The founder and CEO of the world’s biggest Mexican-American music label, Rancho Humilde, spoke at Harvard University, empowering students by offering them insights on identity, entrepreneurship and staying rooted in culture.
Compton native Jimmy Humilde spoke at the INTO THE MUSIC event, which was put on by Harvard Radcliffe Raza, the university’s Mexican and Mexican-American undergraduate organization, and talent agency Neon16 at the historic Sever Hall on Thursday.
During the meeting, a Q&A session moderated by students, Humilde spoke on his vision for Mexican music, Chicano identity and the role of the Latino community in the U.S. in addition to his upbringing and business strategy.
“I didn’t go to college, but I fully understand the important role that academia plays in our society,” Humilde told the students. “As Latinos, we all have a responsibility in the fight for the recognition of our roots, our traditions, and our culture. It’s essential that more young people in our community have access to quality education at universities like Harvard. This not only opens doors for individuals, but also strengthens us as a community.”
Label representatives remarked that Humilde’s appearance at Harvard was a “powerful, symbolic moment” that bridged the gap between “the experience of the streets of L.A. and the classrooms of one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.”
“Jimmy’s story of perseverance, vision and cultural leadership inspired a new generation of young Latinos to dream big while remaining true to their roots,” a Rancho Humilde spokesperson said in a statement to KTLA. “The conversation not only highlighted Rancho Humilde’s cultural impact as the fastest-growing Regional Mexican record label in the world, but also served as a blueprint for how young leaders can fuse culture, ambition and authenticity to create meaningful change.”
The last year has been a remarkable one for Jimmy Humilde and his label; aside from his Harvard appearance, one Rancho Humilde artist, Junior H, recently shared the stage with global superstar Peso Pluma at Coachella, and other acts under the label – including Nathanael Cano, Fuerza Regida and Ovi – have garnered millions of global streams and been propelled to international fame.
Rancho Humilde was founded in Los Angeles 2008 by Jimmy Humilde, José “J.B.” Becerra and Roque Venegas as a production company and eventually transitioned to a record label by 2011. It is now home to more than 100 artists in the Mexican urban music scene.
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