405diego Tells His Life Story (Full Interview)

Now at this point, what genre of music do you consider yourself? I consider myself an emotional hood trap, or even an emo trap. And is this a genre or a sub-genre that you invented here? I feel like I took a lot of inspiration from other artists, but I couldn't really specifically name an artist that does what I, like my, you know. And speaking of inspirations, care to share any names as far as inspirations? Yeah, Rack Baby, Fat Mac, Top Pop Jam, there's a lot of others. Now, for you, you had no problem mentioning a few names here during this interview that may have inspired you, right? There are some recording artists that won't do that, though. You ask them that question, and maybe they have been inspired by artists and artist names, but they won't share it, right? For you. Why no problem sharing some of these names here? Well, so I make music to help other people. They made their music to help me. So if I can help people with my music, I don't care if someone inspired me to do it. Like, it's still, like, my music is all my music. And when it comes to some of these names, I don't know if you want to go one by one, like Rack Baby and what he did for you to help you exactly, but care to share what they helped you with? Yeah, Fat Mac, you know, talking about a lot of drugs, pills, females, you know, my whole life I had a lot of females do me dirty. So you feel me, I relate to that in that way. Same with Top Off Gin, Rack Baby, he has, he helped me a lot more, like, I don't know, just, like, realism, like, what he talks about is stuff I've, like, experienced, and, like, and he also can, you know, turn up, and I like that. I like that you can be, like, real and turn up at the same time as him. Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum here, have you inspired others just the same? Um, I have a lot of DMs that people say, like, you inspire me to make music, but, I mean, I try, I try my best. And what about maybe even further than that? Has your music saved any lives, perhaps? Oh, I got a couple of DMs, I actually get a lot that, a couple of people that said that it's changed and saved their life. I mean, I don't really understand that point of view, but if that is what I did for them, I'm really thankful, you know. Now, when it comes to, uh, you know, giving one's flowers, so, for example, right, you mentioned Rack Baby, Fat Mac, so on and so forth, pretty much giving them their flowers for helping inspire you and helping you throughout your journey in life and in music and so on and so forth. And, uh, you know, when it comes to giving one's flowers, you did that during this interview, so that's public, right? Yes, sir. But there are some that will do that sort of thing privately. Maybe they'll DM you, right, like we just talked about in your description with, uh, other people. Maybe they'll DM you and give you your flowers. "Hey, you inspired me with my music," so on and so forth. Wanted to get your opinion on the debate of giving one's flowers publicly versus privately. How do you feel about that from your perspective? I mean, there's two types of people: extroverts and introverts, or however you say it. I messed up there a little bit. But, um, it just depends on who you are, you know, like, people feel different about different things and whatever you're comfortable with, really. And asking because, uh, you know, I've heard some say, "You know, I'm not a fan of the introvert." Yeah. And asking because, uh, you know, I'm not a fan of the introvert." Yeah. girls they grow like I mean a lot of them don't even grow up in that environment they just go there and then I mean I feel like yeah there's a big difference I feel like city girls are more like they're trying to go out to the club they're trying to party they're trying to shake ass and then a country girl really about like you know they really be on their stuff like it's like a working Mexican I don't know like they just really be on their stuff like they I don't know they they locked in and do you have a preference between the two country girls versus city girls or we have a preference regardless like if you know if we lock in we lock in and what about this as well do you want to get your uh opinion on this debate okay is there a difference between a baddie and a beautiful woman um I mean my slang no like but like looking into it more I feel like yeah like baddie she she a thought uh what's the other one a beautiful woman a beautiful woman is someone that you can respect because they also have respect now how do you pull one how do you pull which one either yeah a baddie uh a thought you just you feel me there's nothing to it really especially if you an artist like come on but I got a girl so I don't I really don't know honestly and then how you pull like a good girl like I did uh you just be yourself don't don't try to act all tough and be yourself be goofy now the next question was going to be what your relationship status was at this point but it sounds like you're in a relationship at the moment yeah and how long have you been in a relationship for with this person 10 months and care to share her name lizzie care to share your race ethnicity or anything else okay uh yeah I'm Mexican um that's what I was told until I was like 13 and then my mom decided to tell me that she slept with a Mexican and she slept with a Iranian so we don't know I'm either Mexican or I'm Iranian now have you gone further with this research like you know sometimes people will do like ancestry.com so on and so forth I was a foster kid so those parents regardless like we're taking out of my life and I'm like I'm not going to do that I'm not going to do that I'm not my thing is like I really don't care like they're not my parents like they're not yeah they're not really my parents to me like and we'll talk about the foster care experience with you in a little bit further here but at this point what is the main language you speak only English only English be that as it may have you ever took a foreign language class in school perhaps yeah I took Spanish and how many grades of that did you get under your belt how many years of that I think I moved schools got it now at that time when you failed that was it giving it an honest shot did you try to learn the language or no well I'm not a lot when as a kid going like to middle school and all that like I was there's like so many grades I had skipped so they just threw me in certain like a certain grade like when I was older so like I didn't know how to speak English I didn't know anything so it's really honestly no I didn't learn shit I don't I didn't learn nothing from any of the classes and be that as it may as well that Spanish class way back in the day was that a requirement for you or an elective a requirement and just for clarification was Spanish language the requirement or there were other languages you could have chose from as part of that requirement yeah there's like French French and Spanish and you chose Spanish or that was actually just given to you by I chose it okay yeah and obviously that has something to do with your background or what you thought was your background or may even still be your background you don't know yet but uh assuming that was the decision making there yeah uh the Duolingo wasn't working out so like upgrade now speaking of your education as well how far did you end up getting just with that 11 grade almost one year left yeah what happened there um so I mean I was doing good in school I was with my last foster family and then you feel me like uh just like school problems you know um everything was going good I got in a fight because things happen you know um and then my parents kicked me out sent me to see my grandma for like a weekend and then when I tried to come home they're like you're staying there until you're 18. so I just dropped out at that point they tried to put me online I was like all this I gotta work bro like I'm about to be homeless at 18 so I gotta lock in so I said fuck school it's locked in really now you obviously mentioned you're 19 at this point did you ever end up getting a GED at all perhaps I was working on it and it's like just nothing was really working I was like I really I'm not gonna lie I didn't have time for all that like I was like trying to like support myself and I wasn't trying to be a debut person for myself like I was like I wasn't locked in with school at all I was just trying to make money now obviously there are some in the audience that can understand that perspective especially with the culmination of all the events that you just described that was happening in your life but is that something you still want at some point do you want a GED do you want to at least finish that part of your education no let me be honest uh I think you can go far in life regardless of a piece of paper that says that you graduated because there's a lot of people that just cheat that especially nowadays we got AI we got all this shit like that should not go me none I'm we're gonna be honest that's not gonna be none so I mean I did it without it and um I'm just you know I feel like you can do anything you put your mind to at the end of the day so it's like and uh even though you just presented this description here any regret with that decision making in your life do you wish you could have still finished that last grade and got that diploma or I mean obviously it was like something that like I wanted to do because like nobody in my family had like graduated except my sister and so I was like yeah I want to be the only like son in the family or like yeah to like graduate but it just I mean like I just school was in my thing bro it was either work on my hands or something else I just couldn't do school now what about this before you made that decision in your life uh when it came to all the different schools that you attended uh throughout your upbringing did any of your friends or schoolmates end up becoming well known or famous themselves elementary middle school high school anyone you went to school with end up becoming well known or famous themselves at this point so maybe just you here then I mean I'm not like to any of the homies that or people that I went to school younger than I just don't I maybe I'm not top 10 but I I don't know anyone really now what about this as well uh you know when kids grow up sometimes they have aspirations of what they want to be or what they want to do when they get older sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't did you have any man I just want to be famous bro I was like seven when I started my YouTube channel and yeah I just want to be famous that was my goal I just like I know I didn't know what I wanted to do I just wanted to like I don't know I just like people bro and do you still have that same YouTube channel today no they deactivated it I was too young so they took it down do you have a YouTube channel at this point yeah and for those in the audience getting to know you here again in case there's some scammy channels some fraudulent channels some spammy channels cater share the official YouTube channel here it's the verified 405 Diego so yeah now anything else you want to mention about your education or question you weren't asked people want to know just about that in your life here that's one that's one more time yeah anything else you want to mention in regards to your education uh or a question you weren't asked just about that um we're going to dive into your upbringing a little bit further here but just curious on the education side of things um so education like you're trying to like what I want to say about it well is there anything else you know I asked you a variety of questions about maybe some well-known or famous schoolmates you know how far you got with your education is there anything else you want to mention about the subject before we move on to another subject here no pun intended I think you should go to school if you have intentions of being a doctor or something else like that but if you have dreams of becoming something that doesn't involve any of that like any requirements like why why would you like you feel me just go chase your dreams and make it happy you really and uh you know pardon the brain fog here I'm going through my list of questions and I know you're doing some answering here but uh say the name of that YouTube channel one more time the YouTube channel is 405 Diego um it is the verified account now when it comes to those digits there 405 what is the meaning behind that for those in the audience seeing or noticing that for the first time here Oklahoma City's area code like our phone number is 405 so yeah now let's break that down a little bit further for those in the audience here getting to know you for the very first time care to share where you were actually born okay see I wouldn't get excited if I was it and care to share where you were raised as well Oklahoma City, yeah, Southside And can you share where you reside these days? I reside Northwest of Oklahoma City Now when it comes to OKC I know you mentioned during your upbringing You were raised on the Southside Does it get any more specific than that? I know sometimes people get a little bit more specific Unless it was just the Southside It was just the Southside I was living in Station 8 with my mom and dad And then obviously I was a foster kid But I was in a hell of a different home So there was a point where I was in a millionaire's home Because they took me in and then kicked me out And I went to a shelter It would go from rich to poor-ass shit And then to shelter It just depended on where I was going I never knew And I do want to break that dynamic a little bit later on in this conversation But when it comes to the Southside for you How long do you think you were raised Just on the Southside for? Was it a particular age range for you? Probably until I was four and a half I turned five Two months before I got put in foster care So just curious here It was about four or five When you started living on the Southside? No, I lived on the Southside from zero to five Okay, got it And then what about throughout your upbringing? There would be times when you would be back on the Southside Not really Now that I'm older A little bit older Especially when I was 14, 15 Yeah, I did But when I was younger No, I was just wherever they put me So what about this? Let's just do this little breakdown here If there was a circle chart of 100% What percentage do you think of you growing up From zero to, let's say, 18 Were you raised on the Southside alone? All the different times you may have moved back and forth So on and so forth How long would you say What percentage would you put for the Southside? I'd say at least Like, not a lot It's not a big percentage Maybe like 25% of my life Then the other 75% What would they be? I can name names Oklahoma City Not in the Southside Just Oklahoma City Ada Ponca City Out of state I lived in Kentucky for a little bit A couple months Almost a year I would say There's a lot But I don't really know specifically Every single one And what about this? When it comes to Oklahoma City Do gotta ask you this Especially for those in the audience That may be visiting Okay? Circumstances could be different for everyone But can you give the audience here Five tips for anyone visiting OKC? Bro, if you're visiting OKC Bring your Xbox or PlayStation There's not shit to do Two Three Bro, just go to a different state for food Three Bro, just don't I don't know Don't come, bro I'm sorry Like, it's Especially if you're an artist, too Or if you just wanna visit Like, if you wanna go on a trip or something Don't not Bro, plan somewhere else, bro I'm sorry I'm just trying to help you out Yeah What's wrong with OKC? Bro, it's just like nothing to do Like You'll go crazy in there, bro It's like nothing to do Now, what about this? Okay When it comes to you growing up in that environment What was that really like for you growing up in OKC? Thinking back to your upbringing I would say my life went really weird And a lot of people don't know that But I'll be open and honest about it So when I first got adopted for the first time when I was four My lifestyle changed from like a poor lifestyle Like living in station A to like living like a real lifestyle with parents There are different ethnicity and stuff I mean, like for a majority of my life from four to eleven or twelve I was adopted by one family And I would say like they were Seventh-day Adventist It's I say it's a cult now But they were Seventh-day Adventist And if you look into that, you know what that is Yeah, I was just really like conservative as a Like four to eleven, like Didn't go to school We were homeschooled Like, I played basketball, you know what I'm saying? I played ten instruments now because I was always home Like I was homeschooled And yeah, it's just like very conservative, bro It went from ghetto shit to conservative like God and all that shit So, yeah Now, what's your viewpoint on religion at this point for you personally speaking here? I'm agnostic Yeah, I'm open I'm open to maybe Not really, no Maybe, like I just don't theoretically think it's possible that God is real Now, what about this? Before we dive in a little deeper with the foster care experience I do want to ask, what was that like going from, you know, like a Section 8 ghetto lifestyle as you described to Like a, was it a million dollar home or a million, millionaire family or millionaire parents? He was an anesthesiologist, I think it's called, like that put people to sleep They lived, if anyone in Oklahoma knows, Gallardia That's where they lived It was really nice, really nice home And yeah, it was really weird, bro Like, I was happy, like, at times But, like, at the same time, I was like, damn, it's my parents, bro But, like, I feel like it helped as a young kid Like, I got to I mean, it's just like, it's weird Because at 12 So, like, the first family I was talking about that adopted me They weren't rich They were mid-class, I would say And then the second family that I was with were very rich So, break this down to the audience as well Because you mentioned foster care and you mentioned adoption So, were you in foster care? Were you in foster care for a certain portion of your life? Then you get adopted, is that what happens? Yeah, so I was foster care from 0 to 5, 4 And I got adopted by people that had adopted my other siblings So, me and my sister went to that home We got adopted from 4 to 12 So, we got put back into foster care again And then, yeah And then what ends up happening? Do you remain in the foster care system for the rest of your time? Until, what, 17, 18? Yeah, until 17 And then I got adopted No, until 16 Like, 16 and a half I was just turning 17 And then I got adopted again And then at this point, are you still considered adopted or? My name changed and I am adopted But they kicked me out when I was 17 So, it's like, they adopted me, they kicked me out It's like, you feel me? I don't, you feel me? Now, zooming out Is there anything you want to say to those in the audience Who are currently watching or listening to this? Listening to this interview That are currently in foster care Yes, as a foster kid growing up Especially being adopted by parents that were not my color You know, get bullied and shit And people don't really, like, think it happens But it does And you get told a lot, like, you're just a foster kid Or you're always going to be a foster kid Your parents, like, all this stupid, corny shit you put me on But at the end of the day Don't let, like, a label hold you Like, you were more than what people just say Like, don't let names hit you And don't let nothing hit you Like, don't take nothing to heart, bro Because I didn't and I kept going, bro And shit gets better And I know you don't know what the fuck's going on now Because you were a kid But, bro, it's going to all work out, bro Like, it always does And also, what do you want those in the audience To know about foster kids? Um, foster kids, bro Like, I wouldn't People, like, I don't know Like, there's a lot of other kids I always say I have trauma But I don't really, like, talk about that Because I, like, don't It don't really affect me like that But, like, a lot of kids Trauma affects them really bad And, um, yeah, like, just They're smart-ass kids They, there's a lot of good parts about it Like, about them But, like, at the end of the day Like, they just been through a lot of shit Like, usually And so you gotta, like, you know Just work with them, bro Work with them And assuming here that you've had Mental health professionals throughout your life? Nah, bro They try, like, as a young kid They try to give me, like, counselors and stuff And I never do that I never could Like, I don't know what it is I just I can't, bro Like, uh Like, I don't know It just feels like you're paying someone to talk to you And, like, I don't ever want to do that You feel me? I can talk to my brothers, like About some deep shit But when it comes to a counselor I'm paying you about an hour, bro Like, we're not doing this And when you use the phrase brothers here Are you speaking figuratively? Or you mean biologically? Or foster or adopted brothers here That you're speaking of? Figuratively Um My brother, Kobe We met only a couple years ago And, bro I don't know, we just Like, he's the only, like, person in my life That hasn't switched up So, yeah Would he also be considered Your best friend at this point as well? Now, I do want to sidestep With that topic there What is your definition Of a real friend? A definition of a real friend? Somebody you can be goofy as fuck with Somebody you can be Dead serious with And someone that will Have your back thick and thin Not only that They'll die for you, bro Like, no ditty But, like, my brother And I would die for my brother My brother would die for me Because that's my brother, bro Like, I don't know I feel like I don't know Like, obviously You can't ever trust You can't trust nobody fully But, I don't know That's my brother And I trust him If my brother does me bad He does me bad I don't give a fuck I love that, bro And on the opposite end of the spectrum How do you spot Fake friends? Especially in this music industry I feel like spotting fake friends Is so easy now It's just like Like, leeches, like, bro, they try to leech on you. They try to get as much as they can from you. They try to, bro, you can just tell, like, yeah. Now, as soon as you notice one of these signs, is it a zero-tolerance policy for you to, excuse me, is it a zero-tolerance policy for you, so to speak, where you cut them off immediately, or do you give a person the benefit of the doubt, a chance to redeem themselves, perhaps? Um, nah. It's like, bro, it's like once you're fake, you show your true colors, and it's just like, they're going to say, oh, it's a mess-up, but, like, at the end of the day, you got comfortable and you showed who you really are, and if that's who you really are, I don't want that shit, bro. So, yeah, I got to cut it out. Now, you mentioned this best friend of yours. I was also curious here, does he have a role in any of your music, your music journey, your music career at all? Yeah, I blew up off, like, my music, I guess, I wouldn't say blew up, but it's taking off right now, I guess we should say. But he recorded all my TikToks that blew up the sound, and now the sound that, like, he's the cameraman behind all of it. Now that, like, song on TikTok has, like, 30,000, like, videos with it, because of him. So, yeah. Nick, here to share how you two met for the very first time. He met me from TikTok. One of his homeboys sent him my TikTok page, and he's like, bro lives in Oklahoma City, like, you look like him. Like, literally, I was like, so he DMs me, and he's like, bro, I'm not gonna lie, it's weird. Someone said I look like you, and I don't know, I be smoking and shit, let's smoke. I was like, hey, you feel me? So we met up for the first time. Bro pulls up in his Jeep, and then we gas up. Bro, we almost died, bro. There's so much happening, but yeah. And we just, like, became, like, I guess you would say, best friends, brothers. And for those in the audience that may have heard you say this person's name, or seen you tag him, or so on and so forth, but don't know him personally like you do, from your vantage point, what is he? Really like? I was a genuine brother, like, a genuine person. When I got locked up, he was there. Bro, like, was there, too. Bro, like, stayed the fuck up, didn't go to sleep. I figured out everything until I got the fuck out. Took 14 hours, and it was, I got locked up at, like, one in the morning, so from one, 14 hours later, he stays up and gets me out, so. He's a genuine homie, like, it's real. And when you were locked up at the time, was this as a juvenile or as an adult? An adult. This was not even a month ago, maybe a month ago. So this is a still charge that you're still currently facing at this point. Yeah. Now, when it comes to this best friend of yours, which you term brother here, what's the best advice you received from him, or most important thing you learned being around him so far? So we be doing hella trolling, and I guess bro would be, like, helping me lock in sometimes, not to troll too much, like, because you already know, you be trolling too many, you just, if you troll the wrong person, it's going to end up, like, not too good, so, like, I be trolling too much, bro, like, bro, chill out, bro, it's not trolling all the time, like, bro, come on, or he be, like, telling me, like, bro, you need to lock into this style of music that you used to do, bro, like, this is who you really is, like, you started music like this, so, start the fuck in and keep doing it, so, like, bro really just, like, is real with me, for me. And also, I do want to sidestep with the topic of TikTok as well, now, again, for those in the audience here getting to know you for the very first time, care to share your official handle on that platform, just in case there's some scammy profiles, fraudulent profiles, spammy profiles, so on and so forth. Yeah, I have two TikToks, but my main, I don't even know it, because, bro, I've been banned 34 times on TikTok, so. Now, you actually have that mentioned in your bio on TikTok, and didn't know if you were trolling there, being sarcastic, or you literally have been banned that many times, you have, I had over 30 accounts, and obviously, you're mentioning 34 here. Yeah, I had. 34, lost 2 million plus followers, so, you know, that's how it is, I just keep grinding, bro, I don't ever give up, like. What has gotten you banned that amount of times? Smoking a Zod, bro, and, just smoking a Zod, and as an artist, you already know, music videos, when I post a blick in my music video, they start tripping, so it's like, they just, and then they, once TikTok, they have an AI feature, they just got sold, you already know, so, they have AI now, that they, if AI thinks you're doing something bad, they just ban you, bro. It's like, they, yeah, it's, it's just crazy. Now, do you wanna check your phone and make sure to give the official handle on TikTok, so those in the audience know the official main, and maybe the backup? 405, wait, I can't, it's on my other phone, that's on the ground. Oh, oh, oh, yeah, go ahead. I gotta use my leg. It is 405 Diego underscore OKC. And do you wanna share the backup, or the second account, too, just in case? It's in the bio. Okay, got it. I always do that, I always do that. And why two phones here? Oh, because of TikTok, so TikTok, when they ban you, like, I'm putting y'all artists on, if y'all get banned. They fucking, like, ban your IP, like, thumb prints, face ID, like, they, the device you're on, so you have to get a whole new device, if you wanna, like, make a new account. Sometimes, it depends. If they keep banning you, yeah, you just gotta start over with a new IP address, new phone and shit. Now, I do also wanna finish that thought when it comes to mental health professionals. Now, I know how you feel about mental health professionals. You feel like you're paying for someone to talk to you, and so on and so forth, as you described. I'm paraphrasing you there. But have you actually tried it before? Yeah. And what is your opinion of the help that you've gotten in the past? Was it helpful? It was negative, bro. My foster parents was, like, I guess, like, how it went is I would tell my therapist all this shit, like, tell them everything, bro. And then, somehow, my foster parents knew every fucking thing I told them. And I'm like, I thought this was between us. Like, why are you telling everyone? I saw that you're supposed to help me. It's none of their business. Like, and then I would, my foster parents would use that shit against me. And I was like, like, you can't go out 'cause of this. I'm like, how you know this? Because the therapist told him. And I'm like, like, I can't, I can't tell, like, I feel like I can't, you can't trust nobody. So I just, like, shut up and just stop doing counseling. Just refuse that shit, 'cause I was like, hell no. - Now, this experience was with one particular mental health professional. - A couple. A couple, bro. 'Cause especially as a, I feel like as a minor, like, I feel like, I don't know, I feel like therapists don't, they be lying to you when they say they're not gonna tell someone. 'Cause, like, bro, it happened a couple times. And, like, I know I didn't tell no one either, like, other than the therapist, 'cause I'm a closed person, bro, like. - So it wasn't just this one particular therapist. There were other therapists that may have leaked some of the information. Information that was said in those sessions. - Yeah. But, like, mainly one. Like, there's mainly one that did it and that's, yeah, that ruined it for every, I just dropped it all. - So just for clarification, I know there was mainly one, but there were others that did the same thing to you? - Yeah. Hell yeah. Like, there's no way they didn't, 'cause, like, I just don't know how my parents would know certain things, like, and it would be right after I told the therapist, it was like, yeah, it clicked. - But what about on the opposite end of the spectrum, okay? What do you think, throughout your upbringing, was the top point for you? What was maybe your highest point or most positive moment for you growing up in OKC? - I ain't trying to sound like it's a depressing-ass person, like, oh, boo me, boo me, boo me, but I'm gonna be honest with you, bro. The only thing that changed is when I started making music and, like, actually, like, it kept going up and down, up and down, up and down. Like, I'd be doing fucking great. And then, bah, like, just, my life fucking just changed. You know, it was horrible. I'm like, fuck, like, I'm like, kill me. I'm gonna kill myself, and then it'll get good again. If I wanna kill my, it's just a back and forth, like, I really never had, like, a point where it's like, good, you feel me? Like, I don't, I would just go back and forth, really. - Now, when you say kill yourself, are you speaking sarcastic here, like you're trolling, or you literally had these thoughts? - Oh, yeah, back then, bro, when I was younger, bro, like, I don't think I really, like, I think as a kid, you don't really understand, like, what killing yourself means, really. But, like, bro, I was dead-ass, you feel me? There's times, times I would take things, you know, just to, like, try it, like, I was like, bro, fuck this, fine, I never OD'd, like, but I, I don't know. I just, I guess I didn't know how to OD, I guess. I just thought if I took a lot of pills, it would, but I guess I had to take more, so. But thank God I didn't, you feel me? - So, how many times have you attempted suicide in the past? - Oh, there was, like, at least three or four times. I mean, but like I said, like, I didn't, and I didn't for a reason, so, you feel me, we're good. - What do you think that reason is? - Because every single time I would, like, try, or like, not the pills, the pills, per se, I guess, that just didn't die because, I guess, I don't know, like, the earth was looking out for me, or whatever, but there's times where, like, like, bro, I tried, like, I'm not even gonna lie, my ex was doing some weird shit on me, and I was like, I don't know, like, she was doing all this shit, like, behind my back, and I was like, fuck. So, I don't know, I was already on drugs and shit, so I was like, fuck all this, and so. So, it was weird, I tried, you know, I guess you hang yourself, or whatever, and I was just like, in the middle of it, like, you feel me? I was just like, fuck, I can't do this. I was like, so I just took that shit off, like, like, I guess, like, I got myself down. 'Cause I guess, like, I know I didn't want to die, in reality, like, I wanted to, but I, realistically speaking, I know I, I was like, fuck this, I can't, like, I, yeah. Like, that shit was scary as fuck for me. I had, like, all these white, like, red or white dots on my face from, like, for, like, two weeks. Well, like, not two weeks, at least a week. Because, like, it was like, I don't know, like, I guess when you, like, have, like, compression, like, yeah. But, like, I don't know, I just was like, bro, I can't, like, I want to, I want to be alive, bro. Like, I don't, you know, I, I'll figure something out, like, bro, I don't, I had no idea, bro. Now, when it comes to this musical journey of yours, let's take it all the way back to the beginning, even though it's been 10 months, right? Because you might have had a history with it longer than that. But why or how did you get involved with music, of all things? Because there are some that get into the arts and act and maybe, you know, paint and so on and so forth, or athletics, sports, right? For you, why hone in on music? So as a younger kid, I guess you'd say, I wouldn't make songs, per se, but I would make, I know it sounds weird and corny, but I would make poems and, like, journal. And when I would journal and talk about my feelings, talk about my parents, I'd try to cope with it while writing a sheet for me, like, on this day I did this, or on this day I did this. And then I would start, like, deciding to, like, poems and rhyme it. And, like, it would start flowing out. I had, like, a whole little, it was like a purple book that my, like, I don't even know what my sister or mom had given me, but I would just, like, write it and all the time, and, like, I'd have, like, and then they would start looking, like, songs, because the poems rhyme. I'm like, oh, shit. And then when I got older, like, when I first started music 10 months ago, I was like, I know I can write, because I used to write, and so it just, you know, I was like, fuck it, let's do it. And what led this to become a career path for you as well, instead of a hobby or a passion project, like some others? 10 months ago, I, bro, I guess I can say this farly, but I didn't want to be alive either. Like, I was, like, low-key wanting to end that shit. And then I was like, fuck this. I'm gonna, like, like, I got nothing to lose. What the, like, and I was already big as fuck on TikTok. Like, I heard, at the time, I had 100,000 or something, maybe. I was like, fuck this. I gotta, like, I have a platform, but I'm not, I'm homeless. Like, I have nothing, so, like, I need to use that to my advantage. So I started, I made a song on BandLab. For me, made a song on BandLab with the headphones. And I was drunk. I was drunk. I dropped it. Yeah. Here we are today. What was the name of that song? Drinks and Love. And is that a song still publicly available? Oh, yeah. The original, the original on Spotify and shit like that, it's not. But if you go to YouTube, you can find the original. Now, you already mentioned the genre of music that you consider yourself for sub-genre there. But, you know, thinking about rap or hip-hop, so on and so forth, zooming out, do you remember how you were introduced to that genre of music? So, growing up, I didn't listen to none of that. As a, like, from, like I said, 4 to 11, I was a Seventh-day Adventist. And when you're a Seventh-day Adventist, you're not allowed to listen to drums. It's only strings. And, like, no drums or percussion, just strings and no electric guitars, shit like that. So, like, I was like, bro, I was like 12, 13 when I first, like, heard my first rap song, other than when I was a little-ass kid. So, yeah, I guess, I don't know. I just, like, not having it for that long and then, like, hearing it, I was like, bro, this Christian music, ah, it's like, bro, I love this shit. So, I just, like, yeah, you feel me? I just went crazy. I started listening to everybody. Yeah. Do you remember what song or what artist it was that got your attention at first and how you even heard it? The Baby and Lil Baby. I was like, I didn't know which one was which. And I was just listening to back-to-back both of their songs, like, their music. So, I was like, found it tough. And then, Sleepy Hollow, I listened to. And a lot of him, YNW, Melly. It's like, all the, like, when I was younger at that time when they were, like, popping. So, yeah. And do you recall how you even got a hold of DaBaby or Lil Baby's music at that time? Yeah, YouTube. Yeah, it was just YouTube. And I'd see stuff on, like, Instagram or, like, what was back then that I watched? Just YouTube, mostly. Only YouTube, really. So, the first genre of music you ever encountered in your life was, you know, that string type of music? The first song that I can remember from a young age is, I don't know the song. It's like, Hey Song, Sister. I just want to get you, get you radio. Or something like, I don't know. That was the first song. And that was the only song I remember that was, like, a hip-hop song. And, yeah. Like, I just remember my mom and dad playing that shit in the car on the radio. Like, that's the only song I really remember. And that was before the Seventh Day of Venice family. Yeah. And, uh, okay. And, uh, all right. When it comes to, um, you know, some of these artists that you mentioned, like DaBaby, Lil Baby, and then even, you know, when we talked previously in this conversation about maybe some inspirations, you mentioned, like, Fat Mac and Rack Baby and so on and so forth. These names that you mentioned throughout this interview, have you had a chance to meet any of these people yet? Um, I didn't. I opened up for Top Hop Jam. Um, but. I didn't get to meet, bro. It was weird. I was like, I'm opening for you, bro, but I can't even meet you. But, all right, it's whatever. This is the music industry. Uh, none of the other ones. And what happened there? Why weren't you able to meet him in that instance? He was, right after the show, he was meeting fans. And then, like, he did all the fan stuff and then Birdie left. So, I was like, all right. You feel me? Like, I'm not going. My thing is, you see, I've met a lot of, like, famous artists, I guess you would say. And, like, I always, like, I'm not going, like, you feel me? Like, I give you the same energy you give. If you ain't trying to, like, talk, you ain't trying to talk. Just go your separate way. Like, that's how it is. Now, do you think he was aware of you at the time that you wanted to meet him? Bro, he's busy. It's just like me if I was at a show. Like, I'm not going to realize my surroundings every single second. You're not going to realize someone's trying to talk to you. You feel me? It's like, it's not his fault. I'm not, no, no pressure, no, like, holding anything against him. It's just like, it's business, bro. He's busy. Now, what about this? When it comes to your musical journey, and again, it's been about 10 months, right? But again, you have a little history prior to that. Any other memories of your humble beginnings with this? With the music? Yes. Humble beginnings. Yeah, I used to, I mean, I just like live stream. I like my, like, I've been live streaming everything for the last three years. Like, like, bro, like, you can watch my whole life if you want. You can look up certain things about my life because I've just been live streaming, like, Twitch, TikTok, YouTube, my fucking Instagram. Like, I just stream on anything I can stream on then. I just try to get myself out there, bro. Now, do you want to share your official handles on some of these other platforms as well, like Instagram and Twitch? 405 Diego K, okay, 405 Diego KC. So, like, the Diego with the O, just leave it. Don't add another one. It's just Diego KC. And then YouTube, you already got that? Okay, that's all I can think of. Twitch? Twitch, 405 Diego KC. Diego. Now, what about this as well? Did you ever do talent shows or open mics? Done open mics, yes. Plenty of those, bro. I got enough of those, bro. Talent shows, nah. I was always too nervous. When it comes to the open mics, was it just showcasing your talent or did they actually choose winners back then? No, they're just, it was more of just, like, my thing is you can't get good at something until you do it. So, performing at a, like, venue with an open mic isn't so bad because you need the practice, bro. Like, I can't just, like, walk out on a stage with, like, 2,000 people and not be prepared. I gotta start somewhere. So, you know, starting small, starting getting comfortable with it and then, you know, getting bigger places. But those open mics that you've done in the past, was it just showcasing your talent as a recording artist or did they have, like, winners? Like, a grand prize, first prize, second prize, you know, so on and so forth? Some of them did. Um. But the ones, like, I did, I competed, like, I didn't compete in. The ones I just did, like, there really wasn't. It was just, like, I guess an underground community trying to, like, just, I don't know. They just have their own little, like, underground. So, just showcasing your talent. Yeah, just showcasing. Showcasing your song or getting some practice in and so on and so forth. So, just for clarification, have you ever done an open mic where they did give out prizes? Like, they named who won or a winner or something of that nature? I think I did one. You did? Yeah. Did you win at all? No. Well, anyone that lives in Oklahoma, they know Oklahoma, bro. They don't like to see their people's wins, let's just say that. You know, thinking back, when it comes to OKC, how were you able to survive that upbringing? Because some don't make it. What was your key? Um. You got, I, this is kind of corny, but, like, my saying, like, I guess, it's not mine, someone else said it, but, uh, I got me myself. Like, you just got yourself in this life, and you got to, yeah, just try to snowball, really. Now, there are some people who say things like, "Don't know if I'll make it to see the age of 18, 21, 25," so on and so forth. You mentioned you're 19 currently. Did you have ever, excuse me, did you ever have any of these thoughts yourself growing up in that environment? Yeah, I, I thought I was, I mean, as a young, as a young age, I, like, I was, I mean, yeah, I didn't think I was going to make it past, like, 18 at least. I was like, bro, like, especially, like, 15, 16, I was depressed, I was going through all that shit. So, but now, um, yeah. And using the phrase "depressed," or have you been, um, uh, looked at by a professional and, uh, suffer from depression? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, oh, oh, really. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When I, I guess you do those things, like those tests. I did one when I was younger, the second one. I'm not even going to lie, I wiped out that bitch, so I don't know what else is wrong with me. Now, what do you make of that outcome that you are on the other side of that equation? There was an age you didn't think you might quite see, and now you've seen past it, at the very least. I'm just rooting for 21, bro. I want to make it past 21, bro. And knowing what you know now, on the other side of that coin, hypothetically speaking, what would you have said to your younger self, back then, if anything? Shit don't get better. Like, bro, like Lil Twitty, you just gotta thug through that shit, bro. And, yeah. I mean, I said earlier in the interview that shit get better, but, like, sometimes in life it don't feel like that, bro. It's like, fuck. Even now, like, shit's like, bro, like, legal fees and all this, legal court and all this shit, like, it do get better, like, a tad bit, you know, it's bearable. So, just keep going, bro. Asked you a lot of questions here in regards to your upbringing. Is there anything else you want to mention about it, or a question you weren't asked, people want to know about that, as well? Oh, I'm Native American. I have my Indian card. I'm either Chickasaw or Cherokee. I have my Indian card, I just don't remember which one's on it, so. Don't, don't, Oklahomans, don't hate me. I know a lot of Native Americans live there, so. I just really don't honestly know right now. I'm a little gassed. And I also want to ask you this, as well. Now, who, or what, motivates you at this point? Seeing, I guess, music motivates me, really. Yeah, just music. Now, circumstances could be different for everyone. But there may be someone in the audience who needs some motivational words, or encouragement, themselves right now. Can you give them any? Yeah. There's always somebody out there doing worse than you. There's always somebody out there just dealing with something worse than you, really, like, we all gonna go through something, bro, like, regardless if mine's worse than yours, or if yours is worse than mine, you know, just like, bro, just keep going. You can, you can figure it all out at the end of the day, and yeah, just keep going till you die. Yeah. And speaking of keeping going, with this 10 months in music, you've signed a deal at this point. Yes, sir. Care to share with who? Rebel. Now, what's it really like being on that imprint? I think there's a lot of things I should have known first. Obviously, I feel like every artist, you know, you know, that's just how it is. But, yeah, I really like it. It changed my life forever, and I'm beyond thankful. I'm just, like, bro, it was just a really, really bad point in my life, and that shit just changed everything. I'm like, I'm just so thankful, because there's a lot of people that was in my same position, and nothing ever changes for them. And I would have just been like them and homeless and died on the streets. But, you know, you know, I figured shit out, and I'm very thankful. And do you know how you were actually discovered? By, like, oh, yeah, TickTock. And, you know, was that an opportunity you were seeking or an opportunity that's sought you? So, for example, you know, there's some recording artists, their dream or one of their goals is to get a deal of some sort. Was that something when you started, you know, getting more involved with this journey that you also had as a goal for you as well? Like, I want to get signed. Were you one of those artists, or you were just going with the flow of whatever came your way? Yeah, I was like, like I said, I was drunk when I dropped the song. I had no intentions of even making this my career. But, like I said, I had nothing to lose. Once I did drop my first song, and two months later, it started. I was doing crazy numbers for no fucking reason. I was like, yeah, this is where I got to lock in because I have nothing else. So, just locked the fuck in with that. And, yeah. And how did they reach out to you initially? I don't know. I just asked my old media lawyer, but they hit her up, I think. Or, like, yeah, no, they hit me up. That's what they did. They either on Instagram, they hit me up. TickTock, they always would be like, yo, I'm an A&R from this place. And, like, we stacked up around, like, with only one song out, by the way. This is why I'm saying anything is possible. With one song out, like, 20 plus labels. Like, major labels I've heard of before. I'm like, what the fuck, is this real? Because I felt like it was a scam. And they just hit me up and negotiated terms and found the best one for me and signed a distribution deal. Now, how does one know whether, you know, these type of messages is a scam or not? How were you able to figure that out? Because that stuff does happen. It exists. For real. I guess you would say get a media lawyer. Nothing can ever go wrong if you have a lawyer. They know what the fuck they're talking about. You probably don't. So, just, they're your best friend when it comes to making money and making this music shit a career. And do you remember how far in your journey before you actually signed on that dotted line? So, you mentioned that it's been 10 months in for you at this point. But was it, like, two months in? Was it six months in when you actually signed? It was September or October. It was October when I signed. So, it was a couple months after I had just started music. And do you recall what age that was in your life when that took place? Were you at least 18 at the time? Wait, no, no, no. Yeah, yeah, I was 18. Wait. Yeah, I was 18. Yeah. Wait, I'm trying to think what, like. Because I just, okay, I turned 19 in January. Okay, yeah, yeah. I was 18. I was 18. Now, everyone says. Circumstances are different for you. But personally, why did you sign a deal at that time in your life? Because, you know, there's sometimes people that wait. They wait it out. My lawyer told me to wait. I'm going to be 100% honest with everyone. She said, don't sign. And everything in my will, I was like, fuck. Like, bro, like, this is life-changing money. Like, it gets more money than I would have ever expected to make maybe in 10 years. Like. Like, in my eyes. Because I didn't think I was going to be shit in life. So, it's like, damn, like, I can't let this just slide. Like, bro, I'm fucking homeless. Like, I'm living with my fucking girlfriend right now. I got to provide, bro. Like, I want to be a stable person. Like, so I just said, fuck it. And I just, I took the deal. Now, you mentioned there were, like, 20 labels after you at the time. What got you to sign with them versus the other 19? Was it just strictly financial? Like, so, for example, was it the most. Financially lucrative out of all the deals? Or maybe it was a different reason. Maybe there was another label even more financially lucrative, but you chose this for a different reason. There was a couple labels that were offering me big, big money for 360 deals. I said, fuck no. If I want to be an artist and take this shit seriously, I'm on my shit. So, yeah, I pretty much just negotiated terms, and I figured out what I wanted, like 60-40 splits, shit like that. Because every deal is different. People try to hit you with crazy, stupid deals, 50-50. Like, bro, I'm the artist. The artist always should be getting a bigger percentage. And also, too, when it came to, you know, all these labels that were after you, what was that courting process like as well? Like, how far did these labels try to get you to sign with them? Flying me out. A lot of them, it was funny. I folded with the first label that flew me out. The other ones were shooting me off. They were like, oh, my God. They were shooting me deals and stuff. But Rebel was the first one to say, we're going to fly you out. And then, while I was there, another label was like, we need to fly you out ASAP. Leave there right now. Fly with us. And, like, the label there, the Rebel that I signed with, now they're like, bro, no. We're good here. Okay. Is there anything else you want to mention about a deal or a question you weren't asked people want to know just about that subject? I don't know. Just, you feel me? Negotiate terms. If you have a lawyer, figure shit out. And don't think you're too good for a fucking deal, bro. You all start something. You feel me? Yeah. That's all I can say, really. Just curious there. Well, asked you a lot of questions here during this conversation. Let's just do an outro here just to wrap everything up in a bow. And next time you come back, more questions, of course. Yes, sir. But when it comes to, you know, your followers, your supporters, so on and so forth, is there a name for them by any chance? Do you have a name for your base? Just supporters. So I don't, people, like, I hate when people, like, like, people say, talk about, like, they fans by fans. Like, I don't call, I don't consider them fans. I consider them supporters because, yeah, they supporting you, bro. Like, you're, you're big because of them. I wouldn't be shit without my supporters, bro. But sometimes they, uh, they get names from the artists themselves or they'll name themselves. Has that been a thought of, uh, by any chance? Yeah, like, like, like, when, like, oh, I know what you're talking about. Like, Taylor Swift has the Swifties. Beyonce has the Beehive. Nicki Minaj has the Barbs. I mean, a lot of my, uh, followers and people, they put my mugshot as their profile picture and they name their shit, like, 405. Like, everyone puts 405 in their usernames now. I've noticed, like, I'm like, whoa, y'all not even from Oklahoma City. What y'all doing? And they, they say it's, like, 405, like, random, like, a lot of people do it, bro. It's like, all right, you know what I mean? So the 405's for short. Yeah. - As just a placement holder. But okay, when it comes to the 405s, is there anything something else that they want to know here? I asked you questions that I personally had interest in. Is there something they want to know that I didn't get a chance to ask you here? I can't really, I really tell them everything. I'm not going to lie. I'm a live streamer, so I'm a hundred percent honest with them. Like they, they, they, a lot of them know who the fuck I am because they watch my stream so much. So yeah. And, uh, okay. Well with this conversation, is there anything else you want to add to what was said or maybe subtract or retract from what was said? Add or subtract? Um, yeah. Is there something you said you want to add a little bit more context to or something maybe you want stricken out? Ah, I shouldn't have said that. If I said it, I said it. You feel me? Uh, yeah. Not really nothing. I can't think. Well, any last words here before you leave? Um, like when you were feeling at your lowest, just know, like, like I said, someone's, someone's feeling way lower, bro. And there's always going to be someone feeling way better than you too. So it's like, bro, just keep going, bro. Like just, she's going to figure herself out at the end of the day, bro. And stay up Dre's bro. That shit going to ruin your life. Thank you.