Today we’d like to introduce you to Rab Fentress.
Hi Rab, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Rashaun Fentress, better known as “Rab.” I am currently the media coordinator and creative director for NandoSTL and a known local media mogul in St. Louis. I started my media career in the photography scene around 2015-16 to make extra money along with my normal 9-5. Photography wasn’t truly a passion of mine, but I was good at it, and it paid, so I committed to it. My passion was (and always has been) filmmaking, which led me to start a local film team called TR Studios with my closest friends. Besides doing photography as my main side hustle, TR would aim for YouTube success while helping local film directors with their upcoming projects. By 2019 I was ready to film full-time. I quit my corporate sales job and began focusing on videography as my hustle, mainly for music videos and events. For most of the year, I worked with a local promoter as his main videographer and focused my talents on the nightlife of St. Louis, gaining knowledge and relationships along the way.
Later in the year (2019), I reached out to NandoSTL to try to pitch shooting a music video for him; he instead invited me to come film a recap of his studio session for the single “Outside,” and from the moment I stepped in shock city I don’t think either of us knew our lives were about to change completely. After that session, I began media work mainly for the artists NandoSTL, Tommo, and Retro Champ. While also having to learn the insides and outs of the massive world behind the scenes of music. Being in a group full of artists and not being one meant that you had to do the majority of the work in the background. Not only were you the photographer and videographer, but you were also a promoter, A&R, manager, or whatever role you needed to be in to succeed. So I spent most of my free time learning the music industry as much as possible, causing an “uproar” in the local music scene. I’ve come to be known in the music scene as one of the few people who will always speak their mind, whether you like it or not, and with the name “RabSoPetty,” it’s expected. As I learned more about the music industry, I felt the practices in St. Louis were outdated and needed change, and I never held back my opinion about it, which was frowned upon and argued against. But my team and I would prove everything we said right sooner than later.
In 2020 Nando dropped his second EP, Bamboo, for which I was the media coordinator and creative director. I designed the album art, helped assemble the listening party, and even used my former nightlife/promoter knowledge to co-promote the first NandoSTL Live show for the album in STL. (Which was sold out and postponed twice due to covid restrictions). Even with the world shut down, I still looked for ways to press on as a media coordinator, collapsing with Gaslight Studios to host a virtual concert for Nando’s project. Through these things, I’d learn how much of a jack of all trades I was in the music scene.
Recently, I’ve started my performance platform, “The Sanctuary,” on Youtube, a collab with local promoter Frost Money to co-host the annual STL Freshman class, and co-hosted small pop-up shows, a hookah lounge, all while leading media coordination and creative direction for NandoSTL under Nappyboy Entertainment.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The main struggle I had was doubters. I had to argue so many points with people who have turned around and tried to duplicate the same thing they were shunning me for previously. As well as family issues, losing key members of my extended family while trying to work for myself can take a toll, and things tend to slip through the cracks during those times.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the media coordinator and creative director for Nappyboy Artist NandoSTL. For Nando, I do whatever’s creatively possible to build and expand his brand through social media platforms, news outlets, photography, and other digital assets. As a local media mogul, I am a jack of all trades for STL. I’ve been a promoter, A&R, videographer, director, editor, graphic designer, and many more roles for many artists, influencers, and event hosts in the STL area. Whatever’s needed, I’ll learn how to get it done. I take pride in making people’s visions come to life.
How do you define success?
Success for me is leaving a legacy for those who come after me, ensuring the people closest to me can chase their wildest dreams comfortably while having enough financial freedom to chase mine down too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/rabsopetty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunFentress
- Twitter: twitter.com/rabsopetty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesanctuarylive3525
Image Credits
Pic 2 DH Photography
