Compound Conversations

Compound Conversations

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Compound Conversations episodes

  • Jonathan Mannion on Photographing Greatness | Compound Conversations

    Photographer Jonathan Mannion has captured some of the most iconic moments in hip-hop history—from Jay-Z’s debut to Kendrick’s rise. On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with the man behind the lens to talk about storytelling through imagery, the trust it takes to photograph legends, and what it means to document a culture as it unfolds.

    00:00 - Welcome Back to the Compound

    01:35 - A Creative Upbringing in Ohio
    04:05 - Growing Up with Art, Not Photography
    06:59 - Discovering Photography in College
    09:30 - Deep Dive into Hip-Hop and Music Culture
    13:11 - From Johnny M to Jonathan Mannion
    15:14 - Discovering the Power of Album Art
    17:00 - Working with Richard Avedon in NYC
    21:00 - Big Moments: Naomi, Versace, and Whitney Retrospective
    23:05 - The Pull of Hip-Hop and Culture
    25:40 - Sneaking into Clubs, Building a Lane in Music
    27:30 - The Role of Photography in Hip-Hop’s Growth
    28:13 - Arrival Moment: On Stage with Biggie
    30:42 - Heavy D, Reasonable Doubt, and Legacy Building
    34:07 - Learning the Business Without a Rulebook
    38:18 - Service, Purpose, and the True Value of the Work
    49:27 - Codifying the Legacy: What's Next for Jonathan Mannion
    -

    Follow Jonathan Mannion

    📸 https://instagram.com/jonathanmannion

    Follow Set Free

    📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

    Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:

    📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork
    📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

    🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

    #jayz #kendricklamar  #photography #jonathanmannion

    52 min
  • Jeff Staple: Design, Disruption & Building Culture | Compound Conversations

    Jeff Staple built more than a brand—he built a language for a generation. On Compound Conversations, Set Free unpacks Jeff’s journey from NYC’s Lower East Side to international acclaim. They explore design as a tool for storytelling, the business of authenticity, and what it takes to make your mark without selling out.

    -
    0:00 Intro
    1:10 The Compound
    2:20 - Immigrant Life in NYC & Jersey
    5:04 - Early Sneaker Influences
    7:12 - Music and Comic Collecting
    11:35 - Growing Up Different 
    14:15 - Drawing and Art
    16:23 - Hustling In NYC
    20:49 - Starting Staple Design
    23:18 - Selling T-Shirts & First Business
    30:00 - The Idea Behind the Pigeon Mascot
    32:52 - The Nike SB Pigeon Dunk
    38:12 - Opening Reed Space
    50:58 - The Staple Flagship 

    Follow Jeff Staple

    📸 https://instagram.com/jeffstaple

    Follow Set Free

    📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

    Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:

    📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork
    📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

    🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

    #jeffstaple #setfree #design #artdesigns

    56 min
  • Prince Paul: Innovation, Humor, and Hip-Hop History | Compound Conversations

    In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free taps in with hip-hop legend and sonic architect Prince Paul. A creative force behind De La Soul, Gravediggaz, and countless groundbreaking records, Prince Paul reflects on a career defined by humor, risk-taking, and pure originality. This is a conversation about breaking the mold, staying weird, and leaving a mark no one can erase.

    -
    00:00 Welcome
    02:11 Consistency and Self-improvement
    03:45 Family, Growing up in Flushing & Amityville
    04:54 Music's presence In The House (Jazz, R&B, radio hits)
    06:08 The Music Bug Hits: Collecting records from age five
    07:20 Seeing Park DJs at age 8-9 and the Dream of DJing
    08:17 Early DJing experiences and being called a "sucka DJ"
    09:42 Family Reactions and Support 
    11:45 Forming the First DJ crew: The Ever Ready Crew
    15:37 First public DJ Experiences and a Key Battle
    18:17 The next level: Meeting and joining Stetasonic
    21:59 Transition Into Production: Beatboxing and Programming Drums
    26:18 Connecting with De La Soul and Developing a sound
    31:38 The creation and Impact of Skits(Three Feet High Rising)
    41:35 The Concept and Making of Prince Among Thieves
    47:10 Prince Paul's Approach and Place in Today's Industry
    50:40 Taking friends on tour and Providing Opportunities 
    54:58 Remembering how Prince Paul and Set Free First Met 

    Follow Prince Paul

    📸 https://instagram.com/djprincepaul

    Follow Set Free

    📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

    Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:

    📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork
    📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

    🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

    #princepaul  #delasoul  #djs

    58 min
  • Dave East: Loyalty, Legacy & Life Beyond Rap | Compound Conversations

    Dave East pulls up to Compound Conversations to talk real life with Set Free. From grinding in Harlem to navigating fame, fatherhood, and film, East opens up about what it takes to survive—and thrive—without losing your soul. This is an unfiltered conversation on loyalty, evolution, and never folding.

    00:00 Interview Start / Welcome & The Compound as Home Base

    01:44 Goal: Tell the Full Story & The Journey Begins
    02:36 Early Life, Family & Upbringing
    04:21 The Bi-State Influence: Harlem, Queens, & Philly
    07:20 Music in the Household & Early Rap Influences
    09:45 Dual Love: Music & Basketball (Ball Was "Everything")
    14:16 Hip Hop Became Focus After Basketball Was "Over"
    15:21 Introduction to Rap & The Philly Flow Influence
    20:36 The Moment it "Clicked" He Had It (Mass Appeal Cipher)
    22:18 Naming "Dave East" & Developing the Sound (Early Team)
    27:12 Signing with Mass Appeal (NAS) & Def Jam
    32:55 Discussing Acting Career (Was It in the Vision?)
    38:06 Discussing Fatherhood / Kyrie as a Turning Point
    41:01 Discussing Losses & The Pain of Grief
    50:28 Mentors Are Priceless & Thanking Interviewer
    53:04 Branding & Aspirations (FTD, Fragrance, etc.)
    54:25 Wrapping Up: "I Was Me", Authentic Journey & Final Thank

    Follow Dave East

    📸 https://instagram.com/daveeast

    Follow Set Free

    📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

    Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:

    📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork
    📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

    🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

    #daveeast  #setfree #daveeasttypebeat

    57 min
  • King Saladeen: Art, Hustle, and Vision | Compound Conversations

    Welcome to the debut episode of Compound Conversations, a new show from TmrO Network hosted by legendary creative director Set Free. Known for his boundary-pushing work in basketball, music, and media, Set Free sits down with visual artist King Saladeen to explore the power of purpose-driven creativity. From painting in West Philly to building a global art brand, Saladeen shares what fuels his hustle, his vision, and his mission to inspire the next generation.

    Follow King Saladeen

    📸 https://instagram.com/kingsaladeen

    Follow Set Free

    📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

    Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture:

    📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork
    📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

    🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

    #kingsaladeen #setfree #art #westphilly

    44 min

About Compound Conversations

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Compound Conversations is where culture meets legacy.