# @therealcl24 on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdKAmshkT5q
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70289795-therealcl24-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7626dceddc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-11T18:02:49.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Carl Lamarre 🇭🇹 (@therealcl24) — https://gondola.cc/therealcl24

## Caption

For a year, I studied and game-planned what I wanted our R&B / Hip-Hop Power Players events to be. I went to our Latin Music Week in Miami in October 2025 and was immediately inspired.

Though I’ve been at Billboard for 10 years and have been promoted four times — from freelancer to hip-hop editor, deputy director, senior director and now executive editor — I felt it was my responsibility to build something bigger than me.

Throughout my 20-year journalism career, my goal was always to become “a legend.” I wanted to be the guy who interviewed all the stars and build a body of work that could stand among the best in our industry. But over the last few years, my perspective changed.

My goal became to serve and be less self-serving.

I want to build something bigger than me. I want my team to grow. I want this brand to grow. I want people to see our culture the way my team and I see our culture.

None of this happens without the brilliant work of my Billboard team: my R&B / Hip-Hop team, our video team, social team, events team, sales team, editorial team and everyone who helped bring this vision to life. It takes a village and thankfully, I have the right tribe beside me.

From our first-ever summit, which featured four electric conversations and a fire performance, to an incredible Power Players ceremony filled with the who’s who of our world, to curating a sold-out concert built for music lovers in the heart of Brooklyn, this week reminded me that my role has grown beyond journalism alone.

And none of it happens without the best team in the business.

#PowerPlayers2026
#HipHop
#RnB
#TheCulture
#QB1

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 295
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- **Comments:** 56

## Tags

rnb, hiphop, theculture, powerplayers2026, qb1

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