We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabe Carmona and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work alongside some amazing people in the music industry. Whether it was collaborating with record labels, music supervisors, upcoming artists, or A&R partners, I have always respected the creative process and the power of music. I also believed that only I could truly tell my story. With this in mind, I founded 88k Media. Not only does it serve as a repository for my productions and contracts, but it is also a creative space where music is celebrated and valued in our culture. Today, 88k Media partners with some of the largest media and commercial brand companies across the globe. With talented artists and major media placements, we believe that at 88k Media, music is more than just an art form; it’s a value proposition that transcends boundaries and redefines sonic landscapes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart? 88k Media and Gabe Carmona Music stand out for their diverse range of clients and partnerships. For the past 20 years, we have partnered with media companies and content creators to create stunning on-site time-lapse videos, from glaciers in Greenland to majestic elephant families trekking across Africa’s vast plains. Other works include partnering with aspiring recording artists who are looking for their own unique sound. We understand the challenges of the entertainment industry and offer mentorship options to help you overcome them. Additionally, we partner with well-known brands to produce advertisements, forward-thinking record labels, and distinguished media outlets to name a few. Our team offers a wide variety of services that cater to both the creative and business aspects of the industry. So, whether you need us to produce captivating media content or work on scoring for groundbreaking musical or documentary projects, our team of audiovisual specialists, mixing and mastering engineers, project managers, digital art creators, artist relations experts, and rostered seasoned musicians are ready and dedicated to bringing your vision to life with precision and creativity.

What you are most proud of or excited about?
In full transparency, I still feel excited about my first album, “The G Suite” which I released back in 2019. This album holds a special place in my heart for a few reasons. Firstly, every track was written for my wife. Secondly, I took a break from touring as a musician/producer and really wanted to work on an album for myself on my own timeline, and without any creative restrictions. For the album, I leveraged my early R&B influences of Guy, Levert, Blackstreet, Jodeci, Mint Condition, Sade, Keith Sweat, New Edition, and others.

In recent days, I have been extremely excited about my last few projects. The first project, “The Path” EP, is a sonic journey taking the listener on a journey of the mind, body, and soul. Secondly, I just completed my approved remix of Dax’s “To Be A Man” featuring Country Icon Darius Rucker. This remix project will always hold a special place in my heart. Organically, it just came together man. That said, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dax and Darius Rucker for their invaluable contribution in laying the foundation for the “To Be A Man” 88k Gabe Remix.“ So real….and raw”. Stream it today on YouTube and Vimeo. Lastly, I am proud of my placements on media sites such as the National Geographic Channel, E! News, NFL, and many others. I feel grateful and honored for this journey and the media collaborations.

How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy?
My journey to where I am today professionally? Well, that has been a challenging yet rewarding path. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but the rich musical tradition of the Carmona musicians has always been a guiding light for me. I pay homage to those who came before me, acknowledging their contributions to the art form. I am honored to carry on the musical tradition they established. I’ve also had the privilege of learning from countless producers, artists, and engineers who have generously shared their knowledge and expertise. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my skills and understanding of the industry and musical theory. Sure, I have faced challenges. For example, one of the significant challenges is still between us recording artists and streaming services, specific to the distribution of revenue and fair compensation for the artists. We can agree that while streaming services have revolutionized the music industry by providing convenient access to a vast library of songs, the financial model still raises concerns among artists about their earnings.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Although I believe that the journey of a music producer is unique for each individual, there are always lessons to learn and opportunities to leverage the lesson now or later as guiding principles. My experiences and insights continue to shape my path in the world of music production. That said, my advice to other producers, artists, and creators is to always remain open to Adaptability. The music industry is dynamic, and trends can change rapidly. Being adaptable and open to exploring new genres or styles can help you stay relevant and expand your creativity. I would say to remain patient, not only on your journey but also when developing your “unique” sound. After all, finding your own signature sound can set you apart in a crowded field. So, experiment with different genres, techniques, and instruments to discover what resonates with you and your audience. “Success” in music often comes with time and persistence. So, be patient with your progress, learn from failures, and use setbacks as opportunities to improve your skills. After I am not batting 100 when pitching placements and that’s ok. Lastly, one lesson I learned a long time ago was in the power and beauty of collaboration! Never stop building your network. After all, collaboration is key. Building a network of musicians, artists, engineers, and other industry professionals can lead to exciting opportunities, creative partnerships, and valuable insights.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
That’s an excellent question. I’d like the world to recognize me as someone who has an immense love for music and one who believes that it has the power to bring positive change to the world. My unwavering passion, dedication, and commitment to the transformational potential of music will always remain the driving force behind all the projects I lead or participate in. My brand, 88k Media, is my identity. It is founded on integrity, commitment, and is fueled by resilience. I learn from failures and persevere in adversity. If I may, I would also like to thank and Shoutout those who continue to support the Gabe Carmona musical journey, both here and abroad, including the Voyage Group of Magazines! I truly appreciate the time you all take to message me and share how my music has impacted you. I am eternally grateful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, it really depends on who’s coming into town. But for starters, for my meat-loving friends, we would have to visit Fleming’s Steakhouse, Char Steakhouse, Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, and the Santa Fe Cattle Company to start. I’d also recommend the Ichigo Ichie for some great Japanese cuisine. If we’re trying to keep it light, we love to hang out and eat at Taco Mamacita. Another great place is Party Fowl. However, for my meat-and dairy-free friends, The Southern V is a great place for tasty selections. You can’t go wrong with Avo and the delicious options at the Sunflower Cafe (for those same group of friends). There are so many I left out but needless to say, we’d eat and enjoy all that Music City has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow. This list could get lengthy! I will start by saying that I am so grateful for the many people who have supported me along my music and life journey. But at the top of my Shoutout list is my wife – my muse and my business partner. Her unwavering support has been instrumental to my personal and professional growth. I could go on and on about her impact on me and this topic, but the truth is, since day one, she has been my support, mentor, and driving force behind Gabe Carmona Music. I feel truly blessed to have her in my life. In fact, my first album, “The G Suite,” features 10 tracks that were all written for her.

Next, I would like to give a shoutout to my talented brother, “Big Mike” Carmona, who is a DJ, Event Host, former Radio Host, Mixer, and VP. Since day 1, he has been supporting me tirelessly, and I cannot thank him enough for that. We’ve come a long way from sharing bunk beds to rocking stages, and I appreciate his unbreakable support and love. It has been amazing to see him grow professionally, and I admire his strength and determination.

Before I go, I want to give a few shoutouts. Firstly, I want to give a shoutout to our music and producer communities all around the world! I also want to send a big Shoutout to Bradley Denniston, Justin Engle, Aubrey Whitfield, and Anthony “Clint” Jr. I also can’t forget to Shoutout to Seids for all of the Logic Pro tips! Although I will always be a student of the art of music and creativity, each of these artists and creators deserves a major shoutout from me for their tireless effort and commitment to educating our music community through their tutorials, gear discussions, and DAW/plug-in reviews. I highly recommend looking each one of them up if you haven’t yet! once again, thank you to each one of you for being a part of my journey.

Website: www.gabecarmonamusic.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/gabecarmona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabecarmona88k

Facebook: https://facebook.com/gabecarmonamusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/gabecarmonamusic

Other: Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gabe-carmona/360407292?ign-gact=3&ls=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zhlyEArgTJHy07Hy8ZtQ2?autoplay=true&v=A https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zhlyEArgTJHy07Hy8ZtQ2?autoplay=true&v=A

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