Mista Ian - The new album is called "The State of Tennessee V.S. Mista Ian" we're dropping that in January, after that, it's gonna be one Mix-tape per month. You can checkout all my albums at www.Mistaian.com.
#2: Lauren - Wow, that's a lot of music. Now most people know you're from Memphis, but what area of town are you from? Where did you grow up?
Mista Ian - I grew up in North Memphis. We lived on Kney St. and then we moved in a cove on Crockett St. but then later my momma got a little better job and we got a house in Frayser.
#3 : Lauren - You started out throwing parties I remember, how did that translate to the music scene?
Mista Ian - Yeah I did. When I was 17 I was already putting a thousand plus people inside of a club. Boogaloo was my DJ before he was on the radio. But I had been recording since the 3rd or 4th grade. So I started connecting with a lot of industry people through my promotions.
#4 : Lauren - So did you sign with a label after that?
Mista Ian - I signed 2 single deals but I avoided a lot of sticky paperworks. That was because my first actual record deal, I had to take the label to civil court to get free.
#5 : Lauren - How would you say the industry has changed from then to now?
Mista Ian - Most rappers these days are signed to "360 deals" with little or no money up front but they go on the radio and tell you they got a million dollars
(LAUGHS)
#6 : Lauren - What is a "360 deals"? Explain that for me.
Mista Ian - Just about every rapper you see on BET or MTV is signed to one of those deals, it's standard these days. The 360 deal takes all of an artist's digital sales which is how music is bought these days. That's ringtones, ring-backs, singles and albums sold online or through Itunes. It takes away the artist's ability to develop or endorse a product without the label. It also entitles the label to a percentage of the show money.
#7 : Lauren - Well, why would rappers say they got that money if it wasn't true?
Mista Ian - The rap game has a big ego. Rappers don't want you to know their in that type of deal, but if you do your research you'll find they all are. They figure if they show the people some nice cars, they can fool you into believing they have millions. And that will help them sell records.
#8 : Lauren - So what would you say to a kid who says they want to be a rapper?
Mista Ian - I would tell them, a successful rapper is a good businessman. Learn to make money off of other things than rap. But use your name, your music, and your image to do that.
#9 : Lauren - So if the record labels take all of that away from Artists, why sign that type of contract?
Mista Ian - Because they want to be on BET and MTV and the labels along with Viacom control the networks. They believe that will increase their show money and most times it will. But they sacrifice the real money in the process.
#10 : Lauren - So you're saying the rappers from Memphis and Atlanta are also signed to these type of deals?
Mista Ian - Don't take my word for it, do your research. All of them are. They're living off of show money only.
#11 : Lauren - So what happens to them when the show money stops?
Mista Ian - Then they stop, because they haven't developed any other revenue streams. And by that time they can't because the label controls their name, likeness and any product endorsements.
#12 : Lauren - But what about the million dollars they got up front?
Mista Ian - There is no million up front, don't forget this is the entertainment. The rapper needs to maintain the baller image to keep the people's attention. Labels aren't giving artists that type of money in this economy.
#13 : Lauren - So how have you managed to stay afloat and thrive in this type of climate?
Mista Ian - Well, I was blessed to make some smart investments. And I developed other revenue streams including my own online store which connects to my First Tennessee accounts (LAUGHS)
#14 : Lauren - There's been a big buzz about the " Fake Dope Stories" song, 20 thousands downloads in 2 days, what's that all about?
Mista Ian - Well a lot of rappers talk about selling drugs in songs and they haven't done it themselves. I mean they might have sold a little something, but claiming they sold kilo's of cocaine when they've never had a misdemeanor drug charge, that's crazy!
#15 : Lauren - So in their songs they lie about selling drugs because that's the image they want?
Mista Ian - Yes and Memphis is not that big of a city. I mean you can ask around and find out if someone has really done what they say they have.
#16 : Lauren - How do you think the kids view all this talk about drugs in songs?
Mista Ian - They believe it, and they think this guy has really done that. But if you sold that much dope, then you had to sell it to someone right? Someone from the neighborhood would be able to say,' yeah, I brought that from him before." The hood would be able to verify that.
#17 : Lauren - So basically they lie in their songs to make money?
Mista Ian - Exactly, and once they have a few people going, then they try to build on that. Don't get me wrong, there's good money in fooling people. But that's just not me. My life is too real for that.
#18 : Lauren - I see, so what's next for Mista Ian?
Mista Ian - I've got a reality show coming on T.V. next year. We've got a movie we're shooting now. I'm launching my new label and also the best cellphone watch we've came up with, yet it's a smartphone in a watch.
#19 : Lauren - Wow that's a lot , how do you manage it all and still have a personal life?
Mista Ian - (LAUGHS) Now that's the hard part. But I have supporting and understanding people around me. Everyone will get a chance to see what's going on when the reality show airs. They'll meet Tia, my fiance' also (LAUGHS)
#20 : Lauren - What would you say the key to your success has been? How do you make it all work?
Mista Ian - God Lauren, GOD. Keeping him first.
Lauren : Well that about covers it Mista Ian (LAUGHS) Thank you and I hope someone who reads this learns something that will help them.Or maybe it'll inspire someone to get their thing going.
Mista Ian : I hope so, Love Memphis!
