It's Levels To This

Chapters 00:00 ESP and the Power of Thought 03:24 The Birth of Trap Music 06:14 The Struggles Behind Trap Music 09:00 Cultural Impact of the Crack Epidemic 11:36 The Legacy of Trap Music 01:02:42 Levels 2 This Full OUTRO.mp4

Is the soul of music being averaged out? In this episode of It’s Levels To This, Dan Marshall and Fatboi stage an AI intervention. We dive into the Suno rabbit hole to ask a hard question: Can a computer ever truly recreate the "dirt" and character that makes the Blues the foundation of everything we love? We also tackle the Gene Simmons vs. Hip Hop debate. If Run-DMC are the Kings of Rock, how ca...

Sensei says: "I recently caught my 12-year-old son obsessing over my 40-year-old Walkman. Watching him discover that tactile, imperfect sound made me realize something: modern records are often "perfect," but they feel completely empty. They have the polish, but they’ve lost the pulse." In this episode, we’re bridging the gap between analog nostalgia and modern digital chaos. We’re breaking down w...

Keywords music, Grammy, 1984, 2026, sampling, technology, concept albums, media influence, music production, music trends, music production, songwriting, industry dynamics, ownership, creativity, performance, cultural shifts, K-Pop, timelessness, competition Takeaways Rick Beato's comparison of Grammy nominees highlights a perceived decline in music quality. The conversation reflects on the nostal...

Summary In this conversation, Fatboi and Sensei reflect on the legacy of Stax Records and the contributions of Steve Cropper, highlighting the art of collaboration and the unpredictable nature of creating hits. We explore the journey of musicians, emphasizing the importance of paying dues and gaining experience in the music industry. The discussion also touches on the timelessness of music and its...

In this episode we’re talking about RUN DMC and  how their ground breaking fusion of ROCK and RAP brought bold new sounds to the cultural landscape and changed the world of music forever... Get ready rock steady cause It's Levels To This... Chapters 00:00 The Fusion of Musical Worlds 01:22 The Impact of Rockbox and Crossover Genres 14:52 Run-DMC and Aerosmith: A Game-Changing Collaboration 20:22 T...

Summary In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Michael Jackson’s Human Nature, written by Steve Porcaro and featuring the guitar work of session ace Steve Lukather, both of Toto fame. We’re listening to individual tracks of the multi-track recording and learning about the music theory behind one of the all time great pop songs. Sensei and Fatboi explore chord progressions, jazz influences...

Summary This conversation delves into a deep analysis of Michael Jackson's iconic song 'Human Nature.' The hosts explore the song's production, lyrics, and the complex persona of Michael Jackson, discussing how his experiences and the cultural context of the 80s shaped the music. They reflect on the deeper meanings behind the lyrics and the legacy of the song, emphasizing its impact on pop culture...

Summary In this conversation, Sensei and Fatboi delve into the legal dispute surrounding the iconic song 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police, exploring the creative process behind the song, the significance of arrangement, and the implications of music royalties. They discuss the evolution of music production techniques, the influence of other artists, and the legacy of The Police and Sting. The...

Summary Songwriter, music publisher, and business consultant Tami LaTrell is here to share her incredible journey through the music industry. We'll dive into how technology has completely changed the game, the crucial importance of understanding intellectual property, and the real challenges independent artists face in a super saturated market. Tami will also talk about founding Mezzo Agency to he...

Summary In this conversation, Sensei and Fatboi delve into the intricacies of funk music, exploring its foundational rules and how certain artists, particularly Prince and The Time, have successfully broken these rules while still maintaining the genre's essence. They discuss the importance of musicianship, the role of rhythm, and the challenges of identifying the 'one' in complex musical structur...

In this episode we talk to DJ Montay, the hit-making producer behind Flo Rida's 'Low.' ft. T- Pain, We'll explore his journey from DJ to producer and how Oomp Camp shaped Atlanta's music scene.  We’re digging deep and talking technical, as he lays out his workflow to produce DIAMOND* Records... (*Diamond = 10,000,000 units sold!) Get ready, cause It’s Levels To This DJ Montay, is a Diamond certifi...

Today we’re talking to grammy nominated engineer Scott Taylor, AKA Scotti He’s leveled up from my Audio 101 class to the top of the charts working with J.I.D. Rae Sremmund, and Travis Scott The student has become the teacher, so get your pencils ready It’s levels to this Summary In this engaging conversation, the speakers reflect on their experiences in the music industry, emphasizing the importan...

Today we’re talking to grammy nominated engineer  DEE BROWN, currently working as a staff engineer at Apple Music in Nashville Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar and H.E.R. have benefitted from his experience And so should you We got his take on AI, Dolby Atmos, the future of music production, and much more Social Media: INSTAGRAM - @thed247 #studiolife  TWITTER - @thed247 FACEBOOK - Dee Brown  Get ready C...

Here in part 2 of our conversation with grammy award winning recording engineer Kori Anders, we delve into the evolution of music production, highlighting the shift from analog to digital, the impact of technology on creativity, and the challenges faced by modern engineers. We discuss the role of AI in music production, the future of immersive sound technologies like Dolby Atmos, and the importanc...

In this conversation, Grammy Award-winning audio engineer Kori Anders shares insights into the music industry, emphasizing the importance of people skills over technical skills in audio engineering. He recounts his journey from aspiring lawyer to successful audio engineer, highlighting key inspirations and experiences that shaped his career. The discussion delves into the realities of recording se...

In this episode, Producer Liby V ( one of Sensei's old students),  drops in to share his journey from intern to the top of the charts. Fresh off his recent success with girl group Psiryn's "Sober " hitting #1 on the Billboard Adult RnB charts (#17 overall), he talks with Sensei and Fatboi about his path from student to producer, creativity, networking, gear selection, and much more. He emphasizes...

Beatmaker Vs. Producer Where do you draw the line? This conversation between two longtime music industry pros (producer Fatboi and musician/engineer Sensei Hollywood ) delves into the evolving roles of producers and beat makers in the music industry, exploring how technology has blurred the lines between these roles. Sensei and Fatboi discuss the importance of arrangement, the producer's craft, an...