Today we’d like to introduce you to ForEver DOPE Management Inc., Ebony Shinelle Spratley.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Well, I don’t think I am thee artist, but if it takes an artist to know an artist well then ARTIST, I will accept. I prefer to be acknowledged as someone who sees talent and appreciates art and creativity that I chose a life path that would allow for me to connect, educate and provide resources to independent creatives. You better believe I have a unique story.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY during the late 80’s and early 90’s I grew up in a time where music, school and family were all we knew, and often times they’d be intertwined; at school rehearsing plays or after school in the basement my uncles and cousins creating sets and bringing life to the block with the orange extension cord running from the 3rd floor apartment into the BOOM box playing all the latest hip hop sounds. Music was just a part of my life. It elevated to watching music videos at home after school to creating or joining a step team at every school I attended. Once out of school as an adult hip hop kept me cool, rap helped me lose weight and then I noticed music started to read me, my life. Heartbreak, breakups and triumphs it just seemed like music was growing with me.
By the time I was 26 music had gotten me through some hard times but it wasn’t until I met Erik “NOVEMBER” Spratley in 2012, did music begin to have a whole new meaning. I met November and almost instantly we connected from jokes to life experiences but music seemed to be the glue. He would give me a list of songs to listen to and then we’d stay on the phone for hours talking about them. I would discover his love for writing music and rapping in cyphers with his family in our courting phase and introducing him to my family made this into a business. With a home studio we would start Tweakin 24/7 Music Group. This group consisted of November, D’von (my younger brother), Sto 1 (my little cousin), It’s Manio Bih (November’s older cousin) and me the first lady, Eb. It was then we started to believe that this could be something. I may have started off writing but immediately turned into the group’s manager. Making sure songs got completed, sessions were made and kept.
It wasn’t long before we took November’s talents to the Studio and began working on his first solo project, entitled “Rude Awakening” released 11/25/2015. I then began to book November shows and interviews. I would go on to setting up collaborations, features for November as well as other underground artists throughout New York City. Strategically collaborating with models, producers, artists, media outlets, and more before deciding to relocate to Atlanta, Ga to grow in business, expand November’s audience and provide my services to creatives in Atlanta. ForEver DOPE Management was founded and developed in January 2018 in Atlanta, GA. When I discovered a need for Public Relations and Project /Production Management. I created the “sister” company to support seasoned Independent Artists with recurring projects throughout their career. I intend on offering Publishing opportunities in the future. As of November 2018, I have worked as PRoduction Manager on the completed TWISTED series (Season 1 & 2), Produced 2 Client Launch Events (Welcome to Emerald City, Trap Gala), Managed, singles: November’s “Without A Gun”, Martel Star ft. November & Rahim Brazil “Show Off” Remix, and several more, events and projects for Independent brands throughout Atlanta.
Please tell us about your art.
I create and manage creative projects while maintaining a balance between the public and the artist’s relationship with their public. I believe that everyone has a specific talent and that talent is a gift that should be shared with the world. Often times we as individuals have difficulty getting that gift out in a clear message, one that is inclusive as well as individual to each artist. I make that message loud and clear. Combining 18 years of corporate operations and 4 years entrepreneurial experience, I can relate to my clients giving them the best of both worlds, Management with attention to Public Relations details from someone who understands juggling life.
I named my companies with clear messages, Ebony Inc. A Public Relations Co. that is me. I operate as myself, no gimmicks no marketing ploys, I am who I am and this is what I do. ForEver DOPE Management, whatever I do I consider to be DOPE and the people placed in my path always Inspire me in some way, I like to consider them DOPE. My vision for ForEver DOPE Management is to create and produce projects that will FOREVER be DOPE!!! The music will go down in history and will represent the struggles and hard work that NO ONE can take away from you when you do it on your own, it represents our clients and our clients represent us.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
To know what’s for you is for you and that everything happens for a reason, find the lesson, learn it, and move forward. Life is much simpler and so is LOVE. I wish that early on I didn’t lose sight on the moments I was in. As I grew not only older and wiser, I realized that I missed the feeling of joy while in the state of struggle. Enjoy every minute of what it is that sets your soul on fire. Always follow your heart, it’s more accurate than the mind because the mind often wonders but the heart always stays on track.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am focused on servicing my clients, I decided that the best marketing would be to let the world into my experience from the beginning. I have been sharing via social media, mainly on my Instagram page @ebonyincprc but my work, honestly runs deeper than the surface. A lot of my work is done behind the scenes, I support and motivate, guide and provide positive thinking to everyone I encounter. I never know whose life I have changed by a conversation. I also do a lot of booking, scheduling, conferencing and planning in order to create visuals be it Entertainment, Fashion or in efforts to engage in charitable efforts.
People can support my work by supporting the independent brands that I service, finding interest in their work, attending their events, hiring talent, subscribing to their platforms and by simply being aware and spreading the word. My mission has always been to connect positive influencing brands to the underserved, while being able to influence the masses by bringing out natural talents and abilities in my clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: Atlanta, GA
- Phone: 470-301-9553
- Email: foreverdope2018@gmail.com
- Instagram: @foreverdopemngmnt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForEverDopeMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/foreverdopemmc
Image Credit:
@torchimagesphotos
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