Today's Music Biz

I’m told by some that Drake is a “reverse rapper”.  Most successful rappers go to TV. Drake was a teenage TV star on Digrassi The Next Generation before his rap career took off.

Either way, there is no denying DrizzyDrake is everywhere with the fan base to follow.

So what are some of the secrets to Drake’s success in Today’s Music biz and what mistakes can you avoid?

1)  Build your brand.

If you Google Drake you’ll come up with DrizzyDrake (Drake’s AKA) and Octobers Very Own or OVO.  Drake’s brand. He built this brand before he signed to a label.

2) Listen to constructive criticism from your fans.

In a recent interview with Billboard magazine, Drake states that he’d “rather have great reviews than numbers”. Implementing feedback can take your music to the next level. I’ve seen it happen.

3) Positivity matters.

Drake’s song “Successful” and the lyrics to the majority of his songs are aspirational.  They talk about what he’s accomplished, or wants to accomplish (even if it’s marrying Nicki Minaj).  This is how he connects with many of his fans.  You have to have dreams and goals to be successful in Today’s Music Biz.  You have to believe in them, sing or write them to act on them.

4) Get your music cleared before announcing a release date.

Drake’s first album Thank Me Later release was pushed back due to licensing issues after the date had been announced.  It may work for someone with a large enough, established, fan base but you don’t want to build anticipation and then let your fans down by not being able to release your album on time.

5)  Leaks can be good.

He’s quoted in Billboard.com saying “the night that it leaks is the night by album release is…that’s when you start hearing feedback. That’s how we gauge things now”.  His latest release ended up dropping on the night of an awards show where he had the opportunity to let everyone know on national TV during his performance that it sold 700,000 units.

6)  Be loyal to those who give you a chance.

Drake’s first album with Lil Wayne’s Young Money hit #1 on Billboard top 200. His most recent deal for the release of Take Care was signed with Young Money/Cash Money/Universal to make sure Lil Wayne got paid off everything he did.  Just for believing in him!  This album just hit #1 on the Billboard top 200 as well. My guess is he’ll be winning more awards next year and thanking Lil Wayne.

 7)  Fame is fleeting.

Drake Says you get 30 days for an album, of media and radio air play. Drake connects with fans by singing about situations they are going through.  But everyone’s situation changes day by day.  Whats hot in music changes from day to day. That’s why we teach you to The ABC’s of Music Marketing.

There are  more lessons to be learned from this successful rapper.  One we’ve talked about many times at TMB is collaboration.  Drake’s success in working with others such as Trey Songz,  Jay-Z,  and Mary J. Blige and so many more has been phenomenal. Drake even wrote Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) with Alicia Keys.  Collaboration done right always leads to success and other opportunities.

We’re here to help you Succeed in Today’s Music Biz.

“Imagine yourself as the person you want to be. Then live up to that image”

~Legendary Songwriter / Actor
Kristoffer “Kris” Kristofferson.

Fonzworth Bentley completed “C.O.L.O.U.R.S. (Cool Outrageous Lovers Of Uniquely Raw Style)”The recording was to be released on Sony Urban. But it was never released. It was not promoted (“shelved”). Why? His record label was “dissolving” underneath him.

Mr. Fonzworth Bentely

Who is Fonzworth Bentely? You may remember him as Sean P.Diddy Combs side-kick. At least that is how I remember him. What most people don’t know, is that he has sold to a market of fan’s by focusing on four paths that are unseen by many. Today, I’ll show you those 4 paths.

1. Create Your Space:

Be different. Fonzworth Bentley created space himself by being different. In marketing it’s called having a U.S.P. “Unique Selling Proposition“. You also may have heard of it as “positioning” in the market.

Mr. Bentley was able to make space in the music business by relying on visual images to separate himself from the thousands other would-be M.Cs. in Hip-Hop. Fonzworth made himself different from other Rappers by wearing a bow-tie, argyle sweaters, expensive dress shoes and umbrella.

His message? He was the gold-standard for hip-hop. His style? One of a millionaire. Unlike every other Rapper from Atlanta, who wears the sagging pants and un-tucked shirts. Fonworth wears old money clothes. That is being different.

Have you created a unique image?

Every successful artists from Elvis Presley, to Freddie Mercury, to Nicki Minaj, to Lady GaGa, Elton John, Shaggy…all and more, have made room for themselves using visuals to create room to get into a crowded and competitive music market.

2. Generate Awareness

In what ways can you generate awareness of your Music Business?

C.O.L.O.U.R.S. (Cool Outrageous Lovers Of Uniquely Raw Style) got Mr. Bentley noticed. But he shelved the release because his record label was crumbling. He held off on releasing the project until he could generate enough awareness and have a fan base ready to buy.

The result: Bentley sold 90,000 singles in 6 months and over 120,000 videos for the single “Everybody” (featuring Kanye West and Andree 3000 of OutKast).

According to Mr. Bentley, selling leads to the kind of success that creates a “Situation of Awareness”. Major label are willing to deal with you…on more fair terms…once you have built awareness.

3. Watch Your Step

When Sony Urban was “dissolving”, Fonzwoth was offered an opportunity to release his first record anyway. He declined. Instead, Fonzworth waited until the Music Industry settled down.

The Music Industry changes every 6 months. It’s an unlucky fact that some of the greatest artists never have a chance. They are shelved…

Alicia Augello Cook, was shelved because her record label had no idea where to “position” her music in the market. She was signed to Jermaine Dupis’ So So Def Recordings, but the parent company Columbia Records didn’t know who would buy her music. So she signed to Arista Records which dissolved a short time later. 

Clive Davis, one of the greatest Record Executives – ever, started J. Records and signed Alica. She released “Songs In A Minor” and the world became fans of  Alicia Keys.

Keeping in mind the lessons learned from the mistakes of other recording artist, Fonzworth waited to release his record. This smart step saved Fonzworth the frustration of  having his record under-promoted while Sony Urban was dying a slow death.

Imagine if Fonzworth had of released his record?  It would have went un-promoted or “shelved” (as the say in the Music Business).

It’s a good thing that he decided to take a step backward to generate some awareness. This step allowed him to move forward with more control to chart the direction of his career.

4. Watch Your Thoughts

Mr. Bentley has removed three words from his vocabulary “Can’t”, “But” and “Trying”. Think about it? Those 3 words can prevent you from having the success you really desire. “I’m trying to get my music out there but I can’t because…” LOL

Below are some helpful insights:

• Watch your thoughts.
• Listen to what you say to yourself.
• Attitudes become beliefs.
• Beliefs guide conduct.
• Conduct leads to consequences.

Dr. Amen, in his groundbreaking book, “Change Your Brain – Change Your Life” discusses “A.N.Ts (Automatic Negative Thoughts). More specifically Dr. Amen suggests that you crush these ANTs as soon as you notice them.

In today’s Music Biz, each must chart their own path. Hopefully,you will take the right paths along the way.

Jay Z and Kay West Come Hard As A Mutha...

Yo! What’s Good?…

This is ya Man…Jeronimo Black with the songs I predict you’ll hear on Radio over the next couple of weeks.

Beware! You will get tired of hearing these songs over…and over…on the radio.

Let me kick it off, with a Dirty South Joint form Kanye West with Jay Z – H*A*M Hard As A Mutha F—Not their best work but worth a listen.

Skillz “Rap Up” 2010

Ahhh…2010 is over. And as usual  M.C. Skillz wraps up the year with his “2010 Rap Up”. It’s always good to hear MC’s that can work word-play as well as the Mic. Listen to Skillz Rap Up 2010 by clicking play on the video below.

Other Hip-Hop and R&B Artists Getting Radio Airplay Include:

• Dev-Back Seat
• Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner-Written In The Stars
• Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland-Gone
• Snoop Dogg-Sweat
• Eminem feat. Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Ca$his, 50 Cent & Stat Quo-Syllables
• Alicia Keys feat. Eve-Speechless

Are You Ready To Hear Your Music On the Radio?

If you really are, you should take a look at Radio Promotion Secrets. Radio Promotion Secrets shows you how to  get your songs heard on any Radio Station that your Genre of music fits in.

Radio Airplay is STILL The Best Way to Become A Music Star”

• Once your music is played on the air, you’ve turned your ”Star Machine” on. Once your music is heard on radio… people who doubted that you would “make it” start believing in your success!
• You can be like many artists who HAVE become rich and famous with only one song on the radio!
• Radio Airplay gets you noticed by the Record Label!
• Radio airplay brings tons of more people to your shows!
• Radio makes it possible to sell millions of your CD’s!
• And much more!

To learn more about how to get your music heard on radio click here