Today we’d like to introduce you to Orend Johnson.
Hi Orend, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I developed a passion for music at a young age, so young, I can’t remember the age. My late grandfather, McKinnely Edwards, introduced me to classic soul, blues, jazz, gospel, and so much more. Growing up around my grandparents, I would hear artists’ and musicians such as Al Green, James Cleveland, Otis Redding, James Brown, The Jackson Five, Betty Wright, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, and more. Just listening to the music, singing, and understanding the meaning behind their songs has encourage me to write poetry with cadence through the form of hip-hop. I discovered the culture of hip-hop in my fifth-grade year. I wasn’t a fan of it at the time but I was slowly learning the true meaning behind it.
For those who does not know, hip-hop is the art of creative freestyle-dance, Afrocentric graphical art, spoken words through rhythm and poetry, and the mastering of ceremonies. The reason why I wasn’t a fan of the art, like many people, I had lack of knowledge of the culture and what hip-hop stands for. Rap is within the culture of hip-hop. Hip-hop is who I am and what my grandfather instilled into me. In my opinion, hip-hop was not created in the late 70s, since the beginning of time, the black culture of fine arts has always been hip, our creations just hopped into appreciation in the world of pop culture. The music my grandfather grew up on is hip-hop to me because it’s Afrocentric and hip in it’s own way. My love for black art is what made me who I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My challenges were unpleasant but I had to experience my hardships to mature. After my grandparents passed away from cancer, I was heartbroken. It’s one thing to lose the only people you ever felt love from but it’s a worst feeling when those people gave you something much more than the meaning of life, that’s knowledge of who you are and the history of our heritage. After their passing, I discovered the pain of life, I lost 30+ people in my life and I am only twenty years of age. Most friends I lost were either shot and killed, killed in a car wreck, or had health issues. I usually do not speak about my mental health but I am dealing with depression and anxiety currently because of my past traumas. However, the pain I am going through is challenging me to inspire myself and others. Sometimes I do not feel supported but I can always turn to music to heal my pain.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Through the infamous words of Jay Z, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business man. Let me handle my businesses…man.” I see myself as a brand of no limitations, that’s what makes me different from everyone else. I am an artist, actor, self-promoter, executive producer, videographer, boxer, audio engineer, fashion model, fashion designer, and most important, I am a business. I founded O. Johnson Enterprise (O dot Johnson) to give back to children of all backgrounds and all career desires. I’m a strong believer of “You can do all things, as long as you put your heart to it.” I teach people to never limit yourself through fine arts and business. I am proud to give back to those who wants to learn about art. O. Johnson Enterprise is a full-service management, music publishing, and entertainment company founded by Orend Johnson Jr (Optimistic Gangsta).
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Getting into the entertainment business is not easy, my advice to the youth is always read contracts with a dictionary within your reach, learn advanced mathematics to establish partnership deals, study every aspect of your field, ask questions about anything you do not understand, stay true to yourself, do not listen to critiques, do not respond to negative feedback, learn how to market and network, invest into multiple streams of income, invest in assets and not liabilities, remain humble, and most importantly, OWN EVERYTHING 100%.
Pricing:
- Social Media Marketing: $260
- Song features/Collabs: ($150-350) + free mixing and mastering
- One on One A&R consultant with Music Gateway: $125
Contact Info:
- Email: Overachent@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/o.johnsonenterprise/
- Other: https://tidal.com/browse/album/158924511
Image Credits
Tamera Elisia Johnson
