Since the earliest days of his career, Orlando McGhee has established himself as a closer, one able to see any project to completion and to leverage any client’s goals. And throughout his career, he has maintained himself a cultural ambassador of sorts for his native Atlanta, working to elevate some of the biggest brands to help establish the city’s dominance within the entertainment industry.
After helping to reestablish of his first clients, Nappy Roots, as a successful independent touring band throughout the Southeast, McGhee took on Future during the earliest days of his rise to success. Under the guidance of Seventy 2 Music, the Atlanta rapper was catapulted to megastar not only through his own music and strategic partnerships, but also through his influence as a songwriter with McGhee signing Metro Boomin to Future’s publishing company. Check out his full interview below and be sure to follow us on Instagram
Where are you from? Atlanta, GA (Born in Augusta, GA)
What was life like growing up? I grew up in Carver Homes Housing Projects. Our area was a tight knit community. As kids we didn’t even realize how poor we were because we hadn’t been anywhere else to realize that there was more out in the world. Once I started to travel a bit outside the community I discovered that there was a lot more that life could offer. It gave me a drive to push myself to experience a better life. My time at Joseph E. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club changed me forever. I learned how to socialize, play every athletic sport possible, dress, and traveled out of state for the 1st time with them.
What got you into music?* I started playing drums, and trumpet at Slater
Elementary and discovered I was pretty good, played in the drumline at
Carver and Brown High Schools. After college I went to intern for Organized
Noize and Dee-Dee Hibbler took me under her wing.*
How did you get into your line of work? I’ve always had a business mind. I didn’t want to be an artist so I naturally started paying attention to the business people behind the scenes and figured out that I could do that. From my internship at Organized Noize I ended up taking a marketing/promotion position with Lil Jon’s BME Recordings.
Who is some of your most favorite artists / people you have worked with? Lil Jon was the most fun, Future was the most talented, DJ Drama & Don Cannon had the business acumen, EarthGang was a lot of fun as well, EarthGang’s youth gave me additional drive as the music industry was going digital. E-40 was the most honest, loyal and straight forward artist I’ve ever met that made it a joy to be apart of his comeback success.
Who is your biggest music inspiration? Clarence Avant and Andre Harrell
What has been the most difficult part of growing in the industry? *Loyalty *
What are some of your biggest accomplishments you are most proud of? Producing Organized Noize documentary “The Art of Organized Noize”. Turning DJ Drama, Don Cannon into household names with “Gangsta Grillz” mixtapes, radio etc. E-40’s comeback album “My Ghetto Report Card” going platinum. Future’s 1st Platinum single “Turn On The Lights” his 1st sold out show at Masquerade.
What advice would you give to someone looking to step into your line of work? Study your craft, know what you’re talking about when you get into these meetings. Be honest, work hard and trust the process it doesn’t happen overnight.
