We had the good fortune of connecting with Broderick ” Huck” Huckaby (Huck Da Manager) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Broderick ” Huck”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an Emphasis on Entrepreneurship. In addition, I was always interested in the responsibilities of the big executives behind the scenes in the music industry but decided not to pursue that dream right away. Fast forward to August of 2018 when I hosted my annual fantasy football draft that usually consists of great food, drinks, and conversations. This particular year the conversations were a bit different. My uncle was explaining that he was in the final stages of starting his own trucking company while my friend Donte, who I graduated college with, was very attentive and had several questions to ask. He was very interested because that was an idea he wanted to pursue. Another friend I went to college with, DeCorrian, informed us that he was going to start a carpet cleaning business (diggleselitecleaning.com). My best friend from high school, Brandon talked about how he wanted to get into real estate. My cousin, Carl, wanted to first get a good job then start a business of his own. Meanwhile, I am just sitting here wondering what was my next move. At this point, I had been out of school for 8 years and had not started a legit business. My circle was elevating and I needed to elevate with them. I decided to get a Masters in Management degree, but still didn’t know what I wanted to do once I graduated. I had lost faith in the corporate sector and was struggling to maintain hope in finding work in something I loved. My cousin DeLashay (https://shoutoutdfw.com/meet-delashay-artist/) told me that she needed help getting into the studio. I advised her not only can I help her get into a studio but have I learned enough about the music business to get her music professional out to the masses. The first studio session was in the apartment of Sammie Davis beats. Sammie Davis had already worked with a lot of big artists in the state such as Yella Beezy, Trapboy Freddy, and Paul Wall. Shortly after the recording session, I reached back out to Sammie Davis to tie up loose ends on the business side of things. From here, I realized there was a need for a person like me being business-minded helping artists and producers. Sammie Davis stated, “ Huck, you have always been a smart trustworthy businessman. Watch, you will have your own management company soon, maybe even a record label.” DeLashay’s first single “Mutual Feelings” was out for about a month before other artists started to recognize the things I was doing for my artist DeLashay. My inbox filled with congratulations and people looking for management. By the summer of 2019, I officially started Huck Da Manager management company and quickly followed with a publishing company, Royalty Sounds Entertainment. Currently, I manage DeLashay, Jdiggs Tha Prodigy, AMoBroBro, and E.Smith. The roster for Royalty Sounds Entertainment includes Producer: Yung Bala on da Beat, Celebrity stylist:Let LA Style You, and Artists: DeLashay, Jdiggs Tha Prodigy, Floetic Desire, and E.Smith.
What should our readers know about your business?
When starting my management business, I knew it would be different then most music management businesses. Like most music managers, they typically have done something within the music industry before, but I’ve never desired to become an artist. I was always attracted to the business side of music. I literally started from scratch which is why I can’t promise any artist that I will get them in front of record labels. I am still in the foundation of expanding my network. With a Master’s degree in Management and experience in corporate America, I understand how to manage people. I find ways to get the most out of artists to help accomplish their goals. In addition, I spend a lot of time on creating a professional environment for everyone. All of my artists have logos, websites, EPKs, marketing and promo materials to make sure they are professional ready before having important conversations with investors and record labels. You don’t have to be my artist to receive these products. Check out huckdamanager.com for more information. I named my record label Royalty Sounds Entertainment instead of “records” because my vision is for it to be more than just a record label. Thanks to Yung Bala on da Beat, I decided to set up the structure as a membership. He is one of the top producers in the South. I know I could not afford to sign him but he loved what I was trying to put together, so he decided to be a part of the team. I also noticed in an interview with Real Lyfe Street Stars that Half Pint has a similar structure with Top Off Entertainment. Therefore, it must work. Everyone receives a welcome letter that goes over the core values. Our company refers to everyone as “Kings” and “Queens” and requires all members to support one another. While being an entrepreneur and managing people, there are lessons to learn everyday. I am so thankful to have a circle filled with entrepreneurs and managers. Chanda Okafor, owner of Jobim Clothing, is my go to when I have questions about website marketing. Laqueita Jones, owner of Let LA Style You, is my go to for venting about the things artists can put you through. Through confirmation from both, I’ve learned that everyday is a learning experience that gives me a chance to become an even better entrepreneur and manager. One of the moments I am so proud about is having an artist open for a national act. Last year I managed an emerging local superstar Key Latrice. She opened for Grammy Award winning R&B artist, Mya. When in manager mode, I feel like Phil Jackson and I am coaching a team of Kobes and Jordans. Therefore, I overly prepare for every performance my artists have. For this show, I wore many hats by creating flyers and decor for the merchandise table, setting up promo with social media, pressed as many T-shirts as possible, selling tickets and making sure we had a contingency plan for any situation. This moment helped me receive the respect of other big local artists such as Lou Charle$, Mozes The Great and Rell Williams. Most importantly, I gained the trust and respect of Lorenzo “ Smooth Vega” Zenteno. It feels great to see people notice the hard work you put in. Right now I am most excited about the future of Royalty Sounds Entertainment. After reading J.Prince’s book and watching the No Limit Chronicles, I learned that the one thing that set them apart from other record labels was having the same producers to create a particular sound. Yung Bala will be producing a lot of hit tracks while I put on my executive producer hat. In addition, my sound engineers Jose “Chico” Santiago and Mixed by Alexis use their talent and skills to make sure every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed. There are many collab tracks and upcoming albums that are in the vault for this year. Jdiggs Tha Prodigy has allowed me to have more control over his next highly anticipated album “ Uncrowned King 2.” This year will be the year everyone knows what Royalty sounds like.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Dallas/Fort Worth Area is so big we would definitely need a week to get the Texas experience. Everything revolves around the best restaurants throughout the whole metroplex Monday: Arlington Lunch: Babe’s Chicken This would be a perfect start with some good food at DFW founded restaurant. Afternoon: Tour of Cowboys Stadium Dinner: Pluckers (Arlington Highlands) Tuesday: Fort Worth Lunch: Cesar Tacos https://www.fortworthmenu.com/cesars-tacos/ This is one of my favorite mexican restaurants which is near by the neighborhood I grew up in Highland Hills- Fort Worth. Afternoon Activity: Since I am near by my old neighborhood, visit my dad as he tells us endless jokes and stories about what is going on in the hood Dinner: Reata’s (Downtown Fort Worth) https://www.reata.net/ This restaurants is the definition of southern style Texan Food. Chicken Fried steak bigger than the plate and Carne Asada topped with Reata’s Cheese Enchiladas (Steak and Enchiladas) After dinner hang out Scats Jazz lounge Underground jazz lounge which is one of my favorite spots to go hang out. Great music and great drinks Wednesday:Fort Worth Lunch: Smokeaholic BBQ (Best BBQ in DFW) https://www.smoke-a-holicsbbq.com/ Located on the Southside historical district of Fort Worth. They tend to sellout around 5 o’clock in the evening. Afternoon: Trip to Fort Worth Botanical gardens Great place to walk around and burn calories before going to dinner. Great scenery. Dinner: Texas De Brazil One of my favorite places to eat. All you can eat meats!!!! Thursday-Dallas Lunch: Rudy’s Chicken This place is more about the culture. Afternoon Activity: Dinner: Whataburger Can’t visit Texas without eating at whataburger Friday- Dallas Lunch: Fuel City Taco (801 S Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX) This location is very important than any of the others. The location is in a perfect location for people to learn a lot about the city. It is a convenient store that serves gas and great tasting tacos. While waiting for your tacos, you will notice a petting zoo near by with a couple of horses and a very busy car wash. The location is near downtown and oak cliff. If you just sit for 5 mins, you will see many luxury vehicles, fixed up old school classic cars and tricked out trucks. Afternoon Activity: Perot Museum of Nature and Science One of the better and entertaining museums I have been to. Dinner:Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse One of the best steak restaurants in the city. After dinner Activity: Bar hopping in Deep Elum Deep Ellum provides a lot of bars and live music . You are guaranteed to have a great time Saturday- Mid Cities/ Fort Worth Breakfast: LoLo Chicken & Waffles Some of the best chicken and waffles in the city Grapevine Mills Mall Great place to for shopping Lunch: Pappadeaux Part of Texas culture is cajun. I love my cajun food Dinner: Eddie V’s Very upscale restaurant with great food After Dinner Activity: Bar Hopping on 7th Street Sunday Lunch: any daiquiri shop This is a great place to be especially during football season. They typically serve great cajun food and great drinks to go. Liquor stores are close on Sundays Only way I could answer this sections is to actually creating an itinerary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to first shoutout to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are situations in life that God puts you in to get your attention. God wants you to continue to work in faith. Everything I have done so far was because I literally let Him guide me. Special thanks to DeLashay – we started from scratch together on this music journey, JDiggs Tha Prodigy for allowing me to have the courage to speak up about ideas and allowing me to be a co-pilot in directing your music career, Chris “Xeus2cool” Hamilton for being my first mentor and allowing me to see the vision to do more. DJ Profit, thank you for taking a chance on me when conducting my first couple of showcases, Key Latrice for opening my eyes to fully understand the artist’s point of view in the music business and allowing me to be a part of your first project, Lorenzo “Smooth Vega” Zenteno for always picking up the phone and answering my messages when I needed advice, The Wildout Radio and Douglas Elliott for always supporting my artists but giving the constructive criticism they needed, Callie Dee for helping me elevate my artists to the next level with your contacts. A special shoutout to J.Prince and his book, “The Art & Science of Respect.” Thank you to all of the artists that have allowed me to work with them. Thanks to my parents – they are as much involved in my businesses as I am. Thank you to my wife, who is the head of A&R at Royalty Sounds, for holding it down as I completed grad school and while I run a business while being a family man. She is the type of listener that feels music. If it doesn’t move her, then she disapproves. Thanks to all my family and friends that support me and believe in me. Last, but definitely not least, Thanks to my Grandma, may she rest in peace. She always encouraged me to do my best. She made a lot of sacrifices in her life starting at a very young age, therefore, my accomplishments are also her accomplishments.

Website: huckdamanager.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huckdamanager/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huckdamanager

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ErXovTuJ2ErUv9xmsQWUQ

Other: https://linktr.ee/royaltysounds https://linktr.ee/huckdamanager

Image Credits
Jackie Owensby LaQueita “Let LA Style You” Jones DeLashay

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