WorldScout™ Virtual Music Expo Announces Mike Zombie and Fresh Ayr to Join Headline Speakers Fat Joe and Steve Lobel
WorldScout Group announced the addition of multi-platinum producers Mike Zombie and Fresh Ayr to highlight the Virtual Music Expo, August 28-30.
Mike Zombie is a Grammy-nominated, BET award-winning, multi-platinum producer and artist. Producing credits include the 6 x’s platinum “Started From the Bottom” by Drake, “They Don’t Love You No More” by DJ Khaled, and “Overstimulated” with Jhene Aiko. His current projects include Young M.A’s now certified gold hit “BIG” and 5 songs on Young M.A’s newest EP “Red Flu”. Mike’s “Nice Guys Finish First” album is coming soon.
Fresh Ayr is an American producer known for his versatility in genres. He produced Meek Mill’s “Fck You Mean” “Old Ways” by Kirko Bangz, French Montana’s “I Told ‘Em,” and Young Thug “Like” and more. Not limited to only rap music, Fresh’s versatile production style has been courted by the likes of R&B songstress Tinashe, crooner Raheem DeVaughn, and all-male group Day 26, started by music mogul Sean “P Diddy“ Combs. His latest hit is the title track on the now 6x platinum Latin album, “Emmanuel” by Annul.
Aside from presenting seminars to indie producers and artists at the Virtual Music Expo, both Mike Zombie and Fresh Ayr will battle it out in Saturday evenings’ Beat Battle.
Following its Friday night “kickoff,” the expo will provide 24 hours of singers, songwriters, rappers and producers over 2 days in an unprecedented opportunity to connect with music industry decision-makers in the business of discovering and breaking new talent and to educate, inspire and share experiences of emerging, independent artists.
With live events paused throughout the pandemic, WorldScout recently launched its digital platform with the #KeepMakingMusic Global Hip Hop Contest in April to encourage indie artists around the world to make new music throughout the quarantine and be evaluated by both their peers and industry judges. The contest, spanning 8 weeks, attracted over 2500 entrants, 2.6 million impressions, 1.1 million contest page views and viewers from 6 continents.
“The WorldScout Music Expo is very pleased to present Fat Joe and Steve Lobel as keynote speakers to the weekend events. Our attendees will have great access to learning from these and other first-rate industry personalities,” said Cindy Cooper, WorldScout Founder & CEO.
Ahead of the expo, keynote speaker Steve Lobel weighed in on a few things!
Work ethic is absolutely everything. You know, Nip was the hardest worker that there ever was. He just wanted to understand the music business inside and out because he understood it was a business. He wanted to know all aspects. The key is to work hard and put the rest in God’s hands. I know it might sound cliche but that’s absolutely the way it is. If you put it in the work and you keep doing it and you stay focused, and you stay YOURSELF, the rest will ultimately pay off. You know, if you’re trying to build a legacy, the only way to do it is to build it brick by brick with good hard work.
In this age of COVID, in your opinion, how important was it to take the WorldScout Music Expo online?
You know, no one expected this COVID situation, no matter what your beliefs are on it, the fact is that it has impacted the world. Its impacted businesses. And it’s most certainly impacted the music business. I mean, 95% of an artists’ revenue is made from live events. Ticket sales, appearances, things where they’re out there in person and shaking peoples hands, touching people, being in front of people and that’s gone right now. So, people need to know that in order to survive you have got to be able to pivot. So the people who are going to survive are the ones who know how to pivot, the ones who come out strategic and creative with something new. So taking it virtual was a genius idea and I’m glad to be a part of this. WorldScout is doing a great job with this and I love what they’re doing for independent artists.
Are you anticipating there to be a “golden find” during the weekend of the Music Expo?
Listen, I always go out there expecting to find a diamond in the rough. That’s what I am looking for. I look for talent first more than anything. Over personality, over their look, I look for talent. But these days, I know that I actually have to look for multiple things.
First, I’m looking for a fantastic songwriter. Second, I’m looking for an incredible producer with amazing drums. Third, I’m looking for an artist – but they have to blow me away. They literally have to blow me away and I know it’s out there, so I am always going out there with the mindset that you know, that I can find that. But the bottom line is, I need to find somebody with an amazing work ethic, who has respect for the business and for themselves and who has major talent.
Look, when Hip-hop first started, people said it wasn’t gonna last, and now it’s in, what, it’s 44th year? So the key is that it evolved. Just like I kept evolving, I kept growing. Those who’ve stayed relevant in hip-hop kept growing and evolving. Every 4-5 years something new happens in hip-hop that keeps it new and relevant. You know, think about it. Music went from 45s to vinyl to 9-track and cassettes to CDs to iTunes and ringtones and all that stuff, who knows what’s next, but things evolve and that’s what makes things relevant. Let me tell you, it’s the same thing with artists like with Fat Joe and 50 Cent and Scott Storch. They’re relevant because they kept growing, and changing, and evolving. They remained creative and innovative, they pivoted when one thing looked like it was going down, another would come up and they would jump in and create something new. And that’s the key to longevity for every artist and every genre.
Reveal Live! Entertainment’s CEO/Promoter, Kara Williamson added, “As WorldScout’s Production Partner, we are excited to feature over 24 hours of events and activities. Details will be available soon!”
The Virtual Music Expo will include Rock, R&B, Hip Hop/Rap, EDM, Trap and Country artists and producers from around the world. The event will feature celebrity keynote speakers, high profile music industry seminar facilitators, the opportunity to audition for major record labels, the chance to be offered a one-on-one label meeting and networking opportunities with other local and international artists. The expo includes a Friday night kickoff event and 12-hour schedules both Saturday and Sunday.
WorldScout has again chosen Reveal Live! Entertainment as its co-production partner. Further announcements of speakers, judges, artists and partnerships will be made shortly.
About WorldScout:
WorldScout is a global community showcasing and connecting independent singers, songwriters, rappers and producers with major music industry decision-makers in the business of discovering and breaking new talent.
With over 40 years of scouting experience among them, the WorldScout team set out to search the country looking for America’s best, untapped creative artists and give them an opportunity they’ve never had before. Hundreds of Artists and 35 Music Industry Professionals will participate in its August 2020 expo.
About Reveal Live! Entertainment:
Reveal is an emerging media, marketing and merchandising brand that stands for quality content, context, community and commerce in all forms of music, live in-person and virtual performance, cultural expression and the celebration of the human experience. Reveal produces quality events that integrate artists, music, storytelling, celebrities, charities and local businesses.
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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