Mannie Fresh and Juvie sit down with Akeem Ali to talk about Southern culture and what makes it unlike anywhere else. He speaks about his come up in Jackson Mississippi, going viral off his freestyle, and what it really takes to build in the music business. Lastly, Akeem breaks down his Casanova persona, his grind in the studio, and why he believes everything is always working in his favor.
00:00 – Intro 00:40 – Welcome Akeem Ali 02:20 – Freestyles 03:48 – 3 Albums 4:57 – How Long Have You Been Rapping? 7:22 – Which One Are You? 8:17 – What’s Your First Love? 11:03 – Does Going Viral Equal Money? 13:01 – What’s the Craziest Thing You Bought With Your First Check? 22:14 – How Do You Approach a Beat? 23:42 – Who Shoots Your Videos? 24:57 – What’s One Major Lesson You Apply Every Day? 28:24 – Do You Have Family Members Trying to Get On? 31:08 – How Many Homeboys From Back Then Are Still in Your Circle? 31:55 – How Did Mannie & Juvie Stay Together All These Years? 35:55 – How Much Time Do You Dedicate to the Studio? 38:29 – What Artist Do You Want to Work With? 42:30 – Do You Have a Collab You Can’t Believe Happened? 45:38 – What’s It Like Watching Legends Age Gracefully? 50:16 – What Do People Assume About You That’s Wrong? 52:29 – What Keeps You Grounded With Everything Moving So Fast? 53:23 – How Would You Describe What You Do? 57:44 – Rhythm or Blues Game 1:01:36 – Shoutouts 1:02:11 – Akeem Spits a Freestyle 1:05:51 – Where Does Your Pimp Culture Come From? 1:05:56 – Akeem’s Questions for Mannie & Juvie 1:06:35 – Biggest Struggles Throughout the Years 1:10:47 – How Did Your Wife Show Up for You During Hard Times? 1:14:24 – Apology Segment 1:16:28 – Outro
Speak On It!