Ahmad Ferguson talks Power IV: Force, upbringings & The Chi | Ep 64 | The Crew Has It

From the studio that brought you WandaVision. I was an Avenger, but I'm not a hero anymore. It's like I'm losing my-- The Vision returns for the final chapter of the groundbreaking trilogy. That family wasn't real. You sure about that? I had a father called Vision. How is this possible? Why am I losing my-- Don't miss the two-episode premiere of Marvel Television's Vision Quest. Nothing bonds a family together quite like "Mortal Jeopardy." Now streaming only on Disney+. Propel Fitness Water. With Gatorade Electrolytes, zero sugar, and vitamins, Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self. What propels you? Propel with Gatorade Electrolytes. He's DM-ing time. You're different. That's my homie, though. She let him trick him. She bring him in. OK. Yeah. The last one to the airport buys breakfast. Buy breakfast. Day one. Day one. All right, Mike. Who do we got in the building right now? We got my boy, Mike. I want Ferguson in the building. Yes, sir. What up, what up, what up? The boy pulled up on the boys. You came from Iraq? You came from Chicago? Yeah, boy came from Chicago. Pulled up on us real quick for the episode. Shout out to the bro, man. Glad to be here. What's up, bro? How you been? How you been? Everything good? Man, I've been good, bro. Just chilling. Just vibing. Just making sure everything right before we get off this track because we hit the ground running. Dude, he do have that Tariq haircut a little bit. I'm telling you, bro. There's Twitter right here, bro. Bro, I've been hearing that shit since-- For years. For years. I'll say since I was like-- because I was the kid. My parents, they didn't want me watching Power. They like, no, that shit's too explicit. That's too bad. So I was the nigga watching it on the steps. I'm on the steps looking like-- So like season one through three, I was out the loop. I mean, I knew Ghost had a son. I knew about Ghost. Ghost, he was a positive. He was something. I knew that shit. I knew about 50 because it's 50. You know what I'm saying? So I'm on the steps putting clues and seasons together. Then when I started to get to high school, I'm Hooper. I hook. I hook. So I'm going to these different games. And these girls are like, you look just like Tariq. So it's like it made me watch it more. I'm like, ooh, what y'all talking about? Wait, were you acting at that point, or no? Yeah, I just had booked Chicago PD. That was my first job. I played Outwater's younger brother. And so girls are always-- I go to these different basketball games. Ooh, like Tariq. You like Tariq. And at first, I didn't watch. I was like, man, let me watch this motherfucker. And I look like, bro. And then I'm looking at it, and I'm like, yeah. You know what I just thought of when he said that, which it's the fucking coolest thing ever? He's talking about how he couldn't watch it because it was too violent and too dangerous as he was young. You were playing it at that age. You were like 12, 13. I didn't even put that together. Like, what was that fucking like? Bro, honestly, it was lit. Did you watch it? Yeah, I watched it. Hell yeah, bro. Bro, that was like-- because look, you got to understand, like, certain shit, like, you know, your parents are just not going-- like, go for you watching. But after a while, my mom really stopped caring about, like, the type of shit I listened to and the type of shit I watched. But, like, that show, I know for sure, like, even before that stage, she wouldn't be with it. Like, she wouldn't be with it, like, with me watching that show. But because I was on it, like, she couldn't tell me, like, oh, you can't watch that show. I'm like, bro, I'm on the show. Bro, you would see Omari and Nateri have sex, and then, like, come into the table read, and you were 12. You're like, what the fuck? I'm like, what the fuck? I never even thought of that. I'm like, oh. Mom, Dad. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wow. Facts, bro. That shit crazy. That's wild. That's wild. So how did you get into, like, acting and doing Chicago BD? Like, where did all that come from? OK, so look, bro. I was bad as hell growing up. Yeah. Bro, I feel like we all were. I feel like gifted people and people that have stuff inside them, like, especially going to school, a lot of people don't know how to deal with that shit. So they try to label you, and they try to, like, break your spirit. And my mom, she was-- my mom and my dad. But my mom, like, she was more hands-on, because she kind of worked in the school system. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So she was, like, nah, y'all not going to break my baby boy's spirit. And so, like, she tried to put me in different stuff. And my mom always has a talk with, like-- because I got two older sisters. And so my mom had a talk with my sister, asked what she wanted to do. She wanted to hoop. So she tried to give her the best shit to hoop. So she asked me. I was a class clown. Like, I was just a goofy nigga. I was, like, I want to act. And she was, like, OK. So if I start making sacrifices in your life, can't get mad at me. Right. She fucking homeschools me. I'm, like, what? Like, I want to be in school with the girls. Like, I want to be in class. Like, you're taking this away from me. Then I'm a hooper. So I'm, like, man, like, I'm trying to hoop. Like, what's up? And it was my eighth grade year. So I'm, like-- You about to be A. You about to be done. Man, I was going to be my prime, bro. I'm, like, you know what? OK. So then a blessing comes around. One of my mom's great friends-- shout out to Church. Like, if you're watching this, I know you watch the pod. But shout out, Church. He hit my mom up. And he was just, like, hey, my agency's having open calls. And you know open calls, that's, like, once in a lifetime. Like, when agencies have them. So he was, like, you need to take your son. Like, you need to take him. Because we was in Gary. Gary, like, I'd say, like, 30 minutes. 30 minutes from Chicago. He was, like, you need to take Ahmad to the open call. And we just had left O'Hare dropping my auntie off. And my mom, like, man, I just left. So y'all was just in Chicago. Man, my mom was, like, I just left. Like, I don't know. He was, like, hey, if this is what Ahmad want to do, make that sacrifice. And we went. And it was, like-- It was, like, 500 kids. And it's crazy, because it was an open call for the shot. It was an open call for the shot. It was, like, 500 kids. And they were going to, like, pick 20. Basically, the agency was, like, we're not going to rep you. But if you book it, we'll rep you. And so then, like, I started auditioning. And I got down to, like, the green screen. I met Common. I met Lena. And it's crazy, because I auditioned to be Koogie. And I didn't get it, because they said I looked too young. Fast forward four or five years later, I'm playing his best friend. And I got a whole storyline. So that shit was-- it was dope. And that just-- that just told me, like, you know, what's meant for you is for you. Right. That shit don't happen. For sure. For sure. That's a fact. Yeah. So then-- and then you did the "Shy." And then when did "Force" come along? So "Force" came along, like, I would say, like, pandemic-- not pandemic, but, like, we were getting out of pandemic. And I had got to audition for "BMF" to be-- who was it? What's that? What-- what did he say? I didn't hear it. I don't know what he was just saying. He said something-- Hey, man. Hey, man. Hey, man. Hey, man. Hey, man. Hey, man. "BM"? Listen, listen, listen. "Force"-- "Force" be coming. We coming. I'm going to say that. "Force" be coming. Y'all going crazy. I can't speak for "BMF," but "Force" be coming. Y'all going crazy this time. Yeah, that shit been heating up, but-- But you had to audition for "BMF," and then-- I didn't-- I didn't get that. And then "Force" came around. What role was it for-- I think it was for "Tee." Yeah, I think it was for "Tee." Right. So then I killed the shit. Didn't get it, though. And then I get auditioned to be his best friend. Marshall. So then I'm like, it's mine. Right. It's mine. So then I just went in with that confidence, and I did the audition. It was a self-tape, and I hate self-tapes, bro. Me too, bro. I hate self-tapes. But I ain't going to lie, bro. I had to learn to really be grateful for them shits, bro. Yeah. Because, like, when you really think about it, bro, you got one shot when you go in that room with them people. But when you got a self-tape, bro, you could really, like-- Fine-tune it. You could really fine-tune that bitch. And then on top of that, you could send them, like, three-- two, three takes of one scene, and they could really choose from that, like, oh, shit, like-- You got layers. Yeah. You got layers. You definitely right. I used to hate them shits, though. Me too, because it's not like that. Anytime a self-tape came across my desk, I'm like, I don't want to do this shit. Because it don't give you that same feeling. Like, when you go into that room-- It hurts the nervous system. That shit adds to your performance. Yeah, for sure. For sure. But then it's like, when you think about it, it's like, damn, I could really-- I could really give them the best that I could give them. And you got time on your hands. Yeah, I got time on my hands. I'm in the comfort of my house, feel me? I'm comfortable with the reader that's with me. Like, me and bro done read scenes before together, so we could really, like, get into this. With the regular-- like, a casting director, the reader, like, you know, you've never read with them before. It's our first shot. And they might not give you the same-- Exactly. They're not going to give you what you need. Because they've been doing it all day long. Exactly. They don't even give a fuck. It's like-- All right. They're just reading in line so they can hear you. Exactly. Come on, G. Right, right. That's a fact. So you get forced. Did you feel like-- because obviously people, you know, have told you, you look like Tariq growing up. Did you feel like, oh, this was just meant to happen? Like, I was meant to be in power? Honestly, yeah. Because I was like-- I feel like my whole career has been just, like, off pure manifestation. Right. I was at school telling my homies, like, I'm going to be on the shot one day. And, like, that shit came true. And I was telling people, like, I'm going to be on power one day. And, like, I got to archive it. I have a story on my Instagram in 2018. Somebody asked me a question. They said, if you could play anybody on TV, who would it be? And I said, Kevin from "The Shot." And I said, Tariq from "Power." And it's like, now I'm on both of them. That's tough. Yeah, yeah. I knew it was in my orbit. It's just about how to get there, just the journey. And the journey, and the timing. Everything. All that shit mattered. Believe it, bro. You got to believe in resilience. Bro, when you heard that they were going to film a "Power" show in Chicago, were you like, what the fuck? I was like, I got to go get it. Yeah. I got to go get it. Yeah. Yeah. That's fucking tough. And now you're on both of them in Chicago. That's-- that's nuts. That's actually hard. Which one do you like doing better? Hm. I love them both the same, but like-- Such a great actor. Like, what would you-- I love them both the same for different reasons. Yeah, for sure. That would've been my answer, too, nigga. You ain't finna get me fucked up. I love them both. I love them both, but. Some of them have certain. Yeah, that's what I was curious about. What do you like about them? What's the contrast between the two? Right now, Bakari is, like, growing. Like, he's growing. Like, he's showing a vulnerable side of himself. Right. He's just. Yeah, he's growing. So it's like, right now, like. Right now, that's the one right now where it's just, like, a lot more effort is put into. But I ain't gonna speak too much. By the end of two, you're gonna see Marshall and D-Mac really evolve into that brotherhood like the boys. Yeah, that's hot. I'm ready for that shit. But, like, you're saying, Bakari, that's a beautiful stage to be in as a character because that's really, like, that's really going from one character, like, one having a certain purpose in the story to really having a real purpose, purpose in the story. Yeah, yeah. Like, evolving as a character, that's, like, the best thing in the show. And especially for the people that's watching it, like, they love that shit. They see a character go, from one type of character to a whole different play. And I was a character that was in and out. I came in in season three, and I did three episodes. Then I came in four. I did, like, two. Then fast forward five. I did basically all of them, and now I'm in all of them. So it's just, like, bro, just building off that. And I was supposed to, like, I came in a gate, just a co-star recurrent. That's literally. But I told myself, like, I see the room for growth, so, like, just go and kill it. Like, that's what I feel like a lot of people in the industry have to understand. Like, don't get caught up in the. Oh, it's just a one-liner. Yeah, exactly. You don't know what that role could turn into. It turned into some shit that I didn't even know it would turn into, and it'd just be like, damn. Because if you asked me if I thought Tariq was going to be a high-and-buy character for the whole series of Power, I would've said yes. I ain't going to lie like that. I would've said yes, bro. I swear. And then just time, time passed, and time passed, and just the role and the responsibility getting bigger and bigger. I'm like, nah, this is crazy. It's kind of dope because they almost, like, groomed you into just being. Like, they didn't just throw it on you. They were like, okay, every season got a little bit more, which is fire. And every season, like, it showed the reason of why Tariq is going to be who he's going to be. So this is like, damn, this shit fire. By four, it was on. Oh, yeah, by four, it was on. By four, it was on. Started hanging with Kanan and shit. That's my favorite season. Hang on, me too. That's my favorite season, too. Four, that was four? Because that's when Ghost goes to jail. That's when Ghost gets locked up. Or is it season five? Four or five? Is it four or five? I think it's four. No, Kanan died in four because I came in five and the family died in four. Yeah, it's four. It's four. And then that's when Ghost got arrested for a little minute. He was in there for a while. But I feel like that's the season where we really see, like, nah, Tariq finna be that nigga. Yeah. Kanan woke some shit up in Tariq. And especially after Tariq had to do what he had to do for the family and get Kanan killed. He like, damn, like, I fucked with Kanan, but this is my family, so I had to do what I had to do. But now, I got to live with this. I got to live with killing a nigga that was basically my best friend that really cared for me. And now, just for my family that had been lying to me my whole entire life, it's a lot going on for two years. It's a lot, man. That's top tier writing right there. Yeah, bro. They snapped with that shit. They went crazy. The Vision returns for the final chapter of the groundbreaking trilogy. You sure about that? Don't miss the two-episode premiere of Marvel Television's Vision Quest. Nothing bonds a family together quite like Mortal Jeopardy. Now streaming only on Disney+. Listen, I hope you're enjoying this episode. It's the boys. I know you probably are. But I know when you're not binge-watching, the crew has it. You're probably watching some sports. Baseball's in playoffs. Football is here. And basketball is right around the corner. But I'm here to talk about the most important ballgame of all time. Those boys. That's right, baby. And your grooming game should always be in playoff mode. Our friends at Manscaped just launched the Performance Package 5.0 Ultra. And if you want to have the most valuable pee, I mean, I don't. Michael has it, which is why I'm doing this ad read alone. But all you have to do is go to manscaped.com and use the code CREW to get 20% off and free shipping. The Lawn Mower 5.0 uses two enhanced skin-safe blade heads. First, a head with an upgraded trimmer to get your grass ready for some grooming. Get your heads out of the gutter, guys. Listen, guys, come on. It's not all about. Come on, it's not a DaBaby music video, all right? Go check it out. The Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra can tackle any hairy situation. It has the new Weed Whacker 2.0 to get your nose and ears right, Crop Preserver Ball Deodorant, Crop Soother Toner, and two free gifts. So right after you finish watching this episode, go to manscaped.com, use the code CREW for 20% off and free shipping. Okay, me? I groom that stuff quick. Not that big down there. Michael takes a little bit longer. That's why he's not here yet. All right? Manscaped.com, promo code CREW. Back to the episode. Which one do you. Do you find one show to be harder than the other? Um. I wouldn't say harder. It's just that, like, you just gotta. You just gotta understand, like, what's going on. You just gotta be in tune with what's going on. Like, your who, what, why, like, why am I doing this in the scene? Like, like, you know, what's going. Like, you just gotta feel every emotion. So I feel like. I don't think one's harder. It's just. You gotta approach it different ways. So I try to. I try to approach Marshall in a more comedic way. Right. And it's just. It's just how I try to do it and then Bakari, like, just be more vulnerable, be more, like. Because he's going through a lot. Like, he came out the gate killing somebody. Right. He killed somebody that was trying to change their life. Somebody off-back that did some fucked-up shit. He caught his karma from me. And so it's like, now you get to see me be like, well, he's not what he did. Right. So it's just, like, really trying to show the audience, like, you know, I got redemption in me. Yeah. Yeah. That's tough. Is there any. Is there any show. Dude, this dude's on two of the hottest shows right now. It's kind of crazy. Is there any show that you would like, like, besides those two, is there, like, a third you'd be like, I would love to do this? Ghost. Our show? Yeah. Actually, bro, we got it, dude. We got it, yo. We need the crossover, bro. Tommy appeared in our shit twice. We need the crossover. There's no explanation for them to say that. Marshall and D-Man, we young as hell, too. When I saw you guys in Chicago, I was talking to the Force writers and they were like, what's up? What's up? Bro, there's no reason that we shouldn't be crossing paths. Yeah. Because y'all going through some shit right now. Y'all need some help, bro. We do. Y'all need some help. We got to make some links. Like, we got to reach up out of this city, bro. Like, we can't keep everything in this city for too much longer, bro. Like, we need some help from Cali, from Chicago. We can't keep everything in this city, like. We're going to run out of resources at one point, bro. It's going to be over at one point, bro. Facts, facts. And your audition was a tape? For which one? For Force? Yeah, it was a tape. And did you meet, like, because Joe's a producer, which I knew, but, like, when he came on yesterday, he was talking to me about, he actually watches the tapes. Did you ever, did you talk to him before you got on set or no? No, I never, I never talked to him before I got on set. But the crazy thing is, I think, like, I want to say, like, a week before my audition, like, I was watching Hella Power. Like, I didn't even know I was going to get to that goddamn audition. I was just watching Hella Power. So I feel like I was just aligning myself with it. But I don't know if he watched my tape. I know once I got the callback because I did the audition, then I got the callback and then I went to the Zoom process. And I think, who was, I don't think 50 was on. I don't know if, I think Miss Courtney was on. Yeah. Robert Munich, that was our showrunner at the time, was on. And a director for episode two because that was my first episode. Do you know who it was? It probably, I forget, I forget, I forget, I'm not going to lie. Who directed the pilot of your guys' show? Was it Anthony Hemingway? I don't think so. I wasn't in a pilot, so I don't, I don't, I don't remember, but yeah. It was someone who was like deep, deep in the, not for sure. Yeah. But all I remember is this. I did the audition and I was confident about it. Everybody had their cameras off. And so we did the first, and it was actually the scene from 204 when me and D-Mac arguing and shit because I'm like, bro, let's shoot, let's shoot this shit up. Like, what you on? You tweaking. Like, what's up? Let's shoot this shit up. You acting like a ho. And he's like, nah, nah, nah, because I ain't know his dad and all that stuff, but I did the scene, and immediately after I did the scene, everybody turned their cameras on. And I was like, what the fuck? I'm at home, like, I got my camera, I mean, I got my computer on top of a damn shoebox. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm like, bro, what's going on? Because it's like, either they like me, or I diss them. I diss them. I don't know what was going on. So immediately on the tape, the Zoom, everyone started to hop right on it? Yeah, everybody turned their camera on, and I kid you not, I went to sleep, I woke up, my agent was like, you got it. Damn. So it was, it wasn't even that long. No time wasted. That was the first time I've ever like, got like, same day, like, you got it. No time wasted. That's fine. Yeah. That's a crazy feeling right there. Man, I woke up. You ain't even, you ain't even have time to think about, yo, if they fucking with me or not. I was still, I was still nervous. I'm like, why did they turn their cameras on like that? Did they talk to you, or what? Nah, they just was like, go again. Go again. It was like, go again. This shit is so fucking weird, bro. Because you never know, like, sometimes you get it out of them where they like, kind of talk, but most of the times they real just like, okay, very good, go again. Okay, good. Yeah. Okay, do it this way, but give a little more this way. All right, cool. Did I do it right? They're not going to tell you. Yeah, not at all. It was good. Dude, I've just learned to like, because when I would go into rooms, like you want them to like you, but towards the end, like before COVID happened, I would just go into literally rooms, just be like, I'm going to do my shit. I don't give a fuck if you guys like me. I'm going to do the, and that gravitated people towards me because most actors come in and be like, I'll fucking cut my head off right now if you guys want for the job. I would literally come in and I'd just be like, all right, bet this is what I'm going to do. I did it. I'm like, all right, I'm out. And then they would just be like, wow, he's so fucking cool. He's so fucking cool. He just walked right out. Yeah, man. Walk out that bitch. You know what I mean? Walk out that bitch. Do you and get going. Yeah. That's all you can do. Do you not like auditioning or you do like it? I do like it. I like auditioning because like, I feel like it's your chance like to like, you know, show them what you can do. Like really show them what you can do. And then once you get into like, the next rounds and all that stuff, it's like, then I can add the layers. Then I can like really show y'all I can do this. So I like the audition process. Of course we want the offers. We want the deals. Yeah, dude. Come on. But we need that challenge, man. We definitely need that challenge just to keep the humility. You know what's funny is sometimes I hear people who say that they get offers for stuff and they don't know, they don't feel like they deserved it because they didn't read for it and show what they were going to do in this and that. Really? So sometimes, when they get the set, they're like, maybe the director didn't want them. The studio wanted them. So the director's like, okay, I got to get this guy that was shoved down my throat. So when you read for something and you really get it yourself, it's like, okay, this is fucking mine, you know? I'm shoving down your throat. That's crazy. What do you mean by that? What do you mean? Yeah. No, but like when they force someone upon you. I just touched your leg as I said shoved down your throat. My bad, bro. That was an accident, bro. I went to fucking. Yo. What do you mean? What do you mean, bro? What do you mean? Do you have trouble moving in Chicago or no, now that. Oh, yeah. I would say like the early seasons of The Chi, like it was just like, you know, they knew who I was because I killed a main character. They was just like, kill Ronnie. Like, what the fuck? You dealt with that. And now it was just little. But like I would say like after season five hit, shit's crazy. Like everywhere I go, like can't go nowhere. Today I went to the airport. I tried to be low key. The girl like, Bacara, you can't hide. What's up? What you doing? What you doing, Bacara? Where you going? And with Force too. What about Force? Yeah, Force, they heavy too. They don't play. They heavy. Like they heavy in Chicago. I feel like Chicago is a city like they love you. Right. Like they love you and they fuck with Chicago. So like they gonna give. And they not used to like, you know, a lot of people coming in and like embracing it. So now they have shows in Chicago that's actually explaining their roots and their backstory. So like they look at us like fucking. Yeah. Them people out there. So it just be crazy. Do you shoot on the same lot for both shows? Yeah. Bro. It's been a couple days where it's like, shit, I'm doing both. What? Yo, that's fire. That's tough. Season five and season two of Force, yeah, it's been a couple days where it's like. Bro, imagine shooting two shows on Steiner. That'd be crazy. It's like going to a dressing room and changing into one character and I go to my other character. Wait, hold on. Wait, these lines are for the other show. I'm fucking. Hold on. Let me get it right. I'll be mixed up. Do you find it hard to go back and forth or no? It's seamless. It's seamless. Bro, it seems. I just feel like, bro, I really love this shit. So it'd just be like, man. Any challenge that come with it, it's like you want to attack that shit. Hell yeah. What's something that you want to do on Force? Like, if you could write your characters. Get a body. I want to kill somebody. Bro, it's so funny because. Let me kill somebody. That was me for like. Should I have some fun with it? Yeah, let me kill. Let me just kill somebody. Until that scene I had with my uncle, bro, I was saying to the writers like, bro, it felt like years for me, but really it was only two seasons where I didn't get a body. But like, everyone's always like, you got to get a body, you got to. That's why I was like, I need one. And that scene was so funny, bro, because I didn't know what the fuck he was going to do. Yeah. Because Brayden is like. Brayden like. He loyal as fuck. He loyal to the soil. He riding with his boy, Reek. But at moments, you just be like, bro, come on, bro, just do the shit. Bro, I read the script and I'm like, I'm like, just like, why the fuck do I got to do this? But that moment, I was like, he in the game. But it's great. It'd be so tough for him, though. It's great writing. Yeah, because of anticipation. It's so tough for him, though, because like, even with him doing that, you ain't shooting nobody, though. Yeah. That's the problem. Yes. Like, that's way more brutal. Right. I just threw a motherfucker off the building. I looked at my uncle in his fucking, in his follicles, in his eye sockets, and I threw him off a building. That's more, that's more gay. Yeah. I ain't going to lie, it take a lot more to, like, that's a lot more like, oh my God. And it's a slow dub. Yeah. You have to think about that. You got to watch him falling from the top of the shit, like, oh my God. And then you just like, bugging him. And I'm on the ground, I'm like, oh shit. Yeah. Bro, I reposted that scene the other day, you saw it? Bro, the way that you saw it, you went, oh. He just turned, he's like, shit. I'm like, oh shit. There's another one. But it's great writing because, like, as much as we want things to happen for our characters, we always are looking at, like, what's the sickest? Not what's the best for the story like me. I'm like, dude, if I could murder nine people in an episode, I would. But it's like, so I'm just like, why the fuck did, why couldn't I get the gun out in time and kill the pierogi guy? Tariq had to kill him for, but it's the right move for the character because if Brayden was killing people early on, it wouldn't have made sense. It wouldn't have made sense. Right. And now we're at a, season four, we're in a great place. We're in a great place. Yeah. So now, like, if you was killing as early and, like, you know, you wouldn't need nobody to help you season three, four. It'd just be like, okay, another day, Brayden killing another motherfucker. No room to grow for him. Yeah, no room to grow. It's just like, okay, this is what it is and that's what it is. When you first met Joe, what was that like? Man, when I first met Joe, it was like, oh shit, that's Tommy. Yeah. Because my mom, my mom, my dad, man, they love Tommy. They love all y'all, but, like, Tommy was, like, they guy. So, like, I remember going in on, in set, like, it was just crazy because I was dealing with a lot. I just had lost one of my best friends. Damn. So I was like, damn, bro, like, I want to be here. I'm grateful for this opportunity, but, like, just mentally I was out of it and, like, he came in, bro, and he just set the tone. Like, he cool as fuck and, like, he was like, oh shit, like, you got the chops. Like, I see something in you, like, okay, okay. And he just, he just, he just brought that, like, that unk love. Like, he cool, he cool motherfucker, man. He gets credit. I call him Uncle Joe. That's really uncle Joe. I was like, what up, unk? Ahmad, what's up, man? That's my dog. That's my dog. For real. No, he gets credit where credit's due and he takes the shit seriously. He takes, right. He takes the crap back. He don't play none of that shit. On set, like, everybody, we finna try to make a hit TV show. That's all we on. Everybody gotta be on one accord. Everybody gotta be locked in. If you not, then shit. Right. It's so over. Do you hang out with the whole cast? Like, when you're out there, like, Chris and. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I always, me and Lucien, we like this. Yeah, he's a good dude. Yeah, that's my dog. Like, right now, we've been in the gym, so. Who's Lucien? That's D-Mac. That's D-Mac. Like, man, we gon' come back season three. Swole. Like, we gon' come back swollen, niggas. Like, we just, we just built, we got a song out. Like, we got a song out because he's an artist. Like, he's, like, crazy. Like, he can sing, play the keys. I can sing, shit like that. So, like, we got a song out. But, like, yeah, I'm cool with everybody. Like, when Chris come in town, like, we always going out. Yeah. I call Isaac Uncle Ike. Yeah, he's the man. That ain't old. That's why I say Uncle Ike. But, like, yeah, bro, we all be chilling, bro. Like, we like a real family. Everybody. Shane. I was just texting Shane. Like, bro, Shane got to cook for me. Yeah, he's the man. Shane ass. We're all at the cooking, bro. I'm always missing the cooking. Yeah. I told Shane, like, bro, I need some food. Yeah. But everybody just, everybody cool. Yeah, Lucian's, like, a good dude. I told this story during the Joseph episode yesterday. But he, I was, obviously, we were all together in Chicago. And Lucian, like, I'm just out there looking out onto the audience at 50's show before it started. And, Lucian comes up to me. He's like, you know, what do you want to accomplish? And I was like, I was like, okay, um. That's such a, that's him though. He get deep, he get deep quick. Bro. I had a quick conversation with him. Yo, nice to meet you, bro. Like, he's a great dude. He's like, what do you want to accomplish? And I'm just like, damn, man, I want to like, or like, what do you want to do in this, you know, in this world? And I'm like, I want to like, do like a big movie franchise. Like, that's my goal. And he's like, oh, bet, bet. And I was like, what do you want to do? He's like, I want to give back to the communities. And I was like, oh, fuck me, dude. I got to change my answer now. I'm over here like, I want to be in Transformers. And he's like, I want to save the world. I'm like, ah, motherfucker. That's just like the type of dude he is. That's his heart, bro. He's a sweet guy. That's his heart. Like, he loves his people. He loves to see everybody win. And he loves to just bring that shit out of people. And you can't do nothing but respect that. that's fine. We got to have him on for sure. He's a good dude. What, like, what was your first scene together with him? My first scene together is when we upped on Tommy. That was our very first scene together. We came in that bitch like, we don't care about dude. Like, we don't care about white dude. Yeah. Crazy ass little nigga. Facts. Facts. And D-Mac's 16, I'm 15. So like, just thinking about it from that perspective is like, damn, we 15, 16. We don't even know who Tommy is. Tommy, he one of them. Yeah. We don't know. And that's just, how it is. Like, in the real world, like, the young ones is like, They don't really know. They don't, they don't, they don't even give a fuck. Like, they don't, they don't care for real. Like, they going to get it. And you kind of seen that through D-Mac and Marshall. Like, they don't even know Tommy. They don't know. This a real killer. But like, they not bagging down. They not scared. Fuck dude. Did you have to, did you have to do any type of like, do you do character research for shit like that? Or are you just kind of like, I grew up around like, Really? So, I feel like, For Marshall, like, Like, I grew up around a lot of Marshalls, man. So just like, yeah, my environment, bro, like, just tapping into that and just remembering memories, core memories of shit and just going through the flow and the mental. And as far as Bakari, like, I feel like, I feel like everybody, like, when it come to y'all too, like, we relate with our characters in some way. For sure. We relate with our, it's something like, whether that be trauma, like, we relate in some way. So I feel like I just tap into those moments on top of also being realistic with myself and being in tune with, like, real shit, like, real human shit. So that's how I try to do it. I feel like, you know what's funny? Because obviously when we had Patricia, who plays Tommy's mom. A beast. She was talking about how she's total opposite of Tommy's mom in real life. She's, like, very, like, she likes theater and she's very, like, you know, she's a high class woman. And that's not, like, I'm not saying. She's, like, uppity or, you know, that like that. But she's, like, a high class woman. And she plays such a low class woman on television. That's the opposite of her. But sometimes, like, I feel like us three, sometimes the writers will see kind of how we are. And they'll go, let's lean into this more. Let's lean into this more. And then that's why, like, there's such a parallel between our characters. Because they're not casting opposites that often. Right. That rarely happens. So she's just, like, an anomaly of, like, she's a great actress. She's character. But, like, Tariq was, like, we were a little, you were a little badass little kid. You know? So it's, like. Hey. Hey. And I said this every episode. Like, me and Brayden are, like, the shit. Sometimes I'll read a script and I'll go, like, does Courtney, like, record my life, bro? Right. That should be, like, too relatable. Bro, I was, I would see some of this stuff and I would read it. I'd be, like, bro, like, this thing, this actually happened to me. Like, wild shit. I'm, like, what the fuck. And I would see that. Yeah, for sure. I didn't kill my uncle, but, like, you know. Yeah. But, yeah, I didn't know if you did, like, character research or stuff like that. But, yeah. What's, like, one of your favorite things about acting and not creating a character, but, like, you know, coming to set and doing it? Like, my favorite thing is just really, like, coming, like, coming outside myself because, like, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not a Bacar. I'm not a Marshall. Right. Like, I'm not them, but, like. We can tap into it. We can tap into it, but, like, that's not, that's not me, genuinely. And so, like, doing that and then just seeing the effects it have on the world. Like, these people really love this shit. And, like, these people have really, like, been through these same situations. Like, because if you take all the, all the guns and all the drugs, all that shit to the side, like, Tariq still deal with real life shit. Trauma. Fact. Trauma from his dad. Right. Like, seeing his dad, like, be somebody that he wasn't. He lied to him his whole fucking life. And then you see how his mom, like, she's savvy. She manipulative. So, like, he was taking all that shit on. And, like, now he's in a cycle right now just off of trauma alone. He's taking on the same shit that his dad took on everything. So, it's just, like, yeah, bro, like. Cycle of trauma. It's a cycle of, like, it's like a cycle of trauma, but. That shit crazy. There's nothing better, dude, when you get to work. You see the Montclair, like, for me, personally. You see the Montclair. You put it on. You see, you got gloves in your thing. You're like, oh, I got gloves today. You put on the gloves. You get to set. Oh. Ken's bringing me a gun. Oh. Oh, something's happening today. There's something that, there's something about those days. There's something about those days that you're like, yeah. You're excited for it. Like, I don't know what it is, but that shit be fun. And you're like, if I didn't have good parents, I would be doing this. Facts. Right. If I didn't have a good family that raised me right. It would be over with. This would be my reality. Right. Right. So, I think that's, like, why I say that is, like, it's such a good. It's so fun that we get to explore that and get to do that without. Actually. Do it. Yeah. Actually doing it. Having to deal with, you know. Potentially going to jail for life. Right. Right. Yeah. It's just, I think that's great. Like, we get to live multiple fucking lives. Like, how cool is that? Yeah. That's the best. Bro, we got to do some race shit. We got to do, like, a Fast and Furious type movie. That would be dope. I'm down. Fly a car. Yeah. Yeah. Is there any type of life that you want to do or live or anything like that? Man, I just want to. I just want to. I just want to. I just want to. I just want to be put up somewhere secluded and just be with my family and the people I love and just have fun, bro, and just continue to do this and really become versatile, do other shit. I'll do some. I'll do, like, Hugh Jackman, bro. I love Hugh Jackman. Yeah. Hugh Jackman's so fucking raw because it's like, bro, you see him in Prisoners, then you see him in Wolverine, then one day I'm just watching The Greatest Showman and I'm like, wait, this motherfucker singing, too? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, what the fuck? Like, I like that. Like, just showing, like, your range and just showing your chops and, like. Just staying in it. Bro, that's so funny. Like, we have on, like, Dave East and he's like, yeah, my favorite actor is Robert De Niro. And he comes like, yeah, it's Hugh, like, not your favorite actor, but you like Hugh Jackman. Like, sometimes people surprise you on, like, who they watch and who they like. Bro, I watch fucking everything. Yeah. You just got to be a student. Who was your favorite actors growing up? My favorite actors growing up. Hmm. Man, I got a lot, but I would say I watched a lot of, I watched a lot of black shit. So, like, Michael B on The Wire. I watched him a lot. I like, I like, I like Mack Wilde's, like, people like that. Because I was just watching it because I knew I wanted to do it. So, I was just watching it for, like, myself. So, I was watching a lot of young, like, young actors. So, like, I would say Mack Wilde, Michael B. Of course, you got Idris. But I love Jacob Elori right now. Like, Jacob Elori, he's raw as hell. I be thinking his ass is really the dude from Euphoria. I be thinking that's him. But, man, I watch everybody. Just, just try to soak up as much as I can possible. But I would say growing up. Like, Michael B., Mack Wilde's. Yeah. Shout out my boy Mack, man. Shout out Staten Island, bro. Mack different. Shout out Staten Island. Big up Mack Wilde's, man. For sure, for sure. That big boy right there, you hear? And what was your favorite movie growing up? Did you have a favorite movie? Bro, I watched so many movies. But I would honestly say this is going to sound fucking crazy. It's going to blow your mind. The Benchwarmers. Bro, that shit. That's a fire comedy, though. Bro, that shit was so funny. You never seen Benchwarmers? Oh, it's funny. Bro, that shit is so corny that it's, like, hilarious. Like, it's so corny that it's hilarious. But, like, the Benchwarmers, it is crazy. Because I got put on, like, just going to my friend's crib. Like, he got hella DVDs. And, like, one night we just watched the Benchwarmers. I'm like, man, that shit funny. We start watching that shit every day. Bro, when he has the ID and he's like, I am 12. Bro, I use that meme all the time. It's so good. Bro, I love Gus. Gus Busch. Like, bro, that shit is just hilarious, bro. Do you want to do comedy stuff? Yeah, I want to tap into some comedy one day. I want to tap into some comedy one day. Yeah, dude. Do you find that it's harder? Do you find that? I feel like it's definitely harder. Because you're just tapping into a whole different world. And it's quicker. Comedy is weird. Yeah, it's just quicker. I feel like I'm funny as shit, but acting? You don't feel funny. Yeah. I feel like you're forcing it. Trying to be funny is weird to me. Yeah, I feel like you're forcing it. I can't do it. You don't have to. I think, like, because. You got that shit figured out, though. Yeah. You got it figured out. There's just something about, like, it's not even about trying to be funny. It's more like, it's like. It's like music. Like, if you put it in a thing like music. Like, Michael had a couple tapes. And, like, if there's comedy in it, he'll work on it together. And be like, bro, like, just look at where this is. And if there's a drama scene, I'd be like, okay, bro. We're not doing this together. You know what the fuck you're doing. But, like, then we'll go to, like, a comedy scene. And it's so minuscule. But there'll be, like, one word. And you'll go, that's the word that the comedy's in the scene. Right. And then. But I didn't. It took me so. Dude, I did fucking five years. Of acting classes. And script analysis. Like, and I never used to get a script. I'd be like, I don't know what's happening. But now I see a script. And I'm like, oh, that's the word that makes this funny. And you just hit that word. I'm telling you. And then it changes the whole scene. So, it's not about, like, trying to be funny. It's like music. Right. It's like almost like a melody. The tone of it. The tone. Everything. You just got to navigate it right. And it'll all happen. That's why I love comedy so much. Because you can. You can also go far with it. Like, you can be very over the top. And be really goofy. And then you can also be very low key about it. And it'll be even funnier. Right. So, that's why it's hard. As opposed to, like, drama. I'm not going to say that there's one way to do it. But, like. Right. It's kind of like. Right. You know. Compared to comedy, I feel like drama is, like, a little bit easier to navigate it right. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Because you really tap. Like, I'm not saying that you don't tap into your feelings with comedy. But, like, you're really tapping into a deeper place with that. Yeah. You really tap into a deeper place. Yeah. Because with the drama stuff, like, they're giving you. Like, obviously, what Tariq's had to do is fucking insane. But, like. You don't get a break, bro. Yeah. Like, that shit. I think season six of Power is why, like. Why. Not maybe why they kept braiding around. But, definitely, a reason is because, like. Did you ever. Did you smile in six seasons of the show? Bro, when I walked in the dorm room and I was throwing all the money. And I made you break. And they kept it. Yeah. They were like, oh, like. This makes Tariq even more human. They seen it. I wasn't even supposed to laugh. I was supposed to be pissed off at the fact that he came in, like, throwing money at me. Right. That was the original script. Yeah. But, like. It was just so funny. I was like. I'm like, yo. Damn. And they seen it. And just like you said. Like, it humanizes. What song were you even singing when you were doing that? Because it was some song that you were singing. It was mad. Someone in the comments find it and put it in the thing. But, yeah. But I walked in. It was so funny, son. The other one was Ghost season one where I was like, "Trap. Trap." I remember that. I remember that. Crying. Bro, you be just. And I know it. And I know it'd be. It'd just be you. That shit don't be real. It'd just be you. Well, because Brayden was serious at first. He wasn't serious, but he was a preppy asshole. He was Trace. He was my brother. And then that was season five. And then. I mean, but Michael brought a lot of that out of Brayden, too. Like, there was just something about the way that we had. It was just like a comfort thing where we understood each other. And I think that's where the fun comes from. Like, when two actors do that. It definitely made y'all closer. For sure. Do you feel like that when you work with Lucien? Yes. Just like. We see it now. Even looking at our scenes and scenes we're going to have coming up, it's just like. We felt it. Even though it's like, bro, we're way more comfortable. Just because that comfortability of just communicating. Just communicating. Like you said, you come to him, he come to me, I come to him. Pause. But like, yeah, just that. Hey. He said. He said. But yeah, just being. Just communicating, bro. Right. Yeah. What do you find that's most difficult about acting? Or just the job in general. Maybe it doesn't even have to be acting, just day-to-day life. Just really learning how to like navigate the worldly stuff. Yeah. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, just. You can't do everything. Yeah. You can't. You can be you, but like, you can't be everywhere like. You gotta hold your tongue a lot. Yeah. All that shit. Like, that's just. Yeah, it's just a lot. Because sometimes you wanna say something. Sometimes you be like. Man, but you just gotta think about the bigger picture. Yeah. It's a lot of eyes on you. It's a lot of ears listening to you, man. It should be a lot. Bro, sometimes it's fucking. Like, I feel you. How like. I remember season one. I was like inside a lot. I came and posted pictures with the. Grabbing some ass, man. Bitch. They owe you. They owe you. Bro, that shit went viral. That shit's everywhere. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And now people are like doing the Michael Rainey where they're grabbing ass. I had to rate a few of them. They was doing good. If y'all still keep them coming, I'm. I gotcha. That hit the shade room, right? In like two seconds. It was like. It was like. Did you have some vibes hit you? Like, what the fuck? Did I? Like, oh, so this. So you're in a relationship now. I'm like, whoa. Yeah, who said that? Yeah. No. Yeah. Not at all, babs. But just a little beef. Yeah, just a little beef. Beef. Beef. People don't get beef, all right? Yeah, if you don't know what the beef is, I don't know what to tell you. But it's hard because like. Especially during a strike, especially, you know, having enough money to not have to get a normal job, but not having enough money to never work again. Right. You're like, fuck, like, I want to. I want to be inside it. But like, I feel like as an actor, like, we're exposed to so much. Yeah. And then, all of a sudden, they're like, okay, but now just you have to hang out. And you're like, whoa. Like, I was just outside every night doing all these parties for the premieres, this, that, meeting all these people. And now I just have to sit inside and watch TV. Like, I just feel like you get so bored fast because you've been exposed to so much. Yeah. Do you find that that happens? I know me and Mike talk about this all the time. It's fucking hard. I think that's the hardest part about. It's just being exposed to so much and then them being like, okay, like, now you got to chill out and hang out for a little bit. You're like, fuck, I want to be outside. Yeah, because it's just like COVID part two again. Right. It's basically just COVID all over again. Right. But we can't even work like that. Right. That's what I mean by the strike. Like, we can't work, so, like, we actually just have to, like, okay, like. Be in the crib. Be in the crib, but we can be out every night because we don't have to be up for anything. Right. No 6 a.m. call times. That's what I think. So, what do you think, Mike? Yeah, I mean, we don't got to worry about waking up and shit. We could be out late all night, but I don't want to worry about waking up early. Yeah, right. You feel me? Like, I want to know that, oh, I got to be on set to work tomorrow. You feel me? Right. But, I mean, yesterday, it was, you know, oh, shit, we got to do the podcast. We got to get home last night before we got to the podcast today. You sure about that? You don't miss the two-episode premiere of Marvel Television's Vision Quest. Let's just say I went to sleep around, like, 7 a.m. Damn! I went to sleep around, like, 5.30, so that's not too bad. Yeah, but what do you, honestly, I actually don't think I've ever asked you this on camera, like, what do you think is the hardest part about, like, just, like, doing that? Obviously, besides the fame shit. Being in the act, like, being in, like, in the business. Obviously, you know, like he said, a lot of stuff we can't say, a lot of stuff, you know, obviously that. Honestly, that's really it for me. I would say that and then just, like. But you still kind of say what you want. I know you, like, that's what I respect about Michael. I do say what I want. I forget, we were outside one time, like, season six and someone said something and we was like, yo, suck my dick! This is like, this is like when I was just getting on power, so, like, all I knew about the actor world was actor-y actors. You have to act a certain way and do this. And I always felt out of place. And I always felt out of place and then when I started kicking it with him, hey, yo, in the street, suck my dick! They were like, fuck, Triggy, go fuck you, motherfucker! I'm like, oh, yeah, baby. You feel me? Like, I would say the hardest. That, keeping just, you know, having to keep a good image and then just dealing with the dumbass, the motherfuckers. Yeah. We talked about that earlier, but yeah, like. Dealing with them motherfuckers is just like, oh, God. You be like, bro, how do you not know? And another thing is, like, like, a lot of people expect you to do a lot of shit that doesn't really make sense, like. Yeah. But they don't really, they think it makes sense from their perspective, but it's like, bro, it don't really make sense for me to do that right now. Right. Like, I'm gonna put it as simple as this. Like, yesterday, I went to my boy Ty Soren's football game. Yeah. And, like, I seen him on the field and he's like, yo, pull up to the front of the, whatever the fuck, this is where all the players and shit, like, you know, we be chilling after the game. So I pull up on him and I'm talking to his aunt, I'm talking to him, waiting for him to finish, waiting for him to be finished talking to his aunt and shit so we can all, like, flick up or whatever. And every two seconds there's someone, oh, can I take a picture? Can I take a picture? I'm like, I got y'all, but let me just, let me just take the flick with my family. And break me family. Let me talk to my family. It's like, my boy was just playing a game. Let me top it up with him about the game. Blah, blah, blah. And someone really, like, had the audacity to say, yo, and I used to be a fan of you. I'm like, okay, nigga, I don't give a fuck. You don't gotta be a fan of me, bro. Like, from the, like, off the simple fact that you don't understand as a human that, nigga, let me talk to my family first before I take 50 pictures with you. I don't need you to be my fan, bro. Like, you feel me? Like, bro, we all human, bro. And it's just like, bro, let me talk to my family just like the players want to talk to their family, bro. I want to talk to my cousin, bro. My man just went crazy. Yeah, it's a lot of expectation. You feel me? It's so much expectation. That's it. And my thing is, I don't need, and my thing is, I ain't even saying no. Yeah. Simply off the fact that, one, if I take one with you, then everyone else is going to think it's a trick or a fact. Let me talk to my cousin. Let me take a flick with him and auntie. Let us all get our group family picture. What we came for. Then, I'm going to flick it up with y'all. And that's exactly what I did. I said, you feel me? I did what I had to do and everyone that asked me for a flick before I walked off, I went to them. You ready? You ready? Except for the nigga that said he used to be a fan because you're just a bitch. He's just a bitch ass nigga. But Michael, I say every time we're out, bro. I never say no. Never say no. He's the most grateful, gracious human being. But sometimes people do have an expectation. Entitlement, bro. Right. But it's like, I do get it. You're a fan. The fans are the reason why we are who we are. Why people love the show so much. We understand that. But like, it's a lot of people and you need to understand as one person, sometimes it's hard to navigate that. Y'all gotta understand, at the end of the day, we all human. So if you want to be dealt with as a human, sometimes it'd just be so weird. It's like they see a wax figure. It's a transaction. You feel me? It's just like, oh, cool. Okay, back. Yeah, it's so weird. It's not even a, oh, I fuck with the dog. I mean, obviously, it'd be that a lot, but sometimes it'd just be like, oh, I need a picture with you. I need one. It's just like, damn, bro. Like, talk to a nigga. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Then sometimes you put your- Actually, don't. I don't really like talking to niggas. Don't even try. Put your feelings to the side sometimes just to like, sometimes you don't feel like, you don't even feel like doing that shit, but because you got a good heart and because you're a good person, you'd be like, you know what? You'd be having the worst day ever. Worst day ever. I'm gonna put that shit behind me and take a picture with you. I'm gonna take a flick with you, bro. And you don't even gotta explain. Like, you don't even gotta explain that to the person. That person might not even know it, but like, when encounters like that happen, it just be, it throw you off because it's like- Bro, you don't know what, what I've been like, you feel me? And it's so funny, like DJ asked me a question the other day and he was like, so if there's like a thousand fans outside of a place that you're waiting for, you gonna take a thousand pictures? I said, I'm gonna take as many pictures as I can, as many that make sense. Like, if taking a hundred pictures makes sense, I'm gonna take a hundred. If taking 20 pictures makes sense for the time frame that I'm working with, it makes sense. If I only could take five pics and I gotta move fast, I'm gonna take five pics and move fast. No matter what, like I'm gonna, whatever makes sense, I'm gonna do it. Right. Just embrace it, bro. Yeah, embrace it. Because you know, I always say, man, you never know like, that picture, that encounter can change a motherfucker's life. Yeah, bro. And you can see them three years later and they just growing and evolving. And they telling you Like it's from that moment Right And that shit makes me feel good Bro the craziest shit Be like when I When I Like even when I just Shake somebody's hand And they be like Oh my god bro You just made my week You just made my You just made my year It's like damn I did that Yeah like you gotta Really recognize that You got that type of That type of Like not I wouldn't say power But you got that ability Like in your Within yourself To really make somebody Like have a great day Right So I'll be I'll be taking that And kind of They feel motivated by you They feel inspired by seeing you And just being Like seeing you do normal shit They're like oh Oh shit He do the same shit I do Right So I could do the same shit he do Right Cause we're human Exactly Right Alright I'm gonna get you With some fan questions We'll get you up out of here We had a ton for you So it was hard Fan questions be going crazy Yeah Fan questions be going crazy Legally Red underscore says Who was most impactful to you on set? Hmm Who was most impactful to me on set? I really It's gonna sound cliche But Joseph Yeah I would say Joseph Of course He's a quarterback He's a quarterback Of your show For sure Yeah It's just Joseph Because like For me not to be A series regular He embraced me Like I was And he gave me the confidence To like Really Believe in myself And really tell myself Bro you got something inside you Cause it's like At the same time Like how you said Like being an actor You just You were taught like Just to be a certain way Be a certain way And he was more so like Bro be a mod Right Be you Like show them That like That's what they want That's what they want to see Like show them And like He just always gave me Strong advice And he's always just gave me That confidence To really believe myself And really to Feel like I belong here Like I belong here Cause sometimes I feel like I get in phases Where it be like Man like Damn do I deserve this? I do the same shit Man it's just like He always constantly reminds you Like no You do You work hard You work hard You do what you're supposed to do You're a good human Like bro you straight And so yeah He's the most impactful For sure Yeah Shout out Joe man Shout out Uncle Joe man Shout out Joe That's my guy Shout out Uncle Joe man Yeah Mike Get this one right here I bet Jada Brat said What's the motivation behind Going so hard in what you do? Hashtag LLTY Whoa Long live Tyree That's my That's one of That was one of my best friends That died Oh really? Yeah That's crazy That's deep She tuned in She tuned in but I would say Situation Like that Because You know I grew up in Gary, Indiana It's small It's a lot there It's a lot of talent there It's a lot of love there But it's just small You know what I'm saying So like Just Just understanding That like These opportunities Don't come Every day And just Like you said Like Knowing like People telling me like Bro like You make me wanna do this You make me wanna do that You give me the strength To do that And it's just like It's like I feel like I got shit to do Like I got I got shit to To show to these people Like yeah my family I wanna do it for my family But it's not just For the people that believe in you too Yeah for the people that Yeah bro So just Yeah They not believe in you For no reason Right You know what I'm saying Yeah I'm always curious What like What motivates people to be like I wanna Like me I wanna be an entertainer But like sometimes I'm always curious Like what Like did something happen Like is like Sometimes people are like I got embarrassed When I was like When I was nine years old And I wanted to be The biggest thing In the fucking world Like sometimes That's people's reality So I'm always curious About what people's Like what motivates people To do this Just Yeah Just my family And just knowing that like The world Like people in the world Like are really so invested In my journey That it's like My success And my energy And the way I approach life Is rubbing off on them Right And it's like Damn Like how you said Like that's That's influence bro Influence man You gotta be mindful Of that You gotta be cautious of it You know what I'm saying Gotta do the right thing With your influence I be trying I be tripping sometimes I be trying to do The best I could Bro You be doing your thing You know what I'm saying If you gave me Fucking a Porsche 911 And Audi R8 Turbo S Turbo S BMW M5 At 21 I like I'm lucky That I didn't get big Until like I was a little more mature I Dude this motherfucker Is a saint That's why when people Shout out to my mommy man There's When people shit on Bieber And they're like This motherfucker Like dude All he did was egg a house And drag race a Lamborghini We do that anyways Every day Every day So I'm like I never heard about that Justin Bieber was egging houses Yeah he He egged He egged his neighbor's house In Beverly Hills And like they like Tried to arrest him for it I'm like this motherfucker Threw eggs Bro we do that every Halloween Yeah To this day This dude This dude is 17 years old With like 60 million dollars I'd be dead Yeah I don't know what If I was 17 And you gave me 60 M's bro Yeah Yeah I don't know What I would be doing Bro I was 18 When I started When my mom really showed me What was going on financially Like my mom was Keeping everything in the tuck Until I turned 18 bro Shout out to the moms man They know what they doing She said Like I've been keeping stuff Under the rash for you For a minute But like She showed me the rundown I said oh shit I'm doing this I'm like this is how it is I ain't mad Let me get 9-11 Turbo S She's like motherfucker I should've waited I should've waited I'm like I ain't mad I ain't no more That's fucking hilarious Alright last one I feel like we kind of Touched on this But I still want to ask you O-U-U-U 6143 says How does it feel to be In two shows In your own city And both of them are popping Man We touched on that But like dude That's so That's so rare To like be able to do that That's like being the CEO Of Mercedes Benz And the CEO of BMW Yeah In Germany You feel me In Germany You feel me That's love That's love bro That's fire I would say man Like it feels amazing Like I never thought I would be in this position But you know now I know that I am In this position And just to keep Don't stop here Like just keep going And keep evolving And keep building But it feels good And the love Is always shown It's embraced And you know I just want to do Right by the city man For sure I just want to do Right by the city Quote that shit Yeah Quote that You and Lucian I'm just like Mike's like I just want a Porsche I'm like I just want to Take over the world And you guys are like I just want to give back You guys just good guys man I just want a Porsche Yeah But I'm going to give back While I'm in the Porsche though Yeah I'm going to give back And it's still genuine like that It's still genuine It's still genuine like that A lot of the giving back I do ain't even documented Right Most of it's not Yeah Fuck that Y'all don't got to see it Right Y'all know what's going on Niggas know though Y'all know what's going on Yeah We uplifting the universe And the people Yeah For sure That's what we doing man Amad Thank you so much For pulling up Thank you for pulling up bro We appreciate you Coming all the way from Chicago Hell yeah The Porsche got flight Yeah Come on that's love That's love Come on man I got it I got it like Man give me all y'all flowers Before I dip bro Like y'all are like Millennials like Really showing us like You can You can You can You can create your own shit You can You can do it You just got to It's just focus Consistency Yeah But you can do it So I appreciate you guys All this came from an idea Yeah I appreciate y'all It's a simple idea man Own your shit too Ownership is key Yep Ownership Thank you so much bro Plug everything you got I don't know what you got Come on man Yeah man Even though we can't Promote certain things We can't promote certain things We don't know if the strike Will still be going on We are still up in the air We're banking episodes It might be going on It might not be So say it And then if the strike's still going on We'll take it out Yeah man Side B Of the shot 2024 Force is still going on You know what I'm saying So just Back and forth with them Got some music in the works I'm going to show y'all I can really sing I really got some music Got that shit in me And yeah man My IG Amad and Ferguson I'm on Twitter At weloveyamad And yeah man I appreciate y'all bro Hell yeah Appreciate you bro Thank you for calling up bro Mike What you got? Where's 22 on Instagram Where's 22 on TikTok Where's 22 on YouTube Michael Rennie Jr. on Instagram Hey just go get up with me Y'all know what's going on I'm not plugging anything else Other than the vlog Go to the link in the description Where's 22 vlogs Gianni V. Palo vlogs Get in there Click them Come see how the boys They be turnt bro Yeah Y'all want a little If y'all want a little insight On how we get down You know Come pre the vlogs You know Come spend a day with the boys Yeah You want to give us one Mike So man the crew Has it baby The crew has it And you have it Thank you so much For pulling out my mic This is my twin Twin though Twin though Thank you so much bro I appreciate you I appreciate you man