In today's interview, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Vallee Annie, a driving force in New Orleans' music scene, to discuss her incredible work supporting independent artists. From organizing tours that take emerging talent from New Orleans to major cities like New York and Atlanta, to hosting the "Lady Cypher" at the Bourbon Square Jazz House, Annie has made a lasting impact. To start, we asked: You've taken independent artists on tours from New Orleans to major cities like New York and Atlanta. What inspired you to create these opportunities for emerging talent, and how do you select the artists to work with?
A. The inspiration came from all the disbelief, the challenges, the obstacles, the problems, scams, and people using me for fame and clout. Plus, I traveled by myself for five years after my divorce, which also inspired me to go hard because I was heartbroken and determined to show the world anything is possible. So I decided to give the game to independent artists and help push people's products or businesses in a professional, fun, promotional way while representing my city and showing the world the real New Orleans talent and culture. I look for those who are serious, who want it badly, who are willing to invest in themselves, who are not afraid to do unpaid shows, who want to travel, who create great music, who are able to adjust to any situation, and who understand it’s not just about them—it’s about the quality of the music and how to brand yourself correctly. Lastly, they must have style, bars, and push themselves.
Q. Your podcast, “I Said What I Said,” has been a game-changer for local artists, offering affordable interviews. What made you start this initiative, and how has it impacted the local music scene?
A. Yes, “I Said What I Said” was the first podcast I launched with VIP at Lucky Johnson’s Studio in the East of New Orleans. As a first-time mom, I wanted to make a difference by showing that moms can work and still have kids, while also continuing to help artists build their platforms. I created a red carpet interview experience to make everyone feel like a star because the media often favors celebrities and those with large followings and significant financial resources. I charged only $25 for three years to interview, promote, and showcase music videos. It was indeed a game-changer. I connected with numerous industry people, artists, local food vendors, and more. I started the interview project because I understood what it takes to be a model, actor, or artist, and I wanted to give my city’s entrepreneurs, artists, and local businesses a chance. It worked—the world started watching and booking, and we traveled all over New Orleans to different events and bars.
Q. You’ve partnered with VIP and secured a spot at the Bourbon Square Jazz House, where you used to host a weekly showcase. What can audiences expect from these Friday night events, and how did the idea of the “Lady Cypher” come about?
A. When I returned to VIP after having my baby, it was challenging, and I knew I needed to change the game. I wanted to host events and conduct interviews to attract artists and encourage them to return for more. VIP introduced me to Bourbon Square and Jazz House, where I created “Nola Be Wylin”—an event held every Friday for artists to perform and showcase their talent. I also promoted other people’s businesses, fashion, clothes, and products, which was well-received by the city. My first show was a sell-out. I developed the Lady Cypher to reach out to women and moms, as the music industry often focuses predominantly on men and rap. I aimed to be different and connect with a broader audience. This led me to collaborate with Reststyle. However, Ray Style viewed me as competition, which created tension with Odyssey and the bar owners. This conflict ultimately led to me being unable to host events after my time there in January.
Q. With so many roles in your life—entrepreneur, mother, chef, caregiver, and more—how do you manage to balance it all while still growing your brand and making a major impact in the entertainment industry?
A. The balance comes from belief and growth to make a major impact in this entertainment industry. You have to know how to juggle many challenges and roles. As a mother, I have to show my children to never give up, to stand on their own, and to stand for something. A chef brings culture, food, and meets new people. A caregiver gives back to the elderly and wise, learning lessons from them. The mechanic builds an empire for the family. The model is about maintaining confidence and staying in style. Acting allows me to express other characters and the pain and challenges I’ve experienced. Overall, I choose my path in my career wisely. Every day, you learn new things and meet new people, so I want to be able to juggle any obstacles and challenges around me to overcome problems by learning how to do what’s needed. It’s important to know when to be humble and understanding. Growing a brand takes a lot of hard work, understanding, and navigating challenges, marketing, and promotion. I created an organization with myself to optimize how I use my time. This approach allows me to reach my goals and accomplish many things within 24 hours. No matter what career path I choose, depending on the month, day, job, or title, I will be prepared and understand what it takes to get there. Call me the "Mommy Hustler"—that’s the title of the book I’m writing.
Q. You’ve worked with artists like Nena Ross, Rizzy Doll, and many others, hosting events that have garnered huge attention in New Orleans. What’s been your proudest moment in working with local artists, and how has the city’s response been to your events?
A. Yes, that's true—those two ladies are stars and currently running their own tour. I'm so proud of them. My proudest moment came when I moved to North Carolina and worked with this old young KAP. I managed to bring every celebrity to tour the city of Charlotte right before COVID. I left my best friend Ivory, who went on to dance for the rapper DaBaby. Then I moved to Dallas, Texas, and Fort Worth, where my niece and nephew showed me all the clubs, and my brother and his ex-wife helped us sell food. We had movie nights and drinks, and we truly brought New Orleans culture to Texas. After that, I wanted to explore more, so I went to Miami. My friend Ruby and I shut down the strip clubs, learned about different fruits, and hosted FM 104.9 with Checkmate. We came back to my city to show love, and First Lady Dutchess and the other ladies I mentioned took the city by surprise. My business, Nola Be Wylin, took off, so I had to learn how to handle editing, marketing, camera work, interviews, promotions, and more. At that point, many people didn't want to work with me anymore because they saw me as competition rather than a partner. They viewed me as a liability rather than a help and thought I only needed money. Their exclusion made me work even harder. My proudest moment is the success of Nola Be Wylin Corporation, which has helped many people build their platforms through just $25 interviews. The city’s response was great and encouraging; everyone loved my energy and what I was doing. However, no one wanted to help me get a business loan or secure a building. People no longer wanted to be partners due to how quickly I was progressing and how hard I worked for my name. They took me for a joke. So, I reached out and met Speedy Rue, the GOAT.
Q. Can you share some of the most significant highlights of your career? Also, what are your plans for Nola Be Wylin in 2025?
A. One of the biggest moments in my career was modeling for John Casablanca, working on the “P-Valley” series for season six, and hosting a radio station. I also made it into “New York Times Magazine” for my crawfish creole pie and participated in Cindy Bridal's fashion show. Traveling the world with my food and career, I had the chance to meet different celebrities in North Carolina and bring independent artists from my hometown all over the world. This will be my third article, and I've secured a role in the upcoming movie “Young Steppers 2”. I also became the lead chef at my job, helped my fiancé build his mechanic business, and launched my second business. Additionally, I became an executive producer of my own shows, built my website, and conducted red carpet interviews for Rob49 and Ethika. I’ve also covered “Wild ‘N Out” casting, “Essence“ events, and met incredible people like Dreka Gates, Kaleidoscope's owner, Major the gospel singer, and Karen Hathaway. These moments are my testimonies and motivation.
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My plans for Nola Be Wylin in 2025 include owning a building to film my shows, a mechanic shop, and a restaurant. I plan to secure property, launch my website, and go on tour again to promote my businesses all over the world. Look forward to red carpet interviews, mass media coverage, Nola Taste Buds, and “The Bayou Ladies of New Orleans”. I will continue pushing independent artists and helping people reach the next level of success without taking advantage of how much they care or how badly they want it. My goal is to help each individual achieve their dreams and be passionate about what they do, using every "no" as a lesson, not as something to break them. Never give up—turn negatives into positives, and do things from the heart. When you live life this way, you’ll be free and happy, with no regrets and no looking back. God bless, and thank you. Nola Be Wylin is on the rise. Annie Calle—“I said what I said”—we’re booked and busy.
Q. Finally, you’ve accomplished so much in your career. What do you want your legacy to be, both in the industry and in your community?
A. I want my legacy to be remembered as one of perseverance—never giving up and utilizing and creating from whatever you already have. That’s the purpose of my mass media and my corporation: to build a promotional TV commercial platform for people from New Orleans, providing them a way to support their families and show the world what they have to offer. The legacy I leave for the music industry is to let artists know that there was someone who cared, someone who understood. It’s not just about music talent—it takes promotion, marketing, time, energy, belief, and confidence. I want my legacy to show that Nola Be Wylin shared her career path with the world so that others can build their own and never give up, no matter how many "no’s" they receive. For my community, I want them to know that there is life outside of New Orleans. Have you seen it? Stop trying to follow trends and don’t trust everyone. Move with your heart, not your emotions.
As our conversation with Vallee Annie came to a close, it's clear that her passion for uplifting emerging talent and shaping the New Orleans music scene is unmatched. Her dedication to creating opportunities for others, while balancing her many roles, continues to leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
