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In 2001, Lee Foss bought a one-way ticket to Ibiza with no plan and no way home — just a hunch that he'd find his tribe. He did. That summer he met Jamie Jones, and the friendship that followed became Hot Creations, one of the most influential labels in modern house.

In this episode, the Chicago-raised DJ, producer, and Repopulate Mars founder sits down with Olivia Mancuso the day after his Chicago birthday show to trace the whole arc — from DeKalb raves to Ibiza, from building a 15-year label empire and helping launch artists like John Summit, to getting sober and reinventing himself two decades into his career.

What you'll take away:

-How betting on yourself — even with no plan and no safety net — can change your entire trajectory
-How to build a music career (and a label) that stays sustainable for 20+ years
-What it actually takes to break out of a scene that isn't the industry's "center of gravity"
-How Lee spots and bets on new talent — and why being from Chicago is a calling card, not a crutch
-The reality of running a lean, independent label that outsells majors with 80-person teams

👉 Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth: https://greenroomnetwork.com/creator/OliviaMancuso
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviamancuso__
👉 Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

00:00 — Hard Work, Identity, and Self-Discipline
00:13 — Fifteen Years to Recognition
00:48 — Careers Aren’t Built by Going Viral
01:38 — Birthday Show in Chicago
02:13 — Growing Up in DeKalb
04:14 — XL, Raves, and Chicago Nightlife
05:11 — Athletic Discipline and DJ Life
06:07 — Creativity, Content, and Other Interests
07:33 — Chicago, Ibiza, and Personal Growth
08:58 — Fitness Accountability and Running Again
10:57 — Sobriety and Recovery
12:33 — Sustainable Motivation
15:41 — Why He Passed on Law School
17:07 — Discovering Ibiza
18:34 — Meeting Jamie and Building a Crew
20:51 — Starting Out as Workers
23:41 — Hot Natured, Reverse Skydiving, and Nostalgia
28:00 — Repopulate Mars, a Short Film, and What’s Next
31:56 — Chicago’s Nightlife and Venue Culture
34:08 — Supporting Chicago Artists
37:21 — Artists He’s Paying Attention To
39:38 — Reputation, Rumors, and Redemption
42:32 — Doing the Work and Letting It Show
43:45 — Closing Thoughts