Can We Talk RnB? Podcast

In this powerful, spirit-filled episode, Ian Von sits down with producer, artist, and self-described servant of the music Camper to unpack the making of Victoria Monét’s album Frequency of Love, his 20-year journey in the industry, and why intention, God, and real musicianship still matter. Camper talks about growing up playing in church, learning under Rodney Jerkins, being inspired by J Dilla and Kanye, and how those roots shaped a production style that feels like music, not just beats. He walks us through the creative chemistry with Victoria Monét, the story behind the instant classic “That’s Why I Love You” featuring Bruno Mars, executive-producing a cohesive album in a noisy era, and carrying the mantle of R&B with humility and purpose. This episode is equal parts testimony, masterclass, and love letter to real songwriting and production. 🧧 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb 📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!! ✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart - CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636 📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio Links: 📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb 🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb #canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with rising R&B artist Kuzi Cee – a self-described Gen Z lover boy and R&B purist – to talk about love songs, the African diaspora, and the evolving state of modern R&B. From growing up between Zimbabwe, London, New York, Pennsylvania, Toronto, and Calgary to signing with Universal Music Canada, Kuzi breaks down how his international upbringing, his love for 90s and 2000s R&B, and his Zimbabwean roots shape his sound. They dive into his breakout record “Rather Be”, his vulnerable single “Rain”, and his confident new joint “Ember”, while also unpacking the balance between vulnerability and strength as a male R&B artist. The conversation stretches from Usher’s Confessions to the UK R&B wave, from TikTok virality to FIFA stages, from toxic R&B eras to love-centered storytelling. They close by centering the craft of songwriting and why R&B pens are some of the sharpest in music. 🧧 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb 📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!! ✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart - CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636 📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio Links: 📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb 🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb #canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with rising mixed-gender R&B group SZN4 to unpack their journey from the TV competition Building the Band to touring, festivals, and releasing their debut album I Fear. They talk about how four singers from Utah, Boston, Arkansas, and Chicago became one cohesive vocal unit, what it really took to get their signature blend, and why being runner-up on the show might have been the best thing that happened to them. The conversation dives into vocal arranging, songwriting with top creatives, the difference between “great singers” and true “artists,” and what it’s like to build a brand-new kind of R&B group in a solo-artist-dominated era. The group also shares the heart behind I Fear, the vulnerability in the booth, tour life lessons, and their vision for where they want SZN4 to sit in the culture five years from now. Stay to the end for a fun game where everyone reveals their go-to breakup songs, driving anthems, and personal theme songs. 🧧 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb 📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!! ✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart - CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636 📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio Links: 📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb 🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb #canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Set-Up 0:32 Who Is SZN4 & How Long They’ve Been Together 1:30 Building Group Chemistry & Vocal Blend 3:03 From TV Show to Real-World Music Career 4:04 Forming the Band on the Show & Finding Chemistry 5:04 Unique Dynamic: Two Women, Two Men in One Group 6:02 No Power Struggles, Just Serving the Music 6:34 Writing & Studio Process: Melodies, Lyrics, and Teamwork 8:27 Favorite Parts of Creating in the Studio 9:10 Aaliyah & Donzel’s Early Connection on the Show 10:16 How Cameron & Katie Joined & The “Gumbo” Analogy 12:12 Four Cities, Four Backgrounds: Utah, Boston, Arkansas, Chicago 13:19 Being Runner-Up & Turning That Into Fuel 14:24 What Viewers Didn’t See: Behind-the-Scenes on the Show 17:52 Deep Dive Into Their Vocal Blend & Studio Growth 20:01 Difference Between Great Singers & True Artists 21:21 Handling Creative Disagreements & Group Rules 23:23 Are Groups Back? Pressure in a Solo-Artist Era 24:35 First Full Album: Emotional Impact of “We Really Did This” 26:48 Still Fans of Their Own Album & What They Want Listeners to Feel 28:32 Why the Album Is Titled I Fear & What It Means 29:38 Vulnerability in the Booth & Pushing Beyond Comfort Zones 31:00 Genre-Blending: R&B, Pop, Soul & More 32:02 Musical Inspirations: From Beyoncé to Stevie Wonder 35:02 Rapid-Fire R&B Game: Breakup & Makeup Songs 37:11 Best Driving / Ride-Out Songs 39:14 Personal Theme Songs 41:15 Essence Festival Performance (New Orleans) 42:19 Touring Lessons: Vocals, Mental Health, and Living on a Bus 45:00 Looking Ahead: Next Tours, Europe, and Big Dreams 46:20 Upcoming Milestones: More Touring, Grammys & Merch 47:20 Five-Year Vision & Legacy in This Era of R&B 50:23 Closing Thoughts & Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with two-time Grammy Award–winning producer, songwriter, artist, and music director Bobby Ross Avila for a masterclass in musicianship, longevity, and R&B history. Bobby shares how he went from a three-year-old on the piano to being signed at age 12, opening for New Kids on the Block, and later becoming part of iconic production duo The Avila Brothers. He dives into his life-changing mentorship with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, his work with legends like Usher, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton, and The Isley Brothers, and how a producer customizes records for each artist without losing their identity. They break down the craft of making timeless music, the importance of real musicianship in the age of technology and AI, and what it takes to serve as music director for Usher’s Las Vegas residency, Super Bowl halftime show, and the blockbuster Past Present Future “R&B” Tour with Chris Brown. Bobby also shares a rare story about receiving a USB of unreleased Prince vault material from Paisley Park. This is a deep, thoughtful conversation about artistry, humility, discipline, and why, for Bobby, the biggest superstar in the room is always the music. 🧧 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb 📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!! ✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart - CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636 📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio Links: 📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb 🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb #canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with Grammy-winning songwriter and powerhouse vocalist JHart to trace his journey from London to Atlanta to Los Angeles — and from shy, church-singing kid to in-demand hitmaker and fully realized solo artist. They dive into how the Black church, Atlanta’s R&B legacy, and the pain and beauty of the queer experience shaped his voice and pen. JHart opens up about self-sabotaging early opportunities, rebuilding his life and career in LA as a songwriter first, and finally stepping into the spotlight with his new EP The Full Fantasy. The conversation spans everything from vocal “source-channeling,” the return of real singers, honoring Black musical traditions as a white queer artist, the power of live musicianship, and what it really means to be an artist vs. just a great vocalist. Along the way, they nerd out on Brandy, Mariah, Bieber, yacht rock, and the unsung centrality of R&B to the entire music ecosystem. 🧧 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb 📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!! ✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart - CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636 📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio Links: 📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB 📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb 🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb #canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices