My advise to independent artists: 5 things you must do to be successful:

It always seems that I always see so many artists that are trying to get signed to a record deal, and that might be great but being independent helps you to know the business side more and prepares the artist to the major league. It’s important that an artist becomes independent and learns the robes of independence before getting signed to a record deal. Time in time artists who have no business aspects sign record deals that leave them poor once the hits stop. I suggested that every one try being indie so, they know more of the music business side, here is my top 5 things that all independent artist need to do.

1. Don’t Copy ME: Copyright, trademark, are very important, you want to make sure that all of your music is not done in vain but you have it registered with the right people, that no one cannot steal your music without going through you.

2. Be your Own Sales Person: Create a online music store account, If you are becoming popular than its very important that you register your music with a online music company rather its itunes, cdbaby, or reverb nation you want to make sure you have an account with one of them. When it comes down to a record company choosing you for their roaster, these accounts are used to see how big your current fan base. In addition its good to see what songs consumers like the best, plus you make money for every cd, or song that is purchased which you can’t beat.

3. Joining a performance organization: its no need to try to track down everyone who owes you money have someone else help you with that, its good to join a group like ASACP, BMI, SESCA. These groups track down what radios, what clubs are playing your music as well as making sure that you get paid. These organizations are like unions for artists, they help in so many ways.

4. Create a Marketing/PR package: This is the best way to market yourself to DJs, booking agents, and other places. The viewers gets to know a little more about yourself your music and what you stand for. This package helps people understand what they are getting once they play your music or book your for a show.

5. Always stay true to yourself and your talent: No matter how big you may get or become always remember the people who have helped you get there never believe your own hype keep focus and stay true to your true self.

Does Marketing Really Help

Rap superstar T.I recently dropped his latest album entitled no mercy, but do legal issues, T.I. was not able to promote his album. So far it looks like the album came in number 10 on the billboard charts. Some may say that this was good considering that he was in prison, but does promoting your own body of work help. I believe so; no one cannot market you and your body of work like the person who made the music. Before T.I. went to prison he was still searching for a number 1 single, and he never got it. I heard the album is really good, but because of the fact that he is not here physically to promote the album himself the masses will never know. Could the record company have done more, could they have used the time that he was in prison, for marketing purposes, could he have created 22 letters from prison as a marketing plot? Or did is actions not help him with the album. All in all I believe that the record company should have done more marketing for the album instead of treating it like a lost cause, I understand that he couldn’t do anything but his team and record label could have done more.

Something new

By Taira "Scottlaroc" Scott

For many years and decades, the Hip-Hop world has been a male dominated field, it has been a form where males, could express who had the highest testosterone, who was the flyest, the meanest, and the coldest, on a track. Don’t get me wrong, there has been some females who have entered the hip hop world but many have never stuck around. In the present everyone, can’t stop talking about the vibrant and colorful Nikki Minja, the newest female hip-hop mc. Her metaphors, her delivery, her personalize sayings has had the hip-hop world going crazy. Through my 24 years of living I have yet to see a female mc who has gotten the respect and anticipation from male counter parts. For a minute it seemed that female emceeing was a thing of the past, that it was so gone that it could never return to what it was (Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte, Queen Latifia, Yo-Yo etc), which was the sport of emceeing. From the 90s to the earlier 00s female emcees was really a joke, a cute girl with a banging body who spit some lines that a male wrote for her about how great her sex was. Don’t get me wrong there were some that kept the authenticity of real emceeing, while others made it a walking gimmick or a soundtrack to the latest porn movie. Many awards shows, like the BET awards and the MTV awards even took out the category for best hip-hop female artist because there were hardly in existence. I must admit I wasn’t on the nikki band wagon, when she first came out, I really thought she was just another cute face that record companies would take advantage of, a cute face that wouldn’t write her own rhythms nor widen her lyrical content. To my surprise was a girl who could really spit, who went far left from what others were doing. I became impressed and just like the world I wanted to hear more. With her debut album “Pink Friday” hitting the selves last week and selling almost 400,000 copies its first week is very impressive, there has only been one female lyricist who has sold over 400,000 her first week (lauryn Hill) and even if your not really a true fan, or believe she’s just a copy cat, lets all celebrate that female lyrist is not dead.

Second time coming

Written by: Taira “Scottlaroc Scott”

When you think about the evolution of Hip-Hop, one thing is always for certain, the players definitely change but the game remains the same. Whether it’s Kid N Play wowing the fan’s back in the 90s with their Kid N Play dance, to now with the New Boys teaching the world how to jerk. Hip-Hop is always changing its starting line up, and if you don’t pay attention you’ll find yourself saying, “Wasn’t he with? Didn’t he rap on?” I think Jay-Z said it best, “Some come and some go.” (Star is born)For Chicago native rapper Gotti, formally ½ of the rap duo Boo and Gotti, this is hardly the case. Yea you might’ve not seen this “non stereotypical rapper” on MTV Jams or 106 and Park lately, but this rapper has kept himself relevant in ways that seasoned vets have not.

It seems like yesterday that I was watching BET’s Rap City the Basement in my room, while Jay-Z, R.Kelly, Boo and Gotti were popin bottles, mackin at all the sexy ladies and just having the time of their lives, in the “Fiesta” remix video. As I sat down with Gotti recently, I could tell that the rapper poised a less flashy persona. “ I’ve matured a lot since I first got signed in 2001 (Rockland Records), I’m more mature, it’s not all about being in the limelight to me anymore, I’m about business.” And business is right, Gotti now spends his time ghostwriting for a number of artist, in addition to gearing up for his acting debut. “ I’ve been taking acting classes at TSAW foundation (Tasha. Smith. Acting. Workshop.) taught by the beautiful Tasha Smith. (Why Did I Get Married) The classes has definitely helped me with my up incoming movie coming out called, “Hustler’s World”, staring Clifton Powell and Rick Ross.”

A side from acting and writing for others, Gotti still stays true to his loyalty and his talent. Many might remember that at one point in his career he was signed to R.Kelly’s label than Cash Money Records. “ I met R. Kelly in a club in Chicago through Boo in 1998, Kel’s gave me my first job in 1999 and than I was signed in 2001. I was grateful for the opportunity that presented itself to me and so my loyalty is of course to R.Kelly, when R.Kelly got into some legal trouble it was okay to go with Cash Money without any negative feedback or vibes. I’m still signed to R.Kelly’s label, so everything is smooth. I have good relationships with everyone I work with, I actually talked with Birdman the other day. My business relationships are good. There good, no worries (Smiles).”

Even though Gotti is hard at work with creating new avenues for himself, music is still his number one priority, Gotti recently dropped a mixtape entitled “Gotti Obama” which features Lil Wayne. The fact that Gotti dropped a mixtape in support of the now president Barrack Obama exemplifies that Gotti has evolved as an MC instead of your iced out chain rapper. Gotti is officially Authentic Chronicles look out artist.

For fans and non believers who want to know if Gotti still got it, than I would advise all to check out his latest mixtape “Gotti Obama” hosted by Lil Wayne.

www.datpiff.com/Gotti-Gotti-Obama-Mixtape-mid15846.html -

Follow Gotti on Twitter @gottimcfly

The Internet is>>>>.

No matter who you are, or what you do, one thing is for certain the internet is here to stay. It has shaped the way that humans learn and communicate with one another. The other day I was on Twitter and Jimmy Fallon said that social networks have ruined his life; he saw a friend’s baby and he wanted to press the like button. I too, have fail victim to the internet. Has the internet tarnished our perception on learning and interacting with one another? Well I think it depends on who you ask?
For those that say that the internet has affected humans and has tarnished their perception than they must realize that humans are adaptable people. People thought that with the creation of video games would have a negative impact on individuals but in truly it did not. Yes the internet can be very distracting if not handled properly but it can also open a persons perception to things they never knew existed. The internet has made it very quick and easy to generated information no matter the subject at hand. The great thing about the internet is that it has helped individuals connect with others that they would normally not connect with. I could sit for hours and listen to someone tell me about Woodstock and what it met to them or I could watch a documentary and live footage on youtube for 30 minutes. Maybe with the development of YouTube I miss the opportunity to discuss and talk to an actual person but I can still communicated with those that are also watching the YouTube clip. The internet makes things easier and attainable compared to spending hours and days at the library researching information.
The internet is just one of those things that makes individuals want everything at a face pace. Within the development of technology we can watch our favorite show anytime we want (TV-VO) we can figure out what movie to watch and buy tickets for it all while texting our friends to see what they’re plans are. Yes the internet has made it hard for individuals to pick up a book to read it, but now than ever more individuals is informed on very vital information. For individuals like myself who work full-time, go to school part time and have another part time job watching the news is very impossible but, having CNN.com, yahoo.com and facebook, I can keep informed of very important information. Social networks have helped me to stay informed and connect to friends that I have met for some time now. When something new and excising comes around of course there will be critics but the internet is here and no matter what it has affected millions of lives each and everyday.

Taira Scott a Bay Area California native, Ms. Scott is the creative director to an online publication call authenticchronicles.com. Ms. Scott is a graduate of Alabama State University, Napa Valley College and Full Sail University. Ms. Scott loves all things that deal with the entertainment filed.
Authenticchronicles.com
Scotttlaroc.blogspot.com
Twitter/scottlaroc00

Top 5 Hip-Hop Summer Albums for 2010

No matter who you are, or where you live, the most anticipated season of the year is almost here. The season, where those trips to the gym will finally pay off. The season where shorts, sunscreen, dresses, sunglasses (Stunnas/Sunny’s) and A.C. is a daily essential. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about summer of course. The season where the temperature rises and the outside settings are at an all time high. Where the hipsters and the fly girls and guys are always out. As you prepare for summer, the soundtrack of the season is a must. So in order to prepare you, we have come up with the total guide to the top five anticipated Hip-Hop albums for the summer.

1. Nikki Minaj: (Album title: Untitled, Release Date: Summer 2010) Female Hip-Hop has been on the back burner for a while now. The Queen Bee has been low key with new material since her prison release, and Foxy hasn’t got back right since her departure from Def Jam while Missy has been M.I.A. And even though the Diamond Princess has been holding it down, no one hasn’t had a buzz like the “Barbie”. She has graced her animated and colorful rhythms on several big tracks through out the year and the world wants to know what she’s going to pull out of her Barbie house full of rhymes. Will she hold it down for the female MC’s? What will she talk about? Will she address the beef between her and her nemesis (Kim and Keys)? Will she leave us with more bubbly catch phrases like bestest? Only time will tell but the Barbie has all ears at her attention. (Times to listen to Nikki Minaj: Women Empowerment, Taking Notes on a Women’s Game, Party Time, Kicking Game, Feeling Fly and Young)

2. Drake: (Album Title: Thank Me Later, Release Date: 06/15/2010) Hip-Hop’s golden boy has stole the hearts of seasoned greats like Kanye, Lil Wayne and Jay-Z just to name a few. With the success of his mixtape, “So Far Gone” making him a Hip-Hop prince, the question is, what will he do with his debut album? Can he keep up the momentum with actual CD Sales? As the Hip-Hop world waits, so does the Pop market world to see if Drake is the best that ever did it. Drake has already dropped two singles for his highly debut album, “Over”, and “Find your love” which has made an impact for fans and non-believers. This muliti talented MC ‘s album is a must pick up. (Times to listen to Drake: When on the Daily Grind, Feeling Sexy, Invincible, Feeling Fly and Young, Kicking Game, Strictly a Hip-Hip Head)

3. Rick Ross:(Album Title: Teflon Don Release Date: 07/20/2010) The biggest boss thus far, shattered the Hip-Hip industry with his 3^rd studio album, "Deeper than Rap" which put him in the living legend category. With beef and controversy surrounding the album, one thing was for sure that talent could never be denied. With his first single “Super high” off of his new album hitting the radio waves more is to follow throughout the summer. (Times to listen to Rick Ross: Feeling like a boss, Encouragement, On the Daily Grind, Get Fresh Time, kicking Game)

4. Diddy and Dirty Money: (Album Tile: Last Train to Paris. Release Date: 06/28/2010) “Can’t stop and won’t stop” is the motto and making hits is his game. No matter what u call him, one thing is for sure, Diddy always keeps you dancing. While many won’t call Diddy a rapper, most have to admit that Diddy’s latest’s 16 bars have impressed the masses. From sheek to gritty, Diddy always makes you want to pay attention. (Time to listen to Dirty Money: Feeling like a Boss, Motivation, Invincible, Sexy Time, Kicking Game, Party Time)

5. Jeezy:( Album Title: TM103, Release Date: Summer 2010) Like a preacher has his sermons, Jeezy has his rhythms for the streets. Thug Motivation is a must for the daily grind, it makes you want to succeed no matter the obstacles that you face. Coming off of a sold out concert with the big homie Jay-Z, Jeezy has been in the lab cooking up something that will sure keep the summer hot. (Times to listen to Jeezy: Motivation, When on the Daily Grind, Cruising in the City like Diddy, Feeling like a Boss, Get Fresh)

Hip-Hop Summer contestants: The Dream, Kelly Rowland, Kanye West, and Fat Joe.

exercise 1: Competition

ATeam Management is an entertainment company that focuses on client management, distribution, and production within all fields of the entertainment industry. It’s main goal is to develop our clients and to expose their talents rather its music, film, print or publication, ATeam Management serves to provide their clients with the source to push forth their projects in order to become successful. ATeam produces their clients projects independently as well as shopping them around for distribution deals and shopping their clients “brands” for marketing and endorsement deals. ATeam management is an LLC company that is located in Atlanta GA. ATeam management generates money through collecting licensing, copyright, publishing, merchandising fees, distribution fees from third parties as well as the general sales of CDs, music singles, concerts, advertisement and public performances.

Even though ATeam Management’s main goal is to be the leading factor within its particular market and demographic, we do understand that there are companies who have been around for several years and decades in which ATeam Management must compete with. The three companies that ATeam Management believes to be competition is BMI, SESAC, and AG Entertainment.

BMI, Broadcast Music INC, is one of the largest performing rights organizations for music artists, producers, and songwriters. Some of its members include Black Eyed Peas, Yolanda Adams, Kanye West, Michael Jackson, and Elton John just to name a few. BMI’s main objective is to collect license fees on behalf of those that are registered with BMI. BMI is consider to be a competition for ATeam because of the fact that it offers resources like artist development, management, and record deals for its members. The age demographic of 18-34 makes up the majority of its website traffic with 32%, while the age group of 35-49 follows with 25%. The site sees a huge impact of traffic on the site when it has events or exciting news, in December 2009 the site seen a peak of traffic with 100,000 viewers on its site, this of course dropped within the following months but a peaked rose once again in March when BMI had its music conference in Atlanta GA. (quantcast.com) According to Google trends, in November 2009 and May 2009, BMI was a major trend with country singer Taylor Swift.

A Second company in which might be considered competition is AG Entertainment, the reason why AG entertainment is considered competition is because they are very known within the Atlanta area, with their booking of entertainers to their own nightclubs. When I looked up AG entertainment, there was no data on the number of traffic within the last 6 months on quantcast.com, but I did observe that their demographic was between the same ages as BMI with 18-34 being the highest with 40% while the age demographic 35-49 followed with 35%. According to Google Trends there were no trends based on AG Entertainment within the last 6 months. This is good news for ATeam because even though AG is very known amongst those that live in the Atlanta area they do not have a huge global following. ATeam is all about making a nationwide and global imprint within its specific field of work.

The Third Company, in which ATeam sees, as competition is SESAC, which is third largest performing, rights organization. SESAC.com highest demographic age group is between the ages of 35-49 years of age with 48%. ATeam wants to have the demographic off all ages group but the fact that we are trying to recruit talent in order to manage them are demographic that we hope to see the most is between the age group of 18-30 years of age.

Based on my findings, BMI offers all of the resources that ATeam Management offers except the fact that we also produce online magazine publications. Their demographic is the same age demographic that ATeam Management is seeking. We want young and new talent to be part of ATeam Management and AG Entertainment, and BMI both have theses age demographics. SESAC age demographic is quite mature for the age demographic that we are trying to reach. Not to out rule SESAC but they seem not to be a favorite for the age demographic that we are looking for. There are only 3 performing rights organizations, SESAC, BMI and ASACP. ASACP is very popular as well but SESAC is not a competition to ATeam with the resources that we can offer our potential clients. In addition also noticed that when viewers go to BMI they are most likely to go to the Library of Congress and PBS. At first I found this to be odd, but than I realized that those that frequently look at BMI.com are trying to look up information regarding copyright incite.