Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony TSwang Gullens.
Hi TSwang, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Bentley Records Presents
R&B Hip Hop Soul artist TSwang
Born in Chicago, IL but raised in South Bend, IN
Bentley Records artist TSWANG is a Singer, Performer, musician who loves adding the Talk box to his music to give it that Eclectic funk-hop style. He performs his own original music but always gives it up to the legends before him. With some Top 40 R&B/Soul Tributes to (Teddy Riley, Roger Troutman, Michael Jackson) with his own energetic twist to it.
TSwang loves seeing people dancing and singing along to his music creations. When he delivers his Eclectic style of Funk R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, and Soul. Music to his audience. And you want to talk about some high energy environment. Once he gets going it’s non-stop showmanship.
The moves are so smooth, and melodies are so catchy. But when he adds that special touch from his talk box, we are talking pure music magic.
TSwang is ready to get fans excited with a string of hot new singles that will keep the thrills coming. “V.I.P Status feat Lady Resin” and “I Aint No Quitta” have unique sounds that will keep listeners hitting repeat.
The Aint No Quitta” album is a finely crafted studio productions, fully written by TSwang. “With some amazing features on the production from artist J-Stylz from the multi platinum group BlackStreet and
TSwang has gained fame opening for artists such as Angela Winbush, Bizzy Bone, Drake, Lyfe Jennings, Jeremiah, Carl Thomas, Genuwine, Melissa Morgan, . He has also wrote songs for and worked on studio projects just to name a few Teddy Riley, Thrill Tha Playa of the 69 Boyz, Allen from Grammy Award Winning Group TROOP.
Anthony TSwang Gullens is quickly becoming a headliner in the r&b,hip-hop, Soul and pop music scene.
CONTACT:
Bentley
ARTIST: TSWANG
ALBUM: I AINT NO QUITTA
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 31
LABEL: BENTLEY RECORDS
GENRE: R&B SOUL POP HIP HOP
PRODUCED BY ANTHONY
TSWANG GULLENS
Little did anyone know that TSwang was absorbing all of his musical influence that he was surrounded with (Blues, Funk, R&B, Hip Hop, Rap, Pop, Soul, and Gospel music).
This is why when listening to any of his music you will hear all of these influences. His new Album “I Ain’t No Quitta” offers just that over the Smooth melodies hard Beats, you get that Hip hop, Soul, Rap, and more.
TSwang is ready to get fans excited with 14 brand new sizzling tracks all bathing in his es·sence.
Songs like Baby Don’t U Kno? Take U Away feat Darryl B, Sauce aka What I’ve Been On feat Shorty G, “V.I.P Status feat Lady Resin,”
“I Ain’t No Quitta” Freak Side feat Songbird, Make No Mistake feat Drezzy Drezz, and the smooth ballad By Ur Side Feat But A Fly & GWP all have a its own unique approach to that new R&B/Hip Hop/Soul &Pop blend.
It’s these types of sounds that will keep listeners hitting repeat.
Tswang has opened for Angela Winbush, Drake, Lyfe Jennings, Jeremih, Carl Thomas, Genuwine, Trina, Michel’le, Full Force, Bizzy Bone, Jagged Edge, The Ohio Players, Usher, The Whispers, Rome, & The Public Announcement… And has worked on several projects with Thrill the Playa of the 69Boyz, J-Stylz of StarGlobe Entertainment. TSwang has also worked on a couple opportunities for the great King of New Jack Swing himself (Teddy Riley) TSwang has been busy working with Bentley Records Billboard Album Arcane which charted #1 in Top Hip Hop/Rap Albums in Belgium! This Album features some heavy hitters on it like Future, The Game, Bow Wow, Luca Dayz, Skinnyfromthe9 & Ayoo KD
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the early struggles were making the right connections in order to get my career on the right track.
I hate to sound cliche, but it is truly a great idea to know someone who knows someone in the industry.
Your ship can sink quickly if you don’t know who to talk to when it comes to where you’re getting your resources and selling your music tracks, songs, etc to the right people. And by people, I mean the ones who have the good business relationships in media with the producers, talent buyers, radio, tv, in consumers, and fans in your local plus global market.
And not knowing how to operate your shares/stake in music publishing is really a shot in the dark. You must educate yourself on the music business and not just the 10% of the industry, which is the glamour, fame, and all the things that will cloud your judgement. I have seen many thinks they are the next big thing just because they are talented careers come to a fast halt because of this way of thinking. Artist really needs to understand it is rare to have someone who really and truly care about you or your career. Some only care about what they can get out of your career. The more you face that part head on the better chances you will have doing business with other music industry commodities like your talent buyers, booking agents, distributors, work for hires, studio sessions writers, production deals, managers, musicians, etc. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you won’t get true genuine people and friends who will have your back and that you will grow and love and cherish forever. These are rare precious jewels so when you meet them do right by them. Let’s make that part clear. I’m saying when doing business as an artist you are the supplier and the demand created around you as the product. You are a product to the consumer, your fans, producers, writers, and if signed with a label to the label.
I had to learn all of these things through trail, error, hard work, and tribulations. I thought I was smart until I actually learned about the music industry. Whenever you throw money into the equation, it is business. But a lot of times when it came time to pay me for my service I was cheated and treated like a cheap non-educated hobby. So, I had to learn about presentation and contracts. These two things changed my life as a business recording artist. My walk changed, the way I spoke and carried myself changed and the way I presented myself to people of business had to change. I put together a business plan in document form. I formed an LLC under my business name FunkHop Productions LLC a publishing company through (BMI)SNB FON K MUSIC and (ASCAP) Swang the Funk because as a business you can have a publishing company through both. I learned about where to go to get funding from investors, gov, etc. I made sure my saving and checking account had their own business accounts totally separate from my personal affairs. I conducted a market research plan. And made sure I understood enough to share with others who were willing to learn.
This is why I can talk to any artist about the do’s and the don’ts in plain English with clarity and understanding of where their coming from because I have been there.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At this point in my career, I want to educate others on how to self-manage their music career. The way I would do that is to enlighten artist on how to self-manage being independent by running your career like a business through investing through funding programs for the arts, setting up your EIN and Duns so that you the artist are totally separate from your personal assets, expenses, and bank accounts, I would give them the bonuses of why independent compared to a 360-deal distribution deal, etc. Teach them self-motivating, educating yourself and by mentorships and things like that.
On a business level I’m proud of the work I have done in my community with helping some of the upcoming artist. I’m proud of the work I have done with feedingamerica.org and local food banks. I’m proud to be doing music as a seasoned artist signed with Bentley Records.
I’m proud to have received the #1 Spot under the Top 25 Artiste Award from PUSO82.3FM
I’m proud I have met so many great music industries contacts that I now call family. I’m proud of all the radio stations that play my music like BiggsRaido, (Al Greer, Dinah Lynn Biggs, Dynamax Roberts, Vince Brown In the Morning, Tani Soul Sister), PUSO82.3FM, U93FM (BigPerm), WUBUMix106.3fm (The Godfather, Sanita Sherrise, D.C. Hendrix) Smokin99.1FM (Marci Taylor, Roger Rader, Danny Mac, Charese Fru), Homebase DJ’s, WLTH-FM (Tommy Williams), Gangstaville Radio (Dj Statum), etc, Wine Down Hour with Char Tyniska (Pritchard), WSND.ND.EDU (TJ Tobias), Dj King Rob of Core DJ’s and ITNS Radio with Sam and Tina Watkins.
I’m so proud of my younger brother who made it his duty to help put my music career on the right track by meeting setting up the life-changing meeting with J-Stylz of Star Globe and Teddy Riley possible.
I’m most proud of the relationships I have built with the people I network with. And now seeing the things that I have manifest about actually come true.
One would say my Stage presence the energy, my charisma, and appeal, I have always been told my whole life. You got that something and you’re going big places. I think I have the things you can’t teach most artist I love performing in front of others., The things that come natural for me are giving and helping others. But at the same time, I don’t have a pushover quality. I totally grounded in the way I conduct myself and business savvy sets me apart from most artist. A lot of artists can lose who they are in this music business. I have never loss who I am as a person. And that really stands out to most people I come in contact with.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
One of my favorite books is The 48 Laws of Power (1998) is a non-fiction book by American author Robert Greene. This is not a book, but I really enjoy reading it. Inc, 5000 2002 State of Business now Winning In A Time of Change.
Favorite App is my brand new https://tsfsquad.backstage.army because I get to share with my Superfans updates and freebies just to let them know I care. My favorite Blog site that I visit the most would be https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://funkhopmusic3.wixsite.com/t-swang
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tswang2/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSwangmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tswang2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwpUu5xTMGd7vGa9i-_g0xA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tswang
- Other: https://www.aliveshoes.com/brand/a-i-m-high-shoes-by-ts
Image Credits
Anna Maria’s Photography
DJ Rick
Williams Bernadine
Washington Marie
