A-Thug: Independently Major

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In recent years, more rappers have been starting their own record labels and backing them with major labels. But, the major labels have become so demanding that many rappers have left major labels and partnered with independent distributors. Harlem rapper, A-Thug, has been doing his thing for seven years and he has been doing it all on his own.

There are not many people out there who have the drive and the determination of A-Thug. He took his dream and made it into a reality, but not the way he planned for it to be. A-Thug would have liked to be on a major label, but he did not like the terms of the deal. For most rappers, that would have been the last straw. But, A-Thug decided to change his method of attack.

Not waiting for something to come along, A-Thug created his own record label, Black Rolling Stones Entertainment, and he released his debut album. He went out and met producers and invited them to be on his album. After the release of his second album, A-Thug was approached by other artists who wanted a deal, but wanted independence. Recently, A-Thug signed newcomer, Ronnie J'uz to Black Rolling Stones. Not only is he a rapper on the label, but he also is one of the representatives for A-Thug's other business, Megastar DVD.

While A-Thug does not have the convenience of money being handed to him, he does keep 100% profit of everything he makes. Because of this, he can freely take his money and put it into other projects. After solidifying himself as a solid rapper, A-Thug launched Megastar DVD, a DVD series about the underground lifestyle. Since it was first started, Megastar DVD has expanded from a small collection of interviews and music videos into a movement of its own. A-Thug has continued to push his series and took advantage of any opportunity to expand, which is why it has paid off for him.

Not only does A-Thug have a successful music career, a fledgling street DVD series, but he also has his own clothing line. A-Thug always dreamed big and his goal was to have multiple businesses like Diddy and Jay-Z and he has them. Black Rolling Stones Clothing may not receive the glamour of Sean John and Rocawear, but it has sold well since he started it. A-Thug has everything going for him, but he does everything out of pocket. Even down to his music videos, he has a deal with TBT Productions to complete his music videos and he has a deal with his clothing line to have his products produced.

Even with everything he is doing, A-Thug is flying under the radar. Despite all of his accomplishments, he boasts his claim to fame is that he is the only rapper to have his own pantie line under his Black Rolling Stones Clothing line. While he is the only rapper doing such, he is also the only rapper without the backing of a major label and major companies to have his own DVD series, his own social networking site, his own record label, and his own clothing line and each business being successful. Many rappers who are trying to break in try all of these different ventures, but when it gets hard, they fold. A-Thug has toughed it out and he is confident the major companies will call him soon to work out a deal.