Meet Marsha MJ” Banner | MJ the A&R”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marsha “MJ” Banner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marsha “MJ”, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in a single parent, Belizean household, I was influenced by different genres of Caribbean music such as reggae, dancehall, soca and reggaeton while gaining knowledge simultaneously about Hip-Hop and R&B from the city. A few of my favorite artists growing up were, and still are, Sean Paul, Spice, T.O.K, Busy Signal, Lady Saw, Wayne Wonder, Morgan Heritage, Gyptian, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond and the list goes on for eternity. From a young age, I knew music was my calling, something that I just gravitated towards and knew that’s what resonates with my soul. To my recollection, my first summer spent in Belize, my Uncle Tony, threw me a harmonica at the age of 6 and told me to start playing and since then, I’ve been inclined to learn any type of instrument. My life as a musician started with the harmonica, then gaining interest in singing, figuring out back then I was a soprano, who has now grown and matured into an alto/tenor. Being taught how to play two different types of Nigerian drums from my Nigerian sister-in-law, burning cds to reading and composing music to play the violin and to write my own songs, transitioned from the infamous recorder to playing the bells and chimes in church, to self-taught keyboardist/pianist. One of my goals was to be a young Alicia Keys but I allowed fear to come in between my talents as a kid so I didn’t begin to teach myself the piano until my late teenage/early adulthood. Everything that I didn’t get a chance to experience as a kid, I am doing now as an adult. My retention for music is immaculate, not lacking there. Using my talents and gifts to help others as an A&R has been fulfilling to see certain dreams and manifestations come into fruition. Music has always been a peaceful getaway. Music makes my life simpler. Music is Me and I Am Music.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a creative, it can be very overwhelming to pick which musical branch you want to swing from first. My ears are naturally trained to hear deeply and differently from the normal ear. Being a woman, our ears already hear things men can’t, so when I apply that to music, what a producer might think sounds great solely because of the beat, I can hear that the dynamic range between the artists is subpar. The tone of someone’s voice will stick out to me before hearing production errors; it’s also very distinctive and tailored to that person. Songs always register to me by tones: the intro sets the tone for the song, the beat drop has its own tone, the artists’ tone, the instruments, the climax and outro, everything has a tone! One key component of being an A&R is knowing when to sit in silence and for how long in order to hEAR each variable in a song. Knowing what type of beat meshes with your voice is crucial. In 2019, when I decided to become an A&R, I knew that it was going to be full of hurdles of other competitive Black Women A&Rs and obstacles of branding my name and showing those that I am worthy and deserving of collaborations. People have tried to surround themselves around me just because of certain rooms I’ve stepped into or around certain people and they have no idea of the amount of work, sleepless nights, being financially unstable, fighting depression and life just to be in those places. When you start grinding, showing people your face and making sure they remember you, Word of Mouth becomes your best friend. Networking is detrimental to your career. There will be times where you feel as if you are being annoying trying to get another A&R, producer or artist attention, be annoying. If you think you’re not extending your hand enough, send more emails, more calls, just more. You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I am still learning that you can only lead the horse to the water, you can’t make em drink it. Those who want to be helped will take heed to the advice given to them. Life is all about being a student and I want to forever learn how to be better creative by those who came before me, even those coming up after me. There is always room to grow and improve. Don’t let self-sabotage hold you back from living your best and most authentic life. Every little step you take counts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my bestfriend were coming into the city for a week-long trip, we would do brunch at Suite Food Lounge, BlaqHaus ATL and TrapCity Cafe. Suite Food Lounge, one of my faves, has a nice rooftop vibe with fire chunes to keep you rocking. Going to a Braves game is a typical tourist must then afterwards, enjoy the bars and food at the Battery! If you want to get active, we can go down to Atlantic Station for some bowling or movies. Little Five Points for some good thrifting, take some dope pictures by some creative murals, catch concerts at Aisle 5. Late nights, we would hit Edgewood for an unforgettable and eventful evening… ifyky lol. Our Bar ATL never disappoints with the drinks and live music and CRU for hookah and wings! MJQ is the only place I will fully break dance with people and can be carefree because of the togetherness in the spot! For my spiritual beings, we can get grounded by taking a hike up Kennesaw Mountain, go to Red Top Mountain for some lake time or we can take a four hour road trip to Savannah Beach. When it comes to musical tributes, Feels ATL has you on lock for all the greatest R&B serenades. 4U Recording Studios is known for their vast variety of artists collaborations and events. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, holds concerts and so much more! The best part of their trip, in my opinion, would be spending a day in the life of an A&R: meetings/consultations with new artists, reviewing submissions, booking studio or vocal sessions, legal, understanding the creative process to making songs, and other factors that come into play. On the video vixen side, seeing the set up of the shoot, interactions with the other girls on set and the artist, outfit changes, the whole nine!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am very big on giving my loved ones or people who support me, in general, their flowers. OLA and Havier Daivon, two extremely incredibly gifted R&B singers in Atlanta, Ga. They both have given me undoubtedly genuine love, support and opportunities that not only will help strengthen our own individual careers, but also molded a true friendship and partnership. I don’t think they know the amount of faith and determination they instilled in me to keep going. BIG UP, BIG UP to my circle of bestfriends that continuously keeps me inspired, letting me know that I am capable of making a difference in this industry: N’Dezha, Dennis, Zee, Destiny, Lewis & Jna’. Whenever I’m being to hard on myself, they get me together quick. To the upcoming artists that took a chance to work with me, needed a real ones ear or some advice, being in music videos, whatever the case may have been, PRAYAH, Havier Daivon, OLA, Dacia Monét, Andrelle, The Letter M, Miss Storm, Penny, Akeem Ali, and then some, thank you! To my Vocal Coaches, Miss Storm and Avery Floyd Jr., I owe you two gems everything. To the higher ups in this business, I appreciate all the game you’ve taught me over the years, insightful and powerful advice that will help propel me in the best fashion possible. Lastly. My Man, My Man, My Man. God has put me through troubled waters to make sure this is what I really want and He Knows I’m just getting started!

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theerealmj_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits
Jay Wells. Akeem Ali. Kela. Mikki. Havier Daivon. OLA. Ty Sanders. Penny. Trevvar. Bluesoundroom. Neesa. Dacia Monét. Lyss. Jason Billy.