Podcast Summary: ALL OF IT Episode - 2025 Producer Of The Year Nominee Alicia

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart (filled by Tiffany Hansen for this episode)
• Publisher: WNYC
• Episode Title: 2025 Producer Of The Year Nominee Alicia
• Release Date: March 28, 2025

Introduction

In this special episode of ALL OF IT, hosted by Tiffany Hansen in place of Alison Stewart, listeners are introduced to Alicia, an accomplished DJ, producer, and bass player. Alicia has earned a remarkable recognition as a nominee for the 2025 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. This episode is part of WNYC's Women's History Month series, Equalizers, which spotlights women making significant strides in music production.

Alicia's Background and Career Path

Alicia begins by sharing her journey into music production, highlighting her foundational years at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. Initially focused on playing the bass, Alicia's passion for creating and producing music naturally evolved alongside her performance skills.

Alicia [02:01]:
"I think I was always a music lover and I always really was craving and wanting to be able to, you know, play everything I was hearing on bass... I was writing and producing people in school, but that later on I really focused on that for a bit."

Reflecting on her early influences, Alicia mentions her fascination with 1970s funk music, particularly artists like Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham.

Alicia [04:03]:
"I was a huge funk 70s music fanatic... that's really what I wanted to be able to play, you know, what I was hearing on bass."

Grammy Nomination and Notable Works

Alicia discusses her Grammy nomination, emphasizing that she was one of only a few women shortlisted for Producer of the Year in the non-classical category—a first in the award's history. She credits her work with prominent artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jamila Woods, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Ray Khalil for her recognition.

Alicia [08:02]:
"It was really an incredible year. I had the honor of working with a lot of different artists, and so it was... I was very humbled. I'm still, you know, very, very grateful for it, for sure."

Working with Mary J. Blige

Alicia recounts her collaboration with Mary J. Blige on the song "Love Without the Heartbreak", highlighting the seamless synergy and creative process that led to the track's success.

Alicia [04:55]:
"Working with her was really incredible... we had just a great time. We really just were vibing and trying to make the best we could make and just have fun with it."

The episode features a clip of Mary J. Blige performing a heartfelt rendition of her song, showcasing Alicia's production prowess in keeping the vocals front and center.

Mary J. Blige [05:43]:
"I'm so tired don't wanna feel it numb up no, no..."

Collaboration with Ray Khalil

Alicia delves into her work with Ray Khalil, particularly on the track "Is It Worth It", discussing the intentional production choices and the organic development of the song.

Alicia [09:01]:
"I started playing like on actually on my Moog Voyager, the baseline and the chords... and she started, like, writing down lyrics and just ideas, and that's how it came about."

The episode includes a snippet of Ray Khalil's powerful performance, highlighting the depth and emotion infused into the production.

Ray Khalil [09:58]:
"Is it worth it? Tell me is it worth it?..."

Production Insights and Song Highlights

Alicia shares her approach to music production, emphasizing the importance of live instruments and analog sounds in her work. She discusses the versatility required to produce diverse genres, from funk to DJ-friendly tracks.

Alicia [03:22]:
"I use a lot of, you know, live instruments and analog... so it's helping me a lot."

"Love Takeover" by Lion Babe

Alicia expresses her admiration for Lion Babe's track "Love Takeover", highlighting the energetic and danceable elements that resonate with her as a DJ.

Alicia [13:06]:
"It really makes me want to, like, spin that. And I... Brings me into that whole, like, DJ world."

A sample of the song is played, illustrating the vibrant production quality.

Creative Process and Studio Environment

The conversation shifts to Alicia's creative process, particularly how she fosters a conducive environment for artists in the studio. She mentions practices like burning Palo Santo to purify the space and setting personal routines to ensure mental clarity before sessions.

Alicia [14:30]:
"I always try to either... listening to music and just kind of sort of a meditation. Whatever works... it's very personal."

Alicia shares her personal ritual of lighting a candle each morning to set intentions for the day, underscoring the importance of mindfulness in her workflow.

Alicia [15:35]:
"Every morning, I light a candle... Set the intention for the day."

Challenges as a Woman in Music Production

Alicia candidly discusses the hurdles she faces as a woman in the predominantly male-centric music production industry. She speaks about being the only woman in many professional settings and the extra effort required to earn respect.

Alicia [16:18]:
"Sometimes, you know, I had that feeling that I had to prove like I had to be, you know, twice as better as someone else... I had to work really, really hard to, you know, and I'm still working hard."

Alicia emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-belief, and trusting one's instincts to navigate the industry's challenges.

Alicia [16:18]:
"You have to really have thick skin and really be grounded and really believe in yourself first and first and foremost..."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Tiffany Hansen summarizing Alicia's impactful contributions to music production and her pivotal role in the Equalizers series. Listeners are encouraged to explore more conversations within the series to gain deeper insights into the journeys of women in music production.

Tiffany Hansen [17:38]:
"That was Allison's conversation with Alicia, one of 2025's Grammy nominees for producer of the year non classical. And that's it for today's special Women's History Month episode featuring highlights from our series Equalizers Women in Music Production."

Key Takeaways

• Alicia's Evolution: From a bass player at Berklee to a Grammy-nominated producer, Alicia's journey underscores the seamless transition from performance to production.

• Collaborative Creativity: Alicia's work with artists like Mary J. Blige and Ray Khalil highlights her ability to elevate an artist's vision through thoughtful production choices.

• Emphasis on Live Instruments: Her preference for live instruments and analog sounds adds a rich, authentic texture to her productions.

• Creating a Positive Studio Environment: Practices like burning Palo Santo and setting personal intentions contribute to a productive and creative studio atmosphere.

• Navigating Industry Challenges: Alicia's experiences shed light on the persistent gender disparities in music production and the resilience required to overcome them.

For More: Listeners interested in exploring more stories of women in music production can visit the ALL OF IT podcast series on wnyc.org.