The uncle we all wished we had. Never glorifying the street life..respect

Damn, my man just gave a college lecture on the history of skid row. Wasnt expecting that.

Now cigarette man biking round helping volunteers feed his people. True king behaviour

This interview was 2 years old and this man is still living in skid row. Glad CM is still around.

If you don't believe anything Cigarette Man is saying you are a fool. This man is a walking history book of Skid Row.

Imagine this guy with his own KZfaq channel. Sounds like he would NEVER run out of content.

This OG has no reason to lie - he ain’t lookin to impress anyone. Simply just retelling what he’s seen in his life. This man along with Repeat & Patrick are some of my favorite interviews.

He's so detailed with his stories that I had visuals as if I were watching a movie. This one is REALLY good.

Never heard the interview guy so quiet before and I’ve binged all these interviews 😂😂😂😂😂

Cigarette Man. The Movie. Two hours of this. Take my money.

Man his memory is prestige. I can’t remember what I ate yesterday. He know all the street name and incident. What a legend

Get cigarette-man a one man play, let him talk for 2 hours, a Netflix series would be great. He’s an American treasure that’s need to be treasured. I’m willing to invest

So....the moral of the story is stay the hell out of Los Angeles. Damn, that shit was brutal.

This interview was simply amazing. I didn’t skip a minute (rare for me). He has seen a lot, and made it out on the other side to tell about it. Such a well spoken soul. I hope nothing but positivity and healing for him from here on out. 🙏🏾

My pops was all in and around skid row... I’ve passed thru and done security in that area but it’s a world in itself... it’s incredible how these people embrace this lifestyle

"Just to let him know, you dont mess with somebody you dont know nothin about" facts right there

Ask him one question and let him ride out that's all it takes for an OG no need for an interview they will tell you everything you want to hear.

Cigarette man encapsulates the wisdom of elders. Respect.

The "Morgan Freeman" of Skid Row. Natural narrator. Never skipped a beat.

These old timers in better shape with there shirt off than these young boys

Mark, are you there? Thank-you cigarette man. Love listening to your history. So many wasted lives, so much senseless killing. You truly are a veteran, a survivor of the gang wars.

This is what a man who did 22 years and lived to tell about it looks like. He's not experienced many off lives joys but has lived through many of it's pains. Mark didn't ask a question and he never stopped talking once. You'd think he was a man who talked to much but you'd be very wrong. Some of his stories may have exagérations as great storytellers often do,but all I'd wager are true. These old schoolers have lessons upon lessons if you know how to listen.

Someone sign him to write a book of short stories BEST INTERVIEW

The hood grandpa we all wish we had

I can listen to him for days !!! He has SEEN THINGS and is an amazing story teller. Thank you Mark for an incredible job

This OG has seen more than any person should.

Omg I can listen to him all day . I so wish him love ,peace, healings at this point of his life , it’s so well deserve.. ❤️ 🙏🏾

This man is so compelling and intelligent, could listen to him for hours

He's been around a few corners and back he is a smart man

He has lived what the rest of us only know from movies

"It was Treacherous!". This OG is such a great story teller. I feel like I was in an AP Skidrow history class.

I enjoyed every documentary interview that the cigarette man tell! He's truly amazing, intelligent, sincere, strong, loving, honest, wise, and a whole lot rapped in one great individual person! Some of these young people need to listen to him talk! Love you cigarette man and continue to remain positive and wise! You have a good day and God bless you 💞🥳🙏

Definitely the best raconteur on this channel by far. The picture he is painting is like a dystopian action movie. And you don't have to say ANYTHING hardly. You just let him go for 40 minutes. He definitely deserves a bonus.

The things this man has seen and lived through is amazing and more then most people could probably handle.

I love cigarette man. Everybody loves watching him tictok helping Shirley service people on skid row . GOD BLESS THEM BOTH.

this dude's the definition of OG holy shit

Best interview yet bring him on more he's like Johnny 2.0

Cigarette man do, not need any help from Mark to tell his story. He need his own podcast and invite people from skid row to tell their story. Very interesting life.

I love cigarette man ! Really enjoy watching him work and help out our angel on earth Ms. Shirley ❣️

This guy is official. You can look at him and tell that if anyone knows about skidrow, it's gonna be this old head right here.

please keep us updated with this man. he is phenomenal and the fact that he lived to see this day after all he’d seen and been through is mind blowing to me.

Brings back memories of my experiences of growing up in the poor side of town. I knew all about what he is talking about. Being in that environment could have easily trapped me into a horrible life. I Thank those who loved me enough to move me away from that life. I do believe what helped me deal with street life is that as a child I always had respect for them and walked away. Something I just had in me. I would love to meet Cigarette Man someday as he would put a Smile on my face to know of someone who experienced what I know.

i can not be the only one that thought story of the guy who’s final words were “I’ll see you when you get there” was badass

One of the best interviews on your channel! He's a great storyteller.

I like this guy a lot.

Man, I wish I could just get this guy a room for a night and just chat for a little bit. There's just something about cigarette man, he seems like a really good dude.

Wow! His ability to recall and tell us these things is amazing! Love listening to this guy!

I’m 10min in and this is by far THE best interview I’ve ever seen. This man has stories like they don’t make his kind no more. Thank you so much.

This man's speaking the truth. Careful who you mess with, you never know what they're capable of. I've seen some small unassuming people beat the breaks of people much bigger than them lol

This man is a legit Warrior for surviving that kind of lifestyle.

I can't get enough of this man's advice, it really means a lot considering how much he has had to overcome in his own life, much respect.

Genuinely can’t get enough of the man. Great story teller.

I love you cigarette man, I pray Heaven has a mansion waiting on you....

This was a great interview, now i want to see a documentary about skid row in the 80s

The amount of history I just sat through! To survive all of that and be able to vividly tell the story is astounding!

People from all over think it’s all fun and shit until you’re in LA and witness this for yourself. This was an amazing interview. Nothing but love for this man 💚

Man cigarette man has truly lived a life! He should write a book! God Bless sir.

This OG knows his sht, respect

I was wondering how he survived so long until he mentioned that he spent 22 years in prison. That prison term added 22 years to his life.

Skid row, or originally, skid road, originated in the Pacific Northwest where logs were “skidded” to the sawmills and other locations for processing. Small communities sprang up around these areas, populated primarily by the men who worked in the logging industry; hence, there were lots of single, lonely, and/or bored men looking for both nurturing, and excitement, to help stave off the exhaustion of their work. These areas necessarily attracted many unemployed men as well. Social problems and particular pathologies accompanied the lifestyle and grew alongside the skids. A mission culture was created to serve the needy, and their “mission statements” usually, but not always, included heavy Christian proselytizing as their overall purpose. Down and out men endured what was called an ear beating, before being given something to eat. Some missions even required individuals to be baptized if they wanted a nightly cot. Brass rail taverns became a feature in these areas as loggers wore cleated boots, which were nicknamed corks. While sitting on barstools, their corks would dig into and destroy the wooden footrests below. Eventually, to circumvent the problem of continually having to replace the wooden beams, brass rails were substituted which solved the problem. However, it wasn’t until the Great Depression of the 1930s, when skid row became synonymous with poverty stricken individuals, and often entire families, who were desperately seeking both work and a sense of community. Unfortunately, today, much of this history is unknown.

He needs to make a movie about Skid Row

I’ve been waiting on this one. Maneeee I missed him. Mark you did if my man . I watched his last vids and it was absolutely amazing his level of knowledge and philosophy of life reminds me of Allen watts and others. Cigarette man has a true gift.

He was by far my favorite interview, I literally have not hit pause once.

Most accurate description ever! Im 50 yrs old and lived through a lot of this shit in the 80’s as a drug addicted kid! Facts!

1 min in and I can tell this is going to be good series

When OG speaks, you listen.. simple.

Wow! This was like an good Audiobook! Sound affects included. Awesome.

This man is so well-spoken, most likely often overlooked and that of as a deadbeat, I can clearly see he has and has a offering a lot to this world, good on you for bringing him on

Hes a walking book! Love this

This dude should write a book

I love this man!!! God bless him and his strength, thank you- your stories are as important as any recording our time. Thank you!!

Ok This man is one of the greatest storyteller ever. He deserves his own Netflix Show ! Thank you for sharing this

Thank you for another unscripted and raw interview. The experiences these folks have lived is like no other and cannot be replicated.

Love these true stories. The shit he’s seen I couldn’t even imagine.

Wow ! This is one of the best interviews. Never knew what Skid Row was like , He gave a full view , the reality of exactly what Skid Row is like. I can picture this like and lived it for real , way he explains and gives full detail and expressing it. Thank you for sharing your videos and I'm sure your doing them good too by doing this giving them a way to express , vent and release everything they've been through. That is part of the healing process. Keep up the good work 😊👍👍👍

I love listening to this old school. His stories are great and he as alot of knowledge. I could listen for hours to him. I would love to meet him in person.

As soon as I saw Cigarette Man, I couldn’t click play fast enough

Marrkkk thank you for the frequency of your uploads. I really appreciate you

So glad I found these ! I was watching marks interview before of chris , who unfortunately is struggling with schizophrenia. I then found Beauty2thestreetz ( shirley ) and saw cigarette man there in almost every live video she posted . The way he was overprotective of her, always wanting to lend a hand out or help, while still being his crazy self ( if u kno u know 🤣❤️) Anways , I’m glad I could watch these interviews and got the chance for hear his story . You can tell he has a good heart and genuine soul but unfortunately like a lot of us, been dealt a hard deal at life . honestly I’m struggling myself rn as well trying to get off drugs , mental health. trying not to lose the hope . Sending love to everyone reading this, hope your day/days get better. 💘

I love his love of cinema, and the way he tells stories as a narrator. Amazing dude, wish I could sit with him and smoke a cig and talk

Now I can watch this man and listen to his words all day!!!

Reminds me of growing up in the number blocks of Detroit death everywhere you had to be a smiling killer to make it. Southwest loaded with KEP & Vatco Loco I was at Southwestern High in Delray life was bloody mean & ruff. I had Kronk boxing with Hearns & Oba Carr to keep me.... I'm still here.

He’s a living example that brains are worth more than muscle when living in the streets

I'm happy to see Cigarette Man again, so much wisdom.There is always lessons with his stories.❤️

This man is telling this story so good. I could listen to him all day. Him and Latoya has such personality. I want to hear more life experiences from them. He is hard as hell.

Unless this man is telling lies with ALL of this, given the nature of his journey, I imagine the most amazing aspect of his stories is simply that he’s still alive to tell them.

You can’t have a better history lesson., this should be in a book. Thank you Mark for always having human’s with no judgment, you make a difference in my life . I could only imagine what changes you are making being able to give these being people a platform for so many people that have judgmental ideas. To this man I’m sending you love and healing energy. Thank you for being so real and authentic.

Cigarette mann, your words resonate deep within my soul. I'm 20 but it feels like I've lived a liftetime after, hearing everything you've had to say. So much wisdom in your experiences. Where ever you may be lord bless you

He’s one of my favorites, captivating

Wooooof! That was some history lesson! Thanks for telling it!

love his stories.. he’s seen a lot and still here to speak on it.

You never know what people have seen or been through. Watching this got me thinking about all the things I've seen and making me realize that most of us never share it. We are all walking experiences, just some of us are one trauma experience after another. Respect to cigarette man. The fact that he has survived is a testament to his wisdom.

I love hearing him talk ! hugs

Absolutely love cigarette man and his interviews . Respect ✊🏾 💙

The Bard of Skid Row. This seems like a modern interview but this man is an example of a culture that is as old as time. He's passing on oral history. The Vikings called men like this Skalds, West Africans called them Griots, they were responsible for mentally documenting and retelling stories of heroism, significant events and struggle. Good luck to the man. He's timeless.

Can't wait for part 2. Thanks mark and cigarette man.

I had to pause this video half way and say.................I love these story’s keep this man talkingggggg

This old rounder gonna live forever Invincible Probably solid AF And really smart To still be walking Thanks

This is my favorite interview so far, this guy must be a living legend, i can see the sad true in his eyes.. must have been hard times.

This is my favorite interview. Cigarette Man is a gift and treasure. This man has seen life as it is and is here to share. I want all good things for him. I could listen to his experiences all day and night.