Overview of INTERVIEW: Lola Brooke Talks 'iight bet!,' Career + Artist Growth, New York Roots, Pressures of Success + More
This episode is a Breakfast Club interview with Lola Brooke where she discusses her new album I Bet (sometimes referenced as "iight bet!"/I Bet), creative growth since her first project, mental health and survivor’s remorse, navigating success and industry pressures, New York roots and influences, notable collaborators and samples, team/family support, and personal life priorities (including relationships and plans for a family). The conversation mixes career milestones (a recent gold plaque), candid moments about imposter syndrome, and practical career advice for emerging artists.
Key topics covered
- Career growth since her first album: what changed mentally and artistically.
- Imposter syndrome, depression, and the shift from surviving to living.
- Handling industry pressures, switching support, and navigating friendships after success.
- Staying authentic to New York sound and her influences (DMX, Pop Smoke).
- New album I Bet: tone, standout songs, samples, and collaborators.
- Major milestones: receiving a gold single plaque on-air.
- Team and support system: Sav, Team 80, Iris, producer S.Dot’s role in Mary J. Blige sample clearance.
- Personal life: relationship dynamics, privacy, wanting a family, balancing career and personal goals.
Album, songs & collaborators
Highlights from I Bet
- Tracks mentioned/recommended during the interview: "What's Up With It?", "Get Money", "Pain", "Investor".
- "Pain" contains a Mary J. Blige sample; producer S.Dot helped clear it while on tour with Mary.
- Collaborations and tour support: A Boogie helped bring Lola to wider audiences by placing her mid-set on tour; she also referenced Bryson Tiller for a major, high-profile collaboration that broadened her reach.
- Style: blends hard, high-energy New York rap with touches of boom-bap sensibility; sometimes mistaken for drill but rooted in Lola’s high-tempo, aggressive pocket.
Main takeaways & themes
- Authenticity sells: Lola emphasizes that “the only way to sell music is if you being yourself.” She now focuses on making songs she knows she can sell and that feel true to her.
- Mental health and mindset shift: Lola admitted she didn’t enjoy earlier success due to imposter syndrome and survivor’s remorse; with time she learned to celebrate wins and “allow herself to live.”
- Boundaries and self-prioritization: after experiencing people switching up, Lola learned to prioritize her own wellbeing and invest in herself spiritually, mentally, and physically — not just financially.
- Team matters: she credits her team (including Sav and Team 80) for protecting her vision and handling logistics so she can focus on art.
- Women in rap face extra pressure: Lola says female artists must show heightened confidence and are often boxed into narrow roles (sexy vs. gangsta vs. club). Her advice: be more aggressive and unapologetically yourself.
Notable quotes
- “Success, once you get it, you don't know how to navigate it when you first get there.”
- “You got to prove yourself right.”
- “The only way to sell music is if you being yourself.”
- “Invest in me spiritually, mentally, physically — investing is not just financial.”
- “When somebody know their worth, they ain't taking no... I’m standing on it.”
Notable moments & announcements
- On-air celebration: Lola was presented with a gold plaque for a single during the interview. She committed to celebrating the win (a shift from earlier survivor’s remorse).
- Push-up challenge: a lighthearted live segment where Lola did several push-ups, showing her competitive/athletic side and personality off-mic.
- Stories about career-defining shows: reference to Barclays Center appearance and support from artists like Future and A Boogie.
Practical advice for creators / aspiring artists
- Be unapologetically yourself — authenticity builds an audience faster than trying to chase trends.
- Choose collaborators and tours that give you the right platform (mid-set placements, warm crowds).
- Build a trusted team that understands your vision and protects your time/energy.
- Prioritize mental health; invest in your whole self (spiritually, mentally, physically) — not just chasing money.
- For female rappers: be more aggressive than critics expect; don’t let people box you into limiting categories.
Recommended listening (from the interview)
- "What's Up With It?"
- "Get Money"
- "Pain" (Mary J. Blige sample)
- "Investor" (themes of values and holistic investment)
Why this episode matters
- It offers a candid look at the emotional labor behind rapid success — imposter syndrome, survivor’s remorse, and how an artist learns to accept and celebrate wins.
- Provides actionable career wisdom for emerging artists about authenticity, team-building, and handling industry politics.
- Confirms Lola Brooke’s growing mainstream impact (gold plaque, major features, and influential tour placements) while reaffirming her commitment to being a New York artist.
If you want a quick way to support or explore Lola’s recent work: stream I Bet (album), and start with "Get Money" and "Pain" to hear her range and the Mary J. Blige-sampled moment highlighted in the interview.