The 411 Brand Expands Into Music With Their 411 Music Academy
When the word brand is mentioned a person may think of Coca Cola, Nike or Apple, but brand does not necessarily have to come in the corporate form, hence The 411 Brand has redefined the term. The 411 Brand is an unique and outside the box approach to reaching the youth through their various programs such as basketball, dance, lacrosse, and golf to name a few.
Created almost 25 years ago, the 411 Brand was founded by a 23-year old former college basketball player named John Thomas. His vision was to have a platform for the youth, where they would be able to receive the tools needed to succeed in life. The 411 Brand is seasoned when it comes to sports, but John wanted to take the program to another level, so he ventured off to start the 411 Music Academy. Working with Clyde Anderson and Javin Forman, who both contributed mightily with helping to make the 411 Music Academy come to fruition. Javin, who managed artists in the music industry, is very knowledgeable when it comes to behind the scenes in the music industry. The 411 Music Academy was held inside Patchwerk Studios to give the students the same experience that a major artist has when recording their hit record.
The 411 Music Academy provides the opportunity for the youth to get a better understanding on how the music industry works especially behind the scenes. 411 Brand has brought in heavyweights like Disturbing The Peace CEO Chaka Zulu, whom is also the manager of multi-platinum recording artist/actor Ludacris, to give them advice and guide them in the right direction. Also, Grammy nominated producer/engineer Mustafa, who has worked with Anderson.Paak and Young Thug, played a key role in the 8-week program.
John reached out to me and said I should come through Patchwerks Studios for a listening session to hear the finished product from the students that just completed the program. It was on a Saturday during college football season, but I didn’t mind sacrificing a Saturday because John supported me throughout the years. To be honest, I went in with low expectations because I was expecting to see skinny jeans hanging low with dreads with different colors (yeah I’m an old Hip Hop head and proud of it) and I thought the music would be nothing with any meaning, but I was there to support the Music Academy.
Click on the link below to hear 411 Music Academy Summer 16 Volume One
But that is what I get for prejudging our youth of today. The 411 Music Academy has managed to recruit the crème de la crème of talented ARTISTS in Atlanta. These young people were emcees (not rappers) because they all had a message in their rhymes. The students came from various backgrounds, whether they were from the most destitute of places or an affluent background, they worked magically together. There were also some of the best singing voices in the room that you have ever heard. You would of thought these students were platinum selling artist already. Lastly, the spoken word is definitely recognized in the 411 Music Academy because they believe ART is ART. The 411 Music Academy brings young people together from different backgrounds to make magic happen and that is what I experienced on that Saturday afternoon. Where emcees, singers, and poets all came together to let their voices be heard through the 411 Music Academy.
What prompted you to start the 411 Music Academy?
