HHV Exclusive: Courtney Burg talks being in the record industry, YMCMB, and Grustle Gang
By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Daily, searching hip hop on the internet, listening to radio, and watching television, of course the stars are on display. There are a lot of people finding success in the rap game and they appear to have it all under control. But, there is a lot that goes into the game behind the scenes and these people are the ones in control.
Among these people is Courtney Burg, who has connections to many of the biggest names in the game. He can be found working closely with the Grustle Gang duo that consists of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s” Lil’ Scrappy and also Rolls Royce Rizzy. Burg also has close ties to Young Money.
Hip Hop Vibe talked to Courtney Burg this afternoon and he spoke on how he got his start in the music business. Explaining how he began, Courtney Burg explained what life is like for a record executive. Of course, he has to deal with the clients, so Courtney Burg took us through what it is like behind the scenes at Young Money and Grustle Gang.
Read the entire interview below:
It is safe to say you grew up a big fan of hip hop, but when did you know you wanted to take it to the next level? I would say earlier this year. I thought about it and I chose what market I wanted to work in. The hip hop market is a good market and the genre is marketable for the executives, managers, so on and so forth. So, at the beginning of this year, we decided to go forward.
Who were some of the record executives that you saw and wanted to be like? Wow. Well, I have mentors in the game already, like Cortez Bryant at Young Money. The stuff he did with Nicki Minaj and Lil Twist was amazing. I also admire Mack Maine, seeing how he went from being an artist to being an executive. Also, shout out to Sha Money XL, he is another major player in my corner.
When did you finally take that step from wanting to be a record executive to being a record executive? I would say about a year ago. When I first started hitting the road and being with Lil’ Scrappy. I really managed things on the road and I saw the love they were getting, both him and his artist. I began making the proper moves and things began coming together for me. When Scrappy got on “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta,” it brought more attention and we were able to capitalize off the situation.
How did you wind up working with Young Money? Oh wow. My uncle works in the camp and he brought me in randomly. At the time, I was not even seriously doing music. But, he introduced me and then I linked with Cortez Bryant. Through my relationship with them, as a family, people even recognize me on the streets in Miami. But, I love it over there at Young Money.
What goes into the machine that has produced their success and what role do you play? The role that I play on this team is a young energetic person who is going to get out there and work. As a manager, the only way to eat is to go out there and make the deals, so it is all about networking and putting your team in a better situation. It is not about self, it is about working as a team, without teamwork, it is not going to work, so people have to keep that in mind.
You also work with Lil’ Scrappy and his Grustle Gang, can you talk about that? Yeah. Over there, my job is an A&R. I am an A&R for the Grustle Gang, finding the talent and helping them develop. I also help get collaborations lined up, I review the beats, and send them out. This is for Lil’ Scrappy and also his artists.
You work very closely with Grustle Gang member, Rolls Royce Rizzy, what do you predict in his future in terms of music success? Man. The guy can do anything. He is going to be huge, Rolls Royce Rizzy is going to be huge. Mark my words, what we have accomplished over the past three years has been amazing. Rolls Royce Rizzy does several genres, but since he has been doing hip hop, things have taken off. But, he is going to be on the level of Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, and Kendrick Lamar, I see a lot of big things in his future.
Rolls Royce Rizzy made a major splash with his God Got Me mixtape, how did you feel about the success of the mixtape? It’s crazy, we’re still pushing that mixtape now and we want to get it out to the people more. We really want people to listen to that project and zone out to what he is saying, he is doing him and telling his story. He talks about how he goes down to Atlanta to begin making his music. His story is one the masses have to hear and when it gets to the masses, the people will get a better vibe of who he is, as a person.
Exactly what is your role with the Grustle Gang? More of an A&R. If an artist is trying to get to Lil’ Scrappy or Rizzy, they can come to me. If it is something is good, I would try to work with them because people are missing opportunities right now. I would give them that shot.
Can you give us your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so people can follow you? Twitter is @Burg_YM. Facebook is Courtney Burg, and I do not have Instagram, I’m not an artist who takes pictures all over the world. But, you can follow Rolls Royce Rizzy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and his mixtape is available here on Hip Hop Vibe. He also has a mixtape in the works with DJ Khaled.