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By: Sonia Murray
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Nov. 11, 2008; E1)
Turn on the radio and Atlanta singer-rapper T-Pain is easy to find---he's the one who sounds like he's having the most fun.
Little wonder then that in real life T-Pain is every bit the funny and likable guy he appears to be on record. The 23-year-old born Faheem Najm may have taken on the stage name of T-Pain (short for Tallahassee Pain) because of his rough start in his Florida hometown, but rough is hardly the adjective one would use to describe the life these days of a Grammy winner living in a $1 million Duluth home with a Lamborghini out front.
Because T-Pain is seemingly on every other single on the radio dial, expectations are high for his third solo CD. The album is titled Thr33 Ringz in large part because T-Pain feels like a ringleader of the music industry game.
It's a little hard to deny him this claim. Kanye West is using T-Pain's signature vocoder effect (a synthesizer-type sound with the tone and tempo of the singer's voice) on his next album. He flew T-Pain to Hawaii for five days to make sure he was doing it right. Lil Wayne and Chris Brown have started to add the style to their vocals. "That's when I started to realize - like about a couple of months ago - I was really changing the game. When everybody started doing what I was doing," T-Pain says. "T-Pain's assists, period, makes records better," Ludacris affirms.
"I can't say enough about him and his talents," adds BET Sr. Vice President Stephen Hill, who asked T-Pain to host its recent Hip-Hop Awards. "He's funny, a nice guy and easy to work with."
T-Pain has broken ringtone records singing about simple things like buying a drink or being in love with a stripper. "People have been slow to give him credit for his talent," says Jive Records VP MempHitz, who signed T-Pain. "But when I first heard him, he reminded me of R. Kelly - he could sing, write, produce, the works!"
"When I was broke ... I was still trying to figure out a way to make a mixtape or something," says T-Pain, who now owns 22 automobiles. "And yeah what I make, what I've always made is some of the most regular stuff in the world. That's why people can relate. Everybody is so busy concentrating on a song, trying to be different or abstract; instead of just being a basic, beautiful picture. Ya'll are making it too easy for me to run this circus."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
T.I.'s New CD Slick, Revealing
By: Sonia Murray
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution; E1-E2 Tues., Sept. 30, 2008)
Facing a year and a day of prison time, one might think that Atlanta's T.I. would do anything but begin his new album with a track titled "56 Bars." But that's the really good thing about his new album PAPER TRAIL - it is everything and nothing you would expect from the hip-hop superstar.
And by everything, yes, that means T.I. is the same charismatically slick, super-boastful, profanity-spewing T.I. who's sold millions of his previous five (5) albums. Nevermind that outside of recording studios, he's giving motivational speeches in schools and church services to fulfill 1,000 plus hours of community service, part of a guilty plea for felony weapons charges. He's due to begin serving his sentence in March 2009.
One of his singles, "Ready for Whatever," answers the question every fan had last year when the Grammy winner (and convicted felon) - on his way to the BET Hip-Hop Awards where he was the leading nominee - decided to detour to a Midtown Walgreens to buy machine guns and silencers. That question of course is why?! "If your life was in jeopardy everyday is you telling me you wouldn't need weaponry, just becaue of your felonies?" T.I. asks in "Ready." "Consider this at least - I've got everybody sweating me. On the streets is people who won't rest unles I rest in peace. Killed my folk a year ago still in my sleep they threaten me ... I'm dealing with depression from my partner dying next to me. Think cause no one's arrested they coming for me eventually. See this was all the things that I was going through mentally." In the end, "I'm wrong and I know it," T.I. adds.
And in curious, 2Pac-like fashion, he uses the subject of facing - and enduring - prison time to craft one of his best songs, "You Ain't Missin' Nothing."
B. Brown's Thoughts: Let me first say that I commend T.I. for using his time wisely when he was confined to his home for 6-months because he put together a great album that addresses everything that has gone on with him since that crazy day in October of 2007 - gun charges, Shawty-Lo, etc. To come back as strong as he has is a testament of his strength, courage and spiritual belief. God has Blessed him and Prayfully, he will continue to be a Blessing to the young people and adults he reaches as he continues to do community service.
Society is evolving everyday and we must make the proper adjustments, but one thing I believe we can't ever get away from is forgiveness and integrity. America is on the brink of a new day and when Obama wins this upcoming election next week, we can start establishing a better, more improved America for all people.
One Love!
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution; E1-E2 Tues., Sept. 30, 2008)
Facing a year and a day of prison time, one might think that Atlanta's T.I. would do anything but begin his new album with a track titled "56 Bars." But that's the really good thing about his new album PAPER TRAIL - it is everything and nothing you would expect from the hip-hop superstar.
And by everything, yes, that means T.I. is the same charismatically slick, super-boastful, profanity-spewing T.I. who's sold millions of his previous five (5) albums. Nevermind that outside of recording studios, he's giving motivational speeches in schools and church services to fulfill 1,000 plus hours of community service, part of a guilty plea for felony weapons charges. He's due to begin serving his sentence in March 2009.
One of his singles, "Ready for Whatever," answers the question every fan had last year when the Grammy winner (and convicted felon) - on his way to the BET Hip-Hop Awards where he was the leading nominee - decided to detour to a Midtown Walgreens to buy machine guns and silencers. That question of course is why?! "If your life was in jeopardy everyday is you telling me you wouldn't need weaponry, just becaue of your felonies?" T.I. asks in "Ready." "Consider this at least - I've got everybody sweating me. On the streets is people who won't rest unles I rest in peace. Killed my folk a year ago still in my sleep they threaten me ... I'm dealing with depression from my partner dying next to me. Think cause no one's arrested they coming for me eventually. See this was all the things that I was going through mentally." In the end, "I'm wrong and I know it," T.I. adds.
And in curious, 2Pac-like fashion, he uses the subject of facing - and enduring - prison time to craft one of his best songs, "You Ain't Missin' Nothing."
B. Brown's Thoughts: Let me first say that I commend T.I. for using his time wisely when he was confined to his home for 6-months because he put together a great album that addresses everything that has gone on with him since that crazy day in October of 2007 - gun charges, Shawty-Lo, etc. To come back as strong as he has is a testament of his strength, courage and spiritual belief. God has Blessed him and Prayfully, he will continue to be a Blessing to the young people and adults he reaches as he continues to do community service.
Society is evolving everyday and we must make the proper adjustments, but one thing I believe we can't ever get away from is forgiveness and integrity. America is on the brink of a new day and when Obama wins this upcoming election next week, we can start establishing a better, more improved America for all people.
One Love!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tyler Perry!!! Enough said!
By: B. Brown (BREG)
Tyler Perry has opened a New State-of-the-Art, Full-Service Movie Production Studio in Atlanta, GA! It is unbelievable! God is good!!! Big ups to you Mr. Perry and may God continue to Bless you! You are an inspiration to people of all ages and races.
Now, all Southeast based script writers, producers, directors, etc. have a "Studio" in close proximity to bring their vision to life. It is a beautiful situation that the Atlanta Community should embrace and help cultivate because Mr. Perry's facility alone will create new jobs and countless opportunities for rising and established stars alike.
When the studio opened, all the major players came to Atlanta, GA and now Atlanta has the opportunity to cement itself as the official third city of Entertainment behind New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Atlanta has been a hotbed for musical talent for a long time now, and with Mr. Perry bringing the tv & movie world to Atlanta, the future of Atlanta's entertainment community is looking very bright!
Mr. Perry has established himself with major touring plays and movies adapted from his plays all the way to his most current movie The Family that Preys. Many critics and fans alike are saying that this movie is his best work to date. That's a tremendous complement considering the success that he has had already!
I have a personal connection to The Preys movie because my brother, Ben K. Brown, plays Robin Givens husband in the movie. My brother has also been on two (2) episodes of "House of Payne", so you can see why I am very excited about the new studio and the possibilities that may arise because of the studio.
Once again, congratulations Mr. Perry and continue to strive for excellence in everything that you do!
One Love!
Tyler Perry has opened a New State-of-the-Art, Full-Service Movie Production Studio in Atlanta, GA! It is unbelievable! God is good!!! Big ups to you Mr. Perry and may God continue to Bless you! You are an inspiration to people of all ages and races.
Now, all Southeast based script writers, producers, directors, etc. have a "Studio" in close proximity to bring their vision to life. It is a beautiful situation that the Atlanta Community should embrace and help cultivate because Mr. Perry's facility alone will create new jobs and countless opportunities for rising and established stars alike.
When the studio opened, all the major players came to Atlanta, GA and now Atlanta has the opportunity to cement itself as the official third city of Entertainment behind New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Atlanta has been a hotbed for musical talent for a long time now, and with Mr. Perry bringing the tv & movie world to Atlanta, the future of Atlanta's entertainment community is looking very bright!
Mr. Perry has established himself with major touring plays and movies adapted from his plays all the way to his most current movie The Family that Preys. Many critics and fans alike are saying that this movie is his best work to date. That's a tremendous complement considering the success that he has had already!
I have a personal connection to The Preys movie because my brother, Ben K. Brown, plays Robin Givens husband in the movie. My brother has also been on two (2) episodes of "House of Payne", so you can see why I am very excited about the new studio and the possibilities that may arise because of the studio.
Once again, congratulations Mr. Perry and continue to strive for excellence in everything that you do!
One Love!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
iTunes, is it still a great option for Artists?
By: Ethan Smith & Nick Wingfield
(The Wall Street Journal; Market Place Section, 8-29-08)
iTunes has been the runaway hit of the music business, selling more than five billion song downloads since it started five years ago. But a growing number of record companies are trying to steer clear of Apple Inc.'s behemoth music store, because they say selling single songs on iTunes in some cases is crimping overall music sales.
Kid Rock's Rock 'n Roll Jesus album was kept off iTunes' virtual shelves. It has nonetheless sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. since its release last year---a sizable number for the depressed music industry. Sales of the album have increased in 19 of the past 22 weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan, vaulting it to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 sales chart. After witnessing the album's performance, his label, Warner Music Group Corp.'s Atlantic Records, last week yanked an album by R&B singer Estelle from the iTunes Store, four months after it went on sale there---and the same week that one of its songs entered the top-10-selling tracks on Apple's download service.
... there is growing discomfort with the dominant role iTunes already plays: The store sells 90% or more of digital downloads in the U.S., surpassing Wal-Mart Store Inc., according to research firm NPD Group Inc.
Label Executives, managers and artists chafe against the iTunes policy that prevents them from selling an album only. iTunes, with few exceptions, requires that songs be made available separately. Consumers strongly prefer that, though Apple also typically offers a special price for buyers who purchase all the songs on an album.
Some artists see their albums as one piece of work, and don't want them dismantled. Their handlers believe they can make more by selling complete albums for $10 to $15.00 than by selling individual songs.
Irving Azoff (manager of the Eagles) says, "I'm underwhelmed by the number of sales I see on iTunes for the classic bands."
That sentiment was a factor in the Eagles' decision to sell their latest album, Long Road Out of Eden, only through Wal-Mart.
Shunning iTunescarries risks for the labels. Not only is it the biggest force in music sales, but keeping songs off the service could prompt listeners to look for illegal downloads instead. In addition, customers have demonstrated a clear preference for buying singles instead of entire albums. Only in few cases have record labels been able to boost album sales over those of individual songs.
Kid Rock's manager, Mr. Levitan, points out that if his client's album were sold the way iTunes wants, many of his 1.6 million U.S. album sales to date would instead have shown up as 99-cent downloads of the hit single "All Summer Long."
A Warner Music Group Spokesman, Will Tanous, calls removal of certain music from iTunes like Estelle's "American Boy" is a part of a broad range of digital-release strategies "uniquely tailored to each artist and their fan base in an effort to optimize revenues and promote long-term artist development.
In other cases, Mr. Tanous added, Warner has made songs or albums available exclusively on iTunes for certain periods, if that seemed a promising approach.
Since the beginning of 2006, only the Beatles have sold more "catalog" albums in the U.S. that AC/DC---also without licensing their music to iTunes. Among the six best-selling catalog artists during that period, the act that sold the most individual songs digitally--The Rolling Stones--sold the fewest albums, digital or physical. That is important because while the Stones' six million single tracks sold may seem impressive, they represent low-cost, low-profit transactions. Album sales, on the other hand, are much more profitable.
(The Wall Street Journal; Market Place Section, 8-29-08)
iTunes has been the runaway hit of the music business, selling more than five billion song downloads since it started five years ago. But a growing number of record companies are trying to steer clear of Apple Inc.'s behemoth music store, because they say selling single songs on iTunes in some cases is crimping overall music sales.
Kid Rock's Rock 'n Roll Jesus album was kept off iTunes' virtual shelves. It has nonetheless sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. since its release last year---a sizable number for the depressed music industry. Sales of the album have increased in 19 of the past 22 weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan, vaulting it to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 sales chart. After witnessing the album's performance, his label, Warner Music Group Corp.'s Atlantic Records, last week yanked an album by R&B singer Estelle from the iTunes Store, four months after it went on sale there---and the same week that one of its songs entered the top-10-selling tracks on Apple's download service.
... there is growing discomfort with the dominant role iTunes already plays: The store sells 90% or more of digital downloads in the U.S., surpassing Wal-Mart Store Inc., according to research firm NPD Group Inc.
Label Executives, managers and artists chafe against the iTunes policy that prevents them from selling an album only. iTunes, with few exceptions, requires that songs be made available separately. Consumers strongly prefer that, though Apple also typically offers a special price for buyers who purchase all the songs on an album.
Some artists see their albums as one piece of work, and don't want them dismantled. Their handlers believe they can make more by selling complete albums for $10 to $15.00 than by selling individual songs.
Irving Azoff (manager of the Eagles) says, "I'm underwhelmed by the number of sales I see on iTunes for the classic bands."
That sentiment was a factor in the Eagles' decision to sell their latest album, Long Road Out of Eden, only through Wal-Mart.
Shunning iTunescarries risks for the labels. Not only is it the biggest force in music sales, but keeping songs off the service could prompt listeners to look for illegal downloads instead. In addition, customers have demonstrated a clear preference for buying singles instead of entire albums. Only in few cases have record labels been able to boost album sales over those of individual songs.
Kid Rock's manager, Mr. Levitan, points out that if his client's album were sold the way iTunes wants, many of his 1.6 million U.S. album sales to date would instead have shown up as 99-cent downloads of the hit single "All Summer Long."
A Warner Music Group Spokesman, Will Tanous, calls removal of certain music from iTunes like Estelle's "American Boy" is a part of a broad range of digital-release strategies "uniquely tailored to each artist and their fan base in an effort to optimize revenues and promote long-term artist development.
In other cases, Mr. Tanous added, Warner has made songs or albums available exclusively on iTunes for certain periods, if that seemed a promising approach.
Since the beginning of 2006, only the Beatles have sold more "catalog" albums in the U.S. that AC/DC---also without licensing their music to iTunes. Among the six best-selling catalog artists during that period, the act that sold the most individual songs digitally--The Rolling Stones--sold the fewest albums, digital or physical. That is important because while the Stones' six million single tracks sold may seem impressive, they represent low-cost, low-profit transactions. Album sales, on the other hand, are much more profitable.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference
By: B. Brown (BREG)
http://www.breg1994.com/
It's amazing how when an individual and/or a group of individuals come together for the same cause and truly want something to be a success, positive results will occur!
Let me start with saying congratulations to Solo and his entire GA - Entertainment.com http://www.ga-entertainment.com/ Team! They did it again! The 2nd Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in Albany, GA went very well! Conference Attendees came from different places like Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Anniston, AL; etc. Students from Albany State University attended! A group of Job Corps students from the Southwest Georgia area came. It was a great atmosphere!
Big up's to several Artists that caught my attention during the Artist Showcase Saturday Night - Mayne Lyne (Pronounced Main Line), KJ Hines & another young man (I apologize, I have forgotten his name, but he is 17 yrs. old and he performed first. He's from Florida.) They rocked the show!
Now I have to say what's up to JaWar (Music Industry Connection), DJ Judgemental (Dirt Law Radio, Radio Mix-Show DJ & Official Drift City Records DJ) & Doug Davis (Cumulus Broadcasting)! As Guest Speakers, we were given the freedom to deliver positive, practical, powerful & essential information to the Conference Attendees and the informational theme on How to Make Money Online was received with open arms!
DJ Unk (Big Oomp Records/Koch) & DJ Jelly (Big Oomp Records, Radio Mix-Show DJ) came through. The Rich and Famous Models Blessed the stage! Congratulations to the Modeling Contest Winner Roxanne! I have to say what's up to the South Georgia Wildcats Dancers! http://www.southgawildcats.com/
Ozone Magazine, Urban Grind Magazine, StreetTalk Newspaper & SIR Magazine (Southeast Indy Report Mag.) were in the house!
Let me give a mad shout-out to Tom Swain (Celebrity Photographer) of Xtratainment, Kris Letlow (Cumulus Broadcasting) & Pookie (Urban South Entertainment) as well!
As you may tell, I enjoyed myself, but more importantly I am a part of a movement that is about education, productivity & success. I actually care about people and want people to succeed!
See you in October of 2008 for the next Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference!
http://www.radiomusicconference.com/ - 229.255.4016
One Love!
http://www.breg1994.com/
http://www.winbush-brown.successuniversity.com/
http://www.breg1994.com/
It's amazing how when an individual and/or a group of individuals come together for the same cause and truly want something to be a success, positive results will occur!
Let me start with saying congratulations to Solo and his entire GA - Entertainment.com http://www.ga-entertainment.com/ Team! They did it again! The 2nd Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in Albany, GA went very well! Conference Attendees came from different places like Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Anniston, AL; etc. Students from Albany State University attended! A group of Job Corps students from the Southwest Georgia area came. It was a great atmosphere!
Big up's to several Artists that caught my attention during the Artist Showcase Saturday Night - Mayne Lyne (Pronounced Main Line), KJ Hines & another young man (I apologize, I have forgotten his name, but he is 17 yrs. old and he performed first. He's from Florida.) They rocked the show!
Now I have to say what's up to JaWar (Music Industry Connection), DJ Judgemental (Dirt Law Radio, Radio Mix-Show DJ & Official Drift City Records DJ) & Doug Davis (Cumulus Broadcasting)! As Guest Speakers, we were given the freedom to deliver positive, practical, powerful & essential information to the Conference Attendees and the informational theme on How to Make Money Online was received with open arms!
DJ Unk (Big Oomp Records/Koch) & DJ Jelly (Big Oomp Records, Radio Mix-Show DJ) came through. The Rich and Famous Models Blessed the stage! Congratulations to the Modeling Contest Winner Roxanne! I have to say what's up to the South Georgia Wildcats Dancers! http://www.southgawildcats.com/
Ozone Magazine, Urban Grind Magazine, StreetTalk Newspaper & SIR Magazine (Southeast Indy Report Mag.) were in the house!
Let me give a mad shout-out to Tom Swain (Celebrity Photographer) of Xtratainment, Kris Letlow (Cumulus Broadcasting) & Pookie (Urban South Entertainment) as well!
As you may tell, I enjoyed myself, but more importantly I am a part of a movement that is about education, productivity & success. I actually care about people and want people to succeed!
See you in October of 2008 for the next Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference!
http://www.radiomusicconference.com/ - 229.255.4016
One Love!
http://www.breg1994.com/
http://www.winbush-brown.successuniversity.com/
Sunday, June 29, 2008
American Idol --- Is it still an option for stardom?
By: Joshua Alston (Vibe Magazine; pg. 31-34; May 2008)
American Idol creates music industry royalty. But with the finale of Idol's seventh (7th) season looming (David Cook won), labels are dropping past winners and the model is floundering. Are the days of pop reality show dominance dead?
On November 28, 2007, the word "failure" had its parameters reset. That Sunday, the previous week's record sales were released, revealing that Jive's self-titled debut album from 18-year-old Jordin Sparks, the sixth winner of American Idol, debuted at the bottom of Billboard's top 10 albums. Not only did Sparks' debut appear in the lowest first-week chart position of any idol winner, moving 119,000 copies, the album's total sales were the lowest in the show's history. In today's imploding music marketplace, a previously unknown artist selling 119,000 copies of their debut would be deemed a massive success. Though Sparks was previously unknown, she was also---at least in theory---the country's hottest new pop star.
When reality television began to boom, producers quickly realized that viewers were invested in how the contestants got there, the drama in the joys, creative meltdowns, and quiet backstabbing inherent to glamour professions. Idol, like Making The Band and others, was borne of this idea and the notion that cross-platform products---like a pop star and a television show---could sell each other. But after peaking with megastars like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson, the genre appears to be on the decline. In both television ratings and record sales, the relationship between show and artist has become increasingly lopsided.
Says Sharon Dastur (Program Director at N.Y.'s Z100 [WHTZ-FM]), "In the finals, American Idol winners always have that championship song, and back in the day, people asked, 'When are you going to play it?' But over the last four years, that hasn't been the case."
American Idol creates music industry royalty. But with the finale of Idol's seventh (7th) season looming (David Cook won), labels are dropping past winners and the model is floundering. Are the days of pop reality show dominance dead?
On November 28, 2007, the word "failure" had its parameters reset. That Sunday, the previous week's record sales were released, revealing that Jive's self-titled debut album from 18-year-old Jordin Sparks, the sixth winner of American Idol, debuted at the bottom of Billboard's top 10 albums. Not only did Sparks' debut appear in the lowest first-week chart position of any idol winner, moving 119,000 copies, the album's total sales were the lowest in the show's history. In today's imploding music marketplace, a previously unknown artist selling 119,000 copies of their debut would be deemed a massive success. Though Sparks was previously unknown, she was also---at least in theory---the country's hottest new pop star.
When reality television began to boom, producers quickly realized that viewers were invested in how the contestants got there, the drama in the joys, creative meltdowns, and quiet backstabbing inherent to glamour professions. Idol, like Making The Band and others, was borne of this idea and the notion that cross-platform products---like a pop star and a television show---could sell each other. But after peaking with megastars like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson, the genre appears to be on the decline. In both television ratings and record sales, the relationship between show and artist has become increasingly lopsided.
Says Sharon Dastur (Program Director at N.Y.'s Z100 [WHTZ-FM]), "In the finals, American Idol winners always have that championship song, and back in the day, people asked, 'When are you going to play it?' But over the last four years, that hasn't been the case."
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Searching the Web for the next big thing!
By: Marco R. della Cava (USA Today - Fri/Sat/Sun, May 30-June 1, 2008)
"There's a huge cultural change going on out there, The model of how people consume their entertainment is totally up in the air," says Jason Nadler of United Talent Agency.
That's not the only thing up for grabs. The foundation of Hollywood's dominance in pop culture and the entertainment industry is being threatened by the democratizing force of the internet, which posits that anyone with a snappy idea and a video camera can dish up features to the masses.
Network executives are busy signing deals with online content producers with a knack for wooing audiences with short attention spans.
There are some encouraging signs for the executives diving into an unpredictable world of entertainment fueled largely by the whims of twentysomethings:
- For companiesused to spending millions of dollars on talent and programs, the Web is a bargain on both fronts.
- For what you spend on one TV Pilot, you could do an endless online serial.
- The beauty of the Web is that you can easily test an idea and move on.
Although media companies of all types continue to wrestle with how to make money from the Web, money is flowing into that part of the entertainment industry at a time when TV and Film are finding it increasingly difficult to capture audiences. Online advertising spending is projected to double to $50 billion by 2012, according to forecasting group eMarketer.
"Ultimately, what will win out on the Web is story-driven content," says Michael Eisner (former Disney Chief).
"Online entertainment is as different from TV as TV is from film", says Brent Weinstein (former chief of United Talent Agency's Online Division).
Thoughts from an online content producer: "When we first started getting attention, people would say, 'Hey, you've got a great steppingstone into the world of real entertainment.' But from day 1, we never felt the internet was some sort of proving ground. It's a new platform, period!"
"There's a huge cultural change going on out there, The model of how people consume their entertainment is totally up in the air," says Jason Nadler of United Talent Agency.
That's not the only thing up for grabs. The foundation of Hollywood's dominance in pop culture and the entertainment industry is being threatened by the democratizing force of the internet, which posits that anyone with a snappy idea and a video camera can dish up features to the masses.
Network executives are busy signing deals with online content producers with a knack for wooing audiences with short attention spans.
There are some encouraging signs for the executives diving into an unpredictable world of entertainment fueled largely by the whims of twentysomethings:
- For companiesused to spending millions of dollars on talent and programs, the Web is a bargain on both fronts.
- For what you spend on one TV Pilot, you could do an endless online serial.
- The beauty of the Web is that you can easily test an idea and move on.
Although media companies of all types continue to wrestle with how to make money from the Web, money is flowing into that part of the entertainment industry at a time when TV and Film are finding it increasingly difficult to capture audiences. Online advertising spending is projected to double to $50 billion by 2012, according to forecasting group eMarketer.
"Ultimately, what will win out on the Web is story-driven content," says Michael Eisner (former Disney Chief).
"Online entertainment is as different from TV as TV is from film", says Brent Weinstein (former chief of United Talent Agency's Online Division).
Thoughts from an online content producer: "When we first started getting attention, people would say, 'Hey, you've got a great steppingstone into the world of real entertainment.' But from day 1, we never felt the internet was some sort of proving ground. It's a new platform, period!"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Raheem The Dream
Written by: pbrown (Atl's StreetTalk Newspaper - 2nd Qtr. 2008)
For most, a 3-month stay in intensive care after suffering a double aneurysm would have been a blow not to recover from. After signing one of his many deals, this particular one with Universal Music and Dem Franchize Boyz, and preparing to shoot the video for the hit single "White Tees", that is exactly what happened to Raheem the Dream about 3 1/2 years ago. And although many expected him not to survive, Raheem has been up and running for the last 2+ years, even securing the deal with Atlantic Records and DG Yola in 2005.
Releasing his first single in 1986, over 20 years ago, Raheem the Dream became one of the first southern black label oweners when he founded On Point Records in 1990 and released his first Album If U Don't Konw, U Betta Ask Somebody. Ten (10) years later, after a series of hot singles and albums, Raheem renamed his label, Tight 2 Def Records and entered into a joint venture agreement with Breakaway Entertainment where he released the hit song "The Most Beautiful Girl" and the acclaimed Tight 4 Life album. Although it is not commonly known, many of Atl's known artists had there professional start with Raheem, including Drama, Young Dro, Fabo, Dem Franchize Boys, DG Yola, Just 4 U, Ms. Neka and now very popular artist named Terrius Nash, who took on a very similar name to Raheem after leaving Tight 2 Def, and is now known as "The Dream". Not only had Raheem signed and worked with some of Atl's hottest artists, but also had ties to producers such as DJ Toomp, Shawty Redd, Cooly C and Red Money. With all those projects under his belt, Raheem still found time to author two really intensive and educational industry books, How to Get Paid from the Record Game and The Record Game Can Be a Dirty Game, which I will say I have read both, and they are great!
What's in the future for Raheem the Dream? Well he's putting his label, Tight 2 Def Records back in full gear signing new producer and artist, Ole-e from Albany, GA, who has produced for Field Mobb and now his own single "Like the Huxtables", and Raheem has been on the look out for fresh talent constantly, signing two hot artists out of Montgomery, AL --- Killa Kat & King South. He says you can definitely expect some blazing singles to come out of these artists, as well as his new Columbus, GA artist - Wish and Alabama native - Chryme as well as Male R&B Crooner D-Suave and Female R&B Singer Amanee.
Be on the lookout for Tight 2 Def Records in 2008, they definitely got something brewing for you! Keep doing you, Raheem the Dream, the streetz are talking!
For most, a 3-month stay in intensive care after suffering a double aneurysm would have been a blow not to recover from. After signing one of his many deals, this particular one with Universal Music and Dem Franchize Boyz, and preparing to shoot the video for the hit single "White Tees", that is exactly what happened to Raheem the Dream about 3 1/2 years ago. And although many expected him not to survive, Raheem has been up and running for the last 2+ years, even securing the deal with Atlantic Records and DG Yola in 2005.
Releasing his first single in 1986, over 20 years ago, Raheem the Dream became one of the first southern black label oweners when he founded On Point Records in 1990 and released his first Album If U Don't Konw, U Betta Ask Somebody. Ten (10) years later, after a series of hot singles and albums, Raheem renamed his label, Tight 2 Def Records and entered into a joint venture agreement with Breakaway Entertainment where he released the hit song "The Most Beautiful Girl" and the acclaimed Tight 4 Life album. Although it is not commonly known, many of Atl's known artists had there professional start with Raheem, including Drama, Young Dro, Fabo, Dem Franchize Boys, DG Yola, Just 4 U, Ms. Neka and now very popular artist named Terrius Nash, who took on a very similar name to Raheem after leaving Tight 2 Def, and is now known as "The Dream". Not only had Raheem signed and worked with some of Atl's hottest artists, but also had ties to producers such as DJ Toomp, Shawty Redd, Cooly C and Red Money. With all those projects under his belt, Raheem still found time to author two really intensive and educational industry books, How to Get Paid from the Record Game and The Record Game Can Be a Dirty Game, which I will say I have read both, and they are great!
What's in the future for Raheem the Dream? Well he's putting his label, Tight 2 Def Records back in full gear signing new producer and artist, Ole-e from Albany, GA, who has produced for Field Mobb and now his own single "Like the Huxtables", and Raheem has been on the look out for fresh talent constantly, signing two hot artists out of Montgomery, AL --- Killa Kat & King South. He says you can definitely expect some blazing singles to come out of these artists, as well as his new Columbus, GA artist - Wish and Alabama native - Chryme as well as Male R&B Crooner D-Suave and Female R&B Singer Amanee.
Be on the lookout for Tight 2 Def Records in 2008, they definitely got something brewing for you! Keep doing you, Raheem the Dream, the streetz are talking!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Damn, it feels good to be a Gangster!
By: Chris Norris (Blender, December 2007)
Now that you're so successful, do you still experience racism?
Jay - Z: Not openly. Money insulates you from things like that. You know, if people's kids love you, it's hard for them to say anything bad about you. But I'm aware of it, certainly.
On your new song "Ignorant Shit," you rap about Don Imus, who referred to the Rutgers female basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's." When that happened a lot of black leaders-Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, Oprah-squared off against hip-hop in general, trying to hold it accountable for such language. What did you think about that?
Jay - Z: I don't have a problem talking about censorship. If we're gonna talk about it with movies, if we're gonna talk aobut it with video games, if we're gonna talk about it with all the pornography sites that are bigger than hip-hop, then I'm cool with people talking about it with hip-hop. But to single out hip-hop and pull us into the ring with Don Imus, that's wrong. It wasn't dealing with the real issue. What Don Imus said was racist. It wasn't about censorship, and it wasn't about free speech. And it wasn't about rap's influence, because Don Imus is not influenced by rappers. He's not a fan of rap. I mean, he couldn't name Wu-Tang's first album.
As a label president, do you feel responsible for the lyrical content of your artists' music?
You have to look at the people who are making the music, and the areas that they come from. On the whole, you're talking about kids who are 17, 18 years old coming out of bad neighborhoods. They're angry, they have issues and they're not mature yet. You gotta let them grow. You can't control anybody's art.
What role did you play in engineering the sales battle between your artist Kanye West and 50 Cent?
I just championed it. Kanye had the idea, and I was like, "You sure? You know what this gonna entail. I mean, 50's a fierce competitor. You never know what could happen-you could get, like, eight diss records."
Why is hip-hop so full of one-hit wonders right now?
It's how people are conditioned to listen to music. Singles are 99 cents, and you break albums up on itunes-what do you expect?
Would you ever release a record the way Radiohead just did-put it on the internet on a pay-what-you-want basis?
I thought that was genius. That's a fantastic idea. You have to be in a position to do that, but I think it was a great idea.
What would you say your biggest strength is as a person?
I'd say I'm fearless about trying new things, putting myself out there.
And what do you consider your biggest weakness?
I expect people to know certain things. If you're my friend, you should know certain things, and I won't tell you, even though I should. Sometimes relationships deteriorate around me because I only address things when I'm upset. I shouldn't assume people know what I'm thinking.
At the end of a song on American Gangster you yell out, "It's just entertainment!" What do you mean by that?
It's my way of saying, "People, stop taking it so seriously-not everything rappers say is true to life." It's entertainment, too. If you can watch a movie and see Denzel as a character, you should be able to do the same when you're listening to rappers. I know we're always saying, "Keep it real." But for the most part [he laughs}-it's not true!
Now that you're so successful, do you still experience racism?
Jay - Z: Not openly. Money insulates you from things like that. You know, if people's kids love you, it's hard for them to say anything bad about you. But I'm aware of it, certainly.
On your new song "Ignorant Shit," you rap about Don Imus, who referred to the Rutgers female basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's." When that happened a lot of black leaders-Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, Oprah-squared off against hip-hop in general, trying to hold it accountable for such language. What did you think about that?
Jay - Z: I don't have a problem talking about censorship. If we're gonna talk about it with movies, if we're gonna talk aobut it with video games, if we're gonna talk about it with all the pornography sites that are bigger than hip-hop, then I'm cool with people talking about it with hip-hop. But to single out hip-hop and pull us into the ring with Don Imus, that's wrong. It wasn't dealing with the real issue. What Don Imus said was racist. It wasn't about censorship, and it wasn't about free speech. And it wasn't about rap's influence, because Don Imus is not influenced by rappers. He's not a fan of rap. I mean, he couldn't name Wu-Tang's first album.
As a label president, do you feel responsible for the lyrical content of your artists' music?
You have to look at the people who are making the music, and the areas that they come from. On the whole, you're talking about kids who are 17, 18 years old coming out of bad neighborhoods. They're angry, they have issues and they're not mature yet. You gotta let them grow. You can't control anybody's art.
What role did you play in engineering the sales battle between your artist Kanye West and 50 Cent?
I just championed it. Kanye had the idea, and I was like, "You sure? You know what this gonna entail. I mean, 50's a fierce competitor. You never know what could happen-you could get, like, eight diss records."
Why is hip-hop so full of one-hit wonders right now?
It's how people are conditioned to listen to music. Singles are 99 cents, and you break albums up on itunes-what do you expect?
Would you ever release a record the way Radiohead just did-put it on the internet on a pay-what-you-want basis?
I thought that was genius. That's a fantastic idea. You have to be in a position to do that, but I think it was a great idea.
What would you say your biggest strength is as a person?
I'd say I'm fearless about trying new things, putting myself out there.
And what do you consider your biggest weakness?
I expect people to know certain things. If you're my friend, you should know certain things, and I won't tell you, even though I should. Sometimes relationships deteriorate around me because I only address things when I'm upset. I shouldn't assume people know what I'm thinking.
At the end of a song on American Gangster you yell out, "It's just entertainment!" What do you mean by that?
It's my way of saying, "People, stop taking it so seriously-not everything rappers say is true to life." It's entertainment, too. If you can watch a movie and see Denzel as a character, you should be able to do the same when you're listening to rappers. I know we're always saying, "Keep it real." But for the most part [he laughs}-it's not true!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Art of Survival
Words by: Camilo Smith (Source; pg. 17; March 2008)
As record sales continue to plummet, the record industry adopts a new outlook. But is the plan viable?
O say the recording industry is hobbling is an understatement. It’s got a terminal disease that may have no cure. According to a recent New York Times article, Hip-Hop has been the most ailed. Sales continue to tumble, charting a more than 20% decline according to industry figures from 2005 to 2006. With things getting worse, record companies have had to look at different ways of doing business in the digital age.
Two possible solutions are gaining steam. On the distribution side, companies have begun to open their own digital stores and explore subscription based music services. Furthermore, the labels’s approach to contracting artists is changing into an artist’s recordings (both digital and physical), but also monies from touring, merchandise, publishing and other ventures the artist may take advantage of with assistance from the label.Traditionally, record companies have derived most of their bank from a chunk of CD sales. But with the plastic discs going out of style, other revenue streams have to open up for record labels to stay afloat. “itunes and Rhapsody is really killing them,” says Mickey “Memphitz” Wright, Jive Records’ VP of A&R. It appears that record labels are no longer sleeping on a digital future. “I say in about five to ten years CDs gonna be outta here, man.”
Wright has seen this play out with his own recent signees. Huey’s Jive debut didn’t come anywhere near his digital sales. “On ‘Pop, Lock and Drop It,’ we sold 2 million ringtones, only 300-some thousand albums.
In many ways, 360 deals act as an insurance policy for longer than a year or two, the initial investment made to promote and market the act is balanced by breaking bread on merchandising-like clothing line, or a TV show. Getting a cut of those types of ventures would have meant millions if the likes of multimedia megastar Will Smith or Mogul Jay-Z had once been signed – or would’ve signed – with this thinking. Now labels are banking on this becoming the new template.
“We’re never going to be able to sell as much music as we were ten years ago. But these artists are generating billions,” notes Aahmek Richards, formerly of Def Jam and current president of Trigger Happy Productions, a major music video producer. “Jay-Z alone – you know Rocawear, 40/40 Club, Reebok shoes – all these different opportunities actually came from him being an artist and having a successful music career. So now the labels are like , ‘Damn, we’re creating stars, but we’re not benefiting from it.”
As record sales continue to plummet, the record industry adopts a new outlook. But is the plan viable?
O say the recording industry is hobbling is an understatement. It’s got a terminal disease that may have no cure. According to a recent New York Times article, Hip-Hop has been the most ailed. Sales continue to tumble, charting a more than 20% decline according to industry figures from 2005 to 2006. With things getting worse, record companies have had to look at different ways of doing business in the digital age.
Two possible solutions are gaining steam. On the distribution side, companies have begun to open their own digital stores and explore subscription based music services. Furthermore, the labels’s approach to contracting artists is changing into an artist’s recordings (both digital and physical), but also monies from touring, merchandise, publishing and other ventures the artist may take advantage of with assistance from the label.Traditionally, record companies have derived most of their bank from a chunk of CD sales. But with the plastic discs going out of style, other revenue streams have to open up for record labels to stay afloat. “itunes and Rhapsody is really killing them,” says Mickey “Memphitz” Wright, Jive Records’ VP of A&R. It appears that record labels are no longer sleeping on a digital future. “I say in about five to ten years CDs gonna be outta here, man.”
Wright has seen this play out with his own recent signees. Huey’s Jive debut didn’t come anywhere near his digital sales. “On ‘Pop, Lock and Drop It,’ we sold 2 million ringtones, only 300-some thousand albums.
In many ways, 360 deals act as an insurance policy for longer than a year or two, the initial investment made to promote and market the act is balanced by breaking bread on merchandising-like clothing line, or a TV show. Getting a cut of those types of ventures would have meant millions if the likes of multimedia megastar Will Smith or Mogul Jay-Z had once been signed – or would’ve signed – with this thinking. Now labels are banking on this becoming the new template.
“We’re never going to be able to sell as much music as we were ten years ago. But these artists are generating billions,” notes Aahmek Richards, formerly of Def Jam and current president of Trigger Happy Productions, a major music video producer. “Jay-Z alone – you know Rocawear, 40/40 Club, Reebok shoes – all these different opportunities actually came from him being an artist and having a successful music career. So now the labels are like , ‘Damn, we’re creating stars, but we’re not benefiting from it.”
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
SUCCESS
By: B. Brown of BREG
SUCCESS --- The gaining of something desired, planned or attempted. The gaining of fame or prosperity. (From Webster's New Riverside University Dictionary)
Developing good habits to achieve success is critical.
1. Success does not necessarily mean that you are rich and famous. Think about doctors, lawyers, business owners, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, mechanics, policemen, etc.
2. Following the Faith that you believe in. Do on to others as you would have them do onto you.
3. Earn respect from others by giving respect.
4. Learn as much as you can about your particular Business. Do not take education for granted. Apply what you learn to daily operational activities.
5. Set goals! Essential to success. You have to be working towards something.
6. Effort --- Strive to do your best! Only you know if you have put forth your best effort. Effort is at least 50% of any endeavor. You would be amazed at how far maximum effort will take you. Combine effort & talent you can achieve phenomenal success!
7. Know the first thing you will be doing the next day before you go to sleep each night. Preparation. "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." --- Bobby Knight (Legendary Basketball Coach - *College Basketball's All-Time Wins Leader as a Coach)
SUCCESS --- The gaining of something desired, planned or attempted. The gaining of fame or prosperity. (From Webster's New Riverside University Dictionary)
Developing good habits to achieve success is critical.
1. Success does not necessarily mean that you are rich and famous. Think about doctors, lawyers, business owners, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, mechanics, policemen, etc.
2. Following the Faith that you believe in. Do on to others as you would have them do onto you.
3. Earn respect from others by giving respect.
4. Learn as much as you can about your particular Business. Do not take education for granted. Apply what you learn to daily operational activities.
5. Set goals! Essential to success. You have to be working towards something.
6. Effort --- Strive to do your best! Only you know if you have put forth your best effort. Effort is at least 50% of any endeavor. You would be amazed at how far maximum effort will take you. Combine effort & talent you can achieve phenomenal success!
7. Know the first thing you will be doing the next day before you go to sleep each night. Preparation. "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." --- Bobby Knight (Legendary Basketball Coach - *College Basketball's All-Time Wins Leader as a Coach)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Grammy Night 2008!!!
By: B. Brown of BREG
Grammy Night, Grammy Night, and Grammy Night!!! If you watched the 50th Grammy Awards Sunday Night, you saw a lot of great things and a lot of things that you may have not wanted to see.
I like the Grammy’s, but I would like to see more excitement. The performers that caught my attention were Carrie Underwood; Beyonce and Tina Turner; Alicia Keys; & Kanye West. That’s it. The Tributes are always cool, but the overall production was boring and hopefully next year they will spice it up!
Congratulations to the Atlanta, GA Native DJ Toomp a.k.a. Aldrin Davis for producing Kanye West’s “Good Life” which won Best Rap Song. Toomp is a true SWATS representer and is a born and raised Atlantan. Keep rising to the top!
I want to give a shout-out to T.I. a.k.a. Clifford Harris on his three (3) Nominations. He did not win any award, but I am still Praying for him and his situation.
Other Atlanta Natives that were Nominated include: OutKast, Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley and Shop Boyz. Congratulations!
I would also like to congratulate the many Atlanta Transplants that now call Atlanta Home. Big ups to Ludacris, Akon, Angie Stone, Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart, Keyshia Cole, Usher, etc.
Did you know that Barack Obama won a Grammy for Best Spoken-Word Album?
As diverse as our musical world is, we must continue to create music and songs that inspire. Our Award shows must also inspire and uplift so that the event is vibrant and fluid and enjoyable to watch.
One Love!
Grammy Night, Grammy Night, and Grammy Night!!! If you watched the 50th Grammy Awards Sunday Night, you saw a lot of great things and a lot of things that you may have not wanted to see.
I like the Grammy’s, but I would like to see more excitement. The performers that caught my attention were Carrie Underwood; Beyonce and Tina Turner; Alicia Keys; & Kanye West. That’s it. The Tributes are always cool, but the overall production was boring and hopefully next year they will spice it up!
Congratulations to the Atlanta, GA Native DJ Toomp a.k.a. Aldrin Davis for producing Kanye West’s “Good Life” which won Best Rap Song. Toomp is a true SWATS representer and is a born and raised Atlantan. Keep rising to the top!
I want to give a shout-out to T.I. a.k.a. Clifford Harris on his three (3) Nominations. He did not win any award, but I am still Praying for him and his situation.
Other Atlanta Natives that were Nominated include: OutKast, Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley and Shop Boyz. Congratulations!
I would also like to congratulate the many Atlanta Transplants that now call Atlanta Home. Big ups to Ludacris, Akon, Angie Stone, Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart, Keyshia Cole, Usher, etc.
Did you know that Barack Obama won a Grammy for Best Spoken-Word Album?
As diverse as our musical world is, we must continue to create music and songs that inspire. Our Award shows must also inspire and uplift so that the event is vibrant and fluid and enjoyable to watch.
One Love!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Going Digital!
By: K. Cannick (Makin' It Magazine)
Not too long ago the only way an artist had a chance of reaching a national audience was to get signed to one of the four major record labels. Even though the development of affordable DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) such as ProTools, Sonar and CoolEdit Pro gave independents the power to produce their own music, the problem of fulfillment still remained. Without a major record label to press, promote and distribute your music, you were still dead in the water.
In 1999 the music industry would forever be rocked by the effects of Napster. This simple peer to peer file sharing network was the first glimpse into this digital age in which we now reside. Widespread media coverage further promoted the service while popularizing the little know MP3 file format with the general public. Though Napster was eventually thwarted by the RIAA, a slew of others would step up to take its place including, audiogalaxy, Morpheus and bit torrent.
Where you once had competing digital audio formats such as Real Audio, Liquid Audio and WMA, the MP3 now reigns supreme. The MP3 has since become a part of everyday life. You can now play MP3's on car stereos, iPods, DVD players, PDA's, cell phones and many other consumer electronics. The widespread use and compatibility of the MP3 format has made it a popular medium for pirated music and illegal file sharing.
Though this may spell big trouble for the major labels, it has broken down the final barriers that restrained the reach of independent artists. MP3 files are portable, widely compatible and deliver near CD quality audio at small sizes. For the savvy artists Pressing, Distribution and Promotion are still a factor, but no longer a problem. Since the music is in a digital form you can distribute it to millions of people around the world easily without incurring the cost of pressing up all those copies. Utilizing sites like MySpace, Youtube and Friendster, any artist can easily carve out a nice niche for his music in this global marketplace.
Not too long ago the only way an artist had a chance of reaching a national audience was to get signed to one of the four major record labels. Even though the development of affordable DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) such as ProTools, Sonar and CoolEdit Pro gave independents the power to produce their own music, the problem of fulfillment still remained. Without a major record label to press, promote and distribute your music, you were still dead in the water.
In 1999 the music industry would forever be rocked by the effects of Napster. This simple peer to peer file sharing network was the first glimpse into this digital age in which we now reside. Widespread media coverage further promoted the service while popularizing the little know MP3 file format with the general public. Though Napster was eventually thwarted by the RIAA, a slew of others would step up to take its place including, audiogalaxy, Morpheus and bit torrent.
Where you once had competing digital audio formats such as Real Audio, Liquid Audio and WMA, the MP3 now reigns supreme. The MP3 has since become a part of everyday life. You can now play MP3's on car stereos, iPods, DVD players, PDA's, cell phones and many other consumer electronics. The widespread use and compatibility of the MP3 format has made it a popular medium for pirated music and illegal file sharing.
Though this may spell big trouble for the major labels, it has broken down the final barriers that restrained the reach of independent artists. MP3 files are portable, widely compatible and deliver near CD quality audio at small sizes. For the savvy artists Pressing, Distribution and Promotion are still a factor, but no longer a problem. Since the music is in a digital form you can distribute it to millions of people around the world easily without incurring the cost of pressing up all those copies. Utilizing sites like MySpace, Youtube and Friendster, any artist can easily carve out a nice niche for his music in this global marketplace.
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