DJ Akademiks: I Spent $70K On 1 Artist I Signed & Lost All That Money, 90% of Artists Fail (Part 23)

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Part 22: • DJ Akademiks on Wantin...
Part 1: • DJ Akademiks on Helpin...
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In this clip, Mase's contract situation with Fivio Foreign prompts a discussion between DJ Akademiks and DJ Vlad about recording contracts and how certain musicians are better off remaining independent. DJ Akademiks states that artists should "own your sh*t and invest in yourself," while DJ Vlad agrees by adding that artists signed to record labels have a 90% failure rate. As the conversation moves along, DJ Akademiks shares some advice that he once received from a record executive about signing artists before talking about budging for artists and recouping money from investments related to recording artists.

[@cdubb9554]

Vlad quit talking so much! We're not here to hear your stories bruh

[@kingprimes7468]

🤣🤣🤣

[@HelloSheleto2022]

Lmao

[@kennethemenike1597]

Don’t watch then if you don’t like it. It’s his platform! Go watch art of dialogue that always let the interviewee ramble on

[@DoubleR111]

@@kennethemenike1597 thing is we done heard this same shii before

[@user-rq8sf3tk2u]

@@DoubleR111 find me a video where he talks about this topic.

[@samsosa6122]

Bro literally every business is a gamble. You put in money with the hope that it goes well.

[@branflakee4257]

Not true

[@robtaylor1435]

Mcdonalds 😂

[@Brandon-et1ci]

@@branflakee4257 what business isn’t a gamble?

[@christianjames92]

If you know what you're doing and you're buying wholesale or foreclosure properties Real Estate and or investing in your Roth IRA are the biggest sure things out there.

[@ethermac9015]

Yes but some are a higher gamble then others

[@karljones4667]

Vlad talked 70% of this “Interview” shits crazy 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@nathanielhenderson3487]

It was not a interview, thatts the thing, its a conversation directed by Vlad.

[@nathanielhenderson3487]

AK suffers from the same "problem" when they into the conversation they over talk or give a answer to there own question. Nothing wrong with it but its something I picked up on

[@nathanielhenderson3487]

Druski actually pointed it out when his was on AK's pod.

[@almightywalk]

He excited to talk to akademiks 😂

[@check2000]

annoying af

[@kjo2130]

I’m so tired of people crying about their contracts in 2022. READ YOUR DAMN CONTRACT. HIRE A LAWYER

[@Crazyhorseproductions]

Easy for people that don’t know shit about the music industry to say

[@BennoTheTruth]

@@Crazyhorseproductions What does that have to do with anything? Why would you sign a contract without reading it? You stoopid?

[@i.quadmegistus5768]

This should be easy advice at this point. Plenty of rappers been talking about the record biz doing them dirty for at least three decades…

[@Crazyhorseproductions]

@@i.quadmegistus5768 that don’t make the contracts any easier to read or entertainment lawyers cheaper or easier to find , half of which are trying to screw you out of bread just like the big companys

[@fashionlife5348]

Nigga that doesn’t matter if u broke af they gone fuck u over and u desperate to get out the Hood

[@BassiboyTV]

Vlad loves hearing himself talk.

[@blake8767]

Record labels also sign BS artists. Take the time, find and develop REAL talent. Stop being lazy and signing whoever is popular.

[@instatv_2975]

This ‼️‼️

[@krazyaproductions2352]

So true

[@snipes1739]

If they do that , that artist jus gonna be called a industry plant

[@blake8767]

@@snipes1739 not if they’re actually talented

[@profitabundance70707]

You right but to be fair: I don't believe he signed someone whom was already popular because 1st of all most whom are popular wouldn't have signed for $70k and 2nd I believe he signed someone from his fans/supporters and 3th Ak already said it he already knew the info you're talking about hence why he said "Sign anyone, 1 artist will pay for the 9 artist" but he already runs a media company and good business is to stay in your lane and than hire people that are best in their lane to create other assets like a running a music label for example for you (your welcome) and Ak has not got to this point yet to create a music label asset to be ran by someone else. The End.

[@bobbyamos2098]

Vlad is right! All the L's men take on others people's dreams. 🤣

[@steez2916]

then they go and say they got scammed by the people taking a chance on you

[@jamesrobinson7971]

Vlad sounds like he tried to sign Mase 😩

[@MonstrMash123458943]

we always talk about what the artist lose and never what the record label loses

[@matthewjones9237]

-Noone ever. 😂🙏

[@TrePrince]

Cuz most ppl who are into this culture don't fully understand business, including alot of the artists appearantly

[@gq2flyy]

It’s called an investment DONT invest more then your willing to lose

[@FactVsFeelings]

That's because the record label does not lose. Taking damn near 95%+ of someone's intellectual property is just a shitty way of doing business. The labels are just taking advantage of starving artists. Investing in an artist is just like any investment. You take risks and hope that your investment rewards you. Just like any other investment it may take you 10-20+ before 1 becomes profitable. The difference is the label can cut their losses while the artist (intellectual property) remains trapped in these shitty ass contracts

[@ryanhudson4749]

Major Labels literally don't lose money

[@HeywoodJablome]

folks don't realize the music industry makes their stars in purpose. radio plays increase popularity. it costs for radio play. it costs money to produce. it costs money for advertising. labels front the money. theirs other employees that aren't artists that need to get paid as well. its a business, not a charity.

[@MoejiiOsmanTV]

Payola

[@crazymike1706]

To be fair, there have been a lot of artists that have made a name for themselves recently

[@JayJay-gv8sc]

Can you give my big brothers music a listen? I really believe in him. His name is Jordan Jalaxy

[@newthesis9480]

It’s against the law to charge money for radio play. And nobody listens to the radio anymore.

[@PharaohYTC]

@@newthesis9480 this translates to playlisting which generates streams. their point stands.

[@KujahKalade]

"The music industry has like a 90% failure rate. it's one of the worst businesses to be in". - This is why I no longer prioritize my music anymore truthfully.

[@prezogotgame]

You gotta believe in yourself

[@gxthlxvn]

You don’t have to be in the industry to make music do it bc you love music not because it’s money in it.

[@rollingratchet]

Bro, U can always be part of 10% ...If U go hard....🤷‍♂️

[@themillslaneshow]

Most movies flop

[@vowgvisionaries35]

99.9 more like

[@rowdyghost4713]

When he brought up mase, it was an important point. People like him do stuff for you expecting it all back and they word things weird to manipulate. He reels you in with the pastor mase persona and then drowns you with his real self.

[@extraaxtive7113]

Vlad jus gone on & on like he’s the one being interviewed I would wigg out & tell him stfu and let me talk 😂💯

[@kingcs6273]

Not on Tony Yayo interview.

[@burn8175]

No one told Vlad to start a record label 😒

[@keezemojito1278]

Nigga love to hear himself talk lool

[@rashawnglenn535]

Bro lmao who looks at ak and say I’m going to sign with him 🤣🤣🤣🤣That’s goofy

[@ricommg]

@@rayedrama lol facts. Regardless of how Niggas feel about him, he got a huge plate form.

[@ricommg]

*platform

[@ricardop4441]

Are you dumb many rappers first real have been like this

[@rxmvnxcpt4310]

This comment is just ignorant. You clearly a hater

[@jqowens777]

shittttt I would lmao the networking would pay for itself if you hustle everyday

[@NickMintz]

Mase gave Fivio an amazing deal. And Vlad stop bringing up someone name and then say you don't wanna go into details.

[@mrjames851]

Vlad has a platform ... that doesn't mean he should run a label, that means he can be of service to the label. He has the ability to do one aspect of the whole picture, and if you put him at the top, you're not necessarily gonna have success. If anything, he has relationships to where he can find out who to hire

[@DukeSaragono]

Thats why i like the way the climate is now, you dont really need a label anymore like before. With me, i make my own beats, i hire collabs thru Fiverr, I use to shoot my own vidoes, (No camera now) i know how to edit audio and video. the only problem is getting the ppl to stream your content because your not known. so how do we make that happen??? its many ways nowadays from social media, knowing the Right ppl to get you on those known platforms, you kind of have your own platform which is You-Tube to create content ETC.

[@DukeSaragono]

@Vantum Noir Ok thanks i just followed him, ima check out his info

[@PolarisBaBA]

That means you have to try ten times before you succeed.

[@homerdadon6363]

Im gonna start a record label... think I'll run it like Suge and Birdman..... they do all the work, I get all the money 🖤$🖤$🖤

[@jqowens777]

bruh I been thinking this imma recruit some hungry high school and college kids lmao all they need is a focused push

[@DaBro1102]

Make a fake gang and get all the crash outs 😭😭😭😭

[@AboveAverageAvenue]

Lol if only it was that easy..Artist didn't do or pay for advertising, studio time, travel, booking, negotiate the deal, deal with radio DJ's, ..my guess.. being talent is way easier than being apart of the team or manager

[@check2000]

Suge put in mad work and went hard for his artists, don't let the rumors fool ya.

[@teddavis6093]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NoName-cn3cp]

Lol 70k isn't even a lot to create an artist. Record labels spend millions to create a persona and create the illusion of talent lol

[@craig3772]

Facts

[@DwellsSouthern]

95% of artist. Give me an underground rapper any day of the week.

[@NoName-cn3cp]

@@DwellsSouthern probably more like 99% lol

[@tupactargaryen]

Lol, most records labels ain't spending millions to break no new artist. And if they do spend that much, I guarantee you'll be in a 360 deal and you'll never see a dime in your royalties, publishing, or show money.

[@persistentlydriven9390]

Are you in the industry bro ? Have you put up 70k to start a rap career ? Come one man

[@willjamesjr]

This conversation is a masterclass in how to justify predatory executives and intentionally unfair contracts. Lol. It's true that artists should understand what they are signing before they do. It's also true that sometimes labels invest but don't recoup through sales. Sometimes artists are lazy and don't live up to their end of the deal. But most music execs are jusy lazy and unimaginative. The labels have the access to get any artist they want pushed on every streaming app, radio station, KZbin channel, TV commercial and any other placement they want with just the push of a button. The record execs are gate keepers with access to other gate keepers. Many times when artists don't sell or aren't poppin It's because the machine ain't machining. Many artists are just naive enough to think that the same label that signed them to a predatory contract is actually going to move heaven and earth to make them as successful as possible. It takes wisdom and education to realize that most labels actually thrive more by limiting the success of their artists.

[@carlweston4808]

many times they just suck...

[@peterthomson6161]

Ak can recognize someone's talent but he has zero skills in developing that talent. Like everyone else he is looking for a ready to serve artist.

[@check2000]

developing a talent is not an exact science, still a gamble.

[@215Legend]

Lol vlad always talkin heavy. Mase yk what I’m talkin bout 😭😭😭😭

[@ChoppaYoCMB]

3:46 VLAD THIS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. STOP THIS. Love you VLAD (the constant talking over the actual person who should be talking)

[@kriskelley5031]

AK tried to signed McDonalds to a 365 deal…where he get Big Macs all year round fa free..McDonald’s wasn’t goin lol 😂😂😂

[@Plutooo1]

Vlad just be cappin his ass off , Nobody has ever said why doesn’t vlad start a record label lol we don’t even watch his channel for him

[@timoaksproductions]

🎯

[@FrankGallagher-OG]

That’s funny cause everytime it’s a interview that vlads not doing the whole comment section is “I wish vlad did this interview”

[@Plutooo1]

@@FrankGallagher-OG he asks good questions yeah and if we gotta pick between him and the Shirley girl he gon win everytime cause everyone hates her voice and she whack , but we purely not clicking videos for vlad we wanna hear the guest speak

[@damage678]

I don’t know about you, but while I don’t agree with most of Vlad’s opinions but I definitely like his interviews. If someone is on a press run and got a bunch of interview content out, I’m definitely watching the Vlad clips and breakfast club interview first.

[@mrjames851]

this fool thinks he can be a comedian too

[@petermomanyi3335]

2 mins in and AK just seated like a thumbnail as Vlad interviews himself 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@solid.standpoint]

If these artists really believe in their selves they would build their credit and use it on themselves or stack up and save. But there don’t want to take the risk

[@randynjulius2840]

As an artist your NEVER supposed to use your own money. Rule number one.

[@solid.standpoint]

@@randynjulius2840 where? When? U can’t create without tools. That cost. even pen and paper costs. 99% of dudes in sound cloud and KZbin don’t pay to promote. That why they where they at. Artist don’t even wana pay $10 for a beat. We invest in what we believe in

[@hurdyu4146]

@@randynjulius2840 that’s the dumbest thing I heard 😭 if you like being in debt and basically working for someone then do you

[@jerrybandz9164]

Ight I wanna see u with a million dollars and see what’d u do

[@solid.standpoint]

@@jerrybandz9164 thank u. I’m a restaurateur. If I had a mill I’d open up more locations. Gave up on music for myself a while ago but I’ll probably find an artist tho

[@number9210]

Vlad Let AK TALK 😡😡

[@nahbro9735]

Right wtf

[@BamBeezyBayb]

I’m all in.. independent, no quit no retreat

[@JButeOfficial]

Lol Ak: “Ion believe in these nikkas mane” 😂😂

[@greggowaffles]

His hoodie says “Never loose your sense of purpose” so crazy that they didn’t catch that typo before selling it

[@thegenesis6896]

Crazy how many people i see dont even know how to spell lose (opposite of win) and think it is spelled "loose" opposite of tight...I salute you💯 lol

[@mrpopular5049]

@@thegenesis6896 that hoodie cost 200 dollars

[@thegenesis6896]

@@mrpopular5049 and?

[@trevorwilson4030]

Ever heard of a play on words….

[@greggowaffles]

@@trevorwilson4030 please explain…

[@mrlilstrom]

Good background choice Vlad, easy on the eyes while watching.

[@7918476]

That’s why Wayne and Birman tha goats for discovering drake and nicki

[@terrintine2151]

3:44-4:01 HILARIOUS!!! AK can't get a WORD IN!!!HA!!!!!!

[@KijuanJ73]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@purposeandgoals1189]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@teamlows]

Starting a business or investing in people is rough. There’s days where you working for free and crossing your fingers a lot.

[@PointlessPerspective]

I DON’T MIND IF VLAD TALKING THE WHOLE TIME. Dude has stories and I’m here for it! I’d rather hear Vlad than DJ ak.

[@chiefb9173]

Damn lil boom

[@businessbuilder92]

But I thought akademiks dictated the popularity of a person in the rap game these days the way he talks

[@rellyWrotethat]

vlad want that mase interview

[@isaackiros4399]

Ak talking about the Canadian Guy his fraind I forget his name 😂😂😂

[@sencere_2023]

Mase realllyyyyyyy vlaaaaaaddddd u gonna go there n mase slow talk 😂

[@MJTV2]

AK referring to lil Boom? Or someone else

[@toluadebanjo8142]

Not Boom, Boom got his deal with 10k projects

[@kennethemenike1597]

He followed Birdman advice on signing artist but it’s not going well for him

[@demarcuscousins3rdcousin]

Vlad...nobody came to SEE YOU OTIS!!!!

[@foodielifemac]

Record labels lose but they also take advantage. Like misappropriation of artists budgets for personal use

[@Dizzinator2114]

This is why I say the industry is the nba because you making it people like to say oh this person or that person is a plant or industry baby, but when you understand that they can spend millions and no amount of money will make us like the artist or the music you have an appreciation for what artist have been able to accomplish.

[@A_Plush]

Vlad interrupts people worse than a fart during prayer 💀😂

[@RealDealy]

He lost 70k cause he didn’t know what he was doing You could EASILY recoup 70k IF you have a good artist, and promote properly. I saw with my own eyes how labels choose who they promote and don’t. YOU GOTTA HIT THEM STREETS! People were recouping more then that independently in the mid 90’s

[@carlosmeza6126]

If it’s that easy, everyone would do it. You obviously didn’t watch the interview

[@SunniMerlot]

I think ak who’s inside the industry knows a little more than you about this. Ijs

[@Tokollo_]

Hm ....Maybe he didn't....but i think its just common knowledge that not all artists make it .Out of all career paths in the world ,music is the hardest one .

[@RealDealy]

@@SunniMerlot you don’t know who I am And, he’s in the industry as an “artist”, not an executive I used to be behind the scenes, it’s all about promoting

[@RealDealy]

@@carlosmeza6126 it is that easy. These new music people are just lazy and scared of blk people or lack business sense You need to push your music to people who will buy it such as young people, wealthy people, and blk people to solidify your credit Once you do that in your area, then you hit the whole country starting at college radio It’s more but I doubt Akademiks was doing that cause he had other stuff to do

[@zanegutierrez6205]

He ain’t lying

[@freedomwhipz5474]

I need another DJ AKADEMIKS INTERVIEW OR A LIL WAYNE INTERVIEW

[@stefferinoz3987]

Gazi got that Frisco game

[@yourfavoritespoon9958]

Someone needa ID that sweater ak stretching out

[@MichaelOMalley617]

People fail because they don't work hard enough and stay focused

[@smoothcriminal4038]

I have to prepare myself for nothing but lies when Ak talks.

[@hotrecords7579]

Ak and Vlad are totally right

[@Makaveli-to8yl]

Vlad be talkin his ass off g. 😂

[@kingace1904]

DJ AK should of known that 70k he put on lil AK wasn't not going to work at all lol 😂😂💯🎯🎯

[@reubzdeubz]

Big up AK 💎

[@yunglordz5907]

Vlad interviews is pretty much him asking questions and answering himself 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@OutcoldFella]

On tha real I finna work on doin a truck driving high paying job and once I'm put on then once my money is up n building then I'ma start promoting n marketing my music 🎶 and start learning how to make tha Big Bag 💰 Independently 💯

[@persistentlydriven9390]

Solid plan

[@prettykartier]

Vlad … let the guest talk bro 🤣

[@gcr9382]

Part 23. Lol. vlad trying to milk it till it runs dries. Looking forward to part 54. Madness

[@alguwapo21]

Damn he really shitting on Lil Boom casually lmfao

[@littup7322]

i see Vlad's favorite guest is Vlad himself

[@TylerDurden-iw8mk]

DOLPH BEEN TELLIN Y'ALL. LONG LIVE FLIPPA THE BIGGEST

[@ykmg5776]

Big AK looks like Alvin from the chipmunks 🐿 when he grew up and start blogging no cap 🧢

[@reeseromeo6]

Fivio signed a 5 album joint venture deal Vlad. It doesn't expire until the requirements are met or Fivio gets bought out his deal. Smh

[@mask-n-gloves5280]

Damn Ak ssshhhheeeessshhhh!!!!@4:08😬🤯

[@AliFrankTheTank]

DJ Ak could do a Khaled type album 😂😂😂

[@JJRockThatShit]

T-Pain told him to do it not too long ago

[@get2danews925]

Yea he probably could've but his affiliation with 69 kinda fucked him up and then he got in alot of beef with big super stars talking shit

[@JJRockThatShit]

@@get2danews925 Trust me he still can. Don't you remember the verse Bleu sent him like a month ago? The song is done, but Idk why he hasn't released it yet

[@goldenstar_1007]

People don’t know how hard it is to find a 🎶⭐️. Very hard to find one.

[@Daveosbeatz]

I’m guessing mase didn’t show up for the vlad interview lol.. during the time mase was doing interviews and podcast i was waiting for his vlad interview ..Mase found out Vlad himself wasn’t doing the interview and said nah I ain’t coming ..Diddy 2.0 😂😂

[@KingkamEntTV]

its like how the movie studios will invest in 10 movies.. lose money on 9 out of 10 of them, but if one of those movies does great in sales, it pays for all the losses incurred.

[@mrwriter1021]

In business u never get what u deserve… only what u can negotiate & most new artist have zero leverage

[@reddcabbage]

Vlad, just interview yourself.

[@whh3571]

That's crazy Vlad and Cam had the same thing to say about Mase. Must be some validity to it

[@PaytonnManning1503]

Nigga literally talked a whole min before AK was able to talk....

[@bahdnewstv9794]

Vlad on fire

[@bigxavipg]

Thats why i been working on my craft before i start wasting my time tryna get peoples attention is rather my realness speak

[@Lovelifetothemax]

This is Vlad interviewing Glad.

[@johnnyweissmuller5838]

He spent the 70k on Lil AK and flopped

[@mrdavid3350]

Damn ak gone talk 💰😂😂😂

[@terreljonesjr.3277]

Akademiks shoulda got up and let VLAD talk to hisself

[@blackjay3771]

Akademiks and The Dream are Mickey D’s twins. 😂😂😂

[@stereoheartsrnb]

Who did Ak sign?

[@Ricflexer]

3:15 damn vlad let ak speak 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@daviddiaz529]

Ok Vlad we get it. Now let him talk.

[@joedirt3611]

Vlad gon start a record label called *Undercover Fed Entertainment" (UFE) 6ix9ine is gonna be his lead artist

[@g-host4059]

Every investment is a gamble to some degree

[@jegaly300]

Vlad need a vlad interview

[@zz7917]

BRUH VLAD JUST MAKE A PODCAST SINCE U TALK MORE THAN THE GUEST 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@quairan2099]

DJ looks like Nien Nunb from Return Of The Jedi

[@gogetit083]

Bring Yayo back. Vlad just TALKSSS

[@yinka010]

😂😂😂 Aklantic $-70k

[@william3253]

He drops that dig bout mase then change the subject

[@johnblaze659]

I’m thinking about signing to mase for and OTF hoodie

[@nosmoke6556]

I woulda did it for a 4 for 4 at Wendy’s 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@KijuanJ73]

Ak don’t become this type of weirdo

[@MakingTrueMoney]

People in these comments funny asf 😂😂

[@andrewyb830]

ngl Ak should have at least one successful artist under his belt, after all these sound cloud artists he brought to the spotlight