Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby joins Trevor for a deep dive into his life and career. He opens up about the fallout from his controversial comments at a festival and how it reshaped his public image. The conversation reveals DaBaby's challenging upbringing in North Carolina and his reflections on fatherhood. He discusses the complexities of dealing with violence in hip-hop and the need for growth and personal accountability. Through candid anecdotes, DaBaby highlights the importance of resilience and understanding within both his life and the industry.
DaBaby attributes his ability to navigate a challenging upbringing to the presence and influence of his father.
In the hip hop industry, violence can arise from various motives such as envy, entitlement, or the desire to prove oneself.
DaBaby acknowledges the negative consequences of his controversial remarks and recognizes the need for accountability and personal growth.
Deep dives
Growing up in a volatile environment
The podcast episode explores DaBaby's upbringing in a challenging and volatile environment. DaBaby describes growing up surrounded by violence, drugs, and constant danger. He shares personal stories of witnessing violence in his household and experiencing shootings and death in his neighborhood. Despite the traumatic and dangerous surroundings, DaBaby attributes his ability to navigate this environment to the presence and influence of his father, who provided guidance and support from a distance.
Navigating violence in the hip hop world
The podcast delves into DaBaby's experience of moving in the hip hop world, where violence and testing are prevalent. DaBaby highlights that the hip hop industry attracts attention and scrutiny, and people often want to test or challenge successful artists. He mentions that violence can arise from various motives, such as envy, entitlement, or the desire to prove oneself. DaBaby emphasizes the importance of knowing how to move and being prepared in order to navigate these potentially dangerous situations.
Encountering a life-threatening incident
The podcast discusses a life-threatening incident that DaBaby faced in Walmart, where he was targeted by armed individuals. He recounts the encounter, explaining how he managed to defend himself and protect his family. DaBaby acknowledges the fragility of life and the constant need to be prepared for unexpected dangers. He reflects on the importance of being aware and mentally and physically ready to defend oneself in order to ensure the safety of loved ones.
The impact of DaBaby's controversial remarks
The podcast addresses the aftermath of DaBaby's controversial remarks about HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ individuals during a live performance. This incident led to significant backlash, including criticism from influential figures like Elton John and Questlove. DaBaby acknowledges the negative consequences that followed his remarks and the need for accountability. The discussion explores the tension between his desire to make amends and grow, while recognizing the difficulty in changing public perceptions and opinions.
Understanding the Impact
The podcast episode delves into the aftermath of The Baby's controversial remarks during a performance and his subsequent response to the backlash. The host explores the idea that The Baby's homophobic statements highlighted a deeper issue of homophobia in hip hop and society as a whole. The Baby initially did not understand the impact of his words and was taken aback by the negative response. However, he now recognizes the harm caused and acknowledges the need for greater awareness and tolerance. The episode highlights the importance of educating oneself and being accountable for the consequences of one's words.
Personal Growth and Future Plans
The podcast also delves into The Baby's personal growth and the future direction of his career. While facing criticism and consequences, he aims to use his experiences as a stepping stone for growth. The Baby expresses a desire to explore film and television as an outlet for his creativity, utilizing his unique life experiences to bring authenticity to his work. Additionally, he highlights the importance of creating a safe space for his children and mentions an upcoming project with his daughter that he is excited about. The episode emphasizes the significance of therapy and self-reflection as key aspects of The Baby's journey towards personal and professional redemption.
Trevor sits down with Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby, who just a few years ago was the face of hip-hop with multiple hit singles to his name. Then a controversial moment at the Rolling Loud festival in 2021 changed everything. Trevor and DaBaby face that moment head-on, as well as DaBaby’s challenging upbringing in North Carolina, how he understands his own role as a father, and whether he has any regrets.
