The Man Enough Podcast

Jidenna: Owning Up and Opening Up in the World of Hip-Hop | What’s Underneath: Masculinity

Nov 9, 2023

Rapper, singer, and style icon Jidenna opens up about confronting sexism in rap culture, the influence of Andre 3000 on his style, pressures of sexual performance, grappling with imposter syndrome, and his transformative journey through a polyamorous relationship. This candid conversation exposes the harms of traditional masculinity and offers a path to healing and growth.

56:05

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Episode guests

Jidenna

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Jidena discusses the importance of vulnerability and taking accountability for past behavior, challenging societal expectations of masculinity.

Jidena emphasizes the need for men to embrace emotional growth, create safe spaces, and reform toxic patterns of masculinity.

Deep dives

The Power of Vulnerability and Reformation

In this podcast episode, Jidena opens up about his past patterns of manipulation and toxic masculinity. He discusses the importance of vulnerability and taking accountability for his past behavior. Jidena shares his journey towards self-acceptance and reformation, challenging societal expectations of masculinity. He emphasizes the need for men to be aware of their emotional selves and create safe spaces for themselves and others. Jidena also explores the impact of societal pressures on sexual performance and body image, advocating for a redefinition of success and self-worth.

Introduction

4min

Rediscovering Purpose and Authenticity

8min

Expressing Inner Struggles through Outward Appearance and a Spiritual Awakening

4min

Breaking Stereotypes and Expressing Attraction

17min

The Importance of Reflection and Personal Growth

2min

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery in the World of Rap

18min

Creating a Safe World for Boys and Women

2min

Welcome to Man Enough’s new series, What’s Underneath: Masculinity, presented by BetterHelp, in partnership with popular media company StyleLikeU. Enjoy this series of men revealing their full selves - new episodes every Thursday.

In this riveting first episode, rapper, singer and style icon Jidenna bares his soul as he takes full accountability for past sexism and shares his journey towards self-improvement. Known for his musical prowess and unique fashion sense, Jidenna shares about:

Courageously confronting the misogynistic world of rap culture (42:33)
How Andre 3000 freed him from hyper-masculine style (08:32)
Addressing the pressures of sexual performance (46:13)
Grappling with imposter syndrome (19:30)
A polyamorous relationship that propelled him to confront his manipulative patterns in dating and reform his relationship to women (35:56)

Join us as we uncover the layers of masculinity, vulnerability, and the transformative power of embracing one's truth. This candid conversation exposes the harm of traditional masculinity and the path to healing, offering an invitation to witness a man's commitment to growth and making the world a safer place for all.

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of sensitive topics, such as mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy platform. Visit http://BetterHelp.com/WhatsUnderneath today to get 10% off your first month.

Catch new episodes of What’s Underneath: Masculinity every Thursday here on Man Enough. Watch shorter video episodes on http://YouTube.com/StyleLikeU

New Man Enough Podcast episodes will continue to hit the feed every Monday.

IN THIS EPISODE:

(01:19) - Justin and Jamey introduce the StyleLikeU partnership on this What’s Underneath: Masculinity series and Jidenna

(05:34) - Jidenna on rediscovering his why

(07:48) - Jidenna’s style, influences and assumptions people make about him

(12:45) - The spiritual experience that transformed Jidenna

(16:20) - Men’s attraction to other men doesn’t need to be sexual

(19:30) - Jidenna on imposter syndrome and his career

(27:41) - How he used to lie and manipulate, and how he healed

(41:03) - When he feels vulnerable

(42:33) - Sexism in rap culture and the recording studio

(44:31) - Jidenna’s relationship to his body

(49:10) - Wildest dreams

(51:52) - What it means to be man enough

JIDENNA QUOTATIONS:

“We can be a bunch of almost paradoxical shades of ourselves and it’s okay.”

“Every rock bottom has a basement and every cloud 9 has an attic.”

“Women don't need to be the innocent bystander of me not dealing with my darkness and not figuring out how to deal with that.”

"I'm man enough because I'm human enough…I'm very proud to be a man. I love being a man. And it's not because it's a man's world. I love it because it feels good to love."

MORE ABOUT WHAT’S UNDERNEATH: MASCULINITY

A diverse range of men work to shed the traditional perception of what it is to be a man and look further into male vulnerability. On each episode, as the guest answers intimate questions he removes items of clothing, exposing new issues and coming to new revelations about himself and what it is to be a man. It’s a beautiful metaphor for finding comfort in your skin and becoming confident showing your true self to the world.

FOLLOW JIDENNA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jidenna/

FOLLOW MAN ENOUGH:

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Facebook: http://facebook.com/WeAreManEnough

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wearemanenough

Newsletter: https://manenough.com/newsletter

FOLLOW STYLELIKEU:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stylelikeu

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stylelikeu

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stylelikeu