play your position

  • Thread starter Thread starter gullyjewelz
  • Start date Start date
gullyjewelz

gullyjewelz

New member
is a rather frequently used expression in hip hop but it is not yet hackneyed (IMO)

any way --

are there any people on this board that feel as though they have skills for marketing, managing . . . and want to work with those who have artist skills ?


i ask because i am an artist and i feel as though im damm good in that category (true enough, the truth of that sentiment remains to be seen)

but im terrible at marketing, managing, hyping up folk n what not

im lookin to find some other people to work with (hell even Jay Z is focusing on music talent and letting other people hit the streets, hit the stores, etc.)

any folk who wanna play the position they know they can slam out!!!!
 
I wish I could help ya, but I'm more in your position. I found that including a friend or close aquaintance into your project will make them more likely to help you out. I have a friend now who I throw on songs here and there and he's my number one fan and salesperson. He'll hang out at the mall for 8 hours handing stuff out and playing stuff for people all day long with no pay. He does this because he cares and he know that if I ever blow up or whatever, he'll be included and his work would have paid off. Don't just pick some random person you don't know that well, though. This works for me because we've known each other since day one and are real close friends.

Obviously, I'm not talking professional management, as you may be, but it certainly helps to have a hype man who will do anything to help you out. But be prepared to return the favor if need be. When he got kicked out of his house, I was the first person he turned to... lol.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps,

-Springfield
 
This is why I'll add more artists to the Hammerback Records label. Since they know it's start up and we're trying to make it all work, they're willing to help put out word of mouth (especially since they're not paying for studio time, beats, album artwork, or CD duplication). That's the trade off I'd have. They become my "street team" while I sit in the studio and make shit bang so it can push.

Additionally like Nick said, you can have friends on your shit too, hell you can have friends even become artists, but make sure that you protect yourself on that one because one bad argument can turn a good friend into a lethal enemy.

As a matter of fact, when I did my first CD, I had one of my friends do a few features. Truth be told, I even ghost wrote the lyrics for him, just so he could be on the CD and brag about it to females. But since he was always at the clubs, that helped push a lot of my shit because he'd sell to hoes and then the hoes would like it and tell other people where to get it. I made about 200 sales just off of that in a few months.

I think you can make it work, but you have to be a businessman, not just an artist. That means you have to know how to get things done. You kind of have to wear many many hats.
 
Last edited:
i feel u on everything said -- i just git frustrated an tired of always having to do that shit!!!!!

hell, especially if a dude is wack!!!! lol

i catch hell workin wit some folk - cuz its hella hard gittin them to understand certain principles . . . timing, delivery, etc.!!!
 
Like they say, it's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it. I think what I hate most of all is having to tell someone that they're wack. I don't do that shit to be mean, but I won't bold face lie to them either. If I think I can work them out of that, I've been known to take on a few mentors just to get some fundamentals down and give them more insight.
 
yeah well thats where im at wit one particular guy -- im still fluctuating on whether or not im gon say somethin to him about it -- at first he was just a "client" who paid for studio time, but now he wants US to do a song together . . .
 
I wouldn't do that. If you're not feelin' him on a personal level, just tell him that you'd rather stick to the business relationship that the two of you have. Most of the time when people who have paid me before want me to do extra work, they eventually come to believe that I'll do whatever for them for free. If I had interest in making them a part of my shit, I'd tell them so. Otherwise, I'd tell them that I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that because of the business relationship but would have other artists who might be willing to contribute at little or no charge.
 
Hey if it works use that shit mayne...just not on me LOL.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top