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Albee Al Drops Bars on Sway In The Morning & Talks New Album 'I'm From Marion' | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
May 11, 2023
In a recent appearance on Sway in the Morning, New Jersey rapper Albee Al talked about his latest album "I'm from Marion," a fourteen-track project that takes listeners on a journey through his humble upbringing in the projects to his current status as one of Empire's hottest stars. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the album, exploring its themes, lyrics, and standout tracks.
Some standout tracks like "Follow the Leader," a track that showcases Albee Al's boss talk. The production is tight, and Al's flow is razor-sharp, making it an excellent opener for the album.
Another standout track is "Top Opp," featuring Lil Tjay. Lil Tjay's feature adds an extra layer of depth to the song, making it an unforgettable track on the album.
The album also features collaborations with Leaf Ward and Shani Boni. In "Risk Takers," a track by Millyz, Al and Leaf Ward deliver a standout verse that showcases their chemistry. Leaf Ward brings a unique energy to the track, while Al's verse is hard-hitting and emotional. The two rappers bounce off each other, creating a dynamic that works surprisingly well.
Overall, "I'm from Marion" is a strong project that showcases Albee Al's growth as an artist. From his early days in the projects to his current status as one of Empire's top stars, the album takes listeners on a journey that is both emotional and entertaining. Al's lyrics are thoughtful and introspective, reflecting on the struggles he has faced and the lessons he has learned along the way.
Albee Al's "I'm from Marion" is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work. The album's themes of resilience and determination are sure to resonate with listeners, especially those who have faced their own struggles in life. From the standout tracks like "Follow the Leader" and "Top Opp" to the collaborations with Leaf Ward, Lil Tjay, and Shani Boni, there is plenty to enjoy on this project. If you're a fan of Albee Al or looking for a powerful hip-hop album, "I'm from Marion" is definitely worth a listen.
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0:00
Journey have to be
0:02
It's a story about a journey have to be. Let me hear it
0:07
This voice that we hear it right now. Jersey City's finest. Stand up, man
0:12
Stand up. You know I'm about to act up. Come on. Don't do that
0:16
Don't do that. Come on. I'm reframing right now. Don't even do that right now
0:21
Come on, man. I'm reframing right now. I was born in Jersey. Come on, man
0:25
Jersey City, Tracy. Oh, my gosh. He's from Jersey. Jersey City. City
0:30
I don't understand this set tripping within the state. Listen. Is it Jersey
0:35
Is it Oakland or is it San Francisco? Town business. We ain't even got to discuss that
0:40
It's town business. We ain't even got to discuss that. Is it chill town or what
0:43
Is it Oakland or San Francisco? It's town business. We ain't even got to discuss that
0:47
That's right. That's right. But now this young man has a story to tell
0:52
And it's very interesting to hear him tell it, to watch his growth over his years, not
0:57
just as an artist but as a as a human being you know and when i listen to him talk and i know about
1:03
a lot about his um early life his family you know how he grew up his father coming from the music
1:10
scene um uh used to rap with dougie fresh and biz marquee heavy you was telling me his father
1:16
big albie his name sweet slick and sly you gotta know come on man jersey city
1:22
That's right. You know it. You wasn't there. That's right. And your story is a story that a lot of folks could relate to
1:33
I mentioned Oakland and different places around the country, folks who grew up in these challenged environments
1:38
And because the environments, you know, we have to find ways to navigate it
1:42
And you've done a lot of things that have been on record in your life as a human being
1:48
And you paid the time. You paid the cost for it, you know
1:52
But a lot of people don't realize. They don't know about Aunt Heather. They don't understand that
1:56
They don't know Aunt Heather's a gangster. Okay, you know. We ain't talking about Heather B, though
2:02
I know. He's talking about the official whistle together, Heather. That's right
2:08
To back in the day. Sweet Flick and Slime! Yeah. Yeah. I was so confused
2:16
The way Sway set that up, though. It's a lot going on. You know, a lot of people heard of them from a couple of the mixtapes every June 30th
2:26
Easy on them. All of these different things you've done in the past, Koba, King Op, all these different things you've done in the past
2:34
But now you're back here and you've gone through a transformation, as I can tell, on life's philosophies
2:42
And I hear you utilizing the things you learned along the way to kind of educate people in a whole different way, shed some light
2:49
All right. So I want to welcome you to the show. I just played your freestyle off my brother, Cosmic Kev
2:54
Cosmic Kev, the legend right there, the pillar in the game. Give it up for Cosmic Kev
2:59
And I want to welcome Jersey City's king and finest. Give it up for the one and only Al B
3:06
Al. I already know, man. It feels good. I'm blessed. I feel it
3:12
Welcome to the show, bro. Thank you for having me, man. I'm honored to be here, man. I don't even understand, man
3:17
Well, talk about it. I didn't even believe it. I got a text like yesterday, like, yeah, we got Sway in the morning
3:22
I'm like, what? You feel me? Are you serious? I couldn't wait, man
3:28
I'm hungover. I was celebrating my album dropping. Okay. Okay. I'm like, but I'm getting there
3:32
I got to get here. Man, well, we glad you made it, man. Yeah, I took my first espresso today
3:37
Did you? You feeling good? You feeling good? Oh, you needed it. I'm lit right now
3:42
So let's go over the history a little. Heather, you seem to know more than Mr. I, more than Wikipedia
3:47
when we talk about Al B. Al, because I said he was coming, and you just started screaming Jersey City, Jersey City
3:54
So let's see if there's some ties here. Okay, so for me, growing up in Jersey City, born and raised there
4:03
you know, when hip-hop started to emerge, like everybody, I think, because Jersey was on the outside of it all, being from New York
4:11
it started to form its own crews and its own things. Everybody was wearing their sweatshirts with the letters, you know, like ironed on and pressed on
4:20
And there was a particular crew called Sweet Slick and Sly of like some of the nicest emcees that you would ever want to hear
4:27
I think with the success of like Flavor Unit and everything, people started to hear about some of the artists that came from Flavor Unit
4:36
Shout out to Latifah, shout out to Shaquem. But prior to that, in Jersey City, there was Sweet Slick and Sly and other crews, you know, going around battling and doing their thing
4:46
And Albie, Al, you know, his father was lead member, head of, I mean, just one of the nicest MCs you ever wanted to hear
4:56
And so, absolutely, 100%. And they would go back and forth to New York
5:01
They made their way around. They were that nice. It was a crew of MCs, but we were mimicking, or they were, because I was a youngin', what we saw on videos, you know what I mean, in New York, for sure
5:12
So you knew his dad. Did you ever see the little- I didn't know his dad personally, but I knew of him because of his skill set
5:18
He was older than me. Did you ever see this young whippersnapper running around back in the days
5:23
So his was funny. Let me see. Let me see. Let me see
5:29
So my good friend Elgin, you met Elgin. Elgin, yeah. Yeah, my girlfriend Elle lived in Marion Projects for a long time
5:36
And I would always go down to Marion whether, you know, it was just me and Elle hanging out
5:41
whether I had a record deal or not. I'd just always be in the hood. And so one summer, Elle was doing a cookout barbecue
5:48
Elle the mayor of the hood. And a bunch of little kids was around there. And I was like, yo
5:53
They was like, oh, my gosh, she a rapper or whatever. I was like, let me see which one of y'all could rhyme
5:58
So I set up a little rhyme contest. True story. and he won
6:06
Wow! Yo, he won, and I was like, I got $20 for whoever win
6:12
and he won. He burned all the little kids that was out there spitting
6:16
and I went in my pocket, and I gave them $20. He was like, wow! And he hugged me
6:22
And I never forgot that. I remember, so fast forward, my brother
6:28
shout out to Jetta. Yeah, that's big bro, Jetta, shout out to Jetta. And I couldn't believe it
6:34
You remember that contest? What do I? How old were you? I was like nine
6:38
You said he was like nine I said he had to be like nine
6:42
And I was better than everybody I wouldn't stop rapping I just kept going
6:46
He kept going I said yo you gotta keep rapping You gonna make it one day
6:51
That's exactly what she said You gonna make it one day He hugged me so tight
6:55
And was waving the $20 And I'm so proud of you Like, I literally feel like that big aunt, so to speak
7:04
And it's ironic. His aunt's name was Heather, you know. But, yo
7:08
And hug her again, man, for that $20, man. It's crazy. It's crazy
7:12
Wow. It's a crazy story because, like, since I was that young and all that
7:16
you know, coming from where we from, we don't see nobody that be on TV. And everybody was like, Heather, be down there
7:21
I was playing basketball in the back. We was playing ball. And they was like everybody like you got to go rap for her And I seen her I like oh I not going to stop rapping She give me a chance you feel me And I just kept going I remember that whole conversation I remember that whole day And memory be blurry but I ain forget that
7:37
You ain't forget that? Damn, that's amazing. Wait, hold up. You gave him his first 20
7:41
I don't know if it was his first 20. No, that was his first 20. Ain't nobody ever paid him to rap
7:46
So I'm literally the first time getting paid for music. Was Heather B. Look at that
7:51
Now, he just got a big deal with Empire. How much he owe you? He made it
7:57
That's it. He made it. For real. For real. God bless. You remember that
8:02
Ain't that crazy? Damn. That might have changed your trajectory. I'm telling you, that's an impact on my life that I did
8:09
I'll never forget that. Wow. That's buggy. I was just like, if she wasn't going to say that, I was hoping she didn't remember
8:14
And I would remind her. But for you to remember that, I'm like, damn, she do remember. So when she gave you that $20 bill, how did that change your life or impact you
8:22
It was because I can do this? Where we from is like people don't make it. You know what I'm saying
8:27
Like, look at the gap. Like, you feel me? I'm like from Jersey, like Jersey City
8:31
Like the person, it's a crazy gap that somebody that made it where I'm from
8:35
And just to see somebody that's on TV and she down there around us, like, what
8:41
You feel me? I'm going to wait the rap. You feel me? I'm like, yeah. Because then for her to be like, yo, you going to make it
8:45
Like, she slicked me in my eyes and she said it. Like, you keep doing this, you going to make it. And I just hung on to that shit
8:50
What was the content of your raps at that age? because we be meeting people in their, like, 30s
8:54
that say I just started two years ago. So you started that young
8:58
I'll just be rapping about what I see and what I know. It's always been that. It's always been my style
9:02
Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, whatever I pick up, I just go. You feel me? You know, hip-hop was always like a, you know
9:07
hip-hop is the culture, for real. Just show you, like, how to move and how to, like
9:11
it raise you. Music will raise you, you know? Word. You know what I mean? So I came up with that
9:15
And I'm like, you dress like that, you move like that, you can learn and listen, you feel me? So I just picked that up
9:20
And just to see that, it's like, what? It's going down. Damn, look at that. Heather B, man
9:23
You inspired Al B. Al B. No, man. Well, they were inspiration
9:28
You got to look at it. We in a, shout out again, my boy L. He got a son, you know
9:34
Shout out to Duel. It's his birthday today, too. I got to text him
9:38
Yeah, shout out to Duel. We just were all around. And, you know, we out there jumping
9:43
Double dodge L on it. We got the grill out there. It was lit. It was lit
9:47
And just to see these little kids. And I'm like, they all around
9:51
And he, there was a bunch of kids rapping, but you could always spot that one
9:56
That one person, right? You know what I mean? That just got that thing. It's like, nah, something about Lil Shorty here
10:03
You know, he got it. So Marion is the name of the project? Yeah. Really
10:06
Okay, so what was it like growing up in, that sound like fun. You was playing basketball, then you start rapping
10:12
Yeah, you know, it's a city inside a city, you know? Okay. It's like, it seemed fun, but it ain't, you know what I mean
10:17
You just adapt to it. You just adjust to it. It was not easy about growing up in there, you know
10:22
But I made it out, you feel me? And I just be trying to inspire people to do the same that they can
10:27
because it ain't no hope. Like I said, it's a crazy gap. In Jersey City, before me, that was, like, making noise in music
10:33
Look how far that is with Joe Button in 2001. We all over. That's 20 years ago
10:38
You know what I mean? So, like, the gap people do not make it from where I'm from. You know what I mean
10:42
So I just want to show people, like, you can and you can do it this way. You know what I mean
10:46
When did you take that turn, though? Like, when did you pivot into, you know, because a lot of what you rap about is about what you've been through
10:54
I took the turn when I was just locked up. You know, I just came home six months ago
10:58
And I was just in there, like, because they wasn't trying to let me go. You know what I mean? I'm like, yo, they really trying to keep me forever
11:04
And if I sit in there forever, what I'm going to do? So I'm like, I got to come home and I just got to change
11:09
I got to change my life because when people go to jail that I'm cool with, I got them
11:14
I hold them down, make sure they straight, whatever, whatever. When I go to jail, nobody can hold me down, you know what I'm saying
11:19
Because I'm the one who's holding everybody down. So I can't leave my family no more because everything's going to shatter
11:25
So I just realized that certain things are more important, you feel me? It's way more important than me doing something to somebody in the streets
11:31
letting my pride or something control something because I'm comfortable with who I am now
11:35
There's nothing you can say to me that make me feel like, oh, yeah, Albie's a . It's not going to work because I know who I am
11:41
And that's not going to trigger me no more. It's really like, you know what I mean? You learn how to discipline your temper
11:46
Certain things are important. My family is important. I'm not leaving them for foolish pride no more
11:51
Who's your family? You got kids too? Yeah, I got kids. My mother is my everyday. That's my rock
11:55
I do everything for my mother. You know what I'm saying? She don't work no more. I made her quit a job
11:59
I'm making sure she's a full-time grandmother. You know what I mean? I'm all about my family
12:03
Mama don't work no more? Mama don't work no more. Look at that. Look at Al B. Al. Come on, man
12:08
She's expensive too. Jersey City. Stand up. I got a whole list of Mother's Day
12:15
Oh, my God. She's expensive. What kind of mom was she? Man, she was the pops, too
12:20
You know what I'm saying? You know what I mean? But she worked two jobs trying to make things happen. So that's how we migrated to the streets because she couldn't keep her eye on us at all the times
12:28
You feel me? My pops died when I was a kid. You feel me? And then the boyfriends that she was choosing, they was no good
12:34
They was no help. Like, we grew up like that. You know what I mean? And I'm blunt like that
12:38
She know I don't be, you know what I mean? She know I don't be liking nobody. You feel me? Now I'm grown
12:42
I can speak my mind And I got her voice But she was like
12:47
She was everything She was super woman for us You feel me She made things happen
12:50
When things couldn't happen When you ain't think Things was gonna happen She came through
12:54
Yeah no doubt What's her name? Lee Mayer I got a statter on my stomach Mama's boy
12:58
You know what I'm saying? I want to see your stomach dog Come on Al
13:02
I know we're having a good time But come on man Come on man I ain't saying
13:05
I just gotta shop my mother out I get in that bag And start talking about her
13:09
You know what I mean? There it up Nah, but salute. We got to always shout out these mothers that raise these kids under these challenging environments
13:17
And a lot of times people like to blame moms for what their kids end up doing. But you can't blame the mom all the time
13:23
They do what they can. I like where you are right now. Because you've had a lot of experiences, you know, dark and light
13:30
And you can be that person, have the B was for you when you was a kid to a lot of kids in the Marion Projects
13:38
Do you do a lot of stuff in the projects when you go back? Yeah, I just try to show them, like, I've been to the projects one time since I've been home because I just want to show people that
13:48
Because I learn from other people's mistakes. Like, rappers getting killed in their neighborhoods now, you feel me
13:54
And I can't be, like, pulling up looking like that, thinking it's all love when people's wolves, you know what I'm saying
14:01
You know what I mean? I ain't trying to be a target, too, and they don't want to protect myself. That would put me in a position where I got to do something to you
14:06
and I got to leave all of this because I'm not going to let you do nothing to me. So I'd rather just stay away
14:11
And I just showed them, like, I caught on. You know what I mean? Like Jay-Z, you feel me
14:14
You don't see Jay-Z and Marcy. No. You know what I mean? So you got to learn. You feel me
14:18
I'm not about to be hanging in projects every day. But whatever I can do for the community, you know what I mean
14:22
If I can get behind something with the mayor and all of that, I'm all for that. But I'm not about to be hanging out there no whole reason
14:26
And he's right. And you have to understand when I met him, this was like 98, 99, around that time. Right
14:34
I'm not from Marion. So it's different for me. I can go down there
14:38
I could go see my peoples. I could go back home. You know, for him, it's a lot different
14:44
And it's a different time now. Yeah. There's no, you can't even compare 1998 to 2023
14:50
It's night and day. It's phones everywhere. Cameras located. No, absolutely. You you gotta you gotta move different now Yeah man Tracy Yeah I was going to say Alan thank you for everything everything you sharing I with you hard Appreciate that From the challenges that you spoke about with being Tracy said that really hard too
15:06
Did you notice that? You brought that out of her, man. Thank you, bro. I pat her down, right
15:11
You know what I'm saying? I said that real hard. I was like, whoa. We reflected each other
15:15
We reflected each other. They do. But you know, for a lot within hip-hop
15:21
you know, you are able to transcend this jungle of the hood that you came from. Right
15:25
But then it's still a jungle within this industry. Most definitely. You know what I mean? Most definitely
15:29
So speak about some of the challenges once you said, I'm going to take music very seriously
15:33
and become an enterprise. What has it been over on this side
15:37
It's just like, when you start seeing things happen, like you start seeing
15:41
that the work you put in coming alive, like, you know what I mean? It makes you
15:45
it motivates you. Like, I got friends in the industry that like
15:49
like for instance, like I'm going to shout them out, Leaf Ward. Like, he a rapper too, but he ain't
15:53
He don't believe in it yet You know what I'm saying He don't believe that Like I can step out the hood
15:57
And really like Like this gonna work It's gonna work Cause he ain't see it yet So I be telling him like
16:01
Bruh I was just like that I'm seeing things happen now Like you know what I mean
16:05
So you gotta just stay Tunnel vision on it And believe You gotta You can't play both
16:09
Even though That's how you gotta Cause when I try to play both I end up in jail You know what I'm saying
16:13
You gotta move different So you just gotta like Once I start seeing things happen
16:17
And even if Like You gotta You gotta cherish that And you just gotta keep going
16:22
Cause more things It's going to keep happening, keep happening. You just got to believe in it
16:26
That's how I feel about it. How has it been putting your teams together? Was it difficult for you to find the right people
16:32
to start trusting people with something that's so near and dear to you? It's more like the survival of the fittest, the last of the dying breed
16:39
Whoever's still here, man, we're going to win the championship. That's how I feel about it. It's like I'm not trading this team for nothing
16:44
You know what I mean? It's like if we make the playoffs, we make the playoffs. Either way, man, we're going to ball
16:48
We're going to go. We're going to try. I don't want to play for nobody else's team. I want to play for this team
16:53
It's the team I want to win a championship with. You know what I mean? So I'm like, I'm that type of guy
16:57
I'm loyal. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? Nobody getting traded. We going to make it work. You know what I mean
17:01
That's a Golden State Warrior attitude right there. Nah, that's not really it. That's a Golden State Warrior mentality right there
17:06
Nah, KD ain't there no more. Those facts only, Sway. All right
17:13
Okay. That was so quick. Playing with one team. I like that, man. Mike
17:18
I have a question. You said, you know, when you got out, you realize you don't want to go back in usually in prison when people get out there's two paths
17:25
that can happen usually sometimes prison hardens an individual and then that's when you start seeing
17:30
the recidivism rates we start going back because they left being more hardened and the other path
17:34
is the path that you are taking i'm curious what was the moment for you in prison where you had
17:39
that epiphany like i can't come back here anymore um it's like how like birthdays like with my kids
17:47
you know what I'm saying it was like no nobody like nobody going doing that for my kids on their
17:53
birthdays you know I mean I keep telling them I'll be home this birthday then I'll catch it
17:58
you know I mean it was just like it was a lot like my kids my whole inspiration so and then I had this
18:03
I had this fan chick write me or whatever and she was just like you need to read this book it was
18:07
like about manifestation I didn't really know too much about it so I just start manifesting stuff
18:11
and I just start watching it happen and now I'm a firm believer in that like I manifest my freedom
18:16
You know what I mean? So it was like She was telling me You should do this Write these notes down
18:20
Put it under your bed It was like the tooth fairy You know what I mean
18:24
But it really was happening I'm like what the ? You know what I mean? So I just
18:28
I'm going to be home this day My next court date I'm going home I manifested
18:32
I believed in it And I came home You came home bro Come on man
18:37
Give that around Give that around man What was the name of the book? Can you share it
18:41
I forgot the name of it I left it with them I'm like you bad keeping the book That was good
18:45
That's good. That's good. Read this book. Do you stay in contact with anybody from there
18:50
Yeah, hell yeah. I just was on the phone. That's how I found out it was due birthday. Somebody in jail was calling me
18:55
Okay. So I even talked to Casanova in jail. I talked to a lot of people in jail
18:59
How Casanova doing? He used to come up here. That was the fam. Yeah, he good. He good
19:03
I just spoke to him. I just spoke to him because me and I was with little TJ for his birthday. We was out in Mexico, so he was just like FaceTiming us
19:09
We were showing him the world or whatever. You know what I mean? He holding his hat. That's dope
19:12
You could be in prison. Right? You could be a resident. We call it a resident
19:18
Yeah. Right. And then still see the world. What he thought when y'all FaceTimed me
19:22
He posted. He was like, I'm mad as hell y'all outside without me. You feel me
19:26
Wow. You know what I mean? But you know, it's ups and downs with it. You know what I mean? It's just crazy how the system just targeting us
19:33
You know what I mean? I'm at, yeah, it is crazy. And even the conditions
19:37
We talk a lot about what goes on inside. Yeah. Like the conditions be horrid
19:41
It's terrible in there. Yeah. It's no good. you literally got to have commissary
19:47
And then the commissary is only so much. The food they feeding you, I'm talking about, I never ate it
19:53
Every time it's like, you forget about it. I'll be eating that. I'm not eating that. Old lesson was chicken day
19:57
I'll eat the chicken. How bad is it though? People say that all the time. It's really terrible, bro
20:01
They really just putting shit together. There's nothing in it. And it ain't enough food
20:05
If you ain't got commissary and that's all you got is this one tray, oh, you starving
20:10
That's starving. the little ass portions they give you will not hold you down
20:14
I'm telling you you don't want to go to lock up because you really only going to get one tray and that's just going to starve you
20:19
how did you file like how did you keep your commissary organized did you have like a store yeah like
20:25
I order off my account because the max would be like 150 I order off my account
20:29
and then if you if you if somebody ain't really getting no money I order out your account
20:33
I order out your account so if I should be coming there like like by the boatload you know what I'm saying
20:39
I'll be making it happen like that They still made a little economy out there, right
20:42
Yeah, so AD coming, it looked like we were the shop writing this, bub. There you go, man
20:46
Is that a Jersey City thing, Heather, shop writing? Hey, Sway. They got him in Long Island, too
20:51
No, he from San Francisco. I'm from what? You see the difference, it make
20:56
You see the difference, it make? Yeah, that was good, Heather B
21:00
That was good. Was that good? That was good. All right. Al B. Al is hanging out with us, man
21:06
The new album is called From Marion. Yes. and make sure y'all got that
21:11
We got some, you know what I'm going to play? I'm going to play the title track. Nice. We got it
21:15
Now, I was listening to the album last night and trying to decide what I'm going to play
21:19
you know, and so that's why we played the one with TJ
21:23
TJ, I met Lil TJ, bro. When you talk about manifestation, he was
21:28
I was at a studio on 8th and 40 something. I don't know, 48th and 8th or something like that. Right
21:34
And I came out and I was hungry and saw me and Rich Nice, my homie Rich Nice
21:37
we walked to the bodega. It's like 12 at night. So we go in the bodega and this kid is just on me
21:43
Yo, you going to know me, man. I'm coming up to your show, man. Watch. I'm a little TJ, blah, blah, blah
21:48
You going to know me. You going to know me. Bro, I'm like getting my chips and shit
21:52
Like, all right, man, we going to see, man. Remind me of this moment when that happens
21:55
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right? Nah, you don't know. I know. And I start listening to him. Mm-hmm
22:00
So when he got outside, you know, he thought I was going to know him. I said, nah, tell me more
22:04
Who are you? And he told me who he was. I said, yeah, you got that energy
22:08
I could see that happening for you. He's going to make it. We ended up interviewing during the pandemic for the first time since that
22:14
but his star has since risen. How is he doing? Because I know he went through traumatic events
22:19
Yeah, he good, man. He good. He focused, man. He on the right track, man
22:22
He ready for his album to drop. He one of my good friends in the industry you know what I mean He a good person Like I just said we just together for his birthday out in Mexico having a good time So he just enjoying life right now you know what I mean He blessed right now
22:35
Y'all have him hanging out in Mexico doing vacations now. Look at these dudes
22:39
Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo. Out in Cabo. What kind of game TJ give you on, like, the mechanics of the industry
22:47
Streaming and, you know. He just was just telling me, like, you guys just stay consistent, you know what I mean
22:52
And a lot of content. You know what I mean? He was just basically like
22:58
because it's hard for me to adjust because I don't be, you know me
23:02
I don't like the weird shit. You know, it's a lot of weird shit with this politics in the game or whatever
23:06
So I was just telling him that. He was just like, that's what's going to come with it. You don't expect the meat in Hawaii
23:13
like real whatever in this shit. You feel me? Like everybody's frauds, whatever, but you do me some money
23:18
You know what I mean? You rock with them. You feel me? It's just hard. It's hard to rock with people. You can't let the industry guys
23:23
piss you off by doing the weird industry shit that they do because they ain't like us
23:27
So I'm like, all right, bet. You feel me? I caught on. So I just shut up now. Instead of me getting aggressive and mad, be like, all right, whatever, cool
23:34
Ain't it a lot better? Yeah, it is. It is. It ain't about nothing. It ain't about nothing
23:38
It ain't about nothing. Because they not my friends. They don't owe me nothing. So it's like, you know what I mean
23:42
So when they do weird shit, it's like, who cares? Look at that, man. Look at that
23:47
Come on. Come on. Don't lose no sleep over these dudes. Hell no
23:51
Come on, man. Don't waste another moment with him You know where you from
23:55
Where you from? I'm from Marion I'm from Marion Projects I'm from Marion
24:02
I'm from East Oakland It matter huh? That's the remix I'm from the town Titles
24:11
From 23rd Like that When you do that remix let me know if you want me to talk something on it
24:19
Just a little bit I'm from the town Nah We ain't mixing up the cities
24:27
What you talking about? Jersey City and Oakland just a light You know what I'm saying? You ever travel somewhere
24:33
and find that damn this is just like Jersey City Nah Come on man you was almost there
24:39
You was almost there So much like a lot of places now urban cities
24:47
Jersey City is almost like three different cities in itself So downtown Jersey City
24:54
That ain't Jersey City I try to tell people that ain't Jersey City I've been to downtown
24:58
They brought you there That's where I was right It's safe When? The thing we just did
25:07
In the theater? Where did we go to the theater Where Principal Cook was
25:13
That's New York That's the same thing Talk to your man Is Cupertino the same as Oakland
25:27
Come on, Mike Mewes. Stop doing that, Mewes. I'm glad you're from the Bay
25:32
So what is it, the battle of the struggle in Jersey? No, it's not the battle of the struggle
25:36
but it's like what you talk about was happening in Oakland in terms of the gentrification
25:41
So there was a time downtown Jersey City, you had Montgomery Projects, Lafayette
25:47
It was different. Booker T, they was all across the street from each other
25:52
It was a different area, different time. Now, it is so downtown Manhattan that the people, the locals, they don't live there
26:01
You can't afford to live there. It doesn't exist. They get rid of y'all
26:06
It's baby New York City. They turned into one of the biggest hospitals. I was born in
26:10
Me too. Into condos. Luxury condos. It's amazing. You're like, what the hell
26:16
Yeah, it's completely different. I don't even want to live there. You know how many people died in there
26:20
Died in there. I had a doctor tell me, if you buy a place inside that building
26:26
I can show you which area of the building to buy from
26:29
where they didn't keep the dead bodies and everything. It's crazy. Real talk. Really
26:33
Because you're going to inhale. It was crazy. It's bad. It's bad
26:38
You switched up occupations, so to speak, fully now. You're a full-grown rapper
26:43
So the money don't come immediately. So how have you mastered the rap business
26:48
What have you learned about business Since you've come out That you're doing different than what you did
26:52
Before you went in? You just gotta learn You gotta just learn that your music Is just the start
26:57
You really gotta hustle You gotta hustle your music You gotta let them know
27:01
You gotta do features You gotta network Expand your brand You know what I mean
27:06
You gotta listen to it But you gotta make people Everybody ain't gonna just wanna listen to it
27:10
Especially the people that don't know it You gotta make them You probably gotta connect with somebody in their city
27:14
You know what I mean? that's lit or whatever, do a song with him. Now they're like, who that? And they tap in
27:18
Because I got the type of music. I really feel like I got the type of music. Once you hear one of my songs, it's like, what else he got
27:24
Now you're going to do my whole catalog. Oh, this mother fire. So once you get to my music, you're going to be hooked on it
27:29
You can listen to my shit all day. So that's how I feel about my shit. I love it, though
27:34
Mozzie from Sacramento. Give that man a round of applause. Free Mozzie
27:38
Free Mozzie. Northern California. Yeah. That's my dog. I'll claim Sac too, by the way
27:43
Oh, yeah? Oh, man. Yeah. I just claim it I ain't from it Justin you wasn't
27:47
Rooting for the Kings I wasn't But I wasn't Rooting against them You was
27:52
That's your words But talk about Your relationship with him Who reached out
27:58
To who first We met through A mutual friend Like we met
28:02
We did a video Like a song With some With some With one of the homies
28:07
Out in West Or whatever Like an OG guy That he just was like I'm just gonna rap
28:11
Or whatever And we all met up Shooting the video And we got real cool, then we both was signed to Empire
28:16
So we used to bump heads or whatever in the studio or whatever And we was like, so when I got locked, we were supposed to lock in
28:21
Gazi was trying to make us lock in But I caught the case, like, as soon as I signed the big deal
28:25
Went right to jail So while I was in jail, Mozzy was one of the people
28:29
That was always ill of my DM Like, yo, what's up, how you doing? He good, he good
28:33
So when I was working on an album while I was in jail I'm like, yo, I need a verse He was like, man, you should have been sent it, I got you
28:38
So he's one of the rappers that ain't like Ain't get crazy on me when I ask him for a verse
28:43
That's why I'm in there fighting for my life. He's like, whatever you need, I got you. You know what I mean? And he came through
28:47
It just so happened when I came home, he had just one in. Well, it's getting crazy on you not just stop responding or what you say when a rapper
28:55
Yeah, man. It's like, I'm trying to learn the politics of it
29:00
Because when I was locked up, I'd be hitting rappers up. They'd be under my comments saying, free him, free him
29:06
So I'm like, I need a verse. You know what I mean? And then I did songs with artists before I went to jail that I jumped on they song
29:13
And I'm like, why you ain't put the song out? Try to keep my wave alive. You know what I mean
29:17
I'll be gone for three years. Try to keep my wave alive. Don't let them forget me. You know what I mean
29:21
So they put the songs out. And then I'm asking for the features while I'm in jail. They said, nah
29:25
But when I came home, everybody was like, yo, what's up? Let's lock in. And I'm just like, man, I ain't locking in
29:30
Because I remember them days. But I got to learn how to be like them ain't my friends
29:34
Let's just do business. You don't hold a grudge, though. You got to learn how not to hold the grudge
29:38
I'm trying. I'm trying. But it's just like I'm trying to break out of that
29:42
I'm going to get better, though. I'm going to get better. I'll probably work with some guys that pissed me off
29:46
You know what I mean? But it's going to be all right. Then the lines change from Mama Raised a Shooter to Mama Raised an Executive
29:53
Yeah. Mama Raised a Mogul. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. That's what we trying to do
29:58
We trying to be trying to be trying. I'm trying my hardest, you know what I mean? People that know me, they be like, I'm so proud of you, bro
30:07
Because the old you would have been like, and I'm just staying that way. It ain't even an act
30:10
It ain't like I'm breaking out of that, you know what I mean? It's like, are you real serious about this
30:14
You really focused? Because I know how it is, bro. I'm not stupid, you know what I mean
30:19
I'm not stupid. I can't make no dumb decisions. And anything, no matter, be like, oh, yeah
30:23
Oh, yeah, I can tell you. Like, they want you to do that. But the second you do that, the second I'm back locked up, I'm stupid. Yeah
30:29
Yeah. I'm stupid. I'm stupid. And you got to remember, too, anything that you're working on, everything going to try that
30:35
Nah, for real. It's like that one thing you're trying to work on, everything going to try to test that
30:41
It's bad. Yeah, stay the course. Nah, I'm focused, man. I don't realize
30:45
I figured the streets out where it's like, I always say this shit. I'm like, they always going to want you to prove yourself, no matter who you are
30:52
They're going to always want you to prove yourself. That's why you got to know who you are. You could be a serial killer
30:57
They're going to be like, I bet you won't kill another person. It's always got to prove some shit. Like, man, I'm not trying to prove nothing
31:03
I'm going to show you something different. I'm going to show you that I'm about to be somebody that's from my city
31:07
that's making millions and that's bringing this whole team with them. You know what I mean? Inspiring people other than in the streets
31:13
You know what I mean? I survived that when people don't survive. You know what I mean? So that's what I'm off right now
31:18
I'll be out. Come on, man. What do you talk to? Yeah, go ahead
31:22
Ralph Cloudy, New Jersey City. I know where we at. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on
31:25
I'll get it now. I had to hear it from him first, Heather
31:29
make sure it wasn't an act he said this is how I'm living
31:34
how do you now how do you talk to your kids differently
31:38
now with this new energy I talk to my kids like I just tell them what it is
31:43
I let them know one of my kids she 12 years old
31:51
she was just telling me she was mad at her mother about something she was like
31:55
I like you more than I like my mother I'm like, you got to understand that I can't be the bad guy
32:02
Your mother got to be the bad guy. I was locked up basically your whole life, so every time you see me
32:07
you're going to always like me better, but your mother had to be the discipline. So when you get around me, it's going to be fun
32:11
Nah, your mother the goat, you know what I'm saying? She had to do that, so I gave her mother her flout
32:15
even though we ain't on the same time, I just respect it because you had to do things that I couldn't do nothing
32:20
I'm in jail, you know what I mean? I did what I can, but your mother had to be the one to get you up for school
32:25
Your mother had to be the one to take you to school, make sure you dress for school, you know what I mean? I got it
32:29
You got it. So I respect that. So I talk to my kids. They groan
32:33
I holler at them. They like my best friends. I'm like, look, this is what we're doing
32:38
I ain't going nowhere unless it's for y'all. I'm telling y'all right now. You feel me? I'm going to protect y'all
32:42
That's it. You know what I mean? I'll be out, man. Come on, man. Hold on. This dude, Sammy, been waiting on the line
32:47
Sammy, hey, what up, Sammy? What up, Sammy? Sammy, you still there? Sammy, what up, Sammy? Wait, what's up
32:52
BJ Sammy B Stanford Connecticut I working but I had to hold on man Al B Al I just want to call and give you your flowers I been with you since Cobra since LA Leaguers man
33:05
That song, Cobra, I did time too. So, man, you're your favorite rapper, right
33:13
Y'all just mentioned him? Yeah. But that Cobra joint touched me more in a long time than any rap album
33:19
any mix CD, man. Damn, appreciate that, bro. And I'm proud. If nobody don't say it, I'm proud of you
33:26
Thank you, bro. I appreciate that, man. I be needing that, man. That's the shit right there that keep me focused
33:30
You know what I'm saying? So I need that right there, man. I appreciate that. I'm going to keep the pressure on it, too, man
33:35
Because I know what I'm doing for the real right now. Yeah, keep that pressure on, man. It's like you said in the new single, Follow the Leader, man
33:40
Oh, bro. Oh, bro. Hell yeah. Follow the leader. They know it's up, bro. Sammy on it
33:44
Sammy on it. Sammy, tell them where you work. Say that again
33:49
Let them know where you work. Oh, it's DJ CMB. Y'all know me, Sway
33:54
You promised me a spot up here. I'm trying to tell you to shout yourself out so he'll know
34:00
Go ahead, man. I'm driving a limo right now, but like you said, man
34:08
I'm holding you to that word, but I just have to shout out to Bro, man
34:12
because I love the dude, man. I love the fact that he changed it, man
34:17
and he made it back to the other side. Absolutely. get back to the other side and change
34:22
I'm all for it, man. Because it's just a blessing, man. It's just a blessing
34:26
Hell yeah, yo. It's a full circle moment. DJ Sammy B, we appreciate you as citizens
34:31
Sway the Mortive. That's right. It all started, citizens. Yeah, yeah. It all started when he was a kid
34:37
Yes, sir. A little snotty-nosed kid. Yeah, yeah, he wasn't snotty. He wasn't snotty
34:41
He was nice? He was nice? Yeah. Okay, never mind. Let me change the narrative. Despite the struggle
34:45
Yeah, you feel me? Despite the struggle, mama kept some good sneakers over there. Okay, mama kept some good sneakers
34:50
He looked like something when he was a kid. That's it. And it took somebody to walk in to his projects, to his home
35:01
Someone that was an inspiration to him that he saw on TV
35:06
Someone to give him his first currency for his skill set. The first time he got paid to rap was because of Heather B
35:15
Exactly. Heather B. came to his projects when he was nine years old, put him to the test, said, you got bars
35:21
He said, yeah. She said, just spit them. We want to hear them. He spit those bars and got $20
35:28
That was damn near how many years ago? That was like 20-something years ago
35:34
20-something years later, now you would have the B. on Sway in the Morning on Shade for 5
35:41
You ain't in Marion Projects, but you in the Valley of the Hyena. He made it
35:46
And I know you brought bars. Oh, yeah, yeah, what was that? I'll be out. So you, man, let's go
35:51
Oh let me tell him a story This ain even let me just talk to him Let me tell them all my life About what I go do you know what I saying Ay ay I said
36:03
The picture getting clearer, all I got is you, yeah, the man in the mirror
36:08
He would never cross me, he would never leave me, he would never hurt me, and he would never deceive me
36:13
It's me and you, yeah, it's us two, I don't really trust people, but I can trust you
36:18
I had a girl that stuck with me through them long nights When everything was alright, I'm talking all night
36:24
I'm talking all week, shit, I'm talking all month She was down for a , man, that's all I want
36:29
Made me feel like she really understood me She understood the good me and the hood me
36:34
But see, this city'll eat you alive People ain't even help you cook one piece of your pie
36:39
And you can't get an hour back Protect your hair from getting wet, bring the shower cap
36:45
I see my man s put in the dirt A funeral, the only thing I know of a church
36:50
Used to take the strap with me everywhere Family reunions, I'm talking everywhere
36:55
See, now I'm aiming for the truth Start a convo with her while I'm sipping on the juice
37:00
She said, she said, Albie, I understand You don't really want this life, but these the cars in your hand
37:05
And before you give up, you rather stand and be a man I just looked at her and smiled and said, damn, you so close
37:11
Hang on, baby, I'm temporary Any day could be a cell or a cemetery
37:16
So cherish me, baby, cherish me She said I'm in love, I'm like, you better be
37:21
It's just me and my So drunk off this liquor, tasting it on her lips
37:26
She's like, girl, you see what I'm up against They knock me down so many times, but I'm up again
37:32
And then I looked in the eyes Told her my life story, and all she did was cry
37:37
Told her about them shootouts and them nights I almost die I be feeling like, hey, they my last when I'm outside
37:42
She said, boy, why don't you try? And I said, girl, you know I try But I got so many dad homies always on my mind
37:47
I ain't like them other s, they just want what's in your dog If you really love me, then I'm expecting you to ride
37:52
Yeah, dude, dick and dick, you gon' run with me If you love me, you gotta love whatever come with me
37:58
It's bittersweet, so hold me She said I'm a ride, she told me some shit like that
38:04
I said, that's what she told me She said she gon' ride, , but where you at
38:09
People always find a reason to say you If you said they stuck in a situation
38:13
Oh, man. I know it's something. Hey, yo. Hey, yo. That was good, though
38:24
That was an album off, man. Oh, man. Hug him like he nine again
38:31
Hug him like he nine years old again. Wow. Wow, man. Wow, wow, wow
38:37
I feel like I was in a movie. I'm sorry. I heard Unstar
38:44
This shit is crazy, yo. This shit is crazy. What was you talking about
38:49
Like, who was she? They just like they be telling you Like who is this person Is she still around When you going through your dark days they be telling you they gonna ride they gonna be there But when you need them they don be there
39:00
So it's just like, it's a story. She know who I'm talking about, you know what I mean
39:04
But look at me now, I bet you wrote, bet you wish you stayed there, you know what I'm saying? Damn
39:09
You know what I mean? That's what goes with this shit. Life is about decisions and choices you make, man. Don't make the wrong one
39:13
But how did the story end, man? Give me the last few verses. Come on, Slay, stay tuned
39:19
Bring them back to the show. Stay tuned. Damn, man. When you come off tour
39:23
I don't even know I would end it. Man, you feel me? Shit. No, you should consider writing
39:30
You could write a series. Yeah. Just the way you wrote that verse is like, that's an episode
39:36
No, for real. Like, all that was playing out in my mind. Nah, I appreciate that. And then what happened
39:40
And then the tears came down our eyes? Damn, man. Yeah. Everything on the album, man
39:46
I'm from Marion, man. I know it's up, man. It's out right now. Hit different
39:49
You know this going to be a class that I named it after what raised me, man. What brought me up, man
39:53
My whole character come from there, man. My whole attitude, man. It's a city inside a city, man
39:59
You know what I mean? Everybody from Marion got like the same attitude, man. Especially when you really from there, like, you know what I mean
40:05
Oh, man. Let me say this to you, brother. You are blessed, and you got light on you
40:10
You're here for a reason. This ain't by accident, homie. That's right. Nah, for real. You are not here by accident
40:14
Understand that. And then what you do with it, oh, man, you could change so many people
40:19
lives bro you can change their projection and i see you on that man so we always gonna support you
40:24
bro yes we believe in what you're doing right now thank you all right you use it to the benefit of
40:30
the greater good of the whole kids and marion projects know that there's other lands know not
40:35
what to do you know they know they can learn from your pit stops no no doubt your trials and
40:40
tribulations right hell yeah that's what i want them to look at me as an example of like you know
40:44
what i mean that that person that went through all of them things all of them hard times but i
40:48
overcame them and i became this you know what i'm saying i don't want to i don't want to be i remember
40:53
when i went to jail one time and i was in there and everybody was like happy to see me but they
40:58
weren't happy to see me he's like damn albiyah you in but damn if you went here how we ever gonna
41:02
make it you was our hope you know what i mean you had us believing that we could make it but now you
41:06
went here with us you know what i'm saying so it's like i take i pay attention to everything
41:10
I learn from my mistakes and others There you go man I'll be Al man
41:15
I'm from Marion I know it's up man We up Marion we up
41:22
We up We got a hyena up in here Boom man I love it man
41:31
We gonna run back top off again man But I wanna thank you for coming through
41:35
I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as we did I'm on a cloud right now I don't want to clap, man
41:40
It's a beautiful Friday. The album dropped today. Come on. We outside. We outside
41:45
Yeah. Let's let it go. Come on
#Arts & Entertainment