HYFINated Conversations

I sat down with artist Buddy Red, though he’ll tell you himself that the title “artist” only scratches the surface. We dug into his new single “Soul His Soul”, a track sparked by a powerful conversation with his brother that lit a fire in him to speak boldly about the music industry, authenticity, and his own creative identity. While many first met him as Messiah Harris, son of hip-hop legend T.I....

When you sit down with a legend like Boney James, you can feel the music before a single note is played. The four-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist has been blending R&B, soul, and contemporary jazz for over three decades and on November 13, he’ll bring that unmistakable sound to the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. We talked about the journey behind the smooth, how a young kid with...

On this HYFINATED CONVERSATION we chop it up with the incredibly talented actor, singer, and songwriter, Tim Johnson Jr.,@cityboyjr to discuss his diverse career and his sensational genre-bending and soulful new album, My Desire. Tim, who got his start playing young Simba in The Lion King in Las Vegas at just 10 years old, reflects on his journey from Philadelphia to becoming a multi-hyphenated (!...

Mahari Takai is a renowned designer and absolute style icon who rocketed into the spotlight on the competitive NBC show, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. But Mahiri’s story is the stuff of legend: after a modeling scam left him with just $20 and no place to live, he spent a year homeless in New York City. He channeled the pain and disappointment from his past into the grit needed to survive, deciding h...

Atmosphere's Slug is on the road for the "Dank Days of Summer" tour, a traveling festival that he feels embodies the spirit of 1990s hip-hop. The tour, which also features Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, and The Pharcyde, feels special to him because it brings together artists from different "branches" of hip-hop who are all proven headliners. Slug appreciates the opportunity to play for new audiences...

Atmosphere's Slug is on the road for the "Dank Days of Summer" tour, a traveling festival that he feels embodies the spirit of 1990s hip-hop. The tour, which also features Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, and The Pharcyde, feels special to him because it brings together artists from different "branches" of hip-hop who are all proven headliners. Slug appreciates the opportunity to play for new audiences...

This HYFINated Conversations with the Kentucky Gentlemen is very insightful and we are so excited to be chatting with these truly trailblazing artists. We're here with Brandon and Derek Campbell, better known as the dynamic duo, The Kentucky Gentlemen. They'll take the stage in Milwaukee ahead for a LIVE performance for the Friends of Lake Park's Musical Mondays series, Monday August 4th, where th...

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...

Soul Sessions: The Heart, Mind & Soul of Tank and the Bangas Join us for an intimate conversation with Grammy winners Tank and the Bangas, as they take us on a journey through the streets of New Orleans that shaped their groundbreaking album "The Heart, The Mind, The Soul." In this episode, frontwoman Tank opens up about her time in the Midwest, sharing personal stories and emotional truths th...

Bathe: Inside Voices Journey into the soulful world of genre-blending duo Bathe as they transform personal struggles into art with their latest album "Inside Voices." Join Devin Hobdy and Corey Smith-West as they candidly explore vulnerability, identity, and mental health through their unique fusion of indie, R&B, and alternative sounds. Discover how late-night conversations about masculinity...

Join Tarik Moody as he explores how AI’s bold ideas measure up against real-world constraints in Milwaukee County’s budget crisis. Hear insights from Rob Henken of the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and discover why technology alone can’t solve deeply human civic challenges.

Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of South African artist Moonchild Sanelly, creator of "future ghetto funk." In this exclusive interview, Moonchild opens up about her musical journey from jazz kid to global collaborator with Beyoncé and Diplo. Discover how her family's diverse musical background shaped her unique sound, her philosophy on authenticity, and why she describes her aesthetic a...

Join HYFIN's HYFINated Conversations for an intimate dialogue with jazz virtuoso Wynton Marsalis. Recorded before his captivating Milwaukee performance, this episode unveils the layers behind the nine-time Grammy winner's artistic evolution. From the vibrant streets of 1960s New Orleans to leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Marsalis shares profound insights about family influence, music...

In this episode of HYFINated Conversations, host Tarik Moody sits down with Jeffrey Coleman and Tim Cole, founders of Milwaukee Wine Academy (MWA). Launched in September 2023, this groundbreaking venture is reshaping Milwaukee's wine culture through education and inclusion. The conversation traces MWA's origins from a pandemic wine certification study group to its evolution as a force for diversif...

How do you build a new digital home for Black culture? In this episode, we talk with Rudy Fraser, the creator of Blacksky, a rapidly growing community on the Bluesky social network. As Black users leave Twitter/X in unprecedented numbers, Fraser shares how his background in mutual aid and community organizing shaped his vision for a different kind of social platform. Fraser breaks down how Blacksk...

In this episode, we dive deep into the untold story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the revolutionary guitarist who helped birth rock 'n' roll, through an intimate conversation with actor Bethany Thomas. Currently starring in Milwaukee Repertory Theater's "Marie and Rosetta," Thomas shares powerful insights about portraying the legendary "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll." Learn how this groundbreaking produc...

Hey everyone, it’s Kim Shine from the HYFIN team – doing something a little different. I’m hoping on a story! One of HYFIN's freelancers, Joy Boyd, visited the Uplifting Mansion in Milwaukee to cover the open house of Nkenge’s gallery, a fantastic showing of nearly 100 pieces of historic African artifacts. The owner is Kenge Adams, a proud woman of African American decent who's also a former IT pr...

Anthony Foster sits down with Byron Stripling, the new Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. In this captivating episode, Stripling shares his musical journey from childhood inspirations to conducting one of America's premier orchestras. Discover how Stripling plans to infuse the Milwaukee Symphony with diverse genres, from classical to jazz and gosp...

In this powerful episode of HYFINated Conversations, host Tarik Moody sits down with Tashemia Dean, author of "Cheers to Sobriety: Navigating Social Pressures, Finding Resilience and Crafting a Healthier Lifestyle." Dean courageously shares her journey from the depths of addiction and suicidal thoughts to becoming a beacon of hope in Milwaukee's recovery community. Listeners will hear Dean's raw a...