“Own your moment.”
When Rico Brooks, the manager for top hip-hop producers including Metro Boomin (Migos’ “Bad and Boujee,” Post Malone’s “Congratulations,” 21 Savage’s “Bank Account,” to name a few) came to speak to the Bandier music business program in Syracuse late last year, this was his advice to the 150 gathered students. He meant it through the lens of artistry: when you have one of those moments when the planets align and fans and the music industry alike deign to stop and actually care about your art? You better be smart. These moments don’t always come. And they come again even less frequently. So make them count.
After class, I took our speaker out for drinks, as I’m wont to do, with a question on my mind:
Was Atlanta as a whole owning its moment? Hip-hop and R&B are now the most popular genres in America. These songs and artists are driving the music business. And who is driving hip-hop and R&B? I can’t see a stronger argument than Atlanta.
