85 South
85 South
April 24, 2026

DA CREW IN THE TRAP W/ KARLOUS MILLER | 85 SOUTH SHOW

YouTube · dUBUN2KYcy4

Quick Read

The 85 South Show hosts and guest Karlous Miller engage in raw, comedic banter, sharing personal anecdotes about growing up, the value of self-belief, and the enduring bond of their music group, The Crew.
Failure is a learning phase, not a final stop; persistence creates unique 'signature' paths.
Networking in college is more valuable than grades, opening doors to unforeseen opportunities.
The Crew's enduring brotherhood, forged through shared tragedy and independent grind, defines their brand.

Summary

This episode of the 85 South Show features Karlous Miller and the hosts in a free-flowing, comedic discussion covering a range of topics from personal weight gain and relationship dynamics to the value of education, networking, and resilience. They delve into the origins and enduring legacy of their music group, The Crew, highlighting the impact of a lost leader, Richie, and the importance of brotherhood. The conversation also touches on absurd conspiracy theories about fast food, the universal appeal of bacon, and humorous stories of street fights and neighborhood vigilance, all delivered with their characteristic unfiltered humor.
This episode offers a candid look into the personal philosophies and experiences that shaped the hosts and their guest, providing relatable insights on perseverance, the power of community, and reframing failure. It showcases the authentic camaraderie and storytelling that built the 85 South Show's brand, demonstrating how personal history and shared struggles can forge lasting bonds and creative ventures.

Takeaways

  • Embrace failure as a critical part of the learning process, not a sign to quit.
  • Networking and building relationships in college can be more impactful than academic achievements.
  • The 85 South Show and The Crew's success stems from independent grinding and unwavering self-belief.
  • The loss of a respected leader, Richie, profoundly shaped The Crew's brotherhood and dedication.
  • Bacon is universally acknowledged as a superior food, capable of enhancing almost any dish.

Insights

1Redefining College Value: Commitment and Networking Over Academics

The hosts argue that a college degree's true value lies not in the specific knowledge gained, but in demonstrating commitment, discipline, and the ability to complete a long-term endeavor. More importantly, they stress that networking in college is paramount, as early connections can lead to significant future opportunities, citing Mark Zuckerberg as an example.

“Why they want you to have a college degree is because it show that you could be committed to something and you can stay all the way through the course of it. … But the one most important thing you can learn in college is networking.”

2Failure as a Stepping Stone to Signature Success

The podcast challenges the negative perception of failure, stating that it's only truly a failure when one gives up. Instead, repeated attempts, even if initially seen as 'wrong,' can lead to a unique and inimitable 'signature' style or method. This perspective encourages persistence and viewing setbacks as integral to innovation and personal development.

“The sh*t only crazy when it don’t work. … But sh*t you sh*t around and you keep doing that sh*t Even when it looked like a failure, sh*t that sh*t become signature. Can’t nobody do that sh*t the way you do that sh*t cuz you didn’t end the sh*t wrong and right.”

3The Enduring Brotherhood and Legacy of The Crew

The hosts introduce their music group, The Crew, comprising childhood friends who formed a rap group and later a dance group. They emphasize that their bond is built on shared experiences, including a significant tragedy (the loss of their leader, Richie, in 2010), which strengthened their commitment to each other and their collective brand. This deep connection, forged through 'blood, sweat, and chill,' defines their continued artistic journey.

“We got the bros, man. You dig what I’m saying? We got DC Blake in this sh*t… They was a rap group first. … We’ve been doing this sh*t for a long time with our heart hearts and dedication to this sh*t… we had a real tragedy happened to us as children… Richie got June 26th, 2010.”

Bottom Line

The podcast highlights a unique aspect of community leadership: a person's impact is often fully realized and appreciated only after their passing, revealing the true extent of their influence and connections.

So What?

This suggests that leaders, especially in tight-knit communities, may not fully grasp the breadth of their positive influence until it's reflected in the collective grief and remembrance of those they touched.

Impact

Organizations or community builders could proactively document and celebrate the 'impact footprint' of their leaders while they are alive, fostering a stronger sense of appreciation and continuity, and potentially inspiring others to step into similar roles with a clearer understanding of their potential reach.

The discussion around fast food conspiracy theories (human meat in burgers) concludes with the observation that even if true, people are so habituated and addicted to the taste that they couldn't stop eating it, especially if it was cheap.

So What?

This illustrates the powerful hold of habit, taste, and affordability over rational decision-making, even in the face of disturbing information. It's a commentary on consumer behavior and the difficulty of breaking ingrained consumption patterns.

Impact

This insight could be leveraged by brands focusing on 'clean' or 'ethical' food alternatives, not just by highlighting their purity, but by emphasizing how their products can help consumers transition away from unhealthy habits without sacrificing taste or convenience, effectively 'detoxing' their palate and routine.

Opportunities

Independent Content Streaming Platform (Channel 85 Model)

Develop and promote an independent streaming service offering exclusive content (podcasts, live shows, specials) a day earlier than other platforms, along with merchandise discounts. This creates a direct-to-consumer revenue stream and fosters a loyal community.

Source: The 85 South Show's Channel 85

Community-Focused Business Feature Segment (Black Market Model)

Create a dedicated segment within a popular podcast or media platform to feature small businesses, allowing owners to discuss their ventures and scale-up strategies. This provides valuable exposure for businesses and engaging content for the audience.

Source: The 85 South Show's Black Market segment

Branded Music Group with Deep Personal Narrative

Form a music group rooted in shared personal history, struggles, and brotherhood, leveraging these narratives to create authentic, relatable music and a strong brand identity. Focus on independent releases and maintaining creative control.

Source: The Crew (DC Blake, DC Cash, DC Moody, DC JR, DC Bally, DC Unfly)

Key Concepts

Failure as Learning

The hosts challenge the conventional view of failure, asserting that it is not a bad thing but an essential part of the learning process. They argue that something is only a 'failure' if one stops trying, otherwise, it's a step towards figuring things out and developing a unique 'signature' approach.

The Power of Networking

The discussion highlights networking as the most important lesson from college, even more so than academic knowledge. The idea is that connections made early in life can lead to unforeseen opportunities and support, exemplified by hypothetical scenarios of knowing future influential figures.

Lessons

  • Cultivate a strong belief in your own unique path, especially when others doubt or offer conventional advice.
  • Prioritize building genuine relationships and networking, as these connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
  • View setbacks and 'failures' not as endpoints, but as essential learning experiences that contribute to your distinct style and eventual success.

Notable Moments

Discussion about the true value of a college degree being commitment and networking, not just academics.

This reframes traditional educational goals, highlighting soft skills and relationship-building as crucial for real-world success.

The hosts sharing stories about their music group, The Crew, and the profound impact of their late leader, Richie.

It provides a raw, emotional insight into the origins of their camaraderie and the enduring influence of a respected figure, grounding their entertainment in personal narrative.

Comedic debate about the universal appeal of bacon and fast food conspiracy theories.

Showcases the podcast's signature blend of absurd humor and relatable cultural commentary, demonstrating how even mundane topics can spark lively, entertaining discussions.

Quotes

"

"The one most important thing you can learn in college is networking."

Unidentified Host

Q&A

Recent Questions

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