Today, we have the privilege of Interviewing incredible Artist Manager papichampu. Let’s hear his story!
1. How did you get into the music industry?
I always had a passion for music since I was 8. My brother and I made demos on the talkboy. As I got a little older, I got into Djing, my brother Nice was always the better rapper. I figured I could be the person spinning music in the clubs. That was not as easy as I thought it would be. So I went to school for marketing and learned about guerrilla marketing. By that time, my brother was working with a music company called Shai Management. I started there as an intern doing marketing and promotions. That’s where I learned the ropes. Going to music events, meeting people like Diddy, Cassie, and The Game. After a while, I decided to manage my first artist, A5. I had 100% artist control. So, I was able to wear many different hats as a manager. Managing him opened up a lot of doors for me. I was able to work with Chamillionaire on the set of riding dirty.
2. How did you get the name papichampu?
Lol oh boy… I got the name papichampu from my family when I was younger, I hated it. I was promoting at Glazz in queens, it was DJ Prostyle birthday, and we were on the stage with him, and they started to bring his cake out. My brother and I started throwing money at these girls that were on the main floor, and one of them flashed me and started screaming papichampu. After that day, I just embraced the name on Instagram.
3. What were some of your ups and downs as an artist manager throughout the years?
Being an artist manager is not an easy job. When I was with A5, we had a deal, and it just didn’t work out, a lot of money was invested and lost. A lot of time was spent, but it was a learning experience. I turned my back on music for a few years. There’s no thank you in this line of work. Some artists will blame you for their shortcomings. No matter how much you help them. When I started with KD, he was the best artist to work with. He’s the model artist. He’s a hard worker. We are more of a family, then artist and manager. Last year everything came together. I got to work with Trippie Red and ASAP Ty. That was the highlight of my career thus far.
4. How did you meet K’D, your current artist, you manage?
I met KD at an open mic I use to do in Brooklyn Shout out to City Bear, Steven, and Felix for giving me the opportunity to be able to do that. But KD came there with this crazy energy. He was all over the floor with pure bars. I was like who is the kid I got to manage him, he’s next up, and it was history from that day forward.
Our readers can check out KD’s inspirational journey here.
5. KD just released an EP called All Natural it did about 15,000 streams in his first week. How do you feel about that?
I feel pretty good, those are good numbers for an independent project and artist. A lot of hard work went into it. We are blessed to have a good team behind us. Swagotron with the beats Ryo mixing and mastering and Erol Sabadosh executive producing it like the dream team of music. I’m proud of KD I watched him work hard these past 2 years.
6. What’s your most memorable experience?
When KD opened up for ASAP Ty, watching the crowd that night singing the words to his song. That is when I knew as a manager, I was doing something right.
7. What’s your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is I don’t know because I don’t fear anything. I accept things as they are.
8. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I wish I would have understood the pitfalls of the industry better. It would have saved me a lot of backpedaling. You cannot make every artist happy. Some artists and managers just don’t work well together.
9. What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Networking, without that, you can not get far. It was days where I would get 2-3 hours of sleep. Just to get up and go to my day job. Also, keeping up with the music trends, knowing the up and coming DJs and A&R’s; they are the key to getting an artist signed.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
All the people that look up to me. The artist that dm me on Instagram for help. The other artist managers that respect me as a manager and ask me for my opinion with their artist.
11. What else are you working on this year?
I’ve been doing a lot of films. I have been working on a web series called Detestable. It’s going on its 7 episodes with 10,000 views. I also have a few feature films coming out in the summer. You can also catch me on a few TV shows doing background work. I got a lot going on this year. I just don’t want to jinx it, so you just have to wait and see.
12. Any message for our readers.
Just follow your dreams, no matter how far fetched it may seem. Hard work pays off in the long run.
P.S. If you felt inspired after reading this Interview, request you to please share with your friends on social media because your friends might get inspired too!