Tribes of aspiring Midwestern mic-controllers and producers hit up hip-hop industrialist Sean “P.Diddy” Combs for a break with a record deal Saturday during the WGCI Music Seminar in downtown Chicago’s North Loop district. But the Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group founder and CEO had some not-too-sympathetic words for those hoping that his empire would recruit their talent out front their back yards.
During the question and answer session of the conference’s hip-hop panel at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Combs advised those expecting his music label to scout out their talent that they’ll minimize opportunities for positioning themselves for success in the rap game if they don’t make the trek out to his New York City offices for a deal.
“We’ve got it [out in New York City],” Combs said, responding to the concerns of an aspiring hip-hop musician who reported that he and his colleagues lacked institutional support for their scene in the Midwest and the finances for investing heavily in pursuing a recording deal out in New York City or Los Angeles. “We don’t care about you not having it where you’re at. To get it, you have to get there. If I had to, I’d walk to get there if I didn’t have a car. Nobody is feeling sorry for you not having the resources.”
Mays reported that The Source is expanding its “Unsigned Hype” column by establishing an “Unsigned Hype” television show and regional and national “Unsigned Hype” MC and DJ competitions. After cutting back on its Web site’s editorial staff and television programming, The Source recently received a $17 million infusion of bankrolling from Black Enterprise magazine’s holding company. Before that break, Mays’ media and entertainment empire was up for sale at $100 million in the face of mounting debt that included overdue American Express credit card charges in the neighborhood of $7 million.
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Later during the WGCI Music Seminar’s luncheon, Def Jam founder and chairman Russell Simmons and music recording group’s president Kevin Liles delivered the keynote address.
