Rob Markman:
What's up, geniuses? Welcome to For the Record.
I'm your host, Rob Markman. Now, today's guest
is someone who I've been interviewing for
years. He's a dope MC, he's a student of the
game, he's a teacher, he's a producer, he's
a New York Times bestselling author, super
successful, all-around great guy, he's a dad,
and he's the artist behind the new album No
Pressure. He says it's his last album and
he's retiring after this, and he's come here
to talk to us about it. Hey, this is my brother
for real. I can't even front. That was a very
forward suggestion. This is my brother Logic,
man. Welcome back, bro.
Logic:
What's up? Thank you so much for having me.
This is dope.
Rob Markman:
Nah, man, I wish we could do it in person
like we normally do. We've been through so
much, I mean, from ... You were just talking
about it. The ‘Under Pressure’ release
we did a mini doc with Mary Jo in Lenny’s
basement, and for ‘Everybody’ and every
album we did something. So I'm glad we get
to do this, man, seeing as how this is the
last one. The first question, there's a really
long list of rappers who have announced their
retirement for various reasons. So the number
one question, and I know you answered this
a million times, but is this really it? Is
this no more albums, no more mixtapes, no
more singles?
You've been hinting at it for years.
Logic:
Yeah.
Rob Markman:
You're finally ready?
Logic:
Yeah, for sure, dog. I'm just trying to be
a dad, shoot guns, go fishing, have fun. I
moved to Montana. That's where I'm at now.
I just have no desire to publicly rap. I'm
going to rap forever. Shout out Ace, my assistant
in the background. I'm going to rap forever.
I have free mixtapes, creating them as though
they're free mixtapes that I've worked on
when I finished this album. I penned I think
a weekend, I did 14 songs, dog, and rapping
on everybody's beats to “Rigamortis” to
“Comfortable” by Wayne to Lupe Fiasco's
“Kick, Push.” I love it. It's therapy
for me. It's something that I'm always going
to do and I am always going to create music.
Sometimes I think about making my own Gorillaz.
That could be fun. Who knows? But all I know
that right now, I really, when it comes to
rap and shit like that, it's why I put so
much into this album. I mean, I put my whole
career and it's like an ode to hip hop itself
into this. So, is it? Yes, and I'm going to
keep saying that. I'm not even going to allude,
like, "Well, you know, maybe." I'm not. I'm
just not even going to do that to my fans.
I told a buddy of mine, like, it's just anybody
who's like, "Oh, he'll be back." It's just
like, "Okay, you're going to be waiting."
You know what I mean? But it's all good.
Rob Markman:
Just sitting by that door just waiting for
Logic to walk back in.
Logic:
I know. It's like that episode of ‘Futurama’
with ... What was Fry's dog's name again?
Oh Seymour. I don't know if you've ever seen
‘Futurama’ and that episode. But, honestly,
that shit makes me cry. I be chilling with
my wife sometimes and I'll think about that
and just start crying because it's the most
saddest episode damn near in television history
of this dog who's just waiting for his owner
to come back and he never does. And he waits
and waits and dies. Oh God.
Rob Markman:
It just got dark.
Logic:
Okay, let's talk about some other shit.
Rob Markman:
Nah, this a celebration, man. This a celebration
of a very dope career and all that you've
given us. Look, you've been talking about
for some time ... I remember when we sat down
and spoke about ‘Everybody’ you were talking
about during your last album, there was the
hidden message for the fans who really got
the hidden message in ‘Everybody.’ So
you've been contemplating it for a while,
but can you pinpoint the moment when you decided
like, "Yo, this is it."?
Logic:
It was kind of during this album and it's
something I had thought about for a long time.
That's why I even called the album ‘No Pressure.’
I'm going to sit comfortably. I hope you don't
mind.
Logic:
Because it's like now there's no more pressure.
There's no, I have to be this or I have to
be that or do this or that anymore. And it's
just kind of like here you go. Take it or
leave it. Love it or hate it. I love myself.
That's all that matters. About halfway through,
I started realizing, "Yo, this is it." Because
obviously I had that album ‘Ultra 85’
that I wanted to do and it was a culmination
of this story and it was a whole thing. And
I was just like, why, if I don't feel like
it. Because a fan could be like, "But we want
it!" and it's like, "Okay, cool. So do you
just want a half-ass version of me to make
this for you so that I can make some money
and you're disappointed because it's now what
you want it to be? This is what you wanted."
Let's just be real.
Logic:
If Ultra 85 was the last ... It was this.
This is the one that you wanted. You wanted
the raps. You wanted the hunger, because I
wanted it. Writing my raps in a real ... Ace,
can you hand me my books? Sorry, my bad, brother.
I'm going to show you this. It's right there.
It's on top of the vinyl player. Writing my
raps on paper, pen and paper for the first
time in 15 years, dog. Like loose papers.
I got ... What's in here? This is “Man I
Is.” I wrote this in the studio. It's just
on a loose leaf paper.
Rob Markman:
That's my favorite song on the album.
Logic:
This is the ... Thank you. This is the last
one. It's the culmination. It is Ultra 85.
It's just got a different name. And that's
what happens. Things change, people change,
ideas and all this stuff. And so for me, I
really believe that I just, in the middle
of it, knew it was going to be my last one.
Then so I wanted to go so hard. Every bar,
every line. There was times where I'd write
four bars. Old me from ‘Under Pressure’
to every album except this, I would sit down
and basically just write the whole song, even
if I was in the studio for four hours, I would
be like, "This is it. I'm going to finish
it. I'm going to do it." And then I would
do it, and then that's it. With this album,
I would write ... Let's see. Let me find a
really good one.
Logic:
Originally, the verse on “Heard Em Say”
was on a song and a beat that I produced called
“Demons.” You can see it. "I've been battling
with my demons. I'm coward-ess when I see
them. I'm powerless. I can't beat 'em. But
deep down, I feel like I need 'em. Power is
freedom. You can leave 'em, but can't feed
'em. Smiling on my face but I'm dying under
the surface. What is my purpose? I'm feeling
worthless. Tell me what worth is."
I would write that and then be like, "Okay,
what's next? Do I feel anything?" Old me would
just force some shit. What rhymes, go to the
thesaurus in my head. On this, it was like,
"All right, cool." And I'd step away for four
hours or four days, and then come back and
finish another bar or 56 bars because I was
so inspired. That's what went into this album.
Rob Markman:
You know that is dope to hear because so much
of everybody's process now, and it's not knocking
it, it's like you do what works for you. But
so much of everybody's process now is going
into the booth and just saying whatever comes
to my mind, which is cool and it works. That
kind of reminds me of a Mos Def line from
“Black on Both Sides” when he was like,
"'Something' scribble the page. I write a
rhyme. Sometimes won't finish for days." You
know what I mean? And Mos, being to me one
of the illest to say, "Listen, this process
is okay, too. It doesn't all have to come
out in the moment. It could be very well thought
out and intentional and based off of when
you're feeling it and step back when you're
not feeling it." So that's dope.
Logic:
I think it's just cool to say that though
sometimes. You know, the Wayne, the Jay-Z,
because they're masters at it. So then everyone
else kind of went, "Oh yeah, I just went in
and did this thing." I've even caught myself
doing and saying that and actually doing it
before. But is it the best outcome? Sometimes
it's fun. Sometimes it is really in the moment
and it is this random thought this is special
and amazing, but not every fucking song. You
know what I mean?
Rob Markman:
Right. Nah, that's dope. Obviously, you're
a dad now. Shout out to little Bobby, man.
Congratulations and I know you talk a lot
about that ...
Logic:
Dad bod, let’s go.
Rob Markman:
factoring into your decision, too, wanting
to spend more time with your family. I say
all that to say, because in hearing this story
... And again, as a Logic fan, it is a bit
sad, but there is this very celebratory part
of it and part of the process of me listening
to this album and in the lead up to it was
going back to listen to all the other albums
before this one came. One of my favorite things,
it made me think of “Growing Pains III”
because throughout your career you rapped
so much about the dysfunction in your family
and the drug addiction, the violence, the
racism. So in “Growing Pains III” when
you said, "I turn on the TV, let it watch
my brain. Pretend that family's my family
to avoid the pain." That bar always stuck
out to me because it's kind of sad. I can
envision a little kid watching TV, be it ‘Family
Matters’ or ‘Full House’ or whatever
was TGI Friday.
Logic:
Yeah for sure.
Rob Markman:
... In their personal hell and wishing, "Damn,
I wish I had this much love that they had
on TV." And I feel like you've created that
for yourself through rap. Through the success,
you've been able to change your circumstance.
Obviously, you found love and you had a child.
This is almost like the realization of maybe
what you always wanted.
Logic:
Yeah, I actually wrote a song on the guitar
yesterday or the day before that about just
that. It's a real dope ... I think I'll probably
end up titling the song “Homecoming.”
But it's basically saying, "All I ever wanted
was a place to call my home. All I ever wanted
was a family of my own. Back when I was just
a boy, I used to dream of all the things I
knew deep down I'd never have. But now that
I'm a man, I understand that all the doubt
I had back then was just pretend. I'm coming
home to the place where I belong. I'm coming
home to a place I've never known." So it's
like how can home be a place you've never
known? It's because I've never been here and
now that I'm here, I realized it's not necessarily
where I was all along because that wouldn't
make it any sense. But it was the destination
all along. And now that I'm here through my
ups and downs, my good times and my bad, being
happy and sad, if I just appreciate it ... I
appreciate life, I love my health, I love
my fans, I love you, I love what this genre
of music has done for me. And I just, yeah,
I'm here. It's a culmination of that and the
family aspect of it is the most important
thing. It's pretty incredible.
Rob Markman:
That's great. Do you feel like ... Because
there's stuff on this album as well, interludes,
talking about the things that you place value
on, the material things, the trophies.
Logic:
Yeah
Rob Markman:
You even talk about your Rolex and really
having that being a heirloom that you can
pass down to your son.
Logic:
Yup
Rob Markman:
And I get caught up in it, I value things,
I want the nice car, I want the Rolex, I want
this. Is the family the trophy for you? Have
you hit the end goal? Have you got the prize
that you've always yearned for?
Logic:
Not too sound super hippy, man, but the journey
is the destination, man. So I'm realizing,
for me, that there is no end goal. There used
to be. Now that I'm getting into acting and
shit, I'm getting some crazy dope roles and
stuff, I catch myself on set opposite of Joseph
Gordon-Levitt doing a role, doing something.
And I'm like this is one of my favorite actors
of all time and I'm in a scene, multiple scenes.
This is crazy. When I was younger, it was
like, "Oh okay, I signed to Def Jam, sure.
I appreciate it. But like, what's next? I
got fans but when can I go on tour? Okay,
I did 200 people, when can I do a thousand?
Okay, I did a thousand, when can I do five?
I did five, when can I sell out the Garden?"
You got people like, "Oh, you ain't never
going to release a project." You release a
project. Yeah, but it didn't go gold. Then
you go gold. Yeah, but it didn't go platinum.
Then you go platinum. Yeah, well then you
go fucking six times platinum.
Logic:
It's never good enough, dog. It's like a drug
that, because you're so ... With film, with
life, with where I am now, yes, I have goals,
but it's about being like, "Whoa." I'm on
set and I have butterflies. Rap doesn't give
me butterflies anymore. It used to. I'd be
on stage and be like, "Oh my God, this is
crazy." And now I'm like whatever. When I
played at the Garden, there was no butterflies.
There was happiness for sure. There was excitement.
There was like, "Damn, I really achieved this
thing." But I wasn't nervous stepping out
there. And that's not even a bad thing. I
believe I'm a master of my craft and I'm happy
that I could feel that way on stage, but I
need something more. When I'm with my son,
and he chokes on air and I freak out, that
moment of making sure he's okay and everything's
fine. And acting and doing these different
things, it's just, I don't know how ... I
did this Twitch thing the other day, where
it’s like a release party, I was nervous
as shit just to talk to my fans. That's what
I'm excited for.
Rob Markman:
Nah, we saw it. It got really emotional, too.
I think that's why we love you. I think that's
why the Rat Pack really connects with you
because you've given us so much of yourself
in the music or even in the meet and greets
or whenever we get to meet you during interviews,
during whatever. You've always been someone
that I've looked to and I know the fans look
to for positivity. You've actually given me
personal advice, like the metaphor of ... I
remember when I was feeling it in my personal
life and everybody just needed help and you
was like, "Nah, you got to help yourself before
you help any ... You got to put the oxygen
mask on before you help somebody else."
Logic:
A hundred percent.
Rob Markman:
I've always looked to you for that and it's
always been in the music. “Dark Place”
was a song that shocked me because it was
so honest and one, it hurt to hear that you
were going through that, but usually we get
the happy ending. Usually, we get the turn
at the end. And “Dark Place” just kind
of ended. I'm going to spit a couple of lines.
"I remember making music a line, just a pen
and a microphone. But nowadays it's hard to
get in the zone. Writing rhymes is easy before
the fame. Now I'm constantly overthinking
every line. It's a shame. Rap used to fill
me with joy. Now it's nothing but pain." You
were talking about just before not fulfilled,
not getting the butterflies. What was the
pain that it was actually bringing to you?
Logic:
I think the pain was releasing my last album
that I had so much fun doing and then just
everyone completely shitting on you or this
or that, because they hold you to a standard.
So I didn't realize I was at that standard
because everyone was constantly telling me
that I was never good enough. And I was like,
"Oh wait, I'm the real lyricist guy? You guys
actually respect me that way? Because when
my first album came out, you said it was trash.
When the second album came out, you said it
wasn't as good as the third one. And when
the third one came out, you said I went pop.
Then when ‘Bobby Tarantino’ came out,
you said I sold out." So it was always this
thing of just not being good enough for anyone
ever. And I think what I was really doing
is I was trying to search for that acceptance
in hip-hop which is mainly the loud minority
of hip-hop Twitter or whatever the case may
be that I wished I would be loved. But it's
funny because I'm not on the internet. I'm
not doing all this shit, but homies are like,
"Hip hop Twitter kind of loving this album.
Yo, Reddit. Yo, KanyeToThe."
Logic:
These places that I was like, "Oh, nah," would
never go. They're like, "Yo, they're fucking
with you, man." And after years of wanting
that, it only left me with emptiness because
I realized that their acceptance means nothing
without accepting myself first and foremost.
So having that acceptance of myself prior
to the release of this album, not giving a
shit, was a very beautiful place to be. But
my whole career, it was just, "You're not
good enough." Everywhere you go, you're not
good enough. You're not "this" enough. It's
some radio host shitting on you. It's some
"this", whatever. And that shit is hard.
Logic:
It's hard to hear because you love those people,
because you actually are a fan of those people
and you watch their shows. Before anyone even
knew who you were, you were a part of this.
I was on Rap Genius before I was Logic annotating
my favorite rappers' lyrics. So I was a part
of that community. And then to, I guess, be
shit on ... And mind you, once again, it is
a minority. But when that minority, you were
a part of that circle, it feels like the whole
world. And that's why it's like I could ... From
my last album, everyone's like, "Confessions
and da da da." Whatever. It's one of my most
popular albums, one of my most streamed albums.
And to be in an arena of people and feel like
a failure, if that ain't a fucking reason
to leave this thing that is making you feel
bad, I don't know what else is.
Logic:
So I found that happiness and understanding
that "I'm not running from the internet. My
God, I was at its birth. I've been a vet.
Going berserk like Peter down at Initech.
It's deeper than the surface. I'm searching
for purpose. I'm tired of searching for Logic
on Google on purpose just to read that I'm
worthless." I'm tired, was tired of these
people having such power over me that I was
telling myself I'm not good enough. On this
album, I came to the conclusion that I was
and always have been because I'm a good person
and I love music and I care about myself and
those around me and that's all that matters.
Rob Markman:
No, And I hear that. It's about the worth
you put on yourself, but I'm going to add
also, and you've always been a hell of an
MC.
Logic:
Thanks brother.
Rob Markman:
And you see it, I get what you ... Because
you see the criticism. You see it online.
And I think just about every artist goes through
that phase where they just maybe fall out
of favor with the "cool crowd" or just whatever
you seeking acceptance from, but at the same
time, I remember when you was on the PRhyme
album with Royce and Premier and even me interviewing
Royce about it and, "Yo man, yeah, we got
Logic on this album.", and the excitement
of that. You definitely got respect. The fans
love you and there was MCs whose pen were
deadly who could hear a Logic verse and hear
exactly what you're doing and hear the technicality
of it and respect it.
Logic:
See but that's why, that's another thing that,
I appreciate you saying that, and I had came
to terms with understanding that. It's like
Wu-Tang fucks with me, Badu fucks with me,
Premier fucks with me, No I.D. fucks with
me, Jay-Z fucks with me, Kendrick and J. Cole.
J. Cole hit me to congratulate me on his fucking
album and what it meant to him, what I mean
to him. And I'm like, "What I mean to you??
Do you know what you mean to me?" You can
hear it on this album, realizing that the
people I love respect me and have always respected
me. That's all that matters. That's all that
matters to me. It's incredible to be in this
place where I'm just really legitimately,
finally happy, because I haven't been fulfilled
and happy for my entire career. Once again,
it was never good enough. Another step on
the ladder, whatever. And now I'm just here
like, it ain't no more steps. I'm just going
to live and love and laugh. No I'm just kidding.
And enjoy life.
Rob Markman:
That's dope that you said Cole hit you because
Cole dropped something last week just a couple
of days ago, too so it's like ...
Logic:
Shit is fire. I told him. Sorry to interrupt
you. I was like, "Dog ... " I was like, "You're
always saying some shit so let me listen just
to the flow because I already know you're
saying some real shit." His flow, ugh. Crazy.
Rob Markman:
But you know for him to stop what he's doing
... And you know J. Cole aside from being
a MC, it's a big business. He moves a lot
so there's a lot of coordination that may
come up with a release and a drop. No matter
what's going on in the business, for him to
stop and say, "Nah, I got to hit my man up
and congratulate him on this when he's in
the midst of his own thing."
Logic:
Yeah, it meant a lot to me.
Rob Markman:
That's that MC to MC shit. You know what I
mean?
Logic:
I completely agree and it was ... Any time
I talk to Cole, it always means a lot to me
because of how much he means to me.
Rob Markman:
I just want to talk about some of these, because
we're talking about rap and “Soul Food II”
to me had some of the best rapping on the
album ...
Logic:
Thanks.
Rob Markman:
"That's the truth, feeling close to the cliff,
like Rick Dalton in the booth."
Logic:
I wrote that line, oh my God. I wrote that
fucking line when the trailer came out nine
months or however long before the fucking
movie was even out. No, it wasn't even the
trailer. It was me reading a synopsis about
the main characters and just that was it.
I just knew it was Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth.
I had no understanding of it and I just wrote
that line. I wanted to be one of the first
because I stan for Tarantino.
Rob Markman:
That’s hard. Yeah, nah, it’s that Bobby
Tarantino shit, man. The other shit that was
really dope on that, "I said I'm on one. I
know I'm unsung. Was living my life backwards
like Tariq on ‘Undun.’ Now they wonder
‘how I got over’ son. ‘Do you want more?’"
Logic:
"Do you want more?" Yeah.
Rob Markman:
Again, we're talking about for those that
don't know, Tariq is Black Thought from The
Roots. You just intertwined three different
Roots album titles within one metaphor, made
it all make sense. The rapping on this shit
is high level bro.
Logic:
Thank you. Yeah, I really did have fun. I
really did have fun making this album. It
was hard at times and then it was also just
extremely fun and I was able to just enjoy
myself. But it was also very difficult. I
don't know how to explain it. It was like
a culmination of having the best time ever
while honestly knowing that there was a sense
of pressure, that because this would be my
last album ... shout out my assistant Ace
... that it had to be ... Every joint just
had to be the best it could possibly be. And
I recorded a lot of songs for this album.
But it's funny, because the majority of the
records were made in those first four studio
sessions with me and No I.D. and those were
the ones that really made it.
Rob Markman:
What does he tell you at this point ... Because
I seen you in the interview shout out with
Nick Huff where you talked about No I.D. being,
if this was your ‘Yeezus.’ He's your Rick
Ruben, almost like your svengali, the guru.
What were the conversations? What were the
driving conversations that he gave to you
that really helped shape this?
Logic:
I'm addicted to the internet. I'm addicted
to social media. I have an addiction problem
with it, once again, because I grew up in
it. And one big thing that he said, he said,
"The things that we did as children, we should
not be doing as men." And ever since I was
a kid, I was on the internet and I placed
value in that. That was one of the biggest
things. It's funny you can actually hear No
I.D. speak on “Growing Pains IV.” He says,
"Fuck it. Just say the shit then." Yeah, that's
his catch phrase. He always says that. I'm
like, "Man, how can I just say this if I ... Should
I write it like this?" And he's like, "Man,
just say the shit man, just say it." And I
was like, "Yo, you got to say that on the
album." The conversations of value, life,
family, friends, what's important? What isn't?
Those are the things that shaped this album.
It's crazy how far a conversation really can
go.
Rob Markman:
Speaking of conversations, you was talking
about the No I.D. conversations, Erykah Badu.
I love the story of this album because “Man
I Is,” which is right now my favorite song
on the album, samples Outkast, “SpottieOttie,”
and also “Dream Flower” by Tarika Blue,
which Erykah Badu famously used on “Didn't
Cha Know,” which was a a Dilla-produced
sample and you foreshadowed that song before
it even comes on. On “Growing Pains IV,”you
rap about texting Erykah to speak to her about
using the sample. How did that all come together?
Logic:
You know, I actually have no idea how me and
Erykah Badu even came into contact with each
other actually, which is really weird. It's
always been extremely friendly. She's just
the sweetest woman ever, goddess. And just
every now and again, we would just ... And
it's always we're texting about other shit,
like family, my baby. I'm texting her pictures
of my baby and shit. She'll be like, "Hey,
thinking of you. Sending love. I hope you're
okay.” I do the same. And it's very nice
to be appreciated and thought of, especially
by such incredible, immaculate artists that
you appreciate and respect and love. And then
every once in a while, we talk about music.
She was always down to do a record, but we
never found the right one to do because she's
very meticulous about what she wants to do
and not, and this and that, which I respect
and love.
Logic:
Yeah, so I just remember texting her and being
like, "Hey, I got this song where I sampled
Tarika Blue. Is that okay?" And she was like,
"Yeah, blah, blah, blah." And then she just
FaceTimes me and just tells me the whole story
about how she was in the studio with Dilla
and went through and found the record and
just thought it had a really pretty album
cover on vinyl. Dilla put it on the joint
and they listened to it and there was that
one spot and he found it and looped it. It
was just really incredible. One thing that
was funny though is she was like, "I thought
you already did this with ‘Indica Badu.’
I thought you already sampled that." Oh, that's
how we got connected because she heard the
record and was like, "This shit is dope."
And somehow got my number and then we started
texting each other. That's what happened.
And I was like, "No, no, no. That was actually
an original composition that just kind of
sounded like it with the bass line." What
is that? ‘Young Sinatra.’ Was that ‘BT’?
Was that ‘Bobby Tarantino II’?
Rob Markman:
That was ...
Logic:
I think it was. I think “Indica Badu”
was ‘Bobby Tarantino II.’ I think it was
originally supposed to be ‘Young Sinatra
IV’ because I made those albums at the same
time. This is shit people don't even know.
Because for somebody to be like, "This is
better than this and this." It's all right.
I made all those records and just went ... This
is going to go here. This is going to go there.
So it's all whatever. That's why I don't give
a shit about… It’s like last year. "Oh,
let's clown Logic, this album, because it's
so popping." And then now this year it's like,
"Oh wow. Return to form." People love you,
hate you, the ups, downs. I will be remembered
for my catalog, including mixtapes, including
freestyles.
Logic:
That's how I'm going to be remembered. When
I create music, I think that. So she had hit
me and she told me this incredible story about
Dilla creating a beat, and I had told her,
"No, me and 6ix created that vibe and the
drums for ‘Indica Badu,’" And I was like,
"That's why I'm coming to you for your permission."
She was like, "Oh, baby, yeah you got it.
No problem." I thought that was very sweet
of her. She just told me this whole story
and gave me her blessing and it was one of
the best days of my life. And I was drunk
playing poker with my friends. And I was like,
"Everybody shut the fuck up. Erykah Badu is
FaceTiming me right now. Shut the fuck up."
And I was like, "Hey what's up." It was so
funny.
Rob Markman:
That’s hard. “Amen” is like a farewell
letter to the fans, to the Rat Pack, or at
least that's how I heard it.
Logic:
Yeah, no, yeah, you right.
Rob Markman:
And I'm sure in writing it, you start thinking
about the moments. You start thinking about
the interactions, the celebrations, the things
that you accomplished but that you and the
Rat Pack accomplished together. What was the
biggest accomplishment for you or the biggest
win that felt like your win but our win as
well as the people who have been championing
you?
Logic:
Probably this album, the release of it, the
reason why I did it, all the feeling that
went into it. I think releasing ... I'll have
homies that will let me know if somebody says
something a little too outlandish or wild
that I feel should be brought to my attention,
they'll let me know so I'll have a gauge of
at least what's going on the world. And for
this, it's been insanely positive. One of
the things that my homies will tell me, they'll
be like, "Bittersweet." Like you said, a lot
of people are like, "Damn, low key, his best
album is his last album." and I like that.
I think that this moment of "I made it" came
years after actually making it because I'm
not like, "I made it. I'm rich. Or I made
it. I'm famous. Or I made it. I went number
one." It's like, "I made it. I'm about to
go chill with my family. I made it. My son
is healthy. I made it. I live in the middle
of fucking nowhere."
Logic:
It's all the things that you don't think are
the things, or at least the things I thought,
didn't think would bring me happiness because
they're very ... Not that I think my son wouldn't
bring me happiness. Not like that. But just
... It isn't the money. It isn't the material
possession. That shit is nice. You know what
I mean? That shit is dope. But just this.
This is the moment where I was, that's all
I ever wanted. I wanted the undeniable respect
from the hip hop community, which I know I
have, especially in this album. And you hear
it on “DadBod.” "Love him or hate him,
everybody know can Logic spit." And even making
fun of myself. "This that lyrical miracle,
spiritual poetic rhetoric ... " It's just
like ...
Rob Markman:
I hope people get that you were being… I
hope people get that that was a joke.
Logic:
And if they don't, fuck them. Especially,
have you seen the music video? I dropped it
today.
Rob Markman:
Yeah, I watched the music video today.
Logic:
To not see me in my pool laughing at myself,
it's like, come on. But that's what I've learned.
Fuck them. I used to really, "Love me please.
Love me!"
Rob Markman:
Was there one that hurt you in particular,
like one criticism or one… there was a lot
of bullets thrown your way.
Logic:
Honestly, if I'm a be real, probably Budden
and Charlamagne. So let me just say this and
let me address this now, because, I usually
don't do shit like this. I don't talk about
things like this. So I'm going to talk about
it because I know they'll both see it. I really
fuck with Charlamagne and I respect Charlamagne.
Let me just say that now. When he basically
called me homophobic without even watching
an interview and I was like, "I didn't even
say that.", and then for him to just out his
mouth be like, "Who raped your sister?", so
callously, that fucked me up and I actually
held onto that for six years. And I was like
this isn't healthy and I'm talking to my therapist
about it. I put it on a record. I talk my
shit on a record, on “Click Bait” or whatever.
Logic:
And it's history. It doesn't fucking matter.
I respect Charlamagne. Some of the shit he
be saying is wild. Asking me what I'm doing
for the Black Lives Matter movement as a black
man who looks white. What kind of fucking
questions is that? Personally, that's the
shit that makes me not feel accepted. Or excuse
me, did not at the time. But there's no issue,
dude. And he's not the type of motherfucker
to hold a grudge either. It ain't that deep.
If I saw Charlamagne, I'd be like, "What's
up?" I actually would love to talk to Charlamagne.
Rob Markman:
Can I work on that? Can I hook y'all up?
Logic:
Yeah, yeah. For sure, because I really respect
him. I think a lot of what he does, too, is
like, he's not stupid. He's a radio personality
and he's a damn good one. I get it. Some of
the shit he says, I don't really fuck with
it, not even towards me, but how he might
approach certain other people. But I wish
the man no ill will. I think we actually have
a lot in common. I think what he discusses
when it comes to mental health and depression
is extremely important, very valid, and I
guess the one thing I just wish we could have
done was me and him, and everybody ... Because
I fuck with Angela and I fuck with Envy...
I wish we could have sat down. And this is
why I don't do certain interviews because
as soon as you sit down, it's like an attack.
Like, "Why'd you say this or what's this about?"
And I just don't really personally like that.
When he sat down with ‘Ye a couple years
ago and they just had a conversation as strong
black men.
Rob Markman:
It was a different setting. It was a different
... The setting sets the tone.
Logic:
Exactly. So with that being said about Charlamagne,
if you do see this, if you do watch this,
you are just as much a part of this culture
as I am and I love you as a brother. This
isn't me trying, "Yeah, everything's cool."
Bro, yeah. It ain't no hard feelings from
me and I wish you and your family the best.
Regarding Joe, and I don't really talk about
shit like this, but I'm bringing it up. You
asked me. I could have easily averted and
been like, "Yeah, nah, whatever," but Joe,
I don't know what his issue is with me. I've
never met him. I've never shaken his hand.
I've always been authentically myself. I don't
really know what his issue is. I saw him ... I
didn't see him. I heard that he had apologized
to me for some of the things he said regarding
my retirement. Thank you for that. I think
we all know Joe saying I'm the worst MC to
ever grace the microphone is just… come
on. Joe was getting his numbers. Whatever.
I don't even give a fuck.
Rob Markman:
Right.
Logic:
But I will say regarding that, too, that that's
that kind of harsh, angry, take on everything
is that's the shit that I don't really fuck
with. But regarding his opinion, it's his
opinion. Though I may not agree with it, I
respect his opinion and I respect him having
that. For me, it's all peace and love. Those
are the only two people that ever really,
really rubbed me the wrong way. That's my
fucking problem. That's not their problem.
They're who they are and they are this. And
honestly, it's not even my problem anymore.
It's something that I've let go and released
and understood. It's a big part of retiring,
not because of them, but because none of this
shit even mat- It's all opinion and whatever.
So because of that ... Nothing but love to
them, honestly. Regardless of how they may
personally feel about me, I do wish them continued
success and hope they enjoy the album.
Rob Markman:
I'm going to reach out to C, to Charlamagne,
because I do think there's common ground at
least to have an understanding and not that
you're holding to anything or anything that
needs to be fixed because I don’t think
he’s dwelling on it.
Logic:
No I don't even think it's that deep.
Rob Markman:
I don't think he's dwelling on it.
Logic:
I don't think that me and him are going to
sleep like aw.
Rob Markman:
Nah, he's not dwelling on it.
Logic:
It ain't nothing dog.
Rob Markman:
That's a dude that I know that loves hip hop,
like you love hip hop. His favorite rapper
is, number one or his top five MCs of all
time is Ghostface Killah. So it's a certain
type of dude that will come up with that opinion
which is the same with you. Not that Ghost
is your favorite, but there's certain types
Logic:
One of them.
Rob Markman:
... You hold in high regard. Right, exactly.
Let me reach out and I'll reach out to you.
I want to make that connection at least, so
y'all have an understanding, because I think
y'all both speak a lot on mental health.
Logic:
I think we'd have some really great conversations.
If we take all this other shit out and we
just talk, I think we'd have phenomenal conversations
actually.
Rob Markman:
Yeah, for sure. Let me hook that up. “Obediently
Yours”. Orson Welles sampled the commentary.
Usually, we get that on the album in lyrical
form. We didn't get as much of that. This
was a celebration of you and your transformation
and how you felt about yourself and then how
you feel about yourself now and stuff like
that. When the last track rolled in and we
just got that speech and that sample, it really
felt like ... I was like, "Wow, he really
touched on all the things." Not just personally,
but what was going on in the world. What made
you want to include that sample to close out
where we are? In it, Orson Welles is talking
about ... This is 1946. He's talking about
fighting racism in America. So what made you
want to end on that note?
Logic:
I actually received a very beautiful letter
from his daughter thanking me for that and
I thank her for allowing us to use it. It's
serendipitous. It just kind of happened. I
sampled Orson on the intro using his voice
as though it's my voice addressing the listener
and introducing him to the record. One of
the very last days before we turned in the
album, I was like, "Man, I wonder if Orson
has a dope outro." Just something dope, which
he would do at the end of his radio plays
and “this is,” once again, “Logic.”
Thank you for tuning in. It's been amazing.
it's been incredible. Peace out," type shit.
That's what I thought I was going to be able
to find from him. The first thing I clicked
on was this speech, and I was like, "Yo, how
serendipitous is that?" It's like 14 minutes
and I chopped it up to really address what
I think is going on. And I wasn't. It's not
something I was going to necessarily talk
about because I've been talking about this
shit my whole fucking career, injustice of
people. I think it was just the universe.
The universe, man. They were just like, "Yo,
you need this and the world needs this. So
do the best that you can creatively to put
that out there." And I think we did a pretty
good job.
Rob Markman:
Yeah, it's really poignant. I hope that people
take the time to listen and really internalize
that Orson Welles said this in 1946 and some
of what he's getting at in that speech is
the debt that America owes to slaves and to
free slaves. I think we're still talking about
that today, that cultural debt that America
was built on, slavery, and shit is not right
until you acknowledge that and fix that as
best you can. I don't know if it can ever
be fixed but, but definitely there's parts
of the country, Americans who don't even want
to acknowledge that this was a problem. "Oh,
that's in the past." And stuff like that.
Logic :
I know, it’s crazy.
Rob Markman:
It's poignant to hear that and it's also like,
"Damn, we've been having this conversation
since at least 1946” and obviously it's
been going on before that. It's like, when
is shit going to change? I really this is
the generation that's going to change it.
It was dope to hear your album end on that note.
Man, look, we can go on forever. We done did
a three hour, four hour interview before.
But I just wanted to touch on the things that
ultimately wanted to do this with you. We
obviously can't be in close proximity, but
I wanted to congratulate you on your career.
Logic:
Thanks.
Rob Markman:
I wanted to thank you for the things that
you've done for hip-hop and then for me, personally.
Since we first met when I was at MTV and RapFix
days, we did ‘Under Pressure’ together
and we did ‘Incredible True Story’ at
Genius. I remember that was the night that
I met Silas for the first time and to hear
him on “Celebration” brings things full
circle. We've done this for just about every
album. Through your music and conversation
with you, I don't know how you realize how
much you've been. I started releasing music
a couple of years ago and that was a conversation
that we had driving from Manhattan down to
Gaithersburg talking about Mos Def and Tribe
Called Quest and nerding out on music. And
you was like, "Yo you should just put out
music. I know you rap. Just put the shit out."
Rob Markman:
To doing the Barclays together and you bringin’
me on stage for the Barclays together to "I'm
a Rap Genius like Rob Markman." Bro, you've
always propelled me up and it meant a lot
to get that respect from you as the MC that
you are and the shit that you're capable of.
So I just wanted to thank you for that and
know that this is not obviously the end. We're
going to see more of Bobby. Even if this is
the last Logic album, I know you're going
to be out here doing movies. You've got your
Twitch deal. So I know this isn't goodbye,
but definitely wanted to give you the flowers
while you could still smell them.
Logic:
Thank you for that. I appreciate it. And it
makes me very happy that you would say that
to me and I appreciate you and I love you.
It's been a fun journey and I'm just excited
to focus on fatherhood and other forms of
creativity. So thank you so very much. I appreciate
it.
Rob Markman:
And thank y'all for watching. As y'all know,
this is ‘For the Record’ Who knows? Maybe
we'll have Bobby come back. Maybe it'll be
an anniversary of ‘Under Pressure.’ All
these things. There's still things to celebrate,
man. While it's the end of the albums, we're
still friends, so we'll still be there. So
thank y'all for watching. It's been ‘For
the Record.’ Peace.
