Responsible for many a cool sound spawned by Beyonce, Brandy, Usher and Kelly Rowland, Rico Love’s habit of building R&B music that transcends genre lines has brought him more success than most maybe aware of.
Now, in an interview with ‘The Feature Presentation‘, the ‘Sweet Dreams‘ producer has detailed his journey to the top, going a long way help aspiring creatives understand the lucrative business that is music publishing, soundtrack building and his enviable arrangement with Jimmy Iovine‘s ‘Interscope.’
The above, being one of the reasons we’ve billed this interview a ‘must see.’
For, his time with the outlet also saw him dish on the criticism Jay Z faces for continuing his business dealings with Barney’s, a company now under fire following claims they falsely accused two African-American shoppers of committing credit card fraud after they made large but legal in-store purchases.
Love’s thoughts on the matter? An interesting explanation as to why boycotting one company on the grounds of racism does little to combat the problem, and why the African-American community should turn its attention to the gun-selling pawnshops, alcohol pouring liquor stores and lack of inner-city education resources that stifles the progression of its youth.
Watch below…
![Nelly & Kelly Rowland Reunite to Perform Their 2002 Hit 'Dilemma' at the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala [Video]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kelly-rowland-baby2baby-thatgrapejuice-2024-dilemma-nelly-464x260.jpg "Nelly & Kelly Rowland Reunite to Perform Their 2002 Hit 'Dilemma' at the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala [Video].")
Did he lie? We gotta stop picking and choose what we get mad about.
Liquor stores aren’t racism though so what is he talking about?
@TeenageDreamer Girl stop, if you interested in your people doing well you stand up against everything that hurts them not just the s*** people OUTSIDE of your races does to hurt them.
We have the right to hate George Zimmerman but we should hate the dumbass low life BLACK p**** holes who shoot and s*** the next BLACK person and ruin people’s lives.
Liquor stores sell alcohol cheaply and encourage alcoholism which f**** up people’s job prospects and the means they have to support them and their families and don’t you know that the guns people be using to kill people are bought from the pawn shops.
But nobody stopped to think WHERE these guns were coming from and who was bringing them into the country? S*** is so f***** up.
My respect levels for him just went sky high.
YEESSSS. He said that! You want to rise up and fight when it comes to white on black racism but where was your voice when it was black person who killed their fellow black person! Where?!
So we should ban alcohol and pawn shops?
I lost my uncle to drugs and believe me when I say it wasn’t white people he was in trouble with when he decided to take his own life. The people that I think were after him were the exact same color as him. Rico, I respect you for what you said today and have nothing but love for you now.
At the end of the day the black community has to accept that it has two problems, white people who hate black people and black people who hate black people.
Not you acting like it was ok for Jay-Z to work with them after what they did. The truth of the story is that Jay-Z is a social climber and only cares about making money and being liked, if he cared about what was right he would ended it all with them to show that he was against how poorly the treat ALL ethic minorities they think are too broke to buy what they sell.
You guys need to stop thinking Beyonce and Jay are who they say they are, it’s a front.
Wise words.
Very interesting perspective on boycotting companies that we deem racist. Rico made a great point, it’s everywhere.
This is why I admire the Kanye’s, Jay’s & Bey’s for wanting to be in a position to own their creative works. This is the most powerful way to make change. The black community should really be more united and support these individuals that aren’t afraid to be more forward thinking and do more than just being content with having fame and making music. It’s nothing wrong with that, but those that want to do more should be celebrated. It’s silly to say to Kanye, your rich stop being an ass and be happy that you have a successful career. Your telling the man to be happy with his limitations. Don’t press on any further, be complacent, don’t dream to big? F**king why??? Maybe that works for YOU, but that’s not his agenda! … and that’s fine!
I don’t like every film Tyler Perry produces, but he owns his own production studio. He’s in a position to hire deserving actors/actresses that aren’t getting work! That’s what impresses me most about him! So many people criticize Oprah, but are any of those people building schools in Africa? Do they have a network that highlights the achievements of people you wouldn’t see anywhere else? Are these people even “fixing someone’s life”? Crabs in a barrel sit around tearing down people that uplift their people. Some of these networks had a field day tearing Whitney’s legacy IMMEDIATELY after she died, but Oprah (the same woman that gets so much grief) was one of the few celebrating Whit’s life and showing the love from family that surround her. I’m trying not to go on today, but these are just a few examples why we need more people aspiring to stand behind their own companies & brands. Without them we leave ourselves in a very vulnerable place!
im so sick of hearing about racism. UGRH. Its everywhere. Jees. Like we dont all suffer from some prejudice on a daily basis. ffs.
Omg until any if you pressed f**** tell me that you spend time with the Godess Beyonce and the King of rap Jay -z on a daily basis don’t sit and give an opinion on how genuine they are or aren’t unless you know 109% fact which none of you homosexuals do so don’t speak on something you don’t know to be true you cleat stabs make me sick just admit that you love them or you wouldn’t be pressed all the damn time
You hit the nail on its head. The word for that is OPPORTUNIST. people like those will step on you head to get what they want.
Seem like you have not been reading the same article. I would love to know what Jay-Z, Beyonce and Kanye West has done uplifting. They are a plague to music. These people are powerful and how have they used their power. Two of Jay-Z ‘s protégé Beyonce and Rihanna bleach their skin how is this uplifing to the black community?
What’s so uplifting about Beyonce and Jay Z? Don’t you know that they show us what they want us to see. I’ll give them the fact that they are African Americans who have done well for themselves in music but what are they doing with the power they worked so hard for.
People drag Oprah all the time but her school is really helping people in Africa and she does put out extremely positive programming which features people of all races. Even Tyra Banks did a lot to change the way we see black beauty by making sure ANTM had a variety of girls competing.
Beyonce and Jay seem like very nice people but giving money to charity isn’t solving anything when they keep quiet on the issues that are really affecting REAL people who REALLY live in the streets.
You can say that they are so real and down to earth because they embrace and sometimes tribute the hood, but when they’re sipping champagne on private jets and spending millions on houses the people that are worshipping them are struggling to make ends meet.
Don’t insult the work of real pioneers by saying that Jayonce are uplifting because they’re rich and black if you can’t say how they’ve helped people with their wealth.
1. You’re stupid if you think Jay cares about the plight of the average black man. His only concern is to make money and make sure that he’s popular.
2. If you expect a black celebrity who lives in a gated community, travels with bodyguards and is worth millions to understand the struggle of someone who can’t even get a job in a store because someone who is the same color as him stole from the same store, you are foolish.
Celebs have to make it seem as though they’re like us for us to like them, when really they’re a world apart.
I’ve never stolen from a store in my life and know in my hearts of hearts that I’m a good person and wouldn’t hurt a fly, but was that enough to stop me getting stopped and searched on the way back from school last week. No it was not, so I need the person who said they’re tired of hearing about racism to shut their mouths and thank God that it’s something they can ignore, because I don’t have that luxury.
Lol @ people saying Jay only wants the money from it. DO YOUR RESEARCH. 100% of the money is going to charity.
Sis, he ONLY gave it to charity AFTER he was called out on it and do you actually believe he is giving all the money away to charity? #Naive #FormYourOwnOpinions #YourFaveIsFlawed
Not these misinformed people trying to bring down Jay-Z when all the money is going to help send underprivileged kids to college,even help them study abroad
@Fenty well I suppose you shouldn’t be complaining, a good portion is to cover your favs career #YouTried #BeGrateful
Not this misinformed people trying to bring down Jay-Z when all the money is going to help send underprivileged kids to college,even help them study abroad.
Isn’t it racist to expect Beyonce and Jay Z to care about black people just because they’re black too. If we’re being honest Beyonce and Jay Z do what they do to make themselves look a certain way but if you think about it to make the stupid among us think that we can trust them.
Don’t you remember when Beyonce performed for George Bush in 2001 but then realised that she was a democrat when Obama came along? Celebrities only care about their image not what’s right or wrong about a situation so stop thinking ANY of your favs has a duty to give a damn about you.
Jay Z has already got charities set up. He has the Sean Carter Foundation which has helped a lot kids.
@Marley these people don’t know how to turn a negative situation into a positive. Smh
Kiii kii at the Hive’s naivety though. He ONLY decided to give that money away AFTER the pressed called him out on it.
@Beyhive_Minaj thats the problem. They will be the first to complain and form
an opinion about someone else, without looking at themselves first. We aint never gonna get anywhere by simply complaining.
The Hive aren’t good at dealing with the facts imo. The question some people here asking is what Beyonce and Jay Z have done to change the way black people are seen in this country. They ARE super successful and super rich and a lot of people look up to them, but what message do you think Jay sends to young black men young enough to be his sons when he works with a business which believes black people are to poor to buy expensive things legally.
Can someone from the Hive tell me why Beyonce performed for George W Bush who we all know doesn’t care about black people and started a war that so many people lost their lives in.
@Marley co-sign every single sentence. The same people complaining are the ones who can’t support black artists winning in the game and always feel the need to tear them down. Aren’t these the same people who started this ridiculous “Rihanna vs Beyonce” beef? Pitting black artists against each other. Pot meets kettle
And why do Beyonce and Jay Z NEED to change it? Since when were they polititions? Their job is not to be responsible for black peoples. What have YOU done to try and change it you’re so passionate?
What kind of stupidity? This is just like saying it’s ok for someone from a major company to call you a n***** as long as they pay you afterwards. ONLY GREEDY PEOPLE THINK LIKE THIS! It is not ok! Jay has never cared about yall in the way you thought he did and you need to accept it.
@Vision of Mimi. Why is your fav is continuing to perform for dictators even after Gaddafi backlash?
@VisionofMimi at least when Beyonce found out that she performed for a dictator,she gave the money to charity and didn’t repeat the same action
This is not about people being obliged to help people the same color as them. It’s about people who USE people who are the same color as them to get ahead and then close the door in their faces once they get what they want. Then again why am I shocked and surprized by the actions of people NONE of us know personally.
When the Queen tackled prejudice in the LAP video she helped ethnic minorities by highlighting the injustice they face because of stereotypes. Mind you, Madonna was talking about gay rights and racial injustice BEFORE it became fashionable to do so. I’m yet to see Beyonce do anything to in her videos or music to really help the people who have helped her.
Oh sweetie, Mariah knew who she was dealing with and decided to get her money anyway. What does it say about Beyonce’s IQ if she didn’t know performing for Gadaffi was a bad idea.
Rico, you won’t tell me what I can and can’t be angry about.
Lol the only person Jay and Bey is responsible for is Blue Ivy. People put too much into celeb culture. Beyonce and Jayz job is to entertain, they are not slaves to our image as black people. I know some people on here be questioning what Jay and Bey are doing more than The State. Thats the sad thing.
@VisionofMimi thank you for clocking yourself. Why would she know that she was entertaining someone who has caused oppression of many and just do it like it was nothing? Have a seat on the floor and be quiet
@Vision of Mimi. Oh so now its ok for Mariah to get her money and not Jay Z? (Even though its going to charity) Double standards.
I think some of you are missing the point. When it suits them Beyonce and Jay Z use their blackness to get ahead. Ie, Beyonce is PROUD of the fact that she’s the first black singer to have this award and that award and when it suits her she’ll go to the hood and shoot a video but what I want to know is how anybody can compare them to Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Oprah and the rest when the only thing they help is themselves.
I do not like what Mariah did but at least I’m mature enough to admit she made and has been making stupid mistakes.
Has BeyHive Minaj explained why Beyonce performed for Bush?
And whats wrong with that really? Is it doing any harm at all that they use their blackness? No. Its a free country, like i said are not servants or slaves to black peoples image. They are doing any harm. Yall need to get off these celebs clits and concerntrate on the GOVERNMENT.
@Vision of Mimi I think you mean STILL making darling. This is no mistake to her.
Jay Z and Beyonce supposedly encouraged the young black youth of America to work hard to achieve something and not be afraid to shine and dress for success. When two black hildren do just that legally and honestly are punished I noticed Jay Z suddenly had to wait and see. No words of support, Cristal was supposedly racist enough to get banned by him – because it insulted HIM – but since he knows he could walk into any Barney’s and be worshipped he doesn’t have the same anger.
I’ll applaud Jay Z and Beyonce everyday for what they are incredibly successful black moneymakers in a very racist country, but I would never be dumb enough to believe their hearts and minds are really with oppressed. Not when they visit Cuba, not when they perform for dictators. Trayvon and the charity after Barney’s were PR moves.
Can’t knock them because successful whites will do the same thing, but please be real on who and what they are.
I’m not really for her but Ann Coulter made a really good point about this in her book. She was basically saying that a lot of biracial entertainers pick and choose when they’re black depending on when it helps them.
Mariah didn’t publicly acknowledge that she was biracial until the mid 90s when she realized she needed Diddy’s help to seem hip and credible to the black community and Halle Berry was than happy to claim the Oscar even though her black father walked out on her and was raised by her white mother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR5hLJeGl3Y
Clock it @Mary J!
I always ask the question… WHAT ARE YOU DOING to better your community?
And how can you tell anybody when it’s ok to be angry. TF?
It’s always easier to suggest what people should do with their position, time, and money… but again i ask.. WTF are you doing with yours?
Racism is so bad artist are bleaching themselves to be white… Beyoncé… Nicki Minaj they were black at one time
So when are the white people at TGJ gone post a discussion about white racism in the music industry? thanks
I’m sure that jay z and kanye can relate to the struggle. They came from the hoods of Chicago and new York and were not born rich.if you made a million dollars would you spend it all and go back to being broke or would you find ways to make more money? We ALL in some way or another are always looking for ways to make MORE money and nothing is wrong with that. jay didn’teven make a profit for his deal with Barney’s. 100% of his portion of the it went to some form of charity. A lot of people who donate to organizations and causes don’t disclose how much money they give because the purpose is not to show other people. I tithe my money and donate every now and then when I can but I’m not broadcasting that. My purpose in doing it isn’t to show it off to my friends. At the same time no one is obligated to share their hard earned money for any reason whatsoever. We all have some opportunity or another to make greatness of ourselves and I wouldn’t expect anyone to give anything to me just because we from the same hood or the same color. What kind of message would they be sending if they were just passing out checks?
They’re all frauds I tell you
Beyonce is a hydroquinone abuser. In some of her vids, she looks whiter than a white person – that kinda of paper white Michael Jackson skin tone that doesn’t exist in nature. Most white people are kinda pinkish or tannish…