Doing it all yourself....

Str8Klownin

Str8Klownin

Veteran
I cant sit around and wait for catz to get back at me about music. They get a million and one tapes a week and so I had a thought...

I wanna do what Timbaland kinda did. But i have some questions that im hoping you guys can help me with.

Before they started "Tha Basement", did he already have a deal setup?

I have the equipment and i MIGHT have the talent, so im considering just makin a 10 or 12 track album. But will i run into the same situation im in now??? Will this CD just fall upon deaf ears??? I can get the financial backing, but i refuse to waste peoples money if i cant guarantee the CD will find the right people.

Im sure im just like many others on here, I have confidence in my work and i just need the right ears to hear it. Some of you have heard what I make and know that its not the most mainstream style around, but ive found some talent that’s feelin it and I cant sit around anymore. Its time I made something happen.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I think you have the talent. I say go ahead with the CD. It's just like the lottery, you have to play to win.
 
I had an ever going fear of dropping a cd and having it come and go with no lasting effect and a limited amount of listeners. And then to not have anyone in position to take me and my talent/career/goals/plans/future further hear me and evaluate me.

Finally I got over my fear and dropped my mixtape. It got GREAT responses. I dropped it a year and a half ago. Flooded the streets. Handing out cds for free around different spots in the city. A couple thousand. Paid for out of my pocket, but, a few hundred bucks in exchange for some of the best personal promotion I can think of was a good trade. I still get good feedback till this day. It inspired me to make a part 2 for it.(Dropping In January) I created a buzz and demand. And everybody knew me as a producer, rapper, or both.

I've had so many people tell me my cd was so nice they're going to hand a cd of mine to "somebody that knows (Insert Rapper/Singer/Producer)"... only to have no one get back to you. Eh... sorry, this is about your current problem right?

I know about playin the waiting game. Getting a lot of music out there, working with different artists, creating a name and brand and setting a bar and quality of excellence for your music. Talking to dj's and networking and knowing you have something but, its all about who sees that something. If only the right person could...

Yeah, so, you want to do more. Before I decided to drop my mixtape (which consisted of me rapping over industry and my beats), and after doing so much music with so many artists, I felt like a puppy in a pet window, waiting for someone to choose me. I wanted to take the steering wheel back instead of leaving it on cruise control. Instead of asking for attention and respect and recognition, you now want to demand it. Knock cats out their chairs... Am I right?

If so, go for it dawg. Whatever and however you can push you and your brand, get it crackin'. You have a different style of music that automatically separates you from most. Gotta take risks sometimes. I'm a very safe person, too safe at times, but, gotta take them risks. Can't get far without doing it, because there's always someone else willing to risk it all. Makes you think like, if this dude that isn't as talented as me is putting all his chips in, and taking a chance, why am I taking so long to decide if I want to bet 1 chip? Especially if I have a handfull of chips. Sometimes its timing too... but... you'll never know until you try. Do a project. Just the feeling of completing the type of cd you're talking about is worth it.

Well, I'll tell u this, if you decide to do a "Live from the Basement" type compilation and need an artist on a track, I'm also an artist, so, if you like my style, we could help each other out.

I hope my random thoughts help you in some way big dawg. You know I respect you and your work. You're consistantly nice wit the music. Don't 2nd guess urself, make that project. A good idea is just that, A GOOD IDEA. It can only help you. Can't hurt you at all. You believe in your talent and your abilitys and believe in other peoples talent that are going to help you get this project done, why not go for it.

Worst case: It "Falls on deaf ears"

But... think about all the positives and even the best case scenario...
 
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im more so worried about the talent i put on my tracks. I dont rap and i dont sing. I know some cats i went to school wit that say they can "rap", but (and i may sound like an arrigant prick) im not gonna put just any lyrics on my music. I put a lot of thought and time into my tracks and i need lyrics to reflect that. Then again, Tim didnt exactly have the best lyrics, did he...

Maybe i should just make one sweet azz track and try and get some radio play. I know a few DJs (about the only good that comes from goin out drinkin every damn night)...
 
Main thing to get is distribution. People invest in equipment all the time, but don't think to save up a few thousand to get their CD placed in stores nationwide and another couple thousand to advertise in magazines and on the net. That's the big difference maker. And in 2006 your indie album can easily reach the same numbers as a lower selling major release.

If everybody else is playing Chess, you can't show up with a ping pong paddle.
 
First off, you do NOT want to do what Timbaland did when he started off.

His first album that he dropped that went doulbe platium, Timbo and Magoo only made 20,000 off that ablum COMBINED. If you really wanna make moves, go to myspace and find you a manager--if he's feellng you he'll do the markeing and promotion and you give him a cut. Unless you really REALLY REALLY wanna go head strong into the game, which I don't recommend cuz you'll proably burn out. Master your skill of producing and let someone else handle the public relations.

Jos
 
Well I was face with the same problem. Trying to find good artists to work with, networking my production...then I said **** it I'm going to it myself. Never wait on a hand out. So I got in the booth and start rapping. My goal is to be a producer not an rap artist, but I feel if Im going to get my beats heard spit on them myself. Then next thing ya know under my own nose my 19 year old cousin from Miami have DAM GOOD TALENT!. My suggestion to is find an artist, work the myspace like JOs said and put out your album. Look at it like dis, YOU HAVE NOTHING 2 LOOSE. If you need a good artist 2 work with hit me. But go for it. Press it up Walk your dogs and get on the grind.

http://www.soundclick.com/bigced305mvp
http://www.myspace.com/endhouze
http://www.myspace.com/pollockdaking
 
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