TechCulture Staff We sat down with Jeseka Price, founding publisher and CEO of Price Royalty Publishing.
Price Royalty Publishing is a woman-owned small business serving a wide variety of individuals and companies within the music industry, from publishing and promoting production services.
Jeseka, thank you for joining us today! Can you tell us a little about your inspiration to start Price Royalty Publishing?
Happy to be here! That is a great question. Oddly enough, being extremely bored, helpless, and on a mandatory lockdown during the beginning of the pandemic ultimately led me to officially starting my business. However, the motivation, purpose, and passion for beginning my new venture never left my mind; it was always there. I guess you could say the pandemic was the final straw that pushed me to just do it.
The pandemic works in strange ways! What were the greatest challenges you’ve faced starting out?
My greatest challenges were those that any new startup company or entrepreneur has, but I think the fact that I was jumping into something very well studied, but never attempted…similar to drivers Ed or swim lessons. It’s like, all the practice in the world is great, but until you actually do the job or execute the mission for yourself, then you won’t know. You can’t judge or be reviewed by your peers and clients if you never perform the task individually.
Very true, so how do you differentiate yourself from competitors?
I think of myself and Price Royalty Publishing as a very unique and hands-on niche with mentors and great networking on top of being highly skilled at marketing, promoting, writing, and communicating for a streamlined positive outcome.
I am also a District Advocate for the Recording Academy / Grammys Houston Chapter, so I’ve spent countless hours and two years on understanding copyright, rights holder and songwriters or creatives receiving their fair pay, in addition to being credited…so I know both sides of the coin, and I separate myself from these huge publishing entities that take all of an artist’s publishing royalties without even flinching. I make fair deals with the artists, and I include producers and whoever has worked on the project because everyone deserves their credit at the end of the day. Now, it’s just a matter of how much of a percentage (industry-wise) they should receive, then we negotiate and agree from there.
I learn something new every day! What would you say was the most memorable experience in the whole production process of making the song “Holly Anna Lisa?”
Wow, that’s a tough question because the whole project seemed almost impossible at certain phases. I think the most memorable and exciting part was when I knew the first version was done and ready for final distribution.
That’s always a relief! What has the overall feedback been from Artists, Producers, Curators, and Fans for the song Holly Anna Lisa?
It was the best feedback I have ever received or witnessed on a song that I executive produced and worked so hard on, in addition to my production team and the artists (Tyme, Lil Flip & Killa Kyleon).
I must admit, that song I pitched to as many outlets, curators and it still holds court on over 250 playlists on Spotify currently and organically.
That is amazing! Who has been your greatest source of inspiration?
That’s always a hard question for me, but I want to say it would have to be rap artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur Rick Ross because he was the one who initially inspired me to get into publishing via his lyrics. He really fed my brain with knowledge on his album “The Black Market” it was empowering, raw, and honestly really good advice, especially for black entrepreneurs who wanted to create more than a seat at the table, but to build the table as the foundation for generational wealth. However, I do want to name some of my other inspirational music industry moguls like Dr. Dre, J.Prince Sr., P.Diddy, Beyoncé, Master P, Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Kanye West, LA Reid, and Tiffany Gains.
He truly is instrumental in the game and is definitely inspiring! What were your greatest fears when starting up PPR and moving forward?
My biggest fear was and probably still is the fear of failure. Naturally, you know? But as my dad and my grandpa Price would say, “Nothing beats a failure but a try!”
Great advice! How have the recent economic events affected your business, and what have you done to adapt?
You know, honestly, it hasn’t been much for me to gauge or compare stats on because I started my business in the jump of the 2020 pandemic, so my outlook and expectations were never extremely high since I knew the risk was always great. But I can also say it might somehow be the reason I’m still here and still trying to hold it together with my sanity intact because I never knew the flip side of the business pre-pandemic.
Very interesting, as I know starting a new business during the pandemic has its own pros and cons. Which project are you most proud of and why?
Well, without a doubt and evidently “Holly Anna Lisa,” just because it was my first project that I invested and produced from concept to the finish line. It did really well, considering I solely pushed and promoted the single without being funded by a major label, with respect to distributing it under Price Royalty Publishing and Universal Music Group via Lil Flips Label affiliation.
Other than that, it was a duo project of myself and then my artist and friend Tyme, who financed and executive produced the music video production, which is soon to be released.
I should have seen that coming! What advice would you give to your past self, knowing what you know now?
I would tell my past self and new entrepreneurs: Never give up; tough times don’t last, but tough people do. So stick with your vision and always welcome feedback, collaboration and trust your vibe.
Thank you, Jeseka, for your time, as I know you have a busy schedule. Where can our readers find out more about you and Price Royalty Publishing?
My pleasure, thanks for having me! You can learn more on our website and by following me on Facebook and Instagram.
