Reminding fans of today's tough economic times as seen from the closing of major banks, Young Jeezy's The Recession has hit No. 15 selling 26,800 copies this week. His third Def Jam release is led by the hit single "Vacation" and after a month and a half on shelves has officially been certified gold with 516,500 copies sold.
So I'm a gold certified producer. I don't know when the plaque will come (platinum status is still feasible, and there's a process for requesting the plaque from the label/riaa), but the accomplishment is very real. Now the real work starts.
At a photoshoot last night for Felicia Alima's "Trade Song" campaign against human trafficking, I was joking a bit about wasting my advance on a Jesus Piece. A friend of mine, trying to provide some context for the joke, said loudly, "He's (referring to me) really modest, but he has a beat on the Young Jeezy album."
I don't know that I'm necessarily modest, but I was never raised to brag, especially when I feel as though I haven't done anything that anybody else couldn't do. I mean, I appreciate my own talents more and more each day, but with the right combination of hard work, creativity and luck, the average person can find success in certain arenas.
Because of my gold status, I was asked to judge the big producer battle here. I turned it down. I wouldn't feel right sitting in that chair, judging a competition that I haven't even won yet. My peers are all extremely talented and I love being a part of the event as a competitor.
I don't feel much different after the going gold thing. I am proud, happy and determined, yes. I am thankful for my manager Brendan, for CTE's a&r's, for Young Jeezy and for the fans who purchased the album. I know that I'm on the right track, and a little closer to reaching some more of my major goals as a producer.
In the meantime, not much has changed... other than the price of a beat. One major advantage of gold status is this: An RIAA certification is a palpable and more than valid excuse for me to answer "no" to the following questions:
"Let me get a beat."
"Give me a beat to rap to."
"I need a beat but I can't pay."
"I will make you famous if you give me a beat."
"Give me a beat, dude, do it for hip-hop."
Here's what my gold plaque might look like:
2 comments:
Pacal,
Congrats on the gold and early congrats on the platinum :)
As always it was a pleasure to DJ with you and looking forward to next time.
~Cheng
Congrats on the placement fam!! You produced "Don't Do It" on Jeezy's album right? Dawg.........on the real, I love that song man. The beat is sick too!!!
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