Mama, We Made It!

"Be you, stay you." Born and raised in the Arizona desert, where every sunset is a picture, and the landscape is a painting. It's not surprising that it would breed one of the most captivating, young photographers of our generation. But for Jacob, life wasn't always the perfect shot. Growing up, Jacob never liked being told what to do. Getting into trouble often, he found himself as the black sheep of his family, and eventually expelled from school. When you're labeled as the "bad kid" for so long, it can become your identity. Jacob wasn't a bad kid though, and it wasn't until college that everything changed. He left home, hit "reset", and started over. People gravitate towards you, when you can just be "you", and this was a time when he could just be "Jacob". With a father in the sports industry, it was a natural trajectory for Jacob to dive into that field. However, with photography becoming more than hobby, he was faced with a choice; follow in your father's foo

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"Pain is the first ten rungs on the ladder of success". From Brooklyn to Staten Island, John is 100% Sicilian and had the classic Italian upbringing. While we were eating PB&J sandwiches, he was throwing down chicken cutlet heroes (Shot out to Linizio). Being the only kid in a house full of parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, there was always a little bit of chaos, and a lot of love. Causing ruckus throughout his youth, John was the class-clown, and expert prankster. From getting kicked out of high school, and almost failing out of college, John struggled with finding his direction in life - until he realized the one thing that remained consistent; his camera. John was always shooting, collecting footage, and editing videos. Suddenly, a small dream began to manifest, and his journey began. He quickly fell deeply in love with the music industry, and brought his video skills to the table. Soon, he'd find himself leaving a life of laying wood floors in A

"You better love this, because it's not for the faint of heart". Moving to Hollywood, chasing big-screen dreams, and sacrificing everything for the rich and famous lifestyle is far from uncommon. But what if you're just a kid? For 6 yr old Brooklyn-born Vanessa Chester, it was only about one thing: working for that next Happy Meal toy. Every audition was a chance to shine, and before she knew it, she was working with some of the greats, from Big Bird, and Mr. Snuffleupagus, to Alfonso Cuarón and Steven Spielberg. Vanessa was self-admittedly, "that weird actor kid" and owned it 100%. But what truly makes a star? Some say talent and hard work, other says it's who you know. For Vanessa, it was always about being professional, regardless of your age. However, as a child navigating the entertainment business, it's crucial to get the proper support and guidance to survive. Luckily, it came from the most important and influential person in her life; her mot

"Have a plan in life, if you don't have a a plan you're not going to be confident" - says the guy who is among the top 1% in the mortgage business, rockin' a Stefano Ricci tie, Cartier belt, and rollin' in a 550 Benz. But what if we told you this same guy flunked the 2nd grade? Or that he was an all time C student? And that it took him 8 years just to make it through community college? The story of Francesco is one of true grit, tenacity, relentless drive, and confidence above all. With that, you can overcome anything. An LA native, Francesco's roots to the city run deep. Inspired by his mother and sister, he understood the importance of work ethic at an early age. On one end, he was a champion swimmer and can deliver the baddest Tae Kwon Do roundhouse kick at any moment. On the other, he was bouncing from school to school, hustling for work, while being the man of the house. Take a second to think back at what you were doing at 16 - now imagine if you had your own

You gotta know the rules to break them. Enter Matt Seigel. Growing up in Beverly Hills, Matt experienced the life we all aspire to provide for our families. One that was filled with love and possibility. He was a city kid, playing baseball, and the world was his oyster. When you have the opportunity to be whatever you desire, it may seem natural to "dream big". For Matt, there was only one thing he set out to be; a giver. As college approached, it was time to leave the bubble, and set out to discover. There, he was introduced to the love of his life, two turntables and a mixer. Music quickly became everything. It filled him with passion, creativity, and a new identity: MATTER. Becoming a DJ, and evolving to a producer, performer, band-mate, and artist, Matt gave music to the world, and was the glue that held it all together. But what happens when the glue leaves, and you want to do more than just "matter"? When you want to leave the identit

Let's take it back to the 90's, East LA, during a time when gangs were the culture, and you had to "be" from somewhere. Whether you like it or not, this is your bubble, and you either belong or don't belong. For Benny, it was a time of survival, and seeking the meaning of acceptance. Art soon became his anchor to exist, and painting, designing tattoos, and graffiti were his way to fit in. But in his heart, he wasn't himself, but rather a product of the environment. It wasn't until Benny discovered faith through Bahá'í, that the real quest began. He would soon find his voice through performing in prisons across the country, and find purpose through the inspiring conversations he'd have. That combination of voice and purpose became the foundation of his musical journey. However, as most know, the music industry can be ruthless, and as fast as he was pulled into it, he was thrown back out. While now battling with identity and self worth, he wo

Chasing dreams will make us do crazy things, but like Jimi Hendrix said, "You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven." For NoMBe, there was simply no other option. Growing up in Germany, he lived in a true melting pot of cultures. His father, a German artist-manager, and mother, a world-renowned model from Brooklyn. But, it was music that really touched NoMBe's soul when he first was introduced to piano, and encouraged to let his imagination run wild. As his path continued, with aspirations to be a producer, he would find himself dedicating every possible moment to crafting beats, inventing sounds, and creating musical landscapes that would soon become the foundation of his artistry. However, there's always "that" moment where life presents to us the person we could be vs. the person we should be; and if we're not careful, we can easily miss it.  For NoMBe, that moment came from an audition flyer stuck to the bottom of a shoe. That

The next time someone calls you weird, say "thank you". Earry Hall is the definition of weird (look it up). Growing up in South Side, Chicago, gangs were like teams, ball was life, and Earry was the dude rockin' bell bottoms, listening to Marvin Gaye. His role model was his mother; a protector, entrepreneur, and father figure. To her, Earry wasn't weird, he was "rare". Discovering art as a young kid, Earry would often get in trouble for drawing excessively in class. But it was in those moments where his mother would teach him the most important life lesson that would become the foundation of his entire journey; it's not wrong, it's just wrong timing. However, it wasn't until Earry made a college bet to start a business, that he truly understood what his mom was telling him. When we need to make money, we can often lose ourselves, sacrifice the things we love, forget what our passions are, and leave our happiness behind. But we have to remember, happiness is a choice, and a gift that we give ourselves. Wh

ISSA MOVIE!! Welcome to Elmhurst, Queens. One of the most culturally diverse places in NY. It was the 80's and young Steve Patiño was jumping rooftops, climbing fire escapes, with the soundtrack of Thriller, break beats of Hip Hop, bright colors of the graffiti painted trains, and the Mets win the World Series. Life was good, but the struggle was very real. Steve comes from a family line of merchants and learned the game at an early age from the best to ever do it; his Mama. Growing up in Queens was all about style and fashion, and with that comes power. From the Polo Head Lo-life crews to the Air Max drops, Steve did everything he could to support his fashion. But it wasn't until he turned a neighborhood shoe store into one of the hottest sneaker spots in all of NY, that "Sneaker" Steve was born. It was this moment that set Steve on his path to becoming one of the most groundbreaking and influential people in fashion history. However, as we know, the journey to the top brings many falls. But what's craz

A star can't shine without darkness. It's wild how tragedy often plays such a huge role in someone's success. For Marc, tragedy was almost like a way of life. Growing up in San Francisco, Marc was was raised in one of the most creative and thriving environments in the world. He was surrounded by a supportive family, and inspiring teachers. His mother gave him his music, his father gave him his voice. But it wasn't until his father passed away, when Marc discovered what that voice was. Being introduced to poetry slams, Marc quickly bonded to a community that understood his pain. It was there that he found his stage, and his voice. But just as he found his new self, Marc suffered another tragic moment, this time a life threatening medical issue. As we take you through Marc's story, from overcoming tragedy, to finding music, and becoming one of the illest singers in the game, you'll understand that his life is simply about happiness. Marc lives each day, knowing how little control o

Sometimes, before we reach the top we have to hit rock bottom. As terrifying as that may be, it's often the most pivotal and beautiful part of the journey. For Jaylien, it was simply necessary. Growing up in the heart of Mizzou, and the son of a choir singer and choir director, Jaylien had music in his blood from birth. But, it wasn't until after in high school when he centered in on his skills, and aspired to be the "hottest producer under 21" (shot out to Myspace). Before we go any further, and talk about all the producers he learned from, the hits he wrote, and legends he worked with, take a second and ask yourself - what is it all worth? If you had to sleep on the street, would you? If you had to go days without a bite to eat, would you? If you had to work at McDonalds in the day, and FedEx at night, just to make ends meet, would you? If you had to leave your child, knowing that this is all for her, could you? Ladies and Gentlemen, this is JAYLIE

This is for the one-two steppers, Harlem shakers, pop lockers, droppers, breakers, walkers, dabbers and even the Gangnam Stylers. It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or what you look like - dance is a true universal language that instantly brings the world together. For some of us, it's an escape from reality, a moment where we can be vulnerable and free. For others, it's just a way to turn up. For JD McElroy, dance was his identity. As a Korean kid, adopted by Irish-American parents from Boulder, Colorado, JD struggled with fitting in. Being bullied and getting into fights, it was tough to feel like he belonged. It wasn't until he discovered dance that he found a new place to call home. It was where he could be cool, accepted, and most importantly, himself. Dance consumed his life, and would soon take him on a journey to see the world with the biggest artists and performers in music. But, it's often in those moments of living our "dreams", we di

Let's be real, skateboarding wasn't always as glamorous as the X-Games, Big Air, and million dollar sponsorships. For most, it was an escape, something that bonded people together, and allowed you to define yourself. Nino Scalia was someone who had little stability growing up. Moving from city to city, there wasn't an opportunity to establish roots, or even have close friends - and if it did happen, it was taken away just as fast. When introduced to skateboarding, Nino instantly found something he could grab on to. As his family finally settled in South Philly, it was just in time for Nino to be a part of what became one of the most influential skateboarding cities in the world. With other greats, like Rob Dyrdek, Josh Kalis, Stevie Williams, and Jason Dill, there was a new age of pioneers to push skateboarding forward. Nino's story takes us through that special era and his days of skating (and getting arrested) at LOVE Park, becoming the Team Manage

It's often the most quiet people who have the most to say, so it's not surprising this episode with Meko Yohannes is our longest to date. Some may describe Meko as a creator, artist manager, record label president, strategist, etc. but we'll just call him "the silent assassin". But, before the life lessons of "eat what you kill" transpired, Meko was a young kid from Ontario, CA, who was searching for his identity while constantly being stripped of it. Moving around between mother and father, Ontario and Pasadena, California and Georgia... how can you know who you are, when you don't even know what the f*ck home is? But it's often in our most lost moments where we find ourselves. For Meko, it came down to one thing: he's not a failure. From there, with a little help from his sister, he was able to discover his potential, see possibility, and for once create something that he never had; dreams. Now, as DJ Mustard's manager and 10 Summers record label President, Meko knows exac

Everyone has a voice, and once you find it, sometimes you have to yell if you want to be heard. For Jeff Weiss, he found his voice through writing. However, well before that was a young kid, growing up in LA during the 90s, playing sports, and living among the bold influence of West Coast hip-hop. Jeff will even tell you he tried to be a rapper at one point, but let's be real, we all became rappers after The Chronic was released. It wasn't until a tragedy of a good friend took place, where Jeff began to find himself. Diving into writing his first book, writing wasn't just something he did, it was something that he was becoming. Not one to strive for the conventional life (ask his Dad how many times he fired him), Jeff took every opportunity he could to continue his journey as a writer, learning from the best, while letting his pen guide him. Now, over a decade later, he's created one of the most influential music blogs (Passion of the Weiss), runs the Biz

Take a second and think of a time where you had nothing to lose. It's not uncommon to feel like these moments are impossible to come by, when consumed with the fear of losing money, status, and career opportunities. But, if you ask Billy Hawkins, he'll tell you "you're always in a position of nothing to lose". Growing up in Southeast, Washington, D.C., when it was the murder capital, with a massive crack epidemic, Billy spent his days as a dreamer. On the inside, he's a self-proclaimed nerd, but on the outside, he was always looking for the next big hustle. It's hard to believe that a Harvard Law graduate, Morgan Stanley investment banker, and CAA literary agent barely made it through High School, but when you live without rules, the possibilities are endless.  This is a story about surviving, writing your own ticket, living without fear, and becoming exactly who you want to be... and for Billy, he has become a gardener, and Arsenic is his garden.   See a

B-Wade's story is like a modern day Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Raised in South Central, CA, by his Belizean mother and grandmother, life was good. Days were filled with reggae music, Belizean cuisine, and playing throughout the neighborhood. But, perspective didn't really set it until he was exposed to life outside of South Central, and into one of the wealthiest areas of LA. Before he knew it, he was playing in a mansion, eating at Whole Foods, and learning Photoshop. Possibility became reality, and his outlier journey began. However, it wasn't about seeking money or abundance for B-Wade. It was about building a better life, one that was guided by his art, while seeking for true happiness. From there, he's been able to work with some of today's illest artists like Big Sean, Travis Scott, DJ Mustard, etc. We are often told to "chase our dreams" and "work hard". But the reality of that can leave us confused, misguided, or unfocused.  

Lorenzo is your favorite creator's favorite creator. A classic man, a gentleman, The Essential Man. As an LA Native, living duel lives in South Central, and Culver City, CA, Lorenzo had a unique perspective that allowed him to see the world differently at a young age. Someone who was friends with everyone, but didn't really have friends. Ball is life, or art is life? When you're constantly being pulled in two directions, how could ever know where you really are? Ask Lorenzo, and he'll tell you he's right here, right now, and it's that simple. He takes us through his entrepreneurial journey of finding your identity, influencing a community, and building a brand. This is a story of creating opportunities out of mistakes, and realizing it's the "Simple Things" that truly bring us joy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you know Azad Naficy, formerly known as Azad Right, and currently known as just, Azad? Well, before we introduce him, let us give u a brief history lesson from the Mama We Made It™ perspective. The music industry is one of the most difficult industries to break into. For artists, it's a battle of finding your creative vision, trusting your instincts on how you see and process the world, and most importantly how you package all of those senses into song. The pressures are tremendous, the conditions are atrocious, but that's why so few make it. On the other hand, to make it as an executive, more importantly one that actually knows what the f*ck they're doing outside of connecting dots and "networking," you all know that guy/girl, you need grit, passion, undying love and knowledge of music, and most importantly, have the sensibility to rally executives and artists alike around ideas and concepts to ensure success. The ones that last, both artist and executive, are the ones that truly dedicate every waking mom