“I don’t chase money; I chase opportunity” is the motto of music manager Daniel “Bird” Desir. The 31-year-old Jamaica Queens native runs the business arm of Internet Money Records and is also the founder of Timeless Music Entertainment, a company he founded in 2014 to specifically handle artists and producers.

“Money runs out, but opportunity can put you in a much better position to build your empire,” Zoe said about his decision to represent artists in the music industry. “What I like most about being a music executive is the ability to help change someone’s life, whether that is through getting them signed to a major label recording deal, publishing deal, and or management situation.“

Dubbed “Big Business Bird,“ Birdman Zoe started his career in 2011 after he met Brick Squad artist Frenchie, which led to Zoe traveling across the country and being exposed to good but often unrepresented talent. While new to the industry, Zoe decided to rectify the situation by offering to help artists who needed it. Starting as Road Manager, Zoe eventually took on the career of Frenchie and Mike WiLL Made It affiliate, Yung Joey (aka F1Jo).

In 2015, he co-discovered a group, 821, whose song, “Lobby,” became a hit online and led to the group being invited by 50 Cent invited to perform live at the season two Power premiere. Zoe is also credited with assisting U.K. producer Menace, who contributed to the massive hit “Panda” by Desiigner, to obtain his publishing rights to the hit.

“I know I’m not the best manager in the world, but I’m the hardest working,” Zoe says. But his past accomplishments are just that, in the past which has Zoe setting his sights on dominating 2020 and beyond. Currently managing producers Taz Taylor, Nick Mira, and Ricky Racks along with his TME roster—which also includes Internet Money—NO1, Dorante, Lil Reek, Baby Jayy and longtime act F1Jo—Zoe is definitely on his way to make TME a force to be reckoned with.

“My goals for 2020 are to sign more artists and producers and build my company Timeless Music Entertainment into a bigger household name then it already is,” Zoe said. “Five years from now I see rap music as the biggest thing ever, as of right now we are finally getting somewhat of the props and recognitions we have deserved for this genre. Rap music is undeniable, cultivated and shifts how people all over the world view and live their lives.”

Follow Birdman Zoe via and Twitter and Instagram and check out the latest release from his TME imprint below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B53V26FFI6h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The post Birdman Zoe Explains Why Artist Management is More Than a Hustle appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A$AP Mob’s A$AP Ant teams up with Brick Squad’s Joey Fatts to bring you the bouncy new track “12345.” Produced by Leken Taylor, the track definitely has a lot of bump to it. No clue to where this one will end up but look out for the Percs & Lean mixtape, Ant is dropping with Tootie Ro later on this year.

The post New Music: A$AP Ant Feat. Joey Fatts – “12345” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“I heard Chicago got the highest murder rate,” announced Brick Squad’s Young Joey midway through Waka Flocka’s set on Sunday at the Chi-town stop of his Triple F Life tour. “How many real niggas in here tonight?”

A smattering of hesitant cheers scattered through the Congress Theater crowd, which showed up in healthy numbers thanks to the absence of any age restriction. (No hats, though.) Joey’s low-key poignant, if not awkwardly worded, murder rate line quickly segued into the song “Real Niggaz,” and the concert jumped back into its regularly scheduled programming of thumping beats, manic energy, and, of course, good humor.

Entry was extra tight – pat downs and bag checks for all – in light of the city’s widely publicized problem with gang violence as well as Congress’s multiple security scandals this year. The cops insisted the show stop at 9:30, Waka’s road manager G-Boy told me, as they have done to hip-hop concerts at Congress and other Chicago venues as of late.

The theater’s neon-clad security spent most of their time plodding humorlessly through the crowd, sniffing for weed smoke and removing girls from their boyfriends’ shoulders. Multiple times throughout his set, Waka would interrupt the music to rightfully scold their overenthusiasm. “Ain’t no fighting in the crowd. We good, man,” he said. “Let’s turn this shit into a party.”

Welcome back to Chicago.
Thank you.

I heard y’all already had some problems so far. What’s going on?
I ain’t have no problems.

They’re not shutting it down early?
I guess.

Why is that?
Not due to me, due to the behaviors of the city. That don’t got nothin’ to do with me.

But you’ve been here a bunch of times in the past year.
Yeah, they always shutting it down.

What keeps you coming back then?
Love it. It’s the Chi, man, what you mean? That’s a stupid question! The people, the love, the energy – that shit’s just undeniable.

One of your artists is from Chicago.
Bo Deal.

How did you link up with him and Chief Keef for the “Murda” record?
I met Bo Deal like five years ago, before I was even rapping – he was cool as hell anyway – in Chicago, on the road with Gucci, doing shows, like bump into him in the club. So ever since then, we been cool. I have a relationship for like five, four years going strong. Chief Keef, everybody quote-unquote says, “He sound like Waka.” I’m like, “Whatever, let me see who this guy is.” And he’s just cool as hell. He’s just a kid that need direction, that’s it.

Do you think you and Chief Keef do have similar sounds?
I can’t single Chief Keef out. You can single a lot of people out. Everybody got some Waka Flocka sounds.

The whole drill scene. Do you listen to any of it?
Hell yeah. Love it. I listen to the drill sound, the trap music – that shit hard. Shout out to my boy Diplo. He cool as fuck, man. Diplo a real motherfucker.

Do you see [trap music] coming from the same sort of sound – like you and Gucci and Lex and the whole thing – or is it something different? Is it hip-hop even to begin with?
Honestly, I’m not hip-hop. I’m punk rap; I feel like I got punk rap. I feel like I’m in my own genre. Me, Machine Gun Kelly, a couple other people – we punk rap. So I don’t give a fuck about what they talking about.

What about Odd Future?
Punk rap. That shit hard! All that punk rap, it’s just different forms of it.

What is punk rap? How would you define it?
Loud bass, distorted, just I-don’t-give-a-fuck type music. It get no better than that.

Are y’all still about to do a mixtape together, you and Tyler?
Yup. How you know?

I got my sources.
Our schedules is crazy as shit, though. We got a couple of records. Sounded good.

Who’s making the beats?
Tyler and SouthSide.

I know you fuck with Chief Keef and them, [but] he can’t even come in the city right now. He stays out in California, supposedly, ‘cause it’s just not safe for him here.
Damn.

Do you have any advice for him?
My advice is – he’s doing the right thing, staying out the fire, understanding the madness that he created. ‘Cause the problem always start from the person that they say got a problem. You created it, like, you cooked it first. And they just stirred the ingredients.

So he needs to get out the kitchen for a little bit.
Yeah, get out the kitchen.

Gucci new mixtape came out this week. What’s your favorite Gucci mixtape?
My favorite Gucci mixtape? Chicken Talk.

Isn’t that right around when you first met Gucci?
Yup.

The whole thing with Jeezy flared up again this week, and you came into Gucci’s life right around the time when it was first going on. Do you remember what that situation was like back then?
It’s the same as it is today. Regular. It was nothing to it.

You remember when he was recording those records, like “745”?
Yup. Hell yeah, he was going hard, too. That shit was hard, man, it was, like, Gucci just developing. The way his words was getting clearer. Shit, I was admiring him, man, just to catch it firsthand. I guess by me watching that, it make it a little more easier for me when I do today.

Does witnessing this whole Jeezy/Gucci problem – as a rapper this time around – does it feel different? Do you have a different perspective?
Nah, I got the same perspective. Everybody should know my perspective: Gucci’s Brick Squad, I’m Brick Squad. There’s no answer, like, you got your answer to that. You know how that go.

What’s your favorite Flocka mixtape?
My favorite Flocka mixtape? I’ll say Lebron Flocka James 2. That’s when I developed into my new style, or I don’t know. That shit, I just love that mixtape. Probably because I got injured, coming back, all this shit. Yup. I’ll say Lebron Flocka James.

Are you working on new ad-libs always?
Hell yeah. Dropped Salute Me or Shoot Me, Volume 4. I’m working, though. I’m ‘bout to get ready to drop DuFlocka Rant, Part 2. Real soon. Probably as soon as I get off tour.

Last subject: we gotta talk about your Instagram.
Ay, man.

Why is that people are always fighting like shit in your comments?
I don’t know, bruh. I swear to Jesus Christ, bruh, I’m tryna find out why. I could post a picture of, Have a nice day. “Fuck you!” “Fuck you!” That shit just be crazy.

A friend of mine said you called her out in the comments section.
Hell yeah, I’m known for that. Can’t let nobody just downplay me and I’m gonna watch that shit.

You take pictures with the fans all the time. How does one become one of Waka Flocka’s #NewFriends?
I don’t know, man. I flick through it, see it. “That look like a cool ass friend.” You just gotta look like a cool ass friend.

Any advice to a young, up-and-coming rapper, Waka Flocka?
My advice to a young, up-and-coming rapper is: dreams come true; you can survive hard times; keep pushing; do not change; don’t try to be another rapper that somebody implied that you sound like or remind them of; always know what got you to where you at; you always gotta just keep hustling; and strive for the best.

photos by Matt McDonald

for outtakes from this shoot, visit our Tumblr

The post Photos & Interview: Though the Block Is Hot, Waka Flocka Flame Lights Up Chicago appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Gearing up for the release of next month’s Trap God mixtape, Gucci Mane has released the visuals for “Bussin’ Juugs.” Though Gucci is known for his love of yellow (see: Lemonade), this video features him rocking a lot of red. When you bust jugs, that’s the color you see? There’s also a Waka Flocka Flame cameo, just for kicks.

The post Video: Gucci Mane — “Bussin’ Juugs” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Waka Flocka may not be the first person you’d think of when it comes to lyrics that need decoding, but that didn’t stop Life+Times from getting the story behind his biggest hit to date. Flocka talks about the events that led to him hitting the studio that night to record “O Let’s Do It.” Personally, I’d rather hear Diddy talk about penning his verse to the remix. All I touch is J. Los.

The post Video: Waka Flocka Decodes “O Let’s Do It” Lyrics appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ever wonder what kind of music would be whipped up if Bricckk Squuaddd and White Girl Mob came together? If photos of Gucci Mane and Kreayshawn’s controversial sidekick V-Nasty weren’t enough of a teaser, here’s a confirmation that their collaborative album is on its way. BAYTL will be the first piece of work from the partnership between Vice Music and Warner Bros. The Bay Area/ATL connection will be the first of its kind, so take note of a tracklist that includes guest appearances from Mistah F.A.B. and Slim Dunkin. Here’s the intro to the album, “Whip Appeal,” to get you prepared for some head-nodding ignorant ish. BAYTL is in stores on December 13.

The post Gucci Mane and V-Nasty Announce Collaboration Album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In anticipation of Waka Flocka Flame‘s debut performance north of the border (Toronto) on Friday, October 14, NOW Magazine brings you an exclusive glimpse into the Brick Squad prince’s tender psyche. The interview is probably one of Waka’s finest press moments, besides the infamous stare interview, and provides new information about the artist. Hell, the dude’s been grinding so hard he didn’t know Steve Jobs died.

Read the full interview after the jump.

Hi Waka, how’s it going?

I just got off the highway and I’m at the car shop right now. I’m okay though, how are you

Pretty good. I’m excited that you announced a Toronto show.

Oh yeah, I can’t wait. I’m going in. I’m going to treat it like the first show I ever did in my life. I’ve never been to Toronto before. Somebody told me it’s kind of like Manhattan, just full of life and that it’s a beautiful place.

Are you going to hang out with Drake while you’re here?

Yeah, I’m gonna give him a holler. You know that’s homie, right? I’m definitely going to have to go around Toronto — from the suburbs to the ghetto.

Is there a sensitive side to Waka Flocka Flame?

Everybody’s got a sensitive side. It’s just, can you find out where it is within your soul? When I see certain things… This one time I was in New York for a business meeting and I was passing by some kids that were skateboarding.

I heard one of them say, ‘Damn, my skateboard broke, I ain’t never gonna get another one! I’m gonna steal someone’s skateboard!’ And I was like, ‘What?!’ When I overheard that, I got out the car and went to buy all those kids new skateboards with new wheels and everything.

I’ve read you were a tough kid yourself.

Yeah. I did my shit. I busted the corner store window after I got caught stealing a bag of chips! They told my grandma and I went to bust the windows up. But you know, I was always good in school, I never skipped a class in my life.

Where does all that energy in your music come from?

It’s not like I thought about a specific style of rapping, I was always trying to be myself. I get the hype, energetic stuff from my family. Like all my family talks LOUD. They yell! Like, “COME OVER HERE!” “SIT DOWN!” They just love to yell.

You got naked in an ad for PETA last year. What was that about?

I got educated about where fur comes from… how they skin the animals to get it and that was something that was fucked up to me. It made me want to step up and do something about it, so another person would, and then maybe another person. And I don’t eat red meat, it’s just nasty and it makes my body feel bad.

Would you consider completely going off meat?

I’m getting to the point where I am but… I just can’t put down the chicken! (Laughs)

You’re also a big reader so there’s some love of words there, but you’ve talked about not wanting fans to need a dictionary to decipher lyrics. Do you still feel that way?

There’s a lot of stuff I’ve been trying to move toward. Right now, I’m just giving my fans good music and letting them enjoy Waka’s personality and have fun. But, like, it ain’t all about this ‘dying in the streets’ thing. In a minute, I’m going to get deep with them and make them think. You just gotta walk them through it and teach them. I’m going to take my time with it because if you give them too much really different stuff they’ll get confused about who you are.

What’s the last book you read?

Actually, I just got this new one two or three days ago! It’s called, The World Is Flat.

Oh yeah, by Thomas Friedman. That’s a good one.

Damn, girl! You be on them books too! (Laughing) I was in a conversation with a guy in the studio and he told me to get it, so I went and Googled it, ordered it and it just came in. I haven’t started yet, I can’t wait though – they said it’s good.

Hey, what did you think about Jay-Z kind of quoting your song, Bustin’ At ‘Em, on Watch The Throne—

What? He did? I ain’t know that! How did that slip that by me?!

There’s no way I am telling you this. It was on Why I Love You.

You are! Damn!

Are you a Jay-Z fan?

Hell yea. If you’re not a Jay-Z fan you’re not listening to hip-hop. I’ve heard Watch The Throne but I gotta analyze it again. I was stuck on Kanye’s album, that one was crazy.

Did you hear about Kanye using Hard In The Paint in his Paris Fashion Week show last week?

Uh, no! I never got that information. Girl, you’re a pro at this! I need to call you to find out what’s up. You’re Miss Info for real. Hey, Miss Info!

Well, I mean how does all of this make you feel?

I can’t say it don’t feel good. It just lets me know that the work I’m doing is paying off and a lot of people got their eye on me. Its like, ‘Okay, Kanye’s jamming to Flocka, so let me make another song and see if Lady Gaga might like it!’ It’s always nice to know that people enjoy your music. It makes me want to keep making new music, harder music.

Who is the most unexpected fan you’ve ever met?

Today I was in Home Depot and this old lady came up to me like, ‘Are you Waka Flocka?’

And I said yes but I was scared at first, like, ‘What did I do to this old lady?’ So she was like, ‘Man, I got in trouble at work because of you!’ and I was like ‘WORD!?’

She said she works with kids and she was quoting one of my raps and her boss said, ‘You can’t be quoting wild stuff like that!’ It was so crazy.

But it lets me know I can’t lock into one specific group because my fan base is out of the box. I never believed this was going to happen. I only made one song and thought that I’d go back to helping manage artists. (NB: Waka’s mother, Debra Antney, used to manage Nicki Minaj).

So you’re collaborating with more people outside of Bricksquad now, like Drake and Ludacris. It seems like that’s going well for you.

When I make a song with another rapper I can hear their attitude. When I first made Round of Applause I could hear Drake on it. I was thinking, ‘I gotta get him out of his element,’ because that’s what I like to do: take people out of their element and put them into my vibe. Every time I do that, they enjoy it.

I made Round of Applause six months after Flockaveli came out, and it’s only dropping now. My engineer, KY, was like, ‘Yo, I just got off the phone with Drake. He’s working on his album and wants to know if there’s anything you wanna send him.’ And I thought, ‘Man, I should get him on MY album.’ So I sent him this song, and he was like ‘Yo, I like this. I want this one!’ But it was already mine so he jumped on it for me.

Is there anyone else you want to work with?

Ummmm, I’d like to work with you. (Laughs)

Well, I don’t sing or rap or really do anything except write…

Hey, you never know until you apply yourself!

Okay, okay, okay – Tell me about the new album.

It’ll be out in December. It took me two or three months to make. I was just running through songs and doing mixtapes, so I picked the best songs and put them aside.

Are those songs different from what we heard on Flockaveli?

I don’t think it’s too different from Flockaveli. It’s got the same tempo, but it’s working through different sounds and I’m trying things with delivery. Basically, I applied myself differently on this one.

What were you trying to do?

I was trying to get women like you to love me.

You’re very charming. I don’t think you have a problem with that.

Yeah. A couple of smiles, a couple of licks on the lips like LL Cool J and I got you!

Oh, is that how you move?

I just look at you and give you that ‘I want you’ look. Or sometimes I give you that ‘I want you badder’ look, and then I walk over and I’m like, ‘How you doing?’ (Laughs)

(At this point, Waka’s publicist interrupts. “Okay, Waka, that’s enough. Please talk about your album!”)

So yeah, basically, I wanted to make music for friends, fans, family and that’s how I came up with the title of the record. I have a lot of female fans and after my last album a lot of girls were telling me, ‘You ain’t never make songs for us, it’s always for your homeboys!’

Do you have a favourite song on there?

Nah, not yet. It really depends on the mood I’m in.

What are you listening to right now?

I’ve been listening to God’s Son by Nas this whole week. I’m stuck on that CD. That was a slept on album!

The post Amazing Waka Flocka Flame NOW Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.