What's up its slip service.

I'm Antela Yee.

I'm g G maguire from Geordie George, I'm.

Eric, welcome back.

I had to tell everybody put your phones down, you know it.

I do feel like the other day, like every time I'm out and I'm looking around.

Everybody's on their phone all the time.

So when I say everybody, I need me too, I love to put mine down and then act like I've been off.

Yeah, put your phone down.

One second.

Just think about like when you first got started, this was not a prevalent thing, like people on their phones all the time, you know, But now it's like clubs had dance floor clubs people.

People were dancing.

We missed those days.

Well, let's talk about it.

This is so funny to me because I think everything you do is for a reason.

So you had it'll all make sense later, and then the album it'll all make sense later.

It's later, it makes sense.

It makes sense, you know what I mean?

Like what you're talking about now, it's just you know, it's right in your face.

Yeah, I think that's so Talk to me about the thinking that went behind that, because at first, like when I saw the new album that was on the way.

I was confused.

I was like, wait, is this the same?

Is this like an extended version?

So tell me why you did, like, it'll all make sense later.

And then now it is later, it all makes sense.

Okay.

So I was in South Africa working on music right and of course I'm just known as the R and B singer, you know what I mean.

So when I was out there, I was talking with my buddy be Script and he was like, I know people are gonna be like, why is he making this music?

Why is da da da da dad?

He said, a dog, Just just trust me, Just trust me.

It all makes sense later.

And it was just a conversation.

And then I was like, wait title that because that was the selling point for me because he was like, yo, bro, trust me on this one.

You know what I mean.

We need to go to the motherland.

We need to go to Cape Town.

And I took a trip with him and we did a writing camp out there.

And now that here we are on the second project, it's something that I was able to.

I feel like, give a little bit.

More Eric Bellinger.

Now that I'm like comfortable in the afro sound.

At first, it was like I'm in the back seat, which'll got for me, for the producers, the writers.

I just want to learn and absorb.

And now I'm like, I got this.

I love the whole A thank you to it because you know that's my whole vibe.

Yeah, reggae aro yeah yeah, good music.

Yeah, it's a great vibe.

And more and more people are getting into it, which.

Is a great thing.

Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, we gotta be early.

Now.

When I was walking here just now, because it's a lot going on outside, so I took the train and then I got off, I was walking here and this woman stopped me on the street.

She's like, oh my god, I do podcasting.

I'm a big fan.

I was like, oh yeah, I'm headed to my podcast and she said who are you interviewing?

And I said Eric Bellinger And for context, she's from the Bronx.

So she was like, oh my god, girl, can you ask him why does he always perform barefoot?

I've never performed I did, right, So I was always and it wasn't even a performance.

It was like a live video, right.

So she was like, girl, it was a video.

It was literally a video for Rolling Stone, Like I was trying to give him some earth vibes trying to give him some unplugged energy.

It was an all female band, and I was like, on the I was sitting down.

I remember, I was really meditated out.

It was live.

It was a jam.

Said, yeah, you know what's crazy.

It's like, I know that that's not because I've seen you performed before and you weren't beerfoot at the time.

So then I looked at the do you know they'd be having your feet online?

Very popular, So I'm proposed make make sure it's okay with it.

But first of all, I got.

Like the rent is, dude, we can do that.

Wow.

Yes, just so you know you can be that up there.

I'm gonna look and google it and she's gonna be like.

I told you, ain't that crazy though, Like there you could find like any type of fetish that anybody has.

You can literally.

Find like man, I love that for those people out there.

Man cracking.

So the answer to this lady's question was you was just in the moment at the time, and it's not all the time thing.

Yeah, photo, it's crazy that you could do something one time, but if that's the only video somebody's seen, you do it all the time.

Right, So they just cut off like here, So I just think always you know, they might cut.

Off your cast right, So now she's assuming.

Now talk to me about your time in Cape Town and in South Africa, Like how did that change you?

I mean, we hear the influence and the music, but I want to hear just spiritually and otherwise what did you feel?

So I got this is crazy because we was talking about the toes.

Just reached, So you really are all the time.

She's killing it right now because I'm like, wait.

For twenty that's when I was in Africa, so on fortuny.

You know, I'm a big marijuana guys.

So I was able to have a moment that day and take a walk and went to the beach and it was just me.

I walked out there's a there's a point in the water on the shore where the rocks go out super far and you can just walk.

I walked way out there and just sat there and just chill, smoke, vibe and my feet was grounded into the ocean as well.

Well, here's your wiki feet.

Wow, that's a lot of se because I know you think that's a lot of chees from crazy, but here's your wiki feet.

Because you're on it.

Wow, And I feel like some of those yeah impressed you.

You're scrolling.

You's scrolling, y'all.

You don't even know about it, and you're not making while And somebody put me on some.

Feet.

That's a book of feet.

Look, this is not a under feet you know what.

This picture in particular is how people take dick pics.

It's just in it because it's from up here.

And then your feet, like, listen, I feel like maybe you did this on purpose.

All I'm saying.

Because I've never you have a lot of different feet.

Looks, I mean, are remarkable, So I'm not even friend.

Time.

You're on this page too.

Sexy souls.

From the top of the heads of the souls and my feet up and outside and I know, look now that's what.

I can't even believe this.

I feel like I feel like Google.

I feel like you just saved the foldo that can't be on the internet.

I just googled it because when she said it to me, I was like, I know that's not you, but maybe he has like a number of barefoot performances that I wasn't aware of.

So I googled it immediately.

Your wiki feet came up.

I honestly am bewildered.

I'm really like.

You like getting like put massages and stuff.

Are you into your truly?

I love it.

You do spend between the toe jam.

Okay, you know what toe jam?

You know, not too many people have had a long of a run as you have.

And the consistency that you have, but also the ability I think to move from like songwriter to lead artists the way that you do too.

You know, that's a really special gift.

No, it's a gift.

I think.

I was so.

I was doing artistry first, but I was in singing groups.

So I was like, you know when B two K was out and you know all of the groups back in the day.

That's when my group was signed to.

Epic Records, and you had like a church group too, And I was.

Singing in church.

I was singing in school in the choir.

So it was something that I always did.

But when I was younger, I didn't never thought.

I never think I would do it for real.

I was trying to play football.

Right, Well, that good thing you did.

So, yeah, we could, you know, we kept it tight instead of getting it, I started making hits.

Look, you made the right decision you know what.

I was like, something leads you into making the right decisions, Like I'll never forget this story that you told about getting off a flight like a six hour or no thirteen hours Monday, yea, yeah, going to London and turn it right back around and going to work with Chris Brown for the first time.

You got the call.

As soon as I landed, I had Hello text messages like we need to get back on the fly.

Yeah.

I was sleep on the plane and I was like, nah, they can't what they talking about.

And ironically I was out there to work on the Rihanna camp, so it was like, okay, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Chris Brown.

So luckily it worked out because she wasn't gonna beat here until like the end of like the week.

So I literally went there pin the joints for Chris.

Oh my love, say it with me.

On album Now I want a Grammy.

And then I went right back period and got it all done it.

Oh for sure, Yeah, the windows, it has to happen.

Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, lay down.

We still had a seat build on.

But you know, I want to ask you about writing camps because I know that's a popular thing.

I've been watching like that Netflix show hit Makers.

Yeah, hit Makers, seven Street, everybody that's on there.

How do you like writing camps?

Because I've heard people writers say before that you know, there's like a hierarchy when it comes to that.

So can you kind of do this?

Everybody's not invited, you know what I'm saying.

Everybody can't go everybody, and it heightens the competitive songwriting.

You know, like all right, you got Seventh Street over there, you got Tommy Brown over there, you got you know, every building's over there, you got the Dream or James Funtleroy.

You're gonna go as hard as you possibly can.

You know, this is your actual chance to be heard, because when you're at home, you know, and you emailing it to the n R to whoever is not the same as when you finish writing.

They walking in here right there, they're walking in here to hear it.

So especially out of everybody, it's like it's great that they get to hear it right away, but now you got to higher competition, so you know what I mean, It's just make you go crazier for real.

How is it also collabing?

Because sometimes like how does that work when it's like credits and one person as a little something, because I have to imagine sometimes that gets a little messy, like I gave that line, yeah, and you like you give one line?

You know, you know, like it is messy.

It is messy.

That part is tough, you know.

I was speaking on behalf of like when you're in your own room, but when you co writing with.

People, because what if y'all don't vibe you know what I mean?

Luckily, like I feel like I'm somebody that's that has a vibe that can like a chameleon.

I'm not like, this is my vibe and this is the only vibe I can exist on.

I'm like, oh, that's your vibe.

I can find I can find my energy in there.

You know what I'm saying.

Get with you, especially since we're trying to have one common goal, you know.

So I'll be like, all right, cool, what you thinking?

I'll let them lead the way, Loki like asking them what you're thinking?

You got something?

Okay, well I have something you like this?

You know what I mean?

So they feel like I included them, whether they are part of the process or not.

You know, how much of your personal life goes into these songs.

Is it weird sometimes when you wrote something that like you just went through and somebody else is singing, maybe it's not the way you would.

Have did it.

It is.

It's tough.

It's tough, honestly.

The song it's so it's a song Chris Brown Indigo, right, And that song is like when I first was on my spiritual journey about chakras alignment yoga, that song we wrote it, you know what I mean.

So it was like giving my soul, my spirit, you know what I mean.

But when he cut it in like even now he performs it Like the first time I seen people doing a reaction video.

I remember to the album I'm about to get real, real, real sensitive.

But I cried, you know what I'm saying.

So it's like I get to see my song and my work appreciated at such a high level that it's a win for everybody.

I saw you just post seeing him perform your songs, and you're like seeing my work being performed and you just like that moment of like.

Yeah, did that I did that?

So now yes, I found the glass high full instead of half empty.

And a lot of things in life as I got older.

Man, that breezy ball ain't no joke.

But I want to say, like Vegas, it's.

So many yeah going on.

Yeah, you know this copy.

Part of what makes him a great performance too, is when he's got craziness and madness happening and then being able to put it all on the stage because I can't evenine.

For that three hours.

Yeah, yeah, that's a lot to be those forum hits for three hours.

That imagine being Chris Brown.

Yeah, super challenged.

But you know, listen, you have such a good rapport with certain people, Like he's one of the people that you have a great rapport with.

I would say Usher, Yeah, for sure, clearly Ushers your guy.

Yeah, who else was I thinking about that?

I'm like you super cool with that.

I have to like, who's somebody else?

Yeah?

You did on Chill too, Yeah right there.

To this day, to this day, I prefer that.

Baby Face made it okay, so he'd be doing it on.

The shows Like so I'm like, okay, since I'm running it, I'm following you.

Cool.

You know did that to Prince wrote songs and some songs that he did like nothing compares to you.

He wrote that kind of did.

It and performed it.

Yeah, yeah, I'm making sure.

Okay, hit the road, perform.

Your greatest is.

Are you going to be doing some East Coast days too?

Yeah, I'm about to go into it November six.

Okay, it's a lot of East Coast days.

It's everywhere.

It's gonna be like even like Chipling Vies.

We're hitting everywhere.

We're hitting the circle.

Would you do pictures like meet and Greece like Christmas?

We could get created.

Let's get creative.

Look, look, look I got you know, I'm a writer.

We can do fue toes.

You know what I'm saying.

It's not a selfie.

It's told you yo, it's extra for the photo.

And people get people start that it's just the fingernails, cause people have been getting like the you know what I mean.

Jewelry, all the things.

Yes, it's part of your merch.

You know.

People have spoken a lot about like writing and being a songwriter and how sometimes artists get the most creative when they're going through like things that are negative.

Right, but it feels like and I will say this, you know, we don't know what goes on at home.

Yeah, but pretty even like things have been good, they really have, And I like that.

It's the respect.

We both got so much respect for each other, and I think that's like what keeps us because before I was anything like that, I was trying to do.

I already knew who.

She was and I just respected her and you looked at her like a prize, you know.

And I think she had the same regard for me, just believing in me as well, you know, knowing each other from back in the day.

And I think with that, it's kind of like, I'm not trying to hurt my friend.

I'm not trying to hurt my dog.

That's my friend for real.

So we leave with that and it's just real chill.

So the music reflects it because it's hard for me not to write what's on my sleeve for real.

So I've loved being the life in the darkness.

Like, man, you're right, the negative get way more attention to get, you know, because people like messy.

People like messy.

It's like, I'm gonna just beat it.

Have you ever been a positive, dude?

Have you ever had to write like a distrack for somebody, anybody ever came to you for.

Back in the day, Yes, you did.

I had the energy of Tory back in the day, it was like young, we was young, you.

Know what I mean.

He took mynas and I was like, hold up, swallow lot.

But since then we smashed it.

It's all love.

It's family.

Like we've been able to talk since then and I never even like told nobody, but we've been able to chop it up, and you know what I mean.

That was my family back in the day.

So that's why I felt comfortable just saying whatever I wanted to say, like Yo'm my tuper, you know what I mean.

So I think now that time has passed, both matured, you know, it's all ve But.

What about writing for someone else like this song?

Has anybody ever came to you for that right?

And you like, you think you would be good at like writing some know it because you can write anything.

It like the show.

I'm definitely gonna get the job done to execute whatever the idea is.

And I think those kinds of records is fun, you know what I'm saying.

Especially it's like you know what I'm.

Saying, but it ain't gotta be neat, Like what would have tapped you during that battle and been like Eric, I need you for.

Sure, I got you, I got.

Or what if right now j T is like, look, I'm in the booth, I need you to come.

We're writing.

Yeah, we're writing.

I'm here to do your job.

Sorry, game, sorry game.

The mortgage is gone ahead first and it's moving faster nowadays.

What would you be on the hook for one of those, Like, it depends on who it is, because if it's the artist and I'm low key signing with him, like.

Where we at, where we ride, I'm sorry, I'm here both sides of the story.

I'm here you out right.

But because those records tend to, like, you know, do really well more period of times, I think a lot of them don't stand the test of time.

It just goes up for a minute.

Yeah, no it do.

And I for sure feel like it gets the people's attention because it's like a nosy.

It's more so about people's nosy rather than you interesting.

You know, That's that is how we consume music is so different now than how it absolutely like even when people talk about first week sales, what used to be amazing is like you know, people used to go like platinum in the first week.

Everything that don't happen.

Yeah, nah, I think it's too much going on in the world.

And it's streaming like everything, so many streams for you to be able to actually hit those numbers.

It's just a different day.

And age exactly.

We preoccupied too.

I got a lot.

I'm gonna listen to it when I can.

Well and listen.

So you have this new project.

I want to talk about the first song because this is something that we've set up here on many an occasion.

I feel like gig in particular is one in your skin, yes, because you know how you just want to be.

It's not enough to be body to body.

Yeah, No, I want to be in your.

I'm pressing hard as I can.

Let me in, can give me some for me.

I kind of love I'm talking about.

These music is for people I love and single people that love love.

I know y'all out there, it's okay.

My favorite song was Dancing with the Rich Man.

Oh personally, can I see that?

Right?

I appreciate that, you know what, there's a lot of fifty to fifty splitting or not conversations.

Where do you stand on that?

No?

I got everything.

I got everything.

I'm a man.

I take on the extra everything.

Everything he goes from the beginning.

Yeah, I love that.

Yeah, that's that's my child.

Man.

What is it?

Damn, we're having a brain for it.

It's that bing freeze.

No, no, no, I don't want your brains smart.

In the feed, in the feed, so in the feed.

I sent this to our chat today that there's a ballplayer who is actually admitting to being in the fifty to fifty rent situation with his girl and he's.

Signed a two hundred million dollar contract.

But but this is it, though, But this is it.

It isn't that he's splitting their rand fifty fifty.

It isn't that there he's splitting there fifty.

He's splitting her rent fifty fifty.

So basically, she found the place that she really liked and she's like, but I really can't afford this.

And he's like, it's really nice and I would feel comfortable coming here, So what can you pay?

And I paid the rest?

So what that sounds about?

Right?

So he said, for this full year of this lease, I am committed to paying.

Now, you know you're not supposed to be doing that, but you got I don't you know, I got your friend?

So wow.

So he's like, during this whole year, while you're in this least I'm going to commit the pandis my percentage of the rent.

But then they broke up, and now instead of instead of giving her the lump sum to pay off, he's like divvying it out every month depending on.

How she ad.

Yeah, I was gonna say, that's not his wife, you know what I'm saying?

The thing about putting yourself in a situation where if you break up with somebody, the deal is off.

I mean unless you have a contract.

Because I know somebody who she bought a car when I bought it, but like her man helped her get a car, and then they broke up, and she thought he should still pay the least payments And I'm like, girl, I know you don't think he's gonna still pay least payments for a car.

He's not even with you.

I can't expect that.

Yeah, she should have gotten all her money up from it.

I feel, Yes, what are your opinions on that she should get back together with him until her lease is up?

Like, I wouldn't know why they broke up.

It sounded like it was kind of on him because why would she do that?

Know when she got this break, Yeah, she needed to gotv I mean, yep, you got, you got, You got six more months, girl, write it out and then when it's time to move out, then you can.

But then she got a down grade.

Who wants to downgrade?

She might got to find a teammate something.

Team, he said that he got.

He's gonna see how she acts, he said, because if she outside while I'm out with the next man, then she needs Well you don't want to have to run for another man to be laid bat.

Man, you broke up, it's over.

But he committed, He gave her.

He gave her his word at the beginning of the lease that for this entire year, no matter what, should I got you.

Well, that's the problem.

If she should she should have got to pay the front.

I agree, that's what we're doing.

She should have got maybe like maybe he should have paid like the six months up front.

So then now she you know what I'm.

Saun't was not get an apartment she can't afford?

Also done, come on boss talk Yeah, like I'm not getting an apartment that I can't afford.

You know what I'm saying that if me and my boyfriend break up, I can't pay for my rent.

I mean, I think that's silly.

Don't put yourself in that position, because if you would have gave her the money up front, she probably would have spent it.

If you're in a position where you can't even pay your rent and I give you the money up front, what makes me think that's gonna be responsible.

I mean, he didn't sound like he cared about all that, but I agree.

I'm just saying.

Somebody who would get an apartment that they can't afford without their man paying half of it and then breaks up with their man is not the type of person that's gonna make sure that they responsibly take that lump sum.

You know what I'm saying.

Game, I seen Anthony Edwards just hit him with the eighteen God.

Yeah, I just say what, Yeah, Eric, you better be so happy that you ain't got to deal with none of this This ship.

I ran away from.

I'm gonna run drug star.

I ran away, Bro.

You know how lucky you are that?

Like, you gotta be grateful that because everybody does not find it so many so early, or they fumble it right, they trying to be what they not what they trying to be what they're not?

Razy, because that ain't in you stop trying to keep well, you're.

A good guy before you got married.

I was like, even like in other relationships.

I was, there was a girl I remember, I'll never forget say you too nice?

And I was like, so that made me a little like harder show like you know what I mean.

I was like, okay, cool, like kind of shut me down.

You're like, okay, bitch, yeah that's what you want, all right, you know what I mean.

I'm just like, really was groomed to be that gentleman for real, so in this you know, damn age.

I know it's like different, but yeah, that was like a weird one for me.

So I was like, all right, cool, So I kind of shut it down.

So I think I had like a cool balance after her.

And then I think, Lamaiyah, like let me know that it was okay to give a little more.

You you think there's something wrong with being too nice?

Like do you think she was right?

I think so I think there is.

You know, I had to learn that because girls still want to feel like they got to chase you too a little bit.

I don't be too easy, like now I'll run over you.

You know what I'm saying, Like it's a stampee.

So I think it's that perfect balance of keeping the chase alive on both sides, you know, without being like childish.

So you are always a nice guy.

Like what what was it like how you were raised?

I want to know, because I don't know too many people that I could say, like, too many guys unless they're just my friend, but like I don't know too many guys who in relationships, especially when they were young, I could be like, oh, they were always like really good.

Yeah church, growing up, like sitting in the front row, mom and dad passeds that PK energy.

You know.

I was literally on the front row every Sunday.

So my manners just like they're just there, you.

Know what I mean.

So when I met somebody also who just like love love for real and I don't know that helpless romantic energy, like we just clicked and it was a perfect amount of opposites attracting.

At the same time.

Yeah, because it was like we.

Ain't the same, we opposite high key now balance like you know what I mean, Like I want to stay all night, she want to go home early.

She loove key, want to like pull up irish goodbye.

When I went to the bathroom, you know what I'm saying.

So it's like it's cool to have that that balance and everything.

You know what I mean, blence is everything.

Yeah, you think that doing this career early on, because I know, like you said, being in a church was a little bit of a way of rebelling against that.

The the part that I guess felt rebellious to me was when I was like, all right, I want to make R and B music.

They was tripping the whole church, like I grew up in church, and they was like, yo, like the Sinners movie.

I was like, yeah, bro, bro, you know, I just was like, yo, I gotta do this, Like this is what I want to do, is what I'm called to do.

And I stopped going to that church, but I still follow Christy.

Wow, what how do they feel now?

Like you think you would go back to the you know, because you still are good.

I think that I think they like, I think they like didn't realize like all right, you know what I mean because now since then, you know, I've seen a lot of especially my you know, friends that I was growing with at the church at the time, they be at the shows.

They there, they're chilling, you know.

But it was very old school Baptists, you know, like the older people, and the.

Church was like no, no, no.

The word they use was gyrating on stage.

It was like, yo, you're not about to be gyrating?

Wow, you know.

And I just like, I didn't judge.

I don't even grate.

Never check check check the receipt I seen.

I'm not doing that, man, I'm not rolling hips.

Did you ever have a whole face?

A whole face?

I'm sure he's like, yeah, once upon a time, you know, I've had I think enough time to get it all out to where I'm really like, I've realized like, damn, these beds even field are cold, you know, like even with.

I'm very poetic write.

You know what I'm Yeah, I mean ful filming his.

Warm beds are still cold.

Yea even fill the big I never heard it put like that.

Let me write there because that's a service.

That service.

That's okay, back to the album.

It all makes sense.

So TA Savage.

You have her on the remix for Understood, you know, because it's all understood.

Yeah, and she is actually about to be on the service too, So talk to me about linking up with TV Savage because she is the queen.

Of she's the queen man.

That was like the biggest feet.

You know, God, I got a.

At this point, this is.

It might be over.

But when I was definitely like excited, like my boys, Scoop hit me and was like, yo, you want to try to get Tea, I was like, what come on?

And he was already working with her, so he A and R the project.

So it was actually closer than I even imagine.

So I was already a fan and when he mentioned it, it just worked out perfect.

She loved the song and it was originally supposed to be on the first album, but when it wasn't done in time, I was like, okay, I'll.

Wait, Yeah, take your time, take the time.

And now God's time and like I'm chilling, like I love this place in my career.

I'm not thirsty, I don't care you have you have that.

It's like chilling everything, and you know what, You're in a place where it was also a good time for you to take a risk.

I feel like it's harder to do that earlier, but now it's like, I'm mean, so I want to do like A.

Exactly because it was a risk take yeah right, But luckily with this genre, it allowed me to still stay in the R and B energy, Like the vibe is still R and B but the but the beats are just you know, rhythmic and you can dance and you could groove and it feel Yeah.

No, because if you think about some songs that have really crossed over here, like justin Bieber, you know, yeah, Selena Gohman, I'm Chris Brown, you know, yeah, like it's all it all is like R and B and afrobeats.

And I think that the way that things have been going internationally, those collapse are great for them too, like they enjoy No for real.

For real.

I have a show coming up on the seventeenth actually in Africa, and I'm gonna performer at awards show, so you know what I mean like our you know, BT or Grammys or whatever over there.

I get to perform at the.

WARS show like dancers, you know, crazy stage show production.

Yeah.

So it's like, man, we've been putting the time and really.

Playing seats over there and now it's like paying off in a way that I didn't think this was coming.

I didn't think like the Awards show, you know, so October seventeenth.

And the love that I think you get because sometimes we'll have like artists up here or I have them on my other show, and like the amount of views that it gets in support that it gets is insane.

Yeah, no, they go crazy.

I always see their shows and it's a stadium.

In the little boy room by the veato like they in their rooms.

You know what I'm saying.

So I'm like they be owning jets and story.

Yeah exactly, I'll be seeing.

I follow Afro today, all of them like okay another the Orange.

No, they don't play like they do it a big you know.

You know what else I think too, I think for so long, like when we were younger, Africa was looked at a places you know, like used to see on TV.

Yeah, and we didn't even like coming to America, you know.

Eddie Murphy's character was like this prince and it came to queens.

But just the things that on TV we don't know, like how much wealth is really But I feel like we are really seeing that now.

Oh yeah, which I love.

Listen.

I was over there sitting, uh not courtside, but seaside, you know what I mean, that's what they call it.

The City I Stadium is called seaside and I'm like, this is just I'm not talking about the water.

It was beautiful.

I'm like, if people seen this, why wouldn't we move here?

It's crazy, especially the amount of stuff that we can do online on the internet now, it's like, bro, it really don't matter where you at because we're consuming the you know, the information and content on our phone everything.

You know.

What I like to is that sometimes like we get so used to doing what we do that it's hard to expand out of that and like grow into other spaces.

But now you're able to grow into a whole nother space, yah, and feel comfortable in it.

Yeah, exactly.

That's the best.

Mean.

I think when I went out there, that's when I was like, I felt confident.

I felt loved because the way that they treated me and they welcomed me and received me, it was like.

Yeah, it was like, Yo, this is the family.

Like I feel like, you know, this could be home, you know, And it's so much different priorities out there.

They're not worried about the rims, they're not worried about the jewelry, they're not worry about none of that.

It's really just like, Okay, we outside, we're on the street, were smoking and we just letting the day pass having conversation.

All right, now I want to talk to you about some of your music and even songs that you wrote.

Some I ask you a couple of questions.

All right, when you think about a song that is the most reflective of your marriage, what song would it be?

Day after Forever?

Oh?

Yeah, after forever.

That's a wedding song right there.

That's that's definitely the one.

Like when I when I play that song with Lamia in the room, she gone, shit it here, And I think that one.

You know, we got a close movie video.

It was like that was the song, you know, like not the movie, but the marriage, Like the mayor the wedding video was like that song.

Okay.

Now, if you have to think about a song that was inspired by a particularly amazing bedroom night, yeah, what song would that be?

Liquid Courage?

Liquid Courage?

She listened to Eric Belan's Liquid Courage s feature in Victoria Money love Her.

Now, that's the one we love her.

Man.

I think about Victoria Monette's whole journey and becoming a star who she is because I think, like sometimes artists nowadays don't have the patience to know that she ain't gonna happen most times overnight, and if it does, it may not last, right, you know, And she grinded it out.

Yes, can't you grind way through?

I used to work at Atlantic when she signed to Atlantic Is super early on when she did like a Hook for t I and they didn't really know what to do with her.

And then now you I know, they like dropped that ball.

Yeah, the sound was totally different then it was like more of a pop sound.

I remember that she was working with Tommy.

How many artists would you say, percentage wise like got it right on their first deal, because it's a rare thing.

I'll say zero, donut.

I mean, you know, maybe it happens like Bryson.

Bryson got got got a good you know, first album, you know when he did Trap, So he came with a new.

Sound and everybody was shutting him down before that.

He told the story recently about.

Timbaland oh yeah yeah.

Wow, but he went back and they don't yeah, yeah, don't sometimes story don't quit, don't don't.

How was it for you starting out?

Man?

My star was long.

I was R and B group gang.

So it was choreography, It was if one person's late, everybody's late.

It was let's go to the gym eight o'clock.

Everybody was very militant.

Yeah, Artists development.

My manager at the time his name was Sponselle and he arts developed.

That's what he did.

He did that for Immature the group as well, so when we got with him, it was like he had us on points.

So you know, now I'm kind of trained with that as well.

Media training took He did all the whole school stuff.

So I got the last tale I feel like of what the music industry used to be, you know what I'm saying.

So I get to carry that in this new whatever it is with me.

Did they give you classes on like how to deal with women and stuff like that.

Too, Yeah, how to answer questions, how to deal with women, Like at first when I was in the music business, it was like, say you're.

Single, you know, say that, what's the thing.

The whole girl at home?

Just having a.

Three kids at home?

And yeah, I'm saying with ladies, from.

Your expert opinion, what would you say as to why we don't have as many boy male up boy groups anymore?

Egos?

I think everybody feeling like I'm the superstar.

I'm the solo artist.

It's like, hey, nobody, come and.

See you, because there was a time when that was the thing.

Yeah for the group of the group.

In the group, it's coming back.

I think now it's coming back.

And tip you gotta flow on a on a male's tip.

I've been seeing this group called two BYG that's really been killing it.

They just signed a death jam, so I think it could be a comeback for it, especially now because it's so rare and it was so dope, you know what I mean seeing that that performance, like when they did the other Netflix show about like baking the band.

Oh yeah, And ain't it so much more interesting than just like maybe American idols, like the person is like I feel you, but now.

I'm looking at this whole group and it's so much more enshaming.

What about your ego, you know, because for you, you've written some of like the biggest hits consistently, but then also as a solo artist, you know, that's a whole different.

Like vibe for you, it's a different vibe.

And so earlier on, like how was your ego when it came to like shifting from that and were the artists that I feel like you have a good relationship with people so they like you personally also, But was there ever times when you felt like damn I did, and I just.

Need you know a lot it was.

I think.

I just I'm glad that I never like acted on emotion though, you know, because I could have tricked off everything, like all the features that did come around, because at first, as a songwriter, you gotta realize, like yo, you got to build yourself up to be at that level.

As an artist, you not the same level as your songwriter career, you know.

And I think that's why people fail and it's hard for them to transition because they look at themselves like people should treat them as the same celebrity.

Like me, as a songwriter, I'm talking the biggest shit, but as an artist, I'm for show life.

Thanks, thanks man.

You know what I'm saying, Because like I really am a realist, Like is it number one?

You want to crime?

Get out of here?

Number one for eighteen weeks, you know what I'm saying.

So I'm a realist, Like I'm a business man.

So it's like for my music, it's like I don't compare it.

I just be like, yo, bro, you independent?

Yeah, okay, independent, it's okay.

Have you ever been a song that you're like I wish I kept for myself who.

In the beginning, Like I wanted new flame?

I remember.

I was like I hear Verset Simmons, I had Teena David everybody like, yo, I remember we did this song for Chris Brown, Like you think you're still gonna use it?

I was like, yeah, we just got.

Absolutely that's a single.

Okay.

I taught back, like, what about what about love More?

It's like, bro, we just got NICKI to love More and a new flame?

That's crazy?

Now, now what about the space of Like I see a lot of people moving into country music too and dibbling and dabbling.

There is that something you thought about too?

I did in like I wrote a song called never Dropped It?

Why not?

Oh No, I just like, don't do it.

It was like left side, the right side and the shoulders, you know what I mean, don't do it, don't do it, do it?

And I just it was like I'm gonna do it.

I'm not gonna do it.

But I didn't do it.

I think you should do it, you know what I was.

Line dance, but.

I'm such the like artist artists like you seem you've seen Brown Sugar with most Yes, that's my music.

I'm left you one day, like sit down and go over things that you just never put out that you can't.

My crazy.

Yeah, because that would be interesting for people to see, like and the reasons why because sometimes, like you know, we can second guess, like you never know what could come out of it, but I would know, right.

Yeah.

I went to Black Rodeo a couple of like last month.

That is such an experience.

It was in Scottsdale, Arizona.

And when I tell you, it was lit, Okay, I can see that.

Yeah, that's fire, you know.

So I just I mean, and I think that people also have to understand how like country music is not like white people's music, it's not black people's music.

He's telling them stories.

Yeah, I love it all right, y'all might get it.

I want to hear it because I already know this is.

Oh, I'm gonna show you the email with the twenty fifteen.

It was a real country song.

But also you know what I mean, went to Nashville recently and did like a country trip and wrote songs like maybe like I don't know, like seven months ago.

Never put none of those out either, But so.

You got the whole country.

You got the whole country.

Lo key, But I went out.

You know, I'll be putting different hats on artists.

Songwriter, yeah, cowboy hat.

Yeah, I was good three cowboy.

You know what I love about Nashville is you can just walk up and down the strip and walk into random.

I've never been.

It's a time.

What do they say.

It's like it's like the white people is Atlanta.

They really say that.

But there's like downtown like we have, like I hear a little bars.

I never had the experience because they actually have the National Museum of African American Music downtown.

Yeah, there too.

One back though, one back for sure because my boy just told me he got a big compound out there.

It's like a studio.

So we don't now we need to know.

We need some advice on keeping it spicy.

Okay, okay, So what are some things that you do that keeps it spicy at home?

Because you've been how long have you been together with ten years?

Ten years?

And we all aiming for, you know, for ten years.

So what are some things that you have evolved into doing because I have to imagine the relationship is so different now than it was when you first started.

You know, we're different.

I think I think it was acknowledging that we're different too.

I mean we had to actually realize like yo, this I loved it, but I don't like this no more, or this you know what I mean?

Or this ain't the same thing, you know, So we like relearn each other all the time, you know what I mean.

We're not afraid of therapy.

We're not afraid of.

Like having them ugly conversations and maybe not talking for two days to get back to.

Ooh now we're stronger.

You know.

I love that we can play we you know, with me.

She ad actress, you know, so she's a real good actress too, so she.

Will maybe hit me with like a low role play like maybe you know what I'm saying, I'll be like, who is this?

Like hold up, I'm like my cheek with you.

You might got to put on that one cowboy right and them little ass list chaps, you know what, the prince boy.

You'll might gotta have a little time at a little rodeo.

I ain't but be fire.

What's the role you played.

Oh for me.

Enrique's consistent, consistent, right, can't even think.

Andric sway you gotta keep it out is given nothing?

Oh take it in the riekend, naked in the weekend.

That no, but no, buts.

I send a cowboy thing.

Now that's the.

Vibe something about it, right, you know it's like you know what I mean.

What do y'all do?

Things like making sure you have a date night, Like is there any type of thing that's routine.

Like we're gonna go to the movies we got like the new movie, We're going to see it, you know what I'm saying, Like a dinner like, oh, new restaurant, we're going to try it out, you know, and making that time.

I think we we don't just like see each other like out.

Like as far as like a date, we don't have a day like by chance it's scheduled.

Okay, Yeah, that's good.

I think that's a good thing because it also gives you something to look forward to, and it also lets you know, can't book nothing at that time?

Right, treated like your career, what.

Are things that like when you said they might be like two days you go without talking, Like, what is something that would make that happen.

Because I don't get over shit quick.

Really.

Yeah yeah, but she over it already.

I'm like, she done.

Forgot that's me.

I forgot why I was mad.

I am I mad.

You know how many arguments I've had that was crazy, arguments that if you asked me now what we was arguing about, I'd be like, I don't know.

I forget.

Like I'll be in an argument and the next day I go to work and forget I was arguing and send a funny meme and be like, oh, ship, maybe I should have sent that.

Great because we be.

But you as not even by choice.

I wish I didn't.

I really wish.

What's the song you wrote while you were mad?

What's the song this is?

I got some songs that I never put out.

See, now this is the episode I want to do in the balls.

So I reade this while I was mad, because.

That's my therapy, that's my journal, that's my diary.

Like you know what I mean?

Via NP three form.

I want you to do like you did you watch Teddy pandograss Is movie.

Yeah, and you know how he had like the recordings, Yeah, like he actually had recordings of everything like the whole everything was on journal, but it was I think that was so dope.

Yeah that was fine.

You know what I'm saying that we have that to like live with and so love.

His story too.

Yeah that was crazy.

Listen the fact that even thinking about his first manager, he was trying to get out the deal you know, for for you were your deals in the beginning for you, because they always say artists go through that, Like I signed that deal, this happened.

I got to take an advantage of were you good early on or did you have to learn?

I had?

I had to deal with that out of and realize I had to learn, you know what I mean?

Like when I first signist Sony, there's this thing called md RC, and.

I really didn't understand what it was.

But it's basically like you're a quota that you have to recoup not only financially, but percentage wise.

It's strictly percentage wise.

So imagine when they say one hundred percent, right, you think a song is one hundred percent, All right, that's one song, But if you have one hundredercent three hundred percent, that one percent of this song if there was three co writers, so you got now you got the song.

Fifty percent is the beat, so now you only got fifty to work with.

Now you got three writers, so that's whatever.

I don't know, sixteen sixty six something like that.

But the artist probably like, I need twenty percent because this is my song.

I don't write anything.

But get down to thirty percent, and now you only get ten percent, even if you wrote much or like in the session, you was that one and everybody else was just like off off your vibe.

So now you wrote the whole song you feel like, and you only get ten percent.

So now instead of one song, you have to have ten songs to get to that hunted, to get to get the Hunted, and so you have two hundred and three hundred percent.

It's like I didn't understand that that way to count.

I just look at it as like one song, my song, but it was like, damn, why it could be ten songs, and it was some songs that it was even more.

Than three writers.

So it was like, damn two percent.

I got two point five on this big ass hit and it was a sample, so not a sample one.

It What did I see celebrating getting out of their deal recently with Boy Yeah Boy it was hip boy.

Yeah, eighteen years wow, eighteen years.

I went to his the party he had party, a free hit party, not for at first, no, his dad when he got out of the jar, remember was free hit, but now it's hit free because he's free, you know.

So wow, it was fired.

People there celebrating him, and he had a nice exhibit of his accolades, and it was dope to just see like, no matter what, he still pushed through.

We need a shot, let's do it, and you're opening your own.

Yes, always entertainment.

I like that, And what I think is great is also the fact that you you like to educate artists too and put them on game about like this industry and what they you know, because imagine if you would have known then what you know now, or had somebody like, did you ever have like a mentor?

I did?

I did.

I had somebody named Erica Nurry who like guided me and really taught me how to like really like the game when it's when it comes to like songwriting, and then when it came to my artistry, somebody named Troy Marshall.

Troy Marshall, Okay, so Troy used to work at MCA Records and I used to manage Jesse from Wu Tang and so I just so I tried at the iHeart Festival.

Listen, he tried.

Nothing but the game like I forever and did it because I'm like Troy Marshall gave me the game.

You can't tell me.

That that's good.

You have some good people around you.

I feel like you had angels watching you.

I did cheers, cheers, game.

Cheers, the cheers.

The boys are freaking.

It all makes sense.

The boys are freaking don't hear that?

And freaking another one?

Nah, that's why you been here.

They hear you.

You know you conducted, but nah, you quick, quick.

You know.

Way when he walked in, I told him, I said, did you hear my open verse challenge for Vogue?

He was like, you did one?

I was like, I'm kidding, But you know how amazing that is when you post an artists that does like the open Verse challenge, and there were so many good ones.

You actually ended up posting five women and five men.

Yes, you know for the challenge.

How specially that is something like that could like get somebody signed.

How did you come up with that idea?

So normally I see a lot of people do challenges after the song is out.

The song is out, I'm trying to market my song.

I'm trying to promote my song.

Let's do a challenge and then everybody just the versus and whoever wins, we give them this or whatever.

But I was like, how about we do the challenge before the song comes out and then pick a winner and let them feature on the song, do the music video, perform.

On stage when Yeah, that's fire?

Who won?

That's what they need?

That's such.

Did somebody win?

Somebody win?

Do we know yet?

No, we don't know.

Don't we find out tomorrow when the album coming.

That could be life That could really be a life changing situation for that person.

I should mine.

I will drop tomorrow too late.

I wanted to help, like listen, I would say.

I was in Detroit, right and I was at the bar at this place called the Roost, And so the woman working behind the bar, she's like, oh, I'm an artist, do you know?

I want to listen to her music?

And it was amazing really, and I was like, I want to help you, like I don't know what, but I did like a little shine of light on her and posted it.

But she was so I loved her voice, but I don't even know, like for an artist, and what do you even do?

Like what do you know what I'm saying?

Like, Yeah, man, I think when you had that, when you had a record, for example, you know, you got an EP.

Maybe that start is like, Okay, we need to blow this one song up, you know.

So that means performing it everywhere, music video, servicing it, you know, to radio everywhere.

And at the same time, we need to let the people know who you are.

Right, you could do those two things in tandem.

It's good.

See.

I like formula.

I like tangible advice.

Because who am I and who are you?

Why should I listen to you?

Yeah?

I mean I think you think it was easier when you started, or it's easier now.

When I started back in the day, it was easier because it was about with the music.

But now it's not about the music but any music business.

That's true.

See, I was thinking that sometimes.

Act socials what about the numbers?

Like But you know what's interesting because I think now you don't need a label necessarily at first, right, and then I think you don't even need to leave your damn house.

So in some ways I feel like but then there's also just so much.

It feels like it's easier now though you gave me because somebody, you know, you could see somebody else go crazy, and it's like, oh, I could do that, But then you try it and it's like m hm, hey, it's ain't it ain't go viral?

What happens?

I think you could have a moment, but you can't have a career.

That's what's harder, you know.

And that's and that's low key harmful.

I love Tyler, I love her energy, I love her performance, love her singing, but that Water song.

Was so big huge.

That song was huge.

It was so big that it's like it's tough to beat that.

Yeah, yeah, I mean she has some good songs after that, but.

It ain't Water.

I have a question, it's how you God?

Damn God.

So anyway, there's this AI artist that's making the waves around the internet where they're signing her and as a singer, song or songwriter, performer, entertainer, how do you feel about this whole AI boom and do you see it really being something that's gonna be big and your music?

Yeah, I got two AI artists signed my label and to other artists out there, step your game.

Okay, well you know what And the truth of the matter is, like people were against dreaming when it started, and.

Now that ain't if you don't move left behind.

So you do have two ai UTIs the bars for me?

You thinking bars?

Let me tell you.

Let me tell you.

One of my women.

Listen, when I was a dancer.

One of them was, if you.

Don't beat your feet, you ain't gonna eat like because we're real, but you really think, and you really yeah, you.

Got who did dollars?

Only fans as as a AI?

Uh?

Yeah?

This girl she was a mother and she didn't want she was about to get evicted, and she didn't want, you know, her children to know that that she was the only fans.

And she came up with this AI sexy girl.

She made like millions of dollars.

Or something wrong with smart smart.

Interns taken over to our lives.

Really, it's crazy, it really is.

You know what your podcast should be?

I got an idea, but you go first.

I want you to like sit down and when you're working with people, talk to them about what's going on in their life.

And then at the end of it, there's a song Mmm.

Like that so.

Quick with that, you could really do that like the episode?

Yes, all right, so look this is beautiful.

My idea is half to that.

That's the other half that I needed that I didn't realize.

So my podcast idea, I've shot three episodes so far.

Give it's called Lyrical Lab Podcast.

Yeah, I saw one post on it.

I only did one.

Okay, I did, so, look there's a can but I needed that.

I didn't realize I needed that.

So the idea is, I'm in with somebody all the time.

All the time, I'm in with some kind of artists, and I'll.

Be like, yo, before we get in, hey you cool with us tapping it up for five minutes.

The idea is a quick conversation and because I'm gonna be with them alaty at the studio, so it's like, yo, you mind doing this for me and put the cameras on them, gonna give your hit and just.

Chop it up with me.

Cool, So what you've been on, what you've been up to?

Talk to me?

Simple convo, maybe talk about some important events, talk about the music.

But then that was it.

I stopped it there, as opposed to now we got in our studio and we did our song and they got what they needed.

But I didn't record us playing a song back after.

And by the way, this is the song we did today, right.

Yeah, and it could be a rough version of it.

Yeah, I think I like that in depth.

Everyone again, as you know what, like we just did, this music is therapy for you fresh So imagine sitting down and having a conversation with somebody.

It's therapy for them.

And now there's a song and now the audience connects to it even more because I heard that whole conversation.

I was there for the whole process.

But yeah, now saying in my phone and I'm listening to this ship, well, I'm gett dressed.

It all makes sense.

It all makes.

Out right now, No, because it's like, but that's how we get the songs.

We talk about it, you know what I mean.

Like even with Chris Brown Indigo, it.

Was like, yeah, I love that song, but I couldn't say I wanted it because in the session I was like, Yo, what's up what you're thinking today?

He said, what an album is called Indigo?

Boom?

You gave me one note?

Okay, dope, So what you mean the song is called Indigo?

Well, you know, like I wanted to be like real colorful, like everything I'm doing it's gonna be mad boom.

That's one I said, you know what I mean.

I said all kinds of shit about colors and.

Then yeah, like he gave me all the notes in conversation to make the song.

So yeah, I co wrote it with him.

But that is his song, you know, that's his ship.

So it's like for people to see the reveal from the consumption of the idea when it's like if people were to hear like, Okay, that's an idea, and then the way I can articulate it.

And then you execute it flawlessly, come on, executed period.

Yeah, it's so true.

People don't see it, but that's really the magic.

Like y'all hear the song and y'all see the song.

Yeah, flying there.

But when I thought of it and you see me singing, you're gonna be like, wait, but when did you come up with it?

I didn't.

God just gave it to me.

This is I love this, This was fun.

This is why.

When does the tour start?

November?

Okay?

Yeah, okay, Ontario, Okay, Yeah, we're coming closer to New York.

Is albumy we're gonna do at.

New York Day?

What are we doing?

All right?

So the thing is, I'm going on tour with somebody.

Okay, and they just did a tour and they hit all the major cities.

Tweet you gotta do your and they got me coming.

Yeah, I'm gonna do my own winery.

I like that down.

If you do city Whinny will be there.

I would.

I would love to.

We'll be back to Nashville.

So you can't tell us who you're going on tour with.

I want to come to Nashville.

I'm gonna feel like because.

You can tell us camera.

Got the whole route everything.

It's fire.

I'll tell you this.

Give me a reason to come to.

I love Nashville.

You know they gotta the whole house in Nashville and they got a one hotel.

Yeah, I don't know.

I want to.

You need to go to the one hotel and they got good food.

I know.

I'm small footed chicken.

Yeah that's what that's the thing.

Yeah, yeah, okay, I'm not mad at going she eats chicken vegetables.

Yeah, I don't even me.

I mean seafood.

I don't need chicken veggies and.

Sequila, that's good.

No seafood is that allergy?

Are you fruit?

My mom never seafood growing up, so I don't.

Oh my god, I was mad at my mom when I taste the shrimp when I was eighteen.

You were like, this is good.

Listen, Like, well, yeah, I don't.

Like I was madious.

So I'm we ate as children as is like seafood, fruit and vegetables.

But it's the healthiest, right, easiest to digest.

No, listen, it just depends on your own body make up.

That amount of mercury really up.

Yeah, I want to be vegetarian one day.

I'm working on it.

You try, but I have to get earlier.

Listen.

I think everything's okay in moderation.

Yeah, for sure, there's certain things.

Yeah.

Is there anything that you could do all the time that was still okay?

Sex?

Yep, gotta do that.

You never have enough of that.

I feel like I feel like I feel like morning night because I don't feel like you know, when you go to use the bathroom.

I feel like she'd be like that, like every time you pee.

No, I feel like I'm not not as I'm just saying that that like natural love.

Release, Okay, I get it.

I get where you're going with that.

You think that if you have to say, between you and Lamia, you're the one that wants to have sex more.

Yeah, freaking I.

Told you in freaking I know she'd be in there like okay, yeah, I'm not.

I'm not gonna hold back because Lemaya.

You know she's holding it down for Lolita.

Like today, you gonnt have to come up here without you.

Yeah, love gotta pull up.

That lead a movie, yes, yes, no affiliation references.

Yeah, that's a movie.

That listen, that's a whole You do music too, that's cleared.

That's true.

That's all right there.

You could be ball.

We were working to get back to the movie.

You know, singing the standard works.

Ye think about the artist name being listen May and you got to come to lip service if you want the extra because.

You know we three bosses together, you know, coming brainstorm.

And it's a thunderstorm all right.

Ession.

Week.

Yes, we appreciate you.

For having me like.

Vibes makes sense, makes that makes sense?

In spanis you just said mostly what is it?

Total totos.

De innocent thirdles take it and boy and Riquet heading belling hair and signing off still

Well, that was it, Let's period, periodical,