Fred Durst has made a name for himself being the iconic frontman of the nu-metal band, Limp Bizkit.
The band’s music has been a beloved favorite among enthusiasts since 1994, with record-breaking sales and electrifying performances across the globe.
Beyond his role with Limp Bizkit, Durst has ventured into various artistic endeavors. In the late 1990s, he assumed the role of an A&R Representative at Interscope Records/Flip Records and went on to establish his own record label imprint, Flawless Records.
Durst has also been known for his controversial run-ins with other artists. Durst engaged in public disputes with Eminem, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and even the Michigan-based band Taproot, after they declined his offer to join Interscope Records.
Durst ventured into filmmaking which proved to be unsuccessful, and has made appearances in the gaming world. According to We Are The Pit, Fred Durst’s net worth stands at an impressive $20 million.
In 1999, Durst was invited to assume the role of senior vice president at Interscope Records while his band was already signed to the label. He went on to accept the position with added responsibilities such as signing bands, overseeing marketing, music production, music video creation, and other tasks to his already bustling schedule. Durst also served as an A&R Representative for Interscope Records and Flip Records, signing notable acts like Staind and Cold.
In the same year, Durst, alongside Danny Wimmer, co-founded Flawless Records, operating as a subsidiary of Interscope Records.
Under the Flawless Records banner, Durst and Wimmer introduced a fresh lineup of bands, including Puddle Of Mudd, Sinisstar, Big Dumb Face, Kenna, The Revolution Smile, Ringside, and She Wants Revenge.
In 2011, Durst stepped away from his role as VP, and Limp Bizkit parted ways with Interscope Records. He confirmed this decision during an episode of the podcast Poolside with Dean Delray. Durst explained their desire to chart an independent path, allowing them to focus on delivering electrifying concerts without the constraints of the recording industry. He emphasized their love for creating music and the unexpected success of their songs, which led to this new direction, enabling them to continue touring and sharing their music with fans.
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst was initially struck by Taproot’s impressive musical talent, and he worked tirelessly to secure the band a record contract with Interscope. However, negotiations with Interscope executives proved challenging, as they insisted on obtaining the rights to the three songs that the band had recorded as part of their demo deal. Despite this obstacle, Taproot ultimately declined Interscope’s offer and instead signed with Atlantic Records thanks to their burgeoning friendship with System of a Down.
In 1999, Fred Durst took on the role of an A&R Representative for Interscope Records and Flip Records. A&R, which stands for artists and repertoire, involves discovering and signing new talent to a record label’s roster. Salaries of A&R managers vary on factors like the size of the record label and its geographical location.
For instance, an A&R manager at a major label in a bustling city like New York City is likely to command a higher salary than their counterpart at an independent label in a smaller town. Overall, A&R managers come with average earnings ranging from $43,000 to $150,000 annually.
Although A&R managers are not involved in the creative process and don’t typically receive royalties, they may be eligible for bonuses if an artist they’ve signed achieves notable success.
Fred Durst said in a voicemail to Taproot’s Richards. “Hey man, you f**ked up!”
“You don’t ever bite the hand that feeds in this business. Your f**king manager is a f**king idiot: a loser motherf**ker going nowhere. You have just chosen that path. I took you under my wing, put you in my house, talked about your ass on the radio [and] in press, and you embarrassed me and the Interscope family. Your association with Limp Bizkit doesn’t exist. Your manager slings our name around, he’s gonna be blackballed, and you will too.”
“Don’t f**king show up at my shows: if you do, you’re gonna get f**ked. You’re learning right now exactly how to ruin your career before it gets started.”