As Black Music Month rolls to a close, I’ll forever hype and applaud those behind-the-scenes scultping my favorite sounds. The ones that sonically stamp their signature on songs and elevate artists to the next level. One such producer and mixing engineer who really needs no introduction is Neal Pogue. A seven-time Grammy winner who’s legendary career includes unforgettable albums and singles like Outkast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”, Kehlani’s “Folded”, Janelle Monáe’s “Electric Lady”, Kaytranada’s “Bubba” and TLC’s “Waterfalls”, he shows no signs of stopping. Establishing a creative partnership with Tyler, the Creator lasting over 10 years now including new singles recently, when I’d heard the “Don’t Tap the Glass” album which remained on repeat after its surprise drop, I immediately recognized Neal’s impeccable skill from the jump.

Reconnecting with Neal earlier in the year, we chatted during Grammy weekend about his three additional 2026 Grammy nominations for Tyler’s two albums “Chromakopia” (which I’d predicted would be nominated when I first spoke with him in 2025) and “Don’t Tap the Glass” in the same year and delved further into his discography further with Outkast, convincing André 3000 to make “Hey Ya” the first single off “The Love Below”. We also his multi-genre work with Lucy Pearl, Zendaya, Haim, Robyn, The Tony Rich Project, producing for Earth, Wind and Fire, the loss of D’Angelo and Angie Stone and his new projects with Kehlani, Vince Staples and Devin Gilfillian. Check out the interview soundclips below and visit Neal’s site to get more info on his latest music!