Entertainment Marketing & Promotions

HAPPY NEW YEAR from BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG)!!!

2012-01-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR from BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG)!!! 2011 was a great year and at the same time presented some challenges. We THANK all of the individuals, organizations and companies that did business with us in 2011, and we thank GOD for bringing us into 2012!

BREG is excited about the opportunities that are coming forth in 2012, and we look forward to helping our current clients and new clients reach their goals and objectives.

In 2012, look for awesome things from Nu Strata Music Group, Chipped Up Entertainment, X-tratainment Inc. & Hustle University! Artists that are bringing new music, live performances and videos in 2012 include Spade Kosta, Da Bad Habbitz, Grizz, Blushe, Chief Scrill, Lady X, Magnem P.I. & Jay L. Also look for new e-books for your Kindle (click on this Amazon.com link) directly from BREG.

We must address our youth of today that are still killing each other at an alarming rate. BREG is looking forward to the day when the tv is turned on and there are no reports of a young person killing another young person. Parents and adults, it is on us to love, teach & discipline our children so that they will love themselves first & foremost and learn to respect & love others. That way they won't believe it is ok to just end another person's life. What actually happens is that two (2) lives are destroyed. The person that has been murdered and the person that goes to jail. Think about it, it's a lose-lose situation. Young people have a responsiblity too! Do not take education for granted because it is your best option for bettering whatever situation you are currently in, and education will bring about positive opportunities for you. You have the ability to understand what is wrong and what is right. Think before you talk, and definitely think before you act; and you will save yourself and your family a lot of heartache and unwanted problems. Believe in yourself, you can do it and have a successful life!

On the political scene, there will be Local, State and National Elections taking place this year with the Presidential Election being the highlighted election. Do your research on the candidates and make the best decision that you can make for you and your family.

So as you have read, BREG is very excited about 2012 and we look forward to connecting with exciting people, organizations and companies this year and beyond! One Love!!!

Yours Truly,

B. Brown

@BREGBrown

Facebook.com/BREGBrown

Independent Record Labels & Artists Are Competing!

2011-11-17T20:35:00.001-08:00

Insight From: B. Brown - Bar-Red Entertainment Group (BREG)

If you are an Independent Record Company and/or Artist, keep the FAITH because independent artist MAC MILLER has just topped the Billboard Charts!!! That's right, Mac Miller of Rostrum Records, hit #1 on the Billboard 200 Charts! By the way, Rostrum Records is the original home of Wiz Khalifa too! Rostrum Records based out of Pittsburgh, PA of all places has had an outstanding 2011, 1st with Wiz Khalifa and now ending the year with Mac Miller. Amazing!!!

Mac and Wiz both concentrated primarily on making great music solely for their niche markets and continued to engage their fans and new fans via social media and eventually a movement began which led to Mac Miller's new success! 109,000 of Mac's 144,000 first week sales were downloads. I take my hat off to Benji Grinberg (CEO) and the entire Rostrum crew because I know it took countless hours of work, strategy, resources and more for these projects to finally take off.

To all my independents, keep investing in yourself, build a great team that will create, develop and excute a great game plan, and you may be sitting at the top of the Billboard Charts one day!!!

It starts with great music. Create the best songs that you can possibly make!

You will have to spend money on marketing and promotions. There's no way around it.

Network, network, network! You must connect and build relationships with the right people!

Work hard and work smart!!!

Check out the article below on Mac Miller's success ........

One Love!

Week Ending Nov. 13, 2011. Albums: From “Donald Trump” to #1

Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images

Just five months ago, Mac Miller was best known for a novelty rap hit about, of all people, Donald Trump. This week, the 19-year old rapper has the #1 album on The Billboard 200. Blue Slide Park enters the chart higher than the hit-studded Now 40 and the latest Twilight soundtrack, which boasts a big hit by Bruno Mars.
Blue Slide Park is the second debut album by a rap artist to open in the top spot in the past seven weeks (following J. Cole's Cole World: The Sideline Story). This reconfirms that rap fans are among the most active and plugged-in music fans. Digital sales accounted for the lion's share of the album's first week sales (109K out of 144K).
Miller's strong debut is a triumph of social networking. Miller has a combined 2.7 million followers on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace.

The album was preceded by the viral hits "Donald Trump," which has sold 441K copies, and "Knock Knock," which has sold 336K copies. Miller also released an EP, On And On And Beyond, and a series of seven mixtapes, including one with the Ill Spoken.
Blue Slide Park is the fourth album by a teenaged artist to reach #1 so far this year, which makes this the year with the most #1 albums by teenaged artists. Justin Bieber has had two #1 albums this year. Never Say Never—The Remixes hit #1 in February. Under The Mistletoe hit #1 last week. Scotty McCreery's debut album Clear As Day hit #1 five weeks ago. Of these three artists, only Bieber fits the usual mold of a teen idol.

Having a Breakthrough in the Entertainment Business

2011-11-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

By: B. Brown - BREG

Why is it that a lot of people truly don't want to see other people make it? Why do people always ask why are you doing this job when I just saw you in a movie, on tv and/or I have your cd?

There are a lot of talented people in the world and the truth is, some of us will became rich and famous; and some of us will not. That's the way it goes. If every single one of us could become rich and famous, how would our world work then? There has to be different people doing different things to make the world work.

There seems to be an issue with Stacy Francis, one of the finalist on "X Factor." There are people in the world that believe that she should not be able to compete because she has been signed to a major label before and has done some impressive industry work in the past. But here's the real situation as far as I am concerned, she has never achieved huge success to allow her to receive the riches and fame of becoming a successful recording artist. I'm all for her getting another shot at hitting it big in the music industry. I believe she is an undeniable talent even at the age of 42.

Most people, including a lot of artists believe they are supposed to be rich and famous because they are talented. Sorry, that's not reality. It's takes a lot of hard work, connections and resources (i.e. money) to usually make it in any business, but especially in the music/entertainment business because very seldomly can an artist or band do it all by themselves. So even when an artist is Blessed, some may say cursed to receive a major record deal, it definitely doesn't mean you are going to become rich and famous. We have too many examples of artists that got there shots and that's it, it didn't work.

Now, I'm a believer in second chances and possibly third chances depending on the situation. I'm a baseball man, so it's usually three-strikes and you're out with me. When you look at these super-duper talent contests like AMERICAN IDOL, THE VOICE and X FACTOR; we are looking at multi-million dollar productions that need real talent to rise to the top and a lot of artists that have had major deals in the past are always looking for second and third chances, so of course they enter these contests and a lot of them make it to the finals. Do some research and you'll see that a lot of your favorite competitors have made headway in the industry prior to getting their shine on your favorite "reality" singing-contest-tv show. It's a fact.

I'm happy for any artist that gets a shot at accomplishing their goals because the overwhelming majority of artists, musicians, producers, managers, etc. never get a shot at the major level of the music industry and I take my hat off to the ones that have seen a glimpse, been disappointed and have kept working to make their dreams come true.

Checkout the the article below about Stacy Francis - "X Factor" and what do you believe should happen?

One Love!

Why All the Hate for Stacy Francis?

Posted Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:05pm PDT by Lyndsey Parker

in Reality Rocks

Over the course of the past week, "X Factor" hopeful Stacy Francis, the 42-year-old single mom with a dream and a pair of easily activated tearducts, practically went from being America's sweetheart to America's most hated, when her professional past was "outed" by anti-fan site Vote For The Worst, and later by Radar Online and Perez Hilton. (The latter blogger called her a "fraud" and seemed to harbor a personal vendetta against her, after a Twitter feud between them escalated when Adam Lambert jumped to Stacy's defense.) Of course, none of these gossippy sites actually exposed anything than couldn't be uncovered via a regular query on YouTube, Wikipedia, or IMDB. But the inflammatory articles still elicited public outrage that could now possibly thwart the former frontrunner's chances, as the "X Factor" live voting begins this week.

Yes, Stacy was a member of the '90s R&B girl group Ex-Girlfriend, who were signed to Reprise by Mariah Carey manager Benny Medina and produced by R. Kelly. Yes, she has performed with Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Prince. Yes, she has starred in Broadway and West End musicals. And yes, in 2004 she was hired to perform at Tom Cruise's birthday party. But how, exactly, does this differentiate her from her seasoned "X Factor" castmate LeRoy Bell, who used to write songs for the Spinners, the O'Jays, the Temptations, and Elton John, some of which made the Billboard charts; who was once nominated for a Grammy; and who's performed with the likes of B.B. King, Van Morrison, Sheryl Crow, Etta James, Al Green, Erykah Badu, LeAnn Rimes, and Idina Menzel? How does this make Stacy different from her open admirer Adam Lambert, who starred in The Ten Commandments with Val Kilmer before "American Idol," or from "The Voice's" winner Javier Colon and runner-up Dia Frampton, both of whom had previous major-label deals?

The issue, of course, is transparency--for which "The X Factor's" producers and editors are likely more to blame than Stacy herself. Come on, there is NO reason to assume that "The X Factor" powers-that-be were entirely unaware of Stacy's past professional endeavors; even if she had failed to mention her credentials, or even intentionally lied about them, any cursory background check would have quickly brought up all those YouTube videos, Last.fm and MySpace bio pages, BroadwayWorld.com articles, etc. But of course, splicing together the juicier, more emotional tidbits from Stacy's "X Factor" interviews--to paint her out to be a struggling mother, domestic abuse victim, and keeper of deferred dreams--made for better television than depicting her as just another Melinda Doolittle type, just another industry pro hoping to take her career to the next level after years of steady C-list work.

It's no wonder that viewers feel duped, but really, this is not unlike how the producers of "The Voice" initially chose to focus on Javier's family-man background and Dia's side career as an author of children's books, while overlooking those contestants' respective tenures with Capitol and Warner Bros. Records. Or how "American Idol" depicted Season 7's Carly Smithson as an Irish immigrant with visa issues and Kristy Lee Cook as a farmgirl who sold her horse to raise the funds to travel to her audition, while conveniently failing to mention that both girls had past ties to "Idol"-affiliated record labels.

Most of the reality contestants mentioned above emerged from their "scandals" relatively unscathed--in the case of "The Voice" specifically, that was probably because that show never overtly claimed that its contestants were total unknowns who'd queued up for hours in rainy parking lots to attend open auditions. But Carly, whose situation was the closest to what Stacy is going through now, definitely suffered from what appeared to be deliberate deception, or at least an egregious sin of factual omission. As a teenager under the name Carly Hennessy, she had been signed to MCA Records when Randy Jackson actually still worked there; when this came out mid-season, disgruntled "Idol" viewers actually rallied for her disqualification, and Carly eventually stalled in sixth place despite being an early favorite. I will freely admit that at the time, I wrote quite angrily about what seemed to be a great reality-TV injustice. But looking back, I now sheepishly wonder: Was this backlash Carly's fault? Did she deliberately portray herself as a newbie when she was anything but, or was that "Idol's" doing? And if Carly had been honestly portrayed as a showbiz second-chancer who'd fallen on tough times and needed a career reboot, would she have fared better on the show? These are the same kinds of questions being asked about Stacy Francis and "The X Factor" now.

The bottom line is, it's a bit of a stretch to say that Stacy is someone who has "already made it." While she has definitely made industry inroads and had some career breaks that many aspiring singers only dream about, I had never heard of her before she auditioned for "The X Factor," and neither had probably 99.9 percent of the American TV-viewing public. And I have no reason to believe she wasn't still struggling or living in a modest one-bedroom apartment, as she has claimed; as a longtime L.A. resident, I can assure you that this industry town is filled with many Hollywood bit players who, despite walk-on sitcom roles or famous friends or impressively lengthy CVs, still hold day jobs or have trouble paying their bills. Really, Stacy is just another under-the-radar talent who has come close, but not quite close enough, to her superstardom goal. As she put it in a backstage interview I conducted with her last week: "If I was Janet Jackson, I wouldn't be here. There's a reason why I'm here."

So, what do you think? Was Stacy deceptive about her past, or are producers and selective editors to blame here? Should shows like "The X Factor" be more transparent about contestants' backgrounds in general, to avoid such backlashes, or--here's a thought--do you think these series' producers secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) relish the free publicity that such scandals generate?
I personally think Stacy should be given the same chance, and the same benefit of the doubt, as any less-experienced "X Factor" contestant, and let her talent do the talking (or the singing, as it were). If there's a real reason why all those years of slogging away in the Hollywood trenches never got her very far, that'll soon become all too clear on future "X Factor" episodes. But until then, let's all back off.

Who will be hip-hop's first billionaire?

2011-10-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Thoughts by: B. Brown (Business & Entertainment Consultant) - Bar-Red Entertainment Group (BREG)

With the state of the music industry in transition and TV Contest Shows like American Idol, The Voice and X Factor becoming talent finding staples for the industry, it's good to know that some of Hip-Hop's biggest stars and companies are earning major bank!

P. Diddy has been making "Bad Boy" money for a long time (S/O to Craig Mack) and his other business ventures over the years has made him a big time player in several different industries such as fashion, resturants and alcohol.

When you start talking about Jay-Z and 50 Cent, you are talking about two (2) of the best street hustlers to transform into major hip-hop/pop stars and businessmen. I salute you my brothers!

Dr. Dre is the greatest hip-hop producer of all-time in my book, and when he partnered with Jimmy Iovine (head honcho at Interscope) to produce the headphones Beats By Dre, he hit the money bell for real!

I have to show love to Birdman and Slim of Cash Money Records! These fellas not only secured one of the best deals in hip-hop history with Universal, they lived up to expectations out the gate with Juvenile (1st Major Label Release) and are still kill'em the game with Lil Wayne, Drake amd Nikki Minaj ... Young Money!!!

New Artists coming into the game must realize that all the above mentioned invested in themselves and worked hard and smart first and foremost to attract additional money and bigger companies that wanted to go into business with them.

Read the article below and see you believe will be Hip-Hop's 1st Billionaire!

One Love!!!

Who will be hip-hop's first billionaire?

Sept. 23, 2011, 12:28 PM EST

By Zack O'Malley Greenburg
Forbes.com

This week marked the launch of the Forbes 400, our annual list of America'srichest citizens. Headed by Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Larry Ellison, thegroup doesn't include any hip-hop artists -- yet.

There are five artists on our watch list: Sean "Diddy" Combs (featured in this year's issue), Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter (who appeared on the cover of last year's, alongside WarrenBuffett), Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

Find: What's the best-sellinghip-hop album of all time?

Allfive already boast nine-figure fortunes, and in honor of the Forbes 400, we'veupdated our estimates. The big question: Who will be the first to a billion?

"I think Young Money Cash Money would be the first billion-dollar brand inhip-hop," said Birdman in an email message, referring to his record label."We strong and growing every day as a brand and fast. Within the next fewyears we will be billionaires."

Moreon Forbes.com: In Pictures: Hip-Hop'sFuture Billionaires

To be sure, there are differing opinions on the matter. By Forbes latest count,Diddy is currently the closest, with an estimated net worth of $500 million.He's taken to calling himself "Ciroc Obama," and with good reason:His vodka deal with beverage-giant Diageo could soon land him in some veryexclusive company.

Diddyreceives an annual cut of profits, and will get a big chunk of cash if Ciroc isever sold. With the spirit's value speeding toward $1 billion -- on top ofstakes in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, marketing firm Blue Flame andrecord label Bad Boy -- Diddy may be beat buddy Jay-Z to the Forbes 400.

Also: Country music's highest-paid stars

Jay-Z, however, is close behind with an estimated fortune of $450 million. Beyoncé's husband sold hisRocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007 and signed 10-year $150million Live Nation deal in 2008.

He still holds stakes in a wide range of businesses, including the soon-to-beBrooklyn Nets, the 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation, cosmetics companyCarol's Daughter and other ventures. His lyrical boasts ("I'm like reallyhalf a billie") appear accurate, at least if you round up.

Perhaps more than any other hip-hop artist, Dr. Dre's financial star has beenon the rise this year. The bulk of his $250 million fortune comes from BeatsElectronics, the headphone maker Dr. Dre founded with Interscope chief JimmyIovine in 2008.

In early August, handset maker HTC paid $300 million to buy a 51 percent stakein Beats. Sources say Iovine and Dre each owned a third of the company beforethe deal; Forbes estimates that Dre will take home $85 million after taxes. Theagreement also values his remaining stake at $100 million, which could increaserapidly as the company continues to expand.

Unlike the somewhat reclusive Dr. Dre, Birdman makes no secret about hisbillion dollar dreams. The New Orleans-born rapper-turned-mogul co-founded CashMoney Records with brother Ronald two decades ago, and inked a very favorable$30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998.

The label's value has soared with the success ofrappers Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, all of whom made this year's Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, bringing histotal net worth to an estimated $110 million (he insists he's worth more).

50 Cent rounds out the "Forbes Five" at $100 million. After receivingnine figures for his Vitaminwater stake in 2007, 50 Cent spent freely on carsand renovations to mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson.

But a nice cushion remains from his back catalog, acting gigs and 50Cent-themed videogames, books, clothes and headphones. Next up: an energy shotcalled Street King, which promises to feed hungry children -- and 50's bankaccount.

Though his nearest competitor is Birdman, 50 Cent sees Jay-Z as his mostsignificant business rival, insinuating that the two have historically playedup their differences to create new financial opportunities.

"We use each other," he explained to me at the Street King launchlast week. "If you're in a category, you have to find someone you respectenough to consider a competitor. And then you use each other in positive ways.They make a good move, you make a good move. If there's nobody for that, then there'sno inspiration."

Of course, soon-to-be-father Jay-Z has a certain advantage, thanks to hispartner in the family business.

"He cheated," 50 said, grinning. "See, he hired this girl..."

Hard Work Pays off!!!

2011-08-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Insight By: B. Brown of BREG

When I go speak to young people as a inspirational & motivational speaker, I often include hard work, paying dues & interning in my message to emphasize the importance of starting at one level and moving up to a higher level. It's a message of progress. It's a message of success! Now, don't get me wrong. In all journeys, there will be some valleys and peaks, but the key is continuing to move forward on the journey.

That brings me to Michael Kyser, the 1st ever president of Black Music at Atlantic Records Group! You see, Michael started his career at Def Jam and worked his way to his current position. It took hard work, it took listening and learning; and it took relationships being built. It also took treating people a certain way. Treating people with respect, basically treating people as you would like to be treated --- The Golden Rule!

Read Michael's feature in Ebony Magazine by Keven Chappell(June 2011; pg. 69)

Star Maker - Michael Kyser brings culture & attitude to the corporate music world!

It's safe to say that when Michael Kyser began his career at Def Jam Records some 20 years ago, he didn't know what the heck he was doing. Barely out of school, he found himself working and touring with such artists as Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Method Man, Redman, Foxy Brown and Warren G.

Hip-Hop was steamrolling the music scene, and Kyser was along for the ride.

"We just had a good time," Kyser tells Ebony. "We did everything from A to Z. When I first started in the music business, we did everything for our artists from picking them up taking them to the airport to going to weddings. We always superserved our artists. Def Jam was such a culture-driven company. We lived like we worked. We would stay out late. We didn't have titles back then; there was no head of this or head of that. We just got the job done."

A little odler and a lot wiser, Kyser was recently name the first-ever president of Black Music for the Atlantic Records Group. In the position, he manages the careers of 18 artists, including Trey Songz, Flo Rida, B.O.B. and Janell Monae.

Kyser's unique management style, which mixes hard work with equally hard play, can be directly traced back to his days at Def Jam. In fact, he says that when he came to Atlantic, one of the first things he did was to instill a more relaxed culture and a streetwise attitude. "It was corporate around here," he says. "So I had to work to get people to loosen up a bit. We did our best to instill that culture at Atlantic; so far, so good. It's a fun place now."

Kyser and his staff of about 40 in the marketing, artist development, promotion and special ops departments manage some of the most successful artists in the music business. Insiders say that he has been so effective because he knows intuitively how to break down cultural barriers and bring music to the widest possible audience.

"I have watched him learn the business from the ground up: working the streets; hitting radio, TV and the clubs; going on the road with the bands and doing whatever it took to break artists, get their music heard and build brands," said Warner Music Group Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music---Americas and the U.K. Lyor Cohen. "He doesn't just do his job; he lives his job and since those early days a Def Jam, I've seen him evolve into one of the most admired and accomplished members of the urban-music community."

Just as he did at Def Jam, Kyser immerses himself in the music and the culture, creating opportunities for his artists and building long careers. He prides himself on developing invaluable relationships with his artists, whether as a mentor, a big brother or simply a road dog. "Artist relations is probably the most important thing to me. When the kids are born, I'm there. When they get married. I'm there. When they go through their breakups, I'm there. I'm like extended family. It's a unique situation, but it's a respectful situation. They respect what I do, I respect their talent. It's a partnership, and sometimes we're going to disagree. But real partnerships are built on that."

When it's all said and done, for Kyser, it's about selling music and having a good time doing it. "Anybody who knows me, knows that I'm a fun guy," he says. "I like to have a good time. We're in the music business; we sell music. We're not curing cancer, we're selling music. People have different management styles. My style is a little more laid back. I get my point across. And I make sure that we get the job done."

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2011-07-13T16:40:00.001-07:00

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2011-06-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

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'Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey'

2011-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Thoughts By: B. Brown (BREG)

Every so often a tremendous book is put together and released! The 'Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey' is one of those books. As you read the article below, you will realize how important this book is today and how important it will be for future generations!

I will definitely be purchasing a copy because when I speak to current youth and youth of the future, there are pivotal points in hip-hop's growth and development that always needs to be pointed out and discussed. This book gives me the best reference for that discussion and insight to get my points across to my audience.

Major shout-out's to the 40 hip-hop icons featured in the book (which is actually more like a treasure chest --- literally!) and to hip-hop in general. It's all LOVE!!!

Enjoy the article below!

By Steve Jones, USA TODAY

Updated 2/7/2011 5:47:35 PM

Hip-hop now has a historical tome as bold and colorful as the larger-than-life people who built its history. Long before Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem or Lil Wayne ruled the billion-dollar-a-year industry, the path was paved by DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Grandwizard Theodore, LA Sunshine and Kurtis Blow.

Pioneers: Grandmaster Flash, left, Afrika Bambaataa and Kool Herc are among the iconic figures profiled in Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey.

Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey is a luxury, large-format book from ARIA Multimedia that traces the genesis, evolution and global influence of hip-hop culture since its humble beginnings in the New York City streets.

Given hip-hop's influential 37-year history, "it needed to be celebrated in a size and scope that would be as impactful as the culture itself," says editor in chief Jordan Sommers.

The 420-page, 16-pound opus is stuffed with hundreds of rare photos and 70 essays that cover 30 aspects of the culture and profile 40 icons, from Blow to Nicki Minaj, who "changed the game." There are also more than 150 first-person accounts by participants in the movement.

"It was very important to us that this story wasn't told by outsiders, but by the people themselves," Sommers says. "The writers that we hired were, if not right smack in the middle of things from day one, people who had 15 to 20 years as documenters of hip-hop culture."

The $300 book goes on sale Tuesday at hiphopculturebook.com. A book launch Tuesday night at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles coincides with the premiere of an Odyssey-based exhibit on view through May 4. It boasts portraits, video, interactive mixing stations, Tupac Shakur's handwritten lyrics, Everlast's private hip-hop sneaker collection and iconic outfits.

Afrika Bambaataa, the South Bronx DJ and former gang leader whose block parties helped spawn the culture, is credited with giving hip-hop its name. He also identified the elements of the culture: DJ music, break-dancing, graffiti art and MC's.

"The book did a great job of going from the true school days to the now school," says Bambaataa, who wrote the introduction. "It gave attention to all four elements and also the fifth element, which is the quest for knowledge. We hope this book will keep people looking at the culture."

Russell Simmons, profiled as a game-changer who managed seminal stars Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC and LL Cool J and who co-founded Def Jam Recordings, says the book not only documents hip-hop's growth but also examines its global reach.

"People want to talk about how hip-hop has expanded into fashion or sneakers or soft drinks, but let's talk about how there couldn't be a President Barack Obama without hip-hop," Simmons says. "Hip-hop culture is what tore down so many of the racial walls in this country that would have otherwise stood in his way."

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Chris Lighty creates Hip-Hop Brands!

2011-03-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Insight from B. Brown (BREG)

For those that have never heard of Chris Lighty, he is the Premier Artist Brand Manager that has literally helped a lot of artists you know become "Household Names".

Checkout the article below!

By: Tennille M. Robinson (blackenterprise.com; January 2011; pg. 78)

When entertainers want to turn themselves into household names, they entrust industry veteran Chris Lighty to implement his "360-degree business model," focusing on three P's that work in tandem: the plan, the person, and the people.

"You could have the best plan of attack, but if you don't have the best artists, executors, and the right team, nothing is going to come to fruition," he explains. Lighty has made his name identifying business opportunities to align with celebrities, leveraging their star power and personality.

"It's definitely comforting to have someone around that can correct you when you're wrong," says Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Lighty has successfully parlayed the 35-year-old's rap career into a thriving empire.

Currently at the helm of his New York City-based artist management firm, Violator, Lighty's career began in 1989 at Rush Management and later Def Jam where he worked with Russell Simmons on taking hip-hop mainstream.

"I was able to be part of the blueprint and architecture of what I feel is the commercialization of hip-hop," recalls Lighty. He later signed deals with LL Cool J, De La Soul, and negotiated a Sprite commercial for A Tribe Called Quest that paid them a quarter of a million dollars. "I learned [that] if you didn't learn your business and have different revenue streams, you could quickly go out of business."

Besides Jackson and LL Cool J, Lighty works with Mariah Carey, Sean Combs and Soulja Boy.

"An Artist can't be around Chris and not pick up something that's going to be helpful to their career," says Demitria Lewis, a New York City-based culture and social media strategist. "You're getting real life lessons working with him."

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2011-03-27T09:52:00.001-07:00

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Is this kid Jacob the next triple threat? - Sponsored Post

2011-03-25T16:57:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of Jacob Latimore? The next triple threat. His new vid w/ Diggy is amazing!

G-Funk Legend Nate Dogg Dead at 41

2011-03-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

Thoughts By: B. Brown (BREG)

The Hip-Hop Community has lost one of it's beloved chorus/hook balladeers yesterday (3/15/11). Nate Dogg contributed his voice to some of the hottest Hip-Hop records ever recorded. My personal favorite is "Regulate" by Warren G feat. Nate Dogg! That song told a story that a lot of young men can relate to totally, and the musical track is pulsating! When Ryan Cameron of WVEE 103.3 FM played the song today in tribute to Nate, it made me think of some great memories, and the fact that Nate made great music!

May God Bless Nate's family and close friends as we all mourn the loss of a man that carved a lane of his own in the music industry, and represented his brand of music to the fullest!

We love you and we will miss you Nate Dogg, Rest-In-Peace my brother!

*Posted Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:29am PDT by Daniel Kreps in Amplifier

One of the most distinct voices of the G-funk era in hip-hop, rapper Nate Dogg, passed away yesterday, March 15th, the rapper's family confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 41. Nate Dogg, born Nathaniel D. Hale, had suffered strokes in both 2007 and 2008, but his death has been attributed to "complications from multiple strokes," his lawyer Mark Geragos said. Often recruited to adorn choruses in Death Row Records' glory days, Nate Dogg exploded onto the music scene as Warren G's gat-busting partner-in-crime on the hit "Regulate." Nate also frequently collaborated with his high school friend Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tupac Shakur, Eminem, and 50 Cent.

The biggest tracks to feature Nate Dogg, a four-time Grammy nominee, include Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode," Ludacris' "Area Codes," 50 Cent's "21 Questions," Eminem's "Shake That" and, our personal favorite, his own solo track "Never Leave Me Alone" with Snoop Dogg. In addition to appearing on every great rap album from The Chronic to Doggystyle to All Eyez on Me to Get Rich or Die Tryin', Nate released three solo albums on his own. He also made the "Eastside Hotel" one of the most famous locales in hip-hop history.

"We lost a true legend in hip-hop and R&B. One of my best friends and a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at Poly High where we met," Snoop Dogg said on Twitter. "You will always be with me forever and a day. You put the 'G' in 'G funk', you put the '1' in '213' and you put your stamp on everybody you ever did it with. I miss you because I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up with you, and I will see you again in heaven, because you know the slogan about 'all doggs go to heaven.' "

Is Jacob Latimore the next Justin Bieber? - Sponsored Post

2011-03-09T20:20:00.001-08:00

Thoughts by B. Brown (BREG)

It is a beautiful thing when you see an artist at one level and then several years later you see them on another level! That's my experience with Jacob Latimore. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing him perform at Crossover Studios (the Premier Rehearsal Studio in Atlanta, GA) several years ago, and now he is headed to possible super-stardom!

I had one of my artists with me by the name of Lady X and my daughter that evening. It was a great evening of fun and networking as several young developing artists performed, but one, Jacob Latimore has at least made it to the major leagues and hopefully he competes at a high level!

A major shout-out to Jen Farris of ZeeVee Consulting for inviting me to the event.

Click on Jacob's picture below to listen to his new single that is catching major steam!!!

Check out Jacob Latimore’s new vid w/ Diggy Simmons. The next triple threat, he’s going to be huge! RT your friends >>

One Love!

One Stop Beat Shop - Sponsored Post

2011-03-05T07:31:00.001-08:00

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2011-03-03T05:38:00.001-08:00

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Jonas Bros at On The Spot

2011-02-26T06:57:00.001-08:00

By B. Brown (Bar-Red Entertainment Group - BREG)

Who is going to make it into Johnny Wright's new super-group? He manages some of the most successful talent in the music industry such as The Jonas Brothers & Britney Spears. And now he's putting together another super-group to take over the industry! Click on the picture below to see how he is doing it!

One Love!!!

Jonas Brothers, Britney's manager is searching for singers to be in next supergroup. See it from the start. RT your pals >>

Talent Search at On The Spot

2011-02-25T22:02:00.001-08:00

By B. Brown (BREG)

Super Manager Johnny Wright is at again! The man that has managed the Back Street Boys, the Jonas Brothers, etc. is looking for the next Super Group to manage & help propel to stardom! Click on the picture below to find out what's going on!!!

Online talent search for singers to be in next supergroup. This is getting good! Who's going to make it?

Adele 21 Album - Ends Sunday 27

2011-02-25T14:36:00.001-08:00

By B. Brown

Adele is a breathe of fresh air! Beautiful & talented, Adele has a new album that you need to checkout!

One Love!

2-Time Grammy winner Adele - Launches new album "21". She is amazing! Listen on iTunes & RT your friends >>

TweetBig Twitter Rocket Fuel

2011-02-24T05:18:00.001-08:00

By B. Brown

There are a lot of ways to attract Twitter Followers and TweetBig is a targeting tool that may be just what you are looking for in regards to increasing your followers.

Click on the picture below ....... One Love!

Get 1,000's of new quality targeted Twitter followers every month with these amazing tools.

I LIVE MY CULTURE - www.henmusik.com

2011-02-20T12:19:00.001-08:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)

Checkout HEN by clicking on the picture link below. HEN is bringing his conscious, revolutionary hip-hop style to you in a way to make you take notice!!!

HIP HOP INDEPENDENCE GAINS NEW PERSPECTIVES
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February Video Contest

2011-02-16T20:07:00.001-08:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)

If you have video & editing skills, you might be able to win $1000.00.

Success happens when preparation meets opportunity and action takes place.

One Love!

Calling all creative folks! @Xtranormal is hosting an animated video contest this month & you could win $1000

Sprout Social

2011-02-15T15:50:00.001-08:00

For the busy artist, business person and soccer mom or dad, keeping your social media sites organized can be an additional chore by itself. Don't fret, below is one of the sites that may help you put all your social media sites in place! Click on the picture below:

Grow your Twitter following with precision targeting and organize your Social Networks in one place. Click on the picture above!

One Love!

Big Time Rush

2011-02-12T10:08:00.001-08:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)

Within the last year or so, my daughter introduced me to the kids TV show called "BIG TIME RUSH." I figured the singing group on the show were just actors, but when I was in Las Vegas, NV this past August and saw that Big Time Rush was performing live, I was like what?, these guys are real artists!

So believe it or not, Snoop Dogg is featured on Big Time Rush's New Song "Boyfriend." Click below to take a listen! http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=CTiugamq7cM&u1=columbia-smesite&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%3A//itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum%3Fid%3D417021288

One Love!

Do you think having a written-down Business Plan is important?

2011-02-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

*Thoughts by: B. Brown (BREG)

One of the 1st things I did when I was developing Bar-Red Entertainment Group (BREG) along with my Business Partners was to sit down with experienced industry people and "listen" to what they had to say. I heard a lot of interesting stories, but the main thing I got from all those meetings was that you had to have a plan and that you had to be willing to work!

So all of you aspiring artists, ceo's and business men and women, brainstorm and connect with Industry Veterans to get a feel for the current industry. Do in-depth research on your own and start working on your business plan.

If you need help, you may need to hire a consultant that can assist you and lead you in the right direction.

*Checkout what Jay-Z has to say about him, Dame & Biggs in regards to a Business Plan ....... (Excerpt from Jay-Z's book DECODED)

"So in 1994, Dame, Biggs, and I pooled our resources to form Roc-A-Fella Records ... We didn't know the business yet, but we knew how to hustle ... The difference with us was that we didn't want to get stalled at low-level hustling. We had a plan. We did more than talk about it, we wrote it down. Coming up with a business plan was the first thing the three of us did. We made short and long-term projections, we kept it realistic, but the key thing is that we wrote it down, which is as important as visualization in realizing success."

For help with your Business Plan, click on this link.

One Love!

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2011-02-06T10:36:00.001-08:00

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*If you are like me, you do not want to get caught slipping on Valentine's Day! Make sure your wife, girlfriend and/or mistress is taken care of for real. It can be a long 2011 Spring if you are not on point!

Keep smiling .......

One Love!

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2011-02-03T11:47:00.001-08:00

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*To all the Lover's in the world, you know what time of the year is coming up! Get your A-Game together and get your Love-Life for 2011 jump-started the right way!

One Love!

Using Social Media to Boost your Business or Advance your Career

2011-02-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

*Thoughts by B. Brown (BREG)

When it comes to using Social Media, there are a lot of different opinions and theories on why you should use social media and how to use social media. You know the big three (3) - Facebook, Twitter & Myspace. It is amazing how the world has changed its communication process. When is the last time you pulled out a piece of paper and wrote an actual letter to someone and mailed it via the United States Postal Service? Stomped you, didn't I?

Well, social media is here to stay, so we might-as-well learn how to use it correctly and efficiently, especially if we are business men and women. We can actually use social media to help grow our businesses and propel our careers .......

Gabi Gregg's story is wonderful ... Black Enterprise Mag. Dec. 2010; pg. 76

Visit Black Enterprise Magazine Online

Her use of social media led her to her dream job as MTV's first ever TJ. Her official MTV Twitter Handle is @MTVTJ.

James Andrews, a managing partner of the Atlanta-based social media company EVERYWHERE, blogs and tweets as the "Key Influencer" while helping companies develop social media strategies. Here are his tips for creating your own:

1. Understand the goal - gaining brand recognition and talking to your consumers.

2. Have a plan - you should have realistic expectations and make sure that your strategy is sustainable.

3. Listen first - social media gives you a an unmatched opportunity to hear what your customers, colleagues and competition are saying.

4. Watch your tone - "You don't want to transfer your marketing language over to your Facebook fan page."

5. Be consistent - building a faithful following won't happen if you don't dedicate the time to talk with your audience regularly.

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2011-01-30T18:50:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-29T16:31:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-28T19:25:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-23T17:21:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-23T17:20:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-21T15:40:00.001-08:00

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Russell Simmon's Road Map to a Richer Life!!!

2011-01-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

By: B. Brown's Thoughts

I have admired and looked up to Russell Simmons for a long time, and his place in history is secure!

His creation of Def Jam and the "Brand" that it has become is beautiful! As he has grown as a person, he has found a deeper meaning of life and he shares it willingly with all of us that want more out of life.

Check it out:

*By Melody K. Hoffman (Jet Magazine; Dec. 27, 2010/Jan. 3, 2011; pgs. 26-28 http://www.myjet247.com)

Russell Simmons is known for his pioneering vision that has revolutionized music, fashion, finance and television, while at the same time modernizing philanthropy. While the entrepreneur can count the fruits of his labor in the millions, Simmons believes finding a way to get past the accepted definition of "rich" - having a lot of money and material toys - and accepting that true happiness and success come from within is the avenue to becoming "rich."

In his new book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All, Simmons explains the principles that can lead to spiritual and monetary enrichment.

"We're talking about going inside yourself on all levels," says the co-founder of the Def Jam hip-hop music label and the chairman and CEO of Rush Communications. "Make yourself better. I think with that process alone, you radiate or give out so much. You become more focused and you become a better giver."

Russell shares some tips for success 2011:

1. Take Care Of Self
2. Look Inside
3. Become A Better Giver
4. Focus On One Thing
5. Change Your Perception

*For details on each tip, visit http://www.myjet247.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR from B. Brown (BREG)

2011-01-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)

Happy New Year!!! It is always great to start a new year and give thanks to the Most High for Blessing us with another year of life!

I am very excited about the opportunities out there that will positively impact my business endeavors in 2011, and I am looking forward to helping as many people as I can gain affordable access to the legal system and help as many people as possible protect and grow their businesses, be it an artist, a plumber, etc.!

One of the things that makes me feel very good thus far in 2011 is the Ted Williams story. Here is a man that would be considered down and out, but he continued to share his talent and gift with everyone he came in contact with and now he is receiving a second chance at life. May God continue to Bless him and keep him as he moves forward in his soberiety, re-connecting with his family and career. God is good!

Remember, "Big journeys begin with a single step!"

Have a great 2011!

One Love!

"Pay Per Tweet"

2010-11-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

By: Insanul Ahmed (Vibe Magazine; Oct./Nov. 2010; pg. 34)

Not every celeb can score loaded endorsement deals, but several are getting paid in full peddling products on Twitter. VIBE cornered Sean Rad, founder and president of Ad.ly---a leading Twitter advertising platform---for details on how our favorite stars get tipped to tweet.

Vibe (V): Celebs like Kim Kardashian have been plugging Carl's Jr. chicken salads and Reebok too eagerly on Twitter. Is your company to blame?

Sean Rad (SR): What people see as tweets, we view as fantastic content that's not being compensated. We bring advertisers into the mix and make money for influential people sending messages to their audience from a brand they believe in or associate with. We have over 60,000 influencers signed up (including Kim K., Trey Songz and Soulja Boy). A lot of times our influencers say they'd like to (promote) a certain brand, and we'll go about getting an ad.

V: Can a regular Joe be an influencer?

SR: Anyone with influence (can be considered). We have algorithms that factor in a lot of things: followers, their engagement with those followers, how often they tweet, etc.

V: Lindsay Lohan reportedly makes $10,000 per tweet. Just how much are celebs caking?

SR: We can't (disclose) prices. It ranges from $1 to five figures.

V: Can they tweet as many ads a they want to boost their earnings?

SR: There isn't a limit, but we pace it out. The price (per tweet) will decrease if you place too many ads and don't maintain a good quality stream.

V: Sounds like an easy gig, yet many stars deny their involvement.

SR: We've never experienced that. Every ad is clearly disclosed as an ad. The influencer approves every message to make sure it's in line with their audience. But there are instances where (stars) might be promoting other things they don't want to admit.

Big K.R.I.T.

2010-11-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

By: John Kennedy (Vibe; Oct./Nov.; pg. 52)

What We Say: Justin "Big K.R.I.T." Smith was certain he'd found the formula for mainstream staying power: jingly hooks, catchy beats and all-crunk everything. In search of financial freedom, the 24-year-old Mississippian chased after a No. 1 single. But when he only saw modest traction by emulating hip-hop's status quo, K.R.I.T. (an acronym for "King Remembered in Time") questioned his dumb-it-down strategy. Feeling like he'd sacrificed much of his lyrical substance, he abandoned empty radio fodder and in May dropped the confessional 'K.R.I.T. Wuz Here', a self-produced mixtape focused on social ills, relationship woes and occasional collar-popping. The equation lined up, and the soul-sample-driven project scored him Cinematic Music Group/Def Jam paperwork. Adding grander instrumentation to his vibrant memoirs, K.R.I.T.'s still-untitled debut is the perfect blueprint---his own.

What he says: "It took me five years to really figure out my sound and get comfortable rapping about my life. In the beginning stages, you're trying to get the best club song possible, and there's nothing wrong with that. But when you focus so much energy on one avenue of music, it can hurt your creative mind frame. Seeing how Andre 3000 and Cee-Lo Green creatively did what they thought was jamming and people embraced it, I was like, Damn, that's what I wanna do. It can't just be trendy. I gotta talk about real concepts and stuff that means the world to me in order to make it timeless."

What are our Artists saying today?

2010-06-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

*Rollingout "Theories & Suspicions" Section
Vol. 11, #22 (May 27,2010)

Gil Scott-Heron wrote the celebrated, militant poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." The title, which has become a popular mantra, means that thinking is paramount and, unfortunately, not a common practice. Featured on his 1971 album, "Pieces of Man," the lyrical poem describes how media transformed into a medium that keeps individuals, especially African-Americans, from thinking. Although Scott-Heron's piece focused on television, his concept also applies to radio.

As a child growing up in Memphis, TN, music was one of the most socially responsible mediums for communication, political and social activism. This was even applicable to R&B music. Although it was one of the most expressive vehicles for transferring the amorous feelings of love; during the Civil Rights era, the music was used to give voice to important social commentary reflective of the needs of the African-American community. In fact, most popular artists consistently used their music for this purpose, producing some of the greatest love songs known to this genre. Whether it was Aretha Franklin's "Respect," which spoke of equality for black women, Marvin Gaye's protest of the Vietnam War in "What's Going On," or James Brown's "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud," music tended to reflect the needs of the community and collective more than the selfish avarice of the individual.

Today, there are few such artists with a focus and dedication that would allow them to sing for the betterment of the African-American community. Instead of Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Sam Cooke, there are The Dream, Pleasure P, Chris Brown & Trey Songz. These individuals - albeit talented -lack substance and often sing about the same topics.

Looking at Trey Songz, it appears that most of his songs are about sex as suggested by the clear messages in the songs: "Sex for Yo Stereo," "No Clothes On," "Make Love Tonight," "Just Wanna Cut," "Neighbors Know My Name," & "I Invented Sex." One would imagine that a conscientious and responsible adult would be able to sing about subjects beyond sex, and I am certain that he could if he tried, however, his focus may be elswhere. Perhaps he doesn't know the history of the music that's representative of the community from which it originates.

Throughout history, we African-Americans have used music as a tool to tackle prejudice and racism. It appears that this practice is no longer perceived as vital and may even be considered by some to be unappealing or unimportant. The question is, will music ever continue the legacy of Marvin Gayes' "Make Me Wanna Holler" or Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come?" I cannot answer that, for it seems that most current artists in hip-hop and R&B are more interested in being carbon copies, content with "out ignorating" each other.

It is obvious that the revolution will not be on the radio either ...

How People use "Nielsen Data" to hurt musicians.

2010-02-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

January 21, 2010

How people use Nielsen to hurt musicians.

Written by: Jeff Core

I read an article today at Digital Music News about comments by Tommy Silverman - founder of Tommy Boy and the New Music Seminar.

With all due respect, his information is wrong. But worse, the conclusions he reaches from this faulty information could be damaging to artists.

Some highlights include statements like:

Silverman counted 105,575 new album releases that year, and found that just 225 of those were new artists surpassing the 10,000 unit threshold for the first time. Of that, just 14 were do-it-yourself artists, unaffiliated with a major, indie, or other entity."

and

"What does this say about the Chris Anderson 'Long Tail' promise?" Silverman blogged in Musician Coaching. "Clearly the ease of making and distributing music does not benefit 'breaking' music. Breaking music requires mass exposure which requires luck or money or both. I can say with great authority that less new music is breaking now in America than any other time in history. Technology has not helped more great music rise to the top, it has inhibited it. I know this is a bold statement but it is true."

I wrote a response to the editor of the blog where the article appeared, I do not know if he will post it, but I feel so strongly about making certain word gets out, I am re-posting my response to Tommy's statements here

------------

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing you in response to Tommy's information and posting - the good news, he is dead wrong. The truth is more artists and bands are breaking now in America, and around the world, than at any other time in history. Technology has absolutly helped more great artists and bands rise to the top.

The Nielsen data cited is not only incomplete, but also provides a false analysis.

Let me provide you some hard stats to back this up:

According to Nielsen and Tommy there were:
"...106,000 new (music) releases in 2008"

In 2008, TuneCore released approximately 90,000 newly recorded releases

This means, according to Nielsen and Tommy, almost every single new music release in 2008 was distributed via TuneCore.

I know this simply not to be true - the base assumption that Tommy is making is as dead wrong as his other statistics.

Another example, Tommy states:

" just 225 of those (the new releases) were new artists surpassing the 10,000 unit threshold for the first time. "

This is an empirically false statement for a few reasons.

First, in order for Nielsen to accurately track sales, the UPCs for those albums must be pre-registered in their database. If the UPC is not registered in its database, Nielsen can not match the sales data to an album (or song). For example, if a digital store tells Nielsen it sold 100 copies of UPC # 123456789, and Nielsen has no idea what UPC # 123456789 is, it can not report the sales.

Next, the majority of the 90,000 releases via TuneCore in 2009 were not registered with Soundscan therefore making it impossible for them to track or report on the sales.

But these two points are actually kind of moot. Music is no longer bought by the album, it is bought by the song across an artist's catalog. Tracking album sales as the sole indicator to determine if something is "breaking" is analogous to tracking only vinyl album sales to determine if something is "breaking"

Some examples:

When they were unsigned, the following TuneCore artists sold the following quantities of songs across their releases:

Kelly sold over 2,000,000 million tracks
William Fitzsimmons sold over 150,000 tracks
Soulja Boy sold over 200,000 tracks
Boyce Avenue sold over 1,200,000 tracks
Ron Pope sold over 250,000 tracks
Colt Ford sold over 300,000 tracks
Secondhand Serenade sold over 250,000 tracks
Tapes N Tapes sold over 200,000 tracks
Nevershoutnever sold over 1,000,000 tracks
Drake sold over 300,000 tracks
MGMT sold over 225,000 tracks
The Medic Droid sold over 150,00 tracks
Nickasaur sold over 150,000 tracks
Harry and the Potters sold over 200,000 tracks

This is just a very quick partial list that goes on and on and on

Under Tommy's model, none of these artist sales count as they are not "album" sales.

With all due respect, Tommy might discount selling over 1,000,000 songs by an "unsigned" artist as not "breaking", but I do.

On a macro level, in 2009 alone, the internet allowed the "long tail" unsigned artists that used TuneCore to generate over $32,000,000 in music sales by selling over 42,000,000 songs - this is more than one song a second selling by a TuneCore Artist on iTunes. This "long tail" catalog that TuneCore's Artists represent is now one of the most valuable music catalogs in the world. And this all happened due to the net, social networking and access to the media outlets (like YouTube).

"Breaking" is not just about selling albums or even just the music - it is about generating revenue off of fame. This is done via merch, gig, publishing, music sales, ad revenue and more. Nevershoutnever sold over 35,000 t-shirts in a number of months via a regional sales program with Hot Topic. Surely Tommy does not mean to discount these sales and revenue simply because the artist is selling merch? How about if the band sold no music but consistently sold out 1,000 venue clubs and made $15,000 a night? Why does Tommy discredit bands for their success if they are not selling "albums"?

Another distributing and incorrect point suggested by Tommy is that music sales are down due to the fact that there is more music available to buy, share and discover.

As a matter of fact, its quite the opposite

In the late 90's - also known as the "golden age" of market share and revenue for the music industry - more music was being released and bought than ever before (as an example, Warner was releasing one new release a day). Despite this increase of releases, sales (not just revenue) went up, not down.

Or from a pure logic perspective, if iTunes had 2,000,000 less songs, would an artist that is not selling now as no one likes their music magically start selling. Or to flip it around, I would suggest more music on the virtual shelf causes more music to sell as it allows the music buyer to discover music via the digital stores own recommendation association engines.

Tommy's goes on to state:

"Breaking music requires mass exposure which requires luck or money or both."

This statement is also dead wrong - and he knows it based on is own experiences at Tommy Boy.

Historically, in the music industry, 98% of what the record labels distributed, spent hundreds of millions of dollars on to market and promote and get played on commercial radio and MTV did not "break". If "breaking" simply "required mass exposure", there would have been a 98% success rate, not failure rate. But music is not a math equation, and therein lies the problem with Tommy's statement. Yes, to break you need exposure, but that by no means guarantees success. The music has to cause reaction. For example, if "Smells Like Teen Spirit' was not a song that people liked, it would not have mattered how much money was spent on getting you to hear it.

And that's the excitement and beauty of the internet. The masses now have direct access to the media and "music discovery" social networking outlets. - i.e. YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Jango and more. These new social networking and media vehicles allow mass communication in an instantaneous fashion at a click of button. Suddenly one person's opinion does matter and can can impact a bottom line. Even the digital stores themselves provide a vehicle to market and promote yourself off off (i.e. iTunes iMixes or recommendations of other music to buy). Through these vehicles the internet has delivered the ability for anyone to "break", and they actually are. The masses now have access to the media outlets to get heard. The problem is the old school view that "breaking" is simply defined by selling albums. This could not be farther from the truth.

Tommy also goes onto say:

"I can say with great authority that less new music is breaking now in America than any other time in history. Technology has not helped more great music rise to the top, it has inhibited it. I know this is a bold statement but it is true."

It might be a bold statement by Tommy to help get headlines, but it's also false (and kind of silly). The truth is more artists and bands are breaking now in America, and around the world, than at any other time in history. Technology has absolutely helped more great artists and bands rise to the top.

The distressing part for me about this is based on Tommy's statements, if an artists' release is not counted by Nielsen than it is not actually released. If music does not sell as an album then it has not sold. In effect, he is de-legitimizing artists.

With all due respect, I believe an artist's release should "count" even if not recognized by Nielsen as this de-recognition closes off possible opportunities based on the perception that a release is not "real"

I also find it distressing that the media, and other outlets, turn to Nielsen as the definitive source to determine what is occurring in this industry thereby decreasing the opportunities for musicians and artists that are not part of this old school system.

The reality is the majority of music is now being created, released and sold outside of the traditional system. Ad agencies, music supervisors, video game manufacturers, radio programmers etc turn to Nielsen for information to discover music in an attempt to use/license it. They need to understand that the Nielsen information is an incomplete and an inaccurate portrayal of reality. This inaccurate perception is holding back opportunity and validation for others. Tommy needs to stop propagating this false perception as it hurts artists.

It's important that an accurate picture of what is occurring be presented to fans and businesses to provide additional choice and opportunity for musicians. They work hard enough as it is, the last thing we need to do is propagate a false reality to hurt them. Tommy's heart is in the right place, we are here to help musicians, but let's start with a more accurate description as opposed to a "bold" but false statement that helps promote an agenda.

Posted by JeffCore at 08:28 PM in Jeff's Postings | Permalink

In Support of Earthquake-Torn Haiti!!!

2010-01-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

By: B. Brown

I would like to take my hat off to the people of the United States of America!!!

We have supported Haiti in record-breaking fashion and I am very proud of that fact.

We have Wyclef's "Yele'" Organization, The Red Cross, The Clinton-Bush Fund, etc. That is what has really tripped me out, Former Presidents Clinton & Bush have united for a cause. Unbelievable! President Obama has made it clear that his administration is going to help Haiti through its tragedy and help it rebuild. As one of the strongest countries in the world even during our recession, we are still committed to helping an ailing country that desparately needs help. I am very proud of that committment!

I have personally supported Haiti by donating to Wyclef's organization and you can too by texting YELE to 501501 to donate $5.00. Let's continue to show our compassionate side and do what we would want someone to do for us.

God Bless the people of New Orleans, LA & Mississippi that experienced Hurricane Katrina and God Bless the people of Haiti and all the workers who are there helping!!!

God is good!!!

One Love!

Power In Numbers?

2009-12-29T19:28:00.000-08:00

--- David Banks, Professor of the Practice of Statistics, Duke University
(Vibe, Fall/Winter 2009 pg. 26; Vibe.com; *The New Vibe Maganzine)

"There's a negative relationship between the first week sales and the volume of tweets sent per day. So the more you tweet, the less you sell. My personal guess is that the relationship remains negative [as total sales increase]. But if we remove Maxwell, it looks like the line would have a positive trend. The reversals between Jordin Sparks apparently being the youngest, tweeting the most and selling the least, and Maxwell being the eldest, tweeting the least but selling the most, is an interesting aspect. They can possible be viewed as outliers since they're so far from the pattern of other artists. One explanation is that established artists sell a lot and they don't feel the need to tweet in order to boost their fan club. Even though sending a lot ot tweets is associated with lower sales, it may very well be a good strategy to build up visibility and gain more fans. If we look at the same people five years forward, we could perhaps find that Jordin Sparks is at the top of the heap."

Translation: Tweeting your morning routine to @randomfan doesn't send more consumers to the registers. - Tracy Garraud

World AIDS Day 2009 (Dec. 1st)

2009-11-30T04:44:00.000-08:00

Tampa Hip-Hop Artists, Blac Soap, Support World AIDS Day ’09 With a Strong Message in Their New Music Video

ATLANTA, Georgia (November 30, 2009) – In support of World AIDS Day 2009 on December 1st, Richmond, Virginia-based X Records has released a music video from its newly-signed group, Blac Soap. “Lifestyles in the Hood” is the launching piece for the label’s forthcoming safe sex campaign in which its entire artist roster will participate. Tampa, Florida natives, Seif and Fly Beads [Blac Soap], worked with filmmaker, Arthur Muhammad of Sweet Chariot Productions on the project which was shot entirely in Dallas, Texas.

“The World AIDS Day campaign is bigger than a one-day event. We are supporting long-term healthy lifestyle choices for both the youth AND adults--and the best way we know how to do that, on a global level, is through our music”, says X Records President, Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston.

“Lifestyles in the Hood” Director, Arthur Muhammad, speaks about his work on the project: “Being able to bring to life a powerful message that can change people’s lives is my passion as a filmmaker”, he says, “Working with Blac Soap and seeing first-hand how serious they are about their art created an instant synergy between us”.

Watch the premiere of “Lifestyles in the Hood” right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fw5ovN2dHA

To learn more about Blac Soap, visit www.blacsoapworld.com or contact Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston for information on album releases and appearances at www.xrecords.biz or (804) 334-2262.

About World AIDS Day:
World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by San Francisco KPIX-TV reporter, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann approved with the concept, then and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1 December, 1988. World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'.

About X Records:
X Records was founded in 2001 and is manufactured and distributed by the Malaco Music Group. Founded by Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston after a ten-year career in the music industry with giants like Warner Brothers, American Records and Arista, X Records emerged as the creative outlet for his own roster of artists. After promoting major label projects for the Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast, Tamia, Eric Benet, Diddy, Something for the People and the Wu-Tang Clan under FAT Thomi Promotions, Mr. Hairston has the knowledge and track record required to be an industry leader.

Contact:
Jennifer Colter, Media Relations
jcolter@sophisticatedpr.com
(404) 789-1570

What does Def Jam mean to you?

2009-11-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

B. Brown's thoughts: After watching the 2009 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors, I really looked back on what Def Jam Records meant to me and I must say that it was a great visit back in time!

Def Jam introduced me to my original favorite rapper of all-time, LL Cool J and my current favorite rapper of all-time Jay-Z! That is amazing!

When you look at hip-hop as a whole, Russell Simmons actually broke the mold by managing Run-DMC (actually signed to Profile Records) and taking them straight to the top of the charts and ushering hip-hop into the mainstream of the American Music landscape.

Check out what veterans in the game have to say about Def Jam:

Warren G - "By being at this event, I am certified as a vet in the game. People used to say I was a legend. And it was all good, but now to be honored with Def Jam ... Def Jam has been around for 25 years and I was with them for 15 of them. Ten Million albums sold and maybe more thanks to this show."

Nelson George - "I've known Russell Simmons, Chuck D, and Flavor Flav since before Def Jam, so it's amazing to see how large Def Jam has become. It's more than a label, it's a part of the culture. There are very few things in hip hop with real staying power and Def Jam is one of the few things still standing 25 years later."

--- Hip-Hop Weekly (HHW) Volume Four, Issue Twenty-Two pg. 21

B. Brown & the Bar-Red Entertainment Group Family salute Def Jam Records!

Long live Def Jam!!!

Is Jay-Z bigger than Hip-Hop?

2009-09-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Interview by: Bonsu Thompson (XXL Mag.; Oct. 2009; pg. 72)

With a successful Blueprint 3, you could really make it cool to be a 40-year-old rapper. But, playing devil's advocate, success could also encourage 40-year-old rappers who should hang it up to continue rhyming professionally, because Jay did it. Ever consider that possibility?

No matter what I do, any person that gets to this stage of their life is going to do whatever is in their heart. I think people should make music as long as their heart is in it. As long as they're pushing past the deadline four times and they're still making more records. Like, there are thousands of boxers that could have retired before they had that fight, Muhammad Ali for one. But you never stop - because of one, your passion or greed, your financial situation, there may be a need, you know? The thing that I can do is stretch the subject matter. Whether Kingdom Come was your favorite album or not, "30 Something," you have to deal with that subject matter [in that song]. If [the target audience is] 15 to 25, that's too narrow. What am I going to listen to at 26 and beyond? That's a quarter of my life. That's such a small slice of the pie. We have to expand the genre. I would love to listen to hip-hop all day. Of course, now there are other things making their way into my CD changer or iPod, because of the lack of material. It doesn't speak to me. Everyone is speaking to the kids, thinking that's the key to success. The sad part of it is that all these [rappers] saying it are 30 years old, at least. Sometimes 35. It's misleading. It's that lack of growth that will keep us in a certain place.

How Free Music Spreads - and Why?

2009-08-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

By: Keith Murphy & B.W.
VIBE MAGAZINE (June/July 2009; pg. 44)

How It Should Work

Step 1 - Artist creates track in studio.

Step 2 - Track goes to engineer for mastering.

Step 3 - Track is approved by artist/producer to be sent to record label.

Step 4 - Producer/artist/manager e-mails track.

Step 5 - Record company sends approved album to printing plant to create CD's.

Final Destination - your hard drive

How It "Leaks"

The Artist Leaks record seeking positive feedback.

The Engineer Leaks record.

Hackers access e-mail account, steal song & leak it.

The Label Leaks to build buzz for artist's upcoming project.

The Plant Employee steals copy, leaks it.

Last Words on the Leak (Play of Production Duo Play-N-Skillz) -

"I want to blame the artists and the producers for the leaks because we are not giving enough music to the fans. This is 2009. You have to go at the pace of Lil Wayne, Kanye and T-Pain. These are the guys that are winning. You can't really be mad at the rap blogs - all they care about is the actual music. Just be careful who you have in the studio."

Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848) - It's Real!!!

2009-06-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

House Judiciary Committee Okays Performance Rights Act

Washington, D.C., May 13, 2009 – Today the House Judiciary Committee approved the Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848). The Bill will close a loophole in copyright law that allows music radio stations to earn billions of dollars each year without compensating the artists, musicians and rights holders who bring music to life and listeners’ ears to the radio dial. The following statement may be attributed to musicFIRST Coalition Executive Director Jennifer Bendall:

“We applaud Chairman Conyers and Committee members for their work on the Performance Rights Act and for supporting artists, musicians and rights holders in their fight for fair compensation when their music is used by AM and FM radio stations.”

“Our continued momentum in Congress is proof that it’s well past time to recognize the importance of fairly compensating the artists and musicians whose talent and hard work allows radio to generate billions of dollars in ad revenue each year.”

“Corporate radio’s days of hiding behind a loophole in the copyright law are over. For over 80 years, Big Radio has had a free pass to play music. All other music platforms – satellite, cable and Internet radio stations – pay artists, musicians and rights holders for the use of their music. It’s only fair that AM and FM radio be held to the same standards.”

“The Performance Rights Act is fair to artists, musicians and rights holders, fair to other radio platforms and fair to radio. It includes accommodations for small and minority-owned broadcasters.

“musicFIRST looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that U.S. artists and musicians receive the performance right they deserve.”

A Grammy Win and/or Performance can increase Album Sales!

2009-04-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

By: Edna Gundersen
USA TODAY (Thurs., Feb. 19, 2009; D1)

The 14% ratings spike was just the beginning. Now the afterburners kick in. Performers and winners are seeing sales leaps after appearing on the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards, chart fuel given greater thrust by this year's increase of 2 million viewers.

Best album Raising Sand by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, who swept five awards, enjoyed the biggest gain, selling 77,000 copies, up 715% over the week before, according to Nielson SoundScan. The duo jumps to No. 2 from No. 69.

The pair was blocked at Billboard's summit by Grammy performer Taylor Swift, whose Fearless sold 92,000 copies, a 44% increase, and climbed three notches to reclaim No. 1.

Coldplay, winner of best song for Viva La Vida, jumps to No. 8 from No. 31 with 62,000 copies, up 271%. And debut 19 by best new artist Adele rises 17 slots to No. 10 with 57,000, a 218% uptick.

Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III, which generated four wins, added 27,000 copies, up 34%, to his 3 million total.

While noteworthy, those figures pale against post-Grammy yields in the music industry's healthier days. In 1999, Santana's Supernatural sold 364,000 copies, eclipsed four years later by Norah Jones' Come Away With Me, which sold 621,000 copies, the biggest surge ever.

Double winners Sugarland, John Mayer, Ne-Yo and Brad Paisley saw hikes ranging from 37% to 91%.

Jennifer Hudson's You Pulled Me Through boosted her album 112%, while Radiohead's 15 Step goosed In Rainbows 130%. The Rap Pack's Kanye West, T.I. and M.I.A. also advanced, as did performers Jamie Foxx, Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Estelle.

Not everyone scored. Jay-Z, who joined the Rap Pack and Coldplay, did not resurface on the chart. Nor did Al Green, despite a performance and double wins. Yet Duffy, who briefly harmonized with Green at the podium, got a 41% bump.

What are you going to do in 2009?

2009-01-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

Thoughts By: B. Brown

It’s 2009 and it’s time for your goals and aspirations to manifest into reality!!!

Barack Obama is the 44th President and the 1st African-American President of the United States! It is an exciting time to be an American! We as Americans are embarking on a new adventure and it sure feels great!

I am personally very excited about the history that has been made with Obama leading the U.S. into a new positive direction. I am truly grateful for my parents, grand parents and the rest of the generations before me that paved the way for this great moment to take place. If you go and ask any person white or black that is over fifty (50) years old, the majority of them will tell you that they did not expect to see a black man in the White House in their lifetime. Oh, what a wonderful time it is right now!

A lot of different things have been put out there in regards to Obama being President, but the fact is that he has a tremendous appeal to people all around the world and that his appeal along with his economic and political strategies have a great chance of pulling the U.S. out of one of it’s most challenging economic downturns ever! I believe we as a nation are going to be ok in the near future.

What ever you aspire to be and whatever your goals are, there is no better time than now to actually write them down, visualize them and move forth with action to achieve your goals. Action is the key! It is just like Faith. Faith without action is dead. The time is now for each and every one of us to improve ourselves and make a difference. The time is now for us to take advantage of education and use that education to parlay ourselves into new fields of business and new opportunities. Focusing on your goals everyday and actively working towards them will allow you to have a drive and desire that can be unstoppable and that day will come when you realize that your life has changed and beautiful things are happening to you! Close your eyes for a moment … isn’t that a beautiful vision?

Your goal may be to spend more time with your family --- do it!
Your goal may be to lose weight --- do it!
Your goal may be to get a better paying job --- do it!

Whatever your goals and aspirations --- there’s no better phrase to use than Nike’s awesome slogan --- just do it!!!

“The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.” – Bobby Knight

It’s 2009 and it is truly your time!!!

Top of the Hip-Hop/R&B Heap!

2008-12-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

By: Sonia Murray
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Nov. 11, 2008; E1)

Turn on the radio and Atlanta singer-rapper T-Pain is easy to find---he's the one who sounds like he's having the most fun.

Little wonder then that in real life T-Pain is every bit the funny and likable guy he appears to be on record. The 23-year-old born Faheem Najm may have taken on the stage name of T-Pain (short for Tallahassee Pain) because of his rough start in his Florida hometown, but rough is hardly the adjective one would use to describe the life these days of a Grammy winner living in a $1 million Duluth home with a Lamborghini out front.

Because T-Pain is seemingly on every other single on the radio dial, expectations are high for his third solo CD. The album is titled Thr33 Ringz in large part because T-Pain feels like a ringleader of the music industry game.

It's a little hard to deny him this claim. Kanye West is using T-Pain's signature vocoder effect (a synthesizer-type sound with the tone and tempo of the singer's voice) on his next album. He flew T-Pain to Hawaii for five days to make sure he was doing it right. Lil Wayne and Chris Brown have started to add the style to their vocals. "That's when I started to realize - like about a couple of months ago - I was really changing the game. When everybody started doing what I was doing," T-Pain says. "T-Pain's assists, period, makes records better," Ludacris affirms.

"I can't say enough about him and his talents," adds BET Sr. Vice President Stephen Hill, who asked T-Pain to host its recent Hip-Hop Awards. "He's funny, a nice guy and easy to work with."

T-Pain has broken ringtone records singing about simple things like buying a drink or being in love with a stripper. "People have been slow to give him credit for his talent," says Jive Records VP MempHitz, who signed T-Pain. "But when I first heard him, he reminded me of R. Kelly - he could sing, write, produce, the works!"

"When I was broke ... I was still trying to figure out a way to make a mixtape or something," says T-Pain, who now owns 22 automobiles. "And yeah what I make, what I've always made is some of the most regular stuff in the world. That's why people can relate. Everybody is so busy concentrating on a song, trying to be different or abstract; instead of just being a basic, beautiful picture. Ya'll are making it too easy for me to run this circus."

T.I.'s New CD Slick, Revealing

2008-10-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

By: Sonia Murray
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution; E1-E2 Tues., Sept. 30, 2008)

Facing a year and a day of prison time, one might think that Atlanta's T.I. would do anything but begin his new album with a track titled "56 Bars." But that's the really good thing about his new album PAPER TRAIL - it is everything and nothing you would expect from the hip-hop superstar.

And by everything, yes, that means T.I. is the same charismatically slick, super-boastful, profanity-spewing T.I. who's sold millions of his previous five (5) albums. Nevermind that outside of recording studios, he's giving motivational speeches in schools and church services to fulfill 1,000 plus hours of community service, part of a guilty plea for felony weapons charges. He's due to begin serving his sentence in March 2009.

One of his singles, "Ready for Whatever," answers the question every fan had last year when the Grammy winner (and convicted felon) - on his way to the BET Hip-Hop Awards where he was the leading nominee - decided to detour to a Midtown Walgreens to buy machine guns and silencers. That question of course is why?! "If your life was in jeopardy everyday is you telling me you wouldn't need weaponry, just becaue of your felonies?" T.I. asks in "Ready." "Consider this at least - I've got everybody sweating me. On the streets is people who won't rest unles I rest in peace. Killed my folk a year ago still in my sleep they threaten me ... I'm dealing with depression from my partner dying next to me. Think cause no one's arrested they coming for me eventually. See this was all the things that I was going through mentally." In the end, "I'm wrong and I know it," T.I. adds.

And in curious, 2Pac-like fashion, he uses the subject of facing - and enduring - prison time to craft one of his best songs, "You Ain't Missin' Nothing."

B. Brown's Thoughts: Let me first say that I commend T.I. for using his time wisely when he was confined to his home for 6-months because he put together a great album that addresses everything that has gone on with him since that crazy day in October of 2007 - gun charges, Shawty-Lo, etc. To come back as strong as he has is a testament of his strength, courage and spiritual belief. God has Blessed him and Prayfully, he will continue to be a Blessing to the young people and adults he reaches as he continues to do community service.

Society is evolving everyday and we must make the proper adjustments, but one thing I believe we can't ever get away from is forgiveness and integrity. America is on the brink of a new day and when Obama wins this upcoming election next week, we can start establishing a better, more improved America for all people.

One Love!

Tyler Perry!!! Enough said!

2008-10-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)

Tyler Perry has opened a New State-of-the-Art, Full-Service Movie Production Studio in Atlanta, GA! It is unbelievable! God is good!!! Big ups to you Mr. Perry and may God continue to Bless you! You are an inspiration to people of all ages and races.

Now, all Southeast based script writers, producers, directors, etc. have a "Studio" in close proximity to bring their vision to life. It is a beautiful situation that the Atlanta Community should embrace and help cultivate because Mr. Perry's facility alone will create new jobs and countless opportunities for rising and established stars alike.

When the studio opened, all the major players came to Atlanta, GA and now Atlanta has the opportunity to cement itself as the official third city of Entertainment behind New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Atlanta has been a hotbed for musical talent for a long time now, and with Mr. Perry bringing the tv & movie world to Atlanta, the future of Atlanta's entertainment community is looking very bright!

Mr. Perry has established himself with major touring plays and movies adapted from his plays all the way to his most current movie The Family that Preys. Many critics and fans alike are saying that this movie is his best work to date. That's a tremendous complement considering the success that he has had already!

I have a personal connection to The Preys movie because my brother, Ben K. Brown, plays Robin Givens husband in the movie. My brother has also been on two (2) episodes of "House of Payne", so you can see why I am very excited about the new studio and the possibilities that may arise because of the studio.

Once again, congratulations Mr. Perry and continue to strive for excellence in everything that you do!

One Love!

iTunes, is it still a great option for Artists?

2008-09-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

By: Ethan Smith & Nick Wingfield
(The Wall Street Journal; Market Place Section, 8-29-08)

iTunes has been the runaway hit of the music business, selling more than five billion song downloads since it started five years ago. But a growing number of record companies are trying to steer clear of Apple Inc.'s behemoth music store, because they say selling single songs on iTunes in some cases is crimping overall music sales.

Kid Rock's Rock 'n Roll Jesus album was kept off iTunes' virtual shelves. It has nonetheless sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. since its release last year---a sizable number for the depressed music industry. Sales of the album have increased in 19 of the past 22 weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan, vaulting it to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 sales chart. After witnessing the album's performance, his label, Warner Music Group Corp.'s Atlantic Records, last week yanked an album by R&B singer Estelle from the iTunes Store, four months after it went on sale there---and the same week that one of its songs entered the top-10-selling tracks on Apple's download service.

... there is growing discomfort with the dominant role iTunes already plays: The store sells 90% or more of digital downloads in the U.S., surpassing Wal-Mart Store Inc., according to research firm NPD Group Inc.

Label Executives, managers and artists chafe against the iTunes policy that prevents them from selling an album only. iTunes, with few exceptions, requires that songs be made available separately. Consumers strongly prefer that, though Apple also typically offers a special price for buyers who purchase all the songs on an album.

Some artists see their albums as one piece of work, and don't want them dismantled. Their handlers believe they can make more by selling complete albums for $10 to $15.00 than by selling individual songs.

Irving Azoff (manager of the Eagles) says, "I'm underwhelmed by the number of sales I see on iTunes for the classic bands."

That sentiment was a factor in the Eagles' decision to sell their latest album, Long Road Out of Eden, only through Wal-Mart.

Shunning iTunescarries risks for the labels. Not only is it the biggest force in music sales, but keeping songs off the service could prompt listeners to look for illegal downloads instead. In addition, customers have demonstrated a clear preference for buying singles instead of entire albums. Only in few cases have record labels been able to boost album sales over those of individual songs.

Kid Rock's manager, Mr. Levitan, points out that if his client's album were sold the way iTunes wants, many of his 1.6 million U.S. album sales to date would instead have shown up as 99-cent downloads of the hit single "All Summer Long."

A Warner Music Group Spokesman, Will Tanous, calls removal of certain music from iTunes like Estelle's "American Boy" is a part of a broad range of digital-release strategies "uniquely tailored to each artist and their fan base in an effort to optimize revenues and promote long-term artist development.

In other cases, Mr. Tanous added, Warner has made songs or albums available exclusively on iTunes for certain periods, if that seemed a promising approach.

Since the beginning of 2006, only the Beatles have sold more "catalog" albums in the U.S. that AC/DC---also without licensing their music to iTunes. Among the six best-selling catalog artists during that period, the act that sold the most individual songs digitally--The Rolling Stones--sold the fewest albums, digital or physical. That is important because while the Stones' six million single tracks sold may seem impressive, they represent low-cost, low-profit transactions. Album sales, on the other hand, are much more profitable.

Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference

2008-07-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

By: B. Brown (BREG)
http://www.breg1994.com/

It's amazing how when an individual and/or a group of individuals come together for the same cause and truly want something to be a success, positive results will occur!

Let me start with saying congratulations to Solo and his entire GA - Entertainment.com http://www.ga-entertainment.com/ Team! They did it again! The 2nd Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in Albany, GA went very well! Conference Attendees came from different places like Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Anniston, AL; etc. Students from Albany State University attended! A group of Job Corps students from the Southwest Georgia area came. It was a great atmosphere!

Big up's to several Artists that caught my attention during the Artist Showcase Saturday Night - Mayne Lyne (Pronounced Main Line), KJ Hines & another young man (I apologize, I have forgotten his name, but he is 17 yrs. old and he performed first. He's from Florida.) They rocked the show!

Now I have to say what's up to JaWar (Music Industry Connection), DJ Judgemental (Dirt Law Radio, Radio Mix-Show DJ & Official Drift City Records DJ) & Doug Davis (Cumulus Broadcasting)! As Guest Speakers, we were given the freedom to deliver positive, practical, powerful & essential information to the Conference Attendees and the informational theme on How to Make Money Online was received with open arms!

DJ Unk (Big Oomp Records/Koch) & DJ Jelly (Big Oomp Records, Radio Mix-Show DJ) came through. The Rich and Famous Models Blessed the stage! Congratulations to the Modeling Contest Winner Roxanne! I have to say what's up to the South Georgia Wildcats Dancers! http://www.southgawildcats.com/

Ozone Magazine, Urban Grind Magazine, StreetTalk Newspaper & SIR Magazine (Southeast Indy Report Mag.) were in the house!

Let me give a mad shout-out to Tom Swain (Celebrity Photographer) of Xtratainment, Kris Letlow (Cumulus Broadcasting) & Pookie (Urban South Entertainment) as well!

As you may tell, I enjoyed myself, but more importantly I am a part of a movement that is about education, productivity & success. I actually care about people and want people to succeed!

See you in October of 2008 for the next Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference!
http://www.radiomusicconference.com/ - 229.255.4016

One Love!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.winbush-brown.successuniversity.com/

American Idol --- Is it still an option for stardom?

2008-06-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

By: Joshua Alston (Vibe Magazine; pg. 31-34; May 2008)

American Idol creates music industry royalty. But with the finale of Idol's seventh (7th) season looming (David Cook won), labels are dropping past winners and the model is floundering. Are the days of pop reality show dominance dead?

On November 28, 2007, the word "failure" had its parameters reset. That Sunday, the previous week's record sales were released, revealing that Jive's self-titled debut album from 18-year-old Jordin Sparks, the sixth winner of American Idol, debuted at the bottom of Billboard's top 10 albums. Not only did Sparks' debut appear in the lowest first-week chart position of any idol winner, moving 119,000 copies, the album's total sales were the lowest in the show's history. In today's imploding music marketplace, a previously unknown artist selling 119,000 copies of their debut would be deemed a massive success. Though Sparks was previously unknown, she was also---at least in theory---the country's hottest new pop star.

When reality television began to boom, producers quickly realized that viewers were invested in how the contestants got there, the drama in the joys, creative meltdowns, and quiet backstabbing inherent to glamour professions. Idol, like Making The Band and others, was borne of this idea and the notion that cross-platform products---like a pop star and a television show---could sell each other. But after peaking with megastars like Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson, the genre appears to be on the decline. In both television ratings and record sales, the relationship between show and artist has become increasingly lopsided.

Says Sharon Dastur (Program Director at N.Y.'s Z100 [WHTZ-FM]), "In the finals, American Idol winners always have that championship song, and back in the day, people asked, 'When are you going to play it?' But over the last four years, that hasn't been the case."

Searching the Web for the next big thing!

2008-06-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

By: Marco R. della Cava (USA Today - Fri/Sat/Sun, May 30-June 1, 2008)

"There's a huge cultural change going on out there, The model of how people consume their entertainment is totally up in the air," says Jason Nadler of United Talent Agency.

That's not the only thing up for grabs. The foundation of Hollywood's dominance in pop culture and the entertainment industry is being threatened by the democratizing force of the internet, which posits that anyone with a snappy idea and a video camera can dish up features to the masses.

Network executives are busy signing deals with online content producers with a knack for wooing audiences with short attention spans.

There are some encouraging signs for the executives diving into an unpredictable world of entertainment fueled largely by the whims of twentysomethings:

- For companiesused to spending millions of dollars on talent and programs, the Web is a bargain on both fronts.

- For what you spend on one TV Pilot, you could do an endless online serial.

- The beauty of the Web is that you can easily test an idea and move on.

Although media companies of all types continue to wrestle with how to make money from the Web, money is flowing into that part of the entertainment industry at a time when TV and Film are finding it increasingly difficult to capture audiences. Online advertising spending is projected to double to $50 billion by 2012, according to forecasting group eMarketer.

"Ultimately, what will win out on the Web is story-driven content," says Michael Eisner (former Disney Chief).

"Online entertainment is as different from TV as TV is from film", says Brent Weinstein (former chief of United Talent Agency's Online Division).

Thoughts from an online content producer: "When we first started getting attention, people would say, 'Hey, you've got a great steppingstone into the world of real entertainment.' But from day 1, we never felt the internet was some sort of proving ground. It's a new platform, period!"

Raheem The Dream

2008-05-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Written by: pbrown (Atl's StreetTalk Newspaper - 2nd Qtr. 2008)

For most, a 3-month stay in intensive care after suffering a double aneurysm would have been a blow not to recover from. After signing one of his many deals, this particular one with Universal Music and Dem Franchize Boyz, and preparing to shoot the video for the hit single "White Tees", that is exactly what happened to Raheem the Dream about 3 1/2 years ago. And although many expected him not to survive, Raheem has been up and running for the last 2+ years, even securing the deal with Atlantic Records and DG Yola in 2005.

Releasing his first single in 1986, over 20 years ago, Raheem the Dream became one of the first southern black label oweners when he founded On Point Records in 1990 and released his first Album If U Don't Konw, U Betta Ask Somebody. Ten (10) years later, after a series of hot singles and albums, Raheem renamed his label, Tight 2 Def Records and entered into a joint venture agreement with Breakaway Entertainment where he released the hit song "The Most Beautiful Girl" and the acclaimed Tight 4 Life album. Although it is not commonly known, many of Atl's known artists had there professional start with Raheem, including Drama, Young Dro, Fabo, Dem Franchize Boys, DG Yola, Just 4 U, Ms. Neka and now very popular artist named Terrius Nash, who took on a very similar name to Raheem after leaving Tight 2 Def, and is now known as "The Dream". Not only had Raheem signed and worked with some of Atl's hottest artists, but also had ties to producers such as DJ Toomp, Shawty Redd, Cooly C and Red Money. With all those projects under his belt, Raheem still found time to author two really intensive and educational industry books, How to Get Paid from the Record Game and The Record Game Can Be a Dirty Game, which I will say I have read both, and they are great!

What's in the future for Raheem the Dream? Well he's putting his label, Tight 2 Def Records back in full gear signing new producer and artist, Ole-e from Albany, GA, who has produced for Field Mobb and now his own single "Like the Huxtables", and Raheem has been on the look out for fresh talent constantly, signing two hot artists out of Montgomery, AL --- Killa Kat & King South. He says you can definitely expect some blazing singles to come out of these artists, as well as his new Columbus, GA artist - Wish and Alabama native - Chryme as well as Male R&B Crooner D-Suave and Female R&B Singer Amanee.

Be on the lookout for Tight 2 Def Records in 2008, they definitely got something brewing for you! Keep doing you, Raheem the Dream, the streetz are talking!

Damn, it feels good to be a Gangster!

2008-04-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

By: Chris Norris (Blender, December 2007)

Now that you're so successful, do you still experience racism?

Jay - Z: Not openly. Money insulates you from things like that. You know, if people's kids love you, it's hard for them to say anything bad about you. But I'm aware of it, certainly.

On your new song "Ignorant Shit," you rap about Don Imus, who referred to the Rutgers female basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's." When that happened a lot of black leaders-Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, Oprah-squared off against hip-hop in general, trying to hold it accountable for such language. What did you think about that?

Jay - Z: I don't have a problem talking about censorship. If we're gonna talk about it with movies, if we're gonna talk aobut it with video games, if we're gonna talk about it with all the pornography sites that are bigger than hip-hop, then I'm cool with people talking about it with hip-hop. But to single out hip-hop and pull us into the ring with Don Imus, that's wrong. It wasn't dealing with the real issue. What Don Imus said was racist. It wasn't about censorship, and it wasn't about free speech. And it wasn't about rap's influence, because Don Imus is not influenced by rappers. He's not a fan of rap. I mean, he couldn't name Wu-Tang's first album.

As a label president, do you feel responsible for the lyrical content of your artists' music?

You have to look at the people who are making the music, and the areas that they come from. On the whole, you're talking about kids who are 17, 18 years old coming out of bad neighborhoods. They're angry, they have issues and they're not mature yet. You gotta let them grow. You can't control anybody's art.

What role did you play in engineering the sales battle between your artist Kanye West and 50 Cent?

I just championed it. Kanye had the idea, and I was like, "You sure? You know what this gonna entail. I mean, 50's a fierce competitor. You never know what could happen-you could get, like, eight diss records."

Why is hip-hop so full of one-hit wonders right now?

It's how people are conditioned to listen to music. Singles are 99 cents, and you break albums up on itunes-what do you expect?

Would you ever release a record the way Radiohead just did-put it on the internet on a pay-what-you-want basis?

I thought that was genius. That's a fantastic idea. You have to be in a position to do that, but I think it was a great idea.

What would you say your biggest strength is as a person?

I'd say I'm fearless about trying new things, putting myself out there.

And what do you consider your biggest weakness?

I expect people to know certain things. If you're my friend, you should know certain things, and I won't tell you, even though I should. Sometimes relationships deteriorate around me because I only address things when I'm upset. I shouldn't assume people know what I'm thinking.

At the end of a song on American Gangster you yell out, "It's just entertainment!" What do you mean by that?

It's my way of saying, "People, stop taking it so seriously-not everything rappers say is true to life." It's entertainment, too. If you can watch a movie and see Denzel as a character, you should be able to do the same when you're listening to rappers. I know we're always saying, "Keep it real." But for the most part [he laughs}-it's not true!

The Art of Survival

2008-03-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Words by: Camilo Smith (Source; pg. 17; March 2008)

As record sales continue to plummet, the record industry adopts a new outlook. But is the plan viable?

O say the recording industry is hobbling is an understatement. It’s got a terminal disease that may have no cure. According to a recent New York Times article, Hip-Hop has been the most ailed. Sales continue to tumble, charting a more than 20% decline according to industry figures from 2005 to 2006. With things getting worse, record companies have had to look at different ways of doing business in the digital age.

Two possible solutions are gaining steam. On the distribution side, companies have begun to open their own digital stores and explore subscription based music services. Furthermore, the labels’s approach to contracting artists is changing into an artist’s recordings (both digital and physical), but also monies from touring, merchandise, publishing and other ventures the artist may take advantage of with assistance from the label.Traditionally, record companies have derived most of their bank from a chunk of CD sales. But with the plastic discs going out of style, other revenue streams have to open up for record labels to stay afloat. “itunes and Rhapsody is really killing them,” says Mickey “Memphitz” Wright, Jive Records’ VP of A&R. It appears that record labels are no longer sleeping on a digital future. “I say in about five to ten years CDs gonna be outta here, man.”

Wright has seen this play out with his own recent signees. Huey’s Jive debut didn’t come anywhere near his digital sales. “On ‘Pop, Lock and Drop It,’ we sold 2 million ringtones, only 300-some thousand albums.

In many ways, 360 deals act as an insurance policy for longer than a year or two, the initial investment made to promote and market the act is balanced by breaking bread on merchandising-like clothing line, or a TV show. Getting a cut of those types of ventures would have meant millions if the likes of multimedia megastar Will Smith or Mogul Jay-Z had once been signed – or would’ve signed – with this thinking. Now labels are banking on this becoming the new template.

“We’re never going to be able to sell as much music as we were ten years ago. But these artists are generating billions,” notes Aahmek Richards, formerly of Def Jam and current president of Trigger Happy Productions, a major music video producer. “Jay-Z alone – you know Rocawear, 40/40 Club, Reebok shoes – all these different opportunities actually came from him being an artist and having a successful music career. So now the labels are like , ‘Damn, we’re creating stars, but we’re not benefiting from it.”

SUCCESS

2008-03-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

By: B. Brown of BREG

SUCCESS --- The gaining of something desired, planned or attempted. The gaining of fame or prosperity. (From Webster's New Riverside University Dictionary)

Developing good habits to achieve success is critical.

1. Success does not necessarily mean that you are rich and famous. Think about doctors, lawyers, business owners, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, mechanics, policemen, etc.

2. Following the Faith that you believe in. Do on to others as you would have them do onto you.

3. Earn respect from others by giving respect.

4. Learn as much as you can about your particular Business. Do not take education for granted. Apply what you learn to daily operational activities.

5. Set goals! Essential to success. You have to be working towards something.

6. Effort --- Strive to do your best! Only you know if you have put forth your best effort. Effort is at least 50% of any endeavor. You would be amazed at how far maximum effort will take you. Combine effort & talent you can achieve phenomenal success!

7. Know the first thing you will be doing the next day before you go to sleep each night. Preparation. "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." --- Bobby Knight (Legendary Basketball Coach - *College Basketball's All-Time Wins Leader as a Coach)

Grammy Night 2008!!!

2008-02-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

By: B. Brown of BREG

Grammy Night, Grammy Night, and Grammy Night!!! If you watched the 50th Grammy Awards Sunday Night, you saw a lot of great things and a lot of things that you may have not wanted to see.

I like the Grammy’s, but I would like to see more excitement. The performers that caught my attention were Carrie Underwood; Beyonce and Tina Turner; Alicia Keys; & Kanye West. That’s it. The Tributes are always cool, but the overall production was boring and hopefully next year they will spice it up!

Congratulations to the Atlanta, GA Native DJ Toomp a.k.a. Aldrin Davis for producing Kanye West’s “Good Life” which won Best Rap Song. Toomp is a true SWATS representer and is a born and raised Atlantan. Keep rising to the top!

I want to give a shout-out to T.I. a.k.a. Clifford Harris on his three (3) Nominations. He did not win any award, but I am still Praying for him and his situation.

Other Atlanta Natives that were Nominated include: OutKast, Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley and Shop Boyz. Congratulations!

I would also like to congratulate the many Atlanta Transplants that now call Atlanta Home. Big ups to Ludacris, Akon, Angie Stone, Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart, Keyshia Cole, Usher, etc.

Did you know that Barack Obama won a Grammy for Best Spoken-Word Album?

As diverse as our musical world is, we must continue to create music and songs that inspire. Our Award shows must also inspire and uplift so that the event is vibrant and fluid and enjoyable to watch.

One Love!

Going Digital!

2008-01-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

By: K. Cannick (Makin' It Magazine)

Not too long ago the only way an artist had a chance of reaching a national audience was to get signed to one of the four major record labels. Even though the development of affordable DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) such as ProTools, Sonar and CoolEdit Pro gave independents the power to produce their own music, the problem of fulfillment still remained. Without a major record label to press, promote and distribute your music, you were still dead in the water.

In 1999 the music industry would forever be rocked by the effects of Napster. This simple peer to peer file sharing network was the first glimpse into this digital age in which we now reside. Widespread media coverage further promoted the service while popularizing the little know MP3 file format with the general public. Though Napster was eventually thwarted by the RIAA, a slew of others would step up to take its place including, audiogalaxy, Morpheus and bit torrent.

Where you once had competing digital audio formats such as Real Audio, Liquid Audio and WMA, the MP3 now reigns supreme. The MP3 has since become a part of everyday life. You can now play MP3's on car stereos, iPods, DVD players, PDA's, cell phones and many other consumer electronics. The widespread use and compatibility of the MP3 format has made it a popular medium for pirated music and illegal file sharing.

Though this may spell big trouble for the major labels, it has broken down the final barriers that restrained the reach of independent artists. MP3 files are portable, widely compatible and deliver near CD quality audio at small sizes. For the savvy artists Pressing, Distribution and Promotion are still a factor, but no longer a problem. Since the music is in a digital form you can distribute it to millions of people around the world easily without incurring the cost of pressing up all those copies. Utilizing sites like MySpace, Youtube and Friendster, any artist can easily carve out a nice niche for his music in this global marketplace.

ICE T: POWER!!!

2007-12-28T19:29:00.000-08:00

Interview by: The Wonder Twinz
Story Written by: MJ a.k.a. Manssa J. Lonardo

Ice was one of the first rappers to sign with a major label, Warner Brothers. "Since I was part of the first wave, the label allowed the music to stay raw. When "Cop Killer" came out, the majors got attacked and then censorship started becoming the new trend." Next, the labels started pushing artists that they felt would make good "selling music", mostly without a message. The next wave after that was more focused on underground music. However, when Cash Money got signed and got millions of dollars, that's when the majors decided that they would deal with the music, but on their terms only. That's when the singy-rap style came out and slowly started to dilute the music.

Ice believes that the internet has helped destroy the industry as well. Its an opinion that's backed with facts, considering that corporate giants like Tower Records are going out of business. "What was the last CD you bought at a record shop? The last CD I bought from a store was 'Fish Scale' by Ghostface. That was only because I was at a record store to find a sample for my album." The truth is that less and less people still go to stores to buy their music. We now live in a time where you can go on the internet and download or listen to your favorite artist for free. Plus you can download the album cover too and make it your screen saver. "Record sales are not what they used to be, the business has changed. That's why I have other investments and don't solely rely on album money."

That last sentence is like the victory lap of a true champion. The goal of every artist should be to invest in other outlets to secure a great future. "Now a days everyone is a rapper. We all have friends that are unsigned, but can rhyme really good. It's a big difference from when I started." Back then, you could count the total amount of Hip-Hop Artists with albums out on your hand and they each had their own sound. "Today everyone sounds the same and talks about the same subjects, there's no individuality. Hip-Hop, the Kulture, truly is dead. Even my wife Coco admits that when her and her friends listen to a rap song, they're captured by the catchy beat, not the lyrics. That's because most rappers just focus on sampling older songs and then knock out a new single within a couple of minutes. Where as real Emcee's take the time needed to sit down and write songs that can create change."

Multimillion Mobile Sales Made T-Pain a Superstar!

2007-12-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

By: Antony Bruno
Billboard Musician's Guide to Touring & Promotion

"Buy U a Drank" is the best-selling mastertone of 2007, according to Nielsen RingScan, moving more than 2.3 million units year to date. That figure nearly doubles the very respectable 1.6 million digital downloads the same track has sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and completely dwarfs the 686,000 CD's that the album it supports-"Epiphany"-has moved since its debut June 23.

-5 Lessons of T-Pain's Ringtone Success- According to Jive Records Sr. VP of Digital Music, Jeff Dodes.

1. A Catchy Song
Ringtones are like audio versions of a concert T-shirt. They let fans proudly display the songs or artists they like. Therefore, the song that it's based on needs to be a hit. "I'll be the first to say, 'Credit our A&R guys and credit our promotion guys,'" Dodes says. "They're finding great artists who are making great records and getting exposure for it. We just do the rest."

2. The Right Hook
As great as the song may be, fans need to be able to hear it in a crowded room for it to work as a ringtone. Typically, higher-pitched notes work best. This is one reason why the theme song to "Halloween" remains popular. The synthesized vocal effects that T-Pain uses for many of his songs fit this requirement.

3. Relatable Lyrics
Madonna scored a ringtone hit last year with the song "Hung Up," which featured the line, "Ring, ring, ring goes the telephone," primarily because the words fit the situation of an incoming call. T-Pain's lyrics strike a chord with the club-going urban set who relate to songs about buying girls drinks and (apparently) falling for exotic dancers. "If there's something in the lyric that the consumer wants to say about themselves, it helps," Dodes says.

4. Work With The Operators
For all the hay labels like to make about selling ringtones to fans directly via the artist's Website or via marketing partners like Jamster, it's still the prime placement on the wireless operators' "What's Hot" menu on the phone that moves sales. Dodes says sales can increase 75% with such featured placement. Only 3% of sales from T-Pain's "Buy U a Drank" came from outside the carrier sales portal.

5. Exposure
If the song's not getting decent radio play, club spins or video impressions, it likely won't be a big-selling ringtone. That's why few artists write music solely to be used as ringtones. "If you don't know it and if it's not what everybody in the neighborhood knows, you're not really making that statement," Dodes says. "Who's going to buy a T-shirt for a band that nobody's heard of?"

Music Publicist vs. Music Manager

2007-11-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

MUSIC PUBLICIST VS. MUSIC MANAGER
Written by: B. Brown of BREG

www.breg1994.com www.myspace.com/breg1994

Publicist – A person whose business is publicity. Publicity is any information or action that brings a person, cause, and/or thing to public notice. (Webster’s New World Dictionary of American Language; 1987)

Manager - *Management: The act, manner, or practice of managing, supervising, or controlling. The persons who manage a business establishment, organization, or institution; Executive skill. *Manager - One in charge of the business affairs of an entertainer. (Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary; 1984)

As you have read above, there is a distinct difference between a Publicist and a Manager. Most new artists, producers, etc. have limited knowledge of what their initial team should consist of; and just as important, knowing the actual job function of each team member.

Usually, your Music Manager is your number one (1) pick when building your team. Your Manager is your most trusted team member and is an extension of you. The Manager’s job is to “Advise & Guide”. They are not your babysitter, chauffer, personal ATM, Bondsman, etc. There are a lot of misconceptions, but the reality is that your manager is your closest confidant and assists you in picking the rest of your Team Members. Your manager can and most likely will be your initial Booking Agent which is a separate function, but when you become popular, you will start receiving requests from many different places and your manager will need to work hand-in-hand with different Booking Agencies and Promoters to confirm Performance Fees and Performance Riders. A Publicist is a key position with your team because the Publicist is responsible for getting you in Magazines, Newspaper Reviews, Award Shows, etc. As you are starting to see, a Manager and some of the other Team Members will overlap in duties, but getting publicity is not necessarily your Manager’s job. Your Manager is your Teams’ President.

Your Music Publicist is usually your third (3rd) pick after your Manager & Attorney. Possibly fourth (4th) if you need to get an accountant very quickly. Nonetheless, a Publicist is a critical Team Member because the relationships of an experienced and established Publicist may secure you opportunities that you would never believe. This is true because a Publicist may have relationships with Booking Agents, Casting Directors, Magazine Editors, Advertising Agencies, etc. So when you see certain artists in commercials, know that is a good chance that their Publicist created that opportunity. A Publicist’s job is to get you noticed by as many people as possible. They want you to be a recognizable Artist!

Now you have a clearer picture & idea of what the difference is between a Publicist and Manager. Choose your team wisely! One Love!

50 Cent: 50 Ways To Get Rich

2007-10-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Interview By: The Wonder Twinz & Chris Gravagna
Story Written By: Katelyn Nudo

Although 50 Cent is the head of his several businesses, including his label G-Unit Records, he admits having management and the right team behind you is necessary. "I can't take every conversation or make every meeting. A big part of being able to excel, is being able to delegate responsibilities. You can't do everything yourself, nobody can. If you can accomplish making people underneath you feel like they're the boss too, then you'll boost overall moral to the highest level it can get."

50 credits his chooling in "music Biz 101" to the people at Columbia Records, where he first signed as an artist, years prior to Aftermath. After spending a year learning all the responsibilities of his past product manager, Ron Archer, publicist Yvette Gayle and now Art Director of G-Unit Records, Julian Alexander, 50 came out of his deal with Columbia with a well rounded education. "After being around that environment for a while, you learn how to navigate and maneuver. I don't regret that record deal at all. I thought I was ready in 1997, but it took for me to have that experience with Columbia to truly prepare myself."

Now Ten years later, 50 Cent has built a BRAND centered on his name and his G-Unit franchise. Despite all of his current million dollar companies and Formula 50 Vitamin water's gross, his record company is still his pride and joy. Alongside, one time manager and G-Unit Records President Sha Money XL, the label has signed numerous acts, all of which have brought the label success. "I was able to do what a lot of artists weren't. The public knows everyone in G-Unit because I didn't keep them around just to be my homeboys. I broke them up separately and presented them to the general public so that they could be recognized as individuals."

There's often a misconception about what truly happens when an artist receives a record deal. Many Artists believe that once they're signed, they're rich. They instantly want what follows with being a successful artist. The truth is that once you get signed, the road just begins. To beon the level of HipHop successes like Jay-Z and 50 himself, "it's harder than making it in the NBA. It's because of the amount of people trying to make it. Just imagine how many artists are in the studio right now, thinking that they're already in the business."

50 considers himself more conscious than the average guy in the music business. "If you can learn from your own mistakes you're smart. If you can watch other people and analyze their mistakes, then you're bright." To put it in perspective, 50 Cent currently has nearly ten business ventures besides his music career. So don't you think it's about time we all step our game up and learned from the HipHop mogul himself?

T.I. - Is his BRAND in trouble?

2007-10-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the BET Hip-Hop Awards were held in Atlanta, GA for the 2nd consecutive time. That is awesome for a City that is known as the Motown of the South and recognized as the 3rd Major Music City in the United States and the World behind New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. As more and more Industry Execs. with Deal Signing Power and Events like the BET Hip-Hop Awards come to Atlanta, GA, Atlanta will truly establish itself as the place to be.

Atlanta, GA has the 3rd Busiest Airport in the World, and after Hosting the 1996 Olympics, NBA All-Star Weekend, NASCAR Events, Braves Playoff and World Series Games, Falcons Playoff Games, and even Hawks Playoff Games in the past, Atlanta is known around the World and it's reputation is growing!

T.I., argubly one of the best rappers in the Music Business, was arrested shortly after Sound-Check for his performance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards later that night (10-13-07). The word spread fast! One of Bar-Red's own JaWar (Music Industry Connections) sent word to me what had happened and then my phone started buzzing with people checking in and people asking me what was going on with T.I. The 1st thing I did was check on the status of my two (2) friends that run with Grand Hustle to see if they were ok. After finding out that my people were straight, I started thinking about the implications this arrest may have on T.I.'s BRAND!

As an International Star now, T.I. reaches a lot of young people and endorses products that reach a lot of consumers. Does this arrest affect his BRAND? I believe it does. It is going to probably have two (2) different effects on his career. The 1st is that he may lose endorsement opportunities and the ones he currently has. I believe it may actually help increase the sales of his current release T.I. vs. TIP and it will definitely help the opening day ticket sales of American Gangsta which is a movie he is starring in alongside Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Common, etc. As some people say and believe, any press is good press. We will see!

May God Bless T.I. and the others arrested with him. Time will tell how this will effect T.I.'s Fame and Fortune!

http://www.bregmusicmanagement.blogspot.com/

http://www.parentinghip-hopyouth.blogspot.com/

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

L.O.D.-SUMC Anniversary Week - Schedule

2007-10-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

October 8-12, 2007 Legion of Doom-SUMC Anniversary Week!!!
-Celebrating The Legion OF Doom 4th Anniversary Week-

SCHEDULE

Monday October 8th

10pm-2am: Legion OF Doom DJ’S & SUMC-LOD Present “Ballers Gone Wild” @ Blue Flame Strip Club with Hot 107.9 DJ Hershey on the Ones & Two’s Along with Block Entertainment and The Legion OF Doom DJS and SUMC (you must be on the guest list )

Tuesday October 9th

8pm-1am : Legion OF Doom – Opening Night Reception (invite only) At Over Da Edge Restaurant & Lounge 483 Edgewood Ave Atlanta GA 30312
Black Carpet Arrivals 8pm until 10pm (NO SNEAKERS OR T SHIRTS)

Wednesday October 10th

7pm-10pm: Record Label Sponsored Event TBA @ Over Da Edge 483 Edgewood Ave Atlanta GA 30312

11pm-Until: The Legion OF Doom DJ’S Invades The Legendary “Magic City” (You Must Be On The Guest List)

Thursday October 11th

7pm-1am: The Legion OF Doom 4th Anniversary Bash @ Club Masquerade Featuring “The Night OF Stars Showcase & The LOD Back To Basic Seminar Along with Food & Networking

Friday October 12th

7pm-10pm Legion OF Doom & SUMC Invite You To The “Official” Listening Party & Live Performance Featuring Rap Legend “Bizzy Bone” “Sponsored By “After Platinum Records Media Sponsor : Urban Network Magazine
Location: Over Da Edge 483 Edgewood Ave Atlanta , Georgia 30312

Saturday October 13th

10pm-Until-Legion OF Doom After Party Celebrating The BET Hip Hop Awards

Location-Over Da Edge 483 Edgewood Ave Atlanta, GA 30312

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! Space will be limited so please arrive early at the events!

One Love from BREG!!!

Music Marketing @ Music Conferences - Atlantis Music Conference 2007

2007-09-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

During the 2007 Atlantis Music Conference (AMC) in Atlanta, GA, my good friend and Music Business Consultant JaWar conducted his Seminar/Panel titled Music Therapy 101 (MT101) - Make Money Online. Mr. Willie Hunter and B. Brown served as Panelists and introduced the attendees to JaWar as his presentation began. The way MT101 is done is unconventional and very personal and interactive. Our frequent Seminars at the West-End Library in Atlanta, GA are testaments to what we do, how effective we are, and most importantly, how many people we help! It's amazing how many compliments we receive. I believe we are headed in the right direction!

There were several great display booths set-up during the AMC and there were a lot of individual Artists and Music Industry people promoting and networking. When we attend Music Conferences, we must learn as much information as possible and meet, network, and connect with as many people at the music conference as possible. Then, we must follow-up with our new contacts within a relatively short amount of time. This is key to building a relationship and maximizing your marketing efforts.

Once you have started your follow-up efforts, you will be able to assess who will be beneficial to you and what marketing techniques worked for you at the music conference.

So when we all prepare for our upcoming music events and music conferences, let's make sure that we prepare ourselves to take full advantage of the opportunity. That means having our promotional items ready, presentation techniques down, and our mind & spirits in the right place. Oh yeah, a pleasant personality goes a long way too!

See you at the next Music Conference and/or Music Event!!!

One Love from BREG!!!

http://www.breg1994.com

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Using Music Showcases, Music Open Mics, and Promotional Shows to Brand Yourself & Your Music!

2007-09-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of Artists out there that believe that they are too good to pay to perform or they believe that they have been doing their thing for so long and that justifies them not paying a fee to perform. Artists, don't get ahead of yourself!

Most Artists that are signed to Major Labels even do Music Showcases, Open Mics and Promotional Shows. The Labels pay the expenses involved with the Promotional Tour and most of the time these expenses are recoupable meaning that you as the artist are still paying to perform. Only leverage keeps you from having these expenses recouped. You will need to have a tremendous buzz and/or track record to have any kind of leverage!

As discussed in a past blog, don't be afraid to invest in yourself. When people see you grinding, they usually respect your hustle and want to be a part of your success.

Use Music Showcases, Open Mics, and Promotional Shows as your Radio Air-Play. It is usually the only time Independent Artists can have their music heard at one-time by a large group of people. Radio Air-Play is very expensive in most cases, so performances are your most inexpensive ways of being heard. Find out who produces the hottest Music Showcases, Open Mics, and Promotional Events in your area and secure your performance slot. You will be amazed at the networking you can do and the exposure you will receive especially if your music is good, your image is hot, and you have a good personality! Yung Joc received his big break at a Weekly Open Mic in Atlanta, GA.

Identify the music events that fit you and do them consistently enough to build a following where the crowd is singing your song and guess what? You don't even have Radio Air-Play. Believe me, it can and will happen if you have a song that has the potential to blow!

The best book out on how to take advantage of everything mentioned in this blog is by JaWar and the book is titled THE TRUTH ABOUT: Record Pools, Music Conferences, Talent Shows, and Open Mics

One Love from BREG!!!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

50 Cent vs. Kanye West - Great Music Marketing Scheme!

2007-09-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

It has been all over the Music Industry News, Regular News, Sporting Events, etc. They even presented an award together at the MTV Video Awards this past Sunday Night (9-9-07). Who am I talking about? It's no other than your man "Fitty" and "Ye" better known as 50 Cent and Kanye West! Both of these men know how to make hit songs and both are actually marketing dreams. Here's the issue for me though, they are actually two different kind of Hip-Hop/Rap Artists. If you look at their styles and subject matter in the majority of their music, they appeal to two (2) different music markets.

50 has the well documented street past and his music is more gritty, but he also makes Radio Friendly songs with "Thug" appeal. That is a major music skill that he possesses. The ladies love it!

Kanye is "Hip-Hop Consciousness!" He says things that a lot of artists won't or can't say. He says a lot things everyday people wish they could say. He seems to appeal to the educated, pop, and international audiences.

Next week we will find out which one of these outstanding artists sales the most music in one (1) week. Who do you think will win?

I believe that 50 & Kanye got together and planned this duel. 50 is the king of controversey and Kanye is not bad at getting attention either. Remember his remarks about President Bush? May God Bless both of these brothers and may they continue to create good music and contribute to society in a positive way.

With 50's new windfall from his business interest in Vitamin Water, his rapping may never be the same, if he raps at all. He has just moved into Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, & P. Diddy territory!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Music Marketing for the "Vick Generation"

2007-09-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

When you start thinking about how you are going to reach the young people that would like your music, you are probably thinking about your High School and College Students. These current young people are between the ages of 14 - 22. They are commonly known as Generation X, but I'm going to rename them the "Vick Generation"! I know you are asking why the Vick Generation? Well, it's simple. Your music needs to relate to and reach an entire generation of Music Content Buying Customers that have a different set of values. Yes Sir and Yes Ma'am are out of the window. Opening doors for ladies, what is that? Valuing Education, why? Violence, give me more! Sex, all we can get with or without protection! Respect, we want it, but we don't want to give it! Tell a lie, why not? Yes, the Vick Generation lives by a different code and as Music is created and marketed, we must keep these things in mind.

IPods and MP3 Players are their Music Listening Devices. Is your music digital? It must be! The Vick Generation downloads a ton of Music and they share it freely. The fastest way to spread your music is digitally! Research and Investigate all the Online Music Sites available to you to market and promote your music. You will be surprised!

At a recent Music Conference, a panelist that is a DJ clearly said that he will check out almost every MP3 sent to him via email, however, it is very difficult for him to listen to each physical CD he receives.

God Bless Michael Vick & his crew! They will pay their debt to society. Prayfully the Vick Generation will learn from this tragedy and prayfully, we as music industry professionals will help create better and more positive music content that will uplift and empower a confused generation of Music Buying Content Customers.

Let's be creative with our Music Marketing & Music Promotion skills!!!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Are you afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project?

2007-08-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

The question appears to be an easy one to answer, what's your answer? Are you afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project? Yes or No?

There are a lot of talented Artists out there, but there are not a lot of Artists that truly are willing to put everything on the line for a significant amount of time to achieve their goals. The average artist from my experience actually believes they are better than the majority of Artists that they see on MTV and BET. The amazing thing is, they may be better, but do they have the work ethic and the ability to learn and grow! And, are they willing to put their own money and resources behind their career? Also, can they invest in themselves enough to attract bigger investors or a larger Record Company?

A lot of Artists believe their talent is the end all, but it is not! The most talented Artist is not the one that sells the most music. The Artist with the best team, marketing plan, execution and being Blessed has the most success. Talent allows you to stay in the business longer!

As an Artists, you want to become as popular as possible to create BRAND recognition and to have your music heard as much as possible so that it can be sold and exploited around the world. Marketing is the key to achieving these goals!

The bottom line is that an Artist has to work very hard to establish themselves and they can not believe that someone else is going to invest in them if they are not already investing in themselves.

Do not be afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

How do you take full advantage of your live performances?

2007-08-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

There are several things you need to do to take advantage of your live performances, especially when you are not getting paid! You want to get as much exposure as possible and make as much money with your merchandise as you can. Let me stress this, it does not matter if you are performing in front of 3 people or 3,000 people, the concept and philosophy is the same.

Here are some of the items that you may want to consider to have at all of your live performances so that you may maximize the opportunity.

Items to consider: Flyers, Posters, CD's, T-shirts, Key-Chains, Baby Doll Shirts, Water Bottles, Condoms, Key-Chains, etc.

You should always try to have at least two (2) other people with you to manage the booth or table where your items are being passed out and/or sold. Your pricing should be pre-set and your people should be energetic about selling your merchandise. However, your sales are usually better when the Artist is present at the table where the merchandise is being sold. The Artist is able to interact with potential fans and merchandise buyers and allow the Artist's personality to confirm the sale. Personal contact at this level of an Artist's career is extremely important!

Pop Artists, Rock Bands, Country Bands and Solo Artists have taken advantage of Merchandising for decades!

Preparation is the key to selling your merchandise at live performances! Order your items in a timely fashion and re-order your top selling items at a pre-set time so that you never run out of these popular items. Make these same items available on your Website, MySpace Page, etc.

A few of my business associates that do a good job of maximizing lives performances and speaking engagements are JaWar, Lady X, Jawz of Life, Cool Water, Malachi, Kahryn, and Ruin!

Happy Merchandising!!!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Is it better to start marketing in your "Home" City or State?

2007-08-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the question, is it better to start marketing your product in your HOME city or state, or is it better to start outside of your home market? As Arsenio Hall would say, that's a question that will make you say "Hmmmm!"

There are various reasons to consider when choosing where to start marketing your product. Here are a few things to consider. How much time do you have to commit? How much money (Do you have a BUDGET in place?) do you have to market (PUSH) the product? Answering these questions are very important! Why? Because those answers lead you to your ultimate answer where you can and should start marketing your product. Your time and a budget are needed for whichever way you decide to start marketing your product.

If you start marketing your product outside of your immediate area, then you will incur certain expenses off the rip. Gas (high as H@#$) and/or Airplane, Bus, Train, Boat Tickets, food, lodging (Hotel or Motel), etc. You have to account for every person that is on the road with you, safety included. An additional expense could be a Security Person or Team.

The Best thing about going into an area outside of your home turf is that you are more likely to be received as a bigger star because the people do not know you and they are happy that someone took the time to visit their city/area. The Smaller Markets where the P2 Radio Stations are located traditionally are more receptive to New Artists and New Music, however, you still have to be professional, present your material well, and have quality music. You can have a lot of success!

Starting at home is what most Artists/Independent Labels do because it appears to be the easiest thing to do. You will still use a lot of gas if you are really busting things out, but food, lodging, etc. is basically cut down to the bare minimums. When you start at home, a lot of people know you, but will they help you? A lot of people may promise to do something for the project, but they don't for whatever reason. If you live in a Major City/Market, your competition is steep. You are going to have to do something extrordinary to standout. You can breakout in your Home Area, but it will take an unyielding commitment and work ethic to push your product in a crowded marketplace.

Home or Away, it is an important question to answer as you create your plan/strategy to market, promote, and sell your product and/or services.

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/
http://www.myspace.com/breg1994
http://www.myspace.com/artistladyx
http://www.myspace.com/famfamil1

The Value of Internet Marketing for your Music!

2007-07-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

Are you living in 2007 and do not have a computer? Better yet, are you an Artist or an Independent Entertainment Company and you do not have a computer and/or access to a computer? How about this one, you have a computer but you do not know how to use it or do not know how to use it very well! What's up?

Well, this is what's up! There is not a company/organization that does not use computers as an integral part of there day-to-day operations. In short, you have to have a computer and then you must be computer literate.

Internet Marketing is a vital part of your Marketing Plan because the internet allows you to reach a larger audience in an amazingly short amount of time. When our U.S. Gov't gave access of the internet to the public, they allowed us to communicate and connect with people around the world faster than ever before seen. Who would believe the effect the internet would have on the Business World!

There are a lot of creative ways to use the Internet to market an Artist, Product, Album, Single, Services, and/or Company. Popular uses of the internet include but are not limited to: Email Broadcasts, Emailing DJ's MP3's, Websites, Blogs, MySpace, FaceBook, etc.

With the right skill level, work effort, networking, and overall Blessings, great things can happen by way of your Internet Marketing! You can & will generate Sales and Awareness!

One Love from BREG!!!

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

http://www.breg1994.com/

Creating your Marketing Plan - 3rd & Final Step

2007-07-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

You are now ready to literally put your plan on paper (typed-up), the actual specifics of how you are going to Market/Promote your Product and/or Service!

This is where a true decision has to be made about your knowledge/experience, skills, time, and flat-out effort. You have to look in the mirror and ask yourself do I actually know what to do or do I need some professional assistance? The answer to that question will move you forward accordingly.

Either way, you start with Week 1 or your first Initiative and start listing the things you are actually going to do. That could be contacting Internet Radio Stations, Mailing out promo copies, beginning street team work, etc. Every Week should have a new agenda and you should include the follow-up process with the work being done and the contacts being made because every business is basically based on relationships. Developing relationships starts with contacting a person or an organization frequently enough to allow yourself to be recognized and then doing the job well and delivering quality products and services.

So if you decide to write your Marketing Plan yourself or hire a professional, execution of the plan is the key! Once your plan is written, your in-house team and/or your outside-hired team will need to be on-point to execute the plan!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Creating your Marketing Plan - 2nd Step

2007-07-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Creating your Marketing Plan - 2nd Step

Once you have identified who you are and what you are, plus started to establish the "Fact" of who you are and what you are, the next step is to start getting specific.

You have started to tune into your target market and you are ready to set the amount of time that you are going to execute your Marketing Plan. Is it going to be an Eight (8) - Week, Sixteen (16) - Week, or a Twelve (12) - Month Plan? You determine and set the length of time. The length of your plan will be determined by your available time, man-power, and of course your budget. These three (3) things are very important to the set-up and execution of your Marketing Plan.

After you decide on the length of time, man-power and budget that you are willing-and-able to commit to marketing your product or service, it will be time to start writing down specifically what you will do each week of the Marketing Plan. The things you write down will be the Promotions work you will actually be doing.

One Love from BREG! Your Marketing/Promotions Company!

Visit us at:

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

2007-07-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Creating your Marketing Plan - First Step

Before you start on your Marketing Plan, several things need to be in place. You should have a clear "Vision" of who you are as a company and what initial direction you would like to go in as a company. You must be set-up business wise (Registered as an Official Company in your State, Tax ID #, Bank Account, Business License, etc.)

Establishing which products and services or combination of products and services that you are going to sell.

Establishing your Pricing Structure for your products and services.

Now you may start researching your target market. Who is going to buy your products and services?

This is where you start. Stay tuned in with http://www.bregentertainmentmarketing.blogspot.com/ for more information on Creating your Marketing Plan.

Bar-Red Entertainment Group (BREG) is "The Marketing/Promotions Company" and we look forward to assisting you with your Marketing Efforts!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

One Love!

Entertainment Marketing/Promotions (BREG)

2007-06-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

What’s up with Marketing & Promotion?

By: B. Brown of Bar-Red Ent. Grp. (BREG)

On any given night in any given city around the world, you will find a club with people partying the night away into the early morning. Inside the club you will find advertisements for various things and you may never consciously register that you have been targeted by a marketing plan!

What is Marketing and what is Promotion? Marketing is creating the demand for a product and/or service. A promotion is raising the awareness of a product and/or service and furthering the growth and establishment of said product and/or service. So you can see why they are so closely connected to each other. Marketing may be looked at as the idea for creating a demand for a product and/or service and Promotions is the actual work involved in creating the demand. Once a Marketing Plan is put on paper, then the plan must be worked and that is Promotion!

There are a lot of theories out there, but I usually go with the thought that consumers need to see and/or hear about a product/service Seven (7) times before they are even interested in buying it. Now of course you will have impulse buyers and varying degrees of product/service recognition, but usually, the more times a product/service is seen or talked about, the better.

In the ever-changing world of the Entertainment Business, it is imperative for an Artist and a Company to market and promote itself consistently and effectively. When this is done properly along with producing quality music, the result is usually a popular song in the Clubs, Radio, Internet, and at Retail, which will make a lot of people happy!

If you had any questions on what Marketing/Promotions is, then I Pray that this article has assisted you in having a better understanding.

Let’s keep working hard and smart! One Love!

LINKS SECTION:

LA Music Showcase http://www.lamusicshowcase.blogspot.com/
Atlanta Music Showcase http://www.atlantashowcase.blogspot.com/
Music Business by JaWar http://www.gojawar.blogspot.com/
Future Visions Entertainment http://www.myfve.com/

B. Brown
Bar-Red Entertainment Group (BREG)
“The Marketing/Promotions Company”
Consulting/Internet/Street/Club/Radio/Video/Retail Promotions
770.912.8065
bregbrown@hotmail.com
http://www.breg1994.com/
http://www.myspace.com/breg1994