DJ Hed, Ryan Leslie, LaRussell and Symba at Invest Fest: Music Ownership and the Creators Blueprint

In a powerful exchange of vision and music industry wisdom at Invest Fest, four voices from across the culture took to the main stage to challenge the status quo around music ownership, equity and the modern blueprint for creators. Hosted by DJ Hed, the conversation pulled no punches as it explored creative control, financial independence and the traps that have long stifled Black talent in the music industry. The panel included Harlem-bred producer and entrepreneur Ryan Leslie, independent Vallejo wordsmith LaRussell, and California’s lyrical firestarter Symba.

With each artist bringing a unique blend of experience and perspective, the conversation reflected the generational shift happening in real time. These were not just artists with talent. They were architects building systems, tools and pathways for a new kind of creative economy. It was a conversation full of truth, transparency and tactical wisdom.

Together, they mapped out the changing terrain for Black creators who are looking to turn their passion into purpose and ownership into legacy. What came across loud and clear was that today’s artists can no longer afford to be passive participants in their careers. The blueprint has changed. It is being redrawn by the people on stage.

DJ Hed Sets the Tone

DJ Hed opened the conversation with clarity and purpose, asking questions that got straight to the heart of what matters for artists today: ownership and leverage. In an age where streaming has redefined success and virality can lead to a deal overnight, Hed wanted to know what the new blueprint looks like and who is really in control.

The panel's tone was clear from the beginning. This was not about clout. This was about clarity and capital. The very first question Hed posed was about whether artists today are being honest with themselves when it comes to their business. That honesty would become a theme throughout the conversation.

Hed set a tone that invited both vulnerability and accountability. He made sure the panelists were not just giving inspirational quotes, but breaking down their real decisions and exposing the trade-offs behind them. That level of candor gave the session real weight. It quickly became clear this was not just conversation. This was a business blueprint in motion.

Ryan Leslie: Rewriting the Model

When DJ Hed asked Ryan Leslie why he opted out of the traditional label route and built a direct-to-consumer model, Leslie broke it down with clarity. He described how SuperPhone, his fan engagement platform, emerged out of necessity after recognizing how little income he was receiving through traditional streaming payouts. Leslie emphasized building ownership into every aspect of his operation by creating a direct line to his supporters.

He told the audience that understanding the tech side of the music industry helped him regain leverage and redefine how he measures success. Leslie detailed how SuperPhone allowed him to bypass gatekeepers and maintain full control over how and when he connects with fans. His approach was less about following trends and more about creating sustainable systems that respect the artist’s role as a business owner.

Leslie also expressed how critical it is for artists to own their data and their means of distribution. While he never used the exact phrase, the point he conveyed was this: if you are not in control of the path your work travels, you are just along for the ride. That mentality now informs all his entrepreneurial moves, from music to tech.

His remarks centered around infrastructure, systems and monetization strategy, not slogans. The focus was on empowerment through access and intentional ownership, not hype. It was clear that his priorities have shifted from spotlight to sustainability.

LaRussell: Radical Transparency in Real Time

When Hed turned to LaRussell, the Vallejo MC responded with the same candidness that made him a standout on social media. DJ Hed asked him how his approach to business developed outside the mainstream system. LaRussell responded without hesitation. “We show the numbers. Everything is out in the open,” he said.

LaRussell has become a symbol of independent grit and self-reliance, and he explained that his transparency is both strategy and statement. “People do not trust this industry because it is been full of secrets,” he said. “I just decided to tell the truth.” From posting booking rates to sharing royalties and ticket splits, LaRussell sees transparency as a way to break generational cycles.

He told the crowd that his audience is not just a fan base. It is a community that invests in him.

“The people who support me are not fans. They are shareholders in my success,” he said. That shift in language reframes the entire artist-fan relationship. It moves away from extraction and toward shared growth.

LaRussell went on to explain how this model affects every part of his business, from live shows to merchandise. He even mentioned his “pay what you want” subscription system, a model that allows fans to support him at whatever financial level they can afford. That creative flexibility has helped him scale without middlemen.

Symba: Game Over Gimmicks

DJ Hed next turned to Symba, asking what shifted in his mindset after signing deals earlier in his career. Symba’s response was among the most grounded of the day. “I had to learn to separate the fame from the function,” he said. “A lot of artists want to look like they winning. I wanted to actually win.”

He talked about the painful lessons that came from rushing into contracts for the sake of buzz. “They put all the opportunity in the front and all the consequences in the back,” he said. The crowd nodded in agreement, many clearly resonating with the experience of short-term gain leading to long-term problems.

Symba urged artists to slow down and learn the basics. “If you do not understand what you are signing, you are setting yourself up to get played,” he said. He challenged the audience to look beyond surface-level wins and instead aim for sustainability and education. His point was simple. You cannot win a game you do not understand.

He also emphasized that authenticity matters more than attention. “A gimmick might get you hot. Game will keep you paid,” Symba said. That was one of the most quoted lines from the panel. It spoke to the hunger in the room for more than viral fame. People wanted value.

Building for Legacy with Intention

As the conversation shifted toward the long-term picture, DJ Hed asked each panelist what legacy looks like beyond music. Ryan Leslie was the first to respond, talking about generational wealth and frameworks that let future generations thrive. While his words were thoughtful and practical, they stayed rooted in the broader idea of creating something that lasts beyond your name.

LaRussell echoed that thought with his own spin. “I do not want my kids to have to figure it out the way I did. I want them to have options,” he said. For him, that meant setting up structures that keep making money even when he is not on stage. Systems that grow, scale and sustain with or without him.

Symba added urgency to the conversation. “You cannot talk legacy if you do not have longevity,” he said. “And you do not get longevity without learning how to pivot.” He spoke about learning how to adapt as the industry changes, and how legacy requires more than talent. It takes discipline, ownership and education.

What became clear was that none of the panelists were chasing the look. They were building something deeper. “Stop building for the moment,” LaRussell said. “Build something your kids can inherit.” The crowd reacted with real appreciation. This was not abstract. This was blueprint-level game.

Financial Literacy as Creative Protection

DJ Hed then directed a question to all three about money management. The conversation shifted from creative inspiration to tactical insight. Ryan Leslie highlighted how understanding business and finance gave him the ability to make sharper decisions. He said artists do not have to choose between being creative and being informed.

LaRussell followed up with how he applies those principles to his team. “I pay people well and I make sure they have a stake in the outcome,” he said. His point was that fair business builds loyalty, and loyalty builds longevity. That clarity allows him to scale his vision without burning out.

Symba made it clear that money is either your tool or your trap. “If you do not know where your money is, someone else does,” he said. He encouraged every artist in the room to learn how to read a profit and loss statement, to ask questions, and to stop being afraid of looking inexperienced. The message was clear. Creativity without literacy is a liability. To build freedom, you have to build knowledge. That kind of discipline does not dilute artistry. It protects it.

Closing Thoughts: The Blueprint Belongs to You

As the session drew to a close, DJ Hed asked each guest to distill their message into one sentence. Ryan Leslie kept it short and deliberate. “Own everything you can,” he said. It was the culmination of everything he had been laying out from the start.

LaRussell followed with a simple principle that guides his model. “Be honest and give more than you take.” The crowd snapped and clapped in response. It captured the spirit of the entire panel. Symba left everyone with a reminder to focus on what matters. “Stop trying to go viral. Start trying to go vital,” he said. The difference between relevance and resonance could not have been clearer.

The audience responded with a standing ovation. It was not because of celebrity or theatrics. It was because these men gave the crowd real tools. What unfolded on that stage was a cultural shift in motion. The game is changing, and the blueprint is being written in real time.

This panel was not just about music. It was about mindset. Ownership is not just about rights. It is about responsibility. And the new blueprint is not hidden. It is in the hands of those ready to pick up the pen and draw it themselves.