We Sound Crazy Podcast

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The We Sound Crazy family opens the door in Nashville this week for one of modern R&B's most consistent singer-songwriters, the Grammy-nominated Compton-bred pen game legend Eric Bellinger. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, Eric arrives at a defining crossroads: his upcoming self-titled album with lead single "Cry In Front Of You" marks his first move under a new partnership between his Evolve Music imprint and the iconic Tamla Motown, ending a fully independent run of more than forty released projects. And before the episode is over, a legend pulls up unannounced to make it official.

The songwriter stories arrive fast and land clean. Eric relives the moment he heard Verse Simmons cooking up the beat next door at a writing camp and knew instantly that "You know me and my baby" was going to become Usher and Chris Brown's "New Flame," a record that is now the lead song on Usher's upcoming R&B tour. He shouts out silent-sniper Ne-Yo writing full verses on his phone in five minutes, unpacks the Usher gem that a melody has to be able to fill a stadium, and shares the Jermaine Dupri note that finally pushed him out of his rap-cadence comfort zone. He also calls his shot on the R&B resurgence, naming Coco Jones, Leon Thomas, Victoria Monet, and Muni Long as proof that the technical, intricate stuff is winning again.

Then Eric goes where he has never gone on record. Guided by fan-submitted questions from the Crazy Crew, he opens up about the death of his mother, the grief that pushed him to co-write the album cold-sober from scratch with Troy Taylor, Harmony Samuels, Oak, Chris Riddick, Tony, and KP, and why "I Need Help" felt like the only honest way to open the record. He explains how his wife Lamaya, his kids, and the "Bell Ringers" who kept showing up with blankets at meet-and-greets carried him through, and offers real advice to a viewer grieving her own father about why you should never force creativity through loss. He also reflects on marriage in the industry, the "Never Be Lonely" duet with Amber Riley, sneaking onto Usher's Tiny Desk, and why family in the frame at Def Comedy Jam's 25th anniversary meant everything.

The episode's biggest surprise walks through the door mid-conversation: legendary producer, songwriter, and Darkchild architect Rodney Jerkins pulls up to make the Evolve Music, Tamla Motown, Eric Bellinger partnership official on camera. Rodney, who has known Eric since he was thirteen, breaks down why this is a Quincy-and-Michael-style one-two punch, why he told Eric "you're gonna need a machine," and why the game right now is missing taste, patience, and the willingness to spend three years on an album. Eric closes the room by thanking Rodney directly, on mic, for his trust and brotherhood. Eric also sits in for our signature segment, Take It to the Bridge, and helps the crew split this week's Esther Rolle Award of Black Excellence (The ERBE) between the legendary Greg Phillinganes (this week's ERBE winner) and Stevie Wonder (crowned with the GOAT honors). 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: Aaron Walton

Camera Op: Bryan Williams, Mike Johnson

Editing/Producer: Hyyer Creative

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Assistant: Brittany Guydon

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

Special thanks to Eric Bellinger and Rodney Jerkins!

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#WeSoundCrazy #EricBellinger #RodneyJerkins
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Kem finally pulls up. The Detroit-born, Georgia-based R&B icon behind Love Calls, I Can't Stop Loving You, Share My Life, Matter of Time and last year's number one album Rock With Me joins hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon for the most honest, spiritually grounded conversation of the season. Kem shares the story behind writing Matter of Time on a piano at the Detroit Rescue Mission, the American Express business line of credit that financed his self-released debut Chemistry, the grassroots CDs-in-the-barbershop hustle that got him to Kedar Massenburg and Motown, and the 36 years of sobriety he'll celebrate this July.

He also drops brand new news: a Robert Glasper jazz project is on the way later this year, his fifth daughter Reign was born just a few weeks ago, and he confirms the Kem story is being adapted for TV, film and theater. Along the way he calls himself Sade's male counterpart, weighs in on Luther versus Teddy, pays tribute to the late Peabo Bryson (the original auntie whisperer), talks Robert Glasper, gives Kedar Massenburg the show's Black Excellence Award, weighs in on AI as the illusion of perfection, and reminds everybody that his music is really a ministry. Press play for one of the most beloved voices in modern R&B, testifying in his own words.

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

Editing Team: Hyyer Creative

Producer: Aaron Walton

Sound Mixer: Derrick Chin

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 Kem!

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

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#WeSoundCrazy #Kem #LoveCalls
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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

We Sound Crazy pulls back the curtain for a true architect of pop and R&B, welcoming the legendary songwriter and producer Brian Alexander Morgan to the studio. From his early roots learning the emotional language of music in a Wichita church to shaping the sonic texture of an entire era, Morgan’s vulnerability and innovative genius defined the soundtrack of the 1990s. In a masterclass of music history, he sits down with the crew to trace a brilliant lineage of vocal royalty, revealing how a lifelong passion for sonics and direct-to-consumer artistry keeps him entirely locked into the future of music.

Listeners will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the serendipitous moments that birthed some of the culture's most iconic records. Morgan unpacks the "vocal royalty" chain reaction that shaped his career that began with his childhood admiration for Martha Wash, and unexpectedly bridged into collaborations with Layla Hathaway, Brandy, and ultimately, SWV. He shares the untold history of "Weak," including how member Coco initially hated the song so much she hid in a bathroom, and clears up decades of internet rumors regarding the poetic, metaphorical inspiration behind the timeless masterpiece "Rain."

Beyond the 90s nostalgia, Morgan reflects on the evolution of the music industry and discusses his unwavering success in a fragmented market. He lays out his receipts, detailing his contributions to modern hits by artists like Drake, Khalid, and Nas, while showcasing his unique ability to flip classic breakbeats with new tools like Ableton and Splice. Seamlessly blending his rich past with upcoming ventures, including his new project BREW (Bams Rare Exclusive Unreleased) and his work with rising star Nefertiti Avani, Morgan proves why his catalog continues to be sampled, covered, and revered across generations.

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/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Remixer: Anthony Falcone

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 Brian Alexander Morgan!

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 #BrianAlexanderMorgan
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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

Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, artist, and entrepreneur Travis Malloy joined the We Sound Crazy for an emotional, wide-ranging conversation about faith, perseverance, and the music industry. Known for bridging the worlds of gospel and R&B over a 15-year career, we honored Malloy live on air, presenting him with the We Sound Crazy Black Excellence Award. The hosts celebrated Malloy's unique ability to seamlessly dream up innovative concepts and execute them as a powerhouse independent creator—a journey he admits took immense courage, risk-taking, and survival through seasons of extreme financial and emotional lack.

Malloy walkes down memory lane, reflecting on his Pittsburgh roots, where 1,500 people wrapped around the block for his 2009 debut album release party, Lift Him Up. He shared a series of exclusive, high-profile industry stories, from his early days being pushed into masterclass vocal production by gospel legend Dorinda Clark Cole, the very collaboration that earned him his first Grammy nomination, to becoming a fixture in the studio with Missy Elliott, vocal producing stars like Monica and Halle Bailey. Malloy also touched on the profound impact of timely industry mentorship, recalling a lifesaving, middle-of-the-night encouragement call from gospel legend Kirk Franklin during one of his lowest professional seasons, and a moment where Jonathan McReynolds stepped in to buy him a plane ticket to the Stellar Awards when he was down to his last hundred dollars.

Central to the discussion was Malloy’s highly anticipated album, Favor, which features an elite lineup of vocal powerhouses including Kim Burrell, Le'Andria Johnson, Zacardi Cortez, and Ray J. Malloy revealed that the title track was actually written 15 years ago when he was behind on rent, emphasizing that songwriters must have the courage to write to their future rather than their current struggles. Beyond the music, Malloy highlighted his thriving entrepreneurial ventures, including the Urban Worship Collective and his highly successful luxury streetwear line, Millions, Billions and Trillions. He explained that the brand represents consciousness and mental elevation over mere currency, capping off an inspiring episode that showcased the resilient spirit behind one of modern gospel and R&B's brightest visionaries.

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/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Remixer: Anthony Falcone

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 Travis Malloy!

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

Crazy Crew, join our We Sound Crazy list: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/jointhewesoundcrazy-emailandsms.OYD

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

Shannon Wallace pulls up. The actor, model, photographer and filmmaker known for his standout turns as Calvin in Netflix's phenomenon Beauty in Black, DeAndre on BET+'s Diara From Detroit, and his role opposite Tyler Perry in Divorce in the Black joins hosts Phillionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon for a wide-ranging conversation about visibility, craft and building his own lane. Shannon breaks down the reality of the Tyler Perry machine (filming a whole feature in six days and shooting 100 pages a day), teases what fans can expect from a just-wrapped Diara From Detroit Season 2, revisits the "Mallory effect" that took over the internet, and explains how being a five-sport high school athlete turned social worker set him up to build slashes instead of waiting for the phone to ring.

He walks the crew through his character-prep process (music as his Bucky code word, custom playlists for every era), gets into a spirited VA versus New York hip hop debate, drops his top five albums (Reasonable Doubt, Miseducation, To Pimp a Butterfly, plus a VA shout to Trey Songz's Trey Day), and previews his self-produced feature A Story About You, which just premiered at Slamdance and is headed to the American Black Film Festival next. Press play for one of the most intentional young multi-hyphenates in the culture, telling his story from every side of the camera.

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, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.

Special thanks to Shannon Wallace!

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 #ShannonWallace #BeautyInBlack
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