(Carl Lamarre (right) with rapper Offset (left) during the taping of Lamarre’s podcast “The Debut Live.” Photo credit: @ofthesaint_ on Instagram via Lamarre’s Instagram page @therealcl24)
When Carl Lamarre was 7, he was rarely seen without his worn journal. Being an only child granted him more time to feed his ingenuity, and he spent entire days writing down his thoughts and poems.
He tightly held his notebook, jotting down thoughts as he wandered through his home, nestled in the quaint, suburban hometown of Elmont on Long Island, New York, where his parents’ ambient Caribbean music often filled the walls. A love for writing, he says, sparked solely by the 1991 Nickelodeon sitcom “Doug,” wherein the imaginative 11-year-old protagonist, Doug Funnie, narrates his early adolescent life in his journal. “So at some point in my childhood, I found myself doing the same,” Lamarre says.
Doug Funnie might have planted the seed, but a determined, inspired kid grew. The early childhood association swiftly developed into “a real love and passion for writing,” he says. Close friends and schoolteachers acknowledged this passion simply as talent. Teachers pulled Lamarre aside in grades two through 12, attempting to nurture his natural writing ability. And his friends never doubted they’d find Lamarre scribbling notes in the bleachers of school sporting events as he covered the action for Elmont Memorial High School’s newspaper, The Elmont Phoenix.
After school, he spent most of his time writing stories, and by his senior year, he was editing the sports section of the school newspaper: a role where his love for sports and stories officially intersected. In 2007, he brought home a third-place award for “Best Sports Editorial” from the Long Island Press for his story “30 is the New 20.” That moment, Lamarre says, was when he realized he had a real knack for storytelling.
Still, like many teenage boys, he occasionally toyed with the idea of becoming a rapper or a basketball player, all while knowing full well that he’d be a journalist.
Putting it best: “I always saw the vision,” Lamarre says.
But “my parents, they didn’t get it,” he says, his broad shoulders lifting into a shrug. Born to two Haitian immigrants who came to the United States in the 1960s, he knew they had grand expectations for their only child and his future career. Lamarre says his parents wanted a more traditional career route for their inquisitive son, picturing him years ahead wielding his legal acumen or medical knowledge. They hoped that soon he’d be a lawyer dressed in a tailored suit and adorned with a polished briefcase or (at the very least, they thought) in a long white coat pinned with a name tag: Dr. Lamarre.
But he wanted to be a writer. Lamarre’s unwavering resolve — revealed during our two-hour video call — defines his professional life.
We’re nearly 800 miles apart and connected through the infamous Zoom video meeting system. Despite the distance, Lamarre’s energy is palpable. His deep pride and confidence are undeniable, inspiring, and a justified, genuine reflection of his accomplishments.
Carl Lamarre, now 34, holds a revered title in music journalism as Billboard’s deputy director of R&B and hip-hop. This is despite his early belief that his future lay in sports reporting. An aspiration frequently fueled by the stories teenage Lamarre devoured each month when his SLAM Magazine subscription arrived in the mail.
In his seven-year tenure at Billboard, Lamarre has written nine cover stories and conducted hundreds of interviews with the most well-known names in R&B and hip-hop, including Kendrick Lamar, Jhene Aiko, Big Sean, Rod Wave, Mac Miller, Future, Travis Scott and many more.
(Carl Lamarre (right) hosting a Samsung 837 Event with featured rapper Big Sean (left) in August 2024. Photo credit: Jason Lamont Chandler via Lamarre’s Instagram @therealcl24)
Sitting in his New York-based home office with large, framed prints of his Billboard cover stories lined behind his head, Lamarre remained blunt and uncensored throughout the interview.
The climb from being a freelancer to being hired by Billboard as a full-time hip-hop editor in 2017 was a “mindfuck at first,” he says, stopping to apologize for the profanity. I reassured him the language wasn’t a problem. It seemed to be another example of his genuine personality and unapologetic passion. Likewise, it appears that fiery ambition walks hand-in-hand with this zeal. “I had a mission for myself when I was 19 or 20, that I would have my first byline by 27. I got it at 26,” he says.
But Lamarre cultivated his confidence over time despite it seeming innate. In 2008, as a 19-year-old nearing the end of his freshman year at Howard University (where he wrote consistently for the Howard Hilltop and often skipped class to interview sources for his next piece), he landed an internship at VIBE Magazine. At the time, he recalls fear gripping his every move: “I was the youngest intern, a freshman competing with graduate students and seniors. I was scared to ask questions and made foolish mistakes.”
Despite the self-reported underperformance, Lamarre flips the conversation to what he had gained, seeing the positives to that experience. “But I was 19 and 20, interviewing and rubbing shoulders with some of my favorite rappers at the time, and I left VIBE Magazine with important connections I had developed,” he says. “My career really accelerated from there because developing my own path set the tone for where I’m at today.”
Lamarre traces his love for music journalism back to that pivotal internship in 2008. But after it ended, his next role at a content company left him unfulfilled. Craving something more, he decided to channel that fervor into freelancing, juggling part-time work while writing for publications like Complex, XXL Magazine, BallerStatus.com, Dime Magazine and HipHopGame.com (to name a few of the many).
And now, Gail Mitchell, the executive director of R&B and hip-hop at Billboard (whose tenure dates back to 1999), describes Lamarre as “Mr. Hip-Hop.”
“He’s kind of like my lieutenant, my go-to,” Mitchell says. Gail Mitchell, whom Lamarre playfully describes as a “super G.O.A.T. [‘Greatest Of All Time’],” is just one piece of his team at Billboard, who all play a significant role in his success. He credits his entire team, likening their collective brainstorming sessions to the Avengers assembling to create each story.
Lamarre says Mitchell is his true inspiration and mentor within this collaborative symphony. Lamarre focuses on hip-hop, while Mitchell champions R&B. Yet, their joint efforts extend beyond traditional music coverage, such as delving into the unexplored intersections of sports and music or uncovering rising Afrobeats artists: a testament to their commitment to evolving Billboard's genre-specific platform.
Working alongside Lamarre is a dream realized for 26-year-old Heran Mamo, a staff writer whose admiration for Lamarre’s work predates her joining Billboard three years ago. “Working alongside Carl is honestly one of my favorite parts about work,” Mamo says.
Lamarre, in turn, recognizes Mamo as an “extraordinary talent " and underscores the importance of transferring energy and momentum within the team. Despite her young age, Mamo boasts an impressive portfolio, having penned at least six cover stories, including a standout feature with rapper Metro Boomin.
And the recent addition of Damien Scott, the former editor-in-chief at Complex, injects a potent dose of dynamism into the team, Lamarre says, applauding Scott's determination to "shake shit up." In Lamarre’s words, the group is shaping the music journalism industry as a collective force: “We’re trusted voices,” he says.
Underlining the work his team prioritizes, Lamarre asked me: “Did you know 50 Cent never had a solo cover from a major publication before the one we did recently?” (This was surprising to hear because 50 Cent is a status symbol in hip-hop, especially at his peak in the early 2000s when albums like “Get Rich or Die Trying” or “The Master” sold a combined 20 million copies.)
“That’s a fight I savor and relish, knowing the voice I established over the last few years,” Lamarre says of finally getting 50 Cent that cover in February 2023. “Knowing that my voice can be heard and respected speaks a lot to the work we’ve done, you know? What my team and I say does matter.” His eyes lit up with pride.
(February 2023 Billboard magazine cover featuring rapper 50 Cent; a cover story written by Carl Lamarre. Photo Credit: Jai Lennard via Billboard magazine)
Lamarre says he stepped into his power-move position in music journalism with persistence and hard work. Remembering being unfazed by the allure of financial gains early in his career, intrinsic motivation was his motor. After receiving a mere $20 as his first real journalism paycheck (a review for SMOOTH Magazine), he quickly adopted the belief that he’d “be cool with” any salary as long as he felt passionate about the job.
“I didn’t see any financial wins for the first five to six years, until maybe 26 years old, when I got to Billboard,” Lamarre says. Instead, he saw wins etched into other career areas until then. One of those defining moments was his first-ever interview during the VIBE Magazine internship with his favorite artist at the time, Joe Budden (the Grammy-nominated retired rapper who gained recognition with his 2003 top single “Pump it Up”).
“I don’t think I understood the gravity of it at the time,” he says.
Since that first interview, Lamarre looks back fondly on the relationships he’s built in the music industry and the respect he’s gained among artists and their teams. Especially significant, he says, was his all-time-favorite interview with ingenious West Coast rapper Nipsey Hussle.
In the heart of New York City in 2018, amidst the ceaseless hum of urban life, he sat across from a “legend” in a Del Frisco’s restaurant. “I don’t know why, but it gave me mob-type vibes,” Lamarre says, describing the scene.
Lamarre and Nipsey Hussle sat alone, tucked into a corner of the restaurant. The city’s chaotic streets hummed just beyond the walls, but there, in the dimly lit space, the noise somehow felt miles away.
“And this is one of my favorite rappers,” Lamarre tells me, his voice still hinting at awe. “Just him and I.” The two talked for hours, far beyond the usual bounds of an interview. “The interview clocked in at 40 minutes, officially,” Lamarre says, “but we were still sitting there two hours later.”
There was no rush, no pretense, just an easy warmth that made the entire conversation feel less like an interview and more like an exchange between old friends. According to Lamarre, Nipsey Hussle was “welcoming and genuine,” and he freely shared insights that stretched outside the music industry, weaving in hard-earned lessons from the streets, business ventures and life itself. Nipsey’s voice was steady and deliberate, Lamarre says, and his words carried the weight of experience, each a testament to the wisdom he had gathered far beyond the stage.
“He gave me so much game on life and how to navigate as a Black man in the corporate world,” Lamarre says. “The importance of moving up but bringing your people with you.”
Leaning back in his chair on my screen, Lamarre reflects on the moments that led to that initial meeting. He remembers the nights he’d cruise through the city with his friends, windows down, Nipsey Hussle’s songs booming through the car speakers. They’d nod along to the beats, dissecting every lyric, debating the meaning behind his words, and always “holding Nip in the highest regard.”
Lamarre’s friends often joked that he “wasn’t shit” until he secured a Nipsey interview, he tells me with a grin. Little did they know, he’d eventually land three.
That first meeting with Nipsey Hussle wasn’t just about questions and answers; it marked the starting line of a genuine connection. “It went beyond interviewer and artist,” Lamarre says. “It was mutual respect, man to man. That conversation stayed with me.”
His second encounter with Nipsey unfolded backstage at Irving Plaza during his 2018 “Victory Lap” album tour.
Lamarre’s eyes are fixed downwards slightly on my MacBook screen, and a faint smile reappears as he recalls the moment. The dressing room buzzed with activity — managers pacing, music vibrating faintly through the walls — but the moment felt still when Nipsey Hussle turned to him.
“He looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’ve been following your work,’” Lamarre recalls, his voice still carrying the weight of that moment. “Then he hit me with, ‘You’re up next in this journalism game.’”
Nipsey’s words didn’t just stop there. Lamarre remembers how the famed rapper doubled down on his belief in him. “He was like, ‘I really think you're going to be on the forefront of this journalism thing,’” he says. But it wasn’t just empty praise; it felt like something more. “Coming from someone I respected that much, it was like a passing of the torch. It felt real, like confirmation that I was on the right path.”
Lamarre found clarity in that buzzing dressing room, surrounded by the echoes of Nipsey’s success. It was a milestone he’d carry with him long after that New York concert ended — a critical and propelling moment of affirmation.
“And, at the time, I was just some kid in his second year,” Lamarre says. “That was such a confidence booster. And now, to see where I'm at five, six years later… It's kind of a mindfuck."
He last spoke with Nipsey in December 2018, mere months before the rap icon's untimely passing in the spring of 2019. Though the loss still lingers, he holds onto the memories and legacy Nipsey left behind.
Lamarre’s gaze drifts to a painting on his office wall.
"I'm looking at it right now. I have a painting of us from that first meeting we had. So, he's always… He is right here with me," he says.
(Painting depicting Lamarre (left) and Nipsey Hussle (right), painted by Henry Fuller (@dopeartbykingh on Instagram). Photo Credit: Lamarre’s Instagram @therealcl24)
While Lamarre continues to navigate the dynamic world of music journalism, he remains grounded in his work-life balance principles. His outgoing and friendly personality has allowed him to forge connections with various artists, including rap royalty like Nasir Jones (aka Nas) and DJ Khaled. "I treat it as a job," Lamarre says of the importance of building genuine connections with top players in the industry while maintaining a professional, journalistic demeanor.
Exemplifying these connections, Lamarre explains that while he and Nas (another one of Lamarre’s earliest musical influences) were once just business acquaintances, their encounters today have transformed into warm reunions marked by hugs and cherished conversations. "I can call him my brother and I don't think anybody in the industry has had that, you know?" Lamarre says.
His unique, close-knit relationship with Nas is a story of its own, culminating in placing the popular rapper and entrepreneur on his first-ever Billboard cover in August 2023. Yet, despite his achievements, Lamarre remains grounded, never losing sight of his roots.
"I stay true to my day ones, my friends, because without them, I don't think I would be this far," he says. "So, I appreciate the rappers, singers and everybody I come across. The relationships are pure there. But I stay close to my family and my day ones."
Beyond his work at Billboard, Lamarre has found another stage for his voice, stepping behind the mic as a host for the “Billboard Unfiltered” podcast and as the co-creator and host of “The Debut Live.” The latter spotlights rising and established artists while exploring the evolving landscape of hip-hop and R&B. Through these platforms, he expands the conversation beyond the page, diving into the stories and sounds shaping the industry’s future.
Recently, he launched yet another digital media venture, “The Rookie Live,” where he shifts his focus from iconic musicians to popular, up-and-coming athletes like Flau'jae Johnson (an emerging artist and college basketball player for the LSU Tigers with over 2 million followers on Instagram). The podcast merges his journalism expertise with his deep-rooted passion for sports, a love that traces back to his days as the sports editor of his high school newspaper.
These days, Lamarre’s behind-the-scenes role can too often blot out the force of his impact on the music industry and music journalism. His trusted voice has facilitated shining a light on emerging and veteran artists alike, landing Billboard stories that once seemed highly unlikely and now underline eras of culture and hip-hop.
Lamarre’s evolution — from a boy in Elmont scribbling in a journal to a powerhouse voice and indispensable insider in music, sports and pop-culture journalism — has been marked by an unrelenting passion for storytelling. His credible stance and well-respected presence have given hip-hop’s culture its due spotlight, from pulling back the curtain on the most enigmatic stars (like his 2022 Billboard cover story on the media-elusive rapper Future) to writing celebratory deep dives during hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
Nipsey Hussle once told him: “You’re up next.” And Lamarre has proven him right, not with a white coat or briefcase but with the same persistence and passion for stories he’s had since day one.
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