00:01]I had so much pain, bro. I grew up with a lot of pain. I lost the passion. The love went absent.[00:09]The love for music went absent?[00:12]Yeah, it went absent, man. The love I felt from the music went absent, especially in the public. People would go and post things like, "F Waka, he's like this and that." I saw someone say something like, "Where you at now, Waka Flocka, with the community?" And I’m like, bro, I can't even go at you because you don't even know me. I f*** with you, though. I'm not onе of them. You'll meet me when you gеt in front of me.[00:40]It always takes two sides to 100. I was 50%, and the guy they call 808 Mafia today was the other 50%. Lex came into the picture, but it was me and Southside. We created the sound of music today.[00:55]Yo, what's going on, guys? Welcome to the podcast—not a podcast. My name is Stally. I’m a Montreal native and entrepreneur. Before we start, I just want to say this is my first podcast, so it's not going to be perfect, but it’s going to be authentic.[01:12]I got a very special guest with me today—someone that's a mentor, a big brother, a son, a philanthropist. One of the most genuine and humble people I know. He’s also a rapper sometimes.[01:30]Waka Flocka, Dr. Waka James Malphurs, Stally—what up? How’s it going, my brother?[01:36]I’m good, man. How you feeling?[01:40]I’m feeling alright, bro. First podcast episode.[01:43]First podcast ever? Okay. Where we at?[01:46]We in Montreal, man. How you like Montreal?[01:50]It’s my favorite part of Canada. It’s cold as f***. But you know, it’s cold for the broken, but it’s warm for the wounded. This is where you come to build your ideas. The youth here is so inspirational.[02:03]A lot of people come to Montreal to create freedom in their vision, in their art, in philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. I love it.[02:09]Do you feel a big difference between the States and here?[02:15]Yeah, but people are people, though. It depends on what you look forward to doing, how you want to be entertained, or how you want to be educated. That determines the people you get around and how things will happen.[02:34]The reason I wanted to do this podcast and talk to Waka in person is that he’s an example for people. From where you started to where you are now, you’re well-spoken on financial literacy, philanthropy, and giving back.[03:04]The young Waka—the Waka the world knows from your music—do you still see that part of you today?[03:17]Of course. I always see who I am. The only way I’d never forget is if I didn’t know myself. To know yourself is to always see yourself.[03:29]Did you always see the growth that you have today when you were younger?[03:42]Bro, I just knew I was going to strive to be a good person. I grew up around people who always gave the devil credit, and even as a kid, I’d ask, "Why do people give the devil credit when God's wrath is way stronger?"[05:05]Being young, you won’t know your road with God until you live with experience.[06:14]People say, "I lost myself when I had kids." I asked an adult once, "Who were you before you had kids?" And they said, "I was trying to figure out who I was then." That messed with me for a long time. You could live a whole life, build a family, and still not know who you are.[07:29]My mother is everything to me. She was a powerful woman, a mogul in the music industry. Watching her work motivated me, even though I never wanted to be a rapper.[07:46]I didn’t want to be anything. I just wanted to be me.[07:52]What did you want to be when you were younger?[08:01]A basketball player. An astronaut. A lawyer. A scientist. But I found out I just wanted to be me. I grew up in the shadow of my father, my mother, my uncles. It was always about someone else. I wanted to be me.[09:07]Do you remember the moment when you said, "Okay, I found myself. I know who I am now."?[09:13]I figured it out when I was about eight. I was sliding down a banister, fell, busted my chin wide open, and needed stitches. But I wasn’t even crying. That’s when I realized pain didn’t affect me the same way it did others.[12:00]I lost my little brother to a drunk driver in middle school. My mother was shot. I grew up with pain, bro. A lot of pain. But I kept going. I didn’t have the opportunity to break down.[24:32]Why did you wait so long for Flockaveli 2?[24:38]I lost the passion. The love went absent. I didn’t feel the love from music anymore.[25:40]How does it feel knowing your impact on hip-hop? That your sound, the 808s, the trap movement—it all came from you?[25:56]I was 50%, and Southside was the other 50%. We created that sound. It evolved with others, but the foundation was us.[32:29]Are you still making music?[32:49]Yeah, but I don’t care about releasing it like before. I’ve done my part. I want to live. I don’t need to drop another song to prove my worth.[36:09]What’s next for you?[36:12]Real estate, tech, software development, gaming, restaurants, philanthropy—whatever I want. I’m making my mark.[50:26]How important is good energy around you?[50:30]It’s not just important. It’s who I am. I don’t need to chase good energy—I live in it.[50:55]Thank you, Waka, for episode one. Peace and love.