YO Kangol, as a new artist, what are some common misconceptions that you or other new artists may have or will run into??
Terry J. Orlando, Fl
Yo Terry, One of the biggest misconceptions for new artists is their need to ignore the word “Business”. This is exactly what it’s called…The Music Business. Allow me to me introduce you to the real world of CNN.
As an artist you become a product and your name becomes a brand. As an individual, you also become an employer while your homies (your hypeman, road manager, security, dancers....and those other ten dudes that do nothing) become employees. The check that pays them will have your name on it in bold print. That makes YOU a Company. You will experience greater success the minute you realize that you are not just a rapper…You’re a Businessman.
Yo Kangol, For a bunch a dudes starting at the bottom with no money and just tryin’ to get the material out there, do you think it’s fair for someone to draw up a contract along the lines of “no matter what the track or album does monetarily at this stage, everybody pitched in their part without thinking of any financial gain?
So there should be no financial gain initially, up until a major deal has struck.”? I’m a writer and I write for other artists. This R&B singer is going to use one of my songs for his projects. We all at the ground level starting out. I’m not looking for any compensation b/c we all tryin’ to make it together. but yo, if there was a major deal to be struck best believe imma be like “wassup?” from that point on, not for previous efforts.
Geno, VA Beach, VA
Yo Geno, The worst thing that can happen to you right now is this project blows up and you find yourself spending all the money you ain’t got, on legal fees in an attempt to get all the money you should have had. In other words, draw up a contract now. Think of this as your prenuptial agreement. If the project makes No money – then there’s No Beef. If the project makes Big Money – then there’s No Questions.
The same applies for your work with the R&B singer. Come to an understanding and put that understanding in writing, get it notarized and this will prevent you and your boys from starring in the next series of BEEF.
Yo Kangol, I'm tired of hearing all these terrible artists on the radio... I would like to become an A&R in the industry to give people with actual talent a chance... How would I go about doing that?
Young Chris, Sacramento, Ca.
Yo Chris, Becoming an A&R Director is all about your reputation as someone who has the ability to know what the people want to hear by way of being a producer of several hit records, a popular DJ known for keeping a party rockin’ or a seasoned individual who has been part of a successful music machine/production team which has earned credibility, again through their success of hit songs. There is no A&R school. Your degree comes as you “show and prove”. Though I agree that there are a lot of whack songs out there…those songs become hit songs and the A&R director responsible for picking that piece of sh*t…still has a job … and that whack song just made him or her a better A&R director because once again, he or she showed and proved that he or she could pick a hit.
You gotta understand something: There’s a difference between a Great song and a Hit song. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston is a Great song. “Whoop, There It Is” by Tag Team is a Hit song. Publishing companies want Great songs while Record Companies want Hit songs. Can you pick a whack-cheesy Hit song??? Think about it. Could you separate yourself from what you like and sign a cheesy artist with a whack song with some new Latin-Country/Hip-Hop Macarena Dance??? Honestly, the average person probably wouldn’t. As my animated commercial dude Chester Cheetos would say… “It ain’t Easy being Cheesy”.
That’s pretty much all the time I got right now but please comment below and let know what you think about this column. I gotta get back to making preparations for my 25th year anniversary celebration. That’s right. Twenty-five years of entertainment, wisdom and knowledge is blessing this column. If you’re in the New York area on October 1, 2008, please come celebrate it with me. If you’re not – No Problem b/c in 2009 I’m bringing the party to you in ATL, Miami and LA. http://www.myspace.com/kangol25th
Until then, Send your questions to: yokangol@gmail.com and don’t forget to include your name and the city & state you’re from. I look forward to giving you what I wish I had...GUIDANCE.