Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
May 2006 Good Talent Newspaper/ Midwest idol maker
Good Talent : You are pretty well known in the Chicago hip hop circuit, but for those who don't know who you are introduce yourself.
Tycoon Da Hustla : I’m Tycoon, Chi-towns "# 1 stunna" I came up in the rap game
trying to make a name for myself and my label Racketeer Records Llc.
I am one of the most consistent rappers from Chicago, for 3 years I've been on my grind. I credit most of my street success to the fans, there emails and phone calls keep me in rotation on local radio. ( POWER 92.3 fm, B96.3, 107.5 WGCI )
Good Talent : How did you get started?
In 2001 my best friend was murdered, that changed my whole out look on life.
I did everything in my power to stop hustlin, and get out the streets for good.
So in 2002 myself & younger brother Erk started our independent record label
Racketeer Records. The reason for the name Racketeer Records came from its meaning. Loosely translated it means making money illegally, that's what goes on in the streets. I wanted to use a name that people considered negative, but make it into something positive (similar to my life,which went from ''negative to positive'' ). Its 2006 were a LEGIT tax paying record company, with 10 artist in development, 2 music videos and a street buzz, that only hard work and dedication can bring you.
Good Talent : How difficult was it trying to get established in Hip Hop being from Chicago?
Tycoon Da Hustla : I don’t think being from Chicago makes it hard at all because of the break through artist like Shawnna, Twista & of course Kanye West. Because of the success of these artist , now the whole world knows Chicago exist in this rap game. Furthermore we've got A & Rs combing the city for new talent, guess who's one of the names on top of the pile? That's right Tycoon.
Good Talent : What was the first rap song you ever heard?
Tycoon Da Hustla : I smoke to much to remember the first song, but i remember one of my favorite first songs. ''Self Destruction'' , ''I'm Bad'' , ''Rappers Delight"
Good Talent : You have had major "talk about" signing on with a major label?
Tycoon Da Hustla : You can get in the major system and make some serious money if you sign the right type of deal when you enter. I still feel like independent money is good and I still can and do get that money, but the reason why the major thing wasn’t on the radar before was because of the types of situations that were being offered. When I would tell people what I thought was fair they would say the industry is not designed like that and I feel like the majors design it, so it works highly in their favor. I can see the way they are looking at it if I put myself in their shoes and see how much money they invest into projects, but why sign a deal that is not gonna benefit you the way that you want. When you sign that first contract a lot of times that is your only shot… so you gotta make sure that you are 99 percent comfortable with what you are signing.
Good Talent : What are some of the obstacles that you have run into? ( being independent and not signed with a major label?)
Tycoon Da Hustla: Majors spend a lot of money on everything. If it doesn’t work they write it off as a loss so when tax time comes around they don’t mess with it again. When you are independent, your product that you are push-in’ is your only chance of survival, so you can't just be giving’ up like that and loosing faith if it doesn't work the first time. Majors have hundreds of people in the streets working to make something happen and when you are independent, you are your biggest and best employee and have to do most of the stuff yourself. I ve came close to signing deals, but either the terms aren't right or that up front money isn't enough. I ve adapted this philosophy over the years ''I can do bad by my self ''. Most artist sign contracts,just to get quick money or to say there on a major label. Once the moneys gone or your project has been pushed back indefinitely, you then realize you made a mistake.
Good Talent: Are You On Myspace.com?
Tycoon Da Hustla: Yes, MYSPACE.COM/ RACKETEER RECORDS CHICAGO
MYSPACE.COM/ 50CENT FEAT TYCOON DA HUSTLA
Also I'm currently giving away free downloads & ringtones at
BANDSPACE.COM/BLACKHOLLYWOOD
Good Talent : Any New Projects For Tycoon?
Tycoon Da Hustla:
Coming soon from the Rack....
July 06' Erks Hot New Debut Album '' NEW KIDD ON DA BLOCC'' (with the hot new single burning up radio '' NONE OF THAT'' feat. ERK ,TYCOON, BOSKO
Oct 06' Tycoons New Debut Album '' SELF MADE'' ( with the hot new radio single
''IN MY ROOM'' feat REESE G. from 3 pc.
Right now were selling a lot of units of ''BLACK HOLLYWOOD''
That's my mixtape hosted by Dj Hollywood. (volume 2.0 of the ''BLACK HOLLYWOOD
will be hosted & produced by new in house beatmaker DIRTY SOC.
Good Talent: Who is featured on the album?
Tycoon Da Hustla: I have a lotta features on the album, Erk, Maestro - Good Talent Newspaper
Discography
1). ALBUM: RAGS 2 RICHES RELEASED( 2003)
RADIO SINGLE : ''LIVIN IT UP'' FEAT. MAESTRO
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: TRE THE CHOCKLIT JOCK
BOOLU'S 5 0CLOCK MIX
2). ALBUM: "LIFE & TIMES OF A HUSTLER" ( 2004)
RADIO SINGLE: CANT STOP FEAT. BIGGIE SMALLS
PLAYED ON : 92.3 FM B96.3 FM
PLAYED BY: BOOLU MASTER , CHIBLIZZ,
DJ SPEED(B96 10 O'CLOCK MIXTAPE)
3). ALBUM: BLACK HOLLWOOD (2006)
RADIO SINGLE: ON & ON
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: TRE THE CHOCKLIT JOCK/ CHI BLIZZ
4) ALBUM NAME: BLACK HOLLYWOOD (2006)
RADIO SINGLE: ''POP DAT THANG''
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: TRE THE CHOCKLIT JOCK/ CHI BLIZZ
5) ALBUM NAME: BLACK HOLLYWOOD (2006)
RADIO SINGLE: CHECK ON IT (REMIX) FEAT. ERK & BEYONCE
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: TRE THE CHOCKLIT JOCK/ CHI BLIZZ
THE HOT BOYZ TONE & SHAG
6) ALBUM NAME: BLACK HOLLYWOOD (2006)
RADIO SINGLE:NONE OF THAT
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: TRE THE CHOCKLIT JOCK/ CHI BLIZZ
THE HOT BOYZ TONE & SHAG
7).) ALBUM NAME: BLACK HOLLYWOOD (2006)
RADIO SINGLE:IN MY ROOM FEAT. 3PC.
PLAYED ON: 92.3FM
PLAYED BY: / CHI BLIZZ / CICAGO POWER HOUR
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
No matter what is being supplied, a hustler is only as good as his product. With Chicago serving up some of the hottest product in the rap game, native son Tycoon Da Hustla stands as one of the most exciting up and coming artist to emerge in years. Thanks to underground classics like "lean on the cash" and "when u see me," Tycoons street swagger and authentic style has quickly made believers out of some the biggest haters in the city. In his native Chicago, and throughout the midwest, Tycoon has created nothing short of a movement. Now the world will get to find out what insiders have been buzzing about when his Racketeer Records debut, SELF MADE TYCOON drops this summer.
Like many hustlers on the mic, rapping wasn't in Tycoons original game plan. As CEO of Racketeer Records , Tycoon was content to stack his paper from the background.
"Before music I was just trying to feed myself and stay afloat. I worked with other artists, some local cats off the street, but it didn't work out," explains the thirty year old Chicago native. "So I just decided to do it myself. Dont nobody want it as bad as you want it for your self. Im always looking at the bigger picture. I have a business mentality plus my father taught me to get money, im a hustler by blood.."
Having lost many things in his life-- , friends and money Tycoon had a sense of urgency about his music. So he hit the mixtape circuit with plans never to look back. With over 10,000 mixtapes and over 10,000 Black Hollywood DVD's sold in the streets, it wasnt long before the phone started ringing with offers.
"Basically, I'm a real hustla so I can relate to the business aspect of the music industry," Tycoon says of his street buzz. " I don't just do music for the clubs, I do music for the streets. I do music for entry level hustlas , the kids who ain't neva had nothin. I'm trying to show theres a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this dope game."
What sets Tycoons music apart is his ability to bring color and flash to a story that has been told so many times before. He's a true digital age artist who doesn't need 16 bars to develop a picture in your head. When he snaps off a verse the image is simple enough for everyone to feel it instantly.
"I keep it real with myself. Just believing in what I can do. When you have goals it gives a people something to be motivated about," he says. "We hustled out the same hotel room at one time. With the same goals. My success helps motivate them. Letting you know where I'm from and what I've done so you can get something out of it."
The streets responded by snatching up his mixtapes by the trunkload. But now that he has fans on the hook, Tycoon is ready to reel them in slow with this full length cd.
"I did the mixtape run, but on mixtapes you can't really give people you," he reasons. " I think people will really relate to the album.
Songs like the revealing "My People" show Tycoon relating to the everyday struggle of the under privilage, guaranteeing them of a better day coming their way. "A lot of people kept me encouraged when I was moments away from givin up on myself," he says. "There encouragement ,thats why I'm here now."
Setting the backdrop for his reality are producers like Dirty Sock - who's "Lean on the cash" has the streets in a frenzy for his first single. "My Video" - the second single with the hot video is a must see. This single is guaranteed to make every female in the club run for the dance floor. Tycoon is destined to be a success, and hes also determined to stay independent.
"My whole thing is I want to let hustlers know theres more to life ,than death and incarceration," he concludes. "Niggas listen to niggas who rap. I just wanna feed the streets, a success story to glorify."
Links
