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Rob Markman Speaks on New Album 'If You Don't You'll Regret It' | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
Mar 4, 2021
Rob Markman drops his 3rd EP and talks with the Sway In The Morning team on what it means.
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Exclusive interviews from Sway Calloway and the Sway In The Morning/ SwaysUniverse.com team with some of today's biggest celebrities, like Kevin Hart, Kanye West, Eminem, Usher, Jessica Alba, Steve Aoki, Torey Lanez, Julia Stiles and so much more.
Rob Markman Speaks on New Album 'If You Don't You'll Regret It' | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
https://youtu.be/Ywe-v8q50sE
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0:00
I'm really excited about our next guest
0:01
I often go out in public and say I believe he's the number one hip-hop journalist in the game
0:10
I've watched his career excel over the years. I had a chance to work with him and continue to work with him
0:17
And he's become one of my favorite emcees recently as he released his new album
0:22
If You Don't, You'll Regret It. It's out right now. I'm talking about the one and only Rob Markman
0:28
And a lot of people know him from Genius. I know him from just being my brother, you know
0:35
and all the great work he's done in the music business, in the industry, as a journalist, from Scratch Magazine to XXL
0:41
to MTV News to now Genius. And you might remember him when he came on the show way back in 2017
0:49
If you don't, here's a reminder. Rob Markman, Sway in the Morning, Shade 4-5
0:58
DJ Wanda. Ah, let's go. You crazy for this one, Rick. It's funny how one verse could up the game
1:06
This when Chauncey grabbed Ronnie, got ed up by Kane. When your swag gets stained, ed up by Rain
1:11
The good kid getting caught, trying to on Charaine. It's funny how one verse could turn it around
1:17
This for the money. I gotta murder it now. Everybody like, look, it's the journalist
1:23
Wow. I know it's kind of weird, but I heard he get down. That's offending
1:26
Whatever you say, it don't offend me When I hit you with that douce bottle, blame the Henny
1:31
There it is, Rob Markman, ladies and gentlemen You may know him as the Vice President, Conscious Strategy and Genius
1:39
But we know him as the MC Give it up for the one and only Rob Markman Rob
1:44
Let's go! What up, Markman? What's up, family? Good morning, man I want to stay in the morning, this is crazy Hey
1:52
Hey, it's Rob, y'all What up, lovely Markman? Hey, Rob. Rob, good to have you on the show
2:00
We were actually talking last night because I was just going through a lot of his music
2:04
And Rob has just been dropping project after project, music after music, song after song
2:11
He just put out a song, Drive, and he sent that to me. And I was listening to a song called Head High, which is Rich and Ice's favorite song you ever made, Rob
2:21
And we were just having a whole conversation about the lyrics on this particular project
2:25
and Rich Nice got mad because you didn't put head high on this project
2:30
I know. I might have messed up, man. I should have called Rich the A&R the project
2:35
Like, I know one of the greatest A&Rs in hip-hop history, and I didn't even give him a call, man
2:42
You know, that's my bad, Rich. This new project, man, first of all, how you been
2:51
Before we even get into the project, how you been? I've been great, man
2:55
blessed, healthy. You know, obviously COVID affects everybody and staying at home and
3:01
just being safe and seeing what's going on in the world. Last year was a doozy with the election
3:05
with Black Lives Matter, just fighting for basic human rights. So, you know, it's been a roller
3:11
coaster, man. But all in all, I've been blessed, man. My family's good. My family's healthy, and I've been able to stay creative and productive. So I can't ask for too much more
3:19
on the personal side of things. Have you been outside the house yet? hell no just to go just to go to the studio and the shovel snow
3:27
so what you be thinking markman when you see your peers out here that are doing shows doing
3:36
club appearances is that irresponsible in your opinion or is that just getting the bag because
3:41
it's sometimes can be hard the life of an artist i'm just like the bag must be crazy
3:46
for y'all to be out here. Look, I don't judge. I think there is a responsibility that we have
3:54
and we have to move responsible. But everybody got to make their own decisions, from the artists taking those shows and taking that bag
3:59
to the people going out to the club. If Jay-Z was doing a performance right now
4:03
who's my favorite artist, I don't think I'd go. But that's just me personally
4:07
But maybe there are people who will, you know what I mean? Jay-Z being your favorite artist
4:12
when you make your music, you know because when I listen to this particular album
4:17
there are certain things that I really like about it that remind me of certain things that I really like about some of his albums
4:24
you know what I mean and I love when you put the clips
4:29
you might have a clip of somebody speaking about drug trafficking in the 80s or in the 90s
4:35
or someone putting their philosophy you might attach to a song how much influence do you think Jay has
4:42
in terms of motivation when you go into making your music? You know, look, I think when I'm in the studio, like, in that moment
4:49
I'm really just thinking about me and the best way I could tell my story
4:54
like, if I'm being honest. But I've been listening to Jay-Z since 96
4:58
So, yeah, that seeped in. Yeah, you know, it's that osmosis. Like, you know, it's in the DNA as well as Nas, you know
5:06
I think Nas is a major influence. um you know even drake even even with you know i think and i've always been a fan of of the intro
5:15
and jay obviously has his kind of epic intros and and drake is kind of known for that too with like
5:20
tuscan leather and songs like that where you just start the record off real soulfully and just pour
5:26
your heart out so um you know i'm a student in the game so i'm studying it all and then when i
5:30
get in the studio i'm applying it but just making it my own you know i was listening to the song
5:37
um what song is a play in the rain and one of the lyrics i said where you say uh love change
5:46
thug changes and best friends become strangers you know that's esco you know i was like yeah
5:52
and what made you take that line and put it apply it to that song what was that about
5:57
yeah that that's definitely a nas line um you know it's a little bit of a survivor's guilt
6:04
about how we grow, man. We come from, from places or, you know, some of us do swear. I know absolutely you do. Um, you know
6:11
coming from a community where, where everybody's not going to make it out
6:16
And, you know, me personally, I started to get opportunities and things that allow me to rise above my
6:22
circumstance. And you kind of make the promise that, okay, when I get to where I need to go I going to bring my people with me And you know So that was just a story of a friend that I had where time just ran out Like I wasn able to bring him up before you know the circumstances got to him
6:41
So, you know, that was just about a childhood friend who lost his life a little early
6:47
What was his name? His name was O. Okay. I like to get, you know, when people pass on, I like to say their name out and give it power
6:59
You know, this project, in my opinion, as far as you go, I love what you're doing because you're not allowing anybody to define who you are as somebody who grew up in the culture
7:12
You're a writer, you're a journalist. So I don't know why anyone would think it would be limited, you know, or would question or it be limited to just working for, you know, media outlets
7:22
This is what you do. But I'm hearing things in songs that I never even heard from you when I listen to the song, still hear the screams
7:31
And you talk about at a young age actually witnessing somebody being raped that, you know, is that something you held in
7:41
Did that come out because you were making this project? And how do you think that affected you
7:46
It's something that I think the beat dictated that it was time to tell that story
7:51
It was just me reflecting on, you know, basically what that song was about, Still Hit the Screams
7:56
is when the pandemic hit, a lot of people left New York and declared New York dead
8:00
And a lot of people who come into New York seeking opportunities. And I was reading articles because so-and-so club is closed or because so-and-so bar is closed
8:09
New York is dead. And it's like, I feel you, but nah, like those of us who have been here native, like I could still hear the screams, even post gentrification from the crack era
8:19
Like there might be a new condo on that block, but I remember when that was a crack house
8:23
You know what I'm saying? So that's me saying I still hear the screams. So I started going back into that era where we grew up
8:29
And yeah, you know, I was about 10 years old and it was about three in the morning and I'm hearing screams out the window and there's a girl getting raped right outside my window
8:39
and my parents were sleeping, and, you know, it was just me and a cousin who was spending the night
8:45
So we called the cops, you know, first thing. 911, because that's what you're taught to do as a kid, right
8:53
Maybe the cops didn't take us seriously because we were kids. Maybe they thought we were pranking
8:57
I don't know. But the cops never came. And, you know, we woke up my parents, and you could still hear the screams
9:04
This time they dragged her around the corner. You could still hear the screams
9:07
my parents called 911 the cops still never came and that was probably the realization of 10 years
9:13
old like oh there's a different set of rules and circumstances where we live and when we grow up
9:17
and so that's about the time that i realized that you know i mean that romanticized version
9:23
of that police are here to serve and protect and knowing that those rules only apply to a certain
9:28
segment of the population and it ain't our segment you know yeah uh rob markman is here man the album
9:36
As you can see, H.B., got a lot of layers to it. Yeah
9:41
You know, you get to know Rob in a way that, you know, I'm hearing stories that I've just never really heard before
9:47
But also the bar play has stepped up, Bizzle. And I want to let you go ahead and jump in because, you know
9:54
as an emcee, you could give him a whole different perspective. You know what? No, I want to come from the more personal side of this, Rob
10:02
because not just as an emcee, but as a husband and as a father, that balance, you know
10:08
and you're a professional also working in the industry and you have to find that balance between husband, father, artist
10:15
and carving out the time to, you know, hone in on your craft
10:19
to write, to make sure. How are you doing all of this? Determination, just getting it done
10:28
And I do have a lot of support. My family supports me. One of the blessings of COVID is that I'm home way more often, so, you know, with my kids every day and with my family every day
10:39
And then, you know, at night, I get to sneak off into the studio. Okay, that's there
10:43
That's what I'm talking about. All right. So it's a night. You're a Nighthawk. Okay
10:48
Yeah. Yeah. But, yeah, nah, you know, and it's just, and creativity comes
10:54
You know, there's other, like, you being an emcee yourself, an artist yourself, a creative yourself
10:58
you know sometimes we can't help when the creativity comes sometimes it might come nine
11:04
o'clock at night sometimes it might come nine in the morning and it's just trying to capture that
11:09
little lightning in the bottle when it hits you so you know i'm always writing even if it's just
11:13
a couple of lines here and there and then putting it all together at night in the studio so rob markman oh go ahead tracy i just like to say his name rob markman is here
11:23
I do too. Markman, on Parkside Freestyle, when you mentioned how pretty much you know that money cannot buy happiness, right
11:37
And how you know a lot of people, I believe you say, you got a couple of rich friends who are feeling so worthless, right
11:44
And that you're willing to forfeit a check for meaning and purpose. Did you learn about this concept of a meaningful life outside of just means, right, of money before you entered this industry
11:59
Or is that something that you started learning and equating as you were doing interviews
12:05
I think I kind of knew that coming in, like maybe innately, like deep down and being in the industry and seeing what it really is confirmed it
12:17
because I would see people just really unhappy who had money, like even artists that I speak to maybe, you know
12:26
on the personal side who have hit records, platinum, gold plaques, like the shit that personally, like I want now, like, man
12:36
I would love to have that. And seeing that they're struggling or unhappy and that doesn't make
12:43
happiness, it really, really puts things in perspective. so you know I think it's something that I always knew um but just being in the industry confirmed
12:52
it you know right that makes sense Rob Markman is here on a new album if you don't you'll regret it
12:59
Rob you talking your shit on the song on God man I hear you brother I hear you talking your shit on that song man I hear you talking your shit
13:12
It's a whole different approach for Rob, too, because he kind of harmonizing through it in a melodic way
13:17
HB, it's almost like Rob could go R&B and maybe do a duet with Tank
13:22
you know, and then I see him go on tour. But one of the standout lines, I'm not going to say it entirely
13:30
but a lot of people shined off the light I gave. Seen the vision, right, real clear off the sight I gave
13:41
What are you talking about and who are you talking about? A lot of people shined off the light I gave
13:47
seen the vision real clear off the sight I gave. Who was I thinking about
13:52
I'm talking about a lot. Like, you know, Sway, and I learned this from you
13:56
and again, it was one of those things that was innate in me probably and being around you confirmed it, that you could be in this industry
14:02
and shining your light on somebody else. You know what I'm saying
14:09
Don't diminish your light. So I've always been one to shine light on others
14:13
And people just come back and bite you. You know, I'll tell you quick
14:19
I'm not going to say a name, Sway, because this person is funny
14:23
has since come back and apologized to me. but you know there was artists that that i helped you know as an artist that i helped
14:35
um get early interviews get interviews with you sway like you know what i'm saying and and
14:42
it started coming back to me that that he was feeling the type of way and and and that i was
14:47
rapping now um that you know maybe i was some type of competition and and that just hurt me
14:54
because i'm like damn all i ever did was try to help and you know i i just left it so you know
14:59
I was probably thinking about that when I wrote it, but there's a couple of situations like that
15:02
but that person has probably Rob said, probably, but speak to that
15:09
Like the, the juxtaposition for you from people seeing you as a journalist and they all
15:16
come running, but we're now that you an artist, they all go running
15:22
You know what I mean? It's like they run it to you and now they running away from you
15:27
What has that experience been like? it's been eye-opening, you know what I'm saying
15:32
Like, it's been disheartening for real. Like, you know, hip-hop, this hip-hop thing to me is communal
15:39
It's about how we all support each other. You know, it's like me going up
15:46
it's like me only supporting Sway in the morning or supporting the Sway interview when I'm the one being interviewed
15:54
Right. You know what I'm saying? And me calling for Sway when I need something
15:58
but not uplifting what Sway is doing. You know what I'm saying? It's like a lot of artists
16:03
a lot of the relationship between journalists and artists in this thing gets very, very one-sided
16:08
from, you know, my perspective. It's like, you know what I'm saying
16:12
Like, you're around when you need me. And then, you know what I'm saying
16:17
But it's like, you know, there's another artist actually too that I used to help out
16:24
And I only hear from this guy when he's about to drop a project. and he wants me to drop everything and
16:30
yo, listen to my project, give me feedback. And then when I can't do it, he caught attitude. And I'm like, bro, I ain't hear from you since the last project
16:39
And you say we family or whatever, and that's all bullshit because when I interviewed Mariah Carey, where was you at
16:47
You ain't uphold that. That was amazing work that I did. You know what I'm saying? When I dropped my album, where was you at
16:53
That was amazing work. Like, it's just one-sided. So, you know, it's just me kind of drawing that line in the sand
16:57
or at least saying I know what it is. You know what I mean? I think it helps, too
17:03
I think it helps, too, that you're so honest about all of this, and it puts
17:07
a lot of things into perspective, and now that you have time to really
17:12
sit and think about it, I was actually talking with Sway and Tracy and the citizens
17:15
about that this morning, Rob. Swayman jokingly, but affectionately, talking about this real-world reboot, right
17:23
And so now going away and doing a show and filming and taping
17:27
and being put in this spot, but then also doing radio for so long
17:32
it's weird. Like you watch how some of these media outlets work
17:36
and being interviewed. And I'm so used to being on the other side of it now
17:40
It's funny how people are and you see how people really are
17:43
and you get behind that curtain or get in front of the curtain. It's a weird thing
17:47
And so like you speaking to this, it's just pulling on my heart because it's so real
17:51
and it's a blessing that you're able to see this from both sides
17:55
and deal with it. I think next for you, you should be writing a book from the side of it too
18:00
And from this side of it too, Rob, and just talk about all of that
18:03
Cause I don't think people, usually people are only blessed to see one side of it
18:08
but you're in a very, very unique spot coming from an artist as well
18:12
as from a journalist perspective. Thank you. Nah, thank you. Yeah, I'm inspired
18:18
I believe I will write a book someday. And, you know, it even sucks to hear
18:25
you know, and I know you can relate, But even to hear you like, yo, I can relate to this. Like, it's like, yeah, because it shouldn't be like that
18:30
I think what it really boils down to, though, because let's keep it real, there's some real predatory media outlets, too
18:36
A lot of media outlets and some of these journalists out here really suck, you know, and for the wrong reasons as well
18:43
And I think it's just really about who's down for the culture and who's down for the community on either side
18:48
You know what I'm saying? And to me, those are the two sides. It's those of us who are really down to build this shit the right way and shine light on this shit the right way
18:56
And then there's just the other side who just wants to take and never add on
19:02
You know what I'm saying? And, you know, I think we're the givers. You know, I learned that from Sway
19:05
I learned that, you know, our whole circle is about giving back and shining light and building upon what we love, you know
19:13
Rob Markman. Hey, man, if you don't, you'll regret it. I'll share one regret with you, Rob, if you share one with me that's happening in this industry
19:24
Okay. Ah, shit. Yep. There was a time when Dave Chappelle was doing his block party and I was flying back and forth doing syndicated radio with the wake up show and King tech And I was doing syndicated radio with MTV and I was doing MTV news and all
19:47
these different things. MTV was, you know, I was carrying on my back. This was prior before you
19:52
came here, Rob. And I'm trying to think whatever year that's the day Chappelle block party was
19:56
I can't think of the year. Well, do you know, anybody know the year that was at 07 or 08
20:00
and uh let's just say oh seven so i've known it was earlier than that right oh 2005 so yeah 2005
20:10
dave chappelle and i have known each other from when he used to come to the bay um in the 90s and
20:15
he was doing comedy shows and he would come on the radio show and they asked if i would be a part of
20:20
the block party but the way they asked is they went through mtv and then mtv was trying to enforce
20:28
this exclusivity thing and so a lot of times i would get requests and didn't know it till the
20:33
last minute and somebody from mtv blocked it for me being a part of that groundbreaking block party
20:40
that went on to become what it became wow yo and and i found out in the last minute i was trying to
20:48
switch it up and then somebody in legal kind of ran a threat you know kind of indirect threat and
20:53
I didn't know I didn't understand my positioning at that time. And I figured I'll catch it later since I came on the tail end of it
21:00
And to this day, I regret not so much. I still went to the black party, but I regret that I wasn't in the position I needed to be in to understand my full power and influence to not allow somebody else to decide for me what I would do with a moment in my career
21:19
And I wasn't a part of it. I am on stage, and you can see me for about three seconds, you know
21:24
when Common, I think, is performing or something. But that was one of my biggest regrets
21:29
What about you? I got a ton, man. Look, man, we all make mistakes or don't move right
21:39
or wish you could get a take back. I guess one recently, which has been on my mind often
21:46
because we had a real cool relationship. I hadn't spoken to Nipsey about when he passed, maybe a year
22:01
I hadn't spoken with him. You know what I'm saying? And without getting into too much detail
22:08
there was definitely like a misunderstanding. It wasn't beef. It wasn't no issue or nothing
22:12
You know what I'm saying? Like nothing detrimental. But there was a misunderstanding. between us
22:20
And I always felt like I had time. I said, oh, man, next time I'm out in L.A.
22:26
I bump into him, we're going to laugh it off. It's going to be all good. You know what I'm saying
22:30
And, you know, I just never got, you know, there wasn't that next time
22:36
You know what I'm saying? And, you know, looking back at old messages
22:41
in my phone from him, like, he was just always like, yo bro when you touch down LA
22:47
I'm gonna pick you up in the Maybach you know what I'm saying we're gonna listen to music
22:51
we're gonna like shit like that I'm gonna pick you up from the airport and I'm like bro like it's all good
22:55
I just call the Uber up straight man you gotta do all that but he was just that
22:59
giving yo when you in LA man hit me if you need anything hit me I got you and you know I remember telling
23:05
him in 2015 when he dropped his mixtape his Crenshaw mixtape just how much he inspired me to do things that I was holding off on doing
23:18
And I was really back then talking about this music shit. It's just the rest of the world didn't know it yet
23:22
You know what I mean? So I regret not reaching out to Nipsey knowing that there was, like
23:29
a small issue, but, like, we just laughed it off anyway. And I should have probably done that and not assumed that we had more time
23:38
I like that. Thank you for sharing that, Rob. and I remember you telling me that story
23:43
and hence we have the title If You Don't, You'll Regret It
23:47
Why'd you title the album that? Did these moments have a lot to do with it
23:54
Yeah, it's all of this stuff It's like really realizing that life is short, man
24:00
My last album was called It's Too Late at the Wake And we know people's attention span
24:06
They get more music now than ever, right? if you never even listen to one of my albums
24:12
I at least want the title to stand for something. I at least want you to connect and make you think about your life
24:17
So, you know, if you don't, you'll regret it. It's like, yo, this life is short. Like, you really just got to follow your heart
24:23
follow your passion, do right by people. Because when you're gone, you're gone
24:28
So do it now. If you don't, you'll regret it. That means going to law school if that's what you want to do
24:33
being a rapper or a singer if that's what you want to do, being a chef if that's what you want to do
24:39
If you're in school and you just want to talk to that girl or that guy that's sitting across from you
24:43
but you don't have the guts to do it, go do that too. If you don't, you'll regret it. He or she might like you back
24:48
You never know. You know what I'm saying? Love it, man. Big round of applause for Rob Markman
24:54
You know, we only have so much time, but, you know, we could do this all afternoon. His new project, if you don't, you'll regret it
25:01
Make sure you get that. Stream it now. And then look for Rob on Genius
25:05
He's the vice president of content strategy. I don't know what that even means
25:09
have to be, but that means a lot of money, damn it. I'm large, son. It means
25:13
I'm large, son. It's big. Hey, Rob, you put together a lot of meetings
25:19
A lot of Zooms, but you put together a great body of work
25:23
with this project. I encourage all our citizens to check it out
25:27
If you don't, you'll regret it. That's my statement to you, so make sure you check it out. We're going to end this with
25:33
don't beg, don't borrow. Thank you, Rob, for being on the show, brother
25:37
Appreciate you. Thank you for having me. Thank you for always supporting me to the whole Swing in the Morning team
25:42
Of course. I love y'all. Y'all like family to me. I don't take this lightly at all
25:47
So I appreciate y'all, man. I appreciate y'all platform. Shout out to Kelly. Absolutely, man
25:52
All right, Kelly Jackson. Hey, follow Rob at Rob Markman, okay? Outro Music
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