The Questlove Show - Questlove Supreme: Ledisi

Episode Date: March 20, 2024

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Ledisi spends her new album's release day with Questlove Supreme. Ledisi reveals the challenges she has faced as a self-made DIY artist that works in multiple genres as well as stage and screen. However, after years on the grind, Good Life is a fitting title for the artist's newest project. Ledisi describes this album while recalling a journey of talent and tenacity.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 I-Heart 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. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins. But the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice in so much, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing.

Greg Gillespie and Michael Marincini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When a group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist, they take matters into their own hands.

I vowed, I will be his last target. He is not going to get away with this. He's going to get what he deserves. We always say that trust your girlfriends. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Ikew, I'm Ego Wudder.

My next guest, it's Will Ferrell. My dad gave me the best advice ever. He goes, just give it a shot. But if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay. to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right. It wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Yeah. Listen to Thanks Dad on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Sliced 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 Sliced podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slico Life 12 and TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Questlove Supreme is a production of IHeart Radio. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Questlove Supreme. I mean, who is Questlove. We have Team Supreme with us. This is a morning episode of Questlove Supreme. So it'll be very interesting to see how the energy is this morning. Because, you know, how you doing? Laia.

Laia had two tries. She's ready to go. That's an instant. A dip right there. I think it's a kid. It's not GIF, Steve It's Jiff. Jiff is a peanut butter, bro.

Jip is a peanut butter. Yo, man, before money died, before he passed, he told me it was Jif. Hey, man. Is this like the Uno thing? How about his Teno? Come on, man.

Draw twos. Draw twos. I get it. All right, all right. I'll roll with the mob. You know the creator of the GIF? The creator of the GIF. like he was one of the early people

to die in the pandemic but the last thing we did together some awards thing and I asked him I didn't even ask him he says Jeff I was like how do you know I was going to ask you like I get asked this hundred times a day but then he also said I should have said

if if you yeah or used a J if you wanted it to I get it it's above him now so you know he's not here so he's above us now These, Oh, God. All right.

So, Bill, how are you doing, man? I just, I just Google it. It said he called it a GIF with a soft G. Chewsy developers, he said, choose Jif. This was, of course, the play on the peanut butter brand, Jifzline, choosy mothers choose Jif. That's all. And the internet never lies.

So I'm going GIF. I'm fine, by the way. Thank you very much for asking. Well, yeah. And thank you. And Steve. Yes, I'm good. Fonte.

I'm good, man. I'm good. I've been working. Me and just did something. I was set. Yeah, what are you working on? I don't know how much I'm at liberty to say, so I'll let... William? I'll explain.

What did it happen once? Tell us what did it happen once. Fonte and his producing partner, Zoe, have created a jam for the children that will air sometime in September by a very famous, fantastic artist. On the Stryzy? on this trizzy it films today, but we're not allowed to say who that person is other than it's going to be awesome. Wait,

Fonte wrote an Elmo jam? Yeah, I've been writing jam, I've been writing. You're living a dream. Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, I will say that our guest today wants an understatement to say that she is a monster talent, as talented as they come.

She's an unworldly singer. One of the, you know, there's people that ooze with charisma. And I mean, I've probably have been, yeah, I think our careers are borderline neck and neck. So since the roots have been. That'd be like 20 years old, but that's okay. Yeah, but like I just started late. Okay. So our guest started when she was two years old.

Okay. Anyway, yeah, no, I'll say that even if my. memory serves me correct whenever the roots would come to the Bay Area. I believe that this person has been kind of a presence in the entirety of my career. And even from the first moment, we've laid eyes on her, like just absolute charisma. Like, she owned the stage. And that's something that you can't find anywhere, pretty much in entertainment. Like, that's a special gift. As of now, as we speak, her 11th album entitled Good Life has just been released

by the time it gets on the air it should have been out by then. So in addition to a Grammy Award winning music career in multiple genres, she's also an actress of stage and screen. Don't forget, an author, an educator and an advocate for others. And this is a long time coming.

So welcome to QLS. Today we have Lettucey. Welcome to question. Thank you so much. That means a lot. just hearing you talk about me because I see you DJing all the time you know I would always go to your shows that's like one of my favorite things I know this is the thing as long as we've known each other like we've never had a moment to really just chop

it up like in a real way so this is almost like our first real in-depth conversation even though you know again it's it's been several decades and you know this is a long time coming uh well I'll ask you because, you know, today is the, what I say, the birth day of your new album. Do you still get excited about these things as if it were like your children out in the world or like you still get like butterflies and anticipation and excitement of presenting it to the world? I am so nervous right now. But I really every single time.

But I think this one even more so because of the growth. I never chase relevancy. It's not my thing. I love growth and perseverance in history more than anything. And so me, I'm always adding colors to my version of whoever I am in that era and hoping for people to see another side of myself that I never get to show. So this is another side and kind of full circle coming back to the root of feel good music like when I started you know so this one I'm I'm kind of grown and I don't care what

people think anymore I just want to put feel good out there I think we needed it I needed it and what I'm nervous about is after three years of work is it enough you know yes I'm so glad you said that because right now we're going through a cycle I mean, you'll be maybe the fourth or fifth artist that we've interviewed in which their product is kind of a direct result of whatever they learned from the pandemic. This restart thing like it happened with Brittany, with Britney Howard and also Green Bailey, Ray. Yeah, yeah. Like you're seeing these artists who kind of had either a pivot or a transformation or they got to know themselves about. They did a lot of self-work and the creativity that normally went on their product before 2020 is not the same way as it is now.

So would you say that for you? That's also the case. I think I'm a chameleon every album though. I've always been different. Every project. I think I did a complete pivot by doing Lettucey sings Nina. When I'm an R&B, you know me as an R&B artist. But I sing classical and, and I'm a music.

opera and in French and Italian, but I never get to show that in R&B. So to me, it's like, for me, it's how I feel. And a lot of it has to do with ownership being my own under my own label and doing my own thing. So I've never had that. The pandemic only pushed me forward to be more active in socially active, active, online and talking to people before I was more like just putting something. stuff out and leave going away. This is a, this is new for me actually talking to people more.

Wait, so you're not an engager? No, I try to be. I've gotten better. 2020 taught me that. I have my own podcast. I started talking more to my friends privately, but then I'm like, I might as well put this out and show people that I'm talking, you know, no one knows and knew anything much about me, but you seeing me around. You know what I mean? I'm like the, the oh ladies he's at the show what is she doing here well you know what i would have thought the opposite because when you're on stage that's another thing you do but when you're on stage you do this like zero to 100 in two seconds and you know i'm not even trying to blow smoke up your ass or anything but literally like charisma

connecting with the audience talking to the audience engaging them telling jokes yeah Talking about your life. Like, that's a hard thing to do. Like, I avoided it at all costs. You know what I mean? I hide behind a drum set. I hide behind turntables and the internet and all these things, like, where you had to be out there. And I just naturally thought, there was one show I saw where I was like, I will be none surprised if, you know, you get an Oprah platform.

Just the way that you were doing one-on-one with your audience. But that's weird to hear that in your personal offstage life that you're saying you're an introvert, sort of, or were? A little bit of both, but more so introverted, really shy. Stage, though, it's, I think of the audience more so. I don't think of myself. I think of them and making time and moments to come to the show and entertain them and be honest and authentic. Because I wouldn't want to pay for that. and then put myself in their position.

What would I, if I'm sitting out there watching you guys, I want to be like this. You know what I mean? I want to feel something. So if I'm standing there like glue, just letting it dry, it's just boring. So I always think of put myself in the audience's position. Well, look, so if you are shy in your personal life, and this is something I'm just discovering maybe in the last two or three years in talking to artists, like on this platform, and also just interviewing them in general.

I think a lot of the general public is rather shocked that some artists might have anxiety, social anxiety, that sort of thing. And so I'm often finding out that they have to sort of psych themselves up, like, a half hour before going on stage or, like, transform into a new character, that sort of thing.

Like, so what is your process to get out of your social shyness of non-stage life into, like, What is your process, like an hour before the, before showtime? A lot of breathing. High heels does it for me. I love wearing high. So you become a new character when you wear shoes. I love high heels.

I love makeup. I just love just becoming grown woman like energy. It's so good for me. It says I belong. It says I'm worthy. It says, power and inside my heart is racing. I'm still afraid, but I recycle the fear into when and gather.

Tell them about who you are, where you come from the music, the root, everything. It's not as bigger than me, but all of that gives me power to just execute the stories. We're storytellers. We're creative, so we got to, it's not about us. It's about what we're trying to ignite and inspire other people. They want to feel something. So I go back to that. But the high heels, six in, I should hold, I can give up.

Oh, yeah, please. Even now this morning. You keep them closed. You keep them closed. This might be the first guest to go and grab their shoes. I will fight you. That is not a way. What?

This is my. Your poor uncles. All your ankles. It's so much fun. That's a whole performance in those? Yeah. Yes, ma'am. 90 minutes.

It's a warrior. 90 minutes. I love a good hill. It makes me taller. I'm 5.5. I need some. Y'all are tall. I'm short.

All right. So noted. I will be writing crocs for a... Make her some nice high crocs, Amir. You have some heels with crows out there. They actually have platform crocs. Yeah, I have some. But they're not high enough for her.

They don't go beyond side. That's 14, so, you know. I don't know. I need my. They discriminate. I love it. It's happening. But I'll probably reduce it down in two years, so I might as well do it as long as I can.

Yeah. Watch those hips. Yeah. A win is a win. A win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clever Taylor the fourth.

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 are not. 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 wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

In 2023, former bachelor star Clayton Eckerd found himself at the center of a paternity scandal. The family court hearings that followed revealed glaring inconsistencies. In her story, this began a years-long court battle to prove the truth. You doctored this particular test twice in someone, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to crack the case. I wanted people to be able to see what their tax dollars were being used for.

Sunlight's the greatest disinfected. They would uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg Alespian and Michael Marantini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. this is Love Trap. Laura, Scottsdale Police.

As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news at Americopa County as Laura Owens has been indicted on fraud charges. This isn't over until justice is served in Arizona. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. There's two golden rules that any man should live by.

Rule one, never mess with a country girl. You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her friends either. We always say that trust your girlfriends. I'm Anna Sinfield, and in this new season of the girlfriends, Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck.

I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no. I vowed I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe.

On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Ego Wode. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman, Saturday Night Live and the Big Money Players Network. It's Will Ferrell. Woo, whoo, who, who. Dad gave me the best advice ever.

I went and had lunch with them one day. And I was like, and Dad, I think I want to really give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, and I know it's a place they come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. Yeah. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot.

He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel. feel fun anymore. It's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right. It wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Listen to Thanks Dad on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 Slica Life 12.

and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Let us see. I thought you were born in the Bay Area, but I found out I was wrong. Can you tell us where you were born? I'm originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. My family comes from the Holly Grove area. I don't have an accent because I moved when I was 12 years old to the Bay Area.

So it was raised in Oakland, East Oakland. But when I get mad, my accent comes out really nicely. They're bad. It gets ripped. Oh, that's what it happens. I love a New Orleans accent. Wait, can I ask the question, Amir, that I feel like we might have to skip because I need to know where lettesee Anibade came from. It's a Yerba word.

My mom named me. It comes from an Ochoisi song, a Yorba word, God. My mom loves Yoruba music and would sing it. And that's where the name it means to bring forth is Lettucey and Anibati means to bring luck. So bring forth, bring luck. And so that's my real name. My mom and dad named me. They were kind of hippies.

And that was their thing, you know. So that's where my name comes from. Do you remember what was your first musical memory? My mom would sing at this park across. the street with her band and she had this big afro and bell bottoms blue jean bell bottoms in a green shirt and some big hoops and she had this tambourine but she would hit it with her hip all the time and i just love every time her hip would move or she'd sing the audience would just i just saw them go crazy i didn't know what that meant but the sound of her voice always would do something here so that means so that means

memory, I always remember that before I go on stage. But that was one of my first memories of music. The other one is the A-track. The band would record to the A-track, and it would sit in our room. We had a shotgun house that just go straight ahead. And in the live room, the band would record in the living room, and my mom would record her vocal part with the A-track in our bedroom, which was the next room.

So I would stare at the A-track. and watch my mom record on the edge of the bed. And then when they pressed play and her voice came out of it, I was just blown away. And that's when I, like, those two memories, that's when I wanted to sing. Did your mother, did she, like, make records? Or she was a recording artist? Or did she just sing?

Yeah, she was a recording artist. She had her own band called Caranova in New Orleans. They had their own band. It was interracial, racial, bass player. guitar, my stepdad played drums. That's why I started on the drums. That's why I loved watching drummers. That's why I became a fan of a mirror.

That's why we're friends, okay. Yeah. Yeah. I would watch the way drummers set up their snares. It slanted. Is it low? Is it below their knees? Like every little technical thing. So I started on the drums and I would watch them

perform, rehearse in our bedroom. But we were too young to go in the club, so they would have the car close to the side. door so that my mom can babysit while performing. So she would do double duty. So I'm a kid from that kind of era where they did a lot of performing and recording at the same time. But she had her own band, lead singer, and her and the bass player would write songs together all the time. Wow. I know you're probably obsessed with Darry Jones if you're trying to figure out drumming ankles.

because I'm still trying to figure that out. That setup is crazy. I was like, okay. Are you still drumming now? Like, do you still? I do paroddittles on a pad when I get nervous or things like that, but not, no. The band always trying to make me play, but I won't play. I told you, I get a little nerdy on certain times, and that's one of them.

I don't want to play in front of it. I know, like, an African beat and a James. Brown Beat. That's all I know right now. You don't think your audience would go crazy if you just suddenly started. I know. I know. Just give us a little special for you know. Afro beats. Let's go. You think I can do it? I know you can do it. You know you can do it. I'm in practice. If you're there, definitely not doing it.

Do you own a drum set? No, I think when we get a bigger house, I'll get one. But right now, I'll wait. I have a Rhodes. It's right there. I'm sending you a drumstep. Really? What? Well, yeah, you're also helping me because, you know, I'm a hoarder. And, yeah, the less boxes I have. Well, if you send it, I'll practice and then I'll play and record.

Oh, I'm not bullseeing you. I'm trying to get rid of these boxes. I'm giving you a drum set. So. Well, thank you. I appreciate it. I love the drums. You know what I have my monitors, the mirror, the rim shot, the snare and a kick and my vocal.

that's it. It's all I have in my monitor ears. Everyone's like, you're crazy. I'm like, I need the beat. Yeah, I know this. No, this is great. I encourage this highly. I encourage what was the first album that you owned?

First album I own. Thriller, Purple Rain was there. Those two was what I had, but Thriller was allowed to listen to Purple Rain. I snuck it in. Okay. Yeah, I was going to say. To sneak it in.

I think I think we've had one guest on the show that was like freely allowed to listen to Prince in their childhood like Prince wasn't contraband. After the movie, they let it go because we had saw the movie. It's a rap, you know, but Thriller was the one. That was the. That was, okay. What about your first concert? You know, during my time, we couldn't go.

It was run DMC. A fresh vest? It was, yes, we couldn't go. I couldn't go. My parents wouldn't let us go. So I had my little general electric radio, and I would just play the cassette on the porch and just listen like that. And pretend.

And pretend like we were there. But I didn't go to a concert until I was in college. And the first concert. Yes. It never had never been a concert. My first concert was Dian Reeves opening for George Benson. Wow. At the Sonoma, up in Sonoma.

Noma somewhere. It was a date. This guy took me on a date. That's how I got to go to a concert. Crazy, right? It's funny you said that because for some reason, three days ago, what was the song about Grandma? Better Days. I don't know why I had this need to hear that song. Like, it was always on radio when I was in high school. Really? Oh my God. I forgot there was a time in which, like, Diane Reeves had, like, the number one song on Power 99, like, and that was the thing. That also, it was a record and also kind of piano in the dark by Brenda Russell. Oh, yeah, Brenda Russell.

Yeah, yeah. Era, those, yeah. Well, that still gets played on, like, piano to dark has this travel to, well, I don't call a yacht rock radio, but whatever, like. Yeah, yeah. When you're in CVS at three in the morning. That's one of the best albums of all time. It is.

It is. Tell us about your musical development. Do you have any siblings or is it just you? I have an older sister, younger sister, and on my dad's side, I have, I have 11 and I think I'm 12. I'm 12 in there in that mix. I know you're interviewing, but I wanted to ask you about when we did the VH1, Anita Baker. Oh, I'm going to get to that. I'm going to get to that.

I'm sorry. That is. All right, all right, let's just have it now. I'm skipping. I'm just trying to wrap up to this. You know,

the thing for me is, as an artist, the two things that I look forward to most in life is when someone puts me on to an album that will later, like, change my life and all that stuff.

So, I mean, I've had that a few times, you know, like Jill handing me her record. Oh shit, Fonte handed me his, you know, the little brother album or, you know, Bala or whatever. But the only thing that tops that for me is when I witness a stars born moment and to see what transpired that day.

Now, we're doing VH1's, it's not women who. Rockets. Divas? Is it divas? Was it divas? I think I can't remember. Yeah, I think it was divas. Yeah, divas.

R&B divas, though. Army divas. And I've told many stories of whenever I'm put in those situations in which you got to curate a bunch of artists, that's the first time. Even before hip-hop 50, that's the first time I had to learn that it's not just about music, but you also have to manage artists in general. personalities. Personalities, which I didn't know.

Now, the first half of this story kind of isn't mine to tell. All the pieces of the jenga fell down. With seconds left on the clock, and when I say seconds left on the clock, I mean, you know, in TV world, one should at least thoroughly kind of, you know, at least have three, a minimum of three hours of working out kinks and whatnot. I mean, we probably had. all of 27 minutes before we started taping. And, you know, we have a giant gaping hole of space left that needed to be filled,

which is who's going to now sing sweet love. You know, you did it in such. Now I realize that, yeah, you're telling the truth about your shyness because you kind of there. Was Sandra there as well, or was it just you? No, it was me and Sandra. Yeah, because I had never done a tribute ever on television. That was like the first one.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Where were you initially there for? Aaron Jones. Karen Jones, yes. What I do remember was I didn't go to you first. I think I went to Sundra. No, you went to Marsha, right? Oh, you went to Sundra to talk to her.

Right. Well, she was there in proximity because she was also like, were you there to watch the rehearsal? Yeah, we were trying to. watch rehearsal and then we got kicked out of a room and we went back to our dressing room and stayed out of the way which is what i love to do because i'll go wait all i'm going to say the only thing i'm going to say i don't know if i ever shared this part of the story so again yes the initial plan for that moment was was in motion like both artists were on stage and versed in the parts and whatnot and then this is the craziest rogue moment of all time i've ever witnessed in

artists do. And I'm respectfully recapitulating the story. You are so respectful right now. I can't even understand the story. I'm so grateful. I'm losing my mind. I'm like, I need to get the less respectful remix of the story. I know that we're about that, but I've already been roasted by another artist. You got to be careful. By her other group members. I was the whipping boy. And I had nothing to do with it. You know, again, it's above me. But anyway, the whole point was that there was a moment right after the bridge in which the song started to go rogue and Anita Baker decided that this moment's not going to go down. She literally like, so go after the bridge of sweet love. Like, and she's walking down the stairs. She's singing. Then she puts her coat on and she's still

singing the song and then we get to the chorus and she's putting a pocketbook on. And then she's like walking down to the audience. You know, we're camera blocking and all that stuff. Yo, she's saying the last of those ad libs walked out the door hailed a cab and went straight to the airport like but that was rehearsal though right

that was I mean it was camera blocking for a show we were going to shoot in two hours like the average person would have been like hey stop the song guys I appreciate this but I cannot do this I'm leaving goodbye she didn't do that like she literally sang the song

and then like the way Mr. Rogers like puts a sweater on and she put her coat on. Did you see this last? Did you see? Did you see? No, I wasn't in the room. We were kicked out way before the song even started. Yeah, it was a lot of drama. And but seriously, when I think at one point she had gum in her mouth like this, like she put her pocketbook on and all that stuff and but still doing it verbatim. Sweet. And then she was like, in the vest of you. She left the theater, still singing with the microphone, in the vest of you.

And then she walked out of the Hammerstein ballroom. And I'm looking at Nelson George like, what's going on here? But the way she left, I've never seen a person with a cordless microphone. Walk out the building. Start on the stage. Walk in the audience. Then walk in the vest of you, like. That's wild.

It sounds accurate though. Yeah. Yeah. Wait, James, James, James, James. Wait, James, hang on, hang on, hang on. Wait, James. Wait, James. Oh, wow.

James. Were you with us for VH1 Divas? Old man brain. Anita, shut up. Like, yeah. I think I do so. I'm an old man brain. Actually.

I think you know James that you're just afraid to. Good call, James. What happened? Wait, I think I remember hearing about this. Oh, what's that there? When she sang, I can't imagine you not playing keyboards. Who else would play keyboards?

Yeah, I don't know either. I can't. Right. Are you really wasn't in the loop like that? It was that you were definitely there. It was a long time ago. Maybe it was Omar. Yes.

Sounds. Oh, yeah, I do remember it. Wait. What? I feel like I'm having, I feel like I'm having a little. boy that cry wolf moment. Because I'm telling them the way that

Anita Baker left the stage. I've never seen someone. He loves you. Walk off the stage. Still singing. Grab her coat. Still singing her pocketbook. Chewed a stick of gum and literally adlipped herself

into a cab. Went to the airport and I asked Nelson George. I'm like, wait, what happened? And he was like, she went home. And I was like, she left a luggage. Like, she literally. I do remember. that. I do, I distinctly do remember that. Can I just say when you asked when they said the room started buzzing around that she left?

Yes. And we were backstage going, what's going on? And they were like, no, Anita Baker left. I was like, what? I wanted to meet her. Why did she leave? She coming back though, right? They were like, no, she's not coming back. They're trying to call her.

So I, and when you came to my room to ask me about, when you finally showed up. I was like, why is Quest Love coming in my room? What I do? I thought it was in trouble. I didn't do anything. And then you came in and explained we need- So here's the thing.

I think you see him now. But this is the thing I didn't tell you is that after you asked me, I called A.B. Queen Anita Baker and said, can you please come back? We would love- Wait a minute. What is she saying? Even after you asked me, because I felt,

You know, I love honoring our greats no matter what. And if you asked me to do their song, I always call them and say, hey, I'm going to be performing your song. That's just something I do. But I felt weird a little bit. So I called her and said, hey, are you all right? Just checking on you. She's like, I'm fine.

Going home. I was like, she didn't tell me what. She didn't tell me what went on. She didn't say anything. She just said, baby, I said, I said, I said, well, they're asking me to sing your song, and I was hoping you would sing it. And I thought you were singing it with another artist. I would love for you to, and I hope she wasn't thinking that you put me up to that.

That was just me saying, please come back because it's VH1 and it was the kids to see you, you know. And she was like, do a great job, honey. You're going to be great. And that's all I heard. and I didn't ask her what went on. It was none of my business to know. My job was trying to get her to come back because I knew a whole other generation wanted to see that

because she hadn't been on television a long time. It was a big event to see that. So, hey, P.S., just real quick, because I know he's going to try to get out of here, like Peter on the family guy, James Poyser, can we get your commitment to being a guest on Questlove to Prima in the next two months, please? So you mean Homer Simpson?

Oh, Homer Simpson. I'm sorry. You're right. Wrong guy. Slow boy. Do it again, James. Do we get. How much y'all paying? The same thing. He's going to pay you the same thing. Lettyssey. He'll pay the same thing. Didn't James do an episode already? No. He was a sidekick. Yeah, I was a sidekick with Fred Hammond. He was in his Sam-ash basement, remember? It's a seat, James.

Love you, Lettucey. Wait, can I ask a question? about the Anita Baker thing. Ramir, James, at any point did the band look at each other and be like, where'd Anita go? Was there any of that? Or it's just like, it didn't matter. It was just she was gone. No, I'm going to tell you

why. Because the thing is the way that the stage was built it's kind of like a pyramid thing and I'm at the top. And what was supposed to happen is these two were supposed to saunter down these long-ass stairs left and right singing together.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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. TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. In 2023, former bachelor star Clayton Eckerd found himself at the center of a paternity scandal. The family court hearings that followed revealed glaring inconsistencies in her story.

This began a years-long court battle to prove the truth. You doctored this particular test twice in so-ins, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to crack the case. I wanted people to be able to see what their tax dollars were being used for.

Sunlight's the greatest disinfected. They would uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg Alespian and Michael Marantini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trap. Laura, Scottsdale Police.

As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news at Americopa County as Laura Owens has been indicted on fraud charges. This isn't over until Justice is. served in Arizona. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl.

You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her friends either. We always say that trust your girlfriends. I'm Anna Sinfield. And in this new season of the girlfriends, Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck.

I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no. I vowed. I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the girlfriends.

Trust me, babe. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Ego Wadam. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman, Saturday Night Live, and the Big Money Players Network. It's Will Ferrell. Woo, woo, woo, woo. My dad gave me the best advice ever.

I went and had lunch with them one day, and I was like, and dad, I think I want to really give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, and I know it's a place that come look for up-and-coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. Yeah. He goes, but there's so much luck involved.

And he's like, just give it a shot. He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right, it wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck.

Listen to Thanks, Dad, on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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, for wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slica Life 12 and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. There's this sort of rosy ending to this thing. And the whole thing was that when I think Sandra was next to me and I asked, I see, Sandra, I think she said, or someone from your team was like, Oh, Leslie knows that song like the back of her hand.

She will kill that song. I'm Anita Baker fan. She's also one of my greatest mentors and friends. I love it, A.B. There might be things, you know, to me, every artist has a thing. They have their cork and what they need and require to be comfortable. I don't know what the situation was. I'm just saying everybody got a thing.

They got corks. You know. You wasn't even going there with this conversation. What was your original? No. I wanted to know for Amir doing that kind of show, the mass, it was so massive with so many women. Like it was R&B and soul that night.

You know what I mean? It was huge for me. And I wanted to ask him having that control over that kind of playlist and all these artists in one room. What was that like for you? How stressful? Well, you answered it. But that's why I wanted to bring it up.

Because that was the first time I saw come out of being the drum. to being a conductor, a ranger. A whipping bag. You want to know something funny, though? Want to know something funny? That was the second most stressful moment of a night because I had another situation that backstage with a Motown legend

whom, like, drummers will always get, no pun intended, the short end of the stick, mainly from singers who now I understand that if there's certain insecurities lying under, usually when a person wants to micromanage tempo or that's not right. There's another issue at hand, you know, that that's not about this song's too fast

or you're playing it too slow. So, you know, I was dealing with another drama with a Motown legend that she browbeat me and she did it something so smooth. like I'm drumming behind her. And at one point, she sings something, sings the course and turns around and says, I'll kill you.

Oh, no. Amir. R&B is a whole other beast. It has, you know this, Amir, it's a different. Right. So, no, just to let you know that, like, that situation with the Nita was sort of like, that was in second place to something else I was dealing with. It taught me be careful of what you asked for.

And also, I'll say that surviving that prepared me for hip hop 50. Yeah. Yeah. You know, I've told our listeners that, you know, I've lost a body part because of the stress of that. But that's also me not, you know, advocating for myself and volunteering to be a whipping boy. But what body part did you lose?

Yeah, okay. I said not the end, that's why I said the main one. I told you all my tooth fell out. Oh, that's right. You know, we all smoke and drink, so we'd be forgetting. Y'all faces at the camera. We're going to roll with our brother, but you know, we still don't let me know that's a lot.

And we can put this to bed. Let me put the Terry on top and say that you came out with 27 minutes left. You ran through that song. and it was the most beautiful thing ever. Even to the detriment of not seeing that magic moment happen, what that taught me was, one, I said to myself like,

wow, like, I rarely see an artist that's like ready for their close-up. And for me, that was a star's-born moment because, like, you were trending number one when that aired, and it was a whole other comment.

It was as if people just discovered, for real and it was such a moment where I was like that's that's the way it was meant to be honestly I was scared to death and I because I didn't have time to do what I normally do prepare overthink I know overthink and you just did it Marsha and Brose just did it too and I was happy to have her there as well to help sing part of the other part but you were like so happy I was honored to finish out what you had started and do my best. But I was freaked out. But I did try to get an A, B, back.

I did. I didn't know what was going on. I was out the dark, out of the room. Still don't know what happened. But I'm just happy. You rose the occasion. You rose the occasion. I hear your face, though, that night.

That's why I wanted to ask why it was so, how was it for you? Because your face was, you wore out. Yeah, I didn't know about meditating. It was a wonderful job. You did a wonderful job. I have to say. Y'all, is this the BETT Awards 2018? No, it was VH1.

So you didn't sing Anita Baker's Sweet Love a couple times. I did, but I didn't do, I did it first with Amir. I'm making sure because I know people are listening. They're like, which one is? I want to find it. And okay. Yeah, it was the first tribute I had ever done. I do a lot of tributes, but that was the first one.

I want a big platform like that. But it was all R&B people. Soul R&B. the lineup was incredible. I couldn't believe I was there. I was still. R&B Deas, yeah. So did you notice a paradigm shift after that moment?

Absolutely. Tell me about it because I still maintain that, you know, one, you trended the entire night it was on and just reading all the comments, like people were really engaged with how you handled it and they loved it. So what happened after that moment? They were, I, my shows got bigger. more people started wanting to know more about me, but I wasn't really social.

Like I said earlier, we didn't have enough of that. I didn't even know what trending was. I was too busy surviving as an independent artist. But I noticed in the club environment, more people were coming out to my shows after that. And there was a level of respect. But I also got called to do more tributes. So it kind of opened the door for that,

which I was like, what is going on? And I know. Yeah. You've done a lot. Besides Anita Baker, who are your North stars in terms of, you know, who you look to as far as like your vocal idols or like? I wanted to be an opera singer. So, Lantine was one of the biggest, Dinah Washington. Because there would be no Aretha without Dinah.

She was a big influence for Aretha. And then, of course, Aretha Franklin, because she can sing. She's sung, sung everything. And I love, my mother was a huge influence. It starts at home for me. She had the most beautiful soprano voice. And when she had cancer in the throat, and she survived it in one, but she, her voice got lower.

She was worried. I said, Mama, you gonna sing, you could sing a good old alto and tenor. You'll be fine, you know. So, but she's one of my biggest inspirations is my mother, because without her, I wouldn't been introduced to all these other vocalists. And I love Patsy Kline. She's another big voice storyteller.

We forget country is like, not that everybody's having that country talk. I've been on it. My mom, listen to Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. I was like, Mom, why do they can't really sing? She's like, it's the stories, you know? She's like, the stories are the thing. So I was the nerdy, weird kid that liked all the opposite.

I didn't start in the church. I got the church. stuff later when we moved to Oakland and I met the, the Hawkins and Daryl Coley and learned that did. Did you go to their church? My mom did. She was in their choir. So we would, I would visit here and there. But I wasn't a church. I'm not a church girl. I love the nerdy. We were raised Catholics. So we were mom on me, more, more, more, you know, we didn't do all the squalling. I learned all of that because Tremaine said, come on, baby, squall. And my mom grew up Baptist. So I heard her voice. That's where I got it from. Do you know what I mean? I'm the,

you know, Chameen Hawkins? Yeah, she taught me how to do my first squaw. She was in the studio. You go like the, and she does a squaw. Yeah, all that. You're asking for it in the morning, I ain't doing that now. But you know, if you know, Chamein, have you ever met Lynette Stevens? Oh, absolutely. Met her as well. What she liked, man, like, just listen to all the records. Like, you never see press on any of them. Oh, she had her own church, so they're really quiet, you know? They're nerds like, well, I can't say like us, but yeah, I guess they like us. All right.

You can. Yeah, I can't. Okay. But yeah, they're really quiet. You know, people who love the music and they keep it there. They love being private as well. Not all of us like to be in the front. I'll say that the number one scene that I really regret that I had to drop.

What? And Summer of Soul was, I mean, yes, they taught me off the ledge and I put Oh, Happy Day in, but really there was a solo between Tremaine Walter and Lynette when they were teenagers when they were, you know, like 19 years old. So that's one of the scenes I had to drop. You know what I wanted to say about Summer of Soul? Luther Vandross is a huge influence. Why didn't you put Luther? That's such a good question. Because Luther was an 18-year-old nobody, air quotes.

Nobody taped it. They didn't record it. A local singer, and they were like, well, we're running out of tape. So, you know, that local Harlem band with Luther Vandros and Fonzie Thornton. And practically Luther's whole entire crew from List of my brother. Oops. They, yeah. Also, the weird thing was the same, the same people that shot Summer of Seoul were also the same people that shot the pilot of Sesame Street.

And so to them, Luther was just like, Luther was the first musical guest on Sesame Street because of the band he was in singing about the number 20. Right. I started high and low. There was no good footage of Luther at all. The last time we had a singer of your caliber or your vocal prowess, I'll say, that's one of the unfortunate episodes in which the audio didn't work. Oh my God, you're going to go. Wait, are you talking about, don't do that.

You're saying it. I was just fine leaving the way. Why am I in this? So I'm going to ask again, I want you to, not dispel a myth, but the way that singers have these very specific requirements. for their vocal to be open. I'm very cynical and I believe that's psychosomatic, but ever like Fonte clab back every now and then

by saying like, no, that's real. But can you explain to me what is the deal with like, with artists that are, you know, they can't have air conditioning on because they're... That shit fuck their voice up. This is real. Your vocal courts will clam up from the cold air.

I have gotten sick. I remember singing, what was it called, biscuits and blues in New York, whatever that is. Where's that at? I want some biscuits and blues. Right?

It was some blues club, but it's closed now. I literally, the air conditioning was right here, blowing into my face. As I'm opening my mouth, it just dried my vocals out. And you can hear,

as I'm singing, singing the show, my voice slowly go away, cracks, everything. I said, can you turn the air off? They wouldn't turn it off because it was too, it was underground. It was a club in New York on Broadway, but I can't remember the name of it, but it's gone now. It just took my vocals out and we had to stop the show. It's better when it's warm, it keeps it fluid.

I don't want to sound gross, but you need it to be wet in there. You need water. moisture. You need your vocal cords. They're really thin and they have to flap. You should know. Come on with the wet. I don't sing. I yell. You yell. Yeah, you do. I've heard you many times. No, but just I, I don't know. There's certain, I'll look at the writers of singers and, you know, some things I'll know, like, okay, well, they need lemon and honey and da-da-da-da-da, whatever. I don't do any of this stuff. Yeah, I get it too.

So do you have a warm up process before you get on stage or? Yeah, I don't talk at all. I do the Celine Dion thing. My room is at 80, 80 degrees like Luther and everything. What about the sweats though, let? Yeah, the sweat is good. Okay. I sing all the high notes.

Fontaine knows, he knows. It just feels good. It makes you ready to go. Oh, it's funny. Fonte do be sweating and it'd be hot. We're not go see him sing on stage. That might be true. And then I have a steamer.

I steam my vocal cords. See, that's heat. And it's making it loose and everything. It opens all your chest. It's kind of like when you put vapor rub all over it. And it goes, that's how you want your vocal cords to stay open. So it is a real thing for me, the good ones, the real singers, do that kind of stuff. The ones that sing like classical, they don't like all that.

Because by the time you're on the stage, too, it's freezing cold. So you might as well stay warm. So that's what I do. Okay. And I don't drink a lot of liquids. And I, yeah, the steaming is incredible. I also opera singer turn me onto the citron tea. That's really good.

But I love that. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver 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 what you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. In 2023, former bachelor star Clayton Eckerd found himself at the center of a paternity scandal. The family court hearings that followed revealed glaring inconsistency in her story. This began a

years-long court battle to prove the truth. You doctored this particular test twice in so-ins, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to crack the case. I wanted people to be able to see what their tax dollars were being used for. Sunlight's the greatest disinfected.

They would uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg Alesbianspian and Michael Marantini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trap. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences.

Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news at Americopa County as Laura Owens has been indicted on fraud charges. This isn't over until justice is served in Arizona. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl. You play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her friends either. We always say that trust your girlfriends.

I'm Anna Sinfield, and in this new season of the girlfriends, Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck. I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no.

I vowed. I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everyone?

I'm Ego Wodom. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers, Anchorman, Saturday Night Live, and the Big Money Players Network. It's Will Farrell. Woo. My dad gave me the best advice ever. I went and had lunch with them one day.

And I was like, and dad, I think I want to really give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, and I know it's a place that come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. Yeah. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot. He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're.

banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat, just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right, it wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Yeah. Listen to Thanks Dad on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 Podcast, for wherever you get your podcast. And for or follow Timbo Slice of Life 12 and TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. You transitioned to theater, like all your theatrical work, both in solo shows and Carolina Change and blah, blah, blah, blah. What was the impetus behind that?

Why go there? To survive, to pay bills in the Bay Area. Before I became an artist that you know is let us see, I was waiting tables and working at a place called Beach Blank of Babylon where you wear these big hats. I auditioned when I was 18 years. old right out of high school. And I was going to college at the same time working in theater.

And luckily with theater, I learned how to reach past four rows and not just perform right here. And now I can fill the whole room with my voice and all that because of theater. But I had to do it to pay bills to survive. I was waiting tables at the same time after my theater gig, I leave at 1130 and go rush to my gig that everybody would go see me underground at Cafe Dube. with 100 people in the room. So they will wait for me for two hours,

and I would rush there after doing a theater gig with full makeup on so that I can pay bills, do what I love, and do what I need to do at the same time. So- Did you finish school? Huh? Did you finish school? No, I did not.

Where'd you go? I went to Cal State Hayward, and I studied at UC Berkeley in the summers during high school. So that, because like I said, I'm a nerd. I loved all that classical music there. That's where I studied. But yeah, I never finished because I had to survive, had to pay bills and be, I left home at 18.

Like I said, I left home at 18 and took care of myself and school and waiting tables. But theater was, I love acting because I did it in high school and to be able to do cabaret shows. And then I was gonna quit the music industry because I had been in it for, as independent artists, for two years and nothing, I just kept spending all my money. And when I was quitting, I only had two suitcases in a house

that I got a commercial off of doing a sprint commercial at the time when Sprint existed. Oh, Sprint. Yeah, it's a sprint back in the day. But I just saying, time is on my side. And I got paid. Hello? What year was this?

What time? It was like around 2000 and, man, was it 2002? Oh, okay. 2002 or three. After 2003. Yeah, because Feeling Orange had came out after that. Oh, so you didn't have to audition for that. They found, they just knew you.

They knew your voice and they were like, I was still. I was teaching during the day sometime, middle schools and going carrying instruments around. I mean, I was trying to make money. You're on your own. But I would also audition for voiceovers to do children's books and children things. And I ended up getting that sprint commercial. commercial that way through someone who, hey, a friend of mine needs a voice for this.

I didn't know what it was for, I just sang it. And then the little checks start rolling in. I was like, holy liu. So I had- Checks. The best checks there are. I love it. Residual checks.

You know, that's how I made my living was teaching and waiting tables and it's crazy and doing gigs late at night and cabaret shows. People act like the first time they saw you on screen, acting was the, I want to say the Nina short that you did, the four women. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Right?

With shout-out to Lisa Cortez and Gabby Sita-Bay, right? Who were behind that before you. Yeah, talk about that. I wanted you to talk about that because I was like, did that come first and then the Nina album? Like, you and Nina got some things going on. Well, the first, Gabby was inspired by my Nina Simone tribute that I did with Black Girls Rock.

So that was the second time I ever been on television. television was doing another tribute and I came in saying, I want to be peaches. I was like, I got to do the peaches part. And they could have kicked me out. You know what I mean? But I was like, I knew what part I wanted to sing. And it was me, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius, and Kelly Price. So I sang peaches.

And then Gabby said, the writer and Gabby and a couple of producers, they were saying they were inspired by that. And they wrote me into that short. And they always wanted me to play that role later. And years later, I would meet Gabby just in passing with Lee Daniels hanging out. And she said, I got a part for you. And that was the role in the four women short that we did. It was amazing. Gabby's a great director.

That debuted too at a Black Star. Shout to me. I loved it. So speaking of which, can you talk about the moment? that led up to you playing Mahalia Jackson and remember me and what that was like. My hell. Congratulations, by the way. Thank you.

I said no to that role a couple of times, but the, I love. Why did you say no initially? Because I had did it in Selma, you know, the little snippet I did and I wanted to, so many other people were doing it. So I didn't want to be a part of that, you know, the Mahalia thing, because I already did it. And I wanted, there's another role I wanted to do one day. So I was just waiting for a bigger debut, you know. But I love the director so much. Erica.

Erica, the producer, too. I mean, the whole team, Erica is amazing. I just wanted to be a part of it after I met them. We met on a Zoom and I said, that's it. I got to do it. And ended up doing it. amazing to dive into Mahalia. We had so much in common, like being from New Orleans, but transported into another city and then trying to come back to pour into New Orleans. And it was just

amazing role to sing. But it was enormous because you have, you have to sing gospel music and they don't play at all. At all. You know what I'm saying? So it wore me out. And then I had to gain a little weight because as the director wanted me a little, you know, she said, Mahalya was bigger. And when I saw Summer Soul, I said, oh, wow, I had never seen her like, you know, that you gave us her.

And I was so happy, my heart was like, there she is. And I, before I did even sell my visitor grave, like I said, I told you I honored ancestors. I was in New Orleans. I said, I want to know more about it. I was researching. And I went to her grave and visited her and thanked her. And then that's when I got Selma.

And here she is again. Like the answers to me, they call. I let stuff happen to me. I just do the work and get out the way. That's why I got Nina. That's why I got all these tributes. They just happened. And I don't ask for them.

I say no, too, all the time. I say no, no, no. And you have to do the work. Finish, finish the work. Is their favorite experience? I just wanted to know because you did mention a couple times

that you've been called to honor a few times but I just got to know like was there a favorite experience and why? My two favorite tributes I've ever done is Shaka

and it's it resigning it's still Shaka that Shaka tribute people are still talking about it. You can go online now. No, I've seen it live

I just forgot because I smoked but I got it. That was years ago and it's still That was my favorite only because she was the first person to bring me back out of quitting the business, meaning she was one of the first artists, her and Rochelle Farrell. But Shaka let me open for her and gave me a gig, and that's what made me want to come back after meeting her. Because she was like, you can't quit. There's no quitting. You know what I mean? Just fussing.

Talk about that real quick. What was the decision that led up to that? Well, the industry kept saying you're not pretty enough. You're not good enough. You'll never make it. Then I went ahead and did it myself. But I was spending so much money and didn't have the knowledge that I needed. And we didn't have internet then. To elaborate more on that, like being an independent R&B artist,

like speak about, because R&B generally, I mean, anybody, you know, R&B is a money game, you know? Yeah. Talk more about just independently, like, what's it like being an R&B artist? Well, I came out at a time. where, you know, it's about who you know and who's going to give you the leg up. I didn't have a leg up. I would do Black Lily here and there.

People would come out and see me. They didn't like the way I look. Industry people. Yes, I did back Lily invited a couple of industry people. They said, well, she's going to start. Damn, I remember when you came to those phonology sessions, too. Yeah. Yep.

Yeah. I went, I hung out with a mirror in the studio. That was so much fun. You know what I learned from you, Amir, I learned from you about simplicity and more about what hip hop does, why the space is so important. And I never forget it. I said, Amir said, less, do less. Less is more. Less is more.

And I was my first time hearing that. And I still carry it with me today. But anyway, those things I would hope to meet people and they would help me or do a gig with me or write for me. me or endorse me. But really, I just had to keep endorsing myself. I had to spend my own money to get a public system and my own money to word of mouth. I would chop up flyers back in the day when we had kinkos. I would do programs and make up my own flyers and pass them out because we didn't have internet. I would go to the flea markets. I would go to the record stores. When they had record stores, please take my CD on consignment. That's what I was doing. Me and Sandra,

we would call and beg people, hey, give us a leg up, help us out. That's what I had to do. Now you get to go online, sing a song if they like you and you have enough followers, then boom, you're irrelevant. That's why I stopped chasing that game. The long term for me is if I can get five people, I'm happy. If I get 10 people, I'm happy. More and more or artists, I got all the legends. They're on my side. I did it gracefully. I did it in God's timing and not trying to push things to happen because every time I pushed, it wouldn't happen. But I always had to honor them first and say, thank you. Here's let me sing the song and honor you. And then it brought more people in. That's the only way. And all the things you saw me on is because somebody believed

to me. It'd be one person in the room. Like, let us he should be here. The only person knew me on Black Girls Rock for that four women was barely bond and Kim Burst. All the other people, they didn't have a clue of who I was, but they knew me from being an independent artist. And I know a lot of artists, I'm going to be honest here that saw me and could have helped me and they didn't. I was about to ask you, how did you maintain your not being angry?

Now these people are singing your praises and they're like, Yeah, I've been doing all that you was great. How do you do that, is this also why you advocate? Because I know that you work with Naris and the Grammys for artists, and you play a major role into that. You've had a hand in these new categories. People don't know, like, you're behind that. Is this why you also into that area?

Because the Recording Academy came out, saw my independent show, said, why aren't you a member? Come be on a panel for Grammy, you, the youth. I saw that they were helping the elders with advocacy, with a Grammy Museum, and I was blown away because I didn't want to be the industry thing. I didn't even want to be signed to a label. I did it to survive because I was going to quit. But when I did, it opened another kind of door. So when I went in the Recording Academy, all I focused on, not the Grammy, I focused on the youth.

You have to. I went to Grammy Youth, did all the panels, and talked about my journey, rejection, recycling, rejection and fear into winning. Just complete your work and do your best work. And if you get five people loving you, those five will talk about you and it'll bring more people. And I told them about focusing on that craft and all that. I love advocating because that was me. That's how I got to study classical music. My mom couldn't afford the violin or the piano lessons or the classical lessons.

She had to, someone came to our school, said we have free programs. And that's why I joined. So I'm that person now, you know. Let me go back to my question originally. So have you always been that person or did that take some self-work? Because that moment in knowing that you've done all this work and now, like I said, people are now like, let us see, I've been known. When I seen you, I seen you there, I got, you know. Like, being holes didn't want me.

Now I'm hot holes all on me. There we go. Tell me about that. See, this is the part why I love being from New Orleans, because we are prideful people. We know we're dope, but we don't have to brag about it. We remember what happened, but we don't have to bring it up. Because what we do is just take the energy and refill it. It's a faith thing.

It's a honor your people. parents thing. Don't cut up. Don't embarrass them. Don't show off. Exactly. Come on, Amir, you know, I'm not, me and your sister are good friends.

So it's like we, we just do our classy work. I just follow the lead of the ancestors. But on the side, yeah, we talk it. But I don't want to talk about it in here. Okay. I just needed to know as you was human in that way. I'm sorry, Fonte.

I am very human. I'm petty tender grass, so you know. You can't. But a lot of people could have helped, but they didn't, but it wasn't for them to help. That's how I look at it. Every, now did I see it unfolding, it's supposed to happen this way.

I'm supposed, I have so many strong relationships advocating than I do in my own industry, just being an artist from artist to artist. When you do be of service, it's the best gift for your career ever, ever. Also, it comes back to you too. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, absolutely. I want to ask you, Larry, about one of your, you know, people that haven't helped, but just one of people that has a Rex Rideout.

Yes. One of your, on all your albums, I just see him as, like, you know, someone you've always worked with. And I just want to talk about you guys, creative partnership and how it's developed over the years. Well, when I was going to quit, we were outside his garage talking, and I said, that's it. You know, we met on doing my sensitivity with Bonney James. Verve had a tribute for Luther Vandross they were doing. And that was the one song that Boney James had agreed to have me sing on. And he was actually telling me how to sing, which was trippy.

But I did whatever he asked because that was the session. And when they found out they came to, when Rex came to a live show, he's like, oh, my God. I'm so sorry. We were telling you how to say. But then we started, I told him, you know, in private, I'm quitting. this industry is too hard and I don't think I fit in with everybody. I'm going to go teach and be comfortable there, get a freaking health insurance, you know what I mean?

Chill out. And he was like, don't quit. You know, I'll help you. Which is considered signing with a label just to get in and start somewhere because they are interested in you, Verve was. And here's a jazz label at the time, interested in an R&B singer. I said, I'll only do it because I'm like anti-B

entrepreneur, you know, own your stuff. But I was like, well, I got to survive. Okay, I'll try it. He said, just record. Just record. So we started recording together. We did a whole bunch of songs and Verve went crazy and wanted them. And the first song that I wrote was all right.

When I was on doing Carolina Change, I wrote it and I was recording in this box on my bed with my microphone because I didn't have anything to cover the mic. So I was singing, this life can make, you know what I mean, trying to be quiet on the bed. I was such a techie because I interned as a room producing. Yeah, exactly.

And I was techie. So I was trying to record it right for Rex. So I would send him my vocals and all that, you know, back in the day. And all right, blew up. It was the first song that came out that people got it. I told the truth. I don't know if I, this is rough out here. I was wondering that if people walk up on you and ask you, because you talk about relationships

and self-love and strength and so much. And I'm like, do people walk up on you a lot? And is that a lot of pressure to, how do you? Girl. I just need them advice real quick, girl, because I'm in a situation, you know. No, they don't do that, but they do tell me how a song has gotten them through. Okay. That's a little easier, lighter.

All right. It's the one. They love those songs. women, I gravitate towards women a lot. That's just what it is. But yeah, I don't get the therapy questions. Okay, good. Speaking of therapy, nice segue,

Ejana Van Zent. What did she like in real life? Because I watch Ayala fix my life and, well, I mean, it used to come on. She is who she is on that show in person. She is direct. And I met her, she was the first time I met her, she said, oh, you have daddy issues. you need to fix that. Hello.

I just said hello. I just said hello. Man, this is the Wendy's. What are you doing? We're in front of a whole group of people. That's just how she is. She's direct, you know, and she's like, you got to fix this. And that's a let.

I love her though. And I also tune up, but I want to ask you as well, doing black love with your husband. What was that? Oh, no. Yo, yeah, what was the experience like? What was the aftermath? Oh, y'all did Black Love.

Yeah, man. That was our, we did it during the pandemic. I was been a fan of the show. They always asked me to be on it. And I didn't respond because I feel like, you know, those parts of my life are, like I said, I'm private. I love keeping my, I want to stay married. I don't know about y'all. Shout out to Philly, though.

He is from Philly. He is amazing too. But I'm glad we did Black Love because, you know, people got to see another side of me, you know, and, uh, and see who I'm with. And it was great. But they, I love Tommy. Tommy is incredible.

I mean, Elaine, they're good people. They're good people. So yeah, we did that show and I'm, that's all I'm going to say. Tell us to the plans for the good life tour that's coming up that you're about to do. Yes. I'm going on a 27 city tour, uh, with.

the great Rahim Devon is coming with me, the Good Life Tour, BJ the Chicago came to do a couple of dates when Rahim can't do it. And I'm just looking forward to it. The band, we did our final rehearsal last night and it just sounds so good and it feels good. So I'm excited about it. I hope I'm trying to see if these heels going to work, but that's the ones I want to see what happens. But I'm looking forward to it.

to do a lot of a mixture of the old and the new uh well my classics and the new a lot from the new album so i'm really looking forward to that i sound like the single that's why i say the single don't too oh you like thank you yeah i love it thank you that was a great project to work on it was hard but i'm happy it's out and uh again with rex i got dj camper on it again i love working with camper and the so me no dreams new producer don't me no dreams God and Joshi, I've never worked with them before there. I think one of them are from London. And also, you work with my people's Butcher Brown, two shots to them.

Yes, Butcher Brown. We did a song called Quality Time that I wrote with Tish. And Corey Henry. Corey. Tish Hyman? That's what I was thinking too, Amher. Tish Hyman and I wrote Quality Time together on the Butcher Brown tune. I've been always wanted to work with her. We've known each other for about five, six years, but we never could find a song.

So Titia, I got one. I think this is the one we should get together. I love writing with songwriters. I love sharing. He's been on this show too. I love our little Quest Love Supreme Extensions. I know we got to go on here. Thank you for doing the show with us.

No, thanks for having me. Thank you. I finally get to talk to you. I know, right? Long time coming. On behalf of Bayeer and I'm Bill and Steve and Pontiglo. And the great letter seat, is Questlove. you're signing off and we'll see you on the next

round of Questlove Supreme. Thank you for your support. Thank you for listening to Questlove Supreme. This podcast is hosted by Amir Questlove Thompson, Laia St. Clair, Fonte Coleman, Sugar Steve Vandelle, and myself, unpaid Bill Sherman. The executive producers are Amir

just walked into the goddamn room, Thompson, Sean G., and Brian Calhouns. Produced by Brittany Benjamin, Jake Payne, and Laia Sinclair, edited by Alex Conroy. I know Alex Conroy. Produced for IHeart by Noel Brown. Much Love Supreme is a production of IHart Radio. For more podcasts from IHart Radio,

visit the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. 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, 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 unfilled 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins. But the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice since. Owens, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg, a lesbian.

Michael Mancini. My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When a group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist,

they take matters into their own hands. I vowed, I will be his last target. He is not going to get away with this. He's going to get what he deserves. We always say that trust your girlfriends. Listen to the girlfriends, trust me, babe, on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everybody?

Everyone, I'm Ago Vodom. My next guest, it's Will Ferrell. Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo. My dad gave me the best advice ever. He goes, just give it a shot. But if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right, it wouldn't be that. on luck. Listen to Thanks, Dad, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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.

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