The Indie Unplugged Podcast
by A Deep Dive Into The Indie Music Journey
The Indie Unplugged Podcast is your go-to music podcast for real, unfiltered conversations about the independent music industry. Hosted by B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley and Brian Onrea, this podcast dives into trending news, pressing issues, and the evolving landscape of music creation and entrepreneurship. With insight, chemistry, and authenticity, they break down what today’s music creators need to know — from strategy to culture — helping indie artists stay sharp, informed, and empowered. wecreatemusictv.substack.com
Episodes
-
Is Yung Miami's "Spend Dat" Really the Problem?
Would you license your music to AI for just $5 a song? That's one of the biggest questions facing independent artists today, and it's only the beginning of this conversation. In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and special guest Kandice tackle LANDR's new Fair Trade…
more -
Has Hip-Hop Lost Its Soul? Anray360 on Conscious Music, Faith, and Artist Responsibility
Has hip-hop lost its soul? In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with conscious artist, lyricist, and one-half of The Soularians, Anray360, for a powerful conversation about purpose, authenticity, faith, and the responsibility artists have to influence culture. From growing...
-
The Music Industry Doesn't Want Black Men Singing About Love Anymore
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Atlanta-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer Dr. WahWah, for a powerful conversation about music, perseverance, purpose, and staying true to your artistic vision. Dr. WahWah shares his journey from Flint, Michigan,...
-
Redd Fidel on Staying Creative After All These Years
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Redd Fidel for a deep conversation about Miami hip-hop culture, lyrical craftsmanship, storytelling, and what he calls the adult contemporary hip-hop experience. Redd breaks down how growing up in Miami shaped his sound, why bass,...
-
Harold Outley Turned Rejection Into a Hit Movie | Trapped Outside
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with actor, writer, producer, and spoken-word artist Harold Outley for a powerful conversation about resilience, creativity, and building opportunities when nobody is willing to hand them to you. From growing up on the west side of...
-
Why Most Artists Never Break Even
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley have a real conversation about what it actually takes to build a sustainable music career. From budgeting singles and features to understanding return on investment, they explain why success isn't always measured by immediate...
-
Harold Outley Turned Rejection Into a Hit Movie | Trapped Outside
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with actor, writer, producer, and spoken-word artist Harold Outley for a powerful conversation about resilience, creativity, and building opportunities when nobody is willing to hand them to you. From growing up on the west side of...
-
Whatever Happened to Male R&B? | The Industry Shift No One Is Talking About
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley dive deep into one of the biggest conversations in music today: what actually happened to male R&B? From the dominance of legends like Usher, Chris Brown, and Trey Songz to today’s struggle to identify the next major male R&B...
-
Low Scores, HIGH Hype… What’s Really Going On?
On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and the team break down some of the biggest conversations shaping music and culture right now—from Dame Dash calling out Cam’ron’s transition into sports media, to Offset speaking out after a shooting tied to Lil Tjay, and Ebro Darden challenging...
-
Most Artists Are LAZY… And That’s Why They’ll Never Make It
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Grammy-nominated artist, producer, and entrepreneur James Artissen to break down the uncomfortable truth most artists avoid—success in today’s music industry has less to do with talent and more to do with discipline, work ethic…
more -
She Never Misses a Booking… Here’s Why
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with DJ Essential, a Cincinnati-based DJ who has built a powerful dual career as both a nurse practitioner and one of the most in-demand DJs in her region. This conversation goes far beyond music, breaking down the discipline,...
-
You Don’t Need Talent—You Need THIS to Win in Music!
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with YouTube ads expert Nard2Hard to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in music today—the belief that great music alone is enough to succeed. From the illusion of viral success to the hidden mechanics behind artist growth…
more -
This Is What Happens When You Don't Own Your Career
On this episode of The Indie Unplugged Live Podcast, we’re breaking down some of the biggest conversations shaping the music industry right now—from major legal shakeups and artist controversies to the evolving realities of ownership, AI, and artist control. We’re diving into the Live Nation...
-
Kanye BANNED, X SUED, Offset Shot?! The Industry Is Shifting FAST
On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, we break down how one decision can impact an entire business ecosystem. From Kanye West facing global access restrictions and investor fallout, to brands and governments stepping in to reshape an artist’s ability to operate, this conversation highlights a…
more -
Chilli's Cancel Culture Moment Exposed a Dark Truth About the Music Business
On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, we break down the viral controversy surrounding TLC’s Chilli and what it reveals about today’s music industry. When information surfaced about her political donations, the internet reacted instantly—proving that in today’s culture, perception can shift…
more -
LaRussell Backlash, Fake Streams & The Truth About the Industry
On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, we break down several major moments shaking the music industry right now—from LaRussell stepping away from social media after backlash, to a massive AI streaming fraud case exposing how easily the system can be manipulated. These situations highlight a…
more -
20 Years in Hip-Hop: Flash Finga Flame's Unfiltered Truth About Making It Independent
In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Atlanta-born producer, engineer, and media entrepreneur Flash Finga Flame for a raw conversation about music, faith, independence, and surviving the modern industry. With over two decades in hip-hop culture, Flash Finga...
-
Is T.I. Really the Greatest Rapper Alive? This Debate Got Heated Fast
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, the conversation takes a deep turn into one of hip-hop’s most controversial debates: is T.I. truly the greatest rapper alive? What starts as a simple opinion quickly turns into a full breakdown of what actually defines greatness in rap—bars, hooks, albums,...
-
This Is Why Real Artists Are About to Get Left Behind
In this live episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea dive deep into some of the biggest conversations shaping the music industry right now. From AI-generated artists and the confusion around ownership, masters, and copyright, to the dangerous normalization of...
-
Billboard Rejected LaRussell… But Did He Break the Rules or Expose the Game?
In this episode, we break down the LaRussell and Billboard controversy and ask the question a lot of independent artists are afraid to answer: if you say you do not need the system, why does its validation still matter so much? We unpack how LaRussell’s direct-to-fan strategy, fan-driven pricing,...
-
Blizm Reveals Why Most Independent Artists Are Lying About Independence
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, Blizm sits down with B. Vaughan for a deep conversation about independence, longevity, ownership, and what it really took to survive Atlanta’s evolving music ecosystem. From moving to Atlanta in 1997 with nothing but ambition, to building K100 Radio and...
-
Shane Kidd on Losing Children, Depression & Why Hope Became His Message
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, Shane Kidd opens up about his journey from Dallas to becoming one of independent hip-hop’s most thoughtful voices—blending lyricism, faith, black consciousness, and personal healing into music that challenges listeners to think deeper. He talks about early...
-
Mz Coxx on Being SHOT, Fired Managers & Why Women Don’t Have to “Compromise”
In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged, Mz Coxx sits down to talk about everything—from writing her first verse at 10 to building a full-scale entertainment brand with her family on payroll. She opens up about being shot and having to rebuild mentally and physically, firing managers who...
-
Isaac Hayes III EXPOSES Grammys, Ray Daniels ADMITS Artists Can’t Break, LaRussell Betrays Indies!
Man, we back like we never left — and we unpacked a LOT. First up: the Grammys experience from the indie angle, Grammy House, real networking, and why the “independent grind” still wins when the work is right. Then we got into Isaac Hayes III’s point about geography and Grammy voting — and the…
more -
The Industry Is Shifting: Power, Perception, and Ownership in Music!
In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea unpack some of the biggest music industry developments happening right now. The conversation starts with Bandcamp’s bold decision to ban AI-generated music, making it one of the first major platforms to openly reject...
-
Spotify, Netflix, Patreon: The New Labels Are Here (And Creators Don’t See It)
Hip-hop might be the culture… but the industry version is still built to own you. In this episode we break down why Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit got dismissed, what “work for hire” really means, and how artists can spend decades building a legacy—only to find out the paperwork never had their name on…
more -
Greggory Smith’s RAW Interview: The Industry Lies, Broken Deals & God’s Unexpected Plan
In this unforgettable and emotional episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley sit down with one of the most respected but quietly powerful figures in the music business — Greggory Smith, former Regional Director of Creative Services at SESAC and the man behind stories that shaped...
-
Hip-Hop Must Die to Be Reborn? Joe Budden, Diddy’s Reckoning & Ray J’s Crash-Out Explained
In this explosive segment of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley dive straight into one of the most heated debates in music culture: the public’s obsession with tearing down Chris Brown while worshipping other artists without question. From Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Michael Jackson’s…
more -
Loyalty is Timeless: The Most Authentic Voices in Atlanta Hip-Hop Right Now
In this powerful episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with one of Atlanta’s most authentic and fast-rising independent duos: Loyalty Is Timeless. From the moment the interview starts, Controversy and Big D open up about their brotherhood, their family-rooted musical upbringing…
more -
Chris Brown vs. Michael Jackson | The Greatest of All Time Debate
B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley kick off this live episode of The Indie Unplugged with jokes, claps turning into crickets, and a deep dive into the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson—asking if Chris Brown has really “caught up” to MJ and unpacking why their greatness shouldn’t…
more -
Drake, Bots & Billboard Chaos — What’s REALLY Happening to Hip-Hop?!
Welcome to the first-ever Indie Unplugged LIVE episode — where B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea go unfiltered on everything happening in music and creator culture. From overworked indie hustle stories to the wild revelation of “super checks,” the crew kicks off with real talk before…
more -
MAJOR.'s Open Letter to the Grammy's Has Everyone in the Industry Talking
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”,...
-
The Truth About What's Killing Music
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...
-
Diddy's Downfall & Cardi vs. Nicki: The Real Story Behind the Headlines
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...
-
From Cutting Hair to Cutting Records — J Bizz's Unexpected Path
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…
more -
The Dark Side of Networking Events Nobody Talks About
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...
-
Ced Wynez on why There Are No Excuses: Why Starting Music Is Easier Than Ever
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...
-
AI Just Signed a Record Deal… Is This the End of Real Music?
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...
-
Why Talent Alone Won’t Save You in Today’s Industry
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...
-
Algorithms & AI: The New Battlefields for Independent Artists
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...
-
The #1 Mistake That Gets Indie Artists Exploited
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…
more -
Chris Brown, LaRussell & The Death of Black-Owned Labels — Indie Artists Pay Attention
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...
-
From Doubt To Dreams How Martin Crosby Started His Music Journey!
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...
-
Tyla Lawsuit, Cardi’s Stolen Hit & XXL Clowned: Is Music Still Safe for Indies?
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…
more -
Is It Hypocritical to Return to Hip-Hop After Finding God?
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...
-
Did My Dad Predict My Future By Naming Me Madyson Symphony?
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...
-
Diddy’s Legacy, Indie Artist Realities & the Future of Hip-Hop Culture
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,...
-
My Teacher Said I Couldn't Sing But Look At Me Now!
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...
-
Timbaland AI Scandal, Jim Jones vs Nas & Tank’s Billboard Snub, Brandy vs. Aaliyah Debate
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…
more -
From Detective to Grammy Nominee: The Reinvention of Monique Nikkole
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,”...
About this show
The Indie Unplugged Podcast is your go-to music podcast for real, unfiltered conversations about the independent music industry. Hosted by B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley and Brian Onrea, this podcast dives into trending news, pressing issues, and the evolving landscape of music creation and entrepreneurship. With insight, chemistry, and authenticity, they break down what today’s music creators need to know — from strategy to culture — helping indie artists stay sharp, informed, and empowered.
wecreatemusictv.substack.com
Hosted by
A Deep Dive Into The Indie Music Journey
Categories