We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zuko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Zuko, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?
Prior to 2015, myself and business partner Sabrina Hadfield were promoting monthly rap showcases; and periodically promoting album release parties for local acts like Trinidad Jame$, R. City, Playboy Tre and others. As a promoter, we weren’t directly connected to any of these acts.
We envisioned a hands on system to help acts with projects, booking and management. We really needed a music producer! That need led us to form artist development company, Moredopemusic, with friend and industry colleagues, Wes Green and Amir Herron.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Every artist is different. Some come to us simply for services related to the creative process such as music production, vocal tracking, mixing/mastering, graphic services, event promotion etc.
Moredopemusic is an artist development company at core. For artists who require more hands on attention, a huge part of what we do is discovery…. especially with newer artists. Some of our early goals are to learn who they are, what are their goals, provide assistance in defining their brands, and ultimately finding a path towards profitability.
We also manage a few select acts and provide booking services for some acts who are little further along in the touring arena.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Our creative lead is definitely co-founder Wes Green. We met Wes somewhere around 2010 in the Atlanta music scene. At Lenny’s Bar (off Decatur St) to be exact. After a stint in LA, where he was getting his production wings, he was now in Atlanta producing local standouts Amir Herron, Ricky Raw, The Wheeler Boys, Mighty High Coup and others. His efforts eventually lead to a deal with Zac Brown and his label, Southern Ground.
We knew for years that we wanted to partner with Wes Green. When his situation ended with Southern Ground, we knew there might be an opportunity to start something new. Sabrina and I quickly inserted our admin skill sets into his creative fold and started building Moredopemusic.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
2020 was the year of pivot!! At the time, we had just helped Forrest Isn’t Dead land a deal with Madison Records (The Orchard), released (2) singles and were finishing up the creation of their debut album. We were also promoting at least (2) shows a month in local Atlanta venues. Then Covid reared it’s ugly head and changed our whole momentum.
For almost a year all we had to sustain us we mail-in mix/mastering work, remote graphic design services and promoting live-stream shows from East Atlanta Recording. It was interesting for sure. Then the world opened again lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.moredopemusic.co
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/moredopemusic
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/moredopemusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moredopemusic/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/moredopemusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Moredopemusic
Image Credits
Daniel Day Zuko AMPS Ricky Raw