The Shadow People

Nigel Live from Barcelona: Jazzy Jeff Sessions, Lettuce’s “Rising to the Top,” + SE Mic LoveNigel checks in from Europe with road stories, studio heat, and a little airline chaos. From recording with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Corey Fonville, and rising vocalist Ronnie Lux, to Lettuce’s new take on Kenny Burke’s “Rising to the Top,” this one’s a music-nerd feast.

Derrick holds it down at Brown Hound Sounds on our brand-new sE Electronics DCM8 ...

What happens when you hand the mic to Jelly on her birthday, invite Yolanda Ross fresh off her run on The Chi, and let Derrick cook? You get one of the most heartfelt and funniest episodes yet.Yolanda opens up about growing up in Omaha, chasing fashion before acting found her, and the unlikely path from SNL background work to starring in HBO films and working with Denzel Washington. She breaks down how she grieved her Chi character...

Tipitina’s is home court for working musicians, and the room feels it. LBJ sets the table, Derrick and Nigel bring the friendly chaos, and the Shadow Band turns the stage lights into a living room. What follows is pure New Orleans: road stories and weather jokes, a tender moment about fathers and sobriety, and the reminder that music is the family business even when life gets heavy.Ivan Neville drops in straight from the bus to tal...

Corey Glover — legendary frontman of Living Colour, actor in Platoon, and Broadway’s Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar — joins Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall for a raw, hilarious, and inspiring deep-dive into his career.

From grinding in Brooklyn rehearsal spaces with Vernon Reid to scoring a global hit with “Cult of Personality,” Corey breaks down the birth of the Black Rock Coalition, the struggle for Black artists in rock, and what...

In a beautifully introspective episode, legendary musician and composer Patrice Rushen joins Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman to discuss the artistry, humor, and profound wisdom behind her prolific musical journey. Renowned for her iconic hit "Forget Me Nots," Patrice's groundbreaking career spans jazz, funk, R&B, and film scoring. Tune in as she shares candid insights into the meticulous craft of composing for film...

Listening to DJ Soul Sister talk about music feels like stumbling upon a secret library filled with records you've only ever dreamed existed, each groove worn deep by a thousand loving spins. In this episode of The Shadow People, hosts Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman sit down with the beloved New Orleans DJ, whose encyclopedic knowledge of funk, soul, disco, and R&B is matched only by her passion for the craft.From her earli...

In Episode 18 of The Shadow People Podcast, Grammy-winning musician Nigel Hall welcomes back the beloved Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph, who fills in while Derrick enjoys a much-deserved vacation in Mexico. Nigel and Jelly conduct an honest, heartfelt, and often hilarious conversation covering music, parenthood, and the creative journey toward finding your artistic identity. From Nigel’s emotional Father’s Day spent with his son...

In this very special episode of The Shadow People, we welcome the esteemed Lebron Joseph aka LBJ to the studio to discuss New Orleans' complicated historical handling of Juneteenth, the ways in which the media game has changed, and the legacy of Sly Stone (RIP). LBJ has been a broadcaster in New Orleans for over 40 years. He’s the anchor of Good Morning New Orleans on WGNO and hosts New Orleans Music Playlist on NOLA 38. LBJ i...

In Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, we examine more deeply the truth behind the music industry: mastering myths, artistic ego checks, and what it really means to create music that moves people.Jeff talks candidly about the modern music landscape, why mixing and mastering are often misunderstood (and overpriced), and how emotion, not perfection, is what listeners really want. Plus, he breaks down what mak...

DJ Jazzy Jeff on Philly, Neo-Soul, & Why You Need to Release Your MusicIn this monumental episode of The Shadow People, Nigel and Derrick sit down with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation. From his early production days in Philly to the birth of Jill Scott's iconic debut album, Jeff shares wisdom on music, legacy, and why creatives shouldn't die with unreleased work stuck on a har...

Jazz Fest is over and The Shadow People are back—tired, reflective, and ready to speak on it. In this episode, hosts Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall share raw, funny, and emotional stories from this year’s Jazz Fest, including a show-stopping set with Nikki Glaspie and their crew at the Maple Leaf. They get personal about sobriety, creative evolution, and what it means to perform with your real-life friends.

But it’s not all love and...

Drummer, bandleader, and all-around powerhouse Nikki Glaspie (Dumpstaphunk, Beyoncé, The Nth Power) joins Derrick and Nigel for a raw, hilarious, and revealing episode of The Shadow People.

From playing stadiums with Beyoncé to mushroom-fueled tours through Colorado, Nikki shares the road-tested wisdom and wild memories that shaped her career. She and Nigel revisit their time in The Nth Power—including the moment he unceremoniously ...

It’s Jazz Fest season in New Orleans, and The Shadow People are back with a heavy-hitting episode featuring trombonist, arranger, and all-around musical badass Alex Wasily—best known for his work with Dumpstaphunk, Earth Wind & Power, and the Very Good Mondays series.Alex joins Nigel Hall, Derrick Freeman, and Danny Abel for a full-on hang in the Brown Hound Sounds studio, talking everything from the importance of rehearsal, th...

It’s Festival Season in New Orleans, and The Shadow People are back with another killer episode. Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman dive into French Quarter Fest highlights, Jazz Fest prep, and the legendary hustle of gig life in the city.Then, things get funky as the crew holds the first-ever 70s Musician Draft, assembling dream bands from a curated list of groove masters, soul icons, and jazz-funk legends. 🥁🎹🎤 Who drafted the bett...

Episode 10 of The Shadow People Podcast is here, and Nigel Hall & Derrick Freeman have plenty to unpack—starting with Louisiana's wild recent election where Governor Jeff Landry’s proposed amendments were unanimously rejected. Find out why Derrick was baffled by receiving a personal voting reminder from none other than 50 Cent, who's apparently now a "Louisiana property and business owner."But the madness doesn’t stop there. Th...

In Episode 9 of The Shadow People Podcast, Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall sit down with legendary New Orleans musician Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk, Neville Brothers, The Rolling Stones). Ivan dives deep, sharing powerful stories from his wild early days, behind-the-scenes adventures touring with the Neville Brothers, and candid reflections on his journey to sobriety. From hilarious tales of local icons to confronting vulnerability t...

Ever wonder what Mardi Gras is like for the musicians who keep the city moving? 🎷🎭In this episode, Angelika “Jelly” Joseph (Tank and the Bangas, Galactic) joins Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall to talk about the real Mardi Gras experience—not just as locals, but as artists balancing the chaos, the gigs, and the celebrations.🍾 Navigating Mardi Gras as both a job and a party🎶 How New Orleans music crosses racial and cultural bounda...

Nigel Hall is back in the studio after a long tour, reflecting on road life, the highs and lows of performing, and how self-care keeps him grounded. Derrick Freeman and Nigel discuss mental health in the music industry, losing loved ones, and how artists carry the weight of cultural responsibility in their work.Smoker and Nigel dissect:🎭 The grind of touring and why it’s not all glitz and glam💔 Coping with loss and the importance...

In The Shadow People Episode 6, Nigel Hall checks in from Miami before boarding Jam Cruise while Derrick Freeman holds it down at home. They dive into Kendrick Lamar’s cultural impact, the stupidity of Kanye, and the Super Bowl’s unexpected moments—from Philly’s domination to Trump’s awkward appearance.Special guest Danny Abel joins to break down the chaotic Super Bowl scene in New Orleans, where local businesses suffered while the...