My First Job in Music: Tyrie McKinnie
This month, Queer Capita is highlighting LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders through a new series titled My First Job in Music. February is centered on exceptional Black leaders for Black History Month.
We continue the series with Tyrie McKinnie (He/Him), a Release Planning Specialist at Sony Music Entertainment. A graduate of NYU’s prestigious Music Business program, Tyrie has built a career centered on the critical infrastructure of music releases. Based in NYC, he reflects on the importance of mentorship, the power of proper paperwork, and why "learning for the sake of learning" is the ultimate industry cheat code. Tyrie opens up about his start as a Copyright Intern and the professor who opened the door for him.
Read about other LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders and Allies in our community.
What was your first job in music?
My first job in music was being a Copyright Intern at Memory Lane Music Group.
Who was someone who supported you to help you get your start in your career?
Professor Shirley Washington at NYU’s Music Business Graduate Program for helping me get my start. A requirement of 3 industry internships in order to graduate and I didn’t have the best luck with applications. Professor Washington knew of this and would call her connections around the industry to see if anyone needed an intern and she got me a gig. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have finished my master’s program and be where I am today.
Tyrie at the Warner Music offices.
What was a lesson you learned at the start of your career that you still carry with you?
To always keep track of your paperwork. Contracts, ISRCs for your songs, split sheet agreements. All of that is needed to make sure everyone involved in making a song and record are properly paid and accounted for.
What was your favorite memory from your first job?
Combing through the royalty statements and stumbling on a Destiny’s Child song. Them ladies made MONEEEEY!
Ty and the fellow Songathon competition winners.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To take my time. I was so in a rush to be something in this industry. Looking back I would’ve taken my time to learn more in depth about the music industry in all its facets. To learn for the sake of learning and not in desperation for a destination.
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