 04:16: Origin of "Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge."
• 05:03: Realization of his path while incarcerated.
• 07:10: Inspiration to pursue music while in prison.
• 10:02: Evolution of his musical style in 'Bravado INTiMO.'
• 11:07: Securing DMX's sample.
• 13:28: Collaboration with Kanye West.
• 16:09: Importance of mental health in the No Label Academy.
• 21:14: The ubiquity of fame through social media.
• 27:48: Challenges in the DMV music scene.
• 31:55: Personal aspirations regarding retirement and family.
• 36:18: Collaboration on the song "Supernova."
• 37:24: Commitment to personal and professional growth.

Transcript

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[Charlamagne tha God]

Wake that Ass up early in the morning.

[DJ Envy]

The Breakfast Club Morning everybody. It's DJ Envy Jess Hilarious Charlamagne the Guy we are the Breakfast Club. We got Lon La Rosa filling in For Jess. And also our nephew. I was gonna say our nephew. Our niece.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Our niece.

[DJ Envy]

Our niece Nala, with us today.

[Jess Hilarious]

Wow.

[Nyla]

Shut up.

[Jess Hilarious]

You always gotta fight Dominicans.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Why?

[Jess Hilarious]

Why you always gotta fight with a Dominican? That's real. Our niece, Nyla.

[Charlamagne tha God]

See?

[DJ Envy]

I'm sorry, Nala.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I love you.

[DJ Envy]

And we got a special guest in the building. We got idk welcome, brother.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What's up? What's up?

[DJ Envy]

How you feeling, man?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I'm feeling good, man. It's good to be here. The first time I came here, I came a little too late and wasn't able to do the interview. So everything happens for a reason.

[Jess Hilarious]

Well, happy to have you, brother.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's right.

[Jess Hilarious]

Been hearing your name for a long, long, long time.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[Nyla]

How was the show with G? Eazy, how's the tour going?

[Charlamagne tha God]

So far, so good, man. G been real cool. And he actually brought me on my first run ever in my life in like, 2015 or something like that. So it's like full circle, you know?

[Nyla]

Lovely.

[DJ Envy]

So for people that don't know who IDK is, where you from, this is the first time some people are hearing you. Give them a breakdown of where you from, what your name stands for, and all that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Oh, yeah. So it's IDK from the dmv. PG County, Maryland, specifically.

[DJ Envy]

You just said you was from Queens the other day, Nyla.

[Jess Hilarious]

And Tampa. And Tampa. And Germany.

[Nyla]

First of all, you gonna claim wall. Y'all not gonna do this. I'm an army rat. My family from Florida. I grew up in Maryland. I went to ME High school. I'm from Severn, Maryland. So don't go. And then I went to. I moved to New York for college.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[Nyla]

I've been here 11 years.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That kind of sound like me. Like, I was born in London, but I came to America when I was, like, 2 years old. So I grew up in a DMV. PG County. IDK stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge.

[Jess Hilarious]

I've always liked that acronym.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Jess Hilarious]

Because I totally understand what you mean when you say that. Because I always say, you gotta be the perfect balance of ratchetness and righteousness. So ignorantly Delivering Knowledge is like saying, I gotta put the medicine in the candy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Right? Right. Kind of like that. Yeah. I was actually in prison when I came up with that acronym. And so I was in state prison when I was younger, and I came up with the acronym Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge because I wanted people to be like, what does IDK stand for? Does that mean I don't know? And I always feel like if I prompt somebody to Ask a question and I answer it. You're more likely to remember it than me just telling you.

[DJ Envy]

How did you get into rap?

[IDK]

I'm sorry, I was going to say you went to. You mentioned prison. You went to prison the same year that you went to college.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. One of the times I went.

[IDK]

Because it was four.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[IDK]

So let's talk about the first time. And then I want to know how the whole I'm going to college, but then I end up in prison. Like, what's that story?

[Charlamagne tha God]

How does that trend, man? First of all, I come from, like, a West African background, so my mom is from Sierra Leone, my dad's from Ghana. I'm literally the first person in my family to get locked up.

[DJ Envy]

That's not a good thing.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, but also first person prison is.

[DJ Envy]

Not a good thing.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Fair. But, you know, I turned it around. So at the same time, you know, that's true. But yeah, that kind of was like something like, you know, when I was 17, I got jammed up, had some charges, you know, stuff to do with, you know, you know, robberies and guns, things like that. And then pretty much I went to prison of jail. But the thing was, I was on. I got sentenced to 15 years, suspended to three, and they allowed me to do it on home detention. But getting in trouble and violations and technical things put you back. Wait a minute. Yeah, that's how I got back.

[DJ Envy]

When did you start rapping? What made you say, you know what? I want to leave the streets alone and focus on this rap career?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I mean, the first time I got locked up, I realized it wasn't for me, like, right away. Like, I was like, no, no, no, I can't do this. So, you know.

[Jess Hilarious]

But you went back three more times.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, but it was like, violation, technical stuff.

[Jess Hilarious]

Gotcha.

[Charlamagne tha God]

It was like, I'm not judging you. No, no, no, no.

[Jess Hilarious]

Several times myself. I'm not judging you. Don't think I'm judging you.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay. It was technical, though. It wasn't like I kept doing things. It was just violations and stuff like that. But basically, the last time I was in, before I went in, I was listening to, like, Kendrick Lamar and, like, J. Cole, and, you know, where I'm from, people don't really listen to that. But I had a friend that went to, like, famu, and he would come back with, like, more. I would say, eclectic rap. And I was like, oh, man. People rap like this. That's interesting. So I remember being in prison, I was a tutor. So I helped people get their GEDs. And also was a barber. And I just remember I would just write music. And everybody would listen, like, see me, like, bobbing my head, writing. And they'd be like, yo, spit, rap. Like, I ain't know you rap. Like. And so one day I just did it. And I was like, man, if I can make people that's pissed off in prison like music, maybe it'll work for me when I get out.

[Jess Hilarious]

What lifestyle changes did you make, though? Because, you know, my dad used to always tell me, if you don't change your lifestyle, you're gonna end up in jail, dead or broke, sitting on the tree. What lifestyle changes did you make?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I just started feeling like I needed to actually get a job. So when I first got out, I didn't care what it was. Actually, my first job was McDonald's. I was proud to go to McDonald's and work, to be honest. Cause I was like, man, I got a job. I got some type of purpose. Let me try to just turn this around. So that was probably the first big one. And then trying to go to school, I was going to PG Community College. So getting back in school was another thing.

[Nyla]

For the first time that you went to jail, what would you attribute the why to? Would you say it was the Internet? Would you say it was just your environment?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Would you say it was the want for love? Like, my parents loved me, but I didn't know how to comprehend the way they gave me love. Right. So I never got great grades. I grew up middle class, but I was surrounded by the hood, and I went to school in the hood. So I identify more with the people that also didn't get good grades. And that comes with a lot of stuff. Cause they coming from different backgrounds and they doing different things. So I felt like whenever I would do something bad, they would show me respect. And that was the love that I wanted.

[Jess Hilarious]

I'm glad you got that explanation quick. Cause saying you wanna go to jail for love is crazy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

No, I know, right? It's crazy. I'm glad that, like, you understand, though. Like, there's nuance to that, though. You know what I mean?

[DJ Envy]

I was gonna ask, you know, when you started rapping, what did your family say at first, right? Were they behind you the whole way? They was like, oh, here you go.

[Jess Hilarious]

African parents. Absolutely.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You know what, though? It wasn't as bad as you would think.

[IDK]

Because he was in jail.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, right. It was like, how much worse could this be? Like, it couldn't get no worse than what I already did. So my mom was just Happy I was doing something positive. Gotcha. You know, but she passed away. She never.

[Jess Hilarious]

Condolences.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yes, sir. She never got to listen. Well, she's got to listen to my music. She heard it once and she was like. But she would brag about it, but she would never listen to, like, my mom till she passed. Never heard me curse. Like, I never said a curse word around her. But in my music. She was in your music.

[Nyla]

What did the sound sound like at the time? Because you really dibble and dabble in all different genres, all different sounds. So what did she hear?

[Charlamagne tha God]

A lot of cursing, a lot of bad words. Like, a lot of rap. Like, I was just, you know, just eclectic rap. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. It depends on how you. Because, like, again, the whole ignorantly delivering knowledge thing, depending on how you first hear me, you'll think I'm one thing and it might not be that, you know, so.

[Jess Hilarious]

And you're growing in real time, right, because it's like. It's your fifth studio album.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, this would be my fifth one. Yeah.

[Jess Hilarious]

What's the. What's the evolution of IDK been from that first project to now?

[Charlamagne tha God]

It's like just this. This idea of, like, finding, like, what I actually want to express sonically. So I feel like I've always been dibbling and dabbling in different types of music, but this now is more like I'm creating a sound, like a feeling, you know, it's like taking, like, a certain melodic, like, element and then trying to put, like, different drums around it, maybe to switch the genre up. But the feeling is constant, consistent. That's probably the biggest thing that I've grown into now.

[DJ Envy]

On Is he. Is He Real album?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

I'm looking at some of the features on it that people don't know. You had DMX on that album?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. Well, that was actually. It's so funny because I have something with him that we're getting ready to put together. But on that album specifically, it was something that I sampled. A prayer he did. Right. But I had to chase him down, like, at south by Southwest and pull up on him to get it clear, like, yo, yo, I'm idk. Like that. So I had to find him.

[DJ Envy]

How was that conversation?

[Charlamagne tha God]

That was amazing. Huh?

[IDK]

Did he know.

[Charlamagne tha God]

He know who I was at that time.

[Jess Hilarious]

Are you on the Prayer album that they got dropping?

[Charlamagne tha God]

No, I'm not on that.

[Jess Hilarious]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I did a feature for him after, though, so he got to know who I was after that. I did a feature for him prior.

[DJ Envy]

To him passing did you have a relationship at all?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Like, small? Like, just kind of through, like, you know, people that we knew and things like that. But yeah.

[IDK]

What was the conversation like when you ran up on him and was like, hey, I'm trying to get this cleared.

[Charlamagne tha God]

He was like, it's done. Literally, just like that. Like, you thought he.

[DJ Envy]

Bullshit. And he was like, all right, well, I gotta go to.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, basically, pretty much. And he got it done.

[DJ Envy]

One of the coolest.

[Jess Hilarious]

What is. I know that new album is called Bravado and intimo. What does intimo mean?

[Charlamagne tha God]

It's like the Italian word for intimate.

[Jess Hilarious]

Okay, okay.

[Charlamagne tha God]

So bravado is, like, kind of, like braggadocious, you know, talking about stuff. But the intimo part is where it comes from. Like. Like a lot of, like, why I care. Like, I like, you know, wearing certain things, and I like, you know, style things like that. And it comes from the, like, being made fun of when I was, like, in the sixth grade for not having certain things. And I just remember being, like, a kid going to school depressed because I know they gonna make fun of me. So I remember in ninth grade, that's before I started getting into trouble and getting money, I literally said to myself, I will never be made fun of for dressing bad ever again for the rest of my life. And that's. That explains the bravado side. Cause the bravado side is you just see it. You just see the floss and all that. But the intimo side is where it comes from.

[Jess Hilarious]

And then you get money and realize you don't even care about clothes like that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Right. That also starts to happen, too. You know what I mean? Like, it's like, you like stuff, but, like, people put me in a fashion world because I do a lot of stuff in that world, but it's not by choice. Like, I just know people, they like what I do, and, you know, and then they just ask me to do things, but I don't try to do that.

[IDK]

You get fly. You could just do it.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, exactly.

[IDK]

Now, another feature. You had Kanye west on the song Selena Natarappi.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, nah, we in the house. That was another sample situation where pretty much we got. That was a crazy one. Cause it was a Jay Z song initially, so it was. Everybody had to kind of.

[IDK]

What was that process like? Cause Kanye is kind of hard to. It wasn't as fast as the DMX approval, was it?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, maybe, yeah. It took a little while, actually. But I'll be real, like, ye has reached out to me, and I've hung out with him multiple times. Like, so, you know, it's not that. That one is a little different that I remember when I dropped Is he Real? I was with 88 keys in 88 comes up to me and passes me the phone from my unknown number. And I answer, and it's like, yo, it's Ye. And I'm like, oh, snap. And he was just like, I've been hearing about your album. It wasn't out at the time. He's like, man, at some point today, I'd love to connect with you. And next thing you know, I was in Calabasas just hanging out at the crib, you know? So, yeah, Ye has shown love. And I've actually, like, linked up with.

[Nyla]

Him a couple times on a new project. What would you say is your favorite record?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Miles Trumpet. I like that one a lot. Cause I'm singing, you know, and I'm like. Kind of like, that was a beat where I listened to it. I'm like, I hear Griselda on this beat. So instead of doing what they would do, I'm gonna just sing it.

[Nyla]

Seems like a fan favorite, too. Yeah, I really like Check. I feel like, yeah, check, check. It's braggadocious. It's swaggy, but on it. Well, first of all, actually, the music video. Who came up with the concept for that? Like, why is it just a girl shaking her ass the whole time? I'm really trying to, like, what are you giving?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, the great part about that one is, like, ignorantly delivering knowledge is just a juxtaposition.

[IDK]

Okay.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Like, when I hear that beat and that song, I'm really rapping, so you don't really see that happening. But there has. I think the rhythm is what I wanted to articulate by having her do that, you know? Cause you listen to it. You don't think you could do that to that song.

[Nyla]

I was.

[Charlamagne tha God]

But then when you see her do it, you realize you can.

[Nyla]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You know, so that was what that was about.

[Jess Hilarious]

Were you a fan of Miles Davis? All your parents were.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, yeah. I mean, like, I have, you know, records from him. But I'll say this. I've heard a few different things, and everything that I've heard from him has made me feel a certain way. But I do need to dig more into what he's got going on, because I did see some stuff from, like, the documentary and stuff, how he would switch his bands around and all these things that, you know, I thought that was inspiring. But, yeah, I want to talk about.

[DJ Envy]

The no Label Academy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

That you did at Harvard.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Charlamagne. I love this too. Because you did two lectures on mental health.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Why did you feel like that was so important to do?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, so the class is a 10 day experience that people from all around the world. Students apply and then we pick about 20 to 25 of them. And I teach the class and it goes from branding, which I call story and vision, to financial literacy, to team building and mental health is the last day. And we taught that at the medical school at Harvard. I think mental health is really important because I always say this, like as human beings we've evolved socially a lot of so many different times since like, you know, they say we about 300,000 75 to 300,000 years old. Like where we are biologically, we've evolved, I think way too much socially to keep up with where we are biologically. So when you. Fame is something we created, that's not something we were built for or made for. So like a lot of times people deal with fame in a way that could be detrimental. And I think that people don't teach the aspect and the importance of mental health when they're actually pushing them to be famous, you know. So for this, for me, this class was supposed to prepare you from a business perspective for what you or the artists you're working with could be dealing with once they get in a game. And I think a lot of the times labels will see like, oh, this person's hot, they come from this neighborhood and all that. Yeah, that's cool and all that. But like, and then they not ready for a corporate. The corporate, like they not understanding what that is. So now you're expecting somebody whose manager might be like just the homie to know how to move within a corporate setting and be successful and then sustain that, sustain that success. I think that creates a lot of problems for a lot of different people.

[DJ Envy]

You know, how has your mental been? You know, Cause you talked about kids making fun of you back in the day.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

And now being on social media is times a thousand. As far as the amount of comments, sometimes people just say negative stuff just to try to get a reaction. So how you deal with social media now?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I mean, look, I lost my mom. She died from, you know, HIV complications from that. And I didn't know that until after she passed when I found out. So I never had that closure of being able to talk to her about it. Right. So when you look at that kind of stuff and then you look at like what I've been through with prison and all this stuff, man, like, I'm kind of primed for. It's like it doesn't really get much worse.

[Jess Hilarious]

You've been through real shit.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. So for me, it's like second nature almost dealing with some of the stuff that's nothing to me. When they like Covid, I'm like, I was just, I was actually on 23 hour lockdown at one point. Like, this is nothing to me with a book. You know what I mean? So for me, like, I love a good quarantine. Yeah, right. Got stupid. Wow.

[IDK]

I got a phone.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. So to me, it don't really get much worse. So, you know, I just try to like figure out how to express that to people who haven't gone through those things. That's what my class is mainly for when it comes to that aspect.

[Jess Hilarious]

I like what you said too. Cause I never thought about it. But it's true. Fame is a social construction.

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[Charlamagne tha God]

Looking good.

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[Jess Hilarious]

Everybody thinks they're famous.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Not only that, everybody kind of is. Because you got to think about it. If you have social media, when you post something, even if it's just a local before you, they had to see you do it. Right now you could just be like, yeah, I was. I went and ate this ice cream at so and so. And then people comment like, ah, why'd you get that flavor? Like, that's what. Everybody has some form of fame if you have social media. And then you think about high schools, like, the popular kid in high school would be popular when they walk in school. Or maybe certain things happen after school. But now it's like, oh, yeah, he got 1500 followers, and the school was like 3000 people. So that half the school. You know what I mean? It's just like, so everyone's dealing with some form of fame right now. And I think that that's an issue.

[Jess Hilarious]

And I feel sorry for these kids because it makes them overthink everything. Like, the example you gave is like, you shouldn't be having to question. Nobody should be questioning you about what flavor of ice cream you want, if that's right. You know what I'm saying?

[IDK]

You don't want to get killed for you being a colada.

[Jess Hilarious]

But every single thing you do is question. So therefore, you're questioning every single thing you do in your mind, every little mundane thing you do. You're overthinking it.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's what I mean. Like, biologically, we haven't evolved, but socially we're constantly evolving. And we dealing with AI and all these things starting to happen, it's just. It's only gonna get faster and faster.

[IDK]

Now, in that class at Harvard, that's the class that Virgil came to.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yes, Virgil, before he passed, he. He was supposed to speak for 30 minutes. He spoke for an hour. 30 minutes.

[IDK]

Shout out to V. So you saw the. This happened like a few months ago, almost was. Yeah. A few months ago, when they. Blue Star alliance acquired off White lvmh.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay, yeah, I saw that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[IDK]

And you saw people. I know you said you don't like being put in the fashion lane, but I just would love to get your opinion on that, because people were upset about that because they felt like it was going to devalue the brand. And what Virgil had worked for how you feel about that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, you know, whenever you. Whenever Art meets Commerce is always gonna get watered down. If I sign to a record label, there's songs that are better singles than the song that I might believe because of the range of entry points people could have to that song. You make that decision once you decide to do art. Cause, bruh, we could do whatever art we want and be homeless. If we okay with that, that's cool too. I say that to say with that particular situation. 1. I don't know the details to it. I don't know too much of it, but the idea that something could be watered down, it. It depends on the details of the deal and what they got going on and who controls what. I think that that came from Virgil's brain at the end of the day. And Virgil is not here. So there's always going to be some type of difference. Right? But yeah, when Art meets Commerce, that's. That's what happens. You know, it's a battle. I always look at everything as. Don't look at it as an on and off switch. Look at it as a percentage.

[IDK]

Knowing him personally, do you think that Virgil would be happy with, like, just where Off White is right now and today? Cause that's also been a conversation too. They've had, like, different leadership in and out and stuff like that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You know, there's people that are friends of mine who could answer that question far better than I could. Cause I don't have enough of. I didn't have that relationship with him where I would know.

[DJ Envy]

Gotcha.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What happiness is actually to him when it comes to that brand. How did y'all meet that? He followed me. I did the COVID of GQ's British GQ, and it was a Louis Vuitton exclusive. And so I debuted the NBA collab that they had, and from there, he followed me. And then I got a Maybach. You bought his Virgil?

[DJ Envy]

His off white Maybach?

[Charlamagne tha God]

No, no, I got one.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, just a regular one.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And he was like, welcome to the club. And then we started talking from there.

[Jess Hilarious]

I gotta slide out. But it was a pleasure meeting you.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Of course. Of course.

[Jess Hilarious]

Your hairline's immaculate.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I appreciate it. Yeah.

[IDK]

You're not gonna return the favor.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You're not gonna pay it back.

[IDK]

Charlamagne, I dare you. Come here.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You too. You too. You too.

[DJ Envy]

You gonna lie to that man? Now, how has the industry changed since you first came out and did your first mixtape? How have you seen how things changed? Cause, you know, usually when artists first do the mixtape, it's their core. They only care about their core. But now it's something different. Now you're looking for a radio record, now you're looking for something that's gonna go on the charts. Now you're looking for those things. So how is things change for you?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I mean, look that when I first started, like streaming wasn't really a thing like that. Like it was still kind of itunes and people reviewing the song or album or whatever. Things have changed a lot because people and the algorithm dictates a lot of what a lot of the decisions you could potentially make. Right. So now we're in a place where we could like think a song sounds like a single, but that doesn't matter anymore. Like, you know, I can't rely on like DJs to break the record the same way as before. It's kind of like this is the record based off of the algorithm and streaming and the fans. So now we push it. You know, I think in a lot of ways it's good. In a lot of ways it's not good.

[DJ Envy]

That makes it difficult. But you know, the DJ now, he follows the algorithm. He follows what people are listening to, what it was streaming instead of just, you know, what somebody's feeling, which makes it difficult. And being from the DMV area, how difficult is it for that? Especially being a rapper, you don't really see too many from the dmv. Rap, that's. That are huge. But there's a lot of talent in the DMV area.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, it's funny, I think I was just talking to Jaha and no idea about this. Like they were like, yo, you know what's crazy with your situation? One you don't have. If you look at rap, there's a lot of people who have some kind of cosign by somebody that they're aligned with. Especially when you make the type of rap that I make. And then another thing is, if not that, at least they have like a really big city that they're coming from. That's huge in music. And right now we're growing obviously in the dmv, but it isn't like New York or Atlanta or la, right? So it's like they basically like, yo, you kind of have to make your own way in a way that a lot of people don't. Not saying that people don't make their own way. I'm saying like in a way that most people don't. And I thought about that and I was like, wow. Actually there is a. You have a point. The good Thing I'll say about where I'm from though is when it comes to originality, there is a lot to pull from. There's a huge culture I come from Go Go. That's where I started doing music. Go Go bands and stuff like that. So you got a lot to pull from. And when it does work and when it does break, it's going to be beautiful. However, you know, you know, you gotta roll up your sleeves, you know, you gotta remain poised.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, I feel like the DMV area doesn't get heard like it should, you know. And honestly, if I didn't go to Hampton, I would have never understood the DMV area.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

You know, you see artists like Wale that took a long time to break through, or even Pusha, that took a long time to break through. It's like it comes so last with the respect. And I think because it's such a small area, but a big area.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, man. It's a melting pot of a lot of beautiful things, you know, And I think that like there is a certain level of, I say, like segregation within the type of thing that you may do versus the type of thing this person might do. But I think when we find, when we figure out how to kind of bring it all together, that is gonna also. I was. I have this theory we. When the commanders start winning, we'll start to see our industry. Yeah, winning. That's so I think. I think it's, you know, around the corner. Like, that's the thing though.

[IDK]

Cause that's like la, like la, Everything is so celebrity. They're the team. So then the music is celebrity.

[Nyla]

The only reason why I don't think that's gonna be a thing is just because the DMV just doesn't have the structure for it. Like, we don't have home base for media. I had to go to New York to do media. We don't have a home base for artists. Like we have recording studios, but industries you want to make it la, Atlanta, New York, like to actually be a part of a industry algorithm.

[Charlamagne tha God]

So I agree with you from that perspective. But the one thing I will say is that's the industry part of it. But artistically, sound wise. Right. That's the first thing that has to happen regardless. Right. And I think that there are people that are willing to travel to kind of get those other things done. I think that like just even recently, like they got like El Cousto with the song and then Earl Sweatshirt was on it and then it started blowing up and I Remember, I saw the Earl part of it, and I was like, this sound like he, like, rapping like he from the city. Like, this is what it sound like. I didn't know that the dude whose song he was on was from. You get what I'm saying? So I think, like, that opens people's eyes to the sound, and I think that or ears, and I. I think.

[Nyla]

It'S a good thing. Like, I think the lack of the industry is a good thing because it keeps us having a regional sound or a regional flavor. And a lot of cities lack that because they have those outlets.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, yeah. And also, look, man, rap is. They saying right now, rap is very regional, like, base. Like, they've got people in France that's the superstars now, and they ain't looking at what's happening in New York to see who the superstar is now, you know? So I think building on that is probably one of the most important things.

[DJ Envy]

Now, coming up in the DMV area, were those artists having open arms for you? Like a Wale or Pusher? I know you got regular push.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, Wale. I got, like, two at Wale. Wale brought me out, like, the first year I started popping, he brought me out to do his W and Friends show. I remember that he's one of the first to embrace me. Push. I did Push. Push. I feel like followed me on a gram, and we just kind of was chopping it up. And then I asked him for a record. He's like, I got you. And he sent it through. I got. Definitely got embraced. I think that the thing is that, like, again, it's kind of segregated in the sounds, so certain people only listen to this sound, and then certain people are more open to other sounds. I think as we start to progress, that that'll change hopefully. But that's. That's what I'd say. Yeah, absolutely.

[Nyla]

You said on this project, once you turn 40, you retire and you disappearing. Like, is that really the end goal?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I don't know if I'll disappear, but I think that by retire, people think I mean, like, stop rapping. And I don't know if I mean that. I mean, right now, I'm constantly competing with myself to do better every time. Like, to the point where, like, you know, family may get neglected. I don't. You know, I talk to my family on, like. Like. Like the holidays and stuff. I don't. Like, my grandma wants to hear from me more and things like that.

[IDK]

Oh, my God.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[IDK]

Not every day.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Nah, not every day. Nah. Like, I'm not even in the mental space with how I view success. To be able to tap into that every day. Every day is what can I do to make sure that when I'm 40, my family, I don't have kids or anything yet and I'm not in a relationship but one day.

[Nyla]

You're not dating Billie?

[Charlamagne tha God]

No.

[Nyla]

Yo, everybody thinks y'all are dating.

[IDK]

What?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Nobody thinks I'm dating Billie Eilish. I did see something one time about that, but I don't. That was like a while back.

[Nyla]

Okay.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Nah. Yeah, she homie. She's an amazing, amazing artist. But yeah, like when I get. Oh, she see it too.

[IDK]

You already talked about this. So you knew people thought that I said that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I said people said it. Yeah, but they.

[IDK]

But I guess it's because they were trying to piece together like photos and I guess the way.

[DJ Envy]

Which was crazy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I'm like, my house. I don't know what they talk about.

[Nyla]

Dang.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, I think she posted stuff, you know, of me and things like that.

[Nyla]

And I'm just be wanting relationships to.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's interesting too, like. But no, like I'm just trying to make sure that when I am 40 and I decide to. It's like everything is structured and laid out for me in a way where I can actually do that comfortably. So till then, you know, hustling.

[DJ Envy]

I mean, Billie Eilish is single though.

[IDK]

I must say, now I'm going down this rabbit is she.

[Nyla]

I will say, time waits for no man when it comes to like yes, your career, but also your family. So definitely call your grandma.

[Charlamagne tha God]

No for sure. No, I know, I'm not saying. I just sent the picture in the WhatsApp like right before we got.

[IDK]

I'm not saying like I contact. It's just you also working a lot too.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[IDK]

Like not talking to your girl. I'm like, dang, I didn't say I.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Don'T talk to my grandmother. I probably talked to her like a week ago, two weeks ago or something like that. Like, I talked to her every so often. I have a big family too. So when I talk to my grandma now, everybody, I got a hola, so and so forth. It'd be like a three hour thing, you know, So I understand. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

But we appreciate you for joining us today. The new album Bravado is out right now. Yeah, thank you so much. And I know last time I know you came late, but we glad you came now, man. Appreciate it so much. Great talking to you, brother.

[Charlamagne tha God]

We came early this time.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, I see you.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That was on time yeah, for sure.

[IDK]

How you got me down this rabbit hole of the photos and all that.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, she's setting you up with Billie Eilish right now.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Is this like a press outlet? What is. What's going on?

[IDK]

Like, oh, what am I reading? Yeah, Hip hop dx. But if you just Google you and her, it's a few outlets, but really?

[Nyla]

Yeah, See, you thought I made that. He's like that.

[IDK]

Nobody knows.

[Nyla]

I'm like, I really.

[IDK]

So did you take it offensively because of the age thing? Because you had said, like, yo, she was like, 17. I was. It was like you were 20 years boys.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That has a lot to do with it. You know what I'm saying?

[Nyla]

I mean, yo.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I mean.

[IDK]

Cause the way you responded was like, what, her? But I mean, the age thing, of course. But then it's like, y'all just really homies in real life. Like, is it really not?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, like she, you know, she. She pressed me out about something the other day. We was being funny about it.

[IDK]

What you do?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I didn't do nothing.

[IDK]

Why'd you press me out?

[Charlamagne tha God]

She thought something happened, but it was like a song leaked or something like that. And she was like, who did that? But it was a funny press. It wasn't a real press. It ain't like, not full court, half court, you know.

[IDK]

So you gonna retire at 40, right? And this has nothing to do with Billie Eilish? You gonna retire at 40? At 40, then you're gonna start reconnecting more with your family for sure. Then you're gonna have. You want to. You want to have a family as well?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, I would love to, you know.

[IDK]

How old are you now?

[Charlamagne tha God]

30?

[DJ Envy]

32.

[IDK]

32. So are you, like, taking. Are you dating somebody? Are you in a relationship?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I'm not in a relationship. That's not an age. It's a feeling thing. It can happen right now because you.

[IDK]

Got an age for your retirement. You got an age for when you plan on, like, doing more than just dropping the photos into what's at Tanana.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[IDK]

So I'm just trying to see if there's like a timeline here.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Definitely not a timeline on something like love and. And connecting with the right person. It could happen right now.

[DJ Envy]

Id ask her the same question now.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay. Yeah, same question right back at you.

[IDK]

Which was? I asked you a couple questions.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What's the age?

[IDK]

Oh, what's my age?

[DJ Envy]

I'm.

[IDK]

I'm actively, you know, trying to figure it out right now.

[DJ Envy]

Okay, so you don't have nobody? Like, just like you asked him what age are you looking to find somebody to settle down?

[IDK]

I ain't got no Billie Eilish on my line.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Whoa, See now.

[IDK]

I mean, I ain't got no name where it's nothing worth bringing up. I'm asking you because, you know, that's a name, you know.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Oh, man, you get me in trouble.

[Nyla]

Well, I do. Before we wrap, I kind of want to talk about Supernova with the artist.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[Nyla]

The artist is so fire. I'm glad that you guys collab because you guys both are, like, very talented. Talk to me about just shooting Supernova.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Well, it's so, so funny with her. A friend of mine was like. I was like, I want a girl on this song. I just feel like he's like, yo, you should check this person out. And I checked her out and she was fired. So I.

[Nyla]

Still budding. Yeah, she's new.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. And I was like, y'all hit her up and she's like, excited. She sent me the verse, like, probably in three days. And then I was just like, wow, she, like, really killed this. So for me, that was like a risky song. Cause I don't really go all the way. I don't know if that's R and.

[Nyla]

B. I guess it is R and B. And I was gonna say, like, do you see yourself leaning more into that now?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I like stuff like that, man. I like stuff I could play with, like a woman that I'm with or something like that. And it's not. It doesn't have to be negative. Cause I think, like, I would always do this thing where I would start saying nice things and then be like, but. And I was like, nah, I'm not doing that. I'm going all the way. Like, I'm going all the way. Like. So that was what that was about.

[Nyla]

Nice. I think you should lean into that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[IDK]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I take your advice.

[DJ Envy]

Well, thank you, brother, for joining us this morning.

[Charlamagne tha God]

For sure.

[DJ Envy]

Thank you. It's idk. The Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Sure. No, I'm working out now. Wake that ass up early in the morning. The Breakfast Club.

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