MeMpHiTz - Do Work

Interview By: Mina Jasarevic

MeMpHiTz Interview

You heard of J-Kwon, you heard of HUEY, and you most definitely hear T-Pain in every Top 40 hip-hop/R&B club in North America. Now you will read about the man responsible for their come-up, Micky “MeMpHiTz” Wright. As credit is due to the artists for their talents, it should be also given to their discoverers for their discovery.

These are the A&Rs who are quickly becoming hip-hop’s saviors and superstars. Originating from Memphis, Tennessee, and creating his own lane in New York, MeMpHiTz is not just a pretty boy with a Colgate smile. He is a man with a story and an ear for success. Nobodysmiling.com caught up with the VP of Jive A&R to discuss the changing point in his life, his relationship with JD and L.A. Reid, and his baby – The Hitz Committee.

MeMpHiTz Quote

Nobodysmiling : How are you? Is New York snowed in yet?

MeMpHiTz : I'm blessed, thanks. It's not snowed in yet but it has snowed already.

Nobodysmiling : You are the VP of Jive Records A&R. Let’s get technical and explain to the people what an A&R is and how much A&Rs influence the music industry.

MeMpHiTz : Cool. Basically, I do everything from finding and signing new artists to coming up with the vision and guiding it for each particular project. Other responsibilities include everything from keeping budgets in line to finding the artist’s natural swag and getting it out there to the public.

Nobodysmiling : Very interesting. You have an exceptional story of how you ended up in such a successful position in N.Y. form Memphis, TN. Tell us about it.

MeMpHiTz : Well basically, I was simply another frustrated Memphian trying to find my way when tragedy struck my family in the form of my dad's murder. From there, I sold everything I had and headed to the Big Apple in fear that if I stayed in Memphis, I would've been the leader in some retaliation tactic that probably would've landed me in the can. All I could think at the time was 'this can't be life.' New York was a very big move for me and a total culture shock! I ended up interning at Arista Records for a while, and after the arrival of Jermaine Dupri, my career took a turn for the better...With the success of my first assignment/hit record "Damn" from The Youngbloodz and my first signing of J-Kwon ("Tipsy"), I could finally see a little light in my life.

Nobodysmiling : Inspiring. What are some of the changes you’ve experienced in your personal life since your climb to the top?

MeMpHiTz : Well, the first thing to have changed was my bank account - which increased! Other changes I have experienced include a deeper passion for what I do. But it has its bad stuff too; I don’t have as much time for my daughter as I used to…but she loves me the same. Also, I don’t trust people as much anymore because I've discovered that most people are just simply trying to get a deal so that's what their conversation consists of -ya dig?

Nobodysmiling : What did you do before getting into the music business?

MeMpHiTz : Before I was in the music business I was fired from every job I ever had; for failure to respect authority. I was, however, a full-time hustler. I would sell chill to the wind some days just to get by but that quality pays off for me on a daily basis in my new music business endeavors.

Nobodysmiling : What is your connection with Jermaine Dupri and L.A. Reid?

MeMpHiTz : I consider L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri family because they took me in barely being able to understand what I was saying at the time…but they recognized something special in me and started my grooming process. It was a bumpy road sometimes but it was all worth it and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I remember times when me, L.A. and JD would all be laughing together and I remember times where I would try and go over Jermaine's head to L.A. and JD would be like "Yo I been doing this since before you was born- you need to learn how to listen!" And I would be like "So what?!", and L.A. would laugh. It was fun when I look back at it now...I highly respect them both and we are all still very cool. I feel like I'm making them proud when I use what they taught me in this game to succeed.

Nobodysmiling : You’re responsible for singing artist like HUEY, J-Kwon and T-Pain. What do you look for in an artist and how do you go about discovering talent?

MeMpHiTz : What I look for first in an artist is personality - they gotta in someway spark my interest and their music has to be different. But the most important thing is that they must display a real interest in the 'DO WORK' process.

Nobodysmiling : What did J-Kwon do while showcasing for JD and L.A. Reid?

MeMpHiTz : J-Kwon stooped to JD's height and was rapping at JD, and then he pulled down his jeans and showed his ass to L.A. and started crying. If anyone had asked me what I was thinking at that exact moment I would have said that I thought I was fired.

Nobodysmiling : Tell us about the Hitz Committee.

MeMpHiTz : HiTz Committee is my baby. That's my entertainment company that falls under my 'DO WORK Enterprises' umbrella. As far as musical artists, there is of course my first signing and my lil’ brother from another mother, HUEY; then, there's my soon-to-be megastar Asia Cruise. We've also got Trai 'D from Dallas and Chip the Rippa from Cleveland. Aside from the music there are movies, sports management and other types of things that I wanna be involved with in the coming years.

Nobodysmiling : Do you look for what’s hot at the moment or what has staying power?

MeMpHiTz : I only look for staying power but unfortunately, we are moving into a time where people want what they want and then it’s ‘Wam bam thank you maa'm.’

Nobodysmiling : Do you seek for artists that appeal to you personally, or those you think would appeal to the mainstream market at large?

MeMpHiTz : I only sign artists that appeal to me personally but there is a great amount of fulfillment and joy I get from seeing people respond to my artists like I did before I put them out to the world.

Nobodysmiling : Who are you working with currently? What can we expect from you in
near future?

MeMpHiTz : The biggest thing I am working on right now is one of the saddest things I've ever heard and that’s Underground Kings’ The Last Album. Then there's Asia Cruise with her debut album Who is Asia Cruise (www.whoisasiacruise.com )- I'm about to drop her on the world like a ton of rocks outta the sky. Trai'D he has a record called 'Gutta Chick' that's gonna kill 'em dead and I'm also working with Chip Tha Rippa who is hugely talented. Last but not least there's my boy HUEY who just dropped another video from his debut album Notebook PaPer called "Tell Me This" (G-5) which features yours truly and T-Pain. That's getting crazy love on YouTube right now.

You guys should be seeing that on TV very soon. HUEY’s also currently working on his new untitled sophomore album as we speak. Music aside, I also have a new store called 'I am...901' where I sell New Era 901 fitteds and apparel (901 is the Memphis, TN area code). We also have a website for the store: www.iam901.com. I also have my own travel company with YTB travel call HiTz Travel and you can check that out at www.ytb.com/HiTzTravel and click on company presentation. As you can see I got a lot of good for '08!

Nobodysmiling : Busy man. What is the recipe for success, particularly in the music industry?

MeMpHiTz : I live by my slogan for success which is 'DO WORK!'

Nobodysmiling : How can prospective artists get in touch with you?

MeMpHiTz : They can reach me by hittin’ me up on Hitzcommittee@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/hitzcommittee or at www.hitzcommittee.com .

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