Oakland artist Young Reshaud joins The Banski Show for a special interview filmed at Nobel Cinema Studios after hitting the stage.

Young Reshaud discusses his new album, “YR Campaign,” dropping September 4, and explains how the campaign represents creating amazing moments through positivity, love, family, and community.

Stream “YR Campaign” September 4 on all major platforms.

Follow Young Reshaud:
Instagram: @youngreshaud

Follow The Banski Show:
Instagram: @thebanskishow

Subscribe for more exclusive Bay Area artist interviews, untold music stories, and live performances.

#YoungReshaud #YRCampaign #Oakland #SplashBakery #StayStrong #TheBanskiShow

Fat Lip on dissing Mac Dre in Ludacris music video:
Just one day after I posted my video examining the controversy surrounding Ludacris’ “Get Back” video and portrayal of Mac Dre, Fatlip of The Pharcyde responded directly to the video.

That quickly turned into a back-and-forth between Fatlip and Sleep Dank.  I document their exchange and also take a look at a historical Ludacris tweet that adds another interesting layer to the conversation. 👀What ya'll think?

Was the “Get Back” scene really a shot at Mac Dre?  Watch the follow-up and decide for yourself.

👇 Let me know what you think in the comments.
Watch Ludacris dissed Mac Dre after death: https://youtu.be/_KeIMivVmKc
Listen to Sleep Dank diss to Ludacris: https://youtu.be/l3G_c6Nvruc

🔥 Follow SLEEP DANK: 
Sleep Dank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialsleepdank
Sleep Dank on Youtube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9mbVTJhuUX5kPNKfVnv3ow  
Sleep Dank on Youtube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@IZITSLEEPDANK.TV./featured

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

#Ludacris #MacDre #ThePharcyde #Explore #Trendingnow #HipHop #TheBanskiShow

On Ludacris’ Word of Mouf album, there’s a skit called “Ho-Where” where Ludacris makes fun of the word “Vallejo” and the way it sounds👀, turning the name of Mac Dre’s hometown into part of the joke.

Just comedy at the time… or an interesting detail considering everything that came later surrounding Ludacris’ “Get Back” video releasing the day/month of Mac Dre’s murder? 🤔

Was it just a joke… or does this add another interesting layer to the Ludacris/Mac Dre story?

🎥 Watch the clip and decide for yourself.
Watch Ludacris dissed Mac Dre after death - OFFICIAL THE BANSKI SHOW CLIP: https://youtu.be/_KeIMivVmKc

#MacDre #Ludacris #SleepDank #explore  #trending  #BayAreaHipHop #TheBanskiShow #HipHopHistory #Thizz

🔥 Sleep Dank’s diss track aimed at Ludacris  @LudacrisTV   after what he believed was a diss toward Mac Dre in the “Get Back” video.

👀 For the full story and context behind this diss track, go watch my other video where Sleep Dank breaks down the whole situation.

Y’all heard the story… now hear the track. 🎧 “YOU LOSE, CHRIS”🔥 Tap in below. 👇 Click the link in my bio to watch the full clip. Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow youtube channel so you don’t miss the full episode & more dropping soon.

Was Ludacris really taking a shot at Mac Dre, or are people reading too much into it? 👀

Watch the full clip and decide for yourself: https://youtu.be/_KeIMivVmKc 

Tap in in the comments. 👇

🔥 Follow SLEEP DANK: 
Sleep Dank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialsleepdank
Sleep Dank on Youtube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9mbVTJhuUX5kPNKfVnv3ow  
Sleep Dank on Youtube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@IZITSLEEPDANK.TV./featured

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

#SleepDank #MacDre #Ludacris #explore #trending Thizz BayAreaRap BayAreaHipHop TheBanskiShow

Ludacris DISSED Mac Dre in video for song released on day of death:
There have been questions for years about Ludacris  @LudacrisTV   “Get Back” music video and whether the opening bathroom scene was intentionally portraying Mac Dre.

In this clip, Sleep Dank breaks down the strange details surrounding it: the Mac Dre lookalike with the A’s hat, dreads and mannerisms, the timing of the song and video around Mac Dre’s passing, and the unusual “I came, I saw…” mantra and lyric about being hit “right dead in the jaw.”

But perhaps the most interesting detail: Sleep says someone from Mac Dre’s inside circle confirmed to him that the bathroom encounter between Dre and Ludacris was based on a REAL interaction, although Sleep says the way it happened may not have been the way it was portrayed in the video.

Was Ludacris really taking a shot at Mac Dre, or are people reading too much into it? 👀

Watch the full clip and decide for yourself.  Original interview, footage & production by The Banski Show © 2026. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reuploads are prohibited.

Listen to Sleep Dank's diss record targeting Ludacris! here: https://youtu.be/l3G_c6Nvruc

Tap in in the comments. 👇

🔥 Follow SLEEP DANK: 
Sleep Dank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialsleepdank
Sleep Dank on Youtube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9mbVTJhuUX5kPNKfVnv3ow  
Sleep Dank on Youtube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@IZITSLEEPDANK.TV./featured

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

#MacDre #Ludacris #SleepDank #explore  #trending  #BayAreaHipHop #TheBanskiShow #HipHopHistory #Thizz

Did choosing July 5th as E-40 Day create an unnecessary controversy?

In this exclusive interview, Bay Area artist and Country Club Crest Side representative, Sleep Dank, shares his perspective on the decision to declare July 5th as E-40 Day, the public reaction that followed, and the conversation surrounding Mac Dre's legacy.

What do YOU think?

👇 QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you think choosing July 5th for E-40 Day was intentional, or simply an oversight? Tell us WHY in the comments.

🔥 Follow SLEEP DANK: 
Sleep Dank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialsleepdank
Sleep Dank on Youtube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9mbVTJhuUX5kPNKfVnv3ow  
Sleep Dank on Youtube 2: https://www.youtube.com/@IZITSLEEPDANK.TV./featured

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

#SleepDank #E40 #MacDre #BayArea #BayAreaHipHop #TheBanskiShow #HipHop #Thizz #Vallejo #California #RapHistory #Podcast

I caught up with Young Dru in Vallejo, California, at Noble Cinema Studios / KOB’s birthday show for a quick conversation on The Banski Show.🔥

Fresh off the stage, Young Dru takes us through his history in V-Town and Bay Area rap, sharing stories from his early days in the studio with Jay Tee from N2DEEP, Baby Bash and to eventually building a relationship and making music with the legendary Mac Dre.

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

If you enjoyed this episode:
👍 Like
💬 Leave a comment below with your favorite Young Dru song
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming up next.

Peep more on Banski here:  https://linktr.ee/banski

#YoungDru #Mafioso #MacDre #vallejo

Splash, the amazing videographer of Good Compenny, and owner and proprietor of his own multimedia company and digital music distributor, Splash Bakery,  joins The Banski Show to break down his content workflow, working with LaRussell, filming Marshawn Lynch, building Splash Bakery, Keak Da Sneak's viral success, and why authenticity always wins.

🔥 Follow SPLASH: 
Splash on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splashthakidd/
Splash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUmLeN4l99-Jr4vtAxcXC-A 
Good Compenny:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCl7lhBCzpcXpNiGFx0CdtqA 

🎙️ Subscribe to @TheBanskiShow for full interviews, exclusive stories, and in-depth conversations.  Dopest podcast in town!

🎙️ Watch Dubee's interview: 
Part 1 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/N3UsUjUhPZ4?si=L1n2eAwJPjxuWS-l
Part 2 of 2 here:  https://youtu.be/irpW45aNbI0?si=u63L1Qfl_AbtVIIa

If you enjoyed this episode:
👍 Like
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite story
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming up next.

Peep more on Banski here:  https://linktr.ee/banski

Welcome to The Banski Show!  Ep. 22 with Dubee AKA Sugawolf

In Part 2 of 2 of this exclusive interview, Bay Area rap legend, Dubee AKA Sugawolf, sits down with The Banski Show for an unforgettable conversation covering Dubee's legendary rap career, memories and moments coming up with Mac Dre, his thoughts on Drake's recent cover of Mac Dre's '2 Hard 4 The Radio', speaks on The Jacka, his relationship with E-40, his songwriting process, lessons learned from prison and the PSD situation, and much more!🔥 


🔥 Follow DUBEE AKA SUGAWOLF:
Dubee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsugawolf/
Dubee on Youtube 1: https://www.youtube.com/@dubeeakasugawolf8773/videos
Dubee on Youtube 2: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2VHo5WXgHHs6hMmkGriXKg

🎵 Stream Dubee's music on your favorite streaming platforms and support one of the pioneers of Bay Area hip-hop.

🎙 Follow The Banski Show for exclusive conversations with artists, producers, entrepreneurs and influential voices from the culture.

If you enjoyed this episode:
👍 Like
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite story
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming up next.

Peep more on Banski here:  https://linktr.ee/banski

#Dubee #Sugawolf #MacDre #Drake #E40 #Vallejo #BayAreaRap #TheBanskiShow #ThizzNation #HipHopPodcast

Welcome to The Banski Show!  Ep. 21 with Dubee AKA Sugawolf.

Bay Area legend, DUBEE aka SUGAWOLF (@officialsugawolf)🐺sat down with me for one the most in-depth conversations of @thebanskishow.  Roll yaself a backwood for this one if you really wanna get there…and when you get there?…sit back and soak!  We talked about growing up in Crestside Vallejo, turning down a football scholarship to pursue a legendary music career signing with Khayree, dropping classic solo albums, forming the Cutthoat Committee, working alongside of Mac Dre, Bay Area rap history, and so much more! 🔥 


🔥 Follow DUBEE AKA SUGAWOLF:
Instagram: @officialsugawolf
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2VHo5WXgHHs6hMmkGriXKg

🎵 Stream Dubee's music on your favorite streaming platforms and support one of the pioneers of Bay Area hip-hop.

🎙 Follow The Banski Show for conversations with artists, producers, entrepreneurs and influential voices from the culture.

If you enjoyed this episode:
👍 Like
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite story
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss Part 2

#Dubee #Sugawolf #MacDre #Khayree #YoungBlackBrotha #Vallejo #BayAreaRap #TheBanskiShow #ThizzNation #HipHopPodcast

Banski meets up with San Francisco, CA Bay Area Hip Hop's living legend, Equipto, to chop game and discuss Santa Rosa, meeting and making music with Mac Dre, presents a mini masterclass on getting through writer's block & more!  You don't want to miss the gems dropped in this episode!  

Support Equipto, follow him here:
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/equipto_415
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SolidarityRecords⁩
Bored Stiff - music/merch: https://boredstiff415.bandcamp.com/
SOUNDS LIKE MY LIFE - The Bored Stiff Documentary:
https://youtu.be/iphrvpvcNo8?si=J-w3t64DGUeZnFlX

#Equipto #Queezy #BoredStiff #bayarea #BayAreaRap #SanFrancisco #TheBanskiShow #Banski

Malachi | The Banski Show | Ep. 19

Banski meets up with Malachi in Vallejo, CA to discuss how he writes his songs, how he linked up with LaRussell, and more! 

Malachi IG: 

https://www.instagram.com/bookofmalachii_/

Malachi on YT:  

https://www.youtube.com/@MAL4CHI

Richie Rich | The Banski Show | Ep. 18

Banski meets up with Richie Rich post-show at LaRussell's Pergola Live performance on August 3, 2025 and discusses his new album, Richard, growth in his career, recording with 2pac in the studio, meeting LaRussell and more.

Richie Rich:
https://www.instagram.com/tharealrichierich/
https://dubbleworldwide.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn8K6ycFGm3jG0ViYJB_5sSzy4yUesRXiOqCZhZSdObBKpITAJMx1oGVWpbb8&brid=ot72rK-V8_xPbrF7B2yFtw

Banski links up with LaRussell — Vallejo, CA artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Good Compenny — at his home for a live Backyard Show (8/3/25) and a post-show conversation about choosing culture over money, treating ideas as gifts, stepping away from crypto and Bitcoin to bet fully on yourself, and lessons learned from touring with T-Pain.

LaRussell on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/larussell

LaRussell on YT:
https://www.youtube.com/goodcompenny

Banski sits down with Prodkt for an exclusive one on one to discuss how his music has opened up amazing opportunities for him, from transforming his personal home studio into a thriving record label, to going on tour, not only building a flourishing career but also forging personal connections with icons like The Jacka.   Prodkt shares many lessons and gems learned throughout his journey in this revealing and insightful interview that any artist will benefit from hearing. 

Prodkt:
https://www.instagram.com/prodkt/

#Banski  #Prodkt #TheBanskiShow #MusicInterview

Soundcloud Publishing with Jamie Dee Hart

We're taking you on a captivating musical escapade as we chat with the incredibly talented OscariLoveThis. This episode Banski links up with OscariLoveThis to discuss his self-taught mastery of the piano, his music production journey, and how he turns simple tunes into memorable melodies. 

Through a candid conversation, we uncover his hands-on approach to music production, leveraging digital tools and self-learning to craft music right from his room. Drawing inspiration from renowned artists and diverse genres, Oscar creates a genuine representation of his personal experiences, echoing with listeners on an emotional level.

Looking forward, OscariLoveThis unveils his strategic roadmap for scaling heights in the music industry, detailing his careful career planning and adept use of various platforms to disseminate his music. 

Join us for this inspiring episode filled with personal insights as well as stirring performances of "Change 4 U", "Next Up", "Splurge" & more, showcasing a rising star's perseverance and deep-seated love for music. It's a testimony to what passion, determination, and hard work can achieve.  Oscar's narrative stands as an emblem of inspiration, tracing a trajectory from modest roots to a future brimming with promise. Be sure to tune in for a heartfelt dialogue enriched with personal insights and dope live performances, offering a firsthand experience of a budding star's world in the music realm.

Banski sits down with Gee Munz in early 2022 to discuss his time locked up, music developments, multiple business ventures, and more.

12. The Choppa Interview
Episode 12 of The Banski Show
https://www.thebanskishow.com

In episode 12 of The Banski Show, we sit down and chop it up with The Choppa!!!  Choppeazy!  Polo the Original Choppa and his manager, Cali United, are making moves in the California hip hop scene and are affiliated with Thizz Latin.  Choppa discusses his independent grind and passion for music, lessons as an entrepreneur running businesses such as his sticker company, Fresh Print Stickers,  his rap career and much more.

The Choppa
IG: @polo_the_original_choppa

The Banski Show 
J-DIGGS | Soul Of A Gangsta

Banski sits down with J-Diggs to discuss his newly released of book and album by the name of 'Soul Of A Gangsta' on August 14, 2022 at Q Made The Beat Studios in Sacramento, CA.

#JDIGGS #DIGGSDOITMOVIN #THIZZ

The Banski Show:

Improving The Effectiveness Of Your Website

Ari Krzyzek  is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Chikalofia (pronounced: see-ka-lo-fia), a branding and marketing agency that works with Tech entrepreneurs, helping them achieve their goals with their brand through strategic positioning.

In this episode, Ari shares her story on how she got into web development, and some useful tips on how to improve the effectiveness of your website as a beginner. Tune in to listen to this and more exciting topics.

In This Episode:[02:05] How Ari got into the Web Development

[05:35] Tips for DIY artists with a website to improve their effectiveness

[10:15] When is Shopify ideal?

[12:40] How to find your audience

[16:35] What should be included on your website

[21:00] Creating an effective Call To Action (CTA)

[22:05] Psychology behind Web Development

[24:29] Is a .com domain important?

[27:33] Incorporating SEO on a website

[30:35] WooCommerce the only option for sellers on WordPress?

[33:52] Working with Chris Do

Starting as a graphic designer 10 years ago, Ari was later intrigued with all things around web development and whatever was happening (technology) on the internet. This pulled her into learning more about web design. She says, however, that she has not been alone in this journey. Her husband has been the “nerd” side of their company while she concentrates on the creative part.

Ari shares some useful tips for musicians and artists with a website on how to improve the effectiveness of their websites as beginners.  She says having an easy-to-use website, with the capabilities of streaming content can make the difference.  You just need to think about what you have to do with the web and create one that supports your needs.

“The best way possible is to use your website to support your needs. Whether you want to get more bookings or sell more.”

Ari also says that your goals and needs will influence the platform you will use for your website. There are so many different options available and building around one or two goals will help you choose the right platform.  She recommends platforms like Squarespace, Shopify, and WordPress to create your website.

“If your number one goal is to sell much, then Shopify is ideal.”

After setting a clear goal, finding an audience for your business can be a step that cannot be ignored if you want to succeed. Ari gives two options you can use to find your audience. The first option is to create them, and the second one is to look at your customers. With several people out there, she says you need to be specific because you can’t cater to all of them.

“When you do cater to all the people, you’re literally catering to no one. You just want the 1%”

Creating your audience means becoming content-specific in order to attract like-minded people and customers. This means you need to know what should be included in your website and how to create content that attracts your customers.

Ari says you should have appealing visuals and stories that really interest your web visitors and make them scroll down, making them choose to work with you. She also says you need to have a landing page with a strong header and information that explains a product or service you are selling.

Ari insists on the importance of having a clear and consistent CTA that does not confuse your customers.

“If you give them too many and very inconsistent choices, you’re gonna lose the attention of your customers.”

 www.thebanskishow.com

Banski meets up with Tajie D and Stewie G at the Harvest Fair on October 30, 2021 in Lakeport, CA to discusses his musical foundation, writing process, Native American Water Protector movements, & more.  

Go check out Tajie D at https://www.therealtajied.com and stream his new album 'Stuck In a Rut' releasing January 28th on all streaming platforms!  Follow Tajie D on instagram @therealtajied and Stewie G @stewie_g_23

Banski sits down with Yng Solomon at the Harvest Fair on October 30, 2021 in Lakeport, CA to discuss how he got into hip hop, his Buddhist practices, and his upcoming project, as well as a bit about Banski's origin story.  

Banski catches up with Vocab Slick at the Harvest Fair October 30, 2021 in Lakeport, CA right before heading out on tour with DJ True Justice.  We discuss Vocab Slick and DJ True Justice's new album, 'Language', writing styles, influences and more.  

Go check out Vocab Slick at www.vocabslick.com and stream his new album ' Language' everywhere!  @VocabSlick

The Banski Show – Episode 6: Keith Kirk | Metadata in Music

Keith Kirk | Metadata in Music 

Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? You spend hundreds of hours writing and producing an album, or many thousands re-recording and editing it, and you want to make money from it. But how? If you’re a DIY musician, you have to be able to look beyond the big numbers of Spotify or YouTube streams. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do just that.

In this episode, I am joined by Keith Kirk, a music metadata specialist who has worked for majors like the Universal Music Group, BMG, Sony Music UK, and TOVA Music Group. We discuss metadata, certifications, codes, publishing, and music credits platforms and give you an all-round view of today’s algorithmic and data-driven music world.

 Learn how to create and embed your metadata properly, collect all of your royalties as a DIY artist, and monetize your music by checking the boxes we mention in the episode. 

 We discuss:

●     Keith’s background and why he started Music Motif Services.

●     Why things like spelling your name correctly, embedding metadata are critical to publishing your music, any error made does not only cause difficulty fixing it later on but can also delay your payment.

●     Learn about ISRC and ISWC codes and the differences between the two.

●     Why you should sign up as a songwriter for a publishing administration company like Songtrust.

●     More about ISRCs- not only does every song have its own ISRC, but every different version of a song (radio edits, explicit, clean) has its own ISRC too.

●     Why it is important to include ISRC with the song registration in your Songtrust account. 

●     Learn about MLCs or Mechanical Licensing Collective. It ensures music publishers and rights holders get paid whenever their musical works are streamed online or downloaded. MLCs are government-funded and work in favor of independent artists from the US.

●     Different types of Codes and numbers you have to take care of- IPI No., ISNI No., UPC, etc.

●     What are Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), and how do they collect royalties on songwriters and music publishers?

●     Learn about SoundExchange, a digital PRO. SoundExchange collects 5 percent of all your revenue to pay background vocalists and musicians.

●     Advice for artists who are trying to do their own metadata.

●     And much more!

Resources Mentioned:

●     Music Publishing Administration - Songtrust

●     Mechanical Licensing Collective - MLC

●     Music Credits Platforms - https://www.sound.credit/

●     MLC - https://themlc.com/

●     Music Encyclopedia - https://musicbrainz.org/

●     Digital Performance Rights Organization - https://www.soundexchange.com/

Connect with Keith!

Find Keith on Clubhouse for Music Mondays: @keithkirk

The Banski Show – Episode 5

Matej H. | Digital Marketing, Consistency, & Indie Artist Accelerator
Guest: Matej Harangozo

The mind of a DIY musician should always be cranking out creative ways to showcase and effectively market their music to their target audience while simultaneously staying relevant with technology.  As you mature as a musician, you realize you’ll need to build a team around you to succeed!  And one of those vital team members is someone like our guest joining us this episode 5, Matej Harangozo.  Matej H. is a music tech/marketing specialist and founder of Digital Science Media, a company that helps labels and artists run ads and more. Matej H. is also founder of Indie Artist Accelerator, an artist incubator where he teaches digital marketing & running Ads, brand strategy development, and much more.  Matej and I discuss the music business, marketing, NFTs, how to stay consistent in your creation process.    

We discuss:

• The main ways Digital Media Science helps artists
• How do you stay consistent in your creation process
• The biggest struggle today’s artists are encountering
• Leasing beats versus exclusive
• How artists can get involved in NFTs
• Key to Consistency

To connect with Matej. (Instagram - @matej_h_entrepreneur). 

https://digitalsciencemedia.com/

You can also find him on Twitter @Matej_H_USA and LinkedIn @matejharangozo

Wendy Day | Success in the Music Industry, Rap Coalition, & the Artist-Centric Mindset

The Banski Show – Episode 4

Guest: Wendy Day, founder of Rap Coalition, Power Moves, and Artist-Centric

Summary:

This week’s guest on The Banski Show is Wendy Day, who runs Rap Coalition, a not-for-profit artist advocacy organization, as well as the for-profit institutions Power Moves and Artist-Centric, both of which are designed to help artists make money off their music. 

Banski and Wendy first discuss Wendy’s career path and how she started her organizations. After learning how imbalanced and unfair the music industry was, and seeing how many artists in the industry were being taken advantage of, Wendy decided to open Rap Coalition in order to help rappers get out of bad deals with labels. She then moved on to found Power Moves a few years later in order to be more proactive about helping artists score good deals up front, instead of just getting them out of bad situations.

Banski and Wendy then move on to chat about a variety of topics related to getting started, and being successful, in the hip hop/rap industry, including: the importance of making connections and forming relationships within the music industry, the costs that go into the setup and marketing of helping a new artist get started, Wendy’s suggestions for what up-and-coming rappers should focus on in order to make money, how artists can market themselves and get their names out there, the importance of making a business plan for boosting their career, and more.

Wendy also shares some interesting stories from her own personal journey through her career, including her introduction to rap and hip hop culture in the 80’s, how she became more involved in the industry over the years, and some of her experiences meeting various well-known rappers (including Tupac) throughout her career. She closes by offering a few words of advice to those getting started in the industry, saying that the most important thing is to really get to know the business of the music world inside and out before you jump into it, by learning from the people already within it.

Key Quotes:

·       “One of the ways for people of color to get out of the struggle is to start their own businesses.” 

·       “It’s a single’s market today, so you want to promote as much music, repetitively, as you can.”

·       “I think the reason that artists sign to labels today is because they don’t have investors and they need somebody to put up the money.” 

·       “The most important thing I can tell an artist or any independent artist that’s relatively new, is learn the business. Like really learn how this works….You can’t be on the outside looking in and think you understand….You really have to be inside of it. So learn as much as you can from the people that are inside.”  

Wendy’s Links:
 
 http://wendyday.com/

http://www.HELPFULANGEL.COM 

http://www.ARTIST-CENTRIC.COM 

http://www.YOUTUBE.COM/THISISWENDYDAY 

http://www.ASKWENDYDAY.COM 

http://www.INDUSTRYREPORT.COM 

http://www.RAP-RESOURCES.COM

The Banski Show – Episode 3

Guest: Mylez da Vinci 

In episode 3 of The Banski Show, joining us is rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and engineer, Mylez da Vinci, to discuss his songwriting method to make hit records, music education and his resilience in successfully overcoming challenges of an up and coming musician, even while being visually handicapped.  

Coming out of Orlando, Florida, Mylez da Vinci is a multi-faceted recording artist driven by a natural talent to express himself through genuine honesty in his music by effortlessly putting together musical ideas, piece by piece, tailoring a complete composition.  From song title, to verses and hooks, to producing the beat the same day, Mylez shares his creation process to a few of his recent hit singles, "If I Had Sight" and "I Do This For the City."  He runs his own record label with his father called, MylezStone Music, and continues to be a glowing example of how you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

Mylez discusses some of the pillars of his success such as his foundational music education from Florida Tech, his father and family support system who contribute to his musical movement, and one of his biggest inspirations, Ray Charles.  Like Ray, Mylez is being intelligent and mindful about his moves within the music industry and has positioned himself to own his masters, and encourages other musicians to do the same.  

Listen to Mylez da Vinci's music on all streaming platforms and be sure to follow Mylez da Vinci on social media:
Instagram:  @mylez_da_vinci_94
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mylezstone-music
Clubhouse:  @mylezdavinci

The Banski Show – Episode 2

Networking & Music Marketing
Guest: Matt Bacon

Banski and Matt discuss networking, social media strategies and tips on how to better connect with you audience.

Standout Quotes:

"You're not going to fall off a mountain" - [Matt]

"There are things you can do that take your position and elevate people who deserve to be elevated" - [Matt]

"Not only do you plant the seeds, you don't do it just willy-nilly... just to check it off your list, you do it meaningfully" - [Banski]

"Any rapper who really gets somewhere, there's some sort of brand association that goes into that" - [Matt]

"A rapper's name literally becomes the brand, but what does it represent?" - [Banski]

"Creating content tells your story, and that's how humans remember things...that's how you get points across" - [Matt]

"You have to tell your stories cos no one's telling the story for you" - [Matt]

"Nobody gives a shit about you, they only care about themselves, so make caring about you caring about them" - [Matt]  

Episode Timeline:

[02:28] Introducing today's guest, Matt Bacon aka @Bacons.bits, as he shares his background.

[08:30] How did you get started with music marketing?

[20:10] Matt discusses how he creates beneficial connections with famous personalities.

[29:45] What kind of advice would you give a rapper in this day and age?

[32:52] The role of Brand Association especially with Rap music.

[40:06] The importance of telling your story

[44:17] Matt shares a tip he used to increase his followers in a short period.

To connect with Matt. (Social media - @Bacon.bits), and for those into metallic hardcore, check out the new band "Capra".

The Banski Show – Episode 1

HRDRV, Songwriting, & Entrepreneurialism
Guest: Mickey Shiloh
 

In his inaugural podcast debut, Banski hosts Mickey Shiloh, the triple-threat multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter, author and entrepreneur who has worked with Brittany Spears, Pitbull and Janet Jackson (among many others) and established an amazing label that offers services and a community like none other in the music industry.

Banski and Mickey have a far-ranging conversation that covers topics both practical and personal, serious as well as light-hearted.  The Forbes Magazine “30 Under 30” influencer (Mickey is 28) shares her experiences as not only a multi-platinum selling artist but also as the businesswoman whose company, HRDRV, (pronounced Hard Drive) is reinventing music production.  Far more than just a place to create content, HRDRV offers a full complement of services and support for distribution, administration, facilitation among streaming platforms, art and digital production, co-writing sessions, mentorship programs and consultations.

Mickey’s many entrepreneurial projects (which also include the publication of popular eBooks, webinars, live events and constant fresh music and video releases) would not be possible without lessons learned along the way, including the unexpected gifts she has taken from a bipolar diagnosis and even the challenges of Covid-19. This is a young woman who defines self-awareness and start-up ingenuity, humor and resiliency. Tune in for some great insights, listener questions and highlights to look out for as Mickey rolls into 2021 and beyond!

TOPICS COVERED:

·         A little about Mickey’s background and her introduction to writing music.

·         Some dos and don’ts for reaching out to artists and producers you admire.

·         Structuring songs – How Mickey learned and evolved her craft.

·         The defining characteristics of a great chorus and some of the differences between writing raps versus writing lyrics to sing.

·         How Mickey came to write and publish her many books, including a #1 Amazon music business bestseller .

·         Business ventures and marketing genius both start with recognizing your own value.

·         Mickey’s thoughts on the self-help genre, books that have influenced her (and Banski) and the power of manifestation.

·         Knowing your “why.” Is it something to share or keep to yourself? How Mickey’s reflection and realizations have impacted the course of her life going forward.

·         The importance of candid conversation about mental health issues.

·         Spending money: What are Mickey’s priorities? (Hint: It’s all about her businesses.)

·         New pursuits, including an app to leverage HRDRV offerings.

·         Covid-19’s impact on Mickey’s live activity and in-person events.

·         Much more about all the resources HRDRV has to offer.

·         #ShftSunday – Quantity and quality music Mickey’s releasing on a weekly basis.

·         An interesting mix of fan questions for Mickey!

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