When trap music’s unmistakable 808s and bass lines became the soundtrack to a generation, Drummer Boy was crafting those sounds in real-time. From his early days in Memphis to becoming a cornerstone of Atlanta’s music scene, this legendary producer takes us behind the curtain of some of hip-hop’s most defining moments.

The conversation flows through Atlanta’s cultural significance as “the major league” for Black artists—a city where people from across the South converged to create something revolutionary. Drummer Boy describes watching Yo Gotti secure his first record deal, working with Jeezy on the platinum-selling “Standing Ovation,” and the diamond-certified “No Hands” with Wale and Roscoe Dash. These aren’t just beats; they’re timestamps marking cultural shifts.

What stands out is Drummer Boy’s producer philosophy—rather than trying to replicate formulas, he reads artists and delivers what they’re missing. “If you eating oatmeal later today, why I’m gonna feed you oatmeal?” he quips, explaining how he convinced street artists to make records that moved the ladies. This intuition for what audiences need, not just what artists think they want, separates hitmakers from beat-makers.

Beyond the music, there’s a spiritual thread running through Drummer Boy’s approach. Raised in the church with musical parents, he brings a “brother and sister” mentality to collaboration rather than cutthroat competition. He speaks proudly of mentoring young talent rather than exploiting them, introducing promising artists to industry figures who could help them succeed.

Ready to hear the stories behind your favorite trap anthems from the man who created them? Dive into this essential conversation about music, mentorship, and the cultural movement that changed hip-hop forever.

From cutting hair at Florida State University to landing a coveted spot on Wild’N Out, Fats The Barber’s journey proves that authenticity is the ultimate currency in entertainment.

With disarming honesty and natural charisma, Fats reveals how his barbering career created unexpected pathways to comedy stardom. “I never thought I was funny,” he admits, despite his viral videos amassing millions of views. This refreshing self-awareness permeates our conversation as he shares the pivotal moments that transformed his life—from cutting Jalen Ramsey’s hair for free to becoming one-half of Wild’N Out’s first-ever comedy duo.

What truly distinguishes Fats is his unwavering humility despite rubbing shoulders with celebrities. “I be so humble though, it’s niggas that not cutting celebrities charge more than me,” he explains, revealing how he prioritizes genuine connections over status. This approach paid dividends when his “Big Boy On The Roof” video exploded during pandemic lockdowns, eventually catching the attention of Shaquille O’Neal and being featured during NBA broadcasts.

Beyond the laughs, our conversation takes unexpectedly poignant turns as Fats shares how comedy became his mechanism for processing trauma. “I don’t know, I have to turn shit to that, that’s how I deal with my pain,” he reveals, offering a glimpse into the emotional depth behind his comedic persona. This vulnerability creates a powerful contrast to his lighthearted stories about giving Boosie a “Boosie fade” or navigating celebrity gambling parties with $100,000 bets flying around.

Whether you’re hustling toward your own dreams or simply appreciate unfiltered conversations with extraordinary personalities, Fats’ story reminds us that success doesn’t happen overnight—but staying true to yourself creates opportunities you never could have imagined. Follow Fats on social media to keep up with his latest videos, comedy appearances, and yes, his exceptional haircuts for both celebrities and regular folks alike.

When Sean Garrett steps into a room, the air shifts. Known throughout the industry as “The Pen,” Garrett holds the distinction as Billboard’s fastest hitmaker in history, accumulating more #1 singles in a shorter timespan than anyone else. His fingerprints are on some of the most iconic songs of our generation – the anthems you’ve cried to, the tracks you’ve screamed along with in your car, the soundtracks to countless memories.

During this raw, unfiltered conversation, Garrett opens up about the duality of his musical journey. Despite crafting hits for superstars like Beyoncé, Usher, Nicki Minaj, and Ludacris, he reveals the persistent undercurrent of industry hate he’s faced throughout his career. “They’ve been hating on me my whole career,” he admits, speaking to the competitive nature of the music business that often tries to diminish even its most successful contributors. Yet that same competitive spirit fuels his excellence – as evidenced by his memorable (and somewhat controversial) Verzuz battle with fellow hitmaker The-Dream.

The conversation takes us around the world, from Atlanta’s profound influence on music culture to Garrett’s recent musical expeditions across Africa and South Korea. He shares his philosophy on staying relevant: “Being current is just being yourself really. A lot of times, people don’t know themselves, and not knowing yourself can date your ass.” This authenticity has kept him at the forefront of sound evolution for decades. As we wrap up, Garrett exclusively announces his upcoming single “Girlfriend Me” featuring Quavo and Plies, proving once again that his ability to create and collaborate across genres remains unmatched.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a music industry professional, or simply a fan of the songs that define our culture, this episode offers a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and staying true to yourself. Share, subscribe, and join the conversation – because as Garrett demonstrates, real recognizes real.

In one of the most revealing conversations about Philadelphia’s hip-hop history, South Philly native Teef pulls back the curtain on the legendary figures, untold stories, and raw realities that shaped the city’s music scene over multiple generations.

Growing up in an area locals call “The P,” Teef had a front-row seat to the evolution of Philly hip-hop, from the street hustlers who influenced the culture to witnessing Beanie Sigel’s career-launching battle at a neighborhood pool hall. “The hip-hop guys were getting it from them guys,” he explains, connecting the dots between South Philly’s street legends and the rappers who would put the city on the map.

Teef’s journey from street hustler to music entrepreneur unfolds as he recounts founding Do For Self Entertainment with Meek Mill’s endorsement. His raw storytelling brings to life the highs of developing artists like Nizzy and the devastating lows of facing incarceration just as his label gained momentum. The conversation takes an emotional turn as he discusses losing his son while imprisoned and finding strength through the support of fellow inmates.

What makes this episode extraordinary is how Teef weaves his personal story through the larger tapestry of Philadelphia’s hip-hop lineage. From the DVD era to YouTube fame, from Major Figures to the emergence of Meek Mill, his firsthand accounts preserve crucial history that might otherwise be forgotten. For anyone who appreciates authentic voices in hip-hop, this conversation is an essential document of a city whose contributions to the culture deserve their proper recognition.

Connect with Teef on Instagram to hear his latest music including “Tears on the Pavement” featuring Philly legend Kenzo, or reach out about collaboration opportunities with one of the most respected voices in Philadelphia’s hip-hop community.

Recohavoc sits down for one of his most revealing conversations yet, taking us through the extraordinary journey that transformed him from a young dancer in Philadelphia’s Dollar Boys movement to a musical innovator who changed the city’s sound.

Born while his mother was incarcerated and with his father behind bars, Rico’s early life under his grandmother’s care in Southwest Philadelphia established the foundation for his resilience. When he emerged as a standout talent in the Dollar Boys—a youth dance movement centered around Jams skating rink—Rico was already building cultural capital without realizing it. These weekend dance battles weren’t just entertainment; they were the breeding ground for an entire aesthetic movement that would eventually reshape Philadelphia’s musical identity.

What makes Rico’s story particularly powerful is how personal tragedy became the catalyst for his musical evolution. After experiencing violence on the streets, coping with his mother’s dementia, and serving time in juvenile detention, Rico found his voice in the recording booth. His breakthrough hit “Lucas” wasn’t just a song with a dance—it was the blueprint that opened doors for countless Philadelphia artists who followed.

Throughout our conversation, Rico draws important distinctions between his “derp” style and drill music, emphasizing that his art comes from processing trauma rather than glorifying it. “I don’t make music to make people want to do stuff,” he explains. “I make music to escape what I’m going through and to touch people.” This philosophy has allowed him to continuously reinvent himself while maintaining an authenticity that resonates deeply with listeners.

Listen now to understand how one artist’s journey through grief, incarceration, and creative evolution created ripple effects that continue to shape an entire city’s musical landscape. As Rico himself puts it: “It’s never over for me”—words that speak to the resilience that defines both his life and his art.

Few conversations capture the raw reality of the music industry like this candid discussion with Baltimore’s own Bandohunta Izzy. From the moment he walks into the studio, Izzy brings an authenticity that cuts through the typical industry talk, delivering straight truth about his journey through the music business.

The story of how Izzy landed his Republic Records deal reads like a movie script – accompanying another artist to a meeting, executives mistaking him for the main talent, and walking away with a contract himself. But what followed reveals the darker side of major label politics. With remarkable honesty, Izzy details how a cultural misunderstanding led to being blackballed, effectively shelved despite his potential. “They wanted me to shy away from that shit,” he explains, describing the pressure to abandon his authentic style for more mainstream appeal.

Beyond career challenges, the conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Izzy opens up about losing his brother in December 2023. The emotion is palpable as he describes how this profound loss affected both his personal life and creative process. “Seeing my brother on that ground… that fucked my mind up a lot,” he shares, giving listeners rare insight into how artists navigate creating music while processing grief. His struggle to balance making honest music without letting sadness define his entire catalog speaks to the complex relationship between art and personal experience.

Throughout the episode, Izzy champions Baltimore’s underrecognized hip-hop scene, passionately listing talents like Tate, YG Tech, and Skola who haven’t received deserved national attention. His perspective on legacy reveals a wisdom beyond the music itself: “Baltimore made me who I was, but it won’t define who I become.” This philosophy – focusing on genuine connections rather than broad validation – offers a powerful takeaway for anyone pursuing their passions against challenging odds.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, music industry professional, or simply appreciate authentic storytelling, this episode delivers invaluable insights about resilience, creative integrity, and finding your path despite unexpected obstacles. Subscribe now and join the conversation about what it really takes to navigate today’s complex music landscape.

From detention center teacher to Eminem collaborator, Brooklyn’s Fresher reveals the blueprint behind his remarkable rise in the music industry through strategic persistence and authentic relationship-building.

The conversation begins with Fresher reflecting on his formative years in Brooklyn, where his father—deeply entrenched in street life—steered him toward a different path. “He didn’t allow me to play the streets,” Fresher explains, crediting this guidance as the foundation for his future success. When fatherhood arrived during his high school years, Fresher’s promising sports career gave way to more immediate responsibilities, eventually leading him to work with troubled youth in detention centers.

What makes Fresher’s story particularly compelling is his unconventional approach to breaking into music. Rather than following the typical artist’s playbook, he attended an astounding 300+ showcases—winning only one—but leveraging each as a networking opportunity while other artists simply performed and left. “I wasn’t doing these showcases to win. I was there to showcase my talent and meet new people,” he reveals, describing how he’d intentionally perform early, then work the room while others took the stage.

The breakthrough came when he strategically invested $1,500 in features with hot young artists, resulting in his song “Wait A Minute” accumulating 230,000 views in a single day. This calculated move led to remixes featuring Remy Ma and Young MA, eventually catching Eminem’s attention—a full-circle moment considering Fresher discovered Eminem’s music when his mother slipped The Marshall Mathers LP under his door during punishment.

Perhaps most valuable is Fresher’s reflection on how adversity, particularly during COVID, strengthened his resolve and clarified his priorities. His emotional tribute to his management team demonstrates that beyond industry connections, authentic relationships remain the foundation of sustainable success.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, entrepreneur, or simply seeking inspiration to persist through rejection, this conversation offers a masterclass in strategic persistence and the power of genuine human connection. As Fresher aptly puts it: “Increase your network, increase your net worth.”

# The Power of Thought: How Your Mind Shapes Your Reality

In a recent and powerful episode of “The Realer Than Most” podcast featuring Smart Guy, listeners were given a masterclass in how our thoughts shape our reality and determine our success. The conversation explored the deep connection between thought, feeling, action, and manifestation – providing a roadmap for those seeking to break free from limiting beliefs and create meaningful change in their lives and communities.

The episode began with Smart Guy sharing a profound story about a guru meditating in a cave, battling demons that constantly attacked him. The guru’s breakthrough came when he stopped fighting these demons and instead remained still. His powerful realization: the less he fought back, the weaker the demons became. This metaphor brilliantly illustrates how our internal struggles often grow stronger when we actively resist them, but begin to lose power when we practice stillness and mindfulness.

Smart Guy explained that these “demons” represent our negative thoughts and emotions residing in the subconscious mind, with the cave symbolizing our mind itself. Through meditation and conscious awareness, we can weaken these negative influences rather than empowering them through resistance. “How you think creates how you feel. How you feel becomes an emotion, that emotion becomes a vibration. That vibration becomes a magnet that attracts things to you,” he explained, offering a practical understanding of manifestation principles.

The conversation also delved into the crucial distinction between deeds and intentions. Smart Guy emphasized that in Islam and in life generally, performing the right actions with incorrect intentions nullifies their benefit. This insight applies directly to our thought processes as well – positive thinking without the right intention behind it won’t manifest desired results. This explains why some people can speak positively yet still experience negative outcomes.

Perhaps most compelling was the discussion about empowerment through economic independence. Smart Guy detailed a comprehensive business model centered around community-owned delis, explaining how a single well-run establishment can generate upwards of $2.4 million annually. This economic blueprint offers a practical alternative to illegal activities, providing a path to legitimate wealth building within urban communities. The vision extends beyond mere profit, incorporating spaces for prayer and community gathering alongside business operations.

The episode culminated with Smart Guy outlining a powerful 12-month plan for community transformation, including concepts like the “negative speak fast” (avoiding negative language for 30 days), meditation practices, and self-defense training. This holistic approach addresses mental, spiritual, and physical dimensions of personal and community development. His financial formula for generational wealth – “living expenses times four, times twelve, times one hundred” – provides a clear target for financial freedom.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is its blend of spiritual wisdom, practical business advice, and community-centered solutions. The conversation transcends typical self-help rhetoric by connecting individual mindset changes to broader community transformation. As Smart Guy powerfully stated, “Allah doesn’t work for us, he works within us” – a reminder that the power for change already exists within each person, waiting to be activated through conscious intention and consistent action.
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