Claim OwnershipUnglossy: Authentic Conversations on Culture, Creativity & Legacy
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Description
Unglossy is the unfiltered conversation series exploring the people, stories, and cultural forces reshaping creativity today. Hosted by hip-hop icon and educator Bun B, music industry veteran Jeffrey Sledge, and brand strategist Tom Frank, the show dives deep into how creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators build influence, identity, and legacy in a rapidly shifting world.
Each episode features candid interviews with artists, athletes, founders, storytellers, and cultural architects—revealing the real experiences behind viral moments, brand breakthroughs, career pivots, and creative risks.
If you're into culture, music, business, branding, or the behind-the-scenes game of how ideas spread, this is your front-row seat. Listen to Unglossy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod on Instagram and join the conversation.
Unglossy is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios — where stories take the mic. Learn more at wearemerrickstudios.com.
104 Episodes
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Tom Frank, Bun B, and Jeffrey Sledge sit down with Soufiane “Souf” Bernoukh — the mind behind Halal Wrist and one of the most original voices in sports entertainment today. Souf shares how a childhood full of jokes, a late start in basketball, and the hustle of Division III ball shaped his creative path. He unpacks the creation of his signature trick shot, the midnight hotel-shift videos that ignited his rise, and the Ramadan clip that went viral enough for Drake to reach out. The conversatio...
This week on Unglossy, Tom, Bun B, and Jeff pull up chairs with DC’s own Noochie—the mind, mic, and movement behind Live From the Front Porch. What starts as a freestyle on his stoop evolves into one of the most important new stages in contemporary culture, drawing everyone from Big G and Raheem DeVaughn to Robin Thicke, George Clinton, and Snoop in a borrowed wheelchair. Noochie walks us through his origin story—growing up in the shadows of Go-Go royalty, navigating label highs and industry...
Before algorithms and playlists decided what we liked, DJs like Greg Street were the algorithm — breaking artists, building cities, and defining what hip hop felt like. In this episode, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank sit down with the legendary DJ and radio personality whose career runs through every chapter of Southern music history. From Mississippi to Houston, Dallas to Atlanta, Street unpacks how the South built its own infrastructure, why authenticity always wins, and how communit...
In this special drop, Tom, Jeff, and Bun B introduce Two Mothers, One Aché: A Grief Dialogue, a powerful new series from Merrick Studios about love, loss, and the courage to heal out loud. You’ll hear why this show matters, why it belongs on our network, and why Bun is stepping up not just as a co-sign—but as a future guest. Then we get into last week’s headline: VIBE Magazine is teaming up with Rolling Stone. Smart evolution or culture grab? We break down what this means for hip hop journal...
A stretch limo, three kids on bikes, and Pete Rock’s block—by the time the crew steps out, half the neighborhood’s there. That’s the energy of this Unglossy crossover: Tat Wza, Mickey Factz, Pete Rock, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank colliding over comics, hip-hop, and the MCU with zero small talk. They go from childhood comics and bodega mystery packs to hot takes on Feige, Hulk’s nerfing, and whether Endgame was therapy or just fan service. Expect wild casting debates (yes, Doom gets h...
No guest, no fluff—just Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge turning up the signal and turning down the noise. We kick off with what’s cooking at Merrick Studios (Unglossy, Mixed & Mastered, Our Love/Hate Relationship with Comic Culture, Pitch Lab) and why podcasts are becoming the new cable. Then it’s Cardi B at Trill Burgers and the rise of celebrity cosigns as cultural currency. We get into comedy vs. consequence (Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and the line between accountability and censor...
This week on Unglossy, Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge sit down with Michael Ford, The Hip Hop Architect—a designer using rhythm and rhyme to reshape skylines. From leading tThe Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx to launching the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, Ford proves design can be culture, not just construction. He shares how rap lyrics inspire real-world spaces, why representation matters in architecture, and how collaborations with Kurtis Blow, Lupe Fiasco and Herman Miller, and turn creati...
James Beard winner Chris Shepherd pulls up to Unglossy with Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank to talk real kitchen life—no foam, all flame. He traces the glide path from Tulsa dishwasher to Houston icon, why cooking clicked when school didn’t, and how using all five senses beats any recipe card. We dig into Underbelly’s whole-animal, write-the-menu-daily chaos; the gloriously unhinged One Fifth experiment (five concepts in five years); and the way Houston’s Vietnamese community reshaped Gu...
On this episode of Unglossy, hosts Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank welcome Hawaii Mike, a creative force whose journey spans road managing Mobb Deep to editing at The Source. Today, he is the founder of Chef for Higher, where hip hop, cannabis, and culinary arts come together to create community through dining. Together the crew reflects on the growth of the Unglossy network and dive deep into the evolution of hip hop culture, the challenges of the music industry, and the power of ...
Chef Teach (Derrick Turton) pulls up to Unglossy with Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge to chart a wild route from Luke Records and Pitbull’s early grind to Miami’s cult-favorite House of Mac. We get into the origin of that legendary mac & cheese, the food-truck-to-brick-and-mortar leap, COVID pivots, DoorDash math, SOPs that save businesses, and why your playlist is part of the plate. Bun shares how a nudge turned into a movement—and how mentorship boomerangs. Plus: Trillburgers x KD ...
Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed is back on Unglossy with Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge for Part 2 of our conversation. This time, the Bills legend opens up about life after football and the season ahead—mixing wisdom, humor, and a few bold predictions. From surviving –43 degree temperatures in Alaska to calling a 13-4 record for Buffalo this year, Andre gives us his unfiltered take on extreme conditions, fantasy football sleepers, and why Kansas City is still the mountain the Bil...
Bun B makes it official as co-host of Unglossy, and we kick things off with a legend: Buffalo Bills icon and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Andre Reed. From a small-town kid in Allentown, Pennsylvania to four straight Super Bowl appearances and a gold jacket in Canton, Reed’s story is one of grit, growth, and giving back. In this first part of our two-part conversation, Andre takes us through the real playbook behind his success—relationships, mentorship, and showing up when nobody’s watching. H...
In this powerhouse episode of Unglossy, hip-hop icon and cultural heavyweight Bun B (aka Bernard Freeman) joins Thomas Frank and Jeffrey Sledge for a deep, funny, and wildly inspiring conversation that spans decades — and industries. From his early days forming UGK with the late, great Pimp C to building Trill Burgers into America’s best burger brand (literally), Bun breaks down the milestones, missteps, and mindset that kept him both relevant and real. He talks about the origin of his rap n...
In this week's episode of Unglossy, Tom and Jeffrey sit down with Keenan Scott II, a prolific playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer from Queens, New York. Keenan delves into his artistic journey, beginning with his early passion for visual arts and comic books, and transitioning into poetry and performance as he navigated his formative years in Maryland. His experiences at open mic nights in D.C. were pivotal, shaping his creative expression and laying the groundwork for his future ...
On the debut episode of "Mixed and Mastered," Jeffrey Sledge sits down with A&R visionary Sean Barron to uncover the untold stories behind modern music’s biggest stars. From discovering Drake on MySpace to shaping hits at Atlantic Records, Barron shares how instinct, hustle, and timing propelled him from Buffalo to the industry’s inner circle. With behind-the-scenes insights on working with talents like Miguel, Frank Ocean, and Bruno Mars, this episode offers a rare look at the art—and he...
Unglossy presents a new podcast from Merrick Studios. Mixed and Mastered is the podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to life. Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, a veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive Records, each episode dives deep into the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the people shaping the sound of today. From label executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Jeffrey brings you behind the scenes to meet the...
Grab your red hat and buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the unstoppable universe of TT the Artist—a visionary multimedia maestro who’s danced her way through both music and film with fearless creativity. In this episode, TT spills the tea on a life-changing mishap (because who hasn’t accidentally lost priceless footage?) that ended up fueling her drive instead of derailing her dreams. We’ll learn how community and camaraderie are her secret sauce, offering not just moral support ...
Tom, Mickey and Jeffrey are back for a new season of Unglossy. In this compelling episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson opens up about his remarkable journey from the tough streets of Portland, Oregon, to becoming a celebrated writer and educator. Mitchell shares intimate stories of balancing street life with academics, the transformative power of writing, and the challenges of teaching during a global pandemic. He reveals how his time in prison and the long, arduous proc...
What if your worst job became the catalyst for a legendary career in global marketing? Join us as we unravel the incredible journey of Troy White, who went from being dubbed the worst bank teller in Pennsylvania to a trailblazer in lifestyle marketing. Discover the secrets behind this HOWARD grad's astounding accomplishments, such as his pivotal role at SONY Music and his groundbreaking work in the music industry during the transformative 80s and 90s. With stories featuring music icons like M...
Have you ever wondered why your favorite artists are struggling despite millions of streams? Creative work isn't always valued as it should be, especially in the digital age. Join us for a hilarious yet enlightening talk with William "Classic" Thomas, a visionary content creator and brand strategist, as he shares unconventional strategies for breaking through the commodification of creativity. We'll even take a detour to discuss "baby bananas" and the quirky side of online sales, ensuring a f...
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The conversation between Royce and Doug was deeeeeeeeeeeep.
Caterpillar with Eminem was Boom Bap! Em even says, "the boom bap is coming back."
I think the right has forgotten what it looks like when the left goes on offense. they scream oppression at a minor inconveniences. it's been so long, I don't even know if I know what it looks like when the left goes on offense. but I know what it won't look like. it won't look like some reverse McCarthyism shit. even though, if we're talking about historical fairness, it fucking should
my accoutrement, he says casually lol
radio lab 286 no special duty.