About this episodeSaint Frm LA discusses his journey as a 23-year-old independent artist from Mid-City LA, highlighting the infl…AI summary
Saint Frm LA discusses his journey as a 23-year-old independent artist from Mid-City LA, highlighting the influence of parents who played both classic hip-hop and gospel music. He details the operational realities of independence, including managing all aspects of production and distribution while working multiple jobs, and emphasizes building a tight-knit team of trusted collaborators over hiring external management.
Key takeaways 6
Saint Frm LA's musical foundation was shaped by parents playing Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' and Drake's 'Take Care' when he was 12, alongside church music and Luther Vandross.
He models his business structure after Kendrick Lamar (PG Lane), J. Cole (Dreamville), and Drake (OVO), focusing on building a cohesive team ('B.U. Entertainment') with trusted friends rather than traditional labels.
Independence requires the artist to handle all logistics including album covers, distribution, PR runs, and LLC formation, which creates significant stress despite the creative freedom.
Saint works three jobs (event throwing, Outlet LA, and a weed shop) to fund his career, noting that the weed shop job is chosen for schedule flexibility rather than industry involvement.
His creative process has evolved from writing extensively in phone notes to improvising flows over beats in the studio, particularly for singing parts.
He addresses the tension between maintaining personal relationships (like marriage) and the industry's expectation of a 'single' image, citing J. Cole's '4 Your Eyez Only' and Kendrick's recent work as examples of navigating this.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“Independence means you and whoever is connected to you... you got to figure out album covers you got to figure out distribution you got to figure out PR runs... all that stuff is stuff we think about.”
▶ 8:15Saint explains the comprehensive burden of responsibility that comes with being an independent artist without label support.
“If you can't match that energy and support me as well as I support myself I don't see a point in having you around right now.”
▶ 16:40Saint justifies why he operates without management, setting a high standard for his collaborators to be equally invested.
“I'm still learning I can tell when I'm being surface level artist and when I'm getting a little bit deeper but um I'm still learning.”
▶ 5:51Saint reflects on his struggle with vulnerability in his music, inspired by artists like Kendrick Lamar who share deep trauma.
“It's the Matrix don't pop pills are elevated to a level where the real and fake or segregated.”
▶ 19:40A lyric from his freestyle demonstrating his focus on authenticity and distinguishing himself from 'fake' artists in the industry.
Chapters & Sections (47)▼
0:00Artist's Early Life and Musical Influenceschapter4
0:00Interview with a Young Musician from LA
1:02Family Influences on Music Appreciation
1:29Early Passion for Music Creation
1:50Influences on Music Style and Preferences
2:41Music Influences and Parental Guidancechapter2
2:41Music Influences from Childhood
3:24Music Appreciation and Nostalgia Conversation
4:11Lessons from Kendrick and Drake as Entrepreneurschapter2
4:11Business Lessons from Kendrick and Drake
5:13Artists' Vulnerability in Music Creation
5:47Artist's Struggle with Vulnerability and Sacrificechapter3
5:47Vulnerability in Artistic Expression
6:11Artist Discusses New Album and Inspiration
6:36Artist Career Sacrifices and Self Doubt
7:14Music Distribution and Independencechapter2
7:14Music Distribution and Industry Evolution
7:55Independence in Music Industry Challenges
8:42Independent Artist Struggles with Freedom and Stresschapter2
8:42Independent Artist Struggles with Freedom and Stress
9:21Career Ambitions and Multiple Part-Time Jobs
10:04Rapper's Creative Process and Personal Lifechapter3
10:04Changing Schedule and Creative Process
10:35Rap Music Creation Process
11:12Conversation about Social Life and Dating
11:40Navigating Relationships in the Music Industrychapter2
11:40Relationships in the Music Industry
12:17Balancing Relationships and Music Career
13:12Young MC and Bust A Move Discussionchapter4
13:12Balancing Business and Personal Life
13:46Discussion about song meaning and dance
14:11Artist Shares Party Story with NWA
14:40Party with NWA and Frat Issues
15:19Team Dynamics and Energy in Performancechapter5
15:19Working at a Party and Performing
15:46Team Energy and Core Values Discussion
16:15Collaboration with Brothers in Music Industry
16:46Encouragement for Young Musician's Burden
17:20Interview with First Time Show Guest
17:52Confident Rapper Asserts Skills and Experiencechapter2
17:52Confident Rapper Discusses Success and Identity
18:44Kevin Gates Discusses His Rapping Skills
19:24Confidence and Self-Esteem in the Entertainment Industrychapter4
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