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.
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