Tomboy Records first things first thank you for reaching out to us we we’re really excited to interview Amaka, and now it's even more exciting to interview the actual label behind this talented artist! So just to get the interview started tell us about Tomboy Records, how did it start, who contributed to its start, and what is the meaning behind the name?
Thank you, I really enjoyed reading that interview. I started Tomboy Records in 2018 after finishing my freshman year in college for Music Business. I always knew I wanted to do something in music like be a musician or producer, but I never thought about being on the business side. My friend I met in college helped contribute to its start by helping me pay to register my business. Pretty much if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have started this label when I did. The name is an acknowledgment of growing up as a ’tomboy’, being into stuff like sports and my dad's favorite type of music. The choice of name is a representation of who I was and grew up to be.
Where is the label based out of, and how would you say this area is a hub for underground and emerging artists if so why?
The label is based out of Scarborough, which has so many talented, underground, and emerging artists in many genres it’s actually insane. Lots of artists are on their come up like LOONY, as well as Dejuan. What's so amazing though is it’s not just Scarborough but also the cities that are more east. These artists are so focused on making it to the downtown scene but from our personal experience a lot of the talent that go to these events or have their shows downtown are from the suburbs outside the downtown core. The east I feel is overlooked even though it has such a strong hub for upcoming artists of all types of genres.
Who is currently on Tomboy Record’s creative team, how do each of you bring something to the label to help it grow as a brand and business, and talk us through the daily day to day of being a start up label?
C: We’re our own creative team pretty much every idea we bounce off of each other until it’s perfect to go through with. I deal with all the business and Kéia helps me execute every idea. She’s the creative behind this all. She’s created show flyers, our logo, music cover art, and much more content, which has helped the label grow as a brand in ways I couldn’t have done by myself. Our daily day to day consists of reading a lot of emails, checking in with artists to see what they’ve been up to which includes music they’re working on, artist development, and everyday things. Our day to day also consists of planning content to create and post, staying updated on the industry, and creating connections with people. All while managing and overseeing the music and numbers.
K: Before the pandemic, another part of our days was the networking events and finding shows for our artists to perform at my personal favorite part of the job. As far as creating content, figuring out how to design the artwork for singles and albums is extremely collaborative making sure that the artists are completely pleased and execute their vision.
What would you say is the number one hardest thing about being a start up label and why?
Making a name for yourself in the industry is super hard. Trying to build the connections within the industry or the music scene, it’s complicated, hoping companies will take you seriously, hoping you’re reaching out to the right people. You need that endurance, this is really a marathon. It's easy to feel helpless especially if we get caught up comparing ourselves or counting the times our emails are ignored. All about patience though, and showing respect to those who laid out some stepping stones for us to even be where we’re at and do what we do.
So as of now you have three artists signed to your roster including Amaka Queenette, Elyssa Plaza, and Chris Chand. How did the label and the artists get together and what led to the formal business relationship being established between each of them?
I reached out to Amaka after Kéia showed me her Instagram. I sent her a DM telling her that I was interested in working with her and after some time she pitched an idea to me about wanting to organize an artist showcase. We ended up putting on Gestalt: A Showcase in August 2019 at Lee’s Palace together and it created a good working and trusting relationship between us. I met Elyssa through Instagram and also sent a DM about wanting to work on releasing a project. She was the first artist I reached out to, her voice was what I was looking for to represent the label and niche. We’ve had a couple shows and gone to many events together which has helped us as a brand and artist. Chris and I actually met at college until he dropped out of the program. This year he reached out to me about working together and we’ve created a very good and open working relationship. We have very similar goals which is great because it creates a friendlier relationship rather than a business one where we’re able to talk about any idea or plan.
With the artists you have signed so far how would you say all of them fit into the label as a whole, and how does their music as well as their overall presentation add to the image of Tomboy Records?
As a whole, they all represent what the label is. I stand by working and creating an environment that is 100% transparent and in favor of the artist, not myself personally or the brand, and they all reciprocate this towards me. Tomboy Records is not a genre specific label even though our roster right now creates all different R&B subgenres. However this does add to the overall presentation to our image because I want to show that all music is different and you do not have to commit to just one sound.
In addition to being a start up label you guys also announced a collaborative business venture with R&B Radar called Talent over Clout. What led to this collaboration and what are some of the long term goals you hope the partnership will achieve?
We actually connected because Tommy, the founder of R&B Radar, showed high interest in our roster. We have similar goals of helping artists and views of the industry so we decided to work together and create a super team to achieve our goals. The long term goals I hope our partnership will achieve is creating a community in our industry that is truly about the artist and music rather than money.
What’s next for the label? What are some big goals as a team you guys hope to accomplish before the year is over?
C: We‘re hoping to push out some more music and finish projects we’re working on with our artists. As a team, before the year is over we want to keep building relationships with others in the industry and gaining more opportunities.
K: Hopefully some more shows depending on how COVID goes over and some more music videos.
Who would you guys recommended we interview next on Nefarious Supply
C: Middle Men
K: Deshaun Hamilton, he’s an upcoming rapper dope stuff.
Any last words?
C:This was dope, I’m grateful for this opportunity and I hope to be able to meet up soon and have y’all come out to future shows!
K: Thank you for your time and this opportunity. To the readers remember to always support your hometown artists.
Big shout out to Tomboy Records for interviewing with Nefarious Supply its really exciting to see start ups like this coming up and changing the current music scene. If you enjoyed this interview and want to stay up to date with Tomboy Records you can follow them on Instagram and be sure to follow the labels roster as well!
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