Kadeem Phillips: From Artist Showcases to Platinum Producers
Kadeem Phillips is the business man for artists and producers as an executive and manager, with a non-profit that channels his passion to implement equity.
He ideates and executes ways for artists to connect, grow, and showcase their best.
Through his time at HOME, Kadeem has created even more ways to make a positive impact on the arts community.
This is his HOME story:
I run a nonprofit in Nashville called Creatives Day, which helps youth foster their creativity and connect them to resources and opportunities.
Before finding HOME, there wasn’t a space I could utilize to grow and work on Creatives Day.
In December 2020, my nonprofit was looking for a space for the “Creatives Day Artist Showcase,” and we needed to LiveStream it since in-person events weren’t happening. HOME already had everything in their Live Room, including two or three cameras.
We were able to just go to HOME, tell them what we wanted to do, book the people that were already working at HOME—instant showcase! I didn’t have to do anything; everyone performing just had to show up.
On top of that, HOME streamed the show on everyone’s Facebook page who was involved and wanted it on their page. They made it easy. You can’t ask for better. And because that showcase was so successful, we at Creatives Day ended up doing a second showcase in April.
HOME is the first thing like it that I’ve been a part of. I can call Logan and ask, “Hey, do you have somebody that does this or that?” and get an immediate answer. It’s good to have that pool of creatives to pull from. Plus, with the nonprofit, I can pair my producers and artists with different people who work at HOME.
I’ve also had the opportunity to speak at multiple workshops through my connections at HOME. For example, I spoke on a panel about being an artist and how to use your artistry for activism at the Arts & Business Council Creative Exchange in October 2021.
When I moved from Memphis to Nashville to attend FISK in 2010, I also moved away from home and the resources I would normally have. At first, I had trouble finding a safe space to take my artists and my producers to be able to practice. That changed when I met Logan and Banks at HOME.
The most impactful resource for my producers and artists is the ability to book overnight studio sessions.
When I started booking overnight sessions, I saved so much money on studio time. My guys like that window from 12AM-8AM; they don’t mind staying up to work or to rehearse. Plus, I already have the key. I can just go and bring the people in my organization with me in a moment’s notice.
I manage some big producers.
They’re outside of Memphis where I’m from. And they’re young, like 22 and 23, signing major deals early in their career. One is YC. He produced a record called “Back in Blood” by Pooh Shiesty.
That track has actually gone platinum three times.
Another producer I manage is Real Red, who is behind a lot of Moneybagg Yo songs. They did “Time Today” together, which got a sync placement in the NBA 2K and Madden games. We also had a song that was in Fortnite. We have a lot of buzz going on with just those two producers.
In one spot, HOME has the atmosphere and everything else I need to do my work.
HOME has so many valuable resources, and I encourage everyone there to use everything they can. That’s how I’ve gotten where I am today.
In addition to LiveStreaming and recording, I’ve also used HOME to work and study for my current project as the Creative Director/Sound Track Development for a movie about the FISK Jubilee Singers, called Steal Away. To study for the movie’s music score, I booked one of the sound treated rooms at HOME to listen to Jubilee Singers’ music.
Since most of the time I add value through one of my producers or artists, being the music supervisor for Steal Away is a special accomplishment.
This time, I have the opportunity to personally add value to the important historic film. It’s validating to be sought after as the person to help with the music department and build my alma mater. I embody the FISK spirit when it comes to getting out here and figuring it out. That’s all the Jubilee Singers were doing. They were just figuring it out.
This project is so important to me, because I want to help tell the story of why Nashville is called Music City. HOME has everything I need, so I’m probably going to record the album for Steal Away at the HOME Studio. Once the movie is ready, I’d like to premiere it for everyone there as well.
HOME puts the battery in people’s packs. That’s what I like to do too; I like to give. So having people that just want to pour into other people and having them on my side is big. I’m thankful for them.