"There Was A Time When Record Companies Were Signing Artists To Slave Deals"

R&B singer/actor Jason Weaver recently sat down with SOHH to explain why he turned down record deal offers after being feature on the 2003 Chingy single "One Call Away."

According to J.Weav, years of experience in the film and television industry made him wary of succumbing to a contract that would leave him high and dry.

"To be completely honest, after the success of that song, record companies were approaching me with deals and with opportunities. Not to sound like an a**hole, but I come from the film and television world where we get paid. We get paid for our hard work. That was a time when the record companies were basically signing artists to these slave deals and indentured servant deals. I was basically looking at it like, 'well, if I'm gonna be doing all the hard work then how come I'm not gonna make the lion's share of the money?' Why would you?" (SOHH)

Weaver went on to say that many of today's hip-hop artists are blowing money fast on borrowed time.

When people look at these videos and see these guys with the cars ... alotta that stuff is rented. It's not like they're living on that level, and if they are living on that level and investing that much money into cars and jewelry, then they must not really have real liquid money anyway to invest in things like properties and stuff that has longevity when it comes to residual income. The industry is based on illusion. That's why you see alotta artist throwin' money in the air or blingin' ... but God forbid they stop selling records, they could easily end up back at their parents house. And that's what I mean when I say "slave deal". (SOHH)

Weaver added that the structure of most major record deals are set up like small business loans.

"When an artist goes to a major record company for a deal, its basically like a small business owner going to the bank for a loan. That's all record companies are, they're banks for music people. That's all it is. But now you have the smarter artists. A lotta people have been able to successfully do it in the South. [They] come in with their own money and setup their own account on iTunes and get their money coming directly to them. That's why the record companies are currently in disarray. I've been able to see real money in the TV and film industry so I'm not fazed by people throwing money at me." (SOHH)

Memphis rapper Yo Gotti recently shared his thoughts on rappers giving their life to the game and still walking away with empty wallets.

"To me, the worst thing you can do is go out here and work all these years for the next muthaf*cka and you gettin' nothin'. You know what I mean? So, when your time is up, you gotta make sure your pockets [are] straight. As far as the numbers game, when I throw myself into the equation, I probably do more shows for the most money than alotta n*ggas that got way more recognition. It's a hustle, and you gotta get it." (SOHH)