Green Tea Studios Hosts Jamilio for a Strategy Session on Music Survival

In a packed industry workshop hosted by Green Tea Studios and held at Live Bash filled with rising creatives, seasoned pros and music lovers alike, Jamilio delivered more than advice. He told stories. From skipping meals to breaking into tours with major artists, the veteran tour manager and music executive mapped out a journey shaped by equal parts hustle and grace. “I wasn’t chasing being the best intern. I was chasing being undeniable,” he told the room, setting the tone early for a talk that was raw, vulnerable and wildly practical. He followed that thought with real-life examples, showing how endurance matters more than perfection. The audience leaned in, scribbling notes between nods.

Before working with the likes of Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar and Omarion, Jamilio was a college student chasing bands with a recorder in hand. “When I was in college, I was working at the radio station,” he said. “We used to have bands come through. I would interview them, but I really just wanted to learn how the music business worked.” That curiosity quickly grew into something deeper. He began to observe tour managers, publicists and booking agents closely. Watching how they moved taught him that artists didn’t succeed alone.

One of his first major risks came while he was still in school. “I took my refund check and signed a band. I didn’t know what I was doing. But I was like, cool, I know they’re good. I’m good at what I do. Let’s figure this out,” he recalled. That leap would become an early blueprint for his signature approach: trust the vision, even if the path is unclear. He didn’t have investors or mentorship at the time, just instinct. Still, that decision taught him how to learn in real time.

But the real gamechanger wasn’t a viral moment. It was persistence. “Every time someone tweeted about looking for help, I responded,” he said. “I was that guy in the DMs trying to make it happen.” He didn’t wait for someone to invite him in. Instead, he found his way into the rooms where things were happening, and he kept showing up.

From Sharing a MetroCard to Managing a Megastar

Jamilio’s rise didn’t come with instant glamor. At one point, he was sharing subway fare just to get to his internship. “I had to share a MetroCard with my cousin,” he said. “We would literally time it out so we weren’t leaving the house at the same time.” Those early days in New York were spent sleeping on floors, skipping meals and chasing opportunity wherever it showed up. He recalled carrying crates and setting up equipment just to be part of the scene. There were moments where the dream felt far away, but he never stopped.

That scrappiness paid off when he landed an opportunity with Young Money. “They were like, ‘Can you just help out with a few shows?’” he remembered. “Next thing I knew, I was on the entire tour.” What started as a part-time gig turned into a full-fledged role as Lil Wayne’s tour manager. He credits that moment to staying ready even when it felt like nobody was watching. Within weeks, he was overseeing logistics, wrangling artists and learning how to lead under pressure.

Jamilio admitted he didn’t have a grand plan at the start. “I wasn’t trying to be a tour manager. I didn’t even know what that was. I just knew I had to be useful,” he said. That spirit of service and curiosity fueled his progression from helping with local acts to running logistics for global stars. He leaned on his natural instincts and communication skills to keep things moving. Over time, his confidence caught up with the scale of his responsibility.

And while being on tour with some of the biggest names in hip hop sounds like a dream, he reminded attendees it comes with intense responsibility. “You have to be willing to do every job,” he said. “If you’re too good to carry bags, you’re in the wrong business.” He emphasized the importance of humility in staying employable. Whether it was fetching coffee or negotiating with promoters, he showed up the same.

Game Recognizes Game: Building Without Ego

Throughout the conversation, Jamilio made it clear that relationships, not just résumés, move the industry. “Most of the gigs I got were from people I helped out for free,” he said. “If you treat every opportunity like a favor instead of a transaction, people remember that.” His experience showed that being helpful and dependable opens more doors than flashy presentations ever could. Loyalty, he said, is still the most valuable currency.

That mindset led to partnerships with labels, production crews and management firms. But even with success, he’s stayed focused on doing the work. “It’s not about being famous. It’s about being effective,” he said. “I’ve been in rooms with people that have millions of followers who couldn’t deliver. Don’t get caught up in the optics.” He described how being reliable often puts you ahead of louder, less focused peers. People want to work with someone they trust.

He also talked about balancing ambition with patience. “Everybody wants to be the boss, but sometimes you need to be the best assistant first,” he told the room. “Master that role. Be irreplaceable. That’s how you move up.” His climb was built on small consistent wins, not leaps. He encouraged attendees to measure their progress over time, not overnight. That steadiness, he said, is what makes careers last.

It’s a principle that mirrors his own career, which was built more on showing up than showing off. And even now, he approaches each new opportunity like a student. “The moment you think you know everything is the moment you start falling off,” he said. He urged the audience to stay coachable, no matter how far they get. Growth, in his experience, comes from listening more than talking.

Maintaining Authenticity in a Hype Driven Era

One of the workshop’s most resonant themes was the idea of authenticity. In a culture often driven by viral content and short term buzz, Jamilio urged artists and creatives to focus on the long game. “Don’t chase moments. Build a movement,” he said. “Moments fade. Movements last.” He believes longevity comes from being rooted in values, not trends. People follow consistency, not just visibility.

He explained that your values will be tested, especially when checks start coming in. “There’s going to be money on the table that doesn’t align with who you are,” he warned. “Don’t take every deal. Take the right one.” He pointed out how easy it is to say yes when money’s tight, but long term success depends on saying no sometimes. That discernment, he said, is part of building a real brand.

To stay grounded, he builds teams with shared values and clear communication. “I don’t work with people I can’t talk to,” he said. “If I can’t text you at 2 a.m. because something’s on fire, then we can’t work together.” Those kinds of relationships only happen with transparency. He values honesty over credentials when choosing collaborators.

He also told attendees to own their story before someone else shapes it. “If you don’t define your brand, somebody else will. And they might not get it right,” he said. He warned that the internet is quick to categorize people, and that’s why narrative control matters. He encouraged creatives to be proactive about their image and messaging.

Full Circle Moments and Looking Ahead

Despite his deep résumé, Jamilio says he’s still hungry. “I’m just getting started,” he told the crowd. “There’s still so much more I want to do, especially around helping the next generation get in without having to go through what I did.” That drive keeps him exploring new projects and formats. From consulting to executive producing, he’s expanding his creative reach.

One of his biggest priorities moving forward is mentorship. “I didn’t have someone holding the door open for me,” he said. “So now I try to be that for other people. If I can give you a shortcut, I will.” He believes that access should be shared, not hoarded. He hopes to build more programs that help young talent find their path.

That energy came full circle at Green Tea Studios, where the workshop felt more like a family reunion than a formal lecture. Jamilio stuck around long after the mics were off, answering questions, cracking jokes and listening just as much as he spoke. Attendees felt seen, not spoken at. That presence alone became one of the day’s biggest lessons.

For the artists and professionals in the room, his story wasn’t just inspirational. It was a roadmap. One that proved you can start out clueless and still end up at the top, as long as you stay curious, stay kind and stay undeniable. His message was clear: bet on yourself, and keep going.