Elisa talks with Brian Shafton (CEO/Founder of RBC Records), one of the most influential people in #soul / #hiphop.
Brian candidly gives insights and observations about the music business, information any indie artist who is serious about "Making it" in the entertainment business should know.
About Brian Shafton & RBC records:
*** RBC was in the Source Power 30 which identifies the 30 most influential hip hop people/entities; Brian has been instrumental in 50+ records going gold or platinum (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Master P, Geto Boyz, Jay-Z, Westside Connection, Mos Def, Nelly, NWA, Ice T, DJ Quik, E-40, 8 Ball & MJG Ice Cube, Scarface, just to name a few); more than 12 # 1 albums on the Top 200; and RBC have had multiple # 1 independent records.
RBC acts as a virtual label securing distribution & financing for the hottest independent urban labels, acting as General Manager, creating and executing budgets, hiring various independent agents (publicity, radio, video, etc..) to enact marketing and promotional plans; and ultimately creating an independent label’s entire infrastructure. These independent labels include Strange Music (Tech N9ne), Mad Science (DJ Quik), Sick Wid It & Heavy on the Grind (E-40), Trill (Webbie and Lil Boosie), Dangerous (Too Short), Hidden Beach (Jill Scott), Pookie Entertainment (Raphael Saadiq), NREG (Nappy Roots), West Coast Mafia (C-BO), Contango Records (Mr. Cheeks), Psycho+Logical Records (Necro), and MSC Entertainment (Mark Cerami). and many more.
Furthermore, RBC has its own in house label representing Krayzie Bone, Canibus, Layzie Bone, Pac Div, Dirt Nasty, the Rangers, and many more. Brian runs the day to day business for RBC Records, which is wholly owned by RBC.
Brian's work at RBC Records includes:
**signing talent, marketing and promoting artists, releasing commercial physical, digital, and mobile products.
** Consulting as the head of sales for Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle label, Wendy Day’s independent releases (Hard Knox, Powerhouse, etc…), Do or Die.
** Sales, distribution, and marketing for Superstar artists ancillary lines such as Lil Jon’s “Crunk Juice”, Nelly’s “Pimp Juice” and clothing lines, Snoop Dogg’s clothing line, Master P’s merchandising.
HISTORY (Brian Shafton)
** After graduating UCLA in 1989, Shafton started his music career in the finance division at CEMA where they dominated the charts with acts, such as MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Garth Brooks, Wilson Phillips, and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
**Subsequently, Shafton left the major label in favor of the cutting edge Priority Records who would ultimately be the home to Dr. Dre, N.W.A., Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Master P, Westside Connection, Mos Def, Geto Boys, Jay-Z, and a host of who’s who in the rap game. Priority would ultimately blossom at $300 million per year in revenue. During his tenure at Priority, Shafton attended night school to get his MBA and refine his business skills. He used these to help propel him to VP of Sales and Distribution at Priority.
***The next move was entrepreneurial as Shafton opened shop as RBC Records.
