You Can't Teach Taste - Part 2 w. Special guest Antonio “L.A.” Reid
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The masterclass continues in part two of this epic two-part release, as the incomparable Antonio "L.A." Reid sits back down with the We Sound Crazy crew. Joining hosts Philionaire, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon, the music mogul takes listeners even deeper into the golden eras of his career. In this installment, the conversation turns toward the hitmaking powerhouse that was Island Def Jam, an era Reid highlights as one of his most memorable and competitive chapters. He breaks down the high-stakes environment of his A&R room, recalling how he built a "money team" of brilliant music executives and trusted his inner circle so completely that it birthed a historic string of global superstars, from Rihanna and Justin Bieber to Ne-Yo and a legendary comeback era for Mariah Carey.
The episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most iconic executive hires in music history: Reid’s decision to bring in Jay-Z as the president of Def Jam. In a fascinating behind-the-scenes revelation, Reid credits Mariah Carey for calling him directly with the genius suggestion to quiet the New York hip-hop community's undercurrent of skepticism. He shares his immense respect for Jay-Z, describing him as true royalty alongside figures like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama for his ability to shift the energy of a room. The crew also reflects on how Reid orchestrated bringing Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony together in Atlanta via A&R Steve Ferrara, resulting in timeless hits like "Fragile" and "Blame It on Me" for Chrisette Michele's chart-topping number one album, Epiphany.
Rounding out the legendary sit-down, the hosts honors Reid with the show's official Trailblazer Award to celebrate his monumental impact on the entertainment landscape. Transitioning from executive talk to personal passions, the conversation winds down with an exclusive peek into his high-end taste, as Reid details his love for custom craftsmanship, what his personal vinyl collection looks like, and the exact bottles of wine he’d bring to a Nashville gathering. Authentic, transparent, and loaded with music history, this concluding half with L.A. Reid serves as the ultimate blueprint for extracting greatness and fighting for the purity of the art form.
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Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!
Director: Malachi Fuller
Director of Photography: Neither
Camera Op: Andrew Meyers, Derek Reed, Malachi Fuller, Neither
Gaffer: Tyler Holmes
Set Design: Gina Dorsey
Producer/A2: Jerel Duren
Editor: Hyyer Creative
Producer: Lamont Baldwin, Aaron Walton
Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson
Assistant: Brittany Guydon
Talent Producer: Micha "ML6" Logan
Photography: Kirk McClain
PA: Keylon Hall, Jonaye Anderson, Ryan Lee
Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers!
Special thanks to Antonio "L.A." Reid!
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