Enjoy Hip-Hop Responsibly

Change is dropping some compelling tracks and is an artist to watch if not already on your radar. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone so willing to serve the scene. Check out his video.

Well done video and a recent favorite of mine. It’s drawn a lot of views on SphereofhiphopTV.com as well.

It seems to be an epidemic. Following directions is a lost art apparently.

Part of following directions is paying attention. In many areas of life, you can really jack things up if you aren’t doing both of these.

Is it simply a product of laziness? Probably.

Unfortunately that is why so few artists and labels find a respectable level of success in our scene. When you “have got it all figured out” why bother with details. Just do it your way. Right?

That also lends itself to being ignorant to the real needs of people. Yeah, they need truth but they also need something to connect with. Something to relate to. Something to identify with. Something that brings “truth” to life for them.

But again, when “you’ve got it all figured out” you know what people need right? Too much talking, not enough listening… Some are too busy truly charting their own course to really stop and hear the Lord’s voice. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re following the call when all you’re really doing is going through the motions. It’s easy to look the part and not full live it. That’s the easy standard in the eyes of man.

I’m starting to use this where meaningful on my emails. As I routinely receive hundreds of emails that require a response or an action each day, this helps cut down email and keeps me organized. You can even get all creative by setting up filters and such.

This email is:    [ ] actionable   [x] fyi        [ ] social
Response needed:  [ ] yes          [x] if you want  [ ] no
Time-sensitive:   [ ] immediate    [ ] soon       [x] none

Maybe it will help you.

Paris Zax

As some of you might know, I love instrumental hip-hop and downbeat music. This artist has a track out called Connective Tissue. Hit up iTunes to check it out and see what he does with the beat. It’s pretty fresh. I’ve got the single but am still looking around for a CD copy.

Other instrumental stuff worth checking out:

1. Dert - Fledgling
2. Dert - The Short List
3. Yochannan - Worship Music

Found an interesting time waster.
http://sohh.myminicity.com/

These guys are really fresh positive hip-hop crew. The producer for the crew (Doc) did all the imaging for the Sphere of Hip-Hop Radio show. It’s a pretty creative video and I’d love to see more like this in our scene.

When sending emails to media and radio folk, myself included, please make sure you provide the necessary information needed to make a coverage/airplay decision.

Here are some actual emails I’ve received.

Submission email:
“I love your site. Please cover my music.”

I’m thinking:
“What? Who? Where do I learn more? Why do I have to track you down to find out more? At least give me enough to make a decision.”

Submission email:
“Yo son!!!!! Pleze cover my muzic fa realz! (insert 4 line unintelligible run-on sentence here).”

I’m thinking:
“Huh?” One of the reason some media and radio will not feature you is because of how you present yourself. How you talk amongst your friends is not the best way to present yourself to a person who may not know anything about you. Oh and turn on your spell check before you click send.

Another tip…
Be personal and build a relationship. These folks owe you nothing and in most cases it cost them money to provide a free service (coverage or airplay) to you. It’s also not your birth rite to be guaranteed coverage or airplay. Earn it. Take it seriously and act accordingly. I am more likely to feature music from an artist who has taken the time to get to know me and shows sincere effort to maintain that. I’ll go the extra mile for them.

Follow and respect submission rules each spot has set up. It’s usually not for trivial reasons but to make it easier for them to support you. Remember, these people owe you nothing and are providing a tremendous service with great value for you. All it costs you is a few bucks to mail a CD or two out for exposure to anywhere from thousands to 10s of millions of people. Sounds like good bang for the buck. Take it seriously.

Say thank you. Did someone add you to their radio show? Say thanks. Did a magazine or website feature your music? Say thanks. 90% of the time, I hear nothing from artists/labels after we feature their material. Let your fans know where they can read more about your music. Send links out to album reviews you’ve received. Let them know what radio shows and stations are playing your stuff. It’s smart to do on two fronts… informs your fans and also provides a small boost to the media/radio outlet.

Don’t you just love getting emails or reading stuff online that is in all CAPS? Be kind to your brethren and turn that junk off! IT’S LIKE SHOUTING AT SOMEONE RIGHT NEXT TO YOU… or something like that.