Music Industry

Early on in life I decided I wanted to do something with music because music keeps me motivated and found out I have a talent for it looking up to Tupac for the real talk flows and big words and Bone Thugz for the fast ryhmes I can spit and also learned how to rap fast from a friend of mine, a rapper in Denver named JondoE.

When I first got with my ex he brought me down and said it wouldnt be a good career (wanted me to be an at home mom) so I gave up and I changed my mind and I thought, why change who I wana be for somebody especially somebody I didnt last long with but I think Ima go after the opportunity again as a female rapper.

People say Im really good, had a music page on myspace but deleted it due to giving up but Im willing to try again after people giving me props and telling me to go for it so right now Ima work on a demo and send them to labels.

The label Im really after is Dopehouse Records. Why? Other than the black race that seems to be the only place that a chicano/native can get signed and hit Universal because other Chicano rappers you look at are underground such as Lil Rob, Mr. Capone-e, Etc. Im not hispanic, Im native but you know how we get mixed up especially in the critics of a music industry.

The rappers universal from Dopehouse records now are
•South Park Mexican
•Coast
•Pain
•Baby Bash
•Juan Gotti
•Grimm
•Lone Star Ridaz
•Major Riley
•Lucky Luciano
•Carolyn
•Baby Bash
•Powda
•Low G
•Ikeman
•Slantize
•Young Thug
•Paula DeAnda
•Paul Wall
•And More....

Anyways, I just hope I get it and Id appreciate it if I get the best of luck, so wish me luck.

Oh and give me some clues of the music industry and how things work, only if youre experienced, not what you think. Thanks

The music industry isn't something you should rely on as career until you get it started. You should go to college and get a good degree that will allow you to get a base job that you can work off of and potentially become the musician you want to be.

I hate to say it, but generally you'll end up on the streets if you don't have a back-up plan going into music, especially rapping.

Well, this can be a long drawn out subject or it can be short and sweet. It's all in how you take it I guess. The music industry can be a very painful industry. It's not about how good you are, it's about who you know. I know this first hand. I do Audio Engineering as a profession and went to school for audio also. I'm going to try and do this without name dropping too much.:D

Let's face it, if you do not know somebody that is in with the label you want to get in with, you will have a very hard time. I know guys who worked as janitors for labels for a long time before they were ever allowed to even SIT in on a session(a joe dirt style story huh, it's true though). I know guys who are hooked up with the same label KMK is on. One of the guys who engineers there if not mistaken, slept on couches for a long time before he went anywhere.

I work in the Live Sound side of the industry, I have seen people get jobs that do not have any sort of work ethic what so ever. Again, all because of who they know. I'm not saying that you have to know somebody, but, it is a HUGE part.

I am a firm believer in the fact that you can do anything you want in this life. That is the beautiful thing about it! If you perservere at anything you do, you will sooner or later be a success. If you get shot down by a label don't stop there and don't let it get you down(They will be very blunt with you, have you seen Simon on American Idol?). These guys are working with a lot of money and won't hesitate to tell you that you are not worth their investment.

Always remember:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dremas."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

The music industry isn't something you should rely on as career until you get it started. You should go to college and get a good degree that will allow you to get a base job that you can work off of and potentially become the musician you want to be.

I hate to say it, but generally you'll end up on the streets if you don't have a back-up plan going into music, especially rapping.

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Well I do have a back up job, pretty good pay now as a Masseuse. As far as music I know how it goes. Ive been rapping 8 years now, just havent got the label and you dont have to go to college for such as long as you get your stuff on track and know what youre doing. I know all that stuff therefore Im talking about the managing and label credits but thanks for the heads up.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

Well, this can be a long drawn out subject or it can be short and sweet. It's all in how you take it I guess. The music industry can be a very painful industry. It's not about how good you are, it's about who you know. I know this first hand. I do Audio Engineering as a profession and went to school for audio also. I'm going to try and do this without name dropping too much.:D

Let's face it, if you do not know somebody that is in with the label you want to get in with, you will have a very hard time. I know guys who worked as janitors for labels for a long time before they were ever allowed to even SIT in on a session(a joe dirt style story huh, it's true though). I know guys who are hooked up with the same label KMK is on. One of the guys who engineers there if not mistaken, slept on couches for a long time before he went anywhere.

I work in the Live Sound side of the industry, I have seen people get jobs that do not have any sort of work ethic what so ever. Again, all because of who they know. I'm not saying that you have to know somebody, but, it is a HUGE part.

I am a firm believer in the fact that you can do anything you want in this life. That is the beautiful thing about it! If you perservere at anything you do, you will sooner or later be a success. If you get shot down by a label don't stop there and don't let it get you down(They will be very blunt with you, have you seen Simon on American Idol?). These guys are working with a lot of money and won't hesitate to tell you that you are not worth their investment.

Always remember:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dremas."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Good Luck!

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Thank you so much, I needed that. I got all teary eyed haha but thanks. I appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by Diamond_1028

Well I do have a back up job, pretty good pay now as a Masseuse. As far as music I know how it goes. Ive been rapping 8 years now, just havent got the label and you dont have to go to college for such as long as you get your stuff on track and know what youre doing. I know all that stuff therefore Im talking about the managing and label credits but thanks for the heads up.

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So you have been rapping 8 years and don't know about label credits and all that stuff?

I seriously suggest you should take a music business class and learn the ropes before you try and approach a label. There is a lot to know about politics and such that I can not teach you in one day.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

So you have been rapping 8 years and don't know about label credits and all that stuff?

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Yea it was like a hobby for me than and starting at 12 years old in the studio in my uncles basement was hard to adjust. I started out with poetry, listening to Tupacs music, other music but I kept debating off and on about it. My uncle didnt have a label, it seemed like he was just doing it as a hobby also (he made apache music with his band so it was set to record and they played on the reservations, shows, etc). Than I wasnt worried but this time Im willing to look into it and just like the other guy my friend JondoE said, you gotta go after your dreams. I know alot of people are gonna put me down in such a thing but at least Im willing to give it a try and do more research but the advice you gave kinda helped.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

I seriously suggest you should take a music business class and learn the ropes before you try and approach a label. There is a lot to know about politics and such that I can not teach you in one day.

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If its something I gotta go through than I'll do it. Its no biggie to me even though people will say "its hard, you wont make it" than what do I gotta live for? Might as well give it a try. Ima go getting type of person.

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Originally Posted by Diamond_1028

If its something I gotta go through than I'll do it. Its no biggie to me even though people will say "its hard, you wont make it" than what do I gotta live for? Might as well give it a try. Ima go getting type of person.

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I was told by my whole family and a lot of friends that I would not make it in the industry...Guess what, I made it! Being a likable person helps too.

1: I envy anyone who knows anyone that knows KMK. lol.

2: If you want to get anywhere in the Rap industry...go BEYOND Tupac. Believe it or not, there are rappers out there that blow him away, lyrically. Listen to NAS. Especially his first album. SPM, Baby Bash, they are ok. Lil rob is decent. But not something I would shoot for.

Probably best to set your goals for a label that you feel to be the easiest route, but I wouldn't always try that. Not all latin artists are limited to Dopehouse. Pit bull isn't. He is pretty much a joke, but still lol. If you strive to make it in the business, then strive to make it to a label that actually sells. Baby Bash didn't get his 3-4 radio hits with Dopehouse, but with Universal and RCA. Like Tech Nine. He is on his own label for the most part, but STILL wants a contract with Universal, RCA, or Def Jam.

As for Paul Wall, he is on Swishahouse/Asylum. Not dopehouse. Another label group that is doing just above average for former underground labels.

Getting back to artists you should listen to, in order to get better lyrically, (because that's what SHOULD sell. Sadly with people like Lil Wayne who rhyme any and every word they can if it makes any sense or not ruined that.)

Lyfe Jennings, NAS, Common, Outkast, B-real(cypres hill), SOME Tech Nine...the rest is just comedy. Tech Nine is GREAT to get the speed down. Makes busta look slow lol. uhh...Del the funky homosapien, KRS-one, Public Enemy...

You want to get good, and get somewhere...meet someone who can take you places in the biz, and avoid sounding like the new main-stream rap. Because it is garbage.

Big L, Pun, IT, Gang starr, Common, Shadow, Psycho Realm, Cypress, Lighter shade of brown, Lord of the underground, pharcyde, nas, delinquent habits, kurious george, masta ace, movv deep, :D

Redman, Method man, Ghostface Killa, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rakim, Cam'ron, E-40, Mack 10, The Game..

You want to make it, do it big. Bring back real hip-hop, and stay away from stuff like Wayne and Soulja boy lol.

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Originally Posted by PyroPython

Redman, Method man, Ghostface Killa, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rakim, Cam'ron, E-40, Mack 10, The Game..

You want to make it, do it big. Bring back real hip-hop, and stay away from stuff like Wayne and Soulja boy lol.

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I hear ya on that one. Matter of fact, I DISLIKE Lil Wayne. I dont hate anyone, I just dislike him.

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Originally Posted by _Venom_

Big L, Pun, IT, Gang starr, Common, Shadow, Psycho Realm, Cypress, Lighter shade of brown, Lord of the underground, pharcyde, nas, delinquent habits, kurious george, masta ace, movv deep, :D

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Good rappers, not a fan of all of them though. I have few I dislike

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Originally Posted by PyroPython

1: I envy anyone who knows anyone that knows KMK. lol.

2: If you want to get anywhere in the Rap industry...go BEYOND Tupac. Believe it or not, there are rappers out there that blow him away, lyrically. Listen to NAS. Especially his first album. SPM, Baby Bash, they are ok. Lil rob is decent. But not something I would shoot for.

Probably best to set your goals for a label that you feel to be the easiest route, but I wouldn't always try that. Not all latin artists are limited to Dopehouse. Pit bull isn't. He is pretty much a joke, but still lol. If you strive to make it in the business, then strive to make it to a label that actually sells. Baby Bash didn't get his 3-4 radio hits with Dopehouse, but with Universal and RCA. Like Tech Nine. He is on his own label for the most part, but STILL wants a contract with Universal, RCA, or Def Jam.

As for Paul Wall, he is on Swishahouse/Asylum. Not dopehouse. Another label group that is doing just above average for former underground labels.

Getting back to artists you should listen to, in order to get better lyrically, (because that's what SHOULD sell. Sadly with people like Lil Wayne who rhyme any and every word they can if it makes any sense or not ruined that.)

Lyfe Jennings, NAS, Common, Outkast, B-real(cypres hill), SOME Tech Nine...the rest is just comedy. Tech Nine is GREAT to get the speed down. Makes busta look slow lol. uhh...Del the funky homosapien, KRS-one, Public Enemy...

You want to get good, and get somewhere...meet someone who can take you places in the biz, and avoid sounding like the new main-stream rap. Because it is garbage.

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I look up to Tupac, not trying to reinact him. I dont care for chicano rappers such as Lil Rob. Therefore Im full blooded Native American, NOT chicano.

And as for Paul Wall, he features with some Dopehouse artists, didnt quite mean to put him on the list.

I know some artists in Interscope, might go for a shot with that, Im really aiming at Dopehouse for some reason though :confused: and as for Def Jam I can try and give it a shot even though Im no Lauryn Hill.

I like Lyfe Jenningz, pretty much look at him as a singer.

Tech N9ne, I met him and went to alot of his concerts, got on his tour bus and one of my best friends is actually signed to his label so I might go for that label also.

And as for Tech N9ne rapping fast I can actually keep up with him in his song "Be Warned". lolz. Takes alot of practice but thats why you gotta learn from fast rappers.

I even have my friends I look up to, C-Lim and Brotha Lynch Hung, the 2 brothers. Their good peoples, they're also good friends with Tech N9ne.

But yes, now a days female rap is wack so Im willing to go for something different.

I also know how to play guitar, weird lolz. I tried piano, didnt quite finish the classes to know how to play perfect :( I know how to play the flute :P I was in choir 6th grade all the way to 12th grade and my grand parents who pretty much raised me had me singing at church so I know how to sing too :rolleyes:

I listen to other music also like Mary Magdalan, a female rocker. Very bad and lyrical and had the ups and downs in life.

Some Kid Rock, I like how he goes into doing rock,rap and country.

Jeffree Starr, hes a git yes but I like that git and like how hes proud of whatever you call him and does some bad make up.

Im into reading books and such, dont know why. Now a days the youngins hate em haha

Ive done poetry forever now. I love it haha.

I can freestyle pretty good. Me and my old best friend use to freestyle for hours or when my friend JondoE calls me wed freestyle haha.

I can make beats, thankful to my friend Angel in New Mexico for teaching me and he also owns a label.

But yea, thats just some of the knowledge I know.

There is something that was said earlier in this thread that applies to any and every career.

Alot of it has to do with who you know. It is called networking. Learn it.

I work in IT professionally, and the highest paying jobs I have had have been through contacts. Heck, I have a business lunch tomorrow with an old coworker who became my boss in one of my first IT jobs. He is now looking for work and I can probably give him a few contacts to keep him in work.

The thing is, do not blow anyone off. You never know when that janitor (as said before), secretary, jr sys admin, someone you manage, or anyone you meet in your chosen industry will be sitting across the table from you, interviewing YOU for a job you want.

Onto one other point....

I will not pretend to know anything about the music industry, because I don't. I think it is great you have a passion but you need to do something in the mean time prior to launching your career. You said you are working as a masseuse. Is that something you could see yourself doing as a career incase the music industry doesn't pan out? Not trying to be negative, just realistic.

The biggest thing you have going for you it seems is that you have passion, and that will take you far. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it, because you can. You can do anything you want to do. Before I was doing what I love, I was washing cars for minimum wage. Just keep at it, and don't get discouraged. If you want it bad enough and work hard enough, you can achieve anything you want.

Good luck :cool:

cudo's and live your dream girl.

In my 20's I sang in a band. A very good band. The piano player was incredible, both at piano, composition, singing and writing. Unfortunately he was also a paranoid schizophrenic. Those of us who really knew him back then loved him to pieces and just thought he was eccentric. He flew to L.A. to interview with a Virgin Record exec. We did not get a contract. However, when you get flown half way across the country to talk to rec. executive's it's still just cooler than play-doe! It was an AMAZING EXCITING FUN time. I have recordings of some of the stuff we did in studio.
If nothing else you'll have some great memories. Remember that there are some real jack ___ jerks in the music industry too. Don't sell you integrity to ANYONE!