Conversations with Norman Steele

Today we’d like to introduce you to Norman Steele.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got my break in the music industry as a writer and eventually became an A&R for a publishing company. I became really unhappy because I realized that I had a pen with no ink, meaning I was bringing really amazing talent like Top Dawg Ent. and others and they were passing on these amazing artists, so I left that gig and really became fascinated with the internet and the places it was going, in particular podcasting. I manage an artist, Glasses Malone and after a year of convincing him to do a podcast, he eventually agreed and it was off to the races from there. We started Digital Soapbox Media in 2019.

We were the first African American podcast network. We have a show, “The Gangster Chronicles” licensed to Charlamagne Tha God’s network “Black Effect” and some other amazing shows that are doing very well for us. It’s been an amazing journey, to say the least. We launch our own TV network first of the year Rap Television which will air our slate of podcasts, original content, and of course Hip-Hop and Rap music videos. I’m excited!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Podcasting was not initially kind to the African American community as there were not many believers.

The agencies that sell the ad’s for the shows believed for some reason that only white males listened to podcasts, so there were definitely barriers that we had to knock down. Then the business was so new, there was really no template to work from so there was definitely a lot of trial and error.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Digital Soapbox Media’s tent post is audio podcasting. We also produce everything from original series and low-budget theatrical to shorts and doc-style content.

We also have our own streaming platform “Rap Television” What sets us apart is our authenticity. We are from the culture, which is rare because there are several culture vultures pretending to be something they are not. The people can tell the real from the phonies.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
We are very accessible. You can visit us on Instagram @digitalsoapboxmedia.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.digitalsoapboxmedia.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/digitalsoapboxmedia
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Digitalsoapbox
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/DigitalSoapboxNetwork 

Image Credits
Digital Soapbox Media