Looking back on my career, I realize many of the conflicts I faced could have been resolved more amicably, if only I had approached them differently. I’ve been in the entertainment industry since I was 14 years old, starting as a VJ (video jockey) on a show I co-created with my cousin Cedric called Video Control. This show opened doors and connected me with influential people, running from my teenage years until I was 26. The journey introduced me to stars like Will Smith, Queen Latifah, and En Vogue, but it also taught me some hard lessons.
A big part of my success is due to my aunt Barbara, who signed us up for the TV production classes that set everything in motion. I haven’t thanked her enough, and I’m reminded now how important it is to acknowledge those who help you along the way.
In the early days, I hustled hard, even running up my mother’s phone bill by calling record labels to get videos for the show. At the time, I thought I was doing whatever it took to succeed, but now I see there were better, more resourceful ways I could have handled it.
A key figure in the evolution of Video Control was Jeff Woods, who helped secure celebrity interviews for the show, propelling it to the next level. But over time, our partnership began to fray. Jeff, I later realized, had ambitions of becoming the star of the show himself, which caused tension between us. I didn’t handle it as I should have. Instead of addressing it early, I let resentment build. One of the most embarrassing moments with Jeff happened during an interview with Kid ‘n Play. Their manager came in with some swag during the interview, and Jeff got completely distracted, begging for freebies instead of focusing on the interview. It was unprofessional and embarrassing, and I should have been more assertive in keeping things on track.
Worse incidents followed. Jeff and Michael Fields, who came on as a cameraman, were responsible for some major blunders. During an interview with Queen Latifah, Michael disregarded her clear request not to record her, and she sharply called him out on it. Another similar incident occurred during our interview with Will Smith. These were not just misunderstandings but clear lapses in professionalism on their part, and it created unnecessary friction with these high-profile artists.
Eventually, the cracks in my relationship with Jeff turned into a full-blown fallout. At just 16 years old, I discovered that Jeff, who was much older and more experienced, had been contacting record labels behind my back, using Video Control’s name to further his own ambitions. When I confronted him about it, things escalated quickly, leading to an all-out physical altercation. It ended in a way I’m not proud of: I bit him to stop the fight. It sounds ridiculous now, but at the time, it felt like the only way to stop everything from spinning out of control.
As if that wasn’t enough, I later found out that Michael Fields had been trying to set up his own show called Video Central, using interviews and footage originally shot for Video Control. They aired an interview Jeff had done with KRS-One, even using the name of my show on air! It was underhanded, wrong, and deeply disappointing.
Looking back, I see how my trusting nature left me vulnerable to being taken advantage of by people I considered friends and mentors. I often avoided confrontation, thinking things would work themselves out, but I’ve learned that sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself and your work. Clear boundaries and open communication could have saved these relationships, but instead, I let them deteriorate to a point of no return.
These experiences were painful, but they’ve taught me invaluable lessons. Not everyone will treat you with the respect you deserve, and while you can’t control their actions, you can control how you respond. I’ve come to understand that protecting my work and my brand is just as important as being creative. If I had known that earlier, I could have prevented many of the challenges I faced.
As I reflect on these stories, I see how they shaped my journey. I hope to continue sharing these lessons, not just for myself but for others who might find themselves in similar situations. One day, I plan to tell the full story in a book, giving an honest account of the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.
Stay tuned for my next story, where I’ll reveal how an Indecent Proposal left me looking unprofessional and caused major delays in my career.
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