On this episode of The Underground Lounge, the crew welcomes legendary producer, songwriter, and musical innovator Teddy Riley for a deep, unfiltered conversation that traces the roots of his genius and the realities behind a career that helped shape modern music.

Teddy takes it all the way back to Harlem, breaking down how his environment, family, and community influenced his love for music at an early age. He talks about teaching himself multiple instruments as a kid, experimenting with sound before he even had access to real studio equipment, and how curiosity and discipline became the foundation of his creative process. From building beats with minimal tools to understanding how to “make the sound” instead of just chasing trends, Teddy explains what separated him from the pack early on.

The conversation dives into mentorship, creative confidence, and the responsibility that comes with being both a producer and a composer. Teddy reflects on navigating the music business as a teenager, learning hard lessons early, and why ownership, loyalty, and trust matter just as much as talent. He opens up about working relationships, creative tensions, and how ego, envy, and business decisions can either strengthen or fracture collaborations.

Beyond music, Teddy shares personal stories that shaped him off the stage, from life lessons learned on the road to moments of loss, reflection, and growth. He discusses health, discipline, spirituality, and why staying grounded became essential to his longevity in an industry that constantly changes. The episode also touches on touring stories, behind-the-scenes moments fans rarely hear, and the mindset required to keep evolving while honoring where you come from.

Throughout the episode, the laughs are real, the stories are raw, and the gems are nonstop. Teddy Riley doesn’t just talk about success, he breaks down the sacrifices, the patience, and the perspective it takes to build something that lasts across generations.

This is more than an interview. It’s a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and staying true to your purpose, classic Underground Lounge energy with one of music’s true architects.

On this episode of Underground Lounge: After Hours, the lounge turns into a master class in comedy, survival, and self-belief as comedians and actors BT Kingsley, London Brown, and Justin Hires from the KillinIt Pod pull up for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation.

The fellas dive deep into their individual journeys, coming up in comedy, grinding through auditions, booking commercials, and learning how to navigate Hollywood when the rules are constantly changing. They break down the reality of being talented but overlooked, the frustration of waiting for “permission,” and why creating your own opportunities has become the real cheat code in today’s industry.

From early YouTube days and stand-up stages to television roles, film projects, and podcasting, the conversation touches on ego, rejection, money, loyalty, and the mental toughness it takes to stay in the game long enough to win. They compare comedy to professional sports, talk about knowing your role while still believing you belong at the highest level, and give honest insight into how artists can get boxed in, or break free.

As only After Hours can deliver, the episode is packed with raw laughs, industry stories, and hard truths about fame, friendships, and financial growth. It’s funny, reflective, and occasionally reckless, but always real. Whether you’re chasing a creative dream or just love hearing how the sausage gets made, this episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to keep killing it.

In this episode of The Underground Lounge, Bow Wow steps into the Lounge for a raw, unfiltered conversation that spans his entire journey, from child stardom to global fame, and everything that comes with growing up in the public eye. With a career that crosses music, movies, touring, and television, he reflects on the pressure, the highs, the mistakes, and the moments that shaped him into who he is today.

The conversation flows naturally as the drinks start pouring, touching on early industry experiences, wild touring stories, and how fame hits differently at various stages of life. Bow Wow opens up about maturity, fatherhood, personal growth, and learning how to balance fun with responsibility while still enjoying the ride. From legendary party moments to serious life lessons, nothing is off limits.

True to Lounge form, the energy stays loose and honest, full of laughter, side stories, and real talk about relationships, trust, marriage, and navigating success when the whole world is watching. It’s reflective, funny, chaotic at times, and exactly the kind of conversation that only happens when the cameras are rolling and everyone’s comfortable.

This is Bow Wow like you don’t usually get him, relaxed, candid, and fully in his element. Pull up, pour one, and kick it in the Lounge.

After Hours goes deep as the crew kicks it with comedian and actor Malik B for an honest, unfiltered conversation about his life, career, and the road it took to get there. Malik breaks down growing up around fighting and boxing, the discipline and survival mindset that came with it, and how those early experiences shaped who he became long before comedy and acting entered the picture. He opens up about family pressure, learning lessons the hard way, and how real-life experiences often become the foundation for the funniest stories.

Malik also talks candidly about his early days in comedy, including bombing on stage, figuring out his voice, and pushing through self-doubt while trying to earn laughs in real rooms. The conversation touches on transitioning into acting, navigating Hollywood, and what it’s really like behind the scenes when opportunities start to show up. Along the way, the crew trades stories, jokes, and real perspectives on growth, consistency, and staying true to yourself in an industry that constantly tests you.

This episode blends humor, reflection, and raw storytelling, making it a true After Hours experience. From laugh-out-loud moments to honest conversations about perseverance and evolution, this is one of those episodes where the mics stay on and nothing is off-limits.

In this powerful episode of The Underground Lounge, the crew sits down with artist, educator, and cultural truth-teller Dee-1 for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had to date.Dee-1 opens up about his journey growing up in New Orleans, battling a rare medical condition that altered his athletic dreams, and how life setbacks, from getting cut from teams to personal heartbreak, ultimately pushed him toward purpose. He breaks down his transition from school teacher to recording artist, explaining how education shaped his approach to music, performance, and responsibility as a voice in the culture.

The conversation dives deep into conscious rap, accountability in hip-hop, and the pressure artists face when their influence reaches millions. Dee-1 reflects on moments that forced him to reevaluate his lyrics, including a tough reality check from his mother, and why he chose to build a career centered on honesty, faith, and impact rather than trends or controversy.

From awkward label meetings and viral breakout moments to being labeled “different” in an industry that rewards excess, Dee-1 speaks candidly about navigating criticism, standing firm in his beliefs, and embracing the idea of being human first before being an artist. The episode also touches on spirituality in today’s culture, the role of the church beyond the four walls, and how music can either numb or heal a generation.

This is a thoughtful, funny, and introspective episode that challenges listeners to think deeper about what they consume, what they promote, and how they show up in the world.

After Hours takes a deeper turn as the crew sits with some of the most honest conversations yet. What starts as a discussion about parenting quickly opens into a real look at how kids are growing up in a world dominated by social media, constant access, and influences parents never had to deal with before. The group breaks down the challenge of raising children while accepting that this generation is living in a completely different reality.

From there, the conversation moves into fathers having uncomfortable but necessary talks, the differences in how sons and daughters are raised, and how early guidance or the lack of it can shape confidence, boundaries, and decision-making later in life. They reflect on growing up with strict parents versus “cool” parents, being overly protected versus left to figure things out alone, and how both extremes can leave lasting effects.

The episode also dives into relationships, sexual experiences, and the double standards that exist around them. The crew discusses how early encounters, power dynamics, and cultural norms affect men and women differently, and why certain experiences are normalized for one gender but stigmatized for the other. Therapy, compartmentalization, emotional triggers, and unhealed trauma all come up as they explore how people cope or avoid coping altogether.

As the night unfolds, the focus shifts to family dynamics, especially parent-child relationships. There’s an honest look at how siblings can grow up in the same household yet have completely different experiences, why parents show love in different ways, and how perspective changes with age. The episode closes with heartfelt reflections on aging parents, missed moments, and the importance of showing up while you still can.

Raw, reflective, and unfiltered, this After Hours episode blends humor with vulnerability and reminds you why these late-night conversations hit different.

This episode of The Underground Lounge is packed with laughs, insight, and unforgettable stories as actor and comedian Kel Mitchell steps into the lounge. The conversation takes listeners back to the very beginning of Kel’s journey, from getting his start performing in stage plays to the pivotal moment he met Kenan Thompson, a connection that would help shape an era of comedy. Kel reflects on those early days, the grind it took to get noticed, and how stepping into sketch comedy on All That became a launching pad for his career and cultural impact.

As the episode unfolds, Kel opens up about growing up in the spotlight, navigating fame at a young age, and the lessons that came with success. The crew dives into how those experiences influenced his mindset, discipline, and approach to life both on and off camera. Along the way, Kel shares stories from his time on All That, the creative energy behind those moments, and how being part of such an iconic show helped define a generation.

Beyond the nostalgia, the conversation also highlights where Kel is today. He talks about purpose, growth, and his newest chapter, including the release of his children’s book, and why creating positive, meaningful content for the next generation matters to him. Between the jokes, the reflections, and the real talk, this episode delivers a full-circle moment, showing how early passion, opportunity, and perseverance can lead to lasting impact.

Funny, honest, and inspiring, this episode of The Underground Lounge blends classic moments with present-day wisdom, making it a must-listen for fans of comedy, culture, and real conversations.

With Lou out of town, the After Hours vibes are still fully intact as Holly and Spank hold it down and welcome a seasoned comedian to the couch for a night of laughs, stories, and real conversation. What starts as a casual sit-down quickly turns into a free-flowing mix of comedy, reflection, and unapologetic honesty.

The episode dives into the early grind of comedy, bombing on stage, finding your voice, and learning how real-life experiences shape what hits hardest onstage. From messy relationships and workplace entanglements to checking phones, trust issues, and the chaos of group chats, nothing is off limits. The laughs come easy, but there’s also real insight on growth, fatherhood, love, and how life changes as you get older.

Even without Lou in the building, Holly and Spank keep the energy high, creating the perfect space for jokes, storytelling, and candid moments that feel like a late-night conversation with friends. Raw, funny, and relatable, this is After Hours exactly how it’s supposed to be.