By YRS Jerzy
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
A whole lot goes into the music industry, much more than what the people see and there are a lot of people involved. Due to the moves made, many of the behind the scenes people are getting a lot of attention. Recently, Eesean Bolden has made plenty of big moves.
Inspired by seeing his parents work in the music industry, Eesean Bolden became the man who helped Silento rise to fame. This year, “Nae Nae” was one of the biggest records out. The man who helped that record grow remains humble throughout.
Eesean Bolden talked to Hip Hop Vibe, earlier this week, and he provided a unique take on the game. Humble and honest, Eesean Bolden actually advised artists to be annoying when it comes to pushing their product. Mostly, he advised them to let the game come to them, as opposed to chasing.
Read the entire interview below:
In the case of many music executives, they ended up working on the business side after first trying their hand at rapping. Can you tell us your journey into the business end of hip hop? Luckily, I was never a rapper. For me, it started with my mother and father. They had an R&B group when I was young and they were signed to an independent label. I was right there, as they shot music videos, recorded, and everything. My other love was basketball and when I saw I wouldn’t be an NBA player, I turned to the music business. I learned of what an A&R was through my parents’ group, as I met theirs and saw how important he was to the music, without even recording. Also, from there, I went to school at Sacramento State and then got into the business around 2005/2006.
Speaking of rappers, there are tons of artists who are trying to be signed. Speaking for yourself and Epic Records, what type of artists are labels and executives looking for and how do they approach someone like you? A company like Epic has a very diverse roster, so it’s not just one genre. Here, it is all about the music and it directs us to the artist. If we love the record and their buzz, we will find them and approach them. We look for who is doing what and we will find them. Music is so subjective, this is why you will hear of artists who get dropped by one label and then go on to find success with another label. In this day and age, it is important for artists to build their own buzz and then a label will come to them. Other than that, do what you have to do in order to get your music heard. I don’t believe in a “right” way of doing things, because there is no right way. If you believe in what you’re doing and you keep doing it, the floodgates will open for you. Learn how to take constructive criticism and tweak what you have. Enjoy the journey of getting where you need to be, appreciate patience and understanding. A lot of this is all due to timing, and also a little bit of luck. It takes a lot to get the product you believe in in front of people.
Prior to being at Epic Records, you held a title at Capitol Records, where you signed PTAF, can you explain how that deal came together? Yeah, well, I signed a few acts at Capitol Records. PTAF, Mary Lambert, a two time Grammy winner, Silento of “Nae Nae” fame, he made his record with his producer and they got on with it, changed their lives, and everything, because they believed in htemselves. When we met him, he told us what he was going to do and how he was going to do it. He recently won a Soul Train Award. On the other side of it, Mary Lambert co-wrote Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love” that she also featured on. It sold millions of copies, performed at the Grammys, where they married a bunch of gay couples, and it was a big night for the Grammys. This is the beauty of the music industry, I love finding two different sides of the spectrum to the masses like we did there and both impacting the world in a major way.
How long have you been working at Epic Records and what projects are you overseeing? I’m literally one month into my Epic journey and it’s been great so far. It takes a couple of weeks to get your email and phone set up. I haven’t signed anyone just yet, but I have been doing research for the company so far. I am looking for things to sign and A&R-ing is a team project, as we look for big records, who to sign, and all of that. So, this is where I’m at right now.
In your opinion, what are the biggest mistakes artists make when trying to gain the attention of major labels and executives? I think, if I was an artist, I wouldn’t go after the major executives, I would want them to come to me. Use all of your resources, let it touch the people, get a response from them, and see how it grows. Do those things and the major labels will come, OR just be annoying. Being persistent is how you do it, touching fans, because the people will be the one to buy your records. If it buzzes, I PROMISE the labels will.
Can you let the people know where they can find you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat? I’m @SeanDidThat is Instagram and Twitter. If I made a Facebook, it would be that, too.
