DON WARNING ON DEALS

STEFFLON Don has advised young musicians not to sign to any record labels until they’ve had independent success.

Now sitting pretty on her fortune, the rapper revealed she made labels beg for her.

And she insisted new artists should prove their worth by themselves before striking a deal.

Speaking ahead of her performance at BBC Radio1Xtra Live, Steff said: “What I really want to say to artists and what I’ve noticed a lot of labels are doing is as soon as they see someone they run and sign them.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of artists and I’m like: ‘Are you signed’ and they’re like: ‘Yeah’ and I’m like: ‘Where did they find you, you just dropped a tune like yesterday’.

“I feel you need to learn a bit more about the business as when you get signed first of all if you’re not known and this is your first track they’re going to give you hardly anything.

“It’s a better way to find yourself on your own first. When you know your sound and what you want to do then you get the label involved as it works like a partnership.”

Steff refused to sign for less than £1million and even signed her own label V-IV London to Universal so she could have full control over her music.

The Hurtin’ Me singer added: “I had deals on the table for a whole year, and a lot of money!

“My mum was like: ‘Oh no we need the money please sign’ and I was like: ‘Mum chill man you’ve been in the hood a long time, you can do it a while longer’.”