We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Khemie Medina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Khemie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve walked into situations not knowing what’s going to happen! In my opinion, I speak very well, I’m very good at conversations, and I do my research. I’ve been told that I have a strong knack for bringing people together and I have a good knowledge of resources. To tell you the truth, my passion for music gave me the courage to speak up for what I want and just hope that the answer will be yes or no. No one can read your mind, and no one is going to push you for something you don’t have interest in. I’m not afraid to open doors of opportunities.
You’ll hear me say evolution 1000 times, but evolution is why humans have lasted a good life span. We evolve every day, like babies to adults our body and sound changes but our personality, interests, and nature forms into what we choose it to be.
In this entertainment industry, we see people change all the time. I saw Nicki Minaj change her Appearance & Music constantly, but her brand has always been the color Pink, which is why we call her the BLACK BARBIE. I used to listen to Party in the USA, and I also listened to We Can’t stop by Miley Cyrus. Two different sounds, but the same person. We watched Ariana Grande become one of the best-selling pop stars in America, who was just known for wearing high ponytails, Her Signature. Lastly My favorite Quincy Jones, a trumpeter, who played as the sidemen for multiple years, the composer, to many of the golden era movies, and the producer to Michael Jackson, and many others.
We, as the outsiders have been the decision makers on what is good music and what is not. We have contributed to trends, movements, and patterns that has polished the entertainment industry. The term artist development, the process any musician goes through to develop their craft and skills necessary to build a professional career in the music industry.
My heart started forming an interest into music that wasn’t mainstream starting in college, I could hear myself listening to songs on SoundCloud, and re-searching tons of videos on YouTube of artists that were barely discovered. Their technique, their style, and their brand were something that made me want to get into a practice room.
The desire to attend more live events locally began to grow in my heart. At the time, I lived in Philadelphia, where live music can be found on the street, in bars, in a West Philly home, or in an abandoned warehouse. Uptownopenmic, Song for The Souls, and Rah Beyond the Man events, were my first events in the city. My perception of The Philly Live Music Scene was shaped by these events. RNB mixed with Hip Hop, Fusion Jazz, and Folk music. Day and youth-run events were the structure of these events.
After going those events, my mind was brain storming. In May 2019 my friend and I was sitting in the lunch hall of my university and I started talking about what it would be like to host my own event. I was thinking about having the graduating class do like a Session, where they perform their own original music. No more than 15 to 20 people in the space. A strong lineup of vocal giants, and just peaceful vibes coming into this space. My friend was really intrigued and I began exploring my options.
When my two classmates, hopped on board. We share conversations about professionalism, songwriting, and aesthetic. We talked about the age gap, the struggles of performing outside our university, locations with an intimate feel and potential artists lineups. That conversation further into the name of the business.
We came up with Session No.1 which means a shadow covering the human until the shadow is removed and you finally can make out who is right in front of you. No.1 represented the first time you see an artist and your reaction. Our purpose was to make an experience where artists can perform, create, and network. We create this Idea in hopes to create a taste of individual creativity and expression that you couldn’t express to anyone else.
Khemie, 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?
My name is Khemie Medina (Newark, NJ) I am a professional musician, Music business entrepreneur, and Early Childhood Educator. I have a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance with a minor in music business, entrepreneurship, and technology (MBET). My background in the music industry is hosting concert events and managing indie artist.
From the age of 17, I have been an advocate for lifestyle and content creation, specifically focusing on topics such as Christianity, self-acceptance, and body positivity. As I struggled with public speaking, I utilized Instagram as a platform to enhance my skills in this area and refine my vocal abilities..
In 2019, Session No.1 was established as a Music & Art Company. Session No. 1 is an artist development company, dedicated to promoting, supporting, and uplifting local and upcoming artists of all kinds. Through event planning, curating, brand development, creative direction and many other services, Session No. 1 provides a low-cost method for artists to grow and expand their personal and professional brands. We understand that music is a diverse experience, and therefore, we have expanded our repertoire to include various genres such as jazz, alternative rock, R&B, hip-hop, and now even gospel.
Session No. 1 stands out among other artist development companies because it was founded and run by black young artists. Session No. 1 genuinely puts the artist first. Artists have full creative control over their brand’s development and full authority over the direction and pace at which their brand expands. Session No. 1’s clients are not contractually bound to Session No. 1 and are free to join and leave as they see fit. Session No. 1 is a company run by young, educated artists who understand and actively participate in the arts and entertainment industry. All of these factors provide Session No. 1’s artists with a unique, relatable and relevant perspective of the industry that isn’t often seen in most artist development companies.
The image Session No. 1 portrays is one of compassion and genuine appreciation for the tremendous role local and upcoming artists play in our culture and society. All of Session No. 1’s efforts are rooted in a desire to support and uplift local and upcoming artists throughout the course of their artistic journeys.
Session No. 1’s target audience is young, local and upcoming artists with a strong desire to break into and make intentional moves towards success in their industry.
Our company has recently started our artist development services for artists looking for management, booking, marketing, and etc. Our goal with our services is to help artists create albums, event experiences, and brands through our team. We are currently managing Brianna Knight (Singer- Songwriter), Ja.ded (Rapper), and Bre (Singer).
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I’m big on staying top of the current music releases, Updates, New Changes in social media, and the brand of most artists that I have worked with. It’s like a new baby grow every month or every time they release lol. When I have the time, I might go see a show, research on their new music and analyze the changes in sound, sometimes I even think about strategies or new content that might be useful for their own personal use.
Every now, and then I communicate with most of the artist that I repost on Instagram. Sometimes the conversation is just normal, we talk about life, new events, the industry, and their goals in the near future. Sometimes I’m just listening to their frustration or their loss of momentum. Sometimes you will see me sending a voice memo to an artist, encouraging them and I love a good voice memo where I can tell them They’re amazing.
Major things that I do for Artist is referring them to any shows that benefits them around a release, run, or just to build their performance momentum. I believe when it comes to having an artist, consistent touring and live music, helps artist to flesh their repertoire and gives invisibility to be introduced to more fans and people who can help them in the long run. I’m a very big advocate for that when it comes to art because you can’t put yourself in a box. I also hand out a lot of resources regarding the music business or just some practical things that artist need. For example, every six months or when I have the time, I sent out emails with new spaces for booking or grants that can be helpful to them. I’ve also referred a lot of artists to jobs that might work for them outside of music.
I foster loyalty by just being in touch with what’s going on and if I’m not, I just ask what’s happening because you know life happens and sometimes you can’t reach every artist
that you’ve worked with, but you can always find ways to include them when you do have the time. I think for the most part it’s all being in tune, but not over doing your part as just a contributor or the listener, when it comes to a relationship with an artist.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
So, I was taught in school that you don’t burn your bridges. Even if you don’t get along or you cant connect well, or being useful in someone else’s life or career you still keep the contact.
That lesson is good for when you have a community that can be cordial with one another. There’s a lot of people that don’t do well with rejection and it’s good to Cut that cord when it’s unsafe for business and yourself.
Sometimes you can repair a relationship or at least come to agreement but we also have to review patterns that keep occurring that can hurt your business.
I’m a big fan of if you work with me, you are a representation of me. Be a man of integrity, be respectful to those people behind the scenes that make you look good, and pay your team, or find ways to compensate the time that’s being spent to further your career.
In December of last year, I had to cut an artist, and that person was someone that I grew up with. Before I started managing that person, I took some time to focus on my performance career. I was trying my hardest to get an EP done, and they had a studio that I could work out of to finish during my time in my hometown. The artist didn’t reply back to me for about two months until they needed something which was management. At the time, I told them that I wasn’t going to manage them for long. I was just going to help them out until they learned everything that I was doing for them and implement it on their own.
The first red flag for me was coming into the studio for the artist, thinking that I’m only going to listen to the artist music for research purposes to build their social media and help them with getting new shows but when I tell you, it was the opposite. I’m sitting in an in-house studio four individuals that I never met talking about what I could bring to the table. This is a red flag for any Professional or someone who starting out, do not allow anyone to interview you without your permission, or ask you for reviews of what you have done for others without a formal consultation. There’s a difference between networking and sharing your resources with someone, then actually being shut down for a service you provide. We don’t owe anyone our time and as women I’ve learned that if someone is unsure about what you bring to the table you leave and wait for something better.
A lot of people in this industry can tell you that if you don’t stand your ground, then you become someone’s carpet to be walked over on. No matter how much you believe in an artist, you are allowed to reject what isn’t working for you. You have the choice to leave and leave first. Never stay in the moment until it gets better. You deserve to be in challenging spaces but you also deserve a place where you can exist and be comfortable with your surroundings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sessionno.1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvZtsBGrCQM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/diyoB9WYtig
Image Credits
Destiny @boujeemustard Audrey @audreyzed @Curved_lens_