Hosted by UnitedMasters, founded by entrepreneur Steve Stoute, SelectCon gathered leading figures from the worlds of music, culture, and business for another transformative day dedicated to redefining entrepreneurship in today’s digital landscape, fostering innovation, and facilitating dynamic exchanges of ideas. The event took place in New York City on Oct. 24.

SelectCon 2024 featured high-profile discussions under the “Mogul Talk” series, headlined by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden—each of whom has seamlessly transitioned from influential music careers to thriving ventures in fashion, media, tech, and more.

50 Cent discussed his financial sacrifices during the initial seasons of Power, his hit TV series. Agreeing to be paid only $17,000 per episode, he prioritized retaining creative control to ensure the show’s authenticity. This early decision paved the way for the series to become a pop culture phenomenon, allowing him to leverage the show’s success to secure a stronger deal later. His story was a masterclass in trusting the creative process and focusing on the long game.

Joe Budden offered blunt advice to beginner podcasters, emphasizing that building an audience should come before seeking compensation. Urging aspiring podcasters to “stop begging” for checks before establishing a following, Budden highlighted the importance of hard work and consistency. His message reflected his own journey in the industry and underscored the necessity of dedication for success in the media space.

 

During his Mogul Talk conversation with @SteveStoute at SelectCon in NYC, Cam’Ron explained how he got out of his Epic Records deal in the early 2000s. He talks about why as he started to learn more of the business, he wanted to take his career into his own hands.#SelectConNYC pic.twitter.com/3MvLuV6Zzw

— UnitedMasters (@unitedmasters) October 30, 2024

 

Cam’ron shared updates about his sports show ‘It Is What It Is’. The show has been outperforming major sports programs on YouTube, including SportsCenter. The only show with more views is ‘First Take’. Cam’ron and Mase’s unique take on sports commentary, combined with their authentic style, has clearly resonated with viewers, marking a significant shift in how audiences engage with sports media online. Cam’ron explains, “The one thing we did want to do to compete is have consistency. So if we are going to compete against SportsCenter, we need to be five days a week. If we are going to compete against ‘First Take’ … ‘The Herd’… all of these shows, we need to be five days a week.”

This year’s theme, “Entrepreneurship Beyond Music”, dove into how these figures and others have built successful businesses. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain invaluable insights on transforming creative passion into long-term success.

SelectCon also included mentorship sessions led by longtime brand partner Ally, offering attendees invaluable insights into navigating the business landscape. Attendees had the opportunity to gain personalized guidance through the Mentorship Corner in the Ally Lounge, where industry leaders provided one-on-one advice.