Travis Malloy on Vocal Producing Kim Burrell & Monica to Overcoming Industry Rejection

Join the Inner Circle. Crazy Crew, it's time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: ~ Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers ~ Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon ~ Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz The We Sound Crazy family opens the door in Nashville this week for one of modern R&B's most consistent singer-songwriters, the Grammy-nominated Compton-bred pen game legend Eric Bellinger. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, Eric arrives at a defining crossroads: his upcoming self-titled album with lead single "Cry In Front Of You" marks his first move under a new partnership between his Evolve Music imprint and the iconic Tamla Motown, ending a fully independent run of more than forty released projects. And before the episode is over, a legend pulls up unannounced to make it official. The songwriter stories arrive fast and land clean. Eric relives the moment he heard Verse Simmons cooking up the beat next door at a writing camp and knew instantly that "You know me and my baby" was going to become Usher and Chris Brown's "New Flame," a record that is now the lead song on Usher's upcoming R&B tour. He shouts out silent-sniper Ne-Yo writing full verses on his phone in five minutes, unpacks the Usher gem that a melody has to be able to fill a stadium, and shares the Jermaine Dupri note that finally pushed him out of his rap-cadence comfort zone. He also calls his shot on the R&B resurgence, naming Coco Jones, Leon Thomas, Victoria Monet, and Muni Long as proof that the technical, intricate stuff is winning again. Then Eric goes where he has never gone on record. Guided by fan-submitted questions from the Crazy Crew, he opens up about the death of his mother, the grief that pushed him to co-write the album cold-sober from scratch with Troy Taylor, Harmony Samuels, Oak, Chris Riddick, Tony, and KP, and why "I Need Help" felt like the only honest way to open the record. He explains how his wife Lamaya, his kids, and the "Bell Ringers" who kept showing up with blankets at meet-and-greets carried him through, and offers real advice to a viewer grieving her own father about why you should never force creativity through loss. He also reflects on marriage in the industry, the "Never Be Lonely" duet with Amber Riley, sneaking onto Usher's Tiny Desk, and why family in the frame at Def Comedy Jam's 25th anniversary meant everything. The episode's biggest surprise walks through the door mid-conversation: legendary producer, songwriter, and Darkchild architect Rodney Jerkins pulls up to make the Evolve Music, Tamla Motown, Eric Bellinger partnership official on camera. Rodney, who has known Eric since he was thirteen, breaks down why this is a Quincy-and-Michael-style one-two punch, why he told Eric "you're gonna need a machine," and why the game right now is missing taste, patience, and the willingness to spend three years on an album. Eric closes the room by thanking Rodney directly, on mic, for his trust and brotherhood. Eric also sits in for our signature segment, Take It to the Bridge, and helps the crew split this week's Esther Rolle Award of Black Excellence (The ERBE) between the legendary Greg Phillinganes (this week's ERBE winner) and Stevie Wonder (crowned with the GOAT honors). Now without further ado, hit that play button and jump into this episode! We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: Aaron Walton Camera Op: Bryan Williams, Mike Johnson Editing/Producer: Hyyer Creative Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson Assistant: Brittany Guydon Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City. Special thanks to Eric Bellinger and Rodney Jerkins! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media: ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #EricBellinger #RodneyJerkins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Crazy Crew, join our We Sound Crazy list: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms.OYD Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz Kem finally pulls up. The Detroit-born, Georgia-based R&B icon behind Love Calls, I Can't Stop Loving You, Share My Life, Matter of Time and last year's number one album Rock With Me joins hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon for the most honest, spiritually grounded conversation of the season. Kem shares the story behind writing Matter of Time on a piano at the Detroit Rescue Mission, the American Express business line of credit that financed his self-released debut Chemistry, the grassroots CDs-in-the-barbershop hustle that got him to Kedar Massenburg and Motown, and the 36 years of sobriety he'll celebrate this July.  He also drops brand new news: a Robert Glasper jazz project is on the way later this year, his fifth daughter Reign was born just a few weeks ago, and he confirms the Kem story is being adapted for TV, film and theater. Along the way he calls himself Sade's male counterpart, weighs in on Luther versus Teddy, pays tribute to the late Peabo Bryson (the original auntie whisperer), talks Robert Glasper, gives Kedar Massenburg the show's Black Excellence Award, weighs in on AI as the illusion of perfection, and reminds everybody that his music is really a ministry. Press play for one of the most beloved voices in modern R&B, testifying in his own words. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Editing Team: Hyyer Creative Producer: Aaron Walton Sound Mixer: Derrick Chin Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City. Special thanks to Kem! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #Kem #LoveCalls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.  Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: - Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers - Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon - Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz We Sound Crazy pulls back the curtain for a true architect of pop and R&B, welcoming the legendary songwriter and producer Brian Alexander Morgan to the studio. From his early roots learning the emotional language of music in a Wichita church to shaping the sonic texture of an entire era, Morgan’s vulnerability and innovative genius defined the soundtrack of the 1990s. In a masterclass of music history, he sits down with the crew to trace a brilliant lineage of vocal royalty, revealing how a lifelong passion for sonics and direct-to-consumer artistry keeps him entirely locked into the future of music. Listeners will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the serendipitous moments that birthed some of the culture's most iconic records. Morgan unpacks the "vocal royalty" chain reaction that shaped his career that began with his childhood admiration for Martha Wash, and unexpectedly bridged into collaborations with Layla Hathaway, Brandy, and ultimately, SWV. He shares the untold history of "Weak," including how member Coco initially hated the song so much she hid in a bathroom, and clears up decades of internet rumors regarding the poetic, metaphorical inspiration behind the timeless masterpiece "Rain." Beyond the 90s nostalgia, Morgan reflects on the evolution of the music industry and discusses his unwavering success in a fragmented market. He lays out his receipts, detailing his contributions to modern hits by artists like Drake, Khalid, and Nas, while showcasing his unique ability to flip classic breakbeats with new tools like Ableton and Splice. Seamlessly blending his rich past with upcoming ventures, including his new project BREW (Bams Rare Exclusive Unreleased) and his work with rising star Nefertiti Avani, Morgan proves why his catalog continues to be sampled, covered, and revered across generations. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!  Director: Malachi Fuller Director of Photography: Neither Camera Op: Andrew Meyers, Derek Reed, Malachi Fuller, Neither Gaffer: Tyler Holmes Set Design: Gina Dorsey Producer/A2: Jerel Duren Editor: Hyyer Creative Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, Aaron Walton Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson Remixer: Anthony Falcone Assistant: Brittany Guydon Talent Producer: Micha "ML6" Logan Photography: Kirk McClain   PA: Keylon Hall, Jonaye Anderson, Ryan Lee Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers! Special thanks to Brian Alexander Morgan! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:  ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #BrianAlexanderMorgan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.  Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: - Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers - Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon - Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, artist, and entrepreneur Travis Malloy joined the We Sound Crazy for an emotional, wide-ranging conversation about faith, perseverance, and the music industry. Known for bridging the worlds of gospel and R&B over a 15-year career, we honored Malloy live on air, presenting him with the We Sound Crazy Black Excellence Award. The hosts celebrated Malloy's unique ability to seamlessly dream up innovative concepts and execute them as a powerhouse independent creator—a journey he admits took immense courage, risk-taking, and survival through seasons of extreme financial and emotional lack. Malloy walkes down memory lane, reflecting on his Pittsburgh roots, where 1,500 people wrapped around the block for his 2009 debut album release party, Lift Him Up. He shared a series of exclusive, high-profile industry stories, from his early days being pushed into masterclass vocal production by gospel legend Dorinda Clark Cole, the very collaboration that earned him his first Grammy nomination, to becoming a fixture in the studio with Missy Elliott, vocal producing stars like Monica and Halle Bailey. Malloy also touched on the profound impact of timely industry mentorship, recalling a lifesaving, middle-of-the-night encouragement call from gospel legend Kirk Franklin during one of his lowest professional seasons, and a moment where Jonathan McReynolds stepped in to buy him a plane ticket to the Stellar Awards when he was down to his last hundred dollars. Central to the discussion was Malloy’s highly anticipated album, Favor, which features an elite lineup of vocal powerhouses including Kim Burrell, Le'Andria Johnson, Zacardi Cortez, and Ray J. Malloy revealed that the title track was actually written 15 years ago when he was behind on rent, emphasizing that songwriters must have the courage to write to their future rather than their current struggles. Beyond the music, Malloy highlighted his thriving entrepreneurial ventures, including the Urban Worship Collective and his highly successful luxury streetwear line, Millions, Billions and Trillions. He explained that the brand represents consciousness and mental elevation over mere currency, capping off an inspiring episode that showcased the resilient spirit behind one of modern gospel and R&B's brightest visionaries. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!  Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Editor: Lamont Baldwin  Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson  Remixer: Anthony Falcone Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers! Special thanks to Travis Malloy! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:  ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #TravisMalloy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Crazy Crew, join our We Sound Crazy list: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms.OYD Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz Shannon Wallace pulls up. The actor, model, photographer and filmmaker known for his standout turns as Calvin in Netflix's phenomenon Beauty in Black, DeAndre on BET+'s Diara From Detroit, and his role opposite Tyler Perry in Divorce in the Black joins hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon for a wide-ranging conversation about visibility, craft and building his own lane. Shannon breaks down the reality of the Tyler Perry machine (filming a whole feature in six days and shooting 100 pages a day), teases what fans can expect from a just-wrapped Diara From Detroit Season 2, revisits the "Mallory effect" that took over the internet, and explains how being a five-sport high school athlete turned social worker set him up to build slashes instead of waiting for the phone to ring.  He walks the crew through his character-prep process (music as his Bucky code word, custom playlists for every era), gets into a spirited VA versus New York hip hop debate, drops his top five albums (Reasonable Doubt, Miseducation, To Pimp a Butterfly, plus a VA shout to Trey Songz's Trey Day), and previews his self-produced feature A Story About You, which just premiered at Slamdance and is headed to the American Black Film Festival next. Press play for one of the most intentional young multi-hyphenates in the culture, telling his story from every side of the camera. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: Malachi Fuller Director of Photography: Neither Camera Op: Andrew Meyers, Derek Reed, Malachi Fuller, Neither Gaffer: Tyler Holmes Set Design: Gina Dorsey Producer/A2: Jerel Duren Editor: Hyyer Creative Producer: Lamont Baldwin, Aaron Walton Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson Assistant: Brittany Guydon Talent Producer: Micha "ML6" Logan Photography: Kirk McClain PA: Keylon Hall, Jonaye Anderson, Ryan Lee Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City. Special thanks to Shannon Wallace! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #ShannonWallace #BeautyInBlack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.  Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: - Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers - Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon - Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz This week on We Sound Crazy, we welcome the ultimate multi-hyphenate, Keith Robinson, for an extensive look back at his dynamic career spanning music, film, and television. From his early days as the Green Ranger in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue to staring in the iconic Oscar winning film, Dream Girls, Robinson shared how he has seamlessly navigated the entertainment industry. Reflecting on his breakout role in Dream Girls, he recalled the intense learning experience of working alongside legends like Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé, and Harvey Mason, noting how the project taught him what it truly means to create a timeless piece of art. The conversation quickly shifted to Robinson’s current television success as Dr. Ted Richardson on the hit daytime drama Beyond the Gates. He discussed the whirlwind casting process which entailed screen testing on a Friday and shooting lines by Monday.  Richardson details what it has been like to step into a groundbreaking Black soap opera. Robinson praised the immense camaraderie among the cast and shared how he even managed to collide his musical and acting worlds by featuring his track "Forever Bay" on the show. Despite the incredibly fast-paced nature of daytime television, Robinson thrives in the environment, enjoying the instant feedback from dedicated fans on social media. Beyond acting, Robinson made it clear that music remains his first language and true passion. He dived deep into his newly released sophomore album, Love Episodic 2, describing the project as a personal diary shaped by life struggles, growth, divorce, and new beginnings. Listeners can even hear his own son's heartbeat embedded in the track "Right Here." Gearing up for a national tour, Robinson is eager to bring his storytelling to a live stage, using his theatrical background to create an intimate, dramatic musical experience that proves he is far more than just a face on a television screen. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!  Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Editor: Lamont Baldwin  Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson  Remixer: Anthony Falcone Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers! Special thanks to Keith Robinson! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:  ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #KeithRobinson #BeyondTheGates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Crazy Crew, join our We Sound Crazy list: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms.OYD Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz Omarion is back. The R&B icon, dance king and B2K frontman returns to We Sound Crazy for one of the most joyful, grown and reflective conversations of the season. Sitting with hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, Omarion comes in talking about his brand new album O2, a deliberate sequel and 20-year answer to his 2005 solo debut O. He walks the crew through the singles The One (built off a Pharrell Williams sample) and Fantasy (a love letter to the divine feminine), the new generation of writers he chose to work with, and why he is more intentional than ever about energy, mental health and the people he lets into the studio. The conversation also goes deep on the spiritual layer he is building under his music, including sound baths, meditation and the philosophy behind his book The Power of Choosing Joy. The episode runs back two full decades of his career too. Omarion revisits his first ever booked job (the moment he decided not to take his braids out for the audition), the You Got Served era that crowned him King of Dance, the B2K mini-movie videos inspired by Michael Jackson, and the legendary Underdogs era at the same studio that birthed the song Oh when Tank walked down the hallway and told him he needed it. He gets emotional about the B2K reunion and the Millennium Tour, breaking down the atonement and forgiveness behind the group's comeback, the family man versions of his brothers Boog, Raz, and Fizz, and how stepping back on stage together helped them heal childhood traumas in real time. He talks the mentors he calls and the ones he wishes he could (Pharrell, Rick Rubin, Jay Z, Kevin Liles), his partnership with Janine McLean, his action drama series Wild Rose on All Black, and his commitment to becoming what he calls a soul school for the next generation. Press play and let Omarion take you to soul school. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Editor: Tony Cole Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson  Remixer: Anthony Falcone Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City. Special thanks to Omarion! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media: ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #Omarion #O2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.   Crazy Crew, it's time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: ~ Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers   ~ Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon   ~ Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms     Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy   Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz     The We Sound Crazy family rolls out the red carpet this week for the self-proclaimed musical genius and undisputed King of Reality TV himself, Carlos King. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, the Detroit-born mastermind behind Belle Collective, Love & Marriage: Huntsville, Bold & Bougie, Grown and Gospel, and a long list of other franchises pulls up to set the record straight on the "Black Andy Cohen" comparison, his deep love for music, and why his ear for talent runs in the family (his father played saxophone for The Dramatics before walking away from the road to raise ten kids).   The conversation moves fast and pulls no punches. Carlos relives the now-legendary moment when a young Keyshia Cole cussed him out on a 106 & Park red carpet while he was still a PA reading questions off a producer's clipboard. He breaks down why Keyshia, Tamar Braxton, and Cardi B set the blueprint for using reality television to launch and protect a music career, and names exactly which current artists (Normani, Chloe Bailey, Victoria Monet, Durand Bernarr) he believes should be lacing up their boots for the same play.   Then the gloves come off. Carlos walks us through the rise and stall of The Encore, his beloved BET girl-group experiment that he calls top two of his entire career, lays out the four reasons girl groups can't survive (ego, men, management, work ethic), and shares why Chloe x Halle splitting too early still bothers him. From there he flexes his Mount Rushmore of gospel singers (Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin), defends Amazing Grace as Aretha's untouchable peak, and explains why he plays gospel every morning without fail. He also weighs in on why he believes today's R&B falls in comparison to the '90s, why too many singers have never set foot in a church, and why he no longer goes to concerts (his words: lip-syncing, no choreography, no production, no Frank Gatson).   Now without further ado, hit that play button and jump into this episode!   We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture.   Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!   Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Sound Mixer: Derrick Chin Editing Team: Hyyer Creative Show Producer: Michael “Roux” Johnson Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.   Special thanks to Carlos King!   Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast.     Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media: ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok   Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe   Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite   #WeSoundCrazy #CarlosKing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.  Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: - Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers - Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Crazy Crew, join our We Sound Crazy list: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms.OYD Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz A living legend steps inside a museum. We Sound Crazy goes live from the National Museum of African American Music in downtown Nashville for one of the most important conversations in show history, sitting down with the Godfather of Funk himself, George Clinton. For more than 60 years, Clinton has pushed the boundaries of creativity, imagination and sound. Through Parliament Funkadelic, he created an entire universe pioneered by the P-Funk movement, helped define Afrofuturism, and laid the foundation for generations of artists across funk, R&B, hip hop and beyond. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient, and one of the most sampled artists in music history, Clinton sits with hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon for a wide-ranging conversation about funk, culture, business and legacy. In a first for We Sound Crazy, he is also presented with the inaugural WSC Vanguard Award, a new honor created to celebrate trailblazers whose impact reshaped the entire landscape of Black music. The conversation moves everywhere the man has been. Clinton revisits the doo-wop and Motown years and explains why failing charm school is exactly what set Parliament Funkadelic free to invent the funk. He breaks down Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell and the Minimoog, the night 100,000 Afros bounced at Soldier Field, the bar mitzvah melody that secretly became Flashlight, and how the barbershop in Newark, New Jersey is responsible for 98 percent of his songwriting process. He talks Kendrick Lamar, his dream collaboration with D'Angelo, Prince and Sly Stone, what he tried to get Snoop to do with a royalty statement party, his mentorship of Prince, and the copyright recapture fight he is leading through his nonprofit Protecting Our Legacy. He also reveals he is in Nashville right now because a brand new Mothership is being built in the city, ready to fly at the Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 5th. And he addresses the question every artist is wrestling with right now: artificial intelligence, what he saw coming in 1977 with Funkentelechy, and why he is more interested in making AI funky than he is afraid of it. Press play for one of the most important voices in music history, in his own words, on his own time. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: Aaron Walton Director of Photography: Aaron Walton Camera Op: Aaron Walton, Michael Johnson Jr. Editor: Hyyer Creative Producer: Aaron Walton Audio: Trey Smith Audio Photography: Darius Jones Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City, and a special thanks to the National Museum of African American Music for hosting this conversation. Shout out to Tanisha Nelson, Vivian Chu, Reggie Hudlin and Byron Phillips for making this moment a reality. Special thanks to George Clinton! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #GeorgeClinton #PFunk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Inner Circle.  Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below: - Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers - Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon - Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz We’re back this week with the Pretty Girl herslelf, the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress, Keri Hilson. Hosts Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly of the genre-defining band, Louis York, sit down with the icon for an intimate, deeply reflective conversation that spans her legendary 20+ year journey in the music industry. From her early days as a teenage prodigy and powerhouse weapon of the elite writing collective The Clutch, to shaping global hits for artists like Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Usher, Hilson peels back the layers on the intense pressure cooker of being a dominant force behind the scenes before stepping directly into the solo spotlight with massive anthems like "Pretty Girl Rock" and "Knock You Down." Nothing is left off the table as Hilson opens up about the devastating heartbreak and depression that followed her meteoric rise, detailing a period of profound "radio silence" where she felt deeply betrayed by her own dreams. She shares her raw, inspiring journey of clawing her way back to the light through spiritual retreats, journaling, and a relentless fight to reclaim her creative hunger. The trio explores her triumphant return with her visually stunning trilogy project (We Need to Talk Love, We Need to Talk Drama, We Need to Talk Redemption), a truthful "me versus me" body of work that re-establishes her voice on her own terms. With incredible behind-the-scenes revelations including how she and Ezekiel Lewis secretly catfished the world on Omarion's "Ice Box" vocals along with sharp, unfiltered critiques on the current state of music industry sonics and cancel culture, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and artistic integrity. Ultimately, Hilson’s story is one of reclaiming her crown, finding profound gratitude in her design, and extending the same grace to herself that she has given to the world. Pull up a chair for a backstage pass to a beautiful, full-circle moment of healing and ultimate redemption. We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!  Director: John Dierre  Camera Op: Josh Sowemimo, James Hart, John Dierre  Editor/Gaffer: Tony Cole Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson  Remixer: Anthony Falcone Assistant: Brittany Guydon  Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III  Photography: Ah'meer Holt  PA: Kaye Brasley Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers! Special thanks to Keri Hilson! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:  ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #KeriHilson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices