Sunday, December 25, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Day 2 first day of A3C Hip Hop Festival
The next day I'm in the hotel lobby patiently waiting to deal with my room situation. There was some sort of business convention going on so alot of people were checking in during this time, so I sat on a nearby sofa.
Across from me Malice from the Clipse is chilling in the cut, shades on until someone he was with walks through the entrance of the hotel and gestures him to follow him outside they get in a van and dip. Just like that it seemed like the cue for all the artists.well at least some of them staying at the hotel to come in.
More independent artists, and heads who worked on the business side of it first, such as ihiphop digital distribution and Reformatory records artists and its owner by the name of Big Mike.
They're based out of Chicago. I didn't get a chance to build with Big Mike until the 2nd day though. After they checked in, then in comes Duckdown Records Sean P. and all of the Beatminerz.A few other heads from Duck Down who I didn't recognize so I assumed they were management more than anything else.
I left and decided to come back later, I was starving and needed breakfast. The Festival Kicked off at 3pm so I had a little time to kill. Before I stepped out I took the elevator one floor below the lobby where the lame workout room was at.
Next to it was a room set aside for organizers of A3C where I met Deb, the mother of Brian Knott who is the founder of A3C. I introduced myself, and she tells me that the A3C shuttle bus is leaving at 2 Dope!I head up for breakfast and realize I gotta be quick about the shit because 2pm will be here before I know it.
I stop at the front desk before I return to my room. I speak to a manager.They tell me the person who told me that price of 475.00 was wrong, and my room will be honored at the price I was given for the entirety of my way which is 274.00 for 3 nights, alrite dope. I'm
good right?Nope! I made a mistake I used my debit instead of credit which means I have
to pay upon entering instead of check out on the last day of my stay.
That was my plan not realizing my card situation.My check from work was going to clear before my last day there and I had funds worked out til then.I couldn't use someone elses card unless they faxed over there info. It was 1:30pm shuttle at 2,alrite I can figure this shit out....I start calling friends and family( I hate asking for help). I was running out of options.
I finally get a hold of my aunt, she couldn't have me on the phone to long because her boss was near her,she'd have to talk later. I had to take my stuff with me out of my room and hop on the shuttle, I was out of a room, for now hopefully, and just had to hope at some point I'll have some good news. Until then it was time to take care of what I came here for. I get on the shuttle bus with all my luggage, back pack and suitcase It's about a 15 minute ride from the hotelIts sunny outside and feels like summerabout 70-75 degrees not to humid its just right. When we pull upto the Masquerade (the venue where A3C is happening) it looks like construction is being done to the place.
The outside of it reminds me of a haunted house once I walk around it you can see it turns into that especially around the back where the rocky dirt hill is at, Theres crucifixes with skeletons hanging from'emand the cardboard cutout of a body soon to be beheaded by a executioner with a scythe, sans head on victim where you put your own to make a stupid face for the benefit of flash digital photography.
Further towards the back, is one of the bigger stages outside with a gigantic banner atop it that says Ihiphop distribution. Now I usually have a good sense of the vibe a place has before I get to it. I gotta say, I didn't feel one bit of pretentious energy there. It was chill, and everyone was excited, and positive, about the event and atmosphere. I haven't felt that kinda of energy in a long ass time.
Trust me I welcomed it with open arms, and stepped up every chance to greet and connect with as many heads I could. A rewarding experience as an artist or just a fan of the music. Thats another thing there were fans there. Not just cats trying to get on, producers ,DJ's, or MCs. I mean people who just love the music, culture and traveled miles just to be apart of it.
In my mind I said "They still make y'all!?" The ratio was split like 75%fans 25% involved with the music in some capacity. A ton of bloggers there too The women there to, maaaaaan listen, I was really relieved to see so many chilled out females. I kept it business though I was on a mission to make the most of this shit, ya digs. Now one person I forgot to mention who I met there was a dude named Kit, a homie from Red Hook BK. He worked with the othervolunteers there and was pretty much in charge of 'em, we chopped it up a bit from time to time during 3days. I would say I was on my feet as much as he was and that was alot of hours. I slept a total of 7hrs that entire trip and didn't feel the effects of it til the last day.The Festivities kicked off a few minutes late, that was cool gave us early heads a chance to build for a bit.I attended the first panel of the day titled "Do for Self" the Independent Artist Panel, which was held in the Pro Audio Room . Now being an independent myself I was curious as to what the panelists had to say.
It was hosted by DJ Next, CEO of Amalgam Records. The panelists were Big Rec an independent hip-hop artist from Atlanta. Kevin Shine a 15yr veteran in the music biz, and A&R consultant to the senior VP of Jive Records. Malice From the Clipse, Backbone of The Dungeon Family, S.Reginald Williams BET Senior VP, Sal of DTP, and Jessica Estevez, blogger at I Heart Dilla. Everyone is introduced, the panel starts.
What are the benefits of going the independent route?
The downfalls of being independent.
S.Reginald Williams -says its the best time to be an independent. however with that freedom comes responsibility...The infrastructure of a record label does all the work for you.
*on a sidenote, many bloggers were in the audience and I heard lots of them overtalking about how artists should never tweet them links they wont click on them. They will block you and treat your tweets as spam. Back to our regular scheduled program.
You must recognize your strengths- which is your music-stay true to your craft. Pick out people an infrastructure of 4 or 5 people can build and break an artist.
Kevin Shine-A key point build your rapor with your community. Whatever your community maybe. Dissect the biz before your art what are you doing to establish your company? follow the entreprenuer, study him/her.
Your not just doing records what kind of #'s are you driving to your brand?
Always a subject of interest at gatherings like these, is what makes you different? Millions are applying for your job, how do you stand out?
one needs a system, a method, a team behind you, not one where each individual has there own "agenda".
Avoid rainmaker schemes where a publicist would get paid as a manager would. A publicist usually takes a monthly fee. A manager would take a percentage of an artists gross income. Not one in the same.
Don't be afraid to give out free music. Find what works for you when applying this method of connecting with fans. Hit small markets not the big shows. Raise funds start a fundraiser. Have a tight presentation when looking for sponsorship.
Pay attention to where the money is going, where are the people spending your money?
That pretty much concluded the panel, and that also concludes this post. Stay tuned for more posts on A3C, part 2 of Day 1. Peace!
Across from me Malice from the Clipse is chilling in the cut, shades on until someone he was with walks through the entrance of the hotel and gestures him to follow him outside they get in a van and dip. Just like that it seemed like the cue for all the artists.well at least some of them staying at the hotel to come in.
More independent artists, and heads who worked on the business side of it first, such as ihiphop digital distribution and Reformatory records artists and its owner by the name of Big Mike.
They're based out of Chicago. I didn't get a chance to build with Big Mike until the 2nd day though. After they checked in, then in comes Duckdown Records Sean P. and all of the Beatminerz.A few other heads from Duck Down who I didn't recognize so I assumed they were management more than anything else.
I left and decided to come back later, I was starving and needed breakfast. The Festival Kicked off at 3pm so I had a little time to kill. Before I stepped out I took the elevator one floor below the lobby where the lame workout room was at.
Next to it was a room set aside for organizers of A3C where I met Deb, the mother of Brian Knott who is the founder of A3C. I introduced myself, and she tells me that the A3C shuttle bus is leaving at 2 Dope!I head up for breakfast and realize I gotta be quick about the shit because 2pm will be here before I know it.
I stop at the front desk before I return to my room. I speak to a manager.They tell me the person who told me that price of 475.00 was wrong, and my room will be honored at the price I was given for the entirety of my way which is 274.00 for 3 nights, alrite dope. I'm
good right?Nope! I made a mistake I used my debit instead of credit which means I have
to pay upon entering instead of check out on the last day of my stay.
That was my plan not realizing my card situation.My check from work was going to clear before my last day there and I had funds worked out til then.I couldn't use someone elses card unless they faxed over there info. It was 1:30pm shuttle at 2,alrite I can figure this shit out....I start calling friends and family( I hate asking for help). I was running out of options.
I finally get a hold of my aunt, she couldn't have me on the phone to long because her boss was near her,she'd have to talk later. I had to take my stuff with me out of my room and hop on the shuttle, I was out of a room, for now hopefully, and just had to hope at some point I'll have some good news. Until then it was time to take care of what I came here for. I get on the shuttle bus with all my luggage, back pack and suitcase It's about a 15 minute ride from the hotelIts sunny outside and feels like summerabout 70-75 degrees not to humid its just right. When we pull upto the Masquerade (the venue where A3C is happening) it looks like construction is being done to the place.
The outside of it reminds me of a haunted house once I walk around it you can see it turns into that especially around the back where the rocky dirt hill is at, Theres crucifixes with skeletons hanging from'emand the cardboard cutout of a body soon to be beheaded by a executioner with a scythe, sans head on victim where you put your own to make a stupid face for the benefit of flash digital photography.
Further towards the back, is one of the bigger stages outside with a gigantic banner atop it that says Ihiphop distribution. Now I usually have a good sense of the vibe a place has before I get to it. I gotta say, I didn't feel one bit of pretentious energy there. It was chill, and everyone was excited, and positive, about the event and atmosphere. I haven't felt that kinda of energy in a long ass time.
Trust me I welcomed it with open arms, and stepped up every chance to greet and connect with as many heads I could. A rewarding experience as an artist or just a fan of the music. Thats another thing there were fans there. Not just cats trying to get on, producers ,DJ's, or MCs. I mean people who just love the music, culture and traveled miles just to be apart of it.
In my mind I said "They still make y'all!?" The ratio was split like 75%fans 25% involved with the music in some capacity. A ton of bloggers there too The women there to, maaaaaan listen, I was really relieved to see so many chilled out females. I kept it business though I was on a mission to make the most of this shit, ya digs. Now one person I forgot to mention who I met there was a dude named Kit, a homie from Red Hook BK. He worked with the othervolunteers there and was pretty much in charge of 'em, we chopped it up a bit from time to time during 3days. I would say I was on my feet as much as he was and that was alot of hours. I slept a total of 7hrs that entire trip and didn't feel the effects of it til the last day.The Festivities kicked off a few minutes late, that was cool gave us early heads a chance to build for a bit.I attended the first panel of the day titled "Do for Self" the Independent Artist Panel, which was held in the Pro Audio Room . Now being an independent myself I was curious as to what the panelists had to say.
It was hosted by DJ Next, CEO of Amalgam Records. The panelists were Big Rec an independent hip-hop artist from Atlanta. Kevin Shine a 15yr veteran in the music biz, and A&R consultant to the senior VP of Jive Records. Malice From the Clipse, Backbone of The Dungeon Family, S.Reginald Williams BET Senior VP, Sal of DTP, and Jessica Estevez, blogger at I Heart Dilla. Everyone is introduced, the panel starts.
What are the benefits of going the independent route?
- Complete ownership of your masters and creative control over the message you convey leaving it uncompromised.
- Full retention of monies your movement makes.
- Your not an artist, but a brand. Make your brand relevant and know the landscape of your core audience.
- They become your street team, through word of mouth.
- You must become a trademark and become a business, its not about a hit record.
- Run your business like a 360 deal. Your either going national or international or non at all.
The downfalls of being independent.
- Because your not associated with the coolest brands, your brand is isolated.
- Now if more artists thought of things in the sense of mergers rather than acquisitions then things would spread faster as oppossed everyman for himself, which is what it turns into 99% of the time, and things stay regional that way.
S.Reginald Williams -says its the best time to be an independent. however with that freedom comes responsibility...The infrastructure of a record label does all the work for you.
*on a sidenote, many bloggers were in the audience and I heard lots of them overtalking about how artists should never tweet them links they wont click on them. They will block you and treat your tweets as spam. Back to our regular scheduled program.
You must recognize your strengths- which is your music-stay true to your craft. Pick out people an infrastructure of 4 or 5 people can build and break an artist.
Kevin Shine-A key point build your rapor with your community. Whatever your community maybe. Dissect the biz before your art what are you doing to establish your company? follow the entreprenuer, study him/her.
Your not just doing records what kind of #'s are you driving to your brand?
Always a subject of interest at gatherings like these, is what makes you different? Millions are applying for your job, how do you stand out?
one needs a system, a method, a team behind you, not one where each individual has there own "agenda".
Avoid rainmaker schemes where a publicist would get paid as a manager would. A publicist usually takes a monthly fee. A manager would take a percentage of an artists gross income. Not one in the same.
Don't be afraid to give out free music. Find what works for you when applying this method of connecting with fans. Hit small markets not the big shows. Raise funds start a fundraiser. Have a tight presentation when looking for sponsorship.
Pay attention to where the money is going, where are the people spending your money?
That pretty much concluded the panel, and that also concludes this post. Stay tuned for more posts on A3C, part 2 of Day 1. Peace!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 1 of my trip to ATL for the A3C Hiphop Festival
My trip started when I left from laguardia airport Wednesday afternoon to arrive in Atlanta Hartsfield International airport at 3:52pm. Now A3C starts on Oct. 6th, but I flew in early to meet up with a homie of mines I haven't seen in years. THE PLAN WAS to crash at his crib for the night, then head to the hotel the next day. Well that didn't workout to well to say the least. Long story short I ended up taking a shuttle bus to the hotel which cost me $16.50, I was a little frustrated by the fact that things hadn't gone according to plan and didn't think to look for a bus that would've dropped me close to the hotel, that would've taken some extra time but saved me that $16.50 in the long run. Lesson learned. Moving on.
As I get on the shuttle I sit in the back next to this fine blonde chick dressed very business like, I assume shes in town on business by the looks of things. The one thing I couldn't get my eye off of was the rocks on her hands, I was like shit! Whose unloading their bank account on you? One in particular was this giant oval shaped emerald surrounded by platinum on the pinky of her left hand.
We get to talking about why where both in Atlanta, about music, etc., passing the time. I say to her, I really like your ring. She says thank you! My 5yr old son bought for me. I paused for a moment, then said what!? She said yeah he just went into the store for mommy and bought it. She may have meant she or her husband bought it and the son picked it out, but damn talk about schooling them young.The shuttle bus arrives at the Atlanta Days Inn on 300 Spring St., we exchange business cards and shake hands. Her palms were mad sweaty, hahaha. Details right. As for her job, shes a manager of a sales team pitching green energy like turbines and such to companies and developers.
I get out, and check in. Now because I'm a day early,and plans didn't go right, I have to pay for an extra night which is making me tight. Then I get told my rate for my room has gone up for my 3 day stay up to $475.00. I'm bugging out at this point. What you have to understand is I was given way lower rates than that by A3C for passes, flights, and hotel. Cutting my costs by half. Atlanta Days Inn was clearly fucking up and wasn't trying to fix it either. Can you say being tested? I told them I would pay for the night and resolve the issue with my room in the morning. I needed a moment to think and clear my head.
Heading towards my room on the fourth floor, room 422 to be exact. I run into this dude and his girlfriend they say whats up and ask if I'm from N.Y.. Now this is the hotel where most of the artists are supposed to be staying. He asks me if I'm here for A3C and tells me he rhymes and produces. He says he made the beat/song "Party Like a Rockstar" that was a big hit in 2007 from a group called the "Shop Boyz".
Now I looked up the Shop Boyz and the Producers of the track before I wrote this blog, and he doesn't look like any of them! Now for the life of me I don't remember his name. Either he got his music stolen from him, or hes lying for no damn reason! I wouldn't be surprised I've heard worse. Why the "Shop Boyz" though? Anyway at the time we shared a few flows, exchanged info, and kept it moving. I hit up the Hard Rock Cafe down by Peachtree St. for some grub and my waiter looks like Pharaoh Monch to the "T". Sad to say I don't have footage or photos of that. That comes later during my blogging of the actual A3C event. It must've been close to 12:30am and ATL was getting quiet 'cept for a few after hour spots. I walked around for a bit then decided to head back to the hotel. I made my plans for the following day getting hype for the festival and also whatever bullshit the Days Inn was going to throw at me in the morning.
As I get on the shuttle I sit in the back next to this fine blonde chick dressed very business like, I assume shes in town on business by the looks of things. The one thing I couldn't get my eye off of was the rocks on her hands, I was like shit! Whose unloading their bank account on you? One in particular was this giant oval shaped emerald surrounded by platinum on the pinky of her left hand.
We get to talking about why where both in Atlanta, about music, etc., passing the time. I say to her, I really like your ring. She says thank you! My 5yr old son bought for me. I paused for a moment, then said what!? She said yeah he just went into the store for mommy and bought it. She may have meant she or her husband bought it and the son picked it out, but damn talk about schooling them young.The shuttle bus arrives at the Atlanta Days Inn on 300 Spring St., we exchange business cards and shake hands. Her palms were mad sweaty, hahaha. Details right. As for her job, shes a manager of a sales team pitching green energy like turbines and such to companies and developers.
I get out, and check in. Now because I'm a day early,and plans didn't go right, I have to pay for an extra night which is making me tight. Then I get told my rate for my room has gone up for my 3 day stay up to $475.00. I'm bugging out at this point. What you have to understand is I was given way lower rates than that by A3C for passes, flights, and hotel. Cutting my costs by half. Atlanta Days Inn was clearly fucking up and wasn't trying to fix it either. Can you say being tested? I told them I would pay for the night and resolve the issue with my room in the morning. I needed a moment to think and clear my head.
Heading towards my room on the fourth floor, room 422 to be exact. I run into this dude and his girlfriend they say whats up and ask if I'm from N.Y.. Now this is the hotel where most of the artists are supposed to be staying. He asks me if I'm here for A3C and tells me he rhymes and produces. He says he made the beat/song "Party Like a Rockstar" that was a big hit in 2007 from a group called the "Shop Boyz".
Now I looked up the Shop Boyz and the Producers of the track before I wrote this blog, and he doesn't look like any of them! Now for the life of me I don't remember his name. Either he got his music stolen from him, or hes lying for no damn reason! I wouldn't be surprised I've heard worse. Why the "Shop Boyz" though? Anyway at the time we shared a few flows, exchanged info, and kept it moving. I hit up the Hard Rock Cafe down by Peachtree St. for some grub and my waiter looks like Pharaoh Monch to the "T". Sad to say I don't have footage or photos of that. That comes later during my blogging of the actual A3C event. It must've been close to 12:30am and ATL was getting quiet 'cept for a few after hour spots. I walked around for a bit then decided to head back to the hotel. I made my plans for the following day getting hype for the festival and also whatever bullshit the Days Inn was going to throw at me in the morning.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Behind the scenes
If anything happens to the website, label, artists, etc., this is the place where you come to find the answers to all of that. Consider this an insider newspaper to 8th Rank Records.
Enrae L. Mercer "Super King Armor"
CEO/Founder @ 8th Rank Records
http://www.8thrankrecords.com/
Enrae L. Mercer "Super King Armor"
CEO/Founder @ 8th Rank Records
http://www.8thrankrecords.com/
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