A&R SPOTLIGHT: ERIC BEASLEY, DIRECTOR OF A&R OF ASYLUM RECORDS

(This Interview is Courtesy of PMP Worldwide.com)

Describe for us a typical day at the office

Usually, I start my mornings by checking my emails. Next, I listen to beats from various producers for projects that we are working on. Then, I typically have meetings with managers who are shopping artists/producers looking for placements on our projects. Once or twice a week, we have our A&R Department pull research. We are very interested in what records are buzzing nationally. We are interested in who is getting detections (BDS) in specific markets. We collect the music, in hopes for finding possible situations with our company.

Do you work alongside the parent company of Asylum (Atlantic/Warner) or totally independent?

Many acts that are on Asylum get up-streamed to Atlantic or Warner after they sell a certain amount of music. Asylum still has involvement in the project after this point. You can look at it as a team effort. Some artists, for example, Gucci Mane may have his main A&R upstairs at Atlantic. He will still rely on Asylum for help with remixes or finding quality production.

Do you A&R every project that signs with Asylum?

The funny thing is, every situation here at Asylum is different. You have some artists that use the label solely for manufacturing and distribution. They pay for their own marketing, promotions and videos. With other artists we have a little more involvement with their project. We may help them pick out video directors or handle the album cover artwork.

We tend to work closely with the more established acts such as: Scarface, Bun B and Paul Wall. Even though Paul's at Atlantic now. We still work closely with Cam'Ron as well.

How did you become involved in the music business?