What is a DJ if he can’t scratch?...What is an MC if he can’t rap?Divided we fail!!

What is a DJ if he can’t scratch?...What is an MC if he can’t rap? -The Egyptian Lover The answers to these questions are a no brainer. As music has evolved into this digital era access and tools to create projects ie: songs, EPs, mix tapes, and albums have become more accessible. With that being said…divided we fail. It’s time for a fuckin lesson in Music101! This coins the old phrase, which came first the chicken or the egg? In the case of music, the song before the DJ. But where would the DJ be without the tracks? "Paying to play" is defined as bands paying to play live at a bar or club. The payments are typically made to the owners of the club; sometimes this happens through a middleman or proxy, otherwise known as promoters. However, the Club DJs are taking this to heart. If you are a follower of social media networks, you have seen the ‘mudslinging’ between the DJs and the artists.   fan base it’s no need to put out a record cause nobody knows you. As we know, or some of us may know...Hip Hop started as a DJ based phenomenon on the streets of the 70's run down New York. It spread nationwide, and later into a worldwide culture that put the MC, the Rapper, on stage. By the end of the 20th century, Hip Hop was and still is the most influential music genre, changing the face of Pop culture forever, and spawning subsequent changes to R&B, dance music & Jazz. Let’s cut past all the history and facts and look at what the new deal is. If you’re not signed to a major, then this is what you need to think about: Recording advance: $15,000 Tour support: $2,100 Mastering costs: $934.96 Marketing: $13,433.23 *Advertising: $2,067.50 Publicity: $5,153.34 Manufacturing: $16,581.04 Artwork / photos: $200 Misc: $587.71 Total: $56,057.78 *Advertising – Advertising expenses can include any print, radio and online advertising the record label incurs to promote a new release So clearly, an artist has great out of pocket expenses that a DJ does not incur. So why some of our DJ counterparts pull the power card and feel they are entitled to be paid to play a record? Especially a local artist? Both parties need each other to survive, put your fucking ego away and play some music! As a club DJ you might: • play and mix records in clubs or bars, to create atmosphere or keep people dancing • choose music to suit your audience’s taste and the venue’s music policy • create your own sounds by manipulating beats, using samples, adding extra music and sound effects Now we are for the DJ, but damn...Let’s look at the real picture here. You (DJ) are paid to play at multiple events (weddings, afterhours, receptions, parties, hell, you will even play other artists music at a showcase)..But you don’t pay the indie artist any attention, well maybe ;). But seriously when has Jeezy stopped by and broke you off? Drake makes it rain in the club but not a drop of that falls to your booth. There are rules and guidelines in the strip club, so you might get a drop or two. Your local artist and I’m talking about the ones who have talent not the ones who have money, have to wait in line. Do we listen to music anymore or is our time bought? DJs, this is just a little heads up to what we hear over here at the mag. Artists don’t get it twisted. You play a major role in the playing of your music. If you don’t want anyone crowding your creative space, what makes you think the DJ wants you all in his face pushing a CD to him during his set? Today’s work is “tact”. You know the method in which you approach someone and the tone you use. And by all means...PRESENTATION, PRESENTATION, PRESENTATION! If you haven’t figured by now, writing on a CD with a marker is played the fuck out. I know there’s someone, somewhere that will label and duplicate CDs for a nominal fee. If you know your material it hot, why treat it like it’s not? "Payola, in one form or another, is as old as the music business” The music industry is nothing more than networking game! Don’t get caught being the Pawn, think like a King. Your choices: Checkmate or Stalemate….choose wisely! Pluggers war on old curse". Billboard magazine (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 61 (44): 3, 13, 47. October 29, 1949. ISSN 0006-2510 -Leslie Mac #aRoseFromDaConcrete #alme214 ">">">