Garnet Popoola-Johnson
Marietta
Summary
Dynamic and visionary music entrepreneur with a proven track record in sales, logistics, and artist operations- currently building Kalakuta Records, an independent label uniting Afrobeat, drill and hip-hop across Africa, the U.S, and the U.K. With deep industry roots as the grandson of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and the nephew of Seun and Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, I bring a raw blend of cultural legacy, street level hustle, and global business acumen. Seeking an Internship at Quality Control Music to deepen my understanding of artist development, A&R strategy, and label operations while contributing immediate value to QC's legacy of excellence.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder
Kalakuta Records
03.2025 - Current
- Launched independent afro-rap label with vision to unite African, U.K, and U.S street music culture
- Discovered and developed underground Nigerian talent, including music video planning and wardrobe direction
- Built label identity from scratch including creative direction, branding and future merch concepts
- Leveraging personal legacy of Fela Kuti to bridge tradition with modern Afro influence
Sales Representative
NYC Watches & Diamonds
04.2023 - Current
- Manage high-value luxury watch and jewelry sales in a competitive market.
- Average 15 sales transactions per week & generate 30+ new leads biweekly.
- Collaborate with renowned jewelers including Ziv Tamir to understand brand understand, negotiation, and client experience.
- Translate customer psychology into consistent high-ticket closes-relevant to music branding and artist positioning.
Customer Service Representative
Maryland Health Connection
04.2023 - 08.2023
- Delivered policy guidance via 30+ daily calls using Salesforce CRM.
- Maintained a 94% QA score while juggling strict compliance and empathy.
- Developed excellent document handling and time management skills under pressure.
Pharmacy Technician
Bay Area Pharmacy
10.2020 - 03.2021
- Answered incoming phone calls and addressed questions from customers and healthcare providers.
- Stocked, labeled, and inventoried medication to keep accurate records.
- Enhanced pharmacy workflow by assisting pharmacists with medication dispensing, labeling, and packaging.
- Calculated dosage, filled prescriptions, and prepared prescription labels with absolute accuracy.
Operations Assistant Intern
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Supported live music operations and international touring logistics.
- Scheduled rehearsals, arranged travel and contracts, liaised with venues/agencies .
- Learnt firsthand the inner workings of a legendary African band and the cultural power of music.
- Streamlined operations by implementing efficient processes and reducing bottlenecks in the workflow.
Education
Business Administration And Management
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL01-2026
Associate of Arts -
Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL05-2023
High School Diploma -
St. Thomas The Apostles College
London, UK06-2018
Skills
- Public speaking & Pitching
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Relationship building
- Process improvement
- Excellent team worker
- Cultural Intelligence
- Social Media strategy
- Artist Development & Scouting
- Entrepreneurial Thinking
Timeline
Founder
Kalakuta Records
03.2025 - Current
Sales Representative
NYC Watches & Diamonds
04.2023 - Current
Customer Service Representative
Maryland Health Connection
04.2023 - 08.2023
Pharmacy Technician
Bay Area Pharmacy
10.2020 - 03.2021
Operations Assistant Intern
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
05.2019 - 09.2019
Business Administration And Management
Florida Atlantic University
Associate of Arts -
Hillsborough Community College
High School Diploma -
St. Thomas The Apostles College
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