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?

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!

95% of the music I receive is deleted without ever being listened to. Why? Outside of the fact that I  get 300-700 records sent to me each week via Email, Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Its just impossible for me to listen to every song I receive and still find time for my family and work. In an effort to increase the amount of material I listen to I have outlined “15 Reasons I didn’t listen to your music” in hopes that you will shape up

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Believe me, I was just as surprised as you to find out that Atlanta rap mogul, T.I., was opening his first of a string of daycare facilities. It’s been a hell of a year for the rapper who has been an undeniable force on both the charts and in the box office. Grand Hu$tle Child Care promises to stand apart from other child care providers by being a 24 hour program catering to low income families. T.I. has made it very clear that he will not be a passive investor in the facility, but will participate in the day to day care of the children (feeding, changing diapers and all). In fact, the entire Grand Hu$tle roster including Young Dro, Big Kuntry, and Super producer Khao will be on staff teaching and caring for the children. This move by the self proclaimed King of the South has prompted other rappers to follow suit. Young Jeezy has also decided to give back to the community by teaching an after school tutoring program at Martin Luther King Jr. High School…
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