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Last week, I mentioned Hip Hop is not a genre, it is a culture and that Hip Hop music is actually Rap which bleeds into other forms. But today, above all else, it is important to know that your aspirations to become a superior music icon in the industry revolves around one main factor, it’s a business; a personnel business.
Okay, DUH! How many times have we heard that? Instead of giving the long prerequisite lecture, I’ll just get right to core course. In the music industry of today, most of the work is left to the artist. Resource acquisition, networking, development; it’s for the most part left up to the artist to first establish.
In previous blogs, I’ve added that just because something involves business doesn’t mean it’s not personal. In fact, most of your gains come from personal experiences with industry personnel. To point out what makes you the better candidate for a record deal or just self-stardom requires the aforementioned. Mistakenly, people associate the term “business” with too many corporate-strict scripts that inhibit their creativity. Eerrt-This is wrong. Your everyday acquaintances and activities are actually more business-oriented than you may think.
Equally important, that show you arranged, the fliers you’ve dispersed, the emails you’ve circulated and the reading you’ve covered are all facets of the “business” that people constantly throw around. Accordingly, a list I found through Artistopia.com contained somewhat of a rundown of what I think is necessary for longevity, so here’s a few:
- Good musicianship – vocals, performing and songwriting capability
- Image maintenance, goal setting, and quality equipment
- Basic recording, producing, engineering, mastering, manufacturing, distribution and air-play knowledge (on and off-line)
- Law & legal awareness in publishing, copyrighting, trademarking, and negotiation
- Alternative career options - associated trades and skills
- And last but not least, good people and good personnel choices around you.
If you’ve been to any sites like these and have a fan base that loves you, then you’ve already done half the list. Congratulations, you’re a star, or just really, really bright.
OurStage.com
allhiphop.com
Music-sites.net
hiphopdirectory.com
MasteringCentral.com
Links for last week's post, for the nay-sayers
http://www.rapnews.net/0-202-259247-00.html
http://www.passthemic.com/columns/editorials/Hip-Hop%20vs%20Rap%20Whats%20The%20Difference
http://rap.about.com/od/rootsofraphiphop/p/RootsOfRap.htm
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