FSD: But that was a totally different time. That was like ‘01-’02? That was pre any of the social networking tools that helped these young guys thrive. You had no YouTube, no Facebook, no Twitter.
Yung Berg: Man, it was way more tough back then. You couldn’t really gauge anything back in those days. You couldn’t really tell if you were buzzing or not. With me getting a deal, Boogz was my mentor. He was everything to me, pause, no homo, whatever. He was a big reason why I got the deal. I remember he used to lay tape down in front of the mic, showing me where to stand to spit my verses. I remember Boogz taking me over to Kanye West’s house and having me rap my ass off for Ye.
When I got my deal with DMX, I was lost. I didn’t know what to do. Boogz was gone. You can’t just give a 15-year-old kid $60,000 and expect for them not to be caught up. I got $60k for my pocket, and then my album budget was $500,000. I was just having a ball — I wasn’t focused. Boogz was gone, and that fucked everything up. I wasn’t able to make the same music with him being gone, and I really needed that chemistry with him. I was just a young rapper again.
I wish we had the internet back when I was 15. I feel like the internet makes everything easier — I know a lot of people think the internet made things harder, but it really helps get your message to so many more people without spending a ton of money.
FSD: Do you think being 15 and having that much money messed you up? What kind of advice to you have to offer to these young guys coming into a lot of money.
Yung Berg: My advice is to first, keep good people around you. You’ll have a lot of guys around you who want to be famous, and want to be artists themselves. Make it work for yourself first. You need 110% support from EVERYONE around you. The focus has to be on you. It can’t be about the crew, because your crew will end up causing the problems for you. I’ve seen the crew fuck it up for everybody — getting violent, partying too much, tearing up shit, getting in trouble. That’s so important. Because at the end of the day, what they do reflects upon you, and it ALWAYS becomes your fault — even if you aren’t with them. You become responsible for everything.
Also, keep your publishing. Don’t sell your publishing. Make sure you maintain everything. That’s how I’ve been able to maintain a lifestyle and be a millionaire throughout my whole fucking career. If shit goes south, you always have your publishing.
You need to have a good business manager as well. What’s the use of getting all of this money just to burn through it. I did a lot of reckless things, but I didn’t really go outlandish like I could have, or like some of my peers did. You have to maintain a lifestyle — but not spend retardedly. I’m able to live to exact same way without having put out an album in 3-4 years. You never want to work this hard to get out of Chicago, just to have to come back and be on the streets. To be the guy, and then to have to turn around and lose it and have to come back with your tail between your legs? Nah. So you need to have your business straight at all times. That short bread ain’t ‘bout shit.
Nowadays the labels are gonna try to take half of your publishing. This day and age, the 360 deals want everything — so never sell your publishing.
FSD: What are your thoughts on Kid Ink, one of your former artists, making the XXL Freshmen cover?
Yung Berg: I couldn’t be happier for him. I really respect what he and DJ Ill Will have going on. Maybe two years ago, no one knew who Rockstar (Kid Ink) was, but Ill Will was able to use his site and his movement to break him. They had the resources, and they focused on everything. I wanted the best for those guys, and they went in and turned it up. Kid and I honed a lot of our skills together, as far as writing hooks and big songs. I think he’s one of the best freshmen, period. Hands down. And I don’t think he gets the publicity he deserves. They’re selling tons of records independently — their shit is running every hour on the hour on LA radio.
FSD: So finally, what’s next for you as an artist?
Yung Berg: I’m still contractually with Universal — I have to put out one more album with them. I really want to pop off my artists, and my producers first, though. VH1 just came at me and pitched me a reality show. People think my life is just one bullshit mistake after another, but VH1 really wants to show my life — it’s weed, liquor and music 24-7. I want people to get to know me — the real me. I want them to judge me by the music I’m creating. I’m going back on tour soon, which is great. I’ve got something on Meek Mill’s Dreamechasers 2. So yeah, I’ve got a lot of work coming soon. I also gotta shout out my guy Big Law from Chicago, who just hit the streets again — expect some work with him as well.
Chicago needs to embrace Berg and stop hatin on this man.
#shoutout to the lil homie. Hard work beats bullshit any day of the week. Salute!!!!
That was 300 no lie. Shorty deep in this shit
I remember them days at cold city, Did they ever relocate?
anyone I know ever catch this nigga we strippin him believe that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbN4z49iJpU
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