INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Music mega-producers, James and Larrance Dopson are two members of the band and edutainment collective 1500 or Nothin’. Their launching point was working on Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got.”

Since then, they have exploded with success in the music industry and have plenty of knowledge to share with the students at the 1500 Sound Academy in Inglewood in its first year of existence.

1500 Or Nothin’ has won over 20 Grammy awards combined. Together they have written and produced for the biggest music stars from Rihanna, to Justin Timberlake, and Beyoncé.

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Now the Inglewood natives are teaching music skills, personal development, and business in the community where they grew up.

“We have the best of the best teaching the community and people all around the world, the cheat codes of the music business and the entertainment business, and how to be a good person,” Dopson said.

Half of the students so far have been from Inglewood, with some being awarded scholarships to attend.

For Isaiah Jones, one of the students, it has paid off. He is now going on the Kanye West “Sunday Service” tour and has other big projects in the works.

“(Fauntleroy & Dopson) were the ones that said I deserve a shot and I didn’t mess it up. I studied. I studied,” Jones said.

“Really, with we make anybody’s road just a little bit easier, a little bit better, get a little bit further. That’s the whole point of the school,” Fauntleroy said.

It has been a busy two years for them both, not only establishing the academy, but also racking up accolades.

Dopson won a Grammy in 2019 for Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up,” and was nominated for his work on Nipsey Hussle’s platinum album Victory Lap. This time around he is nominated for Meek Mill’s Championships.

“It’s not too many people that look like me that get the opportunity to get nominated or actually win a Grammy,” said Dopson.

It is why he and Fauntleroy are giving to doing their best to give opportunities to those who want to follow in their footsteps.

The City of Los Angeles honored 1500 Or Nothin’ on January 15, proclaiming it “1500 Or Nothin’” Day.