The Exception

20

After the Houston show I had a couple more shows before we stared out on the international phase and I wanted to makes ure that they were sold out. For me that meant extra promoting and actually hosting more events after or before the show. before my show in Miami I had to have a meeting with Mark because he had been blowing up my phone over some stuff and I wasn't sure why.

Me, "Mark. what's going on? You've been on me non-stop and I think that I'm a pretty good client. what do you need?"

Mark, "Now I need to have a serious talk with you about two things. One of them you're not going to like and the other is something that you really need to start embracing more"

Me, "What is it? Just tell me everything. I have a sound-check in about an hour and I have to take my kids out for dinner. We haven't had any alone time since the Houston show"

Mark, "So how is that going? I know that you had them coming to all the shows but how much fun are they really having? Are you bonding as much as they would have wanted, or at least how much you would have wanted?"

Me, "Well I have been busy but we have some days off and I think that we can hit up Universal Studios or at least go to the beach. Now back to business, what's going on?"

Mark, "Well I got a call from Susan Right, she does programming for VH1 and they are interested in doing a show with you and your family, like they just wanted to track you and see what life on the road was like"

Me, "Um, I don't do reality shows, like I wouldn't be comfortable with that"

Mark, "I know that you wouldn't but the money is good and it would be great exposure. In the society that we live in you need to really make sure that you're open to loads of other people and the fact that you're extra private hurts you. Now I'm not going to force you to do anything but I already told them that you would be possibly interested in just shooting a pilot and seeing where it lands"

Me, "So was that supposed to be the news that I wouldn't like or the one that I would have to get used to?"

Mark, "That was the one that you probably wouldn't like since you're so private but at least try it out. So talk to the family because they are going to want to start shooting ASAP"

Me, "Damn Mark, we're all getting ready to head out to europe and I have my brothers getting out. I don't think that they are going to want to be on camera and my girl isn't ready for all of that. I don't want to push her into anything and cause drama on us. That wouldn't be right"

Mark, "Now we have to start talking about interviews, and I mean more than just some radio ones. We need to start talking about the ones that they record and doing some special interviews for the Internet and whatnot"

Me, "Mark you know that I agree with everythign that you ususally say but I hate interviews. Like the reporters always ask some bullshit questions and then I'm left there to come up with some stupid response"

Mark, "You are an entertainer okay, that means that you need to devote yourself to making some more of your life public. Your last US shows are in New York and I have you fixed on the Breakfast Club and two programs on hot 97. the people from hot 97 called and said that they have some type of show they are filming and they want you to be on it, I already agreed so get ready and just embrace it"

Me, "Damn Mark, I thought that an agent or manager was supposed to consult with the client. You're just making all these plans without me"

Mark, "Well when you don't pick up your phone and I have to keep on calling and get no answer there's a problem. You can't just leave me in the dust or you're not going to like the results"

Me, "damn Mark you are a cold-blooded killer. Now what else is going on?"

Mark, "Nothing much. I haven't heard back from Will's people and you told me that Dequan was supposed to be sending you some tracks but so far nothing. Have you checked your personal email for anyhting?"

Me, "Honestly I need to call him because Amari found this new artist out in Ohio and he wants me to check her out. If she's good then I want you to start working on some contracts and see where she stands, is that okay?"

Mark, "So what's the deal with the label? You've been able to create one and why do you want to do it now?"

Me, "Well I was gone for a minute and music just wasn't on my mind. I wanted to see what else life had to explore. Now I'm back and I want to get as much money as possbile. So let's make this label thing go, get some artist and make some more money"

Mark, "Okay. that's a good plan but if you're going to be serious about this label then we need to hire more people for the team. Like I can't just do it all on my own, and you need to be aware of what's going on with the label"

Me, "Okay. so you tell me what you want and what team members we need and I can work something out. Like I want to get on this label and see what this girl has"

Mark, "Okay, well I'm flying out to LA this weekend and then you can just email me on whether you are serious about this girl or not. We have some time before you leave and I can have some people from my office come on to the project but you are going to have to set some money aside for this"

Me, "Look the VH1 people are going to pay for the pilot and just use the money that I would get from that to check her out and hire two or three other people. We can go from there"

Mark, "Okay. I'm coming to check the show out tomorrow. Have some fun out in these streets tonight"

Me. "I will. I'ma take the kids out to get some dinner. I know that this has been somewhat chaotic but what kid doesn't want to be traveling all over the US?"

Mark, "Have fun, my man and remember to call me. Like we have to keep in contact"