The Indie Unplugged Podcast

In this powerful and timely episode of The Indie Unplugged, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist MAJOR. sits down with B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley to unpack the open letter that sparked conversation across the music industry. Known for soul-stirring hits like “Why I Love You” and “Honest”, MAJOR. opens up about his decision to challenge the Recording Academy on its genre classification process...

The crew dives deep into how AI-generated artists and music are disrupting creativity and authenticity in the industry. They unpack the recent rise of fake artists like Zania Monet and the disturbing reality of record labels signing artificial performers. B. Vaughan calls it “nasty work,” arguing that when machines can mimic human voices, rewrite lyrics, and even “resing” vocals better than the ar...

We kick off with a late-night IG rabbit hole—beat breakdowns, Domino/Battlecat gems, and why “culture vulture” media keeps pitting artists against each other for clicks. From there we zoom out: how to cover drama without feeding it, and why independent creators must add value, context, and tools—not just gossip. The Diddy sentence sparks a deeper look at legacy, accountability, and how public perc...

On this episode of Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Richmond-raised, ATL-rooted multi-hyphenate J Bizz—celebrity barber, recording artist, entrepreneur, and community builder. From learning to count bars in a home studio to cutting hair for Redman, EarthGang, Usher’s tour pre-pro, film/TV sets, and major brand shoots, J Bizz breaks down how authenticity, relationships, and service turned...

This episode of The Indie Unplugged calls out clout culture—how people judge your value by who follows you, who you know, and who cosigns you. The hosts share firsthand stories about being brushed off, name-dropping to get rooms’ attention, and the emptiness of “industry relationships” built on perceived importance instead of real character or skill. They echo the frustration of networking that pr...

This interview with Ced Wynez dives into a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Ced Wynez reflecting on Miami’s classic “Quiet Storm” radio culture, when R&B, poetry, and voice messages set the tone for romance and creativity. From there, the discussion pivots into how access to music tools has shifted—what once required thousands of dollars and a trip to Guitar Center can now be done with a...

AI artists are officially breaking into the mainstream—and it’s sparking some of the biggest debates in music right now. In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, the crew dives into the rise of an AI-created R&B artist who just signed a multi-million-dollar record deal and landed at No. 3 on the charts. From the Mississippi poet behind the project to the controversy surrounding fairness, culture, a...

In this powerful segment, the crew unpacks songwriter Theron Thomas’ blunt take on what it really takes to survive in today’s music industry. With competition fiercer than ever, indie artists are battling global stars for the same streaming slots, while music itself has shifted from prized CDs to disposable background noise. Too many artists still treat music casually—showing up to “catch a vibe”...

In this thought-provoking segment, the crew tackles two seismic shifts shaping today’s music industry. First, they respond to Lizzo’s viral TikTok where she exposes a hard truth: the algorithm, not artistry, now dictates who breaks through. They unpack how platforms like TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube reward engagement over quality, leaving even established artists fighting to be seen. For independe...

On The Indie Unplugged Podcast, the crew dives into Lil Nas X’s recent arrest and wild behavior, asking whether it stems from mental health struggles, industry pressure, or proof that he was always an “industry plant.” They break down how artists can be manufactured in boardrooms—comparing Lil Nas X to past label-made acts like Kris Kross and modern K-pop idols. The conversation widens into a raw...

This episode of The Indie Unplugged Podcast dives deep into the reality of being independent in today’s music industry—where strategy, ownership, and perseverance matter more than hype. The hosts debate whether Chris Brown’s viral dance challenge was organic or a carefully calculated marketing move, breaking down how majors engineer moments and what lessons indie artists can adapt on a smaller sca...

On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Martin Crosby — founder of Clockwize Entertainment and a 30-year veteran in music production, engineering, and sync licensing. With placements across MTV, BET+, Nickelodeon, CBS Sports and more, Martin has carved a lane for himself by mastering multiple genres and staying consistent through the highs and lows. In this candid convers...

What happens when hit records are built on stolen ideas, fake courses, and flawed co-signs? In this charged episode, B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea unpack a series of music industry flashpoints starting with the controversy behind Cardi B’s “Outside,” examining claims the song was lifted from another artist and what that means for indie creatives. From there, they dive into the lawsuit a...

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea dive deep into the tension between faith and the culture of hip-hop. They explore how artists navigate spiritual convictions—especially those who've shifted identities, like Malice returning from “No Malice.” The trio discusses personal transformations, the struggle of balancing authenticity with career choices, and whether it’s hy...

In this soul-stirring episode of The Indie Unplugged, host B. Vaughan sits down with rising singer-songwriter Madyson Symphony, a gifted artist whose name alone carries the weight of musical destiny. Raised in the church and shaped by a deeply musical family, Madyson shares how her journey—marked by faith, a music degree from Spelman, and a relentless drive to stay authentic—led her to embrace her...

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, the hosts dive headfirst into controversy and cultural accountability, unpacking the recent legal conviction of Sean “Diddy” Combs under the Mann Act. The discussion explores whether Diddy is truly “canceled,” how the court of public opinion impacts legacy, and what this means for his music, business, and publishing catalog. They also debate the ethics of st...

In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged Podcast , we sit down with Travis Hall —a genre-defying artist blending opera, gospel, and R&B with raw emotion and spiritual depth. Travis opens up about his early musical influences, how he fuses classical training with soulful vocals, and what it means to stay authentic in an industry chasing trends. We explore his struggles, faith, and mission to...

In this explosive episode of The Indie Unplugged Podcast, we tackle the heated controversy between Timbaland and producer KFRESH over alleged beat theft using the Suno AI platform. Was it inspiration or infringement? We unpack the legal and ethical implications for music producers in the age of AI. Then we dig into Jim Jones’ bold claim that his catalog is stronger than Nas’, backed by hard Billbo...

In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with the unstoppable Monique Nikkole—a Grammy-nominated singer, entrepreneur, former detective sergeant, and true queen of reinvention. From her early roots in Brooklyn to her breakout success with “Red Bottoms & Lingerie,” Monique shares her journey of overcoming stage fright, surviving artist management struggles, building her...

On this episode of The Indie Unplugged Podcast, B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea dive deep into the chaos, controversy, and creativity shaping today’s music scene. They unpack the shocking BET Awards win where GloRilla took home the Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her song with Kirk Franklin—raising serious questions about genre boundaries, faith, and authenticity. The crew debates whe...

This week on The Indie Unplugged Podcast, we dive deep into a series of conversations every creative entrepreneur needs to hear. First up, we unpack the shocking moment when music executive Ray Daniels’ live podcast was interrupted by a woman accusing a staff member of killing her grandmother—all while cameras were rolling. What unfolded wasn’t just bizarre—it was a wake-up call about mental healt...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Indie Unplugged , B. Vaughan, Brian Onrea, and Tye Huntley unpack the week’s biggest headlines and ask deeper questions about the culture, the industry, and what it all means for independent artists. From Trump pardoning NBA YoungBoy to the fallout of Remy Ma and Papoose’s once-celebrated relationship, the hosts explore the fine line between public percepti...

In Episode 25 of The Indie Unplugged , hosts B. Vaughan, Brian Onrea, and Tye Huntley tackle some of the most urgent and explosive issues facing the music industry today. The trio dives into Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group as the legendary duo fights for ownership of their catalog—shedding light on the ongoing battle for artist rights and legacy. They also explore how Kesha’s n...

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of The Indie Unplugged podcast, B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea go deep into the week's most controversial and culture-shaking headlines. From legacy artists facing public downfall to new developments in the indie space, no topic is off-limits. The conversation kicks off with the shocking news of a criminal investigation launched into Smokey Robinson—the Motown i...

On this unfiltered episode of The Indie Unplugged, hosts B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea take the gloves off and confront one of the most pressing issues in music today—the toxic state of hip-hop media. What begins as a discussion around Keri Hilson’s controversial Breakfast Club interview—where she finally opens up about her infamous Beyoncé diss—evolves into a fiery critique of clickbai...