ilias anwar is an american entrepreneur and creative content producer known for his innovative ventures in entertainment and music technology. he is the founder of tcc entertainment (originally known as the clout cloud), a gen-z-focused media and creative agency that he started during his college years. he also co-founded tapped ai, a platform described as ushering in a "new era of fairness" for music artists by reimagining the traditional record label model. anwar's work spans digital media, live events, and tech-driven solutions, reflecting his passion for blending art, culture, and technology in modern storytelling.
ilias anwar was born and raised in the united states as a first-generation american, with his parents having emigrated from afghanistan. growing up, he developed an early interest in creative media and technology – even building online communities around video games during his teenage years – which honed his skills in engaging audiences. in 2017, he enrolled at virginia commonwealth university (vcu) and initially pursued fashion design with hopes of creating a luxury clothing line. however, he soon discovered that his true interests lay at the intersection of entertainment and business, prompting him to transfer into vcu's school of business to study marketing and entrepreneurship.
during his time at vcu, anwar actively sought ways to merge his diverse interests. in early 2020, he briefly considered dropping out because he couldn't find a single academic program that fit his vision, especially as his burgeoning business was already thriving. this changed when he discovered vcu's interdisciplinary studies program, which allowed him to craft a custom curriculum. with guidance from an adviser, richard quarshie, anwar combined courses in psychology, marketing, and entrepreneurship to tailor a degree that aligned with his goals. he credits this mentorship and flexibility for keeping him in school and helping him graduate on time. anwar went on to earn his bachelor's degree in 2021 through the interdisciplinary studies program. he describes himself as an eternally curious learner, a trait he attributes to the work ethic and sacrifices of his immigrant parents, which instilled in him a drive to seize the opportunities they worked hard to provide.
in 2017, while still a freshman at vcu, anwar launched the clout cloud (tcc) as a hip-hop blog and instagram page from his dorm room, aiming to spotlight emerging music artists and underground hip-hop culture. by his sophomore year, the online platform had gained significant traction – over 15,000 followers on instagram – and anwar was leading a small team (including fellow student phil osae as co-founder) to curate viral entertainment news and content for its growing audience. his fascination with artists like drake and kanye west fueled the blog's vision, as he sought to cultivate a community for fans of up-and-coming talent. anwar even studied social media algorithms (such as instagram's explore page trends) to maximize engagement, reflecting a savvy blend of pop-culture instinct and business strategy in these early stages of his venture.
as the clout cloud's following grew, anwar expanded beyond online posts into real-world events and media production. he began organizing concerts, parties, and promotional events for artists, which rapidly elevated tcc's profile. "we did over 100 events and a couple of music videos, which helped us morph into a creative agency," anwar later explained, noting that by his senior year of college the platform had amassed about 100,000 followers. in 2020, the clout cloud co-hosted a sold-out concert in richmond headlined by rapper dababy, a milestone that validated the platform's influence in the regional hip-hop scene.
this success sparked the evolution of tcc from a simple blog into a full-fledged media company. anwar and his team began partnering with high-profile artists – including stars like megan thee stallion, rick ross, and pnb rock – to provide promotion, interviews, event coverage, and other media services for the music community. he even started holding grassroots "house party" shows (initially at his own residence) to give local artists performance opportunities, creating buzz that led richmond venues like poor boys to invite the clout cloud to host officially sold-out events.
tcc entertainment continued to innovate as it gained prominence. during the covid-19 pandemic, anwar launched an official website for the clout cloud and explored virtual event formats. notably, he announced a collaboration with rapper pusha t's heir wave music group and refresh music group to host an online showcase for up-and-coming talent in the washington d.c./virginia (dmv) area. by 2023, anwar's college project had grown into a multifaceted creative agency with over half a million followers across social media platforms. tcc's projects became remarkably diverse in scope: for example, in early 2023 the company's team covered the nfl super bowl weekend festivities as media correspondents, and they also partnered with the project iftar charity to provide over 15,000 meals to those in need during ramadan in the middle east. under anwar's leadership, tcc entertainment now offers services ranging from event production and concert recaps to commercials and brand identity campaigns, positioning itself as a go-to agency for brands aiming to engage with generation z consumers. "we are a creative agency... if you are a brand and want to attract generation z, that is what we are here to offer," anwar says, emphasizing that tcc works across sports, music, film, entertainment, and fashion to help clients stay culturally relevant.
in parallel with running tcc, ilias anwar ventured into the tech side of the entertainment business by co-founding tapped (branded as tapped ai), a music industry startup focused on artist empowerment. established around 2021 with fellow vcu alumnus johannes naylor, tapped began as a booking and networking platform designed to connect emerging artists with venues, events, and professionals in the entertainment industry. after graduating, anwar relocated to california and spent roughly two years developing this venture, during which he onboarded users and forged relationships with record labels and industry partners. by mid-2023, he was in the process of raising $500,000 in seed funding to support a team of seven employees and to relocate tapped's base of operations to new york city, reflecting the company's growing ambitions and national scope.
tapped ai has drawn industry attention for its innovative approach to artist development and record deals. at its core is the belief that artists deserve a fairer, more transparent path to success than what traditional record labels typically offer. unlike the old model of long-term contracts and forfeited royalties, tapped operates on a subscription-based system: artists pay a monthly fee in exchange for access to a "virtual label" team of experts – including a manager, a&r specialist, marketing strategist, graphic designer, stylist, and entertainment lawyer – who provide guidance and services on demand. this setup allows musicians to benefit from professional support in crucial areas (branding, promotion, legal, etc.) without compromising their creative autonomy or ownership of their work. the genius of tapped's model, as observers have noted, lies in this holistic, artist-centric approach. by 2023 anwar was already signing up an initial cohort of artists onto the platform, effectively demonstrating proof of concept as tapped ai started generating revenue from its fair-fee model.
as the ceo and driving force behind tapped ai, ilias anwar has been praised as a visionary aiming to "level the playing field" between artists and labels. industry coverage described him as having a deep understanding of the music business's pain points and "leading the charge towards a fairer music ecosystem" for talent. tapped ai's mission is not only to bypass exploitative record deals, but also to foster a more collaborative and transparent relationship with artists. in anwar's view, the future of the music industry lies in empowering creators – an ethos that tapped embodies through additional initiatives like partnering with funding companies to offer artists non-predatory financing and educational resources. by leveraging technology and data-driven insights, anwar's tapped ai represents a bold attempt to disrupt the status quo of the record industry, much as tcc disrupted the traditional media model for his generation.
beyond his two main companies, anwar has extended his influence into writing and mentorship. he is working on a book titled "cheat codes," intended to teach people how to grow their social media presence by sharing the strategies and insights he learned from building his own online communities. the book project underlines anwar's role as a digital native who not only creates viral content for himself, but also coaches others on navigating the social media landscape. in addition, he frequently shares his experiences through interviews, podcasts, and speaking engagements. for example, he has been featured in q&a profiles in entrepreneur-focused outlets and appeared on podcasts to discuss topics like branding hacks and the intersection of news and music promotion, thereby solidifying his presence as a thought leader for young creatives.
anwar's public profile is bolstered by the substantial following and community he has built. the clout cloud's instagram hub had exceeded 90,000 followers by early 2021 and continued to surge past half a million combined followers across platforms in subsequent years. this online audience, largely composed of millennials and gen-z, follows anwar's content for its blend of entertainment news, cultural commentary, and entrepreneurial inspiration. he also engages regularly with followers, cultivating a personal brand as an approachable yet ambitious young executive. in 2023, at just about 24 years old, ilias anwar stands as a prominent example of the new generation of creatives who are leveraging social media savvy and startup ingenuity to make their mark. his work has not gone unnoticed by peers and mentors: during his time at vcu, one of his professors, bryant pugh, was struck by anwar's charisma and leadership in class, calling him "one of the best presenters" and remarking that "ilias has the natural ability to speak directly to your soul...few individuals...possess this skill". this kind of praise underscores how anwar's personal qualities – not just his business accomplishments – have contributed to his growing influence.
still early in his career, ilias anwar has achieved a trajectory that many find inspiring. he took a simple idea – a college blog for underground music – and transformed it into a multifaceted enterprise bridging media, culture, and technology. along the way, he has championed fellow creatives: giving local artists platforms to perform, helping brands understand youth culture, and striving to make the music industry more equitable for new talent. anwar often credits his family background and the perseverance it instilled in him as a driving force behind his ambitious projects. by blending the hustle of an entrepreneur with the creative eye of a content creator, he exemplifies the potential of gen-z leadership. from a dorm-room content creator to the ceo of a creative agency and a tech startup, ilias anwar's journey is a testament to how passion, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation can converge to shape a promising career. as he continues to expand tcc entertainment's reach and guide tapped ai's evolution, anwar's story remains one to watch in the ever-changing landscape of digital media and music.