An interview with Gibran Malik (Sage); founder of Artist Connect.
Are you an artist struggling to find affordable, reliable resources or opportunities? Wondering how technology is reshaping the independent music industry? You’re in the right place. In this post, we explore how Jabron Malik, aka Sage, built Artist Connect—a powerful app designed to empower indie artists, freelancers, and creatives in an ever-evolving musical landscape. Drawing from his decades of experience as an audio engineer and entrepreneur, Jabron shares insights into the challenges he faced, the innovative solutions he’s delivering, and his ambitious goals for 2026. Whether you’re an artist, a music entrepreneur, or just curious about the future of music tech, this deep dive will give you practical takeaways to navigate and thrive in this dynamic industry.
The Genesis of Artist Connect: Recognizing a Gap in the Music Ecosystem
Jabron Malik’s journey started with a fascination for sound from childhood. Growing up in Queens, New York, he was captivated by bass, treble, and all things audio—skills he honed through formal training and years of experience. His early career as an audio engineer in 2002 led to establishing Kingsage Studios in 2006, a space where he recorded clients and built connections in the music industry.However, over time, Jabron saw a significant shift: major record labels began cutting back on artist development and support, especially with the rise of streaming platforms like iTunes and later, Spotify. Artists started managing more of their careers independently, but lacked the tools and networks to do so effectively. This realization planted the seed for a solution tailored specifically to indie artists—those without big label backing but with big talent.
Why Traditional Approaches No Longer Suffice
In the past, signing with a record label meant access to marketing, promotion, and industry connections. Labels acted as a support system, a kind of “virtual mom or dad” for artists. But as the industry digitized, these services fragmented, leaving artists to navigate a complex, often overwhelming landscape solo.Jabron notes, “Indie artists are like kids without a mom or a dad—venturing into the wild west.” Recognizing this, he set out to build a platform that could simulate what labels used to provide, but in a digital, accessible, and affordable way.
Building the Ecosystem: From Idea to App
The journey from concept to product was rooted in simplicity and perseverance. Jabron drew out his vision on barf bags during a flight—an unconventional start that exemplifies entrepreneurial grit. With a clear idea, he sought out Evan Coleman, a young programmer willing to bring his vision to life, paying him incrementally from his studio earnings.
Key Milestones in Development
- Initial Idea: Creating an ecosystem app to connect artists, producers, videographers, and designers—a one-stop marketplace.
- Hand-Drawn Design: Using just pen and paper (or in this case, barf bags), Jabron mapped out the app’s structure on a flight.
- Assembling the Team: Finding a developer willing to work with him, and reinvesting studio revenue into funding development.
- Iterative Refinement: Launching a basic version during the COVID pandemic, then continuously improving based on user feedback and technological advances.
Jabron emphasizes that perseverance and flexibility are vital.
“Climb each rung of the ladder, even if the steps don’t look exactly like your vision,” he advises. This mindset helped him go from a drawn concept to a live app with nearly 5,000 users.
The Core of Artist Connect: Empowering Indie Artists and Freelancers
At its heart, Artist Connect is a marketplace and networking platform designed for independent creatives. It primarily serves:
- Musicians and recording artists seeking gigs or collaborations
- Visual artists, photographers, videographers needing projects
- Creative freelancers who want to connect, showcase, and sell their services
A Marketplace for Success and Clarity
The platform allows users to post opportunities—whether they’re looking for a singer, a videographer, or a graphic designer—and target specific audiences through broadcasting features. This direct-to-user approach contrasts sharply with traditional social media advertising, which often results in scattershot impressions and low engagement.Jabron explains, “Artists need real engagement, not just followers or fleeting impressions. Our platform helps them connect with the right people — in a more efficient and meaningful way.”
Addressing the Need: Indie Artists as “Kids Without a Parent”
Most indie artists operate without the extensive support staff that signed artists enjoy. They lack the structure, planning tools, and networks that help big artists thrive. Artist Connect is designed to fill that void—providing organization, strategy, and community to help indie artists navigate the “Wild West.”
From Idea to Reality: Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
The path to creating Artist Connect was not without hurdles. Jabron faced typical entrepreneurial challenges—building a team, raising funds, and refining a product during a global pandemic. His resilience shines through:
- Technical Challenges: Finding a programmer who believed in his vision and working without prior coding knowledge.
- Market Challenges: Convincing artists of the platform’s value amidst saturated social media channels.
- External Challenges: Pandemic restrictions halted traditional marketing avenues, requiring a pivot to digital strategies.
He reflects, “The core challenge was not knowing exactly how everything would work out. But as long as I kept solving the main problem—connecting artists—I kept moving forward.” Jabron’s advice? Perseverance is the formula for success.
Strategic Goals for 2026: Focused Growth and Revenue
Looking ahead, Jabron’s primary focus is to hone in on a new broadcasting feature that facilitates targeted opportunities for artists and freelancers. His goals include:
- Launching an intuitive, easy-to-use broadcast system for posting gigs and collaborations
- Developing a wallet and subscription model to generate sustainable monthly revenue
- Expanding into international markets, starting with the UK, leveraging in-app purchase systems
- Offering more targeted marketing tools to improve engagement and conversion rates for artists
He emphasizes that focusing on one core value proposition—the broadcasting feature—will allow him to scale effectively and differentiate Artist Connect from broader social media platforms.
Industry Shifts and Future Trends: What Artists Can Anticipate in 2026
Jabron observes a shifting landscape where engagement metrics matter more than follower counts. Authentic interaction—real-time engagement—has become the currency of success, especially as saturation and algorithm complexity increase.He notes, “Artists now need to focus on meaningful engagement, not just accumulating followers. Platforms like Artist Connect help them connect directly with a targeted, interested audience.”Furthermore, digital advertising saturation makes organic and targeted outreach crucial. Artist Connect’s new features, like notifications and tailored opportunities, aim to cut through this noise, helping artists and opportunities connect more effectively.
Final Words: The Power of Purpose-Driven Innovation
Jabron Malik’s story underscores the importance of identifying gaps in industries and boldly building solutions. His journey from a sound-obsessed kid to a tech-savvy entrepreneur exemplifies resilience, creativity, and focus.So, whether you’re an artist seeking more gigs or an entrepreneur with a vision, remember: solving real problems with passion and persistence can reshape industries—and your own future.If you want to see Artist Connect in action or connect with Jabron Malik, visit artistconnectapp.com and follow the platform on Instagram (@artistconnectapp).