Wax Talks Navigating Parenthood, Grief, and Balancing a Career

Wax, also known as Michael Jones, is a renowned American rapper celebrated for his sharp lyrics and versatile style. Hailing from Maryland, Wax gained fame in the underground hip-hop scene with his viral YouTube videos. His witty wordplay and insightful storytelling have earned him a dedicated fanbase. As part of the duo Wax & Herbal T, he continues to create innovative music, cementing his status as a respected figure in the rap industry. Wax brought his lyrical prowess to the Epic Rap Battles of History, where he portrayed various historical figures such as Quentin Tarantino, showcasing his talent to millions of viewers. Additionally, Wax teamed up with popular YouTuber Ray William Johnson in his musical comedy project Your Favorite Martian, where his charismatic flow and catchy verses contributed to the project's viral success, cementing his reputation as a versatile and skilled rapper in the digital realm. Mike Squires & Friends is proudly sponsored by DistroKid. To get 30% off your first year’s membership, check out: http://distrokid.com/vip/mikesquires Crazy Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ Join The Squires Squad (Early Access): https://app.grouped.com/mikesquires Connect with Mike Squires: https://set.page/mikesquires/ Stream Mike Squires & Friends: https://pods.to/mikesquires Connect with Wax: https://linktr.ee/bigwax Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:15 Adjusting to Parenthood as a Musician 00:06:35 The Relentless Reality of Parenthood 00:10:25 The Early Days of YouTube Rapping 00:13:52 Navigating the Algorithm's Impact on Content Visibility 00:17:25 Navigating YouTube's Intimidating Algorithm 00:20:57 Collaborating with Ray William Johnson on "Your Favorite Martian" 00:24:34 Balancing Music and Podcasting: Creative Processes 00:28:00 Navigating Podcast Appearances 00:31:21 Exploring the Concept of "The Wax Archives" on Spotify 00:34:36 Starting Fresh in the Music Industry 00:38:05 Meeting Snoop Dogg: A Surreal Experience 00:41:34 The Art of Vinyl Records and Brand Reinvention 00:45:40 Upcoming Album: Lifetime Achievement Award 00:48:26 Reflections on Achievement and Life Lessons 00:51:51 Director's Commentary and Bonus Content 00:55:23 The Creative Process: Challenges and Disagreements 00:58:27 The Impact of Recognition in the Music Industry 01:01:50 Coping with Loss and Work 01:05:12 The Performance Mentality of Social Media Generation 01:08:31 Balancing Career and Family as a Touring Musician 01:11:58 Navigating Grief and Emotional Strength 01:15:32 Processing Grief and Memories 01:18:43 The Song That Sparked a Discussion 01:22:05 The Art of Staying Ready 01:25:11 Challenging the "Get Rich or Die Trying" Mentality 01:28:51 Perspectives on War and Peace 01:32:11 Owning Up to Mistakes and Dealing with Guilt 01:35:39 Power Dynamics and Humanity's Nature 01:39:04 Navigating the Music Industry Challenges 01:42:30 New Album and Record Player Offer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices