Dame Dash: The Man That DISCOVERED & Built Jay-z & Kanye West! | E192

Kanye's whole thing is I don't give a. [ __ ] art is something that you would. really fight for if you love it even if. your message is misunderstood like white. lives matter he's an artist that likes. War. one of the founders of Rockefeller. Rockaway he discovered Jay-Z Kanye West. and so many others one of the biggest. Pioneers in hip-hop I took Jay-Z and. shocked him to every single label and. they all said no I had to do it myself I.

really want to understand why. Rockefeller won I did Partnerships with. my artists I'm gonna give you all the. rights to my record my art and then. you're gonna give me 10 of my art that. just didn't make sense to me that host. end of your career the Rockefeller. chapter. do you have any regrets surrounding that. one I wouldn't I wouldn't have been so. generous with Jay it was more friendship. for me and money for him but he did. things that I thought he would never do. what are those I'm just saying this let. me just say this. it's the hardest moment in your life.

well I'll hear that. that breaks my heart. singer actress Aaliyah is killed in a. plane crash I tried to play out what. that would feel like don't do it you. don't want you don't want to go there. it's a it's a pain that you don't. couldn't understand. [Music]. foreign. [Music]. I just want to say a huge thank you to. all of our new subscribers. 74 of you that watch this channel didn't.

subscribe before and we're now down to. about 71 so that helps us in a number of. ways that are quite hard to explain but. simply the bigger the channel gets the. bigger the guests get so if you haven't. yet subscribed to the Diary of a CEO if. I can have any favors from you if you've. ever watched this show and enjoyed it. it's just to please hit the Subscribe. button without further Ado I'm Stephen. Butler and this is the Diary of a CEO I. hope nobody's listening but if you are. then please keep this yourself.

[Music]. foreign. [Music]. I always believe that in order to. understand a man you have to understand. their earliest context because as. childhood psychology often asserts. that's really when. um our character and our our shape is. formed so can you take me back to your. earliest context the context that's most. relevant to who you went on to become in. your life back in Harlem. um on 109th and First Street.

my first like real memory of who I am is. I remember being like four. and I was in Nursery School. and the teacher yelled at me. or I got in trouble. and I felt embarrassed. I felt uncomfortable. and I remember saying to myself at as a. four-year-old I'm never going to feel. embarrassed again. ever I didn't like the way it felt you. know like when Fred Flintstone used to. get yelled at and he started shrinking.

and I just was like I'm never going to. put myself in a position to let any. adult teacher whatever. I'm never going to be embarrassed I just. hated that I remember not liking that. feeling and I think that was the last. time I felt it. pause. and how did that so that presumably. impacts your relationship with authority. figures it just means I don't care what. anybody thinks. so no matter what regardless to what. you're not going to make me feel as less. of who I am I know who I am so there was.

no way that teacher was going to make me. feel small just because they were a. teacher and I was a student there was no. way that they were going to make me feel. less of myself I was never going to let. another person make me feel bad about. myself ever again the last time that. happened I was four years old but what I. saw was as I got older that this is the. way people live their life fear what. people think of them and that's the. reason why they don't say what they feel. that's the reason why they internalize. and that's the reason why they end up. depressed so as long as you're. expressing yourself as long as you don't.

care as long as you're not hurting. anybody there's no pain to feel it's. almost like at that point I sprayed this. thing called I don't give a [ __ ] what. anybody's thinking spray and I think. that's been the most important thing is. not to care about the Judgment of other. people. what about your parents could they tell. you. what to do. well. my of course as a child but my mom died. when I was 16 so I was still a child so. at that point I was making money you. know the last time anyone could tell me.

what to do would be the last time. someone was paying my bills so if you. paying my bills then you could tell me. what to do and I've never put myself in. a situation like that as an adult for. someone to be able to tell me what to do. they could give me advice. my parents could give me advice but you. know at 16 or 17 after my mom died I was. getting more money than my dad. you know so at that point it's hard to. listen to people that are older than you. that hasn't that haven't got to the. place you want to go and as a child you. become very arrogant when you can do. adult things.

but my mother was the one that taught me. to never ever. let someone tell you something that you. don't believe without saying how you. feel about it. and you know almost where made it to. where we might have had almost a. somewhat disrespectful relationship. because I would talk back. but you know in school I would talk back. if I didn't agree with you I was letting. you know. and I'd be like my mother taught me that.

you know what I mean. so I was basically taught to talk back. you're a father now when you when you. look back yeah yeah I should be a. grandfather I just you know I just my. last my newest child uh uh you know I. met I had it 150. I'm 51. five kids. yeah last time I counted when you look. back on. um your own relationship with your. parents and how now that you're you know. you're a father you've got kids of your.

own how in hindsight did that shape you. the relation to the dynamic between your. parents but also their relationship with. you is there anything you look back and. say well because of that I became this. oh everything I have a tattoo on my arm. that says thanks for making me the man I. am so yeah I got my sense of humor from. my father and I got my hustle from my. mother. period and yeah you become a combination. of the people that influence you the. most that's why you have to be important. I mean it's important that you're. cognizant of what you do when you.

realize that people are actually. influenced by you you know what I mean. you never want to do something that you. don't want the people you love to do. because they're going to do exactly what. you do. so I got a little bit of that you know. my mom she was like you know an. entrepreneur she always made sure I had. everything she sold things you know I. mean not drugs but like you know like uh. clothes. you know what I mean but like at flea. markets and stuff and she was real. Innovative about it. she did this thing once he went to a. flea market and she took a hula hoop and.

put a curtain on it and we would stand. up and it made into a dressing room and. that day she sold all of her jeans she. made 800 that day I remember at aqueduct. so you know I've always had that hustle. and bustle for my moms and and and and. doing things different. at an early age made me know that that's. the only way you could do it right like. standing in like if you don't stand out. then you're just atmosphere in a crowd. but when you do things different than.

people are drawn to. one of the things I've thought about. since growing up is how a lot of the. things that I value most as. characteristics of myself probably came. from what the world would consider to be. mistakes that my parents made so one of. them being like not being around me. makes you independent or you know. maybe being a workaholic maybe makes the. kid a workaholic or maybe not having. money gives you drive when you think. about. the things that wouldn't be in that like. parenting Handbook of how to raise a.

child that ultimately served you. and made you you know the man you are. today is there anything there where you. go a mistake made me brilliant. yeah. every mistake that I had to fix made me. bring it make sure boss because that's a. boss's job is to like untie knots. um. you know your job as a parent. is to make sure your children never have. to go through the same problems that you. went through is to break Cycles But.

first you kind of have to understand. what that cycle is so as an adult that. had children I was you know I ain't. gonna like [ __ ] on my dad but. if I were him I would have been in my. life a little more. and you can look at a like you know. there's this thing like you know if your. father's an alcoholic you could either. become an alcoholic because of it or. just never touch drinks it depends on. how things affect you so. you know the way he parented and the way. I knew and I was conscious about the way.

it made me feel I knew what not to do to. my children or what not to you know be. absent or how when I should be. consistent. you know the cycle that I've wanted to. break was that cycle where. you know your mother tells you not to. like your father and your father's. telling you certain things about your. mother and those are the people that you. love the most and only thing you want as. a child is for your parents to get. together that's all you want so you know. it took me to have five kids to have a a. good.

um relationship. a good um. you know one that's not so traumatizing. for the child a functional relationship. it took me five to to be fifty to get. there but each one of those children the. other four children I knew that I was. like damn I I you know even though I've. been able to make it where they've never. had to sell drugs and they've had the. best educations and lived that one. percent of life but I I wasn't able to.

break that cycle the thing that hurt me. the most was the separation of my. parents and the beef I wasn't able to. break that cycle so. you know I I wasn't gonna stop till I. did it was almost like with every child. I became a better parent but knowing. that the breakup of my mother and father. affected my mother for the rest of her. life which affected me. you know what I'm saying and I didn't. want to ever do that to my to my um to. my children and then also being a. visiting dad is whack.

you want to wake up with your child you. want to watch your child grow and evolve. you know buying and and providing. physical things a kid doesn't even care. about that that's not currency to a kid. they don't even know about money until. you tell them about it. all they care about is your time. and that's the most valuable thing is. you know the love that you can give your. child. so you know at some point you might. think okay I'll sacrifice time with my. child because I got to make money to. support them. but the kid don't care about that.

you know the kid just wants you to be. there. to support him did you learn did you. learn about emotions and affection and. how to express yourself from from your. parents was that was that something that. you were able to do as a young man well. yeah I mean I wouldn't put a title on it. like oh this is affection but I've. always been able to express myself in. any way. you know whether I'm crying or whether. I'm cuddling. you know I don't have any uh problems. about being and showing what I feel in.

that moment. unless it's the police. you you'll you're 16 16 years old when. your mother passes away um. yeah. how does how does that change you from. everything I've read about that time in. your life she was. she was everything and I read that you'd. said that that was your biggest fear. when you were a young man was losing. your mother yeah. yeah it made me a beast it made me feel. this you know it's like a gift in the.

curse. of facing your nightmares early because. then you have nothing else to be scared. of. so you know my mom's died. again I didn't really care. if I die because I'd be like oh should I. I'd be with my moms so I didn't I had no. fear of anything at that point and I. knew how I would react. you know because sometimes you you don't. know how you're going to react in. certain situations so I knew how how I.

could get over it not get over it but. live with it. and also it makes you appreciate what a. real problem is you know like. you know like after my mom's died I was. like yo nobody's dying I don't even want. to hear about it it could be fixed I'm. not gonna ever be unhappy. unless it has something to do with. Health death or freedom. you know what I'm saying but other than. that nothing's gonna ever make me worry. like I'm not going to be like a lot of. people overreact to problems because. they never had any they don't know what.

a problem is and they make something. that's like feel like it's the worst. thing in the world. and I'm not gonna ever do that because I. appreciate when things are good. you know I'm saying it'd be like just in. any second some [ __ ] could happen that's. [ __ ] up so in between those moments. that you can't control you have to enjoy. life to the fullest. 100 but sometimes you have to actually. go through some pain early so you. understand how to appreciate life moving. forward same thing of me losing my girl. losing Aaliyah. you know.

it wasn't a pain I thought that I would. ever feel of you know you don't. anticipate like losing your girl but. once you do you once you get a girl. again you don't let go and you. appreciate love. you know [ __ ] has to be taken from you. things things that are free you find are. Priceless when they get taken from like. freedom and people you love. you know and then you're like what was I. complaining about you know I was rich I. was wealthy because I had love and now I. don't and there's no money in the world. I could bring it back.

you know once your health is gone. it don't matter you will spend any. amount of money to get your health back. if you're sitting in the bed compromised. once your freedom is taken. you'll spend any amount of money to get. out of jail all of it because you can't. spend none of it while you're in jail. other than on commissary which is. and then again lose a friend lose. someone you love you'll do you if you. could do any you'd spend anything in the. world to get that person back. but then you have to actually lose them. to realize how much and how how lucky.

you were to have them so I try to. appreciate life in the moment. I do appreciate life in the moment. because I'll be like what if this was. taken from me then I'd be sick. you know 16 years old losing your mum in. that context in Harlem. how do you how do you how do you grieve. that nobody teaches you how to grieve. you sell drugs sell drugs yeah. that's how I grieved that was like yo. I'm gonna go get money you know what I'm.

saying and you know at at that point in. that moment I thought because I was. younger that money. meant happiness. so I would do anything for it in that. moment you know I mean like you know I. was selling drugs I was risking my. freedom. and my life and hurting other people. so that's how I did it you know just. occupying my time and moving forward. period it's not it's not grieving or is. that a distraction I don't know what you.

call it at that age it's called and. getting through it so yeah it's probably. a distraction. you know but again like what did you. want to do at 16. to me. you know I didn't have the money for a. therapist or the hindsight to go get one. in that moment. so I just sold drugs is that what you. think in hindsight you needed if I. didn't mean anything I like where I'm at. now I think every lesson that I've. learned to get me to this place has been. perfect for me and for the world the. world learns as I learn.

that's the guy that I've become. I don't call them losses I call them. learning experiences but when you do. that publicly and you could always land. or you always land back on your feet the. rest of the world learns from that. Tim Grover who um trained MJ and Kobe. said to me that you know you're looking. to people's early years and you'll find. you'll find trauma and things that have. happened in pain and it will be the. often be responsible for their as he. called it their Light Side the thing. that makes them great and famous and.

resilient and successful and win the. gold medals but then that that thing is. also responsible for their dark side. which can be the you know it can be the. insecurities it can be the the things. that are less um admired do you agree. with that and if so. um what is your dark side. well. you know I think it's natural to be. worried when things are going good for a. second because it's happened where. things are going good and I've been. devastated but in that moment I say it's.

normal for you to think like that you've. been through it. I think the only dark side is people. triggering me that you know. when I feel someone's not doing right by. me. or by people that I love. I I can get triggered pretty I get. triggered. it's hard to control that side. why why can you get easily triggered. I probably because I've there's been. things that have been bothering me.

for a while. you know when you're in the street you. have to make examples of people. so any kind of weakness means that more. people are it makes you like a magnet. for paint like people trying to rob you. or think you saw for whatever. especially when you run a crew you know. so you always have to be the strongest. you have to be willing to do anything. that you're sending someone else to do. you know what I'm saying so in the. street you know it's it's swing now. think about it later it's survival mode.

and what happens is just because you're. out of survival mode your muscles and. your Natural Instincts still do survival. mode at times so I've had to get therapy. to you know be like yo you're not in the. street to be able to say that like yo. you're not in the street so you don't. have to deal with things that way. anymore. but if you've seen in my career you know. it'd be a lot of yelling because I would. rather put like when I'm really yelling. it would be me like in the street out of. put my hands on you so instead of me. yelling. I mean instead of me putting my hands on.

you and going to jail I would just yell. or snap. so I had to actually because it's a. different game in the street than it is. in business. and the rules are different like you. know being disrespectful is almost part. of like traditional corporate business. the [ __ ] that you do every day in. corporate business we could get you put. in a trunk in the street. and if you come from the street and you. have to be like oh that hurt like I. would have really I can't hurt you I. can't hit you I can't do nothing I can't. defend myself I got to go through a. lawyer for this. it could become traumatized and you got. to internalize a lot so disrespect.

triggers me. and you know people trying to. control a narrative by tricking you into. thinking you're not great when you. really are you know I mean people have. tried to convince me I'm not a superhero. and I know I am. I'm Batman. why is that an important belief for you. because I'm always fighting for the. culture that's what a superhero does. you know or general. like you know back in the Roman days no. matter how much money you had you were.

not famous unless you fought for your. country and won a war for your country. for something you love. you know and for me I'm a person that. loves a lot not just country I Love. Culture I love a lot I love art there's. so much for me to fight for. you know what I'm saying it's like I. just can't look the other way. for things that affect me and my culture. and things that people I love it's hard. I think a lot of conditioning happens. when you see things are wrong and you. got to look the other way for survival.

and I've just never been that guy and I. don't come from a family or a bloodline. of people that have ever been abused. that have ever been bullied I come from. a bloodline of people that bully the. bully that oppressed the oppressor like. we look for people that think they're. tough because we really think they are. not just based on the overcompensation. you know what I mean. so it's not in how you like project. project yourself or act it's really. about what you do. if I lost you when you were 16 17 after. your mother passes what you're going to.

be when you're older I just said great. I'm gonna be great I'm gonna be Dame. Dash. I didn't know what I was gonna be. at 16 I just knew I was going to be. great. how could you be so sure. how could you not be so sure I'm Dame. Dash you know what I'm saying like my. narrative's never been losing you know. when you start out winning. and that's all you know even when it. appears you lose if you're a winner. you're like I could I just can't see.

myself losing. so no matter what it's gonna I'm gonna. end up winning I'll learn from it it'll. be be patient but I just don't see I. don't see losing you realize that not. everybody has that mindset right just. too bad for them. I don't understand why. do you understand where you got that. mindset from I'm from Harlem it's just a. harlem thing I think my family. you know and just winning like you know. being that kid in school that was like.

good at all the sports Becca fight could. dance funny. you know what I mean. I just don't see myself taking a hell. that belief has not. built built over time like got stronger. and reinforced by success over over and. over again like building like this. building of evidence about what you're. capable of and who you are. has it developed or was it just always. solid I just never thought I wasn't. gonna win like I I don't know I mean.

like for someone to ask me and say like. that's crazy that you always think. you're gonna win I really think that's. crazy that you don't think you're always. gonna win like the way I see the. opposite I just don't understand why I. get into a fight that you think you're. gonna lose and life is a fight every day. so why would I get into anything. thinking I'm not going to make history. I'm like a little behind schedule for me. right now. what do you mean by that. well. again in the beginning of my career. everything I did was for money I was all.

about the money. and then this thing happened where it. just became all about the art. and being able to sustain doing what I. want being happy and being able to. create. becoming a starving artist and just. being someone that not exploits artists. but actually is the artist I was doing. it the business way and I was getting. where I needed to go as far as touching. pop culture but the people around me. were making it where I wasn't happy. about it didn't feel good. and I decided to do it the artist's way. so back then I didn't know I would be.

like [ __ ] I just want to be an artist. I thought if I was just doing things for. money like imagine would I be in the. music business right now if I just was. like exploiting everyone that's not. smart. you know and taking advantage like if I. took advantage of Jay-Z which I probably. could. he didn't know anything about the. business. he might try to act like that now but I. trust you know what I'm saying so you. know. if I was that person that would do. anything no Integrity no morals or. Scruples I'd have billions and billions.

and billions of dollars I wouldn't have. taught my artists how to leverage their. celebrity for their own products I would. just leverage their celebrity for my own. you're gonna say I don't I like I teach. my artists how to be independent of me. you understand what I'm saying that's. why the artist around me end up like. usually it's the businessman that has. more money than artists right the. artists are the ones that have more. money than the business man obviously. I'm not the businessman you know what. I'm saying I once I have the bread I'm. the artist it's funny how artists become. businessmen they kick the heart at.

certain points. or who's really an artist or what a real. artist is but to me a real artist is. someone that won't do nothing for money. which is me I won't do nothing for money. I make money off the things that I love. to do. of the art and I respect the process of. Art. you feel me that's why you see when I. came in I I know it's I know the process. but not of one art of a lot so I know. the fashion art the music art the comic. you know even though I don't draw but.

you know all of these different things I. tried I learned them from to where I. could do it independently and I don't. have to Outsource. at the cost of the timeline which could. have been you're saying could have been. faster if you if you chosen to exploit. people right. and that's a trade-off that a lot of. people. wouldn't have taken they would have. taken yeah that's funny measurable yeah. they're on pills. now they're not happy now they're paying. for sex it's just I won't do it. for the first part of your career you.

were. you were on the other side right you. were the businessman you were you were. working with artists like Jay-Z and. Kanye and many many others. um and you weren't in sort of artist. mode as you kind of see yourself now. with the comic books and the movies and. the music and everything else you're. doing everything you're doing children's. books the the list was so long that I I. thought just it's almost it's like I. said it's Insanity it's ridiculousness. the amount of things that inspire me. that I think I could actually do better. than everyone else. when you look back though on that and.

that period from you know from being. that 16 year old you go through school I. heard you got kicked out of school a lot. okay I got kicked out of one school and. then I dropped out of the next but. um you got kicked out a lot of schools I. can understand why from what you said. about that four-year-old kid that why. would I want somebody that doesn't have. as much money as I want to make trying. to tell me what to do. and how you think they felt when I would. tell them that like my car is better. than yours I'm 16. you're the principal. you know what I'm saying then you park. in the principal spot one time as well. that's what got me kicked out of two. schools.

it's so crazy because you know. there would be kids at the real wild. stuff in school that did not get kicked. out but question this entitlement of. certain kinds of people. just because someone gives them. Authority doesn't mean I'm acknowledging. it. that Journey that led you from there. from being kicked out of that school to. you know signing Jay-Z building that. career and all of that success around. Jay-Z and Kenny what was when you look. back at why you why you versus everyone.

else what did you have to to spot. Jay-Z's talent to spot Kanye's talent to. build them into stars to create. Rockefeller alongside them what was it. about you in hindsight the. characteristics of you as a person that. made you capable of doing such an. endeavor. I mean I just wasn't taking no like if I. believe someone's gonna win I'm 100 sure. that they will. and then I fight and make sure that they. do did you have history and music before. Jay's I mean you've done you.

've been together music business yeah I. got to be I was in the music since I was. 19. so I went from drug dealing to the. music business. do you need any qualifications to join. to become part of the music business no. you could be the dumbest [ __ ] in. the world that's why so many people that. really. you see I mean in the music business the. traditional music business they are. figureheads that like if you ask the. average president of a you know label.

about p l and quarterly you know they. won't know [ __ ] about that they're just. there because a white company or another. culture can't say that they're running. black people with a white face so you. need a figurehead there. someone that will listen to what that. person is telling them what to do. and that's why that industry was no. bueno for me I'm like first of all I. never got hired in that industry I came. as a partner but the funny thing is they. couldn't recognize me as a partner. because they were not and I couldn't.

recognize them as generals they'd be. like yo how are you going to talk to. you're a soldier how could you talk to a. general like that without thinking your. teeth are going to get cracked. you understand what I'm saying. and they didn't understand that like you. don't understand I own this [ __ ] you. work for somebody. talk to me like the boss and it's crazy. how you will talk to the people that. don't own [ __ ] like the boss. they just couldn't understand what that. meant to own my actual Equity the own. have ownership not had sell my rights to.

something and then let somebody else pay. me for my work that does not logically. make sense and it never did to me you. know what that means like you have a. grown ass man saying and being proud to. say I'm signed. does that actually sound right I'm. signed to another man. no it doesn't but they've actually. programmed us to believe it is you're. going to give me an advance I'm gonna. give you all the rights to my record my. everything that I've done my art and. then you're going to give me 10 of my. art. that's what the music business is or.

eight percent if you're lucky. that just didn't make sense to me and I. never did I did Partnerships with my. artist with the artists I work with in. the businesses that I do now. just because I want people to maintain. their manhood. like I don't ever say you signed to me. I'm I'm not letting I don't like the way. that sounds. so. you know even the verbiage in the the. whole thing just your masters. you know what I'm saying all of those. things are like trigger words you know.

they're unconsciously control us. can we smoke here if you want it yes is. this I don't know is that a fire alarm. didn't know. you're not even from here man I have no. idea don't even get out of here that's. just you just you just we're not in the. hotel okay is it is it gonna go off. because you think we'll go up I have no. idea what that is it should be fine it. is what it is it is what it is you know. I'm trying to I really want to. understand why Rockefeller won and you.

know it's because it was real because it. was real it was real and I wasn't having. it. Rocco they weren't no one wanted to sign. think about how this is the record. industry. I took Jay-Z and shocked him to every. single label and they all said no I had. to do it myself where did they send her. either he was too old he raped too fast. they just didn't have it. so we were like we'll do it ourselves so. that's the thing remember when I said.

before people been telling me I'm not a. superhero and I know I am. right so if someone told you that you. couldn't sell companies and do the. things that you did because to them it's. superhero [ __ ] it's a dream that they. can't come true for them. you feel me like you've done things that. people want to do. and I guarantee you if you came with. that idea that certain people they'd say. give you 30 reasons why you can't do it. the reason why Rockefeller was good the. reason why I did what I had to do was.

because I knew how to have a clear dream. without anyone obstructing it I knew how. to visualize winning. so if somebody told me you can't do that. because of this get out my dream because. that's not the last thought I'm gonna. have with my dream because my mind is. powerful and whatever I see in my mind I. can make happen so what I'm living in is. my dream. I dreamed about coming to London right. now. in the past. this was a visualization I didn't know.

exactly what I'd be doing in London but. I visualized doing a lot of [ __ ]. talking to a lot of people. you understand what I'm saying so if you. can't visualize winning then you will. not win. and the average person because we're. programmed not to win 99 of us are. we don't think anyone can so when. someone does it's amazing but it's just. a program as soon as you're born you. know I've said this before you don't. know about fear what to be scared of. until someone tells you what to be.

scared of. and a lot of what people tell you to be. scared of is to actually be successful. and dream and be independent and be on. your own. you know what would you like if you were. a conniving person that wanted to take. over the whole world and you had that. kind of power but that you had to. program everybody the first thing I. would do is take everybody's kids as. soon as they wake up and program them. for eight hours a day on what I want. them to do I want you to go to college I. want you to get a job I want you to work.

until you're 70. I want you to be. unhappy I want you to have a a debt I. want you to go get a loan to go to. college and then I want you to work that. off and if you don't if you don't go to. college then you make it you you make. your parents dreams into a nightmare. most kids only go to college for their. parents. you understand what I'm saying then you. pay for that. so when I look at hieroglyphics I never. see school I think parents love their.

children the most no one's going to love. their kids more than the people that. made them those should be the people. teaching them. why would you put a kid in a in a in a. room. behind a desk when the sun is out. for their whole entire childhood. not put them in front of water or Ocean. or anything that inspires them dim. lights if you notice schools jails and. hospitals all look exactly the same. why wouldn't it be in something.

inspiring. why. because it's a program to keep us. controlled. you have to when you have to have order. of masses you have to have them all. doing the same thing so you can know. what they're doing you can monetize what. they're doing you know how they're doing. it. so at a very early age I was like yo all. this [ __ ] y'all teaching me first of all. none of it makes me think I'm number one. it would make me if I believe that y'all. are teaching me especially back then. that I'm number two that I could never. be a boss that there could never be a.

black president. they never teach us how to pass laws and. and Lobby or be politicians and that's. the only way to make change. so it has to be strategic so when the. cycle continues over and over again. without change it's either insanity or. it's intentional. somebody's losing which is us but. somebody's winning which is them. and they're controlling the game. so now we have to make our own game. which behooves US. but the patterns that are implemented. like you said the DNA of who you are.

starts when you're a child. what happens as soon as you're four or. five years old until you get taught what. to read how to read what to do and. you're also told that the only way you. could break a social class is to be an. athlete or be an entertainment and both. are provided for you in school so you. just cash out and don't go to school get. an education you go and invest all your. dreams in being an athlete which is like. lotto and when it doesn't happen they. build a jail based on those that don't. graduate. that's how they build jail cells which.

is a independent sector. with me you know meaning that you know. it's out you know it's not the. government doesn't own it and the. intention is to keep those beds and. those jails filled because you have a. government contract it's nothing but a. hotel that you want to keep so when you. get to that jail based on the fact that. you didn't get your education they make. sure that you come back no. Rehabilitation at all and serve you bad. food no therapy none of that [ __ ] and.

it's obvious if you study people which. people do that you should do that. different so that there would be a. different result. but because there hasn't been any change. made by anyone. the change has to come from us. and that's the reason why Rockefeller. was successful because I wasn't with. none of that. not the education not the programming. that we should be signed none of that. [ __ ] not them telling me Jay was too old. all of that. you understand what I'm saying so. basically everything I've been told has.

not behooved me. but everything I do has. so when I don't listen my family eats. when I do we don't. one of the things they don't teach us. when we're we're young is about is about. money especially if you don't come from. it and you haven't got a and that's a. business holding money is a business. within itself they don't teach you how. to pay taxes yeah they don't teach you. about. um capital gains yeah they don't teach. you about trust funds.

none of that [ __ ]. they don't teach you how to have money. because they don't expect you to get. none. why isn't there a class on how to have. money. how to invest it how to pay your taxes. yeah I mean I destroyed by 18 years old. we have this thing called a credit score. out here I think you have the same sort. of thing in the US I destroyed mine very. early and then I got these two ccjs. which is a county court judgment which. sits on your credit score for six years. when I was 18 because I was shoplifting. pizzas I was my parents weren't speaking. to me I was trying to start these.

businesses how do you shoplift the pizza. you just walk in you get back just as. smart as you can so they don't you're. still black so they're still going to. look at you walking in the shop but. you're just as smart as you can go. around the back put it in the bag walk. out that's what I was doing I just. didn't have any money. but um but I I didn't I destroyed my. financial his my financial credit before. I knew what it was but it didn't bother. you because you still did what you had. to do I was convinced I was going to. make a million Millions anyway so in the. street there is no credit there's no.

contracts. your word is your contract your honor is. and if you come from that like that's. the way I was introduced to life. was the honor not the contract. not the paper but the heart and the soul. you know and that's another reason why I. was like yo I can't be a businessman. because it means my honor game is out. the window. how did you learn those lessons of. business you start Rockefeller but you. haven't gone to business school selling. drugs huh. you got to Market you got to be. consistent you know you got to call it.

top no one else can use that color you. protect it you brand your work got to be. good marketing man well that's it wasn't. see that's the thing about hustling this. is another thing it's like because it's. illegal you can't do no ads you just got. to put out you got to give samples out. and once the work once they addicted. then you raise the prices. for the marketing of Rockefeller that. was something it was just the brand we. were just active bro you know like.

innately I don't know I look back at. tapes that I have of like you know when. I was like 19 like and I had merch but I. didn't call it merch back the things I. was doing I didn't get taught I didn't. have a title for them but it was just. logical to do. you know if you deal with logic as. opposed to waiting for somebody to tell. you I mean that's the difference between. being a soldier and a general. soldiers get they wait literally to be. told what to do.

generals give orders. there as well the naivety seems to be. playing into your favor because if you'd. gone to business school and learned. about how to build a. a record like while I was in business. school I'd have been missing building. bro I paid for my daughter's college. right. but I told her you don't have to go to. college she wanted to be a model at the. time. those four years it would have been the. prime years far. you understand what I'm saying now she. graduated. and it's like. I I would have preferred because her.

Education costs a quarter of a million. dollars I would have way preferred to. just give her a quarter million dollars. as a salary or at least invest a quarter. million dollars in the business fund. you know I tell my son lucky he's in. college right now and I'm telling him. I'm like I just did this with your. sister if I'm paying for college you're. going to listen to your professor but. you're gonna have to listen to me too. I have to be able to now this is my. first lesson tell me what your dreams. are. what's your dream and it's the hardest. question for him to answer.

they don't teach dreaming in school. which is why we make books that aren't. going to be mad about it I'm part of. something called the OSG. and there's also and it's a 200. principles and most of these principles. are from places where. um most people are economically. challenged. and what we do is we discuss curriculum. the things of board of education's not. doing we'll do it they do that on. Thursdays and on Tuesdays I teach the. principles and entrepreneurial class. because none of the principals knew how. to dream I'm like how y'all teaching.

your teachers to teach the kids how to. dream if y'all don't so in order to. teach these kids how to be Fearless. y'all got to be fearless and they have. and they've been there so I'm not just. the person that talks about problems I'm. actively trying to fix them I read that. point about dreaming I've heard you talk. about visualization and dreaming and the. importance that plays and I've also saw. you on a on an interview before you. asked I think it was the host the guy. that said he wanted to be an actor you. are yeah yeah you remember I thought.

that was brilliant I watched it last. night and he's you know what's the right. type of dream to set the one that you. love what inspires you but don't dream. cheap because they don't cost a dollar. you gotta dream big why would you dream. small. pause you know what I mean. like why wouldn't you have the perfect. best case scenario and it has to be a. selfish dream because you can't help. nobody unless you can help yourself. period unless you're 100.

you can't help someone else be 100 have. you always had a really crazy dream in. your head yeah I've been living it. Rockefeller was a crazy dream in my head. but so was dd172. you know what I'm saying these other Art. Gallery everything I'm doing right now. being a director you know what I do is. like as a creative person. I like look at my life like a movie and. I like to play different characters so I.

got to play the gangster character early. got that out the way. I got to be a a music mobile years ago. a fashion designer fashion mobile. you know I started oil I sold oil for. fun you know just to do it. you know web three metaverse the. galleries you know with network you know. that's where I got my land and network. because of the utilities that it could. do it could do a lot of [ __ ] just. playing these different roles where does.

Focus come into this because this is. none I'm insane I don't have any Focus. that's the problem. if there is a problem that is it. I drive my staff and my crew crazy. every day there's a new idea I'm. inspired and I want to make it happen. tangible or it bothers me. and I have the wherewithal to make it. happen I'm a starving artist but. starving is relative for me. you know. imma always have a staff that can make. my dreams come true so while I'm in.

London trust me the Third Edition of the. magazine is being right as we speak and. right now I can feel it actually being. drawn and written you know. what I came to learn probably the hard. way about this point of focus is like I. have all these dreams and things I want. to do but they all come at the cost of. the things I'm currently doing because. it's 24 hours a day even my my team's. time is finite so if you're well aware. that um focus is an issue for you and. that you know you can't do everything. how do you how have you not sort of.

stops range yourself in a little bit. with all these ideas and projects you. have going on because as I said I read. the list and I was like Jesus sometimes. I have to like completely detach. so. the last three months I just left la. I've been trying to stay away from. creative things I've been hiding my. cameras from me. you understand what I mean I'm staying. away from people that inspire me I'm. telling you you know I mean I'm in the. house looking at a lake me and my girl.

and my baby for the last couple of years. maybe I'd say nine to ten. I've just been a creative and I've been. creating. and I haven't been outside I haven't. been trying to promote or do any of. those things but I have so many tangible. physical assets Goods that need to be. sold right now that it's time to be. great so I've proven to myself that I. can be an artist now I need to prove to. myself I can make money off being an. artist why does that matter so I could.

pay the bills so I can make more art. to be able to have every single thing. physically that everyone that sold out. has is important to me so people could. know they could do it on their own. so if you see that Dane did it and I'm. like a regular guy. to me besides the superhero [ __ ] but if. I could do it most people believe that. they can as well so it's important to. lead by example. you know a lot of people give these like. classes and they're standing third I'll.

be like yo just look at what I'm doing. I'm not talking about like as I'm. talking I'm like I don't make a living. from talking. I make a living from actually talking. about the things I'm doing but the. living comes from the things I'm doing. you understand what I'm saying like I. got [ __ ] I'm doing like I'm not just I. got a movie to show you right now three. I got a magazine to show you right now I. got a comic book to show you right now I. got a children's book to show you right. now you know what I mean I got a whole. fat I got so many different fashion. lines you know you know I have an album.

out right now camera on me camera on the. a track it's called you wasn't there was. number one on the rap charts last week. I forgot I put that [ __ ] up. when is enough enough work fine it's. never enough fun. if I'm not again it's not like I got a. bunch of bread you know what I'm saying. if I had crazy bread then they'd be like. oh you I'm not doing it for the money I. just do it every single day there's just. new [ __ ] to do you said before we. started recording you you're busy in.

your mind almost to the the point of. insanity and when I spoke to rock who's. your fiance fiance she said you're. crazy crazy motivated the most driven. motivated person she's ever encountered. in her life he just never turns off he. doesn't sleep. I mean how sustainable is that how. sustainable has it been you tell me you. tell me I'm 51 52. I'm chilling almost. to the point of insanity though he. doesn't turn off he doesn't sleep I'm. just having so much fun.

it's not like I'm like I don't leave her. though it's not like I don't leave I I. don't leave the house I'm up working so. it's like oh [ __ ] it's music to make you. know or oh [ __ ] there's a movie to make. you know this is so much to do and I'm. having mad fun so my dream like when I'm. like literally like physically when I go. to sleep and dream at night my life is. better than anything I could be dreaming. about and I get I'd be like like. literally I wake up like I'm glad I am. to stay in that like um is this am I.

still in my house like you know I mean. like I I love if God listen for me not. to take advantage of all the opportunity. that God has given me based on where I'm. from. it would be disrespectful to the. opportunities that are presented for me. to sleep right now. it'll be disrespectful it's too much. like I I am very aware that I live a. privileged life compared to most people. because I can actually do things based.

on Art all day. so it just would be disrespectful to art. you know if you if I was coming up right. so say I hadn't done anything in my life. and I was young kid 18 years old and I'm. saying dang I've got all these ideas. you know I've got this book comic books. the TV the movie did a. what advice would you give me in terms. of I'd say Focus interesting but the. thing about it is the difference is when. I say I have all these ideas I'm also.

showing you tangible things can you. execute people have ideas all day not. many people can execute I can see that's. where there's a gift in the curse. because I can finish because I actually. can do it. because I will do it you understand what. I'm saying yes isn't it yeah. but I love it the reason I'm really. obsessing about this topic is I've I've. been talking to my team some of them. seems like it must be a similar. relatable problem and that's exactly why. I'm really picking at it because you. know I don't worry about it we're told.

that we can't move in 10 different. dimensions at one time but we really. can't but what about 20. you could do 50. but then it comes at. the cost of one of those and that's what. I've been contending because life. doesn't come with a cost. so I'll give you an example this podcast. here we could start multiple podcasts. with loads of different creators should. do it but even five percent of my time. thinking about that problem was taken. from like my company let me show you let. me equate that too. so.

there are people that can cook very well. for their family. but a real Chef has to cook a thousand. plates. every [ __ ] night. he does not do that on his own he has. other chefs that he teaches. so that's part of being a business. person like look at Walt Disney. like look at Disney they do a bunch of. [ __ ]. to insanity but it gets done. so that's where the business comes see. I'm lucky enough that I can understand.

my left and right side of the brain but. I kind of understand if you do two. things both of them working at the same. time. doesn't work out because in when you're. dealing with money you can't be. emotional. but when you're dealing with art it's. pure emotion. so when I'm shooting movies and people. try to make me do business I'd be mad. like get the [ __ ] don't you. it's not going to come from a. businessman's plate it's going to come. from an emotional place. so you know. identifying when to turn off turn on.

It's Tricky have you ever over extended. yourself in terms of taking on too much. and don't [ __ ] I need to always. hmm. like you gotta remember like I don't. have no support. it's all me. financially so all these things that got. made got made from one pocket. you know what I'm saying an independent. pocket. so it ain't there's never no money to. look at like I'm always. racing a storm.

when things happen to me in life it's. like what's the message here right so we. get we had this crib in Florida. first two weeks lightning hit the crib. blew out the [ __ ] air conditioners. and you can't be in Florida without air. conditioners in the summer. and then this hurricane comes through. so the hurricane is on his way. I gotta go to the black caucus in. Washington I have a commission meeting. and do a panel for the congressman Andre. Carson an account in the commission. and I'm like yo I'm not going to be able.

to fly out of any Florida so we go to. Hilton Head we got a crib in Hilton Head. and Rocky's parents are from Hilton Head. so we go to Hilton Head. six hours away. the storm comes to Hilton Head I got to. go to Washington so while the storm is. coming to is getting ready to go in the. direction I gotta time it because we. can't fly so luckily I'm you know. because I'm able to move around I got a. sprinter gotta driver I'm like yo I'ma. drive there it's only eight hours away. but the hurricanes come through it might.

catch you how many hours I got three all. right let's go we yeah the wind is. catching us we got to get you know what. I mean but that's what my life is like I. felt no fear. which was crazy. you know what I'm saying it was like fun. and what was crazy about it wasn't a. paid gig. now if it was a paid gig I wouldn't have. went but because I made a commitment. because the commission is important to. me and the congressman through a. commission dinner in the middle of Black. Caucus and you know he also.

had a panel for me to speak on and. before covet I was supposed to speak on. the panel and I missed my flight because. of traffic so I was like I can't do that. to him again. you know what I mean. so I was like damn you'll go out in a. hurricane for something you believe in. and for honor and for money I'd have. been like [ __ ] the money you know what. I'm saying I know I would. but my point is my life is like that. it's it's like it's always close. you know I mean and I don't mind it. quick one as you might know crafted one.

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quality production virtual events one of. the things that your fiance said to said. to my team when we spoke to her was was. that you value that and loyalty. exceptionally High. it's everything. I could just tell you this where I'm. from survival is honor so if you don't. play the game right you end up dead or. in jail period and you have to play the. game right. unspoken laws.

just honor. and I just always looked at people that. were honorable and how cool it looks to. be honorable how fly it is because. Honor's not convenient. you know it's when it's something that's. challenging and it's something that you. don't want to do but you do it anyway. because of Honor give me an example of. what you mean when you say honor what is. that in the streets what is it in. business too now being a man of your. work. so if you agree to something. that's it.

period is he in the street if you give. your word for what a real streak dude. that's it you got to give it you know. what I mean like you can't like talk to. certain people and say you're gonna do. something that you're not they're coming. looking for you you said you gonna do it. you got to do it when I agree to do. something even I don't even care about. the money it's the your word you lie to. me your ass is out you're a race to me. because. that could get you killed that could get. you put in jail. those are characteristics of people that.

unhonorable means you're going to tell. on somebody. to get yourself out of trouble. that doesn't usually deserve it. I was watching an interview earlier on. with with Kanye and he speaks incredibly. highly of you in all of and every time. he's asked I was actually more compelled. by you know you're heavily credited for. sort of discovering Kanye and seeing. something in him again like Jay-Z at a. time when no one else did Kanye has. become this this brand now and again. he's stretches across multiple. Industries in an unbelievable way in.

culture and art in fact all these things. he's up on my wall upstairs I've. actually got a big a painting from his. his show where he had that levitating. stage but what did you see in him back. then. that you know to be responsible for the. the the monolith that he is today. what was it about him what made him. different. he would listen. Kanye listened. like. if I said yo have cameras with you he.

had cameras with you. when he broke his jaw and and I I had to. send him that the equipment. and with that Through the Wire with his. jaw broke. if I I remember bringing him to London. I'd be like yo. rap He just jump on the table and rap. you know and and. the thing about. when you say I discovered Kanye yeah. but I gave everyone in Rockefeller the. same exact opportunity I fought like I. fought for Kanye and protected Kanye I.

did that for every single artist he just. chose to do and take the opportunity and. the protection. and run with it until he didn't need any. more. and no one else did. what is his Brilliance and your. assessment. then he's so confident in his dreams. that they happen period. but but what job might not realize. about Kanye. and I'll probably leave it that way I'm.

is that my personal experience with him. just watching him move around. is that he's completely committed to. what he's giving you. every single second until he passes out. he's working. he doesn't have a personal life that. I've seen every second is devoted to art. and it's it's in his hand it's Insanity. as well you know he said it he's like yo.

I'm Dame Dash with a whole lot of money. and he is but you know the thing is he. has a whole lot of money because he. talks and works with corporate but look. how it triggers. you know what I mean so what it means is. no matter how much money you make. if there's still somebody impeding on. your art. you're going to be unhappy. and that's why my advice is always to do. it on your own. just for the happiness value of it [ __ ]. the money. if we all said forget the money we'd. make so much more.

probably not in the short time though. right but in the meantime you're having. mad fun. when you're working on your dream money. doesn't matter. if you really truly love what you're. doing if you're doing it for the love of. the art you ain't really worried about. the money in that moment as long as you. can continue to do it. there's a trade-off though isn't that. I've experienced that my life and it's. kind of what you were speaking to there. it's the business side of you that keeps. talking because you still love money me. yeah I do love money to be fair that's.

why you're conflicted yeah and I've. taken I think I've taken investment in. all the companies not these days but. yeah the last 10 years it doesn't sound. like it gets you uninspired. but that's why when you we spoke offline. and you said I quit my job I was like. didn't you just say you sold a company. how could you still call it a job yeah. so I saw that this is a job it's not fun. no more. I don't got a job. when you look at these people say in can. you you know case I don't want to talk. about him be on this point but um. obviously it's made him a billionaire.

the trade-off you're speaking to is that. you know he's had these frictions with. the corporations and stuff like that but. puts him in a position now where he can. as he is doing go It Alone be an. independent. all I'm saying is regardless of what it. ends up in war. so if you get either way either you have. to walk away from your company or go to. war. one of the two. correct yeah most of the time. yeah if you look at I mean look at Steve. Jobs with no look at you he got fired.

from happening let's talk about you yeah. yeah so it sounds to me like you've got. went public and got uninspired yeah lost. control. is that you gave away your control for. money yeah why would you give your free. think about this right. so when. slavery became in America illegal. everyone that had slaves were still. lawmakers that used to have slaves they. still were passing laws so can you. imagine this conversation yo what are we. going to do now we don't have slaves.

well we have to make it where they are. slaves but they don't know it how do we. do that well let's suppress them and. let's make them fight each other. so every time one kills we get one kill. and then one goes to jail we get two for. one plus they all have kids they have. kids so now they don't have parents. they're disenfranchised so now the kids. do the same exact thing because they. have nobody to lead them. you understand what I'm saying. it's just the plan. to make us think we're winning when. we're losing but what we really do is we.

give away our freedom so what happens is. you commit a crime you hurt your brother. and now legally you're in Chains you're. put in a cage and you're working for. slave wages. and now. instead of slave master. or Master is Warden or Co or at least. that's what we call them in in the. states I don't know what they call like. a it's called correction officer CEO or. Warden whoever runs the jail. it's a plan so they always trick us into. giving away our freedom by dangling a.

bag the bag though because sometimes. it's man-made. money is man-made. the value of money is made based on what. a man says but real currency is love and. that's God made. so why would you listen just logically. to man telling you that his currency is. more powerful than God's currency which. is love. I'm going with God's currency every time. just because it's logical.

and that's another thing logically. I just believe God has to be a woman. why. can you create life. but God creates life. can a woman create life. so what would be the closest thing to. God. the creator of life would be a woman. but of course a man because they have. muscle would trick the rest of the world. into believing that man would be if if.

War. and people fighting. is the least smartest thing in the world. to do and that's men do that all day. it's the most destructive thing to do is. bad for business but it's good for. someone else's whoever's selling bullets. you understand what I'm saying and men. do this all day. so if you know men been running this. [ __ ] for a while and [ __ ] is [ __ ] up. I would love to see what life looks like.

what women want to thinks I would love. that. the host end of your career the. Rockefeller chapter. do you have any regrets surrounding that. when you look back and think I wish I'd. done that differently I wish someone had. told me this thing that's Rockefeller. that [ __ ] is art why would I want to. mess with that. look how it's impacted the world. you know what I mean like yeah it'll be. things certain things that just because. I know better I do different. but who cares man I was like a kid what.

are those things if you're giving me I. wouldn't I wouldn't have been so. generous with Jake to Jake. it was more friendship for me and money. for him. and I always felt that but I ignored it. a little you regret ignoring that I. don't regret it I just I wouldn't have. the things that I wouldn't have let. certain things happen because I didn't. think they could happen you know what. I'm saying like oh he would never do. that but he did things that I thought he. would never do so now I would be like oh. he would do that and I would make sure. it didn't happen. so Rockefeller would probably still.

exist right now. I made those mistakes too. it is what it is actually. the life that I got after Rockefeller. was so [ __ ] it's been so fulfilling. and I've had so much fun. you know I just opened up art galleries. all over the world and made music with. cool people and I just I just been doing. cool [ __ ] for the last 10 years I was I. wasn't compelled by the uh what you said. earlier and you said Rockefeller would. still exist. yeah okay you tell me what was the in. the Rockefeller and why it happened.

uh from what I understand and again this. is just what I've read there was a. dinner that took place between you and. Jay where Jay wanted to sell Rockefeller. to Def Jam no that's not where okay. there you go we had we we met at dinner. because I had heard from LA Reid that. Jay was like I'll take the job of. president but Damon and Biggs can't be. down with Rockefeller and LA Reid was. like yo and I thought John McNeely had. said this [ __ ] I like Jay could have.

never said that and we went and he did. me like public place the whole [ __ ] and. told me this [ __ ] and I I was just like. [ __ ] serious Jay told you though he. said yeah I want to be looked at as a. businessman and as long as you're around. I can't be looked at as a businessman. but I was like what's that gotta do a. Rockefeller so he was like yo y'all. could have Rockefeller but just give me. my Reasonable Doubt Masters back I said. let me think about. and I went and did a screening of The. Woodsman and I was like yo come with me. to the screening so he could walk the. carpet he's like nah you're all dressed. up and I was like. Snicker never helps.

but my point is regardless of what. Rockefeller still existed. it's just I didn't run it. so why isn't there still a Rockefeller. Rockefeller was sold right Jay was they. gave Jake it was sold but they gave Jay. to run Rockefeller. so Kanye was still there everybody was. still there why is there no more. Rockefeller. you tell me well usually when a rapper.

runs other rappers it doesn't happen it. doesn't work no more it just means there. was no Rockefeller unless I run it. that's it. so I would have continued to run it. I wouldn't have put that you know I'd. dealt with it different and how when. you're going forward and like well I. didn't want to run Rockefeller no more I. was done with that I was at that time I. was already at rockware my office was. not I wasn't [ __ ] with music no more. and real quick was making a lot of money. right yeah but it was just more I was.

just inspired I was just sick of being. in that building and dealing with dumb. [ __ ] I was done with the music business. I wanted to do fashion. I just I was done with it so I looked at. it as an out like out of obligation I. would have still ran Rockefeller because. I gave my commitment but because they. was acting silly I was like yo take it I. want to go anyway. you know what I'm saying. but you know how did you feel towards. Jay-Z now. I don't feel nothing. no. no bad feelings no good feelings.

no feelings. I deal with feelings and they would. probably not be so complimentary. he's obviously achieved you know. tremendous success in all he's done in. multi-industries and all that kind of. thing. what is what is it about him that you. think has put him in that position his. characteristics I don't want to talk. about Jake you don't want to talk about. him not really. like you know I know what Rockefeller. was and how we did business so it's hard.

to I I don't even try to figure that. [ __ ] out. okay you have a really unique. perspective in the sense that you you. know yourself Kanye J you got to see the. the characteristics that made them go on. their Journeys and that's really what I. was trying to get at is like what are. those the difference between Jay and. Kanye and I say it Jay is about the. money period and Kanye. is about the art and the money but it's. the art you know what I mean like like. like Kanye is a real artist. that Kanye is in different dimensions.

like you know he's he really focuses on. that fashion. I never saw Jay do that ever not nothing. there. and he really focuses on his creative. like he produces his own beats. and then he's about like sonically he's. really into how things are like like I. don't even understand what the [ __ ] he's. doing when he makes Beats you know what. I mean like I know what it beats sound. but then he does some other [ __ ] that. makes it like where other people. respected you know he has it's an art to. what he does. and um Kanye obviously has opinions.

you know he's not trying to fit in. so Kanye's whole thing is I don't give a. [ __ ]. you know he's an artist that likes War. but most artists I don't know I think if. you will it's like art is something that. you really fight for if you love it. even if your message is misunderstood. like white lives matter. yeah I don't understand it you don't.

understand his message there no Kanye. holla at me bro explain that one too. I didn't understand that one either I. did try and read after I saw his post. but I still couldn't quite grasp. grasp what he was actually don't holler. at me I don't want to talk about that. yeah the only reason why I would want to. talk to him so I could know so I could. protect him. that's the only reason why but other. than that it's like. yeah that one went that one there I love. cognac.

seems to have bothered you seems to have. bothered you that one. no. nothing he does bothers me I've learned. I know about Kanye you know I know that. his thing is to trigger so he's a. trigger so if I'm not going to be. triggered you know what I'm saying like. he likes that [ __ ] I don't. that ain't me I mean you know I it's fun. to watch but certain things I'd be like. but sir you know like I said we we have. a relationship where if I don't agree. with him we have conversations.

you feel me and that might be why. sometimes we don't speak for a while but. you know what I'm saying like with. everyone that I love. I'm not going to just say things are all. right if they're not I'm gonna tell you. my perspective on and sometimes people. don't want to hear that [ __ ]. I don't I don't know what's going on so. I can't judge it but I wouldn't have did. that [ __ ] you know what I'm saying I. didn't like it. but I'm saying I'm telling you right now. but I'm not gonna disown them but I. didn't like it he's like that person in. in Thanksgiving that Uncle that you are.

like I have think about it like you know. Stacy I have Stacy Dash at my [ __ ]. Thanksgiving table. imagine what that would be like. it [ __ ] the elephant in the room gets. addressed you understand what I'm saying. but that be the reason why a lot of. times it doesn't happen so often because. I'm always adjusting not not because I'm. you know I just honestly would like to. know curiosity. what did you learn from how Rockefeller. came to end about business life people.

I didn't look at the music I didn't look. at that as business that's why I was. like it's not they're not it's not real. business. so you got to think about I'm gonna like. at that time I'm a real businessman that. means I want to be strategic I want to. make plans if nobody wants to do that. [ __ ] and I'm doing it on my own it. becomes very frustrating so I had to. fight for Rocawear you know what I'm. saying I had to do it on my own I had to. fight for Rockefeller I had to do it on. my own. I was just too much fighting and then. fighting for the fighting with the. people that I'm fighting for it just was.

you know it was just like I'm not. fighting for a bunch of dudes like it's. just you can't get there's nothing to. get from it's a game so just like yo. it's a bunch of ungrateful dudes. and I can't have my daughters around. these dudes. you know all right do you have trust. issues in business yeah. there's no trust issues I trust no one. another drink. same yes please we can just keep talking.

it's okay isn't it yeah it's cool we can. just keep talking yeah. you said you got you got you don't trust. anybody. do you. yeah cool. um my girlfriend. [Laughter]. you think if you make her really mad you. think she's gonna you trust that she's. gonna be fair. what do you mean if you do something. unfair yeah Will her reaction be fair.

yeah I trust my I mean I trust my girl. but I trust Jack. oh Jack. well how much you trust him he has your. bank account numbers and [ __ ] I'd give. him my bank account numbers he would. yeah. my assistant Sophie I trust her as well. my brother runs his Works full-time for. my company Jason I trust it he actually. manages all my finances my bank account. all my Investment Portfolio when I do. shark tank Dragon's Den we'll see how. that works out it's going well so far we.

don't you know no no no no I'm just. saying this let me just say this. of course I have people around me. and everyone has to deal with those. things. but the trust thing is I'm cut from a. certain kind of cloth. so what may not be honorable to people. because they're not from the same. experience as me. it may be different version than what I. see. so I don't trust that people look at. things exactly the way I do. like some people don't think things that.

are disrespectful are because they're. not a boss. you understand what I mean like if. you're not a person that's actually. paid people. for service if you've never done that. which a lot of people have not that. judge me which I don't care. then you can never ever understand what. it is to pay someone and then not do. their job you just never know what that. is so you don't trust people. nah.

people don't even trust themselves. there's no one in your life that you. trust. your fiance no I I mean there's a level. of trust yeah. yeah I mean I trust I trust her. yeah that's right I trust my girl. but people you know I don't like family. it's like whatever if they [ __ ] you over. they do it is what it is you know that's. that's their bird in the bear you know. what I mean like karmically but people.

that I don't have to trust I don't. like there's always like I trust people. like. yeah but there's there's never 100 you. know it'll be like you never know what. someone's doing when you're not looking. bro. people are different. you know when you're a person that's. cutting the checks it's hard to trust. people because they're just showing you. what they have to show you to get the. money. you feel me you know I was saying this I. was you know being in Florida.

you understand real racism like. [ __ ] is racist out there you. know I mean like broke [ __ ] too. the crazy [ __ ] about like racism is like. being a wealthy. or what could appear to be a wealthy. black man with a staff. and you might get someone from another. culture and they'll be like but you're. still not white no matter how much money. you got I don't want to be white you. know what I'm saying but they still have. that chip like but you know it's got one. thing that's like I'm not trying to be. that you think that's what it is I don't.

you feel what I'm saying but what I. understood is I've never had to feel. racism because I'm always the person. that's hiring and firing people a racist. is never going to act like a racist in. front of me. he'll get fired. or worse. you know what I'm saying but if you're a. person that's not in that position you. have to deal with racism imagine someone. that's racist your boss. and that's a lot of people. so the only way to really combat racism. is economic empowerment you have to.

either own the bricks you have to be the. boss and then you select the people that. you want around you. and if they want to be racist they. better internalize that and go get some. therapy because a black man is telling. you what to do. on that point of the people you have. around you how do you pick those people. what are you looking for when you're. hiring somebody or you're looking for. someone to partner with what. characteristics are you looking for they. got to be the best at what they do that. I need to hire them for. and I prefer a certain kind of. discipline what kind of discipline.

that every hour of the day that you work. and that you love what you do you know. that you that you respect my time and my. money. but you know it's just really at this. point. like when you're looking to invest in. somebody you look at potential. but when I'm hiring somebody now their. potential has had to have already. realized itself because I'm paying it's. like a professional team. so there's favors there's certain. relationships that I have that are. completely personal.

and I work with you because we have a. personal relationship I'll help you. that's personal. but when I'm really paying you you just. got to be at this point you need to be. the best at what you do so I'm gonna. look at your work. you know what I mean I just need to see. your work I need to see what you've done. before you work with me. how like so if I hire a DP I need to see. they real what do you think about. pessimism and people you're working with. because I've seen from watching your. interviews that you seem to have a real.

problem with people that I hate negative. people. if you're negative you got to get away. from me. and there are people that come negative. pause because that's just what they've. been raised but they're skilled and it. hasn't worked out because of that. because it's just like you just lead. with negative First. you know if the first thing if I have an. idea the first thing you want to talk. about is the problems with it then we. got an issue there's a time to talk. about problems but not while I'm. dreaming. and hard work you know in our culture.

there's been a bit of a I guess a bit of. a movement around hard work that you. know work-life balance and these kind of. conversations what do you think about. work-life balance and the importance of. hard work and achieving Big Dreams. hard work is everything. and. if you look at the people you know this. is misconception. that black people can only have black. people work for them you know what I. mean. like you know in the U.S more so than. here probably yeah and that's where I'm. coming from that's the PTSD web yeah so.

you know what I find is I'm not trying. to only hire my culture because I I know. my culture I know my culture. I'm trying to take over the whole world. so I'm gonna have Benetton and I have. been like it's black white Chinese every. kind of person in my in my crew because. I want to speak every language. I don't want to be wrong I don't want to. be good for somebody black. it's time to be good for being I'm the. best human I'm going at everybody.

and. there's also this thing where. you know it's always like black people. should only have education for black. people. and I think there should be new. education for black and white people. there just needs to be no education it. needs for us to figure out how to come. together as a human race. because it's been strategic that we've. for the last hundred years we've been. saying the black thing. always it's always separation.

which gives fear. which is what causes racism. but I just believe if we're at least the. landlords and we can make a curricula. that everyone can [ __ ] with just us make. it it's just about us being the ones to. make the [ __ ] I believe it would be good. for everybody. no fear because you know we're not. worried about. someone else and them taking over what. it looks like we already know what it. looks like. you know what I mean to be like yo let's. keep everybody happy as long as this. division is nothing gets done and again.

that's another thing that I I feel is. strategic. so when I make a movie I'm not like yo. this movie's for black people I'm like. this [ __ ] for everybody this ain't just. good for black people this is my [ __ ]. better than everybody's [ __ ]. you feel me I'm not just trying to. educate us I'm trying to educate. everybody because if we're the only one. educated then we really gonna have a big. fight because once we get an enlightened. and people acting stupid we ain't gonna. have it so we have to evolve everyone. you understand what I mean it was. everyone needs to catch up we're all. human.

forget to pass so much learn from it but. let's talk about how to move forward in. the future collectively. you mentioned at the start of this. conversation that you went and had. therapy to understand yourself a little. bit and to understand your triggers and. what was triggering you and where that. came from what age did that happen. well being a child like myself I was. always put in therapy no matter what but. I didn't talk. um but as I got older like when Aaliyah. died I just always was looking at it. like I might need a consultant that. didn't have a dog in the fight to tell.

me if my actions were right or wrong or. to give me advice sort of like a. consularity but what I understand about. therapy is black people don't get it so. the study of therapy doesn't come from. our trauma it comes from other people so. when we finally do get this in the wrong. language so we have to find therapists. that actually speak our language that. come from similar traumas unless they're. not to talk to us so that's why I have a. program called healing this gangster Taj. he's also in the commission is a. therapist that's been through everything. if not more. and now is actually a doc guided.

Doctrine and he's a therapist you know. what I mean and that's the person I talk. to daily. like any time that I'm unsure about how. to react to certain things. the times I'm the most unsure is with my. children and that's when I call him but. then you know I had to fight to even be. able to see my daughters. so I had to go to court order therapy. and I learned a lot there about how to. raise my daughters so the difference. between 25 year old Damon and 50 year. old Damon 25 year old Damon would have. thought because I Boogie I was a single.

father no one ever talks about that. um he went to court and got him but I. used to bring him into my environment. and thought that was fathering but with. a child you have to go to your child's. environment and I need a therapy to. actually show me that how much better it. is for me to become a seven-year-old. than for my seven-year-old they have to. become a 50 year old. you understand what I'm saying and be in. a place that they don't care about see. the things that you care about as an. adult your kids don't care about. just think about what you cared about at. certain ages.

so you'd be like oh but you know you. don't care none of my kids care about. any famous people they don't even know. them until they get older. they don't care about anything that I. have because that's all they know it's. not like a big deal it's not like a. comparison like they're not in another. you know life where they're you know. some social class below and then they're. like oh you know I mean it's just what. they know they just want time and they. want you to do what they're doing and. they want you to speak in their language. and that's what I've learned that's why. I've made all of these with my girl for.

my son she's made children's books and. syllabuses from the womb to three years. old and all this programming on how to. interact with your child. you understand what I'm saying so I'm a. way better parent now. which is most important. what was the hardest moment in your life. when when my mom's died when Aaliyah. died. when people die that's the [ __ ] that's. the hardest but everything else is easy. when I read about um well obviously.

remember the news the global news when. Alia died but when I read about it. before you came here now that I'm in a. relationship with someone that I love. um I I tried to play out well I played. out in my head what that would feel like. don't do it yeah I just couldn't I. couldn't get there my brain wouldn't let. me go though. it's a it's a pain that you know. couldn't understand. but surviving that pain has made me very. cool.

what was that period of your life like. it was sad. but you know things were going on so it. was like me it was me organizing my. self to still be strong because when. people see that you're weak they attack. and people are actually getting cute. it was it was me proving to myself that. I'm a real General. that I I could work with a broken heart.

is there a cost to that always being. strong. nah. I'm not saying that I didn't feel. I'm just saying I had to learn how I had. to lead by example so in that moment I. was like the way I react to this is how. every single person that looks up to me. is going to react when they lose someone. they love. you understand what I mean. and you know being at you know when when. you're running or you're the you know. not to say when when you're the head.

and you're a lot of different people. are depending on your strength it's a. life I've chosen. you feel me. so. when you choose to be a certain way or. take a certain role. like I would rather do that than sit. around and be sad you know what I'm. saying like I don't want to sit around. and be sad you know for me it's like. life I have so much fun. that when natural tragedies happen when.

things happen that are going to happen. to people just you know a matter of when. I can't let that [ __ ] up my fun. it's just a test. but you know it takes reading. and and therapy. to organize to be able to move at a. professional level. but you know your five children. if they had to be successful and happy. that in their lives what are the what. lessons are you imparting on them to set.

them up for success and happiness you. know the thing is the the people that. are the hardest to talk to are my. children. you know. but. I think my daughter Ava. who's been through every you know as a. youngster have been through the wars and. all that but like where she is now. I really feel good about my parenting. skills. because she knows what happiness is.

and. she's just so she just loves the family. so much. I don't really think that way with my. children you know I mean it's just like. I just want them to be happy. and I just feel like it's my job to make. sure that they're happy. but if they don't find it on their own. anything about children when you have. children. is after certain age they're not. children no more so you could be like I. got children I don't have five kids I. have like three adults you know what I'm.

saying or at least two. but they're still my kids so if they're. not happy. then I want to make sure they are if. their dreams like my job is to make my. kids dreams come true. but they have to know what they are. do your kids know what their dreams are. nah it's a conversation I have often. with them. and I'd be having like yo write it down. they don't even listen to me I'll be. like. should I get paid to save they don't. listen to for free you know.

but they're still perfect to me. you know it's hard because. the good part thing about like baby. dusko my son is that Rocky is instilling. everything that I'm instilling there's. no contradictions like if I say. something she's not saying I'm wrong so. there's no choice it has to be made. we're both instilling the same thing so. I'm curious to see how that one's going. to work out. all my kids are different.

all of them. you visualize you visualize for your. whole life I was I was reading about how. when you were building Rockefeller you. would pull up at houses and go and view. houses that you knew you couldn't afford. because one day you need to be able to. afford them and this this sort of thread. of visualization I still did it really. still pulling up our houses. yeah but I could always buy them but I. promise you once I go look at a house. and I want it I figure it out. my question is like what are you what. are you visualizing now you talked about. living in that neighborhood where people. sold out but what is what is Dame's.

right now I'm as far as business or. personal both personal I'm visualizing. like 100 acres. having a farm in a studio and just. frolicking you know. but having a private jet you know what I. mean and maybe it's in Hawaii you know. that's. there's a lot of things there business. is turning game Dash studios into what I. call like a Disney you know. you know visualizing buying schools.

going into marketplaces where. you know they might think it's. dilapidated and taking a something a. building that's messed up and turning it. into something creative and bringing. kids in there and teaching them. you know there's a couple of laws on. visualizing passing or getting passed. I'm visualizing what our culture looks. like in the web 3 space. getting past the monkeys. you know. and making it more about creativities. and not some static you know I'm saying.

that's not creative that could have. you know racial implications and. connotations. with all these things going on you still. said earlier that you feel like you're. behind schedule in your life's roadmap. yeah if you were on schedule what would. that look like all those things would be. true all of those things would have been. realized all of those dreams. yeah. it's crazy because. I think what I'm most bothered about is. the fashion business for me. because you know I did a lot with Rachel. and then like it's like we flushed that.

one down the toilet and I really love. fashion so I I I I I think the next. thing that I want to get back in fashion. and also my age like I'm 50. and I've always wondered like what I. would look like fashion wise at 50. because you know Styles change and I'm. not trendy I'm more like I'm kind of but. not really you feel me. and a lot of the people that I've molded. or at least that I worked with when they. were younger are now doing very well in. fashion.

so I'm like. I always like the fashion world that was. always my favorite world. so I gotta get back I think I want to. get back into fashion. we have a closing tradition on this. podcast where the Lost guest asks a. question for the next guest they don't. know who they're asking it for so and I. don't get to see it until open the book. the question that's been left for you is. what are you most missing. in your life it actually says what are. you missing most in your life. right now.

I've been missing my children. because they're all doing their own. thing and I can't never get them all at. one time. you know I mean like I gotta get like a. day a couple times a year that all my. kids like I'm always with three at a. time or two I never have them all in the. same house. I'm missing that I'm missing my. daughter's. a lot because I've been on the road. I'm mentally here. I'm always curious like if Alia and. Rocky knew each other what that would.

look like you know what I'm saying. because I see so much of like Rocky has. a lot of similarities to Aaliyah that. people would not even understand. um you still miss her yeah. yeah. she's she was the coolest like you know. unless you were able to experience so. you could it'd be hard for you to. understand. she she was she still is she was magic. but again. the type of magic she is it was like.

when I could I never thought I'd see. that magic again but I saw it in Raquel. in a very unsuspecting place. which was odd. but yeah she was different and you know. to me. like in history I think she'll go down. is probably. the coolest woman singer coolest. of all time and when she was alive she. was like had that aura of coolness of. being the coolest.

and she told me I was the coolest you. feel me so you know. what does your life look like how do you. feel about yourself when Aaliyah tells. you that you're the coolest. and Aaliyah you understand thank you you. understand what I'm saying what kind of. confidence do you have what kind of. validation do you have when you could. really be like. Aaliyah told me I was the coolest person. she ever met. a lot of people have told me that what.

Aaliyah told me that. I'm so inspired I've been really. inspired by so many things you've said. but really the the dedication to Art and. being an artist I think is something. that people don't speak about enough. because everyone's trying to get the bag. and business and build but the art is. obviously where the emotion the love and. the expression the bag has always been a. distraction. money is the devil bro. makes you forget everything that makes. you happy.

there's no way to get both at the same. time yeah be all right be artists I'm. doing it. I just told you it comes with a fight. but like you're an artist right. a DJ I write books I have a musical that. tours the country that's my art that's. the piece of me where I go I'm doing. this for money and it doesn't if we make. money we give the money to charity is. that when you're having your most fun. yeah 100 I mean. exactly so why not make money off what. makes you the happiest yeah that's a. good point.

usually because you don't have. confidence in the fact that you could. but that's what I decided to do I have. complete confidence in my Artistry I. just want to make money off me. I'll help people get money but first and. foremost. I gotta be about me. thank you thank you for your time thanks. for coming here you're someone that I've. I've admired from a far for many many. years from an art perspective a business. perspective and I've watched your videos. and your your mindset I think is the.

thing that I that I think everybody can. take the most from because the mindset. and your mindset really is like a. fishing rod it's like a way to maneuver. life in order to orientate yourself. towards success and good outcomes Dame. thank you quick one it's so crazy that. in the last couple of months I've had so. many people tag me on Instagram even on. Telegram and in my Twitter DMs in a. picture of them starting their heal. journey and it's one of the most amazing. things in my life that I get to do a. podcast which of course needs money to. to fuel and I have a sponsor like Hill.

who I genuinely believe is going to help. every single person who starts their. heel Journey change their life because. this podcast the central intention of. this podcast is to help people live. better lives it gives me my protein it. gives me my vitamins minerals it's. plant-based it's low in sugar. gluten-free it does all of that in a. small drink that tastes good there are. other products there's Foods there's the. hot and savory collection many other. things but for me this ready to drink is. the absolute savior of my diet. throughout the week where I'm moving at.

such Pace look I don't want to labor the. point but if you haven't tried he'll. give it a try and if you do tag me. Instagram wherever you try it give me a. tag. [Music]. this is. [Music].