Artist Managers...the makers of greatness

My name is Cloe Luv, owner of Brook Brovaz. Brook Brovaz is broken down into three companies, Brook Brovaz Music, the Production Company, Brook Brovaz Corp, which is the label, and Brook Brovaz studios, which is the Recording studio. I play the manager role for all three, I manage the engineers getting them placements and work, I manage the producers and song writers getting them placements and sales and last but not least the artist. I have been a manager for the last two years and it has been an amazing experience. There are ups and downs, but these are all apart of the learning process. Here are some tips that I had to learn the hard way. First talent without discipline and ambition equals failure. I have that one heart breaker that I think every manager will experience, that one whose talent keeps you going even when all the warning signs are up. For privacy I will refer to this signer as Quev. Quev has one of the most unique voices of this time; his mixture of Jazz and R&B combined with his modern style of writing was enough to have me jump in head first with his career.  So here are the things that have to be considered before doing something so drastic, what has this person accomplished on their own already. Not necessarily Grammy awards or mainstream radio play, but the smaller things that have to be done before getting to those stages. Has your artist signed up with one of the Pros, have they invested in their career (studio time, production etc.), what research have they conducted on their own to help their career? These are just a few of many things to consider when making the chose of taking on a client.  Sad to say I did not consider these things first, I was stricken by the talent that stood in front of me, I now know talent isn’t enough; not even close. Quev could not stay out of trouble, be a product of the streets, he was in gangs, in and out of jail and even landed in the mental institution. He would come to the studio drunk, trying to record slurring; he would become aggressive and argumentative when he was confronted with these issues. Finally enough was enough and I had to let him go, he begged for another chance, but I had no more chances to give, giving two others already. The problem with these situations isn’t just the time and money invested…but the emotions that are hard to shake. The mental fight of what if…that what if can drive you crazy so I advise all upcoming managers to screen your clients first let them prove to you why you should manage them. Currently I have 5 artist, the first act Coola has a single out I’m Gucci, produced by my music production company. Coola is talented one of the best in out time, with the potential of becoming one of the best of all time, but he did not allow that to make him lazy (resting on his talent), rude or ungrateful. He tells me all the time how lucky he is to have me but I got lucky with this one. Check out the single and stay tuned for the album, also music from MAK, Ihni Shara, Montana Sparks and D. Harris.

Cloe Luv Peace and Luv

Two Timing Artist

We all hear stories about managers that two time their clients, but what about the clients that two time their managers. Debra Antney known artist manager in the hip-hop community, with names under her belt like Waka Flocka (her son), Nikka Manaj,Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, French Montana, and Lex Luger, among many other high-profile acts. She is currently suing her client French Montana for claiming he made several lucrative concert deals behind her back.  She is suing for $50,000 that is her 20% fee that she was cheated out of.

LMFAO was sued by their former managers for 7 million dollars. The group consist of, uncle and nephew Stefan ‘Redfoo’ Gordy and Skyler ‘SkyBlu’ Gordy, have been sued by bosses at personal management company RPM GRP, who claim the band signed a deal with them in 2008 but later ditched the contract and hired two of the firm’s former employees to manage them instead.

Other big names like Taylor Swift and Ke$ha have also faced lawsuits by their managers. DAS Communications requested $14 million in damages after they were fired from Pop star Ke$ha. According the papers filed she made great amount of money in a very short period of time due to DAS efforts.

Taylor Swift’s former manager also sued country singer for millions of dollars, arguing she owes commissions from a contract she signed with him in 2004, according to RollingStone.com. In July 2005, Swift’s father Scott fired Dan Dymtrow and the singer signed with record label Big Machine. Dymtrow claims he was fired because Swift’s family didn’t want to pay his commission after he helped the singer’s music career take off.

 This is more common then most people think. It is important as artist managers to make sure that your have signed contract with any artist you invest time and money in. The artist and the manager generally begin on good note. In most cases, the manager will find an opportunity or negotiate a deal that will set the stage for success. The probabilities are low, but if the song reacts with the public and finds it self on top 40 radios, the artist is set to make several million from publishing and performances.  Managers are generally paid a percentage of the band’s income, often 15% to 20%. More recently managers are being offered salaried contracts instead of percentages, this way an artist can pay a manger half the money for the same amount of work. There are many different types of contracts so make sure your contract list every detail of your agreement.