The Importance of Having a Team

Have you ever played any organized team sports like football or basketball? I played both in school and what you learn in practice is way more valuable that just how to play a sport.

You learn things like "there's no "I" in Team", "together we stand, divided we fall" and all sorts of lessons to help you build a "team spirit".

How does this relate to the music business?

Well for starters, if you look at the music industry and the biggest power players, you'll notice there are teams. Even a solo artist like Jay-Z has a team. The Wu Tang Clan is a team that can be a football team all by itself! More currently you have crews like The Diplomats, T.I.'s Pimp Squad Clique, and Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace.

When I was touring with KRS-ONE in California, he had a team. There was his personal manager, Simone, his road manager, and several other people who were there to make sure everything went on schedule as much as possible. Everybody knew what they had to do and sometimes they even did another persons job if it was necessary.


A good book to read about building your music business team is Donald Passman's 'All You Need To Know About The Music Business.' In it, he outlines the basic team members for people wanting to be in the music industry.

Here's a loose sketch of your team members:

1. You (The Artist/Producer)
2. Personal Manager
   
3. Entertainment Lawyer
   
4. Booking Agent
   
5. Business Manager

Let's look at each of these in more detail:

You is self explanatory. Without You, none of this is possible and there is no need for the rest of the team. You are the center of the team.

Your Personal Manager is what Passman calls the CEO/General Manager of your team. This person is responsible for helping you direct your career and basically going to bat for you in whatever way to boost your career. They can also be responsible for helping you pick your other team members.

The Entertainment Attorney is, according to Passman, the most important member of the team. They take care of the legal details for the artist, help negotiate contracts and make sure the artist can get what they want with the least amount of legal hassle. They also help shop your music to get a record deal. Their job is generally to protect the artist.

The Booking Agent is the person who is responsible for getting you gigs. They help you get concert dates and public appearances.

Last but not least is the Business Manager. This person handles all of your finances and they are responsible for making sure all of your money dealings are in order. They help you budget, pay bills, make investments, check your royalty statements, etc. In a nutshell they are the ones responsible for helping you make your net worth grow.

Do you now understand the importance of having a team? You can try to do it all alone but you'll make much more money if you have a team of players to help you succeed.

One more thing on the quality of the members of your team. This has more to do with your team members' mindset. Make sure your Personal Manager, who is the CEO/General Manager of your team, is a go-getter. That is worth repeating.

Make sure your Personal Manager is a go-getter.

Your Personal Manager can make or break your career so choose wisely. And don't be afraid to replace your team members if you need to. If you have a weak link, then you need to get rid of the dead weight. In the end, it will be a blessing to your career especially if you plan to be in the music business on a long term basis.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Do You REALLY Want To Be In The Music Business?

Whassup Peeps?

There are a lot of people who subscribe to my email list just to get free rap instrumentals that come when you sign up. There are probably fewer people who are on the site to really learn about the music business AND how it works.

In my opinion, any aspiring artist who is not learning about the workings of the music business is wasting his or her time. Why do I say that? Well, its 2008, not 1978 when good emcees were extremely rare. Nowadays, most of the emcees that come on the scene are halfway decent. The artists that have longevity though are the ones that KNOW this business.

There are countless stories of 1 hit wonders in the music industry or wildly successful artists who end up broke after a few albums. I mean look at TLC when they where at their highest point. They had to file bankruptcy. MC Hammer, Teddy Riley, Peabo Bryson. The list could go on.

Just because you see an artist with an assload of jewelry and a nice assortment of high-end cars doesn't meant that they are financially sound. Don't forget, the music industry and Hollywood sleep in the bed together EVERY night. Video editing plays tricks on the eyes and ears everyday. Most new artist don't know this but its the truth. Hollywood has a way of sensationalizing everything so buyer beware.

For those that don't want to get taken to the cleaners or strong armed by CEOs like Suge Knight, you should learn all aspects of the music industry. In addition to most of the traditional "must-have", "how to" books on the biz, you should definitely check out the book "Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business" by Fredric Dannen. This book is classic because it gives you an accurate picture of what the music industry really is and how it works.

Please don't be the next artist to be living from a cardboard box because you didn't want to learn the business. That's insane to me and I just don't understand that point of view. If this is your passion, your dream, your greatest hope, your "calling" and you feel like you can make it in the biz, why not study it?

Here is your task: Do something everyday toward your career related to the music business. Do just 1 thing is all I ask and if you are as good as you think you are, more opportunities will come to you.

Untill next time, Peace!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.free-hot-rap.com/

To Get 7 Free Rap Instrumentals Right Now Goto www.Free-Hot-Rap.com!

Free-Hot-Rap.com Changes to Website

Whassup Peeps?

It's been a long time since I blogged. Time has gone by so fast. The last time I posted a blog was back in November! I took a better position at my day job and it requires alot of my attention. Yes, I said day job. We've all heard the saying, "Don't quit your day job". We'll I've quit mine several times and got good and bad results but I can honestly say I'm okay today.

Although I haven't been blogging regularly, that doesn't mean that I haven't been working hard on what I can do to make the www.Free-Hot-Rap.com site better. I changed the site to be easier to navigate and although I still give away the 7 free rap instrumentals, selling beats is not my primary focus anymore...helping newbie emcees is.

Why am I doing this you say? We'll to be honest with you, my beat making skills are cool but everybody is doing it. In layman's terms, there is too much competition for selling music online. I know of some guys making 5 figures a month consistently but that doesn't mean selling instrumentals is right for me just because I know how make them. Trust that I AM a true emcee and my lyrical skills far exceed my production skills.

Now this doesn't mean that I won't make anymore beats. I enjoy beats like no other. I just don't have to make all of them myself to be happy with myself. Writing and spittin' lyrics for me comes easy because I've done it for over 25 years. Damn, did I say that? Yes. Over 25 years, I've been hashing out some dope lyrics. It's natural for me.

Is it natural for you?

I asked because I've noticed several people who come to the www.Free-Hot-Rap.com site are interested in songwriting. I believe these are the people who I'm supposed to help. Beats are a dime a dozen but well-written song win Grammys and songs, I can definitely teach you how to write. But its not only writing the song that's important. A true artist that wants to succeed in this business must learn it from all angles.

There is much more than just beats and lyrics (Whaddup J-Force!). The music business is as KRS-ONE put it on The Arsenio Hall Show many years ago: 10% show and 90% business.

So please stay with me as I make this journey into teaching this business to you and whom ever else reads this. I think I've found my calling.

Check out my free article on music contracts and get 7 FREE rap instrumentals right now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

Attention Rappers: How To Beat Writer's Block

Lately, I've been dealing with the challenge of just finishing ONE song. Yep, you heard it right: One song. I mean this is not just a one day thing or a one week thing. This has been going on for a little while.

A friend of mine asked me to write a song for a group that he's working with because they needed material. I accepted the challenge not having written a whole song for anybody before because I figured it would be a good way to branch out further into songwriting. I mean I've written verses for people to spit but never a whole song and being that its for a younger audience makes it more challenging.

The real challenge that I'm having involves simply staying focused on getting it done. I've come up with several song topics but actually writting about them has been difficult. 2007 has been a very strange year for me. I can't say its a bad one but its definitely not one of my most favorable years.

I not a big fan of excuses but it seems as if I've been cheering them on lately with this latest project.

So here is what I am proposing to do and if you think it will help you then by all means join me.

First, I need to seriously look at my "Why" for doing this project. Why am I doing this? Is it for fame and glory? Is it because I like to write? Or maybe its because I see dollar signs and a pot of gold at the end of the writing rainbow. What ever my "Why" is I need to clearly have that in the forefront of my mind if that is my goal and then the second step is to...

WRITE IT DOWN!!!

I heard some stats a while ago that said that people who have clear, specific goals with a deadline are usually more inclined to achieve them. I believe that figure was about a 97% achievement ratio. What's absolutely krazy is that I ususally write my goals down but with this project, I slipped. I'm only human.

Once I've got my goal for this project written down and my "Why" for doing it firmly etched in my brain. The next step is to break that main goal into smaller goals or milestones. How else do you eat an elephant but one bite at a time?

Okay, so now I got a reason and some written goals and milestones to look forward to. Here is the next and one of the most critical ingredients:

Action!!!

All this planning is cool but nothing happens without action. And while action is great, it helps to have a map of where you're going. That's what all the planning and goal setting was about in the first place. So you begin to take steps toward the first milestone.

For me that involves having at least 2 songs completed before the end of next week that I can submit to the group's manager for review. To do that I must schedule some time out of my busy life to sit with the pen, the pad and some fire beats to write to...let's say about 30 to 45 minutes a day. I can afford to do that even if it means getting up a bit earlier in the morning...without hitting the snooze button.

Today is Friday evening going into Saturday morning so by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, I should be reviewing my progress to see how far I am from completing the 2 songs. This is a good half-way point to access where I am and if something is truely holding me back, what is it?

Okay so here are the steps again:

1. Figure out your "Why" for writing the song. Why are you writing the song?
2. Write down realistic goals for completing the song?
3. Set milestones to help measure your progress
4. Action, Action, & more Action!!! Nothing beats action.
5. Track you progress to make sure you're on schedule to complete your song.
6. Finish the song.

With these 6 simple steps, anyone who chooses to use them should be able to knock out plenty of songs in a short period of time.

I'll let you know how this works out for me and please keep me posted how it works out for you.

Holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 Free Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals, and R & B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

Old Skool Music Versus New Skool Music

I've been listening to The Steve Harvey Morning Show (http://www.steveharvey.com/) for the past few days and one of his listeners wrote in that Steve and his crew should play more current music on his show. Well this listener was 20-years old so the crew just tore her down debating the value of the current music.

Before you get upset, it was all in fun and the first thing Steve did was play "In Da Club" by 50-Cent. That joint still rocks parties. Dr. Dre still gets props on that one fa sho! Steve came back later and played "Flashlight" by Parliment. I keep that 'Tear The Roof Off' CD close by because we all know how George Clinton gets down.

I didn't get to hear too much more yesterday but this morning they continued the debate. They threw on "Rock, Skate, Roll, Bounce" and I'm sure people were in their cars on the way to work going nuts. I know I was AMPED!!!

One of the points that Steve brought up was the long standing debate of live instruments versus digital instrumentals. I agree with him about the feeling that live music gives the listener. I was in the band growing up so I know what it does and I love to hear live music played in most venues.

In the letter, Steve's listener stated that he should play songs like Soulja Boy. He indicated that he heard Soulja Boy's song but could not get into it. Maybe the age difference is a problem as well. Also, most of the new music is not created by live bands and the tracks are very repetitive with very little change-ups.

For me, I like both skools of music: old and new. Although, I absolutely dig live music, I've worked with live musicians before and it can be a headache trying to get everybody together just to do one thing. BUT, I've had the same problem with Hiphop groups as well. Outside of that, either music will do me fine.

On the new skool tip, take an artist like Kanye West. His music is nuts and many old skool types dig his music as well. He blends instruments with digital tracks and so does Alicia Keys (who has worked with Kanye). Not only can she sing, but she plays the piano and well as produces. I think some artists just have an old soul and they just know what makes music good because all music ain't all good.

Let me know what you think about this debate.

Holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

P.S. Download 7 FREE Rap Instrumentals, Free Hiphop Instrumentals, and Free R & B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com!

P.S.S Rest in peace to my uncle, Willie James Towns and Kanye's mom, Donda West

Hiphop History Month: My Earliest Hiphop Memories

My fellow Hiphoppas,

In my last blog, mentioned that November was Hiphop History Month. It's amazing how far the Hiphop Kulture has come since I fell in love with it back in the 70's. Back then, I was absorbing to do everything I could that had to do with Hiphop. I love rapping, breaking deejaying, and graffitti. I had my crew back down in ATL and we were a fanatics of the culture.

You could catch us in the neighborhood everyday with some cardboard, some fresh gear, a boombox, and a whole bunch of energy ready to get at it. Being Hiphop meant being cool and smooth and different. I remember talent shows at Samuel L. Jones Boys Club in the heart of Decatur where campers my age would win pop lockin' off of "It's Like That" by Run-DMC.

I can even remember being 13 and going on a cruise to Mexico and just being Hiphop to the fullest. I'm pretty sure I introduced a lot of passengers to Hiphop during that cruise. I was a breakin' machine by that point. I was eat, sleeping, and breathing Hiphop.

Today I am still like that young boy. I still get excited about this Kulture. I live, eat, and breathe it everyday.

Are you still true to Hiphop?

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 FREE Rap Instrumentals, FREE Hiphop Instrumentals, and FREE R & B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

November is Hiphop History Month

Whassup folks? To all my Hiphoppas out there, Happy Hiphop History Month and many more.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

Download 7 Free Hot Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals, and R & B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com!

The Hot Instrumentalist Has a Dave Chapelle Moment

Whoa! It's been 19 days since I posted a blog. I don't know what happened. I was so unmotivated to do anything but I know I needed to continue forward. I call it a Dave Chapelle moment because I just walked away from show business for while. So much crazy shit was happening that I just blanked out.

See I have basically been successful all of my life, meaning that I tend to move toward my goals steadily. As I put in one of my previous blogs (my last one in fact), sometimes this will happen to us where we get discouraged but we have to keep it moving.

Well, I think I have been revitalized!

I have some new information that I will be sharing with you that will help you along in your career. These things have helped me out tremendously and I'm sure they can help you out if you are looking to get more exposure and sales.

Until then, I'll holla...

Let's Make It Happen

Mello Melanin
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 FREE Hot Rap Instrumentals, Free Hiphop Instrumentals, and Free R & B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com

Echo Project 2007 Wrap Up: The Recap of Hiphop Acts

Wow, by my standards, the first ever Echo Project festival was a success. I got to meet a lot of people and I had a great time. Big up to my J.O., A-Tow for picking me to go represent. Also, shouts out to the promoter, my main man Jason, for the lookout.

Hiphop was truly in the house this past weekend. The only show I really got to see was Common. He turned it out! His "band" included a live drummer, Kareem Riggins, a keyboardist, and a live deejay. It was dope to see.

I didn't get a chance to actually see the other Hiphop acts with my eyes but I heard them with my ears. The GZA/Slick Rick set sounded pretty good and Cypress Hill always puts on a good show. I missed The Roots and Collective Efforts altogether. They performed on Sunday but I was worn out by working long hours Thursday thru Saturday.

All in all, I think the festival was a success. I had a really good time and I would have loved to be onstage with all of those people in the crowd. People actually came and camped out for 3 days just to be in the place to be. $200 per ticket & $20 per car. I've never seen so many tents in my life.

Also, the other thing that was interesting (besides the naked lady trippin' on drugs) was the prevalent use of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). The partygoers would buy balloons filled with this stuff and just inhale it all. $5 per balloon! Too much excitement for me.

It will be interesting to see how next year's festival will turn out.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 Free Hot Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals, and R&B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

P.S. Don't forget to check out my homeboy Jax and his new album "Sharper Images". Check him out at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

Equal Justice In America!

Blogging Live From The Echo Project Festival in Atlanta, GA: Live Hiphop, Rap, R & B, Rock, & Other Genres

Yo, I stumbled upon a major music festival this weekend here in my hometown, "The A". Its the first year of The Echo Project Festival and people are having a ball. I've been here since 3pm Thursday and I'm not scheduled to leave until 2am Friday...then I'll be back at 11am!!!

DubConscious just got through playing some Reggae vibes and it was awesome. There are people here camping out until Sunday with tents and RV's. The food is good, the people are great and this outdoor festival is even set up for WiFi.

Some of the heavy hitter names in Hiphop are The Roots, Cypress Hill, The GZA and Slick Rick (performing together!!!), and special guest Common. There are also a couple of hometown acts as well like my boys Collective Efforts and Heavy Mojo. This is only a handful of the great acts that will be performing this weekend. All live music with live instruments!

I will definitely keep you posted!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 Free Hot Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals, and R & B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/!

P.S. For more great music, check out my man Jax's new album "Sharper Images" over at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Stop Unequal Justice in America!

What Rap Artists Don't Know About Marketing Can Kill Them!

So you think you know about running a successful business and you figure that since you can rap, it would be easy for you to start and operate a record label. You get some instrumentals from some producers and you hit the studio to record some of your best work.

You have 5000 CDs pressed up and your artwork is killer so you figure you're ready to "do it big". You tell a few people about your CD and maybe someone in your family buys a couple to pass out to their friends.

Then something weird happens...

You expect people to come beat a path to your door but it doesn't happen. The CDs begin to collect dust over in the corner of the garage. The people who you thought were going to buy because they told you they would, never showed up.

Now you're depressed and feeling like the music business is a joke. You blame all of your woes on the industry because you haven't blown up yet. This is a familiar senario for many Hiphop artists. "What went wrong?", you ask yourself. Here is the answer to that question:

Most rap artist fail because of one main thing: the lack of a solid marketing plan. I would even say that most artist don't even have a business plan because if they had a business plan, they would have a marketing plan.

Marketing is not hard. It is a science. It is measurable and it is do-able. It is a key ingredient to success in any business. As a matter of fact, all business are two businesses in one. Huh? What do you mean Mello?

All businesses are in the business of providing their products or services to their target market. However all businesses must market their product or service and that is a business all to itself. Marketing begins with identifying your target market. These are the people who are most likely to buy your music. You do this by researching your market with such things as surveys.

What type of music do they like? How old are they typically? How much money do they earn? What type of clothes do they wear? W hat kinds of food do they eat? Where they hang out? What was the last Hiphop album they bought? etc.

Once you've got this information then you are ahead of most artist and you are more likely to succeed. I will be giving out more music marketing information like this because I was once in the position where I didn't know what to do concerning getting my music out to my fans. Today, technology has changed the music business and the way we gather information is much easier than it was when I first took rapping serious.

So if nothing else, please learn who your target market is because I want to reduce the learning curve most artist have when they decide to pursue music as a career.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download Free Hot Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals, and R&B Instrumentals right now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com!

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

History of Hiphop

What's up folks? I was surfing the net as I do and I came across this post on Flixya where DJ Opor breaks down some nice Hiphop history. For the next 2 or 3 days I will be posting portions of his take on the History of Hiphop. For those that want to learn more about the Kulture, here is a good way. Read on!!!

History of Hiphop: "Rap music originated as a cross-cultural product. Most of its important early practitioners-including Kool Herc, D.J. Hollywood, and Afrika Bambaataa-were either first- or second-generation Americans of Caribbean ancestry. Herc and Hollywood are both credited with introducing the Jamaican style of cutting and mixing into the musical culture of the South Bronx. By most accounts Herc was the first DJ to buy two copies of the same record for just a 15-second break (rhythmic instrumental segment) in the middle. By mixing back and forth between the two copies he was able to double, triple, or indefinitely extend the break. In so doing, Herc effectively deconstructed and reconstructed so-called found sound, using the turntable as a musical instrument."

History of Hiphop: "While he was cutting with two turntables, Herc would also perform with the microphone in Jamaican toasting style-joking, boasting, and using myriad in-group references. Herc's musical parties eventually gained notoriety and were often documented on cassette tapes that were recorded with the relatively new boombox, or blaster, technology. Taped duplicates of these parties rapidly made their way through the Bronx, Brooklyn, and uptown Manhattan, spawning a number of similar DJ acts. Among the new breed of DJs was Afrika Bambaataa, the first important Black Muslim in rap. (The Muslim presence would become very influential in the late 1980s.) Bambaataa often engaged in sound-system battles with Herc, similar to the so-called cutting contests in jazz a generation earlier. The sound system competitions were held at city parks, where hot-wired street lamps supplied electricity, or at local clubs. Bambaataa sometimes mixed sounds from rock-music recordings and television shows into the standard funk and disco fare that Herc and most of his followers relied upon. By using rock records, Bambaataa extended rap beyond the immediate reference points of contemporary black youth culture. By the 1990s any sound source was considered fair game and rap artists borrowed sounds from such disparate sources as Israeli folk music, bebop jazz records, and television news broadcasts."

History of Hiphop: "In 1976 Grandmaster Flash introduced the technique In 1979 the first two rap records appeared: 'King Tim III (Personality Jock),' recorded by the Fatback Band, and 'Rapper's Delight,' by Sugarhill Gang. A series of verses recited by the three members of Sugarhill Gang, 'Rapper's Delight' became a national hit, reaching number 36 on the Billboard magazine popular music charts. The spoken content, mostly braggadocio spiced with fantasy, was derived largely from a pool of material used by most of the earlier rappers. The backing track for 'Rapper's Delight' was supplied by hired studio musicians, who replicated the basic groove of the hit song 'Good Times' (1979) by the American disco group Chic. "

History of Hiphop: "Perceived as novel by many white Americans, 'Rapper's Delight' quickly inspired 'Rapture' (1980) by the new-wave band Blondie, as well as a number of other popular records. In 1982 Afrika Bambaataa's 'Planet Rock' became the first rap record to use synthesizers and an electronic drum machine. With this recording, rap artists began to create their own backing tracks rather than simply offering the work of others in a new context. A year later Bambaataa introduced the sampling capabilities of synthesizers on 'Looking for the Perfect Beat' (1983).of quick mixing, in which sound bites as short as one or two seconds are combined for a collage effect."

History of Hiphop: "Quick mixing paralleled the rapid-editing style of television advertising used at the time. Shortly after Flash introduced quick mixing, his partner Grandmaster Melle Mel composed the first extended stories in rhymed rap. Up to this point, most of the words heard over the work of disc jockeys such as Herc, Bambaataa, and Flash had been improvised phrases and expressions. In 1978 DJ Grand Wizard Theodore introduced the technique of scratching to produce rhythmic patterns."

History of Hiphop: "Sampling brought into question the ownership of sound. Some artists claimed that by sampling recordings of a prominent black artist, such as funk musician James Brown, they were challenging white corporate America and the recording industry's right to own black cultural expression. More problematic was the fact that rap artists were also challenging Brown's and other musicians' right to own, control, and be compensated for the use of their intellectual creations. By the early 1990s a system had come about whereby most artists requested permission and negotiated some form of compensation for the use of samples. Some commonly sampled performers, such as funk musician George Clinton, released compact discs (CDs) containing dozens of sound bites specifically to facilitate sampling. One effect of sampling was a newfound sense of musical history among black youth. Earlier artists such as Brown and Clinton were celebrated as cultural heroes and their older recordings were reissued and repopularized."

This ends day one. Be on the look out for tomorrow's blog with more Hiphop History!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 Free Hot Rap Instrumentals, Hiphop Instrumentals and R & B Instrumentals Right Now from http://www.free-hot-rap.com/

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

Calling All Rap Artists: Please Fall In Love With Hiphop Again

I remember the last interview Biggie did with BET. I candidly remember him saying that he wasn't having fun anymore. It was kinda ill to hear him say that but for some reason I completely understood.

Biggie was on his second full-length album and he was on the top of the rap & pop charts. Bad Boy was dropping singles left and right yet Big wasn't happy.

The beef with Tupac had consumed him and Pac had died a few months before the interview. Big's heart was heavy and like he said, he wasn't "having fun anymore".

How many of us have reached that point?

I sure there are some current mainstream Hiphop artist our there now who has just been overwhelmed by this business of music. It's not easy and you have to pay a lot of dues to be successful in business. It's cool to be the freestyle champ but on the business side, you may suffer if you don't do all or most of what it comes with.

So Biggie was stressed out...alot!!! Rap artists and Hiphop emcees today can learn alot from what he was going through and what he was feeling at the time.

Getting bling should not be your sole objective: being successful and financial planning for the future need to be number 1 and 2 on your list because money may not alway be there. Like Big Boi said, "Can't gamble on that dope money. Might not always be sufficient."

At the same time, don't get so far fome the Kulture that you forget why you loved it in the first place. Money is good but there a alot more things that are better. Holla at cha...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com

Download 7 free Rap, Hiphop, and R & B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap/.

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

Hiphoppas: How Do You Feel About the Samples In Rap Instrumentals?

No Trivia: Post-Purist Sampling: "I never think too hard about sampling on any kind of ethical level until a sample jumps out at me as being particularly “bullshit” or I’m forced to defend sampling as a concept. "

Sampling in Hiphop is a art by itself. If it wasn't for sampling, Rap music would not be where it is today. So what makes a good sample?

I think the best producers can flip a sample and no one knows where they got it from. Sometimes a producer will just keep the sample raw but I think it's best to replay it or add effects to it to make it sound unique.

Most times it doesn't matter to me. I can rock over samples and a live band if the job calls for it so I don't really get to stuck in the samples vs. non-samples debate.

Well this post is going to be short tonight. I'll pick up tomorrow where I left off.

Let Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
mello@free-hot-rap.com
Download 7 Free Rap, Hiphop, and R&B instrumentals RIGHT NOW @ http://www.free-hot-rap.com/

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax
Free The Jena 6!!!

Beware of the Rap and Hiphop Judges!!

Yo, I came across this article talking about the creativity in today's music and I was shocked. I'm tellin' you folks. Hiphop is under attack. Read this:

Counterpoint: Creativity In Today's Music - Opinion & Editorial: "Black Folk's music is travailing in creativity. Rap has dominated having no good purpose. Consequently, the music is recycled, lyrical contents are shallow, and it's onedimensional. Historically, black people are renowned for their musical influence on the world. Black musical creativity extends from musical instruments to the majority of musical genres (Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Funk, and Rap) that touch every aspect of the black experience while creating musical balance. Moreover, drums, horns, guitars, etc. are imperative to the expression of that experience. Unfortunately, since Hip Hop has become the dominant genre, black music has become one dimensional, stifling the balance and benefits of the others. The rhythms of R&B, Soul and Funk are gratifying and timeless; therefore sampling and remixing their tunes is undoubtedly the reason for Hip Hop's success and longevity. However, over time this has led blacks from musical innovation of the past. Most urban artists exercise no instrumental talent, so they are unable to bring raw melodies into existence. Instead, rap artists have convinced themselves that sampling beats and remixing is innovative. Besides lacking musical innovation, lyrical content is shallow. There is no depth because"

Now this writer obviously hasn't had much exposure to the full Kulture of Hiphop because she chooses to attack the music and how its affecting certain people. She stated that the music is one-dimensional and shallow. Maybe she's been watching BET to get her opinion of Hiphop. I don't know but I can tell she doesn't have a clue.

Let's forgive her for being ignorant first of all. As the older folks say, "If you knew better, you'd do better" and this certainly applies.

But see, I can only blame her ignorance on us. Mainstream Rap music is filled with junk. Sometimes it's like opening a piece of junk mail and buying into it every 3 to 5 minutes. Rap music has become commercialized, criminalized, and just basically thugged-out, pimped-out and hoe'd out. But Hiphop is more than that!

With the way commercialism works, most people like the author of this article don't get to experience any other types of rap music or any other forms of Hiphop like real DeeJaying, Emceeing, Break Dancing, Graff Art & Fashion. She did mention some of these aspects of Hiphop (which she assumes Rap and Hiphop are the same things) but her whole article was just negative.

I can say in defense of Hiphop, that it saved me from who knows what. I could have been a completely different person. None of these types of effects of being Hiphop did the author cover and a real Hiphoppa know the Truth when He sees it.

Let me know what you think about this "opinion". Peace!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
Download 7 Free Rap, Hiphop, and R&B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

A Quick Lesson In Hiphop Marketing

Whassup folks? As always I bring you the real about the music business and business in general. Over the last 2 days I experienced something that might help you in your businesses.

I had the opportunity to have a conversation with one of my newsletter subscribers who was frustrated with several things concerning getting the 7 free Rap, Hiphop, and R&B instrumentals that I offer to visitors that come to my site.

He wasn't happy for several reasons:

1) He was upset because he felt he shouldn't have to give up his name and email address to take advantage of the 7 free instrumentals offer.

2) He also was frustrated that he couldn't download the beats from an attachment to the email that I sent to him that contained the link to the free instrumentals.

He got so frustrated that he eventually unsubscribed. Although he did leave from my list of people, he taught me a very good lesson.

This is golden information for people who understand marketing. I understood his complaints 100% although I don't agree with them all. But what I THINK doesn't matter when it comes to marketing because marketing is about building relationships and cold hard numbers.

Here's what I think about his experience:

1) I understand that the subscriber wanted to download the entire full-lengh beats directly from http://www.free-hot-rap.com/. However, there are 30 other free sample beats on the page that he could download and listen to for free right there on the spot.

I'll be honest, one reason I send the beats to my subscribers by email is so that I can keep up with who, when, and where they are heard. Thats is a part of the marketing research for my business. I like to keep my brand in front of my subscribers eyeballs so I send the free instrumentals over the course of a few days. This is real talk.

Another reason is that it simply keeps down confusion in the long run. We value our work and we want to keep our subscribers around a long time so that means finding good quality subscribers. A good quality subscriber really wants what you have or they wouldn't have taken the time to give you an name and email and they sure would not confirm that they wanted the free downloads.

The last reason is that the subscriber is ALWAYS in control. They have the option of opting out whenever they chose.

2) Not being able to click on a link in the email as an attatchment is a big red flag. The more technical savvy have no problem downloading the link but. Anyone who receives the email should have the option to be able to download the beats as an attachment.

This is the complaint that rang out the most. Why? Because if one person is having this problem, then how many more are having it and not saying anything?

So my response as a marketer is make it totally easy to download the beats when they come into the subscribers email inbox.

The lesson: listen to your customers. They will let you know what they want, then you should find a way to give it to them. Peace...

Let's make it happen!!!




Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

Download 7 Free Hot Rap, Hiphop, and R&B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/


P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

To Much News: Reissued Hiphop Albums and Mychael Bell Walks Out Of Jena's Jail Today!

Today was a great day. I got so much good news. The first BIG news is the release of Mychael Bell from prison in Jena, LA. This case is so foul and biased it ridiculous. Whatever the insane reason was for the District Attorney trying Mychael as an adult doesn't even matter right now. He's home. The battle is far from over though.

He is still being tried as a juvenille which is krazy because he's already served 10 months for a high school fight. I don't even want to get into that part of it right now. That's another blog or podcast in the near future.

Welcome home Mycheal!

**************************************

New Releases from Prophetix!

Real quick because I'm getting sleepy (what a productive day this was). Prophetix has some new joints coming out. 2 projects as a matter of fact that I can speak on:

1. Da Unfold EP - Rerelease
2. High Risk - Instrumentals

I'll keep you posted on some exact dates.

Let's Make It Happen!!!


Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

Download 7 Free Hot Rap, Hiphop, and R&B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

Does Expressing Hiphop Ever Go Out of Style?

I guess I should have titled this blog "Do You Ever Get Too Old To Express Hiphop?" I have heard several people attempt to put an age limit to being Hiphop or expressing the Hiphop Kulture. I even know several people who have bought into this way of thinking. Well, of course you know I have my opinion about this train of thought.

What makes a person Hiphop is not because they can rap, deejay, or bomb a fly piece on a train. Its not how many records are sold, shows are performed, how much time is spent in the studio, and that list could go on. Hiphip is much more than that. I read an article yesterday that I didn't have a chance to post a comment about. I could tell the reader had no idea what they were speaking of concerning Hiphop. Don't worry, they will be getting a reply soon.

The writer expressed their disgust that rap music had become the most popular genre of music. They said some pretty ill things about the music and Kulture but how many other people feel like this? I'm sure many more do.

As a person who's lived the Hiphop Kulture since "Rapper's Delight", I believe I have the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to speak about it and correct those who are in error. Those who want to debate me, let's do it. And I don't have a problems standing up for what I know, believe in, and AM!

With age comes wisdom (usually) and I'm wise enough to know that no matter how old I may be by the calendar, it doesn't change the FACT that I AM Hiphop.

Now in addition to being Hiphop, I am also a businessman, with Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. The rap music industry has taught me to be a businessman. Actually, I finished my degree just a couple of years ago so that I could be a better businessman and operate my businesses like businesses. So I am a Hiphop businessman. Or should I say, Hiphop produced a businessman, and a damn good one too!

So for those who've abandoned Hiphop because of their various reasons, I can't trip on you. They're your reasons. Peace and have a good one! I know what Hiphop has done for me and I know that it's not a fad. Fads don't last 30+ years. Most things don't last 30+ years for that matter.

I my world, expressing Hiphop never goes out of style because it is the style. In words of my boy Eddie Meeks, Gyeah!!!

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

Let's Make It Happen!


Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist


Download 7 Free Hot Rap, Hiphop, and R&B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/!


P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

Should Hiphop Emcees Produce Their Own Rap Instrumentals

Okay, this question came to me earlier today based on a conversation I had with DJ Pocket this weekend. We were having a discussion about doing what you're good at (focusing) versus being able to do several things whether it be producing music, or emceeing, or whatever. For me, here are the facts: I am an Emcee FIRST and a producer second.

I like rocking over other peoples beats. That's never been an issue for me. Sometimes though, I like to hear the musical sounds manifested in real life that are in my head and that's ususally when I create my own beats.

I like to produce my own music but the thing is, there are producers like Pocket, Jon Doe, Ejay Jetson, ID 4Windz, Locksmith and a bunch of others that are better producers than me, hands down.

These guys produce hot rap instrumentals like I like to write: daily. Writing is easy for me. Producing music is easy for them. But does that mean that they shouldn't write lyrics or visa versa? I don't think so, why? Because this is still Hiphop. Peace, Unity, Love, and Having Fun.

Now at a minimum, as I told you before, I strive to write everyday. It's that serious with me. I've been doing good so far. I might not make any instrumentals for days but I know who is making them. I'm listening to a DJ Pocket joint right now as a matter of fact. Number #9 in his catalog at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/.

So what do you think? Emcees have always produced. Producers have always emceed. Once again this is Hiphop. Hiphoppas, let's continue to express ourself how we do. Like Russell Simmons says, "Do You".

As always, what are your thoughts? Post them here or at mello@free-hot-rap.com.

Let's Make It Happen!



Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
Download 7 Free Hot Rap, Hiphop, & R&B Instrumentals Right Now at http://www.free-hot-rap.com/.

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!

Should Hiphop & R&B Music Be Classified in the Same Billboard Category

Today I found out that my main website, http://www.free-hot-rap.com/, ranks #7 and #8 for my search term (aka keywords), "free R&B instrumentals" in the Google search engine. This is dope as I told you all that I'm striving for #1. Okay on to today's topic...

There has been a long standing debate as to whether R&B and Rap/Hiphop should be on the same chart in Billboard Magazine. The theory is both genres are lumped together as "urban" music so that's what makes them fit on the same chart.

I am one of the voices that begs to differ. Although some the actual instrumental music parts of the genres may be the same due to popularity of Hiphop and the ease of making rap beats, they are hugely different.

Rap music involves rapping. R&B involves singing and a totally different song structure. Both genres may appeal to the same market but they are different types of music. I heard a R&B artist being interviewed on the radio recently and he mentioned his disdain for the combination of both genres on the same chart. He said realistically, how could he compete with artists like Jay-Z in the charts when they do 2 totally different styles of music.

How real is that?

I am a Hiphop emcee. I don't make the same type of music a Jagged Edge and Beyonce so why put me in a catagory with them because the same people that like my music also like their music? I like Justin Timberlake's music but just because Timbaland made some hot beats for him should I look to find his album in the Rap section of the music store. NO!!!

So as I always do, I ask you what do you think. Should Hiphop & R&B music be classified in the same Billboard category? Hit me at mello@free-hot-rap.com or post your comment here on The Hot Instrumentalist blog. I don't think they should but I'm just one voice.

Let's Make It Happen!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
Download 7 Free Hot Rap, Hiphop, & R&B Instrumentals Right Now at www.Free-Hot-Rap.com.

P.S. Check out my main man, legendary Hiphop artist, Jax and his Hot new album "Sharper Images" at http://www.seriousknockent.com/.

"Sharper Images" by Jax

Free The Jena 6!!!