Unglossy
Is influence built through hard work—or shaped by the choices no one sees? Hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, music industry veteran Jeffrey Sledge, and brand strategist Tom Frank, Unglossy cuts through the noise to explore what really drives creativity, influence, and legacy. No rehearsed talking points. No brand-approved answers—just honest conversations with people who’ve built something real. Unglossy brings you inside the minds of artists, athletes, founders, and cultural architects to unpack the grind behind the growth: the risks taken early, the setbacks that sharpened the work, and the discipline it takes to turn ideas into impact. If you care about culture, music, business, branding, or how ideas spread when effort meets opportunity, this is your front-row seat. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod and join the unfiltered conversation. Produced by Merrick Studios — where culture takes the mic.
Is influence built through hard work—or shaped by the choices no one sees? Hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, music industry veteran Jeffrey Sledge, and brand strategist Tom Frank, Unglossy cuts through the noise to explore what really drives creativity, influence, and legacy. No rehearsed talking points. No brand-approved answers—just honest conversations with people who’ve built something real. Unglossy brings you inside the minds of artists, athletes, founders, and cultural architects to unpack the grind behind the growth: the risks taken early, the setbacks that sharpened the work, and the discipline it takes to turn ideas into impact. If you care about culture, music, business, branding, or how ideas spread when effort meets opportunity, this is your front-row seat. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod and join the unfiltered conversation. Produced by Merrick Studios — where culture takes the mic.
Episodes

Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Menagerie
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Comedian and actor Tony Baker joins the show to share his take on violence in entertainment, fatherhood, the coronavirus vaccine, comedy during COVID, coach v. first class, and — yes — cruises. Royce gives an update on Heaven Studios. Tom plays show-and-tell with an award he won filming an AIDS documentary in Nigeria. Lupe recalls the day he won a Grammy but couldn’t accept the award in person, and he and Royce reminisce on past Grammy experiences and collaborations, and debate the decoupling of violence and hip-hop. Finally, Tony interviews Lupe and Royce about music and their careers, and Lupe gives a mini tour of his “menagerie of collectibles.”MERCH is here! Fresh tasty merch available now for a limited time from our partner Crooked Monkey — check it out at https://www.saywhat.media/shop. Love the show? Hit “subscribe,” leave us a review, and give us a shout on social using #lupeandroyce. The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.media. The presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Dream
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Señior Lupe describes a crazy dream he had recently, and makes a prank call that Royce does not find amusing. Lupe suffers a back injury, and he and Royce discuss past forays in fashion. The fellas talk about election fraud claims and the pageantry of politics, and William Howell joins as the show’s second guest. William is the Sydney Stein Professor in American Politics at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, a professor in the Department of Political Science and the College, and the director of the Center for Effective Government. Shoutout to Claude “Scorpion” Jennings — our audio engineer extraordinaire — it’s his birth-week!Love the show? Hit “subscribe,” leave us a review, and give us a shout on social using #lupeandroyce.The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Live
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
In our first live recording on YouTube, Royce talks about surprising voters at the polls in the Detroit area. The fellas debate American media and the challenges with cable news, prompting Lupe to talk about his desire to move abroad — and Tom to ask about the role of the “American Dream” in contributing to some of the successes he’s achieved today. Lupe and Royce talk about raising children, and recall getting disciplined when they were kids. They also revisit the powers of The Flash, leading Lupe to discuss his titillating childhood comic book collection. Lupe waxes poetic about taking showers, and ponders the zen of washing dishes. The three tell their experiences being pulled over by police, and investigate Tom’s wholesomeness. Finally, Royce reveals some of the odder jobs he had in his youth — and makes it clear that nobody puts Royce in a corner with his Kool-Aid. Is show merch on the horizon? Does Tom have a new nickname? Scrub-a-dub-dub, listen to this one in the tub!The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Fire
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Lupe gives an update about the wildfires near his home, eventually leading to a discussion about unusual conspiracy theories. Tom gives kudos to Lupe for his shoutout from LL Cool J, and the fellas reflect on the moments that still make them feel like kids when it comes to artists they admire. The dudes give an update about what COVID life looks like these days, debate whether it’s safe to fly, and try to imagine vaccine roll-out. Finally, Lupe reveals the most interesting Halloween costume he never wore. Listen to the show while making some spaghetti or wandering around your substantial property. P.S.: Subaru — call us! The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Cube
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Royce tells us more about the launch of the Ryan Montgomery Foundation, considers some of the stigmas associated with therapy, and reveals why he believes so strongly in its power that he’s on a mission to make it more accessible. Lupe addresses his “Vote Joe Biden” Instagram post this week, and along with Royce and Tom welcomes the show’s first guest — LA Times columnist Erika D. Smith — to discuss both Ice Cube and Diddy’s forays into politics with the “Contract with Black America” and “Our Black Party,” respectively. The fellas discuss Killer Mike’s new digital bank, and consider opening an account for The Lupe & Royce show’s dirty, freaky money. Lupe & Royce attempt to answer a listener question about which songs or artists have had a profound impact on their lives, and Lupe reveals his latest obsession. Is a Lupe & Royce road trip on the horizon? Are massausages the next big trend? Listen to find out!Fore more information about the Ryan Montgomery Foundation, call 1-833-Royce59 or visit www.ryanmontgomeryfoundation.orgThe Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Vote
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
As Lupe puts it: This episode may be offensive to a range of people. Lupe and Royce discuss who they’re voting for in the upcoming election and what it means to be American. The fellas describe their experiences with COVID-19 testing, Lupe asks Tom to describe the taxonomy of white people, Royce explains what happened between him and Eminem stans, and they discuss the concept of “the sacred space” — and how social media has blurred the lines between public and private. The gentleman discuss their sophisticated relationships with golf, and not-so-sophisticated experience with brothels. Finally, Tom and Lupe congratulate Royce on the launch of the Ryan Montgomery Foundation (www.ryanmontgomeryfoundation.org), which empowers underprivileged communities through advocacy, education and personal enrichment.The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Music
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Lupe & Royce school Tom with a little Music 101, educating him on the nuances between artists, musicians, lyricists, songwriters, and singers. Royce reveals who he considers to be the greatest hip-hop producer of all-time — and which up-and-comer may be next. The fellas discuss why remakes create great hip-hop records, and discuss the role of the back office in the record business. Finally, they unpack the meaning of “relevancy,” and the genres that began and influenced music in Chicago and Detroit. Is “Kick Push” a relevant record? Listen to learn Royce’s hot take … and the origin story behind it and some of the dudes’ other most popular songs.The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Meat
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
In this episode, Lupe and Royce share their perspectives on drinking, explore why Royce never found his “signature drug,” discuss a must-visit city, talk about cars, and tell a “man massage story” that may or may not be podcast-appropriate. Grab your O’Doul’s and get ready to book your next basement haircut!The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Cruise
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
In episode two, the fellas debate who would be hip-hop’s best candidate for U.S. President; Lupe challenges Royce and Tom to a fanciness contest; and Royce educates Lupe on the Boblo Boat and Detroit cruise culture. Mark your calendars for the “Live from a Cruise Somewhere” podcast special, downloadable on a phone near you in 2022!The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.mediaThe presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Nino
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Lupe gets a sword, and confesses to something he stole in Detroit. They discuss “Black Panther” & Royce’s unusual approach to movie-watching. Royce recalls his faux pas the time he met Wesley Snipes & Leon Robinson. The conversation ends on a more serious note, reflecting on Jacob Blake and the state of policing in the U.S., with Lupe, Tom and Royce each offering a unique viewpoint. The Lupe & Royce Show is a Say What Media production: https://www.saywhat.media.The presenting sponsor of this episode is Blue Microphones: https://www.bluemic.comSend a textSupport the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices





