E7 | The White Russell Simmons? Steve Lobel on Life Lessons, Loss & Hip-Hop
Few people have been in the rooms that Steve Lobel has. From managing legends like Run-DMC, Nipsey Hussle, Fat Joe, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Scott Storch, Steve has spent decades shaping the culture. In this candid and emotional interview, he sits down with his “nephew” Joseph “JoJo” Simmons on the For Good podcast to reflect on his journey, sharing untold stories, personal struggles, and the hard lessons that come with life in the industry.
As a longtime friend of the Simmons family – often called “the White Russell Simmons” – Steve has been connected to hip-hop royalty for years. But despite his success, he’s experienced devastating losses, both personally and professionally. In this episode, he gets real about the sacrifices no one talks about, the mental and emotional toll of the business, and how he’s managed to stay consistent without selling his soul. He also explains why he diversified into cannabis and tells the wild story of how Berner almost turned down the Cookies empire.
JoJo & Steve break down:
- How mentorship can get you ready to answer when opportunity knocks.
- The mental health struggles behind the music industry’s glitz and glam.
- The power of pushing through the no’s and staying resilient in an unforgiving industry.
Links and Resources:
- Follow Steve Lobel @weworking on Instagram
- Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram
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Timestamps:
- 00:00 Welcome to the For Good Podcast w/ Steve Lobel
- 02:59 How Run-DMC & Jam Master Jay Put Steve on Game
- 03:51 Deeper Than Rap: Steve’s Bond w/ Jam Master Jay
- 06:11 Without a Mentor, You Could Get Lost
- 08:45 Wild Tour Stories w/ Run-DMC & Jam Master Jay
- 11:31 The Key to Building a Loyal Fan Base
- 15:29 Losing Legends: How Steve Coped With Grief
- 20:13 Why Nipsey Hussle’s Impact Grew After Death
- 20:34 Wanna Make It in Music? Do Your Research!
- 30:06 Respect is Everything – Not Just for Celebrities
- 31:05 Nipsey Never Chased Trends – He Set Them
- 35:51 Even Nipsey & Bieber Struggled to Get Signed
- 36:33 Give People Their Flowers While They’re Here
- 38:45 Berner Almost Said No to the Cookies Empire
- 43:19 Winning in the Cannabis Game
- 44:26 I’m Not A Bag Guy, I’m an Equity Guy
- 45:38 What He Thinks About JoJo’s Cannabis Advocacy
- 49:16 Music Industry Mental Health Struggles
- 50:05 The Stigma: Treatment in Black & Brown Communities
- 50:55 The Real Story Behind The Heavenly Center (THC)
- 01:01:00 The Reality of Addiction
- 01:04:00 Steve’s Biggest Regret? Not Starting a Family
- 01:06:00 The Mindset Shift You Need to Win
- 01:10:00 Why Social Media Ain’t Real Connection
- 01:14:00 Why Steve Came on the For Good Podcast