Industry Spotlight is the name of a new series of weekly interviews dedicated to sharing the inspirational stories of key individuals within the entertainment industries.
Damn it’s good to finally have my server sorted and the site running smooth again. Felt paralysed lately, not being able to post at all. But fingers crossed; it’s all working now.
Anyway, enough jibba jabba, cut the waffle and it’s time for another inspirational spotlight interview.
If you are into your Urban music whether it be Hip Hop, R&B or Grime, then I expect you will spend a lot of time on music blogs getting your fix for the latest news and free downloads. In late 2008 when I first started my quest for internet domination, I created an Urban Music blog. (Yep it’s still alive, but very much dormant; like a volcano I guess, who knows if it will erupt again).
Urban Music bloggers; like other journalists, compete for exclusives, rush to post headlines and love a free pair of VIP concert tickets. There are plenty of music bloggers; yet few are able to capture the essence of blogging and create a reputation that spans worldwide. Enter www.teamsuprememusic.com, in my opinion the most authentic and dedicated of the independent UK Urban blogs.
Founded by Lee Partridge, a young lad from just outside London; Lee says:
Team Supreme is all about the music; sharing the latest news, reviews and downloads and nurturing the local talent to give them a platform to grow.
On that note, I’ll let Lee fill you in on how he got into blogging and where he hopes it will take him.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Lee, 20 years old, and I co-own and run the UK urban blog music site www.teamsuprememusic.com alongside 3 other like-minded people.
How did you get into this industry?
Music has always been a big love of mine, but I never had any musical talent at all. With my friends from school, we always listened to indie music (which I still love to this day), but I always had that love for the more urban side. By starting the site along with Louis Gibzen, it was just a place for me to write about hip-hop, something I couldn’t do before. In all honestly the website started out as a hobby for me, and still is, but in the not too distant future I plan to expand and capitilize in it, bringing me more into the industry.
Was this how you had planned things to go or are you capitalising on opportunities and simply rolling with it?
A mixture really. Don’t be fooled into thinking blogging is easy, it takes a lot of time and hard work. With the way the internet moves these days, it’s like a 24 hour, 7 days a week job. So with that in mind, I’m impressed on how quickly we rised into being a pretty successful and well known blog. Things are at a bit of a standstill at the moment however due to many reasons. We have lots of plans to expand on our site, but lack the money/ability to do so right now.
Aside from that, we need to expand more into the actual music industry. The labels are slowly starting to recognize us. A lot of things are kept in a tight circle with industry the folks/DJ’s/journalists. Even many of the UK bloggers (with no disrespect to them) started either in the industry or as a journalist, whereas someone like me started out with blogging. I’m not prepared for the UK industry to remain in this state of mind; simply rolling with it is not an option for me.
We’re in a new era where anyone can create opportunities for themselves. Do you agree?
Yes, all you have to do is look at the internet and us guys at TS for an example. One day we decided to start a blog, went on wordpress and the rest is history. I’d definitely say it’s created many opportunites for me, chances to meet people I wouldn’t of otherwise, see artists perform etc. It opened my eyes to a different world really. However, sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do, others need to help create these opporunities if you’ve put the ground work in.
I feel that blogs are almost being ‘blackballed’ if you like, and I know I’m not the only blogger who feels this way. For example, take a look at the panel for the MTV Top 10 UK Rappers list or whatever it was. It was full of either journalists or DJ’s. You don’t see any love given from the industry for the bloggers, despite the fact that we pretty much give 24/7 to promoting all these artists for free.
Do we not deserve our say when we are a main point for artists to be heard?
Go to America and their panel would be nothing but bloggers. Although I agree that you should never give up, keep working hard constantly, make your own luck and all of that, sometimes you need that extra push from someone else. Another great example is Lil’ B. As an artist he is awful, but he utilizes the internet so well, he’s quickly becoming a huge artist, and the opportunities he creates for himself are incredible.
Would you rather have 100,000 twitter followers to market to or an extra £10,000?
I’d normally answer twitter followers, however at this current time I’d take the £10,000 so that I can bring all my plans for TeamSupreme to life. Part of the money would also be used to market, bringing the extra twitter followers anyway.
What one thing can you not live without?
West Ham United. I’ll say no more and await an editor’s note for this bit!
Author’s note: Slightly regretting doing this spotlight on Lee after that comment.
If you wasn’t in this field, what would you be doing?
Probably something to do with sports science and exercise, as that’s what I studied at college. Got bored of it though.
With so many talkers and gamers out there claiming to be experts and influencers. Do you consider yourself a smooth talker, a real talker or a don’t talk to me i’m not a talker?
I like to think I talk a lot of sense. Although I won’t randomly start critising someone or something for no reason, if something needs to be said, you damn right I’ll say it. I don’t expect to be at the top of the music game, but I won’t let anyone stand in my way of me or our site progressing. The answers above might show this a bit!
Name three people who have inspired you in your life.
- Trevor Brooking: The ultimate display of loyalty, remained a West Ham player his entire career. There aren’t many of them around these days, no matter what the job.
- Dream McLean and Siris: I’m not cheating, just counting these guys as one lol. I started promoting these guys exclusively through TS right near the start, so just as they were really beginning their music journey, I was too. It’s almost like they’ve been there the whole time, part of TS. From the first project’s of their’s we put onto TS, to me getting them a set on Westwood’s show (i’m in the back) and their own progression, it’s been fantastic to watch these two guys grow almost simultaneously to the site. We still release brand new music from the pair now, so be on the look out for that. It’s also inspiring to see two of the most talented UK artists I know have that much will to succeed. It’s been hard for them living outside of London (they’re Essex lads), but they haven’t let this slow them down, they just knuckle down and work hard.
- Adrian: Old college tutor. He just used to have so much fun and made stuff (lessons etc.) enjoyable for everyone, whilst somehow managing to make us all complete our work. Definitely something that should be done in jobs within the music industry.
Special mention: Luca! And not just because I’ve read the previous installements of this series lol. He’s always been very helpful since I first started talking to him whether it be plans for TS, plans for me personally or whatever.
If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Hancock? Is there anything he can’t do? To be honest I just wanted to say something other people are unlikely to, ha.
Author’s note: Good answer son!
What does the future have in store for you?
Hopefully a lot of success, and eventually a job more within the music industry rather than just blogging.
And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to young creative minds, what would it be?
Just be yourself, remain humble and don’t let anyone tell you what to do. And the most important thing; music is meant to be fun… SO HAVE SOME DAMN FUN!
Team Supreme are also on Twitter where you can get instant updates on the latest Urban Music and of course that link again to the Team Supreme blog.
Get to know Lee further by following him on Twitter (expect mood swings dependent on West Ham’s latest result) and you can check out his personal blog entitled ‘9am in London’ also.
[ok] If you want to suggest somebody who you believe needs a spotlight shone on their head, drop me a line via the contact page or hit me up on Twitter. Thanks[/ok]