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Robert A. McCarther, II

@just2cool_

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🎺 Jazz • Soul • R&B
Detroit ➝ 📍Raleigh, NC
Father | #DevOpsEngineer | Band Director/Arranger
ΦΜΑ 🇩🇪 | ΚΑΨ 👌🏾| /G\ 💡
JSU 🎓 Bookings & Collabs 📥

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First collegiate 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 complete! ✔️

And this was also the @platinumsoundmarchingband ‘s first BOTB in a while, so the students and I got to share that first together. 💪🏾

The atmosphere was dope! Got a chance to see so many legendary Band Directors in the game, along with some good friends I’ve met along the way who I’m now honored to call my peers.

But most importantly, it was dope watching our students in this element representing @shawuniversity ! We may have been the smallest band in the 🏟️, but hopefully yesterday we showed that size doesn’t determine a good product! Proud of y’all, Band! 👏🏾

“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠!” - @asharoncc

🗣️ “SHAW U BABY! WE THE PLATINUM SOUND, THE BEST BAND, BABYYYY!”

Can’t thank you enough, Mr. @aking_1914 for taking a chance on me! 🤝🏾

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out the @ncmassband representation in the stands and throughout the crowd! Seeing NCMB members representing at different schools and showing love yesterday was amazing to say the least. Continue to play your part in contributing to the North Carolina band scene and beyond. Proud of y’all too! #RaiseUp ✈️

(MORE IN STORY)

#ShawU #PlatinumSound #hbcubands #🍗🍗🍗🌶️ by @just2cool_

Yo, “First Home Game” complete! And we came out w/ the W in OT! Let’s go, @shawuniversity ! 👏🏾

Definitely wanted to capture this moment. Hearing some of my arrangements as the “soundtrack” to an official @ciaasports game is crazy to me. Who would’ve thought?

Big thank you to Doc @aking_1914 for the opportunity and helping me accomplish a dream. And thank you, Band, @platinumsoundmarchingband for making my first collegiate staff game experience a dope one. Preciate y’all! 🫡💯
-T.G. (lol)

Let’s keep the momentum going! 💪🏾

#ShawUniversity #PlatinumSound #CIAAFootball #HBCUBands #ShawBears by @just2cool_

Sometimes I have to pause and really take it all in. 🤎🥹
— The McCarthers, Party of 3 ✨
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📸: @v.nikole_photography
💄: @brianna.alassondra
💇🏽‍♀️: @crownedby.mia by @just2cool_

It’s been a while since I’ve been back home and stepped foot in the band room since the 🐐 @sharonccallen328 , retired. Who would’ve thought the next time I walked through those doors(328), I’d be there offering scholarships?!?! 🙌🏾

Had the opportunity to return to Cass Tech HS, spend some time with the band @cass.tech.bands , and audition 10 seniors for Shaw University. 10 of whom received offers to join Shaw University’s @platinumsoundmarchingband !!!

As a CT alum, being able to come back and pour into the next generation means a hell of a lot. Even more so knowing that these students are starting their senior year with a college opportunity already on the table!

@shawuniversity is recruiting EARLY, investing in talented students, and continuing to build the Platinum Sound program. I’m more than excited about the opportunities we’re creating for the next generation of musicians. 💯

Ms. Holley, twin1_81, thank you for continuing to uphold the “legacy that has been established” and for allowing me time with your students. Definitely looking forward to continuing to build this relationship between the #CTMB and the #PSMB!

Band Directors/Parents, if you’re interested or have any questions feel free to reach out to me directly or check out the link below:

https://linktr.ee/ShawPlatinumSound?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=77247533-48c2-4e53-9dad-7db5c8f0e564

#ShawUniversity #PlatinumSound #CassTech by @just2cool_

The Platinum Sound would like to officially welcome Mr. Robert McCarther II to the PSMB band staff as our Brass Coordinator and Arranger:
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Mr. McCarther earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Jackson State University, where he was a member of the Sonic Boom of the South and served as Head Trumpet Section Leader.

Mr. McCarther is a DevOps Engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder, director, and chief arranger of the North Carolina Mass Band (NCMB). He is also the owner of R&M Designs and ShowKanes, Inc., where he combines technology and creativity while remaining actively involved in music education, arranging, and the marching arts.

His musical arrangements have been performed by various high school and collegiate marching bands across the country, including Hampton University’s Marching Force at the 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands.

He remains an active musician, most recently serving as lead trumpet during Rick Ross’s Port of Miami Anniversary Tour. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., and Invincible Lodge #251, PHA F&AM. by @just2cool_

𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 #4 ✍🏾

The @ncmassband performing @michaeljackson ‘s “𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞“

I originally started arranging this tune because of the biographical film,“Michael”, of course. I’ve always loved the song, the melody and the chord progression in particular🔥

But the more I listened to it, the more the lyrics took on a different meaning and started to resonate w/ me. Thinking about my firstborn daughter, Journeé, and how I “Got to Be There” for every special moment in her life! 🤞🏾

I hope one day, when you’re older and come across this video, you love it just as much as we love you. 🤟🏾

Happy 5 months, Ma-ma! 150 days down… a lifetime to go
#DaddysGirl #michaeljackson #marchingband #hbcuband by @just2cool_

Had to fly back to the city for this one! ✈️

Grateful for the opportunity to perform in Detroit as part of the horn section for @richforever ‘s 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 Tour! 💪🏾

Being surrounded by so many incredible musicians was inspiring for sure and a reminder to keep pushing! Also found out I’d be covering Lead Trumpet a few hours before the show haha. But hey, opportunities like this are exactly why you “stay ready!” 💯 Thanks for trusting me with this, @renaissanceorchestra_ 🙏🏾

Forever a student, man. Detroit, thank you. Until next time 🎺

#RickRoss #PortOfMiami #RenaissanceOrchestra #Trumpet #Tour by @just2cool_

Appreciate the love, @cashcobain_2x !!! Thank you for taking the time to check out our performance of “𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡!”

You truly never know who’s watching. We’ll keep doing our part to represent North Carolina and HBCU band culture the right way!💪🏾 #RaiseUp #NCMB10

Prod. by: @plaqueboymax
✍🏾: @just2cool_

#MarchingBand #HBCUBand #MassBand by @just2cool_

🎼 Arrangement Spotlight #3

One thing I love about this era of band is how rap tunes have evolved! “8-bar specials” don’t really work any more haha. At this level, the challenge now is creating something with substance while still capturing the feel and energy of the original record.

“Wish” samples @three6mafia ’s “Late Nite Tip”, and if you listen closely, you’ll hear where the inspiration for the split bass lines came from👌🏾

I don’t think too many people caught the split FHorn part in the intro either! 👀 Decided to try something a little different there haha

And S/O to the TUBAS! 💪🏾💯 Kicking *ss and taking names all night(season, really)! 😈

Here’s the The @ncmassband performing “Wish” by @cashcobain_2x prod. by @plaqueboymax

#CashCobain #HBCUBand #MarchingBand #massband by @just2cool_

NCMB (North Carolina Mass Band) @ncmassband 2026 Wish!
Mid-South Massacre BOTB
Footage by @rickeytherealist1
Arrangement by @just2cool_

#instagram #marchingband #hbcupride #viralreels by @just2cool_

🎼 Arrangement Spotlight #2 ✍🏾

One thing about ballads…they’ll challenge me every time haha

Writing a ballad is always more intimidating, I’ll say, than a rap/pop tune. There’s a lot to work with and the music has to do all the talking, but that’s also what makes them rewarding to write! It’s been a while since I’d written one too, so I decided to push myself out my comfort zone a bit.

This arrangement was actually inspired by my Queen, @prettydope___ ! She’s probably the BIGGEST Chris Brown fan haha, and when she suggested Honey Pack, after a while I couldn’t refuse. Hopefully I made you proud with this one, Q, and this arrangement is dedicated to you🤞🏾

Here’s the @ncmassband performing Honey Pack 🍯

And @chrisbrownofficial , if this somehow finds you, I hope we did your music justice! 🙏🏾💯

#ChrisBrown #MarchingBand #AllStarBand #HBCUBands by @just2cool_

🎼𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 #𝟏✍🏾

One of my favorite arrangements from this summer. I’ve always felt it’s important to show love to our homegrown NC artists, so it was only right we showcased this one on the field!

Fun fact…this arrangement actually came about because of the opportunity we had to perform at the @bemoregratefultour @bemoregratefulfestival festival earlier this year. They told us this song was a MUST haha, and little did they know I was already considering it! Although everything didn’t line up this time, I’m still grateful because without that opportunity, I probably never would’ve written this chart. So thank you for the inspiration…maybe next year! 🤝🏾 @176marketing_group @ty176mg

Huge shoutout to @ncmassband for bringing this one to life. Y’all definitely gave me the “party on the field” I was hoping for! 🕺🏾

It was also an honor battling @maaband under the direction of Mr. @true_story_trav , certified Sonic Boom & SWAC legend! Man I would’ve never imagined that after watching you on the old JSU Dawg Days videos (iykyk) then seeing you in person with the long locs during my crab year in 09 haha, and now seeing you as an assistant Band Director at our Alma mater @jacksonstateu ’s @sonicboom_ots , we’d one day be standing on opposite sides of the field as fellow arrangers & directors! You just never know man 💪🏾 #LuvDaBoom!

Here’s The North Carolina Mass Band playing 𝐏𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 as performed by DaBaby🔥 by @just2cool_