Backstage Blog: Bankrol Hayden

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗻

I thought I’d give you a local backstage story this week, but l𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 doesn’t necessarily mean small. I’ve worked on many cross-marketing events where celebrities and fashion come together to help promote each other. Sometimes there’s big budgets involved and countless logistics with small turnouts, and sometimes you’re not sure what you just got yourself into. 

I was at my hairdresser’s one day when I overheard them talking about a local rapper that all the young kids were into, Bankrol Hayden.  His name was adorable and his young life was already a storyline for an after school special, not to mention he had an army of loyal followers. I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to work with a big company like Macy’s.  

It turned out Hayden, himself, was also adorable and had his heart in the right place when it came to giving back to his community. We set up a meet-and-greet that correlated with National Day of Giving. Each attendee could bring a canned good to donate to a local shelter when meeting Hayden. As the day grew closer I tried to warn Macy’s that this kid may be a big deal since his team, in fear of an uncontrollable crowd, didn’t want to announce the event until the day before. 

I remember being backstage with him working on his handshake.  I am a big believer in a firm handshake, it says a lot about someone. Hayden’s path to stardom was obvious and a serious handshake could send a message to industry vultures that he was young but not a pushover.  A few minutes later we were pushing our way through hundreds of screaming tweens, teens and there equally excited parents.  I spotted quite a few Hayden look-a-likes with similar fashion and curly crazy hair all singing his verses.  

Hayden posed and signed autographs for hours with a genuine humbled attitude. The crowd was polite however, mall security stepped in to help control the lines and eventually getting Hayden safely to his car.  Backstage he was a funny wide-eyed kid, onstage you knew Modesto was launching a global superstar.