Meet Zeplyn Tillman | CEO & Media Producer

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

Hi Zeplyn, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success as well as the success of any brand I’ve ever been a part of helping to build is the dedication and commitment from the team to any one common goal. I know that it’s cliche to say no one woman or man is an island, but legitimately, if you are going to build anything – your ability to communicate and get other’s inspired by that vision is imperative. Even if you can’t afford to pay them in the beginning – figure out how you can add value to their lives and build something that gets people excited to want to build with you.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the CEO of The Neo Elite, it is a new digital content studio built for Millennials and Gen. Z. We create branded and original entertainment at the intersection of music, culture, and telling our generation’s stories. We began in 2016, and over the last 5 years – we have produced tv series, radio shows, podcasts, and content for native digital platforms. The most popular media brand we’ve co-created is entitled AMPD Official, and we created it with the goal of providing a platform for the upcoming and current generation of artists from our culture to give them a high quality home that wasn’t rooted in shade or gossip but focused on the art. Hip Hop is hands down the #1 culture in the world, but yet the people from the community that hip hop was birthed out of own very little means of the ways its distributed – across media platforms, the dissemination of content, streaming services; and other ancillary income like concert promotion companies, merchandising, royalty collecting services, etc…In order for a community to be free, they have to participate in the ownership of the things they consume and interact with on a daily basis. So at its core – AMPD is a space dedicated to pushing & protecting the creative, economic, and health (mind, body, spirit) of artists in the current and upcoming generations; so we can push it further than the ones before us have. First and foremost, I believe I have been successful, because of the grace of God – I was afforded great opportunities from those around me AND I took advantage of them. I have a saying that no matter where you are from, if you want it, everyone gets at least one shot in life – – it’s just about whether you are able to IDENTIFY that shot in the moment, and capitalize off of it. Nothing in business is ever easy – but it’s a marathon, not a sprint – so you figure it out along the way. I constantly learn through reading, asking people for advice, studying the success and failures of others, and constantly staying true to our mission. Along the way I’ve learned you have to be clear on what you are doing. Without clarity you will lack the language to communicate your goals with others. Above else seek clarity.

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 love Atlanta as a city. I’m from the DMV (by way of Northern VA), and I am still getting accustomed to the ATL, and all that it has to offer. However, I love good food, and I love all things cultural. If they arrived on Friday evening, we’d probably head to Zaxby’s or J.R. Crickets for some food – and then dip to the Trap Museum. Growing up – Andre 3000 & T.I. were my favorite artists, and artists from the south helped me to understand my love for Hip Hop, so I think that’d be nice to show that off first. The next day, we’d head to the Gathering Spot, founded by some of my big brothers – Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen, 2 guys I went to Georgetown with and have known for a decade plus now. I’ve always been inspired by what they’ve built and Ryan is someone who I’ve tapped into for advice along my entrepreneurial journey at every step; they also have GREAT Food. After that, I’d probably head outside of the city and find something in nature to do. I like being outdoors, and so finding a spot for hiking would be very cool. I’d end the trip by taking them to another spot owned by another partner of mine, Corey, called The Culture Experience. The museum is beautiful, and I was introduced to it by Pops (Founder of the Talk2Pops brand) also, our AMPD partner in Atlanta, and it showcases black culture and the nostalgic parts of our community effortlessly. It’s great for photos for the gram to – so we’d head there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout Jesus – First, Second, Third and Fourth. I mentioned this in the answer to what is the most important part of my success and my brand’s success – and it is my entire team that on a day to day, basis works with me. It is the mentors who over the last decade of poured into me. It’s my family, my friends, my business partners, lawyers, producers, photographers, editors, journalists…My support team is responsible for all my success – I am nothing without them. I am a culmination of the energy that surrounds me – and allows me to create without stifling the ideas. Forever Grateful.

Website: https://www.theneoelite.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeplynxavier/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeplyn-tillman-4638b288/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AMPDOFFICIAL

Image Credits
Shaughn Cooper Austin Parks Derek Admana Kai Tsehay