Interview
Ilias, dubbed as “100 Must-Watch Entrepreneurs in 2024,” celebrates the 6-year anniversary of TCC Entertainment.
I am sitting down with Ilias Anwar in Hudson Yards, New York. We’re inside a Five Guys; originally, we requested to meet in a Dunkin’ Donuts, but he preferred Five Guys next door. Not sure why he didn’t want Dunkin’ Donuts, but I was eager to start the interview.
I had heard about his story from a colleague and was keen to sit down with him to hear about his U.S. journey over the past year.
He’s been buzzing on social media in the tech space with his recent involvement in Buildspace and Antler, programs that accelerate and develop early startups.
This year, he’s been constantly on the move from LA to DC, NYC, Virginia, and Texas.
So, my first question was, why all this travel?
He replied, “I have been working on TCC Entertainment and Tapped for a couple of years now. I want to work on these for the rest of my life. I have a small window to chase my dreams and work on my companies, so I will do whatever it takes. If I need to take a plane to Japan tomorrow for Tapped, I will drop everything and go if it’s for the betterment of the company. I want to do this for life, because it doesn’t feel like work to me.”
The next question on my notebook was about what he actually does, as it was hard to pin down from my research.
He answered, “I don’t really know how to classify what I do either. I suppose people describe me as an entrepreneur, creative or a creator.”
Ilias has executively produced songs, designed for musicians and streetwear brands, directed music videos/commercials, released a book, livestreamed on Twitch, runs a tech startup, acted in small gigs, and much more.
Here is the breakdown of the different companies he’s working on
TCC Entertainment- a media company specializing in event/video production and digital marketing.
Tapped Ai- a tech startup helping independent artists get more bookings.
Cheat Codes- a book series teaching skills for the internet age.
Blank Kanvaz- an independent record label focusing on global talent.
The three things he wants to focus his professional career on are entertainment, education, and technology. He believes that those industries will never go away no matter how advanced we get.
He also wants to model his career after the likes of Childish Gambino or Mark Wahlberg, who can create any form of art while running multiple businesses.
“Gambino can run a marketing campaign with his creative agency, drop a song, act in a tv show, direct a movie, and drop a book all in six months. That’s a superpower,” he said.
What is a regular day for you?
“To be honest there is no stability. I can’t sit here and tell you I wake up at 5am every day. Some days I might wake up at 7 am and have a super productive day in NYC hopping from meeting to meeting. Then link up with my best friend Kenny who’s a DJ out in NYC and we’ll grab food from the bodega then go to one of his sets. One day, I might wake up at 10 am and spend all day with Phil, Niral, and Bryan in my hometown. Then come home and hop on discord with Charles and just play Madden.”
Here’s a fun question: you’re at a 7/11 and have $20. What are you buying?
he said “with $20 he said he’d buy cashews, a white macadamia protein cookie, topo chicos, and mango slices.”
What do you have coming up that people can be excited about?
“I’m starting an agency with Ali Aljundi from Dubai and others he has gotten close with, where people can donate to the needy by watching YouTube videos. The agency will be named “Hayat.”
What is this Tapped Ai thing you’re working on?
“It’s a platform for independent musicians, helping them find places to perform at. While focusing on creating world tours from your iPhone, offering opportunities to open for artists like DaBaby, Lil Wayne, Bobby Shmurda, and Meg Thee Stallion.”
“If you are looking to get booked and make money and you haven’t download “Tapped Ai” on the App Store you are messing up. It’s free to make an account and apply. Artists don’t have the connections to be able to find performances and there is a lot of gatekeeping.
We just had four artists headline a festival and get paid the most amount of money they have ever made within the past year. This app was made in mind of the artists first, not the music execs who are supposed to make money off them.”
Are you scared of Ai?
“If you look back decades ago, people were scared of computers in this very way, and it is a natural human instinct for us to be afraid of something new. But, I don’t want to sit here and be fearful of it, I am going to embrace it and use it in the way that it can help me and people around me. Computers can be scary, cellphones can be scary, it just depends on how you are using it.”
What is TCC Entertainment?
“TCC is a media company that does digital marketing, video production, and throws events. I have been working on this company for the past six years and it is my baby. It is the vehicle that brought me to do all the fun things I am working on now.”
What did you do to celebrate six years of TCC Entertainment?
“Nothing too crazy. All I did was go to RVA and link up with Charles and Johannes. Next year we will celebrate the right way and enjoy, but as of right now we are too caught up with work for Tapped.”
Do you ever think about anything that isn’t work related?
“I don’t commend myself for this but I am non-stop thinking about work. Do not glorify me for this, I wouldn’t recommend anyone else to work this much. This is only for myself, and to be honest I find “hustle culture” stupid. But, I am in a blessed situation to do what I love so how do you not expect me to think of it 24/7?”
What is your focus in 2024?
“A majority of my career has been helping others in the limelight but 2024 I want to prioritize myself and further my own personal brand to elevate Tapped Ai and TCC Entertainment.
Content creation is also going to be huge for me. Podcasts, live streams, vlogs all coming very very soon.
I am also excited for Buildspace season 5, I think we can make it far this upcoming year in January. Big fan of Farza and Alex and what they are doing with Buildspace in general. It is a school for ideas and this upcoming one I am going to be the first person to go in with 4 different ideas instead of just one. ”
Is there anything you want to focus on that isn’t work related in 2024?
“This year I prioritized getting closer with distant relatives and spending more time with my direct family. I would say I do a good job at spending time with them and talking to them but you can always do better. What is all this success and work for If I don’t have anyone to share it with? Spending time with family is great, because it also gets you to turn off your mind and not think about how you can solve problems or work on certain things.
When I spend time with relatives, I actually never even look at my phone. If you know me as a colleague, as a friend or an acquaintance then you know I am glued to my phone on calls or texting someone for work. But, when it comes to family I know where to set the line and adopt a healthy balance.
Artists you are excited about?
“I am gonna have a lot of people mad at me for this answer if I don’t consider them here.
But off the top of my head Zoe Gabrielle, Maya Soufi, and Niral Desai. ”
Is there someone who does more than you?
“Infamou$ G. That man is a Swiss army knife, he can do everything and he does it with quality. He’s like the best kept secret but give him 2-3 years he will be doing some high level sh**. Most importantly like an older brother to me. He actually recently did a song with Mardyny and he dropped this crazy verse. If you have time I’ll have you listen to it after this. “
Who are your inspirations?
“This answer always changes for me but it’s always the people around me. I’d say my co-founder Johannes is definitely one of them. He is one of the smartest guys I know and just being able to work with him and pick his brain has been massive for me. I got thrown into the tech/Ai world and having him around has helped me assimilate very very fast.
Alongside my other co-founder Phil who is also a nut when it comes to analytics and being on top of trends. Statistically and culturally speaking, that man really has his finger on the pulse.”
Who is a young founder you are excited about?
“Mo Bamby and Arib Khan. I haven’t caught up with them in a long time but those kids are mad young and already figuring it out. I think in a couple years they are going to tear up the tech world.”
Favorite clothing brand?
“I really mess with Artificial Fever. It’s workwear with a touch of streetwear intertwined with internet culture. What I’m wearing the most right now though is Godsend, StuckUp, and Vain Studios which are all brands that originated from Northern Virginia.”
What is one thing you think people don’t know about you?
“I spend a lot of time talking with my mentors. They are much older than me, and I know that whenever I talk to them I learn so much. I try to have a mentor in a different field like one for music, tech, media, and personal. One of my mentors recently passed who put a battery in my back when I came to LA. He introduced me to so many labels, music execs and really furthered my music career. The first year of knowing him was by cold dming him on LinkedIN because I saw that he had worked for Universal, Sony, and Warner. I was hoping to get a job at one of the three and one day we got on a call. What was supposed to be a 15 minute convo turned into 4 hours. The TLDR of the convo after I had told him everything I was working on was that I don’t need to join a label. It was better for me to grind it out with TCC and Tapped over the next couple of years and build it on my own.
There were times where I doubted myself but he always spoke so much confidence in me and was sold on me. He always said that when I became super successful he wanted nothing from me.
Just a subway franchise because it was his favorite restaurant. So that he could stop spending all that money on subway sandwiches.
So one day I will own a Subway shop in his honor.
My other mentors include Damian who owns one of the biggest media agencies in Washington D.C. and that man is one of the best dudes I have ever met at communicating. I learned a lot of negotiation and partnership skills from him.
Dave, who is the CEO of Blank Kanvaz Records and a music exec who owns a multitude of other companies. His business sense is impeccable and I’m honored to even sit in some high level meetings with him.
Then Chibu and Mic who are some of the most plugged people in the music industry. In terms of connections, and making shit happen those two are their respective rulers in the LA and NYC scene.
Then I would say my cousins Sal and Aaron as well when it just comes to guidance on personal stuff or tech.”
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
“I will own multiple different businesses in the tech, media, music , fashion space and rent out a couple properties so I could live through financial freedom. A majority of my time I want to dedicate to making art and working on different projects that fuel my passion and interests. I want to build my family as well and be settled in my own property.”
Wrapping it up, this interview went way differently than I expected. Ilias seemed really driven and I bet money this kid is gonna go far. There was something about how passionate he sounded every time he spoke. When I left the meeting, I thought to myself that this is what conviction sounds like. I’m curious to see where he goes, but I would be lying if I didn’t say he got me hooked.
I also felt like he didn’t really talk about himself, the whole interview was just him shouting out other people. Which leaves me with a lot of homework to find out who half all these people are.
Nonetheless, if you are interested in finding out more about his companies check the websites out here:
www.tapped.ai
www.tccentertainment.com
Purchase his recent book here: https://tccentertainment.com/products/the-art-of-social-media-success-building-your-brand-as-an-entrepreneur-content-creator-or-musician
The Genesis of a Brand: A Personal Story Through Music
The brand an artist creates is often a tapestry woven from their personal stories. For Deja Destinée, her name carries a legacy and an inspiration that fuels her artistic presence. “Deja Destiny is destiny… My first name was by my sister… Named after Tyra Banks’ character in Higher Learning… Destiny was named by my grandmother before I was born,” she recounts. This personal lineage adds depth to her music and offers her audience a piece of her narrative, creating a genuine connection that transcends the rhythms and lyrics.
In the music industry, the background behind a name often holds a significant weight, and Deja’s is intertwined deeply with her familial ties. Her music doesn’t just offer sound; it provides listeners with resonance, a shared experience that taps into the emotional fabric of the listener. This personal touch has become a beacon for her brand and her music, positioning her as an artist with a story to tell, a history to honor, and a future to shape.
Commanding the Stage: Performance as a Reflection of the Artist
A major theme from the discussion centered around Deja’s approach to performance. Stating that music comes as “first nature,” it’s evident that her on-stage persona is where she truly shines. Describing her performances, Deja says, “I give a lot of cocky energy. When I get on the stage, I usually bring my dancers, I have, you know, the flashy custom outfits… it makes them feel good, and for it to make them feel like they really that b\*\*\*h.”
This attitude exemplifies the confidence and showmanship that Deja brings to her craft, setting her apart in a crowded industry. The energy of a live performance, where the artist and audience feed off each other’s enthusiasm, is particularly crucial for Deja. Each show becomes an intimate conversation between them, a shared moment of empowerment and celebration of talent. It’s in these details that Deja’s commitment to her artistry, and her desire to elevate the music experience, shines brightest.
A Nexus of Creativity: Beyond Music
During the conversation, it became apparent that Deja is not content with being pigeonholed as just a musician. With interests in acting and entrepreneurship, such as her unique skincare line *Co-Skin*, she relays, “I do hair, I do makeup, I have my own like, skincare line doing shea butter… It’s so many things that I feel like I can tap into.”
Her tenacity to take on multiple creative endeavors showcases not only her talent but her understanding of the importance of diversification in a modern artist’s career. Deja leverages her platform in music to venture into other areas of interest, broadening her reach and solidifying her presence both in and out of the music world. This blend of artistry and enterprise spotlights a new generation of artists who are as business-minded as they are creative, indicative of the changing tides within the industry.
The Future Sounds of Success: Deja’s Continual Growth
As the conversation turned towards future prospects, Deja Destinée laid out her vision of evolving within the industry and her plans to be a game-changer. With new music on the horizon, including the engagingly titled single “ATE”, and a role in the upcoming film premiere set for June 6th at Newark Cinema, Deja’s grind is relentless.
Echoing her earlier sentiments on the significance of grinding, she reiterates, “To work and put in the work… when you don’t want to do it, put in the work then, too, because in the end, it’s gonna pay off.” It’s with this unwavering dedication and drive that Deja Destinée forges ahead, paving her path with an unshakeable belief in her art and her ability to influence the industry.
Deja’s narrative is one that is building upon the foundations of authenticity, perseverance, and an uncompromising vision for what she wants to achieve. With a solid grounding in the values instilled in her name and approach to music, the future beckons with infinite possibilities, each one an opportunity to further the imprint of Deja Destinée on the world.
Dedication to Hip-Hop’s Essence
In the heart of the discussion, D-Kno Money underlines a stronghold on the authentic sound of hip-hop, an element that often feels lost in today’s market. “\[…] if you like hip-hop in its essence, you like rapping in its essence. I always stick to those roots,” D-Kno Money asserts, emphasizing his commitment to preserving the genre’s true spirit. He maneuvers through the contemporary soundscape while ensuring his music retains a timeless quality. His approach crafts a bridge between the nostalgic and the innovative, appealing to both old-school enthusiasts and modern listeners. Quoting the artist, “If you listen to D-Kno Money for the first time, you’re not gonna hear what’s out like at the moment. \[…] I still have an authentic sound.”
This balance between tradition and evolution in the hip-hop genre is vital. It functions not only as a gateway for diverse expression within the art form but also exemplifies the genre’s ability to adapt without losing its core identity. D-Kno Money’s music serves as a beacon for what hip-hop can continue to be—an insightful, powerful, and expressive outlet for creativity.
Crafting an Artistic Identity
D-Kno Money’s story is a narrative of relentless ambition channeling into artistry since early childhood, heavily influenced by the monumental group Wu-Tang Clan and solo artists like Jay-Z and Nas. His musical journey, which began in 2003, highlights the dedication and passion required to make a mark in the industry. Taking his artistic vocation seriously from his first mixtape in 2006 to dropping over 15 projects, he proves that consistency is the key to a substantial body of work. The discussion emphasizes the importance of investing in one’s craft, pointing out, “My body of work put me in an advantageous state over a lot of my fellow peers.”
For D-Kno Money, the art of creating music is only part of the equation. The multifaceted lifestyle he leads speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit and the various roles artists must play to sustain and elevate their brand. Tackling responsibilities like personal management and business ventures, such as the Blue Exclusive beverage liquor brand, reinforces the narrative that today’s artist must also be an astute businessperson.
Revitalizing New York’s Hip-Hop Scene
Touching on a subject close to many New Yorkers’ hearts, D-Kno Money shares his perspective on the current state of New York hip-hop, particularly noting the dominance of drill music. “Everything different. So, like with D-no Money, that’s all I really stand on,” he remarks, articulating his desire for the return of artistic diversity. The artist yearns for an era where uniqueness was celebrated rather than subdued, hoping for a resurgence of the individual sound that made New York a hip-hop powerhouse.
This standpoint resonates with a broader sentiment within the hip-hop community. The craving for originality isn’t a rejection of new trends, but rather a call to honor the genre’s rich, varied history. By advocating for diversity in sound and content, D-Kno Money echoes a larger directive—a call to action to reinvigorate the scene with the uniqueness that made it a global phenomenon.
The music industry, and hip-hop in particular, stands at a crossroads where the choices of artists like D-Kno Money can shape its trajectory. His advocacy for authenticity, commitment to craftsmanship, and emphasis on innovation could very well be the catalysts needed to relight the fires of the hip-hop scene in New York and beyond. As the landscape evolves, artists like D-Kno Money remind us of the importance of preserving the heart of the genre while creatively advancing into the future.
The independent music scene is awash with tales of both burgeoning success and challenging setbacks. In a candid conversation with Shah Cypha on The Grynd Live, Restless Marc offers a deep dive into the life of an independent artist who’s not only producing and performing his own music but also navigating the industry with a distinct sense of identity and purpose. Here we’ll decode the intricacies of his journey, the significance of a robust support system, and the transformative power of perseverance in the music industry.
Building a Brand: The Origin of “Restless Mark”
Embracing Uniqueness
The conversation with Restless Marc starts by delving into **the story behind his moniker**, an essential component of his identity within the music world. Initially known as Mark Erickson, a blend of his given name and father’s name, Marc reveals how “Restless” came into play, originally as part of a collective and later, permanently influencing his personal brand.
*”When you see me, you see dope people.”* This statement reflects Marc’s drive for originality and association with excellence, laying out a commitment to stand out in an industry replete with generic names. It’s not only a choice; it’s a statement. The significance is not lost, as Shah Cypha keenly observes, “*You got to have a name. When people google you, they’ll find you and not somebody else.*”
The Influence of Gaming on Music
An intriguing twist in Marc’s narrative is the **evolution of his stage name from a gaming tag**. The digital realm and its subcultures offer a space for reinvention and experimentation. For Marc, crossing elements from his gaming identity into his musical persona is more than a branding exercise; it’s an organic merging of passions, indicative of how modern artists are often multifaceted individuals.
From Setback to Comeback: Recovering from Loss
The Value of Resilience
In what could be regarded as a devastating blow, Marc recounts the theft of his laptop and the ramifications it had on his music creation process. Here, we witness a crucial theme: **the role of hardship in defining an artist’s path**. Despite the setback, Marc channeled this experience into a form of motivation, reinforcing Shah Cypha’s perspective on the importance of converting negative experiences into positive outcomes.
Continuation Through Creation
The interview delves into the mental and emotional processes that blend **Marc’s personas as a producer and an artist**. Whether it’s producing in the dark to cultivate a specific ambiance or finding unexpected inspiration for lyrics, we see a glimpse into the intimate journey of creation. Marc’s narrative is a testament to the ongoing drive to create, despite obstacles, and the undying belief in oneself common to successful artists.
Ambitions Beyond the Microphone: Restless Marc’s Vision
A Vision for Diversification
As the discussion shifts to future goals, Marc outlines his ambition **to impact various aspects of culture**, including fashion and potentially sports. His intentions to remain independent and to build upon his own brand mirror the forward-thinking ethos of artists like Dr. Dre and Kanye West, who have diversified their reach while simultaneously contributing to their music’s authenticity and intimacy.
Breaking the Mold of an Artist
Tackling the broader implications of a music career, Marc speaks on wanting to exist beyond the music. His blueprint for success elucidates how modern independent artists must cultivate a multi-disciplinary approach to their careers, blending creativity with **business acumen**.
In synthesizing his past experiences with his aspirations, Marc’s trajectory underscores a fundamental shift in the music industry. No longer is it enough to produce hit records—now, artists are challenging themselves to be innovators, influencers, and entrepreneurs.
Restless Marc’s story reveals a reality where victory is not just about endurance but about the expansion of one’s horizons. In sharing his journey, his resilience, and his plans for future conquests, Marc becomes both a product and a prophet of the evolving musical landscape—a restless force in an industry that never sleep
*
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