Cool Jobs: Charlamagne Tha God Talks Finding His Voice And Successful Career Transitions

In addition to your healthy resume as a radio personality, you’ve also managed to brand on the small screen. Talk about how those opportunities came about and if you see yourself eventually transitioning out of radio altogether.

I will never leave radio. Ever! Why would I when guys like Ryan Seacrest and Steve Harvey have showed us the blueprint? They do a lot more television than me and are still on the radio every morning, so I plan on doing the same thing. I have a friend named Tiffany Williams, she works at MTV, and when she saw the “Hood State Of The Union” videos that Lil’ Duval and I were doing, she started circulating those around the MTV offices. Next thing I know, we’re being featured on a show called “Hatin'”, which lead to Paul Ricci and Chris McCarthy offering me a full-time TV deal with MTV2.

I liked their energy, so I took the deal. I’m really just an instinct person and their energy was just right. I consider them my peoples. They have been nothing but honest to me from day one and they check me when I really need to be put in my place. That’s very important to me. I enjoy people who not only help me grow as an individual, but also allow me to thrive in their system. I have learned a lot of great things by being with MTV2. I’m signed with them for a few more years, so continue to stay tuned, as we have a lot of great things coming down the pipeline.

Saying what comes to mind has made millionaires out of smart people such as Howard Stern and Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander. What parameters do you have to make sure your words don’t cost you money? Also, speak on any advice you were given before you went national that you still apply to your career today.

[Laughs] Contrary to popular belief, I do not just say the first thing that comes to my mind. I strive to be very calculated because I don’t want to say something that I will end up apologizing for and also I say things that I can defend. I love Big Boy and Howard Stern—especially Stern. The thing about guys like Stern is that people label them “shock jocks,” but they aren’t trying to be shocking at all. They are just honest. I guess the industry is just so full of liars that when someone tells some truth or gives an honest opinion, it’s shocking to person hearing it.

One of your most notorious incidents came when Kanye West came to The Breakfast Club and you basically told it like it was. What is it about placing celebrities in the hot seat that endears you to the masses? Also, when you had ‘Ye in the studio what were his energies like towards you after concluding the interview?

The only thing ‘Ye said when the interview was done was that he told his team, “Hey, Charlamagne, you aren’t being real with me!” He told me his whole strategy was to not look me in the eyes, but I never intend to put celebrities in the hot seat. It’s just that I’m a fan and as a fan, I’m going to ask questions that a fan would ask–both good or bad. I still enjoy Kanye West’s music, but when he does dumb s–t or releases subpar music, I’m not with that at all! The only difference between myself and the fan is that I get the chance to tell the artist what I think and feel in person.

What is the latest news with your upcoming self-help book? What advice would you have for a mentee struggling with self-image but aware of his or her dream?

The self-help book is [still] on the way. Salute to my guy, Chris Morrow, who is helping me write it. I would tell any of my mentee’s to “live your truth, so nobody can use your truth against you.” You won’t care about self-image if you just embrace all your flaws. We often have a negative self-image of ourselves based on how others feel about us, but my motto is: “I don’t give a f–k and neither should you.” Basically, I’m saying why do we care so much about the opinions of the world? All I care or should care about is what I think. Word to Kendrick Lamar, “I love myself!”

As the year comes to a close, how do you prepare for the new year?

We have a lot on deck for 2015. More television shows, more books, more albums. Plus, I have my Brilliant Idiots podcast and more radio syndication with The Breakfast Club. I filmed a couple of movies last year that should be coming out this year, too. The most important thing to me is being a great husband, an excellent father, and all I want to do is continue to grow as a person. I’m even taking better care of myself, you feel me? I am going to the doctor, the dentist, the dermatologist – you name it. As long as I can strengthen my personal life then everything in my professional will continue to fall into place.

As a prominent voice within the mecca of entertainment, you have certain access that others don’t. Who is one personality that you wish to have sit in The Breakfast Club hot seat and why?

Honestly, this may come as a surprise, but I honestly don’t care who comes on the show. I don’t rely on guests. I love interviewing artists and I know that’s a big part of the show, but every morning on The Breakfast Club, the listener is tuning in to hear us. Angela Yee, DJ Envy, myself— our names are on the marquee—not any artist. I feel like any radio personality who depends on the guest doesn’t really have a strong show. I have to entertain every day with or without a guest on the show, so we’re on the hot seat because every day we have people are tuning in to see what the hype with The Breakfast Club is all about.

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