Before Atlanta ran the charts, it was just a dot on the map. Then came Jermaine Dupri.

Today on Crash Course Pod, we’re looking at the man who built the infrastructure of the South. We’re skipping the fluff and diving into the "Whodini University" years and how a kid on a tour bus became a kingmaker.

The Breakdown:

• Whodini University: How touring at age 12 taught JD the "Science of the Party."

• Silk Tymes Leather: The 1989 project that paved the way for the Kris Kross explosion.

• The Blueprint: Why JD putting himself in the videos changed the producer’s role forever.

• So So Def 2.0: His massive 2026 resurgence and the Magic City production.


Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

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Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

From 78rpm shellac records to the 2026 YouTube blackout, the Billboard charts have seen it all. In this episode, we break down the "Holy Trinity" of the 1940s, the chaos of the iTunes era, and the brand-new math of 2026 where it takes 1,000 streams to equal one vinyl. We’re asking the big question: In an era of 15-second TikTok "moments," does the #1 spot still mean you’re the best, or just the most viral?

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠


Read Ash Tonee's memoir, "Cowboy Boots and Broken Hearts: A Love Story Ballad" here: https://linktr.ee/ashtonee

Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...

Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠

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Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

Before the OVO empire and the global charts, there was just a kid from Toronto with a point to prove. This week on Crash Course Pod, we’re hitting the rewind button to 2006.

Forget the stadium anthems. We’re talking baggy jeans, MySpace Top 8s, and the raw, soul-sampling Drake that the "music heads" miss the most.

What’s inside:

• The Vibe: Why this tape feels like Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli, and Digable Planets had a baby in the 6ix.

• The Hustle: The story behind what almost killed the project.

• The Tracks: Breaking down the "Miami Vice" energy of City Is Mine and the social commentary on S.T.R.E.S.S.

• The Rebellion: How the hip hop jazz vibes rebelled against the "Crunk" era.

It’s nostalgic, it’s hungry, and it’s the origin story you need to hear. Let’s get into it!


Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠


Read Ash Tonee's memoir, "Cowboy Boots and Broken Hearts: A Love Story Ballad" here: https://linktr.ee/ashtonee


Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...


Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠


Follow Ash Tonee's Youtube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JusPhucket⁠


Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

He’s the only man to play Live Aid on two continents in one day, the pioneer of the Gated Reverb sound that defined the 80s, and the powerhouse drummer who turned Genesis into a global pop juggernaut.

Today on Crash Course Pod, we’re stripping back the "Disney guy" label to look at the technical grit of Phil Collins. From the accidental studio magic on a Peter Gabriel session to the phonetic obsession of the Tarzan soundtrack, we’re breaking down why Phil is a masterclass in productivity and percussion. Grab your headphones—we’re going deep on the man who conquered the charts and changed the way we hear drums forever.


Email us:  ⁠[email protected]


⁠Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Read Ash Tonee's memoir, "Cowboy Boots and Broken Hearts: A Love Story Ballad" here: https://linktr.ee/ashtonee


Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...


Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠


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Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

History was just made in Spanish, a legendary director joined the EGOT club, and Justin Bieber forgot his trousers. From Bad Bunny’s monumental Album of the Year win to Kendrick Lamar’s record-shattering night (and Cher’s "Luther Vandross" slip-up heard 'round the world), we’re breaking down the most chaotic Grammys in years. Plus: Sabrina Carpenter’s controversial dove, Tyler, the Creator’s literal stage explosion, and the K-Pop win you didn't see coming. Grab your headphones—it’s time to talk about the night music changed forever.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/viva-la-life-media-s-crash-course-pod--6430540/support.

This week on Crash Course Pod, we're celebrating the unparalleled talent of Stevie Wonder. From his early days as a child prodigy to his groundbreaking "classic period" and beyond, we'll explore his incredible journey, his innovative sound, and his lasting impact on music history. Get ready for a deep dive into the genius of a true legend.

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Read Ash Tonee's memoir, "Cowboy Boots and Broken Hearts: A Love Story Ballad" here: https://linktr.ee/ashtonee

Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...

Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠


Follow Ash Tonee's Youtube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JusPhucket⁠


Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

This week on Crash Course Pod, we're celebrating the life and music of the one and only Mac Miller. From his early days to his genre-bending masterpieces, we'll explore his evolution, his lyrical honesty, and the profound impact he had on the world. Get ready for a deep dive into the legacy of an artist who was gone too soon but will never be forgotten.

Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...


Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠



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Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

In 1992, two kids from Atlanta didn't just top the charts—they turned the entire music industry inside out. This week on Crash Course Pod, we’re diving into the meteoric rise of Chris Kelly and Chris Smith, better known as Kriss Kross.

At just 12 and 13 years old, they became the youngest rap duo to ever hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their debut single, "Jump," wasn't just a hit; it was a juggernaut that stayed at the top for eight consecutive weeks—the longest-running #1 single since Michael Jackson’s "Black or White."

In this episode, we cover:

Discovery at the Mall: How a 19-year-old Jermaine Dupri found global superstars at the Greenbriar Mall.

The "Jump" Blueprint: Breaking down the production of the song that made the whole world hop.

The Price of Fame: The challenges of transitioning from child stardom to adulthood in the public eye.

Resilience and Loss: A reflection on the passing of Chris Kelly and the importance of clarity and boundaries in a high-pressure industry.


Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...


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Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

In part 2 we finish our descussion of the Backstreet Boys. In this episode of Crash Course Pod, we’re breaking down the phenomenon of the Backstreet Boys. The secret to how they survived the "boy band expiration date" to remain a global powerhouse 30 years later. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a student of music industry history, this is your definitive crash course on the kings of pop harmony.

Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...


Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...

Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠

Follow Ash Tonee's Youtube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JusPhucket⁠

Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

How did five guys from Orlando, Florida, go from singing a cappella at shopping malls to becoming the best-selling boy band of all time? In this episode of Crash Course Pod, we’re breaking down the phenomenon of the Backstreet Boys.

We dive into the "Max Martin Blueprint" that created their iconic sound, the high-stakes legal battles with Lou Pearlman that nearly derailed their careers, and the secret to how they survived the "boy band expiration date" to remain a global powerhouse 30 years later. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a student of music industry history, this is your definitive crash course on the kings of pop harmony.

In this episode, we cover:

The "European Pivot": Why BSB had to leave the US to find fame.

Mathematical Pop: The science behind "I Want It That Way."

The $10 Million Lawsuit: Navigating industry betrayal.


Email us:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hey there, did you know that this podcast has a Supporters Club? By becoming a supporter of the show you can gain access to exclusive content and play an active role in helping me to continue producing the content you love. Link here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

Check out our other podcasts, blog posts, LIVE! shows, music page and more! ⁠https://ashtontoneecasilla.wix...

Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/viva.../⁠

Follow Ash Tonee's Youtube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JusPhucket⁠

Catch Seasons 1-7 of - The Journey To Creating The Viva La Life Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com...