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Mixed and Mastered
Mixed and Mastered episodes
- Wendy Day on Ownership, Leverage & Building Empires
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Wendy Day — a legendary music industry advocate, dealmaker, and founder of the Rap Coalition who helped shape the blueprint for independent success in hip-hop. From pulling artists out of bad contracts to helping structure groundbreaking deals for Cash Money, No Limit, and more, Wendy has spent decades fighting for artist ownership, leverage, and long-term wealth.
In this conversation, Wendy shares the real stories behind some of the culture’s most pivotal deals, how she built leverage for artists before labels came calling, and why her mission was never about money — but empowerment. She breaks down the evolution of the music business, the shift from physical to streaming, and why today’s artists may not need labels at all.
This is Mixed and Mastered with Wendy Day.
Mixed and Mastered is produced by Merrick Studios and hosted by Jeffrey Sledge. Join the conversation on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod and get early access plus live events, additional content and more at Merrick Studios+
1 hr 7 min - Rodney Shealey on Tour Life, Def Jam Era, and Record Breaking
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with veteran music executive Rodney Shealey — a Brooklyn-born industry leader whose career spans the rise of modern hip-hop and R&B and includes shaping records for some of the biggest artists in the world.
From growing up in East Flatbush and getting his start on the road during hip-hop’s earliest touring era, to rising through the ranks at Virgin, Epic, Island, and Def Jam, Rodney walks us through a journey built on proximity, relationships, and seizing opportunity. Along the way, he shares stories about breaking records in the golden age of radio, working alongside legends, navigating the inner workings of major labels, and the real dynamics behind Black music departments.
They also get into the evolution of the business, the shift from radio to streaming, career vs. money decisions, and how those experiences led Rodney to his current role at HarbourView Equity — where he’s helping build one of the most ambitious Black-led investment platforms at the intersection of culture and capital.
This is Mixed and Mastered with Rodney Shealey.
Mixed and Mastered is produced by Merrick Studios and hosted by Jeffrey Sledge. Join the conversation on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod
1 hr 18 min - Max Gousse on Building Artists, Breaking Records, and Playing the Long Game
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Grammy-winning music executive, producer, and A&R Max Gousse — a Brooklyn-born music industry powerhouse whose career runs through some of the biggest moments in modern R&B and hip-hop.
From learning the business at The Box in Miami to being mentored by legends like Cassandra Mills, Sylvia Rhone, David Renzer, and L.A. Reid, Max walks us through a career that includes working on Adina Howard, B2K, Dreamgirls, B’Day, I Am… Sasha Fierce, YG, and Saweetie. Along the way, he shares stories about building records from the ground up, navigating label systems, developing artists, and why work ethic still beats hype every time.
They also get into regional music culture, brand partnerships, the future of artist management, and Max’s take on AI’s role in the music business — not as a replacement for real artists, but as a tool that’s here to stay.
This is Mixed and Mastered with Max Gousse.
Mixed and Mastered is a Merrick Studios podcast hosted by Jeffrey Sledge.
50 min - Michael Ross on Delicious Vinyl, DIY Hustle, and Hip-Hop’s Crossover Moment
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Michael Ross — LA native, former DJ, and co-founder of Delicious Vinyl — for a masterclass in taste, timing, and straight-up hustle.
Michael takes us from growing up in Long Beach (Soul Train Saturdays, Vegas showrooms, and a little Peter Frampton “research”) to UCLA frat parties powered by Uncle Jam’s Army, record pools, and Hollywood spots like the Rhythm Lounge and Power Tools where the culture was colliding in real time.
Then it gets surgical: how Delicious Vinyl was born off pure DIY energy, how the name came from a random business card, and how a cold call led to Tone Loc — “Barry White as an MC.” Michael breaks down building records on early drum machines and the SP-12, pressing wax at Rainbow Records, getting played on KDAY, and walking into a deal with Chris Blackwell / Island with “Wild Thing” already in the chamber (plus a $500 video that helped change everything).
And just when you think it’s all crossover hits, Michael tells the story of hearing The Pharcyde demo and basically saying, “Yeah… y’all not leaving.”
This is Mixed and Mastered with Michael Ross.
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
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1 hr 23 min - Ian Burke on Mount Vernon Roots, The Dungeon Era, and Building Atlanta’s Music Legacy
Ian Burke — known throughout hip-hop and R&B as the DreamWeaver — is one of the quiet architects behind Atlanta’s rise as a global music capital.
Born in Mount Vernon, New York and “made” in Atlanta, Ian’s 30+ year journey runs through the rooms where culture actually gets built — from loading equipment as a roadie to living inside The Dungeon during the Organized Noize era, to shaping early development moments around TLC and Xscape, and witnessing the 60-second decision that led to signing Akon.
Ian and Jeffrey connect over their unexpected Mount Vernon roots before tracing Ian’s path from DeVry student to trusted creative executive during Atlanta’s most formative years. Ian shares what it was really like inside The Dungeon — one couch, one bathroom, chains falling into the cushions — and how relationships, instinct, and timing built movements before the world caught up.
They dive into:
• Discovering Left Eye and meeting T-Boz at 2AM
• The early Jermaine Dupri era
• Managing inside the Organized Noize camp
• Why Atlanta’s R&B story gets overlooked
• His chapter at Elektra and ASCAP
• Building without a mentor
• His mission to tell the full Atlanta story through film and television
This is Mixed and Mastered with Ian Burke.
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
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1 hr 10 min - April Walker on Brooklyn Roots, Streetwear, and Building Legacy
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This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with April Walker — fashion pioneer, cultural architect, and the founder of Walker Wear, one of the brands that helped define modern streetwear before it had a name.
April traces her journey from Bed-Stuy and Clinton Hill to the clubs, studios, and streets of ’80s New York, where hip-hop, style, and entrepreneurship collided. She breaks down how Walker Wear was built from the culture outward, the story behind her iconic WW logo, and how word-of-mouth turned her designs into a movement — from early hip-hop artists to Mike Tyson making history in the ring.They also talk legacy: being a woman in a male-dominated industry, protecting her IP, walking away at the height of success, and what’s next as she approaches 40 years of Walker Wear.This is Mixed and Mastered with April Walker.Support the show
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
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1 hr 6 min - Steve Carless on Relationships, Risk, and Turning Culture Into Longevity
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This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Steve Carless, a senior creative executive whose 20+ year career spans Def Jam, Atlantic Records, and the front lines of modern artist development. From studying liner notes as a kid in New Jersey to shaping careers for artists like YG, Jeezy, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Nipsey Hussle, Steve breaks down how relationships, risk-taking, and cultural intuition drive longevity in the music business.
Steve shares never-told stories from the Star Trak and Jay-Z–era Def Jam days, the rise of mixtape culture as a marketing engine, developing YG’s My Krazy Life, working alongside Nipsey Hussle, and earning Grammy recognition through projects with Beyoncé. This conversation is a masterclass in A&R instincts, creative leadership, and building careers that last beyond the moment.This is Mixed and Mastered with Steve Carless.Support the show
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 3 min - James McMillan, Esq. on Artist Leverage, Deal Architecture, and Owning the Long Game
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Jeffrey Sledge sits down with James McMillan, Esq. — entertainment attorney, label executive, and CEO of Art @ War Records (in partnership with Warner Records) — for a real conversation about power, ownership, and how leverage actually works in music.
James breaks down the mindset behind creative dealmaking, why chasing fees isn’t the same as building equity, and how his path evolved from entertainment law into management and label ownership. Along the way, he shares stories from the Swishahouse era, building with MGK, navigating high-stakes negotiations, and what artists need to understand about streaming, hits, and the next wave of AI-driven rights issues.He also speaks on his leadership with BMAC and The Living Legends Foundation — and why protecting creators requires both cultural fluency and boardroom strategy.This is Mixed and Mastered with James McMillan, Esq.Support the show
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
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1 hr 1 min - RE-RELEASE: Sean C
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Originally released March 31, 2025
"My man. Always an inspiration!!"- A-TrakStep into the extraordinary world of Sean C — legendary DJ, producer, A&R, and true architect of hip-hop. From Harlem block parties to Grammy nominations, Sean’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and cultural impact.In this powerful episode, Sean shares how a cancer diagnosis became the unlikely spark that launched him from the mailroom at LOUD Records to producing era-defining records. He takes us back to where it all began — from his name being given by DJ Master Don, to co-founding the Executioners, to shaping the sound of artists like Big Pun, Jay-Z, Dead Prez, and Beyoncé.Hear the untold stories behind the making of “Still Not a Player,” the creative battles that birthed “Hip Hop” by Dead Prez, and the cinematic vision that powered American Gangster. Sean also opens up about teaching RZA’s techniques to actors on Wu-Tang: An American Saga and his shift into music supervision and mentorship.More than just stories — this is a conversation about the soul of hip-hop, the balance between art and industry, and the power of staying true to the craft.Support the show
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
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1 hr 16 min - RE-RELEASE: Dante Ross
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Originally released on July 10, 2025.
Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey.
From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower East Side to immersing himself in punk rock, graffiti, and skateboarding, Dante shares how music became his first true escape. He talks about the artists who shaped his taste – from Chuck Berry to The Beatles to The Jackson 5 – and how the cultural collision of punk, new wave, and hip hop in downtown NYC pulled him into the scene.
Hear firsthand stories about sneaking into iconic clubs, witnessing The Specials and The Clash live, discovering the Bad Brains, and becoming part of the tight-knit crew that included the Beastie Boys. Dante also reveals how his eclectic upbringing and fearless hustle led him to work with Eric B. & Rakim, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, and ultimately become one of hip hop’s greatest A&Rs.
Check out Part 2 of this conversation with Dante Ross from July 17, 2025.
Support the show
Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr
About Mixed and Mastered
From the publisher's feed
Mixed and Mastered is where the music industry tells the stories you never hear.
Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive…
Records, the podcast goes behind the scenes of the people shaping today’s sound. Not the headlines—the real journeys, hard lessons, and pivotal moments that define careers.
From executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Mixed and Mastered centers the voices that actually build the culture. These are the stories rarely told, despite driving the industry forward.
There’s a gap in how music stories get told—and Mixed and Mastered exists to close it. One honest conversation at a time. Because the best stories come from the people who lived them.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod and join the unfiltered conversation.
Produced by Merrick Studios — where culture takes the mic.
From executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Mixed and Mastered centers the voices that actually build the culture. These are the stories rarely told, despite driving the industry forward.
There’s a gap in how music stories get told—and Mixed and Mastered exists to close it. One honest conversation at a time. Because the best stories come from the people who lived them.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod and join the unfiltered conversation.
Produced by Merrick Studios — where culture takes the mic.