Storied A&R for the now-defunct Jive Records Jeff Sledge recently caught up with Karmaloop TV to talk about his lengthy career in Hip Hop and some of the artists he’s worked with during his 22 year career. Sledge spoke on his start in ’89 at Wild Pitch Records and how touring with Gang Starr eventually led him to his second job at Chrysalis Records.
“The artists that I worked with at that point [while at Wild Pitch] were Gang Starr, Chill Rob G, Main Source, Lord Finesse,” he explained. “Gang Starr left and went to a label called Chrysalis Records, which was a rock that kinda decided to stick its foot in the rap game not because they like it but because it was making paper…Gang Starr and I were really close because we did so much traveling on the road together, and so when they let, they wanted me to go with them.”
Sledge also spoke of his lengthy career as an A&R at the legendary imprint Jive. He explained that what set him apart from other A&Rs at the time was his willingness to learn about the different types of Hip Hop from across the States, which helped give the label such a diverse line-up of artists.
“I did promotions when I first started out…and the difference between me and most of the A&R cats and the promotions cats at the time was that…I always had a real interest in radio,” he explained. “When I would talk to [DJs] while doing promotions, I would always be asking them, ‘What’s going on in your market? Tell me what’s the hottest record is in Cleveland. What’s the dopest shit in Dallas?’ I was always really interested in that. I always had a keen ear for that…so when I switched into A&R [at Jive Records], the thing about Jive is that Jive was different than a label like Def Jam is that most of our artists weren’t from New York. We had Too $hort, who’s form Oakland, we had [E-40], who’s from Oakland, UGK, who’s from the Houston area…I was always able to look at and hear and see these trends [from different areas] because I was always in those cities. I knew about DJ Screw and all that stuff from Pimp C and Bun [B] way before it burst onto the scene with Paul Wall and stuff.”
Check out the full interview below.
This guy has worked with some really fucking lame artists in the past He must be broke. YMCMB are the only ones in the rap game making money. Other dudes making money with size ventures…Dre got headphones, Diddy got Vodka, Ross dealing drugs. None of them can move any music. Fans only wanna hear YMCMB.
Oh and I forgot there’s nothing better than the feeling of drakes nut running down my ass crack OXO!
Dope interview – young cats…grab a pen and take notes and learn your history, not just for the veteran artists but for the behind the scenes players that helped forge the culture.
Nice interview. It was interesting to hear the bit at the end regarding recording costs. I’ve never been privy to information like that and it gave me an appreciation for artists that take the time to master their craft. The list of artists that he worked with makes me wish for days when regions had their own sound and identity. It’s hard to separate, for lack of a better term, a lot of the artists now.
Michael Willis, President and CEO of
Too Loaded Records Inc. & T L R Entertainment
Money Mike Willis
Presents
The Down South Hustler Mix Tape With Videos
Copyright 2013 by Dr. Velma Smith. All rights reserved.
Have you heard that some things are worth waiting for? Well, your wait is over! Money Mike Willis authentic smoking masterpiece The Down South Hustler Mix Tape is here! This all-new exciting project features not one but 17 mind-blowing tracks! You will appreciate this Mix Tape if you want to hear hip hop & R&B at its best with an appeal even for the R&B fans. This project is produced on Too Loaded Records, Inc. by a thoroughbred producer Money Mike Willis. If you love hip hop, rap and R&B genres, this project has your flavor! You will certainly want to make this project a part of your collection.
The vocal quality on this project constructs a full rich sound that is powerful to the core. The musical arrangement on this project has plenty of bite and a rhythmic directness which flows like a river. The Mix Tape is like a 17 chapter musical story that begins and ends well. For example, you start with
Grind Hard, Ya Heard Me, Yoga 101, and Southern Boyz. Just like a good book, it is good from cover to cover. This project is good from one cut to the next. So you pick it up with Dey Scared Of Me Remix, All Night, Drama, B My Girlfriend, Letter to you, Watch Me Lean, Real Niggas Go Ride, and On My Own Even if you want a break — the beat does not take one. It keeps on pouring until the end in Fila, F.A.M.E, and Go to War. What a project!
Down South Hustler Mix Tape Vol. 1
Page Two
Michael Willis is the dynamic and prolific President and CEO of Too Loaded Records Inc. and T L R Entertainment a New Orleans based company. He is the real deal and his release of Down South Hustler Mix Tape Vol. 1 speaks for itself! It is Michaels giving spirit and love for people which enables him to surrender such a magnificent project that is second to none.
He was born May 4, 1974 in the Big Easy New Orleans, Louisiana. His developmental years were painfully challenging. He grew up in a section of New Orleans known as Algiers in the Christopher Holmes Housing Development a/k/a Da Chris. Michaels mother, Barbara Willis, was a single parent of five children. However, when he was a teenager, family life as he knew it changed for the worst. It would never be the same. These changes introduced him to street life earning him a degree from the school of hard knocks. Since he had to fend for himself he quickly became a man. Later, Michael moved with his grandparents, the late James Lee and Dorothy Mae Jackson. Despite it all, he emerged from the experience knowing his purpose was greater than his pain. Thus, he continues to enjoy the comfort of knowing who he is with a name he is proud of.
Michaels educational background exemplifies his musical interests and amazing talent. He attended L. B. Landry and O. Perry Walker High Schools in New Orleans. In 1992, he received his High School Diploma from O. Perry Walker High School even though his heart was at Landry. He was the Drum Major for both schools for two years and he loved it. These early musical and leadership experiences served as an incubator for his current music career.
Too Loaded Records has an impressive repertoire of artists. In fact, Too Loaded Records, Inc. offers a smorgasbord of talented artists namely, Jai Reed, Stellar Music Awards nominee and a Big Easy Award Winner, Missippi, Money Mike Willis, Toez-Pacino, Lil Jinks and Ms. Kim. Most recently, he signed
J-Gunna, Code 6, Pacaso IZ, Kilo, Euricka, Cali-Cal, J-Kidd, Terry-J and Toxic the Director of EMFAM FILMS to his repertoire during the fourth quarter of 2012.
The only component missing from this extraordinary project is you. Remember, the wait is over! Be sure to get your copy of Money Mike Willis Presents The Down South Hustler Mix Tape Vol. 1 today. You will be glad you did!
Online services for Money Mike Willis Presents The Down South Hustler Mix Tape Vol. 1 are available by visiting the following links.
Official Website: http://www.tooloadedrecords.webs.com
Electronic EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/MoneyMikeWillis
Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MoneyMikeWillis or http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-mike-willis.com
For Product Servicing, Interviews and Booking Contact: Bruce Knight 313-207-5786 or bknight1229@yahoo.com