If “Beginnings” was the road trip, R&B is the night drive, windows down, city lights cutting through the rearview, and that low hum of conversation that drifts between philosophy and pure vibe. Vic and Gerardo are back for episode two of Inspire by Sound, this time diving into a genre that’s been quietly rewriting its own rules. Their chemistry feels sharper now, not rehearsed, but instinctive, like two curators who’ve started to trust their flow.
The mix opens with confidence, not just from the hosts, but from the artists they spotlight. Each track feels like a different corner of the R&B landscape, moody, experimental, and self-assured. It’s not a lecture about where R&B is going; it’s an experience of what it feels like right now.
When Anders’ “Bossy” slides in, it’s immediately clear why it made the cut. The beat hits with sleek precision, all polished drums and subtle swag, but what catches both hosts is Anders’ tone. Vic calls it “smooth but assertive,” a kind of melodic confidence that walks that fine line between charm and control. Gerardo adds that it feels like “Toronto energy in its most evolved form,” where R&B, hip-hop, and pop melt into something glossy yet soulful.
“Lil Mama” by DLG. flips the tone completely. The production leans into the warmth, playful but with layers, and the hosts latch onto that immediately. Vic describes it as “colorful,” almost nostalgic, but modern enough to sit in any playlist today. Gerardo picks up on the movement of the record, calling it “a song you could play poolside or post-show, and it still fits.”
By the time Caleborate and Blvckwave’s “These Days” comes on, the episode’s energy starts to deepen. Gerardo notes how the record “feels like growth,” both sonically and lyrically, the kind of introspection that comes after you’ve been through a few storms. Vic brings up the subtle jazz textures, the way the verses move with intention, how Blvckwave’s vocals layer emotion without overcomplicating the mix.
Mix 2 kicks off with Buddy & Kent Jamz’s “She Think,” and instantly, the energy brightens again. Vic laughs mid-sentence, that kind of “this one just feels good” moment, while Gerardo nods, vibing along to the rhythm. It’s smooth but mischievous, a little flirty, perfectly calibrated. The duo talk about how Buddy and Kent always manage to make R&B sound unbothered yet intentional.
Childish Major’s “For You” slows the pace, but not the pull. The production feels intimate, those layered harmonies, the space between the drums, and both Vic and Gerardo sink into it. Gerardo mentions how it “feels like a voice note turned into a song,” that sense of closeness and honesty. Vic calls it “the kind of record that makes you remember why you love R&B in the first place.”
Closing out the mix is FRVRFRIDAY’s “hnsty (my end),” a record that balances vulnerability and bravado in equal measure. The beat glides, the vocals pull, and both hosts seem locked in, this is the kind of track that lingers after the show ends. Vic points out the song’s polish: “You can tell this one was made to last.” Gerardo agrees, adding that “it’s what the next generation of R&B sounds like, confident, experimental, global.”
By the end of S1 E2, R&B, the conversation feels less like commentary and more like synergy. It’s two curators tracing the lineage of sound through modern voices, weaving personal taste into cultural observation without ever losing the human touch.
The hosts don’t overstate what R&B “should” be,they just let it be. And that’s what makes Inspire by Sound so refreshing: it’s not about proving expertise; it’s about falling in love with music all over again, one track at a time.
Mix 1:
Tony James - Mashed Potatoes
Anders - Bossy *
DLG - Lil Mama *
Caleborate Ft. Blvckwave - These Days *
Che Ecru - Ms Money Che Ecru - That's My Baby
Drake - How About Now (Jeftuz Remix)
Healy - Reckless
The Holdup - Gotta Be
Intermission Track Jason Derr - Passionfruit
Mix 2:
Buddy & Kent Jamz - She Think *
SLMN & Anders - Love In The Winter
Justin Bieber - Yummy (Mikey Sol Flip)
FRVRFIRDAY - Heaven Margiela
Larry Gaaga ft Wizkid - Low
Childish Major - For You *
FRVRFIRDAY - hnsty (my end) *
Emotional Oranges - West Coast Love