Ms. Hodge-Philip, a former Miss BVI, is a graphic designer, photographer, videographer, make-up artist and artist manager. Currently, she manages a few performers in the Virgin Islands, including her husband Art “Drastic” Philip. For her day job, the mother of one works with CCT Global Communications.
There aren’t many female photographers and videographers around. What does it feel like being among the few?
I just focus on what I do. I’m someone that pays attention to details. I have [obsessive compulsive disorder] technically, so I’m a perfectionist. I think those things help me in all aspects of things I do. I guess most people that know me have confidence in me because of my attention to details.
It means, especially being in the Caribbean, that you need to be someone that exudes a high level of professionalism as well as lots of patience, because you come across lots of unprofessional people. You come across people that don’t see your artist’s worth because they are not big like Nicki Minaj or Drake or whoever. Especially coming from the Caribbean as well, you have to deal with the small-island mentality. It’s something that we unfortunately echo over and over. We want that change but don’t necessarily want to get on that battlefield and take licks for it at this point.
What are the duties of an artist’s manager?
It’s not like a defined role across the board. It’s really a role that is defined between you and the artist based on their needs, their skill level, what they are looking for and whatnot. In terms of Drastic, my husband, I’m able to take a more holistic approach because I live with him, so I can take on more aspects of his career than the average manager would. I do administrative tasks and still deal with his image: styling, photography, videos, graphics. I’m his main person.
In the Caribbean, what do you think is the biggest misconception about people who manage performers?
That we are rich. People think we are rich and can always deal with the crap that’s thrown on us. We just have to fight that small-island mentality and people not knowing the worth and true talent of the artist that you deal with.
Often you find performers are very popular in the region but not in other parts of the world. How do you think they can break that barrier?
There are a number of things. Firstly, I think they need to work on their craft. While a song might be considered popular here, it still might not be appealing to the international audience. You have to look at things such as messaging, the way you say things. If you’re trying to appeal to the mainstream, there are certain terminologies that people outside of the BVI, people outside of the Caribbean, might not understand. You have to tailor what you’re saying to a more mainstream audience. You have to make sure that you’re recording has quality equipment. You have to make sure that after you’ve recorded, your mixing and mastering is done well and is industry standard. You have to make sure your music is radio friendly; friendly for online distribution. Outside of the music, I think as an artist, talent alone is not enough. You have to be able to conduct interviews, carry yourself like a star. Dress the part, act the part, read, be smart. It’s a holistic thing. You have to be able to sell yourself. You are a business and you are a brand.
During an interview with Drastic last year, he mentioned the need for businesses to invest in performers. What does that mean?
For him personally, I can say that he is definitely going to make it big one day. So what it would mean for a company to invest in him is that they have the opportunity to tap into him now and for him to carry their brand with him into the mainstream. When he gets big, he can come back and give back to that company. In terms of finances, there’s always a percentage that they can reap from the success as well. There are different avenues they can benefit from in terms of being investors.
What else do you think is important for people to know about artist managers?
I think people have to understand that we don’t have to be nice people. The artist is the person that is supposed to be personable, make fans. We are the cut-throat people that handle the business, have to deal with the nonsense, the money. Once you deal with the money, it’s a lot of issues, so don’t look to us to be the nice people. We are the people that get straight to the business.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Ngovou Gyang.
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