When it comes to owning several businesses along with your record label, P. Diddy, Russell Simmons and Jay Z have it locked. When it comes to selling out shows and selling millions of albums, rap artist 50 Cent, Eminem and Nelly have it locked. When it comes to the future music industry moguls of America, A&T students Brad Taylor and Frederick Whitaker have it locked.
Brad Taylor, senior broadcast production major and Atlantic Records college representative, was raised in Charlotte. At the age of 14, he cycled from Washington D.C. to Charlotte in three days to promote physical fitness in the African American community. Apparently, he’s very big on challenges. He holds down 30 hours a week at Circuit City, does step team performances with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the university marching band.
Frederick Whitaker is a senior broadcast production major and Def Jam College Representative from Brooklyn, N.Y. Whitaker is a full-time student and member of Team Dolla, an organization that helps students network along with promoting and putting on events.
Whitaker and Taylor gave me some brief insights about being a college rep for a major label.
“My job as a college representative is to promote any artist that’s on Def Jam, that has an album coming out or that will get the public’s eye,” Whitaker said. “I feel as if it’s the key to opening the door to get myself into the music industry.”
“My role consists of passing out posters, cd’s and other promotional items from Atlantic Records to the student body,” Taylor said. “I also provide listening sessions for artists new cd’s, pass out sheets to rate cd’s, provide vinyl to DJ’s and local retail stores in the Greensboro community.”
As a Def Jam representative, Whitaker is witnessing first hand major changes in record label history.
“Def Jam is doing a Def Jamaica right now that’s bringing together two different cultures. You can expect to hear hip-hop and reggae collaborations from Camron/ Buju Banton, L.L. Cool J/ Wayne Wonder and DMX/ Sean Paul and Mr.Vegas.”
Both Whitaker and Taylor seem to have a positive outlook on all of the problems in the music industry today.
“I don’t believe in putting out drama to sell records,” Whitaker said. “Kids look up to you and you’re supposed to set an example. I thought drama was for mix tapes.”
“I think people naturally feed off drama. More artists need to find more things in the world to talk about besides money, sex and drugs,” Taylor said.
Their career goals seem to be very similar when it comes to the music industry.
“I plan to own my own record label and production company, Taylor Made Productions,” Taylor said. “We will do everything from soundtracks to video games.”
“I would love to be own my own record label,” Whitaker said. “By me doing what I do to make artists shine, is like me paying my dues to the record label in the long run. Plus, there’s a lot of CTC (Cut The Check) going on in the industry.”
However, when it comes to listing role models, they have totally different views.
“I think Jay Z is a role model, L.L. Cool J who’s dropped 10 albums and new cats like Joe Budden,” Whitaker said.
“My father has always been an inspiration for me because he knew my all around love for music,” Taylor said. “Wynton Marsalis is also a role model because he’s like the Miles Davis of today’s generation.”
We know the future CEO’s job description, thoughts on the industry, role models and future goals. But, what about those brief childhood fantasies of being in the industry?
“Whenever we had a cookout, me and my brothers would get up and dance and try to act like The Boys,” Taylor said.
“I was one of those kids that never had rhythm, I couldn’t dance but I always had a love for the music,” Whitaker said. “That’s why I had one of the Michael Jackson jacket with the zippers.”
“It looks like our aggies are on their way to doing “Big Business”!