The Secret to the Creative Process? Don’t Stop Dreaming!
Last weekend’s Artist Workshop: Making Magic (The Creative Process) was a true celebration of creativity, bringing together some of the most talented and innovative minds in the music/entertainment industry. Music producers Duane DaRock Ramos, Erik Willis, and John Silva, along with our key panelist, creative artist and Artist Workshop founder Shyan Selah, shared their insights and experiences on the creative process, offering valuable advice and inspiration to aspiring musicians, music producers, and anyone else hoping to break into the business we call entertainment.
The event kicked off with a lively conversation between the four artists, discussing the importance of collaboration, sustaining your dream, and taking risks in the creative process.
Each panelist shared how their unique journey led them to their current path. For Duane DaRock, a notable producer who has worked with industry heavyweights such as Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, and Nicki Minaj, it was having his music demos stolen the day before he was to present them to Ice Cube that caused him to pivot and began producing music for other artists.
For Erik Willis it was leaving his hometown of Federal Way to attend the historically black college, Howard University all the way across the country. There he met multiple musicians including the chart topping R&B groups Dru Hill and Shai as well as famed comedian Marlon Wayans – all of which led to life-long friendships and a career touring the world performing and composing music for TV and film.
Hip Hop producer John Silva went against the grain and left California to live in Federal Way, WA but that hasn’t stopped him from producing for some of the greatest hip hop artists of our generation including Rick Ross, E-40, Too $hort, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and more, in addition to creating his own production company and record label, High Powered Entertainment.
As always, every panelist featured at The Artist Workshop come from Shyan Selah’s own personal network and every one of this month’s guest panelists have worked closely with the multi-talented artist known for his unique blend of soul, rock, and hip-hop. Shyan, who’s also an author, actor, and producer of film and television, has gained a tremendous amount of respect from his peers through his ability to create special projects with major brands such as his Cafe Noir Project at Starbucks, and his podcast LIFE being distributed via TUBI and Fox Soul this spring. The creative entrepreneur has additional deals with other major television networks and global media brands currently in development.
Shyan maintained his creative approach was to stay focused as he highlighted the importance of authenticity, passion, and storytelling. As the founder of Brave New World Enterprises and the Selah Foundation, Shyan encouraged artists to trust their instincts and take creative risks, especially if it means stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
Throughout the event, the panelists engaged with the audience with a Q&A after lunch that was catered by Chick-fil-A. This workshop was one of our most popular ones with every seat filled so panelists stayed after to continue to answer questions and offer personalized advice to aspiring musicians and music producers well after the workshop officially ended.
Before we officially called it a wrap it was announced that Artist Workshop member, Jadin Hawkins won the raffle to accompany Brave New World Enterprises, to this year’s North American Music Merchant (NAMM) show in Anaheim, California in April. Another lucky Artist Workshop member who submits a winning Video EPK will be named the next winner for this unique career-building opportunity.
Overall March’s Artist Workshop was a continued message of encouraging our participants to embrace their individuality, follow their passions, and never give up on their creative dreams.
Make sure to continue to follow our panelists and we look forward to seeing you at the next workshop!
