VladTV

In this special VladTV segment, Shawn Prez sits down with former Army Ranger and sniper Nicholas Irving to break down the escalating war in Iran and what it could mean for the United States and the world.Drawing from his combat experience, Irving explains why he believes this conflict has been building for decades, tracing tensions back to the early 2000s and U.S. operations in the Middle East. He analyzes the strategic impact of recent military actions, including strikes like Operation Midnight Hammer, and questions whether such operations truly change the long-term trajectory of conflicts in the region.Irving also criticizes how the media often portrays war, arguing that headlines rarely capture the full human cost. He discusses the devastating reality of civilian casualties and the psychological burden carried by soldiers who experience combat firsthand. Sharing deeply personal stories from his deployments, Irving recounts moments that still haunt him — including witnessing a fellow soldier killed by an IED in Mosul and the split-second decisions that can mean life or death on the battlefield.The conversation explores the mental toll of war, from sleepless nights and recurring nightmares to the long-term trauma veterans carry long after the fighting ends. Irving emphasizes that war is far more complex than political talking points, warning against oversimplified narratives around regime change and military intervention.Shawn Prez highlights the importance of hearing from veterans like Irving, whose firsthand experiences provide a rare and sobering perspective on modern warfare. Together, they examine the role of ego, geopolitical strategy, and global power struggles in shaping conflicts — while stressing the importance of understanding war beyond what is shown on television.

In this classic 2016 VladTV interview, Pras Michel of The Fugees breaks down the rise, fall, and legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential groups .Pras details how The Fugees originally formed under the name “Tranzlator Crew,” how Lauryn Hill joined the group in eighth grade, and how Wyclef later became a key member. He shares the behind-the-scenes story of signing to Columbia despite lower upfront money, explaining why the group chose long-term vision over short-term advances.He reflects on the group’s rocky debut, Blunted on Reality, which initially sold only a handful of copies before the massive success of The Score. Pras describes the euphoric moment of realizing the album would be historic, eventually selling over 20 million copies worldwide. He also talks about building the Booga Basement studio, the Ready or Not sample lawsuit, and the discipline behind keeping advances low to maximize long-term profit.The interview dives into group tensions, including the rumored Wyclef and Lauryn Hill relationship, internal egos, and why the Fugees ultimately couldn’t recreate the magic of The Score. Pras explains why Lauryn Hill stepped away from recording, calling her “the epitome of an artist” who only creates when inspired.Pras also shares personal stories about Tupac, including squashing misunderstandings before Tupac’s death, as well as his decision to donate $1.2 million to a super PAC supporting Barack Obama. He discusses political activism, the importance of local voting, and why financial literacy is critical for artists.The interview closes with Pras offering advice to young rappers about investing wisely, avoiding reckless spending, and building generational wealth instead of chasing temporary fame.

Angela Means, best known for playing Felicia in the cult classic Friday, sits down with VladTV for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about her life, career, and evolution beyond Hollywood .Angela opens up about growing up biracial (Nigerian and Jewish) in rural Michigan during a time when interracial relationships were still controversial and legally restricted. She discusses the challenges of identity, colorism within the Black community, and navigating both cultures while finding her voice.Before becoming “Bye, Felicia,” Angela was a working model and stand-up comedian who toured alongside legends like Chris Rock and Bernie Mac. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from House Party 3, her experience on Def Comedy Jam, and how she crafted Felicia’s unforgettable character in Friday—including the backstory, physicality, and why that role changed her life forever.Angela also reflects on motherhood, raising an NFL quarterback son, and the realities of football culture, including concerns about CTE. The conversation shifts to her second act as a vegan restaurateur and activist, where she explains how her childhood on a farm shaped her views on animal rights, health, and plant-based living. She details launching her vegan restaurant and food truck, and her belief that diet plays a major role in both physical and mental well-being.From Hollywood stories involving Muhammad Ali and Ice Cube to entrepreneurship and activism, Angela Means proves she’s far more than a single iconic line.

Large Professor sits down with VladTV for a legendary conversation about his role in shaping hip-hop history — from Main Source to architecting Nas’ Illmatic, widely considered one of the greatest rap albums of all time.Born in Harlem and raised in Flushing, Queens, Large Professor reflects on growing up before hip-hop fully existed and witnessing its evolution firsthand. He recalls buying Spoony G’s “Spooning Rap” and being blown away by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s “Freedom,” which convinced him hip-hop was here to stay. From breakdancing and graffiti to rhyming under the name Professor Paul Juice Star, he details how he eventually transitioned into production and formed Main Source.Large Professor breaks down the making of Main Source’s Breaking Atoms, the impact of the SP-1200 drum machine, and how DJ Premier helped secure their deal with Wild Pitch Records. He also explains how Joe Fatal introduced him to a young 18-year-old Nas, leading to Nas’ first-ever recorded appearance on “Live at the Barbecue.” Large shares his early impressions of Nas, describing him as humble but already saying things “out of the ordinary.”The interview dives deep into the creation of Illmatic, including producing “Halftime,” “One Time 4 Your Mind,” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” which famously sampled Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.” Large Professor gives insight into Nas working with Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier, calling “New York State of Mind” one of his favorite Nas records for capturing the full essence of hip-hop culture.He also discusses working with Eric B. & Rakim, Kool G Rap, and later reconnecting with Nas for Stillmatic, producing “You’re Da Man” and the storytelling classic “Rewind,” which was entirely Nas’ concept.From Queens pride during the “Bridge Wars” era to Main Source’s breakup over management disputes, Large Professor provides an insider’s look at the golden era of hip-hop and the creative chemistry that built timeless music.

Back in 2025, David Packouz, a former arms dealer, discussed his journey from securing a $300 million US government contract to supply the Afghan army with ammunition to the challenges faced in fulfilling the contract. He detailed the logistical complexities, including sourcing ammunition from Albania and dealing with Chinese markings. Packouz highlighted the financial aspects, noting a 20% profit margin and his expected $15 million from the contract. He also recounted the legal repercussions, including his plea deal for fraud and Ephraim's four-year prison sentence. The conversation also touched on the 2016 film "War Dogs," based on their story. He co-founded War Dogs Academy, an online school teaching government contracting, which has seen significant success, with students winning $14 million in contracts and some becoming multi-millionaires. Packouz's invention, the Beat Buddy drum machine pedal, and other music equipment under Singular Sound have also been successful. Despite his initial reluctance, he was inspired by others' success stories to help others in government contracting.