Rod's Mastery Journal

My mission is to provide positive role models and influences to communities similar to my own. Most of my colleagues and supporters revere me as a philanthropist, artist, and humanitarian. I has a history of work with a list of non-profit organizations which are community oriented. My hope is to represent every facet of my being, from educational success to freedom of self expression.

[yungrod2g]

I ain’t get like this on accident. Took a lot of patience and practice. • • • #indiehiphop# birminghamhiphop #birminghamrapper #femcees #lgbtrapper #lgbtq🌈 #HipHop #rap #linkinbio https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmz6vdHV05/?igshid=3nuf0ballmf3

[yungrod2g]

Gotta keep it clean, even if it’s simple. • • • #indiehiphopartist #yungrod2g #birminghamrappers #femalerapartist #thcmultimedia (at Birmingham, Alabama) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEVequ5H5hQ/?igshid=8w2ktxnpcmyn

[yungrod2g]

Dirty December Music Festival is going to be December 6th in Birmingham,AL at @thenickbham This is gonna be an EPIC show! Dj: @djeffc1980 Performers: @qdotdavis x @jaxx_xon @theglamroxy @msninachanel @playboiju @therealspliff205 @yungrod2g @_jonryanhill @dolor_fm @emoneygetnmoney and more...... Event link> https://facebook.com/events/2488991631341567/?ti=icl #qdotdavispromo #ConnectingArtistLikeWifi #teambiggarankin #baylifeornolife #coalitiondjs #coalitiondjsatl #tiaculverpr #HotNewHipHop #IndieNation #indieartist #hiphop #hiphopartist #independentartist#soundcloud #rapper #producer #XXLMagazine #ComplexMagazine #RevoltTV #xxl #xxlfreshman #tiaculverpr #independentthinkers #promovatican #independentartist #slumerican #amyhankspr https://www.instagram.com/p/B5noTGYFYRW/?igshid=67scxbvt00ox

[yungrod2g]

I smile through the pain... (at Five Points South Bham) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2-oDP2HaDT/?igshid=mottwile0mls

[yungrod2g]

🚨Peformance Alert 🚨 Catch me at @thenickbham w/ @qdotdavis and the homies. As always it’s gone be a blessed lituaution 🙏🏾 https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Xki4VH--J/?igshid=vh30ikr5b06m

[yungrod2g]

New Music from YungRod2G

[yungrod2g]

Negotiation and Deal-Making (MAN6446)

My original goals for this class were, become a better deal maker and strengthen negotiation skills, abandon ideas acquired about negotiation in the past (Human Intelligence experience) only for the month of study as to not interfere with new knowledge explore negotiation opportunities, be active with classmates and club members to provide best learning experience for all. Although I did accomplish most of my goals, there were a few things that I didn't accomplish. However, I do intend to implicate them in future negotiations. I have learned a lot of important factors concerning negotiation. For example, in most social conflicts, influential leaders will more than likely be involved in negotiations that effect the community in an immense way. Also, there are very specific traits that indicate a more successful negotiators. I'm aware that some of these traits I have yet to obtain. However the substance of a good negotiator is one who knows the true purpose of their negotiation. In the future my hopes are to share these lessons with my associates and organizations within our community. Now that I have been enlighten about the process of negotiation, I understand that not only active listening is important. One must be patient, willing to work towards a solution, and practice discernment towards quickly closing deals. This journey into the entertainment industry has definitely been an enlightening one.

[yungrod2g]

Business Entertainment Finance (GEB6508)

Mastery Journal Entry Business Entertainment Finance (GEB6508) My goals for this course we're as follows: Enhance budgeting abilities. Gain better understanding of funding and fundraising methods. Master financial projections and gain understanding of how this applies to all businesses within the music industry. · Establish a projected budget for my personal musical ventures · Stay faithful to budgeting plans · attempt to apply new knowledge to artist budgeting. I have learned that I am not the only veteran who has joined the ranks within Fullsail University fro the Hall of Fame events throughout last week. This knowledge is affirmation that I am headed on a steady course. Although all paths are not the same, they do intersect in various aspects of life. Creativity seems to be a common intersection for the service members and veterans that I have met. We all have different reasons for taking on both courses be it financial advancement or family tradition. Music and selfless service have always been a part of my existence, now with this financial course almost at its end, I can honestly say that this course I have chosen has fulfilled my goals and expectations. As I continue my journey to a higher education and mastery of my field, I will continue to strive for excellence with integrity and honor. My hopes for the future of my company and community are to expand our appreciation for art. Learning the business financial side of the entertainment industry has given me insight to the financial gaps that some artists may face in their careers. These courses are giving me the type of preparation needed in order to be one of the leaders in the local entertainment industry here in Birmingham, AL. This opportunity is one that I am truly thankful for and I look forward to sharing this knowledge.

[yungrod2g]

Business Storytelling and Brand Development

At the beginning of this program I was filled with excitement. My journey to mastery guided by experts in the entertainment business is sure to set myself apart from local independent artist here in Birmingham, AL. Although my first encounter with business storytelling and brand management was not completely unsuccessful. After taking a few weeks of rest and recovery, I was ready to accomplish the goals I had set in August of 2015. Because I had some experience with the course I was prepared for what was expected of me; however I wasn't prepared for all my expectation to be surpassed. My original goals for this course was to enhance my brand development and story telling abilities, learn to create appeal brand regardless of platform,discover different tactics to branding and find qualities of a great business story. I had believed that I would accomplish this through the following tasks: · Researching brands and businesses with a strong presence in desired desired field of entertainment business. · Following specific brands and learn their story to mastery · Becoming more active in networking opportunities to be exposed to other brands and business stories. Writing these goals out was definitely beneficial, as I had accomplished each one with ease, I gained the confidence to execute more effectively and consistently. As we have learned from Nemier, consistency is one of the most important factors of a brand. This goes along with the gut feeling that consumers have about a specific brand or service. My goal is to take what I've learned about brand development and business story telling. Now that I have confidence in the brand that has been established and I am more knowledgable of how to execute as an artist manager and developer.

[yungrod2g]

Great read! When prioritizing your life to best accomplish the mission of your start-up business it's important to remember your "Why". In my own journey I have made at least 3 of these mistakes. Do not count these mistakes as failures but lessons of how and why these mistakes must never happen again. Happy travels!

[yungrod2g]

A brief reflection of my recent studies in the entertainment business.

[yungrod2g]

To become something new; you must be willing to release the old and familiar for thrills, excitement and inevitable failures for possible success. Create the world you wish to see! Source: Spirit Science

[yungrod2g]

In my few leadership roles I have learned many things about myself and the industry in which I choose to work.  One thing I have noticed in my course about my own leadership style is that other than being a born leader with formal training, I also have a strong passion for people.   These characteristics definitely identify me as more of a Maxwell Leader; however, I acknowledge and accept the laws of power are effective and useful to obtaining success.  My application of Maxwell like leadership principles was totally subconscious which is why I believe his is the best style for me. Reflecting on past leadership opportunities and my current leadership positions I have acknowledged many shortcomings after our reading assignments, yet these do not define my future.  

                 In the text, Maxwell goes over the five levels of leadership; within these five levels I can confidently say that I have mastered the first two levels.  It is the last three levels however, separate the novice from the experienced.  Within the past two years I have noticed the slack in productivity.  I believe the source of my issues was the integrity of my own productivity.  I had become consistently inconsistent: not making events I had committed to, coming to rehearsals late, and not meeting deadlines that I had appointed (Maxwell, 1993).  This had become the representation of Ambitionz: Fine Arts. Knowing the overall mission and purpose, I entered the entertainment business master of science program hoping to find viable information that would help in making me a better leader.  Thus far I am excited about the new information received; although the focus is Entertainment Business, these leadership and management course aid in identifying my strengths as a C.O.O.  “Win through your actions, never through argument”, this is a law I have constantly ignored as a novice (Greene, 1998). In my transformation to a master leader, my hope is to let my knowledge of the entertainment business shine through the productivity of Ambitionz: Fine Arts.  

                 My growth as an individual and a teacher will be reflected in the number of quality leaders I produce in the local industry. Honestly, this is the most exciting dynamic of all the courses:  knowing that my ability to produce more experienced, quality leaders will expand. This is the type of influence we all should strive to achieve; creating more productive, positive leaders that will assist in creating the type of entertainment industry would like to see in the future.  As I begin to learn more about leadership and team management I believe that I will be enabled to incite the type of productivity that will not only change the local industry, but also change my corner of the world.  We each have awakened to our special gifts, through this course my natural gift for inciting excitement will be procured in such a way that I may become indispensable to an entire network of individuals.  In the moment that I am able to serve the talented artists throughout Alabama, I will have achieved the highest level of leadership:  Personhood (Maxwell, 1993).  This quality is important for building an empire or legacy, which is what I intend to do.

[yungrod2g]

Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership (MDL 510)

 Goal: To master the filed of entertainment business, and find comfort in chaos.  

·             Explore more entertainment opportunities locally, and volunteer

·             Practice some form of meditation/yoga to control breathing, which will aid in high stress situations.

·             Continue to network and learn more about how different industries within the entertainment business operate and cooperate.

 Executive Leadership

 Goal: To become the best mentor and leader in the entertainment industry, both locally and nationally.  To expand my knowledge and abilities ensuring I am capable of giving the best guidance to young artists in Birmingham.

 ·             Take opportunities to become a mentor or big sister through established organizations.

·             Reach out to community leaders and notify them of my willingness to mentor the youth.

·             Become more active in present leadership opportunities

 Project and Team Management (MAN630)

 Goal:   To optimize project and team management skills. Review failures in past management opportunities and revise methods/approaches to the business.

·             Research what makes a productive team apply these tactics to current creative team.

·             Practice budgeting for artists/projects (promotion, merchandise, production etc.)

·             Enhance mentoring skills within team.

 Business Storytelling and Brand Development (MAR630)

 Goal:  Enhance brands and story telling abilities. Learn to create appeal brand regardless of platform.  Discover different tactics to branding.  Find qualities of a great business story.

·             Research brands and businesses with a strong presence in desired desired field of entertainment business.

·             Follow specific brands and learn their story to mastery

·             Become more active in networking opportunities to be exposed to other brands and business stories.

 Business Entertainment Finance (GEB6508)

 Goal:   Enhance budgeting abilities.  Gain better understanding of funding and fundraising methods. Mastery financial projections and gain understanding of how this applies to all businesses within the music industry.

·             Establish a projected budget for my personal musical ventures

·             Stay faithful to budgeting plans

·             attempt to apply new knowledge to artist budgeting.

 Negotiation and Deal-Making (MAN6446):

  Goal:   To become a better deal maker and strengthen negotiation skills.

·             Abandon ideas acquired about negotiation in the past (Human Intelligence experience) only for the month of study as to not interfere with new knowledge.

·             Explore negotiation opportunities within the local music scene to test new knowledge during course.

·             Be completely active with classmates and club members to provide best learning experience for all.

 Product and Artist Management (EBM591)

 Goal: Discover the best methods of managing and handling artists and their product.  Master these methods and attempt to apply them in different scenarios.

·             Reflect on artist management opportunities of the past, analyze these scenarios. Gain a better understanding of their outcomes.

·             Remain active in course scenarios, as to have the best learning experience for myself and others.

·             Communicate more effectively with professor and advisors.

 Advanced Entertainment Law (BUL5628)

 Goal: Excel in this course as it will be the foundation of my career as an Entertainment Attorney.  To understand comprehensively how to apply all knowledge from course to current events within the entertainment industry.

·             Research and read “Hollywood Copyright Wars” by Peter Detcherny

·             Become more familiar www.copyright.gov

·             Attempt to apply knowledge to at least one piece of work.

   Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution (MMC6256)

 Goal: To comprehend the inner workings of publishing and distributions, how it affects artists and ultimately results to income for artists.  Discover what is necessary for independent artists to protect their publishing rights.

·             Research publishing companies such as ASCAP and SESAC to better understand their position in publishing.

·             Discuss publishing with Personal Learning Network, learn about their accomplishments/pitfalls/concerns about the topic.

·             Discover websites and portals which may be a threat to publishing rights (piracy websites

 Digital Marketing (MAR 681):

 Goal:  Gain a solid understanding of all digital marketing opportunities both online and offline.  To be able to develop marketing strategies that are brand specific and gain results.

·             Research various digital marketing portals

·             Discuss various digital marketing tactics with PLN, attempt to compare and contrast ideas/tactics/experience.

·             Attempt to assist at least one artist with their digital marketing strategies.

   Business Plan Development (GEB 612)

Goal:  Gain solid understanding of what a superlative business plan looks like. Establish a business plan similar to that which I would like to imply in the near future, however not the exact same.

·             Actively follow businesses and entrepreneurs with similar goals and missions of my own business plan.

·             Review and revise current business plan, expand all established ideas/programs

·             Offer to assist one artist/individual with their own business plan to actively apply newly acquired knowledge.

 Final Project Business Plan (EBM 692)

 Goal:  To finalize personal business plan and establish final project to the best of my abilities.  Acquire all available resources to improve business plans.

·             Increase interaction with viable business who may be able to invest into either business plan.

·             Improve business and story-telling skills through presentation of actual business plans.

·             Discuss possible plans with current or future business partners

[yungrod2g]

Career Goals. In the end it's about the influence we have with music. I want to help bring the good out of every one and encourage others to do the same.

[yungrod2g]

One sentence? That's exactly what we need.

[yungrod2g]

Very important question when you've hit a pitfall