Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Beyonce Shares Her World
Beyonce shares with Harpers Bazar about her thought process on how to unveil the great news to the rest of the world. She also shares the news of up and coming maternity line with House Of Dereon! And shares marriage secrets. Check out this article and get closer to Bey! http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/cover/beyonces-baby-love-
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Music and Fashion Work Hand in Hand!
YMI and Letters Burning have teamed up for the “Rock Your School Tour.” YMI is a fashion jean line and Letters Burning is a band that has been involved with charities like Invisible Children and Stand Up for Kids. Both share the same target market, teens 15-25, and care about the well being of the youth of today. Through fashion and music they want to bring awareness for performing arts programs and promote positive and creative expressions to these teenagers (Lugo, 2011). The “Rock Your School Tour” will consist of a 40-show free concert in southern California performing at high schools. I think this is a very innovative idea that will truly get the attention of the “junior consumer.”
The cancelation of performing arts programs is becoming an epidemic to our youth today. “This venture will enable thousands of students to experience a free concert at no cost to the schools and will also expose fans to music and performing arts in a way they may not have had access to otherwise (Lugo, 2011).” I think this is a cool way to supplement the issue and will gain a lot of publicity. The Alternative Press magazine has also joined in with the whole tour in hopes to encourage these young people to join their own neighborhoods music scene.
The tour recently began on February 14th, the concerts will be held during the schools lunch hour. It will not only be a concert but after the music portion the teens be able to interact with the band and YMI. The teens will get the chance to take pictures with the band and win prizes from YMI and Alternative Press magazine. They can also go to YMI’s Facebook page to enter to win a prize package that consists of the bands merchandise and YMI merchandise, a subscription to the magazine, and a 500 dollar gift card.
This 40 show tour is a great way to reach out to less fortunate inner city teens that need an out let from they’re surroundings. I believe these teens need performing arts to show them a different way, a better way. I am happy YMI and Letters Burning are doing what they can to bring a better way for these teens.
Drake Jamieson, YMI EVP of marketing and licensing says it best “Music and fashion are two of the most important outlets through which teens express themselves. This high school tour is an opportunity for us to help inspire and motivate students to bring out their ‘inner rock star’ and get involved with the performing arts.”
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The fine line between “BALLIN” and Insanity!
Rapper Rick Ross celebrated his thirty-fifth birthday a couple weeks back at nightclub “King of Diamonds” located in his hometown of Miami. He made it “rain” money while performing on stage with close friends and manager Sean “Diddy” Combs. The reported amount of 1 million dollars was thrown to the crowd. It was also reported that a brinks truck pulled up halfway through the party to bring more money. In my opinion that is way beyond making it “rain” that’s more like a “tsunami!” In the hip-hop world this scene of throwing money would put him at the top of the Baller category. My question is, when is this form of show boating too much?
I believe this blatant waste of money is simply insane, especially since 9.4% of the United States is out of work. Just to give you a real picture of how many people 9.4% is, that is approximately 14.5 million out of work while he is wasting money (Statistics, 2011). I feel instead of him throwing that much he could of given a portion of that to some families in need while in these tough economical times. Miami is not all gilts and glamour and he knows that better than most.
I also feel there is nothing wrong with having fun but at what “cost?” In the past we have seen what blatant misuse of funds can do to rappers and entertainers period. Prime example would be MC Hammer, a rapper from the early 90’s, who spent money like he had an endless amount. MC Hammer filed for bankruptcy in 1996 when his debt became more than his cash flow in other words his assets. He was 13.7 million in debt but only had 9.6 million in assets (Johnson, 1996). When an artist spends money insanely, like Rick Ross throwing out ridiculous amounts, my mind is brought back to the downfall of MC Hammers and his wealth.
I just hope while Rick Ross is making it rain at clubs he is also having meetings with his business manager, accountant, financial planner, etc. His misuse shows he needs a whole team to keep him from plummeting to the same fate of MC Hammer.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Are You Free to Sing?
As musicians and writers we like to create freely without walking on eggshells to make sure our lyrics are politically correct. Well this wouldn’t be possible without organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The RIAA is a trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of major music companies (RIAA, 2011). In addition to supporting and promoting these major music companies, “the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies (RIAA, 2011).”
The state and federal law that gives us our creative say is the right for freedom of speech. Which hasn’t been tampered with like it was around ten years ago. Now that the RIAA watch these laws closely the federal legislators try to be slick and redefine the ratings of what is harmful for minors. So the RIAA works with the state legislators in all 50 states to make sure artist right to make music for the enjoyment of everyone is preserved. RIAA also works diligently to make sure those policy makers see the efforts the industry makes to provide information about the music that these minors are listening to be displayed for the parents understanding. Although RIAA takes these precautions there are still major issues that surface. The issues that are frequently brought up are concert ratings, sales to minors, community standards, and divestiture.
Minors are the target demographic for music because of their open mind and love for the art of sound. The RIAA understands and know this fact. The work they do is important for the music industry as a whole, from the C.E.O. of the record labels to the sound engineer in the studio. Without the dedication that the RIAA brings forth the music we listen to would be watered down melodies with no meaning. So the next time you as a musician and songwriter go to create thank the RIAA for your freedom being protected.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Turning Passion Into Success!
Kevin Liles started as an intern for def jam and in less than ten years he went on to become the President of the company but did not stop there. In this video he is giving insight about the class he will be co-lecturing with Jeffrey Rabhan at NYU as part of their Tisch Special Programs division titled “Making It In The Music Biz.” Mr. Liles starts off by saying that the “music business has always been great at a couple things. Finding the talent, nurturing the talent, marketing and promoting the talent.” He goes on to say although technology is king in today’s times the social networks and websites like YouTube cannot trump tradition. The traditional skills like finding, nurturing, and spending time with the talent (artist development) is and will always be important when bringing them to the market. Mr. Liles used a phrase that will forever be at the front of my mind while striving to make it and maintain in this competitive music business. “Prepare yourself to be a Global Music Executive!”
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| Kevin Liles "How To" book (Liles,2010) |
YouTube and other social networks may be taking over when it comes to finding the talent but bonding with the talent is something that will never be done over cyberspace. Mr. Liles shared that his passion and desire to succeed kept him going. He learned the business while living it and he may have bumped his head along the way but still triumphed. His perseverance and obvious humbleness is very motivating for me as an aspiring A&R. He may be one of the top entrepreneurs of his time but you can still see the drive in his eyes because this business is ever changing and one must be “ever changing” as he states in the video. He also says that he will be the canvas for the students by giving imminent foundation “where I think the music business is going” in the future.
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| Kevin Liles Management Company (Liles, 2011) |
I will always use his words at the end of the video for motivation and strength when I’m feeling defeated. “Life will throw you a lot of curve balls but you just have to stay focused on what you want to accomplish. I was really trying to succeed! No mater what is was in. I took my Passion and turned it into Success!” I will be successful and like I always say “I will make my Dreams my Reality!”
Kevin Liles and Jeffrey Rabhan
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Image or Talent? That is the question!
In the times of great record labels like Motown, Columbia, and Arista records, Berry Gordy and Clive Davis looked for talent first and developed the rest once the artist was signed. Record labels of today are so worried about the business side of things they find artist (or the lack there of) who’s image will produce sales.
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| Young Stevie Wonder ratw.com |
The main focus of pioneer record labels was to create an all around artist. They started with the talent because it’s about the music above everything else. These labels also cared about developing an artist that was a musician, performer, and a business professional. Motown would even go as far as giving their artist etiquette training. By creating a well-rounded artist the image would come naturally and they didn’t have to build a fan base around an un-natural image or “gimmick.” Clive Davis of Columbia records and Arista records was nick-named “Golden Ears” because of his talent to hear talent and make that person a super star like Whitney Houston in her prime. Showing talent is more important then Image Berry Gordy signed a young man with a handicap to his label, whose talent still wows audiences of today. Stevie Wonder is a blind man whom posses musical talent that trumps most artist of today with twenty-twenty vision. By signing artist with talent these labels have been able to obtain long gevity and produce acts with that same wonderful fate.
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| Young Whitney Houston wsj.com |
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| Lady Gaga smh.com |
Record labels of today are more concerned with image and gimmicks that will make money and not the talent of the artist they are producing. Artists today are more like puppets doing whatever to make a dollar for their puppet master. Now don’t get me wrong there are artist today that are still musically talented but they don’t get as much television or radio play as Lady Gaga or Nicki Manaj. The music business is strictly about business now and has little to do with music anymore. For instance Lady Gaga has mediocre vocal skills but because of her eccentric, eye popping gimmicky image she is always on the radio and television screen. Nicki Minaj is actually a talented writer and has a nice flow but you must peel back the layers of gimmicks and Barbie image to find the real artist.
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| Nicki Minaj mypinkfriday.com |
The question of image or talent is answered by what is played on the radio and the videos in rotation on television. Image is more important for sales but real music fans dearly miss the talent.
Sources:
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/01/26/whitney-houston-a-previously-unreleased-early-performance/
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Publicist? YES!
The use for a publicist is very pertinent for a music artist. A publicist does all behind the scene work for an artist to get the Media’s attention. They also determine the right places for the artist to be seen in that will reflect positively on the artist image. Also they give the artist some well-needed survival skills that will help them gain respect and have clients willing to work with them.
Getting the media’s attention
Artists have projects that need to be promoted and a publicist takes care of that with ease. Being a musical artist consist of album releases, videos for hit songs, performances on big and small stages, and not only tours but more. Publicists make sure the right people know about these projects so it can be communicated to the artists’ fans. Press releases are usually the first step to letting the media know of up coming projects.
Best places to be seen
Depending on the audience the artist is targeting; the publicist will research the right places for the artist to be seen. These places are not just physical places but also publications, Internet and television ads, blogs, and websites. For example the rapper Drake has a sprite commercial which is a great way to promote his music and the bubbly beverage. The publicist will also set up interviews for the artist to showcase their passion for whatever their working on. Although an artist maybe giving there own view of their projects there is still format to follow when being interviewed.
Interview survival skills
Although the artist shouldn’t practice so to were they sound like robots but they should be prepared so they sound confident in their answers. Sometimes publicists will give the artist a number of questions they should know the answer to, and have them get comfortable with the answers. Also with saying the right thing the artists must know how to say it and sale what they are talking about. When in the interview the artist needs to be advertising themselves and their projects. The artist also needs to speak clearly and credibly so the audience can understand what the artist is promoting.
Interview Help ASAP!
The perfect example of an artist that needs a publicists help with interview etiquette and skills is the rapper Walka Flaka.
His argument is that he wants to be himself and be real with his fans. My question is at what cost? By not representing yourself well as an artist you run the risk of looking just as unprepared as Walka Flaka Flame.
Sources:
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