Loading...

PODCAST

Mixed and Mastered

Mixed and Mastered is where the music industry tells the stories you never hear.Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive Records, the podcast goes behind the scenes of the people shaping today’s sound. Not the headlines—the real journeys, hard lessons, and pivotal moments that define careers.From executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Mixed and Mastered centers the voices that actually build the culture. These

music music commentary

All Episodes

59:12

Emil Wilberkin

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/07/31

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, host Jeffrey Sledge sits down with journalist, tastemaker, and cultural force Emil Wilbekin for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. From his roots in Cincinnati to shaping the voice of Vibe Magazine during hip-hop’s golden era, Emil reflects on the journey that made him one of the most influential Black voices in media. They talk fashion, identity, HBCU pride, and breaking barriers—especially what it meant to be an openly gay Black man ...

en-us

52:12

Wardell Malloy

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/07/23

Send us a text Prepare for an electrifying episode of "Mixed and Mastered" as Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the legendary Wardell Malloy! Journey from the vibrant streets of the Bronx to the epicenter of the music industry, where Wardell shares his incredible path, working alongside icons like Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Mariah Carey. Dive into the art of mentorship, the thrill of discovering new talent, and Wardell's creative passion for photography. With tales of nurturing future stars and...

en-us

48:35

Dante Ross: Part 2

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/07/17

In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary A&R exec and producer Dante Ross, the ride gets even crazier. Dante breaks down the highs and lows of his time at Elektra and Def Jam, working with iconic artists like Brand Nubian, ODB, MF Doom, and Everlast. He shares the wild backstory of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues—from late-night jam sessions to a near-fatal heart attack that almost stopped the album before it started. We also get into the aftermath of success, chasing the next high, and...

en-us

59:17

Dante Ross: Part 1

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/07/10

This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey. From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower East Side to immersing himself in punk rock, graffiti, and skateboarding, Dante shares how music became his first true escape. He talks about the artists who shaped his taste – from Chuck Berry to The Beatles to The Jackson 5 – and how the cultural collision of punk, new w...

en-us

59:05

Jasper Cameron

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/07/03

In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary songwriter and producer Jasper Cameron to explore his journey from Atlanta church pews to crafting chart-topping hits. Jasper shares how Atlanta shaped his view of success, the church’s role in honing his talent, and how mentors like Dallas Austin opened pivotal doors. They dive into Atlanta’s tightly knit music scene, the rise of artists like Lloyd, Sammy, and Nivea, and the balance of writing mature songs for yo...

en-us

54:31

Kwasi Kessie

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/26

From the heart of Harlem to the red carpet at the Met Gala, Kwasi Kessie’s journey is stitched together with culture, community, and style. In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge talks to the the stylist, runner, and creative force behind Lace Magazine and Kill Off Season. He shares how Harlem shaped his eye, how Foot Locker opened industry doors, and how working with BET and A$AP Ferg cemented his voice in fashion. Kwasi talks sneaker culture, storytelling through style, and ...

en-us

63:47

Grace Harry

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/20

This week, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the incomparable Grace Harry—creative executive, joy strategist, and a true behind-the-scenes force in the music industry. From her early days in Brooklyn to her evolution from chef to artist marketer to founder, Grace shares an unfiltered look at her career, her creative collaborations, and the personal growth that shaped it all. They swap wild stories from iconic photo shoots, reflect on the evolution of music marketing, and talk candidly about the ...

en-us

64:13

O'Neal McKnight

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/12

This week on Mixed and Mastered, O’Neal McKnight pulls back the curtain on a career that spans styling, music, film, and cultural impact. From his roots in South Carolina to interning at Motown and working alongside his late cousin Andre Harrell, O’Neal shares how he went from dressing stars like Usher, Jessica Alba, and Jermaine Dupri to becoming one himself. He breaks down the creation of Kosher Soul, producing TV specials with legends like Stan Lathan and Cedric The Entertainer, and the ri...

en-us

6:47

Extra Credit: Terrell Jones

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/09

Here's your Extra Credit episode with Harlem’s own Terrell Jones, aka Terrellish. He took DJ Khaled and Fat Joe and made them fashion icons. Twenty years in, Terrell dresses stars and is putting hip-hop style into luxury fashion. Our bonus questions for Terrell: Artist You Wanted to StyleThree Favorite DesignersFashion Movie RecommendationFavorite Vacation PlaceSupport the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffre...

en-us

64:51

Rob Markman

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/05

On this episode of Mixed and Mastered, we kick it with Rob Markman—Brooklyn-bred storyteller, journalist, and artist—as he rewinds to his roots in hip hop’s golden age. From bumping Ladi Dadi on cassette to catching inspiration from CL Smooth’s T.R.O.Y., Rob shares how the culture raised him and why storytelling remains the heartbeat of his music. He opens up about navigating the grind—from freelancing for Vibe, Complex, and The Source to launching XXL’s digital presence and leveling up at MT...

en-us

4:59

Extra Credit: Vivian Scott Chew

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/06/02

This quick-hit Extra Credit episode finds Jeffrey Sledge volleying rapid-fire prompts at industry trailblazer Vivian Scott Chew, who fires back with stories that prove a great A&R ear is equal parts instinct and heart. She recalls the one artist who slipped through her fingers, reflects on the eclectic mix of acts that still give her chills, and names the producers who defined entire eras of sound. Vivian’s tales jump from surprise arena moments to late-night overseas after-parties, all ...

en-us

54:14

Shanté Paige

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/29

This week on Mixed and Mastered, we sit down with powerhouse executive and producer Shanté Paige for an inspiring, no-holds-barred conversation about her journey through the entertainment industry. From her Bronx roots and Silver Spring upbringing to her formative years at Howard University, Shanté takes us through the hustle, the heart, and the hard lessons that shaped her career. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from managing artists in the early days, to building her rep at Jive and V...

en-us

5:37

Extra Credit: Faith Newman

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/27

In this Extra Credit episode of Mixed and Mastered, Faith Newman shares some unforgettable stories and insights from her legendary career in the music industry. From the artist she desperately wanted to sign (but couldn’t) to the wild experience with Public Enemy and some unforgettable concert moments, Faith’s journey is packed with amazing memories. Tune in to hear more about her life in music and the unforgettable moments that shaped it. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and d...

en-us

69:58

Angelique Miles

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/22

From A&R meetings to ab workouts, Angelique Miles has lived many lives—and in this episode of Mixed and Mastered, she’s telling all. Join us for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation as Angelique takes us from her roots in Queens, NY, to the boardrooms of Warner Chappell and Universal, where she helped shape the sound of hip-hop and R&B alongside legends like Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Busta Rhymes. But the journey doesn’t stop there. Angelique opens up about navigating ...

en-us

4:30

Extra Credit: Whitney-Gayle Benta

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/20

Class is back in session! In this bonus episode, we hit Whitney-Gayle Benta with three rapid-fire questions. From the tracks that first lit her fuse to the wildest “you-had-to-be-there” label moments, Whitney pulls back the curtain on the soundtrack of her life and the lessons she’s learned shepherding superstar careers. Craving the whole story? Queue up our earlier full-length convo with Whitney for the deep dive on breaking artists, building bridges, and surviving the music biz with style. ...

en-us

66:42

Joseph Patel

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/15

Oscar-winning filmmaker, producer, and journalist Joseph Patel joins Jeffrey Sledge for a deep, honest, and inspiring conversation about music, media, and finding your true voice. Patel shares his journey from growing up in the Bay Area to becoming a key part of the college radio and underground hip-hop scenes at UC Davis—where he connected with legends like DJ Shadow and Blackalicious. He opens up about his rise through the industry, from early music journalism to producing groundbreaking co...

en-us

67:26

Damon DeGraff

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/05/07

In this episode, Damon DeGraff joins host Jeffrey Sledge to trace his journey from his musical roots in Bermuda to the heart of New York’s nightlife and DJ culture. Damon opens up about the early influences that shaped his sound, the rise of celebrity DJs, and the challenges he faced building a career in music management and nightlife. They dive into his experiences at Cheeba Sound, pivotal industry connections, and the evolution of DJ culture in the social media era. Damon also shares insigh...

en-us

57:00

Terrell Jones

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/04/29

This week on Mixed and Mastered, Harlem-born stylist Terrell Jones pulls back the curtain on his journey from the block to the big stage, styling icons like Mary J. Blige and Fat Joe. Terrell breaks down how growing up in Harlem shaped his eye, why individuality is everything in fashion, and how the game has changed in the age of social media. From wild stories with fashion legends to building a new lane in the art world, Terrell keeps it real about creativity, culture, and staying true to yo...

en-us

56:23

Faith Newman

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/04/22

This week on Mixed and Mastered, we sit down with the incomparable Faith Newman — a true architect of hip-hop history and a champion of timeless music. From cataloging records as a kid to co-executive producing Illmatic and signing legends like Nas, Jamiroquai, and The Isley Brothers, Faith’s journey is nothing short of iconic. As one of the first five employees at Def Jam and now EVP at Reservoir, she’s spent four decades shaping culture—always with a sharp ear, real passion, and a strict no...

en-us

68:12

Vivian Scott Chew

Mixed and Mastered ·

2025/04/15

From Far Rockaway to the global stage, Vivian Scott Chew has spent a career turning "no" into new lanes. In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Vivian sits down with Jeffrey Sledge to share her boundary-breaking journey—from becoming ASCAP’s first African-American female rep and launching the Rhythm & Soul Awards, to fielding a call from Little Richard and reshaping the global music landscape. With humor, insight, and fierce determination, Vivian recounts pivotal moments: a 37-minut...

en-us

65 results

Similar Podcasts

Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews

Phil Aston

Mixed and Mastered

Jeffrey Sledge

Musical Miles Podcast

Byron Duffin

Proximity Radio

Proximity

GiMBoX

Delta Radio