S. Samuel
Today, Grammy-winning producer Swizz Beatz let loose on "The Breakfast Club" by tackling on topics ranging from Rick Ross' Reebok deal, the music industry's 360 deals and more.
Asked about Ricky Rozay officially teaming up with Reebok, Swizzy said the new bond could be viewed as a hip-hop precdent.
“I knew it was going to be a hard battle to get people to put [Reebok’s] on their feet… You remember when brands had authentic hip hop involved in it that you could realte to currently on the streets? You singing Ross songs, you singing “I’ma Boss”, you’re really interracting with these songs,” Beatz said, speaking to hosts Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy and Angela Yee. “So I wanted Reebok to not be scared and be like “Yeah, we gon’ rock with Ross.” So getting Ross to be signed was like a big accomplishment for our culture… He has some big announcements that he is going to announce with Reebok, that I’m going to let him make.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
Co-host Angela Yee asked Beatz for his take on the music industry’s popular 360 deals.
“I think the greed of the oldest paper pushing industry, the music industry, has to change… I’m not with the 360 deals,” he said. “I mean, most of these artists already don’t own their masters so now you’re going to get into a 360 deal and not own your life? [shakes head]. I can’t rock with that. If you’re a new artist and you have nothing to lose and that label is showing you that support? You do your 360 deal… [But] it’s a baby sitting situation. A lot of artists get used to it and they get spoiled and it messes up their craft.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
The producer/rapper also showed DJ Envy he was up for addressing making big headlines a few months ago in light of the Megaupload controversy.
“It was a bunch of miscommunication… With technology there is a bunch of miscommunication and unfortunate situations. It’s a real touchy situation. I’m not scared to talk about it. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Nobody was doing anything wrong. But the miscommunication part makes it look like everybody is doing something wrong. And that wasn’t the case. I figured out a way for people to make wild money. I’m the last person to want to give music away for free. Are you crazy?” (“The Breakfast Club”)
Later in the interview, Charlamagne interrogated Swizzy regarding his honest thoughts on the state of New York hip-hop.
“The problem with New York hip hop is what’s always been the problem, that’s the unity. We don’t have no unity. We always looking to be the king. Everybody just want that one spot when there’s a lot of spots… But hip hop started in NY. So those elements are always going to be there, on the “battle side.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
Check out Swizz Beatz’s interview below:
