BIG X THA PLUG & 6WA - MILLION DOLLAZ WORTH OF GAME EPISODE 373
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Big X Tha Plug founded 6WA after his initial group name "TSABB" (Taliban) was deemed too confrontational, rebranding with his block's name, 600.
- ❖The group's second project, "6WA NWA," was created to address shared struggles with police profiling and gang affiliations despite making legitimate rap money.
- ❖Big X prioritizes bringing his entire team along, refusing opportunities if his members cannot join, fostering a family-like environment over a traditional label structure.
- ❖The journey to success involves significant personal sacrifices, including cutting ties with people who cannot adapt to the new lifestyle, a realization that caused depression for Big X.
- ❖The group operates on the principle: "As it gets better, it gets worse," acknowledging that success brings new challenges, including legal battles and temptations to revert to old ways.
- ❖Individual members are encouraged to maintain a competitive spirit within the group, aiming to deliver the "hottest, catchiest verse" on every track.
- ❖The team achieved significant Billboard success with their mixtape, demonstrating the power of a unified team with a shared cause.
Insights
1Founding 6WA and Team Philosophy
Big X Tha Plug started 6WA after his previous group name "TSABB" (Taliban) was rejected for being too confrontational. He used his block's name, 600, to create a label representing a "better version of the hood." His core philosophy is to bring the entire team along, viewing it as a family rather than just a label, and ensuring everyone benefits from success.
We started as a group called TSABB... they was like no it's too confrontational... my block where I come from where I is 600. So I just took that and turned it into a label... this a family. This not really a label.
2Navigating Legal Challenges and Reputation
The "6WA NWA" project was born from the group's shared experience of being targeted by police with gang charges despite making legitimate music money. They felt authorities were trying to "nip it in the bud" before their positive impact could fully manifest.
We felt like we making all this rap money doing all this rap... Ain't doing no dirt and we come out the studio right now. we can get put down face down on the ground by the police for what? Cuz now they done they done gave us gang fouls, this that and the other because we they see we making some type of impact.
3The "Everybody Can't Go" Realization
Big X initially struggled with the host's advice that not everyone can accompany you on your path to success. He later realized its truth when some individuals could not keep up or adapt, leading to painful but necessary decisions to cut ties for his own well-being and his children's future.
Everybody ain't going to everybody ain't going to be able to go everywhere you go... it didn't happen the next day... But it happened... Did it Did it kind of hurt a little bit when you realized that when you grow, everybody can go? Of course... I wanted you to make it like I wanted you to be where I was at... I got kids so I can't I can't keep do I can't dwell on it... I rather cut ties and think about my kids now.
4The "As It Gets Better, It Gets Worse" Principle
A core philosophy within 6WA is that success brings its own set of intensified challenges. Members like PB and Hood faced legal issues or considered returning to street life after achieving initial success, but Big X's leadership and the team's belief kept them focused.
As it get better, it gets worse... when PB got to as he got his deal and he got his money... the bad started happening... Hood got to a low point where he was going to say, 'Man, this... I can go make a million dollars in a year doing what I was doing before.'
Bottom Line
Independent artists from street backgrounds face unique challenges from law enforcement, who may interpret their success and past associations as continued gang activity, even when they are legitimately making money through music.
This creates a constant threat of legal entanglement, diverting resources and focus from artistic and business growth, and can lead to unjust targeting.
Develop legal defense funds or advocacy groups specifically for artists from disadvantaged backgrounds to combat profiling and ensure their legitimate careers are protected from misinterpretation by authorities.
Building a successful independent music label requires a "family-first" approach where the lead artist actively ensures the financial and personal well-being of all team members, not just their own.
This fosters extreme loyalty and collective effort, leading to more sustainable and impactful group success, as evidenced by 6WA's Billboard achievements, and mitigates the risk of internal conflict or members reverting to old lifestyles.
Create mentorship programs or business models that teach artists how to build and sustain a truly collaborative and equitable team structure, moving beyond the traditional hierarchical label model that often leaves supporting artists behind.
Opportunities
Independent Artist Legal Defense Fund
A non-profit organization providing legal aid and advocacy for independent artists, particularly those from urban backgrounds, who face profiling or unjust legal challenges related to their past or perceived affiliations, even as they pursue legitimate music careers.
Team-First Artist Development Agency
An agency that specializes in developing and managing music groups with a strong emphasis on collective success, shared profits, and personal development for all members, contrasting with the typical focus on a single lead artist.
Lessons
- Prioritize team loyalty and shared success by actively creating opportunities for all members, even if it means sacrificing individual limelight.
- Be prepared for increased scrutiny and challenges as success grows, adopting a mindset that "as it gets better, it gets worse" to navigate inevitable obstacles.
- Foster a culture of friendly competition within your team, encouraging members to strive for individual excellence while contributing to the collective goal.
Notable Moments
Big X Tha Plug's realization that not everyone can accompany him on his path to success, despite his desire to bring everyone along.
This highlights the painful but necessary personal growth and decision-making required for leaders, especially when balancing personal loyalty with the demands of scaling success.
The 6WA team performing on late-night shows like Jimmy Fallon, looking at each other in disbelief and crying tears of joy, recognizing their improbable journey from street life to mainstream television.
This powerfully illustrates the emotional payoff of collective struggle and the profound impact of achieving dreams against overwhelming odds, especially for individuals who "weren't supposed to be there."
Quotes
"It feel better than doing it by myself cuz it's like when you do it by yourself, you got to worry about the talk and the chatter... when you taking care of everybody, it's like you can't nobody say nothing."
"To be able to do it with a bunch of people who not supposed to be here, it's a different ball. It's a different feeling to be able to look over and see three other people who I know you supposed to be in prison... and I know I'm not supposed to be here. And we all right here boy. That... we couldn't do nothing but look at each other and laugh."
Q&A
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