Big Dog Talk w/ Charles and Shayvon
Oakland's Hip-Hop Legacy Exposed: An Exclusive Talk With Chuck Johnson - Ep.49 | BDTP
What does it take to build a legacy in the hip-hop industry while deeply investing in your community? Join us on this episode of "Big Dog Talk" as we sit down with Chuck Johnson, the visionary producer, activist, and CEO of Soul Beats Network. From his early days in television production during the 90s to rubbing shoulders with icons like Russell Simmons and Stevie Wonder, Chuck takes us through his remarkable journey. He shares the hurdles he overcame and the skills he honed—like editing and advertising—to sustain his television show. But Chuck's story doesn't stop at entertainment; he has made significant contributions to Oakland's cultural and activist scenes, reflecting a life of perseverance and a profound love for his roots.
How can Oakland maintain its unique cultural vibrancy in the face of modern challenges? In our second chapter, we examine the city's rich history in entertainment and nightlife. Chuck draws parallels to figures like Sway and Big Tigger, discussing how embracing originality and authenticity fueled his career in film production and network leadership. With heartfelt anecdotes and a deep understanding of Oakland's evolving landscape, we explore strategies to bridge the gap between old and new communities, enhancing unity and collaboration. The conversation highlights the special resilience and spirit within the Black community, emphasizing the power of mutual respect and understanding.
Finally, we celebrate the collective effort to build a thriving Oakland through community and entertainment. Chuck reflects on the importance of mentorship, sharing insights from his interactions with legendary figures and community leaders. We delve into the intersection of community involvement and the financial realities of organizing cultural events, underscoring the need for multi-generational experiences. This episode is a rich tapestry of past experiences, future visions, and the powerful role of behind-the-scenes leaders like Chuck Johnson, all aimed at making Oakland a better place for all its residents. Get ready for a candid, insightful conversation that champions authenticity, cultural pride, and unwavering community spirit.
What does it take to build a legacy in the hip-hop industry while deeply investing in your community? Join us on this episode of "Big Dog Talk" as we sit down with Chuck Johnson, the visionary producer, activist, and CEO of Soul Beats Network. From his early days in television production during the 90s to rubbing shoulders with icons like Russell Simmons and Stevie Wonder, Chuck takes us through his remarkable journey. He shares the hurdles he overcame and the skills he honed—like editing and advertising—to sustain his television show. But Chuck's story doesn't stop at entertainment; he has made significant contributions to Oakland's cultural and activist scenes, reflecting a life of perseverance and a profound love for his roots.
How can Oakland maintain its unique cultural vibrancy in the face of modern challenges? In our second chapter, we examine the city's rich history in entertainment and nightlife. Chuck draws parallels to figures like Sway and Big Tigger, discussing how embracing originality and authenticity fueled his career in film production and network leadership. With heartfelt anecdotes and a deep understanding of Oakland's evolving landscape, we explore strategies to bridge the gap between old and new communities, enhancing unity and collaboration. The conversation highlights the special resilience and spirit within the Black community, emphasizing the power of mutual respect and understanding.
Finally, we celebrate the collective effort to build a thriving Oakland through community and entertainment. Chuck reflects on the importance of mentorship, sharing insights from his interactions with legendary figures and community leaders. We delve into the intersection of community involvement and the financial realities of organizing cultural events, underscoring the need for multi-generational experiences. This episode is a rich tapestry of past experiences, future visions, and the powerful role of behind-the-scenes leaders like Chuck Johnson, all aimed at making Oakland a better place for all its residents. Get ready for a candid, insightful conversation that champions authenticity, cultural pride, and unwavering community spirit.
I had a fucking hip-hop TV show Y'all tripping, Y'all tripping, Y'all fucking with YouTube and a phone Y'all tripping. I was around a television network 24 hours a day. The shit had to roll. 30,000 a month to operate in the 90s. All right with. Come on man, Big Dome.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm looking for. Your resume speak for itself. To operate in the 90s? All right, come on, man Big dog. That's what I'm looking for. Your resume speak for itself.
Speaker 1:I had to learn how to edit an entire TV show. When I was fucking 20 years old, I had to learn how to do advertising. You done been in big rooms, big rooms With the big bosses man, steven Wonder, right here sitting next to me, man.
Speaker 2:Talk that, talk, do that shit, simmons.
Speaker 1:You know, russell Simmons, you know again, before all of these different stories came out about all these people, this is when it was all about the good times and the industry and we was having fun. You know what I'm saying Because I didn't end up none of them parties.
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Speaker 2:Welcome back to another episode of the Big Dog Talk podcast. It's your boy, the one and only, big Charles. You understand me. I'm happy, I'm excited, I'm honored. Before I even you guys can see, I have a special guest today. But before I even tell you a little bit about this icon, this legend, I just want to make it clear that Big Dog Talk podcast has always been a platform, since I've started to be inspired, to shine some light on Oakland, on the Bay Area, because I love the Bay Area. Everybody know I'm from Mississippi, proudly from Waveland, mississippi, a hood called Middletown, that's it, you understand. But I have to say this I love the Bay, I love Oakland, I love the culture that I feel every time I step into Oakland. So I felt like it was only my duty well, it was my duty, since I have a platform to shine some light on the Bay and Oakland.
Speaker 2:I've had the honor of having a few guests from Oakland on my show and I'm grateful today because today I got a brother by the name of Chuck Johnson. Do you want to go by Chuck or Charles? Which one? Chuck is cool, we're going by Chuck Johnson. Listen, listen to me. This guy is a producer, this guy is a activist. This guy has interviewed the who's who's of the hip hop culture. This the CEO of Soul Beats Network.
Speaker 2:And this is only a small catalog. Basically, what I'm saying is this I have found a diamond in the rough and he's on the big dog talk podcast. You understand, this is the beauty of it. Come on, bro. I'm so Chuck man, I'm so honored to have you on the show man, I'm so honored because I've done some homework. I've looked you up, talk to me. I've done some homework. I've looked you up. I've seen some of your catalog. You've been around the Tushars, the E40s, the MacDrays Don't go in yet I saw you in the streets doing activist work, inspiring people to. I saw, I saw this with my own eye. So can't nobody take away something that you see with your own eyes.
Speaker 2:And, brother, for you to be on the podcast and for me to have you on side of me this is, this is sincere. I ain't kissing your ass or nothing. This is sincere To have someone like you, a walking billboard, walking history, a walking map of the original Oakland, the culture of Oakland, the culture of hip-hop. Bro, it's an honor to have you on side of me, bro, like I'm going to look you in your eyes as a man. It is an honor, a sincere honor to say Chuck Johnson, the activist, the legend, the CEO, the historian. It's on the Big Dog Talk podcast. I'm in my ego right now. I'm in my ego right now. Come on, I'm in my ego right now and at this point, when you come on a Big Dog Talk podcast, yesterday's price is not today's price. It's a big deal, and I feel like a big deal especially when I have quality on this podcast.
Speaker 1:That's good brother. I appreciate that.
Speaker 2:Let's talk about you, man. That's right man, that's a Appreciate. That let's talk about you, man. That's right man, that's a good one, that's a good introduction. Man, let's talk about Chuck man, let's have some fun, man what's? Up. Where are you originally from?
Speaker 1:I'm originally from East Oakland, california, shout out Also in a neighborhood known as Sabrani Park. Okay and yeah man, he stalked in Sabrani Park for the first 12 years of my life and you know we got around the town a little bit but we ended up, you know, in an area where you know I could actually go to the school known as Skyline, and it was dope man, because I got a good feeling for how the hood worked, but then how other communities worked, okay, whether it was going in the hills or dealing with other ethnicities, it gave me a balance.
Speaker 2:So where did you get your level of diversity from? Because I spoke to you before off camera and you have such a plethora of culture. Of course you can tell you're a town guy. Oh, you see that you know what I mean're a town guy. You definitely can tell. You definitely can tell. You definitely can tell you about the town. But where did the diversity come from?
Speaker 1:Rob Markman. I think it was like shout out to my grandparents the town, the town, you know. Yeah, it was predominantly black, but it had diversity throughout the town. Okay, but again, I give a lot to my grandparents. They was just, you know, active people in the community and sometimes they would take me in the community with them. You know what I'm saying. I would have to go from my Soprani Park mode to getting dressed up, get ready to throw me in some Stacey Adams and put me in a suit, and I just had to blend in with the other people. Rob Markman, you know, Rob.
Speaker 2:Markman, were you raised by your grandparents? Yeah, for the most part, rob Markman. For the most part because you're giving a lot of, you're giving acknowledgement to your grandparents.
Speaker 1:They just became a big part of my chapter in the last 20 years. Okay, it was a big part of my life.
Speaker 2:How was it growing up in Oakland?
Speaker 1:Man it was. I mean, I don't know if you want me to cuss or not.
Speaker 2:No, listen hold on what's happening.
Speaker 1:Be yourself. Nah, it's good, but it was more about. It's just that unique dance that at my age, I try to understand how I normally am myself, but also a lot of people, let me know I got different age groups watching me. Okay, so from that space it's not that I'm relentless in saying some outrageous shit, you just being aware. Okay, I can say some outrageous shit, but I'm balancing it out.
Speaker 2:Okay, rob.
Speaker 1:Markman Jr, I can say some outrageous shit, but I'm balancing it out. We can talk about that, but the point is the town just makes you say you know what, if you really going to be something, you're going to go downtown and go see what it's all about, because the power is all downtown, right. So in the town, I just learned to go downtown. So, whether it was, whatever ethnicity it was, I was going to build a relationship and build my plan with chores.
Speaker 2:Let's create a picture then, because you were raised, I'm going to just say, in old Oakland.
Speaker 1:I was raised in the old town for real.
Speaker 2:Old Oakland.
Speaker 1:This was around what the 70s, 80s, 90s Well, you know it's a dope layer because I grew up in the 70s, I was born in the 70s, so I got a touch of the 70s. I understand the 80s, I understand the 90s, I understand the 20s, I understand it all. Actually, the big twist was probably around 2003-ish. I might be wrong, but around that time you can see the I guess you can say the escape of black folks out of Oakland. Rob Markman.
Speaker 2:Oh, you're moving too fast, though. You're moving too fast because I still want to paint. I want the picture painted where we get to see how was it growing up in your in the beginning phase, how was it for you growing up in Oakland in the 1980s? And then we'll bring it to now. But how was it then? Because I'm asking that because someone on my page from the Bay I don't know who it was you know, with social media, you invite everyone in your world on social media and someone said that old town is way better than the New Town and your goal, when you and I spoke off camera, you said your mission was to bring both together so that they can coexist. So before we do that, I want to know how was the Old Town Okay?
Speaker 1:The Old Town represented with, I say the 1970s is when our grandparents, our parents, they was going after the American dream Rob.
Speaker 2:Markman.
Speaker 1:Okay, rob Markman. So they was trying to show you how to blend in in the American way, Rob.
Speaker 2:Markman, it was a revolution around that time, right Is that when Huey P Newton was Rob.
Speaker 1:Markman Huey was in the 70s, but then in the 80s we was starting to build our own economic machines all of our own different stores and businesses and what have yous Like? Oakland was starting to thrive off us doing business, rob Markman, like Black pride. Rob Markman, black pride, black business. You know what I mean? It was just a whole dope combination, some people call it. It went from the Ward family, the Mack, to the Black Panthers and then you kind of mixed it all up, rob.
Speaker 2:Markman Jr Got a special sauce.
Speaker 1:Rob Markman Jr. Yeah, that was a part of the town. It was dope because we was in the neighborhood, but it was still that family structure, even though it started getting rough because of the crack here. Rob Markman Jr Okay, rob Markman Jr, you know what I'm saying, but we still had that structure. So the 80s man, the 80s was dope because, ultimately, we just had that chance to see us build a business, build a network, build how we communicate with each other to help, whether it was just making sure the neighborhood stayed straight.
Speaker 1:You know what I mean. And it was dope because you can go up to the store and say, hey, you know I'm such and such son. It's good we get credit Like. That was just when we had that kind of a trust with each other and that's what the town was about.
Speaker 2:You know. It's amazing though, because going into Oakland now, you can still tell that a foundation was built there. Rob Markman, Right, Rob Markman, you know, and this is no, I'm not, I'm being choiceful with my words because I don't want to say anything wrong and get taken out of context, but right now, Oakland is not getting a good rep on, especially with media and when it comes to the break-ins and the crime rate. Rob Markman Jr, For sure, Rob Markman Jr, you know. So this is why I wanted some people like yourself that know Oakland, that know the heart of Oakland, to be able to shine some light on Oakland. And listen, I don't care how much you try to throw dirt on our name, it's respect here, it's something special here, and that something special is something I feel every time I enter Oakland, Every time I get around brothers like yourself, even another gentleman I spoke about him before Karriga Tyranny, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1:I spoke about him before, karriga.
Speaker 2:Karriga, yeah, for sure, tyranny T, you know what I mean. Every time I get around, brothers like you guys, like some pillars, you know, and you guys are doing your part, your special part, to make sure the legacy of Oakland lives on, you know. So shout out to you guys, to you brothers, because oakland is a special place. How do we, how do we keep it a special place?
Speaker 1:man good questions um, the town. I think everybody see how dope the town is. It's just, you know, like you said, I come from a part where we used to have a certain handle on downtown energy. We used to, you know, have the nightclubs, you know black folks and the venue spots. We still got a few around. But now it's in a new era now and I just feel like my main interest was, even with the work I do, we may talk about it later.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we're going to get to it.
Speaker 1:I'm a culture strategist now with my district, but my game is this I just want the entertainment to come back to the town, because I remember when the town used to be like the hub for the kicking it Like we was the hub, like everybody from I don't care if it was from Frisco Vallejo, how they still do, they still come but the difference was we still could kind of conduct our concerts. The clubs would stay open. There wasn't no damn bipping. Keep it real. Bipping was lame to us. Y'all. I ain't trying to get at y'all. Like you know I don't understand. Survival was real out here, but bipping wasn't cool back in the day. You know what I'm saying. So it's like I almost want to start getting at the Bippers. Like, what do we? What do we need to do with you? Like, do you need a business? Do you need to go to school? Like, is there something that we can do to change your train of thought that you think Bippin is cool?
Speaker 1:Right Because you impacting really the whole reputation of a city $100 million in money that came into the city based on entertainment and people loving to come to Oakland. They don't even understand how they knocking out a whole economy and so it's like I want them to still kick it. I didn't have the thought about a professional side show. I done been around people that thought about that. That was council members. So it's not that we trying to take away the kicking. We just needed to be able to thrive and not make people be afraid to come to Oakland.
Speaker 2:I like that, I like that, and we're going to dive more into that, but I still I've came here with a mission and my mission today is to shine some light on you.
Speaker 1:Come on, it's all good. Shine some light on each other, brother, because I like again, as I was explaining to you and your wife, man, I appreciate this show. You know you're very consistent in what you're doing over here. Thank you.
Speaker 2:Thank you Back to you, big dog, because you're a humble person. I can tell you've been behind the scene and I just want to shine some light on you, bro. It's all good. Rob Markman Jr. How did Chuck become in my mind? You were like, based off my homework, like the Sway of Oakland, like the big Tigger of 106 and Park. How did you become this who's who? How did you become this legend? Like you were around the best of the best. You brought some of the best of the best together. Where did this love for the hip-hop culture and being in the mix of things come from with you, man? That's a dope question. Is that a loaded question or what?
Speaker 1:It's so much that can be said, but I'll sum it up that at an early age I just embraced culture. Okay, just like I told you last night, I just went to Yoshi's to see Rakim. I remember listening to Rakim Eric B for President song in our lunchroom in middle school and I remember that energy. I remember the clothes we was wearing. I remember the slang we was talking Like. I knew the dances we was doing.
Speaker 1:I just knew something about our energy and how we just go for the real Rob Markman Jr Special. You know what I mean Rob Markman Jr, authentic. And I always just went for the most authentic, the most real. When I walk up to them, keep it real, they be like, okay, I feel something. We on the same vibration, we on the same frequency. I think I just always carried that when I went to go meet somebody that was serious or that was real in the game or was the biggest of the biggest, I just knew I was going to match a certain energy with them and they're going to embrace me and I'm going to embrace them.
Speaker 2:So how did you get to be able to experience? Where did the filmmaking come from? Where did producing come from? Where did this side of Chuck come from, Because you was, like you say, brought up in Oakland? Where did the I want to be a film producer? Where did the I want to be a CEO of a network? Where did this dream come from?
Speaker 1:I learned the word originality at a very young age because, hey, man, I'm kind of a big dude man. I'm 6'5", 2-something right, and I've always been big and where I'm going with that is some of the things that people thought I was supposed to be doing. Whether it was the football, I love football, I love the basketball, I love baseball. Whether it was sometimes they thought I was supposed to be doing. Whether it was the footballer, footballer, the basketballer, baseball. Whether it was sometimes they thought I was supposed to do this, do that. I had my own kind of a concept of where I wanted to go and I did love the camera. I used to actually shoot little videos with my cousins and had them dancing, you know, on the camera. So they always remind me of that. They always, always want me to Don't remember. You shot our first video.
Speaker 1:So I always had an energy for the camera and I knew keep it real. I knew I couldn't rap, I knew I couldn't sing, so I was like-.
Speaker 2:Rob Markman Jr. Oh wait, wait, wait, wait. You love hip hop so much, but you can't rap. You don't have no freestyle, rob Markman, I have no free stuff.
Speaker 1:Rob Markman. Well, nah, what it is is I kill you in karaoke. Rob Markman.
Speaker 2:Oh my God, that don't count. Rob Markman, I kill you in karaoke In other words, I probably didn't.
Speaker 1:To keep it real, I ain't going to put them out there, but I've been in the studios with dope legend rappers. You know what I'm saying, rob Markman.
Speaker 2:Like who?
Speaker 1:Rob Markman. Yeah, I've been in the studio with 40 and you know Rob Markman.
Speaker 2:E-40?. E-40. Rob Markman Is I. Should I Save Her? I Wanna Be Saved.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir, yeah Rob.
Speaker 2:Markman Name some more. Then, Matter of fact, who else Short? I mean, the point is this dog, rob Markman. No, no, no, no, no. You're not going to skip over that, Rob Markman. You just said that you've been in the studio with a few people. Just give me some legends that you've been in the studio with. Say it proudly and confidently, Rob Markman.
Speaker 1:I got you brother. But that's a dope question because, to be honest, over all of my life, to be real, I done been in so many studio sessions, to be honest. But if I can just start going with some names, I done been in the studio with Keek. I can't even explain. Rob Markman Jr. Nope, we're not letting you slide.
Speaker 2:We're not letting you slide, because right now, when I say that Rob Markman Jr, yeah, because it's the world watching. It's the world watching. So they're going to be like this is you, big Charles? You done, rob Mark.
Speaker 1:Big Charles you done. Since the world is watching, I can just say this, brother, I've had a hip-hop video show that went for over three years straight with hundreds of rappers that came through the Bay Area or was from the Bay Area from a year period of time. I've interviewed a lot of people.
Speaker 2:This man just not. I'm going to just say this, then I can get in trouble for saying this, but I saw you interviewing Jay-Z. Before Talk about that, put some respect on your name. This is what.
Speaker 1:I'm trying to. First of all, you said studio.
Speaker 2:If you're talking about interviews, I respect that. I can go through like 20. But I was like in said studio. Rob Markman Jr. Well, okay, rob Markman Jr. Now, if you're talking about interviews Rob Markman Jr. Well, interviews, interviews. Rob Markman Jr.
Speaker 1:Now, if you're talking about interviews Rob Markman Jr Okay, I respect that, I respect that, rob Markman Jr, I can go through like 20. But I was in the chamber that you took me, which was theie Rich, and everybody was just in the studio and we were just chopping up game and I just said something. I don't even remember what I said, but 40 was just like say that again. And I was just like, yeah, such and such, such and such. He was like, oh, that was dope, chuck, can I use that? I was like, yeah, man, that's cool, like it's always been that energy that we communicate in a dope way.
Speaker 1:That again, because I was a hip-hop TV show host, I found my niche with the culture and the community that the rappers because, keep it real, back then the VJ had respect from the rappers because of the production, because of the record label versus the video production company relationship. But then it was that line I crossed where the rappers started being like, chuck, you cool. I'm like, of course, I think you cool. So now we became friends, versus me being the media dude in the back that got away to talk to you. Now they walking over to me saying let's vibe, let's exchange culture.
Speaker 2:Wow, so you introduced. This is crazy, is it true? Well, I saw on paper that you culture. Wow, this is crazy, is it true? I saw on paper that you even produced some things for BET, for sure. How did that go about?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a long story. Long, short story short. The point is this At one point in my life I had an experience when I was doing my rap show in the 90s, I met Joe Clear and Big Liz Okay, and they was actually at the E-40, in a major way record release party over here in Blackhawk. So they was just shooting a show for the Rap City and, long story short, I got with them. So it was just like this relationship that I was building with BET to say, hey, soul Beat is like a connection man, there ain't no competition, let's build some of our content to maybe come to BET and what have you. So that was my first introduction to BET. And then down the road I still had them relationships.
Speaker 1:The hyphy movement kicked in and it was just one of those moments that I was like, let me pull a card pitch this shout out to Stephen Hill. Stephen Hill over at BET. I sent him the pitch, so to speak, to the project and the rest was history. He sent out a crew in two weeks and we did a hyphy week on BET and it was shot. For we ended up shooting like five to six episodes that aired on BET for almost a week. This is crazy man yeah, I'm so.
Speaker 2:I'm in the moment and I'm a fan at the same time.
Speaker 2:It's dope because you mentioned we didn't even get to this part yet you, you just mentioned the network, the soul beats, which is a networking company. Right and again we talked off air, which was a whole. Basically it was a, it was a funnel for oakland in the culture of oakland years ago, and now you are the CEO of Soul Beats Network. I'm switching it a little bit, because you said you have a mission with the Soul Beats Network, right, and you said these are your words that you wanted to bring the old Oakland and the new Oakland together. What is it?
Speaker 2:Well, how do we get back to the Soul Beats Network? How do we get back to the soul beats network? How do we get back to that? How do we get back to that culture? How do we get back to getting Oakland in this space where we, we support and we funnel our own and bring this, bring this sauce, this, this thing that we have, that no one can, that no one can take from us. How do we bring this back together and how do you plan on using your networking company to do so?
Speaker 1:There you go. Well, the way we put this is we're a multi-generational platform. Right and again, soulbeat is known as a television channel that lasted for well, 25 years, wow. But when I think about Sobe Network, I think about just that realm of how many people we actually engaged in that time period as a whole Oakland. So, in other words, sobe had access to whether it was the city hall, whether it was all of the businesses, if you were a mechanic, if you were a church, if you were you name it we had all access to literally the whole community.
Speaker 1:So that's what I'm about just building a network as well at this point, because here's the thing I dance in both worlds. I dance in the rich culture and history that we came from. I dance in what's going on right now, today, wow. So I only can exist in both, you know. So my thing is both don't really pay attention to each other. You know what I'm saying. I think both need to actually pay attention to each other.
Speaker 2:Ooh say that. So are you saying like the old school and the new school really don't?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah absolutely yeah, I think, because again, when I go sit down with an OG and give them my idea, so to speak, what I got from a youngster, they be like no, that ain't make sense and I was like I ain't got to be the middleman. Holler at the youngster, you know what I'm saying. So they can kind of just connect our communities, you know what I mean. Or even, you know, keep it real, there's people on the quote-unquote new Oakland side. They didn't come here just to take advantage of Oakland.
Speaker 1:They love and appreciate the area just as much as you do. You know, what I'm saying. So it's like just finding that balance. Now, if you are somebody who came to Oakland just to strategically kick us out, you really was on some gentrification shit.
Speaker 2:Right Then, yeah, I got a problem with that.
Speaker 1:You got a problem with that you know what I'm saying. But if you just saying, hey, I'm here now, I'm willing to contribute, I'm willing to support, I'm down with the people, that's already was here before me. I ain't trying to erase your culture, you know what I'm saying. That's where you start building a certain type of bridge of communication.
Speaker 2:Rob Markman man, I'm still in amazement, man. I'm in amazement because to me, that's a gift that you have like to bring people together. You know what I mean, based off of, like, what I've studied about you and just our little, our short encounters with each other, and it's really important that we do bring the old Oakland and the new Oakland together, and you made a great point that neither one of those old Oakland and the new Oakland really pay attention to each other, and that's a true statement based off it's like a division there, for sure. How do you think we can bring that together, though? What are some things that you think that we can do? The older community you.
Speaker 1:That's how I move, that's why, at any event or activity that I got going on, not only you're going to see some street mob killer type dudes, then you might see the squares of the square having a great time, right, you know what I mean. Or it could be a politician, it could be you know, because I again I think wasabi is is primarily known for being a black owned entity, but as I've been, you know, doing this thing four years, man, it's been amazing. The kind of people, not only of ethnicities, age groups, places like North Carolina People left Oakland and went to North Carolina, to New York, to Florida, to you name it. They are reaching out to us for this merch, and so I just realized that again, sobe touches a nerve with a little bit of everybody. So you know, as an individual, I've been like that as well. I've just always been open to new people with new experiences. So between me and Soul Beat, it's just a cold energy man, you and I will.
Speaker 2:When you brought me to your office and you and I you asked me if I wanted to go to Welcome me over to Thug Therapy. I was like, let's go. First of all, like I said, your energy was very welcoming. You can tell you a good dude in your heart mean, well, I don't know you personally yet, but I could just tell that man, you're on to something. I mean, you was a part of the past and you were a part of the present, but what the future for you, though? You're on to something. I mean, you was a part of the past and you were a part of the present, but what the future for you, though, bro.
Speaker 2:It just seemed like it's going to keep going. It's going to be amazing, and I told you once we left Thug Therapy that man, oakland is cooking up something special. I'm like it just seemed like with you having your mission, I see Fab with his mission, I see Tyranny with his mission, I see Kariga with his mission, and I want to get some women on here from Oakland that have their own mission as well, very powerful.
Speaker 3:You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:And I don't know people like that.
Speaker 1:You know what I mean, but I do. Shout out to my council person, treva Reed. Shout out to council person Carol Fife. Shout out to my council person Treva Reed. Shout out to council person Carol Fife. Shout out to Selena Wilson over at East Oakland Youth Development Center. You know it's a lot. Shout out to you know so many sisters Ryan, nicole you know it's just a lot of dope ladies.
Speaker 2:that's doing things over in Oakland, and this is what I'm saying, though, when we left Thug Therapy and we was crossing the street, I said, bro, oakland is cooking up something special, and what I love about it, what I love about it even in the midst of struggle, though you know, that's always been our story, though the black community period, that's what's always been out, that's what make us so special in America. Now, that's what make us so special in America. It's our suffering, that that we survive and overcome, that still makes this special sauce, that, no matter what, you cannot stop us. So, just to see you guys, to still have the energy, listen, I love my community. I know we get in a bad rep, but it's love here, it's respect here, community. I know we getting a bad rep, but it's love here, it's respect here.
Speaker 2:This is special and nobody. When all of this big pot of gumbo come together, when all of you pioneers come together, like you said, the young and the old man, I live in that hope, I live in that inspiration. You know what I mean. And again, I'm not trying to step on nobody's toes. Nobody can take away from me how I feel when I step into Oakland and then I feel that energy and that air Can't. Nobody take that from me and somebody can be watching, but you ain't from the Bay, you ain't from Oakland, I don't care. I feel what I feel.
Speaker 1:Rob Markman, and what you feel is what I'm saying to the older Oakland. That's what people coming with Some just natural respect and energy, they want to soak up game. See, you got to realize, dog, we didn't got so much game tooken from us and then people didn't come back and say you know what, here's your flowers, not only just a handshake and a hi, but, man, where's the check? Or how we can build a machine together from the game that you exchanged. That only exists and that's what we kind of got burnt out on, or that's why people have a certain kind of like man, stop taking from us deal with us.
Speaker 1:You know what I mean. So you know that's just where we at in the game. Like, I just love the idea of what we can do now to collaborate. That's why I even came out here to just come sit down with your brother because, like I said, it's dope what we got going on out here with multiple podcasts going on, and keep it real. You coming from a certain different cloth, though, with your podcast, so that's the same energy. I'm on, man Rob.
Speaker 2:Markman Jr, chuck man.
Speaker 1:I still don't feel like I ain't giving it to him, you ain't giving it to him. I got to give it to him, man.
Speaker 2:Listen, listen, listen. This is the big dog. Come on, big dog, come on. You know what I mean. You ain't saying that I'm better than anybody, but I done been around. I done put my work in, respect my dues. Listen, I deserve my flowers. You know what I mean. I deserve my roses. I done been around and I'm still here and I'm still pushing. I'm still pushing the needle of change in my community.
Speaker 1:I've been doing it 20 years ago and I'm doing it 20 years later. That's a big Chuck. Come on, chuck Rob Markman. But see, this is the difference and I appreciate where you at with me and even in the moment. So you got this is now I'm sitting, the OG uncle sitting on the porch with the rocking chair down there.
Speaker 3:Well, you know, back in 1994, youngster you you, I was kicking it.
Speaker 1:I was doing my thing thing, but 1 am uh-uh, I'm gone, I'm out of here.
Speaker 2:Rob Markman Jr. It's not funny, but it's funny. Yeah, but it's funny.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but we got to laugh with the culture. That's where we at today. And so nah yeah, man, it is a fucking roller coaster in my mind of all the experiences that I have and sometimes, to keep it real, that's why I'm just now starting my podcast. Okay, people have been looking for me to do a podcast five years ago, bro Rob Markman Jr.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Rob Markman Jr Five years ago. I've been knowing about I should do a podcast Because I've interviewed hella people. I've seen backdoor situations, cutthroat shit, just cool shit, just remarkable scenarios. I went to the man man March because I hugged Farrakhan and told him I'm coming. I stood on my word with Farrakhan. Bro, like just different angles. Man, like you don't want to know me. Man, what, what, what, no, like I said man, it's not that I'm modest, it's just that's how the game kind of taught me that. Shout out to OG Chuck Johnson. It wasn't.
Speaker 2:Which is who is OG? Chuck Johnson, it wasn't.
Speaker 1:Which is, who is OG? Chuck Johnson. Og Chuck Johnson, the founder, creator of Soulbeat, yeah, OG man. I used to have beautiful talks with the OG. That's why I'd be telling youngsters take time to talk to the right OG. But he would give me volumes of information for like four hours bro, and I just used to soak it up and realize that in one way, yeah, I'm going to do this camera shit, but really it's behind the curtain. It ain't the it's show business, it ain't the show, it's the business.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:So I started just soaking up game on the business side more with him. Sure, I love, you know, being on camera and I love the you love the responses from the community because of being on camera. But I just start being in the shadows, baby, being a silent boss, if you want to call it that, helping other bosses become bigger bosses. I just got into that realm of. It wasn't all about the physical, it was the mental game. Yeah, man, this shit, and I started. That brought me to mayors want to have conversations with me. Uh, it just brought me to you know real top bosses in other underground worlds, like chuck. I like, let's talk, like. And so it's just a dope ride that I've been on because I've had a taste of a little bit of every world and what was fascinating is they was both kind of not wanting to talk to each other, but it was a lot of commonality with both of them.
Speaker 2:Chuck, you know who Dapper Dan is. Yeah, so respectfully, yeah, and I'm not talking about his clothing line. I'm talking about how he is a big part of culture in the East Coast, for sure, and every time that I hear you speak and when I look up my information on you, I see you as and I can be wording it wrong, but I see you as like a dapper Dan as far as Oakland, like a big pot of culture. Now, I'm not comparing you with some of the clothes, I'm just talking about who you are. You are Oakland hip-hop, you are Oakland activists, you are original Oakland and, yes, you are behind the scenes and I'm grateful that you came into the light for Big Charles, for the Big Dog Talk podcast, because people like you go. We take advantage of people like you. We look over people like you. We don't put enough respect on people like your name. So I wanted to use my platform when I got a chance to talk to you. Oh no, oh no, no, no, no, no, because I'm all about shining light and giving respect to people that deserve the respect that put the work in. I'm talking about industry working and I still don't know you like that. I just saw proof, evidence with my own eyes. So I just and that was a lot to me, that was only, but I'm pretty sure it's a little bit to you of what you've done you see what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:So thank you for coming out of the shadows for the Big Dog Talk podcast because, although, like you say, you push the bosses, that needs to be respected, because it's brothers like you who are really secret weapons, and that's just. You're a secret weapon, bro, and that's just the respect that you just have to put on it. You know what I mean Just by watching what I watch and I've already got like a taste and a glimpse of of who you are. And people like you make people really successful, bro, and I believe that you deserve some respect, some roses. I can tell that you get a lot of respect by when I hung out with you just for a little while and we went walking around and I'm an observer Everybody's shaking your hand, everybody. What's up, chuck, what's up Chuck? Everybody you can tell that what you're saying is legit. So brothers like you, man, listen, you can come on the podcast anytime, anytime.
Speaker 1:Nah, we're just getting started, you know, because, keep it real, this was just like kind of our introduction. But again, I love how you do your thing, man. It's about life skills, you know. It's like we can come back and dive into certain subject matters. Right, you know what I mean. We can talk about hip hop. You know, hip hop just turned 50. I'm going to be 50 in September, so I'm a hip-hop baby for real. Maybe that's what happened to me, I don't know.
Speaker 1:But I was born in 1974, so it's like again we can super dive into hip-hop, we can dive super into the liberation for our community, we can talk super into politics, we can go super into other shit, but it's just. You know, we even talked about today's topics, so it's just a lot that we can do and continue to build our relationship bro.
Speaker 2:Listen, in my mind we already friends. Nah man, nah we straight, we straight.
Speaker 1:I'm just saying like listen you're the big homie.
Speaker 2:I'm just letting you know, I appreciate it. I'm just letting you know, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1:I'm just letting you know, man, I'm telling you, I've had that experience all my life where I just fall right in with the right people and it's genuine, and it's consistent, and it just stays that way and I try to keep it like that. Sometimes, you know, life is life. People fall off.
Speaker 3:Some people don't work with you.
Speaker 1:And you live and learn from that. Some people don't work with you Right, and you know. You live and learn from that. But the ones that you immediately vibe with you keep the culture there. That's right. It's going to keep being there, so I look forward to being on this show again for sure, chuck let's talk about, because you also throw events too for the community.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. And you know, we got one coming up, man. We got Soul B Day coming up in July and we're probably going to do a few more of the events, Because this has been my thing, man, it's been this unique twist that I'm trying to find Because I'm a community dude. But this shit is business. So sometimes, doing these concert shows and shit your so-called friends, there'll be 300 motherfuckers calling me outside of the events saying get in free, not realize it's a business. Or sometimes people think that you got more money than they think you can count 200 people, Chuck, that ain't nothing for you. It's like man 200, that's about five, six, seven grand, bro, Right.
Speaker 3:That hurts.
Speaker 1:Right, so it's just finding that dance of doing community shit versus entertainment events that flow a certain way and, like I said, we're finding that multi-generational play that I'm trying to figure out how to do.
Speaker 3:You know what I?
Speaker 1:mean Because, again, I want to find ways. Well, take an example. I'm not trying to take you on a circle, but I was with my nephew yesterday. I was with a nephew yesterday, 24, and we was exchanging game on just music. He was playing certain people and I was playing certain people. I'm just trying to find that line of how the yester can come to an event and vibe with us. Don't be like man, I'm around all these old-ass motherfuckers or the OGs. Come in, man you got me around.
Speaker 1:All these young-ass motherfuckers Check what's wrong with you. Nah, I want y'all to find that rhythm of how y'all can coexist for a night, you know, or just as a time when the culture come together. So that's what I think about with Soul Beat. I think Soul Beat is this unique project that I've been working on the last four years project that I've been working on the last four years. It's not just like, it's just not a thing that's just going away where, at the end of the day, I want it to be consistent. I want it to just be a consistent way that the youngsters talk to the OGs and we exchange game and sometimes, when we come together, let's just find that vibe. Like I like the whispers, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:Yes, google the whispers. You know what I'm saying. Yes, google the Whispers, y'all might find something you know. And then OGs you know I tap in with the.
Speaker 1:you know whether it's the Lil Baby from time to time, or you know, it's just different artists that I tap in with and I just want us to work together to make that vibe. What kind of support do you think you need from your community to make the dream come to fruition? You know what? That's a good thing, man, that you're saying that, and I think timing is everything. July 27th we're going to be doing the event where we're over at Oak Stop. Okay, so we're going to be doing this special event introducing to the community how the Sobe Network actually operates in this day and time.
Speaker 1:Like I said, behind the curtain I have some dope clients that I've been working with for the last five months. One is I've been working with a council member Shout out to Treva Reed. I'm a culture strategist with her in district seven. Shout out to oak stop. We're doing some dope things over there. We've been creating uh profiles on different companies and organizations. That's aligned with. Now our soul beat content. Wow, uh, you know. So it's just a lot of dope things that we we're in the middle of that we want to show to the community July 27th.
Speaker 2:Man, let's sit. You know what. I'm going to look back one day and just let my great-grandkids know that I sat down with a legend you know what I mean which probably will make me an affiliate of a legend, you know so I'm a part of something. Me an affiliate of a legend. You know so I'm a part of something, I don't care what people say Rob Markman.
Speaker 1:Jr. That's history, man that's history.
Speaker 2:This is what I'm trying, this is what I'm saying. I really believe Rob.
Speaker 1:Markman Jr. Man, let me get into my interview mode so. Charles what's up with you, man? You know, tell me about this show, man. What's been the dope experience about doing this show over here in the Bay Area?
Speaker 2:Chuck Johnson.
Speaker 1:No, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:No, I'm saying that because that question is going to carry over to the Soul Big Podcast. Come on, you hear what I'm saying, and then we're going to create a community of podcasts and we work together to support each other. Yeah, man, you know what I'm saying Podcast is here man.
Speaker 2:When I saw you posting on social media, I DM'd you. I sent you a personal text message saying, bro, I'm excited because you have so much on the inside of you and listen, I never wanted to. My wife would tell you I'm an introvert. I never wanted to get on camera. I never wanted this. I feel you. I feel you. I don't want that man. But I understand the importance of mission. You and I, we got together on mission. Our conversation was about mission. You told me your mission. How can I serve you? I told me your mission. How can I serve you? I told you your question how can I serve you? How can we help each other? And that's what we want to do. That's what's going to keep that spirit alive here in the Bay. That's well respected. Come on, you understand, I'm just a little peon that want to be a part of change. Chuck, that's all. Man, I'm just a little guy.
Speaker 1:Chuck E. Nah, don't little yourself, rob Markman, I feel like sometimes we little ourselves too much, chuck, e I feel like sometimes we little ourselves too much, rob Markman, like you've been doing the whole time.
Speaker 2:Basically Chuck E he good he good. He, good he good he good, Rob Markman Jr. Basically what you mean.
Speaker 1:Rob Markman Jr. But see again, this is where we begin, man. Now is today, not tomorrow or yesterday. I feel like, like I said, we talking to the world every time we get on these cameras now and yes, there is a balance of modesty with me, but maybe in a year from now you done seen 10 episodes of our show then you'll be like, okay, that's why he ain't tripping, he's already seen certain things that he's not looking for clickbait, he's not looking for followers. I've been in the cut with incredible experiences that sometimes I don't want to tell you Versus. Sometimes I feel like, okay, maybe I am doing a disservice, Okay, maybe I do need to talk about that one. So that's where we at man and, like I said, take us where you want to take us, man, I'm here with you right now. Whatever you want to talk about, man, let's go to it.
Speaker 2:No, because we gave the people enough today. Okay, but I will say this though. I will say this this is a new reintroduction to the chuck johnson. You understand me. This is like a resurrection and a rebirth. You understand me. This is putting some respect on their own on the og name you. This is we giving you your roses right now, you. You know what I mean and this is like. I'm here, I've been here and I'm going to be here and the legacy will live on through. Take us out of here, chuck. Get us out of here, man. Tell them until next time or something. Man, you get us out of here.
Speaker 1:Hey, man, this is just a start. Check us out at SoBeNetworkcom, check us out on the gram SoBeTV, man, and let's just keep building up our networks. Brother, the introduction God For real. Nah, man, this ain't new, I'm true, man. I just you know.
Speaker 1:I don't have to do it all the time, no more. But I guess I do now Because the truth will be there and then, you know, shout out to me. Like I said, I love it's almost like the paradigm shift of Cat Williams. Cat Williams seem like he got everybody on their shit to be real with their story and stand on their business, and so, yeah, that's where we at.
Speaker 2:So what you say, like Cat Williams did on Club Shake Shake what was that On that podcast? Because Cat Williams got on there and said this will be a show of truth this year. Exactly. So can you give me those blessings for the Big Dog Talk podcast? Can you tell me that this show right here will be the introduction of truth and will be changed? Can you bless me like Cat Williams blessed Shake?
Speaker 1:Man truth will be revealed.
Speaker 2:On the big Off top. Ladies and gentlemen, appreciate you, brother. We are out of here. The one and only Chuck Big Chuck, the hip-hop guru, the CEO, the interviewer of the who's. Who's Listen, the diamond in the rough, the rebirth Peace out man, peace out man. That's right.