Management
October 4, 2009 by K.I.M
Filed under Industry Tips 101
Originally posted 7/29/09 on GyantUnplugged.com
As with everything, whenever you are trying to build something you need to make sure the foundation is sound. That applies to , houses, relationships, businesses EVERYTHING! So many things started on a weak foundation fall, you could have the best business plan in the world but if you don’t have the right people working that plan you will ultimately fail, it may not be immediate but trust me it is sure to come, so why not avoid it all in the first place? You ever wonder why or how a seemingly good artist just cant seem to catch a break or make it? I think a lot of it has to do with proper management, in fact I know that’s the case with a lot of people. People may not realize it but every successful business venture, deal or whatever is usually done or brokered using friendships/relationships so not only what you know but “who you know” is very important. The first thing every artist should know is this…
A MANAGER IS SUPPOSED TO HELP CREATE/GENERATE REVENUE AND IF THEY DON’T THEY ARE NOT A MANAGER THEY ARE THE F*CKING IRS! (shout out to my girl Mary Sierra for that quote)
You don’t need to have a manager for the sake of being able to say, “contact my manager”. Why give a person 20% or more just to answer calls or emails, you can hire a virtual person at OfficeSuites Plus for that sh*t and it comes with a conference room, etc for your use should you need it. Lol! And trust me that will be a lot cheaper than giving someone a percentage of your earnings.
The next thing people should know, especially these newly signed artists with these 360 deals etc. I don’t care what they say to you, you should always retain your own management! Why would you ever use your label’s in-house management? That person will NEVER have your best interests at heart, I don’t think it’s even possible that they can. their loyalty is to the label and will always remain so because they are the one’s paying them the most. In layman’s terms, them mothaf*ckas ain’t that concerned with you, their job is to make the label money!!!!
Not everyone has a “bulldog” parent that can manage them like Matthew Knowles, Ms. Pat (Usher’s mom) or Joe Jackson, say what you will but I honestly believe they had the best interest of their children in mind when they do the stuff they do with the exception of “Papa Joe”, we all know that dude was/is living out his dreams through them kids (boy I feel for little Paris, didn’t he say she could dance or some ish? Shaking my head!!!). Matthew may be a pirana but he is going to make sure Beyonce is right no matter how many times he has to twist Letoya Luckett’s neck in the process. Ms. Pat did an excellent job managing Usher until he dropped her for “Meek Meek” but I hear he’s back with her now so we’ll see how this next album does. Even Ashanti’s mom did some stuff with her, although it all seemed to crumble the minute Nelly squirted his pimp juice in her, maybe she needs Irv to drop the hits!
Another thing you should know is that you don’t have to have “so & so” as a manager or “so & so’s” manager because you think they are a big name because sometimes that backfires on you. They may be so concerned with their top “high earning” client that they don’t have the time or the will to focus on you. If you watch Entourage yall see how Ari plays Drama, he don’t want to mess with him really he just does it because his bigger client is his brother.
THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LITTLE GUY…..
In all honesty I think that a new person in the game will grind/work harder for you than anyone else. They want to succeed even more so than you because it will look good for them; so please don’t be afraid to go with the lesser known person. It’s still all based on relationships and that lessor known person could know a lot of people and open a lot of doors for you cus’ they don’t get paid if you don’t and they don’t have anyone else or that many other people to eat off of so they become “YOUR BULLDOG” chi-ching!
There’s also the option of managing yourself if you can pull it off. Ray Allen didn’t sign with an agent because he was in college for business when he got on and he knew why should he throw his money away! That was very smart of him but again, he was in college for business already and I don’t advise that as a route to take for a new artist.
At the end of the day find someone who is going to GRIND for you and that has connections or the ability to network and create them, that’s the number one thing you should be looking for in management. Don’t get caught up in the who’s who and all the other “appearances” shit cus’ at the end of the day, if you don’t blow, who’s really checking for how you appear anyway.
K.I.M
