The majority of the population might not be able to understand Desiigner, but Dak Prescott can hear the rapper loud and clear.
The Cowboys rookie QB and the Grammy nominated Desiigner recently got together for the second installment of Champs Sports' "The Moment." In the episode, Prescott talks about his ascension from fourth round draft pick to the leader of America's Team while Desiigner's new track "Outlet" broods in the background and Prescott is proud to report that after spending time with Desiigner that, believe it or not, he can fully comprehend just about everything that comes out of his mouth. "I usually could figure out what he said, or what he meant and was trying to get at," says Prescott. "But he was fun and was really great to spend some time with and do the shoot with."
For the second time this season, we caught up with Prescott to discuss what it was like to chill with G.O.O.D. Music's mumbling prodigy, the QB's preferences for pre-game music, and the one rule he'd like to see the NFL change.
(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
Why did you partner with Champs Sports and its "The Moment" project?
Everything about what this campaign meant was something I wanted to be a part of. The combination of the style, the story, the on-the-field, off-the-field deal allowed me to combine those two things and put my faith together with two great companies: Adidas and Champs. It was great and I'm thankful to be a part of it.
So what did you hope to achieve by partnering up with Champs?
I just wanted to show throughout the commercial the journey: my mind set, my approach, and my focus on everything. I also wanted to show the way I am outside of football as well as I am on-the-field. I wanted to combine the game and the culture. I really hoped to motivate people, [the ones] that get doubted or people who have told them they cannot do things throughout their lifetime, to stay focused and to believe in themselves and to keep moving forward.
What can we expect in this episode with you and Desiigner?
Just fun! In the studio and out of the studio. Just kind of the people we are, combined with what we do as our jobs and allows us to tie our style to have some fun and show some creativity and what we are about, tell our story. That's what it was about, trying to show the true you and everything you are about.
What was it like hanging out with Desiigner?
It was cool and fun. The guy is 19 and he's doing what he's doing and it's inspiring. He was really cool. The guy had a lot of energy with a lot of excitement. When he turns on his music, he flips a switch, and he goes into his mode. It was really cool to see that.
Were there any moments during the project where you had no clue what Desiigner was saying?
Not really, I pretty much understood what he was saying. When he got too excited and in tune, maybe a big part in his song that got him riled, he was a little tough to understand. But he would kind of take it slow and reset and re-mumbled the words he would say. I usually could figure out what he said, or what he meant and was trying to get at. But he was fun and was really great to spend some time with and do the shoot with.
In the previous episode of "The Moment" Brandon Marshall was in the studio with TI and Quavo. Did you get to do the same with Desiigner?
We were in the studio for some time. He has a new song coming out and he was really excited about it. We talked about some football, music, and things that he has and hasn't done.
"I think people should be able to celebrate and use the ball as a prop and do whatever they want. I don't think people know how much time and effort truly goes into the game and goes into simply just scoring a touchdown."
Did you get to step into the booth and spit some bars while you were there?
No, not at all. I left it all for the guy that gets paid to do it.
We released our Top 50 Albums of the Year recently. What's at the top of your list for 2016, maybe your top 3?
Anything Drake does, I have to put up there. Anything Adele, does I have to put up there, and for the third one: the “Black Beatles.” That's popping right now.
So is Adele on your pre-game playlist? What else do you listen to to get pumped up before a game?
Yeah 100 percent she's on my pre-game music playlist. I've also got “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, I've got “Kill Bill,” “Black Beatles,” I've got songs by the Fray. I've got all kinds of things. I've even got Lukas Graham's “7 Years” on here. So it's everything.
How do you deal with the pressure of being the starting QB of America's team?
I really don't think of the pressure and what's outside. I don't really put too much pressure on myself. The only time people feel pressure is when they put it on themselves and listen to the outside stuff. I have great teammates and great coaches that do the right things around me that allows me to just focus on the game of football. The game of football is something I dearly love and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. So when I get to play football, I'm free from the outside world, free from people talking. So for the most part just coming to practice, being myself in the organization I don't really put pressure on myself and listen to anything they say.
So what kind of advice have your coaches and teammates given you about the pressure of the playoffs?
We really haven't talked about the playoffs. All year long we've practiced to stay within the moment and stay within ourselves and focus on what we are doing now and not to worry about what happened in the past or what's going to happen in the future. So we are focused on the now.
You stated a while back that you were the smartest QB in your class. What does it mean to be a smart QB?
My definition would be just knowing the game. I had great coaches all throughout my life. I've also played a lot of games in the SEC and just seen a lot which has allowed me to have a good grasp on the game of football. I feel like I can get on the chalkboard and draw plays, talk defenses with any QB that came out of this year’s draft.
If you could change one rule in the NFL what would it be?
That’s a good question...I think people should be able to celebrate and use the ball as a prop and do whatever they want. I don't think people know how much time and effort truly goes into the game and goes into simply just scoring a touchdown. So when you get that opportunity, you should be able to be free and be relaxed from all the pressure that went into scoring that touchdown and have fun.
