Meet Anthony Cruz | Writer, Producer, Film Scorer, Executive at Water The Seed Ent Llc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“Water The Seed” The idea that mental cultivation can lead to spiritual and physical growth.

That being said there are many gifted and talented creatives that we will never meet cause they lack CULTIVATION. Without cultivation things tend to not reach full potential and in most cases not grow at all. I grew up around studios, musicians, and singers all my life and didn’t start my music career till 20 years old, nobody took the time to cultivate. So my journey was long and completely unguided, and though I’m grateful for every lesson learned and all the many experiences. I don’t feel
moving forward that the next generation of creatives must go that path alone. We/Us must “water the seed”

The DESIRE to experience GROWTH is a mentality. In these days of DIY artist we’ve moved on from A&Rs, managers, big studios & 360 record contracts. However there is still an enormous amount of music being released daily. With so many available low cost platforms that are able to place you with any and all other artists pro or Indy. There literally is no barrier between the artists and the audience. I fully intend to water the fruitful crop of creatives around me and connected to this movement as well as beyond. Water the seed is a record Label/Network that will release projects in the form of Film, Movie
Soundtracks, Solo and collaborative Ep’s ALL artists will NOT be signed to the company rather will be co owners of each project. In plain terms we are signing Art not Artist. We are a Genre-Less or Genre-Full group how ever you perceive it. Water the Seed is the creative idea of Anthony “L’s” Cruz a Music Producer from Long Beach CA.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started out as a fan of music, was influenced early on in church and by my sister MonaLisa. She started singing when she was a little girl of 7 years. She would sing at churches and always had a huge sounding voice. I was so impressed with here ability,I wondered if I was any good at music. I figured my musician father would help me figure it out since he would help her with her singing. I didn’t have a clue how to even start. I remember my dad sat me down in front of a Fender Rhodes and was just like “play”. Didn’t show me where to put my fingers or anything just play. I hit a few keys for a few minutes, he went back to playing his drums and that was that. He later that evening told my mom “Yeah he don’t got it”. And for the next ten years I would just watch from the sidelines. My parents divorced, my dad moved away, my sister continued on through high school singing at showcases and recording demos. She had a bad experience with a few labels and managers. We had both just grduated high school. I remember telling her that I would learn to produce and make her music to sing to. She said ok and encouraged me to learn. The next summer while living out of state, I bought a keyboard and started to learn on my own. It was a long slow process learning the equipment, and I would get discouraged when the beats would come out like I heard them in my head. Or other people who already knew how to produce would point out my mistakes to discredit my ability. I honestly just got used to not having support or being encouraged. I had a couple friends who rhymed they were the only ones who really wanted to see me get better. I know now just how important that phase was. It prepared me for the lonely cold grind of a producer. I also learned quickly that your surroundings influence what you create. So I made the move back home to Long Beach, CA. Almost instantly my music improved from “ok maybe”, to “hey how much for that beat”. I learned to sample. I dove head first into the Local scene and started working with musicians, singers, other producers, artists. I started a Band (gloryforthepeople) with my cousins and my sister as the Lead singer. I spent a lot of time at VIP Records in Long Beach. I would hang at first then eventually get the workers to play my beats on the system. The Reaction was “YOU made them beats” from all the employees at the record store. That would be the same reaction I would hear many years to come. That trip to VIP record store turned into many relationships, and a handful of albums. I even got to have my billboard on top of the store, Which was huge for me I shopped at that record store as a teenager. My journey has been filled with many moments like these from meeting/working with my musical idols. I’ve been blessed to create music in other countries, with so many different people. I often think now how I almost believed what my father said “he don’t got it”. I had it just not at that moment and not with out cultivation. I don’t fault my father for not cultivating my ability early on. I embrace the gift of the many years learning how to cultivate the gifts of myself and others. I use that mentality in all that I do whether its music or life or both. If we don’t water the seeds they will not grow. I feel my journey is not mine alone but for the benefit of all those I’m able to influence.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would have to say you can definitely get a variety of experiences when you come to Long Beach. It’s a melting pot of culture everything from food to music to social life. If we are going for breakfast gotta do Coffee Cup on fourth is on point. If we doing lunch or dinner AMMATOLI in downtown Long Beach is amazing. If we wanna catch some 90’s hip hop we can stop at Grey LB for Club Real Ones. It’s an outdoor day party in DTLB. We can walk around the Pike or Shoreline. If its summer you can catch a music festival almost every weekend right by the queen Mary. I usually end my outings by the beach for a night Vibe walk on the sand. There’s tons of events that go on year round in Long Beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to Shoutout Greg “Greedy Greg” Jessie. owner of A thousand Favors ent.

Greedy Greg has played a huge part in my growth and understanding of Music and the business. Greedy has been an
influence to myself and many talented musicians and artist in his 30 plus years as a manager. Not to be confused by his nickname Greedy Greg is one of the most giving people I’ve met on my journey. He’s opened up his studio to me countless times. He’s always there with wisdom and guidance. Truly a Gem of a person. I tell everyone his studio is Sacred Land a back house studio in South L.A. His Vibe is the secret sauce to all the many classics that have been recorded there. A good portion of my catalog of music has been crafted in that back house. it’s like being in a special club if you have worked there. So Yeah shoutout to Greedy Greg.

Website: watertheseed.live

Instagram: @bornanthonycruz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloryforthepeople

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4m3l4WrOSc81pdmYCUOJgQ

Image Credits
Della Irene, Dusty Roze.