We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Rucker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
For starters, my mother had me at the age of 13. The best thing that she did for me was show me what it took to have a better life. Despite my mother having me at such a young age, she finished high school at 16 years old and when she didn’t have anyone to babysit, she would bring me to her classes in college. I have fond memories of drawing in the classroom while she worked. I wanted to be just like her and that determination that she showed me was instilled in me and started the work-ethic that I possess today.
Daniel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started in the music industry at the age of 17. I met a rising star rapper while playing basketball. He had a record deal with Columbia Records and being in the right place at the right time awarded me opportunities as a songwriter. I studied under greats like Sean Combs and Jermaine Dupri and took styles from both. I’ve learned how to run a record label from Sean and how to produce records from JD. Watching Sean Combs also inspired me to start a clothing brand based off of my personality called “Moxy Clothing Apparel”
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to learn was business is business and people either got it or they don’t. Being in the industry almost my entire life requires an obsession to be great. Most people that you come encounter with don’t understand that and you can’t operate and function with that energy in your space.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Working for a major record label taught me to treat people the way I wanted to be treated and not as another number. To keep morale high, treat my staff and recording artist like family. I’m hard on them and I push them to their limits. We also do things together like cookouts and fun outings.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.globalexecrecords.com
- Instagram: @iam_danielrucker
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/danielrucker
- Twitter: @DanielRucker