Today we’d like to introduce you to Nayan Kessee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started making a business plan while incarcerated for operating a record label. I taught myself through college correspondence courses in prison and created a business plan for a hip hop label. While incarcerated, I earned three associates degrees, with business being my primary focus, I learned the pro and cons of business and educated myself on how to be successful.
I also got accepted into CSULA while in prison, and when I paroled August of 2016, I used financial aid money to fund the label. I released one project on DatPiff, and in 2017 trademarked the logo for Top Side Entertainment. I uploaded my first video on YouTube to 3 channels and 2 of the 3 channels did 10k views in one month on the same video. Although I didn’t distribute a project, I released another mixtape on SoundCloud that did well and helped me create a following.
In 2019, I made songs produced by Mustard, and Boi1da with over 500k plays each. 2020 I’m distributing my mixtape, “IIW4M” on all streaming services. This is the full version as opposed to the EP that was released in February 2019. With close to 20 tracks, this is going to be my first classic. I’m working with some of the most talented producers and artist of today, I can’t wait to see the fan’s reaction. I just started my YouTube channel this year after going on several viral interviews, and dropping videos on viral channels, I built up a decent level of traffic with my name being the topic. It’s seven months into the year my channel has 15.8k subscribers and nearly a million views between four uploads.
Has it been a smooth road?
While incarcerated, I lost five friends. Serving ten years at the age of 18 and getting out at 28 can be very stressful. When people die and you can’t even go to the funeral, it hurt you have to wait to tell them goodbye. While I was on parole, I also lost seven friends and lost three this year separate from the seven I just mentioned. With all this death going on, it motivated me to succeed and live out the dream. I also lost two of my family members while incarcerated, my uncle and auntie who raised me. I was validated by IPD for being a gang member in February 2020, which was three months before I graduated in May 2020. I felt like nothing could stop me, and I just recently got taken out the database for graduating college.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Top Side – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Top Side is a hip hop record label that started as a street movement for the area top of the hill on Crenshaw in Inglewood. The culture is all about self-made success and keeping it solid. Although Top aside is almost a decade old, the company was established in 2017 as an entertainment business. We are about making quality music and helping talented artist reach their potential to be great. Top Side is known for making hardcore street anthems and music for ladies to twerk to, but the music is universal. These songs have translated into hundreds of thousands of views and created a consistent following for my content. I’m most proud of how Top Side has evolved. What sets us apart from everybody else, we work with the most talented artist and producers, from Grammy winners to local acts, to create a new sound. Our consistency and musical growth allow us to produce a sound that is original and catchy.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is the opportunity. I love how this is the entertainment capital of the world, and we have so many people around that can help us reach our goals. There is no other city that has more designated professionals to the entertainment industry that are willing to help you make it. That love and bond amongst professionals and aspiring artists is what I love most about LA. What I dislike about the city is you got too many people trying to be something they not, lying to they self everyday, instead of being honest and loving themselves for being them.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3236706649
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nayanthekeyz
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoW5cm5kFWGAJpDU-OS15Rg
Image Credit:
Nayan Kessee
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
