It’s a long held stereotype that young black men and women have two options for success: rap, or go to the league. That stereotype was immortalized in the critically acclaimed album of the same name by rapper 2 Chainz, who joins host Jay Williams on this episode alongside NBA All-Star and Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, accomplished rapper and songwriter Rapsody, and music and advertising executive Steve Stoute. The group share stories about their upbringings, family and cultural expectations, the moment they realized that they “made it”, how they’ve empowered those around them, and the parallels between the sports and music industries.
Rapsody discusses the reality of hiring the right team around you and knowing when you need to shift their roles, as well as the challenges of being a woman in the rap industry and finding the right mentors. 2 Chainz details the economics of his wardrobe and the things that he spends the most money on. Victor Oladipo talks about the importance of teaching young people about fiscal responsibility and taxes and what he wishes he’d known when he started in the NBA. Steve Stoute shares stories of how sports, music, and culture have intertwined through the years and how that’s affected his own business and personal experiences. All four guests discuss the ways in which their industries have changed over the years and the opportunities and challenges that those changes have led to.
Watch all of Season 2 of The Boardroom now streaming on ESPN+. All five episodes, including Transforming Women’s Sports, League Fashion, Evolution of the Wide Receiver, The NBA Past Present and Future, and Rap or Go to the League, are available now in addition to six episodes of Season 1, a Free Agency special episode with Kevin Durant and Stephen A Smith, and a live episode with Jaylen Brown.
It’s a long-held stereotype that young black men and women have two options for success: rap or go to the league. In this episode, 2 Chainz, Victor Oladipo, Rapsody and Steve Stoute break down those stereotypes and discuss what it took for them to “make it,” how they’ve empowered those around them, and the parallels between sports and music industries.
