Jermaine Dupri recently spoke at BlogWorld Expo 09 about the effects of blogs and social networking sites like Twitter, on the music business.

Here are 2 videos of the panels he spoke on:

Also, social media blogger, Wayne Sutton caught up with JD for a quick convo about his talking points on the above panels:

What are your thoughts on what JD said?

Do you agree/disagree, and why?

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

I wanted to let you guys know about a new R&B artist/producer I’ve recently began working with, Tony J.

He’s been making a name for himself in his hometown of Houston, and today, we’re releasing his new single, “U Need A Man”.

Here’s a quick bio rundown:

“With the new generation of R&B artists singing tales of promiscuous lifestyles, today’s R&B music has lost its connection with love and romance. Houston native, Tony J, wants to change that.

Having been raised in Houston (a primarily hip-hop market), Tony’s musical influences range from 90s R&B artists like Case, Avant and Jagged Edge, to the Houston-born Chopped & Screwed style, pioneered by the late DJ Screw. This vast range offers a unique twist to Tony J’s music.

From the vocals he records, to the words he sings, to the music he composes – Tony J is a well-rounded artist and musician.

With his first single, “U Need a Man”, Tony J is bringing romance back to R&B.”

After working relentlessly on artist & album launches for different record labels and artists, I’m more than happy to be working on one of my own.

Here’s the single, which you can choose to stream, share and download the song (high quality, lossless files available). And for the DJs & remix artists, the instrumental and acappella are also available for download at http://music.tonyjforever.com.

Download page – http://music.tonyjforever.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/TonyJForever
MySpace – http://myspace.com/savernbtonyj

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

One of the biggest problems with the music business (or any business, for that matter) is that you’re never quite sure who you can trust. People talk a lot; the difference is some can back up their talk, while others simply can’t.

And other times, not only can they not back it up – they go to the extreme to create an entire façade.

Fakes.

Frauds.

One of those frauds is Antoine Keane a.k.a “Dominic Edmonds”.

I got contacted by this guy a couple months ago about doing some consultation work for his independent label, SRB/WongGee Records. He claimed to have distribution with Warner Music and that he had some family inheritance which he’s invested into his company (he claims to be the son of Babyface’s brother, Kevon Edmonds).

Obviously, I hear people run their mouths often, so to be honest, I didn’t really pay this guy much mind at first – but he continued to hound me, so I finally decided to take a call.

After speaking to him for 15-20 minutes, I grew even more suspicious about him and his character.

I know some trust fund babies who share similar characteristics with this guy (they talk a lot… A LOT) but sometimes actually do have capital to invest in their ideas. I really wasn’t sure how to read him, but I figured I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Anyhow, over the next few weeks, while I still had some suspicions about him, some of what he was saying was actually checking out. He told me Lacey Schwimmer from ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”, is making her music debut and that he had just signed her.

I didn’t believe him, until I noticed some press coverage announcing her signing to his new label, WMS/WongGee, as well as video of her in the studio with him (he’s the skinny kid sitting down eating chicken). That offered me some proof that maybe – just maybe – this guy checks out.

As some of you know, I decided to close my old business in September, so when Antoine a.k.a Dominic asked me again for consultation work, I told him I was no longer for hire. He insisted that I join his team and help him run things.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve been asked to help run an indie, but obviously given the fact that I had just closed my old business to focus on other goals, I refused his offer.

He continued to persist, hoping I would change my mind, but after realizing that I won’t budge, he asked if I could submit any tracks for Lacey’s project.

That’s when we really started talking.

I sent him a couple tracks (from some producers I work with) and after a few days, we agreed on a placement. After that, he started calling me every hour of every day.

If he couldn’t reach me by phone, he’d send me a message on Blackberry Messenger. If he couldn’t reach me on BBM, he would email me.

When we would talk, he never had any updates on the placement. No Producer Agreement, no recording itinerary, no payment – nothing.

He would try to keep me on the phone for as long as he could just to talk about random things. I got suspicious.

Is he just trying to find out more about me?

Does he suspect that I’m suspicious about him and he’s trying to break down the barrier?

What’s he doing?

Everytime I’d mention the paperwork for the placement, he would offer a new excuse and a new delay. Half of his excuses didn’t even make sense. I began to suspect maybe he’s just a rich kid who read one or two books about the music business and now wants to play “industry”.

I was extremely skeptical about the validity of Antoine/Dominic.

Then, I got an email from someone warning me about Antoine a.k.a Dominic, confirming all the suspicions I’ve had about him. I decided to take it a step further and contact a few others whom I knew he had been in touch with.

The second I brought up his name, they all reacted extremely, telling me their experience with this guy.

Fake distribution, fake assets, fake affiliations… fake bank accounts.

Let me repeat that once more – FAKE BANK ACCOUNTS!

Some of the affiliations Antoine Keane a.k.a Dominic Edmonds claims are Babyface, Kevin Liles, Rick Rubin, and Chris Lighty. He even registered an 800# which he’s set to display Chris Lighty’s name on the outgoing caller ID.

Dirty!

If you get a call from someone claiming to rep Chris Lighty – check your sources!

In the past week alone, I’ve been in touch with several others who have all been contacted by Antoine Keane a.k.a Dominic Edmonds (Antoine Keane probably isn’t even his real name either). They all share similar stories about his claims and their similar suspicions.

Fortunately, I wasn’t taken as many of the people I’ve been speaking with have been. I only lost time – others lost their money.

Babyface & Kevon Edmonds’ family don’t know of him. Kevin Liles & Chris Lighty never heard of him. None of his claims are real. Beware!

By the way, I’m not the only one reporting this dud. Gyant from GyantUnplugged.com has also posted about this wannabe.

The music business is littered with snakes and trash-talkers, but it’s also a relatively small network, when discussing the people involved.

Everyone knows everyone.

And even those whom you don’t know – it’s usually not that difficult to get in touch with them. So when someone like Antoine Keane/Dominic Edmonds attempts to bamboozle others, we will find out – and we will air you out.

Sorry dude, game over.

–

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

DJ AM (R.I.P) in DJ Hero video game

In this struggling state of the record industry, most artists, producers and labels are desperately looking for different streams to generate revenue.

Video games have long been a great alternative revenue stream, however in recent years games are becoming even more dependent on musical content (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, DJ Hero, etc), making this an even more attractive option to consider.

Below is a great slideshow presentation offering a quick overview of the Top 10 Trends in Music & Games prepared and presented by Stuart Dredge of MusicAlly.com:

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.

- Albert Einstein

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

You guys are starting to get familiar with my TwitterRants, where I usually vent about an issue publicly on Twitter. I still have a few bottled up which I may express sooner or later, however, in the meantime, I’d like to share one with you from my homegirl, Fadia Kader.

During a recent TwitterRant, she offered some cautionary tales, while providing some incredibly useful advice, for those working their way up in the music business (and any business, really).

You’ll notice that these tweets are well over 140 characters. This was done using TwitLonger.com

#tempted to share some #freeadvice … maybe a TOP 10 list on what not to do when you are on a “COME UP” …

Ok..so here is the deal..my TOP 10 LIST list of what not to do if ur trying to get on a come up in any field…especially in my f*cking lane

….There’s an art to appreciating someone else and their accomplishments BUT when it gets to the point where you study their every mvmnt..

#10 Dont Steal someones contacts.

In any form, especially emails. You can get Alex Gidewons email list and Diddys assistants Rolodex… but if you dont work to build that list, you wont be able to ever f*cking work it the way I did and still do and will be doing for a long time.

You cheated.

#9 Dont abuse the contacts you are given:

I worked hard for every contact I have ever acquired?(except the ones I got off the emails that come without a BCC, i snatched those emails… sorry, at least I admit it)…

If you want access to my rolodex that is very extensive (as you clearly know) ,you had 2 options to gain access to it: simply ask me and allow me the opportunity to decide to do one of the following:

1)might charge you a flat rate to blast out something?

2)might blast it out out of love?

3)might give you FULL ACCESS

and in this case I choose 3. For several reasons: cause you had nothing and the other being that I KNOW/KNEW YOU WILL NEVER WORK IT THE WAY I DO.

in the mean time.. dont spam my people and dont act like you just busted your ass to get that list.

please+thank you

#8 Always be aware of “6 degrees of separation.”

I’m sure we all know what that is.?And in this day and age its more like ONE degree of seperation.

With that being said..BE WISE in how you use peoples names and what YOU have done with them,for them and so on. Cause you know damn well you didnt do any of that shit. Those you are trying to get in business with always fact check (more on that in a bit) … so what makes you think if we are in the same field, same lane, that the truth wont come out about what your background is?

#7 How to be an Opportunist properly.

Its human nature, we all thrive for the opportunity to get a pinkie toe in that door.. be a step closer to success , or simply just be able to sit behind the screen door and breath the same air as someone that you admire and their accomplishments on the other side where the grass is greener..

so I understand the nature of the beast and competitive nature of what we do in this lane.. I respect it .. because Im an opportunist in certain situations and I will be the first to say it…

BUT.

I pass on many opportunities because I know my boundaries. I never bite off more than I can chew..

There is such a stigma to being called a “opportunist” , but to be a “ignorant and under-qualified” opportunist who will just tell the other person seeking your business EXPERTISE anything to lock them in.. is plain FOUL.

Your f*cking with someones progress if you enter the situation with little to no knowledge of how to help that person achieve their dreams.

but I guess thats where your studying ass ways come into play.. 6 Months ago, half the shit you are speaking on was not in your vocabulary or even a possibility. Now your a “marketer”.

Sit Down.

Or go intern with someone ( time with me didn’t count) , go back to school.. or read up and be honest with people about what you are capable of.

#6 Background Check.

Networking with people and possibly “politic’n” and “building” is like applying for a job.

Just cause you came to the table talking all that “im on my shit” talk and how you were apart of “that” concert, how you have access to “that person” and how you can get “that” job done..
reminder asshole: If they were smart people thinking of going into business with anyone.. they will FACT CHECK.

Just cause you leave one scene and go to another scene or move to another town,city,state,country.. trust.. this is the entertainment industry.. we know the same people..

So when someone comes to me to ask me about YOUR CREDENTIALS .. im assuming you want me to lie for you? lol

Nah.. I wont say shit homie. Im gonna let you hang yourself..cause time will come when you have to back the shit you were talking..

And when you fail and they are looking at you sideways.. you know whats the first thing they are gonna think about?

The smirk I had on my face when they ran the “credentials” you ran on them and asked me about you… I CHOOSE NOT TO BE A “HATER” and block your blessing.
but you blocked yours cause you dont have the credentials to get the job done.

#5 Strength + Weakness

If your the person doing all the “soaking of the knowledge” from someone who has proven to be slightly more accomplished than you.. dont take their time and the experience you got for granted.

This one is hard for me, because my judgment is sometimes clouded.

I often see the “potential” in people..?I typically surround myself with “like-minds” and people that can keep up with me.. some wayyyyyy more accomplished than me and possibly will ever be.. some just starting off or were doing it all wrong.. and all I want to do is take them in and make sure they dont make the same mistakes I have made on this road and still make..

I know I know.. let them learn on their own..But if I have true respect and love for you.. I just wont do it at all… I save the “opportunist” and cut throat shit for those I dont respect and whom dont respect me.

Instead, when someone lets you into their world , please sir/madam, wipe your feet off when you make that entrance. Leave the malicious intent and dirty business outside.

We can already tell your hungry..hell we all are.. but thirsty is not the way to go. Cause there will come a time when you have drank out of everyone’s well and its all dried up when it comes to you.

The whole time you look at that person letting you into their world with the intention of GREED caused by your thirst thinking this might be a sign of weakness in the operation..

you got it wrong buddy..

Its their STRENGTH that allowed you in because they have nothing to fear.?They saw your weakness and let you borrow their strength by sharing their experience..saving you the disappointments.
the weakness is not realizing the strength it takes to be able to see the potential of someone who can easily be as great, if not greater than you in your field.. and still take them in..

why? cause they have confidence in how they got where they are.

#4 Be Still.

Well this one goes out to the person/people investing in “that” person that you think might have the potential to just be full of shit.

There are signs you can pick up on.. so many to go thru but I wont..Just be aware, learn to have a memory like an elephant..because the truth is hard but a lie is harder to maintain… and folks like that typically have to use one lie on top of another lie to maintain their story..

Just listen and register.?Watch.?Wait till that moment when they are so comfortable in their lies, because naturally they will start to get lazy and sloppy with their story lines and actions.

I will be honest.. im not the best at this in my personal life.. I’m overly aggressive and a truth-hound and will jump if Im feeling froggy..but I had to learn the hard way.. to make sure that aspect of my life doesn’t trickle into my non-personal world.

The only way a working relationship will work with that person is if you are the same way or are just really oblivious to their acts.

Again. Actions do seriously speak louder than words. Just Listen

TRUST YOUR STRUGGLES.

#3 Law #10- Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky

“You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as disease. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.”

I tweeted this last week after talking to this one dude who always downplayed my accomplishments..

First thing I thought about was the #10 law..

If you are good at what you do , do it and do it well. Dont doubt yourself. Its human nature to feel a slight jealous stab when you see a colleague doing better than you and you are struggling
but NEVER and I mean never try to down play their hard work and accomplishments..they had to make a ton of sacrifices to get there and just because you dont know what those sacrifices are, doesn’t mean you have the right to try to block their blessings.

Now if that person is the one who’s clearly in misery.. dont try to save someone in business or personal relationships that doesnt want to be saved.?Because they are typically never content until you feel their “so-called” struggles.

#2 Passion

All you can do at the end of the day is Be as passionate as you can possibly be in anything that you do for yourself or someone else.

There are two things that I say all the time so Im gonna take it out of the interview i did with @beecardoza for area84.com

1)?”Females:?if they call you emotional, show them how emotional you can get *wink*, cause “SOME” men in the industry CONVENIENTLY get in touch with their feminine side out of nowhere and get emotional at times. Trust, they would never talk to the next man like that. Just smile and let em rant.”

2)?Never apologize for who you are, or being all about YOURSELF and YOURS.. cause trust, the more successful you get , the more your peers will attempt to call you out and say you are being selfish or monopolizing, smile and keep working hard.. CREAM RISES.

Its good to have people who have your back.. but understand that you always have your own FRONT.. cause a dagger through the front is worse than going through the back.

If you have your own FRONT..you can look them in the eye and trust me they will re-consider the damage they were about to do.. not just to you.. but to themselves.

Cause only cowards put on a mask.

#1 I AGAINST I

I got something tatted on me last year as a daily reminder:

I against I (picture —> http://i25.tinypic.com/205w5mf.jpg)

Right there.. when I wake up and look in the mirror its on my shoulder staring right back.

A daily reminder that there are two sides to every story.

The story your mind tells?or?The story that your heart tells

As much as I am my biggest fan, I’m my worst critic. That Its ok for me to be a competitive person, its healthy.. I challenge myself on the daily, but I can also cause my own demise. I play hard and fight harder, but I never fight to draw blood.

My victories doesn’t lie in that persons success or loss, it lies in me.?And if I lost the fight. Its only because I am my worst ENEMY.

When I fail I sometimes blame it on others.. or the situation..or luck.. or a opportunity i deserved more than the next person .. or the fact that maybe I thought of it first, or they did it better than me.. you get the picture………..
but then when the smoke clears and those emotions are gone im left with one thing..

It was always I AGAINST I

I choose the situations that I was/am in. I choose the path, I choose the players, I choose the fights. I choose to cross the finish line or give up.

We all have RIGHTS. but always seem to forget about our responsibilities.

So at then end you have to be responsible for all the actions your brought on to yourself.

Cause you are where you NEED to be in life, not where you WANT to be.

FIN

#Conclusion —> Never Run

“Run Run this ain’t no race, more like an endless raggedy chase” -LB

I was never running in your rat race.

*Make sure to follow Fadia on Twitter.

I felt like sharing this with you because not only does Fadia offer some great insight, but also because all of us – and I do mean ALL of us – have encountered these kinds of people and situations. A few personal experiences happen to come to mind.

How do you deal with snakes? Are there any tips you’d like to offer others on how to manage dealing with these kinds of situations?

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

One of my biggest annoyances is receiving mass emails with my email address exposed in the TO or CC field; along with 500 other unsuspecting recipients. It breeds unwanted solicitation and spam, as well as encouraging others to dismiss netiquette.

If you need to send mass emails, please look into email marketing solutions and mailing list software. If you don’t want to pay for a mailing list service, and instead choose to simply use your regular email account, then please remember to use the BCC function.

If you’re unfamiliar with the BCC function in email, it stands for blind carbon copy. That means, when you place an email address in this field, the recipient will still receive your email, but their email address will not be exposed.

When sending mass email, you should enter ALL email addresses in the BCC field so that you don’t expose your contacts’ email addresses to others.

It’s just simple email manners, and your contacts will appreciate it.

I’m developing an almost zero-tolerance for non-BCC’d emails; regardless of whether if the sender is a friend/contact or not. I decided to post this as a reference point to direct all the non-BCC’ers out there.

Another point worth mentioning…

Another major email faux-pas is emailing the wrong address. If you are emailing a blogger, please check to see if they have a separate email account for music submissions or press.

Some of us have certain methods of managing our email, and by ignoring our request, you are making it difficult for us to pay attention to whatever it is that you are sending.

In my case, I ask that people only send direct communication involving business to my work email account. All other non-direct, non-work email should be sent to my blog email address.

I will often email people to remind them of my request, if they send it to the wrong address. If they continue to ignore it, I simply mark their email address as spam, causing their emails to be directed to my spam folder (which I never check) and eventually deleted. And it doesn’t matter who it is – I do this with friends too. (I’m ruthless, huh?)

If someone can’t respect my simple request, then they don’t need access to me anyhow.

So when I ask someone to email me at my blog email address; I am not dismissing their email – I’m simply asking that you send it to the account that I will check on my computer, when I have the time to go through it, and watch/listen to the media that you’re sending me.

The main point is, when someone gives you their email address, they are giving you access to communicate with them. When you abuse it, you’re showing them that you do not appreciate that access – therefore not appreciating them.

No disrespect to those of you whom I, or someone else, have directed to this post – we’re just asking for some common courtesy.

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

When was the last time you truly fell in love with an artist?

I don’t mean someone that just made you bop your head a couple times or even enticed you to get up and dance. I’m talking about an artist, whom from the very first moment you heard their music, you just knew that you couldn’t live without it from that day on.

That is how I feel about Brittany Bosco.

For the next few minutes, turn off/mute your phone, IM and all other distractions, so that you can get into a zone to really listen.

Once you’re in that zone, click to make the following video full-screen and press play.

Now, just watch & listen:

See what I mean?

Brittany Bosco isn’t an artist you just listen to – she’s an artist you experience. The musical arrangement, her vocal range, her facial expressions, the video and graphic visuals… everything. Every aspect of her is an experience in itself.

I love it. I co-sign Brittany Bosco to the fullest.

She recently released a free EP titled Spectrum 2.0, which I highly recommend everybody to download and experience for themselves.

PREVIEW:

DOWNLOAD:

Stream it, download it & let me know what you think.

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

The past few weeks have been intense – to say the least.

Amongst a heavier-than-usual workload, slicing my thumb like it’s deli meat, and several personal engagements; I also came to a serious decision and milestone in my career. After 4 years of pouring my blood, sweat and tears into my own business, I’ve decided to close shop.

It was not an easy decision, by any means, however it was a decision that was desperately needed.

When I announced my decision via Twitter and Facebook, many people misunderstood and mistakenly assumed I was giving up on my career and walking away from the music business.

Heeeelllllllll no.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  It’s actually quite the opposite.

The fact is, running a small business with a full-time (and part-time) staff meant that I had to make decisions that were beneficial to the company as a whole – rather than just my own priorities. This was a reality that I understood, embraced and gladly obliged to from the very beginning. However, as time passed, I began to feel frustrated with the direction it was taking and the lack of freedom I had. I was no longer focused on my own goals and had lost much of the passion I began this venture with.

Starting (and running) your own business is supposed to be about fulfilling your passion and making a living out of it – and yet, I felt like I was stuck in a job that I didn’t even enjoy. Luckily, I’m a (relatively) young guy – I can still afford to switch up gears without hitting too major of a bump.

For the past few months, I’ve been evaluating and re-evaluating everything that I have been doing and everything that I wanted to be doing. Some of you may even remember one of my TwitterRants, when I publicly vented about this very situation.

To make a very long story short, after a lot of reflecting, I realized I was actually contributing to building my own obstacle. The bigger I grew my business, the bigger of an obstacle I would have to overcome in order to fulfill my own goals.

That’s why I closed the business. I needed to stop holding myself back. I needed to give myself the freedom to pursue my own goals.

Sometimes we get so caught up, we fail to realize that we’re actually moving backwards while mistakenly assuming that we’re moving ahead.

That’s pretty much the gist of it. I didn’t give up and I didn’t walk away. Those who know me personally would never assume so, because it’s simply not in my character to give up – ever.

I’m simply remixing my current situation to ensure my longevity and success.

With a great deal of relief and excitement, I can say that I am no longer for hire.

I may decide to continue doing consultation work in the future, however my primary focus right now remains on my own ventures and my own priorities, and I will continue to do so under the Rockstar Branded name.

I am eternally thankful to everyone I have had the opportunity of working with over the past 4 years; the staff at MEG/Rockstar Branded, our clients, vendors and affiliates, and everyone else who I have had the pleasure of encountering over these past few years. I look forward to working with some of you again in the future and wish everyone all the best.

“Quitting while you’re ahead, isn’t the same as quitting.”

Regarding what’s next for me, I’d rather not spill the beans yet, however, stay tuned to my blog and we shall continue on this journey – together.

Hope you’re ready for the next episode…

*UPDATE:* It seems like quite a few people are still misunderstanding the situation. Let me clarify once again; I am NOT quitting the music business. I have simply decided to work independently now rather than keeping a full-time staff, and am focusing on my own ventures (STILL in music), rather than making myself available for hire to work label priorities. That’s the change I’m making. There is a major difference between simply closing down a company and walking away from the music biz entirely. So once again, I am not going into another field; I am simply closing my consulting company and putting my attention on my own projects (again, STILL in the music business). I hope my excessive repetition has cleared up any and all confusion. Thanks again.

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //

As you know, I don’t really post music on here really. It just confuses the message of my site and people start confusing this is a promotional outlet rather than a personal weblog for sharing information.

Today’s an exception though, so I’m going to post some new music. (Please read this before asking me for features)

This year, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with quite a few talented artists, so I decided to take the time today to showcase 3 of those acts with recent and/or upcoming projects:

DONNIS

Donnis is an incredibly talented artist with more promise than almost anyone else I’ve heard in recent years.

His flow, his style, his entire vibe – it’s all exciting!

If you haven’t already downloaded his new project from one of the several sites that featured it, make sure to download Diary Of An ATL Brave now.

Bonus: I couldn’t possibly finish this post without including my favorite Donnis track, Party Works:

Donnis’s official website – http://donnismusic.com

AMERICAN YARD

Consisting of 3 members: Stacy-Ann, Stevie English & Blewz; American Yard have been busy at work on their debut album on Konvict Muzik.

Already gaining some international attention, American Yard will soon be releasing the video for their first single, No You Didn’t. (Download here)

Here’s some behind-the-scenes footage from the video:

American Yard website – http://www.myspace.com/americanyard

ALEISE

The newest artist on this rundown, Aleise, is an incredible talent that I’m truly excited about.

Working with DropZone producers Chris N Teeb, and artist B-EZ, Aleise has just released her first single, Music.

The song itself was actually taken off her MySpace page and uploaded to Imeem prior to the scheduled release; gaining roughly 30,000 plays in only 3 days (at the time of this post).

And for good reason – the track is HOT! (The hook will stay in your head all day!)

Aleise – “Music” ft. B-EZ

Click on this link or the cover below for a direct download link:

DropZone’s official website – http://dropzonemusic.com

I love great music!

// © Moe Arora // MakingTheMogul.com //