El-P Quotes

So So Def has been one of the most successful and consistent labels in the game in the last 10 years.

Shady's great; I love Shady Records.

There's probably a bunch of Power Stripe floating through the Def Jam offices right now.

People don't get signed by Def Jam every day on my block.

I used to be a Def Jam artist. I was - I survived Def Jam.

I always wanted to be a part of a New York-based label, so I've worked really hard to try and network with people that I felt would put me in the right place.

I know it is common nowadays for artists to start labels but this is a thoroughly constructed vehicle for inspired talent. This is a market that we've been living, breathing and eating for our entire lives - one where a huge void currently exists. Favored Nations is a long-term commitment.

What made me want to become a recording artist; I was the first artist that was repeatedly asked by a label to record with them. That label was Def Jam Records.

Def Jam is an iconic label.

Following in the footsteps of Berry Gordy, I always admire what he did.

My passion is music, you know, and music influences culture, influences lifestyle, which leads me to 'Roc-A-Wear'. I was forced to be an entrepreneur, so that led me to be CEO of 'Roc-A-Fella' records, which lead to Def Jam.

Roc was only supposed to be our distributor, but then they ended up recruiting me as the label's artist. They said they really liked my album 'Everything You Wanted.'

I just wanted to have my own dynasty. I wanted my own Cash Money or Roc-A-Fella. Outside of that, I also wanted my own media company.

Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella were two equal entities under the Def Island umbrellas.

I'm looking at EarDrummers like a boutique label, like an Interscope or a Def Jam.

I think Def Jam happened to be one of the labels that really didn't have a good grip on things that were going on. I'll say that - that's my political answer.

You need a platform upon which to release an orchestral record, otherwise it's just going to be an obscurity.

There's artists that I'm working with on a new label of mine. Foxy Nova and Supa Nova.

Artist development is something that I've been passionate about from my days at Uptown and Motown Records.

We turned what is virtually a glorified independent label into one of the powerhouse labels in the town.

If you're part of a record company, you're a manufactured product. It doesn't mean that you're not talented.

I certainly don't want to be a record label guy.

I want to be the president of Columbia Records, maybe C.E.O. - kind of like L.A. Reid.

I love Interscope, I love Star Trak.

I love producing. I have been producing some acts and starting a label.