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Inside the Mind of Rihanna & J.Lo's Secret Weapon Director. This is TAJ.
How does a kid from Oakland with a MiniDV camera end up directing for Rihanna, JLo, and Usher? Taj Stansberry’s story is anything but typical. In this intimate, raw, and inspiring interview, Taj breaks down how his earliest videos filmed with no budget, no crew, and sometimes no clue, became stepping stones to iconic pop visuals that shaped a generation. From selling his car to pay for shoots, to crashing the gates of the industry without a film school degree, this is the unfiltered truth about hustle, heartbreak, and the relentless belief in your own vision.
00:00 Intro
02:25 The Creative Process Behind Dead Protocol
03:34 The Evolution of Sneaker Culture
05:14 The Journey of a Creative Visionary
12:52 Early Music Video Projects and Lessons Learned
35:27 Bay Culture Influence on Jerking Movement
36:40 Telling Emotional Stories in Music Videos
37:22 Early Career Struggles and Networking
40:28 First Music Video Projects and Challenges
41:12 Mentorship and Learning from Anthony Mandler
49:14 Breakthrough with Rihanna's Music Video
57:15 Signing with Box Fresh Pictures
01:10:57 Reflecting on the Iconic Video
01:14:53 Rihanna's Support and Maturity
01:15:46 Facing Nerves and Overcoming Challenges
01:25:19 The Big Reveal from his Brother
01:30:51 J-Lo's Perfectionism and Professionalism
01:44:53 Executing the Vision
01:45:48 Auditions and MTV Coverage
01:47:20 Impact and Residuals for directors
01:47:36 Directors' Rights and Compensation
01:54:40 Reflecting on Success and Gratitude
01:56:59 AI in Music Videos
02:07:26 Sneaker Collaboration
02:14:15 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Follow Taj
Follow Arrad (podcast host)
LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
YOUTUBE
CONNECT WITH US:
✩ Ourselves (production team):
✩ Instagram
✩ Twitter
✩ TikTok
View all episodes
By OurselvesHow does a kid from Oakland with a MiniDV camera end up directing for Rihanna, JLo, and Usher? Taj Stansberry’s story is anything but typical. In this intimate, raw, and inspiring interview, Taj breaks down how his earliest videos filmed with no budget, no crew, and sometimes no clue, became stepping stones to iconic pop visuals that shaped a generation. From selling his car to pay for shoots, to crashing the gates of the industry without a film school degree, this is the unfiltered truth about hustle, heartbreak, and the relentless belief in your own vision.
00:00 Intro
02:25 The Creative Process Behind Dead Protocol
03:34 The Evolution of Sneaker Culture
05:14 The Journey of a Creative Visionary
12:52 Early Music Video Projects and Lessons Learned
35:27 Bay Culture Influence on Jerking Movement
36:40 Telling Emotional Stories in Music Videos
37:22 Early Career Struggles and Networking
40:28 First Music Video Projects and Challenges
41:12 Mentorship and Learning from Anthony Mandler
49:14 Breakthrough with Rihanna's Music Video
57:15 Signing with Box Fresh Pictures
01:10:57 Reflecting on the Iconic Video
01:14:53 Rihanna's Support and Maturity
01:15:46 Facing Nerves and Overcoming Challenges
01:25:19 The Big Reveal from his Brother
01:30:51 J-Lo's Perfectionism and Professionalism
01:44:53 Executing the Vision
01:45:48 Auditions and MTV Coverage
01:47:20 Impact and Residuals for directors
01:47:36 Directors' Rights and Compensation
01:54:40 Reflecting on Success and Gratitude
01:56:59 AI in Music Videos
02:07:26 Sneaker Collaboration
02:14:15 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Follow Taj
Follow Arrad (podcast host)
LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
YOUTUBE
CONNECT WITH US:
✩ Ourselves (production team):
✩ Instagram
✩ Twitter
✩ TikTok