Accomplishing Dreams

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tone_aot

tone_aot

Owner of ToneJonez.com
Whasup peeps. I'm really inspired at the moment. I just watched Last Holiday, starring Queen Latifah. If you don't know about the movie, she learns that she has three weeks to live and tries to fulfill her dreams in her last days. It really made me think. People are so slow about getting things done but if they had three weeks to live, what would they do? The movie is about basically living life to the fullest and accomplishing your dreams. I am so inspired by that movie. I would like to make music for artists of all types of genres and also be a part of recording/mixing. I have more than enough musical talent to make it in the industry. I don't know how to get heard by the right people. I've been makin music for almost 18 years, and i turn 21 next month. I'd really like to just pursue my music career and put away all the fears and doubts but i'll be going back to school in the fall for a Health degree. I plan to get my degree, land a job, then work on my music career. It's so hard to wait tho. I would even take a job being an assistant to a beatmaker just to get in. All i need is a foot in the door and i would be able to wow them. I'm not tooting my horn but God has blessed me with a very musical ear. Sometimes, it seems as if music is the only thing i can do right. When people ask me to put music to their songs, i can hear all the music in my head as they are singing. Music is the only thing i'm 100% confident about. That movie made me wanna work hard to find connects, or whatever i got to do to get heard. The thing is i'd love to be able to make money and have fun at the same time. The greatest joy to me would be taking some of my earnings, and helping people. I have a big heart and i'm tired of seeing all these people in the struggle. I know that i'm going to be a success one day, but it's up to me to make that day happen. I'm so inspired!!
 
I know yall tired of reading, but here's some more info. Right now, i'm producing/engineering for myself, my gospel rap group, and a female artist from my church. I'm really good with producing rap artists to sound lively because i know how the rap genre sounds and i rap. With the artist from my church, she is a singer. I know how singing should sound but my voice cannot replicate what i hear in my head. I hear alot of things she could do with her voice at times but i'm too ashamed to just sing it. By working with her, i've noticed that i need to really enhance my skills as an overall artist producer. I want the artist to really have fun and get into the music so that i can record some awesome takes. What is the best way to do that?
 
You gotta just Do It!!

1. Working with a femaile vocalist you have to sing wat you hear and work with her to develope a listening relationship so ya'll can communicate through wat sounds good. That way she will learn with you instead of being upset at the time its taking to accomplish a song.

2. You must sell your beats to all types of people to fully understand what is really going on in the music scene around you. As a christian i know its frustrating bein over looked in your genre of music by main stream hardheads but you must be persistant and go to those events that cater to you and your style of music which really isn't that hard. You gotta do church concerts around your city and neighborhood to build up your credibility and respect with all the local artist which will open the doors to many other possibilities.

3. And this may sound harsh but you have to distinguish the difference between fun and work when in the studio. I know you want to make the experience fun for all which makes the work speed go faster but this only depends on the maturity of everyone and there experience. Easiest way to make the environment fun loving is to be into what your working on with the artist, tell them that this just might be the one that gets ya'll out there. But don't lie about it, believe in yourself and the drive of the artist your working with. When you accomplish this you will truly enjoy what you do, cause it will surpass just being a task, it'll become an actual fun experience!
 
Thanks for the advice man. Just do it!! The pastor preached on that last sunday. It's hard for me to "just do it" alot of times because i worry too much about what people think. I'm having a recording session witht the female artist on sunday and when i hear some vocals that need to be added, i'm just going to sing em. She'll get the drift of what i'm trying to do. I would like to get voice lessons so i can be confident about singing. Until then, i gotta just do it. Thanks!
 
You on the right path..get your health degree...this way you have something to always fall back on.This business is getting harder and harder especially as a beatmaker...back in the late 80s It cost about 2800 for the industries favorite drum machine at the time...and computers werent really used much,like today.so The producer really had to have it in them to be a beatmaker......today with under 100 to get a beat program,the sacrifice aint there and any and everyone is making beats...so In order to make real money you gotta land a big artist with a big label.If i was you money would be my last priority at this time....build your name and reputation,i aint sure where you from,but be the go to guy in your region....If you are as heated as you say get a manager...not a buddy,or family member..get one who meets up with A&R,artists,label execs every week,someone who is up in the major studios....at that time get a lawyer as well.I know guys who have platinum songs on there resume and are broke....
so Its gut check time,you cant always rely on your close friends to gauge your talent...alot of yes men..the competition is tough,but as you see not always the best beatmakers are making the most money....laffy taffy...to have longevity,you will need to be able to make any kind of beat..eastcoast westcoast,samples,down south....as the game evolves or revolves you have to be able to supply the demand and the ones who can only do one kind of beat.there time will come and go.
its also a possibilities thta you just might wanna make extra money on the side,and with the same formula..build name and rep..thats the place to start as well.My boy made $20,000 just off a small chicano rap label..they have there own niche market and they got money(personally 90% are wack)

SO WHAT YA GONNA DO?
 
Thanks for the info 50. I'm already selling beats locally and trying to get my name out there. As for versatilty with beats, i can do any style. I live in south carolina right now. I need some connects to sell beats in other places. I wish i could hire a manager and lawyer but i don't make alot of money. I only make 10 bucks an hour and i have an "evaluation schedule". Only 16 hrs a week. Next week, i'm going to talk to my manager about how i can get more hours. If i could get the standard 40 or beyond, i'd make decent money for a college student. After i graduate, i'll make pretty good money. As far as my music career, i would like to work with Kanye West. I could add some really great stuff to his beats. My cousin hates when i do that. He'll make a beat and then go to erase it. I'll tell him to let me mess with it and it turns out tight. He doesn't realize that his stuff has crazy potential he just stops makin the beat too soon.
 
south carolina..damn you could probably find some rappers..make some albums..dont have to be high budget,and then slang at myrtle beach...the key is keep busy,ya dont have to wait for perfect opportunities...make it happen.When Im working with artists(I buy beats..I only make beats as a hobby,I buy because if they aint top quality..why bother...ohh and some of those songs on my myspace are from 94-95..) so These artists are like I wanna get such and such he is tight....sounds good....id rather have someone who wasnt as tight but was gonna get out and promote there careers...I hope ya following me...Ive did songs(I dont rap..I buy beats get rappers and making projects) with extremely talented rappers who have been on major releases....and I cant mess with them anymore cause they sitting back doing nothing....homie its like this get some young artists like yourself,but make sure they have the drive,and they want to suceed as much as you(cause they all say they do) you want to do a project and be able to rely on them getting away from there video games and promote,do shows,..whatever it takes...I have a few connects in this industry and beleive me some of these websites..the labels are keeping an eye on..they read the forums just like us...its there business to know who is making noise....so before you think across the board...be the king of south carolina,Im not sure if there are any rappers from there with deals right now..but if there is.slide some beats....at this point it aint about the money...you become the go to guy and the money will come...one of my friends was selling some beats and crooked I came through,and asked how much..my homie was like dont even trip...lets just record right now and do it...of course there will be alot who always want something for nothing...make sure its benefiting you or you will waste alot of time promoting someone elses career....I could go on and on...but the music game will always be around..so take baby steps and make each one count toward achieving your goals....so build your resume..the competition is deep...you have the production mastered...now master your sense of entrepreneurship..and business..thats what seperates the men from the boys the ones who get beat and the ones who are straight
 
just do what the guy in Hustle and flow did,
"im going to sing this, now i suck at singing, but this way youll know how to sing it".
that way its not serious and awkward.
 
At least you know your market and competition where you're at. That's #1 importante!
 
Thanks guys for supportin me. I don't know if yall have heard of mayfest, but the group i make beats for performed at mayfest today. They had mainstream artists perfoming today too. I know Rasheeda was there but i can't think of who else was there. I didn't go because i was busy today. I heard they have industry folks there so if they get signed, i'm gonna make sure i'm in on the production. I sure am glad i joined this forum. For a long time i wanted to talk about music but most people don't really wanna talk about it. Here, i can talk and learn all in one place. Great site!!
 
I have one more question concerning artists. How do you deal with pushy artists? I'm trying to help a female artist out but she is a very pushy person. I haven't recieved a dime or a thank you and i'm starting to get fed up. She is really demanding and i feel taken advantage of. I've been taken advantage of alot being a musician. Since i was using her dad's equipment for her album, i'm just going to ask for a little thank you money. It's her first project and she doesn't have the money to pay for all my services. What she doesn't realize is that i'm way more talented than what i've displayed to her and i'm held back simply because i feel taken advantage of. What should i do? Keep it real, or ride it out?
 
Welcome to the world of artists. Sometimes you get the pushy artist who thinks they're superstar material when the facts/figures say otherwise. It's kind of like muscleheads who think they're the shit because they're built like a Mack truck. Sometimes you just have to feed their ego a little bit.

If you're using her dad's equipment, then she's probably not realizing your talent as much as she should. She's probably also thinking "Well it's not his equipment, so why should I pay him for the arrangement". Yes, some people think like that, but don't let them take advantage of you. Call a favor a favor and leave it at that.

Fiev.
 
Thanks for the advice fieva. That is the attitude that i've been trying to keep the whole time. It just ticks me off sometimes when i think about how i use my gas to come help her out and she acts like she's my boss or something. She even said "You're going to have to leave your job. We gone go some places". I'm not leaving a paying job for a non-paying nightmare!
 
This is about accomplishing dreams right i want to be a hip hop artist im young and still have a lot to learn. Right now all i want to get is some gear so what do i need to make my own home studio.
 
tone_aot said:
Thanks for the advice fieva. That is the attitude that i've been trying to keep the whole time. It just ticks me off sometimes when i think about how i use my gas to come help her out and she acts like she's my boss or something. She even said "You're going to have to leave your job. We gone go some places". I'm not leaving a paying job for a non-paying nightmare!
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Yeah all these egotistical artist....yeah i got a deal pending.and all that other rooty-poo B.s. they be handing out....shes telling you leave your job.... shit tell her show you the budget she got from the label.....If there aint no budget bitch i aint going nowhere
 
lil_shorty said:
This is about accomplishing dreams right i want to be a hip hop artist im young and still have a lot to learn. Right now all i want to get is some gear so what do i need to make my own home studio.
Click to expand...
Ah there u are in the proper thread.
Like I said in the Studio thread; you need a computer, a soundcard (can be internal one you allready have in computer), a sequencer/recording piece of software, a microphone.
If you have a computer that can be used you might come away at 100USD for starters, maybe even less.
But of coz this will be gear that you hardly can make a record with. But you will be able to start and learn.
The price upwards for studio gear is allmost unlimited.
Tell us what computer you use and how much money you plan to put into it and we might be able to come up with good answers.
Vocal recording? Are you playing an instrument? etc.
The more info the better.
 
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