America's Top Player

Chapter 33 Apocalypse
Even though he had been prepared to be tricked, Li Ang was still shocked when Phil told him about his plan to set up a label.

It's a bold plan.

And this old scum was extremely shameless and put his own name in it as well.

But it's a really good idea, and JAY-Z and Dre started doing this in the 90s.

At the beginning, no one could have imagined that they could develop their label into the industry giant it is today.

The so-called label is actually not essentially different from a record company. In a sense, Universal Music, Warner Music and Sony Columbia can also be called labels, giant labels.

If you have to make a distinction, a record company is more like a super garment factory that produces both priest robes and underwear.

A brand is more like a production line in a factory, producing only a single type of product.

For this reason, most music labels have a strong personal touch from their founders and generally focus on a single type of music.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to set up personal labels in this industry. Singers with a certain degree of fame will set up their own labels. Among the more successful ones is the rapper Lil Wayne, who is known as a genius.

The Young Money label he founded has launched a number of notable superstars, including Nicki Minaj and Tyga, and he has made a fortune from it.

Li Ang carefully weighed the pros and cons in his mind, and suddenly something occurred to him: "You forgot that I still have a contract with ROC Records. I'm afraid JAY-Z is not very willing to see me start my own label."

Phil shook his head: "I think JAY-Z should not bother with these things. You are just setting up your own label, not signing yourself to it."

"I even think JAY-Z is happy to see this happen. DJ Khaled also founded his own label and sold it to JAY-Z after making it big."

"That shameless fat guy made a fortune from this."

When Phil said this, his eyes were about to spit sparks.

Li Ang thought about it carefully. Although he felt something was a little strange, this explanation was reasonable.

JAY-Z's business empire has expanded to all walks of life. The record company is just one part of his business empire. It is impossible for him to focus all his energy on the music market.

If the singers under his management set up their own labels and became very successful, it would save JAY-Z the effort of discovering new talents himself.

Just buy the label as a whole. The thing that the richest man on the East Coast has the most is money.

Seeing that Leon was somewhat tempted, Phil immediately stepped up his pressure and continued to induce him: "Don't hesitate, this will be the best decision you have ever made in your life!"

Even though Leon knew that Phil persuaded him to set up a label largely out of selfish motives, so that he could bear the cost of Cardi B's first album.

If Cardi B fails, Phil will not lose anything. If she takes off, then as her agent he will make money without doing anything.

But in the end, Leon decided to take a big gamble. "Take Me to Church" is still selling well, and a steady stream of money will continue to flow into his pocket.

He could certainly afford to start his own label, as long as the production quality could reach the level of T-ray Black Panther Records.

The recording studio was directly borrowed from Phil's office and modified, and some professional recording equipment in decent condition was bought from the second-hand market.

All that's left is to set aside a large sum of money and spend it on printing and promotion.
"I'm very interested in this matter."

"Great! Leave all the paperwork to me. No one is more familiar with the process than me!" Phil was so excited that he couldn't even hold his glass steady. "Tomorrow I'll go to the New York City Tax Department to complete the company registration procedures. It will take some time."

"By the way, I'll go to the Recording Industry Association of America to register this new company."

Seeing Phil even more excited than himself, Leon shook his head helplessly. Although this old scumbag was a bit anthropomorphic in his behavior, his business ability was indeed impeccable.

He immediately poured a bucket of cold water on Phil and said in a deep voice, "I will remember your free help. You are truly a great friend."

Phil's smile died when he heard this. "What? Free help?"

"So what else? Setting up my own label would cost me a fortune, bastard. Even with the recent sales of 'Take Me to Church,' it would still be a lot of money."

"But."

"Don't be so butsy, remember I'm doing you a favor! If you use this shoddy equipment to let Cardi B release a record as some ridiculous independent artist, she might actually shoot your ox."

Phil was speechless after being rebuked by Leon. He stood there for a long time before gritting his teeth and saying, "This is my idea. Even if it's just for friendship, you should give me some shares. Just a little bit will be enough."

Friendship?

Leon laughed out loud. Hearing this word from the old scumbag was as ridiculous as hearing that all Indians died of disease.

He is not one of those "simple-minded" Nicos from the ghetto who releases records to people without even understanding the contract.

"Rockefeller discovered oil in the soil. If you gave him the idea of starting an oil company, would he give you his Standard Oil shares?"

"Don't be too greedy. You've gotten enough from me. I can set up another agency anytime I want. I think Cardi B will be happy to leave you right away."

"You have to understand that your share of the damn brokerage profits is also entirely dependent on my generosity."

Phil, who has been deeply involved in the record industry for more than 20 years, was immediately confused by Leon's combination of punches. Only then did he realize what kind of person this young man he had discovered was.

Greedy, cunning, ruthless and heartless.
Even shameless.

However, if one wants to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry, a world of fame and fortune full of money, all these bad qualities will become advantages!
Phil had no choice but to surrender to Leon, but it was not completely without gain after all.

As long as this label can grow bigger and stronger, Leon and Cardi B's value will also rise, and Phil, as their agent, can still reap these benefits.

"Well, I have to say you're even greedier than a lot of the record company executives I know, those old foxes."

"I took that as a compliment."

"As I said before, just leave the paperwork to me. What are you planning to name this label?"

Li Ang was stunned for a moment. Since it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, he had not thought about this problem yet.

Phil continued: "The name of a music label is very important, just like Lil Wayne's Young Money and Dre's Aftermath."

"It can greatly influence whether the audience will buy into the artists under this label."

Li Ang lit a cigarette and thought for a while. "Street Coconut Crisp" has been his nickname since his debut, and it has been well accepted by fans. However, he thought it was not appropriate to use his personal label directly on the label.

Coconut crisps, suffering, torture, atonement.
After the cigarette burned out, Leon's eyes swept across the room and finally fell on the cross on Phil's chest.

Apocalypse

"Let's just call him Apocalypse."

(End of this chapter)