Features

Perspective: Jeffrey Sledge

Jeffrey Sledge
Senior Director
Jive
NYC


Job History
My first job as a teenager was cutting bushes, shrubs and trees in the hot ass sun in the summer in White Plains NY.
My first music job was at a small label called Wild Pitch records. We had GangStarr, Lord Finesse, Chill Rob G, Main Source, and UMC's among others. I did pretty much everything there…Promotions, A&R, Publicity, dealt with distribution. Whatever. It was amazing training for me because I got a real well rounded view of how the process worked.
After that I went to work in promotions at Chrysalis records with Ed Strickland. Gang Starr had moved over there and set it up for me to come work over.
Then I went to Jive to do rap promotions. Because I had done lots of A&R at the small labels, Jive allowed me to be involved in the A&R meetings and eventually go into A&R full time. I did A&R here until '96.
Then I went to Epic to do A&R.
I came back to Jive in mid '97 to do Marketing, along with still having some A&R duties and working closely with the President of the company. I am still doing that today.

What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?

I am working on finishing up E40's greatest hits, starting up on Too Short's next record, and doing a special package of some UGK songs as well. Along with whatever else pops up with the many artists we have.

What inspires/motivates you?

What inspires me is my son. I want him to have what I didn't have as a child. My parents did a great job, don't get it twisted, but the next generation should always have the opportunity to do better than the last.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I learned quite awhile ago that you have to have a personal life to be healthy. I enjoy going out as much as the next man but I get more enjoyment of out of spending time with my family and friends than going out to "industry" functions. That industry thing isn't real life anyway.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of my longevity. I have seen a lot of people come and seen a lot of people go. The ones who are still here, I believe have a respect for each because this game is no joke and to still be around making a living at it for 10 years or more, you have to sacrifice a lot of your life and sometimes your mental and physical well being.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?

My biggest mistake was not signing Jay-Z. Damon Dash, Jay-Z, Clark Kent, and I had a meeting about Jay coming to Jive in about '94. The music was good but not all the way developed at that time. My regret was that I didn't pursue spending some time talking to Jay and Damon about what their vision was as opposed to just about the songs. I'm sure that if I would've done that I would've understood the movie. I have had the opportunity to speak with Jay and Damon on occasion and have respect for both of them for their intelligence. It is better to invest in intelligence than talent. If you have the opportunity to invest in both, you have to make the move.

Guiding principles?

It sounds real corny but always be true to yourself and your integrity. I've seen a lot of people get caught up in the Matrix and not last.
Work hard, have some fun along the way, and treat yourself well.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

My birthday is October 10, 1963. I was born in Mt.Vernon NY. I grew up in White Plains NY and went to White Plains HS and Morgan State University Baby. Go Golden Bears!!!!

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Ray Tamarra

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