Stop, Look & Listen

Obeeyay on Hip Pop, Utah’s Underground Scene & New Music Dropping

Can Salt Lake City produce the next wave of hip-hop artists? Obeeyay thinks so. 🎶🔥 On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, LeTroy Gardner talks with Salt Lake City artist Obeeyay about his journey from studio engineer to performer and how growing up with seven older siblings helped shape his sound and competitive mindset. Obeeyay shares the artists that influenced him, including Michael Jackson, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Eyed Peas, and Chance the Rapper, while breaking down the rise of Utah’s indie and underground hip-hop scene. 🎤🏔️ In this episode, we explore: 🎵 The stories behind “Forgive and Forget,” “We Good Or What,” and “Brands” 🌍 Creating “Memory” with DJ Switch Ghanna through Zoom collaboration 🏀 Performing the national anthem for the Utah Jazz 🙏 Faith, family, and staying grounded in the music industry 🏓 Balancing music with coaching pickleball 🚀 His upcoming hyper-pop EP with Sam Rosao dropping May 22 If you’re into independent artists, creative hustle stories, and discovering new music before everyone else does, this episode is worth the listen. 🔗 Connect with Obeeyay: 🌐 https://obeeyay.com/ [https://obeeyay.com/]📸 https://www.instagram.com/obeeyay/ [https://www.instagram.com/obeeyay/]▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@Obeeyay/ [https://www.youtube.com/@Obeeyay/]🎵 https://www.tiktok.com/@obeeyay [https://www.tiktok.com/@obeeyay] 🎙️ Watch more episodes from Stop, Look & Listen and the Push Play Pods family: 🌐 https://www.pushplaypods.com/ [https://www.pushplaypods.com/]

She Turned Real Love Into a Novel With Debora Masterson

What happens when a once-in-a-lifetime love story becomes a book you have to tell? ❤️📖 On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with author, artist, and storyteller Debora Masterson to dive deep into her powerful new novel, Freedom Quest: A Love Story. Inspired by her real-life relationship with musician Craig Ingraham, this conversation uncovers a journey of love, loss, music, and legacy that spans decades. 🎶Debora opens up about the emotional process of writing during the pandemic, why she chose to fictionalize real events, and how she’s preserving the legacy of a brilliant but largely unknown artist. From the rise and fall of the band Freedom Quest to deeply personal experiences involving identity, trauma, and resilience, this story goes far beyond romance—it’s about purpose. She also shares her creative roots in dance and theater, including her time performing in a major touring production with Sammy Davis Jr.—a pivotal chapter that helped shape her artistic path.🔥 In this episode, we explore: * The real love story behind Freedom Quest * Turning grief into creative purpose * The hidden legacy of musician Craig Ingraham * Writing truth through fiction * What’s next: Keeping Secrets and future adaptations 🎥 If you believe in love stories that last beyond a lifetime, this episode is for you. 🔗 Connect with Deborah Masterson: 🌐 Website: https://www.deboramasterson.com [https://www.deboramasterson.com] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomquestbook/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomquestbook/] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomquestbook/ [https://www.facebook.com/freedomquestbook/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomQuestBook [https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomQuestBook] 🛒 Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQ573WV4 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQ573WV4] 🎧 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family for more powerful conversations: 🌍 www.pushplaypods.com [http://www.pushplaypods.com]

Keeping Funk Alive! Marlon “The Magician” McClain on Pleasure, Dazz Band, Sampling & Funky Fridays

🔥 What does it take to keep FUNK alive across generations? On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with guitar legend Marlon “The Magician” McClain to break down a career that helped define the sound of funk, soul, and beyond. From the roots of Portland’s iconic Albina music scene to global stages, Marlon shares how Pleasure was born, the influence of mentors like Wayne Henderson, and the stories behind timeless classics like “Glide,” “Bouncy Lady,” and “Thoughts of Old Flames.” 🎶 He also dives into: 👉 His transition to the Dazz Band and joining in 1984 👉 Working with legends like Jeff Lorber, Tower of Power & Maurice White 👉 The evolution of funk through hip-hop sampling 🎧 👉 His Funky Fridays project and staying musically inspired 👉 The “United We Funk” movement and what’s next 💬 “Funk is something you feel… it never leaves you.” Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the groove, this episode is a masterclass in musicianship, legacy, and staying relevant in an ever-changing industry. 🎧 Tap in with Stop, Look & Listen and the full Fourcast Media family 👉 www.pushplaypods.com [http://www.pushplaypods.com] 🔗 Connect with Marlon “The Magician” McClain: 🌐 Website: https://www.thedazzband.com/ [https://www.thedazzband.com/]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macmanmusic3/ [https://www.instagram.com/macmanmusic3/]📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FunkyFridays [https://www.youtube.com/@FunkyFridays] 📢 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your favorite funk track 🔔 Subscribe for more legendary conversations

Yvette Michelle on ’90s R&B, Funkmaster Flex & Mr. DJ

On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, R&B vocalist Yvette Michelle pulls up for a conversation that bridges the golden era of ’90s music with her bold return today.  Yvette opens up about her journey from a strict Pentecostal upbringing to finding her voice in the church choir while secretly chasing her dreams behind the scenes. She breaks down how she caught the attention of Funkmaster Flex and landed her breakout hit “Every Day and Every Night” on 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 1. From signing with Loud Records to navigating label politics, she shares untold stories behind “I’m Not Feeling You,” the timing clash with Lil’ Kim’s “Big Momma Thang,” and why her debut album My Dream didn’t reach its full potential. After being dropped at a pivotal moment, Yvette made a bold pivot into tech only to reemerge stronger as ’90s nostalgia reignited her passion. Now, she’s back with her latest single “Mr. DJ” alongside London DJ Fenn and Defected Records This episode is more than music—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let your purpose fade. 🔗 Connect with Yvette Michelle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearyvettemichele/ [https://www.instagram.com/dearyvettemichele/] 🎙️ Tap in with LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family: 🌐 www.pushplaypods.com [http://www.pushplaypods.com] 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Comment & Subscribe for more legendary conversations!

How Eric Roberson Turned Pain Into Purpose with his 18th Album “Beautifully All Over the Place”

On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, we sit down with Grammy-nominated soul powerhouse Eric Roberson to unpack the heart, healing, and honesty behind his latest album, Beautifully All Over the Place. From turning failed relationships into timeless music to finding inspiration in everyday family moments, Eric reveals how chaos and creativity go hand in hand.  He opens up about: 🔥 His unique songwriting process and embracing spontaneity 👨‍👦 How fatherhood shaped his music (including a moment with his son in the studio!) 💔 The emotional depth behind songs like “Trust and Love” 💛 The magic of collaboration on “Sweeter Than You” with Avery Sunshine 💪 The powerful message of resilience in “Fight Through It All” “Every experience—good or bad—can become part of the process.” This isn’t just an album… It’s a soundtrack to growth, healing, and real life. 🎥 Watch the full conversation and discover Fourcast Media’s stable of shows at  Tap in now on www.pushplaypods.com [http://www.pushplaypods.com]!: 🔗 Connect with Eric Roberson: 🌐 www.ericrobersonmusic.com [http://www.ericrobersonmusic.com]📸 IG: @Erro44 🐦 Twitter: @IamEricRoberson 📘 Facebook: /BlueErroSoul