JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mark Curry, author of Dancing With The Devil: How Puff Burned the Bad Boys of Hip-Hop
(New Mark Books)
(One of the first ten people to comment on Mark Curry’s author interview will win a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil from JoeyPinkney.com)
He has recorded with the biggest stars in the music business. He wrote many of the hits that made Sean “Puffy” Combs one of the richest men alive. On the surface, the multi-million dollar empire that Puff built looks like the stuff of dreams.
But after working with Puff for a decade, Curry discovered that Bad Boy Entertainment is not, as Puff promised, a place where dreams come true. No, rather it is a shell game comprised of contracts designed to rob artists of their time, dreams and publishing rights.
Dancing With the Devil reveals startling new details about key events in the fast paced, controversial (and sometimes deadly) world of Hip-Hop. In revealing the dark side of the industry, Curry hopes to provide a road map for reforms necessary to prevent artists ending up in poverty, in prison or in the grave.
“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” —Ecclesiastes 7:5
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Dancing With The Devil?
Mark Curry: Music is truly one of the most powerful tools we have to teach the world. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That’s what the music industry is now. It has fallen on hard times. Lust for power and money, it’s all greed. The industry is a shady business ran by crooks. I decided to write a book about it and the Devil is in the details.
To walk a mile in my shoes may be the best way to understand my emotions, perceptions and motives for writing Dancing with The devil. Joyful Music is a Powerful Heart Medicine and heartsick music can be infectious and poisoning. Hip-Hop used to be called “edutainment” because most rappers crafted their lyrics intelligently. Once it attracted your attention, it taught you knowledge and obedience.
I don’t even think the best artists are running anymore.
JP: What sets Dancing With The Devil apart from other memoirs by people who have experienced the entertainment industry?
MC: What makes my story different is what makes me who I am. My knowledge is from first-hand experience, and what I witnessed in the industry is how they attempted to pull the wool over my eyes as if I was a blind sheep.
I’ve dealt with “Puff Daddyâ€, one of the most powerful figures in the business, and not to many people can say they have. I viewed it from a different standpoint. I’m commanded to tell what I’ve witnessed, AND NOTHING MORE!
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Dancing With The Devil getting out to the public?
MC: More doing and less talking is always best. I didn’t complain about much because there was no one to complain to. The spirit of the good God dwells in me, and I traveled deep into my inner being and spoke with him.
We all are either children of God or of the Devil. Some people are EVIL by nature because it’s their character. I consciously reject EVIL and accept GOODNESS. I didn’t write the book to bring Puffy down. I wrote the book to educate those that are trying to get UP! Through my relationships, as I call it, “being connected to the true vineâ€, I was able to write this book and release it on my own.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Dancing With The Devil?
MC: “Every story has an end, but in life, every end is just a new beginning.” Timing was very important in this process. I had to go from the middle to the end. The end didn’t come until I realized who I was dealing with, or should I say who I was “dancing” with.
I knew that nothing good can come from something bad. That’s what Bad Boy Entertainment was, just a dark cloud hovering over my life. I had to move that mountain to clear my path.
JP: What’s next for Mark Curry?
MC: I plan on working with other aspiring artists and writing more books. I once was lost, but now I’m found and happy today. I have so much more to talk about. I’m glad that I learned the tricks in the industry, and now it my job to expose the foolery.
No man with a dream should have to travel this road that leads to nowhere if you read Dancing With The Devil and understand what you’re reading.
http://www.markcurrybook.com/
http://twitter.com/markcurrybook
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Great interview, Mark!
Yeah, Mark is a man with a very interesting story and experience to tell. I enjoyed reading the book, and his intentions shine through in this interview.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) ???
3) ???
4) ???
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Nice interview Joey! Went to his website and read chapter one. Interesting 🙂
Thank you Cassie. I hope to spread the word about this interview and book because it’s something that’s equally entertaining and educational. Mark is a Hiphop scholar.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) ???
4) ???
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
OMG! I really want a copy of this book. Am I eligible Joey? I’m not just an author…I’m also an AVID reader. I follow Mark on Twitter and his posts always make me smile or laugh. I am looking forward to reading the book!
Monica Marie Jones
You in there like swim wear, Monica.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) Monica Marie Jones
4) ???
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Great Interview JP!
I think that Mark is entitled to share his experience with the world. EACH ONE TEACH ONE in the sense of if by telling his story ,he might be able to prevent someone else from making those same mistakes he did ,then he has did his job.
The music business is just as shady as any other business and there will always be snakes in the grass but people just need to be wise enough to know that ultmiately ALL THAT GLITTERS AINT GOLD and no matter how hard you want to be put on and given some “shine” you can do it the right way without having to make that deadly deal with the devil!
Again Kudos to you JP for the interview and much continued success to Mark!
Thank you Kisha. It is so true that books like this may prevent misery down the road as more and more of our youth stream into to music industry.
I wanna read this book JP! I was interested every since you reviewed it! I hope I win ((((fingers corssed)))
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) Monica Marie Jones
4) Kisha Green
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Great interview. I haven’t read the book yet but plan on it. I definitely feel his project should be supported. Really good read Mr. Pickney! Continued success in all your endeavors. God bless!
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) Monica Marie Jones
4) Kisha Green
5) Madeline Smith
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Mark Curry’s interview debunks the fairy tale fame of becoming a rapper. There are two sides to this lifestyle. Glamour vs. Reality!! Good interview!!
Hi Joey
This book sounds interesting. It seems to be in line with what I have been hearing lately about the entertainment industry.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) Monica Marie Jones
4) Kisha Green
5) Madeline Smith
6) Patricia
7) Rose
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
This book seems to be raw and it will tell you the way it was from Mark’s point of view and what he went through. It seems really like it’s informative and interesting.
Ps I also love the song Dance with the Devil by Breaking Benjamin, no connection but both very likable.
<3 RJ
Sounds like a good read! Wow… very interesting!
Good interview but always remember industry rule #4080.
reading your interview i came to the conclusion from mark curry’s responses that his book is a must read for young aspiring artistes.
i understand his views are his views but i also perceive that the industry is not all it is revealed to be(glitz and glamour). some dark truths might be contained in dancing with the devil and people should be made more aware of what it is they are getting into
Great Interview Mr. Pinkney!
I would buy this book in a second. I’m an upcoming song writer, and I try to stay educated & on top of what’s happening in the music industry. This interview has really sparked my interest.
My heart goes out to people like Mark Curry who stuck it out for ten whole years, only to be let down.I admire him for speaking his mind on such a sensitive subject. I respect him for standing up for what he believes in, and taking the pain & turning it into an educational book that in return will help others.
I have a feeling Mark’s book is going to clinch up, and confirm my already preconceived thoughts about Puffy and Bad Boy Entertainment, running a dictatorship and abusing his power.
It dosen’t sound to me like karma’s on Puffy’s side. What goes around comes back on around. In the end; the TRUTH will be REVEALED!
I wish Mark Curry all the best and much success!
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil by Mark Curry.
1) Kenya
2) Cassandra Washington
3) Monica Marie Jones
4) Kisha Green
5) Madeline Smith
6) Patricia
7) Rose
8) Remie James
9) Pamela D. Rice
10) Fred L. Johnson
I will choose a winner momentarily.
And the winner is…
Madeline Smith
I’ll email you for the mailing info.
Thank you everybody for participating. Thank you Mark Curry for providing the prize.
To Everybody: Join my newsletter to stay up to date on the next book giveaway.
Great interview wit Mark Curry and congrats to the book winners.
Great interview, Joey! Good for Mark Curry, who has an inside look into the music industry. Definitely want to read this one!