The Breakfast Club – Christopher Williams Interview

iHeartPodcasts | December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

Legendary R&B singer and actor Christopher Williams sits down with DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God for a refreshingly candid interview about his return to music, past health struggles, iconic role in "New Jack City," new creative ventures ("The Book of Akbar"), reflections on the music industry, and Black culture. Williams delves deep into his journey, exploring themes of resilience, legacy, industry pitfalls, and personal transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Defining An Era: Christopher Williams and New Jack Swing

• Intentional Sound and New Jack Swing (03:10):
  • Williams describes being caught between labels associating him with other light-skinned singers (Al B. Sure, El DeBarge), while his real voice bore resemblance to icons like Teddy Pendergrass.
  • On crafting his sound:

    "My thing was so confusing...I sound like Teddy Pendergrass a little bit...Once we got with Stanley Brown...we came up with Dreamin' and songs like Every Little Thing and that kind of like set the pace." (03:33)

• Label Struggles:
  • Early career issues – signed to a rock label (Geffen) "didn’t understand Black music," eventually moved to Uptown Records with Russell Simmons and Andre Harrell.
  • Reflects on Uptown as creatively magical but also fraught with internal struggles and business mistakes.

Uptown Records, Industry Turmoil, and Blackballing (06:16–09:00)

• Industry Conflict: Williams talks about his legendary falling out with Uptown, tensions with Andre Harrell, and how this led to the label's decline.

  • "I basically shut Uptown down. And basically that resulted in Mary [J. Blige] getting free, Jodeci getting free." (06:56)

• On Being Misunderstood:

  • "I got all the blame for it. I got crucified for it. I got blackballed for it." (07:10)

• Accountability and Growth:
  • Williams is now focused on "picking my brothers up," calling for Black solidarity and understanding.

Artistic Evolution & Maintaining Hope (11:30–14:00)

• Past Perceptions and Talent Overshadowed:
  • "In my 20s, it was all about either being Al B. Shaw’s cousin or looking a certain way or who I dated. I didn’t know you had talent." (13:27)
• The Power of Self-Perspective:
  • Cites Bob Marley: "You only you can free your mind from mental slavery." (09:39)
• Comparisons with Charlie Wilson, Industry Cycles:
  • Williams references other artists’ comebacks, correlating their resilience with his own career renaissance.

Health Crisis & Life-Changing Wakeup (15:15–18:00)

• Near-Death Experience:
  • In 2021, Williams fell into a coma due to kidney failure, waking up 24 days later, paralyzed and “130 pounds,” his lowest point.

  • "I woke up in hell, you know. But it was the best thing that could have happened to me because everything got stripped away from me." (16:36)

• Full Recovery & Purpose:
  • "I’m not on one pill. My kidneys totally recovered. All because of believing."
• New Mission:
  • Emphasizes coming "full circle" and using music as a platform for a larger life purpose.

Return to Music & Creative Synergy (18:10–21:00)

• Collaborations and the Comeback:
  • Reunited with Vincent Herbert (introduced Faith Evans, developed early talent).
  • New album "War and Peace" due March 2026 (“probably the best R&B album I’ve ever made in my life” – Vincent Herbert at 96:02).
• Single "Good Enough": Initially hesitant, Williams cut the song, which drew influence from Chris Brown ("He’s this generation’s Michael Jackson if you ask me." 21:10).
• On Aging in the Game:
  • "Our culture’s still in good hands musically…youth needs wisdom, wisdom needs innovation." (98:36)

The Book of Akbar: New Jack City’s Spiritual Sequel (21:25–38:30)

• The “Book of Akbar” Project:
  • Williams wrote a story as a spiritual sequel to New Jack City, focusing on his character Kareem Akbar’s re-entry to society post-prison, tackling themes of redemption and generational change.
  • Notable casting: Dave East as Mustafa (Kareem’s son), A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie as Nino’s kid, Ice T possibly returning (31:00–31:33).
  • Signed with HBO—Williams and Herbert to executive produce.
• Reflecting on "New Jack City" & Black Cultural Impact:
  • The film’s legacy, behind-the-scenes industry stories, Wesley Snipes’ influence, and the role music played.

The Realities and Dangers of Fame, Music, and Black Celebrity (43:25–50:00)

• Personal Costs, Industry Pitfalls:
  • On the era’s relationship drama overshadowing talent (45:00–46:10): Stacey Dash, Halle Berry, and others.
  • The emotional consequences of industry blackballing and betrayal, and relationships that changed the trajectory of his career.
• On Surviving, Adaptation, and Resilience:
  • “Music don’t make me. I make music.” (44:40)
  • Despite public rumors and blackballing, Williams remains unbroken, now focused on personal authenticity and contributing to Black education and wellness.

Industry Controversies & Clearing Rumors (58:28–66:00)

• Addressing Rumors:

  • Williams addresses longstanding rumors about himself and Puff Daddy (Jaguar Wright, Gene Deal, etc), firmly denying any truth and refusing to be "baited" into tabloid drama (59:54).

  • "Puff's always been a kid to me...I hope whatever he has to go through, he comes out of it, you know, I hope that he realizes who he is and finds a real path for what he is supposed to be doing with his life. Because he's a...Puff's probably the hardest [worker] I've ever seen in music." (65:30–65:52)

• Systems, Power, and Black America:

  • Deep dives on social systems, institutional racism, and the constructed nature of the music business, government, and education.
  • Williams frequently references Kemet (ancient Egypt), self-knowledge, and urges listeners to "fact check" his history.

Spiritual Wisdom, Universal Truths, and Community Building (72:00–90:00)

• Consciousness and Community:
  • Williams shares insights on sovereignty, Black self-sufficiency, indoctrination through school, food, and religion; encourages seeking knowledge and rejecting false limitations.

  • "Love is the only thing that’s going to conquer this thing. We keep searching for a savior in government. They're all on the same team...Blue, red—all of that—when you mix together, it's purple..." (78:18)

• Freedom and Liberty:
  • Critically unpacks concepts of "freedom," "justice," and "dominion" in American life; distinguishes between true freedom and "liberty" as permission (87:21).
  • Importance of inner freedom and the need to teach young Black men confidence and self-worth in a system designed against them.

Legacy, Giving Back, and the Next Phase (93:15–99:15)

• Building up the Next Generation:
  • Williams and Herbert discuss how helping and believing in one another changed their lives and careers.

  • Vincent Herbert: "All I'm doing is paying it forward. You believed in me—you gave me an opportunity when no one knew who I was." (95:26)

• Album Details:
  • "War and Peace" features Devante, Swizz Beatz, Troy Taylor, Brian Michael Cox, Rico Love, and others.
  • Herbert calls it "the best R&B album I've ever made in my life." (96:02)
• Message for Listeners:
  • Williams and Herbert underscore the power of mutual support in the Black community, fusing tradition, innovation, and self-belief.

Memorable Quotes

• On Authenticity and Survival:

  "Music don’t make me. I make music. I put my pants on the same way 13 that I do now." – Christopher Williams (44:40)

• On Perseverance:

  "When you have a gift that's given to you, man can't stop it." (09:36)

• On Industry Exploitation & Black Agency:

  "The only systems that have ever worked in the history of man is ancient Kemet...We call it Africa. That's not even the name of the continent." (53:07)

• On the Power of Mutual Uplift:

  "If one person takes that perspective and each one of us take that perspective, then things could change." (52:06)

• On New Age R&B:

  "Chris Brown ain't crap. H.E.R. ain't crap. Jasmine Sullivan ain't crap...These people are young, gifted people. And just like when we were coming up...They said hip hop was from the devil and that it would never last. 52 years later, the whole world is honoring it." (41:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:07] Christopher describes defining his sound in the New Jack Swing era
• [06:16] Explains what led to the fall of Uptown Records and personal consequences
• [13:27] On being typecast and his talent being overlooked due to looks/industry narratives
• [15:15–18:00] Williams details his coma and how it changed his outlook on life and purpose
• [21:27] Breaks news about “The Book of Akbar” (spiritual sequel to New Jack City)
• [45:00–46:10] Talks about personal relationships overshadowing his music
• [58:28–59:54] Addressing rumors about Diddy and industry hearsay, clearing the record
• [65:30–65:52] On Diddy’s legacy and the consequences of “the system”
• [78:18] On the illusion of political difference—“blue, red...when they mix together, it’s purple.”
• [86:13] On the tragedy of Biggie and Tupac, and changes in the code of manhood
• [96:02] Vincent Herbert praises the new album as the best R&B record he’s made
• [98:36] Urging the community to fuse “youth with wisdom, wisdom with innovation”

Tone & Atmosphere

• The conversation is candid, humorous, but also deeply philosophical—a journey through real-life adversity, the highs and lows of fame, and hard-earned wisdom. Williams remains humble, spiritual, and sometimes conspiratorial, but always focused on building up others and sharing the lessons from his unique path.

For Listeners: Why It Matters

This episode presents a human portrait of Christopher Williams—icon, survivor, mentor, philosopher, and artist. It’s a masterclass in navigating the music industry's traps, recognizing your worth beyond your setbacks, and using your journey to empower and educate others. The new album and TV projects are not just creative milestones; they’re the next act of a man committed to legacy and uplift.

Related Projects

• New Music: "War and Peace" (March 2026)
• TV/Film: "The Book of Akbar" series, executive produced by Williams & Herbert (HBO)
• Single: "Good Enough"

Compiled and formatted for maximum clarity and engagement for those who missed the conversation or want to revisit its depth.