You’ve got the eyes on the prize for Tracklanta 2020: Virtual Remix. There’s a cool $500, but more importantly, you might just be getting your big break for you music career. That’s because winning gets you a mentorship session with some of the Atlanta music industry’s best.
Meet Jason Hobdy, a creative manager who’ll be mentoring a winner from the #TracklantaFlow round.
Read more: Getting started on BandLab for Tracklanta 2020: Virtual Remix
Name: Jason Hobdy
Job Title: Creative Manager
Years in the industry: 11 years
Career Highlights:
- Started as in intern at MBK Entertainment assisting in the development of now, superstar Alicia Keys
- Project Manager for Elle Varner, playing a key role in her artistic development and management team
- Led projects with artists such as H.E.R, K. Michelle, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Justine Skye, Tiara Thomas, and Tyrese under the direction of Jeff Robinson, Jeanine McLean, Suzette William and Misha Headman
- Has successful working relationships with several records labels including RCA, Epic, Atlantic Records, Def Jam, Interscope, Roc Nation, G-Unit, Capitol Records, and eOne
- Led his own management projects working with artists such as Rotimi from the Starz hit TV series, Power; Lucky Daye; and new rising stars, Meata & Tone Stith.
In your experience, what does it take for an artist to take their career to the next level?
In my experience, there are three points an artist needs on the score board in order to take their career to the next level.
Firstly, the artist needs to have what I like to call the “It Factor”. They must know that when they walk into any room, they need to have the confidence that will turn heads and have everyone in that room wanting to know who they are.
Next, the artist needs to have great work ethic. If you look at any successful artist, you will see that they put in the work and fully understand who they are as a brand. This comes from working hard and investing into yourself and your craft. No artist wakes up a superstar – there is usually a journey attached to that superstar.
Lastly, the artist has to formulate the right team – not just any team, but “THE RIGHT TEAM”. They must understand who you are as a person and then as an artist. They understand all your strengths and weakness – this will help navigate through different opportunities and attaching the artist to the right opportunities. The right team will also study, understand and know the market place so they know what you are up against and how to prepare for it.
I like working with artists who are authentic, fearless, hardworking, willing to learn the business in and out.
What do you look for in a demo or a new artist? What kind of artist do you enjoy working with?
When I look at a new artist or listen to a demo or, I’m looking for the identity, personality and the who is this artist. What is unique? What sets them apart from other artists and of course, the “It Factor”.
I like working with artists who are authentic, fearless, hardworking, willing to learn the business in and out. And of course, you have to be someone who’s not a know it all, especially because I’m not a know it all!
What are you hoping for from the BandLab contest submissions and being involved in the contest? Are you open to working with new talent?
I’m looking forward to working with BandLab and the winners of Tracklanta. I hope to spread knowledge to the artists out there that can help them build and shape a solid foundation, and help give them an idea on how this business really works. I’m always willing to work with a new artist, if it makes sense to me.
Jason Hobdy is a mentor for the #TracklantaFlow contest. If you want to be in the running to be mentored by Jason, enter #TracklantaFlow here.
