Found a good article for musicians contemplating whether or not they should quit their jobs to pursue music full time. While this music isn’t written specifically for the urban genre’s of music, it raises a lot of good questions that any musician may want to consider before telling their boss “Where to go”.  In addition to the topics covered in the article you may want to consider the current job market and how likelihood of regaining a job at your current income if worse comes to worse.

Article: Are U Ready to do Music Fulltime?

Looks like MP3s may soon be joining Cassettes, 8Tracks & VHS. Bach Technology, Co-inventors of the original MP3, have launched the successor to the popular file format that single-handedly turned the recording industry upside down. This new music format dubbed MusicDNA will contain additional embedded content in audio files such as lyrics, videos, news updates and album artwork. Record labels and bands will be able to send updates to the music files – with tour dates, interviews or updates to social networking pages – while illegally-downloaded files remain static. I think this is a definitely a step in the right direction. I believe the industry has invested to much time, money and energy into creating restrictions instead of providing tangible incentives for consumers to legally purchase music again. The MusicDNA stands a very good chance at success because it is not tied to any particular platform and the Bach Technology has opened the format up to re-branding by the labels and distributors that choose to embrace the new technology.

For more information visit:

http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/news/mp3-developers-launch-digital-file-successor-3132

CEO of Major label speaks on the new music industry model, 360 Deals and the importance of establishing an internet presence. Please note a very important comment made about fan-base and web-presence at 3:00 minutes into the video. Hope you enjoy!

Makin’ It Magazine’s

10 Track Commandments

1. A beat is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it! – Producers can set a price for a track but the market will determine what it is worth. You may feel like your tracks are worth a Million dollars but until they’ve put a million dollars in your pocket they’re only worth what someone is willing to pay for them.
2. Stop working against the artist! – I’ve seen too many producers kill a song because they’re trying to get a ridiculous advance. The industry, today more than ever is about publishing. I’ve never seen an instrumental on the top of the billboard charts or in any radio stations playlist. You need artist just as much as they need you. Act like it!
3. Sample! Sample! Sample! – I’ve heard too many producers swear off sampling because they don’t want to lose money getting a sample cleared. It’s better to have 1% of the publishing on a Hit Record than 100% for one that didn’t get placed. Even if the sample doesn’t get cleared you’ll be the producer of a hot ass record.
4. Promote yourself! – Honestly, Nobody knows who you are… and even fewer know you produce. You need to be visible. Get business cards, flyers, Magazines Ads, Websites, etc.
5. Learn the music! – Study all music, not just your genre. Draw inspiration from across the board. A producer does more than make beats. Learn engineering, vocal arrangement, etc. A producers job is to see the end product and bring that vision to life.
6. Learn the business! – Nobody can look out for your best interest better than you. Learn as much about the business as possible. The more you know, the better off you will be.
7. Stop Biting! – Scrolling through SoundClick you’ll see thousands of beats that say “Dre, Swizz or Kanye type joint”. There’s nothing wrong with mimicking the production styles that you like because it helps you learn but You’ll never find your OWN sound if you are too busy trying to perfect someone else’s.
8. Talent trumps technology – I’ve heard some of the WORSE records come out of huge impressive studios. If they can produce BULLSHIT on MPCs, Phantoms, Motifs and Icon consoles don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t make hits using Fruitloops or Garage Band!
9. Work with Artists – Closing yourself off to the world and just making beats is not a good move. Get a team of artists to produce for with varying styles and tastes. Working with them will improve your versatility and people skills. It will also help you find your own style in the process.
10. Keep Production Samplers on hand – Place a few Beat CDs & a USB Drive with tracks in your glove box. You never know when opportunity will present itself. Be ready!

www.MyPersonalProducer.com

Click to Hear Production Samples

I’m just a guy from the Midwest who refuses to let go of his childhood dreams. I started making beats in my late teens on a Casio keyboard and I’ve been at it ever since. I started by posting up beats on Mp3.com (back in the day), just to see what would happen. To my surprise, people loved the beats. I got hit up everyday by people who wanted to use them or just to tell me that they loved them. Once this started to happen, I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life.

So I ended up moving to L.A. to work with a well-known major label recording artist. We became good friends and He showed me around the City of Angels. He introduced and put me in the studio with many prominent figures in hip hop. This first hand exposure taught me much about the music industry and what moves to make.