Meet Justin Bishop

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Bishop. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Justin , so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

I developed my decision-making skills by learning to make choices that consider not just my own perspective, but the perspectives of others. Throughout my career, I’ve often been responsible for making decisions that affect other people. Early on, I realized that what feels “right” to me may not always be right for someone else. That insight pushed me to study people — how they interact, react, what motivates them, what stresses them, and what brings them joy. Understanding individuals first allows me to make decisions that are not only logical but also empathetic and tailored to the situation. At the core, we all make decisions that serve our best interests, but true leadership means aligning those interests with the greater good.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a visionary music executive known for my passion, precision, and people-first approach to artist development. I’ve built my career around spotting potential early and crafting innovative strategies that help artists reach their next level. My work bridges artistry and business, ensuring that every move serves both the music and the person behind it.

My journey began in 2014 when I created Sloughfest, Augustana University’s signature music experience, which drew over 3,000 students and featured major artists like Vic Mensa, Lost Kings, Quinn XCII, Bryce Vine, Goldlink, and Smino. The success of that event opened the door for me to work in production and artist relations with leading promoters like C3 Presents and Danny Wimmer Presents. Soon after, I joined MDDN as a Label Coordinator, where I helped develop and manage releases for artists including Winnetka Bowling League, Carlie Hanson, Xavier Mayne, Ryan Waters Band, Nikki Fre$h, and Petti Hendrix.

Today, I continue to expand my impact through Monopoly Distribution, focusing on music strategy, artist development, and creative direction for the next generation of global talent. My commitment to building sustainable artist careers has led me to collaborate with talents such as K Camp, Joe Trufant, OG Stevo, Senpaix, Sydny August, 5k808mafia, and Stix, among others. With several new releases and collaborations on the horizon, I remain dedicated to helping artists grow, create, and thrive — one record at a time.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities that have shaped my journey are trusting the process, providing value, and standing in truth.

Learning to trust the process was one of the hardest but most rewarding lessons. The music industry moves at its own pace — there are moments of rapid growth and moments of stillness. Early on, I had to accept that timing is everything. Even when the road wasn’t clear, believing that things were unfolding as they should allowed me to stay grounded and focused on the long game.

The second quality is understanding how to bring value. No matter what stage you’re in, you have to ask yourself, “What can I contribute that makes this better?” For me, that meant studying the industry — learning who the key players are, how they move, and what makes them successful. The more you understand your field, the easier it becomes to identify where you can add meaningful impact.

Lastly, standing in truth has been my foundation. In an industry that often celebrates popularity over authenticity, honesty is rare but powerful. I’ve learned that speaking your truth, even when it goes against the grain, builds trust and respect that lasts far beyond any single project or opportunity. Truth creates real relationships — the kind that sustain you throughout your career.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is simple: trust yourself, lead with value, and never compromise your integrity. Those three principles will take you further than any shortcut ever could.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely — I’m always looking to partner and collaborate, especially with people and brands outside of music. I’ve always believed that music is the gateway to everything else — culture, fashion, sports, tech, and lifestyle all connect through sound and storytelling.

I see myself as a door opener. The more industries and individuals I’m connected with, the more opportunities I can create — not just for myself, but for my clients, collaborators, and community. We’re all walking billboards for what we represent, so I’m intentional about aligning with brands and partners who share similar values and a genuine passion for growth.

Whether it’s a creative collaboration, brand partnership, or community initiative, I’m always open to building something meaningful together. Anyone interested in connecting can reach out through [email protected] or social platforms (@legacybishop) — In the words of Deon Sanders “I’m not hard to find.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://monopolydistribution.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacybishop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.bishop.322260
• Twitter: https://x.com/legacybishop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@legacybishop

Image Credits

Mel Major
Seano