Sampling Lyrics

I recently read an article that gave me food for thought. In a world were it seems that indeed nothing is new under the sun, why should lyrics be any different? I remember when I first came across the words: "contains an interpolation of... ". It was in the CD booklet of 2 Pac's Me Against the World. 

And I was like, what is that? Sounds fancy. It was then I learnt that it was kinda like sampling lyrics or lifting a phrase or riff from another song. And now I've been noticing this technique of songwriting has become a growing trend. 

To read more on this checkout the full length article on The Guardian: Copy-and-paste songwriting for a switched-on world. 

The Secret Weapon behind Drakes uncanny success

When the dust settles and the smoke clears. I have no doubt in my mind that Noah '40' Shebib will emerge as one of the most influential producers of our generation. 
(10 years from now, you can quote me on that.)

Every interview I have read or seen always leaves me more impressed!
His approach to production, his choice of operating outside the music hubs, his focus on the artist, all these and more are definitive moments that set him apart from the rest of the pack. 

Checkout this cool interview he did with Native Instruments Maschine. 

Why fairness isn't always fair

Fairness, with all due respect is a bunch of polony!

Just like when someone says with all due respect - know that the next line to come out of their mouth is probably going to be something disrespectful.

Similarly, When a person says that it's only fair...

Or I think that that is fair...

Know that it probably isn't fair.

Fairness is such a subjective thing. 

Your employer probably thinks he is paying you a "fair" wage. And let's face it, he probably isn't. 

You probably think you put in a decent day's labour. And I would bet that your employer would probably disagree with you.

The next time you make a deal with someone don't look for what is fair, seek to be generous.

Generosity. That is the difference between abundance and scarcity.

What are record labels looking for?

So, What are record labels looking for?

I've been asked this question a few times and sadly, this is a very good example of a very bad question.

It is like asking me, what is a dinosaur looking for? Well, food, water... Oh, and not to be extinct.

I get annoyed at this question because it shows a complete lack of understanding of the current music environment. A lack of self awareness of what you as an individual can bring to a team or company in terms of skills, value and freshness. Often the person asking this is not thinking what can I give to add value to you but what can I take.

It shows a genie mentality towards your craft and music - I rub my magic lamp and someone else makes my wish for money, power and fame come true. 

But just because it's a bad question, doesn't mean we can't learn from it. And now that I've got that out of my system, let's jump into some lessons from this question shall we: 

Business Smarts

Fact, every business needs to make money or they will become extinct. This is a given. So lets get the money talk out of the way so we can dive into the deeper things. 

If you have no track record of selling even 100 units of anything (CDs, tickets, merchandise etc.) What on earth makes you think you can sell a million units? 

Have you ever even tried selling a 100 of anything to your potential market? It's not as easy as it sounds but it is achievable. And if it is achievable why haven't you done it yet? 

These are fundamental questions any business will ask and if you don't have answers I would suggest you begin looking for the answers fast. You need to show proof that your brand sells or has the potential to sell to a ready and willing audience. You need more than just your mom's approval to say that your talent is real at this stage of the game. 

Does your brand align with the business? 

This requires you to do your homework on the company. A rookie mistake that I see often, is when artists don't know what kind of music the company they have submitted to makes. 

What does this company stand for?

Do I see myself fitting into what they believe and how they operate? 

How do they operate?

How can I see them in action? 

What is their latest release?

These are all questions you need to answer for yourself before you even make official contact and ask them for anything. 

Professionalism

I've written on this before in a previous blog post but I believe it is so sorely underrated that it needs to be mentioned again. And again, and again... Until it sinks in. 

What does professionalism look like? Well, let me break it down for you: 

• Are you as a person able to follow simple instructions? (Think carefully about this one. Because every company has their preferred way of doing things and if you can't follow their instructions you are going to tick someone off)
• Can you email a person when it is requested.
• Call back when requested
• Respect office hours and not call on weekends and after hours without prior consent
• Can you humbly except rejection and thank the person even when it hurts
• Can you backup your claims of being wonderful and amazing through the testimonies of fans and clients
• Have you taken the time to present your product, service or yourself in a manner that is fitting of another persons respect 
• Is all the necessary information about you and your product neatly presented, written down and easily accessible 

In a nutshell, would you approach a CEO of a company you wish to work for the same way as you would approach your home-boy down the street? - Hint: The answer to this should be no.

The irony of professionalism is that none of it requires talent and can be taught, learnt and improved upon. So you have no excuse. 

Originality 

Yes, as the Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. So no matter how different you think you are, your music still needs to fit into some kind of a category and that can be a good thing.  It helps you know who your audience is and what they like and don't like is often clear to those within the tribe. As the saying goes, The Beatles didn't invent teenagers but they did show up to lead them. 

Where you can be unique however, is through your point of view. Sharing your story, speaking your truth. Which speaks to a particular world view. When I want to listen to Drake, I listen to Drake. I don't listen to his cheap imitation knockoffs. 

Education 

If you are not constantly learning more about your chosen industry you will get left behind and in todays current times with the Internet, all the knowledge you seek is usually a click away. It is easier than ever to learn more about how an industry works and who the key players in the game are. If you are not taking advantage of this you are shooting yourself in the foot.

For example you can read books like 'All you need to know about the music business' by Donald Passman. Plus many others that can broaden your horizon and perspective of the industry you wish to join.

If you have limited access to the Internet then the library makes an excellent substitute. So with the will to work hard and a library card you have no excuse.

Go and create!

Make a difference.  

If that's what it takes...

“Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” - Oprah Winfrey

Mike Tyson once said: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

If you need to flip burgers so that you can do more of what you are passionate about, then do it!

If you have encountered a set back then you need to get back up and come up with a better plan.

For years I have worked as an IT Consultant, Business Analyst and Project Manager. And for a rapper it may not be as "glamorous" as drug dealing but it put food on the table and helped finance a number of music projects that have literally changed my life. Allowing me to meet some pretty amazing people along the way and continue to keep the dream alive. 

Use your environment

John Grisham the writer of The Firm use to be a lawyer so he wrote a fiction story using details he was intimately acquainted with.

Steven King use to clean sheets in motels while writing manuscripts which would later turn into novels.

John Legend use to work for the Boston Consulting Group.

Walt Disney use to work at a local newspaper company until he was fired for "a lack of creativity".

Elvis Presley use to be a truck driver in Memphis.

Eminem used to cook and wash dishes for minimum wage at Gilbert's Lodge a family-style restaurant.

J. K. Rowling was a researcher and secretary for Amnesty International when she conceived the idea for Harry Potter.  

Usually, the unexpected flip side is that the environment you are in often ends up being the material from which you can draw from to create the work of art that you are working on.

It's not where you start that matters but where you end up that counts.

The only rule I'd like to add to this is: Please keep it legal! Because if I meet another drug dealer rapper who thinks they will beat the odds like Jay Z and 50 Cent. I'm going to call the cops myself.

The bottom-line is, there is no point lamenting your current situation. For whatever reason you are where you are for a reason and you have the power to change it. The wise thing to do is use your surroundings as the catalyst for change. Use it as the creative fuel to elevate you from where you are to where you want to be.

No Record Deal, No Problem

So, How do you get signed to a record deal? 

In a nutshell...

Doing it on your own is the best way to get signed.

What do you have that a record label would want?

"I have a good voice."

"I can write a good song."

"My mama said I can sing."

"Yo man, I can rap."

"I make dope beats."

If you said any of the things I just mentioned above then you can expect the following.

No. I'm sorry, but that's not exactly what we are looking for. And sadly talent is not enough.

So what are record companies looking for?

Simple. Three things: PPD

1. PROOF

This can come in many forms but the two important ones are Social Proof and Profit Proof.

If you say something online, on your website or social media (and you should have both) do you have an engaged audience that cares and will respond?

If you put on a show or release a single can you turn a profit? 

In today's current market, even a little profit is better than none. Are you turning out tunes and shows consistently and keeping records?

2. PROFESSIONALISM 

Honestly, I believe that this is the most important of the three because it can determine your success in the other two areas. 

It doesn't take talent to arrive at rehearsals on time. 

It doesn't take talent to do what you say you will do.

It doesn't require that special "X" factor to show up and put in the hours of work that is required to hone your skills.

But it does require professionalism to do those things and respect other people's time and space.

Calling someone you have never met at odd hours or sending them a text message on a Sunday is not very professional is it?

Do whatever you can to stick out in a professional manner. Showing courtesy and respect for the other person.

3. DATABASE

Do you have access to a database of fans (names, email addresses, cell numbers etc.) that are ready and willing to pay for your music? 

If you do. How big is this database and how quickly can you grow it?

If you can start showing numbers that would impress your local bank manager, then I think it's safe to say you're on the right track. 

But wait a minute, if I could build a team that could do all of that what on earth would I need a record deal for?

Exactly!

However, sometimes you need to scale quickly in your business and standing on the shoulders of a giant makes sense if you need to reach those high and lofty goals. 

Other times small is beautiful.

And Joint Ventures mean more if both parties will benefit.

If you are not bringing any of these three things to the table, then you don't have a leg to stand on. And if you can't manage your on business correctly, how will you know if a record company is doing it right?

So either way, being entrepreneurial is key. 

So I'll say it again.

Doing it on your own (first) is the best way to get signed.