Conversations with Daniel “RD” Lauer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel “RD” Lauer.

Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started when I was a kid around 11-12 years old doing music “producing” with my friends as a hobby. We had this program called “fruity loops 3” now known as “FL Studio” to make beats in. They said I had to come up with a producer name to use. I chose “rough draft” because one of the kids in my middle school called me that.

The reason he called me that was because I was damn near the only white kid in Ribault middle school but fitted in. As time went by, we got better and started taking it more seriously because adults were noticing us doing music all by ourselves without any professional help.

And with us being kids at the time we didn’t have money like that to get photos, videos, graphics &, etc. Done. Then came across a camera that took pictures/video at the same time. So, I started taking everyone’s pictures and doing little videos of behind the scene stuff. Then my friend told me about photoshop to use to make graphics and so I couldn’t buy that program at the time so I downloaded a crack version “I got a subscription now” lol.

So, I started making our cover art, flyers, and other promo stuff we needed. Then my friend and I started an LLC for our “label” at the time because we wanted to make sure we covered ourselves if anything happened. There were like 14 of us all doing music rather it was just producing, rapping or both but I did it all besides rap. It wasn’t for me lol. My friend and I then got a hold of pro tools “industry-standard software for music” at the time it wasn’t a household name. We bought the “audio media 3” pick card to go into the computer to be able to use pro tools. People were shocked when they asked “what software do y’all record in?” and we would tell them pro tools and only music studios were known for having and using them.

We put out about 2-3 compilations albums and a couple of mixtapes over time. Then we found our way to the radio. Easy-E (92.7 the beat Jamz at the time) was doing a local spotlight I think it was every Friday night. Where he would play local artist songs and get caller’s feedback. Long story short our single was on their 6 months straight before they pulled it. We then got a visit from someone in the music industry interested in our music and wanted to see how far we could push it. I went to the extent of making a DVD for him with our bios, music, pics, and videos. Now DVD’s were just breaking in and becoming affordable for everyone at the time. He still has the only copy I made to this day.

Unfortunately, nothing came from the situation. As time went by, we all grew apart and older. I got different jobs when I was old enough till I stuck with one doing catering. Then I had a daughter and that made me change a lot. I still was working with 2 to 3 of the artists afterward and upgraded my gear a bit to better us. Then one of the artists introduced me to his cousin who was a DJ at the strip club at the time. He wanted to support and play our songs and get us shows there. He got us shows and after a while, the DJ and I started working together. He wanted to support the city by doing mixtapes featuring local artists. I saw the vision and wanted to help support it by doing what I can from graphics, mixing, pictures, recording, videos and etc. He then got signed to a major label and was DJing for an artist. So then things got bigger as we go.

I started meeting people and going places with them learning how things work. I definitely met and built a lot of relations with him. I was the guy behind the scenes working, so people never knew what to think when they saw me. I then started putting myself out more to help build my name. I used the connections I made to start doing stuff for them for free so they know what I can do. I started doing vlogs with the radio and a couple of major artists that came in town or I would even travel. I was stuck for years trying to build my name and wasn’t really going anywhere till I was introduced to my guy “BV”.

We clicked as soon as we met each other. He definitely shaped me and pointed me in the right direction to help build my brand. I started applying myself the right way, building my brand, and making a good amount of money from doing what I love. I was still working my 9-5 but not as much now that I’ve been growing. I then got myself officially by getting an LLC under “RD Multimedia” in 2017. I fought with names for some time before I decided that because I offer so much and that fitted.

I also abbreviated “rough draft” to just “RD” now. I started traveling more and working with major clients/celebrities from movies, tv, comedians, music artist, businesses and etc. Around 2018, I was barely working 4-12 hours a week at my job and I went to call out because I was going to the “2018 bet awards” and my manager asked me “why don’t you just put your two-week notice in? It’s not like you need this job anymore.”

I’m not going to lie between 2017-2018, I was scared to leave my job but once he asked that I told him to put it in. They didn’t even let me work my last day lol. Ever since then I haven’t looked back and continued to grow myself and my brand. Now I’m showing my daughter these skills to help build her for her future.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I almost gave up on it all because I felt like it wasn’t going anywhere, I wasn’t making money and I was getting older with a daughter to take care of. It was to the point I was blaming a person for it when it was me.

There were a lot of falling outs with people because we didn’t see eye to eye with things and I hated how certain things went with people but I had to realize that I did what I could and they lost out.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do music production/engineering, graphic design, photography, and videography. I’m mostly known for photography/videography with celebrities, graphic design, and then music. I’m proud of everything I do because I’m self-taught.

I didn’t go to any school to learn any of this but there were people to help me along the way. What sets me apart from others is my high quality of work but also how fast I get it done. For example, I could film an event with an artist at a club and have it to them before we get back to the hotel.

What makes you happy?
Simple, my daughter. She brings me happiness words cant describe.

Contact Info:

• Email: rd@rdmuzik.com
• Website: www.RDMultimedia.net
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/RDMuzik
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/RDMultimediaLLC
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rdmuzik
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/RDMultimediaLLC
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rdmuzik
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rdmuzik