HYFINated Conversations

When Aaron Velasquez—better known to the music world as Flamingosis —first started making beats, he wasn't overthinking his legacy. Armed with GarageBand and a healthy obsession with hip-hop icons like J Dilla and Madlib, he spent his early days crafting homage tracks, chopping up classic soul and funk samples, and laying down the groundwork for what would eventually become his signature, feel-goo...

Since bursting onto the scene a decade ago, Ukrainian-born, Brooklyn-bred MC Your Old Droog has built one of the most respected catalogs in modern hip-hop. Known for his relentless work ethic, dense lyricism, and top-tier collaborations with legends like Madlib, MF DOOM, Black Thought, and Method Man, Droog treats the rap game with the discipline of a master craftsman. In a recent interview with H...

For soulful singer-songwriter Devon Gilfillian, life on the road is equal parts magical exchange and grueling hustle. Currently crisscrossing the country in a Sprinter van for his Time Will Tell tour, Gilfillian describes the experience as akin to being a FedEx delivery driver—loading gear in and out of venues daily—but with a far higher emotional payoff. In a candid chat with HYFIN’s Anthony "A-B...

When you have over 40 albums to your name, score hit TV shows, and run two independent record labels, taking a step back might sound tempting to most people. But for multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and Jazz Is Dead co-founder Adrian Younge, stopping simply isn't an option. Recently, HYFIN Music Director, Anthony Foster,  caught up with the Los Angeles-based music visionary to talk about...

Philly-born, Brooklyn-based MC Mic King joined A-BIZ on HYFIN’s...THE INTERVIEW to discuss his music career and upcoming project, For Your Consideration . Packed with beats from heavyweights like Just Blaze, Hit-Boy, Scott Storch, and Conductor Williams, the project highlights King’s technical prowess alongside rap royalty. In the interview, King shared the behind-the-scenes stories of collaborati...

When Jalen Ngonda logged into his recent interview with HYFIN Music Director Anthony Foster, he was hiding out indoors, battling an uncharacteristic UK heatwave. But heatwaves aside, the Maryland-born, London-based soul powerhouse has been on a serious roll. Hot on the heels of his latest Daptone Records release, Doctrine of Love , Ngonda took a breath between tour dates to break down how a few ye...

When Chuck Strangers sits down to talk about Glory of the King's Hand (Lex Records) , it feels less like a standard promo run and more like a late-night chat with an old friend. He opens up about how this album represents a major shift in perspective: it's all about playing the cards you're dealt instead of measuring your life with someone else's ruler. Chuck talks about how he deliberately chose...

It definitely isn't everyday that we get to talk to Hip-Hop Royalty and one of the living embodiments of the genre but, today we did. DJ Jazzy Jeff is an icon and legend, and your favorite DJ's favorite DJ.  The Philadelphia native has a long and storied career going back nearly 40 years. His early days as the DJ on the classic LP 'He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper' alongside a gentlemen by the name of...

As we celebrate Black Music Month, I’m honoring the joy, impact, and legacy of Black Female Artist per usual. I’m celebrating the music of women who continue to shape culture around the world. To kick things off, I had the pleasure of sitting dowb with the legendary Gail Ann Dorsey. We talked about her journey from West Philadelphia to performing alongside icons like David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz,...

HYFIN's program director Element Everest-Blanks, sat down with Ledisi to discuss her latest release, For Dinah (2025), her second tribute project following Ledisi Sings Nina , which honored Nina Simone. This time, Ledisi turns her attention to the legendary Dinah Washington another women who helped shape her artistry During our conversation, Ledisi shared that Dinah gave her the confidence to beco...

In an exclusive and deeply personal conversation, R&B powerhouse Ari Lennox joined HYFIN Music Director, Anthony Foster to discuss her latest album, Vacancy , and her upcoming headlining tour stop in Milwaukee at the Landmark Credit Union LIVE, May 15th, 2026. Lennox shared that Milwaukee was the city she was MOST excited to visit on this tour, citing the city's "beauty and blackness" as a maj...

We recently sat down with IDK , a remarkable artist and producer whose journey is as compelling as his sound. Born in London and raised in the DMV, IDK has quickly become one of the most respected voices in the industry by blending raw honesty with high-level musicality. In this HYFINATED CONVERSATION , we discuss his latest project, the mixtape e.t.d.s (even the devil smiles) —a mixtape that chal...

 I had the chance to sit down with Alan Mingo Jr., who brings a whole new energy to the Wizard in ”The Wiz”. Let me tell you, this is not the Wizard you think you know. We talked about how this reimagined version challenges everything we’ve come to expect. Alan shared that in early conversations with the director, it was clear from the start: this Wizard would be unlike any we’ve ever seen. Not ju...

I recently sat down with the incomparable Sherri Shepherd, actress, comedian, bestselling author, and all-around cultural icon, for a conversation that was equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and real. Sherri has done it all: from scene-stealing roles in film and television, to her Daytime Emmy Award–winning talk show Sherri, to earning her well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She’s als...

I recently sat down with Robin Hilton, one of the driving forces behind NPR’s Tiny Desk, for an insightful conversation about music, meaning, and the responsibility that comes with producing one of the most influential platforms in modern culture. We explored what it truly takes to fill the space of such that massive Tiny Desk stage, fyi it’s not just with talent. Robin shared the legacy he hopes...

I recently sat down with the incomparable Leslie Odom Jr. ahead of his recent Wisconsin performances at the Orpheum Theater in Madison and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton. Our conversation took place in anticipation of the shows, offering insight to where Odom is creatively as he continues to evolve as both an artist and performer. A world-renowned actor, singer and songwriter, O...

I recently sat down with Jena Dawson to talk about his latest album, Glimmer of God. Our conversation dug into the duality that’s been present in his music from the very beginning. From his debut album “Bad Sport” to his latest album “Rock a Bye Baby: Glimmer of God” Jean has taken us on his journey of self discovery. Jean leans fully into the two sides of who he is: the masculine and the feminine...

Fresh off her collaboration with Tyler, The Creator on “Don’t You Worry Baby,” Madison McFerrin is riding a wave of career-defining moments. The track helped propel his latest album to a No. 59 debut on the Billboard Hot 100—her first-ever chart appearance. Earlier this year, she wowed audiences with a soulful performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk , part of the rollout for her new album, Scorpio , releas...

Join host Tarik Moody for an inspiring episode of HYFINated Conversations featuring the remarkable Afua Richardson, a Juilliard-trained flutist who transformed from performing at Carnegie Hall by age 11 to becoming one of the first African and Indigenous American women to work as a penciler, inker, and colorist for Marvel Comics. In this candid conversation, Richardson shares her journey from tour...

Five years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, Hamilton streamed into our living rooms and shook the world, and me. I didn’t expect to fall for it like I did, but Renée Elise Goldsberry’s performance as Angelica Schuyler stopped me in my tracks.  The tension between love and loyalty in her storyline haunted me in the best way. It was subtle, emotional, and unforgettable. Fast forward to now, and I...

Now in its second year, Summer of Soul is produced by Culture X Design kicks off with none other than Bilal as the opening night headliner. I sat down with the Grammy award winning soul artist ahead of his performance taking place just outside of the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Known for his genre-bending sound that fuses soul, jazz, funk, and experimental R&B, Bilal has worked with musical...

Before stepping onto the NIVA stage on June 24, 2025, at 1:15pm, I had the honor of sitting down with legendary producer and songwriter Jimmy Jam. Jimmy Jam is known for his iconic work with his partner Terry Lewis. They have written massive hits for artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Yolanda Adams, and Sounds of Blackness. In our conversation, we explored the...

I sat down with the queen of bounce, Big Freedia, for a conversation that revealed more than just her signature energy. We dove into her latest project, one that no one saw coming. In the midst of today’s social and societal division, Freedia reached back to moments filled with love, joy, and acceptance, ultimately leading her back to the church. With her two new singles,  “Take My Hand”  and  “Su...

I had the luxury of sitting down with the incomparable Yola. Our conversation spanned her powerful personal journey, from her upbringing and navigating her mother’s mental health challenges, to pushing back against an industry that once pressured her to filter her music through a white gaze. A singer, songwriter, actress, and proud actor, Yola refuses to be confined to any one identity or genre. H...

In this engaging conversation, Valerie delves into the inspiration behind her album "Owls Owls Owls and Oracles," sparked by meaningful owl sightings and their symbolism of wisdom and guidance. She also reflects on her groundbreaking achievement as the only artist to have a video simultaneously featured on CMT, BET, and MTV, highlighting her genre-defying artistry. Tune in to hear about her exhibi...