1 hr 10 min
From Singing Background to Shining Solo on Stage: Kenyon Dixon's Journey to Multi Grammy-Nominated Singer Can We Talk RnB? Podcast
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- Music Interviews
On this episode of Can We Talk R&B, Ian welcomes LA Native 2x Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter KENYON DIXON on the show. Kenyon talks about his upbringing in the Church. Linking up with Tyrese early in his career for songwriting for artists like Tyrese, TGT, and later Justin Timberlake. Kenyon also talks about background singing for artists like Tyrese, Justin Timberlake, Ledisi, Kirk Franklin, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Brandy, Jill Scott, and Nick Jonas. His move from background vocals and focus on your solo career. His rise as an independent artist and experience working with Kanye West on “Ultralight Beam '' and contribution to R&B.
0:00 - 3:10 Intro
3:10 - 5:44 Tell us about your upbringing
5:44 - 6:55 Being from Watts, CA
6:55 - 8:25 Working with Tyrese early on
8:25 - 9:05 Open Invitation album
9:05 - 10:39 Performing at the Grammys
10:39 - 13:30 How did your transition from Gospel to R&B
13:30 - 14:10 Mothers first show
14:10 - 15:36 The difference between TGT and Justin Timberlake
15:36 - 16:55 Working with various artists and their styles
16:55 - 17:07 Touring with Kirk
17:07 - 17:50 Touring Jill Scott
17:50 - 18:49 Most valuable lesson from working with artists
18:49 - 20:35 What made you decide to go solo?
20:35 - 23:00 The balance of recording and touring with artists
23:00 - 24:23 Preparing for solo career on tour with other artists
24:23 - 26:15 Did the opportunities lead to writing?
26:15 - 29:15 R&B independent artists
29:15 - 30:36 Do you ever think about majors?
30:36 - 33:02 The shift from Majors to Indie
33:02 - 36:36 What are your roles in being independent
35:36 - 37:00 Depending on your team
37:00 - 40:44 Background vocals on Ultralight Beam
40:44 - 41:42 The Life of Pablo album
41:42 - 43:33 Which singers worked on Ultralight Beam?
43:33 - 47:12 The R&B You Love
47:12 - 52:26 Deep Dive: 2000s R&B
52:26 - 54:29 RL and Next
54:29 - 55:15 Being able to tap into the 90s feel
55:15 - 57:30 Hot Topics: Advocate for the 2000s R&B
57:30 - 58:27 90s to 2000s Artists
58:27 - 59:00 Neyo - So Sick
59:00 - 1:00:44 Cultural moments that elevated R&B in 2000s
1:00:44 - 1:05:15 Songs Usher should perform at the Super Bowl
1:05:15 - 1:05:54 Closing
✅ LISTEN, FOLLOW, AND RATE
Hosted & Created by: Ian Von
Produced by: Launch Pod Studio
Shot and Edited by: Lazy Pickle Studios
On this episode of Can We Talk R&B, Ian welcomes LA Native 2x Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter KENYON DIXON on the show. Kenyon talks about his upbringing in the Church. Linking up with Tyrese early in his career for songwriting for artists like Tyrese, TGT, and later Justin Timberlake. Kenyon also talks about background singing for artists like Tyrese, Justin Timberlake, Ledisi, Kirk Franklin, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Brandy, Jill Scott, and Nick Jonas. His move from background vocals and focus on your solo career. His rise as an independent artist and experience working with Kanye West on “Ultralight Beam '' and contribution to R&B.
0:00 - 3:10 Intro
3:10 - 5:44 Tell us about your upbringing
5:44 - 6:55 Being from Watts, CA
6:55 - 8:25 Working with Tyrese early on
8:25 - 9:05 Open Invitation album
9:05 - 10:39 Performing at the Grammys
10:39 - 13:30 How did your transition from Gospel to R&B
13:30 - 14:10 Mothers first show
14:10 - 15:36 The difference between TGT and Justin Timberlake
15:36 - 16:55 Working with various artists and their styles
16:55 - 17:07 Touring with Kirk
17:07 - 17:50 Touring Jill Scott
17:50 - 18:49 Most valuable lesson from working with artists
18:49 - 20:35 What made you decide to go solo?
20:35 - 23:00 The balance of recording and touring with artists
23:00 - 24:23 Preparing for solo career on tour with other artists
24:23 - 26:15 Did the opportunities lead to writing?
26:15 - 29:15 R&B independent artists
29:15 - 30:36 Do you ever think about majors?
30:36 - 33:02 The shift from Majors to Indie
33:02 - 36:36 What are your roles in being independent
35:36 - 37:00 Depending on your team
37:00 - 40:44 Background vocals on Ultralight Beam
40:44 - 41:42 The Life of Pablo album
41:42 - 43:33 Which singers worked on Ultralight Beam?
43:33 - 47:12 The R&B You Love
47:12 - 52:26 Deep Dive: 2000s R&B
52:26 - 54:29 RL and Next
54:29 - 55:15 Being able to tap into the 90s feel
55:15 - 57:30 Hot Topics: Advocate for the 2000s R&B
57:30 - 58:27 90s to 2000s Artists
58:27 - 59:00 Neyo - So Sick
59:00 - 1:00:44 Cultural moments that elevated R&B in 2000s
1:00:44 - 1:05:15 Songs Usher should perform at the Super Bowl
1:05:15 - 1:05:54 Closing
✅ LISTEN, FOLLOW, AND RATE
Hosted & Created by: Ian Von
Produced by: Launch Pod Studio
Shot and Edited by: Lazy Pickle Studios
1 hr 10 min