Memphis Bleek on Jay-Z, Dame Dash, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Biggie, Tupac, Michael Jackson, Kevin Hart

Van Leon you had a back and forth with? >> Oh, a quick one. You know, cuz he took a. shot at the big homie. You see Jay with. a little hiccup. You know, somebody. falsely accusing him and you want to. take a shot. He lucky it was on. Instagram so I would have seen him. He. met the real me. He wouldn't have met. Memphis Glee. That's personal. Hello. Welcome to another episode of Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also. the proprietor of Club Shay. Stopping by. for conversation of the drink today all. the way from the Marcy projects in. Brooklyn. A renowned figure in the music. industry. He's been in the game for over. three decades. A goldelling rapper, a.

music uh label executive, an. entrepreneur, and a businessman. And. he's one of the first artists signed to. the fame Rockefeller label. Here he is, a hip-hop heavyweight all the way from. the BK Memphis Bleak. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know what it is. Yours. truly. Memphis Bleak in the building. Club Shay Shay. When the rock in the. building, you know it's hot in the. building. We got to do what we do, baby. Album out now. Apartment 3D. Let's get. to it, man. Mario Wings with the smoke.

Shout out my whole crew. Mind right. exotics. Deuce Ace Gang. Rock solid rock. nation, baby. Yeah. Let's get to it. >> Rising stars. >> Yes. Yes. Yours truly and Blink from the. number one greatest rap group in the. world. record. >> It's what we do, baby. Yes.

>> Yo, look at me like Blizzard. Where you. been hiding at? I've been multiply, adding, and dividing that. My whole team. chewing. Ain't no denying that. You said. it's your block. Well, we thinking of. buying that. I should charge you a fee. for this boss talk. When you play the. MP3, it should cost more. I give you. this one here for the love money. That. project want to show me how to rinse the. drug money. I used to move the white on. that New York That John Snow real. king of the north My business.

stretch out on the west clubs. I will. vest in now. I'm trying to invest in. Yes. King design. >> Yes. Kings on my mind. >> Money. [Music]. All the time. >> All the time, baby. King. Yes. On my mind. >> Let's get to it. >> Yes. All the. >> Hey yo, that D say moving like it's the. now river. That mind right smoking. Come.

blow a pound with us. Don't mention me. until you get something. Fronting with. another in the bread that should cause. something. You lucky it's free for you. to gossip. Cuz if it caught it, explain. why you ain't got You watching my. moves. I hope you learn something. They. say they spinning. Well, don't make us. turn some. Yeah, they throwing shots in. the lyrics. If I catch a case, then it. better be in spirits. Yes, you know the. ros or the exo. I get the game started. like the fresco. Let's go.

>> Yes. >> All the time, baby. It's the rap for life. [Music]. on the all the time the. >> go. say mafia baby. Yeah. >> This episode is brought to you by Prize.

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get $50 in lineups after you play your. first $5 lineup. That's code Shannon to. get $50 in lineups after you play your. first $5 lineup. Prize picks. It's good. to be right. >> All my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice hustle paid the price. Want a. slice. Got to roll a dice. That's why. all my life I've been grinding all my. life. All my life been grinding all my. life. Sacrifice. Hustle. Paid the price. Want a slice. Got to roll the dice.

That's why all my life been grinding all. my life. [Music]. >> My brother, what's up, man? >> I'm good, bro. Good. How you been, man? >> Great, man. No complaints. No. complaints. >> I want to thank you for performing. Um, you know, that's something that we're. trying to add to Club Shore. intimate experience. Guys come on and. they can rap or uh uh ladies that can. sing, we have them to perform. So, man, I really appreciate you first of all. taking time out of your busy schedule. and then performing on Club Sher. So, I. really really appreciate that. It's an.

honor, man. Plus, I got a project just. dropped, so I had to perform something, man. Shout out my girl Tish Heyman on. that record, >> right? >> Look, I know you you a dooay guy. >> Yes, but I wanted you to try I wanted. you to try mine. Um, definitely. >> This is a shave by Leaportier. It's a. KNAC. Um, >> I see you got two different. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know, I had a procedure. this morning, so they told they advised. me not to not to do no drink with the. anesthesia still in my system. >> Health and wealth, brother. >> Congratulations on everything you've. been able to do and continued success. Thank you, my brother.

>> Let me know what you think. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> That's not bad. >> Yeah. That's a VSOP. Hey, we won we won. like 13 14 awards. The sip awards, which. is the highest award you can win in the. in the spirits industry, which is a. blind taste test. They put all the. cognacs on the thing and they just let. people sample them and they say, "You. know what? I like C.". >> And come to find out. >> that was yours. >> C was us. >> Oh, that's what's up. Congratulations. >> Yeah. So, that's that's always great. >> Yes. The liquor space is not easy, man. >> It is not. It's not. >> It's a three- tier system. It ain't. just, well, you know, Bleke, hey, man, I.

like to sell that to my store. No, no, no, bro. You not go through that. You. got you got to go through a. distribution. >> That's right, man. It take It's levels. You got to grow, graduate, like it steps. to this thing. >> You got to market it and you got to be. out there. You got to be front and. center. A lot of times, a lot of times. celebrities or entertainers or whomever. try to think just slap their name on it. >> and it's going to go. >> No, it won't. >> Nope. It's going to sit right there on. that shelf. >> Sit right there. Right there on the. shelf. So, thank you for coming by. Let's Let's get right into it. upbringing. Um, the Marcy Projects in.

Brooklyn. >> Yes. >> What was what was the family dynamic in. your household? >> Uh, single mother, of course. You know, father wasn't there, but I had a great. stepfather. You know, my stepfather. passed away, Derek. He raised me, my. brother, and then my sister came along. But mom was the backbone of the family. You know, she did everything. Watching. mom struggle. I just knew like this not. the way life going to end. It got to be. another side to this. You know what I. mean? So I just knew I'm going to change. our aspect of life in this household. I. knew that was my destin. I was destined. for that.

>> What was Did you have an idea of how you. were going to change that dynamic? Because a lot of times you what am I. going to do because I see my mom or I. see my father struggling and the last. thing I want to do is struggle as a. child and then struggle as an adult. Did. you have an idea what it was going to. take for you to break that cycle? >> Every kid wanted to be an athlete. Of. course. I thought I was going to be a. basketball player. Yeah. Then I thought. I was going to be a baseball player. Football wasn't in my cards, man. Like. we didn't have those programs in Marcy. You know what I mean? It was mainly.

baseball and basketball, but that didn't. work. Then I tried to do art, you know, do art. I'd even add a little gymnastics. in my, you know. Damn. Yeah. So, I tried. everything and then when I put the pen. to the paper, magic happened. Like. that's when the magic just happened. So, and it worked. Give me growing up in the projects in. Brooklyn. Give me some of your fondest. memories. Give me a couple of your. fondest memories about growing up in the. housing project. >> Oh man, growing up in the housing. project is love. Like my one of my.

fondest memories is love. Like everybody. in my building from the first floor, six. is six six floors in the building and in. my building 534, you know, Jay lived in. the same building as me on the fifth. floor. I lived on the third. The number. one thing I remember from then is the. love we had in our building from. everybody from people. Grandmothers, the. mothers, the aunts, cousins, sons, and. you know, that what it was. My first job. was taking Jay nephews to school for. $100 a week. >> I signed up for that.

>> Yeah. Straight up. So, you know, like. the memories of the projects, all I got. is good memories until you get older and. then, you know, you start losing friends. and it changes everything. >> You mentioned about the love and the. projects. The one thing I remember about. growing up, and I think Bleke, I'm a. little older than you, but there's a. certain level of respect that young. people had for older people, >> yes, >> it was a. >> older even if it wasn't a family member, they could correct a child. >> Yes. >> If they saw say, "Son, don't talk like. that. Son, why you doing that? Your mom. or your grandma be so disappointed now,

you can't correct nobody's child. That. ain't your child. You don't tell my such. and such." What? >> And there some of these kids is super. disrespectful. >> Correct. >> You kidding me? They don't they don't. even want correction from their parents, let alone an outside parent. Growing up, I had about five mothers. >> Exactly. All of them could discipline. you. If you stepped out of line, not. only would they discipline when they. your mom or your dad got. >> they tell. >> That's right. And then it was on. It was. on, man. Like that was the thing. Like. people, you know, you ran from other. parents more than the police or other.

kids or anything. It was the parents you. hid everything from. So that was it. this rapping thing that was like once I. put pen to paper that's when the magic. and I was like okay this is what I'm. going to do. >> but you kind of got a little sidetracked. you started moving a little something a. little something something. >> yes I remember a day I was in the. building actually thinking I was going. to be Nino Brown. and Jay came through like you know he. like yo what you doing and I'm like you. know I'm trying to get money I'm trying. to be like y'all and I like you know.

lights off in the crib I got to make. sure mine is straight and he like let me. see what you working with so I show him. my pack like, "Yeah, I'm getting money.". He took it and threw it. We had this. thing called an incinerator, right? It. was the trash shoe and he threw it in. there. So, I'm like, "Yo, >> whoa, bro. >> I needed that." Like, "Yo, that was a. $1,000 pack. I need it." And he was. like, "Man, don't be out." He gave me. $1,000 pocket and was like, "I better. not catch you in the building selling. drugs no more. You got a better future. than this.". >> Damn. Straight up. >> You know, and and and we're going to get. to it. But you you mentioned Jay a lot.

I I I've seen some of your interviews. and when you talk you talk about Jay. even though you guys are not blood. brothers you guys are almost you guys. are like brothers and sometimes that. relationship is a lot closer than blood. relationship. >> Yes. Like Jay uh I I honestly say. >> Jay and his cousin behs and Dame Dash. rest in peace Clark Kent they raised me. The man I am sitting here today is. because of those men. Like growing up. around them, their tutelage, especially.

Jay and Jazz O at first when I first was. growing up, putting pen to paper, I used. to ask them for all kind of advice and. they always was there and gave me a. helping hand and the friendly air. >> What is it about Brooklyn? Biggie, Lil. Kim, uh Jay-Z, Fab, Big Daddy Kane, MC. Light, ODB, Jam after J, Joey, Badass, Papoo, Smart, Pop Smoke, Most. What is. it about Brooklyn that bred so many? >> It's just I think it's the. the the vibe, like what you would call.

the style, cuz each of those artists you. name have their own style. No one sounds. alike. So, it's what they bring to the. game, their area, the culture they was. brought up in. And Brooklyn is so. diverse where, you know, you got the. Jamaicans, you got the Mexicans, you got. the Haitians, you got the Puerto Ricans, you got the Dominicans, and you got the. blacks. And we all mixed in one pot. >> And all them cultures come together and. you you you get different styles that. breathe from that. So all these artists. was just expressing their struggle and. their style.

>> And that's what made Brooklyn, I think, so dynamic with with artists. >> Is BK the best burrow? >> Of course. Hands down. The biggest the. biggest burrow. Remember, we was our own. city before we became part of New York. City. We had the Brooklyn Dodgers. Brooklyn was his own city. >> Right. >> So, Biggie, >> what would that So, how did how did you. meet Biggie? >> Oh, I met Biggie in the studio session. >> Okay. >> With Jay when he came to do Brooklyn. Finest. >> Okay. >> You know, and that was my first time. meeting him.

>> And then I met him again at an. interaction. That was when I saw him. I. didn't speak to him there. My first. interaction with him was at the show in. Apollo. Okay. >> When him and Jay had a show in Apollo. and I remember telling Big, "Yo, when I. get my album, dog, I need you on it." He. like, "Of course I got you, Brooklyn. I. got you all the time." But of course, we. never made it to that far, >> right, man? So, what what's your. favorite memory? Uh, although it was it. was brief. What is your favorite memory. of Biggie? >> Oh, man. My favorite memory of Biggie. is weird. I remember being in Jersey.

This when they first bought the these. homes in Hackasack, they had elevators. in it. You know, I was fresh in the. projects. So to see a house with an. elevator inside of it was like. >> these guys getting astronomical figures. Like this was brand new to me. Then they. had the Land Cruisers with the Eddie. Bower lever and I remember he let little. C's drive it and I'm like little C's get. the keys to the car. Like. >> I got to have a talk with Jay. >> So like you know stuff like that. Just. seeing him as the first like and really.

come up from the same era, same. struggle. I didn't see where he took it. was just like the motivation and. inspiration I needed as a kid. I say. Biggie, Noriega, and Capone, Jay-Z, they. they was the people I saw and was like, they living like this. I definitely need. to make a record. >> Is it like a sit and I tell people and. and people often after me, uh my. brother, I was like, when I saw him go. to college, I was like, I can go to. college. He slept while I slept. He ate. what I ate. So I can do it. When he went. to the league, I was like, "Well, we.

came up in the same household. We ate. the same thing. We lived the same way. I. can do it." Was it that way when you. were big? You like, "Well, damn. I grew. up around here with Big. I grew up. around here with Hov. I grew up around. here with some of these guys. If they. did it, I could do it." No, no. I knew my pen was strong, but it's. not Biggie or Jay-Z strong. Like, I just. was hoping to make my mark, right? But. watching them, they're legends, man. Like it is it it gets no better than. Biggie, Jay-Z, Tupac, Nas. Like where.

you go from there? I feel like they said. everything. Only thing you could say is. find a way to say the things they said. in a different way. Like but those are. the greatest pins on the paper. Like I. just wanted to be a part of the history. I didn't. >> Where were you when you found out that. Biggie had passed? Uh so young. So I. mean he I mean the uh you know obviously. he was out there promoting the life. after death. He had the uh uh the. Notorious V.I. I think that was his. first album. Um and so so young and boy.

you like man. >> Yeah. >> He here. >> Yes. I was in I was in Brooklyn. I like. I was in the projects in Marcy and I. remember when it hit the news. I. remember that day. >> and I was just heartbroken, devastated. I couldn't believe it. It took me a. while to adjust to even accept the news. I was like no way. They have to have it. wrong. There's no way. He have too much. security for that. To me it was like so. unreal. And then being a rapper, we. never thought like the rap in the. streets can. >> emerge. >> Yes. Like that. So that was the first. time really knowing noticing that hey,

>> this rap thing can really take a U-turn. and put you right back where you trying. to get away from. You know what I mean? So that's what really broke my heart. because we was trying to get away from. that. And and you know, you you you make. all this money, showcase your talent, do. all of this, and still to go out on some. negative street violence is just like. devastating. >> Wow. You said Jehov was living like a. king. >> Oh yeah. >> In the project had a water bed, >> flat screen TV. I mean not flat screen, you had the floor model TV. First of. all, to have an air conditioner in a.

project, your money was different. >> Your money was different cuz everybody. had a fan. >> Had a fan in the. >> Yeah. With a squirt bottle just to get. the water breeze on you. Yeah. So to go. in his room and the air conditioner, water bath, everything all white, the. white carpet, I'm looking in there like, I need to find out what he doing. I want. to be a part of that. Right. >> And and that that's what changed my. whole I'm not flipping. I'm not drawing. I'm not playing basketball. I'm not. doing none of that. I want to do what he. doing. >> Right. >> I've had some some some young celebrity, teenage celebrity. I had B wild. Talk to.

Chris Brown. Had Megan Good. I had uh. Coco Jones. I had Kiki Palmer. And they. say they met some resentment, some. jealousy having success, >> having to go to school and people. looking at them. They can see them on. TV. They're on the, you know, they're in. the movies and so forth and so on. Did. you experience any of that? >> No, man. In school, I used to tell my. teachers, "I'm gonna make more money. than you, so these lessons don't mean. nothing. Teach, I don't need this test. today. I'mma be richer than you." Now, I. remember my teacher used to be like, "Hi, what do you think you going?" I'm. like, "Trust me, this music thing going.

to work." And they used to be like, "You. going to pour all your eggs in the. music? Good luck." I was like, "Teach, trust me. I'm going to make it." So, and. then the more resentment you get, I feel. like when you become success, it really. comes from your environment. the people. who know you and they just feel like why. him not me. Right. >> So it really didn't come from the. outside or like school or anything. It. came from the kids that I call that you. really knew. >> Yes. >> It changes everything man. Success. changes everything. >> You mentioned that and and and you.

always speak glowing about whole. What. is it? What was it about you and him? What connected y'all. >> families? My mother and his sister was. best friends, you know. Oh, okay. Like, so when we first moved to the projects, I was 2 years old. My mother say the. first person she met was Mickey, which. is Michelle, Jay's Jay's sister. And. they became best friends. So, it's no. age where I know I met Jay. I just. always knew that's Jay. Like, and you. know, and I always knew he was doing the.

music thing, running around with Big. Daddy Kane at the time with Jazz O. Jazz. O is the first rapper, you know, out of. Marcy really have a record deal. >> And I just knew I wanted to be I wanted. to get a ride on that train. like. wherever that train going, I need to be. a passenger. >> Right? >> You look at where he's come from and he. doesn't really do a whole lot of music. now. He'll jump on a track here and. there, but he's he's more known outside. of what you know the doomsay brand and. build up his Ace of Spad and building up. what he's been able to do. So music is.

that's still the backbone of what it is, but it's not at the forefront of what he. does. >> Yes. Like Jay always been the. businessman. And if you go back to his. first album, second album around that. time, he always was talking about. retiring after his first album. Then he. was like, I'mma retire after the second. album. He never wanted to do this and be. this glamorous superstar. He wanted to. be the biggest businessman. So that's. why if you see music is the backbone, but his business is his personality. >> You know what I mean? That's who he is, the businessman. And that's what.

overshadows the music. So now I feel. like it's to a point Jay needs to be. challenged to do music and not I feel. like not saying that like somebody need. to diss him or competition. He just. feels like there's no one on his level. like until someone like when Eminem was. making music, Pun was making music, Biggie, Mel Tupac, those guys he had. competition to be like, "Oh, I got to be. number one.". >> It's no competition for Jay now. Wow. Unless he want to battle me.

Well, let me ask you this, cuz there's a. lot been said. You know, he has a. prominent role with the uh uh the NFL. Yes. And he is responsible for bringing. Axe for the halftime show. And he's. never going to be able He's never going. to be 100% because if you if they bring. Memphis Bleak, why didn't you bring this. guy? If you bring that guy, why didn't. you bring this? >> That's right. It's always going to be. >> it's always going to be. >> never you can never please everybody. What is it that the internet get wrong. about Ho. >> is that they think he do things. personally that he that that like you. know of course they think like he pulled.

the names out the hat and be like oh not. that guy I don't like him I didn't like. his album or he did this about me and. it's never about that it's about the. best situation for business sometimes. >> business decisions hurt the ones you. love hurt your friends but at the end. result is it better for business and. that's the decision you have to make. when you it's no friendness It's. business. >> It's business. You're absolutely right. You freestyle uh for Jay on Reasonable. Die. How did How did that come about? >> Oh, rest in peace, Clark Kat. It was.

them walking through the projects, you. know, and I'm sitting on the bench. It's. hot summer day. And you know, they pull. up on the in the Lexus, new Lexus. They. ain't even out yet. Paper plates. And. I'm like, man, I I got to find out how. to get involved with these guys, right? >> So, I'm like, yo, I rhyme, man. I get. busy. Y'all got to hear me out. So Clark. Kent was like, Jay Jay first was like, "Yo, you rhyme. Get out of here. You. don't you never told me that." I'm like, "Yeah." Clark was like, "Let me hear. something." And then I rhyme for them. And that's when they was like, then. Clark was like, "Yo, he might be good.

for this record." And the rest is. history from there. >> Did you practice that or you just right. off the cuff? >> Yeah. Right there. I always used to. write rhymes just sitting outside with. my friends and I I when I put my mind to. something as a kid, I knew that's what I. wanted to do. Like I didn't know this. was going to be from rap. I just wanted. to be the best rapper from Marsy. >> Right. But you but even though you said. you was always ping the paper yourself. and you would you know you doing what. you did but the opportunity cuz you.

never knew when Jay and DJ Clark Kent. was going to roll up or somebody was. going to roll up and they need you to. spit something. >> That's right. >> See you know people say luck. Luck is. what happened when preparation meets. opportunity. That's right. If you're. prepared the opportunity presented. itself. Clark Kent and Ho came scrolling. through. >> That's right. You was prepared. >> I was ready because I I always always. wrote rhymes. And then I had a friend, you know, used to take me to talent. shows. Rest in peace. Guy named Sri used. to play the major instruments for my. projects. And that's who always used to. take me to shows, talent shows and.

everything. And he the first person put. in my head, if you ain't 10 minutes. early, you 10 minutes late. Wow. >> So I live off that. >> But you was surprised that you learned. that Jay wrote your verse in such a. short period of time. He didn't even. write it. Like when he gave me a piece. of paper, we went to the house and he. ripped a piece of paper right out of the. notebook and was like, "Yo, as fast as. you remember this is as fast as your. life will change." I'm like, "What? Okay." I went downstairs, rewrote on a. piece of paper. Probably like an hour. later, I called him. Yo, I'm ready. He.

like, "You remember it already?" I'm. like, "I'm ready." We went to Clark Ken. Crib that day. Wow. >> That's how fast I cuz bro, what was. happening in my projects in my in my. apartment. >> You had to get up out of there. >> Yeah. I was eating syrup bread, man. Come on, bro. I know. I know. Mayonnaise. sandwiches, >> ketchup sandwich, >> ketchup on your rice. Come on. It's time. to go. >> I can imagine, you know, I'm old enough to remember and. I saw Michael Jordan play. I saw Kobe. play. Obviously, I've seen LeBron and. Steph Curry play. I saw Michael Johnson.

run. I can imagine what it would be like. to see Usain Bolt, see Simone Biles or. Michael Phelps in their craft. Greatness. personified. Yes. Now, you get an. opportunity to see Hoveve and everybody. talks about Hoveve. Uh, I think it was. uh DJ Khaled said like, you know, send. him a beat and talk and he's like and ho. just like wrote nothing. He ain't write. nothing down. He just nodding his head. [Music]. >> Tell the engineer to go in there. >> and let's go. Just like that. I seen Jay. write a whole song from the time we was.

in the like we at the house. This when. he lived in 56th Street, the limo pick. us up to go to the airport. JFK probably. a good 30 minutes from downtown, 40. minutes with traffic. From door to. airport door, he wrote the whole song. Sunshine. >> in the car. I didn't say one word. We. got out the car. He like, "Yo, I got a. whole song." And we laid it down in. Virginia. like 30 minutes. Whole record. Telling. you, I I seen this man. I knew that's. why when you say when you look at. somebody and you say, "If he did it, I.

could do it." No, I knew he was he was. handpicked by the by the by the angels, man. like that his path was it was no. way cuz it was like one day everything. just changed and it was so easy for him. So he's what you would call like you. know young kids they say prodigy. >> soant he's destined. >> yes. >> to be. >> that's how I saw him like he always been. like how people view him today. billionaire hoveve. >> he was always that to me growing up in.

the projects. >> I didn't have 10% 1% of what he had. >> how did reasonable doubt change your. life. >> oh it changed it everything the whole. complexion of everything but when it. dropped I didn't realize it was changing. in it for this cuz back then. >> success to me was having all the girls. in Brooklyn, you know what I mean? I. didn't care about the the money was. like, "Okay, let's give some money to. mom, make sure the bills is paid." But I. didn't see life really outside of Marcy. yet. >> So, I thought I was the neighborhood. superstar. That's why I missed the.

second album. So, if you ask me, Reasonable Doubt did good and it it. helped and ruined my life, but put me on. the right track. >> You get money. What from that? Um, I'm. considering you probably got little. bread, more money than you had ever had, ever seen in your life. >> Of course. Yes. >> What was the first thing you did with. it? >> First thing I ever did when I I went and. bought a house. >> cuz I always wanted a backyard pool, you. know what I mean? I wanted to do that. So, 17 years old, I went purchased a. house in New Jersey.

>> Damn. >> That was my first thing I bought with my. money. Then I moved my mom in to New. Jersey with me and then, you know, went. and bought a couple cars. But, you know, >> you stunt. You got to stunt. I already got the crib, got the pool in. the backyard. I took care of mom. >> Now it's time to get the cars and pull. back up to these high schools. >> So now. you got a car, you in Jersey, >> took care of mom. Now are you starting. to notice there's more envy, there's. more resentment starting to be aimed at.

your direction? >> Yes. From loved ones, from friends, family members that think, why? Why not. me? Why you you know cousins and aunts. are thinking yeah you should buy me a. house too. It's like huh you don't you. don't even pay your rent. >> You can't you can't maintain a house. You know what it like what it takes. People think. >> Yes. They think it's just the mortgage. They don't understand when that roof. leak there's no landlord to call that. toilet stop. There's nobody to call. You. better have you got to have that cash on. deck. >> Yeah. Cuz a lot of times people expect.

you to give them take care. Okay. Let's. just say for the sake of argument I buy. somebody a car. Now they expecting me. when the tires. >> change the tires. Yes. >> Oh, it needs to be service. Hey, you. gonna take care of the service? >> Yes. >> No. No, bro. That's you. That was a. one-time thing. You must maintain the. upkeep. >> And a lot of people, they don't even. know what they ask for. They don't even. know they asking for a bill. When they. ask for these things, a house, a car, it's like, okay, you're asking for a. bill. I hope you can maintain these. things. >> No, they can't. They expect you to. maintain. Yes. And you you learn a lot.

about people Memphis uh uh Bleak when um. >> you say no. That's right. >> As long as you saying that. Hey, bleak. man. >> They love you. They love you. The one. time you say no, you're the biggest. enemy in the world. >> Yeah. >> And it's cool. I've been the enemy for a. long time. >> After 15 After 50 yeses, one no. >> You're the biggest enemy in the world. Changes everything. >> Oh my goodness. Uh, school. So what? Now. you're 17. I think you you probably. still. >> Oh, no. I I left school. >> You left? >> I left. I got up out of there. >> School couldn't hold you. >> Yeah. It wasn't I learned everything I.

needed, man. you know, fundamentals, reading, writing, math, you know, comprehension, social studies. It was. nothing else to learn. And I got a. $150,000 check. It was like, it's no. looking. What I need in there? I'm out. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm making more than the. teacher. >> Yeah. It was It was like, it was nothing. to do. I'm gone. I see y'all later. >> I read when you missed the Biggie tour. >> Yes. That becoming too big-headed after. reasonable doubt. I thought I was a. superstar. Like I said, I got a little. bit of money, family good. I'm thinking. everything is cool. I don't need nothing.

else. I'm I I made it. This is This is. the peak of success. So then Jay used to. be calling me to go to the studio. I. used to tell my moms, tell them I'm not. here. >> Damn. Oh, that's your man. >> I tell them I'm not here. I don't want. to go to the studio today. I'm good. I. got a couple girls coming over. Forget. the studio. >> So yeah. And you know mom, she like. >> Jay, he in the room with some chicken. heads. And Jay pulled up. I'll never. forget kicked my girls out. Get out of. here. And I remember he asked me, he had. to talk with me like, "This what you. want to do? You want to be in the.

projects with these girls?" He like, "Bro, I'm rich. I'm trying to give you. the opportunity to change your life, to. change life in this apartment. I want to. bring you with me, but if this what you. want to do, cool. I'll leave you here to. do it." And left. And I ain't see Jay. for probably like a year or two after. that. He went on tour. We dropped. another album. And I didn't even no. contact, nothing. And it was one day I. seen him in the projects and pled my. story. And I haven't missed another. session or anything since that day. >> Your mom really saved your career or.

your life. Yes. >> Even though she dimed you out. Your mom. just missed on you for a minute. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> She definitely ded me out, but she. helped me out. She knew. >> he on the road to no. He was on the path. headed nowhere. So, >> has Jay all ho always been this mature? He seemed like he was he's a little. older than you, I'm sure. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. He's older than me. >> But he's always like focused on Yeah. Okay. All this I I want this, this, and. this, but this is this is a journey. That's not my destination.

>> Yes. Like always, bro. Like I say, Jay. was a prophet and he still is. Like he. see things and talk things into into. fruition. Like if you look, if you. listen to the song, >> what's the song? It's with IrvGotti. God. bless Irv Gotti, your customer. >> Listen to the beginning line. He say. it's the eventual triple platinum rapper. with the solid gold fake. What rapper starts a verse off that. I'mma eventually. >> be this. >> That's how you knew. He knew where he.

was going with it. He knew and nothing. was going to take him off that path. >> But even before all the success, you saw. him grind. >> Yes. Working like radio you. >> cuz you don't you don't do you don't be. look you can't become successful and. then start to grind. No, you grind. before you become successful. Therefore, it's easy to maneuver. >> Yes. I remember when, you know, the days. Funk Master Flex, BJ, Red Alert, they. wouldn't play the records. And we used.

to make baskets by, you know, Champagne, Crystal, Gdiva, all type of stuff and. make gift baskets for the radio station. to try to get them to play his records. Like, it was a struggle, you know, carrying uh crates of records to Bina. Mixtape Shop, you know, Beat Street, downtown Brooklyn, like trying to get. these people to sell the the tapes. It. was a struggle, man. It was not, you. know, people like to read the end of the. story. Nobody like to pick up the. glossery of the book, right? They don't. want to get to the beginning. >> But, you know, I I read like, well,

because the the the the record label. didn't want to sign him because he was a. little older than the typical rappers, he was like what, 26? And a lot of. these, you know, they 18, 19, 20. You. know what I'm saying? >> They could take advantage of him. J was. already super smart, you know, crazy. intelligent. one of the smartest men I. know. Like, >> and he, like I said, he knew what he. wanted to do. The path was set. He knew. and he wouldn't take them less or no for. an answer. >> He ends up selling uh Rockefeller to. death. >> uh Death Jam for 10 mil.

>> And you like and a lot of people, you. know, 10 million back then, that's a lot. of bread. Heck yes. >> But he was so he wasn't satisfied. >> Yes. 10 million today is a lot of bread. So, but you can imagine what it was back. then back then. >> Yeah. Because and and he strikes me as a. guy real understanding that the minute. you're satisfied as a person, you. through as an individual. Yes. So, he. had an unquenchable desire, a thirst to. get more. >> I believe, if you ask me, I believe once.

Jay got his first 100 million and he. knew it was accessible, he looked at the. list on Forbes and and start head. hunting all of them. That was it. say, "I'm coming for everybody on this list.". >> He wasn't gonna be satisfied with M. He. needed a bill, a B behind his name. >> Yeah. >> He I'm telling you, he's he's he's a. go-getter. He don't stop. It don't. matter how much is here. We need more. >> Right. So now, okay, you get signed to. Rockefeller. >> Yes. >> You one of the first. >> Mhm. >> He done looked out for you. He done came.

like, "Hey, get out of here. You you. y'all on some bull drive. Y'all holding. a man back." But you allowing him to. hold you back. Yes. You need to get in. the right frame of mind and realize you. see all this, >> it's within your grasp, too. But I can't. I ain't going to hand it to you. >> That's right. You got to want it. Like. it's just like the story they say, you. can lead a horse to water, but you can't. make them drink. So, I had to definitely. take the drink from the fountain and. learn myself. But I wanted it once I got. the opportunity. I got the deal. Like I. said, it was at the time when I was.

acting like I was Hollywood. So, they. didn't trust my my work effort, you. know? They didn't really believe in it. And this was at the time when we signed. Beanie Seagull cuz I was signed first. and then Beans got signed, right? >> And then, you know, Beans was just a. like a breath of fresh air to the n to. Rockefeller that the whole focus shifted. to him. >> So, I had to prove myself. >> and that's why I think, you know, superstar ANR legendary Lennyes because. if it wasn't for him us believing in. each other, we went and turned it around.

and made the first album coming to age. and we went gold. Wow. So now you signed to the label, you get. that signing bonus. What you do? >> Oh, I told you that's when you get the. house. >> Yeah, that's when I bought the house. That's when before that we was I was. still going to the projects. I used to. do shows with Jay in the limo, drop. everybody off at their condo and then. pull up in the middle of the project. like I was like I was king of New York. >> Word the limo dropped me off right in. the projects and I used to feel.

>> Yeah. How does that make you feel like, bro, I'm stepping out of limo? But I'm. stepping out of the limo going into. >> Yo, I used to feel like man. Like. it was like the worst feeling ever. because you came from this such high. You flying first class, business class, you staying in these prestigious hotels, you doing these concerts, riding around. in limos, eating this fancy food, and. then it's all over and the car drop you. right back to reality. So it it every. day I used to knew what I was working. for. M.

I heard you said you wish you had. planned your career earlier. >> Mhm. >> Because I I I I and it sounds to me and. you could correct me if I'm wrong that. you feel like you wasted a couple of. years. >> Yes. I wasn't prepared. Like the things. like I knew Jay was great, but did I. know he was going to be what he is. today? Heck no. I don't think none of us. saw this. And I wish that if I did pay a. little bit more attention instead of. chasing the girls, instead of chasing.

the club life, you know, the flossing, the flashy stuff, I would have been more. prepared for what arises. I wouldn't be. just learning the business aspect now. It would have been business then. You. know, >> you know what? I'm really glad you said. that because every time I talk to. someone, I say, "Well, did you know?". Oh, yeah. I knew that. I knew it. Oh, yeah. I knew he I'm like, "Well, damn.". Everybody knows that somebody's I'm. like, "Come on now." But you're the. really the first person that I can. honestly say like, "No, I I I you know,

I knew he was good. I knew he was a hard. worker. He was dedicated to the grind. He saw a bigger he saw a brighter. future, a bigger picture, >> but I didn't think he would become. this.". >> No. Heck no, man. This was not in the. cards. I knew he was going to be one of. the greats, but the greatest. I I didn't know. I I couldn't see this. >> right. >> having success early and I mentioned. some of the people that I've had on from. Kiki Palmer to Megan Good to Chris Brown. to uh Bowwow.

>> if you could some of the upcoming stars. now young teenagers 13 14. >> if you could give them advice if you. could get five six seven of them in a. room what advice would you give them? Leave the girls like the girls come the. more the girls gonna always be there. That's the number one rule of advice I. would give them is the girl don't chase. the girls chase the money because the. girls chase the men with the money. >> That's number one. And number two, a lot. of these young guys is just turning.

they're making so much money and turning. to gang culture and it's just like. asinon and backwards to me. It's like. >> I thought you want to lead that. >> Yeah. You do that as you broke. You. don't become a millionaire to be gang. I'm I'm King Tito now. Like I made 10. million now I'm King Tito. Heck no. I. don't want to see Tito. >> Right. That that's the whole purpose is. that why you doing it legit is to leave. that culture. Why would you make 10, 20, $15 million to go back. >> and and that's the advice I would give.

is that you're just wasting time, man, and prolonging your life, man. Like some. of these guys is cutting their path. short by living a life that they not. even I going to even say living. portraying a life. >> that they thought was glamorous. Like. the streets don't they don't for it's. unforgiving. >> Yeah. >> The streets is this is not a this not. the play. >> Not even play. >> No. No. You don't you don't play. It's. like you don't play play fight. >> You don't play play. Yeah. This not the. hokeyp pokey. Can't put one foot in one. foot out. Turn around and shake it all.

about. No. I read that uh Dame Dash got you out of. a bad management content. >> Yes. Yes. Dame saved my life, man. That's why when I, you know, when me and. Dame get our little internet spat. I. don't feel good about talking about. anybody I once called brother in a. negative light. This is how I like to. talk about my brothers, the good things, the the the nice things, and the genuine. things they did. I remember going up to. the office and I'm telling Dame, "Yo, I. just signed my management contract. I'm. ready to go. Let's get this album.

going." And he like, "You signed a. management? who your manager? I'm like, "Yo, my guys, you know, he like, let me. see that contract." I gave him the. contract. He called the lawyer right. there on the spot. Are you insane? You. trying to rob my little brother? Y'all. better fix this contract right now. Like. crazy. And you know, I didn't know. I'm. like, "Hold on. My lawyer set me up. Fire him." And Dame helped me get a new. lawyer, new accountant, all of that. word. Saved my life. >> So now. you've been in this situation. So, how. would you instruct others to go about.

handling business? >> Oh, man. Hire your own lawyer, right? I. had a almost like a courtappointed. lawyer. >> They just gave me a lawyer. Like, do. your own due diligence. Get your own. attorney and and you know, make sure. don't just pay somebody to read. something. Pay somebody to teach you. something. You know, learn the business. M. >> Dane wanted you to be ll cuz ll was ll. was a was was a was I mean ll he was one.

of the major ones like in the early 80s. >> come on ll he influenced all of us. >> yes. you was resistant to that. >> yeah no cuz we had ja and they had the. muscles ll I don't got the muscles see. my come on. >> and you will to work out to get no. muscle. >> man I I do but it take a long time I. thought mus was coming in six months. >> thought I could get the fix my plan, man. >> Right. So, you said, "I don't really like to go.

back and forth with with Dane cuz he's. helped me so he's helped me much.". >> Yes. >> And when somebody helped you, it's hard. But why do you think he's become so. resentful, >> man? I think any man that knows they did. wrong, before they admit it, they. attack. And I think that's the phase he's going. through. He's in attack mode right now. You know what I'm saying? And then comes. the admission and self-guilt later, >> right?

>> You know, I see people on the internet. and everybody saying, "Man, hold worth. this many billion, man. He could kick he. can kick Dame down something and get it. and get him out of that situation. Come. in, you know, blah blah blah.". >> That's not Jay. >> I'm just letting you know that right. now. I'm his friend. He ain't. going he ain't giving nothing away to. the loved ones. You got to earn it. You. got to work. And then the person who was. chopping at his tree for so long, I just. I just don't see it happening. >> Yeah, you're right. Yeah. I mean, because he's taking some shots. I mean,

and and it's it's in a in a way for me. I mean, you know the situation better. than I do, and you know both of them. better now. But it's really sad to see. people that were so close together. become so far apart. >> Yes. And and business does that. And I. that's why I say money is the root of. all evil, man. >> Money is it it changes everything. You. know when you we sitting here everything. is fine and dandy. You throw a pot of. money in. >> everything changes. >> Rockefeller breaking up. >> Worst day of my life. >> Did you Did.

go back again like oh did you know Jay-Z. could you could you see this coming? Could you foretell of this? >> Yes. I knew we used to talk, you know, like I remember at change clothes video. shoot, you know, me and Dame had a. little argument like something that got. real real personal and Jay didn't like. that and we had a conversation and he. was like, "Yo, it's going to come a time. if none of these guys don't ship up and. act right, we going to ship them out. It. ain't going to be none of this no more.". And I'm like, "Huh?" And I'm, you know, I'm going to to the guys trying to tell. everybody, you know, break it down. But. nobody was listening to me. They thought.

they knew the they they had the. blueprint. And it's like, okay, if the. boss is saying this is about to be over. and y'all not listening to me, I'mma. just sit here and watch the credits roll. in, you know? And it's sad to say that I. tried and it was nothing I can do, man. >> Money, ego, what what was the root? What. was the main if I if I got you under. oath and you got and I got the Lord, what do you think the main reason was?

Looking back now, I think it was credit. Like I, for some. reason, our culture loves credit being. the reason behind something instead of. just getting the money for something. Like people want the credit. They want. to be the man I did. I put this. together. You're here because of me. And. I think that all me me attitude is what. destroyed it. I mean, because you if you. look at it and let's just say you.

inherited 10 billion and I got out and I. grind and I worked and I got 10 billion. You got 10 billion, I got 10 billion. >> Yeah, we're the same. >> How is unimportant? >> That's right. And that's that's I don't. know why people be so fascinated off of. that, man. They want to explain that. It's because of me. It's like, okay, I'll give the credit away. If I walk out. and find a bag of money and you want to. say you help me find, go ahead. You. >> I saw it first. Okay, good. I'm sorry, but. >> I grabbed it. >> Right. But they, you know, but they say. most dynasties fall from within.

>> Yes. >> It's not the outside. >> It's the inside. >> And too much money, man. Too much money, too much power. It brings egos. Really. big egos, man. And. >> it's uncontrollable. >> I want I want your honest opinion on. this. The greatest rap label. We got. Death Row, Bad Boys, Cash Money, Young. Money, Aftermath, No Limit, Social. Death, Rough Riders, TDE, Quality. Control, Mayback Music, Death Jail.

>> No Rockefeller. I ain't got a We ain't. not in there. >> Yeah, you in there. >> You ain't say Rockefeller. >> Rockefeller's in there. >> And that's automatically Rockefeller. >> Give me Give me Give me Give me your. five. Give me your top five. >> Uh, got to say Cash Money. >> Okay. They had one of the longest runs. in hip-hop independency history, I. believe. Then you got to say Death Row, Death Row started this gangster. Like, come on, man. >> Dr. Dre, everybody, they started that. Uh, you got to give No Limit his props.

just off the hustle and the Shaw. Endurance Master P show. >> Uh, what's the other names you said? Oh, Rough Riders. >> Rough riders. >> Come on, man. Man, you got Swiss, uh, DMX, God Bless, DNY, Real Straight, New. York, Yonkers, Harlem Hustlers that. turned that into what rupt Come on. That's four right there. And then who. else would I go after that? I got a uh, >> you got Young Money, you got Aftermath, you got Souls So Death, you got Quality.

Control, Mayback Music, and you got Def. Death Jam. >> Def Jam is the one of the greatest. labels in history. Like they. >> they really started. >> Yeah. Without them, we wouldn't be no. Young Money, Cash Money, OVO. Yeah. It'd be nothing. Word up. So, Death Jam really the pioneers to this. Russell Simmons and them. They they they. paved the way for what we do. >> Kanye, what do you remember about Kanye? >> Oh, genius, man. Kanye is a musical. genius. When it came down to Kanye in. the studio, he was like Jay. He wouldn't.

take no for an answer. Like Kanye heard. no. Like, you know, used to make the. beats, but telling everybody, I rhyme, too. Yo, listen. I got verses. I got. this and man I want to hear your verses. like bleak I'm telling you I'm be the. greatest. >> get behind get beh get get back in get. that engineer going. >> and he wouldn't take no for an answer so. his sure endurance and perseverance to. grind and make people believe. >> it's like forever etched in stone you. know you're right you know college. dropout here's some of his greatest. stuff. >> but a lot of people say man he it.

changed when his mother passed because. that was the one that was the clo that. was the woman that he truly trul truly. loved. She was probably one of the few. people that could talk to Kanye and and. and and and keep him on the Do you Do. you think did you notice a change? I. don't know if you've been around him. since. >> I never like It's so crazy. I knew Kanye. and I never met his mom. God bless her. soul. I never met his mom, you know. So, I really don't like speaking about that, but. >> people mourn in different ways, you. know, like death hits people. You can no.

one can mourn the same way, right? >> So, maybe this is his mourning. Do you. know what I mean? We don't know. You got. to let him. >> find. Yeah, man. But, you know, it's a. lot for that man, man. You playing like. you got kids involved, your mother, the. industry, your money, your business. It's a lot, man. They put a lot of. pressure on him and expect that you. don't break. Like, pressure pipes, man. Like, at some point, every man got a a. breaking point. And I think he hit his, man. And it's sad to see cuz like I.

said, I don't like to see none of my. brothers spiraling or in the news any. type of controversy, but sometimes you. just have to sit back with a clear mind. and and just try to understand what that. man could be going through, right? You. know, >> you also got an opportunity to work with. Rihanna early in her career. >> Yes. And I had no clue who she was. I. was pissed off. I didn't even want the. hook. I remember I came in the studio, Jay like, "Yo, I got this beat for you. It got a hook on it already." And I'm. like, "Who is this girl?" Ah, I don't. want this record. You bugging and Jay.

like, man, this record is fire. You. don't like it? I'm like, I don't know. >> You turned it. >> Yeah. And then they brought Rihanna in. the room and I'm like, put that beat. back up, man. >> Let's go. I got this one, >> man. I guess you didn't know she was going to. become a billion. >> No, I She was. Come on. Rihanna was one. of the most beautiful women that you. could lay your eyes on. So I knew once.

she get her. >> face on camera, she get the song she. need, it's all she drove. Yeah, that's. it. Like that like that's another. anomaly, man. The Rihanna like she's the. like. >> she came in and dominated the game, man. Like no no no foreigner I could say came. to America and really dominated like. Rihanna did. But if you think about it, music, she's, you know, she started had. a music background. >> Yes. >> But people don't really look at Rihanna. for music now. >> No. >> She got perfume and she got Yeah. Yeah.

>> chilling. Yes. >> She damn near put Victoria's Secrets on. notice. >> Absolutely. >> They better watch out. >> Do you remember uh when Hoveve got sued. by the wrestler for doing the uh. >> Oh, the the diamond thing. Yeah. Yeah, I. remember that. >> But that's not his thing. >> I don't know why. Why would you think. you made this up? >> That's delta sigma theta. I would have. thought they would have tried to sue us, but they were stepping with us. So, I. got major love for them. >> Let me ask you a question. I mean, I I I.

think the first time I've ever heard. beef, I don't know if it was beef, but a. disc was when LL and Kumo D. >> Yeah, cool. >> That was really That was really the. first time. And And you know, obviously. Kool D got into it, I think, with. cannabis. You. >> mean LL got. >> LL got into it with cannabis. Uh, Hoveve. and Nas went back and forth. When was. the first time that you noticed like the. disc? How old were you when you found. out like dissing was like a thing? >> Oh, man. Young. >> I mean, you know, when like saying like.

we going bar for bar, we going, you. know, we ciphering. Okay, cool. But. >> rap started out as battling. Okay. >> Like in the back park when the DJ played. the music, two MC's grabbed the mic, one. showcasing that he better than the. other. So it started out like that. So. that's when if you get into hip-hop in. any fashion, any form, you know, it's a. competitive sport. Like number one, it's. like trying to be friends in basketball, football. It's like after the game, we. can chill, but when we get on them. lines, it's war. >> I'm trying to knock your block. >> You know what I'm saying? And that's. what it is in rap. So.

>> I just feel like they took the battle. and now it's in court. >> Beef is in court now rapping. Like it's. insane that you The man went in the. house, wrote a rhyme, picked a beat, and. now he's going to court for that. Wow. >> And and look, and there have been some. great obviously uh uh. >> Nas and Hoveve going back and forth. You. got. >> Tupac and Biggie. >> Yes. Great. Legendary. You got Ice Cube. and uh Cormega. I mean, I said Cormega. I mean uh what's my man from Chicago? He.

going to kill me now, man. He's going to. kill me. >> Cuz you know when when when um NWA broke. up and and Q left and did his thing and. he came back with no Vaseline. >> and he had major beef with Thunder. No. gasoline. One of the greatest disc. records in history. >> One of the greatest. I mean, a lot of. people keep moving it down because it. seemed like people don't think if it. didn't happen today, it wasn't. important. >> No, there's no Vaseline in ether. And. all those Tupac hit them up. >> That That was a heartbreaking record. I. ain't like it. I ain't like it. I was.

from Brooklyn. I like it, but I ain't. like. >> Yes. Common sense. Thank you, my. brother. Yeah. When Ice Q and Common got. into it, that was a good lyrical battle. cuz Common is super nice. >> Yeah. >> One of the nicest off-the-top lyrics, man. Nobody messing with comments, >> right? >> And then. Kendrick and Drake. >> Oh yeah. >> The man I mean. I mean the Grammys that came along with. it and the half Super Bowl halftime show.

that came along with it and he goes on. tour with Scissor and it's sold out. Came. >> I never seen a diss record do that. Never. >> ever. >> And you might not ever see it again. >> No, you won't. I think this is the one. only time. But you know what it shows. you, man? And I hope the OVO camp and. everybody knows and any other rapper. that's getting into this business and. want to be a star. >> They don't love you, man. It's just like. the streets. You a showman. You here to. perform, do your show, and go home. Certain fans going to love you, but the.

masses is not going to love you. They're. going to respect you, right? >> But there's no love here. It's the next. man up. And that's what it goes to show. because if you could dominate for so. long like Drake did and then somebody. could just come move you out the way. like ah get out of here. Where's the. loyalty or the love of the fans? Right. It's like almost they didn't exist. >> That man got 10 diamond selling single. I mean, >> but still, man, like. >> it's still. you don't want to be getting, you know,

assassinated on music, on record, then. your comments, the Twitter, you walking. the street, people shouting this to you, doing that. >> It's a rough time, man. >> It ain't going to go away cuz guess. what? They play that at every game. >> NBA arena, not like us. The team is not. >> All he got to do is he got to make. another one. He got to he got to make. something to counteract that. >> Do it. But does it What about just. music? Does it have to be a disc to. counteract that? What if he came out. with another album? >> No, it don't have to be a disc.

>> Okay. >> Like remember, I'm never going to agree. with the fans. They try to say Ether is. was the best disc record in the Jay and. Nas battle. Cool. We can't argue with. the fans, but you know what we going to. do, >> right? >> We're going to make a classic album. We're going to drop the blueprint. We're. going to drop the Black Album. We're. going to do the things to out hit your. opponent. And that's how you win a war. It ain't You can lose a battle, right? >> You got to win the war. >> Yes.

>> And that's what I I pray that's what. they over there focused on, the war, not. the battle. >> Are you surprised that Drake took it. this way that he Universal and going to. sue? Are you surprised that he did? >> Yes, I'm surprised. I'm. >> You know, you got people that's on both. sides, right? Oh, he's suing because. it's a battle. Oh, no, he's suing. He's. taking the mega giant down the industry. and all this. >> But the mega giant built you up. >> Yeah. I I don't know. I don't see a. winner in this, man. It's just I don't. see a winner in this. >> Yeah. I mean, you in the music industry.

You've been around the music industry. To the lay people that's going to watch. this, going to listen to this. >> What does he hope to accomplish by this? >> I don't know. I I really don't know. because I got a lot of diss records. about me. Like the rapper of the game, he got like 40 diss songs about me, but. I'm never going to take him to court. Like I don't know, bro. Like I I don't. know. I hope I hope it wasn't his. decision. Like no, sometimes lawyers. make decisions and and so. >> they got but they got them billable. hours. >> Yeah. But still, man, this I don't know, man. Rap beef in court. Like.

>> Yeah. >> Should have been some physical. altercation for that. >> I don't know, man. And and you know, they both my guys. Drake, like you said, got 10 10. >> 10 more than anybody. >> 10 diamonds. Like he been on Billboard. longer than anybody. Then you got. Kendrick who's just amazing, phenomenal. Both of them are. >> I I I don't think this is career ending. like a lot of people say. I feel like. Drake can definitely come back from. this. As you see, he just dropped the.

Super Smash Noia, >> man. But I had Fat Joe on and Fat Joe. say, "Man, look, if they call you off. the porch, you got to go. >> You got to go." That's right. You got to. go. You can't You can't They can't go. ahead. Y'all have I'm too big to battle. Nah, man. You can't. >> But they they try to hit up Jay. Jay. don't even pay him no mind. >> Jay had us in the lobby. The rap. Remember, you want to get to the. penthouse, you got to go through the. lobby first. He had some hitters in the. lobby. It was couldn't just get up there. that easy. Drake ain't got no hitters in.

the lobby. >> He got to get some hitters down there. >> But think about this. Uh uh Bleep. All the people that Jake that uh uh. Drake done jumped on the feature with. All the people that on the tour when he. go on tour, y'all come on. >> Yeah. >> Everybody turned their back on this man. See, he should have gave me a verse. Should have gave me a verse. I'd have. been on the front line with you, Superman. Are you surprised they did a man like. that? >> Yes. It's like I told no love in this.

game, man. People going to use you for. what they need you for, and then when. they done with you, they going to put. you back cuz they don't need you no. more. They got what they needed. >> Damn. >> So, this game is dirty, man. It's a. really, really dirty game. Man, you got. to pick your friends and know your. enemies for sure. >> JCole was like in it for a hot second. JCole said, "Nah, this ain't for me.". >> Yeah, he got up out of there. He had a. He got up out of there. >> He jumped back on his bike and rolled. off there like. >> Debo. want I don't want nothing. >> I respect him. I I ain't going to knock. him that. You know, war ain't for every.

man. And I'm never going to say you're. not you're less of a man because you. don't want a war. It ain't for. everybody. And JCole got shooters in the. lobby. though because. >> he got a record label. A lot of guys. down there, J and all them guys ain't. they pin game is serious. >> Why you Why you Why you always getting. into it with people though? >> Me? I don't got no problems with. >> Yeah, you you be I mean uh uh Well, they. I guess they started with you cuz you. and Cam had. >> me and Cameron. Nah, man. Cam my guy. I. don't got no problems with you guys. That was maybe that Rockefeller stuff.

None of that was real. Like Cam, Jim. Jones, all them. We all chilled in the. studio together and then out of nowhere. we had beef and then out of nowhere it. was over. But no one got punched in the. face. Nobody threw a grape at nobody. Nobody even slipped on a banana pill in. this beef. So there was nothing. >> Let me ask you this. Do you feel like. beef dissing is okay as long as it stays. on wax? Because a lot of time a lot. because I think people think that the. Biggie Tupac it was fine. I mean Tupac.

hit him up was one of the great D songs. but it kind of spilled over. that left. the wax and went to the streets. >> But it's cruise. It's not necessarily. the artist. Yes. >> It's the guys you're with. Like I have. guys I might feel offended by something. someone say. And I could be talking just. free talking around my guys. Yo, this. guy did this d and now one of my guys. want to go take it upon himself to be. like, "Hey, I'mma prove a message is so. bleak. I'm loyal. I'mma hit this guy for. him. I can't control that." So that's. what it usually be. It be the crews. It.

don't usually be the artists that get. into the brawl unless we genuinely don't. like each other. And like I said, if you. look at 75% of the beef, half these guys. didn't even know each other, >> right? But you I mean, at that point in. time, you like, man, I'm making too much. money to beef. >> But if they call you off the porch, you. got to. >> you got to go. >> You got to go, man. You got to go. If. you get called off the porch, you know. how it is in the neighborhood, man. Or. even in school, 3:00, that 3:00, meet me. in the park, then you don't show up. You. might as well tell mom transfer schools.

>> Yeah, you're right. When they say. >> after school, >> Yeah. >> Hey, 3. Hey, when school's out 3:00, me. and you, you don't show up. Mom got to. get them transfer papers. >> Damn. >> Seriously, >> you're right. Hey, you going to give a. ass cut or you going to take one? You. can't run from one. >> That's right, man. They going even in. loss, like losses, like you know, every. defeat is not a defeat, >> right? At least if I lost fights, but I. bet you the person fighting me don't. want to fight again. >> That's what you got to make.

>> You know what I mean? Like it wasn't an. easy W. It was a very hard one, >> right? But the ones that you get, you. got to make him break loose. Don't let. nobody break it up. Make him break. loose. He ain't going to come back. >> That's right. That's a fact. You got to. fight, man. Win or draw. Win, lose or. draw. >> Is it true you turned down? Oh boy. >> They say I did. Just Blaze, Cam, everybody say they got the narrative, but I don't remember having a beat. And. if I did, I'm a fool. I was on I don't. know, limit. But I could tell you I. turned down Rest in peace Black Raw.

beat. Whoa. I had that beat first and I didn't use. it. I didn't see. >> you couldn't see what he saw. >> I didn't see Whoa. He He made it. Wo. The beat wasn't that. It was just the. beat. When he got the beat, he like, "Oh, now whoa." Like, so he brought the. life to the beat. But all rappers have. beats that they turn down. like my. record mine right man didn't he passed. on that beat it that was just his DJs. that made the beat for me so that circle. of people passing up beats I think.

everything ain't for everyone. >> right and it's hard you know what it's. kind of like a movie you hear like such. and such turned down this role and such. and such turned down that role and after. you see that person in that role I'm. like. >> I'm not so sure you would have done the. role justice like he did it or like she. did it so now on a beat you're like okay. yeah I might have turned it down but I. don't know after hearing it. >> Yeah. I wouldn't have did Oh boy. He did. Cam and them. Come on. Yeah. That is. It's already history. >> What about Joe Button? Pump it up. >> They Oh yeah, I had that. I had that. I.

had that. Just Blaze was in, you know, I. had that. I passed that up. Joe Buns got. that one. That's cool. >> Let me ask you this. Where are you on. ghost writing. >> now? I feel like. it's not good. But a lot of these guys. got a lot of writers in the room. I feel. like to sustain you can't think of. everything yourself, right? >> So you need people like you know the. beat. Somebody going to come up with the. hook. Somebody might come up with the. concept. But as far as somebody writing.

your 16 bar verse, no. You can give me. an idea. You can give me a chorus, but. you're not giving me a verse. Only. person who could give me a verse is Jay. Jay want to give me a verse. I gladly. accept. >> Right. But damn Bleak. I mean, you know, like when you in a movie, I mean, you. don't come up with all the lines. You. don't do everything. >> That's what I'm saying. Like, but rap, I. feel like you held to a higher stake. than an actor. Like, you know what I. mean? Like, and you can't really say. that. Ice Cubing them writing their own. movies.

>> But Jay-Z wrote for a lot of people. A. lot of your famous a lot of your. favorite faves he done wrote bars for. >> Yeah, that's why I said he could give me. a verse if he want. He got some laying. around. Pass off, big homie. Do you feel people disrespect your pen? >> Yes. All the time. Because I'm too close. to the sun. When anything is too close. to the sun, it dissolves. I Jay is the. sun, man. I was. >> Cuz they saying, "Oh, man. That's JB. That he ain't come up with that. Jay did. that.". >> Yeah. Like no matter what I do, he's. going to get the credit for it. You know. what I'm saying? Right now, like after.

this interview come out, Jay called you. so I could do this. >> Right now, ho, put the call in, baby. Barbara Stryer quoted Memphis Bleke in a. diss of Donald Trump. >> I see. And. >> she said, "The strong are quiet, the. weak start riots.". >> Yes, she took that. And that's crazy. She listened to 900 Hustler cuz she had. to listen to That's a real drug dealer. record. Barbara outside. Have you ever been starruck?

Michael Jackson. That's it. >> What was Okay. What was it like to be? Because people. keep saying who's the most famous person. ever live other than Jesus. Michael. Jackson. >> Yes. Word up. Michael Jackson is it man. You know every kid in the world wanted. to meet Mike. So at Summer Jam when I. got a chance to even see Mike racing. through the halls coming in our dressing. room. It was just I couldn't even go. Like if you look at the pictures. everybody on stage I was on stage but. I'm not in the picture cuz I was that. star struck. Like that's Mike man. Like.

that's the greatest of all time. Like I. couldn't believe it. That's the only. time I could say. >> cuz you I mean look. >> I've been around everybody. God rest N N. N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N M. Mandela. I done been around everybody, bro. Yeah, >> we did a show for during the Water for. Life tour in Africa. >> But since you've been around Jay and. you've known him so for so long, >> people probably feel that same way about. Hoveve. But you like, man, that's my. man. That's I mean, bro, he he. >> Yeah. No, I I Jay like people be losing.

it when they see Jay. is like the. ultimate super famous like but me it's. like ah stop playing with me now. >> It's like I don't know if you ever. Michael M Jordan. You ever met Michael. Jordan? >> No no no I never met Mike. I've seen him. a few times but I never met him. >> Bro that's the only man I've ever he. levitate. >> I believe you. >> He don't go man. >> If you listen listen listen at people. I'm talking about super superstars. >> Yes. when they.

>> when they describe him, >> they say the same thing. >> It's crazy. And Mike is the goat, man. Like, >> it's I know it's sacrilegious to say, >> but and people like, well, who's the. most famous MJ? And Michael Jordan is. Michael Jordan and we know the sneak, the jump man. >> Yes. Like, >> but ain't nobody Michael Jackson. >> No, nobody's Michael Jackson. >> Can you imagine if Michael was Michael. Jackson in today's time with the. internet? >> Oh my Jesus. Like what they say. sold. 30. His album went 30 times platinum or. something when it came out. It'll be.

130. >> Yeah. He He sold He's sold 100 million. hard copies. >> Yes. A thrilling insane. >> 100 million. Went 30 million when it. first dropped overall. 100 million. >> There'll never be another album do that. >> Never. They said I read something a. while back where it said out of uh three. billion people on the planet, 2.6 Six. billion of them people were Michael. Jackson fans. So that mean he had the. whole world. >> the whole world. >> was a Michael Jackson fan. It's insane.

>> I mean think about when they would see. him and people would like spend great. money and they would pass out. They. wouldn't even get a chance to see the. concert. >> Yep. Fainting. >> What man can come out there for 10 13. minutes and just stand there. Don't say. a word. >> and you and people going to be fainting. Yeah. Nobody. I don't see nobody doing. that. >> He's a lady marinate. >> Yeah. I don't see nobody doing that. today. >> Not today. Not today. Everybody famous. in their own right. They got an. Instagram page. They go live. They like, "Man, I'm lit." He ain't lit. >> Where Where are you on sampling?

>> Oh, I love it. You know, some of the. best best music is made from sampling. You know what I mean? But I don't think. >> it has to be the right sample. Like, you. know, and the right person chopping the. sample. Like, you give the right sample. to Just Blaze or Knife Wonder, >> man. You're going to have a masterpiece. on your heads. Them boys know how to. chop a sample up to where you forget who. made the record, >> right? >> Like serious. >> Is it a situation like somebody wants to. sample yours? Because I talked to L and. I talked to a lot of people that's. that's had their, you know, work sampled.

and they're like n had Bobby Brown. talked to him. He said, "Nah, I got to. hear that cuz I ain't going to let. everybody jump mess my. >> Yeah. No, Bobby got Come on. He got. classics. You don't want to have people. ruin your records. Now, in that aspect, yeah. If somebody sampling your music, you definitely want to hear it, declare. it. Cuz like if you if you really take. pride in your work, you don't want. nobody tarnishing it. >> Destiny Child. Oh, hold on. They was booed at. >> now. They got Allstar in Philly. Yeah,

Philly rough, man. Philly booed Santa. Claus. >> They did. They threw snowballs at He. bringing presents. He bringing. >> But they it wasn't because of their. talent. They did it wrong. Remember they. were in Philly. This was the year uh. Kobe was playing, you know, Alan. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was all. Yeah. And they came out with the Kobe. jerseys on in Philadelphia. >> No, no, no, no. Even though even though. Kobe is a hometown guy, Ellen Iverson. >> is the guy in Philly. He's the god in. Philly. Like, there's no bigger than no. one more famous than AI in Philly. You.

kidding me? >> You You're absolutely right. >> Yes. Look, let me ask you this about. Beyonce and I um did you know I mean. Destiny Child that was a great group. buting but be. >> was come on. >> I think the most impressive thing and. she has a rolodex of impressive things. she's done but to do country. >> oh man that's. >> to to to I mean she's here. >> switch genres. >> to go way way a lot of people won't even.

>> don't even attempt it but that's that. just shows you the musical genius ious. as she is, man. And and there's no. boundaries or limits. She's not willing. to test or try, you know. >> But you got But you know, in order to do. that, you got to be up here. >> Yeah. >> You better not be here. Do that cuz. guess what? When you do it crossover, you going to be down here. >> They got that could be your career exit. They could walk you right off the stage. Like, oh, you all right, let's walk her. off right here. Like, no. Be is the She. is like, if anybody is I see going in. that Michael Jackson stratosphere, she's.

the closest. >> Wow. >> 100%. Man, help me understand this. because there been they've been going. back and forth. Man, Chris Brown better. than Michael Jackson. Now, I believe he. might be the closest as far as being. able to move and can sing because he's. an entertainer. >> Like Chris Brown is he's a. >> Oh, man. That joke can move, man. Do he. got bones in his body? >> I don't know. But Chris Brown is a major. major major superstar. Incredible dancer. Phenomenal singer. Got hits after hits after hits. But Mike.

Jackson, I don't I don't know. I don't. know. I know he could if they did a. biopic on Mike, they need to let him do. all the dancing. >> cuz what did wasn't he supposed to. perform some at the BET and and they cut. it? >> You know how it is, man. They bring up. the back in the day bull crap. That man. proved himself time and time over again. >> How long? How long? How long? How long? Yes. Like come on, man. If we live in a. country that forgives, then they need to. forget. You know what I'm saying? And. don't hold that over that man head. Everybody lives don't win. They got. lives now. You know what I mean? She she.

moved on. She got kids and. >> let that man live, man. Like, you know, that's the whack part about the industry. that I don't like. I feel like in our. culture, they hold us to a higher. standard than. >> We help him, too. >> Yes. >> We help him. >> Yes. >> How big could he have been, >> minus that incident, how big could Chris. Brown have been? >> No ceiling, man. I I don't see no. stopping. Without that incident, I don't. see no stopping Chris Brown. He was the. young heartthrob of America. You know.

what I mean? Like he could do no wrong. You know what I mean? That's why I feel. like they got to let that go, man. That. kid don't proved itself that he's a genu. genuinely sorry and. >> Yeah. She's forgiven him. >> Exactly. But they don't want to forgive. him. Who are you people to be the. gatekeepers of forgiveness? >> New rappers today. >> Yes. >> Um I talked to comedians and comedians. like, "Man, look, >> they don't like them." Yeah. Yeah, they. because because. comedians, the old comedians, they had. to go on a little chitling circuit and.

they perform in front of 30, they. perform in front of 40, 50, 100, and you. work your way up. Now, some of these. comedians, they get on the internet, they do a skit, they do boop. Yep. That's the That's the power of social. media, though. Like, you can't get mad. in the era. It's just, you know, >> you take advantage of what's available. >> I had to take the train. These kids is. taking Uber to work now. I can't be mad. you in the Uber, right? I had to take. the train. Like, yes. So, >> excuse me. You just have to respect it. and and accept it. Like,

>> everybody deserve their niche and their. time. And I feel like these kids today, it's their time. We had our time. And a. lot of people didn't capitalize on their. time. So, they mad. >> They're resentful of the people that. that's do it. >> Yes. And it's like, let that go, man. Let these guys shine. Let them feed. their families and prosper. >> You got an opportunity to work with TI, Missy Elliot. Um, Missy, I I don't think. Missy gets the credit that she deserved. one of the greatest ever and phenomenal. writer. Wrote so many hits for countless. artists and R&B groups in the. >> But her videos were futuristic.

>> I mean, and I hate that the the video. the video era has gone. >> Yes. Yes. That's because attention span. is dying though. Like people don't even. watch videos anymore. It's all on your. phone. Little quick three minute real on. your Instagram and that's it. >> It better be a short. Got one minute to. hold my attention span. I'm put this. phone back in my pocket. >> That's right. So that's what I think it. is. But back then, man, I I appreciate. what they did. Her, Buster Rhymes, Ludacris. I feel like they was the most. creative artists of our genre.

>> Is it true T only charge you like $2,500. for merch? >> Yeah, he charged me $2,500, man. That's. it. >> For around here, word up, man. I love TI. for that, man. He could have got five. bands. He's like, "Nah, I do it for. 2500.". >> Rumor has it that you discovered Rosé. >> Oh, yeah. I I'm I'm not gonna take full. credit, but I was one of the founders of. It was when we was doing the song around. here. We was in Circle House Studio, you. know, tricking them in the studio and I. remember Ross walking up on me like, "Yo, Bleak, I get busy, man. I be. writing these hooks, doing all of this.".

And I'm like, "What? Let me hear. something." And he rhymed for me. And. I'm like, "Yo, Beans, come here." Like, "Yo, Beans, listen to Son." And he rhyme. for Beans. I'm like, Bean like, "Yo, he. got it." I remember calling Jay like, "Yo, slip and slide. Got somebody down. here. you might want to come check that. out. >> And the rest is history. So. >> is is is it can you just like Okay, so. my man said, "Hey, check this out, Bleak. Hey, you know, I get down." Oh, let me hear something. Do you know right. away? Okay, he got it. You can tell. You.

can tell, especially if a person just. rap. A lot of people can rap on the. spot, but can't rap on the beat. A lot. of people can rap on the beat and can't. rap on the spot. So a person who could. do both right there is like then he. telling you I wrote XYZ songs and there. songs that's on the chart. >> Yeah. >> Got to take it for consideration. >> Now as a record as a a record head. yourself. >> What are you looking for in an artist? >> No cryb babies cuz these artists need. parenting. These artists is babies. I.

don't think the parents is finishing the. job at home because they come here as. grown men and want you to take care of. them. It's like fam you didn't sell a. record and I'm supposed to do what for. you? I'm supposed to buy you a Rolex. I'm supposed to do this. Take you put. you in. You got to fly first class. You. know, you got to sell records to do. that, right? >> Like these guys come pre Madonna ready. >> That's all I want to meet the the the. real grinding artists that want to win. from the bottom up. That don't think. you're supposed to just put me there and. it's just all going to happen. >> You said something very interesting. You.

said the grind. And it seems like people. run from the grind now. >> They don't want it, man. They want the. shine. They don't want the grind. >> They want the shine, man. Man, that's. it. >> You can't have it. They don't. No, you. can't get one without the other. In. order to shine, you have to grind, right? Cuz if you just shine it, somebody going to take it from you. So, go ahead. Go on the block with no work. Somebody going to take that jury quick. >> Man, I mean, and I've always wondered this is that, and we kind of touched on a little. earlier, why is it that.

this g what is so what is so enduring? What is so fascinating, so captivating. that people that got got everything, they got everything to lose, nothing to. gain by being in that situation. What is. it, >> Bleke? You got to tell me something. Give me something to say. Hey, >> Sean. Oh, this what it is right here. This why they do it. Why? >> I think it's family, man. They want that.

love that they never got at home. Know. these kids go outside and the streets. show you the love that your family don't. show you. No. Like I said, I grew up. without a father. So, I didn't know what. being a man was until I got with the. guys. You know what I mean? And you do. you say certain things and then you get. punched in the mouth for them things. >> A lot of these kids don't get that today. neither. They just going out for the. love and don't get the. >> the other side of the love. They just. getting the love and they just go. full-fledged and dive into it and like. this my gang. That's my family. And then.

when something go wrong, they realize. the gang wasn't family or they gang. >> Now you stuck. >> Yeah. And people looking at you crazy. like, "Bro, you had it all. You flying. private jets. You got you got uh APS and. you got Pex and you got Odmar and you. got all this. You got Roses and you. living in the highlight and you want to. do that?". >> They want to throw it up for the gang. >> Do you realize that gang would switch. places with you and would douche you out. and would not even look your way? >> That's right. That like if you if you. switch roles, 90 90% of the gang members.

leave you right where you at if they get. your opportunity. 100%. Nobody want to. Anybody that grew up in that environment. and lived that life for real, they don't. want to do that, man. You looking for. ways to get out of that. It's not fun. It's not the glamorous life. You don't. fascinate that neither. >> Wow. >> When back in the day it basically you. had two areas. You had New York and you. had Cali. >> Yes. >> But now you got you can find a anywhere. >> Anywhere. It could be from Alaska today.

Yeah. >> Be like, "Yeah, Eskimo flow. what the influence because you know. >> Atlanta now you got Future you got all. those guys you got Lil Baby and you got. obviously at Luda and and and Ti and and. and uh uh Gucci Mane Jeezy. >> I think they got a a power plant down. there they just breeding. >> yeah we got we got that thing got that. thing right there up they that that's. the that's the mecca is what you know. that's how New York was 20 years ago now.

Atlanta got it and I'm I'm happy to see. them because Atlanta was a small vibrant. city. Now if you look. >> ATL is like a major city like like like. a LA or New York now and and it's. amazing man. They got too much talent. down there. >> You know you see artists in prisons. >> Oh man. >> Bro, how you how you how you how you go. to jail and you got a couple million? >> I mean what what what is it what is it. that. >> I'm trying to figure out? Like man, I. got a couple man. I ain't really trying. I ain't I ain't trying to do nothing.

sleazy or slimy. Yeah, I you know I'mma. open up reputable businesses. >> Yes. A lot of these guys, like I said, they use rap. >> to be who they always dreamed to be. You. know, like we all come from the urban. environment, ghettos, whatever you want. to call them. >> And you know, you got your neighborhood. drug dealer. You got the big time tough. guy in the neighborhood, beat everybody. up. A lot of these guys get record deals. and try to act like the local drug. dealer they saw or the local tough guy. they saw. And they want to live that. life. And that's why when and they don't.

understand what it takes to live that. life. Yeah. >> You know what I mean? And it's only only. two things that come with living this. life is either you gonna die. You going. to end up in that box or you going to. end up in the other box. It's what box. you want to be in. The one that goes six. feet or the one that's just six feet by. 10. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> That's it. >> So, wow. Um movies. You act in a few. movies. >> Yes, man. >> Is that something you would like to. continue to do or you you like? Uh, now. if somebody give me something cool, I'm. I think I'm I'm ready now. Back then I.

was a little scared. They offered me. drum line. I turned it down cuz I was. scared, man. I I didn't think I could be. a drummer and go back to the. neighborhood. I thought I would have 40. more fights. >> But here's the thing. You wouldn't have. to go back to the neighborhood. You. >> I would have been gone. Yeah. I'd have. been in ballet or somewhere like that, right? I'd have been gone. I didn't tell. you I didn't have the vision. Uh. >> Kevin Hart, Charlie Murphy, you was with. them in Paper Soldiers. >> Yes. Yes. >> What was that experience like? >> Amazing, man. That was my first time.

actually meeting Kevin. I remember. telling him on the set like, "Yo, bro, you the funniest guy I've ever met.". Like, "Yo, you're going to blow up in. this business.". >> The hardest work mofo, too. >> Yes, he is, man. He don't stop. That's. why I say a lot of these guys people see. on camera and big, they think they just. chilling now, enjoying the money. They. don't understand. They don't even get a. chance to touch the money. They working. so much. >> Kev go from movie to TV show to. commercials, back to movies, back to. sick. >> He don't He don't stop, man. He doesn't.

>> No, he work all the time in that. >> Kev want to be a be He want to be. >> Yeah. He. >> He going to be Yeah. Ke want to be a. billionaire. >> He going to get it. Especially he heard. the Rock got it. He going to get it. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. He coming. >> Did you think Kev would be what he when. you was on that when you was on the set. with him? >> Yes. I knew man at that time you know. comedians was dying you know Chris. what's my man name Chris Tucker he went. to Africa didn't want to curse no more. >> you know we just had wasn't a lot of. real good actors at that time like real.

comedians that can act like you had. comedians that can get up and do a. standup. >> comic show that's fly but then they get. on the screen and it's just not the same. right. >> Kev could do both and I feel like we. didn't have an actor who can really do. both since Eddie Murphy. >> uh Chappelle I I thought Chappelle was. going to. >> But you think Chappelle What movie. Chappelle had. >> bad? You remember Chappelle in Professor. Another Professor Reggie? Should I get. him? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He did. >> He was TY and Blue Street. >> Yeah. Yeah. But that wasn't what them.

ros like. >> No, he he wasn't the lead. >> That's what I mean. He didn't never have. a lead role. Like he did cameo roles, supporting roles, which good, but come. on, Kev. >> To carry the to carry the movie. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. Only Eddie. Murphy did that. could get on stage in. leather pants to tell you, hey, >> prior prior was the prior too young for. that. I remember his movies more than. his standers million stir crazy. >> Like my favorite prior movie is See No. Evil, Hear No Evil. >> Uh Nick Cannon came to the projects.

>> Nick Cannon was my dog. That's still my. dog. You know, Nick Cannon used to hang. with us back in the day. He was always, you know, we was managed by the same. manager. Okay. >> You know what I mean? I knew Nick was. going to be what he is today. He was. funny as hell back then. >> really. >> So I I knew I knew and and you. know rap was just a hobby for him. >> Like the the comic and telling jokes and. acting was really what he really really. wanted to do. >> Who else came to the projects and hung. out that would people would be surprised. that came out and hung out with you in. Marcy? >> Oh man. Out from LA. I remember Rascast.

came to Marcy one time with us. You know. Foxy Brown been in Marcy a million. times. We had Oprah and Marcy. >> Oprah. >> Yeah man. Oprah came down to the hood. We had a lot of people in Marcy, you. know what I mean? Like I if I'm not. mistaken, I'm trying to think, you know, it's been so many people breeze through. Marcy. It's just like I remember when. back in the days when Rock Kim and Big. Daddy Kane and them came through, Marcy. was a big deal too. Like. >> there's a lot of legends came through. the project. >> Hey man, look, Big Daddy Kane and Rock.

Him don't get the credit they deserve. >> Oh man, I'm the. >> But you know, but but you know, people. if it didn't happen if it didn't happen. today, people thinking it wasn't good. That's right, bro. Look, you could rock. him. Big Daddy Kane, KRS1. >> Oh my. Oh man. Kas one. He's like, if. you want to talk about battle rapping, Caris one came out and tried to destroy. a whole burrow. >> Yeah. He wasn't just dissing a rapper. He. tried to diss the whole burrow. >> How do you get Serena to star in your.

video? >> Oh, that was Jay. Jay made that happen. I didn't know Serena. I met her at the. at the video shoot. If you pay attention. to the video, we had Megan Good in the. video, too. Serena was in the video. We. had the WNBA girls in the video. Uh, you. know, shout out to all of them. That was. Jay, man. Jay was the plug. >> I can understand why people say that. >> What? >> Ho hook that up. >> Yeah. Yeah. He was the plug, man. I didn't. know them.

>> And she played she played Jay-Z and. tennis. >> Yeah, she played she was Yo, it's so. crazy. Like we really filmed that like. seeing how f how fast she can serve the. ball. 75 85 miles an hour. >> and that was just you was taking it. easy. Did you just the whole return it? >> No. Heck no. No, it's too fast. You. could see it's almost like a bullet. >> and she put spit on it. She kick it. She. go. >> yo. And remember that was young Serena. before the babies, before the marriage, all of that. That was straight.

>> That was that was pride. Serena. Did you. really have endorsement deals with like. Jamal Crawford and Lar Fitzgerald? >> Uh, no, no, no. Those just my guys. Yeah, Jamal Crawford, my bro. You know, I just always hung out with them going. to the game, especially when he was a. nicer, right? You know, that's my guy. I. always support him. He was in my video. for like that. That's my guy. But I. never had no endorsement deals. Jay tied. me up. Rockear all that stuff. I got to. wear that stuff. >> Your Knicks, you you going to go do it. this year? >> I thought so. But I knew I knew the.

Knicks was going to nick. Come on, man. I'm I'm a New Yorker. The Knicks going. to nick eventually. Hopefully next year. we get over that. >> Bro, how y'all fire a coach and ain't. got nobody in mind? >> That's the Knicks going to nick. I'm. telling you, the Knicks is going to. nick. I don't know what they think, what. they doing over there. They got my guy. West in office though. He going to get. it right. >> Yeah. What have you learned most about. money? >> That is not the most important thing. Family is more important than money. Money is something that makes life.

easier, but it doesn't make life better. You know, love makes life better. The. people that you care, the loved ones. around you is way more important than. money because the people that keep you. focused, you'll always be able to make. money. Can't always make meet loved. ones, you know. But you can always make. money long as you got hustle in your. heart. >> But do families sometime change when you. get money? >> Oh yes, definitely. See, now when I'm. talking about family, I'm talking about. the wife, the kids. I'm not talking. about the cousins. >> Oh, you ain't talking about you. >> It's a different family now.

>> Yeah. So the cousins and all that, they. think, you know, you got it. Like, and. it's like, I don't go to work to give my. money away, right? >> You can come to work with me. You can. come make something with me. Come find a. position and something that I'm doing. and come get some money with me, but. I'll be damned if I'm going to go to. work and just give it away, >> right? >> So, you know, but the loved ones, my. wife, my daughter, my son, like that. love right there is just unmatched. And. that's what gives me the strength to, you know, and motivation to keep going. every day, to know what I'm leaving this. for. when you don't give f you know man.

you got it you got it okay you don't. give it no more or something you know. it's it's funny you go back man I don't. know what he did with all that money I. gave it to you both folks. >> that's right I gave it all of you and. then when you get to that part no one. got a solution no one want to help. nobody grabbing an idea nothing. >> man if I had it this is what I would do. you wouldn't. >> exactly that's what everybody say if I. hate the if people yeah that's why I. think I love in my mind if was a fifth. we all be drunk remember as a c like she. crazy what she talking But now I know. what she talking about.

>> You absolutely. What's the What do you. think some of the worst purchases you. made? >> Cars. Cars is the worst the worst thing to. buy, Phil. Cuz it's no it's no you don't. gain depreciating asset. >> As soon as you drive off the lot, you. lost money. Like you literally can buy a. car today and make a U-turn and bring it. right back and it's less 20,000 less. than what you want. Like bro, you saw me. make a U-turn. >> Yeah. Like I didn't even leave the lot. Yeah. So I feel like cars are the worst.

and jewelry that doesn't matter. Like do. you buy the right jewelry, the right. Rolex, the right chain, the right piece, then it it it adds. >> But you don't need 50 of them though. Bleak. >> No, but you need a few. You need a few. uh bro. I mean, you know, like burls. So. you got you got Jada uh uh Fat Joe. recently went viral saying a lot of. rappers are living paycheck to paycheck.

Oh, >> is that true? >> Oh yeah. A lot of rappers definitely a. lot of these new age rappers and back in. the day you. >> ain't make the money back in the day. that that they get. >> and today you have to be a major a major. star. You have to be able to sell things. other than records to get the money. today cuz it's the other companies. that's giving these guys the money. It's. not the record labels that's giving. these guys the money. It's the. endorsement deals. >> The collab. You see, you see Travis. Scott, he's with Nike, he's with Yeah. He's with OD.

>> Yes. Like, you know what I mean? Those. deals is what's giving these guys them. major major millions. But as far as like. a regular rapper, yeah, they depending. on the show right now. They praying the. promoter call them, the phone ring, and. they get a gig. But I feel like rappers. is it's too much opportunity with your. money today to do too many things. Like. all these businesses, like a lot of. these kids is entrepreneurs. They just. don't know how to get into the right. business, >> right? >> Hove wrapped a line about you. He said, "As long as I'm alive, Bleak's a.

millionaire. And even if I die, he's in. my will somewhere.". >> Yes. I love that. That's my brother, man. You know, I love it. Like it it. made the road a little bit rough cuz now. I'd go talk to a DJ like, "Hey, I need. you to play this record." They like, "Yeah, but Hope said you good, fam. Take. care of me." Like, what you mean? I. still got to work. He said I'm in the. will. That mean he gotta go. Yeah. I a. He ain't give it to me now. I gota I. still got to earn it. >> So. in order to get your music played on the.

on the radio, you got to break them off. A lot of people used to be on it like. that. Like yo, cuz you know DJs and it. it ain't you know certain people like to. say poliola. Me I look at it different. Uh if you're an artist, right? If you're. a DJ, just put yourself in a DJ shoes. and I'm an artist. I'm trying to get you. to play my record now. You know this. record blows up cuz you played it. My. life changed. You still just a radio DJ. >> Oh man. >> You like dog, I'mma help you blow up, but you not going to look out for me. You not going to let me DJ a few shows. It's one handwash the other business.

Basically, >> that's what it is. It ain't really pay. to play my record. It's like, hey dog, you got an opportunity. Show me that I. got opportunity with you before I. support you. >> When people when you have money, Bleak, everybody thinks like, so man, you got. so much money you can lend somebody 500. You can live somebody 2500. You can live. somebody leave a lend. No, you can give. somebody cuz you ain't lending no money. >> I'll only I'll only give money that I. don't care if I get it back. >> because I already know I ain't going to. get it back. >> One of the best pieces of advice I ever.

heard is if you love your friends, never. loan them money. >> Nope. >> Like just give it to them. Y don't. expect anything back. So I live by that. Like I love my friends. So if they ask. me for something, just don't put borrow. on it cuz you know you're not going to. pay me back. And when I want my money. back, somebody make take your funky ass. 20. Why my money funky now? >> I ain't know I ain't no money how to. smell. >> when I gave it to you. >> Was it stink? But you know, and people look at like. the internet was going crazy. Man, if I.

if I was worth three billion, I worth. four billion and C came up to me, I. break him off. >> Oh, yeah. Right. Everybody say, you. know, it's always the other people. Yes. Like until you live that life and put. yourself in that person's shoes, man. to. stop with the comparison. Just live your. life and enjoy it, man. >> Yeah, >> that's all I That's the advice I got for. people. Live and enjoy. Don't worry. about what others do. Control what you. do, >> man. You know they can spend other. people's money. >> quick, too. That's why they get rich in. these games so fast. You go look at GTA. or something. These guys got mansions,

400 million. Like, man, how you hustle. harder in the game than in the street? >> Okay. >> Deuce. >> Yes. >> Um Jay helped turn that into a billion. dollar. >> Yes. Yes. But at first, you know, this. is my baby right here. And I I I give. all the credit in the world of my wife. for me even being a part of this. Yeah. Because I was at that paycheck to. paycheck moment, you know, forking the. road. And I'm looking at my wife like, "Yo, shows not coming in like that. Not.

dropping albums like that. Like, I got. to figure out what I'mma get into." And. she was like, "Yo, your brother owned a. hundred different businesses. You don't. want to get play a role in nothing but. the music?" And I'm like, "Yeah, let me. go talk to bro." And when I went and had. the meeting with Jay and he like, "Yo, I. got this new brand called Duceay. Let me. see what you could do with it." And boy, I took it to the moon. Turned it up in. every hood in New York, New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, and we just went. >> You got to get out. >> Yeah. >> I mean I mean to for what we take this.

because like you said, being being in. the spirits business, I thought, "Okay, you just put it out there. Okay, they. pick it up." No, you got you got to. work. You got to do those. You got to go. to the test the testings, the taste. testings. You got to go to them bar. meetings with the uh. >> the distributors. >> Yes. You got to go to the You got to. have somebody What is it? The the guy. doing the mixologist. All of this. >> We have a mixology. You got to go to GSM. general sales meetings. You got to be in. front of them and you got to talk and. you got to talk. You can't No, no, no,

no, no. Your name, my name on this. >> So, I got to tell you, uh uh it's a. VSOP. I gotta tell you that it's 4 to. six years of age. I gotta tell you. what's in it. It's a uni blanc grape and. a petite champagne. In order to be. called a kgnac, it has to start in that. region for at least two years. That's. right. It has to go to the copper park. It got to be in the wooden barrel. >> That's right. If it don't go in the. wooden barrel, it ain't going to come. out brown. >> No. >> It's going to be clear. We going to be. calling. >> Yeah. >> So, and and so they like, "Man, you. really I said, "Bro, it got my name on.

it. It got my money in this.". >> Yeah. And you got to be involved hands. on 10 toes down. You got to do all of. this stuff cuz it ain't going to sell. itself. No. And people don't know what's. good just by looking at it. So you have. to introduce them to the good and. >> and because you know a lot of times you. know you've been eating something or. it's like anything you've been eating. hamburgers for a long time you don't. realize how good steak is or you might. not good realize how good chicken is. So. you got to introduce them and say hey. just give it a try. >> Give it a try. That's right. And I. always tell people man I would with. dooay I always tell people you can mix.

dooay with water and it's going to go. >> if so whatever your preference is. If. you we I feel like with this we became. the tequila cognac where we go fine with. we go with anything. >> I don't care what you pour us in. You. can pour us in V and. grape juice. We going to make it happen. Trust me. I don't care what you mix. with. We go with. >> I went to uh I went to uh Kgnac region. I was over there. >> Cognac France. Oh man. And the thing is, and I was like, they was they was.

getting it out, you know, they they had. the chef over there and he's preparing. it and they uh they have ginger ale. I. was like, damn, they knew I like ginger. ale. >> But that's how they drink it. >> That's right. Yeah. They pour ginger ale. in it. >> Yes. >> You know what's so ill though? What I. found out about going to Conac France. See, I'm not even going to bring this up. cuz I don't want to start no controversy. with these other brands, even though we. don't care about this other brand. But. >> you know, Hennessy is made in Cognac, France. I do, >> but it's not sold in in France. >> You know that, right? It's not sold. nowhere outside of America. We the only.

ones where it's sold at. I just want to. know. >> But we don't we don't we hey, >> we ain't promoting that though. >> We don't we don't we look we don't talk. bad about other companies. We just talk. good about our. >> That's right. I'm just letting you know. You go to London somewhere, do say. there. >> You you uh. Van Lean you had a back and forth with. >> Oh, a quick one. You know, cuz he took a. shot at the big homie and it's like, you. know, they showed you love, bro. I seen. you at the brunch. Seen you at Mad Rock. Nation events and you see Jay with a. little hiccup. You know, somebody. falsely accusing him and you want to.

take a shot like he's on that side like. he's that type of guy. I didn't like. that. >> Come on, bro. >> I didn't like that. He lucky it was on. Instagram cuz I have seen him. He met. the real me. He wouldn't have met. Memphis Bleak. He met No, no, no, no, no. You got to be bleak. You got to be. above you got to be above that. >> But when it comes to that, >> that's personal, bro. And that that is. no joking with that, right? It's no play. with that, bro. Like, and and that's how. I felt in that situation. >> You're a married man now. >> Yeah. >> What did marriage do for Bleeck?

>> Raised me. It grew grew me up. Made me. grow up. Like I was a grownup. I was. living, but I but my wife made me feel. alive again. And I I feel like she she. put me back on track. When I thought my. train derailed, she showed me the tracks. just had to turn. All we had to do was. go that way, right? and and she brought. perspective back to my life. >> Makes you think about something other. than self, huh? >> That's right. Definitely. Go home and. you know you you you working toward so. you working for something. But marriage. is not easy. It's a full it's it's every.

job. >> Getting married is easy. Stay in. marriage is what's hard. You got to work. at that. >> It's a full-time job. And I I feel like, you know, me being who I am, I'm a. spontaneous guy. So it's hard to lose. the interest with me. You might wake up. and see a horse outside. Hey, we going. horseback riding. Like what the hell? So, >> and that's what you know people that's. been married for a long period of time, they like Shannon, you have to work to. stay married. The person that you. married on a Saturday, she's going to. wake up Sunday. She's not that same.

person. That's right. She's going to. wake up Monday and you're not. >> you're not the same man neither. Like, we all go through our changes and phases. and you know, we grow and we we like. things different. And I feel like having. someone to share that experience with is. the beautiful part of life to me. >> But it's easy to say effort. Yes. It's. easy to It's easy. Why you get mad. That ring. I'm out. I don't need this. >> And not kids. >> Oh man. I love my kids is the best part. of my of me. >> What type of dad are bleak? It's bleak.

>> Oh, I'm the fun dad. I'm the dad that do. everything I always wanted as a kid. Cuz. I told you I never had a father. I never. said the word dad in my life. So when I. first had my son, I didn't even like him. calling me dad. He's like, "What? Call. me bleak." I used like dad didn't even. sound right. So then, you know, as I got. older and real realizing the. responsibility of a dad, it's like, "Wait a minute. Call me dad. >> You got to call me dad. I earned that.". >> You you one of them you one of them. friend dads. >> No, >> cuz you know cuz cuz in today's time, you know that I I'm my my my dad is my.

best friend. My mom's my best friend. No, I'm dad. Your best friend lives down. the street or he lives in such and such. >> I'm I'm the understanding parent. Well, you could come talk to me and tell me. anything, but don't talk to me like I'm. your friend. We're never gonna do that. Only person I say with my daughter. though, >> she run the show. She the boss, right? >> I don't run nothing. My daughter is the. boss. No one told me when you have a. daughter, >> it's different. >> That you have a CEO that you really. raising a little CEO like telling you. what to do. Where you at? Who said you.

go there? It's the best. I love it. >> It It is. And uh you know, I told my. kids, I said, "Our dynamic won't ever. change.". >> That's right. >> I'm always going to be dad. You always. going to be the child. >> That's right. No matter how old you get. >> No matter how old you get. >> Let's stay on that level. >> Don't ever think we see eye out of eye. We the same. No. No. We not. >> No. Life will never you'll never have. the experience in life we ever had. >> Right. >> Cuz we made it that way that you won't. have to. >> Right. So, just respect. >> I think and I think you know as as the. kids got my kids got older. They have an.

under They're grown now. And I'm a. grandfather. My son has two has a boy. and a girl. And he's starting to see. like, damn, man. rough. I got Hey, I got a mortgage. I got a car note. I. got daycare. Man, my dad handled it. Yeah. Yeah. >> No, your dad didn't handle with ease. You just didn't see how hard your dad. had. Yeah. One thing I learned though, having a daughter, >> we to our sons. >> Yeah. >> Like we rough. Little boy fall back. Get.

up. Stop crying, man. You bitching. Baby, fall. Ah, come here, baby. Come. on. Uh, how is it? It's okay. I realized. having her is like, "Wow, I was foul of. my son. Got to invite him over.". >> What do you What do you think some of. the best advice that you've given your. kids thus far? >> To my son, like my daughter, she's only. six, so I can't really give her. She. ain't paying attention to she only want. to hear about Bluey right now. Don't. tell me nothing. But my son, I feel like. to any young man growing up, the three.

things in life, you don't play with a. man, family, money, or his livelihood. You just like you. just stay clear of those three things. and you got a clear path in life. You. don't play with a person's love, his. money, or just play with a situation. that he takes serious. I feel like you. you'll breeze through life really easy. A lot of these kids don't know that they. getting money problems with people, messing with other people, girls or. wives and things go crazy like a man. will kill you for his family. >> Yeah. People pay play too much now. >> That's right.

>> We grew up in a time people didn't play. like that. It was no pranking. You see. all this pranking on the internet and. somebody coming down the escalator and. they touch their girl and they. >> bro you punk. Hey, what you trying to. do? You trying to squab? I said, bro. >> Bro, it was crazy. >> Everybody don't play the same. >> No, they don't, man. And remember, I'm. from Brooklyn where you died for a stare. back in the day. You look at somebody, what you looking at, and it was on like, so touch the hand of your girl. Oh my. Jesus Christ. You must want to meet the. Mog Tish. >> Yeah, for real though. Like, you know,

and I tell people, what is joke to you. is death to somebody. >> That's right. Everybody ain't playing. Everybody don't play the same. No. >> And that's why I told my son, don't. don't be out here playing with people. >> No. >> Looking back on your career, if there's. one thing that you could do differently, what would it be? not be so focused on my friends. I felt. like I was one of those guys who felt. like this is forever. My crew, we. forever. I need my boys, my guys. And.

then I look back now, ain't not one of. them there no more. It's like all the. guys start where y'all at? But you know. when people see the roller coaster going. up, they with you. When it's going down, they jump off. >> They jump off. You know what I mean? >> When it start to go back in, they try to. get back on. >> And now we good. Now we got the new. crew, the people who really working, who. earned they spot. You know what I'm. saying? So that's what I would say. Not. not not to put so much focus. >> and love on my crew, man. I feel like I. focused on them more their happiness. more than mine, >> right?

You realize now loyalty was probably a. one-way street. >> Definitely. Definitely. Not everybody. look at loyalty the same way as you do. Like just because I'm loyal to a person. don't mean he got to be loyal to me. Right. >> You know, it's certain things I do in. life that Jay will be like, "Damn, I. ain't know you did that." But it's. certain things he did. Like, I wouldn't. know he did that. Like, I get the call. we was dead in the beef with Nas. I just. show up to the show, Nas. Like, oh. >> Like, you know what I'm saying? But it's. still brotherly love where I know his. intent behind it. Ain't malice in.

intention behind it. You know what I. mean? So, >> you have to know that part of friendship. and understand where each other stand. And I feel like when you young like I. got that understanding with Jay because. he's older and he was able to talk to. me, teach me certain things of grow. growing up as we grew. But when you. equally with somebody from high no one. is going to respect one with more. authority and you know a lot of people. don't they look at you like just cuz you. famous don't make you my boss so make. you bigger than me and you be like what. fam I'm just telling you something right.

fame don't got nothing to do with this. >> I'm trying to give you some advice that. you probably haven't gotten. >> Exactly. And you know, egos, like I. said, egos, man. Pride. >> will will destroy a relationship faster. than the fire. >> Wow. >> Lee, thanks for coming by. Is there. anything you want to promote while. you're here? >> A man album, your whatever. >> album in stores right now. Apartment 3D. Make sure you cop that. If you smoke. that weed, make sure you come get your. mind right with my right exotics. Know. we got Deuceay. And if you ever out here.

in Vegas, man, we got a Italian. restaurant, Roma Kitchen, and we just. opened up a bar called Tuskin Patio Bar. and Grill. Pull up. >> Memphis Bleep, >> my guy. Much love, man. Thank you, bro. >> All my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want. a slice, got to roll the dice. That's. why all my life I've been grinding all. my life. All my life been grinding all. my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the. price. Want a slice to rolling dice.

That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. [Music].