Today we’d like to introduce you to Breeze.
Breeze, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My career in music started in the summer of 2005. I launched my first production/management company called Bottom Up Music Productions in June of that year with my first clients, producers Robb Da Kidd and G-Majr, despite making a prior commitment to enlist into the United States Marine Corps. I reported to basic training that July. During my second deployment to Iraq, I organized and executive produced a compilation mixtape called O.I.F. (Operation Iraqi Freedom) highlighting a small group of talented service members from both the Marines and Navy. The project featured production from my producers and was hosted by Miami’s mixtape king (and current co-host of Drink Champs) DJ EFN. Bottom Up Music dissolved shortly afterward.
After completing my service to our country in the summer of 2009, I moved to Miami and through a chance meeting with DJ Smokey, I briefly started interning at the now defunct Global Hit Music recording studio in downtown Miami. That quickly turned into an opportunity to intern for Poe Boy Music Group while simultaneously becoming a staff writer for 24hourhiphop.com, which became my introduction to blogging and doing interviews. After my tenure there, the next five years would see me continue working with different online publications and brands such as The305.com, Derick G, Coast2Coast mixtapes and Chad Ocho Cinco’s shortly lived OCNN Report.
Through all of the relationships I developed as a writer over the years, whether it was giving an unbiased ear to their music, providing advice or online assistance with their releases, I decided to start back managing talent. I took on a variety of talented artists and producers as clients and we had some moderate successes independently, but after three years, the company became too much to manage by myself while trying to balance my issues, frustrations of adjusting to the rapid changes in the industry and the internal turmoil within my camp, so after restructuring the company, I ended up right back where I started, solely managing producers until I ended up managing a short-lived rap group from South Miami.
By 2016, through my close friend DJ Meat, I was introduced to Ted Lucas and began working with the famed Slip-N-Slide Records as an A&R during the company’s early phases of rebuilding its brand. The company provided me first-hand experience on the ends and outs of an independent label but also an outlet to utilize some of the knowledge I acquired on my own over the years to help contribute to Florida’s most storied record label. I parted ways from the company in July of this year.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Just like any other business in any other industry, there are always trials and tribulations you encounter before seeing any type of success. Trying to build a brand in an oversaturated niche like music in such a transient market like South Florida is not an easy task, especially being based in a major city that has no direct ties to the actual music business. When I first got introduced the music scene here 10 years ago, there was no mentorship for individuals who had executive aspirations in Miami or at least someone I could go to for insight, so I had to learn the business as I went along, soaking up information from every resource I could. I sacrificed a lot of pivotal time away from my family and friends in pursuit of various opportunities that never panned out.
Luckily for me, I continuously educated myself on the business, accumulated enough personal experience through trial and error, built solid relationships around the industry and learned from the mistakes I witnessed from brands I’ve worked with over the years.
Please tell us about your company.
My new endeavor, In The Wind Management, is a boutique management and consulting firm that provides advisory and transformative services tailored to musicians and music-related brands. We will specialize in cultivating innovative creative campaigns for artists, marketing, digital strategy with creative and art direction. With In The Wind, I’ll be utilizing my network of freelance expertise from all areas of the business to develop a reliable team that will get the job done and share knowledge. Independent consultants are fast becoming the norm in this business, especially as artists increasingly turn to label service models and self-releasing content.
My first signee is a talented producer by the name of Will Notes. We’ve been working together since 2011 and have collaborated on numerous projects over the years. More signees will be announced shortly.
The thing I’m most proud of with this company is that I can do things my way and grow this brand how I see fit. I’ve learned A LOT from the mistakes of previous companies I’ve dealt with in the past and believe I can build something that will have longevity.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, former First Lady Michelle Obama once said “success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” That quote has always stuck with me, so I’ve always defined success not just of my accomplishments, but also by the accomplishments of the individuals who I’ve helped along in their journey. Success is meaningless if you have no one to enjoy it with or have never paid it forward to help someone accomplish their dreams.
As far as a criteria, I base all of my goals on level of passion I have for said goal, what value would it bring to me personally or professionally, the amount of time and energy that would need to be dedicated to this goal to make it happens and whether or not it’s worth the risk overall.
Contact Info:
- Email: inthewindmgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: @breeze305 / @inthewind
- Facebook: @inthewindmgmt
- Twitter: @inthewindmgmt
Image Credit:
@jucadroid
@oasisjae
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