Money Is A Must Records
After hits from Bones-Thugs ‘n’ Harmony, Avant, and the newest Fat Al, Cleveland, Ohio is home to yet another up and coming record label. Money Is A Must Records or M.I.A.M.Inc (as they like to call themselves) is the latest distributor of hit songs in the Cleveland area.
The label was started in January 2007 by D’Rand Jones, a 2006 Maple Heights. graduate. Jones says he named the label Money Is Must because “in order to achieve power, respect, and acknowledgment in this society, money always has something to do with it.”
D’Rand says, “I started the record label to create opportunities for talented individuals around me.” The company has many mottoes that it tries to live under. Jones says, “One of our motto's is Go Hard or Go Home.” We use this saying to push us to do things to the best of our abilities.
His first artist was Professional. He said, “I picked him to be my first artist because I knew he was very talented and had great potential.”
The label now has four other artists including Lil Ray, Noise, Konvik, and D-Nell. D-Nell is the only R& B artist; the rest are rappers with their own individual style and swagger. Some of the artists are college students while others work full time jobs. Most of the songs the label produces talk about life’s issues such as relationships, hardships, family issues and getting money.
M.I.A.M.Inc is primarily a digital label. D’Rand says, “We have hard copy distribution but were really looking build up our digital division.” They use their website, moneyisamust.com and iTunes to broadcast a weekly Mix-Tape type podcast show that features each artist’s music in order reach new listeners every week. The label has also promotes its artists through traditional means like concerts and word of mouth. Jones hopes in the future the record label will become mainstream and well known throughout the United States.
The label makes songs that appeal to teenagers and young adults in every atmosphere from people who enjoy club hits, to people who enjoy independent films and movies. The label’s latest hits are available on its website- moneyisamust.com as well as upcoming concert dates. The label hopes to release a Mix-tape in the summer of 2007.