BrettLee

Originally Posted by DrumMajor

What's good DP!!! During the past week or so I have been talking to a lot of our new members and have found a common topic amongst most of our conversations. That topic was "Major Label Placements":

In some way shape of form "Major Label Placements" was a question that was asked and discussed with so much passion and determination. After having that conversation, my follow up question was "What are you doing to get hot in your own city?".... All of a sudden the responses became less passionate/determined and more unsure/vague...

This type of response told me one thing. Producers are putting more effort into trying to make someone else hot as opposed to making themselves hot. In a society where BRANDING is key, going after major label placements ONLY is a long and frustrating road...

Let me tell you about a personal experience really QUICK:

I moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Atlanta, Ga and began to take producing seriously. During my tenure in ATL, I had an opportunity to produce a demo for one of the local acts that were just getting started. After the demo was completed, somehow I turned from producer to manager (still can't figure out how that happen). Anyway, I spent that whole summer calling labels trying to get their demo to EVERYBODY. After months of calling, emailing, and mailing, we finally got interest from an A&R at Interscope Records. Fast-forward ahead, we ended up in the Interscope offices in L.A. playing more records. After the listening session the A&R who will remain nameless, asked about our buzz back home. Well.............. we had zero buzz in ATL, we went straight from the studio to shopping to the majors in NY and L.A.. Anyway time went on things began to fall apart, let's just say I truly understand the Jay-Z line from Izzo (H.O.V.A) "Industry shady/need to be taken over"

Why didn't we try and get hot in ATL first before the majors??? I still can not answer that question. We are now in an era where you do not need majors to gain credibility.
It took for me to get screwed over to understand that this game is CHESS not CHECKERS, every move should be strategic.

This is a very exciting time in music. Essentially you are your own record label. You are the CEO. You call the shots!!! There is no talentless A&R or music exec telling you what type of music to make. You control your own art. Create your own energy and excitement in your hometown. Make the majors come to you. When they come, and trust me they will come if you create that energy, you will have the leverage b/c you are a brand now and your name rings out all over the city...

Please do not take this as me discouraging you from attempting to make an attempt for a major placement, just don't let it be the only thing that you are doing. Get to know your local dj's/radio personalities, go to some house parties and have the dj play your record, create a beat cd and let artist rap over the tracks for free (at this point in your career it is not about money, it is about exposure). Be creative!!! Be a boss!!! It does not matter where you are from. Look at what Yelawolf is doing for Alabama, look at what David Banner and Big K.R.I.T are doing for Mississippi. You do not have to live in NY, L.A., or ATL do make some noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SIDEBAR- If you are in an area where the local talent isn't that hot, still work with them. Take that time to actually PRODUCE that artist. Besides if his rhymes are wack atleast the beats are ILL!!! Guess what YOU STILL WIN!!! CHESS not CHECKERS...