TOP 5 MOST MEMORABLE PROJECTS/INITIATIVES I WORKED ON IN 2019!

Going off of my 2018 version, I wanted to do a quick list of the most memorable projects/initiatives of 2019. Please enjoy:

5. SXSW 2019 Showcase - If you know me, you know how much I love SXSW. I was more than happy to lead the charge on an official showcase with All Def to bring Def Jam artists to Austin in 2019. The result was an incredible initiative that included live performances (obviously), digital content, merch, and much more. So many wonderful people involved in getting this craziness across the line, but so glad to see this come in to fruition.

4. Def Jam Artist Development - Similar to the 2018 wrap up bullet point labeled 'New Artists to Watch,' I simply love to see artist development. DaniLeigh and YK Osiris took gigantic strides in 2019 as artists, racking up plaques, co-signs, stats, and looks from all of our major partners. Osiris snagged one of the coveted Vevo LIFT slots, TJ Porter is invading the gaming space, Fredo Bang is embracing the new Genies platform. Already-established artists like YG and Fabolous had some of their biggest years in their careers. We're ending the year with Carson Lueders, Kaash Paige, Fredo Bang, Saint Bodhi, and others are being teed up right now to crush it in 2020! Some surprises on the way as well...!

3. Kanye West Jesus is King - As with last year, anything related to Kanye West is a roller coaster ride but, love him or hate him, he always makes a musical + cultural impact that ripples globally. In a departure from his previous catalog, Jesus Is King is a testament to where he's at in life right now. Scoring his latest #1 album with the project, his words were felt beyond his core audience...we've got Breitbart covering his album release, TIME reporting on the reaction to the music and Priests commenting on Twitter. What a time to be alive.

2. 2 Chainz Rap or Go to the League Campaign - This was one of my favorite campaigns that I've ever been a part of (in my entire career) because it completely blurred the lines between two things that I love: Music and Sports. From LeBron James A&Ring the album to our custom YouTube Music "Crate Talk" interview series and every partner + DSP in-between, it was an incredible rollout that culminated with a critically acclaimed body of work.

1. Clemson University Involvement - Working behind-the-scenes on A-list projects and getting to experience things the average person doesn't get to see is cool, but my involvement in empowering young minds truly brought me the most joy in 2019. In 2019 I was trusted by faculty and staff at my alma mater, Clemson University, to speak to students numerous times and share my professional insights. I was also given the opportunity to host members of the Clemson University Tiger Football team at Def Jam HQ where our staff spoke to them as part of their PAW Journey.

A very special thanks goes out to: Jonathan Gantt, Nik Conklin and Jeff Kalin for reigniting my post-graduate connection back to Clemson when I was at Columbia Records. Long story short, I was trying to do something with the CU cheerleading team in 2015 for OMI's #1 hit "Cheerleader" and reached out blindly to the Clemson Athletics department on a whim. The rest is history. After them, there have been so many people who have embraced me at CU, but special shout to: President Barker, Michele Cauley, Lura Forcum, Rashard Hall, Katie Hildebrand, Sara Ann Hutto, and Robbie Fitzwater.