Bri'Son Ent EXCLUSIVE - Interview with Marlon "Big Cat" Rowe
Sunday, April 22, 2007
, Posted by DJ Plan.B at 4/22/2007 07:00:00 PM
Hailing from Queens, NY, Marlon “Big Cat” Rowe comes from Jamaican heritage. Like many of us, he credits his mother as his inspiration, who “always told me to do something positive.” Big Cat knew that music was his “way out [of] the streets.” In 1999, he formed Big Cat Records, now the home of recording artists Maceo, Rasheeda and Gucci Mane. Bri’Son Ent spoke with Big Cat to discuss his recent release from prison, his business sense, and the artists on his roster, including the soon-to-be-newest addition, rapper Khia (“My Neck, My Back,” also featured on Janet Jackson’s “So Excited”)!
What would you say is the thing you are most proud of to date with Big Cat Records?
Well we were the first independent label to sell over 300,000 units. I am very proud of that.
Big Cat, how does it feel to be a free man after serving a prison sentence and what advice would you give to anyone that ends up facing your type of situation?
It’s good to be free; prison ain’t the place for nobody. Anyone who has been in my situation should get focused and stay focused and realize that there is something better than prison out there for them.
With the success of Gucci Mane, Rasheeda, and Maceo, what would you say is the biggest factor that contributes to there success, be it ambition, preparation or whatever?
Work ethic. They gotta be able to get out there and grind and work hard. Anyone who works with us has to be ready to work.
Congratulations on brokering a 7 figure deal for Gucci Mane. Many believe that the situation with him and Jeezy was an act of jealousy, because Gucci is the better artist. Do you agree?
Well, Def Jam wanted a song and I knew we had a hit (“Icy”). I didn’t wanna let it go! Jeezy came to re-do “Icy” and an argument started. Egos and all that. Gucci Mane went to jail for 6 months and if he was out we could have sold more units than if he was locked up cause he could have been there to promote.
What would you say behind the scenes, is the hardest part of the day to day maintenance of a record label?
I make retail calls, radio calls. I do everything. I like to have my hand in everything. I like to be independent. Majors give a little up front money but I like to be in control of what is going on.
What does the future hold for Big Cat Records?
We have new music coming from Maceo, Young Snead, Black Magic and we are about to sign Khia…
KHIA? Really?
Yeah I knew Khia before I went to prison. Hopefully, she’ll be signed before the end of the week.
We also have an independent movie coming out, called the Trap House. “Ox” from BELLY is in it (Louie Ranking).
What would you say is the FIRST thing young entrepreneurs should do when starting a label?
First, get a HIT RECORD. They puttin’ billboards up and passing out flyers and paying for space in magazines. Get the hit record 1st, then work the streets. Make the streets accept your music.
How did Gucci go about getting signed?
Well, Gucci kept stressin’ about how he wanted to go to a major. As long as I make my money and the numbers are right, I say let’s do it. He liked the deal Atlantic had on the table. I am still gonna make monies on Gucci’s albums.
We’re that machine that wants to bring new artists to that next level. Bring them from zero to 100.
Now we’re negotiating as Atlantic wants to get behind Gucci’s new singles “Freaky Gurl” and “Pillz,”…we’re probably gonna shoot videos for both songs.
When did you first know you had a talent for scouting artists?
I don’t know, it’s just a gift.
Any last words?
There’s enough $ in the industry to go around, you feel me?
What would you say is the thing you are most proud of to date with Big Cat Records?
Well we were the first independent label to sell over 300,000 units. I am very proud of that.
Big Cat, how does it feel to be a free man after serving a prison sentence and what advice would you give to anyone that ends up facing your type of situation?
It’s good to be free; prison ain’t the place for nobody. Anyone who has been in my situation should get focused and stay focused and realize that there is something better than prison out there for them.
With the success of Gucci Mane, Rasheeda, and Maceo, what would you say is the biggest factor that contributes to there success, be it ambition, preparation or whatever?
Work ethic. They gotta be able to get out there and grind and work hard. Anyone who works with us has to be ready to work.
Congratulations on brokering a 7 figure deal for Gucci Mane. Many believe that the situation with him and Jeezy was an act of jealousy, because Gucci is the better artist. Do you agree?
Well, Def Jam wanted a song and I knew we had a hit (“Icy”). I didn’t wanna let it go! Jeezy came to re-do “Icy” and an argument started. Egos and all that. Gucci Mane went to jail for 6 months and if he was out we could have sold more units than if he was locked up cause he could have been there to promote.
What would you say behind the scenes, is the hardest part of the day to day maintenance of a record label?
I make retail calls, radio calls. I do everything. I like to have my hand in everything. I like to be independent. Majors give a little up front money but I like to be in control of what is going on.
What does the future hold for Big Cat Records?
We have new music coming from Maceo, Young Snead, Black Magic and we are about to sign Khia…
KHIA? Really?
Yeah I knew Khia before I went to prison. Hopefully, she’ll be signed before the end of the week.
We also have an independent movie coming out, called the Trap House. “Ox” from BELLY is in it (Louie Ranking).
What would you say is the FIRST thing young entrepreneurs should do when starting a label?
First, get a HIT RECORD. They puttin’ billboards up and passing out flyers and paying for space in magazines. Get the hit record 1st, then work the streets. Make the streets accept your music.
How did Gucci go about getting signed?
Well, Gucci kept stressin’ about how he wanted to go to a major. As long as I make my money and the numbers are right, I say let’s do it. He liked the deal Atlantic had on the table. I am still gonna make monies on Gucci’s albums.
We’re that machine that wants to bring new artists to that next level. Bring them from zero to 100.
Now we’re negotiating as Atlantic wants to get behind Gucci’s new singles “Freaky Gurl” and “Pillz,”…we’re probably gonna shoot videos for both songs.
When did you first know you had a talent for scouting artists?
I don’t know, it’s just a gift.
Any last words?
There’s enough $ in the industry to go around, you feel me?
