D Project Records is poised to showcase the music of T&T on a global scale come 2011, with the signing of a distribution deal between the CEO of the St James-based record label, Daryl Braxton and international powerhouse, iMG Recordings/Universal Music Group. Additionally, iMG Recordings CEO, Rick Robinson has agreed to oversee marketing and distribute the four acts on D Project Records to the world.
"By this time next year," Braxton said, "at least four acts from Trinidad and Tobago will have a greater presence in the global music industry. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't going to happen. I told Trinidad that we were bringing Nicki Minaj home and we did, and as a result of that event and the work we have been doing to promote the acts we signed, we have now secured global distribution and are preparing to take our company to the next level."
The four acts signed to D Project Records are: Nebula 868, Judah Bharath, Terri Lyons and 3Suns. Braxton admitted that he had been "in talks with several different labels over the course of the year", but said that after the launch of his label on October 30, iMG Recordings made him an incredible offer that he could not refuse.
"People need to understand that the Localize Itt concert was not about packing the stadium and making a million dollars for ourselves," he informed overtimett.com. "It was a strategic investment in ourselves and our talent. Like her or not, Nicki Minaj is ours and not because we claimed her, but because she claimed us as her own! The fact that she's currently at the top of her game makes it even sweeter.
"So, when we were able to market and showcase our talent alongside her in a professional manner, that–and the quality of the talent we showcased–attracted even more attention from the major labels outside and now, iMG has come on board to help us take this talent from T&T to the world that's waiting out there."
Operations VP for D Project Records, Rich Nice, was instrumental in negotiating the mutually-beneficially arrangement and described the deal that was eventually signed as "one that hasn't been given to any independent label since the late nineties. "What we're looking at right now," he enthused, "is a situation very similar to what Bad Boy and Death Row Records had in the 90s. Due to the way the industry has evolved, the majors don't partner with independent undeveloped talent like this anymore because, quite frankly, it's too risky!
"But Mr Robinson at iMG/Universal has such confidence in the talent and the music that he's heard and seen, that he is going straight to the top of the food chain with this recipe, so already we're making history and the energy and excitement is building toward something really great." Speaking from his office in Los Angeles, Robinson said he believed the acts signed to D Project Records had the potential to penetrate and become highly successful in the major markets of the global music industry and vowed to work "hands-on" with the label to achieve those objectives over the next year.
"The way this project has begun reminds me of something that's going to be very great when it's just starting," he said, "and I'm someone who worked with Bone Thugs N Harmony to take them to the top when I was just in a management position, so I know from experience that when you get the butterflies in your stomach like this you're definitely working with artistes who have what it takes to be great." Robinson is a Milwaukee-based former artiste and manager, who assumed the role of CEO at the company seven years ago. Since then, Robinson has indirectly overseen the careers of many chart-topping and independent artistes alike, and now manages over