In Episode 35 of The AstonishinglyODD Podcast, Astonish, Javy, Chris iLL, and Hi $peed link up with Chicago lyricist Jae Haze for a sharp, funny, and inspiring conversation built around creativity, reinvention, and Haze’s new project “Mission iLLpossible.”

The squad starts the episode by catching up on their week:

• Javy talks about checking out a hip-hop string quartet and helping his brother handle a plumbing emergency.
• Chris iLL breaks down a “gent dinner” with the crew and a fight-filled weekend watching bare-knuckle matches and UFC, including Devin Haney’s latest win.
• Jae Haze shares that he’s been locked in on Mission iLLpossible while also tuning into the big fights.
• Hi $peed laughs that his week was basically just work — nothing more, nothing less.

The crew switches over to football, giving their honest take on the Chicago Bears. There’s cautious optimism, but they keep it real:

• Run defense still needs a lot of work
• Secondary is inconsistent
• Special teams continue to show up strong

It’s classic AOP energy — real Chicago sports talk mixed with jokes and debate.

The heart of the episode centers on Haze’s music journey and the creation of his latest project. Chris iLL praises the album as “rabbit hole music,” the type of project you fall deeper into the more you listen. Haze opens up about:

• His move to Atlanta and how a new environment helped rebirth his creativity
• Why artists should recreate themselves every few years
• Recording vocals on his own to stay focused and locked in
• Working with one producer per album to create a cohesive, signature sound
• His upcoming performance opening for GZA

The conversation stretches into motivation, discipline, and how to stay consistent in the grind. Haze cracks jokes with the crew, talks future videos, and name-drops more artists he’s worked with over the years.