Interview: Nephew Tommy Talks New Season of "Ready to Love"
Sunday, February 16, 2025Hey Mofos!
I finally dusted off Check the Rhymes TV and actually did an entertainment interview! This time with Nephew Tommy. He came back thru to talk about SEASON 10 of OWN's "Ready to Love" series.
It sounds like it's full of surprises and of course, I was all in for the advice he gave us singles! Yep y'all I'm back in the game. That's a whole other story. UGH. But I'm realllllly trying hard not to give up on love.
But for now, get into this interview with Nephew Tommy!
Would you go on the show?
Lemme know!
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
I know I'm all late but Happy New Year! I don't know about y'all but 2025 has been a whirlwind and some of it not so good. BUT, the one thing that has been consistent is my interviews. I wanted to share an interview I did for BlackDoctor.org with author and social worker Oludara Adeeyo.
Catch it here:
Let me know, do you do affirmations daily? Meditation daily? What are your self care habits?
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
If you are into faith based films then this is one you need to RUN to the movie theaters to see on 8/23! "The Forge" is an excellent reminder of the power of prayer.
From the press release:
Hey mofos!
Do you watch the BET+ show "All the Queen's Men?" I LOVE THAT SHOW! Actor Skyh Black plays Amp on the show and joined me on "Check the Rhymes TV" to chat about the rest of Season 3.
Chile this man is fine ain't he? Who is your favorite character on the show? Let me know in the comments!
~Meik
.png)
Happy New Year Mofos!
I'm a bit late, so forgive me. I didn't get to write my farewell to 2023 blog since I was on the sick and shut in list.
I wanted to share my interview with Eshe Light from the group Arrested Development! I first talked to her waaaay back in 2014 for SoulTrain.com and we've kept in touch since.
Check out the interview here:
She dropped a lot of gems on here! Do you have a favorite Arrested Development song?
~Meik
Hey mofos!
Do y'all remember the singer Sybil? I got to wondering where she was and what she has been up to and lo and behold, we live in the same dang state and we're sorority sisters! Small world! She stopped by Check the Rhymes TV to chat about what she's been up to, new projects, and more!
Let me know in the comments, what was your favorite song of hers?
~Meik
Trombonist Jeff Bradshaw is Coming to Charlotte to Middle C Jazz
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Hey Mofos!
If you love good music, then you'll absolutely need to RUN and grab tickets whenever trombonist Jeff Bradshaw is in your area. On September 15, he'll be at Middle C Jazz in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are the two show options, one at 7pm and one at 9:15pm. Purchase your tickets here:
https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1036257/jeff-bradshaw-charlotte-middle-c-jazz-club
Get cute and come on out!
Let me tell you, I swear it feels like being at an upscale New York spot doused with southern hospitality. Plus, it's a cute spot for a date night!
“I’m
not the traditional jazz or solo jazz artist. My father taught me how to play
the trombone. There is no music school, college, or institution that can take
credit for anything that I’ve accomplished with this instrument,” he says.
His
first experience in mainstream music came in 1994. Bradshaw began to
meet musicians, singers, and producers on the Philly scene that went on to
become the architect of the neo-soul revolution: Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson,
Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter of the Roots, James Poyser, Andre Harris, Vidal
Davis, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and many others.
A few
years later, Bradshaw was invited by his dear friend, Jill Scott, to
take part in the recording of her first album and to tour with her after its
breakthrough release. This connection led opportunity to meet with Hidden Beach
Recordings CEO Steve McKeever, who afforded Jeff the opportunity to
record his first album as a solo artist in 2003,
“Bone Deep.”
“Jill
was with Hidden Beach Records at the time and told Steve McKeever about me and
to check out the music I was working on. I didn’t want to seem too anxious, so
a week later I sent him 3 or 4 songs. He really liked them and asked for more,
so I sent him two more songs, the last of which was a song he asked me about
that was an instrumental and I had told him that Jill was going to sing on that
song. After a month or so, he hit me back, and I met him at Jill’s video shoot
in Long Island, New York. He wanted to tell me in person that he thinks I have
something groundbreaking and that he’s not afraid to sign a trombone player. He
shook my hand and told me
welcome to Hidden Beach,” he says.
Since
the release of Jeff Bradshaw’s debut album, he has had 20 years of
valuable experiences that have shaped him into the veteran
multi-instrumentalist, producer, and writer that listeners know and love
today. Jeff’s raw talent and ability to connect with other artists have
led him to work with the likes of Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Mary J Blige, Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire, Musiq Soulchild, and
more.
Meanwhile, Jeff Bradshaw does have new music out. He continues to indulge in the celebration of the 20th Anniversary since the release of his first studio album. He recently gave fans a taste of "Jeff Bradshaw:20", with the release of two official singles from the project. The first offering was the smooth jazz-infused, "Carrie's Bread Puddin'," The second single, is the Eric Roberson featured song, "Make Some Time." “The song is inspired by people who hustle wanting to date people who hustle.
Here's a previous Check the Rhymes interview I did with Jeff in 2020:
Jeff is still touring with Patti Labelle, and doing shows solo. Let me know if you go check him out! That man puts on a show do you hear me?!
Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite song of Jeff's!
Until Later,
~Meik
Black Music Month Interview: Saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield
Friday, June 30, 2023Hey Mofos!
I met saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield at a Will Downing concert. I was sitting backstage with his mom and aunt watching him perform. Once they started telling me about his amazing body of work, I had to know more about how he ended up working with Prince!
Watch here:
This interview was recorded in March--just days before my grandfather passed away, so it's weird to watch myself push through this knowing I was on edge waiting to hear of any news of his progress. Luckily, I got to spend some time with him before he passed so anyhoo-- sorry for taking so long to post this interview.
Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel!
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
First, please forgive me for missing ALLLLL of Black Music Month on the blog. BUT, here I am at the tail end and well, at least I had SOME content on "Check the Rhymes TV."
I had the pleasure of chatting with Angie Stone about her 10th studio album "Love Language," and she even answered fan questions!
Check it out here:
What's your favorite Angie Stone song?
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
I was super hype to chat with Gina Thompson! Talk about a throwback! I actually met her in 1997--she was one of the first music artists I had been around because she was in the building the day I interviewed Case, which was my very first celeb interview everrrrr. The place: East Tennessee State University and I was in college and sooooooooooo unprepared LOL. But, both her and Case taught me and my classmates an important lesson-- make sure all of your equipment is working, and control the interview.
Anyhoo--I was wondering where she was, and she just happens to be back with some new music! So, here's the Check the Rhymes TV interview:
I love how she stresses the importance of mental health!
As always, leave comments on the YouTube channel and subscribe!
~Meik
.png)
Hey Mofos!
I haven't recorded any NEW interviews since my grandfather's passing, but I did forget to share this one. The original length was over two hours! Bowlegged Lou of Full Force is such a fun person to chat with, so he came on Check the Rhymes TV and gave me all kinds of tea!
Check it out here:
What Full Force jams are your fav??
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
Remember MC Hammer's background singers? The five guys out of Florida called Special Generation? They went on to do their own music as a group and well, I don't know about y'all but I was wondering what ever happened to them? I was elated when they agreed to come on Check the Rhymes TV-- all five members! We had some technical difficulties that night but we had a good time cackling and strolling down memory lane.
Watch here:
So now that you've watched.. what is your favorite song of theirs?
Let me know who else you want to see on the show!
~Meik
Hey mofos!
Are you wrestling fans? I chatted with Bobby Lashley on Check the Rhymes TV about the "Survivor Series" that airs this weekend. I know nothing about wrestling, so he definitely had to explain stuff like I'm slow LOL.
Check it out:
Who is your favorite wrestler?
~Meik
.png)
Hey Mofos!
Have you been watching the new Hulu show "Reasonable Doubt?" If not, WTF ARE YOU WAITING FOR? It's so good! It's a legal drama with Black folks and whew, it's a must watch. I jumped at the chance to interview with the show's stars Sean Patrick Thomas and McKinley Freeman for Check the Rhymes TV.
Take a look:
Will you be checking the show out? New episodes stream on Tuesdays on Hulu!
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
I'm back with another interview on Check the Rhymes TV and this time it's with my friend Noel Gourdin. It's really crazy cuz I remember talking to him backstage in 2016-2017 about wanting to start a platform--at the time it was supposed to be a website and we brainstormed back and forth for a min. Finally came up with a name, created a logo and got the domain and well.... it's still sitting collecting dust. BUT, Check the Rhymes eventually became the idea and so it was only right that he come on the show to talk about his new music. His music just makes you wanna get in the car and ride out with the windows down, sunroof open, just vibin.
Check the convo:
Do you have a favorite Noel Gourdin song? Lemme know in the comments!
~Meik
Hey Mofos!
Treston Irby of the group Hi-Five wrote a book and IDK about y'all but I'm ready to read ALL THE TEA! This group has been through so many ups and downs, losses and lock-ups. As Treston said, "when the music stopped, shit got real." WHEW JEEEZUS. His new book is called "HIATUS" and well.. check out our interview here:
To get the book head to the Hi-Five website.
Let me know, what is your favorite Hi-Five song?
~Meik
.png)
Hey Mofos!!
I was super excited to chat with the OG and Queen of Real Housewives of Atlanta, Nene Leakes, and the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia on Check the Rhymes TV!
They stopped in to chat about going back to college on "College Hill: Celebrity Edition" that kicks off on 6/27 on BET+. Yeah, you gonna have to pay to watch this one shawty.
Of course, I had to ask Big Freedia about working with Queen Beyonce once again on the new single "Break My Soul!"
Catch the interview here:
.png)
Hey Mofos!
I was super excited to have the opportunity to chat with someone that worked super close with my absolute fav, the King of Pop. LaVelle Smith Jr. has a long resume, and it includes dancing right behind MJ in videos, tours, performances, and choreographing some of the most iconic dances we try to duplicate even today. He even worked on the "Scream" video! He also is responsible for choreographing Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" video! It's Black Music Month and what a great way to talk about the impact dance had on the music!
Anyhoo, check out the chat below --this was a super fun and informative interview!
Do you have a favorite MJ dance performance? Me: ALL OF EM!
Until Later,
~Meik
