During an interview with The Breakfast Club today (February 4), Epic Records executive L.A. Reid delved into his recent signing of Rick Ross and why it’s not concerning that the Boss’ album sales have slid consistently in recent years.
“I think great people are always one hit away from having massive success,” he said in response to DJ Envy’s question. Reid was part of the team to initially signed Ross to Def Jam records in 2006. While his debut album, Port Of Miami is considered a Hip Hop classic by many, his most recent Def Jam release, Black Market sold only 34,000 copies in its first week. “[Rick Ross’] stay [at Def Jam] had run its course,” Reid said. He then emphasizes the importance of supporting the culture and ensuring legacy artists that have had a significant impact always have a label home.
“I’m supportive of the culture,” Reid said. “I like to think of myself as not a fair weather friend, but as a real friend and a person that’s really committed to your career. It doesn’t matter to me. Even if it isn’t massive success, do these artists deserve a home? I look at it this way: The Rolling Stones don’t have to look for a recording contract. Bruce Springsteen doesn’t have to look for a contract and he’s been in the business for how many years, right. So I don’t want any black talent to wonder ‘Why don’t I have a home?’ Barbra Streisand still has a home. Does she still sell like that? Not sure that she does or doesn’t. That’s not my business. The point is, she has a home. She’s taken care of. It’s my job to take care of artists.
“I had Ronald Isley signed from the Isley Brothers,” he continues. “He made his first record in 1959. I had him signed even while he was incarcerated. I kept him signed and took care of his family. I’m not saying that because I want an award or a trophy. The point is, he’s Ronald Isley. He’s the Isley Brothers. Jimi Hendrix was his guitar player. Elton John was his piano player. He’s royalty. I want to take care of that.”
Reid was also asked his thoughts on the TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool which premiered on VH1 in 2013. The movie was critical of TLC’s former manager Pebbles who was previously married to L.A. Reid.
“I didn’t watch it,” he said. “I have children. My ex-wife was portrayed in the movie. I didn’t watch it, but I knew my children were not happy about it. If I have to make a choice, I’m gonna side with my family.”
Rick Ross signed to Epic Records on January 15, 2016. For more information on Rozay, view the DX Daily below:
yeah unless your bobby shmurda lol they its fair weather
LOL that fat fraud is 40 years old he couldnt achieve massive success when all his peers were doing it and he wont be doing it now. His last 3 albums aint have 1 hit combined.
Kenwack didn’t even go weak platinum with his last album.
Bcuz Kendrick is GARBAGE . Rozay got Heat
FUCK OFFICER RICKY….he’s a pas correctional officer rapping about how he’s the BIGGEST drug dealer in Miami…. 50 cent should’ve wasted this nigga…
Man stfu!!!! Stop acting like you knew this before he lied. You FUCKING trollers need to die. Get off 50 dick you hating ass disgrace!
Hahahahaha really LA Reid fat boy CO Ross needs a home he needs to be honest and not talk bout selling dope and being a fraud taking another mans ID in Ricky Ross.. And u compared him to Bruce Springstein and Barabra Striesand u kiddin me Ross shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as them. Good luck w this Fraud his career been over .
Trying to wife that stripper was the nail in ross’ career. He got hot by association hanging round weezy at his peak. That ego driven gangsta rap is dying out commercially. To be fair he survived a lot longer than i thought he would when he got exposed lying about his past.
White Dx staff is hoping Gangsta rap stop selling with these fake comments . We know it’s you . You have a Hiphop sight only to secretly Hate Black People . White Dx Devil’s
DX has more minorities on staff than any other Hip Hop label. But we’re still not mad at lackluster trolls. You’ll get your reps in eventually. You’ll get better. Thank you for the comment and reading the article.
Still aint put out a plat album. Ross is trashcan
1st album platinum already.
Hiphop is the most popular music in the world . WHITE DX STAFF EAT A PILE OF ELEPHANT SHlT .
You alright, sir? Having a bad day? We’re here if you need an ear.
Ok I feel u. But rick ross ain’t and will never be in the same league as any of the people u just named. He don’t even go gold or halfway gold. He is not legendary. No hit can change that. Eight albums.. some of them decent, but they all sound the same to me
port of miami platinum tho.
They do not all sound the same. Each album has a different feel. you can hate Ross for being overweight or a CO but you cant clown dudes music!!!!!
Fuck LA Reid! He didn’t resign HOV as ceo at Def Jam but signs this piece of shit?
Ross brought a lot of heat in his day. I was actually surprised Black Market was that good. His biggest mistake was flooding the market with his music, same mistake Weezy made and Future is making. At some point people are going to get tired of the same subject matter from the same person in 200 tracks a year. If you are a good music, don’t be so insecure. Kanye releases a 10 track album every 2 years and he does okay. Still Ross a great artist in my book.
Rick ross makes great music hate it or love it, with an exception for the one super hood ignorant shit he drops, his beat selection and rhymes have been on point.
How the f*ck can you name Ross in the same sentence as Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Ronald Isley ????
Why isn’t he signing Big Daddy Kane, KRS-1, Rakim, Masta Ace or De La Soul ??? People that really contributed to the culture ????
Great comment. Wish we could get this answered.
you must be white because you have no clue what you are talking about smh, Rick Ross has dominated airways since he came out, and has been one of the South’s biggest stars for years. Started a label giving more young black artist an opportunity to be heard and to tell their stories through their music. None of the people you named started a label and helped younger artist get on