Joe (Jo Blaq) Macklin’s journey from Wyandotte County to chart-topping LA recording studios—and back again—is a compelling story of homecoming, mentorship, and creative economic development. That journey has led to important new opportunities in Kansas City for veteran media professionals and aspiring young students alike.

KC Roots and Early Beginnings

Joe Macklin was raised in Kansas City, Kansas as a preacher’s kid where the church choir served as the incubator of his passion for music. At Washington High School, Joe also pursued his dream to become a professional basketball player. After graduating from there in 1999, he was ranked among the top high school basketball players in the state, leading him to play Division I college basketball at the University of Texas–San Antonio and Colorado State, as well as professionally in Australia, before fully transitioning into his music career.

*Shown here with Washington High School’s 1999 basketball team, Joe was an outstanding point guard who was ranked among the best high school basketball players in Kansas.*

Los Angeles & Major Industry Success

Around 2008, Joe was ready to leave basketball and lean into his musical talent and recording skills. He was working with Craig Lindsay, a key mentor who recognized his talent and who taught him the fundamentals of recording. Lindsay encouraged him to move to Los Angeles where there was greater access to the music industry. Joe also had cousins in L.A. who were encouraging him to come out there to pursue his dreams. In 2008 he signed his first publishing deal with BMG and later, in 2010, left for L.A. to work as a producer, songwriter, engineer and vocal arranger.

*Joe’s work as a producer for Ariana Grande’s “My Everything” album earned him a Grammy nomination.*

His career got a huge boost in 2012 when a friend at church named Harmony connected him with a young lady on a big project that he said was going to change their lives. That young lady was Ariana Grande. Joe served as a primary vocal producer for her early breakout work. In fact he was the sole vocal producer she wanted to work with on her first two albums. This work not only led to Grammy Nominations for Joe, but it paved the way for him to meet and work with Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.

The Return to Kansas City

Despite the immense success Joe was experiencing in L.A., he was disturbed by the high barriers to entry in the music industry for talented young creators. Many of these young people amassed large debt at trade schools that were not providing them with real-world industry experience. This coupled with visits to KC to join his family while his dad faced health complications led to his decision to move back to Kansas City. But he wasn’t just moving to come home, he was determined to build a self-sustaining ecosystem that keeps top-tier creative talent in K.C. rather than losing them to Los Angeles, Atlanta or New York.

The DistrKCt Studio

*At Left: Entrance to Agnes Arts Building At Right: Cyclorama in reception area of DistrKCt Studio.*

Part of that self-sustaining ecosystem required developing a world-class recording studio. So Joe developed the DistrKCt Studio, a Black-owned multimedia content studio, recording venue, podcast space, and creative hub. That studio is located in the Agnes Arts building on Agnes Avenue near the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The studio features state-of-the art equipment and recording spaces equal to the venerated recording studios of L.A. There Joe can continue his own professional work with nationally known recording artists while producing creative new work for his own studio and label. The studio is also an amazing resource for area producers and musicians who need access to the professional quality equipment and production capabilities of his studio. The studio serves as a commercial production space for area artists and brands. Rentals of this equipment and space add to the profitability of Joe’s studio.

*Joe gives a tour of one of his recording suites during the July 16th DIGITAL SCENE KC: Audio Engineering event.*

The DistrKCt IS Foundation

Joe’s DistrKCt IS Foundation is the non-profit organization he founded to provide workforce development, mentorship, and technical training in audio engineering, videography, photography, and the music business to underserved KC youth. The program addresses his desire to create a start-to-finish professional development pipeline for Kansas City’s creative talent while removing barriers to entry into the industry. Joe has set up a classroom and lab where he works with students from De La Salle and Liberty High Schools during their seventh hour. The students learn to use the software programs and equipment expected for professionals in media production. They earn certification in Pro Tools and work on individual creative production projects that give them intensive hands-on practice on real-world practices for the industry.

*Joe provides a tour of the classroom where he teaches high school students the essentials of media production.*

Joe also pays special attention to building character in his students. He teaches the importance of good work habits and of understanding the business. He demands that they demonstrate professional behavior and attitudes in their work. As an example, students from De La Salle High School improved their attendance rate from 67% to 97% upon working with Joe in their classes.

It's OK to Dream

Though Joe still spends time in L.A. to keep strong connections with industry colleagues, he considers KC his home. He would love to see his DistrKCt Studio become an internationally recognized center for excellence in audio recording and studio production. The programs he already has in place in his new studio are rapidly establishing that outcome.

Joe Macklin is a man with heart and vision. That vision could mean great opportunities for many Kansas Citians who align with his vision. As far as his heart—he summarizes that best with this quotation from a recent interview:

“Everything I do is built off love. So I want to make sure I'm showing love, giving love, and letting the art students know, and just people in Kansas City know to dream, it's okay to dream, and it's also okay to be a visionary and not just be a visionary, but carry out your visions. Act on it. Act on it. It's possible. It's possible.”

From L.A. to the Streets of KC