I Have The Recipe

When I hear a song for the first time, I ususally know right away if it's going to be a smash. Sometimes I'm wrong but 90% of the time I am correct. What let's me know a song is a hit...the song's ingredients. Check out this example. Take Ne-Yo's song "So Sick". It didn't sound like anything on the radio at that time. The production was different and the lyrics were unique. The song also appealed to women. Can't go wrong with that. I don't think Ne-Yo set out to create something similar to the millions of cookie cutter songs out there. He didn't fall into the "I want a song like Joe Smoe" mode that most artists give in to. I guess the point of this post is to say that the music industry lacks creativity as a whole. Who wants to buy music if every song sounds the same. I also think that many of the established and big artists in the game will fall off if they don't change their recipe. Ok, you sold millions in the past but if you become predictable, fans will stop buying your music. Eminem has a formula. Rick Ross has a formula. Ja Rule had a formula. I expected Eminem's new record, "We Made You". This song takes shots at people and is radio friendly, not to mention a funny video. He is following his normal formula. His next single will probably be something serious or dark like "Stan". If that works, ride it until the wheels fall off. But don't get stuck like Ja Rule...he can't put the wheels back on. I'm not saying anything is wrong with this but how long will the fans stick around. I feel that artists should mix it up a little. Lil Wayne is doing rock. The fans will check this out even if it's out of curiosity. Kanye's recent album was different. Most of 2Pac's albums were different than the previous one. Get the picture.

Listen to the Track Byatch!!!!

As of lately, I have read alot of articles in which individuals give their top 5 MCs of all time, their top 10 producers, etc. So I decided to do a list of my own. It's not the top anything but I have compiled a list of songs that may not be on anyone's top lists, but songs that I feel move me the most, songs that inspire me, and songs that you can ride to, smoke out to, and function as the perfect soundtrack to any house party or summertime cook out. Here we go.

Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
Too Short - Cocktails
Nas - If I Ruled the World
Luniz - Five On It
Fugees - Ready Or Not
Jay-Z - Can I Live
Outkast - Jazzy Belle Remix
Ghostface Killah - Fish
DMX - Slippin'
2Pac - Straight Ballin'
8 Ball & MJG - Space Age Pimpin
Juvenile - 400 Degreez
MC Eight - Straight Up Menace

Put these songs on a cd and I bet you won't hit fast forward once.

Three-Peat

There are so many music related sites on the internet that I stopped counting. You can sell your beats online, you can upload your music, and the list goes on and on. I am going to talk about three such sites that I actively visit the most.

1. PMP Worldwide (www.pmpworldwide.com)- This site allows you to post your beats and then you can submit your beats to upcoming projects for various artists. I submiited beats to Lil Scrappy, Diddy, and Playaz Circle to name a few. I have also been contacted by unsigned artists looking for production and contacted to submit to a couple of mixtapes. They also have a section for writers. The site is not free but its well worth the money in my opinion. There is a wealth of music industry information on the site.

2. Sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com) - This site helps you find gigs, submit music to music conferences and festivals, and enter different contests. You can sign up to be notified by email when a gig meets your predetermined criteria. This site is also not free but they do offer a free trial month.

3. Roc Battle (www.rocbattle.com) - This site was created by legendary producer Rockwilder. You can sell your beats and you can also battle your beats against other producers for money or bragging rights. The site offers a free account as well as a paid subscription. I have even purchased beats on this site. There are some really good producers here.

I'll Take The Bologna Sandwich

I was just thinking back to the Temptations movie I have watched about 20 times. I remember a scene where the "Motown machine" was trying to write a hit for the Temptations. Once the song was completed, Barry Gordy asked his team if they would spend their last dollar to buy the song or spend their last dollar on a sandwich. If you are familiar with the music put out by Motown, then it's safe to say the song beat the sandwich quite often. Fast forward to today. I wonder how many labels today strive to make music in a similar fashion. Probably very few. Maybe a sandwich formula or gas formula is what we need to help get music to a more enjoyable state. I think I will go out and by a hybrid to free up some money when there is music I want to purchase. Can't spend my last dollar on this bull we call music.

Throw The Book At 'Em!

There is a lot to learn in the music industry, but where are you going to get that knowledge? There are some colleges that teach the “music business” as a part of their curriculum, but the majority of us probably don’t have time to attend classes and the subject matter may not be as specific as we require. Unless you have relationships with established individuals in the industry whom you can learn from, you have to find an alternate means to get yourself up to speed on the ins and outs of the music business. I have turned to reading books related to the music industry. They have a wealth of information. If one book doesn’t answer your questions, another one will. Nothing beats real world knowledge and experience, but books can be a necessary supplement. With that said, I have compiled a list of books that have given me insight on all areas of the music business. I must admit that I’m not a big reader, but I couldn’t put these books down.

Start & Run Your Own Record Label by Daylle Deanna Schwartz

Cash Tracks: Compose, Produce, and Sell Your Original Soundtrack Music and Jingles by Jeffrey P. Fisher

All You Need To Know About The Music Business by Donald S. Passman

Gotta Get Signed: How To Become A Hip-Hop Producer by Sahpreem King

Music Law: How To Run Your Band’s Business by Richard Stim

Real Deal: How To Get Signed To A Record Label by Daylle Deanna Schwartz

Get Media Airplay: A Guide To Getting Song Exposure, Music/Product Tie-Ins And Radio-Play Spins! by Rick Davis

Everything You’d Better Know About The Record Industry by Kashif

Country Bamas?

I am from Alabama, my city is Eufaula to be exact, but I now live in Atlanta. I have always known that there is a gang of talent in Alabama. I have attached videos of two dudes that represent Alabama to the fullest. Hint: One produced Duffle Bag Boy for Playaz Circle and the other wrote Promiscuous Girl for Nelly Furtado...hell yeah I said Nelly Furtado. Don't sleep on Alabama.

Music Conference 101

I have attended my fair share of music conferences and they can be a gold mine or a waste of time; it’s up to you. The music conference that I have attended most often in the Atlanta area is the Atlantis Music Conference. I also attended the Radio One Music Conference last year. For the most part, these conferences allow individuals who are looking to make it in the music industry an opportunity to meet and interact with those already established inthe music industry. Music conferences are based upon panels. Loosely, a panel is a group of “experts” on a specificsubject who lend their knowledge and answer questions. Panel guests have included DJ Toomp, Khao, Bangladesh,Brian Cox, Adonis, Young Joc, Gorilla Zoe, Polo Da Don, DJ Unk, and the list goes on. The Atlantis Music Conferencealso gives new artists the opportunity to perform in showcases around the city over a three day period. As an artist looking for exposure, this is the part of the conference you should want to be a part of.

I have compiled a list of things to do to maximize the time you spend attending music conferences. These are just suggestions.

1. Arrive Early, Leave Late - The more time you spend at a music conference, the more time you have to mix and mingle.
2. Network, Network, Network - Take the time to introduce yourself and meet as many people as you can. There are also lawyers,filmmakers, clothing designers, etc. that are just starting out just like yourself. No better way to start your own network.
3. Advertise – Have CDs, t-shirts, flyers, postcards, and business cards made up to represent you, your artist, or your company.
4. Perform – If the music conference offers the opportunity for you to perform, take advantage. You never know who may see you.
5. Ask Questions – The panel sessions allow you to present questions to the panel guests. Ask intelligent questions that will help further your career.These question and answer sessions are not intended for self-promotion or to ask the panelists if you can give them your demo. Be considerate of others.
6. Video – Video tape the panels if you are allowed to do so. You will be surprised how much information you miss.

Are your MP3s up to par?

I have a few useful suggestions for MP3s that you plan on emailing to DJs, labels, etc. First, make sure the quality of your music is the best it can possibly be. If you can afford to get it mastered, by all means, get it mastered. If not, get it mixed as best you can. Secondly, add an image to your MP3. Open the song in iTunes. Right click on it and select Get Info. Select the Artwork tab and upload your photo. When your song is played on an ipod, in iTunes, or Windows Media player, your photo will appear while the song is being played. This helps the listener attach a face to the music. Lastly, make sure the bitrate of the song is at least 192 kbps. All of these suggestions were provided to me first hand by established Atlanta DJs and producers during multiple music conferences that I attended in 2008. Stay tuned for more gems.