Behind The Wall

Ne-Yo didn't just make some of the biggest songs of the 2000s. He wrote them for himself and so many others!
🎵 Ready to release your own music? I’ve personally used DistroKid for over 6 years to release my music on Spotify, Apple Music, and streaming platforms around the world. You can also use DistroKid Direct to turn your cover art into merch and sell it directly to your fans. Use my link to get 7% off DistroKid: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/1296306🎶 The interviews don’t end when the cameras turn off. Join Behind The Wall Creatives to learn directly from the hit songwriters, producers, and artists behind the music you love, connect and collaborate with other creatives, and become a better artist, songwriter, or producer: https://www.skool.com/behindthewall/about
In this episode of Behind The Wall, I sat down with Ne-Yo to go behind the songs, stories, and career of one of the most successful songwriters and artists of his generation.
Before the world knew him for songs like “So Sick,” “Miss Independent,” and “Closer,” Ne-Yo was already building his career as a songwriter. He went on to write and collaborate with some of the biggest artists in the world, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mario, Celine Dion, and more.
We talk about the stories behind some of his biggest songs, how he approaches songwriting, what makes a song connect with millions of people, writing for other artists versus himself, becoming an artist in his own right, and the lessons he's learned throughout more than two decades in the music industry.
This conversation is for YOU if:
🔥 You grew up listening to 2000s R&B
🔥 You want to know the stories behind some of the biggest songs of that era
🔥 You're a songwriter, artist, or producer trying to get better at your craft
🔥 You've ever wondered what actually goes into writing a hit song
🔥 You know Ne-Yo the artist, but have no idea just how many songs he's been behind
One of my favorite things about Behind The Wall is getting to sit down with the people behind the songs we all know and give them the space to tell the stories we don't always get to hear. Ne-Yo has been part of the soundtrack to so many people's lives, both through his own music and the songs he's written for others, and I'm really excited for you to hear this conversation.
If you enjoy the episode, subscribe to Behind The Wall for more conversations with the artists, songwriters, producers, and creatives behind the music you love.
More of Ne-Yo ⬇️
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@neyo⁩ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21E3waRsmPlU7jZsS13rcj?si=gjT0SMczSwWnLYJZYok1Xg
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neyo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neyo
⬇️ More of Daniel
📺 YouTube: / @danielswall
📸 Instagram: / danielwall
📱 TikTok: / danielswall

This is hands down one of my favorite conversations we’ve ever had!
Russ has built one of the most unique careers in modern music. He’s released hit records, built a massive global fanbase, and became one of the artists who helped redefine what it means to be independent in the music industry.
But what I loved about this conversation is that we got to go way beyond the success and really understand how he did it.
Russ takes us through his journey from making and releasing music on his own, to songs like “What They Want” and “Losin Control” changing everything, to building a career where ownership, independence, and believing in yourself have remained at the center of everything he does.
But this episode isn’t just about Russ’ story. It’s about what artists can learn from it.
We talk about what being independent actually means, why artists shouldn’t wait for someone else to give them permission to succeed, how to build an audience that truly cares about you, the importance of consistency, and what Russ has learned from betting on himself throughout his career.
💡 This conversation is for YOU if:
🔥 You’re an independent artist trying to build a career
🔥 You’ve ever felt like you needed a label or someone in the industry to believe in you
🔥 You want to understand how Russ built such a loyal fanbase
🔥 You’re an artist, songwriter, producer, or creative trying to turn what you love into a real career
🔥 You’ve ever doubted whether you can actually make it on your own
We also dive into the stories behind his music, the lessons he’s learned throughout his career, his evolution as both an artist and entrepreneur, and the next chapter of what he’s building.
What hit me most about this conversation was Russ’ belief in taking control of your own life and career. There are so many people waiting for somebody else to discover them, validate them, or give them an opportunity. Russ’ story is a reminder that sometimes you have to create that opportunity yourself.
I’ve followed Russ’ journey for years, and getting the chance to finally sit down and go through his story with him was incredibly special. I genuinely think there are so many moments in this conversation that are going to connect with artists and creatives who are trying to figure out their own path.
Russ, thank you for the honesty, the advice, and for trusting me to help share your story. So grateful we finally got to go Behind The Wall together. 🙏🔥
And thank you to everyone who continues to support Behind The Wall and makes conversations like this possible. I truly hope this episode inspires the next generation of independent artists and creatives to bet on themselves.

🎶 The interviews don't end when the cameras turn off. Join the Behind The Wall community, where artists, songwriters, and producers learn directly from the people behind the biggest songs in the world: https://www.skool.com/behindthewall/about
📘 FREE PDF: 15 Lessons from The Greatest Minds in MusicDownload now → https://nas.com/behindthewall/products/dxue

⬇️ More of Russ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIETTq2It3OzW8_WYRPTyQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russ/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@russ?lang=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1z7b1Pr1rSlvWRzsW3HOrS?si=RTyfSObAQ-W7t4J_HkOb6w
⬇️ More of Daniel
YouTube: / @danielswall
Instagram: / danielwall
TikTok: / danielswall

One of The Most Honest Episodes of Behind The Wall.X Ambassadors have written some of the biggest songs of the last decade, including "Renegades" and "Unsteady"But behind those songs is a story of uncertainty, rejection, and a band that kept going no matter what.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Sam Harris, Casey Harris, and Adam Levin take us inside the making of X Ambassadors. We listen to original demos, break down the stories behind their biggest songs, talk about writing for artists like Rihanna, Eminem, Lizzo, and The Weeknd, and revisit the moments that completely changed the trajectory of their career.But this conversation isn't just about hit songs.It's about learning that your most honest work often becomes your most meaningful.It's about believing in yourself long before anyone else does.And it's about discovering that the songs you almost never write can end up changing your life forever.🎵 Want to release your own music? I've used DistroKid for over 6 years to get my songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else. Use my link to get 7% off your membership ➜ https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/1296306This conversation is for YOU if:🔥 You're a songwriter, artist, producer, or creative chasing your dream.🔥 You love hearing the stories behind iconic songs.🔥 You've ever wondered how "Renegades," "Unsteady," and X Ambassadors' biggest records were actually made.🔥 You've ever felt like giving up before your breakthrough came.What stayed with me most wasn't hearing the demos. It was realizing how many of these songs almost never existed. The songs that reached millions of people came from moments of doubt, vulnerability, and uncertainty. That's a reminder every creative needs to hear.Sam, Casey, and Adam, thank you for sharing your stories, your music, and your honesty. It was an honor to finally go Behind The Wall with you. And thank you to everyone who continues to support this show and help bring these conversations to life. I truly believe conversations like this inspire the next generation of creatives.📘 FREE PDF: 15 Lessons from The Greatest Minds in MusicDownload now → https://nas.com/behindthewall/products/dxue

In this special bonus episode of Behind The Wall, Jenna and Stephen take us inside the original demos behind songs for BTS and K-Pop Demon Hunters, breaking down how these records evolved from rough ideas into songs heard by millions around the world.Want to release your own music? I’ve used DistroKid for over 6 years to get my songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else. Use my link to get 7% off your membership ➼ ⁠https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/1296306⁠For the first time, you'll hear early versions, alternate ideas, and the creative decisions that shaped songs like "Butter," "Permission To Dance," "Free," and "What It Sounds Like."But what makes this episode so fascinating isn't just hearing the demos. It's getting a rare look into the creative process itself. How do songwriters know when an idea is special? What changes between a demo and the final version? And what does it actually take to create music that connects with people around the world?💡 This episode is for YOU if:🔥 You're an artist, songwriter, or producer trying to improve your craft🔥 You've ever wondered how hit songs sound before they're finished🔥 You love BTS, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and the stories behind the music🔥 You're fascinated by the songwriting and production processWhat hit me most while filming this wasn't how different some of the demos were. It was realizing that every song starts somewhere. Before the charts, before the streams, before millions of people hear it, every song begins as a simple idea.Jenna and Stephen, thank you for sharing these demos, your stories, and your creative process with all of us. And thank you to everyone who continues to support Behind The Wall and make conversations like this possible.I truly believe this episode will inspire the next generation of songwriters, producers, and creatives.Watch Part 1 Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYqwu_ShLZ0📘 FREE PDF: 15 Lessons from The Greatest Minds in Music Download now → https://nas.com/behindthewall/products/dxue⬇️ More of Jenna & Stphen📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejennaandrews/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/iamstephenkirk/?hl=en📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejennaandrews https://www.tiktok.com/@iamstephenkirkSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EvaSHAnL1eSsYDMleYlO5?si=RtReMzZZRQuioU0c6oocVw https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFDDnh7fKJYOZ?si=76c8a6f3607d419d⬇️ More of Daniel📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielwall📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielswall📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielsWall

This is one of those interviews that perfectly captures why Behind The Wall exists.When most people hear a song like "Butter" by BTS, they hear the finished record. What they don't see are the years of work, sacrifice, setbacks, and persistence that made that moment possible.Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk are two of the creative minds behind some of the biggest songs in K-pop, including BTS's global smash hit "Butter." More recently, they helped bring the music of K-Pop Demon Hunters to life, contributing to one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year.But this episode isn't really about the songs. It's about the journey.It's about almost giving up. It's about betting on yourself when nobody else sees the vision. It's about spending years developing your craft before the opportunities finally arrive.In this conversation, Jenna and Stephen share the stories behind their careers, the lessons they've learned working with some of the biggest artists in the world, what BTS was really like to work with, and how K-Pop Demon Hunters came together behind the scenes.💡 This conversation is for YOU if:🔥 You're an artist, songwriter, producer, or creative trying to make it🔥 You've ever questioned whether you're on the right path🔥 You love BTS, K-pop, or K-Pop Demon Hunters🔥 You want to learn what success actually looks like behind the scenesI've always believed the most valuable lessons come from hearing successful people talk honestly about the struggles, setbacks, failures, and experiences that shaped them long before the world knew their names.Jenna and Stephen, thank you both for your openness, generosity, and willingness to share your story. I know this conversation is going to inspire a lot of people, especially the next generation of songwriters, producers, and creatives who are still trying to find their place in the world. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Welcome Behind The Wall.⬇️ More of Jenna & Stphen📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejennaandrews/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/iamstephenkirk/?hl=en📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejennaandrews https://www.tiktok.com/@iamstephenkirkSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EvaSHAnL1eSsYDMleYlO5?si=RtReMzZZRQuioU0c6oocVw https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFDDnh7fKJYOZ?si=76c8a6f3607d419d⬇️ More of Daniel📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielwall📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielswall📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielsWall