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The First Time I Heard...

The First Time I Heard...

By Toya Haynes

The First Time I Heard is host and self proclaimed music nerd Toya Haynes’ love letter to music. On each episode she and her guest will talk about the first time they heard one of their favorite artists. They discuss milestones in the artist’s career and how their music has affected them as well as the songs that make up the soundtrack of their lives.
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Episode 13: The First Time I Heard... Raphael Saadiq

The First Time I Heard...Nov 23, 2020

00:00
53:18
Episode 17: The First Time I Heard… Kashif

Episode 17: The First Time I Heard… Kashif

In the final episode of Season 2, host Toya Haynes is joined by guest Shameika Rhymes of the show Check the Rhymes joins to talk about the first time they heard the musical virtuoso Kashif.
Dec 20, 202132:39
Episode 16: The First Time I Heard... New Edition

Episode 16: The First Time I Heard... New Edition

Host Toya Haynes is joined by Len Webb and Vincent Williams of the movie review podcast The Micheaux Mission to talk about the first time they heard her favorite group New Edition. 

Jun 21, 202101:40:42
Episode 15: The First Time I Heard... Gladys Knight

Episode 15: The First Time I Heard... Gladys Knight

Host Toya Haynes is joined by singer and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle to discuss the first time they heard the incomparable Gladys Knight.
Mar 22, 202101:25:18
Episode 13: The First Time I Heard... Raphael Saadiq

Episode 13: The First Time I Heard... Raphael Saadiq

Host Toya Haynes is joined by Black Girl Lost Keys founder Rene' Brooks to discuss the first time they heard the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq and how he's a part of their life soundtrack. 

Nov 23, 202053:18
Episode 12: The First Time I Heard... LL Cool J

Episode 12: The First Time I Heard... LL Cool J

For this special 2 hour episode, host Toya Haynes is joined by producer, singer/songwriter (fun fact: he's the creator of the podcast's theme song), and historian TL Cross to discuss the first time they heard LL Cool J and his remarkable 30 plus year musical legacy.
Sep 18, 202002:10:41
Episode 11: The First Time I Heard... Jodeci

Episode 11: The First Time I Heard... Jodeci

Creator of Zumble Jason Gray joins host Toya Haynes to discuss the greatness of Devante' Swing's production, recite some of their favorite lines from Martin, and talk about the first time they heard Jodeci.

Jun 30, 202001:08:13
Episode 10: The First Time I Heard... Green Day

Episode 10: The First Time I Heard... Green Day

In this episode of The First Time I Heard, my guest, radio show host Ryan Chitty, and I talk about the first time we heard the band Green Day. We also talk about his radio show Bullying the Jukebox and his plans to open The Punk Rock Museum.
May 21, 202001:08:10
Episode 9: The First Time I Heard... Mary J. Blige

Episode 9: The First Time I Heard... Mary J. Blige

On this season 2 premiere we are talking about the Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige. My guest is Nikki Wright, my co-host on a new podcast we’re hosting together called Unsung Unwrapped. Unsung Unwrapped reviews episodes of TV One’s award winning show Unsung. Unsung Unwrapped is available on streaming platforms now.
Apr 08, 202001:30:43
Episode 8: The First Time I Heard... The Temptations

Episode 8: The First Time I Heard... The Temptations

I’m joined by R&B singer and podcast host Kyle Maack to talk about the first time we heard the legendary, and arguably best to ever do it as vocal groups go, The Temptations. Kyle has a pretty unique story to share: he went from becoming completely captivated when he heard The Temptations for the first time at 11 years old to later being signed to original Temptations member Otis Williams’ label.
Dec 16, 201901:02:29
Episode 7: The First Time I Heard... Queen Latifah

Episode 7: The First Time I Heard... Queen Latifah

I am joined by Summer and Carren of the podcast Ladies Love Hip Hop to discuss the indisputable queen of Hip Hop, Queen Latifah.  We talk about her music and why we think that her career in the entertainment industry makes her the blueprint on how to succeed in the game. 

Nov 13, 201901:28:33
Episode 6: The First Time I Heard... Musiq Soulchild

Episode 6: The First Time I Heard... Musiq Soulchild

This episode was recorded live at the Respect: Women’s Podcast Festival at Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, PA. My guest, R&B singer, Beano French and I talk about the first time we heard soul singer Musiq Soulchild. A special thanks to the Respect: Women’s Podcast Festival for letting me be a part of this great event and to my DJ, DJ Dommis for providing the tunes in between to make this show really come to life.
Sep 02, 201941:04
Episode 5: The First Time I Heard... Tevin Campbell

Episode 5: The First Time I Heard... Tevin Campbell

My guest, television host, producer and writer Torrence Glenn and I talk about the first time we heard R&B soul singer Tevin Campbell. In this episode, Torrence, a self described “Tevin Campbell Stan”, and I talk about Campbell’s incredible vocal ability that grabbed us at the first listen, what we hope to hear from him soon, and what parts of his catalog should not go overlooked. We also talk about Torrence’s work as a producer on the newest season of BET’s Sunday Best.
Jul 27, 201901:29:45
Episode 4: The First Time I Heard... Teena Marie

Episode 4: The First Time I Heard... Teena Marie

I’m talking all things “Square Biz” in this episode about the one and only Teena Marie. My guest is singer, songwriter, author, and the biggest Lady T fan I know, Tim Dillinger. Along with talking about the first time we heard Teena Marie, we talk about her early days with Motown, parts of her career that we feel often get overlooked, and ask the question “With so much conversation being had over cultural appropriation, could a Teena Marie come out today and be successful?”
Jul 18, 201901:05:28
Episode 3: The First Time I Heard... Luther Vandross

Episode 3: The First Time I Heard... Luther Vandross

I welcome guest Craig Seymour, author of the book Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross, to discuss the first time we heard my favorite singer of all time, Luther Vandross. In this very special episode released on the 14th anniversary of his death, we talk about his rise from being a very much in demand background singer to becoming one of the most important artist of our time. I’d like to dedicate this episode to my first concert buddy and favorite person to talk about music with, my dearly departed father and favorite friend Leonard Glenn Haynes.
Jul 01, 201901:14:57
Episode 2: The First Time I Heard... Kenny Loggins

Episode 2: The First Time I Heard... Kenny Loggins


If you hear the name Kenny Loggins and automatically think of "Footloose", you may be surprised by what else in his catalog of music which spans over 45 years. Grammy-Award winning producer Alvin Love III (CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, The New Respects) and I talk about the first time we heard Kenny Loggins and why there is a particular and very soulful era of his career that made us fall in love with his music. We also talk about what inspires Alvin musically and what it was like to produce an award winning album for his mother, gospel music legend CeCe Winans.
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Apr 23, 201935:26
Episode 1: The First Time I Heard... Brian McKnight

Episode 1: The First Time I Heard... Brian McKnight

Do you remember the first time you heard Brian McKnight? My guest, author Melissa Watkins, and I reminisce about the first time we heard his music and discuss his career. We also talk about her book Jack and Ahlia and how her love of music influenced her creative process.
Apr 14, 201940:14