Mark Spratley Talks Influencing Hip Hop Culture For The Future Of Tomorrow

Marketing specialist and Hip Hop influencer Mark “Sprat” Spratley is impacting the future of tomorrow’s music  through his genius marketing skills. I had the pleasure of catching up with the hot shot for candid interview. As he graciously discusses finding his place in the music industry, working with SXSW and founding his own label, Sprat is becoming one of the hottest influencers in the game.

Checkout the interview below.

Respect: How did you get your start in the entertainment business?

Sprat: I was at ECU, going for marketing/business and to be honest unsure of what I wanted to do career wise. School and the vision of a 9-5 job was never in the equation for me.

I never was the social media type. The kids I was actually living with at ECU (College) had me create a Twitter etc. for the first time. Fresh Moss had a project called New Jersey Drive that knocked back in high school. I tweeted out “What the hell happened to Fresh Moss?” or something of the sort. Fresh Moss seen that, saw my knowledge of music and sent a DM to get to work.

LVLYSL was just formed, and I came on board while still at school. I started putting my life into the music then. I did a lot of “intern” work for them, I suppose you would say, but without the “intern” label. I think they gave me some BS label like “Music Consigliere” lol.

I was doing any and everything to another level from blog work, beginning PR work, connecting new fans, growing all social media, growing the Soundcloud, connecting with artists, growing the Twitter and connecting dots on all ends. All this allowed me to learn many different facets that I still use to this day.

I knew my worth and it was time for me to move on, from there I branched out on my own. I tapped in with my own artists and started to open a lot of doors through that, started blogging for a lot of major platforms at the time, just started my PR wave, really started developing the brand, foundation and network.

My first ever event was Capital Steez last event ever smh, RIP!!! We had Underachievers, Joey BadA$$ and Steez out before they all officially blew up.

My first ever SXSW event (My 2nd show ever) was the inaugural Legally Loud event, I partnered with DJ Enuff x Hot 97 and brought out out Post Malone, G Pen and many other talented and popping artists + brands at the time.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind founding Starting Five?

Sprat: If you all were paying attention from the jump you know I use to be “Special Executive” and ran it up with that for the beginning of my career. I unfortunately came in and formed the company with a friend that turned out to be a bummy partner that didn’t take anything too serious. The guy basically ran off with the company, deleted my email, ran off with LoudPackLegion.com domain, hacked all my social media accounts and more. That was a HUGE wake up call for me, from there I created Starting Five and the marathon obviously still continues.

Starting Five is the elite. The work ethic and vision is championships. If you are comfortable playing off the bench or moving like you belong on the bench, we are not the same or here for you. Starting Five is an empire currently in creation mode. The foundation has been laid as you all can see, I’ve put in the work, I have accomplished a lot, learned a lot, and now it is go time! Starting Five is a full service in house label, offering distribution, marketing, everything you need in any means and so much more.

Starting Five is getting the attention of a lot of your favorite labels right now for imprints and the talks are starting to make sense. Be on the lookout for that!

More of the Starting Five vision and inspiration will lay out over time as everything else transpires. The vision is bigger than you think, something the public eye will see over time.

Respect: Who are some of the artists you are working with and trying to make a big push for?

Sprat: I refreshed my whole roster not too long ago. I had to re gain focus, the right people around me, motivation, positive energy and remove any that were becoming leeches.

Pre Kai Ro is one of the latest artists of Starting Five, he’s a superstar (Out of Egypt). pre is rising heavily right now, the sound speaks for itself, a lot of moves are in store and the wave is only getting larger. Recently charting on Apple Music’s “Hot Tracks” a few weeks ago, a record with 24HRS out, last single almost at 700K off Spotify, Youtube audio at 1.9 million off “Cold”, I also think I’m in the clear to announce that he will be on B Lou upcoming “BOW” project.

Beyond that I am finalizing up paperwork with a few other TALENTED artists that I am about to shake the game up with for sure. Keeping those names pretty low key right now. The machine is here, so I’m back in my bag for sure.

Working and connecting dots with Sonny Digital, DDG, B Lou and many more. My PR game is going crazier than ever so I’m always working campaigns with many others and helping to connect dots etc.

Respect: What advice would you give an up and coming artist looking to become a mainstream artist?

Sprat: Polish your sound (A good mix goes a long way), continue to learn and develop. I can’t stress enough for an artist to go hard for themselves, you should be one of your biggest promoters, managers, A&R’s, PR’s etc. If you won’t go hard for yourself, how can you ever expect another person to go even harder for you?

Just remember when you are reaching out to people within the industry or just in life, to always come correct, know what you want, bring something to the table and be on point. One of the MAJOR faults of an artist is that they love to waste peoples time. Time is valuable especially for someone who is truly working and busy! Your artistry and name is a business at the end of the day, move appropriately.

Respect: What’s your experience like having a showcase takeover SXSW?

Sprat: It’s been a blessing! People really think that I am from Texas because of how I takeover that whole week, but I am actually from New Jersey haha. It is even a greater feeling to know that what I’ve done is being respected, especially from people who are paving the way within Texas. From the major shows to the mansion parties its been pretty interesting!

I’ve experienced so many memorable moments in my brief time within the industry and on the event side. I’ve crossed paths and have got to work with so many iconic people and talented stars, many from the early stages of their career or rise through putting together these events.

To bring Post Malone, Russ, Lil Baby, Rich The Kid, PNB Rock, A Boogie, Lil Yachty, 2 Chainz, Sonny Digital, Mike Will, Metro Boomin, Moneybagg Yo, Lud Foe, Ralo, Shy Glizzy, K Camp, Lil Xan, Lil Mosey, Megan Thee Stallion, Ugly God, DDG, Comethazine, Quando Rondo, Maxo Kream and so many more out that I could keep going and going. The crowds energy and appreciation is what’s most special, the artists I bring out or the media that covers my events is just more validation for not only my ear but the fact that I really do this!

To bring out some of the legends who paved the way as well is epic to me (Artists that I grew up on during my childhood). That’s a great feeling! The fact that I even have that type of platform or access to these people that I grew up listening to or seen from afar is still crazy to me.

I am  really doing these events all by myself and fully involved with every aspect of the events, shows or parties. From the curation, major artists showing out, hosts, influencers involved, major sponsors, activations, the crowd, sound, equipment, locations, security, marketing, special guests, set up and everything you could think of, I’m involved fully. We have had same day venue changes, mansion changes and all types of foolery, but at the end of the day the job gets done and the people are happy!

I am  just having fun out there and during the whole curation process. The curation aspect is certainly the most exciting part about everything. I stay way too busy out there during the events to really enjoy myself and the events as much as I should. It’s a stressful week because each and every year I have done everything pretty much solo, but it’s all worth it at the end of the week!

I have created a staple out there with Legally Loud, LVLUP, the mansion parties etc. Obviously we created some legendary moments with the 40oz Bounce out there as well. I’ve started a lot of waves out there at SXSW and have given the template for many to follow suit. People that have worked my events are now branching out to do there thing and get in their bag, it’s dope.

Sheesh! Starting Five, Pre kai ro, PR for many, a new roster, this empire, talking S5 imprints, loads of content, multiple new channels (Stay tuned), shopping records, expanding these events. I’ve got a few things about to drop in the next 1-3 weeks that I’m very excited for, expect a whole lot.

Right now you all can definitely tune into my New Day, New Wave playlists across all DSP’s. I run the Spotify playlist on a Times Square, NY billboard bi weekly.

As he continues to shake up the music business and push out high quality content, be sure to subscribe to his youtube channel here.