Tell us about the unique situation you’re in right now with your record label. After this single “Crazy” I’m a free agent. I’m negotiating with labels as we speak. If anyone wants a sweet digital single deal I suggest you go through The Orchard. Why did you decide to use this avenue this go around? It’s an avenue for me to continue to sell. “Crazy” is at 250,000 sold on iTunes. With The Boatlift I only sold 100,000 in stores because TVT went bankrupt, but I sold 1.2 million digitally. So I’m not new to the digital game. iTunes and all the phone carriers make money one way or the other. They help you market and get your radio up. I always had a team in place, so when the company gives me money, I give it to the team and do our thing. But for a record like “Crazy” without a major selling 250,000 in 5 weeks is pretty fucking amazing. You mentioned that you are in negotiation with major labels. What is attractive about them to you right now? I’ve never been looked at as a big boy in the game even though I’ve been doing big boy numbers. It’s always been an independent grind for me, but now, I get to plug into the machine. I’m not looking for an artist exclusive deal, and I’m going to cut a 360 deal either. I’m cutting a different deal because I bring my own fanbase, a diverse fanbase. Speaking of which, tell us a little bit about your new social networking site. PlanetPit.com is a place where I can keep up with the fans. Everyday I’m putting up new things to keep people updated, entertained and educated. I got someone who can handle the shit on the daily and I tell them what I want on there. Personally, I’m computer illiterate. You have a television show now as well right? Yes. La Esquina. It means “the corner” in Spanish. It’s 2 weeks in and it’s the number one show on Mun2. That network went from 6 to 24 million viewers in one year, might I add. We touch on what’s hot in society and twist it and make it funny with a message in it. Back when you came on the scene around 2003, what were some of your goals? My goals have always been that by 30 I would have my own company, ownership, living on
an island, and to establish myself in the music game with my own lane. I’m the only one who is bilingual who has been able to tap dance through all different cultures. I have my own company, Mr. 305 Inc., where I have my artists Cornbread, Sincero, and Young Boss who is already signed to Universal Republic. So none of this should come as any surprise. It was all part of the plan. I want to have longevity like Celia Cruz who can still do shows and get love, but I also want to be an entrepreneur like Gloria and Emilio [Estefan]. That’s how I want my career to be. At what point would you say you took your destiny in your own hands, career-wise? I took my destiny in my own hands when I was on Luke Records. Luke is the blueprint; he sold millions on his own. When I got to TVT I formed alliances with everyone in the building. These artists walk into these offices like their shit don’t stink and think these people are gonna want to work for them. But Mr. Gottlieb tied [the employees’] hands behind their back and said he wouldn’t pay them if they kept fucking with me. At that point me and Team Pitbull went out on our own. That’s what it’s all about. When these artists go out on tour, they gotta pick up business cards. It’s all about networking. That’s the only way you survive. You’ve recorded political songs speaking on the situation in Cuba, but you’re more known for party tracks. Why do you think people would rather hear those types of songs? I put out “American War,” a very political song, which is on YouTube right now. But to turn on the TV and see all the negativity, people want to go to the club and escape. I make all types of music, but that’s the kind of music I have to continue to put out to survive. I cater to my fans in order to be catered to, and now it’s my turn to give them what I want to give them. The classic album that I never got a chance to do, a full spectrum of music. Not just dope, the streets, or political shit, I’m gonna be talking about everything they’ve been seeing. I thank God I wasn’t plugged all the way in early because I got a good perspective on things now. The rest of this interview is featured in OZONE Magazine’s November issue.
OZONE MAG // 19