We were lucky to catch up with Prophocey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Prophocey, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Yes, I love being a business owner for other reasons then what most people think about. When you are making an impact in your own backyard, or community. It gives you a sense of value like no other. While working with all sorts of adults in this music industry. You quickly learn how to network, and always be ready for anything. While working with the youth. You are always ready to educate in a way for all to benefit. It’s a real blessing.
Yes, I know for a fact I would have been in a high level corporate position for a company (I will not name) and still be doing music on the side. Both music, and this corporate job came to a crossroads with me, and I chose not just what I wanted, but what God wanted as well.
I remember when I had come from a performance out of state, and the promoter didn’t pay me in the time frame he stated he would. That same week I received a email from my previous employer on a new open position that was available. They wanted to set up a conference to speak on the matter. Needing funds as soon as possible. I set up the conference call, and heard what they had to say. Before I made my decision. I asked them to give me a day or two to think it over. They agreed, and we hung up. Happy that I had a way out of this situation I was in. I quickly started to get my mind ready for what was coming with this job. The next day before I could respond to the previous employer. I got a call from a church for a performance who asked me to perform the same day the job had asked me to come in for an interview.
I remember asking myself. “God you know I need the money”. He simply replied “And you know I have you covered”. In short I took the performance opportunity. Not only did it pay my bills. It was the very performance that funded my entire record label. God is always looking to do what’s best for us. All we have to do is trust him.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As stated before my name is Prophocey. I am a multi award winning national recording christian hip hop artist. This whole thing started with me being in love with music, but being infatuated with hip hop music. Combining the two was a great way to have the best of both worlds. I knew that one day I would be doing something in music. Just never thought to myself that I would be managing other artists, owning my own label, and partnering with the community of the youth so heavily. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but it has shown me that no matter what you think your plans are. If they do not line up with God then he will find a way to change it.
Anyway back to how I become someone in this industry. When I sent my demos into two faith based record labels at the time. I told myself be as open as possible. Not everyone is going to like your music. When both labels replied back stating they didn’t like my style of rap because I didn’t sound like their sound. I said “Ok cool, I don’t want to sound like everyone any way” That’s when I truly believe God had control over my mind at the time. I filed my own llc. Placed my own music out via distribution and started performing like crazy.
I was performing everywhere. Birthdays, graduations, bars, clubs, open mics, etc. It didn’t matter. When I started to become a regular at the majority of these places. I started charging to be the headliner. That’s when I started to notice that my bank account was growing. This is one of the most dangerous positions to be in. The mind says “Hey let’s go out, and do this and that”. While the heart says. “Hey let’s work smarter” I was in a very important moment in my career. I chose to again be lead by the Holy Spirit and move in the direction of working smarter. The budget that was created help grow and shape the record label that you see before you today. It hands down was, and is still one of the best decisions of my life.
Our record label is a full service label that can build a beginning artist up, and also help out a overturn artist achieve more then what they would have imagined. remember with the right team around you you can grow in a healthy way, and lay down a stronger foundation for your career, and family. We range from recording missing, mastering, promotions, booking, social media growth, website design, and overall artist look with the latest fashion trends.
Even from all this. One of the most important things that we give artist/clients that we work with is education through the industry. Learning how to add value to yourself via contracts, television productions, music distribution, etc. Artist need to realize where they are in their career, and utilize what is a necessity, and what isn’t.
Real Music Records has come a long way. Our goals have always changed, but our mission statement has always been the same. Our involvement in the Columbus public school system, and juvenile dentition center has taught over three hundred plus kids and counting. We are very happy to partner and be apart of the American Heart Association, Arnold SportsWorld Festival, Cap City Marathon, The Bobby Jones Gospel TV Show, Flavorfest Urban Conference, Multiple award ceremonies out outside the state of Ohio, and various other national events.
With this being our foundation. We are bound for more to come in the near future.
Have you ever had to pivot?
There was a time when it seemed as if the whole entire world shut down due this thing called Covid – 19. Our whole entire structure had to be switched from a in person service. To a virtual type of service. Our whole entire thought process, presentation, and outlook was changed when there had to be live performances on line, and the technical difficulties were different then when you were there in person. All of our time in the fourth quarter was spent on perfecting this until we were presentable that next year. All of our classes became virtual, and all of our previous teaching skills were really challenged as the online classes that were given to the youth differed from being there in person. Overall when things settled back down we had those additional skills to utilize for any organization who would be interested in our day sessions, or six week classes. We adapted, and step up to the challenge. Now we have two versions of our program and can teach any where from one place if we need to.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe it boils down to two things. Live performance, and networking. Our goal here at Real Music Records, is to be able to plant a seed. Then let God do the rest. When you are blessing people with a message that hits their soul. You are giving them another reason to get closer to him. Our live performance are not just performances with music. We look to help someone on a deeper level so that they know overall that they are loved. Love is the answer to everything evil. When this portrayed on and off the stage. You attract people when you network. You are breath of fresh air to be around, and others want to work with you because they know your intentions are good, and you’re doing what is needed in the community. These are basic things that we all should be doing for the better development of this world.
Also when your music is original, and the performance is top notch. It brings something new to the table. Not all artist perform the same. Matter in fact most artist don’t perform the same. It really amounts to the work ethic that they put in the rehearsal time before the performance. Over time if you watch multiple live performances. You can start to see what behind the scenes time was put into it to really get the results of the best crowd reaction. This is one of the main pieces that artist are missing today.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.RealMusicRecords1.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prophocey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prophoceyrmr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prophocey-ceo-45577047/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IamProphocey
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/kYj7N43D5Ks
Image Credits
Real Music Media & Aurrie Janelle Photography