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Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human Whether you're calling the wise woman in your life, video calling your girlfriends across the country, or checking in on someone who always knows how to make you smile, staying Connected Matters those small conversations, shared laughs and quick hellos are what keep relationships strong even when life gets busy. Some of the most life giving conversations start with just a phone call. That's why AT and T guarantees a network you can rely on, so you can focus on the moments and people that matter the most. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT and T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comforward/guarantee for details.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Chobani, Vitamin Water, Jelly Belly, Nutella, Haagen, Dazs, Nestle and Outshine. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save, even enjoy savings on top of savings. When you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Inner Balance Advertiser
If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal. You're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance, the first all in one prescription strength bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop, 10 seconds a day. Oestra replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again. That's innerbalance.com is it just me or
Fidelity Advertiser
is it getting really hard to figure out the best way to save for retirement? Well, Fidelity can help you to find clarity so you can save the best way for you. With a free personalized plan, goal tracking and timely insights, you'll be set to take on retirement your way.
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Ray Porter
let's get to it.
Lauren LaRosa
I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody.
T.I.
Exclusive.
Lauren LaRosa
You know she don't lie about that, right?
Fidelity Advertiser Disclaimer
Lauren came in hot.
Lauren LaRosa
Hey y', all, what's up? It's Lauren the Rosa. And this is another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things Pop culture, entertainment, news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now. Now, we normally check in behind the scenes of the grind, but today, again, I am on the scenes. So we're going to get right on into the latest as I bring you some exclusive conversations from the Roots Picnic with some of the biggest names in the industry, from TI To Kehlani. Let's get into it now. Y' all know TI King of the south, even though he said he trying to kill the King with this next album. Watching him at the Roots Picnic, though, and I compliment him here a lot, because if you were there at the Roots picnic and saw his set, you will understand the greatness and, I would say the evolution of TI but to be honest, he. He plays songs from the very beginning to the very, you know, the most recent songs. Right in the way that people just know every word, the way that it's reaching generation and generation. I'm looking across the crowd like, damn, everybody can't do this. To be so blessed in that space. You got to give it up for T.I. and everything that he's done. He's celebrating 20 years of ATL in the King album, which was very monumental, a monumental part of his care. So we get into all of that. Let's take a listen. Hey, y', all, it's Lauren LaRosa. We're here at the Roots Picnic hosted by AT&T. And I'm sitting here with T.I. i know he's trying to kill the title, the King of the south. Or Kill the King, right?
T.I.
Yeah. Kill the King of the South.
Lauren LaRosa
But can we. We still can refer to you as the King of the South. That's how we know you tip. Yeah, I feel you at this point.
T.I.
Well, you know, I mean, the moniker, King of the south, you know what I'm saying? That was to make a name for myself.
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah. I mean, it's here.
T.I.
And to introduce myself to a world that would have chosen to ignore me
Lauren LaRosa
if they could have, which is crazy. I just watched you perform, and I watched so many people, like, of all ages, like, everybody just flocked to your stage to make sure they could see you. But the classics that you went through, timeless classics. I was like, wow. People say timeless, but to see it in real life, I feel like that's been the moniker of the week. And we saw Jay Z last night. Timeless.
T.I.
That was a big night.
Corinne Bailey Rae
No.
T.I.
Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
You weren't here. Did you see it online?
T.I.
I wasn't here, man. I had a film premiere at the abff. I couldn't make It.
Lauren LaRosa
But, I mean, you are a showman, right? You're a performer. When you saw the freestyle and you saw. I mean, Jay Z hasn't said much about much. Oh, you haven't seen the whole thing?
T.I.
I haven't seen the whole thing. I don't have no social media on my phone, so.
Lauren LaRosa
Oh, why not? You taking a break, man?
T.I.
Since. Man, it's been. Since what, man? Probably 23.
Ray Porter
Wow.
T.I.
I ain't had no social media.
Lauren LaRosa
Well, yeah, I mean, so he did his freestyle. That. I mean, Questlove said they didn't even know what was gonna happen. You heard about it. You heard about it. Okay. Because the reason why I asked you is because we know, you know, you're lyricist. We know you address what you wanna address. And the conversation right now is if whether or not Jay Z should have addressed certain things. Because he said that we didn't need to have battle conversation or battle rap in the culture anymore. We need to collaborate more. And he chose to take the stage and address certain things. So you as somebo. I mean, people don't. We know that you're going to address what you want to. How you want to. We've seen you do it recently. How do you feel when he chooses to do that? Or like, you know, man, I think
T.I.
as a creative bro, you just. You, You. You support the art. You know what I'm saying?
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
I got you expression.
T.I.
If him expressing himself creatively is keeping him from, you know, keeping it. Letting it fester, you know what I'm saying, man, let the man do his thing. And an artist is going to. We gonna put it out there.
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
T.I.
You feel me?
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
T.I.
How we see. How we see it appropriate. And the rest of the world just have to observe and deal with.
Lauren LaRosa
And that's what we've been doing all week. And I know that you just celebrated 20 years of the king album. 20 years also of atl. Yeah, man. I talked to Jason Weaver and he was telling me we had a conversation about ATL2 and just, you know, the battle that has been for you guys, kind of like with the executive, he said TI Might be upset at me for saying this, but the executives, they don't. They didn't really understand where ATL sits in the culture. And I thought that that was crazy.
T.I.
I think he was. I think he was spot on. I think that, you know, the film came out and surpassed all expectations.
Lauren LaRosa
Y' all were number three in the box office. Your opening weekend with limited theaters and limited support.
T.I.
Right.
Lauren LaRosa
Ice Age came out that weekend.
T.I.
Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
And you guys were number three. Ice Age was one.
T.I.
Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
I mean, that's. You know how crazy that is?
T.I.
I do. I think that people never thought that a film about, you know, ATL or ATLANT at that time would captivate so many hearts and minds of people out there, but I think that it's probably one of the most significant coming of age stories of that generation.
Lauren LaRosa
Are we. We saw the reunion, so are we furthering those conversations now? Every time we see the reunion, it's like, you know, y' all tear out our heartstrings.
T.I.
I mean, man, you know what? Anything can happen. I just gotta get to. I gotta get to the right set of ears that understand and see the value and the. And the purpose.
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
T.I.
In the sequel, I think it can happen. We, we got the stories, the cast together. We. We got the money or enough of the money and can get the rest. So, I mean it really about finding the right executive that can either allow us to, you know, understand what's going on or that understands the purpose in it.
Lauren LaRosa
Well, I appreciate you. They wrapping me up. I appreciate you. And I want to say too, I mean, I was telling you this and I kind of opened with this, but watching you perform today, I was like, this is. You really understand an artist and their longevity in the culture when you see the people and how people respond to them. So congratulations on an amazing set today at Roots picnic.
T.I.
Hey, man, appreciate it.
Lauren LaRosa
Yes, yes, yes, of course. Always. It's Lauren Larose that we're at the Ruspicnic hosted by AT&T. TI is here with us. We'll see you guys in the next one.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Monster Energy, Kettle chips, Craft Best Foods, and Kellogg's. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event. Long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings. When you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Inner Balance Advertiser
If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal. You're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance. The first all in one prescription strength bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop, 10 seconds a day. Oestera replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again. That's innerbalance.com is it just me, or
Fidelity Advertiser
is it getting really hard to figure out the best way to save for retirement? Well, Fidelity can help you to find clarity so you can save the best way for you. With a free personalized plan, goal tracking and timely insights, you'll be set to take on retirement your way.
Fidelity Advertiser Disclaimer
Get started@fidelity.com future expenses charged by your investments and other costs and fees associated with trading or transacting in your account. Apply Fidelity Brokerage Services member NYSE SIPC
Kal Penn
hey everyone, it's Kal Penn. I'm the host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project, Hail Mary, massive sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.
Ray Porter
I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections. And it's like, okay, yo, yo, yo, is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point, it would kind of be betraying the trust the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that deeply, emotionally affected me. And I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say like, oh my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah, dude, me too.
Kal Penn
Listen to Irsay the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Lauren LaRosa
Now, y' all know we had Jason Weaver here on the podcast, and Jason Weaver, you know, who was in atl, who is the singing voice of Simba, a younger Michael Jackson as well. You guys know Jason also talk to us about the same thing. So, you know, hearing it from Jason, hearing it from T.I. it's like, all right, studios in Hollywood, y' all gotta get that together for real because you're missing out on what is really impacting culture. One of the most amazing things, you know, and a lot of this is, like, reflective on the Roost Picnic now, right? Because we're days out of it. One of the most amazing things is not only getting to watch people and see how they impact the audience with, like a ti, but also getting to see an artist in their element. Like an artist who really loves to be on stage, whose voice has been the echo chamber of some of your most peaceful, calming moments. And Corrine Bailey is that you put on Corinne Bailey and press play when you were trying to go to another healed zone. Baby. Okay. Even speaking to her felt like that. Let's take a listen. And I have. Joining me, one of the, like, I would say that, like, your voice is like a voice of, like, clouds. I don't know how most people describe your voice and the feeling that they hear from your music, but, you know, think of vocalists. We think of you. Welcome to the RUS picnic. How you doing today?
Corinne Bailey Rae
I'm doing very well. How are you?
Lauren LaRosa
I am doing amazing. I was just asking you before we got started. You just came in. Do you take a second to, like, ground yourself a bit before you hit the stage? Or, like, what's your mantra? Because it moves so fast.
Corinne Bailey Rae
We had a sound check today, so I like to do that. I'm just out there. I'm literally doing my tai chi. I'm looking and thinking, oh, some people will be sat under this tree. There'll be people here. There'll be people here. So I like to visualize it. So when I come out, I'm just blessed by the fact that there's now people in front of the stage, and I always really want to connect with people, and I felt like we did that today, so I was happy even
Lauren LaRosa
doing a sound check.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Well, in the sound check. Yeah, you've got the security guards. You're trying to win the moment. I mean, once you. Once you're out there.
Lauren LaRosa
Yes. And it's moving. Got you.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yeah. It's like the thing that I hoped would happen did happen. So I'm really, really happy now.
Lauren LaRosa
You're celebrating 20 years of your debut project, right?
Corinne Bailey Rae
That's right. Yeah.
Lauren LaRosa
How does that feel?
Corinne Bailey Rae
It's so weird. It's like it almost feels longer than that and also shorter than that. But it's been so magical. That first record really changed my life. There were songs from my life that went on to transform everything for me and. And make space for me in the world, which I didn't know would be there. You know, I felt like I had an unconventional voice and a. You know, I brought my own sort of homemade music, you know?
Lauren LaRosa
Oh, my God. Your voice is just so. I don't know, like, whenever I'm listening to your music, literally, I always say to myself, like, your voice can't ever have an off day because the sound is very unique, but it's also very Soft. It's very, like, refined. Oh, thank you. I don't know. I know that your voice being so unique was a thing for you.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yeah. I mean, I always used to love singing as a child, but I never felt. Felt there was a place for me. It was only when I got into Kurt Cobain and Billie Holiday. I got into them the same year.
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah, I could see that.
Corinne Bailey Rae
I'm glad that you see that, you know, because those artists, I felt like they had so much. There's no decoration in the voice. It's just storytelling. It's just raw and beautiful and. Yeah, I loved that.
Lauren LaRosa
Do you think you talk about touching people and, you know, everything you're able to do on stage, did you think that 20 years later, those songs from that project would still be doing exactly that?
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yes. I had no idea. You know, when I get to play, especially like a star, Put your records on all over the Place world at
Lauren LaRosa
a roots picnic, right? Yeah.
Corinne Bailey Rae
I mean, just to be invited here is really special. It's the first time I've ever played here, and I play in settings that are like this, you know, and then settings that are like, I play in jazz festivals or, like, I'll play in a pop festival in Germany or I'll play. You know, I just feel like, in a way, I sort of don't fit in anywhere. But that sort of makes me able to kind of. I know, just kind of show up in places. And I'm so grateful to get those invitations.
Lauren LaRosa
When people watch you on stage, whether it was here at the Roost picnic or wherever you are, what do you think or what do you hope they take away from you as you're, like, you know, popping into these places?
Corinne Bailey Rae
I mean, at the end of footy, rock is on. I'm saying, I hope you get your dreams, and I'm just, like, shaking my tambourine. And that is really what I feel. I hope that people have that, you know, have that for themselves. That life is so big and wide, and I just sort of. I'm kind of wishing well for people. You know, the things that I felt, the healing, the blessings that come through music. I just want everyone to feel that.
Lauren LaRosa
Yes. Even talking to you, I'm just sitting here, like, even talking to you feels just like a mantra or like a hug or like love. So, I mean, I think the energy exudes itself. Congratulations on your first roots picnic.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Thank you.
Lauren LaRosa
Yes, it's my first roots picnic as well. So we're doing it together.
Corinne Bailey Rae
I'm sitting here all night.
Lauren LaRosa
Oh, you wanna hang out.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yeah, absolutely.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible item items from Monster Energy, Kettle Chips, Kraft Best Foods and Kellogg's. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Inner Balance Advertiser
If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal. You're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance, the first all in one prescription strength bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop, 10 seconds a day. Oester replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again. That's innerbalance.com is it just me or
Fidelity Advertiser
is it getting really hard to figure out the best way to save for retirement? Well, Fidelity can help you to find clarity so you can save the best way for you. With a free personalized plan, goal tracking and timely insights, you'll be set to take on retirement your way.
Fidelity Advertiser Disclaimer
Get started@fidelity.com future expenses charged by your investments and other costs and fees associated with trading or transacting in your account. Apply Fidelity Brokerage Services Member NYSE SIPC
Kal Penn
hey everyone, it's Cal Penn, host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast I'm Sitting down with Lily Chu, the of the Audible original romantic comedy Just Kiss Already. It's a story about a forensic anthropologist who secretly writes mystery novels, an actress who adapts his book into a film, and what happens when a meme and a media tour collide with a slow burn romance. It's performed by Simu Liu and Philippa Hsu, and it is an absolute blast.
Lily Chu
When you actually hear the performance, you realize that other people are taking your words and what you thought was kind of a straightforward sentence. Like the cat in the corner is black. In my head, it's the cat in the corner is black. Not the dog, not the gerbil, but someone else might say it, the cat in the corner is black. That's always fascinating to me how they just bring in all these different nuances and really make it fun and interesting and distinctive.
Kal Penn
Listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Lauren LaRosa
Love, Corinne Bailey. Loved meeting her and speaking to her. It felt like a hug, to be honest with you, or a great, amazing hot glass of chamomile tea. Just soothing as H E double hockey 6. But then we also ran into Kehlani, and Kehlani, you know, that's my girl, baby, we've been folding clothes for last year. It's it. The things are Folded. That song has taken over so big, and it. And. And it really makes you feel good. That. And it really makes you feel good when you feel like you've been following an artist's career to see them get a song like what Folded has done in radio and across like seas. We talked to Kehlani a bit about the impact, and honestly, I don't even know if she fully feels and understands all of it yet. Let's take a listen. Y' all know I had to pull up on my girl Kaylani. Hey, how are you? I'm doing good. How are you feeling?
Kehlani
I'm good. It's such a nice day. The weather's perfect. Everybody's in really great spirits. I'm happy to be here, girl.
Lauren LaRosa
Let me tell you something. I feel like Folded has been like my. It's almost like my alarm clock at this point from the last escape.
Kehlani
It's everywhere, bro.
Lauren LaRosa
For real. From the last time I saw you on the Breakfast Club to now, the song is even bigger. Are there different feelings because it won't stop growing then? You know what I mean? Like, is it different than any other song that you've released?
Corinne Bailey Rae
Yeah.
Kehlani
I mean, we just broke the, like, the number one radio single, like, ever, which is kind of crazy. So I'm.
Corinne Bailey Rae
I.
Kehlani
There are things that are happening for me that have never happened for me before. So, honestly, I'm just. I'm excited.
Lauren LaRosa
And you're. You just announced the world tour.
Kehlani
Yeah, we're going on tour.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Come see me.
Lauren LaRosa
Is that okay? So when you're preparing for a world tour as Kehlani with this big record, people want to come. They want to hear photo. But we have so many of your records that we love. I wouldn't even ask you how you organize the set list. I'm asking you, is everything going to make it? And how do. What are your babies that you're like, I'm okay with putting that one down. Or are you changing for different parts of the world, girl?
Kehlani
You know, it's important to me to be able to place, you know, take a bet and play this new album and play every single song on this new album I'm definitely gonna lean into. It was good until it wasn't a bit. I feel like everybody waited on that tour and because of COVID we didn't get to happen. So I'm playing songs I've never played from that album. And yeah, of course there's day one songs that will happen, but I'm really prioritizing every song on the Kehlani album.
Lauren LaRosa
Well, I'm, I'm happy for you. And I also feel like that shows how committed to you, your fans are because a lot of artists, I don't care, big or small, would be scared to commit to doing a full album on a world, on a tour stage in general. But you got that girl. Y' all always tell me how much y' all love the conversations that shake the room. And we've brought you guys a ton of them this week. So make sure you guys check out all of our exclusive in on the Scene on the Scene Latest coverage from the Roots Picnic. I appreciate you guys for tuning in. I tell you guys every single episode. Y' all could be anywhere with any old body. But y' all choose to be right here with me, my low riders. I appreciate y'. All. I'll catch you in the next one.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Monster Energy, Kettle Chips, Kraft Best Foods and Kellogg's. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings stack up those to save even more, Enjoy savings on top of savings. When you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.
Inner Balance Advertiser
If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal. You're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance, the first all in one prescription strength bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop, 10 seconds a day. Oestro replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again. That's innerbalance.com hey everyone, it's Kel Penn.
Kal Penn
I'm inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with my podcast, Hearsay, the Audible and Iheart Audiobook Club. Every episode I nerd out with with amazing guests and dive into the best new audiobooks available on Audible. It's the book club for your ears. Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
T.I.
Paramount is now the home of all your BET favorites.
Ryan Seacrest
What?
T.I.
Yes, with all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce Sisters you've always liked, a little drama, plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2. Now I will control an Empire original series like the Shy.
Lauren LaRosa
Just make sure we protect each other.
T.I.
And live sports like ufc. Welcome to the history books. New home, same family. Your BET favorites are now on Paramount plus subscribe now.
Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Date: June 3, 2026
Host: Loren LoRosa, The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
Special Guests: T.I., Corinne Bailey Rae, Kehlani
This episode of "The Latest with Loren LoRosa" takes listeners behind the scenes at the Roots Picnic, highlighting exclusive conversations with Hip-Hop legend T.I., the soulful Corinne Bailey Rae, and chart-topping artist Kehlani. Key topics include the cultural impact of T.I.'s landmark album and film "ATL", creative longevity, what it takes to bring “ATL 2” to life, reflections on musical influence and legacy from Corinne Bailey Rae, and Kehlani’s celebration of her career-defining single “Folded,” plus her plans for a world tour.
[02:11 – 08:13]
T.I.: Legacy, "Kill the King," and Timelessness
The ATL Sequel: Possibility and Roadblocks
Notable Quotes
[12:09 – 15:25]
Reflection on 20 Years in Music
[18:16 – 20:25]
Kehlani on the Relentless Rise of "Folded"
T.I. on why artists speak out:
"How we see it appropriate. And the rest of the world just have to observe and deal with." [05:59]
Corinne Bailey Rae on legacy:
"The healing, the blessings that come through music. I just want everyone to feel that." [14:50]
Kehlani on her historic chart milestone:
"There are things that are happening for me that have never happened for me before. So, honestly, I'm just... I'm excited." [19:36]
This Roots Picnic episode of “The Latest with Loren LoRosa” is an engaging celebration of Black cultural icons in music and film reflecting on success, creative integrity, the evolution of influence, and the power of audience connection. Listeners leave with both nostalgia for past achievements and excitement for what’s next—be it T.I.’s potential “ATL 2” or Kehlani’s monumental world tour.