What's up everybody, once again, it's Brand Man Sean and we got a very special guest for you guys. As you can see, it is Lee Jit. Now this artist has, I mean, he released a project pretty recently and already has over a million streams on it across platforms.  But he's been grinding. It's not like he was just here, but he's been able to do it in a relatively short period of time at the same time. So I'm not going to go too deep into it. I'm just going to let you guys hear the gents that he drops from his experience as we get rolling. So first of all, first and foremost, Lee Jit was up. My brother, pleasure, pleasure to be here, man, salute to the platform, salute to everything you're doing, man. Thank you for recognizing me, you know, working, you know, and we can hopefully help some people continue that growth. For sure, for sure, man. Glad to have you on, man. So let's, before we get into some of the numbers and some of those specific tactics and just the way you see things, kind of tell everybody a little bit about your background, right? You from Florida, right? Yeah, I'm from Florida, Central Florida area, right in between Tampa and Orlando, a small city.  I've been doing music for 10 years, like since I graduated high school, 2010. So I was doing music before I graduated, but literally full time, like, you know, as an artist out here working, working a full time job, then being a full time artist and then quitting my job and becoming a full time artist and taking that, you know, that sacrifice and that risk. I've been working with a couple artists, couple record labels, you know, trying to get in the right, you know, the right rooms and burst the right shoulders, but really just working and growing, bro, every day, maintaining and then gaining, you know, that's good. Okay. So what would you, how would you describe your style, by the way? I feel like music is emotion. You feel me? When people ask me that question, I kind of, I kind of like to give this answer. I say the songs for everything. So my style is more so directed towards the ladies right now, like that's, that's what I figure out is working better for me.  I have different, different songs for different emotions. It kind of, kind of fills in the gap like that for me, really. But I got you. And that's perfect, man. So really when we think about genres and certain sounds today, a lot of things are shifting, especially because of playlist to, to being defined by music moves in the first place. Come on. The play, just even the way they name the playlist is like, you know, going to the gym, like what you listen to at the gym is not when you're going to listen to when you and your lady trying to, you know, be in the room together. So that kind of stuff, like just, just, just music is emotion and when the words can't, you know, say it, the music speaks.  Oh, man.  So I guess that's about over the last month. But you talked about how you wanted more on Spotify. You have like 1.2 million on Apple. But why, why? How come that Apple Spotify solution didn't work out how it did? Well, well, in the beginning, what I did is when I dropped the project, I kind of, for one or two reasons. So one reason was I kind of, if I kind of split up all my traffic, I would, it would be harder to get a reading of the impact of the project. So when I first dropped the project, I sent everybody to Apple Music, like go to Apple Music, I'm promoting it. I'm sending out the links, the link in my bio. Of course, people are clicking on it. So Apple Music got a head start. And then what happened is Spotify, they rolled out Spotify for Artists. And I'm like, OK, I can I can really like, you know, interact with this with this platform and I can really try to like get my numbers up on it. So what Spotify for Artists has done is they've let me like basically claim my profile as an artist and I can take my profile and I can edit it like I can put like little words like I can put like daily, daily little posts and stuff like updates on on my page. I can put like what my favorite like what the artist choice. Like I can put a song that I want them to listen to first. So just different things like that. And it's really like 17,000 people since January have listened. And you know, and it's just gaining more and more the traffic goes on. Yeah.  Brother, that's very, very smart. So I don't know if I know you know, of course, about the smart URL. But as an artist, I feel like it gives us that that that that that creativity to where they can we can put it out wherever we want. And then the people can go find it on what they follow, what they use. So like when I I'm in the midst of actually getting a smart URL for the for the wet tape right now, because I'm still actually just pushing the apple music, but smart URLs are some of the best things going for for being able to reach everybody on all the other platforms that they choose. OK. I bet like, well, let's rewind real quick, too, because, you know, you're doing some pretty serious numbers right now in a short time. How did you get there with this particular project? OK, man. So it's kind of like it's kind of like that consistency and being persistent thing. So I actually got my following more on social media from figuring out what worked for me, because like I was like, you know, I was going through me and my my brother Rob, who's my manager working with me. We were we even tried a little scheme. We tried to give away two hundred dollars, like, and no one would take the money. Like I had a song I had a song called I'm up.  I want you to be up with me, man. Make a video, listen to my song and whoever get the most likes and views. I give you two hundred dollars for nobody did my repost and nothing.  Yes, I had to get back to really like what people like want to see from me.  And they get sixty, seventy thousand views. And then I do a video in the parking lot and it gets five million views from me rapping over a beat like freestyle. So I did that. And once I seen the first one kind of catch attraction, I said, man, let me do some more and I just kept doing more. And I just even to today, like I'll jump on a challenge and put it out there just to see, you know, what it could go. Because literally Facebook was my biggest is my biggest platform. And then it trickles over to Instagram from there. So it kind of, yeah, go ahead, brother. I was going to say, I tell me, tell me about that. How does that work for you?  I got one. I got one seventeen right now. One seventeen. One seventeen. And then the way the way Facebook works is like all of that's what I really go viral, like on Instagram, I might get thirty, forty thousand views on the actual video clip. Yeah. But when I share it to my Facebook page, which I have an artist page on Facebook, I share it to that page. And that and that I have, I think a quarter of a million likes or the way they do it is likes and follows. Yeah. So I like the likes is like one ninety. And then the the followers is like a quarter of a million. So that that really helped me take take one platform and then kind of use the other one to like to build it up as well. So like that's that kind of got me to there. And then I was able to have an audience and then interact with the audience. And that's one thing that I kind of pride myself in is talking to my fans and me being a one on one person with my fans to where if you slide into my DM and I see it, I'm going to reply back to you. You know what I'm saying? And Instagram, Instagram has helped me tremendously because Instagram has short replies to where if somebody like of a girl's like you go through a DM and you'll see hard eyes, hard eyes, hard eyes. I love your music. I love your music, hard eyes, hard eyes. All your music is dope. Where's your music at? So I'm able to like do short replies with Instagram, having my page as a business account as an artist page. I can I can just go to my DM and just boom, boom, boom, reply to these people with two clicks. And it's really just like and they're getting they're getting what they want. And you know, it's keeping me moving throughout my day. So when it's explained the short lines, yeah, the short replies help me so much in the DM and talking to the fans. Now I'm saying, tell me what that is. Oh, excuse me. So short replies are this. So basically, I'm sorry about that. You good? Yeah, you got my back. Sorry about that.   So the hardest thing to do is to stay to stay responsive to these people. So the short replies help me to where I can literally take a generic reply to people that send me the same stuff all the time. So I have a reply that says, thank you so much for supporting my music. I appreciate you. You know, that kind of just an appreciative reply for when people say, I love your song or I love your music that way. You know, it's and it's really it's not that the reply is, you know, not from the heart or nothing like that.  No, that's real. I feel you save time. Yeah, I'll just what made you all even focus on Facebook because I hear so many artists that like, no matter how much I might speak, I personally might even speak positively on Facebook. I always hear artists that be like, nah, like not Facebook, like it's trash. Facebook, I think it's because Facebook isn't trendy anymore. Facebook is the main site. Now your grandmother is probably on Facebook. My grandmother is on Facebook. So Facebook is not the quote unquote, I believe trendy social social network. You know, Snapchat and Instagram are more so youthful, I feel. And and music is a youthful thing. So when you're doing stuff like that to be current and on the edge, I feel like they believe Instagram and and Snapchat are really big. But Facebook has think about it. Facebook has everybody there. If you look at lakes with fish in them, there's way more fish in the Facebook lake than there is in the Instagram and Snapchat Lake. So if you're throwing out your line and trying to catch some fish, you know, it's easier to get to catch people on Facebook to me. And also they got the share button on on Instagram with videos. And, you know, when you post stuff, they literally have to steal it from your page and repost it to their page. Unless it's, you know, the story or something like that that helps you out. But on Facebook, that share button is big. Yeah, you know, that share to your share to my page or share to a friend, share to a message that share button is really big. And that that right there alone has given me the ability to go viral from a regular post that on Instagram wasn't able to go viral. You know, man, like from that standpoint, honestly, it's like Facebook has more natural organic growth because of the share button versus Instagram, which at this point, it's all pretty much you posting your own stuff and you got to get it posted a whole bunch of places. And maybe you get to a point where people see it so much. Now they get interested in you. But you're really paying for all your repost for the most part. Yeah. Right. And then also we get a little bit deeper. The algorithm for Instagram is set up against us. You know what I'm saying? They want us to pay for that for that promo, you know what I'm saying? Instead of like I have one hundred and seventeen thousand followers. I know for a fact, bro, when I post the picture, I'm not in front of one hundred and seventeen thousand people.  Some people are scrolling. I'm not, you know, it's the algorithm that really puts you like in the people's face. Like Instagram, that first whatever 30, 50 minute, the weather that reaction time and they feel like it's it's an important photo than they throw you in the algorithm. True.  So you guys, but you don't. You don't advertise on Facebook at this point. You just have your followers and you post and it keeps and it starts moving at this point. Is that how you got it? Or do you? It's a little it's a little bit of both on certain certain promotions and like on a post, we'll we'll put some paid promotion behind it and sponsor it than other times it's really organic. But literally every freestyle video that I've had, it's been an organic video that's went viral. Like every post that I've promoted is I've never had a viral situation happen from a paid promotion.  So you kind of try you, I didn't want to spend too much money on that one filter. I kind of wanted to see what was the best filter for for me. So, you know, spent like a hundred bucks on the filter and then seeing the the I guess the turnaround from it. So I've never been viral without, like, just organically. I don't I don't unless you really, I mean, maybe these people pay pay a lot of money and give this up a big head start. But I've never spent more than a hundred bucks at one time promoting on Facebook. Yes. Yeah, it's a lot more than a hundred bucks for sure. For sure, brother, for sure, for sure, for sure. But on hold on, let's talk about what we haven't talked about your project like what's the inspiration for this? The ladies are the inspiration for wet, my friend. And just to get just to get a little more insight on wet, the wet and wet tape, because the project is called wet tape. The project is strictly for the ladies. We did a no guide campaign. A no, no, I mean, I don't know if I can cut on here. We said a no campaign. You don't got to put it. You can edit that out. No campaign for the wet tape. But wet stands for women's erotic testimonies. And so that is the accurate. It's the acronym and we kind of did a little deeper. And in the project, we kind of throw in some poetry. And one of my good friends is a punani poet and erotic poem. A poet does poetry. Is that like this is a real thing? A punani poet? Punani poet. Yeah, like erotic poetry is big these days, man. Like all the open mic nights, they're doing it everywhere. Erotic poetry. So I grabbed I grabbed her and she did. So it has some erotic poetry on it, some good. I would say it's a R&B five, excuse me, an R&B vibe, but it's not not too much to where, you know, you can't like listen to it when you vibing and moving around.  But though, though, man, man, I love that, man. I love I love the whole concept, especially like to the point where, you know, for me, branding is people always talk about who are we targeting. But branding is not it's not just what you're doing. It's just as much what you're not doing. And you all basically did that when you all know this, right? Like you tell them this ain't for you, bro. Like, yeah, exactly. You know, you get the ladies think they think about it the wrong way.  You don't understand what women want. Men will want as well, I promise. So it's that target. But like I had to learn that because, bro, I put out other projects and I have not had the same success because I put out a project and this is what I would do. I put some club songs on there. I put some some street songs on there, right? Some quote unquote street songs. I put some lady songs on there. And I try to just please everyone and that doesn't work. It doesn't work because I'm literally like I don't have a big enough budget to please everyone yet for one when I'm promoting my project, because I can't be in this. Everyone's face at one time. So I'm literally shooting in the dark at all these targets. I want to hit a target, but I don't know which one. So when finally we put the light on the target, I'm like, these ladies. I'm coming for these ladies, man. Just put the whole even to where the cover, the cover of the photo is me me in the shower with my ex-girlfriend. And like it's a real like the cover is me and a real photo type deal. So we really like the I haven't shot any visuals for it yet. So that's how I know the power of the project is like it's working for me. So I'm trying to I'm able to eat off streams now. That's the other projects. I've never seen any residuals from the streams. It's just really that target is really is what is what's feeding my whole campaign right now. All right. So just just from that alone, there's some stuff that people could pull from it. But I would like for what you directly, how do you feel like people should move based on what you learn in that process? Like you had to like tell all you like the old me. I would tell him is stop trying to please everyone and find that find that that I would say that consumer or see. The thing is I had to figure out old me out. This is what I would tell the old me. Your fans are not your friends. They're your customers. That's what I would tell the old me your friend. Because I would treat fans like friends. And I'm like, yeah, man, I got these t-shirts. Man, you got to get these. I got a good heart.  You know, say, I want to give everybody free stuff. But I had to figure it out like, listen, these people will support me and not only support me, but they could take like enough people supporting, you know, the same thing to elevate me to the level where I want to be. So I started to to brand myself and market myself as as, you know, you want to buy me types, you know, like what like what I'm doing right now is worth it. I had to add value to myself. So I'll tell the old me, add value to yourself and your fans are not your friends. They're your customers. That's what I would tell my own. And I feel like that would help myself, you know what I mean? Because I was caught up in it. Yeah. How do you you said you added value to yourself? That how did you how did you do that? I added value to myself.  I had to look at myself in the mirror and know that like what these other humans are doing, I can do, you know what I'm saying? Like it's just the it's just the people around them. And the team around. So I started adding value to myself. I built myself a team instead of it just being me. You met my guy Rob, it said of it just being me and my guy Rob. Now I have a social media manager. Now I have a booking manager. Now I have operations operations manager.  So like I added value to myself in that light to where if I'm coming to somebody, I want to be as official as I can. You know, I want my resume to be undeniable when I when I actually come to try to do business with anybody, whether it be, you know, I'm trying to get your give me free t-shirts or something.  Give me a promotional code to where, you know, say I could take that promotional code and show you my value then till we can do future business. Just like different things to where I was like, this is what I was doing. And I had to be honest with myself, look in the mirror like, bro, this is what you've been doing and this is where you've been failing. So that that's kind of not, there's not to ramble on too much. But that's not my mindset. I think that's real, bro. And I think everybody should do what you did. And I'm not saying that I'm a standpoint of like, oh, all your artists need to do that or whoever's watching you do that. I'll say that because like I had to go do that myself at certain points. You know what I mean? Right. I feel like revisiting that self reflection, you know, it should be more often probably, but sometimes I remember to do it.  And then kind of like, I agree with that. I probably like before this year's up, bro, I'm going to have to revisit that, that honesty with myself and make sure I stay on track because just think about accountability and how, how important it is to us. Right. Accountability as people is very important to us.   He didn't give me my hundred dollars. Now promise yourself that and let yourself down and see how accountable you are to yourself with that hundred dollars. You know what I'm saying? Like I'm going to save a hundred dollars this month, not eating out. Yeah.  You're not saving no money, but I promise you, I'm going to give you a hundred dollars and now you're not my friend. Oh, you know what I'm saying? So I never heard like that before. It's just something like that. I like, I like to look at things like that. And then also perspective is everything.  Like when we're zoomed in so close to something, we can't see the surrounding things that are happening. So I literally in my, in my situation, like being honest with myself was me zooming out of what I was focused on because I'm focused on the same thing every day. But when you're focused on that, you get blinded by the things, you know, everything else around you. So you miss some opportunities. You miss some people that could have helped you. I mean money, everything. So I zoomed out, bro, and I could see the full picture and it really put me in the right perspective too. I haven't figured it all out, but I'm working on it, brother. I'm working hard on it. Hey, man, one step at a time. That's all you can do. Hey, bro, you can't get nowhere without a step, bro. That's real. Hey, so you mentioned something that it's actually, it sounded a lot easier than it is for a lot of people.  And then you added value, but not only just changing your mindset, but also adding like real team members and certain team members, how did you personally come across a booking manager? Because I know a lot of people who are like, I have no idea where to start to get a booking manager. Right. Um, well, first of all, like when I, a booking manager, I had to be able to be booked. You feel me? Like I had to be at that level of an artist to where I have songs, I have fans and people, you know, I'm ready to do shows. That's, that's the way I was at. And then instead of me finding somebody, bro, I groomed my best friend to be my booking manager, my brother. You know what I'm saying? He's, he's not the best booking manager yet. But we're, what we do is, is, is we, you know, we, we like to keep things in house. The best way to save is to not spend. So when, you know, when I got my brother in house and he's eager and he's willing to learn anything he needs to do to, for us to level up, um, that, that's kind of the mindset we, we took it as, and he, he literally is learning, you know, um, it's not hard to be a booking manager. It's hard to get, to get your artist booked. It's not hard to answer the call and set up a show and do that part. So the other part is he kind of is shadowing some people right now to where he can get the real game from the game and not like, you know, just from me or something like that. So he's kind of interning. Um, so my booking manager is an intern for another booking manager, which is just giving him the game and giving him the opportunities. And it's, so I had to create it. Hey, man, I love that, man.  Bro, look at, look at LeBron, bro. Like he could have, that's exactly what I was thinking about. That's exactly what I was thinking about. He can have anybody around him, but he empowered the people that he loved and grew up with. That's the, that's the, that's the real thing when you can give, reach back and not give somebody $10,000, but give them the opportunity to make tens of millions of dollars, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's, that's, um, the mindset that I love about it. My brother, I want my family to eat. You know what I'm saying?   So I want to ball out on vacation together, not telling you, man, I'm trying to like, I got to build them. Yeah, bet 100% man. So hold up. Ooh, move this out the way. But yeah, man, like, so I want to bring a little bit back to your music, man, because your music is, like, at the end of the day, your music is moving, bro. Like, congratulations for that. Because that's, like, even when you find the audience that you want, it's still, like, people still have to like it, you know? Exactly, and exactly. And it goes, and it's like, up and down for me, or every artist, I would say, unless you like, unless you find that season to where you just like, everything you drop is remarkable and untouchable, it's going to be songs you like and the people don't like, it's going to be songs that the people like and you don't like. Like, I had, like, it's been so many times as an artist that I'm like, this is the song, bro, I love this song. Like, this is the one. And then you put it out and then nobody even takes $200 from you when you think you're giving, trying to give away free money, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's just because it's not what you like, it's what the people like. So the consumer is going to set, you know, set you up for your success or your business. So, you know, so the market, the consumer set the market. Yeah.  Right. Yeah, that's, that's my goal. Once I become the level of an ambassador for brands is that I want like the level that I want to be. I can sell toilet paper to you, man. It don't matter. You know what I'm saying? Like, it don't matter what you selling, you know, as long as you got that that brand and the loyalty to your brand.  And that's, and that's what, also, like, that, that, like, doing, doing interviews like this or, you know, going live with your fans, like, that's the stuff that really like make them love you. Not like, they're going to love your music, but it's that, it's that personality and that, that one or one type that feeling that you give them. That's what makes them want to come back. But I'm just learning that. That's the only way to connect, man. But I mean, what's powerful about what you're talking about right now, though, it's like, always feel like one of the things about being an artist, right, you have to be creative. Sometimes you have to not take certain feedback just to just to be creative, because it's like a brave thing to do to put your own work out there. But at the same time, artists have to remember that you can't have an entitled way about things, because at the end of the day, especially from a business standpoint, it's a marketplace, you got to give people what they want. And then you got them rocking with you. They can take them new places like and create and give them this entire other world. They weren't ready. But now they're going to pay attention because they trust you there with your brand, you know, already established, but you try to do it at the beginning. It's hard unless you got a lot of money straight up. And most people like, why are you trying to wrap if you got a lot of money? Most people they try to do that. If you already got a lot of money, you don't need to do that. But you know, it's very rare that you find artists like that. Like it's very rare that you can find an artist that do music just to express themselves. Most of the time people are trying to turn into a business these days, you know what I'm saying? Because it's the next hustle. It's the next thing to do. Like me and you will go I go to the store right now. I'm in Atlanta right now. But you can bump it to a rapper. But you know, somebody you might, you know, they work at the state might be the clerk at the store and they got a mix tape out, you know what I'm saying? Like it's just so flooded now to where your music is not needed. It has to be wanted. Most of the time he's dead. Like as an artist, like it's thousands or probably millions of artists like that make music. Like what what makes them want want me or cut through? You know, how can you cut through and be that that that silver lining?   Like so it's a networking. Like what have you done? Like what were you always good at? Have you changed your mentality? How did you start to get in certain positions where certain people know about you? Um, that's a great, great question. Um, me personally, I've always had a personality to where I can talk to a person and, you know, um, speak to them eye level and not speak down to them and not make them feel any way. So, like I've tried to take I had to take that and kind of exercise it toward people. And honestly, I look at networking, like trying to talk to girls. You feel me?  They want to feel like you for them. They want to feel like they getting things before other people. Like it's really like, uh, like, uh, it's really like, I guess you walking on eggshells sometimes when you doing that. But anyway, get back to get back to networking and not ramble off. But I've been pretty good at talking to people, networking with people. Um, and now I just had to figure out how to get in the building to where I can get around those people that actually have a chance to talk to them.    So it got us here, for instance, for example. Um, but I've been studying this thing called six degrees of separation. I don't know if you ever heard of it, but it is a network, like it kind of puts network in a different, in a different lead. Because right now, um, just for instance, like, I can ask you one question, like, how many handshakes away from Beyonce? Are you brand man Sean? Like how many handshakes are you? You're less than six handshakes away from Beyonce. You, you feel me like that, that, that's a crazy thing to me. Um, and like that kind of put it in perspective. So what I try to do is me being able to talk to people, my brother, Kwan, he, my brother, he can talk to people as well. We kind of tag team, we do owe it. Like we'll go talk to some people will network with them. But it's really the key is to get in the building. Like tonight, I'm going to two chains, listening party for his new album. You never know who I'm going to talk to who I bump into. It's just like finding the place and put it in the effort to be in the place and actually being around to get talked to actually have a chance to talk to somebody. Like that's, that's half the battle. Being that, like they say showing up is half the battle. So like whether, whether it's whether it's like writing a person like, um, for instance, one big person, he doesn't follow me, but one big person I look up to is bigs from rock nation. Yeah. He write me back all the time in the DM. Like that's something like to me, I'm like, bro, that's big. Yeah. So like, that's something that I like just me networking with him. Like I'll talk to him and sometimes I'll ask him questions. Sometimes I'll comment on what he's doing to show interest, like to make him know it's not just like a one way street. You know what I'm saying? I'm interested in what you're doing as well. I see he has a new artist out. I talk about, you know, different things like that. I do research on who I'm trying to network with like, like me.   I'm talking, I'm looking at everything and everything is on point to where like it's like basically if the world ended today and I wanted to be a rapper and there's nobody left, you could go to your page and figure it out how to be an artist on your page. Real deal. How to be a successful artist. Hey, that's almost a me plugged up. I appreciate it. Like really, bro, like no, it's a difference between some people that just do certain videos, talk about stuff that they like frustrated about or whatever they have, like they're moody about it. But bro, you real deal dropping jewels and flames, like every time, like, and that's rare to wear the point where where you put out, I was able to use I was able to implement it into my hustle, my grind, my campaign, and it helped me with success target audiences, like growing, being being, you know, one on one with people that you're trying to network with like stuff is, is, is like priceless, bro. It's Jules. Oh man, I really appreciate that man. It's funny because like even like a lot of the things that you're saying, like when it comes to networking, honestly, I tell people now because I spent a lot of time working on this master music networking guy. I don't know if you have ever seen it, but I dropped it like early last year or whatever. And I found I realized that networking is such a huge issue for a lot of artists, like something don't even have, I can tell you got a little bit of gift of gas. So that part flows a little bit easier for you. But and even the way you're approaching a DM situation, I literally tell people that they should do almost everything that you're doing. You know what I'm saying? And I like, I think you got that part figured out, bro. Like, I can tell. But it took the time, though, it took the trial and the error and me like, like learning like, bro, like if you're not a student of the game, you're going to be left behind because it's forever changing. Like think about when I first started, like my like in 2000, like, okay, middle school area, like 2000s, like when I was in like first started doing music, I thought I was about to be selling CDs. Like, I didn't know I would be I would be a grown man trying to be a grown artist.  Like, I never like just to evolve, like, excuse me, the the the revolving door of music, like how it keeps changing, how it always is is a different market. And then the people change as well. And what the people like. So it's just so many variables to this to this music industry. And nobody wants to work with you unless they can make money with you or from you. Hey, as a damn knitted truth, it's sad when it's put down that way, but that's just the reality and most nobody wants to make money. Nobody wants to do anything unless they can make it with you or from you. And that's everybody from the club promoter to the record label to the other artists that you work with. Like they can't like think about if they don't see value in you, what does mean you and me and you collaborating even work? If I can't book you as an artist to bring people to my club, what does me even book you work? So it's it's that it's it's really cut through and that's what makes it so cut through is it's people's opinions and then it's about that bread. So yeah, yeah, which which brings me to this though, man, because you're finding yourself in a new space right now, right? Like, right, that acceleration is happening. You're on that uptick based on all that stuff that you had been doing before. And then all the adjustments that you made, like, where's your mind now? Like, how are you looking at things? Like, what do you how are you going to execute now that you have a new level of opportunities that you couldn't even execute last year? Right, right. Um, like, honestly, I've used the analogy when I'm talking to my friends like right now, right now where I'm at in my career, because I'm close to where I want to be. I'm not there yet. But I've been working for it. But right now I feel like I'm really navigating through shark waters, like shark invested waters right now, because it's so crucial. My next move I feel because I'm not a young artist, you know what I'm saying, I've been rapping for 10 years. I'm not seasoned. I'm marinated. I'm a marinated artist. You feel me? I'm not a seasoned artist. I'm marinated. I've been, you know, I've been through some things to grow. But, um, like, it's just shark water right now, bro. Like, one wrong move I feel can in my career because one wrong contract was sent. Like, if I get a contract tomorrow for three albums and then they never put out my second album and I only get to put out one more album my whole life, like, it's just so crucial how much a contract will take me or leave me. So right now, I'm just, you know, I'm talking to my entertainment lawyer. Um, I'm making sure we have a great relationship. She knows what I want to do. You know, she knows what I've been through. She actually was part of my first, I got a record deal when I graduated high school, but we can talk about that as well. Oh, let me hear about that. I ain't know that. Um, man, so that's how I met Rob. I've never told this story publicly ever, but, um, so in 2010, my goal, I played high school football and where I'm from high school football is everything, but I chose musical for football. I could have won college sports, right? So, but I'm like, man, I love music. So I graduated and I got a signing bonus, man. They gave me a $10,000 signing bonus, bro. And I'm, and I'm 18 years old and I ain't never had more than $200 to my name, bro. So I, I'm owned. I'm like, oh my God, they selling dreams, bro. And I'm buying every train they sell. Listen, man, so, um, so basically, um, the first person I met in the music industry was Thomas McCleary. Um, that's the biggest person I met first. And I don't know if you know, do you know who that is? I don't know who that is. I'm about to ask you. All right. So Thomas McCleary, it's old school stuff. Like, um, so Thomas McCleary is with the Commodores. He wrote, he wrote the song and performed the song. She's a brick. Oh man. Okay. Right back in the day. All right, he a legend, man. Already a legend. But I found out that he was, him and the label got into it. He was doing dirty stuff with the label. My first experience. Then, um, not only this, but as an artist on the label, um, I'm writing for other artists. Right? There's another artist on the label. I'm not, I'm not gonna get into details. You guys wouldn't know who he was.  So I'm writing music for him. Um, I'm actually open, like perform. I'm his hype man at shows.  And the concept of the record label was no cursing. Right? I graduated high school and the concept of the label was no cursing. So that's how they got, they got, that's how they got such a good investment for the, for the label because people are like, oh, this is positive hip hop. And, um, and, and they were buying into it because it was supposed to be, um, I originally got involved with the company because it was supposed to be the Raps American Idol. Right? It was the, that was back when American Idol was big and now they wanted to do a TV show for rappers like American Idol. So we shot a pilot and then I got signed to the record label from the pilot of the TV show. So long story short, right? No, I've been through it. I've been through it. Well, that's, but that's what I'm saying. I had to go through it to get to here, bro. So, um, so Rob, you, the, um, my brother Rob, who you, who you were speaking with, he was, um, he graduated from Florida state. He's fresh out of college and the record label sold him a dream and said, come down here, be an A&R for this record label.  We got half a million dollars. Everything's moving. Brr! Come down. So he comes down, nothing, bro, nothing's happening. They go, they go try to sell the other artists to the record label. And they say, no, at this point, just to give you like the, the setting is there's no other white rappers besides Eminem and maybe like, Asher Rock. Like I don't eat bubble sparks. You feel me? Like right now you can there's a handful of them.  So at this time, I had a couple of songs out and they go, and I'm the second option. I'm like second string, you feel me? Cause I'm the young guy fresh out of high school. So they go try to sell this guy. And this guy back then was about 40. I don't know what they're thinking. They invested in them though. 40, he's like a hip hop break dancer and he's got one little tube right there. So listen. Listen, so with that being said, they try to sell him and the record labels were like, no. And the people who brought us to the record labels was another industry big wig. And his name was Mari Starr. I don't know if you know Mari Starr. So you know, Mari Starr was doing consulting for the label. And Mari Starr is the boy band guru. He created New Edition, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, like the boy band, whatever. You know, he was in the New Edition movie as well. So he was part of the label consulting. And once the other artist was not basically sold, they didn't set, they turned him down. I was like, oh, we got this white artist as well. Check him out. And this is back in the day where, so I had two labels back in the day out of Fresh Outta High School, Warner Brothers and Mercury and Island Def Jam. We're all like interested in me.  Florida, okay, cool. So with that being said, they come back and then I'm already on a, this is how crazy contracts are. This is how I learned. When I signed the recording contract, man, I was a fool. I didn't even have an attorney present. I just signed the recording contract. And it was literally a 360 deal. And it was like a sixth album, 360 deal, bro. It was like wild, bro. I would still be in that record deal right now if I didn't find an entertainment lawyer to get me out. And that label of course went under and they're not even around anymore. But basically they were trying to get me. So this is where it comes out to the point where I had to learn quickly. I was signed to the record label as an artist. Now the CEO, the CEO of the record label came to me individually and tried to manage me. Now a lot of people like, they might look at that like, what's wrong with that? He's, you know, he trying to listen. First of all, it's conflict of interest. Conflict of interest. Okay, first of all conflict of interest. And if anybody's listening, they don't know that is a CEO is supposed to worry about his company. If I'm the CEO of my company, I don't care about anything else but my company. Okay, that's your main priority. That's your job actually to worry about your company. But as my manager, you got to worry about the artist first. The manager, you know, is not for, you know, the not CEO. So that's the first conflict. And it's just like, I know if you're doing a negotiation it's going to be for your label and not for me. 100% man. So it costs people like entertainment lawyers and things like that. Like really, like your lawyer shouldn't necessarily even be your manager's lawyer.  So many and who's paying like, if you like say, for instance, I was using the, when I was signed to the record label I was using the record labels attorney. I'm not paying that, I'm not paying that lawyer. I don't got that retainer fee. Her loyalty is not to me. You feel me? So she might think I'm cool, a great artist, but at the end of the day, who's cutting your paycheck? That's who you're going to listen to. So with that being said, I didn't sign the contract. And when I didn't sign the individual management contract because not only is it conflict of interest but then it's like double dipping because you're getting a salary from the record label. And then you get 15% as my manager from everything I make. So think about that. I'm like, okay. And then it's a slap in the face to my brother because Rob is my acting manager. He's doing everything. Me and him were sleeping at his sister's house or our sister's house in a one bedroom apartment on the floor. Like y'all telling us you're about to put us up in the condos, like selling us dreams. And we drive like literally from like 45 minutes a day down to this office and we're in the office every day. And they just selling us dreams. So like soon as I didn't sign that, bro they flipped the script on me, bro. Like I know I should have never called this kid family. Oh, like it flipped the script. So I went to the studio. The next- Hold on real quick.  Oh my God. Family and family is the most mixed. Don't let somebody like, I had the wool pulled over my eyes with the family line. Like, I haven't been to your house. I didn't, I hung out with your kids. We're cool. Like family ties. And then I didn't sign one contract and it's out of the door. You feel what I'm saying? Like, cause all your family you're supposed to sign. But I would have made him a very rich man. You know what I'm saying? That's why my grind has been a slow grind because I've like had to navigate through certain things like that to where that stuff almost scarred me. You know what I'm saying? I was 18 years old when all this happened. So it scarred me. And like I had to go through it like and learn, bro. Like cause if I wouldn't have learned from it I would have just signed the next contract. Cause I've had three or four like other like produce or either a producer wants me to sign. Somebody wanted me to start a record label with them. Like just so many other like quote unquote opportunities. But at the same time, like I had to like really evaluate if it's good or bad for me. Cause if I would have, you know just when it was just signed anything I could, you know I might not even be a rapper right now. You feel me? I would have been messed up but I've worked at a nine to five, like lost my dream. Hey, I feel you. Yeah, bro. So, but you know, after that record label I got it even the entertainment lawyer who got me out of that contract he tried to sign me. Like it's just crazy how, how cut this industry is. But like and Rob has been like it's just a couple of people that you're going to find that are for the long haul like are going to be in your corner. No matter what, like whether it's there, like Rob like I've lost 30 to $50,000. I know Rob has lost that just like in promoting stuff and like over the years, like, you know like the money pit, you know music is a money pit, bro. The weather, whether either way you look at it. That's, hey man, that that story is wild, man. But I know it. But now in a position where I can I'm negotiating right now with like so my goal, brother between me and you is to be at the rock nation brunch next year. Okay. And between me and you brand man shot. I'm on, I'm on track to reach my goal, brother. And I'm working hard for it. Hey, but we got to do an update.  Yeah. Yeah. I got to, you got to put that all on a deal, man. We got we're going to show the world. So just just to show you how far how many handshakes away from Beyonce you are. I've been working with with rock nation. And I've been working with real Carter. Real Carter is an A and R from rock nation. And he has a tour and it's called the real Carter culture tour. And basically I got a part of that. And it was a I did probably three or four dates. And then we did a compilation album. And then from the compilation album, I wrote on it. I had to bet like I had, I had a song on it. And now I'm just working with them now and talking to them now. So it's like, we're in a great position. So it's just negotiating right now with, with, with that. Hey man.  That's it. That's just on the low right there between me and you. Hey, on the low, man. You in this on the low on my channel. Yeah. On your channel, bro. Between me and you. I ain't told nobody that you the first outlet.  Just because we're negotiating and I wanted to be the right situation. You know, I feel like, I feel like I could be successful with that, with that, with those around, with those people around me. That's nice. But that's not the, that's not the all the time. Like if it's the right deal, let's be partners.  I'm for it, man. Like don't let those, those rules is like, yeah, it'll be beneficial, but if you get there and you realize it's not which one makes sense. Yeah. Oh man. Bro, I was, I was what I thought it was.  I'm not going to say what record label it came from, but bro, they said in the contract that like, they have the like the opportunity to own all of your, what the masters previously on, previously recorded masters. Like they want to, they want to know if we can get that in writing, if both parties agree in writing that the new record label would take over masters. I'm like, what? I'm like, and honestly, like, if I wasn't a marinated artist, a seasoned artist, but everything else looks very appealing on the project. Right. You know, excuse me, on the contract, but it's just, it's so much to consider, bro. And like, you don't want to, everybody's trying to make it. And it's just like, if I don't do this, do I, we're like, will I make it or is this that if? So, you know, you want to make sure it's right though, bro. You got to believe that you're going to make it regardless. Right. That's kind of one of those parts of, you know, like whether it's delusional or not at some point, it feels that it might feel that way at times, but.  I'm telling you, bro, I lost everything committing to music, bro. I left everything from my car, my apartment, my girlfriend, like literally like, I was down to like, what can I lose next, bro? Like, I don't have, like, I don't have no money.  And, you know what it was when I quit my job and I started doing music full time. And October of 2017, I quit my job. And then for the whole, so that whole, since October of 2017 until like, then I was just going through it, bro. Like, one thing after another, I spent all my money on the wet tape to get it recorded and put out and then I put it out and I don't got no money to promote it. And I'm like, how am I gonna, like, it's just so, it was terrible, bro. And it just had to, I had to like risk it, like that, when I said that, look in the mirror and find my truth, like be honest with myself, like what I'm doing, what I'm not doing and what I want to do, like, geez. But hey man, I'm here now, bro. So I'm able to like use what I've been through to hopefully help somebody else.  It's crazy how we need to see other people do it to believe in ourself to do it. Yeah, go that way a lot of times for people.  It's hard, man. Like, it takes a lot of courage to just believe in yourself to do something that you ain't never seen nobody do. Right. You know? Right. It just is that way. You know what? In any field though, in any field, doing what you're doing, bro, it take a lot of courage and a lot of consistency. Like, that's probably my biggest flaw for myself. Yeah. It's being inconsistent sometimes. Like, I'll have a great, like, and I get great feedback and that's not the problem. The problem is me being, you know, being resilient and going at it every time and not getting overthinking myself and underdoing. That's done happen so much to us, bro. Hey, man, look, I done been there, just creating videos sometimes, man. I'm crazy about those where I'll record it. Well, first of all, it'll take me, I'm like, all right, I'm about to record it in the next 10 minutes after I set up. Five hours later, I'm sitting there thinking about, like, and trying to restructure stuff and how should that go and does this matter and all that kind of stuff. Right. And you hard on yourself, man. You hard on yourself, man. I still hate it after I recorded it. And then, matter of fact, I got one video, man. That's drunk last week. You know, my video editor did it. He was like, I'll see this. And I was like, man, I ain't liking how that felt. I really didn't like that video, but I'm gonna give it to him. And, you know, look, it's not even out yet, but it was like, I said, he's gonna edit it, but I'm probably not gonna release it. But I was like, no, I'm just gonna let him edit it, but I'm not just, I'm not gonna say nothing. I didn't like how I went. But this man never really said as much about my videos. Right. This video, out of all videos, he said, yo, this video is dope, man. And this video is perfect. I'm like, ah. Oh.  That's what it is, you know what I mean? So it was like, when you had those experiences, it was like, I'm just over thinking it. We all have like those moments. And a lot of my stuff honestly is like me pushing past like just that same over thinking. Like something, when I started, I told myself, I was gonna do two videos a week for a year. Okay. Like once I committed to it, first I was just doing them with fun, but then I said, no, I'm gonna take it seriously. I said two for a year, because for one, like if I said, I'm gonna do a certain number, that means like, all right, look, time is up. You've been wanting to, like you don't like how it is, but you gotta put something out at this point, right? And I committed to a whole year. So I was like, I'm not comfortable and I don't wanna be out looking. Just put it out. And since I did, and I just stuck to that number at that time, I was like, it's not about whether I'm successful. You know, I wanted to maybe have 1,000 subscribers at the end of the year just to have a goal, but it wasn't about really hitting that goal. It's just about like, if you execute, you do it. If people don't like it, cool, just do something else. People see value in it, keep doing it, you know, and learn from that lesson. Sometimes we guys gotta create like a structure for ourselves to get out our own head. Like that's what I try to promote. Like, what are your issues and how do you create a structure to act as an assurance for your own issues? Come on, come on. That's some quality work right there, bro. Yeah, bro. Yeah, man, like real quick, because like, you've given a lot, man. And I just want to add a little bit more context because you said you quit your job, right? And stuff went heavy.  But what was, first of all, what was your mentality when you quit? Was it just like, I don't, like I have a certain amount of money and I think this is enough and I'm gonna be able to quit? Or you just like got mad, work one day? Like, how did that go for you? It went like this. There was moving in my department. I'll tell you my job. I was an audio, I'm an audio video technician. I worked for the Tampa Bay Rays, the baseball team. And I was a house sound guy, did all the audio, video broadcast, engineering that kind of stuff. So I did that and I had a day where they kind of moved people around in my department and then they changed my boss and I didn't get the position. And from there, I left, right? But the last thing I remember was the VP of my department saying, good luck with your music. Like he knew already what was going down. So with that being said, like my mentor, I didn't have a lot of money, but what they did is they gave me severance when I left. So they paid me for a couple more months and I went to Atlanta, bro. And I started recording. That's the first thing I did. And I recorded, I just caught a one-way flight, bro. I said, forget it. You know, I had my assistant stuff up here and I just started locking in with every producer I could find working. And the wet tape was not even in the works, but I recorded, maybe when you get a chance to check out the page, I did a song called Wish You Well. Yeah, I'ma try it. And I got to shoot a video for it. And I worked with Bolo. He's a platinum producer from, he's from Florida, but he lives in Atlanta. He did some old stuff for T-Pain. And then the most recent thing, biggest song he did was, I think, the Whippin' Nene by Salento. That Flash Me Whip, he did that song. But I got up with him and just started working. And like, bro, it was literally like that whole year from when I quit my job to like, I went to Atlanta, I worked, then I came back. I mean, my girl didn't work out. Then my car, you know, I'm not working. I'm just an artist. I ain't got no money. My car payment falling behind. Shit got repolled.   Shit got repolled. Now I got no car, no job, no girl.  I'm like, this is the project. I want to do a project called Wet Take for the Ladies. It was supposed to come out in February, right? Of 2018, I missed the deadline. I didn't get it out until August 31st. So it's been out since August 31st of 2018. So I did, so it was like six months now, six, seven months. So with that, oh, it's March, yeah. So it just was like, it was just like, what am I gonna do now? I know, I know what I'm capable of doing. How can I make it happen? Like it's almost like I'm on an island and I need to build a bridge to get over to my dreams. Like, you know what I'm saying? To get back over to the mainland. That's an analogy I could use it as like, how can I build this bridge to get where I want to go? And I'm not all the way across the bridge yet, but I can at least see light at the end of the tunnel. Yeah. You know, so. The land again. Right, right. But honestly, like you said, in being an artist full time now, the successes are great, but as an artist, how long will my successes last before it's not trendy anymore? You know, like my project is going great. Like I'm averaging streams, hundreds of thousands of streams a month now, you know, with my project. But what happens when people don't like want to listen to it every day? Like music, like what is the expiration date of the project? Not like it will expire, but it's not going to be a priority or it's not going to be on the top of people's mind anymore. What am I going to do now? Because I'm living off of music. So I got to, so that's another pressure coming out. Like it's creeping through the back door. You feel like I can feel it on the back of my neck. Like, well, you need to get some more work going on and get some more stuff going. So cause it's like, it's the same thing with you. Like if you ain't making more videos, more content, then it's not, you know, it's not continuing to grow. Yeah, 1,000. It's on the back of my neck. It's breathing on the back of my neck. Yeah, next hit records, bro. Whatever, I'm trying to make something happen. Well, bro, you got to cap off, you got to cap off at the moment, man. You got to keep putting in there. Yeah, for sure. Last question, bro. How many followers on Facebook, Instagram, what does your social presence look like when you quit your job and what, late 2017? Okay. I had 30,000 followers. 30,000 followers on Facebook. Excuse me. Hold on. I had 35 to 40,000 followers on Instagram. Okay. And me, of course, of me going viral and then me having, me networking and finding followers to repost my stuff. Like I got friends in an NFL. I got friends who played baseball. I got different people who gave me like, over time, like they just repost my stuff. Like randomly, like some people I asked, some people I did, but like that, and then just kept like literally domino effect. Like one person see it, next person see it and then just doing challenges. Like I know it's like, it's not like likely for everybody to be able to gain, but this is just me, like I'm saying, me finding what worked for me. Like I found that me doing freestyle, then me being white, I'm not even, let's not lie about that. Let's not lie about me being white and then being a rapper and like me being able to like rap and then look like this and sound like this. And then like, I try to use that to my advantage to where I'm more marketable. If you're scrolling down the timeline, why do you want to stop on my video? You know what I'm saying? Like, so me just looking like how I am and sounding how I am, I feel like that helped me, honestly. Bro, hey man, like the level of like introspection and like for real self-awareness, cause a lot of people don't even acknowledge that. Like just the little things they got going on.  Cause once you're aware of it, then like you can flip it. Like, it's not about whether people- Once I'm aware I can use it. If I'm not aware of it, there's no way I can put it in my toolbox. I do it in my toolbox, bro. Exactly. And when I try to tell people it's like, it's not about whether people should care or not about certain things you got going on. It's the fact that people do care about certain things not going on or things are weird to them. So once you're aware of how other people are going to look at things in the first place, then you can use that to your advantage, bro. What you have. And that's all you did. So, amen. And it's try to be like the next thing I was saying, I got a one question for you with the last thing I was saying about that. It's like, not only do you find what works for you, but it's only going to work if you being authentic. Like, I don't try to rap about stuff I don't do. So therefore nobody going to fact check me. Nobody got a fact check. You feel me? Like what I'm talking about is what I'm talking about because it's my like, of course music is the best, the big of rap music is the biggest form of storytelling, exaggeration, you know, like making yourself look great. Of course, but at the same time, like be authentic to your brand.  I'm still trying to be the same brand and be the same me.  Like don't try to blend into everything you go. Like I'm in the, I'm in the rap. Like I'm in Atlanta with some, with some, you know, artists like 21 Savage and the Migos. I'm not trying to sound like 21 Savage and the Migos because I'm around that, you feel what I'm saying? Don't try to blend into the brand, be the brand. But I love it, bro. Straight to it. My question for you, my brother is, of course, bro, I'm a fan of yours, your page and the way you move and how, how, how intelligent you are and how much you've learned in a short amount of time. And how much you will learn. Like that's going to be so dope to where you get to. Cause right now your base of knowledge is like, like, like second to none, like not too many people have that base of knowledge that you have. So my next, my question is with you growing, what, what is your, of course, you know, like you want to do different things, but what is your overall goal with what you're doing? Man, my overall goal is honestly to create an education platform that is like the foundation on knowledge base, kind of like how you actually said, it's funny that you said that I never thought about it that way, but if everything like failed, you know, nothing else was left, like people could start their career off of just the information on this channel. Right. So that's number one. At first last year, one of the, one of the reasons, I had a lot of stuff going on last year. Well, last year was probably like, actually one of the craziest and like worst years in my life too, but, and it was a two month period when I stopped the channel, it's a lot of things going on, but one of the things that contributed to that in terms of the channel was I had felt like I already did that in terms of like the foundation was there. Then I got to a point where I was like, you know what, there are some things I can add, namely adding more people. All right. Unfortunately, that video cut short. We had some technical difficulties, but hopefully at some point in the future, me and Lee Jit will be able to catch up again and have another conversation, but I would love to know what you guys think. You can put that in the comment section below, put them thoughts down there. We can engage. And other than that, if you liked this video, go hit the like button. If you like your minds, we'll share it. And if you're not subscribed, you know what to do. Hit that subscribe.


And the Yen Tai people always say the Qingdao people are cocky though. I'm from Qingdao. Oh, you're from Qingdao? Is that true? That's true. Very confident. Do you think this dish, even this one, will get more popular in Qingdao? It's probably already super popular. There are so many different types of Chinese food. We like to try them. Eight different types traditionally. Fourteen types in modern days. However, there is one for Chinese millennials that reigns supreme. Sichuan food. It is the most popular and trendiest style of Chinese food currently across the world everywhere from Australia, Canada, America, even South Korea. Why is Sichuan food so popular? To answer this question, we, one, have to eat a lot of Sichuan food. And two, we got to talk to people who are involved in the way, people who are owning restaurants and serving Sichuan-ized food. Not all of them are from Sichuan. Guys, if you guys are excited about this video, hit that like button, click subscribe, and turn on your notifications. Andrew, is this the Sichuan-ification of everything? It could be, but we got to find out. Andrew, we have arrived at Tao's Kitchen. In my opinion, the hottest must-go-to underground spot in the 626 right now. Tao's Kitchen, very hard to find on Yelp, and their style of chicken is based off of the Sichuan dish Kousui Ji, which we have covered on our channel, the Mouthwater Chicken. But their version is from Qingdao, which is up north. They are actually one of the only Chinese dishes that I've noticed recently that uses a lot of line. We got to go into Tao's Kitchen, you guys got to see for yourself. We got to get the boneless chicken feet. Morning. We got to get the boneless chicken feet. Let's get it. We are looking at two versions of Qingdao Malaji. We have the Tang Jiao flavor, and this is the Shang La, which is almost more similar to a Kousui Ji.  And then here you have the Tang Jiao flavor of the chicken feet. They go through a very laborious process. First up, the Shang La Ji. Shang La means fragrant hot. And this is their own version of garlic chili oil. So that's why she said I'm not really tripping, because other people, they're not going to put the work in to make the sauces like me. It is spicy, but it's actually not overwhelming. There is that mala numbing sensation, but man, it's good. That piece is extra good. You know why? Because it's a dark meat piece. You've got a lot of skin, you've got a lot of fat, and you're going to eat around the bone. This dish is a five out of five. Our second flavor of chicken here, Tang Jiao Ji, AKA Sichuan peppercorn flavor. Like, she threw in peppers, garlic, fresh chilies, and then on top of that, she just squeezed in all those limes. With the inclusion of lime and the ratios between the green onion and the cilantro to essentially make a flavor that to me is unappealing to feel very bright and fresh. David, between the two, which one is your favorite? Shang La Ji or Tang Jiao? Which one is your favorite, bro? I'm still going with my original love, the Shang La Ji. She said all girls like the Shang La, and guys get the Tang Jiao, but... You're doing it for the ladies! Let's try the chicken feet. Shang La flavor. It's different than the skin of a chicken because it's less fatty and it's got more texture. It's almost more similar to enjoying the tendon pieces and southern food. Here we have the foreshadow. This is kind of like the carb that you can get here. Look how flaky this thing is. David, let's go try this Tang Jiao flavor of the chicken feet. For chicken feet, I'm going Tang Jiao all the way. Okay, okay. I can rock with you on that. The chicken feet here, Tang Jiao flavor is actually better. As you can see, a lot of young people like it. Like they know. You know what I mean? I haven't necessarily seen somebody who was like 80 in here. Is that the tang bro? Yeah. All right, John, try it, man. Chicken feet. Deboned. Oh, I've never even had that feeling before because like you always got to take it one bite at a time. Good. Which one? So good. Which one? Tong Jiao, man. On this day, it's so hot already. Man, just... I would eat the entire thing if I could right now. We got to go to the next place. This Tang cuisine is so popular nowadays. I think there is... Yeah, like some people might associate Chinese food with more and more like Sichuan cuisine. So what's the future? Do you think Sichuan food is just going to take over China? Like people are going to think it's just only Sichuan food when they think of Chinese food? It's definitely become a more popular trend. You see a lot of these like Malagu, these like hot pods are spicy. Like even no matter where you are, you'll always find something that's similar and even authentic. Like you don't have to be in Sichuan to have authentic Sichuan cuisine. Do you guys personally think the spiciness is a little bit overrated right now? Like people kind of just into it for the feeling? Yeah, I mean, I can't do it. I can't do the mala. So like I think it's overrated, but I mean, every teacher of you know. I think it's great. Like honestly, I think it's just... It's something that makes you more addicted to Chinese food. Because sometimes with other types of Chinese food, you kind of get sick of it after a while. Because of like the oil and the salt. But spiciness kind of makes it more acceptable to eat like on a daily basis. We're talking about the Sichuan takeover of modern Chinese cuisine. Let's go straight to Sichuan, Tuchandu, Hibiscus tree. And they're serving essentially like mini Chuan Chuan pots. Everybody knows mala hot pot. Essentially they cook it in that same mala pot in the back. And then they put it in individual servings for you in a bowl and serve it to you there. So it's this new style in China that is kind of skipping a step. Alright, and we are in Hibiscus tree and this is a cold skewer. So these are all the same things that you would actually get in a hot Chuan Chuan. Except it's just cold, so let's try it. I was looking at the broccoli. Yeah, I was actually looking at the potato. It is spicy, but not as spicy as you think. This is actually really good. Alright, here we got the gridded tofu pee. This is the more tough tofu skins. Really easy to eat, wow. It looks spicy, but you can just devour these. What else are you picking, man? So I saw some wood ears, put some potato slices. I think I would more go for the beef. John, let's go ahead and let's see where you're at, bro. I ain't going for any average joke here. We're going to only try two. Doing this for you. You should try out new things in life and this is an example of that right here. It's good. Now let's go with the marinated beef. Marinated beef, yeah. A lot of flavors going on. You know that fermented black bean. You have the garlic, the fresh chilies. My mouth is, good thing I have this yogurt drink. Alright, moving on to the number two dish and they get to pick a bunch of different things. It's got a little bit thicker oil. In a way, versus a hot pot, it packs a much harder punch. As far as just spicy flavor, if this is what you like, almost that's one of the best things you can get. And when I saw the Bing Fun, I'm a Bing Fun fanatic. So you have chopped Hawthorne flakes right there, aka Haw Flakes. Okay, you have dried raisins right there and then you have chopped peanuts. We eat it like that, yeah. Every spot we go to we're looking for the five out of five for me personally. I'm going with the Bing Fun here. I think that if you're looking for a Chinese food that gives you like some crazy sensation, obviously Sichuan food is the way to go. It's very, like that girl was saying, addictive. So it just kind of makes you want to eat more. We have arrived at DX Labs. DX stands for Dong Xi, so it's the first D and then the X. I have never seen anything that's more arch-bazzling. It's kind of cool. You were born in Chengdu? Yeah. Why do you think that it seems like people from Sichuan have like a little bit more like free thinking? I've actually went back there in 2017 for the first time in like 10, 15 years and it was like way different than what I expected. It was, everyone's like chill and some people know English and it's just like a totally different one. Also my grandparents, like they were chill with tattoo and my grandma actually took me for my first tattoo. So kind of different than another part of China. So we're going to get back there, see how you guys are making some of you guys's unique food. So let's check it out. Are you guys speaking Mandarin or Chengdu Hua back here? She speaks Chengdu and I know a little bit so I kind of just like go with it. All the flavors in the baozi is all natural. So all the greens are spinach, yellow or carrots. Okay, so this is not artificial coloring? No, they're all natural. So the greens is greens. The orange is carrots. How do you guys get the blue? The blue one is actually from the butterfly flower pea. It's something new. And people actually move here from Chengdu who grew up in China and think it's also cool as well because they taste the authentic flavor but with like a brand new look or food they've never had before. We've arrived at DX Labs, Andrew. This is the Leaf Wrap Savage Mochi. A pork mochi wrapped in a leaf. It's that classic pork and mushroom flavor but I've never had it in like this rice mochi outer which I think is totally unique adds to the different textures that are going on in my mouth. If you guys are a fan of mochi this is the most savory mochi I've ever had. Way more traditional though. And now we have their baozi. DX baozi. You know, I can't say that I taste the color of the bun but does it make it more interesting to eat? I would say yeah. The steamed baozi is like such a traditional old recipe and eating all over that. It's not bad to mix it up and kind of add a new look to it. Alright, this is a very famous Chengdu street food. It's called Zha to Rou Tiao. So it's just, I mean it's a fried pork strip. Mentally, I'm back in Chengdu. Really juicy and this really kicks it up a notch and this dried chili is pretty important. You don't see fried pork that often in Chinese food but that's a good one. You have got a Liang Fen. So if you guys know this is a pretty much a thick translucent yam noodle. Really savory. Almost looks like the Bing Fun but with the more, you know, my life flavor. I love that they really focus on street foods here. Here we got the Bing Bing chicken. Not nearly as spicy as we've been. Really juicy. I like that a lot. It's interesting about this eater but my mouth doesn't feel it but my nose feels it. Eating all the Sichuan dishes one after another. It starts to get to you because it's just a lot of chili oil.  Here's the devil one ton and now this one ton is supposed to be super spicy. I'm trying to debate how much of this chili I actually want on my one ton. Oh my goodness. Dave, you're going in. I'm not scared. Oh, not hot. Not hot. Dude, do you see this chili? I already know I'm gonna feel that later. This chili oil is nothing compared to this fresh chili. If you're an adventurous one and you think you can take hot food, come to DX Lab and try these devil one ton. Alright guys, here's their take on Don Don Man. I'm interested to see how it's different. Heavy garlic oil flavor. More lighter on the peanut flavor. Alright, they're the favorite one. Oh man. There is a very addictive quality of this Don Don Man. Yeah. Surprisingly, it's still kind of sweet. So, just the fact that it's a hybrid between what I imagine is a Don Don Man, a Yopua Man, and more sugary. I'm going with the Don Don Man. This is a great segue into Sichuan food. You can really see the influence from the younger generation getting to lab and experiment. A lot of people have been taking good. They started to accepting spicy food. They're willing to try something new. Chengdu is more going internationalized past like 10 years. That's probably like why it's getting popular here. What's so addictive about the spiciness? I think just overall like different the combo of like all the spices, like garlic and other like ingredients and just make it like a little different than like most spicy food you've heard here. It's like not just straight up spicy.  This kind of pain some people will like it so they say it's getting spicier and spicier.  When you eat spicy food, you'll sweat. You'll sweat when you come to China you'll get poisoned. China has eight major dishes. Sichuan food is a representative of spicy food but it can't represent all the dishes. Spicy food is great for your house. It gave it to end off our Sichuan journey. It is very very right that we have Malatang. The biggest difference is you can drink this broth. I think this is one of the reasons why Sichuan food in general is so popular because when you eat something Malatang it like wakes you up. Not only restaurants in China but like even restaurants in New York a lot of them are that are opening have some Sichuan influence. And it's kind of addictive. It is addictive. Between the spicy and the cold and the cooling effect you're switching back and forth you cannot be half asleep eating this food. So this is a crayfish over rice and as you can see the crayfish is very plump. I like this as a great switch up because it's not that spicy. It's more sweet. It has a healthy amount of zucchinis and peppers. Not so much a fried rice because there is no frying but sort of like Chinese jambalaya. This crawfish pepper fried rice is a new thing. This is Malashangua which is more from Chongqing. He actually boiled this and then he stir fried it later. A lot of people get this to go because it holds up a lot better as a to-go item than the Malatang. So this is actually the pot that I chose the ingredients for. The ramen and the beef the ramen was a good pick for this. Way more fragrant and less oily than dry hot pot. It is a little bit easier to eat than even the Malatang. I'm taking the Malashangua over the Malatang for me.  We have a ultra spicy chicken steak here. It has a little bit of that cumin season that you might get from a young Rochua. A lot of things can be fit into the Sichuan world by just making it ultra spicy. Hey man, fried chicken is hard to beat. David, as the many different Sichuan dishes and spices and oils are mixing in our stomachs right now, a lot of thoughts are coming to mind. I think for me the thing that I've taken away is that it really is addicting. And I think one thing I realized is that a lot of people want to open up Sichuan restaurants. One, because the food is good and they enjoy it themselves. But two, also the other people who enjoy it might be maybe of the younger generation. So in a way, you're opening a younger spot.   Now you guys let us know in the comments below if you like how Sichuan food is so popular or maybe some people out there still think it's overrated. Make sure you like, subscribe, turn on your notifications. And until next time, we out. Peace. Woo, y'all did the double one ton is hot. You said it started as a challenge.