mathematics Politricks Since the music business is a who-you-know business, and there are so many unscrupulous and unprofessional people involved, there is a proliferation of emotions, side deals, kickbacks, and all around fuckery going on at all times. For me, politics has always been the most difficult aspect of the industry to deal with. Since I am a straight up, honest, do-what-I-say-I’m-going-to-do person, it’s hard for me to deal with the side of this business that’s based on relationships, hook-ups, favors, ego, and emotions. Regardless, the politics in this business are there all day everyday, and must be dealt with accordingly. Most of the time, no one realizes the part they play in the ending of a deal, an unjust firing, or the abrupt halt of a project, but they exist causing havoc constantly whether you know it or not. Here are some of my all-time favorites: 1. Divide And Conquer: Please know that if you are an industry person who is working with an artist signed to a label, unless you are on the side of the label (meaning against your own artist), they are doing everything in their power to have you removed so they can put someone they can control in your position. Labels do not like people who oppose them in their efforts to rule, control, or get the artist to do whatever they want. If you try to be the voice of reason or stand up for your artist, they will see you as a threat, and do everything in their power to cause a rift between you and your artist. And believe me, they have the “divide and conquer” game down to a science. As an artist, the only way to avoid this drama is to have a manager or team with so much power that the label wouldn’t even think of doing that, or have someone on your side who is proficient at making everyone so much money that they welcome that person with open arms and don’t care if they fight for your rights—because they are making so much damn money! On the flip side, if the label loves your manager or your team, be worried. Be very worried. If the label recommends someone to manage you, run fast and far. On a happy note for the artist, there is something called “breach of fiduciary duty” which will get you out of a fucked up contract with that team member who doesn’t put your best interest first with your career. It’ll also end their career. 2. Relationships: You are signed to a label and are truly talented and may even have a strong fan base or track record of success, and along comes a lesser artist whose release date is bumped ahead of yours, or who has a budget twice as big as yours even though everyone knows that artist won’t be successful. Bear in mind that the artist who seems to be getting more than you is being done a great disservice and the A&R person who signed that artist will be out of a job soon. Perhaps the artist is his or her cousin or boy from around the way, or perhaps the A&R person is secretly a part owner of their production company…regardless, truth always comes to light and that A&R person will be unemployable as soon as that artist tanks, and he or she will.
byWendyDayof the RapCoalition
www.wendyday.com
always be in a meeting, always be on the road, or always away from their desk. Why? Because they don’t even want to tell you the truth about why they won’t take your call about not telling you the truth to begin with. 5. Speaking Of Lack Of Virgins: This industry has more whores than Las Vegas. Female whores AND male whores. If you can’t figure out why one artist is favored, or why another artist gets more press, look no further than the bed. This is a who-you-know-industry, and most people know each other a little bit too well. When you hear those stories about folks sleeping their way to the top, there may just be some truth to it, both heterosexually and homosexually (there, I said it!). By the way, this is also a who-you-tell industry. There are no secrets. Without ever having been in the same room, I know exactly what it’s like to fuck Young Buck, Jay Z, Puff, and a few female rappers. Many sexual escapades were even profiled on the pages of this very magazine. Or, for more proof, see Superhead’s book. Any page. 6. Beef Is King: Be wary of getting dissed by a multi-platinum rapper. Your label and your team will say supportive things if you get dissed by someone like TI or 50 Cent, but they will lose interest in working your project or building your career. Very few people are real enough to continue working with what is perceived to be damaged goods, and that’s exactly what you will be seen as. For more proof ask Ja Rule and Lil Flip how supportive folks were when they got dissed. 7. Ignorance Is Bliss: If you have too many people on your team who understand the game, but who don’t have enough power to scare the labels into doing what’s right, the labels may keep you at arm’s length. No one wants to be caught doing something dirty or foul, and if you have the potential to catch them, they will keep you at arm’s length unless you have so much power or success that their egos force them to want to deal with you. 8. Who You Know: If you are signed to a label, and a few of your label mates have the same powerful manager, they will have preference over you. This is especially true if one of those artists sells a lot of records. The entire goal of that label will be to keep that superstar happy and recording. So if that superstar appears on a lot of records with another of your label mates, that artist will take precedence over you. If that superstar is managed by the same manager as another artist on the label, that other artist will take precedence over you. The entire goal of that label staff will be to placate the superstar and keep him happy, at any cost. 9. Superstar Status: Consequently, if you are signed to a label that has a superstar, you will be bumped continually by his boys, or artists that he has signed to his new imprint that was created when he went Gold or Platinum. So if you think you will be put ahead of D12, Murphy Lee, G-Unit, any of the artists left on Rocafella, Slick Pulla, or Grand Hustle, you are sadly mistaken. This is outstanding for the artists I’ve just mentioned, and I am very happy for them.
3. Proper Connections And/Or Timing: You are signed to a label and the person who signed you gets fired. Or even worse, the entire department is let go and a new Head of Black Music is brought in to run the company, who of course brings his connections and staff into the company. You are fucked. No new employee wants to work a project that he or she didn’t sign and isn’t passionate about, and sadly, there is no rush to give you a release from the label since leaving you sit there isn’t really costing them anything. You probably don’t have enough power on your team to force a release, or the proper connections to land you at another label willing to buy you out of the first deal. See #4 to know why you can’t get a straight answer from your label about what they plan to do with you.
10. If You Hang With Shit, You Smell Like Shit: Be careful who introduces you to someone because you can only get as far as they can. If you are referred by someone who is seen as shady and underhanded, you will always be seen as shady and underhanded. If you are brought in by someone who is loved and respected, you have a good chance of being loved and respected too. This is an industry where most people are shady and are predators, so the person who brings you in is key. If your team is not well liked, you will never succeed because there will be too many people rooting for your demise (and you could be the nicest, most worthy person in the world— tough luck!). I know many artists who are great people but have fucked up representatives. Those artists rarely have successful careers or last long if they’re able to move forward in spite of that person’s reputation.
4. Lies, Lies, And More Lies: This is a business of insecurities. Everyone wants to be liked, and no one is sure who might blow up next. It’s easier to find a virgin than someone who will tell you the truth instead of what they think you want to hear. Get used to being lied to. If you confront the person about lying to you, get used to having your calls avoided. The person will
So, there you have it; some of the politicks that I’ve encountered over the years. This is not meant to scare anyone away from the industry. I just want you to know that everything is not always what it seems. If you seem to be hitting a glass ceiling, you may need to take a closer look at what the real reason might be. Other than that, happy sailing, and avoid those sharks!! //
22 // OZONE MAG