The Business of Music

I understand why cities as a whole have a huge pitfall in the music industry. The so called "move around of people" lack professionalism and business 101! It's not just janky ass promoters, it's janky ass people period. I tell folks all the time, don't come to me until you are ready. There are levels to this... Education in every part of this business is essential. A mind is a terrible thing to waste along with money and time. I don't make promises, but I do guarantee. You get what you pay for. First and foremost, check the numbers, when they don't add up...RUN! Otherwise, I have some ocean front property to sell ya in the middle of Kansas. I would be lying if I told you there are no snakes in this business or an immediate ROI. But I do guarantee I will personally work a project that I feel has the potential to go. You will see me personally deliver. Patience is a virtue, pay attention to everything. So let me clarify... it's don't come to us until you are ready AND have your budget clear, cause ain't shit free!! ‪#LeslieMac

For Your Listening Pleasure

See Your Sound, Hear Your Sound, and Listen Your Way...Vinyl has gone vertical!

Gramovox wanted to create a visceral vinyl experience that showcased the record as both art and a medium to produce sound. The result is a high-performance turntable that plays your records vertically - giving off the illusion that the record is floating.  

This system comes with dynamic, full range audio. According to Gramovox, The Floating Record uses two Tymphany 2" neodymium speakers driven by a 15w per channel digital amplifier.  They wanted to achieve the best possible sound without compromising aesthetics or performance. 

The Floating Record can also be easily switched between 33 1/3 or 45 RPM by moving the silicon belt over the inner or outer groove of the middle gear.  Record clamps for both type of records are included as well. 

With built-in RCA line out ports, you can bypass the integrated speakers and use the Floating Record as a standalone Hi-Fi turntable for your own audio setup. Additionally, you can use your headphones through the built-in 3.5mm stereo jack.  

Proudly built and manufactured in Chicago.

Order yours today at Gramovox.com

AV The Great....Man N Da City

He's the "man n da city" Catch @avthegreat tomorrow at #HOB. Full article http://bit.ly/AVnrom #WeBringIt2Ya #Salute

Track Reviews 7.14.15

@meekmill @drake - #RICO

Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money dropped a little ahead of schedule and with it came "R.I.C.O." Drake. I was kind of shocked when, "All Eyes On You" feat. Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown wasn't labeled the official single. The Nicki-Meek vibe would be perfect seeing that they just performed together on the BET awards. This is Drake's second feature of the week, he recently appeared on The Game's "100." "R.I.C.O." This is a different type of tempo for Meek Mill, but he rides the beat hard as he normally does.

Who had the better verse, Meek or Drizzy?

@iamdiddy @pharrell - #FinnaGetLoose

As Bad Boy Records turns 20, their material is as fresh as it was when Craig Mac dropped Mad Flava In Your Ear. This will be a club Banger for a long time! Real good, feel good track…This one will defiantly be a “clear the dance,” floor type track. 

@therealbanner @bigkrit - #MyUZi

Dope Production is an understatement! If you put 2 of the souths most lyrical artists on a track like this…You get the sound that makes you want to roll one and ride out through the city…

@djself #MenaceCowwabang - #iGotTheJuice

DJ Self and Menace Cowwbang put together on of those, "Turnt Up" tracks with this one! If you have to get out that funk and get to the money, look no further. Self produced this himself.  DJs are pumping out their own hits and this is one more to add to the list.

@djchose ft. #MCBeezy - #EverywhereIGo

Think It's A Game & Brook Gang Music has some HEAT with DJ Chose “Everywhere I Go” featuring MC Beezy. Not since the days of DJs such as Dr. Dre and Quik has the production pool been filled with mixmasters and beat droppers. The Breezy bars will keep you well aware of his street cred. Definitely a BANGER!

@chevywoods @dejloaf - #AllSaidAndDone

From the moment that you hear Dej Loaf lace this hook, you know its going to be another banger. Chevy Woods “30 Deep” single was only the introduction to what is now one of the hottest on the rise. 

@migos - #PipeItUp 

Sitting on the DJ conference call we all are in agreement that the Migos keep coming with the hits. Produced by Metro Boomin, “Pipe It Up" will have you on 'silent mode' if you ever questioned the Migos. 

@ieshiameshyll @snoopdogg - #Jam

"Jam," is Summer Heat for the ladies and it's a club joint that'll have your VIP section on its feet. A very smart track for DJs to spin. Oh let's not forget, Snoop. He compliments Iesha’s cool flow. 

@iamjmusiq - #CaliforniaDreamin

Produced by DFree, "California Dreamin" ain't your typical down south stripper track, it will have the ladies doing 'right-cheek-left-cheek' all night. With his West coast vibe JMusiq is sure to be one to look out for. Put n'Rotation and just watch that ass go!

@iamcalvin - #BeforeThisMomentLeaves

This is pure talent from an unrated artist. You will be moved, and not just on the dance floor. It's not often R&B breaks through the barriers, especially the soulful ballads. "Before This Moment Leaves" is that song. Be on the look out for more from this R&B crooner. 

The Mixtape Issue

How Much Does That...?!

I have had the privilege to be at music conferences, open mics, and shows with the major

acts and the two common denominators are DJs & Artists music. But as I...yes me, was a fly on the wall at a conference, I saw the 'beef' escalate between the DJ and the artist. My account of this 'beef' doesn't make me take a side but it compels me to put the situation “out on front street” (Eclipse flow). So... 

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 world wide 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.   

Lets address some age old questions:  What is a DJ if he can’t scratch?...What is an MC if he can’t rap? -The Egyptian Lover. These bars are for the new era of hip hop.   

The answer to these questions are a no brainer.  As music has evolved into this digital era access and tools to create projects ie: songs, EPs, mixtapes, and albums have become more accessible.  With that being said…divided we fail. 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?    

I'm looking at Facebook live. DJs/Promoters asking artists to perform for 8 minutes or 1 song sets. Now I know this is an old practice but it is now commonplace for artists to pay to be seen and heard at the club. Let's examine this a little more in depth. "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 i.e. DJ or Promoter. So far this seems to be fact of nature...Pay and you get to Play! How much? We’ll hit that concern in a paragraph or two.

So what was supposed to be a friendly Q & A went south, real fast when out of the back of

the room came, “I play only out of towners music cause believe it or not when these ni**as come to my club they never come empty handed, they show appreciation for what I do for them. Local ni**as just want spins and think I have to do that shit for the home-team. Get real!” In a non illuminati setting this DJ told his secret. I'm sure this is the practice from one DJ to another but do it with tact. 

Uh-Oh! It was time to pull out the iPhone and get this shit on record. Nope, I will not put names or faces out there but this 6 foot tall BadAss (thick to death) female artist didn’t hold her tongue about the 'injustice'.  “Fuck all you terrible business conductin, shady ass, fake ass, downlow ass DJs, artists, and promoters!  Ya whole weak ass team and da sour face people who love you!  That’s my muthafuckin attitude right now!  Don’t call me no muthafuckin Diva, call me an Artist!"  There was a hush in the room either from how fine she was or how right she sounded to the other artists in the room.  Now, I'm sitting here thinking what's next...someone from the panel stood and politely asked the artist "to sit down" and wanted this topic to be addressed.

He goes on and says, "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." His pricelist read like a government spending allowance. 

Tour support: $3,300

Mastering costs: $1,000

Marketing: $14,000

*Advertising: $2,000

CDs/Artwork : $4,200

Promotional Items: 

Total: $24,500

(For one project)

*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. 

Then he begins with the expenses of the DJ:

Equipment: $8,600 for the new Digital DJs

Equipment: $10,300 for Vinyl DJs

Promotion: $1,500

Total: $20,400

*Promotion - Includes radio, mix tapes, and flyers

So the breakdown was to show the amount of money each party is out of pocket.  Which went back to the good ol' paying to play statement. 

"Let's look at the real picture here. You (DJ) are paid to play at multiple events (weddings, after-hours, receptions, parties, hell, you will even play other artists music at a showcase)..but the indie artist that you invite to perform doesn't receive a dime of what's brought in.” Of course the whispering and mumbling spread through the room. So what I was witnessing was a uprising and boycott in the making. Our brave speaker continued to bring awareness to the differences of the two entities.  

DJs like presentations and artists like representation. At that moment lightbulbs started going on over everyone head. Networking went into action. Now I don't expect DJs/promoters to pay the artist anytime soon, but it seems like someone or some bodies began to agree to disagree. The two pink elephants in the room sat down in their neutral corners and hushed till the next Artist says, “He needs to pay me to perform,” and the DJ says, “He needs to pay to perform."

The music industry is and has been a networking game from the first beat of the signal drum!  Greed is out there whether you're the artist or DJ.  You both want to get paid for your talent and hard work, hell the owner should step in and pay you both!  Was the bar ever empty?  NO!  Club owners want to see bar business, DJs want to see a crowd, and artists want to grow their fan base.  The goal is the same...PEOPLE!  If the DJS, artists, and promoters have an alliance they could truly all make money. 

#LeslieMac

The Plug!!

With the approach of one of our most anticipated issues, I find myself in edit mode. With that being said, I'm going to give a big shoutout to all the DJ features from the past issues of Mprinted Online and n'Rotation Magazine issues. To the artist who is trying to get to the DJ everyone is talking about, here's the inside scoop. Artists ask me all the time, "What's the deal with n'Rotation?" We're about networking. Not the type of networking where you just lay your CDs and post cards down and hope that a true music lover will pick it up or go and search the net for your social media pages. We like to keep the momentum that's started by DJ mixers and tastemakers like VirDiKO or as my friends over at Southern Fried Marketing like to say #ConnectTheDots. Feel free to visit all of our past magazines on Issuu. Our upcoming issue will be available on on all mobile devices and through 4 smartphone apps. Oh did I mention it's free. So let's just call this blog entry, "The Plug!"

Our first DJ issue "Go DJ," was released 5 years ago. DJs: Merk, Wylout, Spark, Kaiser Soze, Radio Raheem, EEAAZZEE, Big Juice, Raj Smoove, and Jeff da Illest discussed the politics of their music career and we talked about a little known YouTube sensation Black Jesus. Most of all the interviews put a new voice to the DJ. 

Between the Go DJ issue and the "Fem DJ Revolution," Mprinted Online continued with promoting independent entertainment and entertainers. Our all female issue featured the She DJs: Teaze, Night Nurse, Sheka Booker, Nikki Nicole, Passion, Dirty Rae, and C-Wade. Also featured was the versatile style of DJ TNA. This issue wasn't only about the lady's on the 1s & 2s but, we dedicated the issue to breast cancer survivors and domestic violence awareness month. These ladies are not only talented, they shared their stories of inequality, and the triumphs over the stereotypes. We set out to shoot down the myths of female DJ skills. 

The Hard on The Yard issue was technically our second DJ gridiron classic. The HBCUs and their respective DJs showed how they truly were the gateway to the fun part of going off to get an education. Most of our College DJs hooked up the turntables at least 4 nights a week. Some of our future leaders in the world have had the privilege of partying with DJs: Marvel, Nae D, Newport, Blazin, Star, Touch Basis, Weather Man, Loose Kid, and Swagga. The good thing about the "Hard On ThenYard" issue is, it goes down every year. 

At the end of the year we wanted to focus on the DJ families better known as Coalitions. We were fortunate to sit with some of the who's who in DJ Coalitions. We sat with DJs: Empress Journee, 3-2-1, WhutItDew, Shark, DRocc, the son of legendary DJ Jam Master J; TJ Mizell, Chill Will, 7Thirty, OO Kee, Mother Mayhem, Miami Myztro, RoRo, Wayne In Dis Thang, ReRe, Erika B, Nasty, Reckonize, Swiper, the creator of VirDiKO Global Music Promotions Big Daddie The DJ, Timeko T.,MMG’s A Bay Bay, and on the cover Black Bottle Boy & Maybach Music Group’s Kayotik. If you want to know where you music focus should be, this is a great issue to start with. 

As far as the "Mixtape Issue," it's packed with the Best of the Best Mixtapes DJs in the world and a DJ Live Set by Erykah Badu, but for the purposes of this issue, you will see DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown DJ to a packed house. ATTENTION ARTISTS… THE WORD OF THE DAY IS, PLUG! This is definitely the one to read. The "Mixtape Issue," is our way of changing our standard. This issue not only discusses the careers of these DJs, we address the movement of Hip-Hop music and the power that music possesses to calm the communities facing injustice. 

Thanks to all of the DJs and the artists who have given me the opportunity to get into their lives. Remember always #SaluteTheDJs!

#LeslieMac

Some Of Y'all Ain't Gonna Smile After This One

What can I say about my 420 celebration? It was a true learning experience. I had to write this immediately before I forgot...wink face ;) . My Hip Hop heads are gonna feel nostalgic, and my new school Hip Hop artists are going to feel some type of way. Whatever you choose, I just hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears. You are getting a snippet of the full article "What Happened To The Movement," that will be in the upcoming of n’Rotation's "Mixtape DJ" issue. I'm not going to call any names in this blog, nor in the full article. I will just reflect and report on our conversation. At the end of this piece, I will leave you with something to seriously think about.

We can all agree that the recent police violence against African Americans is making the news at an alarming rate. The marchers, protesters, and the rally leaders are in full swing. The internet is keeping us all united to the cause through hashtags and Twitter posts. Back in the day when there was injustice in the black community, there was a song to bring people together. 

In 1971 Marvin Gaye's masterpiece, "What's Going On" album took on poverty and the injustice facing the black community. This album produced the hits; "What's Going On," "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," and the "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)." It's considered the most

important and passionate record to come out of soul music. Marvin Gaye's connection to his fans allowed his music be the catalyst to ignite the needed unity in the black community. 

1989 brought us Spike Lee's movie, "Do the Right Thing" and with it Hip Hops minister of information Public Enemy's "Fight the Power." “Fear of a Black Planet" was released in1990, but the albums most notably hit single opened Lee’s acclaimed movie. This movie focuses on the realities that the black community is being faced with now...the senseless death of blacks at the hands of cop. The Radio Raheem choking scene was played out in real life when Eric Garner, 43, died after being confronted by police on Staten Island for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally. What was illegal was the choke hold that lead to Garner’s death. Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, “the death was ruled a homicide.”

As P.E. (Public Enemy) pointed out the injustice on the east coast, NWA introduced their west coast accounts of the outrage that was enacted by the LAPD. NWA’s version of fighting the power did not miss a beat. Their lyrics and videos showed the group had no problem going against the grain of rules that segregates people. The 1992 Los Angeles riots was the reaction to a jury's verdict that acquitted four Los Angeles Police Department officers of assault and use of excessive force. This use of excessive force was caught on video. Thousands of people throughout the metropolitan area of Los Angeles rioted over six days beginning on April 29. Ice Cube’s "Wicked," calls this day of the riot "Power to the people."

Hip Hop’s voice against violence and wrongdoing was felt the strongest on the tracks, "Self-Destruction," which featured an All Star East Coast roster. We find KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions leading the charge. The features included; production by Bomb Squad  member Hank Shocklee, MC Lyte, Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie), Stetsasonic (Delite, Daddy-O, Wise, and Frukwan), Heavy D, Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice and Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav). 

On the West Side of the Hip Hop map, we have the ‘stop the violence’ driven track, "We All In The Same Gang." Doctor Dre provided his production talents to this project. The West Coast All-Star’s roster included; King Tee, Body & Soul (including Dee Barnes), Def Jef, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and Eazy-E of N.W.A, Above The Law, Ice-T, Michel'le

Tone-Loc, J.J. Fad, Young MC, Digital Underground (Money-B and Shock G/Humpty Hump), MC Hammer, and Oaktown's 3.5.7. 

What are we promoting in Hip Hop today? Sex, drugs, and violence? Rich Gang’s "Lifestyle," was a hit, even if we didn't understand what was being said. But after learning the lyrics to this song, are we still interested in that "Lifestyle"? Are we all in love with the CoCo? 

From my own experiences and what I gathered from my comrades is, the culture went from songs speaking on fighting injustice to songs abusing the rights that were fought for during the civil rights movement.  You can rap, but are you enriching

the next person’s life? Is there going to be more than just tweets addressing the recent displays of inequalities or are we waiting on Birdman to stop tripping about the money he owes Lil Wayne? The reality is, that hip-hops voice has been Minimized. I’m listening to Kendrick Lamar's #TPAB and Common and John Legend’s "Glory" to fill the whole for what needs to the focus of the day. Will you promote this for now and be the “Trap Queen” at later date? We can party, but if we don't encourage one another through our loudest megaphone...music, I believe the maltreatments are going to increase. 

Like I said before, "this is just a snippet." You can read the full article in the upcoming n'Rotation The DJ Magazine issue. This is our Mixtape DJ issue, which will feature award winning and some of the Top 100 Mixtape DJs In The World as of 2014.  

I ask you this question… where are you going with Hip Hop?

#LeslieMac

I Know Ya... YOU Ain't Gotta Lie To Kick It!

Some of my consistent readers and followers are aware of my current and future projects. To my new readers, I aim to put out the best music reviews and at the same time give you

some hardcore facts about your career. My Fluence account is quite busy, the Mixtape issue of n'Rotation The DJ Magazine will be wrapping up in the next few weeks and  "The Needle To The Record" documentary is in pre-production as I type. So please continue to share and personally be inspired. I kept this entry short and sweet due to my new and up coming projects. But I promise to always bring you the best of the #MacAttack. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

As musicians the music you create is your story to the world. You spend weeks and months writing, recording, mixing and mastering. After all of that, you now get to see if it was worth all you've went through. If you hate math...GET OVER IT! These numbers set your mood from here on in your career. There's plenty of methods and tools to get your name and voice out there. If you look at the industry as a game of chance, you'll be looking at it in the wrong way. There’s no testing your song out while you create your greatest work. If you're listening to your entourage at the point of creation...DEAD WRONG! Know what you want, because that deal you seek comes with a label who "CONTROLS" every aspect of your career. We know that even major label artists have flop albums.

Don't get stuck in this mindset. The internet gives you a direct connection to new fans and access to music listeners. True music listeners can give you feedback instantly and don't mind sharing good music. My time at Fluence I've reviewed, in my opinion a lot of potential hits. 80% of the artist have followed our advice in one way or another. I know this because the numbers have increased dramatically. The ones that don't follow through...well, let's just say..."Incomplete!" I have a couple things together that may help you in the pursuit of music career happiness. 

KNOW YOUR FANS!

You have direct contact to key fans already, an email list. Now I know there's so many ways to connect, but email is your virtual hand to hand combat. The thing with emails is they may get discarded, so I suggest you develop a dialogue with your fans and inform them that you need their feedback and ask if you can email them something important. You already have a great way to get direct feedback from your fans. Google Forums is a great way to ask your fans what do they want to hear from you; possible collaborations or send that recorded verse and hook to them for their listening pleasure. Remember you're trying to reach music listeners and not your folks and 'em. Ask your fans direct questions about your music. Ask them to vote on your next potential single, the sky's the limit.

If you’re not getting as many survey responses as you’d like, you could tie it into a contest. Everyone who participates could win a free t shirt, signed CD, or be with the entourage. Incentives will get you more results.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE!

Who's checking the analytics? We all can't be analysts, that includes your friends and fans. Someone at a label, media outlets, or a promoter is checking to see your likes and fan engagement. I'm not saying you don't have to learn anything about analytics, but you could learn from them. Why is someone watching your video in Norway, or who's actually listening to my music? These numbers can have a good impact on your fans. Deliver the truth, the truth that they can understand. Views and likes are easy to show but it's more views and likes that you can create across the board. Place your content on many media outlets. Grab that view count and make it known, "My material has XYZ views!" People don't want to miss out on what everyone else is watching.

Give your fans everything they want and need to keep you relevant from day to day. Your music isn't just a product,it's your message to the world! Deliver it the right way and ALL of your efforts will never go unseen or unheard. 

#LeslieMac

AS REAL AS IT GETS!

There's no way to sugar coat this, I have to dare you to promote your career. I view a lot of friends and fan pages and 1 thing that I'm finding is there's not a real strong connection between the two.

If 10% of your friends have not liked your fan page...that's a problem. Too often I see posts about, "what I'm eating," and "look at how we do it" all over a artist profile wall. When I search for an artist fan page, there's less than 10% of fan engagement. If you promised all of your friends a free download of your single or even your whole album, would 10% of your “friend base" get the download? Would 10% of them share the link?

I was recently out visiting some DJs and as we talked about the "Needle To The Record" documentary, they took immediate action and began to promote and share the link to support it. That's love #SaluteTheDJ! The likes on your pics from the night before should be accompanied with a SHARE! The "average" Facebook user has about 200- 338 friends,

though the median number is quite a bit lower: 200. But entertainers have lists topping 500. That’s a lot of virtual friends and Facebook lets you add friends until you hit the peak of 5000. That's about the size of a small U.S. City. According to Robin Dunbar, an Oxford University Anthropologist that studies social networks, says "any group larger than 150 starts to strain the mental capacity of the human brain." Some of us are overdoing it. 

With 5000 possible friends on Facebook, you should have at the least 500 fans. The same goes for retweets and IG likes. I'm just being honest. It doesn’t really matter how many friends you accept into your online communities, the number of people you will actually interact with will linger around the 200-338. Look at it like having 30 pairs of Jordan's in your closet. You probably have 15 pairs that you call your favorites. Those 15 pairs most likely see daylight twice a month. With that in mind, too many friends, is like having too many pairs of shoes, and that can clutter up your life, check out your news feed NOW...I'll be right here. Now imagine what irrelevant information comes to your friends newsfeed. SMH!

If you're busy putting in work hitting the “like”  button and adding comments, you miss the

opportunity interact with a valuable network, for instance your social media groups whether it be FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or INSTAGRAM. If that's not enough of an issue, Facebook has begun to put an end to the posting of shows, events and entertainment content unless you you go through your FAN PAGES or PAID PROMOTED ADS. So the promotion of your Fan Page should seem more appealing. And not to add, turn-up promoting your YouTube channel. Your YouTube page is a sure way to get paid. 

So here's an idea...post the link to your FAN PAGE and the next time you want to tell

Facebook what's on your mind. Do this for a week and do it often. Promote your Twitter handle, drive traffic to where you talk about your career. Instead of checking in on your personal page, tell friends to go to your fan page and see what you got into the night before. Yep… I'm still against buying followers, but if you have them, then be sure you promote, promote, promote. Seriously… push that brand of yours. DJs do it best, they promote their brand diligently! The DJ is the heart of it all. So go like a few DJ pages. Interact with them, but DON’T spam them!! You the artist can change the current status of your career. I dare you to promote your page! THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS!

Support and share our "Needle To The Record" campaign and remember to submit me your music via Fluence!

#LeslieMac

Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed!

So your project is done, has been done, or you thinking about going into the studio...Well wait one minute! The truth has to be discussed and it may hurt or discourage many. But, if you truly want to know about your career, you have to know what you're really up against. What ever you need to do to get in your zone, I suggest you do it NOW! 

Let's look at music posts like you look at your social media posts. 60 seconds...Over 12 hours of audio is uploaded to Soundcloud every minute. That's not including any other site. Yep! That's a lot of noise. So how will you be noticed, please tell me?!?! 

Here’s the problem my colleagues and I face on a daily basis, as media journalist, and it’s getting "worse” by the day. Too much content. My only filter and is a benefit for an artist is

to submit music to me via Fluence. I can guarantee: a listen, feedback, and possibly a share if it's up to par. Really there's too much noise out there. During the "iHeart Radio Awards" Madonna said, "2 million songs released to the world." That's mainstream only...DAMN! It’s easy to get lost in this sea of new tracks and songs, so you need to WORK on getting heard. 

I played the fly on the wall a couple of days ago and it really took a lot for me not to blow my cover. I am sad to report, people are not listening! No matter how good your music is, no one is taking the time to listen. Strangers won’t sit for an hour with their headphones on to appreciate the structure of your track, the melody or lyrics. If your music is very good it could help win their ears, but they just won’t spend one minute to listen. They will scan the track list briefly, looking for those mainstream features. With No big feature, it's likely your music won't be allowed inside their world which is already overloaded with music and information. I've always said, "people listen with their eyes, not their ears, and they may not even know it.”

Artists and DJs alike, "listen to me now and believe me later on" (in my Kujo Goodie voice), campaigning needs to be turned up! If you're giving away material, get something in return,

 even if it’s not money, i.e. some type of social media contact. Gain a connection don't walk away from a potential fan empty handed. You put money and time in the production of your project, so totally "free" is not something I'm a fan of. I can't give you a dialogue for that because the environments that you may be in might seem like it's not ideal for that type of exchange, however, become clever when you distribute your material. O.K. I will give you one idea...Take a pic with the potential fan and ask for their IG handle so that you can mention them when you post. (hint, hint) There’s still some dialogue required, but the engagement was made. 

As you could notice, I didn’t mention promotion at all, although without marketing and

networking you won’t get too far. You need to work on your brand first, then you can think about reach. A new listener will pay attention to your look, the cover artwork. It’s sad how many artists still think all it takes to achieve success is to have great music and to reach as many people as possible. Thats a logical idea, but its madness. The truth of it all. Its a tough industry, but if you use the legit and effective tools to get your brand noticed, this could lead to that “Dream come true.”   

#LeslieMac

iExperience...SXSW

I'm back home and headed to Virdiko’s annual  “Monday after SXSW DJ mixer.” But before I get fixated on that, I have to report on a horrible iExperience at SXSW. The “i" in iExperience stands for "Independent." This HORRIBLE iExperience is one that nearly all artists have seen sometime in their career. Have you ever thought that the "Good promoting idea," is the "Bad promoting idea?” 

Indie artist’s have a goal and a dream to perform during the music week of SXSW. This yearly event can set the mood for your music career and spark new ideas that could lead

you down the path of, "music turn-up!" But to those artist who don't have a stage to perform on, being there in the trenches of 6th street, gives them the hope that they can make the connection to the fans. From my #Meerkat app, I streamed live from #SXSW2015. I saw the hard work from many artists...on the ground. Yup, the ground became an ugly reality of what may happen to a artists project. I'm never ever ever ever (in my Smokey voice) going to discourage from promoting, but I will always encourage you to seek out the effective outlets and ways to get your music to the public. Hopefully something I say helps you gain a fan or two, or even a hundred. 

Standing out is hard work no matter what method you come up with. Fans want to know

what makes you unique. How are you presenting your music? The way you present your music gives you the advantage over the not so serious artist. These not so serious artist dilute the independent music genre. I suggest you make the DJ your fan. Whenever I go out, I would hear Definition DJ, DJ Papa Ron name in songs. Artists know he's spinning indie artists records. In my head I hear Slim Polk’s “Tattoos” playing..."Papa Ron got the club crunk!" In order to sustain your career you must provide the fans a unique iExperience. If the DJ is your fan…Give him a shout out! This type of attention could give you an edge and could lead to you getting shows. And you know shows are always career milestones. 

Let's just put things into perspective, and hopefully this won't fall on deaf ears. In the words of Coach Diana Williams..."YOU BETTER BRING IT!" Shout out to the Dancing

Dolls…#DD4L! But seriously, I would rather talk about Hot New Music instead, of the "Hot Mess" that covered thesidewalk. The “Hot Mess” that made Austin's 6th street look like a dumping ground for unwanted CDs. When I see artist with chains and medallions on and belt buckles shaped like 2 G's 😜, the mystery is solved on why the CD presentation is so lack luster...👎❗️ Dressing up your project is the most important thing after the sound has been mastered. Let’s take care of music!

SXSW is still growing believe it or not. More stages and venues are opening up, and to an indie artist, performing during the music industry's biggest week is the ultimate iExperince. But priorities need to be addressed people. During SXSW I was asked to do some marketing and promoting for

Ludacris, Wale, Big Krit, and a few more DefJam Artists. You can imagine what kind of attention I received from Indie Artists, “Check me out…Listen my mans and them…etc.” At the end of my first day of collecting CDs, I found a trend amongst the indie artist…paper sleeves and artwork thats nothing more than contact info. This is unacceptable…SMH. I Know...I Know, I've said it before, but it's not clicking...PRESENTATION people! Music is alive, it breathes, and it evolves. Dress the music up properly and then send it to the people. Let the fans bug the DJ to play your track. The best iExperience, is when your song comes on and you didn't have to ask for that spin. But hey, I completely understand this career choice cost and I can recommend a simple start. My blog community has a very instant response system that will tell it like it is before you put your hard work out there. Submit me your music to Fluence, and watch what happens…the iExperience that you're looking for. 

#LeslieMac