This week on The Underground Lounge, Lou Williams and Spank Horton welcome Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist, educator, and actor D Smoke into the Lounge for one of the most layered and inspiring conversations yet. Coming straight out of Inglewood, D Smoke opens up about growing up in a musical household led by his gospel-singing mother, who taught him and his brothers the fundamentals of music from an early age. From learning piano at five to earning a full academic scholarship to UCLA, he shares how his foundation in discipline and faith set the tone for everything that came after.

D Smoke takes the crew through his early start in the industry, writing for Jaheim at 19, building a home studio with his brothers, and navigating the highs and lows of being young and talented in Los Angeles. He talks about the family legacy that runs deep through his bloodline, including his grandmother’s work with legends and the tough choices his mom made between touring with Stevie Wonder and raising her kids.

The conversation dives into his time on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, where his viral exchange with Snoop Dogg and eventual win put him on the global map, and the lessons he learned from that experience about authenticity and preparation. D Smoke also discusses his passion for teaching and how his work as an educator helped him connect to his community beyond music.

From mastering Spanish and bringing bilingual storytelling into hip-hop, to finding balance between the streets and spirituality, D Smoke breaks down how duality shaped his artistry and worldview. He also opens up about stepping into acting, from early roles as a teen to his recent work on Mayor of Kingstown, and how storytelling in all forms fuels his purpose.

The Lounge closes out with real talk on faith, family, boxing, mentorship, and what it means to lead with integrity in an industry built on perception. It’s an episode that celebrates intellect, art, and the grind it takes to rise from Inglewood to international acclaim.

The Underground Lounge goes ghostly for Halloween with a special guest who’s seen things most people wouldn’t dare to imagine. Paranormal investigator and Ghost Brothers co-founder Dalen Spratt steps into the lounge to talk spirits, energy, and the afterlife like you’ve never heard it before.

Dalen breaks down how he went from working wardrobe on The Mo’Nique Show to becoming one of TV’s first Black ghost hunters, chasing shadows through slave plantations, cemeteries, and America’s most haunted places. He talks about using real tech to communicate with the dead, the emotional weight of helping families reconnect with loved ones, and what it’s like to stand face-to-face with energy that refuses to leave this world.

From chilling stories about The Conjuring House and Emmett Till’s gravesite to exploring the line between faith, fear, and the unknown, this episode balances laughs, deep insight, and spine-tingling moments. The crew keeps it funny, honest, and just spooky enough to make you question what you believe.

It’s the Underground Lounge Halloween Special, where comedy meets the paranormal and curiosity meets the afterlife. You might walk away believing… or still thinking it’s all cap. Either way, this one’s unforgettable.

In this episode of The Underground Lounge, Lou Williams and Spank sit down with R&B icon Case for an unfiltered, hilarious, and nostalgic deep dive into the highs, lows, and wild stories of a true 90s rockstar life. From his early grind in New York City to becoming the last artist Russell Simmons personally signed to Def Jam, Case walks us through his come-up, the legendary sessions that birthed hits like “Touch Me, Tease Me”, and the moment he realized his life had officially changed.

Case opens up about growing up with a father who once sang with Cameo, his first demo being written by Faith Evans, and what it was really like navigating the golden era of R&B. He shares stories about promo tours, sleeping in cars between gigs, and the kind of hustle artists today rarely experience, back when getting signed actually meant something, and you had to earn your shine through radio runs, live shows, and word of mouth.

The conversation quickly shifts from music to madness, with Case recalling wild nights in Philly, hanging with Allen Iverson, and the unforgettable moment that got him banned from Hot 97. From jumping out of hotel windows to being mistaken for a rockstar, the singer holds nothing back as he paints a vivid picture of the fast-paced, no-phones era of fame and chaos.

Lou and Spank dive into the evolution of R&B, debating whether today’s singers have lost that soulful edge. Case breaks down why real R&B never died, you just have to know where to find it , while name-dropping some of the new generation artists who still carry the torch. He also gets candid about why he refuses to listen to his own music in the bedroom, how cell phones would’ve ruined his prime, and what it’s like trying to perform through the flu while touring with Dru Hill.

From his wildest groupie encounters to his funniest onstage fails, Case brings stories that are as unbelievable as they are entertaining. Between the laughs, he drops real gems about longevity, creativity, and the freedom that comes with still loving what you do decades later.

This one’s packed with raw energy, R&B nostalgia, and plenty of moments that’ll have you saying, “They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.” Whether you grew up singing “Faded Pictures” or you’re just discovering Case, this episode is pure gold, a reminder of when talent, personality, and passion ruled the music game.