If a record label isn’t talking the right kind of money, P. Rico isn’t interested.

Renowned Chi Town videographer Fly Ty revealed his younger rap protégé P. Rico was approached by three record labels.

But according to Fly Ty, the “Hang Wit Me” rapper was not interested in their proposed 360 deals and declined their offers. He would rather remain independent.

“WHY DO ARTIST STILL TRY N GET DEALS WEN ALL THEY’RE GIVEn OUT IS WEAK ASS 360’s!!!!!! @6775rico TURNT DOWN 3 ALREADY #FuckEm INDEPENDANT



In the music industry, 360 deals commonly receive a bad rap. Record labels generally finance the artist for miscellaneous expenses, including, studio, wardrobe, travel, etc.

But the artist must reimburse the label for all of their expenses, in addition to giving the label a percentage of their income earned from music sales, concert performances and any other forms of income.

These expenses can sometimes leave the artist penniless and in debt if they aren’t successful.



“YOU CAN EITHER BE FAMOUS n BROKE or INDEPENDENT wit BREAD!!!! WHO NEEDS A LABEL!!!!!” Fly Ty added.



P. Rico’s buzz rivals that of many other popular artists with record deals. Rico has posted several videos to YouTube that have garnered well over millions of views, including the viral hit “Hang Wit Me.”



Rico went on record to slam record labels.

“DESE LABELZ AINT TALKN MY LANGUAGE… #FUCK’EM



“I GOT MY OWN MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! #FUCKADEAL,” he wrote.

Head over to iTunes to purchase P. Rico’s “Welcome To Puerto Rico” by clicking here.



In this current era of social media, the dream of signing a lifelong record label is no longer a necessity.



Nipsey Hussle is one such artist who has amassed a loyal fan base as an independent artist.

The “Rose Clique” rapper sold 1,000 limited copies of the “Crenshaw” mixtape for $100 per copy. Nipsey was clutch in his Hussle as he was able to make $100,000, while offering the project for free.

Nipsey sold the hard copies at a pop-up shop in Los Angeles, CA.

Nipsey confirmed his sales on Twitter, writing, “Who gives a fucc what a hater gotta say…I made a hunnit k today of my album throw away’s. #CRENSHAW ‪#Proud2pay ‪#FUCCTHEMIDDLEMAN.”

Who gives a fucc what a hater gotta say…I made a hunnit k today of my album throw away’s. #CRENSHAW #Proud2pay #FUCCTHEMIDDLEMAN

— iamproud2pay.com (@NipseyHussle) October 8, 2013

NYC rapper Jada Kiss had a word of advice for aspiring musicians. The “Why” rapper took to Twitter to tell aspiring rappers that they can build their brand without signing a major label record deal.

“Invest in yourself FUCK A LABEL! @defjam!!! Big boy dialogue, ” he wrote.



Kiss’ advice echoes Nelly’s sentiment toward record deals.

During an interview with Vlad TV, Nelly discussed whether artists should sign to a major record label or go the independent route.

Nelly said “social media” makes it a wise choice to go independent. The conversation soon turned to Chief Keef who has had a phenomenal year in the social media department.

The rapper, whose “I Don’t Like” official music video has reached 25 million views on YouTube, continues produce viral content to prove his hot streak.

Nelly commented that Chief Keef is “on fire.

“The worst thing Chief Keef ever did was get a record deal,” he said.

“You look at someone who has a great social media following. Dude [Chief Keef] is well up over 3, 4 million views on his YoutTube… a few times, independently. This was all under a year.”

Nelly said it is harder to “sell records” in today’s era.

Nelly said if he knew what he knew now he would be “cool on the record deal.”

“I’m just going to put out singles. I’ma strike my own deal with iTunes and I’m just going to put out singles,” he said. “Why? Because if I put out an album, I might as well make it a mixtape because my era is not buying albums anyway.

“Why? I can keep putting the songs out and singles and I can keep touring off of singles. As long as my singles are selling as my singles are selling, I’m getting radio airplay, I’m touring. I’m touring, I’m making money.”

Nelly said signing to a record label would put an artist at risk of giving up a portion of their publishing, merchandise and touring.

Going independently, he said, would allow an artist to own 100 percent of that.

“I may not have gotten all of the money I got up front, but I promise you in the next year or two, I would’ve made that money and owned everything I got,” he said.

“You look at Mac Miller. He’s not trying to get a record deal,” he added.

Mac Miller, born Malcolm McCormick, is signed to Rostrum Records, an independent record label.

The “Best Day Ever” rapper is worth a reported $3 million.

“People don’t understand how valuable owning everything is,” he said. “People need to understand how much money would circulate back to them if they did own everything.”

Watch Nelly’s Vlad TV interview below

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