Six Drinks And A Moment Of Truth: My Story…Sort Of
#SortOfTipsyMomentOfTruth: This is the thing indie artists. You hungry music makers who send me music to “bless”, music for “feedback”, music to “shop” to my contacts: I get it! I was once an aspiring recording artist as well! I’ve never told this “story,” but I was signed…3 times actually. Read More…
[VIDEO] Dizzy Wright Speaks On Being Discovered Through My Talent Search ‘Rip The Mic Tour’
Dizzy Wright has been on his indie grind since before anyone on the Internet new his name. He had made his mark in the Las Vegas hip-hop scene as a teen, winning awards and killing shows. I take no credit in his talent and achievements, he is simply naturally gifted. I appreciate he and his team recognizing the platform I created for indie artists where he was ultimately discovered by Funk Volume. These kind of success stories fuel what I do. Props to your continued success brotha. I’m honored to have been a small part of the growing legacy.
In 2009, I developed and launched Shiekh Music as the music promotion, music retail and artist support arm of leading urban streetwear and apparel retail chain, Shiekh Shoes. Under this new division of the company, I developed several programs to support independent artists and their music.
Some of the programs included the Shiekh Music Artist Program (general support of select independent/unsigned artists), The Shiekh Music Stage Tour (a multi-city concert series featuring independent artists) and the Shiekh Music Mixtape (a collaboration with Power 106 personalities DJ Carisma and Yesi Ortiz).
One of the biggest programs I created and produced was a talent search called Shiekh Music’s Rip The Mic Tour presented by Reebok and sponsored by Hip Hop Weekly, Yo! Promotions and Def Jam Records.
If You Build It, They Still Might Not Come: A Refresher On Releasing New Music
“If you build it, they will come” is a popular saying, but it does NOT apply to releasing new music.
You must do work. You must generate pre-release demand for your single or album. You must not only build it, you must leave the bread crumbs for “them” to come. Simply paying a digital distributor, such as TuneCore, to distribute your album to iTunes does not mean anyone will find you. Why? Well, for starters there are 28 MILLION tracks available for sale on iTunes (it would take 250+ years for someone to listen to every track in a “discovery” rampage). Secondly, unless you’re featured in iTunes editorial placements, a visitor does not know your music exists (if they’ve never hear of you). Making sure you actually have a single/album release plan is imperative. There is no cookie-cutter plan, but here are some tips…
Myspace Comes Back With Awesome Features For The Indie Artist
I just had a meeting with the folks at Myspace. Turns out, the platform is a feature-rich tool for indie artists to host and promote new music and videos, share and engage with fans, connect with other artists, and showcase content in cool new ways.
I know that was all vague, but I will write a thorough piece after this weekend. I’ve invited Myspace’s Sr. Director of Artist Relations to join me for the Social Media 101 panel at iStandard Producers’ Beat Camp. Get deats to attend at http://www.beatcampla.com.
Pandora Announces New CEO/President/Chairman…And He Doesn’t Have A Music Background
I’m writing this as I listen to my fav Ella Fitzgerald station on Pandora.
Pandora is arguably the #1 Internet radio company in the US. Every day millions of “free” streams set the mood for millions of “free” subscribers at work, in their car, or out in the public. Pandora — who has been at the forefront of a legislation proposal that could change the royalty rates it pays for the music it streams — recently announced a new executive change. Read More…
A&R 2.0 For The DIY Musician
FEATURED #MUSICHEAD: Richard Mills is a digital video and music artist based in the northwest. When not releasing his “RAM rants” reality-show style YouTube videos, Richard is actively recording hip-hop and electronic music for a currently untitled music project and exploring his interests in fashion. Website: http://www.RAMrants.com | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RAMrants | Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RAMrants (Want to be the next FEATURED #MUSICHEAD? Send me a message on my Facebook Page for consideration)
There is something in the industry we call A&R 2.0, and that is music tech platforms that allow unsigned artists to submit music to be reviewed by music industry professionals (often, label A&Rs) for feedback, placement (cover records), and possibly a record deal. There is typically a per transaction fee for some (Music Xray and Blaze Trax) or a subscription fee for others (Audio Rokit).
There are mixed feelings in the music industry about these type of platforms, but they do exist and more and more songwriters and artists are starting to use them. Read More…
Shopping And Music Discovery: A Resource For Indie Artists To Generate Exposure For Your Music In Retail Environments
Every month thousands of indie artists publish new music and videos to the Internet hoping to break through the clutter for the chance to generate exposure that reaches new listeners and gains new fans. Every month thousands of indie artists are reminded how difficult it is to earn the kind of exposure that reaches new listeners without the support and deep pockets of a major label.
Sure, there are some successes. There are dozens of indie artists buzzing on blogs and going viral on YouTube. There are dozens of artists generating hundreds to thousands of downloads. There are dozens of artists earning new followers every day. Unfortunately, the indie rock stars represent a small fraction of the indie artist community as a whole — an exception to the rule. Read More…
Dae Bogan of ChazBo Music presents “Social Media 101” panel w/ Director of Artist Relations of Myspace.com, Roslynn Cobarrubias AND President of SKEE.TV, Ryan Tomlinson at iStandard Producers’ Beat Camp
Dae Bogan of ChazBo Music will present and moderate the “Social Media 101” panel with guest co-panelists Roslynn Cobarrubias (Director of Artist Relations at Myspaceand Producer/Co-Host of Third Floor Radio at Skee 24/7) and Ryan Tomlinson (President of Skee.TV) at iStandard Producers Beat Camp at SAE Institute Los Angeles.
This event is open to the public. To view the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit www.beatcampla.com
Dae Bogan moderates panel “Networking & Brand Building” featuring GRAMMY Award Winning Producers The Midi Mafia at iStandard Producers’ Beat Camp
Dae Bogan will moderate the “Networking & Building Your Brand” w/ The Midi Mafia panel at iStandard Producers Beat Camp at SAE Institute Los Angeles on Saturday, September 14th.
This event is open to the public. To view the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit www.beatcampla.com
The Midi Mafia Bio:
Consisting of Brooklyn native Bruce Waynne and Canadian transplant Dirty Swift, this unlikely production duo shot to prominence during the summer of 2003 as their megasmash single “21 Questions” by 50 Cent was getting radio spins across the country. Sitting on top of the Billboard charts for weeks on end with their first placement as a duo offered Bruce and Swift a unique perspective on the benefits of teamwork and also validated their individual struggles in the cutthroat world of music and entertainment. Prior to having met inside a tiny attic studio in a Brooklyn neighborhood while working with the same artist, former indie rapper Bruce Waynne and ex-Canadian Champion DJ Dirty Swift were on seemingly parallel paths to success but both looking for the missing ingredient that would become their tipping point. Says Swift of their partnership, “we both do the same thing but we approach it from different perspectives and it allows us to focus on our strengths.” As the single “21 Questions” shot up the charts in the summer of 2003, it was clear they had found the magic formula they had both been striving to create and The MIDI Mafia was born. Read More…
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