Debra Antney has been one of Hip-Hop’s most successful power brokers, negotiating deals and managing her artists with a low profile. On Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, the Mizay Entertainment boss talks about her moves, her attempts to bring New York back, and mentions a certain “bad boy” as well.
Antney opened with talking about her time in the business, which she says dates back to the golden age era although many associate her success with breaking Gucci Mane. “I don’t think my start came with Gucci Mane,” explained Antney. “I mean I’ve been in the industry for a while…that was back to Run DMC and them days. And it started out with charity.”
Antney’s initial meeting with her future artist Gucci Mane happened later, years after moving to Atlanta to make a new life for her five children. As Gucci’s social worker, Antney was assigned to help the rapper through his murder case. After working in the past with her brother, a former A&R at Def Jam, Antney was jaded by the music business but Gucci persuaded her to guide his career.
“New York is who really broke him, let the truth be known,” said Antney of bringing Gucci back to her hometown. Antney got especially candid after DJ Envy called her artist “bi-polar” and she shut it down by saying the outside world doesn’t have the connection with him that she does.
No interview would be complete without mentioning the beef with her son, Waka Flocka, and Gucci Mane, and she seems to be playing both sides as well as she can. “It drew the line for me when it went to Twitter,” said Antney. “In the house when they argue, that’s there. But when it went to Twitter, it crossed lines.”
Antney talks about her time managing Nicki Minaj, and stating firmly that French Montana was not stolen from her by Bad Boy Records’ boss, Diddy, plus much more.
Check out the full interview below.
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Photo: Power 105.1
