Chicago native — director, actor, producer and Emmy-winning screenwriter Lena Waithe launched her own record label earlier this year.
Now she’s on the hunt for talent.
Back in March, ShineMyCrown reported that Waithe’s new label is called Hillman Grad Records and is “committed to identifying and developing artists in hopes of priming them for long term success.”
The label strives to do this by “leveraging opportunities across music, TV & film,” and to “capitalize on the cultural significance generated when these worlds meaningfully intersect.”
It seems she has not yet found what she is looking for… but that she’s “circling some people.”
In a more recent interview with Rolling Stone, Waithe goes into more depth about what she’s looking for. “[It’s not about] 10 albums a year. It’s about finding really interesting artists who have a real drive and sense of wanting to figure out who they are over time. We really want artists that can grow,” she says.
Waithe says she’d like to find artists who are similar to Lil Nas X, Jazmine Sullivan, and H.E.R.
“Music and storytelling have always gone hand in hand. And I think that’s because musicians are the storytellers we love the most,” Waithe said in a statement in March.
“They can take complex emotions and simplify it in four minutes, the same artist can sing about the revolution and falling in love. Music is a part of us. It’s so often connected to our fondest and sometimes our darkest memories. Musicians tell our story. At Hillman Grad Productions we believe in identifying and amplifying new talent, and we want to continue to do that in the music industry. Jeff Harleston and his phenomenal team at Def Jam have given us their trust and their resources to help develop artists that not only have potential, but staying power. We look forward to the journey ahead.”
Continue reading over at Rolling Stone.
