Today's guest is Anwar Sawyer. He started as (and still is) a songwriter and producer. He's based in New York and is a classically trained pianist. He studied classical piano and composition at Westminster Choir College and New York Institute of Technology. He's signed to Roc Nation Publishing and has now started a management company, SMG Entertainment, where his breakout artist is Audrey Nuna. She's currently signed to Sony Arista Records.

Anwar and I talk about being a producer/songwriter and writing thousands of songs and even how he got his publishing deal. We also talk about developing this young artist and what the process is behind that. She has millions and millions of streams and has collaborated with DJ Snake and Jack Harlow. And by the time you're listening to this episode, she might be taking over the world because she's a pop star on the rise. 

This was a live podcast in front of Ari's Take Academy students. They were able to ask questions at the end. We included a few of their questions at the end, and I know you're not going to want to miss them.

If you want to check out Ari's Take Academy head over to the website: https://www.aristakeacademy.com/

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Quick links:

3:35 - About Anwar Sawyer

8:35 - How Anwar landed his Roc Nation Publishing deal

17:44 - What's it like being a songwriter/producer signed to a publishing deal?

19:25 - How Anwar and Audrey Nuna started working together

24:00 - How do you promote an artist with 0 fans? What's the release strategy look like?

28:33 - Once Audrey's following and stream counts begin growing, what were your next steps?

33:18 - When "Soufflé" was released, where was Audrey Nuna at in her career? What were her numbers like?

35:22 - A simple compliment can be your 'in' with a music professional

41:42 - What made Anwar and Audrey Nuna sign with Sony Arista Records over other labels? 

45:53 - Ari's Take Academy student questions

52:31 - What it means to Anwar Sawyer to 'make it' in the New Music Business

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Connect with Anwar Sawyer:

Website: https://www.smgent.com/

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