Hit Men

1. The Music Industry Was Built on Hustle, Connections, and Questionable Ethics

"If a guy's a cocksucker in his life, when he dies he don't become a saint."

Rough and Tumble Origins. The music industry emerged from a world of street hustlers, mobsters, and ambitious entrepreneurs who operated with few moral constraints. Pioneers like Morris Levy built empires through a combination of musical intuition, aggressive networking, and willingness to bend rules.

Survival of the Shrewdest. Success in the early record business required more than musical talent. It demanded:

• Extensive personal connections
• Ability to navigate complex social networks
• Willingness to take risks
• Street-smart negotiation skills

Cultural Transformation. The industry evolved from small, independent operations to multinational corporations, but many of its original cultural DNA remained intact. Characters like Morris Levy represented a transitional generation between raw entrepreneurship and corporate professionalism.

2. Independent Promoters Controlled Radio Airplay Through the "Network"

"So I have to find a way to get a record played. Do you think I can keep one from being played?"

Payola Reimagined. Independent promoters created a sophisticated system of controlling radio airplay by charging record labels enormous fees to ensure song placement. This "Network" effectively monetized radio exposure in ways that circumvented traditional payola laws.

Network Power Dynamics:

• Controlled access to Top 40 radio stations
• Charged up to $100,000 to promote a single record
• Created territorial "claims" on specific radio markets
• Used intimidation and potential violence to maintain control

Economic Impact. By 1985, the Network had become so powerful that record companies were spending tens of millions of dollars annually on independent promotion, often without clear returns on investment.

3. Record Label Executives Were Larger-Than-Life Characters with Huge Egos

"Nobody out-geschreis me."

Personality-Driven Business. The record industry was defined by outsized personalities who combined business acumen with theatrical flair. Executives like Walter Yetnikoff, Clive Davis, and Irving Azoff were known more for their personal brands than their corporate strategies.

Key Executive Characteristics:

• Aggressive negotiation skills
• Ability to manage temperamental artists
• Ethnic pride and cultural identity
• Willingness to use personal connections
• Extreme confidence bordering on narcissism

Power Dynamics. These executives viewed themselves as more than corporate managers—they were talent brokers, cultural gatekeepers, and personal mentors to artists.

4. Payola Evolved from Direct Bribes to Sophisticated "Independent Promotion"

"Whatever it takes."

Systemic Corruption. What began as direct cash payments to disc jockeys transformed into a complex ecosystem of independent promoters who controlled radio airplay through legal-adjacent mechanisms.

Payola Evolution:

• 1950s: Direct cash bribes to DJs
• 1970s: Creation of independent promotion companies
• 1980s: Massive corporate spending on promotion
• Development of intricate payment and influence systems

Legal Gray Areas. Record companies used independent promoters to create plausible deniability while effectively bribing radio stations to play specific songs.

5. Corporate Power Struggles Defined the Record Business

"You have to be sensitive to what is too easily called artistic temperament, which I think I understand completely."

Constant Corporate Maneuvering. The record industry was characterized by continuous internal battles, executive firings, and strategic realignments. Executives like Dick Asher and Walter Yetnikoff constantly navigated complex political landscapes.

Power Dynamics:

• Rapid career ascents and descents
• Importance of personal relationships
• Constant negotiation and deal-making
• High-stakes competition between labels

Cultural Complexity. Success required understanding unwritten rules, managing egos, and maintaining a delicate balance between artistic creativity and corporate interests.

6. Artists Were Often Exploited by Record Labels and Managers

"These bums off the street? What were they?"

Systematic Exploitation. Record labels and managers frequently took advantage of artists, using complex contracts and financial mechanisms to minimize artist compensation.

Exploitation Mechanisms:

• Unfair recording contracts
• Manipulative royalty structures
• Limited artist understanding of business details
• Widespread industry practice of minimal artist compensation

Power Imbalance. Artists were often viewed as disposable assets, with managers and labels prioritizing financial gains over artistic integrity.

7. Technology and Market Changes Dramatically Reshaped the Music Industry

"The record business has never seen anyone so stingy in sharing credit."

Technological Disruption. Formats like compact discs and changes in music distribution fundamentally transformed the industry's economic model.

Key Technological Shifts:

• Introduction of compact discs
• Rise of music videos
• Changing radio formats
• Emerging distribution channels

Adaptation Challenges. Companies that failed to quickly adapt to technological changes risked becoming obsolete.

8. Personal Relationships and Ethnic Connections Drove Business Deals

"I love Ahmet, but don't squeeze the juice out of every situation."

Cultural Networks. The music industry was deeply influenced by ethnic connections, particularly within the Jewish-American community.

Relationship Dynamics:

• Importance of shared cultural background
• Personal friendships driving business decisions
• Nepotism and insider networks
• Generational business relationships

Complex Social Fabric. Business deals were often predicated on personal connections and cultural understanding.

9. Legal and Ethical Boundaries Were Constantly Pushed and Blurred

"If you screw him, he'll always get revenge."

Moral Ambiguity. The music industry operated in perpetual legal and ethical gray zones, with participants constantly testing boundaries.

Boundary-Pushing Tactics:

• Complex contract manipulations
• Unofficial payment systems
• Intimidation and negotiation tactics
• Frequent legal challenges

Cultural Normalization. What might be considered unethical in other industries was often standard practice in music.

10. Success in the Music Business Depended on Dealmaking, Not Just Talent

"The way I protect my clients is to ingratiate myself and have the people I'm doing business with like me."

Business Over Art. The most successful music industry participants were those who understood complex deal structures, not necessarily those with the most musical talent.

Success Factors:

• Negotiation skills
• Understanding of legal mechanisms
• Personal relationship management
• Financial acumen
• Risk tolerance

Transformation of Creativity. The music business increasingly became about commercial strategy rather than pure artistic expression.

Last updated: December 26, 2024