front-line - Ozone Magazine

mercedes
mercedes
is an all around go getter. Her business
ventures include Strictly Streets Marketing – a street
team service and Society Entertainment – a management
company and record label. Mercedes is also
Director of Promotions for the CORE DJs and one of
the original members of OZONE’s staff.
How did you get your start
Coming from an entertainment family, I’ve always
been involved with entertainment. I was a professional
dancer for many years and played various instruments
and wrote music. I discovered the club scene from
watching that Patti Labelle show Out All Night where
she owned a nightclub/lounge and I was going to
clubs from as young as 12. I met Mr. CC, The Reggae
Ambassador, at a club one night. For years I heard his
radio commercials for his parties and concerts so I
really looked up to him. We clicked and he hired me as
his tour manager and street team.
What services do you offer
I specialize in breaking records, especially the
independent artists in Florida. I get music to the DJs by
hand and through my MP3 digital record pool. I also
create marketing plans for promotional tours, hiring
street teams and sending email blasts. Strictly Streets
Marketing is strictly a street team. We’ve promoted
clubs, movies, albums, clothing lines and even the
last presidential election. I also have a network of
street teams I hire for national campaigns. My newest
venture is Society Entertainment with my partner
Casanova which includes a management company
and record label. I’m excited about our R&B group
3AM. We just began negotiations for distribution with
a few majors. Fella, The Show Stopper, is also with our
management company.
Who are some of your past clients
I started promoting artists with Max-a-Mil Records. I
learned a lot from Big Will, the owner, before he was
murdered a few years ago. I had to keep a piece of
him alive through what he taught me. I still work with
some of the artists from the label like Bravo, South
Star, DJ Junebuhg and Sonny Chulo. I also promoted
Pitbull, RedMan’s label Gilla House, Justo’s Mixtape
Awards and many others. I’m currently the rep for
Interscope, Front Line Promotions and Poe Boy. I’m
basically on retainer for major labels when they come
in town or have artists to promote. Some of my independent
clients include Wes Fif, Haitian Fresh, J-Shin,
Dat Dude, Papa Duck, Phil 4 Real, Stick 3K, P.O.P.E.,
Benisour, Keez Clothing, Young Cash, Supa and Traffic.
You work with the CORE DJs too, right
I’m the Director of Promotions for The CORE DJs. You
can catch us Saturday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio
Hot Jamz Channel 50. Every 6 months we hold our
CORE DJ Retreat. Starting in 2008, my partner Donata
Ellis, the CORE’s Publicist, and I will begin The Florida
Urban Music Conference in Orlando.
You have a good reputation for getting things done.
How do you stay focused
Thank you. Well there is nothing like going through a
windshield at 80mph, breaking your back and shoulder
and still being able to bounce back to get you focused!
After that basically, you can’t tell me nothin’! And if I
can quote Kanye, “What don’t kill me can only make
me stronger.” When you are truly passionate about
something, the focus automatically comes with it.
Unlike someone who goes to work 9-5 it never shuts
off for me. I’ve been on my own with no family since I
was a teen. Failure was never an option. It seems like
a lot of people are missing the work ethic. They only
see the glamour and not what goes into it. Despite the
craziness, I truly enjoy seeing the final product of my
efforts. I get satisfaction knowing I’m helping make
someone’s dream become a reality. “It’s my job to
make you famous.”
How can people contact you
Mercedes.Streets@gmail.com or MySpace.com/MercedesStreets.
//
Words: Ms. Rivercity
Photo: Gerald
OZONE | 17