In the city of Los Angeles, there is a guy that some refer to as the unofficial mayor of the city because he knows everyone and can bring any element together with ease! He is witty, insightful, his instincts are keen and at the end of the day he knows how to get the job done. Please meet Adrian Miller.
THS: Thanks for sitting down with us. Let’s just jump right in! How did you become interested in the entertainment industry?
AM:
I’ve always loved music and I’ve been interested in how it makes me move and feel. I was a break dancer as a kid. I grew up learning how to move to the infectious sounds of Cameo‘s “Shake Your Pants” and “Double Dutch Bus” and “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now“. I was at a talent show at Sportsmens park and saw two guys breaking and popping in one of the guys was standing next to a speaker facing down on the floor and I kept asking my dad why that speaker was facing the floor and not facing us so that we could hear the dynamic and he said that the guy couldn’t hear and he was popping off of the vibrations of the music and that’s what showed me another way that we capture frequency.
THS: Wow! Music definitely moves us all differently. OK then, did you ever think you’d see this level of success in your career?
AM:
I mean, we’re always hopeful for success, but I would’ve never dreamed it would happen to me. I don’t really think of myself as being successful. I just know that every day I’m blessed with the opportunity to keep going. Trust me, I’m not trying to give you a humble answer I just really feel like that. Every day is a blessing to continue forward and everyone I meet along the path I consider family. Perhaps I’m being a little gullible but I’m actually just being me.
THS: So many people erroneously believe that it is easy to be a manager. Which skill sets would you say are necessary to be good at this extra hard gig?
AM:
You should work for some good managers first and foremost and understand what it takes to be one. I’ve worked for; Paul Stewart, Grandma Armstrong, Steven Rifkind, Amanda Demme and Happy Walters. All of those jobs got me ready to work for Benny Medina and after that, I felt compelled to be able to do my job at his level. I’m still learning every day what it takes to be a good manager. But in the interest of helping others, you have to be in a place where you really feel comfortable with yourself. See, the key to success is making sure you don’t know too much of anything and you’re willing to learn everything. You must love what you do.
THS: How did you know that Anderson .Paak was someone you wanted to manage?
AM:
His energy was infectious, his talent was phenomenal and once upon a time he actually listened to me. Fact is, I listened to him just as much. He had a couple of records that really stood out that we still haven’t released to this day.
THS: Who are you currently working with and how did you meet them?
AM:
I’ll keep this short and sweet! My roster is ever-growing. Currently, I run the record label OBE with Anderson .Paak, The Free Nationals and NxWorries. I also work very closely with Poo Bear and I manage Mereba. Recently, I was partnered into the company Delicious Vinyl Island and we launched with several new talents. Ommas Keith and I have started a label called A Tiny Universe.
THS: Man, that’s definitely a whole plate full of entertainment goodness right there!
AM:
So, to say the least I’m pretty busy and enjoying what I do in the business of entertainment!
THS: We hear that you are also a huge art supporter. How did you get into art collection?
AM:
Collecting art was not something I felt I needed to do but it was something I wanted to do. We’ve always supported the visual art construct because we’ve always needed album cover artwork for the records that we release. So, I actually started collecting and supporting art walking into a random art dealers gallery in West Hollywood buying some rare pieces that I’ve had since 1993. I’ve been hooked every since.
THS: Okay now this part is gonna be a little different! We like to switch it up and ask a few questions just for fun in our interviews. So, let’s start with what did you want to be when you were little?
AM:
I saw my parents struggling and I didn’t want that kind of headache in my adulthood. So, once when my dad asked this same question, I told him, “I wanted to be a trash man that played the saxophone on Venice Beach.”
I’ve always loved music and I thought I would easily pick up girls playing the sax! Plus my job growing up was to take out the trash. Now, I’m in the music business and I’m so into cleanliness that it’s rediculus!
THS: Hmm so do you think you’re too clean? (Laughter)
AM:
All my friends say I have OCD. I don’t think I’ve been properly diagnosed with it though! (Laughter)
THS: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only pick three things of modern convenience to have at your disposal which would you pick?
AM:
I would absolutely have an endless match so that I could obtain fire on a regular basis. And I would want a way to turn salt water into drinking water so I would always be nice and hydrated.
THS: Very nice choices sir! And your last pick would be?
AM:
I would probably want a radio that would pick up different frequencies for planes passing by. My dream is to live on a deserted island anyway.
THS: Smart! Alright so lastly can you give us 3 words to describe your career thus far?
AM:
Cultural, musical, fun.
THS: Perfect! How can the people find you online sir?
AM: They can find me here !
Check out Adrian’s clients below!
Listen to Another Me (Prod. Shaboozey) by Shaboozey on #SoundCloud
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