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This week, the tables turned, Gerardo finally took full control of the setlist. Vic showed up ready to listen, no notes, no prep, just vibes. What started as “open format” quickly became Gerardo’s episode, his sonic blueprint laid out track by track. The back-and-forth is sharp as ever, Vic clowning, Gerardo blushing through compliments, both of them locked in on the craft. Between the laughs, the playlist speaks for itself: soulful, genre-bending, and intentionally curated. You can feel Gerardo’s fingerprints on every record.

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Top Picks

Lose Control — Amaria
Gerardo opens the mix with Tampa-based R&B artist Amaria, a voice he calls “one of his current inspirations.” The track’s sultry tempo and melodic phrasing immediately catch Vic’s ear — he admits, “you didn’t miss once.” They talk about cadence, emotion, and energy, with Gerardo drawing parallels to Maya’s early-2000s sound. The conversation drifts into how Amaria channels intimacy through her delivery, that “energy and presence” that lingers long after the song ends. By the time it fades out, Vic’s saving it to his favorites. The chemistry between the hosts mirrors the track: smooth, playful, and full of genuine admiration.

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Talk to Me — Roots Makers ft. Jacob Iosia
From Florida R&B, Gerardo pivots straight into reggae soul. Produced by a UK-based collective of reggae artists, this one features Jacob Iosia, frontman of Four Piece Band, a familiar name from the show’s earlier reggae episode. The duo nerd out over the connection, with Vic teasing Gerardo for doing his “Bob Marley homework.” Gerardo breaks down the track’s layers, its island warmth paired with clean production, calling it “something I’d play rolling up to the beach.” They love that it bridges cultures, a reminder that reggae lives everywhere now. It’s a deep-cut gem that feels global without losing its roots.

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Love in a Basket — HeyDeon
Closing the set, Gerardo brings it home to Long Beach. HeyDeon’s “Love in a Basket” hits like the outro of a personal story, hopeful, grounded, and real. Gerardo talks about discovering him on Instagram, watching snippets of his upcoming album, and recognizing someone ready to break through. The song’s message — trusting someone enough to “put all your love in one basket”, sparks a rare moment of reflection. Vic connects it to Kendrick’s LOVE. that tension between trust and vulnerability. The two riff on loyalty, growth, and finding your person when life’s chaotic. “You can tell he’s right at the edge of something,” Gerardo says. And you believe him.

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The episode ends on a high, Vic laughing that Gerardo “didn’t miss once,” Gerardo shrugging it off like he didn’t spend hours fine-tuning the set. It’s Inspire by Sound in its purest form: two friends navigating emotion through sound, translating life into rhythm. As the last notes fade, Gerardo teases Set 2, another open-format journey where the only rule is vibe. Until next week, the lesson stands: when Gerardo curates, just press play.

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