My 1st job in the music industry was General Manager at Black Market/Priority Records back in 1992-1996.
Who was the last artist you worked?
The last artist album I worked on was Centric’s project/album.
The last artist album I worked on was Centric’s project/album.
What are your thoughts on the current musical landscape?
I have an expansive view of the music industry,and this vision I bring to my work. So, I can’t speak for all music but as far as the urban musical landscape, it's terrible. In Rap music I feel there can be more creativity! Everyone that has solid backing sounds almost alike and all the music videos urban themes are really close to the same! Most have the shot in the club, whether the night club or strip club, with bottles of liquor and of course a bunch of half naked women. We all know sex sells, but there is nothing is left to the imagination anymore! I can't deny that, music is supposed to be a form of expression! I just wanna know, what happened to telling stories about life experiences? Now It's all about the imaging of girls shaking there ass’s and guys wearing platinum chains and driving expensive cars! We are more creative than that!!! Now, visually, we can't deny that it does draw attention, though.
Can you give us a description of your normal day?
As an digital distributor who specializes in International Music, my work hours have to accommodate half a dozen time zones on any given day. In a nut shell; A normal day for me, is that I get in on my home office laptop around 4:45 or 5:00 AM. I usually read BIllboard, Rollingstone, Variety, and TMZ, online magazine articles for about and 1/2 hour to :45 mins daily to update me on what is going on in the entertainment industry. Around 5:45 or 6:00 AM and I write the palacemusicgroup.blogspot.com, as well as, check my voice mail. Then I check my emails and calendar to see what phone meetings I have for that day, so I can prioritize. By, 6:30 DAILY AM; Depending on what project I’m working on, I check the BDS on the song that my artist(s) have at radio. Since I multitask, I also take this time to simultaneously update my my Personal Facebook, Company Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages. 7:00 AM Daily; I usually phone conference my GM to speak about any new projects and how to make sure we can increase online visibility of the company. This will include any company issues, as well as, a brain storming session. Around 8:00 AM I usually read Essence, Global Grind, Jet, XXL, and Vibe articles online for about and hour to update me on what is going on in the R&B and urban/hip hop music industry.Then around 9:00 AM I usually call my artist manager to check up on them to see how they are doing.I usually speak with the A&R(s) or marketing person for the particular artist projects to make sure my artist calendar is in-line, as well as, come up with new ideas on how we can further the artist visibility to the online consumer. My days are always different, but this frenetic, time zone-leaping schedule is a constant. By 11:00 AM If I’m in the recording process of an album, I go to the studio with the artist or check in with him or her, to make sure the session goes as planned! I have to make sure the producer creates the right beat for the artist I’m working with. By 11:30 AM I'm out the door, to around 12:20 PM to take a daily walk and reflect on the information gathered the morning meetings. Around 12:45 PM or 1:00 PM I review artwork for and hour and enjoy a meal at my desk, normally light lunches, since I work from home most of the time. At 2:00 PM I make calls, for and hour, as well as respond by written word, future business inquiries on my linkedin page. In between meetings and calls, I dedicate time to producing content to be shared with artists and and my music industry site. 3:30 PM GYM MON-FRIDAY for hour or more. AT 5:00 PM There’s music to listen to. I spends time reviewing client projects, and working out release plans. After a listen-or 5—and some yellow-padded brainstorming, I begins exploring if any of the artist songs can be licensed for film or television. 6:00 PM Down time before I answer another round of emails for the evening. 9 pm -1 pm Creative meeting with a managers and studios. Who I’ve been discussing strategizing possiblities.
What are your thoughts on the current state of radio?
I only speak for urban radio but I feel that all the stations play the same songs and of course that's political. My personal feels are, that the DJ’s don’t have the freedom to play what they want to play anymore. They have to follow a playlist that has been created by an, out of tune, corporate program director! It does not matter if a DJ wants to play a certain song that the streets think is hot. If its not a part of that playlist the commercial radio DJ can't play it on air! Trust me that isn't the play list that DJ has in his Ipod. Let him play that on air.
I only speak for urban radio but I feel that all the stations play the same songs and of course that's political. My personal feels are, that the DJ’s don’t have the freedom to play what they want to play anymore. They have to follow a playlist that has been created by an, out of tune, corporate program director! It does not matter if a DJ wants to play a certain song that the streets think is hot. If its not a part of that playlist the commercial radio DJ can't play it on air! Trust me that isn't the play list that DJ has in his Ipod. Let him play that on air.
How much time do you spend looking for new artists?
We're always looking for new manageable great performing artist!! There is never a time when we're not looking for new great performing artist! By great performing artist I mean the ones who consistently do excellent shows. We all know that is part of developing their craft. Excellent shows get great artist paid. I didn't say okay artist. We look for great performing artist. Okay sounding/performing artist, don't get you paid. Okay doesn't change your lifestyle. Okay doesn't give you a top ten hit record, that calls for you to tour around the U.S. to support your records major radio play in different marketed demographics.
We're always looking for new manageable great performing artist!! There is never a time when we're not looking for new great performing artist! By great performing artist I mean the ones who consistently do excellent shows. We all know that is part of developing their craft. Excellent shows get great artist paid. I didn't say okay artist. We look for great performing artist. Okay sounding/performing artist, don't get you paid. Okay doesn't change your lifestyle. Okay doesn't give you a top ten hit record, that calls for you to tour around the U.S. to support your records major radio play in different marketed demographics.
Who are some of your “current’ favorite artists?
That's a good question!!! I don’t have a current favorite! And that's really Sad! Today they all are developed in a cookie cutter process. Don't take my opinion wrong this isn't a easy process to make work. The life experiences that we use to listen to in music is gone. The artist and companies are under tremendous pressure to produce a hit single/record. They are under the pressure to recoup millions of dollars of losses in revenue, that the major labels have given out in the form of large guaranties or advances in the past. Money advanced to artist that become only shelved or drop from the label as well as the companies investment into the current artist career.
That's a good question!!! I don’t have a current favorite! And that's really Sad! Today they all are developed in a cookie cutter process. Don't take my opinion wrong this isn't a easy process to make work. The life experiences that we use to listen to in music is gone. The artist and companies are under tremendous pressure to produce a hit single/record. They are under the pressure to recoup millions of dollars of losses in revenue, that the major labels have given out in the form of large guaranties or advances in the past. Money advanced to artist that become only shelved or drop from the label as well as the companies investment into the current artist career.
How do you feel about the current “American Idol” Phenomena?
I’m not a big fan of American Idol. Not for the lack of talent because we all know that if you put anyone with talent in front of millions of people every night of the week, they will sell records. That's what we are in the business for. To sell records, downloads or musical content. Now on the other hand I think the process worked for artist like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson who in today's market otherwise would not have gotten deal!
I’m not a big fan of American Idol. Not for the lack of talent because we all know that if you put anyone with talent in front of millions of people every night of the week, they will sell records. That's what we are in the business for. To sell records, downloads or musical content. Now on the other hand I think the process worked for artist like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson who in today's market otherwise would not have gotten deal!
You have seen the industry executive changes. Tell us about your experience dealing with these changes.
It's really no real other way to deal with it; you just roll with the punches and go with the flow.
It's really no real other way to deal with it; you just roll with the punches and go with the flow.
What happened to rock stars? Rap stars?
What I think happened to the “Rap star” Is that they all started to bite; copy each other! You can’t tell who is who anymore! And the few artists that aren’t biters; copy cats, they're concerned that their imaging and sound is not going to come across as authentic or believable!
What I think happened to the “Rap star” Is that they all started to bite; copy each other! You can’t tell who is who anymore! And the few artists that aren’t biters; copy cats, they're concerned that their imaging and sound is not going to come across as authentic or believable!
Any advice for aspiring artists who want to break out into the big leagues?
Be prepared to work harder then you have ever worked in your life! And then you got to work even harder then that! Network, this industry is built on relationships so it's all about who you know! So meet as many people as you can in the industry because you never know when you might need them!
Be prepared to work harder then you have ever worked in your life! And then you got to work even harder then that! Network, this industry is built on relationships so it's all about who you know! So meet as many people as you can in the industry because you never know when you might need them!
What would be your advice to the independent musician today?
Hire the social media member. Add someone to your band/group that just takes care of your social media, marketing and the day-to-day management of the band. Pay her or him like a member and treat them like they are as important as your lead guitarist. It’s good advice because it bridges a gap that I was having trouble bridging in my mind before hearing it. We’re teaching these artists that they have to run their art like it is a business. They have to fight for every dollar, play shows, promote themselves, be savvy social media pros, create buzz about product launches and monetize 1000 different ways, but they mostly just want to make music.
Hire the social media member. Add someone to your band/group that just takes care of your social media, marketing and the day-to-day management of the band. Pay her or him like a member and treat them like they are as important as your lead guitarist. It’s good advice because it bridges a gap that I was having trouble bridging in my mind before hearing it. We’re teaching these artists that they have to run their art like it is a business. They have to fight for every dollar, play shows, promote themselves, be savvy social media pros, create buzz about product launches and monetize 1000 different ways, but they mostly just want to make music.
How do you get someone invested in your band and only your band like a manager? Well this is how. You need the guy that plays the Twitter.
My advice? Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something because they don’t think you’re good enough or your size, color, age, looks, beliefs, or what kind of music you are playing. Do it to make you happy. Don’t lose focus on what you want to do but be free to experiment. The more popular you get, the more negativity you’ll see. That’s all part of the job.
My motto is strategize, negotiate, and promote.
My motto is strategize, negotiate, and promote.
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