Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda “Butta P” Small.
Hi Amanda “Butta P”, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a musical home, I always knew I’d want to pursue music somehow. My brother introduced me to Hip-Hop when I was 12 years old and I was hooked; I knew I wanted to be a rapper. Fast forward to college, I was able to secure a position on the college radio show and I began to rap on our Freestyle Friday sessions and began gaining fans locally. I eventually moved to South Florida from PA and dove into the music industry of South Florida where I was able to meet the who’s who of Hip-Hop while hanging out at Circle House Studios. Circle House was like a dream come true for me. I became a student of the game. As these artists would come in and out of their sessions, I would sit and listen gathering pieces of the game I could from them. I was like a sponge. Any opportunity I had to possibly ask a question, I took it. If any artists needed help with anything, I helped. The funny thing was I didn’t even work at the studio. I was actually a local artist at the time that worked out of there but I knew that the opportunity I had to be in the presence of some of the greats was once in a lifetime. I was blessed. All the while still trying to figure out what I really wanted to do with music, what was it really that I wanted to say, who did I want to say it to? Then in walks Ms. Lauryn Hill. The rest was history.
Our conversation redirected my journey and redefined my why. She shared how the industry had tried to break her, they tried to steal her voice, She had something to say and she refused to be silenced. I loved her fight, her tenacity, her rebellion. She was speaking my language and I was all ears. After a few months of getting to know her, I knew the path I was supposed to take and I did it, full-fledged. I went on to become a successful touring, billboard charting, hip-hop recording artist as part of a hip-hop trio based out of South Florida. We released five full albums, toured all over the US and then one day after a show in North Carolina, I had the opportunity to speak with a young lady who had a desire to pursue music. I realized I kept hearing the same story over and over, that there was such a lack of representation. It was that day I realized that it may be time for me to start looking into the business side of the industry and begin creating more pathways for women. I needed to start getting a seat at some tables. I had to make a decision. Was I going to be more impactful being on a stage or in a board room? I chose the latter. So at the peak of my career, I chose to step off the stage and head into the trenches of the industry to start creating some pathways. The past four years have been educational, to say the least. I’ve learned more about myself if anything. Over the past several years, I’ve been at the center of discovering and launching artist’s careers, producing and partnering with artists on several Top Billboard-charting singles in pop and hip-hop categories, and have garnered much success with the publishing division of the company with TV, Film and Video Game placements.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With any career path, you’re going to find some challenges. As a woman and a woman of color, those are two challenges I walk into a room with by default. To add a third, I am also a woman of faith. Many times my beliefs may contradict the very industry I’ve become a part of. Challenges are just that, challenges. I never look at them as impossible. As a female artist, I had been refused to be brought on tour simply because I was a female. I was being charged for my own transportation, lodging, and a fee to be on the tour, etc. I gracefully declined the tour offer and decided to book my own tour. We went on to earn five times more than what the tour was offering my group. Labels were interested in our group but weren’t sure where to place us in the industry. Culturally they didn’t know what to do. They offered trash deals. So we decided we’re paying for this ourselves, and we did. Every album was self-funded. We made a way out of no way and we did it with excellence. The labels came back around and by that time they couldn’t afford us. We had mastered the art of being indie artists. If I own 100%, I don’t owe you anything. I learned what it meant to have negotiating power. I took that lesson into the board rooms when I was negotiating deals for my clients. I learned how to set my clients up in a way that brought them to the table with value. I learned how to fight for what I wanted. I learned to never be afraid to walk away from a. deal. Nine times out of ten, they’ll come back, and when they do, I let them know, my price went up.
We’ve been impressed with Good City Music, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Good City Music is a music and brand management company specializing in artist development, publishing, and sync licensing. We have helped launch artist careers, build brands and create space for artists and producers to create music for TV and Film placements. Our company believes in the artist first. What sets us apart is that we were artists first. We understand the heart of an artist so we create our business deals in favor of the artist. As successful as I have been, what makes me proud is when someone I have the pleasure of working with, encouraging, and investing in, becomes more successful than me. I enjoy seeing people live out their purpose. That is worth more than any check someone can write me. Good City is a place where artists have the freedom to create. The freedom to dream and step into their purpose with complete confidence that what they were meant to do, is right around the corner and we’re the team to get them there.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Some books I recommend to people are The Heart of an Artist, All You Need to Know About the Music Business, Thinking In Sync: A Primer on the Mind of a Music Supervisor, Rich Dad Poor Dad. A podcast for business that I enjoy is How I Built This. Some inspirational/faith-based podcasts are Equip & Empower by Christine Caine, Nadine’s Dose of Inspiration by Nadine Raphael. Feel free to check out my own podcast I launched with my husband and co-owner of Good City. Our Small World podcast, where we share some honest and fun conversations about our journey on family, faith, music, and everything else we share together.
Contact Info:
- Website: goodcitymusic.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/goodcitymusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/goodcitymusic
- Twitter: twitter.com/goodcitymusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwdoUUb0ECIJiaC7NmGjmQ
