From driving The Source‘s van to boasting clients like Kanye West and No ID, well known manager and talent scout, we caught up with John Monopoly to get a few quick words about working with some of Chicago’s most important artists and his ventures since departing from working with Kanye West. Up and coming hustlers, read up.
1. Coming from Chicago, how were you able to get yourself put on once you arrived in New York?
I had a job with Violator, it was a good position, a good title and it immediately allowed me access to the senior level VP’s at all the labels.
2. Did you have a good mentor in this business you could turn to help guide you over difficult obstacles and politics?
Mona Scott- Young and Chris Lighty put me on and have always been people I have gone to for advice throughout the years. They have always been there for me.
3. What was you experience like working at Violator with Chris Lighty, Mona Scott-Young and Todd Moscowitz?
It was amazing, I got to help setup meetings for Mobb Deep, shop beets for Havoc and work closely with Seven Aurelius and Missy Elliot.
4. You also had a stint at Jive Records. What was that opportunity like?
It was a great opportunity. I had a wonderful time working with Peter Thea and Barry Weiss. It gave me a lot of great experience that lead to my next position at GOOD Music.
5. For a number of years, you were riding shotgun with one of the most talented individuals to ever touch the game from your hometown. Did you have a sense early on that Kanye West was going to be the highly incredible artist he is now?
I knew since we were kids that he would be a superstar. I have known for the last 20yrs he would be a success!
6. You took it back to the Chi with your management firm Hustle, representing Kidz in the hall. What’s going on with Hustle these days?
Everything is top secret right now. You will see some exciting things happening within the next 12-18 months.
7. You recently went back home to Chicago to set up shop there with your own independent label Lawless Inc. How important was it for you to have your base of operations in Chicago, where most companies are in NY and LA?
It was always my plan to come back to Chicago after spending time on both coasts learning the business. Now that I have put in work, it’s time to come back home and build the company.
8. Looking at the career of Common as you were there for his strong re-entry into the game on G.O.O.D Music with the album “Be”, how proud are you of him with his career blossoming the way has and being a Chi-town Representative?
I am so happy for Common. I have been a supporter of his since the beginning, he is the best!
9. What’s next for Lawless Inc? What artists are you working with?
Right now we’re just focusing on King Louie…. don’t want to spoil any surprises.
10. What does the Source magazine legacy & brand mean to you?
Coming from a guy that drove The Source van in Chicago in 1997, the brand has and always will have a special place in my heart. It’s the original ‘bible’ of hip hop and will go down in history as such.
– Derryck “Nes” Johnson
