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Cover Designed by Rachelle Ford Cover Photo by Daka David IG: Dakadavid_ Contact Us Fordentmagazine@gmail.com 239-281-4033 www.FordEntMag.com Fordentmag Download our free App Š 2020 by Ford Entertainment Magazine All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Ford Entertainment Magazine is a registered trademark of Ford Ent Magazine, LLC Printed and published in the United States of America.
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DJ Samore Top 5 Countdown
05
Speakerbox music reviews
06
highly unique radio streaming data
exclusive interviews
07 12 15
SonÉt interviewed by Nine5Four Magazine
Nia Lonette
CON TEN TS
interviewed by ladychelle
Durell Peart interviewed by ladychelle
articles
16 20 21
Hip Hop Contracts Written by ladychelle
Evolve or die
Cover
09
Written by OC
Attention Men... Written by blou note
Jabari haye
interviewed by blou Note
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July 2020
#DJSamoreTop5
INDIE Top 5 Mainstream music countdown, according to Mediabase, Urban Radio Charts, The streets, & DJ Samore
DaBaby x Roddy Rich Rockstar
Roddy Rich High Fashion
MIKA MEANS RIGHT NOW HASAN CHRISTOPHER
ALL I NEED IS YOU KISSIE LEE X JHONNI BLAZE
IT POURS
AMERICAN WILL GO LIVE
Chris Brown
Go Crazy
JHONNI BLAZE YEA
SHARAYA J
Do It Chloe x Halle
NUNU
WOOSA LI
DON’T PLAY
Jack Harlow
What’s Poppin Remix
DEJA JU LIL BIH
RAPPER YDD RENTALS
SAUVENCHY
I DON’T WANT IT
TRACKS Yung Dolph x Meg Thee Stallion RNB
Teyana Taylor
Made It
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King_Khari_tha_ artist
iamsonet
It’s a catchy track with a feel of Atlanta style rap from the 2000s, and when the beat drop you can feel its sway. The rhythm of the lyrics to be sharper and more pronounced but this is definitely one for the club. This track has Patron vibe written all over it. -Mr Checkmate007
This beat is definitely ATL inspired and it’s more of a laid back version of a Lil Jon track. The beat is deep with a heavy piano chord and some snare giving a West Coast feel, which all blends nicely. The song is very raunchy and not for kids. -Mr Checkmate007
Island inspired pop track. It sounds great and the music is definitely a track you can move to. The vocals are well-prepared and reminds me of an early Ashanti or Jessie Woo; I would’ve loved more lyrics in the track, and the track to start quicker, it left me wanting more. -Mr Checkmate007
Cool flow, beat is dope, nice riding record. Should have a more simple hook. -DJ Samore
Track: Breezy Love story
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Jhe.Bankroll 200Shundadon
It’s an attempt at a rapping R&B song but everything is off about the track. The voice is out of tune like a mash up of Lil Wayne trying to sing like T-Pain without Autotune. The rhythm is terrible and the beat is boring. The only thing is, he kept it real with them played out simple lyrics. -Mr Checkmate007
Miami
Average Listener Sessions by Day of Week
Listener Sessions
US Market
Listener Sessions
Miami/Ft Lauderdale
5,060
Sunday
850
Los Angeles
1,460
Monday
1,410
Atlanta
900
Tuesday
1,060
Washington , D.C
710
Wednesday
450
Tampa/St. Pete
290
Thursday
720
New York
270
Friday
570
Tulsa
160
Saturday
1,140
Norfolk
80
Rochester, NY
70
Top 10 International Cities City
Miami data is from June 2020
Highly Unique Radio July 2020 Streaming Data
Day of the week
Top 10 Us Markets
Listener Sessions
Portmore
1,300
Toronto
700
Scarborough
600
Kingston
500
Rotherham
100
Portsmouth
100
Top 10 Countries Countries Germany
16,500
United States
11,070
Jamaica
1,800
Canada
130
United Kingdom
20
Atlanta
Average Listener Sessions by Day of Week Day of the week
Listener Sessions
Sunday
9,600
Monday
8,100
Tuesday
9,400
Wednesday
8,900
Thursday
10,600
Friday
10,800
Saturday
10,900
Top 10 International Cities City
Listener Sessions
Mississauga
1,300
Toronto
500
Dublin
400
Dhaka
400
Hounslow
300
Kathmandu
300
Listener Sessions
Top 10 Us Markets
US Market
Listener Sessions
Atlanta
160,044
Miami/Ft Lauderdale
14,500
Chattanooga
11,000
New York
6,900
Raleigh
6,700
Washington
6,700
Boston
5,600
Chicago
5,400
Charlotte
5,300
Top 10 Countries Countries United States
Listener Sessions 296,200
Canada
1,900
Germany
1,500
United Kingdom
900
EU
500
One listener session is defined as one connected stream. Please note that one listener can establish multiple sessions during a given time span due to either refreshing the player page, reconnecting after a netwaork timeout, or rejoining the terrestrial stream after an online ad break.
“I’m talking Global baby!”
SONÉT Built to Win
As interviewed by @nine5fourmagazine What’s your name and where you from? I was born and raised in Pompano Beach Broward County Florida. How long have you been making music? I’ve been writing music since I was 14 years old. How would you describe your sound for those who have never heard your stuff? I would describe my sound as engaging. Who are some of your musical influences? Some of my musical influences are Whitney Houston & Michael Jackson. When did you realize you had enough talent to take music seriously? I was in high school, about 15 years old, when me and two other friends were sitting in my mother’s Jeep and one day we decided to play some instrumentals and do a couple of freestyles. From that, I found an instrumental, wrote to it and the rest was history. The next day I had a full song and we went to my friend’s cousin’s house to record
it. There was a mic stand in the middle of the room and I had to record in front of about 10 people. Once I got the finished product, I thought this was something I could do for a very long time. Especially since it came so easy to me. What are your writing prices like? Do you write to a beat or do the lyrics come first? Depending on the mood, I don’t always need a beat but some of my most inspirational songs come from a true story with a fire beat in the background. Tell us about the song “fake everything”? The song fake everything is based on true experiences. And what I took from those experiences is that not everyone you encounter, whether it be friends or even a family member, will always be capable of reciprocating what you invest into a relationship genuinely and transparently. What do you think you can add to the game right now? What I would bring to
@inprincewetrust the game is an original and refreshing sound. I don’t only make music just to have a whole lot of body of work. I create music to inspire. If you can choose any mentor to help you navigate the entertainment industry who would it be and why? I would have to say Master P or Jay Z. Reason being?... The names speak for themselves. What is your motivation to succeed as an artist? My Ol Girl! Most definitely. She taught me to always have a vision. Put passion behind it, build it, push it and above all else be CONSISTENT! Who would be your dream collaboration? My dream collaboration would be with Michael Jackson & Bruno Mars. What are some of the things you want to accomplish as an artist? Some of the things that I would like to accomplish as an artist are
to perform in London, China, Africa & Australia. I’m talking global baby! If people want to get a better feel for your sound what projects should they check out? They can definitely take a listen to the last project I put out in September 2019. Verbatim. I allow the listener to be able to choose from a variety of styles from pop to hip-hop and R&B. Do you have any projects coming up that we should be on the lookout for? I’m currently working on my 1st EP. Self-titled Sonét. I’m working on releasing it this summer in July. Tell our readers now where they can follow you on social media? You can look me up on all the major social media platforms. I’m on Instagram @iamsonet. Facebook SONÉT. Twitter @IamSonet_ And YouTube SONÉT.
Peace to the people, you can just call me OC I’m here with Ford ent Magazine and I have a special guest, Mr. Jabari Hayes. We’re gonna get into this interview I’m gonna let him introduce himself and tell you a little bit about his story and then get into some of these questions. First, let me tell you why he’s here. He has a documentary that he stars in, produced by himself and Mr. Shawn Mathis. Just tell us a little bit about that. I’d rather you tell us what the documentary entails.
My name is Jabari Hayes, and my documentary is ‘Miles in the Life’ directed by the infamous, the vainglorious, Shawn Mathis. It’s a story of redemption, the story of inspiration from the crackhouse to Moorehouse, to prison house... All the houses. It’s a story! A lot of people when they think of BMF, (Black Mafia Family), they think about $270 Million cocaine conspiracy, 2,500 kilos every month. They think about the parties, the strippers, the clubs, the money, the cars, and the houses. But it was really about a brotherhood with the sole purpose of being the best at what we were doing at that time. So we wanted to give the audience and the world a different perspective, like fathers, men who took their talents and put them in the wrong direction like trafficking and selling cocaine. But we’re just a collection of men who tried to do something different. It was wrong, and now we’re rebuilding our lives and we wanna show the world that you can be a father, you can be on PTA, you can be a faithful husband, you can be a business owner, you can get everything back you were chasing and more, just legally.
The one question I’ve been waiting to ask since, you know I watched the documentary, me personally, I don’t know how you feel about it but when you came up with this concept, did it ever cross your mind, that “somebody might look at me as a snitch” or somebody be on my heels or something. How did you deal with that thought process? I love that question! Number 1; What I tell people all the time, number 1, in this life, for us, I would have been dead. Period. Someone else was on house incarceration like I was, as a condition of my bond. Unfortunately for those people, don’t know em, don’t know anything about them, but the girlfriend and him didn’t live. Number 2; Paperwork is paperwork. Number 3; I have family members who allegedly associated, and this isn’t just a light question, its a very heavy question because my own family would do me. And it sounds crazy to even say that but this is the reality. I sleep good every night, I slept good inside too, because I know what I did, and it’s just a blessing to be home, to be free, to live good. Never have to look over my shoulder, still in communication, at a distance, from a lot of people coz they’re still in prison or other places so the communication isn’t good, because things have a way of intertwining. When your circle is that way and you’ve got that skill set, people that may be listening, they put you together. But I’m glad you asked that question because that’s always something I like to
address upfront. I still speak to people, go to birthday parties together, I don’t go to no clubs... but that’s a big question, people don’t understand when you’re reckless and you don’t know anything, this is for real life. Because you see me in a suit, coz I’m a happy guy and all the rest of that stuff, but don’t try me, and I couldn’t try them or else I wouldn’t be sitting here today. And I’ve been free for 10 years, go anywhere I want, any city, anybody, any place. Don’t let the suit fool you... It’s not something I brag on, but unfortunately, I got caught with $586,000 and 100 plus kilos of cocaine. But that wasn’t the first time, or the second time. That wasn’t the third time or the 4th time. So when you have a certain position in an organization, you need to play your role. So you need to look like the average person because they don’t think you’re a drug dealer. When you said that in the documentary, I said “that man is smart.” So how was it dealing with when you were first brought into the organization and they saw you in the suits. Did any of the guys try you? They didn’t try me, but a lot of them didn’t trust me in the beginning. But they didn’t know coz if you look at me you would never think I started trafficking at 6. At 6 years old I started trafficking trading bags of weed for my mother
from next door to home. I was gun-running in my teens. So a lot of people didn’t understand it. Until you try, test it and true and you get pulled over, you got bricks in the car and your homeboy in the back and you cooler than a fan, and telling him to calm down. Lifetime ago. So yeah, it’s a time thing. People watch you. But after a while, you’re just there. Because what happens is, they never see all of us coming. BMF is comprised of Mexicans, Cubans, Blacks, Light skin, Dark skin, everything. We get to the same point, we get it done. It’s a business. That’s what people forgot. They thought it was just drugs, but it’s a business. Telling those stories of when you got pulled over, you seem pretty calm telling those stories. At that moment, were you as calm as you spoke about in the film? I felt it, but I didn’t feel it from me. I felt what the whole mob’s money on my back, I felt it for everybody else because I had been used to it. I had been doing it by that time, for 20something years so that shut-off valve wasn’t there. You know it’s wrong but this is part of life. It’s what we
“At 6 years old I started trafficking trading bags of weed for my mother from next door to home. I was gun-running in my teens.”
“I got caught with $586,000 and 100 plus kilos of cocaine. But that wasn’t the first time, or the second time, that wasn’t the third time or the 4th time.
”
do for a living. And not only is it just the mob’s money, but it’s my family too. People loosely say things, but they don’t understand that the whole family gets killed if things aren’t right. If the paperwork ain’t right, if when they look on that sheet, what the police wrote down, if that’s not right, everybody dies. It’s not just “oh he done told on us.” No, it’s a whole lot different and it’s a weird feeling. You get so brazen that you want them to pull you over. You done got away so many times. Like, you want them to. I know how yall live. I know the question they’re gonna ask before they even ask them. I know what spots they’re going to in the car because I’ve read everyone else’s paperwork and discovery. It wasn’t a game. I remember the story you told about they wanted to look inside the limo. Me, I would have just said No. I wouldn’t have thought to take them through and actually run it like I’m a car salesman. Meanwhile, they’re turning up seats. For you to hold your composure like that, what was that like at that moment? At the moment, it’s your time to shine. Because your life depends on it. They can kill you, take the work, or you can go to prison for who knows how long, so at that time it’s a surreal time. You’re a different person because you want to make it home. You want to get away from them, but you gotta be
calm. It’s the craziest feeling you’ll ever have but you know you have to be calm. Because if you’re not calm, you’re gonna blow it, you gon be in the back of that car and it’s over.
had from track, I was All American in Track and Field at Moorehouse. So getting into trafficking, pushing myself, being part of a team, it was so And after they let you go intoxicating. That, to you just... this day, that is my *Exhales* I’ve never robbed drug of choice that I a bank, nor do I want to. fight against myself But I could imagine, the every day. adrenaline rush. See my drug of choice was adrena- Last question, the line. I don’t use drugs. I two businesses, the don’t taste drugs. I sample valet service and nothing. ‘92 was the last limousine service, time I had a drink, but traf- cover-ups, or true ficking drugs, that was my entrepreneurial everything, I lived for it. It love? was my everything in my Both. I started the life. It wasn’t my child, my valet company, no mother, my father, my wife. drugs involved, I It was BMF, them drugs, and started the limoufeeding my addiction. Those sine company, no were the biggest things. drugs involved. Then Number 1, number 2, and they transitioned number 3 in my life, then from there. But now me. the Body shop business, collision repair, Going back, all the way paint and auto body back to the beginning, insurance stuff, that what made you dig within business gives me to find that desire to everything I need. It pursue the BMF life. feeds my addiction I had a cousin. He didn’t to cars, to being a bring me into it. I actually part of a team, to wanted in. He wouldn’t let still giving people me in, because I was his something that cousin and at that time, they didn’t have when he was the king of St before or when they Louis. He was bigger than brought it in. Yeah, Meech and T, so I had an it feeds all of my instant pass into the life. addictions. And for somebody who liked to have a lot of money, I Interviewed by OC love to drive, still, and that was an adrenaline junkie IG: Oc_Vibez that was looking to replace that runner’s high that I
Nia Lonette
Beauty of the Month
Beauty of the Month
Tell the world who you are, what you do and tell us a little bit about yourself. Ok cool! So my name is Nia Lonette. I’m a dancer first and foremost. I model. I do natural hair. I eat alot, and I do so much stuff, you know what I’m saying? But I’m originally from Temple Hills, Maryland, moved to California about 3 years ago to pursue dancing and I’ve been dancing and modeling ever since I tapped into the industry out here. You have a very fresh face, very young, exotic, very Queenlike, are you getting alot of work out there in California? Yes, pretty crazy! I think
ever since Black Panther came out, I think a lot of our fresh young-looking faces are starting to become kind of the same out here. They’re always looking that new, or not really new but that Queen-esque type of look. They’re really valuing us Black Women out here for the most part. I know there was a time when I first moved out here, Black women with short cut hair, or short cut colored hair was a big thing for us out here. So its been really great to be on this journey right now in California. What was it like deciding to move to a whole new state just to pursue a dream. Tell us about that journey? It was freaking scary. I’m not gonna lie when I was in Maryland I was kinda comfortable. I was saying that I liked being in Maryland because I had
my friends out there, and I was pretty content with just having my boyfriend at the time, I was working a job, I was living with my mom. I was just like ‘when the time comes, the time will come, I don’t really care’, but deep down inside I did care. I saw people thriving and I was just like, ‘I know I can do that but I don’t think that could happen for me right now.’ Until one day my mom called me. I told her I wanted to go to California for this summer program where you basically go out for the summer and if you pass the audition, you get signed by the agency. And I was like, ‘Lets try it out and see what happens, whatever happens happens, it’s cool.” My mom was like, “What if you do get signed, what are you gonna do?” And my answer was, ‘We will cross that bridge when we get there.” And she’s like, “No, for real! I really
think you coud make it out there. I think you would do great.” Long story short, she told me I had to move out there because she knew I was gonna make it and I’ve been signed and working ever since then. So it’s pretty scary. But it’s cool to know that someone out there believes in you as much as you do, or probably more than you when it comes to a dream of yours and you just kinda have to take that leap of faith and go for it. Do you ever get to the point of “this is too much, I’m going back home!” Nah, never that! Never, never, never, never. What is the end goal for you? At what point will you feel like, “Mama, I made it!”? Ummm, Im gonna say mama I made it, for real wise, when I have toured the world with... Well I can’t saythat, I’m doing that right now. When I can open my own dance studio and have a tour with my students. Like take some kids or adultls who train with me around the world to say this is the process. Thank you for this brief interview, where can people follow the journey? Everything Nia can be found on NIALONETTE
DURELL PEART Go ahead and tell the world who you are and what you do I just want to thank you for allowing me to be here. My name is Durrell Peart. I’m the Founder/CEO of a company called Double N Management and Marketing Group, LLC. I basically help independent artists really navigate the music business. Artist manager, speaker, and music business consultant. How did you get started in that line of work? For me, I like to say the music industry found me, I didn’t find it. I was actually in a hip hop dance group back in 2004 back when I lived in Orlando, Florida, and I just got bit by the entertainment bug. I knew I wanted to be in the music business, but I knew I wasn’t going to be a creative. I wanted to go learn the business. I was fortunate enough to meet my mentor, big brother, Lashon Jones, who basically took me under his wings and taught me how to navigate this thing called the music business. So we had a record label called Brothers For Life Music Group in 20062008, and then he moved to Raleigh to take a job with the Charlotte Bobcats at the time and basically said
“Alright, Lil Bro! You’re gonna have to navigate yourself through now.” I was managing an artist at the time named D.Cody and I helped him put out his one and only R&B project called “Us against the world.” In 2010, we released it on CD Baby. We made a lot of mistakes along the way. It took us 3 years to complete that record. I worked with him til 2012. We kinda had a rough patch because he just didn’t want to do the work that was necessary to really try to build a career in this industry. So we had a cometo-Jesus moment in 2012 and we decided to part ways. At that time I was really frustrated with the way things were going so I decided to finish my degree. It’s something I’m passionate about. So I enrolled at Full Sail University and got a Bachelor’s of Science in Entertainment Business where I was Valedictorian of my class, advanced achiever of my class, and graduated in 2015. I knew I wanted to start another company and I knew I was going to be a freelancer because most of the jobs that are business jobs are in other cities. And because I was born with a
disability, it just wouldn’t make sense for me to live in all those cities. So I started my company I have now, called Double N Management and Marketing Group like I said before, and this time around I wanted to make the company more about me and branding myself. I knew I had alot of knowledge and that I could pay it forward to other creatives that want to build a career in this industry. So post-graduation, I was fortunate enough to help quite a few artists over the years and I’ve been to 6 different countries, which I’m really big on being global, and fortunate enough to be featured in 5 different magazines for the work that I do. And most importantly I just love helping people. That’s the short answer. *Laughs* What do you feel like artists need help with the most? That’s an easy answer! Education. The thing about the entertainment industry in general, especially the music industry, is that it requires special education to have a career in music. If you come from corporate America, that’s not going to help you in our
industry because it’s like Apples to Oranges. If you want to be a lawyer, you have to go to law school. You can’t just decide to practice law. It doesn’t work like that. It’s certain education you have to have. The problem in the entertainment industry is that there’s no requirement by law to be licensed to be in this business, and I think so many creatives want to make a living in this industry not knowing what it really takes to be successful. Education, I would say, is the most important thing for artists. That and artist development. Artist development is the one thing that has been so lost over the years and it’s so required now. Because now you can go right to people. A lot of young artists think I have a lot of followers, so I don’t need artist development. They already like me. But if you don’t have a solid brand, nobody is going to want to spend money with you because this is a business. The moment you decided to do this professionally and it’s not a hobby for you, you are now in small business. A lot of them don’t really understand that concept. Why should an artist get a consultant at the very beginning of their music process? Most importantly, you need somebody who’s going to help you navigate your way through the process. They’re gonna help you and tell you what pitfalls to look after. Anybody who’s interested in working with me, I want them to leave me their phone number by going to TextDurell.. com. Leave your phone number there and I will personally get back to you and see how we can work. And if you want to find me on Social media, I’m everywhere. @DurellPeart everywhere, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin as well.
Hip Hop Contracts- Part 1 The music industry is an industry where the actual product is dreams. Artists chasing a dream. Managers tasked at opening and managing doors and opportunities that fall within the dream, and labels who are dream makers. But like most dreams, they could be seen as nightmares depending on perspective. In this three part series, we’re starting off with 10 examples of times contracts went left in HipHop.
Tyga vs Cash Money records
beware of “Lifetime” Contracts. no matter where you are at in your career, don’t be so quick to give copyright percentages
Tyga made an appearance on the Breakfast Club last month and addressed his fallout with Cash Money records, “I had to pay to get out [of my deal with Cash Money]...I had a lawyer at the time, but my lawyer was the same lawyer that was representing Cash Money,” Tyga said. The “Taste” rapper initially sought $10 million in damages after claiming a breach of contract. According to Complex, Tyga alleged he was owed at least $1 million in unpaid royalties for his Careless World and Hotel California albums. In the end, it was Birdman who claimed Tyga actually owed Cash Money for advances he received and never recouped after signing with the label. Tyga subsequently dropped the lawsuit against the label and was released from his YMCMB family.
Soulja Boy vs Phillip Ransom (ex-manager)
Hire your own lawyer. especially when doing business with people you’re friends with.
According to a lawsuit filed by Soulja Boy in 2011, Ransom pressured him into signing an “oppressive” contract when he was just 16 years old. The contract gave Ransom 5% of Soulja Boy’s income forever and gave 50% of copyright ownership to the record label. But Ransom has denied doing anything wrong and even went so far as to countersue Soulja Boy for money still owed.
meg thee stallion vs 1501 Entertainment
Meg’ s Contract details
Megan Thee Stallion sued her record label, 1501 Certified Entertainment. The Houston rapper alleged that the contract she signed was “not only entirely unconscionable, but ridiculously so,” and placed the label in a position to “literally do nothing, while at the same time taking for themselves the vast majority of [her] income from all sources.” Megan explained her dispute with the label on Instagram Live,saying “All I did was ask to renegotiate my contract, then it became a whole big thing. When I signed, I didn’t really know what was in my contract. I was young. I think I was like 20, and I ain’t know everything that was in my contract. “
A Closer Look
The contract, signed on February 4, 2018, began with the release of her project Tina Snow. She was given a signing bonus of $10,000 “as an advance towards future earnings.” The royalty split between 1501 Entertainment and the Houston rapper was 60/40, with all recording costs seen as “advances fully deductible ‘off the top’ prior to the distribution of royalties.” This meant that once Megan’s advance was recouped in full post-release, then she would begin to receive 40% of all future earnings. The label’s affiliated publishing company was also provided with an “undivided 50% interest in the worldwide copyright,” and was deemed the exclusive administrator of the rights to Megan’s music. 1501 Entertainment received “net monies” from a variety of Megan’s other businesses and then paid her out after a separate accounting. Throughout the contract, 1501 Entertainment is given 30% of almost all of Megan’s sources of income, including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, and every conceivable version of a live performance: concerts, clubs shows, hosting, and tours. In addition, 1501 Entertainment had “the sole and exclusive rights” to use Megan’s “name (both legal and professional), approved likeness, approved picture and approved portrait in any manner whatsoever, and in perpetuity” when it came to merchandising and live performances. The company was also given contract approval over all of Megan’s appearances and live performances, along with needing to “mutually agree on tour participants and the revenue split” for any artists Megan wanted to tour with outside of 1501 Entertainment’s roster. If Megan wanted to engage in a “side artist engagement” (feature) for another musician, 1501 Entertainment received a 30% commission on services above $1,000 after “approval and permission to move forward.” 1501 Entertainment was also entitled to “a royalty of 30% of Artist’s ‘Net Royalty Receipts” derive from the exploitation of ARTIST’s services in connection with all entertainment-related endeavors,” meaning Megan’s appearances in other mediums, such as motion pictures, television, non-fiction books, magazines, video games, and more. Although, the label made sure to stipulate that it wasn’t a “Talent Agency” and “under no obligation to procure employment” for Megan.
Mase vs bad boy records
Mase, who had signed his deal with Bad Boy in 1996, sought to leave the label and join 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records roster in 2005. However, Diddy, who was seeking a buyout of Mase’s contract, reportedly had a price in mind of $2 million to acquire the artist. “For twenty years, I’ve been taking the shorter end of everything to just make things go the way that they needed to go,” he shared during an interview with Angie Martinez in 2017. “If you think about even doing music with Puff, a lot of the songs, I came to Puff with those songs. People, they never give me credit for that, all of my awards went to Puff. I wrote all of those songs.” In December, 2012, Diddy finally released Mase from his contract with Bad Boy, yet that hasn’t stopped Mase for voicing his critique of Diddy who he’s still fighting against for his publishing rights. “You bought it for about 20k & I offered you 2m in cash” Said the rapper.
Salt n peppa vs new plateau records
little richard vs art rupe specialty records
When Salt-N-Pepa signed their first deal with Next Plateau Records in 1985, the women unknowingly agreed to be paid half the going cent-per-album rate with no option to renegotiate their contract no matter how successful they’d become in the future (which of course was very successful). By their third platinum album, the group members were only making about $100,000 a year each, while their management was making millions.
“I was a dumb Black being raised by a single mom, with 12 kids and a dead father”, is what Little Richard is quoted as describing what could have possibly compelled him to sell the publishing rights to his first hit single Tutti Fruity to Specialty Records owner Art Rupe for only $50 and only half a cent for every record sold. With that move, the label owned both the sound recording and publishing side of the track. Decades later, Little Richard sought $112 million in owed money in a 1984 lawsuit. Both parties ended up settling out of court for an undisclosed amount and Richard’s catalog was later purchased by Michael Jackson.
Never stop fighting for your rights. don’t be afraid to speak out.
azealia banks vs Universal records
Azealia Banks willingness to wage war against enemies big or small has become a part of her allure, but one battle that may have flew under the radar was the one-sided affair between the rapper and her parent record company, Universal Records. The Harlem rapper, who’s debut album, Broke with Expensive Taste, was initially slated to drop in fall 2012, began putting the pressure on the label in 2013 during a social media tirade aimed largely at Pharrell Williams’ lack of assistance for their collaboration “ATM Jam.” However, in January the following year, Banks went to social media and asked to be released or bought out from her contract with Universal, blaming the label of being out of touch with her core audience. Universal ultimately obliged, dropping her from the label in October 2014, with the rapper eventually releasing Broke with Expensive Taste independently weeks later.
cam’ron vs epic records
Cam’ron Discovered by The Notorious B.I.G. and signed to Untertainment Records in 1997, Cam’ron’s career got off to a hot start. The rapper’s debut album, Confessions of Fire, went gold the following year. However, when Untertainment CEO Lane “Un” Rivera lost his distribution deal with Epic, the Harlem rapper’s contract was absorbed by the label, which had a lackluster track record of promoting and marketing rap acts. Unsatisfied with the roll-out of his sophomore album, S.D.E., Cam’ron began a campaign to get himself out of his contract with Epic, creating a hostile environment in the label’s offices and taking on Dame Dash as a manager, who convinced Epic that it wasn’t worth the trouble to keep Cam’ron on the roster. In 2001, Cam’ron would be released from Epic, signing a record deal with Roc-a-Fella Records in December that year, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
chuck d vs universal records
Public Enemy frontman Chuck D struck back against the major label system in 2011, suing Universal Records for $100 million in unpaid royalties. According to Chuck D, Universal, which acquired the rights to Public Enemy’s first five studio albums, had only been paying the group 25% of the royalties owed from digital downloads. The suit — which cited a case in which Eminem’s lawyers argued that digital sales should yield a higher payment than that of a standard royalty on the grounds that online agreements double as licensing deals — argued that Public Enemy should receive 50% of the net revenue from their digital sales, instead of the 18% they had been receiving up until that point. Public Enemy signed their deal with Def Jam prior to the advent of digital downloads and streaming, so their contract did not include explicit terms for digital royalties. Chuck D’s claim, which was consolidated with the class-action lawsuit brought against Universal by Rob Zombie and the estate of Rick James, was settled in 2015, when the label agreed to pay up to $11.5 million to an estimated 7,500 artists including Chuck D, and bump up royalties.
de la soul vs tommy boy records
One of the more tenuous spats between a rap act and a record label in recent years occurred in 2019, when De La Soul sparked a boycott of Tommy Boy Records amid a dispute over royalties. The group, who signed to the storied rap label during the late ’80s, opposed Tommy Boy’s plan to make the trio’s back catalog available on streaming services due to what they deemed “unbalanced, unfair terms.” According to the group, under the current terms of their contract with Tommy Boy, the label would receive roughly 90% of the profits, while De La would receive a mere 10%. Tommy Boy, which postponed the catalog’s release, engaged in negotiations with the group, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, leading De La to publicly cut ties with the label in August 2019. “After 30 years of profiting from our music and hard work… and after seven long months of stalled negotiations, we are sad to say that we’ve been unable to reach an agreement and earn Tommy Boy’s respect for our music/legacy,” De La Soul wrote in an Instagram post announcing the split.
From: https://www.okayplayer.com/music/rappers-bad-contracts.html
EVOLVE Or Die
Changes in life are inevitable. To think you can go through life living one type of way, with one set of principles or ideologies, not open to any type of change is a complete set up for failure. But it’s deeper than that. It’s truly Darwinism at its finest. Darwinism is a theory of biological evolution developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Granted, in its origin this theory referred to physical evolution, it can also be applied to our metaphysical or “spiritual” lives. In plain words, evolve or die. Period. Whether it be a physical or metaphysical death, as the good brother Future once said, “Ain’t no way around it”. I never understood people’s desire to refuse change. Like, you aren’t tired of being in the same places, with the same people, doing
the same things you have cycled through over and over again throughout life? Perpetuating needless cycles of trauma all for what? Comfort? Nah fam, that ain’t it. Now I am not at all knocking anyone that hasn’t taken the chance to change, yet. We all live life at the pace we are supposed to. I know it’s not a comfortable place to be, the process is hard as hell. I will say that I tend to find comfort in discomfort. Only because through experience I learned that change is very uncomfortable yet on the other side of discomfort is peace. What in one’s conscience causes the blockage of change? Of course there is no one answer to this question. It could be a multitude of things. Maybe you’re comfortable living life the way you are. That’s cool but life is going to change, so adjust. Maybe you’re scared of how different or weird life will be with the new changes. It’s okay to be scared but never okay to stay scared. Maybe you don’t have any motiva-
tion to change. That’s cool too. But guess what? Life is going to continue on, so adjust. Maybe you aren’t conscious of the fact that you aren’t being the best version of yourself and that you even need to change. Don’t be narcissistic. Ask yourself how you’re better than you were the day before. And if you can’t find a legit answer, adjust.
disappointment in the events that occurred. Upon doing this, Spanky received backlash from numerous, as he called them, “Street Hoteps and Hood Theologians”. Now the issue in this was that because they felt offended by Spanky’s expression of disappointment, the focal point shifted to what he said. And during the entire exchange of comments, not one person was focusing on holding the young man accountable for his terrible choice of action. And what came of this? Nothing. No relevant conversation. No conclusion. And ultimately, no change.
Accountability is also a The definition of insanhuge factor in changity is doing the same ing for the better in thing over and over life. We, as a culture, again and expecting a are starting to lose different result. That’s the desire to hold one where the culture is at another accountable. this point. That’s part Perfect example of this: of why we’re dying off Last month, in Peoria, the way we are. I say IL, there was a gatherto you, if you want ing at the Riverfront, something you’ve a common hangout never had, you gotta do spot for Us alongside something you’ve never the Illinois river. At done. Change is good. this gathering a young Change is necessary. black man decided he And if you refuse to wanted to shoot his change, you refuse to weapon into a crowd live. Evolve or die. The of 200+ people bechoice is yours. cause someone shot at him. He hit 7 women and 6 men. None of OC O”Conner whom shot at him. It On Air Personality made national news. A Strictly Hip Hop community leader by 90.7FM WAZU the name of Spanky Network Producer Edwards took to social The Underground Realroad media to express his Network Host OCTv
Attention Men! Written by bLou Note Guys, if you’re not ready, leave that woman alone!
ATTENTION MEN: Let me get this off of my chest real quick. ALL women are not the type of women who are out here looking for you to take care of them! ALL women are not gold diggers, or clout chasers, or even whorish, for that matter! There are A LOT of women (including me) who aren’t interested in you taking care of them even if you’re in a position to. Whether that feeling comes from being too independent or as a result of some type of prior trauma/incident/
mindset that’s been instilled in their lives, we may never know! The fact of the matter is that there are a wide variety of women who are truly simply interested in receiving love, companionship and joy in a trustworthy relationship. I say all this to say that if you know you’re not in a position to NOT deduct from a woman’s life, please leave that woman alone until you get your shit together! It’s not about having something to give her, but by God, PLEASE don’t take from her! And I’m not just talking about material
possessions! Hell, I ain’t even just talking about her Hello Kitty, cause believe it or not, there’s plenty of us that are perfectly fine with just getting some of what you’ve got & moving on with our lives, too! But PLEASE do not deduct from that woman! Not her sanity! Not her peace! Not her ability to look herself in the mirror without being disgusted with what she’s put up with! Not her well being! Not her ability to properly parent her children because she’s too busy dealing with your bullshit! Not her faith! Not
her dignity! Not her self respect! I can guarantee you that there are far more women out here than you might suspect who are fully able to deal with the truth of a matter from the start. Unfortunately, there are far too many men out here who make the decision to play games from the onset, or enter in to a situation with falsehoods in their bags, or come in to the so-called ‘relationship’ not being completely honest about their intent in a woman’s life.
“ If you can’t pour in to me, please do not siphon the little bit I’m just barely able to hold onto!” And the whole “I didn’t want to hurt you” line is played out. And I do mean played ALL THEE WAY OUT!!! Be real with yourself! If you’re not in a position to be a husband, don’t be! If you’re not in a position to be faithful, leave that woman alone! If you’re not in a position to provide, stop fronting like you can or even truly intend to! If you’re not in a position to keep a woman from having to walk the streets with her name in people’s mouths, having been labeled as “stupid” or “naive” or “dumb”, leave that woman alone! It is truly not inherent upon us as females to live in desperation of a man. Do the majority of human beings seek companionship? Yes! But are we all just out here willing to find it at the cost of our mental, emotional, physical, financial, or even spiritual health! Hell No!!! And please do not get it twisted... I’m fully convinced that women can also have some nasty ass ways about them, or even bring some things upon themselves! Let’s be clear... that’s not what I’m talking about here! I’m talking about men who know better, or are at least grown enough to know better, that make reckless decisions without properly taking in to account
how that might affect the life of the woman who they’ve inserted themselves upon carelessly. Get it together! It’s truly played out! It’s exasperating! It’s unattractive! It’s unhealthy! It causes distress! It causes disdain! It causes feelings that the majority of women (by nature) truly do not want to have about anyone they actually care about, much less love or are/have been possibly in-love with! It’s a change that can be made! I promise you! And if the cycle continues, it can’t be so confusing to a man that there are SO MANY women who have just checked out & declared the ‘F’ It’ stage with regard to intimacy, relationship & love! I’m just sayin! Yes, this is sporadic! Yes, it’s a bit of a vent! And to be clear... I’m stating all of this for a friend & unabashedly FOR ME!!! Go ‘head on with the bullshit, now! Ain’t nobody got time!!! It’s unattractive! It’s time out for the dumb shit! If you can’t pour in to me, please do not siphon the little bit I’m just barely able to hold onto! It ain’t fair! It ain’t cute! It’s truly not a good look! P.S. I said what I said!!! Written by bLou Note
Keep Your Negativity To Yourself There are some really miserable people out here in this world! I mean, I get if you need a hug!! Hell, you might need something else! All I know is, why E’RYBODY gotta be miserable with you??? Ain’t nobody got time for that!!! They did you wrong? Okay, other people have been wronged, too! Nobody will give you a chance??? Okay!!! Go out there & make something happen for yourself!!! They always talking about you & yours??? Okay!!! Bump ‘em, then!!! But why... WHYYYYYY do you allow yourself to be miserable??? Actually, F’ That!!! WHYYYYY do you want everyone else to be miserable with you??? Get it together!!! I promise you I have a million and one reasons to be upset/afraid/angry/ hurt/disappointed/mad/aggravated/etc. I’m not spreading the love when it comes to hurt!!! If I’m not spreading actual love, I’m just not gon’ spread!!! Why do I be to myself all of the time, you ask? Cause half of the time, I ain’t in the mood & I refuse to spread negativity!!! GET IT TOGETHER!!! Everybody does NOT have to know how mad you are!!! Everybody does NOT have to know how horrible your people are, or how f’d up your family is, or how f’d up your job is, or how f’d up your relationship is, or how f’d up the food was yesterday, dammit. GET IT TOGETHER!!! If you’re not reaching out to make a change or reach a resolution or receive guidance for elevation, STOP SPREADING NEGATIVITY!!! Look in the mirror!! Is it you??? And if it ain’t you & it’s them, free yourself!!! Mentally! Emotionally! Spiritually! Physically! Free yourself!! But understand THIS... you have to be conscious of what it is that you put out in to the universe! You have to be aware of what part you play in ANY situation! Cause I can guarantee you THIS... EVERYTHING can’t ALWAYS be on someone else!!! Sometimes... SOMETIMES... it’s you, Mofongo!!! Get it together, Dammit!!! And if you can’t, stop choking me out with your angry ass!!! You’re messing up my energy with all of that negativity! If you need a hug, a word, a prayer or a lift, it’s all good!! But if you just wanna be mad, PLEASE go do so by yourself!! AIN’T. NOBODY. GOT. TIME. FOR. THAT. #DAMN
Fordentmag on the scene
Dyamond Doll EP Release Party Dyamond Doll EP release party was a whole vibe. Upon entry to the private location, you were greeted by a professional set up, which let you know that you were in for something major. After signing in, you were immediately welcomed by Balt Vodka, a Black independently owned liquor company and offered a sample of their drink. First a shot so you could experience how smooth and tasty the drink truly was. I then I requested a chaser be added which came with a strawberry that I instantly popped in my mouth. The party continued upstairs. It was a whole mood with the lighting, the seating, the amazing aroma of the food as well as the giant screen playing music videos. Joe B, CEO of Dark Boys Records, introduced each track on the EP with so much pride that it made you instantly want to f*ck with it. And each record played lived up to the hype, in quality, in sound, and hit factor. Especially PIMP and RIGHT NOW, and every single-track featuring fellow label artist Legaxy who has a voice that could really melt hearts. The music, the ambiance, even the added details like the custom drinks served by Duke & Dame. I was partial to the Dyamond Doll drink although the Legaxy mix became my favorite by the end of the night. Oh, and did I mention the food? Barbecue chicken, ribs, shrimp macaroni to die for, rice and cabbage. A huge thank you to Dark Boys Record for the invite. It was so amazing seeing so many familiar industry faces back in one place, can’t wait til the next one. Photo Credit: Shotbyretro6
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