Ep.46: Honey Gold Jasmine never lost her inner child, even when people tried to beat it out of her. The Bay Area hip-hop soul artist grew up in a military family where creativity was something to tamp down, not celebrate. But a life-changing teacher in Richmond, a talent show she bombed in sixth grade, and the entrepreneurial energy of Vallejo kept her fire lit. Now she's building something that blends music, fairy festivals, and radical self-expression into a world that feels entirely her own.

In this conversation, we get into:

1. How a second-grade teacher who followed her students for three years changed everything
2. The moment a bombed talent show made her want to get better, not quit
3. Why being unapologetically yourself means owning your shadow, not just your light
4. What actually scares a fearless artist… and it's not the silence
5. Her vision for a traveling festival that's part Renaissance fair, part concert, part carnival

About Honey Gold Jasmine:

Honey Gold Jasmine is an artist who, through every breath & heartbeat, sees a new opportunity for artful action & intentional impact. The multifaceted Hip Hop Soul singer-rapper, actress, & event curator has a vision to help create a more imaginative, inclusive world. HGJ's head can be in the clouds, but she's down to earth & truly gamed up by The Bay Area, a magical product of her hometown Vallejo and Soultown Oakland.

Connect with Honey Gold Jasmine:

Instagram: instagram.com/hi.honeygoldjasmine

Website: honeygoldjasmine.com

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Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RL

This podcast is managed by Wildwave Podcasting: www.wildwavepodcasting.com

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

1. "Frequency Up" — Honey Gold Jasmine
2. "Candy Rain" — Soul for Real

Artists &...

Ep.45: Developing your artistic voice isn’t just about understanding your sound; it’s about permission, confidence, and learning how to trust yourself before the world catches up. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with Brandon J Marks to talk about what it actually means to build a creative identity that lasts. We dig into the making of Brandin Land, a bold, genre-bending concept album that blends gospel legacy, R&B, jazz, and pop into something timeless and globally resonant. Brandon opens up about creative freedom, mental clarity, and why learning your voice (mentally and musically) is the foundation of sustainable artistry. This conversation goes far beyond technique, touching on confidence, discipline, spirituality, and the inner work required to show up fully as an artist.

We Chat About:

1. Developing your artistic voice as an independent musician
2. Building Brandon Land as a concept album and creative world
3. Genre-bending music without chasing trends or eras
4. Why mindset is harder (and more important) than technique
5. Vocal mentorship, confidence, and learning your true range
6. Mental Detox: clearing emotional clutter and creative blocks
7. The “seven-second rule” for interrupting negative thoughts
8. Why artists need to learn how to sit with themselves
9. Creative energy, spirituality, and trusting your instincts
10. Choosing fulfillment, joy, and longevity over burnout

About Brandon J Marks:

Producer, Songwriter, Genre-Bending Artist, Brandon J Marks is taking the industry by storm. Born to a family of singers and musicians, Brandon has been singing, recording, and performing professionally since the tender, formative age of fourteen. Brandon has performed with some of music’s greatest talent, from Kim Burrell to pianist and super producer Rodney East. His creative approach to music is vast, rooted in gospel legacy and represents the perfect merging of R&B, jazz, and pop. After years of brand strategy, marketing, and garnering partnerships such as Sony Animation and the Oprah Winfrey Network, Brandon commenced his solo artistry in 2020 with the release of his debut song, Black Man. The release was recognized and endorsed by the Houston mayor for its activism and riveting performance. As a BMI songwriter, Brandon continues to develop a growing catalog of music and is set to pen for some of music’s greatest artists and motion picture soundtracks. A beacon through sound, each song sheds light and shares love.

Connect with Brandon J Marks:

Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gh/artist/brandon-j-marks/1541380334

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5F4SnF9qpUSZQe1j6f2qiQ

Listen on TIDAL: https://tidal.com/artist/22280794

Follow on Instagram:

Ep.44: Despite what most folks believe, the hardest part of being an artist isn’t the grind itself, it’s the quiet. The stretch where you’re doing everything “right,” pouring time, money, and heart into your work… and the world gives you nothing back. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with That Boy A.B, a storytelling rapper from New Jersey and longtime friend, to unpack what it actually takes to keep going when the applause isn’t there yet. We talk about how his mindset has evolved since his early buzz in the Philly/Jersey scene, why vulnerability is a creative advantage (even when it scares you), and how his experience building a successful seasonal business changed the way he approaches music today. A.B. shares the moment that pulled him back into recording: a wild, unexpected studio connection in South America, and why having a “stack of proof” matters more than motivational advice like “just believe in yourself.” If you’re trying to build something real in music (or any creative lane), this one’s a grounded reminder that success comes from systems, self-trust, and learning how to survive the in-between.

We Chat About:

1. Returning to music with a totally different mindset (and why the new work feels more “him”)
2. How A.B. accidentally discovered traction through TuneCore, and what he would’ve done differently with the data
3. Why vulnerability and relatability became his lane (even when he resisted it)
4. “Belief in yourself” vs. belief built through evidence, feedback, and real-world proof
5. Using business principles in music: targeting, systems, and doubling down on what actually works
6. Why you can’t force creativity, and what to do when you hit a mental wall in the studio
7. The difference between buying “things” and investing in relationships + shared experiences
8. The only advice that really lands: have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously, and double down on what works

About That Boy A.B.:

That Boy A.B. is a story-telling hip-hop artist from New Jersey who makes relatable music about life and relationships. His song Enough, detailing a relationship gone bad, exploded on streaming services in 2015. A.B has found a way to bridge the gap between old school hip-hop and new school rap. Influenced by artists like J. Cole, Fabolous, Drake, and Big Sean, he has mastered the art of story telling and reflecting while providing the listener with memorable wordplay and catchy hooks.

Connect with That Boy A.B.:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7w3T6KxU9UdcNaUcJl31Zx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthatboyab/

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: