A home invasion robbery over the weekend at a
Woodland Hills house used by a rap record label offers a window into a way record executives house their artists.
According to a veteran music publicist who declined
to be identified, urban music labels have a long-implemented policy of
renting out condominiums or houses for visiting rappers and singers.
Such costs are typically covered by an artist’s
recording budget in
an effort to avoid paying sky-high hotel premiums.
“If you have someone stay at a hotel for a week, it’s
three grand,” the publicist said. “You save a lot of money if you rent
out a house and have everyone — the producers and the artists — stay
there. It makes total sense."
In this case, officials said the Woodland Hills home targeted by the robbers was a temporary
residence for visiting recording artists.
Law enforcement sources familiar with the
investigation told The Times that there had been numerous calls from neighbors for
complaints including loud noise and parking violations. The sources spoke on the condition that they not be named because it was an ongoing investigation.
Officers went to the home in the 22100 block of Mulholland Drive
about 1 a.m. Sunday after a report that two men and two women broke
into the home during what was described as a "party or gathering."
According to police, two suspects pulled out weapons and
pistol-whipped some of the guests. The suspects fled after stealing an
unspecified amount of money and jewelry.
More than a dozen people were victims of and/or witnessed the crime,
but police said they were uncooperative. Police did not immediately
identify the rap label that owns the home.
Police are still searching for the robbers.
— Chris Lee and Andrew Blankstein
Photo: KTLA
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