Jeff B. - A Pioneer of the New Orleans Hip-Hop Scene, Venue Owners, Event Promoter, and Artist Manger
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This is episode 4 of 5 in our New Orleans series featuring one of the New Orleans Hip-Hop scene pioneers, Jeff B. He first got his start in the music business working as a radio host at Tulane University college station being one of the first to host a weekly Hip-Hop show on radio. Jeff B has always been entrepreneurial spirited, and after hosting shows on radio, he quickly took the shows to the clubs from hosting parties and concerts. Eventually he opened his own venue in New Orleans called The Maison on the historic Frenchman Street. Now he also owns the venues Hi-Ho Lounge and Dragons Den in New Orleans. Jeff B is also the manager for the artist Mannie Fresh.
I first met Jeff B. during my time at House of Blues New Orleans from 2012 to 2015. I had the privilege of working many events with Jeff B. at House of Blues from weekly parties and concerts. In this conversation we talk about his start in the New Orleans hip-hop scene, to his entrepreneurial journey, owning venues, putting on events, management, and much more. When I arrived in New Orleans, I was surrounded by a ton of mentors not just within Live Nation, but also with some of the partners that we got to work with. Jeff B. was one of those partners, and has taught me a ton on entrepreneurship, negotiating, and building relationships. He’s one of the leaders in the New Orleans entertainment scene, and in this episodes he shares many awesome stories and wisdom with you to help you get one step closer to Making It.
Highlights from the episode:
Jeff’s experience in radio (6:30)
Preview of Jeff’s professional life (13:20)
The come up pf New Orleans hip-hop scene (18:35)
Experience with Cash Money Records (20:50)
Advice for someone getting into the music industry/promotion (22:15)
Journey to working with Mannie Fresh (24:00)
Details on Mannie Fresh’s live show (26:38)
Jeff’s future roster expansions (27:55)
Greatest challenges of an Artist Manager (28:15)
Best thing to do for artist managers in uncomfortable situations (30:00)
Jeff’s team (32:15)
Jeff’s journey into owning venues (33:30)
Details of Jeff’s venue the Maison (38:30)
Lessons from Sonny Schneidau (39:45)
Biggest challenge of venue owning in NOLA (44:00)
How Jeff makes his venues unique (45:32)
History of Frenchman St. (47:00)
How Jeff stays sane with a hectic schedule (49:25)
Good Elements for building a management team (50:10)
Advice for college students wanting to pursue the music industry (52:55)
Skills to look for in young industry professionals (54:33)
Favorite concert (57:00)
Starting all over again (1:01:22)
Making it to Jeff B. (1:01:50)
Quotes from Jeff B:
“Get many checks from many places”
“It’s not business most of the time. It’s tough. You have to have a real passion for it and you have to work at it”
“Operate under the assumption that you want to do long-term business”
“Karma is a motherfucker. Am I allowed to say motherfucker?”
“Sometimes you have to work a 9-5 job to get to the point that your art supports you.”
“It’s important to convince an artist that they have to understand what’s going on. They have to educate themselves.”
“Make sure the artist isn’t the asshole. You have to take that role.”
“Keep a level head, keep your cool, keep emotion out of it.”
If you’re in management you have to have a team around you.”
“You want to know all you can know.”
“Get out there and know your market. Get out there and network. Make connections.”
“If you don’t know how to delegate you can’t grow.”
“Go get internships. The doors are open for you.”
“Just because it’s your way doesn’t mean it’s the only way.”
Links to people and things mentioned:
Nothing but Jams - Q93
Tulane University
WTUL - 91.5
Kid Capri
Bobbito
Strech Armstrong
Public Enemy
Beastie Boys
Kool Moe D
Big Daddy Kane
Jungle Brothers
Tribe Called Quest
Main Source
Grandmaster Flash
University of Pittsburg
WPTS hip hop show
Showboys
Gavin Reports
Hits Daily Double
CMJ
Leaders of the New School
Jimmys Music Club
Elektra Records
Busta Rhymes
The Maison
Dragons Den
Hi-ho Lounge
DJ Mannie Fresh
Iheartradio
Bigboy Records
DJ Jubilee
Cash Money Records
Mystical
Jive Records
Russel Simmons
Rick Ruben
Juvenile
Snoop Dogg
Rebirth Brass Band
Ballers Ball
Cheeky Blakk
Mia X
Voodoo Festival
Paradigm
Gucci Mane
Dallas Davidson
Rick Ross
Lil Uzi Vert
Big Sean
Kanye
Hard Festival
Wax Motif
House of Blues
Sonny Schneidau
Live Nation
AEG
Jazz Festival
Bowery Group
Essence Fest
Mardi Gras
Frenchmen Street
Bourbon Street
Stevie Wonder
Jerry Seinfeld
Hannibal Buress
How to contact Jeff B.
Twitter
Making It to Jeff B:
“If you’re happy, you have good friends and good family, and you can eat when you need to eat, It’s making it. “
