RYZE Magazine Vol.18: Wendy Day by RYZE Magazine

#1 CHH MUSIC, CULTURE, FASHION AND SPORTS MAGAZINE

LET RYZE MAGAZINE PROMOTE YOU IN OUR NEXT DIGITAL AND PRINT ISSUE... Stop by RYZEMagazine.com for details or call (678) 590-0551.

Contents December 2020

This month’s highlights include “The Editors’ Holiday Picks” the debut of the “RYZE 2020 Power 25 CHH List” On Repeat, Fire x Gas or Pass, a Guest Tip Jar Author, and an intimate conversation with Hip Hop Music Icon Wendy Day.

AT A GLANCE 12 Letters from Editors 15 Favorite Things 17 CHH Holiday Lits Playlist 20 RYZE Power 25 CHH List 40 Artists on the RYZE 52 Cover Story: Wendy Day 60 RYZE New Music Playlist 62 TIP JAR: 2.0 Feature 66 FIRE x GAS x PASS

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Backstage...

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EDITORIAL Review Editors: Jay & Chris Brooks Editor-At-Large: David Quinones Managing Editor: Aulsondro “Novelist” Hamilton aka Emcee N.I.C.E. Editor-in-Chief: Naé Thompson

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Publishers/EIC Drs. Corey & Naè Thompson RYZE Co-Founder Roy “King” Jackson

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LET’S CHAT: A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Tis the reason! Happy Hallelujah! As we close out the year 2020 here at RYZE Magazine, words can’t describe what God has done for the culture of Christian Hip Hop during this pandemic. Which initially was meant to keep us separated, through the pandemic has brought us together even more with artists finding unique ways to stay relevant in the eyes & ears of the listeners, as well as helping each other and the communities we all serve. What I learned is that the genre of CHH is alive and thriving. Several artists are poised to break out in 2021 that will elevate CHH to newer heights. In the New Year, we plan to dive deeper into the culture, spotlighting not only CHH artists here in the United States, but in other countries, too Africa, UK, Australia, and more… Be on the lookout for that, we also plan to cover the DJ’s of the culture, Implement CHH Charts, also a CHH album rating system, Award show coverage, sports, and more. This next calendar year will be exciting times for RYZE Magazine the #1 Magazine for CHH Culture, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Fashion, and Sports. Emcee N.I.C.E., Managing Editor

I hope everyone stays safe off of them Covid Streets. May the Lord continue to bless you and all that you aspire to be and or do! Let’s continue to push the culture forward.

Merry Christmas RYZE Family! I second the sentiment shared above and say thank you to every reader, advertisers, and partner... what a year 2020 has been-- in many ways we’ve experienced more bitter than sweet, but when I think of the goodness of JESUS and all HE’s done for me... you, us... I can’t help but thank and praise Him. He’s been good to us. This brings us to this edition of RYZE. We’re excited to share insight with you from iconic Hip Hop music executive Wendy Day who’s dropping gems, along with the introduction of RYZE Magazine’s Power 25 in CHH List. Know that your RYZE family wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We appreciate you, always.

xoxo, Dr. Naè Thompson

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Dr. Naè Thompson, Editor-in-Chief

FAVORITE

THE EDITORSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; H

Gifts Galore!

FROM BRIGHT-COLORED FINDS TO GILDED GETS, HERE’S WHAT’S ON OUR EDITORS WISH LIST

E THINGS

HOLIDAY PICKS

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Naè’s

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Each year the genre and business of CHH (Christian Hip Hop) have evolved at warp speeds, from the sound to visuals; even distribution, CHH is quickly being recognized as a viable genre with an earning potential far more superseding than times of the past. Sonically, the beats, rhymes, showmanship from radio to battle rap, and now the executive ranks excels. The culture is no longer just amongst others it has caught the attention of the mainstream. This year we launched RYZE 2020 Power 25 Christian Hip Hop to highlight power players in the culture impacting CHHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth on the world stage. From boardroom executives to radio stations, music festivals, and digital media platforms, CHH heads into a new golden era. Introducing the RYZE 2020 Power 25 Christian Hip Hop List...

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Lecrae

(Co-Owner Reach Records, Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record, Producer, Record Executive, Actor, Entrepreneur)

Lecrae is the President, Co-Owner, and Co-Founder of the highly successful independent faith-based hip hop label Reach Records. Some call it the “Def Jam” of Christian Hip Hop boasting chart-topping artists such as Andy Mineo, Gawvi, Wande, 1k Phew, Tedashii, and more… Reach Records continue to soar to new heights with their artists landing mainstream placements in movies, commercials, and gaming. Nominated for two Grammys, Lecrae looks to continue the dominance of the Reach Records brand in 2021. Link: www.ReachRecords.com Associated Acts Reach Records: Lecrae | 1K Phew | Andy Mineo | Gawvi | Hulvey | Tedashii | Wande | WhatUpRG

Derek Minor

Co-Owner Reflection Music Group (RMG), Christian Hip Hop Recording Artist, Songwriter, Record Executive, Entrepreneur, Actor, Screenwriter)

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Bizzle

(Owner of God Over Money (GOM), Christian Hip Hop Recording Artist, Songwriter, Record Executive, Entrepreneur)

Bizzle has released a studio album every year for the past 10 years along with landing Top 10 on the Billboard Charts in both Gospel & Christian genres as well as iTunes. He formed the independent faith-based rap label God Over Money records in 2010 and turned it into one of the elite labels in CHH launching the careers of Datin, Jered Sanders, BUMPInf, Selah The Corner, and A.I. The Anomaly. The success that GOM has been able to achieve as an independent label is astronomical and has shifted the culture. Link: www.GodOverMoney.com Associated Acts: Datin | Jered Sanders | A.I. The Anomaly | Selah The Corner | BUMPS INFno-brainer (lol).

Doc Watson

(Co-Owner Reflection Music Group (RMG), AMPLIFY, Record Executive, Entrepreneur)

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Bryann Trejo

(Founder - Kingdom Music Ministries)

The Kingdom Muzic Ministries is not just a record label and or movement, it’s a Culture and founder Bryann Trejo has been leading the charge. It’s A ministry centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ which is a message of freedom, the forgiveness of sin, and the power to forgive your enemies. Link: www.KingdomMuzik.org Associated Acts: Monica Hill Trejo | Antwoine Hill

Chad Horton

(Owner of Rapzilla, Talent Manager, Executive Producer)

Chad Horton is the owner and sits at the head of one of the largest Christian Hip Hop online magazines and music sites in the world as well as the Culture in “Rapzilla”. Chad is a music industry and business vet, a talent manager as well as an executive producer that continues to evolve the culture of Christian Hip Hop. Link: www.Rapzilla.com

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REFLECTION MUSIC GROUP

“Work ethic is huge if you want to do this (music) you have to work... there’s a lot of work on the front end, and you gotta love it... I can always tell when someone doesn’t love it...” - Doc Watson

Humble beginnings is the road most traveled in the music business but not without grit. Grit by definition means having the courage and resolve; and strength of character, both of which Doc Watson heavily exudes. We had an opportunity to sit with him for a moment and learn more

there’s a lot of sacrifice on the front end, and you gotta love it. I can always tell when someone doesn’t love it... because you’re not going to make a lot of money at first on the front end of it, you know... you’re just going to have fun, be a part of it something, and build it over time. But, it’s a lot easier now to build it, than it used to be. There were no social media platforms back in the day it was all word-of-mouth and that was it. Artists were just trying to have a local presence, and we’ve lost that. With RMG, we’re establishing a local presence with all our artists in their cities. We’re putting flags down. We want to be an asset to the city and the CHH communities on the local front. One thing I learned early on especially while doing radio, is, you have to find a way to be an asset to others, versus trying to figure out what you’re going to pull out for yourself. Understand social media is your stage away from the stage. Make sure you’re who you really are on SM, that needs to be said. Make sure that what you’re portraying now is what/who you want to be even moving forward-- commit to the brand and imagery.

about his heart and desire for the industry and artists alike as RMG’s success has been no small feat. Starting as a DJ/Producer, Doc understands the journey you face as an indie artist. “Work ethic is huge if you want to this, you have to work,

When new artistry approaches, what’s the process of consideration? I listen to their music and check out their Spotify and SM, so I’m able to share how they look to me. I talk with them about consistency because a lot of artists have a hard time with consistency. I also look to see how creative they are with their platforms and the messaging shared as well. This information helps me offer constructive criticism if need be. Then I ask pertinent questions about forward progression (e.g. are you willing to spend money on your releases, and adhere to sound advice?

Emceee N.I.C.E.

(Owner / Curator of Stellar Award Winning Station God’s House of Hip Hop Radio Powered by Dash Radio (GH3 Radio), Co-Owner & Co-Founder of God’s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Festival, Managing Editor for RYZE Magazine, Owner / Co-Curator Rhythm & Praise Radio Powered by Dash Radio)

Emcee N.I.C.E. is one of the co-founder/owner & curator of one of the largest award-winning Christian Hip Hop stations in the culture in God’s House of Hip Hop Radio powered by Dash Radio. He is also Co-Founder/Executive Director of God’s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Fest, a faith -based hip hop music festival in Los Angeles. In 2020 N.I.C.E. became managing editor for RYZE Magazine and partnered with ThoseBaxters to form a gospel R&B station called “Rhythm & Praise Radio” also powered by Dash Radio.

Ruslan

(CEO, Artist, Entrepreneur, and Producer) Founder - Kings Dream Entertainment Kings Dream Entertainment is a mom-andpop boutique label founded in 2012 by Artist, Entrepreneur, and Producer Ruslan. Creating music and content that blends inspiration and information while empowering youth and young adults to live out the King’s dream is their desire and mandate. Associated Acts: Jon Keith | Paul Russell Link: www.kingsdreament.com

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Link: www.gh3radio.com Link: www.2020SummerFest.com Link: www.RhythmandPraiseLA.com Link: www.RYZEMagazine.com

Erinn Knight

(Co-Founder, President of Build Your Own Dreams Lable, Artist Manager)

Erinn Knight is Co-founder and President of the label “BYOD” (Build Your Own Dreams), where she’s all about empowering creatives to build their dreams through ownership. BYOD is an independent label, specializing in label servicing, branding, digital marketing, talent management, and event curation. In 2021 Erinn Knight wants to continue to push the CHH culture forward. Link: www.JustBYOD.com

Trackstarz

(Powerful Influencers of the CHH Culture)

For over 10 years Trackstarz has been the destination place for any Christian Hip Hop artist wanting to be taken seriously. Hosts Ryan Righteous, Seantana & DJ Jeremaya are determined to bring high-quality Godly content to the mainstream, syndicated, and digital radio platforms. Trackstarz is not just a show or brand, it’s a lifestyle! Link: www.Trackstarz.com

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Dr. Naè Thompson

(CEO of ELEV8 Media and Entertainment Group, Publisher/EIC of ELEV8 and RYZE Magazines, Principle/Sr. Publicist of NTPR Agency/Management Grp, Creator of Release Network and PR Convos) Dr. Naè Thompson is an accomplished serialpreneur, media pioneer, publisher, artist manager, and music publicist. Thompson founded ELEV8 Media Group, Inc. an African-American-owned and operated, publishing house out of the need for reputable Christian platforms for Gospel/ CHH Music and Sports Magazines. Thompson’s unprecedented career has spawned a multi-media conglomerate that generates original content across the spectrums of social media, radio, digital, and print on demand media. Link: www.naethompsonpr.com Link: https://ryzemagazine.com Link: https://elev8magazine.com

Sevin

(Founder of HOG-MOB Ministries)

Sevin is a Billboard Charting artist that has released 17 studio albums and is considered one of the legends in CHH who formed one of the most prolific ministries in all of Hip Hop, Hog Mob. HogMob has 12 ministries within its coalition that tap into the poor and afflicted to Pray For My Hood to Pen Palz Ministry. Sevin has opened the doors for many. Link: www.hogmob.com

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Chris Chicago

(Program Director - NGEN Radio)

Chris Chicago is the Founder and President at Shamrock Media Group, he has been one of the most influential in radio for Christian Hip Hop and has broken a lot of records in the CHH genre. He currently hosts the NGEN Afternoon Show and is Program Director at 91.7FM NGEN Radio in Houston, TX. Link: www.ngenradio.com

Ace Harris

(President of AR for Reach Records, Producer)

Ace Harris, a seasoned veteran continues to elevate the prestige of Reach Records, Having worked with artists such as T. I., Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azealia then transitioning to CHH with Lecrae, Wande, 1k Phew to Hulvey & moreâ&#x20AC;Ś The Reach Records brand is a sound that continues to evolve the culture under the guidance of Ace. Link: www.ReachRecords.com Associated Acts Reach Records: Lecrae | 1K Phew | Andy Mineo | Gawvi | Hulvey | Tedashii | Wande | WhatUpRG

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Mr. CSA2K

(CEO & Co-Founder of Coalition Kingdom DJ’s, Curator, Artist Manager, and Radio PD)

Mr. CSA2K has one of the largest marketing & radio servicing establishments in CHH. He’s a member of Coalition DJ’s ATL, a Radio Mixshow DJ, Spotify, and Pandara Curator, and also holds the Artist Management title whereby he consults brands & artists, as well as an Internet Radio Program Director. Heading into 2021, Mr. CSA2K and the Coalition Kingdom is primed for a blessed season. Link: www.coalitionkingdomd.com

Nucci Reyo

(Founder - Godify | C.E.O at Gstate Digital) Nucci Reyo founder of Godify, the Christian streaming platform Christian content to a diverse following. It is a platform that encourages the production of Christian content to inspire the Christian community at large. It is ministry streamed. Nucci has collaborated with P Diddy, Lil Flip, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Raekwon of Wu-Tang, Gillie the Kid, and more and now in the Christian Hip Hop Space as an artist. Godify: The Christian Streaming Platform Link: www.GodifyStreams.com

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Urban D

(Founder of Flavorfest) Lead Pastor of Crossover Church in Florida, also home of Flavor Fest founded in 2000, with thousands of people from all over the world have attended, is the largest and most well-known conference of its kind. Flavor Fest exists to train, network, and resource leaders in the urban culture. Founded in 1999, two-time Grammy Award-winning rapper Lecrae made his first national festival appearance there as a self-submitted artist, and he’s returned several times since. Rick Warren, Eric Mason, Derwin L. Gray, Tedashii, The Ambassador, MC Jin, and more gifted speakers and performers have also made appearances. Over the years, countless leaders have been equipped to be more effective in their communities. Link: www.flavorfest.org

Amy Bentley

(Bentley Booking & Management Official Booking Agent for God’s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Fest, and Artist Manager)

Amy Bentley is the official Booking Agent for the faith-based Hip Hop music festival, God’s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Festival where she and her team booked 75 CHH, Latin CHH & Gospel Hip Hop to perform, from Alex Zurdo to Manny Montes, Derek Minor, Dee-1, Angie Rose, WhatUpRG, Bryann Trejo and more… She is also the manager for MainMain, one of CHH’s rising stars. Link: www.2020SummerFest.com

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Mike Mack

(Founder of Elevation Conference | Boston Concert Promoter | Music Manager)

Mike Mack is the Creator & Co-Founder of the Elevation Conference in Boston, MA. The Elevation Conference features urban apologetics, a wide range of leadership workshops, Gospel music, Christian Hip Hop, and more! Mike Mack is one of the premier promoters in the culture working with Amy Bentley on booking Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Fest, booking everyone from Derek Minor to Wande to Steven Malcolm to Dee-1 and more.

Jay Williams

(Owner - INDIE1 Radio Network, Founder Gospel Hip Hop Awards)

CEO at Indie One Network of 30 plus radio stations. Which consist of 15 Internet BDS stations -- 4 DRT Reporting Charting stations & The Jay Williams Show + 7 Internet Radio Stations which includes CHH stations along with The Jay Williams TV Show. Jay was nominated for 2 Stellar Awards, along with the Rhythm of Gospel Awards. He is the founder of the Gospel Hip Hop Awards taking place in Atlanta, Georgia 2021.

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Rhyann Lamar (Film & Music Video Director)

One of the hottest filmmakers in the culture, a screenwriter, director, producer, and visionary is Rhyan Lamarr, who is behind the film “Canal Street,” screened at the American Black Film Festival and has been a part of more than 18 films and television projects which also includes the Christian Rap short film epic ‘Better Days’. Lamarr also formed Red Guerilla Entertainment, a production company that creates diverse forms of visual content for the film, television, music, and digital media industries. Link: https://rgpentertainment.com

Chantal Grayson

(Co-Owner of Stellar Award Winning Station God’s House of Hip Hop Radio Powered by Dash Radio (GH3 Radio), Co-Owner & Co-Founder of God’s House of Hip Hop 20/20 Summer Festival, Owner/Assistant Program Director Rhythm & Praise Radio Powered by Dash Radio)

Chantal Grayson aka “Chanie G” is one of the most influential women in the Christian Hip Hop culture. Working in tandem and partnering with Emcee N.I.C.E. to help create an ecosystem and trailblaze new lanes for CHH in radio, festivals & television. Highly educated, Chantal holds two Master’s Degrees and is the Co-founder of the iTL Foundation (Information, Technology & Literacy Foundation) in Los Angeles, CA. She is looking forward to making 2021 the year of unity. Link: www.gh3radio.com Link: www.2020SummerFest.com Link: www.RhythmandPraiseLA.com Link: www.itlfoundation.org RYZEMagazine.com 35

Scott Free

(Executive Director - City Takers)

Scott Free is an Evangelist and Urban Missionary who uses Hip-Hop to serve the inner city of Atlanta with the Gospel. Scott launched “City Takers,” which exists to “raise up urban missionaries who transform cities through Hip-Hop, love, and Jesus.” City Takers hosts several outreach programs that continue to heavily serve outside the walls of the church, as well as a huge urban Hip-Hop Church Service, “The CityTakers Experience,” pastored by Scott and a CHH radio show on 91.5FM in Atlanta. Anyone in CHH knows, performing at City Takers means you’re on the radar. Link: www.citytakers.com

Sam Stewart

(Founder - His Hop Radio, His Hop TV)

Owner & Founder of His Hop Radio, His Hop Nation and Club His Hop venues. Sam created a network where Radio Stations from all over have come together to build an Empire for Indie Artists as well as majors in Radio. His Hop radio is a BDS/DRT reporting station. Link: www.hishopnation.com

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Justin Sarachik (Editor In Chief - Rapzilla)

Justin is the Editor-in-Chief of Rapzilla. com and co-owner of NewH2O.com. Rapzilla is one of the biggest Christian Music sites in the world. Rapzilla is known for its up-to-date news. Covering quality Christian hip hop music bringing more exposure to the scene. Justin has been a journalist for 9 years and has written or edited for Relevant, Christian Post, BREATHEcast, CCM, Broken Records Magazine, & more. Link: www.Rapzilla.com

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HI P H

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HOP

MUSIC BUSINESS ORDS FROM MUSIC ICON

Wendy Day

WENDY DA

Consistency is eve this business. Be c your time, contribu output, then and o you see success.

I started Rap Coa rappers out of the werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t structured benefit and to also with leverage get 54 RYZE NOVEMBER 2020

erything in consistent in utions, and only then will

alition to pull deals that d for their o help rappers good deals.

HOW TO SUCCEED

It’s been an eventful quarter for the music industry closer, Wendy Day. On first encounter with RYZE, the Hip Hop Music Icon is poised for convo over a StreamYard connect. Not wasting any time we jump into how Wendy got started... she shares her love affair with Hip Hop began in 1980, as a listener... and a fan, first. The passion and energy of the music submerged her and she’s still committed 28 years later. Delving into the beginning, an 18-year-old college student went to a rock concert where the opening act was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. “They were EVERYTHING!” I fell in love with Hip Hop, right then and there during that show. It’s electric listening to Ms. Day share her excitement. She goes on to say, “I made friends with every DJ at the local record stores -- kinda like today’s curators on Spotify so I could get the new release cassette tapes every Tuesday.”

In ‘86, Day went to NY and heard Mr. Magic and Marley Marl’s radio show, loving the vibe and what she heard... she up and moved to NY City a week later. For more than 12 years Wendy supported rappers as a fan before starting Rap Coalition in 1992, an organization that pulls artists out of oppressive deals. Many artists have signed with major labels and management companies that aren’t doing what their supposed to contractually, artists come to Rap Coalition and we help them get out of those deals. We don’t charge for that, it’s a not-for-profit side of what I do. The for-profit side of what I do, because I saw so many artists getting into bad deals (I quickly learned what a bad deal was), which enabled me to negotiate deals that are financially lucrative positions, and ownership positions as long as the artists have leverage (meaning they were already building some success, a fan base and a buzz in their area. RYZEMagazine.com 55

WENDY DAY Around 2005, I stopped getting deals for artists with major labels because I realized if artists did this independently they have more control, they make the line share of the money, and if they decide they want to do a deal they’re going to be able to get like a multi-million dollar joint venture. And, to me that has more value than artists signing to a label and getting a deal where they’re not in control, they’re not making the bulk of the money and hoping that their career becomes something. I’m a big fan of people controlling their destiny. So, that’s what I do now, 28 years later. I run a company called Power Moves that helps artists that have investors already onboard with minimally a quarter-million dollars available. We step in and help them. I know most artists don’t have that kind of capital I give away a lot of information for free on my YouTube Channel. I have a ton of articles in the music industry. I’ve written books... I tend to give out as much information as I can for free, so artists have some insight on a way to success if they can’t afford services. Wendy, your area of expertise is Music Business what’s your biggest piece of advice for an artist? Just like you wouldn’t step on the court against LeBron James without knowing how to play basketball, practicing a little bit, right... so you don’t look foolish, learning the rules of the basketball game; I’ve never understood why the music industry isn’t seen the same way. Artists will come into the industry without a clue, not knowing anything about the rules of the game, it’s all assumption and they just start making music and they don’t take the time to learn how the business works and when they get taken advantage of... the sad thing is it takes years to realize. If you step on the court with LeBron and you’re looking like a clown you’ll know within 30 seconds you’re out of your lane. In the music industry, it takes years. In my experience, the average is about three years for someone to understand they’re being taken advantage of. So, you lose time, energy, and you lose years’ worth of income, which is frustrating. What’s the space within the industry you see most fail because of a lack of information? One of the biggest pitfalls I see is artists don’t see understand how costly it is to be in the music business. They share they don’t have a job, a backer, a plan, but they make the best music, put me on... this isn’t that industry like it’s a really expensive industry and yes I have seen artists and I can count them 56 RYZE NOVEMBER 2020

Wendy Day is a Master’s recipien in African Amer Studies and an M in Marketing. Sh been a part of so the most influen deals within the game. She playe role in the origin Master P deal at ority Records, w on to do Twista joint venture wit Atlantic Record she’s most know the Cash Money she negotiated. S helped both Em and David Bann with their deals

dual nt rican MBA he’s ome of ntial rap ed a nal t Priwent ’s th ds and wn for y Deal She minem ner too.

“Artists are the priority in every deal I make” - Wendy Day on one hand that have got signed to labels where someone believed in them and was hoping to get struck by lightning or hit the lottery but that is so rare, it doesn’t work. At some point, you need to have either an investor or a plan on how you’re going to do this and make income so that you can put that income back into your career. What are your thoughts on how an artist can be influential within their communities? The starting point is to understand your market, and that’s not easy when you’re brand new to this. You can’t just go into your Spotify dashboard, and your Apple Music dashboard, or even your FB and IG dashboards and see who your fans are because you might only have 300 followers and it’s not enough insight to tell who your market is. If that’s where you are you have to look at the artists who are similar to the music you’re making and then figure out who likes them and go get some of their fans, so you can start building your fan base. I realize that there are spaces where you can have those who try to disdain you and “hate on you”, so you’re unable to get on in your area, and if you live in one of those cities my suggestion would be to work the surrounding areas and then come back into your city once you’ve created a little bit of a buzz for yourself. I did that while working with David Banner Jackson, Mississippi was a gangster rap marketplace and it was hard for him to break through with intelligent rap so we went into other markets surrounding the area even as far away as Atlanta where there was a market for the music. Now, this was also pre-internet and that’s the great thing about the world today is you can sit at home and find your market. AND, you need to do that. Find out who your fan base is, who is your target market. You need to be able to go to the people who will embrace the style of music you make and let them decide if it’s good or not. Go to where you can reach 1 out of 10, or 1 out of 5... that will support your music. What do you say to the artists who share their sound “isn’t like anyone else”? If I recorded a bunch of screeching cats and dropped verses over it no doubt I’d be different, but is there truly a market for that? It’s great to be different but not so different that there’s no place for you... whether we understand it or not the music industry’s compartmentalized and you have to fit in enough, please bring your authenticity and your flavor but know you have to be able to be played after so and so, and on the bill with so and so. I think authenticity is really important today I think you have to start with good music and I think you gotta be who YOU ARE today. In today’s world everything gets exposed on the internet fronting for the cameras just doesn’t work anymore. RYZEMagazine.com 57

Does SM hur t or help independent ar ti str y? I think for the people who do it correctly it helps... all of my clients are making money. By properly I mean they have a fan base of real people who support them on SM. They’re doing it on YouTube, Apple Music, they’re going where the fans are S oundCloud, Audiomack, connecting with them one-by-one; and they’re doing it

without boosting, and bots. They’re doing it to connect with these people because at some point they’re going to ask them to buy their merch, come to their shows, and bots can’t but merch, bots can’t come to your show. Your ego might be stroked because you have 250K followers but nothing comes from that. You can’t make a living doing this so you’ ll be the person with a quar ter-million followers working for FedEx or UPS or wherever because you can’t feed yourself doing music because you didn’t build a proper fanbase. How can ar ti st balance their personage for both fan s and being real w ith them selves? You have to be able to switch modes even if you’re out to dinner fighting with your spouse and a fan comes up... you have to be able to “move around” without getting caught up on camera doing you know the wrong thing(s). I say this as I’m an introvert as well. I’m somebody who hates the spotlight, really hates fame, but to do what I do I have to embrace people constantly. I have to be on 24/7. The way I do it, is I make sure that I have quiet space... may be I can sit in my car for 20-30 minutes or retreat to my home or a hotel room by myself and just sor t of have some quiet time to download and ref lect. An acting class also helped me. I

learned to find a happy place and channel that space when I’m tired or irritated.

your personality and talk about sports, it could be from a comedic perspective, or an analytical perspective, it could be Cov id-19 has cer tainly changed the game. the highlights or the best moments. You Ar ti sts have had to f ind ways to be creknow for a minute there we had no spor ts ative and intuitive, which beg s the quesso people were jonesing for anything that tion of how bad do you want it, r ight? had to do with sports. Imagine a rapper They’ve had to step up and be leaders. whose music you like, and whose opinion That’s something I’ve discovered in myself. you respect talks about the highlights, or With C ovid, I’m so sad people got sick and their favorite players once a week, or evsome people died but this time has been er y day, ever y-other-day, people will tune awesome for me. It comes back to the fact into that. If you build it people will come. that I am an introvert, so I do ver y well And, if they’re not coming then you pivot when I’m forced to stay at home, and I a bit and figure out the spin you can put don’t have to interact with other people. on it to entice people to come. If it doesn’t I got so much accomplished. On the busiwork on FB, may be it will work on IG or ness side my artists were already making YouTube. You have to figure out the entr y money online especially from merch, but point to meeting your audience where they because we have done during the pandem- are. It could be video games, star t a Twitch ic more artists have sought out represenChannel where people can come and watch tation, because of the success seen during you play or go LIVE with some of your this timeframe. friends or do online gaming and compete with your fans. There are so many spaces As an ar tist, you’ve got to be creative that we take for granted in our own lives. and you’ve got to pivot. You’ve got to be You’d be sur prised how people want to able to do things like stream live, perknow the basic, general stuff about you as form in your house, join Cameo, and othsomeone they value. er websites where you can make money by recording birthday wishes, and other For 25 years, Wendy Day has been at the merchandising options... that’s the key to forefront of the urban music industr y sur vival in this time and dispensation. helping ar tists succeed. As an ar tist advocate, Wendy has been able to supply the What are some option s for ar ti sts w ithblueprint--the know-how, the connections, out a follow ing? The first thing they need the team, and the co-signs that help ar tists to do is build an audience. If nobody is achieve success. Wendy Day’s clients have willing to give you money for something sold over a billion CDs and downloads, you’re not going to make money. My best and their music has streamed billions of suggestion is not only to release music times. Most of them still have viable cainto the marketplace but do something reers in this industr y, today, decades later. that you’re already good at. For examWendy’s clients read like a who’s who of ple, if you’re great at cooking then start the music industr y. She has played a role a YouTube Channel for a little cooking in the careers of Lil Wayne, Master P, Emshow. Just prop your phone up and show inem, B G, Juvenile, Hot B oyz, C-Murder, us how you make dinner or whatever your Fiend, Twista, Do Or Die, B oosie, Weebie, special dish is, if you’re a sports person David Banner, Hurricane Chris, R as Kass, may be host a 15-20 minute daily vlog, and many others... visit her site at rap.life something LIVE where people can see RYZEMagazine.com 59

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