The BET panel at SXSW

I had the pleasure of visiting Austin, TX for the 25^th anniversary celebration of the SXSW conference.  While at the conference, I was able to attend several very informative panels.   

On Thursday March 17, I attended the BET sponsored “Baby Im A Star!” The panel featured several industry leaders including Stephen Hill (President of Music programming at BET), Troy Carter (Lady Gaga’s manager), L. Londell McMillan (Prominent entertainment lawyer and publisher of The Source Magazine) and artists Melanie Fiona and J. Cole.  The panel, moderated by Kelly Griffin (BET Networks), was an interactive discussion of how to get major exposure in a multi-platform music environment. 

After the panel I was able to talk to a couple of the panelists about negotiating in the current music industry climate.  Here’s what they had to say:

On the topic of affiliation, McMillan says Relationships matter.  In order to negotiate a position as a star, you must understand the value of relationships.  The prevalence of search engine tools on the Internet means that the cream doesn’t always rise to the top.  Forming key relationships will ensure that the product is reaching the target audience.

 

When asked about her role in the industry Melanie Fiona explained that she has had to deal with stereotypes and issues concerning her image in the industry.  She was often prompted to use her sexuality to enhance her career but she remained true to herself.  She cited Sade as an example of being sexy without being sexually overt.  This is also closely related to the issue of autonomy.  She had to negotiate a position where her thoughts and ideas were respected.  This is why she was able to make her own decisions with regard to her image and her career.

 Troy Carter had some interesting things to say about leverage.  He explained that he doesn’t listen to anything and by the time someone surfaces on his radar, they have gained the approval of many fans and industry executives.  Artists are far better off perfecting their crafts and developing their talents to the point where they are ready to be presented to the public.  “Fortunately Gaga came to me with the fishnet stockings and hit singles in hand.” Troy said.  Being a complete artist gives leverage in negotiations between artist and company.

J. Cole also advised that artists not wait for big companies to notice them and make them stars.  Instead he suggests that they should build up their presence until the companies are forced to come talk to you.  It is possible to create interest and a healthy buzz without the backing of a major company.

The Future of Media: Handheld tablet devices and online music services.

This article highlights two significant technology trends that will have a profound impact on the industry. Google’s plans to release new Android tablet that's launching with the Motorola Xoom and a music service are telling of what the future has to hold.

Google music coming with honeycomb

This article shows Apple’s intentions on the manufacture of its signature tablet the iPad. According to the article, they plan to ship over 40 million iPads this year.

Apple buys 60% of the world's touch panel supply

This article denies the notion of Sony withdrawing from Apple’s iTunes distribution channel and possibly becoming a competitor. However, the notion and the rumors are very intriguing. 

 Sony Exec: We Are Not Abandoning iTunes

Steve Stoute: Marketing and Brand Management

INFLUENCERS in-depth Series / STEVE STOUTE from R+I creative on Vimeo.

In this video Steve Stoute provides us with some important insights on what makes people and things cool as well as some of the strategies that he has used in his business Translation marketing (a company that arranges strategic partnerships between Pop Culture icons - Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Lebron James, Justin Timberlake, etc. - and Fortune 500 companies.) He also touches on some successful and unsuccessful marketing strategies and the reasons why they either work or do not work. He goes on to explain the effect that the demise of the record industry has had on the marketing and advertising industries. "We must ultimately identify what success looks like and effectively manage the route to success."

The RIAA and Anti-piracy

The RIAA is an organization committed to helping the music business thrive. The association is working closely with law enforcement to pull pirate products off the street and to demonstrate that the consequences for this illegal activity are real.

TH RIAA is continuing our efforts to educate fans about the value of music and the right ways to acquire it and, when necessary, to enforce our rights through the legal system.

Record companies have licensed hundreds of digital partners that offer a range of legal models to fans: download and subscription services, cable and satellite radio services, Internet radio webcasting, legitimate peer-to-peer services, video-on-demand, podcasts, CD kiosks and digital jukeboxes, mobile products such as ringbacks, ringtunes, wallpapers, audio and video downloads and more.

The Learning Curve: Education and the future of Online Video

After reviewing many of the talks on TED.com I found two videos that opened my eyes and changed my perception quite a bit. These articles were chosen because they both show the role that art and entertainment play in education. They are a great compliment to each other. One lays out the flaws in the current education system and the other gives an optimistic outlook on the future of Internet video and its impact on the evolution of education.



The first is Ken Robinson’s Changing Education Paradigms. In this video Ken uses beautiful dry-erase illustrations to tell a story of how we, as a nation, have become hamstrung by an antiquated public school system.
He built trust with the audience by providing factual information and making some very strong assertions about rising drop-out rates, schools’ dwindling stake in the arts and a fictitious ADHD epidemic.
He makes an interesting point that the current public school system was designed for very different societal needs and how we should be educating children to take their place in the economies of the 21st century. Instead we categorize and separate the “academic” from the “non-academic.” Being judged in this way leads to many brilliant people believing that they are not. Sadly, it’s the kids with creativity and artistic ability that are the victims. Ken call for a move away from standardization and towards divergent thinking.



The next video offers what is the most likely solution to the problems created by an inadequate school system. In Who let this guy on the stage, TED founder Chris Anderson talks about the future of Internet video and the change in the evolution of skills. Anderson introduces the concept of crowd-accelerated participation. The concept is not entirely new. However, Internet video has amplified this effect as there are now more groups and online communities that allow for content to be shared more freely. According to Anderson, viewers collectively watch over 80 million hours of YouTube everyday and estimates that in the next 4 years 90 percent of the web’s data will be video. The proliferation of Internet video has changed not only changed entertainment, it has also changed the way that scientists and other professionals exchange information.

Anderson goes on to describe the new ways in which we learn and respond. Thus, completing the learning cycle in a way that was never previously possible.
Anderson argues that students no longer need to have their potential ruined by lousy teachers; they can now sit in front of the World’s best. And from a talent perspective, we have an opportunity to choose the world’s best from a larger pool. This amazing video shows the power of Internet video from a different perspective. We as a people are on the verge of the biggest learning cycle in the history of the world.

Lupe Fiasco On The Future Of Hip-Hop

In this very interesting interview with Professor Michael Eric Dyson and recording artist Lupe Fiasco some very interesting issues were raised and addressed.

Early in the interview Lupe states his firm opinion opposing 360 deals. The 360 deal format emerged as a result of the decline in record sales. In an attempt increase the profit margin for the major record labels this new deal structure was created and it has polarized the industry. Artists have been largely opposed to this particular deal structure because it allows the record company to tap into revenue generated from performances and merchandise which has traditionally been the main source income for artists. In principal this means less of a percentage for the artist but my question is whether or not this automatically means less money. If the company can help to generate more total revenue by helping with live show productions and the merchandise sales then the deal could potentially be lucrative for the artist. Right?

The deal will only be beneficial for the artist if the record company is ready, willing and able to support the efforts of the artist and expand the artist brand. A lot of artist who experienced success in the era of heavy CD sales have already established and built brands under the old industry format. Also, many artists have experienced independent success and have very profitable businesses. Therefore, many of these artists and companies feel that a 360 deal would take away artist revenue without necessarily contributing to the building of the brand. On the other hand, a new artist without an established brand or fan base may have an extra incentive to do such a deal.

The deal structure in general may be more beneficial to newer less established artists and with the old format being phased out a lot of the artist who were successful in it will ultimately be left out in the cold.

As artists and Major record labels compete and scramble to find the next lucrative business model, many of yesterday’s popular artist will find that without serious adaptation they will not be able to survive. The industry is changing in a way that is forcing artists to be creative not only with their music but with their business strategies also.

Album reviews 11/23

This week I will review some of the most significant Hip Hop and R&B releases from major artists in the week of 11/23/2010.  I review mainly based on three things:  First I rate the artist creativity and content, next I judge based on the production and the overall quality of the music.  And lastly I rate the commercial appeal of the album from a sales perspective.   The biggest difference between the ratings in my blog and other ratings is the fact that I always rate from the perspective of the artist’s fan as opposed to an average critic.  I fully understand that different artists cater to their own unique demographics.  In other words, I rate from the perspective of the fan and judge based on whether or not the album is worthy of purchase. 

Lloyd Banks -  HFM2 (Hunger For More vol. 2)

First up is Lloyd Banks who is releasing his first album since his “rotten apple” in 2006.  The album is the sequel to Bank’s debut “The Hunger for More(2004).”  HFM2 is laced with hit singles that helped generate a healthy momentum leading up to the release.  Songs like “Beamer, Benz, and Bentley” saw heavy success at radio and served as the launching pad for the album's release.  Bank’s hiatus doesn't seem to have slowed him down at all.  He is now more popular than ever and was able to build up a healthy anticipation for the album.  He definitely follows through with what his true fans have been waiting for.  His trademark sharp delivery and potent lyrics are backed by very solid production throughout.  Lloyd Bank's loyal fans will appreciate this offering in that it is very well rounded.  He manages to satisfy his current fan base while gaining new fans by way of some clever collaborations with artists like Kanye West and Lloyd.  Overall the album is a project that is well worth the purchase price.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

This album is simply put some of the most creative and though provoking music that I have had in a very long time.   The music on the surface is obviously well polished and Kanye’s tireless work ethic shines through on the production of every track.   The album continues to shine as you dig deeper.  This album is laced with underlying themes and emotions that people can truly relate to.  From beginning to end the album is masterfully composed and the lyrics are unrivaled.  I applaud Kanye for being one of the most prominent artist of today yet social commentary is a mainstay in his music.

"Hey teacher teacher tell me how do you respond to students,
and refresh the page and restart the memory.
Re-spark the soul and re-build the energy. 
We stop the ignorance, we kill the enemy..." 


Kanye has always been the type to challenge the status quo and push forward the art form as a whole.  The Dark Twisted Fantasy is a far departure from traditional album and song formatting.  Many songs on the album are 6 minutes or over and there is even a 9 minute version of the hit single "Runaway."


The album was preceded by the release of the short film also entitled "Runaway."  The film, which features very strong imagery, is the perfect complement to the album.  Kanye combines the very different worlds of hip hop and ballerinas in a way that hasn't quite been captured in movies or music videos.  His musical production style has laid the foundation for a similar film making style in which the traditional rules are frequently broken.

This album is a definite must buy and the short film is a must see.

Curren$y - Pilot Talk II 

Currensy is an artist that has generated a nice following in the underground that is more than a decade in the making.  He stays true to his fans and delivers what they have come to know him for.  The production is on point but the subject matter can dwindle at certain points throughout the project.  This is to be expected from Currensy to some extent.  There are plenty of weed references and a level of quality that is above average.  However there is not much pushing the envelope for Currensy on this effort.  Just alot of sticking to the script.  This album is well worth a listen and even a download but I wont be spending my money for this one. 

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday

A masterfully constructed buzz has created the most anticipation surrounding a female hip hop album in a very long time.  I was suprised by many of the tracks on this album and as a whole the fans will be truly pleased

Nicki Minaj is one of the most polarizing figures in the music business as everyone seemingly either loves her or hates her.  If you don' already love Nicki, don't expect this to change your mond.  However if you are a true Nicki Minaj fan then you will not be disappointed.  Expect to hear her cater to her loyal following as well as experiment with some different styles and sounds.  Overall this album is very consistent with the monster that has become Nicki Minaj.  If you are a fan it's a must buy.  If you're not a fan you'll want to listen but pass on the purchase.