Purpose, Legacy and Family w/ Bergo Husky

Malcolm sits down with Bergo Husky, an openly gay hip-hop artist and entrepreneur, for a deeply personal conversation about music, family, legacy, and the long road to self-love.Bergo shares his journey from being a known gay rapper in the 2000s to retiring from performing to develop other artists, and finally rebranding as Bergo Husky—a culmination of nearly 20 years in the music industry. He opens up about growing up in the hood, dealing with homophobia within his own family and community, serving in the military, experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, and the spiritual awakening that brought him back home to North Carolina.The conversation explores what it means to create art that uplifts rather than weighs people down. Bergo discusses his philosophy of making music that battles depression and makes people "get up"—a reflection of his own journey learning to love himself after years of self-doubt, health struggles (including a stroke in 2015), and feeling abandoned by God. He talks about reconciling his sexuality with his Christianity, moving from Catholicism to agnosticism and back to faith.But this episode isn't just about one artist—it's about family, collective uplift, and building generational wealth. The Boogie Rock Collective represents a family of entrepreneurs, former hustlers, barbers, boutique owners, and artists all working together to create opportunities and change their circumstances. Bergo's ultimate legacy isn't about fame—it's about employing his people, providing for his community, and making sure folks like Miss Crystal (who dedicated her life to helping others) don't have to worry about burying their loved ones in pine boxes.Topics Discussed:The 20-year journey to becoming Bergo HuskyRebranding and authenticity in hip-hopBeing an openly gay rapper vs. a "rapper who happens to be gay"Video production and creative direction on a budgetThe Boogie Rock Collective as a family businessGrowing up with homophobia in hip-hop cultureMilitary service and leaving homeHomelessness in Atlanta and God's provisionMusic as therapy for depression and imposter syndromeSong structure, architecture, and the craft of musicMariah Carey and Fantasia as master architectsDeveloping young artists and teaching studio craftSpirituality, Christianity, and feeling abandoned by GodLosing his mother at age 6 and the "underground railroad" of community supportStroke at 31 and the burden of being "the responsible one"Building generational wealth and breaking cycles of povertyThe importance of learning to love yourselfHealthcare struggles and burying people with dignityWorking with family: the good, the challenges, and setting boundariesLife in your 40s: wisdom, judgment, and finally livingSocial media as the new path for independent artistsLabel deals, distribution, and knowing your worthCreating happiness through artConnect with Bergo Husky: Instagram: @BergoHusky Twitter: @TWINEmusic Facebook: Twine Wall or Bergo HuskyConnect with M3 (Male Media Mind): Twitter/X: @MailMediaMind Instagram: @MaleMediaMind Facebook: Male Media Mind TikTok: @MailMediaMind Blue Sky: @MaleMediaMindSupport the Show: These conversations take time, energy, and resources. Help us continue uplifting Black voices and building community by becoming a patron at patreon.com/malemediamind