STEVE LOBEL
"If the world was blind how many people would you impress?”
When we caught up with Steve Lobel, he was spending time with family in New York after a long weekend in Toronto, Canada for the OVO Fest. The OVO Fest is an annual concert at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre hosted by Drake, which began on August 2, 2009.
The Journey I Live...
Born in Queens, New York, Lobel is more than a music mogul; he exudes success. His rise to fame was set after successfully working with elite artists such as Run DMC, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Sean Kingston, Nipsey Hussle, Easy-E, Common, Missy Elliot, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Mann, and Iyaz, among many, many others. In 2001, he launched A-2-Z Entertainment, which is a music, film and production company.
With his Urban Hip Hop Swag and Queens accent, there is no doubt that Steve Lobel has set the tone for longevity in the music industry.
BLAQUELINE: First and foremost, as popular as you are, there are still people that may not know much about Steve Lobel. So introduce yourself to those people.
LOBEL: When I do these types of interviews or go out and speak, its really about the newer generation to educate and teach them who the people are and who the people are behind the scenes. But, I am a real brand when I do interviews I stay consistent, that’s what a real brand is. I got started in the music industry through Jam Master Jay of Run DMC (rest in peace). Russell Simmons is my mentor and everyone should have a mentor. From there I got a job at Sony Music where I worked with Easy-E (rest in peace) and Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, which I still work with today. Now I am working with a young DJ/rapper by the name of DJ Kiss. I have worked with so many people over the years including Puffy, Big Pun, Mariah, Chamillionaire, Biggie and many producers. I was also on Millionaire Matchmaker, Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott and I have also been the executive producer on a few documentaries.
BLAQUELINE: Are you ever surprised when people don’t know who you are?
LOBEL: There is a whole big world out there and unless you are in the music industry or do your research, you may not know who I am.
BLAQUELINE: By all accounts, you are considered a mogul in the music industry, do you remember how you first got your start?
LOBEL: I grew up with Jam Master Jay and being around there was an opportunity for me to work with him and make some money. You can be around people, but if you don’t see opportunity to make money, then why just hang around? I listened and learned and would go up to the Def Jam offices. I would do anything like carrying bags and drive. Opportunities don’t come a lot, but when they do you have to take advantage of them.
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