We recently connected with Jaleel Harley and have shared our conversation below.
Jaleel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?
The start of Open Hand, I remember it like it was yesterday and now we 4 years in! My partner at the time for the label had an extreme amount of faith in me. So we started the label and our first artist became Profits from east St. Louis ! We met by me making a Super Bowl bet on Tom Brady ! I won that of course and then the bro profits told me he made music! I had a home studio that I invited him over to and that week we made about 6 songs . So I told him the vision of the label and what we can possibly do and how he could help and it was all said and done . We signed out first artist! After that I reached out to a friend back in NY who was rapping going by Ryda! He was already making moves and had past endeavors with a lot of names. The bro knew me since I was 16 years old ! I hit him up telling him I got a label and everything I was doing and he told me to send the contract through the mail so he can sign on because he believed in me and what the label represents! Now open hand represents Headshott from upstate NY , Ace Heart from upstate NY , and myself ! Honestly I wouldn’t do anything different on how I decided who I should work with ! We became family and that’s alright with me !
Jaleel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
So I became CEO of the indie label Open Hand Entertainment in 2019 when it was established! I been making music since 20 yrs old but I was doing it king before, just wasn’t releasing on a professional level . Now I always been a chef so I’m good with putting things together and making something worth while. The concentration in the kitchen of mixing ingredients helped me mix my music . The components of a delicate recipe can only work if mixed properly ! Same thing with music , cooking and music is my passions since I was younger and I sacrificed days of eating and sleeping to get where I’m at today . Also I love boxing and the art of combat. I worked at mayweather in Culver City California where I had private clients from all different walks of life and now I’m a professional coach and cornerman licensed ! Coming from nothing into something feels good but it’s still a hustle everyday ! Especially when it’s out your own pocket to. I have a solid team behind me and mentors . People who are 7x platinum to Emmy nominated! I get into rooms that you need money for without it due to my genuineness and work ethic . I help artist find they sound , I help boxers gain they rhythm and I fulfill hunger needs with any kind of cuisine you can think of ! Plus I can relate to others in multiple ways ! This I what Open Hand is , your world in your hands , with open opportunity and creative control!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy that has worked for me to gain new fans and clients is being me . Being authentic in a room full of people. You ever seen that one person walk into a room and they just have bright energy and you just have to urge to talk to them. Well that’s me, not the flashiest person or the best dressed but always keep a smile on. I project what I want and that’s positivity and love . People might not agree with this but I was in rooms with Beyoncé ghostwriters to Drake producers and I have they number for a reason. Being authentic and true to yourself and God ! You will always make a way !
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
My bro Niall O’Brien Gregg! Had to start off like that because man did he have faith in me ! I moved to LA and took a cooking position at this bar in Venice called Brennans! They are know for turtle races lol. So , anyway my roommate at the time was the head chef and he said he was going
To bring in some help for the kitchen . It was Chef Niall! Bro came in the kitchen so cool and laid back , not the typical guy . Plus he was competent in his position and was willing to learn and grow like me! He end up hearing me rap and was amazed to the point he asked what would be the next steps for you and I said starting a label , so the next day he came with the money and said now or never and the rest is history !
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sir_Roche91
- Facebook: Sir Roche
- Twitter: @Rochertified
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@JaleelHarley?si=7RhapwYu561S1KWm
Image Credits
ArchieTheBaker