Roots Picnic One To Remember (Jay-Z Perfomance, QuestLove interview, Talib Interview and more)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Latest with Loren LaRosa

Episode: Roots Picnic One To Remember (Jay-Z Performance, Questlove interview, Talib Interview and more)
Date: June 1, 2026
Host: Loren LaRosa, The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

Loren LaRosa delivers her signature blend of behind-the-scenes access and incisive pop culture commentary live from the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. This episode dives into the magnitude of Jay-Z's highly anticipated return to the stage, celebrated conversations with Questlove, Talib Kweli, and De La Soul, a candid discussion with Jermaine Dupri, and insights from Draymond Green. The focus is on legacy, the evolution of hip-hop festivals, intergenerational influence, and the significance of cultural storytelling in music.

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Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Jay-Z’s Monumental Return to the Stage

• Loren sets the scene with palpable excitement about Jay-Z’s headline performance, emphasizing its rarity and impact.
• Jay-Z’s performance is described with reverence:

  “It's been a very long time since Jay Z has performed. Baby, when I say he set the stage on fire, set it on fire.”
  (Loren LaRosa, 03:08)

• Extended excerpt of Jay-Z’s live performance, full of bravado, cultural references, and lyrical dexterity.
  (See full rap segment: 03:46–06:50)

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2. Questlove on Manifesting the Roots Picnic & Curating Jay-Z’s Return

Interview starts: 06:50

• Loren pivots to an exclusive on-site interview with Questlove about the growth of the Roots Picnic and Jay-Z's participation.
• On booking Jay-Z:

  "You know, I just wore him down because it ain't like I didn't ask him 17 years in a row... It seemed right this year."
  (Questlove, 07:14)

• Questlove talks about his unique DJ style and why Jay-Z trusts him as a musical collaborator.
• On festival growth:

  "This dream of doing this started back when the Roots were living in London... Our first thing at Penn's Landing was only 2,500 people. And now here we are at The Plat at 80,000 people."
  (Questlove, 08:35–09:01)

• He frames the Jay-Z show as a “storied celebration of a brilliant career,” highlighting the sense of history and culture.
  (09:33–09:43)
• Reveals there was a sneak preview show for Jay-Z the night before, organized last minute to work through show mechanics in front of a live audience.
  (09:44–10:01)

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3. Hip-Hop Legacy and Storytelling: Talib Kweli, De La Soul & More

Interview starts: 10:12

• Loren reflects on running into legends, expressing the privilege of learning from icons like Talib Kweli and De La Soul.
• On the Roots Picnic’s impact:

  "I gotta big up the roots being here in Philadelphia… they started playing on the streets, to now… something where the whole culture gotta come and be involved."
  (De La Soul Member, 11:11)

• Nostalgic perspectives on the Roots’ early days and the family nature of the event.
• Talib Kweli describes the festival as "like being at home," emphasizing its communal, genre-crossing energy.
  (12:18–12:31)
• De La Soul reflects on their long relationship with the Roots, reinforcing the familial bonds in hip-hop culture.
• De La Soul on Loren’s impact:

  "I wanted to make sure that I stopped and did this interview with you… because you particularly are bringing the energy to mainstream radio, to black radio that I haven't seen in a long time."
  (De La Soul Member, 13:43–14:02)

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4. Jermaine Dupri: On Songwriting Legacy and the Importance of Live Experience

Interview starts: 17:44

• Loren transitions to an interview with Jermaine Dupri, spurred by the debate over the “30 Greatest Living Songwriters” list.
• Dupri discusses how contemporary artists discover (or don’t discover) new music at festivals and laments the lost art of artists learning by observing others live.
• On the lost art of learning:

  "That’s the biggest lost art in music right now is that you don’t see artists in the crowd… LL Cool J was in the audience watching Run DMC… learning. That’s a lost art."
  (Jermaine Dupri, 19:59–20:36)

• Critiques clout-chasing in modern list-making:

  "I think the list was more of a clout chasing list... A lot of the people that they put, I won’t say they don’t deserve to be on there, but they don’t deserve to be on there before me."
  (Jermaine Dupri, 21:30–22:20)

• Dupri’s personal top 5 living songwriters: Diane Warren, Rod Templeton, Babyface, himself, and Lionel Richie.
  (23:16–23:46)

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5. Draymond Green: On Narratives, Comedy, and Why the Roots Picnic Matters

Interview starts: 27:09

• Draymond Green opens up about controlling his narrative through streaming and public platforms.
• On why he embraces media and comedy roasts:

  "People like to build narratives… They only work when you ain't real."
  (Draymond Green, 27:36)

• Addresses controversy around Kevin Hart’s roast and why criticism doesn’t bother him:

  "It's jokes, right?... There’s nothing you’re gonna say, and it’s gonna be like, damn, they got me."
  (Draymond Green, 30:04)

• Shares his excitement for Jay-Z’s return and views the event as “the culture.”

  "You got Hov with the Roots. Like, that's legendary. You gotta come see that."
  (Draymond Green, 30:58)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• "It's just a storied celebration of a brilliant career."
  (Questlove on Jay-Z’s performance, 09:33)
• “We manifested this whole dream of doing this… Philly didn’t know about festivals!”
  (Questlove, 08:35)
• “A rapper can't be my op. I got MAGA Republicans… I’m governed by God, you trying to break the government.”
  (Jay-Z performing at Roots Picnic, 05:00–06:00)
• “There’s a lot of narratives that are thrown on you that… now, you have control over.”
  (Loren to Draymond Green on streaming, 27:23)
• "No artist, black artist, has an album [in the last 25 years] with four number one singles, nobody besides Usher."
  (Jermaine Dupri, 22:46)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:38 – Loren sets the scene; her intro live from Roots Picnic
• 03:46 – Jay-Z's electrifying live performance excerpt
• 06:50 – Questlove interview: on booking Jay-Z and Roots Picnic evolution
• 10:12 – Meeting Talib Kweli and De La Soul: legacy, storytelling, and family
• 17:44 – Loren’s intro to Jermaine Dupri segment
• 18:28 – Dupri on modern music discovery, industry changes
• 21:22 – Debate about the 30 greatest living songwriters
• 27:09 – Draymond Green on media narratives, Kevin Hart roast, and Jay-Z
• 30:50 – Draymond on the event’s significance and his sense of culture

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Tone & Style

• Loren LaRosa maintains an energetic, conversational, and celebratory tone.
• The episode flows with on-the-ground festival excitement and reverence for hip-hop’s intergenerational bridge.
• Candid exchanges provide both nostalgia for golden era hip-hop and sharp criticism of modern music industry trends.
• Guests, whether reflective or witty, contribute to a vibe of mutual respect, legacy, and cultural pride.

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Conclusion

This Roots Picnic edition of The Latest with Loren LaRosa captures a milestone moment in hip-hop culture: Jay-Z’s legendary return, a celebration of historical growth for the Roots Picnic, and an organic gathering of iconic storytellers and trendsetters. With heartfelt tributes to the importance of music, culture, and history, Loren’s immersive interviews and commentary make the listener feel part of the electric atmosphere.

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For more exclusive, on-the-scene content, follow Loren LaRosa on socials @LorenLoRosa.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Draymond Green]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody exclusive.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You know she don't lie about that, right?

[Interviewer/Host]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. 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 I am literally here live at the roots picnic. I just took some time to come over to my car to get this episode together for y', all, cuz. Y' all know I'm always trying to make sure y' all are knowing the latest but on the latest scene as well. So we are here. I conducted some interviews, and I'mma make sure you guys get them first and foremost before any old body. So I want to, you know, throw to these interviews by saying the Roots picnic this year was also, you know, really amazing and really special because Jay Z returned to the stage. It's been a very long time since Jay Z has performing, baby. When I say he set the stage on fire, set it on fire. Let's take a listen.

[Questlove]

That is another one fumbled his wonder how I get the blame niggas teeth is tumbling out they mouth somehow I'm the one who done it it's a murder mystery gang. You had to catch cal and dunk it with you punctus I'm the one who strung the pain the hell you can die on it's way too much flat that comes from those pains I'm killing them softly what's understood don't need to be explained you want it one way, it's the other I steal on you suckers I mauling you gang I ain't much for meetings know how cancel the brunches I remember the hunger pains I the price of the bricks going up it's going to cost you a b to even say my name. You ever heard of a wonder can my children is some of them have you niggas no shame? Y' all trying to get under skin I really get under skin that's unharmed Playing y' all thugs with your thumbs again Everybody think they're the ones in the you're no maniac watch out sac in my presence shrink I need a new therapist this shit is not working I'm truly on the brain y' all better not encourage him y' all don't want me to think these thoughts that I think that nut ass still stuttering and chatty patty down on his Luck again. Quest introducing me to Jack boy. I don't know why I still with him. You wonder why I do the freestyle rehearsal. That lady back on the stuff. She sound like she in love with them. Her kid can't even take their kids enough of them. A rapper can't be my op. I got maga, Republicans. Them shots came from the very top of the government. Good luck with them. I'm governed by God. You trying to break the government. I prayed for 40 days. My neck get flooded again. Wrist get flooded again. My net worth went up again. My next update, the jig is up. I'm up 10. Wrong chart, champ. You got to look up again. Look up the hov. I never looked up to them. Crackers. Got your publishing, gangster. Go talk tough to them. Don't talk success to me. You niggas is workers in perpetuity is how your contract is worded. Who made me go first? The Roots. Remember, even when the trees pretend not too much of my name don't forget who I am Hattie loves her Shawnee S H A W N I find it adorable she put the S at the end. You don't know the show ain't even begin I said you don't know the show ain't even begin.

[Lauren LaRosa]

We also got a chance to talk to Questlove, who you know from the Roots who put together this festival when we talk about the beauty and the growth of the Roots Picnic. All right, so I saw your interview where you said this is going to be a one to one performance to Disney, right? When you talk about one of one. I also just talked to Bleak. He said it's the big reunion that's going to go down.

[Interviewer/Host]

Why this year for Roots Picnic? I know he's doing reasonable 30 years of reasonable doubt, right?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Is that why, or was there another reason behind it?

[Questlove]

You know, I just wore him down because it ain't like I didn't ask him 17 years in a row and

[Lauren LaRosa]

got no I assume so, right?

[Questlove]

I go through my whole Rolodex and then, nah, you know, it seemed right this year. And, you know, I think he was getting antsy. Like, he hasn't done much since 2014 with the, you know, 444 Project. And he knows with me at least, like, his first rule is like, you gotta do something that I don't normally do. And, you know, because he's hired me a few times to do his goal party, right? I DJ kind of differently than other people DJing. I do these like, musical suites and all that stuff.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, no. You icon, legend.

[Questlove]

He likes my transitions.

[Interviewer/Host]

Gotcha.

[Questlove]

And so pretty much tonight will be like a DJ gig. That's what I. That's. That's the. That's the most I can tell you.

[Lauren LaRosa]

How refreshing is that for you, though, right? Cause you wear so many hats now. Like, I mean, you're all over the space in entertainment and branding, but also,

[Interviewer/Host]

you're almost like a political advocate as

[Lauren LaRosa]

well, too, or advocate for certain things and conversations, I think.

[Questlove]

I'm a musical diplomat. Yes, we can say I'm a musical diplomat.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right. But how refreshing is it for you

[Lauren LaRosa]

to just be here with the guys and everyone that you love and just be able to be a DJ who is enjoying music and music that you love?

[Questlove]

I think, you know, at the end of the day, we kind of manifested this, like, this.

This.

This whole dream of doing this started back when the Roots were living in London. We lived there for, like, three to four years, right? Playing all those festivals over there. And it's like, yo, Philly, don't know about, like, festivals. Like, this is before, like, Coachella and Bonnaroo and Lalapooza. Like, we only had, like, Live Aid and Farm Aid, and we wanted to bring that home. And it took like. Our first thing at Penn's landing was only 2,500 people.

[Interviewer/Host]

Wow.

[Questlove]

And now here we are at the plat at 80,000 people, and this is

[Lauren LaRosa]

Jay Z's first time back on stage as, like, you know, it's just him and how long. Right? Decades, right?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yes.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And I'm sure he has a lot to talk about, a lot to get off his chest. And he's trusting you to do it. Like, are there any things that you want people to.

[Interviewer/Host]

I wouldn't even say prepare for, but, like, brace. I mean, maybe this.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Prepare.

[Interviewer/Host]

Brace themselves for.

[Questlove]

When it comes to what can you expect tonight?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, it's like, what are we expecting?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Like, what are we gonna talk?

[Interviewer/Host]

There's always a message with you alone. And then you put roots, Jay Z.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's like MTV Unplugged a little bit.

[Questlove]

I think tonight. I think tonight. I mean. I mean, without not sounding pretentious about it, I mean, tonight is really just a storied celebration of a brilliant career.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Questlove]

And based on last night, like, we did a sneak show last night.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I saw the preview, and I ain't get it by it, but it's cool.

[Questlove]

Look, no one got no. I barely.

[Interviewer/Host]

He.

[Questlove]

He agreed to it, like, yesterday morning. We had to. We had to move mountains, really. Because the thing is, like, we can Rehearse all we can in private, but you won't really know a show unless you do it in front of people.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Questlove]

And you're on the spot. There's a different level of, you know,

[Interviewer/Host]

he felt like he. It felt good watching him felt good.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So it felt like he felt good on stage.

[Questlove]

We've been in the gym for like the last four weeks.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So we then ran into Talib Kweli and De La Soul and man, running into legends like this and it really makes me value being a part of the Breakfast Club family, but also a part of this new generation of media to see people who are like, you know, they before me, they know what's going on, appreciate how we're moving culture for real.

[Interviewer/Host]

This is a great song to have in the background with

[De La Soul Member]

a good record, you know?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. Okay.

[De La Soul Member]

Set the vibe right.

[Interviewer/Host]

So you down with the K? My neck, my bad.

[De La Soul Member]

Oh, I love Kaia. Kaia's like that icon, you know.

[Interviewer/Host]

A lot of people don't know that Kya is from Philly.

[De La Soul Member]

She is from Philly and Kaia is not. This record is just one side of her. She's multi dimensional. She got all different things she could speak on. I don't agree with everything she be saying, but I love her energy.

[Interviewer/Host]

Well, speaking of energy, you said you just got off the stage.

[De La Soul Member]

I did. With De La Soul.

[Interviewer/Host]

Spicnic with De La Soul.

[Questlove]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Talk about, you know, how it feels. You know, everybody's excited because Jay Z is performing. But I feel like even beyond Jay Z performing, there's a lot of iconic

[Lauren LaRosa]

reunions that we're seeing on stage and just link ups that we're sitting on stage today.

[De La Soul Member]

Yeah, well, I gotta big up the roots being here in Philadelphia knowing that they started playing on the streets to now they doing this to something where the whole culture gotta come and be involved. I mean, you got Jermaine, Dupree and the Brat and everybody else. You got Bow Wow coming.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You got.

[De La Soul Member]

Last night I went to see Jay Z perform at a small club.

[Interviewer/Host]

So you got invited? Cause you know, I saw the video on Twitter and I was pissed.

[De La Soul Member]

Yeah, Pasta News from De La Soul just got off stage.

[Interviewer/Host]

We just talking about you guys.

[De La Soul Member]

He's doing another interview.

[Interviewer/Host]

We were talking about how y' all just got off stage and I was see. Well, first of all, I was talking about how that the Jay Z show

[Lauren LaRosa]

went down last night.

[De La Soul Member]

He didn't make it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Oh, you didn't?

[Talib Kweli]

I was there and then left because, you know, it was some. My wife was with me in the hills were like, bothering her.

[De La Soul Member]

You don't got to mix.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's a. No, no, no.

[De La Soul Member]

That's not everybody

[Interviewer/Host]

crazy. I understand what that's like. All right, so we were talking about, like, all the iconic link ups and

[Lauren LaRosa]

energy that we're seeing today here. Of course, Jay Z is going to

[Interviewer/Host]

close out the night, but I was

[Lauren LaRosa]

talking to Quest Love and he was

[Interviewer/Host]

talking about the storytelling of music. And I think, I mean, I got two of the greatest, you know, storytellers right here with me. Talk about what it's like to bring your story back here to New York.

[Talib Kweli]

I mean, because it's like being at home. You can go to a lot of different places, whether it's Coachella, da, da, da, whatever. These brothers, they're like our family. They are our family, so. And then the vibe that they've created here, it's like a family vibe, and

[Draymond Green]

it's a good vibe, and they make

[Talib Kweli]

sure that it's great music, all genres. It's always great coming here to rhyme, tell the stories and be a student in March.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Do y' all remember y' all first Roots picnic?

[Talib Kweli]

No.

[De La Soul Member]

This has been going on for like 10 years now. Yeah, no, I don't remember our first, but I mean, I've been rocking with the Roots since they was in wetlands back in the day.

[Brandy]

Wow.

[De La Soul Member]

You know what I'm saying? Like, we've been rocking with the Roots since they went to Square Roots and had organics before they had a record deal. So we. This is family, like Mer said.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So this is kind of like.

[Interviewer/Host]

I mean, you mentioned how crazy it

[Lauren LaRosa]

is to see them go from performing on the street to this big festival.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

And I mean, I don't know if

[Lauren LaRosa]

you have any memories of that, but

[Interviewer/Host]

for me, I've always known the Roots

[Lauren LaRosa]

Picnic to be huge.

[Interviewer/Host]

So, you know, but when I'm hearing

[Lauren LaRosa]

these stories, that's what I feel like today. I'm learning in real time so much history about the Roots Picnic itself, which

[Interviewer/Host]

people don't know a lot of the history of.

[Talib Kweli]

Look, all I know is that from the very beginning, they always made sure they're curating good music and a really good amount of artists. Like, they really did a good job of getting away of, like, people thinking like, oh, it's only gonna be real soul artists or this type of artist. Like, they made sure that they blow in all types of taste of music. They did a great job at it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Well, look, congratulations for hitting the stage, y'.

[Interviewer/Host]

All. Y' all gonna be here for the rest of day. Y' all hanging out.

[De La Soul Member]

I am. And I just want to add that without De La Soul and artists like Merce and everybody in De La Soul native talks, there is no roots, there is no me. And I want to also add that I wanted to make sure that I stopped and did this interview with you because you particularly are bringing the energy to mainstream radio, to black radio that I haven't seen in a long time. And what you do is very, very important.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Thank you.

[De La Soul Member]

For real, we are very.

[Interviewer/Host]

Don't do that, y'. All.

[De La Soul Member]

I can't cry.

[Interviewer/Host]

I just to drink and do say I might cry. I cannot do it. Like, absolutely. I really appreciate it.

[De La Soul Member]

Paying attention.

[Questlove]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Thank you.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Attention.

[Talib Kweli]

I told you.

[Interviewer/Host]

All right. We got rap, cuz.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I really will cry.

[Interviewer/Host]

Like, we got to stop.

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[Questlove]

It.

[Dr. Jay Barnett]

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[Interviewer/Host]

Connecting changes everything. AT&T.

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[Kal Penn]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Now we got Jermaine Dupree. Up next, a conversation about the writers list that times 30 greatest living writers of all time. Jermaine Dupri felt like he should have been on that list, baby. And he wasn't. Young thug was, though. Let's get into it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Hey y', all, it's Lauren LaRosa and I'm here. It's Roots Picnic. We're here. Shout out to AT&T and I have the producer of the century sitting here with me.

[Jermaine Dupri]

What's Happening.

[Interviewer/Host]

How are you?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I'm good.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's so good to see you.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Same here.

[Interviewer/Host]

So we were just talking a little bit behind the scenes and there's a gentleman right now performing named Dustin. And you was like, who is that? And I'm like, do you still discover music through these festivals and things? Because some. I think a lot of artists don't understand how important it is coming to things like this and being like, stage ready because of that.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. I think people have like. I think Spotify and Apple music made people or artists believe that we listen to all genres of music. Right.

[Draymond Green]

Wow.

[Questlove]

Okay.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't. I've never listened to like drum and bass. I wasn't a big drum and bass. Art of fan Afrobeats. I wasn't really a big Afrobeats fan until, you know, you start hearing records.

[De La Soul Member]

That's.

[Jermaine Dupri]

That we can't deny.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right, right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But just me knowing this, I don't. That's not really my space. Right. So, yeah, if you come here and I hear something like this in the background, I'm like, what is this? Like, nah.

[Interviewer/Host]

But when it be dropping energy, like. And I know you posted a video recently, like you've been posting your dancing videos and people be loving them.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right. And this reminded me of the last video you posted. Just dancing and having a good time. I think it's an energy thing that I think a lot of artists today, younger artists, don't. Some of them don't understand. And I know you come from being outside, being with the people.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. I mean, you know, that's funny because that's all people talk about is being outside in this era of time. But these kids really ain't outside.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's what I'm saying when I say that. I mean, like, for instance. Right. Like there are artists right now that will do like a rolling loud, in my opinion, sometimes before they're ready. It just happened with a young artist. Her name is Trim, and I love Trim. But there was a conversation about whether she was ready or not for the stage. And I think as behind the scenes, as a team, you should really have those conversations because people are discovering them through these sets. But I don't know if they realize it because they're streaming and they're literally on stream and W's in the chat so much.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. I mean, but these artists don't really like, you know, artists should be coming to shows and just learning. Right. I think that's the biggest loss art in music right now is that you don't see artists in the crowd.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Wow. Oh, yeah. No, you don't ever.

[Jermaine Dupri]

When I was. When I was like, I want to say 14 or 15 years old.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I was here in Philly, actually, and LL Cool J was in the audience. In the audience, LL Cool J. And I probably know, like, people don't. That don't sound, like, realistic.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Now. But I seen LL Cool J in the audience watching Run dmc and I was like, I ain't know who he was, but I'm saying, as time progressed, I saw a video and I'm like, I was there. He was in the crowd learning. I'm like, that's LL Cool J. He was just in there studying, like, the crowd how to rock a mic, like, everything. And I feel like that's a lost art in this.

[Interviewer/Host]

I would agree with that. Do you feel like. I mean, so for instance, right, like the list I mentioned, you are the producer of the century according to Billboard. Right. And then I know New York Times dropped their greatest songwriters, living songwriters, 30 greatest living songwriters of all time. You weren't on the list. And I just saw a lot of people championing you to be on the list. Do you feel like, because a lot of people are not like, actually watching and learning what's really going on, that even though the.

[Lauren LaRosa]

The industry of critiquing is a bit

[Interviewer/Host]

off because people aren't understanding, like, how things are really moving people, like the

[Lauren LaRosa]

work that you do moves people.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, I mean, I'm. Answer the question about the list. I think the list was more of clout chasing list than anything. Right. I mean, as far as the. Who put it out, what was it? The time? Yeah, Times. Yeah, Times magazine. I think they was more or less about names because that. It's not a music magazine, so they have to. They was more about getting the eyeballs of who. The names that they put on there. And a lot of the people that they put. I won't say they don't deserve to be on there, but they don't deserve to be on there before me. Right. A lot of them. And I feel like that's what it was. It was more or less like the controversial names. And what you would say if you saw these people names, if you see Jermaine Dupree name on the 30 top producers. It's not even. You're not even. Yeah, but that's what I'm saying. You're not gonna argue about it. Like on the Breakfast Club, y' all wouldn't have said nothing. Y' all would have just been like,

[Interviewer/Host]

cover the List mad at me. The UN don't like the list. They feel like they're just not legit no more.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, no, it's not. It's not. I mean, well, like I said, it's more of a clout name list. To me, that wasn't. And I don't take that serious because that's not a music magazine.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, well, I mean, I saw the People chamber for you. I'm hearing you say that. Of course, you should have been on there before whoever else. But do you think that the age of being able to rank and have those argument conversations of who's better than who, is that dead? Or do we leave that alone?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah, nah. I think, I mean, that's what keeps us sharp. You gotta have those conversations. That's what, that's what makes me, you know, like I said, when I'm sitting here thinking about, you know, it's nobody. Nobody black in the last 25 years. Artists. Black artists that has an album that had four number one singles on it. Nobody black. Nobody besides Usher. So, I mean, I don't know.

[Interviewer/Host]

You could have made the list.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Who would you have at least your top five.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I think Don Warren should definitely be there. I think Rod Templeton. I don't know if I saw his name on there, but he should have definitely been on the list.

[Interviewer/Host]

Prince, what was greatest Living.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Huh?

[Lauren LaRosa]

It was great as living songwriter.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Oh, living.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay.

[Jermaine Dupri]

So Babyface, definitely. Diane Warren, myself. And I, I, I would, I would say Lionel Richie. I don't think I saw Lionel Richie's name on there.

[Interviewer/Host]

I don't remember if I saw his name.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. Lionel Richie has written some of. Some of the most incredible songs from the Commodore to his own record. Like just incredible songwriter.

[Interviewer/Host]

I got you. Well, thank you for your time.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'm gonna see you out there because I'm hanging out there. Have a good night.

[De La Soul Member]

That's right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

That's right.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I'm saying.

[DHA Envy]

What up, y'?

[Lauren LaRosa]

All?

[DHA Envy]

This is DHA Envy from the Breakfast Club. From Curtis, 50 Cent, Jackson and the executive producers of Power, comes the Starz original series Raising Canaan. Kanan Stark's journey has been one of ambition and betrayal as he fights to escape the shadow of his mother. Rock, played by Tony, Grammy and NAACP award winning Patina Miller. As tensions rise, Kanan forges a dangerous alliance that sets off a war with his own blood. Becoming the ruthless man he's destined to be. Raising Kanan is a story of power, family and betrayal, where every choice has consequences and no one gets out clean. This final season is a must watch. You'll want to tune in for every episode as it drops. Don't let it get spoiled for you. Starring Makai Curtis, Shameik Moore, Wendell Pierce, Joey Badass, Tony Danza and more. Catch the season premiere of raising Canaan June 12th only on Starz.

[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 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 I Heart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DHA Envy]

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[Brandy]

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[Interviewer/Host]

hey, y', all, it's Lauren LaRosa, and

[Lauren LaRosa]

I am here we are at the

[Interviewer/Host]

Roots picnic, and y' all know we're getting the behind the scenes, and I ran into one of the talks of the town right now. I mean, right. I was gonna say right now, but it's like always with you.

[Lauren LaRosa]

How you feeling?

[Draymond Green]

I feel amazing. Why am I always talk. I don't understand it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Wait, you don't understand it? So you want me to start from what? What was most recent? The roast.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You were there was fine.

[Draymond Green]

That was a good time. I had a good time.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It was a good time.

[Interviewer/Host]

I saw you on your stream, too, and you were talking about just recapping the roast and all those things. First of all, I think it's so genius that you got into the stream world, because I feel like there's a lot of narratives that are thrown on you that, like, before, now, you have control over. You know what I mean?

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, well, for sure. You know, people, they like to build narratives. They like to run with them. They only work when you ain't real.

[Interviewer/Host]

My Brandy just said that Monica is on the stage.

[Draymond Green]

Oh, yeah, that's.

[Interviewer/Host]

No, no, no, no, no, no. I do. I do want to talk to you, but I want to talk to you about the fact that, like, we're here at Roots picnic, right? You talk about being a talk of the town, we talk about Roots picnic. I saw Dave Chappelle here, too. There's so many surprises here.

[Draymond Green]

No, I mean, it's. It's the culture, though, right? You got the Roots, you got ho, you got Brandy. Like, where else would you be if you love the culture?

[Interviewer/Host]

When you review this on your stream tonight or tomorrow. You going out tonight. You're going to do it tomorrow?

[Draymond Green]

I ain't doing nothing tonight.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay, so. So tomorrow, right when you on stream, what is the one thing that you're going to say was the M.O. was like. That stood out the most to Draymond.

[Draymond Green]

The thing that stood out the most to me, this interview.

[Interviewer/Host]

Why this interview? You bet you. He just saying that because we're here with him right now, y'. All.

[Draymond Green]

No, I haven't done another interview. So it's the interview.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, at all. Like, nonsense. Okay, so can we. Can we get into the roast, right? Because you saw a lot of the backlash that, like, Kevin was getting all that how you. You were there. People were saying that, like, the energy felt tense. Did you feel that in the moment?

[Draymond Green]

No, I didn't Feel any tenseness in the moment? You know, people were telling their jokes. I think the people that the jokes were about handled it well. I think the only way you get the tenseness is if Cheryl don't handle the jokes well. If somebody don't handle the jokes well, then it gets tense, but everybody laughs. So there wasn't. I didn't feel it at all.

[Interviewer/Host]

Do you feel like people are being too tough on Kevin Hart and what they thought he should have done in response to the George Floyd joke?

[Draymond Green]

Listen, I think Kevin is amazing. I don't. I don't think Kevin was going to hop up there and stop the roast, you know, I think Kevin didn't tell the jokes, you know, so overall, I thought it was a good roast. I enjoyed it. Everyone is going to have an opinion, and it's not really up to me to sit and judge someone else opinion. I think that's where people fall short, is when they sit and want to judge what someone else thinks.

[Interviewer/Host]

Who. Who called you and asked you to be a part of it? Was it Kevin or was it Netflix?

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, I spoke to Kevin about it. The team from Authentic Brands Group, they reached. I was with them and we spoke about it. So. But it was through Kevin, which was great, you know, to want to be wanted in a situation like that.

[Interviewer/Host]

But, you know, I heard a lot of people said no because they just. They. I think people can't hit. They feel like because I'm not a comedian, I can't joke back. Why did Draymond Green knowing where people would go with all the jokes, right? Like, why did you say yes to that?

[Draymond Green]

Because it's jokes, right? Like, I sit and I joke with my boys all the time. So there's nothing that someone's gonna say that is gonna be like, damn, they got me. I'm from Saginaw, Michigan. I live the life I live. I've made the living that I've made. There's nothing you're gonna say, and it's gonna be like, damn, they got me. So what does it matter?

[Lauren LaRosa]

I mean, look, I mean, listen, we've

[Interviewer/Host]

been talking about this verse for about

[Lauren LaRosa]

three weeks, so it mattered a little

[Interviewer/Host]

bit of something to somebody, right?

[Draymond Green]

I'm sure. But joke about me don't matter. I don't care. You can joke on me all you want. I don't. I don't care about someone joking on me. A shame on the man that can't take a show.

[Interviewer/Host]

Now we're. We're here at the Roost picnic, so we're only this is only night one. Jay Z is closing at. But then we have night two. So you won't be here for night two, or are you going to be here for both nights?

[Draymond Green]

No, I'm out of here. I just. I'm here to see hov.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay. I was going to say, what are you most excited about? In the hopes that because he. I mean, he hasn't hit the stage in a long time.

[Draymond Green]

Well, it hasn't. And I feel like this is the pre warmer for July Yankee Stadium, which I'm also excited about. But you got HOV with the Roots. Like, that's legendary. You gotta come see that.

[Jermaine Dupri]

It's incredible.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I know that.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right? Well, thank you for joining us, Draymond. So we're gonna catch you on stream and make sure you tell people on stream. This was the. This was one of your highlights of the Roots picnic, because you ain't doing no interviews. Okay? Okay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All right.

[Interviewer/Host]

Thank you for joining. This is Laura Rosa with the Roots Picnic at. And T y', all, that has been

[Lauren LaRosa]

another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. And we are latest and we are on the scene lately here at the Roots Picnic. Hope you guys enjoyed this episode. Please follow me on social for all other content and just, you know, some things from the picnic. It was a great weekend. I'm Lauren LaRosa. Everywhere L O R E N L O R O S A I tell you guys every single episode, y' all could be anywhere with any old body talking about all of the things, but you guys choose to be right here with me. I appreciate you guys and I'll catch you in my next episode, my low riders. I'll see you soon.

[Kal Penn]

Hey, everyone, it's 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 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.

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[Draymond Green]

What?

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[Interviewer/Host]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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Welcome to the history books.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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