Warryn Campbell on Mary Mary’s “Shackles,” Fighting for Brandy’s “Full Moon”, and Death Row Records

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This week, we take it to the West Coast as the crew lands in Los Angeles for a monumental, ground-breaking episode featuring the legendary, five-time Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, musician, and executive, Warryn “Baby Dub” Campbell. Handpicked as the inaugural inductee into the We Sound Crazy Producer Hall of Fame and honored with the prestigious Esther Rolle Black Excellence Award (The Erbie), Campbell sits down with Philonaire, Claude, Chuck, and Tamon Backon from Macon for a deeply reflective Masterclass on a brilliant career that spans gospel, hip-hop, and R&B. From his early childhood days at King’s Chapel Apostolic Church in East LA—where icons like El DeBarge and Andraé Crouch routinely dropped in—to cutting his teeth as a teenage multi-instrumentalist session player in the legendary studios of Death Row Records, Campbell shares an unfiltered, backstage pass look at his musical evolution.

In this captivating episode, Campbell opens up about the pivotal figures who shaped his career, including the creative mentorship of DJ Quik and the executive guidance of Sony Music’s Jon Platt, who signed him to his very first publishing deal at age 19. Warryn recounts his deep, familial bond with Brandy, navigating his fierce professional rivalry with Rodney Jerkins, and his long-standing, brilliant creative connection with one-of-one songwriter Harold Lilly. He also lifts the curtain on the inception of the iconic gospel duo Mary Mary, revealing how a moment in the shower listening to a bassline through the wall of his parents’ garage transformed into the global blockbuster phenomenon “Shackles (Praise You)” which sparked a bidding war with Diddy and Columbia Records.

Beyond the hits and historical sessions with titans like Tupac, Kanye West, Luther Vandross, and Kelly Price, Warryn candidly explores the delicate realities of balancing life as a hitmaker, husband, father, and pastor. Reflecting on his enduring legacy, Campbell defines his ultimate approach to music as an authentic vessel of divine download, proudly breaking genre barriers by engineering hits across multiple musical spectrums without ever losing his creative salvation. Without further ado, press play and dive in.

We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture.

Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! 

Director: Malachi Fuller

Director of Photography: Neither

Camera Op: Andrew Meyers, Derek Reed, Malachi Fuller, Neither

Gaffer: Tyler Holmes

Set Design: Gina Dorsey

Producer/A2: Jerel Duren

Editor: Hyyer Creative

Producer:  Lamont Baldwin, Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael “Roux” Johnson

Assistant: Brittany Guydon

Talent Producer: Micha “ML6” Logan

Photography: Kirk McClain  

PA: Keylon Hall, Jonaye Anderson, Ryan Lee

Thank you to all of our listeners and watchers!

Special thanks to Warryn Campbell!

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