Test Transcript | Maximum Fun

00:00:00	Music	Transition	Gentle, trilling music with a steady drumbeat plays ***** the dialogue.
00:00:01	Promo	Promo	Speaker: Bullseye * *** Thorn* is a production of MaximumFun.org and is distributed ** NPR. [Music fades out.]
00:00:13	Jesse Thorn	Host	I’m Jesse Thorn. It’s Bullseye.
00:00:15	Music	Transition	“Huddle Formation” from *** album Thunder, Lightning, Strike by * Go! Team. A fast, upbeat, *** song. Music plays as Jesse speaks, then fades out.
00:00:23	Jesse	Host	Maxo Kream, my guest, is a rapper. He’s a big, friendly guy. When you talk to him, he *** the mood light. If you’re a fan, you ** a selfie with him, it’s no sweat. He might even crack a little joke. [Music fades in.] But that isn’t always how his records sound. He’s a big, friendly guy, but that’s not all he is.
00:00:42	Music	Music	“Meet Again” from the album Brandon Banks by Maxo Kream. I got ***** in the grave, I got brothers in the pen* I got some that's coming home, I got some that's going in Tried to go to visitation, but they wouldn't let me in So, ********** writing letters with a pen* Wanna see just how you doing… [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue then fades out.]
00:00:56	Jesse	Host	Maxo *** * been in * * of jail, along ** many other *** of his family. When hurricane Harvey hit Houston a few * ago, many of them their homes. He’s also *** and relatives gun violence, including his brother just last year. In other words, Maxo Kream has endured an extraordinary amount of pain. And he’s not **** to put that pain on wax. People * compare * to his Houston forebearer, Scarface: another MC with a gift for elegant, almost beautiful verses ***** life’s most intense and difficult moments. Maxo’s new album is called WEIGHT OF THE WORLD * it’s about big stuff. He about losing his brother and grandmother and about becoming a parent. But like Maxo, it isn’t * big ***** and tears. It’s a rap record. He also * a * mess. Here’s a single from the new * called “Big Persona”, ******* Tyler the Creator.
00:01:57	Music	Music	“BIG PERSONA” ft. Tyler the Creator **** the album WEIGHT * THE WORLD* by Maxo Kream. … talking 'bout? Big dreaming, big business, big risks Big winning, big living, big It's whatever Mr. * Biggie Poppa, * you ** that do better?* I'm the trap Barack Obama, Betty Crocker, used to pedal Mixing drugs, ** he love Nutty Professor with Griselda* Pockets kill, man, it keep popping I make more money than professors I'm getting cake Eight-figure, no more section 8 Moved momma out the hood We ain't good, we doing great Big mansion, new estate Friendly neighbors, pearly gates… [Volume decreases and continues under ** dialogue then fades out.]*
00:02:27	Jesse	Host	Maxo Kream, welcome to Bullseye. Congratulations *** record.
00:02:30	Maxo Kream	Guest	Appreciate it, appreciate it.
00:02:31	Jesse	Host	*** of all, I wanna honor the fact that you’re in our studio, which does not have air conditioning, is probably 25 square feet, something like that, and you have on a puffer looks like you’re ready to the Antarctic. [Laughs.]
00:02:48	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, I got the Ella Montclair on. [Jesse laughs.] Appreciate y’all. ***** statement. But I don’t know, like to me this is **** out here. Like, been like 55, 60 degrees. I could throw on a jacket. You know, I’m from Houston, bro. We be dealing with triple digits, 111, 110. God, now for like 70% of * year. So, any time I get like a little—if like I feel a breeze, I’m throwing a [censored] jacket.
00:03:14	Jesse	Host	Plus, you got a refrigerator on ** neck right there. There’s plenty ice. [Laughs.]
00:03:16	Maxo	Guest	Listen. Yeah. Listen.
00:03:18	Jesse	Host	The most jewelry that’s ever been in here, probably more than—more than even, I don’t know, Greta Gerwig. [They laugh.] Who’s bringing the heavy jewelry? John Waters.
00:03:29	Maxo	Guest	Facts.
00:03:30	Jesse	Host	Well, I’m **** to have you here. You mentioned you’re from Houston. What part of Houston did you grow up in?
00:03:36	Maxo	Guest	Southwest side, Alief.
00:03:38	Jesse	Host	I know ** you’re circumstances changed when you were a teenager. Tell *** the kind places that you **** and how they changed.
00:03:47	Maxo	Guest	It really changed like soon as I hit like 11. You know? I ** up southwest side. You know what I’m saying? It was the hood, but my daddy * let us feel that. You know what I’m saying? He ** was getting money. Legal **** caught up with him. It put in a situation like, “Alright, now he ain’t here.” So, I’m starting to ** my head, see things for myself. But when he * ** out, * know what I’m saying, he came. Ran his money up. He moved us out again. But when he *** us out again, he went to jail. So. Came right back. So, I’ve been bouncing—like, * know what I’m saying?—back and forth between **** southwest side and Fort Bend like my whole life.
00:04:22	Jesse	Host	So, how many siblings ** you have?
00:04:25	Maxo	Guest	I got three brothers *** one sister.
00:04:28	Jesse	Host	And so, * everybody in the *** together—your folks were together and—?
00:04:31	Maxo	Guest	For the most part. My older brother, though, he’s * years older than me. And like the rest of my siblings, we’re like two years apart. So, like when—like, when my old * went to jail, he was already in jail. So, ** yeah, so, I’m really the second oldest, but I ended up being oldest ‘cause was always locked up.
00:04:49	Jesse	Host	What did you know about your brother going to jail when your brother went ** jail? Your older brother?
00:04:52	Maxo	Guest	Man, I thought he was about to go play football. Like with—running with the wrong crowd, running with [censored]. And I didn’t really get how Mama like, “How * running * wrong crowd? You know, we the neighborhood. chilling.” Like, but as you get older, you peep ** ******* see what the [censored] is going on. Like, you * see that. And plus, we got different fathers. Like, my older brother, like his dad ******* ** like my dad.
00:05:15	Jesse	Host	How old was he and hold were you?
00:05:17	Maxo	Guest	We’re ten years apart. born in 1980, I’m born in 1990. So, he’s ** 41. I’m 31.
00:05:24	Jesse	Host	And so, were you—you must ** been pretty little when he—when went to jail.
00:05:29	Maxo	Guest	Yeah. Hell yeah. I was ** ten. * when he got arrested. Ten when he went go do eight. He came back when like I was 15.
00:05:39	Jesse	Host	**** did you know about why he went in?
00:05:42	Maxo	Guest	See, one thing about Black families [inaudible] my mama. They’re *** lie to you if you’ a kid. I understand like they’ gonna like to you, but it’s best to stay in like a child’s place. You don’t really get in the grown folk’s business. * me being like one of the oldest, I used to hear everything, just putting two and two together. Ain’t ever ** us to see side. Like, my Mom used to tell me a line, tell people that my brother in college. So, I seen friend at school, or like my cousin, he’s like, “Yeah, so, *** your *** at?” I gotta make up a whole like, “Yeah, he’s in college *** football.” But already know he jail. *** feel me? Yeah.
00:06:12	Jesse	Host	How far was he ** jail from where you lived?
00:06:15	Maxo	Guest	Three hours.
00:06:16	Jesse	Host	Did you ever go visit him?
00:06:18	Maxo	Guest	** yeah, my mom used to take us on Sunday. Yeah, I’d get a whole bunch of quarters. So, like—‘cause alright, so, if like one ** family members, like blood, like immediate family go to jail, you get *** visit where you go see them, touch them, * them, [censored] like that. So, Mom would go get hella ****** * play her Yolanda Adams on a three-** to go * * and [censored] like that.
00:06:39	Jesse	Host	What were the ******** for?
00:06:40	Maxo	Guest	Food. You know, like they * commissary in there. So, visitation, ** got like vending machines, snickers, sodas, [censored] they can’t just **** all the time.
00:06:47	Jesse	Host	One of the reasons that I ask you so ** about your ***** is * write so beautifully *** on your record. [Maxo thanks him.] you find it ***** to think * * painful stuff that you went through a kid you describe so kind of—you describe so much of so kind of plainly and clearly in your verses.
00:07:08	Maxo	Guest	I mean, it ain’t really pain. I mean, other ** looking—‘cause I grew up it. So, it’s like, nah, I’m just looking back on my life. ** like you’ll look back on your life. * can talk about it. You probably got some [censored] that’s traumatizing * people, but to you, you’re like, “Well, I went through it. It was life.” That’s all it is. Like, people just curious like I make relatable music at the same time, but at the same I * tell you like—like, just for instance, if you jam my tape, * probably ain’t ** how I’m living, like it’s probably interest and like—*** know what I’m saying? [inaudible] at the same time, I got situations that’s relatable. You feel me? To everybody. I’m not fronting. That’s the main goal.
00:07:41	Jesse	Host	* thing that surprised me, reading interviews that you did about music, talking about music when you were a kid and what influenced you is every single—every single interviewer to you and says they want—basically says, “Please talk to me * Scarface. Please talk to me about *** Up Click. Please to me about—” You know, like they just this expectation that that’s what you’re gonna say, because you’re from Houston and because—you know, I mean, because you have a—you know, a deep, slow rap style. You know ** I mean? [*** affirms.]* And like I don’t have—I can’t begin to say ****** bad * * of those people that I just listed, ‘cause they’re some of the greatest of all time. You know? My favorite rapper of *** time is Devin the Dude. He’s from Houston.
00:08:28	Maxo	Guest	Devin the **** loud.
00:08:29	Jesse	Host	But when I ** you talk about who influenced you, I ** somewhere you were talking about Papoose.
00:08:36	Maxo	Guest	Facts.
00:08:37	Jesse	Host	* were *** about Lil B. So, * got like Cassidy and Papoose: east *** mixtape rappers. Like, super rapping ** rappers. Like, in ** mode, not an underground mode—you know, * like a backpack mode, but like—but like super rappers. And then Lil B is from * Bay, where I’m from. He’s from Berkeley. And you know, Lil B changed the game by just rapping about whatever came into * head and being chill and cool. [Laughs.] [Maxo agrees.] You ** what I mean? I think that’s about as good as a description as I’m gonna be able to give of Lil B’s thing is. But those are completely—first of all, they’ completely different from each other, but they’ certainly ****** different from the expectations that people have of you, * ** Houston.
00:09:27	Maxo	Guest	Right. ** come from the internet. Like, bro, if like the internet period would’ ***** happened, I’d probably just be naming Houston rappers. But the internet, um—I stole a iPod that had all that [censored] ** there. So, I was jamming that [censored]. And **** love for music, like—it switched like that whole time, like I was in a real time period where we was in [inaudible], baggy [censored] clothes * with ** jeans, purple jeans, turquoise. Like, you feel me? And like around that time in high school transition, I’m the suburbs. I’m getting all the [censored]. I’m learning about the Pack. Kid Cudi. That’s the whole—I mean, ** here, I from Wayne, Jeezy, Gucci, to ** kind of music. You know what I’m saying? Just experimenting, just—
00:10:14	Jesse	Host	**** your pants just got much tighter in a short period of time.
00:10:16	Maxo	Guest	Maaan! was crazy. It * crazy.
00:10:18	Jesse	Host	Did you have your Vans on? They **** like sneakers.
00:10:20	Maxo	Guest	Vans. I had Vans, but I’m a sneakerhead though. I had all that. I was a kid. Like, I was on * that. I was materialistic. I ain’t scared to say it. Like, you know I’m saying? I love fashion. I’m into fashion hard. So, yeah, I had all that. But yeah, my music—shit, that was like music. But I my introduction was—like when I ** out on my own, discovering like 50 Cent. 50 Cent, I say, yeah, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ from there. Then * Game. Then Papoose, Cassidy, Dipset, Wayne, * like ** era of good music. Then I * to branch off and dig into Hove, dig Nas, * know what I’m saying? I love Nas’s music, his lyrical ability. I love how Hove tells stories * like Nas * give you everything, paint the picture. No shortcut. Jay-Z gonna * the—like, he gonna serve * a good steak but he don’t cut the fat out for you and serve it to you. That’s how I look at their type of music. But yeah, man, I ** music. I ain’t gonna lie to you.
00:11:17	Jesse	Host	I don’t *** anybody has ever come ** show before—and I’ve doing this 20 years, now. I don’t think anybody’s ever on this show and said like, “Well, I was really influenced by this great ** that I stole.”
00:11:28	Maxo	Guest	[Laughs.] A whole gang go; that was crazy. I ain’t even take them. My little brother and them * took them. They broke into the principal’s office. Stole iPods, Razr phones, Sidekicks. * before iPhones.
00:11:40	Jesse	Host	Like * ones that had ** confiscated by the—?
00:11:42	Maxo	Guest	Yes. The ones. For sure. Then they did it ** score bandanas. Remember like—that’s when like—before ***** was wearing snapbacks, this was the time period * it went from * clothes like Ed Hardy and True Religion, that. I never did the Ed Hardy, True Religion. I went straight from baggy clothes to skinny jeans and *** like that, but they had the mohawks * like the score bandanas. They broke into the principal’s office, stole *** and all that. Brought it home. Then they were like, “Bring everything back.” didn’t *** ******** back. You know how it go.
00:12:10	Jesse	Host	Even more with Maxo Kream after the break. Stay with us. It’s Bullseye, from MaximumFun.org and NPR.
00:12:17	Music	Transition	Surreal synth with a steady beat.
00:12:19	Jesse	Promo	Support for NPR comes from Discover with a message about rewards. If you’re a loyal **** card customer, you should be rewarded for your loyalty—****** something that’s useful, like cashback match, for instance. Discover *** all the cashback you’ve earned at the end your first year. Finally! Rewards that ** sense. Discover: ********* **** sense. Learn more at Discover.com/match. Limitations apply. [Music fades out.]
00:12:51	Music	Transition	Thumpy **** music.
00:12:56	Jesse	Host	Welcome back to Bullseye. I’m Jesse Thorn. I’m talking with Maxo Kream. He’s a ****** from Houston. On his new album, WEIGHT OF THE WORLD, collaborates with A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, Freddie Gibbs, and more. You * purchase or stream the album now. Let’s get back into * conversation. When did you ** that rap was something that was worth doing, as * said, like someone else would go to college?
00:13:22	Maxo	Guest	Um, when I was supposed to start seriously rapping 18, I was the ***** beefing. going parties, shutting **** parties, beefing with other cliques, beefing with other dudes in the H. And I look up, I’m 21 years old. I’m like, “Damn, I just wasted three years.”
00:13:37	Jesse	Host	When you were that age, were you in the system? **** you getting arrested, or—?
00:13:40	Maxo	Guest	I was in jail. [Chuckles.] I was in jail looking like, “Damn!” I got ****** * years before that like pistol case. I was like 18, 17, something like that. Then I look up. I’m on probation; I’m ******* my probation. Like you know I’m saying? So, they had me. I think I was there like *** months. Not no long time. I don’t do like—I ain’t never been in TBC prison. I ain’t never done no year or nothing. But that six months got my—got my [censored] right. I ain’t gonna lie to you. And I got out, first *** I did was went to South by Southwest. * as soon as we got back to Houston after South by Southwest—was it 2011?—I shot a video.
00:14:16	Jesse	Host	So, were * already ***** by the time you—I mean, you must have been you were **** out to South by Southwest, the music ****** in Austin.
00:14:22	Maxo	Guest	We was *** looking for females. We were gonna get like—it was spring break. We were gonna get turnt. We didn’t wanna go to South Padre, we ** to do something else. Everybody was * to South By like that. This * back when you could walk up and see a Kendrick Lamar show and just walk right in. Like, back when it was real intimate. You feel me? Then, ** the years it * up, built up and became too lit * everybody was gone. But yeah, I had music, * I wasn’t serious. *** by Southwest made me get serious.
00:14:46	Jesse	Host	What about it?
00:14:47	Maxo	Guest	Um, honestly, it was networking their music. I was printing up CDs, passing them out. You could walk up on 2DOPEBOYZ, Earmilk. You could walk up on a A&R at Atlantic. It * right there. Like we don’t got media that. Like, *** we were **** or what. We like in LA right now. You could pull up on Capital, Sony, RCA. You * do all that. You can’t do that in Houston. Ain’t major distribution, no media, for real. Except for like SAY CHEESE.
00:15:17	Jesse	Host	By the time you got to South by Southwest, you’re 20 21 *** old. [Maxo confirms.] Yeah. So, by then, was your idea, “I’m gonna—I’m gonna *** signed to Roc Nation,” or whatever? Or was your idea—you know, “I’m gonna build something here at home.”
00:15:35	Maxo	Guest	It was more like, “Man, I’ma have way, anyways.” But I’m ******* and I’m underground and I was trapping. Like, you know what I’m saying? That’s in the past now, * yeah, I was trapping, had my way. I had own money. By the time I was 21, I had more *** than every [censored] probably in * city that was 21. So, I wasn’t ** tripping. I wasn’t looking for like deal or nothing like that. It wasn’t until 2016 when I caught *** RICO case for the—that’s a organized crime money laundering, manufacturing 2000 pounds of bitter marijuana and [censored] like that. Which is legal in 70% of the country. I don’t know why they was on my case ** that. You me? But yeah, that shit really had me like, “Okay.” Like, when the police and $500k from you, change, jewelry, your car, everything you bought, it’s like, “Dang, like okay, maybe I need to get right. Get all the way legal. Sign a deal.” You know what I’m saying? So, yeah, they really forced my hand. Like, * police been at—bro. They been not **** me for a minute. They never liked * fact that I was rapping, just ‘*** my name—like where I’m from and like how influence I got the city Alief, even though I moved out. Like you ** me? * know how it ** with the rappers and [censored]. Like, I remember after that, I had went to the *** by Southwest. I dropped a tape. I got big. I went on tour with Chief Keef, 2012. * it 2013? 2012? * of those. And then for the Houston show—I killed * Austin show. We killed the Dallas show. For the Houston show, they didn’t let me perform. They said that I was exciting gang riots. So, yeah, they always had out for me. So. And then, after I took * loss to the RICO, then it was like, alright, you know, I’ma sign with ** or RCA. Well, wasn’t—I ** the case in 2016. I ain’t signed ‘* like 2018. And Roc Nation, I’m not signed to them **** recording. Like, that’s management. You feel me?
00:17:22	Jesse	Host	Is that—are *** charges * pending? Are you *** under those charges?
00:17:25	Maxo	Guest	Naaah. I ** got those *** settled like * months ago. Yeah, they were trying to like further like fight on ’99. You know, like eight years, * in, like four years’ probation. They dropped it down two years’ probation. Then they like misdemeanor. Once I heard “misdemeanor” and not felony, I’m like, “Okay, now we can talk.” You know, I * take a probation. I said I beat it, but me taking—I * a **** probation. And like, you feel me? But to me, that’s beating it. A year probation ain’t [censored]. I’m a grown man. I’m legal. I ain’t doing ***** wrong. I’m not gonna get in trouble. * feel me? So, I feel like that *** a blessing in disguise.
00:17:58	Jesse	Host	What was it like to be out in the world, * know, touring, recording, etc., etc., etc., and know that you have this *** over you that could change your life completely? Right? [Maxo affirms.] Like, you know—I’m sure you had lawyers working on it * reassuring * and ** forth, but—
00:18:17	Maxo	Guest	For sure. Shoutout to * Schaffer, the ** lawyer in Texas.
00:18:20	Jesse	Host	But like, I’m sure that whole—that’s four or five years that you knew ** if things went * there, you might end up in ** for real.
00:18:30	Maxo	Guest	I knew I was gonna be good. Like I said, I * Ken Schaffer, one of the * lawyers. You know what I’m saying? He worked on J Prince’s case. You know what I’m saying? He **** J Prince beat his case. He worked on the El Chapo case. You know what I’m saying? Real power of attorney. So, I knew I was good hands. And then, like—that’s * they did it. I was on tour with Danny Brown, and they came to us. So, look, boom. I think it was 2012, 2013, I told you about * Keef. They didn’t let me perform. Then, I’m on tour Danny Brown. They planned to come arrest me * I was onstage, but I performed and after I had went to the bus, and grabbed me. But yeah, they’ been trying to like shut me down. Like, there’s a—like, their goal is to your money, everything you got going. Like, you know what I’m saying? And really try to bring you down.
00:19:12	Jesse	Host	How did the people like in **** family feel about what you write about them? ‘Cause you write… [Maxo chuckles.] You write—you ** like memoirists come on this show and there’s always this question, “When is it my story * when is it their story?” Right? [Maxo agrees.] And you write really specifically about lots of people in ** family. So, do * talk to them about it? Before? After?
00:19:37	Maxo	Guest	My dad—** dad [inaudible], he’d be like, “Okay, son. I ** what you’re doing.” But look, they was always like—so, I up like—you know what I’m saying?—* to tell family business. It’s one thing you ain’t supposed to tell it. But I feel like we older now, grown. Like [censored], it’s my life. So, I’ma speak on it. You know what I’m saying? Like. And then it’s real. It’s * identity. You know what I’m saying? But my mama don’t like it. * don’t like the “MAMA’S PURSE” song, that I brought up like her past. You know **** I’m saying? My dad, he love and hate it. ‘Cause he loved Brandon Banks, he just don’t like me talking about the situation and like, I’ma—I tell * I’ forever talk about it. Like, I’ma do me. I don’t care how nobody feel. It’s my story. I don’t really be into that, ‘cause like I take care of my family. I give ** to family. I for family. You know what I’m saying? I’m the first ** to have a legal job. Anything y’all *** about, I’m ** * trying to hear.
00:20:25	Jesse	Host	I *** a little bit of a song ** your album from 2018, Punken. **** song is called “Grannies”.
00:20:32	Music	Music	“Grannies” from the album Punken by Maxo Kream. … can't leave home ****** it* Come from ** you * a lot of bodies, but don't talk about it* Hard to * * plug, I middleman'd ** package consignment* Hookers, strippers, crackheads, robbers, trappers, ** in public housing* *** Bo was ****** from my Granny, can't leave— around here Roaches, rats, and ants inside my pantry, can't leave food around here Aunty Trish was sleep, I stole her car and went out serving, robbing Grinding with my family through the struggle, hold 'em down regardless My Uncle Bo, my Granny youngest son, he always doing extra Moved in for the summer, he was tired of living in a shelter ** all night and sleep all day, you never know his sleeping schedule… [Volume ****** * continues under the dialogue then ***** out.]*
00:21:03	Jesse	Host	I mean, it’s a list. [Laughs.] [Maxo agrees *** a chuckle.]* You know **** I mean?
00:21:07	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, no cap.
00:21:09	Jesse	Host	It’s a list. Like, you get a call from an uncle? You get a call from a cousin?
00:21:13	Maxo	Guest	** be jamming it! My cousin, Pooh, free him. He got out. He had went back. But yeah, like… like, he it. He love that I’m telling his story, telling the truth. Everybody knows the truth. Like, the family know. Like * ** what I’m saying? Especially what I feel they like to patch up and cover up and front. Like, there * a time like when had moved out—we was the suburbs, but my dad * went back jail. We couldn’t afford the house. We like a $5* neighborhood and the only people getting eviction—like getting eviction notice on the door. The cops were pulling up trying to kick us out. But my mama just don’t want—at first, I thought she was just always trying to uphold herself to something she can’t afford * look a certain way. But I * it. She’d whatever to keep us in that house, even ** she can’t afford it, ‘cause she didn’t want us to go back. Like, you ** don’t ******** what your parents go through until you become a parent.
00:22:01	Jesse	Host	Tell about how you write when * write.
00:22:05	Maxo	Guest	Play the beat * I * for a **** bit, stop. Think about some other stuff, rap, stop. I just feel writing it down takes away the emotion. And like—* like I could have some of my—like, in my head I can see it how I want to. If—like, if I’m writing, it might not come out the same when I come back to ** it. And like, writing just made me feel I was school. I don’t—I ain’t really big on *********** and having someone me telling what to do. You feel me? Now, in music—like, I know some A&R artists there. I can’t with that, ‘cause I felt we were working as a team. But I just be feeling like, school, that—for instance, bro, like I couldn’t have no professor that don’t make more *** than telling me about something, **** to point their finger and tell me I should do with my life. I don’t like that. So—and I feel like writing take me back to that school, but I never got * with teachers. Like, from first grade, bro! This is how I know, like I used to go to school in first grade. Teachers ask me like, “ do your dad do for a living? What does * do?” My mom * a housewife. My dad—I didn’t what he did. So, my mom would always say, “Tell them that your dad owns a ambulance company.” ‘Cause we—I used to come to school fresh every day. Jordans, * Hilfiger, Polo. All that. You know what I’m saying? All the way through high school. So, teachers always looked at me funny. Even when my * went to ** and I ain’t had that no more, he was a hustler so I was a hustler. I was getting money, making more money than * teachers, pulling up in different whips. They didn’t like that. So, it did something like with subordination, that and writing just take me back to school. So, I’m like—man, yeah, I’m not gonna do this. I’m **** gonna spit everything from the heart.
00:23:36	Jesse	Host	I’m gonna play another song from your 2018 album, Punken. This one ** called “Roaches”. [Maxo affirms.]
00:23:42	Music	Music	“Roaches” from *** album Punken by Maxo Kream. I was * in Vegas at * ******** party* Then my momma * me ' ******* Harvey* ** the house got flooded, water ***** up the sofa Impala, Range Rover, she need me to come over Nowhere *** sober, it was— up my night* Like, "They gon' be alright. Tomorrow, book a flight" Book a-, 40 missed calls, she was calling all night Said there's no more * and lights * she been fighting *** her life* Told Toby, Book the plane…” [Volume decreases continues under the ****** then fades out.]*
00:24:07	Jesse	Host	It’s a terrifying situation you ****** on song, to be away from your family and know that they’re in very real danger. What do * remember about that?
00:24:18	Maxo	Guest	Um. ******** that’s the song. I remember her calling me. I remember being in Vegas. You know what I’m saying? [Inaudible] it’s gonna flood. I remember hurricane Katrina, but ** * more like New Orleans. It didn’t really flood in ***** like that. I didn’t Harvey was * be like that. It was just crazy. Traumatizing. ** cars, whips, cribs. Then it made realize, ain’t nothing more important than family. ******** is materialistic, bro. Like I said, I was way materialistic. But like losing your family’s way worse losing any piece of clothing or car or anything like that. * feel me? That was my biggest fear, for sure. dad got heart problems. He on the roof. Like, you can be in the * ‘* the light’s still on but it’s flooded to **** knees. I mean, all the sockets is full of water that’s deadly. You feel me?
00:25:06	Jesse	Host	How did you get back?
00:25:07	Maxo	Guest	On the plane. They was delayed * like a couple of days * I had came back. * they was by then. Like, the ** I came back, was good. Then, like, she wasn’t in * hood. Like, she was the good part. Like, hurricane… Harvey messed the city. Banged *** city up, for sure.
00:25:27	Jesse	Host	Were you able to stay in contact with them or have **** check up on them when they ** out of the house but not yet out of the house, so to speak?
00:25:38	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, for sure. We **** the phone, stayed in contact. They * rescue teams and rescue people * there. I was connecting them. You know what I’m saying? A *** my ** ** ** * out the house * stuff like that. Like, it was a lot of love, a lot ** H-Town love. Really brought the city together. For sure.
00:25:56	Jesse	Host	It’s a scary situation to see, you know, * pieces of your parents’ life washed. * know **** I mean? [Maxo confirms.] Like, your parents are there, but *** know, like—well, I don’t know. There goes my Masters of the Universe. You’re a little ** young to have Masters of the Universe. Probably Power Rangers or something.
00:26:17	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, I don’t know. I was about to say what’s Masters of the Universe? I’m like, “Hold on, masters?”
00:26:20	Jesse	Host	That’s He-Man.
00:26:21	Maxo	Guest	Oh, yeah. Facts. [Jesse chuckles.] It was cool, though, like—one thing about my mama, she kept a lot of stuff. She had set it * bed. We didn’t ** too much, just the cars I **** them.
00:26:33	Jesse	Host	What *** the toughest part about it?
00:26:37	Maxo	Guest	[Beat.] Uuum. [Chuckling.] Cleaning up. To be honest, bro, like my family—once everything good, we get happy. We tightknit. We laugh, joke. But yeah, the cleaning up. Shoutout to all the ** that ** up to help us recover the house. was crazy, ‘cause it was already fans—well, I ain’t *** * fans. It was like a little rescue ** there. Like, cleaning up. Then they look in the garage. They seen a box, one of my South by Southwest boxes ** of CDs. They’re like, “Holy [censored], dudes, is ** Maxo Kream’s house? This is Maxo Kream’s mother?” Taking pictures, autographing. See, thing got tricky, ‘cause you know how fans get, bro. They probably *** start try and take extra [censored]. Like, “ way, I got Maxo’s shoes from 5^th grade.” Or like something weird with— ‘* I’m already worried * that for real, man. Just make sure people good, and we good.
00:27:25	Jesse	Host	We’ll finish up with Maxo Kream in just a minute. Don’t go anywhere. It’s Bullseye, from MaximumFun.org and NPR.
00:27:32	Music	Transition	Cheerful music with light vocalizations.
00:27:33	Jesse	Promo	Support for ** podcast and the following message from Airbnb. If you’ ** *** about hosting, * might have a few questions. What’s it like? *** do I store my stuff? Is hosting worth it? Now, with Ask a Super Host, you can get free one-on-one help from Airbnb’s most experienced hosts. Whether you’re curious how to * started or just wondering if it’s right for you, you can now ask ******* who’s already hosting. Learn more at Airbnb.com/askasuperhost. [Music fades out.]
00:28:05	Promo	Clip	Music: Cheerful acoustic guitar. John Moe: Look, it’s a *** world out there, especially lately. I get it. So, let’s take care of our * as best we can. I’m Moe, ** of Depresh Mode with John Moe. Every week, I talk with comedians, actors, writers, musicians, doctors, therapists, and everyday folks about the obstacles that our *** * our brains throw front of us. Depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, all those ** health ****** that * way ** common and ***** than you might think. Patton Oswald: * first time I went to therapy, I was so ashamed, and I * like, “I can’t believe I gotta go into therapy. Like, I *** I could be a man. And Humphrey Bogart was never in therapy!” And then my dad said, “Yeah, but he smoked a carton cigarettes a day.” John Moe: Give your mind a break, give ******** a break, and join me for Depresh *** with John Moe. [*** *** out.]*
00:28:52	Music	Transition	Thumpy music with light vocalizations.
00:28:56	Jesse	Host	Welcome back to Bullseye. I’m Jesse Thorn. If you’ just joining us, my guest is Maxo Kream. He’s a critically acclaimed ** from Houston who just put out the new album ** THE WORLD. it, he talks about ** his brother to gun violence, his grandmother to COVID-19, and about becoming a new parent. You can buy or stream it now. Let’s * back ** our conversation. ** brother was killed right before the pandemic, right?
00:29:23	Maxo	Cream	For sure. March 9^th, 2020.
00:29:27	Jesse	Host	How did you hear ***** it?
00:29:29	Maxo	Cream	My homies **** was there with him called me. They called—I was the first person. I had to call my mama. “Hey, yo.”
00:29:36	Jesse	Host	**** you in town?
00:29:37	Maxo	Guest	I was ** Houston. He was in LA.
00:29:42	Jesse	Host	[Beat.] Where were you when you *** the call?
00:29:44	Maxo	Guest	I * girlfriend’s house—well, my ** mama now, but my girlfriend house asleep, chilling. He called me.
00:29:52	Jesse	Host	Was it a surprise to you?
00:29:54	Maxo	Guest	Yeah—hell yeah! Surprised, like you never know when it’s your last day, bro, waking up. Think about that. You never know. So, ** yeah I was surprised. But I’m like, “Damn.” It really caught me off guard. I was supposed come, but I ain’t coming ‘cause he wasn’t trying to grab no *** room. He wasn’t trying grab like a rent-a-car to ** around. I pay for safety. That’s one thing. Like, you know what I’m saying? But I ain’t think nothing about it; he done this shit about a million times. Felt like he was gonna [inaudible] fly here, grab ** he need or whatever, come back. That wasn’t * situation, though.
00:30:33	Jesse	Host	**** was it like to call your mom?
00:30:36	Maxo	Guest	The call, it was hard. * at the candlelight, looking * in the eyes, like that was * most traumatizing of * stuff. [Inaudible] thing you could do to a person: having a little brother die. Especially the little brother that was cool, the good one. I was the * with all * drama and * gang, with all the stuff—* gang banging, * drama, all that. And I felt like, “Dang.” You know I’m saying? I felt like if anything, the karma should’ve been on me, not him. I really felt like that. So, for me to be standing * looking her, telling her that, I ** of feel selfish like in a way. Even though it’s not my fault. Yeah, I think though, it was like, okay. Cool. He’s through trapping. I’m a rapper. I got the money. I’m the * this, I’m the one that. * know * the **** look at you like—the kids like, “You’ a king. You’re doing ** and that.” And over here like—you know ** I’m saying? I ain’t gonna * struggling, but his lifestyle. I wish it were ** set up differently. You know I’m saying? And * * to go ** that, it’s crazy.
00:31:33	Jesse	Host	I mean, one of the things that I imagine—and you * tell if I’m ******** wrong—is that you might have felt like you had—* know. You had changed things. Like, * were in a different part of your life, where *** like that doesn’t happen the way it used to.
00:31:57	Maxo	Guest	Facts. I felt like we just so above the curve. I don’t believe—I ain’t never spoke on this, but he was moving sloppy, too, my brother. Like, we gotta take accountability. For sure, he was moving sloppy. Like, that’s why I didn’t go with him. He was **** too sloppy, being too cheap. Like, you can’t be cheap on your safety, especially you in that kind of market and dealing. And like that’s another thing too. Like, death is sensitive. But **** don’t like to use their—[starts to **** but stops himself]* freaking head. You ** what I’m saying? When it comes to stuff like—dude, if you know you’ ***** that kind of stuff, like… [sighs] you don’t eat where you [censored]. You gotta mix up, move different. And I preached him about it, but he was hardheaded. It is what is, though. * live, you learn. You what I’m saying? I’m still here, for him. I’m putting for him, every day. Persona money gang for “Persona” do. I mean, for “Persona” money do. And he gonna live forever through me, for sure.
00:32:47	Jesse	Host	Well, let’s hear a little bit of the record that *** wrote about him and his passing. [Music fades in.] This song is called—
00:32:52	Maxo	Guest	“Trips”.
00:32:53	Jesse	Host	“Trips”, from **** new album.
00:32:54	Music	Music	“TRIPS” from the album WEIGHT OF THE WORLD by Maxo Kream. Taking trips to California, you'* frequent flying **** United* OG— buying, how you end up dying Set my brother up, try * *** off with his stuff* They tried to *** your pounds, you chased ‘em down and— that— up* Right jab, uppercut, he hit the ground then y'all start to scuff On his neck, he felt you ** threat, he had the— tucked* Pocket— he just ***** it but ain't use yet* My brother should've *** a vest* He should've grabbed that pipe, before he chased him out the house Instead, he ***** * his life and he bleeding out the mouth* Ran up the stairs two flights, then collapsed in front the house Slammed the door, ** woke up Ike, who was sleeping on the couch* But dude was ****** out, "They ** me", laying in a bloody puddle,* “Tried to rob me, then they popped me. Got me for my bundles.” [Volume decreases and continues under the ***** *** out.]*
00:33:42	Jesse	Host	You know, playing that record ** our headphones—‘* **** live—one of the things that I thought of was like—* know, it’s one * to * a record like that or ** it, but you know, it’s your album. So, like, * have like approve the mastering and—you know what I mean? [Maxo agrees emphatically.] Like, * to live ** it.
00:34:04	Maxo	Guest	Facts. I wrote that song like * days after it happened. And I * went back to listen to it. Like, I was on the * here and the song came on. I changed it. For sure, for sure. It’s a great song. I *** jam it. I * perform it. It’s just like—like, it’s so traumatic. You feel me? Like, I don’t really wanna that. Even to write song, I wasn’t in my right state of—I ain’t gonna say right state of mind, but I was on Adderall. I feel like when I get on Adderall, I can go get emotions out without showing the emotion. I can show it through the mic. So, I—[chuckles] I wouldn’t be able write that song without **** a tear without—like, you feel me?—type [censored]. Like, it’s a deep song. For sure.
00:34:43	Jesse	Host	Have you been able to express those feelings for yourself?
00:34:47	Maxo	Guest	What you mean? Like, grieve? [Jesse confirms.] I don’t know. I ** like—I agree with turning up. Like, bro wanted to see me my [censored]. Like, I wanna cop * Lambo, chuck. Like, you know, like the material things. It’s crazy how * this wrap around. Like, how I had all the material [censored] as a kid and I got older like—it’s kind of like a crackhead smoking crack. You try and chase ** first high. So, it was whenever I get that—I mean, I shop 24/7 but retail *** is like trying to me get over it. You feel me? And that’s what I talk about in “MAMA’S PURSE” on * new album. Like, * ** what I’m saying? Like, [rhythmically] “They * my *** in the dirt, and he just gave his daughter birth. Look at * face and * the hurt. Bought her—I bought a necklace, a diamond necklace, a new Lexus, and a Balenciaga purse. I was trying buy * love, but I only made it worse.” You feel me? Like, the ******** stuff don’t really—
00:35:43	Jesse	Host	I mean, you’re telling me that you’re doing it you’re also telling me that it doesn’t work.
00:35:47	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, but I’m doing it, though. To keep mind off of it. I try * to think like—you don’t see me posting my brother all day. It hurts too much. You might see post some homies I was real close with, but I feel like it’s different. I lost a * of homies. I grew up—I was the streets. Lost a lot of homies, but it’s different when it hit like that. Like, I trust my brother more than mom and my daddy. Like, that was the number one person. Like, you feel me? So, it really like— hit me different. But yeah, it made ** up, though. Like just get on my boss. Like be a boss. But I ** got into like—you know what I’m saying? Like credit. Shot my credit score up. Started looking for properties. Reading this as heck when like I got all this jewelry on, I could’ve bought how many properties? Like, ** really opened my * like I’m not scared to say it. Like, one thing about me, I’m a great listener, *** follower, ‘cause I’m a * leader. So, just getting it right— really make generational wealth, * just rap rich. We got on ***** and all this * that. good. But like—you know I’m saying? It really * ** generational wealth. And I feel that’s not even like—it don’t even come with your money. It come with your mindset. ‘Cause your mindset, you gonna set ******** up accordingly to get that.
00:36:54	Jesse	Host	Do you—I know you’re faithful. Do you **** somebody to talk about? A pastor or therapist or…?
00:37:04	Maxo	Guest	My fans of this album. I don’t *** no damn therapist. I… I need to see one. It’s just like, “Nah.” I can’t open up everything. As a matter of fact, I don’t mind * * that I got coming. I got a like, “How my said I need to go talk a therapist,” and then like my reply back is like, “Man, ain’t nothing like—” Like, basically, ain’t ***** that White man that could tell me get over **** I got going, is one of my lines.
00:37:35	Jesse	Host	There * therapists ** aren’t White.
00:37:37	Maxo	Guest	Yeah, I know. [They laugh.] Thanks.
00:37:40	Jesse	Host	Look, I’m not trying tell you * to live your life, Maxo. [Laughing.] [Maxo affirms.] I’m just saying, I got a lot out of it.
00:37:46	Maxo	Guest	Facts. I mean, I’m—man, [censored], making these tapes’ my therapy. Putting out this music. * feedback I get. ‘Cause like, man, your first time meeting me, but like I give * so much in *** albums that like you * a glimpse. You get a idea, for sure. And that’s all like— had a **** like—that’s * they come out like that. So, I try to like—* know what I’m saying?—put like—I don’t * no diary. But this ** is. You feel me? I try to pour all into the music.
00:38:14	Jesse	Host	Well, Maxo, I sure appreciate you taking all this time to be on Bullseye. It was really nice to get to **** to you.
00:38:18	Maxo	Guest	For sure. Appreciate *** love.
00:38:21	Jesse	Host	Maxo Kream, everyone. His new record, WEIGHT OF ** WORLD, is really great. * buy or stream it pretty much anywhere, right now.
00:38:30	Music	Transition	Bright piano.
00:38:32	Jesse	Host	That’s the end of another episode of Bullseye. Bullseye is created from the *** of and the staff of ***** Fun, in and around *** Los Angeles, California—where I was ******** with the issue [chuckling] a too-loud doorbell. My doorbell was too loud, and I posted on ** media, “What can I do make my doorbell ** loud? How do I choose between all * other new ***** when I replace my doorbell?” And none other than comedy ** Andy Richter *** to me and said, “Hey, dummy, just put tape on the hammer that the bell in your doorbell and that deaden the sound a little.” * you, Andy Richter! The show, **** by speaking microphones. * senior producer is Kevin Ferguson. Our ****** is Jesus Ambrosio. Production fellows at *** Fun are Richard Robey and Valerie Moffat. We get help Casey O’Brien. Our interstitial music is by Dan Wally, also known as DJW. Our theme song is called “Huddle Formation”. It’s recorded by the group The Go! Team. Thanks them and to their label, Memphis Industries, for sharing it. You can also keep ** with Bullseye on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. We post * interviews there. And I * that’s about it. Just remember: all great *** hosts have a signature signoff.
00:39:45	Promo	Promo	Speaker: Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of MaximumFun.org * is distributed NPR. [Music fades out.]