MASK OFF Ep 20: TORAE

In the Season 3 debut episode of The Mask Off Podcast: the intersection of life, mental health and Hip-Hop, Hawaii Mike sits down with Brooklyn’s own Torae — rapper, SiriusXM host, songwriter, actor, culture carrier and father — to talk about his life journey.

From traversing the streets of Coney Island to navigating the evolving landscape of Hip Hop and fatherhood, Torae reflects on how life prepared him for everything he’s doing now.

He drops gems on:

   •   Knowing when to pivot, and, always take the meeting

   •   Building legacy through intention and independence

   •   The importance of using every tool in your toolbox

This isn’t just about his career — it’s about mindset, manhood, a strong mental, and making it on your own terms.

🎙 Hosted by Hawaii Mike @hwmk

🎬 Produced by: Hawaii Mike, Cynical Smith & Zenobia Simmons

✂️ Edited by: @GeneralSteele

🎵 Music by: @BudaDaFuture

📍 Filmed at Fly Private Social in Brooklyn by Bucktown USA Productions.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:

What part of Torae’s story hit home for you?

📲 Follow Torae: @Torae

🔗 Follow Mask Off: @maskoffpod

Follow @hwmk

#MaskOffPod #Torae #HipHop #Brooklyn #MentalHealthAwareness #KnowledgeofSelfisthekey #FlyPrivateSocial #SelfMastery 

0:00 - Intro

1:06 - Coney Island, the foundation 

4:44 - I’m not gonna be in the starting line up 

6:24 - Getting schooled 

9:46 - got my first producer at Mcdonalds

11:41 - DJ premier, DJ Clark Kent and rapping for my life

16:24 - Maxing out my credit card pressing vinyl 

18:40 - I would stand outside of Hot 97

22:44 - Running with Cam’ron and Jim Jones

28:33 - learning how to make records with DJ Clark Kent

33:39 - First tour I ever went on

38:35 - unprotected sex = Kids

42:28 - I’ma deliver pizzas on the way to the studio 

46:11 - The Hustlers on my block 

51:18 - Who the F doesn’t want to be paid? 

55:11 - Fat Beats changed my life

1:01:33 - Working with LL Cool J

1:04:40 - Always take the meeting 

1:09:57 - Relationships are key

1:14:30 - Dedication to the craft

1:17:58 - The most beautifullest sh!t in the world