INTERVIEW: Deb Antney’s 8 Rules To Making It In The Music Industry Should Be Applied To Your Everyday Life!
Debra “Deb” Antney is a force to be reckoned with, especially when it comes to the music business. If you’ve been watching the new FX series Hip Hop Uncovered, then you already understand the significance of her role as one of the most prominent female managers in the hip hop arena. With a talented roster that includes the likes of Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, French Montana, and her son, Waka Flocka, Antney is a prime example of why the multi-billion-dollar business needs a feminine touch.
“People often say that it’s a male-dominated industry, but not to me,” the Queens, NY native tells BET Digital exclusively. “I never looked at it as a man or a woman-dominated field. It was just something that I had to do to take care of my family. It was business.”
While demanding money, power and respect was just business for Antney, it was a door opened for many women who wanted to follow in the footsteps of the legendary manager. “When I go into these meetings with artists or producers it doesn't matter, I'm taking care of business for my people and I put their life into my hands. So by any means necessary, I have to do what I have to do. “
We recently had the privilege to sit down with Antney, and she presented us with a few gems on surviving the music industry. We also couldn’t help but notice that the same advice can be applied to everyday life to help us all receive the respect we deserve without batting an eyelash. Read them below, and remember, Happy Women’s Month!
We asked “Aunt Deb” what puts a smile on her face, she gladly shared, “Children and taking care of my community makes me happy.”
As a former employee of the Georgia Department of Human Services, she is in tune with charitable work that helps her community. The unfortunate death of her son, Kayo also launched her powerful movement No RIP, which stands for No Reckless Internet Posting.
When Deb is not taking care of children and creating hip hop icons, she is making sure that her radio station Be100 for independent artists is running smoothly. She is also seen on WeTV’s Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta and Meet the Flockas.
Change Your Way of Thinking.
“There may be more men in the industry than women, but it is the way we think which keeps the door closed,” she shares. “You have to teach them how to treat you. I'm gonna respect you like you're gonna respect me. Period.”
Get The Job Done.
“Woman and man, we have a job to do! If women could stop bickering and start supporting each other, we could do it better,” Antney tells us. “The reason that the field is male-dominated is that they support each other and make that paper! They are able to put their feelings aside for the greater cause.”
Put Yourself First.
“Oftentimes I have to keep it real with the women that walk through Mizay Entertainment,” Deb says. “You will give up your whole career for that man, but that man ain’t gonna stop getting his money cause you stressed out. Now, you don’t want to do anything. Girl, you better get it together, quick!”
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Grow A Thick Skin.
“My skin is thick, which I credit to my dad,” she shares. “You’re not piercing my skin with the stuff that you say. I don't really care what you have to say about me or how you formulate your opinion. Or the things that people said. I keep it moving and do all the things that I want to do.”
Know Your Position.
“I know my positions, and I know my places. If you're planting the seeds, let me pour the water for you. It's okay as a woman to be able to do that, to get another woman's back. To do that, we have to learn who we are and what purpose we serve.
Stay Hungry.
“Stay as hungry as the first day, and never let anything live in your head rent-free. If it’s not helping you rise to the occasion or taking you to the next level of success, it can't stay there,” she advises. “Stay focused, have tunnel vision, and remove the whispers.”
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Keep Social Media Professional, Not Personal.
“When I grew up, whatever went on in my household stayed in my household,” the philanthropist passionately discloses. “I like social media, but the negative comments are troubling. However, I'm not gonna come back at you because of your negativity. This platform is just a part of my business and that’s all you're going to get.“
Respect Yourself.
“We can't think that what's between our legs will get us everywhere we want to go,” she expresses. “We have to respect ourselves. We have to remember that we are the real heads of our households. Not taking anything away from the man, but we take care of kids, we cook, we create, we take care of the world. We must regain our respect.”
