NAME: Sujit Kundu
Title: Founder, SKAM Artist Management/
Vice President of Radio and Crossover Promotions, Universal Records
Clients: DJ Irie, D-Nice, DJ Vice, DJ Kiss, DJ Skribble
Bank Statement: “There’s people out here who have to wash dishes for a living. Someone told me if find what you love to do then you’re never working. I love what I do.”
In this economy you’re lucky to have one job, but Sujit Kundu is fortunate enough to have two that are fun as hell. As Founder of SKAM artist management the Cali native books some of the hottest DJs in the country and as VP of Radio Promotions at Universal Records he makes sure all of you Lil Wayne fans get to hear his records on the air.
So for this first installment of “Mind Your Business” we got Sujit on the phone to talk about how he went from deejaying badly to being one of the most influential people in the music business.
TUD: I was in Miami with DJ Irie when The Heat won their title. He’s a great guy. How did you come to work with him?
Sujit: I was in Miami years ago, and I was with DJ Vice. We went to have dinner with Irie and I went to pay and Irie was like “no way, not in my city.” I thought it was cool. He came out with us that night to Mansion. We hung out, got drunk and got along so well.
TUD: You got your start in party promotions. What was that like?
Sujit: I started as a DJ and I sucked. I moved on to passing out flyers. As you get certain things right, you move up the food chain.
TUD: (Laughter) You said you sucked, did you decide that or did someone tell you that?
Sujit: I think I realized it. I would go to record stores and see other people play, it was obvious. I’m just very realistic with the way things are. Either you’re good or you’re not.
TUD: How did you make the transition from the party scene to radio promotions?
Sujit: I started in the dance music scene. It took a hit when so many bad promoters came into the scene. People stopped wanting to go out. Hip Hop kinda emerged, and it was a business for me. I just moved on and started doing hip hop. I didn’t know that much about it but you knew by who the radio stations were playing who you thought would sell tickets, and who wouldn’t sell tickets. Once people realized you had a good club, they started hiring you for street promotion. So it became street promotion, then it became mixer promotion, then I started working with artists and then I did more radio. I kinda grew with the culture.
TUD: You are the VP of promotions at Universal, what does that entail?
Sujit: It is my job to get artists on Universal on the radio. So in Miami, I am responsible for Power 96. In New York, I am responsible for Hot 97. Now they have opened me up to where I do all formats, but my specialty is definitely crossover.
TUD: What advice would you give someone who was trying to get involved with the Universal side of the business? Now, considering how the industry has changed.
Sujit: You have to kinda get lucky. It just kinda happened for me. There are not a lot of jobs out here. The community is definitely small. You should try to be an assistant first, and move your way up.
TUD: How has the decline in terrestrial radio affected your job?
Sujit: There is not really a decline for me. There is a decline in sales. There is still the same number of radio stations. Radio is still the number one outlet to get your music heard. The internet also helps. But once your song is on the radio, your opportunities rise.
TUD: Tell me more about SKAM, your DJ management company.
Sujit: It is Sujit Kunud Artist Management. It’s basically 28 DJ’s. They have control of the nightlife scene. They’re the ones who play at the hot clubs and parties all around the country.
When I was a club promoter, some of the DJ’s asked me if I would manage them. At the time, they weren’t making any money. So I managed them and they played at my parties. They were making $100 to $300. There was no commission, so I let them keep the money. All of a sudden, it became cool to be a DJ. They started making real money, and I was like ‘Hey wait..wait a minute.’ The DJ’s that I had initially started (with) pointed me to other DJ’s. It just grew and here we are. It was definitely something that happened organically. It was not something I pushed.
TUD: Who are some of your clients?
Sujit: In Miami I do Ross One, DJ Irie and Mr Mauricio. In New York I do Reach, Roctakon, D Nice, and DJ Skribble. In LA I do Vice. In Vegas I do, DJ Five, Crooked, and DJ StoneRokk. Everybody does not necessarily need a manager. If you’re starting out, you need to meet some sort of demand before you need a manager.
TUD: What do you think makes the good DJ’s great?
Sujit: It’s a combination of things. It about knowing the right songs to play, and being personable. Plus DJ’s these days are entrepreneurs. They got assistants, managers, and publicists. They are business men too. In addition to being talented, you have to have the infrastructure to get you to the next level.
TUD: I was at Hot 97 Summer Jam this year and some of the attendees complained that DJs don’t break records the way they use to.
Sujit: I disagree. They just do it in different forms. People come up to a DJ at one o’clock at night to play their new song. At one o’clock at night, people don’t want to play a new song- they want to hear their favorites. It’s just not the time or the forum. But they may put a new song on a mix tape, or they play a new song in the beginning of the night, they may put it on their blog, or the internet.
The internet is definitely helping. It’s leveling the playing field. Anybody can do it on the internet, there is no expense. People discover stuff there and when they discover stuff, it moves.
TUD: What can we expect from you in 2009.
Sujit: There is always something going on. The best thing to do is to keep an eye on the site, and you will see what’s going on. Skamartist.com
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