Hit-Boy - Part 2

Hit-Boy - Part 2

Author: Alternative Press August 27, 2025 Duration: 34:50
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by ⁠Hit-Boy⁠. Hit-Boy has been the producer behind many immortal songs, straddling the worlds of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and beyond. His career began with an early placement on Lil Wayne’s Rebirth and quickly gained momentum when he produced “Ni**as in Paris,” a defining moment from 2011’s Watch the Throne. In the newest episode, Hit-Boy joins Joel Madden for a raw and revealing conversation about legacy, therapy, fatherhood, and finally reclaiming his power after nearly two decades in the industry. From producing hits for Jay-Z, Nas, and Travis Scott to carving out his own lane as a solo artist, Hit-Boy opens up about the pain, purpose, and persistence behind the music. ------- Listen to their Artist Friendly conversation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify.⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow Artist Friendly! IG: @artist.friendly TikTok: @artist.friendly YouTube: youtube.com/@artist.friendly ------- Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a familiar rhythm to most conversations with musicians, but Artist Friendly with Joel Madden deliberately breaks that pattern. Hosted by the Good Charlotte frontman and founder, this podcast from Alternative Press operates from a place of shared understanding. Joel isn't just a host; he's been in the exact seats his guests occupy, navigating the complexities of life as an artist, performer, and entrepreneur. That unique perspective allows him to bypass the usual promotional chatter and get to the heart of what a creative life actually entails. Each episode feels like a candid backstage conversation, where today's most compelling breakthrough artists-from chart-topping names to those just on the cusp-feel comfortable revealing the real stories. They discuss the pivotal breaks that seemed to come from nowhere, the crushing failures that ultimately redirected their path, and the specific, often unglamorous, insider moves that truly made a difference in their careers. Listening, you gain an authentic masterclass in creative survival, straight from the people living it. This isn't about surface-level anecdotes; it's about the gritty, practical, and human experiences behind the music and art we love. For anyone curious about the reality of building a life in the arts, this podcast offers a rare and genuinely insightful window.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 183

Artist Friendly with Joel Madden
Podcast Episodes
Benji Madden of Good Charlotte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:37
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Benji Madden of Good Charlotte. Last week, Good Charlotte announced their long-anticipated return with Motel Du Cap, which the band celebrated with a la…
Sarah Barthel of Phantogram [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:53
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Sarah Barthel of ⁠Phantogram⁠. Phantogram’s fifth studio album, Memory of a Day, hinges on nostalgia, compiled with the idea that certain sounds can sen…
Josh Carter of Phantogram [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:24
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Josh Carter of Phantogram. Since their formation in the late 2000s, Phantogram have always created the music that they wanted to hear, drawing from Outk…
Brandon Lake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:15
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by ⁠Brandon Lake⁠. Though Lake learned to play guitar from his father when he was younger, he didn’t put out his first album, Closer, until 2016 — gatherin…
Trixie Mattel (Rerun) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:42
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is bringing you an encore episode of his conversation with Trixie Mattel. Since winning RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2015, ⁠Mattel⁠ has blossomed into a formidable drag sup…
Ben Kweller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:43
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Ben Kweller. From his early days with neo-grunge band Radish to an impressive solo career, Kweller has constantly been shaped by music — and laid his he…
AFROJACK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:03
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by AFROJACK. A decade-and-a-half ago, AFROJACK rocketed to the mainstream for his alluring blend of EDM, house, and pop — a classic sound he recently retur…
nothing,nowhere. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:50
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by nothing,nowhere. Back in 2015, nothing,nowhere. (aka Joe Mulherin) quickly earned a devout following within the emo and hip-hop underground when he self…
Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:50
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath. For Underoath, the past year has been one of reflection and evolution, as they marked the 20th anniversary of their 20…
Alessia Cara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:10
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Alessia Cara. Cara made an exceptional introduction with 2015’s “Here,” a sultry anthem dedicated to introverts who feel lost at house parties. Since th…