Knowledge is POWER!

Buyers beware! I love music and I love the creative ways to take the music to a new level. There are way too many entities that want to exploit the hard work put into artist projects. Have you ever seen this in your inbox or DM?  "Hope all is well! Great to connect with you on twitter/FaceBook/IG! We're currently offering great, affordable, and unlimited song promo & hosting packages.” I see these messages day in and out. People please read the BIO! Some of the most successful brands don't hit your inbox up or  give you “subscribe to them” message. They have already made its database a proven track record. This is why the independent artists have no major traction. They all too often buy into the BS and never see any ROI (Return on Investment).

Knowledge is POWER! Before you go and pump your money into a bunch of likes and  followers...do some research, ask a DJ! Speaking on asking a DJ...There's plenty of DJ tastemakers and mixers out there, but there's 1 that I highly recommend, the VirDiKO quarterly mixer in Dallas, Texas. If you're in the area around the time of these mixers, as a artist, producer, or entertainment industry professionals it would be in your best interest to make your way to one. 

That was a side bar… sorta. But as there's a need for a regulatory commission on BS for music, there's a need for one to stop the music "promoters" and "marketers" who have PROVEN that there's no ROI for artist. Ok, the BBB is not going to be who you talk to about your wasted money, but as a artist you should find out who has gotten shows based on their fictitious friends, followers and bogus likes. My aim is to encourage entertainers to spend their hard earned money with people or companies that truly connect you with the individuals who care about the direction your music career goes. 

This leads me back to "big daddie THE DJ" and VirDiKO. VirDiKO is the abbreviation for Virtual Distribution KOmpany. This is some gangsta shit! According to @Virdiko's  Twitter,

"VirDiKO Specializing in Global Music Promotion Services To Thousands of Professional

DJs & Music Stakeholders In More Than 150 Countries..." I can say Amen to that! Artists that I've worked with have not only gotten their music distributed across the globe, I see these artist post pics from the shows that came from the result of using VirDiKO. This is not a paid advertisement for this company but a testimony and a fact. ‘Google it’ and see for yourself that this is a great example of putting your money to work. If you're looking for that DJ to hear your music and possibly give you the feedback you desire...VirDiKO is the way. 

Before I power down my laptop and head to SXSW, I want all my DJ friends to get ready for their closeups...because 

#LeslieMac

WTF is Goin' On In Da Club?

Ok… I've said this before so this time I'm going to write it down. As I was visiting a club over the weekend, I watched artists commit some of the worst music sins known in the industry. These things will continue to drive the wedge in between Artist and DJ.

Don’t crowd the DJ, don’t interrupt (artists that means you too)and let them work! Should you be an aspiring artist, DO NOT approach the DJ during their set. They already have their playlist mapped for the evening. That is their “mes in plaus” or game plan for their show. If anything, the DJ will remember you as “the MF that has no respect” as they throw your CD in the trash. Want respect, then give respect… Be cognoscente and approach them AFTER their set. (Before hand they are in the zone)

Ask for feedback (be it good or bad) make sure it’s the genre of music that appeals to their sets. After all, the main objective is to get your music out to be heard…the more ears that listen the better. Just because one doesn’t care for it doesn’t mean it’s bad, they just can’t work with it. Respect and thank them for their feedback and keep grinding. You will get a lot more “no’s than yes’s,” but this doesn’t mean the DJ won’t cooperate. They have a right to choose what they play, just like you choose what to perform. Don’t get it twisted…DJs love to break records, it just has to fit their flow and ultimately their crowd.

Be different, be you…Don’t bite off someone else. There can only be one Drake, Jay-Z, or Biggie. Take it from Dr. Seuss - “why blend in when you were born to stand out!”

The conflict between artist and DJ can be resolved: build that rapport, respect each other and the art of music. So in the meantime and in between time, keep grinding and break some records.

You never know when our paths might cross, BOLO. 

#LeslieMac