We recently connected with Cornell Mapp and have shared our conversation below.

Cornell , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Taking a risk involves commitment to being an ambitious individual. Taking a risk is only a nervous thought, it’s never an action. The action in itself is you just attempting elevating in life. You can not elevate without “taking a risk”. I took my first big risk when I created the 1891 Hot 10 which now has surpassed where I could have imagined it going. The risk was that I would have more on my plate while still being a student in college and possibly put my artist ambitions on hold to focus more on the business side of music. While I “took this risk” I fell in love with business and discovered my passion for it. Now, I have been making a name for myself in the industry and have made incredible connections along the journey. The 1891 Hot 10 has rebranded and is now creating opportunities for college artists like never before.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a 21 year old entrepreneur from Los Angeles, CA. I moved to North Carolina for college at the age of 17, released my first song two months later and from then on discovered my passion. I got into this business/industry after releasing my first song and continuing to work with artists around me. At first, I was strictly focused on rapping and taking that serious. Then an idea came to me which shifted my focus from strictly making music, to concentrating more on the idea and making it a reality. My idea served the purpose of creating a community for college artists at A&T. Again, we are finding new ways to expand, but the overall overview of the brand is a community for college artists. When I look back, I’m most proud of sticking to my idea and actually doing it. Most people have AMAZING ideas but aren’t willing to execute. I’m most proud of the fact that I did and saw success from it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing people positively interact with what whatever it is that I put out. Whether it’s my own music, a new idea attached to the brand, or just words of affirmation from people I may have never spoken to before. Those things keep me going, especially when the road gets difficult.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can do its best to grow with artists! That’s the main reason why most artists don’t see long term success. They make a good first couple songs or albums then people stop listening to them and go find a new artist. If you are a fan of someone and truly like the music they are putting out, people got to understand that their music isn’t gonna sound the same as how it did when they first started to come up. Grow with them if you have a personal connection to that artist. Don’t just stop listening because you feel like they’re music doesn’t sound the same.      

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cornellthagreat/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornell-mapp-772464196