In a wide-ranging interview with VicBlends of "DeepCut with VicBlends," former President Barack Obama delved into an array of topics, from the power of music and community to his personal journey and the nature of fear. The conversation offered a candid and insightful look into the mind of the 44th U.S. President.

On Music and Kendrick Lamar

Obama, known for his love of music, singled out Kendrick Lamar for his exceptional contributions to the industry. "Kendrick, I think, is setting the bar for a lot of young artists," Obama said. "Not just because of his musical prowess but also because of the seriousness with which he takes the messages he sends out."

He continued, "You have somebody like Kendrick saying, 'I'm not just going to talk about platinum and gold and the usual stuff that you hear in rap, but I'm going to talk about fatherhood, and the struggles that I had, and the lessons that I've learned, and the mistakes that I made.' And that gives other young artists the sense that it's okay for me to go in that direction too."

On Community and Personal Connections

Obama emphasized the importance of community and personal relationships, noting that humans are inherently social beings. "We operate better when we have others that we can share our joys and pains with," he said. "And so, investing in friendships, investing in the positive impact that that has on your mental health and well-being, that's something that I think is important."

On Fear and Personal Growth

Reflecting on his personal journey, Obama discussed the role of fear in his life and how he's learned to manage it. "Fear is a funny thing," he said. "Fear can be a great motivator, but it can also be a great inhibitor. And one of the things that I've always tried to do is not make decisions based on fear."

He advised, "Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, focus on what could go right. And that can help you to take the necessary risks and make the necessary changes that you need to grow and succeed."

On His Continued Work and Legacy

Obama also touched on his ongoing work with the Obama Foundation and his hopes for the future. "What we're trying to do is create a platform where young people can come together, learn from each other, be inspired by each other, and then go back to their communities and make a difference," he said.

Watch the full interview below.