Interview with Quincy Taylor from Def Jam Records

In the music Industry today, there are many ways to get a record deal and/or tour production. I have worked closely with a man that has been on both sides of the track as far as underground management to national recording management. Quincy Taylor has been in the music industry for over 10 years. He has managed big named artist such as Eminem, Slim Thug, Machine Gun Kelly, and many more. Quincy Taylor, a.k.a. Big Heff, has recently started working for Def. Jam Recordings as an A&R representative. Every other month, Quincy organizes an industry tour that moves through 15 cities showcasing underground and national recording artists.

Earlier in the week, Quincy cut time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me so I can ask him some negotiation and deal making techniques. I have been watching closely ever since I was his intern in the summer of 2013.

How do you feel mutual benefit applies to each deal that you make with other record label or artists?

Quincy: Honestly mutual benefit plays a major part in setting up deals with artists and record labels. If there is ever a time one might need the other, that deal can cover that action. The saying goes, “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”.

When making deals for an artist, what is the process of separating people from the problem?

Quincy: This comes in to play all the time because on one side there can be a great rap group, but on the business side the group might clash heads. For the most part in that situation, we separate the bad apples so that they don’t destroy the whole batch. I don’t like to fire people from the group, but I do make sure the finished project is as professional as possible. Therefore if one guy/girl and get with the program, they have to sit on the bench until they learn the playbook.

Now I know there has to be some dirty tricks when it come to negotiating contracts. Do you know of any that you or anyone else uses?

Quincy: Everyone has his or her tricks to the trade, but the common skill is persuasion. It’s not so much a trick, but if you can persuade someone that your deal is better than the next, you can sell your product or artist.

After going through these questions with Mr. Taylor, I realize most of the deals made in the music industry are common sense tricks. Basically everything you learn growing up in the streets you can apply to selling or signing a contract.

Don't Mix Business with Family

So today I have something to speak on that has been sitting on my chest. Mixing business with family and pleasure. This is something that should never happen in the business world, but you will find some people who need it in their life. When a CEO has their wife or significant other working for them or vice versa, it can be a headache if not handled correctly. My reason for making this post is because this has just happened to me. Now I am unemployed behind it.

            This is me getting a little personal with you guys, but I think that its needed incase someone else has the same issue. So I was working for a company that assisted teaching inner city students in Ohio. During the time of me being an instructor, I had to work with my CEO’s fiancé and other family members. The first thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the payroll. We didn’t get paid until he got paid. His family and friends were ok with it because they knew what to expect, but I just got her so I was very confused. Next, my CEO let his fiancé run parts of the program where she was my boss. That didn’t work because I could never talk back because I felt I would have been disrespectful to his fiancé. In the end, I parted ways with the company because I felt my use was unwanted and had no purpose since his family did all the work, and I was just there looking confused.

There was a time when we had a team meeting with the CEO included and I was getting chewed out for things I had no idea were a big deal until the meeting. I felt his fiancé treated me as a friend when he wasn’t there, but when he was there I was an enemy. Then having to wait to get paid because he didn’t get paid was useless. I feel if we have pay date, the CEO should provide payment when due even if he takes a loss. At one time I was paid almost a month late. This company has lasted for 10 years plus, but it seems I was the first worker that he hasn’t known for years.

All in all, I feel no one should work for a company where they don’t feel comfortable. Especially, a company that has more family members employed than outsiders. Mixing family and business works for some people, but not for the music industry.

The Art Of Asking

After viewing, Amanda Palmer: The art of asking, I was in awe from the discussion. I felt as though her connection with her fans is the same connection I long for with mine. Being an independent recording artist and DJ, I meet people everyday. However, asking those same to people to give me money or even assistance is never easy. Im not sure if it's a pride thing or if I am afraid, but when I need something I rather starve or go without before I ask anyone for help. I guess I never want to feel as though Im a failure. When I have gigs or even when I perform, people have asked me to put a tip jar on my DJ table, but I just can't do it. There are many times where I think about it, but I can never bring myself to do it.

I wish I had the guts to just let people help me when I need it, but being the person that I am, I just don't want to be treated like a charity case. This also gets annoying because I want to start a private school and a clothing line, but I need money to start. Therefore, eventually I will have to ask for assistance to pay for these dreams. Now if it was a couple dollars here and there that i needed, I can ask for it because I'll just give it right back. Although, how will I give back a couple hundred thousand. Unless my companies begin to make profit instantly, Im not sure if I could ever pay that back. Therefore, I don't ask for help if I can't pay you right back.

There was a young man a couple years ago who went to YouTube and asked for 1 million dollars and received it. I don't believe that I am that lucky. Even though my reason for needing the money is to help my community, I think people will just laugh in my face like everyone else has. My courage is very limited. I appear as the type of man that can demand attention, but in all honesty I am as shy as a kid going to a new school. I act as though I am the center of attention or someone who isn't scared to speak, but honestly I speak before I think so I can't be scared.

Therefore, asking anyone to give me anything is one of the toughest things to do. I even have the same effect when asking a woman out, my confidence levels aren't there. You can say I am a great actor because most of my actions in daily life is just how it sounds, acting.

With this post I just want everyone to know me for me, and to see that I am just like everyone else, I get scared too. However after viewing this speech, I want to change my ways and be more open to receiving and asking for assistance. Letting someone bless you is acceptable, especially when you need it.

Hip Hop in the Classroom

Today the pop culture plays a big part on the image of this generation.  Many kids today model whatever is going on after what they see on television or hear on the radio. The hip hop community has grown tremendously. Therefore, changing the way these kids act in the real life. I have a nice amount of experience in the music industry, but I feel that I can make a difference in this world by mixing music and education to assist the kids with their learning process.

A man named Dr. Marc Lamont Hill wrote a book called “Schooling Hip-Hop: New Directions in Hip-Hop Based Education” in this book he spoke of the many changes hip hop has made in trays schools. Many teenagers want to live the life styles they hear on the radio, everyone wants to be a rapper, and so many woman don’t know how to dress. A major trend that is hurting these schools is twerking. Woman gyrating against men in a sexual manner has been showcased on social media sites while school is still in session. I feel there is a time and a place for everything and school is not that place. Also, the men think the gangster life is what is appealing to the opposite sex. So, many fights and bullying has become an issue in today’s schools. 

My vision for these kids are as follows: creating a private charter school that helps students learn using the pop culture as the foundation, Teaching this generation ways to life their lives and still keep their reputation socially, and to provide a way for them to express themselves in a positive manner. Once I mix music and education, I feel each and every teenager that enrolls in my program will enjoy it and be successful.  Prof. Adam Bradley created a program on the same goal as my school.

 Hip hop in theclassroom will be the new generation teaching solution.

Hip Hop Makeover

When I think about the course that hip-hop music has taken, I feel sick at times. Thee are some songs that I can deal with, but most of them are a headache. I'm more comfortable listening to the older music because I can relate to what they speak of. Most music that hits the radio now talks about criminal activity and money that I don't have. One of m favorite songs to listen to is "Make you feel that way" b Blackalicious. This song talks about how feel on a day-to-day basis. This song has an inspirational feel to it that keeps your spirit up. Now I don't believe that hip-hop is dead, but I do believe that the culture has evolved into something I'm not proud of. As far as the fashion goes, this culture is recycling what has been released in the past. I do enjoy the fashion tends though. However, I can do without the skintight jeans and man skirts. I don't know what Kane West was thinking when he wore the skirt and skintight pants as a fashion statement to a concert December 12, 2012 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/kanye-west-leather-skirt-12-12-12-concert_n_2293071.html). On MTV.com, there is an article speaking about the same points I hit about the status of hip-hop (http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/121806/). In this article Ludacris stated, “saying hip-hop is dead is basically dissin' the South.

All of these opinions I made refer to my career choice. Once I receive my Masters, I will open a record label and clothing company that showcases my expression on hip-hop. I feel giving my two cents toward hip-hop will make a difference since most people follow the popular instead being original. After listening to the music that is on the radio now, I miss the records that came out in the 90’s. For some reason, almost every single that was released was great. I could listen to those songs for days, but after I listen to these new songs it only takes once to be tired of hearing it. I feel that my music sense can create a huge following once I’m finished preparing my success.

MTV News (2007) Mixtape Monday: Is hip-hop dead? Retrieved from http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/121806/).

Wilson, J. (2012) Kanye West's Skirt. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/kanye-west-leather-skirt-12-12-12-concert_n_2293071.html

How Do You Xspres Yourself!

Everyone one has their own way of expressing themselves by showcasing originality and creativity. For me, I express myself through my music and my DJ craft. Anything form of music that can display my emotions in a way that I can't, keeps me sane. I often find myself listening to music more than i do anything else. I also express myself through digital art. I live on a computer. If I'm not doing homework, I am making designs on PhotoShop, posting in social networks, and/or searching the web for undiscovered hip-hop and R&B talent. 

I can make a book on all of the ways I express myself, but how do you?