There are not many people out there who you can describe the experience or adventure of going to a live podcast, especially one that I and many have been entrenched with for quite some time. I ran into someone on the street on my way to the Atlanta venue with my “Do We Have Sleepers?” T-Shirt on. Immediately got questions about what my shirt said and where I was going including the kicker question to cap off the short-essay I felt like I was answering, “Is Joe Budden actually going to be there?”

There were so many awkward questions back-to-back-to-back that I didn’t know how to answer and really describe, because for those people who didn’t already understand; wouldn’t, no matter how long I sat there to explain it. I mean shit there’s 243 episodes in and numerous live pods already in the books and plenty more to come.

First things first, I had never been to Tabernacle before. Fuck the traffic in Atlanta by the way, but that venue is downright incredible and it was all setup just perfectly. Crowded in some areas, but I was taken back by it overall with how the place looks and is laid out. That for me, plays a lot into the experience alone. I was maybe no further than three steps into the venue when I grabbed a beer (because obviously). I had the opportunity to chop it up with Savon and Ian for a bit prior to the podcast and was absolutely humbled that I got to do so. They work harder than anyone in the fan base really gives them credit for and they don’t ever stop working. Ever.

(Goes to the bar for liquor because again, obviously).

Now is where I’m being led to my seat as I enter the floor level and walk down to the second row of this place, and it. is. packed. Three different levels, the second level curls around to the sides of the stage. I mean the crowd was electric from the moment I sat down. Everyone I ran into and met were super nice people. It was just like we were all attending this big family gathering. Podcast or not, it’s pretty cool to see that many people in attendance for one of my favorite rappers ever. This was different.

Lights go down, a couple cartoon intro videos to loosen up the crowd and then man, the chills I got when they all walked out on stage. A loud standing ovation to the group of four guys who I’ve listened to twice a week for 4-5+ hours for who knows how long. Maybe being close to the stage had a difference, but through the whole night it just felt like you were kicking back with the guys enjoying conversation and laughs. The first topic of the night started off with finger-banging women on Ferris Wheels so like I said, people on the street wouldn’t understand, lol.

The night was filled with laughs. Just like most of the podcasts themselves do for me on a given week, Wednesday night in a major way allowed me to forget about everything else that was going on in my life. It was an escape where I got to spend time with my non-family family. And if you are curious, they do not miss a beat in live shows. The jokes and the random conversations just like we hear through Spotify, 110% translate to the stage and with an audience there to enjoy all the random fuck-shit, it made it all that much more enjoyable. Shout out to you, Atlanta.

For the Love of Mal, Truth or Truth, and the Q&A segments just added to the overall enjoyment. Then the podcast ends, which all the sudden brings on this moment of emptiness, lol. It’s not a normal ending to any live show either. Joe, Mal, Parks, and Rory all hung around on stage and dapped up and spoke to people who came up to say hello. This probably happened for a good 10-15 minutes until security stepped in. There must have been about 50 people crowding the edge of the stage solely where Joe was located as I tried to make my way through the mass of people. I experienced a real cool thing and it wasn’t even anything I was involved with. Joe shook hands with someone and began talking to him and as the conversation continued, Joe sat down indian style (because of course he did, this story wouldn’t be accurate if he didn’t) to speak with the guy. Despite the people around him shouting his name and reaching for handshakes, Joe had his full attention on the conversation for about 90 seconds in full. The same went for the rest of the other guys as I walked around. They engaged in convos with the fans and connected. It wasn’t just a high-five line.

To see in-person the effect that those four gentlemen had on people was incredible. It is a very different experience than what we have on Twitter and social media together as friends. It was worth every minute of my time and the four hour drive I took. Again, fuck you Atlanta traffic. I recommend anyone who has the opportunity to make this happen, pull the trigger. I did not get a picture with anyone there but the moments created in those few hours overshadowed anything else for me. I hope to make it happen again in the near future.

I shied away at asking something during the Q&A segment but I’ve wanted to ask each of them if there is a specific moment when they’ve been on tour where they realized how special this platform was and what they have created.

I mean just think, a live PODCAST – SELLING OUT – in some of the biggest cities across all of the U.S.

That’s crazy…

The thank you’s mean more than you know Joe, Rory, Mal, Parks, Savon, Erikson, and Ian. What y’all are providing for the people is special, and I’m just happy to be one of those friends of the show.

-EQBe