Big Smokey Talks Challenges, Hosting Festivals, & More

Big Smokey, born Justin Townsend, is an entrepreneur in marketing. He’s worked with notable acts like Rich the Kid, Paul Wall, and MGK along with several others. “I want to work with independent artists and introduce them to publishing deals,” he writes. Check out the interview below.

What was the hardest challenge you’ve ever faced in your life?

The hardest challenge I have ever had was not having financial backing. I never had investors or rich family to rely on. I had to start from the bottom and work my way up. I feel I am the true definition of hard work pays off. It’s hard for an entrepreneur to start a company if they have no money.

What was one moment that shaped who you are?

It wasn’t until I started working with California Finest and attending events that I found myself. I was able to create a platform for myself by using my personality and opportunity. I dint start tasting real success until I was about 26 years old. Without California Finest their probably would not be a Loud Packs Jay. Scott Mcaphail the owner gave me a platform to display my personality and creativity by letting control of the marketing side of California Finest. Scott did not like the limelight and let me be the face whenever we had festivals or events to work.

How exactly are you involved in the music industry?

I became more serious in the music industry after I started hosting shows. I started meeting big-name artists and slowly developed organic relationships with them. After I had enough money to help others I started Big Smokey Productions. I helped artists who did not have the financial backing to be the artist they had the potential to be. I would use my resources and large network relationships to get features for artists. I am a behind the scenes guy when it comes to music. I executive produce. I purchase beats and find artists to record songs on them and get my name on the publishing. I manage artists and I work with artist development.

Tell us more about the concerts and events you host.

I would host music festivals similar to Coachella or rolling loud that had many attendees throughout the weekends. These events would sometimes have up to 50 major artists on one venue. I was the man on stage hyping the crowd and filling any downtime between artist sets. I would shout out the event sponsors and make sure they got the brand recognition they would pay for. Hosting played a major Roling Loud packs jay’s growth as an influencer. All of the festivals are documented in blogs on youtube. If you want to watch the journey all videos are posted on YouTube under Big Smokey TV.

What is your favorite part about being involved in the music industry?

I love the social aspect of music. How it brings people together and sets a mood for all different environments. I like helping artists follow their dreams, this can be very rewarding and a challenge at the same time. Doing what you love in life is very important and everyone loves music. I enjoy the concert and performance side of music, I am backstage at all the major music festivals and concerts, such as cochlea and rolling loud. I have a lot of friends that are in major rock bands also. I love all different types of music.

Who are some of the musicians you’ve worked with?

I have worked with Nas, Wu-Tang, Damian Marley, and 50 Cent to name a few. Additionally, I’ve worked with the likes of 2 Chainz, Rich the Kid, Gucci Mane, Trippie Redd, and many more

Who are the artist you have signed to your label right now?

My first artist is my longtime friend Scrillz. He is a Polynesian artist who is half Samoan and black. We grew up together and recently reunited through our kids playing football together on the same program. Scrillz is very talented and versatile, he can sing and rap, harmonizing with all different sounds and melodies. I wanted to help him bring his music career to the next level, a place where others have not been able to. I want to see him create a name for himself and one day provide for his family the way I do for mine.