Today we’d like to introduce you to Malissa “Mali” Hunter.
Mali, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started producing music in Chicago for ad agencies like Leo Burnette & FCB. I took the long road to make sure I understood how to monetize my work along with being able to gauge who were my colleagues and who were my friends, and you know, who had my best interest in mind and who didn’t. The business side of the entertainment industry is tricky if you don’t know who you are rolling with & what game you’re playing. I started building solid relationships outta high school, asked a ton of questions from successful people that I looked up to, and found ways to add value to their lives. Patience, hard work, diligence; and learning skills like promotions, marketing, and branding were my saving graces.
Has it been a smooth road?
Lol! Nothing was smooth about my journey. My struggles were many – a real challenge was learning how to create music and make money without selling my soul. Also, getting over the trauma in my childhood and unlearning some of the things ingrained in me that I needed to change. Growing up in the music industry and keeping my core values & having good character wasn’t cool when I started. As a singer/songwriter people thought I should really just shut up, conform, and perform. They wanted me to forget about being a producer and “tap dance.” At the time, there were only a small handful of women being bosses and now look — I’m so glad I didn’t listen.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the EarthGirl & TreeSound story. Tell us more about your work.
The EarthGirl movement really started in 2008 when I brought 100 girls from all over the country to TreeSound from the Girl Scouts of America to be creative and bond. Throughout the years I’ve done small gatherings for my female peers across various industries as well as student organizations from Spelman College and Clark Atlanta. When I decided to go big with the EarthGirl Creative Camp, it was to really establish a safe haven for girls to make music without limitations and judgement. We had over 3000 women from all ages that came together to commune with one other for a week-long event of support for woman creatives with health, wellness, and self care being key components. EarthGirl is committed to making the world a better place by elevating creative women on the planet and supporting females through entrepreneurship, education and the arts. I just want to continue empowering girls to create, collaborate and challenge cultural norms that impact us as women.
Being partners in the legendary TreeSound Studios has been a dream come true. It’s a special place and I was blessed to grow up and gain so much experience and knowledge there over the past 15 yrs. I specialize personally in caring for my clients which is easy to do because most are my personal friends, or artists that are working with my pals. I’m so grateful for Groove Chambers who brought me into a partnership at the studio with the guys there all those years ago. Groove and I truly care for the artists and the artistry, that’s what set us apart.
The Retnuh Agency was birthed from the need to help my label clients to supplement their lacking budgets in the early 2000’s. We have been able to co-brand with our corporate clients like Coca Cola, Nike, Toyota, Shea Moisture, Constellation Brands & others. Multicultural marketing & talent provision is easy when you live and breathe the culture daily. I’m proud to be able to help my friends secure partnerships that make sense for them as a brand along with assisting my corporate friends in getting the right exposure for their brands and talent that aligns with their companies.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Although I’ve owned and partnered in several studios during my lifetime it’s never been a really lucrative move for me. That’s why I say I do it for the culture as I never intended to book studio space and time to just anyone like a hotel. For me if you’re making music that touches and influences the world, the studio’s got to be a sacred place. The energy needs to be protected at all times. It’s always been a labor of love for me because I believe in positively pushing the culture forward. As for the future for me – it’s music, publishing, and partnerships.
I started the StoneWood label and a movement about ten years ago & my partner that I mentioned earlier, GRAMMY Nominated Multi Platinum Producer/A&R James “Groove” Chamber and I have slowly been brewing up some of the most talented producers & artists in the world. Two of our guys have Missy Elliot’s 1st single after she’d been on hiatus for over 10 years & a few other soon to be released singles after recording over 125 songs with her. That’s just one of the many things I’m excited about. Really the fact that it’s a female owned entity and 75% of our writers, producers and artists are all women!! That’s what excites me! Also my partnership with Jennifer Insogna on our female owned pub catalogs are changing the game and making history partnering with the likes of Viacom and others to help place the music we are making. Over the next decade, I look forward to women continuing to hone their crafts, collaborate, and get the artistic opportunities and recognition they deserve while lifting the next one up and holding the door open — or busting through it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Iam_Mali
- Email: Mali@theretnuhagency.com
Image Credit:
Xavier Shorthouse – Photographer
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