We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aaron “JacQuar 937” Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aaron “JacQuar 937” below.
Hi Aaron “JacQuar 937”, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Growing up in Dayton, OH, there were many conditions that taught me empathy. The biggest being remembering how it felt being lost young and unsure on how to maneuver into my industry with no real pipeline, guidance or camaraderie in my community, all things that felt necessary to see the success I saw for myself. This industry makes you claw your way out the dirt (esp in the black community) which makes you build an ego. At first it’s there like a shield of armor to protect your dreams, but after a while it becomes a crutch, hindering you from necessary self reflection because there’s too much to “success” that deems otherwise. I don’t want to become lost in the sauce and leave the next generation lost young and unsure because I didn’t want to accept what my purpose was for all along. Music is a service industry, and a lot of us forget that.
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?
As an executive producer and label owner specializing in artist development, I’m excited to prepare new cultivated and timeless talent for the world. What’s special about being able to develop artist is that I get to use my passion for music and my 10+ yrs of experience as a songwriter and producer as fuel to push myself, my team and the artist to their fullest potential for music lovers all over the world.
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?
1. Adjust 2. Network
3. Play the long game
1) If you can adjust your art, your attitude, take criticism professionally, adjust when plans change suddenly without losing it, adjust your plan…you’re unstoppable.
2) No matter how talented and confident you are, NOBODY can do it alone. And there WILL BE a time you’re going to need allies. Build genuinely with genuine people and opportunities will genuinely come.
3) Don’t get emotional and don’t get cocky. Your BIGGEST record/moment (no matter how big you are right now) could be in 10 years…and the same for everyone you meet. Even when you feel hurt, think long term and never misrepresent yourself. More people are watching than you know. Think LONG TERM.
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?
Im looking to collab with artist, creatives and brands that want to make great music/art and break barriers. Big thinkers who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, passionate and fearless for what they love. I want to build with those, who want to build their self and others alike. No egos, just a shared love for the game.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquar937
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/credits/pl.u-yZyVW5mTZy0xVLa
Image Credits
Chloe Belle – artist in the pictures Rachel Shawndelle – photographer Los Angeles, CA
