Mask Off with Hawaii Mike: The intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop culture.

These new shorter episodes are me opening up and being vulnerable. Sharing the journey to find my purpose through love, gratitude and the life's journey of self-discovery. The path is through the resistance, finding authenticity and being of service to community. "Life is a solo journey we can't do alone!"Try this exercise out: Michael Smoak The Guide to Planning Your Life in 202...

Trying something new: solo episodes.

From intern to award winning radio host, Angela Yee reflects on her career journey, discussing pivotal moments that shaped her path in radio and entrepreneurship. She discusses her early influences, career aspirations, including her experiences with Wu-Tang, D'Angelo, and her transitions into management, freelancing and radio.  We talk the importance of taking risks, creating platforms for wom...

You know him as a world-champion DJ, Kanye West’s tour DJ, Fool’s Gold Records co-founder and a pioneer who shapes global music culture. But behind the accolades is Alain, a kid from Montreal who became a 5x world champ by 18 — and then hit his first burnout before most of us even started college. In this episode, A-Trak opens up about: ✨ The pressure of winning young and learning to deal with st...

In episode 25 of Mask Off, host Hawaii Mike engages in a deep and reflective conversation with Mecc Rashawn, a prominent figure in the hip hop industry. They explore Mecc’s early life in South Jamaica, Queens, his discovery of Hip Hop and the significant influence of family dynamics on his personal and professional journey. The discussion delves into the challenges of independence, the lessons lea...

In this engaging conversation, DJ Spinna shares his journey from a modest upbringing in Brooklyn to becoming a prominent DJ and producer. He discusses the profound influence of his family's musical background, early experiences with DJ culture and challenges he faced in the music industry. Spinna emphasizes the importance of integrity and the evolution of the independent music scene, highlighting...

Hawaii Mike linked up with Premium Pete to talk fatherhood, emotional evolution, and finding purpose through pain. Known for his work with Combat Jack and his own Premium Pete Show, Pete shares how becoming a father—and later choosing to go to therapy—completely reshaped how he sees the world and himself. From growing up in Brooklyn to building a voice in Hip Hop culture, Pete opens up about what...

In episode #22Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own General Steele , one-half of the legendary duo Smif-N-Wessun , to explore a lifetime of music, movement and mindfulness. Steele touches on growing up in Brooklyn during the crack era, navigating the pressures of street life and finding healing through Hip Hop, martial arts and spiritual growth. From the early Boot Camp Clik days to touring th...

From being the overlooked kid in Youngstown, Ohio to becoming a celebrated DJ, entrepreneur, and father, MICK (formerly Mick Boogie) joins Hawaii Mike for a revealing convo on identity, transformation and the mental health awareness.  They dive into what it means to wear masks in public and in private, the power of embracing your past and how curation and creativity can change your life. Episode H...

In the Season 3 debut episode of  The Mask Off Podcast: the intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop , Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own  Torae  — rapper, SiriusXM host, songwriter, actor, culture carrier and father — to talk about his life journey. From traversing the streets of Coney Island to navigating the evolving landscape of Hip Hop and fatherhood, Torae reflects on how life...

In the Season 3 debut episode of The Mask Off Podcast: the intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop , Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own Torae — rapper, SiriusXM host, songwriter, actor and culture carrier — to talk about his life journey. From traversing the streets of Coney Island to navigating the evolving landscape of Hip Hop and fatherhood, Torae reflects on how life prepared hi...

On this week’s episode “Hawaii” Mike has a conversation with a man who just became the 17th pitcher, and only 3rd lefty, to strike out 3,000 batters. He’s a six-time all-star, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner, 2009 ALCS MVP, 2009 World Series Champion, a New York Yankee, he is CC Sabathia!  CC talks growing up in the Crest (Vallejo, CA), how he wouldn’t trade his childhood, always being called...

This  episode of Mask Off "Hawaii" Mike kicks it with a friend fro 15+ years, a DJ who plays not only top nightclubs but A-List events including the annual Oscars afterparty, the homie DJ M.O.S.  We take it back to his childhood, growing up in the United Nations, the influence of @djsussone, traveling the world, finding his soulmate @kissthedeejay through DJ lessons, and how he takes tim...

The Bronx is in the house as we have my man Buda Da Future on this week’s episode. We talk growing up with parents who were heavy into street sales, his apartment being “the spot”, the influence of The Chronic , first time in the studio with Amadeus and Young Guru , placing his first beat with 50 Cent and finding the positive in every situation, including the loss of his mother. You never know wha...

This weeks episode features someone who's name you might not off top but you definitely know his strains Gelato and Sunset Sherbert as they and his brand Sherbinskis have been name dropped in over 200 songs.  We talk growing up in Cali, moving on his own and finding his way to growing cannabis, working with the Cookies fam, dealing with PTSD, and using the plants healing properties to help hi...

In this episode we get into the life of a young man by the name of Mack Wilds. You were first introduced to him as Tristan when he played Michael on The Wire. The native New Yorker, one of Shaolin's finest, gives us some insight into his life's journey, growing up around his pops barber shop, staying out of the streets, how he met wu-tang, Method Man breaking character on set, his greatest achieve...

This week's episode features one of Boston's, well Worcester if we're being specific, most respected gentlemen in the world of kicks, streetwear and music. Frank "The Butcher" Rivera is a one-of-a-kind type guy who I met through the fashion industry way back when I had my magazine LTD, he's a G, so it's always good to kick it and catch up. We go back into his early days to hear about his formative...

For this episode, we're calling it the Prequel, I felt it would be a good idea to give listeners insight into who I am. What's my life story, relationship with mental health and how hip hop culture has influenced me, basically, we turned the tables, and Kenny Burns interviewed me. We get into everything from where I was born, my real name and why I changed it to Michael, being Vegan and hating it...

This episodes guest is a major inspiration for me having the courage to do this podcast. His positive words, vibes, and motivation through action are infectious. He is a master at his craft, which is living life to the fullest, and getting paid for it. He's traveled the world doing what he loves by being nothing more than his best self, and if he could, he would teach the world to do the same by f...

Pt 2 with the top shotta. You all know his work, I mean Jonathan Mannion is a legend behind the lens who has been documenting the culture for more than two decades. We moved to NYC around the same time and met through hip hop. Over the years we became friends and even worked together for stretch. We've seen and been through a lot so it was great to sit, kick it, and learn more about the cloth he's...

You all know his work, I mean Jonathan Mannion is a legend behind the lens who has been documenting the culture for more than two decades. We moved to NYC around the same time and met through hip hop. Over the years we became friends and even worked together for stretch. We've seen and been through a lot so it was great to sit, kick it, and learn more about the cloth he's cut from. Oh, we talk a l...

I met Greg when his "Mr." movement was just poppin off and he was looking for a manager at the same time I was thining about not being a manager anymore. He went through a big break up almost two years ago and has since started Chapter II which has taken off. We caught up to talk about his journey from high school drop out to Floyd Mayweather's go to guy in the Diamond District.

Just Blaze is one of the best producers in the game. Someone I connected with in the late 90s and remained friends since. We may not see each other regularly but if he, or I, ever need anything, we're always there. For instance, when I launched my first website fo LTD magazine, he blessed me with the never released instrumental to Jay Z's "PSA", that's love. Though he was super tired, peep why, he...

Where do you start with someone like Lenny? He's a integral part of the RocaFella/Rocnation family, arguably the most influential team in hip hop. Yet, he's one of the most genuine, humble people you will ever meet, especially with his pedigree. But most of us, including myself only know him from being at the Roc, listen in as he shares where he came from, how he got his start and Jay and Biggs sh...

You know the saying "if you do something you love you'll never work a day in your life"? Well my guest for this episode is the epitome of that. He's one of those rare people who never seems bothered, gets everything he needs, and he's not just cool with, he's respected by, everyone. That's not easy to do. I wanted to find out where DJ Clark Kent found his unwavering confidence, his love for music...