Entrepreneurial Profile: Tay Yung
Tay Yung is a rapper, audio engineer, and co-CEO of LOT8 Productions located in Bakersfield, California.
***An interview was conducted via Google Meet, however audio was not recorded, so follow up conversation was required after.
>>> Link to video (no audio)
The following is a summary of the questions asked in convo for clarification and direct quotes of messages/answers sent by Tay Yung after the interview.
Being your own artist and running LOT8 Productions — how do those roles influences each other?
“Both roles influence each other hand in hand. At this stage of pursuing work full-time, it’s definitely a balancing act. Being an artist helps me understand what creators need from a studio space, and running LOT8
sharpens how I approach my own brand, marketing, and long-term strategy.
I follow what I call my 33% philosophy — dividing my focus into three core areas:
• 33% – My personal music development and releases (writing, recording, branding, rollout
• 33% – Operating and building LOT8 Productions (branding, partnerships, marketing, growth)
• 33% – Servicing the creative community as a recording engineer (sessions, client development,
helping artists shape their sound)
That structure keeps me intentional and prevents one area from completely overshadowing the
2. You seem very self-sufficient creatively. Was that intentional from the start, or learned out of necessity?
“The intention was always to become self-sufficient, but the skills were definitely learned out of necessity.
As an independent artist, you quickly realize how many moving parts go into building a career: recording, mixing, visuals, branding, marketing, distribution, and content strategy. At some point, it becomes smarter to invest in learning a skill than constantly paying for it.
So I chose to become resourceful. That decision shaped everything — from engineering to production management to branding. Self-sufficiency wasn’t just a preference; it became the path forward.”
3. What problem were you trying to solve with LOT8 Productions?
“The simplest answer: we needed a place to create in our own backyard.As a recording artist and with my partner and co-CEO being a photographer/videographer, we
constantly found ourselves driving hours just to access quality creative spaces and community. We knew we weren’t the only ones facing that problem in Bakersfield and Central California.
So we built the solution.
Now LOT8 is a 4,000 sq. ft. creative playground designed to house both audio and visual production. It’s affordable, versatile, and built for creators who don’t want to leave their city just to bring their ideas to life.”
4. If I’m a singer/musician who is looking to release music, what should they understand before booking studio time?
“First — don’t hesitate. Early and consistent exposure to professional recording environments helps shape an artist’s development.
That said, preparation is everything.
Before booking studio time:
• Have a clear concept in mind
• Bring beats selected or ready
• Have lyrics written or at least structured
• Know the direction you want to take
Studio time is an investment. The more prepared you are, the smoother the session will go — and the more value you’ll get out of every minute. Preparation is half the battle.”
5. What separates artists who are ready to record professionally from those who aren’t?
“I don’t believe there’s a strict line that separates “ready” from “not ready.” It’s more of a mindset.
Recording professionally is a personal investment. The artist has to be mentally prepared to take their craft seriously.
If I had to point to one marker, it would be consistency. Artists who aren’t regularly writing, practicing, or engaging with their music tend to struggle more in professional sessions.
Overall, I believe in early and often exposure. Being in professional environments helps shape discipline, confidence, and performance. Sometimes the growth happens because you stepped into the room, not before.”
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