How EMPIRE's Ghazi Married Tech with Culture & Reimagined the Music Industry | IDEA GENERATION

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Founder, engineer, and pioneer Ghazi Shami takes us on a journey from his youth in San Francisco falling in love with the buzzing Bay Area music scene, to taking a tech job in Silicon Valley, to combining those two worlds together to create his wildly successful music company, EMPIRE.
In this episode hear how Ghazi started out as an engineer and opened his own recording studio at the age of 18, found a job in technology and brought new ideas to the music industry, and then put it all together to distribute the debut album of a then relatively unknown artist by the name of Kendrick Lamar.
Act I
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Childhood, father's work ethic, parents running a laundromat
4:10 - First experiences working on music
6:01 - Going to San Francisco State to study audio engineering
8:00 - Buying his first studio, working with The Game, leaving Silicon Valley
Act II
11:05 - Working with Ingrooves, merging technology and culture
12:45 - Starting EMPIRE, early days
14:00 - When to work with an artist, making an artist comfortable
15:50 - First EMPIRE releases, working with TDE and Kendrick Lamar
17:10 - Growing EMPIRE brick by brick
20:40 - Adding label services to EMPIRE
Act III
22:08 - Cultivating great artist relationships, building for long term success
25:00 - Touring the EMPIRE office
26:35 - Making the website easy, going international
30:20 - Not taking on investments, remaining the sole proprietor
32:00 - The future and beyond
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Credits
Noah Callahan-Bever
Creator & Host, Idea Generation
Starring: Ghazi
Musical Director: A-Trak
Animations by: Sang Bleu / IDEA GENERATION
Executive Producers: Helena Ox, Tricia Clarke-Stone and John Walaszek
Producer: Adam Fleischer
Creative Director + Editor: Kyle Gaughan
Produced by: Only Ch1ld
DP: Jeremy Mcnamara
Producers: Matthew Justus, Spencer Kehe, Sam Miller
Line Producer: Sabrina Mota
Cam Op: Logan Parsley
Sound: Adriano Bravo
MUA: Carla Grace Fajardo
PA: Marcus Gomez
Security: Timothy Overall
Special thanks to:
Peter Kadin
Samyah Ahmed
Shot on:
Canon
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[@btienterprises9306]

Ghazi got that look in his eyes like you know he ain’t playing he get shit done 💯

[@rileyrussill]

I don't have a job, I have purpose. That resonated. Another fantastic episode.

[@RBLPosse]

Super Dope inspirational interview. One of the best, if not the best business partners I ever had, and still have👍🏾I love Ghazi ✊🏾He forever changed my life, Preciate cha my Guy 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jalisamarshall4706]

I cannot get enough of this show! Every time I think "This is the best episode!" you deliver again and again! Thank you Noah! 💙🙏🏽

[@TheDoknoh]

🙏🙏🙏

[@retroriggs195]

My sentiments exactly 💯

[@daprmslm]

the amount of game Ghazi dropped is insane. I can see why legends like Dolph, Money Man, Albee Al worked and work with em

[@jfifthb]

great episode, this guy is really inspiring. so many great records have been made possible through EMPIRE. one interview I would request for the future is Joe Kay from Soulection

[@ssmfetti]

As a distributer you can release any project as you have no ties to it & still make a percentage. As a label, any project you release you get more percentages(50%) as you have also invested resources into it. Basically, it's like Walmart with cashiers & self check out.. More so how he facilitates majority of services as well.

[@YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially]

damn... all self funded.... YOU NOW HOW FUCKING HARD THAT IS.......! HOLY SHIT CAUSE I FUND MY OWN STUDIO BUT SHIT GETS EXHAUSTING. 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥 DUDE IS AN ALIEN FOR SURE.!

[@virajkavle5451]

Keep inspiring us, Ghazi! As a college student in SF who loves the music business more than anything else, your journey has inspired me the most.EMPIRE TO THE MOON BOY.

[@memberguestmedia]

Might be the best one yet. He is brilliant and insanely disciplined.

[@therealguce1755]

Guce Bully Wit Fullys My Brother Ghazi..Dope interview. The best business partner I ever had, and still have since early 2000s I love Ghazi and He has taught me a lot through out my career til this day. I appreciate you bro. A lot of memories and more to come. Ghazi is as solid as they come with this business 💯❤️✊🏾🙏🏾 Great Job Idea Generation 💪🏾

[@diemmermelendez]

Great episode! Much respect to Ghazi. Fully independent and never took funding. That’s insane! This is hands down my favorite KZbin channel. Please keep delivering great content 🙏🏼

[@dantaemay5868]

This is needed for the next generation of Industry execs. Appreciate y’all Noah $ Ghazi for these. 💎

[@LaynoProd]

legendary interview shoutout Ghazi and Idea Generation! i closely relate to Ghazi's story on being regimented due to his family's immigrant upbringing and sacrifices as well as success meaning having autonomy and doing what you want when you want and being in charge of your own career and life, thank you! - LaynoProd

[@GromoOfficial]

Every time I question life in the industry, a video from Idea Generation gets me back on my feet. These videos help me so much all around and are so inspiring. Thank you for keep delivering quality content Idea Generation & NCB 🙏🙌💥

[@emmanyoul]

Ghazi been at it since for a while, ik it feels good for him to watch it all come together. Very Inspiring!

[@Jaycy]

The Power of Understanding People. Watching and listening to Ghazi made me feel so motivated man, huge inspiration! Very very good interview. Thanks Noah! 👊🏾

[@RCrdro1]

Best episode so far! Gained a lot of respect for Ghazi after this, I would definitely love to work with him and for Empire!

[@kingdomcitizenship5613]

Super intelligent people use their hands to talk

[@PPCCO.]

Dope interview. I remember the interviewer from the other platform, fam is in my top 5. Perfect questions and he just lets them talk

[@Bucknorris]

THIS!!! I’ve waited a little while to watch this video since it first came out. I’ve Known of & about Ghazi & Empire for a long time. But wanted to watch Ghazi’s Move’s and do a little more research before I watched it… and My Overall thought is THIS!!! This Is Exactly What I Needed At THIS very Moment. I appreciate both #ghazi and #ideageneral for the video most of all, the MF’n Transparent EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM!!! If this comment is every read or I was to talk with Ghazi face to face, I’d say this in these comment’s and face to face as well. Considering the fact Ghazi is is in My Top 5 People that I want to have lengthy conversation with So with being said I have a feeling that we will be talking face to face at some point in the future. So for now, I’ll tell you this … “You probably hear this all the time but first off, Thank You, not for just what you’ve done in the music industry but also making Me Feel “Normal” and also we are much more alike than I ever thought and you probably don’t believe Me and until I get the opportunity to show you, my example would be you know how you and your friends plan a trip, usually it’s you and your greatest friend who come up with the idea… and about 6 hours into the Trip you’re already annoyed with each other (The Greatest Friend you set it up with) and about 36 hours into the trip you’re screaming at each other like brother’s and by the end of the trip it’s a quiet ride home. And of course, I’m last to get dropped off, and after everyone gets dropped off and we pull on my Street one of starts talking, saying “it’s all love” and “it’s things like this that show you that blood doesn’t make family” and the other one says “Family Forever Bro” …. Much younger Men of course. But if you know what I’m saying and understand what I’m saying… you probably work at #empire or are partners with Ghazi lol 😂 Everyone in this video, All of Y’all are very much appreciated from #bucknorris #welcometobucksworld #whothefxckisbuck #iloveyall3680

[@luizleocadio1849]

This is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing it!

[@3xEStudios]

I’m that kid from East Palo Alto ca who respects tf out of the hustle you have rogue. 🔐🏆 I’m hearing so much of my own story though you rogue. Thanks for letting me know it’s always more work to do. ♻️♻️♻️ - DiNo / 3XE STUDIOS

[@SugarDaddyScottie]

one of the greatest shows on KZbin

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

wow thank you!

[@YoungDirtyMexicanOfficially]

@@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL facts no lie i've been watching since day one.!

[@jswitay]

Y’all just don’t miss with these interviews 🌋

[@ronaldnkhuwaii]

Ghazi is super intelligent and very knowledgeable. 🕯🕯to coffee with Ghazi 🙏🏾 Thanks Noah.

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

🙌

[@snellbeast_jasonsnell]

So inspirational! Thank you for this amazing series! So GOOD! I'm a Ghazi fan now!

[@EsotericArnold]

hands down this guy is the Man. dude said: 'I dont have a job, I have purpose.'

[@itsjamesrush]

Man this guys voice is so dope!!!!

[@free_dumb9845]

A lot of 💎 💎💎💎💎💎💎’s dropped 😤. Great interview!!!!!!

[@Art_Travel_and_Hobbys]

Great interview it explains a lot about inquiries I had of this company with what I was hearing... 🧐👊🏿👍🏿

[@grngrngreen247]

This was just great, thanks 👍🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@SFNena415]

Shout out Ghazi for blessin us with AllBlack

[@SunnyLicious]

What an inspirational story!

[@JamesVader47xx]

Thank this exactly what I needed today

[@MajorTheGeneral]

I'm just now realizing this dropped on my birthday so I'll just embrace my destiny much gratitude for the free 💎'z

[@churamontgomery6063]

I watched every video of you thank you it was great.

[@WHATYOUKNOWTV]

Amazing interview !!!

[@nicholasali2182]

HIM SAYING HIS HUNGER FOR MORE IS INSATIABLE SAYS ALOT WHEN YOU SEE THE TRACK RECORD. INSIDIOUS AF💯

[@dunkley7776]

The potency in the formulation of his sentences…..

[@churamontgomery6063]

That is great thank you, confidence will take you a long way.

[@damegrand2954]

Great interview.

[@unpublicized]

these videos really good

[@Massbossrecords]

This is great.Love this

[@dre7sus]

Incredible interview 👑 💯

[@mbamboshsanele6733]

Shoutout to Ghazi, super inspired +

[@imani828]

bro needs to start a podcast

[@kvcactus]

Thank you for this ☺️

[@BThatDope]

All love to Ghazi

[@ibrahimmusa9798]

Keep up the good work bro. May Allah Bless You

[@simeonyoung3801]

Best interview ever

[@1621world]

And that is how u pimp the music industry

[@steps2uccess]

Great show 🫡

[@TreeHighCamp]

Amen!

[@jpkaneshida242]

Super inspiring I don't listen to hip hop anymore, but Ghazi's story is... if he's not The American Dream, what is???

[@HardtimesRecords]

Good interview

[@007phokus]

Dope!!!

[@TNGAntisocial]

Thank you 🙏

[@Biluxi]

Inspiring.

[@amilibcn2828]

I want to work with this person.

[@Mabu_Himself]

He took vertical intergration seriously 🫡

[@elonnelson5024]

💎👨🏾‍🏫

[@etleo3811]

❤️🙌🏾❤️

[@mr26ix]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@producedbyghost.writer]

🔥🔥🔥

[@bandzcambando9989]

GHAZI LETS WORK

[@thenumiami850]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@leonelnotmessi]

Gems

[@willowwale2000]

Man, it's obvious that this guy is either putting hits out on his artists and collecting the insurance or someone wants his company

[@d3vp131]

Damn you’re dumb. Every corporation, label, or league that deals in high dollar contracted services has insurance policies on those contracts to protect themselves. A man that’s giving poor kids an opportunity to better their lives instantly is actually being downgraded by the ignorant as wrong. Silly. It’s not his fault that those that get the money still want to be gangbangers and gangsters. We need to look inward and control what we can control and stop making excuses for out communities being dumb and ignorant.

[@willowwale2000]

@@d3vp131 Like I said, it's either this guy is collecting insurance or someone wants this Arab's company and they're just squeezing him out. I don't need advice from you.

[@DIVERSEMUSICBRAND]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@grinduntiludie]

Ghazi Sharp Asf

[@ssingh6030]

It’s really sad.. Gazi hang with all my opps.. is he opp too?

[@Chrisbethinking]

Rap music's grim reaper...

[@obliviox]

Lol hey it the grim reaper 🤣

[@lisafullz8242]

👍🏾

[@bigjorge863]

Why alot of his artists dying tho??

[@R.Williamss]

XXX, drakeyo.

[@nicholasali2182]

IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST DON'T FUCK WITH EMPIRE💯

[@jordiesantoso1037]

Yatuhan semoga gaji gw di naikin sesuai dengan yg gw inginkan amin

[@larrytan73]

Ghazi not one black or brown person works for empire! ..Maybe i'm wrong . Kinda like your cool with that one guy that you would never let in your house!

[@peabody573]

“Maybe I’m wrong” maybe check first

[@tijdverspillingmedia]

0:09 in control of your own decisions making? But what happens to xxx tentacion? And young Dolph was that also his decision making or universals?

[@SLAUSONGIRL]

whose culture though? not his. smh.