Q&A with Che

Episode Fifteen : : Jake Udell

Chicago-born manager and entrepreneur Jake Udell is a music industry juggernaut. Featured on Forbes’ 2016 “30 under 30” list, he started his first business at 13 and has gone on to become a rapper, manager for Krewella and other artists, founder of the TH3RD BRAIN talent management company, and Head of Activation for Community, a text-based conversation platform that allows celebrities and brands to communicate directly with their fans. On this episode of “Q&A with Che,” Jake talks to Che Pope about breaking records during the pandemic, transitioning from artist to manager, online marketing, learning at school vs. on the job, starting a business as a kid, realizing your value and adding value to anyone you meet, bridging the gap between celebrities and their audience, and more. Jake doesn’t do podcasts except for his friend Che, so you’re not going to hear his wisdom anywhere else. Listen up! Follow “Q&A with Che” on social media! IG: @chepope_podcast TW: @chepope_podcast FB: Q&A with Che Podcast

Episode Fourteen : : James Poyser

Strong musicianship, professionalism, and a focus on relationships will take you far in the music industry. They did for Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and member of The Roots James Poyser, who emerged from his family’s church in Philadelphia to work with musical heavyweights like Jay-Z, Erykah Badu, Aretha Franklin, Adele, and Eric Clapton. On this special quarantine episode of “Q&A with Che,” James sits down with Che to talk about coming up in the church, building and sustaining a career through relationships, finding a vibe with artist clients, getting leverage in a publishing deal, balancing songwriting and production with playing in The Tonight Show houseband, keeping an open mind for new music, and more. Follow his example and you’ll go places! Follow “Q&A with Che” on social media! IG: @chepope_podcast TW: @chepope_podcast FB: Q&A with Che Podcast

Episode Thirteen : : Nova Wav (Blu June + Chi)

Producers and songwriters Brittany “Chi” Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews are blazing a trail. As black women, they didn’t have producer role models who looked like them when they were growing up. With Nova Wav, their Grammy-winning production duo, they’ve made magic with superstars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, and Kelly Clarkson, and have become an inspiration for generations of girls to follow. On this special remote episode of “Q&A with Che,” Chi and Blu sit down with Che to talk about how they connected online, finessing an internship, continuing education on the job, how they avoided sputtering out after their first wins, bossing up in a male-dominated industry and owning their own business, working with huge artists, and much more. If you have dreams you want to manifest you need these lessons in your life! Follow “Q&A with Che” on social media! IG: @chepope_podcast TW: @chepope_podcast FB: Q&A with Che Podcast

Episode Twelve : : Terrace Martin

Terrace Martin is a music industry multi-hyphenate. Originally a talented jazz musician, the L.A. native transitioned into a hit-making producer for Kendrick Lamar, YG, Snoop Dogg, The Game, and others, as well as a songwriter, rapper, singer, and label owner. On this special quarantine episode of “Q&A with Che,” Terrace sits down with Che to talk about transitioning into new creative roles, manifesting your vision, making connections with VIPs, turning adversity into art, how to kill a studio session, and much more. Get ready to be put up on game! Follow “Q&A with Che” on social media! IG: @chepope_podcast TW: @chepope_podcast FB: Q&A with Che Podcast

Episode Eleven : : Camper

What you start out doing in music isn’t necessarily what you’ll stay doing. The industry is full of people whose career focus shifted over time. Just look at Che: When he was producing hip-hop early on, he never envisioned he’d one day produce K-Pop or become a label executive and entrepreneur, but here he is! On this special quarantine episode of “Q&A with Che,” Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Camper (né Darhyl Camper, Jr.) sits down with Che to talk about starting out as a musician and how he transitioned into his current roles working with artists like H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and others. Listen up and don’t box yourself in! Follow “Q&A with Che” on social media! IG: @chepope_podcast TW: @chepope_podcast FB: Q&A with Che Podcast