Special Ed Talks Hip-Hop, Culture, Entrepreneurship: My Friends Are Better Than Yours

In this powerful conversation, BIG CED sits down with Hip-Hop legend Special Ed to talk about legacy, culture, entrepreneurship, and giving back to the community.From growing up in Hip-Hop to launching Special Ed Arts & Literacy, Special Ed reflects on the music industry, the evolution of hip-hop, social media, and the responsibility artists have to guide the next generation. He also shares insights on the Stop the Violence movement, philanthropy, and the future of Hip-Hop.This is more than an interview — it’s a real conversation about culture, purpose, and impact.🎤 Topics covered:• Special Ed’s journey in hip-hop• The meaning of “I Got It Made”• 50 years of hip-hop• The music industry and artist empowerment• Stop the Violence movement• Social media and culture• Entrepreneurship and ownership• Giving back through education• The future of hip-hop📌 Follow the conversation, share your thoughts, and support the culture.#HipHop #SpecialEd #BigSaid #HipHopCulture #Podcast #StopTheViolence #Entrepreneurship #MusicIndustry #HipHop50 #BIGCED #theindustrycosign #brooklyn 00:00 – Intro & birthday vibes00:36 – Respect, history, and growing up in hip-hop01:51 – The origin of “Special Ed” and early rap days03:03 – Why BIG CED interviews artists and legacy figures03:26 – Life after fame and perspective on competition04:30 – Turning 50 and the meaning of hip-hop culture05:02 – Special Ed Arts & Literacy explained06:12 – Knowledge Ciphers and education programs06:36 – Why artists shift toward philanthropy07:13 – Industry lessons and artist exploitation08:09 – Teaching artists about contracts and business09:23 – Where the organization is based and its mission10:06 – Stop the Violence movement revival11:24 – Social media: benefits vs. distractions12:18 – The role of hip-hop in social change13:02 – Peace, meditation, and community solutions14:55 – Life priorities beyond the music industry16:01 – Thoughts on modern hip-hop17:49 – Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop19:35 – Corporate influence vs. real culture21:25 – Why hip-hop voices must speak for themselves22:16 – If social media existed in the early hip-hop era23:45 – Hip-hop as a creator of entrepreneurs24:26 – Ownership, empowerment, and culture28:12 – The impact of “I Got It Made”29:16 – Aspirations, mindset, and manifestation31:09 – Future goals for Special Ed and community work33:06 – The need for elder guidance in hip-hop34:04 – Closing thoughts and final messages36:55 – OutroConnect with BIG CED: https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/https://theindustrycosign.com/