S. Samuel
Bow Wow has made a public plea for a release from Columbia Records, citing his reasons for being unhappy at his longtime label home.
The rapper-turned-actor resorted to an online video to discuss his unhappiness with the label as of recently.
“Number one, Columbia has been messin’ up since 2004-2005,” he explained. “I think Columbia’s problem is that they don’t know how to work with rappers…I’m really the only rapper on that label…My labelmates consist of John Legend who they work extremely well with, Beyonce who they work extremely well with, but when it comes to rappers they’re not really a rap label, they don’t get it…They’re not young, and I’m a young guy but they’re not young, so they don’t really understand what the young people want. They got Three 6 Mafia, but when is the last time that Three 6 Mafia have put out a successful album? You can’t really blame the artists because the label is the energy.” (Ace Showbiz)
Bow Wow also said his fans have noticed Columbia’s lack of support.
“I’m going to talk directly into the camera because I know people are probably in the office getting calls saying Bow Wow was on here talking about he wants off Columbia Records,” he said in a video. “Everybody in the office at Columbia Records, do me a favor. My fans, they see it. They recognize it. They see you guys ain’t working as hard as you guys used to work back in 2000. It’s a big difference, they see it…Can you please grant me this one wish? Columbia, can you please grant me this wish and let me go? That’s all I’m asking, please let me go. Please, please, please, please, please, please. Thank y’all, I’m out.” (Justin TV)
The rapper announced his retirement from rap earlier this year.
“This is my last album because for me, there’s no more that needs to be done on the music side, I’ve done everything,” Bow explained. “And the scary thing is I’m 22 years-old and I’m young. I’m still a baby, so it’s kinda like on the music side, I’ve been doing it since five. That’s 17 years of non-stop music, music, music. There’s nothing more to accomplish that I haven’t seen yet…I feel like now it’s time to endure a new challenge…Close the chapter on the Bow Wow legacy…As far as albums, I’m good. Seven albums at 22, that’s crazy.” (Real Talk NY)
His last album debuted within the Billboard 200 charts last April.
Formerly known as “Lil,” Bow Wow’s New Jack City Pt. II hit the charts landing at No. 16. With a week under his belt, the rapper’s new album stands at 30,900 sold discs. (SOHH Sales Wrap)
Columbia Records has not yet released a statement regarding Bow Wow’s claims.
Check out Bow Wow’s plea to Columbia Records below:
Watch live video from Bow Wow on Justin.tv
