Michael Elliot: Brown Sugar, Black Love: Writing Our Stories Into Hollywood

Ama: Love, Friends & Late-Night Calls; What R&B Feels Like Now

In this episode of the Can We Talk R&B podcast, host Ian Von sits down with London-raised, Guyanese-rooted R&B artist Ama (Ama Lou) to unpack her new era — a “fearless reset” that strips away cryptic storytelling in favor of direct, deeply personal songwriting. Ama opens up about moving from hiding behind aesthetics to writing from her real life, the vulnerability behind her viral duet “Needed U Bad” with Brent Faiyaz, and how Caribbean culture, London upbringing, and long-time friendships with artists like Brent and Tyler, The Creator inform her sound. They also dig into intimacy, desire, and modern relationships, the ebb and flow of honesty in R&B, the importance of creative control across music, visuals, and fashion, plus what fans can expect from her upcoming tour with Ella Mai. The episode closes with rapid-fire questions and a reflection on what love sounds like to Ama right now. 🧧 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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Gabby Samone: From Pew to Prime Time

Rising R&B vocalist Gabby Samone joins Ian Von to discuss her journey from singing in church as a pastor’s daughter to becoming one of the genre’s most promising new voices. Gabby opens up about her musical upbringing, viral breakthrough, American Idol experience, and the stories behind her music, including "Complicated" and 21 and a Half. The conversation explores artistry, vulnerability, faith, online criticism, and what it takes to build a career as an independent artist. 🧧 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Keith D. Robinson: High school groups, Motown deals, Oscars stages, and CBS dramas; one continuous grind

Ian Von sits down with triple–threat talent Keith D. Robinson for a rich conversation that moves between two worlds: R&B and acting. Keith opens up about growing up in 90s R&B culture, getting his start in harmony groups, landing a short–lived Motown deal, and how a leap of faith to Los Angeles led to major film and TV roles. He breaks down the parallels between his own journey and his breakout role as CC in Dreamgirls, revisits performing “Patience” on the Oscars stage alongside Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson, and talks about what it meant to realize he actually belonged in rooms with icons like Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. On the music side, Keith dives into his new single “Different Languages” and the forthcoming album Love Episodic 2: The Algorithm—a deeply personal project shaped by COVID, the Hollywood strike, fatherhood, and divorce. He explains how songwriting forces him to become more self–aware and empathetic, and why relationships are really defined in the bad times, not the good ones. They also unpack his role as Dr. Ted Richardson on CBS’s Beyond the Gates, why affluent Black family stories matter in this moment, what it’s like juggling live performance with on–camera work, and they close with a fun R&B head–to–head: Tank vs. Tyrese in Verzuz. 🧧 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Eric Roberson: Completion Over Perfection. The Real Secret to Longevity.

In this episode of the Can We Talk? R&B Podcast, Ian Von reconnects with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eric Roberson to discuss his 18th studio album and companion book, Beautifully All Over the Place. Eric shares insights into his creative process, the importance of completion and consistency, balancing music with family responsibilities, and finding joy through life's challenges. He also discusses collaborations with Avery*Sunshine, the stories behind standout tracks, and what's next—including Beautifully All Over the Place 2 and a unique musical audiobook. 🧧 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 Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction 01:03 Meaning of "Beautifully All Over the Place" 03:08 How the Book and Albums Intertwine 04:01 Creating "Trust in Love" 06:26 Authenticity, Dark Seasons & Art as Therapy 10:18 18 Albums In: What It Represents 12:30 Fatherhood, Family & Creative Balance 17:30 Writer's Block vs. Writer's Confusion 22:28 Staying Present, Process Over Perfection 27:01 Beautiful Amid Chaos: Life, War & Touring Realities 31:32 Making "Sweeter Than You" ft. Avery*Sunshine 34:31 What's Next: Touring, Improv Shows & New Projects 36:27 Collaboration, Service & Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Michael Elliot: Brown Sugar, Black Love: Writing Our Stories Into Hollywood

In this episode, Ian Von sits down with legendary screenwriter and producer Michael Elliot, whose pen has shaped some of the most beloved depictions of Black love and Black life on screen. From Brown Sugar and Just Wright to Like Mike and Netflix’s Ruth & Boaz, Michael breaks down how he found storytelling in his 30s, the very real grind behind his Hollywood break, and why love remains the center of his work. They dive deep into: * Why Black love stories don’t always get box office support—even when the culture reveres them. * How R&B and hip hop literally birthed Brown Sugar. * The tension between our appetite for crime/drama versus romance on screen. * How faith, sensitivity, and emotional honesty became Michael’s “superpower” as a writer. * The impact of streaming and new formats (like vertical storytelling) on Black creators. The conversation is equal parts masterclass, testimony, and love letter to Black romance in film. 🧧 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]