For every artist on stage, there's a whole team you never see. Those roles are real careers, and if you're good at your craft, they can pay well.
The jobs behind the fame
- Producer: builds the sound of the record.
- Songwriter: writes the songs, often for other artists.
- A&R: finds talent and guides the recording process.
- A&R admin: handles the paperwork behind every release, from budgets to credits to clearances.
- Entertainment attorney: negotiates and protects every deal.
- Financier: funds projects and careers in exchange for a return.
- Publicist: shapes the story and gets it in front of press.
- Digital marketer: runs the campaigns that turn attention into fans.
- Radio promoter: works records to stations and DJs.
- Photographer, videographer, and editor: create the visuals that define an era.
- Publishing admin: registers songs and collects songwriting royalties.
- Booking agent: books the shows and appearances.
- Show promoter: puts on the events and sells the tickets.
How Hood got in
Hood got into the music business in the late 1990s by finding a mentor, Haqq Islam, and learning the business from him and his attorneys before branching out on his own. Hood built his company on ownership. He owned the masters for R&B artist Razah and for Uncle Murda, and signed record deals with the labels in exchange. In 2004 that meant a million-dollar record deal for Razah with Virgin Records. In 2007 he signed Razah to Def Jam, part of Universal Music Group, under Jay-Z. That same year he signed Uncle Murda to Def Jam under Jay-Z, also for a million dollars.
How Touré got in
Touré was born into the business and grew up around it, but he didn't start taking it seriously until he was 17, in 2017. That's when he started working alongside Hood and learning every side of it.
How to start today
- Find a mentor. Hood's career started with one. The fastest way in is learning from someone already doing the job.
- Learn the business, not just the vocabulary. Know how deals, royalties, and rollouts work.
- Get good at one craft. Pick a role, then become the person people call for it.
- Show up and stay consistent. This business rewards people who keep learning and keep showing up.