Is this Rap and Hiphop's Fault?

I took this little blurb from Yahoo! News. It is from an article entitled, "The CD turns 25", written by Stephanie van den Berg for AFP.

"Some wonder if the CD will make it to its 30th anniversary, with the surge in digital music downloads that are put directly onto MP3 music players like the popular IPod.

"In the last 10 years CD sales have been dropping while digital download sales are rising rapidly. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), digital sales will account for a quarter of all worldwide music sales by 2010.

"Nonetheless (Paul) Solleveld is optimistic that the CD will make it to 30 and beyond.

"To some extent the CD has been replaced by downloads on MP3 players but I think there will always be a place for the CD," he said."

Why is this interesting to me and why should we be concerned as artists? Well, those with eyes can see. Music CD sales have been going down steady within the last 16 years. Digital download sales have been up for the past few years and this trend is one to pay attention to.

My homie Eddie Meeks (www.myspace.com/bigmeeks) recently told me he received song royalties from IODA for digital downloads. People are even receiving royalties from instrumentals too believe it or not!

So should we just forget about the CD altogether? I don't think so. People still buy them. Mix tapes DJ's still use them, most cars still have have CD players (remember when this was an option?), and the music industry is still making money off of them. Most people I know are still rockin' CD's and there are many people who still don't own mp3 players.

The obvious choice is to use both CD's and mp3 files to operate in the industry. If you throw away the CD and rely only on mp3's, you are killing a large percent of your ability to deliver your music. And vice versa.

If you haven't already done so, please figure out a way to get on the digital trend and sell mp3's as a way to enhance your marketing efforts. It's too easy and I can guarantee if you don't you'll be sorry in about 5 years from now.

Don't forget to check out the newest Rap, Hiphop and R&B instrumentals at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/!

You can reach me at mello@free-hot-rap.com.

Peace...