Today we’d like to introduce you to Touré Ali.
Hi Touré, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my career as a graphic design/photography intern at Karmaloop. Like most young college kids, I was trying to find my footing in corporate America through interning and networking while finishing my undergraduate degree. Between work projects, I’d use my free time to do photoshoots for my portfolio using clothes Karmaloop sold. This allowed me to build a collection of work I later leveraged to secure my first major corporate gig with Adidas during my junior year of undergrad. Adidas, for me, was when everything started to click. I was fortunate to work with the Originals team during the Yeezy 350 and NMD launches while learning the ins and outs of footwear and product marketing. After finishing my final year of undergrad, I pivoted from footwear to advertising. Still focusing on my love for marketing and creative, but I wanted to deepen my understanding of the two and thought that working in advertising would help. So I packed my bags and headed for New York to work at Brooklyn-based agency Laundry Service while getting my master’s in media management from The New School. After spending over two years at LS, I decided to transition to the music industry after a friend recommended that I look into digital marketing. Through my freelance photography work and time at LS, I worked with a few musicians, so the idea of working in music was familiar. I put my two weeks in at LS and, after a series of interviews, began working at Columbia Records in 2019. Since then, I’ve been at the label overseeing projects on the Hip-Hop/R&B side of the roster.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, it’s been a smooth road for me. I can’t say that I’ve had struggles that have shifted my course or made me reconsider my journey. I’m blessed that I’ve been able to stay the course. If I had to say, though, I’d say staying motivated is the biggest struggle. Sometimes as creatives, we get discouraged or feel like we’re not doing enough, but you just have to know success is coming and keep moving forward in that direction.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Overall, I’m known for my ability to wear many hats. There are days I’m a strategist/social media manager and have to execute rollout campaigns. On other days, I’m a production manager and oversee content shoots. Some days, I give art/creative direction while planning rollout campaigns, and there are other days when I’m producing content. A lot goes into my role, but that keeps things exciting.
I’m most proud of the work I’ve done for our roster. I’ve enjoyed seeing developing artists go from zero to 100 and working with legends who’ve changed culture. I can’t say there’s one specific project I’m proud of cause there are great moments with everyone.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are a few people I give credit to for helping me along the way throughout my journey. For starters, I don’t think I’d be anywhere without the love and support of my parents. They encouraged me to chase my dreams and have been there every step of the way. My brother and my friends kept me grounded, inspired, and motivated to keep going.
There are so many people I’ve met along this journey. They may not know it, but everyone has helped me get to this point, and my only mission moving forward is to make everyone proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tourexali.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tourexali/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tourexali/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TourexAli
Image Credits
Touré Ali headshot image by Nehemiah Brent Photo of Touré Ali & Fivio Foreign shot by James Baxter Photo of Touré Ali & Q shot by Raymond Alva Photo of Touré Ali & Chlöe Bailey shot by Julian Dakdouk Photos of Lil Tjay, KayCyy, Chlöe Bailey & Fivio Foreign shot by Touré Ali
