Now it's this, blame.. Yup, I do.

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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Trendy

Man these work outs are killing me. If yall need a good trainer and have a 24 hour fitness membership holla at my cousin **************** ***** get you right.

Listen ********* will have you ready you dont haWHen season's over!!! I cant take a break...im trying to get overseas man.....

 yeah holla @ ******************** actually *********** ******* is looking for girls right now **** ******* up asap.

 Not in game shape to be talking to agents...ill wait til i get some game back cause right now i look like shit.....

 Listen ********************* will have you ready you dont have to worry about nothing but showing up to the gym. the agent and game shape will take care of its self.

 Okay...i just went to add *********** again...ill see whatsup!

ve to worry about nothing but showing up to the gym. the agent and game shape will take care of its self.

Close your eyes try override your emotions the verdict isn't chosen
you can change it if you (you'd like) try look through the lies if you can understand
what it is to be close to a man empathize with me he was spose to fam
and the person I am I kinda let sh*t slide and I don't know why you'd I'd realize
I'm really not like them I'm dark they lightskin builts strong they light thin
talented writer ignite excitement to the eyes that ride over the words I write then
that makes me sweeter every time your senses are heightened take that how you
want I aint sharing the candy with you punks aight then? I mean yeah I like them
I guess they are friends for fake or pretend chill  I'm just writing
that's why I'm so hardskinned aint really see no pardons whenever it was on
they was heavily armed shouldn't have to explain my life wasn't really plain
I saw a bunch of things I'm blessed no room for complaints
just making a point mr. private school you couldn't get in the joint
sit back and take aim in case you thought I playing what I meant to be saying
was I had a problem abiding laws that couldn't be explained on every level
'we wouldn't want to support that kind of thinking' I THINK they should be ashamed
more of the shady games rich targeting poor the core minorities before their
foots in the door now who's baddest the saddest part of it all is the power stays
at the top and that sh*t don't never fall and it already feels like all I do is climb
in search of something but if I'm i'm unsure how will I ever find what I put the work in
for? Its in the sky remember though further knowledge is still hindered vibe is right
my mind is centered don't be mad if I get high I'm just avoiding the splinters anyway I can
the prize is in the sky if you can widen your sights you told me you understood
YOU drew up the plan I got in line to find it was for blown expectations






If there's one thing I can admit to hating its failure. It's the feeling that comes with it that I can't take. Some of you always wonder where the hell it is I disappear to every so often. To that I answer with this: It's difficult to move past something your embedded in. I try to put so much of myself into my goals and achievements, I mean, I'm a confident dude right?

At least on the surface anyway... digressing. This isn't me saying I expect to be perfect in everything I set out to do. That's ridiculous and the good Lord knows I'm a flawed individual. I am saying however, that there are some areas in my life I've worked hard in order to allow them to 'flow' a certain way.

Damn hard at that. Can you guess what I'm getting at? Probably 'not', maybe a 'little bit'. It's bigger than one thing tho

So for me imagine my pure jubilation (yea its that deep) when I heard sonic's zone 3 blasting through MY speakers? Or the sound of rings, and some subject matter I could directly relate to? Game over. Literally.

And when I look around I'm in the same place (geographically speaking) with most of the same faces still around. Yet, its different you know? Looks are different. Embraces are different. INTERACTIONS are different. That's a failure to me. I see people I love and continue to love, distance themselves and while its painful as hell, I get it. I guess to them I wasn't providing that same 'flow' I wish to manipulate so much. Naturally people figure out what works best for them in life and try to move towards those things. I've found that in most cases my attitude or perspective on the way things are or should be didn't fit in with the ever-evolving minds of some of my counterparts. Sad. Not because its true (SADly it is). But because I've displayed (to myself) an inability to cope with this change. I'm just thankful its not death... I don't do well with death at all (context clues ya'll). I realize I have subcontiously pushed everybody away in essence creating the very scenario I obsess over (It's that deep).  There's so much information via observation in everyday walks of life that is so easy to overlook. Little details that can mean so much go unnoticed. I think my ambition in specific areas in my life caused me to turn the corners of life with blind eyes. The more I perceive it in this way, the more I can see why relationships have gone the way they have. Ambition can kill spirits indirectly and propell even the purest of intentions away from you. At least that's what I think my experiences have taught me. Unfortunately, this example alludes to an area I've failed and while hindsight serves me well now it's a strong possiblity that the damage done is going to leave a wicked scar (pardon that Boston) incapable of properly healing. IF that's the case I wonder what the future holds. I'm thinking too much.

People feel entitled to too much now. That's how I see it. History doesn't entitle you to sh*t . Of course that can be taken so many different ways, but when I apply it to my own life its simple. In the past I've had some amazing relationships without a doubt. I think I've fallen into the trap of allowing those feelings shared throughout those relationships in the past to give me that sense of entitlement.

(fuck if I know she probably was stuck for a minute or felt that was that I mean my map to hers aint exactly proximal to immediate contact so how would you react? cause I know it aint right late at night in his/her arms you thinking back on the times you used to have but then again it aint that bad you still living having fun just not with the one you you really want bummer right? until a summer night we reunite I was dumb I played it wrong this time I'll get it right and that wasn't a question you fuckin my bestfriend or checkin the next man ridin on his bike and expecting (making) me to be the kickstand is it just for kicks or its a different incentive? if its deliberant hints would've been nice)

(Lil stank ass bitch look at this you see this shit/you got me got me buggin here it is/ its like your in a church pain in your face and your looking down and away because it hurts wishing ears didn't work but the condelences alert your senses and your back to earth human or an animal they both have worth equal to infinity depending who or what's offended or offending its bigger than words I'd find to describe scribe Just Write so I do my life hers and his views perspectives depressive downfalls exceptional achievements expectations greater prestige lives I've sat in it took drinks held chats to get a better knack or stronger backbone for how you react so I can understand when you ask why I zone out and into my own world like it can't be shared I just can't keep dares I'm not prepared to take and rather then make the mistake of being all up in your face I figured I'd wait until I didn't have to be fake two tales and as many fails redemption are you tempted?

Takin steps toward being absolutely me. Felt good, daring, and all that good stuff. Still not quite sure what's going to happen in several areas in my life, but then again who really is? The answer for those who think they are is no one. I mean even if you have the master plan there's always the big homie upstairs that has that Ocean's 11 brilliance down to a 'T' . Point being how God wants it to go it shall go. It's getting harder to be patient when I don't know what I'm waiting for, but finding solice in my passions is mostly what I've tried to do. Unfortunately for you, my interest are mine and I don't let go of those too easily. Like I said I'm getting much better though, big steps have been made and progress is something that can't be measured with one gaze...



At 10:38 I make things so stressful. Less than a minute later I'm

asked if I'm gonna be silent all morning. A response (smart ass one at
that) could have quickly been fired back. For the sake of the
experiment I help my tongue. Why is it a lesser response is taken
negatively? Why is it a response at all is already surrounded by a
prefix that allows for lesser communication in the first place? This
must be one of them damned if u do damned if u don't things (catch 22
duh). Either way I'll continue to 'observe and report'. I know I'm not
crazy shit... Its interesting to not that when speaking is the 'go-to'
method miscommunication is probably soon to follow. Its like do u
really even pay attention? Or are you predisposed from the jump? I
vote the latter and that's sad. I wish people would let opportunities
present themselves and analyze the reality of it all. Not some
preconceived notion


Pardon me its hard when your basically new to the dating scene/trying

to talk free making mistakes speaking too hastily/ your smiling in her
face she's dialing into space/ she's heard this before she know what
your about to say/ dude phrased it better anyway please there no need
to be confused/ she wants to be used you aint have the right tools/
that makes you the 'nice fool' should've took up night school/ or at
least a day class to teach your ass how to keep from being outclassed/
timing is everything you gotta outlast/ clever lines for dumber minds
game time/but you'll lose playin by their rules you gotta choose/ a
new method of attack is probably something I'd be looking into/i aint
hear it but figured it out anyway/ it is what it gotta be and that's
good for anyday/ wish I knew my spectacular few of the backs of the
few/that went away came back acting brand new like they learned it
straight from a class opposite of what i just recommended to you/
let me stop I have some issues too/ few missing screws/
that's why I enlist in empathy your sorrows pimpin me/ but your pain
is tempting me

Ehhh not with it but music's music I can't complain. I'm breathing so
I see the light my horizon's something I'm privileged to lay eyes on
even boxed in by these four walls I get my fly on. Just ignore the
rest got my tie on all business sky's on some left sh*t that's where
I'm living but ya'll aint get it fashion senseless so at a mention my
minds drifting and found admittance through song just a listen takes
me back it feels so long nothing wrong no regrets we got the tree
split the sticks bump don't forget jay-z end the text with 'bet'. But
no 808's and heartsbreaks that shit offsets any bitterness still there
cause your all truly missed a pound for my niggas kiss for my ladies
it wasn't goodbye no I think we just gotta believe deadass and just to
keep you SERIOUSLY at last I can I see an atlas to direct you to my
vicinity at least within it just please lend me the strength to
handle my responsibilities when you land or plant your 2 feet we're
gonna find plants in varieties and stock up alcohol for ridiculous
availability keep the fighting to a minimum we're trying have fun but
I get it overstand in fact so if you throw down leave it at that 2
fists and no Judas' in truth we bid a bond that transcends even blood
its really all I ever thought of cared for prepared for but in the end
found out a declaration wasn't enough just love but never that right
there again wrong for that its never for sure it just is escorted
where you live on delivery from the tv its just that easy if your
looking a tangent dammit I'm gone people I'm hooked in



Its as awkward as it has to be unless u figured it was nothing for me

to confess what you mean to me hopefully you did I dream big
persistent put someone else in this position by my own admission u got
a brother nuts I'm stuck on love just need attention. Or I REALLY want
it cause I'm here just so distanced thinking about the time and that's
when I get to tripping cause in my mind time stops for you or rather
us so I'm confident as f*ck I know the place well the taste of your
lips how soft your skin feel when to replace gettn f*cked with making
love or vice versa sh*t who knows I just imagine it. That's damaging
when I can't picture you without him. Him being whoever isn't me.. So
what's a day or two for you nothing but a week got me wanting speak
nothin but I'm still waitin




I hate boredom in life when I'm bored I just write like alex used to
be didn't understand too well thought I already knew the deal and
well...? Circumstances at a glance is the observation of a naïve
romantic. And I can keep it real with or without a girl I aint got a
chick but if I did I'd be the politician politicin cause that's all
this shit is. so I slid. What happened yeah I was gone gettin in tune
with what I was overlapped in. Never been no over acting I'm as
deadass as my game after a week straight of practice. That's why I
don't mind the chatter even if it turns to laughter. If you anything
you matter so miss me you bastards. Man I don't know if they see it
and don't believe it like they forgot my achievements yea I'm halfway
decent at everything but I don't brag. Its about to get live times 5
but my apologies to those without dads. Ya'll fantasies too light I
seen a story about my life called 'the notebook'. I'm like yoooo look
pain struggle and heartbreak I paid attention grabbed my notebook and
did I mention I got my notes took? Well not really its (kinda) like a
metaphor (these dudes trendy with similes break down the door) the
movie the notes



A familiar feeling got a beat I'm feeling not got a girl I'm feeling
she already know got a nick name keep it on the low did I say it?
Woulda rhymed it though got a voice I'm hearing that's peering into
the hole you left some time ago crazy but whoa I set it all to explode
here's how the story's told young nigga dumb nigga but plenty bold.
Mix it all together as a whole you got enough for the system to get a
hold of aahh man nigga hold up the way the heat slappin from the
speaker got me ready to speak up the aint been the same since I
misplaced them beats daaaammnnn but fuck it new fitted and a soon be
kitted whip drivin with that sky precision me and jess usually r2 got
the back seat we recall he listens



Man there be times when life just give you those moments to enjoy.

Whether you enjoy them or not is really on you. But f*ck that man, I'm
just trying to live life to the fullest. Things are never going to go
the way I want them to 100 percent of the time. Its been past time for
me to take some things. (Some people). Point being enjoy this sh*t but
don't get lost up in it. Dig me? I guess the walls have to come down
after all...




a beautiful person; that of which is consumed in greatness; usually has nice hair; loves attention; chooses hardcore over normality; friendly yet bitchy; easy to get along with; creative; the leader of the pack; not easily put down; determined; a non hate-ful person; not easily jealous; content with the matter of life; loves relationships; not as friendly with the same gender as opposed to the male species;smart; daring; and fearful of nothing.



^
dig me tho!? lol


I really dnt want u to take tht convo the wrong way. Thts y I'm
apologizing for how I was trying to communicate. Truth be told today
isn't the best day for me n tht frustration is over-apparent. I'm not
going to act like I agree with what you said but I can respect it and
respect the fact that yes I'm 23 years old (we were 'celebrating' my
bday after all) and responsible for my own things possessions $
actions etc. My problem isn't that I feel you are somehow partially
responsible for my belongings. Its the way you reacted to my
admittedly emotional phone conversation. I mean I wasn't crying but I
was crying lol... I'm just saying I used to think everybody had me like I had them. That's just
not the case anymore. I would've handled it differently point blank.


Don't u ever wonder what it is or rather what it won't b? I see you in
dreams photos and websites and ask when you gon want me? I should be
sad cause in the past I knew deep down the attention I had grasped
wouldn't last. These dudes is bad from the female's perspective I see
em and laugh but they see me and walk past look past my poindexter ass
my head down eyes focused on the path I'm currently walking around. I
could be them G women until the number of those who caught feelings
grew endless but I'm not them so tell me can I kiss you when I see
you? I know we're not official but that's never been an issue... For
you. It eats away at me though. These niggas easy and so simple I sink
them like free throws but they still appeal to you females.. Over me
now I gotta get over grief because things aint working out how their
supposed to be. Your close to me jusT not as close as we should.. f*ck
that before I would look at it like its somethin destined to be hand
wrapped and set perfectly in plain sight ( I mean thats them dudes I
walk around with a crack in my shoes but its cool I don't care see I'm
me everywhere would you care if I aint have confidence to spare? I'm not
cocky I just yo read up there)



You gotta know my mind's beneath a heavy base deep and away from most

all the company you keep. Seemingly sleep unaware to sleek talk slick
trips to pick up digits young stuff I did it just know I'm with it
dig? Meaning I see what it is don't think I slip for a minute. Ever I
practically studied the guide to clever lies black arts and backdoor
tactics seen it applied to a batch of chicks some I'm sad to say I
know today not cause I'm ashamed I just don't understand why it had to
be that way but that's another case love the grudge remains but that
puts no restrains on truth who's is actually true doesn't matter in my
eyes cause that's exactly where it lies.but like a game of 21 gettin
fouled to the hole its whatever though no up tops some down lows hoes
try to hate dudes relate but they fake so they the same who's to blame
what I mess with these clowns for? Past 3 rounding the corner into
round 4 my inner circle burst but I still try to make it work if long
distance was a curse I might understand the hurt I aint forget our
purpose and for what it's worth I kinda think a plane trip across some
earth may be what I need and bring some kind of peace to me

(Thanks for waiting).

Gone!

_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

****** Prelude

I wrote this (not this, but ******) probably about a month ago. As many of you know its taken
me a lot longer than that to actually put it out. Reason being its
super personal. I don't mean these are my stories or whatever but they
are MY thoughts/feelings/and perspectives.




As usual right? Basically, the only difference this time is I turned
my brain off and let whatever was on my mind come out. Again this is
usually what I would do for this blog, but instead of editing the
content I left it as is.




Now most of what's being talked about wass directly relating to how a
specific event/person made me feel. Sometimes multiple events and
people. Sometimes no reason at all other than to clear my mind.




I think its important that anybody that lays eyes on this particular
blog should keep an open mind. You may see some things you don't like
or agree with, but understand its just me speaking my mind. I'd have no
problems further explaining things people get confused about either
(mainly because you'll be confused).




The necessity for me to get this stuff off my chest led to this, and I
hope my constant curiosities lead you all to a different look at me.
Maybe nothing will change but its therapeutic either way.




Its worth noting I'm in a great place, in great spirits. I've faced a
lot of trials these last months that have tested the durability of my
will. In the process of clearing the rest of the smoke out of the way
now, and the picture I'm making out is beautiful.




Painful too. More sacrifices will have to be made amidst more
confusion and misunderstandings, but its what I need to do (I think)
and what I feel is necessary.




Everybody that f*cks with me should know what it is, but sometimes we
need reminders of what we have before we don't have it dig me? I've
been prone to realizations a day late and a dollar short. I know what
people mean to me and all I really want to do is take the love I have
for all of them and make sure its always on display. Through
frustrations and even more trials.




I asked what was more important: time or timing? I still don't know, I
just know every time I'm ready the timing is off. It honestly made me
feel as if God was trying to tell me something.




So instead of fighting it I just chilled way out. I'm seeing things
because I'm not looking anymore. Or things are finding me... 
 



^
^
You have to excuse if I backtrack from this point on. Technology won that round...
 



That's not to say there aren't problems to be dealt with, but who doesn't
have problems? I'm just trying to say I've found a middle ground with where
I'm at. Which isn't to say i'm content remaining their either. I'm grinding point,
blank, period. My only real concern is if I can do me and still maintain the plans
I have for some of you this summer.
 



Meanwhile, I'm TOO deep into music right now and I'm loving it. ;)
 
 
 



(It's coming I promise).
 
 



Gone!



_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Real is Back!

Love these guys. feels good to post something for a smile lol. I've been working and by working I mean editing/cutting out most of it  on a '6' letter word that should be more than worth the wait for most of you so stay patient I am!






Charles Discharged from jeff on Vimeo.





Hey, Mr. Cartel from jeff on Vimeo.






They Reminisce Over Ye from jeff on Vimeo.




^
^
^
Last 3 weeks of work from the real brothers






Gone!


_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Redo: Happy Valentine's Day!




^
^
^
Soundtrack of the day. Hope everybody is spending the day in whatever way makes them smile and tingly inside lol. Have fun (Be safe) 1 love! sooo outttaaa theeerrreee yaaa diiig!???!!



^
^
^
Wonder when that blog is droppin... Hmmm lol let me stop. I'd kiss you if you were here lol happy valentine's day baby! Let's go!



Gone!


_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Happy F**kn V Day





^
^
^
Motherf***kn dead*ss! Gone!


_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Barbershop Talk


Charles Hamilton - I Wanna Rock Freestyle from Woody's Produce on Vimeo.


"I'm sick like a purse with two chicks" haha i think i like that.


That's off the top duh. Gone!
_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Monday, February 8, 2010

Up All Night



^
Classic joint. Grimey *ss video.





 Timeless musician. Grimey *ss video.

Go Revolutionists. Gone!
_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Context Clues 6

Yooooo deadass thank god for wikepedia lol Shoutout to Zachary Quinto (Sylar)




Sylar's base power, as described by Chandra Suresh, is "intuitive aptitude", the ability to innately understand and manipulate patterns within complex systems, which initially manifests as a talent for repairing timepieces. As revealed in "One of Us, One of Them", this power comes with a nearly insatiable hunger for "understanding", which, in Sylar's case, specifically refers to craving the powers of others, driving him to kill other superpowered humans to understand their powers and make them his own. Despite the strength of this hunger, two episodes have shown that it can be resisted or satiated: in the alternate future of "Five Years Gone", Sylar has taken on so many abilities that he simply desires to get rid of all of his potential "competition" (other superhumans, to be exact); in the future of "I Am Become Death", he has resumed his identity as Gabriel Gray and denies his hunger for the sake of his son. In "Once Upon a Time in Texas" it is revealed that Sylar can also identify deformities in people such as Charlie's blood clot and Hiro's brain tumor.




Sylar's intuitive aptitude allows him to deduce the workings of the powers of others; by examining the brain of his victim, he is able to find the brain's connection to the ability, and once he finds said connection, he can immediately replicate the power himself. However, he cannot acquire an ability from a dead person, even if their brains are intact. In "Fallout", Noah Bennet theorizes that Sylar's additional powers are a product of using foreign DNA to alter his own which, as a side-effect, has driven him insane.



Of all the powers Sylar has acquired, the most prominently used is telekinesis, which is the first power he took. In contrast to the limited abilities Brian Davis displayed, Sylar's skills are far more advanced; he exhibits both fine control (precisely cutting open the skulls of his victims) and sheer force (flipping a police van), can enhance his own strength and durability to superhuman levels,[6] and can control a person's motor skills in a manner similar to Eric Doyle's puppet mastery.[7] Tests done on Sylar by Bennet's associate Hank show no overt signs of powers other than telekinesis; while their tests show that he possesses other powers, they are unable to identify what they are. In "The Hard Part", Sylar demonstrates he can use at least two of his acquired abilities at the same time.

Gone.(& Forgotten?)

_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Thursday, February 4, 2010

How To Get F**cked

The Day Report: 360 Deals Are Today’s “Record Deals”

Thursday, February 04, 2010 6:46 PM


By, Wendy Day from Rap Coalition (www.WendyDay.com)

ShareThisGet Alerts I gotta state right upfront that I am biased against 360 Deals. I understand WHY they exist, I just find them unfairly oppressive in the label’s favor in an industry with a draconic history of jerking artists out of money. I stopped negotiating deals for artists in 2005 because I refuse to do a 360 Deal for any artist! How strongly do you have to hate something to stop your own income over it?



In the early 2000s, the music industry went through a severe change. Music sales plummeted, the importance of the internet reigned supreme, and there was an influx of artists into the industry causing an over saturation never seen before. It’s gotten worse, not better, for the major record labels.





Once used to a healthy profit margin that afforded grand lifestyles for those at the top of the food chain, the major labels became disgruntled as sales dropped while they missed the boat on less profitable digital sales. Taking on the role of dinosaurs fighting for survival, they tried everything from stopping the new digital revolution, to fighting it, to suing it, to band wagon jumping too late. Nothing worked for them. And they still haven’t learned from their mistakes—they still continue to fight the ways the consumers want to receive their music.





So to justify their continuing existence, they decided to take an even larger share of the pie from the ONLY aspect of the equation that they controlled—the artist (or the “content” provided for digital download). Back in the day, labels took roughly 87% of the pie while giving the artists 12% of the money AFTER the artist paid back everything spent on them from that 12% share. This means that if the artist sold $500,000 worth of CDs, and it cost $50,000 to market and promote that CD (a very low example), the artist share of $60,000 (12% of $500k) would be divided between paying the label back that $50,000 and a check for the remaining $10,000. The label would receive $490,000 for its investment and belief in that artist while the artist made $10,000. In exchange for giving up the lion’s share of the sales, the labels always told the artists that they’d make 100% of the touring. Any show money, was the artist’s to keep!





When the s**thit the fan financially for the labels, they decided to tap into the show money, and all other streams of income for the artists, as well. After all, if your profit margin is made smaller, you need to eat more of everyone’s income to keep the fat cats at the top, and the stock holders, happy. Most 360 Deals share in endorsement income (15% to 30% depending on the artist), performance income (10% to 30% depending on the artist), merchandising income (20% to 50%) and Film/TV money (15% to 40%). Before I go any further, I have to thank Bob Celestin (Law Offices of Robert A Celestin www.raclawfirm.com) for supplying me a 360 Deal contract for an indie label and the good folks at Warner Bros Records for leaking me a major label contract for an artist’s 360 Deal. This enabled me to write about REAL contracts instead of just what I’d heard from lawyers, artists, and label folks.


How do labels justify taking an even BIGGER share of the pie from artists? They complain that they are doing all of the developing, investing, marketing, and promoting. Their argument is that they believe in the artist when the artist has nothing, and they feel that assuming the lion’s share of the risk should result in sharing in a lion’s share of the profit. If the label is developing and building the artist to a level of super stardom, they feel they have the right to share in a percentage of everything that super stardom affords the artist. So if they drive the artist platinum, they feel they should get a piece of the tour that came from the fame the label helped the artist build, and a piece of the endorsement deal or film income that came from the fame that the label helped build. I guess I could see this argument better, if I actually agreed that the labels did their jobs well of building artists.



I have a different vantage point of record labels. I see major labels based in tall glass buildings in NY and L.A. that have little interaction with the streets, fans, or the artists. I see them sign artists that have already started to build a buzz or sell music themselves, and then I see them sit back and let the artists’ teams continue to do much of the work themselves. I don’t see major labels taking much risk with their artists, but do continue to put them through a system that is almost an outdated cookie cutter version of how to sell CDs. The labels rarely interact with the fans and are quite out of touch about what the fans want or are willing to buy. They seem to create this assembly line of artists who all sound similar and fit a certain format at radio. They seem to throw a lot of music into the marketplace and work whatever catches on quickly and easily. Most labels do what’s best and easiest for the label, not what’s in the best interest of the artist. Now, in a way, it’s very unfair of me to make this sweeping generalization, because there are some amazing people who work inside of major labels and really go all out for the artists. But I find these people to be the exception, not the norm, and I also find them to be frustrated most of the time because they constantly have to fight with their bosses and the status quo to succeed on a project.



I also find that competitor labels usually hire the best people away from the labels who are experiencing some success, thereby breaking up the synergy within a team once they all learn to work well together. This is why a label like Def Jam or Universal could be so strong in the late 90s and yet be struggling to succeed today. I find that artists rarely look at the teams working at labels and just fiend for a record deal no matter the success of the label or who’s at the label (staff or other artists).




So labels got further away from the fans, the staffs got lazier or more frustrated (perhaps more work for less pay?), the artists took less risk because there were more of them and they were just happy to have a record deal, and the fans started expecting music for free because they could just download it if they didn’t feel like paying for it. Major labels continued reducing spending, slashing budgets, cutting pay, and signing “sure things” (whatever that means). And to justify the spending they were still doing, they decided to offer deals that cut into more of the artists’ income. The argument was that out of 50 artists signed to their label, only one was successful and funding the 49 losses. No other business on earth has such a backwards business model. Imagine if Ford built cars and accepted the fact that every model but the Taurus was meant to be a loss leader, and that the Taurus sales had to make up the loss of every other brand under their umbrella. Huh?





Or imagine if banks lent money for mortgages expecting 99% of the mortgages to default, and 1% of the mortgages were expected to make up the bank’s profits that year. Further imagine if each homeowner paying back their mortgage didn’t actually get to keep ownership of the house after their mortgage was paid back! The bank’s argument would be that they took all the risk on the house, so they should get to retain ownership. The people that lived in the house would still have to pay for all the repairs and upkeep, but the bank would own the house. That’s how the music industry is built. And the folks at the top with the most to lose are the ones fighting to keep this backwards system alive.





People ask me all the time what I think is wrong with the music business. I would like to blame our troubles on the greed of major labels, the proliferation of bad music that the fans don’t seem to want, or the free downloading of (stolen) music. But the truth is that if the artists didn’t agree to these incredibly bad deals, there would not be incredibly bad deals. If a bank existed that kept ownership of your house after you paid back your mortgage, you would never do business with that bank. Yet all day, every day, there is a long line of artists willing to sign their lives away to record labels because they don’t understand, or possibly don’t know about, the consequences. Or maybe they just don’t care. Maybe the need for fame overpowers the need for money…until they realize they aren’t making money but someone else is. I find that it takes artists 3 to 5 years to realize they are getting jerked. In that time, a lot of money is lost and one or two things happens: either the artist is replaced with a new artist willing to make less money, or the artist has enough value to renegotiate their deal and share a larger piece of the pie. Sometimes, they even start their own labels and repeat this onerous process with their own new, unknowing artist! They got jerked, so they turn around and jerk someone else.



But back to 360 Deals. This new model will exist until artists are willing to say “no!” and I don’t see any signs of that happening. What I do see happening are artists becoming more entrepreneurial, and instead of signing to major labels, I see them finding their own investors and building their own teams who can help them succeed. There are enough laid off employees of record labels who’ve experienced some success out here to hire to run and work at indie labels. There’s a huge void in the marketplace to deliver the kinds of music fans want…and that’s not just one kind of music.



What I learned from both the buzzes of Drake (lyrical mainstream artist who’ll succeed at radio) and Gucci Mane (not-so-lyrical street artist with gutter stories and experiences to share) is that fans still want music. Major labels are still slow to respond to the needs of the streets and the internet is only speeding up and splintering demand further. There’s still a market for good music that the fans want. Our job is to give it to them. And if we do so with a fair and equitable split of the profits, the artists can build lifetime careers and we can all make money!


I hear the artists who sign 360 Deals say that they feel they have to sign these deals because the label won’t work their projects if they don’t give up a bigger split. I hear the artists say they want the labels to help them land endorsement deals, major tours, and TV Shows and film roles—but I’ve yet to see a major label do this. Let’s be realistic, these major opportunities go to the biggest stars and the ones who apply themselves directly in those alternate areas. If you hire a film agent, and take acting lessons, you may get increased roles in film and TV. If you increase your fame through music sales, your endorsement opportunities increase. Beyonce landed a Revlon contract because she was a star, Revlon did not make her a star. How many new artists are the major labels building to be stars? In 2009, it was Taylor Swift and Susan Boyle out of all of the releases that came and went. And neither of them were developed by the major label system—one was a product of an indie label and the other a product of a TV show. The majors had access because they did deals with middlemen and then applied their systems behind those movements that were already happening. Maybe that really is the job of a major label in today’s environment.


In my opinion, a 360 Deal is an excuse for a major label to take a bigger piece of the pie without doing any additional work. It’s insurance on their part. If the artist does blow up by chance, it gives them more opportunity to make a bigger cut. And that’s just smart business. I guess if they called it what it really is, I’d be less annoyed by it: the price of doing business with a major label. If they played a bigger role in building overall success, I’d be happy to see them share in a bigger piece of the pie at the end of the day.


Example of a “360 Deal” Artist (this is not an actual artist example):


Male rapper based in Atlanta with a strong following. He has his own team of inexperienced friends and family around him and a very strong street following. The DJs, fans, other artists and industry are supporting him and propelling him forward. With no real single or CD in the marketplace, demand is high—he’s getting $30,000 a show and performing three or four times a week for the past few months. This will last about 6 months, approximately. He’s put out a series of mixed CDs, for free, over the past year. The label signed him a year ago to a 360 Deal but hadn’t begun to promote him yet because their roster was full. The artist got tired of waiting and began putting out a new mixed CD every month to build his buzz.



Advance: $75,000



Album Budget once popularity increased: $350,000



Recoupable Marketing and Promotions: $750,000



Monthly Show Income: $420,000



Endorsement Deal: $50,000



Album comes out and sells a total of 350,000 copies (it was a very commercial album but the artist had been very street, almost gutter, up to the point of his album release so fans didn’t really embrace the album as expected).


Album income for label: $3.5 million



Artists’ Share after Recouping: negative balance of $405,000



$750,000 + $75,000 = $825,000



12% of $3.5 mill = $420,000



$825,000 - $420,000 = $405,000



Artist’s endorsement Deal Share: $37,500



75% of $50,000



Artists Share of Touring Income: $1,764,000



70% of $420,000 x 6 months



Artists Share of Publishing Income (50%): $100,000 (estimate of mechanicals and ASCAP/BMI royalties)



Income for Label: $4,773,500 gross income on an investment of $825,000



$3,500,000 sales



$405,000 recoupment



$12,500 endorsement income



$756,000 tour/show income



+ $100,000 publishing income

$4,773,500 gross income



Less Staff costs



Less Day to Day operating expenses



Less Taxes




Income For Artist: $1,122,375 income



$37,500 endorsement income



$1,764,000 tour income



+$100,000 publishing income



$1,901,500 sub total



-$405,000 recoupment

$1,496,500 gross income



Less 20% management fee



Less 5% Business Manager fee (Accountant)



Less Tour costs/legal costs/tour manager/DJ/Operating expenses/taxes





Let’s compare gross incomes…



Artist made 1.5 million while label made 4.7 million



Artist share: 24%



Label share: 76%


Let’s compare Net incomes before taxes…



Artist made approximately $1 million while the label made approximately $4.5 million



Artist share: 18%



Label share: 82%



If the label is taking all of the risk (they are not), putting up all of the money in all of the right places (they are not), devoting all of their attention to this one artist (they are not), and doing most of the work (they are not), then this business model makes sense for everyone involved. But if the artist is doing the bulk of the work, risking their career in the hands of the label, and coming out of their own pocket for many expenses, then this business model is hugely skewed in favor of the major label.


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Damn that's tough. Destroy & Rebuild people... Shout out to the author of this editorial Wendy Day. Catch more of her stuff at http://www.wendyday.com/ (as stated previously)

Gone!
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-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Can I live?

Damn so I was away from this sh*t (not really but that's a surprise) for a few days (4 or 5? lol) and I got a comment heeeeeeey! Can't say I know what dude is talking about but I appreciate the traffic either way. Soooo thank you thank you thank you! (c) That bigwig n*gga that doesn't have time to mess with you corny ass folks. aka Hov lol

This could be fun though who knows? Certainly a welcome break from what I've been planning. In case any of you were wondering (I don't see why you would be), I can't tell you about homie's blog accept that 'it's better than mine' and that's by dudes own account.

Wanna know why?

I don't be on his damn blog site and won't carve out any chunks of time in my day or future to do so. So everybody that comes to my blog to you know, read about what's on my mind I want you all to STOP that and pay Mr. EnVy his past due shine... SO HE CAN GET OFF MY DICK. that's it lol

Gone!

_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

DO I MAKE SENSE YET!?

Or am I just... Senseless?