The Indie Unplugged Podcast

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged , B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea dive into critical topics shaping the modern music landscape. First up is a deep dive into RIAA certification for independent artists, inspired by Russ’s viral tweet. They explore whether gold or platinum certification still holds the same value for independent artists in today’s industry, where 1,500 streams now count as a sale....

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged , host B. Vaughan sits down with Angel Soto, CEO of Benton Entertainment and a cornerstone of Tampa’s music scene. From spinning records as a DJ in the early '90s to launching Benton Records in 2001, Angel shares how his love for music evolved into building a vital hub for DJs, artists, and producers across the region. As the digital era reshaped the industry...

In this dynamic episode of The Indie Unplugged , hosts B. Vaughan and Yohance sit down with the genre-blending powerhouse International Nova. Hailing from the Bronx and now based in Atlanta, Nova shares his remarkable journey from gritty New York beginnings to becoming a Billboard-charting artist. Known for his seamless fusion of Latin, dancehall, R&B, and Afrobeat, Nova reflects on his early infl...

In this episode of 'The Indie Unplugged,' B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea dive into some of the most provocative and timely issues in the music industry. The discussion begins with a deep exploration of the impact that non-Black voices have on the narrative surrounding Black culture, particularly in music. They examine how these perspectives shape the authenticity of the culture and the potential conse...

In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged , B. Vaughan sits down with the legendary Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr.—multi-platinum producer, CEO of Platinum Boy Music, and a cornerstone of the iconic Bad Boy Hitmen production team. With credits spanning artists like Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, and Trey Songz—whom he also serves as musical director and tour drummer—Amadeus shares...

In this powerful episode of 'The Indie Unplugged,' B. Vaughan and Brian Onrea tackle some of the most critical and timely issues in the music industry today. The conversation opens with a deep dive into whether hip-hop has become anti-Black, inspired by actor Malcolm Jamal Warner's provocative comments. They explore how the messaging in hip-hop has evolved over the years, questioning whether the g...

In this engaging episode of The Indie Unplugged , host B. Vaughan sits down with Brandon "Plan B 85" Ross—music producer, recording engineer, and founder of 1985 Music—to unpack his dynamic journey through the music industry. From playing drums in his grandmother’s church to landing placements on MTV’s Guy Code , Catfish , and scoring Tyler Perry’s Sistas , Brandon reflects on how his passion was...

Join us for a thought-provoking episode of 'The Indie Unplugged' where host B. Vaughan and co-host Brian Onrea dive deep into the intricate dynamics of the music industry. This episode tackles three major themes: the role of politics in entertainment, the ethics of marketing good deeds, and the pervasive issue of culture vultures. In the segment on politics in entertainment, they explore whether a...

In this captivating episode of The Indie Unplugged , host B. Vaughan and guest co-host Yohance sit down with Jay Fooley Beatz—a talented music producer and engineer from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, now making his mark in Atlanta. Jay takes us on a journey through his musical roots, shaped by legends like Barry White and the Isley Brothers, and shares how his early exposure to soulful sounds laid the foun...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Indie Unplugged , host B. Vaughan sits down with Mogul Mal—a hip-hop artist, producer, podcaster, and community activist whose roots trace back to the historic Black Wall Street in Oklahoma. Now based in Atlanta, Mogul Mal reflects on how his upbringing and environment shaped both his music and mission. With powerful storytelling and a bold voice, he unpack...

Dive into the inspiring world of London Elixir in this episode of 'The Indie Unplugged.' Hosted by B. Vaughan and featuring guest co-host Yohance, this episode explores the unique journey of London Elixir from her early beginnings to becoming a renowned music producer known for her dynamic and versatile style across genres like hip-hop, R&B, pop, funk, and trap. In this engaging discussion, London...

In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged , host B. Vaughan sits down with the multifaceted J. Rhodes—award-winning music producer, filmmaker, educator, and author. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, J. Rhodes shares his journey from early beat battles to working with industry giants like Dr. Dre, Lecrae, and Talib Kweli. He dives into the business behind the beats, reflecting on lessons from his b...

Dive into the unique soundscapes of JoDavi on this inspiring episode of 'The Indie Unplugged.' Host B. Vaughan, along with co-host Yohance, welcomes the multifaceted singer-songwriter known for his soulful blend of R&B, pop, jazz, gospel, reggae, and funk, creating a distinct cinema soul sound. JoDavi shares his musical journey from his influences under his musician father to his groundbreaking wo...

Explore the harsh realities of the music industry in this candid episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Host B. Vaughan, alongside co-host Yohance, engages in a profound dialogue with industry expert Brian Onrea about the pervasive issue of toxicity within the music scene. The conversation spans the impact of toxic behavior on personal and professional lives, identifying toxic individuals, and the chal...

Join us on this insightful episode of 'The Indie Unplugged' as host B. Vaughan and co-host Yohance sit down with the multifaceted music industry executive C. Von Parchman. In this deep dive, C. Von Parchman shares his extensive experience, from his roots in the vibrant musical heritage of Los Angeles to his influential role as the president and founder of 6X Entertainment. Discover how C. Von’s de...

Dive into the multifaceted world of music production with Marcus 'Da Fingaz' Manderson in this engaging episode of 'The Indie Unplugged', co-hosted by B. Vaughan and Yohance. This session explores Marcus's journey from his roots in Northern Virginia to becoming a renowned composer, producer, and sync licensing expert. Discover how influences from gospel, reggae, hip-hop, and more shaped his unique...

Unveil the truths and debunk the myths of the music industry in this compelling episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Join host B. Vaughan as he delves deep with guests Kelby Cannick and Supastar Six into the misunderstood aspects of the music scene. Explore the intriguing conversation about the nature of collaboration in Atlanta's music industry, the impact of social dynamics, and the true meaning of...

Join us on a captivating journey through the music industry with Mattie B on this episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Host B. Vaughan delves into Maddie's multifaceted career as a singer-songwriter who seamlessly blends R&B, gospel, rap, pop, and country into her music. From her roots in Winston-Salem to her collaborations with industry giants and her success in securing placements on platforms like...

Dive deep into the evolving dynamics of the music industry in this enlightening episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Host B. Vaughan, along with guests Xavier Jones and Derek 'Pres' Jackson, unpack the challenges and misconceptions surrounding success in music. They explore the impact of social media on artists' expectations, the myths of overnight success, and the harsh realities of the industry. Th...

Dive into the world of sound with the legendary Sound Oracle on this captivating episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Join hosts B. Vaughan and Yohance as they explore Sound Oracle's groundbreaking journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pivotal figure in music production. Known for his innovative sound design that has shaped hits for icons like Timbaland and Drake, Sound Oracle shares his uniqu...

Join us for a vibrant conversation on the challenges and dynamics of the music industry in this episode of 'The Indie Unplugged'. Host B. Vaughan welcomes Yohance and Drumz-n-Rosez to share their insights and personal journeys. Dive deep into discussions about how the evolution of social media has changed the landscape for music production, the crucial role of location in career success, and the s...

Join us on The Indie Unplugged for a comprehensive and insightful conversation with Leon Cosby III, a distinguished entrepreneur and business strategist in the music industry. Leon delves deep into the intricacies of the music business, providing invaluable advice on navigating the challenges of independent artistry and entrepreneurship. Throughout the interview, he shares his personal journey fro...

Step into the evolving world of independent music with this riveting episode of Indie Unplugged. Join host B. Vaughan alongside industry veterans Yohance and Derek 'Pres' Jackson as they navigate the shifting landscapes of music production and A&R. This episode delves deep into the transformation of the A&R role, challenges faced by today's artists and producers, and the impact of technological ad...

Explore the intricacies of the music industry with Derrick McKinney, the visionary founder of L.O.U.D Muzik, on this enlightening episode of The Indie Unplugged. Hosted by B. Vaughan, this deep dive covers Derrick’s remarkable journey from marketing for FUBU to driving monumental growth at Headgear Sportswear and establishing his own empire. Discover how Derrick’s passion for music and sharp busin...

Join us on this profound episode of The Indie Unplugged with host B. Vaughan and the inspirational Kennis Clark, a multi-talented artist bridging genres from R&B to Christian contemporary music. In this deep dive, Kennis shares his eclectic musical journey, from his beginnings in Long Island to his transformative experiences in California, where his faith and music intertwined, leading him to a pu...