HYFINated Conversations

Mic Drop Moments: Buddy Red

I sat down with artist Buddy Red, though he’ll tell you himself that the title “artist” only scratches the surface. We dug into his new single “Soul His Soul”, a track sparked by a powerful conversation with his brother that lit a fire in him to speak boldly about the music industry, authenticity, and his own creative identity. While many first met him as Messiah Harris, son of hip-hop legend T.I. and stepson of Tiny Harris, on their reality show “T.I and Tiny:The Family Hustle”, Buddy Red makes it clear that he isn’t building his brand on anyone’s name but his own. In our conversation, he opens up about what it means to be a rocker raised in a home rooted in R&B and hip-hop, how he carved out space for a sound that didn’t match his surroundings, and how picking up a guitar, and stepping fully into blues, rock, and psychedelic funk helped him find his voice, his purpose, and his freedom of expression. We discussed how he came up with his unique name and why he chose to keep it rooted in family. You can catch Buddy Red as a feature performer at the Folk Alliance in New Orleans and at SXSW in 2026.

Boney James: The Sound of Soulful Legacy

When you sit down with a legend like Boney James, you can feel the music before a single note is played. The four-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist has been blending R&B, soul, and contemporary jazz for over three decades and on November 13, he’ll bring that unmistakable sound to the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. We talked about the journey behind the smooth, how a young kid with a saxophone turned passion into purpose.Inspired by the greats, from Grover Washington Jr. to Earth, Wind & Fire and Morris Day and the Time, Boney carved out a lane that’s all his own. His music doesn’t just fill a room; it creates a space where melody meets memory.Our conversation also turned to his latest chart-climbing single, “All I Want Is You,” featuring October London. The track has quickly become a fan favorite, landing in the Top 10 on the R&B charts.

HYFINATED CONVERSATION: Tim Johnson Jr (Singer, Musician and star of "Everybody Still Hates Chris")

On this HYFINATED CONVERSATION we chop it up with the incredibly talented actor, singer, and songwriter, Tim Johnson Jr.,@cityboyjr to discuss his diverse career and his sensational genre-bending and soulful new album, My Desire. Tim, who got his start playing young Simba in The Lion King in Las Vegas at just 10 years old, reflects on his journey from Philadelphia to becoming a multi-hyphenated (!!!) artist. He recounts the nerve-wracking yet exciting process of rolling out this special album, which is a vulnerable and honest way for people to get to know his heart. His music is deeply influenced by his musical family, including his Pops who was in a gospel group and helped him produce his records, sharing the timeless influences and sounds of Motown, Stevie Wonder, and MJ. Getting thumbs up and stamps of approval from Eddie Murphy, Stevie Wonder and Mike Tyson. This classic soulful foundation is evident in his music, including a wonderful Al Green cover, as the young brother aims to create a "future nostalgia" sound. Tim also discusses his role as the voice of Chris in the animated Paramount Plus series, Everybody Still Hates Chris. He shares the surreal experience of getting the part, which was affirmed by Chris Rock himself, who called him "funny" and "the guy". Working alongside legendary talent like Tichina Arnold and Terry Crews. Tim's preparation involved listening to Chris Rock's comedy specials to capture the heart and timing of the character, ensuring his portrayal honors the original series while still being his own. Cannot front he is pretty spot on with his rendition of Chris’ iconic voice. Comparing his work to theater, he explains that voice acting can often be "larger than life". His new album, My Desire, is a collection of deeply personal songs—some dating back to 2022—that form an "evolution of life". With his new project released on all streaming platforms, Tim's goal is to continue performing, eventually touring the WORLD, and building a family "empire" alongside his creative siblings and ever supportive family!!!

HYFINATED CONVERSATION with Mahiri Takai star of "OnBrand with Jimmy Fallon"

Mahari Takai is a renowned designer and absolute style icon who rocketed into the spotlight on the competitive NBC show, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. But Mahiri’s story is the stuff of legend: after a modeling scam left him with just $20 and no place to live, he spent a year homeless in New York City. He channeled the pain and disappointment from his past into the grit needed to survive, deciding he'd rather be a "failure" in New York than go home—a testament to his incredible will. This resilience and his passion for style, inherited from his dad who "gets dressed up for no reason," fuel his design philosophy. He took that passion and turned it into the successful Men's Fashion Week Dallas. For Mahiri, great branding, like those unforgettable Doritos or Disney commercials he loves, isn't about logos; it's about creating a powerful identity and using authentic storytelling to make people feel a connection to your product.

HYFINated Conversations: SLUG from Atmosphere

Atmosphere's Slug is on the road for the "Dank Days of Summer" tour, a traveling festival that he feels embodies the spirit of 1990s hip-hop. The tour, which also features Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, and The Pharcyde, feels special to him because it brings together artists from different "branches" of hip-hop who are all proven headliners. Slug appreciates the opportunity to play for new audiences and sees a unique connection happening at these shows, with parents sharing the music with their kids. This experience, he believes, is the closest he's seen to the kind of collaborative, genre-blending tours that were common in the '90s. Slug also reminisced about the early days of Rhymesayers Entertainment, which started out of necessity because no one in Minneapolis was paying attention to them. While he helped found the label, he has since stepped away from the day-to-day operations, believing he would just get in the way. He maintains a deep bond with his collaborator, Anthony "Ant" Davis, viewing their relationship as more like a brotherhood. For them, making music is a cherished hobby, while touring is the job that allows them to do it. He even shared a wild story about a time he woke up in Milwaukee after a night out in Chicago, not realizing he was in a different city. Hilarious! Slug also discussed his upcoming album, "Gestures," which is set to be released on September 19th. While he didn't delve into details about the album, he emphasized that making music with his long-time collaborator, Ant, is a cherished hobby for the two of them. Their tours are a job that supports their passion for creating songs, which they do simply because they love it. He also briefly touched on his relationship with the record label he helped found, Rhymesayers Entertainment, explaining that he's stepped away from the day-to-day operations to focus on his artistry and let the label's team handle the business side. Artists take note on how to build longevity through necessity!