iLoveMakonnen<\/a> went viral earlier this week for what appeared to be him working a new job in a kitchen \u2014\u00a0but there’s more to the story than meets the eye.<\/p>\n According to Audiomack <\/a>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.<\/p>\n The hub, where local artists, including iLoveMakonnen (real name Makonnen Sheran), worked and held their merch has a GoFundMe<\/a> with a $10,000 goal, with the money raised set to go toward relocating the facility and replacing what was lost in the fire \u2014 and Makonnen was doing his part to help.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019d been making smash burgers that day.<\/p>\n \u201cI love cooking for the people, so if y\u2019all need me to pull up, let me know where,\u201d he said in the clip, which can be seen below.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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\u2019s like, so what? I gots to get on my grind, get this money for me, my family, my friends. Too much money ain\u2019t enough money. Everybody counting my pockets asking if I still get paid from this, if I still get paid from that.”<\/p>\n Makonnen continued: “It don\u2019t matter if I do or if I don\u2019t. I\u2019m still gonna get up daily while I\u2019ve 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\u2019ve 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\u2019 be making.”<\/p>\n 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?”<\/p>\n 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<\/a>,” despite their their complicated relationship<\/a> in years past. Playfully, Makonnen tucked in a nod to Drake in another recent TikTok update.<\/p>\n “6 god don\u2019t answer no more and I know that\u2019s what most of y\u2019all care about,” he said with a laugh.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n The Los Angeles native also shared his indifference about returning to the music industry, although he’d “love to keep making art.”<\/p>\n “Music was a way out. But once I saw the politics, the egos, and the fake shit, I knew this wasn\u2019t for me. Respectfully, I want to remove myself,” he said.<\/p>\n After the success of “Tuesday” tapered off, Makonnen also shared that “everyone turned their back” on him. “Everybody I\u2019ve known turned their back on me and pretty much said, ‘Fuck you, we\u2019ll come around when you\u2019re dead and tell everybody you were a legend.'”<\/p>\n 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\u2019s real life,” he said.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, an apparent nod to Oregon, where he was reported to have moved<\/a> nearly a decade ago.<\/p>\n ComplexCon returns to Las Vegas on October 25\u201326, 2025, with over 300 brands and live performances by Young Thug, YEAT & Friends, Peso Pluma, Central Cee, Ken Carson, and more.\u00a0Get your tickets now<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/a> Complex Magazine – Issue No. 2 – Spring 2025 (The Innovation Issue)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n COMPLEX<\/span> Complex Magazine – Issue No. 2 – Spring 2025 (The Innovation Issue)<\/span> $30<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/a> Complex Core Hoodie (Black)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n COMPLEX Owned<\/span> Complex Core Hoodie (Black)<\/span> $55<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a> ILoveMakonnen Links With Yellow Trash Can for New Album \u2018Everything Is Trash\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/a> ILoveMakonnen Shares New Song “My Girl Trans” f\/ Yellow Trash Can<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/a> Makonnen Gives “Love” the Middle Finger on New Track With Rae Sremmurd and Mike Will Made-It<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n French Montana and Princess of Dubai Show Off Massive Engagement Ring<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Earl Sweatshirt Shows Process of Casting Impostor to Perform at Listening Party in “CRISCO” Video<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\nRelated Products<\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n
Related News<\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Related News<\/b><\/h2>\n