The Latest with Loren LaRosa: Exclusive BMF Interview Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Latest with Loren LaRosa
- Host/Author: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts
- Description: In today’s media, everyone’s posting and sharing, but who’s really vetting news while moving culture forward in an engaging and impactful way? “The Latest with Loren LaRosa” is a daily trending topic breakdown featuring exclusive celebrity news, breaking news, and conversations about the newest pop culture shows and destinations for the culture.
- Episode: Exclusive BMF Interview
- Release Date: June 4, 2025
Introduction
Lauren LaRosa kicks off the episode by introducing a special segment featuring an exclusive conversation with key figures behind the hit series BMF (Black Mafia Family). Responding to listener requests for celebrity interviews, Lauren welcomes fans to a deep dive into the show's latest season, focusing on its music supervision and production elements.
Notable Quote:
“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.”
— Lauren LaRosa [00:13]
Guests Introductions
Lauren introduces her guests:
- Da Vinci: Plays Southwest Terry in BMF and is also a music supervisor.
- Big Tank (Derek Bigtank Thornton): Music supervisor for BMF on Stars and other 50 Cent shows, including Power and For Life.
Notable Quote:
“Give it up for Lauren Barola.”
— Big Tank [01:17]
Role of a Music Supervisor
Big Tank elaborates on his responsibilities as a music supervisor, which include selecting and placing music within the series to enhance storytelling and maintain time-period authenticity.
Key Points:
- Song Selection: Choosing appropriate songs that reflect the era and characters' personalities.
- Composer Collaboration: Hiring composers and overseeing the creation of original scores and theme songs.
- Scene Integration: Ensuring music aligns seamlessly with on-screen action and dialogue.
Notable Quote:
“Basically, from hiring the composer, find the composers, all the songs, every song in the background... I'm picking.”
— Big Tank [02:33]
Discussion on Time-Period Music: Big Tank emphasizes the importance of studying the specific year the show is set in to select slang and music that feels authentic.
Notable Quote:
“It's time period appropriate. And then, you know, I really believe, like, when I'm watching a scene, the scene kind of tells me which way to go.”
— Big Tank [03:13]
On-Set Music Process
The conversation delves into the technical aspects of incorporating music during filming.
Key Points:
- Thump Tracks: Temporary music tracks used during filming to set the scene's mood without interfering with dialogue recordings.
- Playback Usage: Playing actual songs before scenes to help actors get into character, though actual music is added in post-production.
Notable Quotes:
“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.”
— Big Tank [04:03]
“Sometimes they'll just do playback...and everyone's like, ...but it's dead silent.”
— Big Tank [04:31]
Working with Jordan Alexander
Lauren shifts the focus to Jordan Alexander, an artist and actress portraying Purdy in BMF.
Discussion Points:
- Casting Choice: Selecting an actress with genuine musical talent to bring authenticity to her role.
- Collaborative Process: Da Vinci and Big Tank describe their positive experiences working with Jordan, highlighting her understanding of both acting and music.
Notable Quotes:
“I always like to cast someone who has music ability if they're playing the part of a music artist.”
— Big Tank [05:46]
“Jordan is actually dope... she was a real artist, you know, and an actress.”
— Da Vinci [05:12]
Producing Original Music for BMF
The guests discuss the creation of original songs for the show, ensuring they reflect the period's sound and the characters' experiences.
Key Points:
- Songwriting and Production: Collaborating with songwriters reminiscent of TLC’s style to produce authentic-sounding tracks.
- Integration with the Show: Ensuring that the music complements the narrative and enhances the overall viewing experience.
Notable Quote:
“We have people come in, write the song like, the people who wrote like TLC's records... and make sure it feels of that time.”
— Big Tank [06:47]
Set Design, Costumes, and Production Challenges
Lauren inquires about the visual aspects of BMF, particularly the dual-world settings and their impact on actors.
Discussion Points:
- Transformative Costuming: Actors' appearances change drastically between different settings, requiring meticulous preparation.
- Actor Experiences: Da Vinci shares his newfound respect for the effort women put into hair and makeup, recounting personal challenges during shoots.
Notable Quotes:
“I gained a lot of respect for women and what y’all go through.”
— Da Vinci [08:15]
“We got talk. We got talk.”
— Da Vinci [12:25]
Soundtrack and Licensing Insights
The conversation moves to how the soundtrack reflects the season's themes of tension and revenge, and the intricacies of music licensing for the show.
Key Points:
- Dynamic Soundtrack: Incorporating both west and east coast influences as the characters' activities shift across regions.
- Licensing Process: Big Tank explains the flexibility in licensing tracks, allowing adjustments based on scene edits and ensuring compliance with usage rights.
Notable Quotes:
“This season...we're starting to hit some coast. The west coast hit mock.”
— Big Tank [08:59]
“If you're an independent artist... I'm just licensing to use it on the show.”
— Big Tank [09:32]
Audience Interaction and Additional Insights
Listeners submit questions addressing fashion inputs and budget considerations for music licensing.
Key Points:
- Fashion Inputs: Discussion on how much input Big Tank and Da Vinci have on the show's fashion elements.
- Budget for Music: Big Tank reveals that the show occasionally licenses big label records and mentions an upcoming podcast, The Man Behind the Music, which will explore further music-related insights.
Notable Quotes:
“We have a whole podcast coming out soon called The Man Behind the Music.”
— Big Tank [11:15]
“How long did y’all shoot the last season for?”
— Lauren LaRosa [12:26]
Conclusion
Lauren wraps up the interview by expressing gratitude to her guests and the show’s production team. She encourages listeners to engage through social media and stay tuned for future episodes.
Notable Quote:
“I thank you guys for choosing me each and every time.”
— Lauren LaRosa [13:03]
Final Remarks
This episode of The Latest with Loren LaRosa offers an in-depth look into the musical and production intricacies of BMF. Through candid conversations with Da Vinci and Big Tank, listeners gain valuable insights into the role of music supervision, the collaborative process with artists, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a period piece. Additionally, the discussion highlights the seamless integration of music and visuals that contribute to the show's compelling narrative.
Connect with Lauren LaRosa:
- Twitter: @LaurenLaRosa
- Instagram: @LaurenLaRosa
Stay Tuned For:
- Upcoming Season of BMF: Premiering June 6th on Stars.
- New Podcast Launch: The Man Behind the Music - launching in about a month, focusing on the creators and stories behind the music in various shows.