How 86 Records Record Label Is Helping To Make the Entertainment Industry More Diverse and Representative
You want someone that can understand. Not everyone can relate especially if they are not from the same upbringing. Different perspectives. When you have diversity, you will always get a different perspective which leads to better problem-solving and increased Productivity More innovation. The potential effect it has on our culture is significant, especially when it comes to entertainment. We do not see a lot of minorities in leadership roles except a few.
As a part of my series about leaders helping to make the entertainment industry more diverse and representative, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing 86 Records.
Minority owned veteran based label “86 Records” was founded in 2017. The name 86 Records was inspired by the music era of the 80s, where music felt good to listen to and was of substance. Their love for music from the golden age/era convinced them to start their label for music artists with integrity and discipline like themselves. After holding sessions with various artists in his recording studio, Josue Prosper, Denis Debranche, Joel Strickland and Jesus Castillo knew that they were in a position to create a structure to help artists. It was in their nature to be leaders and guide artists using military ethics. They realized their eye for talent and having been around hip-hop figures and inspired by other label owners, such as Quality Control Music Group. All business partners share similar backgrounds in music and pride themselves on teamwork, discipline, and cohesion. Believing service comes before self. The label offers a few services: financial literacy, mental health, resume building, investments and more.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us what brought you to this specific career path?
Hello, and thank you for the opportunity. What brought us down to this specific career path is music, the music we love, the generations of music, and the growth of music from the different genres of music down to the art of music, but to us at 86 Records, it is more than just music. It’s a lifestyle we love to the bone. At 86 Records, we look at other talents, such as art, fashion, photography, videography, and any talent someone feels they may have. We like to dissect that talent and make you feel confident about your craft; it’s all about the culture we share, the different communities we come from, also the backgrounds and diversity we each share that make us who we are and what makes an individual unique. As a team, we were tired of seeing artists getting ripped off by these labels. We wanted to show artists there can be labels that care.
Can you share the most exciting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Since we started individually, we thought we knew how to get an ROI (return on investment). We clashed until we realized we had to invest time and money into planning together. Once we realized there was strength in numbers, we started to add people to our team specializing in specific markets such as marketing, public relations, and content to guide us in the right direction. Social media makes it look accessible and attainable when no one knows what goes on behind the scenes.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Our funniest mistake was having an artist show up for the wrong video shoot.
Ok, thank you for all that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our discussion. Can you describe how you are helping to make popular culture more representative of the US population?
The US population? No, why stop in the US when we are aiming to change the world? We would be helping the culture by broadcasting the achievements worldwide. We are more significant than Entertainment. We are the change that world needs. From new programs for youth to be involved with to show them that they make a difference and their voice matters. To have life mentors in minority communities promoting success and opening the minds of the youth. To health and fitness for all ages. 86 Records will use its platform to promote nothing but positivity and obliterate the bad connotations behind our culture.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by the work you are doing?
I wouldn’t say anyone in particular. Each artist on our roster is impacted by how committed we are to their success within their personal and music career. For example, we care about their financial status. Many artists nowadays spend their advance on buying frivolous items such as jewelry, cars, and clothes. Not saying that is a bad thing, but having the artist understand financial literacy and invest their money first and live off the residuals is what we try to teach after receiving any advance. So, we are more mentors than just a Label.
As an insider, this might be obvious to you, but I think it’s important and instructive to Articulate this for the public, who might have different inside knowledge. Can you share three reasons with our readers why it’s really important to have the diversity represented in Entertainment and its potential effects on our culture?
You want someone that can understand. Not everyone can relate especially if they are not from the same upbringing. Different perspectives. When you have diversity, you will always get a different perspective which leads to better problem-solving and increased Productivity More innovation. The potential effect it has on our culture is significant, especially when it comes to entertainment. We do not see a lot of minorities in leadership roles except a few.
I can say we have made some strides, especially now seeing minorities directing movies and some owning labels. It shows that the culture is headed in the right direction.
Can you recommend three things the community/society/the industry can do to help address the root of the diversity issues in the entertainment business?
Society can address diversity issues on a national level. The industry can hire more minorities straight out of college. The community can host events/classes to make them aware of the vast opportunities in the entertainment business.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an Example?
Leadership is broken down into attributes and competencies. Depending on the goal determines the type of leadership that is required. We have four types of leaders who each have their unique way of leading. At 86, effective communication is vital, especially dealing with artists. All information must be clear, concise, and broken down to the lowest level. Understanding is also the key to leadership and connecting with others.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Five of these things we wished we had been told:
We wish we had the complete blueprint before we started dropping music
Wish we planned better marketing
Built a solid team to handle all aspects of the business before we started to drop the artist’s music.
Make sure the artist works harder than you for their dream not to be too lenient on decisions that can hinder the growth of company when it comes to doing business with other companies/ individuals
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people; what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
The movement we would inspire is the WE CARE movement. Showing an appreciation to everyone dedicated to their craft, whether you are an actor, singer, or musician. It’s about something other than the money for us. We want to show that. We are generally interested in them as individuals and on the business level. We would challenge all labels to do the same; it will boost one’s confidence and performance in production.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
A life lesson that represents us is the famous quote from Jackie Robinson “God built me to last.”
What that quote means to us is that persistence beats resistance no matter the opposition. As long as we keep pushing forward, we will achieve.
Only the strong will survive, and as long as we are working toward that dream of being successful, there is nothing that can stop us, especially if we are working with a solid team who shares the same vision and goals.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
We would love to meet any successful black entrepreneur in the Entertainment industry which started with nothing and made something with their resources, such as Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Daymond John, Michael Jordan, Robert and Sheila Johnson, Sean Combs, George Foreman, and many others.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can find us on instagram: 86 records ny LinkedIn: 86 records ny.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much!
How 86 Records Record Label Is Helping To Make the Entertainment Industry More Diverse and… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.