Charlie Puth Unveils Songwriting Process at Grammy U Unwrapped Event

When Charlie Puth stepped onto the stage at The Novo in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 11 2026, the 2,400‑seat club felt more like a rehearsal room than a concert venue. The Recording Academy’s Grammy U program had invited the pop‑singer to lead a workshop and Q&A, and the room was packed with Grammy U members, University of Southern California students, and other emerging music professionals.

The Unwrapped series, presented this time by Sony Pro Audio, gives artists the chance to peel back the layers of a recent release. Puth’s focus was his fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever! (released March 27 2026). Prior to the live session, the club was transformed with photo booths, backdrops, and listening stations where attendees could don headphones and hear Puth’s catalog—from early hits to the new album—while the stage stayed close enough to maintain intimacy.

The atmosphere was further energized when Jimmy Jam, the legendary producer who earned a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2022, appeared as a surprise guest. Jam’s presence underscored the event’s emphasis on collaboration and the importance of proximity between performer and audience.

Puth guided the audience through several tracks from Whatever’s Clever!. He described his initial “skeleton” for a song—a looping base paired with a prominent drum pattern that sets the rhythmic foundation. In “Changes,” he explained that this skeleton anchors the track, and lyrics are later woven around the beat. For “Cry,” he revealed a collaboration with saxophonist Kenny G, who filled an arrangement gap with a smooth sax line. Puth credited Jimmy Jam’s influence on the album’s blend of jazz elements and hard‑hitting drums, noting that Jam’s production work with artists such as Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson inspired the rhythmic choices.

During the Q&A, Jam emphasized the value of “knowing your neighbor.” He reminded attendees that the distance between stage and audience is only a few steps, suggesting that success in the industry can be achieved with focus and determination.

Audience reactions highlighted the session’s educational impact. USC junior Caroline Fedigan said she was eager to learn how Puth’s perfect pitch shapes his songwriting vision. Howard University graduate Jasmine Harrell, a singer‑songwriter, noted that the close stage‑crowd arrangement created a “focus and intimacy” that facilitated conversation. Franklin University junior Shaun Huncer expressed admiration for Jam’s work and how it inspired Puth’s integration of jazz and drums.

Puth also explained the meaning behind the album’s title. He said Whatever’s Clever! serves as a mantra that reminds him and his co‑producer that imperfections—such as a snare that isn’t perfectly in time—are acceptable and can add character to a track.

The event concluded with a Q&A that let attendees ask Puth and Jam about songwriting techniques, production choices, and industry insights. The workshop demonstrated how emerging creators can learn from established professionals while highlighting the collaborative nature of modern pop production.

Overall, the Grammy U Unwrapped session offered a detailed look at the creative process behind Whatever’s Clever! and reinforced the value of educational programming for music professionals. The event was well attended, and participants left with a clearer understanding of how layering, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace imperfection can shape a contemporary pop album.