We were lucky to catch up with Marco “Jhny Wzdm” Herrera recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marco “Jhny Wzdm”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, I Marco “Jhny Wzdm” Herrera, embodied the American Dream as the first generation in my family. Born to hardworking immigrant parents who sacrificed everything for a shot at a better life, I was determined to carve my own path in the art form that I fell in love with at the early age of 10.
Growing up amidst the diverse sounds and cultures of my neighborhood, I felt a magnetic pull toward music. My room echoed with the beats of hip-hop, the soulful tunes of R&B, and the aggressive sounds of gangster rap and metal. Although my parents couldn’t fully comprehend my passion, they supported me in their own way, literally praying I’d find success in a more conventional career.
But as I turned 18, an undeniable fire burned within me. The prospect of a traditional life couldn’t extinguish my desire to make it big in the music industry. With nothing but my talent, determination, and an insatiable hunger for success, I decided to take a risk that would redefine my destiny.
As I sit and write these responses feeling like I am just getting started, I can say I “Made” it, with “It” being finding a way to sustain the life I envisioned with having an impact on the music business and sharing the journey with humans I love.
Marco “Jhny Wzdm”, 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?
I truly feel like I dug an access tunnel to the music industry. I was an indie artist with ZERO experience, support and resources. Arriving at each dilemma like a miner in the Gold Rush. I knew I had to keep going, but I was building each solution start to finish because of the lack of information and access at the time. I built a new skill for every problem I faced or service I couldn’t afford. I was ready to settle for only recording music for others, feeling empty and defeated when I met Michaela Shiloh. Her and other colleagues saw in me what I hadn’t given myself permission to realize, that I inadvertently made myself a music business expert on the journey to being self sufficient. Michaela Shiloh founded HRDRV.com (Indie Music Business Platform and Label of the future) that year and she hired me as Chief Experience Officer. I jumped on anything that could help the vision and never looked back. I currently help conceptualize and quarterback activations for HRDRV and projects for musicians such as Music Business Camps, Mindset Development, Creating and Releasing Songs and Albums, and teaching musicians and enthusiasts the skills and approaches available to be self sufficient in the music business eco-system. I am most proud of my work at HRDRV and in Mental Health Advocacy. I lost my youngest brother Angel in 2021, he faced challenges such as depression and substance abuse and feel the current need for more information and representation throughout the wellness community with emphasis on mental health.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Scarcity. “There’s not enough opportunity, or resources for me.”
There are plenty of opportunities every day for the determined and consistent. If you don’t see the opportunity you are looking for, create it.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
It starts with alignment. If you and your team share common goals it will be much easier to face hardships and obstacles as a unit.
