Podcast Title: The Breakfast Club
Episode Title: Exclusive BMF Interview
Host: Lauren LaRosa
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Introduction to the Episode
In this special episode of The Breakfast Club, host Lauren LaRosa dives into an exclusive interview centered around the acclaimed television series BMF (Black Mafia Family). Breaking away from the show's typical format, Lauren introduces listeners to insightful conversations about the intricate relationship between music and television production.
Guest Introduction
Lauren welcomes two key figures involved in the BMF production:
- Da Vinci (Derek Dicktank Thornton): Music Supervisor for BMF on Stars and other 50 Cent shows.
- Big Tank: Music Supervisor for BMF on Stars and other 50 Cent shows.
Lauren provides a brief overview of their roles, emphasizing Da Vinci's portrayal of Southwest Terry, Meech's brother in the series.
Notable Quote:
Lauren LaRosa introduces the episode, stating, “So I sat down in an exclusive conversation with Da Vinci from BMF and Big Tank, who is a music supervisor for BMF on Stars and a ton of other 50 Cent shows.”
[01:48]
The Role of a Music Supervisor
Lauren probes into the responsibilities of a music supervisor within a television series.
Da Vinci explains:
“As a music supervisor, I’m responsible for hiring and finding composers, selecting every song in the background, and ensuring that theme songs are aptly created. Essentially, I’m picking every piece of music that goes into the show.”
[03:04]
He elaborates on the meticulous process of matching music to scenes, emphasizing the importance of time-period accuracy and character alignment.
Notable Quote:
“They have to feel like that. The cue of the music, the timing it comes in… it's really about studying who that person is and making sure that the music fits their character.”
[03:44]
Working on Time Periods and Scene Matching
The discussion delves into how music supervisors ensure that the soundtrack aligns with the show's historical setting.
Da Vinci shares:
“When we're talking about, you know, Suzuki Samurai, someone's fresh to death, it's got to be time period appropriate. If you're watching the scene, it guides which songs should be major or minor, and what the character is listening to reflects their daily attitude.”
[04:28]
Collaboration with Cast Members
Lauren inquires about the collaboration between the music supervisors and the cast, specifically focusing on working with Jordan Alexander.
Londa Rosa asks:
“What was it like working with Jordan Alexander? She plays Purdy in the series. She's an artist in the music video, and those were original songs created for her to feel like the time she was in.”
Big Tank responds:
“Jordan is actually dope. She's a real artist and an actress. It was helpful in the studio to interact with her as someone who makes music. She understood the language and what she was doing.”
[05:43]
Da Vinci adds:
“She understood how to sound more TLC-ish, which is the direction we were aiming for.”
[06:53]
Music Production for the Show
The conversation shifts to the production of music tailored for the series, highlighting the efforts to maintain authenticity.
Da Vinci explains:
“We have people who write songs similar to TLC's records. They create beats specifically for the show, and we record and mix them to ensure they feel like that time period. We use the same drum machines and keyboards to maintain the authentic sound.”
[07:18]
Set Design and Production Elements
Lauren transitions the discussion to other production aspects, such as set design and costuming, especially when depicting different worlds within the series.
Da Vinci discusses:
“As we move into different coasts, the music adapts to reflect those changes. It’s about keeping the music consistent without doing backflips or drastic changes.”
[09:30]
Big Tank humorously shares:
“Putting wigs on set was a learning experience. It gave me a newfound respect for the intricate work women do with hair.”
[08:25]
Licensing of Music
A critical part of the discussion revolves around the licensing process for songs used in the show.
Da Vinci elaborates:
“When I watch a scene, I determine how long a song should play and then license it accordingly. Whether it’s 30 seconds or two minutes, I handle the licensing to use the song on the show. We often license big label records as well as independent artists.”
[10:03]
He also mentions an upcoming podcast, The Man Behind the Music, aimed at breaking down songs featured in the show.
Notable Quote:
“We have a whole podcast coming out soon called The Man Behind the Music. We’re taking submissions and showing how songs align with scenes.”
[12:32]
Conclusion
As the interview wraps up, Lauren expresses gratitude towards the guests and emphasizes the seamless integration of music and storytelling in BMF. She encourages listeners to engage with the show and share their favorite moments.
Lauren concludes:
“This was the conversation I had with BMF's Da Vinci and Big Tank during the Roots Picnic. Let me know if you've enjoyed the conversation and what your favorite part was. Make sure you tweet me, Instagram repost this—all the things. I tell you guys, every episode has a lot to talk about, and you could talk about it with anybody.”
[14:19]
The episode underscores the pivotal role of music supervisors in shaping the auditory landscape of television series, ensuring that every beat and lyric resonates with the narrative and characters.
Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript were omitted to maintain focus on the core discussion.