Mixed and Mastered
Mixed and Mastered is the podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to life. Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, a veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive Records, each episode dives deep into the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the people shaping the sound of today. From label executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Jeffrey brings you behind the scenes to meet the minds driving the industry forward. There’s a gap in the marketplace for these voices, and Mixed and Mastered is here to fill it—one conversation at a time. Because the best stories are told by those who lived them.
Episodes
42 episodes
RE-RELEASE: Sean C
Originally released March 31, 2025"My man. Always an inspiration!!"- A-TrakStep into the extraordinary world of Sean C — legendary DJ, producer, A&R, and true architect of hip-hop. From Harlem block parties to Grammy nom...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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1:15:08
RE-RELEASE: Dante Ross
Originally released on July 10, 2025.Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey.From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower Eas...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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59:17
Mickey Factz on Lyricism, Longevity, and Building Hip Hop’s First School
This year-end episode of Mixed and Mastered is something special. Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Mickey Factz for a deep, unfiltered conversation that goes far beyond music. From growing up between Harlem and the Bronx to battling in schoolyards...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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1:04:19
Rocky Bucano on Legacy, Longevity & Building Hip-Hop’s Home
From DJing the Stardust Ballroom at 15 to shaping Strong City Records, from Rowdy to Blackstreet, and ultimately to founding the world’s premier Hip-Hop Museum, Rocky Bucano’s journey is a masterclass in vision, grit, and cultural stewardship.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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37:59
Dyana Williams on Breaking Barriers, Building Institutions & Owning Our Narrative
In this powerhouse episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey sits down with the incomparable Dyana Williams — radio icon, cultural architect, co-founder of Black Music Month, longtime Philly International insider, and the heartbeat behind some of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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1:14:05
Rene McLean on Community, Creativity & the Art of the Pivot
Rene McLean’s journey reads like a blueprint for reinvention in the music industry. From growing up on the Lower East Side during the crack era—surrounded by jazz legends, culture-shifters, and downtown chaos—to interning his way into radio pro...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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1:14:59
Dr. Jason King on Music, Meaning & Movement
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey sits down with Dr. Jason King — Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, founding faculty at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, and one of the most forward-thinking voices in music education and criticism. Fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:12:28
DJ Enuff on Protecting the Legacy From Biggie to the Heavy Hitters
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with a true New York legend — DJ Enuff, the man who helped bring hip-hop from the block to the world stage.From growing up between Harlem, the Lower East Side, and Brooklyn, Enuf...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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59:55
Paul Stewart on Delicious Vinyl, Warren G Saving Def Jam, and Music Supervising from Poetic Justice to Snowfall
On this week's Mixed and Mastered Jeff chops it up with Paul “DJ P” Stewart—Crenshaw-raised connector, A&R whisperer, and music-supervision ace. We hit his come-up at Delicious Vinyl (Tone Lōc, Young MC), managing The Pharcyde, and the day ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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1:02:25
Yvette Love Dávila on Def Jam, Rick Ross, and Turning Grief into Purpose
Jeff chops it up with Yvette Love Dávila—yes, DÁ-vi-la, accent and all—about a life that runs from East New York block parties to the executive suites and back to the heart. We trace her come-up through Violator with Chris Lighty, road-managing...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:08:33
Rob “Reef” Tewlow on The Source, Biggie, and Building Hip-Hop Media
From graffiti tags to global playlists, Rob “Reef” Tewlow has been at the center of hip-hop’s evolution for 30+ years—and this episode maps the whole arc. Reef walks us through NYC in the late ’70s/’80s, bounces from BU to NYU, and lands at
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:10:00
Datwon Thomas: Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Datwon Thomas, we trace his path from creating King Magazine to producing some of the biggest shows on television. He shares how his vision for a lifestyle publication—once rejected—became a cultural ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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1:01:15
Datwon Thomas: Part 1
From Brooklyn to Tokyo and back again, Datwon Thomas’ story is as global as it is deeply rooted in hip-hop. In Part 1, he shares how growing up during the crack era, moving to Japan in the mid-’80s, and facing both culture shock and racism shap...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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45:23
Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell: Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell, we follow her journey from LaFace Records—where she went from publicity to marketing and helped launch Usher’s My Way—through the politics of Arista, HBO’s digital experiment,...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:09:32
Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell: Part 1
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jeffrey Sledge welcomes industry vet Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell for a deep dive into her early life and rise in music. From growing up in New York and navigating a volatile home, to founding We Three Market...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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1:04:45
Caron Veazey
This week, Jeffrey sits down with the incomparable Caron Veazey — a music industry force whose career has spanned MCA, Epic, RCA, Island Def Jam, global marketing at Sony, and nearly a decade managing Pharrell Williams. Caron shares her journey...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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1:05:00
Best Of...
In this special Best Of episode, Jeffrey Sledge celebrates the first 25 episodes of Mixed and Mastered by revisiting three unforgettable moments that capture the soul of the series. From Faith Newman’s raw, hilarious, and insp...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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40:26
Emil Wilberkin
This week on Mixed and Mastered, host Jeffrey Sledge sits down with journalist, tastemaker, and cultural force Emil Wilbekin for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. From his roots in Cincinnati to shaping the voice of Vibe...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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59:12
Wardell Malloy
Prepare for an electrifying episode of "Mixed and Mastered" as Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the legendary Wardell Malloy! Journey from the vibrant streets of the Bronx to the epicenter of the music industry, where Wardell shares his incredible...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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52:12
Dante Ross: Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary A&R exec and producer Dante Ross, the ride gets even crazier.Dante breaks down the highs and lows of his time at Elektra and Def Jam, working with iconic artists like Brand Nubian, ODB, M...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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48:35
Dante Ross: Part 1
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey.From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower East ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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59:17
Jasper Cameron
In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary songwriter and producer Jasper Cameron to explore his journey from Atlanta church pews to crafting chart-topping hits. Jasper shares how Atlanta shaped his view of s...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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59:05
Kwasi Kessie
From the heart of Harlem to the red carpet at the Met Gala, Kwasi Kessie’s journey is stitched together with culture, community, and style. In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge talks to the the stylist, runner, and creative for...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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54:31
