Aug 25, 2026 · 2h 28m
Listen from 1:29:39
Listen at 1:29:39
DIXSON explains the craft behind Kehlani’s “Folded”
Episode 536 | No Brakes + DIXSON
The episode connects a debate over AI, artistic identity, and R&B’s direction with one songwriter’s move into a solo career.
- 1DIXSON traces “Folded” from an improvised Miami session to a song that redirected Kehlani’s project and his own career.
- 2The hosts weigh AI’s creative promise against stolen work, lost jobs, weaker standards, and the erosion of musical gatekeeping.
- 3DIXSON describes protecting his identity while moving from behind-the-scenes songwriting toward releasing two solo projects through Roc Nation.
Don't miss
DIXSON breaks down how an improvised Miami session created Kehlani’s “Folded” and altered the course of both artists’ work.
The brief
Rory, Mal, and Baby D recap a weekend of concerts before debating whether R&B is thriving, whether hip-hop needs rescuing, and what strong albums still mean.
The hosts review The Game’s new album and debate Dr. Dre’s support for AI-assisted music, balancing new creative tools against stolen work and disappearing standards.
DIXSON explains how a spontaneous Miami writing session produced Kehlani’s “Folded,” whose viral snippet changed the direction of her project and his career.
He describes writing for Beyoncé, Doechii, Pharrell, and others while protecting a personal creative identity and serving each artist’s sound rather than chasing credit.
With two completed projects headed toward a Roc Nation release, DIXSON confronts the harder transition from trusted songwriter to artist with a public identity of his own.
Books & mentions
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