Royalties versus Advances

There is a famous quote stumbling around the internet that "waiting for royalties is like waiting for a baby to be born."  Now, because it's in the internet, no one knows off the top of their head to whom to attribute the quote.

Anyway, this is a big thing in the music business.  As an artist, I would love to be able to release music and get a check.  "Here is your music, Evil Music Empire Machine."  "Thank you, music making peon.  Here are some trinkets."  The truth of it is if you are on a label any money that you are given BEFORE your music is released is a loan.  Nothing more than that.  Your collateral is the future earnings of your release.  Most artists don't know or understand this and spend the money immediately.  In fact, everything you do is a loan with a label.  Your videos, studio time, tour expenses, manager fees, promotional costs are all loans and must be paid by your earnings.  You make money by supporting the album sales and going on tour.  What is crazy is that all these artists think they are making all this money and don't realize that they are running tabs with the label.  When they eventually demand royalty payments the label drops the hammer on them with the bills.

Now as an indie label owner I don't have the cash to loan out money for music that hasn't sold.  I can release the music.  I can publish it.  I can promote the hell out of it but in the end I'm waiting for the royalties and sales just like if I were an artist.  The upside to this is I can release my own music whenever I please.

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Just when you think you're done...

So I come from Dialysis and I decide to go to my job at the Tattoo Shop.  I just uploaded my album the previous day or so and now I'm waiting for it to go live.  This process is usually two weeks to a month so I'm getting stir crazy.  I had to go and get my meds for my blood pressure so it was pretty much a full day for me.  When I got home I passed out which is what I normally do after a treatment.  After I regain consciousness I decide to get up and see what progress is being made on my release.  Lo and behold my release has gone live on Beatport.com.  You can see it here.

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Keeping up with the Jones's

As a DJ getting the latest drum machine is just like getting the latest "hood rich" car. You will notice every few years people in the hood are driving what has been deemed the "hot car" to have. It used to be big body cars then it was sports cars. These days it runs from 300's to Dodge Chargers and all the players are driving Jags. You will see all the "producers" buying the latest MPC despite having the three previous models and I'm too broke to try to keep up with the Jones's

The other problem is that EVERYBODY's shit is going to sound exactly the same for the next 5 years (or until the next model comes out).

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Donnie Brasco getting a haircut

Recently I passed on an opportunity to someone new in the business.  It was not that I owed this person anything but it was something I felt that would create other opportunities for all involved.  There was also no obligation on her part to take the opportunity but it was offered just the same.  Now I'm not one to make offers lightly and I'm certainly not one to endorse anyone.  It's like that movie "Donnie Brasco" when Pacino asks the guy in the barber's chair to vouch for Johnny Depp.  You just don't do it outright because it's YOUR word that they are taking and not the other guy's word.

With that being said, you have to know me as a person.  I don't do rap.  I don't endorse it.  I don't play it.  I don't listen to it.  I even maintain that there is a distinct difference between Rap and Hip Hop.  So for me to get behind an artist means I believe in that artist or I believe in their work ethic.  I recently put my support behind such an artist who I felt had a great work ethic.  For me that is a big thing but I appreciate someone that is trying to do things right.  So here is the scenario:  One person is producing an internet show that also airs on a local cable network.  I haven't seen the show but people I respect hold her in high regards.  For me that is like the guy in the barber shop vouching. for Depp.  In turn I extended an opportunity based on a mutual interest to the other person who is an artist/songwriter.

Now will the fact that it was declined hurt either party?  Probably not.  Will it hurt me?  That remains to be seen.  What put me off about it was a third party who had minimum involvement chimed in on what should have been a business conversation with a remark that could have been taken as a slight.  OK, ok.  It WAS taken as a slight.  At this level of business no one has the luxury of pissing people off.  I've had to learn that the hard way in my own dealings with the business.  

Now as I type this I am currently in a conversation with each party.  Each person is asking about the other in an almost "who does she think she is" type of fashion.  These two will meet again and each will remember this in their own way and I'm praying it will not negatively impact either one.  I'm just sorry I introduced them.

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Frank Ocean sucks (no pun intended), I want a Grammy of my own and the power of the pelvis.

So I was watching the Grammy's last night and I must say that I was appalled by Frank "NO"cean's performance.  WTF, Dude?  This guy won a Grammy and then turned in a performance like that.  Really?

Anyway, I decided to release my album because if this dude can do that then I can perform at the next one.  here is one of the tracks off the album https://soundcloud.com/hse-djs/dj-flint-bang-skeet-dj-flint  Here's what the cover looks like:

This is the first album since my days on Dance Mania Records.  I'd like to thank the members of the Academy and all the little peeps out there.

On a lighter note, you should always approve your photoshoots before you release any photos,  Case in point, Beyonce.  Her Superbowl performance was hailed as "Meh" and "Whatever" at least in MY household.  Afterwards, she apparently wanted to capitalize on the event and publicize her upcoming tour and she rushed he photos to press.  This is the result:

Which resulted in the following:

And my absolute favorite

I am taking bets on how long it will be before Beyonce and Jay Z's lawyers send cease and desist letters to have these images taken down.  The countdown begins in 3, 2, 1.......

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Rap versus R and B

I often hear from older people that they don't make songs like they used to. This is true. Then they talk about how horrid these new songs are. Also true. Then the conversation always ends up on rap. I will tell you why rap is so popular versus old songs. The average person can learn a rap. Not everyone can belt out "Loving You (You're Beautiful)" without busting a blood vessel. The masses love it because it's simple. That's all.

I knew the whole "Rapper's Delight" when I was 10 years old. I had to stop singing Jackson 5 songs when my nuts dropped.

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I hate riding the bus in Chicago

Since I got sick I've not been able to drive so I have to take public transportation most places.  For the most part it's OK but I'll be glad when I can drive again.  Here are somethings that YOU can do to make MY trip a lot more tolerable.

Bus Riding Etiquette:

If you are fat, do not stand in the rear exit path. No amount of squishing will make you skinny enough to get past.

If you are tall, do not sit in the front. No one can get past your long ass legs and you always sit with your knees in the aisle.

If you are loud, STFU. No one can enjoy the ride if you are steady talking about how ratchet Ke Ke is and why she should stop being a bust down.

If you are wide, stop sitting next to other wide people. Find a skinny bitch to sit next to. Even that shit out.

If you have a big ass, try to find a seat. No amount of clinching will allow enough space to get past your asscheeks and you take up the space of two regular adults.

Stop eating sunflower seeds on the bus. That shit is nasty and no one wants to clean up your spit covered discarded shells.

AND, if you ride with your kids try to keep them little bastards still and quiet before someone punts them off the bus. No one likes a kid that keeps kicking them.

Thank you and enjoy riding the CTA.

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