On this unfiltered episode of The Indie Unplugged, hosts B. Vaughan, Tye Huntley, and Brian Onrea take the gloves off and confront one of the most pressing issues in music today—the toxic state of hip-hop media. What begins as a discussion around Keri Hilson’s controversial Breakfast Club interview—where she finally opens up about her infamous Beyoncé diss—evolves into a fiery critique of clickbait culture, industry manipulation, and the public’s obsession with conflict over craft.

Is the media responsible for constantly feeding the culture negativity, or are the consumers to blame for always clicking? The hosts challenge both sides and reveal how this destructive cycle is hurting independent artists the most—those who are trying to make authentic art in a digital world that rewards drama and spectacle.

The crew also dives into Jermaine Dupri’s new distribution partnership between So So Def and HYBE America (home to BTS and a subsidiary of the Korean entertainment giant). They break down what this means for ownership, cultural preservation, and whether major labels—often run by non-Black companies—can truly respect or protect the legacy of Black music.

In between deep insights, the hosts also get personal. They reminisce about the era of balanced music—when R&B was soulful and safe for families—and debate whether Michael Jackson belongs on the Mount Rushmore of R&B, considering his crossover into pop. The fiery debates extend to TI vs. Joe Budden, the evolution of Tank’s music, and the cultural shift in R&B from love songs to explicit lyrics.

Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.