The Man Behind The Music

He heard it before the world did. In this episode of The Man Behind The Music, Shawn Barron sits down with Big Tank, Mr. Porter, and Rockwilder to break down how he’s built a career on recognizing talent early — and moving before the industry catches up. From working with Ty Dolla $ign to helping shape the rise of Leon Thomas, Shawn has played a key role in defining the sound of modern R&B. He sha...

What happens when you’re on the verge of walking away from your dream — and then everything shifts? In this episode, multi-talented singer-songwriters Lyric and Tamae share how they nearly gave up on music before a breakthrough opportunity with Big Tank changed the direction of their careers. From seeing their work featured on a cultural platform to connecting with new audiences, they open up abou...

In this powerful episode, Jeremy Summers — EVP of Music at 20th Television & 20th Animation, Disney Television Studios — sits down with Big Tank, Mr. Porter, and Rockwilder for an unforgettable conversation about vision, persistence, and the journey from humble beginnings to shaping the sound of some of television’s biggest moments. From his early days navigating the music industry with passion an...

In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, we pull back the curtain on the studio with legendary producer and executive LT Hutton, a creative force behind some of the most influential records in hip-hop and R&B. From iconic sessions to behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped timeless songs, LT breaks down what really happens when history is being made in the room. This is an unfiltered look at t...

Damion “Damizza” Young is one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in music history, and in this episode of The Man Behind the Music, he tells the stories behind the records that defined an era. From shaping radio culture to having a direct hand in breaking artists and songs you grew up on, Damizza pulls back the curtain on how legendary records actually make it to the masses and why...

Most artists chase hits. Very few build careers. In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with Shawn "Tubby" Holiday — a producer, songwriter, and industry veteran who has stayed relevant while countless others disappeared. Tubby breaks down: Why most artists and producers fail long-term What actually keeps careers alive behind the scenes The difference between chasing success and...

On this episode of The Man Behind The Music, we sit down with Breana Marin, a singer-songwriter who quietly built a six-figure music career — without a viral hit, major label deal, or radio play. Breana breaks down the real economics of being an independent artist: how she diversified income streams, leveraged songwriting, brand partnerships, and smart business decisions to generate over $100,000...

On this episode of The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with 4X Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and founder of 1500 or Nothin’ — Larrance “Rance” Dopson. From shaping the sound of global superstars to building one of the most respected creative collectives in music, Larrance breaks down the blueprint behind today’s biggest artists, the mindset required to reach the top, and the sacrifi...

This week on The Man Behind the Music, the crew sits down with Dr. Dre’s #1 producer, Focus…, for an unfiltered conversation about turning pain into purpose. From his early struggles to becoming one of the most respected sonic architects in hip-hop, Focus breaks down the creative process, the mental battles behind the boards, and the personal moments that shaped his legendary sound. In this powerf...

In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, things kick off with a rare behind-the-scenes moment — hip-hop legend Rockwilder and rising indie star Flawless hit the studio to create a brand-new song live on the spot. From building the beat to laying down vocals, listeners get an unfiltered look at the creative process between a Grammy-winning producer and one of the most promising independent arti...

In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with 6X Grammy Award-winning producer and executive Ron Fair, the visionary mind behind some of the biggest records in pop, R&B, and soul. From Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” to Christina Aguilera’s iconic “Lady Marmalade,” Ron takes us behind the boards and inside the stories that defined a generation of hits. With decades at the top...

Step inside the journey of Vincent “Tuff” Morgan, the rapper who transformed his passion for music into a powerful career as Senior Director of A&R at peermusic. From his early days navigating the grind of the industry to becoming one of the most respected music executives, Tuff’s story is proof that there’s more than one path to success in music. In this episode, we explore how Tuff flipped the s...

This week on The Man Behind the Music, the hosts sit down with two industry powerhouses, Darrale Jones and Brandra Ringo, for an unfiltered conversation about breaking artists and making hits. With decades of experience shaping the careers of some of music’s biggest names, Darrale and Brandra open up about what it really takes to spot talent, develop artists, and build lasting success in today’s i...

In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, the hosts sit down with Jennifer Drake, Executive Vice President at Universal Music Group and one of the most influential figures working behind the curtain of today’s biggest hits. From discovering and developing artists to shaping the creative strategies that drive chart-topping records, Jennifer shares her insight on what it takes to build sustainabl...

In this electrifying episode of The Man Behind the Music, Woody McClain and Davion Farris step into the studio and deliver a moment of pure creative brilliance. From the very first spark of inspiration to the final polished performance, you’ll witness the artistry, chemistry, and raw talent that make this collaboration unforgettable. It’s not just music, it’s an experience you can feel. Woody open...

In this episode of The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with Tina Davis, the powerhouse executive who helped launch Chris Brown into superstardom and has been shaping the sound of the industry ever since. From her game-changing A&R work at Def Jam to her artist-first approach to management, Tina has always had an eye for what’s next. Now, as President of EMPIRE Records, she’s building the bluepri...

In this week’s episode of The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy talk about the GRAMMYs. From how nominations are chosen to the industry's shift toward independent artists, Harvey opens up about the evolving landscape of music, fairness, and the future of the world’s biggest music awards. We also dive into Harvey’s journey from platinum produc...

This week on The Man Behind the Music, we sit down with the brilliant Heather Zuhlke—writer, executive producer, and showrunner behind hit shows like BMF, Power Book IV: Force, The Purge, and Southland. In this powerful episode, Heather opens up about her creative journey from writing in coffee shops to running major television sets. She shares how personal experiences shaped her voice, how she ba...

In this special bonus episode of The Man Behind the Music, we take a deep dive into the lives and journeys of the three legendary producers who host the show: Denaun "Mr. Porter" Porter, Rockwilder, and Big Tank. You’ve heard their beats on platinum records and iconic film/TV scores — now hear their personal stories, creative battles, and the pivotal moments that shaped their careers behind the sc...

The debut episode of The Man Behind the Music kicks off with a bang as battle rap legend DNA and actress/singer/songwriter Hailey Kilgore step into the spotlight. Watch DNA craft the official podcast theme song from scratch, then sit down with the hosts to unpack his evolution from battle stages to placing music in hit TV and film. Next, Tony-nominated powerhouse Hailey Kilgore joins the conversat...

Welcome to Man Behind The Music, where we go beyond the beats and into the real stories behind music production, composition, and sound for film and television. I’m your host, Derryck “Big Tank” Thornton—a producer, music supervisor, and composer whose decades-long career includes collaborations with icons like Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. I’ve also helped shape the music...