Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella records, the label that launched the careers of Hip Hop’s biggest stars, including Jay Z and Kanye West, has new musical endeavors with his label. One of its new releases is “Love and Rockets,” the new project from underground Hip Hop favorite Murs. In this interview, Dash answers some questions about his previous ventures, as well as thoughts and a bit of advice about the music industry.
Tell me about how you first secured your distribution deal with Priority so many years ago?
Even back then, I wasn’t really that big on signing a record deal. I’ve been independent. I was big on being my own boss. So, we identified a distribution deal where they just press up the record and put them in the stores and we pay them for it; which is the same kind of deal I have right now.
Is EMI distributing your label?
I go with EMI sometimes. I go with Def Jam sometimes.
About a year ago there was news that you were releasing product under Roc-A-Fella. How did that pan out?
Curren$y wanted to put his record out under Roc-A-Fella, so I said, “go ahead, I don’t care.” So we distributed through Def Jam, who bought Roc-A-Fella, and that’s what it was. Not really a big deal.
What’s your game plan or strategy to take over the reins of Hip Hop again?
I’m not trying to take over the reins. People come at me, and they’re creative and I give them a platform to showcase their point of view on things. That’s really all it is. Hip Hop, I did that when I was younger, and I just like music. When I like a person and they have a point of view in music or art or movies or fashion, I kind of facilitate that.
What do you think about the current state of Hip Hop?
I don’t’ really think about it too much. All I know is that the people that I kind of helped get in position, ten years later, they affect the world in a big way. And, that’s all I care about really, not the economy of overall Hip Hop, just the people that I deal with.
If you had to give somebody getting in advice what would it be?
Don’t sign a 360 deal. Be patient. A paper bag full of money is usually temporary. Believe in yourself. Believe in your future, and be patient.
From the new Murs release “Love and Rockets” on BluRoc:
