Quality Control Music, the Atlanta-based label behind some of the biggest names in hip-hop such as Migos, Lil Baby, and Cardi B, is now one of the most successful and influential independent labels in the industry. However, the founders of the label, Kevin "Coach K" Lee and Pierre "P" Thomas, revealed that it was not always a smooth ride to the top.
In an interview with Complex, Coach K and P said that they spent "years" in the red before turning a profit, investing heavily in their artists and their vision. They said that they had to deal with a lot of challenges and setbacks, such as lawsuits, label disputes, and personal issues, but they never gave up on their dream.
"We always believed in ourselves and our artists. We knew that we had something special, something different. We just had to work hard and be patient," Coach K said.
P added that they had to learn from their mistakes and adapt to the changing landscape of the music business. He said that they had to embrace the power of streaming, social media, and branding, and find new ways to connect with their fans and expand their audience.
"We always stayed ahead of the curve. We always tried new things. We always listened to the streets and the culture. We always gave the people what they wanted," P said.
The label's success is evident in the numbers. According to Billboard, Quality Control Music had 14 albums on the Billboard 200 chart in 2023, including four in the top 10. The label also had 22 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including three in the top 10. The label's artists have won multiple awards, such as Grammys, BET Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards, and have collaborated with some of the biggest stars in the world, such as Drake, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber.
Coach K and P said that they are proud of their achievements, but they are not satisfied. They said that they have more plans and goals for the future, such as expanding into other genres, launching new ventures, and giving back to their community.
"We are not just a label, we are a movement. We are not just a business, we are a family. We are not just here for the money, we are here for the legacy. We are Quality Control Music, and we are here to stay," they said.
