Rapper and YouTuber DDG has fired up a storm in social media after giving his thoughts on 9-to-5 jobs on the recent podcast No Ordinary. As an artist known for success in both the music and digital worlds, comments by DDG stir discussion on the purpose of traditional employment and eventually entrepreneurship for financial independence.
DDG, born Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., initially gained fame on YouTube through his humorous vlogs, music, and lifestyle videos. His growing fan base took to the rap world with ease as he dropped back-to-back hits like “Moonwalking in Calabasas” and “Elon Musk.” This way, he has secured a place as a multi-talented artist. Not bad for a go-getter, and during the podcast, DDG did not hold his tongue from stating one controversial view on how people should regard regular 9-to-5 jobs.
In his talk on No Ordinary, DDG was quick to point out that 9-to-5 corporate jobs should be treated more like temporary support to help fund one’s entrepreneurial ambitions. “You shouldn’t try to be employee of the year for too long,” adding how the corporate ladder can be thing of gamble where one wrong step would mean losing everything. Instead, he implored listeners to look at their jobs as a mere conduit in which to illicitly build equity to invest in one’s own projects and be at the helm of one’s career as an entrepreneur, which is much more secure and powerful.
DDG further expounded on the risks of pursuing lifelong corporate objectives, like not being able to appreciate one’s life because reaching the ladder’s top may restrict freedom of the individual. According to him, entrepreneurship would allow a person to choose their professional destiny and even hire or fire if they wish, which gives them a sense of autonomy that many may never find by building into the structure of an already established company.
This is because of his background, where he once worked at TJ Maxx and Kroger before he blew up into the entertainment scene. He explained that he put money made working these jobs into himself, which helped him gain exposure on YouTube and in music. He says for that reason, this personal experience molded his belief that 9-to-5 jobs were meant to be stepping stones and not lifetime careers.
This was because he said, “I’ve been there. Those jobs served their purpose. “They helped me get to where I am, but I always knew they were temporary.”
After the podcast, the comments of DDG went viral for and against the controversy that arose. His fans defended him, hyping the same emphasis on financial freedom and entrepreneurship. Many of his followers echoed support with statements that having control over one’s fate through business ownership is, in fact, a good thing.
But not everyone’s impressed. People quickly headed to Twitter and Instagram to call out DDG for being disconnected from anyone other than the elite. Many said 9-to-5 jobs create needed stability, and even such professional fields as law, engineering, healthcare, and education take a 9-to-5 job. “Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur,” reacted one user. “Some people actually enjoy their jobs, and that’s ok too.
As the controversy boiled over, DDG came out to clear the air and quash the misinterpretation. He repeated how his comments had not been an attempt to talk down those who would pursue a traditional career path: “There’s nothing wrong with working a 9-to-5 if that’s what you want to do.” Instead, as he then explained, he was trying to encourage young people who work toward financial independence and professional self-determination.
