114. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: Life Lessons, Leadership, Music, Moana, "Your Dad" & Polynesian Roots

Dwayne Johnson (0:00)

We were evicted out of Hawaii when I was 15

Had to leave, I was sent to Nashville to go live with my dad. I lived in 13, 14 states by the time I was 15, and with life on the road, like a musician. And so I spent most of my time in the back seat of the car. My dad would only listen to country music and blues. Now I'm 15, I'm 6'4, I'm 220, I have a Magnum PI mustache. So I had this idea in my head, oh, I know what I'm gonna do with my life, I'm gonna be a country singer.

Elmo Lovano (0:26)

Well, here we are today, you have a song with 700 million streams.

Dwayne Johnson (0:29)

You made it as a singer. See that?

Elmo Lovano (0:32)

Dwayne The Rock Johnson.

Dwayne Johnson (0:36)

Wow, Elmo Lovano.

Elmo Lovano (0:41)

Thank you, Dwayne.

Dwayne Johnson (0:43)

Wow, where do we go from here?

Elmo Lovano (0:45)

Moana, Voices Across the Ocean.

Dwayne Johnson (0:48)

For the first time, there's a compilation album for our Polynesian artist with the machine behind us that is Disney. It's whatever we could do to create opportunities for the artist.

That's the thing that matters most.

Elmo Lovano (1:03)

Tato is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album.

Dwayne Johnson (1:06)

When I heard that song, I was like, where's the wall? Because I'm going to run through it.

Elmo Lovano (1:11)

I love the song Toloa.

Dwayne Johnson (1:12)

If you're working with your wife on something, you realize a lot about each other. This was the first time for this album that Lauren and I worked together.

Elmo Lovano (1:20)

She's got it all.

Dwayne Johnson (1:21)

I'm a lucky guy.

Elmo Lovano (1:22)

What's it like working with Lin-Manuel Miranda?

Dwayne Johnson (1:25)

It's very unique flow how he writes. Honestly, kid, I could go on and on. I could do da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da. Oh, that was my way just messing around. I see a lyric, I go, that's Lin.

Elmo Lovano (1:34)

Your song, Your Dad, that you sing on the album.

Dwayne Johnson (1:37)

To my three daughters. I am most proud to be your father. This is my song to you.

Elmo Lovano (1:42)

It's so beautiful, man.

Dwayne Johnson (1:43)

This thing could go sideways. I could get emotional very quickly.

Elmo Lovano (1:57)

What is up? Elmo Lovano here, and welcome to episode 115 of Go with Elmo. Our weekly podcast where we do deep dives with the biggest legends in music and entertainment. Today, we have one of the biggest stars on the planet, and one of the kindest humans, Dwayne The Rock Johnson. We had a lot of fun with this one, so I really hope you enjoy it. If you do, please like, subscribe, follow, and share it with your music-loving friends. All right, let's go.

He went from seven bucks in his pocket to becoming a box office rocket. From laying the smackdown to laying a track down. From the people's elbow to the people's playlists. From selling out arenas worldwide to making music with his family and his culture by his side. He already turned one raised eyebrow into a worldwide hit. So when he's making an album, you better not question it.

He wrestles, acts and sings. He's truly one of one, son. So make a ton of noise for Dwayne The Rock Johnson.

Dwayne Johnson (3:02)

Oh, man.

Wow. I don't... Where do we go from here? What an intro, dude. Thank you very much. Let me just give you a round of applause for that. Thank you very much.

Elmo Lovano (3:13)

Hey man, it's great to see you.

Dwayne Johnson (3:14)

It's good to see you too. All right. Let me take a crack at this. His name is Elmo. That's all I got. All right. We should get going.

Elmo Lovano (3:22)

Oh, you can do better.

Dwayne Johnson (3:23)

You're The Rock.

Elmo Lovano (3:23)

Come on. Give me some, give me an intro.

Dwayne Johnson (3:26)

All right. All right. Here we go. Okay. Okay. He started playing drums at one. That is the truth. By 10, I believe based on The Rock's vast knowledge, he was already playing music in a band that he made up. I do know this to be a fact. And that is at 16, this man held broke and held the record for fastest drums, single stroke, one minute 947

That my friends is the real deal. Ladies and gentlemen, the man who needs no introduction anywhere in this civilized world, Elmo Lovano.