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It's a Good Day in Harlem with Fergie Baby
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This week I am joined by Harlem's very own Fergie Baby, we talk about growing up in Harlem. Who inspired his fashion sense and how big of a role sneakers played in his life. Getting to rap on Big L's album and what that meant to him. How he ended up in the LAAM's commercial and being on a billboard in New York. Working with B.B Simon and what he has cooking up in the future. His upcoming album and how he has been part of a lot grassroots movements! Plus a whole ton more!
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Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/
Backing Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/
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Transcript
Ambitions for a Late-Night Burger Truck
00:00:00
Speaker
Definitely the West Side is so dope. I think that like what what I would love to see is like doing a show up there. I've seen a couple of venues, but i don't know if they're still open. That's another thing too. yeah There's a couple of things I want to bring back.
00:00:11
Speaker
Not only just community events. I want to bring a venue space. yeah I want to open up a lounge. I want to open up a studio. So if I can if i couldn't find a way where I can do that, like, and also I always told her told my friends, I want to have a mobile late night burger truck.
00:00:29
Speaker
What would you call I don't know. The hamburgers. What? The hamburgers. What? I'm telling you, where you going? and I'm going to hamburgers. I feel like it's a mobile. So every hour go from 2.50, 3.50, 3.50, 4.50 and you catch it. and while everything is closed probably the only thing that's open is mcdonald's in the chicken spot there's an ale burger the burgers is pain and then we have certain specials like maybe like once every month is lamb is lamb chops on the on the weekly schedule you what i'm saying but it's known for the burgers and fries if you want that yeah i want to do some mobile late night joint like when niggas coming from a party oh yeah the burger truck bro yeah yo that would be fire definitely do that
00:01:16
Speaker
What's good everyone? Welcome
Introduction to Fergie Baby and Harlem Roots
00:01:17
Speaker
back to My First Kicks. This is episode 257. And this week, bring to you another special guest. Welcome to the building. Welcome to the building. Welcome to the podcast. Yes, sir. Fergie baby, bro. Harlem baby. Yeah. God is from Harlem. Harlem is heaven. Yes, thanks sir. Thank y'all man. Yes. Yo, appreciate you for pulling up, man. Like, I mean, we we ran into each other at fact at the at the Lambs ah holiday party. Yo, shout out. Shout out Lambs. And I was like, yo, I got to have you on. And then- Yeah, look, we here. I was like, who I gotta hit up? You messaged me like, yo, we full up. just love your concept. Like, you know, you was a cool dude already. I see what you're doing. But like the the concept of your pod is just like me and fashion with music and sneakers. I like, caught interest in that. So. Oh man, appreciate that. I mean, all it's all intertwined, man. Yeah, for sure. i Culture, culture. Culture, man. this This is what it's about. The stories that build us and like this. Harlem, bro. Like, I got mad questions. Yeah, i will let's go crazy. I got mad questions because like, i so I grew up in the Upper East Side. so I went to school um at Washington and Irvin and Union Square. oh
00:02:20
Speaker
Mad, mad Harlem nights. And this is the height of Dipset, so I got mad questions for you. But you have do ah before we jump into that, um for people who are not familiar to you, about to introduce yourself. Harlem baby, Fergie baby, goddess from Harlem, Harlem is heaven. um Downtown Uptown, Palladino to Riverside, east side of that to west y'all know what's going on. It's me, it's him, baby.
00:02:40
Speaker
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And the tape, Summer League. Summer League series, volume one out now. It was a project me and Cajun created together. It came out, what, in July, 2025. was just running it back before I got here. word? Yeah, yeah, yeah. That shit fire, man. That was The skits on it, mad funny, bro. Yeah, that's what we do. We're going to bring out to my world. It's like we just hauling with it. So you feel what I'm saying? We try to put our character in the best of our ability of what we go through and what we feel. Yeah, man. It's beautiful. I'm going to run it back after this. let's do it. Let's do it. But
Sneaker Culture in Harlem and Personal Stories
00:03:17
Speaker
here to answer the question that I ask everybody each week. And that question is, what's your first case? What's that first person you absolutely need to have?
00:03:24
Speaker
From what I remember that I went crazy for was the 11 Concours. Okay. um Yeah. If you know, you know them lines. We was fighting all that. was going to say, where where were you copping from?
00:03:36
Speaker
Where did I cop mines from? I think I went. Did you go to Jimmy Jazz on 125th?
00:03:43
Speaker
I forgot, I think I was on 2-5th actually, I was on 2-5th. Matter of fact, House of Hoops. House of Hoops 1-2-5th. House of Hoops, yes, yes, yes. That shit was insane, but you gotta have thick skin to be on that line, you heard?
00:03:54
Speaker
feel me? yeah And niggas finesse that shit, niggas have to skip that. If you know, you know, you have to do what you have to do back then. yeah I went up there, the last time I went up there was the last time I ever went to go cop sneakers on. Oh, that was the last time, too. It was two. I was like, all right, this is the last moment i will I will ever do this. I will never do this again, bro. Whoa. Yo, I went up there for the LeBron 9 Elite, the South Beach joint. Ooh.
00:04:18
Speaker
Oh, my God, man. That was the first time I ever heard, if I don't get this sneaker, I'm going to shut this shit down. And I was like, I'm never coming up here again. They on that. They on that. And it was the half... They rolled up the gate halfway.
00:04:32
Speaker
And you just see people ducking, just going in, ducking, ducking. It's the gauntlet. It's the gladiator on the Jordan line. That shit's crazy, bro. Did you go to school in Harlem? like Where does your fashion sense come from?
00:04:44
Speaker
I mean, my fashion obviously from home, just being in the community and just, you know, doing parties and stuff like that. I was really my like stomping grounds growing up. um But I went to school in All Hallows. Okay. i My high school. And then I went to Penn State after. that Oh really? yeah yeah Damn, bro. Okay, you with Saquon.
00:05:03
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah. He definitely was there, I think, on my last year. My senior. Oh, I just graduated and he got there. That's crazy, bro. You went
College Life and Personal Growth Motivations
00:05:11
Speaker
to Penn? Yeah, went to Penn State. That's fire. For hoop or what? Nah, nah, nah. I went for criminal justice with my bachelor's degree. Oh, for real? Yeah, I hooped there, but I was at a branch campus. I played basketball. I was on the team for Penn State-Hazleton.
00:05:23
Speaker
But that was it, though. Damn, yo. That's fire, bro. That's fire. Criminal justice is Yeah, a lot of people don't know that. When I tell them that, they're like, what fuck? They're like, yeah, nigga. I Feel me? hope you've been enjoying this week's episode with Fergie Baby. And don't forget, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment in this video.
00:05:47
Speaker
All three of those things go a really long way, especially on YouTube. And if you are listening to this, leave a review or rate this five stars on Apple or Spotify and leave a comment on Spotify too.
00:06:02
Speaker
These things really help share it along with your friends. And if you want to go the extra mile and help out the podcast, sign up for the Patreon at patreon.com slash myfirstkicks. It's only $5.
00:06:15
Speaker
It really goes a long way. really helps out the podcast. All the money goes right back into the podcast. And we're going to jump right back into the episode. Then I'm curious, what made you go that route, though? Like, what was the inspiration? I ain't going to lie. mean, obviously, it was me in that phase, you know, graduating from high school. You know, what's the next step?
00:06:34
Speaker
You know, just becoming a better student and a better man. Like, obviously, you know, for me and my household, college was the one. And I ain't going to lie. The other half is because I don't want to do it for my mother. yeah So it was just like, all right, let's just do that. It's not gonna hurt. You what I'm saying? I know. and you know it's It's a lot of debt and with that. But at the end of the day, it was like the experience I can't take away. That was one of the best moments of my life when I was in school.
00:06:57
Speaker
Man, that's beautiful, though. yeah you know like I feel like, especially when you're even in connections to this day, like i'm I'm still friends with a lot of people I went to Penn State with. like that They consider my family, you know? That's awesome though. like it's It's dope because it's just like, whenever you hear rappers, they'll just be like, yeah, 14, nah, that was it. like you know I dropped out of school, I was just i was just i was just doing my thing. Nah, my mom wasn't having that.
00:07:20
Speaker
You feel what I'm saying? And I wasn't in that space too to be like, I ain't going to go to school. I wanted to go away. i wanted to Once I got the the opportunity to go to Penn State, I'm like, oh, yeah, I'm out of here. And that shit was the one of the best um decisions I ever made. Nah, yeah, that's fire. That's fire. the So, like, how big was sneakers in your your high school? for you How big was sneakers? You know how big was sneakers in high school. Man.
00:07:45
Speaker
if that was You had to, first of all, to be in Harlem, everything had to be fresh. You had to have a collection of fly kicks, you know what I'm saying? Just to be that kid on the block, you saying? So I always grew up, especially my mom and my father, they always made sure that I had fly kicks. So that was installed in me, you know what I'm saying? So I just want to carry that, like hopefully I get all the kicks that I want. know what I'm saying? want to be like that. I have a whole closet like, yeah, I got every sneaker that I possibly want. Yeah. But, you know, kicks is heavy in Harlem.
00:08:17
Speaker
Yeah. It's down to the ACG, even boots, ACGs, Timbs. know, obviously the Jordans was a staple. The Jordan 1s, the Jordan threes the Jordan 11s, Like, we'd go on the Bucks, the 8s. Like, it was so much. And then LeBron started catching his wave. Oh, yeah. on With the South Beaches. They be sleeping on them LeBrons now, man. Yeah, straps and shit like that. Then you had KD with the nurse and the, the, the,
00:08:38
Speaker
the um olympic jointslympic joins The The Area 72, the then Kobe. And then it's like, nigga, you could go crazy with this shit, but you got to swag at the same time too. And like, did sneaker culture, like because of like you were into it, did you find sneaker culture? that like you know Because like I do think that that Harlem, like Harlem,
00:09:04
Speaker
Oh, shit. BB Simon called me right now. That's crazy. You know, it's funny because I was going to ask you about BB Simon. Oh, die well could have well You could have picked up on this one. Nah, it's over now. ah what But, but um like, because Uptown, you know, there's lot of Air Forces. I feel like Air Forces was huge back in the day. And, ah and like,
00:09:27
Speaker
That was like you had the fresh ups. Oh yeah, the white A and fourth swans. That was a must. And it's like after three, four years, and you know. you tos If you know, you know, you toss them, toss them, toss them. You know what I'm saying? So we always had uptimes, always. White, white ups. Always go with every fit. From winter time to the summertime, if you were be able to swag it out. You know saying? Because a lot of people can't swag shit. Nah.
00:09:49
Speaker
It's all about how you put on the fit as well. And I also think it's just like, if you fly, you fly. Swag, it don't matter what you're wearing on. It's like, you control this shit. This is your shit. So if it's not instilled in you to be swaggy, it's going to come out corny. Oh, for sure, bro. I mean, look, this is we got. We're dealing with a lot of that now. Yeah, you see what's going on. Niggas think they got high brands or just, name brand fashion is just like, it's not working, you ain't pulling no shorties, you ain't doing nothing with nothing. You got no motion. You got no motion. I'm good, man. Right now, my bop is sweatsuits. We're going grind it out and then y'all going to, when we get there, y'all going see. You know what I'm saying?
00:10:30
Speaker
So did you always have that mentality like performing? You was just like, yo, I'm going to just rock some crazy fits or... Nah,
Performance Style Preferences
00:10:37
Speaker
always want to, I like, my ideal performance attire is always comfortability first. I always put that.
00:10:43
Speaker
So i I literally like this. I come on. Nah, but this fly though. Nah, yeah, that's but that's my bop, like, generally, like, so especially when I'm performing, I want to be, pause, I want to be loose. I want to be, like, able to move around and feel comfortable instead of, like, sometimes jeans, it get too sweaty, it's too stiff sometimes, like, you know what saying?
00:11:02
Speaker
Because I'm an energetic nigga, so I want to just be like, ah, Nah, yeah. You know what I'm saying? So I prefer being comfortable with all times. Yeah, I mean, that's the key. You gotta be, you know? you're up there trying to fix yourself every single time, whatever, just update There's a time and place for it for sure. Like, I'm not about to say, at the end of the Harlem nigga, so we're going to get fly. But like, for the most part, chilling. Yeah. Be chilling.
00:11:23
Speaker
But speaking of Harlem, so B.B. Simon, you got to explain to me how big of a deal B.B. Simon Bells was. Also shout out, shout out Frosty. Cause he just dropped his, his, ah his pink BB Simon. Oh yeah. Yeah. Shout out premium. Shout out premium. Yeah. That's my man's right there, but um dream come true and definitely exceeded my expectation. I ain't think I will have conversations with BB Simon right now. Yeah. And we working on a lot of things right
Harlem's Fashion and Cultural Influences
00:11:55
Speaker
now. Yeah. Now, but explain like how, how big, how did it become so big up in Harlem? Oh, just the the culture of it. yeah you know we Harlem is just flashy. you know We go pop with the rhinestones and then it's like it matched the belt. It matched our aura and matched our culture. and it
00:12:11
Speaker
It just was identical to us. So it was like, damn, how a belt could just align with us so well. And I think that's what, with that belt, it completed the whole fit. You I'm saying? Because we already flashed. We got the Timbs. We got the the True Religions. We got the Nordies. Then on our coats, we got mad color coats with the biggies and merms. We could do the furs, we could do the Ava Rex with different colors with Pels, different colors with Vance in. Then you got the belt that just cling, cling, cling, cling. Like it's for me, it's like the finishing touch. So yeah that's I think that's how we feel. Like it just, it just matched our energy.
00:12:45
Speaker
That, I mean, Harlem energy is insane, bro. It is insane. Like I was saying, so when I went to school watching Irvin, like, i used to have I used to hang with a lot of dudes from Harlem, so they would be like, I'd be like, yo, where you from? He'd be like, I'm from Harlem. I'd be like, you mean Manhattan? and they'd be like, nah. No. all of all of his own verro Harlem his own That energy is is like, you can't find that anywhere else, especially not, like,
00:13:12
Speaker
Even though like, you know, cause like Bronx people be loud, but like, I feel like Harlem, Harlem dudes. Harlem is worldwide. Yeah. Everybody, especially of us being so predominant in our black culture since the early nineties with the Harlem Renaissance, it's always been a staple for black culture. You know what saying? So it it stretches throughout globally. Yeah. um So I think ah that's why I also take pride in that. Like,
00:13:37
Speaker
this is this is one of them This is one of them places to be out for us. yeah Out of the whole world. This right here. Harlem. New York, of course, but like Harlem? Nah, yeah. We set a lot of trends. Yes, and also just like, as you said, the Harlem running sound super important. All the musicians, the legend musicians. Everybody just from the South started coming up here and making the name for themselves. We definitely don't want... Harlem gentrified crazy. but started shifting back. It's a little sprinkle, but I don't think...
00:14:05
Speaker
you know harlem got gentrified crazy and now but it started shifting back because they say hey they there's a little sprinkled but i don't think i don't think a Let me wish. It's never going to get gentrified. i just took that. I think it's just going hopefully it stays how it's been. It's been real black excellence and black culture. yeah And just, you know, just about us. the I mean, as long as Sylvia stays open. Yes, as long as a lot of shit stay open. Melba, it's got a lot.
00:14:34
Speaker
Melba's is banging, bro. Melba's is banging. Shout out Melba's. I was just with her this past weekend. What? You're just hanging out? Huh? You're just hanging out? I'm shooting of Aesha Ferb. Oh, yeah, that's right. Yeah. We shot a scene in there. How was that? How was that? How was that? You got
Community Support and Collaborations
00:14:48
Speaker
everybody. I wanted to make it so bad. Nah, it's cool. We're going to have, we're doing, if you free tomorrow, I'm having scene tomorrow. Oh, word? So I'll give you the idea after that. Yeah, let me know. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, because. My bad. But I just love how much the community pulls up for you, bro. So like I love like seeing you and seeing everybody like embrace you. And do think like, you know, you're the loudest voice currently right now Harlem, too. So like seeing everybody pull up for you in that video and stuff like that but yeah definitely let me know this video gonna be testament of like oh the city like Harlem's behind this kid like it's gonna this video's gonna show it yeah you know so hopefully from that point on we just take it out the atmosphere um but it's been good like ASAP Ferg yo bro he's been like that ill figure for me um you know as we've been building um shout out to ASAP Ferg or shout out to Ferg um you know blessings that we got a huge banger that's about to drop Oh yeah? Yeah, yeah. January 30th. Okay. I'm ready. Audio video ready. Yeah.
00:15:52
Speaker
It's going to be dope. That's crazy. That's fire, Good day to be on Harlem Remix, man. And it's on an album, which is coming out March. Yeah. Very hyped for that too. Yeah. um But like, I love that you, for the video shoot, you were like, yo, everybody bring out the Pels, bring Yeah, bring all out. It's cold. So what else you gonna bring out? You better come to somewhere fly. It was a lot of, it was just some people that follow directions, but it's all right. and Tell me what happened. Who pulled up and what? Nah, they just pulled up and some bullshit. they They did not understand the assignment. But it's okay, you know, we we accept everyone, we appreciate everyone. Everybody's not fly, it's just not in you. And we okay with that, as long as you okay with that, all right? so ok
00:16:35
Speaker
We appreciate everybody, we ain't about to discriminate, man. Welcome to the palace. Yeah, for real. The biggie culture, right? So I couldn't i couldn't get in because joints was expensive when I was younger. But, you know, when we was at the Lance party, I was like, damn, this North Face is fire. Like, you had- Oh, my shit, the yellow shit? That's not a- what shadow Shout out my man Mikey Phelps, Hood Holidays.
00:17:00
Speaker
Yes, that's his shit. That's his? Yeah, he changed the culture with that. thought it North Face. Huh, that was Hood Holiday. didn't look at it. I didn't look close. The yellow joint, the big Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shout out to Maliki Fels because he's going to be on the podcast soon. Yeah, get him. If y'all don't know, that is one of the ones. he He just be on his own bubble. But when I say he pushed the Harlem culture in his own lane and he just getting to it right now. And he changed. You know, Biggie is expensive. You a lot of people, especially in our hood, can't afford that one um on a general rate. Yeah.
00:17:32
Speaker
so he made it to where he made his own biggie and mr got his own manufacturer got his own design and he was like you know what i'm gonna make it affordable for more people to obtain it yeah and i think he's been killing it he's been doing more flavors than the biggie people um biggie uh brand yeah and he gets it you know what i'm saying so shout out to him man i I wore it in my Suburbans video. I'm wearing it Good Day to Be in Harlem. And then also I got my own blue dress. So I support my bro. Yeah. Yeah. That's fire, bro. Facts, facts, facts. Yeah. Because he posted a video and messaged him because I was like, this insane. So yeah, clip that because I need him to get his flowers for that. Nah, for sure. This is definitely going to get clipped. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I want to add this because he posted a video and he was like, it just like transitioned from him getting onto a plane and ended up in like Alaska. Yeah, he be just doing shit. He just be doing crazy stuff. He doing shit. He be doing shit. Like, he just be in the crib and then one day he in fucking Alaska doing some bullshit. Taking a fucking coat pick on top of the mower. The fuck is you doing, nigga? Like, he got the Yeti suit on. like...
00:18:37
Speaker
You know what you got? You Hollywood. You can do whatever the fuck you want. And that biggie that he made that he went to Alaska to take those pictures for was just insane because it looked like it was made out of metal. Yeah, he's insane. I love it. That's the 3M joint. Yeah, he got the gold one too. Yeah. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he's one of the ones, man. A lot of people tend to forget that he, in his way, he gives back. Yeah. You what saying?
00:19:01
Speaker
Like, let's talk about the the community and how, because, I mean, like I said, we always, I mean, I've been bringing up lambs like crazy, but it is like, how do how do you go about building it? how to And how important is it for you?
00:19:15
Speaker
Wait, I'm sorry. Like community, like the community. oh community is important because without community, you have nothing. yeah it takes a village yeah and that's why your team has to be essential all times um but yeah community is important you got to be able to to obviously connect with them and also give back in ways yeah so you know what saying build connect give back i think those are the key components oh that's i mean i gotta now i gotta get that locked down in my head too yeah yeah yeah because like i mean just seeing how And when I had Life of Tom on, we talked about how Lambs brings everybody together. Like, you know, i am here the you You, Sko.
00:19:52
Speaker
You know. Life of Tom. Life Tom. Who else? High Serve, 27 Deli. Yeah. know, yeah. That's, yeah. um Baby Osama. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Yeah, yeah. And and and then um the Lambly reunion. i was supposed to be there, but I was in Houston. yeah i wasn't missing that trip.
00:20:10
Speaker
so was They hit me two last minute, I'm like, damn, gang, is everything already booked? But yeah, this one, i will I will be there. I will be there. Hopefully everything aligns. Nah, yeah. But I think it's just, it's dope how tapped in they are. Yeah, to the streets, to the underground. Also what's up and coming, because you know. Shout out to them too. They got me placed on my first ever Billboard with Nike. and that for my For that first time, it just it was so surreal. so and How did that even feel? Scotty, Stevie, like shout out to them. Even Omi, just being the art genius he is, man, they they they got some special growth brewing over there. For sure. How did that feel like going to 34th and seeing yourself, seeing everybody? Did you link up with everybody at that same time? went with my man Ori. he
Nike Billboard Experience
00:20:55
Speaker
was in the He was in there with me too. So we both went down there together and it just feel like damn, it's happening. You saying? It's a testament to what we've been pushing them manifest and manifesting. So it was a good feeling, man. We want to keep that feeling going. yeah But it's also too...
00:21:13
Speaker
on the other of the spectrum, we're not surprised, because we knew it was coming into fruition. We manifested this, so it's like, yeah. What's up? Yeah. But like, I definitely, because like, it's the Air Force One. Air Force One. I mean, you know, that's what saying. We're bringing it back, you know, like Harlem, Air Force One. And, you know, you representing. It's an iconic Air Force One. Oh, yeah, too. Oh, yeah, the STFUs. You know what I'm saying? I stay with the Lambly shit. Shout out, homie.
00:21:43
Speaker
Shout out, Lambly, man. Y'all doing y'all thing, man. The... But like the Air Force one is so iconic and you're you're getting to represent it in that in that commercial that they shot and got Bob Beato on the on the voice on that. like you in there. And like, how does that even feel? Because like when you think about when you first started messing with him, did you did you like, oh, yeah, I'm go just keep I'm just keep rocking with him and let's see what happens. Yeah. So how how we started was I did my my first headline show called Fergie Baby me and Friends at SOB's and he did my whole production, this the stage production. So Omi did the, he did projects, he did, we had a whole production on stage. So we just grew from that period on. And once they started really growing as a brand, him and Stevie with LAMP, they always kept me involved and I always kept them involved with what I got going on and just grew. and it was a situation in Wales like hey we creating a shoe boat it's gonna be something for the community right and we gotta you doing your thing and we fuck with you pop up pop out but I didn't think it was gonna be this big it's like they was keeping things under wraps for a little bit and yo it crazy it was a funny story I gotta tell this uh-huh
00:22:54
Speaker
they send They put me out in a group chat the day before the commercial. yeah Fuck is this? yeah So i see I see my man Deli, I see O, I see my man KOS there. So I start calling niggas, what the fuck is this?
00:23:08
Speaker
They like, you oh so Ori goes, oh yeah, we got a Nike commercial tomorrow. I said, when's niggas gonna tell me this? The Nike commercial tomorrow, what the fuck? yeah So I said, yo, care what's new? He said, hell no, fuck with you. I said, so niggas wasn't gonna call us to see if we's gonna do it or not? yes um'm I was happy, but I'm like, nah, I gotta call Stevie.
00:23:28
Speaker
Yo, Stevie, what's going on tomorrow, bro? He said, my fool, bro. Like, yeah, we got you the Nike commercial. I'm down, but let me know. know how to be like the So though I just appreciate them for that. Like just throw me in the loop, man. But like, i was that was a crazy story right there. Man, that is wild. I be panicking, bro. Just wake up. You wake up and say tomorrow you got an Adidas commercial.
00:23:51
Speaker
You gonna be like, huh? yeah I'm with him, jacking him, but like, come But you ain't letting figure it out. Yeah, bro. I could have been, and had something playing that day too. So I'm glad I called. Yeah. Because now I have to move things around.
00:24:02
Speaker
i was supposed to go to Connecticut and record my album that whole day. Jeez. Yeah. I mean, look, now but you got, you also shot a music video at that, right? Or like, yeah, yeah resemblance of a music. I'm leaving here with something.
00:24:16
Speaker
yeah oh Y'all think I got a home night you set up? Y'all think I'm going to do some content? I did some shit for y'all. Let me get my box up real quick, bro.
00:24:29
Speaker
That shit was pain, nigga. And then shout out to them. they gave me the They gave me the shoe with it too. So it was like, for the billboard, it's like an exchange of a person would give you like, hey, for a Kinect commercial, we give you $5,000. For the experience, for the billboard, for the sneaker, and just for me to no connect and do my own concert, that was worth the money. yeah for sure So ah I fucked with that. That's crazy, bro. I mean, like, that's so crazy. Because, like, when I sat down, well, not sat down, but I'm going to be sitting down with them soon. That's why I didn't wear them today. Because I'm like, oh, going to rock it on that episode. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It makes sense. makes sense. Yeah. like
00:25:07
Speaker
Like, I was saying, like, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, right. So you got the hat on, you got something to represent.
Creative Collaborations and Fashion Industry
00:25:11
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Always got to put down for my peoples. Shit like that, shit like that. Well, our peoples. Yeah, our peoples. That's the Lamely right there. But it's just like, yeah, I grew up doing what they were doing. They used to do the rounds, go downtown, DQM, clients. I ain't know them that far, far ago, but those been my dogs since like 2022.
00:25:30
Speaker
twenty twenty two Yeah, and I also think it's just like they're created a creative hub. Like, and we were missing that New York. Yeah, for us, like, you feel what I'm saying? They want be a part of everything. So we got a lot storing with them. We've been talking, so we gonna chop it up. Merch? Yeah. Nah, we gonna get some merch. Nah, we definitely gonna do an exclusive drop for the album. For sure, for sure. I'm just trying to finish so can work on everything around it, but I should start talking conversations right now.
00:25:58
Speaker
The, like, when it comes to, well, I definitely want to know about, like, were you able to tour, you've been able to tour, and, like, what is, what is like, bringing Harlem to different different areas of of the U.S. been like for you?
00:26:11
Speaker
Oh, it' been a it been crazy. Like, first all, they love Harlem. They love New York. So off rip, that's a that's a plus. yeah But then when they feel the energy and they listen to the music and it's the first time that they interacting with you, it's like...
00:26:27
Speaker
Oh my God, you they become an instant fan. yeah And it's just, that's actually my favorite part, like videos and performance, my favorite part of this whole process. Like, cause you're celebrating, you you get to perform what you put down on wax. And I think that's the aftermath of all the work. Like, ah, we did it, we recorded it, and now let's party. but ah like And when you bring that to the people and directly, yeah and and in person, I think it's a different experience. Nah, yeah. yeah It's because I go to a lot of concerts. So like I'm a big, big music guy, you know? And so to me, that is when you see a live show that the artist is like, yo, we here. I'm with you. I know you listen to this album a ton. We here to sing this shit together. That's a fact. It's a a as community. yeah like We all got something in common. We here for one person. We want to rock out today.
00:27:19
Speaker
so I think that's ah also a good feeling too. Like all these people came out for you and to listen to your music and make sure their night is fulfilled with joy and happiness before they go home and deal with reality. yeah You are the escape for them two, three hours. So nasa that's how much weight music holds. And, you know, that's why this is the like the perfect thing for me in life. i Yeah, I didn't realize it till the last three, four years. Yeah, what was the what was the moment that made you?
00:27:46
Speaker
What was the moment that, like, what was it where it felt like it clicked for you? um When I was working on All You Dumb, Volume 2 with Cajun, my producer, we was in we was living together. It was me and my bro, Nick, and Cajun.
00:28:02
Speaker
we just started cooking up. It was like right after COVID, still everything a low key shut down. yeah And at that point I knew like, okay, I got a producer now. Everything is forming naturally.
00:28:14
Speaker
God trying to show me something. yeah And I'm dead nice. Oh yeah, you are dead nice. I appreciate you. Everything made sense. it was nat I didn't really have to force anything.
00:28:26
Speaker
God is already aligned in the stars for you. It's your choice whether to go or not. As I'm going, it's just like, oh yeah, this dead ass. This is really it. It's the closest thing in my life right now to changing my life and my people's life.
00:28:40
Speaker
And I could do it free willingly as me. I don't got to change for nobody. yeah So this is probably the best shit ever. Nah, yeah. And then,
Honoring Harlem Legends
00:28:48
Speaker
like, would you even think you would ever get on Big L, like, to get to rap with Big L? ain't, I ain't, none of this. Everything right, at this point, everything exceeded my expectations. Like, now just to the moon. Like, you know what saying? Mm-hmm. But, like, I mean, definitely, to listen Big crazy. Like, used listen to Big L like crazy. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:29:07
Speaker
Yo, it's crazy how his posthumous album now, that was out. You see how many fans he have in real time. Yeah. Because, know, he died back then. We wasn't able to really see it through. and for him to drop that album and so many people was hooked to it, it showed how much of an impact he left.
00:29:25
Speaker
Yeah So for me to be on that It's also showing how much of an impact I'm having And I'm like The new face And I'm basically Still having that Like they passing down a torch Yeah So it is ah it was a It's a moment It's just, it's crazy. Because like, well one, Big L's swag was always insane. When you watch him in the, he had that, he had the, that windbreaker from the, what music video was it? It wasn't, didn't make a music video for Ebonics. They made a music, whatever the music video. It was like, it was like, it was an artwork behind, I seen a picture behind that. Yeah. Yeah. And like that, like he was swagged out crazy, but he changed the game soon as he came in. I'm tired of, y'all gonna stop saying I look like that nigga too. Really? They been saying that? I look like him in the specter deck.
00:30:15
Speaker
What? I've been getting that old dude. There's the comments, man, the people. No way. I'm not gonna have to read the comments, because that's crazy. I even see that. They don't say old dude, but I've been seeing little sprinkles. Like, yo, this nigga look like Big L. They be wildin'. You look like all the rappers in New York. Yeah, yeah. got the mouth as a rapper. look like Jay-Z sometimes.
00:30:43
Speaker
It's alright the greats don't give fuck At least you ain't You ain't I don't give a fuck You good on that though You know But like When Like listening to Big L rap I remember just like He's insane Just Like nobody was rapping like him Nobody who was rapping like that. That's why I said it's a different, it's we listening to this in real time and we, a lot of people forgot yeah or a lot of people didn't know. So now we in 2025 and you drop an album at the end of the year and do you really hearing his words, and for his cadence, his delivery, his, to see he's a technician. now he's
00:31:20
Speaker
Nobody was, oh my God. Only a few. I could see Nas, you know. yeah But it was a real selective few that was able to. But I think that his like it's to his sample size is too small. It is. Because I don't have enough catalog. Yeah. And when they dropped that, I was just like, that's crazy. They even found stuff to even scrounge together. Yeah, that is crazy. They had to involve the family for that. Yeah.
00:31:42
Speaker
Word. Yeah, shout out to the Lamont Estate. Shout out to Mass Appeal. Shout out to Mike Caron. Shout out to Nas. um I will never forget this moment. as that that was yeah and that's It's still going, too. It's like still streaming very well. Yeah, for sure. like It's going crazy. like when you Did you record that verse when you knew? or was that kind of like which mean like they surprised it on you? Nah, man. Everything was intentional. They had to tell me. To do that, they they sent the open. So once I got the open, I knew it was real. Like, I know, that's all I wanted to know. you like yeah If you were like nervous. It was like, no, no, I wasn't nervous.
00:32:18
Speaker
um But it it was um a wake up call like, yeah, nigga. This ain't it. We hit it, yo. You what I'm saying? This ain't regular. The fuck, I'm on big album? album yeah None of y'all niggas can say that. ah Like, you know, obviously the people that's on the tape. But other than that, nobody say that. Like, word, what?
00:32:37
Speaker
Can't tell me that. And I'm on the album with Method Man, Nas, Hov, Mac Miller. like Like, what we talking about here? I got to talk. our got You got to pop this shit. You got to pop this shit. got to pop this shit. There's no... Yeah, that's like a bar that nobody can...
00:32:52
Speaker
touch because they're not then there's definitely a slimmer chance of another album coming out exactly my point and we're not getting no more exactly that's it wells dry you what I'm saying so it's just like I was um I'm blessed to and and grateful just to be a part of that like know what I'm saying i that goes down to history what are you looking forward to in the future especially like because I know you're saying like I did not
Community Events and Aspirations
00:33:15
Speaker
expect this, but like, I'm very curious of like, what would you like to see happen more?
00:33:20
Speaker
You know? Cause like, uh, as far as well, like generally, like for you, for you, like, you know, cause like the way, especially cause like i touched on how community accepted you and stuff like that. So like, and you're building community around, you know? So like,
00:33:35
Speaker
As that grows, like, what more would you like to see? Like, how much more do people want? Like, do you want to see more people around you build with you or, you know? oh mean, yeah, it's always, that's always the only thing about me. I always want to just keep building with the community. We never, like, even if I move, I always will like to come back and do things in Harlem. Like, I want to be able to do basketball tournaments soon. Like, me and my man already been talking about that for the last two years. um So, it's going to come soon, but we want to do it right. That'll be fire. Sponsorships. Mm-hmm.
00:34:05
Speaker
You know, I want to do a lot of things. I want to do a lot of things for the community. um Yeah, that's the effect. Yeah. I mean, Harlem needs it, man. Because, like, I stay out there a lot. And it's wild up there. Yeah, it's not. We in the trenches. People will be forgetting that. always say God is from Harlem, but the devil around the corner. So don't get this shit fucked up. You know what I'm saying? Yo, when they tore down that rainbow... No, rainbow. The 0125, what was the supermarket that was there? Kmart? C-Town? Oh, yeah, yeah. What the fuck was that?
00:34:31
Speaker
I forgot what that... I think it was a C-Town. I want to say C-Town. might have been C-Town. That was years ago, though. Yeah, I know. Oh, yeah, that's... That's what saying. Like, right now, if you go up there, they have that, like... What I do love about Harlem right now is that they've been and doing a lot of art installations and stuff like that where they'll do the 18 gates thing whatever that and they'll paint the gates. I don't know. They haven't done that in a minute. but Or that where that C-Town was, they have everybody. They do like an art installation around the block. Shit, I got to see that shit again. It was so long ago. don't even remember. I like, look. You on there? No, just looking. Imagine you got a mirror on there you've never seen. Nah, I'm worried, right? I don't know. can't remember
00:35:10
Speaker
Yeah. And so like that, that, that area has definitely like from Hotman, it was crazy. Just like zombies, zombies. Still crazy. It's just on the east side now. Love the east side, but I still got them niggas over there. Yeah.
00:35:26
Speaker
But the other, definitely the West Side is so dope. I think that like, what what I would love to see is like doing a show up there. I've seen a couple of venues, but i don't know if they're still open.
00:35:37
Speaker
That's another thing too. yeah There's a couple of things I want to bring back. Not only just community events, I want to bring a venue space. yeah I want to open up a lounge. um I want to open up a studio.
00:35:49
Speaker
So if i can if I can find a way where I can do that, like, and also I always told ah it to my friend, is I want to have a mobile late night burger truck. What would you call it?
00:35:59
Speaker
don't The hamburgers. What? The hamburgers. What? I'm telling you, where you going? and I'm going to hamburgers. You feel what I'm saying? I feel like it's a mobile, so every hour go from 2.50 to then you just catch it. And while everything is closed, probably the only thing that's open is McDonald's and chicken spot is an ale burger. The burger's just pain. And then we have certain specials, like maybe like once every month is lamb as lamb chops on ah on a weekly schedule. You know what I'm saying? But it's known for the burgers and fries if you want that. yeah I want to do some mobile late night joint, like when niggas coming from a party, oh yeah, the burger truck. Yo, that would be fire. Definitely do that.
00:36:40
Speaker
I'm gonna do all that yeah gonna do all that watch this remember this the first time I said it live you know yeah for sure so like definitely wanna go backwards were there like iconic spots that you used to go shopping at that like have gone now like that we don't hear anymore they go they might They might be tight at me for this, but um like I'm hoping caps will not close because that used to be my store. they They closed down the shit on 2 Fifth. I think they renovating or they moved or whatever, or they moving.
00:37:10
Speaker
But that's that's definitely a place i used to go to yeah a lot. What you used to cop there? Harlem. Huh? What you used to cop there? used cop like the essentials, like the white tees, the polo tees, the drolls. What the fuck those drolls are these called?
00:37:26
Speaker
At the Cuts. I used to get like purple jeans, my Subies and at times used to get my Michelin S jerseys. I used to get whatever I felt like, you know what I'm saying? It was that like a mom and pop store with all the stuff in it like that? Yeah, you can say that. That's fire. I miss those, man. Yeah, don't want to call it mom and pop, but yeah, it was one of those independent stores, but it was dope.
00:37:49
Speaker
Who else? Harlem on 4th and Broadway. don't I've ever been on that one. I don't know think I've ever been there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was called Harlem. Yeah, right, Tate? Remember that Harlem shit? Yeah. On the hill? And then I forgot the other one called something with Blue Song.
00:38:05
Speaker
um But yeah, it was a couple. But right now, I think the ones I still shop, like CapUSA, I do My Hats there. Mm-hmm. um There's a new store called Harlem Shops Between 7th and 8th They got Pels, they got Vansons They got all types of drip that we wear But on a higher scale I fuck Harlem Shops Clip this out too cause I fuck with y'all You know what I'm saying Shout out Hassan Shout out to the family over there mean yeah I've been itching for Ava Rex bad i need i've been and i've been itching for avaric so bad Yeah, go to Harlem
Fashion Desires and Shopping Habits
00:38:36
Speaker
shops. yeah they got They got flavors. i don't know, but I don't want to pay it pay that price, bro. You got to pay that. That's all of them. yeah You want Ava Rex, want a pal, want a Vance, you paying a band or better? Look, Ava Rex, holler at your boy. No, no cap, no cap. I got...
00:38:53
Speaker
I got something that's approaching right now. Yeah, I'll tell you off camera. All right, man. Yeah, because I saw the Tim's Ava Rex. They should have the Tim's Ava Rexes. That was you. That's all you. You should have been in that one, too, bro. It's coming. I love what these brands is doing. collaborating with the culture, with the streets.
00:39:13
Speaker
And it's becoming a great turnout for the fashion culture for New York. So I definitely appreciate that. Nah, yeah. I mean, even this, even FSTFU's, like, that collab and dropping that. Omi is insane. Omi's been killing it. I got to meet him at ComplexCon. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He definitely has his booth there. Yeah. I mean, that, which hopefully when I have them on, but, like, when Lamps took over, did you, were you at ComplexCon?
00:39:40
Speaker
yeah Yeah. Wait, wait, last year? No, this year. Well, 2025. No, I wasn't there. I was at 2024 and 2023. What they did, though, they brought... The world winner, coming out of TV and all that. I've seen that. Yeah, yeah. Nah, but I'm talking about what Lambs did. but They were like, they they brought the block.
00:39:57
Speaker
They were like, yo, we just brought the block with us. Oh, the complex? Yeah. Oh, don't even know. Damn, what the Liam's did have they booth there. I'm bugging. Yeah, I didn't go. It was him, J-Tips, Omi, J.J. Grant. yeah It was a couple of my homies there. And that's another thing. B.B. Simon. B.B. Simon. That's another thing, too. That's why I'm jacking it.
00:40:18
Speaker
My peers and the people I fuck with, they starting to become more bigger in the fashion world. And as I go from Complex each year, like I'm seeing more my people in there. And this is a beautiful feeling. no so I can imagine what this 2026 feel It's going to be crazy, bro. It's going crazy. Shout out J-Tips, man. Yeah. Oh, my God. That's another Saccone. He got Saccone on smash. Saccone. Saccone. Saccone. That's what we used to call it back in the day, too, bro. Saccone. Yeah, Saccone. But then. That's the rest. Saccone. It's Saccone, though. Yeah. Saccone. Tomato, tomato, nigga.
00:40:55
Speaker
If hit you up and be like, yo, we want you in a ad, you'll be like, sock me it is. Yeah, with that bread, sock me my fool. Sock me, sock me. don't wanna mess up a partnership, cause I don't want one. But not yet. What Lambs did out there was like bring out the block. So they had, yeah, they had Omi out there. That's fine. Like how they did with the commercial. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So like they had their booth and it was like the post bill, please post bills. But they didn't have anything to sell really. It was only like, I think they only sold like a jersey or something like that.
00:41:25
Speaker
And so like you were just there to chill. The jersey had on? Yeah. I think it was- The green one? I don't think they dropped that one yet. They had just one that they had in the store. I think it was like the white one. I think I know who you're talking about. And so they brought, and I guess they gave the other spots to other everybody else. Like PV was like, you know PV, right? PV, PV. He's the dude, he's the photographer that does the- Yes, I know. Shout out Shout out PV, shout out PV. And so like he was working, helping them with their booths and stuff. And so he was like taking pictures for people and doing the custom trading cards. Like it's fire. I just think that like they brought New York there. So it felt mad familiar. Yeah, it was a lot of, a lot of town, lot of the towns in there. Yeah. Even, think, Strag Life.
00:42:10
Speaker
I think, what are they from? kind of Even they from, don't quote me on this. They from Brooklyn, area? think it was Brooklyn. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think it's Brooklyn. But Strag, shout out to Strag Life, man. I fuck with them they doing their thing as well. I'm very, like, I'm curious of just, like, what is...
00:42:28
Speaker
some of your biggest inspirations, especially like with fashion currently? like What are you seeing now that is like really inspirational? oh we started one, J-Tips. Uptown Bronx, you see what the hell he doing? He doing collab with G-Shock, with um New Era, Saucony. He got his brand. He got his Savior brand. Savior brand worldwide that go crazy. So he's killing the game right now. That new G-Shock is insane. I'm trying to give him, yo, drop another track. One more track.
00:42:56
Speaker
Yeah, man, I was trying to get him out. So when I did my Fergie Baby and Friends, he was supposed to be on the lineup. Oh, yeah. But he was going, that's when he started really going crazy with the sneakers and stuff. um And the hats. I think the hat weighed first. um But yeah, he didn't, we could have made that happen. But yeah, he's one of, he's a, to that's a talented dude right there. Shout out, shout out to Tips, man.
00:43:15
Speaker
Ask him be, next album, not this one, next album. Nah, we gonna get a first one. get a verse We gonna get one there. We gonna do it when it makes sense everything in line. It's gonna be dope. That would be sick. You know, when the first time I ever saw you was on on the radar, you was going crazy on that freestyle.
00:43:29
Speaker
Like, you've been helping build out on the radar. You've been part of the groundwork a lot of the in New York City, man. Come on. Yeah, I have been. I have been. Give you the flowers for that. appreciate you for that. Come on, come appreciate you for that. Give you the flowers for that. But, like, seeing that blow up, like, it's crazy now. For sure. But, like...
00:43:48
Speaker
What is it like to see it blow up when you just started with that freestyle? I know when Gabe posted that of the different eras of the holiday freestyle, he talked about how he hit you up the day before. A couple of days before. Yeah, couple days before. It was like, yo, put this together. Now we did that four days. That's crazy, bro. Four days, man. Y'all got to understand. It's like, how many? 20 rappers on that? No, like... Yeah, like about... It was like 18... Yeah, like about 18 or 20, yeah. And everybody's going for it, too. Everybody going for it. Me and me and Gabe put that shit together. And look, it's about to be the annual... The fifth year anniversary. And I think going to come back for this one. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. It just makes sense. I mean, get Life of Time on the beat. Yeah, yeah. Because he's been doing the last... I think he did the last two beats. Last two. The last two. If it's possible. Yeah, I want to get...
00:44:38
Speaker
life of time and I want to get my man Cajun up there maybe cook something up but we're gonna work on something we're gonna work on something it's the fifth year so I'm gonna come back yeah what is what is that like like seeing that from the ground just like crazy right and for him to install that project into me out of all artists that just shows how much he's trust me that's how much he he understands how I
Building "On the Radar" Platform
00:45:01
Speaker
treat this game I treat this music and I and also just knows I'm I'm tapped in yeah I'm tapped in for real So it just fire. It's like a flower growing right now. And amongst all the other things that Gabe is doing, he's been incredible just as a public figure as he is, but just for somebody to be like, yo, Fer, you can help me build something real quick? Hell yeah, got you. I've been with Gabe. I remember when on the radar was in a small room just doing interviews before the freestyles. That's how long I've been tapped in with Gabe. That's fine. Yeah. That, I mean, super inspirational, man. Like, seeing him build that. That's my brother. I was speaking to him yesterday. Him and John, man, those are the family, man. For real, for I'm trying to get Gabe on an episode one day. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because, like, I was there for my boy Sango. He did a DJ set up there. And so I got to talk him for little bit. And I was just like, he was just like, yeah, you know, I just wear the same white uptowns, man. Oh, my God. Like, we can talk about a lot more than that, bro. Don't worry about it. I got it. What's so dope And I mean I keep bringing it back to community But seeing you Seeing like how you maneuver With that where you're You're on the ground level of a lot of these things Before they bubble up and you still stay with it Like you know I think right now we live in a lot of And this is a topical thing Because I think a lot of people say this Like we live in a world where it's all transactional relationships Everybody's trying to just get to the next thing whatever you know so like
00:46:35
Speaker
What is it about that like, how do you go about nurturing these relationships? Relationships is key. yeah um You're going to get into rooms that money can't get you in.
00:46:46
Speaker
and that's And that's connections, that's relationships. And it's all about building. One day might have an opportunity for you and I fuck with you, I'm going to put you Vice versa. Scratch yours out, you scratch mine. You know what saying? And if I fuck with you and we definitely have something in common, why not build? It's just...
00:47:04
Speaker
this is what it's about. We here on earth, God placed us here to build and to share. And this is why everything has been built as it's built because it didn't take one man to build a house. didn't take one man to build you know factories. It took a team. It took a amount of people to build a village. yeah So if we could do that and be successful and we could all eat, I don't see the purpose of being selfish. Know what I'm saying? It's just weird, bro. like when you Especially when you do something something like this or like you know creative, right?
The Importance of Collaboration in Creativity
00:47:32
Speaker
I think collaborating is key. It's absolutely key. Touch different markets too. yeah Like you right now, you're just in your bubble. But if somebody over there, like you got your own bubble and we can share resources, my resources and your resources is now bigger. Yeah.
00:47:50
Speaker
And now we can share and bring things to the table that we have no knowledge of. Right. Yeah. You know what saying? And also things just like, it breeds for, you know, fresher conversations. Cause like, if you're just talking to the same people all the same time, you're going the same answers. Right. That's like you being on the block every day. don't know nothing about nothing outside of that corner or that block. And that's, that's what we fall victim into a lot in the trenches. Like they only know the trenches. They don't know anything outside of that. So they only going to be limited to the block. You what I'm saying? When was the first time you were like, all right, cool, I can travel outside of Harlem?
00:48:24
Speaker
Or were you always just traveling? You was always? he wasn't My mom had us, like we would take family trips, from local family reunions, or just take us out sometimes. As I got older and was able to do that, I'm outta here. Me and niggas,
00:48:38
Speaker
Well now it's a little different, we artists we travel more. But we always made it a duty like once or twice a year. We gonna celebrate, go to LA, go to Houston, go to Miami, go to Atlanta. You know what I'm saying? I wish I knew you when I was younger. Nah, yeah. We'd have been tough bro. Cause bro, I stayed in Queens until I was like 15 bro. Like i never left Queens. I didn't see i didnin't see another borough until then. like yeah i was i was i And I was throwing parties too, but I was really doing it more Harlem, but I was always open to o just more than Harlem.
00:49:12
Speaker
You were like party promoter throwing parties? Yeah, I used to be in a crew and we used to throw mad parties and we'd just do skits. We was like on some shit. We was on A&P status before that wave, that streaming wave. We was doing skits, we was doing parties, we was doing music, we was everything.
00:49:32
Speaker
That's fire, bro. See? But that's like, yo, that's that's the that's community. That's network. That's like, yo, trying things and being like, you're not you're not like, yeah, I'm just going to not do it, like, not work on myself and in a sense of like, Cause you learn how to network doing that. Like learn how to build relationships doing that. in a school and just meeting people in school. And then after that we we chopping it up or we doing things and we building, we getting to know each other, we meeting each other family. And then that's how we build rapport. And then it just expands on that part. Nah, man, that's beautiful, bro. But we're towards the end of the podcast. I'm going to ask you another question. There's a little visualization. i want you to think about younger Fergie baby, right? He's about to open that box of Concords, right? Of what? The Concords, right? you Oh, Concords. Yeah, yeah.
00:50:19
Speaker
You almost, you had me scared. I thought I was like, damn, I got the sneaker on? I got the sneaker on. Oh shit. I didn't know what you said. like, wait, what? I opened up. Yeah. So now you, now you're older, you behind your younger self. What would you tell your younger self as he opens that box?
00:50:36
Speaker
You gonna have your own shoe one day. Yeah. Yeah. I'm gonna my own shoe. I'm gonna... Because I'm already doing some real big collaborations. Yeah.
00:50:46
Speaker
So the way I'm going, I'm gonna have my own shoe soon. Within the next five years. What was gonna say is I'm gonna need that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just was, I was waiting. I was waiting. I was like... I got you. I was gonna be in my You heard here. You heard it here.
00:51:00
Speaker
gonna clip that. When I have my own shoe, you gonna send me this clip like... Yeah. The the eyes are both. Remember my. grab of my got Yeah, guy. Yeah, I got you. Nah, yo, yo, I appreciate you pulling up, man. Like,
Career Reflections and Hip-Hop Roots
00:51:13
Speaker
ah you know, like I said, like, just seeing how you've been grinding and and doing a thing in the city. Like, you represent. And i think you you are you're mad dope, bro. Like, can I can't, there's the love no other way, bro. Like, listening to your album, listening to your albums, just like,
00:51:32
Speaker
That's that hip hop I'm always looking for. You know, like that just. Much love, man. The way you rap, like it brings me back to like being in in high school and being like. Damn, that's love. Yeah, bro. Because we had a different feeling. I feel like we all had a different feeling of music when we was a high school. Yeah.
00:51:49
Speaker
It was pure joy. Like, you know what I'm saying? And just you saying that, as that's fire. Aw, man. i appreciate that, bro. Let everybody know where to find you. Well, first album on the way, man. Just stay tuned. Debut album, matter of fact. um Oh, yeah?
00:52:03
Speaker
they Debut? Yeah. um I just signed a a label a label deal with Empire. So this is my first album. Studio album. Big dog. Yeah. out to the Empire team. Yeah.
00:52:16
Speaker
You can find me everywhere. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, FergieBabyGGU, HarlemBaby, Fergie.Baby on Instagram.
00:52:27
Speaker
God is from Harlem. Harlem is heaven. Welcome to the Palace, man, from one tenth to one fifty fifth oh Harlem, Harlem baby. Yo, appreciate you, bro. You know where to find me, WhoisHas on all social medias. Follow the podcast and My First Kicks pod.
00:52:43
Speaker
Head up to Patreon, patreon.com slash myfirstkicks. Please, it's only $5. How many? $5. $5. Tap into this. Like, this is it for all you creatives out there. This a platform that merges fashion with lifestyle, with music, man. This is a dope platform. And they're growing. And I'm glad to be here in the growing stages because when you get to that level, I'm be like, yeah, man. Please. I mean, look, the way you- I'm going to keep pulling back up. Please. I appreciate you. Everything that you touch turns into gold. So, you know what mean? I'm doing something right now. Yeah. No, no. Look, yo, I appreciate you pulling up, bro. If you got a My First Kick story, hit me up. Info at myfirstkicks.com. And I'm going to toss it to myself to do my outro piece.
00:53:27
Speaker
I hope you enjoyed this week's episode with Fergie, baby. As you know, or notice that I've like had to change the numbers of the episodes in the last three episodes. We had some, I recorded these, I recorded the last three episodes back to back to back. So like it allowed me a way to like move stuff around and Fergie,
00:53:50
Speaker
Fergie Baby dropped his newest music video for A Good Day in Harlem. And we talked about it in the episode. So please go check that out if you haven't yet. Or hopefully that video led you to this video on YouTube. So...
00:54:06
Speaker
It's been really cool. ah Just like seeing the progression from like last week's episode with Deshaun Jordan. And hopefully you checked out his music as well. He's really good. His album is really good. But Fergie baby pulling up right before that episode and doing this one. 257. Right. this Yeah, I'm leaving this in here. But two fifty seven think this is two fifty seven fifty six two fifty be seven yeah i'm leaving all this in here but I recorded three episodes back to back Mandel, Deshaun Jordan, and Fergie baby.
00:54:39
Speaker
And that's why they're coming out in this order. And it's been really dope. um You know, a couple things about like me ah in my job currently. I've been ah taking a lot on, a lot more on within you know corporate America doing my job as a project manager, and basically a project manager. And it's just been really taxing and and trying to to weigh in how much time I can like put in towards the podcast and beginning of the year. Hopefully, it's going to start
00:55:17
Speaker
ah Evening out and I'll be able to you know actively be back to super active like I was before December or during December and maybe a little bit of January, but it's like been crazy and so if you see a little bit of my participation go down in like the comments or, or, it takes me a little bit to get back to some messages. Uh, if you're watching this, I'm sorry. i I'm trying my best to just balance everything and make sure I'm not like, uh, getting overwhelmed or like, you know, um, inundated or feeling like, oh, this is a chore or something like that. Like,
00:56:00
Speaker
Podcasts supposed to be fun. Podcasts will, and and and to my to be frank with y'all, podcasts is always going to come first to me. I want to make sure that this is something that fulfills me in every single way, whether to be able to talk sneakers, whether to be able to talk with musicians, comics, movie stars, whoever I can sit with and have a full on conversation where ask them what's their first kicks, what's that first pair they absolutely need to have and get like insight onto how they got to where they are. That's going to be super duper fulfilling to me.
Balancing Job and Passion
00:56:38
Speaker
And, you know, being a hundred percent transparent with y'all, my nine to five pays for the podcast. Right. So I do have to also be very good at my
00:56:52
Speaker
job and so still you gotta like and hopefully this is anybody that listens this you do have to make sacrifices in other parts of your life in order to make some parts of your life more fruitful or the main thing um but when you're when you if you think of yourself like a pie you can't necessarily be 50% work, 50% passion. You have
Life Balance and Resource Allocation
00:57:22
Speaker
family, you have you know obligations in your life, you have you know loved ones, you have people that you are taking care of and your responsibility. So you do have to look at yourself as like, all right, my job is 35%, my passion is 35%, and then the rest of this, I have to show up. But I think that like,
00:57:44
Speaker
if you are able to show up 100% in the facets of each percent, like, however you've divvied it up in your head of like, yo, this is how this is how much effort I'm putting into it. It's different than how much, like, how present you are. So that's my my spiel, um you know, as I've talked about.
Podcast Funding Transparency
00:58:11
Speaker
how I focused on the podcast last year, how I'm juggling, you know, working in corporate America at the same time. And, you know, this is just full transparency of just like, it's a lot, it's a lot. And I'm trying to make it work and you know, trying to make sure that people on the Patreon who put their hard earned money, you know, into investing into, into my growth and, and the growth of the podcast, like,
00:58:38
Speaker
I want to make sure that they are also seeing as much as I can, seeing as much as I'm able to include them in, especially more, because they are really, really being super helpful for the podcast. And this is why I always keep, you know, pressing and keep pushing it, because that money goes straight by it right back into the podcast. So I'm just saying all of that to say,
00:59:08
Speaker
please, please, please sign up for the Patreon.
Monetization Challenges in Podcasting
00:59:10
Speaker
Patreon.com slash MyFirstKicks. um I'm going to do another newsletter when I get some time. Just more to talk about the idea of just pursuing passions and creating in a space where I think the perception is that you are getting money.
00:59:35
Speaker
And I've been very very frank of like, I'm i'm putting my hard-earned money back into the podcast. Like, I'm fueling this myself. But if you ever... If I've had way too many conversations, let be real with y'all, I've had way too many conversations where people are just like, yeah, the podcast is making money, right?
00:59:56
Speaker
No. No. um i don't know how up front I can be about this. Like, it... You know, if you if you want to be 100% about this, like, I'm relying on on Google AdSense, right? But I'm only averaging 200 views, right? That's not... Versus, like, if you look at somebody, like, if you look at a top podcast that gets 10,000 views, they're able to get, you know, recoup more of the funding that they're putting into the podcast because YouTube is paying them back, right?
Creator Economy Struggles
01:00:35
Speaker
the the The creator economy, which is in the first the first newsletter, I talk about how you know we as creators are putting in our hard-earned money to create these full-produced products or these full-produced pieces. And like each episode...
01:00:58
Speaker
I'm spending X amount and it's a full done show. um But how much of that is coming back in? Right. And if you're if you think about this on like a sneakers aspect, like if you look at anybody who is not like a big name, you know, shout out Seth or Wynonna, like those guys, you know, when they first started.
01:01:18
Speaker
some of them had to, like or even like Fowler, they had to buy the sneakers first and then hope that their videos would go viral enough to pay for said sneaker or the so they would recoup as much as they could on the resell market for the sneaker that they were reviewing in the video, right?
01:01:39
Speaker
And sometimes it works, sometimes you take a loss, and that's the gamble that we take,
Visibility and Audience Growth
01:01:44
Speaker
right? But when it comes to podcasting, it's really, really high importance of just like getting your name out there and getting as much people to to click on the video and to check out the video because I'm asking a lot of you know, I'm making these connections so that I can have these conversations for y'all and for myself as well.
01:02:06
Speaker
And it is outside of a a passion. It's also something I think this community needed. So when it comes to creating for something like this, there's no real, like, there's no real, real, like,
01:02:28
Speaker
pathway outside of like sponsorships, you know, or videos going crazy.
Starting a Sneaker-Based Podcast
01:02:34
Speaker
But the way that if you look at how podcasts are set up now, it's a lot of like bigger names are getting podcasts or, you know, people with huge following. But as I've said time and time again, with with this, I've taken the hardest road. I had no following,
01:02:55
Speaker
And nobody knew me for anything else. i didn't I didn't post sneakers. I didn't review sneakers. I just said, I'm going to create a following off of making a sneaker-based podcast. And we're here. And it's been a long road. But you know I've taken the road less traveled.
01:03:18
Speaker
And I'm trying to find my my footing. And I think a lot of people have you know i've gotten a lot of I've gotten mainly really good feedback from everybody ever since I started this, so I'm very grateful for
Inspiring Listeners and Changing the Game
01:03:30
Speaker
everyone. And I'm trying to change the game as much as I can. And and you know you hopefully everybody that listens to a pod this podcast specifically um is using it as a tool and you know an inspiration to pursue their dreams as well.
01:03:52
Speaker
But, of course, you know, i do gotta say, and I will say this, I'm gonna end on this before we jump into the Patreon shoutouts, I gotta say that, like, it's really, what really means a lot to me is ah are the messages that I get.
01:04:08
Speaker
um People reaching out to me, telling me that they thought they were gonna stop doing what they were doing, and they listened to an episode of the podcast, and they felt reinvigorated to start, you know, jumping into their passions. Like, I've seen I've had previous guests hit me up and be like, yo, I wasn't going to do any more podcasting, but I saw what you've been doing and you gave me hope. So I jumped back into it. So, you know, that's really
Showcasing Diverse Voices in Culture
01:04:34
Speaker
dope. And like I said, I just want change the game as much as I can because, you know, we hear and see a lot of the same voices and we see people that don't look like the people that
01:04:46
Speaker
uh are the big are the names that we are used to hearing when it comes to sneakers and sneaker culture streetwear and streetwear culture um and so as much as i can shine with a little light that i'm able to shine i'm always going try to do that i'm always going to try to find new and exciting people that i find intriguing that have us have ah an intriguing story and i'm going to always try to bring that every week and of course i'm going to bring back you know, previous guests as well, because I love just getting a second chance to chop it up with people. So thank you again for checking out this
Patreon Support and Future Goals
01:05:21
Speaker
episode. Shout out to Fergie baby to pull it up. Check out that album when it drops. I think he said it's coming out in March. Check out the big album, the big hell album that he's on. Like that's insane. He's got, he got to rap on big L's album. I mean, he's big Harlem. They'll like, it's fire. I can't, hopefully we get that food truck too. You know, I'm always in Harlem. So,
01:05:43
Speaker
Of course we gotta the Patreon shout out. shout out to all my patrons on the Patreon. And if you're not a patron,
01:05:55
Speaker
and you haven't signed up for Patreon, please do so at patreon.com slash myfirstkicks. So let's start it off. We got Plox. Shout out Plox. Shout out Samia. Shout out Jordan Kaiser.
01:06:06
Speaker
Shout out Adam Butler. Shout out Derek Hawkins. Shout out Derek Lipkin. Shout out Ross Adam. Shout out Ross Neustetter. I'm at nine.
01:06:17
Speaker
Nine um patrons or patrons. One more. trying to get one i'm trying to get to ten. You know, I feel like that's like a good round number for now until I want to get to 20. Once that happens, I want to drop another, hopefully get another previous guest on just ah to chop it up with me. If you haven't yet, please check out me and Joe's episode where we talked about the Blackfootwear
Blackfootwear Forum Announcement
01:06:45
Speaker
Forum. Blackfootwear Forum is coming back in September.
01:06:47
Speaker
Please make sure subscribe. get a good hotel if you're gonna pull up because don't be like me i was staying in the trenches and I will forever say that ever forever ever again I'm go try to get a hotel early this year hopefully I can get to speak at this one um but Definitely check out that Patreon exclusive episode. And if you want to check out more of the podcast, check out these two episodes here. subscribe Subscribe to the podcast with that button also on this page right here. And then don't forget, you know what we say each week, wear your kicks. Peace.