iLoveMakonnen’s Kitchen Video Was Part of Fundraiser to Rebuild Fire-Ravaged Studio

iLoveMakonnen went viral earlier this week for what appeared to be him working a new job in a kitchen — but there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

According to Audiomack co-founder Brian Zisook, the “Tuesday” artist was actually cooking to raise proceeds to rebuild Portland’s Burn Money Studios, which was recently devastated by a fire.

The hub, where local artists, including iLoveMakonnen (real name Makonnen Sheran), worked and held their merch has a GoFundMe with a $10,000 goal, with the money raised set to go toward relocating the facility and replacing what was lost in the fire — and Makonnen was doing his part to help.

On Saturday morning (August 30), Zisook posted a thread on X about the conversation he had with the musician, adding: “Everyone shared the clip, but nobody reached out to hear the story behind it. Until I did.”

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The OVO Sound alum has shared a few updates as of late in which he was seemingly seen working as a cook while also interacting with fans. In one video, shared earlier this week, Makonnen was seen in what looked like a restaurant, and according to him, he’d been making smash burgers that day.

“I love cooking for the people, so if y’all need me to pull up, let me know where,” he said in the clip, which can be seen below.

In another video, the artist behind the 2015 track “Super Chef” elaborated a bit more, notably pushing back against questions from those who are “counting my pockets” on social media.

“I did my long shift last night and it seems like everybody in the world has got the news that I be in the back cooking and cheffing and working, flipping fries and burgers and all that,” he said. “It’s like, so what? I gots to get on my grind, get this money for me, my family, my friends. Too much money ain’t enough money. Everybody counting my pockets asking if I still get paid from this, if I still get paid from that.”

Makonnen continued: “It don’t matter if I do or if I don’t. I’m still gonna get up daily while I’ve got this life to get on my grind, make things happen for me and others, bring smiles and positivity to the world. Just worry about yours and if you’ve got that restaurant and you need me to come through and do my celebrity guest chef situation, let me know your state, city, and what type of food we gon’ be making.”

Speaking to Zisook, ILoveMakonnen asked those who alleged he had taken on a traditional 9 to 5, “Why are you shaming me for helping myself?”

Following the release of the original videos of Makonnen in the kitchen, some detractors attempted to connect his falsely presumed fall from grace to Drake. Back in 2019, Makonnen let it be known that he and Drizzy were “all good now,” despite their their complicated relationship in years past. Playfully, Makonnen tucked in a nod to Drake in another recent TikTok update.

“6 god don’t answer no more and I know that’s what most of y’all care about,” he said with a laugh.

Despite the playful jab at Drake, iLoveMakonnen told Zisook he was confused as to why his former label boss was being mentioned in the chatter, as he hasn’t “had a relationship with him since 2015.”

The Los Angeles native also shared his indifference about returning to the music industry, although he’d “love to keep making art.”

“Music was a way out. But once I saw the politics, the egos, and the fake shit, I knew this wasn’t for me. Respectfully, I want to remove myself,” he said.

After the success of “Tuesday” tapered off, Makonnen also shared that “everyone turned their back” on him. “Everybody I’ve known turned their back on me and pretty much said, ‘Fuck you, we’ll come around when you’re dead and tell everybody you were a legend.'”

Along with showing newer artists that there’s “another way” to maintain, iLoveMakonnen expressed that he’s “not embarrassed” to cook in support of Burn Money Studios. “This is survival. That’s real life,” he said.

Earlier this month, iLoveMakonnen released his latest track “Really Super Pretty,” which you can listen to below. These days, he also creates art under the Makoregon moniker, an apparent nod to Oregon, where he was reported to have moved nearly a decade ago.

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