Dear Supporter,
First of all, let me say that I appreciate you. Whether you're new to the movement, have been rocking with us since before the official beginning, or somewhere in between, I want you to know that I appreciate you and I don't take your support lightly. I must admit, when I started Reflective Music, I didn't see it as being what it is now. And it's largely in part to you guys.
When Reflective first started, it was originally just a vehicle for me to produce under. My original venture had fallen apart, but I still had clients looking to work with me and people who believed in me. Two of them, namely Ashley Laschelle and Brandi Nicole, were there when I was trying to figure out a name for my new brand, and have never left my side. And for that, I'm eternally grateful. But I digress. When thinking of the name, I knew I wanted something to represent what I did in music. What my central theme, message, staple was. I wanted to make music that made people feel. I wanted the music to make sense. And every song that I'd done at that point, from Bennie Munnerlyn's "Complete Me" to Ashley and D2G's "Better", had done exactly that. The music I made you think back to a point in your life where you'd felt that way or painted a picture so vividly that it put you in the moment, and either way, it caused you to reflect. Thus, the name. On January 15, 2013 (my 25th birthday), the logo was seen for the first time on Ashley's "Let Go" single release artwork. My brand's logo on a release that I had co-written, co-produced, and commissioned the artwork for. Happy birthday to me indeed.
However, the more I worked with artists, the more I became aware of how people tried to get over on their work and ownership rights. People who, by the way, often didn't know what the hell they were doing or have a plan in place to get their goals accomplished. Ultimately, all of the artists that I worked with ended up without representation and too busy working on all aspects of their careers that they couldn't devote themselves fully to the music. And after Ashley ended up without representation for the third time, something in me snapped and I decided to look after the aspects of her career, at least until we could finish her album. However, as a producer working on the album, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all at once. So I put out a call for a booking manager and Rhodela Castillo, a girl I'd met two years prior but hardly talked to, answered. She was the first person and the only person I met with. All of this happened in May 2013. By the end of that year, Reflective Music had a team of three and five clients, who all had similar stories to Ashley. Less than four months after that, Reflective Music became Reflective Music, LLC, registered and recognized as an official business. Today is our second anniversary.
As I sit on my bed, writing and reflecting (see what I did there?), it amazes me how much we've accomplished in a small amount of time. Award wins, performances at prestigious venues, opening slots for internationally recognized artists, etc. Additionally, we actually have the balls to plan our own tour and continue to forge our own path as a unit. But we're only allowed to do this by the grace of God and because of you. To all of the talent buyers and booking agents, blogs and bloggers, dj's and radio stations, photographers and videographers, collaborators and supporters that have taken a chance on us over the year, I thank you so much. You've helped us move the brand along. To all of those who have shaded us or spit on the brand, I thank you as well. You've brought us closer together and given us the fire needed to push ourselves further than we thought we could go.
To my Reflective team: Rho, Brandi, Courtney, Christian, Alana, and Dell, I am blessed to have you guys with me on this journey. Each of you are so talented in areas outside of Reflective, and yet you remain committed and determined within your roles on the team. You guys work tirelessly and I look forward to breaking bread with you when we have achieved what we have set out to do. I love you all. Dearly.
To the Reflective roster: Ashley, D2G, Breezy, Lauren, Magix, Mr. Talented, Trina, and D.Son, I am honored that you have trusted me and the team with your careers. That you think enough of us to bring us along on your respective journeys is more than incredible. I look forward to continuing and helping each of you reach your respective goals.
On a personal note, this time of year is always kind of difficult. Though April 3rd is the anniversary of one of the proudest days of my life, April 4th is the anniversary of one of the saddest days of my life. Nine years ago today, my grandfather passed. As the patriarch of a musical tribe that spans three generations, Reflective is not only also a tribute to him, but the fruit of a seed that was planted due to his influence. He encouraged me to be a dreamer and was one of the first to tell me that I could do anything. So thank you Papa, and RIP Clyde DuBois, Sr.
See yourself.
Andre DuBois
First of all, let me say that I appreciate you. Whether you're new to the movement, have been rocking with us since before the official beginning, or somewhere in between, I want you to know that I appreciate you and I don't take your support lightly. I must admit, when I started Reflective Music, I didn't see it as being what it is now. And it's largely in part to you guys.
When Reflective first started, it was originally just a vehicle for me to produce under. My original venture had fallen apart, but I still had clients looking to work with me and people who believed in me. Two of them, namely Ashley Laschelle and Brandi Nicole, were there when I was trying to figure out a name for my new brand, and have never left my side. And for that, I'm eternally grateful. But I digress. When thinking of the name, I knew I wanted something to represent what I did in music. What my central theme, message, staple was. I wanted to make music that made people feel. I wanted the music to make sense. And every song that I'd done at that point, from Bennie Munnerlyn's "Complete Me" to Ashley and D2G's "Better", had done exactly that. The music I made you think back to a point in your life where you'd felt that way or painted a picture so vividly that it put you in the moment, and either way, it caused you to reflect. Thus, the name. On January 15, 2013 (my 25th birthday), the logo was seen for the first time on Ashley's "Let Go" single release artwork. My brand's logo on a release that I had co-written, co-produced, and commissioned the artwork for. Happy birthday to me indeed.
However, the more I worked with artists, the more I became aware of how people tried to get over on their work and ownership rights. People who, by the way, often didn't know what the hell they were doing or have a plan in place to get their goals accomplished. Ultimately, all of the artists that I worked with ended up without representation and too busy working on all aspects of their careers that they couldn't devote themselves fully to the music. And after Ashley ended up without representation for the third time, something in me snapped and I decided to look after the aspects of her career, at least until we could finish her album. However, as a producer working on the album, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all at once. So I put out a call for a booking manager and Rhodela Castillo, a girl I'd met two years prior but hardly talked to, answered. She was the first person and the only person I met with. All of this happened in May 2013. By the end of that year, Reflective Music had a team of three and five clients, who all had similar stories to Ashley. Less than four months after that, Reflective Music became Reflective Music, LLC, registered and recognized as an official business. Today is our second anniversary.
As I sit on my bed, writing and reflecting (see what I did there?), it amazes me how much we've accomplished in a small amount of time. Award wins, performances at prestigious venues, opening slots for internationally recognized artists, etc. Additionally, we actually have the balls to plan our own tour and continue to forge our own path as a unit. But we're only allowed to do this by the grace of God and because of you. To all of the talent buyers and booking agents, blogs and bloggers, dj's and radio stations, photographers and videographers, collaborators and supporters that have taken a chance on us over the year, I thank you so much. You've helped us move the brand along. To all of those who have shaded us or spit on the brand, I thank you as well. You've brought us closer together and given us the fire needed to push ourselves further than we thought we could go.
To my Reflective team: Rho, Brandi, Courtney, Christian, Alana, and Dell, I am blessed to have you guys with me on this journey. Each of you are so talented in areas outside of Reflective, and yet you remain committed and determined within your roles on the team. You guys work tirelessly and I look forward to breaking bread with you when we have achieved what we have set out to do. I love you all. Dearly.
To the Reflective roster: Ashley, D2G, Breezy, Lauren, Magix, Mr. Talented, Trina, and D.Son, I am honored that you have trusted me and the team with your careers. That you think enough of us to bring us along on your respective journeys is more than incredible. I look forward to continuing and helping each of you reach your respective goals.
On a personal note, this time of year is always kind of difficult. Though April 3rd is the anniversary of one of the proudest days of my life, April 4th is the anniversary of one of the saddest days of my life. Nine years ago today, my grandfather passed. As the patriarch of a musical tribe that spans three generations, Reflective is not only also a tribute to him, but the fruit of a seed that was planted due to his influence. He encouraged me to be a dreamer and was one of the first to tell me that I could do anything. So thank you Papa, and RIP Clyde DuBois, Sr.
See yourself.
Andre DuBois