Let’s get it straight, LEP is by no means a new name to the industry. In 2005 they were signed to major label Sony/BMG. For the last few years they have had numerous singles receive major airplay including the Jim Jones track “Getting Money” and the newly released “We Aint Playin” with NY’s own Fabolous. Couple that with a promotional campaign in the Midwest that leaves major artist envious. This leaves many asking what is the formula for a successful label?
- Self distribution of over 100,000 units per year – CHECK
- Major magazine and media coverage - CHECK
- Signed a deal with a major label – CHECK
- Radio rotation in over 40 cities – CHECK
- Features from the industries top MC’s – CHECK
So with so many checkpoints in place, why do the Bogus Boys seem more determined than ever to prove to the world that they ‘aint playin’. Check out as we sit down with Infared artists, Count, Moonie and Bigg Rugg, as well as their insightful CEO Eric for a unique look into the LEP Grind.
What’s going on at Infared Music?
Last year we passed out 120,000 units. The Fabulous joint is playing in 40 cities, New York, Detroit and Cleveland are all supporting, we up to 178 spins a week – from 40 to 94 to 178 spins. We’re pressing up 60,000 new mixtapes next month– 20 in Atlanta, 20 in New York, 30 in Chicago and about to drop a new single with Rick Ross. That’s colossal for an independent label. We’ve started the bidding buzz again, a few labels are calling – Universal and Koch. Right now were putting ourselves in a situation where we can demand a distribution deal that allows us to open the door for Chicago. We don’t want to just jump in a deal – we want to get our own money, we don’t want the 360 deal, they want to cut into your clothing line. And all those stations that don’t support we’ll see you at the 
top.
How is the atmosphere different being a group out of Chicago?
In Chicago the radio stations are not pushing street music and the city is a gangsta orientated city. The city wants us but the radio is not complying, even the DJ's are supporting us. The program directors are not supporting it, saying that we too street but Jeezy and Lil Wayne are street. Are yall in tune with what’s going on in the streets? The 
streets are a reality. We’re not promoting violence; we tell them what we going through on a day-to-day basis. Everybody wants a facade. I like what Souljah Boy and them doing but they in a different lane. Where are our program directors? Why are we not getting played in Chicago unless we come from out of town? Do we have to blow up in Atlanta for Chicago to support us…we’re working hard, we’re original, we’re coming with our own sound or own lingo. You’re phony kicking it…it’s not even good for Chicago because you aren’t allowing the local artist to eat. So if you can allow a good sound of music to come out of Chicago we can bring some revenue to the city whatever they spend it on it at least gives us the opportunity to set an example, at least give us a chance. Look at what Lupe is doing and he’s doing that without Chicago’s help. Everybody gets broke in other states – Twista, Kanye, Young Berg…at some point what are we going to do to make a change.
What is it like coming from Chicago and going to other cities?
The reception is better; they embrace us outside of Chicago. In Chicago everybody is trying to be a rapper, hating or already think they know you. Chicago has a different feel period. New York embraces us so hard, like we from there. The real rappers, we can’t keep them off us, everywhere outside of the city. Chicago our whole movement is certified, either you gone grow or you gone sit to the side, its tough love.
Is there a solution to the Chicago problem?
We gone take what we want, we aint gone cry for it. We have a movement going, we gone kick that door down as businessmen and not just consumers. Right now there is no real industry here; everybody wants to keep us as consumers. If we were to just be a force and corner the market they would have to respect our business. The frame of mind here is just segregated, the races, the gangs. This rap click over here this click over here, its not too much unity to it. I know we will have to be the one’s that lead by example; it don’t make you less of a man or business man to take care of things. We need artist to get more involved in the communities, going to the high schools and next group of artist extending your hand. You would think it would click that we all trying to get money that we would do it together. The only thing we got coming is what we put in. We need to plant our flag, as a unit. Kanye and Common blew up but it was a movement and I don’t know about them but I can’t sleep at night because I know my people can’t get through because of the red tape. The movement is for us to get through the door and give jobs to these guys who want to be legit. Chicago is totally different and these stories need to be told.
Having been independent and signed to a major what do you think are the benefits of both?
Shit. Because we been doing everything on our own. The only difference is we got a check. It opened a few doors to meet a few people, training wheels.
What do you think is the key to success for success as an independent label?
Cash, good music and a good business man. We have a top notch business man, Eric. He is a trailblazer, digging his own path, he’s learning as he goes along and we having fun doing what we doing. This is for real grinding to me, I sacrificed everything for this. To make it in rap is like working a hard job for 20 or 30 years and finally retiring and the retiring is making it. You have to be focused, any little thing can knock you off but you gotta keep going with it. It can get frustrating; we still haven’t made it to where we should be. So as an independent all you got is yourself and you can never stop.
So what’s next for Infared Music?
Grinding. We haven’t’ made it yet. We have a great camp. All of our production is done by Producers Fly Boyz of Ice World Entertainment. We represent 5 rap and R & B acts, LEP and the Bogus Boys, Moonie, Charm & Count. We mixing down the "Don’t Feed the Killas Vol. 2", shooting 3 new videos, and finishing up writing a movie that we’re about to shoot. Bogus Boy Tv is a show we are putting together for Channel 19. There are a bunch of other CEO’s – we’re going to make a Chicago Commission. We’re not begging, we’re going to get out here and work out – that’s why we give our music away so that people have a chance to hear it. We have good music, great sound and a good look. An A & R that signs us is signing a self-contained label that’s just like a job, we would be the self-motivated employee. We can break our own records. Everything is going digital anyway, if they wait too long we gone do it ourselves. We have a set formula now, after putting out so many mixtapes. We are about to get back in the field we wont leave any stones unturned.
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