The 1891 Hot 10
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has begun its first venture with the music industry as it opens up its first very own record label the 1891 Hot 10. Artist Yung Nell has founded the label at the #1 HBCU in the world allowing artist to come together to produce their content and expand their artistry in music.
The 1891 Hot 10 was founded in April of 2021 by the company’s founder Yung Nell. He is an upcoming entrepreneur, artist, and a soon to be graduated senior business management student at the North Carolina A&T. Yung Nell grew up in Inglewood, California, and started off his music career young. He was inspired by the musical artist and icons Nipsey Hussle and P-Diddy to pursue his dreams and his career in both music and business. The 1891 Hot 10 continues to grow now as he develops his way through the industry.
Pictured above is rap artist Yung Nell
Malique Hawkins and DJ Bitty are the co-founders of 1891 Hot 10 and have worked with Yung Nell on several projects. As they all came up together they had it in for music and as they kept going, their knowledge in music and business began to expand, emerging the 1891 Hot 10. Their network and their education combined was the best form to come up with the company. The concept came to mind and they used thier platform to continue making their mark as new rap artist; soon the industry couldn’t help but to fall into their laps. Together they want to create a space for musical creatives to be themselves and advocate for those who need it by providing a service where you can educate others in music.
Yung Nell says that watching your business grow and seeing where it can go in the future is the best part about being an artist in something bigger like this. Opening doors for yourself through your own art starting now is what creates the opportunities later. He says that “surrounding yourself with goal makers, and people who have their heads on the right way is what gets you to where you need to go. The industry is growing so you must have someone to support you who knows what they are doing.”
The images taken were caught by the keen eye of photographer Bryce Lindsay, an A&T freshman supply chain management student from Charlotte, North Carolina. His dope eye has captured what it means to be an artist, with the hue of precise color at SoulLab Studios. Catch more of his work @shots.by.brycelindsay.
Most of the content produced is made at the Soul Lab Studios located in the local area of Greensboro, North Carolina. The studio showcases two music studio rooms and a back event room for artists of all musical talents to perfect their craft and create what makes the public go wild. Here you are able to expand on your artistry and think outside the box to create something new.
Persistence, Learning, and Growing. These are the key values that 1891 Hot 10 stands by. In the industry you have to learn how to adapt with the load of information you receive quickly. These values help you stick to it.
This record label is one of the most creative ways to impact the HBCU community as it recognizes the new generation for its lead in the industry. By strategically marketing the school's best new artist, diversifying the diaspora of creativity within HBCU culture, and building stronger relationships and partnerships, the label will be able to capitalize on the strengths of black music and make a platform for more young black artists.
In its past first season 1891 Hot 10 was the topic at North Carolina A&T for outgoing performances, producing artists like Cincomillions and India Imani who are known around campus for their rapping and singing talent.
India Imani, (caught in the image) is an upcoming artist on the label. She is a singer and a junior journalism and mass communication student at North Carolina A&T. Her presence has been growing at A&T largely through performances and streaming platforms.
India explains how her journeys with the label have led her to many opportunities that you can only get through the networking in the industry. It's important to continue getting that attraction and network because your fanbase is what gets you the money. Stay tuned for more of her art with her new EP coming out soon.
The goal for the label is to present more opportunities to artists who have talents in music and beyond.The concept came to mind using their platform to get in contact with management and contractors who know the ins and outs of the industry. By showcasing more artists to the public and allowing them to make their own connections through a network of people in the industry they can pursue their talents and strive for their education while growing their artistry. It opens up the gateways to the in and outs of music production, business, and the art of how music is run.
The label plans to open its arms to the public of future artists at A&T through club ambassadors, pop-up shops, and showcases and concerts around the campus and community events. The platform signs artists from A&T on their label to work with them and help them become better in their talents and to the management sides of things in an effort to get them signed by higher labels today. To join this hot newness you must be a freshman music artist and attending North Carolina A&T, with a developing music platform.
The 1891 Hot 10 has made its presence known for the newness in our generation as the first HBCU risen record label. In its next season, the label has planned a mass of events to carry its artist through the public image.
This past week the team kicked off their label by producing content through their worldwide HBCU tour which started at Benedict College. Their next show will be at home, North Carolina A&T on October 16 and followed by Tennessee State University and Texas Southern University. Be sure to look out for the next shows and many more on eventbrite ticketing website. The label's first podcast will be called Hot Talks, a talk show about the journeys of music artists and their interview segments and what's going on in the industries at large. It will premiere every week on selected streaming platforms so make sure to be on the lookout.
