R&B Money

Philip Lawrence—Grammy-winning songwriter/producer and frequent Bruno Mars collaborator (The Smeezingtons)—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how stadium-level records get built. We get into melody-first writing, lyric clarity, chord choices that carry a hook, and the vocal/arrangement details that turn good songs into culture-shifting moments. Philip traces the arc from early sessions to global smashes, the teamwork behind The Smeezingtons, and how he keeps taste sharp across eras.
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Blaq Tuxedo—brothers Darius & Dominique—pull up to talk songwriting, the journey, and building records that hit both the timeline and the stage. With Tank & J. Valentine, the duo breaks down their process from melody math to production choices, how they split roles in the room, and the rollout thinking behind new music. They also get into writing Chris Brown’s “Iffy” and their own record “Residuals.”
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Executive and A&R strategist Marc Byers sits with Tank & J. Valentine to map the relationships, instincts, and timing behind era-defining R&B and hip-hop moments—from internships under Kenny Gamble, to early wins with Maurice Wilcher, to linking artists, producers, and labels that shaped the sound of a generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Dixon (aka Antonio Dixon)—songwriter, producer, and vocal architect—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to break down how modern R&B records come together: chord language, pocket, and vocal production that lives on repeat. Tony walks through the making of Kehlani’s “out the window”—from concept to arrangement to the performance choices that make it land—plus the collaboration habits and taste that keep him in the room for career records.
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This week, we’re bringing you a Highlight Episode packed with some "Golden" moments, from our recent episode with the one and only Jill Scott.
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