Once a top producer, Storch's musical empire falls

classic

I am proud to be southern
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 90
wow......another causilty of the music biz

--------------------

Once a top producer, Storch's musical empire falls
July 18, 2008, 7:21 AM EST
Just a few years ago, Scott Storch was one of the top producers in pop music, living in a $10.5 million mansion on an exclusive Miami island, driving a phalanx of luxury cars and dating the likes of Paris Hilton and Lil Kim.

Nowadays, Scott Storch, 34, is missing in action. He owes over $500,000 in real estate taxes and had a warrant out for his arrest when he failed to show up in court in a child-support case last month. He has not had a top 10 hit in three years. He still has his waterfront marble mansion, but his lawyer, Guy Spiegelman, says Storch is attempting to refinance it after a "catastrophic occurrence this year" resulting from "mismanagement." Storch no longer works with his old manager or publicist. He hasn't talked to either of his children in months.

Replete with tragic details and bad behavior, the ballad of Scott Storch may be the swan song of the bling era, a riches-to-rags tale of excess, poor decisions and a hobbled music industry.

Raised in South Florida and the Philadelphia area, Storch is a high-school dropout from a broken, middle-class family who turned serious musician chops and intense ambition into a high-flying career. Vanessa Bellido met him when they were both in high school and he was a talented keyboardist.

"He always knew what he wanted to be," she says. "He would play the piano unbelievably. He was like, 'I'm going to make it, I'm going to make it.' Even at 15 he was an old soul. Real smart, real different."

While still a teen, Storch was a founding member of the Roots. He produced their breakthrough single "You Got Me," which helped Philly's acclaimed live hip-hop band win a Grammy, and gave the sandy-haired Jewish producer serious hip-hop credentials. Deciding he preferred studios to touring, Storch moved to Los Angeles to work with Dr. Dre. There his keyboard loops helped form the basis of such hits as "Still D.R.E." He produced seven tracks on Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" album, including "Can't Hold Us Down," which featured Lil Kim.

Storch decided to return to his Florida roots to, as he has said, build his empire. Beginning in 2003, the hits rolled in: Beyonce's "Naughty Girl," Terror Squad's "Lean Back," 50 Cent's "Candy Shop," and Chris Brown's "Run It."

Storch had the quintessential producer's talent for coaxing career-making performances out of both veteran and new artists.

"When we created that 'Baby Boy' record, Sean had only worked with Jamaican producers," says Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman, referring to the 2003 single by Sean Paul and Beyonce that Storch produced and that helped to make Paul an American recording star. "Scott was able to adapt himself to the sound of Jamaica but also to contemporary R&B and hip-hop. He was able to straddle both lines."

And yet there are similarities in many of Storch's records: sinuous keyboard riffs that reveal Storch's interest in Middle Eastern melodies coupled with thumping, staccato beats. In 2004, everyone wanted the Storch sound, and he reportedly commanded $100,000 per beat. An extensive Rolling Stone profile called him "hip-hop's Liberace" and said he had earned $70 million.

"The people who have always been on top of the production game — Timbaland, Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch — they all had their own sound," says the Miami-based producer Infamous, whose own recent work on the Lil Wayne and Jay-Z track "Mr. Carter" has made him the producer of the moment. "When their one record took off, everybody wanted a record that sounded like that."

Fame brought added responsibilities: In 2004, Storch reunited with the child he had fathered 12 years earlier with Bellido. He moved Bellido and their son Steven to South Florida: Bellido calls it "one of the happiest times in our lives."

Three years later, the producer began paying for another son, the now 2-year-old Jalen Daniel. Bellido and Jason Setchen, the lawyer for Jalen's mother, Dalene Jennifer Daniel, both say Storch was inconsistent but not a deadbeat dad. "Once able to get his attention, he stepped up to the plate and did the right thing across the board," says Setchen.

Other producers were as hot as Storch in 2003 to 2005. But dating movie stars and heiresses, and conspicuously consuming, Storch flaunted his multimillionaire status like a hip-hop Gatsby. Many say the fame went to his head. He had a public flare-up with Aguilera over the cost of a private jet to fly him out to produce her '06 album "Back to Basics." He also traded insults with fellow hitmaker Timbaland, who called Storch "just the piano man" in one track.

Storch's career had some serious stumbles: He was supposed to help his then-girlfriend Paris Hilton become a music star, but he said his songs for her were deemed too sexual and not released as singles. He signed reality TV show star Brooke Hogan to his Storch Music Company label and produced eight of 12 tracks on her album "Undiscovered," but the record flopped.

Storch has continued to work with top-name artists, including producing tracks on recent albums by Mariah Carey and Fat Joe. But he has not been able to crack Billboard's Top 10 since 2005.

Storch has paid neither his 2006 nor 2007 real estate taxes. At the start of this year, he stopped paying child support for both his kids and fell into several months of arrears before being sued by both mothers in separate cases.

It's unclear just why Storch fell so far so fast. (The producer did not return repeated requests for an interview.) "There was some mismanagement and some other errors. He got jammed," Spiegelman, his lawyer in the child support cases, says. "I don't think he's going down, I just think he's having difficulty. It's a cash flow problem."

But both outside observers and people who know Storch see other factors at play besides mismanagement. When Storch has been sighted recently in public, he has looked gaunt and unhealthy. The producer was a flamboyant smoker of marijuana; in 2004, he was fined for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

"If he's got managers and accountants and various investors looking out for his interests, it would be hard not to notice that money wasn't coming through," says Debbi Gibbs, president of Just Managing, a company that manages producers.

Career-wise, Storch may be a victim of his own success. The public is known to grow tired of the same old sound. "Most producers outside of a small number who focus on trying to be hit makers try to focus on new creative collaboration with whatever artists they're working on," says Gibbs. "That's when that magic happens and hits you didn't see coming come. Anyone who tries to create a hit formula is doomed to very short term success given the fast pace of musical taste."

But Storch built his name on numbers as much as on skills. He may not have adapted to the changing economy and the downsized music industry.

"Costs have come down because it's an absolute necessity. We're certainly not able to spend beyond what our budgets are for making records," said Kallman. "If a producer's out of our price range, we've gotta move to another producer. There's always new people." The executive says Storch has not produced any recent Atlantic tracks but that they have "been talking."

Storch seems also not to have saved for a rainy day — a fatal mistake in pop music. "There's no 401k plan in the music industry," says Infamous. "You can't be stupid and just throw your money away."

Those who have worked with Storch and those who have only heard his music think he can have a comeback. Infamous theorizes Storch may be purposely cooling things down in order to come out strong with something new: "Scott is definitely talented enough to say all right, it's time for a new Scott. His track record alone speaks volumes."

The producer has left a trail of debt and bad feelings behind him. The big spender developed a reputation for arrogance; many see his failure to care for his offspring, while still tooling around in a Ferrari, as particularly reprehensible. Yet the people who have personal reasons to hate the player don't.

"Scott's not a bad person," says Bellido. "I know he loves his son. He's been irresponsible."

Storch hasn't shown up for his court cases, but his lawyer has said he will meet his financial obligations. He paid the money he owed Daniel and the arrest warrant was vacated. "I'd like to see him do the right thing so we can move on," Setchen says.

Bellido sees Storch's lifelong materialism as his Shakespearean flaw. His identity is so wrapped up in his riches, she fears, that he is ashamed to appear publicly and clean up his mess.

"I think he's embarrassed," Bellido says. "I don't think he's going to be right until he has his money."
 

Relic

Voice of Illmuzik Radio
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 83
Hmmm, money is important, but dont let it be everything, and if it IS , then you better save it and invest it.
Right now a cool 100 mill in an annuity generating profit wouldhave been nice for him Im sure.

Im sure he'll be back with something, prolly wont repeat the earlier success, but hey.
 

shadeed

Go Digital or Go Home
ill o.g.
Happens to a lot of people who go from rags to riches in this world. It's no coincidence that most people who win the lottery end up worse off than they previously were.

Scott took his gift and passion for the keyboard to heights he never dreamed of, but wasn't prepared for the "lifestyle" that came with it.

Sad thing is he actually made good money, most rappers/artists try to live like Scott off of 1 album advance
 

StressWon

www.stress1.com
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 68
Happens to a lot of people who go from rags to riches in this world. It's no coincidence that most people who win the lottery end up worse off than they previously were.

Scott took his gift and passion for the keyboard to heights he never dreamed of, but wasn't prepared for the "lifestyle" that came with it.

Sad thing is he actually made good money, most rappers/artists try to live like Scott off of 1 album advance


lol,,i was just thinkin bout the lottery last night and how people be messin that up. Word. I think dudes/women think that the money is endless. It's called, "Investing". Not only that but the govern,ent wants there share and that seems to always mes people up. I think the first thing I would do if I was dumb enuff to get in a situation with an "advance" would be pay off my house, car, student loans, etc, and then focus on my album. Losing focus on whats important is what I think happens to these cats.
 

shadeed

Go Digital or Go Home
ill o.g.
lol,,i was just thinkin bout the lottery last night and how people be messin that up. Word. I think dudes/women think that the money is endless. It's called, "Investing". Not only that but the govern,ent wants there share and that seems to always mes people up. I think the first thing I would do if I was dumb enuff to get in a situation with an "advance" would be pay off my house, car, student loans, etc, and then focus on my album. Losing focus on whats important is what I think happens to these cats.

Money management/credit/ financial responsibility is not taught in the public school system, which is still surprising to me to this day. They don't lose focus, because they never had focus to begin with - just because you're gifted or talented doesn't make you responsible.
 

slik da relic

RS Jedi
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 1
1st off, ive never understood why u buy a $10+ mill house, knowin 1) ur not gonna spend much time there, and 2) u gotta put people on payroll to take care of shit... the house dont need to be that big. if he owns his copyrights and publishing etc., i doubt he'll actually really be broke, he just needs to live a little less extravagant... given time, he can fix this... his songs are classic and will help keep him above water... just Beyonce songs alone will keep him paid... i aint worried bout him... im more concerned about OUR rent and house payments... feel me?

da relic
 

Kontents

I like Gearslutz
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 5
^^^^

Word. How many cars do you need to look fly. I know we all want to have things and show them off, but this is a prime example of doing it without thinking. I used to like scott, he had hits, dude was clean, then the whole Producer battle with Timbo and I lost much respect for both of them and can only consider the fact that they HAVE made good music. The best of luck to him and his future. lesson learned
 
S

Svenghali

Guest
Yo, I've known Scott since '96 (Conshocken, PA), and though I haven't talked to him since "Lean Back" from Terror Squad took off, I can tell you that that his ego, arrogance, yes men, and women all led to his downfall. I lost touch with him in 2000. I sought him out in '02 after finding out that he'd moved back to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and was working with Timbaland. I could never get him on the phone cause he was "busy", so I left it alone. It's crazy. When I first met Scott, he was a little geeky session musician living out of his car in Philly. He wasn't a ladies man, nor was he considered "cool" by any stretch of the imagination. But he worked hard, dude was without any doubt a studio rat. Picture this though, he went from being a session player, to touring with Eve, to working with Dr. Dre & Timbaland. He then coupled what he learned from those two great producers (love 'em or hate 'em) and applied it to what he was doing and in turn became very successful himself. This all took place within the span of 5 years. Scott's life changed dramatically for him and all of a sudden there was fame, fortune and groupies. All the things that he was used to seeing from afar, were now up close and personal and he was not prepared to deal with it (apparently). Scott definently wanted to indulge in "the lifestyles of the rich and famous'. He was seen everywhere, spending money like it was a contest. He also has a little habit, and contrary to popular belief, it's not weed. Interesting note: For those of you that aren't old school enough to remember the group Three Times Dope, the lead rapper was named E.S.T., (he was the lead rapper with the "gumby" fade). He's was one of Scott's best friends and business partners, he's also the same dude that penned almost all of Scott's R&B hits.

Scott lived, partied, and spent money like a "rock star". He bought a car priced at almost 2 million dollars (the Bugatti). Not only did he spend millions on toys (2 million dollar Bugatti), jewelry (over 4 million in diamonds), clothes and hoes, he was very generous with those he caught feelings for. While dating Lil' Kim he bought her a black Double R Phantom as a gift (featured in the "Lighter's Up" video), and regularly dropped stacks in her lap, for the fuck of it. Spent hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars on clothes, trips and jewelry for Kim. He even bought her a big ass rock and proposed (obviously she turned him down). Scott dated Heather Hunter (the old porn star from the 80's and early "90's) and was showering her with money and gifts. He also proposed to her (and yeah, even she turned him down). I was told from someone in his camp that he bought Paris Hilton a diamond bracelet said to have cost $750,000.00. Dude was lookin' for love and respect and thought his money could buy it. His arrogance also played a role in his demise. Scott turned alot of people off with his new found confidence, myself included. But I empathize and I do hope that he can learn from this experience, bounce back, and get back to the basics, cause he's talented. It's real sad, tragic.
 

slik da relic

RS Jedi
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 1
prob with fame and power for some is they dont stay fukkin humble... if u mash toes on ur way up, some will say "FUKK U!!!" on ur way down... i see it happen at my job all the time... niggas 4get where they came from and start shittin on cats... no doubt Svenghali, if i wouldve known u for a time and we was grindin 2gether, or anybody for that matter, im gonna hook u up with SOMETHING!!! even if its just contacts, a studio visit, or show tickets, bcuz thats who i am... but once chickenheads get involved, female AND male (yep, guys are fukkin chickens too, im experiencin it in my new group Set Authority) cats be losin focus of their humble beginnings... thats why i give props to Luda, Em and a few other cliques that put help their boys eat as well, even though everyone's talent varies... u best believe my close friends (the one's involved in muzik) is gettin put on!

da relic
 

mono

the invisible visible
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 20
too much money is a curse. 1. relationships change over night, i mean, even if you stay cool, people around you will have the feeling to be begging when you give them some or be mad at you in some sense if you dont. 2. you know how it is with new stuff. its kool as long as you dont have it. once you get that new flatscreen, it becomes plain pretty quickly. all the more when you do not have to work hard for stuff, you loose sense for value. i can follow that, even if its a 70million.

guess its better to have just enough to fill the fridge and afford a nice house/education for kids or whatever.
so (maybe except for growing up rich) vast amounts of money can become a pain in the ass.

another thought: whats odd about it, you have those famous/rich celebrities on the one side, most of them unable to cope with it, and ordinary people on the other, who want to be in their position. none of them is happy with their situation, but media makes a fortune of it. its fucking sick
 
Top