In an exclusive WorldWide Entertainment TV Network segment, Mike Hughes of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam opens up about the newest member of the group — and why her presence instantly reminded him of the band’s earliest days with Lisa Lisa herself.

The conversation quickly evolves into a rare, honest breakdown of the music industry’s past and present, offering valuable insight into the role record labels play in both elevating and exploiting artists.

“She’s Us.” — The New Member Who Feels Like Early Lisa Lisa

According to Mike, Cult Jam has always been more than just a studio group — they were a performance force. From their breakout moment on the Dick Clark Show in 1986, the band understood the importance of strong visuals, stage presence, and energy.

When Mike went to see the group’s newest vocalist perform, everything clicked instantly:

“When I got there and watched her perform, I said… she’s it. She’s us. I see it. She’s what we were when we were that young.”

This moment signaled a new chapter for Cult Jam — one that honors the group’s legacy while embracing a fresh generation of talent. The new member’s dynamic stage presence and youthful fire reminded Mike of exactly what made Lisa Lisa stand out when the group first exploded onto the scene.

A Deep Dive Into the Music Industry’s Double-Edged Sword

After celebrating the new addition, the interview transitions into a powerful and often unspoken truth:
record labels can be both a blessing and a curse.

Mike breaks down the nuanced reality:

Labels Are Not “Bad” — Bad Contracts Are

Mike rejects the idea that labels themselves are the enemy. Instead, he stresses that the terms of an artist’s contract determine whether the experience will be uplifting or harmful.

He acknowledges:

• Labels have the machine to make artists global

• Without label infrastructure, early Cult Jam would have stayed local

• Contracts and financial arrangements often create hardship

“You need that machine so the world can know who you are. Otherwise, they only know you in your neighborhood, your city, or your state.”

Cult Jam’s music reached Ireland, Japan, and Brazil because the label pushed it — something young artists from East Flatbush could never have achieved alone.

The Industry Shift: Why Labels Want Finished Packages

Mike also exposes how the industry has evolved since the ’80s and ’90s. Today’s labels:

• Don’t invest in artist development

• Require artists to already have numbers and a team

• Expect acts to come with built-in momentum

• Focus on taking a percentage rather than building from scratch

“Right now they want artists to come to them with a package already… They’re not investing. They’re not shooting videos. They’re just collecting.”

This shift leaves artists with two options:

1. Stay independent — but only if you have financial backing

2. Get a deal — but negotiate smartly

Mike explains that even independent acts need capital, comparing financial backers to a modern form of the “label system,” where someone funds you but expects something significant in return.

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“Labels Always Been Compared to the Mafia”

Mike reinforces an age-old saying in the industry:
labels have long been associated with mafia-style practices.

He describes the risk involved when an artist takes money from someone without understanding the terms — whether that person is a label executive or a private backer:

“I’ll give you this money, but I get this much from you… And if you don’t make money, I want mine back. And if you don’t give it back, I might break your legs.”

It’s a raw truth about the darker side of the music business — one that many artists learn too late.

The Reality of Launching Without a Label

Reflecting on their early career, Mike is blunt about Cult Jam’s situation as teenagers from East Flatbush:

“We had no money. We had a great record, but so what? Without the label, who would’ve heard it?”

This drives home his point:
the label’s reach was essential in amplifying their sound worldwide, especially in an era without the digital tools artists rely on today.

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A New Era for Cult Jam — Rooted in Legacy, Powered by Evolution

The segment showcases both celebration and hard-earned wisdom:

• A new member who embodies the early spark of Lisa Lisa

• A transparent look at how the industry operates

• Why marketing, financial backing, and global reach still matter

• The delicate balance between independence and major label support

As Cult Jam enters this new era, Mike Hughes makes one thing clear:
the story continues, and the legacy evolves — but the spirit remains the same.

Watch the full interview on WorldWide Entertainment TV Media for more insights into music history, artist development, and the truth behind the industry’s inner workings.