Skip to main content

Interview With Michael Neely Former Label Executive and Former Def Jam A&R

By


 Introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Michael Neely former label executive, former Def Jam A&R I have been in the business of music going on 30 plus yrs now. I have developed and mentor many artists from country music to rap, and hip-hop, also r&b.

What kind of job were you doing before you decided to get into the music business?

I was working at  McDonald’s in Decatur Ga on the corner of Glenn-wood Ave and Columbia Dr as a grill manager.

What made you get into the music industry?

I grew up in Atlanta Ga during the early 90s during the time when music was alive, I started out as a freelance bodyguard for a few Atlanta favorite, Kenny Diamond from V100, James Smart, and I work with off and on with a young man by the name of AL Hayman who was the first person to give me a chance (Omni arena their artist there was Heavy D, Queen Latifa, Digital Underground, McLyte)

Name some of the artists you have worked with?

ABC (Another Bad Creation ), Salaam The All Mighty, Bam Bam, Kebo Cyrus,Justin Blake Cma, BizzyBone, Dave Holister, Twista, Do or Die, Raz B, Dougie Fresh, Men At Large, Bizzare (d12) Webbie, Lloyd, KeKe Wyatt,112,Ja Rule,Ludacriss,8Ball&MJG,Bone Thugs N Harmony,  Too short, Lil Flip, Flava Flav,  Juvinile, Webbie, TrillVill, Lil Kim, Chico BB.King, Public Announcement, JoJo&KC, DMX,BG, Whodini, Slim From CashMoney, David Banner, Debarge, LiL Boosie, these are just to name a few.

How did Def Jam find you?

I knew a few of them was on my social media page, but I really did not think about it until I got the call from one of the executives of the label, who then spoke to me about becoming one of the AnR rep for the label.

When did you start becoming an A&R for Def Jam?

I was asked to be an A&R for #Defjam in February 2016 and which was a dream of mine come true because I always wanted to be an A&R for a major label.

What are you doing now since you let Def jam go?

I am a music consultant and a motivational speaker and i am also the CEO of an indie label called  www.AMGmusic.net  and also an online magazine called Xs10magazine - issuu.com/xs10magazine

What was your reaction when they asked you to become one?

I thought one of my friends was playing a trick on me because they knew that is what I wanted to do as a job in the music industry

What were you doing when you got that call from Def Jam?

I was playing video games with my son and telling him to stop cheating on the game

So is being in the music business as hard as people say it is?

Music is what you make of it, if you choose not to follow direction then, of course, it will be hard for you. But in my case music is a passion of mine from long ago and I enjoy its ups and downs when it comes to the business of music in all aspects of it.

What do you think about the Illuminati?

HHHHMMMM … I don’t know, I don’t look to know who they are

So since you was with Def Jam as an A&R what were you doing then?

I have been mentoring a few upcoming artists and leading them in the right direction when it comes to being successful in the music industry.

So when you are not working with Def Jam on your days off what are you doing?

I am a music consultant for a few companies and I own my own business which is a marketing and promotion company based out of Atlanta Ga.

What advice can you give some of today’s artist?

Invest in your craft and don’t listen to another artist cause please remember you are his compaction, and music artist listen to the wrong people when it comes to getting noticed and heard by the music industry

How can our reader reach you?

Websites: AMGmusic.net

issuu.com/xs10magazine

Fb: reddoggmusic

Twitter: bigmikemusic
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WWE TLC - No Tables No Ladders No Chairs?

By
TLC Highlights  The WWE paper view definitely lived up to the hype, well i guess. The paper view itself was great. Every match on the card was exciting, entertaining but there was just one problem, no tables no ladders no chairs. To call itself a TLC paper view the only match that used anything of the sort was the main event. The rest of the nights card featured traditional matches in traditional style. As mentioned earlier over all the matches were great but if your going to call it a TLC paper view actually have matches involved with tables, ladders and chairs.  Asuka vs. Emma  Winner - Asuka  Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann vs. Gentleman Jack Gallagher & The Brian Kendrick Winners - Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann  Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James Winner - Alexa Bliss WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto vs. Enzo Amore Winner - Enzo Amore  Finn Bálor vs. AJ Styles Winner - Finn Balor  ...
Read more

Entirely PR Interview With Artist Ilana Herst

By
1. Where are we talking from today? A. I’m living in Brooklyn, New York.  2. What would you like to accomplish in 2019? A. I would love to get a record deal and potentially move to Nashville to pursue my music.  3. What is your take on politics? A. Politically I identify myself as a liberal. 4. Where did you get your artist's name from? A. It’s my given name, I decided not to change it and instead go with what’s simpler. 5. Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? A. Music has been one of the most important things in my life. I had a difficult childhood, but the music was always there for me and it was something I could constantly turn to and depend on. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a specific moment when I decided to be a musician, music is just a part of who I am. Whether or not I’m pursuing it as a career or just...
Read more

Interview With Artist David Frank Daniel

By
1. Where are we talking from today? A. Today I am talking from Canada. 2. What would you like to accomplish in 2019? A. I would like to accomplish the highest heights in my musical career for 2019. 3. What is your take on politics? A. As for politics, I have various viewpoints on different political situations. I do recognize that two things that are debated and sometimes argued about are politics and religion. Some politicians do incredible, positive things, and others are very cancerous. 4. Where did you get your artist name from? A. I received my artist name from my three names of birth. 5. Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? A. Music has been my life forever. I always loved creating it, singing and playing the drums. Since I was three years old. A Very easy decision, as I think it chose me. 6. Was there ever a time when you thought about d...
Read more