Cult Jam’s Mike Hughes Talks New Era of the Group, Music Industry Truths & Documentary Missteps

WorldWide Entertainment TV’s Ms. Goldi2U sits down with Mike Hughes of the legendary group Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam for a revealing conversation about music history, industry challenges, and the band’s evolving legacy. The interview delivers rare insight into one of the most influential groups of the freestyle and R&B era—along with a look at the future of Cult Jam with new lead singer Mystina Sol.

Mike reflects on the group’s groundbreaking sound, which blended R&B, Latin freestyle, and club-ready production that dominated dance floors around the world. According to Hughes, Cult Jam’s hits didn’t just become classics—they defined an entire movement.

Throughout the interview, Mike emphasizes the band’s tight family dynamic, explaining that the real problems weren’t internal, but came from the business side of the industry. From misunderstood narratives to documentary inaccuracies, he details how outside forces—particularly record labels—can twist an artist’s true history.

THE LISA LISA STORY

Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story is an authorized biopic about Lisa Velez’s (Lisa Lisa) life and career as a pioneer of Latin-freestyle music. The film follows her journey from her upbringing in Hell’s Kitchen to her success with hit songs like “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “All Cried Out,” “Head to Toe,” and “Lost in Emotion”. The film also addresses challenges she faced in the music industry, including exploitation, creative control, sexism, and racism, and a personal battle with breast cancer. The support she received from those around her, including her best friend and backup singer Toni Ménage, is highlighted. Jearnest Corchado portrays Lisa Lisa in the film, and Lisa Velez is an executive producer and plays her own mother.

The conversation also addresses frustrations with the recent Lisa Lisa documentary, which Mike says left out vital parts of Cult Jam’s story and misrepresented the group’s contribution and relationship. He highlights the importance of authenticity in storytelling, stressing that the band’s real journey deserves to be told accurately and respectfully.

 

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One of the biggest surprises in the interview comes with the introduction of Mystina Sol, the new lead singer of Cult Jam. Mike describes Mystina as the next chapter of the group—a powerful vocalist carrying their legacy into the modern era while keeping the original spirit alive.

 

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Even after decades in the business, Cult Jam continues to inspire dance, movement, and cultural pride. Their story remains a testament to creativity, unity, and the lasting power of real music.

Key Themes

• Cult Jam’s influence on an entire musical era

• How the group merged R&B with Latin freestyle

• The importance of authenticity in correcting documentary inaccuracies

• Music industry politics and how labels can distort artist history

• Group dynamics and the “family first” mentality

• Introducing new lead singer Mystina Sol

• The future direction of Cult Jam

Sound Bites

• “Cult Jam helped shape the sound of an era.”

• “Our music merged R&B with Latin freestyle.”

• “We created a banger that rocked the clubs.”

• “The documentary misrepresented our history.”

• “We were like a family—no money issues.”

• “The business of music often ruins bands.”

• “Record labels can both help and hinder.”

• “We’re still making people dance today.”

• “Authenticity in storytelling is crucial.”

• “The future of Cult Jam is bright.”