Today we’d like to introduce you to Rehan Jay Manickam.
Hi Rehan Jay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Rehan Jay. Music has played a significant role in my life since I was ten years old. Growing up in a Southeast Asian household, it was important to engage in various developmental activities alongside academics. Piano lessons were part of that process, even though I initially disliked them. My strict instructor made it a challenging experience, but it laid the foundation for my ability to express myself through music.
As I grew older, contemporary music on the radio sparked an emotional connection in me. I began experimenting with contemporary songs on the piano, delving into a simpler yet more emotionally impactful world of music. This deepened my passion for music, and with the support of my family, I realized that it held a deeper calling and purpose in my life.
During my high school years, I developed a keen interest in audio engineering, which allowed me to explore the technical side of music. I immersed myself in various aspects of production, including singing in the choir, playing keys, and handling sound engineering and lighting design for musical theater productions. Despite going against the grain in an academically focused environment, my mentors and teachers recognized the value of pursuing my passion alongside my academics.
When the time came to choose a college path, I initially considered pursuing medicine due to my proficiency in biological sciences and mathematics. However, I knew deep down that my true passion lay in music. So, I made the decision to move back to Toronto, my birthplace, to explore music in a different cultural context. I saw this as an opportunity to pursue a career in music while being exposed to North American music culture.
Upon moving to Boston for my dream school, Berklee College of Music, my focus shifted to film scoring. However, I soon realized that my true passion lay in music business and audio engineering. I discovered that the Music Business major combined my previous skills in writing and mathematics, making it a natural fit. Additionally, I pursued Music Production & Engineering and worked hard to present a strong case for my admission.
During my college years, I spent a transformative year abroad in Berklee’s campus in Valencia, Spain. This experience provided me with cultural exposure and helped me stay connected to my immigrant roots. I thrived in the engineering world during my third year, working with various engineers, producers, and artists. This journey led me to develop a passion for artist development and A&R, utilizing my nuanced ear for contemporary genres like R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop.
Throughout my college journey, I had the privilege of working with talented artists and producers who believed in my vision. I managed a mixer named Benjamin Desoto and started my career as an A&R with artist Nia Ashleigh. These experiences expanded my network and allowed me to learn and grow alongside my clients. Working at LVRN Records as an intern further sharpened my skills and provided valuable industry insights.
After graduation, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my vision. I moved to Los Angeles, pursuing a full-time role with LVRN Records as their youngest and only A&R Coordinator, Lead Engineer, and Radio Producer. After spending considerable time developing our roster, working with executives, and spearheading the engineering sphere for the label, I realized the true potential I embodied as a corporate creative and decided to develop my management business, alongside my clients Ben Desoto, and recent addition Zach Bahn. Through this experience, I was able to leverage a production deal for my artist, Nia Ashleigh with JustForTheRecord Studios and
Moritz Braun. This studio became a hub for incredible talent and allowed me to further expand my career as an A&R and executive.
I have been fortunate to work with a wide range of artists, producers, and executives who have supported my journey. Building strong relationships and delivering exceptional work, I have earned platinum credits with artists like Summer Walker and Lil Durk. Alongside managing my clients’ careers, I continue to foster a community of talented individuals who share my vision.
My story is still unfolding, but I am excited about the future. With Nia Ashleigh signed to JustForTheRecord and working closely with other emerging talents, I am confident that we will make a lasting impact in the industry. My passion, dedication, and willingness to learn have been the driving forces behind my journey, and I am committed to pushing boundaries and achieving greatness with my team and family in the music industry. I’m incredibly excited for my journey ahead with Legion Management and Christian McCurdy as an A&R Manager and Engineer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, it has been an incredibly difficult road for me personally, for us as a team and family. As with any growing organization, team dynamics and personal understandings take time but more importantly, experience to flourish and overcome. We’re collectively blessed to have a handful of very successful executives who are now friends and mentors more than anything else along the way. They’ve taught us the value in struggle and determination but are also a testament to the necessary ability to face the worst in the world and still be able to pour the back the best into it.
Without going into too much detail, there is no chance I would be where I’m at without the grace of God and their consistent support and willingness to show up, show out and be there every step of the way. From battling immigration issues to being 20,000 USD in debt, it has taken a lot for me to give everything I have financially and energetically, not just for myself but for my team and the people I believe in. It’s arguably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face in my life, everybody dreams of pouring back into their loved ones, their families, their friends, and themselves but to achieve what you envision for yourself and by extension those around you. I’ve learnt to embrace losing what I have first to make myself available and receptive to the blessings that will come my way, and those already present in my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By profession, I’m an A&R Manager and Engineer at Legion Management. Legion is a full-service creative brand with management and publishing divisions hosting some of the most prolific artists, songwriters, and producers within the music industry. Boasting the likes of Nija Charles, Lu Kala, KDDO, Jack Rochon, Von Waters, Serg Dior, and Hoops, we specialize in true creative development. We are a close-knit team with a client-centric focus headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, operating globally. We approach business with a new lens and offer marketing, branding, development, and studio to all clients. I’m proud to say we lead with respect and grace in all our business operations and consistently present ourselves as high-level marketers at core.
At Legion, I’m responsible along with Alex Raphael (Head of A&R) for finding and signing recording artists, songs, songwriters, and producers as well as leading artist development efforts for designated clients. We represent both the clientele and team at the highest level. Led by Christian McCurdy, the entire team (Mballa, Stephanie, BLU) is the perfect embodiment of a high-level executive team.
Part of what makes me really good at my job with creatives is still functioning as a current recording and mastering engineer. These are the things I’m known for in the creative. On a larger scale, I’m most proud of my ability to connect the right people in the right spaces to make something incredible happen on a musically creative level, be it DJs, artists, writers, producers, or studios. Being able to build a community that is incredibly saturated with high-level talent is what I’m most proud of through my continuing work in the industry.
We really bridge the gaps between developing creatives and established systems in the music business and having unrestricted access with high-quality products and creatives is what sets us apart as an entity.
At the age of 23, having the portfolio that I’m proud to represent as an engineer alongside genuine relationships with my people is really what makes the difference for an artist or team or label that works with me. You know exactly what I can do at a high level, you know the people I’ve done it for, and you know that I’m genuinely invested in your art succeeding and creatively penetrating the music industry today.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Absolutely — it taught me to be kinder to myself and those in the industry. We all work extremely long hours in highly stressful environments that are often based on serving the art form, the consumer, or the industry in general. This can very easily become taxing mentally and spiritually but also bandwidth wise so you really must take the time to be yourself and dive deeper before you can skillfully prioritize and execute.
COVID really pushed me to be extremely resourceful and creative with not just my time and services but also in my development of all the various things I have going on. It gave me the opportunity to buckle down and build up certain revenue streams and business structures really well for both me and my team, but also taught me how to execute high-level work with professionalism and still have an output that is consistent and meets the demands of the music industry. Consumer demand didn’t slow down in music if anything it increased numerically but also qualitatively in terms of what fans are looking for. Being able to meet these expectations across the board whilst being extremely intentional with what I have access to was super important to learn. It really defined a lot of approaches I personally take with my clients and work, but also for my team. If you can successfully still provide value through a crisis and impact the world with art that is meaningful and competitive, the potential to succeed otherwise is tenfold.
Pricing:
- Recording & Vocal Production: $75 to $100 an hour
- Mastering: $100 to $550 a master
- Mixing for Labels: $1500 a mix
- Mixing for Indie Clients: $1000 a mix
- Connecting and building with the community & network: invaluable and free of charge!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/rehanjaym
- Other: [email protected]
