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| April 30, 2009 |
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| Just My Thoughts |  |
Have you ever heard of, or do you remember this: "to da tick tock you don't stop, to da tick tock you don't stop"? Or this: "just wave your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care"? |
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| Now this is the hit; of the latter there are also two types: the ones you listen to where every line you can tell the next line coming and, those who intrigue by continually bring heat while keeping you guessing as to what’s coming next. I love the last type! As far as music production goes, it’s very simple to me. I don’t mean to offend but let me be clear; taking 5 or 6 sampled pieces, putting them together in time without originating any of the instrumentation through the use of musical talent does not make someone a producer! That’s not a diss to beginners or hobbyist; if that’s how you learn, do your thing. That being said, being a music producer entails much more than sampling which is why I do it sparingly. Producers make music that’s organic. It’s alive. For example, some of the best samples ever turned into hit songs for MC’s were from groups like Earth Wind & Fire, Roger Troutman and Zapp, or James Brown and his band. Live instruments, live players and live artistry. Producers make music that breaths life just as great MC’s take words and imprint images in our minds! Check the history. Nearly anyone with very little talent or musical skill can take a sample construction kit and make a beat. Really!?! Long live the real art and the real artist. Nahmean? -REL |
| What's New? | |
- TLC 520 - Spoken Word
- Tech Bounce - Club Flavor
- Big Bottom - Other Flavor
- Blast Off - Club Flavor
- Story Time - East Coast
This is only the 2nd edition of the newsletter, and I'm already adding a new section: Other Stuff.
I wanted a place where I could touch on other stuff that doesn’t necessarily fit into any of the other sections. For example: firsts. Because the site is still new, there are a lot of first things happening.
Other Stuff will also be where I'll answer subscriber questions and send my shout outs. If you stimulate my thinking, I’ll halla back!
This is your last reminder that the introductory pricing for beats will end tonight at midnight. Don't miss out on an opportunity to save $10 on the beat that matches your vision.
Please add info@scr-entertainment.com to your whitelist or address book in your email program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!
| Other Stuff | |
The first subscriber (that wasn’t someone I already knew) was Mirek from Poland.
The first purchase from the site came from Natasha from Canada (which makes her our first international customer). Natasha was also the first to buy again and the first to buy multiple beats in one purchase – nice! (Look for Natasha’s testimonial on the site.)
I could go crazy with these firsts, and I might; however, what I really want to share is the joy I’m receiving when I have a first experience that involves you. As the site grows you will see how you are a part of it. Let’s do a first together!
Lastly, I wanted to say I am inspired daily by all the great feedback I get from subscribers. All the love is appreciated.
Big shout to MC Switch in the UK who said "Your beats r sick its ah pleasure spitting over them"
Big shout to Beau Dangerous from New Zealand who said "I really dig the Jay -Z remix of dirt off yah shoulder I believe in my heart Jay would like it, it's clean fresh and not too processed". [Personal note to Beau: Thank you for sharing the additional info in your email. You're never too old to pursue your dreams - keep it moving!]
| Wisdom From The Grind | |
No exaggeration; I have had this conversation more than 100 times with artists and groups I’ve worked with: who is your audience?
Much can be said about people not wanting to be categorized; however, like it or not that’s how things work. Categorizing helps finding a particular thing easier. Check the library and see how things are set up.
Grocery stores categorize shopping isles. Business magazines cater to different areas of business; Black Enterprise focuses on African-Americans; Entrepreneur focuses on entrepreneurs; Forbes focuses on the largest corporations in the world. While each magazine is about business, they focus on a different audience in the business community.
So who is your target audience? In my experience, many artists resist categorization not because of the implied artistic limitation, but because of the work and responsibility involved in deciding to direct their creative output. As an artist you can do your music however you like; however, making money with your music will require that you know who wants it.
Just because you rap and may be crazy with swagger doesn’t mean everyone will love your work. Jay Z, Hannah Montana and Pearl Jam have all gone platinum but let me be clear about this; only one of them got any money from me. The other two acts got their money from a different group of music lovers.
You can’t get everybody, but you can get yours! In order to get paid, know who wants what you do.
Wisdom from the grind: know your audience!
| Featured Project | |
I’m also pleased to share that I have completed the first Spoken Word track called TLC 520. More raw West Coast and Spoken Word tracks are close to dropping as well as the first Dirty South track.
Keep your ears to the site so you can be among the first to sample the flavor and make a great purchase for your project.
Feel The Bang!
| Quote Of The Week | |
It's interesting how something so ol' school can ring true today. I never cared much for Shakespeare when I was in school, but here he was clearly saying "keep it real".
"This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
- Shakespeare; 1564 - 1616, English poet and playwright.
| About Roger E Lear | |
He has built his career as a full time music producer by providing excellent quality music production and song writing services. You can learn more about REL at BanginBeatsByREL.com/About REL.
You can also find REL online at:
| Twitter: Twitter.com/RELTheProducer |
MySpace: MySpace.com/REL_42
MySpace: MySpace.com/RELCreations
MySpace: MySpace.com/SmoothComposition
Facebook: Facebook.com/Roger E Lear