Unglossy

No guest, no fluff—just Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge turning up the signal and turning down the noise. We kick off with what’s cooking at Merrick Studios (Unglossy, Mixed & Mastered, Our Love/Hate Relationship with Comic Culture, Pitch Lab) and why podcasts are becoming the new cable. Then it’s Cardi B at Trill Burgers and the rise of celebrity cosigns as cultural currency. We get into...

This week on Unglossy, Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge sit down with Michael Ford, The Hip Hop Architect—a designer using rhythm and rhyme to reshape skylines. From leading tThe Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx to launching the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, Ford proves design can be culture, not just construction. He shares how rap lyrics inspire real-world spaces, why representation matters in archi...

James Beard winner Chris Shepherd pulls up to Unglossy with Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank to talk real kitchen life—no foam, all flame. He traces the glide path from Tulsa dishwasher to Houston icon, why cooking clicked when school didn’t, and how using all five senses beats any recipe card. We dig into Underbelly’s whole-animal, write-the-menu-daily chaos; the gloriously unhinged One Fifth...

On this episode of Unglossy, hosts Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank welcome Hawaii Mike, a creative force whose journey spans road managing Mobb Deep to editing at The Source. Today, he is the founder of Chef for Higher, where hip hop, cannabis, and culinary arts come together to create community through dining.  Together the crew reflects on the growth of the Unglossy network and dive deep in...

Chef Teach (Derrick Turton) pulls up to Unglossy with Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge to chart a wild route from Luke Records and Pitbull’s early grind to Miami’s cult-favorite House of Mac. We get into the origin of that legendary mac & cheese, the food-truck-to-brick-and-mortar leap, COVID pivots, DoorDash math, SOPs that save businesses, and why your playlist is part of the plate. Bun...

Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed is back on Unglossy with Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge for Part 2 of our conversation. This time, the Bills legend opens up about life after football and the season ahead—mixing wisdom, humor, and a few bold predictions. From surviving –43 degree temperatures in Alaska to calling a 13-4 record for Buffalo this year, Andre gives us his unfiltered take on...

Bun B makes it official as co-host of Unglossy, and we kick things off with a legend: Buffalo Bills icon and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Andre Reed. From a small-town kid in Allentown, Pennsylvania to four straight Super Bowl appearances and a gold jacket in Canton, Reed’s story is one of grit, growth, and giving back. In this first part of our two-part conversation, Andre takes us through the rea...

In this powerhouse episode of Unglossy, hip-hop icon and cultural heavyweight Bun B (aka Bernard Freeman) joins Thomas Frank and Jeffrey Sledge for a deep, funny, and wildly inspiring conversation that spans decades — and industries. From his early days forming UGK with the late, great Pimp C to building Trill Burgers into America’s best burger brand (literally), Bun breaks down the milestones, mi...

In this week's episode of Unglossy, Tom and Jeffrey sit down with Keenan Scott II, a prolific playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer from Queens, New York. Keenan delves into his artistic journey, beginning with his early passion for visual arts and comic books, and transitioning into poetry and performance as he navigated his formative years in Maryland. His experiences at open mic night...

On the debut episode of "Mixed and Mastered," Jeffrey Sledge sits down with A&R visionary Sean Barron to uncover the untold stories behind modern music’s biggest stars. From discovering Drake on MySpace to shaping hits at Atlantic Records, Barron shares how instinct, hustle, and timing propelled him from Buffalo to the industry’s inner circle. With behind-the-scenes insights on working with ta...

Unglossy presents a new podcast from Merrick Studios. Mixed and Mastered is the podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to life. Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, a veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive Records, each episode dives deep into the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the people shaping the sound of today. From label executives and...

Grab your red hat and buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the unstoppable universe of TT the Artist—a visionary multimedia maestro who’s danced her way through both music and film with fearless creativity. In this episode, TT spills the tea on a life-changing mishap (because who hasn’t accidentally lost priceless footage?) that ended up fueling her drive instead of derailing her dreams....

Tom, Mickey and Jeffrey are back for a new season of Unglossy. In this compelling episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson opens up about his remarkable journey from the tough streets of Portland, Oregon, to becoming a celebrated writer and educator. Mitchell shares intimate stories of balancing street life with academics, the transformative power of writing, and the challenges o...

What if your worst job became the catalyst for a legendary career in global marketing? Join us as we unravel the incredible journey of Troy White , who went from being dubbed the worst bank teller in Pennsylvania to a trailblazer in lifestyle marketing. Discover the secrets behind this HOWARD grad's astounding accomplishments, such as his pivotal role at SONY Music and his groundbreaking work in t...

Have you ever wondered why your favorite artists are struggling despite millions of streams? Creative work isn't always valued as it should be, especially in the digital age. Join us for a hilarious yet enlightening talk with William "Classic" Thomas, a visionary content creator and brand strategist, as he shares unconventional strategies for breaking through the commodification of creativity. We'...

Isaac Hayes III , a visionary entrepreneur and tech innovator, joins Tom and Jeffrey to talk about the journey behind Fanbase , a platform poised to change the game in content creation and monetization. Imagine a space where creators can truly own their narratives and get paid directly for their influence—Isaac shares how this idea became a reality. He opens up about the moment he saw the need to...

Unlock the secrets of equity crowdfunding (yikes! that's another 25 cents for the swear jar), scratch that, "community round" with our insightful guest, Jonny Price – VP of Fundraising at WeFunder . Learn how the 2012 JOBS Act has transformed the way everyday Americans can engage in pre-IPO investments, making it accessible beyond the traditional wealthy elite. Embark on a captivating journey as w...

How did a CCO, a music industry veteran, and a hip-hop artist come together to explore the intersection of branding and culture? In this episode, discover the invisible thread that connects hosts Tom Frank, Jeffrey Sledge, and Mickey Factz, forming the foundation of Unglossy. First, we dive into Jeffrey Sledge’s remarkable career. Known as one of "Hip-Hop’s Most Impactful Black Music Executive," J...

What happens when a tech visionary starts his journey in an auto repair shop with no mechanical knowledge? In this captivating episode, Jason Stirman, a multifaceted innovator, shares his unconventional path from running a failing business to making significant strides at Twitter and Medium. We dive into his early challenges, managing unreliable employees, and dealing with dissatisfied customers,...

Get ready to be inspired by Stirman, a visionary who has left a lasting impact on the tech and mindfulness landscapes. He shares his transformative journey of building Medium, the platform that bridged long and short-form writing, and his personal story of discovering meditation amidst the high-pressure of Silicon Valley, leading to a more grounded family life. This episode offers a behind-the-sce...

Join us (minus Mickey) as we navigate through technical mishaps and laugh-out-loud moments with our special guests, Eric and Jeff Rosenthal from It's The Real. From their kitchen table in Westchester County to collaborations with hip-hop legends, their journey is a testament to passion and perseverance. These brothers bring authenticity and humor, sharing their evolution from comedic sketch creato...

Ever wondered how a simple apartment podcast evolved into a cultural phenomenon? Join us for Part 2 of our amazing conversation with Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, as they take us through the extraordinary journey from creating comedic sketches to becoming recognized voices in the podcasting world. They open up about the magic that happens when genuine relationships and authenticity become the foundatio...

Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with KJ Rose as she reveals her transformative journey, from signing to discovering her true calling in coaching. She shares with the guys her invaluable lessons learned from music industry giants like Clive Davis, and how these experiences shaped her passion for helping other artists find their unique strengths. KJ Rose offers a deep dive into her personaliz...

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Kianna Henson, aka KJ Rose. From her roots in Southside Chicago to her academic achievements at Florida A&M, KJ's story is one of passion, perseverance, and profound success. You'll hear firsthand about her early days overcoming stage fright and then balancing a corporate job with session artist gigs and finally her evolution into a sought-after...

Ready to dive into a world where music meets marketing? Join us on Unglossy as we sit down with industry veteran Chris Atlas to uncover the symbiotic relationship between music, brand, marketing, and culture. We reminisce about our personal encounters with promotional products from major brands and how they’ve shaped our views, giving you a peek into the unpolished reality behind the glossy ads. C...