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Are You A Figer-Head? With DJ Dramos
134 Plays2 months ago
This week I am joined by z-100's own DJ Dramos, we talk about his history with kicks. Working on the breakfast club, growing up in and around New York. He shows off two pairs of kicks and tells some insightful stories about them. We also go over his motivation to start his podcast Life as a Gringo plus his pivot from being in a band to where he is now. Plus so much more!!
Where to find Dramos:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@djdramos
Life as a Gringo Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3414rJpXwYgIUR_xGfB7GmEk_yJpKmx
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@djdramos
Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks
Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/
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Transcript
Introduction to Sneaker Culture
00:00:00
Speaker
to it you know this is probably like you know 2017 2018 that i started really getting a you know a little bit of a collection going i think um i had at that time i was working at the radio station so a full-time job so had a little bit going on me yeah you know yeah radio money yeah i probably syndicated money
00:00:23
Speaker
I had roaches in my bathroom, but I had Jordans in the closet. do yeah You know gotta do with that. you know, back a little bit, right? Or like Breakfast Club is to me the ultimate example because Envy, remember Envy's been doing this longer than than most of them. He was he was on Hot 97, do this on a high level before that, right? He came to to power and he was bigger than, you know, somebody Charlamagne at the time or Angelie. Yeah, Angelie was on Sirius XM and Charlamagne was like unemployed the time, I think.
00:00:49
Speaker
You know, so but envy understood understands his role. That's why he calls himself the quarterback of it, where it's like I'm a set Charlamagne up to say something funny because I know like this is what I do. Right. All those little things um are kind of the brilliance and the nuance that makes somebody great at podcasting, at radio, at interviewing, at doing their craft. Yeah. um That I think the average person doesn't understand unless you're like there in the room, you know, if that makes sense.
00:01:14
Speaker
What's good,
DJ Dramos' Background and Inspirations
00:01:15
Speaker
everyone? Welcome back to My First Kicks. This is episode 207, and this week I bring to you the illustrious. The illustrious DJ Dramos. What's good, bro? Thank you for having me. Yeah. No, thank you for pulling up. Of course. Illustrious. I like that. yeah I like that. Illustrious. Yeah. at the You got to widen the vocabulary. Yeah. I like it. I like his girlfriend. like it. And of course, we got d in the building. Yes, sir. Per usual.
00:01:42
Speaker
All day, every day. Yo, thank you for pulling up, man. Of course, man. i appreciate you for having me. I'm excited. Yeah. You know, you've been doing Life as a Gringo podcast and checking it out. We have the... To be honest, I've been listening to, and I've realized this, I've been listening way too much. Like, like it like government stuff, government podcasts. And then I saw you, I was like, all right, I probably should tap in on this one. This is a different perspective. I keep listening to white people talk about the government. Yep.
00:02:12
Speaker
Yep. It'll drive you crazy. You know, you'd be like, damn, everything's wrong. And then you'd like, you're like, yeah, this is a white person's perspective. It's probably even worse. Right. yeah Oh, yeah. 100%. 100%. then you get like frustrated what's happening. Yeah. but then you get frustrated what they're not seeing. So it's just like a double, know what saying? It gets you all kinds of mess. though You know what's really fire, though? and And hopefully, I don't know. I don't know. It'd be an interesting guest.
00:02:35
Speaker
Josh Johnson, he does his, like, comedy ah episode. Like, his comedy, like, one hour. Like, he drops them every week. Yeah. But it's all, like, perspective of, like, what's going on. Because he's a Daily daily Show correspondent. Right, right, right, right.
00:02:47
Speaker
So that lessens the blow. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because it's a little bit fun. Little puns in there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. have a laugh while crying. It's good. Yeah, yeah, definitely. But, I mean, you know, definitely want to know, like,
Diversity in Media and Podcasts
00:02:58
Speaker
why'd you start? Just jump into because I would like to know why'd you start that? I feel like, you know, I started this and I had Mero and I told him, like,
00:03:06
Speaker
You know, I've only listened to white people on podcasts. Right. felt like white people were po like the podcast thing. Yeah. And so, ah you know, once I found Bodega Boys, that's when I was just like, oh, snap, people of color can actually do this. Yeah. Yeah. i think for for me, it was it was similar, man. I think um I definitely was like big in the podcast space for a while. But to your point, it definitely was never fully my perspective, you know, and I think.
00:03:31
Speaker
it became glaringly clear as sort of all that was happening with the murder of George Floyd and the pandemic and like the way that people were afraid to talk about things or just had a lack of understanding. Like I find myself just screaming at like the car basically, you know what I'm saying?
00:03:46
Speaker
ah So I think for me it was like, yeah, there's definitely something missing. I started doing like some Instagram lives at that point during the pandemic, like daily. And that kind of started catching on a little bit. And I kind of saw like, oh, like, you know, there's people like myself who are looking for a different perspective.
00:04:00
Speaker
And I started of having like different, you know, variety of guests and things like that. At the time, I was working with The Breakfast Club as well. So um they've always been a huge inspiration. But like being there and like just seeing how they carry themselves, even off mic off camera just like unapologetically black was so inspiring to me yeah especially like because when i got to radio man it was like i was in a lot of white spaces so i felt like i didn't know where i fit in then when got with them it was like they were talking wild like off camera off mic it didn't matter who was around like and so like they and they owned it and they could because they were who they are you know i'm saying they were successful and to me it was like yo they're being unapologetic about who they are unafraid to speak on what matters to them what's important to them as a result of becoming a pillar of the community
00:04:43
Speaker
that is far beyond just entertainment. um And that was just inspiring to say, oh, on top of that, you know, they're they're making that bread as well. Like, yeah they're successful. So like, I was like, you could kind of really have it all, do so do ah do stuff that matters, speak about things that matter in a way that matters um and do it unapologetically as yourself. So I think that was all that together collectively um was was kind of what got the podcast started.
Personal Sneaker Journey and Cultural Impact
00:05:05
Speaker
And then I think the real breaking point for me was also when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.
00:05:09
Speaker
Mm um And it was a frustration about the lack of coverage and and lack of conversation as well. So it was just kind of all that bubbled up. And i kind of was just like, have to something. And that ended up being it. No, yeah. That's the one where Trump threw the.
00:05:20
Speaker
Yeah. Paper towels. Yeah. and And like the underreporting of like death rates and and all those things, man. it was just like, yo, what is what is happening right now? And now we don't have FEMA no more. what's going to happen now? know. I know. so Sorry to make this. ah Now we have a political podcast, man.
00:05:37
Speaker
Let's go. You can't avoid it, though. It's like every time I open my phone, it's some new shit. Oh, God. This is crazy. It's a part of our everyday life, and it's it's spilling out into like every... ah and If you are not a rich, straight white man, like you're ah everybody's getting affected by what's going on in some way, shape, or form. you know So like it's natural to talk about it. And like, yeah, the the social media makes it worse because it's like the blogs we just posted. Like Trump said this today. I'm trying to avoid it. But like...
00:06:04
Speaker
Man, it's a lot. It's a lot to take in. Yo, it's crazy. you're here to answer the question. Yeah, here we are. You're here to answer the question that I ask everybody each week. That question is, what's your first case with that first pair sneakers you absolutely needed to have? Oh, man. my first ones, I had to look. I think it's the Nike, the uptempo. With the giant air on the side. Yeah, that's the Scottie Pittman. Yeah, those are the first ones remember getting. And I felt like I am the shit. You know I'm saying? Wearing those as a little ass kid. Like,
00:06:32
Speaker
because it was so bold and so in your face you couldn't avoid them and they were just fire so those are my first ones I think I want to say I the black and white ones like just the classic black more black is it yeah more black that and a little white hint and even to this day keeping with the the tune oh yeah tone the tone of life yeah exactly exactly Exactly. But yeah, i think even to this day, like, a part of me, because I know they reissued them now in my adulthood.
00:06:56
Speaker
But I was like, I don't know when the hell I'm going to wear these now. I can't get away with it. They got one that are gum bottoms now, too. Yeah, the gum bottoms are clean. Those fly. I think sent you those. Did I send you those? You sent it there, and I just scroll past them. Yeah, yeah. I don't like the corduroy on it or whatever that like material to be honest like what I like I like the up temples but the supreme was just it just went crazy for me like I think it yeah I can't I can't even look at them the same anymore unless they are the supreme ones like I need that like gold with the red and yeah a little extra and it says supreme all the ones that got me the most was the green ones remember they had the had that well that I bought, those are the last pair I bought. I think that was like 2017. Yeah. When those dropped with 2018. Those are the last, but I ain't gonna lie, I was looking at those gum bottoms.
00:07:42
Speaker
They're hard to like pair with something, I feel like though. Like it's a gigantic, funky ass shoe. You know what I'm saying? Like it ain't like a clean aesthetic. I think it's because we are three people that definitely like to wear a little bit tighter jeans. so You're right. Because a lot of people like, I've been talking to a lot of people that are in the culture now and they're like, yeah, we're going back to baggy jeans. I'm like,
00:08:03
Speaker
all right i guess i'm staying where i'm at like you know pull out the type like the big cargo yeah but like that's that but i'm not bringing out the the jinkos like i'm you know like i'm not going all the way back that's like you seen beaver in new york recently like the bro don't know what homie's doing like he's looking crazy yeah the but like the biggest jeans in the entire world but like off it like way off his ass like way worse than like we did back in the day like i don't know what what who's styling him these days but don't know yeah even trying Travis Scott now. yeah In the Jordan commercial. Because Baggy's back.
00:08:36
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. But it's like. But then you can't show off the kicks at that point, right? Because it's covered up by the jeans. No, you got to do the. You got to tuck it in. You tuck it in. That's too much. Nah, nah. You bring it. Everybody's bringing back time of jeans into the laces. Oh my God.
00:08:53
Speaker
Yo, we got to, I think we got to get people to send us pics of their jeans and what sneakers they had on. You see, it's doing too much at that point, man. Like, I'm not going to go all out for that, you know? I'm good. I got to sit certain things out. That's wild. So did you mainly grow up? Where did you grow up? So when I was younger, I was in the Bronx. And then I did, like, high school in Jersey.
00:09:15
Speaker
So I split time. So, like, my mom was a teacher in the Bronx. Mm-hmm. So when I was younger, had nobody to watch me, even though technically we live in Jersey. So i used to go to school in the Bronx. So we would stay at my grandma's house. and I usually spend like weekends back and forth.
00:09:27
Speaker
um And then like middle school, ah like junior high, high school, out I ended up going to school in in New York. I'm sorry, New Jersey. when did When did you get the tempo? Oh, I was still going. That was when I was in the Bronx. in Yeah. middle school.
00:09:41
Speaker
um Yeah. they element Like late elementary school, early middle school. Yeah. When did you feel like you were like, all right now I'm part. Like I need to start getting more sneakers. Was it in? I always loved sneakers and and sneaker culture and things like that. Like I never, i don't consider myself a sneaker head because I know that all like all that comes along with that. I'm ah like an appreciation, appreciator of sneakers. You know what I'm saying? I leave it at that. But I don't look. Yeah.
00:10:03
Speaker
There. Some of y'all be bugging, not for nothing. Not some of y'all, don't throw that on me. But to me, it's like, I'm the other side of it. So like, yes, I had my moment where you gotta, oh, you gotta have, you know, your infrareds. You have like Lisa Jordan. You know, like I had my moments. I did my eliteness, my elitism.
00:10:23
Speaker
elitism right at one point. um But then you grow out of that. Right, right, And then you come out to the other side. The older dudes that like that be the, no, I'm not wearing it unless Jordan's wearing it like in the game and he's got to score at least 30 points. Like, you know, like I'm not, I'm not one of those people. For me, sneakers is for everybody. think that, you know, everybody has a sneaker story. right um It doesn't matter.
00:10:45
Speaker
But I feel like sneakers are just this one thing that, the the the term that you know you hear a lot is nobody can walk the in the same shoes that you right right right so like that i feel like has like spread out in into sneakers yes like being a sneaker head it's just to me it's like if you i wake up every morning thinking about like remembering sneakers right like i'm just like yeah 95 neons like you know like ah like that's like one of the first three thoughts in my head right why so yeah like Sorry. I love it, but that's wild. Mine was more functionality, though. i got one pair of sneakers a year yeah right for the school year, and I played basketball, so i always they doubled as my basketball sneakers. cook them.
00:11:25
Speaker
Yeah, so like I was you know playing my rec basketball, and also I wore them to school every day. so like The other ones that stick out to me are the T-Max, the original um Trace McGrady's. The blue joints? um what they but they had like The toe was like purplish, right? Purplish with blue? Yeah.
00:11:38
Speaker
um I remember that was a Christmas gift from my uncle. Like, instead of getting me like a random gift, he was like, I'm gonna take you sneaker shopping. He didn't realize, though, how much sneakers were at the time. That was the last time he ever took me sneaker shopping. But he bought me a $100 pair of sneakers. All I wanted was a T-Max. That was the last time. But yeah, had the T-Max.
00:11:54
Speaker
Another sneaker looks terrible with jeans. like that was like You know what I'm saying? That's on the court. Like, looks fire on the court. In real life, they don't match very much. Okay, that's how feel about. They might hate me for this one. That's how I feel about Kobe's, bro. Kobe's. Ooh. Look.
00:12:09
Speaker
I don't feel like Kobe's are for style I feel like they're for performance yeah and even the way they're designed I'm gonna push back on this 2013, we was outside Nike basketball. Like, we was outside in Nike basketball, all right? You had the elite socks. You had to show three on the side, the back of the top. You had drop it? What?
00:12:31
Speaker
Yeah. Yo, LeBron's was doing numbers out there, right? so they were Exactly. LeBron's another one. I mean, shoes live more in the basketball space yeah than the fashion space. Right.
00:12:43
Speaker
it's the It's just if enough cool, cool people, we talked about cool in the last episode, there's enough cool people wear it, then it becomes the norm. And then you're just like, right, cool. I can go outside. Right. You know? So if you if enough people wore T-Max, you would kid like if there's an alternate. I'm probably just hype around it. Say there's a multiverse, right? You're in the multiverse where enough cool people wore T-Max with jeans and people were like accepting it. And then they're just like, yeah, you know, I wore T-Max with jeans. Cool, man. Right. Right. Right.
00:13:11
Speaker
that but that was like a I thought that was more like dope ah on the court. like My basketball friends liked them, but everybody else is like, these are ugly ass sneakers. I feel like there's certain pairs that yeah do that. Nah, those is not for fashion. But if you hooping in them, you get it. It's a whole different thing. The KDs.
00:13:27
Speaker
all this yeah ladies yeah I like KD4s. You can get a fit off in KD4s. That's the one with the straps. A little bit. They look like They look like clean like sleek shoes.
00:13:40
Speaker
You can get it. you could get a You can get the tech fit. You can get the tech fit. That's it. You get the tech fit with everything. That's what I'm saying. feel like I'm biased at this point. I might i think I've i've gotten too old where I can't remember like how to get creative. like To me, it's like Jordan's the only thing I can see myself wearing, like basketball sneaker-wise, out and about, where I feel like, okay, I can make this look good with any fit type of thing. But I feel like that's because society has made it. Yeah, that's true. Look, you got to take some chances. yeah Get you got a full length mirror. You're right. You're right. on the suit and then just throw on some. you It's like ah a phone positive face. ah just yeah know now my god bro those I never got was like, no, I don't understand. of roe i broke I broke the seal on the phone positive last year.
00:14:23
Speaker
So the first time, first time. yeah So I am trying to get these galaxies that are coming out. So I've got the Tekken phones last year. Yeah. And then I put them on. I'm like, damn. These are comfortable. And then i took, out but i did I fucked up. Yeah.
00:14:38
Speaker
I wore them on a plane. ah And because of the foam on it, it's like it contracts. Oh, really? So my feet were killing me. My feet were killing me. Wow. This is wild.
00:14:50
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. See, um I can't get behind them. I know anybody who's from like Maryland or the Baltimore area, they they live by those. They love them. I never understood. To me, those are the ugliest sneakers, bro.
00:15:01
Speaker
I can't do it. Because sneakers. I don't even know how people can hoop in them. but They're so heavy. um I never hooped in them. But I definitely rocked them to the court. Yeah, I'm sure. Them things is boots. Yeah, you ain't getting no jump off. You're not getting any lead step with those at all. Never. yeah that is it So, I mean, you say you have an appreciation for sneaker culture, but how did yeah you find sneaker culture?
00:15:25
Speaker
had I mean, i think it was like as a kid, that's like the you're calling card of what kind of you're in the know almost. Right. And especially I think for me being super young is talking about like the end of like the Tommy Hilfiger Polo era.
00:15:39
Speaker
Like we're part of that. um I was big Tommy head. Yeah. Yeah. tomm More than anything. More than sneakers. I was like big Tommy head. Yeah. and um I've never heard anybody admit to that. But no. Yeah. We're not going to on Tommy Slander, okay? I met Tommy. Did you? Yeah, yeah. I met his brother. That's not as cool. was in the studio session with his son when he was going through gangsta phase.
00:15:58
Speaker
That was the funniest session I've ever been in in my life. Because he was talking about hustling and all this gangsta shit. Bro, your pop sell $100. Your pop sell a billion. I'm not 100% sure people can hear you because you so far away. Oh, my bad. I was in that session with him and his son, and um he was just rapping. It was the most awkward thing ever.
00:16:19
Speaker
We walk into the session, and um was just like, okay, this is Tommy Hilfiger's son. yeah But y'all talking about bagging up work. Right. And was so confused. But your dad lives at the plaza? he yeah work The work is like, your dad made a billion dollars off crew necks and leaves.
00:16:36
Speaker
know what I'm saying? He's backing up jeans with the flag on them. With the flag when he's doing his thing. And you talking about hustling? That's crazy. When are you going to pull out a Tommy Hilfiger fit? Me? Oh, bro, I got some like pieces in my closet. Yeah, I used to rock it all the time. I kind of put it away. I had to grow that little bit. But what was really dope was like when they did the when they were going Windbreaker to Windbreaker with Polo. Yeah. that was dope. Yeah, I mean, i think it's i just think those brands are interesting because like this is before Supreme and all stuff. So these were real lifestyle brands. Like you can still find, like I got a shower curtain at time. He'll figure in my crib. you know i'm saying? Like that's some wild, like makes no sense whatsoever. Now it does. Cause Supreme, all these companies do it. But yeah back in the day that that's a different level of like, you know, loving the
Fashion and Music Industry Influences
00:17:19
Speaker
brand and all these things. I wish there was like,
00:17:21
Speaker
like legend you know how like you hear well i don't know if you ever heard about like the babe supreme beef yeah i wish there was like a polo ralph lauren right polo uh tommy hillfiger beef yeah yeah polo hillfiger beef that people would just meet up on the streets and fight each other they kind of but been like yeah like lowheads yeah be value you were help but you figure you Rob Markman, run that figure. Rob Markman, But what's gangster about Tommy Hilfiger is he inserted himself into the conversation. Because his original thing is he put out a billboard saying the great American designers, and it was Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and I think somebody else, and then Tommy Hilfiger. That before he even had anything going on. So he was like, I'm about to be a part of this. Rob Markman, he's the West Side Gun of that.
00:18:09
Speaker
Rob Markman, what an analogy. So i got like I rock with that. like, all right. he's I love that. That takes some balls right there. to throw myself in that conversation even before anybody's put me out there. like I like that. And then obviously, you know i mean it's depending on what angle you look at it, but I think the that hip-hop angle of...
00:18:27
Speaker
sort of embracing that aspect before lot of people wore, I think is super dope. Before companies wanted people of color wearing their clothing and things like that, they weren't marketing to them. It was just like Ralph Lauren wasn't marketing to the hip hop community. They just kind of took it over almost. But Tommy specifically was like, yo, I'm gonna put all these rappers in my fashion shows and we're gonna, oh, Snoop's playing SNL. We're gonna show up there with a gang clothing and see if he wears something. And Snoop shows up wearing, I think it was the rugby shirt at the time. So mean, I think that was just like, that's guerrilla marketing. Like, you know, before that was even probably terminology at that point. That's now what every brand does is like, how do we figure out where the pulse of the culture is and sort of become a part of it and embrace it, you know, and not be too highbrow to like admit there's something dope going on here. How can we be a part of it? That's crazy though, because ain't Tommy, correct me if I'm wrong, I could do the producer fact check. But isn't Tommy just
00:19:22
Speaker
isn't tommy didn't he say that he didn't make his clothes for black people and got, and that is the room that's when the culture was like. Yeah, but that was, so that proved to be fake though.
00:19:34
Speaker
Oh, see. Yeah. So like, apparently, so he, it was, they said it would happen on, on ah on the Oprah Winfrey show back when she had a talk show. um but he had apparently never been on the oprah winfrey show so it was like the first like fake viral rumor essentially right um and that was and but that stuck with him at the time like that yeah everybody heard about it especially like back then it wasn't like you can kind of easily like chat gbt the tummy hooker or like pull up the clip so it was just one yeah so it was like a rumor because i interviewed his um his brother who had like a showroom here in the city and he was kind of showing me all types of old school stuff and like even back in they had he had another brand called i think it was like people's place or something like that back in upstate new york and they have like old school like photos from their you know their lines and it had people of color like all in the pictures as well it wasn't like it was just white people you know on yachts and shit you know what saying So it was like they kind of were into that from the beginning. And, you know, so, yeah, that was kind of like a rumor that started and went crazy. and And people still think about it to this day. That's interesting. I just had to bring that because when you're saying that, I'm like, he's for the people. But I was like, but I heard he wasn't.
00:20:44
Speaker
Interesting. See, fact checkers. fact check They're needed. be So because you said that, yeah that way of guerrilla marketing, i always thought it was FUBU that did that first. FUBU was on even a crazier way because yeah it was kind of more like the same three shirts. and yeah And it was like dude was like on a real bootstrap budget. You know, it was Damon John, right? Yeah, Damon John.
00:21:07
Speaker
And yeah, he he was like, but he was even crazier with it because he was, i think it think it was LL was doing a commercial for something and he got LL to wear like a hat or a shirt or something in the commercial and like the brand that was that was paying LL to do it had no idea what FUBU was so they didn't like be like, hey, can you take that off?
00:21:25
Speaker
So he got free advertising because LL was already getting this commercial whatever it was. That's like a next level, like, really, like, playing in the system at that point, you know? Crush that. Yeah, so that's that's, like, yeah, that's on a next level of, like, even more respect.
00:21:36
Speaker
I love, like, the those stories of early FUBU days. Yeah, I mean, and now everybody uses the tactics. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, exactly. That's, like, gaming the system to a tenth degree right there. yeah So then, like, I mean...
00:21:47
Speaker
fought Like the the hill figure yeah brought you a little bit closer to the sneakers or like yeah I mean you definitely haven't had like the the kicks to go with everything to to kind of complete ah You know the the whole look I think for me It wasn't until I got a little older and started having a little bit of money to go around that I really got into it You know, this is probably like, you know 2017 2018 that i started really getting ah you know a little bit of a collection going. I think um i had a at that time I was working at the radio station so I a full-time job. had a little bit going on. Oh, excuse me. Yeah. you know Radio money. Yeah. I probably. Syndicated money. had a.
00:22:29
Speaker
I had roaches in my bathroom, but I had Jordans in the closet. You know what I'm saying? That's what you gotta do, man. Yeah, you know? So, I'm curious.
Radio Career and Lessons Learned
00:22:40
Speaker
How did you get into the radio station? I was just like a local... So, I grew up playing in bands. That's where my original whole thing is. I to play drums, and I was vocalist as well in a metal band.
00:22:51
Speaker
ah home and then a Shout out to Shout out to What the band yeah Oh man Iyer and Sentiment Is a horrible name But That is that name is trash it on Load up Load up your your Lime wire And your frost wire And look it up Crank up that 56k modem and go back in time. We're going to listen to it ah Plug in that compact for sorry. Let's go. Myspace.com slash ire and sentiment. some so might But yeah, that was like my I love playing music. So when that kind of ended, i was like wanting to do something and I had just started getting to DJing a little bit. Yeah. So that was kind of a crazy pivot. I know. hard that me ask you the question i know fabulous I want to be a rapper originally. So I haven't pivoted like that. dumb wild my whole life, you know, um like, but but ah yeah, so that was like I was super. I think it was honestly it was like Travis Barker and DJ and were doing that whole thing at the time. So it was kind of like, yo, this is like
00:23:50
Speaker
all my worlds coming together. And then you had, Skrillex was doing electronic music and I knew him from, from first to last when he was a singer and and doing that type of stuff. So like, i was like, Oh, like these dudes are mixing, you know, it's like, ah there's a lane for me there. So that's kind of what got me into it. And then, um,
00:24:05
Speaker
I was DJing just like anywhere I could. I was doing private parties. I was doing like block parties, doing terrible dive bars throughout like New Jersey and Long Island. i was Long Island for no reason a lot. I don't know why, but I was doing Long Island. No business out there. but And then i was one of the bars I was DJing at in Jersey, like one of the other DJs who was come throwing this college party at the time, he worked at our sister radio station, KTU, 103.5.
00:24:28
Speaker
one with three point five So ah we became friends and like through him, I started meeting people and kind of over the years developing those relationships and one thing led to another and i got a job at that radio station after somebody like fell asleep uh they had like 10 minutes dead air overnight so they were like you gotta get me out here uh what do you what do you got about this got it with the mic francisco dude knocked out and uh and yeah the rest the history i got my first job in radio at that point that's crazy and then yeah through that i'm in the same building as as power 1051 you know all the other radio stations so
00:25:01
Speaker
you start getting to know people and that's sort where we're all led into each other so is one of these pairs that you've brought one of the first pairs you you paid with your oh yeah oh this is why i learned a hard lesson though yeah you want me to bust these out yeah yeah all right so I think this was like, I want to say this is 2019. They did the reissue the infrareds. Was it? Yeah. Right.
00:25:21
Speaker
So I love those sneakers. I don't know what what about them. I was so fascinated by it. And I got them. ah Shout out to Dan. He's another producer on The Breakfast Club. Big sneaker head. ah And he got me like a raffle and I got them.
00:25:33
Speaker
And then I finally got them in the mail and like the red was off. It was like a pink. I hated it. Yes. Right. Yeah. So i got so mad. I was like, you know what? how I'm gonna get the real thing. Right. We're going vintage with this. I don't care what I have to pay. I'm be so fresh walking around with the real red.
00:25:46
Speaker
So, face box. You got to show the face box. Show the box. This is the real deal right here. Right? So, at first, I was hyped, right? This is like original box and everything. going to be the only one rocking the real ones. Because at that time, everybody had them. i was like, these pink ass sneakers.
00:26:00
Speaker
like trump Yo, even had the the card, like the original card on the inside over here. Okay. yeah all i am Crazy. um man they not i'm saying oh I I remember when those started. You're also hurting my heart right now. bro and you I can see inside. I'm calling out goat. yeah um Bro, I opened the box.
00:26:20
Speaker
Oh no. And this is what they sent me. Oh my god. Bro, look at that. you Can y'all see these things are talking? Oh, talking? sorry, just ruined the whole set. It's like my little break off of sneakers over here. Both of them.
00:26:32
Speaker
Oh, man. Right? They sent them like that? Originally, they sent me this one, right? Yeah. And then I was like, yo, this is crazy. So I went to- Let me- Yo, this is crazy. This is crazy. Bro, all right. So, hit up customer service. like, yo, they just sent me some busted ass kicks. Like, I can't even wear these. Oh, they fall the card on me. Yeah, throw that side.
00:26:59
Speaker
Oh, my God. We have to vacuum this set up afterwards. I'm sorry. that so right So I like I sent pictures. I was like, yo, are you like when you're off? 2019 you bought these. Yeah.
00:27:11
Speaker
I was like, yo, how are y'all checking this? And you let this go. And somebody sold this to me. And then their response was, well, these are like a relic shoe. It's not meant to be worn. So you we that's what you should be expecting. Like as a 20 year old. It came out. Yeah, I'm saying.
00:27:25
Speaker
So it's 20 years old that point. But it still shouldn't be crumbling. That's what I'm saying. So they gave me a 10% coupon off my next purchase. 10%? Oh my God. But then you know what my dumb ass did? I went and bought another pair of from the same year, 2000. Yeah.
00:27:38
Speaker
And those I actually got to wear a couple times. But then eventually my foot just went through After like a couple months of having them at that point. Oh my God. And we're talking about like, that's probably $800 down the drain right there. That was bad. between the two yeah yeah yeah um at that point yeah so that was a hard lesson in like you know maybe this iron cut out for the sneaker game i got a couple times bro i love those sneakers so much that like i'm pretty sure you find a good pair yeah i mean but now i'm over it you know what i'm saying like back then i had the skinny jeans rock and like those perfect sneakers for the skinny jeans you know what i'm saying like Those are fire.
00:28:13
Speaker
But like, nah, now I'm like, well, first of all, yeah, um anybody's listening. And I know I have a lot of like customizers and restorers. Yeah, they can totally restore those. So just hit you up, please. hit And yeah, you can get a harder soul. Yeah. Get that. Get that done. And then you can wear them again. that'd be That'd be fire. I'll never get that. Two pairs. Yeah, two pairs.
00:28:33
Speaker
I got to find the other don't know did with it at this point. I might have just... threw them at a wall. You're just like... I don't know what I did, bro. I was so upset, man. Oh, my God. I was so upset. think the other ones broke on me while I was DJing. had to walk back to my apartment with them. I'm like...
00:28:47
Speaker
Just crumbling. Yeah, just crumbling. And then the pro like they crumple, so they leave a trail behind. yeah It's like embarrassing as hell. So yeah, that was my... I don't know which words, that or when your ear bubbles squeak. I don't even know.
00:29:00
Speaker
haven't kilt sneaker in a while. So I squeaks a minute. so like there's a i haven't killed ah killed a sneaker in a while yeah so i haven't heard the squeaks in a minute But i there's moments where you hear the squeaks because it's just like rains. Right.
00:29:16
Speaker
And it's still I'll be like, oh, man, no, like Cinderella. Yeah. ma Turn back into a pumpkin. right yeah like Yo, that's low-key trauma. Yeah, 100%, bro. I haven't bought a pair of vintage sneakers like that yeah since this. I'm like, nah, I'm good. Yeah, that's crazy. I'm good. You're dirty, though. They have to be so damn dirty. It's funny because I've never had sneakers crumbled on No. um I didn't mean to say it's funny to to say as laugh at you, but the um yeah i i showed I showed up recently I got a pair from 2006 and they were fine so it's just like yeah depends on how it's stored and all that stuff well have an old like I have a early 2000s pair of um the Bread Ones like and fine I like to this day like I can see a little bit like but like it's and I wore the hell out of those sneakers and they're fine for whatever reason all these like said well yeah cause the sole on that is more it's not that same rubber cause like that's like a it's just like a ah
00:30:13
Speaker
It's just a one piece. Right. Right. Which is like if the whole thing cracks, the whole thing cracks. Right. Right. That's several other pieces of like foam and yeah plastic. And they put it together and it's supposed to be squishy. You're wear it so the air gets in there. Yeah. Yeah. so But if you don't wear it, then it gets crumbled. Right. so I mean, this is what I get. i was trying to stop people. like that's no yeah That's what it was. I was like, because I've seen people like, y'all got the these fake ass like coloring, right? Look at me walking around in these. I remember, yo, 2019. I remember. ah Yeah. There was like a video of somebody like,
00:30:43
Speaker
fighting i remember being like yeah they were like online it it looked like it was correct yeah yeah because there wasn't another release before that where it was like all kinds of fucked up i think yeah that's the one where it started bleeding yeah so like that but but it was like online it looked like oh they like they fixed it we're back to like the og you know red and then i got him and i was like yeah yeah got I got three times in at that point. Oh, my God. Yeah. I feel you, man. But like, so you're where you at. birth but Yeah. um So like you're seeing crazy sneakers. Yeah. Well, that that was probably a part of it, too. I had to keep up with it because he was like even even people who are off camera, like had crazy, crazy kicks. Like even like I said, the producer, Dan, like he was a huge sneaker head.
00:31:25
Speaker
And he put me on to this dude who was like a reseller on Instagram. Mm And the dude had like good prices and like always had quality, like everything would pop up. So you have be quick about it to get it. So like we would kind of be going back and forth for a while. Like, oh, I got him before you got him type of thing. And and yeah. So and then Envy would have roll rolled in. They were like new sneakers every day. You know what I'm saying? So like that was a whole nother, you know, so. No, yeah. yeah You're just trying to trying to flex at that point and keep up, you know, like i who you long. Yeah. Well, with this podcast, I'm like, okay have i wornned these sneak yes like yeah the whole other so yeah i'm like trying to be like OK, no repeats no right right right but so then yeah it's like yeah keeping track and then but you're on every single day yeah so yeah a lot tougher yeah and then everybody's coming through who's everybody like you know these people are fashionable they got money so like they got everything you know like it is tough when the the paychecks don't matter And like, damn, they coming in fly. I got to be- That's the worst part that you start tricking yourself. You're like, oh, I got to keep up. It's like, these are fucking millionaires. Bro, you're trying to keep up with them. Like, I ain't on that level. But like, in my mind, I'm like, I got to keep up, you know?
00:32:29
Speaker
ah So yeah, and now that's what I got. Like, these are harsh financial lessons that I had to learn. I spent my rent money out of this. Sneakers to financial literacy. Yeah, bro. Yep. you want learn financial literacy real quick, some sneakers you can't afford.
00:32:44
Speaker
yeah So like, I mean, going back to like before this and um as you're like trying to get sneakers and stuff like that, like especially when you were younger, said you only had one pair. yeah But like you're getting a couple more pairs now. How do you explain it to your parents who are immigrants? Oh, man. So they definitely didn't get it. But I was I would always kind of like, especially cause a lot of i was super like vintage. i still am. But like, I would kind like, yo, this is like you're investing in a piece of art almost, you know, it's like wearable art.
00:33:12
Speaker
um And like the resale value only goes up. I wanted to hear the Jedi. Yeah. Especially when Last Dance happened, it was like all the values of Jordans went up. I told y'all, sitting on some gems right now. Unfortunately, that crashed since then. Market crashed on me before I can get rid of them.
00:33:30
Speaker
ah But for a while, was like, yo, like, you know, these sneakers are like keep going up in value right now so it's worth it for for me to to do that and then like same thing entertainment uh industry aspect as well like well i'm on camera i can't be seen wearing the same thing all the time all right this is an investment in my job you know i'm saying it's like putting gas in the car it's a part of it you know yeah so that was also how i like made made sense of it all logically um you know probably more so to myself i think i was right trying to convince myself more than i trying to convince them to be honest with you but yeah No, yeah. i mean, so my mom's Brazilian, so she came over here with nothing yeah and all that. I got the whole spiel. yeah And it's like like, she's like seeing me get one sneaker. then it's like another sneaker.
00:34:10
Speaker
And then there's another. She's like, are you like opening a store or something? Right. No. I mean, my mom is is is fly. I got to give her credit. So lucky for me, i she understands it. It's my dad that doesn't get it. So I always had her kind of as backup because she's like got her crazy wardrobe and she's over shopping. So like she kind of got it and like she got you into a hillfish. Yeah, probably. Honestly, yeah. She got me addicted to shopping, I think. Yeah. So ah that that was always at least I had like that little backup going on for me.
00:34:38
Speaker
But yeah, my pops didn't get it at all. He was like, what you talking I think that's crazy. Pops back in the days, yeah that that's just the tone they had. Because my pops didn't even. yeah, for sure. My mother is the, like, any type of taste that I have for any of this stuff is my mother. yeah My mother, like, really, she's fashionable. She went to BMW. She wanted to do all of that.
00:34:56
Speaker
My pops are just like, why are we doing that? Why are we doing that? Why are doing that again? Why do you need that? Absolutely, bro. Well, that was like some man shit back in the day, too. It was like, you know, like the shittier you look, the more man you are. know what I'm saying? Like if you look like you just. I don't need no shirt. You mean you match your colors? Yeah. Like if you look like you just rolled off a construction site. You know I'm saying? That's a real man. Yeah, that's a real man right there. Dirt under your fingernails. you know he worked. You he wore it. Exactly. He worked hard, too. Right, right. like, no, he just wore the same shirt for two weeks. He just had the same two pair of Carhartt pants over the last three years. That's it. And one pair, too. But that's probably why you got into vintage. So you can look like you're a hard worker before you've done any work. I'm like the stereotype of that, where they're like, homie came and changed attire, but he got on the Carhartt. I got the whole overall outfit from Carhartt and shit. Who was talking about that, someone? Somebody brought something about that up, how that whole aesthetic ruined it for him because he's actually a carpenter. He's actually like functionality, you know what I'm saying? He's like, I can't go buy things because of this new trend. I go try to buy them, aprons and stuff it's not there oh yeah it's overpriced for no reason down there so bad because he's actually a carpenter i got a couple of those right actually using the hammer loop he's actually he actually needs like the double knee yeah he needs that extra protection like i don't need that i'm not doing anything
00:36:23
Speaker
You know what saying? But yeah, I'd be fucked up the game for that for sure. Got to Dave's New York. Hit up Dave's New York. Shout out Dave's New York. Never stepped foot in there, but they're very nice people out there. Shout out Dave's. Okay. Let's go. oh like So like, you know, your progression in this business, yeah you know, as you're pivoting podcasting and stuff like that, like,
00:36:46
Speaker
what have you seen over these times of just like how communication and like, you know, I feel like you worked at maybe I would say one of the countries most controversial places.
Authenticity and Strategy in Media
00:37:00
Speaker
In terms of just like, yeah, you know, you like though they're always got clips going. They always got clips going. there's something going on. Yeah, so it's just like, how do what did you take from there? What do you use now?
00:37:11
Speaker
I mean, i think it's it's um it's tough because it's like, I mean, not they don't they're not put on a show like that's really who they are. I'm saying and like, like behind the scenes, like we're fucking with each other. And like, you know, it's the same kind of roasting and same kind of like crazy comments like, you know, happening and things like that.
00:37:29
Speaker
ah But but it's also i think um there's like a self-awareness. Right. And it's doubling down on like what comes naturally to you. And it's a fine line between becoming a character um and also staying true to yourself. But it's like when you see what works. Right. Like Charlamagne is going to ask you the out of pocket question. He's going to ask you the hard question. You know, that's who he is. But it's also being aware of like, I got to do this. This is going to get the best interview, the best, um you know, interview possible and best clip, whatever it might be.
00:37:59
Speaker
And again, not that anybody's like clip chasing, but I think it's also like, you know, it's when it becomes a business. we' were kind on this before we started, like when your art becomes a business, you have to become conscious of of how you're moving because it's just like running a restaurant or running anything else, right? Like if you're making money, you're trying to live off of it, you're trying to duplicate success and figure all that stuff out as well. So I think um for me, it was like, okay, what's that fine line between not giving into the pressure of trying to create a moment But also understanding that we live in a very um ah very saturated climate with social media where there's so much content, so many people doing different things, and you have to figure out a way to stand out from it all. So you kind of have to find that that balance. and I think that was probably one of the bigger things that I i took away from from that. And and you know I think... um
00:38:48
Speaker
you know, it's it's it's just like understanding that this doesn't happen by mistake, right? Like, they're great at what they do because they're doing so many little things that the average person isn't picking up on, right? And it's like sports, like, ah what makes a great quarterback is all the little things that us as non, like, professional athletes would never even notice on the field. But that's why when you have, like,
00:39:11
Speaker
um Peyton Manning and Eli breaking down film in the in the booth. on It's like interesting to listen to because they're seeing shit that the rest of us don't see, right? They're picking up on these little things. they're opening i mean they yeah always say like you know they turn it from widescreen to full Yeah, So for me...
00:39:26
Speaker
I like basically went to college for four years and got to just sit back and get game just by being in the room of how they've become so successful and kind of like the things that they've established that they're each good at. That's the brilliance of the Breakfast Club, particularly, you know, when you had Angela Yee, Envy and Charlamagne was like they each had a role that they filled.
00:39:46
Speaker
And they each played that role, you know, and they played their part. And that's what made it so successful was like nobody was trying to do what the other person was doing. Right. And and i don't know, there's just something about that that I think I noticed with a lot of other people in media, particularly if you have ah like an ensemble cast.
00:40:05
Speaker
Mm hmm. know everybody wants to be the superstar all the time and people don't understand like yo you gotta know when to take a step back a little bit right or like breakfast club is to me the ultimate example because envy remember envy's been doing this longer than than most of them he was he was on on high 97 do this on a high level before that right he came to to power and he was bigger than you know somebody like charlamagne at the time or or angela yeah angel he was on sirius xm and charlamagne was like unemployed at the time i think You know, so but envy understood understands his role. as So he calls himself the quarterback of it, where it's like I'm a set Charlamagne up to say something funny because I know like this is what I do. Right. All those little things um are kind of the brilliance and the nuance that makes somebody great at podcasting, at radio, at interviewing, at doing their craft. Yeah. um That I think the average person doesn't understand unless you're like there in the room, you know, if that makes sense.
00:40:53
Speaker
it does yeah it does i mean i do feel like it like you're not gonna get that from watching it yeah it's definitely like a in the studio right see it moving yeah in that way uh because i feel like yeah i mean you're just if if you're just getting clips and you're only watching clips which feel like that's what only people do yeah then it's hard for you to get the whole you know dynamic yes because everybody's just like all right shawman said and says something crazy right let's just let's just push this on shade room and let's go crazy. 100% but but like what you don't what people don't get is there's a setup that got him to understanding now is the moment to say that crazy thing or to ask that incredibly hard question right?
00:41:31
Speaker
Because they don't like usually they don't come off the get like alright tell me about you know some crazy shit that have whatever it's like they're setting it up they make fun of Envy to you know i'm saying and like that like lightens the mood a little bit somebody said something stupid then You work your way in, you're gaining that trust, and then you can kind of begin. It's very methodical and very intentional, everything that they do, and that's what makes them so great. So to me, I guess, it's being to be in the room. Yeah, want know how you pivot that to what you're doing now.
00:41:57
Speaker
And like, you know, with Z100 and everything. Yeah, i I mean, I noticed it when I so I was lucky enough where i started doing interviews and things like that while I was still with them. But I had like other platforms I was doing it with. And I noticed like subconsciously, like yo, I'm picking up on like a little bit Charlamagne here, a little bit of envy, a little bit of this, you know, and i and I noticed how I was getting better.
00:42:15
Speaker
um And I was getting more opportunities sort of just like by proxy of of becoming better, being around these people. um And then I think, you know, for me, it's like it's being able to see that it's very real.
00:42:27
Speaker
It's very possible. They're flawed human beings, just like any one of us. um They're great at what they do, but they're not great at everything. Right. So I don't have to be great at everything. I can figure out what I'm really good at and own that lane. hmm. And and then just seeing like they've, you know, business wise, they never relied on one thing. They all are invested in so many different things because in this industry, you have no guarantee. Right. Charlamagne talks about all the time.
00:42:52
Speaker
He's been fired three or four times from radio and you know prior to the Breakfast Club. So, you know, they they understand like this is not a given. So they have their hands in so many different things so that if God forbid something cools off, you got this other thing going on. And I think for me in the grander scheme of it, that's also something that I took away. it was like, yo, always have a couple of different pots in the fire because this industry is wild. And like, you know, you never know what's going to happen. No matter how good you think you're doing now, like it's a roller
Revenue Streams and Industry Insights
00:43:16
Speaker
coaster ride. There are ebbs and flows to it.
00:43:17
Speaker
um And you you got to kind of be one step ahead all the time. So you're telling me I have to keep my job. as Oh, yeah. Unfortunately, for now, for now. I mean, so we respect you said good. You said the word good. I'm going to pivot to the next shoe.
00:43:32
Speaker
Oh, OK. Because I'm hoping these are not crumbling. No, no, no, no. They are probably a couple of wears away from it. I fear. Rob Markman, I'm glad he brought the beat up joints though, because everybody only brought the fresh joints. I know, yeah, yeah. I'm going to keep it a buck. Rob Markman, Separate yourself from the pack.
00:43:47
Speaker
Yeah. All right. These are just like personally, I love them, but we got the Puerto Rico Air Force ones. Yes, sir. The Capicú. Yeah. These are fire. These are actually a gift. out to Phil. um Phil Nieves sent these to me from ah from Ultra Records. I appreciate him, a fellow Puerto Rican.
00:44:02
Speaker
I only wear these once a year um during the Puerto Rican Day Parade. That we yeah that weekend, I pulled them out. um And yeah, I feel you're on you're on a float. Yeah. i' not he's not He's like, I'm not walking with everybody. i' I'm going to pull these up on the floor.
00:44:21
Speaker
get away you peeon yeah You guys are Puerto Rican. I'm Puerto Rican Earth. I've got heat on my feet over here. Yeah. These are fires. So like that. These are my once a year. And so it feels like a whole thing. Like when I when that comes up, um you know, I have my outfits. You know what mean? you it too much yeah There you go. now Yeah, these are these are very dope. I remember when these came out. Yeah.
00:44:46
Speaker
I love that it's leather. Yes. Yes. So you know these going to last. Yep. Yep. Yeah. These are these are stupid. And i like how it's subtle as well. It's not like it's not over. ma straight That like the whole thing. What is it called? The what? The white cool cool cookie. coy yeah Yeah. The whole thing is a cookie.
00:45:04
Speaker
The straight frog? Frog print? No, no, no. don't think I can pull it. I like a little more understated. So these are my perfect my perfect one. um Yeah, so I love those sneakers. And they were like, it's even dope. There was like a friend just like surprised me. He didn't even tell me give me. like yo what's your address?
00:45:18
Speaker
And I opened the the mail and it was like that. i was like, oh this is so dope. so That's fire. Yeah, I love these. Do you have, a since we talked about the Puerto Rico Day Parade, are you wearing in those? Do you have like a story that's like... I always get like people like being like, I see you. You know what I mean? That's like really probably wearing them for. Like the one or two people were like, okay. I wore once in Puerto Rico actually. And there they were like, I had people taking pictures of me. Like, yo, let me, let me take a picture those.
00:45:42
Speaker
ah So I was like, yeah. So that felt like, i felt good about myself at that point. You know, stunting all these people out here. You know? No, that's dope. I mean, I've only been to Puerto Rican Day Parade twice. yeah I actually don't know if I actually, if I'm going to the real one. or Well, there's so much going on that weekend. Yeah. Because i know I've been to the 116. Yeah. I've done that. Yep. I DJ that as well. Yeah. You've DJed that one? Yeah. That one's wild.
00:46:03
Speaker
Oh, that one's fire. Yeah. Yeah. But again, I'm not walking that crowd with these. It's crazy. I'm at the crowd. Hopefully not next year. no I you. I'll be like. going to point you out. I'll point you out. That's Just He's not even going to be like, come back.
00:46:18
Speaker
He's going to be like. My man Haas right there. I see you. I see you. Hey. You got a pair of these. You got to find them in the meantime. Go on. on go I feel like I would be, I'd feel so weird wearing, I'm not Puerto Rican. I'm wearing Puerto Rican stuff.
00:46:31
Speaker
Like, I don't understand. I've always felt like that. Yeah, it's so weird. When there's a nationality on the sneaker, I don't care how good the sneaker is. I feel all. if that's I'm like that's not Brazil though people be doing that a lot because Brazil is like a brand in itself like the shirts and everything like that I always feel weird about that too I know yeah somebody I know he's like he copped the there's like there's a Oquetro Adidas bait that dropped Brazil and it's Brazil colors and then they're calling them Brazil and I'm like yeah you know like I feel like if you're Brazilian you're good to go but like yeah it's just weird because I feel like
00:47:10
Speaker
I don't know, it's just weird. Like, I can't even really explain it. There's something off about it. yeah It's real, because imagine you in those. Like, or me in those. It's just, we're walking around. Clearly not, I'm not Puerto Rican at all, but I got these on. It's like, so like the De Lo Mio ah Air Forces came out. yeah They say De Lo Mio on the bottom. yeah It got the DR flag on the tongue. yeah and i And I remember being like, everybody confuses me I'm Dominican. You thought about it for a second. You thought about it. They got a fire? People be like, yeah. I've been called Tigre a couple times. We've been called Papi few times. Yeah, you know. That's every black ever. I do love a Sancocho.
00:47:51
Speaker
I do love a Sancocho. Yo, do you know my favorite thing is to go to Dominican restaurants and order Mago? Yeah. Because I can say it with the fire. And then they look and I'm like, I can't tell you nothing else. That's all I got. Yeah, the funniest is cuz I do know Spanish. but like Dominican Spanish is like oh, yeah, like sing it to me like it's not as simple New York is different from like the island. So there's like a whole different, you know slang terminology You gotta like you gotta like say it in a specific way. Yeah, look at you be like Yeah, no, absolutely. You can speak English. They hit me with the, you can speak English. That's the ultimate disrespect. Yo, come on. You good, fam. We speak English. You ain't gonna do all that. When they tell you you can speak English, means you are fucking this up. Yo, that ass though, there be times I start off Spanish then I just give up half You can tell it's not hitting. You know what I'm saying? be like, ah, dame un poco de, you know, sancocho con chicha. Ah, you know, just let me get the... Not because they get you when they ask a follow-up question. You know what saying? Because you rehearse usually. like, all right, let me this.
00:49:13
Speaker
Always get me with the follow-up. Like, all right, that's what I'm saying. God forbid they ask you what you want on the side like what side. I did not rehearse this part of the situation. You know what I'm saying? That's what they get But B-Fall is like, no, no. That just happened to me at the airport Miami. You know how they got the Cuban food restaurant in Miami, right? love Cuban food. But my go-to is Roba Vieja. But that's all I got. Perfectly, I said that, right? That's it. And I'm just like, she started asking extra questions. And because I came out the gate and rolling the R, now I done set myself up. And she thinks I speak Spanish. You know who saved me? Jaffe, my Dominican guitarist. He always jump in and get the... And I just sit there like, what he said.
00:49:55
Speaker
When I'm with people and and like they they're the Puerto Ricans that don't know Spanish. Yeah. Because I don't know if you know many of them. oh A lot of them. Yeah. Right. It's is interesting. It's interesting. i don't know if you if it's funny that Bad Bunny like is like I don't want to know.
00:50:11
Speaker
I don't. Well, now he's like, yeah, I do want to know English. But in beginning, he was like, I don't really want to know English. I um speak Spanish. Yeah. Puerto Rico. And then there's so many Puerto Ricans that are here that don't know Spanish. It's all like. Yeah.
00:50:23
Speaker
And then they're like, I love that bunny. i don't know what he's saying. I'm like, no, he's from where you from. Right. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, it it's like ah it's a weird in-between area, right? Like, my Spanish isn't great, but I understand it fluently. um but But yeah, i mean, it's definitely for me growing up, like, my parents are both native speakers, my dad's first language. yeah ah But they didn't speak to me growing up, so like I only knew it through my grandma, ah just like communicating with her but But yeah, it's definitely like, you know, um you feel less than That's even worse.
00:50:53
Speaker
Now, if you if you're Puerto Rican, that's how you can just talk in English. That's when you're really like, damn, all right, let me... I gotta get back to the gym. they'll say it I get back to start learning this language. because let me Let me dust off the old Spanish 101 book again. like just fucked up. Let me fire up the Duolingo real quick. My ancestors are rolling in damn grave right now, bro. Yeah, that's even worse. But yeah, there are a lot that don't speak it.
00:51:17
Speaker
um and And yeah, I mean, that's the interesting thing. And that's what's fire about his music, though, like as well as like the universality of it. like Even if you don't understand a word, you get the emotion behind it or you just understand like that it's just fire music at that point.
00:51:31
Speaker
um But yeah, not but I do respect that he like has refused to make any music in English. He stayed true to that. um and And because that was like the thing with a lot of artists as well was like, yo you had to make your songs in English in order to cross over back in the day.
00:51:45
Speaker
And he's sort of broken that mold. And that's that's super dope. You know, and shout out to him for learning English as well. That puts any of us to shame that don't speak Spanish. Like he learned it in like a year, bro. He's on national television on Jimmy Fallon. Yeah, he's just having full conversation. We got no hot ones. He's being like, yeah, it's spicy. Like, right. We got no excuses if we ain't coming out here and speaking proper Spanish at this point.
00:52:08
Speaker
you know so we talk about Bad Bunny popular music yeah you know you're working in the place that plays the top 100 right now. what What is that like and how'd you get there?
00:52:21
Speaker
It is... And I don't know if you are into like, do you listen to pop? Yeah, I listen and everything, bro. Katy Perry Firework is my like, you know, I don't i don't apologize for that. That's my favorite songs of all time. yeah But yeah but um it it's it goes back and forth. It's it's frustrating and and amazing at the same time because it is like iHeartRadio is like the largest audio company in the world. And it's their flagship radio station. So it's like, you know, it's like playing for the Yankees, basically. Right. In that in that league.
00:52:50
Speaker
um So with that, there's a lot that comes along with being associated with that brand, which is amazing. it's It's frustrating because I remember when I first started there, I came in with like, you know, I'm a DJ who plays all types of clubs, you know, and and and is like always first on music. I'm going to come in here and start showing some people and put them on to some stuff.
00:53:06
Speaker
And then you realize real quick. People want to hear the same shit over and over again. They don't give a fuck about what is next, what is new, what is cool. Majority of people want the same thing over and over and over again. And that's what has made them so successful.
00:53:19
Speaker
They're feeding people the same thing over and over and over again. And not to say that I don't like like that that I hate the music or anything like that. There are some records I think are trash, but I do enjoy you know the majority of it or appreciate it for what it is.
00:53:32
Speaker
But um that is the frustrating part because I am still like ah love like someone who just loves music. I'm a student of the game. I'm always interested in what is kind of the next thing. yeah And that is, you know, where you kind of have to hold back a little bit understand like, okay, this platform is not going to be my way to express myself in that in that manner, right? This is me tapping into like this large market.
00:53:53
Speaker
and getting to have cool opportunities and and play hit records right and that's fun that's cool that has its thing um but i think you have to compartmentalize it in your head right and that's what i struggled with initially was like i wanted it to be my everything yeah and i was you know like we're gonna talk about everything in here what saying like i was like no the brand comes before you so like you have to understand like you know where the line is and uh that was the the frustrating part but it's amazing it's opened so many different doors and i just pictured you first starting and you had that You know that meme where the guy's like taking his headphones off? Is that disgusting? Just like, oh, good. And here's, and here's, I don't know. Olivia Rodrigo. Yeah. And here's Sabrina Carpenter. Yeah. Just throwing it off. Yeah. They were saying things, I'm like, damn, what the? fuck is going on right now? But like, I also, I would make, I would have fun with it though too, where I would like call it out where I'm just like, like it was, it was like a weird phase where it was like every teen girl was making sad music. So like, I would just make fun of it. Like, like what do y'all know about heartbreak? And I would just like make a little pun about it. like that became my little, like my way to kind of like get back at the, you know what I'm saying? Like I'll show you guys, you know, but here's a slight jab. Exactly. In my mind, that's like, you know, I'm out here fucking fighting for the cause, you know, but, But I would do little thing like that.
00:55:12
Speaker
Or, but like what was also cool was like Bad Bunny has only had one song that's made it to like really radio is given a chance top 40 wise. yeah And we were only playing it at night. But because I was doing the mix show, I had a little bit more flexibility where I could take some of those newer records and put it in. So like I took pride in the fact that now it's getting heard prime time on a Friday at 5 p.m. while people are driving home. You're hearing this Bad Bunny record. like I didn't know that. yeah Really with all his success. Yeah. Yeah.
00:55:37
Speaker
That's the craziness about it is... Yo, like I said, it's business, man. Yeah, bro. But that's... it's It's just like, you know, that that's the wild thing. i mean, that's why he's like this anomaly and why it's so special is because it's like he didn't follow any of the rules, the traditional rules.
00:55:51
Speaker
um And somehow, someway, he's there. But like to me, I guess those are little moments where I'm like, yo, this is this is cool, you know, I get to do that. Or like I have a ah co-worker who was there for a while, Maxwell. I know Maxwell. Yeah, you know Maxwell? No. Oh. He's fire, but he's so he's he's ah he's ah a black man. He was the only black dude black person on on the entire radio station at one point, right?
00:56:13
Speaker
And i i had it he was having a conversation with him, and he was like, to me, what's fire about this is, yeah, I'm like the only one, but also if there is some young black kid black girl black boy who happens to love pop music like i did like i make it okay for them to to feel seen in that space right it's not weird you're not a loser you're not you know uh like an outsider because the norm the societal norm dictates you have to listen to hip-hop or whatever it is right and i was like that's kind of like a a dope way to look at it is like you know in alining Yeah, exactly. In a small way, like you are being that for somebody. And sometimes all people need is to see themselves in one person to like kind of change everything for
Representation in Music and Media
00:56:52
Speaker
them. Same thing when I get the thing about being in a black punk band. Oh, absolutely. We get that all the time. We're in these spaces who are traditionally all white. yep
00:56:59
Speaker
And people jump out and they're just like, yo, so many black fans where would you be like, my I'm the only one or two person there. They'll be like seeing y'all change everything. And I also remember the acts that did that for me. yeahp yeah yeah that' like it's I mean, it's like me being, you know, racially ambiguous. a podcast I'm doing it for all you racially ambiguous. ya'lla i And, uh, but you know, towards the end of the the podcast and, uh, got one last question.
Personal Reflections and Future Directions
00:57:29
Speaker
yeah And that is, ah deals with a little visualization and, uh,
00:57:33
Speaker
I want you to think back about to when you were getting the uptempos. Now you're you behind you. yeah ah Your younger self. What would you tell your younger self as he opens that box? Oh, man. ah well would i That's a great question.
00:57:44
Speaker
What would I tell that that kid? um i would say you're looking fly, but you don't need this in order to be fly. like You don't need to have...
00:57:55
Speaker
the cool sneaker yeah you know i'm saying like like what makes you cool what's gonna bring you all the success and everything you want is actually going against the grain and not worrying about what the trends are but being unafraid to set your own trend and to pave your own lane and people are going to follow you because of that not because you're tapping into what everybody else is doing um yeah i think that could that could definitely need to hear that i mean as far as those sneakers were but uh yeah i could definitely need to hear that let everybody know where to find you Man, I'm at DJ Dramos on pretty much everything. I'm super active on Instagram. You can find me on their podcast. Life is a gringo. You find that every place that you can find podcasts. And yeah, tapping on on Instagram.
00:58:35
Speaker
um super active and posting all the type of stuff that I'm i'm doing there. You catch me some some shows. You'll be doing some out of state stuff um coming in the spring. So I'll be on the road hitting a couple of different cities so you can check me out there.
00:58:45
Speaker
Oh, fire, D. Fire. You know where it is. D3Es on Instagram and then ban oxymoron stuff. Holla at us. Two R's not one. Two R's not one. You know where to find me. Who is hot on all social medias. Follow the podcast of My First Kicks Pod.
00:58:59
Speaker
If you've been listening to this, this is... We're live in studio. Hit up the YouTube my ah at MyFirstKicks on YouTube.com or just look up MyFirstKicks. It's easy to find. MyFirstKicks.com.
00:59:14
Speaker
If you have a MyFirstKicks story, hit me up. Info at MyFirstKicks.com. And ah you know what we say each week. Wear your kicks. Peace.