3 minute read
AUTHOR ERIC COOK
Eric Cook a.k.a A&R J-Paradise has been a concrete tycoon in the Hip-hop culture for many years. It all started in the late 90s in south Jamaica Queens. Eric started out rapping on the corner & for local competitions under the name E Money Bags. His talent caught the attention of a barber shop owner, who happened to cut Puff Daddy’s Bodguard, and Caddillac Tah hair.
Eric eventually signed a management deal with 50/50 entertainment and Ja Rules manager. Eric would open up for artist such as Ja rule, coo coo cal just to name a few. Under his management guidance, Eric was advised to change the name due to a street legend who robbed several rappers. Eric didn’t need that attention. After being on tour Eric quickly understood being a key player behind the scene you can make more money.
In the early 2000s Eric would meet his next opportunity to change the Hiphop culture. He was presented with a partnership opportunity with All Access DVD Magazine. Before there was love& Hip-hop, TMZ, or Media take out. There was All Access DVD Magazine.
Eric along with his partners set out to change the game. Giving hip-hop fans a glimpse in a day in the life with their favorite artist. This DVD magazine was the fi rst to coin the phrase “DVD
Magazine” phenomenon. Eric kept his street ties and industry connect to create another brand called Street Credibility DVD Magazine. Eric wanted to spot light drug kingpins and hustlers from the 80s, show their progress in the music and more positive way. Eric was able to sell 2.5 million copies of his DVD worldwide. Eric always had an ear for music. After getting turned down by several labels for an A&R job. Eric knew he had to create his own lane using the momentum of his DVD. He gave himself the title of street A&R. Every DVD Eric would fi nd local talent and spot light them on the DVD. That would catch the attention of label A&R and record execs. Eric would eventually get deals for artist such as Lil E from Rochester, NY and Ms. Cristal with TVT Records.
Ms Cristal is from Florida. Eric once again took things a step further introducing the world to an A&R mixtape. Eric knew he was not a DJ. However, DJs wasn’t doing a whole lot for unsigned artist in Eric’s eyes. So, Eric decided to use his industry connections to get new music before it dropped, put it on his mix-tape.
Here’s the twist, Eric knew that customers wanted to hear the popular artist songs so bad. He would format the play list to have his unsigned artist song play fi rst, then go into the popular artist new track. Genius right!? Well not really. He started with the check my stats collection. He would eventually go on to work with artist such as Jim Jones, Pit bull, Raekwon, and Lumidee. While Eric was on tour with Lumidee in Germany. He expanded his brand to a mixtape titled Check my Global stats he was able to take unsigned artist and give those artists global exposure.
Eric’s latest project Addiction to Hip-hop is nothing short of a master piece. Eric partnered with legendary author Erick S Gray to create an urban fi ction romance for our generation. Picture Love & basketball in 2021 instead of basketball its hip-hop. This is Eric Cook’s fi rst novel as he set out to capture his hip-hop audience. Eric conquered the underground hip-hop scene, DVD magazine market, and now he is looking to do the same in the literature game. Eric Cook can
