Published Author and Entertainment Lawyer Margarite Camaj Talks About Creating Balance As an Entrepreneur.

Published Author and Entertainment Lawyer Margarite Camaj Talks About Creating Balance As an Entrepreneur, Her Love For Music At a Young Age, Writing Inspirations, Protecting Like-Minded Creatives, Growing Her Law Firm And More.

Margarite Camaj

It’s finally July 1st! We, as a team, had a very productive Q2. Thank you to the creatives who participated in our written pieces as well as those who we had the pleasure of speaking with in our first set of visual interviews. I’m happy to be opening up the new month and quarter with a brand new story.

The world of entrepreneurialism is so broad. There are many fields and industries where creatives are thriving but we may not deem it as common because we’re not used to seeing it on a regular basis. If we decided to go down the line of industries where some of our friends are seeing success, we’ll find that it’s mostly music, journalism, fashion, and culinary. With the exception of a few others, this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with someone who is an entertainment lawyer by day and a published author by night. Margarite Camaj, also known to her friends as Magi, recently released her 20th book. She is the epitome of hard work, dedication, and balance.

The Bronx-native used her love for music and writing to begin her career in journalism. Magi has published work on some of the biggest music publications out there, but the buck doesn’t stop there. The law school graduate has also published books ranging from poetry to the music business. Magi also runs a law firm with her partner and best friend, Margaret Lee. The two women focus on a variety of different practices, but entertainment law serves as the umbrella. Not to mention, as a published author who has released various books, Magi and Margaret, just published their new book titled 50 Keys to Success in the Music Business. It’s comprised of some Q&'A’s that will help guide a new music act through the business. “After having read this book, you will have a solid foundation about how the Music Business operates and what you need to apply moving forward,” Magi says. “It is more complex than just the music. The music is important, but you also need to protect the music and make sure you’re moving correctly.”

I had the pleasure of catching up with Magi to talk about her life growing up in the Bronx, finding balance in her creativity, understanding the world of entertainment law, being a 20x published author, and growth plans for the law firm. Read the entire interview below.

1 - Before we jump into the conversation, let me know how you’re feeling right now.

I’m feeling blessed. You already started this interview so beautifully. I’m really big on asking people how they’re feeling as well. I think how someone feels is the most important question one can ask and a lot of people ignore that. Too many people ignore how they feel and/or are scared to reveal it due to judgment. I think it’s important to give people space to be themselves, especially if we want to help them. So, thanks for that.

2 - You’re a Bronx native, but you’re also Albanian. Talk about your experience growing up as a child and your exposure to the diversity around you.  

My father was a human rights fighter back home. Due to circumstances, we had to flee and come to New York. I came to the Bronx when I was 2-years-old. Growing up as an immigrant was interesting, to say the least because I saw both sides. I grew up in poverty. It taught me to appreciate a lot. I also saw how poorly people were treated in the Bronx yet I always saw the soul that we all had too. It was definitely powerful and has shaped so much of how I view everything. It has given me an appreciation and a sense of versatility in life.

3 - The Bronx means a lot to the world of Hip-Hop. But, when did you realize what Hip-Hop meant to you? How were you introduced to it?

I fell in love with Hip-Hop when I was just a little girl. Hip-Hop was everywhere. Hip-Hop saved me. Lyricism was always everything to me. Words healed me and in turn, I used them as an outlet to let my own emotions out and help others heal as well. I don’t remember the exact moment I was introduced to Hip-Hop, but I do remember that I would hear it blasting everywhere, especially in the summer. My earliest memory was of a man on the block telling me to listen to a song by Tupac and ever since then, it was just game over. Hip-Hop became life.

4 - You’re also a well-established writer. Where did your writing inspiration come from growing up?

Music inspired me. Again, Hip-Hop inspired me. Hip-Hop is poetry. I remember listening to a track and just feeling raw emotions. Ever since then, at about 7-years-old, I picked up the pen and I couldn’t stop.

5 - As you got older, how did all of these passions and creative endeavors find its way into one pot? Meaning, when did you realize you can do all of these things simultaneously?

A lot of people say that you can’t do a lot because you’re spreading yourself thin. However, when that “lot” all connects to each other, it becomes beautiful because it’s never forced. It’s natural. Everything I do is tied together. It’s tied back to words and music. I have my hands in all aspects of music—whether it’s writing, songwriting, spoken word poetry over hip-hop beats, or protecting artists. So, while it seems like a lot, and it is, it’s all connected back to one thing: music.

6 - At this point, you have a clear love for writing and Hip-Hop. When does the world of law come into play for you?

I am creative and I always knew that I wanted to protect myself as well as other creatives. I kind of have both sides. I exist in two worlds. I find the balance between the creative side and the business/legal side. I try to study what I love in all aspects and also protect what I love. That’s my character in general. The same applies to music. I always had a need to study every single aspect of it.

7 - It’s stated that during your time in law school you published six books. Law school is time-consuming and time management is crucial as a creative so how were you able to focus on both?

It’s definitely a lot and extremely time-consuming. Law school is very structured. It takes a lot out of you and if you let it, it takes the creativity out of you as well. I couldn’t let my creativity leave me because I’m someone who literally can’t live without the soul. Words and music are everything to me. I even wrote a book while studying for the Bar Exam. To be precise, I wrote my book Feel. It’s really all about priorities at the end of the day. If you want to do something, you have to focus on it and do it. You have to eliminate all excuses because distractions will be there. At the end of the day, it is up to you. You have to prioritize and sacrifice other things in order to get to where you want to get to. I wanted to work on my writing while studying law. I wanted to keep both sides. So, that’s what I did. I’m big on the phrase “You can do anything that you set your mind to.” I’ve told myself that since I was a little girl.

8 - As a writer, you’ve also penned some music-related pieces for some well-known publications. When did you first get your shot at that?

About two to three years ago. I like to constantly evolve and push my pen in different directions. So, I wanted to also write about music and artists’ art. I wanted to write about artists that I felt had something huge to contribute to the world.

9 - Now, as a current Entertainment Lawyer, can you please explain what your duties are and what your job entails for those who are unaware?

As an Entertainment Lawyer, my job is to protect artists/producers or whoever is my client. Entertainment Law is a big umbrella and there is a lot that comes with it. For example, it can include business, intellectual property, negotiations, employment, etc. For us, it is mainly transactional. We review contracts, draft contracts, negotiate, and make sure that whoever we represent is fully aware of the particular deal that they’re getting into.

10 - In this day in age, how does one go about getting a good entertainment lawyer such as yourself or Margaret Lee, your partner in The Camaj & Lee Firm LLC. In other words, what’s needed from the potential client and what’s considered a good client on you and Margaret’s behalf?  

It is important to get a lawyer who actually believes in you and your music. Clients who know what they want and actually do their part by creating good quality music are crucial. The business won’t help you if you don’t help yourself. We do our part, but at the end of the day, you also have to take control.

11 - You and Margaret have four major areas of practice: Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment Law, and Business Law. Which one of these areas tends to be more tedious and why?

Entertainment Law is the umbrella and all of the other areas of law can fit into it although they don’t necessarily have to. I’m big on doing everything with my entire soul and mind—no matter what it is. So, if I felt like an area is tedious, to be honest, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place lol. If you’re working with someone who is passionate about what they do, no matter what the project is, every area becomes fun.

12 - Reverting back to you being a best-selling author. You recently released your 20th  book, 50 Keys to Success In The Music Business. Talk a little bit about the book and the 147-page read.

My law partner Margaret Lee and I wrote this book because we wanted to create something simple for artists to connect to in order to understand the basics of how to navigate the music industry. We wrote 50 Q&A’s and we believe that every single one of those answers will get you closer to opening doors as long as you put in the work. After having read this book, you will have a solid foundation about how the Music Business operates and what you need to apply moving forward. It is more complex than just the music. The music is important, but you also need to protect the music and make sure you’re moving correctly.

13 - You stated that “every artist should have this book within their reach.” In your opinion, what are some pros and cons of navigating the music business today as a new artist?

The biggest pro is the fact that you literally have access to everything. It is easy to reach a greater audience. You don’t have to go through a label anymore (not that a label is a bad thing at all), but you can remain independent. One con in navigating the music business today as a new artist is that, as always, people will try to take advantage of you. You need to think long-term. You need to know what goals you’re setting and where you’re unwilling to waiver in order to get to where you need to get to.

14 - How would you like to impact the world of law and entertainment as the world continues to shift and progress post-COVID?

My law partner Margaret Lee & I are really big on people creating their own path. We are big on artists and music professionals being themselves and protecting their music at the same time, and not being taken advantage of by anyone. We want to keep giving knowledge to those who want it. Overall, we just want people to keep making good quality music and we want them to have the proper knowledge of what they’re signing before they sign it. We want artists to be well aware of the decisions that they make. We’re planning to keep going on the path that we’re currently on.

15 - What is your true definition of success?

My true definition of success is reaching your greatest self. For me, my greatest self is being fully in tune with spirit, love, and using the gifts that God gave me fully so that I can do my part in the universe. With that, comes happiness—although it is important to understand that there will be ups and downs.

16 - What else can we expect from you, your firm, and your writing as we move throughout the second half of the year?

Regarding our firm, we will continue to represent some amazingly talented artists/producers. As for my writing, I’m always working on something new, but I’m especially getting into songwriting now. That’s a huge passion of mine.

You can stay updated on everything Magi is doing by following her on social media. Click here to check out her Instagram. Also, make sure you follow her and Margaret’s law firm, The Camaj and Lee Law Firm.