Off the Record with DJ Akademiks

Adam 22 is our guest this episode of Off The Record. Adam 22 is a entrepreneur, media personality and the owner of the 'No Jumper' media platform. Adam 22 and Akademiks discuss accountability of their platforms and reporting in the hip hop world. Conversation also gets into discussing acknowledgement of newer platforms and how both felt about the BET  Hip Hop Award nomination snub. Adam makes a bold proclamation about the current state of Tekashi 6ix9ine career and also gives a breakdown of how hard it is for media personalities as they grow to still give their real opinion about artists and events happening in the hip hop sphere.

Yes, you seen the title ... IT IS TRUE.  Akademiks describes the latest update in the saga between him and Meek Mill.  Akademiks gives a recap of his week also breaks down his theory why its the hardest when you're the youngest child. He then talks about the recent arrest of the killers of FBG Duck and how rappers who do Drill music seem to not learn lessons despite police and the authorities basically telling them they are snitching on themselves. Of course, an episode wouldn't be complete without the latest update on Akademiks journey to join the vaccinated crowd. He questions if taking the vaccine is even considered a personal choice these days when you consider that you may lose your job or be unable to work and continue your livelihood without it. He discusses if Kyrie Irving is doing the right thing by giving up almost $16 million to stand on his choice of not being vaccinated. Akademiks explains why he's excited to watch the Boosie movie after hearing people criticizing it and calling it bad. Lastly, the Clubhouse A&R and new wave of highly attractive music A&R gets discussed. Are labels hiring attractive women to recruit artists or are the new A&R's out of pure coincidence seem to be highly attractive?

On our episode today, Pressa joins Akademiks to talk about his music career and the music scene in Toronto. Pressa breaks down the politics in the city of Toronto and making it out to now having influence on the US Hip hop scene. He also reflects on recent arrest of rapper Top 5. Akademiks tries to get an understanding of how artists like Drake, Tory Lanez or Nav still have influence on the city though they have crossed over and asks if they owe the underground scene opportunities. We talk about his girlfriend 'Coi Leray' and the criticism she receives online and how he helps her cope. He talks about his plans going forward in putting his brothers on and becoming a legend in his city and hip hop.

We finally after 11 episodes get a solo DJ Akademiks Episode. He holds court about our last two episodes with Kodak Black and Omi in a Hellcat. He also addresses the backlash that has been caused by Dave Chapelle's Netflix special and where he stands on the entire issue. He talks about Pooh Shiesty facing life in prison after declining a potential plea deal and opting to go to trial on October 25th. Akademiks recaps his first yacht experience with his homies in Miami and how one particular homie Russell Westbrook'ed the entire situation.  He also gets into learning about Superman's son being bisexual. He gets into squid games and questions the hype about it and wonders if its as good as the hype or Netflix is just able to create hype because they own the platform and the content they choose to put in front of you. He finally ends on some numbers for this weeks albums and talks if numbers is still the standard if most labels can finesse them.

Omi in a Hellcat is a popular YouTuber and influencer who was recently caught up in the news for his arrest by the FBI in a federal piracy case. He's known in the hip hop community for his flashy lifestyle, many cars and jewelry. We begin the conversation talking about feds, paranoia and informants (I know lol sorry). We discuss 6ix9ine's driver being a cooperator then open up the show with Omi in a Hellcat letting us know how his life changed from being married a decade until he started making money. He gives a breakdown of how he got started with Gears TV. He then describes how he was operating in a gray area with his business since it wasn't technically illegal. He describes when he realized the feds was on to him and when they seized everything he had a few years ago. Omi explains why he feels someone has it out for him since others who have done similar things or even worse haven't garnered the same treatment by the feds. He also talks about how much money he made in just three years of being successful at what he was doing. Also, he explains how his accountant and others switched up on him and even makes a proclamation that he was happier before the money than he was with it. Akademiks asks what the most expensive one time purchase Omi made. Pocket Watching ensues with Akademiks discussing if Lil Baby really made $50 Million over the last few years since he's been on. Omi clears up his issues with G Herbo and DJ Vlad and gives his thoughts on people who call him a scammer. Omi ends with naming his favorite rappers currently.

Kodak Black joins us for todays episode. In a rare conversation, Kodak Black recaps his time spent in federal prison where he was being mistreated by CO's but eventually got pardoned by the former present of The United States, Donald Trump. He talked about realizing a lot about people around him and figuring out what those feelings of distrust or seeing people move weird was about. He talks about Almost signing NBA Youngboy, squashing the issues and even tells stories of how Youngboy use to hang at his house before Youngboy got to the position he's now in. Kodak Black speaks on being accused of a being cloned and speaks to how people wanted him to turn his back on Donald Trump after his pardon. Kodak black then reveals he was hanging with the bloods while being locked up in prison and even clears the air about Nipsey Hussle & Lauren London. He gets into talking about Florida rappers and also denounces rappers 'smoking on packs' or disrespecting the dead. Kodak also talks demanding his respect for his influence and sauce that many people have ran off with. Kodak gets serious with addressing his drug issues that recently came up in the news and also talks prior interviews with Hot 97 and even discussed his resolved sexual assault case.

DJ Akademiks pulls up to Miami in anticipation of finally meeting Kodak Black and links with favorite people in the city, Fresh and Fit. They are a podcast about relationships and lifestyle, a self help podcast for men who need a guide through life and relationships. Akademiks gives the history between him and Fresh and also how he found out about the podcast, recaps his weekend with the guys. Also switches gears a bit and delves into some relationship topics with Fresh and Fit. Conversation eventually leads to the controversial perspective the guys have about dating and relationships and how to survive in a Clout / fast paced economy like Miami. I know most people are used to straight conversations about hip hop, but the lifestyle that comes with it is definitely a bi product of what this podcast becomes. A convo about onlyfans, loyalty, trust issues and beef.

For this episode, Akademiks had to bring two of his friends on this episode to discuss Meek Mill's 'Expensive Pain' album. Continuing with the issues with Meek and AK, Akademiks didn't listen to Meek's album but he had two people who did. AJ, one of Meek Mill's most loyal supporters confronts Akademiks about Meek Mill's new album and also his status in the game. We're also joined by Claudia, who also have enjoyed the club environment in Atlanta and can provide some insight on how current music and also artists have effected the game and where Meek Mill fits in it. Claudia also gives us the finesse how women in the strip club pretend to fake drink with their customers.

21 Savage rolled into New York this weekend and hit up Akademiks, and a last minute request from Ak had him pop into the podcast before his set at Governors Ball. As usual, he was brutally honest about everything. He was accompanied by his manager and Clubhouse superstar Meezy. 21 Savage started out describing the differences between people  who 10 years ago prioritized mixtape sites to get access music over legitimate ways. Akademiks was shocked to hear that his favorite Drake might not be seen by some in Atlanta as the biggest rapper in the game because of perspective. We then talk about the first time 21 Savage ever heard a full Drake album and also speak on Verzuz from a perspective of Atlanta vs Everybody. 21 Savage states that there are more Atlanta rappers in the top 30 right now than any other region or city. Meezy and 21 Savage tries to stage a intervention and squash the issues between Meek Mill and Akademiks even resulting in 21 Savage attempting to call Meek Mill on the podcast. This brings up another interesting situation in music about picking sides. NBA Youngboy is used as a example of why he didn't get the full support of the industry when his album dropped. 21 Savage and Meezy both admit that at times even in music, you can't play the middle and after a situation has gone too far you have to pick a side. He even says he wouldn't want to be on Donda after knowing Drake would put him on Certified Lover Boy. Finally Meezy and 21 Savage give their side of the story to the 6ix9ine situation where they were in the same club and 6ix9ine brought it up on our very first podcast with Wack 100. 

On Today's episode, Akademiks reveals he's one step closer to taking the vaccine. He recaps his weekend and talks about starting a family and his thoughts on kids. He then recaps the NBA Youngboy album, where YB is at in his career and talks about promo strategy differences between Lil Nas X and Youngboy. He also asks the question if Rappers promoting NFTs is a way to scam their fans. Then we have Cordae's manager 'Ace' join him on set where they discuss The top 3 of the last 10 years and a potential top 3 of the next 10 years. Conversation then gets into whether or not Kendrick Lamar is 'battle tested' and if J Cole needs more of a ego to be considered the best. Cordae is also discussed in the conversation and Akademiks draws a comparison to Chance the Rapper.