06/05/2019
HOW TO SUCCEED IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY: Weāve watched several associates go from just another homie trying to make it to bonafide superstars while others with equal talent (sometimes more) just end up falling off the map. Both sets with similar backgrounds, equal talent and the same (opportunity-to-seek) opportunities. One set, however, possesses a unique set of character traits that, in retrospect, I believe is what lead them to their success.
Character Trait: AFFABILITY (LIKABILITY)
Back in the day I was a lowly studio intern at Teddy Rileyās Future Recording Studios in Virginia Beach. It was an opportunity I had finagled for myself when i dressed up in a shirt and tie and marched up to the front door, resume in hand, and knockedā¦ and knockedā¦ and knocked until someone finally came to the door. A week or two in, I was in the lobby sitting on the couch by myself whilst Teddy and the members of Blackstreet were conversing boisterously with a few others by the door. I noticed a young guy had just been buzzed in the front door from my periphery. He walked in and on thru the congregation at the front, saw me sitting on the couch and, without hesitation (literally), walked right up to me and extended his hand. āHi Iām Pharrell Williamsā. I introduced myself, told him it was nice to meet him and we went about our mutual business. This was circa 1998, when The Neptunes had had a little success as a production duo a few years earlier with āUse Your Heartā by SWV which went Gold (500,000 units) but it was before they had developed their signature āNeptune soundā which we first heard with āSuperthugā by NORE, so they were still under the radar, just trying to make a name for themselves. Immediately after my encounter with Pharrell, I distinctly remember thinking to myself: āwow he didnāt know me from Adam and with all these other celebrities in the room, he walked right up and made a point to meet MEā¦ I bet this guy is gonna go farā. Little did I knowā¦
If you want to make it in the music business, you need to remember one thing CRUCIALLY importantā¦ treat EVERYONE with respect; b/c you never know who you are talking to. Iāve met plenty in this business who try to use fear and intimidation to get people to do what they want, whether its in the studio or out in the streets of their hometown, and while that may work in the short term, in the long-term-career game, you will never.. EVVVVER get someone to talk positively about you BEHIND YOUR BACK to someone who might be able to make or break your career, by attacking someoneās perceived weakness.
LESSON 1: BE LIKE PHARRELLā¦ BE LIKEABLE AF!!
(To be continuedā¦)
