In this unforgettable and emotional episode of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley sit down with one of the most respected but quietly powerful figures in the music business — Greggory Smith, former Regional Director of Creative Services at SESAC and the man behind stories that shaped modern R&B, pop, and songwriting culture. Greg opens up with a level of honesty rarely seen on camera: his beginnings as a PK who wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, the accident that nearly destroyed his early music dreams, how he and his brother J. Que Smith (Usher, Beyoncé, Neyo, Marcus Houston) navigated the industry from nothing, and the real truth behind iconic records like My Boo and Confessions. He shares the hilarious, raw moment he knew Jack Harlow would be a star, the politics behind publisher rooms, why clubs still determine hits, and why some artists lose simply because their team wants it more than they do.But the episode takes a powerful turn when Greggory reveals how he battled burnout, betrayal, and broken industry relationships — and how God, two young songwriters (Bryce and Sierra), and an unexpected Christmas prayer led to the creation of Inc(k)., a collective poised to become one of the next major songwriting powerhouses. Greggory breaks down the emotional moment that moved him to tears, the record that changed everything (Santa Is Me by Coco Jones), and why he believes 2025–2026 will be their Grammy moment. This is more than an interview — it’s a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and navigating the industry without losing your soul. If you’re an independent artist, songwriter, manager, or creative, you NEED to watch this.

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In this explosive segment of The Indie Unplugged, B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley dive straight into one of the most heated debates in music culture: the public’s obsession with tearing down Chris Brown while worshipping other artists without question. From Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Michael Jackson’s legacy, the crew calls out the selective outrage, fan hypocrisy, and the weird internet religion that protects some artists while crucifying others. They break down why people act like it’s illegal to praise Chris Brown, why every conversation about his greatness triggers meltdowns, and why fans conveniently forget that even legends like Michael had allegations and controversies that didn’t stop the world from calling him the greatest to ever do it.

But this conversation goes deeper than comparisons — it’s a real examination of how fans refuse to let Chris evolve, how they punish him differently than every other superstar, and why the culture struggles with nuance. The debate asks the hard questions: Why can Beyoncé and Jay-Z do no wrong? Why can’t Chris be great without threatening MJ’s legacy? And why does the internet only allow certain artists grace, forgiveness, or growth? This is raw, honest, unfiltered music commentary that challenges the double standards we all see but rarely talk about. Tap in and drop your take — this one’s guaranteed to start a conversation.

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B. Vaughan and Tye Huntley kick off this live episode of The Indie Unplugged with jokes, claps turning into crickets, and a deep dive into the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson—asking if Chris Brown has really “caught up” to MJ and unpacking why their greatness shouldn’t even be compared the same way. From there, they slide into the history of the moonwalk (shoutout to Jeffrey Daniel), then pivot into Mario’s viral appearance on Cam Newton’s podcast where he ranked which male R&B singers “can really sing.” The conversation gets real about gatekeeping, ego, and why dragging your peers on camera might go viral—but rarely helps the culture or your career, especially for independent artists trying to build relationships, not burn bridges.The debate heats up as they flip it into hip-hop: who could really stand across from JAY-Z in a Verzuz—TI, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Drake? Is TI’s catalog more powerful than people admit? And who’s the greatest hip-hop group of all time—Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A, OutKast, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest? Along the way, they break down the thin line between healthy competition and toxic comparison, why indie creatives need thick skin without “crashing out” on camera like Kevin McCall, and how loops, samples, and packs are really just a race to the smash. The segment closes with The Watchlist, spotlighting indie R&B artist Keeyen Martin, his data-driven Italy tour, and what every independent creative can learn from how he studies analytics and moves strategically. Tap in, drop your take in the comments (MJ vs Chris Brown, Mario’s list, JAY-Z’s true Verzuz opponent, and your GOAT hip-hop group), and subscribe so you don’t miss the next live debate.

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