JPEGMAFIA INTERVIEW (2021)

[@Gibson4411]

Hey fantano. As a therapist in training who gets people to explore for a living, I have some feedback: you ask a lot of leading questions that contain your own assumptions about what the answer will be. This amount of direction can be limiting for the interviewee. I think keeping the questions brief and open allows the artist to expand and go in the direction they want, which will make for a more interesting and personal answer. Love you and Peggy

[@allenbell1427]

A helpful Melon comment? Blasphemy

[@unmixedunmastered2810]

How dare you

[@lucaspsm125]

Good take, I agree!

[@rocallen204]

Right.

[@fugazi6608]

I was thinking the same thing

[@jomibo21]

Controversial opinion: I listen to Peggy and I'm not white

[@briangiardina1824]

How is that possible

[@bryanchu5379]

I disagree but I respect your opinion

[@oliverm9876]

I don’t buy it.

[@AdityaPatel-yx2dk]

It's hard being a poc Peggy fan...

[@roguesonly]

We’re a dime a dozen it feels

[@KanyeRaeJepsen]

Peggy really brings out the "fan" in you, Tano.

[@SuperHoneyOil]

Why no one comment on this. And why aren’t more people ripping faygos weird hybrid shirt

[@theelectricant98]

in the best way

[@krelb0rn]

If this bar isn't on Eminem's next album, I will be so mad.

[@samuelserafim1952]

You a lyrical miracle individual spiritual man : )

[@samuelserafim1952]

@@KanyeRaeJepsen "Kanye Rae Jepsen" LOL

[@TortoiseMaximus]

Peggy is filming the backyard because Anthony refuses to

[@runaway_hideout]

Anthony isn’t an environmentalist

[@dread6295]

Imagine if Anthony was in front of the tree which appeared in his old intros

[@morgzana1374]

Hoy walter.

[@jcnot9712]

@@morgzana1374 _behold, my demons!_

[@raspberryhoodies7062]

thanks walter from shin megami tensei iv

[@joshuawashington758]

"Can I do drugs in this stream?" Yep, this is definitely a Peggy interview.

[@kamb3800]

you do whatever the f you want!

[@GlobeStan]

@@kamb3800 f

[@DamienPaceGaming]

@@kamb3800 f

[@ely8459]

@@kamb3800 f

[@Timedesigner]

Met jpegmafia at a venue in Chicago when he was coming up with my friends who interviewed him for our high school’s radio show and he asked us the same thing when we interviewed him

[@RadioactiveKetchup]

Peggy: describes his artistic method Melon: "I disagree"

[@askod420]

In what part of the video?? Lmao

[@CasaiTX]

Around 3:00

[@shinohidanzetsu]

@@CasaiTX right before he says "I don't disagree" got it.

[@youtubecadillac977]

@@shinohidanzetsu Damage control.

[@danielslapcoff2240]

There's a lot of what peggy said about himself that I disagree with though hahaha. He said that he wanted his ep to be more accessible and also that he is not doing anything to please his audience. Thats kind of a contradiction that couldve been adressed and would've been interesting. How does peggy as an artist include his audience in his creative process? And he said his ep2 was direct and aggressive but as a listener, musically it is definitely less abrasive than a lot of his other stuff. It's not just because he perceives his work or himself in one way that he is automatically right or that there is no discussion to be had. The guy is human so he could have a kind of warped vision of himself like everyone else. Fantano did a great job in not being afraid of addressing those differences in how they each perceive his work. And I think jpegmafia appreciates that type of honesty. "White boys scared of the Peg in private, but postin' they black squares now When you see me, better say it with your chest and you better have a vest 'cause I don't waste rounds "

[@CrustyDonutts]

When I saw JPEG perform in Philadelphia, he gave every calorie of his energy to us, to his show - He also stood amongst us the entire time. After the show he met every fan that wanted a picture. I'll remember it until I die. We love you Peggy and hope you get some positivity ❤

[@LatinaCreamQueen]

Among us

[@VictorPanteleimon]

IS THIS A MOTHARFRIXKING AMONGUS REFERENCE!?!?!?!?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 RED VENTED!!! WHERE? WHERE? ANY SUS? IT WASNT ME I WAS CLEANING VENTS!!!🤣🤣

[@ashley09691]

pls stop I beg

[@sleep9369]

SUS SUS

[@jonathanegan1684]

GAH DAMN MAN I WISH I HAD BEEN THERE,,, I WANTED TO BE IN THAT PLACE SO BAD AND IF THINGS HAD BEEN DIFFERENT I WOULDA GONE ALONE 😭

[@thomasedward2231]

Melon, your shirt looks like three shirts. I like it. My wife left me.

[@OMGitsacrazybadger]

Don't sweat it. You'll find another one.

[@somenothing7914]

@@OMGitsacrazybadger shirts like that r hard to come by man.. dont just go spreading false hope like that

[@rhuanfidelis755]

It does, be cool king

[@Uaene]

Anthony’s ex-wife is single now

[@acat1473]

@@Uaene BRUH 💀💀

[@t.crave1541]

It looks like he literally just faced a blunt

[@frackingfluidinjection]

Knowing Peggy, I’d be more surprised if he didn’t face a blunt before the interview

[@swga1558]

@@frackingfluidinjection You think you know him?

[@Sandybowls_9001]

@@swga1558 he said he was high.

[@treyebillups8602]

Josh you clearly haven’t listened to Peggy

[@jacofbisher]

folks who smoke everyday swear they need a smoke before sum important and always get a lil too baked

[@deven9565]

This is like the principal confronting the kid who reeks of weed

[@sorrowfulsatchel679]

*principal

[@ClankyOtter]

Omfg😂😂😂this is dangerously accurate

[@dinglemccringleberry6258]

😭😭😭

[@piyush2465]

And then buys some from him and they become best friends

[@justevie3470]

I'm not even listening to what he's saying just noticing how seductive Peggy is

[@joedorben3504]

bro?

[@kerentomoterenomecotemazaf1767]

Straitfax

[@DJSTUTmixes]

He said he was high so that probably explains it

[@eliiejuhh8533]

🤣🤣🤣

[@MRIODICE]

scorpio energy

[@DeodorantDan]

Love seeing my two Dads having nice conversation.

[@djsolegit]

Hey bro, we're having chili mac for dinner. And hurry up on the Xbox, peggy said it's my turn.

[@LioPorros]

​@@djsolegit😞if i wash the dishes can i have the Xbox a little bit more ?

[@thebl00dyv3gan]

Anthony before the guest even starts talking after asking a question be like "mmm *nods nods nods*"

[@uchennamaduno5799]

there’s a video delay between peggy and melon.

[@billyyfee]

@@uchennamaduno5799 they deal with it so well

[@necromancerpuss8680]

Melon vibing bro dont hate.

[@mannyoftheeast3318]

Wow Anthony, it's so refreshing to finally meet your wife's boyfriend.

[@omari_104]

HA

[@SupremeShoelace]

A Knee Slaper

[@chrisconway4764]

Y’all are foul man😭😭😭😭

[@wgo523]

Boo

[@aaronpescasio]

Boo

[@skerdoo523]

Jesus Melon, dude’s roasted and you’re throwin’ the 10 dollar words and deep analysis at him right off the bat. Wine and dine a girl first.

[@unmixedunmastered2810]

Lmfao true

[@billhicks8]

Hey listen, Melon's a vegan, smoothie-maker, bass player, ridge-wallet entrepreneur and consummate professional. If you wanna get all faded and slouch in your lawn chair with a hoodie, fine, but don't _ever_ expect Anthony Fantano to turn down for you, or anyone. He can put a "Not Good" on you and it will change your fuckin life. Put some spek on it.

[@kaphizmey6229]

@@billhicks8 bro you went IN

[@ShadowDarkHeart90]

@@billhicks8 more like it will end their lives literally.

[@socksnshoes22]

c’mon he asked how he was doing

[@Max25670]

Smart move that Anthony is interviewing Peggy through the world wide web instead of in person, so there isn't a repeat of the failed dap of 2018 from their last interview.

[@jeffleblanc2798]

Or so Peggy didn’t break a glass and puke on the floor during the interview like he did on Kwali’s podcast.

[@HollowGolem]

@@jeffleblanc2798 I laughed my ass off. Peg was so fucked up on that cast.

[@acat1473]

I accidentally misread 'person' as 'prison' first lmao

[@thebl00dyv3gan]

22:45 Peggy: “u gud? 👁👄👁”

[@nat4881]

lmaoo

[@cleo6485]

HAHAHAH

[@agcummings11]

He seemed genuinely concerned lmao

[@hoax6726]

that part was so awkward LMFAO

[@Sayykrid]

He wasnt asking, i think he was telling fantano that hes good

[@caxm666]

i like how Peggy is just posted right in Fantano's back yard

[@deadeyedblack2350]

I'll sleep happily when I finally find a jpegmafia interview with no MC ride reference.

[@morgzana1374]

Isn't JPEGMAFIA himself a mc ride reference?

[@notaidan4643]

@@morgzana1374 mc ride is a jpegmafia reference

[@morgzana1374]

@@notaidan4643 listen to the 2nd song on black ben carson. Tbh you should listen to the entire album.

[@luansousa1379]

@@morgzana1374 industrial loud sound = Death Grip? Got it 😐

[@morgzana1374]

@@luansousa1379 if you got it then what's the point of being so passive aggressive about it?

[@badcaseofthebajabada]

Hey Anthony great interview and we all know how much thought you put into everything here. Can I suggest simplifying your questions a little bit? It will open up the guest more to speak what’s on their mind. They’re creative and have a lot to say to you.

[@UGGMUGG]

I thought this was going to be a meme comment but, I totally agree.

[@shimmipenguin1764]

This is a good comment, I agree

[@txmothy2025]

Totally agree, he’s clearly got great questions to actually challenge the people he’s interviewing but I feel like he extends them a bit too much and they become too leading

[@gingerAV]

I find it hard to watch his interviews for this exact reason. I think it's something that comes from knowing a lot about a person/subject and wanting to share all of it, as if to prove that you did your homework and deserve to have this opportunity. I know, because I do the same thing. Still, he needs to show restraint and instead draw on that well of info to probe the guest instead of hitting them with a barrage of info.

[@traplover6357]

If youre talking about the poltiical question at the end where if Peggy saw voting as harm reduction, Peggy is a communist (slow jams 🔥) so I guess it would be interesting to hear if he an accelerationist or nah.

[@konradszenfeld345]

22:44 . Anthony saying do what the F you want, but then blasts two F-bombs about his light situation had Peggy genuinely concerned.

[@kentosalazar]

you can tell fantano is super excited to talk to peggy at the top of the interview and he’s doing his best to hold it in

[@thememeestfilmbuff]

*“I’m high I am sorry.”* That’s how he is able to make his highly experimental music.

[@rubydapearl]

duuuuuuude u cracked the code brooo :o

[@ujha4915]

I just though he was crying joyfully after seeing Anthony for the first time in a while.

[@Daplin1]

It made me feel as tho peggy would make a good Canadian

[@stephen011298]

Lol don’t think Ive ever seen peggy do an interview sober

[@JaydevRaol]

😂

[@gdfugginr]

Peggy high as shit: "Hey look, I'm a business man"

[@slopestyleer5160]

No, he's a business, man.

[@bamboocarver]

Anthony wanting to dive into peggy's artistic method and direction while hes just baked af

[@CashewChestnuts]

You can’t just drug people and start asking them questions antnee

[@sircartier4422]

Mk ultra did though? 😳

[@piotr803]

Never heard this guy talk. Five minutes in and he's coming across as already a fantastic dude.

[@motrilfromthe6281]

Why does Peggy look like Snoop in this interview lmaooo

[@Emma_Z1]

I think is because he is high af lol

[@duppy404]

Albert Garcia

[@levivanveen6568]

Albert Garcia

[@abtonytheartist]

@@Emma_Z1 around 9:20 you can see it hit him 🤣

[@spamsingles5948]

MC Ride*

[@trailhead7737]

peggy tuning in high is so on brand

[@isaiahromero9861]

I've seen him live twice and he was high both times lmao

[@lesryglrhfohser]

holy shit being high is crazzyyyy

[@isaacruffini3083]

@@lesryglrhfohser ahahahahahaah

[@udontexist47]

@@lesryglrhfohser hahaha its so sick dude i love drugs haha

[@cheesecakelasagna]

his tweets tho

[@EvWuzhere]

This is the only thing calming me down during a mescaline breakdown thank you peggy and melon

[@dthlight]

God bless

[@codysouthward2720]

God speed friend

[@paulkaczmarek9711]

Hope you're getting through it alright it'll be ok!

[@th3on3thatb3atu]

@Prime Choi Min-ki silence K-pop profile

[@ryleygaron6715]

Mescaline is amazing. Most gentle psychedelic I've ever tried. Did you have a troubling experience?

[@biggydrake]

Melon is looking quite dapper in this interview.

[@oliverm9876]

I’m really gonna need that Last Dance directors cut.

[@mood1676]

Always a treat to see a jpeg interview. Hope peggy is doing well. Love the EP

[@simpletistic7910]

Man, peggy really sounds like he ain’t doin well. hope he takes some time for himself. maybe stay off social media for a little bit too.

[@PPP-xl1cn]

I think he's just high asf

[@fzxfzxfzx]

Sometimes I wonder if he has a drinking problem

[@bentley230]

Speaking as a stan, he's been a bit off for awhile, right around when the pandemic started honestly. Hopefully once things start to get back to normal and this man is playing shows again, things will be better.

[@epicgamists2467]

every interview or stream mans is either super high or drunk, seems to be in a bad place imo

[@scrums4748]

@@epicgamists2467 i like to think he gets fucked up solely for the interviews. but yeah he should probably go sober for a bit he’ll probably feel better

[@FoddyFogHorn]

I can’t wait for the comment section to be filled with insights on the content of the interview.

[@theo8370]

Peggy: taking a big hit Melon: “so let me ask you about your creative process . . .” Shits fucking hilarious

[@livingcolorinc]

I'm a camera op at Red Rocks and I worked a show in 2019 where JPEGMAFIA was an opener for Flume...saw him standing near the artist entrance, smoking by himself when the show was over as I was leaving for the night and all I could think to say was "great show man, just wanted to say you're legend!" He's a very intense dude haha!

[@sorenolsen9281]

Can't believe I missed Peggy at red rocks!

[@iDontEvenLiftBro]

I was there for that show! I loved peggy's performance but it sucks a lot of the crowd who came for EDM weren't as fond

[@scrums4748]

I would’ve asked for a smoke and tried to talk to him. intense or not.

[@KamilHenri]

"Melon interviews the Mafia while they are doing drugs" (2021 colourized)

[@shhhhrrriiii486]

42:02 "force reality to be their perception"...that's a BAR, peggy...and FACTS too.

[@prod.sevenlives]

41:59

[@MRTN13]

I've had EP on repeat for like a month, completely hooked. JPEGMAFIA is the nr1 Newly Discovered Artist of 2020 for me

[@marcocaloi8599]

same, I started when "Jesus forgive me" went out (but since im not american it wasn't that advertised) and i went all thru his stuff. He's a goddamn genious, both music and lyrics wise. Then, knowing his much in production, being this indipendent, just makes me love him more.

[@tss3393]

42:30 I couldn't help but chuckle at Peggy's smirk, knowing that Scaring The Hoes was right around the corner.

[@hansdado]

anthony uses too many words

[@userdmitropitsa]

we're NEVER getting one more of these 😭

[@shroompoleon]

im glad that the chat is blurred

[@fenflies]

when he said he’s collating w clams casino i ascended!!! i love peggy and clams so much!!! i’m elated can’t wait

[@monetasarchive]

I need that EP2! Director cut 😖

[@0_Cardboard_0]

His “white voice” seems like it’s been synthesized through years of experience

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Sorry To Bother You

[@deerbeautyrecords]

time?

[@scammin4pigham150]

15:59 one of the realest in the game. New album is nothing like what I expected and fuckin astounding. Absurdly guud. Fuckin OG shit. THE REAL HIP HOP GANGSTA

[@thebl00dyv3gan]

Damn I would have loved to ask Peggy if he's a genuine Carly Rae fan and if he still thinks that Bernie Sanders is "crazy"

[@zacharywilson9259]

I think the only reason Peggy said Bernie was crazy is he knew that his ideas will never get through modern politicians in the US. I dont think he was calling him crazy for his beliefs

[@littlehound]

@@zacharywilson9259 same that’s what I think

[@tdizzle9402]

@@zacharywilson9259 😐 nope

[@totlyepic]

@@tdizzle9402 Peggy is literally an ancom lmao

[@brandons1755]

@@totlyepic damn he Based af

[@jacomcummings5960]

this interview is like my problem-solving logical self talking to my sleep-deprived self at 3AM

[@NoctuaOlivae]

15:23 if anyone has listened to jpeg's shit from when he was living in japan they know what he's talking about here. He definitely went back to his roots on All My Heroes with all his melodic/pop breakdowns, and I'm guessing he does the same on this ep though I haven't heard it yet

[@dexter123423]

“Ain’t no real money in rap, it’s all retail”

[@user-ku1yf5hf4s]

you should've asked him about his beef with pngcartel

[@vexingvexillologist7554]

😳

[@hugorivascordero3742]

Lol jajaja

[@FoddyFogHorn]

Wkwkwkw

[@Adrian9oh9]

tiffgang took some shots at him too. I’d like to know his response

[@GatoGod420]

Hermano 💀

[@marcocaloi8599]

"I'm just gonna calmy tell you you're fucking wrong" this is my ideology and he is a lot more coherent than 90% of the people who got this way.

[@matthewl2375]

I felt him when he said 2020 was ok and 2021 got worse, i delt with the same shit too

[@fullmetal929]

2020 felt like a long pause on everything. 2021 felt like a bunch of shit was building up during that pause, hahaha

[@matthewl2375]

Idk in 2020 lots of unpleasant shit was already happening that year. But 2021 felt worse in general. I had a terrible year I'm 2021 not 2020, even thoo 2020 wasn't great. But moments of it was great

[@MasterEth]

So happy Jpeg has been taking risks over the past 3 years cuz we've gotten some 🔥

[@finnmartin7081]

i’ve never clicked something so fast just to be disappointed

[@willkohnen7681]

Disappointed how?

[@Swagzillaaye]

@@willkohnen7681 Peggy made a bunch of videos on his youtube channel check it out and it'll make sense

[@wizard1370]

@@willkohnen7681 inside joke

[@ugonwigwe5136]

nice pfp

[@finnmartin7081]

@@ugonwigwe5136 urs isn’t bad either

[@ganaed]

Waiting for JPEG to throw up

[@cheesecakelasagna]

my newfound kink

[@icekiller1594]

Damn Peggy loves king of fighters, my respect for him increased by a lot just then

[@WeNeededThis]

God i cant wait for that directors cut of EP2.. 8 minute versions of these songs would be amazing to get lost in

[@silencedpp7]

Shout out these 2 wonderful Black men.

[@TheObicobiHD]

Peggy's such a cool guy, always excited for what he has coming next!

[@yoitscaptain]

we want a kraft punk interview

[@adamdesalle6338]

Woulda been interesting to hear Peggy’s thoughts on Ariel Pink after having him HTBAR

[@eli.8169]

When melon asked Peggy how he was doing I instantly noticed he was high. Mans was floating

[@theofficialksr05]

Gonna tell my kids this is Snoop Dogg, not Peggy.

[@HeavensDreamBoy]

Idk if there are any mommies here but Jpegmafia need to be on your moms house

[@zacharywilson9259]

Hey jeans

[@michaelstrain9235]

4 Stroke Gang 4ever

[@lacrosse4higher]

Hope he comes up in May

[@samuelstoehrer632]

Jeansquad

[@Amouroso]

Danny brown on YMH made me realise he’s one of the most effortlessly funny people ever

[@antlerbraum2881]

I like how Peggy is absolutely zooted

[@Pilgrim800]

hey melon, i really admire your ability to come up with these really insightful deeper questions rather than the standard interview questions, it really gives a lot to think about. that being said, i agree with a comment further down about your tendency to ask very specific and almost "leading" questions, which i know is not your intent. the analysis in them is really clever though, so maybe you can jam those in somewhere else, like a little solo intro talking about the ideas going into the interview. also i hate the song africa by toto, the whiny little harmonies in the chorus suck total balls

[@colin5115]

*“I’m high, I’m sorry”*

[@fmjay11]

fantano with all these leading questions trying to plant thoughts into a comatose jpegmafia

[@P5YCH0D3L1C]

When he's mad he sings, when he's happy he yells, love that

[@ParadoxAssassin]

43:19 Highest achievements a craxkhead ever could - a Gorillaz feature story. Wild!

[@kayjones964]

Peggy a real one for picking KoF as his favorite fighting game

[@hjblacdes61]

Frfr wonder what platform he's playing xv on

[@cattime2044]

Yes!

[@alfonsomalagon727]

"I'm a crackhead. I can never be a celebrity."

[@ammar4172]

wait till he finds out about all the cocaine in Hollywood

[@changingyoutubeusernameisn7302]

It's great watching how Peggy's answers evolve as he gets increasingly stoned.

[@bennettm]

I gotta know if he got high for the stream or he was getting high and then remembered he had an interview and just didn’t stop

[@joshwhite5730]

Probably the second, I think that happens to a lot of celebrities

[@jakobvanklinken]

Jesus christ why can't the Tony level with the person he's interviewing?! Throwing these meandering constructed sentences at the poor guy in this state... Take Sean Evans for example, always looking out for his guest, making sure they feel at ease. With him I feel questions are there to bring out the best in the guest

[@andyv6476]

That passage around 40-43 minutes was brutal! I'm sober and still don't understand what melon head is getting at.

[@EverythingWentSideways]

peggy don't miss. great interview, flowed really well. good stuff melon.

[@bennie.379]

only 5 seconds in but i bet peggy spews or spaces out at some pt EDIT: 7 mins in and my boi already asking if he can do drugs on the stream lets go EDIT EDIT: the "bro... what" face at 13:48

[@asparagusnoodle]

legend

[@FauxNoir]

"i got it under control, hahahaha...can i do drugs on this stream" i fucking love peggy maaaan

[@alexfvcruz]

lmfao he was flying

[@turts9291]

Anthony only getting better and better at interviews, this one was great

[@stennostenno1346]

Maybe because he has interviewed him before

[@turts9291]

@@stennostenno1346 Ik, just saying in general

[@scammin4pigham150]

20:02 that smile. He holdin back so much. Whole album talkin shit bout them tryna invade on his process

[@Dubsys]

peggy is right, 2021 is hostile energy, hopefully it gets better for everyone.

[@iansalinas412]

He's fucking back! hopefully this time fantano won't be so damn awkward

[@aaronn2954]

Hey man leave him alone he just didn’t know how to ask Peggy to have sex with his wife

[@alphaomega6023]

I'm high as fuck and I read this like "Hes fucking black!" and I was like wtf this nigga saying

[@fjbz3737]

Famous last words

[@devinbarnes7381]

How's he supposed to keep his cool when his asshole is salivating bro

[@ethanmerritt3328]

Anthony let this man talk bru. I couldn’t even count how many times you cut him off. 😭

[@tbooks2483]

It is what it is... And here I am; so goes, another artist with label woes. -Peggy Hendricks, 2021 🥺💯

[@Zultzify]

Always enjoy peggy talkin, i wish hed go on more podcasts n shii

[@kristofermccormack6]

Peggy halfway to space by the end of this interview.

[@TheBatosai]

Fantano:... Peggy sitting across: "You think you know me"

[@radecparmezan6476]

its so adorable to see anthony being a fan here, he seems as stressed as i would be meeting peggy lmao

[@oldjazz8554]

JpegMafia, yeaaaaah it's my booooooy. Thanks Fantano your interviews are crazyy !

[@ByJakeRyan]

Peggy really just leanin over a laptop in his backyard with a bong next to him

[@aaronwalakay]

I love how Peggy gets his own font

[@QueLub]

Around 27:00 he talks about not being a comedian but I think my favorite part about his music aside from production is his sense of humor

[@naumchomsky8840]

I adore the Melon-Peggy dynamic.

[@606808909]

JPEGMAFIA is an amazing master/mixer/producer/rapper. Everyday on my mix cd in my car track 1 - Man purse........in 2021 i still marvel at what the fuck that main vocal line is pitch shifting up and down (main melody?) That flabby 808, the fm sound splash on some of the snares.......ugh so inspiring.......like another group but hell if im mentions them 😉. Keep it strong peggy !

[@zaach222]

the vocal melody is a distorted sample of avril lavigne lol

[@lame-o5635]

Hope Peggy stays safe and starts doing better, love you Peggy

[@RevoMae2112]

The birds in the background really be agreeing w peggy

[@jean-micheldeslippe1048]

WE NEED A PART II PLS!

[@scammin4pigham150]

42:29 the way jpeg checks his nails and smiles at “big ball of hate”