The Indie Unplugged Podcast

Redd Fidel on Staying Creative After All These Years

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Redd Fidel for a deep conversation about Miami hip-hop culture, lyrical craftsmanship, storytelling, and what he calls the adult contemporary hip-hop experience. Redd breaks down how growing up in Miami shaped his sound, why bass, soul, rhythm, and cultural movement still live in his music, and how hip-hop once pushed artists to study words, sharpen their pens, and bring real knowledge into the booth.The conversation goes even deeper as Redd talks about aging in hip-hop, why grown artists still deserve space, how younger artists misunderstand longevity, and why older artists must adapt without losing themselves. From Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Tupac, Mary J. Blige, and Andre 3000 to the state of today’s rap, this interview is a powerful reminder that hip-hop can still be meaningful, grown, soulful, and relevant without chasing trends. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe [https://wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Harold Outley Turned Rejection Into a Hit Movie | Trapped Outside

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with actor, writer, producer, and spoken-word artist Harold Outley for a powerful conversation about resilience, creativity, and building opportunities when nobody is willing to hand them to you. From growing up on the west side of Detroit to becoming an accomplished poet, actor, and filmmaker in Atlanta, Harold shares how his upbringing, passion for storytelling, and relentless determination shaped the man and artist he is today. He opens up about navigating rejection, developing his voice as a storyteller, and why vulnerability became one of his greatest creative strengths.The conversation also dives deep into Harold's breakout psychological thriller Trapped Outside, exploring the inspiration behind the film, the challenges of independent filmmaking, the realities of playing emotionally difficult characters, and how the project unexpectedly evolved into a growing film franchise. Along the way, Harold discusses the importance of authentic storytelling, representation in Black cinema, the future of independent film, and why creators must stop waiting for permission and start building their own opportunities. If you're an artist, filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a vision against the odds, this is an episode you don't want to miss. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe [https://wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Low Scores, HIGH Hype… What’s Really Going On?

On this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and the team break down some of the biggest conversations shaping music and culture right now—from Dame Dash calling out Cam’ron’s transition into sports media, to Offset speaking out after a shooting tied to Lil Tjay, and Ebro Darden challenging Lil Wayne on industry accountability. The conversation also dives into viral backlash moments involving Snoop Dogg and the legal reality behind Sean “Diddy” Combs losing a $100M defamation case—highlighting how fast perception, reputation, and narrative can shift in today’s industry.But this episode goes deeper than headlines. From Chris Anokute’s warning that talent alone isn’t enough, to viral fame costing someone their job, to the debate over the Michael Jackson biopic and its early critic backlash—this is really about one thing: perception vs reality in the modern music business. If you’re an independent artist, this episode will challenge how you think about success, visibility, and what it actually takes to build something sustainable in a culture driven by attention, controversy, and narrative. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe [https://wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Most Artists Are LAZY… And That’s Why They’ll Never Make It

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with Grammy-nominated artist, producer, and entrepreneur James Artissen to break down the uncomfortable truth most artists avoid—success in today’s music industry has less to do with talent and more to do with discipline, work ethic, and accountability. From rebranding his identity to building his own imprint, Humble Sound Records, James shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it takes to evolve, adapt, and stay relevant in an industry that’s constantly shifting.The conversation dives deep into the modern music landscape—AI, data ownership, independent power, and why access to information is no longer an excuse for failure. This isn’t motivation—it’s a reality check. If you’re an artist who thinks success is about going viral or catching a quick moment, this episode will challenge everything you believe about building a sustainable career in music. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe [https://wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

She Never Misses a Booking… Here’s Why

In this episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan sits down with DJ Essential, a Cincinnati-based DJ who has built a powerful dual career as both a nurse practitioner and one of the most in-demand DJs in her region. This conversation goes far beyond music, breaking down the discipline, professionalism, and mindset required to stand out in an industry where most people struggle to even respond to emails. From building her brand with no prior network to staying consistently booked since day one, DJ Essential reveals what truly separates serious professionals from everyone else.The discussion also dives into the real work behind DJing that most people overlook—from reading the room in real time to preparing for completely different audiences, cultures, and event types. This is not just about music—it’s about execution, attention to detail, and understanding that success comes from how you show up, not just what you play. If you’re an independent creative trying to build consistency, this episode will challenge how you think about your craft, your work ethic, and your business. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe [https://wecreatemusictv.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]