JAZZY D (September 2008) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

Dubcnn recently sat down with manager Jazzy D of Jazzy Management for an exclusive interview.  In this piece, you'll learn some insider tips about the music industry.  Jazzy will tell you what to look for in contracts, why publishing and digital rights are so important to negotiate for, and more.  He also talks about his famous Gangsta Granny skits, that have appeared on WC's albums and various mixtapes over the years.

Jazzy also keeps you updated on the latest news regarding the artists he represents, including Kam, Eastwood, Noni Spitz, and many others.





As always we have both the transcript and the video for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddie@dubcnn.com
 

Interview was done in August 2008.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola
 

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Dubcnn:  We're here with Jazzy D! How are you doing?

Chilin! Workin' hard.

Dubcnn:  Tell us about how you first got into the hip-hop industry...

I began in the early 80s, chilin at a popular spot called the Radio. I meet Ice-T there.  Eventually it became The Radiotron. At The Radiotron, I was the MC and I meet up with a DJ named Tony G, who got my first record deal with Techno Hop Records.

Dubcnn:  You're also famous for your Gangsta Granny skits. How did you come up with that character?

I use to play on the radio - the original 1580 K-Day, the Russ Par aka Bobby Jimmy Show, I would crank call using different voices.  The granny voice would get a lot of feedback from listeners and it just stuck with me.  A couple years later, I did it on WC, from the Westside Connection, albums and on mixtapes with Crazy Toones.

Dubcnn:  So that's actually you performing as Gangsta Granny?

Yes!

Dubcnn:  At what point did you decide to get into management?

I decided to get into management when I saw artists going through some of the experiences I had with misrepresentation.  As an artist, I did not want to have the same experiences, so I began to educate myself about the business.  Then, I began to share this information with other artists on the website westcoastrydaz.com.  I want to send thanks to Nando and Styles for giving me that platform to share that info.

Dubcnn:  What do you feel is missing from artist management in the hip-hop industry today?

I feel like the industry is missing true managers.  Many managers want to outshine the artist. In fact, some managers do not have the knowledge about the business and they don't know how much this can damage the artist’s career.

Dubcnn:  Jazzy Management is home to West Coast artists like Noni Spitz, Clinton Wayne, Fred Knuxx, Mykestro, Eastwood, Kam, Network, Stage, Big Dutch, DJ Ricky Waddas from KJLH Radio, and many more. How did you build such an impressive roster?

Because I’m genuine about the information I share. I go hard for the artist.  My main concern is the artist and what is best for them and their career. We at Jazzy Management fight hard for artists to own his or her own publishing, digital, merchandising, and other benefits to the artist's career.

I'd also like to give a special acknowledgement to Major, who is a huge part of Jazzy Management.  He runs the studio, e-mail blasts, the radio show stuff, and a lot of other day-to-day activities.

Dubcnn:  Briefly, because we know the answer could get complicated, what are the key elements artists or managers should be looking for in a recording contract?

Managers should look for digital income and merchandising, and make sure the artist has the backing from the label to get their music placed in other industries.  These elements will be beneficial to any artist’s career before the artist gets a Soundscan.

Dubcnn:  How important is the arrangement of publishing? Can you tell everyone interested in the music industry some basic points of publishing while recording a song?

Your publishing should be looked upon as a source of retirement.  The more publishing you own, the more money you will make.  Publishing is what generates the cash flow, not the actual singing of the song.

Dubcnn:  What do you feel are the most important elements in being a good manager?

You need to represent your artist in the best light.  As a manager, you should be professional in looks and attitude.  You are not supposed to look like the artist.  You, as the manager, need to remember that this is business.

Dubcnn:  Where do you see Jazzy Management headed towards in the near future?

Bringing true representation to the entertainment industry.  In addition, Jazzy Management is going to broaden their umbrella to encompass actors, athletes, and various individuals in other entertainment fields. Furthermore, we would like to continue and develop our mentoring program, Jazzy’s Save the Youth, and we will begin a consulting firm to educate future managers.

Dubcnn:  Let us know about any other projects your artists are currently pushing...

Fred Knuxx has a project that is huge – "Delafornia."  The project features some of the top West Coast artists, for example G Malone, Crooked I, Bangloose, and Eastwood, and many other artists.

Eastwood has deals on the table that we're in the process of negotiating.

Noni Spitz just signed with an up and coming independent label, Hood Tight Records, and he has a few projects that will be released in the near future.  At the present, he has a mixtape out called "The Heart of the City," which is available on his Myspace.

Clinton Wayne has a hot song called "Baby Mama" that we’re pushing, and a couple of mixtapes that will be released soon.

Kam has The Warzone, which is a project that Snoop Dogg is putting out soon. I’m also working on some TV and movie placements for Kam and some other things.

Network just released his mixtape "Grits & Eggz," and I'm working on a deal for him right now.

Mykestro, Stage, Big Dutch, Will Furious, and Kenny Kingpin have projects that will be out before the end of the year.

As the president of Blu Division, I am working along side G Malone and his brother Pooh to release G Malone’s projects entitled "Monsters Inc.," the "Fuck Glasses Malone" mixtape, "Pride of the Eastside," aka "Hometown Hero," and other hot projects next year.

Dubcnn:  Is there anything else you want to say to everyone reading this?

We would like to invite all DJs to get involved with our Jazzy DJs movement by getting on our email list. This is open to DJs everywhere - East Coast, West Coast, South, Overseas, etc. For information, hit us up at: jazzydjs@gmail.com

We would like for everyone to support the artists I've mentioned.  You can do this by emailing us at jazzymanagement@yahoo.com or go to myspace.com/jazzymanagementinc.

I'd like to give shout outs to Big Lee, Major aka Way2Major, Dice, Hood Tight Records, Firing Squad, Kristina, Silky D - The Real, Red Eye Entertainment - Marco, Hip Hop Circle Magazine - Rodrick, Styles, Karen and Marcy, Raje & Sa’Cha, Sheridan, Big Carl and his wife April, RIP - Ms Battle Cry. 

I wanted to thank my staff.  Without them, Jazzy Management couldn’t be as successful as it is. Shout out to my artist and all those that support Jazzy Management everywhere. Shouts out to my beautiful wife and my children, and please forgive me if I have forgotten anyone. Don't forget to get out and vote November 4th, Barack Obama!