Can We Talk RnB? Podcast

In this powerful, unfiltered conversation, Ian Von sits down with songwriter, drummer, and producer Raymond Calhoun – the man who wrote one of the most enduring R&B records of all time, “Outstanding” by The Gap Band.

Raymond breaks down:

- How he hustled from DC churches to The Manhattans, Peaches & Herb, and eventually to The Gap Band.

- The exact story of how “Outstanding” was written in his living room, inspired by his young daughter… and finished in the bathroom.- How he played nearly every instrument on the original recording.

- The battles over credit, publishing, and money that followed – including mis-spelled credits, blocked royalties, and decades of unpaid publishing.

- How he eventually reclaimed his U.S. copyright and why “God is real” in his journey.

Along the way, he shares road stories, production history, friendships with legends (Quincy Jones, Anita Baker, Tito Jackson, M’tume & Reggie Lucas, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, SWV’s Brian Morgan, and more), and the emotional cost and reward of having your very first song become a certified R&B classic.This is essential listening for musicians, songwriters, music historians, and anyone who loves the stories behind the records.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
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In this episode of the Can We Talk? R&B Podcast, host Ian Von chops it up with the legendary R&B supergroup Day26. Nearly 20 years after they first hit our screens on Making the Band, the guys break down their journey from reality TV to chart-topping success, group breakups and reunions, going independent, and stepping into a new era with fresh music.They talk about what made their chemistry feel ordained, why there were no real “peers” when they debuted, how it feels to hit 20 years in the game, and what it really takes to put out quality music without the machine of a major label. They also share what it was like moving back into one house as grown men to recapture that early magic, and give fans a live taste of their signature multi-part harmonies.Along the way, they preview their new project, reveal some of the heavy-hitting collaborators involved (including Brian Michael Cox and Johntá Austin), and express deep gratitude for the fans who have been rocking with them since 2007.🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartChapters:00:00 Cold Open & Hype Intro00:21 Welcoming Day26 & Fan Love00:52 20 Years & “Legend” Status01:20 The R&B Group Landscape in 200702:05 Why Day26 Shot Up So Fast02:23 Forming Day26: Competition to Chemistry03:10 “Ordained” Chemistry & God’s Hand03:34 All Frontmen in One Super Group04:11 Real 4–5 Part Harmony04:35 Were They Really “Green” Before Making the Band?05:34 The 2007–2011 Run, Split & Reunion06:11 The Power Move That Brought Day26 Back06:59 Q’s Return & No Bad Blood07:39 Veterans of the Game, Not Novices08:08 Dream Tour: Jagged Edge, New Edition & More08:36 Who Would Day26 Do a Verzuz With?09:11 Day26 vs. Danity Kane?10:03 Respect & Keeping It Clean10:31 The Day26 Music Journey10:54 Debut Album & “Co-Star”11:03 Going From Major Label to Independent11:27 Losing the Major Label Machine12:04 The “Day Ones” Project & Indie Grind12:26 Moving Past the “TV Group” Label12:57 Catalog Streams & Rediscovering Day2613:24 Recreating the Making the Band House13:55 A Project Dedicated to the Fans14:24 Touring, Sold-Out Shows & 20 Years14:50 Gratitude for the Day26 Family15:16 Watching Their Fans Grow Up15:38 Why People Thought Day26 Disappeared16:11 Day26 Never Stopped Dropping Music16:36 Who Day26 Is Working With Now17:03 Taking the Next Album to Another Level17:24 Bringing Back the First-Album Day26 Vibe17:45 New Orleans Show Expectations18:00 What to Expect: Love & Vocals18:21 Day26’s Group Chemistry18:39 Can Day26 Still Harmonize Live?18:46 LIVE: “Are We In This Together” A Cappella19:30 “Stop Playing With Day26!”19:50 Closing Thanks & Sign-Off

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Can We Talk? R&B podcast, host Ian Von sits down with rising R&B/pop girl group 3Quency to talk about the modern resurgence of groups, building real sisterhood in the music industry, and carving out their own lane after their breakout on Netflix’s Building the Band.

They share how they formed “Love Is Blind–style” in pods without seeing each other, the pressure and beauty of carrying the legacy of 90s and 2000s girl groups, and how they navigate vocal health, touring, social media narratives, and independence as young artists.

From stories of performing with lost voices and sprained ankles, to late-night “girls talk” that turned into a whole project, this conversation is a deep dive into authenticity, unity, and what it really takes to be a group in 2026. The ladies also perform a live a cappella snippet (Brandy’s “Have You Ever”), talk through their creative process as songwriters, and reveal the powerful meaning behind their name, 3Quency.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Von sits down with R&B singer-songwriter Dondria for an honest conversation about her journey from YouTube discovery and early chart success to healing, independence, and rediscovering her love for music. She opens up about stepping away from the spotlight, overcoming depression, embracing solitude, building a career on her own terms, and why self-love became the foundation for her marriage, her creativity, and her new era, Back To Love. This is a conversation about growth, vulnerability, and the courage to choose yourself.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes

Chapters:

00:00 Intro00:42 Catching Up with Dondria01:17 Finding Her New Sound01:41 The Power of Solitude03:04 Isolation, Faith & Growth04:28 Falling Back in Love with Music06:25 The Meaning Behind "Solitude"07:29 Dondria's Songwriting Process08:37 AI & the Future of Music10:10 Mental Health & Back to Love11:41 YouTube Discovery & Going Viral13:11 Jermaine Dupri & Early Success15:10 Michael Jackson Biopic Review18:11 The True Cost of Success19:21 Depression, Healing & Growth20:46 Learning to Trust Herself22:59 A New Era of Self-Love24:37 Advice for New Artists25:35 Breaking Down the New Music27:26 Independent vs. Major Labels28:52 Wedding, Tour & New EP30:50 Ownership & Standing Up for Herself32:31 Marriage & Creative Partnership34:21 Does R&B Make Room for Healing?36:07 A Message to Day-One Fans36:58 Rapid Fire Questions40:07 Becoming "The One" for Yourself41:04 What's Next for Dondria

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In this episode of the Can We Talk R&B podcast, host Ian Von sits down with London-raised, Guyanese-rooted R&B artist Ama (Ama Lou) to unpack her new era — a “fearless reset” that strips away cryptic storytelling in favor of direct, deeply personal songwriting.

Ama opens up about moving from hiding behind aesthetics to writing from her real life, the vulnerability behind her viral duet “Needed U Bad” with Brent Faiyaz, and how Caribbean culture, London upbringing, and long-time friendships with artists like Brent and Tyler, The Creator inform her sound.

They also dig into intimacy, desire, and modern relationships, the ebb and flow of honesty in R&B, the importance of creative control across music, visuals, and fashion, plus what fans can expect from her upcoming tour with Ella Mai. The episode closes with rapid-fire questions and a reflection on what love sounds like to Ama right now.

🧧 Support the Show:
https://www.patreon.com/canwetalkrnb

📱Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeart Now!!!!

✅Don’t forget to stream & rate us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart

- CLICK LINKS BELOW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zfIA072HwTapLg019UDcM
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-can-we-talk-rb-119355435/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-we-talk-rnb-podcast/id1703170636

📲Stay connected with Us! #CanWeTalkRnB #CWTRB

Hosted & Created by: Ian Von | www.instagram.com/IanVonMusic

Produced by: Launch Pod Studio | www.instagram.com/LaunchPodStudio

Links:

📱www.instagram.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱www.twitter.com/CanWeTalkRnB
📱https://www.tiktok.com/@canwetalkrnb
🎥 www.youtube.com/canwetalkrnb

#canwetalkrnbpodcast #rnb #podcast #rnbmusic #rnbvibes
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices