Mixed and Mastered

Send us a text Jeff chops it up with Yvette Love Dávila—yes, DÁ-vi-la, accent and all—about a life that runs from East New York block parties to the executive suites and back to the heart. We trace her come-up through Violator with Chris Lighty, road-managing Angie Martinez, a pit stop in politics with Sen. David Paterson (featuring the recurring villain/hero, Lenny the Barber), then into the Aris...

Send us a text From graffiti tags to global playlists, Rob “Reef” Tewlow has been at the center of hip-hop’s evolution for 30+ years—and this episode maps the whole arc. Reef walks us through NYC in the late ’70s/’80s, bounces from BU to NYU, and lands at The Source where he helps build the legendary mic-rating system and champions era-defining records. He then pivots to A&R at Atlantic/Big Be...

Send us a text In Part 2 of our conversation with Datwon Thomas, we trace his path from creating King Magazine to producing some of the biggest shows on television. He shares how his vision for a lifestyle publication—once rejected—became a cultural force that gave us iconic covers with stars like Tyra Banks, expanded into Rides Magazine, and helped launch XXL’s legendary Freshman List. Datwon ope...

Send us a text From Brooklyn to Tokyo and back again, Datwon Thomas’ story is as global as it is deeply rooted in hip-hop. In Part 1, he shares how growing up during the crack era, moving to Japan in the mid-’80s, and facing both culture shock and racism shaped his worldview long before he became an architect of music media. Datwon walks us through his early hustle—interning at VIBE, boldly cold-c...

Send us a text In Part 2 of our conversation with Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell, we follow her journey from LaFace Records—where she went from publicity to marketing and helped launch Usher’s My Way—through the politics of Arista, HBO’s digital experiment, and Jive Records. She shares raw stories of industry clashes, the reality of being paid not to work during her most lucrative years, and the constant...

Send us a text In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jeffrey Sledge welcomes industry vet Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell for a deep dive into her early life and rise in music. From growing up in New York and navigating a volatile home, to founding We Three Marketing and landing at Uptown and LaFace, Lisa shares candid stories of resilience, risk-taking, and working with icons like Andre Harrell, Mary...

Send us a text This week, Jeffrey sits down with the incomparable Caron Veazey — a music industry force whose career has spanned MCA, Epic, RCA, Island Def Jam, global marketing at Sony, and nearly a decade managing Pharrell Williams. Caron shares her journey from growing up in the DMV to discovering the music business at NBC’s Saturday Night Live, championing artists across genres, and helping sh...

Send us a text In this special Best Of episode, Jeffrey Sledge celebrates the first 25 episodes of Mixed and Mastered by revisiting three unforgettable moments that capture the soul of the series. From Faith Newman’s raw, hilarious, and inspiring stories of being one of the first five employees at Def Jam, to Joseph Patel’s emotional journey from Sundance to Oscar night (yes, that Oscars), to Grac...

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, host Jeffrey Sledge sits down with journalist, tastemaker, and cultural force Emil Wilbekin for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. From his roots in Cincinnati to shaping the voice of Vibe Magazine during hip-hop’s golden era, Emil reflects on the journey that made him one of the most influential Black voices in media. They talk fashion, id...

Send us a text Prepare for an electrifying episode of "Mixed and Mastered" as Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the legendary Wardell Malloy! Journey from the vibrant streets of the Bronx to the epicenter of the music industry, where Wardell shares his incredible path, working alongside icons like Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Mariah Carey. Dive into the art of mentorship, the thrill of discovering new...

Send us a text In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary A&R exec and producer Dante Ross, the ride gets even crazier. Dante breaks down the highs and lows of his time at Elektra and Def Jam, working with iconic artists like Brand Nubian, ODB, MF Doom, and Everlast. He shares the wild backstory of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues—from late-night jam sessions to a near-fatal heart attack that alm...

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey. From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower East Side to immersing himself in punk rock, graffiti, and skateboarding, Dante shares how music became his first true escape. He talks about the artists who sha...

Send us a text In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary songwriter and producer Jasper Cameron to explore his journey from Atlanta church pews to crafting chart-topping hits. Jasper shares how Atlanta shaped his view of success, the church’s role in honing his talent, and how mentors like Dallas Austin opened pivotal doors. They dive into Atlanta’s tightly kni...

Send us a text From the heart of Harlem to the red carpet at the Met Gala, Kwasi Kessie’s journey is stitched together with culture, community, and style. In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge talks to the the stylist, runner, and creative force behind Lace Magazine and Kill Off Season. He shares how Harlem shaped his eye, how Foot Locker opened industry doors, and how working with...

Send us a text This week, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the incomparable Grace Harry—creative executive, joy strategist, and a true behind-the-scenes force in the music industry. From her early days in Brooklyn to her evolution from chef to artist marketer to founder, Grace shares an unfiltered look at her career, her creative collaborations, and the personal growth that shaped it all. They swap w...

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, O’Neal McKnight pulls back the curtain on a career that spans styling, music, film, and cultural impact. From his roots in South Carolina to interning at Motown and working alongside his late cousin Andre Harrell, O’Neal shares how he went from dressing stars like Usher, Jessica Alba, and Jermaine Dupri to becoming one himself. He breaks down the cre...

Send us a text Here's your Extra Credit episode with Harlem’s own Terrell Jones, aka Terrellish. He took DJ Khaled and Fat Joe and made them fashion icons. Twenty years in, Terrell dresses stars and is putting hip-hop style into luxury fashion.  Our bonus questions for Terrell: Artist You Wanted to Style Three Favorite Designers Fashion Movie Recommendation Favorite Vacation Place Support the show...

Send us a text On this episode of Mixed and Mastered, we kick it with Rob Markman—Brooklyn-bred storyteller, journalist, and artist—as he rewinds to his roots in hip hop’s golden age. From bumping Ladi Dadi on cassette to catching inspiration from CL Smooth’s T.R.O.Y., Rob shares how the culture raised him and why storytelling remains the heartbeat of his music. He opens up about navigating the gr...

Send us a text This quick-hit Extra Credit episode finds Jeffrey Sledge volleying rapid-fire prompts at industry trailblazer Vivian Scott Chew, who fires back with stories that prove a great A&R ear is equal parts instinct and heart. She recalls the one artist who slipped through her fingers, reflects on the eclectic mix of acts that still give her chills, and names the producers who defined e...

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, we sit down with powerhouse executive and producer Shanté Paige for an inspiring, no-holds-barred conversation about her journey through the entertainment industry. From her Bronx roots and Silver Spring upbringing to her formative years at Howard University, Shanté takes us through the hustle, the heart, and the hard lessons that shaped her career....

Send us a text In this Extra Credit episode of Mixed and Mastered, Faith Newman shares some unforgettable stories and insights from her legendary career in the music industry. From the artist she desperately wanted to sign (but couldn’t) to the wild experience with Public Enemy and some unforgettable concert moments, Faith’s journey is packed with amazing memories. Tune in to hear more about her l...

Send us a text From A&R meetings to ab workouts, Angelique Miles has lived many lives—and in this episode of Mixed and Mastered, she’s telling all. Join us for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation as Angelique takes us from her roots in Queens, NY, to the boardrooms of Warner Chappell and Universal, where she helped shape the sound of hip-hop and R&B alongside legends like Michael Jack...

Send us a text Class is back in session! In this bonus episode, we hit Whitney-Gayle Benta with three rapid-fire questions. From the tracks that first lit her fuse to the wildest “you-had-to-be-there” label moments, Whitney pulls back the curtain on the soundtrack of her life and the lessons she’s learned shepherding superstar careers. Craving the whole story? Queue up our earlier full-length conv...

Send us a text Oscar-winning filmmaker, producer, and journalist Joseph Patel joins Jeffrey Sledge for a deep, honest, and inspiring conversation about music, media, and finding your true voice. Patel shares his journey from growing up in the Bay Area to becoming a key part of the college radio and underground hip-hop scenes at UC Davis—where he connected with legends like DJ Shadow and Blackalici...

Send us a text In this episode, Damon DeGraff joins host Jeffrey Sledge to trace his journey from his musical roots in Bermuda to the heart of New York’s nightlife and DJ culture. Damon opens up about the early influences that shaped his sound, the rise of celebrity DJs, and the challenges he faced building a career in music management and nightlife. They dive into his experiences at Cheeba Sound,...