MASK OFF Ep 6: BUN B

MASK OFF Ep 6: BUN B

Author: Hawaii Mike September 19, 2018 Duration: 1:44:41
This is my friend Bernard Freeman. We met in the music biz while I was at The Source magazine and he was in a group you may have heard of: UGK. I was, and am still, cool with a lot of recording artists but this friendship wasn’t just the industry, we became true friends in real life. Friends to the extent that when we both hit low points in our lives we confided in each other. We had the “you too?” moment where I’m looking at him as legendary rapper Bun B, the underground king, the Trill OG and he’s looking at me as a successful entrepreneur and family man. We both, like most of us do with our friends, assumed the other had it made, wrong. We shared our struggles, our emotions, asked each other for help, and by doing so, it showed us we are not the only ones that go through it, and it’s ok. The original plan for this podcast was to have it hosted by two people, myself and Bun. If we could open up about our life’s journey, be a positive example of friends communicating maybe we could inspire others to do the same. But life happens and the course changes, he focused on recording his album (make sure you cop Return of the Trill) and I stayed on course to bring you this podcast. Both were things that each needed to accomplish and have now brought us back together to do this episode. I had a blast getting to know my friend a little better, who knows, maybe we’ll still do a show together, for now tune in, listen, like, share, comment on MASK OFF EPISODE 6: Bun B.

Hosted by Hawaii Mike, Mask Off with Hawaii Mike exists at a vital crossroads where daily life, mental well-being, and the powerful influence of Hip-Hop culture meet. The conversation around mental health remains particularly difficult in many communities, a reality Mike understands firsthand after navigating his own unexpected struggle with depression. His decision to speak openly about it revealed a shared, often silent, experience among many. This podcast builds on that moment, creating a space where those unspoken stories can finally be heard. Each episode uses the raw honesty, lyrical depth, and resilience found in Hip-Hop as a lens to examine our inner lives. You’ll hear candid discussions that strip away the stigma, moving beyond statistics to the personal truths of getting through the day. The aim is to foster a genuine cultural shift, one honest conversation at a time. By blending personal narrative with broader cultural commentary, this podcast offers both solidarity and practical perspective for anyone who has ever felt the need to hide their struggles. Tune in for a series that is as much about finding strength in community and art as it is about confronting difficult topics head-on.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

Mask Off with Hawaii Mike: The intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop culture.
Podcast Episodes
Mask off with Hawaii Mike #29: Do you want to find your purpose? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
These new shorter episodes are me opening up and being vulnerable. Sharing the journey to find my purpose through love, gratitude and the life's journey of self-discovery. The path is through the resistance, finding auth…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike ep. #27: Angela Yee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:23
From intern to award winning radio host, Angela Yee reflects on her career journey, discussing pivotal moments that shaped her path in radio and entrepreneurship. She discusses her early influences, career aspirations, i…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #26: A-Trak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:19
You know him as a world-champion DJ, Kanye West’s tour DJ, Fool’s Gold Records co-founder and a pioneer who shapes global music culture. But behind the accolades is Alain, a kid from Montreal who became a 5x world champ…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #25: Mecc Rashawn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:48
In episode 25 of Mask Off, host Hawaii Mike engages in a deep and reflective conversation with Mecc Rashawn, a prominent figure in the hip hop industry. They explore Mecc’s early life in South Jamaica, Queens, his discov…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #24: DJ Spinna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:23
In this engaging conversation, DJ Spinna shares his journey from a modest upbringing in Brooklyn to becoming a prominent DJ and producer. He discusses the profound influence of his family's musical background, early expe…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #23: Premium Pete [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:05
Hawaii Mike linked up with Premium Pete to talk fatherhood, emotional evolution, and finding purpose through pain.Known for his work with Combat Jack and his own Premium Pete Show, Pete shares how becoming a father—and l…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #22: General Steele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:28
In episode #22Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own General Steele, one-half of the legendary duo Smif-N-Wessun, to explore a lifetime of music, movement and mindfulness.Steele touches on growing up in Brooklyn durin…
Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #21: MICK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:13
From being the overlooked kid in Youngstown, Ohio to becoming a celebrated DJ, entrepreneur, and father, MICK (formerly Mick Boogie) joins Hawaii Mike for a revealing convo on identity, transformation and the mental heal…
MASK OFF Ep 20: TORAE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:54
In the Season 3 debut episode of The Mask Off Podcast: the intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop, Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own Torae — rapper, SiriusXM host, songwriter, actor, culture carrier and…