Big.Ass.Kids

Introducing the new Apprenticeship Program, starting January 2025 Traditionally, B.A.K has taken on a cohort of 12 students each semester for an unpaid internship program. Although both B.A.K and the students found great successes each semester, we felt it necessary to amplify the program, given the rapid growth of B.A.K in 2024. Our needs have grown, and we need a strong team of young professionals to support our business operations. In place of the internship program, B.A.K will be taking on six (6) paid, part-time apprentices to work directly with the co-founders le'Roy Benros and Carolyn Ortiz. We are excited to work closely with six dedicated learners who are ready to take their music career to the next level. Our program is designed for rising juniors, rising seniors, and those within six months of graduation from an undergraduate university. If you are not in school but have qualifying experience, please apply. The program runs January 20th - May 2025. You will need to work 18 hours a week within the EST time zone. A monthly stipend of $500 will be granted. The Six Apprenticeship Opportunities Graphic Design Video Production Community Management  Label & Distro Operations Assistant  Artist Relations  Social Media & Editorial Management Find more details & apply here: https://lnkd.in/eJJ-MNSU *If you applied to the Spring 2025 Intern Program, you will need to re-apply.

Join us tomorrow in the B.A.K Play.Ground for our monthly music marketing roundtable with Dayna Young. This month Dayna and Carolyn Ortiz are speaking with Ellen Mangan about cultivating and keeping super fans. RSVP Here: https://lnkd.in/gdydvNhF

Play.Ground Digest Vol. XXVIII is out now featuring Artist Development & Music Marketing Professional Ricki Nelson, MS, MLM! Ricki is a music marketing professional who is passionate about uplifting marginalized artists. They created The Sharp Pitch agency to create positive change in music by providing resources and services to the strategically underrepresented. They have since worked with artists like Desarae Dee, Blink, and Cade Clair! Music Artists — are you looking for someone help your music reach the right audience? Connect with Ricki & other vetted music professionals in the B.A.K Play.Ground! Membership info at the link in bio 

This week at Ralph’s Used & Rare Books 📚 What do you get when you combine the raw creativity of a hip-hop artist, the entrepreneurial spirit of a risk-taker, and a visionary approach to the global music industry? You get Spek . – a trailblazer whose love for music has helped him build a career that has redefined norms, empowered regions, and connected people. From breaking barriers within Canada’s first internationally successful hip-hop group to building PopArabia, the most dominant music publishing organization in the Middle East, Spek’s story is one of passion, resilience, and determination. Our very own, Lisa Marie recently sat down with Spek to unpack his journey from artist to executive, the untapped potential of the MENA region, and why remaining a “big ass kid” has been his secret to longevity. Head on over to Ralph’s in the Big.Ass.Kids Neighborhood for the full scoop! He even curated a dope playlist for all of us. Go peep 💿 📝 Shamus Hill

🚨LAST CHANCE TO APPLY: Spring 2025 intern application close tomorrow at midnight! Want to take the next step for your career in music? Apply to join the B.A.K team and get real, hands-on experience to further your career development!

Play.Ground Digest Vol. XXVI is out now featuring Music Producer & Engineer Kasey Phillips! Kasey is an LA-based producer & engineer who is carrying out his passion to bring Soca and Caribbean music to the world. He has built his company, Precision Productions, as the top production company in Trinidad and Tobago, working with artists like Ciara, Summer Walker, Chris and Brown! Music Artists — are you looking for someone to produce your next record? Connect with Kasey & other vetted music professionals in the B.A.K Play.Ground! Membership info at https://lnkd.in/gqyWB6Vq 🔗

This week at Ralph’s Used & Rare Books 📚 Our BAK Magazine guest - Mariel Gomerez, a Dominican, NYC- born creative executive and record producer, has played a pivotal role as an A&R to some of the most important projects to be released over the course of the last decade. Widely recognized for her ability to uncover talent and synthesize ideas into breathtaking bodies of work, Mariel has grown into one of the most influential, behind-the-scenes players in music. Selected by industry peers, this individual was among the youngest nominees for the 2024 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Player Award. This year her work as an A&R, Producer and Executive Producer on Cowboy Carter, CRASH and RAYE who she signed to Human Re Sources in 2022 has amassed 11+ GRAMMY nominations-breaking multiple records. Lisa Marie recently had the opportunity to catch up with Mariel to explore the evolution of her journey into the A&R field, the emerging artists she finds inspiring, the integration of her personal identity with her professional endeavors, and the ways in which her understanding of artistry has transformed over the years. Head on over to Ralph’s in the Big.Ass.Kids neighborhood for the full scoop. and while you’re at it, peep how she A&R’d the heck out of this curated playlist for BAK. 📝 Shamus Hill

Play.Ground Digest Vol. XXV is out now featuring Artist Marketing & Strategy Professional Ellen Mangan! Ellen is a music marketing professional who has worked with companies like Columbia Records, Arista Records, and PledgeMusic, as well as artists like Louis Tomlinson, Hozier, and Leon Bridges. Music Artists — are you looking for someone to promote your next release? Connect with Ellen & other vetted music professionals in the B.A.K Play.Ground! Membership info available at: https://lnkd.in/gqyWB6Vq

Donate Today - Join B.A.K in supporting music professionals impacted by the mass layoffs. Big.Ass.Kids is excited to share an exciting and impactful initiative we’ve just launched called The BAK Sandbox. As a 501c3 nonprofit project, The BAK Sandbox is dedicated to providing vital support to music professionals impacted by the widespread industry layoffs. Learn more at www.baksandbox.org. Over the past two years, nearly 100,000 jobs in the music, music/tech, and adjacent fields have been eliminated, and we are raising funds to provide professional development resources and opportunities for career sustainability. Through the funds we raise, we’ll be able to offer: - Free memberships to The B.A.K Play.Ground community which provides direct access to artists, agencies, and companies seeking to hire vetted talent - Professional development workshops, courses and live discussions led by industry leaders and peers - Mental health and neurodivergent support services - Financial planning and business management resources to start their job-seeking, freelance, or entrepreneurial journey - & more We are committed to being the change we want to see in the music industry, and we need your help to make it happen. Your donation, no matter the size, will have a direct impact on professionals who are eager to rebuild their careers. How you can contribute: - Make a monetary $ donation: Every contribution makes a difference. You can find the donation link at www.baksandbox.org. We are a 501c3 project and are able to receive tax-deductible donations. - Partner with us: We are looking for solution-focused partners and thought leaders to help ideate best strategies for long-term solutions. We're also seeking brand partnerships. If you’re interested in sponsoring workshops, offering product donations, or providing professional services, we’d love to discuss how we can collaborate. - Donate your talent: Do you have a skill (marketing, fundraising, etc.) and would like to donate your time to help build The Sandbox? There’s a ton of work to do, and we can use all of the help we can get to support our colleagues! -  Donate your story: If you have been laid off please consider sharing your story with the B.A.K community so donors can see the implications of the layoffs. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a real difference.  Your support will allow us to provide much-needed resources to the talented professionals who have been laid off. Together, we can ensure that they have the tools to succeed. If you would like to schedule a call to discuss this further, please contact Carolyn Ortiz.

Play.Ground Digest Vol. XXIV is out now featuring Music Growth Strategist & Consultant Jess Kenney! Jess has been a driving force in the music industry for 15 years, pioneering innovative solutions and creative problem-solving for artists and labels. She has worked with companies like Jess Kenney Music Growth Consulting, LLC, Universal Music Group, and Verve Label Group, as well as artists like Jon Batiste, Samara Joy, and Laila! Music Artists — are you looking for someone to help you grow as an artist? Connect with Jess & other vetted music professionals in the B.A.K Play.Ground! Membership info at https://lnkd.in/gqyWB6Vq 🔗