Bobby Shmurda has always been more than just a rapper. With a passion for helping others and a mission to uplift the youth, he’s using his platform to make a difference through his non-profit, Prevention Before Cure (PBC). As someone who’s been through the juvenile system, Bobby is dedicated to guiding young people away from the paths that lead to trouble. We caught up with him to talk about his journey, the work he’s doing with PBC, and what’s coming next.
Prove Magazine:
Bobby, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today. We’re excited to dive into your work with Prevention Before Cure (PBC). Let’s start by talking about your personal experiences. You’ve been involved with the juvenile system since the age of 12. That’s a tough journey for anyone. How has that shaped your perspective on the importance of guiding youth away from the same challenges you faced?
Bobby:
“I feel like that really shaped my perspective in the sense that it gave me purpose. Like—we went through that for a reason. It’s like this: if you go through a maze, and people have been getting stuck in that maze for 30, 40, even 10 or 20 years, right? And then someone finally figures out how to get out of it in two or three days—and they pass that map on to the next generation—that’s powerful. That can help unlock a lot of the life challenges we face.”
“For me, going through those tough times—being away from family at a young age—and then going back to juvenile centers and seeing those kids, it created this real, one-on-one connection. It’s like looking at your younger self. That’s what it feels like when you’re in those systems. I’ve told people—‘Man, I was in juvenile. Then when I got to prison, I saw some of the same guys I was locked up with back then. And some of them weren’t coming home.’”
“Some had football numbers. A few got out, ended up back in the streets. But some came home and really did something with their lives. And to me, all of that—it just speaks to purpose.”
“It gave me purpose: to show the next generation a way out. To give them the map. And the only way you can give someone a map is if you’ve been through it yourself. So being able to say, ‘Here’s how you can save five years, ten years of your life’—that’s how we grow. That’s how we evolve, especially as minorities. If we can give that next generation the map, we’re helping them avoid the same pain, the same years lost—and that’s how we move forward together.”
Prove Magazine:
You’ve mentioned the importance of authenticity when connecting with young people. How do you think being real with them impacts their ability to trust you and take your advice to heart?
Bobby:
“I believe that when you’re connecting with someone—not just young people, but anyone—you can feel when someone is being real with you. Especially when you’re young and you’re just starting to go through something, you can feel that authenticity.”
“When you’re young and you’re dealing with pain or stress, it’s new. You don’t really see a way out. You can’t see the end game, the bigger picture—it’s hard to imagine the future when all you know is what you’re stuck in. But then, when you see someone who’s already been through it and made it over that hump—whether they look polished now or just standing on the other side—you start to realize, ‘Okay, there is a way out.’”
“That connection is powerful. It’s about showing them, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve sat in those same cells. I know exactly what you’re doing right now.’ And when they laugh and say, ‘How the hell you know that?’ and I tell them, ‘Because I was really here,’ that moment—that’s where trust starts to build.”
“And when they see someone who’s been through it and now is focused on their future, it gives them permission to start thinking about theirs. They start to believe it’s possible. That’s the most important part—building trust. Showing them we’re not fake, we’re not snakes—we just retired. We stepped away from that life with a plan.”
“Most of them don’t even want to live that life forever—they just don’t know how to get out. But when you show them, ‘Yo, I retired at this age, and now I’m doing this, and you could too,’ it gives them something real to hold onto. It raises the trust level to where they say, ‘You know what? I will follow your advice, Bobby.’”
Prove Magazine:
For someone who feels trapped in a cycle they can’t escape, what advice would you give to help them break free and find their way out?
Bobby:
“To someone who’s trapped in a cycle and feels like they can’t escape, my advice would be this: you’ve got to starve it. Whatever that cycle is, you’ve got to starve it. You’ve got to be gangster toward it—not let it press you, but you press it. You’ve got to become the mental bully and say, ‘Nah, I’m not doing this anymore. This ends here.’”
“When you starve the cycle, even when things are moving fast around you, you start to slow down inside. It helps you become more grateful. It makes you feel the hunger—and sometimes, feeling empty helps you see clearer. It gives you appreciation for life, for peace, for the little things.”
“Being full all the time? That can blind you. But when you fast—not just from food, but from habits, from negativity, from that toxic cycle—it gives you vision. It gives you clarity. It’s like how people, when they’re on their last breath, suddenly realize all the things they wish they’d done differently. But you don’t have to wait for that moment. You can create that perspective now.”
“So yeah, sometimes the key to breaking a cycle is starving it. Just stop feeding it. And after a while—after 90 days—it becomes a habit. And when it becomes a habit, that’s when you’ve got it. That’s when you’re free.”
Prove Magazine:
Looking ahead, what’s next for Prevention Before Cure? How do you plan to expand its reach and make an even bigger impact?
Bobby:
“What’s next for Prevention Before Cure is definitely programming. We’re going to be programming, and we’re also hoping to partner with some big companies to build community centers.”
“Our plan is to franchise these community centers—kind of like how you see McDonald’s everywhere? We want to do that, but with places that actually uplift the community. And yeah, maybe then we can start messing up the McDonald’s model a little bit!” [laughs]
“But seriously, we want these centers everywhere—places where kids have real access. Access to the tools that’ll help them grow and thrive in society. We’re talking about educational tools, physical resources, mental health support, and social development tools—everything they need.”
“We’re not trying to ‘train’ them like robots or anything, but we want to support them from a young age—so by the time they’re adults, they’re fully equipped. They’re sharp, confident, focused—full-blown machines in the best way. That’s the vision.”
Prove Magazine:
You’ve just turned 30, which is a huge milestone. How do you feel about stepping into your 30s? In what ways do you think this next chapter of your life will differ from your teenage years and your 20s?
Bobby:
“How does it feel being 30? Man… being 30 feels like being 29. It kind of feels the same in some ways. He’s right there, you know?” [laughs] “But hearing ‘your 30s’—that hits different. It definitely feels like something new, something interesting for me.”
“I just went into real estate. I partnered up with Andrew Mathias—S.O. Green. Well, S.O. Green is Andrew Mathias, the president. And we invested in a $20 million project in Times Square.”
“Back when I was a teenager, I used to sell drugs—and even then, I had dreams of getting into real estate. I didn’t know it would happen by the time I turned 30, but I always knew I would do it one day. I’m the kind of person—if there’s something I really want to do, I find a way to do it.”
“So now, being 30, it’s helped me lock in on business more than anything. I’m not out here partying or clubbing unless somebody’s really cutting the check. Then it’s a celebration.”
“That’s my 30-year milestone—staying out of trouble. In my teenage years, I was always in trouble. In my 20s, I was locked up—six years of that decade. From 20 to 26. Now, I’ve been out these last four years, just celebrating life and moving different. And at 30, I’m just focused on getting my business together and building something real.”
Prove Magazine:
You’ve clearly grown a lot over the years. How would you say you’ve evolved as a person, especially given the challenges and lessons you’ve faced along the way?
Bobby:
“I believe I’ve really grown as a person when it comes to patience. Before, I had no patience—like, not at all. I think I didn’t really start learning patience until I was about 25 or 26. Nah, actually, 25. That’s when it started clicking for me.”
“Before that, I was super impulsive. Like, as soon as I thought something—I’d do it. No talking, no thinking, just straight action. I was that kind of person. And looking back, I realize that made me kind of dangerous, even to myself. I’d just react instantly, no pause button.”
“But my life kind of worked in reverse. Most people start off good and then go bad. I came out wild—real bad—and then things started getting better as I got older. I started learning. I started thinking before reacting. Started being able to laugh at the old me.”
“Now, I’ll catch myself about to do something crazy, and I’m like, ‘Man, I’m not doing that.’ I’ll literally see myself about to do something and just laugh—like, ‘Yo, I can’t believe I used to move like that.’ That’s growth. That’s where I’m at now.”
Prove Magazine:
Your latest track “Superstar Status” with LouGotCash and Jeremih has been making a lot of noise lately. It’s getting great attention. Can your fans expect more new music soon?
Bobby:
“Superstar status, baby you the baddest, pussy on the floor, and still the fattest—yay! That joint is lit. That record go crazy. It got that fire, man. It’s got that Cash and Jeremih type of vibe—real Superstar Status. It’s out right now on all DSPs, so make sure y’all tap in!”
“Shoutout to Shaft, what up? Shorts, what up? Chris, everybody—what up! We out here doing what we do. The movement is real, and the fans can definitely expect more music coming soon.”
“I love this type of music, you know what I’m saying? It brings out that sexy side of me. We were just talking about me turning 30, right? This that grown man sexy. That smooth player energy I be talking about—that ‘pin play’ lane. This is that late-night music, that ‘do-some-thanks’ energy, you feel me?”
“But yeah, I’m definitely dropping more for the ladies—and at the same time, we got some wild shit on the way for the bros. That turn-up, jump-around, sweat-it-out-in-the-gym type of music too. It’s all coming.”
“Love, peace, and more love. Shmurda.”
Prove Magazine:
Now, let’s talk about the “Still Alive Tour.” People are buzzing about it already. What can fans expect from this tour? Any exciting opening acts or surprise special guests?
Bobby:
“Still, still motherfuckin’ alive—uh, uh, uh, uh, Stayin’ Alive! Yeah! This that Still Alive Talk, baby. We poppin’ it off May 15th—lock that in! But before that, we warming it up—May 10th, we in Miami. You already know that’s gonna be wild.”
“April we in West Virginia, then we hittin’ the city, bouncing around a couple more spots—y’all gon’ see us. But from May 15th to like June 20-something, it’s tour time. Shit’s about to get crazy. We’re hittin’ states all over—and we might even jump out the country, you know how I move!”
“When I get on that road, I tear it the fuck up—you already know. Ain’t got no toes, we dancing till the shoes come off, you feel me?!” [laughs]
“And yo—check this—we got some special acts popping out. LouGotCash, he’s sliding through. We got surprises, 10-10-10—you know what I’m sayin’? It’s gon’ be madness.”
“Now, let’s talk about that dance contest. We’re doing a whole BBW dance contest—yes sir! Might even take it to the backroom, who knows?!” [laughs] “We got VIP meet & greets, we got after-parties, we got the tour bus poppin’. BBWs on the bus—VIP style. We goin’ all out!”
“So listen—if you ain’t tapped in yet, get in tune. The Still Alive Tour is gonna be one for the books. Love, energy, laughs, vibes—it’s all there. Make sure you don’t miss none of it.”
“Let’s get it!”
Prove Magazine:
You’ve been killing it overseas, particularly with your arena shows in Warsaw, Poland. What’s the next stop on your international journey, and do you have more tour dates lined up for the “Still Alive Tour?”
Bobby:
“Oh, we got some still live tour dates that ain’t been announced yet—and overseas. Yeah, we’ve been coming overseas for the last two, three years. We’ve been overseas going back and forth every two, three times out the year.
Yeah, I’m saying, tearing it up over there. We did that—we did the arena. Yeah, we did the arena over there in Warsaw, Poland. Like a hundred thousand people, man. That shit was a whole fucking movie. Shout out to Cloud Festival and everybody over there. Yeah, I’m saying, shout out to my mom.”
“My man, my man Byron hooked me up with that. Shout out my man Byron—Byron Carter, you know what I’m saying? Shout out to the doggies, and definitely on. We’ve been in Dubai, we’ve been to Paris, we’ve been to London.”
“We’ve been to Norway. We’ve been to St. Martin’s. We’ve been on—on Poland, you know? So we just—we’ve been traveling. I just got off parole like a year and a half ago, so, you know, it’s been lit.”
“We just been tearing it up, turning it up for the last past two, three years. So especially—definitely expecting to go back over there this year, at the end of the year, probably—or probably before the year end. I ain’t gonna lie to you—maybe in the middle of the year, next month or something. You know what I’m saying? I’ll be back over there.”
“But um, long story short—definitely much love to overseas. I love all my fans overseas. They give me so much love over there. I can’t wait to go.
Prove Magazine: Outside of music, you’ve ventured into some exciting fields like real estate and the cannabis industry. How does it feel to not just be a successful rapper, but also to be building in these industries?
Bobby: “First off, I want to say going into real estate was something I always dreamed about when I was young. When I used to sell drugs, I used to think that I was going to turn my crack money into real estate money.
I was going to buy a bunch of houses with a bunch of drug money. That was my plan when I was young. Not knowing I was going to be buying it with, who knows, crypto money, endorsement money, music money, all types of money.
Legal money. Actual legit money. That was something positive for me that I went into, especially when I turned 30—real estate. Shout out to my partners, Andrew Mathias. Shout out Frank the Tank. Shout out A-Rod and M-Rod, the whole S.O. Green and everything. The whole S.O. Green and everybody. Shout out to CannonBiz partners, Cookies, and Jersey. I got a partnership with them. Shout out to CannonBiz store, Cookies, and Jersey. Shout out to Charlie Fox.
Make sure you go check that out in Times Square. Yeah, we bought a $20 million building last year. You know what I’m saying? I threw my couple hundred thousand in that [expletive] and got me a caught percentage. You know what I’m saying?
We’re moving now. So that’s the plan. You know, where we get the money from? The music and the money from everywhere else. We’re going to invest it into real estate, into cannabis, into tech, digital things, non-profits, 503(c) and stuff like that.
So that’s definitely the plan and that’s definitely what we’re doing right now. So, you know, I’ll tell everybody that’s in the hoopty—when you’re in the hoopty, you can’t talk to people because they won’t respect your vision in the hoopty. But once you get inside that Ferrari and that Maybach, everybody see the motherf—ing vision.
So, you know what I’m saying? You just keep riding while you’re in the hoopty, and you keep stacking your plans. You make your plans, you keep making your plays because that hoopty gonna turn into a Ferrari one time.
So, um, venturing is definitely on. Something good. And it’s for the long run. You know what I’m saying? ‘Cause ain’t nobody want to be on stage when you’re 50, 60 years old—unless you want to be, you know what I’m saying? So that’s it. That’s something I’m excited for, happy about.“
