Exclusive BMF Interview

Summary

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

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an I heart podcast. I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody exclusive.

[Big Tank]

No, she don't lie about that. Right?

[Da Vinci]

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 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.

[Big Tank]

Give it up for Lauren Barola.

[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.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Building to talk about, you know, BMF.

[Londa Rosa]

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 Bigtank Thornton, who is a music supervisor for the show. Give it up for him. In Da Vinci, he played Carrie Flannery.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Y' all can see either side.

[Londa Rosa]

Where is the bitch? By oh.

[Da Vinci]

Excuse me, Da Vinci.

[Londa Rosa]

You gotta go back. They did not yell at that for us. And I walked in, I was like, oh, that goes T. And I was like, oh, no, he's not T right now, technically, but people connect to your.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Character and they connect to the music.

[Londa Rosa]

So we are going to get into 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.

[Big Tank]

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. The music has to feel like that. The cue of the music, the timing it comes in. How do you figure that out?

[Big Tank]

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 a 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.

[Big Tank]

To figure out a lot?

[Da Vinci]

No, it's not.

[Big Tank]

Oh, because you gotta understand there's a big mic going, right? So, okay, if his dialogue is going and there's music, then the mic's gonna pick everything up. So what 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.

[Da Vinci]

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 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 was. Those were original songs that were created for her to just feel like the time that she was in.

[Da Vinci]

Yeah, no, Jordan is actually dope. She's so dope. She's from Canada. She got 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 was invited 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.

[Londa Rosa]

Was 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.

[Big Tank]

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 labeling. She understood what she was doing. She understood what she sounded too up to date and how to sound more tlcish. 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 actually. I'm actually backstage when you just said tlc. Ish.

[Big Tank]

Okay.

[Londa Rosa]

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.

[Big Tank]

Right.

[Londa Rosa]

And so who does she write it and you produce?

[Big Tank]

So we have people come in, write the song like, the people who wrote like TLC's records, you know what I mean, and 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.

[Da Vinci]

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 legs, the glue? Yeah, you did. Boho.

[Da Vinci]

Wait, I. I know what it's like to sweat as living. I know why I got no little fan. Like, boy, it was, it was. I know I was like to itch. I know why y.

[Big Tank]

You know what I'm saying?

[Da Vinci]

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 wave, 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, we. 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.

[Big Tank]

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 tricking. 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. So you.

[Londa Rosa]

Sorry, Sue.

[Big Tank]

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?

[Big Tank]

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 this off, 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 feed. 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. They ain't giving me no more. If I keep going, somebody need to let me know because I got them. But I just don't know if I can keep going or not.

[Ashley]

Oh, you got a. Hi, my name is Ashley. 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 big, you real music during the scene. What's the budget like behind it?

[Londa Rosa]

That's 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 arts in and stuff like that.

[Big Tank]

Like, I like. I mean, I will license big label records. Like, you know what I'm saying? We definitely do that a couple of times an episode. But I'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 going to. It's going to continue to get back to us. So, like, I have a whole podcast coming out soon called the man behind the Music. The launch 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 about to wrap up.

[Londa Rosa]

I was like, yo, move into our. You make an adult for a little minute.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Do you have a question?

[Da Vinci]

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

[Big Tank]

Y.

[Da Vinci]

So, like, can people download that song.

[Big Tank]

After it's supposed to be released? Like, so stars usually will put out, Like, I do all. All of the 50 Cent shows, so Raising Canaan, 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.

[Da Vinci]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Fact, I had a question.

[Londa Rosa]

Someone tag me in. Tag me. Okay. How long did y' all shoot the last season for?

[Lauren LaRosa]

6, 7 months, 5 months.

[Londa Rosa]

And y' all never talked about this?

[Da Vinci]

No, I didn't know, like, the independent art and. Wait, so you could sign Jordan, too?

[Big Tank]

I'm really good.

[Da Vinci]

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.

[Big Tank]

It's opportunities out there, bro.

[Da Vinci]

We got talk.

[Londa Rosa]

Did you know he made music? What?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, we're about to wrap up because.

[Londa Rosa]

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

[Big Tank]

I need to go sign that kid. Always a stone. You know, we.

[Londa Rosa]

We 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.

[Big Tank]

Appreciate.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All righty, y' all. Well, that was the conversation that I sat down with BMFs, 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 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.