Hey! As promised, I'd be giving some info out about some music.
1. I wouldn't be right if I didn't tell you that one of my boys from college is making some serious headway on his music career. Go support him. His name is Rod AKA MerQury at www.iammerqury.com.
2. Tank and Jamie Foxx are collaborating for Jamie's 4th studio release. It's going to be INTERESTING to say the least I may try to upload some track up here for you all. But yeah... that's all I can say. The subject matter makes you turn your head on a couple tracks. However, as many of you know Tank is planning to release a Sex, Love and Pain Pt. 2 LP. If so - man y'all got something to look forward to. He's yanking some help from some people who have proven themselves in the past to help out well - Twista and Rick Ross. I'm intrigued to what I'll be hearing.
3. Mya is back in the studio experimenting. The jury is still out if she should continue. I like her "innocent" tone and the simplicity of her delivery, but unless someone finds her some material that suits her voice or writes to her - she's going to have some problems.
4. If J. Holiday gets a good solid track listing together -- his next album may be ridiculous. I hope the stuff I'm hearing from him is album-worthy.
... stay tuned, I may have more information later.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
My Theory of Music Industry... for all aspiring artists
Not that I claim to be a guru nor do I have intricate experience of working within the music industry. However, for those people seeking to enter music industry here are some tips that I have discovered along my path that I'm sure that could assist you.
1. Get your business on!
- Register with BMI or ASCAP. This shows potential collaborators and persons of influence that you are taking this seriously, and whether you are a part of a small project or larger project, that you take the same precautions with potential royalties. When you register with one of the aforementioned associations, never forget to copyright your ideas. If they're lyrics - do the poor man copyright ASAP! Then work on registering your ideas to the government. Intellectual property is big business. Protecting yourself is KEY!
2. Know YOUR lane!
- Not everyone is meant to be in the spotlight. In fact, that is probably the position with the most amount of responsibility and the least amount of pay if you don't do anything else. Study your craft. It should not be JUST enough for you to sing, be a writer, learn basic theory. Trust - it helps when you go in the studio knowing what you know so you don't have to pay other people to do that for you. Know your craft well enough and know what styles you mesh most with. If there is particular song that you like (or songs) check out who did the production on them. But remember, just because you like them doesn't mean that area is specifically for you. Seek professional guidance and have some experience in various avenues of technology.
3. Don't depend on technology to fix what you don't know already.
- Although, ProTools, autotune, vocoder, Logic, etc. are great tools, you need to know that you can produce without those.
Music industry is moving towards an arena that is going to expose talent from manufactured art. There's nothing wrong with either; there is just a time and a place for certain styles of music. Knowing what you do and what you do well will benefit you the most. It is important, however, that you not be scared of getting out of your box if absolutely necessary. Industry is looking for away to make money for everyone involved. Just as we, as a society, are shifting to more "energy efficient" technology - music industry is searching for its GREEN product that makes sense to the consumer and the producers.
Also - be a business card. Advertise your services. Always know what the last book you've read, your favorite album and why, your favorite artists and why --- and SINGERS, if you have to sing on the spot - have a song that you can wake up singing without being fed the words. Know at least the keys you sing in - so if you ever come in contact with a house band you can present yourself in the best possible light.
Start early with business. Don't depend on nobody that knows somebody that knows somebody. Even if you have friends in high places, your connection will only create so much room for you... favor does the rest and having talent creates sustainability.
... watch for more to come...
1. Get your business on!
- Register with BMI or ASCAP. This shows potential collaborators and persons of influence that you are taking this seriously, and whether you are a part of a small project or larger project, that you take the same precautions with potential royalties. When you register with one of the aforementioned associations, never forget to copyright your ideas. If they're lyrics - do the poor man copyright ASAP! Then work on registering your ideas to the government. Intellectual property is big business. Protecting yourself is KEY!
2. Know YOUR lane!
- Not everyone is meant to be in the spotlight. In fact, that is probably the position with the most amount of responsibility and the least amount of pay if you don't do anything else. Study your craft. It should not be JUST enough for you to sing, be a writer, learn basic theory. Trust - it helps when you go in the studio knowing what you know so you don't have to pay other people to do that for you. Know your craft well enough and know what styles you mesh most with. If there is particular song that you like (or songs) check out who did the production on them. But remember, just because you like them doesn't mean that area is specifically for you. Seek professional guidance and have some experience in various avenues of technology.
3. Don't depend on technology to fix what you don't know already.
- Although, ProTools, autotune, vocoder, Logic, etc. are great tools, you need to know that you can produce without those.
Music industry is moving towards an arena that is going to expose talent from manufactured art. There's nothing wrong with either; there is just a time and a place for certain styles of music. Knowing what you do and what you do well will benefit you the most. It is important, however, that you not be scared of getting out of your box if absolutely necessary. Industry is looking for away to make money for everyone involved. Just as we, as a society, are shifting to more "energy efficient" technology - music industry is searching for its GREEN product that makes sense to the consumer and the producers.
Also - be a business card. Advertise your services. Always know what the last book you've read, your favorite album and why, your favorite artists and why --- and SINGERS, if you have to sing on the spot - have a song that you can wake up singing without being fed the words. Know at least the keys you sing in - so if you ever come in contact with a house band you can present yourself in the best possible light.
Start early with business. Don't depend on nobody that knows somebody that knows somebody. Even if you have friends in high places, your connection will only create so much room for you... favor does the rest and having talent creates sustainability.
... watch for more to come...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
New R&B Music News
Toni Braxton has a new video out with new released sing, "Make My Heart". It's catchy, but Toni is somebody's mama. And although she still could get it, she may be trying to hard to compete with what is out there. However, you can judge for yourself at the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yo9XHAsZw
Maxwell has a new video for "Fistful of Tears" that just released today, so check that out. (no link as of yet)
Olivia - who is she? LOL! Well her camp is coming under some major fire for saying that her latest single, "Control",which allegedly features smash underground/now aboveground phenom Drake. He denied all associations with the record and set the record straight by saying "I've never worked with Olivia, and I apologize to any fan that was duped into thinking that "Control" was any collaboration of mine"... C'mon nah!
Artists to watch out for this summer/fall:
- Jazmine Sullivan is in the studio people! And she's making some noise but keeping the whole project under wraps.
- Day26 with the loss of Que will try to prove themselves that they can be successful without Diddy. With the assistance of super-producer Troy Taylor, I'm sure that they will do fine.
- Rumblings from the Justin Timberlake camp says that he may be back before the year is out. I'd be interested in buying it.
- The Queen Project feat. Tamia, Deborah Cox, and Kelly Price ought to be dropping something soon. All these appearances have to lead up to something!
- Jamie Foxx, Tank, and Trey are trying to make the fall really interesting with albums. Given their sucesses with their most recent albums, I want to see where the music takes them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yo9XHAsZw
Maxwell has a new video for "Fistful of Tears" that just released today, so check that out. (no link as of yet)
Olivia - who is she? LOL! Well her camp is coming under some major fire for saying that her latest single, "Control",which allegedly features smash underground/now aboveground phenom Drake. He denied all associations with the record and set the record straight by saying "I've never worked with Olivia, and I apologize to any fan that was duped into thinking that "Control" was any collaboration of mine"... C'mon nah!
Artists to watch out for this summer/fall:
- Jazmine Sullivan is in the studio people! And she's making some noise but keeping the whole project under wraps.
- Day26 with the loss of Que will try to prove themselves that they can be successful without Diddy. With the assistance of super-producer Troy Taylor, I'm sure that they will do fine.
- Rumblings from the Justin Timberlake camp says that he may be back before the year is out. I'd be interested in buying it.
- The Queen Project feat. Tamia, Deborah Cox, and Kelly Price ought to be dropping something soon. All these appearances have to lead up to something!
- Jamie Foxx, Tank, and Trey are trying to make the fall really interesting with albums. Given their sucesses with their most recent albums, I want to see where the music takes them.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Interesting Conversation last night
Serious conversation for the serious minded:
What do you need in a relationship?
Read the words of that statement - not what do you WANT, but what do you NEED? I need stability and consistency sprinkled with reality and the ability to adjust. I'm willing to give the same for someone who understands that.
Ladies and gentleman... what do you think?
What do you need in a relationship?
Read the words of that statement - not what do you WANT, but what do you NEED? I need stability and consistency sprinkled with reality and the ability to adjust. I'm willing to give the same for someone who understands that.
Ladies and gentleman... what do you think?
Conversations of a text/bbm
This is my first entry into my new blog. Check it often, because I normally have much to say - but just not the forum necessary for containing it. (LOL!)
Here goes:
I don't know what about the spring time brings out the fools and starts the buffoonery/coonery/ignant behavior - but some people get it twisted and think of themselves more highly than they ought. This is not a bash on people's personalities - but let's be real about it: respect is earned! Leaders, regular people, whomever - please understand that people respect certain things regardless of whether or not they like you.
1. People respect others that do what they say and say what they do. Those two work TOGETHER and not independently.
2. People respect others who can speak their minds while being aware of their surroundings.
3. People respect handling business clearly and concisely - REGARDLESS of personal affinity and affiliation. (i.e., just because you a friend don't mean that in a business setting - you will not be checked.)
4. People respect folks that complete that which they start.
5. People respect honesty and integrity.
Please do not get it twisted... God made you individually you - but sometimes your personality sucks and it rubs off on your crowd.
Here goes:
I don't know what about the spring time brings out the fools and starts the buffoonery/coonery/ignant behavior - but some people get it twisted and think of themselves more highly than they ought. This is not a bash on people's personalities - but let's be real about it: respect is earned! Leaders, regular people, whomever - please understand that people respect certain things regardless of whether or not they like you.
1. People respect others that do what they say and say what they do. Those two work TOGETHER and not independently.
2. People respect others who can speak their minds while being aware of their surroundings.
3. People respect handling business clearly and concisely - REGARDLESS of personal affinity and affiliation. (i.e., just because you a friend don't mean that in a business setting - you will not be checked.)
4. People respect folks that complete that which they start.
5. People respect honesty and integrity.
Please do not get it twisted... God made you individually you - but sometimes your personality sucks and it rubs off on your crowd.
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