Backstage

by Turner, Nikki

• ISBN13: 9780345504296
• ISBN10: 0345504291
• Edition: Original
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2009-09-29
• Publisher: One World

Summary

Turner, a "New York Times"-bestselling author and hip-hop aficionado, has selected four authors to join her in the latest installment of the Street Chronicles series.

Author Biography

Nikki Turner is the author of the New York Times bestseller Black Widow, the #1 Essence bestseller Forever a Hustler’s Wife, and the Essence bestsellers A Hustler’s Wife, The Glamorous Life, and Riding Dirty on I-95. The first two books in the Nikki Turner Presents line were published in 2008 by One World/Ballantine Books.

Excerpts

Introduction 


THE DAY I SIGNED . . .  

When Nikki asked me to write the intro to this book I was a little reluctant. These stories hit home for me because I know what it’s like to be in the unforgiving world of the music and entertainment business. At first I attempted to write a short story to add to the book, but with the intense preparations for the release of my debut novel,Numbers,time slipped away from me. But Nikki and I felt it was my duty to provide some insight into my thoughts as a young aspiring rap artist. In essence, take you backstage. 

I vividly remember the day–more than twenty years ago–I signed my first recording contract. It was summer in the mid- 1980s. I was barely out of my teens when I went to the lawyer’s office to put my John Hancock on the recording agreement with an independent record label that was as they put it “taking a chance with rap music.” No, I do not remember the lawyer’s name; in fact, he wasn’t my lawyer. He represented the man (we’ll just call him “Sir”) who procured the record deal opportunity for me. I didn’t know much of anything about the music business at that time except for what Sir had taught me, and that was virtually nothing for the most part. I probably could have learned more about the business if I’d done my research and/or if Sir knew more about the music business, but I didn’t and he didn’t. Or maybe he did and provided me with as much information as he wanted me to have. There are some people in this business who want artists to have only limited knowledge in order to take advantage of them. Even worse, they may not be very knowledgeable themselves and perpetuate ignorance. 

The day I signed my recording contract, I was young and naïve and without a doubt eager to make a record. I didn’t understand the price of fame, I didn’t know much about double- talk, and I surely didn’t understand the pitfalls of the music game. All I did know for sure was that I wanted to put out a record, I wanted to hear myself on the radio, and I had my own distinct flow. My naïveté led me to believe that when people said, “Trust me,” they really meant,Don’t worry; I’ve got your back.I found out later that “Trust me” in this business of music means,I’m going to try to exploit you for all you’re worth and give you as little as possible in return. It also meant,As long as you don’t know, I can take advantage of you. The mind- set was “You’re the artist. You’ve got us around to take care of the business aspect of your career. You just take care of the creative side.” 

“Hey”–I can still hear their voices in my ear–“we wouldn’t lead you wrong, Dana, we’re in this together . . .trust me.” “Is this a good contract?” I inquired. There were no negotiations; the lawyer and Sir had me believe it was this contract or nothing (which might have been true). They explained that this was the standard contract (remember youngins: There is no such thing as a standard contract). The lawyer went over the contract with me briefly. It took all of ten minutes. Of course, after the very short 600 seconds, I still didn’t understand the magnitude of the paperwork I was about to sign. But it wasn’t too hard to convince me to sign since I was unaware of the value of my name, likeness, and music. 

I could never have imagined that after that day my career would be such a crazy roller- coaster ri

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Excerpted from Backstage by Nikki Turner
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