The stars have been aligning for Shanti Das since she took a leap of faith a few years ago, emerging from the hallowed halls of the biggest corporate record labels in the music industry including Columbia Records, Sony Urban Music, UniversalMotown and, of course, the birthplace of her career, LaFace Records.
Having recently released the second installment of her book, The Hip Hop Professional 2.0, which has made its way to newsstands in stores in the world’s busiest airport — Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the HipHop Archives at Harvard University, she’s landed firmly on her stilettos and has realized it was the best decision of her life.
The humble Das has been spending the past several years building an empire that also includes hosting a monthly music supper club, ATL Live on the Park, launching “Turn the Page,” a campaign to collect books for children and teens to be used for after school reading programs and community centers in Greater Atlanta, on a college speaking tour, The College Chat Room, visiting HBCUs and Division 1 schools, serving as a coordinating producer for Centric TV’s upcoming documentary on OutKast, and so much more.
Here, she chats with rolling out about her new book and being an entrepreneur.
Tell us about the relaunch of The Hip Hop Professional 2.0.
The relaunch of The Hip Hop Professional 2.0 is very exciting. As many people know, I took a huge leap of faith and left my cushy job at UniversalMotown records and moved back home [to Atlanta] and decided to be an entrepreneur. I have done and learned a lot as an entrepreneur. In the book, I talk about different things throughout the book, i.e., accountability, self-encouragement and going through depression. God has blessed me to be transparent in this phase of my life. It also encourages those eager young professionals on the entertainment side.
Take us down the path of transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneur.
The transition has been really challenging but it is so rewarding and exciting. There are so many things you have to learn. Nowadays, it’s sexy to say you are an entrepreneur and that you have your own business. I don’t think people really do the research and homework and understand what it takes to run your own business and work for yourself.
You wear 10 hats, if not more. You’re an accountant. You’re the head of the label. You’re the promotional person. We’ve heard the phrase, “You eat what you kill.” That is so true. You have to be aggressive, assertive and go out there and get that new business for yourself.
Being an entrepreneur is not easy, but it’s exciting and gives people an opportunity to really do what they love to do.
Why should an aspiring hip-hop professional have a copy of your book?
[They] should have a copy of The Hip Hop Professional 2.0 because I drop nuggets of wisdom transferable to any business in any industry. I discuss leadership, accountability, determination, self-respect and self-confidence for men and women. They’re characteristics everyone should exude in this business.
