We recently connected with Slew Rockson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Slew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.  

Back in 2015, I was filming an hip hop documentary based upon old school to present day hip hop music.As pre production wrapped and into the editing phase of the project,there was a snag leading towards post production with the editor. I lead to things ceasing to move forward with my film and twiddling my thumbs trying to move onto a new venture.So 2016 comes around and I had made a lot of business connections and music resources to lead me into a different avenue. I thought it’d be a great idea to start managing hip hop talent,I had the contacts and knowledge of that industry so why not. I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed one day and a mutual friend reposted a video by a local artist based here in Baltimore named Raff Alpha. I clicked on the link liked what I heard, I searched for the artist profile sent him a inboxed message and friend request.He responded we talked about the likelihood of me becoming his manager and met up later that month to discuss business. I really never managed a hip hop career to the level of booking shows,artists promo or touring etc….but this was all the risk that I took. I ended up taking on Raff Alpha as my first official client and booked him as an opener for Redman & Method Man at Ram’s Head Live performance stage here in Baltimore.Also in the same month of May 2017, I booked him as an opener for R.A. The Rugged Man and A-F-R-O at The Ottobar located in downtown Baltimore City.He was so impressive that the shows were so easy for him to get.I got him on stage with Curren$y that year at Baltimore Soundstage.Then the following year 2018 booked in Washington D.C. opening for Joyner Lucas.He closed out that year getting booked as an opener again in Baltimore for Jay Rock of TDE.The risk involved were the belief my client knew he’d get all the effort I assured and consistency that comes with being a manager. I truly lived up to it.

Slew, 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 come from a background of being a hip-hop artist throughout most of the 90s and into the early 2000s. The end goal was to gain a recording contract and it didn’t happen, at some point in time, I just decided to place trying to score a deal on the back burner and instead using my resources to help other talented artists locally. I started my company sorta grassroots around 2004 under a different name and I had a client under me who ended up on “Wild Out Wednesdays” on BET’s 106&Park. I ended business with that client who’s no longer in the entertainment industry and freelanced around searching for talent throughout the years. In 2014 I got an idea to shoot a hip-hop documentary film. I ended interviewing hip-hop artist such as Rapsody, A$AP Ant, Anderson Paak, Earl Sweatshirt, and a couple others. The rough-cut edit of that was completed and then the editor just decided to quit working on the project. So instead of me going through the trouble of finding another editor to cut the film I just went back into artist management. In 2017 I wanted a company name that had a magical or genie out of a lamp kinda title so I ended up calling my company “Voodoo Shaman Mgmt”.The name is basically saying I make dreams come true and resist all bad energy to reach an accomplishment. I started off managing Raff Alpha and artist from here in Baltimore and later moved on to manage Neza who’s from Annapolis, Maryland. Today I manage an artist named “Woahdee” from Baltimore whose Dad I grew up with. I’m currently in talks with an artist named Casey Kranz whom is interested.Management isn’t my last stop eventually I’d like to release my documentary film and possibly take on the acting world as well. Voodoo Shaman Mgmt received its LLC in 2021 and continues to push forward.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Social media or online networking has been extremely effective for growing my clientele.I’ve attained a major amount of clients and resources through the elbow rubbing and private messaging of social media

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think reaching my goals or outdoing some of the short term goals I set for myself has played a key role in building my reputation within my market

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @veezysha
• Facebook: Slew Rockson
• Youtube: slew rockson