Mama We Made It!

“Always know where your two feet are planted.” Bronx, NY, young Ricky didn’t grow up in the best of neighborhoods, but always got what he wanted, while surrounded by his Dominican Republic roots, family, and culture.  As a first generation American, Ricky was brought up by immigrant parents, who both worked incredibly hard to provide a life that him his siblings deserved. His mother was his role model, teaching him discipline, work ethic, and what it means to be yourself. After moving from the Bronx to Orlando, Ricky had trouble adjusting to the new culture, and never truly fit in.  As a self-proclaimed “extroverted introvert”, he soon found his comfort and passion behind the lens of a camera.  Diving deep into shooting, he knew that this was more than just a hobby, and it was time to go for it. After graduating high school, and exploring college in Florida, Ricky was always mentally in Los Angeles.  It’s easy for people to say they want to live in LA, but when you have so say goodbye to your family, home, and community, and drive across the country to brave the unknown, life gets very real very quickly.  And there’s always the crossroads moment of, if you got what you wanted, are you ready for it?  This is a story of not looking back, and betting it all on yourself.  This is about not knowing anyone, but allowing human interaction to guide your path.  This is about swag surfing at the White House, and traveling the world doing exactly what you want.  And for Ricky, this is about making his mom happy.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this Ricardo Emmanuel. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Self Correction; understand you’re not always gonna be right.” Willingboro, NJ, a place between the good and bad, where you you would see who can fight the best, play ball the best, dance the best, and be the best. It may not be NY, Philly, or LA, but T-Dot proudly puts it on the map. Growing up, T-Dot didn’t leave his rough neighborhood, and thought that’s what just being a kid was. He loved playing sports, immersed himself in painting, and always questioned everything. He wasn’t the best fighter, baller, or dancer, but became an assassin with his words and humor. This would soon lead him to freestyle rapping, and his journey began. Music was the first thing T-Dot got real approval on as he began to discover himself throughout high school. However, paralleling his music life was also a world of trouble, that started to take over. Realizing a lifestyle that was once fun and games, was now dangerous, he shifted his focus completely, and went all-in on his artistry. But being a creative takes more than just focus. It’s about getting lost a hundred times just to find who you really are. And for the next several years of hard work, moving around the country, and coming to the brink of quitting, T-Dot arrived - and “never went back, never got wack.” More than not, our path is far from what we expect it to be. But, “understand the season you’re in.” Be you, but also find where you fit in. This isn’t just a story of a young Jersey kid becoming one of the illest artist’s and songwriter’s in LA, but it’s about understanding your worth and believing in yourself. This is about what you do in between the wins, and following through. This is about opening your mind up to a new side of life. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is T-Dot Illdude. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Music can transcend these boundaries.” Let's take it back to the burbs of Boston, where if your not eating at Joe's Pizza, you’re escaping to the outdoors, chasing the spirit of adventure, and finding freedom. This was Johan’s world. Growing up, he immersed himself in music, but not necessarily as a musician - his true love was found with classical composition, with heroes like John Williams, and Beethoven. While everyone was listening to the new Eminem or Outkast albums, Johan was bumping the soundtrack to Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Los Ark. Even though he found himself disconnected from pop-culture, there was something much deeper that he was connected to, and perhaps something that truly connects us all. This would soon lead to his life purpose. His mission was to get people to appreciate classical music - this thing that could mean so much to so many people. After attending Yale, and putting together multiple experimental theater productions, trying to deliver classical music in new ways, he quickly realized there was no way to do this without a platform. But one night, life changed, as Johan was introduced to Kanye’s, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  It was an album that took him along a bridge, leading him to pop-culture. And it would be this same bridge that would lead the world to classical. This is a story about the never-ending pursuit to fulfill your purpose. This is about discovery and becoming. This about creating our own “beautiful dark twisted fantasy” and finding something that connects us all. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Johan. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“What helped me keep pushing, is never being satisfied.” Minneapolis, MN, you may not see celebrities walking around, but it’s birthed many legends like Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Morris Day. Another legend would soon be added to the list…When Rahki was 2 years old, he was at church moving around, and dancing up and down. A preacher came from another city that day, saw Rahki, and said “That child right there is going to be blessed with music. PUT HIM ON THE DRUMS!” Rahki’s father was a minister, his mother was a choir singer, and Rahki grew up playing drums in every church choir, every day of the week. Church and Gospel Music was his life. But as time passed, Rahki became curious about the world outside of church, and being restricted by his parents only made that curiosity stronger. We naturally want what we can’t have, and for Rahki, that became Hip-Hop. As high school approached, he became more rebellious, and started heading down the wrong path very fast. In the midst of getting into trouble, grades dropping, and transitioning from schools, Rahki was also losing sight of music. We all have dreams, and things in life that we feel we are just “meant to do”. And sometimes all we need to do to thrive, is to change our environment. For Rahki, that change would lead him to reconnecting with music, as he would go from becoming a rapper in one of Minneapolis’ most notable groups, to betting on his dream, and moving to LA to become a Grammy award winning producer. But this isn’t just a success story. This is about letting your path guide you, and following your gut. This is about asking yourself “How can I get better?”. This isn’t about the money or the fame, but about testing your limits and reaching your greatest potential. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Rahki. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Sometimes you need to lose who you think you are so you can rediscover who you are.” Welcome to Kankakee, IL, at one time ranked the worst city in the U.S. Growing up moving around a lot, with little dreams of a big city, TiRon found himself getting lost in creativity as a way to escape the world around him. He was always drawn to music - not to any genre, but to how it made him feel. His natural curiosity for people and experiencing new things was his way out of his small town, and his mind… Welcome to South Side Chicago, where gangs and violent crimes were at an all time high. But as kids, we don’t always have a concept of danger. For Omari, this was simply his neighborhood, like any where else. Inspired by his loving mother, she introduced him to music at an early age, from Tina Marie to Masta P. But where Omari really got lost was in his drawings and passion for art. Both kids were receptive to the world around them, yet so different how they ingested it. It wasn’t until TiRon moved to LA where his thought was challenged, and he got his own identity. He always wrote and recorded songs, but it was the stage that allowed him to “lose his mind”. For Omari, his drawings would soon turn into writings, and those writings would turn into lyrics. Music was infectious, and it was a matter of time that this new path would lead the way. From online chatrooms and message boards, to bringing a community together to push the culture forward, there’s a very real force you feel when these two brilliant minds come together. You can call it vulnerability, creativity, or authenticity. Or you can just call it freedom. But this is a story about something that gives us purpose, and fulfillment. This is TiRon & Ayomari. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Stay curious.” Leslie was born in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, but moved to South Central when she was 4 -  a place that raised her, became her home, and her community.  Leslie was influenced by her mother, who encouraged her to stay active, as Leslie delved into sports, performing arts, and student government throughout her youth.  Elected Senior Class President in High School, Leslie was able to use her leadership role to inspire change, and bring people together.  “Being a leader is not only being able to captain the ship, but being able to teach everyone how to captain the ship.”  Using her influence, Leslie began to host events, and high school parties, which became the foundation of her career.  But it’s often after High School where life quickly changes. On one hand, we become more free, and on the other, we become more lost.  For Leslie, being lost was what made her who she is today.  Struggling to find her direction, she used her leadership qualities, ability to work among a team, and harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit to band together with friends and create what would soon become a “Dynasty”.  The next chapter of Leslie’s life would lead her to being a key figure in one of the most innovative and “emaginative” management companies in the music industry, dedicating her life to her career, and wildly succeeding.  But there comes a point where you ask yourself “what am I really doing in my career?” In searching for that answer, Leslie was guided towards giving back to her community.  She had not only found the answer, but also her purpose.  “Giving is what makes my soul happy.”  We all have something bigger than us that’s worth searching for.  And when you do, you’ll realize that greatness is within reach, so grab it.  This is Leslie Rosales. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"The greats are ones who redefine the model." Let's take you to Oakland, CA, but unlike a lot of people, young Mansa grew up in the Hills, where people lived a more luxurious lifestyle. As a kid, he was into skating, music, and "nerd stuff" - learning computer coding, and always ahead of his class. He never went to parties, and had never even been to downtown. However, at 13, his life was turned upside down. Unfortunate legal issues caused his family to leave their fortunate life, and within 2 years, they moved 7 times, residing in West, Oakland. Being a rich kid who didn't understand why people sagged their pants, Mansa was lost, and found himself struggling to adapt to his new surroundings. He was bullied and robbed everyday, his grades dropped, yet, it was the best thing that ever happened to him... Mansa has always known that he wouldn't be working a "normal job", but rather something in entertainment. That something, became music, and music became his escape - one that would soon take him from dodging truancy officers, to finding his voice among melodies. In this story, there's no back up plan. Just the snob from the hills, the kid from West, Oakland, the rapper, the producer, the singer. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Mansa. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"Keep Working." Inland Empire, CA, a place far from the ocean. It was the 90s, and kids didn't have cell phones or tablets, but instead had dancing, skating, and gang-banging. For Oktane, he was a middle child who lived what some would call a "normal life", inspired by his parents, and Mint Condition, Rakim, and Earth, Wind & Fire were the soundtrack of his childhood. However at any moment, he could've easily been kicked off course, but Oktane's gift of incredible focus, and his relentless dedication to the things he loves, kept him on a road to greatness. Price grew up in a single mother home, always moving, and adapting as the "new kid" in school. As a child, he was brought up among gang-life, and by 12 years old, he was completely immersed. But Price has something special; a bold desire for a better future, and the fearless confidence to achieve anything he set his mind to. It's easy to say both Oktane and Price have the ability to be great on their own, but together, they become legendary. Hooping is how they met, but rapping solidified the bond. Living parallel lives, writing and recording songs, building their dreams among others in the neighborhood, the two of them saw that success could be a reality. They became machines, fueled by perseverance, and knowing the high level they expected for themselves. But among all, honesty was the baseline. And that, along with over a decade of making music, these "Young OGs" have stood on top of the industry, built a die-hard fan base, impacted the culture, and brought a community together. What's wild, is that it's truly just the beginning. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Audio Push. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"As soon as you the put the fear of looking stupid behind you, things happen." Ali has always found himself in the middle of clashing worlds, but has a gift of bringing them together. On one end, he was born in Paris, France, the fashion capital of the world. On the other, he grew up in West Covina, CA, where you were either a skater, baller, or gangster... and if you mixed styles, you'd get beat up. But for Ali, he found himself right in the middle; skateboarding listening to Puffy, playing basketball listening to Metallica. It was hard to pick a side, and it wasn't until 8th grade where he dropped his fear, and owned his image. His parents were originally from Pakistan, moved to the States with no money, two kids, and the Immigrant Dream. Struggling, and working tirelessly throughout Ali's childhood, they would soon garner success, owning several Baskin Robbins as Ali would enter High School. Being a newly regarded "rich kid" may have brought Ali 3 pairs of Jordans, and a new Lincoln Navigator with 15 TVs, but it didn't bring him self worth. "When I realized my parents were rich, but I wasn't, it did a lot for me." With a drive to be successful on his own, Ali brought all his influences together, and immersed himself in fashion. Designing and working with big brands, he would soon experience quick success, but even quicker failures. However, the worst failure was being faced with the disappointment of his mother, after losing an opportunity to take over the family franchise. Lost, confused, and ashamed, with crushed dreams of franchises, and fashion failures, Ali scaled back, changed his course and took a job at MTV working on reality shows. Sometimes we need to let go of the pressure of our dreams, in order to be free and actually attain them. When Ali's mind was free and creative, he began to thrive, and the fashion world was there waiting. Ali's vision was no longer about clothing, but about being yourself. Going back to his roots and memories of his childhood street, Ali created a brand where there are no labels, and everyone is welcome. A place where you can become yourself, and everyone accepts you. A world of individuality, and mutual respect. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norwood; this is Ali Saint Q. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"The word impossible is my favorite word because I don't believe in it." It's rare to come across someone who can truly make you see the world differently - whether it's perspective, colors, or "slices". Iddris did that for all of us, and at 20 years old, his mind proves to be lightyears ahead. Born in Harbor City, CA, Iddris grew up simply as a "nerd", wildly fascinated with technology. "Tech was my freedom, it's in my code". His parents were both from Ghana; his mother, who is his heart, came from great wealth, and his father from poverty. But it wasn't until a father-son trip to the homeland took an unexpected turn that left Iddris stranded, and on the brink of survival. An experience that could have shattered a child's hopes and dreams, actually created them. Iddris realized he had a purpose, and from that point on, he dedicated his life to humanity, and technology was his voice. "If it doesn't benefit lives, I don't want it". With a relentless drive for innovation, he immersed himself in coding, and brought his ideas and visions to reality. By 13 he was interning at Raytheon, 15 working with Google, declined a full-ride to MIT, and has since has penetrated each of the largest tech companies in the world with his ideas. But where he's been doesn't matter, and this isn't a laundry list of achievements. This isn't the next Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk. And this isn't about creating the next great algorithm. This is simply bigger. This is about believing in yourself, believing that all great things came from people just like you. This is about believing that you can actually be your biggest role model. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Iddris Sandu. #MamaWeMadeIt

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