signing

Jermaine Dupri Reflects On Him & Jay-Z Trying To Sign 2 Chainz & His Shocking Response

by

Jermaine Dupri recently told a remarkable star about how he and Jay-Z tried to sign 2 Chainz and his surprising response. Moreover, the multi-hyphenate artist spoke on his experience with I Am Athlete and spoke about how Chainz’s response affected him. Perhaps that isn’t the right word, but the fact that he refused to sign with him and Hov as a teen left Dupri quite surprised. Furthermore, the Georgia MC told Dupri something that he hasn’t seen much since then. However, he also spoke on how it could’ve been a missed opportunity, considering Jermaine’s success at helping other young artists break through.

“I tried to sign 2 Chainz one day,” the Asheville, North Carolina-born entrepreneur began. “It’s crazy because me and Jay-Z– I was in Jay-Z’s office one day. I call 2 Chainz, I’m like ‘Yo, me and Hov wanna sign you.’ He was like- he said, ‘OG, respectfully, it’s a young man’s game.’ And I said… ‘You do know who you’re talking to, right?’ So when somebody say that to me, I’m trying to find out where they got that from. Because the only two successful teenage n***as to ever come out in hip-hop came from me. Bow Wow came ten years after Kris Kross, and he was the same age. He was 12. When I put them out, they was 11 and 12.”

Jermaine Dupri Shocked By 2 Chainz Refusing To Sign With Jay-Z

Still, his comments aren’t necessarily unfounded, as he went on to detail how instrumental he was to Bow Wow and Kris Kross’s come up. “I brought that energy to Hip-Hop,” he expressed. “There has never been anybody younger than Kris Kross and Bow Wow, that sold more records than Kris’s Kross and Bow Wow. There was no ‘lil’s’ before Bow Wow.” Also, he spoke on how his idea for BET’s popular music video countdown series 106 & Park helped Bow Wow succeed.

“106 & Park was created by me,” he remarked. “I went to Stephen Hill at BET and told him, ‘Listen. MTV has a TV show called TRL. They let the Backstreet Boys, and N’SYNC, and all these boys come on there and that’s they[‘re] show. I said ‘Yo, we need this in Black music.’ He ain’t know what Bow Wow was gonna be. We put out ‘Bounce With Me’ and they created 106 & Park. “That’s why I named Bow Wow ‘Mr. 106 & Park,’ because I created the show. I basically told them ‘You gotta do this.’” For more hip-hop stories from Jermaine Dupri and more leaders, stick around on HNHH for the latest revelations.

DJ Khaled Reveals He Signed To Def Jam During Press Conference

by

DJ Khaled recently announced a partnership with Def Jam Records and We The Best Music Group during a press conference. Not only that, but his announcement came days after he performed at the Grammys, which nominated him in multiple categories. His album GOD DID received a nomination for Best Rap Album. Also, its title track almost won for Best Rap Song and Song of the Year. Moreover, the We The Best mogul expressed gratitude for his friendships and opportunities as he made his announcement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) DJ Khaled performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

“That’s what’s so good about having great friendships,” the artist expressed. “It’s that we have a great friendship, it’s forever. But now, today, it’s 2023. Like LeBron James when he had his press conference, when he said he’s bringing his talents to Miami. What was it, South Beach or something like that? Well, I’m bringing my talents, and We The Best, and DJ Khaled to Def Jam Records. So it’s We The Best, Def Jam, and Cavalry dropping this music group, which I’m very excited [about]. Not only that, but shoutout to Sir Lucian Grainge for, you know, also giving me a major role in the Universal Music Group as a Global Creative- what do you call it? Consultant, yeah, you know what I’m saying? A Global Creative Consultant. I love that I’m going to be able to do that besides putting out my albums.”

Furthermore, the “I’m The One” industry titan elaborated on his excitement for this new step. “We’re going to be signing artists and we’re actually looking for some new A&Rs to add to the team. We’re going to be doing a lot of big things at We The Best and Def Jam. What I like also about this whole creative consultant thing is that I’m going to be able to touch the whole Universal Music Group. Not just in music, but in marketing, film, TV, just anything dealing with creating.”

Meanwhile, Khaled recently appeared in some pictures with Tyler, the Creator, seemingly squashing their publicized issues. While Khaled boasted about all the great things he’ll get to do very soon, come back to HNHH to see which endeavors he’ll gift to the music world.

DJ Premier Details His Role In Kanye West Signing Travis Scott

by

DJ Premier reflected on the role he played in Travis Scott landing a deal with Kanye West during a new interview with Pitchfork. The legendary producer explained that he was childhood friends with Scott’s father while growing up in Houston.

Premier says Scott once attempted to get him to sign him while visiting his parents’ house.

“He was trying to get me to sign him at a time when the music he was making just wasn’t in my lane. He came to my parents’ house and sat with me, back when Nokia flip phones were a thing,” Premier recalled.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) DJ Premier visits SiriusXM Studios on November 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bonnie Biess/Getty Images)

While he wasn’t feeling Scott’s music, he did think it’d be a good match for Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Scott eventually signed to the label in 2012.

“He was sneaking pictures and his aunt is telling him to stop taking pictures,” he continued. “I was like, ‘You know what? Kanye might be into what you’re doing right now.’ I called to co-sign him, like ‘Yo, he’s got something.’ Next thing you know, he’s signing with Ye.”

As for Premier’s relationship with Scott’s father, he discussed their friendship during an interview on the Rap Radar Podcast in 2017.

“Travis Scott’s dad was one of my OGs when I was a kid in Texas,” he said at the time. “His father put me on, you know, I used to ride minibikes and I was into motorcycles real heavy and dirt bikes. His father taught me how to ride. Shout to Jacques, and shout to his brother Travis.”

Premier’s discussion with Pitchfork comes after the release of his latest EP, Hip Hop 50, Vol. 1. For the project, he teamed up with Nas, Lil Wayne, Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, Slick Rick, Remy Ma, and Rapsody.

[Via]