Adrian ‘Anno Domini’ Boeckeler is a multi-platinum producer of Hip Hop artists such as 50 cent, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Wu-Tang Clan & many others. He has scored numerous Film & TV productions for companies such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC, MTV, VH1, NBC, Disney, Fox, Sony and more. With over 16 years in the music industry he has won numerous awards including, the John Lennon Song Contest, Great American Song Contest and UMA Award, and is a Voting member of the Grammy Foundation. He is also a serial entrepreneur and business mogul, winner of the 2020 Business Excellence Awards and 2-time winner (2018 & 2019) of the prestigious 2 Comma Club award by ClickFunnels. Here is what he shared with us recently about his current work in the Entertainment industry of music.
You’ve worked with Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Rick Ross, what advice would you give up and coming producers for landing big placements?
The best way to reach out to artists is through their entourage of A&Rs, managers, studio engineers and so on. If you can build a solid relationship with these people, your work will find its way into the hands of the artists themselves. Be sure to always provide value up front, never lead by asking for something.
How do you feel about the BLack Lives Matter Movement and everything happening in the community with it?
This issue has been bubbling under the surface in the United States for a very long time now and I think we are finally at a time in history where it just can’t be contained any more. I’m glad people in power and society at large are actively working to implement change but the cost to reach this point has been far too great. And BLM is not just an American issue, it’s a global issue. I feel optimistic however that we can edge closer to equality. I hope this is the moment in time we can look back upon as a crucial catalyst.
You recently launched your new and improved website AnnoDominiNation.com, what sets you apart from other production companies?
Our production company has been around since 2003 and was one of the pioneers of licensing music online. We’ve been fortunate enough to ride that wave and have built up a huge audience over almost two decades. I think what sets us apart is really our community – we don’t just provide production work but a support network for artists.
What are the benefits of beat leasing which you helped pioneer?
From the point of view of the artist, leasing is a great option because it’s a lot more cost effective than purchasing music from a producer outright. It allows for a lot of flexibility and gives access to top class production work at a smaller budget. From the point of view of the producer, leasing is also superior because it allows productions to be licensed to multiple artists while retaining the rights to the music, thus creating an asset that generates income for the long term.
What’s the best advice you were given in your first years as a producer?
“Being a successful musician is 80% business and 20% music”. If I were to pass on my advice to up and coming producers today I would advise them before they chase the big-name placements to build a solid foundation with a business that brings in regular income first – then you’ll never run out of money doing what you love to do, and any placements that come in will be the icing on the cake.
You’re also the CEO of ModernProducers.com, can you tell us a little bit about this company and how it goes hand in hand with AnnoDominiNation.com?
What Anno Domini Nation is to artists, Modern Producers is to producers. Modern Producers is my way of creating a holistic service for music producers; providing sound tools such as samples, loops and VSTs as well production and marketing training, and a support network for the production community. Having achieved what I set out to do for artists with Anno Domini Nation, the logical next step to me was to create the same experience for producers and hopefully allow my fellow music producers to reach the success I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy in this industry.
What’s next for you?
Right now I’m focusing a lot on the education aspect of both Anno Domini Nation and Modern Producers, creating free webinar content and more comprehensive training courses. I see it as my principal mission to educate musicians on the business and marketing aspects of their craft, as that really is crucial to success.
