🏞️ Sign up for free and exclusive updates: https://camp.beehiiv.com/ Noah Callahan-Bever, former CCO of Complex, talks about sitting in on Kanye's recording sessions, meetups with Jay-Z, and being stuck in an elevator with Eminem for HOURS. WELCOME TO CAMP. Thanks to Morgan & Morgan for sponsoring today's episode! Produced by @WillSchwartzz Edited by @CampGagnon Intro Edited by @99OvrAll 00:00 - START 01:26 - Naturally blessed hair 06:01 - Noah’s family - father made video games 14:51 - 1st time listening to Hip Hop 19:19 - Becoming an A&R in the music industry 31:41 - Noah starting with Sway 32:46 - Meeting Jay-Z - getting grilled on Hip Hop 37:46 - What is the role of critic? 45:43 - Respecting the endeavour + music reviews turnaround is immediate 50:07 - Mark’s reason for not putting out stand-up 53:21 - Meeting Eminem - an artist that is obsessed with his craft 01:11:28 - Being relentless - there are no overnight successes 01:23:52 - Willing to be patient to perfect your craft 01:26:56 - You feel when Busta Rhymes or KRS-One performs 01:28:43 Dave Chappelle’s complete command of the audience 01:30:05 - Eminem’s craft + creating like it’s a full time job 01:37:40 - Kanye West - start, friendship, MC Hammer and Ye’s creative process 02:05:09 - Ye never sleeps on the job 02:22:27 - Being in the studio for “Paris” & “Otis” + Jay-Z really is a one-take wonder 02:37:43 - Rap’s influence - Noah applying it to his work + not compromising on brand 02:47:23 - TIkTok’s impact + adapting to your technology 02:52:59 - David Byrne - music is product of its context 02:58:54 - Adapting to the environment - East v West Coast & rise of the south 03:02:33 - First Complex Covers - Lil Wayne & Kim K’s first cover ever 03:16:00 - Trusting your intuition 03:23:10 - Hustling for a chance + Mark’s finessing 03:28:20 - Being obsessed + balancing metrics with art 03:42:51 - Origins of Hot Ones with Sean Evans 03:54:48 - Turning failures into wins 04:02:52 - Idea Generation + Covid’s impact - Empowerment in ownership 04:29:40 - Interviewing Tay Keith = triumph in extreme adversity What’s good people, today were talking to Noah Callahan-Bever, former editor In Chief of Complex, executive at DefJam, and creator of Idea Generation. He had rap stories for days, and today we talk about what it was like being with Jay-Z and Kanye as they made Watch The Throne, getting trapped in an elevator with Eminem, and getting Kim Kardashian on her first cover shoot. This convo was awesome and inspiring, I’m excited for y’all to peep it.