Does Real Hip Hop Exist

I often hear the term real hip hop come from the mouths of people in the street. I had to ask myself what does the term real hip hop mean? As we look at the over all hip hop culture, we have to ask what has happen to black music. I often wonder has the pop culture of Mc's sold out to white America and the corporations at large. Many people wonder what has happen to black music on every level not just hip hop i.e. (Jazz, R&B, Gospel etc.) No longer due artist put a message in the music that will left up the masses of people of color, the ones most affected by oppression of slavery.

Today hip hop music is saturated with bubble gum artist who are more interested in making money, then using the music to solve problems in the community. As I often look at TV programs like MTV and BET, I am embarrassed at the number of folks that act like clowns in order gain their fame and acceptance inside the industry. What is real hip hop that is the question? I think many people equate this term with giving something of real substance and not the tap dancing, bubble gum watered down music that we see on TV. Real hip hop in most cases doesn't exist, because the corporations control the image we see on TV. I wonder can anyone say what real hip hop is anymore.

A lot of artist soled out to gain corporate incentives from record companies. Many artists are getting more money and fame for selling their souls. Artist who had intentions of doing good in the hood got blocked by other artist, executives, A&R, and others in power who were not in favor of helping the black community raise to a better level of living etc. So the real question is who is at fault for the state of hip hop, and todays out put of black music. Is it the artist or the corporation?

New Music Industry Career

Every year hundreds of music business professionals lose their jobs. Some are laid off. Others are fired. The end result is the seasonal carnage that results in unemployment.

Many of those who are unceremoniously dismissed will encounter various obstacles in their search for new jobs such as age, race, and sex discrimination. Some will fair better than others due to their network of associates or nepotism. Some people will go on to become consultants. Others will start companies. Many if not most will leave the music industry altogether.

For those in the minority who really understand the business and see the big picture, they are faced with their most daunting task: re-inventing their jobs and finding ways to get paid doing it.

Enter Independent A&R into the equation.

Over the years, A&R (artist and repertoire) reps have been enigmatic figures that have been misrepresented and misunderstood because their roles vary so greatly from company to company. One fact is absolute: A&R reps employed by record companies act on behalf of the record company.

Historically, A&R reps would create songs for artists to record and perform. They were musicians and songwriters who helped find a home for goods songs with the appropriate artists, and they would also help artists get signed to labels that would be good homes to develop their careers in.

Then artists started writing their own songs. That's when the A&R professionals had to modify their job description. Now, it's industry consensus that A&R people do everything and nothing - often simultaneously. How can they? Or rather, how can they not? The artists that they endorse are often dropped in the blink of an eye when they don't generate enough revenue to make a profit for the label to which they are signed.

The argument of whether or not record companies will survive or become extinct like dinosaurs is tired and should be put to rest. Record companies - or companies functioning in a record company capacity -will always exist. What no longer can exist is prehistoric thinking (which is no doubt how dinosaurs used to think) that we take in our approach, as professionals, to doing business in the music industry.

We are now dealing with intangible commodities as our product in the music industry (music, which is an intellectual property, and talent, which is associated with brands). The new digital/wireless era that we live in allows us to strip away the fat (excess) and the BS (politics) that plague and undermine the business. What we will have left when the smoke clears are the very things that the music industry was founded on: music, talent, and entrepreneurship. This represents a golden opportunity for Independent A&R professionals.

Independent A&R professionals facilitate the commercial use of that music and talent as entrepreneurs. By facilitate I'm referring to the process of helping others find, and/or negotiate the use of, music and talent in any revenue generating capacity e.g. (licensing/performance/recording, etc.).

Most artists think of their success vertically, viewing it in terms of "levels" they are on, an Independent A&R professional looks at success horizontally; basing it on a multiplicity of income streams across multiple platforms.

For example, in representing my longtime client, producer Cori Jacobs, his core business is producing music. His productions have appeared in television shows and have been featured prominently in many films including Tupac's biopic, "Thug Angel" and most recently, Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married." He is also a musical director for the likes of Lauryn Hill and Malcolm Jamal Warner (yes, as in Theo from the Cosby Show). In addition, he collaborates with numerous songwriters and performs with his band, Clear Soul.

Each transaction related to the use of his music and talent(s) entail a business activity that requires professional attention and handling. I handle these business activities. From interfacing with clients seeking his services as a producer, to people who want to utilize his talent as a musical director, to the negotiation of licensing his songs for use in film and television; I instigate and execute all of these details.

While Independent A&R is a multi-tasking occupation, and there is overlap (as there is in practically every occupation in the music industry), and you do get paid on a commission basis, you are only engaged to handle the resulting business activities stemming from the commercial use of of your clients' music and talents; not to do hand-holding or talent development.

Perhaps most importantly, Independent A&R has helped me to find a purposeful and relevant place in the music industry that fully utilizes the depth of my experience and the breadth of my knowledge. By helping artists maximize the use of their talents and generate revenue with their songs, I've filled a void and found a niche in the process. Independent A&R can do the same for you.


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ONLINE MARKETING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BIZ

Online marketing is becoming a key component for anyone in the entertainment business. If you are slacking in the social networking game then you need to step your game up. Internet marketing brings together a number on things creativity, development, design, sales, promotions, and advertising. Effective Internet marketing requires a comprehensive strategy that energies a given company's business model and sales goals with its website function and appearance, focusing on its target market through proper choice of advertising type, media, and design. (Wikipedia 08)

Many don't understand SEO( Search Engine Optimization) and what it can do for your online presence. Models, rappers, fashion designers, actors, and actress should have a comprehensive way of marketing themselves. For example, everyone has a product or service that is needed you have to figure out how to put it into action to draw needed opportunities for ones self. A website is your first start to the online marketing arena GET YOUR OWN WEBSITE and start letting people know you are out here. You needed to place media along or into different markets and that what online marketing does. Videos, websites, banners, web 2.0, e-mail marketing, and social networking has to become part of your campaign to win online.

Jay Conrad Levinson on the Gureilla Marketing series books gives you a step by step guide to the use of the internet. I recommend you check out his books to involve yourself with the process of learning the internet. To all you Rappers, Models, Actors, Promoters, Singers, and executives etc. you have to look at the internet as a means to get information or products to the public fast.

So, take a moment Read Think PLAN EXECUTE

PEACE COOLWATER

www.coolwater101.com