Added: Sep 28, 2023
In this episode of Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson, the guest is hip-hop artist Symba. Symba discusses his upcoming album and his journey in the music industry. He talks about his roots in the Bay Area and how he had to navigate the lack of infrastructure in the entertainment scene there. Symba credits his mother for saving his life and providing him with opportunities to succeed. He also talks about the influence of East Coast hip-hop on his style and how he had to find his own sound.Symba discusses the challenges he faced when trying to break into the music industry and how he had to learn the ins and outs of the business. He talks about the importance of finding the right producers and collaborators to help him elevate his music. Symba also shares his experiences working with artists like T.I. and Dr. Dre, highlighting the impact they had on his career.
The conversation then shifts to the current state of rap music and the rise of social media platforms like TikTok. Symba acknowledges the saturation in the industry but also sees the opportunities it presents for artists to connect with audiences and sell tickets. He emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between the younger and older generations in rap and promoting growth and maturity in the genre.
Mike Tyson shares his own experiences in the music industry, including working with artists like Tupac and Biggie. He talks about the importance of creating mixtapes and giving opportunities to up-and-coming artists. Tyson also discusses his love for boxing and how it saved his life. He reflects on his early encounters with Muhammad Ali and how meeting him inspired him to become a champion.
The conversation touches on various topics, including the Bay Area music scene, the influence of Mac Dre, and the unique dance styles like Turf dancing and Ghost Riding the Whip. Symba shares his memories of watching Mike Tyson fights with his family and the excitement and camaraderie it brought. He also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his career and how it pushed him to work harder and become a better artist.
The episode continues with Symba expressing his admiration for Dr. Dre and the valuable lessons he has learned from working with him. He talks about the importance of listening and taking advice from experienced artists and producers. Symba also discusses his goals for the future and his desire to bring the culture together through his music.
The conversation then shifts to Symba's music career. He talks about his recent trip to Hawaii with his family and how he wrote a rap called "Hell of a Feeling" during that trip. The song reflects on the challenges of dealing with relationship issues while trying to enjoy life's moments. Symba explains that the song was originally more explicit, but had to be cleaned up for release due to sample clearance issues.
Symba also discusses his collaboration with The Russell, a wrestler, on the song "Hell of a Feeling." He praises The Russell as a great guy and talks about the balance he brings to their partnership. Symba admires The Russell's ability to build his own team and operate independently, while Symba himself prefers the major label route.
The conversation then turns to Symba's appearance on the cover of Double XL magazine. Symba clarifies that he was joking when he made comments about the magazine's list of up-and-coming artists. He has no issues with anyone on the list and acknowledges that he has been in the industry longer than some of the artists featured.
Symba discusses his writing process and reveals that he hasn't used paper to write lyrics in years. He prefers to jot down ideas and lines in his phone throughout the day. When he gets to the studio, he collaborates with his friends to bring different perspectives to his songs.
Towards the end of the podcast, Symba showcases his rap skills by performing a freestyle for Mike Tyson and DJ Who Kid. He impresses them with his wordplay and punchlines. Symba also reveals that his upcoming album will be titled "Don't Call Me Now."
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