Episode notes

The album: Intro: Intro (Atlantic, 1993)

This week rapper, producer, and songwriter Phonte (Foreign Exchange, Little Brother) joins Oliver and Morgan to talk about R&B group Intro’s 1993 self-titled debut album. The release was part of the changing tide of R&B music, when slow jams were giving way to more uptempo hits and singers were exchanging suits for Timbs and jeans.

Phonte shares about what Intro’s brand of new jack swing meant to him as a teenager learning about life in Greensboro, North Carolina. Don’t get him wrong: he was a hardcore hip-hop head, but he grew up both in an R&B household and in the church where singing was a big part of his musical formation. Phonte breaks down the group’s influence on his understanding of songwriting, lyrics, and the balance between uptempo and down-tempo songs. He also discusses the album’s mature themes, crediting them for helping a young brother’s macking game.

More on Intro

More on Phonte:

Tracklisting:

Intro: Love Thang

Intro: Let Me Be The One

Jodeci: Forever My Lady

Brick: Dazz (1976)

Heavy D & The Boyz: Mr. Big Stuff

Jade: Don’t Walk Away (1992)

A Tribe Called Quest: Award Tour

Mary J. Blige – You Don’t Have To Worry

Intro: Come Inside

Intro: Why Don’t You Love Me?

Intro: Ribbon in the Sky

Intro: One of a Kind Love

Faith Evans: Reasons

Intro: Ecstasy of Love

Intro: So Many Reasons

Intro: Don’t Leave Me

Intro: It’s All About You

Foreign Exchange: If She Breaks Your Heart (feat. Yahzarah)

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