The Culture Architect w. special guest Stephen Hill

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We Sound Crazy welcomes television and music pioneer Stephen Hill — the legendary executive behind some of the most iconic moments in Black entertainment culture. From shaping BET’s golden era with shows like 106 & Park, BET Awards, and Rap City, to his impact as a music industry tastemaker, Hill brings decades of experience, insight, and incredible stories to the table.

In this episode, the We Sound Crazy crew dives into Stephen’s remarkable journey—from boardrooms to backstage, from the evolution of Black music on TV to the future of entertainment. Stephen shares the incredible story of how he managed to land Beyoncé for the 2016 BET Awards by personally showing up at her Formation World Tour dates, often the only executive present, determined to find a way for her to say yes. He also recounts the unforgettable moment at the 2007 BET Awards when Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday performed "And I'm Not Telling You I'm Not Going" – a performance made even more special by the fact that it was the very first time the two singers met, a meeting orchestrated despite film studio restrictions. With his signature wit, wisdom, and candor, Stephen opens up about these career highlights, cultural milestones, and the power of authentic storytelling.

Don’t miss this electric conversation with one of the industry’s most influential voices.

We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture.

Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!

Director: Aaron Walton

Camera Op: Bryan Williams, Aaron Walton

Editing: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Assistant: Brittany Guydon

Photography: Darius Jones 

Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.  

Special thanks to Stephen Hill!

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