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PODCAST

Before They Were Famous

Michael McCrudden

Based on the popular YouTube Channel "Before They Were Famous" with over 3 Million YouTube Subscribers & nearly 1 Billion views. This is the audio version of those recordings documenting the rise to fame of both traditional stars but mainly internet stars. Artists in rap, comedy, instagram models & YouTubers. This channel profiles who they are, where they came from and how they reached the top of the entertainment industry. Thanks for tuning in.

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All Episodes

9:23

Soulja Boy | The Dark Side of Fame | The First Rapper...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/04/01

According to a recent Instagram Live video, Soulja Boy is ready to leave the rap game behind for good and concentrate on becoming an actor as his new docuseries, “The Life of Draco” hits the internet. But is this the actual truth or just the next exaggeration in a long line of them? Look, on the Bright Side of Fame Soulja Boy’s early 2000’s hit “Crank That” would not only top the Billboard Hot 100 and get nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Song, it would also become a piece of history and be

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9:26

Jada Pinkett Smith | Before They Were Famous | She...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/31

Jada Pinkett Smith is perhaps best known for being one-half of Hollywood’s most dynamic couples, but she’s proven over the years that she’s far more than just Will Smith’s better half. A mother, stepmother, actor, and businesswoman, Jada landed her big break on the sitcom “A Different World”. A few short years later she’d be starring in films like “The Nutty Professor” alongside Eddie Murphy and meeting her future husband on the set of his wildly popular television series. And while her resume might

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12:28

Chris Rock | Before They Were Famous | The REAL...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/30

As one of the most respected and talented comedians to ever step foot on the stage, Chris Rock has been dominating the entertainment industry for decades. From his humble beginnings working on the New York City comedy circuit to being discovered by Eddie Murphy, to hosting the Oscars in 2016, Rock has transformed himself into one of the most influential voices of his generation. And while his success in comedy might not have translated to box office gold for his forty-something-odd movies, Chris has

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10:02

Andre 3000 | Where Are They Now? | The REAL Reason He...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/28

Anytime someone brings up the name Andre 3000, they almost always mention in the same breath that he might very well be the most talented rapper of all time. See? I just did it. It’s easy. And it’s also the truth -- because quite simply put, there aren’t many musicians with the natural charisma and technical skill of Andre Benjamin. Whether it’s those brightly colored fits, that fearless sense of humor, or his willingness to try something new -- Andre is most definitely for real. Or perhaps I should

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8:06

Kay Flock | Where Are They Now? | The REAL Reason He...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/28

By this point in time we all know the truth – Drill music might very well be the most dangerous genre of music in the history of the art form. Don’t believe me? Then check out the recent video we dropped tracing the history of the genre from its modest beginnings to the modern-day era that’s absolutely steeped in violence. Today, few artists better personify this genre than rapper Kay Flock. This young man emerged out of the Bronx alongside his good buddies B Lovee and Dougie B. Together these three

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11:22

Megan Thee Stallion | The Dark Side of Fame | Tory...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/25

Like many rappers, Megan thee Stallion is no stranger to controversy. Ever since this Texas emcee first burst onto the scene with her big personality and impressive freestyle skills, she’s captured the world’s attention. On the Bright Side of Fame this has resulted in a career drenched in accolades, including six BET Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and the fact that in 2020, she became only the second female rapper to win Best New Artist at the Grammys after Lauryn Hill over twenty years

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8:03

Fredo Santana | Gone But Not Forgotten | Tribute To...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/24

When Chief Keef shot his music video for “I Don’t Like” in March of 2012 he introduced us all to a dozen or so of his shirtless friends. Right in the middle of that group was a dude with an upside-down cross tattooed in the center of his forehead whom we would soon come to know as Fredo Santana. And while Chief Keef might have gone on to become drill’s most successful star, Fredo was always the one who personified the movement best. That incredibly intense glare, deadpan voice, and a propensity for

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10:09

Lil Jon | Where Are They Now? | How TikTok Meme...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/23

Lil Jon is probably best known as the undisputed king of Crunk and in the early 2000’s he spearheaded the Dirty South movement that arose out of the hip-hop haven of Atlanta, Georgia. As a character, Lil Jon often presents himself as larger than life, not to mention loud and belligerent, which has helped produce a few of the most often repeated hip-hop catchphrases of recent memory including “Yaaaa”, “What?” and “Okaaaaay”. Whether as a member of the East Coast Boyz, a solo artist, or a collaborator

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10:36

MC Hammer | Where Are They Now? | Tragic Downfall Of...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/23

Prior to “U Can’t Touch This” sure there had been popular rap songs and albums, but no one had ever managed to truly bring hip-hop to the mainstream. Enter the unlikeliest of heroes – a man named MC Hammer. While dressed in one of the most flamboyant pair of parachute pants you’ve ever seen, this young-man sampled hooks from other sources left and right, turning his natural talent as a dancer into the career of a performer the likes of which we’ve seldom seen since. At the time of its release, his

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12:52

Vanilla Ice | Where Are They Now? | One Hit Wonder...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/22

Vanilla Ice rocketed to superstardom in the early 1990’s and for a split-second there, it really seemed like he might become one of the biggest artists on the planet. After all, his breakthrough hit, “Ice Ice Baby” would become the first hip-hop song to EVER reach the top of the Billboard charts. The only problem was, almost as quickly as people were willing to embrace this energetic track, they turned their backs on it as well. And while Ice could have gotten sour over how things turned out and

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8:22

Drill - The Story of Rap's Most Dangerous Genre

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/21

In recent years, Drill has gained insane popularity among rap music lovers.There is an opinion that because of this genre, criminal activity has increased. Chicago at the dawn of drill music was considered the most dangerous city in the US and earned its infamous nickname as Chiraq. And the British government removed over a hundred music videos of Drill artists And New York City Hall is trying to ban the genre itself. Today I will tell you the history of this genre, and what the difference is

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10:10

Bubba Sparxxx | Where Are They Now? | How Drugs...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/18

When Bubba Sparxxx emerged practically out of nowhere in late 2001, his large-set and white-skin dumbfounded the hip-hop market. And yet, some truly well-respected artists like Timbaland and Big Boi were eager to work with him. Following the phenomenal success that was Uglu, Bubba would drop Ms. New Booty in 2005, which would quickly rise all the way to the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. In fact, that one song was enough of a success that Bubba decided to jump-ship and form his own hip-hop

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9:53

Slick Rick | Where Are They Now? | Why Did He Quit...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/18

Slick Rick is just about the epitome of notorious. First, there’s his reputation as one of the very best emcees to ever emerge out of hip-hop’s Golden Age. Then there’s his trademarked eyepatch, concealing a mysterious childhood injury. But most importantly of all, Slick Rick is regarded as one of rap music’s foremost and greatest storytellers. His effortless charisma and lyrical prowess distinguished him as one of the most important figures in rap’s historical development. But when legal problems

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8:21

Fat Joe | Where Are They Now? | Why He Dissed Tupac?

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/18

One of Hip-Hop’s most influential Latino superstars, Fat Joe would emerge out of the Bronx during the 90s and forge a reputation for himself one gangsta album at a time. After discovering the massive talent of Big Pun, Joe would form Terror Squad -- and while the group didn’t stick around all that long, it left a big impression before it was through. In the early 2000s, Fat Joe would continue to climb the charts, but this time he did it largely by moving further into pop music than ever before. And

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9:54

Terror Squad | Where Are They Now? | How Fat Joe's...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/17

At the end of the 20th Century, hip-hop group Terror Squad was poised to become one of the most promising crews in rap-music history. Headed by Fat Joe and featuring a ton of Latino emcees from the Bronx like Cuban Link, Armageddon, Prospect, and Triple Seis – the roster of this talented bunch would fluctuate over the years but the crown-jewel was most definitely Big Pun -- short for Big Punisher – the first Latino artist to ever go platinum with his debut solo album “Capital Punishment”

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9:01

SoFayGo | Before They Were Famous | Travis Scott’s...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/16

I don’t know what you guys were doing in the 4Th Grade, but at that early point in his life, up-and-coming rapper SoFaygo was already recording his first rap song. When he wasn’t even yet an adolescent, SoFayGo would begin spending each and every afternoon teaching himself how to record, mix, and master in GarageBand. Today, SoFayGo is barely twenty-years-old -- only two-years out of high school -- and he’s already an accomplished artist with multiple mixtapes and EPs to his name, all of which have

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8:24

Chamillionaire | Where Are They Now? | How He Became...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/14

Right around 2004 the hip-hop scene saw a major influx of rappers from Texas with names like Nelly and Paul Wall – and yet none of them peaked higher than Chamillionaire who hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for two straight weeks in summer 2006 with his hit single, “Ridin’”. Then, as so often happens with the music industry, sounds change and new stars emerge. Chamillionaire found himself lost in the shuffle as a rap artist. But sometimes the closing of one door leads to the opening of another

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9:14

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | Where Are They Now? | What...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/14

NWA mastermind Eazy-E plucked Bone Thugs-N-Harmony out of obscurity as they were wasting away in Cleveland, Ohio, in desperate need of discovery. This now-legendary group has consisted of five key members over the years, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone, all of whom hit the big time when their tribute song to Eazy-E, “Tha Crossroads” would go onto win the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. But only a handful of years afterward problems would emerge as each member

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8:10

YNW Melly | Where Are They Now? | How He Ruined His...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/14

When YNW Melly dropped “Murder on My Mind” back in 2017, his career absolutely exploded and left all of us asking ourselves, is this maybe the most remorseless, unapologetic rapper alive? After all, rapping about leaving blood-riddled crime scenes and grief-stricken families behind in his wake is glamorizing murder in a way that’s a bit much, even by typical rap music standards. So, when he was arrested just two short years later and charged with a double homicide, I’m not sure anyone was

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8:02

SSGKobe | Before They Were Famous | Lil Tecca's...

Before They Were Famous ·

2022/03/11

SSGKobe might only be 18-years-old, but this kid is already a verified hip-hop star. Hailing from a very small town in Louisiana, Kobe quickly grew tired of his boring-old lifestyle and decided to make a career for himself in the exciting world of music. After dropping his certified banger, “MIA”, alongside a Cole Bennett-directed music video, it’s safe to say that SSGKobe’s star is most definitely on the rise. But why did a kid with a passion for AAU basketball wind up shooting his shot, not on the

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1,002 results

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