I must tell you that in these trying times in the music industry, I often wonder why some people make it and others do not. After I got to thinking about it I came up with one reason why this happens. And remember that this is from a MUSIC RETAILERS’ perspective so if you think I am wrong please feel free to hit me back and let me know. I like constructive criticism.
How many artist do you know right now that are “on their grind”? Everyone in the music industry has heard of them at least once and by now, they should be a hit. Right?
WRONG!!! These are what we like to call “Industry Artist.”
Industry Artist are well known in the music industry, but usually have NO FAN BASE. They spend so much time at the “right parties” with the “right people” trying to get the “right deal on the table.” I meet them all the time. At listening sessions, parties, concerts, and other industry functions. But when I ask a customer about them, NO ONE KNOWS WHO THEY ARE Then I think to myself…”Damn, didn’t they just tell me they had the hottest mixtape in streets right now?” I should have at least heard of them from one of my customers or other stores in that I speak to. I mean come on, I sell music to a descent portion of the students in the AUC that come from all over the USA and some real hard core ATL music fans. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR BUZZ???? I’ll tell you what happened to it…it’s stuck in the building that housed someone elses’ party, listening session, and a couple of record label offices. And it never reached the street.
And the term “street” is usually synonymous with “the hood.” But it does not have to be. The idea is to reach out to fans all over your city. Black folks, white folks, Asian folks, Hispanic folks; anywhere that there are people, there are potential fans. And you know what, FANS STILL BUY MUSIC.
I’ll tell you another thing. Industry artist will also spend a lot of time passing their new projects on to a group of folks that get stuff all the time and hardly ever have time to listen to anything you give them. And it’s not because they are brushing you off, they can actually really be busy. In addition I have to say this. After the first 25 whack cd’s you get, it’s hard to believe in #26, and anything beyond that you just assume is whack because that has been the standard thus far. So what if you were hot, and you were number 26???
After all that, I say get out there and do some leg work. Find your fans, kiss some babies and shake some hands. Do some promo shows, introduce your music to people in the same manor you would want people to introduce their music to you. Your big break might not happen over night and that’s ok. When people in the street here the right song from you it will catch and spread really fast. So be prepared. Just make sure that you don’t miss an opportunity to reach out to your potential fan base because you were too busy at the open bar.
Now for the music. When you do make that hit song, email it to me. Cause just like E-40 says on his new CD, that you probably did not buy, because like my big wig industry friend, you are still trying to figure out what’s going on with that top 20 cd you purchased…
I CAN SELL IT!
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