Today we’d like to introduce you to Les Johnson.
Les, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Originally I am from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, I moved to Charleston, SC when I was 8/9. I have always been into music and learning about and talking about well probably arguing about it more than anything. I joined the military and it opened my eyes to many different musical genre’s and I have been hooked ever since. After I was done in the military I became a contractor and traveled everywhere from Dubai to Japan and I had family in Atlanta that convinced me that this was the place for me and they weren’t wrong. So 2013 I left Afghanistan and never looked back, I have had the good fortune of knowing some great people one being my wife Chef India who introduced me to Karim Lateef who was a Sr. Brand ambassador at the time for Martell Liquor. He has brought Home by Martell Atlanta here and this space he created was to give, creatives a chance to test new ideas and branch out on they’re own. We would often talk hip hop and he was like man you should have your own show and host it here. I said funny you should say that because I do host a podcast with my homie Jay Fleming and Dj Knotts. As they say, the rest is history.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would have to say yes and no, yes the road is smooth but sometimes you have to divert off path to create your own lane. Everyone has a podcast now so we have to stand out with ours be entertaining and still provide great content which can be a struggle of its own. I feel the only way to succeed is to try so if I have to struggle to succeed ill embrace the struggle until I come out on the other side.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Lets Cook Podcast is a hip hop social climate podcast that focuses on the culture of the arts and the music of the black experience. I provide commentary and a no non-sense approach to the social climate in America while being light hearted enough to know what “dem gals like to twerk too”. I am most proud of us not giving up and continuing to push our brand forward with backing from Martell Liquor. We want to know the story of the artist we don’t want to know about cars, clothes or material things. Were here for the verse that made everyone make the gas face or the DJ bring it back.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Love is what makes this thing run, Love for the music, Love for the artist and Love of the culture. Our Music has been so monetized that we as artist and as consumers sometimes dont give the experience the love were supposed to. So when we invite a guest to the show its for the love of their craft.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 470-301-3376
- Email: letcook404@gmail.com
- Instagram: @alwayssayles @letscookpodcast
Image Credit:
lourdes sukari, peter street station, mikeniceatl
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
