The Underground Lounge

On this episode of The Underground Lounge, the crew welcomes legendary producer, songwriter, and musical innovator Teddy Riley for a deep, unfiltered conversation that traces the roots of his genius and the realities behind a career that helped shape modern music.
Teddy takes it all the way back to Harlem, breaking down how his environment, family, and community influenced his love for music at an early age. He talks about teaching himself multiple instruments as a kid, experimenting with sound before he even had access to real studio equipment, and how curiosity and discipline became the foundation of his creative process. From building beats with minimal tools to understanding how to “make the sound” instead of just chasing trends, Teddy explains what separated him from the pack early on.
The conversation dives into mentorship, creative confidence, and the responsibility that comes with being both a producer and a composer. Teddy reflects on navigating the music business as a teenager, learning hard lessons early, and why ownership, loyalty, and trust matter just as much as talent. He opens up about working relationships, creative tensions, and how ego, envy, and business decisions can either strengthen or fracture collaborations.
Beyond music, Teddy shares personal stories that shaped him off the stage, from life lessons learned on the road to moments of loss, reflection, and growth. He discusses health, discipline, spirituality, and why staying grounded became essential to his longevity in an industry that constantly changes. The episode also touches on touring stories, behind-the-scenes moments fans rarely hear, and the mindset required to keep evolving while honoring where you come from.
Throughout the episode, the laughs are real, the stories are raw, and the gems are nonstop. Teddy Riley doesn’t just talk about success, he breaks down the sacrifices, the patience, and the perspective it takes to build something that lasts across generations.
This is more than an interview. It’s a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and staying true to your purpose, classic Underground Lounge energy with one of music’s true architects.

On this episode of Underground Lounge: After Hours, the lounge turns into a master class in comedy, survival, and self-belief as comedians and actors BT Kingsley, London Brown, and Justin Hires from the KillinIt Pod pull up for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation.
The fellas dive deep into their individual journeys, coming up in comedy, grinding through auditions, booking commercials, and learning how to navigate Hollywood when the rules are constantly changing. They break down the reality of being talented but overlooked, the frustration of waiting for “permission,” and why creating your own opportunities has become the real cheat code in today’s industry.
From early YouTube days and stand-up stages to television roles, film projects, and podcasting, the conversation touches on ego, rejection, money, loyalty, and the mental toughness it takes to stay in the game long enough to win. They compare comedy to professional sports, talk about knowing your role while still believing you belong at the highest level, and give honest insight into how artists can get boxed in, or break free.
As only After Hours can deliver, the episode is packed with raw laughs, industry stories, and hard truths about fame, friendships, and financial growth. It’s funny, reflective, and occasionally reckless, but always real. Whether you’re chasing a creative dream or just love hearing how the sausage gets made, this episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to keep killing it.

In this episode of The Underground Lounge, Bow Wow steps into the Lounge for a raw, unfiltered conversation that spans his entire journey, from child stardom to global fame, and everything that comes with growing up in the public eye. With a career that crosses music, movies, touring, and television, he reflects on the pressure, the highs, the mistakes, and the moments that shaped him into who he is today.
The conversation flows naturally as the drinks start pouring, touching on early industry experiences, wild touring stories, and how fame hits differently at various stages of life. Bow Wow opens up about maturity, fatherhood, personal growth, and learning how to balance fun with responsibility while still enjoying the ride. From legendary party moments to serious life lessons, nothing is off limits.
True to Lounge form, the energy stays loose and honest, full of laughter, side stories, and real talk about relationships, trust, marriage, and navigating success when the whole world is watching. It’s reflective, funny, chaotic at times, and exactly the kind of conversation that only happens when the cameras are rolling and everyone’s comfortable.
This is Bow Wow like you don’t usually get him, relaxed, candid, and fully in his element. Pull up, pour one, and kick it in the Lounge.

After Hours goes deep as the crew kicks it with comedian and actor Malik B for an honest, unfiltered conversation about his life, career, and the road it took to get there. Malik breaks down growing up around fighting and boxing, the discipline and survival mindset that came with it, and how those early experiences shaped who he became long before comedy and acting entered the picture. He opens up about family pressure, learning lessons the hard way, and how real-life experiences often become the foundation for the funniest stories.
Malik also talks candidly about his early days in comedy, including bombing on stage, figuring out his voice, and pushing through self-doubt while trying to earn laughs in real rooms. The conversation touches on transitioning into acting, navigating Hollywood, and what it’s really like behind the scenes when opportunities start to show up. Along the way, the crew trades stories, jokes, and real perspectives on growth, consistency, and staying true to yourself in an industry that constantly tests you.
This episode blends humor, reflection, and raw storytelling, making it a true After Hours experience. From laugh-out-loud moments to honest conversations about perseverance and evolution, this is one of those episodes where the mics stay on and nothing is off-limits.

In this powerful episode of The Underground Lounge, the crew sits down with artist, educator, and cultural truth-teller Dee-1 for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had to date.Dee-1 opens up about his journey growing up in New Orleans, battling a rare medical condition that altered his athletic dreams, and how life setbacks, from getting cut from teams to personal heartbreak, ultimately pushed him toward purpose. He breaks down his transition from school teacher to recording artist, explaining how education shaped his approach to music, performance, and responsibility as a voice in the culture.
The conversation dives deep into conscious rap, accountability in hip-hop, and the pressure artists face when their influence reaches millions. Dee-1 reflects on moments that forced him to reevaluate his lyrics, including a tough reality check from his mother, and why he chose to build a career centered on honesty, faith, and impact rather than trends or controversy.
From awkward label meetings and viral breakout moments to being labeled “different” in an industry that rewards excess, Dee-1 speaks candidly about navigating criticism, standing firm in his beliefs, and embracing the idea of being human first before being an artist. The episode also touches on spirituality in today’s culture, the role of the church beyond the four walls, and how music can either numb or heal a generation.
This is a thoughtful, funny, and introspective episode that challenges listeners to think deeper about what they consume, what they promote, and how they show up in the world.