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Part 1: Ben Baller on Getting Arrested as a Kid, Sheriff Slamming His Head Against Jail Wall
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Ben Baller reminisced about his time at Aftermath Records, revealing some notable industry anecdotes. Ben joined Dr. Dre's label, initially named Black Market Records, after Dre departed from Death Row. During its early days, Aftermath faced considerable challenges, with projects like "Aftermath Presents" underperforming. A particularly striking moment Ben recalled was witnessing Dr. Dre decline a $100,000 offer to produce a beat for rapper Pharoahe Monch. Despite Aftermath’s early struggles, Dre remained selective about his projects, opting for long-term artistic integrity over immediate financial gain.
Ben also discussed the extensive team that surrounded Dre, including engineers and artists like Hitman, who co-wrote much of Dre’s "2001" album. He lamented how Hitman, despite his significant contributions, signed what Ben called “the worst deal in music history,” resulting in financial struggles and ending up working a regular job despite his talent. Reflecting on his journey, Ben Baller expressed no bitterness over being fired from Aftermath after an altercation related to business management.
