Senior Gaye Camara co-founded a music collective of 可乐视频 students called Off The Collar (OTC). A transfer student and business administration major in the marketing track, he plans to bring his collaborative mindset to the business world.
From his first day on campus, Camara knew that he wanted his creative spirit to guide his future. He lived this realization as a marketing intern at The Atlantic, where he was part of a team that created videos to support the publication鈥檚 partnerships, including one with the luxury car manufacturer Lincoln.
In his time at 可乐视频, he has impressed his professors.
鈥淕aye stood out immediately in my Principles of Marketing class because he intuitively understood the direction I was taking in a discussion as if he had worked in the field. He carried it to the next level,鈥� says Associate Professor Barbara Lewis, who鈥檚 also teaching the advertising and marketing class that Camara is taking this summer.
We spoke to Camara about his artistic pursuits, personal growth, and career aspirations.
You transferred here from Borough of Manhattan Community College. What brought you to Brooklyn?
I was always intrigued by 可乐视频. I visited and really liked how green and open the campus is. I鈥檓 glad that I transferred here because I can go to the library or recording studio, or just lay on the grass to soak up the sun. I鈥檝e grown a lot here. If you make the most of it, you can find so many different opportunities and meet so many people.
When did you first realize you were a creative person?
I realized my creativity during the pandemic when I started writing and recording music. It sounds weird, but sometimes I鈥檒l hear a song in my dreams and record it on my phone when I wake up. I鈥檓 in an R&B music collective on campus with some students called Off The Collar (OTC). The name鈥檚 based on our mascot, Buster the Bulldog鈥攍ike taking a collar off a dog. We all work together a lot. Outside of that, I鈥檓 always writing lyrics and coming up with songs. With writing, especially when you put it to music, you can get a message across, so I try to put an underlying message in all of my lyrics. Whenever I鈥檓 creating music with people or alone, I鈥檓 pursuing my passion.
Tell us about OTC.
OTC started when I was giving myself a self-tour of the campus. I was walking through every building, subconsciously looking for recording studios. I went into Whitehead Hall, where I met another student. I found out he also makes music, and we started sharing our stuff with each other. He’s a 尘耻蝉颈肠听major, so he introduced me to a bunch of other people who wanted to record. Now it’s kind of big, even outside of school. We go to the studio or each other鈥檚 houses to work on things. Last semester, I co-released a song, , with an exchange student who was in the group. We鈥檙e all working on an EP now.
I love collaborating with them because everyone has ideas, and everything starts with an idea. I鈥檓 always open to what other people have to say or contribute. When I’m in the studio, all ideas matter. Once you bring something to a group, it’s like it鈥檚 not even yours anymore鈥攊t鈥檚 everyone鈥檚.
You seem open-minded.聽
I鈥檓 from Harlem, so I met all types of people growing up. Harlem wasn鈥檛 rough, per se, but I saw things that you shouldn鈥檛 have to see as a kid. Growing up, I鈥檇 go downtown to skate with kids who looked nothing like me. I learned to never judge a book by its cover. Everyone has a story behind them, so I approach people open-mindedly.
You鈥檙e taking a business class this summer. How鈥檚 that going?
I took a summer class because I wanted to speed up getting to graduation. I鈥檓 in BUSN 3130 Advertising and Direct Marketing, with Professor Lewis. I had a great time in her class last spring, so I knew that I鈥檇 love to take another class with her. I鈥檇 never taken a summer class before, but I always really, really wanted to. I鈥檓 glad that I did.
What鈥檚 your dream job after college?
I aim to be an art director or a creative director. I want to hyper-specialize in the music or fashion industry, maybe at Vogue or a record company. I love that in marketing, you can have a vision and then see it come to life. I want to balance creativity and logistics to help a company put out whatever they鈥檙e trying to put out. Thinking about my career is nerve-wracking, but I feel like I鈥檓 on a good path.
