REVOLT Summit x AT&T’s “Summit Saturdays” returned for its third installment with another round of thought-provoking discussions that included the topics of mentorship and navigating different environments throughout the industry with music executive KP the Great and music agent Yves C. Pierre.
Gillie the King and Wallo of the “Million Dollarz Worth of Game” podcast gave viewers tips on protecting their intellectual property and knowing your worth in a workshop titled “The Gift of Gab.” While rising producers London on da Track and Kosine discussed their creative process and the importance of being a student in their workshop titled “Staying Close to Your Craft.”
Host Bri Harmon was joined by three new special guest judges who put one more lucky contestant closer to their dreams of winning $10,000 and more in the third round of the semifinals of “Be Heard.” Check out the highlights from “Summit Saturdays” below.
Executive Chats returned with two more gem-filled conversations featuring ICM music agent Yves C. Pierre and A&R legend Kawan Prather a.k.a “KP The Great,” respectively. Host Rodney Rikai sat down with each industry giant to talk about their experience in the game and, of course, tips and tools for those looking make a name for themselves in the music business.
First up, Yves, who represents some of your favorites including Migos and Lil Yatchy, just to name a few, gave her hot take unpaid internships. The music agent admitted she had no issues with the practice and revealed what she considered a real currency. “I was birth from that. I was in a situation where it was unpaid. Then, it was a subway stipend of some sort or a small stipend for transportation or a food stipend,” the agent explained. She added, “The money part of it is never going to make sense because you don’t own the company that you’re working for, and you’re never going to get paid as much as someone that owns the company.” Yves said that the opportunity to learn from veterans in the industry was the best form of currency. “To me, if someone’s going to trust me enough to allow me sort of work beside them and learn, for right now, that’s the transaction that I need. So, I’m for it,” she said.
However, the agent did note that there was a method to the madness. “It sort of weeds out the faint of the heart because it isn’t for the faint of the hearts,” Yves explained. “This business is a grind. The level of commitment is high. If you’re going to work somewhere for no money, then that level of commitment is unmatched.” She also touched on mentorship and demystified the theory that women in this industry can’t get along. “My foundation in this business was related to Black women,” the businesswoman revealed. “I wasn’t a big talker. Those women pushed me. They said, ‘No, if this is your idea, speak on it.’” Yves said her mentors always reminded her to “Be loud” and to “use your voice.”
Grammy award-winner KP The Great kept the conversation of mentorship and structure going as he spoke on the importance of pouring into the next generation of creatives and how the city of Atlanta benefited from that practice. “It’s not as much old head, new dude. It’s not so much of that in Atlanta because everybody in Atlanta respects that moment when they were the new dude,” the songwriter explained.
As someone who started his career as a DJ , KP also dropped some tools on what it took to become the multi-hyphenated entrepreneur he is today. “My confidence in my space, not that it is bigger or smaller than anyone else’s. it’s mine. And whatever I feel in it, it’s genuinely and honestly the truth, and I speak from that place. I’m comfortable in my space,” he explained. KP also revealed that as someone who has lived in several different parts of Atlanta, he had to teach himself to be comfortable in whatever space he found himself. That lesson ultimately helped him secure opportunities due to being true to himself instead of imitating those he aspired to be. And for those looking to get into the business, KP listed a few pillars of becoming a successful A&R. “Honesty and the ability to communicate without being hurtful. It’s understanding that the goal is to get dope shit,” the exec explained. He added, “For me, A&R has always been about finding what was needed in the room.”
Next up, producers London on da Track and Kosine broke down their creative process in their workshop. Both guys chopped it about what inspired them to pursue their careers. Whether it was naturally being invested, along with the added financial gain, or just getting a positive reaction from fans when they heard their music, it all played a part in them honing their craft. Kosine emphasized being a student of the art and letting it show in your work, and both gentlemen revealed the back story to their notable producer tags, “We got London on the track” and Kosine’s “school bells,” respectively.
Podcasters Gillie Da King and Wallo, and Rashad and Troy of “Earn Your Leisure” broke down the podcasting business and proved that it doesn’t take much to get your voice heard.
Gillie stressed being self-sufficient and creating a lane of your own when one isn’t provided for you. Troy recalled a quote he was once told, “If you allow them to feed you, you’ll also allow them to starve you.” Meanwhile, Wallo dropped gems on avoiding being taken advantage of as a newcomer in the creative space. “Don’t let nobody pimp you. This not back in the day where you gotta get burned,” he explained. “Own your intellectual property and know your worth. If [they] not coming correct and they trying to snatch your IP, stay away from them.” Rashad chimed in by saying, “The point of making a business is to eventually sell the business, but it has to make sense.”
Music competition “Be Heard” returned for its third round of semi-finals with a whole set of new judges. Host Bri Harmon was joined by judges Eric Bellinger, Fuzzy, and DJ Hed. The group did not hold back on the critiques as they heard from eager musicians from across the country. The guys gave tips on not just having the whole package, but also having the right attitude as a new artist in the industry. Eventually, New Orleans rapper LG took home the win for his track “Untitled” and is one step closer to taking home the grand prize.
Last, but not least, “The World Is Yours” returned with more stories of perseverance and success from rapper Raja Kumari, and Coco and Breezy. Episode three also featured a guest appearance by singer and actress Ryan Destiny. The Detroit native spoke about her childhood, and how having a musically talented father and being a youth theater member influenced how she approached her career in entertainment. Ryan also revealed how artists like Diana Ross and Lauryn Hill inspired her to never put herself in a box of having to choose between singing or acting.
Meanwhile, Coco and Breezy gave tips on using your everyday life and experiences when building your brand. The sisters shared that the idea to build a business around their eyewear came up after people reached out to them on Myspace and inquired about purchasing their products. They also emphasized listening to your intuition and being comfortable with the feeling of the unknown. Lastly, Raja urged creatives to hone their crafts and put in the necessary hours needed to master whatever it is that they pursue. “Become an expert in something,” the rapper said, “because the way you go up is the same way you’re going to go down. But, if you rise brick by brick, nobody can take anything from you. And I can say that from my own experience because there have been many that have tried to stop me in their own ways. But, I stay focused on my own lane.”
Be sure to check the REVOLT Summit app next Saturday for more great motivation content.