With Sha Money XL Now At Def Jam Will 50 Cent And G-Unit Head Over?

via MTV

Queens is in the building — again. Sha Money XL has signed on to become the senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The label has had such a rich history of Queens-bred fellas in the boardroom, from its founder Russell Simmons to Irv Gotti to one of Sha's mentors, the late Jam Master Jay. XL is excited to plant his flag in the cherished hip-hop recording house.

"I've been floating around this industry since I've just been executive-producing 50 [Cent]'s albums," XL explained Thursday at the MTV offices. "Freelancing, doing my own thing. I've been able to meet with L.A. Reid. We've been having some great conversations. Finally, the call came. It felt so good. Def Jam is such a strong company and strong roster. The staff is amazing. I felt it instantly. I knew that this is something I can do with my New York vision and New York swag and bring that for all the guys that's based out here. And the things that was needed to excite the industry as well, internally and externally. I connect with everybody by all levels."

Sha said that after being with the G-Unit for so many years, there is no such thing as pressure to him anymore.

"I work good under pressure," he said. "Working with 50, I know what needs to get done. I don't feel pressure. I do the things that need to be done. As long as artists listen and we really become businessmen in this business, as we say we are, I think we should all prosper. I'm looking to make the company more money and take it to the top, the highest level."

So with 50 Cent a free agent, free to bring himself and his label — which includes Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — anywhere he pleases, will Sha try to secure a spot for his longtime friends at Def Jam?

"I spoke to Fif, to [his manager Chris] Lighty. I would love to see that there," Sha admitted. "Banks has an amazing record right now, independently. If things work out, then yeah, I would love to see that happen."

If the Unit came to Def Jam, things would get interesting, to say the least. Shyne, Rick Ross, Nas and DJ Khaled, people who Fif and the Unit have had problems with through the years, are all on the roster.

"I'm a businessman," Sha Money said when asked how he would feel having the Unit in the same building with some of their adversaries. "The beef stuff, I'm over. We at a certain point in life where we don't even need that. We eat that. So I will let them speak for their own, but honestly, I would like to see a company continue to grow. And I think G-Unit is in a position — coming from an independent space — that can continue to do their thing. I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow."

While the Unit deal is just in the talking stages now, Sha says his top priority is making sure Juelz Santana gets his LP out. XL already has his sights set on DJ Toomp to get in the lab with Juelz.

Omar Grant: In-House A&R For Kelly Rowland Interview

via PMP Worldwide

PMP: Walk us through your 'industry' journey.

Omar Grant: My first official job in the music industry coming fresh out of college was being a road manager for Beyonce on her Seriously In Love Tour. Then for the next 3 years I was a road manager for Destiny's Child as a whole. I realized that I was more in love with the production side more than being on the road traveling because once your own the road you're working an album that's done already but I like the creative part as far as putting the album together and being there from the beginning. So when the girls (Destiny's Child) were in the studio I would always be around trying to soak up as much information as I can. Then I got a position over at EMI Publishing as Director of A&R thanks to Big Jon (Platt). After leaving EMI I'm here currently working on Kelly Rowland's latest project.

PMP: What label is Kelly signed to and break down your specific duties as her A&R?

Omar Grant: Kelly recently signed to Universal Motown but I'm the point person as far as setting up studio time, finding talented songwriters and producers for her to work with and everything else involved with putting together a solid album.

PMP: How is the project coming together?

Omar Grant: The project is near completion, probably a couple of more songs left to fill out the album but we really have a clear picture and clear understanding and its coming out really incredible. All the people that have been close to the project and close friends have been really giving us a lot of love on it and that's honest opinions from people we respect. I think people are going to be surprised with the project, its something different, she's really showing off her vocal ability and overall its just great music.

PMP: In your opinion is Universal Motown putting the proper muscle behind the project?

Omar Grant: Definitely, that was one of the main reasons why she wanted to do the deal with them because of their enthusiasm for the project and they get the vision which is important. They're really excited over there so she feels real good about the situation

PMP: What kind of music should we expect from this project? Will it reflect the current dance/pop sound that is dominating the mainstream?

Omar Grant: Well people have to realize when you think about someone like David Guetta who has worked with everyone from Black Eyed Peas to Akon to Rihanna and others Kelly was the one who really broke him in the States with the 'When Love Takes Over' record. So she's apart of ushering that sound that's out there but at the same time she's going to stay true to her urban and R&B roots and give those that love her for that something as well.

To me it's going to be a fusion of different sounds that's going to take her to the next level. You will hear some dance tracks but you're going to hear some dance with an R&B feel to it as well to round it out. It's a good mix of dance, Hip Hop and R&B. I'm a stickler for real creative songs that tell a story or put you in a zone to feel real good.

PMP: Compare the difference between working for a company like EMI and working for yourself as a independent A&R

Omar Grant: The only real difference is you don't have to clock into an office situation but as an A&R whether you're working for a company or not you're not working the usual 9 to 5 hours anyway. To be successful you really have to hustle and put in long nights and early mornings and just get it in. You have to be out there in the studios and at the different events so you're not in the office much anyhow.

Read the full interview here:
Omar Grant / Kelly Rowland A&R

Jullian Boothe: Interview With Slip N Slide Records VP Of A & R

via PMP Worldwide

PMP: Talk about the distribution breakdown because you have certain artists that are signed to different major labels

Jullian Boothe: We have Trina, Mike Bless, Jagged Edge and my dude Duece Poppi all going through EMI now as part of a new deal we did with them. We picked EMI because they have worldwide distribution and we have a great deal with them so structure-wise it was more beneficial for us to go that route. We love our deal with Def Jam and we love our deal with Atlantic but financially now were moving toward the future of building Slip N Slide as a brand that can stand on its own two feet were we can do everything in-house. So I'm good with going that direction especially when it comes to the new artists we're signing now.

PMP: What do you feel are some of the biggest changes occurring in the urban music landscape going into the new decade?

Jullian Boothe: Right now you really have to build superstars there is no longer any space for mediocre artists that can only make one great song and that's it. Back in the days one-hit wonders, if handled correctly could really live off of that one record for years like Tone Loc and Sir Mix-A-Lot. They sold millions of copies so everybody 30 years old and up can still remember being 16, 17 years old hearing one record on the radio you love and then running right to the record store the day it came out to buy the album. Even if the album wasn't hot you had no choice but to purchase it to hear that one song you love. Those days are over now so if you come out now with a half-ass album you're not going to sell any albums.

The only people selling now are artists that are making classic albums and you can really count on your hand how many artists went platinum in 2009. You got Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas and a couple of others. Everybody else sold fewer than 500,000 copies which is crazy. The way Slip N Slide is structured we have to spend less in order to make a profit now. It's all about watching what you spend and really looking for an artist that can do everything. I'm looking for an artist that can act, sing, write and produce. If you can only sing that might not be enough because you can have a no #1 song and sell no units. So there has to be other avenues the artist can exploit in order to maximize the revenue potential.

PMP: What's your view on artists that can sell a couple of million digital singles but not go Gold or Platinum when it comes to album sales? Are the digital singles enough to consider the project a major success?

Jullian Boothe: It's enough if you're using the artist for that one song. The whole thing about the music industry is you want to build an act up to the point when they're on their 3rd, 4th and 5th album you (the label) don't have to spend as much because they're established now. When you have an established artist such as a Jay-Z for example his fans will go see him in concert regardless of whether he has a song out or not because you know his body of work. Everybody already knows who Jay-Z is. Now you may hear a new song which sold a million records but you're not going to see that artist in concert because you like the song but you barely know the artist name much less care about them enough to see them live. You will jam to it if you hear it on the radio but if they're in town why would I want to go see them, there's not enough appeal until you're exposed to a body of work from them over a period of time. The artist has to build a reputation of putting on a great show so people will feel they're missing out and put their money up to be a part of the experience

PMP: So the main objective is to blow the artist up without breaking the bank...

Jullian Boothe: Exactly!

PMP: Has this lead to you looking to work with newer talented writers and producers who can provide the same hit material but at the fraction of cost?

Jullian Boothe: I like working with new producers and writers because of the hunger they bring. I love to see new artists and producers blossom from not having a dollar in their pocket to becoming a millionaire off of one song. The new guys usually come harder than most of the established ones but there are a few vets that are willing to work with me no matter how big they are. I tell them 'look I can't afford to pay you $100,000 for a track anymore, its just not financially feasible' and they're still willing to be in 100% so that's a good situation.

If you check the new Trina and Jagged Edge projects you will see new faces pop up on the production side that I've been using. With Jagged Edge's new single (Tip of My Tongue) there is a new producer that nobody knows (Mad Skrews) but I love to give new guys a shot because most people wouldn't even take their phone call.

Read the full interview here:
PMP Worldwide - Jullian Boothe VP A&R/Slip-N-Slide Records

Island Def Jam Names New A & R

Attention, anyone wanting make it in the music business especailly in A&R (the guys and gals who sign and oversee talent at the music labels) it takes a lot of luck to get to the top and maybe a double platinum record like ""I Am Sasha Fierce" does hurt either.

via Billboard.biz

Island Def Jam has named Max Gousse their new senior VP of A&R. Gousse will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to chairman L.A. Reid.

Before joining Island Def Jam, Gousse worked in executive capacities for MCA Music Publishing, Epic Records, Sanctuary Management and most recently Music World Entertainment, where he oversaw Beyonce's multi-platnium records "Bday" and "I Am Sasha Fierce."

Interview With Jay Ellis A&R At Rap-A-Lot

Production Market Place recently interviewed Jay Ellis A&R At Rap-A-Lot. Rap-A-Lot is the record label that put Houston, Texas on the hip hop map with artist like the Geto Boys, Scarface, Devin the Dude and UGK's Bun B and the late Pimp C.

Jay Ellis gives us the music industry insider's track with this insightful interview.

PMP: Give us some background info on yourself:

Jay Ellis: I'm from Houston Texas and I started off as a rapper for 10 years before I got to my current position as an A&R for Rap-A-Lot. I went to school at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and getting a degree in business allowed me to see that the business side was a little more important than the artistry. When I came back to Houston I hooked up with Anzel Jennings the Director of A&R at Rap-A-Lot who suggested I would do better on the business side than the music side so I took his advice and I've been doing this A&R thing for about 3 years now.

Read the complete interview here:
Jay Ellis - Production Market Place