Spotlight Series December 20...
BOA Spotlight Series Septemb...
BOA Summer Series August 201...It is December 20th exactly 4 days before her Birthday and the release of Wale’s new mixtape, “Folarin.” Today we would like to introduce to you an ambitious young women that goes by the name of “Doobz” (for obvious reasons). Take a look into what the music industry is REALLY about and feel her passion. Wish her an early Bday! You know the routine….RELAX AND TAKE NOTES.
1. What do you do and how long have you been doing it?
I am a personal assistant to DMV artist, Harmony Muzik. I also work in online promotion and brand management for various artists and labels. I am passionate about the artists and brands I support, such as Harmony, Visto and Hippie Life Krew, Black Cobain, David Correy and Urban Rock. What started out as a passion has evolved into an occupation. I started out two years ago, and as the ultimate fan-turned-business-woman, I’ve learned to do everything from run fan pages to develop marketing campaigns.
I’m a music lover and a business woman. There’s always a need for the business side of the music business, and it just made sense for me to use my talents in something I’m passionate about.
I used to be a “hype girl” for another artist that she’s close to, and I became a fan of her music so I started promoting both of them. I developed a personal relationship with Harmony who is known for her business savvy and work ethic, which is something I was interested in and can relate to. Harmony knew I wanted to get into the industry more on the business side and had a space open on her team for a personal assistant, so there was mutual opportunity for us to work together.
Harmony is an exceptional MC, singer, and songwriter. She’s an all around renaissance woman who has done everything from executive produce to graphic design her albums, as well as organize stages and events for other artists. Most recently she co-coordinated the DMV Indie Life Stage at A3C with SmCity, which was a major look for the DMV. A3C is the largest annual music festival in the Southeast, and this was the first time the DMV had a main stage featuring artists such as Fattrel, Los, Gods’Illa, Phil Ade, Pro’Verb, Laelo Hood, Kingpen Slim, and of course Harmony and SmCity. She manages to balance her music career, a job, and her family. Harmony is a boss in the most literal sense. No one I know calculates and execute business moves like she does. She knows where she wants to go with her career and is always focused. I’ve learned so much about the industry and have grown personally working with her. I’ll be her assistant for life. Check her out at www.harmonymuzik.comor follow her Twitter @HarmonyMuzik.
I learned about the Urban Rock movement through Dro Victorious, a member of the camp. I fell in love with David, his movement, his voice, and the name because I am an urban rockstar hippie! His movement encompasses everything I stand for.
I respect the hustle of BOA, the structure of the company, the fact that they give back to the community, and the way they dominate the local music scene.
Pros: expenses paid trips, industry networking, meeting artists that as a fan I wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet, comps (merchandise, food, drinks, VIP service, etc.), seeing the artists that I work with on stage and crushing it, and the satisfaction of doing what I love.
Cons: LONG NIGHTS! I love to sleep, but I don’t get much rest. There’s always somewhere to go: shows, studio sessions, interviews, appearances, etc. It can be exhausting, but it’s a part of the job. Also, having to maintain a professional demeanor and image in business transactions when I sometimes just want to kick back and just be my natural rockstar hippie self, but again, that’s part of the job.
7. You seem to have a great appreciation for local artists in the DMV area. Why is it so important for you to support the local scene the way you do?
From a business perspective, I understand the importance of growing a local fan base. An industry executive may look at an artist and think, “Why should I invest in you when you can’t gain the support of the people around you.” It’s important to me personally because I know the innovators, artists, and tastemakers are all around me in this area working hard to gain recognition just like I am. We’re all in this together. You can have unique and individual talents and still contribute to the movement as a team player. It’s especially important to build and work together in the DMV, as a metro area that doesn’t have a major label like Atlanta, NYC, LA, Houston, etc. Our area has the spotlight on us now as the next major mecca of hip hop with so much talent coming out of the area like Wale, Fattrel, David, etc. We have to build a unified movement and grow or bring the industry to us instead of having to leave to succeed in the industry. #
Also, I just love knowing that the same people I listen to are also my friends or associates. It makes that fan connection much more personal for me as a music lover.
8. You are involved with Board Administration, Urban Rock, and Harmony Muzik’s career. How do you manage to juggle all of this plus the other endeavors you encounter?
I stopped thinking about it and just did it. It took some crying, some frustration, and a lot of inspiration from others to develop this mindset. So, to answer your question, I just do it.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I will have my own business, I’ll still be working with Harmony, and I’ll be living comfortably with a chauffeur and a chef. I’ll still be grinding everyday and content with my life. Little known fact: I love the music scene, but I’ve always aspired to be a mortician…so its either music or death (lol).
The ability to execute a vision is a major accomplishment. I work behind the scenes, so it’s never really about me, but who I’m doing it for. Everyone I work with has major projects and accomplishments, so when they win in the public eye, it’s a win for all of us that work hard to support them.
Yes, there’s a new movement and brand called Hippie Life Krew (www.hippielifekrew.com, @HippieLifeKrew), which is primarily made up of three local artists, Visto (@ItsVisto), Eazy (@Itz2EaZy), and Kelow (@superkelow), with several other artists and members supporting all aspects of brand building and music production. I’m involved with developing the “Hipstress” side of the brand, and as a hipstress and business woman, this is an ideal role for me. The movement in general is a collective of free-spirited artists that are about spreading love, inclusiveness, giving back, and innovative music, which are all values I support!
Twitter: @DoobzisBack368
Instagram: doobzmurphy
