Carlos Battey, better known as Jackie’s Boy, lost both of his parents at a young age- a massive life hurdle that can disrupt even the best laid plans. However, Carlos took that loss and channeled it into his music, grinding, writing, and networking on the streets of LA. His hard work paid off, and after signing a deal with Universal and working with superstars of all types, he ultimately earned a Grammy for his work with Madonna.
Carlos joins us today to talk about perseverance, and motivation in the face of the greatest adversity life can throw at us, on this episode of The Big Break.
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Show Notes
1:14Where are you living?
2:50You and your brother were discovered as street performers right?
4:25How did you first get into music?
6:35Tell us about your artist name “Jackie’s Boy”
7:40When did music become something you would start pursuing?
8:25Coming to California
9:13When you guys first started, were you getting any paid venue gigs?
11:00Were you guys singing covers or original music?
12:30What was the goal while you guys were grinding in California?
13:12“I wanted to make my parents proud, and it was unfortunate they never got to see the evolution
of what I became, or what I was going to become.”
15:24Was there any point where you thought about quitting?
16:34“After that fifth year, my life changed…”
19:05Getting a meeting with Atlantic Records
20:43A short session opportunity to create for Flo Rida, and the birth of Sugar
22:56How were you guys surviving while the song was growing?
23:52Signing with Universal Music Publishing
25:21How did you determine that UMPG was the right company for you?
28:09The Hustle Mentality
29:04Looking back, is there anything you would do differently? Or a lesson that really clarified things?
31:00Winning a Grammy
34:00Staying grounded in reality
35:18Another life-changing event
37:40Starting the solo singing career
38:10Mad Love
39:14“I needed something that was me, that was my art.”
41:58What are you working on now?
42:12Do it Again featuring Shawn Stockman form Boyz II Men
44:34Any closing thoughts you’d like to share?
44:55Big Circle Music Group
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