The Questlove Show - Questlove Supreme: Chanté Moore

Episode Date: April 19, 2023

R&B songstress Chanté Moore talks to Questlove Supreme about her extensive career. Fresh from her Soul Train Awards performance, the singer tells the stories behind some of her most memorable songs, as well as working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, George Duke, and The Isley Brothers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show.

This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL draft. And we've got a special guest.

The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galco, joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for to the biggest mistakes franchises make to the players flying under the radar. This is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend.

This is much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far. But I'm John Green, co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel on our podcast, The Away End. We'll share with you the magic of international football. leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Auerkone and John Green on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Sino Show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience, and redemption.

On a recent episode, I sit down with actor, cultural icon, Danny Trail, talk about addiction, transformation, and the power of second change. chances. The entire season two is now available to Bench, featuring powerful conversation with the guests like Tiffany Addish, Johnny Knoxville, and more. I'm an alcoholic. And without this group, I'm going to die. Listen to the Cino show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. On paper, the three hosts of the Nick Dick & Poll show are geniuses. We can explain how AI works, data centers, but there are certain things that we don't necessarily understand. Better version of Play Stupid Games, win Stupid prizes. Yes.

Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift, who said that for the first time. I actually, I thought it was. I got that wrong. But hey, no one's perfect. We're pretty close, though. Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Paul show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Questlove Supreme is a production of IHeart Radio. Ladies and gentlemen, this is another episode of Questlove Supreme. I am your host, Questlove's taken over. How are you doing, Laia? Laya's got a man at home.

If we're doing that, I'm just... This would have been a hell of a time to have our theme back. I know. I know. We just have a changed platform and, you know, getting six people to change links and things sometimes. It's a process. Or, yeah, just maybe we try it next episode.

All right. So you got a man. Laya. Good to know. Anything else? He's so good to me. Any other, any other, uh, no. You just got two songs.

All right, all right. I got more. This is, that's the same song. See? Okay. I know this is, you. Steve, how are you, bro? I got no man.

All right. Well, you know, there's always tomorrow, bro. Unpaid Bill. Man, I'm good. Good to see you, bro. I have to congratulate you on your, uh, your work on Broadway. I saw Ann Juliet. I highly recommend it.

Stellar work as always. This is a good time to say we're going to be in New York at the end of the month, so hold those tickets, Bill. Hold those seats. Let's do that. We should figure out a date where everybody can go, and we should do that. Go ahead.

Yes, yes. Great. Field trip for the crew. Fontegalo, what's that, bro? I'm good, man. I'm good, man. I'm chilling. Sexy lights down there, I see.

Yeah, you know, hey, Shante Moore said, man, I had to make confidence. I know, right? I know, right? You know, I'm, well, I'm just. Well, I'll think. Candlelight, I got more. Come on, where we go? Here you go. So I will say that our illustrious guest today,

for the least the, for the last three decades, has been blessing us with their angelic voice. I would assume four octave range, the ability to break glass, if you will, getting high up there. I wish I had that gift. Starting with her debut album on MCA, Precious, of course, featuring the classic loves taking over. I love that. I love that.

They sing that all the time. Not to mention album after album. Love Supreme, you know, a moment is mine, exposed in a slew of others. She's also literally worked, I'll say, with every producer. Like, her collaboration list is almost, wow.

I hope we get a lot of stories out of this. From George Duke to B.B. Wynas, to Jam and Lewis. to Keith Crouch, to Kipper Jones, to Tricky Stewart, Brian Lauren, Rodney Jerkins, Jermaine DePrie, Robin Thick, Tim and Bob, Philly's own James, I'm gonna call him Poisoner because he hates when I add the letter end to his name.

Junius Burfine, Darrell Simmons, Tim and Bob, Carvin and Ivan, Fred Hammond, Raphael Sadiq, Kwame, Brian Michael Cox, of course, even work with Boys Demen, El DeBarch, the Isley brothers, won a grip of awards and plaques and she's giving us the honor today to recap her career and her story and her journey

on our platform, the award-winning Quest Love Supreme. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to our show, Shantey Moore. How are you? I'm doing great. You name people I forgot I worked with. That's how long that and crazy that list was. The only thing I will say

about that is I'm going to start with, I have only won one award. and I got it this year, no, excuse me, this past year for Christmas. It was supposed to be in 1997. But my husband, Stephen, found the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack of the year award for the American Music Awards. It was the entire album that he gave it to me for Christmas. It's the only award I have.

You're trying to tell me for 25 years, this award's been made. Am I A? Yes. No one ever gave it to me. No one ever said anything about it. No one ever called me and said, Hey, congratulations, you won or get up on stage and do a B. Nothing.

Nothing ever. He found it and gave it to me. Where'd you say that? Because we at Questleaf Supreme are still waiting for our Webby Award from our first year. Right. But anyway. It makes 20 years. You need Stephen Hill.

That's what you need. Stephen Hill does it. Shout out to brother, Stephen Hill. Stephen just reminded me that when his episode was done

that was a very dark day in which the 45th president was just getting ushered into office and it was a very dark day and now here we are

you're here on the day that that same person got indicted and arrested so that's good Very special moment. Full circle moment. Full circle.

You are. All right. So my very first question to you is what the hell is going on between the sheets in my home playing? Speaking of corn. Oh, that was good. You dug. Well, first of all, where were you born? I want to know about your childhood.

Where is the city in which? I was born in San Francisco, California. I have lived in California my whole life. San Francisco first, San Diego next, Sacramento, and then Los Angeles for the last 32 years or so. I'm only eight years old, so you do the calculation. I've not heard you use the term hella yet, so I don't know if I believe that. It's the truth. Really?

I am a California girl, and I color my roots because I will not accept my age yet. Even though my children are all bigger than me and my son will be 20 on the 10th of April and my daughter will be 27 on the 27th of September. Don't tell me how old your daughter is because that will mess me up. But I was eight when I had her. So there you go. Right. I see. Okay.

See. 30 years in the business. I was eight. Yes. I was eight. I mean, you look at so far. You look amazing. Thank you.

You know what? I feel good. and I'm really happy to not feel the age that it keeps telling me. I'm going to just keep holding on to what I feel. What do you do to keep staying that way? I'm just curious. What you do to maintain that?

Well, Rock said that money was the best lotion. What is truly the best lotion? Joy and peace. Love. Yeah. Because if you're not at peace, all that stuff just makes you frown. It makes, I don't care what kind of both.

talks you got, you still be just angry looking. I just feel like the joy of life and loving my children and loving love and loving life, loving music still, and being able to still do that for a living is a hugest blessing I've ever. The fact that I'm on here, I mean, I know you guys are saying like, give me my flowers, but I read on Quest Love's

podcast. I'm tripping that I'm still I was going to say here in America, here in the industry. and I get to do what I love to do for a living. It is mind-blowing. It's mind-blowing. That's awesome. I still get nervous about it. It's still, I feel like calm myself.

I'm going, it's okay. Everything's good. I'm good. For some of your fans, though, we feel like this is where you belong, and you should always feel like that. Like, this should be a, you know, comfortable face. Like I said, one of the best voices of our time. Yes.

I'm still trying to just absorb that and accept it without going, no, but I was like, okay. Ah, good. Another reluctant receiver. Yeah. Now I'm not in that position. Great. Thank you. Can you tell me what your first musical memory was? You know what? I don't remember the song, but I remember the time zone. What I did every day at home was dance and sing to music. I wasn't. wasn't allowed to listen to anything other than gospel music until I was like 12 or 13 when my brother turned 18.

Right. Then you started sneaking and listening. No, my brother turned 18 and my parents let him listen to music that wasn't gospel in the garage. So I heard Prince for the first time. I heard Minnie Ripperton for the first time and everything else like that had already come before from the four tops to the everybody to the Supreme. Everyone, Stevie Wonder, I never heard any of these. people before my brother turned 18. Wait, what? Wait, were you in a seventh day of Venice household? No, I was a Christian, but my dad's a preacher, evangelist, and my mother was a thing, was she passed on when I was 1993. Okay.

I think it was in January, two or three. She passed on. So, no, we weren't allowed to listen to anything in the house, but I didn't know what I was missing because I was listening to Tremaine Hawkins and Walter Hawkins. and Andre Crouch and the first lady I ever heard to do the high notes was a lady named Reba Rambo. I don't know if you ever heard of the Rambo's. Most people have not. Mm-mm. Who are the Rambo's?

There are old white gospel music, singing family, and she sang these notes that I didn't know anybody else did. I only did the high notes because I couldn't sing it full voice like Tremaine Hawkins. So I was just like, well, I can't do it here. So I'll just jump right up to the high one instead. So that's how it happened. I thought something was wrong with my voice rather than it being a thing that I should be proud of. Okay. So I was dancing around singing.

Usually when our guests come on the show, in every strict Christian household, there is at least kind of an exception for Stevie Wonder. So you're saying that even Stevie Wonder was too secular to? Anything that wasn't singing talking about Jesus. was not allowed in my house at all. I didn't wear pants till I was seven. Wow. I was in dresses. So don't skin your knees, but go out in that little dress and go play.

But don't skin your knees. Just go play. Were they Baptist or? They were Church of God and Christ. And then we were non-denominational. And then I ended up growing up and being apostolic, which is pretty much just as strict with like the makeup thing. But then they kind of evolved.

But yeah. But I didn't know what I was missing. because music surrounded me all the time. My brother's a drummer, my sister is a pianist. She's an artist, she writes, she sings. She was who I wanted to be like, my mother sang, my father is a pianist. Music surrounded me all the time. But it was just worship.

I didn't know that there were other kinds of music that did other things. You mentioned the illustrious Hawkins family. Yeah. Of course, they're from the Bay Area. Have you ever gotten to see them like in person? performing in church in their element? It was at Love Alive three or four. Whichever one was,

don't wait until the battle is over, shout now, I was there. What? They recorded it. Oh, yeah. I mean, I lived in San Francisco. That was up in Oakland. That was right.

Describe it. Describe it. I just remember the songs and being like, like the sound of screaming and worship, it's such a beautiful, like a ringing in your ear. I don't know. I'm a worshipper at heart. that that's what I love.

Like even in my songs, like we can talk about it's all right, but it's all right. It's turned into this thing between me and God that's about him and me, that before the sun rises, I love you more than anybody else loves you. So what I love is that my foundation is that ring, that sound, that feeling of God's presence in me, surrounding me.

So that's what I know as home. That's home for me. in receiving secular music in a trickle-down way and whatnot. Yeah, right. Sneaking and listen to it or whatever. Well, you mentioned Minnie Riperton. Can I assume that's why you chose Inside My Love for New York undercover? They actually chose it for me.

Oh, okay. Everyone wants me to sing Minnie all the time because they love Minnie and they love the high notes. So that is why they chose that song, but I was happy to do it. What's funny is the only time I remember hearing a song that I felt like I was sneaking was, um, do, do do do do do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, cruising by Smokey Robinson. Smokey Robinson. I was on my, because I used to go to sleep listening to in L.A. is KBRT. It was just symphony.

And it was a hard. I'm such an energetic person that, my. My mother found this trigger that if you listen to the symphony music, it will help you lay down, like help you just calm yourself. So I would listen to that. But, you know, sometimes I would just like just scoge over just a little bit. And that song came on. That was a very first song. I ever felt like, like, okay, who is this, baby tonight?

What do you say? Oh, you felt it. You're going on your body. I got like, like, I didn't understand what that meant. I was like, I'm not sure why I want to fly away and going your way. I don't know why, but I want to cruise. That was the first time I had ever felt like the feeling through a music that wasn't about worship. It was about that emotional, sexual kind of thing.

And I was like, but I listened to the whole song before I turned it off. I didn't turn it out of words. What was the first album that you remember freely? purchasing without having to look, you know, 360 degrees around to see who's in the earshot? Purchasing or hearing. Purchasing. Purchasing. Good Lord.

I didn't have to purchase it, but it was Prince. It was the For You album. It was my brothers. So I didn't have to buy it. And just hearing the acapella for you. Oh, the beginning. Oh, do, do, do, do, do. How's like, it overwhelmed.

me. It brought me to tears. I remember crying because his voice was so beautiful. The whole entire album. It went from all of it. It just, it was a journey that I had never been on before. It was something I had not experienced because he wasn't singing about Jesus, but I felt him in the inside of my heart. And it was so angelic. That is absolutely correct. And then the second was Minnie Ripperton when it was the album when she passed. passed away and it was just her face. Many. You mean, yeah.

Yeah. When Here We Go was the song. And she had already gone. So I remember crying about that too because she had already left Earth. And I was like, no, this voice is gone. I did not handle that. Yeah, to this day, I don't like listening to Here We Go that much because I remember when WDS announced her death and they played it. Like, that was the first death.

Like, my mom has explained it to me, and, you know, I was like eight years old or whatever, so I still didn't understand the concept of why she felt sad and all that stuff. But, you know, yeah, to this day, even though it's a somewhat, I mean, it's not a sad song, but I guess, you know, especially with, like, people, Bryson and Roberta singing in the backgrounds, like, it felt very, like, ominous and, and, spooky somewhat. Yeah. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations

with some of your favorite athletes, creators and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or we're at wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL draft

and we've got a special guest. The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galko, joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for

to the biggest mistakes franchises make to the players flying under the radar, this is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. I'm John Green.

You may know me as the author of The Fault and Our Stars. And now, I guess also is the co-host of the away end, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist. And John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football,

all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, it's hope. its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.

Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On a recent episode of the podcast, Money and Wealth with John Ho'Brien, I sit down with Tiffany the budgetista Aliche to talk about what it really takes to take control of your money. What would that look like in our families if everyone, was able to pass on wealth to the people when they're no longer here. We break down budgeting, financial discipline, and how to build real wealth, starting with the mindset shifts.

Too many of us were never, ever taught. Financial education is not always about, like, I'm going to get rich. That's great. It's about creating an atmosphere for you to be able to take care of yourself and leave a strong financial legacy for your family. If you've ever felt you didn't get the, the memo on money, this conversation is for you to hear more. Listen to Money and Wealth with John O'Brien from the Black Effect Network on the I'd Heart

Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up? I'm Miles Turner. And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the board. Nothing's off limits. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star player is like, well, I want to leave. And then actually now I'm going to stay. We talk tanking.

I mean, honestly, like, I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's like definitely happening in the WBA. And yeah, we talk about our mistakes too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games, no, you know, doing this, doing whatever. And of course, family stories. And we're like, mommy, why did you miss that? Mommy, do you play basketball? Check out Game Recognized game with Stulian Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

So you mentioned siblings. Are your siblings musically inclined as well? Yes, I was the least talented in my family. Who? You? Me. I was the one that they hushed. my sister sang in the choir and led songs. My dad literally had a group called the Larry Moore

singers, his name is Larry Moore. My mother was the leader of that group. My brother was the drummer of that group. They did not allow me to sing until any of it. Never. They never did. Were you not good?

I guess not. I mean, but only you know. You know what? I don't know. I didn't record anything until I was 1920 when I got signed to Warner Brothers records actually

Benny Medina signed me to Warner Brothers and then dropped me before my record came out. Somehow we knew that was coming but he did he did. It's okay because it was the best demo ever for MCA Records. So that's how I got signed in MCA Records was my album from Warner Brothers. But when did you get the approval from your family that you could sing? Not until I was like 16. This lady

asked me to be Dorothy in the Whiz, and I thought she misticked me from my sister. We're three years apart, but we looked alike to people. So they were always like, Laton, no, Chante, no, wait, which one is which? Because I'm taller than my sister, she's three years older than me, but she's only 411. So they were like, oh, she asked me, this lady, Ms. Brown, asked me to be Dorothy in the Whiz. And I was like, you mean my sister Laton? And she was like, no, I know who I'm asking.

I was like, me? So I was never shy. I was always the goofball. I was always the comedic relief. Always the one who was just willing to do like whatever to make my family happy. So whenever I'd sit around, I was always making faces or singing something goofy. But it was always them who sang and them who told me, my mom gave me a tape recorder for my birthday, one of them, and said, go in there in your room and sing into that. and so you can hear how bad you sound.

But I never took it as a negative. They didn't say it like, oh, God, but it was, just, just go over there. And I didn't care. I don't know why. But I think that's part of the preparation for being in this industry is having a tough skin on the outside but still staying tender on the inside. Are you competitive, though? I mean, not competitive, like, but like I'll show them.

Are you driven? I am. I was in beauty pageants, yeah, as. a young woman as well from 13 on. I did from my 13 to 17. I did beauty pageants. Actually, the first beauty pageant I did Kiki Shepard's

mother and Von Jeopard and Von Gretchen Shepard were my teachers of all the little things of making sure you did this and this is where that fork is and that war and you walk this way. So I modeled before I sang. I'm sorry, that just fucked me up real quick.

That's why Kiki could like... That is who she is who she is who she taught me to be. She was in the Bay Area? It was in San Diego, was where I make Kiki. Yeah. So, yeah.

So I did The Wiz, and when I was singing in one of the rehearsals, back to the original question, I was singing home and practicing it with the guy on the keyboard as I was practicing. And my mom and my sister looked at me, and they were like,

when did you learn how to sing? And I was like, I knew what you can see. I can see. I can do it. It was home. Wow. So I was 16 when that happened.

How do you go from there to recording and making a demo for Warner Brothers? I had a boyfriend at the time when I was 18 that heard me sing. And he was like, you have got to sing. And I was like, yeah, I'm really not that good. And he was like, yeah, you are. You were like the next Whitney Houston. And I was like, no, no, no. Because to me, it was, she has a different.

kind of voice than I have. So that's why when people say I can sing, oh, you're one of the best singers of my brain goes to the absolute best to me in my mind. And I don't measure up to that. But what I've learned with this older age thing, that I've thought to be me. And that's it. That's all I have to be is me. And I don't have to have the range of Patty LaBelle and Shaka Khan. I don't have to have that. Because Chadee is Chade in Chadee's Lane and she is the best Chaudet they will ever be. And she doesn't even dance. She just does these moves and we go, oh, yes, when she does move, you know.

And it's perfect because she knows who she is. And that is what I'm learning to appreciate about myself. It's just be who I am. I see other people sing and I'm like, don't even, don't, don't. I literally have to shut my ears and my eyes. eyes and just embrace my tone and that I don't have to do a lot of runs to give you my heart through my music because that's what I want to do is encourage people and give you my heart through my music so that women and men, everybody knows they're not alone because my

heart has been broken. My heart has been left alone. I've been sad. I've been happy. I've been all of these things. And the only thing that separates me from you is this body. I'm just like you. I'm the girl next door that you don't think is home,

but I'm so home every night until I met Stephen. And so that's where I thrive is just being okay with me. With the Warner Brothers thing, you talk about your transition to MCA records. I want to ask you particularly about Louis Silas Jr. He was just someone that, you know, we had people on the show that kind of talked about him, but I just wanted to just talk about him,

like what was he like, what his influence, how he's he's a businessman. Because he was just really just a giant in the game at that time. You know, he was so excited about me. And he made me more excited about me than I was. The thing about Lul is that he was like a bulldog. And to me, the thing that was his ruin is because he was very jerkly, very, very, very jerkly. and so he would like bark at everybody.

Not at me, but at everybody else. Like he was like, ah, no, no, like, he just had such. Yeah, he had such a, um, it's that, it's that edgy thing. Like, he didn't know how to bring people in with that sugar and honey instead of the anger. Yeah, it was just not. They called that trauma the kids. They call that trauma. It really was, to me, his, his, Achilles.

Hill because had he not had, if he learned how to deal with people better, people at his office and the people who were in charge of the future of Lul, because he had done so much in the industry and he was such a good guy. But in the end, when it was time for him to reap the benefits of being such a genius musically because he had been so unkind to people, I think, or just chopping heads off a little too quickly or. just barking too loudly, I think people didn't reciprocate enough. And he died a very, very sad person because of that. When did he pass? It was too soon. It was too soon. Was it like cardiac arrest or?

He had diabetes, I believe it was. And he wasn't taking good care of himself. And, you know, I had to always be like, okay, listen, you, you know, and tell him to do better at taking care of himself. but he made my heart hurt because all the people he put on, you would think like when his MCA days were over that they would have put him on, like, big time. But I think he kind of didn't keep the relationships like he could have or should have. But you talked about your voice, but I want to know, well, one, how did you finally master your whistle tone? and what is the process?

Even now, like, if you're performing on stage, is it a daredevil jump every time? Like, is it, okay, do I have the voice? Am I going to make it? Is it going to hit the, because if you do it, you have to hit the target spot on. I think Melba talked about that. Are there moments where, like,

like you got to work your way up, work your way up to it, or get some tea? I always have hot water and honey before I sing. Always, not tea. Tea is a diuretic and make you have to go to the bathroom. And I don't want to be interrupted during that hour, hour and a half of time. And tea can also be drying to my throat. So I have hot water and honey with me all of the time.

It is always a must. And you would think it'd be easy for every promoter and person to give the hot water honey. I only ask for two things. Hot water and honey. That's it. That's all I ask for. I'm not asking for flowers and a carpet and sun that goes this way. And it's scent of the cartinis, even though I love Cartinis.

I don't ask for any of it. It's hot water and honey. And one time I asked for a pot of hot water honey. Literally, I have a picture of a mama's grandma's pot, like a pot that you stir up. Oh, baby. You made grits in. Somebody gave me a pot of, I was like, really? Damn, interns.

Y'all, like, ghetto. There was a time where I had a bruised vocal chord when I was singing and I was just, I think I was just tired and emotionally tired. It was one of the marriages of the people I'm married. And then it was other lifetimes. And so, but now I don't wonder if the high girl's going to be there. She's usually there 98% of the time. I learned to have fun. with her, and I say her, because if she doesn't show up, at least Chantay will show up,

like my regular voice. If I'm, if I'm singing a show, I'm going to be able to sing, loves taking over, it's all right before the high notes and all the other songs can come. Sometimes a high note, if she doesn't show up, I'm like, but you still got me. I'm still here. Yeah. My friend calls her Crystal because she's Crystal clear. That's just my friend that calls her Crystal. So you don't Bobby Brown, it, y'all sing it. You know, when I do that, let me tell you, let me tell you the truth. When I do

that is, I once was aware you are, I make them say you are, the men were all the same, but I never gave a pooh. I want to be proud to sing, ho, whoa, whoa. Okay. Because that is hard. When I go, listen to me, yeah.

That's the hardest part of the song. That is the one. One part of that song that makes me nervous. Listen to me. The whole part, listen to me, girl. Because you never, when you did it in the studio, you did it two separate times. Can I tell you how many times Jimmy and Terry made me sing that song? Oh, wow.

Oh, it was Jimmy and Terry, so yeah, I forgot. We already know that's about 20 right there. No, it was days. It was months of days. Wait. Just for, Shantay's got a man, just for that one song? just for the actual one part it was a month probably about a month that they were like jimmy he was so kind but so matter of fact about it he was like all right so we've done a lot today uh you go rest and we'll

see you let me six and two two four in a week rest and we'll see you in a week because we don't have that yet i was like and you still sure you don't have it and it's not it's no no no No, no. Yeah, he sent me back home. You can't just cut it and do that two separate parts. You have to put the proof in the pudding. You got to warm up your voice. You got to make it, give them what they need to, if they're going to chop something up,

they have to have some meat to chop it up. I thankfully, they didn't just go, oh, never mind. We'll just do, listen to me, you know. They were like, no, you got to. And he was like, listen. Act like Mariah Careers in the audience. This is the American Music Awards. And you're out there.

Mariah's there. He was like naming folks. I was like, you're making me more nervous. No, sometimes people rise to the occasion if they see it. And I was trying. I will say that probably that's a sign. That's a really great sign of a producer that cares about you. I did.

I could, you know, in my mind, I think I just said, I would have told her, look, I'll go back to one of those takes and try to make it work or, you know, just usher you in, usher you out. But the fact that they're willing to go back to it. Jimmy and Terry. They are the best of the best. Besides George Duke, truly, there are a couple people I could name underneath them. But George Duke and them for me was when I learned how to record a song, how I learned how I learned how. to tap into who I am behind the microphone in a booth,

imagining what you're going to do live before it came live. Talk about working with George because I'm a fan of George Duke, but probably the era of him that I really like is, like a lot of the avant-garde stuff he did with Frank Zappa. So kind of when, to a lot of early Duke fans, like when he started making the hits and writing songs that are normal as opposed to all that avant-garde stuff he was doing. And, you know, we kind of, we acknowledged it and we were proud that he was like, you know,

getting paid for his hard work. But for a lot of us, for me at least, like listening to a lot of Frank Zappa. And, you know, it's nothing for George to do these like 11th, you know, diminished chords, you know, in five, four meter, you know, like. like just really crazy avant-garde stuff. So, but I'm also shocked that as crazy as he was, he was also, there was another side to his music where he's very disciplined and whatnot. So what was it like working with him?

I am so happy that he was the first producer professionally that I was in the studio with. He had a way of making me feel comfortable with myself. I remember in particular, Rochelle Farrell, he was producing her first record at the same time. And he made the mistake of playing Michelle Farrell's record for me. You got to hear all the tricks. Oh, my God. No, I just heard all the feelings sentimental to not.

I was like, oh, God. And she started hitting the notes that I wasn't comfortable with myself yet doing and hitting and the tricks that she had gone to school to learn that I was only in my bedroom in there with my family going, shut up. Before that, I didn't know that you could use them like that. I was like, oh, wait, she's doing tricks. And George said something that really resonates today. He was like, listen, Rachel Farrell has her gift, and it is her gift.

Your gift is your gift. you all are two different people and you have different strains. Be you. Just be you. There are things that she doesn't have that you have. There are things that you have that she doesn't have. So it's not a comparison. It's about having a smorgasbord of music that comes out. And UBU is the most important part of that.

And he was like, if you don't tell them, they won't know. If you don't make it happen in this studio, it's not going to translate to the world. and his ability to be that teddy bear to me in the studio is why I was able to relax and actually sing precious and loves taking over and all of the music that I made that first record and second record as well. He just had a kindness about him that was tangible.

It was tangible everywhere he went. There is a producer you worked with Vassal Benford who did. Yeah. He also did Don't Walk Away from Jay, which is one of my parents. What was he like, because we haven't really had people on the show that worked with him. What was he like in the studio and collaborate with him? You know, Vassal and Lul were super close friends. Okay.

So because this is Questlove, I'm going to tell you something that I've never said before out loud to anybody else. Deep dive, go ahead. If you listen to that song, I hope she don't come after nobody. But that song is, even when I'm... I cry, I can't let go. If you hear that song, that's what it sounds like. You're talking about it's all right.

It's all right. Okay, got you. If you listen to it, musically, very, very close to, because Lul said, I want, I can't let go for Shantay. At that time, I wasn't big on listening to the radio and doing all that because I was so busy being in my little world and my little, narrow world of creating music. So I'm glad I didn't know Mariah like that yet.

But she was rising. I knew a vision of love because that hit everybody. We all fell down and looked like, oh my God, who is this woman? But I didn't know, can't let go that well. So when the music came on, I didn't try to redo a Mariah Carey song,

which is really good. But I wrote a song from my soul. But that's what that musically came from. And Vassal, is funny and creative and Lul and him both were just goofballs. And I think that's really part of why I like Lul and I like Mousal as well. And I like Steven as well because we are just goofballs. I really am okay with the goofy side of myself.

And anybody who knows me long in like 10 minutes knows I'm a goofball. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep. That's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL draft, and we've got a special guest. The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galko, joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for to the biggest mistakes

franchises make to the players flying under the radar, this is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, for wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok podcast network on TikTok. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault and Our Stars. And now, I guess also is the co-host of the away end, a brand new world soccer podcast.

I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist. And John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game. and I fell in love. On our new podcast, the away end, we'll share with you the magic

of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal

and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, it's beauty. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Auer Kohn and John Green on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On a recent episode of the podcast, Money and Wealth with John Hobriant, I sit down with Tiffany the Buccanista Aliche to talk about what it really takes to take control of your money. What would that look like in our families if everyone was able to pass on wealth to the people when they're no longer here. We break down budgeting, financial discipline, and how to build real wealth,

starting with the mindset shifts. Too many of us were never, ever taught. Financial education is not always about, like, I'm going to get rich. That's great. It's about creating an atmosphere for you to be able to take care of yourself and leave a strong financial legacy for your family. If you've ever felt you didn't get the memo on money, this conversation is for you to hear more.

Listen to Money and Wealth with John O'Brien from the Black Effect Network on the I'd Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, Ernest, what's up? Look, money is something we all deal with, but financial literacy is what helps turn income into real wealth. On each episode of the podcast, Earn Your Leisure, we break down the conversations you need to understand money,

investing, and entrepreneurship. From stocks and real estate to credit, business, and generational wealth, we translate complex financial topics into real conversations everyone can understand. Because the truth is, most people will never taught how money really works. But once you understand the system, you can start to build within it. That means ownership, smarter investing, and creating opportunities not just for yourself, but for the next generation. If you want to learn how to build wealth, understand the markets, and think like an owner,

earn your leisure is the podcast for you Listen to earn your leisure on the Iheart radio app Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast For our listeners out there that don't know The Rodney Jerkins If I gave love story With J.Lo and Yeah, well, okay

So I did a song with Rodney Jerkins called If I gave love If I gave love If I gave love So we did the song, loved it. Rodney did warn me. Don't mess around. Put this song out first. Well, considering I'm an artist, I am not in charge of what song comes first. At that point, I don't decide that. When they heard Chante's got a man, they're like, oh, Chanty's got a man got to come first. We're coming back with a song that is unlike you, uptempo, different kind of feeling. We'll come with that.

That's the one, two punch. Before I got to the two, J-Lo had come out with whatever song. If you had my love, if you had my love, same song, same song. Same song. Hey, man, I hear they play a little dirty over there at Sony,

but, you know. Does this happen to you multiple times? Just that one time. Just that one good time, all it takes. Just that one good time. Oh, because I remember special too, I never knew a special was the same thing. Special is different than precious.

Special was Rafael Sadiq. So there wasn't anything that was, he didn't get that song away. What's interesting and beautiful about the song, if I gave love, was it hurt my heart. That was the first thing. That wasn't special and interesting. But it hurt my heart when it came out. And I was like, you just would have told me. And that's one of the only regrets.

I have like two or three that I feel in. the industry that I've like mistakes like things that I feel like dang I wish I would have been more bold or fought for it or whatever I kind of was like when she came out she's such a machine behind her being J-Lo with Benny and just all of the right the machine she had behind her and I felt like I couldn't compete with that so I backed up instead of I wish I would have just been like Ra! Like, it took myself on there and just been like, you know what? Either way, it's going to be publicity for my song because there's really the same song.

And Puff Daddy came in the studio and told Rodney that he wanted that song. And Rodney said, that's Chante's song. And he said, no, I want that song. So Rodney's good at recreating songs of himself. Like, if you listen to some of his own songs, he's recreated himself. This could have been an usher year versus what's old boy? Get low. That's like eight songs.

The rapper boy. No, it's the same song as you don't know the rap. Oh, no, no, no, friccally, trickly. Freakly, yeah. It could have been that. All right, so wait, I got to go back to your beginnings. You're from the Bay Area. You're singing.

As far as I know, there's literally no way that you can do anything without having to pass the the kind of stratosphere of of Jay King. If you're in the Bay Area in the 80s and 90s, I

think it's literally impossible. So did you have anything to do with that organization at the time at the time when Jay King is, you know, working with Tommy and Denny and by, I guess, degrees Tony, Tony, Tony, and Club Nouveau and Timex Social Club and all that stuff.

I was sent by Benny Medina to Sacramento to work with Jay King. He was to produce part of my record. He wasn't a producer so much as he was a songwriter. But in that time period is when I met Brian Morgan. and that's when he wrote Week about me, which we didn't date, but he had a crush. Tell the story. I want to hear your perspective of Week.

Okay. So to tell the full story, which is interesting, Brian and I spoke last week. And I told, and I reminded him of this story that he had forgotten, actually, is I was dating someone. And he said, and you and that guy sound like this. And he'd like, da-da-da-da-da-da-da-thud.

The circus tune. Circus, right. So he played that. He said, but when you're by yourself, this is what you sound like. And he said, Blu-da-do. Blu-da-do. That's how it happened.

He said, that's what you feel like without you. That's some smooth shit. That is some cool. Like, okay. And I was like, oh. How was the song? How was it presented to you? Was it like his voice on a demo or, hey, I wrote something for you or like, explain.

He wrote the song and sang all the parts because he has a beautiful voice. He was in a group called Cache de Waugh. It was he and a girl named Rochella and they were supposed to come out as a duet and actually Jay King dropped them soon. Soon I got dropped from Warner Brothers, but they were dropped first. But it was really like the catalyst to press for more. But anyway, so Brian can sing great, which is why he's on their album. But he played the song, and I remembered that moment because it was like, that's what I feel like.

I can be a whole other person other than the circus that I'm going through right now. I was like, my life knows will like a circus. I'm you right. But the calmness. of those chords and then hearing him sing. But he had a song called, wrong. Just like five and five,

don't make nine, you're wrong. That was a song. You have to get Brian Morgan, to play that for you, because that's funny. But just like five and five, don't make nine,

he had a song called wrong. But yeah, he had great music. But those times, those are times to learn from. Those are times to draw, and you figure out, that's when the wheat is sifted.

And the fine stuff comes out. from underneath. I feel like those times happened to make me who I am right now. So it wasn't like weirdness? Like, wait, this song's about me or any of those things like? No, I mean, I knew he liked me

because guys flirt and they act like, you know, you know how fine you are, girl. And they do stuff like that. He wasn't like, well, you know, you want me, come on, girl. It wasn't like that. It was more of a, he didn't know. And it wasn't the first time somebody wrote a song or the last time somebody wrote. Well, I don't know.

I don't know if it was the last time or not. I'm not really sure. But what I know is that the song was beautiful. And I didn't feel a creepiness about him. Okay. So what I'm asking is, all right, it's 92. And now every seven songs on R&B radio is playing this intro. At any point, are you like, you know the song's about it?

me, right? No, you know why? I didn't because we didn't have a relationship. Like, we weren't dating. It wasn't like, that's my boo-hag. It'd be different if he was- But even more so, you're a muse. Like, even more so, he don't even, he don't even know, no. I didn't even- It's the inspiration. You, you rap, you, right? I didn't take it like that until, until recently when people are like, oh my God, you inspired that song. And I, honestly, and that's what this whole time of my life is, I think about is me embracing myself. I don't know if you, if I can explain it right, but it is about me becoming or understanding my value as an entertainer. It's taken 30 years to get there for me, to really feel like,

I'm so I am somebody. You're worthy. You're worthy. You can say it. What's your sign? I'm Aquarius. That's why. That's us. That's what we do. Is that it? January 20th. February 17. January 20th.

Oh my gosh. Well, him too. You think that's it? I don't know. I just thought it was because I was the youngest and that I just didn't. I felt lost. I think of the last five years, all of us. us to come into a place where we're truly seeing ourselves now. And you're no exception. It's bananas. That's my first loves boy birthday.

I love that. Michael Jordan, too. It's your first love Michael Jordan? No, no, because he don't love me. He can love you. I just wanted to ask, you know, it's funny we're talking about all you're singing, but people don't really talk about your song writing, ma'am. And I'm interested about that and interested to when it was,

Was it instant that you were writing your songs? Did it, was it gradual? You know, my journal started when I was 12. My mom, brother, and sister gave me a diary for my birthday when I turned 13. And I just began writing. Those writings began to be poetry. That poetry became music eventually. And I've written, I think I've had maybe eight, nine single.

maybe 10 singles. I've written probably eight of those 10 singles. I wrote it's all right. Love's Taken Over and old school love and I've co-written. So yeah, I mean, nobody could write. Shontay's got a man, but Shante? Well, with Jimmy and Terry, you can because they're really good at pulling and and helping to navigate and to cultivate who you are as an artist. I think that's what makes them so good at production because just like the Janet Jackson story, how she didn't know she was writing songs

but she was just talking about herself and saying, you know, my dad is, you know, he's controlling and my mother, you know, does that, but then they go okay, so control, what, what? You know, and you lose your mind because they're listening to everything. And I just thought Jimmy literally night before last and was complimenting how kind he is and how people

were saying, oh, they told him that he wasn't going to be able to get this Michael Jackson clearance. And he said, and then I met Michael and Michael was like, I heard about your kindness. Jimmy Jam was saying, Michael Jackson heard about his kindness. And then he was like, yes, yes, you could have the sample to that song because of his kindness. And it really is something that if you meet, well, you all know, Jimmy, he's amazing. And he makes you almost forget that he's freaking Jimmy Jam. And you're like, Jimmy, Jimmy, you're like, no, you're talking Jimmy Jam. I lose my mind and I turn into a fan every time I'm around them. And they actually co-wrote the song I wrote, I walked down the aisle to Stephen, my husband.

I co-wrote that song with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. And it was a secret. It was the only time I've ever lied to my husband. I told him I was with a friend, one of my girlfriends, and I wasn't. And I was like, you all can't tell him I'm with you tonight. because he, no, they were like, Terry was like, just in the studio. I was like, there's no reason I'd be in studio

before our wedding, unless I'm writing the wedding song. So he didn't know. He appreciated that. What was his reaction to it? He thought it was an old song that he had forgotten. Oh, wow. He didn't know. He didn't know because Jimmy made sure he put the refrains in

that sounded force and D's Janet, SOS band. You know, he put all that in there. So it sounded familiar, but it wasn't an old song. It was a new one. So it's coming out soon. I am literally the squeaky wheel that keeps going and we need to get the song out like immediately. So it's it, it's a beautiful song. At what point did you realize like, oh, wait a minute. It's a bespoke song like this is custom made for. Honestly, sadly, after the wedding. I wanted to play that song again to slow dance with him

on one of our first songs. He had a first song to dance to, and I was supposed to pick the second song for us to dance to. And he's going to hate that I'm saying this out loud. But he was like, no, no, no, that one song was good. Let's just let's just end it. Let's just let the rest of the thing. I was like, okay.

So I was a little bit hurt because I didn't know that he didn't get it, that it was a fresh news. And it was for him. For him. Right. He just knew it was a Shantay song and I was singing it. And he was like, I was so busy looking at you that I wasn't listening. Oh, damn.

No, he's a nice comeback, Steve. He tried to flip it. Yeah. No. That was before. But did y'all slow dance to it in the living room finally? He listened. Y'all was a love.

Oh, girl, listen. You don't even want. I can't even say it. Okay, that's fine. I got it. I got imagination. He's a wonderful person. He really is now.

He is all of that. Wait, why did you say it, like, Miss Picky from Muppet Babies? I need to enunciate all of it. I imagine. Shantz, I had a question about a particular song you did. It's not, it's all right. I'm sorry. Satisfy you, the duet with Damien.

My own delicious. Yes. The original version, you know, Brian Lamarine version, it has Michael. Jack, he's singing the backs on it. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. There's a version. the original version is Brian singing lead

and Mike is doing the hook. Do you remember anything about that session or recording that? That's crazy. It sounds familiar now that you say that, but I don't remember that happening. But I understand why it didn't happen that way that they would have Michael on it. So I get that part.

But I do remember there being a big push on Damien and that song. And I didn't, Can I say that I didn't get why the song was so special? Really? I didn't get it. I love it. I think it's a pretty song, but I didn't understand it to be that.

Yeah, so I didn't get it. So there you go. Oh, man. Well, you sound great on it. Well, thank you. I love singing background. It's one of my very, very favorite things. It's what I love to do.

And I tell people all the time, you need background. Call me. Come on. I was going to quit the business. I was like, I could sing Janet and Katie Lang. Favorite background session. Come on. Oh, my own.

Shoot. All of them. Every single song, I love harmonizing with myself. I love blending and there's a first tone. And then there's a second one that makes it ring true that it's exact. And then there's a softer tone I use. And then I figure out what frequency. is missing. So I do the third

tone. And then the fourth one is the bass. And it's all the same note. But it's just an approach to the note, whether it be, my only wishes. And then my only wishes. My only wishes. You know what I mean? So a softer tone and so you stack. Whatever it is

that it is that it does this. Because that's what background should do is support. They should all connect like weaving, like together. Never do this. But I'm like, Y'all, you'll just want to tell you. Y'all should do something to give. I don't know why I see that in my head, in my mind.

It's like something. No, you know, I love your background. It always sound like really lush and warm and full and not, like straight up. Thank you. Well, let's do that. Let's not let that pass. Hey, I got you. Okay, so you talked about your influences as far as like singers you grew up idolizing.

But are there any contemporaries that you really respect their game as far as like there because it's weird. I think vocalists listen to music. Like as a musician, I listen for other elements and I would probably say that I'm, you know, commit in the ultimate sin that it's almost like the vocalist is the condiment on the burger. Like, I'm so busy listening to all the musical elements. Yeah. But I know that singers, there's some songwriters that just listen to the words and whatnot and how things are phrased and then singers listen to tone. So who, who have been, your contemporaries do you respect? There's, like people came out in my time or people who are out now?

For me, that's like an on-the-spot question, like, where is it like right now? And you're like, oh, God, okay, so, you know, whatever, but. Can you see that? I wrote stuff down because I am over 35. And I know people ask me this question. Lie, you're 34. Okay, and a half. But what I love, the first person that came to mind was Shaka, because the first time I heard her, I was at my church picnic and I was walking through somebody else's camp.

And here comes a train. I'm into Hollywood. I was in the Hollywood. I was like, what? And I literally sat down on somebody else's blanket, which you're not allowed to do, really. But I was like, if I leave that, this camp, I'm never going to hear the rest of this song. So I sat down and I heard the harmonies that I dreamed of. So Shaka was the first influence from the outside world that I was like, oh my God, wait, I have to know who that person is. And eventually I figured out who that is. I love Bruno Mars because of his showmanship and his ability to sing live. And the way, it's a complete show. I love him and Anderson Pack the way they have combined forces and brought different worlds together inside of his show and how they've honored each other's talent with one another's talent. Mariah Carey, I don't know. I mean, I get why people compare us,

but I love Mariah. I love the way her head voice. And that's the thing. I've never had vocal training, but I want vocal training. And I'm saying it out loud, Stevie Mackey, that I'm I want vocal training because there's a part of my voice that I absolutely want to train to be able to reach like just that Mariah Carey thing. There's a lot of ranges she sings in her full. It's called head voice that she has that I really, I want to master. Is that her breathy voice? As of lately, she's been seen, like, and that's a new voice that I'm not used to.

No, it's the one when she says, uh, the first. friendship song. Do do do do do. When you're lonely, need a friend. Yes. You need a friend. Or she goes, I will. When she's way up there,

because I'm probably not in that key. But when she sees that I will. When she go gospel. When she go, she go her gospel. Oh, my God. Okay. That's, that's the, that's the place I need to train. Like, I am so okay with learning more

about my voice than I know already. It's been 30 years, but I still know there's better. There's more. I'm better now than I was in 1992. I had a very small, very airy voice when I first came out. And it has, like, you know, sometimes people's voice, they get lower and deeper and they sound like a man or something like that. But my voice was so high.

And so airy that now it's deepened and it's more rich than it ever has been. And I've learned how to do more with it than I knew how to do before. So I'm really grateful to be an older person with this voice and with the knowledge that I have of myself. So Mariah, I love her. Joja Cat, nothing to do with me, different kind of song. But I love her. I love Givion. I love India, Sean.

Beautiful. Love her as a person and as a musician. Don't play with my heart. I love her. What did you say? Don't play with my heart. clear my heart. I want to join us.

That's the jam. There's a new one. She has, I forgot what it's called, but it's sexy. Dang, I forgot what it was called. But get her new record.

Robert Glasper, I want to work with him. I've seen him a couple of times. I love him. Oh, that shit. Yeah. Robert. Yeah.

Robert. Robert's easy. Right? It, what, you know, it's funny, it would be easy,

except I don't meet people until recently. Like, there's a lot of people that Stephen says, oh, oh, they would love to work with you. I just don't know it, because I've been at home.

So I don't know. You never had singing talk with Mariah. You and Mariah never talk voice stuff. I've only seen Mariah in passing where I've hugged her and said, oh my God, I'm such a fan. And she was like, I love you too. And then we walk past each other. We've not been in a place where we're like sitting and, hey, hey, hey, you know,

that's never, it's never happened. We should make that happen. I love her. Like, I truly love her. Like, people talk about her. They'll be like saying, she, and I'm like, a win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment,

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or we're you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL

draft. And we've got a special guest. The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galco, joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for to the biggest mistakes franchises make to the players flying under the radar, this is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok podcast network on TikTok. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault and Our Stars, and now I guess also

as the co-host of the Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was there most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.

Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On a recent episode of the podcast, Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant, I sit down with Tiffany the budgetista Aliche to talk about what it really takes to take control. of your money. What would that look like in our families if everyone was able to pass on wealth to the people when they're no longer here? We break down budgeting, financial discipline, and how to build real wealth, starting with the mindset shifts. Too many of us were never, ever taught. Financial education is not always about like, I'm going to get rich. That's great. It's about creating an atmosphere for you to be able to take care of yourself and leave a strong

financial legacy for your family. If you've ever felt you didn't get the memo on money, this conversation is for you to hear more. Listen to Money and Wealth with John O'Brien from the Black Effect Network on the I'd Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcasts presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne.

Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the Hipsons High School. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later We're still joined at the hip Just a little bit bigger hips

Wider This is a podcast we're recording it as we tailgate Our youth soccer games In the back of my Honda Odyssey With all the snacks and drink Sidebar Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer Oh they had a bogo

Well then you got it Do you want a white color or something here? Just take it What are y'all doing? Microphones are you making a rap album Oh I would Come on Could you imagine? I would buy it

Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. I'm lucky I'm not a killer.

I love this team and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You mentioned Steve Mackey, I believe? Steve Mackey. Yes. So is he the new Seth Riggs? Like, is he now the go-to trainer guide?

Well, you know the story as well. I don't think I've ever said this out loud to people. Okay, so I'm saying it out loud. I went to Seth Riggs before my record came out, and he literally turned me down. Wow. Yikes. He said, no, you'll never.

And he actually said, you'll never do. the Mariah Carey notes. And I was like, oh, all right. He literally, he was like, go to someone else. I'm sure you can get training. Wait, is there a history of people just saying like,

no matter of fact to you? Then you're just like, okay, whatever. I am, to me, one of the words other than love, because I am a lover at heart. I am resilient. If I was a cusser,

I would say resilient as F, but I'm not a really cuss. So I don't say that. But I am extremely, extremely resilient. I may fall on my face and skin all this up like bloody, but I'm getting back up. That's just part of my nature is to just like, oh, really? Let's see if that's true. And do it. Wow. Wow. Okay. Yeah, because I was about to say, like, I've had some pretty harsh nose. Yeah, I was, well, okay, speaking of which, like, we're skip it, but I got it. I,

I have to figure out the whole Warner Brothers situation and how that fell apart. Well, you know, I turned the record in and Benny was like, you are more interesting than your record is. But isn't he also like, I think it's his job to make sure that you choose the right material and. I don't think he had the time or inclinement. nation to do that. What else was going on at the same time? Prince Sign of the Times. Okay.

Karen White. Okay. Ah, yeah, yeah. I'll be sure. Okay. I wasn't quite there and I'm okay with that and I think maybe that's from my history as in the Moore family. I'm not sure, but I can handle no. I can't handle never, but I can handle no.

Not right now. because it's been a person than I am. 30 years. No, but it's been it's miraculous and wonderful at the same time. And I've given up a couple of times

and then gone, okay, so seriously, what are you going to do instead of singing? I'm sorry, Shantay. What is it? Yeah, what were you going to do? What were you going to do?

I was going to go to some Beverly Hills Hotel or something and get a every night gig or something. It was just going to be saying. You was always going to be a singer from the jump. There was nothing else. Or voiceovers. I thought before I was going to be a model, but I only drew to 5'4, so that was over.

I don't know. I don't know. Guess who I saw today? I cannot remember what project that was for. And literally, like, one of my favorite Nancy Wilson songs, but, like, I would have never thought Chante Moore. What's crazy? I was on Warner Brothers when I first heard that song. And I thought to myself when I was 19, 20, when I first heard that song.

in Warner Brothers, as a matter of fact, I thought one day I'm going to sing that song. And then when More is More came along and they were asking for me to do a more of a jazz album, I went to George Duke and asked him if you produce it. And Nancy herself heard the song and actually gave me the head knot on it. And that was one of my favorite things.

And I was actually able to sing that song to her add a tribute to her one day. But yeah, yeah, that's pretty awesome. I wanted to ask about candlelighting you would Keith Washington. Were y'all together when y'all did that? Or was that, you know? We were together, as we sang it,

Lainey Stewart and Tony Haynes and I wrote that song and kissing you would already come out and Lul loved Keith Washington and me. He thought we'd be the new Tammy Terrell and Marvin Gay. And we all did, huh? We asked him to sing it, and thankfully he came and did. And we, it just, it just fit. He has a very masculine voice, and I have a very girly kind of sound,

and it just made sense. And yeah, that was, it was in Chicago with Lainey Stewart and Tony Haynes. Yeah. Where are two keep watching this song? Two is one. I Love You was the second one we did on another record. But Shaanice Wilson wrote that song with something. somebody. But yeah, that was the other time we did.

Really? Mm-hmm. Of all the producers you worked with, who would you say is your top five in terms of like nurturing, really caring about the product? First in mind, of course, is George Duke second? Only because of timing, because I didn't meet Jimmy and Terry until my third album. it was the

Beverly Hills Cop 3 yeah that's it I was like wait it was the third one that was when I first met them and we did mood together so I didn't I didn't really know all of all of who they were

and as I met them and as I heard more songs I love that part of it is that it's an unfolding as I meet as I met the producers I started going oh my God that was you that was Assobert that was you Oh my God, that was so, Janet. Oh, my God.

Some stuff I didn't know. And it was like, it was like a waterfall deluge of information happening so quickly. But I, I, they're the top two. I'm trying to think who, gosh, who pushed me that crazy? I love Simon Law, who did Love's Taking Over with me. And we did songs on the second album. Actually, Ronnie Jackson, who did. a lot of, who did produce all of the songs on this independent album I did called Rise of the

Phoenix. He's one of my favorite producer writers. I just, I think each, each writer and producer has their own unique lane. And I think that's part of being a chameleon as an artist is to be able to conform and do your best in all the circumstances. It's like people who are like, well, I don't sing in the rain or I don't sing when the sun's out or I don't sing when it's a cloudy day and I don't sing when it's like I sing different all the blouses. Let's sing everywhere. And that's what I think it's about to be a person who lasts their time is being able to morph and and be able to continue to grow. Adjust. Just grow. Nagon, you haven't arrived. You haven't arrived yet. I don't feel like I've arrived. I say that to singer. who still give me the whole air-condition thing. No, let me say that out loud. No, no, no, no, no, no. That shit is real, dog.

It is real. I know, I know, I know. No, if you turn on the air conditioner, if I start a show and I feel the air conditioning after I started sweating, five minutes. Your throat's going to close? Five minutes. It's the frion.

It's the frion in the air. It isn't the, I'm on the Ateva. If you want me to finish the show, turn off the air. I want to sing for hours. I sing as long as, long as you want me to. I sing her.

I'll sing an hour if you want me to. But if the air comes on, you got about three minutes before she's gone and I can't help it. Damn. Okay. It's the Frion. I don't know how people sing under fans, period. Besides saying Luke, I am your father. No.

Luke. Oh, yeah. Oh, man. These are the most jokes the worst jokes ever told on any given episode. I want to add that. Are you so reportedly you're on the You're an uncredited guest on Jay-Z's

Girls, Girls' Girls Remix? Is that true or not the one with Michael Jackson on it? Emma? Somebody need to pay me. I don't know. Emma? I don't even know. She's probably saying some shit in session. You don't know where it landed. You don't even know. You know what? Maybe so. It could be.

Somebody asked Stephen. He might know better than I. You know what's funny is that if I am, I'm happy to be. Right. Yeah. Got you. P.S., the song I was talking special, you're right. You had it first, but then Sarah Devine did it next. And it was dope.

Oh, I ain't even know. I know. Both Sarah Devine. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It ain't know. Raphael Sadiq wrote it anyway, so, you know, he did it. It wasn't me. It was him. I got to ask this question. Go ahead and ask. Go ahead. So when you're getting the treatment for the contagious video. Okay, yeah. Yes, let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Did you even realize, like, I'm almost certain there was a point in your life where you were only referred to by a certain generation as just like, oh, that's Mr. Biggs's wife. And, you know, and I'm certain for a generation that the Isley brothers were the two guys that sang contagious and nothing else. Yep. Yes, that's funny.

Yeah. And plus, it was a period. It was a period in the late 90s in which like these gazillion dollar videos were getting made, left and right, these epic budgets and whatnot. Yeah. What was that entire process like? Like who's selling you on the concept and everything? Well, first thing is when you talked about being in the same place at the same time singing. Right.

R. Kelly, Ron Isley, and I were never in the same place singing anything. That's first thing. Art Kelly is a musical genius. He's a lot of other things, but he is a musical genius. And so he called and was like, listen, so I want you to sing. He piecemilled it. He was like, I'm going, and then you go, no, no. He goes, give me some drama.

No, no, no, no. So I'm singing it, but I'm doing it in a studio by myself. here in L.A. He's in Chicago. I don't know where Ron Isley was. And then when we got the, I got the treatment for the video. What had happened was. Are you in the video? Yes, she is. Very much so. Okay. I am in the bed in the video. That's right. That's right. Okay. I am in the bed in the video. What's interesting about that is that Robert was, yeah, no, Robert was very specific about that we had to be caught in the act. So he was like, we need to practice the kissing part.

I was like, no, no, we don't need to practice the kissing. We don't need to practice it. So he wanted to practice all the parts that we were going to do. And I was like, no, we're, I'm sure we'll kiss just fine. Whenever it happens, it'll be fine. And yeah. So many bad jokes I got. I just, oh, I know.

It's okay. I got them. They just right here. I know. But even then, well, I meant more or less at the height of the success and the sort of the, the, just the, the fast pace of it just becoming beyond just like a hit song or whatever. Yeah. Like, I'm certain by that point, they were like, we got to do more. We got to do more.

Like, I don't think they, well, they didn't come for more. They didn't ask me to do other songs. Right. It was a phenomenon for sure, but I think the Isley brothers ran with the Mr. Big more than it ran with who was the girl who was Mr. Big's girl. And then once R. Kelly got in trouble,

it was like, I'm not even singing that song in that piece in my show because I used to be like, and then it would be, what the is going on? Because people are, oh, baby, what not. And so it was really fun to bring that into my show because it was so different. They were like, oh, my God. People forget that that was me because it didn't necessarily say Chante Moran.

It was just like, oh, Mr. Big and our Kelly. Wait, you have to read the small print to see that it was me. Steve just hit me and said, you got to ask her about tell the story of the Soul Train Awards performance. This year? Yeah. Wow. You got a lot of love. People was happy to see you.

It's been the catalyst for so much after that that it has blown my mind. I beforehand, you know, Stephen is really, he's a great supporter. He's good at, that's what he does for a living is put people on, you know, whether it be you being the host of a show, or on the show or the music or the person singing or the lighter, the lighting guy. Whatever it is, he is that guy. But I don't think he had anything to do with that show. People are like, you could scude you married him because he put you on that show. Stephen loves me for me.

But that show happened and I'll have to give props to Jesse Collins and Dion. And Dion, I forgot her last name. Dion. She would kill me. Soon to be Dion Collins. Am I love to see that? I believe it's, I believe it is common knowledge. Yeah, yeah.

They put on Instagram. Yes, they did. Okay. So they asked me to do the show and I really, I was like, oh, that's so, that's so cool. Who am I tributing? And they were like, you. Oh, you poor little Gerald Lavert.

No. I thought I was going to be singing for something. I'm like, doing Tania? Doing. Oh, yeah. Who are we doing? And I wasn't saying that to Joe. I'm like, I'm too humble.

I just had no idea. And so they were like, you. I was like, holy macaroni. I'm still the girl who gets nervous before the shows. I'm still the person who has butterflies until I land on stage and then I let them go on the audience. So I wanted to give a show performance that showed all the different sides of who I am. And it was wonderful to be able to dance a little bit, sit and be calm a little bit, and then sing Chante's got a man a little bit. And it was scary, but Adam Blackstone, oh my God, the band is amazing.

Every band he puts together is amazing, though. He is such a great musician that I didn't, sometimes some stuff happens. And I think it's a good thing that I'm naive some stuff. because it makes, even though I'm nervous, it makes me less nervous. When I find out after it, I'm like, oh, shoot, they were watches. Oh, my God.

Like, it becomes something else. But what I will say about that show that very few people know is that between it's all right and Shantay's got a man the first time I sang it because I signed me twice. I was supposed to be helped down the stairs

and I was being helped down the stairs as I stepped down stairs. And that last stair, the guy was supposed to hold my hand and keep my hand until I got on level ground. The gentleman let go on my hand. Either he let go on my hand or I was like, either way on that last step, my heel got caught on the last stair. And I literally fell to my knees. And I was like, it felt like 30 seconds between hitting my knees and me understanding that that really, did that just happen? Because this happens to other people.

I've never fallen on stage before. There's TV cameras everywhere. There's an audience of thousands of people. This is going to be on YouTube. Literally, my brain was like going, and I was like, get up. I ain't even hear about that. There are people who were there who couldn't see it

because of the way the audience was set. I didn't even think about it. I was just like, get up and finish. Because I'm a live entertainer. I've done very little TV in the last 20 years. Maybe the first 10 years was a lot of stuff. But in the last 20 years, I've been on TV a lot. And it's cool.

Most of my life, I've been performing live. People go, oh, you still sing? I'm like, listen, how do I think you think I'm paying the bills? Mama singing. So anyway, I get up. I sing Chanté's got a man because Dion knows me. Girlfriend came over. She was like, okay, so baby, do you want to, um,

she'll up in my back? Baby, do you want to just sing from wit from the start? I just wanted to go back from which part. Just tell me the part you want. So she's rubbing my back. And I'm like, because I'm happy to be here. I am just happy to be here. You sound like an aquarium.

God. I am so, I so mean it. Dion's like mom. I love Dion. We actually have to get both of them, both Jesse Collins in. I would love, yeah.

That would be dope. Oh my God. That would be great. They run everything. They run the world. They hire me for Grammy's 50. They're amazing. They're awesome.

So I got up and I re-sang, it's all right. And Dichont has got a man, which is why they have that particular walking down the stair. That's why I'm looking at the dude on each step. If you see me go down watching the dude. Because I'm like, you ain't dropping my booty. That's why I'm stepping on the steps, like I'm stepping on the steps. And that's why I didn't look over at Stephen. That's why I went like that because I was like, I'm not even looking at you because I was so self-conscious at that point.

But I knew get to the end. Get to the end. Keep singing. That's the whole point is to be resilient. And I think that's what God was trying to tell me in the moment is that no matter how many times you fall down, it doesn't matter. It's that you get back up again. And that's the story of my life is that I may be down, but I never counted out. I never count myself out. I am 56 years old. And this is 30 years in this business. And I am blessed and honored to be right where I am on an uptick. the fact that I'm here on your show, the fact that there are things that are coming that I can't even tell you about yet, that I am so beyond blessed and so beyond thrilled to still be here and to feel like I'm prepared for my future

and not like going, oh my God, oh my God, I hope I can do it. I'm like sure about it, even though it makes me nervous. I got bats in my stomach rather than butterflies because it's a whole other level of like nervousness. I keep a boat. I was like, wait a minute. No, for real.

People get butterflies. I've got bats in there. They're like, I'm afraid before every show. I don't say afraid. I'm nervous before every show. As soon as I step on the stage and I see each face, you talk about award winning.

And I say it all the time and I mean it with all my soul. Every time I step on the stage, each face, each person in every seat that paid to see this girl sing, this one, they're my Grammys. they're my American Music Awards. They are my honors. They are my whatever you want to call it. I have a million Grammys.

If those people that come back and say, hey, you are the reason why I didn't kill myself. I listen to Chanty's Got a Man or loves taking over or it's all right. I for my mother when she was dying and it brought her peace. You are the reason why I still am here. Those things, that's the reason why I get back up and I sing over and over and over the same songs, over and over again. But I'm putting new music out this year.

But that's why I do what I do. I'm just glad you ain't sick of them yet because we're not. I'm not finished yet. I'm really not finished. I'm really, I'm not done. And I'm happy to still just be here. I really am.

I'm so happy for your union to one of my favorite music nerds of all time. You know, it couldn't have happened to a better person. I regret. I know there was a period in which I was sort of on the short list to DJ. To DJ the wedding. And, you know, I couldn't do it at the time because I had a few jobs going. It's good. I think Dean Nice did just fine.

I think he did just fine. No, we missed your presence there. Both of us respect and love you very much. And we're very happy both of us respect and love you very much for just that. Beautiful, beautiful. You know, we're big fans of you on the show, and we thank you for coming on and talking to us. Laughing you with these flowers.

Thank you. I appreciate you. Steve, the clap was on mute. You might want to take it off mute and do it again. No, I do like a silent clap because it's on Zoom, so it's like, I don't want to cut people, cut the audio. All right, well, on BF of silent Steve and a big bill,

Take a little and light ear Thank you very much Shontake more for coming on the show and thank you guys for listening to Quest Love Supreme

and we will see you next week on the next go round all right y'all see you Quest Love Supreme is a production of IHeart Radio

for more podcasts from IHeart Radio visit the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows A win is a win

A win A win is a win I don't care which I'm saying Yep, that's me Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey,

or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it.

Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL draft, and we've got a special guest. The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galco,

joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for to the biggest mistakes franchises make, to the players flying under the radar. This is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice podcast on the iHeartRadio, app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slice of Life 12

and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. I'm Daniel Alarcon. And this is my friend. It's much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far. But I'm John Green. Co-host at the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel on our podcast The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things. Football, soccer is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Auerkone and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Ceno Show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience, and redemption. On a recent episode, I sit down with actor, cultural icon, Danny Trail,

talk about addiction, transformation, and the power of second chances. The entire season two is now available to bench, featuring powerful conversation with the guests like Tiffany Addish, Johnny Knoxville, and more. I'm an alcoholic. Without this group, I'm going to die. Listen to the Cino's show on the IHR radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of IHard Media, and I'm kicking off a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic, Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Math and Magic takes you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing. Coming up this seasonal math and magic, CEO of Liquid Death, Mike Sessario.

People think that creative ideas are like these light bulb moments that happen when you're in the shower. It's really like a stone sculpture. You're constantly just chipping away and refining. Take to Interactive CEO, Strauss Selnick, and our own chief business officer, Lisa Coffey. Listen to Math and Magic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Thank you.