Music Industry Blog

Sade can't be mad at this one.

2014-02-15T06:01:00.001-08:00

When an artist does a cover they have to make it their on unless its a waste. Here are some examples of artist who made covers their own: Lalah hathaway's version of Luther Vandross's Forever For Always For love. Chante Moore's version of Minnie Riperton's Inside my love , Mary J Blige's version of Chaka Khan's Sweet Thang . So that is why I say Sade can not be mad at this. Excellent cover That Marsha Ambroshia did of Stronger than pride.

Stevie Wonder Opens Up to Concert Crowd about His New Instrument, the Ha...

2014-01-27T18:40:00.001-08:00

The Problem with Childish Gambino

2012-10-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

The first I've ever heard of this rapper was while I was sitting on the living room floor rolling my hair and watching the BET awards. Childish Gambino was one of the featured rap artist in the BET Award freestyle cypher. I personally am not impressed with any of these new rapper now a days but one of Childish Gambino's rap lines stood out to me he said " How he on BET and he got white people problem like whole foods doesn't have the juice I like so I had to go to Trader Joes and have it shipped to me.. victory.. history... got more G than a kids movie" and me being a fan of Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Hip Hop that line caught my attention and wondered, who is this guy? So I decided to Google him a see if he had a rap album out because maybe he was Vegan rapper or something, and yes I know that's not the typical hard core rap persona but I'm kind of easy to please when it come to good hip hop music. A rapper doesn't have to get shot and sell drugs to impress me. Just make good music. Its okay to be different sometimes and if a rapper is nice with his lyrics on a hot beat, I 'm sold. . Any way... back to this guy Childish Gambino whose also known as Don Glover an actor and comedian that was said to have gotten his emcee name from the Wu -Tang Clan's website's Rap Name generator and decided to keep it. Say what?? That's not hard core hip hop either! WTH..., oh well. *Shrugs shoulders* So while Google Searching (googling)the hip hop vegan to see if I can get a listen of his music I found a few of his rap videos on YouTube and was very impressed with the quality of his videos. I am talking high quality, as if he paid good money for his camera crew and editors. His music videos were the standards as if he been in the hip hop game for minutes. (Hmmm, Maybe Childish Gambino was a drug dealer after all!!) I was now intrigued and being the over analytical Aquarian that I am I had to Google more on this possible "rapping Vegan drug dealer". . My Google search results found no sign of Childish Gambino ever living in the hood. There were no known gang affiliation or rap clique who put him on. He has won no Hip hop battles, No jail record, no bullet wounds, no gold teeth, gold chains and no visible tattoos, and most surprisingly NO Baby Mamas (yet). He was so Clean his rap name should of been Mr Clean! Although what I did find out was that he was an army brat born in California who is now in his late 20's was a student at New York University. He also work as a hired staff writer on the hit series sitcom "30 Rock". I also found out that as an Actor, Don Glover starred on the NBC series COMMUNITY as Troy "the jock ". Don Glover also has a YouTube channel where he has a sketch comedy series that has gotten over five million views. He also has a very funny comedy show that I checked out recently on YouTube called "WEIRDO". Glover also co-wrote, produced, scored and starred in a film called , "Mystery Team," which was released in Los Angeles in March 2010 and is now on DVD and no baby mama?( yet). So, In my opinion even though he didn't grow up in the hood and earn street credibility and come up through the ranks like normal rappers are supposed to. You can't knock Don Glover's hustle. He just decided to enter the game from the top floor, already having an audience of his own that he created from the the work he put in from his internet series, The 30 Rock TV series, his own movie he produced, and his comedy show.

I ain't mad at him. I love Game changers!

DivaGeek - Album Snippets

2012-10-07T04:30:00.001-07:00

DivaGeek - Album Snippets OK So I been a fan of hers since Myspace, but back then she didn't have many songs out maybe 2 of her own and a few features with other artist. But this chick right Here..... is Something else!! Her New Album Titled "He Said She Said" has 15 phenomenal songs on it. The lead singers name is Vula the member of DIVAGeek and her voice reminds me of the Legendary Deniece Williams. Her Voice has a Soft and Fluffy Delivery making it so pleasant to listen to her in my headphones. Her Sound is 90'ish while tapping into the future and her songs are very fun and catchy. Vula's Version of the Micheal Jackson's Tune I Can't Help It is the one to watch for. She also did a remake on Hall and Oates I can't go for that turning that song into a sultry sexy ballad. She did A very Good Job at making both songs her own. Normally artist give the remakes away for free as free promotion but there is a strong possibility she is getting clearance on it. I hope so because the songs are Hot!

Should We Forgive YOU? RICK ROSS?

2012-08-01T14:21:00.001-07:00

Should we forgive you Rick Ross for popping up on the scene claiming to a BOSS but have no real evidence of paying dues in the music game?
Lyrically you says some cute things but overall you portrays yourself to be bigger than you really are. Ricky Rozay New album dropped today and the best thing he did was feature known hip hop and legends that have paid their dues. The production in my opinion of what I heard so far is phenomenal. The Beats and rhyme flow are contagious. So I will be getting my hands on that album! 3 Kings is Fire! BTW. You are still not my type big fella but good work on the album though.

2012-02-21T19:15:00.001-08:00

Advice to new artist never stop doing what you love. Especially if it makes others happy. I am so Happy these ladies are making a come back!

a picture for you

2012-01-02T04:21:00.001-08:00

You have been sent 1 picture.

hiphop-2.jpg

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

2011-12-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

2011-11-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Nothng says hip hop like a good old MC Battle!

That ONE Member can break the group.

2011-10-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Music Industry Blog

Do you have a rap group singing group or band? Do you have THAT ONE member? You know that one member no matter what always finds a way to delay the progress of the group notorious for Breaking studio appointments at the last minute not able to perform in large paid gigs or promo gigs. The one who always complains about how he or she sounds after the finished project causing the group to go over and over the track until he /she finally says let's go back to the original track? If you have that one member in your group. You have to see this person as and infiltrator working for the competition doing what it ever he or she can to delay and even destroy your musical success. If this member can not hold up their end of the group agreement. There is really no way the group can be successful. Especially without Mediation or therapy his or her fears of making it big is interfering and he or she need to be dealt with appropriately. Here are some steps you can take . Step one have a group meetings weekly monthly it depends on the group. whether its a phone conference oovoo or chat it should be done. The group needs to be able to brainstorm new ideas and goals when all party's are involved in decision making at least agree on the goal of the group it can make a difference
2nd tip create a fining system. That one member should Pay for Delay. The money can add up! Then you can use that money to go to purchasing and ad in backstage or the Voice to find a new member.
For more ideas, info or group mediation or email me @ Tieshathomas@gmail.com I will gladly respond good luck!

2011-10-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

THIS WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW JERSEY WASHINGTON AND VIRGINIA IF YOU ARE FROM THESE AREAS SEND ME YOUR LINK TO YOUR MUSIC PAGES IF POSSIBLE AND I WILL SEND YOU THE DATES TIMES AND LOCATIONS. tieshathomas@gmail.com

2011-10-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Money Ain't Everything???? Well tell that to my landlord Quan! What I WILL agree with you on is that in this game of music, you must have talent. All the money in the world will not make you a better rapper. Rappers these days have to realize that in order to make it in this business they need to posses the type of talent that is able to entertain and inspire all. Your talent has to go beyond the hood and be appreciated world wide. Quan Tha Don has this! In this video Quan is challenging the everyday hood rapper to bring more to the table than just your usual braggadocuous lyrical skills to the arena. Can ya Act? Can you Sing? This video was well done! I look forward to the "polished hood" talent that Quan is offering the music game.

2011-10-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

I Agree Pharell I also would like to add never be afraid to expand on your talent try collaborations with artist from different genre's. Also write a song about a current event that is happening to get the exposure you need.
Contact me for more ideas on this topic.

Sell Your Music Today!

2011-08-30T02:48:00.000-07:00

Band Camp (www.bandcamp.com) is a great digital distribution website for the beginning artist. I will tell you the pros and cons of joining this site first.... when a person types in the genre of music you perform, a group of exotic and not so exotic album art pops up. The album arts are links you click on. The cool thing is that the order changes often so that your album art will show up in the top 10 eventually which will make it easier for the potential listener to spot you album art and be curious to hear your music (get creative with your photos) The other cool thing is that there are setting where you can pick your price of your music you can sell the entire album collection or you can sell it per song. you can also offer free downloads to your artist 200 downloaded songs only any more than that will cost you. I understand this concept of charging the artist for giving out free music because free music is a way of marketing yourself as a artist. the only issue with this site I find that its a little tricky to upload you music. It doesn't take MP3 format you have to convert your MP3 into A WAV file then download the WAV version onto your computer then you can upload onto the site wording. You are bound to make a mistake if your are not savvy. I would contact the site owners or feel free to contact me for some troubleshooting ideas also. Good Luck!

Got talent??

2011-03-28T05:33:00.001-07:00

I was invited to an artist showcase on friday evening and I must say in just a few words there is a war going on out there in the new artist arena!! Dont get me wrong the new artist are not fighting eachother.. They have formed alliances to help eachother reach for the stars. I have seen a few although, that needed to get a clue or find a note and a vocal coach. I dont know what it is about these tone deaf artist ... Its either they have a whole lot of friends and groupies supporting their beliefs that they can sing or they just mistake criticism as negativity "haters trying to stop there shine." Either way you see it their persistance to make it to the top is not to be ignored. It reminds me of the plight of the now great R Kelly's career when he first came out with the group The public announcement which was a flop. Then Mr Kelly came out on his own shortly after and got critisized for sounding like Aaron Hall the lead singer if Guy who got his sound from Charliie Wilson. Nonetheless Mr Kelly puts the R in persistance. New artist could learn something from this man minus the sex tape. (which probably sold more copies on the underground market than his albums did in his music career). I wouldnt be surprised.

Beware of Scams!

2010-12-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

There are free website company that are looking to steal your domain name Ideas Please be careful.

2009-07-26T16:05:00.001-07:00

Word to the wise remain humble until you earn the right to be arrogant...

Mixing hip hop With Other genres

2009-06-18T17:12:00.001-07:00

Win or Lose your audience? Share your thoughts.

2009-05-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Interesting enough I had the pleasure of meeting these young High school Students. I was expecting Loud mouth no it all's but not the Piff Boyz the are very focused. These young men have a goal and it's evident in their music. I was shocked to see that they have socially concious concept. I didn't expect it from rappers this age, especially because the time they were expose to hip hop it was pretty much bombarded with gangster rap. It was very refreshing to see that there are some Yungins out there that are all about initiating change.

Jurmane Stone

2009-03-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

The interesting thing about jiggy is when you listen to his first productions they were a little amatuer the sound quality and vocals were not clear but his latest stuff....Jiggy has been doing his homework my eyerows are raise while i type this because I am impressed with his growth if you love dance hall reggae Jiggy is one to watch.

Marcus Bravo

2009-03-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of seeing this young man perform live. His live shows are like watching a music video. I visited his myspace page after seeing his performance and was seriously disapointed in 2 of the songs. The sound quality for tracks "We dont talk" and "Feel Real" were not impressive. The production was phenomenal but the sound was crappy. I don't know if it was mastered or not but I think that is an artist will lose a follower if his digital presentations are not up to par. But I will definitely see his live show again because he is a hard working talent.

Picasa Web Albums - Search results

2008-10-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Picasa Web Albums - Search results: "being"

Sound Quality is important

2008-10-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email from an unsigned rap artist looking for someone to manage him. First before I go into anything else let me just say, as much as I would love to " save the world" you must at least be able to float and carry your own weight. He sent me a link to his music page and told me to check out his music. I looked at his default picture and saw a selfie and said Hmmmmmm this is gonna be very interesting. One thing about me is that believe in most cases, a picture says a thousand words. Camera phone shots taken in mirrors are tacky. I don't care what anyone says at least have a friend take the picture for you. If don't have any friends thats another blog post topic.
I went to his music page because I believe in the concept "Leave no stone unturned" Meaning he may be the next Greatest rapper oof all time or Weezy!
I took a listen...... I turned up my speaker on the music player........ then I turned up the speaker on my computer........ only to find that the sound quality was very fuzzy. First of all his vocals were low and his music needed to be mixed down because the tracks were jumbled and his flow wasn't on beat. I could not get a good appreciation for his lyrics. And lyrics are what I mainly look for. I Offered him consultation because after hearing that mess, he was now certified in my book as"Not Ready For the Game" I told him he should goes back to the studio have the engineer mix it down and raise his vocals. Maybe that alone can give him a fighting chance. I know of a few Internet radio stations that wouldn't dare play his stuff! Back to the lab!

2008-10-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Music industry is not the same as it use to be. With new technology and the help of internet less and less artist are banging on the door of record executives and A&R's to help them to get a deal. Gone are the days of stolen publishings and faulty contracts. There is a new wave of unsigned independant artist that are thriving from Financing their own projects and booking their own shows. Finally that the dream of being a Superstar one day is left in the hand of the creative one. The question is where and how does one begin their journey into stardom? Check out www.Entiesse.com
Entiesse Entertainment is one of the few companies that helps the artist help themselves by directing them in the right direction of their correct career paths by offering artist development services and artist representation. Also a Management company (Entiesse Management) all singers,rappers,bands,dancers,and models are welcomed for consultations. Signing up is rather simple.Also check out their myspace page myspace.com/entiesseentertainment