I don't love OK artists,
>but I'm worried that they
>may lose some of their
>flava because MCA is getting
>them to collabo with their
>other artists.

In my opinion & observation, MCA hip-hop artists basically A&R their own albums.....MCA usually hears an okp project after is 60-80% done track-wise (i.e. Common's EC). There are no A&R cats in the studio looking over the artists/groups shoulders while they are putting it down...they usually do administration schtuff to help out. The label usually gives input when it comes to single picking time, if $$$ is disappearing at a rapid rate vs. the recording progress timeframe, or if the project doesn't have a clear cut single and options are discussed.....or of course if the Prez wants Erykah Badu on the hook instead of the then unknown Jill Scott.
FYI, Blackalicious did everything that THEY wanted to do on this album.

LG
Doing my job since 1991