CLASSIC - Ozone Magazine

Tell us about the unique situation you’re inright now with your record label.After this single “Crazy” I’m a free agent. I’mnegotiating with labels as we speak. If anyonewants a sweet digital single deal I suggest yougo through The Orchard.Why did you decide to use this avenue this goaround?It’s an avenue for me to continue to sell. “Crazy”is at 250,000 sold on iTunes. With The Boatlift Ionly sold 100,000 in stores because TVT wentbankrupt, but I sold 1.2 million digitally. So I’mnot new to the digital game. iTunes and all thephone carriers make money one way or theother. They help you market and get your radioup. I always had a team in place, so when thecompany gives me money, I give it to the teamand do our thing. But for a record like “Crazy”without a major selling 250,000 in 5 weeks ispretty fucking amazing.You mentioned that you are in negotiationwith major labels. What is attractive aboutthem to you right now?I’ve never been looked at as a big boy in thegame even though I’ve been doing big boynumbers. It’s always been an independentgrind for me, but now, I get to plug into themachine. I’m not looking for an artist exclusivedeal, and I’m going to cut a 360 deal either. I’mcutting a different deal because I bring my ownfanbase, a diverse fanbase.Speaking of which, tell us a little bit aboutyour new social networking site.PlanetPit.com is a place where I can keep upwith the fans. Everyday I’m putting up newthings to keep people updated, entertainedand educated. I got someone who can handlethe shit on the daily and I tell them what I wanton there. Personally, I’m computer illiterate.You have a television show now as well right?Yes. La Esquina. It means “the corner” in Spanish.It’s 2 weeks in and it’s the number one showon Mun2. That network went from 6 to 24 millionviewers in one year, might I add. We touchon what’s hot in society and twist it and make itfunny with a message in it.Back when you came on the scene around2003, what were some of your goals?My goals have always been that by 30 I wouldhave my own company, ownership, living onan island, and to establish myself in the musicgame with my own lane. I’m the only one whois bilingual who has been able to tap dancethrough all different cultures. I have my owncompany, Mr. 305 Inc., where I have my artistsCornbread, Sincero, and Young Boss who isalready signed to Universal Republic. So noneof this should come as any surprise. It was allpart of the plan. I want to have longevity likeCelia Cruz who can still do shows and get love,but I also want to be an entrepreneur like Gloriaand Emilio [Estefan]. That’s how I want mycareer to be.At what point would you say you took yourdestiny in your own hands, career-wise?I took my destiny in my own hands when I wason Luke Records. Luke is the blueprint; he soldmillions on his own. When I got to TVT I formedalliances with everyone in the building. Theseartists walk into these offices like their shit don’tstink and think these people are gonna wantto work for them. But Mr. Gottlieb tied [theemployees’] hands behind their back and saidhe wouldn’t pay them if they kept fucking withme. At that point me and Team Pitbull wentout on our own. That’s what it’s all about. Whenthese artists go out on tour, they gotta pick upbusiness cards. It’s all about networking. That’sthe only way you survive.You’ve recorded political songs speaking onthe situation in Cuba, but you’re more knownfor party tracks. Why do you think peoplewould rather hear those types of songs?I put out “American War,” a very political song,which is on YouTube right now. But to turn onthe TV and see all the negativity, people wantto go to the club and escape. I make all typesof music, but that’s the kind of music I have tocontinue to put out to survive. I cater to my fansin order to be catered to, and now it’s my turnto give them what I want to give them. The classicalbum that I never got a chance to do, a fullspectrum of music. Not just dope, the streets,or political shit, I’m gonna be talking abouteverything they’ve been seeing. I thank God Iwasn’t plugged all the way in early because Igot a good perspective on things now.The rest of this interview is featured in OZONEMagazine’s November issue.OZONE MAG // 19