How to Make it in the Music Business Today - An insider's Guide to the Cold Hard Realities! Part 2 of 3

I get at least 1 new singer or rapper each month asking me for advice or help with their music career. I love to help when I can but there are some basics that today's aspiring musicians need to know and do before they approach anyone who might want to help.

Alright, here is a link to the first 3 points you need to know if you missed them. Before you read all of this just know it is honest advice to help you not to coddle you like a baby. You have friends and family for that already. You need to know what to do and if you really have a chance to become a music star today. So sit down and learn something.

Here we go!

4. The record industry is signing 360 deals which means that instead of only stealing money from your record royalties, they now want to control all of your revenue streams and potentially steal from you no matter where you make money. This is the new normal at the major labels. Their pitch to you is that they will know you better than anyone else and since they are all connected to film, TV and other companies they can create more opportunities for you outside of music. Technically this is true. But they rape you on a record deal so why would you want to put your entire career into their hands. Mot artists work so hard doing other things because record companies do not pay them fairly. I have said repeatedly probably only 10% of the artists you love have recouped their record advances meaning they still owe the record company money and are not making any royalties, they are only getting advances from them for their next record. Why would record companies continue putting out albums for artists not making them any money. It is because they are making money, it is just the artists who are not. Now they want this model for all of your business activities and to be able to cross-collateralize meaning to take money you make from one area to pay for another area. It is a scam that will cost you most of your money even if you are successful.

How bad do you want this label on your record? How much would you pay?

5.Understand completely every aspect of the business from writing to production deals to record contracts to touring to what and how you will be paid. If not you are an idiot and you will be treated like one. There is no middle ground here. Yes this takes time and yes it is difficult but the stories about rich looking broke ass artists are everywhere. Do not think you will be special. Learn how the business works. Take a damn class.

6. Only 1 in 20 record company people directly connected with the music actually knows anything about making or marketing music. This is a big one. Record executives today rely on music producers to bring them the next big thing. They will not risk their jobs on betting whether you are that next big thing and besides hardly any of them can pick the next big thing. They have no training and no ears. Instead they will sign Little Wayne's pick to be the next big thing. So talking to an A&R person about the quality of your raps, is a waste of time for two reasons. 1. He cannot really tell if your music is good and 2. he probably does not have the power to sign you without Little Wayne giving you the thumbs up. So, if you see Little Wayne or some other Superstar artist, he's your man. If you do not know Little Wayne or someone comparable, and cannot find or invent ways to get to that person, and you do not do what #1 on the list says, you will not make it in the business. Period.

7. Just because you know and like someone does not mean he or she is musically talented. If your brother is a great guy, it does not mean he is a good singer, rapper, drummer, etc. And, you need to be prepared to dump these people and move on without them if they are not good enough. I have been brought bands that were great except the drummer was terrible and I have been really honest with them saying you have to lose the drummer if you want to make it or take the year and get him better knowing he may not actually get better and you just wasted a year. 90% of the time I am told that the band will not drop the drummer. I have never seen one of these bands prove me wrong and I have never seen one make it. I am not being cruel here, but the public will not buy bad music because the drummer is a good guy and he is an original band member. They don't care. They want quality for their hard earned money and they deserve it. You all have to be superstars. If one or more of you is not good, it is just a fact. Give that person some money when you get rich. By the way, if you are the one in the group who sucks please forward this to the other members of your band.

Alright now pick yourself up off the floor because you are having a reality check and it is an important one. You need to know what is waiting for you out there and hopefully you are beginning to get the picture. And the best part is there is more education coming and all for free. See how much I like you. Part 3, the finale is next and coming soon!!!!!!!!