Introductions

An interview with Tyrone Hinds, an Artist Manager who has worked with iconic artists. A professional with an unquestionable work ethic and want and need to help people. He talks about his past, present and future in the music business.

Chance Meeting 

They say that fate plays a part in everyone’s life and a chance meeting at a coffee shop in London was certainly a day that I will never forget. I’ve known Tyrone for about two years, personally and professionally, you are left feeling that you always need to know more. I managed to catch up with him and got to know a little bit more about how he started in an industry we often take for granted.

Inspiration

A mother’s passion for music and house parties was possibly the main reason, I sat back in my chair as his voice tones created authenticity in his words and there was a sense that he genially enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with me. 

Introductions

It was an introduction from a friend back in 2001 (Vino Joseph) that kick-started his career with up and coming names; DMX & Mobb Deep who were iconic brands at the then Stratford Rex Club.

I was curious about his need to get involved with the promotional side of the business. It soon became apparent that his involvement with Ms. Dynamite was the main catalyst.


He often mentions his desire to be someone who is regarded as a mentor and that is something that resonates with his personality traits. Sympathetic voice tones almost want you to stop talking and just listen. His presence and persona still etched in my mind as I fondly recall the time we spent together at a chance meeting with another of his artists; Chyna Soulstar.

“Hard work is the key to elevation, nothing will land in your lap sitting around doing nothing, contact, communication and hard work is key, try not to follow the ideas of others, but rather learn to listen to the voice within yourself, there are plenty of talented people, but are lazy, not driven and someone who is less talented but is hungry can go that much further, hunger is the most important factor” 

– Tyrone Hinds

Fame

There is no comparison between the industry then and now.

After nine months of touring with her nationally in what could only be described as a true push to establish a brand name, Ms. Dynamite was signed to Polydor/ Universal and management were expected to follow. This was a career-defining event and an opportunity that Tyrone was truly grateful for.

White Label Records

Since the underground scene was being recognised as a formidable force in getting artists known outside the traditional arena, I asked for a definition to define the expression; “White Label” and it’s significance to underground music for the audience and he was only too happy to patiently define it for me. “A white label record is not released via a record label” (a reference was made to Vinyl record formats).  

If you looked at a record and it had a no text display, it was most probably produced mainly for the underground scene but could still hit the sales numbers required to make it a hit.

Underground

Tyrone never underestimated the power of records produced this way, he developed something of a following from DJ’s and magazines.

Bubbling

I already had a picture in my mind of the old days since he and I share the same age but how did it measure up? He paused and took a long breath so I knew he had a lot to say and that it was a fond memory and one that he wanted to share. 

Designer wear, no expense spared in displaying wealth and less skin exposed for both sexes. It was a vibrant scene a sort of elegant finishing that you wouldn’t expect to see today. The Garage scene which gripped the music industry at that time produced hit after hit and was not going anywhere with destinations like Ibiza paying homage to a very different sound. 

The Present Tense

Everyone’s a producer/ promoter or at least involved in some way since technology has turned bedrooms into makeshift studios. Making music is in reach for anyone who has a passion to produce. 

I wanted to know more about how the thought that the music industry would change. This seemed to flow almost as if he has answered this question a thousand times. “ Good music is still good music and that won’t change, making money is down to experience in my opinion”.

Not looking for the next big thing is one way to focus on the task at hand, Tyrone currently has five artists and to shed more light on what he does, I have compiled a list on the following page which I think followers of this genre may be interested in.

As our time was running out, I would like to thank him for the time he has given to the networking magazine and his belief in me as a writer. It was certainly of interest to meet the man behind the music, long may it continue.