1
YEP, I just don't feel the need to post much lately... no one leaves comments, I haven't been recieving much feedback or demand for the blogs... but it's ok, I don't expect it... I have been grinding... Yep, true story... I grind, because I feel that is the only way you can get what you deserve... and that's through grinding and hard work...
Lately I haven't had much time to sit down and think about how to be insightful, but maybe right now I can inspire the next person to get on his or her job...
Now when I say I have been grinding, I have been grinding! The end opf the year is coming and I was supposed to be somewhere firmly in the industry through my goals and planning... It's the start of the forth quarter and I am so far into all of this it is crazy... I can't blab about everything now, but here are a few things... and I do mean a few...
I have been grinding alot lately C.B.L., Freck Billionaire's label... I am head of E-Marketing and everything over there... I been really seeing things grow over there... I'm developing some real positive situations with Sickamore, all I wanted was an interview and now I might be working with him... ya dig? I'm helping develop an online magazine... That's gonna be crazy when it blooms... Every artist I'm working with is close to realisng a project, (Like always...) and that has been great, I need the support for them... Shouts out to Shayla G of FNF... Hopefully me and her make some magic... She is real cool people... I have been doing the graphics, covers and flyers... grind, grind, grind... and then, Obama, Fabulous, Young Prezzy & V.C.A., Ozone Magazine, Miami, Z-Ro, Str8lace and a bunch more... It's crazy... put all that together however you want to until you see what happens... HA! 09 in mine... and whoever else I decide to share it with...
I think I am going to put together a mixtape of all the music around me right now soon... pass it to your friends... and as far as the posts, I might have to pause them... I only did this blog to get on my grind, and now that it is working, I might have to come back to this when I actually am on... maybe through twitter or something else in the future...
Holla @ ya boy... More coming soon tho, just fillers...
-GHOST DA HUSTLA A.K.A. IM ALMOST THERE!
Showing posts with label How Hip-Hop Will Survive in the Next Music Industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How Hip-Hop Will Survive in the Next Music Industry. Show all posts
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
INDUSTRY 101: HOW TO GET SIGNED OR MAKE IT FAR IN THE INDUSTRY!
OK, so it's about that time where I actually place some knowledge on here for my visitors... Lately, this blog has been all about me... Now while I think that's interesting, I still want to teach something to someone... Help the next man out... That's what I'm here for... And now that I'm FAMOUS, why can't I? And what is the main thing you expect to learn from an A&R? How to get signed ofcourse... Holla at ya boy...
Now first off, It takes talent, marketability and a little bit of luck to get signed. But even then, you are not guaranteed fame, money and success. Now here are a few things I have learned will help you get a deal or become noticed at anything in this industry. Now there is no guaranteed way to get a record deal or whatever, although if you’re genuinely really good at what you do, you seriously get on your grind, there’s a good chance you’ll get some kind of deal eventually. And also REMEMBER, when it comes to getting signed and becoming successful, timing is everything. Unfortunately being in the right place at the right time happens mostly by chance but you can at least maximise your chances by doing everything you can. So with that being said, Here are a few tips to help take you to the top...
1. Make good music that is well written and can be marketed. Try to be the best at whatever you do, however you do it.
2. Know and accept that you can ONLY depend on YOURSELF the most. This doesn't mean don't have a team and be a loaner, because I love love teams, and two heads are better than one, but you can only truly DEPEND on yourself the most.
3. Practice regularly. You need to be well rehearsed at whatever it is that you wanna do, from business to rapping to beats. Practice is the road to perfect... and better yet, Perfect practice makes perfect.
4. Save your money. Everything costs money... And it alwasy helps to have your own for anything... People really respect that, sometimes even before raw talent.
5. Get known and respected in your area locally first. It's about more than just playing a gig, You have to develop a following. Develop a local following and then branch out into more regional shows.
6. Start looking around for an experienced manager/ business partner to help you get started. An experienced manager will probably not be your best friend, your dad, your guitar teacher but someone who understands the ins and outs of the industry, or atleast has a true hustler's heart. This should be someone you can really trust and lean on when times get hard.
7. Learn how to make your own money. If you can do this it lets labels know that you can make them money.
8. No matter how good you are at what you do, Not everyone is going to like what you do or respect what you do. And sometimes, just because they respect what you do, it doesn't mean that they like what you do. And vice-versa.
9. Don't sign contracts without careful consideration and legal advice. Get up on your Judge Milian, that shit really happens in music too.
10. Develop your talents around people that you trust to give you honest, credible feedback. Just because someone is honest to you about what you do, that doesn't mean that they are credible and know what really works.
11. Record an impressive demonstration of your talents and, if you have to, pay to have a professional package for your presentation.
12. Image is everything especially if you want to be noticed by the majors. You want as many things to work in your favor and this includes having an interesting and inticing look. Arrange a wardrobe that looks marketable.
13. Avoid drugs. Word travels and artists with drug problems usually cost more money than artists without issues. Labels want a good return on their investment these days, not headaches. (Sometimes though, weed doesn't count, but you would be surprised at how many artists don't do drugs.)
14. Playing shows isn't a guarantee but exposure is never a bad thing. You could possibly be signed without ever playing a show but chances are slim. Additionally, having some popularity will help you negotiate a better deal with a label when you are signed.
15. And don't forget... Timing is everything. Unfortunately being in the right place at the right time happens mostly by chance but you can at least maximise your chances by doing everything you can. So with that being said, Here are a few tips to help take you to the top...
And there you go, another list from your's truly... Now if you solely do music you may also want to do the following to help your chances in getting discovered as soon as possible.
- You should have professional photos taken, as well as video if possible. The sooner the better. Make sure they are easily accesible if anyone comes looking for you. Now days, a good video goes a long way.
- Make a press pack which consists of a photo, your demo (printed) a biography of you and some interesting facts, press clippings, and any other impressive media around you.
- Find the address of any record label your music would feel home with and send them a press pack. Also email addresses and phone numbers will help you get attention on your material being sent in, just don't bug them, but make sure you're persistant, these are very busy people. (Make sure they accept unsolicited demos).
- Most A&Rs have seen hundreds of acts and are consequently fairly critical. They have a mental checklist when they see you play live; Do you have strong songs? Can you sing/play/perform well? Are you contemporary/do you fit into a current scene or niche? Do you have that X factor, or IT (sex appeal, star quality, massive charisma etc...)? And above all... Will your music sell, alot? If the answer to at least 4 out of 5 of these questions is yes, then you’re in with a chance, especially if it’s the latter three!
Now the common misconception is that all matters are solved once you get signed to a major label or record company... Hahaha... This is far from being true and is proven in so many recent cases. We aren't even going to get into all of that... That's another post, another day...
Have any questions or more tips? Holla at me, leave me a comment... a few comments...
-Ghost Da Hustla a.k.a. "Mr. Toofamousandshelikesit.com" (Website still being developed...)
Now first off, It takes talent, marketability and a little bit of luck to get signed. But even then, you are not guaranteed fame, money and success. Now here are a few things I have learned will help you get a deal or become noticed at anything in this industry. Now there is no guaranteed way to get a record deal or whatever, although if you’re genuinely really good at what you do, you seriously get on your grind, there’s a good chance you’ll get some kind of deal eventually. And also REMEMBER, when it comes to getting signed and becoming successful, timing is everything. Unfortunately being in the right place at the right time happens mostly by chance but you can at least maximise your chances by doing everything you can. So with that being said, Here are a few tips to help take you to the top...
1. Make good music that is well written and can be marketed. Try to be the best at whatever you do, however you do it.
2. Know and accept that you can ONLY depend on YOURSELF the most. This doesn't mean don't have a team and be a loaner, because I love love teams, and two heads are better than one, but you can only truly DEPEND on yourself the most.
3. Practice regularly. You need to be well rehearsed at whatever it is that you wanna do, from business to rapping to beats. Practice is the road to perfect... and better yet, Perfect practice makes perfect.
4. Save your money. Everything costs money... And it alwasy helps to have your own for anything... People really respect that, sometimes even before raw talent.
5. Get known and respected in your area locally first. It's about more than just playing a gig, You have to develop a following. Develop a local following and then branch out into more regional shows.
6. Start looking around for an experienced manager/ business partner to help you get started. An experienced manager will probably not be your best friend, your dad, your guitar teacher but someone who understands the ins and outs of the industry, or atleast has a true hustler's heart. This should be someone you can really trust and lean on when times get hard.
7. Learn how to make your own money. If you can do this it lets labels know that you can make them money.
8. No matter how good you are at what you do, Not everyone is going to like what you do or respect what you do. And sometimes, just because they respect what you do, it doesn't mean that they like what you do. And vice-versa.
9. Don't sign contracts without careful consideration and legal advice. Get up on your Judge Milian, that shit really happens in music too.
10. Develop your talents around people that you trust to give you honest, credible feedback. Just because someone is honest to you about what you do, that doesn't mean that they are credible and know what really works.
11. Record an impressive demonstration of your talents and, if you have to, pay to have a professional package for your presentation.
12. Image is everything especially if you want to be noticed by the majors. You want as many things to work in your favor and this includes having an interesting and inticing look. Arrange a wardrobe that looks marketable.
13. Avoid drugs. Word travels and artists with drug problems usually cost more money than artists without issues. Labels want a good return on their investment these days, not headaches. (Sometimes though, weed doesn't count, but you would be surprised at how many artists don't do drugs.)
14. Playing shows isn't a guarantee but exposure is never a bad thing. You could possibly be signed without ever playing a show but chances are slim. Additionally, having some popularity will help you negotiate a better deal with a label when you are signed.
15. And don't forget... Timing is everything. Unfortunately being in the right place at the right time happens mostly by chance but you can at least maximise your chances by doing everything you can. So with that being said, Here are a few tips to help take you to the top...
And there you go, another list from your's truly... Now if you solely do music you may also want to do the following to help your chances in getting discovered as soon as possible.
- You should have professional photos taken, as well as video if possible. The sooner the better. Make sure they are easily accesible if anyone comes looking for you. Now days, a good video goes a long way.
- Make a press pack which consists of a photo, your demo (printed) a biography of you and some interesting facts, press clippings, and any other impressive media around you.
- Find the address of any record label your music would feel home with and send them a press pack. Also email addresses and phone numbers will help you get attention on your material being sent in, just don't bug them, but make sure you're persistant, these are very busy people. (Make sure they accept unsolicited demos).
- Most A&Rs have seen hundreds of acts and are consequently fairly critical. They have a mental checklist when they see you play live; Do you have strong songs? Can you sing/play/perform well? Are you contemporary/do you fit into a current scene or niche? Do you have that X factor, or IT (sex appeal, star quality, massive charisma etc...)? And above all... Will your music sell, alot? If the answer to at least 4 out of 5 of these questions is yes, then you’re in with a chance, especially if it’s the latter three!
Now the common misconception is that all matters are solved once you get signed to a major label or record company... Hahaha... This is far from being true and is proven in so many recent cases. We aren't even going to get into all of that... That's another post, another day...
Have any questions or more tips? Holla at me, leave me a comment... a few comments...
-Ghost Da Hustla a.k.a. "Mr. Toofamousandshelikesit.com" (Website still being developed...)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
So Far From Regular...
The tape is here... Winning Losers is here... Not there... but here... official release is coming in November, but I have the advance copy and I have given out a few to few people who have asked... If you want it, just ask and you shall receive, I ain't stingy...
Now if you did get a copy... leave some feedback of what you think about it in the comment box... we need it... After this tape he has another tape that we will use the feedback on... makes sense don't it? Also, I am going to drop a "Lost Files" sort of tape for the blog readers... don't tell him, it's a surprise... He wouldn't let me drop this stuff I have... but y'all get it exclusive... It's good, so don't worry...
Thanks for all the comments that have been coming in lately, keep it up... I need more... Subscribe, leave what you feel and I will want to keep providing more... I have some more writing opportunities that were just opened up to me... so that's good and this mixtape hosting thing should raise my status as well...
Holla at me about the tape or if you want it... Tell a friend... seriously.. tell someone...
-Ghost Da Hustla
Now if you did get a copy... leave some feedback of what you think about it in the comment box... we need it... After this tape he has another tape that we will use the feedback on... makes sense don't it? Also, I am going to drop a "Lost Files" sort of tape for the blog readers... don't tell him, it's a surprise... He wouldn't let me drop this stuff I have... but y'all get it exclusive... It's good, so don't worry...
Thanks for all the comments that have been coming in lately, keep it up... I need more... Subscribe, leave what you feel and I will want to keep providing more... I have some more writing opportunities that were just opened up to me... so that's good and this mixtape hosting thing should raise my status as well...
Holla at me about the tape or if you want it... Tell a friend... seriously.. tell someone...
-Ghost Da Hustla
Friday, August 8, 2008
Waiting... (More Personal Trial #1)
Current Song in Rotation - Charles Hamilton - Do What You Love
Quote of the day - Dj Young Prezzy AIM away message - "Fuck dreams, set goals, get money!"
Daily Goal - To get through the day without quitting my job and leaving to an Ozone event.
Most Valued Info Learned Today - People always change, even when they say they will never change... for better or for worse. (And they might not even know it...)
Blog of the day - I'm sitting here at work trying to see what I should blog about to be more personal... and then this Charles Hamilton song comes on... (the one in current rotation) and it just hits me... how about whatever is on my mind right now while I'm here at work... here it is...
- I was just reading an interview on Charles Hamilton when his song started playing ironically through my phone... (go listen to the song) and then I started watching a Kanye West Tour video... (Yes, all at work... I'm sooo slick... I think, they might be watching my comp now...) but anyways... I was thinking how if I were Kanye I would have released a Glow In The Dark Tour Movie in Imax... nationwide, similar to Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana (same people)... and a custom high top Nike Dunk with the Glow In The Dark logo on it ... a Dual tone black sneaker lined with neon thread and glow in the dark trim... and a shutter glasses set... all at once... just so if I was Kanye, I could see my stans lined up to the movies like a Star Wars film... that would be crazy if I put that together... Hit me up Kanye... real talk, still waiting to play connect four or battleship... But yeah, so I'm waiting on Ye's Imax tour and his Dunks to match...
- Next, I'm waiting on the day I get to quit my job and solely pursue Music... I love production, I love handling music business with a passion... I just find it some what annoying to keep up with with a regular 9-5 and this industry... especially if the 9-5 is from 3:30 - 12... lame... plus over time... my sched is way off...
- Last but not least, I can't wait till I can go back to school for this music again... I swear I loved college... but I'm broke... as far as a college career at least... I'm going to be back in that classroom soon, I pray... even if I'm teaching, or a guest speaker...
Random words -
> Song of the day just turned into SPACESHIP by KANYE WEST...
> Gage new song is WACK. I think it's called Gage - So Eazy To Do This feat. Gambino. It's just Gage acting like every other rapper hotter than him, and he's not even changing his voice... wack... And I had heard so many good things about him as a rapper...
> Charles Hamilton's Sonic the Hedgehog philosophy is my new adopted way of thinking about the game... it was already my favorite game as well... ask my wifey... Check his interview out at HipHopdx.com
> I still just want to take of and practice Parkour.
> I need a Lupe Fiasco mixtape series... 3 Volumes... right now... new, not 9/11... I need something new and free...
> Mixtape Messiah 4 will be ass... No originals anymore... just verses of the same damn voice... and I'm a BIG Chamillionaire fan... I will still download and support the tape tho...
Holla @ me... Leave a comment, Tell a friend, Pass around the widget... holla @ me about that business... beats... anything... Shouts out to Dj Bootleg on his mixtape release... and I hate every one at the Ozone events... but I wish I was hating myself...
***(This is more personal, lets see how many comments I get...)***
-Ghost Da Hustla
Quote of the day - Dj Young Prezzy AIM away message - "Fuck dreams, set goals, get money!"
Daily Goal - To get through the day without quitting my job and leaving to an Ozone event.
Most Valued Info Learned Today - People always change, even when they say they will never change... for better or for worse. (And they might not even know it...)
Blog of the day - I'm sitting here at work trying to see what I should blog about to be more personal... and then this Charles Hamilton song comes on... (the one in current rotation) and it just hits me... how about whatever is on my mind right now while I'm here at work... here it is...
- I was just reading an interview on Charles Hamilton when his song started playing ironically through my phone... (go listen to the song) and then I started watching a Kanye West Tour video... (Yes, all at work... I'm sooo slick... I think, they might be watching my comp now...) but anyways... I was thinking how if I were Kanye I would have released a Glow In The Dark Tour Movie in Imax... nationwide, similar to Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana (same people)... and a custom high top Nike Dunk with the Glow In The Dark logo on it ... a Dual tone black sneaker lined with neon thread and glow in the dark trim... and a shutter glasses set... all at once... just so if I was Kanye, I could see my stans lined up to the movies like a Star Wars film... that would be crazy if I put that together... Hit me up Kanye... real talk, still waiting to play connect four or battleship... But yeah, so I'm waiting on Ye's Imax tour and his Dunks to match...
- Next, I'm waiting on the day I get to quit my job and solely pursue Music... I love production, I love handling music business with a passion... I just find it some what annoying to keep up with with a regular 9-5 and this industry... especially if the 9-5 is from 3:30 - 12... lame... plus over time... my sched is way off...
- Last but not least, I can't wait till I can go back to school for this music again... I swear I loved college... but I'm broke... as far as a college career at least... I'm going to be back in that classroom soon, I pray... even if I'm teaching, or a guest speaker...
Random words -
> Song of the day just turned into SPACESHIP by KANYE WEST...
> Gage new song is WACK. I think it's called Gage - So Eazy To Do This feat. Gambino. It's just Gage acting like every other rapper hotter than him, and he's not even changing his voice... wack... And I had heard so many good things about him as a rapper...
> Charles Hamilton's Sonic the Hedgehog philosophy is my new adopted way of thinking about the game... it was already my favorite game as well... ask my wifey... Check his interview out at HipHopdx.com
> I still just want to take of and practice Parkour.
> I need a Lupe Fiasco mixtape series... 3 Volumes... right now... new, not 9/11... I need something new and free...
> Mixtape Messiah 4 will be ass... No originals anymore... just verses of the same damn voice... and I'm a BIG Chamillionaire fan... I will still download and support the tape tho...
Holla @ me... Leave a comment, Tell a friend, Pass around the widget... holla @ me about that business... beats... anything... Shouts out to Dj Bootleg on his mixtape release... and I hate every one at the Ozone events... but I wish I was hating myself...
***(This is more personal, lets see how many comments I get...)***
-Ghost Da Hustla
Monday, July 14, 2008
Why Being Commercial Is HOOD!!!
I haven't written anything in a while and I have to do something fast... I love learning and I am always soaking up new information... Here is something I came across and I am sharing with y'all... Everybody will learn something today...
VIA http://www.hiphop-blogs.com/
The music industry is dead, and the how come doesn't matter. The question now is what next? How does an artist eat in an environment like this where record sales have dropped 20% since last year?
For rock bands, touring and merchandising will become more important than ever. Eventually they will be begging you to download their music for free, as long as you promise to pay 50 in damage for the live show and cop a T-shirt on your way out.
Rap acts though don't tour too tough. However, compared to the rockers, emcees are better suited to survive this new industry fallout. Ever since Diddy declared that anyone who questions how a rapper makes money is a "player hater", it's been open season for even the most indie leaning emcee to appear in commercials and have his own sneaker. Muscicians in other genres have to walk a fine line of art and commerce so they don't offend their fanbase. However, in hip-hop, the number of endorsements you score is part of your marketing plan.
Now, some see this and think there is too much commercialism in hip-hop. Me? I don't think there is enough.
From Sprite to Scion I see corporate sponsors as the new (or the first?) patrons of hip-hop. Back in the day, before recorded music and record labels, musical masters relied on patrons to front them while they made their art. In return for their investment, the wealthy patrons gained a higher social status by being linked to the incredible artists they fronted. Also, they would retain the artist to perform at their parties and write special dedications for themselves or family.
Now, doesn't that sound like how Reebok paid for the pairing of 50 Cent and Jay-Z or how Boost Mobile did the same with Kanye, Ludacris, and The Game?
I'm not mad at any of those examples, because despite the money that's flowing I think hip-hop does a good job of holding to two rules that makes sure the commerce doesn't harm the art:
Rule # 1. Commercials are clearly commercials. Sprite has never tried to pass off one of their famous freestyle spots as an authentic, spontaneous, off-the-top endorsement by a rapper.
Rule # 2. Art is clearly art. When Busta told Pharrell to "Pass the Courvoisier", I don't think he was considering a deal with that liquor brand, even if one came after the fact. He name dropped because it sounded hot, and that's it.
The only pass a rapper can get on rule #2 is if he owns the product he's pushing. Self-promotion is straight hip-hop.
I'm impressed with emcees like 50 Cent who has been able to remain independent and relevant and dangerous with his left hand, yet snatch coin from corporate America with his right. As 50 himself admitted in a Vibe Magazine interview, when asked about declining music sales industry wide, he said he doesn't care if less people buy the record, as long as they buy his clothing, vitamin water, videos game, and movies. 50 is in the business of selling a lifestlye, with music as the bait, a trick that Diddy and Jay-Z learned long ago.
That's the future now of the music business, and I think hip-hop will prosper in it.
UPDATE: Minutes after I published this post, I saw this article on Billboard about the touring boom:
"Pretty much any way you crunch the numbers, the concert industry kicked serious butt in 2006. Both dollars and attendance reported to Billboard Boxscore this year were at all-time highs. "
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Not much... This is what I have been telling people and artists for the longest. I t only makes sense, if you cant sell one thing then you move on to the next... If chocolate chip isn't selling, push the peanut butter and sugar cookies... I already know. Now the next thing is, making music that the mass people will want to commit to. We have to make music that will change people's lives... make them think, get them outside of their real life if they visit your concert... or wear your clothing...
If you look around, the biggest concerts and tours are from the great artists that are doing something different... You don't see artists like Rick Ross selling out too many tours like Jay Z or Kanye? Rick Ross is one of the hottest artists right now, but is he selling out shows? Kanye sells a lifestyle, Rick Ross sells dope... both artists sell alot of records in there first week... Kanyne sells more, has more imitations, has longer lasting music and sells out shows and other things... Not too many artists have been able to do this as well as Kanye lately... not since Jay Z really if I think about it... We have had artists coming close, Ludacris, Lil Jon, Nelly and somewhat Paul Wall... but there has always been something kind of blocking them...
Like I mentioned Paul Wall, you don't have to be an awesome lyricist to accomplish this goal... just learn how to get to the people and sell a complete lifestyle... He had the grills, the drank... being white probably helped... the only thing lacking after awhile was the music... the second album was wack... but Paul Wall knew how to get at the people... that prob why the call him the People's Champ...
I know how to do this in my mind and I'm going to do it... I'm going to be one of the first commercial A&Rs... Unless Sicamore or MempHitz steal my idea and try it first... which is why I cant tell y'all my ideas.... y'all just have to keep rooting for me till I make it to the top of the industry and show everyone what I can do... I'm coming... and if you are one of my artists or you plan on working with me... read this, because I have a method to accomplishing this... Ring tones, shirts, getting the music just right... and everything... I'm telling you, being commercial is hood... only rich people have Ti-Vo and all the poor hood people are left watching commercials, might as well give us a salesman we can relate to...
I'm "Mr. Qualified"... what did you expect? Holla back on what you think... I also have some production for sale on the low, tell somebody with a microphone... interviews coming back soon too... One million to whoever gets me Sicamore or MempHitz for an interview... Especially Sicamore... Did y'all know he manages Nikki Minaj? I love that girl... But not more than I love my wife... But even my wife knows what it is... she needs to come work with me...
MORE INFO ON THE ABOVE POST: (read the comments if you want to know what other people have to say about this... lets get my comments like that...)
http://www.hiphop-blogs.com/hiphop/2007/03/the_new_hiphop_.html#more
a random comment: I couldn't personally disagree more with this blog. If you are a philanthropist of hop music, then you would appreciate the monetary rewards the commercialize has reaped over the past 2 decades. However, and a big however, if you are a fan of the music, you will recognize the large thumb placed down on artists to sell to a constantly broadening fanbase. This means compromising your original intentions if it sells less. It is no less equal to government censorship of CD sales. Besides the parental advisory sticker, the single off many best-selling albums have remained censored to increase radio play, which not only gives fans a chance to play fill in the blank for an eternity, but jeopardizes the passion of the artist for allowing his work to be censored. You would only be trying just hard enough to live with yourself if you enjoy commercial hip hop. Financial success has never equated to cultural and creative success. Children in India who love 50 Cent will never buy a vitamin water, most likely because it isn't sold in areas where income is so low. Personally, I make music and listen to music because I love it, and if the financial reward becomes great, even better, but if not, I'll be buried in the same ground as Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G, and we can discuss it further from there. Thanks and check the www.myspace.com/dirty845
-Ghost Da Hustla
VIA http://www.hiphop-blogs.com/
The music industry is dead, and the how come doesn't matter. The question now is what next? How does an artist eat in an environment like this where record sales have dropped 20% since last year?
For rock bands, touring and merchandising will become more important than ever. Eventually they will be begging you to download their music for free, as long as you promise to pay 50 in damage for the live show and cop a T-shirt on your way out.
Rap acts though don't tour too tough. However, compared to the rockers, emcees are better suited to survive this new industry fallout. Ever since Diddy declared that anyone who questions how a rapper makes money is a "player hater", it's been open season for even the most indie leaning emcee to appear in commercials and have his own sneaker. Muscicians in other genres have to walk a fine line of art and commerce so they don't offend their fanbase. However, in hip-hop, the number of endorsements you score is part of your marketing plan.
Now, some see this and think there is too much commercialism in hip-hop. Me? I don't think there is enough.
From Sprite to Scion I see corporate sponsors as the new (or the first?) patrons of hip-hop. Back in the day, before recorded music and record labels, musical masters relied on patrons to front them while they made their art. In return for their investment, the wealthy patrons gained a higher social status by being linked to the incredible artists they fronted. Also, they would retain the artist to perform at their parties and write special dedications for themselves or family.
Now, doesn't that sound like how Reebok paid for the pairing of 50 Cent and Jay-Z or how Boost Mobile did the same with Kanye, Ludacris, and The Game?
I'm not mad at any of those examples, because despite the money that's flowing I think hip-hop does a good job of holding to two rules that makes sure the commerce doesn't harm the art:
Rule # 1. Commercials are clearly commercials. Sprite has never tried to pass off one of their famous freestyle spots as an authentic, spontaneous, off-the-top endorsement by a rapper.
Rule # 2. Art is clearly art. When Busta told Pharrell to "Pass the Courvoisier", I don't think he was considering a deal with that liquor brand, even if one came after the fact. He name dropped because it sounded hot, and that's it.
The only pass a rapper can get on rule #2 is if he owns the product he's pushing. Self-promotion is straight hip-hop.
I'm impressed with emcees like 50 Cent who has been able to remain independent and relevant and dangerous with his left hand, yet snatch coin from corporate America with his right. As 50 himself admitted in a Vibe Magazine interview, when asked about declining music sales industry wide, he said he doesn't care if less people buy the record, as long as they buy his clothing, vitamin water, videos game, and movies. 50 is in the business of selling a lifestlye, with music as the bait, a trick that Diddy and Jay-Z learned long ago.
That's the future now of the music business, and I think hip-hop will prosper in it.
UPDATE: Minutes after I published this post, I saw this article on Billboard about the touring boom:
"Pretty much any way you crunch the numbers, the concert industry kicked serious butt in 2006. Both dollars and attendance reported to Billboard Boxscore this year were at all-time highs. "
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Not much... This is what I have been telling people and artists for the longest. I t only makes sense, if you cant sell one thing then you move on to the next... If chocolate chip isn't selling, push the peanut butter and sugar cookies... I already know. Now the next thing is, making music that the mass people will want to commit to. We have to make music that will change people's lives... make them think, get them outside of their real life if they visit your concert... or wear your clothing...
If you look around, the biggest concerts and tours are from the great artists that are doing something different... You don't see artists like Rick Ross selling out too many tours like Jay Z or Kanye? Rick Ross is one of the hottest artists right now, but is he selling out shows? Kanye sells a lifestyle, Rick Ross sells dope... both artists sell alot of records in there first week... Kanyne sells more, has more imitations, has longer lasting music and sells out shows and other things... Not too many artists have been able to do this as well as Kanye lately... not since Jay Z really if I think about it... We have had artists coming close, Ludacris, Lil Jon, Nelly and somewhat Paul Wall... but there has always been something kind of blocking them...
Like I mentioned Paul Wall, you don't have to be an awesome lyricist to accomplish this goal... just learn how to get to the people and sell a complete lifestyle... He had the grills, the drank... being white probably helped... the only thing lacking after awhile was the music... the second album was wack... but Paul Wall knew how to get at the people... that prob why the call him the People's Champ...
I know how to do this in my mind and I'm going to do it... I'm going to be one of the first commercial A&Rs... Unless Sicamore or MempHitz steal my idea and try it first... which is why I cant tell y'all my ideas.... y'all just have to keep rooting for me till I make it to the top of the industry and show everyone what I can do... I'm coming... and if you are one of my artists or you plan on working with me... read this, because I have a method to accomplishing this... Ring tones, shirts, getting the music just right... and everything... I'm telling you, being commercial is hood... only rich people have Ti-Vo and all the poor hood people are left watching commercials, might as well give us a salesman we can relate to...
I'm "Mr. Qualified"... what did you expect? Holla back on what you think... I also have some production for sale on the low, tell somebody with a microphone... interviews coming back soon too... One million to whoever gets me Sicamore or MempHitz for an interview... Especially Sicamore... Did y'all know he manages Nikki Minaj? I love that girl... But not more than I love my wife... But even my wife knows what it is... she needs to come work with me...
MORE INFO ON THE ABOVE POST: (read the comments if you want to know what other people have to say about this... lets get my comments like that...)
http://www.hiphop-blogs.com/hiphop/2007/03/the_new_hiphop_.html#more
a random comment: I couldn't personally disagree more with this blog. If you are a philanthropist of hop music, then you would appreciate the monetary rewards the commercialize has reaped over the past 2 decades. However, and a big however, if you are a fan of the music, you will recognize the large thumb placed down on artists to sell to a constantly broadening fanbase. This means compromising your original intentions if it sells less. It is no less equal to government censorship of CD sales. Besides the parental advisory sticker, the single off many best-selling albums have remained censored to increase radio play, which not only gives fans a chance to play fill in the blank for an eternity, but jeopardizes the passion of the artist for allowing his work to be censored. You would only be trying just hard enough to live with yourself if you enjoy commercial hip hop. Financial success has never equated to cultural and creative success. Children in India who love 50 Cent will never buy a vitamin water, most likely because it isn't sold in areas where income is so low. Personally, I make music and listen to music because I love it, and if the financial reward becomes great, even better, but if not, I'll be buried in the same ground as Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G, and we can discuss it further from there. Thanks and check the www.myspace.com/dirty845
-Ghost Da Hustla
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