The Indie Unplugged Podcast

JAN 14

Spotify, Netflix, Patreon: The New Labels Are Here (And Creators Don’t See It)

Hip-hop might be the culture… but the industry version is still built to own you. In this episode we break down why Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit got dismissed, what “work for hire” really means, and how artists can spend decades building a legacy—only to find out the paperwork never had their name on the value. If you’re signing through a manager, a company, or a “team,” we explain how secondhand deals can leave you with no masters, no publishing, and no leverage.Then we pivot to the new warning sign for creators: AI music platforms changing terms mid-game. Suno’s updated rights language raises the question—can you monetize a song but still not own it? We connect that to the bigger media play happening right now: podcast networks moving like labels, video rights becoming the real asset, and why Joe Budden’s business model proves most creators are building “shows,” not businesses. Plus, we talk Copyright Royalty Board rate-setting (2028–2032) and why the smartest creators stop waiting on streaming checks and start building direct-to-consumer income. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 35m

12/10/2025

Greggory Smith’s RAW Interview: The Industry Lies, Broken Deals & God’s Unexpected Plan

In this unforgettable and emotional episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley sit down with one of the most respected but quietly powerful figures in the music business — Greggory Smith, former Regional Director of Creative Services at SESAC and the man behind stories that shaped modern R&B, pop, and songwriting culture. Greg opens up with a level of honesty rarely seen on camera: his beginnings as a PK who wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, the accident that nearly destroyed his early music dreams, how he and his brother J. Que Smith (Usher, Beyoncé, Neyo, Marcus Houston) navigated the industry from nothing, and the real truth behind iconic records like My Boo and Confessions. He shares the hilarious, raw moment he knew Jack Harlow would be a star, the politics behind publisher rooms, why clubs still determine hits, and why some artists lose simply because their team wants it more than they do.But the episode takes a powerful turn when Greggory reveals how he battled burnout, betrayal, and broken industry relationships — and how God, two young songwriters (Bryce and Sierra), and an unexpected Christmas prayer led to the creation of Inc(k)., a collective poised to become one of the next major songwriting powerhouses. Greggory breaks down the emotional moment that moved him to tears, the record that changed everything (Santa Is Me by Coco Jones), and why he believes 2025–2026 will be their Grammy moment. This is more than an interview — it’s a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and navigating the industry without losing your soul. If you’re an independent artist, songwriter, manager, or creative, you NEED to watch this. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

2h 10m

12/09/2025

Hip-Hop Must Die to Be Reborn? Joe Budden, Diddy’s Reckoning & Ray J’s Crash-Out Explained

In this explosive segment of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley dive straight into one of the most heated debates in music culture: the public’s obsession with tearing down Chris Brown while worshipping other artists without question. From Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Michael Jackson’s legacy, the crew calls out the selective outrage, fan hypocrisy, and the weird internet religion that protects some artists while crucifying others. They break down why people act like it’s illegal to praise Chris Brown, why every conversation about his greatness triggers meltdowns, and why fans conveniently forget that even legends like Michael had allegations and controversies that didn’t stop the world from calling him the greatest to ever do it. But this conversation goes deeper than comparisons — it’s a real examination of how fans refuse to let Chris evolve, how they punish him differently than every other superstar, and why the culture struggles with nuance. The debate asks the hard questions: Why can Beyoncé and Jay-Z do no wrong? Why can’t Chris be great without threatening MJ’s legacy? And why does the internet only allow certain artists grace, forgiveness, or growth? This is raw, honest, unfiltered music commentary that challenges the double standards we all see but rarely talk about. Tap in and drop your take — this one’s guaranteed to start a conversation. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

2h 3m

11/26/2025

Loyalty is Timeless: The Most Authentic Voices in Atlanta Hip-Hop Right Now

In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with one of Atlanta’s most authentic and fast-rising independent duos: Loyalty Is Timeless. From the moment the interview starts, Controversy and Big D open up about their brotherhood, their family-rooted musical upbringing, and the deep storytelling that shaped albums like Loyalty & Passion. The duo breaks down the viral resurgence of “Start Off My Day Like,” the years of consistency behind their success, and how a random music competition sparked a creative fire that led to entire projects — including their Christmas album and their upcoming 2026 release. They talk candidly about authenticity, faith, navigating loyalty in the industry, working day jobs while grinding as artists, and how their team (Zo, Brian Cook, their wives, and family) helps them level up creatively and professionally.The conversation also explores their artistic evolution, their duality between melodic soul and raw bars, their Outkast comparisons, their live performance strategy, and the importance of artist development — from health and performance stamina to understanding visuals, branding, and YouTube strategy. With stories about childhood Joe Jackson-style rehearsals, “rapper ghosts,” in-studio battles, and flash-mob performances in the mall, this episode gives an honest and inspiring look at what it means to be indie in 2025. If you believe in timeless music, real stories, and artists who truly live their message, this is the interview you need to watch. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 26m

11/15/2025

Chris Brown vs. Michael Jackson | The Greatest of All Time Debate

B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley kick off this live episode of The Indie Unplugged with jokes, claps turning into crickets, and a deep dive into the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson—asking if Chris Brown has really “caught up” to MJ and unpacking why their greatness shouldn’t even be compared the same way. From there, they slide into the history of the moonwalk (shoutout to Jeffrey Daniel), then pivot into Mario’s viral appearance on Cam Newton’s podcast where he ranked which male R&B singers “can really sing.” The conversation gets real about gatekeeping, ego, and why dragging your peers on camera might go viral—but rarely helps the culture or your career, especially for independent artists trying to build relationships, not burn bridges.The debate heats up as they flip it into hip-hop: who could really stand across from JAY-Z in a Verzuz—TI, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Drake? Is TI’s catalog more powerful than people admit? And who’s the greatest hip-hop group of all time—Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A, OutKast, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest? Along the way, they break down the thin line between healthy competition and toxic comparison, why indie creatives need thick skin without “crashing out” on camera like Kevin McCall, and how loops, samples, and packs are really just a race to the smash. The segment closes with The Watchlist, spotlighting indie R&B artist Keeyen Martin, his data-driven Italy tour, and what every independent creative can learn from how he studies analytics and moves strategically. Tap in, drop your take in the comments (MJ vs Chris Brown, Mario’s list, JAY-Z’s true Verzuz opponent, and your GOAT hip-hop group), and subscribe so you don’t miss the next live debate. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 30m

11/07/2025

Drake, Bots & Billboard Chaos — What’s REALLY Happening to Hip-Hop?!

Welcome to the first-ever Indie Unplugged LIVE episode — where B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea go unfiltered on everything happening in music and creator culture. From overworked indie hustle stories to the wild revelation of “super checks,” the crew kicks off with real talk before jumping straight into one of the craziest breaking stories: RBX leading an artist-led class action lawsuit accusing Spotify of MASSIVE fraudulent Drake streams. The crew debates why RBX is the lead plaintiff, who else might be involved, and why this situation feels more like an industry chess move than a genuine fight for fairness.Then the conversation explodes into Deion Cole calling out Kai Cenat, generational respect in hip-hop, and why younger influencers keep stumbling in front of legends. The hosts break down what really happened with Babyface, Wale, and the culture-vulture tactics driving modern media. From there, they dive into Billboard’s shocking stat: ZERO hip-hop songs in the Top 40 for the first time since 1990, unpacking whether it’s a crisis, a reset, or just clickbait hysteria. Finally, they close with The Watchlist, spotlighting rising Atlanta duo Loyalty Is Timeless (LIT) and discussing the future of AI music as Kelby from Making It Magazine jumps in live. It’s chaotic, honest, hilarious, and exactly what indie creators have been waiting for. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 41m

10/23/2025

MAJOR.'s Open Letter to the Grammy's Has Everyone in the Industry Talking

In this powerful and timely episode of The Indie Unplugged, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist MAJOR. sits down with B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley to unpack the open letter that sparked conversation across the music industry. Known for soul-stirring hits like “Why I Love You” and “Honest”, MAJOR. opens up about his decision to challenge the Recording Academy on its genre classification process and the deeper implications it has for fairness, transparency, and how Black artists are recognized in award spaces. This isn’t about ego or accolades—it’s about equity and the courage to speak truth to power.The conversation goes beyond the Grammys, diving into what it means to stay rooted in your purpose while navigating an industry that often asks artists to compromise. MAJOR. reflects on his journey, the response to his letter, and the responsibility he feels to use his platform to advocate for change. If you care about authenticity, representation, and the future of music, this is a must-watch. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 13m

10/20/2025

The Truth About What's Killing Music

The crew dives deep into how AI-generated artists and music are disrupting creativity and authenticity in the industry. They unpack the recent rise of fake artists like Zania Monet and the disturbing reality of record labels signing artificial performers. B. Vaughan calls it “nasty work,” arguing that when machines can mimic human voices, rewrite lyrics, and even “resing” vocals better than the artist, we’re watching the death of soul, craftsmanship, and human connection in music.They also explore how creators themselves are feeding the machine—using tools like Suno to replace human expression with synthetic perfection. The discussion widens to question the audience’s appetite for convenience over authenticity and the long-term cultural impact of making music without emotion, risk, or imperfection. The message is clear: AI might make the process easier, but it’s erasing the very thing that makes music real. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe

1h 24m

The Indie Unplugged Podcast

Episodes

Spotify, Netflix, Patreon: The New Labels Are Here (And Creators Don’t See It)

Greggory Smith’s RAW Interview: The Industry Lies, Broken Deals & God’s Unexpected Plan

Hip-Hop Must Die to Be Reborn? Joe Budden, Diddy’s Reckoning & Ray J’s Crash-Out Explained

Loyalty is Timeless: The Most Authentic Voices in Atlanta Hip-Hop Right Now

Chris Brown vs. Michael Jackson | The Greatest of All Time Debate

Drake, Bots & Billboard Chaos — What’s REALLY Happening to Hip-Hop?!

MAJOR.'s Open Letter to the Grammy's Has Everyone in the Industry Talking

The Truth About What's Killing Music

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