 What's up everybody? Once again, it's Brand Man Shining. Today, we are back with my part two interview with Drayda Q or just Dray. Once again, he is a manager. He has several clients. One of his biggest clients is Digital Nas, who's on the come up. He's a producer. Dray is also the owner of Pivotal Branding. If you need that branding work, he humbly considers himself somebody on the come up, but he's a well of knowledge himself. That first interview alone, we already talked about things like loyalty and how that creates longevity in the game. The importance of mentors, negotiations and partnerships for brand deals and things like that. We're talking about stuff like the mentality that managers need to have, not skipping steps and cases where artists might not even need managers or managers might not even be able to help artists because the problem just isn't right. Either way it goes, this stuff is about to be good. It's another well of knowledge coming your way. So let me hop right into it. See y'all at the end. All right. And just to really round things out, describe it. What do you, you're a manager. So what does a manager do? Because I know a lot of people want to be managers. Yeah. What exactly does a manager do? Man, in this time because of the business that changed so much, man, a manager does everything. I'm going to get the camera. A manager does everything, man. Like one day you might be the personal assistant. One day you might be the driver. One day you might be the relationship counselor. One day, you know what I mean? It's everything, man. Everything to get the job done. Okay. Everything to get the job done. By any means necessary. By any means necessary because if you don't eat, I don't eat. And I'm going to make sure we eat. That's real. So that's kind of hard to sum up. You know what I mean? Well, that's good. I like to just say everything, man, because like I said, sometimes you might not have that intern. You might not have the finances to have interns and paid personal assistants and stuff. So it was like, you know, somebody got to do it. And if you're really there for the best interests of your artist, you're not going to have your artist looking like they're beneath whatever they're supposed to be. They're a superstar. They need to look like a superstar. They need to make them feel like a superstar. But at the same time, I think everybody just be blessed and be humble for every situation area. Like, you know, I don't mind picking up the bag. Like, you know what I mean? Like, it's the bag at the end of the day. You know what I mean? It's the bag at the end of the day. If it's a suitcase or it's a luggage or whatever like that, you know, but like I said, my team is so genuine that we don't even look at each other like that. You know, we don't even look at your job is to get that. Your job is to get that bag. Your job is to carry this. You know, it's more like when those emails come through. If it's pertaining to branding, you know, I have somebody for that. It's pertaining to booking. You know, we have somebody for that. If it's the merchandise, we have somebody for that. You know, but, you know, a lot of people get twisted. You know, a lot of people get twisted. Like, oh, I'm a manager. That's not my job. Like, man, your job is to do everything. In this thing, man, like, your job is to do everything, man. Like, your job is to say, A&R. You know, A&R that, you know, correct the public speaking. You know what I mean? If you're managing a whole store, you know, you're managing, you know, actors or actors. Like, you know, your job is everything, man. Like, so, you know, for all the future managers out there, just be prepared, man, because it's, it's hard work, you know, and the bigger, the bigger your artists get, the more buzz, it's more work. How do you manage that and implement feedback constantly to make sure you stay honest? Yeah. I mean, we, like I said, after like, we really have a really good relationship. Okay. You know, me and all my class maybe have a really good relationship, man. So after, you know, we always just debrief, you know, because debrief after every, at the every show, at the every session, it's like, you know, how do you feel? Like, do you really feel like you put a hundred percent? You know, you feel like you didn't put a hundred percent? All right, cool. Let's go back in there and let's put a hundred percent. Okay. You know, do you feel like, you know, you know, like all of that, like, do you feel like, you know, like, how do you, did you like it? Did you like that artist? Right. Because if you don't like to work with that artist, we make, we get to figure something out. Because at the end of the day, we need the best product. But, you know, at the end of the day, we need the best product. We need a dope ass song. We need a dope ass photo shoot. We need a dope whatever. I bet I can curse. No, you're good. Oh, my bad. But, you know, so at the end of the day, we just all trying to make some dope shit. Okay. You know, I'll try to make some dope shit that makes sense. That's going to influence the culture. That's going to make everybody better. And at the same time, we're learning at the same time. We bear humble. We learn until we get to forever. You know what I mean? Like, if this thing changes, like only imagine, it's going to be like five years. That's, see, that's, I don't want to go, I don't want to go too deep. Things are changing so fast. I know you're constantly learning. So just for now, one final question. For an artist trying to find a manager, how do they find a manager? And matter of fact, let me make it two-part. How do they judge if somebody will be a good manager? Okay. The first question, how does someone, how does someone find, find a manager? One, what I tell a lot of people is, in order to like have a manager, you need to have something to manage. You know, a lot of cats don't have anything to manage. They're just out here. They think they need a manager. You know, sometimes you might just need a publicist. You know, they might just need, you know, someone that's going to make your brand develop a little bit, you know, you know, before you get a manager, you know, because, you know, a manager has to manage things. And that's what a lot of people make the mistake if they don't have anything to manage. So they get with a manager and they expect the manager to make stuff happen. And it's kind of like, whoa, like I'm hit a bandage. Like at the same time, I'm out here trying to make stuff happen too. But it's like, we got to have something to manage. So you might need a publicist. You might, you know, you might, that's probably the best bet. You might need somebody who's going to get you in a certain light. But, you know, you do have those managers that have those connections to where they can make things happen. You know, you have those managers who have the connects to all of the publicists out there. So they know every event going on. So they can make you get in there and make you look good. You know, you have those managers that have relationships with the A&Rs at the record labels and things like that. So it's different, you know, and that's just going on for kind of manager you choose. You know, a lot of times, a lot of managers get in the game because it's their homeboy. You know what I mean? It's my homeboy. You're the person I trust. You're going to be my manager. Yeah. You know, which is perfectly fine. That's how a lot of people get it, you know, which is, which is fine. But like I said, you know, in that kind of situation, you know, you always want somebody that you can go to that you can learn from because the end of the day, you don't want to be in that room and you don't know what's going on. That's real. You know, you don't know what's going on. And now you just see the white sheet of paper with black ink and it's like signed here. And it's like, dang, like, what am I reading here? You know, what am I reading? Everything is in a different language. You know, it was written in English, but everything was Spanish. So, you know, that's just one of the things. And knowing that somebody is a good manager, man, like say, like, I go based off of character and personality, you know, like, you know, like my, you know, like one of my fraternity principles, you know, chronic principles is manhood, you know, manhood, like I go based off of that, you know, the genuine situation, you know, like, are you true in your word, you know, at the same time, like, you know, you got a little bit of everything in this industry, man. So, you know, you have a little bit of everything. So, you know, like I said, you know, a lot of people want to go for the more connected manager, you know what I mean, the more connected manager, but that could be a pretty big step too, because you might not be ready for that shine. Just yet, you know, that manager might put you in situations you've never been in, which is great, but you don't know how to act. So, you might make certain mistakes that, you know, real people are on the way, like, oh man, you know, get these kids out here, you know, that kind of thing. So, that's it, man. Like I said, like, I think that's one of the biggest things. One is, you know, having something to manage. Man, it's crazy you say that something to manage part, because like, I kind of felt like I was predicting that. I said that statement a minute ago, where you know, it got to the point where artists need to be more of a complete product before they got signed. But now, I've been telling my artists that you down there need to be more of a complete product before you even get a manager. Like, not completely complete, but you need to have something, like you said, to manage. Because, you know, with the tools and resources that we have today, you know, like, you got cats recording music, and it's out that makes out. You know, like, literally, like, you record music, file, bounce, it's out, send a soundcloud, email, you know, whatever the case is. So, you know, now the way that times are moving is kind of like a lot of people are skipping steps. That's what I try not to do. I try not to skip steps. Like, even though I know I could skip here, you know, it's like, nah, I kind of want to know what's in that middle. Because I don't want to skip here and then not know what's in the middle, and then I'm getting that middle for whatever reason. I don't know how to, you know, I don't know how to act. So, you know, I like to take those steps because I know everything is a learning process. You know, like I said, you know, I'm not going to just jump. Just, you know, just jump up there like, yeah, I can do this. I know how to do it. It's like, yeah, I mean, I'm pretty sure I can do it. I'm confident myself, you know, I'm confident myself, but me, like, personally, I want to know what I skip, you know, to at least see, you know, to at least know, okay, yeah, I want to do that. Or yeah, that makes sense. All right. Cool. I think I know I'm ready. You know, so before I just jump out there, you know, and next thing you know, I get messed up or something like that or make the wrong moves. Patience. Yeah, patience is the virtue, man. That's great. Like, you know, make the wrong move on it. So, like I said, as an artist, man, like I said, as an artist, try to develop yourself and, you know, even if you do get a manager that's not well connected, you know, at least I would say, get that manager a chance. You know, we get that manager a chance to prove otherwise. You know, because a lot of times artists are like, oh, I'm not going anywhere. Fast as I think I should be. And it's like, well, maybe your music is hot enough. That's a tough field to swallow. You know, but I mean, that's, you know, that's a lot. I know a lot of young managers out there that's kind of on that on that spiel. It's like, oh, man, I can't get this. I can't get that. I can't get this. You know, and it's like, well, you know, if your music was hot enough, the fans would gravitate towards the recorders. The fans never go to artists and be like, man, who's your manager, man? Like, you know what I mean? Like, man, that song is dope. You know, like the manager come in on the back end sometime. You know, man, that song is dope. How can we book it? You got a manager? You know what I'm saying? Like, so these have your talent or whatever it is, bring them to the table. You know, because then that way you know what you're doing is working. You know, because at the end of the day, like, if the manager leaves, will your career still go? You know, so if you just give what I'm saying, like I said, there ain't no shade in nobody, but you know, like I said, I mean, just, you know, give it the best situation that you feel for your career because I look at everything as a career. Like, I'm not here for no one song. Gotcha. I'm not here for one album. I'm not here for 2017. Like, 2017 was great for digital lives, but we're not here for 2017. We're here to the end. You know, and that's one thing that, you know, like I said, longevity that I like to focus on. Like, keeping everything, you know, positive, like I said, being humble, like I said, just staying blessed for every opportunity that come out of the way. You know, having gratitude, being thankful, you know, giving respect where respect is due, you know, being professional at all times. Like, because you never know, you know, like I said, you never know what you might be in the role of the CEO of some kind of company, you know, whatever. So, you know, I just always stand on those principles, man. I'm like, Final, final question. And you met your mentor so much. I want the final word to be, tell them something that you feel like was just like the best gem your mentors gave you that or just someone gave you. I mean, I know that I'm sure you got a lot, but they just said something that really just gave you a big, big push. Be the spook that's set at the door. It's a book out there. You gotta break that down, man. You know, I just think, you know, it's a book out there. I think be the spook that's set at the door by the door. But pretty much for me, like I said, like, you know, my mentors, man, like, just always be ready, man. Stay ready so you ain't got to get ready and just be prepared at all times for what's going to come. As a manager, as a teacher, as a counselor, whatever you want to say, man, like, you know, you just got to just got to be a genuine person, you know, stay prayed up and actually go get it, man. Like when that door open, just kick them off. You know, like if that shit crack open, just kick them off. I'm here like, what's up? You know, what needs to be done? Yeah, you know, versus, you know, what can you give me? Like, nah, I don't work like that. You know, it don't work like that. You know, how can I get better? You know, how can how can I, you know, a lot of people get confused where it's like, yo, I want to do business with you. And it's like, it's not business unless we both benefit. You know, it's not business unless we both benefit. So is it business for you and more work for me? Or, you know, you know, what are we talking about? That's real. You know, so that's probably what I gotta say, man. Just when those opportunities present themselves, let's take them in. I'm like, just take them and go from there and learn. Like I said, man, this thing, I learned something new every day, man. Every day I try to learn something new until I get better. You know, if I feel the same as yesterday, I'm feeling like I'm doing something wrong. If I didn't learn anything new about anything, some new type of publishing deal, record label deal, industry talk, whatever, it's like, you know, like I gotta learn it. You know, if it's music, if it's film, if it's TV, like whatever, like I feel like I need to be in the know. So, you know, that's why you'll see me a little bit everywhere, man. Like, because like I said, you know, what we're about to do with digital knives, arcade major, my other client, Connor, we're about to take it to another level. You know, I'm about to take it to another level 2017 been great, you know, but when those opportunities present themselves, you know, I keep them up fucking dope. And I work. That's the perfect way to end. I appreciate it, man. I appreciate you having me. Yeah, definitely, man. I really appreciate you again, man. Hey, once again, everybody is Dray. Can they follow you? Yeah, man. Hit me on all my Instagram, Twitter, all of that stuff at Dray2Q, at D-R-E-D-A-Q. My company is Pivotal Branding, P-I-V-O-T-A-L Branding at Digital Knives, at K-Major Music, at officially Connor, officially underscore Connor underscore. There it is, everybody. Y'all know me, Brandon and Sean. Thanks for watching again. This was super helpful for you guys. Definitely put in the comments below, let me know how helpful this was and if y'all want to see some more interviews like this. Once again, have a good one. Appreciate y'all. Love. And I'm back. Once again, I hope that was helpful for you guys. Definitely, as I said, the first time around, follow Dray, Dray2Q, hit them up. The stuff was super helpful. I learned stuff just talking to them and just to get that additional perspective. You always want to be able to get that from somebody else who's in the game, living it and feeling it every day. Hit up Dray2Q. Follow Pivotal Branding. Maybe inquire about the services if you're in a space that it makes sense. As I said before, don't go around spamming people for no reason. And at the same time, that's the game. Send a DM if you have to. I ain't putting no fool in your table. Don't listen to me. But if you like this interview, then hit the like button. And if you like it, then share it. And if you're not subscribed, you know what to do. Hit that subscribe button.