We Sound Crazy Podcast

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On this week’s episode of We Sound Crazy, the phenomenal Christopher "Tricky" Stewart—the mastermind producer, songwriter, and musical architect behind era-defining hits like Rihanna’s "Umbrella," Beyoncé’s "Single Ladies," and Justin Bieber’s "Baby" joins the crew. Recorded at his beautiful Sessions facility in Atlanta, Georgia, Tricky sits down with hosts Phillionaire along with Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York for an intimate, master-class level conversation about his legacy, his creative process, and what it truly means to lead the music industry. Fresh off the announcement of his induction into the prestigious We Sound Crazy Songwriters Hall of Fame, Tricky opens up about what this ultimate honor means to a behind-the-scenes creator, viewing it as the pinnacle recognition for a lifetime dedicated to the craft of songs.

Throughout the episode, Tricky takes listeners on a deep dive into his rich musical DNA, sharing how his unique approach to hooks and efficiency was forged in a powerhouse Chicago family that created iconic advertising jingles by day, hit records by night, and praised the Lord on Sundays. He reflects on his early industry breaks under the mentorship of the late legendary A&R, Louis Silas Jr., and his eventual move to Atlanta under L.A. Reid, where he learned the grueling realities of making records that don't just top charts, but actively shift global pop culture. He also shares a rare look into his legendary, brotherhood and partnership with The-Dream, breaking down their lightning-in-a-bottle studio chemistry and revealing how their creative "happy rubs" birthed unprecedented musical magic.

Spanning over three decades of undeniable greatness, this candid conversation goes far beyond a standard interview. Tricky shares profound wisdom on maintaining emotional intelligence, staying fluid in a changing industry, and navigating the differences between a standard hit and a culture-shattering smash. From his meticulously crafted work on the Burlesque film soundtrack with Christina Aguilera to his relentless pursuit of the next world-dominating international superstar, Tricky proves why his name belongs on the Mount Rushmore of modern music. It is an unforgettable, gem-filled episode dedicated to giving an absolute icon his well-deserved flowers.

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: Lamont Baldwin 

Producer: Aaron Walton, Lamont Baldwin

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 and watchers!

Special thanks to Tricky Stewart!

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#WeSoundCrazy #TrickyStewart
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The masterclass continues in part two of this epic two-part release, as the incomparable Antonio "L.A." Reid sits back down with the We Sound Crazy crew. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, the music mogul takes listeners even deeper into the golden eras of his career. In this installment, the conversation turns toward the hitmaking powerhouse that was Island Def Jam, an era Reid highlights as one of his most memorable and competitive chapters. He breaks down the high-stakes environment of his A&R room, recalling how he built a "money team" of brilliant music executives and trusted his inner circle so completely that it birthed a historic string of global superstars, from Rihanna and Justin Bieber to Ne-Yo and a legendary comeback era for Mariah Carey.

The episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most iconic executive hires in music history: Reid’s decision to bring in Jay-Z as the president of Def Jam. In a fascinating behind-the-scenes revelation, Reid credits Mariah Carey for calling him directly with the genius suggestion to quiet the New York hip-hop community's undercurrent of skepticism. He shares his immense respect for Jay-Z, describing him as true royalty alongside figures like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama for his ability to shift the energy of a room. The crew also reflects on how Reid orchestrated bringing Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony together in Atlanta via A&R Steve Ferrara, resulting in timeless hits like "Fragile" and "Blame It on Me" for Chrisette Michele's chart-topping number one album, Epiphany.

Rounding out the legendary sit-down, the hosts honors Reid with the show's official Trailblazer Award to celebrate his monumental impact on the entertainment landscape. Transitioning from executive talk to personal passions, the conversation winds down with an exclusive peek into his high-end taste, as Reid details his love for custom craftsmanship, what his personal vinyl collection looks like, and the exact bottles of wine he’d bring to a Nashville gathering. Authentic, transparent, and loaded with music history, this concluding half with L.A. Reid serves as the ultimate blueprint for extracting greatness and fighting for the purity of the art form.

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: Hyyer Creative

Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, 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 and watchers!

Special thanks to Antonio "L.A." Reid!

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 #L.A.Reid
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Join the Inner Circle. 

Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below:

- Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers

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- Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy

Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz

In part one of this special two-part release, the We Sound Crazy podcast welcomes a true titan of the music industry: the legendary Antonio "L.A." Reid. Rising to prominence as the dynamic drummer for the hitmaking 1980s R&B band The Deal, Reid seamlessly transitioned from the stage to the boardroom, cementing his status as a visionary producer, iconic songwriter, and major label force. Throughout his illustrious career, his taste and leadership guided the culture as the co-founder of LaFace Records, and later as the chairman and CEO of some of the most powerful major labels in music history, including Arista, Island Def Jam, and Epic Records. Bringing his journey full-circle, he continues to nurture the next generation of musical innovators through Mega, his powerful label venture launched in partnership with global superstar Usher.

Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, Reid engages in an open, free-flowing conversation about what it takes to shape the sound of a generation. Right from the jump, the chemistry is electric as Reid jokingly auditions to become the podcast's official fifth cast member, setting a warm and celebratory tone for an episode dedicated to giving an industry hero his well-deserved flowers. This first installment dives straight into the mind of a musical architect, exploring Reid's eclectic taste in music and his enduring philosophy on talent. The hosts cue up special video questions from fans, prompting Reid to share his candid thoughts on everything from his dream biopic casting to how he embraces AI as the next evolutionary tool for creatives and drawing a fascinating parallel to his own early days mastering the drum machine in the 1980s. He also pulls back the curtain on his legendary ability to spot undeniable star power, describing how true icons "move the air" the moment they step into a room.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners are treated to an inside look at the history-making partnerships that defined an era. Reid reflects on his early days with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds in The Deal, surviving on "pride and being broke" while studying the mastery of Prince and Luther Vandross. The episode highlights the magical intuition behind some of his biggest triumphs, including the unorthodox breaking of Toni Braxton via the Boomerang soundtrack. Grounded in a deep, mutual respect for the craft, this first part captures the essence of a man who never let boxes define him, cementing a legacy built entirely on an uncompromising love for music.

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: Hyyer Creative

Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, 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 and watchers!

Special thanks to Antonio "L.A." Reid!

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

~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram

~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter

~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok

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 #AntonioL.A.Reid
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Join the Inner Circle. 

Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below:

- Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers

- Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon

- Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy

Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz

This week, we take it to the West Coast as the crew lands in Los Angeles for a monumental, ground-breaking episode featuring the legendary, five-time Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, musician, and executive, Warryn "Baby Dub" Campbell. Handpicked as the inaugural inductee into the We Sound Crazy Producer Hall of Fame and honored with the prestigious Esther Rolle Black Excellence Award (The Erbie), Campbell sits down with Philonaire, Claude, Chuck, and Tamon Backon from Macon for a deeply reflective Masterclass on a brilliant career that spans gospel, hip-hop, and R&B. From his early childhood days at King’s Chapel Apostolic Church in East LA—where icons like El DeBarge and Andraé Crouch routinely dropped in—to cutting his teeth as a teenage multi-instrumentalist session player in the legendary studios of Death Row Records, Campbell shares an unfiltered, backstage pass look at his musical evolution.

In this captivating episode, Campbell opens up about the pivotal figures who shaped his career, including the creative mentorship of DJ Quik and the executive guidance of Sony Music’s Jon Platt, who signed him to his very first publishing deal at age 19. Warryn recounts his deep, familial bond with Brandy, navigating his fierce professional rivalry with Rodney Jerkins, and his long-standing, brilliant creative connection with one-of-one songwriter Harold Lilly. He also lifts the curtain on the inception of the iconic gospel duo Mary Mary, revealing how a moment in the shower listening to a bassline through the wall of his parents' garage transformed into the global blockbuster phenomenon "Shackles (Praise You)" which sparked a bidding war with Diddy and Columbia Records.

Beyond the hits and historical sessions with titans like Tupac, Kanye West, Luther Vandross, and Kelly Price, Warryn candidly explores the delicate realities of balancing life as a hitmaker, husband, father, and pastor. Reflecting on his enduring legacy, Campbell defines his ultimate approach to music as an authentic vessel of divine download, proudly breaking genre barriers by engineering hits across multiple musical spectrums without ever losing his creative salvation. Without further ado, press play and dive in.

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: Hyyer Creative

Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, 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 and watchers!

Special thanks to Warryn Campbell!

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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~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter

~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok

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 #WarrynCampbell #MyBlock
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Join the Inner Circle. 

Crazy Crew, it’s time to level up. Get closer to the show, unlock exclusive content, and stay connected with us beyond the mic. Tap in below:

- Join On YouTube Memberships: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/youtubemembers

- Join On Patreon: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/patreon

- Subscribe to Email & SMS: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy

Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz

The We Sound Crazy family rolls out the red carpet this week for the one and only Kym Whitley: actress, comedian, podcast host, and certified scene-stealer whose career has touched four decades of unforgettable film and television. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, Kym pulls back the curtain on a Cleveland-to-Hollywood journey built on fearless hustle, hard-won mentorship, and a refusal to ever let the business turn her cold.The conversation winds through her earliest brushes with stardom, starting with the 1994 Pringles commercial that she famously lip-synced, the trailblazing Oh Drama! talk show that quietly set the template for every female-led panel that followed, and an iconic Parkers run alongside Mo'Nique that lit a fire under her own work ethic. Kym opens up about the wild-child energy that powered her onto a Soul Train taping on Gerald Levert's dime, into the 227 studio audience without a ticket, and into a fateful encounter with Marla Gibbs that turned a green Cleveland girl into a working actress overnight. The story of Marla pulling her into a closet on set to protect her during her power struggle with Jackie Harry is one for the books, and Kym tells every drop of it.From there, it's pure tea. Kym revisits the Next Friday slap from DC Curry that left her bruised and bleeding because no one told her she could speak up, the dominatrix scene she didn't realize was being filmed in full, the Curb Your Enthusiasm improv prep sessions with Katt Williams, Buddy Lewis, and Dave Kirchner, and the lifelong sisterhood with Sherri Shepherd that powers their NAACP Image Award winning podcast Two Funny Mamas. She shouts out the upcoming Two Funny Mamas live show at Detroit's Soundboard on Mother's Day weekend, drops gems on the late great Gerald Levert, and reflects on why the older she gets, the more profoundly grateful she is for the mentors who didn't have to put her on but did.Kym also sits in for a lively celebrity Kim showdown (pitting Lil Kim, Kim Kardashian, Kim Burrell, and Kim Fields head-to-head), helps the crew crown the legendary Marla Gibbs with this week's Esther Rolle Award of Black Excellence (The ERBE), and leaves us with what might be the unofficial Kym Whitley life motto: "You don't learn unless you ask." Now without further ado, hit that play button and jump into this episode!

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: Hyyer Creative

Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, 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 and watchers!

Special thanks to Kym Whitley!

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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~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter

~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok

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 #KymWhitley 
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