Trio makes music their biz

Three friends who met in middle school — Julio Espaillat, J.P. Botero and Kyle DenMead — discovered their passion for music early on and later decided to start a business doing what they love. The trio started The Avengerz Production team in 2006 and later opened a recording studio in 2009.

Espaillat, who acts as manager, and Botero, who acts as producer and recording engineer, graduated from UCF in 2010. DenMead is also as producer and recording engineer. The Central Florida Future had the opportunity to speak with the team about the Orlando music scene, the celebrities they have worked with and how they fired up the business.

CFF: What do you do at The Avengerz Production Team and studio?

Julio Espaillat: I manage the producers, Kyle DenMead and J.P. Botero. I try to get my producers as many placements as possible with high profile artists. Placements are getting artists to use our beats for mixtapes or albums that are sold globally. Moreover, I help brand and expose two other talents I manage that are rappers, J Wise and Caskey. Furthermore, I set new clients up with their studio sessions at our studio when they request our services. Lastly, on a daily basis, I am the one that networks with label executives, A&R's, DJ's and artists to help improve our company and artist's careers.

J.P. Botero and Kyle DenMead: We are producers for The Avengerz. Producing consists of beat-making and collaborating on making music with artists. I will help the artist perfect his or her sound and help them compose the final product.

CFF: What is the goal of The Avengerz Production team?

All: The team's goal is to provide high-quality production and a high-quality recording studio for local artists on a college budget.

CFF: How did the studio get started?

All: We started it from scratch. We believed in our abilities to run a business, so we saved money for about a year and put our vision into action.

CFF: Tell me about a typical day at your job.

All: Work starts as soon as we wake up. First, we will each check our phones for missed calls, voicemails and emails. Once that is complete, we meet at the studio. Julio will pay the bills that are due and work on accounting from the previous business day. Kyle and J.P. will work on making beats or recording a client if one is scheduled. We do research on the Internet about labels, artist, latest music and trends. From the research gathered, Julio typically has emails sent out. We work on marketing and branding our company name through the Internet and promoting downtown while everyone is partying. We go to work not to play. Drake said it best; while they are out partying, we make the music they party to.

CFF: What is the process like in the recording studio?

Espaillat: Kyle and J.P. will work closely with the artists I manage or clients that request our service. First, they will help them pick out production. Second, they will help the artist come up with a concept for the song, then the artist writes, then the artist gets in the booth to record what they wrote while Kyle and/or J.P. records and engineers the production. After the music is recorded, Kyle will mix the record if it is necessary and/or requested. J.P. is starting to learn the mixing process himself to help Kyle out with the workload. Throughout the session, I will make sure that everything is running smoothly and that the artists' requests are taken care of.

CFF: How did UCF help you get this job?

Espaillat: My legal studies degree does help me understand contracts that are presented to my company more easily. I use what I learned from Dr. Woods' Entertainment Law class, daily!

Botero: My marketing degree has helped us in being able to market The Avengerz more effectively and efficiently.

CFF: Have you met anyone famous?

All: Yes, we have met and/or worked with Usher, Rick Ross, Ray J, Kevin Cossom, Gorilla Zoe, Ludacris, Fella, Ace Hood, Bali, Black Point, Black Dada and many more.

CFF: What is your favorite part about your job?

All: Since we own and run the studio, we set our own schedule.

CFF: Do you have any advice for anyone going into this field?

All: Yes, if you want to be successful in the music industry, be prepared to work at least 60 hours a week or more! Do not ask for handouts! People respect a worker more than they do a begger! Lastly, always read whatever contracts people may want you to sign. If you dont like contracts, pay someone to read it for you. Doing so could save your life and career.

CFF: Describe your thoughts on the Orlando music scene.

All: The music scene in Orlando is getting a lot more respect than it did a few years ago. With Grammy-award-winning producers like The Runners, Nasty Beatmakers and Kane Beatz coming out of Orlando, artists and labels are really looking at our area to find top-notch quality and production.

CFF: Were there any projects you worked on that you really enjoyed?

All: Yes, our project with Grammy-nominated Kevin Cossom. We really enjoyed it because it was our first big project. It helped prove to us that the music business was where we belonged.

CFF: Describe the mood of your studio.

All: We really try to make sure people feel welcome and like that [they] are at home. Doing that allows for us and our clients to relax so we can focus on our music and not the atmosphere.