What does it take to make it?

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BeatsBuY

BeatsBuY

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I have people come up and ask me, "I want to get signed or how do I sell my tracks?" Well, first off this industry isn't easy. Especially now in hip hop where it is saturated with rappers and producers. So how do you make yourself seen?

1. It takes a uniqueness and devotion. You also need that musical gift. (It my take you 10 years to get noticed and create a following.)

2. Perfect your craft. Practice at your craft everyday. Eat, sleep, and dream of making music. Get educated! Take music classes. If you want to be a producer, take audio classes. Have you ever heard of a person who wakes up and says, "I'm going to be in the NBA today!" No, that doesn't happen. You have to work at it! And if you don't put in work, you already know the outcome. (I always looked at it like sports. If you know your're good at basketball, you play and work everday. You want that scollarship! So you work and you get that scholarship to college. *You can do the same thing for music! Work hard in school and get that scholarship to college for the arts or music.)

3. Once you have your craft perfected and got all the education, get it out there. Go to clubs perform and get connections. If you're a beat maker, make remixes and get DJs to play it. In this industry, connections are everything. Be confidant! But, DO NOT nag people...

4. Network on the web. Make a website with all your work. Make a portfolio. Join forums and get yourself out there.

5. Now that your networking and know people are feeling what you're doing. You need to get your business together BEFORE you do anything. Register you business name or label. Get Publishing with ASCAP under your label name. Make a business bank account. Study contracts and make your own. Have business cards made. Learn how to copyright. The more you know, the less you will get screwed in this industry...
(I recommend taking some music business classes so you know how to move in this industry.)

6. Now that you have a name for yourself and have your business together, it's time to make money. You have already invested time and money to get where you are, now it's time for get back! Sell CDs. If you're an artist, make a CD and sell it. You already made a fan base and networked. Now contact everyone you networked with and sell your CD. It also promotes you. If you are a producer, sell your beats. Go to big studios and see who is there. Network and say you produce. You can start selling beats for $50 then go all the way up to $1000 as your name gets out there and you work with bigger artists.

These are just a few points I've written down over the years. There are LOTS more to know about. That's why we have this forum. Holla if you have comments or questions... :D
 
Great stuff! Thanks BB!

I'd like to add a couple of things.. Feel free to critique them, as you are admittedly further up the food chain than myself..

Make that portfolio BB talked aobut, and keep it updated. A portfolio to me is a folder documenting your works, containing photos of artists or people you've worked with, goals for the future, etc.... Make it professional!

In additon....Keep CD-Rs (with matching jewel case, insert, and a copy of your biz card), with your top 4 pieces of work, within reach, AT ALL TIMES. That means at your job, in the car, on the coffee table and wherever you can think of that makes sense...

Ask questions!!!!

Here's one that I have been meaning to do...

Make a cd-r of motivational music.. People you look up to... People who keep your vibe going... Then when ya get down.. Go drivin' and slip it in... Get pumped and GO BACK TO WORK! Two example songs for me are, The Roots - Water and Nas - Live Now...

Keep a voice recorder and/or a notepad with you. Sometimes I have lyrics to write, other times I want to hum a melody or beatbox a beat into the voice recorder (it'll prolly sound goofy but it gets the job done). At the minimum keep a pen or pencil for the old school napkin lyrics (ala Jimi Hendrix)...

Here's somethin' I should do more often....

When you're itching to go buy that new piece of equipment that you prolly don't need, spend at least an hour learning a new techique with what you do have... There are obvious benefits to this...

Don't limit yourself to listening to one genre of music... Expand your horizons... You don't have to produce multiple genres, but you'd be smart to at least plant the seed now instead of later (when you change your mind)....

Thanks Beats!! You're a leader in our community here!!!
 
GREAT TIPS peritus! Yes! Yes! Things I didn't add you got em...

Now, peritus and everyone, as you know my goal is to give good producer resources. I've been revamping my site a lot. I don't want my site to be there just to sell beats, but to help and educate. I've been searching the web for hot links and have posted them. I've also added a resource forum page in which you can add your comments and such. Anyone who wants to add comments or questions feel free. Now, to me this is the beat forum I have ever come across. On the real! I in no way want to hijack comments, you know what I mean... Instead I just want to help and give as much resources as I can provide. I've added a guest-list and classifieds also. et's keep the education flowin.

check it out let me know what you think.
http://s13.invisionfree.com/BeatsBuY/index.php?showtopic=11
 
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I'm gonna check that out... Got one more to add here real quick...

When the motivational cd doesn't work.. Pick up a biography of someone you respect... I've really gotten a lot of them...I've read about lots of people and it really puts things in perspective (especially those first few chapters ;) )...

Thanks...
 
BeatsBuY said:
Man, you got real wisdom also... Let it flow...
Click to expand...

LOL.. Thanks... Guess it makes sense to repost this over at your site.. That cool? I see that matching thread...
 
peritus said:
LOL.. Thanks... Guess it makes sense to repost this over at your site.. That cool? I see that matching thread...
Click to expand...

Ya, there's a lot of good info here that I'd like to add to my site. But, I think I'll just link to the pages. But, feel free to add to mine. :D It's all good... You guys can add any links you got too that will help under "Promotion".
 
Especially The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the Tupac Ressurection book.
 
BeatsBuY said:
I have people come up and ask me, "I want to get signed or how do I sell my tracks?" Well, first off this industry isn't easy. Especially now in hip hop where it is saturated with rappers and producers. So how do you make yourself seen?

1. It takes a uniqueness and devotion. You also need that musical gift. (It my take you 10 years to get noticed and create a following.)

2. Perfect your craft. Practice at your craft everyday. Eat, sleep, and dream of making music. Get educated! Take music classes. If you want to be a producer, take audio classes. Have you ever heard of a person who wakes up and says, "I'm going to be in the NBA today!" No, that doesn't happen. You have to work at it! And if you don't put in work, you already know the outcome. (I always looked at it like sports. If you know your're good at basketball, you play and work everday. You want that scollarship! So you work and you get that scholarship to college. *You can do the same thing for music! Work hard in school and get that scholarship to college for the arts or music.)

3. Once you have your craft perfected and got all the education, get it out there. Go to clubs perform and get connections. If you're a beat maker, make remixes and get DJs to play it. In this industry, connections are everything. Be confidant! But, DO NOT nag people...

4. Network on the web. Make a website with all your work. Make a portfolio. Join forums and get yourself out there.

5. Now that your networking and know people are feeling what you're doing. You need to get your business together BEFORE you do anything. Register you business name or label. Get Publishing with ASCAP under your label name. Make a business bank account. Study contracts and make your own. Have business cards made. Learn how to copyright. The more you know, the less you will get screwed in this industry...
(I recommend taking some music business classes so you know how to move in this industry.)

6. Now that you have a name for yourself and have your business together, it's time to make money. You have already invested time and money to get where you are, now it's time for get back! Sell CDs. If you're an artist, make a CD and sell it. You already made a fan base and networked. Now contact everyone you networked with and sell your CD. It also promotes you. If you are a producer, sell your beats. Go to big studios and see who is there. Network and say you produce. You can start selling beats for $50 then go all the way up to $1000 as your name gets out there and you work with bigger artists.

These are just a few points I've written down over the years. There are LOTS more to know about. That's why we have this forum. Holla if you have comments or questions... :D
Click to expand...

have you taken music business classes? which ones?
 
peritus said:
In additon....Keep CD-Rs (with matching jewel case, insert, and a copy of your biz card), with your top 4 pieces of work, within reach, AT ALL TIMES. That means at your job, in the car, on the coffee table and wherever you can think of that makes sense...

Ask questions!!!!

Here's one that I have been meaning to do...

Make a cd-r of motivational music...

Keep a voice recorder and/or a notepad with you.

Here's somethin' I should do more often....
When you're itching to go buy that new piece of equipment that you prolly don't need, spend at least an hour learning a new techique with what you do have... There are obvious benefits to this...

Don't limit yourself to listening to one genre of music... Expand your horizons...
Click to expand...

Man you're right in my head homie.

I only buy CD-Rs to burn copies of my music...I use DVDs for data backup purposes.

Can't get anywhere without asking questions. People are more likely to give you information you need (without just blowing you off as a leech) if you take a genuine approach in what you do and you come with a professional attitude.

Hmm, I dunno if you do this Peritus, but I mix in tracks from artists I like with tracks that I've done myself. What inspires me is outdoing the last track I did.

Oh by the way, if you don't have a voice recorder, most cell phones these days work perfectly for that, and no one will look at you funny when you get an idea in the car and you're by yourself. I do that when I get ideas with no pad...or a melody I want to make later.

Also good point about the equipment. I've saved a LOT of money doing that. For instance, I wanted to get an MPC 1K. I debated on it for months...then I decided, why should I do that when I have Reason, Cubase SX, and a laptop? Kind of defeated the purpose for me. The beats and knowhow is what makes the money...not the gear entirely.

And as far as expanding into different genres...I think everybody should go through an experimental stage at least 3 times a year. Experiments either succeed or fail, but regardless of the outcome, you've learned something to help elevate your game.
 
Fieva said:
Man you're right in my head homie.
Click to expand...

Hey.. Thanks man! With all the talent we got here... We're the Hip Hop's Next Generation!!

Fieva said:
I only buy CD-Rs to burn copies of my music...I use DVDs for data backup purposes.
Click to expand...

Good idea with the DVDs... I keep an external firwire drive for backups... I should have DVDs too though... I lost everything once upon a time.. I got so pissed that I didn't work for months... I never shoulda let either thing happen.. lol

Fieva said:
Can't get anywhere without asking questions. People are more likely to give you information you need (without just blowing you off as a leech) if you take a genuine approach in what you do and you come with a professional attitude.
Click to expand...

True, true.. I wish the spammers on my SoundClick board would get a clue when they ask for a look or collabs...Ugh!

Fieva said:
Hmm, I dunno if you do this Peritus, but I mix in tracks from artists I like with tracks that I've done myself. What inspires me is outdoing the last track I did.
Click to expand...

I've just starting doing that.. Instrumentals of Dre, etc....

I bought a pack of 5 hi speed CD-RWs for the My Beats stuff.. That way, I can erase and reuse... Since I usually revamp a mix or somethin' within a day...

Fieva said:
Oh by the way, if you don't have a voice recorder, most cell phones these days work perfectly for that, and no one will look at you funny when you get an idea in the car and you're by yourself. I do that when I get ideas with no pad...or a melody I want to make later.
Click to expand...

Nice idea... Once I get a biz bank account, I'm gonna get me a biz cell to go with it ;) ...

Fieva said:
Also good point about the equipment. I've saved a LOT of money doing that. For instance, I wanted to get an MPC 1K. I debated on it for months...then I decided, why should I do that when I have Reason, Cubase SX, and a laptop? Kind of defeated the purpose for me. The beats and knowhow is what makes the money...not the gear entirely.
Click to expand...

Man... This must be a common thing... I'm right in the middle of a MPC hungerstrike... lol... I would love to take that thing with me wherever I go! I'm thinking laptop instead though, like you.. Since I already got my PC recording down..

Fieva said:
And as far as expanding into different genres...I think everybody should go through an experimental stage at least 3 times a year. Experiments either succeed or fail, but regardless of the outcome, you've learned something to help elevate your game.
Click to expand...

Agreed again.. I can't help but have genre swings.. lol.. It's been happenin' since I was a kid... Most kids my age weren't listening to Fats Domino or Jackie Wilson when I was 6.. lmao
 
This is why I like this forum. Only the real stay in. The backpackers usually head the other way when they can tell we know what we're talking about (and don't have shit to contribute)...and if we don't we have references to look to so that we all can learn about it.
 
KonradG said:
have you taken music business classes? which ones?
Click to expand...

We'll at first I didn't. Then I kept getting bad deals and screwed. So I had to take The Music Industry at SFSU.

The reason I have made a resource site and tell people what I've learned is becuase people don't have to go through what I did. I know the signs of freeloaders and scamers. All that bull really put me back to the starting line over and over. So, I can really help people get a straight road to success...

Like I said, you don't go though hardships for nothen. It's all worth it when you pass on your knowledge...

But, what's also cool here is that cats make points that I may have not said. Everyone's up on their game...
 
Peritus, after I lost the first batch of beats I ever did with Reason, I was mad as fuck that I didn't at least keep the reason files on multiple backup sources. The refills and the sounds are easier to get back than the work you did. I make it a point to back up everything between the PC, the laptop and DVDs. I like that I can backup a whole session from Cubase on a DVD disc (with all audio files included) and still have space for about 8 more tracks.
 
Fieva said:
Peritus, after I lost the first batch of beats I ever did with Reason, I was mad as fuck that I didn't at least keep the reason files on multiple backup sources. The refills and the sounds are easier to get back than the work you did. I make it a point to back up everything between the PC, the laptop and DVDs. I like that I can backup a whole session from Cubase on a DVD disc (with all audio files included) and still have space for about 8 more tracks.
Click to expand...

No doubt... I luckily had most of the RNS files... Gonna have to buy one of those DVD burners...
 
Fieva said:
Peritus, after I lost the first batch of beats I ever did with Reason, I was mad as fuck that I didn't at least keep the reason files on multiple backup sources. The refills and the sounds are easier to get back than the work you did. I make it a point to back up everything between the PC, the laptop and DVDs. I like that I can backup a whole session from Cubase on a DVD disc (with all audio files included) and still have space for about 8 more tracks.
Click to expand...

Very good point. Let's make a tutorial on good ways to back up your work with drives and back up software...
 
FEIVA SAID:
"Also good point about the equipment. I've saved a LOT of money doing that. For instance, I wanted to get an MPC 1K. I debated on it for months...then I decided, why should I do that when I have Reason, Cubase SX, and a laptop? Kind of defeated the purpose for me. The beats and knowhow is what makes the money...not the gear entirely."




You know, I just got this MIDI controller that looks and feel like the MPC. It's awesome, and it's totally lightweight, it's thin, it's a good thing. So, if you want that hands on feel of the pads you could check that out. It's cheap too. This is the one I have, but Akai makes one too that is about $50 cheaper and I hear it's good too.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/MIDI/Controllers?sku=703614


I don't know if y'all can use something like that, but I like using my drum machines (Alesis SR-16, Zoom Rhythmtrak 123...etc) for the pads and the feel, but if I'm using samples from Logic or Reason I hate programming drums on a keyboard. It doesn't feel right, and this baby fixes the problem.
 
wakeup....I knew you were gonna go to the trigger finger LOL. Me personally, I can go either way with the feel when I do my drums...pads or keys. I've used both for so long it doesn't matter. I hear the trigger finger and the akai mpc version are good, but I'm thinking about the m-audio ozonic controller strictly for the PC and then leaving the oxygen8 strictly for the laptop.
 
Man, the Trigger Finger! How did I not see this? I've been out of the loop for a minute on new hot ish.... Gonna get one...
 
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