Jesse Atkinson: Give us some background info as to who you are.
Katrell The Phenomenal: My name is Katrell Platt A.K.A Katrell The Phenomenal. My company is called TruBrilliance Entertainment LLC. I was born in Mt. Vernon NY, but raised in the Carolinas. Basically I’m a laid back individual and a deep thinker. I choose to see the positivity in life. Music is therapeutic for me. I’m the man behind the scenes, overseeing the operations and productions of several up and coming artists such as Selina Pack (@CaddyPack ), Cory Purvis (5debeatzflame), ConSCious (@CalvinReed93 ) to mention a few. I work in the capacity as an executive producer, mentor, and online promoter.
JA: What is the significance of your stage name?
KP: My name represents “Authenticity” and “Greatness.” So basically, it means that there are no gimmicks involved.
JA: Who is your target market?
KP: My target market with my music is varied and diverse. It comprises high net worth individuals and disenfranchised youth. My target market is universal because my music is universal in scope. I want to target all races and ages especiall the age of 15-65.
JA: What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other artists?
KP: Well as a company, TruBrilliance Entertainment LLC is the only promotion/mentoring operation in the NY tri-state area that is actually in the trenches with the struggling upcoming artists and producers. We offer to match up to half of whatever they can manage to put together financially towards an agreed upon collective goal. We provide hope and guidance to these talented artists.
JA: What single or project are you currently pushing?
KP: Yes we are concurrently pushing the following projects; “Eyes To The Sky” ( Album by Cory Purvis); “GOOD” (Mixtape by CaddyPack); “Country Rap Tunez” (Mixtape by Buddycuz & DJ Gamble)”Encore (Until The Next Time)”, and “Sweet America” (Singles by ConSCious); Kanye “YAY” (Single by Caddy Pack).
JA: What is the philosophy by which you live by?
KP: My motto is “You don’t work, you don’t eat.” Also I live by the concept of “Positive In, Positive Out.”
JA: Which artists have inspired you?
KP: I’m inspired the most by my mother Katrina V. Platt, who is a band director by profession and and alumni of the A&T Marching Band . But there are too many to name without leaving anyone out. More recently I’ve been inspired and influenced by Gods’Illa, Twista, Ludacris, Big Krit, 8Ball & MJG, Andre Benjamin, No I.D., Maimouna Youssef, Kiah Victoria, Master P, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, CyHi the Prynce, Talib Kweli, Common, Fuze the Mc, Tone Jonez, Afrika Bambaataa, Raphael Saadiq, Mad Skillz / Skillz, Kanye West, Chamillionaire, Nick Grant, Prosthetik Intelligentz, John Graham, and Grandmaster Caz just to mention a few. Thank you!
JA: Who does your production?
KP: My production is firstly handled by one of my mentors and big brothers DoomGotBeats (Bryson Dumas). He is usually my starting point for instrumentation and engineering. Other producers are work with include Tone Jonez, Let That Boy Cook, Leon Sylvers IV, Joey Cutless, Bam Boy’Odge (OG Swanga), DJ Gamble, and Tuny Beats.
JA: What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
KP: My opinion of the current state of the music industry is that it is more “corporate controlled” for certain than when I knew it as a mere fan. It is more focused on popcorn or microwave “hits” and trendy singles for profit versus solid soulful bodies of work with substance that the true music lovers can relate to. The underground is more progressive in my opinion; it reflects the time, generation, and nature of our current socialistic existence. The Underground has become more “popular” and more music creators are attempting to remain or go “independent.” It’ll come full circle, and it always does. The music industry is slowly going back to substance and raw lyricism once again.
JA: If you can change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?
KP: I would re-emphasize the importance of “artist development” and learning the mechanics of the “business”. In order to truly accomplish realistic goals and retain the fruits of that labor one must understand the business side of things.
JA: What is your favorite movie and favorite book?
KP: My favorite movies are Glory and Get On The Bus and my favorite book is Hip Hop Decoded.
JA: What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of you?
KP: People think that I care about what they think of me . I treat everyone with the utmost respect and if they can’t return it, then we don’t deal. I move on and never look back or think twice. They always miss me before I miss them.
JA: What is your favorite part of your live show? How has it evolved?
KP: When I did perform overseas it was an intimate feeling. For that exact moment in time I was the center of attention and the vibrations emitting from the crowd tuned into my frequency. At this point I have fallen back to focus on mentoring and musicianship. I am going to produce beats for licensing, placement and publishing opportunities. I have been studying live performances and taking notes on “live show etiquette.” I have been provided insight from one of my mentors Michael Gresham (formerly Krazy Mike) who used to tour and do live shows regularly. According to him, “If people are paying to come see a performance, then damn it you better provide them with not just a performance but a SHOW!”
JA: What is your EP or Album going to be like?
KP: The project will be a collaborative effort full of auditory treats. It will feature story telling, and wholesome good vibe feeling tunes. It will be something to escape with and provide comfort while informing, instructing and entertaining.
JA: What is your website?
KP: itsmyurls.com/trubrillent & about.me/katrell.platt
I can be reached on social media platforms;
FB; Katrell The Phenom
Twitter; @KPThePhenomenal
IG; @KPThePhenomenal
SoundCloud; Katrell The Phenomenal / TruBrilliance Ent.
JA: Any final words for the people.
KP: Fight The Power and Do The Right Thing! There is strength in numbers. Use ALL the resources available to prevail. We’re smarter and so much more capable than we’re given credit for. The time for straddling the fence has long passed. We must protect and cultivate our youth from the opposition. Let us BUILD from within. Consistent unification is vital.
