Rico Brooks: Yung Joc's Manager/Block Entertainment

Interview By: Shawn McAllister (The McAllister Law Group)
Southeast Independent Report Magazine (SIR Mag.)

How did you get started in the music industry?

Rico Brooks (R) - Well, my whole thing was after college my mom wasn't going to take care of me anymore. I was thinking of taking a job that summer and going to graduate school. I also loved music, so that summer I just decided to work in a record store. While I was working there I figured out that my calling was working in the music industry. By the end of the summer I was Assistant Manager, and by January of the next year, I had my own store. When I was working at the record store in Atlanta, Block used to come to the store. I started consulting with him and he gave me a position as a Manager at Block Entertainment around 2002-2003.

Today, it seems like major record companies want the artist to be established. Is that something that you have seen?

R - Oh yea, definitely. The labels' artist development can agree that building artists has pretty much gone out the window. Record Labels want to know what is your creative look and what you have done with internet advertising. They want to know how many CD's you have sold and if you have done a couple of indie records. They want to know what is going to separate you from the other artists on their roster. Also, labels are looking for a story. Someone like 50 Cent had a story where he was shot nine (9) times.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work as a manager or any other business position in the music industry?

R - For those who want to be the next Diddy or L.A. Reid, you have to be very passionate about the music industry. You have to have skills and be prepared. You need to be able to present and talk to people. You need to show people that you can put something together and complete it. The music industry can be a shady business, so you have to be prepared and well read about the industry.

Is there any parting advice that you would like to give an up-and-coming artist in the music industry?

R - Enjoy life, set goals or deadlines and have a daily to-do list. I try to return phone calls. Be respectful and courteous of people because you will never know who will be the next person to help you. It is easier to be nice than to be mean to people.

When do you need a Music Manager?

By: B. Brown of BREG Mgt.

If you ask the average aspiring artist if they need a Music Manager, they would probably say yes off the rip. When you ask them why they need a manager, you may get everything under the sun and then some. The reality is that most up and coming artists do not know when to hire a Music Manager.

Here's the scoop! All my artists out there, listen up! You need a Music Manager when you have too many phone calls coming in, too many MySpace messages asking to do business with you, and a lot feature and performance requests. You see, you have to have enough going on to warrant a Music Manager! You have to be able to pay your Music Manager. He or she works for you, not you working for them.

A lot of Artists want a Music Manager because they want he/she to get them a deal and do everything for them. Some Artists want the Music Manager to provide money to them and be their personal chauffer. Some Artists just want to be baby-sitted.

When you are ready to have a Music Manager, usually they will start approaching you and even though some may approach you at a premature time in your career, you may just find a good fit. You should interview candidates and they should definitely interview you as an Artist. Managing your Music Career is a 24 hr. business and a very personal relationship in most cases. Take your time, don't rush things, and continue to develop your craft and then poof, a Music Manager will appear. At that time, you decide if it is time for a manager and who do you pick as your Music Manager!!!

One Love!

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