Osunlade joins STL Hustle Insider for a wide-ranging conversation about music, St. Louis, ownership, soul, and creative evolution.
He talks about growing up in North St. Louis, being adopted and raised as an only child, finding music as his outlet, learning piano at seven, attending Beaumont, playing in bands, being influenced by funk and Prince, and eventually leaving St. Louis for Los Angeles.
Osunlade also discusses working with major artists, moving through the traditional music industry, realizing that major-label pressure was pulling him away from his own sound, becoming a Yoruba priest, launching Yoruba Records, and building a label rooted in ancestral reverence, spirituality, soul, and independent ownership.
The episode also explores AI in music, stem separation, remixes, DJ culture, how technology is changing music, and why human musicianship, mistakes, live instruments, and emotional interpretation still matter.
Featured Guest
Osunlade
Founder, Yoruba Records
Musician, Producer, DJ, Artist, and Creative
Osunlade is a St. Louis-born musician, producer, DJ, artist, and founder of Yoruba Records, a label founded in 1999 specializing in deep soulful house. His career has taken him from North St. Louis to Los Angeles, New York, London, Milan, Croatia, Australia, and stages around the world.
Through Yoruba Records and his own creative work, Osunlade has helped shape and influence the sound and movement now widely connected to Afro House, soulful house, spiritual music, and global dance culture.
Guest Links
About STL Hustle Insider
STL Hustle Insider is a St. Louis podcast and local media platform hosted by Cortez Hustle and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC.
The show spotlights the people, businesses, creatives, nonprofits, leaders, entrepreneurs, and movements building St. Louis from the inside out. Through real conversations and local storytelling, STL Hustle Insider brings attention to the builders, visionaries, and community movers shaping the future of the region.
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STL Hustle Insider is produced and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. All show content, including video, audio, graphics, branding, and related media, is copyrighted property of iHustle Media Group LLC unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, sponsors, advertisers, or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official position of iHustle Media Group LLC, STL Hustle Insider, its partners, affiliates, or sponsors.
Content shared on this show is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, medical, mental health, tax, investment, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything discussed.
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What is STL Hustle Insider?
STL Hustle Insider is the podcast spotlighting the people, businesses, creatives, nonprofits, and community builders moving St. Louis forward.
Hosted by Cortez Hustle, this show goes behind the scenes with local entrepreneurs, small business owners, community leaders, artists, organizers, and everyday builders who are creating impact across the city.
Each episode explores the story behind the work, the St. Louis connection, the lessons learned along the way, and the ways the community can support what is being built.
This is more than a podcast. STL Hustle Insider is a local media platform created to document the real hustle, real impact, and real stories shaping St. Louis from the inside out.
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STL Hustle Insider
The people, businesses, and movements building St. Louis.