The Focal Spot Podcast

Dr. Antwan "Amadeus"Thompson is the C.E.O. of Platinum Boy Records, Multi-Platinum BadBoy/Hitmen Record Producer. He’s produced songs for artists such as Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, French Montana, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and 50 Cent  Trey Songz’s Musical Director/Tour Drummer, Drais Night Club Resident in Las Vegas, Educator & Motivational Speaker and Author.

This multi-hyphenated leg-gend and maven has pivoted from dancing with stars such as the late Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Heavy D, to being the legendary dancer for 90’s sitcom intro, “Living Single”  to being a choreographer for other music videos, video personality, t.v.  judge personal trainer, to being the C.E.O of Bodiography. She stops by The Focal Spot to talk about how she mastered the courage to pivot .

I am creating a series titled “Mastering the Courage to Pivot”, influencers will stop by to discuss how they have successfully pivoted in various parts in their lives.  

I have the legendary Kevin E. Taylor. You all think I’ve interviewed phenomenal guests?!! I want to be like him when I grow up. He has interviewed icons such as Luther Vandross, Natalie Cole, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick, Also, he the creator behind some of the legendary shows we remember from BET such as Access Granted which taped the last Aaliyah’s music video, Testimony with Mariah Carey and more

Responsible for classic hits such as "O.P.P", "Hip-Hop Hurray",  and my personal favorite "Feel Me Flow", Vin Rock of Grammy Award-winning and Platinum-selling rap group "Naughty by Nature" is going to stop by to talk about the various ways he mastered the courage to pivot. Bring out your Naughty gear and make sure you tune in!

The host of Fox Sports, Fox Soul, and Emmy Award-winning Sports Journalist Mike Hill stops by "The Focal Spot" to talk quarantine life with fiancee and Real Housewives of Atlanta reality star Cynthia Bailey, his memoir "Open Mike" where he talks candidly about how certain events that occurred in his life impacted his mental health, the importance of going to counseling and therapy for mental health and more.

Who remembers the scene in Nelly's Tipdrill video where he swiped a credit card down a woman's behind? Check out my interview with video vixen Whyte Chocolate where she describes that scene, her tenure in the music business, her other endeavors and more 

Ms. Merylin Mitchell, 1/4 member of  Hip-Hop & R&B dancing group "Mecca" talks about her dancing career journey. She danced for some of the top hip-hop & R&B artists such as Whitney Houston, Roxanne Shante, Keith Sweat, LL Cool J, Michael Jackson Bobby Brown, and more. She stops by "The Focal Spot Podcast" to describes how she came up with a dance move that was featured on LL Cool J's "Jingling Baby,  dancing for Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time", vacationing with Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown & babysitting Bobbi Kristina, she feels that Whitney Houston would still be alive today if Robyn was by her side and more. Her IG is @msmerylin

This audio came from my "So You Want a Podcast? " online class tutorial where I spoke about the beginnings of podcasting, tips on how to develop, promote, and make money from your podcast. Also, I informed my class on my journey as a podcaster and best practices in going about producing your podcast.

Living legend and Black Excellence contributor Bryan Michael cox is a 9 time Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter with over 100 million albums sold; who’s worked with artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah, and Jagged Edge. He stops by The Focal Spot to talk about surviving COVID-19, his Instagram LIVE parties, his love for HBCUs, how Beyonce and Matthew Knowles solidified his decision in becoming a producer and more. 

On January 19, 2020, I witnessed the death of a friend/neighbor/confidant of mine right before I had to do a headshot photoshoot. As we are getting through the Corona Virus, I took the time to reflect and process my new normal. 

Grammy-Award winning Hip-Hop group Naughty by Nature describes how various NJ artists influenced hip-Hop

Mega-music producer DJ Khaled talks about the importance of taking a rest while working. He talks about ways he incorporates rest into his schedule and what motivates him to rest. 

Donshea Hopkins talks about her time being on Starz hit show Power, growing up in NYC, exploring both music and acting and more

At the 2017 Hip-Hop Press Conference, DJ Jazzy Joyce talks about her current projects, what keeps her focused in the music industry and how she wants to be remembered..

Vin Rock from Grammy Award-winning rap group Naughty By Nature speaks about the future of Naughty By Nature during the Hip Hop Press Conference 2014 in Newark, NJ

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DJ ENUFF from NYC Hip-Hop radio station Hot 97' stops by "The Focal Spot" Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G, DJ  Red Alert, his contributions to hip-hop, Robin Williams suicide,  depression in Hollywood and more.  Check out the article on "Depression in Hollywood  with DJ Enuff" http://thesource.com/2014/09/14/dj-enuff-talks-depression-in-hollywood/

Known for his Platinum-selling hit "She's Got It" Featuring T-Pain and Tay Dizm, 2 Pistols is going to talk about his new song "Know That" featuring French Montana and his future endeavors.

Jacques Johnson has been featured on BET's Cypher, and has opened act for R&B group Mindless Behavior. He is stopping by "The Focal Spot" to talk about his career and his latest song "See Me Now"

A former member of QT Posse, QT Jazz has worked with powerful people in the music industry such as Neyo, Monica, TI, Tiny, Kandi, and Lil Wayne,  Now on her own solo debut release her debut single titled "Back Up Off The Wall" and has a radio-friendly hit called  "Heels, Bags".

Responsible for hits such as Rihanna’s “Only Girl in the World”, Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body”, Crystal Nicole talks tips on how to understand the business of songwriting, how she pens hit record such as R&B singer Monica’s “Love All Over Me”, writing and performing her own songs.

 Kid Name Breezy, an upcoming rapper out of Virginia combines his love for the 90’s discusses the significance behind his mixtape titled "93", working with rapper Pusha T, playing basketball with R&B singer Ashanti and more

 I am interviewing Pat Gallo, a producer who created hits for artists like DMX and Jadakiss. Now he’s decided to transition over to the artist side. He has a mixtape coming out on the 14th that’ll feature songs with Norega, Jadakiss, Styles P and DMX.

Based out of Chicago, Jamiss was featured as a dancer in Kanye West “Workout Plan” video. In addition to that, her music was crowned 5th Mixtape entitled "Most Likely to Succeed" hosted by Chicago Violator's Dj V Dub and collaborating with Big Sean and J Cole 

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC). NIC has programs available for organizations that assist offenders in obtaining jobs. These programs outline key strategies for preventing offenders from re-entering the system.

Author, Teacher, and Artist Tachelle Wilkes is the creator of Femmix, a site dedicated to highlighting lady DJ's, emcees, and music producers. In addition, she talks about how Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, and MC Lyte balanced hip-hop and met Tupac Shakur on the “Above the Rim” set.

Pamela Long, lead singer of 90s R&B group Total stops by "The Focal Spot" to discuss how she met her future group members Kima and Keisha, how she got signed to Bad Boy records, her fashion style and more. 

Rap duo Camp Lo, legendary producer Pete Rock and Trackstarr the DJ stops by to discuss their project. how Camp Lo was formed, Pete Rock’s musical influences, how Trackstarr became involved in Hip-Hop and more

Check out my interview with 730 Dips and former Dipset producer Tito Green where he talks about growing up with Dipset member Freaky Zeekey, his alter ego Bad Shrek, how Dipset influenced hip-hop, advice that Big Meech from Black Mafia Family told him and more

Born Divine talks listening and eventually connected to Wu-Tang, how t.v show “The Wire” was based from his uncle Melvin Williams, Baltimore Club music, how Tupac’s image was based from his time in Baltimore and more