In episode 4 of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, Steven “Steve-O” Carless takes listeners on a powerful journey through his evolution from a first-generation Jamaican-American music lover to one of the most influential executives in hip-hop. Reflecting on early experiences at Star Trak Entertainment, where he learned the value of opportunity and purpose, Carless shares how pivotal connections, from Pharrell Williams to Jay Z, Benny Pough, and Nipsey Hussle, shaped his approach to leadership and legacy. He opens up about the lessons behind setbacks, the art of relationship-building, and the cultural shifts he witnessed across Def Jam and Atlantic Records along the way. From helping launch Jay-Z’s comeback and earning an executive producer credit on "Brown Skin Girl" with Beyoncé to serving as a mentor and friend to Nipsey Hussle, Carless reveals the mindset behind staying grounded while shaping history, and why gratitude remains his greatest success.

About Today’s Guest

Steven “Steve-O” Carless is a visionary music executive and entrepreneur whose influence spans across A&R, artist development, and brand strategy. Carless has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of today’s most impactful artists, from Nipsey Hussle to Polo G. With a career rooted in authenticity and cultural integrity, Steve-O brings a deep understanding of how art, business, and community intersect. On Episode 4 of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, he shares rare insight into leadership, legacy, and what it truly means to build something that lasts beyond the music.

Key Points from this Episode:

• 0:00 Welcome back to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, Steven “Steve-O” Carless

• 1:43 Carless on his upbringing as a first-generation Jamaican-American and music as a constant

• 3:00 From listening to music with his parents, to starting at Star Trak Entertainment

• 11:50 Why Star Trak over Sony Urban Music?

• 14:00 How learning about the music industry as a way to make opportunities for others led to finding purpose

• 18:09 Balancing a career in the music industry with the stress of external relationships

• 23:00 The Pharell experience and learning to network in the music business

• 24:52 Getting fired from Star Trak, working with Cipha Sounds, and moving to Def Jam

• 30:40 Connecting with Jay Z and meeting one of his first mentors, Benny Pough, at Def Jam

• 36:19 Connecting with Nipsey Hussle, becoming best friends, bonding over books, and lessons learned from Crenshaw, the $100 mixtape

• 56:15 Becoming an A&R at Atlantic Records, working with Nipsey Hussle

• 1:04:12 Reconnecting with Jeezy at Atlantic through A&R and becoming the president of his label

• 1:10:47 No I.D. recruits Steve-O to come back to Def Jam as an A&R after successful projects with Jeezy and YG, while finishing Nipsey’s album, Victory Lap

• 1:13:47 How knowing all of the roles inside the record label contributed to Steve’s success

• 1:14:06 Game-changing moments that Steve Carless was responsible for, and being part of Jay Z’s American Gangster video trailer going viral

• 1:17:54 Working with Beyonce and how Brown Skin Girl landed on The Lion King: The Gift, with Steve Carless named as an executive producer

• 1:29:00 On being a pillar to monumental moments and the power of gratitude

Mentioned on the Show

Join the Conversation: 

🏛️ Watch more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thePLLRS

🏛️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepllrs/

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✉️ For Business Inquiries, email: [email protected]

Kazeem Famuyide is an Emmy Award-winning host, journalist, and cultural commentator best known as the co-host of 7PM in Brooklyn alongside Carmelo Anthony. A dynamic voice at the intersection of sports, music, and culture, Kazeem has built a reputation for blending sharp insight with humor and authenticity. Whether breaking down the latest NBA headlines or diving into the stories shaping hip-hop culture, Kazeem’s deep-rooted passion for storytelling has made him one of today’s most engaging media personalities.

Key Points from this Episode:

• 0:00 Welcome back to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, Kazeem “Kaz” Famuyide

• 1:09 On 7PM in Brooklyn and the Katt Williams episode

•  3:06 Kaz speaks on the evolution of journalism and podcasting to talent-led content using Joe and Jada and 7PM in Brooklyn as examples

• 13:17 Working with Steve Stoute and the creation and evolution of TheStashed.com from online entity to physical magazine, podcast network, and sneaker store

• 20:00 Media shifts and New York culture during the blog era, and developing relationships with artists while working at The Source

• 29:46 Kaz’s start in podcasting inspired by Brilliant Idiots, the creation of FLAGRANT and the decision to move in another direction

• 40:19 Being part of cultural moments like Dussé Palooza and lessons learned in experiential events

• 45:49 Cultural wins and validation built from successful endeavors

• 48:00 Serving as an ambassador for wrestling and the resurgence of wrestling in conjunction with hip hop while working on Walemania with Wale

• 54:00 Why end Walemania after 10 years?

• 56:40 Getting connected with Carmelo Anthony and becoming part of 7PM in Brooklyn

• 1:02:00 Kaz shares future plans and a message of gratitude to key players in his career

• 1:07:25 How a high school basketball game against Kevin Durant sparked Kaz’s media career

  
  

Mentioned on the Show

• Watch 7PM in Brooklyn: https://www.youtube.com/@7PMinBrooklyn

• Connect with Kaz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazeem/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazeemf/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kazeemfamuyide

  
  

Join the Conversation: 

🏛️ Watch more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thePLLRS

🏛️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepllrs/

🏛️ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepllrs

🏛️ PLLRS Press and more: https://linktr.ee/ThePLLRS

🔊🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2s9g8w2Sodz3sPaIme69vp?si=38638cebe1314e81

🔊 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/won-of-one-a-pllrs-podcast/id1840643899

✉️ For Business Inquiries, email: [email protected]

In episode 2 of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, host Reg Calixte sits down with Grammy-nominated rapper, songwriter, and actor D Smoke for a conversation that spans his journey from teaching to music and the cultural shifts shaping Inglewood. D Smoke reflects on his early beginnings in Park Circle with his friend Chiz, his experiences in acting, including developing the character Raphael in Mayor of Kingstown and working alongside Jeremy Renner, and his aspirations to one day step into the Marvel universe. He opens up about his first album as a Death Row artist, what it means to carry that legacy, and the importance of navigating the business side of music with integrity. From potential collaborations with artists like G Perico, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, to his interest in screenwriting and adapting his work Vivid Isaiah for film, D Smoke shares how he continues to balance artistry, business, and storytelling. The episode closes with a look at his love for television favorites like Martin, a nod to K Pop Demon Hunters, and his excitement about reuniting with Snoop Dogg for future Death Row projects.

About Today’s Guest

Daniel “D Smoke” Farris, the Inglewood-born rapper, musician, actor, and cultural storyteller, joins Won of One to share his journey from classical piano prodigy to Grammy-nominated artist and activist. Rooted in a rich family legacy of music and sharpened by his studies in Spanish literature at UCLA, D Smoke has built a career that bridges worlds, whether through his bilingual lyricism, his role as champion of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, or his acclaimed projects Inglewood High and Black Habits. Beyond accolades and chart success, Smoke embodies the balance of artistry, education, and advocacy, using his platform to uplift his community and unite cultures through music with purpose.

Key Points from this Episode:

• 0:00 Welcome back to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, D Smoke

• 0:33 On D Smoke’s early musical passions and transition from teaching to music 

• 3:03 Starting off in music in Park Circle with his friend, Chiz

• 4:02 D Smoke’s from East and West Coasts

• 9:16 Changes to the West Coast Culture and Inglewood

• 11:29 D Smoke’s history in acting 

• 15:00 Character development for Raphael from Mayor of Kingstown

• 16:30 Working with Jeremy Renner and Tobi Bantefa 

• 20:35 Playing a Marvel character and creating a world around it

• 25:33 D Smoke’s 1st album as a Death Row artist and carrying out a legacy

• 33:17 Choosing favorites: music vs. acting

• 35:07 Navigating the business part of the music business with a team, turning down a deal from DJ Khaled

• 38:13 Considerations for potential collaborations, R&B artists, G Perico, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and more

• 47:00 Types of characters D Smoke would like to play in the future

• 49:12 Exploring interest in screenwriting and adapting Vivid Isaiah for film

• 50:59 Reg and D Smoke discuss current TV picks, Martin, Severance,  and a nod to K Pop Demon Hunters

• 54:00 Releasing an album with Death Row and partnering with Snoop again in the future

  
  

Mentioned on the Show

• Connect with D Smoke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsmoke7

• More on the Novel “Vivid Isaiah” by D Smoke: https://www.instagram.com/vividisaiah

• Listen to Wake Up Supa: https://open.spotify.com/album/6aQed086YBp37b9fRgXiT1?si=hNl1dmBfQcaWoEK_PVQnmg

  
  

Join the Conversation: 

🏛️ Watch more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thePLLRS

🏛️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepllrs/

🏛️ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepllrs

🏛️ PLLRS Press and more: https://linktr.ee/ThePLLRS

Special thanks to our partners at Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2s9g8w2Sodz3sPaIme69vp?si=38638cebe1314e81

🔊 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/won-of-one-a-pllrs-podcast/id1840643899

✉️ For Business Inquiries, email: [email protected]

In this episode of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, Bronx-born rapper ScarLip joins us to talk about her breakout mixtape Scarred B4 Fame and the energy of her standout collaboration with Lil Wayne. She opens up about her dream collabs with Doechii, JT, Cardi B, and even Billie Eilish, while also sharing her desire to explore sounds outside of rap. ScarLip reflects on what it means to stay true to yourself in the music business, the importance of trusting and building with a team, and how she balances authenticity online with protecting her mental health. From working with Swizz Beatz to learning the ins and outs of the industry, she gives us a look at her growth as both an artist and entrepreneur, her vision for ventures beyond music, and what the future holds. Closing with reflections on success, a playful request for 50 Cent to make her biopic, and one key piece of advice, be consistent, ScarLip leaves listeners with insight, inspiration, and her unmistakable fire.

About Today’s Guest:

ScarLip is a rising powerhouse in hip-hop, born and bred in the Bronx, whose fierce lyrical energy has earned her a spot in XXL’s 2024 Freshman Class and the endorsement of icons like Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, and Swizz Beatz. Drawing on a turbulent childhood, ScarLip turned adversity into art, first grabbing attention with viral “food raps” filmed in parking lots and cemented her place with “This is New York” a homage to her hometown that resonated across hip-hop. ScarLip dropped her debut mixtape Scarred B4 Fame on June 20, 2025, featuring Lil Wayne, Mary J. Blige, and Anthony Hamilton. 

Key Points from this Episode:

• 0:00 Welcome to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, ScarLip

• 0:17 Scarred B4 Fame and standout feature from Lil Wayne

• 1:36 ScarLip’s dream collaborations with Doechii, JT, Cardi B, and Billie Eilish

• 3:05 Exploring other genres beyond rap

• 6:30 On staying yourself and being human in the music business

• 7:58 Where would you be without your team?

• 12:35 Learning to trust a team to build with you

• 14:45 Being authentic online while protecting your mental health

• 18:15 Working with Swizz Beatz

• 22:15 Learning about the music industry while growing and developing as an artist

• 25:19 Pursuing ventures outside of music

• 28:10 What the future holds for ScarLip

• 33:26 Reflecting on success and a request for 50 Cent to make her biopic

• 35:08 One piece of advice: be consistent

  
  

Mentioned on the Show

• Connect with ScarLip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scar_lip/

• Connect with ScarLip on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scar_lip

• Scarred B4 Fame: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9tY0BWXOZFsMPwQASqGYS7X_3whUknfj

• More Music from ScarLip: https://www.youtube.com/@ScarLipVEVO

  
  

Join the Conversation: 

🏛️ Watch more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thePLLRS

🏛️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepllrs/

🏛️ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepllrs

🏛️PLLRS Press and more: https://linktr.ee/ThePLLRS

Special thanks to our partners at Manhattan Neighborhood Network. For more information on MNN: https://www.mnn.org/ 

✉️ For Business Inquiries, email: [email protected]