“You then went to Stanford,” I mutter much to myself. Then, immediately, I’m struck with a thought. I continue, “Is that how you hooked up with Mark and Eric?” My lips puff on a breath at the scandal of it.
Calmly, he chuckles before answering, “No. I met Mark and Eric purely in academic pursuit. They know nothing of that facet of my life.”
“And Kid…Petey…Wop?”
“What about them, specifically?”
“How do they tie into your…other—”
“Former,” he corrects.
“…former life? How were they able to afford those insanely expensive gifts at Kid’s event in Vegas?”
Azmir rolls his neck, cocks his head to the side, and pushes his tongue into his molars, signaling discomfort.
“I’m not at liberty to speak about Petey, Kid, or Wop’s income.” He gives me a messaging gaze, and right there I get my answer.
“So, The Clan is a drug organization,” I whisper on an exhale, my eyes divert into the distance.
“In part. The Clan is an organization that does tremendous charity work in various communities,” he offers, sounding more PR’ish than anything else.
“Walks like a duck, talks like a duck, Azmir,” I hiss. “You put money and resources back into the same communities you destroy.” We are not about to morph this discovery session into an opportunity for him to justify what he is and what he’s done. Azmir doesn’t argue and wisely. Nonetheless, I am not prepared to crucify him. “And you spearheaded all of that?”
He gives a slow nod. Things go silent as I think. I wasn’t exactly prepared for this line of questioning. Ever.
“Who are you in the music industry? Why are you so well-regarded by celebrities and people in that business?” And before I can finish with the question, I’m hit with another revelation. “Were you a supplier to the industry?”
Azmir’s tongue traces his top lip. He regards me closely before answering, “Initially and unofficially, yes. Like I told you when Jackson and Lenny were here, when I came to L.A. right after high school, I’d already known many artists and producers from Brooklyn and Chicago. I linked up with them and met their people…even met some on my own. I got to know everyone I could. At first, I would get them whatever recreation they needed. Very few asked questions and I never answered to who was the source.”
“So, those rappers and athletes…political figures,” I start thinking of the household names he’s affiliated with since I’ve met him. “All those people are in with this other lifestyle?” I ask incredulously. I feel my eyes popping out of my head.
“First off, you’re using present tenses. I don’t know how many ways I can say that I am no longer involved in that world anymore,” he grates, losing patience. And so am I; I want answers! “None of the well-known people I’ve exposed you to had anything to do with that world. In fact, they likely know nothing of it, which is the only reason I’ve had you around them. The ones that do, I keep at a distance.”
That’s good to know.
“My name got around and referrals increased. I created an image of broker for clients, not a direct supplier. Then, because I knew so many people and had this…swag that transcended one particular region, I would be asked to A&R. Eventually, I started doing that…legally,” he states emphatically. “I wore these hats for a number of years, but not really feeling fulfilled or like in the industry was where I belonged—”
“But you were also upstarting businesses; beauty salons, bodegas…your club in Compton,” I interrupt, suddenly deciding to use my delayed reasoning skills. I can’t believe I didn’t piece so many things together—like when I was on a plane, headed to Mexico on a business trip with a CEO and his thug subordinates!
Azmir nods, tentatively. “Yes, I did. And all those ventures were of my hustler’s mentality. I was hungry. I’d always known I would cultivate a conglomerate, but I eventually desired it on a corporate level. Many of those celebrities you’re alluding to have no clue about my grassroots efforts. They only, at the time, knew my eagerness and aptitude to grow and learn. For years, I’d tag along with those rappers I came up with and rubbed elbows with their CEO friends, their president buddies…rich ass Jewish venture capitalists. I made friends and deals. I met people and made shit happen.”