Watch this episode as Mervin discusses with Ashle Renee, a musician at heart and a singer and songwriter by profession. Ashle shares her journey as a Gospel Artist and how she has found her space in the music business in this segment of the Creative Monday Discussion Show, Season 5 Episode 11: “Finding Your Voice in the Business World.”
Listen to commercial-free audio below:
About Ashle Renee
Ashle Renee is a Kingdom Music Maker with a unique sound! She is well known for her musical career as a successful singer and songwriter. As an artist, Ashle is fueled by her faith and uses her musical platform to praise God Her passion for music coupled with determination and the encouragement of her loved ones has produced an inspiring success story. Authenticity and diversity are of the utmost importance to Ashle, as she has overcome many challenges as an artist and ultimately found her niche in the music industry.
Ashle has released four (4) projects thus far, forming her own collection of praise and worship songs. Her launched projects include two (2) singles, titled “I Am” (2016) and “Saved by Grace” (2017), as well as her debut EP “Transcend” (2019) featuring the proclaimed ballad “Jesus” and the Caribbean vibes of “Majestic”, followed by the 2021 release of a multicultural musical sound release “Same God”. In addition, for her 2021 release, she has received accolades such as the “Avidity Award for Best Album Artwork”, and “Nomination from Black Christian Influencers (BCI) for Vocalist of the Year” and the “Kindred Award for Urban Contemporary Artist of the Year”. Ashle has also launched her third radio single “Grace & Mercy” accompanied by her very first music video.
Key Points from this Episode/ Take Away
- Ashle shares her diversified love for music, and elaborates on how her career as an artist was inevitable: “The question of whether or not it would be something that I would pursue never came up because it was just something that I was in and that I did”.
- Ashle’s musical journey is discussed, along with finding her niche in the music industry.
- Ashle shares about her musical influences from family members.
- Musical outlets in the schooling system are discussed.
- How an environment can shape one’s identity is discussed.
- Ashle discusses what inspired her desire to pursue a musical career.
- The importance of exposure is reviewed.
- Embracing different cultures, religions, and ways of life is discussed.
- The “mainstream” aspect of the music industry is considered.
- Limitations on individuality and creativity are discussed.
- The importance of being “unplugged” is highlighted.
- Ashle encourages upcoming and experienced artists alike to be true to themselves.
- Ashle shares key players who have assisted in creating opportunities for her throughout her journey.
- The importance of serving others is emphasized.
- Ashle shares more about her faith.
- Serving others is discussed, along with the importance of having the ability to serve yourself.
- Ashle’s experience in releasing projects is shared.
- Creative processes are discussed.
- The importance of marketing is emphasized.
- Personal branding is discussed.
- The importance of research when venturing into the unknown is explored.
- Respect for the culture of others is discussed.
- The importance of being surrounded by the right team is highlighted.
- Authenticity is discussed.
- The importance of diversity is considered.
- The importance of trusting those who are assisting your progress is discussed.
- The concept of “people consuming your product” is examined.
- Technological advances in the music industry are explored.
- The importance of collaborating is highlighted.
- The ability to identify available outlets to showcase your product/service is discussed.
- The idea of “We are products of our environment” is presented.
- Ashle offers advice to Belizeans on working with what you have until you can do better.
- Ashle proposes that one can want more while still being content with what they have.
- The progression and development of music careers is discussed by Mervin.
- Ashle and Mervin compare the start of their music careers to what it has now become.
- Difficulties experienced are shared.
- Various strategies to obtain finances and resources are discussed.
- Problem-solving skills are discussed.
- Kindness and humility are highlighted as essential tools for success, equally important as talent.
- The importance of having a clear vision and direction for your path is discussed by Ashle and Mervin.
- Seed capital investment is discussed.
- The importance of investing in yourself is emphasized.
- The ability to discern between good and bad investments is discussed.
- Re-investments into a business are discussed.
- Accountability and sacrifices in business are discussed.
- Surprises faced in Ashle’s journey are shared.
- The concept of “Treat every day like it’s a Monday” is interpreted.
Monday Night Brain Teasers
- “The question of whether or not it would be something that I would pursue never came up, because it was just something that I was in and that I did” – Ashle Renee.
- “Music is a language that we get to communicate and express ourselves”– Mervin Budram.
- “There’s no two of us alike” – Ashley Renee.
- “Play into your strengths”- Ashley Renee.
- “I am a product of a great community, Noone’s an island”- Ashle Renee.
- “Everybody has something that they offer, that they do, that nobody else can do the way that they do” – Ashley Renee.
- “A doctor can not do surgery on himself” – Mervin Budram.
- “Market who you are to the people” – Ashle Renee.
- “You can want more and be content with what you have” – Ashle Renee.
- “If I didn’t have enough, I would save until I could”- Ashle Renee.
- “There’s something in kindness, in humility that will take you places that talents and gifts will not” – Ashle Renee.
- “There’s always an opportunity for a seed capital investment” – Ashle Renee.
