J. Valentine & Bobby Outside are back breaking down the Tank vs Tyrese Verzuz—two of R&B’s strongest voices going hit-for-hit. From vocals and catalog to star power and cultural impact, they go round-by-round and call it how they see it. This is real R&B talk—no filters.
In this episode:
Hit-for-hit Verzuz matchups
Vocals: tone, runs, and live ability
Turtlenecks !!!
Catalog vs moments
Who really won?

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KevOnStage —comedian, actor, and one of the most influential digital creators in comedy—joins & J. Valentine for a real conversation on building a career in the new era of entertainment. Known for his relatable, family-centered humor and viral content, Kev has built a massive audience across YouTube, Instagram, and live touring—bridging stand-up, faith, culture, and everyday life.

We get into the business of being funny, creating content that connects, and turning consistency into a scalable brand.

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Mary J. Blige—the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul—joins J. Valentine for a powerful conversation on legacy, resilience, and the music that changed the culture. From timeless classics to personal evolution, Mary opens up about the journey behind the records, the lessons that shaped her, and what it takes to stay at the top.

We also get into her upcoming Las Vegas residency, bringing her iconic catalog to the stage in a whole new way—celebrating a career that continues to inspire generations.

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Elmiene joins Tank & J. Valentine for a conversation on soul, storytelling, and carving out a voice in today’s R&B landscape. Known for his rich tone and emotional delivery, Elmiene talks about the journey from early influences to building a sound that feels timeless but current. We get into writing from real experiences, balancing vulnerability with artistry, and the discipline behind records that truly connect.

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The DMV wordsmith pulls up for a real conversation on lyricism, vulnerability, and building albums that age well. With Tank & J. Valentine, Wale talks poetic influence, balancing rap and R&B sensibilities, navigating the industry, and protecting the pen in an era driven by moments. We get into catalog highlights, creative pressure, mental resilience, and what growth looks like now.

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Legendary composer and arranger Dr. Benjamin Wright joins Tank & J. Valentine for a masterclass in orchestration, arrangement, and musical storytelling. From shaping iconic R&B records to scoring timeless moments, Benjamin breaks down how strings, horns, and live instrumentation elevate a song from great to unforgettable. We get into working with powerhouse vocalists, writing for emotion, and the discipline behind arranging music that still resonates decades later.

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Jaycen Joshua—Grammy-winning mix engineer and the ear behind countless modern classics—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to break down what separates a “good mix” from a record that feels finished. From gain staging and low-end translation to vocal placement, depth, and loudness, Jaycen walks through his workflow, mix decision-making, and the habits that keep sessions moving at the highest level. This one is for artists, producers, engineers—and anyone who’s ever wondered why some records hit different.

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Tricky Stewart—Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and RedZone architect—joins Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how era-defining records get built. From the first chord choice to the final vocal comp, Tricky breaks down the decisions behind smashes like Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” and more. We talk chemistry with The-Dream, building the right room, protecting an artist’s identity, and why drums, melody, and story matter most.

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Philip Lawrence—Grammy-winning songwriter/producer and frequent Bruno Mars collaborator (The Smeezingtons)—sits with Tank & J. Valentine to unpack how stadium-level records get built. We get into melody-first writing, lyric clarity, chord choices that carry a hook, and the vocal/arrangement details that turn good songs into culture-shifting moments. Philip traces the arc from early sessions to global smashes, the teamwork behind The Smeezingtons, and how he keeps taste sharp across eras.

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Blaq Tuxedo—brothers Darius & Dominique—pull up to talk songwriting, the journey, and building records that hit both the timeline and the stage. With Tank & J. Valentine, the duo breaks down their process from melody math to production choices, how they split roles in the room, and the rollout thinking behind new music. They also get into writing Chris Brown’s “Iffy” and their own record “Residuals.”

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