Episodes

  • Dr. Benjamin Wright
    Feb 25 2026

    Legendary composer and arranger Dr. Benjamin Wright joins Tank & J. Valentine for a masterclass in orchestration, arrangement, and musical storytelling. From shaping iconic R&B records to scoring timeless moments, Benjamin breaks down how strings, horns, and live instrumentation elevate a song from great to unforgettable. We get into working with powerhouse vocalists, writing for emotion, and the discipline behind arranging music that still resonates decades later.

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Jaycen Joshua
    Feb 19 2026

    Jaycen Joshua—Grammy-winning mix engineer and the ear behind countless modern classics—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to break down what separates a “good mix” from a record that feels finished. From gain staging and low-end translation to vocal placement, depth, and loudness, Jaycen walks through his workflow, mix decision-making, and the habits that keep sessions moving at the highest level. This one is for artists, producers, engineers—and anyone who’s ever wondered why some records hit different.

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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • Tricky Stewart
    Feb 12 2026

    Tricky Stewart—Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and RedZone architect—joins Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how era-defining records get built. From the first chord choice to the final vocal comp, Tricky breaks down the decisions behind smashes like Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” and more. We talk chemistry with The-Dream, building the right room, protecting an artist’s identity, and why drums, melody, and story matter most.

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    2 hrs and 4 mins
  • Philip Lawrence
    Feb 5 2026

    Philip Lawrence—Grammy-winning songwriter/producer and frequent Bruno Mars collaborator (The Smeezingtons)—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how stadium-level records get built. We get into melody-first writing, lyric clarity, chord choices that carry a hook, and the vocal/arrangement details that turn good songs into culture-shifting moments. Philip traces the arc from early sessions to global smashes, the teamwork behind The Smeezingtons, and how he keeps taste sharp across eras.

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    2 hrs
  • Blaq Tuxedo
    Jan 28 2026

    Blaq Tuxedo—brothers Darius & Dominique—pull up to talk songwriting, the journey, and building records that hit both the timeline and the stage. With Tank & J. Valentine, the duo breaks down their process from melody math to production choices, how they split roles in the room, and the rollout thinking behind new music. They also get into writing Chris Brown’s “Iffy” and their own record “Residuals.”

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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Marc Byers
    Jan 22 2026
    Executive and A&R strategist Marc Byers sits with Tank & J. Valentine to map the relationships, instincts, and timing behind era-defining R&B and hip-hop moments—from internships under Kenny Gamble, to early wins with Maurice Wilcher, to linking artists, producers, and labels that shaped the sound of a generation.

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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Tony Dixon
    Jan 14 2026

    Tony Dixon (aka Antonio Dixon)—songwriter, producer, and vocal architect—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to break down how modern R&B records come together: chord language, pocket, and vocal production that lives on repeat. Tony walks through the making of Kehlani’s “out the window”—from concept to arrangement to the performance choices that make it land—plus the collaboration habits and taste that keep him in the room for career records.

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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • Jill Scott Highlights
    Jan 7 2026

    This week, we’re bringing you a Highlight Episode packed with some "Golden" moments, from our recent episode with the one and only Jill Scott.

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    34 mins