Post by LB on Oct 5, 2004 22:52:23 GMT -5
Label finds Rapper's Crime Doesn't Pay
Def Jam Records had focused on Shyne's prison term to build his crediblity. But people haven't bought into it.
by Chuck Phillips
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
The New York label last year won a multimillion dollar bidding war to sign imprisoned rapper Shyne. Before the release of his debut CD, "Godfather Buried Alive" Def Jam made sure its new catch was everywhere-in music magazines, in videos and live radio interviews broadcast on top-rated hjip-hop stations around the country.
The night before the album hit stores, MTV News aired an hourlong special on the rapper, whose real name is Jamal Barrow. The special, partially underwritten by Def Jam was called "Shyne On"
But rap fans apparently were turned off.
The album, released Aug. 10, flopped. In its seven weeks on sale, "Godfather" has sold 345,000 copies--less than half what most hit rap CDs sell in their premeire week. In the latest seven-day tally, it sold just 15,500 copies and plunged to # 68 on the national pop chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Def Jam spent more than $4 million dollars to sign, record and market "Godfather" sources said. Based on sale figures compiled by Nielson Soundscan, the company has recovered about $1.3 million of that investment. High- level sources at Def Jam said they didn't expect the record to pick up steam at this point and are prepared to abandon the project.
Barrow seems to be the only one who profited from the ill-fated Def Jam deal. He received a $3 -million advance.
To read the rest of the article: go to http:www.latimes.com/business
Def Jam Records had focused on Shyne's prison term to build his crediblity. But people haven't bought into it.
by Chuck Phillips
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
The New York label last year won a multimillion dollar bidding war to sign imprisoned rapper Shyne. Before the release of his debut CD, "Godfather Buried Alive" Def Jam made sure its new catch was everywhere-in music magazines, in videos and live radio interviews broadcast on top-rated hjip-hop stations around the country.
The night before the album hit stores, MTV News aired an hourlong special on the rapper, whose real name is Jamal Barrow. The special, partially underwritten by Def Jam was called "Shyne On"
But rap fans apparently were turned off.
The album, released Aug. 10, flopped. In its seven weeks on sale, "Godfather" has sold 345,000 copies--less than half what most hit rap CDs sell in their premeire week. In the latest seven-day tally, it sold just 15,500 copies and plunged to # 68 on the national pop chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Def Jam spent more than $4 million dollars to sign, record and market "Godfather" sources said. Based on sale figures compiled by Nielson Soundscan, the company has recovered about $1.3 million of that investment. High- level sources at Def Jam said they didn't expect the record to pick up steam at this point and are prepared to abandon the project.
Barrow seems to be the only one who profited from the ill-fated Def Jam deal. He received a $3 -million advance.
To read the rest of the article: go to http:www.latimes.com/business
