''They Like the Damn Record''
4:30PM ET January 24th, 2013
Contributor : Stephen Willis
A Rocky Williform Company

Def Jam VP of A&R Sha Money XL spoke to HipHopDX about the controversial signing of Atlanta rap star Trinidad James. Critics have derided James for everything from his simplistic lyrics, materialistic subject matter and appearance--but Sha Money says that the fans of his music are what led to his being signed to hip hop's most iconic label.

"I think it’s really still about the music. Trinidad [James] created a record that everyone can say they liked," he said. "No matter how much they make fun of him and mash him up with the jokes, they like the damn record. Music is music. The formula, when you talk about mixtapes and how you put content out, you have the seed to plant. You create awareness, and you grow. That’s a formula we all see. But I think the ultimate part of the formula is that the music has gotta be dope."