The Hustler's Handbook E-Book

Cory Austin

• Herausgeber: Imperial Media
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 265

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Even with the finest degree and the best laid out business plans, there are some things in the music industry that you can only learn from experience or those who have been there and done that. But when you're a newbie music entrepreneur or an independent musician, you do not have time for costly mistakes. From "Decoding the Corporate Game" Author and Music Media Specialist, Cory Austin, comes The Hustler's Handbook - a collection of music industry interviews with Hip Hop, R&B and Pop artists containing priceless business tips such as: how to transition into an informed, driven business owner, how to stay independent and establish your music business and tools on leadership.

Leseprobe

DISCLAIMER

The Hustler’s Handbook I compiled this information solely to entertain new thoughts and ideas. To entertain innovative ideas is to expand one’s mind and one’s imagination. I take no responsibility for any changes that may occur in ones’ beliefs or convictions after reading this book. Changes that occur from reading this book is strict to uplift ones-self. Through the writings in these pages, I am just the deliverer of messages. I simply offer suggestions, allowing the reader to know, grow and think critically, the first step in changing one’s self, is taking responsibility for ones’ actions.

The Hustler's Handbook

Copyright © 2017 by Cory Austin

First Printing 2017

Published by

Imperial Media Design.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this book may be reproduced without written request for authorization. Please forward your request to:

Imperial Media Design

To inquire about special discount rates on bulk purchases, please contact Imperial Media Design Inc., 619-250-5184 or [email protected] Media Design Inc., 12439 Magnolia Blvd. Suite 199 North Hollywood, Ca 91607

Email: [email protected] Website: www.imperialhustle.com

The Hustler's Handbook:

Footprints for the independent music entrepreneurs

By:

Cory Austin

Acknowledgments –

To my treasures my kids Kaylen, Justice and Kierra Austin for being so patient with me during the creation of a better life, for showing patience. Also teaching me balance and discipline between family and work, how to separate the time. Your understanding and support is irreplaceable, and I couldn’t have accomplished this without any of you. You all have been the reason I have pushed this far, and you all are my first greatest and most prized accomplishments.

Introduction –

The Hustler’s Handbook compiles interviews used during the time of me publishing two magazines. The purpose was to help independent artists make better decisions while choosing their career path. All my interviews offer advice and guidance from established artists and entrepreneurs. Hearing so many stories I realized, the uniqueness in each music journey. There’s no effortless way to reach the top, or correct way. All stories with different paths. What I found, is sure determination. People that push against all odds toward their intended goal. If that isn’t a testament to drive, I don’t know what is. My purpose was to give you this information to inspire a spark in you.

As I go through my interviews, I noticed years have passed on some conversations. What’s more astonishing, the relevancy each interview holds today. An industry oversaturated, I ask myself how anyone makes it. The information offered reminds us of determination. These stories helped me to keep going. I’ve worked long and hard beating myself up over my short-comings.

My introduction to the music business is when I decided I wanted to help artists like myself. Like anyone else, I was trying to get my foot in the door. One thing I knew, I wanted to be authentic. I was working a regular 9 to 5 job and I was sick. I didn’t want to continue creating wealth for someone else. Plus, I always felt like a leader. All my life I marched to the beat of my own drum. I knew being under someone else’s plan wouldn’t work for me. Boy, was this a hard road traveled. As I grinded trying to leave the corporate plantation. I ravaged my brain with all the options I could undertake. When I finally felt I had hit the jackpot for starting a magazine, my hardships only began. I had big dreams and little experience, no team, no help and completely on my own with an idea.

I had always been good with technology and computers. I understood many things online, training myself. I was an autodidact polymath, meaning I was self-taught in many areas. I used this to help start my publication. Was it great initially, no, Not at all. With each issue my skills increased, and every print got better. I to interview some talented artists, people I had watched throughout my years as a music enthusiast.

What this kept sharp was my hustle. I would have to be on top of events, interviews, publishing, selling and more. To each hood from city to city, I was there. Shaking hands and asking the right questions. I would get a lot of respect when I showed up and I made money, which motivated me. After running the magazine for seven years I found it time to put it down and pick up a new venture.

All the game I learned about the industry had become priceless. I never could look at the industry the same. I had read many books about the industry, but nothing was like going in first hand talking and networking with outstanding people. So, I wanted to share this game with people I felt could use it. I know there are so many independent artists and record labels getting started. You get to a point when you have been grindin for a while and then you feel as if you hit a plateau. I wanted to share firsthand insight by consolidating the best interviews I’ve done throughout the years. When I was young making my own music I went by Defiance, so in the game, I go by Defiance. Many interviews you will see defiance in italic. For some people, the information might be nothing new and a little on the light side. For others, it may motivate and give you a little insight. I hope all these stories motivate and give you determination for your own journey. Because these stories are people that have overcome incredible adversity, some artists you wouldn’t even expect to be alive today. However, it’s my pleasure to bring you these stories in The Hustler’s Handbook, Enjoy.

I’m glad you bought my book, it is one of a kind, I promise you. The term hustler and hustle has become such a loose term in pop culture and music. Everything is “deemed” hustle in areas where it would not have been used 20 years ago. To know how to “Hustle” has now become knowing how to be savvy with business legal or illegal. While to hustle “Things” has never been a problem, hustling people even today would continue to be frowned upon. A “Good” hustler knows an opportunity when the profit is high, and the risk is low.

But, you may be thinking, “What reward comes without risk?” I have seen none. Taking risks is part of the hustle. This is the game, especially today’s level of the music game. The industry works with many gears to keep it turning. Either you learn how to play, or you stay off the board.

Ask yourself a few questions, where are you looking to be in the industry? The game is so big and, yet the industry is still small. Many people don’t think about all the possibilities outside of the most popular positions, “Music Artists”. The levels of the game are very vast and so are the positions like any game. Whether it’s a player or owner, knowing the key positions to get there is how you move to the next level. There isn’t a one-shot sure road, you may present your plan to life and it laughs at you. The roadmap isn’t a straight shot if you look at a real roadmap, there are so many twists, windy roads, mountains, and cliffs.

The good thing about a Hustler is that they know how to adapt, they change to the time and can take advantage of changes. In business, things change all the time and business is the new level for music artists today. Exposure is built on having something that sets you apart from other musicians. Everything has turned into a play on leverage. People are drawn towards those that hold their own and sustain their independence. Having hustle is the underlying foundation to have that mindset.

I have compiled exclusive interviews from musicians and entrepreneurs that have made their way into success within the music game. All the interviewer’s stories say to make it they had to become true hustlers. Detailed first-hand accounts of advice and guidance about how they made their name and created their lane.

Chapter 1: Master Relationships

This chapter will focus on the interview with 2 individuals that have used this concept to strengthen their career in music and their independent hustle. Mastering Relationships. How they say, “Your Network is your Net Worth”, really can be true. You can read some keys that helped to create a path that led to new doors and opened up different opportunities.

Jag Just Soprano has been associated with many acts during his music career. Creating a movement known as the black soprano wave, Jag has known the independent grind from day one. Some artists that Jag Just Soprano has worked with has been; French Montana, Max B, Cam'ron, Bun B, A Mafia, Domination, Young Dice and producers such as Dame Grease, Develop, Ebonikz, Soulo Heat, Sid Roams, Kronic. Just got started in the early wave movement and continues to grind with his own independent movement. I sit down with him to go over some secrets that Just has used to get where he is today in the music business.

Just Soprano Interview:

How did you get in the music game?I started by taking out full-page ads in f.e.d.s. magazine in 2001 to promote the black sopranos, then i met Cam'ron and Jim Jones from the tunnel nightclub in ny. I was running wit Jim Jones and he brought me to dj kay slay and got me on the streetsweapers mixtapes. I was on kay slay consistently for 2 years straight, put out songs with Cam'ron, bun b, Hussein fatal, young city and many more.  Kay slay was playing my songs on hot 97 and had me as a featured guest on hot 97's the drama hour.  Unfortunately, I had caught drug charges, so eventually I had fell back from music to focus on my case, in which I received 5 years’ probation, thanks to my attorneys!!! How did u meet Max B?My brother Big Keyz had come home from jail and wanted to throw a party, so we booked max b.  Unfortunately, he wasn't able to make it to the party, so he offered to do some music with us to work out the finances.  We went to his crib, started to work on some music and we filmed it and we never stopped working.  Max brought me back to the music scene, he was inspirational, he motivated me to get back to work and do my thing.  You can see a lot of the footage on worldstarhiphop.com or the just soprano show "wave gang edition" DVD/cd.  My single "get money" ft. Max b produced by develop, was the last video he shot before being convicted.  He is currently waiting for the appeal, free max b! How did u meet French Montana?Between running with max b and dame grease, I was with French Montana on a regular basis. We became friends over time and started working on the music, doing videos and getting that good footage.  French put my video wit max "get money" on coke wave 2 and my video with him "we hustle" on cocaine city 14.  He has been influential in my career, so I definitely support cocaine city 100%!  French is the hottest rapper on the east coast, this is gonna be a good year! Stay tuned... What are you currently working on?I'm running with French Montana, I’m directing cocaine city 15, I released my mixtapes- "the soprano wave", "Mucca music" and "soprano wave 2" in stores now.  I'm working on my official album with my producer AONE beats, we are currently negotiating that situation with the labels.  Look out for the official announcement soon.  I'm enjoying life, reppin New Jersey how it's supposed to be done. Nj all day! I run this! Don't sleep on me, by the time you wake up, I'll be on MTV!  How is the hip-hop scene in New Jersey?I love New Jersey, but it's hard to make it! The state doesn't have a major radio station or record label, so we have to go extra hard to keep the buzz growing. NJ is home to some of the best rappers, but I represent for the hustlers and the real niggaz in the street.  I lead by example, I’m gonna kick the door down and reach back and help the next movement get to the next level.  I believe the hardships makes us work even harder, so it's a gift and a curse. Who are your influences?Dj kool Herc, the foundation of hip hop!!! It was done for the love and it's getting bigger by the second.  I had the honor to meet DJ kool Herc in Miami and asked him for a shout out for my mixtape. He took the black soprano shirt, put it on and did his own interview and that's gave me the ideal to make a DVD.  Then i saw him at justo's mixtape award and he gave me his pass of his neck to get me in the awards and that was one of the greatest moments of my life.  He is truly hip-hop and I hope that the artist remembers his contribution and pay retribution the father of hip-hop. Salute all the DJ's, breakdancers, graffiti artist and pioneer rappers! There is no limit to where we are going! Who is Just Soprano?Just soprano is a boss, I’m the king! The streets love me, they love the movement, shout out to Asbury Park!  So many people have believed and helped me to get to this point that it would be disrespectful to quit now. Failure is not an option, I’m going to work harder than ever, keep pushing new artist like GP and helping out other artists as much as possible. I want everyone to be successful, but I gotta lead from the front.  Ask about me, they gonna tell you that Jag just is a bonafide hustler, first with tv's in the whip, iced out, motorcycles, ect... My music is official and its takeover season!  

How can you be reached

http://twitter.com/justsoprano

What ways have you found to be the most effective for promoting your music career?

The most effective way to promote the music is worldstarhiphop.com, it's the biggest site for hip-hop. The fans and the industry watch it, but there's also youtube.com, datpiff.com, iTunes, ect. Its 2011, your internet presence is important, plus it keeps your fans in tune with your latest projects.  You have to consistently put out your videos, singles and mixtapes or your fans will be someone else's.

What kind of trends do you see coming into the game at this time?

The only trend that I like is that artist are being independent.  The labels aren't putting any money behind the artist, so you are better off doing it yourself and controlling your career and finances.  Once you build the brand, then you can get distribution and truly be a C.E.O.  People have seen too many talented artists beg for record deals, only to be shelved and their careers ruined... The independent route is the key, you want to be in a position to negotiate your situation, so you can be a mogul.

What direction would you say an up and coming artist should focus their work at this time, trying to get in the mixtape game?

The up and coming artist should focus on putting their mixtapes out, it's hustling, and the key is to build up your clientele.  Utilize Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, ect... There are so many free outlets that there are no excuses.  You have to market yourself and sell your brand just like coca cola.  The game is messed up, because the DJ's want to charge you to be on their mixtape and they have their own artist, so it's a conflict of interest for them to put you in a good position.  If you focus on doing you, the DJ's will want to play you and you need to be on all the tapes for it to have an effect, cause there are too many DJ's to be down with one.

Who are some artists that you would like to work in the future?

Jay z and Snoop Dogg would be wavy. I've had the opportunity to speak with them and they are down to earth, great businessmen and have put a lot of people in a position to be successful.  I respect them as men and their music is timeless, we need more people like them in the game.

How do you feel about indie artists handing you their demo tapes?

I purchase every independent artist cd that I see, but I don't listen to them, cause I’m always in the studio working on my music, so I don't like to listen to anybody but myself when I’m creating.  I worked hard for my buzz, if they get their buzz up, then we can work together and it will benefit both of us. But I’m not currently in the position to focus on anybody else, its soprano records // cocaine city, once my deal is official, then I will receive the indie artist with open arms.

Aone the Super Producer from MMG has been behind some of the best work you have heard from Maybach Music Group. From Ricky Rozay himself down to Meek Millz. Aone has been in the studio with some of the top legends in hip-hop. Aone started his hustle on his own and continues to grind forward reaching new heights of success. I had the chance a while back to sit down with him.

AONE Interview:

Wanted you to go ahead and tell us how you began your Journey into the music world, how did you come to know that you wanted to be a producer?

I was Smoking a blunt one day listening to the chronic album and after playin that cd over 1000 times, I said to myself" this what I wanna do with my life, make beatsWho were some of your biggest inspirations and focuses coming up in the game?A.Z, havoc, D-block, Rick Ross, drumma boy, 3.6 mafia There are many distractions that keep you sidetracked on the path for success what were the things you kept in mind to stay grounded and focused?Always paying attention to the people that really made it happen With beats in such a high demand and everyone trying to get in with the hottest producers, what do you think Artists can do to get noticed by the best DJ's and Producers?If you take over the web, everybody will reach out to, it’s an automatic thang How did you meet rick ross?

A good friend; Mentol "spiff tv" put it all together, he would hit me Up at like 4.00 a.m every day for beats, he never went to sleep, he is a true work-a-holic, his work ethic is #1 What kind of tools should today’s producer have under their belt before really stepping in today’s game?Your Music business, buy a book or something, read, ask about, do a lot of listening but don't believe a lot of what you hear, cus the game is filled with a lot of wanna be's Where do you think an artist’s today reaches more success, Mixtapes? Or Albums?The Mixtapes of course but don't let these rappers fool u, they all wanna sell albums, that's how u really win An Independent Record Label wanting to start, what are some things they should have under their belt to be grounded and grow successful? A team of people that are devoted to the same goal success (Teamwork make a dream work). What has been one of the most fun times in your career?

working at the Mobb Deep studios, s/o to my hommie, Joe the engineer, fly, the whole infamous team, we would smoke blunts after blunts and just make music all day & nightWhat do you feel has been some of the best outlets that have given way to your success?- The internet for sure and me knowing a lot of peopleDo you think those outlets can still be utilized the same ways today?Of course, it’s even getting better but your relationship with the artist is something a lot of people sleep on but it’s very important What vibe do you get from artists today, and what direction do you see the game going right now?Everybody is trying to sound like someone else that’s hot right now, but I believe the game is heading in a better direction cus the internet has given every artist the power of the major labels, you gotta see yourself as one and start making money For beat makers out there that want to publish their work, how should they determine reasonable pricing for their work? Should they set their prices or wait for a bid? What’s your take?Stop worrying about money, success comes with the money & fame, just focus on making that big hit, as long as u do all the production, publishing houses will come running to you, trust me they know how to find you. Who are your examples of recent independent artists that have hustled on their own, to get in the game?I really like listen 2 a lot of underground stuff, so ill have to sayMeek Millz, reek da villain, chewy, the president, EnJ, Arlis Michaels, Raw Deal, L.A, Laylo, Lady Lawless, Fire Arson, Just Suprano, Slim Dunkin, Rich Kidd What are some of the recent projects we have seen from you?

Lil Wayne-carter iv. Rick Ross and a lot of Maybach music projects. The Outlawz-perfect timing. Mary J. Blige new project, Brick Squaq1017, Gudda Gudda, Rocko and my hommie young buck Who're some of the hottest producers that you have been working with?Drumma boy, lex luger, Cozmo Beats, Cashous Clay, Boy1da, and of course myself" lol Are you open to Indie artists contacting you, and what do you look for, and what do you expect when they want to work with you?Of course, I love working with indie artists but they have a heavy web presence and are ready to give it a 100%How can People get in touchwith you?

Am always by a computerwww.twitter.com/Aonebeatswww.facebook.com/AonebeatsWhat are some of your new goals as a producer?

building my brand, making my companies’ (AONE MUSIC GROUP)'' bigger

Who are some of the top AnR in the game right now? 

My hommie ''spiff tv'', young money fly, Sarah Johnson, DJ folk, Dre` McKenzie, tony g

Chapter 2: Find a Pulse

When someone is unconscious, sick or even injured to find signs of life they look for a pulse. It’s the same thing with a Hustle, you are not looking for your next biggest flip, but the rush you get from it. How does it make you feel? The tool that your hustle becomes essential in improving your quality of life. I have tried several ventures and businesses that didn’t always work. Some had failed, and others had given me a nice little income. One thing I didn’t do, stopped trying to be an entrepreneur and stopped trying to hustle. The next interview is with someone I highly respect their hustle. They have sold everything and worked with a lot of industry people. Even when things have not panned out their way, they continue to grind.

Clock Da Vigga, is one of the most respected hustlers I know in the game and a stand-up person. Clock and I have collaborated on various projects over the years. We first clicked up over the Young Freeway Nation project working with Freeway Rick Ross. Clock can take an idea and motivate a movement behind it. Her follow through is incredible. Outside of working with several music artists. Clock had first created mass attention with her self-directed and produced film series SNBN released in 3 parts. Crime had used her film series to build relationships, gain attention and solidify a name. She now has created her own show series Crime after Crime takes criminology films into a new independent level.

DEFIANCE: Yeah okay, so what’s good Clock? You said that you just got back from Atlanta?

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Yeah, you know handlin’ some Atlanta business because we trying to get down there too or whateva.

DEFIANCE: Okay, well I want first of all say welcome to online interview of imperialhustle.com. Today I have the special honor of being able to speak with the CEO of SNBN entrepreneur and independent business owner Clock Da Vigga the one and only, so tell the people how you’re doing today.

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Ohh Man, I’m doing great now since I’m speaking to yall and I got the pleasure to be in this magazine. I was just so excited, especially when I see the Nappy Roots, cuz I haven’t seen a magazine out now that had the Nappy Roots, you know, I like the Nappy Roots, they different. So it’s definitely an honor to be in this magazine and I respect the grind or whatever and see that you guys are definitely on the grind.

DEFIANCE: No doubt 24/7 you know, but you know about that. I mean if somebody goes ahead and looks you up online or they see your products and you know, they know that you’ve come in contact yourself with a lot of credible artists, musicians, and businesses. I mean why you don’t give us a little run down on how you got started in the industry.

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Well basically, I mean I’ve been doing this since I was young; but getting actually started, I mean hey, I’ve been working with people because I’m originally from Baltimore and I was working with some guys that was a drummer for Dru Hill so I kind of started like that way. Then I moved down South and I got a lot of connections down here and then I put out the big DVD and it was just like after that, it was like nonstop. Like I have different artists on my DVD, a lot of interviews, you know. There’s a lot of things came about with the DVD or whatever.

DEFIANCE: Yeah, because we know you got this Snitch Nigga Bitch Nigga DVD and we know you got the documentary so how did it come about the idea for you to go ahead and work on the DVD, was it just a time came where you felt like a lot of bitch niggaz needed to get exposed?

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Definitely that…I felt like, well, first of all, I wanna give a shout out to the guy that made Stop Snitchin, I liked the movement and he’s from Baltimore too and I liked the movement. Then I had a little situation on myself where I had got snitched on and I was just like man, this just needs to stop like somebody really needs to put people on blast---- like this is just ridiculous ---- like okay, if me and you are doin something together and I get caught and you didn’t that’s my bad. I go ahead and lay myself down, I do my time, I don’t go tell on you, I don’t go tell on your mother, I don’t go tell on your family, I don’t do that and I feel like there’s no loyalty out here no more. Like people will sell they own mother out these days. It’s just like crazy, it’s like ridiculous. So I just say you know what, when I came home, because I got locked up behind it and when I came home it was so funny because I was talking to this girl as soon as I came home or whateva and her friend had a camera and from then on I was like man, everywhere I go, Ima go hard on everybody; every woman, every block. I see whose trippin, ima just go asking and I never thought in a million years I would put it together like I did. But it did a lot of numbers for me. So I’m definitely a stop snitchin movement. I’m not on some – oh, we gonna kill the old lady because she’s telling that people are in her yard; no, I’m not on that, I don’t agree with that at all. What I do agree on is loyalty and handle your business, handle your time, that’s your time. You know when the people come to me and they ask me – this is your crime? Did you do it? That’s my crime. I’m not about to say – oh yeah, resource magazine, they do some all source magazines or my mother she’s selling; I’m not about to that, you know so, I just believe it wasn't any more loyalty in the street and all that is gone so that why I put the DVD out or whatever.

DEFIANCE: Right and you’re absolutely right. There’s a lot of cats that they just don’t know how to stay true to the game no more. They running around you know with these skinny jeans and purple shirts and they just really I mean I don’t know; I just don’t know what the understanding is – the O heads, O pledge, the O macks, people that were lacing the game back in the day, there’s a certain amount of respect and a certain amount of integrity you had to carry yourself with to even be involved in any type of level of the game or people didn’t want to talk to you, you know? So…

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Exactly and that is another case because see a lot of things is going on nowadays. A lot of things you see now you wouldn’t have seen ten years ago what’s going on now and you know I can’t really pinpoint the finger and blame everybody because I will even take the blame for some of the stuff too, you know for some of the stuff that happened.

DEFIANCE: Yea, we all play a part.

CLOCK DA VIGGA: Yea, like you, just said we all play a part but it’s like there’s has to be some type of leadership or there will be a lot of chaos. Somebody really has to say “no this can’t happen”. Like I was honestly thinking about, they really need to start a hip-hop critic show. People really need to own up. A lot of people get on Wacka Flocka but you know one thing I do like about him, he never said he was a no lyricist, he never said he was lyrical, he never – he only… what he was doing was trying to be himself. I never seen anything else in him so at the end of the day if I feel a certain way about him I got to respect what he’s doing and I respect what he does besides somebody else coming out and saying they lyrical and blasé blah and they not ownin up to what they doing. So I honestly you ask me I respect what Wackas doin’. If you can make some money and you’re keeping it a hundred because that’s what hip-hop is, right? You suppose to keep real.

DEFIANCE: Right, keep it a hundred.

CLOCK DA VIGGA: So, he kept it a hundred, he never said I’m the best rapper alive. No, he never said that. He said what he was so…