For everyone trying to break into the music industry, it’s common knowledge that the business is not for the faint of heart. Many artists and producers spend years perfecting their craft. Through studying their music, creating their own brands, and having a passion for their dreams, Armando Cadogan Jr. and Jamaal Castang are determined to create a name for themselves in the entertainment world.

Armando Cadogan Jr., better known as Hip-Hop recording artist Panama, started his journey in Baltimore, MD. As a theatre major at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Panama landed a role on HBO’s hit TV series, The Wire. On Season 1, during the third episode, he was cast as a drug dealer. Although the role was brief, Panama was called back for Season 4 as Bubble’s tormentor. While gaining recognition on the award-winning show, Panama was also in several industrial films for companies, such as The American Red Cross and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

“I used my acting career as a platform to gain attention–to get in the door. Then I body them with the music,” said Panama.

Feeling as though New York would gain him more opportunities for his music career, he moved back to his hometown of Brooklyn.

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Jamaal Castang, senior Political Science major at Norfolk State University and Chief Justice of Student Government Association, is a producer and songwriter who started his trek to musical success six years ago. Assembling a team of business partners called Profound Sounds, Jamaal set out to making his dream of becoming a big-time music engineer come true. Mikhail White, Shelby Arrington, Kenny P, and Danilo Nunez work alongside Castang with designing graphics, mixing, producing and engineering. Not only do they have a broad set of talents, they also can produce music for all genres.

Within the first four years, Jamaal and his production team met much adversity.

“People were trying to get over on us or not wanting to pay us because we were not known,” said Castang.

However, that didn’t curb Castang’s fervor to produce music.

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Once back in Brooklyn, Panama became an independent machine working towards making a name for himself as a respected rapper. Similar to Castang, he single-handedly built a team that supports his visions.

“I’ve done everything by myself without a budget. I’ve never even paid for studio time, but these people have helped me learn the ins and outs of the music business and have held me down,” he says of friends Mills Miller, DJ Boy Wonder, Anthony, Weapon X, and many others.

His own personal team is Young Execs. They are comprised of himself; his two cousins, J’mar White and Shawn Smith; David Wander; and Doobie. Each person does their part to promote Panama and all aspects of his talents.

“Our motto is ‘Every man is a boss, and you take orders.’ That just means that we allow each person to be the boss in the area that they know the most.”

In December of 2008, Panama was approached by MTV, and the end result was the airing of his performance of his single “Make It Last” on MTV2 and a cover of Fall Out Boy’s single “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race.” Literally, Panama was the 15-30 second commercial every 10-12 minutes.

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All while having produced instrumentals for WNSB HOT 91, producing The Talk of the Town Morning Show, and working alongside Hot 91′s own King Carter, Castang still yearned for more exposure, success, and producer.

After seeing a clip of Panama on MTVU, Castang did his homework and found the Panamanian Brooklynite to be a down-to-earth individual on the same mission as himself. With that first step into interest as a production group, Castang has been diligently working toward gaining as much exposure as possible. Aireal Apparel, a clothing company, has even created t-shirts for the team.

Profound Sounds has now gained interest from Malice (one half of the Hip-Hop group The Clipse), Nottz (who has produced tracks for the Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, and The Game), Asher Roth, and Chrisette Michele. Due to his media success and connections to people in the music business, Panama has given Castang a helping hand with his talents.

“A lot of people have helped us over the last two years,” said Castang, “We now even have the opportunity to work on Panama’s demo.”

Although linking up with the Hip-Hop artist seems like a major arrival, Castang still prides himself on staying humble and focusing on what’s important.

“I like to stay behind the scenes because for me, it’s all about the music. We take what we don’t like about music and try to revitalize it.”

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Now gaining a buzz from the success of his first single, Make It Last, Panama is on the steady path to opening doors for himself and building relationships with people that can help him “make it.” Castang is heavily infiltrating the local music scene and earnestly working toward making Profound Sounds a household name.

With the release of two movies coming out next year, The Rothstein Diamond and Gods and Men, debut of his latest single “I’m Addicted,” Panama has high hopes for the future but understands that this is just a small indent into his career. Likewise, Jamaal knows that an overnight success is 10 years.

“I feel like I still have a long way to go,” said Panama

And when asked about his first talent, he reiterates his love for theatre.

“Acting is my passion. It will always be there.”

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