Los Insiders - G-UNIT’s Angel Martinez
Behind every multi-platinum recording artist, there’s a team whose primary goal is to make sure their artist stays on top. From the intern to the president of a record label, everyone plays an integral role in an artist’s success. This is the code that 28-year-old G-Unit Records Product Manager, Angel Martinez, lives and breathes. Not only does the Dominican’s job require him to manage the career of international DJ Whoo Kid, but he ensures that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s pockets, “Stay’s Rich” or “Angel will Die Trying!”
How did you get your start in the music business?
About seven
years ago, I started interning at SONY in the IT department. IT
wasn’t creative enough for me so I moved over to radio promotions
and from there I transferred over to Interscope where I interned at
the Vice President of A&R’s office. From there, I got hired in marketing
and shortly laid off. After that I came over to G-Unit.
Wow, what a resume! What made you want to work at a label?
First you see the glamour and you think that you can make a lot of
money in this. But then you develop a passion for it and you realize
that it’s not just about the glamour and you begin to see that there’s
a business to it.
I see you enrolled in Music Business 101…
In college, I developed
a love for it. I always wanted to do music, but I didn’t know what part
of music I wanted to do. That’s why when I started interning in 2002;
I tired to get involved in as many things as possible so I could have
a clear understanding of what I wanted to do. There’s a lot of money
to be made in this business as long as you’re smart about it. It’s not
just about ‘I wish I was a rapper’ or ‘I wish I had ice on my chain.’
It’s not like that.
Describe your role at G-Unit Records.
I’m a product manager. Basically,
I’m responsible for the artist. The artist is considered a product,
so I act as a liaison between the artists’ management and the
label. When albums are coming out, you follow the schedule, make
sure [the artist] receives the proper shine and ensure that everything
goes smoothly.
Who are your clients?
I handle a few artists…Young Buck, Lloyd
Banks, DJ Whoo Kid, Hot Rod and Spider Loc.
What is your day-to-day like?
Pick a day…[laughs]. It depends
on what day of the week. Friday’s, I’m preparing G-Unit radio on
SHADE 45 –I produce the show– so throughout the week I’m preparing
the show. But on Friday’s, I’m finalizing for Saturday’s airing from
10am-8pm. Monday’s is calm depending on what’s going on. I also
manage DJ Whoo Kid’s magazine, POW! So, it depends on what’s
going on. I’m also producing web-pisode’s for 50 called This Life,
which examines the day in the life of an artist or celebrity. It’s similar
to HBO’s 24/7. The show will be broadcast on www.THISIS50.com.
How is it having DJ Whoo Kid as a boss?
Working with Whoo
Kid is a crazy experience because the dude is hilarious. But there’s
a serious side to him that people don’t know. He’s very business
minded. That’s why he has POW! Magazine, the radio show and he’s
developing a TV channel for next year.
What about 50? Care to share any war stories?
Working with
50 has been a total blessing, and I’m not just saying that! Since
the whole Vitamin Water deal came about, people are beginning to
understand that he is a very smart businessman. And the Vitamin
Water deal was something small. 50, knows what business is about
and that’s what I gained from him. When he talks to me, I try to be
aware of what points he wants me to get and what direction to move
forward in.
Overall what have you learned from the two?
From Whoo Kid,
I’ve learned to be charismatic and appealing to the people, but also
know where you’re headed. He uses his jokes to draw people in.
It’s a part of his charisma. From 50, I learned what steps to take
and what those steps are suppose to set up. It’s not just this music
industry. It’s so much more to it than that. You’re going to be have
to able to explore different things and that’s why I try to be a part of
everything that’s going on.
What advice would you give an up and coming intern or student?
Understand that this is not a next day thing. Just because you’re an
intern, don’t expect to be hired right away. It’s a long grind. The beginningstages will help you appreciate what you have accomplished
when you reach a certain level. The grind is very important to help
you become the person you aspire to be.
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