Dreamville's Ibrahim Hamad on managing J.Cole + taking the brand beyond music | IDEA GENERATION Ep.2

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Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Childhood + Introduction to Rap
04:10 - College Years
05:06 - Meeting J Cole
07:30 - Building A Fanbase
10:10 - Bigger Ambitions
11:10 - Getting Signed
12:40 - Conceptualizing Dreamville
13:37 - Being Signed + Working with Jay Z
15:18 - The First Breakthrough Record
16:19 - Battling Criticism + Social Media
17:20 - Making Born Sinner
18:06 - Leveling Up
18:56 - the BET Awards + staying true to yourself
21:08 - Making Forrest Hill Drive
23:09 - Dreamville’s Rise + Mission
24:18 - 4 Your Eyez Only + KOD
25:25 - Being A Manager and Label Head
28:10 - Dreamville Fest
29:13 - The Dreamers Session + Revenge of the Dreamers III
30:12 - Plaques
30:50 - Looking Ahead
Manager and music executive Ibrahim Hamad takes us on his long journey from meeting a then-unknown rapper named J.Cole in college to becoming his manager to helping him build a label, a festival and a media company as partners. Modest and soft spoken, for Cole's entire career Hamad has balanced friendship and business, acting as a sounding board, idea man, and relentless executor. And he learned how to do it all while on the job. In this episode he explains how he gets the best out of J.Cole, the pressure he puts on himself, and his vision for the future of Dreamville.
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#dreamville #ibrahimhamad #jcole

[@Natikillz]

IB is so well spoken I could listen to him talk all day! Been riding with y’all since 09 DREAMVILLE 💙 *bring back dollar and a dream shows*

[@far3i]

Al hamdulillah for real management = smart friends who believe in you

[@LuHound]

He's got the hand motions like Cole when he talks 😂 tight nit group, hella inspirational! Thanks you for sharing 💯

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thanks for watching!

[@luissoto1993]

I was 15 in high school and i saved my lunch money for a week or two in anticipation for this album. I went to target before school and bought my first album. I feel part of history now.

[@advproz1752]

That’s awesome, you still rocking with Cole?

[@rosasaavedra4539]

That's dope, I had never gone to a concert in my I'm 34 for now I went to see Forrest Hill drive in Miami

[@willbemyyear-hw1oh]

This Video made me respect Jcole even more from now on. JCOLE will live forever🐐

[@JORDANMAC815]

I relate so much to how J Cole was about coming out as a rapper with being shy and not wanting to look like one of those other guys. I always felt a strong connection with Cole and even wrote a remix to “Lost Ones” to tell the story of when my aunt was murdered. Thank you for this interview it was inspiring and has a lot of gems in it!

[@JORDANMAC815]

The “Lost Ones” Remix is on my channel if you wanna check it out and show some love!

[@chrisdehmer3967]

@@JORDANMAC815 Just checked it out.. Wow that’s a deep story I’m sorry to hear about your aunt, but you killed it lyrically! I like the Joyner Lucas reference too

[@eezygange4kE]

Facts just not wanting to be fully all the way out there and I’ll check it out for sure

[@michaelsalfaro]

Grew up with Cole since '09 when i first saw the Who Dat music video on my aunts tv when i was visiting in Bronx, NY. He really built a brand! Love what Cole did with this group of people creating Dreamville and how IB just went along for the ride as a friend and stepped up. Love every artist on the label. Can't wait for the festival next year. I'm definitely going this time, best believe ima be high as hell and vibing out. 😀 Which is technically its second concert lol

[@Tapiwa_Mesa]

His hand gestures, i see you man.. IB and Cole are really tights, very inspirational

[@jayzell99]

Im from NC and I remember when “Who Dat?” came out. I saw it on MTV jams. I just IMMEDIATELY knew J Cole was gone put on for NC and be a star. Glad I was right.

[@mpumelelokhuzwayo2764]

I think we all need an Ib in our lives.

[@justing5682]

this was so dope. as an aspiring artist, I can only imagine the immense value that having a right hand man like IB brings to your team. hopefully I’ll find the IB to my Cole someday lol Keep up the work! Great content

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thanks for watching!

[@humblepharaoh5203]

If your music is a good as your waves you’ll be there in no time

[@justing5682]

@@humblepharaoh5203 😂😂 thank you!

[@MykeSoun_]

Link to ya music

[@omargetem1672]

Friends like this are priceless if you have one you are blessed and are prolly taking them for granted. Stop what your doing and show them some love they deserve it. 🙏🏽

[@djthepatriot8]

So happy you’re doing this again! These interviews will inspire a whole new generation

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you so much, and hope you continue to be inspired by the episodes to come!

[@erodkid]

Noah always had the best format on interviews, so stoked to see these resurface!!!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks Edson!

[@johnmontano3733]

“I would split my sandwich with coke cause I knew he had nothing” man that hit me ✊🏼

[@fadilbawah4779]

IB is someone I want in my circle

[@BJ-mj5gf]

One of Cole's high school classmates put me on to the Come Up when it came out. Been a fan since. Love seeing dudes journey and even better seeing someone who took that journey with him.

[@SimoneLaRow]

Ooooh I'm hype to watch this! 😯🔥🔥💎

[@seanhall3915]

Another great one. Glad you're still doing interviews. I hope you get to always keep going and never stop. Been following your work for years now. Good work. Keep going.

[@tinicoleofficial]

It was awesome seeing an interview from Ibrahim. I never knew his story, so this is good to hear✨🙏🏾

[@theherbpuffer]

Low key the best interview channel out there. Love what you're doing and keep it up!

[@israeltolentino3578]

Wow IB, you killed this interview! A lot of great gems! Hope to see you do more of these!

[@shareefbnyat4056]

Noah these are amazing bro!!! Blueprint was one of my favorite series and I’m glad you left complex to make this it’s own thing!!!! You got a true talent for this craft and you’re breeding the next generation of true influencers with this content.

[@AlekzP]

Just found these interviews!! These are GEMS 💎

[@kashfxthegreat]

I'm here for it #dreamville since 07...

[@AntonKeith]

Amazing production. My first time watching your content. Thank you for sharing.

[@zambusakala1261]

So many gems in this episode.

[@Riggsy22]

Thank you for putting this together. Look forward to many more

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you! New eps every Weds at 10AM EST!

[@sammoreland9384]

So happy to see this series be revamped! The Complex Blueprint series changed my life forever and is what inspired me to work in music. Crazy because my biggest let down was that Ib had never got one. Watching this was mad nostalgic and inspired me all over again. Thank you!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks for the kind words and for watching Sam!

[@danielfernandez0058]

Great interview, thank you for this! Also thank you Ib and the whole Dreamville family!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks Daniel!

[@dayjob_]

My favorite series. This & the Russ episode have both been so inspiring to me. Never giving up on my dreams, no matter how many roadblocks I run into!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you so much for watching! New episode dropping next Wednesday!

[@livinsowellr]

Beautiful Documentation as a Loonnggg Time Cole Fan I really enjoyed this. Big ups to Ibrahim Hamad and big thank you to Idea Generation 4 puttin this one together

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

of course, glad you enjoyed!

[@markus7504]

this was so good man, thank you both

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

So glad you enjoyed!

[@DominicDosdos]

This was so well put together! Thank you guys for taking the time to do this. Learned so much from this! Soaked everything up like a sponge. Cheers! More power to y'all!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you! we got new episodes every week!

[@MagnumIsAG]

Absolutely great great content. Thank you. Mad inspirational.

[@CWESTRAP]

Two great episodes right off the bat! Love it.

[@noahcallahan-bever5788]

Thanks so much!

[@advproz1752]

Great interview!

[@LonicBeatz]

Man im lucky to have found this channel, this kind of information is so nutritive 👏

[@ghettostarr249]

Sudan's finest 🇸🇩🎵🎵🌟

[@brittnyemarie]

Wow had no idea him and Bas were brothers 🤯

[@mjr3696]

Noah, great material... I was always wondering what happened to Blueprint on Complex. I loved that series. Happy to have found this channel. Definitely will be tuning in.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks MJ! We got new eps every week! appreciate you tuning in!

[@jermainewhitehead2712]

IB interviews always inspiring

[@robinaguirre7714]

I keep coming back to this

[@Edgar7Lopez]

This whole interview be mad inspiring 🙏🏽

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nelsonippolito8244]

Top notch. Wonderful watch.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thanks Nelson!

[@Antonioprter]

Top notch production I love this channel already, I’m gonna tell my friends to watch and subscribe.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you! Really appreciate this!

[@dereklozinski5885]

Love these videos!

[@MichaelCobbs]

This is a nice interview.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thanks a lot, Michael!

[@RizzleFS]

production quality through the roof! great episode y'all, loved hearing Ib speak on all these things

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you!

[@drewbny78]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL can we get the instrumental to the intro music?

[@kmclegacy]

This is cold 💯

[@oluwajarchi]

It's beautiful the interviewer got all he wanted in just few worded sentence. I be making it big in this music game , Def man

[@destinees7194]

Great interview 👍🏾

[@chrisestrada1951]

Love the conversations

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

We'll be back next week with another one... Appreciate you tuning in!

[@SoulitaireRecordsOfficiel]

Man thats an incredible interview those of us who are in the process will learn a lot from this thank you im subbin!!!!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

amazing, thank you!

[@stonecee7075]

So much interesting I relate to everything

[@carlanthony332]

Learning so much, thank you 🙏

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank YOU for watching, Sundai!

[@troynaval4526]

Ib chill asf, love it 🙏🏽

[@jeanryeshorts8936]

A friend like that is gold

[@Sypooda]

This channel is going to grow fast. Appreciate the game 💯

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks for tuning in!

[@matthewmuli487]

wow. so inspiring

[@leagolekganyane]

Noah asked all the right questions. This was a proper conversation

[@TheDoknoh]

THX!

[@Kayfuckxperfection]

Great interview

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you!

[@Righteous_Reck]

These are great videos

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you so much!

[@HoopStation303]

I remember them 8th grade years bumpin that Cole riding the school bus. Pure times

[@THHGURU]

Amazing episode

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you so much!

[@IamtheBlinkie]

Dope episode 🙌🏿🔥

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks!!

[@slicksams9375]

Love it

[@noahcallahan-bever5788]

If anyone has any questions or comments for Ib, he and I will be going LIVE on Instagram this afternoon (10/6) at 5pm, so please leave them here! I hope you all enjoyed the ep....

[@zutv869]

my question is would dreamville be interested in signing Caribbean artist.

[@parrishmitchell7402]

You guys just expanded ventures of the dreamville brand a few months ago with CJ Rodney and Damian Scott leading the way. What ideas yall got for these ventures?

[@rafaelortega2336]

Can you ask ib to go more into detail on the day cole got signed and the reaction from everyone, also what feelings they may have felt during the first meetings with Jay Z

[@femthagreat]

Hey Noah could you ask IB how does being an executive for the other dreamville acts differ than managing/still being an executive responsible for J Cole.

[@deandrefields240]

Good Interview.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thanks!

[@artofaxfeedthevision]

I’m already a loyal subscriber.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you! Appreciate you tuning in!

[@aymanessam3690]

Ma niggaz out there making it 🔥❤️🇸🇩

[@djmaestro249]

Sudan stand up, salute brother Ibrahim.

[@amorfati9163]

Cole world always number 0NE

[@DhayveOG]

I love stuff like this..

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

There's more to come... every Wednesday at 10AM. Thanks for watching, David!

[@AceyVivid]

This is amazing

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you!!!

[@AceyVivid]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL you’re welcome! Thanks for doing the video, I’m a big Dreamville fan

[@cjeff002]

Loveeeee

[@aaronabberz]

Excellent content . IB is a top quality human

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

thank you! truly!

[@JN-er5yu]

Damn so he's the one that had me defending Cole through all those early years, when everyone was talking smack, like he aint have it lol - glad Cole finally got to be himself

[@dantaemay5868]

A1 Content

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Thank you!

[@FlaTheRipperMusic]

You're simple the best .

[@TheOnlyLaz]

🔥🔥🔥

[@daynacurtis]

So this is bas’ brother😍

[@wt1272]

17k views, 0 dislikes 🔥

[@NotRKelly]

Great interview but whole time I kept thinking about verse 2 of “Is she gon pop”

[@DagiDeBEATZ]

Sudan ❤🙌

[@JustSomeKidfromQueens]

I was 1 of those people that asked for the invite 🤦🏽‍♂️ 😂

[@4MCLOTH]

Good inter your♨️

[@BlakeSuperior_Beats]

This is really dope. You need to get my friend Tunji Balogun (Def Jam CEO) on here. He's got a story to tell.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

Tunji a legend!

[@BlakeSuperior_Beats]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL Let me know if you need any help linking with him.

[@clos888]

ib has spent so much of his life with cole that they both starting to sound like the same person

[@ChannelTwentyTwo]

Great interview. I think having no background music while Ib is talking would have been much better. The background music is a bit annoying or distracting.

[@abhishekrasane8591]

Can y'all put your episodes on Spotify too?!

[@noahcallahan-bever5788]

Yup, we're working on a longer format podcast version of the show. Give us a couple weeks.

[@Obinnasvg]

Shout out to the interviewer

[@LemonateDambo]

What brand is that on his cap (passion) love it.❤😂😂

[@Stencio]

Ib the goat

[@alecperez420]

coleworld

[@TheFlowbetter]

IB is that homie u show ur music to and “only” listen to his opinion when he critiques it because u know it’s genuine

[@sterlingmathis3632]

Anyone notice how he sounds like jcole

[@TheDominiqueBallou]

I bet IB got a few dope verses on the hard drive 😂😂😂

[@TheValentineGuy]

Noah, You have the QuickSilver......Silver line in your hair......you heading down the Anderson Cooper hairstyle soon?

[@TheDoknoh]

LOL, seems inevitable...

[@ricardomayo8337]

IH could be just as relative as HI backwards. Peace OG