As Interviewed by Bonita Lee Penn, The Soul Pitt
I'm sure no matter your age or music preference you're familiar with the lyrics to the old school joint What the World Needs Now. It goes something like this, what the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some but for everyone. Ok let's give it an updated Pittsburgh hip hop twist - What Pittsburgh needs now is a major record label, a major record label, no not just for some but for everyone. Let's put an end to the emerging local artists thinking the only way to hit it big or to be discovered is to jump ship and head to NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, D.C., LA or Philly to collaborate with strangers in strange places. Wake Up Artists! Look to the comfort of your own City, there's a bright star shining in the not so far distance from where you live called New Game Records. Yes, Pittsburgh, there are record labels available right here.
Meet Derrick Edwards, Founder of New Game Records. Derrick believes in the hands-on and open door communication with his artists. As this writer experienced first hand during our interview as artists and friends stopped in or were calling. Through his work he has established himself as a respected lyricist, beat master; producer and a fair man within the entertainment field, which we know at times can be overflowing with the sly and slick attempting to sell you a wet dream. Derrick, on the other hand isn't about selling dreams; he's about making them happen, for those willing to put in the work.
Let's chill for a moment and listen to Derrick as he shares with his future plans for the success of his record label and the positive contributions he'd like to achieve right here in Pittsburgh.
SP Bonita: Soon after our introduction at the Hip Hop Awards your record label in collaboration with Greedy Films (Brian Thurman) movie "dat Deal" was named the 2007 Hip Hop Award winner for best video. I'd like to thank you for giving me a copy as it was helpful in shedding light and offering insight on the history of Pittsburgh's hip hop scene.
The accompanying CD is great. The first time I played it, I kept reminding myself this was locally produced and it gave witness a professional product could be created in Pittsburgh. The quality of the DVD is comparable to other national products carried in stores or heard on the radio. Listening to the tracks brought back the reason why I use to love rap, I especially love track #16! All the artists should be congratulated for putting together tight tracks. I know our readers are wondering where they can pick up their own copy. Are you marketing the DVD outside of Pittsburgh?
Derrick:
Thank you, the DVD can be purchased on
http://cdbaby.com/cd/datdealdvd, also at Stedafords (North Side); Dorsey's (Homewood); Upbeat (Wilkinsburg); Van Bel Mar (South Side); Timebomb (East Liberty) and local vendors throughout the Pittsburgh area.
As far as distributing our units nationally, at this time we haven't implemented a marketing strategy outside of the Pittsburgh area. We've sent units to associates in Virginia, Cleveland and Atlanta, but at this time we aren't working with a budget to take over a large area and I don't want to half promote and market. We're more so focusing on developing our Pittsburgh base and build from there.
SP Bonita: How many artists are currently signed to the New Game Records label?
Derrick:
The artist I m handling on my label at this time is S.S. They have a track on the CD titled Things You Do (track #16). I work with artists all over the City, my networking circle is expanding each day, keeping me busy. I work with a variety of artists either in the production or recording segment and we're now tapping into the music video. I'm a producer - I do beats. I'm associated with several guys who also create beats, through them we do a major amount of networking.
On the recording, engineering and mixing side, I'm the guy who sits behind the Board. We work out of our own recording studio downstairs.
We were happy to win the 2007 Hip Hop Award for Best Video "dat Deal." What some may not know, the video is a combination of seven different videos and a documentary, it's more like a full-length feature film.
SP Bonita: Do any of your artists have their CDs in rotation at local clubs?
Derrick:
Not at this time, that's a very exclusive circle. Club DJs are almost like the radio, if you don't have a certain type of leverage going in, they don't want to play it, thinking people won't dance to it.
SP Bonita: How do they know what the people want or don't if they don't play it?
Derrick:
That's our question. It's a strict circle. If you had financial backing or knew of someone, they may spin it here or there, but it won't be in a regular rotation.
SP Bonita: So they don't support the local artist as much as they could?
Derrick:
If you know them you may get a spin, if you're on the outside looking in, they're not going to pick up your CD and play it. The DJ has a set he wants to play, he knows what the crowd likes. That's the top issue with Pittsburgh, everyone is associated with someone and we're divided. This DJ may only deal with a specific group on this side and another DJ may deal with a group on the other side. It's hard to break into the inner circle.
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