Jake Meeks' mostly weekly tattoo podcast answering viewer questions, interviewing artists and waxing philosophical to promote better tattooing and more informed collectors. He is often joined by fellow tattooers, artists of other mediums, professionals in other fields and collectors. We hope you enjoy! Also, we offer courses from artists on the show at firesidetattoo.com if you are interested! Thanks for supporting our show!
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VladTV is the world leader in hard-hitting interviews with rappers, actors, professional athletes, gangsters, politicians, singers, business leaders and everything in between. Updated daily. Become a Member to get interviews up to a month early and ad-free.
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INHP is helping to enhance and build stronger Indianapolis neighborhoods.
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Bobby Cummines on Being a Teen Bank Robber, Prison with Terrorists, Triads & Mafia (Flashback)
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1:37:13In this full-length interview, legendary British gangster Bobby Cummines shares the gritty details of his hard-nosed upbringing in an Irish family in South London. The 70-year-old talks about what it was like to grow up poor and his evolution as a criminal, gangster, and businessman on the black market. As the discussion unfolds, Cummines sheds lig…
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Mob James on Big U RICO, Wack100, Suge Knight, Keefe D, 2Pac, Charleston White
1:37:34
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1:37:34In this interview, Mob James and Vlad discuss the high-profile RICO case involving Big U and the Rollin 60s in L.A. They reflect on Big U's history, social media's role in the case, and various allegations, including a rumored murder tied to Big U. Mob James, while analyzing the serious charges, emphasizes the influential and outspoken nature of th…
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Adult Film Legend TT Boy Tells His Life Story (Flashback)
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1:06:50In 2015, TT Boy spoke to VladTV about his decades-long career in the adult industry, which began when he was just 20 years old. The veteran actor explained the changes in the industry before claiming to have been with at least 10,000 women. Explaining how he arrived at that number, TT Boy revealed that he could do five scenes a day. To hear more, v…
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Gilbert Arenas on LeBron vs Stephen A, MJ's 6 Rings, Euro Whites vs USA Whites, SGA
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2:28:02Gilbert Arenas and DJ Vlad discussed the LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith feud, attributing it to years of built-up tension. They debated Bronny James' readiness for the NBA, predicting he'd need three years. Arenas praised Luka Doncic's trade to the Lakers and criticized the Mavericks' decision. They analyzed the NBA's draft manipulation and the …
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Bobby Luisi on Being Capo in Philly Mafia, 20-Year Sentence, Cooperating with Feds (Flashback)
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59:25In this VladTV exclusive, Bobby Luisi detailed his time as a made man in the Philadelphia mafia. Luisi talked about growing up in Boston around made men, bosses, and capos of the Patriarca crime family before becoming involved with the group by the age of 11. While he distanced himself from mafia activities during his 20s, he returned after the sto…
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Frank DiMatteo on Mafia Association, Crazy Joe Gallo, 'Irishman' being Bullsh** (Flashback)
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54:12In this VladTV exclusive, former mafia associate Frank DiMatteo took DJ Vlad through a brief history of the Italian mob's stronghold in Red Hook, Brooklyn during the 1950s. DiMatteo recounted some of the more high-profile names in the Mob, like Carmine the Snake and Joey Gallo. DiMatteo talked about growing up in a Mafia family, as his father and u…
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1090 Jake on Lil Baby, Big Meech, 50 Cent, Sauce Walka, Yella Beezy, Young Thug
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1:55:131090 Jake dives into the legal and public image issues of various figures in the hip-hop and crime worlds in this new VladTV exclusive. He discusses Lil Baby's potential RICO charges, Young Thug's probation issues, and the fallout from his social media posts. The death of Young Scooter is examined, including the circumstances of his death and the l…
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Larry Lawton on Gambino Mafia Ties, Robbing Jewelry Stores, Sammy The Bull, Prison (Flashback)
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1:28:20In this VladTV exclusive, Former Gambino mafia associate and current prison reform advocate Larry Lawton detailed his path to becoming one of the biggest jewel thieves in America. Lawton explained growing up around mobsters as his father worked in construction and unions. He also revealed that he was molested by a priest when he was an altar boy. L…
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Tony Yayo on Big U, Kanye, LeBron, ASAP Rocky, Big Meech, NBA YoungBoy, Yella Beezy
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2:15:33In the latest VladTV interview with Tony Yayo, the conversation starts with the death of Young Scooter, who suffered a fatal injury after a fake 911 call. DJ Vlad and Tony discuss the dangers of police encounters, particularly in the hood, and the instinct to run. They also touch on the legal troubles of Big U and Yella Beezy before addressing Kany…
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Bloodhound Q50 Tells His Life Story
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1:28:04Bloodhound Q50 discussed his background, including his early life in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, and his strained relationship with his father. He recounted his troubled school years, including being expelled for bringing a BB gun to school and later being withdrawn by his mother to avoid expulsion. Q50 detailed Bloodhound Lil Jeff's rise to fame an…
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Undercover DEA Agent Frank Panessa on Busting The Mafia "Pizza Connection" (Flashback)
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54:53Frank Panessa sat down for his first-ever VladTV interview, and Vlad started off by introducing him as one of the two undercover DEA agents in the “Pizza Connection Trial” that took down mafia members using pizza parlors as fronts. During the conversation, Frank started off speaking about joining the DEA, and from there, he spoke about how he got i…
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DJ Yella on NWA, Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Suge Knight, Jerry Heller, TK Kirkland
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2:25:20DJ Yella discussed the cultural impact of Compton, which was highlighted by Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance. He reflected on NWA's rise, including the release of "Straight Outta Compton" and the group's response to Ice Cube's departure. Yella mentioned the group's financial struggles and the lack of a formal tour, missing opportunities like…
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DA Dan Dorsky & FBI Agent Mike Campi on Taking Down the Mafia's Boss of All Bosses (Flashback)
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1:18:32In an interview with Vlad TV, former assistant US attorney, Dan Dorsey and former FBI agent, Mike Campi talk about their experiences in the war against the mafia in New York. They largely focused on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a law primarily used against organized crime. The use of RICO allowed them to prosecute …
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Gambino Mafia Member Louis Ferrante Tells His Life Story (Flashback)
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1:29:24Former Gambino crime family associate Louis Ferrante shares his life journey from a criminal to a spokesperson for change. Ferrante, now a TV show host and author, grew up in Queens and began his life of crime by stealing cars, which eventually escalated into hijacking trucks for their valuable contents. Despite his criminal outlook at that time, h…
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In the evolving world of tattoo aftercare, understanding the science behind healing can make all the difference in preserving your artwork for decades. When we talked with Don Ranns, we dug into how inflammation affects tattoo healing and why ingredients like CBD are showing promising results for reducing redness and irritation during the critical …
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Playboi Carti's DJ Swamp Izzo Tells His Life Story
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1:16:38DJ Swamp Izzo discussed his journey from South Carolina to becoming a prominent DJ. He highlighted his early struggles, including being arrested and facing racism. Izzo's career took off when he moved to Atlanta, where he was a DJ for various artists like Young Scooter and Future. He played a pivotal role in Future's rise, contributing to mixtapes …
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TK Kirkland on Diddy, NBA YoungBoy, Jay-Z, Kanye, 50 Cent, ASAP Rocky, Keefe D
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2:03:47In a new VladTV exclusive, TK Kirkland and DJ Vlad discuss Diddy's potential bail, emphasizing the importance of listening to high-profile lawyers. They compare Diddy's legal strategy to that of Jay Z, who successfully sued his accusers. The conversation shifts to Kanye West's legal battles and the impact of ego on legal outcomes. They also touch o…
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Ja Rule on Beef with 50 Cent, Murder Inc. RICO, J. Lo, Karrine Steffans (Flashback)
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1:29:49In this 2014 interview, Ja Rule opened up about a variety of topics. He started by detailing his religious upbringing and what soured him on religion. He also talked about battling Redman and meeting DMX before reacting to Karrine Steffans' decision to include him in her infamous book. He also explained Jennifer Lopez using the n-word in their hit,…
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John Pennisi on Becoming Made Man in Lucchese Mafia, Working w/ FBI Against Them (Flashback)
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56:26In this VladTV exclusive, John Pennisi, former made man of the Lucchese crime family, opened up about growing up in Queens before getting involved with the mafia at 14. He started off by driving a truck for a racket dealing with lost airline luggage. Pennisi later described his relationship with John Gotti Jr. and talked about serving 17 years for …
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Reggie Wright on Being Accused of Killing 2Pac, Keefe D Paperwork, Wack100 Pops Up
1:58:29
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1:58:29Reggie White Jr. discussed his views on Keefe D's claims about his involvement in Tupac's murder, emphasizing that Keefe's accusations are baseless and aimed at gaining attention. Reggie highlighted Keefe's history of cooperation with federal agents since 1998 and his alleged snitching, which has led to his current status as a high-profile inmate. …
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AEW Wrestler Swerve Strickland Tells His Life Story
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1:57:06Swerve Strickland, a former AEW (All Elite Wrestling) champion, discussed his journey from Tacoma, Washington, to becoming a professional wrestler. Born to a military family, he moved frequently, including a stint in Germany. Strickland joined the military at 17, had a child at 18, and later pursued wrestling, training at Ground Zero Wrestling. He …
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Karrine Steffans on Lil Wayne, Bobby Brown, Drake, Birdman, Amber Rose (Flashback)
1:29:06
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1:29:06Karrine Steffans sat down with VladTV in 2015 and detailed more of her experiences with various stars. She spoke extensively about her romance with Lil Wayne. During the interview, she revealed that Drake had ghostwritten songs for Lil Wayne amid Drake's own ghostwriting scandal. The author also broke down the dynamic between Birdman and Lil Wayne,…
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Balancing Intuition & Technique | Levi Hilton
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1:12:52What's up everyone, I just had the opportunity to sit down with the incredibly talented Levi Hilton, a recommendation from our friend Patrick O'Neal, and it turned out to be one of the best episodes we've recorded in quite a while. Levi shared his journey from Louisiana to San Diego, diving deep into how animation influenced his unique tattoo style…
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Lawyer Joe Tacopina on Getting ASAP Rocky Acquitted in His Gun Case
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2:01:44Joe Tacopina discussed his career, highlighting his representation of high-profile clients like Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, and ASAP Rocky. Growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, he faced daily challenges but avoided legal trouble. Initially aiming to be a professional hockey player, he shifted to law after a debate professor suggested he'd excel …
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Mo3 Tells His Life Story (Flashback)
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1:14:24In 2019, the late Mo3 told his life story from his upbringing in Dallas up through his entry into the music industry. He recounted some of the issues he had with artists in his city and the remorse he felt for his mother after his illegal activity began affecting her household. Mo3's conversation with Vlad offers a candid portrait of his life and l…
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Army Sniper Nicholas Irving on U.S. vs. China, Ukraine, Hamas, Trump's Tariffs
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2:31:53Former Army Ranger Nicholas Irving discussed the impacts of Trump's tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, and the broader political dynamics between Republicans and Democrats. The conversation touched on the broader implications of these tariffs. While some Americans voted for Trump expecting economic gains, the tariffs could potentially disrupt th…
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Stevie J joined VladTV for an in-depth discussion about his life and career. The renowned producer talked about his upbringing and the impact of his mom abandoning him and his siblings. He also revealed that he came from a musical family and caught his big break with Jodeci, which led him to Diddy. Upon joining Bad Boy Records, Stevie J became a me…
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Aries Spears on LeBron, Jay-Z, Kanye, Lizzo, Kim K, Diddy, Corey Holcomb, Ne-Yo
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2:07:14Aries Spears and DJ Vlad discussed LeBron James' hypocrisy for criticizing Stephen A. Smith's critique of his son Bronny, citing LeBron's past actions. They debated the merits of Kanye West's controversial social media posts and Elon Musk's political stances. Aries shared his views on Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life" and compared Beyoncé to …
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Nipsey Hussle on Joining Rollin 60s Crips, Gang Culture in LA (Flashback)
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46:44In this flashback interview from 2013, late rapper Nipsey Hussle opened up about his blossoming career, having just sold 100 copies of his "Crenshaw" mixtape to Jay-Z for $100 each. He talked about the success of the marketing plan, highlighting the connection he had with his fans. He also explained why his first major label deal with Epic Records …
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Frank Gioia Jr., Made Man in the Lucchese Crime Family, Tells His Life Story
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1:20:05Frank Gioia Jr., a former Lucchese mafia Made Man, discussed his upbringing in Little Italy, his father's mafia connections, and his own criminal activities, including bookmaking, loan sharking, and trafficking. He revealed his involvement in the mafia, including a hit on Frankie DeBlanco, and his eventual cooperation with the FBI to protect his fa…
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Oschino on Meek Mill, Diddy, LeBron vs. Stephen A. Smith, 50 Cent vs. Big Meech
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2:40:10Oschino and DJ Vlad discussed a variety of topics in this new VladTV exclusive. They debated the impact of having a famous father in sports, citing examples like LeBron James' son. The discussion shifted to legal issues, including Diddy's forced labor allegations, Jay Z's lawsuit against Tony Buzbee, and ASAP Rocky's acquittal in a gun case. They h…
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Roc-a-Fella Co-Founder Biggs Tells His Life Story (Flashback)
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35:13In 2018, One-third of the Roc-A-Fella founding fathers Kareem "Biggs" Burke sat down with VladTV during the Reasonable Doubt 20th-anniversary popup shop. The Harlem native spoke forming a relationship with Dame Dash, and how the three came together to form Roc-A-Fella Records and the process of creating Jay Z's debut album. The mogul then discusses…
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Boosie on ASAP Rocky, 50 Cent vs Big Meech, Kanye, Drake, Diddy, Lil Durk, Jay-Z
2:48:32
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2:48:32Boosie addressed a variety of topics in a new VladTV exclusive. The Baton Rouge native was overjoyed when news broke about ASAP Rocky's acquittal in his gun case. Boosie criticized Rocky's accuser, ASAP Relli, and advised Rocky to remain cautious moving forward. The rapper also reacted to the fallout between Big Meech and 50 Cent. As a featured per…
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DCG Bsavv, a rising Chicago rapper, discussed his journey with VladTV. He and his brother DCG Shun, also a rapper, grew up in the Austin neighborhood, which had one of the highest murder rates in Chicago. Bsavv started rapping at age 8 and gained popularity with songs like "Forever Nitty," which garnered a million views in a month. He and his broth…
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N3on, a 20-year-old streamer, discussed his journey from live streaming video games at 12 to gaining significant attention on Twitch. He faked his own death at 14, which initially boosted his visibility but later led to backlash. Leo's parents, initially skeptical, now support his career. He faced health issues, including Crohn's disease, and was a…
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We're diving deep into the world of Gifford Kasen! An artist who didn't just learn tattooing, but breathed it, challenged it, and transformed through relentless curiosity. From punk rock flyers to intricate large scale biomech designs, to incredible fine art, this is about breaking down artistic barriers and finding your own voice in a world that's…
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Dr Steven Greer on Trump's UFO Disclosure, 69 Types of ET, His Photos with Aliens
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2:27:09Dr. Steven Greer returned to VladTV to discuss updates to the disclosure of UFOs since Donald Trump took office. In this new exclusive, Greer explains his mission to end government secrecy around UAPs and extraterrestrial technology. He talked about the new task force to declassify various government secrets and gave his opinion on the most effecti…
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Chris Hansen of "To Catch a Predator" Tells His Life Story (Flashback)
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58:59In 2021, veteran journalist Chris Hansen came through for his first-ever VladTV interview, where he spoke about growing up in Chicago and being inspired to be a journalist as a teenager after the murder of Jimmy Hoffa. Hansen went on to speak about working at NBC starting in 1993 and dangerous aspects of the job, and then he spoke about being the h…
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Meek Mill Interview with Taxstone in His Rolls Royce (Flashback)
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1:23:47In 2016, shortly before he was arrested for murder, Taxstone interviewed Meek Mill while riding around in his Rolls Royce. Check out this classic interview.
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Yella Beezy on Not Knowing Mo3, Shooting Incident, Angry Local Rappers (Flashback)
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1:11:57Yella Beezy, who was recently arrested for the murder of Mp3, came through for another interview with VladTV in 2019, where he spoke about the aftermath of being shot and staying silent about the people responsible for the job. He also spoke about Nipsey Hussle being one of the first people to call him after he was shot. After speaking about his in…
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Big U on Rollin 60's, Suge Knight, Nipsey Hussle (Flashback)
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1:35:35During this full VladTV interview from 2019, Big U sat down to discuss LA life and street culture. He elaborated on personal stories such as his own encounters with the police. Big U also spoke on Suge Knight and Nipsey Hussle. Take a look at the full interview above.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr on Who Really Killed His Father RFK & Uncle JFK (Flashback)
1:36:54
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1:36:54Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on VladTV in 2023 to share about his family's fascinating and storied past. His father, Robert F. Kennedy, also known as Bobby, was the brother of John F. Kennedy and son of Joseph Kennedy. RFK Jr. detailed how close-knit the Kennedy family was, discussing both happy times and tragedies. He also addressed rumors regar…
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The Fight for Tattoo Space | Robyn and Ty Pallotta
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44:24The tattoo industry has always been about overcoming obstacles, but few challenges hit as hard as finding the right space to call home. When we caught up with Robyn and Ty Pallotta at the Star of Texas Tattoo Convention, their story of facing 20+ rejections from property managers struck a chord that many artists can relate to. Their journey from a …
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Rubi Rose on Dating Playboi Carti, Travis Scott & 21 Savage, Being Attracted to Girls, Pretending to be a Blood (Flashback)
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48:33In this 2020 interview, Rubi Rose sat down with VladTV as the newest signee to LA Reid's Hitco. The music artist detailed her rise in the music industry, as well as her dating history. She opened up about her past relationship with Playboi Carti, which included some turbulent moments. She also revealed that she dated Travis Scott and 21 Savage. Rub…
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n an exclusive interview on Vlad TV, emerging rapper Dave Blunts, real name Davion Blessing, shares his tumultuous life story. Born amid birth complications, Davion's last name, "Blessing," is a testament to his survival. Though originally from Salt Lake City, he was raised in Davenport, Iowa, following his parents' separation. At eight, Dave faced…
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Bricc Baby on 50 Cent vs. Big Meech, Lil Meech, Wack100, 4xtra & Orlando Brown
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2:20:08Bricc Baby discussed ASAP Rocky's acquittal in a new sit-down with VladTV. The No Jumper host pointed out the details that may have led to Rocky beating the case and took pleasure in ASAP Relli argument failing. He also talked about Charleston White's arrest, claiming that such an outcome occurs when people try to "play both sides of the fence." Br…
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Tony Yayo on Big Meech & Lil Meech, ASAP Rocky, 50 Cent, Irv Gotti, Kanye, Kendrick
2:08:31
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2:08:31In his return to VladTV, Tony Yayo discussed the ASAP Rocky trial and 50 Cent's feud with Big Meech. He reflected on the fallout between Big Meech and 50, suggesting that the relationship soured due to Meech's family mismanaging the money that was made through the BMF television series. After discussing the possible reasons why Big Meech's 'Welcome…
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Boston George on The Real Story Behind "Blow", Pablo Escobar & Growing $500M Drug Empire
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45:48Back in 2016, Boston George, whose life was portrayed in the 2001 Johnny Depp movie "Blow," spoke openly about his life as a notorious kingpin. During his interview with VladTV, George touched on everything from his dealings with Pablo Escobar to having $68 million dollars seized from his bank account.…
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Chopper, from Diddy's Making the Band, Tells His Life Story
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2:25:37Da Band's Chopper joined VladTV for an in-depth discussion about his career. The New Orleans native described his troubled upbringing, which saw his father serve a life sentence and his mother leave him in the care of his grandmother while she lived in another state. After the passing of Chopper's grandmother, the Making The Band cast member was le…
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Benzino on 50 Cent, Big Meech, Irv Gotti, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Kanye West
1:58:10
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1:58:10Benzino returned to VladTV following a near three-year ban from the platform. The former owner of The Source spoke about squashing his differences with DJ Vlad and hoping it sets an example for younger generations to move past petty feuds. Benzino praised Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl and offered his thoughts on the impact of Kendr…
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