Rene McLean
Rene McLean’s journey reads like a blueprint for reinvention in the music industry. From growing up on the Lower East Side during the crack era—surrounded by jazz legends, culture-shifters, and downtown chaos—to interning his way into radio promo, becoming a 21-year-old regional rep, getting fired, re-entering the game through pure hustle, and eventually creating the Mixshow Power Summit… Rene’s story is a masterclass in evolution.
Jeff and Rene dive into hip-hop’s club era, the rise of Hot 97, launching RPM, breaking LMFAO, navigating brand partnerships, and building Influence Media—the powerhouse behind major modern catalog deals.
If you want to understand how the music business actually works—and how to survive every cycle—this episode is essential listening.
🎙️ This is Mixed and Mastered with Rene McLean.
