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  Dec 7, 2024

  Episode 78 Kelis: Kaleidoscope 25th Anniversary

  This week, we're doing another anniversary episode, and this time we're celebrating the anniversary of Kelis' debut album, Kaleidoscope. With her colorful hair and punk attitude, she literally burst onto the scene screaming "I hate you so much right now!" backed by the sounds of Chad Hugo & Pharrell Williams, aka The Neptunes. We get into how this album is a mix of several genres rather than just straight R&B. With its collage of electronic, funk, hip hop and rock influences, Kelis and The Neptunes gave us an album with a sound that we hadn't really heard before, and it kicked off a production style that continues to this day.

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  Nov 29, 2024

  Episode 77 Mary J. Blige: My Life 30th Anniversary

  On this episode, we're discussing one of our favorite albums, My Life by Mary J. Blige. If you're anything like us, you've been bumping this consistently for the past 30 years. Yes, 30 years! Originally released on November 29, 1994, this album is a reflection of Mary's struggles with heartbreak and depression. Her vulnerable lyrics paired with lush production from Chucky Thompson created a groundbreaking piece of work that redefined R&B, and still resonates today. This is the album that solidified her title as the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul." If this little jaunt down memory lane wasn't enough for you, check out another episode of ours, "No Hateration, Holleration, In This Dancery," (Episode 9) where we get into Mary's entire career. From her early days at Uptown Records to her Academy Award nominations, we dig into it all.

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  Nov 15, 2024

  Episode 76 Shake It Off

  On this episode we’re talking about comebacks and reinventions with three legendary albums: Black Messiah by D’Angelo, Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J and The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey. These albums proved that each of these artists could come back from a down period in their careers and deliver some of their best work. Yeah, we should have called this episode “Don’t Call It A Comeback” but we already have one (Episode 39, go check it out) with that title. Anyway, settle in and get into this.

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  Oct 25, 2024

  Episode 75 Never Thought That Hip Hop Would Take It This Far

  The reports of hip hop’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. In recent months, we’ve heard plenty about its supposed decline, yet these critics overlook the genre's deep influence across other musical landscapes—from K-pop and country to mainstream pop. Hip hop has become so ingrained in our culture that now, simply because it’s no longer viewed as an “underground” genre, it feels like it’s fading. In this episode, we’re exploring the misconception about hip hop’s role and relevance in today’s pop culture landscape. Later in the episode, we talk about our favorite rappers-turned-actors, and we also discuss why Snoop Dogg is one of the most popular artists (of any genre) to ever live.

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  Oct 12, 2024

  Episode 74 Gogo Jason Waterfalls

  Not every song can be uplifting like Queen Latifah's "U.N.I.T.Y." or "Optimistic" by Sounds of Blackness. A lot of times, we listen to and love songs with questionable themes and lyrics or sometimes we just misinterpret the meanings. So, on this episode we're taking a look at some of the songs that made us do the Wee Bey face. How old were you when you realized that "Saving All My Love For You" was a sidechick anthem? Does Lloyd say fine too or 5'2" on "You?" Is Chanté Moore a bad friend? We get into these and a few others, so go ahead and click that play button!

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  Aug 9, 2024

  Episode 73 Amy Winehouse: What Kind Of F*ckery Is This?

  In this episode, we are talking about singer known for her distinct singing voice, candid songwriting style and very personal lyrics. Her impact and legacy on the world of music is why we're discussing the late, great Amy Winehouse. An artist who was rooted in jazz, but had R&B sensibilities with a sprinkle of hip hop. Her debut album Frank showed us the potential that would eventually be reached on the classic Back to Black. Although she left us in 2011, her music lives on.

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  Jul 12, 2024

  Episode 72 Jeffrey Wright: This is Egyptian Cotton...

  In this episode we're discussing an actor who you may know from television shows like Boardwalk Empire and Westworld, or his film roles in The Hunger Games and James Bond franchises. You may know him from Angels in America, which earned him a Tony award for the Broadway show and an Emmy award for the TV adaptation. He's played historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and famed blues musician, Muddy Waters. Most recently, he was a Best Actor nominee for his role as Monk in American Fiction. When you talk about someone having range, this man should be in everybody's top 5, and for that reason, we're discussing our favorite Jeffrey Wright moments.

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  Jun 21, 2024

  Episode 71 Teddy Riley: Teddy's Jam 2

  In our previous episode, we covered Teddy Riley's influential production career. In this episode, we focus on his journey as a performer, starting from his pioneering new jack swing days with Guy, a brief stop with his brother's group, Wreckx-N-Effect and finally to his Blackstreet era. Teddy's run as both a producer and performer is one that few artists can match.

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  Jun 7, 2024

  Episode 70 Teddy Riley: Teddy's Jam

  On this episode, we’re talking about a producer, songwriter, sometime singer and rapper. He’s done songs for Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Heavy D, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Keith Sweat, Al B. Sure!, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and more. He's done albums for himself as a member of Guy & Blackstreet, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame June 15, 2023. He's the King of New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley. His resume is so long that we had to break this up over two episodes. On this one, we're only getting into the production side of his career, so Guy & Blackstreet talk is at a minimum. For his career as a performer, you'll have to wait a couple of weeks for part 2 to drop.

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  May 24, 2024

  Episode 69 Heavy D: Nuttin' But Love

  On this episode we’re talking about Mr. Big Stuff, The Heavster, The Overweight Lover, out of Moneyearnin’ Mount Vernon, the diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly D. One of a small number of people who have done a song with both Michael and Janet Jackson. The man who is pretty much responsible for kicking off Uptown Records, since he was the first act signed to the label, and as an executive at Uptown he's was instrumental in bringing Jodeci, Monifah, Soul For Real and others to the company. Along with DJ Eddie F, Trouble T-Roy and G-Wiz aka The Boyz, he brought us hit after hit. He could do new jack swing, boom bap, reggae, pop...he could do it all. There have been very few hip hop artists who could seamlessly maneuver through so many styles and genres at such a high level, all while never compromising his authenticity. Since his untimely passing in 2011, he's been sorely missed, and that's why we're talking about none other than Heavy D.

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  May 11, 2024

  Episode 68 Hey Ladies: Total, Zhané, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Nivea

  It's been a while since we've dropped an episode about the ladies, so on this one we're talking about 8 of them. Yes, 8. We're diving into the world of R&B with a spotlight on some of our favorite voices. First up, we have the First Ladies of Bad Boy, Total. Kim, Keisha and Pam. Then we're heading north of the border to talk about two vocal powerhouses in Tamia and Deborah Cox. Next up, we're getting into the luscious harmonies of Zhané, and we close out the episode talking about a hidden gem from Atlanta, Nivea. This episode promises to reignite your love for classic 90's R&B.

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  Apr 26, 2024

  Episode 67 OutKast: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik 30th Anniversary

  On this episode, we had a conversation about OutKast’s debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. This is an album that helped redefine the sound and identity of Southern hip hop, and played a significant role in introducing the world to the unique sound and culture of the “Dirty South.” This album laid the foundation for OutKast's legendary career and established them as one of the most innovative and influential hip hop acts of all time. When you're done with this episode, if you haven't already, you can check out our 6th episode, where we talked about Andre's “the south got something' to say” speech at the 1995 Source Awards, and our 10th episode, where we discussed the entire OutKast discography.

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  Apr 12, 2024

  Episode 66 New Edition: Boys To Men

  On this episode, we are having a conversation about the 40+ year career of one of the greatest R&B groups of all time, and the inspiration for all of the boy bands that followed their blueprint. From direct descendants like New Kids On The Block and Boyz II Men, to current day acts like BTS, New Edition is “where it all started.” We talked about the early discography, Bobby Brown leaving the group after their 3rd album, the addition of Johnny Gill for the Heart Break album and the solo works of Bobby, Johnny, Ralph Tresvant, as well the Bell Biv Devoe projects. We also got into the many reunions over the years, including this current run with all six members participating.

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  Mar 22, 2024

  Episode 65 Usher - Confessions 20th Anniversary

  On this episode, we talk about Usher's 2004 album, Confessions. It's been 20 years since the original release of Usher's Confessions album, so we're discussing the impact of the album, how it dominated the Billboard charts, as well as some of the misconceptions about the content. We got into Confessions a little bit in July 2021 in our Usher episode, but figured that we'd run it back and get a little deeper into it for the anniversary. 20 years, man. Time flies.

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  Mar 8, 2024

  Episode 64 A Tribe Called Quest: Electric Relaxation

  On this episode, we're having a conversation about one of our favorite groups, one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time, A Tribe Called Quest. Join us as we discuss their body of work and their legacy. Head over to our website, troypodcast.com to check out footnotes, a playlist and a transcript for this episode. While you're here, make sure to vote for A Tribe Called Quest for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

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