Grammy-Nominated Producer Joseph Macklin Launches Media Hub To Provide Opportunities For Creatives In Kansas City, MO – AfroTech
Grammy-nominated producer Joseph Macklin has created a media hub for Kansas City, MO, creatives.
According to The Kansas City Star, he was inspired to start a media hub to ensure people in Kansas City didn’t feel they needed to move elsewhere to make their dreams a reality, as he did. Known as Jo Blaq, Macklin has worked with talents such as Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber as a result of his move to Los Angeles.
He split his time between Los Angeles and Kansas City from 2016 to 2019, before deciding to move back to his hometown.
“Kansas City has the most talented people in the world,” Macklin explained to The Kansas City Star. “The thing about LA and other cities is they have the etiquette, they have the connections. They have been there, and they’ve seen it. We have the talent in every capacity, they just need the guidance (and) the mentorship.”
DISTRKCT
Macklin’s solution, DISTRKCT, spans more than 7,000 square feet and features four recording studios, a computer lab, private teaching rooms, workshops, content creation rooms (including one for podcasts, photography, and videography), and a coworking space, among others.
It claims to be Kansas City’s first multimedia coworking hub, according to its website.
“It’s just us giving access to the things that we need to be successful. I think it’ll help eliminate the excuses, or we can get to the point where you can say ‘Hey, you have no excuses,’” Macklin told The Kansas City Star. “ Let’s give the people in Kansas City a real experience, so they know how to interact. I just wanted to give us access.”
Memberships range from $40 (students) to $315 (audio, content, photo, and video professionals).
A grand opening for DISTRKCT was held Nov. 29 at the Agnes Art building, 1328 Agnes Ave.
“When we were kids, we had gyms that we could go to, whether that be at Bethany or Kensington, Eisenhower… we were able to go to these gyms, play and stay off the streets,” Macklin explained, per the outlet. “I want (DISTRKCT) to be the court for them, where they’re like ‘Man, we can just come to DISTRKCT and just hang out. It’s cool over here.’”
