S. Samuel
After weeks of speculation surrounding his status on Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, Atlanta rapper Pill now claims he never officially inked a deal with the Warner Music Group label.
Although perceived as an MMG artist, Pill said he was only linked through association.
“I never signed any paperwork with Ross. It was just my deal was over at Warner already,” Pill revealed to MTV News Tuesday. According to the “Trap Goin’ Ham” MC, he was signed to Asylum/Warner Bros. Records at the end of 2009, a year before Ross brought his MMG label over to Warner Music Group. Pill says he is unaware of any conversations that Warner and Ross ever had concerning his career, but started receiving calls from Rozay around this time last year. The calls turned into collaborations — many of which ended up on Self Made Vol. 1, Ross’ MMG label compilation album. It was alluded that Pill was officially a part of Rozay’s roster, along with Wale, Meek Mill and a host of other artists, but that wasn’t the case, the rapper says. (MTV)
Last week, Pill took to Twitter to unleash his label woes.
“No TV and No Radio.. U do the math. I bet u can name you favorite artist and the turn on the tv and see the video and hear it on the radio. It’s not rocket science. Radio and TV b4 I had a deal, none after and u ask why Pill ain’t blew all the way up. Artist sign deals, label doesnt do shit for them or don’t even know to work the artist. time wasted. Ask Wiz Khalifa what Warner Bros did for him. I’ll wait.. dropped em. Atlantic signed em put em on TV and Radio and he sky rocketed. Mind you, whn I signed I had one of the biggest records in 09? “Trap Goin Ham” never touched TV never touched radio. [sic]” (Pill’s Twitter)
He also compared his 2009 buzz to platinum-selling rap stars Drake and Nicki Minaj.
“Now go back and do your research and see what unsigned artist was neck n neck with Drake’s So Far Gone in 09? Pill 4180: The Prescription. If I remember tht list correctly. It was Nicki Minaj, Drake, Pill, Wayne, Jeezy. Nw what the hell ws a new cumber like me doin on that list? Because IM DOPE!! That’s why, u ain’t gotta believe it but I know it and won’t ever stop until I get that spot I deserve. Peace. Thanx. Top 10 freshman cover of the New Times, unsigned hype MTV fire starter cover Creative Loafing, German magazine’s, French radio, Jimmy kimmel. Did a movie with Evan Ross and Brittany Snow, Had a documentary air at the UN summit in Geneva, Switzerland, Mark Ronson’s album, toured. in London, countless shows in the states, Short Films, etc. and that with No TV or Radio. Now imagine some push and TV and radio would do. [sic]” (Pill’s Twitter)
A week prior, the Atlanta rapper denied rumors suggesting he split ways with Ross’ MMG.
Despite being the only artist of MMG — besides latecomer Stalley — without a radio single, Pill states that he was somewhat surprised to hear the whispers. “I’m not sure how they started actually,” he tells The BoomBox. “I noticed it when people started f—ing with me on Twitter, but I don’t know the source of it. I mean, it is what it is. It’s mostly Twitter — people that follow me or don’t follow me that hate on me daily, and wanna start s—.” (The Boom Box)
Check out a recent Pill interview below:
GeneratioNext Backstage: Pill from Generation Next Presents… on Vimeo.
