In this very special episode of The Shadow People, we welcome the esteemed Lebron Joseph aka LBJ to the studio to discuss New Orleans' complicated historical handling of Juneteenth, the ways in which the media game has changed, and the legacy of Sly Stone (RIP). LBJ has been a broadcaster in New Orleans for over 40 years. He’s the anchor of Good Morning New Orleans on WGNO and hosts New Orleans Music Playlist on NOLA 38. LBJ is also an announcer on iHeart Radio’s WYLD-FM.

His range of humor, practicality, our city’s musical history, and local charm puts him right at home with the Shadow People.

We were thrilled to have him as a guest and are excited to share this episode with the Shadow People family!

In Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, we examine more deeply the truth behind the music industry: mastering myths, artistic ego checks, and what it really means to create music that moves people.Jeff talks candidly about the modern music landscape, why mixing and mastering are often misunderstood (and overpriced), and how emotion, not perfection, is what listeners really want. Plus, he breaks down what makes a great DJ set, the difference between performance and overkill, and the importance of surrounding yourself with groove-first collaborators.Also in this episode: Derrick and Nigel celebrate the retirement of Saints QB Derek Carr and get inspired by Jeff’s unapologetic creative process, pandemic-era breakthroughs, and his mission to build real community through music.Whether you're an artist, DJ, producer, or just a fan of creative honesty: this one’s for you.Timestamps0:00 – Intro & DJ Jazzy Jeff Pt. 2 Setup1:00 – Saints Fans Celebrate Derek Carr’s Exit4:00 – Jeff on the Collapse of Industry Barriers6:40 – The Truth About Mixing, Mastering & the “Compression Scam”12:00 – DJ Sets as Emotional Storytelling: Planes, Not Rockets16:20 – Jeff’s Musical Roots & Letting Go of the Drums19:00 – Real Production Means Letting Others Shine24:00 – The Struggle to Release Music in the Streaming Era27:00 – Building Fanbases in the Age of Algorithmic Gatekeeping30:00 – Jazzy Jeff on Twitch, “The Lunch Break,” & His New App33:00 – Nigel’s Reflections on Creative Validation & Stockpiling36:30 – Be a Musician First: Final Thoughts & FarewellHashtags#djjazzyjeff #ShadowPeoplePodcast #musicindustry #MixingMyths #neworleansmusic #phillymusic #podcastinterview #creativeprocess #producerlife #GrooveFirst #behindthemusic

DJ Jazzy Jeff on Philly, Neo-Soul, & Why You Need to Release Your MusicIn this monumental episode of The Shadow People, Nigel and Derrick sit down with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation. From his early production days in Philly to the birth of Jill Scott's iconic debut album, Jeff shares wisdom on music, legacy, and why creatives shouldn't die with unreleased work stuck on a hard drive.Topics include the origins of "Who Is Jill Scott?", the Philadelphia music scene, the importance of finishing and releasing your music, and how the music industry gatekeepers often miss greatness. Plus: reflections on the cycle of regional music scenes, the "Neo-Soul" label, and the magic of collaboration without interference.This is part one of a two-part episode. Stay tuned.Timestamps:0:00 - Intro & Birthday Surprise for Derrick6:20 - DJ Jazzy Jeff Joins the Show8:00 - "Die Empty": The Urgency of Releasing Your Music13:00 - Why You Can’t Wait for the Right Artist to Use Your Track14:50 - Thoughts on Licensing vs. Creation16:20 - You Have to Have Something Ready to Play17:00 - Jeff on Producing Jill Scott’s Debut Album20:00 - Spontaneous Collab That Led to "A Long Walk"22:30 - How a Hand-Burned Demo CD Took Over Sony24:00 - Hidden Beach's Trust in the Vision26:00 - The Industry Ignoring the Same Music They Later Celebrated27:10 - The Unspoken Divide in Philly’s Music Scene30:00 - Why Everyone Left Philly32:00 - How the Industry Exploits Division34:00 - The Rise and Fall of Neo-Soul as a Label36:00 - The On/Off Switch of Global Attention on Cities Like Philly and New Orleans38:00 - Outro & Shoutouts#DJJazzyJeff #ShadowPeoplePodcast #PhillyMusic #NeoSoul #JillScott #MusicIndustry #DieEmpty #NewOrleans #PodcastInterview #MusicProduction #musicindustry #musicianlife