In the song You Aint Missin’ Nothin’ from the T.I.’s Paper Trail Album, Tip drops this jewel, “Cuz, the game go on. You only do two days in the joint. The day you get locked up and the day you go home.” In two bars the self proclaimed King of the south relays a profound truth so simply that many listeners may have missed it. I’ve watched as over the past year hip hop blogs and fans across the country have buzzed with news about some of their favorite artists dealing with cases, probation violations and impending sentences. Over the past few months we’ve seen the releases of T.I., Gucci Mane and even Mystikal along with the incarcerations of Boosie and Lil Wayne. And while much of the barbershop conversation was about which artists WERE and WERE NOT built for prison, I would have to say the true test of surviving prison for any artist is what is waiting for them when they get out. Of course that’s all relative to what they had going on before they went in.
Take T.I. for example. He comes out of prison and over the course of a few months has multiple records in rotation, a movie soon to hit theatres and an artist (B.O.B.) that has the #1 Song in the country (and several other continents). All of this was no mere coincidence because while T.I. may be the face, Grand Hustle is a machine composed of many parts.
I say this to illustrate a point. Over my years of working with independent artists I have seen many movements come and go, especially dealing with hip hop artists who are so often caught in-between doing music and running the streets. I’ve watched independent labels that seemed to have everything going collapse when a key individual catches a case, gets shot or worse. Unfortunately too many people in the urban entertainment industry subscribe to the tenant of “Faking it till you Make it!” Often artists will spend more money and time on looking successful than actually becoming successful. They will spend thousands of dollars to make a scene in a strip club rather than spending it to make a profit on their CD.
The difference between “Movement” and “A Movement” is direction. Movement is easy to create, all you have to do is spend some money and start doing things. “A Movement” on the other hand involves planning, gathering a team, motivating them toward a singular goal and executing. One of the biggest mistakes independents make is centralizing all of their resources and relying too heavily on one individual. Here are a couple of tips to help you organize your movement.
1) Structure your business. When it comes to paying for things too often I hear artists or managers say that they have to go talk to the “Money Man”. If one individual personally holds all the capital that will be going into the project you have a huge problem. Form an LLC or Corporation and Set up a business account, figure out the budget for the project and place money in that account.
2) Pick a leader and let them lead. A leader is needed to define the goal of the organization and to map a route to it. If everyone is moving toward different goals then there is no direction and if there is no direction, there is no “Movement”. Here’s a simple exercise you can use to gauge your company’s direction. Sit everyone down for a meeting. Ask them to write the goal of the company on a piece of paper. Gather the pieces of paper and read them. If everyone doesn’t come up with the same answer you have an issue.
3) Make sure everyone has a position to play. I often hear independent labels complain about people not playing their position but the biggest mistake I watch them make is not assigning people a position to play. If you bring someone on the team outline their role, what you need them to do and let them do it. Don’t micromanage them. If you feel the need to make them confer or get approval for every decision they make, you need to find someone else that you trust for that job or learn to play YOUR position.
These are just a few tips for establishing the foundation of a solid movement. The future holds many unforeseen circumstances. It is up to you to prepare for them all. Remember true leadership is not gauged by your presence but rather the level of success that can be obtained in your absence. Until next time every stay blessed and continue Makin’ It.
Excellent article love the tips for a movement
Amn this is very true the most part I can agree with is the part where you talk about the assigning people for the parts they need to play as a team partner in the business of music! I’m gonna read and RT bro this is valuble to the artist and labels who want to be successful in this bizness!
So true! I must agree, only thing most true “movements” aren’t strategically planned, they just happen, and when they are you get a commercialized mess, that the public does not buy, ala Diddy’s Dirty Money.no one buys into it cause its not genuine. I am glad to have read this movement blueprint and I hope up and coming future artist are out here reading this too!!
Artists and Management: Take heed to the information given and follow through. This article should be read if you want to “establish the foundation of a solid movement.”
1) Structure your business.
2) Pick a leader and let them lead
3) Make sure everyone has a position to play.
Its either the streets or its the music. You got to make a choice. Once you start progression and have to stop its more than hard to get going again! Also learn what a budget is and stick to it. Makes life in this biz so much easier!
With all due respect to aspiring artists, including being one myself, this article could be labeled “Building a Label for Dummies”. Movements are usually associated to a label. Many artists confuse just what a movement is and lack the basics fundamentals of starting a company with the proper foundation, thus making them dumb to the facts. For sake of argument, use of the word dumb should not be taken in the most literal sense. I add to this, don’t move forward until you have all the resources and people in place. In doing so, you may avoid many potholes on the road to success.
Ti has clearly explained the hip hop industry and how it fucntions. He makes a valid point on the difference between movements , one is an action with no rationality involved , the other is quite the opposite.
These are really true words .
all that is vey relevant and true!
but the jewels dropped i will deifinitely make a note of!
thats my biggest problem as of the present is that almighty dollar_(that capitol)
truly understand what my fam meant by understand YOUR position
Too many leaders not enough followers!
Im the only member in my movement so im always thoroughly moving!
2albums in with one goal finish these last two songs and press up the third!
18 months 5 albums after this ill worry about generating capitol to give my movement gas to reach my destination!
OME97
DOPE ARTICLES IN THIS WEB MAGAZINE! – ICE MIKE
I AGREE WITH THE PLAY YOUR POSITION PART. EVERYBODY NOW A DAYS WANTS TO BE THE RAPPER. WHY NOT BE A CE0 OR A PRODUCER / WRITER ? AS FAR AS THE MONEY MAN THING GOES I UNDERSTAND HAVING A SPONSER AND ALL BUT I THINK FOR A TEAM TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE EVERYONE HAS TO BRING IN SOME SORT OF CAPITAL, IT SHOULD’NT BE ALL ON ONE GUY OR GIRL. TO ALSO POINT OUT HOW ARTIST TRY TO LOOK THE PART UNSTEAD OF BEING THE PART OR PLAYING IT. I SEEN WHERE ARTIST COME TO A SHOW WITH BIG CHAIN AND WACTHES POPING BOTTLES ALL NIGHT, BUT NO FLYER, CD, WEBSITE, MYSPACE, RENTED CARS ECT. ITS SO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE BUSINESS AND STUDY THE GAME, LOOKS ONLY GO SO FAR.
IMA LADY CAM THE FEMALE MC
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/LADYCAMMUSICPAGE
http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/LADYCAMM
http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/LADYCAM
so true, most if not all are doing this via on the job training and with little to no guidance, this is why resources like makin it mag need to be available and accessible to the people, keep up the good work
THATS ” REAL TALK ” HOMIE, THESE ARTIST’S DONT SEEM TO GET IT…
DSKG4LIFE… THANKS FOR SUPPORTN’ US!!!
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TI’s a real smart guy. Just listen to a bunch of his interviews.
GETPARADOX
http://www.twitter.com/getparadox
I agree with what Tip said 100%, I’m a C.E.O. of an independent label and I made the mistake of placing all my eggs in one basket and took a major step back in doing so. I took the lead and now i push my music 1st with my artists following the lead, because as an independent you will only go as far as you take your company. Nobody gives out handouts in the business. So stay focused and stay independent!!!!