0:00 My first job in America, official job was loaded. I was working night shift. My wife used to drop me by 10 p.m. During one of my shift, I was in the toilet. I was crying. By the time I left Nigeria, my case was almost like, he has not made it for this long. There's no way he's going to make it again. A lot of people don't even regard me anymore. God, where is the American dream? It's crazy what I'm about to say, but I heard a very quiet voice. I said, this is the American dream. This is it. I went from the guy who was working night shift at Lowe's to partner with nose [music] interviewing the CMO of Lowe's in kind. It was me and this same girl. She used to go drop me because I didn't have a car then. I never had a car. In fact, I only just bought myself a car last year. [music] Right now, me and my wife, our
0:45 content have crossed over 4 billion views. Linka Lansen, but millions around the world know him as Lamborghini. From growing up in mud house in Iando to finding his voice through music. Lamborghini would go on to dedicate years of his life to people society had forgotten. >> I started going into the prison at 22 trying to get freedom for you know people [music] who are in prison for minor offenses. Peter specifically gave me money 100,000 if I'm not mistaken. I will be going from courthouse to courthouse paying for fine. There were 32 inmates. Freedom. By the time I was done I probably had like maybe 2k left. I wanted to talk about your mom. She passed um when you were 14. >> Before my mom died, we were carrying her from church to church praying. There is no holy water. There is no anointing oil
1:33 that there was in Lagos that we did not touch. There was no night vigil that we did not go to. When I lost my mom, I was beyond broken. I was depressed for like first two years. I couldn't even go back to school because none of it [music] made sense anymore to me. You know, it's like God, where are you? My mom was [music] so sick that it got to the point where I have to clean her up, wash her, shower, bathroom, all of that. One of the things I've been able to compare between me in Nigeria and me here. There's one thing that didn't change. My hustling spirit. My currency is value. When we started, I had people calling my phone saying, "Why you being goofy online?" You know, I see all of them online now trying to create content for
2:18 their business. In fact, some of them look goofier than me. So [music] now you could go viral and be broke. There are so many people who went viral, who chased viralism and didn't take the time to understand that there's a business side to this. I'm just a symbol of hope to anyone out there who has been trying for so long. Sometimes you try for so long, you forget how long you've been [music] trying. And then you try for so long when the success begin to come, you don't even know how to react because it's like, is this even real? You raised yourself from 13. What did that boy have to learn that you're still unlearning? And what did making it in America still not fix?
3:04 Quick one before we jump into the Afropolitan podcast. I have a problem. So my issue is that 72% of you are not subscribed to the Afropolitan Podcast. So, I need you to click the subscribe button so you can join the Afropolitan family. Now, we can jump back to it. >> Lamb, >> someone is going to click your specific video. They may be winding down from a long day. Maybe they're on their way to work. Maybe they're going to do a workout. So, the first thing I want you to tell the afropolitan community is what is the biggest myth about being a creator? Wow, [laughter] that's a very interesting question because I never really set out, me and my wife, we never really set out to become creators. It just
3:49 >> it just happened because we're just having fun >> and the world found us while we're having our fun. So, >> from what I've heard, >> uh you guys [laughter] just make me happy. You guys, you know, people watch us because they want to be happy. They want to feel uplifted. They want to feel um love. They want to also find new food. They want to ex >> it's experiential. Like it's like >> it's it's so much all together in one. So like >> we've met different people that will tell us different reasons why they watch us, you know. So it's like >> some people just watch us for the food, some people watch us for the relationship, some for the shenanigans, and some just enjoy the fact that my wife pranks me,
4:34 >> you know. And then when they see us, they giving out more ideas and I'm looking at them like really really you people know yourself. Leave me alone. [laughter] >> Very very true. >> But I I think what I also want to get into is especially in this episode is the business of it, right? Because people see the fun and it went, you know, and you went viral and again you weren't looking for it. But I'm I'm curious that moment that you guys went viral, did you even in your mind did you immediately say, "Oh, there's business here." or did it take some time for you to come into this is actually a livelihood that we can make from this viral video. >> So when we started, we didn't see the business. Like I said, we were just having fun. >> Yeah. >> The business side of it started coming when brands started reaching out,
5:20 >> you know, to partner with us. And I I remember one of our first major partnership was Crocs, >> you know, uh and Crocs did a partnership with us for three regions, you know, um America, Europe, and Asia. >> And that partnership, you know, made me and my wife just understand that, oh man, there is a business side to this thing, you know, and >> but we told each other, you know, we'll carry it with grace. we will not chase after it you know but just >> enjoy it so that it doesn't become you know work. So it's like how can we have continue to have fun and keep building what we've built. But in recognizing that brands will reach out to us we also
6:06 decided we also don't want to become just a billboard. So we told ourselves we're not going to do every ad that comes our way. you know, we will be very selective to partner with brands that we like, brands that we've used. And in all fairness, most of the partnership we have always come because we've used the product or we, you know, we've we've experienced the products and and that's how Crocs came sincerely. You know, >> she surprised me with a bunch of Crocs >> and I was just happy. I was excited. posted it and it made its way that video made its way to you know the Crocs headquarters and and then it became what it became. So >> um I will say this
6:54 a lot of people when we started >> I had people calling my phone saying oh man what are you doing you know this is you know why you being goofy online [laughter] why are you you know you know why you doing this why you acting like you don't know anything I was like Man, this is my reality though. You know, I truly >> I was a [laughter] you know, I was a beta, you know, a jetaco boy from Lagos, you know. Um, >> but the greatest thing that happened to me was not listening to people >> and allowing myself >> to experience
7:40 life. And I'm forever grateful to my wife for, you know, allowing me to be myself. She, you know, she's not trying to make me, you know, oh, don't do it like that. No, she just allows me. I'm like, let me experience this thing to the fullest. Now, in doing that, at the time when we were doing that, we didn't know there was anything called creator economy coming in the nearest future. >> This was 2020, 2021. When we got on Tik Tok, Tik Tok wasn't even monetized yet. So, we were like part of the first set of creators that experience Tik Tok monetization, you know. And fast forward, literally every single person that used
8:27 to call me back then, make me try to feel bad for being ahead of them, I see all of them online now. >> [laughter] >> That's how V, >> you know, I see all of them online now trying to create content either for their business. In fact, some of them look goofier than me, [laughter] >> you know what I mean? But the truth is, >> the creator economy is the future. >> You know, everybody's on their device, you know. So, I know we're going to get into more business side of it, but this just gives you an idea of how powerful, >> you know, it's it's gone past just creator. It's the future. >> Yeah. >> You know, this is how that's why you see even medical doctors are creating content, not because they want to, but
9:12 because social media has sectioned everything into pockets, you know. So, how do you reach everybody now? Unlike before traditional media, you play one advert by 6:00 prime time, the whole country has seen it. >> Yeah. >> That's no more like it's that's changed. >> People are now in their pockets. Their favorite creators, their favorite uh influencer, their So, it's like how do you meet? And that's how the business exploded and that's how it became, >> you know, everybody's eating good if you know what you're doing. So now you could go viral and be broke. There are so many people who went viral,
9:58 who chased viralism and didn't take the time to understand that there is a business side to this. >> Yeah. >> In our case, when we started going viral, we were very smart to not chase after viralism. >> It's okay if maybe one video goes viral in a month or but we're not chasing it. We started structuring ourel you know we had a team we had people working for us we had agencies it got to a point you know >> we've worked with some of the biggest agencies in America you know at the point CA signed us at the point Gersh signed us you know like that is business right there you know that is uh you have to understand it so
10:44 while you're chasing viralism make sure you're structured >> to be able to, you know, identify those opportunities, you know, and not just enjoy the views >> and the likes and the comments, but are you able to convert? >> Yeah. >> You know how every week we sit down with people who've done it, people who've built, people who've led movements, people who've created culture. What if you could do more than just listen to them? That is why we built Convoy by Afropolitan. On Convo, you're able to book one-on-one video calls with in demand experts from Africa and the diaspora. Go to convo.vip to get access to your next mentor because sometimes one convo can change your entire path. You know, I've been looking at your hats this whole time and [laughter]
11:31 you know, and it says God is not done, right? And I remember offline we were talking about your recent trip to um Nigeria this past December, right? And I was just like I wanted it to tie the whole story together, right? Like you said you hadn't been back to Nigeria until maybe last year since you moved from Nigeria, right? And I felt like that was a testimony of like God is truly not done, right? >> Can you explain to our audience what that trip felt like for you and then walk us through the journey, not the entire journey cuz it's a long journey, but the idea that when I left here, I told God, "This is why I'm leaving, right? When I'm now coming back." It's almost like the story of the prodigal son. Not that you were a bad child living, but you know. >> Wow. But you've said prodical son, so you've assumed I'm a bad child. Take it
12:16 back. [laughter] >> Oh my god. >> But can you can you tie it to the God is not done story and what that felt like when you went back to Nigeria last December? M >> so by the time I left Nigeria in all fairness I was according to the society the standard of how success is measured from where we come from. My case was almost like he has not made it. He's been trying. He has not made it for this long. There's no way he's going to make it again. um I was no longer you know a lot of people don't even regard me anymore you know it's like push him aside you know and then when I got to America and you
13:03 know um just when I got to America America just God opened my eyes to just start a fresh let me put it that way you know and I remember you know I've said this story a couple of times you know when I was you know when we got married we had nothing. We were living with my wife's parents and I was think I went for a walk one day and I was just praying to God. But I'm like, God, what's going on? Like, you know, and that's where God is not done journey started from for me. You know, the fact that God gave me peace in knowing that look, whatever people have said about you based on where you're coming from, based on how they measure what success means to them, that is that is on them.
13:49 >> But me, your God who created you, I have a whole new package for you. I am not done with you. understanding that made me submit myself to God and say, "God, teach me." You know, that's why I my one of my biggest saying is you cannot decide how and when God will choose to bless you. >> Yeah. >> You cannot decide how and when God will choose to bless you. But there's one thing you can do. Be open. Be ready. Be prepared. I was open and I was ready. So going back to Nigeria by the time we you know built what we've built myself and my wife um first and foremost you have to understand that I never thought
14:38 in my wildest dream >> I will be the guy that get recognized everywhere I go to in the world. I literally me and my wife will get recognized everywhere we've been to in the world. Just now as I got here just trying to run into this studio, I [laughter] was greeting people. Even people are whining down their car. Hey man, are you eating anything around here? Hey, where's your wife? You know, like [laughter] >> oh my god, >> who gave me that? >> Yeah, God. God, you know, and going back home, it was very emotional because I built this whole brand with my wife in America. And I became a whole new person after I left home.
15:24 But I'll share something. That trip back to Nigeria, I just wanted to touch Nigeria and say, is this real? >> It was very emotional. So going back to Nigeria just confirmed that yes okay it's real and I went with my wife took her to the market where I used to sell vegetable you know in a in a gondo I said look I used to spread uh bag of rice you know where you cut the bag of rice I used to spread it on the floor right here 6:00 in the morning is a morning market we wake up around 4 4:30 prepare your gur and eilli and uh ugu And all those leaves um water leaf gur you prepare all those things. You
16:10 use the rope from the from the bag you know like the rice the bag of rice you pull each rope >> that rope you're pulling is what you use to tie the bundle of the >> of the leaves. >> Arrange everything. Make sure we get to that market by 5:36 because by 7 market don't close. So >> bring or 7:00 p.m. >> No 7:00 a.m. It's morning market. Okay. Morning market. So people come at that time. >> Yeah. Early get their >> that early you know like by 9 your leaves are already looking. You start watering the leaves and watering it. Does that make >> Yeah. You know so it was early morning thing you know because we I have to do that and still run back and get ready for school. >> How old were you at that time? >> I was young man. Like I've been
16:56 >> this were like my early teenage like I was like >> uh sorry 13 >> 14 you know very early you know I've been selling what I sell >> more >> I sell I sell vegetable I sell puff >> small chops >> I small chops [laughter] small chops >> that's >> later now it's later funky Friday it was puff puff now puff puff we sell you know and then I I said hellouru [laughter] you know so I'm coming from you know far the journey far and God is still not done you know so sometimes when I sit and I reflect on >> how far the journey
17:42 >> has been so that Nigerian trip for me was very emotional because it was like I pinch to pinch myself like this is all real what God has been doing you know building such a beautiful brand and and I I remember I was praying. I said, you know, like God, what's this all about? And it just dawned on me that I'm just a symbol of hope >> to anyone out there who has been trying for so long. You know, sometimes you try for so long, you forget, you know, how long you've been trying and then you try for so long when the success begin to come, you don't even know what how to react >> because it's like, is this even real? you know, so um Nigeria was a very emotional trip. I was just were saying offline, I said I want to go back again
18:30 >> and this time around experience Nigeria, you know, without that pressure of that my first going back, you know, like I want to just sit down now, just >> take it all in properly, you know. So, was there any survivors guilt? You know, because when you're leaving, you have friends, you might have extended family, you might have cousins, just people who you know that there's nothing that makes you better than them or that God has chosen to show you favor. I think Chica is always saying favor is not fair. >> It's not. >> God's favor is not always fair. Um, was there any survivors guilt where you're like, man, why me? Why was I the one who had to to to be blessed even to leave even to Japa? In all fairness, I don't have any survivors guilts >> in all fairness because
19:17 I've been on a very lonely journey for a long time. >> So even before I left Nigeria, I was always very by myself, you know. Um, and I've been working out for so long. Like I've been walking out from when I was a baby, like a kid, you know, like started selling on the streets. At the point I did conductor at the point I was selling ouru I was so I've been by my I've been on that journey for long but I will say something when I one of the things I have been able to compare between me in Nigeria and me here something is there's one thing that is that didn't change my hustling spirit >> the same guy that wake up early in the
20:04 morning go sell this go do that I always try to make something happen And those people who know me within the industry will tell you like, "Bro, I had z look I will have zero zero naira in my pocket. I will walk into your office with the biggest confidence >> to ask you for sponsorship." I never took no. If you tell me no, today I'll go come back tomorrow again. I say, "Ah, yesterday you said no, but today is a new day. How far can I get a yes?" So I don't have that guilt because one of my good friends say this all the time. There is no way in this world that you would give your all to something and chase mastery >> that you would not eventually make it.
20:51 >> It might take time but if you truly give your all to it and I add to it I say along the journey you have to learn unlearn relearn reposition. You cannot keep doing the same thing for a long time and say I'm not successful. I'm not successful. You know, you have to evaluate each step on the way and be ready to hold yourself accountable. Me, I hold myself accountable all the time. And that's why when this opportunities came knocking on my, you know, grace, favor, uh I'll say this, you know, right now me and my wife, our content have crossed over 4 billion views. M >> never in my wildest dream would I ever thought we cross 4 billion views. But how did we get there? It's because we woke up every day and we were consistent
21:40 putting out the content out there, you know. In fact, we even say 80% of our funniest moments, we don't remember to capture it, >> you know. But the 20% has given us that number. So imagine if we try to capture everything we we could be we could be even way more billions of views you know but I like that we don't do that because that 80% is the reason why the marriage is working meaning we are enjoying each other more than we share with the world you know so >> I love that actually you know what I'm curious about is how do you decide Tik Tok like I remember when people told me about Tik Tok and I posted something and I was and I disappeared and then now I'm like ah I should have continue. So, I'm curious like what made you convince yourself there's something here even
22:25 when people didn't realize it was a platform to be building, you know, a personality influence on? >> We didn't even know what Tik Tok was. Me and my wife, we were just having fun on my Instagram. >> And then I had like 18,000 followers because, you know, I've always been an artist. Um, and I will just post our goofy little goofy moment, just me and my wife. And then people will comment and go like, "Oh man." Then Cor Belo, you know, my good brother friend >> said to me one day, he was like, "Ah, you and your wife, you're so funny. You guys should go on Tik Tok." I said, "What's Tik Tok?" I don't even know what Tik Tok was. My wife didn't know what, you know, we went both not on Tik Tok or anything. So we knew about Tik Tok through Cor below >> and then I opened up a channel on it. We
23:11 started posting. In fact, the first video we posted was me trying okra soup. [laughter] >> God. >> So because at that period I've been in in America for like 2 years and I've not eaten Niger food. So a friend of mine who is inside this studio with us. In fact I was just speaking to him on the phone and we're just goofing around just talking. I don't miss Niger food though. His wife heard overheard me talking about uh missing Nigerian food. She said, "I'm cooking or she said, "Okay, you know what? I will send you a bowl of okra. I'll freeze it." So, she sent me a bowl of okra. >> That's love. >> A bowl. >> A bowl better bowl where get dry fish everything. >> He sent they sent me the okra bowl and I
23:59 didn't know what to eat with. I didn't have a I didn't have any. So she now said, "Oh, you can use Farina >> to, you know, since you don't have Gary around you." >> That was what I was eating. >> And I was recording a video to send to >> her. >> No, to my friend. >> Just to say thank you. Like >> just to say thank you. >> Ling just finished walking out. So she was walking beside me. So she was like, "Ah, you're eating this thing." Really? I'm like, "Yeah." Then she tried it while I was still recording. And then she started asking me questions. She was like, "What is this?" I said, "Mom." And sincerely in that moment I don't know what the English name of Pomo is. So she's like what is Pommo? I said Pommo is Pommo. [laughter] It's true. >> Doesn't have any other. He was in the comment section and I started seeing people say oh no is um cow skin.
24:47 I be [laughter] I leave you know cow skin in that moment. So we posted that video >> went to bed and the video went viral. >> Crazy. And then the comments were just like, "Oh, we want to see more. We want to see more." Like, "Keep sharing all your experiences." And that's how we, you know, in fact, we didn't even have any other platform. It was just Tik Tok. >> So, you left your Instagram. It was like we're on Tik Tok. >> But from Tik Tok, people now say, "Why are you guys not on Instagram? Why are you guys not on YouTube? You guys should." So, me and my wife said, "Okay, you know what? Let's open up a YouTube channel." Like, so we just opened up platforms unknown to us. Again, we didn't plan it, but simultaneously we started growing all three platforms at
25:34 the same time. And that's how, you know, we just got followers in all platforms, you know, but we didn't plan it. But Tik Tok is our baby. We say it all the time, Tik Tok changed our life, you know, like >> this was before, >> you know, we even knew you could monetize it or anything, but Tik Tok truly truly changed our life. So, I know the Afropolitan fam wants to know, okay, what does Chica and Etch do outside the couch, right? Sometimes we get to meet y'all in person, but a lot of y'all have a lot of questions around what do me do dayto-day? How do we manage our life? Some people even comment and say, "Oh, I didn't know they're married." So, we have a solution for that. I want y'all to follow us on Snapchat. And we're going to put down individually how you
26:19 can follow me, Chica, and Etch on Snapchat. So, you get closer to us. you get to know what we're doing when we travel. You know, a lot of times we go to New York and LA to even record these episodes and really just get a chance to see behind the scenes. So, I want you to follow us on Snapchat. A lot of times you guys ask for introductions to investors. You want to see our investor deck. You want introductions to other people. So, we have finally created the room on Patreon. And in this room, it's a membersonly exclusive place where we show you the behind the scenes. You get to connect with other people. We share our playbooks. We do deep dives into specific industries. Everything for an entrepreneur. It is like your total toolkit in real time.
27:04 >> I always like to say this is the room where the most ambitious people in the diaspora find each other, right? Like again, sometimes it feels lonely building. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one in your circle who might understand what you really want to achieve. In this room, you will not feel alone. So again, join us on Afropolitan Patreon right? patreon.com/afropolitanodcast. All right, guys, let's pay some bills. >> I want you to tell people what you're currently using because, you know, we always have to get Naira. So, what app do you like? >> So, now I use Zobo Money. Um, Zobo Money, you could get the highest rates pretty fast, right? People get your monies straight. No walla, no the bank has failed or bank is waiting. Um, and I really like it. And it's not just because they're sponsoring the show. I actually use it, right? So, if you're
27:50 somebody who's in the diaspora, you're looking to send money back home to places like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, etc., you're able to use Zobo money to send money back home. And because they're such lovely people, they've given us a promo code with Afropolitan for you to be able to use to send money back home. >> Download it on your Apple and Google app today. Afropolitans, let's pay some bills. So recently I was reading about the Nigerian stock exchange and I was pleasantly surprised that it is really outperforming the market and at first I was a bit skeptical cuz I was reading in Nigerian local news and I was like I don't know if this just is like some funny promotion but then I started reading international news and I was like wow okay I need to start investing in Nigerian stock. So tell me more about
28:36 like how can I do it cuz I don't even know where to start. Well, I use HISA. It's an all investment platform where you're able to invest in Nigerian stocks in US stocks as well. And if you download HISA today, you'll be able to get access to those stocks. >> Amazing. And so, can I just download it on my phone like with Apple Google like where do I Apple store? It's pretty seamless, too. And if you use the promo code afropolitan cuz we have partnered with HISA, you'll be able to get your first two trades for free. >> Okay. So, Afropolitans, you hear that? because I'm trying to get up my money. All right, so we're going to download HISA either on the Apple or the Play Store and make sure you'll see the link in the YouTube description. >> And you know what I'm curious about is, you know, you talked about Crocs. That was your first like major deal, but I
29:22 I'm curious, >> what deal happened that you said we underestimated our value? [sighs and gasps] He's [laughter] like, >> "What do you happen that made us feel like we underestimated our value?" >> In all fairness, we've never thought like that >> cuz did you have Well, okay, maybe you know a lot of most creators are not managed. They don't have agents. So, is it that you went viral and kind of like it's like the Rhysa situation where like all the agents, everyone kind of came in immediately. Was it that type of situation or it took time to build that team? >> In all fairness,
30:08 3 months after we went viral, >> we had managers trying to work with us immediately. You know, >> I remember the first brand job that we even got >> was from India, >> you know, from India. Like the first major brand partnership was from India. The first first job was a podcast. My friend owned a podcast and he was like, "Man, oh man, I love you. You and your wife. Can you advertise my podcast?" And he paid us $250. >> Oh lord. >> You know, so I was like, "What? You could make money with this thing?" [laughter] >> You know, but it started from there. But
30:56 when I talk about like productwise, the first product we had a proper it's was it was a a tea product called VM tea. >> It's a company in India but they they were distributing in America and that was >> you know from that moment we already had a manager >> that was in conversation. So we never we never had that because from jump we always had a team you know like management >> and then about after a year it became agencies and and all of that stuff. So we were pretty uh I would say pretty structured you know um on the back end of things. Yeah. >> Yeah. And actually what I'm what I'm curious about is how did you make the decision I'm with the right team? Right. Because a lot of creators watch this and
31:42 they are always saying I was burnt by my manager. My manager took my money. The agent didn't help me. So, how did you know like we're in the right situation? >> So, first and foremost, me and my wife were very hands-on. I don't care who the manager is. I [laughter] don't care who the agency is. >> We are very handson. >> You see that my pepper soup? I call her [laughter] pepper soup. You see that my wife with that sharp mouth? [laughter] My pepper soup. >> Yes. >> That girl don't play with those emails, you know. >> Your wife. My wife don't play when it comes to email, you know. She >> apart from being a model because she's been a model since she was a baby, model, acting because that's how we met, you know. >> Um whenever she when she wasn't acting
32:27 and doing modeling, she was in, you know, um real estate management and she was managing, you know, she was in like corporate basically, you know, she had like buildings were like, you know, 600 apartments and all that. So she's very good with admin administration administrative you know stuff you know so from every manager agency d no no no no nothing passes my wife she sees every single email in fact >> everybody that has worked with us would tell you if you don't move quick you know she would like so so emails just came in da da da like she's on it and me I'm I love number I'm a numbers guy [laughter] you know So first and foremost, you can't tie my money
33:13 [laughter] because I will ask you up to the 0.00 cent. In fact, >> if you pay me if I'm expecting 1,000 [laughter] and you send me 999.99, >> you getting that extra. >> I will ask you, you must give me an account of whether why is it not 1 0 0. You must tell me. So, we're both very handsome and we've never had the experience of um people stealing from us or people taking advantage of, you know, and I'll say this, if you're a creator, >> I don't care however you want to receive what I'm about to tell you. >> This is your business. >> Yeah.
33:58 >> This is your business. You must pay attention >> to your business. It's called show be for a reason. And I tell people all the time, >> take time. The same way you're taking time to do the creative, you must take time >> to check your numbers. >> If you feel you're losing track of how many deals like, you know, because sometimes it happens, you know, those emails are flying in blah blah blah. >> Call for a meeting. >> Call for a meeting. Take a week break. Say, tell everybody to hold on. Take a week break to check your numbers. what has been coming in. In fact, dedicate a whole month >> to checks and balances. It's important.
34:43 So, most times when I hear people say things like that, it's because in all fairness, if people if your team is stealing from you, it's because you allowed it. You know, I trust you. Don't get me wrong, but >> verify. But I must verify [laughter] there is you think [laughter] two factor authentication is a joke to you. You mean I put ON FIVE FIVE FACTOR >> five factors you know so >> don't play with your business you know take care of it. >> So you came to America obviously um I think the research said for a concert. >> Yeah. >> When did you know you weren't going back? >> Sincerely it was me and my wife. sincerely like we both of us just woke up one day. We were so in love. We just woke up one day like
35:29 what are we doing? Let's get married. >> But how did y'all meet? I I want to know like the actual story like >> wait you don't know that story. >> I I told for the audience now >> all right let me tell you people. So when I came to America, I was like how am I going to I wanted by the time I was done with my concerts in America, I was like ah I want to shoot a music video because all I was thinking at that time is ah local boy who came to America for the first time. I must go back to Nigeria with a video I shot in America. So I needed a vixen and my wife's mom was part of the team that organized my concert. So I told I told her I was like please can you tell your daughter to be my vixen? you know. So, she was like, "Uh, I'll talk to her about this is her Instagram. DM her and tell her yourself, you know." So, I went I SLIDED
36:17 [laughter] papa I slided into the DM. In fact, the way I slide, you could see I chopped the ocar by that time. So, I just and I slided into her DM and I said, "Hey, you know, and I started talking to her, told her about it and you know, event she didn't agree immediately. M >> thank God for our mom who you know because she was like okay because the day we were shooting the video I said so have you listen to the song she's like oh she didn't even listen to the song you know so I still say it to you today said look at you now see your life >> see your life now you're here with me now every day but that's how we met you know through being my video vixen uh the most beautiful the most uh the greatest
37:04 gift that I didn't even plan for and God just gave it to me, you know, just because I thought I was shooting a music video. But I left, went back home and then we we started dating and then we I came back to America and we just woke up one day and we're like, you know what? >> What are we doing? Let's just get married. Because I knew she was my wife from the moment I saw her. >> See, >> it took her time and I said, "It's okay. Take your time. Same here." >> You knew. >> He knew. I was like, "Mhm." >> Yeah. Me, I knew. In fact, I saved the day she gave me her number. >> I saved it as peace. My wife, [clears throat] >> I saved what I felt when I was around her. I felt peaceful. So, I said, I'm going to save the emotion that I'm feeling around this >> wow >> woman, you know, like around this fine
37:51 girl, you know. So, that's how I saved it. And >> um and that's how the journey started, you know, and the best decision I ever made, you know. you know, I want to talk about, you know, sometimes you're in an industry or you're in a field and you're saying, "This is where I want God to bless me and make me successful, right?" So, for example, you're in the music space, right? You're an artist. >> Um, Afro beats has gone global. You're probably thinking, "Ah, from blow is going to be in this field." And then God ends up blowing you from content creation, from Tik Tok or Instagram. I mean, what advice do you have for people who sometimes you want to force God to say, "Oh, my way is the only way." And he's saying, "Yes, this might even be how you will come back to, but I'll use
38:37 this other way that when you now see it, it even makes more sense." Right? What did that feel like for you? Because you're an artist. You're a musician. You want to do music. You've been doing music. It's successful, but you might say, "Okay, maybe I'm not blowing like a whiskey or a devito, right?" Like you said, back in Nigeria, they're looking at you like, "Lamb, what's going on? Whereas now your four billion views can dwarf almost anything that was happening in music, right? So what does that what does that feel like for you? >> You want me to answer that question sincerely? >> They won't like it though. >> No, please. >> A lot [snorts] of people have not made it because they are truly not ready to make it. Now
39:22 I say this after factoring in that yes are the systems that could have made it easier for you to make it. Yes. If certain systems were in place, it will be easier for you to make it quick. No doubt. But when the reality hits you that there is no system in place depending on where you're coming from, depending on where you're watching this video from, you know, certain places are better system than certain places. But after studying a lot of people, a lot of people have not made it one even that thing that they are saying that they want God to bless them through that thing, they are not the best in that thing.
40:08 They are not the best >> and they're not ready to admit that >> and they are not ready to admit that they are not the best product. >> A lot of people just do average and expect you know excellence. >> A lot of people also are doing the same thing and expecting a different result over and over again. I will use myself as an example because you see me here I never I will never uh criticize anybody without looking at myself first when I look at my journey there were certain things part of the reasons why I suffered for a very long time >> is because I was stubborn but I did not realize I was stubborn I wanted to be known or I wanted to blow
40:56 through a certain way so I put all my eggs in that thing, but I was not even the best at it. Was I practicing every day? No. Was I in the studio every blessed day? No. Was I developing my skill set? See, let me give you an example. Let's take That's why I love NBA players and sports footballers. I love them a lot >> because the level of discipline they put in M >> you know to become who they are. Wake up every day, show [snorts] up, train, learn, unlearn d work with people. Let me let me let me say this.
41:42 There is nobody that is extremely successful that didn't have some sort of coaching or some sort of mentorship. >> But a lot of people who are still struggling, go and look at them. Nobody's coaching. You're not coachable. [laughter] No, I'm I'm not coachable for a long time. I thought I knew it all >> until I started unlearning >> and relearning on you know behaviors, characters that you're so used to. In fact, I became a master of talking myself to feel good and I was suffering >> but I'll talk myself into feeling like no. And then there's a whole there's a whole thing I I have I can't wait to
42:27 share one day with the world. It's called before you blame it on God. I came across that because I was talking to myself at the point I found out that all I do is just blame pointing fingers. So I said wait why am I blaming God for everything? If there is a port O on the road, I'm blaming God for that port O instead of look for shovel, gravel, fill it up so I can have a smooth road. Until I started holding myself accountable for my role and I I did a video recently on my Instagram where I said [snorts] everything is 50/50. >> You can or you can divide it however you want, but for me it's 50/50. Play your part and allow God to play his part. So let me go back to the business
43:12 and which is content. I played my part. What what was my part? I woke up. I created with my wife. We posted it. Right. Do you know where God part is? God part is in the algorithm. How how the video got to this celebrity or that person or this person is not in my power. But I played a role. I woke up and I created. You >> showed up. >> I showed up. A lot of people are not showing up for themselves. So if you truly my go-to is the day you are truly tired of being stagnant, you will know and you would begin to readjust. If you found out that you've dug yourself into
43:58 a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging. Just stop [laughter] digging. Now look at how far you've dug yourself in there and begin to think of how can I get myself out of here. Another reason why a lot of people are stuck in that trajectory that you've just shared with me is because they don't like baby steps. Everybody wants a big win. >> But if you start understanding that look, it's okay. A baby step win. Your win today is just one. Embrace that one. love on it. Appreciate it. >> Your win tomorrow might be two.
44:45 >> But you know, we come from a culture where that's why I say I love my wife. My wife my wife simplified my life. >> My wife made me appreciate little little things >> because we come from a culture where everything has to be big. >> Yeah. >> You know, you have to show off in order. So one day she drove for an 1 hour to go and buy donuts. 1 hour. And then she came back home with the donut. She was excited. And then I was looking at her like [laughter] what's wrong with this girl? Why are you happy? >> My will do the same thing >> about donut >> 1 hour. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. >> He was not the donut. M >> God opened my eyes to see past the
45:33 donut. >> To me, donut felt like nothing. >> But I paid attention to the effort, >> the risk, >> that went in into getting me that little donut. Immediately, I no longer saw it as a donut. >> I saw it as I saw it as diamond. I saw it as so valuable. She could have had an accident on her way. Anything could have happened. >> Do you know what it means to drive an hour >> out of joy >> to present you? No, that's no longer a donut. >> And then I said, "Wow, >> I'm having goosebumps as I'm saying it because it opened my eyes to start
46:18 celebrating >> small things. >> Small things." Because they are not small. Yeah, >> look at the effort >> that went into that thing that you're calling small. >> And that changed everything for me. >> This is so powerful because the where I even want to go with this conversation is how long cuz there a lot of people who dropper they're coming into Canada, UK, US and I've always made this joke that when you first land Nigeria scarity is still in your body. You just be moving like this and then maybe after a year or two your beard starts connecting your skin starts glowing. You don't drop electricity 24 hours. >> But how long does it really take for your nervous system to regulate in an environment where if you would come from scarcity and now you're in abundance? What what is what was that process like
47:05 for you moving learning to move from abundance and not thinking okay this [snorts] person might be trying to screw me or this person might be trying to do this or whatever where you're saying I'm even allowed to now enjoy things like taking a walk or driving or doing just the little things but now you learn to appreciate it. How long is that process for you as an immigrant? Well, I think I will go back to my first two years. My first two years I didn't have anything. So it was still struggle because you remember covid happened so I couldn't even all my events got cancelled I was about to do like even because I was doing like prison tour all my prison tour got cancelceled because if you remember we couldn't we were no longer allowed access into the prison even in America so I was just at home now so my
47:50 reality was the exactly that struggle >> now because I I continued in that struggle who because it's like what I experienced more for me was what is going on is where is the American dream >> that was what I experienced I remember my first job you know official job was Lowe's >> man it's so such a blessing man I'm I'm so grateful for life because we just did a partnership with Lowe's in in in in France you know where we >> can >> K when we you know, >> uh, and my first job in America, official job was Lowe's. I was working
48:37 night shift. >> My wife used to drop me by 10:00 p.m., you know, because I work from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. >> And I remember during one of my shift, I was on the toilet. I was crying. >> Wow. I was like, "My God." Because when I look at my income, $15 an hour, in my mind, I'm like, "When am I going to be able to raise something to even be able to live the life that I want?" So, I remember crying in the bathroom and I was like, "Man, God, where is the American dream?" It's crazy what I'm about to say, but I heard a very quiet voice. I said, "This is the American dream. This is it. Unlearn that mentality of ungratefulness
49:25 because in that moment you see I needed a job. God gave me a job but I didn't like the amount I was making. So I was complaining crying emotional damage rather than see like God thank you for this job >> but open my eyes to see beyond this job. What is in it for me to learn >> because I know there is a reason why you put me here. M >> then when I understood that I remember I used to go around and I'll be telling my my co-workers you know I was like oh man one day I'm going to own something like this you know and they were like ah let's just do our job right there I could see but I had a very good boss Mr. be amazing guy >> who just believes in me just loves me like encourage me he was like keep going
50:11 you know don't worry fast forward when we did our brand partnership with Lowe's you know because we we partnered with Lowe's to announce the new program they have for creators into the blue you know that was a very emotional one because I went from the guy who was working night shift at Lowe's to fast forward a couple of years after built a beautiful brand that we I'm able to work with my wife to partner with Lowe's on. You know, there's even an interview where I was, you know, interviewing the CMO of Lowe's because we hosted the Forbes red carpet, you know, at the top creator list, um, you know, launch in Khan and just standing there with my wife, it was so emotional. It was beautiful because it
50:57 was me and this same girl. She used to go drop me because I didn't have a car then. >> And I had a rule when I got to America. I told my wife, I said, "We will never buy, we will never have two cars until we have properties." >> So me personally, I never had a car. In fact, I only just bought myself a car last year. >> Wow. >> Because I said until we have property, I'm not buying a second car. Let's keep managing this one car. So even though people were celebrating us one car >> I said no we're not buying two car decided to buy a car finally was because [laughter] of the distance you know like so okay I was like all right just let's do it now you know but that
51:45 struggle that feeling from a place of lack to abundance I really don't feel it like that >> because God humbled me to feel appreciation, >> gratitude, >> gratitude. So, I am just in my full-blown gratitude element. I don't, you know, I I because I've lived both. I understand what it means not to have and I understand what it means to be blessed. >> Amen. >> You know what I'm actually curious about is because you talk so lovely about your wife, how do you guys deal with disagreements cuz we work together. So, I I need I need you to give the tea of how do you like actually manage working your wife dayto day cuz it's not always
52:31 going to be sunshine and rainbows. How do you get through? Okay, I have this vision, she has this vision. How do you guys finally get to alignment? >> Such a powerful question you just asked and I'm going to answer it in two ways. The first is I came from a home that was divided. >> I came from a separated home. My mom and my dad were not together. So I never even saw that. >> I never saw them walk together as a team. >> But I remember as a child I used to say to myself, when I do get married, I'm going to change this. I'm going to make sure, you know, I have a working relationship with my wife. Now, when it finally happened that I truly now got
53:16 married and I have my wife, the first thing I learned was respect. >> The reason why yes, we have misunderstanding. But there is a foundation of respect >> that we both carry and that is why we're able to work. So when in business because my wife is my business partner when we're talking dream meetings, ideas, she's not my wife. >> She's my business partner. >> Okay? >> I must respect her opinion. I must respect her input. I must respect her feelings. Not as my wife, but as my business partner. Because if I treat her as my wife in that moment, the chances
54:02 of me trying to be sentimental and brush off her idea is very high because the masculinity would want to show itself. >> Yeah. You know, so I found out that because we both respect each other, >> it has allowed us to be able to walk as a partner. >> You see, I said something earlier jokingly. I said no email passes our attention. And then what did you hear me say about myself? I said I'm the numbers guy. >> You see the partnership already, you know. So now do we have misunderstanding? Yes. Me with my coconut African head, you know, because me I'm I'm a stubborn man
54:48 >> and my wife sharp mouth. So we clash all the time. But you know what I found out? Even when we clash, it comes from a place of grace >> and figuring it out. So I'll give you an example. >> When we got married, when my wife asked me question, I I would say something and I'll say what I've said is final because I'm coming from a home where I saw African fathers say something and they walk away. And then my wife will say why? The first time she asked me why, the all the bulb and the electric in my head almost exploded. Like [laughter] you you asking me why. You're asking my question a question. >> Oh my gosh.
55:34 >> But guess what? >> God opened my eyes to understand that she's not questioning my authority. She's seeking clarity. A lot of times, look, I will say this and I'll say it over and over again. If God blesses you with a good wife, be careful not to treat her like any other woman out there. So when God gives you a good wife and they are asking you questions, be patient >> and understand that they are seeking clarity. Do you know how many times I will say something and when my wife ask me why, in the process of explaining the why, I get clarity on my decision.
56:20 I didn't even get clarity when I made the decision. But in the process of answering her, I'm like, h okay, okay, okay, okay. In fact, let me tell you the truth. She will be she knows this because we've laughed about it. Sometimes while I'm explaining my why I will say you know what I bought I bought I bought youon you turn you [laughter] >> you know I'm like you turn that's why >> Mhm. >> our marriage has not felt like the everyday marriage. That's why it has felt like we're just two goofy best friends walking together loving each other because we give each other grace. we respect each other >> and in the in the in fact there's
57:05 something uh there's something that happens all the time because my wife trusts me and I trust her a lot as well. So I'll give you an example financially uh when I make expenses I'm trying to tell her. >> She's like h I don't care. >> Like she doesn't even want to hear it. Like I'm like oh I bought this. I paid for this. She's like it's fine. I I get like she doesn't But guess what? I will still say it. >> Out of that respect. >> I know already. She was I know what she's going to tell me already. I don't care. D. Nope. I will still say it. I will still say I know you don't want to hear, but just hear it. I spent D. We bought this. We bought that. She was
57:51 like, "Okay, thank you. Fine." >> But I will never wake up one day and just normalize now not telling her. M >> I will always say because I don't know the day I might do something that I impute might just save a situation >> but most people get comfortable after you know uh we call it s finish you know they forget me personally I told myself I pinch myself every now and then don't ever forget how you felt the day this woman said I love you a lot of people forget that feeling >> and that is where the enemy >> comes in >> comes in you know so to maintain a good home we're still learning each other we
58:38 allow each other grace was still learning we're still we allow each other to make you know mistakes and we don't force each other into anything I never force my culture on her and she never tries to force her culture on me >> you know I was like take your time enjoy yourself this is not a one night stand is marriage we We said yes I do that do us part >> if take your time enjoy yourself you know I don't even force her to say you must eat my Nigerian food all the time and I said no if you like one or two it's okay and which she does she likes a goosey but don't make it spicy she likes goat meat she likes plantain she calls it ball pandam [laughter]
59:24 the reason why she calls it boys because they roll it. She was like, "Where is the ball?" I'm like, "Okay, the ball is here." She likes okra. >> Mhm. >> You know, and then she likes there's a concussion rice. She likes concussion. Look, that's enough. >> I'm like, I'm not going to now start forcing you to try to No, no, no, no. The same way she's not going to force me to like cheese. Me, I don't like cheese, but she likes pizza. In fact, there are some days in the house I was like, "What do you want for dinner?" And she said, "Pizza." I said, "Okay, get your pizza." Me, I'm sitting down eating better goat meat with >> with dry fish with I'm en I'm sweating. She will look at me like, "You're beating sweat." I was like, "Yeah." I'll
1:00:10 look at I say, "Yeah, look at your mouth too. You're enjoying your pizza." >> Marriage sweet past coconut. >> Yeah. But you know I what I'm also want to understand is even like how do you balance showing up for business but also saying hey we're not having a great day and we need to shut it down because I also think there's sometimes couples especially when they're you know creators they constantly feel like we have to perform we have to be happy. I mean you saw the Christy situation right? So, like how do you do that balance of like making sure we're coming out as our authentic selves as creators? >> That's a good question, too. So, first and foremost, that's my baby girl. >> I mean, I don't play with my wife. >> That's my that's my baby right there.
1:00:56 >> So, there's so many times where we we we plan for the day that we're going to do this, do that, do that, but she's not feeling. I say, "Shut it down. >> Shut it down. Everybody can wait because I understand that when you feel you have to understand I know she's not lazy. >> Yeah. >> I know she's not um she's not complaining every day. I know she shows up every time >> and then the whenever she gives you a signal that she's not herself. Shut it down. Now there are times where I would say I we have codes now. I would look at her, you know, there's I look at her, I'm like, you're good. If she gives me that deep, I'm good. I'll let it slide. That's okay. Let's do it. But if she gives me that weak, I'm good, it's not
1:01:44 happening. >> Yeah, >> it's not happening. Like, >> we're done. It's a wrap. In fact, we've been on production before, like cameras everywhere, and I looked at my wife >> and I knew >> her energy was off. >> It's a wrap. >> Yeah. because she never complains. She's she shows up. So someone who shows up all the time who you know is not lazy, who takes the business serious with you and they are your partner, you know, you have to be >> you need to be protected. >> You have you understand because it's a very thin line. You don't want to also make them start feeling burnout all the time. You know, >> look, no wall just breaks down suddenly. There's a crack somewhere. >> Yeah. when you see that little crack, address it immediately. So that's how we
1:02:31 manage that, you know, like and then there are days that I'm the one not feeling myself and she would just tell me, >> you know, it's okay. She's like, in fact, there are days she go like, but you're doing it, you're trying, you know, it's okay. Even if it take a week, it's fine. >> Yeah. >> So that's how we, you know, we always make sure we protect each other because in fact, there was an agreement we both had. We said if content begins to stress our marriage, we will shut it down >> because our home comes first before any content. Again, like I said, that's my baby, you know, like and when we got married, we didn't get married because we want to be creating content. Content just fell on our laps, you know. So, we try to always make sure that we protect each other's
1:03:16 energy, you know. And she she she's my biggest, you know, apart from God. She's my biggest protector. Like if you try to disrespect me in front of my wife, you're going to see a whole different woman, >> you know? And that's how I even knew that this girl don't play about me when like my wife would put you in your place real quick >> if you try to disrespect me. >> So in fact, sometime people even indirectly try to disrespect me. I won't even feel it because I'm on the phone talking to them. And when I drop because she will look at me like, why did that person make that statement? Why are they trying to be sleek? I might not even see it, but she sees it. >> And I was like, "Wow, >> that's someone who cares deeply about you, you know. So, we hold each other. We protect each other as much as we can." And >> and that's how we've been able to keep
1:04:03 uh [laughter] >> hustling and bustling together. >> I wanted to talk about your mom, you know, she passed um when you were 13. >> 14 13 14. Um and for a lot of young people whom I've gone through that situation you know it's not very easy to deal with. What were those following years after her passing like for you like what were the feelings the emotions you had to deal with through that period at least for the first couple of years as well? I love my mom and my mom's death uh shook me. Um it shook me shook my belief in God because >> before my mom died, >> we were carrying her from church to church praying,
1:04:50 >> you know. Um there is no holy water, there is no anointing oil that there was in Lagos that we did not touch. There was no night vigil that we did not go to. So when I lost my mom, I I was beyond broken. I was depressed for like first two years. I couldn't even go back to school because none of it made sense anymore to me, you know. It's like God, where are you? >> You know, um which I learned another very vital lesson because all those years were carrying out from church to church. if only we just went to the hospital >> to just seek clarity on what is exactly wrong with her and mix it with prayer.
1:05:36 But you know it would have been a whole different story. So losing my mom cuz she was my best friend and we were patty patty. You know what it feels like that your mom my mom was so sick that it got to the point where I have to, you know, clean her up, you know, I have to wash her, I have to, you know, shower, bathroom, all of that. The only reason why I was able to heal a little bit from losing my mom was I asked myself a question. Did I do everything I could as a little boy
1:06:24 uh to be there for my mom? And I was able to say yes, I did >> because I was there to do all those things I said. And that's how I found a little bit of peace. But do I still miss her? 100%. In fact, I say to my wife all the time, I'm like, I wish you met my mom because you are you have sharp mouths just like my mom, you know? like I'm like both of you will get either maybe get along or maybe not get along and I'll be here to enjoy the drama because >> I love both of you and you know um but my mom's passing you know taught me that I am a continuation of the legacy >> you know so I I cuz I've lost my mom
1:07:12 I've lost my dad I've lost my grandparents it's like I've I've I've gone through a lot of burying in in my lifetime. And in all of that, one thing God has taught me is understanding that there is nothing one I can do about it because that's just how human race has been designed. We come and we go. Um the other question for me was we were we were raised to believe you have to be old enough to say you are fulfilled purpose. So when people pass when they are very old you know we are meant to believe that yeah they
1:07:58 fulfilled all their purpose. But one thing I learned after losing my mom in and I lost people in different age brackets and it just dawned on me that it is not in our place to decide the age at which a person have achieved their purpose. >> If they are no longer here, it's because they've achieved their purpose. Now we might not like it but it's not in our place. So I found peace in knowing that my mom, my dad, my grandparents that have all passed in their lifetime, whatever their purpose was, they've achieved it, you know. And I'm just here as a continuation of that legacy, you know. So I hope this um brings anyone
1:08:45 out there peace that have lost loved ones. We will never love the time they depart, >> but please know that during their lifetime, there were things that they got involved in that eyes could not see. That is part of them fulfilling purpose. >> Even a new baby, a new a baby that passes away right now, right? Let's say you have a 2 years old that passes away. Yeah, it's painful to lose a baby. And then you ask yourself this baby is only two years old and they just died you know and I said I said to a friend of mine who lost their baby in you know couple of years ago and I said I said look
1:09:33 from the moment you conceived that child that child already started fulfilling purpose >> before the birth because there were decisions you made your partner made. People saw you with your little baby bump. You don't know how many people saw that baby bump and just had a better day. >> It put a smile on there. That's that baby fulfilling purpose. >> That baby probably pushed you to get a better job or to do this affected your attitude, your mood, your So that 9 months, that baby is already fulfilling purpose. And some of those purpose are seeds that has been planted that will go
…
