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We’re very excited to have some time today with acclaimed head of A&R for Roc Nation, Omar Grant; greetings and salutations Omar and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we dive down the Q&A rabbit hole, and for anyone not in the know, can you talk about Roc Nation, who some of the artists are for Roc Nation and how the company came into being?
Omar: Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company built by artists/creatives for creatives. These values still stand true today and remain the basis for how we run our company.
From the website:
Since its founding in 2008, Roc Nation has grown into the world’s preeminent entertainment company. We work in every aspect of modern entertainment—with recording artists and producers, songwriters and more. Our client list includes some of the world’s most recognizable names: from Rihanna and Rapsody to Buju Banton and Snoh Aalegra. We are a full-service organization, supporting our diverse roster of talent via artist management, music publishing, touring, production, strategic brand development and beyond.
Congratulations on your spearheading the protection and support of artists’ mental health for Roc Nation’s roster which is even more timely in May which is known as Mental Health Awareness Month! Starting at the top, and for anyone not in the know, can you talk about why this issue is such an important one for you and Roc Nation?
Roc Nation’s priority is to take care of artists and pave the way for them to become the best versions of themselves. Our leaders take pride in mental health for the company as a whole. It’s important to maintain a positive working environment and that starts with ensuring both employees and clients feel comfortable mentally, physically and emotionally.
How supportive is the Roc Nation workplace when it comes to mental health?
I encourage employees to work out, read books, have down time and engage in activities that fulfill them. Making sure you have the space to be your best self. Taking care of yourself even as simple as getting to the gym or grabbing a smoothie.
The concern for an artist and their own mental health is something which most outfits and labels rarely, if ever, factored in until quite recently. Why do you feel that it’s taken some very smart people so long to figure out that this is indeed an important issue to be addressed?
There has long been a stigma around mental health and it’s importance. I think it’s simply taken time, along with the growth of a new generation, new ideologies, etc. to change the narrative. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it’s good to see things moving in the right direction.
In regards to mental health awareness, what sets Roc Nation ahead of the pack in how they work with artists through every step of their mental well-being journey?
We build one-on-one relationships with our artists so they understand that we care about them on a personal level, as well as creatively. This allows them to feel like they can come to us as a resource for anything they may be going through.
Do the senior leaders at Roc Nation prioritize mental health at work?
Yes
How does Roc Nation’s health benefits compare to others?
Can’t necessarily speak for other companies as I’m not too sure what they offer/how they compare but I think we offer decent benefits.
As we noted above, May is officially monikered as Mental Health Awareness Month. Is there something which Roc Nation is especially attempting to highlight in this particular month, something which they really want to underline now more than ever when it comes to mental health for all artists?
We don’t have any initiatives specific to the month, however, we try to promote positive mental health year round. Some clients struggle with different mental health challenges and like to express that in their music… we embrace it and help to support their creative decisions (artwork, videos, etc) so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences with the world.
Not to get too far off topic, but can you give our readers a quick rundown on some of the major artists on the Roc Nation roster and the exciting things they have coming up?
Our entire roster is working on amazing things to come. Maeta, Ambre, Dixson, etc.
Any final thoughts you might like to share about Roc Nation and its ongoing efforts to support artists and their mental health well-being?
We look forward to the future and continuing to promote a healthy environment for our artists.
