Gina Thompson: From Rodney Jerkins to R&B Legacy – The Real Story Behind "The Things You Do"

In this powerful episode of Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley, platinum-selling R&B artist Gina Thompson opens up about her musical journey—from growing up in New Jersey to signing with super-producer Rodney Jerkins. Gina shares behind-the-scenes stories from her UK promo tours, the making of her smash hit “The Things You Do”, and collaborations with iconic artists like Missy Elliott. Thompson reflects on the ups and downs of the music industry, mental health, and the freedom of independent artistry. She discusses the lessons learned through fame, the grounding influence of faith and family, and her mission to create music that uplifts and empowers. This rare and inspiring conversation reveals the woman behind the music—and what’s next for Gina Thompson. 🎙️ Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley is a podcast featuring legendary and emerging funk, R&B, and Prince-associated artists. On air since 1982 and now spanning five decades, the show was personally spotlighted by Prince on his website in 2004. He also gifted us the One Nite Alone box set in 2002 — before any media outlet. 00:00 Introduction to Gina Thompson 03:03 Gina's Recent UK Trip and Music Promotion 05:59 Growing Up in New Jersey and Early Musical Influences 12:06 Signing with Rodney Jerkins and Early Career 17:51 The Success of 'The Things You Do' and Collaborations 24:07 Reflections on Fame and the Music Industry 29:59 Current Projects and Future Aspirations 30:26 Navigating Record Deals and Industry Challenges 32:37 The Importance of Self-Care and Mental Health 36:40 Balancing Expectations in the Music Industry 38:17 The Journey of Releasing New Music 44:43 The Shift from Major Labels to Independence 49:25 Reflecting on Past Collaborations and Future Aspirations 57:22 The Role of Family and Spirituality in Music 01:00:20 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Collaborations 🎧 More episodes:    / @musiciansreveal   🌐 Website: https://musiciansreveal.com 📻 Listen on Spotify / Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rQAZZt... / https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast... 🔔 Subscribe:    / @musiciansreveal   Gina Thompson:   / therealginathompson   Musicians Reveal Mixcloud station: https://www.mixcloud.com/joekelleyradio/ #ginathompson #rnb #missyelliott #hiphop #musiciansreveal