Meet Chelle Jones | Director of A&R at Artistry Records/A&R at Hey Young World

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelle Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an A&R in the music industry, we take risks daily. Risks and intuition are two words that are married when it comes to finding talent. I take risks on independent artists especially the ones I decide to pursue and it’s a feeling I have to get knowing I found a superstar. We risk our name, our credibility, and our jobs in some cases lol! My hustle in this game is to find the best talent, the dopest records, and know how to do some form of artist development. We are also the communicator between the label and the talent. If I find an artist I am into, I have to convince my label to take a chance on this artist because I see something…which could be a chill if their that good. Unfortunately, the game has put numbers before the talent in some cases which can be a disadvantage for some if their socials are not up to par. I will say, there are some music executives and record labels that will take a risk and not focus on the numbers because they know how to develop an artist and make them successful and that’s where you can pop yo shit! Respect is when you can take an artist that only has their talent and turn them into a superstar. The other aspect of risk taking in A&R is finding hit records for artists. You have to know and understand the talent and their skill level. I love having conversations with the artists that I A&R for because it gives me a chance to know how they like to record, if they do well on uptempo records versus ballads, or they may not like a thousand people in the studio when they’re working. A lot of these factors are key because it lets me know the type of energy they getting ready to put towards their career. If I believe in you, you have to believe in yourself too. I have already listened to their music, now it is time for me to put the team together that will compliment them in all aspects. Producers, songwriters, engineers, and maybe a vocal producer. Me knowing the right individuals to bring in must KNOW how to effectively do their job so they can make my artist sound incredible! As you can see, there are all kinds of risks being an A&R but I would have never pursued this area of the music industry if I knew I couldn’t be successful at it. Shout out to Mr. Max Gousse (Artistry Records) and Mr. Sean Garrett (Hey Young World) for seeing something in me and giving me an opportunity to work alongside two of the most successful giants in this music industry. Coming from a small town in WI called Beloit, to setting up a foundation in Jackson TN and now residing in Atlanta GA, this journey has me telling myself “I am taking a risk on you Chelle and my intuition says, “you are going to be great”!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have worked in various area in this music industry so I know how to put my skills to use. As a hustler, you have to possess a lot of skills and that is what sets me apart from everyone else because what is for me, is for me. There were times that I really wanted to give up because I felt like nothing was working and soon as I get excited about something, it ended up not working out. I had to continue to believe in myself and know that the most high had something for me and to not give up. BE PATIENT is all I kept hearing until I had no other choice but to give it to him and stay focused. I am simply proud that I did not give up at all! I am built different and I focus on me and me only! These last few years have been challenging but amazing at the same time because everything is falling in place and I couldn’t be more excited than I am right now. I BEEN waiting on the right opportunity to show out and I am just getting started. I used to write songs, make beats on Fruity Loops (my beatmakers know the infamous FL Studio lol), and I had to learn how to work ProTools. Luckily, my undergrad had a music industry program which became my minor when I enrolled in Lambuth University which is now The University of Memphis at Lambuth. My major was Health and Human Performance because I wanted to be a Sports Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer. I held on to the major for my first two years and switched in my junior year to go full-time into the Entertainment and Music Industry program we had on campus. Music kept calling me and graduating wit my Bachelor’s degree in EMI was the best decision I ever made. So not only am I street smart…I am book smart too! Don’t play wit her lol! I had my life challenges that we all go through and everyone has a testimony. This interview is a celebration and my past is what made me into who you are reading about right now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take to all the good food places I eat at because I am greedy and I like to eat all the time lol! We would go indoor skydiving, go to ride slingshots, race corvettes, and go to the Georgia aquarium for starters. I like fun things so anything interactive is LIT to me. During the week, we would be kind of mellow so it still would be eating at places like Paschalls, Atlanta Fish Market, a couple of vegan places in which she probably won’t do because she is not vegan lol, and a few homecooked meals may be in the equation lol! Lenox Mall used to be the spot but ummmmm…PASS lol! Since I am in the music industry, I would let her in my world and let her see how I get down.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every person along my journey deserves a shout out. My friends who have always been supportive, my family who tell me all the time that their proud of me for pursuing my career, and to everyone I have worked with or for in this industry. People know me and they know I am the true definition of a HUSTLER!

Instagram: musicexec__chellej

Linkedin: Chelle Jones