Philip Lawrence

Philip Lawrence—Grammy-winning songwriter/producer and frequent Bruno Mars collaborator (The Smeezingtons)—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how stadium-level records get built. We get into melody-first writing, lyric clarity, chord choices that carry a hook, and the vocal/arrangement details…

Blaq Tuxedo

Blaq Tuxedo—brothers Darius & Dominique—pull up to talk songwriting, the journey, and building records that hit both the timeline and the stage. With Tank & J. Valentine, the duo breaks down their process from melody math to production choices, how they split roles in the room, and the rollout thin…

Marc Byers

Executive and A&R strategist Marc Byers sits with Tank & J. Valentine to map the relationships, instincts, and timing behind era-defining R&B and hip-hop moments—from internships under Kenny Gamble, to early wins with Maurice Wilcher, to linking artists, producers, and labels that shaped the sound …

Tony Dixon

Tony Dixon (aka Antonio Dixon)—songwriter, producer, and vocal architect—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to break down how modern R&B records come together: chord language, pocket, and vocal production that lives on repeat. Tony walks through the making of Kehlani’s “out the window”—from concept to a…

Jill Scott Highlights

This week, we’re bringing you a Highlight Episode packed with some "Golden"moments, from our recent episode with the one and only Jill Scott.

Jill Scott

Jill Scott sits with Tank & J. Valentine to talk about how songs start, how performances breathe, and how an artist protects her center. She walks through the making of signature records——and the choices behind phrasing, silence, and dynamics. We get into the bandstand, the poem-to-melody pipeline,…

Deon Cole

Deon Cole—comedian, actor, writer, and producer—pulls up for a masterclass on craft and longevity. With Tank & J. Valentine, Deon breaks down the evolution from late-night writers’ rooms to Netflix specials (Charleen’s Boy) and dramatic turns on screen, the discipline it takes to build an hour, and…

Vincent Herbert

Vincent Herbert sits down with Tank & J. Valentine to unpack the executive side of R&B and pop: discovering and developing artists, shaping records from demo to delivery, and building the teams that turn moments into movements. From the studio floor to boardroom strategy, Vincent breaks down how A&…

Jacob Latimore

Jacob Latimore, singer, songwriter, and actor—breaks down the discipline behind his records, the lessons learned on set, and how he balances leading roles (including The Chi) with building a catalog that keeps fans locked in. From early breakthroughs to new chapters, Jacob opens up about craft, fai…

Amerie

Season 4 keeps moving with the incomparable Amerie—singer, songwriter, and architect of a groove that reshaped the 2000s. Live with Tank & J. Valentine, Amerie breaks down the making of her signature sound, the discipline behind the pen and vocal stacks, and how she continues to evolve as a creativ…