Latif
New member
Mic Mac, Cutting, Fever, Highpower etc. Where all great labels that brought us great songs and great memories. Some unfortunately closed shop, others went in another direction and some are actually still trying to survive. Unless you have actually formed and professinally ran your own label you have absolutly no idea what it takes to not just be successful, but just to survive. Law suites and courts are a part of any type of business that deals with contracts. Most recording contracts are pretty stantard. The label or whatever business you are in will always draft a contract in it's favor. It is then up to the opposite party to take that contract to an attorney and have it amended so that the contract then favors them. This process continues till an AGREEMENT is made. This is called nogotiations, it exist in all aspects of the entertainment industry. (Film, TV, Music, Sports etc.) Many artist are so excited about getting a deal that they are actually scared to take the contract to an attorney feeling that it can blow their deal, and depending on whose involved, it can. It depends on who has the ball. If you are an artist who is trying to make it, and doesn't really excite the label, most likely you will receive a one-sided deal. Take it or Leave it! If you are an artist that is in demand, then you will carry the ball and if you are smart you will amend the contract in your favor Take it or Leave it. I have worked with Metropolitan Records for years as a writer, producer and manager of various acts and projects before I actually came on board as a full-time employee and I have to say it is the ONLY label that I have seen write checks out to artist and producers on a regular basis. I still get small unexpected checks once in a while for work I've done many years ago. When many of the labels mentioned above began to hit rough waters, Metropolitan began recieving phone calls for help. Many of the New York Freestyle labels in their prime created a monopoly within the NY radio and club circut and pretty much black-balled Metro from getting any real chance at the NY market, so instead they began to market out of state. While all these labels focused ONLY on NY and a couple of other states, Metropolitan began to take over Texas, Philly, California, New Mexico, Chicago and so many more. I have been traveling with Lil' Suzy for over 10 years and I have visited many clubs and store all over the country and from my experience Metropolitan dominates. Now that Freestyle is considered sort of Passe' in NY Metropolitan continues to thrive in all the other markets. We have not closed shop. We have not given up. We are still trying to produce and distribute Freestyle music. The problem that I am facing is the quality of the products that are sent to me. I am being VERY picky but I have a goal to help this market get back on the map. I know it can be done regardless of what anyone else might think. I make a damn good living off of Freestyle, from my 9 to 5 at Metro to my Management work with Suzy to my bookings from La'Entertainment. I don't visit this site as much as I would like mainly because I am BUSY! Metropolitan is here. We do and always have handled our own distribution. Check your major retailer and I bet you will find our product. Our latest set "Ladies Of Freestyle" 1, 2 & 3 is doing very well, I am please with it's movement and I don't see sales dropping anytime soon. I am seeking support, help and encouragement from the Freestyle community. If I get it, thank you. But if I don't, so be it, but I will continue doing what I do and prove to all that I was right. Anyone who knows me personally knows my work ethic and my vision. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this and I wish all a great Holiday God Bless.
Latif🙂
Latif🙂