"We must earn what we receive as opposed to expectation. Power is within us... not given." - JDM
Fate is a funny thing ain't it? Some don't believe in it but I do. I feel like with fate, or even destiny, you are meant to meet people who will cross your path that either will uplift you or you will guide them in the path they belong on. That was my only wish when WVMR NY was open: guide the talent to where I feel they belong or where they should go. Lucky enough for me, one person saw my vision for them and has done wonders in making sure they stick to their goals: my former intern and now rising mogul, JDM to her friends... but for you, Jaelynn DiMarco.
Mainstream: Jaelynn, the Queen of MSM. How have you been?
JDM: (Laughs) (You mean) Goddess! I’m doing
good. Thank you for asking. How are you?
I’m great. It’s been a long time since we spoke. Back in
WVMR days you were an intern. How was that experience for you?
The experience is still going for me. You have opened my
eyes to a whole new plane field. I’ve opened my horizons, moved to a different
state, going to school and I’ve even met some of the greatest Rappers in the
Game. I will never forget the first time we got together to talk about where I
wanted to go. I spend everyday work towards everything you said I could
have. My experience at WVMR was a door to lead me into a whole new life. I’m so
grateful and thankful.
Listen I feel like WVMR existed for people like you to be
exposed to the industry and then make it into what it needs to be for you. But
let’s go back before WVMR. How did you get involved into the music?
Ever since I was a kid I always felt the beat in my heart. I
love to dance it’s so free and creative because anyone can do it. So when I
moved to Manhattan I just knew there was a way I can make an impact. So that’s
when I reached out to you. Radio is great but I wanted more. One of my strength
is Management so when we talked about it, it just clicked. I can be on the
road, I can travel, I can be connected to the music and maybe expand to my own
studio. It was like you woke me up. I am in classes for music Management. Just
another thing to mark on my resume. I have to keep up with the times so if I
can learn the old version and master the new. I can use both to my advantage.
“Think smarter, not harder!”
Wow that statement sounds familiar (laughs). Well the good
part is most people think on their feet with the opportunity that is presented
in front of them. What’s been the best part of the journey as a manager?
The best part? Hmmm… That I’m the boss (laughs). I love that
I can have a flexible schedule. I don’t answer to anyone and I can make it my
own. The sky is the limit.
The great part is most entrepreneurs always say that. Not
having to have a boss is probably the best part of this business. But being a
manager is difficult trust me I’ve managed 10 artists over my career. Has there
been any difficult spots where you’ve been frustrated by the job?
Yes and no! I have to keep in mind that not everybody has my
drive. I’ve been meeting a lot of wishy washy artist. They want the fame and
fortune but don’t want to put the work in to make that happen. I can’t do both
my job and theirs. This generation is doomed (laughs).
Wow I mean I hear that a lot about this generation. I don’t
think their doomed. Maybe a bit misguided lol. Ok so what music did you grow up
on? And who you listen to now?
I grew up on old school rock. 70s-80s, then I mixed it up to
90s-2000 Hip Hop. LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, Biggie, 2Pac, Bone Thugs and
Harmony, Nas, TLC, Missy Elliot, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, DMX, I LOVE Ice Cube- NWA...
etc. (And) I have a Rock side to me as well. Good Charlotte, My Chemical
Romance, Simple Plan, Asking Alexandrea, I Set My Friends On Fire, Slip Knot,
Marilyn Manson, Kid Rock, Aerosmith…
Oh you didn’t just dig in the crates right now. Oh yeah you
had different tastes altogether that’s awesome. But it comes back to now cause
you have all this different love for music, what are you looking for in an
artist to manage?
I like the underground old school hip hop vibe. That’s my
main focus right now. The creativity they put in their rhymes that are off the
dome is so intense. It brings (the) excitement that’s what I’m looking for.
Hip hop has so much to offer so the fact you still feel or
even expect the excitement is good. But the expectations for you have to be
high right? From intern to mogul. What’s the goal for you as a manager?
My goal is more of a vision. I want to be the best. Whatever
it takes. I’m dabbling in real estate, business and other projects just so we
have a wide variety of options to choose from. Yes, My expectations are very
high because I know what I want in an Artist and I know what I need to become
the best there can be.
Managers have the ability to bring the best out of an artist
so that looks like your overall goal. Which brings me to the name. I remember a
convo at WVMR we had about the whole idea behind mafia style, but now it’s your
brand. What’s MSM mean? Why the name?
(Laughs) It’s funny that you mentioned it. I had to do a
presentation in class on this topic. MSM stands for Mafia Style Management and;
to be honest, my lawyer wasn’t fond of the name. Moving on, back in the late
50s & 60s the Mafia had a strict schedule we come here to work and get
paid. They ran all of NY. Boater, freight, buildings, construction, money- they
were businessmen! Very straight forward and made an impact. That’s is my theme
to my business. I don’t take no bullshit for an answer. My company represents
Loyalty, Trust & Respect. Just like they did back in then. My name is Mafia
STYLE, not Mafia Affiliation... everyone has a theme and this is what I chose.
It felt close to me. I take my business personal because it’s how I can relate.
See I respect that. People will throw a name out there of
their brand and it will be an idea from their cousins baby fathers uncle who
lives downtown somewhere (laughs). I love a great backstory. Things like that
is how your get others interested in your brand. Tell me again where you
learned all this from?
That’s so funny. The streets man! That’s where I’m from.
Homeless, abandonment, lost… I was completely hopeless. I was alive but not
living. So I took it upon myself to create my own future. This fits me, it
works for me. I’m not conformist. So I had to find my own niche.
And it’s a niche that’s working. Ok so as we wrap up, I need
to ask, what’s next for you and MSM in the immediate future?
As of right now, I’m working on selling Tee shirts. Old school
comic book cartoon kind of tee shirts. It’s not like anything anyone else has
done. Just a way for me to show my creative side and get the revenue I need to
get started. I’m a kid at heart and I like comic books and I love hip hop- so
let’s smash them together lol. It still a working progress. You are going to
LOVE THIS LINE!
I already love the idea! And as many things are, everything
is a work in progress to progress where you don’t have to work as hard. Any
shoutouts before we go?
Shout out to you! Your company and your fam for believing in
my and knowing all of my dreams can come true. Shout out to my investor.. my
dad (laughs). He may not know a lot, but he’s always here to help.
Awesome. And, by the way, thank you for listening to me.
Comments
Post a Comment