Out Of Context: Lil Baby w- Charlamagne Tha God

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Out Of Context: Lil Baby w- Charlamagne Tha God" on The Breakfast Club

Release Date: December 19, 2024

Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

In this compelling episode of The Breakfast Club, renowned rapper Lil Baby engages in an in-depth conversation with industry veteran Swizz Beatz. The dialogue delves into personal growth, the challenges of fame, fatherhood, mental health, and the evolving music landscape. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights and notable moments.

---

1. Turning 30: A Milestone of Responsibility and Growth

Swizz Beatz opens the discussion by reflecting on his recent milestone—turning 30—and contrasts it with his experiences in his twenties.

• Lil Baby: "Congratulations. You just turned 30 a few weeks ago, man."
  (02:47)

• Swizz Beatz: "It's crazy that it might seem like it, but even when you're 29, it don't feel like the same as 30. It's just something about when you turn 30, motherfucker, like a steep hill."
  (03:04)

Swizz emphasizes the heightened sense of responsibility that comes with turning 30, noting that the twenties offer more leeway, which dissipates as one enters their thirties.

---

2. The Impact of Family and Early Responsibilities

The conversation shifts to Swizz's upbringing and the influence of his family dynamics on his personal development.

• Lil Baby: "Is it true that your father left when you was just two years old?"
  (04:11)

• Swizz Beatz: "Yeah, something like that. I ain't gonna say left my mama. I live single parent, you know what I'm saying?"
  (04:14)

Growing up with a single mother and two sisters, Swizz discusses the early onset of being the "man of the house," which instilled a sense of maturity and resilience.

---

3. Navigating Fatherhood Amidst Fame

Swizz shares his experiences balancing fatherhood with the demands of a high-profile career.

• Swizz Beatz: "Number one, I don't want my kids to live the life I live, no sort of kind of way, you know what I'm saying?"
  (04:47)

• Lil Baby: "Does being a celebrity make it hard for you to be a hands-on father?"
  (05:19)

Swizz acknowledges the challenges of being frequently absent due to his career but conveys a strong commitment to providing for his family and ensuring their stability.

---

4. Mental Health and Personal Struggles

A candid discussion unfolds about Swizz's mental health journey and the pressures of transitioning from street life to a more structured environment.

• Lil Baby: "I saw you posted that the last couple of years you've been struggling life-wise, maybe even mentally. So where you at now?"
  (07:45)

• Swizz Beatz: "I'm in a better state, but still in damn when I say stuff like that... trying to, you know what I'm saying."
  (07:55)

Swizz delves into his battle with the mental toll of his past and his efforts to steer towards a positive path, highlighting the difficulty of escaping ingrained behaviors and mindset.

---

5. The Evolution of His Music and Vulnerability

Swizz discusses his evolving approach to music, emphasizing authenticity and vulnerability over conforming to external expectations.

• Swizz Beatz: "I have to start looking at it from that aspect... Swizz Being super talented, like, he does it with ease."
  (07:08)

• Lil Baby: "Do you feel like musically you're vulnerable enough? That's one of the critiques I hear a lot."
  (09:30)

Swizz articulates his intention to infuse his music with personal experiences and emotions, aiming to provide a genuine connection with his audience.

---

6. Relationships Within the Music Industry

The dialogue explores Swizz's relationships with other artists and industry figures, shedding light on the complexities of fame and collaboration.

• Lil Baby: "I saw Kendrick mention you in 'Not Like Us'? He said Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up in reference to Drake. What'd you think when you heard that?"
  (23:26)

• Swizz Beatz: "Great relationship. So, you know, you kind of, it's just with any situation..."
  (23:34)

Discussions about collaborations, particularly with artists like Drake and Young Thug, reveal the mutual respect and professional bonds that Swizz maintains despite the competitive nature of the industry.

---

7. Business Ventures and Investments

Swizz elaborates on his ventures beyond music, including investments and his approach to business education.

• Lil Baby: "What was the program you enrolled in at Harvard Business School, a business class?"
  (39:35)

• Swizz Beatz: "Called Lunch at New Bench... learned the exact details and terminology and ways to go about getting a loan or getting starting to investment pool."
  (39:42)

Swizz underscores the importance of continuous learning and strategic investments, highlighting his efforts to diversify his portfolio and secure financial stability.

---

8. Legacy and Future Aspirations

The conversation culminates with Swizz reflecting on his legacy and future projects, emphasizing his desire to leave a lasting impact.

• Swizz Beatz: "I always want to leave a legacy. Like, I don't want to never be a used to be could have been..."
  (33:19)

• Lil Baby: "What do you want for yourself in 2025 when this Wham album drops? What do you hope it does?"
  (43:00)

Swizz discusses upcoming projects like the "Wham" and "Dominique" albums, aiming to blend personal narratives with broader musical innovation, and expresses a commitment to ongoing growth and influence in the industry.

---

9. Balancing Privacy and Public Life

Swizz shares his strategies for maintaining personal privacy amidst public scrutiny and the relentless gaze of the internet.

• Swizz Beatz: "I don't go on the Internet about it's easy to me... I can't get validation from like comments and that type of stuff."
  (27:27)

• Lil Baby: "You do realize though the Internet just be fucking with you cause you successful."
  (27:53)

Emphasizing the importance of selective engagement, Swizz prioritizes meaningful interactions over online validation, striving to protect his family's privacy while managing public expectations.

---

10. Supporting and Mentoring Emerging Artists

Highlighting his role as a mentor, Swizz discusses his approach to nurturing new talent without imposing undue pressure.

• Lil Baby: "How do you still let them grow as artists even though you are on a different level?"
  (35:01)

• Swizz Beatz: "I don't got no pressure on them at all. Whatever y'all want to do... I had to go through everything they going through already so I could tell him and try to comfort him a little bit."
  (35:19)

Swizz emphasizes a supportive and non-intrusive mentorship style, allowing emerging artists to chart their own paths while offering guidance based on his extensive experience.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Swizz Beatz on Turning 30: "It's just something about when you turn 30, motherfucker, like a steep hill."
  (03:04)

• Swizz Beatz on Manhood and Leadership: "Manhood to me now is like owning stuff or working towards owning and make sure... make sure you and your family good forever."
  (04:00)

• Swizz Beatz on Mental Health: "I'm in a better state, but still in damn when I say stuff like that... trying to go the right path."
  (07:55)

• Swizz Beatz on Music Authenticity: "I want to listen... a real good friend, we had a party with 200 people. There's nothing weird could go on with all these people in the mix."
  (25:16)

• Swizz Beatz on Legacy: "I always want to leave a legacy... could have been."
  (33:19)

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers an intimate glimpse into Swizz Beatz's life, revealing the intricate balance between personal responsibility, mental health, and the demands of a successful career in the music industry. Through his conversations with Lil Baby, Swizz underscores the importance of authenticity, mentorship, and continuous growth, providing listeners with valuable insights into the complexities of fame and personal development.

---

Note: All timestamps correspond to the conversation segments between Lil Baby and Swizz Beatz. Advertisements, intros, and outros have been excluded as per listener guidance.

Transcript

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[Lil Baby]

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[Swizz Beatz]

Lil baby, how you doing how you doing?

[Lil Baby]

How you feeling, brother?

[Swizz Beatz]

Pretty good, man.

[Lil Baby]

Man, congratulations. You just turned 30 a few weeks ago, man.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yes, sir.

[Lil Baby]

Getting up now, you feel like the old head now for sure.

[Swizz Beatz]

Thousand percent.

[Lil Baby]

Well, what you think? What's the difference between turning 30 and, you know, growing up in your 20s?

[Swizz Beatz]

It's crazy that it might seem like it, but even when you 29, it don't feel like the same as 30. It's just something about when you turn at 30, motherfucker, like a steep hill.

[Lil Baby]

You feel like you got more responsibility now.

[Swizz Beatz]

Even though I got the same responsibilities I Ben had, it's just like. It's just something about them twenties kind of give you a little leeway. Seem like when you turn 30, ain't no more leeway.

[Lil Baby]

What you think made you grow up faster, the streets or the industry?

[Swizz Beatz]

I have to say both, you know what I'm saying? And eat in its own way, you know what I'm saying? The industry made me grow up faster like in like the real world, but I had to still grow up faster in the streets, you know what I'm saying? Being young kid doing grown man stuff. So it's like both parts.

[Lil Baby]

What's manhood look like to you at this point in your life? Manhood and leadership. That's one thing I loved about your documentary. It was like, yo, you could tell you was a leader from the beginning.

[Swizz Beatz]

Manhood to me now is like owning stuff or working towards owning and make sure, like you and your family good forever or trying to make sure you and your family good forever.

[Lil Baby]

Is it true that your father left when you was just two years old?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, something like that. I ain't gonna say left my mama. I live single parent, you know what I'm saying? I know my dad side of the family well though, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

But it was just your mom and your two sisters.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

So you were kind of required to be the man of the house early, right?

[Swizz Beatz]

Definitely. Certain aspects. But like you saying, like, you grow up fast though, you know what I'm saying? So even when you do see stuff that you ain't used to, you gotta like get with it quick.

[Lil Baby]

How does that experience impact the way you show up as a father?

[Swizz Beatz]

Number one, I don't want my kids to live the life I live, no sort of kind of way, you know, and they won't live the kind of life I live.

[Lil Baby]

Does being a celebrity make it hard for you to be a hands on father?

[Swizz Beatz]

Definitely. I can't be there as much as I wanna Be, you know what I'm saying? We can't do like the regular stuff. And normally we still try to do like regular shit, what normal people do. But like for the most part I'm always gone, you know what I'm saying? If I do see em, it's for a couple days, they just not really getting settled, then they gotta go again. So it's definitely a. So I advise people to just wait.

[Lil Baby]

You say you're vidler.

[Swizz Beatz]

I advise people to wait. If you got like a career like mine, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Oh, to have kids.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, word. Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

How long would you wait?

[Swizz Beatz]

Even if 30 is, you know what I'm saying? Like get through your 20s, kind of go through that lifestyle and kind of get away from all that so you don't even gotta do it later on, you know what I'm saying? Gonna like get it out your system. That's how I feel.

[Lil Baby]

How strong is it to have a. I mean, how good is it to have a real strong support system? Like, you know, to have the right mother, your children and all of that?

[Swizz Beatz]

I mean everything to me, definitely. Cause you know what I'm saying, Take a village to raise a family, you know what I'm saying? Or a kid. So everybody input matters, you know, to.

[Lil Baby]

Me, man, I was talking to Pete earlier, man, and I was saying that I feel like the Internet wants you to fall off so bad. It just seemed like overnight they had a little baby fell off campaign. Where do you think that came from?

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't even care really. I be seeing like that. But far as like where it came from and I don't even. That's how I get by, you know, I don't even get into like that.

[Lil Baby]

You know, I feel like they don't want you to grow. I feel like, you know, after the bigger picture, everybody saw a little baby in a different light and they wanted, they wanted more of that. But then they wanted you to do the street shit too.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, it's like, it's like a give and a take. Yeah. I'm saying to the point where I kind of understand it. And what I mean by that is like I ain't like I really didn't ever take them with me to transition, you know what I'm saying? So like a transition, I don't expect certain people or certain fans to catch up to it. Like, you know, sometimes you gotta like dumb it down.

[Lil Baby]

How do you take them through the transition though? Do you do it through like interviews? Do you do it through music?

[Swizz Beatz]

That's the part I'm learning right now, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's what I'm trying to master at just giving that fan experience, you know what I'm saying? Because of course, whatever I'm doing, as I'm doing it, I know what I'm doing, I know I'm changing. But if I just drop a song or if I just do something, you don't know what I done went through, you don't know the changes. So I can't even expect you to be up to speed on like what I'm on. So I had to start looking at it from that aspect.

[Lil Baby]

The tricky shit about that though is if, if they want you to be in the street, but then when you crash out, they call you stupid.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. So I ain't gonna get so I always knew I wasn't gonna get up, get caught up in that. I'd rather sit it out or I got damn be involved in that, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

I saw you posted that the last couple of years you've been struggling life wise, maybe even mentally. So where you at now?

[Swizz Beatz]

I'm in a better state, but still in damn when I say stuff like that. I don't even usually say stuff like that, but I mean like far as like that type of shit, you know what I'm saying? That's like a big transition in your head for you to go from like where I went to like where I'm trying to go. And it was like a turning point in the last two years from being this nigga from the hood, in the streets or whatever to trying to, you know what I'm saying, actually go the right path, you know what I'm saying? So that's like a real mind boggling thing.

[Lil Baby]

What was it for you? Was it a, was it a dollar amount you saw? Was it the, the company you was keeping? Like, what made you realize like, I.

[Swizz Beatz]

Got a little bit, a little bit of everything, you know what I'm saying? Even just to always, like, even when I was doing shit, I always lived like I don't got nothing to lose. Like now I got so much to lose. It's not the same what you been going through though.

[Lil Baby]

Like. Like what have you been going through that made you kind of like just fall back a little bit.

[Swizz Beatz]

Saying everything. Like people like get in trouble around you, you start seeing people don't really love you for real, or people might be just coming and do the craziest things to get a few dollars at you, you starting to like, at first, when you first going through it, it's all new, so it's like a birth to you. Then you kind of start catching on. Then after a while you like, damn, I see what's really going on.

[Lil Baby]

Is this why we haven't gotten a lot of music out of you over the last few years?

[Swizz Beatz]

Definitely. Because I rap about, like, I ain't really no writer, you know, I freestyle, so it's like all in my head, you know what I'm saying? So if my head ain't in the right mental space, I ain't gonna be able. I just rap like that.

[Lil Baby]

Do you feel like musically you're vulnerable enough? That's one of the critiques I hear a lot.

[Swizz Beatz]

Just not learning what all that shit mean. You know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

From the way I've been explained, maybe not. You know what I'm saying? I can understand why that was more what I was just saying. Like, if you don't take them on a journey, they kind of be kind of lost a little bit. They don't even really know the aspect of you saying something, doing something.

[Lil Baby]

Cause when I talk to people, they tell me that they want to hear more pain in little baby's music. And it sounds like behind the scenes, you going through that. I'm just not putting it in the music.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Cause I had to learn how to, like, translate what I actually going through into the music, you know what I'm saying? When the goddamn music. The reason why I think even going.

[Lil Baby]

Through this shit, they wanted him more emotionally scarred, I think.

[Swizz Beatz]

Shit like that.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah. Are those records hard for you to make?

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah, I make it super easy.

[Lil Baby]

You just don't want to expose yourself.

[Swizz Beatz]

In certain ways, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

And not that I don't want to. It's just I'm accustomed to not doing it, you know what I'm saying? So that's like, you know, you get in your feelings every now and then. Nigga ain't just always in they feeling.

[Lil Baby]

You know, you think that's like the protective instinct that you just carry with yourself from being in the street. Like, if you show too much of yourself, you might be fooled to people. That's when the wolves come out for sure. But you artists now, though, so it's the balance.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. So it's like that's the transition and the mental state I had to go through to get unprogrammed and reprogram.

[Lil Baby]

I think after Bigger Picture, people expected you to evolve into a more mature artist. And just make music that reflected, like, more of the pain you may be feeling. Is that what you were looking to do at 5am and insecurities?

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah, I'm looking to do that with, like, the Dominique album. Right.

[Lil Baby]

Okay.

[Swizz Beatz]

I'm dropping the album first, called, like, Wham. Wham. That's kind of like trying to lead them up into that versus just like, jumping into it.

[Lil Baby]

What is Wham Wham gonna be? More street music or.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yes, in a sense. But I still put, like, some of the songs that were going on Dominique album on Wham. Cause I ain't want them to just wait for long. And I know, like, you saying I got a core audience for, like, those emotionally scarred type songs, those pain type songs.

[Lil Baby]

So Dominique is gonna be, like, personal, like.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. More personal. Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

Does that scare you?

[Swizz Beatz]

Not no more. But, like, that's the part of the two years, what I've been going through and shit like that. You know what I'm saying? So I already then kind of went through the scary part.

[Lil Baby]

You say on one of the records now, you say, can't be vulnerable. Who I'm gonna talk to when I'm going through it?

[Swizz Beatz]

Right.

[Lil Baby]

You can afford therapy, little baby. All that money you making.

[Swizz Beatz]

I ain't no firm believer in therapy.

[Lil Baby]

Okay.

[Swizz Beatz]

You know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Have you tried it or.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, I mean, I haven't tried it personally, but in a sense I have, you know what I'm saying? I got people who I talk to, though, you know what I'm saying, who would play as a therapist. But I feel like everybody, like, regular people. So it ain't too much a therapist can really do for you and just, like, have an open ear. But you being like a celebrity and all that, it get weird, you know what I'm saying? Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

It's like, who does the go to guy go to?

[Swizz Beatz]

You get what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

So that's why I never. I always been like. I ain't saying I'm against everybody, but that don't even cross my mind, though.

[Lil Baby]

Who do you talk to?

[Swizz Beatz]

Certain people about certain stuff.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

Know what I'm saying? Like, I know I can talk to him about this. I might talk to her about this. Like, certain people, certain stuff.

[Lil Baby]

Another line, you say how you managed to get everything you wanted but still ain't happy.

[Swizz Beatz]

Right. Cause it's like, more money, more problems. You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? So it's like, you would think once you get everything out of this, you'll Be like, happy. But boy, here goes something else. But it's a part of learning how life go, you know what I'm saying? You'll never stop.

[Lil Baby]

Are you happy now?

[Swizz Beatz]

Ain't happy as I wanna be, but I'm in a happy state though, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

What makes Lil Baby happy at this point in his life, that's how I.

[Swizz Beatz]

Know I ain't happy as I wanna be. Cause I don't know.

[Lil Baby]

Damn.

[Swizz Beatz]

I mean, your kids, yeah, definitely, like, joyful for them, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Is all of this what you thought it was gonna be like, just the success that you was seeing?

[Swizz Beatz]

I ain't never know what it could be, so I ain't think of nothing, you know what I'm saying? Like, I ain't never had a imagination for it.

[Lil Baby]

So you never dreamed of this at all?

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah.

[Lil Baby]

So when you was in the street and then you started rapping, even just looking around Atlanta and looking at all the successful artists, see how I know.

[Swizz Beatz]

How, like, big was, but I ain't know how, like, what really big was, you know, I ain't really never know nothing about the real music industry. And like, I couldn't think I could get be worth what I'm worth now. Reached the levels I ain't even know that really existed. I ain't know nothing about platinum and gold and album sales. And then the new thing screams. And I ain't never know nothing about that. So even me saying, like, I knew I was gonna be big, I couldn't even. I wouldn't even know what that was to even think that.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah, what do you think it is about Atlanta that makes, like, dudes from the street become like these international superstars? Like, what is it about Atlanta?

[Swizz Beatz]

I feel like, you know, hip hop was already, like, based off in the streets. It all started from, like, the streets. So it's just Atlanta is one of those street places the same way we're there everywhere, you know what I'm saying? But I just feel like the swag and the tone of Atlanta got make it more successful than a lot of other places.

[Lil Baby]

What don't you like about the game?

[Swizz Beatz]

They shoot them up, bang, bang, every word, every bar shit. I don't like that.

[Lil Baby]

You feel like you always gotta watch your back.

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah, nah. It just creates a target on everybody, you know what I'm saying? And that ain't what we supposed to be in it for. Well, I ain't, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

I forgot what record it was. But you Said you got all of this. It's basically PTSD from all of the shootouts and stuff that you've been. Did you think that once you got into the industry, like, that would kind of go away? Like you kind of escaped that?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, but it's crazy. Cause it's like, that's what I was telling people. You put yourself on a bigger scale now that you're in the industry, you know what I'm saying? I ain't even have problems when I before I was a rapper, you know what I'm saying? The more you get bigger, though, you get bigger to everybody, though. Not just the fans, not just the girls, not just the kids, everybody included, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Was it a hard transition for you? Are there still?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, I'm like, almost all the ways I didn't transition all the way. Like, I would never leave Atlanta, you know what I'm saying? I live in a whole nother state, so I didn't transition all the way. But it's still at times where, you know what I'm saying, it's like it fuck with you a little bit.

[Lil Baby]

Where'd you get the name Wham? I know I stand for who harder than me, but where'd you get that name from?

[Swizz Beatz]

From like, wham. Wham. Wham. Bitch on the baby. Okay. One of my guys just started calling me Wham and everybody started calling me Wham.

[Lil Baby]

I saw Thug said. Thug said, what Wham says goes. Then you put it up on Billboard. What did that post mean to you? Did you speak to Thug a lot when he got locked up?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, def.

[Lil Baby]

His dad. His dad said that he got at you once for not going to Thug's court dates.

[Swizz Beatz]

His dad didn't say anything.

[Lil Baby]

You say that's how you felt about that?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, for sure.

[Lil Baby]

What's the relationship with you and Thug now? I know he's on the new album, got good relationship.

[Swizz Beatz]

Same relationship we've been in. Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Is it hard to make music because he's under so much scrutiny and I know the lawyer's probably looking.

[Swizz Beatz]

It's crazy. He's super talented, you know what I'm saying? So really, like, he do it with ease.

[Lil Baby]

When he said what Wham says goals, what did. What did you say or what did you want to say? Like what?

[Swizz Beatz]

It wasn't like, literally that. You know what I'm saying? It was like a little insider.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah. What's the relationship with you and Gunner right now?

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't got no relationship.

[Lil Baby]

You know the Internet says. The Internet says you can't make hits without Gunner. So do you think y'all ever make music again?

[Swizz Beatz]

Internet say anything? How many hits I got?

[Lil Baby]

Absolutely.

[Swizz Beatz]

So. That don't even make sense, you know?

[Lil Baby]

How much do you pay attention to the Internet, man?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like, I only see what I gotta see, you know what I'm saying? And I try my best to just keep going like that. I don't feed into that, I don't read comments and all that some shit just be the headline. You gotta see it, know what I'm saying? But for the most part, I don't even get into shit like that.

[Lil Baby]

I know Thug says what Wham says goes. But if thug says, hey, I'm gonna get in the studio, I'm gonna make some music with Gunna baby. I want you to participate. Would you?

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't see that happening. No, I'm just saying, like, I want you to participate. I don't know what nobody else will do, you know what I'm saying? But just as far as me, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

You dropped the 350 record and you said, ain't never sayin nothing about it, nigga. You know you was a rat and everybody thought you was talking about.

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah, but everybody. It's just the Internet where they gonna create. I talk about rats in every song I had since I started rapping. So now you know, it be like they just create a narrative and go, I might need to be talking about a n. So whoever a rat, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

What's your relationship with qc? Cause I know you just started your own label, right?

[Swizz Beatz]

I started my own label, but I ain't signing my own label, you know what I'm saying? I'm still signing qc.

[Lil Baby]

So you still. You done soldier with qc? The General with. Was it Glass Windows Entertainment? Yeah. You changed Your name from 4PF. Why'd you change the type? Change the name?

[Swizz Beatz]

I ain't changed the name. It's just a whole new company.

[Lil Baby]

Okay, so 4PF still exists.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

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

[Lil Baby]

The world is constantly changing. It's up to you to decide how to respond. Choose to be bold. Try something new. Choose to reinvent yourself. That's what Nissan did with the all new totally reimagined Kicks. The dynamic new exterior styling immediately announces that Nissan isn't messing around. The interior, a completely redesigned cabin with premium features like wireless Apple Carplay and a panoramic moonroof makes driving a Kicks immersive and exciting. And with new performance and safety features like intelligent all wheel drive, the Kicks is both more fun and safer to drive than ever before. It's the dawning of a brand new era for the Nissan Kicks. Only one question remains. Is it a new era for you as well? Drive the all new reimagine Nissan Kicks today available feature.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Bose is a registered trademark of the Bose Corporation. Nissan Safety Shield technologies can't prevent all collisions or worn in all situations. See Owner's Manual for important safety information.

[Lil Baby]

The holidays are here and it's that time of year to think about. Yes, gifts, but not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips so we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. The reason I love this so much is because it is the holidays and there's things that I've had family members and friends ask me for throughout the year that I simply would not give them the money to get. But I will get them the actual items. So whether it's laptops, hair steamers, dining sets, makeup, better wigs for Lauren LaRosa, whatever it is they need, Amazon got it. Amazon Last Minute deals are here. Shop Last Minute Deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.com black effect podcast for my favorite picks.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Be merry, be bright, be loved this holiday season with sparkling holiday gifts from Pandora Jewelry. Bring the sparkle to Black Friday with Pandora jewelry from November 16 through December 3, receive 30% off storewide hand picked and ready to wrap, wear and love. Select from a wide range of possibilities for personalization. From festive charms with vibrant pops of color, shimmering rings and earrings designed to dazzle to radiant bracelets and necklaces shining in a mix of luminous metals, Pandora has something special for everyone on your holiday list. Shop Pandora Jewelry today and save 30% off some exclusion supply. Hey guys, we want to tell you about Peloton. Peloton has a variety that allows me to adapt to any season of life and keep me coming back through my childhood's growth, changing interests, potential injuries and recoveries or even just a busy season. That's right. Peloton has what you need to keep you on track to your goals no matter what season of life you're in.

[Swizz Beatz]

You're right, Anders.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Peloton has a variety of challenging classes that you can lean on and fit into your schedule. Whether you're a new parent, traveling for the holiday, training for something big, or just big busy. From 4 week strength building classes to running, cycling and everything in between, Peloton can adapt to any goal and need. In this season of your life. You could challenge yourself anywhere with Peloton's all access membership. Like at home, on your bike, tread and row.

[Swizz Beatz]

Or take your favorite classes on the go and at the gym.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

With the app they have 10 minute.

[Swizz Beatz]

Hikes, 15 minute hit rides, 45 minute strength classes.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

No matter the amount of time you.

[Swizz Beatz]

Need, Peloton has the perfect class for.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

You to sweat in.

[Swizz Beatz]

Find your push, find your power. With [e-mail] what was your reaction when.

[Lil Baby]

You heard Kendrick mention you in Not Like Us? He said Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up in reference to Drake. What'd you think when you heard that?

[Swizz Beatz]

I ain't really into like that side of hip hop, so I don't really, you know.

[Lil Baby]

But you and Drake always had a good relationship. I mean, Drake helps you a lot.

[Swizz Beatz]

Great relationship.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

So, you know, you kind of, it's just with any situation, like if you and him was arguing, what the hell you gonna say?

[Lil Baby]

But you know, like, don't bring you in it.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, man, I don't wanna be having nothing to do with it. I got, I be having. Not saying whatever they got going on ain't real or nothing, but I be like, I feel like to me like rapping shit be my work, you know what I'm saying? It's like I don't want that type of at work, you know what I'm saying? That's what like even you saying like, what's your relationship with gun? I ain't, I ain't hear it, ain't in it for that type of. You know what I'm saying? I ain't on that.

[Lil Baby]

Well, I bought that up just, just, just because of the music, music aspect of it. Because you know, people, y'all made hits together and some people want that again.

[Swizz Beatz]

Right, right.

[Lil Baby]

But you don't think that's gonna happen. One thing I loved about your documentary, man, is it just shows you know how much you mean to this to the city, city of Atlanta. So when you have A city that loves you that much, do you ever feel like you can just completely, completely let it go? Like the street. The street aspect of it? Cause you can't. You can't be that person no more.

[Swizz Beatz]

It's just like, there's different aspects of it, you know what I'm saying? I still could be that person who donate millions to the neighborhood, you get what I'm saying? But that don't mean I gotta be hanging in the neighborhood, you know what I'm saying? So it's like I'm still feeding the streets one way or the other, you know what I'm saying? It's just I got a different way of going about it now.

[Lil Baby]

Do you think it's a culture shock when they see you, like, out with the Michael Rubins of the world?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, for sure it's a culture shock. But that's more like me being vulnerable. Like, you couldn't even imagine the type of shit we be on, you know what I'm saying? I don't just hang with people. I ain't one of them. Cause you got this. I'm a whole man, you know what I'm saying? He actually get a nigga gang. He really had, like, real conversations. You can, like, talk to somebody on a high level about, like, questions that we don't be knowing, you know what I'm saying? They be knowing that shit.

[Lil Baby]

And I think what the streets don't understand is when you got relationships with.

[Swizz Beatz]

People, the streets in the Internet ain't the same. So you saying what the Internet saying They ain't in the streets, you know what I'm saying? Them two different things.

[Lil Baby]

That is very true. That is very true. But so what the Internet don't understand is when you around people like that, you getting game, probably getting more money, and that you're able to give back to the streets even more, turning all.

[Swizz Beatz]

The rest of these niggas on to it. Like, look, this how we do it.

[Lil Baby]

That's right.

[Swizz Beatz]

You know what I'm saying? But I understand that the Internet want to know that. And I also don't break it down for them to know that either, you know what I'm saying? So I take it with a grand inside. Like, I can see why they say that, because I already know. I have to dumb it all the way down for them to even understand. You got to be a cold to peep the I be doing, I'm saying on the owner, just far as a naked eye, I ain't telling you, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

I Don't understand why. They just don't. They don't respect actions, you know what I mean?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like they don't see it, you know, you got to dumb it down. You got to say it what it is. And you don't do that directly. They go, whatever they seen directly.

[Lil Baby]

Do you feel like you gotta tell them every single thing you do for the hood though?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like hey, I don't even tell them I do the most. I do the most. The most. Most. I don't got a PR routine behind it. No, nothing. No, never. I really the most millions a year.

[Lil Baby]

How do you handle raising a son and co parenting with somebody who's also a public figure?

[Swizz Beatz]

That's kind of hard, you know what I'm saying? Definitely. Cause it's like you always be attached to that person, you know what I'm saying? Even if even it's just in today's time, the other person don't even have to be in the limelight. They gonna automatically be if I had a child with them, you know what I'm saying? So that's like something I'm gonna have to battle no matter what.

[Lil Baby]

In a sense, how, how you've been able to keep your personal life private.

[Swizz Beatz]

You know, I just don't go on the Internet about it's like easy to me. Like I don't even need like. Cause I don't look at the Internet as like my fans and I look at the Internet like the whole world, it's like certain shit. I'm just not gonna voluntarily tell the whole world for nothing. Or like I can't get validation from like comments and that type of stuff. I don't function like that.

[Lil Baby]

You do realize though the Internet just be fucking with you cause you successful.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, I don't get into it, you know what I'm saying? Cause you, I know you can't beat the Internet. They'll say sky green, they'll come in all day.

[Lil Baby]

That's right.

[Swizz Beatz]

Like, so I ain't really too tough getting in and missing that.

[Lil Baby]

Cause it'll fuck you up mentally.

[Swizz Beatz]

Definitely.

[Lil Baby]

Cuz they'll say one thing on the Internet, but then you go and perform in front of 30,000 people and everybody's singing your music word for word. So who you supposed to listen to?

[Swizz Beatz]

That's the only thing you got to know what to weave in, what to weave out. But sometimes the comments could be correct, you know what I'm saying? Sometimes people be saying could be correct, you know what I'm saying? So you gotta kinda go for what you Feel get you a team around you who can help you in those aspects, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

What do you feel right now you should be doing in the studio? Just musically? Like if you didn't have to listen to nobody, not the Streets, not the Internet, just what Little Big.

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't listen to nobody now, okay? Nobody. I still listen to what people gotta say just to see what they say, you know what I'm saying? But once you listen to and you get 10 different opinions from 10 different people, it's like you go where it got you here, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

The more successful you got, do you feel like you got a greater sense of responsibility?

[Swizz Beatz]

Definitely, 1000%.

[Lil Baby]

Do you feel pressure to just release music because of the high demand that people have for Lil Baby? They always pray, they always want new little baby music.

[Swizz Beatz]

That's like a good problem to have. I don't want you feeling no pressure though.

[Lil Baby]

But then when you take a couple of years off, that's when they start, oh, he fell off, he fell off, he fell off.

[Swizz Beatz]

It is what it is, you know what I'm saying? That's how I really go about it. Like, total honesty.

[Lil Baby]

You said that in the record In a minute. You said blood, sweat and tears come with each check. It ain't nowhere easy. So what's been the hardest part of your career so far?

[Swizz Beatz]

Everything from just starting this career, you know what I'm saying? I jumped into the career kind of like big, you know what I'm saying? So I had to adapt from behind. It ain't like I grinded for five years, then got a hit, you know what I'm saying? I had grinded for five days and got a hit, so now I gotta adjust it. Goddamn, this whole new lifestyle shit. I really know nothing about you talking.

[Lil Baby]

About just like as far as being.

[Swizz Beatz]

Multi millionaires, God damn, I already had a lifestyle. I like having money. So that was the only good thing with just period, people knowing you, people taking pictures of you. You know, you can't go this way in public. Like, you hearing yourself, you seeing yourself everywhere, you know what I'm saying? Like it's a super big drastic change.

[Lil Baby]

But now it's business. I guess that's what you trying to show people. Like I'm doing business now real quick.

[Swizz Beatz]

I was doing business the whole time, okay? You know what I'm saying? I got love for my fans, we relate to it, but it's still the business aspect of it, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

I wonder if they would even understand.

[Swizz Beatz]

They wouldn't. That's why I don't try to press it too hard. I understand that they wouldn't, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Is there certain things you want them to know though? Like, as far as your business is concerned, like, I really want y'all to know I'm doing this and if y'all knew what I was doing, y'all would understand what was.

[Swizz Beatz]

I always tell the guys and shit. Cause they want me to. They always want me to like clear this up or like, hell no. I say this, I feel like when a day right for them to know, they gonna know and then I'm still gonna look like the best in the world. Like, damn, the whole time you could have easily just told us, you know what I'm saying? But I rather just. One day you gonna see it's inevitable.

[Lil Baby]

Who are your OGs in the game right now? Like, what's some of the most important lessons you learning from them?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like in the game on any level.

[Lil Baby]

Just any OGs around you, whether it.

[Swizz Beatz]

Could be P. Michael Ruben, Nike, I keep OGs, okay? Know what I'm saying? Like, I ain't never. That's how my name. I got the little baby name from being a little boy hanging with all the grown men, know what I'm saying? So I got five to 10 people who call my phone every day from old niggas who own $100 million worth of real estate. Never been nowhere on the scene niggas who rap game switch beats, you know what I'm saying? Like, I always have an open hair, you know what I'm saying? I want to listen, know what I'm saying? I like having a big homie or somebody who I can call and get the game from, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Do they understand? Cause I mean, you're still your little baby, the artist. So you might have OGs who do things business wise, but do they understand what you're going through as an artist? Like, who are the people that you talk to from that perspective? From that perspective.

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't really talk to nobody like that. Cause I don't really know nobody. But you know, people like Young Thug, you know what I'm saying? That like, I could talk to him about stuff like that. Cause I ain't really even cool with rappers to even really just talk to a nigga, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

I mean, you and Thug go back. We saw that in the documentary how he's. He would pay you to stay out the Street. Cause he just believed in you, right? Did he believe in. Did he believe in you as a rapper or just a person?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like, I honestly believe in as a person. And if I was gonna rap, then that's what, like, just the whole everything. Cause it wasn't even more so, like, songs. Cause it ain't like you heard me rap.

[Lil Baby]

No.

[Swizz Beatz]

Hell of a time on the way with rap. Two, three songs. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So it can't be like, bro, your bar is immaculate. It gotta be like, what you see in me as a person.

[Lil Baby]

How did that time influence not just the way you saw Thug, but the way you saw yourself? Cause when people see things in you that you don't normally see in yourself, you just start showing up for yourself. Different, definitely.

[Swizz Beatz]

If you get a little with her, you eventually start to feed off of it. Mm.

[Lil Baby]

Is that one. He's one of the closest people to you?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, Different.

[Lil Baby]

You know, you credited a. A long conversation with. With Little Marlo Rest In Peace, for being the turning point that made you take rap serious. So. So how did that impact you?

[Swizz Beatz]

Not not take rap serious. Rap, period.

[Lil Baby]

Just rap, period.

[Swizz Beatz]

I'm saying, like, I get to go to the studio. He like, man, we need to make a song, you know what I'm saying? Made his own.

[Lil Baby]

Does the fact that he believed in you, does that remain one of the driving forces? And what keeps you even going now?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like, now it's so much giving me driving forces, you know what I'm saying? It's like, I done devoted my whole life to this now. Cause it's like I can't go back to being a regular person no matter what, you know what I'm saying? Even if I was a regular, I still wouldn't be a regular person. So that's the drive right there, you know what I'm saying? And, like, I always want to leave a legacy. Like, I don't want to never be a used to be could have been, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

People don't talk about that enough, man. They don't talk about how, like, you know, when you got people that believe in you in a real way, whether.

[Swizz Beatz]

It'S Thug, whether it's Marlowe, support us a whole lot. It make a big difference in everything. It only gotta just be music. And when you got people who believe in you, you a little. A little dry. Mm.

[Lil Baby]

Who do you believe in right now? Cause you got your label, right? Who do you believe in? Do you see, like, one of them next superstars coming from Atlanta under you?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, definitely. Ralo ain't from Atlanta. He from Alabama. But I definitely see it in them. I got a new little artist named Noodle, you know what I'm saying? But what I see in them might not be with everybody else seeing them though. You know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

How do you. How do you still let them grow as artists even though you are on a different level? Cause you seeing things that they haven't seen or may not see. They may not have the success you have. So how do you just let them be them and not put too much pressure on them?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, I don't got no pressure on them at all. Whatever y'all want to do.

[Lil Baby]

Okay.

[Swizz Beatz]

I still just explain to y'all how I did it. Cause I. Cause I shot up fast, but I took all the steps too. I just did it fast, you know what I'm saying? So, like, I had to go through everything they going through already so I could tell him and try to comfort him a little bit.

[Lil Baby]

Do you feel like you put too much pressure on yourself just as far as who you are? Not even just lil baby, as far as just being Dominique, like probably taking care of like people in your hood?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Nah. Cause I'm on some shit. Like, I ain't never scared to say no, you know what I'm saying? I know when I can say, you know what I'm saying? It's like I ain't gonna put myself in that position where it's like I'm stretched out trying to do for everybody else. Like maybe back in the day I might have. Would have been. But like, at this point, my kids, they didn't have my height. You know what I'm saying? A nigga.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

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

[Lil Baby]

The world is constantly changing. It's up to you to decide how to respond. Choose to be bold. To try something new. Choose to reinvent yourself. That's what Nissan did with the all new totally reimagined kicks. The dynamic new exterior styling immediately announces.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

That Nissan isn't messing around.

[Lil Baby]

The interior, a completely redesigned cabin with premium features like wireless apple carplay and panoramic moonroof make driving and kicks immersive and exciting. And with new performance and safety features like intelligent all wheel drive, the Kicks is both more fun and safer to drive than ever before. It is the dawning of a brand new era for the Nissan Kicks. Only one question remains. Is it a new era for you as well? Drive the all new reimagined Nissan Kicks.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Today available Bose is a registered trademark of the Bose Corporation. Nissan Safety Shield technologies can't prevent all collisions or warn in all situations. See Owner's Manual for important safety information.

[Lil Baby]

The holidays are here and it's that time of year to think about, yes, gifts. But not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips so we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. The reason I love this so much is because it is the holidays and there's things that I've had family members and friends ask me for throughout the year that I simply would not give them the money to get. But I will get them the actual items. So whether it's laptops, hair steamers, dining sets, makeup, better wigs for Lauren LaRosa, whatever it is they need, Amazon got it. Amazon Last Minute Deals are here. Shop Last Minute Deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.com blackeffectpodcast for my favorite picks.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Be merry, be bright, be loved this holiday season with sparkling holiday gifts from Pandora Jewelry. Bring the sparkle to Black Friday with Pandora jewelry. From November 16 through December 3, receive 30% off storewide, hand picked and ready to wrap, wear and love select from a wide range of possibilities for personalization. From festive charms with vibrant pops of color, shimmering rings and earrings designed to dazzle, to radiant bracelets and necklaces shining in a mix of luminous metals, Pandora has something special for everyone on your holiday list. Shop Pandora Jewelry today and save 30% off some exclusion supply. You know that feeling that you have when you find great gifts at even better prices? That's the feeling of shopping at Ross. You can find gifts for up to 20 to 60% off other retailers prices all holiday long. They've got a whole beauty section full of things like makeup and beauty gift sets and fragrances and all new oversized comfy lounge sets that are great for your favorite teen and for the men. You can save big on dress shirts and puffer vests too. So save on all things holiday at Ross. Yes, for less.

[Lil Baby]

What was the program you enrolled in at Harvard Business School, a business class.

[Swizz Beatz]

Called Lunch at New Bench.

[Lil Baby]

What made you want to do that? Was that Swizz or.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, Swizz and Alicia Keys.

[Lil Baby]

Well, they told you. Like, what did they tell you that made you want to do it?

[Swizz Beatz]

Swizz had already been telling me to do it for about a year and two, three more people told me. Like, they don't even know I know him. Like, I'm telling you, Swizz, that guy for you to go with. I think you know, nigga, just see what I be on, like, how I'm really living. Then, like, after the third person called me, I'm like, man, this is the third person told me. Well, I just went on and got into class.

[Lil Baby]

What'd you learn from it?

[Swizz Beatz]

Like a. I already know how to do the basics of a business. It's just like hustling, you know what I'm saying? It's basically the same thing, but I learned the exact details and the exact terminology and the exact ways to go about getting a loan or getting starting to investment pool. Like, I know how to do all that, but I learned the technical way of it.

[Lil Baby]

And I saw that you. You invested in a network. Was it the Huvara network? Yeah. What is that?

[Swizz Beatz]

That's something like one of my friends and stuff created, and I just invested with him. I'm with everybody, trying shit, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

How many investments you got right now? I know you own a lot of property.

[Swizz Beatz]

I can't even tell you. I try to invest more than I spend, you know what I'm saying? That's what I be on, and that's what I mean.

[Lil Baby]

Like, if they say when you talk about having a long music career, do you really need to have a long music career or do you need to.

[Swizz Beatz]

I can have you do it, right?

[Lil Baby]

Okay.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Nah, I know people who live way better than most of the musicians, you know what I'm saying? Musicians.

[Lil Baby]

Do you want to have a long music career?

[Swizz Beatz]

Now? My goal out. Your goal always to be Michael Jackson, go out till you die, you know what I'm saying? But for the life expectancy of a rap career and stuff, I always know it ain't that long for me, you know what I'm saying? I don't even think I want it to be that long unless I was like, Michael Jackson level, you know what I'm saying? Where it's like, you just gotta do this shit, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

About five years ago, you said your ultimate goal is to make sure. Your son and any other kids didn't have to grow up the way you grew up. Do you believe you met that goal already?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Now. Cause we still growing, you know what I'm saying? Still an everyday cycle. Shit I be saying and shit. I be on it. Be on some 20 years from now. Shit. Not like, come back in two years and ask me, like, it's gonna take 20 years for this shit.

[Lil Baby]

And I know you a private person, but when you got people around you, close to you, like the mother of your child, she's a public figure. A lot of times parts of your life come online because of her. Does that ever bother you?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Yeah. But it be a part of, like I say, the good with the bad. And you know what I'm saying, like, it don't really be nothing you could do about it. I don't try to put too much energy into it.

[Lil Baby]

Does it piss you off when you see the Internet, like the Internet be making comments about your children 1,000%, you.

[Swizz Beatz]

Know what I'm saying? But I can't go in comment on every comment, though, you know what I'm saying? I just had to do what I got to do behind the scenes, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

And what is that? What does that look like behind the scenes? Like, telling them, like, man, stop posting my family all the time.

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't even say shit like that, okay? I just talk to my children. I don't really. Cause my children are old enough to comprehend shit, you know what I'm saying? So I talk to them.

[Lil Baby]

What do you want for yourself in 2025 when this Wham album drops? What do you hope it does?

[Swizz Beatz]

When I'm trying to drop Wham album, then a couple more months, drop a Dominique album, then I got like, two other situations lined up. I got my whole 2025 prepared, planned out, though.

[Lil Baby]

So being away these past couple of years, you just. You knew what you wanted to do when you came back, like, for sure.

[Swizz Beatz]

I just knew. I knew the point I needed to get to, to do what I needed to do.

[Lil Baby]

Is Wham gonna be like the street album or is this gonna be just good music?

[Swizz Beatz]

It's like, I don't really know the street album and the Streets ain't the same no more, you know what I'm saying? I just, like, I'm more like real music than, like, street music, you know what I'm saying? Cause the streets, they change, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

How does Atlanta feel now? Like, when you see things like, you know, what happened with Thug Atlanta, totally.

[Swizz Beatz]

Different from what it used to be. Dramatic change, you know what I'm saying? But I am 30 now, you know what I'm saying? That was our generation. It's a whole new generation.

[Lil Baby]

Do you even still like being there? Because it was weird, right? It was a weird period. When Thug went away, it felt like they was trying to put targets on everybody. Like they was hoping something bad happened to you.

[Swizz Beatz]

That's what. That's. That's like the narrative. That's what. Fuck you. Mental up, you know what I'm saying? Imagine not doing nothing. You know, you don't do nothing, but it just. That's the type of shit you got to see and shit you got to live through. That shit'll really fuck you up if you ain't strong.

[Lil Baby]

And you ever wonder, like, why y'all? Why. Why do y'all want something to happen?

[Swizz Beatz]

I just understand people, you know what I'm saying? I know it just. That shit come with a territory.

[Lil Baby]

So does that ever make you just wanna fucking get the money and just disappear? Get all the way out the way?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah, a thousand percent.

[Lil Baby]

Do you think shit like when they see pictures like Michael Rubin, and, you know he's a friendly dude, he like to hug and shit like that? When they see you hug, well, Michael Rubin hugging you, you think that Michael Rubin had an impact?

[Swizz Beatz]

Michael Rubin was never hugging me. I'm saying I was dapping Kuzman up and Mike, happy to see me. He ran over there. We started, like, wrestling, like, touching it. And that picture, like, Mike, one of my real good friends, we had a party with goddamn 2, 300 people. There's nothing weird could go on with all these people in the mix, you know what I'm saying? But I ain't gonna get on the Internet and go back and forth. Like I told him, that's a crazy looking picture, you know what I'm saying? But it is what it is.

[Lil Baby]

So when you see stuff like that, you don't even want to comment. You just, like, let people talk.

[Swizz Beatz]

I ain't trying to explain my point and all that. Then you look like you lying. I ain't with all that, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

What's the best investment he put you on? Cause when I spoke to him one time and he said this publicly, he. He gave me, like, the largest investment he ever got. Roi, he got back in his life. Have you done that for you yet?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. We don't really got nobody else who gonna give us them time, investments. Know what I'M saying, he ain't no. Like, people will be like, well, you running ain't with the white boys and all that, but where the black man at? Who gonna help a nigga out? And you know, color thing with me, it's like, this shit be for us, you know what I'm saying? I don't even know white people. Anything I learned, I'm gonna help. I only get better than my people, you know what I'm saying? No matter who I learn it from or where I got to get it from, you know what I'm saying? And the fact that Mike actually understand that, that's what make us have a bun, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

And he give you the information for free just cause he fuck with you.

[Swizz Beatz]

Just simple, simple shit. They think niggas already know. We don't even be knowing that shit though, know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

What's your end goal?

[Swizz Beatz]

I don't got an end goal. Never stop. And I might got end goals, but the majority of it is never stop. Somebody got an end go with this or end go with this. But I'm never gonna stop. Might just end here and keep going somewhere else, you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

You mean just never stop as far as just building business, Just whatever, you.

[Swizz Beatz]

Know what I'm saying? Whatever is gonna be. It's gonna be farming. I'm gonna be doing it every day, you know what I'm saying? Like, just. No, it's time.

[Lil Baby]

Did you imagine your life at 30? Like when you was younger and you was like in the streets gambling, like the little baby that the old GS, you know?

[Swizz Beatz]

You know, one day I'm gonna be 30, but you can't imagine. Cause you don't really know what it is. It's like shit you gotta go through. But like, far as saying, like, I know I'm gonna be 30 one day, like hell yeah.

[Lil Baby]

So you. Okay, that's good. So you never saw yourself not seeing 30?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. Nah.

[Lil Baby]

Okay. Cause you know, you got some people.

[Swizz Beatz]

My plan always been to be here. Shit, I ain't trying to do nothing out of the ordinary and not be here.

[Lil Baby]

Especially now that you got kids.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah.

[Swizz Beatz]

You had kids for a long time now.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah. You want to see your grandkids? Everything I'm saying, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So Dominique album, when's that gonna drop?

[Swizz Beatz]

This summer, maybe like three, four months after.

[Lil Baby]

Well, is it done or.

[Swizz Beatz]

It's already done, but you know, like, you're still in the recording process. I'm saying If I had. If I wanted to drop two of them today, I could. But, I mean, in the midst of it, the way I'm being out, I still gonna, like, work on Little Shit, add some trick, you know?

[Lil Baby]

Does it feel like you're able to be more vulnerable in your music or on interviews? Or do you feel like you might write a book or whether it's a documentary, like, what was it? What do you think makes you be able to express yourself the most right now?

[Swizz Beatz]

It's just me forcing myself to express myself more. I mean, you can answer anything you say, but I just ain't gonna do it. Like, now. I just, like, just answer it. You know what I'm saying? Like, try to make it more vulnerable, give people a different insight on you and shit.

[Lil Baby]

I just feel like that's your disposition, though. Like, you always been. You always been like that. Like, I remember the first time when Pete brought you to Breakfast Club years ago. You just always move like that. So forcing you to do it. I don't know if that's possible.

[Swizz Beatz]

Ain't nobody can't force me to do it. It's just something I'm gradually. Do you know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

So when they come to you and say, man, you gotta make this kind of song. You gotta make that kind of song.

[Swizz Beatz]

Nobody never came to me with nothing like that.

[Lil Baby]

It's just you.

[Swizz Beatz]

All right? You gotta make this kind of song. I don't got that. I ain't never had that.

[Lil Baby]

So if you feel it, then you'll go out there and do it.

[Swizz Beatz]

That's it.

[Lil Baby]

That's it.

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah. That been affirmative for me. I don't gotta attend person camp who build a song in this way, and it's just been, like, authentic for me. Mm.

[Lil Baby]

I'm saying, well, man, baby, keep doing your thing, brother, you know?

[Swizz Beatz]

Appreciate you.

[Lil Baby]

Wham who? Harder than me? This is like the fourth. Fourth tape in that series, right?

[Swizz Beatz]

Yeah.

[Lil Baby]

Yeah. So this gonna be. Is this the last one? This the last Wham?

[Swizz Beatz]

Nah, you know, it's just something that's there. You know what I'm saying?

[Lil Baby]

Absolutely.

[Swizz Beatz]

I appreciate it.

[Lil Baby]

Appreciate you, brother.

[Swizz Beatz]

Thank you.

[Lil Baby]

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[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

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[Swizz Beatz]

This.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

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[Lil Baby]

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[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

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