DJ Akademiks crowns NBA YoungBoy “King of Rap” after Atlanta show—Loon reacts. YB vs Durk & Von history, “I Hate YoungBoy” live at State Farm, media framing, touring leverage, Gilbert Arenas x Underdog, Skip Bayless, Aiden Ross & Thug.
n this executive-level breakdown, I salute NBA YoungBoy’s first real touring run while pushing back on how media frames his brand. Calling YB the “King of Rap” might trend—but the way it’s framed can paint targets and stir pots that don’t need stirring, especially when you’re moving city to city trying to run a clean rollout. We talk why celebrating the win ≠ escalating old narratives, and why amplifying ring-kissing rhetoric or “he having it his way” talk can misalign with the mission to take over the game.
From Atlanta’s energy around “I Hate YoungBoy” to the constant comparisons with Durk/Von history, I explain why a State Farm Arena performance—with real security protocols and corporate risk teams—isn’t the same thing as Gucci performing “Truth” in a club. Context matters when the stakes include safety, sponsors, and a multi-city tour.
We also get into ownership vs. “infrastructure”: Gilbert Arenas revealing Underdog Fantasy owns 50% of his show, schedule pressures, and what a Skip Bayless hire signals about who really calls the plays when equity is on the table. If you don’t control the levers, you are the lever.
Plus, I speak on streamers pulling artists into headlines for content—why calling Thug on stream about YB is bad etiquette and how online culture can block real brotherhood moments. Protect the relationships, not the algorithm.
What you’ll hear me press:
• Celebrate YB’s tour without feeding beef cycles or “target” narratives.
• Atlanta show ≠ green light for chaos—learn the difference between showmanship, security, and street mythology.
• Ownership vs. optics: the cost of giving up 50% for “infrastructure.”
• Don’t “pop it from the house”—if you’re going to pop it, stand on it.
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We unpack #Akademiks on #NBAYoungBoy at the #Atlanta show, the #IHYB performance, #LilDurk & #KingVon discourse, the #GilsArena x #UnderdogFantasy 50% convo, and #SkipBayless optics—only on #ItsUpTherePodcast with #BigLoon.
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