The Shadow People

It’s Festival Season in New Orleans, and The Shadow People are back with another killer episode. Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman dive into French Quarter Fest highlights, Jazz Fest prep, and the legendary hustle of gig life in the city.Then, things get funky as the crew holds the first-ever 70s Musician Draft, assembling dream bands from a curated list of groove masters, soul icons, and jazz-funk legends. 🥁🎹🎤 Who drafted the bett...

Episode 10 of The Shadow People Podcast is here, and Nigel Hall & Derrick Freeman have plenty to unpack—starting with Louisiana's wild recent election where Governor Jeff Landry’s proposed amendments were unanimously rejected. Find out why Derrick was baffled by receiving a personal voting reminder from none other than 50 Cent, who's apparently now a "Louisiana property and business owner."But the madness doesn’t stop there. Th...

In Episode 9 of The Shadow People Podcast, Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall sit down with legendary New Orleans musician Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk, Neville Brothers, The Rolling Stones). Ivan dives deep, sharing powerful stories from his wild early days, behind-the-scenes adventures touring with the Neville Brothers, and candid reflections on his journey to sobriety. From hilarious tales of local icons to confronting vulnerability t...

Ever wonder what Mardi Gras is like for the musicians who keep the city moving? 🎷🎭In this episode, Angelika “Jelly” Joseph (Tank and the Bangas, Galactic) joins Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall to talk about the real Mardi Gras experience—not just as locals, but as artists balancing the chaos, the gigs, and the celebrations.🍾 Navigating Mardi Gras as both a job and a party🎶 How New Orleans music crosses racial and cultural bounda...

Nigel Hall is back in the studio after a long tour, reflecting on road life, the highs and lows of performing, and how self-care keeps him grounded. Derrick Freeman and Nigel discuss mental health in the music industry, losing loved ones, and how artists carry the weight of cultural responsibility in their work.Smoker and Nigel dissect:🎭 The grind of touring and why it’s not all glitz and glam💔 Coping with loss and the importance...

In The Shadow People Episode 6, Nigel Hall checks in from Miami before boarding Jam Cruise while Derrick Freeman holds it down at home. They dive into Kendrick Lamar’s cultural impact, the stupidity of Kanye, and the Super Bowl’s unexpected moments—from Philly’s domination to Trump’s awkward appearance.Special guest Danny Abel joins to break down the chaotic Super Bowl scene in New Orleans, where local businesses suffered while the...

Nigel Hall is on the road, so naturally, Drew & H.W. took it upon themselves to… take over. 🚨Welcome to this very official, absolutely authorized, and in no way hijacked mini-episode of The Shadow People. Nigel’s "Food for Thought" segment is here, but not before Drew & H.W. derail things immediately.

Also, where's Smoker? Parading with his parrain at the Super Bowl?Topics include:🏈 Washington Football Fandom...

In Episode 5 of The Shadow People, hosts Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman are joined by an incredible lineup of guests: Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Krasno, singer-songwriter Raquel Rodriguez, and guitarist John Otto. Together, they dive into the devastating fires in Pasadena and Altadena, shining a light on how local communities have stepped up to support those in need. Guitarist Danny Abel also makes an appearance, sparking ...

Episode 4 of The Shadow People Podcast is a lively, thought-provoking, and deeply personal exploration of life, music, and society. Hosted by acclaimed New Orleans musicians Derrick Freeman and Nigel Hall, this episode touches on the recent New Year’s events that shook the city, offering heartfelt reflections on violence, public safety, and the need for community healing. The conversation is a mix of serious commentary and li...

Join Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman as they sleigh their way into Episode 3 of The Shadow People! From holiday highs to seasonal struggles, this episode is a chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt exploration of Christmas traditions, wild family stories, and their ultimate top (and bottom) holiday jams. Can “All I Want for Christmas” spark a debate worthy of a holiday feast? (Spoiler: Yes.) They also discuss their favorite yacht r...

In this episode of The Shadow People, Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman dive into the absurdity of Drake’s legal moves, debate the legitimacy of Andre 3000’s controversial Grammy nomination, and vent their frustrations about the current state of New Orleans sports teams. From the Pelicans’ woes to the Saints’ struggles, no topic is safe from their hilariously unfiltered commentary. Stick around for hot takes on hip-hop battles, heart...

In the premiere episode of The Shadow People, Nigel Hall and Derrick Freeman launch their podcast with humor, insight, and raw honesty. They kick things off with a discussion about the power of voter engagement and how communities can drive real change, before sharing their unique takes on Mike Tyson’s legacy—including wild theories about his behavior in the ring. Nigel reflects on his sacrifices to pursue music, recounting h...