I uploaded a new track onto the VIP Hub, in the audio section. Side not…if you haven’t heard it, stop reading this, go listen, and then come back to finish reading. Ok, now I can get back to business.
When I first started to write this song I wasn’t sure how I wanted to approach it. First I wanted to be negative and talk about how shady the “business” can be. But then I was like nope, I should flip it and talk about how you have to be bigger than the “business.” In the end I just decided to be honest and speak candidly. Share a few of my opinions gained from experience so that other people may get a glimpse of what it is really like trying to take the traditional route in music. In the first verse I was speaking from a music executive’s point of view.
Just promptly make your payments, we’ll put you on the playlist
Don’t question what it all means, when they ask that, just say this
(Just say this) And you’ll be straight inside this crooked art
It’s all perception so just make sure that you look the part
that’s what it takes to really go and get a rook to chart
Crazy words we took to heart…
I’ve just seen so many pay to play scenarios that it is really disheartening. Don’t get me wrong, in some situations it may be in the artist’s best interest to pay a fee in order to take advantage of an opportunity. But, I’ve just seen so many people take advantage of artists by selling false hope and subpar events because they know most artists just want to be heard or seen. In the above lines I also touched on the fact that labels sometimes try to control and change who an artist is. We tend to believe that they are the experts and that if we don’t do it their way we won’t be successful. Not true!
So throw me on the roster, figured I could use a favor
But no longer own my writings, that’s a right they chose to waiver
I’m sure we all have heard of examples where an artist lost rights to their own work…maybe even their own name. At the end of the day, our name, and our art is all we have. We need to protect these things to the best of our ability. But people are so easily blinded by quick money and bragging rights and they fail to see what they are giving up.
I’m in this for the long run. There are great things that the majors can do for you, don’t get me wrong. I guess the key is just doing it the right way. But do you need them in order to be successful…I think we all know the answer to that question.
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