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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!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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.
Friday, December 28, 2007
ICE T: POWER!!!
Interview by: The Wonder Twinz
Story Written by: MJ a.k.a. Manssa J. Lonardo
Ice was one of the first rappers to sign with a major label, Warner Brothers. "Since I was part of the first wave, the label allowed the music to stay raw. When "Cop Killer" came out, the majors got attacked and then censorship started becoming the new trend." Next, the labels started pushing artists that they felt would make good "selling music", mostly without a message. The next wave after that was more focused on underground music. However, when Cash Money got signed and got millions of dollars, that's when the majors decided that they would deal with the music, but on their terms only. That's when the singy-rap style came out and slowly started to dilute the music.
Ice believes that the internet has helped destroy the industry as well. Its an opinion that's backed with facts, considering that corporate giants like Tower Records are going out of business. "What was the last CD you bought at a record shop? The last CD I bought from a store was 'Fish Scale' by Ghostface. That was only because I was at a record store to find a sample for my album." The truth is that less and less people still go to stores to buy their music. We now live in a time where you can go on the internet and download or listen to your favorite artist for free. Plus you can download the album cover too and make it your screen saver. "Record sales are not what they used to be, the business has changed. That's why I have other investments and don't solely rely on album money."
That last sentence is like the victory lap of a true champion. The goal of every artist should be to invest in other outlets to secure a great future. "Now a days everyone is a rapper. We all have friends that are unsigned, but can rhyme really good. It's a big difference from when I started." Back then, you could count the total amount of Hip-Hop Artists with albums out on your hand and they each had their own sound. "Today everyone sounds the same and talks about the same subjects, there's no individuality. Hip-Hop, the Kulture, truly is dead. Even my wife Coco admits that when her and her friends listen to a rap song, they're captured by the catchy beat, not the lyrics. That's because most rappers just focus on sampling older songs and then knock out a new single within a couple of minutes. Where as real Emcee's take the time needed to sit down and write songs that can create change."
Story Written by: MJ a.k.a. Manssa J. Lonardo
Ice was one of the first rappers to sign with a major label, Warner Brothers. "Since I was part of the first wave, the label allowed the music to stay raw. When "Cop Killer" came out, the majors got attacked and then censorship started becoming the new trend." Next, the labels started pushing artists that they felt would make good "selling music", mostly without a message. The next wave after that was more focused on underground music. However, when Cash Money got signed and got millions of dollars, that's when the majors decided that they would deal with the music, but on their terms only. That's when the singy-rap style came out and slowly started to dilute the music.
Ice believes that the internet has helped destroy the industry as well. Its an opinion that's backed with facts, considering that corporate giants like Tower Records are going out of business. "What was the last CD you bought at a record shop? The last CD I bought from a store was 'Fish Scale' by Ghostface. That was only because I was at a record store to find a sample for my album." The truth is that less and less people still go to stores to buy their music. We now live in a time where you can go on the internet and download or listen to your favorite artist for free. Plus you can download the album cover too and make it your screen saver. "Record sales are not what they used to be, the business has changed. That's why I have other investments and don't solely rely on album money."
That last sentence is like the victory lap of a true champion. The goal of every artist should be to invest in other outlets to secure a great future. "Now a days everyone is a rapper. We all have friends that are unsigned, but can rhyme really good. It's a big difference from when I started." Back then, you could count the total amount of Hip-Hop Artists with albums out on your hand and they each had their own sound. "Today everyone sounds the same and talks about the same subjects, there's no individuality. Hip-Hop, the Kulture, truly is dead. Even my wife Coco admits that when her and her friends listen to a rap song, they're captured by the catchy beat, not the lyrics. That's because most rappers just focus on sampling older songs and then knock out a new single within a couple of minutes. Where as real Emcee's take the time needed to sit down and write songs that can create change."
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Multimillion Mobile Sales Made T-Pain a Superstar!
By: Antony Bruno
Billboard Musician's Guide to Touring & Promotion
"Buy U a Drank" is the best-selling mastertone of 2007, according to Nielsen RingScan, moving more than 2.3 million units year to date. That figure nearly doubles the very respectable 1.6 million digital downloads the same track has sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and completely dwarfs the 686,000 CD's that the album it supports-"Epiphany"-has moved since its debut June 23.
-5 Lessons of T-Pain's Ringtone Success- According to Jive Records Sr. VP of Digital Music, Jeff Dodes.
1. A Catchy Song
Ringtones are like audio versions of a concert T-shirt. They let fans proudly display the songs or artists they like. Therefore, the song that it's based on needs to be a hit. "I'll be the first to say, 'Credit our A&R guys and credit our promotion guys,'" Dodes says. "They're finding great artists who are making great records and getting exposure for it. We just do the rest."
2. The Right Hook
As great as the song may be, fans need to be able to hear it in a crowded room for it to work as a ringtone. Typically, higher-pitched notes work best. This is one reason why the theme song to "Halloween" remains popular. The synthesized vocal effects that T-Pain uses for many of his songs fit this requirement.
3. Relatable Lyrics
Madonna scored a ringtone hit last year with the song "Hung Up," which featured the line, "Ring, ring, ring goes the telephone," primarily because the words fit the situation of an incoming call. T-Pain's lyrics strike a chord with the club-going urban set who relate to songs about buying girls drinks and (apparently) falling for exotic dancers. "If there's something in the lyric that the consumer wants to say about themselves, it helps," Dodes says.
4. Work With The Operators
For all the hay labels like to make about selling ringtones to fans directly via the artist's Website or via marketing partners like Jamster, it's still the prime placement on the wireless operators' "What's Hot" menu on the phone that moves sales. Dodes says sales can increase 75% with such featured placement. Only 3% of sales from T-Pain's "Buy U a Drank" came from outside the carrier sales portal.
5. Exposure
If the song's not getting decent radio play, club spins or video impressions, it likely won't be a big-selling ringtone. That's why few artists write music solely to be used as ringtones. "If you don't know it and if it's not what everybody in the neighborhood knows, you're not really making that statement," Dodes says. "Who's going to buy a T-shirt for a band that nobody's heard of?"
Billboard Musician's Guide to Touring & Promotion
"Buy U a Drank" is the best-selling mastertone of 2007, according to Nielsen RingScan, moving more than 2.3 million units year to date. That figure nearly doubles the very respectable 1.6 million digital downloads the same track has sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and completely dwarfs the 686,000 CD's that the album it supports-"Epiphany"-has moved since its debut June 23.
-5 Lessons of T-Pain's Ringtone Success- According to Jive Records Sr. VP of Digital Music, Jeff Dodes.
1. A Catchy Song
Ringtones are like audio versions of a concert T-shirt. They let fans proudly display the songs or artists they like. Therefore, the song that it's based on needs to be a hit. "I'll be the first to say, 'Credit our A&R guys and credit our promotion guys,'" Dodes says. "They're finding great artists who are making great records and getting exposure for it. We just do the rest."
2. The Right Hook
As great as the song may be, fans need to be able to hear it in a crowded room for it to work as a ringtone. Typically, higher-pitched notes work best. This is one reason why the theme song to "Halloween" remains popular. The synthesized vocal effects that T-Pain uses for many of his songs fit this requirement.
3. Relatable Lyrics
Madonna scored a ringtone hit last year with the song "Hung Up," which featured the line, "Ring, ring, ring goes the telephone," primarily because the words fit the situation of an incoming call. T-Pain's lyrics strike a chord with the club-going urban set who relate to songs about buying girls drinks and (apparently) falling for exotic dancers. "If there's something in the lyric that the consumer wants to say about themselves, it helps," Dodes says.
4. Work With The Operators
For all the hay labels like to make about selling ringtones to fans directly via the artist's Website or via marketing partners like Jamster, it's still the prime placement on the wireless operators' "What's Hot" menu on the phone that moves sales. Dodes says sales can increase 75% with such featured placement. Only 3% of sales from T-Pain's "Buy U a Drank" came from outside the carrier sales portal.
5. Exposure
If the song's not getting decent radio play, club spins or video impressions, it likely won't be a big-selling ringtone. That's why few artists write music solely to be used as ringtones. "If you don't know it and if it's not what everybody in the neighborhood knows, you're not really making that statement," Dodes says. "Who's going to buy a T-shirt for a band that nobody's heard of?"
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