Creative Connectors is a combined effort between Flygirrl and Artists First
that merge Art, Events, Music, Learning and more.

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STACEY WILSON
FLYGIRRL

Stacey’s true creative life began the moment she started school in 1995. She attained her love for art while studying Graphic Design as well as a multitude of various types of art at Philadelphia's Hussian School of Art. At the same time, she also began her career in management and promotions while also designing promotional materials for the entertainment and restaurant industries while managing the Zanzibar Blue and Brave New World, which were both owned by the Bynum brothers. Her design client roster includes Dyana Williams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Okayplayer, The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP/Kenny Gamble), Warmdaddy's, Zanzibar Blue, EST, Green Soul, Relish and Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation to name a few. She also freelanced as an In Market Manager for brands and their promotions such as the Bailey’s Beauty Shop & the Crown Royal Barbershop. This time was essentially a grooming her to know all survive in her own business on all levels. Manager, designer, promoter team player, creative mind. It all somehow began to become something......

With one door opening after another, Stacey's next venture in life was to start a promotion and event planning company. She decided to leave the nightclub as a Manager and enter as an Event Producer. Producing and promoting hundreds of events over the years, she is the proud co-owner of the infamous, Tastytreats, which is the longest running party in Philadelphia. She created the event in 2001 with then partner, Questlove of The Roots and Yameen Allworld. Dj Mike Nyce among many special DJ’s like Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Q-Tip, Biz Markie, Premier, Tony Touch, Pete Rock and many more. 15 years later, she has also produced the well known events Inside The Studio, Candyland, The Illadelph Xperiment and many more. She’s produced events with super-stars Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Gangstarr, De La Soul, Mos Def, KRS-One, Lil' Louie Vega ( MAW ), Bahamadia, Little Brother, Kool Herc, Beverly Bond, Jill Scott, John Legend, Jamie Foxx and many others.

She’s responsible for branding a merchandise line, those infamous "Jawn" t-shirts as well as creating a popular urban newspaper for Philadelphia, The Jawn. Stacey has been recognized by GPTMC (Greater Philadelphia Tourism + Marketing Corporation) as a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia, an elite group of creative people honored by Philly360 and The Philadelphia Tourism Board. Stacey also teaches Graphic Design classes as well as teaching painting at social painting parties. She gives back by teaching and talking to the youth when called upon and also donating portions of her events to various causes and charities.

Stacey's skill in art and illustration became more and more a part of her life as her acrylic and ink works of urban/comic book/graffiti-esque art came sneaking out on the scene. Her much admired works on wood, canvas and sneakers have been featured on the walls of MTV's The Real World Philadelphia house and on UPN 57’s Half and Half, the pages of Jill Scott's book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours. She also had a pair of Air Force One's for the Sneaker Pimps Tour a few years ago. She’s now creating a merchandise line of items with her work as well as animation and a children’s book.

Bringing all of her talents together was what created FLYGIRRL. A place where art, design, music and ground breaking promotions come together with consistency and style. There’s always more to come, stay tuned. ​

MELODY FORRESTER
ARTISTS FIRST

Entertainment attorney and artist manager Melody Forrester and Ropeadope Records announce the launch of Artists First Records, a Philadelphia based record label headed by Forrester and connected to the Ropeadope family of labels. The first release on Artists First records will be “Ladies Night” by Sugar Tongue Slim (STS), the Atlanta born and Philly based rapper who most recently enjoyed wide critical acclaim for his project with producer RJD2 “STS +RJD2”. The new STS album is scheduled for release in December 2016.

“We’ve worked long and hard to position ourselves for this amazing opportunity to partner with a like-minded company like Ropeadope. Our visions are aligned—we believe musicians know their art better than businessmen do.” says Forrester. “Artists First Records is a place where independent musicians will be free to concentrate on making original, innovative music in an environment that fully supports their career. This business is about relationships and also having a healthy respect for the artists that make all of this happen-- I never forget that I work for them” she adds. With the launch, Forrester joins a very small sorority of record labels headed by women.

Forrester explains, “As a result of the challenges faced by independent artists in trying to break into the “mainstream” music industry they have largely figured out a way to survive and in many cases even thrive without that validation. Some of them, in the process, have also developed into pretty astute business people who have a clear vision for their own career paths. Artists First Records represents the best of those artists and we support their aspirations with resources.” We don’t worry so much about ‘mainstream’ or genre, we just make great music for real fans.”

In addition to STS, Artists First Records is home to Grammy winner Cee Knowledge (aka Doodlebug from the iconic rap group Digable Planets), R&B/jazz trombonist Jeff Bradshaw, female hip hop/R&B duo and producers KIN4LIFE, rock band Joe Jordan’s Experiment, singer/songwriter/poet Selina Carrera (recently seen on NBC’s “The Voice”) and singer/songwriter Ty Ward.

Ropeadope is an independent record label known for unique recordings that cross genres. Founded in 1999, the label has released over 160 recordings, with historically progressive albums from an impressive roster of artists including King Britt, John Medeski, Col. Bruce Hampton, Christian McBride, Snarky Puppy, and Christian Scott.  The label has been at the forefront of the new music business, tailoring a new model of artist support and unique social media strategies. Ropeadope is a hub for artist driven INTERdependent label imprints including SOC (Sounds of Crenshaw) headed by producer Terrace Martin,  RSVP Records founded by Robert “Sput” Searight of Snarky Puppy, Mashibeats, Jellowstone Records, Tribo Records, FNBeats Galore, Atlanta Records, Prince Polo Records, Ropeadope Sur, and Onde Music.
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