Off the Record with DJ Akademiks

Akademiks gives us a rundown of what went down in 2021.  He discusses some of the rappers we lost and rappers we saw got incarcerated. (Young Dolph, DMX, Drakeo the Ruler, Slim 400, Biz Markie, Edai, WizdaWizard, Lil Loaded). Also rappers we saw got incarcerated. (YFN Lucci, Pooh Shiesty, Glokknine, Sheff G, Foogiano, Kay Flock, NBA Youngboy, Casanova). We talk about the pardoning of Lil Wayne and Kodak Black by Donald Trump. We discuss Federick Gibbs catching a case of DA BEATS by Jim Jones. Also talk about people going back outside and concerts opening up then Astroworld happening. We discuss Nicki Minaj viral tweets about her cousin and the vaccine. We give flowers to YSL, Generation Now, 1017, QC and CMG. We talk about the comeback of Migos, Saweetie Drama and also Justin La Boy. We talk also about Drake vs Kanye West and the CLB vs DONDA competition that later lead to them squashing it and being on the same stage for Larry hoover. 

Today we had a roundtable episode with a few women as we talk about pop culture and dating. We talk aging, surgeries, dating in a current market place. Also we discuss the idolization of celebrity relationships and ask if Lil Durk proposing to India has set a new standard for women to aspire to. We then talk Onlyfans vs Stripping and figure out what type of men women want. We talk Brittany Renner and the infamous episode we did on Off The Record. We're still in Holiday Mode lol.. Give us a break. We'll get to our Music Rap ups in the next few Episodes!

Merry Christmas!!!! We discuss how Christmas this year and how people spend them with their families. We then talk about Lil Durk getting engaged to India and then Akademiks gives a story of his brother getting engaged for the second time. We Talk about Youngboy and his face-paint and no one saying anything despite the fact that they would if it was another artist. We talk about Jay Z saying no one could stand on a verzuz stage with him. We discuss if Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye or Future could actually legitimately compete with him if a verzuz went down and if the criteria changes depends on where it goes down and who is judging it.

Fetty Wap is rapper from Paterson, NJ who blew up in 2014 after dropping a slew of hits on SoundCloud. After noticing he had a unique voice and a talent for finding melody, he recorded 'Trap Queen' as his third song ever. Fetty Wap talks abotu his come up with Akademiks and how dropping songs on SoundCloud that quickly blew up in his hometown then later across the internet changed his life quickly. He talks about going to SxSW for the first time and then getting signed to 300 ENT through RGF Productions. He Talks about being arrogant for the first few years of his career and the obligations he turned down because he didn't feel like doing. Fetty Wap says in 2015 he was the hottest artist in the world and recaps how the situation went when Drake hopped on one of his tracks that ended up not being on his album or even on DSPs. He talks the lifestyle that comes with blowing up rather fast and admits to owning 30 cars at one time. Fetty Wap talks about turning down being on tour with Beyonce, Justin Bieber and even Future one year just to go on a solo tour to put his homies on. Fetty Wap says he use to bring 30+ people with him on tours with several DJ's multiple tour buses until Taylor Swift put him on to how she runs her business. Fetty Wap then discusses his issues with his longtime partner, Nitt Da Gritt, and describes how it affects his passion for recording music and continuing in the music business. 

Skinny from the 9 is our guest today. We talk about his comeup and legal issues that prevented him from achieving his potential in the music industry. He Talks about being caught with a Kidnapping charge, signing to a record label for a million dollars instead of going with his gut and signing to a situation where he felt his career would be pushed. He also talks about how he was finessed into signing that deal and how everyone changed up on him afte rhe signed. He talks about being jumped, sucker-punched and even shot while not realizing how famous he was and also addresses allegations that he was snitching. He talks about meeting 6ix9ine and Shotti and what happened in the aftermath of that.

Today is the release of Roddy Ricch's album 'Live Life Fast'. We introduce our new Friday segment which is 'Record of the Week'. We talk about reaction to Roddy's album and talk about why artists take so long to create and drop music. Also speak about the run that Kodak Black has had this year and why he hasn't dropped an album but has dropped many loose singles and a EP. We then talk about expectations of fans when artist take so long to drop.  We then talk about Pooh Shiesty situation and the legal trouble he's in and the message he sent out to fans on social media assuring them he's a Real one. We then end on discussing Rowdy Rebel label situation with Epic Records where he seems fed up with not getting paid despite putting out music and being in a contract with Epic Records since 2014. Music Education 101 is the theme of todays episode. Enjoy!

Hitboy joins us today for our live episode of Off the Record. He's a multi grammy winning producer that has worked with the likes of Kanye West, Beyonce, Jay Z, Nas, Big Sean and others. In the last few years his notoriety has increased exponentially and he's now even recognized as more than just a producer, he's seen as a artist as well. Akademiks asks him about his come up and what song that he produced did the most to change his life. We talk about him producing 'Sicko Mode' and 'N*ggas in Paris'. We also talk about Kanye West feeling a type of way that he produced for Beyonce and where the status of their relationship is now. Also, Hit boy reacts to Kanye West comments about Big Sean on Drink Champs. We figure out what Hit Boy favorite produced songs are and also ask him about working with Nipsey Hussle and Roddy Ricch for the grammy winning song 'Racks in the Middle'. We talk about him working with Nas on 'King Disease' and its sequel which are both grammy nominated. We talk about what his future plans are in cementing himself as an artist and also ask about who he would rather do a complete project with Drake or Kendrick Lamar. 

This is our first episode recorded live w/ special guest Iann Dior. We talk about his 2021 and rise to fame in the music industry. He talks about embracing the term 'industry plant' to remove the power from the word and to allow people to focus on his music. He talks about how he was down to his last before having a breakthrough in the music industry and also reflect on him making the XXL freshman list and his feelings on that. We play a game of 'This or That' where he picks between some of his favorite artists and gives an explanation of why he picked each choice. He names artists he would like to collaborate with and even says he wants to venture into TV & film. Also PS. this episode was recorded live the day after the death of Young Dolph so we open up by talking about Dolph and then safety and security as an artist.

Troy Ave joins us today for what might be our longest episode of Off The Record yet! If you don't know, Troy Ave is a rapper from NYC who has been embroiled in beef and controversy ever since he came on the scene. One notable incident landed him in jail for a few months after it was seen on camera him chasing someone in a packed club with a gun. He claims that incident was self defense and also his bodyguard was murdered in the very same incident as well. Since then, he's tried to resume a music career but with legal issues hanging over his head and also other people distancing themselves from him, he has tried establishing his own platforms indepently and continue to provide music for his supporters. He's here to talk about everything, from getting his lil bro laid to how he makes his money through music independently and also investments outside of it. He also addresses many of the issues he previously had since most of the dust has since settled.  DISCLAIMER!!!!!! The Following Content Contains Adult Subject Matter, Including Sensitive Material, And Is Intended for Adult Consumption Only. It May Not Be Suitable For All Audiences, Therefore, Discretion is Advised!

Our guest for today is Lil Boom, a rapper from Florida who struck up a relationship with DJ Akademiks by just being a loyal supporter in his YouTube comment section but was savy enough and musically talented enough to go viral many times by being a head of the curve, manipulating internet algorithms and also being one of the pioneers of 'Meme Rap'. Over 5  years later, he is now releasing his debut album and he sits with Akademiks to explain the full story of how he got to this point. From homelessness, self doubt, street activity to persistence and self belief, this is a story about someone using the internet to achieve their dreams and trying to change the realities and situations of everyone around them. No story is complete without the highs and lows and in a very honest and humble interview, Lil Boom talks about signing for $7500 and getting screwed and then trying to force his way out of a really crappy record deal. His new album 'The End of the World' is already out, do him a solid and check it out if you enjoyed the conversation!