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Ep. 39: How Do We Turn Cultural Influence Into Economic Power? (Feat. James Fauntleroy)

Published on: 10th November, 2025

On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with singer, songwriter, producer, and artistic creator James Fauntleroy. James is a four-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He recently co-wrote "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, which won an award at the 2025 Grammys, hit No. 1 (5 wks) on Billboard and became the fastest song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify on its way to topping the platforms global chart for 200+ days - the longest in the apps history.

James also co-wrote seven songs on Bruno Mars’ multi–Grammy-winning album 24K Magic, including That’s What I Like, which earned Song of the Year and made him the first [pure] songwriter to ever win an Album of the Year Grammy.

Driven by a belief in access and opportunity, Fauntleroy builds platforms that merge creativity with community impact. In addition to a number of creative initiatives, he founded Laboratory, a workforce and entrepreneurship hub located in the Crenshaw District, and co-founded the 1500 Sound Academy, an international music school expanding access for creatives worldwide. Through partnerships with leading brands such as Disney, NFL, Roland, and others, James continues to build projects that bridge music, design, and education. Across all of his initiatives, Fauntleroy is dedicated to creating opportunities for all voices and building pathways to sustainable careers

Resources

www.goodwillsouthflorida.org/about-goodwill/spirit-goodwill-band

www.grammy.com/artists/james-fauntleroy/17853

Community Announcements:

Food Resources in LA

www.instagram.com/p/DQaSSGjEm1U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Brotherhood Crusade Turkey Giveaway

Where: Algin Sutton Recreation Center 8800 S Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90044

When: Thursday, November 20th from 10am to 1pm.

Note: First come, first served. Drive Thru ONLY. 

More info: Stacy Hill-Williams (323)846-1649 swilliams@brotherhoodcrusade.org


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About the Podcast

MHD Off the Record
Dive into the heart of South Los Angeles with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson on MHD Off The Record—where culture drives leadership and community voices lead the way!
MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights.

Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles.

If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

About your host

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Marqueece Harris-Dawson