The Hustlers Ambition

Big Sean On How He Knew His Career Would Take Off In 2011

2012-02-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Source Mag: When did you know that this was going to be your year?

Big Sean: I knew the year before. I told people the next year was going to be my year. I visualized it. I saw it happen in my mind and whenever you can really see something and believe it more with your own eyes and have total faith, I feel like that's when things really start to happen.

- Excerpt from The Source Magazine January 2012 Issue

Tyler Perry Shares Tips On How To Be Successful" & Starting Small (Video)

2012-01-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

"There are so many people going in so many directions. Focus on one thing. One area. Put all of your energy into watering one area. If you spread the water across many seeds, you don’t have as much water for one seed. So focus on one thing and make it your priority. No matter what"
- Tyler Perry

"The Bible says ‘never despise small beginnings’. There are things that happen out of the smallest little start that can change the world...Had I went the route I wanted to go, what would have happened is… I would have have ended up in Hollywood and did the deals that everyone else had done and there would have been nothing different, nothing “spectacular” about the blessings that I’ve received. It would have just been an average story...But because I was hidden. Because I didn’t know how it went. Because I didn’t know how things were “supposed” to go in film and television, that ignorance allowed me to carve my own way" - Tyler Perry

Kevin Hart Speaks On The Business Aspect of His DVD "Laugh At My Pain" (Video)

2012-01-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

Kevin Hart speaks on the process of releasing his DVD "Laugh At My Pain" independently and grossing $8 Million dollars in the box office in only 200 theaters .

Grind Hard For What You Want Out Of Live (Short Film)

2011-12-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

How Badly Do You Want To Fulfill Your Dreams ?

Michael Jackson On How Thoughts Come Into Fruition

2011-12-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

“I have learned that it is what you put in your mind mentally what you think and do, that makes your person. And you can put any mental object in this mind and it will bring it to reality. So this means we can program ourselves to be the people we want to be, Whatever the subject matter is, live in it By a mental physical program or system of learning and doing. Studying all the greats in that field and becoming greater. My program will consist of, = “
-Michael Jackson

Spotted @ MCU

Quote Of The Day:

2011-12-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

“The secret of success is to try always to improve yourself no matter where you are or what your situation may be. Learn all you can. Don't see how little you can do, but how much you can do. Such a man will always be in demand, for he establishes the reputation of being a hustler" -

Hustler Music: Wale Feat. Meek Mill & Rick Ross - Ambition

2011-10-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

"Ain't get accepted, well rejected and now they regret it

Ain't get my message, wasn't a signal when I was texting.

The niggas I was calling was fraud and I learned my lesson

Now I move with aggression, use my mind as a weapon

Cause chances are never given they tooken like interceptions"

Fu*k You Pay Me: How You Make You Get The $ You Deserve When Doing Freelance Work (Video)

2011-10-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from San Francisco Creative Mornings on Vimeo.

As hustlers and entrepreneurs, we often do a lot of freelance work for other companies and individuals. The problem with freelance work is that a number of things can go wrong and you can end up getting screwed out of your hard earned cash. In the video above, Mike Monteiro (Design Director, and co-founder of Mule Design Studio) and his lawyer break down the kinds of things you should have in place when doing freelance work and why contracts are important. below are a couple things I learned from the video.

1. Clear definitions. Clear expectations. Explicitly stated and agreed to by both parties in a contract

2. Include attorney fees in contract. What’s the use of winning a lawsuit for $20,000 only to pay $35,000 in legal fees?

3. “You Can Trust Us”…..usually means don’t trust them

4. Don’t start work without a contract

5. Don’t blindly accept terms

6. Anticipate negotiation, but don’t back down on important things like “termination fee’s”, liability or IP transfers on full payment

7. Let Lawyers talk to Lawyers

8. Be confident in your asking price

Eric "The Hip Hop Preacher" Thomas "The Secret To Success" Book Preview (Video)

2011-10-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

We here at T.H.A would like to send out a BIG congrats to Eric Thomas AKA "E.T The Hip-Hop Preacher" for finally completing and releasing his first novel: "The Secret To Success". I have already ordered my copy and Im currently waiting its arrival. Above is a brief preview of the book. Click Here To Order A Copy "You got to want it as bad as you want to breathe".

A Must See Movie For Hustlers: "Middle Men"

2011-10-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Synopsis:

"In 1995, everyone had a VCR, music was sold in record stores, and the world-wide-web was a new found discovery. Businessman Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) had the perfect life a beautiful family and a successful career fixing problem companies. Then he met Wayne Beering (Giovanni Ribisi) and Buck Dolby (Gabriel Macht), two genius but troubled men, who had invented the way adult entertainment is sold over the internet. When Jack agrees to help steer their business, he soon finds himself caught between a 23 year-old porn star and the FBI all the while becoming one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of his time. Witness a story so outrageous, you won't believe it's true"

5 lessons learned from the Film:

1.Everything Is Negotiable

2. $9.99 is more attractive to the consumer than $10

3.Use Original Content To Increase Viewership

4.Be Weary Of Partnerships

5.Avoid Addiction

What Hustlers Can Learn From USA's TV Show "Suits"

2011-09-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

One of my friends put me on to one of The USA Networks newest TV Shows; "Suits", which chronicles Mike Ross, brilliant genius and former con man who hustles his way into one of New York's top legal firms, without a degree. Needless to say A LOT can be learned from the series. I have compiled some of my favorite quotes from the show below:

"...What I see is a kid who asked for an opportunity and still hasn't decided if he wants it or not"

Hustlers Translation: Asking for an opportunity is rarely enough to get it. SHOW that you want it and your chances increase ten fold

"Good lawyers worry about the facts. Great lawyers worry about their opponents"

Hustlers Translation:

"Winners Don´t Make Excuses When The Other Side Plays The Game"

Hustlers Translation:

"Win a no win situation by rewriting the rules."

Hustlers Translation: when a situation presents itself where there’s potential for failure, try and create a situation where that’s not even a possibility

"I'm against having emotions, not using them"

Hustlers Translation:

"If you want this to stop all you have to do is tap out"

Hustlers Translation: Complaining does you no good, if you want out of something....quit

"You, giving me advice, it sounds like you actually care about me"

Hustlers Translation:

"A man willing to break the rules can't imagine another man wouldn't."

Hustlers Translation: Dishonest people are quick to accuse someone else of dishonesty simply because they would do it if they had the chance. This is why in relationships, when a person is always accuses their spouse of cheating it is often to clear their guilty conscience of the cheating they have been doing themselves

"If we go to them, were weak. If we wait until they come to us, were strong".

Hustlers Translation: There is a certain tactical advantage that comes with making your opponent come to you. At your home base you are comfortable and in control so you have the the upper hand. In sports, its called "home-court advantage" .

"You don't send a puppy to clean up it's own mess"

Hustlers Translation: When some young and inexperienced makes a big mistake, don't send someone young and inexperienced to fix it

"Statements are like free throws...easy, nobody's playing defense"

Hustlers Translation: A "statement" is one of the easiest things to make when no one is around to offer a rebuttal, but how will that statement hold up to scrutiny? (See "Socratic Method")

"This is what addicts do. The second they start making progress they screw up, because deep down they think its only a matter of time before they fail. They'd rather fall from the third floor than the penthouse"

Hustlers Translation:

"being a lawyer is like being a doctor you gotta keep pressing until it hurts and then you know where to look"

Hustlers Translation:

"The charging bull always looks at the red cape, not the man with the sword".

Hustlers Translation: Frustration can often lead people to attack a result of a problem and not the source of the problem itself

"Sometimes good guys gotta do bad things to make the bad guys pay."

Hustlers Translation:

"He doesn't get that doing good work isn't the whole job. Part of getting it, is that things like the Dinner actually matter. Even when you don't think they do. But you where giving me shit this morning because I come and go when I want to, you know why I can do that? Because when i got here I Dominated, they thought I worked 100 hours a day. Now, no matter what time I get in, nobody questions my ability to get the job done. Get it through your head, First Impressions last. You start behind the 8 ball, you'll never get in front."

Hustlers Translation: The phrase "behind the eight ball" means being stuck in a difficult position. So he's saying if Mike makes a bad first impression, it will stick to him and he won't be able to move ahead in his career

"I didn't ask you to explain the problem to me. I told you to fix it for me:"

Hustlers Translation: Generally, if your working for someone, explaining the problem isn't enough. Explain the problem AND what you have done and/or are currently doing to remedy the situation.

50 Cent On How He & Jay-Z Use Each Other For Motivation

2011-09-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

"We use each other," (referring to Jay-Z) . "If you're in a category, you have to find someone you respect enough to consider a competitor. And then you use each other in positive ways. They make a good move, you make a good move. If there's nobody for that, then there's no inspiration." - 50 Cent

Wise Words: Steve Stoute Talks Developing The Jacob Watch, His First Deal With Jay-Z, The Gap's Advertising Blunder

2011-09-22T02:43:00.000-07:00

"Without curiosity, there will never be any innovation" - Steve Stoute

"If you have an idea that's unique enough and it the probability of its working is really high and your a sales guy, your going to find a partner whose going to back that idea because that is the commodity; the idea."- Steve Stoute

This is the first installment of Javid's full length interview with Steve Stoute on his new book "The Tanning Of America". In this clip Steve gets into the writing process for the book which he says took him 3 years and talks about what "tanning" means to him. Steve also tells the story of how Jay-Z's famous "who's the best MC, Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas" lyric raised his stature and recalls the time LL Cool J used The Gap to make a commercial for FUBU. Finally Steve gives his thoughts on the digital music revolution explaining how Sony Muisic dropped the ball and what Jimmy Iovine saw in Steve Jobs' idea for iTunes.

In the second and final installment of our sit down with Steve Stoute on his new book that has everyone buzzing, The Tanning Of America, he talks about creating one of the most iconic symbols of pop culture bling, the Jacob & Co. watch, with Jacob "The Jeweler" Arabov and the thought process behind it. Steve also recalls his first business big deal with Jay-Z creating Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E." from the critically acclaimed Chronic 2001 album and explains why the two have done business ever since.

Author Robert Greene Speaks On How To Be An Effective Leader (Video)

2011-09-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Robert Greene discusses central concepts from Chapter 6 ("Lead From The Front - Authority") of The 50th Law, a book co-authored with rap-artist 50 Cent. This video was sponsored and produced by Adaptive Mentoring Systems Inc.

Slim Thug's 5 Rules For Managing Finances

2011-09-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

"Play the game to change the game"

2011-09-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

"Mark Pitts said the greatest quote ever, I might get it as a tattoo one day. He said 'Play the game to change the game.' It's as simple as that and it works for all levels that I've been on in this career thus far. Like you come in with the intention to change the game, which I did and still have. But you can't change the game until you actually get in it and learn how to maneuver through it. Build the right relationships, build the right fan base and get the right power. You get the power by playing the game. Those were ill words". - J. Cole

E.T The Hip Hop Preacher Speaks On How He Was Able To Stop Procrastination And Write AHis First Book (Video)

2011-09-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

"You got to get sick and tired of defeat. Aren't you tired of getting beat? Aren't you tired of being on the losing end? I want you to know what it feels like to finish something. My life [went] to a whole [new] level when I finished that 4 year degree, when I finished that Masters Degree, when I finished my book. Can I explain to you how my life has changed in just 1 month? [Just] The fact that people know that I'm finished with the book, I'm getting engagements I never got before. I got companies calling me that never called me before not because I finished the book, but because I finished SOMETHING! They see me as a person that follows through! When I used to feel defeat it felt bad, but there is a totally different feeling when you accomplish [things]. People see you different. People are willing to do things they have never done before. You have credibility that you have never had before. So I encourage you to follow through" - E.T

Akon Shares Tips On Running A Successful Business & The Best Financial Advice He's Ever Received

2011-09-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z's 10 Business Commandments

2011-09-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

1. Focus on the most realistic chance to make the most money at all times.

Jay-Z has amassed a fortune of $450 million by living this philosophy, from dealing drugs as an adolescent to selling records, clothes, liquor and more as an adult.

2. Attach yourself to other successful brands.

One of Jay-Z's best-known boasts is that he "made the Yankee cap more famous than a Yankee can." Whether or not you agree with that statement, Jay-Z has certainly added to his victorious aura by associating himself with the Yankees, Michael Jordan, Warren Buffett and others.

3. Keep business and pleasure separate.

Jay-Z rarely speaks about his wife Beyonce, and it seems to have done wonders--many years into their relationship, they're far from being tabloid regulars like other celebrity couples. But that doesn't mean there's not a lot to say

4. Don't give free advertising to other brands unless there's a good reason.

In the late 1990s Jay-Z mentioned Iceberg clothing in a few of his songs and sales spiked. When he tried to parlay that into an endorsement deal, the company declined--so Jay-Z started his own, and called it Rocawear. Since then, he's been paid to endorse GM, Hewlett-Packard, Budweiser and others, and the only free advertising via references in his songs is for brands like Maybach.

5. Never publicize anything less than a victory.

Jay-Z doesn't talk much about his deals that fell apart or his products that flopped--his Armadale vodka and the Las Vegas location of his 40/40 Club. As a result, he's able to maintain a victorious image.

6. Don't split profits with others if you can avoid it.

Jay-Z famously parted ways with former business partners Damon Dash in 2004--partially because of different management styles, partially because his name sold products, not Dash's.

7. Cross-promote your products at all times.

Jay-Z never misses a chance to use one item's buzz to promote another. He's used his songs to advertise his Rocawear clothing line, S. Carter sneakers and 40/40 night club--and some products you might not even know he owns.

8. Attack any threat to your business, but don't take it too far.

Jay-Z has always been aggressive in protecting his business interests, and sometimes to a fault. In 1999 he was arrested for allegedly stabbing record producer Lance Rivera for bootlegging his album.

9. Ask lots of questions, never stop learning.

One of the things reiterated by most people who've worked with Jay-Z--be they lawyers, record label executives or other musicians--is that they can't help but notice his thirst for knowledge. He constantly absorbs information from people, books and situations, adding to his base like a hermit crab.

10. Don't get stuck in conventional ways of thinking

Rather than extend his record deal with Def Jam and parent company Universal (CEO Doug Morris pictured here), in 2008 Jay-Z inked a 10-year, $150 million deal with Live Nation that encompassed touring, recording, and a bevy of other businesses. The agreement was as ambitious as it was unorthodox.

Source

Daymond John On How He First Got His Clothing In Stores (Video)

2011-09-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

MACY*S from Daymond John on Vimeo.
While speaking at Macys' "The workshop" convention, Daymond John shared his inspiring story on how he was able to get his clothing line in major retail stores such as Macy's

DJ Drama On Dreams.....

2011-08-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

"Dream chasing is an occupation; those with the job understand the process of manifestation. A dream starts as a thought then its nurtured achieved and sustained. Then We go back in our minds for more work". - DJ Drama

Fonzworth Bentley Gives Tips on Maintaining Relationships with Powerful People (Video)

2011-07-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

"Whether its Diddy, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx or Cameron Diaz, Fonzworth Bentley knows the formula on how to build and maintain key relationships that have led to his current success in the music, movie, and television industries. In this clip, Fonzworth Bentley gives you some insight on how it works..."

So You Want To Be A Party Promoter? ....Watch This

2011-07-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

Synopsis: In the summer of 2007 college students Donte Murry and Michael Cooke developed the idea to make a reality movie about the cutthroat world of college party promotions they would later call Hustle 101. With little experience and a budget smaller then they’d like to say Murry and Cooke created what Insite magazine has called a surprisingly polished film and created what The Source magazine has called a “huge following”. -

As you can tell from the synopsis above, this is an EXCELLENT documentary that offers an in depth look of what its like in the party promoting business. Witness the money, women, fame and hardships of some of Atlanta's top promoters. Also, keep your ears open as they drop a few words of wisdom for those looking to get into the business. I included my favorite one below:

On How To Get People To Attend Your Parties:

"It all with the brand that goes along with it. That's why people wear shirts, have girls, throw out money cause its all in the brand. If I don't know your name I'm not going to your party. I don't know who this guy is, he just handed me some flyers... Whats gonna make me go to your party? your selling a lifestyle. Your selling more than just than just a party your saying this is how we live we pop bottles, we throw out money, we have women etc. that's why I [would]want to go to your party." - DJ White Mike

The Wisdom Of Entourage's Ari Gold

2011-06-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Now that the final season of one of my favorite shows of all time is coming to an end, I thought I'd share a few gems of wisdom from one the shows brightest characters....

“Baby... It wasn't the Cubs' fault when that douchebag grabbed the foul ball either, but they still don't get the World Series' ring. There are no asterisks in this life, only scoreboards” –

Hustlers Translation: People rarely want to hear your excuses and explanations, what matters most is the final result.

"Paramount passed before they found out Universal didn't pass...it’s like high school. You can’t fuck the prom queen until she finds out her best friend jerked you off underneath the bleachers!"

Hustlers Translation: Perceived desirability will often increase your actual desirability.

Ari: "Turtle, do you know what it takes to make something of yourself? I mean, c’mon, I worked a job through college AND grad school…In this life, no one is going to invest because you THINK you can. Do you have a business plan? What do you need? Office space, insurance, how many employees? What do you project to earn? What do you need to break even? At what point can your investors see some profit?"

Hustlers Translation: Craft a plan YOU can believe in, that way it will be easier to convince others to believe as well.

4. “So you come to me for advice? I'm gonna fucking cry. All right, here's what you do: You deal with talent the same way that you deal with women. You have to make them believe that they need you more then you need them”.

Hustlers Translation: Establish your worth. Act Like a King and be treated like one.

“First rule as an agent is you never take an angry client's call unless you have good news that will make him smile, all right?

Hustlers Translation: An angry client will make decisions based on anger. Unless you can offer the client some relief, it’s best to avoid the situation and let them cool down.

"All great men have had to make great sacrifices at some point in their lives"

Hustlers Translation: You can get to do a million things that people will never get to do, but to do that you have to sacrifice the 3 or 4 things that everybody gets to do

"The garbage man who wins the lottery does not throw out the ticket.”

Hustlers Translation: When you are given a lucky break, use it to your advantage.

"I don't represent talent, I represent temperature and he's not hot".

Hustlers Translation: In the entertainment business, popularity and likeability usually trump quality.

"When shit happens, just wipe, flush and move on".

Hustlers Translation: Don’t dwell on negative situations.

"Sometimes, things aren’t just meant to be. Sometimes, no matter how bad you want something, you gotta let it go. Senior year, all right, I was obsessed with Katie Sherman, the most insane tits... Anyway, the moment I found out she gave half the football team crabs, it was done. Never thought about it again".

Hustlers Translation: Everything good TO you, will not be good FOR you. Learn to recognize the difference.

TGIM SEASON 3 EPISODE 17: "What You are To Be, You Are Now Becoming"

2011-06-13T07:20:00.001-07:00

Even while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, E.T still lives his words by continuing to inspire us with new videos. "the person you will be at 21, 29, 30...starts today". E.T details the importance of working hard in the "pre-season", to better you chances in the playoffs.

Lil Wayne On How His Nightmares keep Him Focused

2011-06-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

"Sleeping at the top, with nightmares of the bottom. Everybody says it's lonely at the top, it is lonely. I dream and the only thing I dream about is being down there with the people that ain't lonely. Thank god I am alone". - Lil Wayne

Usher Speaks On The Importance Of Confidence In Acheiving Success

2011-06-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

New Era Fitted Cap Design Session (Video)

2011-05-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Watch the design process unfold as New Era Caps gives you a sneak peek into the creation of custom caps.

Hustler Musik: Travis Porter - "We Outchea"

2011-05-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

"Hustler Musik" is the newest addition here at THA, where we will feature some great motivational songs to help start your day or refuel your grind. This cut in particular, comes from Atlanta's very own "Travis Porter" and is about getting off your ass and getting to it.

Daymond John Shares His Personal Goal Setting Process

2011-04-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

"Often you will read a tweet I make around 4 AM that reads, “1 more hour till 5 AM Goals, knock out & right back up at 8am.”...

For those of you that do not understand the lingo of the tweet in less than 140 characters and do not yet know my thought process, this is the translation of my 4 AM tweet:....

I will read my list of 5 to 8 goals that range from Health to Family to Business. These goals are the same goals I read almost every night and every morning I wake up. Once I complete the 20-minute process of
reviewing my goals, I would go to sleep and let my subconscious mind absorb my last thoughts (goals) so that it infiltrates through my brain. With any luck, the goals would take over and I will visualize and dream of them as they turn into reality. (Of course this all goes out of the window if I end up scarfing down a spicy taco at 3 AM-that’s when my dream turns into having a headless horseman chase me in a dark forest for my last taco while I’m wearing my 3rd grade Karate suit!) But, if all works out right. I’ll wake up at 8 AM, having had a great night’s sleep with dreams of where I want to see myself in the future. When I wake up, I’ll read my goals all over again....

Back to goals: goals are ideas I’ve always been fascinated by, and I find that a lot of the inspiration comes from reading books. I was first introduced to the concept of goals when I picked up “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Other than books of religion, such as “The Bible”, “Think and Grow Rich” is credited to creating more of the world’s most successful people than any other book published in history.

Another book I find helpful in terms of setting goals is “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrnes. She describes goals as your thoughts that float into The Uni-verse and then becomes a part of a vibration or frequency that ultimately turns into reality.

...The significance of goal setting is valued a lot more than you think-that’s why books about it are written to target people of all ages. It’s a concept that needs great preparation and develops overtime. Once you understand and embrace the concept of Goals, you will see and hear it all around you and notice that it is one of the most common exercises of all successful people. If you don’t consider yourself a practitioner of goals, you’re probably not aware that goals can be both short and long term". -Daymond John

Click Here To Read The Full Post

Pain.......

2011-04-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Corporate Hustling 101: Snoop Dogg & The Colt 45

2011-04-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

This is video is as good as it gets from a marketing perspective and definitely a must watch for all my hustlers out there. Colt 45 is releasing a new fruity alcoholic beverage called "Blast" in hopes of competing with the likes of "Four Loko" and "Mike's Hard Lemonade". Here, we get to sit in on their presentation, plan and strategies to make this product a success. While I don't really condone Colt's attempts to pimp the hip-hop culture, this video is great to watch because it teaches you coroporate hustling; you learn what types of things matter most to the corporations like product placement, targerted demographics, brand awareness and even what they look for and expect from a brand spokesperson (who in this case is Snoop Dogg). You can watch the video below and hopefully you can learn something you can apply to your own hustle.

Props Kiss My Black Ads For The Heads Up

Rick Ross' Twitter Wisdom

2011-03-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite segments here on The Hustler's Ambition is "Twitter Wisdom", where I gather wisdom displayed over the accounts of promient tweeters. In the latest installment, we explore the thoughts of none other than Rick Ross.

rickyrozay TEFLON DON

now i close deals like i'm athletic..

13 Mar Favorite Retweet Reply

rickyrozay TEFLON DON

bummy clothes,hoes use to laugh at us..

13 Mar Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Hustla's make bitches smile..
4 Mar Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Love your position..but plot your promotion..
26 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
my vision is so vivid..
14 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
my circle small..
13 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
uncut "confidence" is priceless..
12 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
understanding "direction" is priceless..
12 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
having "vision" is priceless..
12 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
hustle for the mills..live for the thrill
4 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
No hitchhicking on the road to the riches...cuz we still walking bitches!!
1 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
I'm fascinated with knowledge..
1 Feb Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Go straight to the source..fuck the middleman!!
7 Jan Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Go harder..make it seem easier!!!
30 Dec Unfavorite Retweet Reply

rickyrozay TEFLON DON
go harder than ever for the shit you desire..you deserve it!!
3 Dec Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
benchwarmers have no stats.
2 Dec Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
painting is similar to producing. #layers
30 Nov Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
sleep is rewarded to suckas..while power grows within hustlas..
17 Nov Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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MaybachMusicGrp Maybach Music Group
nomatter what you look like..success is the sexiest.
7 Nov Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Work hard as fuck..Somehow make it seem Effortless..
28 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
shit worth achieving takes patience.
23 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
look at yourself as a company..."time to multiply production"...we talking profit.
22 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
if you do..you should fear success.
22 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Cant fear failure.
22 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Depend On Nothing.
20 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
I know wut I'm worth..and still gambling for that triple up nigga..dead serious hustlin going on over here..
12 Sep Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Measure success by how many people you bless
29 Aug Unfavorite Retweet Reply
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
Nothing worse than a negative and broke muthafucka!!#choose1
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rickyrozay TEFLON DON
success is spiritual..must believe!!!!

"On To The Next One"

2011-03-22T20:03:00.001-07:00

"Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks". -Warren Buffett

BET's Terrence J. On What It Takes to Make It (Video)

2011-03-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

"Terrence J. is known as the co-host of 106 & Park, BET's hit video show! What you don't know is it did not happen over night and without sacrifice. Terrence is no stranger to hard work and doing his homework. He candidly spoke to the youth of Durham, NC and surrounding areas about his rise to where he is now. He talked about having a plan "A" and not falling back on a plan "B" words from his mom. He has done quite well for himself and he puts it all out there for the listener".

Wendy Day On The Importance Of Perception When Brokering Deals

2011-03-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

"One of the most difficult parts of being in this industry, is accepting that perception is reality. What people THINK is true, IS true to them. Let me explain. If you think an artist is wack, he is wack. Even if 2 million screaming fans buy his music, you still think he’s wack. It would be difficult for anyone to convince you otherwise.
To millions of Americans, Michael Jackson was a pedophile, OJ Simpson was guilty and his all-star legal team beat the system, Obama is a Muslim socialist born in a foreign land (that’s just too funny), and Tupac is still alive. Proof or no proof, the belief is there. Their perception is their reality.This mindset travels into business as well. If a record label thinks an artist is a good risk, has a strong buzz, and is talented, they will sign that act. But if the label thinks otherwise, that artist doesn’t have a chance in hell of getting a deal unless he or she does something to change the perception. So whether an artist has real talent or not, has never been of much
relevance in the music industry—it’s the perception of talent that matters. Labels chase perceptions, because that is what’s accurate and real to them. If Waka Flocka is the hottest rapper on the streets of the south right now, then labels will scramble to sign him, work with him, and look for other artists like him. Perception is reality....
When I have shopped deals in the past for artists, I always focused on changing the perception to be what we needed it to be to get the deal done. And for the most part, I did so with artists who were talented and could back up their 15 minutes of fame with some real artistic value. I learned this lesson very early in my career when I was shopping Eminem".

Click Here To Read Wendy's Full Blog

The 10 Laws Of Dealing With Police (Short Film)

2011-03-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

You may have seen him in The Wire defending Clay Davis, Judge Billy Murphy is one of the top Lawyers in Maryland and he put to together this excellent short film in which I'm sure ALL hustlers could benefit from becoming aware of their rights. Best part is that it is very relateable, unlike a lot of similar films. Film starts at 5:30.

1. Always Remain Calm & Cool
2. Reserve Your Right To Remain Silent
3. Refuse Searches
4. Don't Get Tricked
5. Determine if you are free to go
6. Don't Expose yourself
7. Don't Run
8. Never touch A Cop
9 Report Police Misconduct
10. You don't HAVE to let them in

Ice Cube On The Importance Of Developing Plan

2011-03-02T23:58:00.000-08:00

"You gotta start with a plan. When I was inschool (Phoenix Institute of Technology), I took architectural drafting. And that taught me that everything starts with a plan. The biggest buildings in the world started with a plan. So, after you make your plan, figure out, ‘What's the easiest way for me to get where I'm trying to be, and what do I need to do to make it happen? ...
"So many people get a career, or get in this business, and don't know what they want to do next. They have no clue, and whatever comes along they jump at it without mapping out anything. And you can make a lot of mistakes that way." - Ice Cube

Why You Should Set Goals (Video)

2011-02-28T13:49:00.001-08:00

I have spoken on the power of writing your goals down on here on THA quite a few times in the past. This video kinda fills in the gaps of things that I may have left out. In addition, a while back 50 Cent tweeted the picture below and what caught my eye why most the diamond studded jewelry but the paper it laid upon. If you look closely you can see that 50 had typed out a list of goals to accomplish, which to me it worth worth than any jewels.

Props YM

Marlon Wayans Speaks On The Importance Of Seizing Opportunity

2011-02-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

Check out this HILARIOUS yet inspirational interview with movie star Marlon Wayans.

"What I was given was opportunity. Opportunity is the easiest thing in the world to blow. People think that my brothers gave us...you can't give somebody a career. You can give somebody an opportunity, but it's preparation that made me and Shawn beasts... You may be successful once, but that ain't shit. Can you recreate?" - Marlon Wayans

"One door closes, a thousand doors open. Most people be so depressed from the one door that closes, that they can't see the other thousand" - Marlon Wayans

Akon Speaks On Effective Money Managment (Video)

2011-02-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

Dame Dash On The Law Of Attraction, Haters,Branding,Hustling & More (Audio)

2011-02-05T01:11:00.000-08:00

I got my hands upon an extremely rare Dame Dash interview where he dives deep into his views on life and what he thinks it takes to be successful. Some of the main topics covered are the Law of attraction, Branding, haters and his logic behind the fall of Rocafella. Below Are a few of my favorite quotes.

On The Law of Attraction

"If you can't visualize something it''s hard for it to become a reality... In order to really move further, you have have to see the goals so that you can see what your working towards" - Dame Dash

"With business, it's about will and it's about not ever being scared. Like you can't think you ever gonna get no money if there is fear. It's like walking into a fight doubting yourself. Why fight if you think you gonna lose? So I never really get into something thinking there is a slight chance I'm gonna lose. I always believe in it 100% and that's what I've done. I walk it like I talk it" - Dame Dash

On Branding & Perception

"If your gonna sell something to the people it's got to be real. You never disappoint your consumer. [If] somebody knows you for being thorough, the minute you not thorough they're not gonna mess with you no more" - Dame Dash

"As far as clothing and perception, a lot of it is smoke and mirrors. It's the same thing like in the street, the minute you buy a car, everybody got a spot for you, everybody wanna get hit with some work or somebody wanna hit you with something you get a connect. The minute they see a car, the minute people think you doing good they want to be apart of it" - Dame Dash

"The first form of communication a person has when they see you is what you got on. So I could tell a lot about a person by the way they dress, by the sneakers they wear, the shoes they wear. [If] somebody come in wearing the wrong sneakers, I'm automatically like he got to be a clown to buy that and then I know a lot about the persons character; what he knows and doesn't know" - Dame Dash

Swizz Beatz Talks About His Partnership With Reebok (Video)

2011-02-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Swizz Beatz speaks on why he choose to partner with Reebok rather than just endorse the brand and also on the process of the developing a sneaker.

All Money Ain't Good Money.....

2011-01-27T17:25:00.001-08:00

4 Lessons Learned From "The Big Payback"

2011-01-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

I recently read Dan Charnas' book, "The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop" and although the first half off the book was a bit mundane, the second half more than made up for it. I would have liked to have seen some coverage on groups & indivuals like Hip-Hop Since 1978, Soulja Boy, Jason Geter/Grand Hustle and a bit more light shed on the business dealings of Master P, Diddy, 50 Cent and Jay-Z. Other than that, the book was a pretty enlightening read and I don't think it would presumptuous to expect a sequel in the future. Below are a few things I learned and tweeted whilst reading the book. You can purchase your copy here

1. The Strandard lawyer fee for negotiating a deal should be around 5% 12:52 PM Jan 11th via web

2. When reviewing a contract, it's not only about the things which are bad, but also the things that are MISSING 12:54 PM Jan 11th via web

3. "Big Investment" leads to "Big Promotion" the more $ a label puts N2 a project, the more they will need 2 promote it to recoup their $$ 12:59 PM Jan 11th via web

4. Ignorance can be strength, a lot of people have achieved "impossible" deals simply because the weren't aware that they were "impossible" 1:01 PM Jan 11th via web

Lyor Cohen On The Importance Of Logos

2011-01-11T11:20:00.001-08:00

The Lady In The Red Dress......

2011-01-01T23:18:00.000-08:00

"You’re going to be distracted by everything until you find something you care about. […] People who really care a lot about something don’t get distracted… but the people who get distracted are just not sure what to pay attention to".
- Merlin Mann

Wisdom From "The Ultimate Hustler"

2010-12-30T14:20:00.000-08:00

BallerStatus.com: What are your words of wisdom to up-and-coming "hustlers?"

Brian Rikuda: I got three. If you say you're about something, be about it. If you say you're a producer, do that 100%. If you say you a rapper, you should really be about that craft. This a competitive industry, so if you not working day and night and always on your grind, you will get beat by someone who is working harder, straight up. I don't care how much talent you got, you got to be willing to sacrifice and put in work. Don't get fooled by the smoke and mirrors of the industry and think that this money comes easy. Behind every platinum chain and new whip, there is some hard work ... Surround yourself with people that got similar goals and work ethic. In business, you can't work with someone just because they are your partna. You got to surround yourself with people that's gonna push you to work harder and be sharper. That's the only way your gonna be the best.

Respect The Hustle: Diamond Supply Co On MTV (Video)

2010-12-10T01:50:00.000-08:00

Sucker Free - MTV Shows

More than just a skate boarding clothing store, Diamond Supply Co. has expanded to reach hipsters, urban kids and even some of your favorite rappers. Watch as the founders discuss their start-up and success hustling retail with MTV.

'My Own Worst Enemy So Either Way I Can't lose'

2010-12-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

"Look me in the eyes. Its okay if you're scared. So am I, but we're scared for different reasons.I'm scared of what I wont become, you're scared of what I could become. Look at me. I won't let myself end where I started. I won't let myself finish where I began. I know what is within me...even if you cant see it yet. Look me in the eyes.I have something more important than courage. I have patience. I will become what I know I am". - Michael Jordan

Insight: Only you can stop yourself from succeeding: if you do stop yourself, you succeeded at failing...either way YOU can't lose!

Angela Yee On How To Become A Radio Personality

2010-12-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

NBA superstar Lebron James' website recently conducted an interview with popular on air-personality; Angela Yee. In the interview, she drops a few jewels on what it is like to be an on-air personality and how inspiring on-air personality's can land an internship in the biz.

1. Tell us about yourself. Who are you? Where are you from? Background?

I was born and raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, but I moved to South Orange, NJ when I was 15 years old. My dad's Chinese and my mom is from Montserrat in the West Indies. I grew up thinking I was going to be a writer ever since I was in kindergarten, and it's still one of my goals in life.

2. What's cool about your job? What's the toughest thing about your job?

Hosting the morning show on Shade 45 is great because I genuinely have a good time at work most days.I get to meet people that I admire, and sometimes I even like them after I meet them. Honestly, the worst part is getting up early every day. Even after 6 years I don't think anyone can get used to that. I wanted to be a teacher when I was in college but I thought the hours were too early and now look at me.

3. If you could be something other than a radio personality what would you be?

I would be a writer. I always imagine myself on some secluded island (Montserrat probably) away from everything just writing for months.

4. What was your first internship experience like?

My first internship was at Wu-Tang Management in Staten Island. That was a pretty fun job, and they still treat me like family to this day. I had more responsibilities than the average intern, so it was the best learning experience. It used to be surreal when Raekwon or Method Man would be wandering around the office or ODB was up there screaming at everyone.I was super quiet back then and very serious about my business. I would get to work early every day and be the last one to leave. They hired me when I graduated from college to be assistant to the CEO.

5. What's the key to landing an industry internship? How many have you had? Which companies?

I've noticed that interns are a lot different than they used to be, or maybe I was just a super intern. I interned at TVT Records, Wu-Tang Management, and MTV when I was in college. You do it for the experience and the connections, I never got paid for anything.Most of mine were through networking, and one I landed through the career resource center at Wesleyan University. That was a good move because alumni always want to connect with the younger students and believe me, people always need good free help. We hire so many interns at Sirius XM that sometimes we don't even have enough qualified applicants.

6. Are relationships really everything in the music/entertainment industry or does talent rise to the top?

You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't know anyone it doesn't matter. You can also have all the connections in the world and if you have no talent it doesn't matter. I've always managed to get my foot in the door, even if it means starting from the ground up, and then busted my ass to be the best I can be. I still work just as hard today, I'm just more comfortable with what I do.When I started at Sirius XM, I had a background in marketing and had to take a $30,000 paycut. It hurt but in the end it paid off.

7. Tell us about going from working with (Cipha Sounds) to having your own show (Lip Service)?

Cipha gave me the freedom to have control when he was there. He took me under his wing but he also let me come up with my own segments to get some shine. Lip Service started as a segment on his morning show when I was his sidekick and morphed into its own nighttime show. When Cipha left to go to Hot 97, I had the choice to stay under his wing or try to do it on my own. It was a hard decision but I felt like I wanted to see if I could hold down a morning show on my own and who knows when I would ever get an opportunity like that. Fortunately, Paul Rosenberg (Eminem's manager), Reggie Hawkins and Geronimo (Sirius) believed I could do it.

8. What sets you apart from other radio and TV personalities?

I think one major difference is that this wasn't something that I studied so my style is very unstyled. I just fell into radio. I look up to Wendy Williams and all her success, and she's always supportive of me. She'll come on my show and give such a great interview that I feel like she's such a pro she outshines me. I hope to have the longevity of her, Angie Martinez, and other great personalities. I think some people look at me as controversial, but I just try to make sure I ask the questions on everyone's mind without being offensive.I treat it like we're just at a lounge having a conversation and there's no mics. Sometimes people criticize the media for asking personal questions, but if you don't ask about the current rumors then other people think you're wack for pussyfooting. You just can't win!

9. Give a quick tip for that kid out there looking to do what you do when he or she grows up.

I say to do any internships you can get, and do it while you're in college and can get school credit. Also, make sure you stay on top of what's happening around the world, read cnn.com, msnbc.com, huffingtonpost.com, bossip.com, worldstarhiphop.com, rapradar.com, tmz.com, perezhilton.com, ew.com, allhiphop.com, theybf.com, necolebitchie.com, nahright.com, ballerstatus.com, balleralert.com, yahoo.com, fark.com, and everything that you can. Start your own blog site, make sure you're on twitter and facebook, and don't write anything embarrassing or incriminating for future employers to see but still have a standout personality.

10. Where are you headed next? Projects, collabos, super street pseudo-mixtapes?

I've been filming a couple of pilots, and I just started corresponding for Sucker Free on MTV2. I need to get comfortable in front of the camera next. And I swear I'm going to start this book.

11. What is craziest situation at work (that is PG-13)?

When Tahiry, Joe Budden's ex girlfriend, was on the show he called in and they spoke for the first time since they broke up. It was emotional. And we interviewed Mashonda for the first time after her breakup with Swizz and she looked like she was about to cry the whole time. Amber Rose was on Lip Service and soon after she was dating Kanye West.

12.Who are some people you look up to and why?

Chelsea Handler, because she's hilarious and uncensored.Wendy Williams, because she created a path for herself despite people hating on her. Chris Rock, I wish I could be as funny and smart as he is. Tina Fey, she writes exactly the kind of things I would like to write.

Props

How To Land An Internship In The Music Industry According To Lenny Santiago

2010-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Company: Def-Jam/Roc-a-fella

Title: Vice President of A&R

Find out what it's like to be a record label A&R and how to obtain a coveted internship in the music industry.

"[Some of the traits you need to land an internship are]Consistencey, being aggressive without being annoying, being reliable...[you have to be] be agressive to the point like your on people, your reminding people [of what your here to do] ...constantly hitting them up, not to the point it's annoying. [You have to take] another route where your not going around them, but you just kinda getting in there to show that you can help and be very useful to them without being disrepectful.You gotta be stI was always very strategic with everything I did, I don't care if it was reading the back of all the credits on Jay-Z's albums so I could know everybody on Jay-Z's team". - Lenny S.

Props LBJ

How To Stop Procrastination According To P. Diddy & Co

2010-11-29T07:56:00.001-08:00

Props MCU

One Of Jay-Z's Secrets To Success....

2010-11-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

"We didn't know the business yet, but we knew how to hustle. Like a lot of underground crews on a mission, we were on some real trunk-of-the-car shit. The difference with us was that we didn't want to get stalled at low level hustling. We had a plan. We did more than talk about it, we wrote it down. Coming up with a businessplan was the first thing the three of us did. We made short and long-term projections, we kept it realistic , but the key thing is that we wrote it down, which is as important as visualization in realizing success". - Jay-Z

(Except From "Decoded")

Nick Cannon Shares His Investment Strategies (Video)

2010-11-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

Food For The Creative Thought......

2010-11-12T21:43:00.001-08:00

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through".
- Ira Glass

What Hustlers Can Learn From Pimpin Ken: "Don’t chase em’, replace em"

2010-11-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Law 3: Don’t chase em’, replace em

Hustlers Story: Sometime circa 2008, Drake traveled to New York City, after being courted by label executives at Universal Motown Records, in hope of finally signing a major record deal. To him, this was a big deal as he had traveled all the way from Toronto, Canada by himself to chase his dreams. However, much to his dismay, when he finally arrived things did not go as planned. In a meeting with Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone, she compared Drake to Nick Cannon (an actor turned rapper who never got respect within the hip-hop community and maintained a "cornball" image) and expressed that she had no idea how to market him as an artist. Needless to say, the label did not see Drake as a priority and shortly thereafter, all further meetings, paid flights, hotels etc. were canceled by the label and Drake was left stranded.

Disheartened, Drake returned home to Toronto, where he would record his classic mixtape entitled "So Far Gone". Upon it's release, Drake literally became an overnight phenom and everyone in the hip-hop community was speaking his name. Once again, negotiations with record labels were in effect, but this time something was very different. The success of "So Far Gone" had caused Drake entertain the idea of being completely independent, if he could amass all this attention and critical acclaim on his own, then what could a record label really offer him? When asked in interviews about how he was handling being courted by record labels, he would simply reply: "Duck & dodge, avoid at all costs". This only made the labels fight harder to gain his favor; gifts, dinners and multi-millionaire dollar offers all came pouring in. In less than 1 year, Drake went from being the one doing the chasing to the one being chased and he got a deal with an unheard of 2 million dollar advance & 100% ownership of his publishing to show for it.

The Ism "In any situation the one doing the chasing is more apt to be played out. If someone knows they are being chased, they are in the driver’s seat, and will usually take advantage. The one who can control his emotions will be the one in control of the relationship or situation. Never put yourself at the mercy of someone else – always be mentally prepared to have a replacement step in, if need be". - Pimpin Ken'

INFLUENCERS (Documentary)

2010-11-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

"INFLUENCERS" is a short documentary that explores what it means to be an influencer and how trends and creativity become contagious today in music, fashion and entertainment.The film attempts to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical or metric approach. Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives (advertising, design, fashion and entertainment) who are shaping today’s pop culture.“Influencers” belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience.

What Hustlers Can Learn From Pimpin Ken: "Purse First; Ass Last"

2010-11-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Law 1: Purse first, ass last:

Hustler's Story: In 2004, producer/singer Pharell Williams had a vision to create a "luxury street brand" and entered into an agreement with Reebok to launch his "Billionaire Boys Club"(BBC) clothing line & "Ice-Cream" sneakers. Somewhere down the line, the release of BBC was postponed and the sneakers alone were released. The sneakers were hugely successful, but there was just one problem, the price. Instead of the price being too high, Pharrell thought the price was too LOW. Reebok's $60 price tag was inconsistent with Pharell's idea of a "Luxury Street Brand". How could it be luxury if everyone could afford it? Presumably, this was one of the principal reasons for Pharell's $4 Million lawsuit against Reebok, which led both brands to part ways. Here is a statement made by Pharell on the matter:

"Reebok and I both understand we have very different visions for my clothing line, BBC, and my sneaker line, Ice Cream. I have learned a great deal doing business with Reebok, and it has been a great experience. I am pleased that we can part ways amicably and am excited to launch my line independently." -Pharrell Williams

After splitting with Reebok, Pharell began to sell his sneakers and clothing lines independently. His Ice-Cream sneakers that were once $60, now sell upwards of $200. Why? because Pharrell understands the law of "purse first ass last ". As mentioned in the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad";

"He said, ‘Raise your price. Make it ridiculous. ‘That would make people perceive it as a value".

The Ism : "In life, what is expensive seems valuable, and what is available for free, seems worthless. You’ve heard no one buys the cow when the milk when the milk is free, but what they didn’t tell you is after a while, no one even wants that free milk. To be valued, the key is not to give, but to receive- the more, the better. You don’t want to “earn” your price, you want to “cost” it. This is the psychology behind the whole game: anything worth having, you must pay for up front". - Pimpin Ken

The 48 Laws Of GAME and it's Practical Applications

2010-11-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

So not long ago, I stumbled upon this book by well a known street pimp by the name of "Pimpin' Ken". The books title: Pimpology: "The 48 Laws Of Game" was incredibly similar to Robert Greene's classic book, "The 48 Laws Of Power" & with this in mind, I began to skeptically peruse the page's of Ken's book wondering what type of "game" he could possibly offer to someone like myself, who wasn't in the pimp game. What I discovered is that the pimp game is actually a representation of LIFE & social interaction on a smaller scale. What I mean is, almost every situation in life can be viewed in a "Pimp/Hoe" dynamic, as rapper Ice-T describes in the video below. With laws like "Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say", "Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan" & "When Pimpin’ Begins, Friendship Ends", The 48 Laws of Game can be a very useful tool IF you can internalize the information in a way that best relates to YOU & your situation. Simply skimming through the book has inspired me to write a brief series called "What Hustlers Can Learn from Pimpin Ken". In this short series, I will take some laws from Ken's book and illustrate how they have been used in the past (Knowingly or Unknowingly) and I will provide excerpts straight from Ken that describe each law in more detail, dubbed as "That Ism" by Pimpin Ken.

Dame Dash Speaks On Dreams (Video)

2010-11-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Dame Dash gives his take on the importance of following your dreams...

Glass Half Full.....

2010-11-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

"Failure’s hard, but success is far more dangerous. If you’re successful at the wrong thing, the mix of praise and money and opportunity can lock you in forever". - Po Bronson

VEVO24s Presents "Industry Hustlers": Nick Cannon

2010-10-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

The latest installment of VEVO's new series: "Industry Hustlers" follows non other then actor, producer & entrepreneur Nick Cannon, who also happens to be the youngest television executive in history, around to see what a day in his life is like. Towards the end Nick Cannon offers some advice for aspiring hustlers. "Hustlers never sleep, we tap naps" - Nick Cannon

The Twitter Wisdom Of 50 Cent

2010-10-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite segments here on The Hustler's Ambition is "Twitter Wisdom", where I gather wisdom displayed over the accounts of promient tweeters. In the lastest installment, we explore the thoughts of none other than 50 Cent whose comic vulgarity often causes his more thought provoking tweets to be overlooked. That is, until now....

On Friends & Money

- I been hustlin since I was 12 years old So I know not to give people what they deserve Ill pay what they will accept nothing more ... -

- How many people in your life do you think really likes you. I
mean really cares about you. I have money but I don't have a lot. Money brings all kinds a fake friends. Trust me on this one. -

- Never over trust friends they will betray you if they envy you.they also become spoiled and tyrannical. -

- I hired a person who was a enemy at one point now he's
more loyal then a friend. he works like he has something to prove. -

- fear friends more than enemies. I keep people off balance they don't have a clue what I'm up to so its harder for them to prepare a defense -

- I just saw a motherfu**er tweet I aint got no friends. Look I don't need no friends. Friends are overrated all they want is to borrow money. -

On Becoming Successful

- Good luck when or if you make it just know people are gonna hate you for it. This is true I try to understand what it does for them -

- I promise this tweet will help you be successful except you don't
know everything you will learn faster. Pay close attention. -

- I don't think people understand me. I work so hard to get were I'm at. That's why I get so mad when people are up set with my success -

- Most people think having a bachelors degree or a masters
equates to there level of intelligence I think it reflects there ability to
retain Information short term. You know long enough to pass a test. They don't apply it if they did we would be over populated with successful people.

Even the professors teaching business in college who seems to know everything would be to rich and to busy to teach there class. I'm not saying it doesn't mean anything but it doesn't mean everything. People love tragedy it why the buy the news paper every day. -

- I'm not here cause I'm lucky and accidents happen once I win repeatedly cause I'm not afraid to lose. -

- Depression is a luxury I can't afford so I see haters and just
keep on working its cool I'm not here by accident sh*t -

On Adapting to Situations

-I'm bout to walk in this meeting so I'm a turn on my intelligent ni**a but when I come out I'm gone be ignorant lol -

- I Told him I'll use the cheese to catch a snake.

Let me explain that last statement it might be a little confusing.
the cheese will bring mice then mice will bring snakes. just baiting -

- Shit I know I don't know everything but I'm catching on fast enough to keep winning. now how could you hate that. -
- Maybe I miss spell things on purpose. Maybe I use profanity to appear less intelligent. I do believe a wise man who plays the part of fool will learn faster. I guess the jokes on who ever thought I think like I tweet I am the 48 laws of power 50th law I wrote the book. -

-Iv been working hard and I'm going to sign new artist to but this time ill use a page out of jayz book I won't spoon feed them .Ill simply say help ya self. While focusing on my plate. If there good they will make it. -

- Always make those above you feel comfortable. Do not go to far showing your talent. Make them appear smarter then they are. You will move up In your work space trust me. -

On Surrounding Yourself With The Best

- Stay away from unhappy and unlucky people -

- U know I just got off stage. I had Avi Lerner with me tonight. He financed the expendables for u motherfuckers that been under a rock lol -

- All I do is fuck with heavyweights. I had fine bitches with me so I threw them on him. I hope that shit makes him pay for a few of my movies -

- was on the phone with Patrice Motsepe. Check him out this nigga is for real. Billionaire boys club. Makes me feel like I gotta hustle lol -

A Hustler's Story: Kenny Burns - "B.U.R.N.S" (Documentary)

2010-10-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Kenny Burns is the epitome of the world "hustler", starting off in party promotion and then navigating his way through the music, fashion, film & radio industries. The former vice-president of Roc-a-Fella records lent a helping hand in shaping the careers of Jay-Z, Kanye West and former pop group, "Dream". Burns is responsible for the "button-up" trend that emerged in 2003 as well as placing the movie "Paid In Full" in the hands of Dame Dash. This video documents his journey and shares his wisdom on what it takes and doesn't take, to be successful. B.U.R.N.S = Be Ultimately Realistic and Never Sellout

"Far to many times I hear people idolizing or worshiping the Entertainment Bizness. The crazy thing is half the time they don't even know what they want from it, or better yet what it will TAKE FROM THEM! B.U.R.N.S is the story of My Grind and hopefully will show YOU that YOU don't have to be somebody's slave to make it in the Entertainment Business (or The World). I NEVER WALKED TO BROOKLYN FOR CHEESECAKE!" - Kenny Burns
"You can only create brands if you become the brand itself" - Kenny Burns
"Creating your own lane is key, yeah you have to play your position at first, finish what you start, but as that creative door be given wider and possibilities avail itself, being known for something is worth its weight in gold" - Kenny Burns
"Understanding perception IS reality in entertainment, will take you farther than any textbook" - Kenny Burns

David Banner Talks Marketing, Networking & Adverstising

2010-09-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

Rapper and grammy award winning producer, David Banner speaks on tranistioning into the advertising business and drops some knowledge on what it takes to do so. You can view his Gatorade commercial here.

"Artists have to stop waiting & begging for opportunies. Make your
own Opportunity. The last campaign that I did for Motorola, I actually created the commericial...wrote the treament, shot it and we gave it to them. We didn't give them an opportunity to give us a vision we gave them one" - David Banner

"What you doing? "Bull$#!ting"

2010-09-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

Tariq Nasheed On Failure

2010-09-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

"Don’t be afraid to fail. I’ve tried all kinds of businesses that weren’t successful. I tried starting up a music production business. Failed. I tried a rental car service. Failed. I tried the book writing business, and I was successful at it. It’s all about trying new things and not being afraid to fail because you’re going to fail at something regardless. It’s not about how many times you hear “no”, it’s about how many times you keep asking". - Tariq Nasheed

ET The Hip Hop Preacher Speaks On Resiliency & Giving Your All

2010-09-09T10:07:00.001-07:00

Eric Speaks on resiliency using the dramatic fight between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas to drive home the point of staying in the fight even when your tired and feel like giving up. You will never know how close you are to a victory if you don't fight to the end.

Eric speaks to MSU students about fully dedicating yourself to your goals...

Tyrese Shares Success Tips In Men's Health Magazine

2010-09-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Singer, actor & entrepeneur Tyrese Gibson , recently shared some of his personal tips for success for Men's Health Magazine. It's a very interesting and eye-opening read. Below are some of my favorite quotes:

"Accomplish something and your attitude can go from I'm working hard for this to This is mine. Do that and you've already failed. A boss doesn't promote you because you DID work hard. A woman doesn't love you because you WERE devoted to her. They want you in the present and future tense: They expect you from here on in to work hard, to be devoted. Start coasting and you'll roll backward". - Tyrese Gibson
"Find someone who embodies your goal, and that person will raise your
standards and expectations. - Tyrese Gibson
"Every man is surrounded by better men. A man who's more financially secure than you are can teach you something, and chances are he can also learn something from you. So approach him. Collaborate. Successful men aren't symbols of your inferiority; they're examples worth engaging". - Tyrese Gibson

Click Here To view The web version of the Article, if your having trouble reading the scans
http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/motivation/tyrese-gibson-success-tips/article/0b5ff23ace631210VgnVCM10000013281eac

E.T The Hip Hop Preacher On How To Be Successful (Video)

2010-08-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Part 1

Part 2

E.T the hip hop preacher shares some informational wisdom to Michigan State University students about what it take to be successful. "When You Want To Succeed As Bad As You Want to Breathe, Then You Will Be Successful"!!

Slim Thug's Financial Tip's For The Frugal Hustler

2010-08-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Rapper, hustler and entrepreneur, Slim Thug, always drops knowledge on his twitter page so I decided to compile a list of some of Thugga's best tweets regarding finances. you can keep up with Slim Thug's twitter by Clicking Here.

- #thuggatips if u buy a expensive car don't keep it more than 2 yrs the value will drop too much.

- #thuggatips never spend more than 50k on fixing up a car you'll never get yo money back (music kits rims paint)

- Instead of dropping out of school to be a rapper or trapper go to college and get a degree that will last forever. U can't sell dope 4ever

- Instead of buying a $3000 Louie purse $1000 red bottoms and shopping in galleria. Put that $4000 in a $300 bag

- Instead of buying diamond chains invest in something. U never see white people wearing jewelry

- I can't tell the difference if yo shoes are from bakers or Saks and it don't matter to me who made em it's more important how u look in em

- if u do buy jewelry don't go get that custom shit with yo name on it cause u ain't gone get shit back when u try to sell it

- Bigger the house bigger the bills don't buy a 5 bedroom house if u live by yo self. I got the Deed to my crib and the titles to my car

- Ain't nothing wrong with being cheap it's smart and fun. why u still float above water u can watch people who aren't drown and disappear

- They might say ha ha look slim thug at the bar wit a drink we popping bottles slim thug spent $100 u spent $3000 dummy and funny thing is u got the bitches me and my potnas taking home drunk for us. Gnr thanks my nig

- U can't live check to check your whole life. either u tryna do too much or need to use your free-time to try to advance (school)

- U can't have 3 car notes the rule is if u can't pay it off u dont need it

- Instead of working 2 jobs to pay rent and car note u know u can't afford get something cheaper so u can actually have free time to enjoy it

-If u go to the richest neighbor hoods u will see the cheapest cars ain't nobody in River Oaks rolling candy paint and 26's

- Instead of making it rain ask for a $20 private dance. White people don't make it rain.

- Instead of buying diamond chains invest in something. U never see white people wearing jewelry

The Jason Geter Way: "Go Hard Every Day"!

2010-08-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a brief look into a day in the life Grand Hustle Rec./Films Ceo & entrepreneur, Jason Geter. In addition, Below is a speech J. Geter gave to Clark-Atlanta students where he shared his tips for success.

"There was no real template, it was just go hard literally every day. We got an apartment together, me and Tip. Every day our mission was, what are we gonna do, what club we going to? What show we gonna do? Like literally every day that’s what it was. Dedication. A lot of times people never really, really go in hard. We were really doing it full time. Every week, I would go to Barnes & Noble and read Billboard magazine. Sitting with stacks of magazines, highlighting stuff, rip out pages. Not just doing the work but educating ourselves as well. That’s why we knew our value". - J. Geter

I’ve spent a large percent of my adulthood in recording studios. Before I started my company I actually worked at Patchwerk Recording studios in Atlanta. Since then I’ve had three different facilities of my own.

The recording process differs depending on the act. We’re currently working on Tip’s 7th album. When it comes to working with him he usually records between 60-75 records.
From there we narrow it down to about 20. You may put 14 on the domestic album, international usually wants an extra song. And then the retail giants like Best Buy may want an exclusive song or two for special placement.

During this time, life can be a little difficult. My days in the studio may start at 4 or 5pm and go until 5am. By the time you drive home you’re now wide awake, therefore you may not get to sleep until 6:30am… wake up at 11:30am to handle emails and conference calls. Before you know it, it’s time to go back in! - Jason Geter

Sources: 21st Century Hustle

Forbes 2010 "Hip Hop Cash Kings" List

2010-08-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Forbes Magazine just released its annual list of hip hop's highest earners for the 2010 year. Of course we have the usual appearances by Jay-Z, 50 Cent & Diddy, but also some newcomers like Drake and Gucci Mane have made list this year as well.

* 1.Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter
$63 Million
* 2.Sean "Diddy" Combs
$30 million
* 3.Aliuane "Akon" Thiam
$21 million
* 4.Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter
$20 million
* 5.Andre "Dr. Dre" Young
$17 million
* 6.Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges
$16 million
* 7.Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus
$15 million * 8.Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley
$14 million
* 9.Pharrell Williams
$13 million
* 10.Kanye West
$12 million

Click Here For The Full List

Money, Power, Respect: Diddy's 10 Ways To Success

2010-07-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

1. Work hard. Then work harder. The difference between me is you is I'M working when YOU'RE sleeping!! When you think you've done enough for the day, KEEP GOING!!

2. Believe. Never lose your faith!!! Only YOU can make the impossible possible...so prove the world wrong! BELIEVE!

3. Count your pennies. Yeah, it's that dirty money!!! But you don't get rich from blowing it....spend your money wisely & question EVERY business move you make. Be smart people!

4. Be humble. Remember your roots & what your mother told you. She's still right!!

5. Listen. Choose the people in your life carefully & surround yourself with artists & experts at their craft....then listen to what they have to say. They're the ones who will help you on the way to the top.

6. Love. Leave room every day to LOVE and be LOVED!!!

7. Don't make the same mistake twice. There are no second chances. Period.

8. Never settle. Take the words "good enough" out of your vocabulary!!! Be the best or don't play at all!

9. Be confident. Stay humble, but be confident. Keeping your head down won't get you anywhere....don't be afraid to step on some toes!!!

10. Don't get comfortable. The minute you let your guard down, someone newer, younger, and thirstier is waiting to take your place.

Via Vibe Magazine

Pharrell Shares Career & Life Wisdom (Video)

2010-07-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Pharrell recently held a K!dult conference to help inspire the youth. During one segment imparticular, Diggy Simmons held a Q&A with Pharrell in which he shares a lot of advice and wisdom.

J. Cole's Formula For Success

2010-06-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z protege' and Roc nation signee, J.Cole, recently appeared on BETs "106th N Park". Peep what he had to say in regards to what advice he would offer those seeking success:

"The best piece of advice [I could give] is two things: one is Belief and than the other is Hard Work. I feel like if one is missing out of that equation it's not gonna happen for you, but it is a lot of less talented people who believed and worked hard and got to where a lot of people want to be" - J.Cole

Nigel D. (Founder Of RealtalkNY) Speaks On The Blog Hustle (Video)

2010-06-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Nigel D, founder of popular rap website RealTalkNY, speaks on the business of blogging, How he got started, its pros & cons and more. Very informative interview for those looking to venture into the blogging business.

Rules To Hustle By: "You Are Who You Associate With"

2010-06-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

"Employees that ONLY hang with EMPLOYEES will ONLY further their careers as an EMPLOYEE" Learn to hang with bosses and you will BECOME ONE!!" -Tyrese Gibson

"In LIFE it's impossible to get to the RIGHT places hanging with the WRONG people" -Tyrese Gibson

As the old saying goes: "Steel sharpens steel", actor/entrepreneur Tyrese Gibson understands and lives the above quotes. In the picture up top, you can see Tyrese hanging with legendary filmmakers Michael Bay ("Bad Boys" 1&2, "Transformers") and Steven Spielberg (E.T, The Color Purple etc). How many actors actually go out and establish a good relationship with directors? Even Tyrese admits that he might not have landed his role in "Transformers" had him and Michael Bay not built a rapport years earlier. His relationship with Michael Bay, actually led Bay to WRITE a part for Tyrese in the movie!!!! If you still don't get it, we are talking about networking and the law of association. Basically, Tyrese NETWORKED his way into "Transformers", which is one of the highest grossing films of all time.

Net·work·ing (-wʉr′kiŋ) - the developing of contacts or exchanging of information with others in an informal network, as to further a career

To break it down even further, Tyrese details how successful networking can affect even the most unexpected areas of your life, like the club/party scene:

"Relationships are everything. Everybody looks sexy when they show up to the club, everybody's got on their best outfit, everybody has money, but who do you know that works at the door?...If you know the guy that works at the door and your respectful, you always give good energy [than] when the dude sees you waiting in line your gonna get cut and your gonna get right in & and you got a real good relationship, he gonna say 'nah, don't charge him'. That's what life is" - Tyrese Gibson

Not only must you network, but you must network with the right people because eventually, the people you network with will become the people you associate with and "you are who you associate with".

One person who seems to have a good grasp of this concept is multi-millionaire mogul P. Diddy. Below, is a collage which i will use to help illustrate my point.

1. Diddy and Donald Trump have some sort of relationship, be it a friendship, partnership or just a mutual respect. Perhaps brushing shoulders with Trump inspired Diddy to create an urban version of "The Apprentice".

2. Diddy recently inked a deal with billionaire music mogul Jimmy Iovine. Since then, the two have been spotted together on outings here and there. Diddy's association with Iovine has granted him access into the lucrative "Beats" industry, with his own line of custom "Diddy Beats" headphones.

3. When Diddy was looking to make his debut in Hollywood, he was met with several "no's" by directors who viewed Diddy as "just a rapper". The film "Monsters Ball", was no different. In fact, Diddy was not even allowed to audition!!! Luckily, he had formed a relationship with actress Halle Berry and was able to convince her to convince the directors he was the man for the part. From then on, "Monsters Ball" would go on to win an Oscar and establish Diddy as a serious actor.

4. When you are a man of means who makes millions who would you wanna party with? Other millionaires of course. This is not a question of being "stuck up" or too good to hang with those of commonwealth. To paraphrase Jay-Z, If every member of your inner circle is rich you team will be unstoppable, because no one will fall because everyone is each-others crutch...You don't wanna be the ONLY one out of your crew with money, because if you go broke, what happens then? Your whole team will collapse because their dependent on one individual. Who else is gonna help you invest in that multi-million dollar idea? Now do you see the importance of having a strong network?

"If you have a problem with your life, then you should have a problem, with the people in you life, because the people in your life are a direct reflection of where you life is" -Tyrese Gibson

Here is what some other people had to say about The Law Of Association

"You know what my grandfather told me? You don't only get as far as the [people] you talk to for no reason. You will only be successful as the [people] you talk to...what I mean is, if you spending your day talking to [someone] that ain't got nothing going on...What kind of information can he offer you? Can he help you learn something? Can He teach you something in a conversation? - 50 Cent

"...School would not be optional. It would mandatory. Because I do not like unintelligent people; it's a pet peeve. If you dumb, you not around me, so that says a lot about the people you see around me, because I hate dumb people..." - Lil Wayne

"Your Character is affected so greatly by association!! THEREFORE we can't be indifferent about who we associate with!! (check ur surroundings!)" - Rev Run

"I've become the person that I am now, the music lover that I am now, the individual that dresses the way I do now, after meeting people like Oliver, and my engineer, 40, and my DJ, Future. After forming these relationships, I've become this person".- Drake

"It Is Better To Be Alone, Than In The Wrong Company. Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. A mirror reflects a mans face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses. The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate for the good and the bad. The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you. Consider This: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships". -

Lil Wayne On Dealing With Regrets....

2010-06-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

"Love. Live. Life. Proceed. Progress. That’s who I am and who I’ll always be. You see, we’re all living on borrowed time, so I’m not worried about this situation. Life happens quick. The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done…you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do. Trying to tear down the past prohibits you from building up your future. So for my time here, my physical will be confined to the yard. My love and my spirit, however, know no boundaries". - Lil Wayne

Chris Rock On Being "Rich" VS. Being "Wealthy" (Video)

2010-06-18T15:57:00.001-07:00

A lot of truth gets said in jest, but like Jay-Z says: "Fuck Rich, Lets gets wealthy".

This Week He's Mopping Floors, Next Week It's The Fries.

2010-06-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place" - Nora Roberts

Tariq Nasheed Speaks On Re-Directing Your Thoughts (Audio)

2010-06-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Tariq Nasheed has traveled the world to places like Brazil, Thailand, London & most recently Egypt. In the clip above, Tariq drops some of that "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" game and explains how you could also travel the world and accomplish many more things, simply by re-directing you thoughts about it. "My poor dad would say, ‘I can’t afford it,’ while my rich dad would say, ‘How can I afford it?" (Rich Dad, Poor Dad)

Robert Greene Speaks On Chapter 3 Of The 50th Law: "Turn Shit Into Sugar" (Video)

2010-05-30T19:58:00.001-07:00

Robert Greene elaborates on one of my favorite chapters from the book.

Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith On Oprah (Video)

2010-05-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

Will Smith and His family recently appeared on Oprah for a really good interview. He touches on everything from having a marriage business plan to parenting tips to his idea of greatness. I suggest you watch the whole thing in full, but I have included a few quotables below:

"No Matter how successful you get, it's really difficult to shake your mindset and I still have a poor persons mentality... when I go to sleep at night right now, I'm as financially nervous as I was 20 years ago." -Will Smith

"Greatness lives on the edge of destruction, the reason that someone is great is because they survive death" -Will Smith

"If you don't have a goal or purpose, if you don't a place that your going, something you wanna accomplish [or]something you wanna do, you can really get lost in the murk of the journey, there has to be a vision" -Will Smith

Click Here For More Clips

Producer Lil Jon speaks On Making Money Outside of Music (Video)

2010-05-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Rapper-producer Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith is best known for turning everyday words like "yeah" and "okay" into bloodcurdling sonic extravaganzas. He's crafted hits for the likes of Usher and Ludacris; his first solo effort, Crunk Rock, will hit stores on June 8. But given the state of the recording industry, he's focusing more on a concept that doesn't lend itself to his trademark exhortations: diversification.

Lil Jon's non-music revenue streams include a line of Oakley sunglasses, an energy drink and a wine label. On a recent visit to the DailyFinance studios, Jon estimated that these ventures account for nearly a third of his annual earnings, which total an estimated $11 million, by Forbes' last count.

Click Here For The Full Article

Tariq Nasheed Speaks On "Broke Energy" (Audio)

2010-05-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

As rapper Rick Ross once said, " I always had a vision, I would always tell ma n**as but... ain't nobody listened.Words work magic, Haters wreak havoc". What that means is that there is a certain meta-psychical aspect that come into play when making money or becoming a hustler. Here Tariq Nasheed touches on "Broke Energy" and how some people set themselves up for financial failure. You Can also check out Tariq's podcast by Clicking Here.

Master P Shares His Life Wisdom and Business Acumen On The Mad Hatta Morning Show (Audio)

2010-05-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

Adapting with the times, "Million Dollar Sucker", his 3 biggest mistakes as an entrepreneur, doing business with Warren Buffett and former hoop-star Steve Francis, even calls in to get some advice.

"When your a hustler you gotta know your business, I was in the music business so I need to be everywhere I need to be to get my hustle on"

"We get caught up with keeping it real with 'the hood' & the hood ain't never done nothing for me ain't never paid my bills, didn't pay for the funeral for my other brother. Everytime something went down the hood wasn't there, but we always there for the hood...that same hood got people thats jealous of you, don't like you etc."

"You are are victim of your environment...put great people around you because if you put great people around you, you'll be around a long time"

if the audio above is not working, Click Here To Listen

Tyrese Gibson's Letter Of Inspiration

2010-05-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, singer,actor, model & visionary, Tyrese Gibson wrote a great motivational piece on his blog, to inspire us all to "get up, get and get something". You can read the letter in it's entirety below:

It's ya man Tyrese...

At your request I wanted to send some more "Love" and a few new things to "Consider."

I used to write these all the time and decided to go easy cause just maybe what I write is waaay too positive for some. Let me go ahead and apologize to you in advance. I don't have any rumors, drama, or any kind of Hollywood or music inside scoop. I'm not trying to sell you anything, nor is this an invite to a party. It's a message that has REALLY changed my life that I wanted to share it with you.. So stay with me I'm going somewhere..

I want you to really sit on this for a second..

My approach to life has been... "I SEE the invisible, I HEAR in silence, I CLIMB invisible stairs, it's called having faith in God with no points of reference."

What is it with people that come up with these 5 or 10 year plans?

My mentor John Bryant once said to me, "If you wanna make God LAUGH tell HIM YOUR plan" (This is not to discourage anyone from creating goals). But consider this... if I had thought for 1 second when I was 16 years old that from getting on a bus to sing abut Coca Cola in a 30 second commercial (smile) it would have led to over 15 years of show business, and all the MANY amazing things that I've done, been exposed to and powerful people I've met and worked with, no one in the WORLD could have told me ANY of this was gonna happen.. My faith in God with NO point of reference ORDERED my steps and his blessings were REVEALED to me along the way.

People are starting to get lazy with their relationship with God.. Of course I believe in PRAYER, etc., etc., etc... But I also believe that after you're done PRAYING (and "Begging while
Praying" for some folks out there) you have to get up off of your knees and get out there and EXECUTE.. Michael Jordan said it best.. "You can't get POINTS TODAY for YESTERDAYS game" This has been my approach to my success.. I'm not the wealthiest guy in your inbox, nor am I the biggest star in the world.. But my grind is that of a man who has yet to accomplish ANYTHING..

I better wrap this up right?.. I'm getting long winded.. Ok.. ok.. Here we go.!

If this post finds you laying in bed... Ask yourself... Did you REALLY maximize your day with EVERY possible thing you could have done to move your life FORWARD??? Are there more calls you COULD have made to get things in motion?

Consider that because you may have more money than ALL your friends and family you've gotten LAZY and don't really feel like you have to work AS hard as you did when you first got it poppin!!! But, do you REALLY think you made it?? Are you REALLY done?? Do you really believe "Prayers without Execution" is gonna lead to ANY of your plans or goals coming to life??

When you get this message, know this it was no accident that you made it to the bottom of this post. This is AMERICA, people are literally putting their LIVES on the line to be in this great country of ours and for you to be so damn LAZY and NOT trying to take advantage of these blessings that are right in front of you, is just NOT IT..!! I believe that "Every blessing taken for granted becomes a curse." Stop going to parties and shit for photo ops, shaking hands and going home with NOTHING. Have a plan. Find out who's gonna be at these events and DECIDE what you're gonna talk to them about.. MAXIMIZE, EXECUTE, MAXIMIZE...

Listen, I have waaay more to say on this topic but I will end it here.. You know who you are...

Think for one-second, how is it that YOU know the amount of people you know, if you wasn't supposed to figure out SOMETHING that you can do to SHIFT this world.

Will Smith once said something to the affect of.. "Ideas are physical, if they stay in your MIND, you're robbing the world of experiencing them."

Nothing but love. I say this with all my heart. I wish nothing but success over your life. I pray that God's blessings rain FAVOR over you and your family. And as you receive this e-mail I hope that little negative voice or the spirit of "Self Sabotage and Self Defeat" doesn't
step in to try and TALK you out of changing the world..

My last and final 2 quotes..

"Geniuses must never die, the PROGRESS of MANKIND depends on us"
-Salvador Dali-

"You can NEVER take a break from GREATNESS" -Quincy Jones-

God Bless you..
- Tyrese Gibson

How to "Sell Ice to an Eskimo"; According to Jerry Weintraub

2010-05-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

I was recently perusing the net, and a came across a great article By Linda Johnson Mendell on Hollywood Hustler: Jerry Weintraub. If you aren't familar with the name, it is sure to be an enlightening read. Weintraub has helped stars like Elvis Presley,Brad Pitt and more recently, Will and Jaiden Smith blossom their careers. Peep the Article below:

Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon -- none of them would have reached the summits they did if it weren't for the efforts of uber-producer Jerry Weintraub. To say he could sell ice to an Eskimo is a gross understatement. The kid from the Bronx without a college degree didn't just take Hollywood by storm, but the entire world -- and he's finally selling the secrets of his incredible powers of persuasion in a new book, When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead -- Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man.

In it, he tells the remarkable stories of how, when he was in his 20s, he convinced Colonel Parker to take Elvis on tour, and how he was so successful that the Chairman of the Board, Sinatra himself, recruited Weintraub to do the same thing for him. And how he also worked with Bob Dylan, The Moody Blues, Led Zeppelin, the Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, John Denver and more.

And that's just in the music world. Weintraub also relates how he put together some of the most star-studded and successful film packages ever assembled, such as the Ocean's franchise, the Karate Kid franchise, Oh God!, Diner -- the list goes on and on, and includes a number of TV shows as well.

What's his secret? Well, he has a number of them, and they're surprisingly simple. In an exclusive with AOL, Weintraub shares these secrets with AOL readers.

Jerry Weintraub's 5 Tips on the Art of Persuasion

1. Be persistent.

Do not hear the word no. Almost every time I have a new idea, someone says, "No, that will never work." But to me, "no" is just an opportunity to convince someone to say "yes." When you hear "no," you say "What? Say that again, I didn't catch that." If someone says "Get lost," you say, "Go where?" Keep knocking, keep pitching, and the door will open for you.

2. Have conviction.

Act as if the result you want has already been achieved. When I first signed John Denver he had only one genuine hit, but I still called his next record John Denver's Greatest Hits, making it seem to the public as if he was already a star, like they'd known his music forever. They already loved him -- they always had. I knew Denver was a star; I could feel it, and I believed it. And the rest is history.

3. Respect yourself.

This is key. If you respect yourself, you will be treated with respect. Consider my relationship with the great Chicago power broker Arthur Wirtz. Wirtz was a huge man, 6-foot-6, all power, a very intimidating guy. When I first went to meet him, he made me wait outside his office for hours. He did not even look up when I finally walked in, just sat at his desk signing checks. Then, from the side of his mouth, he said, "Yeah, what d'ya want?" So you know what I said? I said "[bleep] you!" Why? Because he was not treating me with respect. He looked up at me and smiled. I was no longer one of the thousands of faceless nobodies asking him for a favor, but an individual. After that, we forged a relationship that lasted for years.

4. Be creative.

Think your way around problems, come up with novel solutions, improvise. If you think you have failed, you simply haven't thought hard enough. As an example, watch the animated video here about the first show I did with Elvis. I had 5,000 unsold seats in a 10,000 seat arena with only hours until showtime. Big problem. I was never going to find enough people to fill the seats. But I quickly realized a solution: not more people, but fewer seats. 5,000 to be exact, unscrewed from the floor and carried out the door. Voila. No more empty seats.

5. Go nuts.

I don't mean go crazy, I mean reach for the moon. Most people think that if it hasn't been done, it can't be done. But if it hasn't been done, that probably just means it hasn't been tried. This is the story of my life, the kid who tries what no one thought to try before: putting on concert tours in sports stadiums, selling the greatest hits of an artist that has only one hit, having the greatest singer in the world (Sinatra) perform in a boxing ring in the heart of New York City. Listen to me: It is OK to fail. Fail and fail, again and again. You learn by failing. And if you fail 10 times for every one success, then why not fail a thousand times? It will make your success into a legend.

At a youthful 72, Weintraub still has lots of new (and surprising) projects up his sleeve that could well become legends.

Ludacris Recalls His Early Hustling Days (Video)

2010-05-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

Rapper Ludacris offers a glimpse of his life life at age 17, which involved hustling candy at school, working at a pizza parlor and sneaking into various celebrity events of in order to get his demo heard. Pay attention you may learn a thing or two.

The Best Of Fabolous' "Rise & Grind" Tweets

2010-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe even more so than in his music, rapper Fabolous displays humor, wit and wisdom using his twitter page. One of my favorites is his #Rise&Grind series, which is filled with great motivational and inspirational quotes from the rapper himself. Below is a collection of Fab's greatest "Rise & Grind" tweets to hopefully motivate you to put your best foot forward as you start your day!

Rise & Grind - Money shapes u, so keep them squares out ur circle... Work ur money, but jus dont let ur money work you

Rise & Grind - Be RESPECTFUL with ur hustle.. The TOES u step on now, may be on the body of the HAND u have to shake
later

Rise & Grind - I make the money, but don't let it make me... That way, even if i go broke, you cant brake me

Rise & Grind..I don't see nobody, think I'm goin blind. I don't see nobody stopping me from mine. I don't see nobody when I'm on my grind!!

Rise & Grind - Hustle + Muscle = Success... Do the MathRise & Grind - Hustle + Muscle = Success... Do the Math

Rise & Grind... Swag dont pay the bills, better turn your HUSTLE on!

Rise & Grind.. Some ask "Why does money change people?".. I ask "Why would i grind & work hard to stay the same?" *PROGRESSION*

Rise & Grind - Stay hungry but never beg! #FoodForThought

Rise & Grind – You can spend your time Dreaming about Living or Living your Dream

Rise & Grind.. Sometimes success in little things brings big joy

Rise & Grind - Can't be "Broke & Happy" so I wanna be "Mad Rich"!!

"So in Life, continue to be Better, Better than before, Better than average, know Better, see Better, look Better, feel Better.. PROGRESSION!" - Loso

Soulja Boy Speaks On The Power Of Positive Thinking

2010-04-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

During a recent interview with Billboard, Soulja spoke on his book "Teenage Millionaire" and around 3:25 he drops some knowledge on how positive thinking has helped him be successful.

"It don't really matter how old you are, you can be any age and obtain anything you want...if you weed out all the negative thoughts and you just focus on nothing but what you wanna have, it is so easy to obtain"
-Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy Speaks On Goal-Setting

2010-04-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

“In high school, I had this black composition notebook where I used to write down a list of goals: weekly goals, monthly ones, yearly ones, and one for my whole life. In there I had: get a record deal; have a number one song; have a platinum album; get a shoe line and clothing line; invent a dance everyone would do; get my mom out the hood; even little things like get a real watch or do all my homework. One day, I left the notebook in class and this dude found it. He read it out loud in front of everybody when I wasn’t there, trying to embarrass me. Mark my words, a year later, everything in that book had come true. I got the last laugh.”

- Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy definitely seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He is currently planning on releasing a book called "Teenage Millionaire", which looks like it might be worth checking out.

“Wait Broke The Wagon.”

2010-03-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

My dad always told me, “Wait broke the wagon.” Meaning, keep going. Don’t wait on anything. Just keep moving. Stay persistent. In the music business, persistence means you’re hungry. That’s what I’ve learned all my life as I’ve worked on albums, like Bun’s album and everything that Rap-A-lot was involved with. Persistence, persistence. This young dude is persistent. You might bug somebody, but they know that you’re on your business. - Jas Prince

The 50th Law (Mini Documentary)

2010-03-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

If There Was Any Book I would recommend to hustlers, it would definitely be "The 50th Law", By Robert Greene and 50 Cent. Check Out this mini-Documentary the good folks at Adaptive Mentoring Systems put together to better illustrate some of the books theories

Robert Greene discusses the theme of Intense Realism from chapter 1 of The 50th Law, a book co-authored with rap-artist 50 Cent.

Robert Greene discusses the theme of self-reliance from chapter 2 of The 50th Law

Robert Greene discusses the theme of Black America and the impact of author Richard Wright on The 50th Law

Daymond John Talks Branding, "The Shark Tank" and What it takes To Be Sucessful w/ The Entrepernette

2010-03-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

In case you are wondering……..Daymond is the creator of the hugely successful multi-billion dollar men’s line FUBU and the star of Shark Tank – the ABC TV show!! You know…. the one that inventors come on and try to get investors!

I really was impressed at his transparency and how he speaks so candidly about his failures and successes. He generously shares his wisdom and insights into how a company is born, how branding works and the importance of a brand. He also shares some inside scoop about investments he has made (and some that failed) and what it takes to find an investor.

Click Here To Listen

Props TEG

"The Beautiful Woman is Just Like The Ugly Woman"

2010-03-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

I Heard Jamie Foxx say something really interesting on the radio the other day, real thought provoking :

The 'beautiful woman' is just like 'the ugly woman', because the ugly woman, no one approaches them for obvious reasons (because their ugly). The beautiful women they don't approach because they think everyone has already approached them or they may have this attitude or we just can't deal with the fact that their that beautiful. - Jamie Foxx

Why You Should Surround Yourself WIth Haters

2010-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lets Kick things off by defining what it means to be a hater:

Hater:

A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.

"Hating", the result of being a hater, is not exactly jealousy. The hater doesn't really want to be the person he or she hates, rather the hater wants to knock someone down a notch.

Ex: Susan: You know, Kevin from accounting is doing very well. He just bought a house in a very nice part of town.

Jane (hater): If he is doing so well why does he drive that '89 Taurus? - The Urban Dictionary

On a song appropriately tilted "Hustlers Ambition", 50 cent says "I need you to hate, so I can use you for your energy". While that line may not have been 50's most clever lyric, it contains a lot of truth to it. I recently came across a good blog by writer/producer/director, Pete Chatmon on “Turning Your Haters Into Motivators”. Often too many people use being hated on as an excuse as to why they are not successful, but Pete argues that hate can be a good thing and that many people actually fail, because they aren't hated on enough!!! Check it out:

“Turn Your Haters Into Motivators”

I figured that title would get your attention. I don’t know who first dropped the terminology or how it officially entered the lexicon, but EVERYBODY and their grand mama can now be heard calling someone a “hater,” or better yet, accusing someone of “hating.” It clearly has a lot of uses. The problem is that a lotta folks use it as a way to label anything that isn’t straight-up, unconditional love for what they do, produce, or how they act — and I’m hating on that!

“Hate” is a good thing.

Think about the phenomenon of the sophomore slump. Folks who came out and killed it with their first album, film, or product, etc and then dropped a straight dud on their follow up. They spent so many years in the lab trying to prove to the “haters” that they were indeed as good as their egos told them they were, every time they looked in the mirror. For every person that doubted, or said an idea was foolish, or in my case told me I could never make a film like “Premium,” a chemical reaction occurred that propelled me forward with more vigor than I might have even had before.

Kanye West said, “now I can let these dream killers kill my self esteem / or use my arrogance as steam to power my dreams.” Perhaps there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance (that could be a whole blog unto itself), but change “my arrogance” to “their hate” and I think we’ve got something.

That last thing you want around you is a yes-man. Or woman. Surround yourself with haters, but not the kind that are looking for your downfall. I’m talking about the kind with a vested interest in your success and you being the best _______ you can be.

You won’t be successful without it.
I hate all of y’all!!!

Now go make it happen

Floyd Mayweather Shares His Personal Mantra For Success

2010-03-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

"If you work good, your gonna get good pay. Simple as that, that's how life goes. If you work hard, your gonna get good results. If you bullshit, your gonna be at the bottom with a bunch of [people] thats at the bottom" - Floyd Mayweather

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