J Rhodes: Grammy-Winning Journey, Balancing Fatherhood, and Creating Inspiring Narratives

Immerse yourself in the inspiring journey of J Rhodes, a Grammy-winning producer, author, filmmaker, and educator. His story is one of transformation and empowerment, shaped by collaborations with music giants like Lecrae and Killer Mike. Discover how authentic representation and the influence of figures like Tashara Parker motivate his work. J Rhodes reveals the secret blueprint for success in the creative industry, drawing from his own experiences detailed in his books "These Beats Ain't Free" and "These Dreams Ain't Free Cause They Ain't."

Listen closely as J Rhodes balances his illustrious career with the profound responsibilities of being a father to four daughters. He shares candid insights on the importance of aligning career goals with family values and how his upbringing in Dallas has fortified his resilience. Teaching at Berklee College of Music, he stands as a testament to the strength that comes from humble beginnings, offering a voice to those who often go unheard.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. J Rhodes invites us into the world of his latest film "King of Dallas," now streaming on Amazon Prime, and hints at exciting future projects. With stories of perseverance and the power of pursuing creative endeavors.

• Discussion on the importance of authenticity and representation
• Reflection on the pursuit of a Grammy and personal growth
• Insights into the impact of “These Beats Ain’t Free”
• Importance of community and mentorship in the creative process
• Advice for aspiring creatives to act on their ideas
• Jay's upcoming projects and philosophy on creativity

About Loud & Clear Show with Tashara Parker:
Loud & Clear with Tashara Parker is more than a talk show—it’s a new era of bold storytelling where authenticity, truth, and representation take center stage. Hosted by 5X Emmy-winning journalist Tashara Parker, this groundbreaking show amplifies voices and stories that often go unheard, diving into the real issues that inspire change and drive meaningful conversations.

With her signature warmth and unapologetic approach, Tashara steps into a new role, bringing you raw, unfiltered discussions that challenge norms and elevate perspectives. Whether it's exploring personal triumphs, community advocacy, or pressing societal topics, Loud & Clear creates a space for honest, impactful dialogue.

Tune in each week to join the movement, stay inspired, and celebrate the power of showing up loud and proud.
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Transcript

Creative Powerhouse

Speaker 1 0:00

Grammy winning producer Almost won one in 2014 on a Lecrae album that I produced for , and it was cool , but it didn't get nominated in a certain category that I was in , and so back then I was just so much so career driven and so career focused that it hurt me when it didn't happen .

Speaker 2 0:19

Who has been an artist . I should say that you have worked with and you're like man , that person , like I'm going to remember that lesson that I learned from them .

Speaker 1 0:27

I'm going to say , and people have , you know various stories , but for me it's going to be Miss Tashara Parker .

Speaker 2 0:34

You could just be your whole self . I knew that I wanted to be something to have impact . You actually testified before the Texas Senate . We just want to exist . Representation matters . You can make a difference every single day . Show up authentically , loud and proud , as the person that you truly are . We're still having a conversation . Oh my God , I'm gonna get emotional . The internet favorite has been Appreciate you showing up as your natural self .

Speaker 1 1:00

This is a good question , Tashara .

Speaker 2 1:02

Thanks for bringing it up . Nobody ever brings up . You're pretty good at this . We have a lot more coming up .

Speaker 1 1:07

I wanted to see an action .

Speaker 2 1:08

We're so happy to have you on Loud and Clear Look . I know y'all gonna hear me say this all the time , but this is probably one of my favorite interviews and I truly mean that , because I remember having this guest on at my previous network that I work for and I was so excited about the work that he was doing , even more excited now that I get to talk to him on my own platform . Okay , so , if you're somebody out there that has humble beginnings , like so many of us , what that means to kind of transition into prosperity and really using your background to do the work that you're doing and to continue pushing with that work and being the only . A lot of us are that individual when you go into these boardrooms and having these discussions , and sometimes it can be a little lonely . So we're going to talk about all of those things . So welcome to the Loud and Clear Show once again with Tashara Parker . You guys know we amplify stories that matter and dive into deep moments that move us all . I'm your host , tashara Parker , and today we're sitting down with a creative powerhouse who has redefined what it means to be a multi-talented individual in the entertainment industry .

Speaker 2 2:06

Jay Rhodes is not just a Grammy award-winning producer . He's an author , filmmaker , educator and so much more mentor to the next generation of storytellers . From crafting chart topping beats for legends like Lecrae and Killer Mike to creating thought-provoking films like it's a Wonderful Plight , jay Rhodes proves that artistry knows no boundaries and I promise you when you hear this conversation , you're going to see why it doesn't stop there . Through his book these Beats Ain't Free and its highly anticipated sequel , these Dreams Ain't Free Cause they Ain't , j Rhodes offers a blueprint for aspiring creatives to turn their passion into purpose and profit . Today we're unpacking his journey the highs , the lessons and the legacy he's building for the culture . So loud and clear family . Let's get ready to dive into the mind of truly , truly a visionary . Please welcome the incomparable J Rhodes . Good to see you , good seeing you Seriously For real

Inner City Success and Perspective

Speaker 2 3:03

, real talk . It's been what .

Speaker 1 3:03

How many years For real , real ?

Speaker 2 3:04

talk . It's been what ? How many years Come ?

Speaker 1 3:06

on Years . It's been years . It's been a few years . It's been a few years .

Speaker 2 3:10

That's crazy Life be like . Didn't you leave and go do something ? Or where were you a professor at ?

Speaker 1 3:16

I'm teaching , I'm still teaching in Boston , but I'm back so much Like I'm a professor at Berklee College of Music , but I'm back .

Speaker 2 3:23

The baby's just going to throw Berklee College of Music out there like that's just a little razzle dazzle .

Speaker 1 3:27

I do a little this or that . But , no , I'm back and forth so much because I got so much you know business in Dallas and then you know my daughters are here , so I live on a plane , but it's worth it . It was just a . You know it's worth it , so I'm back and forth .

Speaker 2 3:42

J Rose on the Loud and Clear Show . How you doing , I'm blessed . I'm blessed . How are you ? I'm good man Finally getting into this entrepreneurial world , which you've been a part of forever at this point . But it's new . It's new , it's freeing , which has been a blessing to me . So just learning how to navigate all this stuff . Man , you come from structure for so long , right and now , as an entrepreneur , it's up to you . You got to create that structure , so it's been cool .

Speaker 1 4:11

It's been a lot . I want you to know that Dallas , the nation , the world supports you . We support you Wherever you go , whatever you do . That's where we're at . So I mean whatever you need . I can speak for a lot of people when I say that we ride for Tashara . Man , don't start . You're going to have me out here , like we ain't even really started , yet no we got you .

Speaker 2 4:34

I appreciate you , I appreciate you . Do they need to move his mic in a little bit ?

Speaker 1 4:39

I would love to bring it . Yeah , okay , for sure , for sure .

Speaker 2 4:45

About right ? Okay , for sure , and I'm not cutting that out because it's part of it . Okay , so you're from Oak Cliff . Yes ma'am , you ain't gonna put no funk on it , that's my hood .

Speaker 1 4:55

You know what I'm saying . You grew up in Oak Cliff okay .

Speaker 2 5:00

And that really shaped your perspective on , I would say , creativity and even on storytelling . How did that happen for you over time ?

Speaker 1 5:06

Well , coming from the inner city , I think it's just more so and , like I say , like being from Oak Cliff is so , is so cool , because it really , just like you say , changes your perspective . And if you almost like New York City , if you can make it there , you can make it anywhere .

Speaker 1 5:23

But I think it was just a lack of opportunity in certain places and a lack of exposure . So everything that I wanted to do , I had to seek it and then I had to believe it because it wasn't too many things modeling that . So if you want to be a producer , what are you going to do it ? And back then I'm dating myself . We didn't have google , okay we had to , like you know , really like search and find these things you mean you had to do some real research .

Speaker 1 5:46

Do some real research , like you wanted to be a music producer , you had to go . You know research , music production , you had to , you know at studios and do all of those things . But I think the coolest thing about it for me is that wherever I go , Oak Cliff is with me . And I think the coolest thing about making it from the inner city whether it's Oak Cliff , whether it's , you know , H-Town- you know what I'm saying ?

Speaker 2 6:09

Yeah , yeah , State Eye .

Speaker 1 6:10

State Eye , you feel me , is that you have so many different perspectives . I can walk in any room . It can be for lack of better words , it can be somewhere in the hood , and I can be me and I can excel . I can be at a college and I can be myself and I can excel . It's so many different places that I can be that I don't have to morph myself to be successful and I think when you come from , you know humble beginnings . In a sense , like my parents , I don't want my mama out there .

Speaker 2 6:37

He ain't coming from the hood .

Speaker 1 6:38

Like mama , I love you . We know you worked you and daddy worked hard . But I came from the inner city and there were some tough things about it . But I think when you come from those kinds of humble beginnings then you know it just really like helps you to be stronger in everything that you do .

Speaker 2 6:52

I want to ask you a little bit more about that , also from the inner city , right ? Any stereotype for an inner city kid that you can put out there was probably part of my neighborhood to a certain extent , and so I do want to ask you just in general , how do you feel like coming from where you come from , even if you weren't attacked , so to speak , by all the stereotypes that could be associated with certain neighborhoods , right ? How do you utilize that background to continue to propel you forward , being in all of these boardrooms , corporate schools , but can still be , you know , in the studio doing what you need to do ? How do you balance that and how have you used that to continue to propel you forward ?

Speaker 1 7:31

I think just being a voice for the voiceless in a sense , knowing that you're that like like , at the end of the day , a lot of places that I go , when I'm in boardrooms , I am like one of the only young African-American people there , and so it's like a lot of that perspective . I represent so many when I'm there and so I always bring those perspectives with me . So it's just like I always come with that unique perspective no matter where I'm at , and I always represent it . So I think really it's just like kind of championing a place that is underserviced in a sense , and so that's what I try to bring to any place that I'm at .

Speaker 2 8:15

I love that .

Family Balance and Career Success

Speaker 2 8:16

Okay , so you've done a lot in your life . You say you don't date yourself um by talking about us not having google but at the same time like you're still a young man . Okay in my eyes , seriously . So um , you've done a lot . Grammy winning producer . What was that journey like ? Getting to that point ? But also when you found out you won . Walk me through all of that .

Speaker 1 8:39

Well , I think the way that God's structure doesn't happen was the best way , because I almost won one in 2014 on a Lecrae album that I produced for and it was cool , but it didn't get nominated in a certain category that I was in , and so back then I was just so much so career driven and so career focused that it hurt me when it didn't happen .

Speaker 1 9:01

Like it just was like so tough and just so . You know , oh man , I didn't know . But the way that God made it happen is that it was so much growth about a decade later that I had my perspectives right . I had , you know , everything in order . You know , a lot of times we say family first and we know that it's right in our brain , but it's not in our heart and our spirit . And so I think the way and I was teaching at Berkeley and on set with King of Dallas , the film .

Speaker 1 9:30

So , even though I'm always grounded in music , I was doing the least amount of music that I was doing in my career . And so one of my good friends , dj Menace , who is a cancer survivor and that's when we got close , so we got cool when he was battling cancer he , you know , beat that , and after he rung the bell he was like hey , I'm working with Killer Mike , I love what you do , you're a real cool person too . He wants some drums on his record , let's collab on it . So I collabed on it , didn't think anything of it . It gets on the Killer Mike project , it gets on Madden and so many other things .

Speaker 2 10:01

So on Madden too , madden , it was on .

Speaker 1 10:04

Madden too . Just so many different things . It's been in movies , etc . But the point of it is that he came into my life just being a real good friend and the things that I used to chase started chasing me .

Speaker 2 10:15

So you got to repeat that for the people , the things you used to chase , what the things that I used to chase .

Speaker 1 10:20

When everything got aligned and I started really having a proper focus , they started chasing me . So I'm happy that it happened that way , like it was just an indirect thing and it just happened through the grace of God , and it was a blessing . We got dressed up , we went to the Grammys and we got to see Killer Mike win three back to back and it was just a beautiful thing . And so I wouldn't have wanted my first you know , to give my first Grammy certificate any other way than that way , because I knew that God orchestrated it .

Speaker 2 10:49

That is beautiful . You mentioned something that really stood out to me , especially as so many driven , career-driven folks are doing the work that they're doing . Oftentimes , family relationships take a back burner , yeah , and so a back row seat , I should say . So I do want to ask you more about that . You say I'm happy that it didn't happen back in 2014 , because that's all I was focused on . Fast forward . You know , a decade later , nearly a decade later , decade later , and you're like no , like I had my priorities in order so can you talk about the importance of balancing family while also still trying to do what you need to do career-wise ?

Speaker 1 11:25

yeah , I can . It's , um , I think , you know , being an active father and um , really , really , really , uh , wanting to be in my uh daughter's , you know , lives to the fullest . I have four , four girls . So that's a lot , four girls , I did not know that . A bunch , a bunch , but I think it's just more .

Speaker 1 11:41

Really , it's always you try to find balance , balance , balance and all of these things . But I think when you are okay with saying no to things and just that whole paradigm shift is , everything feeds uh , your family life , because for me that's what it is now like . Whatever happens , I really enjoy the most spending time with them and everything I try to do is to orchestrate around , being present and doing things . And you know , it's still you never as an artist and as an entrepreneur , there's never actual balance . But I think when everything in your life can start working together , I think that's when you start getting closer to achieving balance , and then there's just a peace within you when you're okay with things not happening . Like I say , I have this saying safety and health and everything else is extra .

Speaker 1 12:28

So as long as literally as long as my kids are safe and healthy , as long as I'm safe and healthy , then everything else that you get is extra , and so that's just kind of my mantra , and when you really feel that man , then you start really knowing just how much God blesses you in abundance past that extra . So that's kind of you know what took place . It was about a decade change . That really kind of changed my perspective .

Speaker 2 12:52

That's good . That's good . You've got a lot of projects that you're working on but I do want to talk about one in the past and we'll transition into some other things . These Beats Ain't Free . It's been described as a guide for turning passion into profit . What inspired you to write that and what has been the response from the industry ?

Speaker 1 13:07

Cool . These Beats Ain't Free in 2015,

Artist Success Stories and Lessons Learned

Speaker 1 13:11

. I think I really started getting into music education . I love education , you know , because I think education is forever . So anyway , we can get to that . But I think I almost didn't write the book because around the same time , like Timbaland and LA Reid wrote books , and so it really learned me .

Speaker 2 13:28

Learned me Not just talking about education . It learned me , come on with it .

Speaker 1 13:33

Education . It really learned me , but no , it really taught me just . Everybody has space that they can hold . Yeah , so my book was important because I could relate , even though I was in the industry and I was successful . I could relate to the bedroom and up and coming producer more than LA Reid or Timbaland could so .

Speaker 1 13:51

I was just like , nah , I'm going to write this book and it was just like a hundred page kind of like how to and self-help on helping people in the industry . When I'm telling you , tashara , like people in Australia have bought this book , like literally it's been a worldwide thing because a lot of people I like kind of really touched a lot of people and I've been guiding a lot of people over a decade because I wrote it and it came out in 2015 . And it's just been humbling to know how many people have been inspired by this book and so it's that's for anybody , just because somebody else is doing it and it may seem that it's on a higher level yeah you have a place in your place .

Speaker 1 14:28

You you have to get your stuff out in the world . So I'm I'm happy that I did that , because that book and that movement and that brand catapulted my career .

Speaker 2 14:35

Come on , and when you talk about putting pen to paper , that's something that's forever no-transcript . They can always go pick up that book or read , buy it from somebody . Whatever it is right . That's something that's going to always be out there . So I love that you did that . What new lessons or stories can readers expect in your upcoming book ? These Dreams Ain't Free ? Well , I'm glad you asked .

Speaker 1 15:13

I think with these Beats Ain't Free , it was primarily for music producers . I mean , you could kind of like some things were transferable across the board . But in this decade I've moved into so many different things from , you know , being a professor , being an educator , being on film sets , producing movies , just so many different things that I feel I wanted to still focus on music producers but open it up to dreamers in general . So there's a lot of things just about and I tell my students this often I think people think that there is just always some special formula to success , when really it's the same elements , you know . Of course the stories that I tell are different and they're relatable to me , but it's working hard , not giving up , you know , um , treating people right and just really like getting your passion out there . So , of course , these things , you know we say it in an elaborate way , but I really it's , it's at the same time , it's just really applying those principles and making them unique to who you are and that's what I think these dreams ain't free does .

Speaker 1 16:13

It really is just a lot of stories from my perspective and , I think , anybody . It's a more personal book . Yeah , a lot of pictures , a lot of been in a lot of places and when I accumulated those things like just it's really like in 102 pages . It's really a testament and humbling to all the places that God has put me and . I think those stories in itself can inspire any dreamer or any entrepreneur that reads it .

Speaker 2 16:35

Yeah , which is certainly necessary . You mentioned something treating people right . Before I go on to my next question , you mentioned treating people right . What has been an artist , or who has been an artist ? I should say that you have worked with and you're like man , that person , like I'm going to remember that lesson that I learned from them because they treated me right or how you felt like you needed to be treated in said situation . So what's been a lesson or a person that you've worked with ?

Speaker 1 17:00

Okay , let me see , because I've been blessed to work with a few , you know I'm going to say , and people have various stories , but for me it's going to be Dr Dre . Okay For me , because I've heard different stories , but he was very gracious to me . I think he really knew how inspirational he was to me and so for him to really , when I come in , he told me to press play , for him to really like , love my music and be like , hey , man , you want to stay around and kick it and make some music . And I'm like , yeah , I ain't got nothing better to do .

Speaker 2 17:42

Right , and if you did , you wasn't about to do it right , then yeah .

Speaker 1 17:45

But I would say , like , for me it's not just what it was . Of course it was a very inspirational moment , and shout out to DOC , my my man , doc , for linking that up . But I just think that there was a lot of things and a lot of ways that he could have been , you know , because he's Dr Dre , but he really , really , really for me in that moment , treated me you know what I'm saying with respect and kindness and that really , like helped me in that moment , you know . So I'm very thankful for how he conducted himself for me in that studio .

Speaker 2 18:14

What was the most rewarding part of working with the industry , when it comes to the industry , with working with Killer Mike ?

Speaker 1 18:21

Well , I love his message and I think it was a full circle moment because I remember when maybe it was right when Killer Mike got released from the label or something like that , and I was an up-and-coming music producer , like could have been even 2010 . It was a long time ago and I remember telling him I'm like , hey , we gonna work , and he was like , yeah , let's do it really .

Speaker 1 18:40

I promise you but 14 years later it popped off . That's crazy and I think at the 14 years later he had done a run of Jews and he had really became uh , what he was uh gonna be , and more , and , and , in those 14 years plus I started doing my thing . Yeah , so uh , let me see not not was it ?

Speaker 1 18:54

yeah , about about 14 years , plus I started doing my thing . So , let me see , yeah , about 14 years . So I think it was a real cool full circle moment to be involved in that and to work with him on that music .

Speaker 2 19:05

So I think one of the first times that I met you was when I invited you on the show , for it's a Wonderful Plight .

Speaker 1 19:11

Yes .

Speaker 2 19:11

Okay , so talk about it's a Wonderful Plight and how it combined music and film , but I also want you to relate this to just anyone who is a dreamer , right ? Who wants to get out there and do something differently right , Because there are a lot of people who are creatives and I feel , like that .

Speaker 2 19:25

Creativity just continues to diminish over time as we get older , because maybe the dream didn't happen when they thought it should . Right , life can get in the way , of course , many things . But talk about creating that , um , how you incorporate all , all of those different elements and you put a lot of hometown heroes on there too , yeah , so we got to talk about that as well , yeah , well , it's a wonderful plight is a uh hip-hop musical and it was my first feature film .

Speaker 1 19:50

And we got inspired because , uh , me and and uh , my , uh , my film partner , cory william Williams , we went to the American Black Film Festival . It was cool to get invited to that and I just saw black Hollywood there and I was like man , this is so inspirational . So in that moment I think the coolest thing about that film is I used all the tools that we had to do the best that we had . Like , we didn't have the best cameras at that point , like , because it's a Wonderful Plight was shot with photo cameras .

Speaker 1 20:17

You know , I'm saying they have film aspects like people , man , we made it happen and I think the coolest thing about it was just putting all of these talents together to make something and to really uh get the message out there , because it's like it's taking from a Christmas carol and it's a wonderful life kind of got that whole vibe to it and it was a strong message . It was like I think it was during close to COVID and it was around the time of you know both of them , john , and so I mean just on and on , just say their names , right , and so I think the subject matter was very needed in the way that it was like uh presented to the world was immaculate , like this film that we shot for $5,000 made it to the USA today is one of the films to watch in 2021 .

Speaker 2 21:06

That's crazy . It's crazy . That's God . That's .

Speaker 1 21:08

God working . There's nothing but God and I think a lot there's art in doing the best that you can at that moment .

Speaker 2 21:14

Well , what you have , what you have , yes , I think people don't understand that people want to get .

Speaker 1 21:17

There's never going to be a perfect moment .

Speaker 2 21:18

Yeah .

Speaker 1 21:18

But I think it's art in your honoring what you're given . I think we took all the resources that we had in that moment and we made a film that reached the masses , just because we did the best we could with it and , like you say , say same thing with , uh , written word . Film is something that's forever . Yes , so that film is still here and it's still a very poignant piece and man , it was great it took us .

Speaker 1 21:43

We got on sway in the morning with it . We went on this big tour like you know you . You talked to us a couple of times about the film , absolutely , I think you was . I think you were the first big outlet . You know , I'm saying to you that's how you do it Because , baby , I used that platform .

Speaker 2 21:55

Okay , you used that platform for good and made it do what it do for the people .

Speaker 1 21:58

You just say you for the people , yes , and so I can go on and on about it , but I would love for the people if you're watching this to check out . It's a Wonderful Play and I think it'd be a lot of other places soon , but right now it's on Amazon Prime .

Speaker 2 22:20

I do want to acknowledge you mentioned Botham John . For those of you who are not familiar with the story , you can certainly go and Google that . But Botham John during that time was the young man who was at home in his apartment eating ice cream , doing what he should be doing in his home , and a Dallas police officer shot him to death basically and killed him Because she allegedly went to the wrong apartment and thought she had someone , an intruder in her apartment .

Speaker 2 22:46

So you can do a lot more research on that , but rest in peace to both of them , John . Rest in peace For sure Amber Geiger is her name .

Speaker 1 22:53

By the way the police officer . Good job For sure .

Speaker 2 22:55

Amber Geiger is her name , by the way the police officer . So , anyways , what I also want to talk about is you talk about doing what you can with what you have at the time . So I'll be

Balancing Fatherhood and Creative Career

Speaker 2 23:04

transparent . So , when it comes to the podcast world and digital storytelling with this TV show , with Loud and Clear , you know , initially I wanted this whole big hoopla and Tony's behind the scenes this is his studio , by the way and Tony's behind the scenes this is his studio , by the way . He's behind the scenes right now . And at the time I was like I can't do that right now . You know , it just wasn't in my budget to do it . However , I still went ahead and produced a few episodes because I was like you know what I need to do , what I , what I can with what I have , and I wanted to do that because I'm also a perfectionist and I'll sit there and sit on something for like days and weeks and months and years , and then you go see somebody else doing .

Speaker 2 23:38

You're like man , that was my little idea I could have did it but you didn't do what you could with what you had at the time . And then you know , even me , when I listened to some of my episodes that I've already put , I'm like , man , that audio ain't how I want it , or , man , this ain't how I want it . However , I put it out there and I did what I could with what I had at the time , and so I do want to ask you to kind of dive into that a little bit more , because people sit on something for a really long time and they'll wonder you know why it's never going to get better , but it's going to get better after you put it out there and you keep trying your best to make it better . So what advice ?

Speaker 1 24:16

do you have to those dreamers , creatives who are out there like , ah , not yet , it's not my time . Anytime is your time . No , I think it's like anytime is your time . Now is the time where you get your on the job training .

Speaker 1 24:22

Like seriously , because the idea is , when you're a creator , you just have any one thing . I will let you know , because I don't know , if a lot of creators feel like this . Sometimes I always try to be as unique as possible . I'm at home kicking myself , because anytime you think of an idea , sometimes people do be biting . Other times it's just how ideas work . You think something , it's in the universe and then it's going to go to somebody else Correct .

Speaker 1 24:44

So sometimes you need to beat people to market and just get out there and get it , because if you thunk it , somebody's going to get it Come on , thunk it , you get thuggy . So it's more like you have to , and I think the idea is the thing about it is you never know which idea is going to hit .

Speaker 2 24:58

Yes .

Speaker 1 24:59

We are married to these things , but the path that we have you never know . I never knew I was going to get into film . I never knew this was going to happen or that was going to happen . But you need to do the idea you have now because it may be a stepping stone to something else , and I think that the ideas that we thought were going to be so great they just gave us the practice and on-the-job training for the things that we're doing presently . So , just get out there and do the work .

Speaker 1 25:19

And I promise you , you just have to get out there and do it now , and then you'll get better and better .

Speaker 2 25:29

Yeah , and I feel like you have to give voice to what you want to do , right . A lot of times , we want to keep . You'll be surprised that when you put something out there and speak it into the universe , how many people will rally around you and try to support the work that you're doing . So you got to go ahead and put it out there . I do want to ask you this um , as a producer , filmmaker , educated author I'm gonna throw dad in there Um , which hat has been the most challenging to wear ?

Speaker 1 25:51

Um , of course , of course , i'ma say dad okay , because you got four girls in this crazy world , four different personalities , you know what ? Are the age ranges um 17 okay about to be 18 , my stepdaughter's 15 . Okay , um 10 and 6 so two teenagers ?

Speaker 2 26:12

so yeah , two teenagers okay .

Speaker 1 26:14

So it's crazy , but I think really because it's just like everything that you do is kind of like centered around them . So you try to find that that balance and it has been challenging but it's been the most rewarding yeah because I haven't always . You know you , you get better with it . I haven't always been the best , but you know there's no . Uh , I'm saying I've always gave the effort absolutely , you know .

Speaker 1 26:33

I mean but but as you see yourself growing into that and getting better and building those relationships , I would say it's the most challenging and the most rewarding , because the better and the more balance I get with that , the better producer I am the better film director I am the better professor . I am . So I think that thing feeds all the other things , so I have to give it up to being a father .

Speaker 2 26:53

I love that as a educator

Lessons in Creativity and Success

Speaker 2 26:56

. As an educator , what lessons not only do you give your students , but I mean family , friends , people that are around you , people that are in your orbit what lessons do you pass along to those individuals who look up to you , who see the work that you've done , who see what you've been able to create over the years ? How do you pass those lessons down , and what lessons are there that you pass down ?

Speaker 1 27:18

The main lessons that I try to pass down to my students and you know people in general , but it's just taking things that you can , specifically with the music industry , because I say that if you want to be a doctor , a lawyer or so many other things , even though it can take a long time , you have a direct path to it in a sense . Right , you know , you can go to , you know , you know your undergrad , the , this , that and the third , and okay , you work hard , you'll be a doctor . Music is so , you know , and the arts is so different , because it can take a year or it can take 20 . But I think the main thing is just to really find something that you love , and this is across the board . You find something that you love and that you're passionate about , and it won't be work .

Speaker 2 28:01

Yeah .

Speaker 1 28:02

And so once you find that thing that you can't do without , then you found that thing . Once you find that thing that you would do for free , you'll find that thing that you should get paid for .

Speaker 2 28:11

Yeah , but these dreams and these beats ain't free , they ain't free .

Speaker 1 28:13

We gonna say that one more time , okay .

Speaker 2 28:16

What's your vision for Vintage Rose Productions ? What's your vision for it ?

Speaker 1 28:21

I think my ultimate vision is just to . I'm working now to get to a point to where , artistically , at any moment , my idea can get to the world , because I think my idea is period . Yeah , because right now you know . I got I got a buzz , I got a following , etc . But right now , as an artist , I think uh , you know , everybody have their , has their struggles . I struggle with the fact that I think I have a lot of amazing art that everybody hasn't heard or seen .

Speaker 2 28:54

Yeah .

Speaker 1 28:55

And I think and I don't want them to hear it or see it because I just want to be oh , look at me . I think there's a strong message that can heal so many communities , specifically ours , and that can really power the world in so many ways . And so , ultimately , with Vintage Roads , whether it's a beat , whether it's an album , whether it's a film , whether it's a book , I think , the more I grow my platform and as God expands it , to be able to instantly let's just say , for lack of better words be able to go viral with my message is kind of really what I want .

Speaker 2 29:27

And so .

Speaker 1 29:27

I think that's like the ultimate goal , because I love what I'm doing , but it's just to keep pushing it and I know I'm real close , like something going to crack to where at any moment , an idea thought , because I'm a creator , I'm talking about all day . I got these ideas , ideas . But so often I'm not just working on an idea , I'm working on this exuberant plan so the idea can go worldwide yeah oh , we got to do this , we got to do this .

Speaker 1 29:49

So I'm working on that , but I think I want vintage rose productions . As it is , it's just like uh , man , it's , it's , it's an art company , yeah , and so I just would love my art to uh easily go to the world , because that's how I converse . I'm not , I'm not on arguing with people on social media all day , every now and then I go a little back and forth .

Speaker 2 30:08

We might have to give them a little razzle-dazzle . A little razzle-dazzle every now and then you got to say , hey , what you talking about .

Speaker 1 30:12

But I think that's how I communicate , like I'm more like a work person and through my art is how I communicate , and I would like to have that conversation with the 8 billion people in this world .

Speaker 2 30:24

I love that and I you want your whatever idea it is to go worldwide and to be that worldwide phenomenon . I always tell people anything that I do , especially with the art , and what I love about storytelling , especially with the show . I want this to be a global show and I've had people from all around the world . It's only been a month , maybe two at this point , at the point where people hear this , maybe three months , but even since I've had people from , I mean , countries that I ain't even got a chance to visit yet okay .

Speaker 2 30:55

Y'all over there downloading . I don't know how you found it , but I'm happy that you did okay . So thank you to everyone who continues to listen in and download the show . But I'm so thrilled that you said that because I want people to think bigger about the art and the work that they're doing . Oftentimes , I want people to think bigger about the art and the work that they're doing . Oftentimes , you know , when you get into these meetings and you know I've been around a lot of creatives excuse me , as of late and they're like well , I just want it to be this or it to be that . I'm like no baby , we want it to be this , not this . You know , and I just want people to think bigger about the work that they're doing . What advice , especially speaking of wanting your ideas to be worldwide and , uh , known across the world what advice would you give to aspiring creatives who want to succeed in multiple industries , like you have ?

Speaker 1 31:36

I would say master something first yeah , the reason that I can do a lot of different things is because I was anchored in music production and in music like . I put my probably 40,000 hours in that yeah , so when I started , I started pivoting .

Speaker 1 31:49

it was like , okay , well , you know , I kind of know film , um , like you know , so let me , let me really get into that . And then I started pivoting . The music education , because of my 40,000 plus hours I put in the music . And so I say , uh , this ad nauseum , but my um , music is the root of roots of my career tree and then so from that , when I'm strongly rooted , I can grow all of these various branches . So if you want to do multiple things , focus on something that can anchor you in all those things .

Speaker 1 32:18

Like because once you get anchored then your tree can be strong , Then you can grow those branches .

Speaker 2 32:23

But if you're not rooted in something , then you're going to be a jack ofof-all-trades and a master of none Right , and when you're a jack-of-all-trades baby , they're looking at you . That way and they don't see you as an expert or have the expertise in one single area .

Speaker 1 32:33

Amen .

Speaker 2 32:34

So very , very , very good .

Artistic Journey and Future Projects

Speaker 2 32:36

Anything else you want to tell folks that you're working on knowledge that you want to pass along ?

Speaker 1 32:40

Man well , like King of Dallas right now is out on Amazon Prime , but it should be going to subscription and some other streaming platforms soon . So that's something that was a labor of love . To create a post-apocalyptic film . We made , like we say , we made a million dollar film on an indie budget , so I'm proud of that . That was the hardest piece of art that I've had to do . You know what I'm saying . So it's time to let it go and let it do its thing in the world . But that was about four years in the process of making that , um , working on some new music and , and preferably in 2025 , I can , you know , start producing on some other big projects . Uh , these dreams ain't free coming out . Look , looking at February 3rd .

Speaker 1 33:24

I ain't that day okay um , man , it's so many things . I can go on and on , but just Tap in with me , you know what I mean . I think I'm an artist In every sense of the word , and I would love For a lot of you , if you don't know me To go on this Artistic journey with me .

Speaker 2 33:40

And for the people that are out there that are listening , y'all better tap in right now , because you know I'm going to give him about a year , not even that long ?

Speaker 1 33:48

I'm going to give him about five , six months . It's that age time .

Speaker 2 33:50

Okay , yeah , and if you ain't tapping in right now , baby , you probably ain't going to be able to tap in late . That's all I'm going to say on that .

Speaker 1 33:58

Price is junk .

Speaker 2 33:59

Okay , look , yesterday's price is not today's price . J Rhodes , everybody , thank you so much . Thank you so much for having me so proud of you , so proud of you .

Speaker 1 34:09

And again , you know we got you . Wherever you go , we go , the people go , because you , you're the people's champion .

Speaker 2 34:15

I appreciate you , thank you , jay rose , thank you .