Meet Aasha Lewis-Redway | Creator & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aasha Lewis-Redway and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aasha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I started this business because I saw working first hand in the industry how artists were treated, especially being new and young on the scene. The music industry is this big baseball field of dreams, either you’re going to hit a home run or you’re going to strike out. We see it happen time after time. We see artists speaking out about bad contract deals or just bad deals in general that we’re made and wish they knew more about the industry because it can cost them everything. This is what drives me to speak to artists and have these hard conversations that can help someone else to learn from the mistakes made so that others don’t have to make them. Being that we focus on a lot of the independent artists we spotlight the music on our New Indie Music Friday followed by an artist feature on our website. GENEUS platform promotes the independent artist to its full potential in their body of work . This platform provides the support that the Indie world needs.

What should our readers know about your business?
Aasha Lewis-Redway- I’m a mom, a wife, and a proud black woman! I’m a Upstate New York native from Rochester, New York. I moved to NYC in 2008 where I started my career working with major labels like Sony Music Entertainment. I worked in their sub-labels like Verity Gospel Music Group and JIVE Records, where I excelled and lead in such roles like; Marketing, A&R, and Digital Production. I later transitioned working for RED MUSIC, it was here I worked closely with Independent Record Labels and artists. The industry took a big hit around 2011/2012, it caused me to be displaced. It was difficult because I didn’t want to do anything else besides being involved in music. Someway somehow, I just knew i had to go back to reason I’d started in the industry in the first place. I then broke away with my own vision to create an outlet for artists looking to understand the business side of the Music Industry, get a better way how to be connected to others, a place to support their music and still provide entertainment news that matters. The platform focuses on pop culture, r&b and hip hop.

I have the pleasure to bring in and work with my beautiful cohost Danielle Meeks. She helps with our live segments Geneus Music Mondays & Indie Talks.

Geneus came from my father’s name “Eugene Lewis’ ‘…He was so big on music that he traveled from state to state singing Gospel. He then used to bring big gospel acts to perform in Rochester. I had such a connection with my father when it came to music. Talk about a singing man, my daddy sung his heart out whenever I seen him perform. The love I have for music, journalism, entertainment as a whole I want to build something great. So I look at like this rather we are artists, creatives, PR, or all the above each one of us are a GENEUS of our craft, that’s the foundation of Geneus R Us.

The one thing I can say is that this road has not been easy. It’s difficult for a few reasons being a black woman in a male dominant industry, being a media site that don’t give in to gossip or Trash Talk, and lastly not always having the funds to do all what I envision.

I went to this business understanding that I’ll do whatever it takes to do what my passion is music but to help others. So if that mean coming out of pocket to put together events, panels/workshops and so much more together to help one person it was all worth it.

Danielle Meeks-I think the pandemic actually helped, I say this because everyone is home working on their niche we’re able to connect with people all over the country in ways I would’ve never imagined. And thank god for IG live because it allows not only our followers but our guest’s followers to all connect. At the end of the day I feel like it’s all about networking.

Aasha Lewis-Redway- We definitely saw the need to provide an area for artists to voice the pain, joy, growth, whatever they were feeling by what they do best, music. In all that was going on we connected to so many people that birthed shows; We created Open Mic Live showcase, GENEUS Music Mondays, and Indie Talks, which provides an in-depth conversation with independent artists making waves in the industry.

The one thing I’ve learned and tell anyone is to keep going! Don’t think people are not paying attention, someone sees you. Keep being consistent and determined. I tell people all the time GENEUS will be just as big or bigger as Revolt or SXSW. Just keep the faith and stay working!

We’re very proud of this platform overall, but especially our Indie Music Awards.
The Geneus Indie music awards…I still can’t believe it happened! It goes right back to what I was saying about creating this space for the independent world. I literally spoke to Danielle top of 2021 saying I would love to do an award show for Indie artists. I literally took the vision and turned it into a reality. It was a lot of work to gathering the right team, location, production and so much. When I say I wanted to stop and pack it all up, but all I could think about is this opportunity for them. I thought about stages like the VMAs even the Grammys like this could be us too. So Danielle and I did it, made calls, made partnerships, worked day in and night out to pull it off. When day came it was better than expected, I saw wonderful artistry being displayed and of course relationships blooming. We had so many comments on how amazing it was to meet other songwriters, producers, and artists. It represented our mission: real music, real style, real people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OMG!!! This is hard because my friends know me anything music related, we going. So rather a good lounge, brunch with amazing DJ, or a good concert. It depends on what’s going on.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Aasha Lewis-Redway: I would like to dedicate or shout out to all of the independent artists who are working overtime and endlessly putting music/art to the world. This platform is for them and without them, we have no existence. Thank you!

Danielle Meeks: I’d like to dedicate this to anyone who feels like they don’t have everything figured out in life. It’s ok to work on bits and pieces but never give up. Leap into those opportunities you feel like you’re not qualified for. Network as much as possible and practice practice practice.

Website: www.GeneusRus.com

Instagram: @Geneusrus

Twitter: @Geneusrus

Facebook: @Geneusrus

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC9HXkgCKVyYEDAikLvedBAQ

Other: Personal IG’s Danielle- @ _Meekss Aasha- @ Aashalr

Image Credits
Dope i (@dooeiphotography)