Indie Ambassador

We welcomed IAtv's first hip hop artist into the studio recently.  Tha Jist (born Muyinza Kasirye) and Dark Blue (Gabe Sarango) have been collaborating since high school, and shared a few of the tactics they've used to grow a fan base while getting their College degrees.  From time management and professionalism to the college music market and the rapper / producer relationship, both had a lot of advice to share.

Tha Jist Quick Tips

• The artistic relationship required for a rapper and producer team to be successful working together is no different than that required of a rock band. It takes constructive criticism from both parties, plenty of laughter and a shared end goal.

• You can never predict when creativity will strike, so it’s best to always be prepared. Whenever Dark Blue creates a new track, Tha Jist walks around with it in his headphones when he’s on the go just in case the verses come to him.

• Be professional, regardless of who you’re talking to, because reputations are very important in this business. Furthermore, make sure the materials you use to present yourself are equally as professional, from the quality of your press shots down to the layout of your one sheet.

• Don’t overlook the college market! Colleges usually pay pretty well to up and coming bands and keep the shows free to their students. On top of that, students are a very influential group when it comes to taste-making. Impress these crowds across the country and you’ll be headed somewhere.

• One person it’s essential to maintain your professional relationship with is the event coordinator at local universities. They are often the people who have the power to place you as an opener whenever a bigger act plays that university.

• Everyone operates differently, but if you’re a musician trying to make your music career work and get a degree at the same time, Tha Jist recommends completing school work in chunks so you have more time for creativity to manifest. Also necessary is getting as little sleep as humanly possible.