Published: Sunday - May 29, 2005
Words by David Lopez
Daniel "Danny Blaq" Tran (Photo: Baylo Ent.)
Behind every successful company is hard working team, and Daniel "Danny Blaq" Tran, COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Baylo Entertainment, is the part of the oil that makes Baylo Entertainment's engine run. A 10 year veteran of the music industry, Blaq has been involved with a number of successful artists and ventures including Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Jesse Powell, Aaliyah, Ruff Ryders and No Limit Records.
Muhsin Muhammad, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Baylo Entertainment and the all-time leading wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, is proving that athletes can also be successful in the music industry. Muhsin's love for music and business led him to partner up with Blaq in 2002, who shared the same passion and vision as him. Not only that, but he also possesses the experience, knowledge and track record that has help to catapult Baylo to new heights.
Blaq spent several years as a manager of PatchWerk Recording Studio in Atlanta, a multi-million recording facility with more than 100 gold and platinum projects under its belt -- from artists such as Destiny's Child, Ludacris, Outkast, Lil Jon, Usher, TLC, Monica and many more. Due to the recent growth of Baylo Entertainment, Blaq was forced to leave PatchWerk after 5 plus years, and shifted his focus entirely on the success of Baylo. In just two years, Baylo Entertainment has already had a major impact on the music industry and has generated major media attention including BET's "106 & Park," The Source magazine, and many news and radio stations in various cities.
"For Baylo winning is not everything, it is the only thing," they say in there mission statement, and judging from the company's track record it's pretty hard to think otherwise.
In this exclusive Ballerstatus interview, COO of Baylo Entertainment "Danny Blaq" Tran gives us the inside scoop on Baylo, and the Screw & Chopped sound that has become the biggest thing to hit the South since hot gumbo.
BallerStatus.com: Why the name Baylo?
Danny Blaq: Baylo comes from Muhsin's grandfather; he was called Baylo and people would always consider him to be cock strong, and came from a strong bloodline. So Moose wanted to use it for the company to reflect that it comes from a strong bloodline.
BallerStatus.com: What is your biggest accomplishment as COO of Baylo Records?
Danny Blaq: Baylo itself is the biggest accomplishment, and it is no where near to where it will be. Currently, we are supporting a lot of majors and indie artists by way of marketing, media, campaign management, and basically all the services that we offer at Baylo besides the label. In our 2 1/2 year existence, we were featured in The Source magazine a few times, BET's "106 and Park," major radio station such as Hot 97 in New York, Atlanta, Charlotte and other few markets, and TV news stations. Also, a major accomplishment is to break Screwed & Chopped into the mainstream.
BallerStatus.com: When and why was Baylo Records created?
Danny Blaq: About 2 1/2 years ago. Baylo is collaboration between Muhsin's and my Vision. He wanted to create a label due to his love for music, but was real leery about working with people because so many athletes tried the music game and failed. I was doing my own thing and was in the process to put my company together, so when me and Muhsin got together, we felt we were a real good match. We shared same ideals, vision and work ethic, so we decided to start Baylo.
BallerStatus.com: How did the football player Muhsin Muhammad get involved with establishing the label?
Danny Blaq: I was introduced to him through a mutual associate, who I managed a major recording studio with. He knew that Moose was looking for someone that had an expertise in the business and he knew I was going to do my own thing, so he felt like that we should talk. Then now we are here with Baylo.
BallerStatus.com: Which artists have you worked with?
Danny Blaq: We currently work and have worked with Young Jeezy, Jody Breeze, Moe Money (which is our own artist), Big Reese formerly of the group P.A., Boyz N Da Hood, Slim Thug, Trae, Guerilla Maab, Mike Jones, Dylan from "Making the Band," Paul Wall and the list goes on.
BallerStatus.com: Which artist you worked, has sold the most records?
Danny Blaq: Currently, I would say it's between Mike Jones and Slim Thug, but really everything theirlabel puts out Swishahouse and Boss Hogg Outlawz.
BallerStatus.com: How does an artist get signed to Baylo?
Danny Blaq: We look for an overall package, image, character, sound, style, etc. You have to bring passion and hunger, and of course talent. We prefer artists that have been in the game for sometime, and have the understanding of what it takes to become successful. We get a lot of artists that just have no clue, and it can get frustrating as they don't see it as a career or better yet, a life choice. [They see it as] more so a hobby and it looks good. A lot of artists that we deal with came through the ranks of the streets, they have been doing shows, been doing their own thing and some of them wind up at Baylo one way or another. Not saying they get signed, but we are supporting a lot of artists and help them to get to where we can actually make something happen.
BallerStatus.com: Why is the Chopped & Screwed sound so big right now? And do you think it will continue to be hot for years to come?
Danny Blaq: Screwed & Chopped has been around for years, and it is always been big in Texas, just like Go Go in D.C. It is just another version of hip-hop. The reason why the sound is so big right now is because katz like Slim Thug and Mike Jones have been recognized for their work, and you have others co signing them. So everybody is on that craze; just like everything else. Slim thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall and the others haven't done anything different, they are still doing what they have been for years, it's just that more people start taking notice to it. I think it will be around and become another accepted version of hip-hop. In urban music, nothing stays hot forever, it is a disposable genre, meaning that once their OD'd on it, they want something different. But it will definitely be around.
BallerStatus.com: How much money is Baylo grossing a year?
Danny Blaq: Taking that we are doing various things and have different income sources, you can say that we gross high six figures a year.
BallerStatus.com: I know T.I. and Mike Jones have had there albums Screwed & Chopped. Do you think more East Coast artists albums would sound good in that Screwed up format?
Danny Blaq: Well, they definitely would get a completely different market. Many of the people that listen to Screwed & Chopped albums like to hear their music slow, some don't like the fast pace. In Texas, everything gets Screwed & Chopped; from old school, R&B all the way to like Britney Spears. But if an East Coast artist gets Screwed & Chopped, they definitely would increase their fan base.
BallerStatus.com: Where is Baylo plan on being in five years?
Danny Blaq: We are planning to be the mediator between the streets and the major labels; there is a very big gap that needs to be plugged. Majors don't know how to break records anymore, nevertheless they don't know how to find talent. All they do is look at BDS, R&R, media base, Soundscan, and whoever has decent numbers they want to sign. Baylo will be the medium that will find indies, mold them and get them ready for the majors. For the majors, Baylo will be that support system that can translate their needs back into the streets. We can service both on every aspect.
BallerStatus.com: What's next for Baylo?
Danny Blaq: We have a lot in store. We are currently working on the Jody Breeze project, which is going to be real big. We also have our media division that helps artist and companies to get their work packaged and put out. We can do retail ready packages, promo cds; we do the graphic design for album cover, websites, flyers, posters, whatever you can think of an artist or company may need. Also, our female modeling team will be on the forefront; we have about 20 models that have been in print ads, major music videos, commercials. These girls are beautiful and sexy, but they will bring back integrity in the game. Our artist Moe Money will be released late 2005, and we are working on a few more records. Plus, we have a bunch of other projects coming out.
BallerStatus.com: What do consumers and fans need to know about Baylo?
Danny Blaq: Baylo is definitely here to stay; we have a lot of things that the consumers and fans can appreciate. We will make them believe that CDs are worth $15 - $20 again, and that Baylo is a big movement or better yet, a way of life that incorporates every aspect of entertainment. We will bring new trends and hot new music.
Features Akon: Crossover Appeal Not many people can make a hit with pop and urban acts, ranging from Gwen Stefani to 50 Cent. Not many people can release ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Far Cry 2 Gone are Jack Carver, his Hawaiian shirt, and the trigens from the first installment of "Far Cry," but in comes spine ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
