Meet Jay “Pop” Richardson | Co-Owner / Director of Artist Development & Relations of The Stachehaus

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay “Pop” Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay “Pop”, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Well unfortunately, outsiders, as well as aspiring artist, only see the end results. They don’t realize how much work and consistency goes into the process of making music. Key words “WORK” AND “CONSISTENCY”.

Singles and Albums don’t just go Gold or Platinum, there is a lot of work, not just from the creatives( artist / producers) , but from publicist, managers, marketing teams and , distributors. Each one has to see the vision and put in work to make it all come together. Now there is no guarantee, even if all that happens, that you get a platinum hit, but it sure ups the odds on having a better song and / or album.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have never wanted to be an artist in this industry. I enjoy the the magic done by these creative individuals, when it comes to putting a song together. I am amazed by how a producer pulls a single sound out the air and that is the foundation he uses to build and compose a track. i am then amazed by how a songwriter can take that same beat and hear the words their head that perfectly matches that beat. I say that to say , what separates me, is that i am an advocate for those creatives.

So over the years starting as a promoter of poetry events, to managing artist , to now being an executive at the label we have created, i am always concerned about trying to be a teacher to artist. I don’t know everything about the business but I have always said to them, “I hope you learn at least one thing from me that makes you a better artist”.
The industry has taught me things over the years as well. Key , know that this is the music business… and with business to succeed, know where the sharks lie and learn how to work around them.

This past year I am most proud of helping Fendi Frost, an artist out of Chicago get 1.6 million + Streams on Spotify, for his single, “Exhausting” , which helped him get the recognition he deserves and my team secure our first platinum plaque for the label , after only one year.

I want everyone to know that The Stachehaus brand is building to be a true player in this industry, that’s why our motto says we are “Ambassadors of the Next Generation of Music”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
C’mon , Its The ATL baby! Where can’t you go, any day of the week!! I been in the A, for long time, to see Old Atlanta turn into New Atlanta. I hit all the spots at one time or another, And I know a lot of the promoters out here, one being my nephew. So since I don’t get a check for promoting anywhere and I don’t want to leave out anyone that I know, I’m just gonna say y’all know what it is in the A..

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As I don’t see my journey at is fruition, I first want to shout out all the artist past and present that i have worked with. I also would like to give a big shoutout to two of the OG producers in the game, JazzePha and DJ Toomp, because in my first venture into the music industry, as a relatively unknown manager and company, Jazze provided one of my artist, with a track. Though that artist didn’t exercise his full potential in releasing song, over the year, I watched him (JazzePha ) grind and have relentless work ethic, that has taken him to the heights of being a platinum producer.

Secondly, DJ Toomp, when he was just starting with TI, took time to work with one of my artist and that allowed me to be a part of the BET Artist of the Verge tour. I see consistency in DJ Toomp, because even when he was working at the start of one of Atlanta’s and music’s biggest artist , he still helped the up & coming artist. He was consistent in always looking to help new talent.

Another person is my business partner, Dre the URL, for believing in me to start and build The Stachehaus record & distribution label. He’s worked with some of today’s biggest and platinum artist from all genres, while at Raydar Entertainment and Universal Music Group. I appreciate him valuing my knowledge and years of working in the industry.

Website: http://www.thestachehaus.com

Instagram: @Stachehauspop

Twitter: @Stachehauspop