DJ Akademiks and Sauce Walka: An In-Depth Look at Houston Culture, Street Codes, and Building a DIY Empire

DJ Akademiks recently paid a visit to Sauce Walka’s house in Houston, and the resulting conversation was as vibrant and deep as you’d expect. This wasn’t just a casual tour—it was an in-depth discussion about Sauce’s upbringing, Houston's unique culture, and his DIY attitude that has driven his success in both music and business. If you missed the interview or didn't have time to watch the full thing, here’s a comprehensive recap to bring you up to speed on all the key points.

House Tour and Neighborhood Vibe

Akademiks starts off by being given an exclusive tour of Sauce Walka's impressive Houston home. Complete with an elevator, a steam room, and several lavish rooms, the house is as extravagant as Sauce Walka himself. However, what really stood out to Akademiks was the location. The house is built in a neighborhood that many might not associate with opulence or safety, prompting Akademiks to ask how Sauce manages living there.

Sauce emphasized that the house being in the hood was a statement of staying true to his roots. He explained that, for him, it’s about maintaining respect in the community while also showing others what’s possible. He takes pride in his ability to build a massive house in the middle of his neighborhood without fear—highlighting his desire to keep one foot in the community that raised him.

Sauce’s Father and Upbringing

One of the most interesting moments in the interview was when Sauce Walka's father shared stories about Sauce's early foray into music. Sauce’s father reminisced about buying Sauce his first laptop through a financing program. Within a single day, Sauce had made over 300 beats, which astonished his father, who wasn’t even familiar with the technology or processes Sauce was using.

His father's approach to parenting was unconventional yet effective. He didn’t push Sauce to follow in his own footsteps—instead, he supported Sauce’s passion for music. He emphasized that his role as a parent was not to mold Sauce into his own image but to support his son in pursuing his dreams. This nurturing attitude helped lay the foundation for Sauce’s future success in music.

The DIY Mentality and Houston Culture

Sauce Walka repeatedly emphasized his DIY mentality throughout the visit. He proudly described building his career and his businesses from the ground up. His dedication to this attitude is palpable—Sauce believes that success must be built rather than handed down. He talked about how this mentality connects deeply with Houston’s hip-hop culture, which has always had a strong emphasis on self-reliance and community support.

Growing up surrounded by Houston’s “Screwed Up” culture, Sauce learned the art of freestyling from an early age. It’s more than just a skill—it’s a way of life in Houston. He mentioned how his uncle used to drive around with him, listening to chopped and screwed beats, encouraging Sauce to freestyle in the backseat. Freestyling was a constant part of his upbringing, making it a natural element of his musical identity today.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Sauce didn’t stop at music. During the tour, he gave Akademiks a glimpse into his extensive portfolio of business ventures. Sauce owns rental properties, a boat manufacturing company, a vape brand, and a water company, among others. He currently manages about twelve different businesses, each catering to a different market.

He elaborated on how these ventures were either ideas that he pursued on his own or collaborations with others. Sauce highlighted his vape brand, “Rap Bars,” as an example of creatively merging his brand identity with a business opportunity. The ability to diversify income streams, according to Sauce, is crucial for long-term success—especially in a volatile industry like hip-hop.

Marketing Insights and Brand Building

The discussion also touched on Sauce Walka’s unique marketing approach. He explained how investing in jewelry and his appearance is part of a larger branding strategy. He compared it to making a business establishment attractive: the better something looks, the more people want to be a part of it.

Sauce believes that in the world of hip-hop, first impressions are everything. He spoke about the importance of being flashy, not just to look successful, but to attract opportunities and interest in his brand. He sees it as advertising—putting himself out there in a way that makes people curious about what else he might have to offer.

Family Dynamics and Fatherly Support

Sauce’s father played a major role in shaping who Sauce is today, and their conversation made this very clear. His father was adamant about the importance of strong male role models in young men’s lives. He spoke about the necessity of guiding children but also allowing them to follow their own paths. Sauce’s father wanted to be a support system, encouraging Sauce’s desire to make music rather than forcing him into a path that wasn’t his own.

This genuine and intentional form of parenting gave Sauce the freedom to grow into his own person while having a safety net. It’s clear that his father’s influence contributed significantly to Sauce’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.

Freestyle Skills and Lyrical Confidence

Throughout the visit, Sauce Walka’s freestyle skills were another prominent topic. He is confident in his abilities and believes he can hold his own against artists from any region. Sauce mentioned participating in ciphers and proving doubters wrong by showcasing his lyrical skills. He emphasized that freestyling is not just a performance tool for him—it’s a deeply ingrained part of who he is.

He expressed his frustration with people assuming that artists from Texas couldn’t match up to those from regions like New York. Sauce firmly believes he is among the best, and he’s always willing to prove it.

Giving Back to Houston

Sauce also took time to talk about the Houston rap scene as a whole. He called on major artists to give back to the local culture whenever they visit. He used Drake as an example, mentioning that when artists visit Houston, they should collaborate with local talent and show genuine love for the city’s music scene. Sauce doesn’t view this as a diss—more like a friendly nudge towards genuine collaboration.

He sees it as a responsibility for those with influence to help elevate the community that inspired them. Houston’s culture is dear to Sauce, and he doesn’t shy away from calling out anyone, regardless of their fame, if he thinks they could be doing more for the city.

Boxing Aspirations

Interestingly, Sauce also mentioned his interest in professional boxing. He’s been training and sees boxing as a way to test himself physically, perhaps even lining up a few matches in the future. He spoke about his father having him in boxing gyms since he was young, and while he’s not pursuing it as a career, he sees the potential for a few exhibition matches just for the experience.

Street Codes and Changing Values

Lastly, Sauce Walka shared his thoughts on street codes and how things have changed. He lamented how certain values, like loyalty and respect, have softened in today’s society. He believes that what used to be frowned upon in street culture—such as dishonesty or disloyalty—is now more accepted, and that this shift has affected the authenticity of the streets.

`He stressed that while crime and street activities may never completely disappear, the moral code that once defined them has eroded. For Sauce, this change reflects a larger societal shift towards accepting behaviors that would have previously been condemned.

In the end, DJ Akademiks' visit to Sauce Walka’s house in Houston provided a unique look into Sauce’s life, values, and the culture he represents. From his DIY mentality and diverse business ventures to his lyrical confidence and genuine love for Houston, Sauce continues to be a complex and intriguing figure in hip-hop.