Episode 493 w/ Mike WiLL Made-It

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. And it's Drake Chess Mode fucking podcast. He's a legendary Queens rapper. Hey, hey, say goodbye to your boy, N-O-R-E. He's a Miami hip hop Miami. What up is DJ EFN? Together, they drink it up with some of the biggest players. You know what I mean? In the most professional, unprofessional podcast. And your number one source for drunk fat. This is Drake Chess Mode fucking podcast. Where every day is New Year's Eve. This is time for Drake Chess. Drink up, motherfucker. Motherfucker. What a good beat. Hope you're doing well. This is your boy, N-O-R-E. What up is DJ EFN. And this is the military man crazy raw podcast. Drake Chess, happy hour. Make some noise. Man, when me and EFN started this out, we said we want to give people their flowers where they can smell them. They thought's why they can tell them. And they drinks why they can drink them. This man is a icon. This man is a legend. This man has made all of the classic records for the past years in your radio. In your... I'm old school, so I was gonna say cassette. I'm sorry. They make a cassette too. They make a cassette too. This man is a legend of legend. We've been wanting to give him his flowers. We want me to tell them they did a legendary verses just now. And we are gonna give him his flowers today. We're gonna make sure that he understands what he means to hip hop. And in case you don't know who the fuck we're talking about, we're talking about the one only impeccable, motherfucker Mike Wilkins! Yes! Yes! I could have kept going on, but I wanted to keep going. I wanted to... I have never done a verses. Right. I've been offered to do a verses, but I've never done it. How does it feel coming off a verses? Man, it's dope. I look at that, I look at that verses like, like playing 2K or like, you know what I'm saying? Or like even playing golf. You know what I'm saying? I've been picking up golf a lot lately, you know what I'm saying? But it's like that. You gotta dial in your game. You gotta stick to your game. And you gotta just hopefully end up on top, you know what I'm saying? And whoever you go against, you gotta have your method and you gotta have your game, you know what I'm saying? Like on how you gonna, you know what I'm saying? Utilize your catalog or whatnot. And then it's like, when you get done, it's like, I feel like, I feel like, you know, verses, that's like what Swizz and Timbo created right there. It's like, that's like a winner circle. That's like a, you gotta be a winner to even get on verses. First of all, so it ain't, it can't be no loser, you know what I'm saying? And then you gotta know that the person that you're going up against, like against, you know what I'm saying? On the verses, it's like, this is another goat. So anytime if you slip up on your strategy, you know what I'm saying? It could be a slippery slope, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, you have your game dialed in. And that's why it says like golf. Cause it's like, if you're going for par for is a par for, you know what I'm saying? You hit it over there in the woods, you're gonna have to clean it up. You got to, you know what I'm saying? You still got to make your way there and get part. You know what I'm saying? Cause at the end of the end of that, that, that hole right there is going to be like, man, what would you get? You know what I'm saying? If you, if you're a bogey or whatever, you know what I'm saying? Your cleanup shot might be your drive might be as, but your cleanup shot might be, you know what I'm saying? The shot, but it's like, I don't know. It's just, it's just dope. Cause I mean, at the end of the day, like you can always look back and be like, damn, I could have did this different, could have did that different. Like, you know what I'm saying? When you play golf, when you play NBA, 2K, like you're always like, damn, I know I lost cause of this and this game right here. But you know what I'm saying? I'm not a loser. I can get back on the sticks and we could run it back or whatever you feel me? And somebody like, hey boy, he got a hell of a catalog. So yes, he does. Yeah. So it's like, that was a crazy matchup. That was, that was, I enjoyed, I'm sorry. Let me see. I enjoyed that so much. Yeah. I was just saying, like, man, he got a hell of a catalog and it's like, it's not easy for no producer to get in on stage with him and do like a versus. You know what I'm saying? All right. So yeah. You know, you know what I love about versus this is this is the thing about it is it kind of started with Swiss and Tim, right? Yeah. And I love the fact that y'all kept the tradition going. Yeah. Like when I saw y'all, I was like, oh, I seen y'all having fun on stage. I seen y'all together. Right. I'm happy to California, correct? Yeah. So when you got the first call, what was that? What was that thought process? It was crazy because it's like, man, man, Swiss, we've been talking about doing the versus for a minute and then we're just trying to figure out like who would be like a good matchup. Was it always against Hitboy or? No, it was just like, it was a couple of names like throwing out there. But I was just like, man, like I'm with it because I like I really wanted like. Because I'm 36. So I really wanted like one of the somebody that I grew up like looking up to, you know, saying because it's like I still feel like my 20 strong no matter what. Like, you know, saying, you know, saying and I brother like going there like, man, yo, this dude going to get washed. Well, hold on. So you saying you wanted to battle somebody else's takes, man? Yeah. Oh, really? Like like a DJ, but man. But yeah, like anybody. OK. Like I would just I would just think and like awesome. Like just just knowing like exactly what I was saying. Like, OK, this will be my method. Like, you know, saying like I got different ways. He was confident in your in your catalog. Yeah, I got different ways. I can go in this catalog. Yes. I was to go this way that way, this way that way. You know, saying so it was just like, you know, saying like you go to the basketball court and you know, you can hook you like, man, I want to I want to ball again. Like I am man. I always say he wanted to run like you know, saying like you want you want to you want to go me at the same time. It's dope. And me and Hitboy had so many hits around the same time. So it was dope. That was a dope as matchup, you know, but me and Swiss have been talking about it for like, for like a few years, like, like who would line up? And I'm like, man, I'm with it. Like, man, I'm with that. Like that's a dope. That's a dope platform because a lot of times some people know that I did this, this and that, but they don't know I did that. And it's like to be able to play all my songs at one time. You know, on the platform, I'm like, man, that that'll be that'll be dope. So that was like a couple of years ago. Then randomly, Jimmy, I've been just, you know, saying, text, me, Swiss, you know, saying manager and Timberland and was like, man, are we doing the verses or what? You know, saying? And then and then and then that's how they are. Big up to me. Yeah, we just all bought it right there in the group checks right there. And it was like, and then they were like, man, shit, Grammy weekend, we're going to bring the producers back. You know what I'm saying? Like, man, we trying to figure out who down like, man, you down. OK, boom. Hitboy just said he down. Man, I'm like, shit, let's run it. Like that's that's dope. So so so so here's here's one one thing, right? Was what made you agree to doing it in California? I was doing it wherever, man. I ain't going to lie because because hit boys from California. Oh, yeah. And that's kind of like home court advantage. Not for real. So for you, I was like, I would have thought that you would have said man, let's do this in the A. Let's do it. We can't we can't do it in the A. Why? You know what I'm saying? Because it's like that's like I just looked at your face. You know, like the A is like that's like actual home. Like it's like that shit. Me like you thought it was turned up like in that room. Like the man them song actually means something. But like you feel me like that's what the seed is like. You know what I'm saying? But I just felt like I was doing it wherever just cause like, man, man, this is this vibration. This shit travel when that shit was like, like so local. But like that vibration and travel. So like, man, we could do it in Paris. But with the one up, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I tell you this, when you say that. And I'm going to say this to you and it's going to hurt me. Why? Is the South shit again? It's the South shit again. But. It was a time when y'all y'all going back and forth. And Hit Boy plays a Nas record. And the Nas record did not go up at all. Like I was so mad. And then I had to realize that sometimes us in New York, we really did think that. Watch out. You know what? We thought we thought it was a shit. And it did not. Yeah, we are. We are. We are. But when I seen that, I was like, damn, Nori. I was like, this is the first time I was like, fuck. Because it's a conversation we have a lot. All right, so we have. Because I'm from Miami, he's from New York. And we have this conversation that like in the early 90s, when I was coming up doing stuff, New York had to lock on the whole hip hop industry. And it was hard to break through that the A&Rs and labels. Everybody was New York centric. And that's why when you when when Andre says the South got some mistake, that resonated and then, you know, the South, obviously. I mean, I mean, it's all it's all about like, like evolution. You know what I'm saying? It's like, I feel like it was a time where like the West Coast was down there like the Mecca hip hop and like the sound like everybody's sound was like West Coast driven. And then and then it was like the Mecca hip hop is in like New York. You know what I'm saying? And then you got you got the whole music industry in the Mecca hip hop in New York. And then you got a whole bunch of like businessmen and like hustlers, like starting all these different labels and starting all these different boutique labels. And it's so much culture and so much energy in New York. You know what I'm saying? So it's like that she just aligned. You know what I'm saying? It was just like that was like that Renaissance. And then it's like boom. Like when Andre said that, that was like kicking the door open. You know what I'm saying? And then it's like it's been it's been so many different, you know what I'm saying? Like people that put the city on their back and like just and like just like like busts it through the doors, you know what I'm saying? On the sound and it's like, man, it's like, man, we just I just know this is like a new Renaissance. It's like, man, like, you know what I'm saying? And I got a I got to hold it down too. It's like the Mecca hip hop is in Atlanta now. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to say it. I'm going to say it. I'm sorry. He knew you. But now it's like Atlanta. Y'all are running hip hop. Like I and they and they and they're not wrong with that. Like even when even when the even when the even when the Mecca hip hop was in New York, you know, it was so many it was so many people from Atlanta that we went to New York and you know what I'm saying? We had it. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. And so now the Mecca down there is like it's like the Super Bowl being here and the Super Bowl being there and the Super Bowl. I like that. That's a great analogy. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like the World Cup. Like, you know what I'm saying? Well, I'm going to say it. It's not because when somebody else comes, you switch up on me. So don't even start that shit. Because, you know, one thing you know about it, like New York got too much energy. You know what I'm saying? I like that. Like when New York got too much energy, too much culture. So it's somebody out there. You know what I'm saying? Now they just need like, man, sometimes folks will be needing the guidance. So they just need like the right producer and they just got to be with creating the right way. Like look at Cash Cobain. Like, you know what I'm saying? I love it. You know what I'm saying? Yes. Like, man, they hold wave. You know what I'm saying? Like they hold wave. It's like it's just like a new wave. It's like they've been original. You know what I'm saying? Even when Pop Smoke came through, there's so much energy that came from New York. And it's the birthplace of hip hop. You'll never be able to take that away from you. Oh, now you're holding us down? I've always said that. Yeah. The whole point was we all wanted to be like New York when it was the mecca of, you know, of hip hop. We all were emulating New York. Y'all were the ones like nah. Y'all try keeping it. Y'all try keeping it. Y'all like man, I'm a soft nigga, man. Like, y'all like it down here. You know what I'm saying? We like y'all like it. Hey man, my bad, bro. My bad for doing y'all like that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I know it's the hip hop. That's not it. This makes the noise of hip hop. I appreciate the accountability, man. Nah, nah, nah. He's not going to be accountable later, man. When you leave and so he goes to the thing and then like yo, B. No, I'm proud to be. I'm proud to be from New York. I'm proud to be from New York. He's going to be like, man, you saw the verses like, yo, why didn't nobody, you know what I'm saying? Like, I just feel like this song got the right response. You know what I'm saying? Nah, I ain't going to lie. When you, when that night song played and the crowd didn't erupt like that, I kind of was like to myself, I was like, damn, I got to like look at reality. No, but she's not that that ain't that ain't fair, though, because at the same time, there's a whole world where when he played that, yeah, yeah, man, that should be exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It erupted for me. I looked around and I was like, what the fuck? I went on saying, but it's just the room. Like, you know what I'm saying? Could have been certain songs that I might have played. I might have been to this way and the room might not have moved. You know what I'm saying? I knew at that time it's like, man, I'm playing my catalog with hip boy catalog. I know he got hits. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to go hits. Well, I'm going to go, I'm going to still go underground. You know what I'm saying? I'm not going to, you know what I'm saying? I'm going to balance it out. We feel me. So it's like, it's just different, different technique. You know what I'm saying? OK, so God comes down right now. God says, Mike, well, you got one record to make. To save humanity. You got one feature. What artist you pick it? To save humanity. Now, this don't got to be no, no, no positive record, or negative record. Just whatever record you want to make. Who's that artist you're going to? Right now. Right now. Man, C.S. Sriram. Who? C.S. Sriram. Oh, oh, holy moly. I told you, you're going to say future. I'll be shit. You can't miss a future. You can't miss a future, yeah. Can't miss a future. OK. At all. But C.S. who? C.S. Sriram. C.S. Sriram. You know what I'm saying? See me, I like to throw the curveballs. OK. You know what I'm saying? I know whatever you were expecting, I know you weren't expecting that. Yeah, I was saying. So C.S. Sriram, he's like a poppin' artist from India. You know what I'm saying? Oh, India. Oh, India's the new shit. Yeah, he like. Yeah, nah, I told me about India. Yeah, he like. Yeah, they got Master P.A. in India. And Nautz had did a record before. Oh, C.S. Sriram, you think he's C.S. Sriram on point? So it's like. C.S. Sriram, I had met him through my manager's DJ. You know what I'm saying? Him and DJ, they did like a project with each other at Def Jam. You know what I'm saying? And then I had met C.S. And then it was like perfect timing because he was just getting out of his Def Jam deal. And I told him, I'm like, hey, bro, we're going to make that music that make people want to get fly. Make people want to put on cologne. You know what I'm saying? Like, if you in a car with your Bible or whatever, and it's like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I want to put somebody on something new. Like, you going to play this? You know what I'm saying? And he already has like a whole fan base. They already love him. You know what I'm saying? But like, I wanted to come up with like a brand new sound with him, you know what I'm saying? Like, because his voice was amazing. You know what I'm saying? So we ended up locking in last year. And we just had like, we had a session at LA. But then we had most of the sessions at my compound in Atlanta, you know what I'm saying? Made it way. And like, man. Let's make some noise for the compound. He tried to say that nonchalantly. He said my compound in Atlanta. Yeah, that's not normal. Guy, it's OK. Now, 70,000 square feet. 70,000 square feet. You know what I'm saying? Good job. You know what I'm saying? That's a blessing for sure. You know what I'm saying? But that's like the headquarters where, you know what I'm saying? We're cooking up and just we're just trying to innovate. You know what I'm saying? We're just trying to like literally innovate and like create like a new sound, like a new wave, like even like pairing this producer with this new artist like, man, you tough, you tough, man. I want to see y'all go crazy. Like, because I feel like that's important. Like, even when Rocco had linked me in future like that, you know what I'm saying? It was like, we created a whole wave. And you know what I'm saying? And it's like me, you know what I'm saying? Linking countless people with countless people and seeing what kind of wave that created. You know what I'm saying? It's like that's what that's what the centralized hub is. But like Sid is like one of the person, one of the people that I was walking in last year. And it's like, man, his pen and so he was raised. He was born in India, but raised in the Bay. You know what I'm saying? His voice is like amazing. And then we ended up finding like that pocket where it's like any beat I come on, any beat that comes on, it's like he's attacking it. So it's like the beat that I'm thinking like, yo, this is a difficult beat, but it's like, man, hold, get on this or like, man, this a hard beat for like 21 Savage on some like vibe that shit or like, this a hard beat for, you know what I'm saying? Kanye on, da da da, like, you know what I'm saying? But I might just not have got that got those beats to like these artists, you know what I'm saying? But they're like challenging. So like only specific artists are going to hear them understand it. And it's like, man, any beat I turn on, it's like, man, this dude knows how to take it. Like, you know what I'm saying? Just take it there. And his voice just takes it to it just matches the energy of the beat. Like it's very seldom that, you know what I'm saying? When you when you got like a beat that you feel like there's a no brainer just even by itself is very seldom that the artist like matches that matches that energy. But when they do like that's the magic, you know what I'm saying? And it's like all the songs that we did, it was like, it was like that. It was like, he was like expanding the beat. He was like, he was like, he was making real songs on that shit though. You know what I'm saying? And it's like, and it's real heartfelt and it's real life. And I feel like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not a man, bro. If I could get away with singing that good, but you can sing, you can just sing to somebody and ask him anything. But you can sing it in Indian or he's saying he's saying he's saying he is that the language he's saying he's saying in his language. But but this project right here is like majority English. You know what I'm saying? He might he might balance it out. But you know what I'm saying? But it's like majority English, but it's like, man, it's a vibe man. He has he actually has a song on my album. And that's going to be the introduction. And then right after that, we dropping a project together. You know what I'm saying? OK, OK, so sorry. So they got a big scene out. You you you you you dropping an album. We saying? Oh, yeah, I'm dropping an album. OK, all right. Is this breaking news? A new album. No, no, no. OK, yeah. But my last album was nine years ago. You know what I'm saying? So like I've been out for nine years, you know what I'm saying? Hit the reset button. So this new album is called reset. You know what I'm saying? It's ransom three is R3 SCT. You know what I'm saying? Ransom always still for releasing all new songs orchestrated by Mike Will. You know what I'm saying? So boom, like that was ransom. I already put out ransom one. That was a mixtape. Ransom two was like the debut album. And then this is ransom three nine years later. You know what I'm saying? And I feel like this like, man, I feel like this is the hardest shit I done put together because it's like. It's like a crazy intersection. You know what I'm saying? It's like the type of artists that's on here, like the track list that's on here is like, it's like, it's like a crazy intersection. It's just like the cool is like and it's just natural. It's like it's not not forced. No, it's not. Records are. Just you know, pieces, artists, and records. Just so you know, everything happened at the company. And in the five percent culture, nine years is reborn. Or what? Yes, it's called born, born, you know, that's great. Yeah. So the fact that you waited, I didn't know you knew that. If you knew that, the five percent culture. Did you hear what he said, though? Yeah, yeah. No, no, no, they recorded everything at the compounds, like everything we talk about here, that how important it is. Oh, but you're the one to be with the artist. You work with the artist. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? And every one is important because it's like. That's crazy. Even the number three is like I started looking at it. Eagles nine. Three times three. Yeah, three times three equals nine. Yeah, I'm five percent. I'm sorry. Like I'm looking at everybody. Everybody looking at me like what's wrong with this nigga? I was looking at the numerology number three. You know what I'm saying? And I was just saying it was like beginning, middle and end. Like, you know, I'm saying past, present, future. And it was like, that's what like over these nine years is like, I've been able to like even reflect, you know what I'm saying? And then understand. And then, you know what I'm saying? Like, like now get back into the creative zone and. And then start back cooking up and doing like new collaborations. And then just like, as I put this compound together, like, you know what I'm saying? Like just setting up session, whatever happened organically, like not even reaching just like whatever, like this touch right here is like, man, boom. Like if they pulled up, it's like their, their intention is like, I'm trying to cook over my will. Like, you know what I'm saying? My intention, my intention is I'm trying to cook over this person. Right. And boom, it's like, you know what I'm saying? These beats was made right here. This compound. And if any of these songs were recorded, it was like 10 minutes down the street at max, you know what I'm saying? But it's like now at this point, it's been nine years. I got so much music set up. But like this album right here, I'm excited about 15 songs reset, ransom three. And yeah, you know what I'm saying? Sorry. It's a good, it's a good collar cleanse, man. Right now we're when a lot of people saying that everything, you know, sounds the same or like it's boring. I feel like this is a is a good collar cleanse for that. You know what I'm saying? That's the beauty about you is you have a sound. But. That's versatile. It's so versatile. It's that ear drummer word. It's that ear drummer sound. You know, I got a whole production team. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, like, and that was one thing that, you know what I'm saying? I started early on. It's like my production team is like, you know, I started off with just like me. But I, but I. I saw other people. Well, yeah, for sure. You know what I'm saying? Like I started off with ear drummers like in 2007. I was in high school. You know what I'm saying? I was like 17, 18 and and boom, I came up with the name ear drummers. You know what I'm saying? And then like I was like, man, boom, I was already making the beats for Gucci and stuff. You know what I'm saying? So I was like, man. At 18. Yeah. That's crazy. Is that when you feel like you started? That's for sure. I started. OK. I had I had like a group that I was in before we had like a buzz on the outside of town, you know what I'm saying? And then like, like, like a lot of the come from I'm from like Carl, like Marietta. So, you know what I'm saying? Like a lot of the folks from the outside of Atlanta. Yeah, that's like that's like going 75 north, outside of Atlanta. Yeah. OK. You know what I'm saying? So boom, a lot of the a lot of the artists from the West Side, like Shotted Low, D4L, you know what I'm saying? French I like they were going to be shorty low man for real. Rest in peace, man. They would they would go to the they would go to like Card County clubs or like Marietta clubs and like like that's how a lot of them got poppin, you know what I'm saying? So for a shot, it was like one of the first artists to be like, boom, give me a number. I like 15, 16. Let me come to the studio. You know what I'm saying? So I used to go to D4L studio when I was like a teenager, you know what I'm saying? And then and then Gucci, I had ran into him at Patchwork because, you know, that's the studio patchwork or that's a big studio. OK, OK. Yeah. So like, you know, back then we didn't we we couldn't bounce the beat down and just air drop it or like 60. You know what I'm saying? Like like I'm 36, but I was like back then I was like I was like 16, 17. So we had multi trap recorded. So I was recording on my beats on a multi trap recorder. I burned that joint on CD. But then I got a patchwork to get my CDs pressed up to get my beat CDs pressed up. You know what I'm saying? Cost me about 150, 200. You know what I'm saying? Boom, get my beat CDs pressed up and then I say Mike will boom phone number all that, you know, I used to just I might have a box of 50 or a box of 100. I give them to the white folks. You know what I'm saying? Like so one day I was you said the right folks. We're waiting for no, no, the right. OK, what you. Yeah. The right folks, man. And one of the first people that I gave it to because I was I was print my CDs and then and then my boy blazer told me he was like man Gucci man upstairs, bro. I was like for real. And then he was like, yes, I went upstairs. Boom, gay Gucci a CD. And then Gucci was like he went in the lounge. He was playing a CD. And then he was just free selling to all the beats. And then he ended up coming out. He was like, hey, ain't you shot it with the beats? I'm like, hey, yeah, he was like, come here right quick. Check this out. And he was just rapping. And then I like I was listening to all like, man, damn, this hard. He was like, man, yeah, I need the files of this, man. Well, so one of my homeboys here already was getting paid for beats. Like one of my homeboys I was making beats with the name of Marvellous J. You know, so he was already getting paid for beats. So I was like, man, I can get paid for a beat. He asked me for the files. And you didn't know that at the time you didn't know that you ain't ever got I mean, he's just trying to get his foot in the door. Yeah, I ain't get paid for a feature. So I was for real. So I told Goose, I'm like, and you got to think this underground goose. I'm just like, I'm like, I'm I tell Goose like, man, yeah. Walk a flock of goose. But just before I knew who I could flock of words. Damn. Like, you know what I'm saying? I understand. I'm trying to think of the. Yeah, this is like this is like, yeah, this is like before I knew who I could flock of words, you know what I'm saying? And, um, but so boom. I ain't no giving Gucci the city. So he like, man, I need the files. So I was like, man, all right, man, shit, bro. You just got hollering my people. It's all good. Meaning a management. I had no management. I was just saying. You know what I'm saying? I was just saying this. So he started laughing. He was like, hey, you're like, man, I thought what you mean? You're going to be here. Like your little player. Let me get your number. You know, how do you all like, man, 15, 16, whatever I was at the time. So he's like, he's like, man, boom, we're sharing numbers. So now I got Gucci number. So now I had like, I had like different like independent artists. I'm like, yeah, man, I'll be rocking with Gucci, man. I know I'm saying. So there's one dude wanted to buy by a feature. So I called Gucci one time. Like, yeah, I go to, you know what I'm saying? Hey, I got this dude want to buy a feature. You know what I'm saying? He was like, oh, Gucci. I thought you've been a feature of him. You're me. OK. No, I'm Gucci. I'm Gucci. So Gucci like, man, hey, man, give me a. Hey, it was this. It was this level Gucci. He was like, man, give me 3500 for I hit the road. You know what I'm saying? It was that level Gucci. You know what I'm saying? But but he still knew I was like a young dude. Like just at his phone, just trying to make something happen. Like you feel me? So he ended up going to jail. And then when he went to jail, me and Walker had met each other in the club. You know what I'm saying? But I never knew Walker knew Gucci. Me and Walker met each other on a whole another note. We damn near about to fight each other. You know what I'm saying? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Yeah. That's how me and Walker met. Like, you know what I'm saying? And I was like, how? All right. So so boom. We out. We out there. We out there. We out there in Marietta. As we we in one of these clubs is a pop and spot club. Q, you know what I'm saying? I'm too young to even be in this joint. You know what I'm saying? In my mind is Walker going like this. Man, he just talk. You know what I'm saying? Well, OK, man, boom, he he come in and like, man, like it's all of us over here. We got all people and then like walking them there. They're from the South side. So, you know what I'm saying? They was in that deep. So some song come on somebody that he was with jumping in my face, throwing something in my face. So I'm the youngest of my whole crew. So one of my guys is pushing. You know what I'm saying? Now that dude fly over there. Now that dude turning into three dudes. Then then we start turning in. We start transforming. Everybody start forming. And then out of nowhere, Walker jumping in front of his guys and put his hands up and it's like, hey, hold up, hold up. You're like, hey. And then my boy, my boy, I just met him. It's my it's my brother still to this day. You know what I'm saying? Like, but I just met him, but he was from New York. He had a New York hat on. So him and Walker had already been talking over here. So when they see us, when they see the ship out to go down, they they go both run over there, walk again in front of his people. All's get in front of us. And then they like that. Well, and then and then Walker like, man, ain't you ain't you all from New York? I'm like, nah, we're in from New York. He from New York. You know what I'm saying? And then and then and then Walker like, man, Walker like, nah, nah. Man, nigga cool, man. Like, oh, and then he turned around and tell his dude, man, hey, bro, y'all nigga father, father back, bro. Y'all father, back. So boom, they fall back. Boom. You know what I'm saying? Now we over here. The next thing you know, I go to the bathroom and I'm saying, I see this nigga in the bathroom. I'm like, man, probably this nigga gonna probably try some shit. Like when I walk out the bathroom, because he walking out, I'm walking in. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. So boom, I don't know who this is. I don't know this walker flock or nothing. You just knew you might have beef. Yeah, it's like we're in the club. It's club. Shit. You know what I'm saying? So you know what I'm saying? Boom. Next thing you know, he walk out. You know what I'm saying? I'm walking in. Boom. I ain't no goddamn coming out there. So, you know, and then we, you know, when you too young, like you 16 and in the 20 or 18 and older club, whatever it was, you know what I'm saying? You you can kind of you can kind of tell us on you. So Walker, like I'm walking out when Walker put his arm around me. Like, hey, bro, man, damn, it's a hole in here. Bro, I was like, I'm like, man, I'm like, now for real. I'm like, remember the head y'all from? He was like, he was like, remember from the South side. He was like, man, bro, y'all got a hose out here, bro. I was like, I'm like, now for sure. For sure. And then he was like, he was like, man, he was like, man, I was he was like, man, my bad about earlier, bro. My nigga, my nigga's down there tweaking, bro. Man, your boy, he was cool. This here man. He had on the New York hat. I was just talking to him like, I'm from New York. Like, and then I was like, I worry. And then he was like, he was like, man, yeah, he was like, man, what you be doing? I'm like, man, I just, I just try to get to the money, bro. Like, I'm some real shit. And you told him you do beats as a guy? I don't know. So I told him I'll try and get to the. I turn up my bag. I turn up, try and get to the money. And then he was like, he was like, man, he was like, man, what you do? You hustle? What you do? And I'm like, man, shit, I make beats. And he was like, man, oh, shit. He was like, man, my cousin Gucci, man. I'm like, for real, I'm like, nigga Gucci, my nigga. I show him the two numbers I got on Gucci. And he like, he like, oh, shit, but you know Gucci for real. Right. He was like, man, let me get your number. Gucci about to come home. Like, let me get your number. So boy, we got my number. And then like, I walked back over there to like my guys. To your people. You know what I'm saying? And one of my bros, like these my big brothers, they tell my mom, like, man, we got him. You know what I'm saying? Like, he gonna be good when he come home. Like, you know what I'm saying? He gonna come home. Like, so he like, but you just gave that nigga your number. I'm like, I'm like, hey, man, Gucci cousin, bro. You know, I fuck with Gucci. He was like, he was like, man, fuck that nigga, bro. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, we're ready. That's how it's like crazy. You know what I'm saying? So, you know what I'm saying? So he like, man, hey, I'm like, so I'm thinking I should. This your boy. Yeah, I'm thinking I slipped up. OK. I'm like, man, I went back and I told Walker, I'm like, man, I got you the wrong. Trying to get the number back. We took the number back. Yeah. I'm like, I'm like, I got you the wrong. And I gave him my internet number. Like, you know, that's when you had a dollar. Yeah. This is my spaceship. Yeah. Yeah. So I give him my internet number. You know what I'm saying? So I'm like, man, if it's ever meant to be whatever, you know what I'm saying? Like, boom, so I just leave. I forget about the whole scenario. One day I'm I'm not supposed to be on the phone. I'm like, I'm punishment. You know what I'm saying? When I grabbed the phone, I got my sister phone. She the one to college. When I got another phone in my room, plug up the internet line. She started ringing. I'm like, hello. And you're like, nigga, you don't never pick up the phone. I'm like, man, who this? You're like, man, it's Walker. I'm like, Walker, Walker, who you like? Man, Gucci, cousin from the club. I'm like, oh, shit, what up, bro? And then it's a boom. Our first conversation, we chop it up for like 30 minutes, 45 minutes. And he telling me like, he's just telling me like, man, who is my man? It's like, his whole family is gangsta. Yeah, no. For real. Yes, I'm from Queens. So he tell me who his mom is, you know what I'm saying? And he telling me how she managed Gucci and how she really liked the plug. And now I want Nikki back then. It wasn't Nikki. It's before Nikki. OK, OK. Yeah, no, it's way before Nikki. OK. You know what I'm saying? So he just telling me like she managing Gucci and like she like the plug and everything like that. So I'm like, I'm like, damn, for real? He's like, hey, yeah. You know what I'm saying? So now me and Walker's staying in contact. So like he used to hit me from his mom number sometime. You know what I'm saying? So one time I'm calling him back and then she she picked up the phone and she was like, is this Mike Will? I was like, yeah, she was like, man, hey, man, you are you are my son. Talk about me. He keep telling me how you're going to be the biggest producer. And you know what I'm saying? This is not. And like, you know what I'm saying? Like, really? You know what I'm saying? Yeah, like he was like, he was like, man, he kept telling me how you're going to be the biggest producer and like how you going to take over the game and how I need to meet with you. I need to meet with you, sweetie. I was like, I'm like, man, I'm ready. Like he told me like you to play like man, at this time I over. You didn't know who she was touching the back. No, no, no, no, my stomach touched my back. You know what I'm saying? That's big. So I talked to her about that, about me and up and I'm here walking, standing in contact and another time he like, hey, bro, I got somebody want to talk to you. Boom Gucci like, hey, boy, good thing you ran into my cousin. Boy, I need them beats. You know what I'm saying? Get them beats in my little cousin. Man, you know what I'm saying? So from there, he started having me pull up to the studio. You know what I'm saying? So like back then I'm I'm now I'm the youngest nigga in this room. You know what I'm saying? Because like it's me and Walker. We the two youngest niggas in the room, but in the room is like Shawty Red, Zay Tobin, Jumbo Boy, you know what I'm saying? Fat Boy, you know, all the producers who I look up to, I'm like, damn, like I'm now I'm in the room with these niggas. You know what I'm saying? So I remember being in there one night and Gucci was like, um, he was like, he was like, man, he was listening to some beats and he was like, hey, bro, this my young nigga right here, man. It's my young nigga, Mike will I play them beats, bro? I'm like, you to play the game. OK, I'm like, man, yeah, no, like you feel me? Like I'm in here. Well, yeah, these like the gladiators right here. I'm like and he like what you shot? You know, I'm putting these on, but you're stuck. You know what I'm saying? And then I was telling you that Gucci telling me this. So I had play on the beats. Boom, him and his whole squad and they're just free style and just, you know, saying, bopping to the beats and then from there, like, you know, saying, and then from there, like, that's how I met, like, KO KO pulled me to a side. He would give me some advice on the beats. They told me, give me some advice on the beats. They told me, let me come over to his crib. You know, saying he had my sessions going on. I met a lot of artists at St. Tobin Mama House, like, you know, Sam, like that's why here forever be my big bro. Like, you know, saying and and that was just me being the youngest guy in the room. But it's like they embraced me like that. But meanwhile, when Walker told his mom that when he told her that he had never heard a beat, he never heard a hi hat. He never heard none of my music. Walkout was vouching for you without hearing anything without him. Just one off. You just going off the vibe. You know what I'm saying? Like, he's like, that's crazy. He saw he saw like how we transformed out there. He he's known like, man, these dudes got a movement. But you know what I'm saying? But at the same time, this dude cool as hell on the phone. Like, you know what I'm saying? And and I'm sure he could like tell like the passion, like, you know what I'm saying? Like when I'm talking to him and I had a vision, I always had a vision like as a young nigga, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I always had a vision and like how big like this shit could actually be. You know what I'm saying? And and and Walker was overly vouching. Like, I'm talking to a to a point where like, man, we might go to some Gucci man video shoot sometime. We might go to Gucci Man video shoot sometime. And you know what I'm saying? He want to walk up in the middle of everybody and be like, hey, man, I did this, I did this, I think about to take over the game. And like, you know what I'm saying? This and that this and that. So it's like, yeah, man, shout out. Shout out to Walker. Shout out to there. You know what I'm saying? Big picture. So now that's. Yes, sir. You know, we went 20 minutes to get you a glass. And we wanted to make sure you get a glass. I have to. Yeah, let's talk to that. Man, you know what? Let's talk to like. Yeah. Let me tell you something. This is a drink chance. I'm just. I'm just. I'm just. I'm just. But. But. I'm just. I'm just. I'm just. I'm just. Well, let me just tell you something, brother. What you have done, what you have overcame. What you have provided to the game, we got to give you a flowers, brother. Like, we got to. We got. We got to get your flowers, brother. Like, um. You are really one of. The best producers ever made. So we want. of the best producers out there, if not the best producer out there and we want to give you your flowers. Man, appreciate that. Appreciate that. Appreciate that. You're fake. Now look at Mark. He's definitely going up in the compound, man. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I can't lie. Every time I see you, you be like, you know what, I gotta be for you. I be like, damn. Yeah, yeah. You gotta turn that. We gotta get that collaboration. But also, also, also, we gotta get our drinking game on with them. Are we ready for quick time? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, no, no, no. They already did. Now, if you don't want to drink, you don't have to. You can sit. You can sit. You can sit. You can sit. You can sit. Taking a shower. Now, by the way, you have just won. Drink champs most expensive. Patti LaBelle had it for a second. What was her drink? Opus. No, she ordered Camus and then I, and I ordered her opus. But when you ordered this shit, what the, whatever the name, whatever the name, whatever The name, that shit was. And that was the cheapest of those ones too. It was. The other one was $32,000. I said, this thing's crazy. For real, for real. We ain't got it like that. Nah, I ain't gonna lie. I ain't gonna lie, man. You are what you eat, you are what you consume. You got that? So you feel the meat. Got that? Yeah, we got the age line. So officially, Mike Will is the most expensive nigga on drink champs. You say you do. You say you do. That is your hold on. You don't need people to compete with him. Relax. We don't. Teddy Roddy came very close. Teddy Roddy came very close. Your champ is a humble production budget. Not for a, not for you. You humble? This shit is a big platform, man. You know what I'm saying? And it's all about, you know, taste palates. Y'all got a gold bottle. That's right. We keep the gold bottles. Yes, we are. It's a spade driven. You get, I don't even know how to pronounce this shit. You order it. Barolo. Barolo? Barolo. Barolo. Barolo. Is that from? That's a type of, it's a type of red. Okay. So where's that from? This specific one. I don't know where it's from. Yeah. Try talking about one kind of super shit. Cause yeah. No, no. He's very expensive. I say I can hang out with this nigga. And he wanted him. He wouldn't. I was like, this is my type of nigga. Yeah. Okay. Here you have this. Okay. Brick up, Roche. Where does that come from? This one right here comes from Italy. Italy, okay. Yeah. Listen, I can hang with you all day. Oh no, for sure. I'm like, I'm an expensive nigga. You ever been in Napa Valley? Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. That's my shit. Yeah, I'm an obvious one dude. I'm a chemist. Dude, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a all that. Okay. I'm with all that. Okay. All right. So cool. So what is your favorite game? This is our drinking game. We're going to give you two options. Right? Yeah. You pick one. We don't drink. One of the options. If you say both, both or neither, like you really don't want to answer. You want to be politically correct. Then we all take a shot or we take a drink. Yeah. But really it's about stories. It's really about bringing up names and places and things. Yeah. It's not, it's not about pinning anybody against each other. Yeah. So the first one is. I don't want no smoke. No smoke. No, no. Future a young thug. Goals. Come on man. Y'all going to pop it all like that. We're taking a shot of music. We can say both. But we got a drink. Yeah. I got it. I got it. I got to say both. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Because we're drinking. Yeah. Because all of what they, all of what they did for the game and until, you know what I'm saying? How they push it forward. Like, like it was real, it was real similar meeting both of them. You know what I'm saying? Because it was like, it was like. It was real similar meeting both of them. Because it's like, like I haven't met on future. Like I said earlier, like, with Rocco. You know what I'm saying? Future and Rocco. I hope you can fix their situation. For sure. For real. I really hope. A1, A1, FBG. You know what I'm saying? It's all. You know what's crazy? I'm sorry to cut you off. I met Future and Rocco in the same exact place. I can't say where because I think they still hang out there. So I met Rocco one day there. And then I met Future the next day there. It was crazy. Fuck it. Yeah. Not for real. But we was like, I will always see Future like we'll be in the same clubs or whatnot. But like one day I was holding that Rocco like, man, bro, what's up, man? Like, man, you know what I'm saying? You need to sell rap, bro. Like we just, you know what I'm saying? I got some shit for you. He was like, man, look, man, I'm putting the focus on, you know what I'm saying? My guy right here, man. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. He was like, man, he was like, man, this dude next. So me and Future had exchanged numbers right then. Then like a night or two later, I was in Magic. And then like I was magic. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. And that's, you know, that's we in Atlanta, like you record a song just to go to Magic. Just to play it. You know what I'm saying? Like that's like, can't get shit played at the Grammys. Like, you know what I'm saying? So it's like for real. So it's like a one day we in Magic and like I'm telling Esco. This is my first time being Esco. DJ Esco. Yeah. So I'm like, I'm like, man. 56 nights, he went to jail. Right. Okay. Years later, you know what I'm saying? But like when I, when I, when I was talking to him at this specific time, I was like, man, I'm about to go on a crazy run. I'm like, man, I'm about to go on a crazy run. I'm working while every artist in the city, bro, I'm at every studio every night. Like I want to be able to come through here and like, and like play these records and break these records. Like I want to fuck with you whatever you fucking with. I'm fucking with it. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like off the real. And so he was like, man, I, I mean, all this I'm focusing on right now is future. You know what I'm saying? When I was like, I'm like a word. And then he was like, yeah, he was like, you know, by future, I was like, man, that's the one who got the, I'm like, what's on he got? He was like, man, you heard Mexico lingo. I was like, hell yeah. I was at one point, I remember a true life. Talking to us about future, but he called a meathead. Yeah. Yeah. Cause he was down with the Dungeon family at that time. Right. So this is after that. Or you know, this was this has to be after that. Okay. Continue. And then, um, so, so he was like, man, Mexico lingo. And I was like, man, I had been hearing that in platinum and magic. You know what I'm saying? Like between those two clubs is like, I was hearing that like, like I was hearing that overly. So I was like, I was like, you know, and I'm fucked with that Mexico lingo. And I was trying to figure out who that was from the city. You know what I'm saying? So then boom, he was like, man, that's future. You know what I'm saying? I like that's the artist I'm focused on. I'm like, man, she's lining the session up. You feel me? This is my coach telling you this. No, this is the S. Co. Oh, that's called DJ. Yeah. Yeah. So that ended up being the second person that like within like that week that was talking about like, you know what I'm saying? Mike willing, Mike willing future. So boom, we had, we had set up the session and one thing I already had knew about Pluto was like, man, I, man, broke out of out of pocket flow and he, he down to do like different shit. And I was like, I'm gonna send Mexico lingo and watch this. Like those are my like introductions. You know what I'm saying? Like to like, but I had heard this music before, but I ain't know what's him. Like, but like now I know like, okay, this is, this is bro. No sign. So from then it was just like, I'm in the studio every day, every day, you know what I'm saying? Every song on dirty sprite, streets, calling, true story. You know what I'm saying? I'm honest. You know what I'm saying? Like, like Pluto, you know what I'm saying? Like after not selling all that, like every day, you know what I'm saying? So it was like, it was like that, that right there was like a groundbreaking time. And then I remember like, you know what I'm saying? Like, like all that was happening and me and Pluto were like the young and bringing the cool and bringing the forward pushing sound and like the out of pocket like sound like for like, we're like owning that space. You know what I'm saying? And then I remember like, at this time now we're moving around now bro and Pluto on tour. Like now I'm working with all kinds of different artists. I'm a little bit more New York, a little bit more. I'm like, I'm moving around now and then I go back to the city and then Gucci telling me about young thug, you know what I'm saying? And Gucci like, bro, I'm telling you when you meet this dude right here, bro, this dude is a star, bro. Like, you know what I'm saying? And what was the first record you in future when you got together that you was like, oh my God, this is it. It was dirty. Dirty sprite was the first time. Dirty sprite was the first time we were drinking. Dirty sprite was the first time we did. Dirty sprite was the first time that we did. That's your first song that you all. Yeah, it was the first song that we did. You know what I'm saying? And dirty sprite could be anything. You know what I'm saying? You want to put the lane with it. You want to put your Kanye with it, whatever you want to do. You know what I'm saying? I want to go out. I ain't gonna lie. For real. Relax. You want to meet a lot of them? Nah, dude. I was like, oh, shit. That was the first song. And then like, anywhere around it, I feel like that was just like, that was like when we knew, like we, that's when like the radio was playing that joint for 30 minutes straight. You know what I'm saying? And like running it back, they were like excited about it, like coming off of that true story project. You know what I'm saying? Like, anywhere around it was like, it like broke them all. But then like when we did, like the night, we did that. And we did like the night we did turn on the lights and never ending the same night. You know what I'm saying? And like, and I ain't gonna lie. You know what I'm saying? Like it was similar to like anywhere around it because he did anywhere around it and Tony Montana, damn it. In the same night. You know what I'm saying? Future is my hero. My future the man. Future is there. Future is there. We got to stop with that. We always take a shot. Okay. Okay. I'll say, but this is quick. But I was saying, but like, we're like, we're like, we're like, though too was like, though was another one where I was like, man, this dude, this dude, like though was the first person to make me feel like disconnected from the city. Like, because I was always the young and like, you know what I'm saying? So I'm the youngest one in the room. We always bring him like the whether it's me and welcome me and future me and like, you know what I'm saying? Like we bring him like the young, the new, the new shit. And then it's like, now I'm moving to my outside of the city. Been gone for a little bit. Then I come back and I meet this dude. So I'm like, damn, like, hold on. He got a whole new lingo. He got a whole new sway. Got a whole new and then I'm hearing like, what are you doing with like 808 mafia? What are you doing with like a sunny? What are you doing with Metro? You know what I'm saying? They're like, yeah, you know what I'm saying? People and and. I'm hearing that. I'm like, I'm like, damn, they come with a new wave. I'm like, that's hard. Like they creating like a new wave, you know what I'm saying? Because like, like, like that's, it's tough to do because there's so many creatives and so many like, like dope creative people coming out of Atlanta. It's like in that in that 25 is like a big ass pot, like a gumbo pot and you got to be original. You know what I'm saying? Like to like really like, like go, you got to be bringing like some new like for your shit to cut through and you got to put up like X amount of points and X amount of hours. So it was like, you know what I'm saying? Like when you start seeing them new waves form, like you you you start you start seeing this. I was like, man, salute to both of them guys, man. You know what I'm saying? Pluto and Yantel for being originators and taking the city and the sound as far as like, you know what I'm saying? They they took it. You feel me and taking it. Respecting them both. All right. Um, okay, Gucci or Walker? I try to meet. You go get yourself drunk because you say. We're going to say we're going to say, um, what we talking about though? Whatever. Whatever. It's whatever. It's better friends made more. We can take a shot. We be like, he made me. By the way, I'm not going to lie to you. Yes. Paws. You might have had the best twirl on drink champ's history. The way he just broke it. That's why I know you know Napa Valley. When he said Napa Valley, he twirled. Yeah. I'm a one dude. This is a spritz of nigga. Let's say. Salute. Salute. Salute. Oh yeah. We got to say both. Okay. Salute. Next one. Parker DMX. Cool. That's a good one. Rest in peace of both. Man, bro. I'm going to end this ice with nigga, bro. Let's just keep drinking. We don't drink champ, man. Drink champ. That's real. I can't pick these. I know I can take a shot, buddy. I was really, I was really sorry. I saw you trying to defer. I was literally trying to be both for them. You want me to take this? No, no, no, no. You take this. You're a favorite of the ladies, huh? No, you know I'm scared of girls. Beyonce or Rihanna? Take a shot. You're going to say pour it up. Pour it up for formations. For formations. God damn it. For real. I go with the flow. I googled that. I was like this thing is there for formations? Your catalog is wild. I didn't even realize. Man, appreciate that. I'm taking a shot for your catalog. For real, man. Listen, I'm taking a shot for your catalog. Congratulations, brother. I appreciate that, bro. I appreciate that. Your catalog is the type of catalog that you could take a break for nine years. Your catalog is continuously in everybody's ears. You never left. No, that's real. You can't leave. It's Asian like Barolo. It's Asian like Barolo. You can't leave. Hey, this is a 30-year cognac that we're sipping on. Let's talk about the cognac. Come on now. It's a 30-year cognac. Can you hear it? I don't know. It just happened. I don't know for some reason. It just happened. It just happened. The cognac here ain't going to happen. It just happened, man. So what's the name of this? This is Permiss. Permiss? Yeah. This little, some special shit? No, for sure. This is your shit? Man, this is like, it's like, it's like, it's my, it's my shit as far as like, Like you fuck with it? I fuck with it. I organically fuck with it. One of my family, you know what I'm saying? They came with this like, like in 2003. So that's 23 years ago. You know what I'm saying? Wow. So like, and it was already aged eight years back then. You know what I'm saying? So it's 31 years. You know what I'm saying? Um, kind of yet, but if you, even if you see the, the drinks on this video, whatever, Like it's a lot, in a lot of videos, man, we've been drinking this, the song, the someone to love video and all that kind of stuff, you know what I'm saying? Permiss, you know what I'm saying? And you got for the guys and the girl. Yeah. No, for it. It's the first pink, it's the first pink cognac. Ever seen pink cognac? This ain't like, like Nouveau or anything. It's not like a liquor. This is like, we're really a liquor. This is real fun. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, yeah, nah, for sure. Yeah, man. So we're tipping on this age. Okay. Go ahead. I got it. Raise, swim it. Outcast. No, man, we got to go. We got to go. Damn. That's not even easy, man. That's the section over here. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. That's the section over there. It's Dominican and Colombian section. Oh, cold. They even made the question. They even made the question. That's some cold brothers, man. Are we taking a shot today? We got to take a shot, man. Take a shot. Let's take a shot, man. It ain't nothing come before the swim, but you know what I'm saying? Thank you for it. Thank you to Outcast. Thank you to, you know what I'm saying? Hypnotize, Nois Dungeon fan for the inspiration to even for us to even like, for me as a producer. And you know what I'm saying? For us to even kick in the door and like, you know what I'm saying? Take it like push the limits. You know what I'm saying? Like for real. What was the thing I heard with them that the labels named after them back? What's the backwards and yeah, so, um, Oh yeah, tell us. Yes. I'm out of my label. My, my, my, what my production company is ear drummers. You know what I'm saying? And then it turned into a record label and like, it's already like, they were already trying to do like song writing. Swae Lee made beats. She's like, you know what I'm saying? Like, so they were already part of the squad and they were messing with my brother's P nasty and Mars. And, um, and boom, like, like, um, this one, Jimmy, like I had like, man, I had like 13 songs on the radio at this time. Man, Jimmy, I've been telling me like, man, you need to have your own label. You know what I'm saying? So you could put out your own music. Love to me. I've been, man. He takes care of reduces so much. For real. I love that. Go ahead. And it was like, man, I want to, I want to get you a label deal. And it took me two years to be telling you this. Yeah. So my manager is Jimmy. I've been nephew. You know what I'm saying? Um, what's the name? Okay. Yes. Yup. So that's the homie. So he introduced me to Jimmy. I mean, when Jimmy, I mean, when me and him met and like we chopped it up, it was just like, man, Jimmy, I've been just took me under his wing and just was like, man, boom, whenever you come over here, like he love it. Like just feel again. Like, you know what I'm saying? He produces. Word up. He's a great guy. So, so he was like, he was like, man, you really need to start your own record label because you just, you mean telling you this? Yeah. He's like, man, you're essentially just out here inventing the sound and just giving it to like all these different like companies or whatnot. You know what I'm saying? And it's like, they're not even cutting you in on your invention. Like, you know what I'm saying? So you're, you're inventing, you're inventing the sound. You're inventing something. But you, you know what I'm saying? And it's like, here, take this. This is all we have. Like take this for your invention. And it's like, you know what I'm saying? He made me understand it in a whole another way. So I was like, I'm like, damn, like you're right. So it took me two years to grasp it because I always said I wanted a record label. But at the same time, it's like, when you got, when you right here sitting right here in the same room with Jimmy, I've been here like, man, I'm trying to get your label deal. It's like, damn, do I, I'm having so much success with doing what I'm doing. Do I want to take a different loss in that this is the actual, this is the real thing. Like now you're going to want to take that on now. Yeah. It's a whole different like position. Like it's a whole different hat. It's like you're an executive now. You know what I'm saying? Like producing is one thing you do in the service and then now you're an executive. You know what I'm saying? Then you're executive producing. Now you're inventing something and then you have to create this product and, and, and package it all the way up and, and, and to a point where people consume it and are happy with it. You know what I'm saying? Consuming and be like, man, this shit trash. You feel me? So now that's what you're trying to do. You know what I'm saying? And so it's like, it's a, it's a, it's a totally, it's a totally different ball game. So it took me two years to be like, man, you know what, man, we're going to do this shit. You know what I'm saying? So PMRs, they were already rocking out with, with Sway and Jim, you know what I'm saying? And they were already over there cooking up crazy stuff, but PMRs will be at a lot of those meetings too. So they, they know in the temperature too, like, man, we about to do a label deal at some point, you know what I'm saying? And then we also had a few more artists that we were looking at at the time, you know what I'm saying? And artists that were bubbling in is like, man, you know what, man, we want to try to sign them or we want to try to sign them. We're trying to sign, sign anybody because I'm, I'm knowing like, man, I'm trying to take the sign and I'm trying to push it as far as possible. I'm trying to bring as many new artists to the game and I'm trying to work with the biggest artists in the game and get them a new sound and like get them the sound that, that, that comes from us. Like, you know what I'm saying? And like just change the game with like that new sound. Like, you know what I'm saying? Which you feel me like so, so yeah, man, like, um, ended up long story short. Man, y'all got me drinking. So I'm just, yeah. So the name. And I'm not asking the next question. No, no, no, no, but you asked the next question. Yeah, don't worry about it. I got you. But, but, um, but, um, so it's like, it's like, it's the name flip. So we go to the studio. We had a studio one day and I tell, um, I tell, um, I asked Jimmy and sway and I'm like, man, cause I had one day I had wrote down, like, cause I wanted to do like, I was always thinking about the expansion of eardrums. So I was like, man, we got to have like a live rock and roll side. Cause we, we already own and like, like this hip hop, like trap side, you know what I'm saying? So it was like, what is the eardrum and spell backwards? I was thinking about Oprah and Harpo, you know what I'm saying? And then I was like, man, okay, shit, man. What is it? If we spell eardrums backwards, man, Ray Shreemer, I'm like, that's hard. So I was going to make that like the, the, the live, the live alternative side. You know what I'm saying? And then when I met them, I'm like, man, he do the coolest dudes on earth. Like, like they, they just, they just walking and just making bangers after bangers after bangers after bangers. Like, so you leave making hard at beats. Like, you know what I'm saying? See him like cook up no tight and like, then I got chills when I heard no tight. Like, you know what I'm saying? And everything like that. It's like, I'm seeing them like, man, these dudes can make anything cool on earth. You know what I'm saying? Hey, what y'all think about the name Ray Shreemer for the group name? And then they're like Ray Shreemer. What's that? I'm like, man, that's eardrums backwards. They're like, oh, hey, yeah. That's squad. Like, yeah, let's do it. You know what I'm saying? And then they're like, man, hey, you're shrimp life. I'm like, see, just like, they already flipped me. Well, no. Hey, great. All right. Excellent. Kendrick or Drake. I'm going to do this. Damn. All right. So I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to go ahead and go Kendrick, you know what I'm saying? And you know what I'm saying? And I want to salute Drake for, you know what I'm saying? Being somebody who always like showed love from the beginning. You know what I'm saying? He was like one of the first like major artists like going to it and just tweet like Mike Will made it. And then he remixed shit and then him and future had for real. You know what I'm saying? On my track and then like even even with Pluto early days, you know what I'm saying? Going on the road with Drake. It was like, you know what I'm saying? Drake always showed love. You know what I'm saying? And then it's like with Kendrick, it was like me and Kendrick just had like a little bit like more like personal close relationship in the sense of like literally every time like the first time me and Kendrick met. It was like in 2000. So much records that I could look at you produce with Kendrick. Well, but you know, it took her seven years. It took them a while. Yeah. But y'all have been interacting but just never made music. So we met we met around like 2010 2011 schoolboy Q introduces Q. That's my brother. We had already did. Yeah, we had already did my hate and joy and we did my hate and joint and then they were in Atlanta one day and Q was like, man, I need to think you would just do this on my label. Man, like he about to be the next biggest thing. Like I'm like for real. And then he was like, I'm like, what's his name? He was like Kendrick. And I was like, shit. I'm like, man, man, tell me what studio. So he told me to go to Stank on you. I got to Stank on you. I'm in there with Kendrick. I'm playing a bunch of beats in Atlanta Stank only. Yeah. So this is early Kendrick like mixed tape. Yeah. So I'm playing them. I'm playing them a bunch of beats. He take a bunch of beats. So I was like, I just I put them to outside. I didn't really know I'm like this. And at this time, like certain people were like leaking my beats or like leaking like certain songs, like produce my might with or this and this and that. You know what I'm saying? I really know him any different than anybody else. So I was like, man, I'm like, hey, bro, let me call it you right quick. So then we step out of the studio. I'm like, hey, bro, look, man, like, bro, I'm gonna give you all these beats. And you just got to make you just gotta give me a word, but you're not gonna leak number. Just don't leak name. And I'm saying and he saw a laugh and he was like, hey, bro, I fuck with you money. I told Kendrick and we and we and we go in the studio. He was like, hey, bro, you know what this nigga just pulled me out of said? This nigga just pulled me out of said, hey, bro, man, hey, man, I'm gonna give you my beats for nigga don't leave my shit. I'll talk with this nigga. You know what I'm saying? And ever since then, it was like, man, we were locked in. And like every time he would come to Atlanta, like, you know what I'm saying? Like as soon as he land, I'm gonna have my phone, you know what I'm saying? I'll pull up on them playing my gang of beats, give them a gang of beats. Anytime I'm at late, as soon as I land, I'm hitting a phone. I'm pulling up on them saying thank you. We're linking up, you know what I'm saying? And you know what I'm saying? Well, is that how humble was me? Tell us how humble was me? That was like just the final. And we don't get out of the we could go back to the we got to go back to the time. But that was a foundation. That's how the foundation was like how humble was me. It was like, okay, now a good kid, mad city and to Pimple Butterfly Drop. Right. And I'm like, damn, I ain't made neither one of these. I know I didn't gave him at least five hundred and sixty five beats. Like, you know, there was something like crazy. I didn't get this man a lot of beats. You know what I'm saying? So I did just ask one of those people already there though. That boy fucking them shoes. You know what I'm saying? Were one of those beats already? Did he already have them at that time? Oh, not yet. Okay. No. So he was like, so he was like, um, so he was like, man, I asked him, I'm like, hey, bro, man, for real, bro, I'm giving you the wrong beats. I'm hearing the albums and I'm I can hear that. You gave him beats right to that. Yeah. But he keeps changing from that album to the second album change. So this album change. When I'm hearing the album, I'm like, I'm hearing that I did give him the wrong beats. You know what I'm saying? So I'm like, hey, bro, I keep giving you the wrong beats. If you just give me like a direction, you want to go, man, I feel like, you know what I'm saying? He was like, no, no, you ain't giving me the wrong beats. Like all the beats you give me hard. Like, I just know when I, when I, when I go in with you, I want to just lock in with you and I want to go down. You know what I'm saying? So when we were starting down, it was like, I feel like that was early stages. Like with Kendrick, you never know, you never really know what's going on. You know what I'm saying? He's on his planet. And then, you know what I'm saying? When he summons you, you know what I'm saying? Like, won't call you in. And then there's like, man, he really had, he really had called me and was like, man, yo, you want to lay? I'm like, I'm in LA and he pulled up to the crib. I like, I like early like nine in the morning, 10 in the morning was over there. Like, damn, they're all day going through all kinds of beats, took a whole bunch of beats. You know what I'm saying? And then he hit me back. He was like, man, I pull up to the studio, pull up to the studio with him. He let me hear humble DNA and XXX. He had just started XXX. I'm like, God dang, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, man, he already recorded. Yeah, humble DNA. And those joints out of here. And you didn't know that he recorded it or anything? Well, he gave it a beat. But he was telling me he was going in like, he'll send me like a little video on his phone and stuff like that. So then when we, when I get to the studio and I hear that, you're like, man, I just want to finish his DNA. And he was like, man, you got your computer, you got your beat machine. I'm like, hell yeah. So I pulled out my computer and then, and then he was like, then he was telling me how he wanted to rap on there. And then he was like, man, I just want to hear like what kind of beats you do like around me, around like this kind of flow. You know what I'm saying? So now I do the second half of DNA. You know what I'm saying? And then it's just loud. I'm like, man, this shit's so out of here, bro. So now I was like, we're excited about DNA. So he telling me like, man, we're humble. He like, humble man. Like I love this song. I know this is a slap. I know this a banger, but I don't know if it fits like damn necessarily. Like I got DNA. DNA need to be my single. Like I'm just snapping on that joint. We knew DNA was just hard, but he knew humble was like, he knew it was going to be a commercial. He knew it was going to be a slap, but he ain't know if he wanted to put it out like, you know what I'm saying? And so, um, he was like, man, you about to drop ransom too, right? And I was like, yeah, he was like, man, he was like, you might as well take humble for ransom too. I was like, I'm like, hey, I'm like, hey, bro. That's supposed to be on your album. No, no, no, he just, he just says this. I'm like, he was dead serious. I'm just like, hey, bro, look, I ain't gonna lie to you. I appreciate that, bro. You know what I'm saying? But I feel like I'm stealing if I do that, bro. Like, man, this song, this song so big, bro. And it's going to be so much bigger. Good thing you did that. You know what I'm saying? I'm like, I'm going to be so much bigger. You put it out, bro. I'm like, man, I'm like, man, you got it. That was a lead single. Yeah. He was like, I'm like, man, you got it. He was like, man, I don't know. I'm asleep on it. The next thing you know, he'll meet the next day. He was like, man, send me whatever song you want me to get on for your album. He was like, man, top. You said the same thing you said. Like, he was like, man, he was like, man, what you think? Which one you think should be the single? Like, Humble or DNA? And I was like, man, it depends on when you drop. Like, you know what I'm saying? If you just drop in a single and then you're going to drop the album a little later, go humble. You know what I'm saying? If you're going to drop the single in the album same week, man, go DNA. You know what I'm saying? Got that shot value. So he ended up shooting both videos. He dropped Humble. Humble. Shit went through the roof. Yeah. And then a couple of weeks later, he dropped the album and then he had the video for DNA. Great. And then Humble was number one. And then DNA was number two. Hot 100. And that shit just both of it. Like Humble, double diamond and DNA is fucking 15 times platinum. We got a touch of that. All right. We're toasting it up. Oh, Salute. My bad. My bad. My bad. You got to wash them chips down, bro. I ain't gonna lie. These chips are fantastic. Who the fuck's burning these chips? Those chips are the first. They feel vegan. They are. They vegan? Yeah, they're potatoes. They're vegan chips. They're definitely vegan chips. Real talk. So wait, just to be sure, you said Kendrick on that one, right? No, we just gonna toast it. No, we drinking. I just drank. UGK or ghetto boys? UGK. Any reason? That's just more who raised me. You know what I'm saying? I was super young when both of them came out. I was like, I'm not even gonna get a chance to get a chance to get a chance to get a chance to be young when both of them came out. But Pimp C and Barn B, major influence is for sure. Rest in peace to Pimp C. Rest in peace to Pimp Real talk. Organized noise or beats by the pound? Damn. That's crazy. I gotta go organize noise though man. Recipes we call it Pirell. Major influence. And recipes butchery built from ghetto boys too. Mike Jack or Prince? Michael Jackson. I don't know why you motherfuckers write it like that. Man y'all got some code. That's the way. Y'all want to get it. We always ask this if you have a dream chance. And we love Michael Jack. We like the stories of either. You know the legends that made us all. You know what's crazy? During this journey right here, I've been trying to figure out like print, purple rain and thriller. Like the nine song journeys. Like man, both of them songs with major influences. How those projects were so short. But it went on a fucking journey. You know what I'm saying? I don't know man. I might go... I'm gonna let you finish. I'm gonna go Mike. I'm gonna go Mike. So I'm not gonna lie to you. We don't know like their beef. Their beef is story. Are they have beef? Oh man, it's crazy beef. We've been hearing all kinds of stories. We're trying to run over Michael Jackson. Oh what? Like run him off the road. So this is the reason why we don't never answer this. Being him is because we always like get new information that happens. Oh shit. And we find out that first off, Prince... There's a meaning. That's what Michael Jackson said about Prince. That's what Michael Jackson said. So alright, sorry. And we have to put out that. He doesn't know the story. So let me give you the story. You ready? Yeah. Pharrell calls me one day. Oh the super thug story? Yeah, so Pharrell calls me one day. And he's like, Norrie. I kind of like need a favor from him. So I'm like, what the fuck? What do you mean? Well, Pharrell needed a favor from me. Right. But he says... I said Michael Jackson a bunch of beats. He said, that's not what Norrie would rap on. Michael Jackson wanted to rap on super thug. What? What? So Pharrell said to me a bunch of like... You know, one of the beats that he like done. Michael Jackson joint. I want to rap on what Norrie would rap on. So Pharrell hit me. I'm like, holy moly guacamole. So Pharrell hits me. And I actually... I don't know if I ever said this part of the story. I actually picked out five beats. For Michael? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, not for Michael. For Pharrell. Pharrell was like, yo, just... Pick out these five beats. And I actually... But for him to give it to Michael? I don't ever know if I've ever... Does that make sense? Like, I don't know if I ever did that. Like, I just was like, you know what, Pharrell? You're my G. I got you. And I did it. So I don't know if that was ever for that. But that's one of my best stories. No, that's the hell shit. Michael Jackson. What? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Michael Jackson wanted my fucking beats. No, thanks, bro. Yo, thank God there wasn't no social media back then. Back then. Imagine back then, it was fucking social media. Oh, thank God, man. We needed those super stars. And I would have been like, it was super stars. Because I believe Michael Jackson was a gangster. For sure. Why are y'all got quiet? I mean, I don't know. I said for sure. I think Michael Jackson was a... He did call Prince of Meany's away and he just squirreled with him. Man, he got too much to lose. He got too much to lose. You know what's that state? He that gangster that he know how to walk away from. I love the story. I don't think it's true. The one with him in Pac-Fat. I don't think it's a true story. But that's an amazing story. You never heard that story? A comedian is telling it. There's a comedian that's been telling that story. That's funny as hell. It had to do with... Yeah, Quincy Jones' daughter that Pac was dating. But Quincy Jones and Michael's connection, you know? So Michael looked at Quincy Jones' daughter as like his niece. And as opposed to he saw Pac, like, you know, disrespect her in some kind of way. And then he stepped to him and then they fought. I mean, I think this is the fake story. But it's an amazing story just to pretend that it happened. And they said that Michael had the ill reach. And then he got one up on Pac-Fat. My boy from Gary, Indiana, man. Gary, Indiana. And Joe and Joe Jackson was hard on him, so he grew up hardcore. Don't sleep. Hey man, salute Joe Jackson, man. I'm a real curator, man. But he raised him hardcore. I mean, that's what they said in the movies, but that could have been anything. We all would raise hardcore. I'm not saying the extreme of hardcore, but nonetheless, he still raised him heavy-handed. He had a vision for sure. Right. You want to go to the next question? Because I got a lot more. Nas or LL? Nas or who? LL, Ku-J. I'm going Nas. Sulu-LL going Nas. I'm Sulu-Lil-Mbofer. Yeah, absolutely. I love him. I'm from Queens. Ace Hood or 21 Savage? Woo-hoo! Uh... I got bangers with both of them, but, brother, man. You know what I'm saying? Thank you, brother. Uh... We need to keep drinking, man. I got bangers with both of them, man. Sulu-Lil-Mbofer. And I'm going to take an actual shot. You know what I'm saying? Okay, let's go. You ready? Absolutely. Hey, even though we drank, I'm going to still go 21. I'm going to go 21 on that one. You made us drink, and then you took it... Man, let's just drink and chat. I'm going to start getting like that now, man. I'm going to start getting like that now, man. Hit boy or Alchemist? Oh. Mmm. Yeah. Probably an Alchemist, man. I had a lot of inspiration. Shout out to Al, man. For real. Big up the Alchemist. And Hit Boy, but... Big up to both of them for real. Me and Cataloid. Yeah, they both are. Dre or Quincy Jones? I don't know. They do it this shit. I did. You could argue that Dre is the hip hop Quincy Jones. He is. That's what I'm about to say. Quincy Jones, later foundation. Dre came through and pushed it. You know what I'm saying? With a whole new sound. It's like, ah, but it's like, you know what's crazy? I'm like, as an executive producer, I want to listen to this album that I'm putting together next to some albums that I look at, some of the best albums. So it's like, I always play Thriller, or I always play like Get Rich or Die Trying, or I always play like, you know what I'm saying? All Lives on Me. And it's like, and it's like, but Dre didn't produce All Lives on Me, right? But I still listen to it, you know what I'm saying? And then I listen to the games album, you know what I'm saying? And I listen to that with whatever album I'm about to drop, because like, Thriller was short, you know what I'm saying? Get Rich or Die Trying was long, but it's still like that same complete journey, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, if we had CD changers, you know what I'm saying? And I had my CD in, and it was a change over to this CD, change over to this CD, change over to this CD, come back to my CD, it's my shit hitting in the line of that. It's flowing. We're gonna salute both of them, man, for you. That's the version. That's the piece of Quincy Jones. Get y'all drunk today, man. Metro boom and murder beats. By the way, Quincy Jones, I got the most drunk I've ever in my life. Quincy Jones? What the fuck outta here? I don't think so. Go ahead, that was man. Man, I gotta tell this so well. Metro boom and murder beats. We're gonna Metro boom it. For sure. We're gonna Metro since he was 14, man. I salute that everything he built. All right, up. Oh, shit, I'm in the hole in the other fucking. You're in somebody else's Quick Time? Yeah, I'm in somebody else's Quick Time. The ASR or the NPC 2000? NPC. NPC hands down, man. That was my secret weapon. I just got the ASR last summer. So I've been fucking with it lately. I've been making some dope shit, but like the NPC, my weapon of choice. I still plug the ASR up to the NPC. What was your first machine that you used to make beats? My first beat machine? I had got the Core of Ears 1. My pops had grabbed me the Core of Ears 1. And that's how I taught myself how to make beats. And then I used to have that plugged up to like a Casio keyboard. Then one of the homies in my group, he had bought a Triton for like $1,000. And then he got the Triton and then I was plugging that up with the Core of Ears 1. And then I got the Multi-Trap Recorder. So that was before Pro Tools and all that shit. You had your mini studio right there? Yeah, and then boom, I got my mini studio. The next thing you know, I go buy myself the NPC. And then my mom helped me get like these keyboard racks. She'll get the credit card and then I'll pay on it. So it was like some shit like that. And shout out to my mom. She was letting everybody come through the house. The music was loud. She was there through the whole process. So that's why like my mom asked for anything I don't care. She got it. She was always believing. You know what I'm saying? I'm out on school nights. You know what I'm saying? In high school. She didn't, she wasn't saying it was okay, but like she could have killed me. You know what I'm saying? Like for real, cause I kept bucking. You know what I'm saying? And I just knew I wanted to get that music out. So yeah. Shout out to moms. Shout out to moms. Big up, big up. Big up. To moms. Two chains of TI. Got nothing to do with this shit. See, y'all doing like this shit. That's them, that's them. It's like a mixed thing. It's like inspiration or like, you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Whatever way you want to go. And I got a shot. I got a shot. Yeah, we got a shot, man. Salute Atlanta, man. You know what I'm saying? Continue to be great. Salute Atlanta, man. I'm gonna be honest. Atlanta helped me down too. Atlanta helped me down. Two guys, two chains, man. They both from my new album. Atlanta helped me down. Thank y'all, man. I love Atlanta, man. Fuck that. I'm sorry. I held back a long time. Why? Why did you hold back a long time? I held back a long time. He's hanging. He's hanging. What would you hold back? He was hanging, man. I was hanging a little bit. Shout out to the Real Niggas from New York. Shout out to the Real Niggas from New York, man. Like, walk a man to Antony's, man. You know what I'm saying? He's walking. Yeah, yeah. That's the way it's going. That's the way it's going. That's the way it's going. That's the way it's going. That's the way it's going. The wall is helping me down. Texas helped you down. Damn, Texas helped me down. Just fighting it, man. Damn. No, but I love it. I love fighting it. Tilt was my favorite rapper, like, since I'm serious. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, I feel it. And then, like, I've been fucking with Titty Boy since he was Titty Boy. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, I used to grind. I used to drive all the way. Titty Boy, no. I know him. He's since he was Titty Boy. But, God, I don't want you to say that. I used to drive all the way from up there where I was staying at. You know what I'm saying? All the way down there to Titty Boy's and Old Nat. Man, I might run out of gas when they drive. You know what I'm saying? I don't want to go to the studio at 11 p.m., 12 a.m. I'll be in there all night with Chance, man. Like, we just banging out different sounds. And, yeah, man, like, I remember when he thought everybody was sleeping on them. And we all knew, like, man, this nigga about to be the biggest. He about to be one of the biggest. I knew it, too. Pharrell. I knew it, too. Pharrell. Titty, that's what he called them. Titty. If you heard that man's rap, you weren't thinking that, man. You were hating. He could spit, man. Pharrell, you were hating. Titty was that nigga. Pharrell, he a part artist, man. Pharrell. Pharrell. Two chains was that nigga. Two chains, man. Tahee. Shawty Red or Drummer Boy? Man. This producer shit. Well, it got nothing to do with this. Shout out to Atlanta, shout out to Memphis. Damn. They got nothing to do with this. And they go ahead and just salute, man. Just drink it. They were, they were. They were fuel to the engine. They were definitely fuel to the engine, man. All right. And I'm taking the whole shot. Man, come on, man. I'm a whon of kicking right now. Because you know why? Why? I'm going to be honest with you. Don't lie to us. I wanted Mike Weld here for a year. For years. I wanted Mike Weld to get his flowers. Mike Weld is a person that deserves what's going on right now. You are a legend of legend. You are icon. You are icon. And me, he offend a whole establishment, drink champs. We wanted to give you a flowers. I'm so glad, man. I don't mind being as saucy as I'm being saucy today. Right. Because it's for you, brother. And you know what? Me and him are in a session called coffee. Whatever. That's on me. Yeah, there you go. Because you know why? No, you really deserve your flowers. You really, we want you to know that what you did to the game is so beautiful. We're going to continue to give you your flowers. No, I appreciate that. Okay, continue. Yeah, we still, we almost done. We're still in the bit. Logic or Pro Tools? Pro Tools. I don't know how to use Logic. Juicy Jar with Khalifa. Damn. It's another thing. Man, we're going to toss stuff to that one too, man. You know what I'm saying? My two stoner buddies, man. They're my brothers right there, man. You know what I'm saying? You can just sip whatever you're sipping. You don't have to drink shot. Shout out to Juicy J, man, for being a blueprint, man. For being an inspiration. Yeah, Juicy J. And the run that we went on was so legendary. I went on the run with both of them guys, man. Pour it up. DJ Premier, Pete Rock. This is very, an even question. But I don't, I would like to see with you how you're going to answer it. I'll probably say Premier. That was hard. I thought he was going to answer. That's hard. Trick Daddy or Rick Ross? Damn. All right. Have you worked with Trick? I ain't never worked with Trick. Man, I could hear you guys. That would be crazy. Man, come on, man. Man, Trick. I know Ross. The Ross joins you today is crazy. Trick, raise the nigga. That's what I'm saying, man. But Trick, you and Trick would be crazy. You and Trick too hard, man. Real legend, man. Bro, like, see, y'all got me fucked up on this game. I'm an indecisive nigga. I'm already indecisive. It's all good. That's what both is for. And when I smoke, it makes it even worse, man. They're all smoking go to the mall, man. Can we connect you and Trick, man? Or make something happen? Yeah, let's do it. All right. Miley Cyrus, drink chance. Yeah. We're going to make a drink chance, a compilation. All right, just let them work together, man. We're going to put it on a drink chance. We'll circle back after they do stuff. Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry. I don't know. We got to go Miley Cyrus. No, a binder. How'd y'all connect? Man, through RCA. Shout out to Peter Edge. Shout out to everybody at RCA. It was crazy. I had just signed my publishing venture. So that was my first venture. A lot of people just think I just make beats. So I'm an executive too. So I was like, I never even signed a part deal or anything like that until they would give me a venture and I could sign all the guys that was a part of my team. Because those guys had already, we had already- Sorry, sorry to cut you, but can you explain what that venture is? What does that mean for people who don't understand? Okay, so Ear Drummers was an idea that I had when I was, you know what I'm saying, in 2006, 2007, then I created the ALLC, made it a real production company. It was just me. And then, you know what I'm saying, then I had my brother's schoolie. Then I had my brother A-plus I was going to high school with. You know what I'm saying? Then boom, we were creating our sound. And next to you know, I met my brother P-Nasty through a mutual. And you know what I'm saying? He got- he know Mars. You know what I'm saying? And Mars, no J-Bo. Now I was like, man, now I was like, man, we're huddled up. I got like a vision where it's like, man, hey look, we're going to build like a big production company. And we're going to like, you know what I'm saying? We're going to like take over the game and we're going to like, just spread our sound like through all types. Because I was looking at it like I had like a bunch of songs out in the street with Gucci and Juice Man and all type of artists in Atlanta. But I was like, man, what's the difference between me and like a, like a Kanye West or like a Dr. Dre or like a, you know what I'm saying? Lil John or like a Quincy Jones or like, you know what I'm saying? Anything like that. And it was like, man, these guys have production teams. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, and so I was like, man, I got to build a solid team. So everybody that was on the team, like, man, we're going through it. Like with a super fine two cone, like where it's like, man, everybody got to be, we got to be like-minded. If we're not like-minded, we're not going to be able to do nothing. You know what I'm saying? So now I've linked up with these like-minded brothers right here. And we, we on a mission. You know what I'm saying? We already got our goals. What we want to do, we want to get a song on the radio. We want to get a label deal. We want to get an album placement. You know what I'm saying? We want to be able to have money take care of our lives. You know what I'm saying? We had simple goals. You know what I'm saying? And then we just locked in. We just on it every single day. So, um, during that time, during that time, it's like, like, like I already had my tag and I'm already working with Gucci and different artists and stuff like that. And then we had the eardrum attack, you know what I'm saying? And like these guys were more like, more like chill. Like they didn't really have no tags at the time. Like we were trying to figure out what the tags were going to be and everything like that. So it was like, you know what I'm saying? Like, okay, boom, it's Mike. We're made of eardrummers. People don't know. Like, okay, man, he was working with, he worked with Mars on that one. He worked with P on that one. He worked with Smoody on that one. He worked with Plus on that one. He worked with Jbo on that one. And let's say read the credits. You know what I'm saying? But even when the company's didn't know and they were just here, Mike will do like word of mouth. These folks coming at me were like big like money. I never even imagined I could get right. And at this time I'm broke. I got three songs on the charts. I got no lie turned on the lights and mercy and bands make a dance. You know what I'm saying? Like all them on the lot. I mean, all them on the charts. But at the same time we were broke. Like we weren't getting no money from like, like the publishing or whatever. Like all that kind of stuff. We didn't have our business in order. You know what I'm saying? Like we're getting it out the dirt. So it was like, like even when these companies is coming at me and saying like, man, we want to give you all this money right here. It's like, nah, I got to because I was I was going to Georgia State. You know what I'm saying? I want to draw the state for a couple of years and I learned the music business. You know what I'm saying? And then I understood like, okay, I can go to these companies and tell them what kind of business I want to do with them. You know what I'm saying? So I want to do a joint venture. You know what I'm saying? I'm not going to go to you and talk about doing the joint venture without already the venture venturing. Right. You know what I'm saying? And so now I'm coming to you talking about like, I want to do a joint venture. But like, you know what I'm saying? My guys got placements too. Right. Me and my guys got placements too. You know what I'm saying? And we got, you know what I'm saying? We got underground placement. We got radio placement. We got album placement. We just out here working this without any, you know what I'm saying? Any like, um, entries to the room or like any like any kind of people ushering on anything. I'm an investment and just you guys just working. Yeah. No ushering is just like us just working hard. So, um, boom. So we added. So certain companies like, Hey man, we only want to sign you. You know what I'm saying? And certain companies like, man, if we get you the venture, we're only going to give you this. All right. Well, I'm going to just hold out. We're just going to stay broke until y'all come all the way right. You know what I'm saying? Because if we do something with anybody, we need to have like, we're doing something with y'all to have financial freedom. Right. You know what I'm saying? So that we can lock in and do what we do best. Like you feel me? So that's what we're trying to do. So boom, shout out to big John. He was leaving EMI. From EMI. Yeah. And then he was going to Warner and he told me when he was when he was making that move, he was like, Hey, bro, don't do nothing with nobody. Like, you know what I'm saying? I know everybody calling you, but man, I want to, I want to, I want to, you know what I'm saying? I want to get it right with you. You know what I'm saying? And it was, and it was other other executives that really believed in me. Like even with Ethiopia, like she connected me with my manager, DJ, which is Jimmy, our being is nephew because Ethiopia made me and knew I had no manager. DJs, Jimmy, our being nephew. Yeah. Okay. Good to see you. Yeah. So Ethiopia, she, she knew like, okay, man, this young dude got division and he got his stuff going and he got business by this. So he just needed a manager. And then she told DJ like, man, you should go to Atlanta and meet with this kid. Mike will like, man, he not signing nobody or nothing, but he making a lot of noise and he's smart. And it's like, I like what he, I like what he built in. And then DJ was already known for managing like Polo, you know what I'm saying? Boy wonder hit boy, you know, send different people like that. So it's like, at the end of the day, it's like, he was already like a, like a manager for producers and everything. So DJ fly to Atlanta and then we chopped it up. And then I just told him like, Hey, look, all these companies coming at me right now. Everybody talking to me about management, all this kind of shit. I'm trying to see who's the first person who's going to go give me this joint picture that I'm talking about. So me and my boys ain't got to worry about no money. And we can just focus on just like locking in on the, and we get access because we got hits from, from Gucci man to Disney. Like no matter who you put us in with, you know what I'm saying? We got it. Like, you know what I'm saying? And this before we had anything on the radio. So DJ was like, all right, shit, I'm going to get it done. Like, you know what I'm saying? So he started working on getting it done. But then big John saw how long I was holding out on it to the point where big John was like, hey, bro, when I made this move, this is the first move I'm going to do, bro. I see what you I see how you keep building it. You know what I'm saying? And then next to him, you know, him and Ryan Press flew me out to LA, you know what I'm saying? And they want to let me lead till we got the deal done. I was just, I was just negotiating. I was negotiating shit. I didn't even know what it was. Yeah, I didn't know what it was necessarily. I'm negotiating it, but they wanted to do it. They like, man, we believe in you. So whatever you doing. So they blessed me and bless my guys. And then started putting this like in writing camps. And so they set up a meeting. They were set up a meeting with me in New York with all the labels. This is my first time in New York in the winter time. I go up there and try to treat it like Atlanta, like with the thermos and like a jogging suit. Like I'm thinking I'm in Atlanta. I learned shorts out there. So I understand you. So that's a humble me, man. That shit was like the wind was coming through my bones. So I had this, I had this last meeting. It was when the sun was down, it was too cold outside. So Ryan Press was like, man, we got one more meeting with RCA. I'm like, nah, bro, I'm not going back outside. He was like, man, you got to go to this one. Like the whole staff is there and like they kept the staff over time. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like this is this will be a good one. Like, I'm like, bro, it's too cold, bro. Like, you know what I'm saying? My manager had to come DJ. He like, man, bro, this is this is this will be a good this will be. So I'm like, man, okay, this people who I'm newly in business with, I can't just be stubborn. Like, you know what I'm saying? And I'm up here in New York. Fuck it. Like, you don't say, boom, go get in there. Go get in the car. Boom. We go to the motherfucking, we go to the motherfucking meeting. And then they show me a bunch of artists and then I played them. We can't stop. And it's crazy. Cause I had just told my manager like two weeks before like, man, I was trying to get that song to Molly Cyrus. I'm like, man, this song reminds me of like party in the USA. And, um, and so boom, we had that meeting with RCA. They heard we can't stop. And they're like, yo, this will be good for Molly Cyrus. And I was like, man, I'll be perfect. Like, cause I ain't know what artist was signed where. So I ain't know Molly Cyrus was signed over there. So they were like, man, this will be good for, I'm like, hey, it'll be perfect. So go and get them the song. You know what I'm saying? They played it for her. She heard it. She was like, man, Dan, this will remind me of like a party I went to. Like, it just sounds fun. Like, you know what I'm saying? So she was trying to cut that one. You know what I'm saying? And then we got in the city. We cut that one and we did 23. Yeah. And thank you for bringing that full circle. We went out, Chuck, you brought it back. No, no, no, I was just, I was just letting y'all know the whole thing. Can you say, let them know about that. The venture. I asked them about the venture. Yeah. Y'all told me, y'all asked me about two. Yeah, I know. You brought it back because I was with the Ventures. I was still with quick terms. Yeah, yeah, we got like three more. We good. We good. We got three more. Go. All right. And by the way, man, I don't want to keep elaborating on this, but it's like, Miley didn't want to rap that night. You know what I'm saying? She didn't want to. She didn't want to. She didn't want to. She didn't come in there and say, hey, I want to make a rap song. Like it was, we can't stop. We can't stop. It's a single record. To her, that just sounded fun. Like, you know what I'm saying? That record just sound fun. But like, and in my mind as a producer, like, you know, we, producers, we see like these pictures or we see like these bigger pictures and we're trying to, we're trying to push towards something. So during that time I was trying to, we were trying to like me and my squad, we were trying to do something like, like trap pop, like some trap pop kind of vibes. Like we were trying to push the trap sound as pop as possible and see how far we could like push it. Cause at the end of the day, anybody like my age or younger, like we all grew up on MTV, VH1, you know what I'm saying? We all grew up on New York. You know what I'm saying? Like, man, my size is doing the fuck you said. But at the end of the day, no, it's a real shit. Shout out to Miley. She believed in the vision. Like she didn't, she didn't look at it. She didn't look at it in no kind of way. Like, oh, he's not big enough or he's not small enough. Like she already, she was doing what she was doing. She didn't have to do, she didn't have to try shit. She already told me like, man, I don't, I don't want to, I don't, she's not, she said, I don't want to rap cause I don't want people to, I don't want to compute my fans. I don't want them to think that I'm trying to like, look this way. She knew there could be some backlash to her rap. Yeah, but I'm like, man, but look, I already got this verse from Juicy J and Wiz. Man, I already had the, I'm like, I already got a verse written from Teran. I got this hook written from Teran, one of the greatest songwriters of all time. So look this, Teran Rock City, you know what I'm saying? And I'm like, man, I sit in here with you. We can go line for line until we get it right. But I feel like this would be so hard if you do this, man. Like it'll be, it'll be game changing. Like, you know what I'm saying? It'll be like when like Britney Spears did like any kind of different record or when Justin Timberlake came with like Sexy Back. Man, like this, this is like break the mold. You know what I'm saying? So like, yeah. And let's make it clear. Yeah. You're right. You're right. Word up, man. So that was an introduction to Trap Pop. That shit global, you know what I'm saying? So beautiful. Yeah. Yeah. And shout out to Slick Rick, man, Pharrell. Slick Rick was there? Pharrell, you know what I'm saying? Like I'm just saying, he didn't pay. Oh, I thought you said Slick Rick was there like damn. Off of the record. Yeah. Because you all sampled. Oh, okay, that's right. It was a sampled. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Slick Rick was a legend, bro. All right. Zay Tovan or Sonny Digital? I am. We got to Toast, man. You got to take it to my big brother and my little brother, man. You know what I'm saying? Love them both. All right. Southside or Lex Luger? Mine. We're going to go on that one, man. We're going to go sizzle, man. Shout out to sizzle. You know what I'm saying? That's the first, that's the first other young nigga I seen come on the, on the scene. Like right after me, like I remember when walking met him. You know what I'm saying? I remember when walking met Lex Luger too. I really got a toast to it. I just don't want to get y'all too drunk. You know what I'm saying? We're good. We're good. We've been through it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're good. We're good. We really got a toast to that. You know what I'm saying? Because I remember when walking met both of them. So like after, after me and Walker was moving around and, and, and, and we were doing everything like with Gucci, because that's when Gucci started doing like no pad, no pencil, trapper harders, like a lot of that mix tape stuff. And like, you know what I'm saying? He was just like going crazy and just freestyling them out on my tracks. And at this point, like man, he's saying, walking flock of flying. He's saying Mike will made it. Like he's saying, like he's fucking with us. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, Hey man, we could do something bigger than like being these little young dudes that you know what I'm saying? Keep getting into like the fights in the club and all this kind of shit. Like Gucci man really going rock star status. But like, you know what I'm saying? We could really take this shit on somewhere. So it's like, I'm telling Walker like, bro, you need a rap. You know what I'm saying? He like, man, everybody keep telling me that. I ain't feeling a rap like man. I ain't without that. So one day he called me. He like, bro, I did my first rap song. I'm like, oh, yeah. I'm like, I'm like Pharrell. And then he like, he like, man, I'm like, let me hear you. Like, man, you got to hear this shit, bro. You got to hear this shit. So he playing me that we on the way. And I'm hearing it. I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, damn, I'm like, bro, you really just snap, bro. He was like, hey, bro, I'm like, who the hell made that beat? And he was like, he was like, bro, is this young nigga named Southside? But I just met this young nigga, bro. He remind me of you when I first met you, bro. I'm telling you, bro, he going, hey, I need to introduce y'all to each other. You know what I'm saying? Y'all niggas together, bro. I'm like, hey, you don't eat my fill. It's the same people. Southside started out of my fill. Yeah, yeah. Cool, cool. And he was like, man, when I introduce y'all, bro, like, bro, that shit going to be like game changer, bro. And then, you know what I'm saying? He had linked me and me and Southside up. And then boom, me and Southside were like, we always were rocking. You know what I'm saying? And it was crazy because his mom was trying to put me, Southside, and Lex and Luger in a group. Oh, shit. You know what I'm saying? Like that's how they had the vision. You know what I'm saying? But then like, yeah, they had the vision. They were trying to put me, Southside, and Lex in a group. That would have been kind of crazy. That would have been super crazy. But that was around the time I started eardrummers. You know what I'm saying? So it was another executive that was running the production company for Dell. And so he was, everybody else just signed their contracts. Like with me, I mean, I already had a lawyer. I already had like family that was lawyers. You know what I'm saying? Boom. We like, you know, so we looked over it and then I was just letting that executive know, like, man, this isn't going to work because I'm trying to start something called eardrummers. And I can't like, turn my back on my guys. Like, you know what I'm saying? But I feel like I need to do this. I feel like I need to do this too. Like, you know what I'm saying? Because like, you know what I'm saying? Goose, walker, everybody embraced me. You know what I'm saying? So I want to get it right, but I want to do it like this. And like that dude kind of like just, he didn't really know me. We didn't really have a relationship. Like I had more relationships like walking there. You know what I'm saying? So he kind of like just shrugged me off. You know what I'm saying? And then at that point, it was like, that's what I want to make. Like, like, um, to change in future, you know what I'm saying? But um, but I'm there. She always been a real auntie, real family to me. Like, you know what I'm saying? Her brother Joe is like my man, one of my closest mentors. Like we talk every single day. You know what I'm saying? Since, since 2007, like, you know what I'm saying? And like, man, they hold family. Like, you know what I'm saying? Embrace me. So it's like, it's deeper than right. Like, you know what I'm saying? But with them or what not? So let me ask you loyalty or respect? Respect. Why? A lot of potato chips out there, bro. Oh. No, no, no. Here's my little. So I don't have the exact way to answer this. Um, but loyalty or respect, I probably say respect. Because it's like, um, I don't know how to break it down. As long as it's long, as long as you respect me, it's like, it's some kind of loyalty there. Like, you know what I'm saying? I respect that. You feel me? Like, as long as you respect me, it's something, it's got to be some type of loyalty there. Because you're not, you're not crossing the line of disrespect. You know what I'm saying? I don't know. Like everybody going to have their own definitions of loyalty. You know what I'm saying? But respect is respect. Um, I don't really have the correct way of answering that, but that's what I would say. Yeah. All right. So now take a shot. Oh, no. I forgot that I was at the same game. I thought this was me just throwing some out there. Oh, that's not the same game. I say, bro, we say, bro. No, that's not like, no. He was both. No, no, no, no. You know, you can't remember. He came back to it and said, yeah, bro. No, you can't remember. Yeah, why would you not? We always say both is the... Yes. Why would you want both? We say both. Okay. I need to stop, bro. Stop it, guys. My bad. I've been drinking and smoking. I thought we were going to the other game. The other game, yeah, definitely take a shot to them. This is what we like to ask you. I'm going to take a kiss. Humble. How did this happen? Humble. So Humble, you know what I'm saying? Shout out to Kendrick. Man, he had a re-shot to me and told me, like, man, he was about to start a new project. So boom, he comes to the studio, spends the whole... But matter of fact, he comes to my crib and LA spends them to the whole... How's the compound? You mean you had the compound? No, I had a compound then. I had a crib in LA. And he came over there and then he was just listening to beats damn it all day. Took a bunch of beats. And then he started like, he started like sending me like different videos. And he was just like, man, show me like different snippets of Humble, different snippets of DNA. And then so I was like, man, that's shit hard. He's like, man, when you get to LA, I'm like, man, I'll be out there on such and such day. So boom, when I get out there, I call him, come to the studio. Boom, he played me Humble and he played me DNA and he played me XXX. And I'm like, man, my mind was just blown on all three of them because that shit was like fireworks. It's like they are three different directions, but it's like bright as a motherfucker. So it's like, he played me those three and then Humble was one of them. You know what I'm saying? Like I made that beat. It was crazy. I had made that beat with my brother plus. I had pulled up on him at this studio, like around our way, like around in like the Marriott area. You know what I'm saying? He plus was already over there and I was just around the area. So, so boom, I heard plus was in there. So I pulled up to the studio, went in the studio and then boom, he was in there making beats. I finished his one beat that he started on and he said he bought a garage, smoke a cigarette or whatever, but he was taking a car. So, boom, I literally, I literally started Humble, cooked her Humble. He come in the room. You know what I'm saying? He like, damn, bro, you just made this right now. I'm like, man, here, brother, she going crazy. Like, you know what I'm saying? And I knew like Gucci was on his way home. So I was trying to make something like, I was just trying to get a whole pack that was just urgent for Gucci. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like he was on his way home. So like to me, that beat was just urgent. So plus came in there. He was like, man, it's hard. I'm about to bounce this. I'm like, here, no, bro, you got to add some on there. So he put the final touches on that joint. And this is my brother from 11th grade. You know what I'm saying? This is what I did. This is what I did formation with. This is what I did. Love me with. This is what I did like a lot of classics with. Like he's an animal, man. Shout out to plus. You know what I'm saying? But, um, yeah, he added, he added the final touches on that joint. And then, um, I remember like me and Gucci ended up doing first day out of the feds. And then after first day out of the feds, like Gucci just wanted to get a little bit of like Gucci just wanted straight, straight, like dark beats. He didn't want nothing else that sounded like urgent on the radio. So he, like he might have heard the beat from humble like once or twice, but he would have been a Gucci joint. It could have, it could have been. You know what I'm saying? But you know, like producers, we always got like a vision on who we want to make the beat for. Like when I made East Atlanta six for Gucci back in the day, I was thinking like I'm making a beat for dip set. You know what I'm saying? And it's like, you know what I'm saying? But then when Gucci was doing like them freestyle tapes, it's like, I played that beat and then he just went in and snapped on that motherfucking. It's like, man, this was like a hood. This is my first joint. This is how I jumped off the porch. And this is a hood class that's still to this day. You know what I'm saying? 19 years later, you feel me? You might have a vision, but I say all that to say you might have a vision as a producer. Like I'm making a beat for this person, but it might not be for that person. You know what I'm saying? And sometimes it is for that person. But, but like that right there, Gucci already knew like, man, I got first day out of the feds. All right, boom, I want to do all different beats like this. And then me and Zaytov and started collabing and then we did everybody looking and that project came out dope. And then that was asking me for beats and I just felt like that beat was always urgent. You know what I'm saying? But to me also, I felt like that beat was like, damn, this is like this got like some West Coast vibe to it. It sound like some West Coast like, you know what I'm saying? D-Boy shit. But you know what I'm saying? But it got like the trap vibe to it. That was perfect for me. I'm like, man, Kendrick are going crazy on this shit. And he got the vision. That should fit his perfectly. That's right. It went dumb. You know what I'm saying? Shout out to Humble. That shit won. That shit won a post in it. And you said that you and Schoolboy, Schoolboy's group connected you with Kendrick, right? How did y'all, you and Schoolboy Q connect originally? Originally, that was through Brock and Matt. This seems like it's early TD time frame. Yeah, that was through Brock and Matt. You know what I'm saying? They connected me with Q and Day 3. And I was just sending like Brock and Matt, like a bunch of beats. And then my hating joint ended up being one of the joints of Schoolboy Q at Pitt. And then they send it back. And I'm like, damn, this dude hard as a motherfucker. Project ended up dropping. And at that time, me and Q used to just stay chopping it up or either whenever he came to Atlanta, like, you know what I'm saying? We'll link up, go to some of his shows and different shit like that. And we just kept it locked in like that. Like TD, that's family. And it's crazy before I even came around. Like, I think like DJ has something to do with helping like, DJ had? No, no, DJ. Oh, I think it's DJ. Yeah, my manager, DJ, he has something to do with like, like even with TD coming in, like, you know what I'm saying? We're in a scope. So it's like, that's what always family is always like one degree separation. We're done. They're always working at the same studio and all that shit. But like, I'm happy. I'm happy. Humble landed where it landed. I'm happy. First day of the fairs landed where it landed. And it's like, that's just how things end up working. They stuff right. Right. They went to the right places, man. Pull it up. Hmm. How did that happen? Word up, man. That was a dope session, man. Like that was, that was really, um, that was, um, uh, Rihanna writing camp. And I was locked in with, um, to run and P nasty and Mars. And, and then it was like, man, we worked on a lot of different songs. We worked on, we actually worked on, we can't stop. And like some more songs during like, during like, um, like around that time, like just in the, in the vein of like, man, we're going to, we're going to do something for like Rihanna or like just a pop star. You feel me? And, um, Rihanna had been working on the album for a minute. And so they were, Bands Make a Dance was hot at the time. So they were telling me like, man, you're a dance maker dance. Yeah. To my juicy J. Yeah. So they were just telling me like, man, Rihanna get a female version of this song, man. Like she need like a song like this. Like, cause Bands Make a Dance was like blue hot. Like it was just like everywhere, like everybody like, man, it's still like, it's still so many remixes that I want to hear that I never heard that I heard about. You know what I'm saying? For Bands Make a Dance or so. Um, anyway, I had, I had this one beat and I remember this specific beat cause I tried to give it to Walker and, and Walker was like, man, bro, you trying to make me do a whole another Bands Make a Dance, but it'd be sound like Bands Make a Dance. You know what I'm saying? I remember he said that and I was just like, that's a different beat, but it's like, so what? But it's the vibe. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like Niggas was doing that with Lil John, but this is my brother just, this is Walker. So he's like, bro, give me some whole new shit. Like, you know what I'm saying? So when he said that, it stood out to me. And then when they kept asking like, man, we want the female version of Bands Make a Dance, it's like, I literally played that same beat for Teran. Teran just walked it down quick. And then Chris Brown, he had pulled up to the studio. No, I'm saying. And like, he was listening to a bunch of different records and he ended up coming in the room. It was fantastic. No, it was fine. Yeah. Um, he ended up coming in the room and then boom, he heard, he heard like a few different records, but he heard pour it up and he was like, man, yo, man, I don't, did we hear this one? And I was like, I'm like, nah. And then he was like, he was like, man, read, but we gotta hear this one. You know what I'm saying? Like, and then, and then boom. So I was like, man, shit, bro. You know what I'm saying? That'll be hard. Like, and then next thing I know, like, you know what I'm saying? We was like, man, what's this record that Chris is telling me I'll pour it up. You know what I'm saying? And she, she has Omar that and then Omar had hit me. It was like, man, yo, she asked him about pour it up. So boom, sent him, sent the poor it up. She heard it. She was like, oh yeah, no, no, this shit is fun. Like this shit is dope. You know what I'm saying? She, man, she took that shit like, like out of here. Like she sound amazing on that joint. And I remember when I first heard that joint, I was like, man, yo, this shit is, this shit is out of here. It was nothing like that ever before. Like when it came out, that was like some trap pop type shit. Like, that's just dope. Well, bands to make a dance with some trap pop. Your teenage version of yourself is trying to be a producer. Who were your top five inspirational producers at that time in your life? Teenage. Definitely having a tired mind. I just DJ and DJ part. You sick? You know what I'm saying? Definitely organized noise. Definitely many fresh. Definitely Pharrell and Timberlain. And Dr. Joy too though. You know what I'm saying? Pharrell. And where are you on, like how much do you sample? Actually sample. Like how much is that a part of your repertoire? Like I don't, see me, I'm like an open, I'm like an open mind when it kind of creativity. Like I look at making beats and making songs, like cooking or like, you know what I'm saying? Playing golf is like, it's just art. It's just layers. So like when it comes to like sampling, like if it's a sample, like I got a record with Savage on my album. You know what I'm saying? I got that sample from, you know what I'm saying? Like I got it. I collaborate with, you know what I'm saying? And when I heard the sample, I was just like, oh yeah, this shit hard. I immediately laid drums on that motherfucker. You know what I'm saying? And so that was just organic like that. But then it's like, I got another song where, you know what I'm saying? I might have like a vinyl out and I might just be like, just like scratching something, like into the song and like it might go with the rhythm. Or even like DNA on when I sample Ray James, like give me some ganja. I ain't know that Ray James give me some ganja. Like that beat was just going so hard. And I was like, I was waiting on my boy Plus to pull up with the weed too. You know what I'm saying? So when I hit that sample, it was just right on point. He was like, give me some ganja. Give me some ganja. Give me some ganja. You know what I'm saying? Give me, give me a minute. And then Kendrick was just over there like going crazy and the speakers were so loud. But Kendrick was going so crazy. I was like, hey, bro, I ain't gonna lie. That shit kind of hard. Like how you like with how you rapping? Cause it's kind of like give me some ganja. Kind of like, it's like give me some more bars. It's like, it kind of go with it. And like that was an accident. You know what I'm saying? That was an accident and winded up. I ended up clicking that joint in there. Is sampling your go-to first thing or is it like? I'm with whatever, man. Not really, you know what I'm saying? But I'm with whatever. I say drums are my first thing. But I just like making something different. So if I can fucking sample up or if it's some shit I've never heard before or some shit that's inspiring. You could do it all. Hell yeah. That shit is fun. You know what I'm saying? Definitely depending on who I'm in the studio with. You know what I'm saying? With the squad, everybody thinks it's different. So it's just like, man, we just trying to make something sound as different and out of box and unique as possible. Like you ever use any tool in the toolbox? Exactly. For sure. I want to learn how to use AI. Oh, so what's your take on Tim and what he's trying to do with AI? What's Tim doing? Basically, isn't he got AI artists, right? That's what he's trying to do and he got backlash for it, I believe. What is it? No. Right. But it's an AI artist and then, and basically his whole thing was that, and I don't, you know, I'm not quoting him verbatim, but he was just basically saying, look, I got ideas that maybe artists I work with don't have the same ideas and I want to be able to put these ideas out. And so AI artists will, you know, allow him to do these things. Yeah. Um, to me, I look at, I look at, I don't have nothing against like AI at all. Like, I look at AI like a new tool. Like if you're a creative, you know what I'm saying? It's like a new tool. So it's like, like, I was telling somebody the other day that, um, I had just said in this interview that I remember I had went to my first hip hop concert with Bone Throws and Harmony. And I was like, yeah, I was like, six, seven years old and my pops took me. And then when we left, my pops was like, man, you know what man music is done. I'm like, man, what you mean? And then he was like, he was like, man, there was no instruments on the stage because he was used to going to like, you know, set earth, wind and fire. Yeah. Like all those different bands. So he like, there was no instruments on stage. He was like, it was just a DJ out there with turntables. Dude was just yelling in the microphone. Like it's done. But like that same type of music and that culture, that hip hop culture right there. It's like I was able to move mountains with it. Like, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, with AI, this at the same time where everybody's saying like, shit is dry or shit is done or shit sound the same or this and that, this and that. And then it's like, oh, they doing AI. I still haven't heard a song or I haven't met anybody who's heard a song. And it's like, hey, bro, you got to hit this new AI shit. Like, you know what I'm saying? They wouldn't know it's AI though. No, but like even, but a person can't wait to tell you like, man, hey, bro, you know this AI, right? They can't, they can't, you know what I'm saying? They're like, you can, you can damn near. Yeah, you can damn near here. Like when there's AI. So you got to utilize it like a tool. If you can't get a big choir, utilize it like that. Or if you can't get this or you can't get that, you got to utilize it like that. But that's like, that's like, if you get like a keyboard and you just go get the stock beats. Nobody goes to the keyboard and gets the stock beats. They use the keyboard and make beats like, you know what I'm saying? Nobody expects to use the stock beats. So when you go to like these AI platforms, they showing you what it can do. You know what I'm saying? But that's just showing you what it could do. Now you got to utilize them or fucking like a keyboard or whatever. And you got to utilize it like a tool and expand the sound, you know what I'm saying? But you know, certain certain people creativity level just hit right here. You know what I'm saying? It's all about how great it is. You know what I'm saying? I mean, I think, I think there's this pros and cons with because there's definitely I saw something. I don't know how accurate this report is. They said that some of the top music that was playing on Spotify was all AI generated groups. And but at the same time, like right now, you know, at the same time, if somebody wasn't a student of the game or wasn't like like a student of music or wasn't a creator or like hasn't created any type of music. It's going to be hard for them to pull up one of these AI. You know, I'm saying platforms or whatever, or the apps or whatever and and make a song. They already have to have it in them to be able to utilize that tool. It got to come from somewhere. I got to come from somewhere. So it's like, like, you got to even know like, oh man, let me mix this with that. And you know, it's just like cooking. You can go in the kitchen with a whole bunch of seasoning and sauces and and protein and whatever. You know, you can fuck this shit up. You can burn it. You can do whatever it is. Like, you know, saying or not cook it all the way right. You can get sick and all that shit. Or you can we got we got a cookoff. We can use the same season and whatever. And we can make two totally different dishes. Like, you know, saying so it's like it's all about how you use that shit. You know, saying and if if somebody uses the AI shit and it's cheesy, they will probably go in the studio and make a cheesy joint to. But the argument could be made that, you know, these tech companies are kind of like the new record labels, right? We kind of could say that. You said the tech companies, they're kind of like the new record labels in a sense. The streaming platforms, the social media, music is being promoted a lot. Yeah, but it's different because the music I just say is different because those are more retail. And like, you know, saying the record labels are more like distribution. Right, right. But they distribute now through DSPs. Exactly, which is retail. Right, but it's not like old school where you had to go physically and they're still using tech is what I'm saying. Yeah, the techs are now the gatekeeper distribution. Yeah. So my thing is that my worry is that just like the idea that maybe record labels at some point started dumbing down music to a degree to make it easier for them to reproduce it and make money off of it. And I have to deal with talents, real talent. You know what I'm saying? Maybe this happens in AI like these DSPs, these tech companies, they eventually start phasing out. Like, of course, you're never going to be replaced. But as I'm talking about the generation under you and the generation under that, if they started getting desensitized to real music, then AI becomes a problem. Yeah, it's all about I feel like when it kind of like being able to produce and like being able to create music, man, it's all about how good of a student you were. You know what I'm saying? Like the best artists, the best producers, the best everything, they were a student of something like other music. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, and then it's all about your creativity level and how you collaborate. The best song is the best collaboration. You know what I'm saying? So at the end of the day, it's like, I don't, I don't see AI. Like I said, if once I hear that song, that's like, but I ain't not like this. I can't go without hearing this song. Like, you know what I'm saying? For the most part, it's still like artists that people are connecting to. Sometimes it might be songs that's just, you know what I'm saying? That's just playing and somebody might have created something that's easy on the ears and putting the right market and dollars behind it and pushing it. That's certain type of way that, you know what I'm saying? But you know, like that's cool. That's like their creation and that's what they push and that's like, it's going to connect just like another song is going to connect or like anything. Everything has like, like, like his moments type shit, if that makes sense. And I just, I just feel like the AI shit is like, it's so broad that it's like, it could be used as a tool or it could be used to make a whole song. And I don't think, I don't think it's like us versus AI thing. I think it's like, how do we utilize AI to make the biggest joint and because you got the technology side, but then we still real humans. Like we still going outside. We still seeing shit. We still hearing cars ride by like, you know what I'm saying? Like we still in the barbershops. We still like amongst people. So it's like, you got that world. Just like, just like you got the world where people sit in the house with the goggles all day and they'd be somewhere in the meta. But you got that kind of shit. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like you got that world and you got like, like the real world. Like is that shit playing in the cars and the clubs and the radio or is the people playing it or people talking about it? Did it impact culture? Like, you know what I'm saying? And any type of way like, that anybody care that this joint came out, you know what I'm saying? And I think that's something that they're going to have to figure out. It's like, what's going to be the presence with this AI person or this AI artist or whatever in the real world? Questions about this song? Just give me one word. DNA. Electrifying. We can't stop. I already said game changer, right? Uh, um, trendsetting. Okay. They tell me that's how I'm going to work. Really? Yeah. Well, we can't. Because yeah, because at that time, Pop Radio was EDM. So it was at a certain tempo and we can't stop. It was like, this party we can do what we want. This is like, bro, no matter what you do, bro, you cannot slow down Pop Radio. It ain't going to happen, bro. They're not going to let this slow down Pop Radio. Like, this is how it works. Ship change again. I love this. Falling. Damn. One word. Whatever you want. I'll accept whatever. He said three words now. Okay. Falling. That was, um, that shoot like, that shoot like, that shoot damn near like a dream, bro. I ain't going to lie, you know what I'm saying? Because like, I got to tell a little story on Falling. I'm going to keep it brief, but y'all got to drink. You don't got to keep it. But like, man, shout out to DJ. You know what I'm saying? Like he was a part of a lot of Eminem projects. Like, you know what I'm saying? Yeah. Yeah. So that's what Falling was on that. So, um, That was on that as well. Oh, you talking about, oh, are you talking about Falling? Yeah, he talking about. X, X, X, and Lil Peep. I'm talking about both of them. Now you talking about that one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, okay. X, X, X and Lil Peep. Okay. Um, that one is, um, That one is, that one's a, That one's like wavy. Yeah, wavy. Salute to both of them. You know what I'm saying? Rest in peace. X, X, X, X, X, rest in peace Lil Peep. Um, that was, that was, that was crazy. Both of them. So both of them are, Yeah. God bless. Yeah, man. Rest in peace to both of them, man. That was, that was just, that was just wavy. This record is totally different. Yeah. Okay. Now Falling, um, it was a unique situation, man, cause, um, McCona, I had a gay that beat the McCona, you know what I'm saying? So like, like, God bless. No, McCona. He's good. No, I'm thinking of, I'm thinking of, it's that show. No, McCona. So McCona had wrote the joint, you know what I'm saying? He was already like, um, what our, what our production company, you know what I'm saying? He was part of that venture as well. He wasn't. Yeah, for sure. He part of that, um, published adventure as well. Mm-hmm. With, um, Big John. He was one of my first signers along with Ray Shremer, you know what I'm saying? And, Is this for the Ray stuff? Yeah, for sure. Oh, wow. You know what I'm saying? So, um, So boom, like, I had gave him that beat and, and he had, um, he had, he and Lil Peep were already working on a project. So him and Lil Peep had did the song together. You know what I'm saying? And it was already a dope song. Then Wiz Khalifa did a song, the same beat. You know what I'm saying? And it's like me and Wiz already had so much history. And then I was just trying to like figure out, like, which one do I make another beat for? Both of the songs were like so good. You know what I'm saying? And, um, and I thought Wiz was going to end up using, I thought he was going to end up using that beat because he told me he was going to like hold it. And, um, and then that was the beat that McCona and Peep ended up doing that song to. And then after that, um, after that year, man, like, um, that song was done, they had it on this project. And then I think, um, like one of the music executives had that, had that, um, XXX hit a record like before he had passed and he heard it and was like, man, yo, yo, this is a, this is a dope song. Like, and he ended up doing a verse to it. And then he ended up passing away. I never got a chance to meet XXX. You didn't meet him? I ain't even get a chance to meet him. And it's crazy, man. My man Adam, my man Adam Lieber had, had, um, was just connecting us right before he, right before he passed away. You know what I'm saying? But man, man, it was so talented. Like, I wish we could have, you know what I'm saying? I wish we could have like, I know we would have went crazy. We're all right up. Yeah. Florida dude for sure. Imagine, like, this is my nose. What's your nose? So, you know, like I thought y'all met. Yeah. I want me to be sent to a job, man. Yeah. Man, I wish you, I wish we would have met. You know what I'm saying? I know we would have went crazy because like he was another like young rockstar that was like pushing it forward. You know what I'm saying? And to me, that's what you, you do. Like you make rock stars. Yeah. A big swimmet is a rock star. Like a big swimmet. Like, like, to me, that's what you make. But see, I want him. I want him to take the credit of like, like I get what you say. I appreciate that. Like, I can identify with a rock star. You know what I'm saying? You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. You're right. like the rock star, like I can't say I made Miley Cyrus, but it's like, you know what I'm saying? We already, she already had a major fan base at Hannah Montana. It's like, man, we just gave her a new identity or something, you know what I'm saying? That we was even vibing to like, damn, like, hold up this shit kind of hard. Like I fought with this, like, you know what I'm saying? So it was like, it's just, it's just, it's just like being able to identify. I don't, I don't, I don't make them. They already are made. I just can identify like the it factor, you know what I'm saying? Word up, no matter how big or how up and coming or anything like, I don't, I don't, I don't look at it like a wave to ride. Like I always was trying to like create the wave, like with somebody like, man, we're going to create a wave. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like as soon as y'all think y'all could, semi-forget about Juicy J, but we're trying to come back, bands make a dance, smoking nigger, you know what I'm saying? Show out, you know what I'm saying? Still in this bitch, like 23, like we going crazy. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like as soon as y'all think y'all could overlook future, like, you know what I'm saying? We going dirty spray, ain't no way around it itching. You know what I'm saying? Turn on the lights, never end, new Bugatti. You know what I'm saying? Like all kinds of joint shifts back to back. Like move that dope, like, you know what I'm saying? Like part of me, you know what I'm saying? And then it's like, as soon as you think, like, I never listen to a Miley Cyrus song, man, you talking about man with my J's on, you know what I'm saying? Like now, now overseas, they moving like this. They weren't never moving like this in certain rooms. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like they moving to, they moving to the bounce. Like, you know what I'm saying? And then it's like, but she cool enough to even want to even do that joint, you know what I'm saying? Trust the process. Some artists will be like, now my fans not going to like it. I don't do that kind of music. I'm not doing that. It's too risky. You feel me? You know what I'm saying? So that's rockstar shit. She comes from that lineage. Her pops was the rockstar too. Yeah. You kept that real nigga shit, man. No, I'm pretty sure that. I swear to God, man. Let me just tell you something. Take a picture. Yeah. We taking a picture, but I don't ever want you to ever think that our culture don't understand how much you mean man. I love the culture, man. Hey, look, you know, I used to think like that. I used to think like that, but I said it. I was like, man, this next run is for everybody who believe man, cause we prove the haters wrong a long time ago. You know what I'm saying? We prove the haters wrong a long time ago. There's so many people that believe. There's so many people in the culture that's like that. Like you said, like, man, I ended up telling me you're gonna over it. I got your back, man. I appreciate that. The culture believe you, man. There's more positivity than there's negativity. There's way too much louder. Yo, more positive. It should be louder, but this is really louder. Cause I ain't gonna lie. I grew up. We got your back. There's negativity, steams louder. That's what let me change it. It's steams louder. Thank you. The positivity is way more positive. It's the only thing. You listen, you demand slime. I appreciate that. I appreciate that. I appreciate that. And in case you don't know. And you always been telling me this for 10 years, man. If in case you don't know, listen, we got your back over here. That's hard. You know what I mean by said, and you kind of don't need us, but we want you to know that we got your back. We're here. We're here regardless. We're here. Like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, you kind of don't, because you know, shit nigga. You've been doing good, but great, but alone. But guess what? That shouldn't be. Nah, that's not enough. What we are doing. Over here. Let me just tell you something, Mike. I'm sorry. I don't mean to call you Mike. I don't know if I. I don't even know. I don't know. I don't even know. I don't get the will to call you Mike. Right. Right. But let me just tell you something. Oh, it's. You got the bars. Yeah. Look at the bars. Look at the bars. But let me just tell you something. You one of the best producers out there, brother. And me and my brother. This motherfucker right here. I don't get the point. We love giving people they flowers. We love making sure that people understand that in hip hop, this is what we're doing. There's legacy. This is your fucking home. Anytime you fucking. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Anytime you fucking feel like you want to. Not the pink toenails, though, please. I'll bother you, Mike. Listen, my nails. That's just go to you want to promote your pink toenails. Yeah. No, no, no, no, I got black toenails. It's horrible. It's horrible. Where's my brother-in-law? What is that? Oh my God. Oh my. Oh, look, look, look, look, look, look, look. Oh, I have black toenails. It's terrible. But listen, no, no, no, Mike will. Mike will. Let me just tell you something. This is your platform. Yeah. This is your home. Anytime you ever want to promote, you want to talk, you want to tell people, you want to say, yo, this is, this is, this is your platform. And hard. One million percent. And I look at that, you're watching, watching this fucking fantastic. Man. Take a picture. Take a picture. Take a picture. Take a picture. Mike, Mike, I just wanted you to know this. Whenever you want to talk anything. Yeah. This is your platform. Yeah. Look at us. This is your platform. Hoi Day. Dalit. Dalit. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. Drink Champs is a Drink Champs LLC production, hosts and executive producers, N-O-R-E and DJ E-F-N. Listen to Drink Champs on Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining us for another episode of Drink Champs, by yours truly, DJ E-F-N and N-O-R-E. Please make sure to follow us on all our socials. That's at Drink Champs across all platforms, at the Real Noriega on IG, at Noriega on Twitter, mine is at who's crazy on IG, at DJ E-F-N on Twitter. And most importantly, stay up to date with the latest releases, news, and merch by going to drinkchamps.com. Drink Champs Eat Human.