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mercedes
ercedes 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