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How did you first break into the music industry and how long have you been at Shady Records?

I met my boy Marc LaBelle (Vice President of A&R @ Shady) in a Jazz history class that I took at The New School for Social Research when I was 19. He hipped me to the city, going out and networking, the cogs of this music industry machine and how it works. Paul gave me a desk, not a job, but a place to work from with a phone and access to the Internet/ fax etc in 2002 and I was very thankful. I turned that into a job...

Take us through a typical day starting from the time you raise your head to when you go to sleep

There isn't really a typical day in my life and that's one of the things I like so much about this industry. I A&R for Stat Quo & Cashis and Co-Manage BLESTeNATION (Geffen) & The Knux (Interscope) so my day to day duties are constantly changing. I might be routing a tour for The Knux, scheduling a photo shoot for BLESTeNATION, working in the studio w Cashis or talking w Stat about a game plan for radio... it's forever something new and I appreciate the challenge.

What do you enjoy more, the office or the studio and why?

Both, the studio is where I come from; I was a freelance producer b4 I took a job. Studios are safe places to be creative because you can fall down and get up out of the public's eye, so I enjoy that freedom. I've also really grown a lot in the office environment thanks to Paul and my Shady/ Goliath peoples, learning basic law, how money is generated from art and communication (something I am still working on). We have a dope office that doesn't feel corporate and draining like the spots in midtown and I feel lucky for that.

How hands-on is Eminem when it comes to the daily grind at the label?

Em is the man... He, Paul and Tracy stay in constant contact about Shady Records

Any D-12 updates?

D-12 is in the studio and I have heard some HEATERS.

Who are some of the artists you've brought over to Shady?

STAT QUO from Atlanta, who's new record G.R.I.T.S., is one of my favorites of the year and Cashis, who's EP ‘County Hound' we just released... We are working on his LP now (NEED BEATS!)

How do you handle the label politics versus music creativity?

You just have to balance them equally. You are always going to have to politic if you are dealing with people other than yourself, so it's a natural part of the equation. You have to learn to chill yourself out so u can get into a creative space .I run and find that very helpful... shout to The NYC Bridge Runners!

What do you look for in an artist when it comes to signing consideration?

I look for someone who is different and has a different take on things. It makes it much more work breaking them but the payoff is it can be much greater financially and artistically. I also believe in careers, longevity and not just 1 single.

People in the industry point to a lack of artist development as a major issue in the business. Do you agree and if so what do you believe is the remedy?

Thoughtfulness is not rewarded often and there is not much thought put into music as a whole right now. We're very strong on artist development at Shady and we all work towards making the finest product possible and don't believe in rushing albums out before they're ready... You never get a 2^nd chance to release your 1^st LP, why not make it a classic?

In this Internet Age what steps do you feel are needed to revitalize the album format (or do you think its dead)

Obviously, there is a shift in how people want to listen to music and we should accept this and accommodate this change in consumer taste. The format of selling a tangible music product is dead. Our industry needs an entirely new format to sell or lease music. The big guys up top need to be creative and accepting...it might be subscriber based, I don't know, but I do know chain record stores are closing so we need to figure it out yesterday!

Do you have a preference in production style whether its sample vs non-samples, regional, etc...

I just like people to push themselves - in turn push me and the artists I work with... be creative, stay open minded, bugg out!

What's your opinion on the current state of the production game?

Free lance production is so hard... I know from experience that these cats wear 20 hats, writer, producer, arranger, engineer, manager, check chasers etc...and then at the end of the day might not even be invited to the mix session for the track they did the beat for! I've never understood that. When I sold beats I would sell one and that would be it... turn over the tools and hear it months later on an LP. The mix would be horrible because they couldn't carry out the vision. I have the utmost respect for all the homeys on the grind banging on their laptop or mpc, just keep at it

 What tips and advice would you give to the producers on the PMP?

STAY AT IT, it is a marathon. It doesn't get easier when u get one or two off, you still have to elevate your game daily... and don't follow trends. Look at a god like Primo; he's still giving u tht boom bap and 20 yrs later Christina and peoples are sweating him for it. Stick 2 your guns

What do you do to unplug from the industry "matrix" on your down time?

Hang w the crew, run, peep galleries, restaurants, enjoy NYC.

Do you have other interests outside of Shady Records?

I'm big on visual art, specifically photography and painting. I also have some restaurant ideas for NY - I know, like we need another... WE DO!

Where is Dart Parker 5 years from now?

Where am I five minutes from now??? No idea, hopefully working with artists that inspire and I believe in.