HYFINated Conversations

On this HYFINATED CONVERSATION we chop it up with the incredibly talented actor, singer, and songwriter, Tim Johnson Jr.,@cityboyjr to discuss his diverse career and his sensational genre-bending and soulful new album, My Desire. Tim, who got his start playing young Simba in The Lion King in Las Vegas at just 10 years old, reflects on his journey from Philadelphia to becoming a multi-hyphenated (!!!) artist. He recounts the nerve-wracking yet exciting process of rolling out this special album, which is a vulnerable and honest way for people to get to know his heart. His music is deeply influenced by his musical family, including his Pops who was in a gospel group and helped him produce his records, sharing the timeless influences and sounds of Motown, Stevie Wonder, and MJ. Getting thumbs up and stamps of approval from Eddie Murphy, Stevie Wonder and Mike Tyson. This classic soulful foundation is evident in his music, including a wonderful Al Green cover, as the young brother aims to create a "future nostalgia" sound.Tim also discusses his role as the voice of Chris in the animated Paramount Plus series, Everybody Still Hates Chris. He shares the surreal experience of getting the part, which was affirmed by Chris Rock himself, who called him "funny" and "the guy". Working alongside legendary talent like Tichina Arnold and Terry Crews. Tim's preparation involved listening to Chris Rock's comedy specials to capture the heart and timing of the character, ensuring his portrayal honors the original series while still being his own. Cannot front he is pretty spot on with his rendition of Chris’ iconic voice. Comparing his work to theater, he explains that voice acting can often be "larger than life".His new album, My Desire, is a collection of deeply personal songs—some dating back to 2022—that form an "evolution of life". With his new project released on all streaming platforms, Tim's goal is to continue performing, eventually touring the WORLD, and building a family "empire" alongside his creative siblings and ever supportive family!!!

Atmosphere's Slug is on the road for the "Dank Days of Summer" tour, a traveling festival that he feels embodies the spirit of 1990s hip-hop. The tour, which also features Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, and The Pharcyde, feels special to him because it brings together artists from different "branches" of hip-hop who are all proven headliners. Slug appreciates the opportunity to play for new audiences and sees a unique connection happening at these shows, with parents sharing the music with their kids. This experience, he believes, is the closest he's seen to the kind of collaborative, genre-blending tours that were common in the '90s.Slug also reminisced about the early days of Rhymesayers Entertainment, which started out of necessity because no one in Minneapolis was paying attention to them. While he helped found the label, he has since stepped away from the day-to-day operations, believing he would just get in the way. He maintains a deep bond with his collaborator, Anthony "Ant" Davis, viewing their relationship as more like a brotherhood. For them, making music is a cherished hobby, while touring is the job that allows them to do it. He even shared a wild story about a time he woke up in Milwaukee after a night out in Chicago, not realizing he was in a different city. Hilarious!Slug also discussed his upcoming album, "Gestures," which is set to be released on September 19th. While he didn't delve into details about the album, he emphasized that making music with his long-time collaborator, Ant, is a cherished hobby for the two of them. Their tours are a job that supports their passion for creating songs, which they do simply because they love it. He also briefly touched on his relationship with the record label he helped found, Rhymesayers Entertainment, explaining that he's stepped away from the day-to-day operations to focus on his artistry and let the label's team handle the business side. Artists take note on how to build longevity through necessity!

This HYFINated Conversations with the Kentucky Gentlemen is very insightful and we are so excited to be chatting with these truly trailblazing artists. We're here with Brandon and Derek Campbell, better known as the dynamic duo, The Kentucky Gentlemen.They'll take the stage in Milwaukee ahead for a LIVE performance for the Friends of Lake Park's Musical Mondays series, Monday August 4th, where they'll be bringing their unique sound to the Summer Stage at Lake Park as part of the Lake Park Friends Milwaukee Monday series. Hailing from Versailles, Kentucky, these twin brothers are redefining country music by blending their roots in country with '90s R&B, pop, and a soulful swagger that is all their own. They've been praised by everyone from Billboard to Rolling Stone for their powerful harmonies and honest storytelling, and they've made it their mission to create a space in country music for black and queer artists.From their independent debut EP to performing at major festivals and working with Grammy-nominated producers, The Kentucky Gentlemen are on an wildly ascending journey, and we are so thrilled to have them here today to talk about their music, their story, and what we can expect from their show here in Milwaukee!!!

Five years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, Hamilton streamed into our living rooms and shook the world, and me.I didn’t expect to fall for it like I did, but Renée Elise Goldsberry’s performance as Angelica Schuyler stopped me in my tracks. The tension between love and loyalty in her storyline haunted me in the best way. It was subtle, emotional, and unforgettable.Fast forward to now, and I’m sitting across from Renée for an interview. Talk about full-circle.She’s preparing to release her new album, “Who I Really Am”, a stunning blend of jazz, R&B, and soul that reflects every role she’s played: actress, mother, wife, creative, and future producer.We talked about growth, identity, and what it means to be seen for who you really are. And for me, this moment was a reminder: sometimes what starts in your living room becomes something bigger than you ever imagined.

Before stepping onto the NIVA stage on June 24, 2025, at 1:15pm, I had the honor of sitting down with legendary producer and songwriter Jimmy Jam. Jimmy Jam is known for his iconic work with his partner Terry Lewis. They have written massive hits for artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Yolanda Adams, and Sounds of Blackness.In our conversation, we explored the roots of Jimmy's creative genius, from the songs he absorbed as a child through pop radio stations, to the local arts organizations that first exposed him to a world of artistic expression. Jimmy spoke with heartfelt conviction about the vital role independent music venues play in the music ecosystem. These intimate spaces powered by passion, community, and the love of live music have long served as incubators for the artists who shape our culture.As Jimmy reminded us, without these venues, we might never have witnessed the rise of icons like: Prince, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Doja Cat, Tank and the Bangas and yes, even Jimmy Jam himself. His story is a testament to the power of grassroots art spaces and the enduring legacy of community-driven creativity.

I had the luxury of sitting down with the incomparable Yola. Our conversation spanned her powerful personal journey, from her upbringing and navigating her mother’s mental health challenges, to pushing back against an industry that once pressured her to filter her music through a white gaze.A singer, songwriter, actress, and proud actor, Yola refuses to be confined to any one identity or genre. Her sound defies categorization, blending everything from soul and country to rock and pop. We explored her work on stage and in film, and unpacked the unique, unapologetic role she plays in reshaping the music industry from the inside out.

Soul Sessions: The Heart, Mind & Soul of Tank and the Bangas Join us for an intimate conversation with Grammy winners Tank and the Bangas, as they take us on a journey through the streets of New Orleans that shaped their groundbreaking album "The Heart, The Mind, The Soul."In this episode, frontwoman Tank opens up about her time in the Midwest, sharing personal stories and emotional truths that transformed into their genre-defying sound. From the vibrant energy of Super Sunday celebrations to electrifying performances like their recent stop at Milwaukee's Turner Hall, discover how this extraordinary band blends soul, funk, hip-hop, and spoken word into a spiritual offering that carries the essence of New Orleans to every stage they grace.

Join Tarik Moody as he explores how AI’s bold ideas measure up against real-world constraints in Milwaukee County’s budget crisis. Hear insights from Rob Henken of the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and discover why technology alone can’t solve deeply human civic challenges.

Join HYFIN's HYFINated Conversations for an intimate dialogue with jazz virtuoso Wynton Marsalis. Recorded before his captivating Milwaukee performance, this episode unveils the layers behind the nine-time Grammy winner's artistic evolution. From the vibrant streets of 1960s New Orleans to leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Marsalis shares profound insights about family influence, musical mentorship, and cultural preservation.Listen as he explores the delicate balance between tradition and innovation, revealing how his mother's wisdom and early jazz club experiences shaped his approach to music education and artistic expression. Through personal stories and reflections, Marsalis illuminates jazz's transformative power and its role in bridging generations. This conversation celebrates not just musical excellence, but the deep cultural roots and ongoing evolution of America's most distinctive art form.

How do you build a new digital home for Black culture? In this episode, we talk with Rudy Fraser, the creator of Blacksky, a rapidly growing community on the Bluesky social network. As Black users leave Twitter/X in unprecedented numbers, Fraser shares how his background in mutual aid and community organizing shaped his vision for a different kind of social platform.Fraser breaks down how Blacksky works, from its innovative use of the AT Protocol to its community-led approach to content moderation. He explains why he chose to make Blacksky open-source rather than seeking venture capital, and how the platform grew to over 750,000 users without any promotion or funding.We dig into the technical details of how Blacksky protects its community from harassment while preserving authentic cultural expression, and discuss the challenges of scaling from 10 moderation reports per week to over 500 daily. Fraser also shares his vision for the future of Black social media spaces and how decentralized technology could help preserve Black digital culture.Key topics:How mutual aid principles influenced Blacksky's developmentThe technical architecture behind Blacksky's custom feedsCommunity-based approaches to content moderationBalancing rapid growth with community safetyThe future of Black social media communitiesWhy open source matters for cultural preservationFollow the conversation with Rudy on Bluesky @rudy.fraser, and stay connected with us at @tarikmoody.com and @hyfin.org. Check out Tarik's starter pack on Bluesky for a curated list of Black thought leaders and creators to follow."

Hey everyone, it’s Kim Shine from the HYFIN team – doing something a little different. I’m hoping on a story!One of HYFIN's freelancers, Joy Boyd, visited the Uplifting Mansion in Milwaukee to cover the open house of Nkenge’s gallery, a fantastic showing of nearly 100 pieces of historic African artifacts. The owner is Kenge Adams, a proud woman of African American decent who's also a former IT project manager turned entrepreneur. Being a collector wasn’t exactly part of her plan; that is until leaders at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy reached out. They’d purchased the old Cardinal Stritch University campus and found the pieces there. If you haven’t already, you can read Joy’s write-up on the open house and the Uplifting Mansion, or you can keep listening for my interview with Kenge about her mission to now share these invaluable pieces with others and how she’s using AI technology to connect to past and the present.Read Joy's article on HYFIN.org Learn more about Nkenge's Gallery: https://www.nkengegallery.com/Learn more about the Uplifting Mansion: https://www.upliftingmansion.com/

In this powerful episode of HYFINated Conversations, host Tarik Moody sits down with Tashemia Dean, author of "Cheers to Sobriety: Navigating Social Pressures, Finding Resilience and Crafting a Healthier Lifestyle." Dean courageously shares her journey from the depths of addiction and suicidal thoughts to becoming a beacon of hope in Milwaukee's recovery community.Listeners will hear Dean's raw account of her battle with anxiety and substance use disorder, including a near-fatal crisis point that became her turning point. She discusses her transformative experience in treatment and how it led to her mission of supporting others in recovery. The conversation covers Dean's innovative approach to sobriety, including her take on the growing mocktail trend and how it's reshaping social norms around drinking. Dean also introduces her unique "Cheers to Sobriety September Book Crawl Tour" across Milwaukee, highlighting local businesses that create inclusive spaces for non-drinkers.As the founder of Fight Anxiety, Addiction and Adversity Corporation, Dean provides insights into the challenges facing the recovery community, particularly within the Black community. She addresses the concerning trend of high suicide rates among young Black males and emphasizes the importance of open communication and positive role models. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, addiction recovery, and social change.Dean's story of resilience and her practical strategies for navigating sobriety in a drinking culture offer hope and guidance to those on their own recovery journeys. Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about living an alcohol-free lifestyle, this conversation with Tashemia Dean will inform, inspire, and challenge your perspectives on sobriety and social norms.