How EMPIRE's Ghazi Married Tech with Culture & Reimagined the Music Industry | IDEA GENERATION

Ойын-сауық

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Founder, engineer, and pioneer Ghazi Shami takes us on a journey from his youth in San Francisco falling in love with the buzzing Bay Area music scene, to taking a tech job in Silicon Valley, to combining those two worlds together to create his wildly successful music company, EMPIRE.
In this episode hear how Ghazi started out as an engineer and opened his own recording studio at the age of 18, found a job in technology and brought new ideas to the music industry, and then put it all together to distribute the debut album of a then relatively unknown artist by the name of Kendrick Lamar.
Act I
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Childhood, father's work ethic, parents running a laundromat
4:10 - First experiences working on music
6:01 - Going to San Francisco State to study audio engineering
8:00 - Buying his first studio, working with The Game, leaving Silicon Valley
Act II
11:05 - Working with Ingrooves, merging technology and culture
12:45 - Starting EMPIRE, early days
14:00 - When to work with an artist, making an artist comfortable
15:50 - First EMPIRE releases, working with TDE and Kendrick Lamar
17:10 - Growing EMPIRE brick by brick
20:40 - Adding label services to EMPIRE
Act III
22:08 - Cultivating great artist relationships, building for long term success
25:00 - Touring the EMPIRE office
26:35 - Making the website easy, going international
30:20 - Not taking on investments, remaining the sole proprietor
32:00 - The future and beyond
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Credits
Noah Callahan-Bever
Creator & Host, Idea Generation
Starring: Ghazi
Musical Director: A-Trak
Animations by: Sang Bleu / IDEA GENERATION
Executive Producers: Helena Ox, Tricia Clarke-Stone and John Walaszek
Producer: Adam Fleischer
Creative Director + Editor: Kyle Gaughan
Produced by: Only Ch1ld
DP: Jeremy Mcnamara
Producers: Matthew Justus, Spencer Kehe, Sam Miller
Line Producer: Sabrina Mota
Cam Op: Logan Parsley
Sound: Adriano Bravo
MUA: Carla Grace Fajardo
PA: Marcus Gomez
Security: Timothy Overall
Special thanks to:
Peter Kadin
Samyah Ahmed
Shot on:
Canon
Special thanks to our partners at Shopify for bringing this experience to life.
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Пікірлер: 98

  • @btienterprises9306
    @btienterprises9306 Жыл бұрын

    Ghazi got that look in his eyes like you know he ain’t playing he get shit done 💯

  • @rileyrussill
    @rileyrussill Жыл бұрын

    I don't have a job, I have purpose. That resonated. Another fantastic episode.

  • @RBLPosse
    @RBLPosse Жыл бұрын

    Super Dope inspirational interview. One of the best, if not the best business partners I ever had, and still have👍🏾I love Ghazi ✊🏾He forever changed my life, Preciate cha my Guy 🙏🏾🙏🏾

  • @daprmslm
    @daprmslm Жыл бұрын

    the amount of game Ghazi dropped is insane. I can see why legends like Dolph, Money Man, Albee Al worked and work with em

  • @ssmfetti
    @ssmfetti Жыл бұрын

    As a distributer you can release any project as you have no ties to it & still make a percentage. As a label, any project you release you get more percentages(50%) as you have also invested resources into it. Basically, it's like Walmart with cashiers & self check out.. More so how he facilitates majority of services as well.

  • @jalisamarshall4706
    @jalisamarshall4706 Жыл бұрын

    I cannot get enough of this show! Every time I think "This is the best episode!" you deliver again and again! Thank you Noah! 💙🙏🏽

  • @TheDoknoh

    @TheDoknoh

    Жыл бұрын

    🙏🙏🙏

  • @retroriggs195

    @retroriggs195

    Жыл бұрын

    My sentiments exactly 💯

  • @YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially
    @YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially Жыл бұрын

    damn... all self funded.... YOU NOW HOW FUCKING HARD THAT IS.......! HOLY SHIT CAUSE I FUND MY OWN STUDIO BUT SHIT GETS EXHAUSTING. 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥 DUDE IS AN ALIEN FOR SURE.!

  • @memberguestmedia
    @memberguestmedia Жыл бұрын

    Might be the best one yet. He is brilliant and insanely disciplined.

  • @therealguce1755
    @therealguce1755 Жыл бұрын

    Guce Bully Wit Fullys My Brother Ghazi..Dope interview. The best business partner I ever had, and still have since early 2000s I love Ghazi and He has taught me a lot through out my career til this day. I appreciate you bro. A lot of memories and more to come. Ghazi is as solid as they come with this business 💯❤️✊🏾🙏🏾 Great Job Idea Generation 💪🏾

  • @jfifthb
    @jfifthb Жыл бұрын

    great episode, this guy is really inspiring. so many great records have been made possible through EMPIRE. one interview I would request for the future is Joe Kay from Soulection

  • @dantaemay5868
    @dantaemay5868 Жыл бұрын

    This is needed for the next generation of Industry execs. Appreciate y’all Noah $ Ghazi for these. 💎

  • @virajkavle5451
    @virajkavle5451 Жыл бұрын

    Keep inspiring us, Ghazi! As a college student in SF who loves the music business more than anything else, your journey has inspired me the most.EMPIRE TO THE MOON BOY.

  • @LaynoProd
    @LaynoProd Жыл бұрын

    legendary interview shoutout Ghazi and Idea Generation! i closely relate to Ghazi's story on being regimented due to his family's immigrant upbringing and sacrifices as well as success meaning having autonomy and doing what you want when you want and being in charge of your own career and life, thank you! - LaynoProd

  • @GromoOfficial
    @GromoOfficial Жыл бұрын

    Every time I question life in the industry, a video from Idea Generation gets me back on my feet. These videos help me so much all around and are so inspiring. Thank you for keep delivering quality content Idea Generation & NCB 🙏🙌💥

  • @diemmermelendez
    @diemmermelendez Жыл бұрын

    Great episode! Much respect to Ghazi. Fully independent and never took funding. That’s insane! This is hands down my favorite KZread channel. Please keep delivering great content 🙏🏼

  • @Jaycy
    @Jaycy6 ай бұрын

    The Power of Understanding People. Watching and listening to Ghazi made me feel so motivated man, huge inspiration! Very very good interview. Thanks Noah! 👊🏾

  • @emmanyoul
    @emmanyoul Жыл бұрын

    Ghazi been at it since for a while, ik it feels good for him to watch it all come together. Very Inspiring!

  • @kingdomcitizenship5613
    @kingdomcitizenship5613 Жыл бұрын

    Super intelligent people use their hands to talk

  • @3xEStudios
    @3xEStudios Жыл бұрын

    I’m that kid from East Palo Alto ca who respects tf out of the hustle you have rogue. 🔐🏆 I’m hearing so much of my own story though you rogue. Thanks for letting me know it’s always more work to do. ♻️♻️♻️ - DiNo / 3XE STUDIOS

  • @Bucknorris
    @Bucknorris Жыл бұрын

    THIS!!! I’ve waited a little while to watch this video since it first came out. I’ve Known of & about Ghazi & Empire for a long time. But wanted to watch Ghazi’s Move’s and do a little more research before I watched it… and My Overall thought is THIS!!! This Is Exactly What I Needed At THIS very Moment. I appreciate both #ghazi and #ideageneral for the video most of all, the MF’n Transparent EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM!!! If this comment is every read or I was to talk with Ghazi face to face, I’d say this in these comment’s and face to face as well. Considering the fact Ghazi is is in My Top 5 People that I want to have lengthy conversation with So with being said I have a feeling that we will be talking face to face at some point in the future. So for now, I’ll tell you this … “You probably hear this all the time but first off, Thank You, not for just what you’ve done in the music industry but also making Me Feel “Normal” and also we are much more alike than I ever thought and you probably don’t believe Me and until I get the opportunity to show you, my example would be you know how you and your friends plan a trip, usually it’s you and your greatest friend who come up with the idea… and about 6 hours into the Trip you’re already annoyed with each other (The Greatest Friend you set it up with) and about 36 hours into the trip you’re screaming at each other like brother’s and by the end of the trip it’s a quiet ride home. And of course, I’m last to get dropped off, and after everyone gets dropped off and we pull on my Street one of starts talking, saying “it’s all love” and “it’s things like this that show you that blood doesn’t make family” and the other one says “Family Forever Bro” …. Much younger Men of course. But if you know what I’m saying and understand what I’m saying… you probably work at #empire or are partners with Ghazi lol 😂 Everyone in this video, All of Y’all are very much appreciated from #bucknorris #welcometobucksworld #whothefxckisbuck #iloveyall3680

  • @RCrdro1
    @RCrdro1 Жыл бұрын

    Best episode so far! Gained a lot of respect for Ghazi after this, I would definitely love to work with him and for Empire!

  • @PPCCO.
    @PPCCO. Жыл бұрын

    Dope interview. I remember the interviewer from the other platform, fam is in my top 5. Perfect questions and he just lets them talk

  • @luizleocadio1849
    @luizleocadio1849 Жыл бұрын

    This is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing it!

  • @jswitay
    @jswitay Жыл бұрын

    Y’all just don’t miss with these interviews 🌋

  • @snellbeast_jasonsnell
    @snellbeast_jasonsnell Жыл бұрын

    So inspirational! Thank you for this amazing series! So GOOD! I'm a Ghazi fan now!

  • @SugarDaddyScottie
    @SugarDaddyScottie Жыл бұрын

    one of the greatest shows on KZread

  • @IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL

    @IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL

    Жыл бұрын

    wow thank you!

  • @YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially

    @YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially

    Жыл бұрын

    @@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL facts no lie i've been watching since day one.!

  • @ronaldnkhuwaii
    @ronaldnkhuwaii Жыл бұрын

    Ghazi is super intelligent and very knowledgeable. 🕯🕯to coffee with Ghazi 🙏🏾 Thanks Noah.

  • @IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL

    @IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL

    Жыл бұрын

    🙌

  • @itsjamesrush
    @itsjamesrush Жыл бұрын

    Man this guys voice is so dope!!!!

  • @grngrngreen247
    @grngrngreen247 Жыл бұрын

    This was just great, thanks 👍🏾🔥🔥🔥

  • @free_dumb9845
    @free_dumb9845 Жыл бұрын

    A lot of 💎 💎💎💎💎💎💎’s dropped 😤. Great interview!!!!!!

  • @Art_Travel_and_Hobbys
    @Art_Travel_and_Hobbys Жыл бұрын

    Great interview it explains a lot about inquiries I had of this company with what I was hearing... 🧐👊🏿👍🏿

  • @EsotericArnold
    @EsotericArnold Жыл бұрын

    hands down this guy is the Man. dude said: 'I dont have a job, I have purpose.'

  • @SFNena415
    @SFNena4155 ай бұрын

    Shout out Ghazi for blessin us with AllBlack

  • @JamesVader47xx
    @JamesVader47xx Жыл бұрын

    Thank this exactly what I needed today

  • @WHATYOUKNOWTV
    @WHATYOUKNOWTV22 күн бұрын

    Amazing interview !!!

  • @churamontgomery6063
    @churamontgomery6063 Жыл бұрын

    That is great thank you, confidence will take you a long way.

  • @churamontgomery6063
    @churamontgomery6063 Жыл бұрын

    I watched every video of you thank you it was great.

  • @Massbossrecords
    @Massbossrecords Жыл бұрын

    This is great.Love this

  • @kvcactus
    @kvcactus Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this ☺️

  • @MajorTheGeneral
    @MajorTheGeneral Жыл бұрын

    I'm just now realizing this dropped on my birthday so I'll just embrace my destiny much gratitude for the free 💎'z

  • @dre7sus
    @dre7sus Жыл бұрын

    Incredible interview 👑 💯

  • @SunnyLicious
    @SunnyLicious Жыл бұрын

    What an inspirational story!

  • @damegrand2954
    @damegrand29549 ай бұрын

    Great interview.

  • @simeonyoung3801
    @simeonyoung3801 Жыл бұрын

    Best interview ever

  • @dunkley7776
    @dunkley7776 Жыл бұрын

    The potency in the formulation of his sentences…..

  • @mbamboshsanele6733
    @mbamboshsanele6733 Жыл бұрын

    Shoutout to Ghazi, super inspired +

  • @unpublicized
    @unpublicized Жыл бұрын

    these videos really good

  • @BThatDope
    @BThatDope Жыл бұрын

    All love to Ghazi

  • @HardtimesRecords
    @HardtimesRecords Жыл бұрын

    Good interview

  • @007phokus
    @007phokus Жыл бұрын

    Dope!!!

  • @TNGAntisocial
    @TNGAntisocial Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 🙏

  • @Biluxi
    @Biluxi Жыл бұрын

    Inspiring.

  • @ibrahimmusa9798
    @ibrahimmusa979811 ай бұрын

    Keep up the good work bro. May Allah Bless You

  • @steps2uccess
    @steps2uccess Жыл бұрын

    Great show 🫡

  • @imani828
    @imani828 Жыл бұрын

    bro needs to start a podcast

  • @nicholasali2182
    @nicholasali2182 Жыл бұрын

    HIM SAYING HIS HUNGER FOR MORE IS INSATIABLE SAYS ALOT WHEN YOU SEE THE TRACK RECORD. INSIDIOUS AF💯

  • @jpkaneshida242
    @jpkaneshida242 Жыл бұрын

    Super inspiring I don't listen to hip hop anymore, but Ghazi's story is... if he's not The American Dream, what is???

  • @producedbyghost.writer
    @producedbyghost.writer Жыл бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥

  • @1621world
    @1621world Жыл бұрын

    And that is how u pimp the music industry

  • @amilibcn2828
    @amilibcn2828 Жыл бұрын

    I want to work with this person.

  • @mr26ix
    @mr26ix Жыл бұрын

    🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

  • @thenumiami850
    @thenumiami850 Жыл бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @etleo3811
    @etleo3811 Жыл бұрын

    ❤️🙌🏾❤️

  • @leonelnotmessi
    @leonelnotmessi Жыл бұрын

    Gems

  • @bandzcambando9989
    @bandzcambando9989 Жыл бұрын

    GHAZI LETS WORK

  • @Mabu_Himself
    @Mabu_Himself Жыл бұрын

    He took vertical intergration seriously 🫡

  • @elonnelson5024
    @elonnelson5024 Жыл бұрын

    💎👨🏾‍🏫

  • @DIVERSEMUSICBRAND
    @DIVERSEMUSICBRAND Жыл бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @willowwale2000
    @willowwale2000 Жыл бұрын

    Man, it's obvious that this guy is either putting hits out on his artists and collecting the insurance or someone wants his company

  • @d3vp131

    @d3vp131

    Жыл бұрын

    Damn you’re dumb. Every corporation, label, or league that deals in high dollar contracted services has insurance policies on those contracts to protect themselves. A man that’s giving poor kids an opportunity to better their lives instantly is actually being downgraded by the ignorant as wrong. Silly. It’s not his fault that those that get the money still want to be gangbangers and gangsters. We need to look inward and control what we can control and stop making excuses for out communities being dumb and ignorant.

  • @willowwale2000

    @willowwale2000

    Жыл бұрын

    @@d3vp131 Like I said, it's either this guy is collecting insurance or someone wants this Arab's company and they're just squeezing him out. I don't need advice from you.

  • @lisafullz8242
    @lisafullz8242 Жыл бұрын

    👍🏾

  • @grinduntiludie
    @grinduntiludie Жыл бұрын

    Ghazi Sharp Asf

  • @Chrisbethinking
    @Chrisbethinking Жыл бұрын

    Rap music's grim reaper...

  • @ssingh6030
    @ssingh6030 Жыл бұрын

    It’s really sad.. Gazi hang with all my opps.. is he opp too?

  • @bigjorge863
    @bigjorge863 Жыл бұрын

    Why alot of his artists dying tho??

  • @obliviox
    @obliviox Жыл бұрын

    Lol hey it the grim reaper 🤣

  • @R.Williamss
    @R.Williamss24 күн бұрын

    XXX, drakeyo.

  • @jordiesantoso1037
    @jordiesantoso103710 ай бұрын

    Yatuhan semoga gaji gw di naikin sesuai dengan yg gw inginkan amin

  • @nicholasali2182
    @nicholasali2182 Жыл бұрын

    IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST DON'T FUCK WITH EMPIRE💯

  • @tijdverspillingmedia
    @tijdverspillingmedia Жыл бұрын

    0:09 in control of your own decisions making? But what happens to xxx tentacion? And young Dolph was that also his decision making or universals?

  • @larrytan73
    @larrytan73 Жыл бұрын

    Ghazi not one black or brown person works for empire! ..Maybe i'm wrong . Kinda like your cool with that one guy that you would never let in your house!

  • @peabody573

    @peabody573

    Жыл бұрын

    “Maybe I’m wrong” maybe check first

  • @SLAUSONGIRL
    @SLAUSONGIRL Жыл бұрын

    whose culture though? not his. smh.

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