Via Complex
"Sugar. Spice. And everything nice. These were the ingredients to create the perfect the perfect little girls."
Dj Akademiks. Joe Budden. And everything Youtube. These are the ingredients for the perfect hip-hop cultural show. Everyday Struggle produces four episodes a week averaging about 300k views each, and is rapidly becoming a staple of rap culture. There's no one reason for the show's success, but as the title suggests there is about five.
1. The DJ Akademiks-Joe Budden Relationship
Via Genius/Complex
Aside from both having major followings and a strong passion for the culture, Akademiks and Budden are polar opposites. Akademiks' opinions are generally politically correct, while Budden doesn't sugarcoat anything. Ak knows all there is to know on today's hip-hop, while Joe knows hip-hop's history and the insight of what goes on inside the industry. The difference in opinions usually leads to heated exchanges between the two. By heated exchanges I mean Joe Budden screaming obscenities with veins popping out his head, while Akademiks sits back and strokes his chin. Moments like this usually leave you leaning towards one side, and hoping either Akademiks or Budden says the point that you're thinking on the topic. The show creates a Tom and Jerry type feeling towards Ak and Budden where you love to see them go at it, but you can also feel their respect for one each other.
2. Cultural Need
There hasn't been a daily show for hip-hop's culture since BET's 106 & Park last aired in 2014. Everyday Struggle emerged from seemingly nowhere with two well-known people, Dj Akademiks and Joe Budden, and never looked back. Rappers, hosts, and tons of other big names have recognized Everyday Struggle, through both criticism and praise. The constant six-digit audience proves the culture's backing of the show.
3. Guests Appearances
Vulgarity. Passion. Violence. Technically, nothing has gotten violent yet, but the show has come close a couple of times. Lil Yachty, Vic Mensa, and the Migos have all trended thanks to their appearances on Everyday Struggle. To put that in perspective, Vic Mensa went off on Akademiks and had the world buzzing, but announced his album release date and didn't even crack 4000 retweets. The Lil Yachty interview turned Joe Budden into a meme, and the Migos interview turned Dj Akademiks into a meme. The least watched guest appearance, Dj Mustard, still managed to reach an impressive 363,000 views. Expect even more guest appearances as the show continues to gain popularity.
4. Youtube Layout
Youtube is the perfect medium for Everyday Struggle. Dj Akademiks and more necessarily Joe Budden can state their uncensored opinions on a platform with no real time limit. Youtube also allows the fans to connect directly to Complex through the comment section. For instance, one episode the audience felt Joe was too aggressive towards Ak and voiced their displeasure through dislikes and comments. The next day, Joe apologized to Ak and promised to be more respectful. Moments like that wouldn't be possible through a television show.
5. Nadeska
Nadeska. Nadeska. Nadeska.
Nadeska is the unsung glue of Everyday Struggle. She brings personality to the normally bland moderator role, and leaves the viewer occasionally wanting to hear more of what she has to say. Nadeska reels Budden back in when he flies off the tracks, stops Akademiks when he becomes repetitive, and helps both Ak and Joe remember their points at times.
Catch Everyday Struggle Monday-Thursday at 11 am Eastern on Complex's Youtube.