Q&A: Atlanta producer/rapper FatProfit talks Atlanta hip-hop, music industry, Patchwerk Recording Studios – Atlanta Business Chronicle
Posted by By Admin at 22 April, at 02 : 25 AM Print
On April 20, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Phil W. Hudson sat down with producer, rapper and Atlanta-based Last Word Exitainment CEO Leonard “FatProfit” Franklin.FatProfit, known in the music industry as a behind-the-scenes pillar, established himself in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene as an industry “Go to Guy” while working at Atlanta’s famed Patchwerk Recording Studios (interview with Patchwerk owner and studio manager Curtis Daniel III here) after relocating from California more than a decade ago.EnlargeAtlanta producer, rapper and CEO of Atlanta-based Last Word Exitainment Leonard… moreSUBMITTEDAs the CEO of the independent record label Last Word Exitainment, which FatProfit founded with his childhood friend Marlon “Blaze 1” Daniel in 1995, the exec turned rapper currently oversees the careers of artists Sayso, Blaze 1 and producer Cooley on the Beat Boi.FatProfit is currently promoting his self-released record “2 Big for the Bull(expletive),” an album on which he is featured and executive produced.Atlanta Business Chronicle from online business before at WebDesign499: Up until Outkast exploded, most of my favorite rappers were from California. Why did you move from California to Georgia?FatProfit: To pursue my career as an artist and label owner. I knew that working at Patchwerk was the right decision because the experience, knowledge and contacts I made while working there are unparallelled.ABC: Yeah, I know what you mean. Every time I’m at Patchwerk, it feels like lots of artists use it as a one-stop shop because you can literally network with every segment of the industry while still being able to keep it very private and intimate. Plus, those cookies. (Laughs) How did you move from working at the studio to recording at it?FatProfit: In this industry, everything is proceeded by success. What I mean by that is there were many challenges, obstacles and sacrifices that were made for me to be in the position I am in today. I was able to afford to record at Patchwork by negotiating and consistently delivering results that allowed my talent to stand out.ABC: Your record “2 Big for the Bull(expletive)” is unreal. It’s a return to rap’s glory days before pop culture cheapened the genre. Anyway, how did you build your team for this record?FatProfit: My team was built on my fundamental purpose theory which is to find like-minded artists that have the same enthusiasm and work ethic in addition to a good heart in order to put the foundation in place.ABC: I know you only sell your music through physical copies, which allows you to keep most of if not all of the revenue pie, but why won’t you release your record through a streaming platform?FatProfit: I want to give sponsors and corporations the exclusivity option. My philosophy is that every artist should have the opportunity to get a unique, mutually-beneficial deal with a label or publishing company. Drake for example, received the first exclusive streaming deal through Apple Music.ABC: Atlanta’s hip-hop scene has recently taken center stage in the music industry but what do you think is missing in Atlanta’s hip-hop industry that could make it stronger?FatProfit: The authentic substance that once existed in this genre with artists like Outkast and T.I. It feels like the authentic music has been silenced and reduced to a materialistic Trojan horse.
