My Hip Hop project. how to get heard?

[Jsilver]

Hi
I’m from Italy , i live in Italy and i’m working from months to an Hip Hop project with 3 interesting guys (1girl , 2 boys).
I think my stuff is cool and hot enough for the pop out , I’ve just finished the most commercial 3 tracks. Everybody would like them, I’m sure. The girl (17) is very pretty and the boys (20) are cool. They are from Ghana but American mother tongue with Hip Hop in the brain and in the blood.
What about in contacting A/R directly? How to get them listen to my tracks and to my project? From Italy it’s hard to get a referral or a lawyer how they ask.
I know I’m at a disadvantage but like anyone I’d like to have my opportunity.
Which is in your opinion , now that we got a lot of tracks ready , the best way to get heard?
I‘ve bought ‘Music Power’ book but I don’t think it’s enough.
Any suggestion please?

Thanks
Js

[bknot1]

Aiight..having the the book "The Music Powers that Be" http://www.musicpowers.com is have of what you need...its supplies good contacts for shopping your demo's, beats ,songwriting, etc

Contacting A&R's are some what hard to do.. and mailing Demo's to them without knowing..1/2 the time they dont listen to them..if they do its no more then 30 secs and song..unless it catches their attention..

you can also pickup the The January / February 2006 A&R Registry (Single issue)
The Music Business Registry http://www.getsigned.com/Merchant2/m...ct_Code=ARREG1 and/or

2006 Songwriter's Market Directory: How and Where to Market Your Songs
http://www.dcmusicstore.com/s.nl/sc....it.A/id.696/.f

both are helpfull in finding record labels, a&r's, attorneys, etc..

also you need to have a buzz in your area, show that you are packing clubs, doing opening acts for shows.. and sellin a good number of CDs that show that you are doin big things out where you are..

and create a nice press kit for you group..

good luck

[Murdock Jones]

Salve player.....I would say, if you have enough material to make a complete record. Package it with a nice cover, and start selling it, and also have your group do as many shows as possible. You want to start what's called a "buzz" You need to make sure that everyone in your city, in Roma, in Venice, in Florence who's into hip hop knows about you and your group. I was there this past summer, and I know how much hip hop is alive in Roma. Go to Germany too, they're big on hip hop. You got to get out there and hustle my man. Once you got that buzz going strong, the A/R's will find you. Nowadays it's very rare that companies will sign an act without them already proving that they can sell. And trust me, if you get that buzz going on radio they WILL find you. Fortunate!

[BeatsBuY]

Well, first make a complete album. And first and most part make a buzz for yourself. Make sure you have your label and business together. If an A&R or record company comes up to you and asks questions, make sure you have everything done to the max. They'll ask:

Do you have a manager? YES!
Do you have a label? YES!
Do you have a fan base? YES!
Do you have publishing? YES!
How many units have you sold?
What's your budget?
How many spins on the radio do you have?
Shows?
Do you have a hit?

The question used to be, "Do you have talent?" But now it's all about the numbers. Labels ask, "Can we make money of this act without spending big money?" If you don't have fans and have not pushed large units on your own, it's harder to make it. That's how it is. I'm just gonna tell you...

So first get you business together, and then work on your craft. I say business first cause then all you have to worry about is the final product.

Also, hit the DJ at the clubs to spin your single. Mind Motion has really been playing our single and that's what you need. Find a way to get a big DJ to spin. If you get a big DJ to feel your track, he goes everywhere to spin it when he tours.

Oh ya, VERY IMPORTANT! If you are going to be the manager, make sure you keep everyting on track. Cause that's what a manager is for. An artist should only think about the music and perfecting his/her craft. Before, I wasn't a manager. I thought I'd just mix and record stuff. I'd have the artist go to clubs and try to do the networking. That doesn't work. The artist lost his craft cause he did to much of the business. For a year, we got no where. Then I said, man I'm gonna manage everything. You just stay on your craft. Stay in the lab and do what you do. I got the business. It was over after that!