Creating Opportunities for New Orleans Musicians with Ryan Batiste

Ryan Batiste, aka Shaggy, is a musician, festival organizer, and music teacher from New Orleans. We sit down with him to talk about his journey growing up in a musical family, the impact of learning through improvisation, and how he built Locals Fest to create new opportunities for overlooked artists. Shaggy shares the challenges of running a festival, the realities of navigating the modern music industry, and his passion for keeping authentic New Orleans music alive.We also dive into his creative process, his latest album Shag’s House, and his mission to release more music that blends live instrumentation and storytelling. From his pride in seeing family represent New Orleans on the Super Bowl stage to what truly brings him elation today, Shaggy's story is a powerful reminder of the passion and perseverance behind every great artist.Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. Follow Elation EntertainmentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/Website: https://www.elationent.com