Live From The Berry- The Co-Sign
June 5th, 2009I had a very interesting conversation this morning at 7:30 am with someone I would like to consider my comrade. The conversation revolved are “THE CO-SIGN” which I know most of you are familiar with this terminology and for those of you who are not it means vouching for someone or something. I told my fellow comrade that he has to stop co-signing people or movements unless he is for sure he wants to be forever attached or affiliated with it.
I feel like giving someone a co-sign doesn’t really mean what it used to mean. My father told me stories of a time when a co-sign really meant something, If you co-signed for another individual it meant you were willing to put your head on a chopping block for that person. I learnt quickly after watching so Mafia’s movies how to differentiate ” A friend of mine from a friend of ours” In today’s world I am under the impression that people give out co-signs like they give out toothbrushes at the Dentist office, everyone can get one! Do you remember when you favorite rapper would co-sign another rapper it meant that rapper was next in line? Do you remember when your favorite rapper told you that a certain brand of liquor or car was the shit to have? And everyone went out and bought into it? A lot of that has changed since companies figured out the way to get everyone with a voice to co-sign their products by cutting them a check or flowing them the latest gadgets or sneakers. Half of the stuff people talk about and co-sign they don’t even like themselves, they just do it because of the money or the perks. With this very blog I try to stay as true as I can by only talking and promoting products that I truly like. I refuse to co-sign something I personally don’t find interesting or cool. This approach as often had me at war with friends, colleagues and brands because I refused to speak on things I was not down with personally. I think my readers appreciate that about marcustroy.com, if you don’t please let me know! I think the same thing is happening with people! Most of us are on a journey to be successful and we encounter a lot of people on our journey who are on the same path, we get so caught up on this journey that we co-sign people we meet with in seconds of knowing them, with out doing our homework on them or their movement. I think we often find ourselves co-signing people, artist, music, brands without even doing our research. We call every one “homie” and “good friend” even if we met them last week! I think this is becoming a real problem for many, because when that “homie” or “good friend” turns out to be the opposite we feel like we’ve been played! I think social media sites like facebook as a lot of people confused about who is a friend and who isn’t. My advice is to stop CO-signing people or movements unless you know what they are truly about. Unless you are willing to really put your head on a chopping block, stop doing it. Would you co-sign a bank loan or a mortgage for one of these people? I did not think so, so why co-sign anything else.
1. Only Co-sign someone or a movement if you have done your research
2. Only Co-Sign someone or a movement you believe in
3. When it comes to people, not everyone is who you think they are be careful who you co-sign
4. Be decisive! Don’t just co-sign something because everyone else is co-signing it. Make up your own mind.
5. Really consider who is your friend and your homie. Is he a friend of yours or a friend of ours?
Marcus Troy
Montreal (waiting on my meeting to start)
co-sign!
waaaaaait a minute ahah
haha!
[...] that’s not what this post is about Check out MT’s post below about Co-Signs or on his site It’s a much needed post & a must read. Supreme x Budweiser anyone? I had a very [...]
Great piece; All aspect must be considered before co-signing; thats how i do business; you might be the right person; but, if you have no respect for women for instance; I don’t care how great you are at what you do, I will not co-sign such an individual. We must not compromise on certain issues when it comes to the concept of co-signing; and these issues varies depending on individual.
and this is why i read your blog
I feel ya Marcus Troy. I like to keep a close nit group. And even though I have been meeting a lot of new people in 09′ I don’t like everybody to be “in”. only co-sign if you are truly willing to put your head on the chopping block for that person, because I will hold you responsible. lol(but not really)
[...] The whole post is rather on point. Check it out HERE. [...]
yea big bro..
i definitely feel this post.
it really does suck when people is all talk.
or worse trying something new and wanna involve you in.
so me being the person i am, i fully go in.
then you find out, they full of sh*t!
and you’ve already invested energy, time, or even money.
and figured out it was a waste of time..
people can paint pictures and plans really sharp.
but definitely take time out, and really look into what type of person you
dealing with, you can most of the time tell, when you look into the little things
they don’t do (that they are suppose to be doing) cause the obvious stuff, is obvious for a reason. ie.. how they handle their other friends, or even co-workers or parents. people are really “funnystyle”
watch close tho.. before you decide to waste a thought on them.
“real spit!” Marcus..
nice post
I totally agree 100%, and I read well over 100 different blogs sometimes, and sure there are alot more out there…but I just dont think they’re as phresh as the hype would make you believe they are…and when I preview an opinion, I like to know that Im previewing the opinion of someone whose got real taste (to me anyway). I read and check out http://www.marcustroy.com because I had taken my time and checked out the site thoroughly even after having heard from industry friends and insiders about how dope it was…had to see it for myself.
Keep doing what you do…
PEACE!
I reposted this on my blog, one of the realest posts you’ve ever had (which is saying a lot, lol)
Keep up the good work.
I saw that! thanks man!
Where do I even began with this whole notion of the co-sign? I guess I’ll start by saying thank you for addressing something that bothers me to no end on a daily basis. Co-signs use to be more valuable, more respected and less likely to be handed out by any tom, dick, or harry. The only way you could get an official co-sign was the co-signer actually believed in your ability. These days, it takes nothing at all. And that saddens me because unfortunately the average person still holds value in a co-sign depending on who the respected co-signer is.
As a person actually trying to break an artist in this day and age without a co-sign it pisses me off the feedback that I receive from people. Not their opinions per say but just all they expect from a new artist i.e. a co-sign. None of these people are factoring in that these co-signs may or may not be legit. And I know if I got one co-sign none of this would even matter. And honestly, that sucks. What happened to people liking something because that’s what THEY liked? Why does it take someone else to say it’s hot to be deemed hot? Mind you, I’ve already broke one act and could get a co-sign but for what? A co-sign doesn’t mean what it once meant.
I’m not a fan of mafia movies but I will say this, most mobsters had rules to their game. It wasn’t some lawless game that everybody was able to play. Today, there are no rules period! Can you imagine a society without some form of governing i.e. rules? I surely cannot. I understand that the world must change, it’s inevitable. But some old principles can still apply in modern society. I feel like rules is one of these things. There are certain rules that should not be broken. Co-signs should be one of these rules. Unless you really believe in what you’re co-signing, don’t do it. It not only confuses people but it blurs the rules.
[...] read a post by Marcus Troy entitled The Co-sign where he talked about how people are to quick to throw their name behind something and support it. [...]