Exclusive BMF Interview

Summary

Podcast Title: The Breakfast Club
Episode Title: Exclusive BMF Interview
Host: Lauren LaRosa
Release Date: June 4, 2025

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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.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript were omitted to maintain focus on the core discussion.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Unknown]

We all have that piece, the one that's so you. You've basically become known for it. And if you don't yet fashionistas, you'll find it on ebay. That Miu Miu red leather bomber, the cousteau Barcelona cowboy top, or that Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway. All these finds are all on ebay, along with millions of more main character pieces backed by authenticity guaranteed. Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion. EBay, things people love.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything.

[Da Vinci]

And everybody knows you don't lie about that, right?

[Big Tank]

Lauren came in.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, guys, it's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren the Rosa. Now, today's episode is going to be a bit different, but I do think I know my lowriders. You guys are going to enjoy it. So because y' all have been asking me, when are we bringing celebrity interviews to the podcast? Lauren? Well, here we are. 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. A music supervisor is a person who makes sure that the music is placed right. So when y' all watching the series, it feels like the time that we in, it feels good. The music is good and all those things. And y' all know Da Vinci plays Southwest Terry, Southwest T, who is Meech's brother in the series. Now, the new series or the new season of BMF comes on Stars on June 6th. So I sat down and we talked a bit about what it was like making this season and all of the twists and the turns and the music. Enjoy. Here's my conversation from the Breakfast Club.

[Da Vinci]

Give it up for Lauren Bar.

[Londa Rosa]

Hello. Hello, everybody. How are y' all? Y' all enjoying the conversation so far? Well, we have a treat for you guys. But before we get into the conversation, as he mentioned, I'm Londa Rosa here all the way from New York on the Breakfast Club. We have some special people in the building to talk about, you know, BMF and how the music industry and what BMF means to the music industry continues to impact the culture. So joining me today, we have Derek Dicktank Thornton, who is a music supervisor for the show.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Give it up for him.

[Londa Rosa]

In Da Vinci, he played Carrie Flannery.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Y' all can see either side.

[Londa Rosa]

Where is your bitch? By oh, excuse me, Da Vinci, you gotta go back. They did not yell at that for us. And I walked in, I was like, oh, there goes T. And I was like, oh, no, he's not T right now, technically. But people connect to your character and they connect to the music. So we are going to get in to the conversation tank. For those who don't know, can you explain, please, what is the role of a music supervisor? Like, what does that mean? What does it entail in television series? What's your day to day job and how did you decide? Well, answer that person and I'll ask you the second mark.

[Da Vinci]

So basically from hiring the composer, find the composers, all the songs, every song in the background. A lot of times theme songs. You know, if I'm not creating that, I'm having it created. So just every piece of music in a show, I'm gonna pick.

[Londa Rosa]

Okay, so once you get that together, you find the composer, you're picking the theme songs. How do you decide which tracks go in which, like, place? Because especially with BMF is such a, like a time period piece. Meaning, like, when you watch it, it's not present day, right? Music has to feel like that. The cue of the music, the timing it comes in. How do you figure that out?

[Da Vinci]

So first you need to study that year. You know, the slang's got to be right. You know, if we're talking about, you know, Suzuki Samurai, we're talking about, you know, somebody's fresh to death or whatever it is, it's got to be time period appropriate. And then, you know, I really believe, like, when I'm watching the scene, the scene kind of tells me which way to go. Like, if you pay attention to what the scene is doing, it will kind of lend you towards, you know, these songs should be a major. These songs should be A minor. What's this person listening to this? This is their attitude every single day. So they're probably listening to this kind of music. So it's just really studying who that person is and making sure that the music fits their character. So, you know, I love doing it. I love this basically A and R and a TV show.

[Londa Rosa]

When y' all are on set, is all of the music playing? Like, how we. When we watch it, or is it just like silent and you're just trying.

[Da Vinci]

To figure out a lot?

[Big Tank]

No, it's not, Fred, because you got.

[Da Vinci]

To understand there's a big mic going, right?

[Londa Rosa]

Okay.

[Da Vinci]

If this dialogue is going and there's music playing, then the mic's going to pick everything up. So when they hear I send in a, I send in what's called a thump track. So you'll hear, like. And people will be dancing to that. And then they can talk over it. And then I get it. And we put the music in. That's why he's looking at it now for the first time.

[Londa Rosa]

So you just used to be like, nah.

[Big Tank]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sometimes they'll just do playback. Like he said, they'll play the real song before the scene start, just so everyone could be in that zone. And then they'll be like, quiet the music, but keep dancing. So it's just silent as hell. And everyone's like. And then we're talking. They were acting like we're talking over the music. We're talking loud like, yo, I can't hear you, but it's dead silent.

[Londa Rosa]

All right, so this question is for both of you guys. What was it like working with Jordan Alexander? She plays Purdy in the series. So for those of you guys who were just watching that music video. She's the artist in that video. What was it like working with her? I'm hearing that that wasn't. Those were original songs that were created for her to just feel like the time that she was in.

[Big Tank]

Yeah, no. Jordan is actually dope. She's so dope. She's from Canada. Oh. She had an interesting way of seeing life, but it's still like the States. Canada is, like, basically like us, but they just say things different. And I'll invite her over to the house and everyone. And then we just started talking. I started picking her brain. I was like, oh, this is fire. Like, it was. She was a real artist, you know, and an actress was.

[Londa Rosa]

She cast it that you guys were specifically looking for an actress who was also an artist? Or did it just so happen that she's great for the part and she can actually. She has. She's a real artist who sounds good.

[Da Vinci]

You know what? It helps because I feel like, you know, just as a viewer of shows, you could tell when somebody actually has real music ability and what we're faking it. So I always think. In my opinion, I always like to cast someone who has music ability if they're playing the part of a music artist. You know what I'm saying? So it was definitely helpful in the studio being able to just tell her like, yo, let's cut that over. Let's do this, let's do that. And to speak to her as somebody who makes music. She understood all the language. She understood what she was doing.

[Lauren LaRosa]

She.

[Da Vinci]

She understood what she sounded too up to date and how to sound more TLC ish. You know what I mean? So that's what we're going for.

[Londa Rosa]

Oh, I had a question for y' all, but I can't ask it. I'll ask y' all backstage when you just said TLC ish. Okay, But I can't because I don't want to give away anything. But so you guys actually producing the music for her? The song that we just heard. So that's her song originally just. Well, for the show.

[Da Vinci]

Right.

[Londa Rosa]

And so does she write it and you produce?

[Da Vinci]

Okay, so we have people come in, write the song, like the people who wrote, like, TLC's records. You know what I mean? And it made those beats, and we'll have them come in and create something specifically for her. And then we'll go in and we'll record the record, make sure again, it gets mixed, and make sure it feels of that time. So same drum machine, same keyboards, same everything. So it sounds like that. So that's what we're doing.

[Londa Rosa]

Well, so music is one part of, you know, this season of bmf, but as every season in all of, you know, the 50 cent world of stars, but BMF for sure, you have set design. You have your costumes, your hair, your makeup. And in this season in particular, you guys are in two different worlds a lot. So the costuming and the look and, you know, everything looks really, really different. Da Vinci, talk to me a bit about, first of all, going into those two different worlds and shooting that and just how everything changes. Like your hair, your everything.

[Big Tank]

My security, too. He'll be watching me put the wig all week, dying, laughing. I'm literally talking to him, fixing it and, like, trying to cover the lace. And I'm like, now I know what girls go through.

[Londa Rosa]

Did you have to put the little thing around your edges to hold it down? The lace edges, the glue? Yeah, you did.

[Da Vinci]

Boho.

[Big Tank]

Like, I. I know what it's like to sweat living. I know why I got no little fan. She like, boy, it was. It was. I know what I like to itch. I know why. Y.

[Da Vinci]

You know what I'm saying?

[Big Tank]

I told you. Yeah, I know the whole feeling, bro. I ain't going to lie. I gained a lot of respect for women and what y' all go through, cuz I was annoyed as hell by these waves, boy. I was like, oh, my God, then. And my braids is like a week old under it. I'm like, bro, I'm going to take these out between takes. Me and me got rat tail comb. And we like, like, It's n. We.

[Da Vinci]

We.

[Big Tank]

We was going through it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And on the music side of it.

[Londa Rosa]

This season, what else? New Orleans different or just anything you want to talk about that you incorporated this season soundtrack wise to reflect how action packed it was. You know, the friction between the brothers, the, you know, characters out for revenge. There were certain times when I realized certain songs and I was like, oh, I see what they did there.

[Da Vinci]

I'm trying to talk to you without talking to you. You know what I mean? But this season, man, I think the biggest differences this year, we're starting to hit some coast, the west coast hit mock. We're gonna hear some early, you know, some early bouncy music from the South. So there's just things now that they're trained, now that they're moving around, the music's gotta move around too. So we're hitting all those things. Ain't nobody, you know on the music. We ain't doing no backflips or nothing.

[Londa Rosa]

Sorry, Sue.

[Da Vinci]

I'm saying, yeah, for sure. I was on my own stunts, you know what I'm saying?

[Londa Rosa]

What's the licensing like, though? Like, do you have like a certain amount of time you can use songs for? Or how does that work?

[Da Vinci]

You know what? And, you know, this is. That's a really good question. So that's a licensing question. So usually what happens is if I'm watching the scene, I'll figure out how long the song should be in there for and then we go out to get the song. So if you're an independent artist or whatever, and you're going to send in music, understand this is how it works. You know, basically I'm going to give you a feed and that's going to clear the song because I may want to change the. The length of the use as I watch it. Or we, you know, the editors cut it a little bit differently. So I'm going to give you a fee. You still own it. I'm just licensing to use it on the show. But it could be anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes. You know, we usually get in and get out pretty quick because nobody really sitting on the scene unless it's a montage, but that's a whole other story.

[Londa Rosa]

Well, I appreciate the conversation, y' all. I'm out of questions. I don't got nothing they ain't giving me no more. If I keep going, somebody need to.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Let me know because I got them.

[Londa Rosa]

But I just don't know if I can keep going or not.

[Unknown]

We all have that piece, you know, the one the thing that's so you. You've basically become known for it. And if you don't have yours yet, you'll find it on ebay. Putting you on here, fashionistas. Ebay is where you'll find those. One of a kind. Can't stop researching. Stay up dreaming about pieces again and again. I'm talking that Miu Miu off the Runway. Red leather bomber, the Cousteau Barcelona top with the cowboy on it, or that Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway. All these finds are on ebay and they even offer millions of main character pieces backed by authenticity guarantee. Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion. EBay, things people love.

[Londa Rosa]

Oh, you got a. Hi, my name is Ashley.

[Unknown]

My name on Instagram is. Exactly. I'm a content creator. Terri. After seeing small clips, I just wanted to say shape up on a lace front is crazy. That's number one. Real, real spicy. But I wanted to know two questions, one for you and one for Big Tank. So the question is for the fashion. Did you have any input? Because it's getting up there this season. That's number one. And number two is the second question for you. Was Biggie real music during the scene? What's the budget? Like, the homage?

[Londa Rosa]

Those are a great question. Like, are you working like a label when you're going out to these artists that you like? You know, you're bringing these independent arts in and stuff like that.

[Da Vinci]

Like, I have, like, I mean, I. I will license big label records. Like, you know what I'm saying? We definitely do that a couple times an episode, but it'd be like, mom, I got a song on bmf. You know what I'm saying? Because if you get back to them, I feel like they're gonna. It's gonna continue to get back to us. So, like, I have a whole podcast coming out soon called the man behind the Music. We launched in about a month, and we literally are going to be taking submissions from all y' all and breaking down the songs and showing up next to scenes and. Yeah, that's what we're doing. So I see we're about to wrap up.

[Londa Rosa]

I was like, yo, move into her for a little minute.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Do you have a question?

[Big Tank]

Yeah, yeah, I got a question for 10. Wait, so Jordan, who played the character, she get bread from that song?

[Da Vinci]

Yeah.

[Big Tank]

So, like, can people download that song? It's supposed to be released.

[Da Vinci]

Like, so stars usually will put out. Like, I do all. All the 50 Cent shows. So Raising Cane and Ghost, BMF Force. If there's a song on the show that we have an artist perform, stars will put that. That song out there into the marketplace. Make music, too, bro.

[Londa Rosa]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I have a crack. I have a question.

[Londa Rosa]

Someone tag me in. Tag me. Okay. How long did y' all shoot the last season for? 6, 7 months, 5 months? Y' all. I never talked about this.

[Big Tank]

No, I didn't know, like, the independent art and. Wait, so you could sign Jordan, too? That's not a conflict of interest, cuz. N. Well, I came from the music world. I just didn't like the labels and stuff like that.

[Da Vinci]

I. It's opportunities out there, bro.

[Big Tank]

We got time.

[Londa Rosa]

Did you know he made music?

[Da Vinci]

Nah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What? Okay, we're about to wrap up because.

[Londa Rosa]

Y' all ain't up here researching, and.

[Da Vinci]

I think you go sign that kid. Always a stone, you know what I'm saying?

[Londa Rosa]

We. He just figured something out. So when y' all sign that deal, can I please announce it exclusively on the burger fund? Done there. Absolutely. All right. Thank you, y' all. Thank y' all so much for being here.

[Da Vinci]

Appreciate that.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All righty, y' all. Well, that was the conversation that I sat down with BMF's Da Vinci and Big Tank to have during the Roots Picnic. And, y' all, I know there's been a lot out there about the Roots Picnic, and you know what I mean, but nature happened. They handled it the best that they could, but this conversation came out of that picnic. So I am forever grateful for stars inviting me out to have this conversation and for the Roots Picnic for even happening, because we wouldn't have had it. Let me know if you guys have enjoyed the conversation, if you'll be tuned in. And what was your favorite part of the conversation? Make sure you tweet me. Instagram repost this. All the things I'm Lauren LaRosa. I tell you guys, every episode, you guys could be anywhere, because at the end of the day, there's always a lot to talk about, and you could talk about it with anybody. I thank you guys for choosing me each and every time. I'll see you in my next episode. This is an I Heart podcast.