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In this electrifying episode of We Sound Crazy, hosts Phillionaire, and Louis York’s Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, sit down with the incomparable Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to celebrate a career that has defined the sound of R&B, pop, and soul. With a staggering 16 Billboard Hot 100 #1's and 26 R&B #1's to their names, the legendary duo discusses their upcoming Las Vegas residency, which launches April 17, 2026. They share the stage with versatile vocalists Ruben Studdard and Shanice, explaining how these performers were hand-picked for their unique ability to capture the rhythmic spirit of Janet Jackson and the soulful essence of Luther Vandross, ensuring the residency feels both authentic and transformative.

The conversation dives deep into the duo's philosophy of "informed listening," where they aim to bridge the gap between the record and the stage by sharing the stories and spiritual origins behind their most iconic hits. Jam and Lewis reflect on the "masterclass" of working with Patti Austin, the high-stakes energy of recording "Scream" with Michael and Janet Jackson, and the delicate art of "problem-solving" as producers for artists like Mary J. Blige and New Edition. They emphasize that while technology and AI continue to shift the landscape, the heartbeat of music remains in human collaboration, the power of a live band, and the shared connection of a diverse audience experiencing a hit song together.

Wrapping up with a journey through their storied history in Minneapolis—including the influence of the late Jellybean Johnson and the genius of Prince—the icons offer a rare look at the grit and grace required to sustain excellence for over five decades. Jam and Lewis demonstrate why they remain the gold standard of musical innovation. 

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: 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 Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis!

Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. 

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#WeSoundCrazy #JimmyJam&TerryLewis

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In this episode of We Sound Crazy, the crew welcomes the legendary Troy Taylor, a "vocal mastermind" and multi-platinum producer whose influence has shaped the landscape of R&B for over three decades. From recording holiday classics with Whitney Houston to witnessing the unparalleled professionalism of Aretha Franklin in her own dining room, Taylor shares the kind of "backstage pass" stories that only a true industry titan could tell. As a mentor to host Claude Kelly and a key architect in the careers of icons like Boyz II Men and Tyrese, his presence on the show is more than just a guest appearance—it’s a deep-dive masterclass into the art of vocal production and the staying power required to remain a "GOAT" in an ever-changing industry.

Beyond the Grammy and Dove Awards, Taylor gets candid about the gritty reality of artist development, reflecting on his pivotal role in transforming a 17-year-old Trey Songz into a global superstar and the often "thankless" nature of a business fueled by ego and politics. He offers an inspiring look at the resilience required to stay as "giddy" about producing today as he was when he started, even after weathering thirty-six years of industry disappointments. Whether he’s discussing the "silent prayer" he holds for his former students or his philosophy on the "one person" every artist needs to listen to, Taylor proves exactly why he remains a cornerstone of the culture and a permanent fixture in the R&B hall of fame. 

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

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 Troy Taylor!

Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast. 

Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media:

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#WeSoundCrazy #TroyTaylor

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This week on We Sound Crazy, hosts Phil "Phillionaire" Thornton, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, and Tamone Bacon welcome a true titan of the music industry: the legendary songwriter, producer, and "hit architect" Sean Garrett. Known to many as "The Pen," Garrett steps into the studio to share the stories behind the soundtracks of our lives. From his early days growing up in Europe to his deep roots in The Swats (Southwest Atlanta), Sean discusses how his unique perspective helped him craft era-defining hits for icons like Usher, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown.

The conversation dives into the origin stories of some of music's biggest records, including the high-stakes session that birthed Usher’s "Yeah!" and the strategic genius behind Mario’s "Break Up." Sean opens up about his unique "lending" philosophy—the art of giving his best work to other artists to ensure a musical legacy that lives forever. He also shares rare insights into his time working with Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé, describing the intentionality and boundary-breaking energy that fueled the B-Day era.

The energy in the room hits a fever pitch as the crew engages in a spirited debate over the "Vocal Bible" title, with Sean passionately defending Brandy’s unmatched influence as a stylist and trendsetter. Beyond the hits, Sean reflects on the evolution of the music business, his recent life-changing travels through Africa, and his experience working with Michael Jackson during the final year of the King of Pop’s life.

Closing out with a powerful message on mentorship and the importance of hits as a source of human inspiration, Sean reminds the Crazy Crew that his journey is far from over. Whether he’s discussing the technicalities of a vocal arrangement or the "magic" of a studio session, this episode is an essential masterclass in artistry and staying power.

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

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 Sean Garrett!

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

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#WeSoundCrazy #SeanGarrett

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This week on We Sound Crazy, the crew welcomes a true multi-hyphenate who is currently shaping culture on his own terms. Actor, producer, music artist, and label CEO Julian Horton joins hosts Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Phil Thornton, and Tamone Bacon for an unfiltered conversation about his meteoric rise and the discipline required to juggle life at a high vibration. While the world recognizes him as the magnetic "Roy" from Tyler Perry’s global Netflix sensation Beauty in Black, Julian reveals to the guys that his heart has always been in the music, working tirelessly behind the scenes to build his own empire.

The transition from the screen to the studio isn't as seamless as it looks, and Julian gets candid with the crew about the "yield" in the acting industry and why he’s currently pouring his energy into his music persona, J-12. As the CEO of TMO (The Most Original) Music Group, he is navigating the saturated digital landscape with a focus on cinematic, hard-hitting production. He opens up about the financial and creative hurdles of producing his high-budget music video for "Gone Head Busted" and the realization that even a global acting platform requires a new level of "spamming" and creativity to get people to truly listen.

Success for Julian isn't just a solo mission; it’s a family legacy. With actor Donald Faison as a cousin and a father who ran with the legendary Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, Julian was born into the game. He shares the "win on your own merit" wisdom he received from Faison and how seeing Black excellence up close from a young age made his current reality feel possible long before the cameras started rolling. This deep-rooted perspective is what keeps him grounded, even as his face appears on billboards across the country.

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

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 Julian Horton!

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

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Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite

#WeSoundCrazy #JulianHorton

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On this week's episode of We Sound Crazy podcast, R&B veteran Raheem DeVaughn, often hailed as "The Love King," reflects on a remarkable 20-year career defined by both his vocal prowess and his fierce commitment to artistic independence. Raheem shares vivid behind-the-scenes stories, from his early days as Ginuwine’s prodigy to his current status as a pioneer in the direct-to-consumer market through platforms like Even.biz. He dives deep into the philosophy of his live performances—including the viral, water-pouring "Splash Gordon" persona—emphasizing that true showmanship requires being a perpetual student of the craft and putting in the "10,000 hours" necessary to master the stage. His discussion on independence serves as a masterclass for modern artists, as he explains how consistency and a "borderline delusional" self-belief allowed him to bypass traditional industry gatekeepers and maintain a loyal fanbase that continues to support his prolific output.

The conversation takes an emotional and nostalgic turn as Raheem pays tribute to the late, legendary producer Chucky Thompson, crediting him with architecting the iconic Bad Boy sound and reminiscing about their work together on the classic anthem "Woman." He reveals the high-stakes origins of that track, noting how a blunt challenge from his A&R regarding the lack of a "sophomore anthem" led to the song’s creation in just 72 hours—a record that eventually became a personal favorite of the late Aretha Franklin. Looking toward the future, Raheem expresses his excitement for the upcoming "Say Yes" tour alongside Floetry and Teedra Moses, describing the collaboration as a celebration of R&B evolution and genuine friendship. Beyond the music, he highlights his philanthropic efforts through the Love Life Foundation and his advocacy for HIV awareness and mental health, proving that his enduring legacy is built as much on community impact as it is on his smooth, chart-topping hits.

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

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 Raheem DeVaughn!

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

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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 #RaheemDeVaughn

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In this candid appearance on the We Sound Crazy podcast, multi-hyphenate star Drew Sidora takes a deep dive into her evolution from a Chicago theater kid to a staple of music, film, and reality television. Sidora reflects on the high-pressure origins of her career, sharing "nerve-wracking" memories of auditioning for Step Up and receiving direct, surgical notes from the legendary Clive Davis on her ad-libs. She speaks with profound pride about her "top-notch" casting as T-Boz in the TLC biopic, Crazy Sexy Cool, describing how she so thoroughly embodied the role that her own family didn't recognize her on set.

Drew joins the We Sound Crazy hosts for a nostalgic and revelatory We Looked Crazy segment, where they dive into the archives to reflect on her early press images. Looking back at her "boots with the fur" and chandelier earrings from her days on That's So Raven and Step Up, Drew candidly critiques her past style while celebrating the grit it took to navigate the industry as a young actress auditioning against musical heavyweights.

This spirit of resilience carries into her current chapter on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she discusses the show’s recent "reset" that shifted away from the shadow of the OGs toward more authentic, sisterly bonds. Drew details her meaningful reconciliation with Porsha Williams—a move that has blossomed into a collaborative business venture with their hair and wig lines—and explains how she now approaches the franchise with an "unbothered" mindset, prioritizing vulnerability over manufactured drama. Beyond the screen, Drew is firmly reclaiming her musical roots, moving from the raw accountability of her album I Did It To Me to a second project currently in development that honors her Chicago heritage with house music influences and soul-stirring gospel features. With an official tour launch on the horizon, Sidora makes it clear that she is no longer just a "girl from a movie," but a seasoned veteran using every platform to tell her own story on her own terms.

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/Producer: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

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 Drew Sidora!

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

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#WeSoundCrazy #DrewSidora

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From Virginia Beach to a global stage, Pusha T and Malice sit down with Phil Thornton for a masterclass on artistry, brotherhood, and why Clipse still set the bar.

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In this exclusive from We Sound Crazy, Clipse break down the behind-the-scenes tension around Kendrick Lamar being featured on “Chains & Whips.”

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In this powerful clip from We Sound Crazy, Clipse reflect on the unexpected impact of their album. Fans calling it a reset for hip-hop and saying it brought healing.

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What’s the one note that can turn a good song into an undeniable one?

According to Pusha T and Malice, Pharrell Williams had the answer: “Stick to the pattern.”

This clip breaks down the creative discipline, structure, and pattern-based approach that defined Clipse’s album and why it felt like solving a Rubik’s Cube when it finally clicked.

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: Michael Johnson, Bryan Williams, Aaron Kirkland, Aaron Walton

Editing: Lamont Baldwin

Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Assistant: Brittany Guydon

Photography: Aaron Kirkland  

Graphic Design: Ivan Rattliff

Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.  

Special thanks to Clipse!

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

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Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite

#WeSoundCrazy #Clipse

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