Official, official ..... Caribbean Queen is now the official new queen of R&B. Soundscan, has announced that Rihanna's latest album Good Girl Gone Bad has passed Beyonce's B Day in terms of album sales.
Congrats to Riri.
Monday, September 29, 2008
RIHANNA IS NOW THE OFFICIAL NEW QUEEN OF R&B
Saturday, September 27, 2008
BASIC ELEMENTS FOR AN ARTIST TO KEEP CAREER GOING
Some basic elements an artist needs to keep her/his career going. If an artist does not have these, and she/he has talent the artist has a minimal chance of surviving as a performer.
a) PROMOTION - Even if an artist has talent she/he still has to CREATE A BUZZ. The audience has to know that you are out there, and that you have something to offer. You have to market yourself. Performing at clubs, community events, colleges are excellent ways for you to spread the word. If a few people hear and enjoy your music they will tell others and the word will spread (ain't nuttin like word-of-mouth). Always remember gigs allow fans and potential fans to do the promoting for you. The trick is getting people to your performances.
Think outside of the box, break away from the traditional methods: It is important to build an email list, create web pages, promote your shows and music, etc.
b) MANAGEMENT: I did not type damagement, remember Management. This person has to be TRUSTWORTHY and PASSIONATE about your work/music, as she/he is key to your success. She/he sets up your promotion. This person advises you on your career choices, makes your business decisions, helps with the preparation of your press kits and promotion tools and makes the calls to get you work.
Do not try to manage your career on your own, you need that time to be creative. Look for a good (trustworthy/passionate) manager then you will have two people (you/management) looking out for your success.
c) MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$: You (ARTIST) need to manage your money WISELY and REALISTICALLY. Do not go spending on clothes, jewelry, clubbing, drinking and supporting your entourage. When the money is finished the clothes are out of fashion, jewelry same, clubbing and drinking you can no longer participate and the entourage will be nowhere in site. They will be saying "hey fool, it was real, hi and bye, gotta go".
Remember signing to a label with a big advance makes an artist happy (too happy until reality strikes) This is only temporary. As soon as this money is gone, the artist's cash flow has to come from other sources. So you have to set up other ways and means of income streams. I am not talking about getting your boyz to do illegal things in the hood/ghetto/streets ok. I am talking BUSINESS. You can record an album for under a couple thousand dollars at good local studio, that is competitive with albums recorded in professional studios which will cost tens of thousands of dollars. You can sell the album for $10 each at your gigs, the entire amount is yours, if you sell a few hundred albums this way you have already broken even, and future sales means more money. Sell hats, t'shirts, posters, jackets, as well. Add that income with the money from doing gigs, and you are good to go.
d) CONTROL: Every serious artist that I have come across want to have control of their music, recordings, money and careers. Why not - I do not blame them. Won't you want the same. Well the major labels do not really allow this to happen, but times are changing. Artists are learning the BUSINESS and RISING UP against the record labels, not allowing this unfair treatment to breed. An artist is much better off controlling her/his own destiny, than handing it over to a large corporation who is struggling to survive in this music marketplace. Artists in no way should not have to give up all their rights to get their music made or promoted. Artist must remember that these record labels need them more than they the artist need them. (Ex. Aimee Mann, now calls the shots, Mann broke away from record labels - Epic, Geffen, Imago & Interscope, and has achieved new success.
e) ACCESS TO FANS: I used to live in the US Virgin Islands years ago. While promoting a said show, I asked a reggae artist to comply with a radio out door promotion, so the fans can see/hear ..... His reply was "who need fans, I need air conditioners" I thought how darn right rude. It was not a joke, he meant it. At that time the artist was building his house in JA and came to the island to perform. Believe me, if it wasn't for the fans coming to his shows and buying his music, he would not have been able to obtain what he has because music is all he knows and the only means of legal support for him. I am sure today he need fans. Where is this artist today?
Getting to the point.... Access to fans: Artists need access to their fans to become successful. Who really is more important than the people who SUPPORT YOU and BUY YOUR MUSIC, CONCERT TICKETS, and MERCHANDISE? Fans on the whole are looking for closer relationships with the artists they love. The popularity of artist fan clubs is growing just like in the 70's and 80's. Many artists have added fan club membership on their sites, to give paying members access to more than an average fan. These sites give fan members more than the average fan things like access concert ticket info. in their area, more music, special discounts, pictures etc. When an artist can do more for their fans, they will create lasting relationships and loyalty. Blogs, podcasts can also grow fan connections.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
ATTAIN THE ATTENTION OF A MAJOR LABEL OR D.I.Y
Everyday, I get asked how do I get signed, how do I become famous. I go further, I hear, I am a star, but yet I have never heard of them nor have I heard that individual have ever had a hit song. Then it never fails, can you be my manager. Ouch!
When, I decline the latter question - some may feel a way but the truth is I really do not have that time, my cup is filled. If I did take on all or half of those people it would be total chaos. Now, if I had the staff it would be different. Besides when looking for a Manager etc., an artist needs to find one who is passionate about their music and what they are trying to accomplish. (I will blog more later on this)
However, I will get to the point:
Again, artists believe that getting a label deal is the only way the can become successful. Wake Up! This is not so, and more and more artists especially in the American culture are starting to figure that out. My Caribbean Artist WAKE UP! To attain the attention of a major label, you need to possess certain qualities: TALENT, PERSONALITY, DRIVE, ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, A GREAT TOURING ITINERARY, A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, AND A STRONG DESIRE TO MAKE IT IN THE MUSIC.
Many artists (reggae artists I am speaking to you in particular) feel that they need to talk about themselves and music or go to studios and the Producers, Executive Producers or the A&R guys, will come and sweep them off of their feet. It does not work like that. Artists may feel that the qualities mention will also have these industry folks come and sweep them off of their feet, not realizing that they have already started their careers themselves. Once artists get those key elements going, you are on your way. I really do not understand why artists feel the need to give it all away to record companies after they have done all the hard work.
Read some A&R quotes for yourselves:
“I believe in the old adage that ‘real’ artists cannot be created by a record company, either you just ’have it’ or you don’t.”—Tara Griggs-Magee, Vice President, Verity Records
"Basically I listen to the songs looking for something compelling, hooky, lyrically touching, or universally appealing. Obviously having the raw talent to convey those special elements of the song is a MAJOR plus. The tremendous cost per artist of doing business these days has major labels looking to maximize their chance of success, which is why things are so “research” driven these days. An artist creating a story is much more likely to attract the serious attention of a major label in this climate, though true talent and apparent ‘hit’ songs still count for a lot.”—Leigh Lust, Director of A&R, Elektra Entertainment
“Nothing gets my attention faster than proven success. Many bands/artists show up with no experience at all. They are waiting for a record company to come along and make them famous. REAL artists/bands aren’t waiting on anyone. They’re out making noise. That’s what makes me take a second look.”—Dean Diehl, Reunion/Provident Music Group
“The one thing I always tell people when I’m asked or on panels, and it sounds flip, but it’s 1,000% true is: be amazing. If you are truly amazing, we will find you. There is no way U2, REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Josh Rouse, etc., etc. would not get signed. If you are doing something that stands out, you will get noticed—it doesn’t matter if you’re in NYC or in Bosnia. Once you’re noticed, what closes the deal for me is if you have a good infrastructure and if I’m not starting from scratch. It’s very hard to take a band from zero sales to 20k—50k. Ideally, the artist/band has a constituency and fan base and has maybe self-released a few records so they understand the business side a little. Basically, the more you bring to a label, the less the label can take from you.”—George Howard, A&R Manager, Rykodisc
QUOTES CAME FROM: Indiebiz.com, What Are A&R People Looking For? (Appendix 1), by David Hooper
Artists really don't need major record companies to become successful. If you read the quotes carefully you will see to get a label's attention, artists need to have already done a lot of the work. The position that I am in, I always hear the grumbles and the curse words - when record labels or distributors tell the artists that they have to do this and that and the artists get upset. Well it does not work that way. You as an artist(s) have to play your part and put your work in. There are some who have already done exactly that and have not even realized. On a daily basis when you read or listen to the entertainment media you are told that the record industry is in turmoil right now, which means the distribution options are opening up, and the ground is shifting under your feet, you the artist(s) are far better off trying to find a way to DO IT YOURSELF.
Songwriters, it is not much different for you either. You need to use the path to publishing. I will blog on this soon.
by: Michelle Arthurton
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