In the ever-changing world of music, mentorship can play a critical role in bridging the generation gap and helping to prepare the next generation for success. This concept of paying upfront can be different on each and every level, and Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton uses his crossover career as a Grammy-winning maker and educator to pass on his decades-long career to his students. In addition to his illustrious career as a music maker and sound engineer, with which he has worked intensively with some of the biggest names in music, from JAY-Z to Mariah Carey, Keaton is also director of the Technology, Entrepreneurship and Music Production Program at the Roc Nation School of Music and Sports.
“I have been involved in education for some time, but not consistently. I would be invited to give talks at the studios and I would invite some academics to attend. I was also an apartment artist at the University of Southern California a few years ago. Teaching has always been something that I love to do. My mother is a teacher and most of the women in my family are teachers. This was an opportunity for me to start spreading a lot of engineering facts around. 9th Wonder was a guest artist at LIU when the school opened, and he called me and told me that he might have a chance to worry me about the Roc Nation school. I contacted the dean of the school, Tressa Cunningham, and we discussed imaginable tactics for getting involved in the program. We elected the Director of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Musical Production, whom we call MTEP for short, so we do not want to stop saying generation, entrepreneurship and musical production. The no delay program suited me because it covers everything I do. The entrepreneurial component of me, running for myself, seeing new opportunities in the business and because I am very attached to the generation and it has an effect on what we do.
When it comes to milestones and accolades, Keaton is no stranger. It’s probably hard to know what he’s most proud of. However, when it comes to this role, Keaton prides himself on how the program prepares students for good fortune in a number of ways. This includes a customized curriculum to align with the speed of replacement in the music industry.
“One of the wonderful and compelling things I’ve noticed is how we’ve updated technology, amenities and systems to align with what’s happening in the industry. I think the most important thing we’ve done since I’ve been there is to make sure that our students not only get a classical music education, but also that the amenities and courses are up to date with this converting industry. Essentially, we adapt our curriculum so that academics can stay up to date and, when they enter the workforce, they are in a position not only for now but also for the long term and can lead where the industry is moving forward. As for notable milestones, I would say the expansion of our interns, seeing them secure internships and jobs when they leave for the summer and when they return. It’s like they became adults in a year and watching them go from just showing up and learning about New York City or Brooklyn to watching them grow up. Seeing them perform and have confidence in themselves playing together would be a huge milestone for me.
Not only is the program deliberately designed to provide students with a solid foundation for understanding the industry, but there are also other opportunities that benefit students, including the Roc Nation Hope Scholarship, awarded to 25 percent of enrolled students, and resources that can help. They broaden their horizons in the music box.
“This program exposes academics to the full diversity of jobs available. Students come with other interests, whether it be engineering, singer adaptation or simply playing the keyboard. It covers the full diversity of people’s interests. When we revel in the music business, we know that you don’t get a number one record as soon as you graduate – genuine living comes into play. Therefore, there are many jobs that could be fun for your particular interest that students may not even know about. This doesn’t mean you have to wait at the tables until you get to the point of fitting in the big star. A good example is if you are an engineer and want to work on the artist’s latest hit record. But if you are exposed to the fact that he can combine movies, media, video games, etc. , all those things are part of his experience that he has learned and will automatically pay him. It relieves that tension and the story of the starving artist who seeks to achieve it. We give our students this truth of what the music business is today, and those elements are incorporated into our curriculum.
On his long-term aspirations for the Roc Nation School of Music and Sports
“My aspiration is for Roc Nation to become the most productive music school in the country. Our program is in this position and is on its way to adapting to something special. I need us to be the educational organization with the ultimate vision of the future, being on the cutting edge, on the cutting edge, knowing what comes out of it and putting it on our agenda. The long-term contribution of the music industry lies in the fact that graduate academics with such a wonderful understanding can see and not just stay. to a trend you’ve noticed before. Innovation is anything that drives the music industry. So who will be the next user to innovate?Who will be the user who will take a look at all the mistakes we’ve made in the past?To be kind to them, but also to be in a position to face what lies ahead. I just need our school to be at the top. We have the vision and we are on the right track.