Straight talk on the music business, production and audio engineering tips, vital info for indie artists and the hottest music news.
INDUSTRY TALK: New Single from Nas "The Don" LIVE @ SXSW
In an age in hip hop where superstars are based more on the quality of rap beats than on the quality of the MC-ing, it is great to see that veterans like Nas are still out there making good songs and still rocking the crowd! The super MC is still one to look up to for up and comers.
We aim to help the up and comers as well by providing inspiration in the form of advice, and the best hip hop instrumentals for those who buy beats online. The time is now. If you want to be on the SXSW stage next time around, get your hands on top quality hip hop instrumentals and check out some of the posts on Stratcarter.com that are geared towards helping indie artists get ahead. We are more than just a spot to buy rap beats online!
NEW VIDEO: “Centrefold” by RLG (@RLGMusic)
Being a music producer is very fulfilling. I get to work with many artists and guide their musical directions, as well as getting to make rap beats, rnb beats or pop beats all day. This site is more than just a place to buy beats online. I will be featuring hot new artists on here all the time, both from my hometown and internationally.
As I mentioned, I do a lot more that just a make and sell rap beats online. I recently started my own indie label and I've got a good crop of artists from my home country Barbados that I work with. This is the first video handled by the label. It's a track called "Centrefold" by 4 members of a crew called RLG: Jonny K, Chuck Larry, Trizzy and Jay-Tremaine. The beat is produced by yours truly and the videography and editing was done by Scenes Entourage (also from right here in Barbados). This is just a testament to the way my movement is moving.
To all the artists out there, this is an example of the kind of hip hop instrumentals you can get here at StratCarter.com. So if you are looking to buy beats online or you need rap beats custom built, check out my beats page or drop me a line at strat@stratcarter.com
Make Music Outside the Box
It's 2012 and the music industry is in its most interesting state ever, in my opinion. On the one hand, we have artists who are purely about musicianship and raw talent i.e. Adele and on the other we have gimmick artists like Nicki Minaj. Both successful but from two totally different perspectives. One is crafted solely by the engine of the industry and panders to whatever trends are hot while the other has brought back that feel of true artistry.
I want to encourage artists, producers and beatmakers to think. Think not just about what sells currently or what is the next shock value gimmick that can be employed for the sake of remaining relevant, but instead try to craft your songs, beats and videos with a kind of cutting edge creativity. Here are some examples of what I mean, little things that may make a difference:
- Song structure. The usual intro, verse, chorus, verse chorus blah blah blah is cool but maybe try switching it up a bit. Try a simpler hook or maybe even verses where the hook line of the song is at the end of each line of the verse. Bridges are cool but try using them in an unorthodox spot in the song, or maybe have the bridge come at 2 points in the song.
- Rap groups should try being more integrated on tracks, e.g. in the case of a 3 man crew, instead of 3 verses and a couple hooks, have 2 verses and have each member play parts in both. This creates a real crew vibe and is very interesting to the listener.
- Try weird things in your beats. Sample household implements or things that you wouldn't normally associate with music. For producers who compose more often than they sample (like me), avoid monotonous loops throughout the song. Use your chops to create different movements and mini bridges within your beats. It makes them more appealing to artists who are looking to buy beats online or otherwise.
Think outside the proverbial box. Boxes are stifling....and square.
Getting Signed in the "New Music Industry"
There are undoubtedly millions of independent music artists around the world in all genres from hip hop to country. Every one of them has dreams of becoming a superstar, performing in front of sold out crowds and making millions of dollars off the thing they love to do most. A very small percentage of the masses of artists ever reach that superstar level. Success stories like those of Rihanna, Kanye West, Drake and L'il Wayne are definitely not the norm. Still, millions of young artists ask the golden question daily: "How do I get signed?"
Getting signed used to be the be all and end all. Every young rapper in every hood (or suburb), talented or not, set his or her sights on this as a means of doing something lucrative and constructive with their lives. I can remember in the mid to late 90s (so called 'Golden Era' of hip hop) the industry was really accelerating and a lot of rappers really started to shine and set up their own label imprints, thereby allowing up and coming rappers to get signed as well. Getting A&Rs to notice you was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Artists actually used to get signed by sending in demos. This new generation, (what is it generation Z by now??) probably doesn't quite understand what a demo is!
The dynamics of the record business are so very different now. Gone are the days of the demo along with the types of deals artists used to get 10 years ago. Record labels basically act like financiers. They used to simply assess an artist's talent and marketability (i.e. earning potential) and decide whether or not to give that artist money to record their music, do videos, promote themselves in the media and distribute the finished product. If the music was hot and the promotion and distribution effective, then the label got their money back plus profit, with the artist getting a small percentage of actual album sales. Artists would (and still do) make the bulk of their money from touring and other ways of using their 'brand' e.g. product endorsements, movies etc. Now in 2011 albums sales are way down all thanks to the Internet, where everything is readily available. Labels have realized that the old way of doing business won't work anymore and so everything is changed. For the lucky few (or maybe not so lucky) who do get signed the deals they get now are mostly 360 deals, where the label takes a percentage of every income stream the artist derives from being an artist. This goes as far as performance proceeds and merchandising.
The Internet is great for the artist though. Truthfully the labels are becoming obsolete. More and more we see artists rise based on a following they have built through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Soundcloud and Soundclick and especially through viral video using sites like Youtube and Daily Motion. This is the key right here. This is one of the answers to the question "How do I get signed?". Demos are no longer. To get the attention of major labels, an artist has to use the tools available and create and independent buzz. Artists Like Soulja Boy and Sean Kingston got their start this way.
The whole definition of getting signed has changed. Now it means building your own movement to a level where a major label says: "Shit you're hot! Take this money and get yourself into bigger markets and come back and split the profits with us!" Being independent is truly the way to go (Go read about Odd Future). As an independent artist you cannot be anything less than professional. It gives out an energy that causes everyone to take you seriously. This means finding the hottest beats and/or producers to work with, taking professional photos, creating a hot Youtube channel with HD videos for your songs and having a serious movement driven by social media. It starts with the mindset and the music. If you don't truly want it, it won't come and no matter how hard you push, if your beats and songs are not up to standard, you will be going nowhere.
So you ask "how do I get signed?". Well here's a start. Invest in your music. Find a good professional studio OR get the best equipment and software for your own project studio. Get the hottest beats you can find at websites such as stratcarter.com. Next thing you might want to do is align yourself with a great indie label like digitaldollarmusic.com. Get these first 2 steps right and you're on your way!
CHECK THIS VIDEO FROM STRAT CARTER!
Getting signed used to be the be all and end all. Every young rapper in every hood (or suburb), talented or not, set his or her sights on this as a means of doing something lucrative and constructive with their lives. I can remember in the mid to late 90s (so called 'Golden Era' of hip hop) the industry was really accelerating and a lot of rappers really started to shine and set up their own label imprints, thereby allowing up and coming rappers to get signed as well. Getting A&Rs to notice you was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Artists actually used to get signed by sending in demos. This new generation, (what is it generation Z by now??) probably doesn't quite understand what a demo is!
The dynamics of the record business are so very different now. Gone are the days of the demo along with the types of deals artists used to get 10 years ago. Record labels basically act like financiers. They used to simply assess an artist's talent and marketability (i.e. earning potential) and decide whether or not to give that artist money to record their music, do videos, promote themselves in the media and distribute the finished product. If the music was hot and the promotion and distribution effective, then the label got their money back plus profit, with the artist getting a small percentage of actual album sales. Artists would (and still do) make the bulk of their money from touring and other ways of using their 'brand' e.g. product endorsements, movies etc. Now in 2011 albums sales are way down all thanks to the Internet, where everything is readily available. Labels have realized that the old way of doing business won't work anymore and so everything is changed. For the lucky few (or maybe not so lucky) who do get signed the deals they get now are mostly 360 deals, where the label takes a percentage of every income stream the artist derives from being an artist. This goes as far as performance proceeds and merchandising.
The Internet is great for the artist though. Truthfully the labels are becoming obsolete. More and more we see artists rise based on a following they have built through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Soundcloud and Soundclick and especially through viral video using sites like Youtube and Daily Motion. This is the key right here. This is one of the answers to the question "How do I get signed?". Demos are no longer. To get the attention of major labels, an artist has to use the tools available and create and independent buzz. Artists Like Soulja Boy and Sean Kingston got their start this way.
The whole definition of getting signed has changed. Now it means building your own movement to a level where a major label says: "Shit you're hot! Take this money and get yourself into bigger markets and come back and split the profits with us!" Being independent is truly the way to go (Go read about Odd Future). As an independent artist you cannot be anything less than professional. It gives out an energy that causes everyone to take you seriously. This means finding the hottest beats and/or producers to work with, taking professional photos, creating a hot Youtube channel with HD videos for your songs and having a serious movement driven by social media. It starts with the mindset and the music. If you don't truly want it, it won't come and no matter how hard you push, if your beats and songs are not up to standard, you will be going nowhere.
So you ask "how do I get signed?". Well here's a start. Invest in your music. Find a good professional studio OR get the best equipment and software for your own project studio. Get the hottest beats you can find at websites such as stratcarter.com. Next thing you might want to do is align yourself with a great indie label like digitaldollarmusic.com. Get these first 2 steps right and you're on your way!
CHECK THIS VIDEO FROM STRAT CARTER!
Hot New Hip Hop. FROM BARBADOS!!!
No need to type too much. Check out the blazing single from Barbadian Hip Hop juggernaut, my boy @teff_mayweather. This shit is sublime. Get the free download here. Shouts to @MDMinin on production!
Alternatives to Top Beat Selling Sites: Shadowville.Com
This is basically a review to help guide independent artists, especially in the hip hop genre, when it comes to buying beats (instrumentals) online for use as single releases or on mixtapes, albums, demos and live performances. What I'm gonna do is give some analysis of the site, which includes stating the good and the bad and perhaps give some alternatives.
One of the leading music production sites in the industry right now is Shadowville.com. They have been around since 2006 and they have a huge following. Artists and producers alike have access to a forum where information can be shared and people can just generally interact. This is a good feature as artists could potentially get in touch with the producers on the forum and this could enable them to have certain requests met. Another advantage of using Shadowville.com is simply the wide variety of beats and producers to choose from. The beats are of good quality and you are sure to find something to suit your needs. The website layout is professional and beats are available for preview right on the first page.
Despite the above, it has been found that artists looking to buy beats online and online consumers in general seem to value speed simplicity and ease of use. This where Shadowille.com could fall down a bit. The site design, though professional is a bit dark and cluttered. It has been shown that dark colours do not make customers feel comfortable. Additionally sifting through the multitude of beats for some may be a bit daunting. While a wide selection is great, that is not the best selling point for Shadowville.com. If you're an artist and you really want a huge selection you're probably going to head over to Soundclick.com first and foremost. Other negative for Shadowville.com include:
One of the leading music production sites in the industry right now is Shadowville.com. They have been around since 2006 and they have a huge following. Artists and producers alike have access to a forum where information can be shared and people can just generally interact. This is a good feature as artists could potentially get in touch with the producers on the forum and this could enable them to have certain requests met. Another advantage of using Shadowville.com is simply the wide variety of beats and producers to choose from. The beats are of good quality and you are sure to find something to suit your needs. The website layout is professional and beats are available for preview right on the first page.
Despite the above, it has been found that artists looking to buy beats online and online consumers in general seem to value speed simplicity and ease of use. This where Shadowille.com could fall down a bit. The site design, though professional is a bit dark and cluttered. It has been shown that dark colours do not make customers feel comfortable. Additionally sifting through the multitude of beats for some may be a bit daunting. While a wide selection is great, that is not the best selling point for Shadowville.com. If you're an artist and you really want a huge selection you're probably going to head over to Soundclick.com first and foremost. Other negative for Shadowville.com include:
- High prices. The lowest lease price is $39.99
- Beats purchased under their "Performing" licence (which is $99) cannot be used for radio. This makes no sense because most artists want to be able to release a song to radio and be able to perform that same song live.
- Purchasing a normal lease only allows you 3 radio station rotations.
- The process of actually purchasing a beat is a bit long winded. There is information they require you to fill out even after you add the beat(s) to cart and go to checkout.
While Shadowville.com has industry standard beats, and great online community and a huge reputation, there are alternatives which do not have the same cons. One such site is StratCarter.com. Here you can sign up to the interactive and informative mailing list and get 7 beats free, access industry quality beats at prices sometimes as low as $9.99, download them instantly with very little hassle, correspond directly with the producer, and not have to deal with as many licensing restrictions.
So if you're asking yourself "how do I get signed?", well one thing you need for sure is great beats and Shadowville.com is a great site with a great reputation but here, you can get equal quality beats easier and with more affordability.
So if you're asking yourself "how do I get signed?", well one thing you need for sure is great beats and Shadowville.com is a great site with a great reputation but here, you can get equal quality beats easier and with more affordability.
Buying Beats Online makes the Artists Lives Easier!
Music is a muti-billion dollar business. That is a well-known fact. At one point in time, lets say between 1997 and 2002, Hip Hop especially basically took over the world. It began to permeate every aspect of pop culture, from clothing to movies to TV and politics.
Now the climate is very different, whereas back then it was all about major labels funding artists heavily and allowing them to buy beats for ridiculous prices and spend exorbitant amounts on videos and marketing, now artists have access to much more low cost ways of being heard.
In recent years however, there has been somewhat of a music revolution. The Internet has become a righteous equalizer, if used correctly. Though sites like MySpace, Soundclick, Twitter, Facebook and ReverbNation, artists no longer truly need the structure of a major label. Also, artists can now buy beats online at affordable prices through the method of non-exclusive leasing.
Today, an independent artist can buy his/her beats online, record, produce, mix and master in his home studio, upload to MySpace or Reverbnation and network like crazy on Facebook and Twitter to get his marketing push going. There are thousands of artists who make a living this way, selling 10 or 15 thousand CDs in their home region and basically doing shows and being a hometown celebrity. With the affordability of compact HD video cameras these days, you can shoot your own videos and get on Youtube for even more promotion. Then when the buzz is at its peak, print some CDs or get your tracks on iTunes. It's really is all right at your fingertips!
Now is the perfect time to buy beats online and take advantage of the changing tides in the music industry. Gone are the days when it was okay to just submit demos and hope that an A&R likes you. Nowadays, if an artist is making enough noise independently, a major label will get in touch with them and offer them a deal. There we see a shift in power. If they are coming to you it means you have something they want and its up to you to give it to them on YOUR terms. If the labels have seen the light, why haven't the artists? Please do not be a 'Neo-Slave' in the age of freedom.
Invest in your career and buy your beats online. Take control of your future!
Now the climate is very different, whereas back then it was all about major labels funding artists heavily and allowing them to buy beats for ridiculous prices and spend exorbitant amounts on videos and marketing, now artists have access to much more low cost ways of being heard.
In recent years however, there has been somewhat of a music revolution. The Internet has become a righteous equalizer, if used correctly. Though sites like MySpace, Soundclick, Twitter, Facebook and ReverbNation, artists no longer truly need the structure of a major label. Also, artists can now buy beats online at affordable prices through the method of non-exclusive leasing.
Today, an independent artist can buy his/her beats online, record, produce, mix and master in his home studio, upload to MySpace or Reverbnation and network like crazy on Facebook and Twitter to get his marketing push going. There are thousands of artists who make a living this way, selling 10 or 15 thousand CDs in their home region and basically doing shows and being a hometown celebrity. With the affordability of compact HD video cameras these days, you can shoot your own videos and get on Youtube for even more promotion. Then when the buzz is at its peak, print some CDs or get your tracks on iTunes. It's really is all right at your fingertips!
Now is the perfect time to buy beats online and take advantage of the changing tides in the music industry. Gone are the days when it was okay to just submit demos and hope that an A&R likes you. Nowadays, if an artist is making enough noise independently, a major label will get in touch with them and offer them a deal. There we see a shift in power. If they are coming to you it means you have something they want and its up to you to give it to them on YOUR terms. If the labels have seen the light, why haven't the artists? Please do not be a 'Neo-Slave' in the age of freedom.
Invest in your career and buy your beats online. Take control of your future!
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