THE "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SERIES" PART 8

DO YOU NEED A RECORD DEAL?

As always, I want to thank my readers for the support they have been showing for each and everyone of the blog post. To those who keep up with the "What you need to know about the music industry series", thank you for your questions. I hope the blogs are of use to you. I'm currently working on a series of blog post that will be for upcoming producers that will consist of several know producers, with the legendary "Billy Hume" being one of them.

The inspiration of today's blog came from question that was recently asked by one of our readers. The question was "am I wasting my time attempting to get a record deal". First lets take a look at what revolves around this question. On one end its people that say a record deal in this day and time is a waste. That its no need to have a record deal being that they will rape you for your commissions. Others are killing themselves to get a record deal. My opinion is this. Its no such thing as a good or bad record deal. A record deal is nothing more than sheets of paper. What matters is what's written on these sheets. And how do you determine what's written on the sheets...by negotiating. Contracts are contracts, its the negotiating that's either good or bad.

Lets take buying a car for example. You walk into the car dealer ship and there is a clean 2009 Lex going for 25k. The car dealer says to you "the car has every feature you asked for, the only problem is the transmission is shot". You decide to buy the Lex for all the features but get upset with the amount you have to spend on maintenance being that you just spent 25k to purchase this vehicle. Who's fault is this, yours or the car dealer? Exactly. You can't be upset with the car dealer. He did his job. He made profit off a car that no one else in the lot could sell. He waited for you. He knew that someone would come along and buy this car because it was a Lexus, regardless of the problems they may have with you. You can't blame anyone but yourself. Does that make sense?

Don't follow others. Its several things that you should be doing on your own before you even consider having a record deal. Most likely you can't achieve global or national exposure. If you could then this blog would not be of interest to you. The fact that you can't gain that exposure isn't a bad thing. This is what I'm saying. Allow yourself a 10 mile radius. Do everything in your power to control and lock down that 10 mile radius. Let that be your national or global market. Operate the same way that a record label would only on a smaller scale. Promote, network, do everything. Use the Internet to go outside of that radius, but that 10 miles should be where your profit comes from. As your profit increases, so should your radius. Follow me, its a method to my madness.

Now a record label is nothing more than a loan. Once you receive this deal you go in debit that day! The label is going to do less than a third of what they can do to make profit. They will spend 2 dollars to make 20, which makes perfect sense. What matters is what you walk in the door with. What can you offer the label other than talent? Talent is good, but keep in mind that its only a small portion of your product. There still has be a team to develop your image. Its another team that has to promote you. Along with that team is a team that has to figure out which market will be the most profitable for your product. Its the production of the product which accumulates another expense. So if you walk in the door with nothing, your asking this label to do everything. To make you a huge star and give you all the profits in return. Tell me one business that operates that way.

Its about what you walk in that door with. You have to exhaust every possible avenue before even getting a deal. I mean, you can get one before that but just know the outcome. So back to the question "do you need a record deal". If you can't gain national or global exposure to sell your product, then hell yes you need a deal. But labels are like any other corporate company. They want to put money in, not do work, and wait for the return. Back to the 10 mile radius. Now once you make enough noise trust me the labels will find you. By then your radius may have increased to 100 miles, if so then your profit has increased. You have proven to the labels that you can make profit off your product. You can negotiate now. You don't need them to create you. You have a fan base, your simply asking them to allow you the opportunity to use their tools and resources to increase your market...or radius. In return your willing to give them a percentage of the profits. How small or how large that percentage is depends on you.

So in closing, a record deal isn't bad. You just have to ask yourself a one thing before getting a record deal. Other than talent, what can you offer a label? You shouldn't be looking for a label to get you the success that you deserve. You shouldn't be searching for a record deal. Instead you should be looking for a business partner. That's what the label should be. Nothing more than a business partner who is providing you with the proper resources and tools to increase the profit or fan base that you already have. If you haven't conquered, or begin to conquer your 10 mile radius, then you have no power for negotiation. None!! And if you sign a record deal at this point you can only expect to get what they are willing to give, which is close to nothing. You just brought a beautiful Lexus with a horrible transmission.

-CASH-


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MARV'S "WTF NEWS OF THE MOMENT"

DANGER OF VH1's "FOR THE LOVE OF RAY J" ADMITS TO BEING A PROSTITUTE FOR 2 YEARS



YEAH IT FUCKED MY HEAD UP TO.


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WHAT HAPPEN TO HIP HOP??

What happen to hip hop? Did it die? Did it change? Was it reborn? What happen? In my opinion hip hop has went from a culture to a business. It has provided the unfortunate with success. Hip hop has went from an exciting battle of words in the park to an empire that provides for thousands. Did it die? HELL NO! Is it the hip hop we once knew? Again,...HELL NO!!

Hip hop was once a culture. It was how you dress. It was the way you spoke, the way you act. It was our way of life. To me that sense of culture has become a blur. Most artist have failed to be themselves, and instead comprise who they are for a hit record. I don't agree with the theory, but I do understand it. At the end of the day this is a business. Every business thrives off one thing and one thing only, "PROFIT". Even a non-profit organization has to generate some source of income to maintain its stability. So in that aspect the theory makes perfect sense, but what does it do to the culture of hip hop? And that, well that's where the change takes place.

Before I went to LA I had an idea of what it was like. I had a visual image of New York before I placed my feet on its concrete. Years before I relocated to Atlanta I was educated on the East, West, North, and Southside of the city. I saw candy paint and knew what "drank" was in Texas without being there. From each coast, each state, these artist made you feel as if you were there living the experience. You heard the passion in their voices. And their lyrics told a story that captured your attention. Today that feeling comes every so often.

Instead, so many artist have subject themselves to chasing the next hit. We have grown to expect nothing new from the majority of today's modern hip hop. If its not how much dope or money one has, its a new dance. If its not jewelery its hoes. Or, after millions of albums sold its a story of an artist screaming how he's still in the hood doing the same thing he been doing. HOW??? WHY?? YOU RICH, WTF YOU IN THE HOOD FOR?? Now again, as much as I hate to say it,... I don't agree but I understand. This is the business of selling records.

So what happen to hip hop....it evolved. It did exactly we wanted it to do. It expanded beyond its project buildings or ghetto slums and found its seat in corporate America. It found its way to fast food commercials, stadium seats, ipods, and pop charts. It evolved into our biggest dreams, a global empire. And its only passion and drive is to continue the sell albums at any cost.

And it wasn't the east coast, southeast, west coast, mid west, or dirty south that killed hip hop. Hip hop has yet to die. Its actually alive and well. It just made a business decision. It exchanged its culture for success and wealth. The question is......was it wrong, or what is right? Or better yet,...what do you think happen to hip hop? FEEL FREE TO RESPOND.

-CASH-

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GERMAN POP STAR GIVES MAN AIDS AND IS ARRESTED

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Photo Greetings for Orkut By BollywoodSARGAM.com

German Award Winning Pop star Nadja Benaissa of the girl group No Angels was arrested this past Saturday for infecting her partner with the HIV virus. It was reported that Benaissa neglected to inform her partner that she was HIV positive. If found guilty of the charges of "causing grievous bodily harm," Benaissa could face up to 10 years in prison.

I ask my readers to take this situation as social awareness. This can happen to anyone. Its your responsibility to protect yourself if your sexually active. WRAP IT UP!!!!

-MARV-

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THE "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SERIES" PART 7

WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOUSANDS TO INVEST? WHAT IF YOU ARE JUST A LOCAL ARTIST TRYING TO MAKE IT? WHAT DO YOU DO?

Before I start this blog, I want to say thank you to all the readers and viewers of this and all the blog series of "Marv & Cash Chatline". The responses to the blogs have been overwhelming. Your comments, messages,questions, have all been more than appreciated. Again thank you.

Today's topic is one that I think several of my readers can relate to. I want to address where the local independent artist should invest their budget. When I say budget, I'm not talking about those with 50 or 60k to spend on their project. Although there is a blog I will be releasing for you guys. Instead I'm referring to those who are using the extra 100 or 200 dollars they made from the overtime at work last week.

This blog is about knowing what to invest your money into. The first rule is to observe every situation. For example, music seminars. If a seminar does not apply to how you can improve your situation then don't attend!! What good will it do you to know what equipment needed to make new beats if you are an artist only? You understand? Now don't get me wrong, there are some great music seminars to attend that provide lots of valuable information. One is your local Recording Academy Chapter Meetings. They provide information that pertains to the current state of the music industry and what you need to do secure and protect your product. The information provided comes from a panel of people that have help sculpt and mold this industry and its progress. GREAT INFORMATION!!


Lets move on to performances. This can be good and bad. Most local artist can only use open mic venues to showcase their talent. All open mics aren't bad, some are great choices. Others may not be so good. Again, you have to look into these things. Break them down and see how much of a benefit it is to you. It normally cost about 10bucks as a cover charge and anywhere from 10 to 25 dollars as a performance fee. Lets say on average your looking at 25 dollars per performance. In a months time if your grinding 5 days a week your spending an estimate of 500 per month. That's not including drinks, gas, drinks, more drinks, drinks, and some more drinks..lol. Within a year of doing this, who has benefit more...you...or the promoters your spending with every night? Exactly.

Now I'm not knocking anyone's hustle, get your money by all means. But as an artist it so much more you can do with 500 dollars a month. Not even that much. For example instead of paying that 25 bucks to perform you may be better off buying a drink or two for the DJ and building a relationship with him. You won't perform that night, but you can have the DJ talk about your product and where to get it. Even better he may showcase your song a few times between performances. And if you do decide to perform at the event be sure that your performance is different from your peers. Not just in the performance itself. Instead pull the promoter to the side and pay little bit more for your performance that night. Don't compete, instead have them announce you or your group as the special performance for that night. Look important. And after your performance have a few females in the crowd collecting email address and handing your product out for free. This gives a much more powerful impact then being #3 on the list. Don't do it every night. Don't do it every week, but when you do it make sure that your presence is felt. Use the open mics to build relationships, to record and document your story, to build an email data base.

Next is local magazine advertisement. This is your press. It's not a bad thing. The key to it is how you invest your dollars. What you spend should make an impact to your fans and the magazine's viewers. Now if you have the money for XXL, Ozone, The Source, King, then just having your face in the mag is an impact. But if its local press why not pay a few bucks more...write up a great bio...and pay for a full page. Make it look like an interview, as if your just as important as those they have choose to interview. I would do this once every few months, instead of paying 100 bucks every month to share your page with 6 other adds or artist.

Next is all these quick profit organizations that claim they can get you a record deal. I haven't seen one yet. Not saying its not any out there, I just haven't seen them. Look, if you make enough noise then someone will hear you. You think Jeezy paid some organization 300 a month to get a deal? Nah, he sold 250,000 mixtapes and the labels noticed. Soljah Boy exploded on the Internet and Coli Park found him. As the saying goes "if you build it, they will come". Your money can go somewhere a lot more useful ya dig.

Last is an album. I'm not saying don't let that be your goal. I just think you should concentrate on completing one song first. That doesn't mean recording it at your boy crib. That means getting the song mix and mastered properly at a professional studio. That means having the song copy written. You will spend just as much recording 18 songs on a mixtape or album, that you may not sell. That one song is what your going to use to drive your traffic. That traffic turns to a fan base. The same fan base that would be willing to pay and come see your performance. And that will finance your album.

This blog was in response to a question asked by Shawn_788. I hope the information provided was useful to you and anyone who is reading. If there are any other questions I can be reached at the web addresses below this blog or you can simply comment the blog itself. As always, thank you guys for reading and be sure to visit all the Marv & Cash sites listed below.

-CASH-

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MARV'S "WTF NEWS OF THE MOMENT"

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THIS WAS YOU??!! I WOULD LOSE MY DAMN MIND!!!..LOL



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THE "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SERIES" PART 6

INTERNET KILLED THE ROCKSTAR

I know I started part 5 that way, but it just sounds so cool ya dig, plus it sets the tone for this blog. I know on part 5 we spoke about branding. I was suppose to talk about how to get your brand out. Well that isn't the exact topic, however the information can be applied to that.

The Internet has by far been one of the most bittersweet inventions of our time. To have the ability to transfer information from one place to the next in a matter of seconds is amazing. The Internet has been the source of information. There is nothing you can't find. INCLUDING FREE MUSIC AND VIDEO.

The horrible part of the Internet is just that. Its no information that you are not unable to obtain. This has nearly destroyed the music industry. Album sales haven't been this low in years, decades even.

Through all the turmoil, its not as bad as it seems. At one point in time you became someone in the music industry when you were untouchable. Your appearance was as big as a UFO sighting. Today that rule doesn't apply. Your fans need to know you on a personal basis, and the Internet is the best way to do it.

Its so many ways to reach your friends but the most popular are the following:
-MYSPACE.COM
-TWITTER.COM
-FACEBOOK.COM
-YOUTUBE.COM
-BLOGSPOT.COM

Each of these sites allow your fans to contact and talk to you personally. The first thing that you need to understand is that nobody is a fan. Instead they are friends. They expect to be treated as one. Reply to those who contact you. Depending on how many friends you have this may not be possible, and if not then let it be known. Post a bulletin letting them know how you feel and that you will respond the moment you can. Don't just leave them waiting, keep them in the loop.

My favorite has been Twitter. It gives me the opportunity to inform my fans of exactly what I'm doing at that very moment. Now to all my independent or upcoming artist, there is one thing I want to say. STOP KILLING YOURSELF TRYING TO GET THE CELEBS TO NOTICE OR BECOME YOUR FOLLOWERS!!! Concentrate on the consumers, those are the followers you want. Trust me, if you get thousands of followers the celebs will follow. Why? Because they want to know what you are doing so that they can be a part of it. And besides, they are your competition. How much help do you think they will give to you honestly?

The next is blogging. BLOG!! BLOG!! BLOG!! I can't stress that enough. This is your way of giving your fans, I'm sorry...friends, exactly what's on your mind. What subject to blog on, who cares just do it. Look at it as having a phone conversation. Half the time when you dial a number you have no idea what you are going to talk about, but when you hang up you've discuss 10 different topics by the time you hang up. Treat blogging the same. Inform you friends of what's on your mind.

If you don't have a youtube channel then something is wrong. Most artist want to be on TV. Well, this is your chance. Youtube is your own personal broadcasting network. What type of TV shows have dominated the past 10 years? Reality shows!! People love real life. Even better, people love real life that they can relate to. Give the world your story. Show them what you go through.

Facebook and Myspace go without saying. These are two of the largest social networks there are. Facebook is just reassuring those who know you what to look for or what to expect from you. Myspace is your own web page, demo, or whatever you want to call it. Have these friends visit your page. Keep them coming. A&R's no longer go through a pile of demos for the next hot thing. They go to Myspace. Let me break it down, its simple.

Millions of Myspace plays + Thousands of Twitter Followers + Hundreds of Youtube views = GOOD INVESTMENT

The key to the process is just as simple. Tie each of these in together and communicate with as many as your friends as possible, on a personal level. Aight that's it for tonight. I have to check my twitter, myspace, facebook, youtube, several blog sites, and emails. MARV & CASH WILL ALWAYS PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH!!

-CASH-

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YOU DECIDE

There are no destines, just decisions. Most are difficult, but the ones that are easy are usually the decisions that define who we are.


-CASH-


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MIKE VICK, PETA, OR DUB-YA?! (...a featured blog from a fellow blogger of mine)

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MARV'S TOP 5 OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK IS VERY PERSONAL SO I'LL JUST GET TO THE POINT. THESE ARE MY TOP 5 KING MAGAZINE COVERS THAT I SPEND LOTS OF ALONE TIME WITH WHEN I'M IN THE BATHROOM WITH THE DOOR LOCKED!!!

CHRISTINA MILIAN



ASHANTI



TILA TEQUILA



STACY "OH MY GOD" DASH



MISS MARV'S




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THE "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SERIES" PART 5

INTERNET KILLED THE ROCKSTAR. I thought it would be cool to start this blog off with that. The reason I choose the that title is because the first video to air on MTV was "Video Killed The Radio Star", by the British synthpop gruoup The Buggles. MTV was launched on August 1 1981, and that video made a statement that day. The statement was that it was a new era on the horizon. Things had begin to change.

As you know my blogs tend to ramble. So I suggest that you continue to read and everything will fall in place, now back to MTV. Before MTV you enjoyed your favorite artist by listening to them either on the radio or a good old cassette tape. MTV gave you the chance to see the emotion of songs. Artist began to create mini movies that explained their songs from start to end. As consumers, we grew to love it. It was perfect. And it didn't destroy radio, but it did put a dent in their pockets. It changed the way we viewed music.

The Internet has began to do the same thing. It has given us the ability to not only get music when we want it, but it has also given us the ability to personally know the artist we choose to be a fan to. We can track their every movement. We can obtain their music the second its recorded. We can see on twitter what they are doing at that very moment. We have been given the opportunity to welcome our consumers to join our everyday lives. This leads me to my current topic...BRANDING.

ARTIST ARE NOW EXTINCT!! The only thing left are brands. For example, the Nike brand. People trust in that little white check mark that's on the side of air force ones. We are willing to pay an extra 30 bucks for a solid shirt that has a Ralph Lauren Polo logo on it. If you close your eyes right now and say out loud "fast food" I guarantee the image in your mind will be either the McDonald's or burger king logo. You trust in these brands for the service they provide.

A close friend of mine by the name Heataman use to say to me "when it comes to chics, I don't really have game they just understand my story." That's branding. Once you have your product established the next step is telling the story behind the product. Allow your consumers to see the hard work it took to create what you are giving them. Give them the chance to respect your work just as much as you do. Use youtube as your own personal TV network. Show them the not only the success, but the disappointments the hard work the struggles, everything that was involved in making the product you are giving them. The best example I can give you is Day 26. We watch them go from a group of guys fighting for a spot on Bad Boy to becoming superstars. You not only purchased the album because you love the music, but because you were so happy for them. As Heataman would say...you understood their story.

Now along with branding yourself you have to ask "what will my brand stand for" this will determine what your consumers think of you. Whether its you being down to earth, or this cocky arrogant artist that feels the world should praise him/her, whatever it is that's what you need to be all the time. Everything about you needs to be a representation of that brand. For example you don't go to McDonald's for a five star meal do you? Of course you don't. You go there to get a bite to eat for cheap. And everything they do represents that. The dollar menu, a full combo meal for under 6 bucks, the drive through. That logo represents cheap, convenient, food. Therefore everything they do has to represent that. If McDonald's begin selling their combos for 80 bucks a plate they would go out of business the next day because that's not what they represent. That's not the brand they have created.

Make sure that your the expert for the service your brand provides. Your consumers depend on your expertise. When they see your logo or anything your brand may be affiliated with they expect one of two things. 1) A service or product even better than the last that they purchased from you or 2) to be taught to do what you do just as good. You have to be perfect at what you do, at what your brand stands for. There is no room for error. Here is an example. Lets say that your sick, extremely ill. Would you rather go to a doctor that has not only studied but mastered your illness and its cure? Or would you rather visit a doctor that knows little about the sickness you have and only makes an assumption of what the cure may be? My point exactly.

Now once your brand and its service is established, the next step is getting it to your consumers. Unfortunately its 6:15am and its becoming very difficult to keep my eyes open. In other words...I'M SLEEPY. So come back later this week and we'll discuss getting your brand out there. Deal? Alright, see you then.

Oh, but before I leave just want to plug something....MARV & CASH NEW MIXTAPE ALBUM COMING TO A DOWNLOAD NEAR YOU!!!!!

MARV & CASH MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE MIXTAPE ALBUM ALSO COMING TO DOWNLOAD NEAR YOU!!!

-CASH-

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MARV'S "WTF NEWS OF THE MOMENT"

TO MR BILLY HUME. I WANT YOU TO SEE WHAT YOUR MIXING, ENGINEERING, AND PRODUCING AT THE ZONE STUDIO HAS LED OUR WORLD TO!!!...LOL!!!

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