Waka Flocka recently took over Nashville with a concert at Brooklyn Bowl and a keynote speech at Tennessee State University.
Waka started the day as the keynote speaker at the second annual Music Business Accelerator Program at TSU, presented in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), Nashville Music Equality, the Recording Industry Association of America, and Wasserman Music.
Waka and Prophet, Co-Founder / Co-Chair of BMAC dropped gems of industry wisdom in their words to TSU Students in attendance at the East Iris Studios in Nashville.
Waka chose one lucky TSU student, Mille Manny, to open his show that night at the Brooklyn Bowl. An emerging artist from Memphis, TN, Mille Manny made the most of his opportunity. During his opening performance, Mille Manny performed 4 songs, “All In”, “Foreign Lover,” “Trumpets and Trophies,” and “Peace in You.”
Waka closed the night for a sold out audience with hits like “No Hands,” “Hard in Da Paint,” “Grove St. Party,” and “Wild Boy.”
In attendance were students from the 2023 and 2022 editions of the Music Business Accelerator Program from TSU. The Music Business Accelerator Program, powered by Amazon Music, offers Black college students in Tennessee career resources to help them break into the music industry.
With an emphasis on mentorship, the Coalition brings in executives and artists to guest lecture throughout the program. This year’s program is sponsored by Primary Wave’s BMAC-James Brown Education Fund, a fund announced at BMAC’s second Music In Action Awards Gala, that will grow annually and will cover the costs for 30 students to take this elective class for free.
The 2023 Maymester Music Accelerator follows in the footsteps of last year’s successful inaugural program, which placed students in opportune internships across multiple music industry companies, including Wasserman Music, Warner Music Nashville, and LVRN. The program included speakers from various sectors of the music business, including recording artists BRELAND, Blanco Brown and Joy Oladokun, team members for artists like Post Malone and Mary J. Blige, plus representatives from companies like Wasserman Music, YouTube Music, Goldenvoice, BMG, and EMPIRE.
The program concluded with guest lectures from super producer Dallas Austin and recording artist Sir The Baptist, both of whom received an honorary doctorate in music from TSU that month. The last class was held at the National Museum of African American Music, where each student was surprised with their very own gold plaque from the RIAA.
This year’s program aims to continue last year’s wide-ranging curriculum and impressive list of guest speakers, while instilling a strong sense of social responsibilities.
Stay tuned for many more announcements from BMAC about the program.