Today we’d like to introduce you to RushDee Williams.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey has been a bit of fast forward, rewind, fast forward, and take a new route over and over again. I come from a small city in Michigan (Saginaw) with little to no resources in the music industry. Although it’s the birthplace of some legendary acts such as Larry Reynolds of The Dramatics and arguably one of the greatest musicians of all time, Stevie Wonder. It’s mostly known for sports. When it comes to athletes making it to the spotlight the numbers are endless. To name a few, we have Charles Rogers who played in the NFL from 2003 – 2005. Anthony Roberson, who played in the NBA for four seasons. Ronald Stanley, who went on to win a Super Bowl ring in 06’ with the Pittsburgh Steelers and inducted to Saginaw County Sports Hall Of Fame. Jason Richardson, who’s a 2x NBA dunk contest winner. Lamar Woodley, who went to the NFL to win a Super Bowl championship. Undefeated Professional Boxer Jermaine Franklin Jr., Draymond Green, 3x NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, and many more.
However, my journey wasn’t through sports. Around the age of 14-15, I made the decision to leave school and that made it impossible to “play sports”. Honestly, I had no plans of doing anything productive other than run the streets and put money in my pocket. Which most considered a sport as in my hometown, as crazy as it sounds. I’ll admit it wasn’t my proudest moment, but I believe every step we take leads us somewhere and I’m thankful to be where I am right now.
Coming from a musical background my grandmother (Annie Johnson- Williams) a church choir director/singer, my father playing the saxophone, conga drums, and in an early singing group with ‘The Dramatics’ Larry Reynolds, and a lot of long car karaoke road trips with my mom growing up, music became a deep passion of mine. Then one day a close friend of mine, more like a brother helped me believe this thing of being an artist could actually be real. We had three home studios (if that’s what you want to call them) between my older sister’s spare room in her basement, my godparent’s basement, and my entire house from the living room to the kitchen. Basically, wherever we could hang the microphone and put up egg cartons to soundproof it. That was really the foundation for what came ahead. It put me in my first space to practice producing and writing nonstop. Another close friend more like brother, Dame, was also very instrumental in my start. He pretty much did all of our production initially. He taught me a lot of what I know in production today and was a heavy influence. After that I bought my first production software, Reason. Before that I’d just chop samples and play them back all day. This time I actually put my money where my mouth was. When I saw I had a real talent for it, the rest was history!
I spent most of my days and nights studying the music industry. It was a completely different world from the streets I knew and grew up in. It was a world that only existed on TV. The more I went down the rabbit hole, the more intrigued I became with it. I was basically a young father by day, hustling when I wasn’t home, and a dreamer looking for a way out by night. This was when record companies were thriving. You could pretty much catch anybody in their office if you knew what to say. Funny story, back when Kevin Liles was over at Def Jam my brother and I came up with an elaborate plan to set up a meeting with him. There was a famous entertainment attorney, Londell McMillan. I can’t remember how we came across him, but we saw him in a meeting with Kevin Liles so we knew they knew each other. I called Def Jam and I said “hey, this is Londell McMllan can you connect me to Kevin Liles office?” His secretary says he’s not in but if you leave your number I’ll pass it along. Basically, it was no go. Five minutes later, I get a private call. “Hey Londell what’s up man how are you?” I was shocked. We didn’t actually plan on getting through! So here I am practically a kid pretending to be a grown man, his friend at that. He questioned me “Hey, that secretary who works in your office? The young one. What’s her name?” I reply “Mary? Yeah, she’s still here”. He was reluctant to respond but said “ohh…. Ok..”. Fast forward I say “yo so I got this artist I want you to meet can we set up a time?” He says “absolutely how about Thursday at 4?” That works perfectly, I reply. Then I drop the ball “yeah you’ll love him, he sounds just like Jay Z” and there’s an awkward silence. At the time, I didn’t understand the importance of artists sounding like themselves. Not to mention a potential sound a-like would mean creating competition with someone on their roster. So we set up the meeting and hang up. My brother and I go ballistic!! We just hung up with KEVIN LILES! Now we gotta come up with a plan to get from Saginaw, Michigan all the way to the Def Jam New York office in two days. Needless to say we didn’t go. No way we would’ve got in by NOT showing up with the very person that got us in.
After losing friends, relationships, time with family, money, more money, MORE money, inspiration, and motivation… I never lost faith & hope. I started networking more. That’s truly been my biggest asset, the ability to network. Another pivotal time was connecting with my friend and brother, Oscar-nominated TV/Film producer Randall Emmett. For those who may not know, he’s the executive producer of Starz Power, one of the producers on The Irishman directed by Martin Scorsese with an all-star leading cast (Robert Dinero, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci) along with many other movies including Denzel Washington and Marketing Wahlberg. I remember getting a notification he followed me on Instagram and I’m like nah this is fake, he doesn’t even have an IG. So I ignored it.. my curiosity made me wonder why would someone make a fake page of somebody who doesn’t even have an Instagram? I’m think nah he’s definitely too famous to be sitting on Instagram joining us in the theatrics of the social media craze. Let alone following a kid way in Saginaw, Mi! I remember sending 50 cent a message like “yo I think someone made a fake page of your boy Randall Emmett and they just followed me”. Next thing you know, I see 50 followed him. So now I’m like wait what the f*** this is real????? That was the beginning of a great friendship. Randall is truly a heaven sent friend. He gave me my first film placement as a composer. It was a Lionsgate feature film he executive produced under his company EFO Films, “Reprisal” starring legendary, Bruce Willis. Before that he gave me the opportunity to produce a soundtrack for Gotti starring John Travolta and Escape Plan starring Sylvester Stallone. Off topic, one time he gave my son a birthday post on Instagram and when I tell you my DM’s blew up, that’d be an understatement. I was flooded with music supervisors, directors, producers, opportunists, and fans. Never seen anything like it. I’m forever grateful for our friendship. He really put me in a space to further feed my children and show them what being ready for your window of opportunity when it comes can do for you. Now at this point, we’re not even friends, we’re family. Shout out to his fiancé who’s now like my family too, LaLa Kent. You may know her from Bravo’s hit reality show, Vanderpump Rules. She a really great person and we’re working on her album soon.
Ok, now we can get to the present day. Since all of that, I’ve launched a few companies and added a few credits and clients to my list. I’ve creative directed and written short films for some of your favorite artist’s including 50Cent, Fabolous, Don Q, Uncle Murda and the list goes on. I’ve established a record that’s allowed me the opportunity to work on even more artist projects and got some pretty big news to announce soon. Recently we launched BeGenius Records & publishing company and currently developing a few great artists you’ll be hearing about soon! On our BeGenius Management side of things, we manage songwriters and producers. We’re a multi-platinum firm that has amassed over 40M streams worldwide on projects ranging from Lil Wayne, Nipsey Hussle, Tory Lanez, MGK, Fabolous, Curren$y, Ice Cube as well as some huge projects in the works. This has also granted me a Billboard placement as a songwriter, as well as producer. BeGenius Productions is another company I’ve launched. It’s a TV/Film production company that staffs some pretty amazing talent who’s credits include several household name artists and brands (Beyoncé, Jay Z, Bon Jovi, Cardi B, Chris Brown, Lil Uzi, Future, Meek Mill, ABoogieWitDaHoodie, 50Cent, Carrie Underwood, Adidas, and so many more!) overall this journey has been very eye-opening and rewarding and I’m honored to be doing this with people I care about. Last but not least, we have BeGenius Clothing (www.EverythingBeGenius.com). I felt it was only right to give the people equity in supporting my ventures, and what better way than starting a clothing merchandise line. Some of my proudest moments locally were being able to help give back to high school graduates through partnering with Saginaw Foundation giving out scholarships and sharing my story with the youth. I have a few community colleges and universities that reached out to see how we can partner and help with music mentoring programs. That’s something I’m excited about. I’m just all around blessed and happy I’m where I am right now. And things are only getting started. I’m really looking forward to the release of Nipsey Hussle upcoming album that my client/partner Djay Cas and myself had the pleasure of working on. Starting with his breakthrough record “Keys 2 The City” now to his upcoming album after his Grammy Nominated Debut “Victory Lap”, it’s an overall honor to stay in tune with his legacy. Our last conversation sparked a film idea I can’t wait to develop and introduce to the world. I don’t want to say too much, but you’ll be seeing me developing some TV/Film content very soon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It most definitely wasn’t always a smooth road. Even with all that I’ve accomplished now, and so much more to do, it’s STILL a bumpy road! I think people have this idea in their heads that you can leave the streets and you’re set. Like the music business is God’s gift to the bottom. Not true, in a lot of ways this entertainment business can be even more lethal. And I don’t mean that physically. I mean that mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. It’s not harder or easier than any other struggle, I’ll say that. But if you think it’s as nice and shiny as it appears on TV you’ve got another thing coming. It’s made me a lot more introverted than what I was before. Energy speaks to me more than anything. It could be a room full of successful execs, if the air isn’t clean, and the vibes are off, I’ll take the stairs back down. I’ve also lost relationships due to being laser-focused on finding a loophole in. Half of my peers want me to put them on, and there’s another half that feels like they deserve what I’ve worked for. It’s crazy man.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BeGenius Records/MGMNT story. Tell us more about the business.
My umbrella is BeGenius, it consists of many different branches. Ranging from music distribution, management, publishing, video production, and a clothing brand as well as the endeavors in development. BeGenius is really gearing up to establish a mainstay in the entertainment world.
I’m so all over the place that “what are you known for” is a pretty loaded question. Especially since it’s such a huge gap from what I want to be known for. In this current moment, I want to be known as one of the greatest music execs in the world. Sound crazy don’t it? As crazy as Donald Trump becoming the President, or as crazy as a kid from Gary, Indiana becoming the “King of Pop” and one of the biggest musical influences planet earth has known? Don’t answer that lol. I’ll save my crazier ideas for our next interview.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe much in luck. I believe God gave us the will to go left or right, up or down, backwards or forward. Granted there’s consequences for making the wrong move, I believe you make your own luck. Like I said earlier, every step you take leads you somewhere. Look down at your feet right now… see where you’re standing? Whether it’s on a million-dollar balcony or in a pair of dusty shoes, it can reverse at any moment based on what some would call good luck or bad luck. Analogies are my second language. You gotta excuse me. Like a friend of mine said years ago, “you always talking that philosophical sh*t!” Lol
But to give more context to the question, God has definitely accompanied me thus far. I’ve beat too many odds to not be a believer.
Quick story, before I was born, the doctor told my mother she’d never have more children. After that recasting news, she began praying more for God’s will to remain solid and if it wasn’t meant, it wouldn’t be. One day, my mother and father met with Jonh Muhammad. He was the brother to the Honorable Elijah Muhamaad. He visited my grandfather and my father at the time being a member of the Nation of Islam made it a point to meet with him. My mom told him about her recent conversation with a doctor that left her in a deep depression. His response was, you’ll have another child and will you do it’ll be a boy. He gave them the name, RushDee. Shortly after that, she found out she was pregnant. Back then there was a procedure that was extremely new and not many doctors were adopting it. But with faith, my mother and father agreed to it. Every week my father had to drive my mother to get a shot and stitches to make sure she was able to have a healthy pregnancy. There were no other doctors who’d agree to do this except one. Fast forward, I was born.. but after my delivery someone shot and murdered the doctor. Crazy right? One of the reasons it’s hard for me to believe in luck when thus far I’ve been blessed!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EverythingBeGenius.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RushDeeOfficial
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/RushDeeOfficial
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RushDeeOfficial
Image Credit:
Juma Mounger courtesy of @ShotByJuma, Hazz courtesy of @HazzNYC, Marvin Bienamine
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