Artist management is a big responsibility and you must be ready, willing, and able to bring your cards to the table to meet the artists needs. The unity between the both of you becomes one. It’s a business, and it’s a journey! The artists become your sole reason of purpose. Basically in order for you to make income from the artist, you have to bring income to the artist. The video below by Paul Allen gives an excellent review of the things you should consider in managing artists music careers.

Another excellent resource from Paul Allan’s website…

Artist Management and Music Management Directory

I’m just gon’ dive right in and ask this question! As female producers do you think we have a certain image of greater expectation to uphold over our male producers? To break it down, do we need to be sexy, revealing all but what mother nature gave us to even get attention? If we had the mentality of knocking up every male that came in the studio, are we considered names we care not to repeat? If we dressed down because it is our comfort zone to create… does this make a statement of questioning our sexuality? As you can see here, we are in a catch 22….we’re damned if we do, and if we don’t.

However, I strongly feel we have a responsibility in our presentation as female producers. And yes unfortunately, we have to live with that, unlike our male counterparts. They can look the worst of the worst, wear anything, act any way, and still get noticeable respect for their music. I believe our presentation, as well as our attitudes and lifestyles have to be consistent with our ability to make music, especially if we’ve decided upon this as a career.

If you’re trying to get attention to your music with your half-naked body and excessive makeup like you’re going hang out on a corner… it may get you attention, but it’s clearly not to your music and often times disrespect. Since we know this music industry is male dominated, perhaps you feel the marketing approach of ’sex sells’ has sparked your interest and maybe even a quick dollar! But I believe in the end of the day, you’ve sold yourself out, and your career is limited.

And for my female producers that dress the totally opposite and even considering yourselves as one of the guys. Is this your best presentation? No matter how you may act like the guys, you will always be considered a female producer to the eyes of the industry. I’m not saying change who you are, I’m saying if music is what makes you, then allow the world to see that.

The balance? Great question! I would think having first the right mind and attitude to even wear the name as producer is a start. Developing a professional approach, respect your music peers and work hard at the one thing you desire to do. More importantly, think about if someone presented themselves to you the same way you are doing to others. Is it something that would draw you in and prompt interest in their production capabilities? Dress the way you feel, but present it tastefully upon the occasion. (Read that again!) In simpler terms, let your music breathe through. That’s what this is all about, right?!  Allow your beauty and your swag to reflect your passion and your game plan. Through that everything else comes together. Your outer portion will not be denied because it’s who you are… so leave the acting to the actors.  And as we may try and get around it… image is very important is this industry…not by just a visual, but by an experience.

Take this with you and write it down…  You want to be seen??? Then be heard!!! Respect is earned and determined by the way you respect yourself first. Be sexy…sexy with your music, be beautiful… beautiful with your music, get ugly… ugly with your music, get raggedy… raggedy with your music… got an attitude? Put it in your music! As a producer, it has to be all about the music!

I ask everyone, both male and females, what are your views on this topic?

In this video, I demonstrate several of my tracks in the Roland Fantom X6. I also talk briefly about sampling and pass on some pointers!

Design By Lady Tha ProducHer

I was talking with my friend J last night over the phone who knew and worked closely with Michael Jackson, and she said something very profound to me that I even paused to reflect and absorb! She said as big and powerful as Michael Jackson was as an entertainer and media icon, he never used profanity in his records to achieve his statue. That was a WOW statement because as I consciously knew this… it was clearly something I, and I’m sure many people have taken for granted. We don’t think about it because Michael’s music was ‘complete’ without the use of profanity!

He crossed genre’s and bridged generations…

I’ve been a fan of Michael Jackson as long as I can remember, and now when my niece who’s 4 years old sits in the back seat of the car and demands his Greatest Hits CD to go into the player, and sings many of the songs word for word… obviously indicates the significance of Michael’s music and how he influenced the world across genres and generations. It is no secret Michael Jackson will always have an impact on the lives of people who simply love music and honor his legacy.

But Michael’s no rapper!

Some may argue that Michael wasn’t a rapper, and there’s a difference in comparison to the use of profanity. I would assume the goal of a rapper is to connect with their audience and influence their listening experience… and with that… there is no difference!

Please don’t take this as my personal disapproval of the expression of music because I respect it as a music collector, therefore my library is full of various titles. We all know profanity sells… but for how long? As an artist, does your longevity matter? Do you find performance limitations matter?

Michael Jackson isn’t the only one…

Along with Michael Jackson, there are several artists whose music is timeless without the use of profanity. I’ll use rap music as an instance: Rappers Delight by Sugarhill Gang. How many times seriously will you not jump out of your seat and head for the dance floor when that song comes on? And how many of you sing along and know every word while bobbin and noddin your heads? You know that’s a jam and your children’s children will listen to that song! Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince is another one! Timeless! The list goes on in other genres as well!

I understand as a producer of music and an avid music lover that profanity may be necessary to market to a particular audience, but it’s obvious…  it’s not necessary to connect with the world. Will there ever be another Michael Jackson? Is there even anybody on deck to possibly wear the crown?

Although I didn’t know Michael Jackson personally, the conversation I had with J and hearing her endearing and personal encounters of him was enlightening and gave me more of connection to him. So I ask you, how motivating, inspiring and engaging is it to know the ‘King of Music’ never used profanity in his songs?

Your thoughts?

Ladies, my producer girls, my females dropping that heat… have you took a good look at the Beat Thang Virtual? Do you know what this production software is capable of? And trust me, the sounds alone will grab your attention! For super convenience, it’s music production on the fly which is the simplest way I can put it.

I know you all are out there, and I challenge you to come forth and show me how you are working the Beat Thang Virtual. And if you are not on it yet, I challenge you to pick that up. Why? Because I got it… and I wouldn’t lead you wrong. I know a lot of Kangz out there, but haven’t come across a Kangz-tress who’s talking much about how they are working the Beat Thang Virtual by the Beat Kangz.

And as a reminder my ladies, the highly anticipated Beat Thang is up for grabs soon (sometime within the year) so, if you are a hardware sista as myself, and waiting on that release, giving the BTV a shot now will definitely get you prepared for the ultimate breakthrough in music production.

Talk to me. or just go check it out and pick that up and then come talk to me…

Here’s my version of a video I did of how to sample streaming audio on the Beat Thang Virtual

What is RouteNote?

RouteNote is an online music distribution service providing artists instant access to a large proportion of the online market. Designed and built to take advantage of the shift towards independent and self-publication through online and mobile music outlets, and the consumer switch to online purchasing as outlined by the success of iTunes, Myspace and Pump Audio, RouteNote is partnered with some of the biggest retailers on the web to give artists massive and immediate availability for their tracks.

Onsite, artists can upload tracks to the RouteNote catalogue and enter into a non exclusive agreement permitting us to distribute their music to a worldwide audience in a matter of moments. They then select partnered retail outlets that they wish their music to be available through (e.g. iTunes, Amazon Mp3, eMusic, Spotify and more.) and within moments their songs are earning money as part of a world wide, web wide, distribution network.

Our rates for providing a distribution service are currently the best in the market, and our ever expanding catalogue gives us increasing muscle with which to negotiate deals from which everyone, artists, clients and distribution partners included will all benefit.

RouteNote Blog

RouteNote (although indicated in beta version is definitely worth a good look and I will keep this back pocket handy…