- 15 hours ago
Yes Girl Podcast with Julee Wilson (guest host) and Charli Penn interviews Tank
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Julia, are you ready for this?
00:01Girl, you have your shoulders out.
00:03My shoulders are out.
00:04My husband was like, it is too cold outside.
00:08I was like, don't worry about it.
00:10I'm going to be hot today.
00:11He was checking from the door.
00:13Why are your shoulders out?
00:14I was like, don't worry about it.
00:16Don't worry about it.
00:17Tank is here.
00:17His shoulder out there at work.
00:18Tank, what's up?
00:19Hello.
00:20How you doing?
00:20Welcome back to Essence.
00:21Your family.
00:22Yes, absolutely.
00:23I'm telling y'all, I was calling somebody's government name when he came in.
00:26Yeah, a check would have had to go along with that.
00:28You started throwing government names around it.
00:30And I know y'all got it.
00:32We're black now, sir.
00:33What does that mean?
00:34That means we're thriving, but you know.
00:36I'm about to say, yeah.
00:37Yeah.
00:38Y'all cooking on nice lights and everything down here.
00:40Come on.
00:40You like the setup?
00:40I feel good.
00:41Good couch.
00:42Yeah.
00:43You got a new album for us.
00:44I do.
00:45Elevation.
00:46Elevation, yes.
00:46This Friday.
00:47This Friday.
00:48I'm so excited.
00:49You know we stand for you.
00:51There's some songs out.
00:52You're sprinkling them out.
00:53There's some sprinkle in the atmosphere.
00:55Yeah.
00:55There's some dirty in the atmosphere.
00:58This song, the first lyric, sir.
01:00You don't waste any time.
01:01The first line.
01:03Yeah, I didn't think we should waste any time.
01:04I was just like, wow.
01:06He just.
01:06You don't play.
01:07Just go in there.
01:08First line.
01:09Yeah, first line.
01:10The king of baby making music.
01:12I'll take it.
01:13I think you have to receive that.
01:13I'll take it.
01:14Like, I mean.
01:15At this point.
01:15I mean, we've already win weed for a very long time.
01:19Like, the foreplay has been.
01:20Hold on.
01:21Slowly?
01:21Slow.
01:22Like, we've done it.
01:23So now it's time to, you know, when people play the music, like, you know, they just take
01:28their clothes off.
01:29It's not like, you know.
01:29They know what it is.
01:30Yeah.
01:30They know what it is.
01:31We're not warming up and stretching no more.
01:33How many baby pictures do you get for Christmas?
01:35Like, meet baby tank.
01:37You know what?
01:38People have to sign in your DM and say, like, we made this child to you.
01:43I have met a lot of people who say.
01:47I mean, did you snort?
01:52I'm sorry.
01:53I don't know where that came from.
01:55It was honest.
01:56It was honest and organic.
01:58You tried to look away.
02:00I was like.
02:01You just tried to throw it away.
02:03Like, that's what we do here.
02:04She was like, hmm.
02:05Well played, George.
02:06All right.
02:06Bring it back.
02:07Baby tank.
02:08No, no.
02:09I've met a lot of people who've said they've made actual babies.
02:13I bet.
02:13Like, real babies.
02:15And then I've met, I think I've even met some kids that were like, yeah, I was born
02:19to you, that were able to articulate.
02:21Wait, absolutely.
02:21They, like, said it.
02:22Said it, yeah.
02:23Like, my parents told me.
02:24My parents told me, yeah.
02:24At least 100 Atlanta, 2003.
02:27When's slowly?
02:282002?
02:28Slowly's 2001.
02:292001.
02:30Because I was at Spelman in Atlanta.
02:32And I remember, you remember back then, like, even now, but people blast the R&B song at
02:36the stoplight.
02:37Yes.
02:37And I didn't have a car because I was in college.
02:39And we'd be waiting on the Marta.
02:40And every car that would pull up at the light would be playing a sing song.
02:43Playing a song.
02:44Maybe I deserve or slowly.
02:46Yeah, those were good times.
02:47I mean.
02:47Why can't we get them on the stream?
02:49What's up?
02:50I'm on Tidal.
02:51Like, where is it?
02:52Spotify.
02:53My first three albums are tied up with the first record company.
02:57Got it.
02:57That's why.
02:58They're holding them hostage.
02:59Some other stuff going on.
03:01Okay.
03:01I don't want to call the songs hostages.
03:03Well, they're still classics.
03:04But they're, yeah.
03:05They're definitely being held up.
03:06They're so good.
03:06Yeah, they're so good.
03:07I want to be able to just.
03:08So good.
03:08We'll get them to you.
03:09Do you have a favorite song that you've made?
03:12No.
03:13No?
03:13They're like all your children?
03:14I'm still, you know, searching to make my favorite song.
03:18Really?
03:19Yeah.
03:19I mean, I think I've made some really, really cool songs.
03:22And had some really, really cool moments with them.
03:24But I think, you know, I think if you start picking a favorite and get settled into a thing
03:29that you think you've done best and you don't keep searching to get better.
03:34That's true.
03:35Now, do you make love to your own music?
03:37No.
03:38Never?
03:38Never.
03:39Your wife is like, Zena's like, look, sir.
03:41Oh, she definitely don't want to hear it.
03:42Really?
03:43I mean, it's just like, like, I mean, Tank is who he is.
03:48You know what I'm saying?
03:49Is he like your alter ego?
03:50And then Tank, the husband, is like, you know, I mean, different?
03:54I mean, they kind of cross-collateralized.
03:57But, I mean, you know, when I'm at her home, you know what I'm saying?
03:59Like, she, you know, she won't.
04:01But doesn't get hurt in the mood.
04:02She's like.
04:02She want to pull the layers back.
04:04I hear that.
04:04You know what I'm saying?
04:05Peel the onion.
04:05You know what I'm saying?
04:06She don't necessarily want the guy that's on stage.
04:08You know what I'm saying?
04:09I get that.
04:09True.
04:09But, like, your music and your voice does something to her, clearly.
04:14She wanted to marry you, right?
04:15Not just because of that, but because you're so talented.
04:18I'm sure it, like, turns her on, your music.
04:21So she doesn't want to listen to it.
04:22So it's different.
04:23I get that.
04:24It's different.
04:24Like, it's different.
04:26She appreciates it.
04:26She'd be like, we're playing dirty, and I want you to do every single thing you say
04:29in the song as you say it.
04:32This isn't Julie's head, right?
04:34Like, but take it, like, you know, but that's not how good.
04:36But that's interesting because that's your fans thing.
04:38But for me, it's psychological because I'm always critiquing.
04:42You know what I mean?
04:43And I'm always like, ooh, I could have did that a little bit better.
04:45You know what I'm saying?
04:45So you're not concentrating on your wife.
04:46I'm not concentrating on a task at hand.
04:49You know what I'm saying?
04:49I get that.
04:50So I can't.
04:50You know, let me call my engineer and see if I can turn that up.
04:52Like, I can't.
04:53You're hearing everything.
04:54I'm hearing everything.
04:55And you play at least five instruments.
04:56Yeah.
04:57So you, like, as a true artist, like, okay, drums?
05:00Drums, piano.
05:01Piano.
05:02Guitar?
05:02Trumpet, flute, guitar.
05:04Sir.
05:04Flute?
05:05My sister brought one home one day, and I just started playing it.
05:07So you touch it, and it's like.
05:08You and Lizzo need to do a whole flute situation.
05:10Ooh, now that's the track I need.
05:12Yes.
05:13I mean, she might be a little bit better than me, but, I mean, you let me live with it for about
05:16a month.
05:16I know.
05:17I'll get it back.
05:17Yes.
05:18And flute her out, flute her on out.
05:20Lizzo, I think that's a challenge.
05:22Jazz fluteed the mess out of her.
05:23You know Lizzo doesn't.
05:25Ooh, ooh.
05:25I heard that, no.
05:26I saw that.
05:27Oh, too.
05:28Okay.
05:28I'm going to leave it alone.
05:29I want you to put your shoulders up.
05:30I'm going to like.
05:33Mr. Watkins, I'm over here.
05:36I love you, husband.
05:37Yeah.
05:38Wait, so let me bring it back a little bit.
05:41Please, bring it back.
05:41You started in the church.
05:42Yes.
05:43And then hopped on tour with Genuine.
05:45Yeah, like, how does that work?
05:45Your mind must have been.
05:46How are you going to go to church and then be like.
05:48It doesn't work well.
05:49Ride in the pony.
05:50Where did you hide the Bible on the tour box?
05:52I didn't take it.
05:52Where was your Bible?
05:53I said, there's not enough room.
05:55It's not enough.
05:55It burned upon history.
05:57It's, it was a tough, it was a tough, I mean, to go straight from choir rehearsal to jump
06:03on a plane to L.A.
06:04That's a lot.
06:05To, you know, to, you know, 60 cities, arenas, sold out, singing with Aaliyah, singing with
06:11Genuine.
06:12You know, I was pretty much, you know, I was Genuine's valet the whole tour.
06:16So if he went to the mall, I went to the mall.
06:19If he went to the club, I went to the club.
06:22You know what I'm saying?
06:22Then you're going home to pray in the hotel room.
06:25There was, there was prayer.
06:26There was a form of prayer, of touching and agreeing, you know, a form of spiritual connection.
06:34So, Aaliyah and Genuine, that must have been a fun tour.
06:38Here's the thing, though.
06:40Here's the thing, though.
06:40It's like, as long as I had been in church that summer, I learned more about myself as
06:47a man than I had learned those whole 20 years in church.
06:54What did you learn about yourself?
06:55What kind of man are you?
06:56A lot.
06:59I learned about the things that I liked, the things that I didn't like.
07:02I learned about truths and untruths that I think sometimes religion can put you in a
07:10box and put certain barriers around you.
07:14And as they see it as protection, you don't truly get to the experience and the understanding
07:20or the knowledge, for that matter, to even understand what you're preaching about.
07:25You know what I mean?
07:25I can't tell you.
07:26I can't properly tell you, effectively tell you how to not do something if I've never
07:31experienced it.
07:33You know what I mean?
07:33I'm going to just tell you to kick this habit and don't do that.
07:36He can take this from you.
07:37I don't even know what you're going through.
07:40The struggle.
07:41I don't even know your struggle.
07:43Right.
07:43You know what I mean?
07:44I don't know what your addiction, what that even means.
07:47You know what I mean?
07:48And so being out there on the road and going through my share of different things, you know
07:53I mean, whether it be sexual, whether it be drugs, whether it be whatever, and then having
07:58an understanding, a different understanding of it.
08:00Ah, this is why they be true.
08:02You know what I'm saying?
08:03This is why it's not just as easy as.
08:06Don't do it.
08:07It's not that easy.
08:11It's a journey.
08:12It's a struggle.
08:13It's a process.
08:14It's a journey.
08:14It's a journey.
08:15You know what I mean?
08:16Rome wasn't built in a day in either direction.
08:18Right.
08:19You know what I'm saying?
08:20So you don't just wake up one day and you're addicted to crack rock.
08:24You know what I'm saying?
08:25It's a process.
08:26Right.
08:26There's things that got you there.
08:28Yeah, absolutely.
08:29You know what I mean?
08:29So it was being out on that road and being amongst those elements that gave me a better
08:36understanding just about life in general.
08:38And I needed that.
08:39I needed that because I needed to find balance.
08:41I was so far over here, you know what I mean, that I didn't know really what was going
08:45on over here.
08:46So I think that summer really started me on a different kind of journey.
08:51And what a treat it must have been to get that time with Aaliyah.
08:53You know, we all miss her so much.
08:55What's your favorite Aaliyah memory from then?
09:00She was way more fun than I think people really realize.
09:05You know what I mean?
09:05She would be quiet in interviews and do her whole little thing.
09:08You know what I'm saying?
09:09But she was like a goofball.
09:11You know what I'm saying?
09:11We both were like goofballs.
09:13So, you know, between cracking jokes and playing games, running down the hallways.
09:16She had jokes.
09:17It was just...
09:18We miss her.
09:19Yeah, absolutely.
09:21She was one in a million.
09:24She was one of a kind.
09:24I mean, for her to have everything that she had at her fingertips and to still be as sweet
09:31and as cool as she was, it was like, I mean, who couldn't love Aaliyah?
09:34Right.
09:35You know what I mean?
09:35Absolutely.
09:35They called me and said, leave her alone.
09:37I was like, I ain't messing with me.
09:39You know, you were like, I'm in love with her, but I'm not going to do anything.
09:41Right.
09:42She was special.
09:44Really special.
09:44And you work with so many incredible artists.
09:47Like, I feel like people don't know how many songs you've blessed and touched that weren't
09:51even your own.
09:52Right.
09:53That was my gift.
09:54Yeah.
09:54That was the gift that actually, you know, came out of a struggle.
09:59You know, it came out of being on the shelf for five years.
10:04Five years you were on the shelf?
10:05Yeah, I was on the shelf from 2002 to 2007.
10:09You know what?
10:10Yeah, you didn't realize it.
10:12No, because I was still bumping those 2001 joints.
10:15We ride with you.
10:16I mean.
10:17That's true.
10:17You know what I mean?
10:18When your music is so good.
10:20I was on the shelf.
10:21What?
10:22You know, a little label dispute or what have you.
10:26And I had to eat.
10:29Yeah.
10:29And I was like, man, maybe I should sell some of this music.
10:32Because, you know, I was being Devontae for a second.
10:35You know what I'm saying?
10:35My music is for me.
10:36Nobody sing my music like me.
10:38You know what I'm saying?
10:39Of course.
10:39They not me.
10:41And I'm like, but I'm hungry.
10:43Right, right, right.
10:44Bills need to be paid.
10:45I'm so hungry.
10:46Kids are involved.
10:48Yeah.
10:48They hungry.
10:49And I started writing the producers.
10:51So did you just reach out to your friends and say, I've got this great song.
10:56Being in L.A.
10:57I think would be good for you.
10:58Well, the beauty of, you know, number one, being in L.A. and being able to rub shoulders
11:03with, you know, practically anybody was a blessing.
11:07But also, you know, my first hit record was a song I wrote and produced 100%.
11:11So that, you know, that information circulated.
11:14Receipts.
11:14So people were, you know.
11:16All the receipts.
11:17People knew.
11:18People were just waiting.
11:19And that was Maybe I Deserve?
11:20Yes.
11:20Can we talk about that song for a minute?
11:22Oh, my goodness.
11:22Because I have a throwback memory that I want to know if Julie shares.
11:25Oh.
11:26Julie, we all know the lyrics, clearly.
11:28I used to be like so young and naive.
11:30And I, you know, you dating guys and things that aren't, you know, they aren't right for
11:32you.
11:33They ain't acting right.
11:34I used to play that song in the car or whatever.
11:36Like, you hear this?
11:38Right.
11:38Do I deserve to?
11:39Like, I was dropping him with that track.
11:41Don't act crazy.
11:42Listen.
11:43Because we got options out here.
11:44I got friends coming back into town.
11:45And that little 19-year-old boy was like, over here.
11:48Like, what?
11:49First of all, the song says Maybe.
11:52Maybe.
11:52Okay.
11:54That's the operative word.
11:55Maybe.
11:56Now, I've considered that maybe you can get that off.
12:02Right.
12:02One hall pass.
12:03And there's nothing that I should be able to do about it.
12:05Right.
12:06Now, I haven't come to terms with if I'm actually going to allow such a thing.
12:11Right.
12:12But just maybe.
12:13If I'm being.
12:15For a minute.
12:15If we're being fair.
12:17Yeah.
12:17Well, no.
12:18It's just the lyrics, obviously.
12:20The beat, obviously.
12:22It just got you.
12:23But, like, I love the storytelling in it.
12:25100% real.
12:26You want to listen to the whole song.
12:27Because you're like, I remember what's going to happen.
12:29A real story.
12:31Yeah.
12:31Not a, like, let me make up something that I think people will be into.
12:35Right.
12:36Maybe I Deserve is 100% a real story.
12:39Where did I know a woman?
12:40That was, like, your story?
12:41Yeah.
12:42That really happened.
12:42It really happened.
12:43And you wrote it.
12:44And I wrote it.
12:44You're singing your life with the song.
12:45Yeah.
12:46My ex-wife is calling me for royalties as we speak.
12:48So fine.
12:49Maybe I deserve it.
12:49Like, I need that.
12:50Right.
12:51Like, hello.
12:52You know?
12:53That's all me.
12:54That's my story.
12:55I'm going to need that check.
12:56But you have an uncanny ability, I think, of being able to sing what women want to hear.
13:02Mm-hmm.
13:02You know what I mean?
13:03I give you that 1,000%.
13:05I ask women a lot of questions.
13:07I see that.
13:08You have any questions, Ron?
13:09It's like anthropologists.
13:10Look, I'm like, so you, it's not just your own personal.
13:13You actually sit down and say, like, what are you going through?
13:15I actually listen.
13:16You're listening.
13:17He's a good listener.
13:17Yeah, I listen.
13:18You know what I'm saying?
13:19I'm all ears.
13:20I'm like, yeah, work.
13:21That's great.
13:22You know, I have my advice and I have my things that, you know, to offer.
13:26But for the most part, like, I'm listening.
13:28You know what I'm saying?
13:28I'm seeing it firsthand.
13:30I get it.
13:31And that's where it comes from.
13:33You know, I was raised by my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, all in the same
13:38house.
13:39And you heard the story.
13:40And I saw it.
13:42I heard it firsthand.
13:43You know what I'm saying?
13:43These were strong women.
13:44And, you know, they have their moments where they're not so strong.
13:47You know what I mean?
13:48Vulnerable moments.
13:49Like, all of these things.
13:50And I got to see it all.
13:51You know what I mean?
13:52From a lot of different generations.
13:54That's a lot of strong black women under Wambu.
13:56Sheesh.
13:56You're telling me.
13:57What did they think of your music?
13:58Like, your family?
13:59They love it.
14:00They love it.
14:01They're not playing dirty, though.
14:02Was your mom like, ooh.
14:03Well, I mean, they're not like.
14:04Are you going to actually, you're saying to do that?
14:07My mama always called me and said, boy, you're so nasty.
14:10You just ain't going to change.
14:11I can't imagine my son singing those things.
14:14Yeah, she doesn't.
14:15Like, I would just.
14:16She doesn't listen.
14:17You'd be like, good job, Orion.
14:18But mommy's not listening.
14:18But I know when it's going to be a big record.
14:21Because my mother, she won't like it.
14:22She's like, that dirty is just too dirty for me.
14:24I'm just not into that.
14:25And my mother's going to be a big record.
14:27So she listened to Dirty?
14:28And she was like.
14:29Yeah, she's like, you're just doing too much.
14:31I'm like, dude, you're just doing too much.
14:32I was like, mom, you know, I'm just writing my life.
14:35It's not even what they like.
14:36I'm just writing the things that I've seen and done.
14:38We were going to say, like, are you, like, actually that dude in your songs?
14:42Yeah.
14:43Wow.
14:44It works, y'all.
14:46It works.
14:46It works.
14:46I promise it works.
14:48Yeah.
14:49I can, you know, attest to the Happily Married Woman.
14:52Yep, these are great lyrics.
14:54My husband is very good at all of those things that you talk about.
14:56It's more instructional, my music.
14:57It's more instructional.
14:58They are instructions.
15:00So if you just listen.
15:01Oh, okay.
15:02Let me try this.
15:03Yes.
15:04And that's fair.
15:05Because Corey and I were saying the other day, like, when you were younger, like, the
15:08magazines would tell the women, tell the man what you need to feel good.
15:12Then you'd tell him.
15:13He's like, what do you mean?
15:14I put it down.
15:14And then he's out.
15:15No.
15:15Because his pride is hurt.
15:17Even songs would tell you back in the day.
15:18Yeah.
15:19Even songs back in the day.
15:20But lay her down and pull back the sheets.
15:24Like, they would, they would, they paint the whole scenario.
15:28And you'd be like, okay, well, let me pull back the sheet.
15:30Right.
15:30You know?
15:31And you had, you had, you had things to defer to.
15:35Yes.
15:35You know what I mean?
15:36In terms of just your idea and setting up those kind of moments.
15:39And, you know, music doesn't really, I don't know, doesn't really do that.
15:42You're making legit foreplay instruction manuals.
15:44Right.
15:44So ladies, you know, just play the thing.
15:46Right.
15:47Play the thing.
15:47And you're so animated in your music.
15:49Yeah.
15:50But you are also animated on screen.
15:51Yeah.
15:52We see you out here acting.
15:53Yeah.
15:54Like, what, like, what's the future of your acting?
15:57Is it something that you're really passionate about?
15:59Do you want to do more?
16:00Yeah.
16:00We got to do more of it.
16:01I love it.
16:02And I, and you know, as much as I love music, we're doing so much music at the moment that
16:07I can't get to it like I want to.
16:09And so, you know, music, music is at some point really soon going to have to take a back
16:16seat.
16:17Which is tough.
16:17Because you, a new addition story?
16:18Yes.
16:19I know.
16:19Moment.
16:20And aren't those like acting checks?
16:22Strong.
16:23Strong and long.
16:23Strong and strong.
16:24Strong and strong.
16:25And it's different because, you know, you know, with music, there's so much that goes
16:29into music.
16:30So much surrounding it.
16:33When you finally get on stage, you've gone through so much to get there.
16:37And acting is just like, you know, you sign, you audition, pick you, sign your contract,
16:43get to the trailer, take off your lines, we're shooting in 10.
16:46Right.
16:47And you get to like focus and dial in, you know, into your craft and what you're doing
16:52and really, you know, like I kind of want to, I'm fiending for that process.
16:56You know what I mean?
16:57And so in between that and the standup, you know, which is going really well as well,
17:02you know, when I can get in there and knock the jokes down.
17:05Yeah, yeah, no joke's good.
17:06You're funny, too.
17:07So, I mean, all of those things are things that I want to build.
17:11And I want them to be as formidable as the music is for me.
17:15You know, I want it to be as strong as that.
17:17But you're going to take out, you're going to take this new album on the road.
17:20Oh, that's the thing.
17:21Because you're with Fantasia right now, right?
17:22Sketchbook tour.
17:22Yeah, Sketchbook tour right now.
17:24With Tasia, it's her tour.
17:27And with Robin Thicke and the Bonfire.
17:29Wow.
17:30Look at that lineup.
17:31I mean, look at God.
17:32Blessing people for the holidays.
17:33Right?
17:33We're beating them up.
17:34We're beating some cities up.
17:35And you're going to do some of the new music on that tour?
17:38Yeah, I do Dirty.
17:40I do I Don't Think You're Ready.
17:41I do a couple tunes.
17:42You know what I mean?
17:43You know, just a little taste.
17:45I just.
17:46You know, because I can't give them the whole Elevation tour, you know.
17:50Yeah.
17:51Right.
17:51They got to come out and get, you know, that's a separate fee.
17:54Oh, right.
17:54I understand.
17:55You know what I mean?
17:55For Elevation.
17:56That'll be, you know, that'll be next year, you know.
17:58And Elevation drops, you know, Friday.
18:00Friday.
18:01On the 25th.
18:01What are you going to do?
18:03Are you celebrating?
18:03Yeah.
18:04I don't know.
18:05I got to have a concert.
18:06You're right.
18:06We perform at the Hulu.
18:08But you're going to have like a big party, a release.
18:11I bet the wife has something planned.
18:12Wives are good for like that.
18:13Okay.
18:14You were out there.
18:14You did a big thing.
18:15No, I mean, I'm flying her in.
18:17So, you know, it's going to be tough for her to, you know, plan it all the way out there.
18:20I mean, she's getting flued out.
18:22She's getting flued out.
18:23Flued out.
18:24There you go.
18:25We got the flu out.
18:26Hello.
18:26Fly out.
18:27Yes.
18:27Fly out.
18:28Yeah.
18:28No, but seriously, you are a happily married man.
18:29Congratulations.
18:30Thank you very much.
18:31You know, we love to talk to the husband.
18:33How's married life?
18:34How you feeling?
18:34It's cool.
18:35You guys look, I mean, Instagram bliss.
18:36I know.
18:37It's cool.
18:37She's a beautiful woman.
18:38I mean, it's not, you know, it's not different.
18:40It's not any different than our relationship.
18:43Like, we've always just had a really cool relationship.
18:46So, we just continued that.
18:49You know what I mean?
18:50We didn't add any extra zone.
18:53So, we marry now and I need to know.
18:55It's like you bring home the marriage license and my husband and I were like, okay, we need to
18:59frame this or something because, like, nothing's changed in our life.
19:01Nothing's changed.
19:02But we have this piece of paper, right?
19:03Right, right.
19:04Because the thing that made you say yes or the thing that made you propose is the thing
19:10that you want to continue.
19:12That's the energy and the vibe that you want to sustain.
19:14Do you still, like, date?
19:15You know, we talked about this.
19:17Gotta do date night.
19:17I always go to Charlie because she's our love and relationships and sex guru at Essence.
19:23And I'm like, okay, like, we need to, like, not, like, just spice things up, but, like,
19:27spend more time together.
19:28Like, it's like, you have to have a date night.
19:30You have to do this.
19:31You have to make sure you turn off the television.
19:32Put down your phone.
19:33Consistency.
19:34Like, all of that.
19:34Yeah, dating is important.
19:37I help.
19:38Whenever I'm at home, I help with, you know, I help with her part of it.
19:42You know what I'm saying?
19:42With school drop-offs and get up in the morning, cooking the breakfast, you know what I'm saying?
19:47And all of that.
19:48Like, I really kind of dive in.
19:50Yes, I do cook a little bit of the breakfast.
19:52Oh, okay.
19:53What do you cook?
19:53Are you doing the omelets?
19:54People are looking at me crazy right now.
19:55You're doing the omelets or toast?
19:57First of all, I don't want us to categorize any group of foods.
20:00Oh, toast.
20:01It sounds like a toast.
20:02When I say cook, it just means somebody's being fed, they're eating, then they're happy.
20:06Sounds like a bagel.
20:07Okay?
20:07That's what that means.
20:08A bagel situation.
20:09My kids don't complain about nothing that I do.
20:12Do they like their toast, like, lightly toasted or extra toasted?
20:15First of all, my waffles are their favorite.
20:18Oh.
20:18That's first.
20:19Frozen?
20:19Eggo?
20:20Right.
20:21Frozen or fresh.
20:21Or poor?
20:22That's first thing.
20:23Okay.
20:23And then two, you know, they love my pancakes, my fluff and crust.
20:27You know what I'm saying?
20:28Those are exciting.
20:28Okay.
20:29You know what I'm saying?
20:29I throw a little char on the turkey bacon.
20:32You know what I'm saying?
20:32That's exciting.
20:33Okay.
20:34I'll give them the bacon.
20:35And then, you know.
20:36It's turkey though?
20:37I keep it stocked with cinnamon toast crunch.
20:39I need the pork.
20:39You feel me?
20:40Cinnamon toast crunch, yeah.
20:41You feel me?
20:41I keep stocked cinnamon toast crunch stocked.
20:43Almond milk for the real ones.
20:44Oh.
20:44You know what I'm saying?
20:45Yes.
20:45Big bowl, little bowl, big spoon, little spoon.
20:47I have all that on deck.
20:48Oh.
20:49I received that.
20:50Toaster strudel.
20:51I'm the king of icing.
20:52Oh.
20:52Toaster strudel.
20:52You know what I'm saying?
20:53I lay the icing on the toaster strudel like nobody's business.
20:55The receipts.
20:56I'm respected in seven states for that.
21:01Okay.
21:02Daddy breakfast cool point.
21:03Oh, I feel you.
21:04So, like I was saying, you know, I help, I help, you know.
21:09With the things.
21:10You help with the things.
21:11The toast is a strudel.
21:12You know, part of just staying connected is, you know, you know, I go be part of her thing
21:17when I go home.
21:18You know what I mean?
21:18She's got a routine and a rhythm that she has to maintain for our household.
21:22And I kind of get involved in that.
21:24We go to the gym together, that kind of thing, you know, just to keep our connection.
21:27She looks like she's having fun too.
21:29You like put her up on your social media and you guys are doing videos.
21:32It's fun that she likes to get into that.
21:35Yeah.
21:35Not like, leave me alone.
21:36She just likes to talk trash.
21:38That's what she likes to do.
21:39Yeah.
21:39She's a Libra.
21:41She claims she's 5'1".
21:43I don't believe her.
21:44Okay.
21:46But she just likes to talk trash.
21:48Right.
21:48You know, so she loves to get involved in where she ain't supposed to be involved in.
21:53That's funny.
21:53Now, have your children listened to your music?
21:58Some songs.
21:59And what do they-
22:00They love the Stronger album.
22:02Okay.
22:02Right, right, right.
22:03They haven't listened to the sexually explicit moments.
22:07Are they like, Daddy, what in the world did you-
22:10Are you doing that to my mama?
22:11My older daughter's-
22:13No, just him.
22:14My older daughter's, you know, I have a daughter that's 18.
22:17You know what I mean?
22:18So she's like, Dad, that new song lit.
22:21I was like, you know what?
22:22I don't-
22:23I don't like your attitude.
22:25You're like, I don't need to know that you are-
22:27You're like, don't use it.
22:29She's like, Dad, that new song lit off the chain.
22:31Like, you'll focus on it.
22:32Like, what you're saying.
22:33Like, you tapping in, Dad.
22:37And then my second oldest, she's 14.
22:40They're like very mature.
22:42I mean, they were-
22:43New York kind of raised them.
22:45You know what I mean?
22:45Is there a certain age where they can listen to, like, a Dirty?
22:48And you'd be like, okay, you're old enough now.
22:50Well, I mean, she's 18, so-
22:51Right, but like your younger kids.
22:53Are you going to be like, when you're 16, you can hear Daddy Day?
22:57I'm going to let you listen to what I have put out into this world.
23:00I'm not going to offer that, but you know what happens is that, you know, kids and their
23:04discovery and all of that, they just-
23:06I'm like, how do you even, like, censor that?
23:08They could be, like, on the playground, and their friend, like, pulls up YouTube, like,
23:12Yo, Yo, Daddy.
23:13And then when the question comes, I'm like, okay, sit down.
23:19Let's talk.
23:19It's like a sex talk.
23:21Daddy makes daddy music.
23:23Oh, that's a good answer.
23:24Yeah, Daddy makes daddy music.
23:26And that, you know, you hit a double entendre there.
23:29Like Mommy Juice, like when I have my wine and my son's like, I'm like, it's Mommy Juice.
23:33It's Mommy Juice.
23:34And Daddy makes daddy music.
23:36And you can't listen to daddy music until you're ready to be a daddy.
23:40There you go.
23:42That's a major-
23:44That's a gem you just dropped.
23:46You just changed some people's lives.
23:47I just made that up.
23:48That is what I'm going to tell.
23:49That's what I'm talking about.
23:50I got in trouble.
23:51I was singing, like, Let Me Lick You Up and-
23:55No, you wasn't.
23:57Yes, like on the playground.
23:58And, like, my parents-
23:59On the playground?
24:00I did.
24:01Or-
24:02Is that filk?
24:02You body whining by the-
24:03What was it?
24:04Was that filk?
24:04Body whining by the jungle gym?
24:05I want to sex you up.
24:06Oh, Color Me Bad.
24:07Color Me Bad.
24:08I was singing that on the playground.
24:09And my parents got a call from-
24:12And they were like, you just can't let Julie really listen to some of this music.
24:19And it's not like my parents were like, oh, we're going to play some Color Me Bad or, like, whatever.
24:23It was on the radio.
24:24It's just Discovery Kids.
24:26Right.
24:26And then I'm, like, on the playground singing it, looking like a little heathen.
24:30Looking like-
24:31It was on the radio.
24:32So it's hard.
24:33Or, you know, sometimes you can't control the children.
24:35Well, you can't control, you can't censor everything.
24:38But, you know, the questions will come.
24:40And you'll have an opportunity to have those conversations.
24:41I'm sorry.
24:42I'm laughing.
24:42My dad used to turn off LL Cool J backseat in my Jeep.
24:45He'd be like, we're not doing this.
24:46Oh, yeah.
24:47Or even, like, Usher or whatever.
24:48My parents, like, we'd be in the car and I would be, like, singing in the back.
24:52And I remember my dad being like, what you know about that?
24:54Well, you know, and it's tough-
24:55And I'm like, I just am singing the lyrics.
24:57Sing it again.
24:58I don't know anything about it.
24:59So it's like, it's tough to do because now we got this TikTok thing happening.
25:03TikTok.
25:04I just kind of got onto TikTok.
25:06I don't know what it is.
25:07I'm an old bitch.
25:08TikTok is happening.
25:08The kids are into it, right?
25:09Yeah.
25:10What?
25:10Big time.
25:11What do you do?
25:12It's like 85 TikToks a day.
25:14Is it true music?
25:15Or you just do that?
25:16Dub Smash.
25:17Remember when adults were into Dub Smash?
25:18It's like Dub Smash for kids.
25:19Yeah.
25:21And all the music is there.
25:23Everything's there.
25:24They're going to hear your music before you want them to hear your music.
25:26You're going to have a lot of those daddies and songs.
25:27You just got to instill the good principles and the good things and have all of those, you
25:32know, good conversations as often as possible.
25:35Just stay connected to the kids.
25:35Speaking of that, you've stayed humble.
25:38Your career, I mean, we're at 20?
25:40Almost 20 years.
25:41Almost 20 years in the game.
25:43Well, I think, I mean, if you start in 97.
25:45There you go.
25:46You know what I'm saying?
25:46When I got my first real R&B job, I got signed in 98.
25:51I mean, we could say 21, 22.
25:53You look the same.
25:5422.
25:54And look, yeah, you have an age.
25:56I mean, I have age.
25:56So where's the fountain of youth?
25:57Tell us.
25:58Is it the turkey bacon?
25:59I have age.
25:59That you're talking about?
26:00And the almond milk?
26:00The turkey bacon does help.
26:01Because I like pork smoothies.
26:03Okay.
26:04What's the secret?
26:04You're going to get out of that pork life.
26:05Get that swine off your mind.
26:08No, it's nature's candy.
26:10Okay, so.
26:12That's why in this nature.
26:14You know, I put bacon on my bacon, so I'm just keeping it quiet over here.
26:17There's no wrinkles on your face.
26:18You said you put bacon on your bacon.
26:20I do put bacon.
26:21I'd like a side of bacon with some bacon on it.
26:24I would die with my bacon strip.
26:25Go ahead.
26:26A glass of bacon.
26:27How, obviously, and you're like, doing the things.
26:31I try to, those things make me happy.
26:34You know what I mean?
26:35So fitness, health and fitness is pretty much a lifestyle for me.
26:38And, you know, if that creates a different type of longevity for me, then awesome.
26:44You know what I mean?
26:45Water and all of those cool things, which I recommend to everybody.
26:49Kill the swine.
26:51Look, Mr. Tank.
26:52I love a rib.
26:53You know what I'm saying?
26:54You miss ribs?
26:54We were getting along real good right now.
26:56Let's not mess that up.
26:57I do not miss anything from a pig, okay?
27:02I do not miss it.
27:03Well, I was going to say, changing the subject, staying humble over 22.
27:07Look, no one's coming between me and my bacon.
27:09Me either.
27:10Let's switch it.
27:11For the record.
27:11Good for you.
27:12We're not going to go right.
27:13Maybe less bacon then.
27:15Okay, there we are.
27:15I'm with you.
27:16You know, it's a treat.
27:17There's a thing called sodium and cholesterol, but no, don't worry about it.
27:20I'm humble.
27:21Meanwhile, hold up.
27:22You asked for it.
27:23Now we're going to go there.
27:24No, no, no, no.
27:24When you see those 108-year-old black women on Good Morning America, what's your secret?
27:29Bacon.
27:30Greasy bacon.
27:31Stop it, sir.
27:32Continue.
27:32I'm humble.
27:33You're humble.
27:34Let's back to it.
27:34He's going to eat some bacon when he leaves.
27:35Anyway.
27:38He's going to be like, oh, I'm out of the house.
27:39You know what?
27:40Give me a piece of bacon.
27:41And some cinnamon toast crunch.
27:41No.
27:42But you have been so humble.
27:44Like, you stay with number one records.
27:45You stay reinventing, you know, doing what you do, but taking it to the next level.
27:50Your consistency is unmatched as an R&B artist.
27:54You know what I mean?
27:54We see you.
27:55We appreciate it.
27:57How do you stay humble and successful?
27:58What's your formula?
27:59What's your secret?
28:00Because not all artists can say that.
28:02I don't necessarily think that there's a formula to, I don't even call it being humble.
28:07I just say just being cool.
28:09Cool.
28:10And consistent.
28:10Just to being yourself.
28:12You know what I mean?
28:13I mean, if a guy is naturally an asshole, that's just what he is.
28:18You know what I'm saying?
28:19Like, I'm the fun guy.
28:21You know what I'm saying?
28:22I'm the host.
28:24You know what I'm saying?
28:24I'm the guy that wants to make sure everybody's having a good time.
28:28Like, where you glass at?
28:29Man, you tripping.
28:30You know, I'm that guy, naturally.
28:33And I never wanted to be anything else.
28:37And so this business wasn't able to turn me into anything else.
28:43So I enjoy being me.
28:45Do you still keep your same, like, group of friends that you've had for years?
28:51Yeah, for years you've seen me.
28:52Who are you, like, who's in your group?
28:54Who's your crew?
28:55It's small.
28:56I mean, you got my best friend, Jay, who's my manager.
29:00My guy, Jason Bonner.
29:02He's been one of my best friends since I was in eighth grade.
29:05My brother, Vegas, since he was 15.
29:09It's small.
29:10But that's good that you've kept.
29:12Jay's brother, his family is like my family.
29:14So all of them, all of the noots.
29:17And, I mean, it's just our thing is so small.
29:20My sister, you know what I'm saying?
29:21Like, it's small.
29:23You know what I mean?
29:24And now that I'm married and her family is my family, even that's kind of small.
29:30We good.
29:31We good.
29:32I mean, you know, when we have a birthday party, it's us.
29:34It's family.
29:35Celebration, it's just us.
29:37I love that.
29:37Well, we're celebrating your new album.
29:39Get into it.
29:40Get into it.
29:41Ladies, gentlemen, everybody.
29:43I know.
29:43Thank you for coming back, giving Essence Family the time.
29:46It's, you know, it's just what I do.
29:49I know.
29:49We need to.
29:50You need a show.
29:51No, the stand-up.
29:53Like, I can't.
29:53Where can we see you with stand-ups?
29:56Yeah, you got to come see me.
29:57I mean, now we're on tour, but I'm going to pop up on some stages just randomly.
30:01Okay.
30:02So we just, like, tune into your Instagram and you'll tell us.
30:05No.
30:06Like, how will we know?
30:07You got to hit me.
30:08We got to play, when you're going up.
30:10Look, we need to get a text.
30:12Yeah, you got to get a chain going.
30:14Like, when you're going up.
30:15And I'm like, gee, he's going to be up next week.
30:17Because I never saw him.
30:18He's going to be like, who are you texting, Tank?
30:20He's like, okay.
30:21That TGT photo I took.
30:24We won't cut the camera if we talk about that photo.
30:26Who are you talking to?
30:26I mean, I'm setting up date night.
30:28Tank is telling us when he's going to be, you know, on stage.
30:31It's work, baby.
30:32Yeah.
30:33No, but let us know.
30:34He's going to say, maybe I deserve.
30:36Especially, but when I'm at home, I get to go up a lot.
30:38At home, it's L.A.?
30:39L.A., yeah.
30:40You don't get nervous?
30:41No.
30:42You just.
30:43I mean, I know how to.
30:44I'm comfortable being on stage.
30:45Okay.
30:46That's true.
30:47You know, in terms of building material.
30:48But comedy is different.
30:50It is different.
30:51But I've been doing it.
30:52You know, I've been doing it on stage for so long.
30:54Right.
30:55To where the challenge was just walking on stage and not singing.
31:01Not having that as, you know.
31:04Like, drop the beat.
31:05Well, I mean, not having it to fall back on.
31:08You know what I'm saying?
31:09Like, normally when I come out, I sing 40 minutes and then I do stand up for like 10 at the end.
31:14But by that time, they're already in.
31:16Right.
31:17They don't laugh at whatever I say.
31:18They're getting that laugh.
31:18Right.
31:18You know what I'm saying?
31:19And so, it's kind of cheating.
31:20So, now it was like, let's just get on stage and be funny.
31:23Let's not go in front of taint crowds.
31:26You know what I'm saying?
31:26Let's not go in front of, you know what I'm saying, all of our people.
31:29Right.
31:30Let's go in front of some different audiences, some different demographics, and see if you're really funny.
31:35And that's what I've been doing.
31:36All right.
31:37Well, we agree.
31:38You're funny.
31:38So, we're going to go.
31:39We're going to go.
31:40You're hilarious.
31:41Thank you so much.
31:42Thank you so much.
31:42Absolutely.
31:43Anytime.
31:43This was great.
31:44Come on back to the cookout when you, you know, this next summer.
31:46Come hang out.
31:47Essence is like one big family.
31:48And when I come.
31:52Festival's the cookout.
31:53Festival's the cookout.
31:53I'll eat some beef ribs.
31:56Cut the cameras.
31:58No.
31:58I'm going to slip in a pork rib in there.
32:01And I'm not even on, you know what I'm saying?
32:02I don't even rock with the beef like that.
32:04Oh, really?
32:05But I will eat some beef ribs with you.
32:07Okay.
32:07While you eat your pork ribs.
32:09Okay.
32:09Which I don't approve of.
32:10Okay.
32:11But we're going to do it.
32:11I'm going to let you do you while I do me.
32:13We're going to do it.
32:13Stay blessed.
32:15Wait, what?
32:17Bye.
32:17I'm telling y'all.
32:20I'll ride for my bacon.
32:22Thank you so much.
32:24And we'll have the sliders.
32:26I'm going to ride for my bacon.
32:27Bacon.
32:27Bacon.
32:28We've got to make up a bacon parody.
32:30It's like an aphrodisiac.
32:31Bacon.
32:31Bacon.
32:32Bacon.
32:32Bacon is not an aphrodisiac.
32:33Let me explain.
32:34If I wake up in the morning and I can smell that my husband is making bacon, eggs, and
32:40some fresh biscuits or something.
32:41He's in there doing it.
32:43I know we're going to have more than 11.
32:44He earned that.
32:45Where's that song?
32:46What about the smell of turkey, fresh turkey bacon?
32:50I don't know.
32:51Or strawberry.
32:52But remember how you say you listen to the stories.
32:54Now, if we hear a song on your next album talking about bacon in the morning, getting
33:01her nice and wet or something, that's came from you.
33:05You can send the check to 246.
33:07I'm not putting pork on my album.
33:10You should.
33:11It doesn't belong.
33:12But I'm clearly telling you it does something good.
33:14My album is pescatarian.
33:17That's sexy.
33:19Pescatarian album.
33:20Said no one ever.
33:22Pescatarian.
33:23Yeah.
33:23No.
33:23Like, yeah, I'm coming for you.
33:26Because you came from my.
33:27Have you ever seen a woman, like, eat a rib and then get to the bone?
33:32And, like, suck on the bone?
33:34Okay.
33:34We're done here.
33:34Come.
33:35Please.
33:35Okay.
33:36Bye.
33:36We're done.
33:37Why did you whip the cord off your head?
33:40We're done here.
33:41All right.
33:42Oh.
33:42Oh.
33:42Oh.
33:43Oh.
33:43Oh.
33:43Oh.
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