Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Paul.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got my start in New Jersey. I fell in love with music early and spent years grinding as an independent artist — recording wherever I could, handing out CDs, doing shows, and building a fanbase one person at a time. Over the years I’ve been able to reach millions of streams, open for artists I grew up studying, and build a reputation for mixing the business world with the music world.
But my story isn’t just music. As I grew, opportunities opened up around me. I started a marketing and multimedia company that produced concerts, content, and events. That eventually evolved into a broader vision of building platforms, not just songs. I’m also the founder of High Standard, a cannabis brand and soon-to-be manufacturing company in New Jersey — and Giwigi, my lifestyle brand that’s expanding into hemp and THCa delivery here in Texas.
Houston became a second home for me over the past few years. I travel back and forth a lot, and I’ve tapped into the creative and entrepreneurial energy out here. The love I’ve gotten from the city played a big role in me planting deeper roots and scaling some of my ventures in Texas.
I’m also heavily involved in community work. I sit on the Board of Directors for Norwescap back in NJ and founded H3AL, an anti-racism and equity initiative that puts education and advocacy at the center of everything we do. That mission stays tied to everything I build.
So how I got here is really a combination of music, entrepreneurship, community work, and relentless reinvention. I’ve learned to treat my creativity like a business and my business like an art form. Every step has created the next lane, and now I’m focused on building an ecosystem where all these worlds connect — music, media, cannabis, fashion, and community impact — while continuing to grow in both Jersey and Houston.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. I don’t think anyone who’s building something real ever gets a straight path. In music alone, there were long stretches where I felt like I was moving backwards — releases that didn’t land the way I hoped, industry politics, personal setbacks, and the pressure of trying to stand out in an oversaturated space. There were times where I questioned everything.
When I transitioned into entrepreneurship, the challenges got even bigger. Raising capital without a network of traditional investors, navigating cannabis regulations, trying to secure real estate, launching new ventures in two different states… none of that comes easy. I’ve had deals fall through at the finish line, funding promised and then pulled, red tape that stalled momentum, and moments where I had to rebuild the entire plan from scratch.
On top of that, trying to grow as a public figure while juggling multiple businesses comes with its own type of pressure: learning to manage my ego, pace myself, and stay grounded when everything around me is constantly shifting.
But the struggles sharpened me. They taught me to be patient, adaptable, and resourceful. They forced me to become a better leader, a better creator, and honestly a better version of myself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work lives at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community. At my core, I’m an artist — a rapper and singer — and that’s still the heartbeat of everything I do. My music has reached millions of streams worldwide, and I’ve opened for artists like J. Cole, Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Chance the Rapper, Pnb Rock, Fetty Wap, and many others. Over the years, people have come to know me for blending honest storytelling with a business-minded, polished presentation. I’m an artist who shows up to the studio and the boardroom.
Outside of music, I run a multimedia company called Ill Intent Entertainment, where I’ve produced concerts, curated events, created marketing strategies, and built content platforms. That eventually expanded into bigger ventures — most recently High Standard, my New Jersey cannabis company, and Giwigi, my lifestyle and hemp/THCa delivery brand that I’m scaling here in Texas.
What I’m most proud of is building things that actually affect people. H3AL, the equity initiative I founded, is one of the things closest to my heart. We’ve hosted community programs, partnered with major nonprofits, and created spaces for real conversations and healing. In 2021, I was encouraged to run for county office in New Jersey by constituents who were inspired and empowered by my advocacy. Being recognized as a community leader while still growing my music and my businesses means a lot to me.
What sets me apart is that I don’t operate in silos. I’m not “just” an artist, “just” an entrepreneur, or “just” an activist. I’m building an ecosystem where all of those worlds fuel each other. The music brings people in. The business gives the vision structure. The community work gives it purpose.
My work is bigger than one lane — it’s about creating culture, opportunity, and impact across multiple spaces, and doing it in a way that feels authentic to where I come from and where I’m going.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice is: don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. Start with what you have and learn in real time. Most people lose years trying to prepare for a level they could’ve grown into by just taking the first step.
I also wish someone told me earlier that consistency beats talent. Talent gets attention, but consistency builds a foundation. Every time I went quiet — whether in music, business, or content — I had to rebuild momentum from scratch. But when I stayed active and kept showing up, opportunities started coming from angles I couldn’t have planned for.
Another thing: your network is just as important as your work. As the saying goes, “your network is your net worth.” Not in a fake, transactional way — but in terms of community. The biggest opportunities in my career came from people who believed in me because of how I carried myself, not because I asked for anything. Build real relationships. Show up for people. Stay solid.
Lastly, understand that pressure is part of the process. There’s no version of success without doubt, frustration, delays, or hard seasons. You have to double your failures to double your successes. The earlier you accept that, the easier it gets to push through it.
Pricing:
- Music Performances: Pricing varies based on event size, location, and length of performance.
- Brand Partnerships & Influencer Collaborations: Packages start in the low four figures and scale based on scope and deliverables.
- Creative, Marketing & Event Services through Ill Intent: All services are customized based on project needs;
- Giwigi THCa Delivery: Standard local delivery rates apply; product pricing varies by category.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scottpaulmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamscottpaul
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamScottPaul/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/scottpaultv
