Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #22: General Steele

Mask Off with Hawaii Mike episode #22: General Steele

Author: Hawaii Mike June 5, 2025 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 during the crack era, navigating the pressures of street life and finding healing through Hip Hop, martial arts and spiritual growth. From the early Boot Camp Clik days to touring the world, Steele discusses identity, ego, community and his ongoing mission to bring balance to Self and those around him.


This conversation flows from gritty to grounded—showing the evolution of a man who’s used music and mindfulness as medicine.



🎙 Hosted by Hawaii Mike ⁠⁠@hwmk⁠⁠

🎬 Produced by: Hawaii Mike, Cynical Smith & Zenobia Simmons

✂️ Edited by: ⁠⁠@GeneralSteele⁠⁠

🎵 Music by: ⁠⁠@BudaDaFuture⁠⁠

📍 Filmed at ⁠⁠Fly Private Social⁠⁠ in Brooklyn by Bucktown USA Productions.


Follow ⁠@MaskOffPod⁠

Follow Hawaii Mike ⁠@hwmk⁠

Follow General Steele ⁠@GeneralSteele



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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