CRUNK RECORDS

UDC: Name? Who you are. Background Information?

Crunk: I’m Kevin Brooks, CEO of Crunk Records. We started Crunk Records back in 1995, and are based out of Houston, TX. Crunk Records is a movement, it’s family, it is more than just music it is a passion, a struggle. We are a persevering enterprise.

UDC: Who are your musical influences? Why?

Crunk: Music has always been part of my life. Ever since I was young, I was influenced by Stevie Wonder, Richard Pryor, Al Green, Kurtis Blow, L.L. Cool J and the Isley Brothers so I had the passion for music at an early age.

UDC: Is there a message or a theme in your music if so what is it?

Crunk: We just want to be known as a company that makes quality music, which displays work ethic and goes out there grinds.

UDC: What’s Crunk Record’s number one priority?

Crunk: We are looking for a distribution deal right at this time and once we get distribution we will put a out a lot of projects. We have 2Real and they have a couple of albums to release. We also have an artist named Mr.No, so look out for Mr. No. We are working with an artist out of Mobile, Alabama named Big Ro. Those are some of the projects that are coming soon and we are always dropping mixtapes so be on the lookout for $tack Pack Vol.6-10.

UDC: What are the three most essential items that you need when at the studio?

Crunk: When I’m working I need a good engineer, one who is willing to work and won't rushing and a quality studio. Probably, the killa and the drink and some food. And then I’m ready to work.

UDC: How do you feel the internet has affected your genre of music and the music industry as a whole?

Crunk: With the downloading, it is definitely a problem and with the bootleggers out there. It has affected our music. It has shut down a lot of music stores like Blockbuster Music and Sam Goody’s and numerous Mom and Pop stores. It has affected us in the hip hop community because you have bootleggers everywhere.

Crunk: I think if you are downloading music and selling music that does not belong to you than you are taking away from the artist, from another family’s mouth and to me that’s wrong.

KB, BLUE and BIG RON of Crunk Records

UDC: Describe Crunk Records five years from now?

Crunk: I think we will be a growing and prospering company, we will eventually move into making films. Starting a clothing line and opening restaurants, we have different types of goals within the company. People want to do different things so it will be more than a record label. We will have a studio and start a foundation that helps less fortunate individuals. We also plan on giving away scholarships to younger kids in the inner city who do not have the opportunities to attend college. That’s basically what we will be doing in five years, just advancing God’s kingdom and giving back to the community.

UDC: What types of pressures do you face as an artist in hip-hop music?

Crunk: I’m going to be straight up with you, probably running out of money. I’m always out of money, that is the key if I had the money to function like a major, I would work twenty four seven. So basically money.

UDC: How you feel about large corporate labels suppressing an artist’s creative freedom?

Crunk: Well, I think as an independent that is what I’m fighting for everyday, you need that creative control. At the end of the day, if you’re the type of artist that wants to use profanity and raise hell then you can do that, I don’t want that to be taken away from your music and your ideas. That is what I would be fighting for, creative control because I want my artists be able to be real, keep it real and say what they want to say.

UDC: Tell us a little about Crunk Funk Management?

Crunk: We used to have a management company by the name of Crunk Empire. In 2001, we changed the name to Crunk Funk Management. What we do is handle the booking for the artist, manage the artist and manage them on the road, and take care of their entire business. We are hoping in the future to manage more acts. We currently have four different acts on the Crunk label. We are continuing to grow and continuing to work with artist hands-on. We are fair to the artist because many artists are being screwed in the industry. That is basically what we can do, be fair to the artists and keep them paid and happy. If you keep everyone paid and happy, it will create a better work environment.

UDC: Is there any advice that you would like to express to up and coming artists?

Crunk: The advice that I can give, is that you have to give 110% and work hard, you have to build relationships because the music business is a relationship type of business and that is the key. This business is a marathon not a sprint.

CRUNK RECORDS
www.crunkrecords.com
info@crunkrecords.com
800-511-6141

Interviewed By Exodus@undevco.com
Photography By Ean Pegram