Today we’d like to introduce you to Janel Strong.
Janel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got started with Strong & Company in October 2017 while I was attending the University of Houston. Strong & Company is a Hip Hop and R&B based talk show that focuses on music, controversial/trending topics, spotlighting upcoming artists and individuals in the community. I remember before going off to school, I told a friend of mine that the first thing I was going to do when I got to campus was get my own radio show. I did just that! I remember the day I met my station director Aarik Charles, who was djing at an on-campus event at the time, introducing myself and asking him how and when could I get involved with the on-campus station. He told me, “You can start next week.”, everything else is history. I’ve been building my brand as Miss Nella E ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. What I do is considered to be “out of the box”. I’m not your average entrepreneur. I don’t sell hair, do nails, or make clothes. I create vibes and set up conversations for the people by the people. Some folks can’t grasp the concept of what I do maybe because I’m young or a new face. I remember one time I had an artist come on Strong & Company in Houston. He gave me the cold shoulder during our entire interview until I caught him off guard by making him freestyle on “Lil KeKe -Southside” instrumental. You know that’s a Texas anthem so sooner than later he lightened up. Times like that can be very discouraging, but I continue to push through. Only the strong survive in this industry. I don’t believe God gave me my last name for nothing.
Please tell us about Strong & Company.
Strong & Company is a hip hop and r&b based talk show that focuses on the music, controversial topics, and the upcoming artist/individual making an impact in the community. I think people know me because of my freestyle battles/cyphers and also the conversations I engage in on my show. At Strong & Company, we believe that everyone deserves their 15 minutes of fame. So many people don’t get the spotlight they deserve. I believe somebody has to shed light on them, that somebody is me. I knew that this really might be my calling when I got invited to interview rap pioneer Nas producer, Eddie Cole. Yes, Illmatic Nas.
I interviewed Eddie Cole better known as Xharlie Black at the Royalty Tour starring Mary J. Blige and Nas August 2019 in Dallas, Texas. During my interview, I revealed that Xharlie Black comes from the legacy of the late Nat King Cole. That night you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t legendary! That’s what set me apart from others. I don’t do it for the money (which I don’t make any for what I do) I do it because I have a passion for people. I serve the public with my dope vibe. I educate the youth and my elders while providing comedic commentary that’ll make you expand your way of thinking. I think that’s what makes me so proud is that I get people my age to start talking and learn different perspectives.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I can see my industry progressing over the 5 to 10 business years. Everything is practically digital now because of social media playing a huge role in businesses. As long as creatives continue to use social media and other sources such as technology as their main tools, then it shouldn’t be a huge shift. How you network, market your brand, and your content should always change due to your audience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @strongandcompany @missnellae
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongncompany
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI60ox711YlEoMiaX9NRBuw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Janel Strong (Miss Nella E)
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