Hip Hop Entrepreneur n.-- an entrepreneur who has turned his/her Hip Hop passion into business profits!

"Start your own Hip Hop record label or hip hop business like sean p diddy puffy sean john combs, Russell Simmons of DefJam,Jay Z,Damon Dash of Roc-A-Fella Records,Fubu, etc., and follow the path of artists like Tupac, Eminem, Nelly,Usher,Da Brat, OutKast,Public Enemy,50 Cent, Talib Kweli,Ja Rule and other hip hop artists, designers and creative talents!
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thank you, H.STACKS

What up Stacks,

Having a background is business is a good thing to have but now you have to learn about the business of music. Just because you know how to sell a car (just an example) doesn’t mean you can manage an artist. It’s time to study up, because now you have someone’s career in your hands. Evidently they think you have what it takes to get them to the next level so don’t prove them wrong. Get your hands on a few music industry books and start from the beginning. Might I suggest Everything You Need To Know… by Donald Passman, his books are like textbooks to the music biz. Also, get yourself an attorney. You will need one to advise you at some point and he/she can also help fill in the blanks for you when you aren’t sure about something. I don’t know what kind of contacts you have, if any so get out there and network. You can’t get them “put on” if you have no one to introduce them to. Attend some industry functions, travel if necessary, but you need to get people interested in both you and your artist.

Good luck, Connie M. Howell

Thank you J-rocc

Hi, J Rocc,

I don’t know what city you live in but just like anything else, the cameras aren’t just going to come to you, you have to go to them. Or at the very least do something that makes them want to come to you. So the first thing you need to do is get over your nervousness and start singing. How can you expect people to be interested in something they haven’t seen. Talk is cheap, you have to prove yourself. You say you believe in yourself now you have to make the masses believe in you too. So get up on that stage and don’t look back.

Break a leg, Connie M. Howell

I have a question I hope you can answer. How is it every time I hear a song I like on the radio, like a month later I hear the same song but its redone as a reggae song and the artist is completely different. How is it they license these songs so easily or are they doing something illegal?

Just wondering, Jeff R.

Hi Jeff,

That’s a good question and it basically comes down to this: US Copyright laws require that once a copyright owner has recorded and distributed a song to the public, then the owner of the copyright is obligated to grant a compulsory mechanical license to anyone else that wants to record the song.

Under compulsory license procedures, you don’t need to ask the publishers permission to make the recording. Instead, you inform them of the recording and pay a license fee (the current rate is 8.5 cents for songs five minutes or less or 1.65 cents/minute for songs over five minutes). This route however could become rather tedious because you MUST pay them their royalties EVERY month and you also have to render a certified accounting of all sales at the end of each year. Whereas, when you request a mechanical license and wait for the publisher to get back to you, you can pay quarterly (which is a lot less hassle).

If this is something you are thinking about doing, please, please, please contact a licensing professional or a lawyer before you start. This process can be extremely tricky and confusing, so to avoid getting yourself into any trouble speak to someone well versed in this subject and learn all you can about it.

Good luck, Connie

Thanks Connie Keith Dunson

Hi Keith,

I would definitely get the group on some mixtapes because it will increase their exposure. Also, I think you should put together your own showcase with them as the featured artist and invite primarily A&Rs, producers and label executives. You can either do that in Atlanta, or you can come to NY and do it here. Personally, I would get back in touch with Maurice and ask for his help. If he believes in your group as you say he might be willing to help you out. Also, tape the show and use it as a demo to send to all the A&Rs that don’t attend the show.

But honestly, I think your best bet is the mixtape route and if you don’t believe in the power of mixtapes ask 50 Cent if they work. Mixtapes launched his career and made his 1st official CD immensely successful.

Good Luck Connie M. Howell

Hope you all are continuing your plans to take over the music industry. As you know, it seriously needs some new blood and some creativity. Here are a couple of questions I lumped together because they are similar in nature.

Enjoy and see you next time.--Connie

Edwin Estremera

Hello,

My question is similar to some that has been asked but I would still like feedback. I’m a hip hop artist. I’m an emcee and produce myself. I’m associated with other original creative artists as well. We have performed and made music for a while and have earned respect and made a name for ourselves locally. But to get to it. I’m a little confused about how to go about getting heard or getting exposed. Now I know mailing your demo randomly to labels usually gets overlooked. It definitely works if you have representation (manager, various connections etc. But I’ve seen documentaries on pop artist where they mention, “hey,I wanted to get in the industry so we started shopping our demos to labels.” Getting auditions for labels. They went on how certain labels turn them down and finally landed a shot with someone. Now I know politics for hip hop artist and pop artist are a little different. Maybe these artists had some kind of connection or representation. I know I have dope material, original stuff. I used to be in a group and we had a manager. We got our foot in the door slightly a few years ago. Since that disbanded, I’m basically starting from square one. Although I have grown as a lyricist since then and as a producer, my dilemma is that I don’t Know where to start to get heard, besides local clubs. I have the material but no way to get heard or exposed. I mean really getting someone Industry wise to take a listen. Forgive me for the lengthy question. What should I do? I’m from Alexandria, VA.

Jamal Parrish

Hey Guys,

Since the two of these questions are similar, I figured I’d answer them together. What both you guys need to do is network. I don’t know where you are Edwin but for Jamal in VA, many producers and artists have come out of Virginia, like The Neptunes, Missy, Timbaland, Clipse, Teddy Riley, etc. This tells me that something is going on down there and people are making it happen. You need to find yourself in the mix and start making friends. Hell, intern if you have to, that will definitely put you in the position to break down the door.

You both should start attending industry conferences, events and parties. Basically, research places you know industry people will be and make it your business to be there as well. People in the industry are always more comfortable hooking up people they know and have ties to as opposed to a perfect stranger. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider getting yourself a manager or lawyer (with industry connections) who can help you shop your material. You always want to be down with someone that can get people on the phone and make things happen.

Good luck,

Connie M. Howell

Hope everyone is living well and prosperously in the new year. I have a couple new questions for you this week. So please remember to keep those questions coming and feel free to let me know what you all are up to. I like to stay informed on what's going on out there.

P.S. When you guys write in, let me know what city you represent. Just curious.

To whom it may concern,

If I have a Soundclick.com account and post my music on there and just say a month or two later I hear my song on the radio with someone else doing it, do I have any rights in that type of situation or will I just have to deal with the fact that I got played.

Another thing... how can I get my name known well, see because my last question is interfering with getting my name known... if I’m to nervous to post my music on the internet because I don’t want my ideas stolen, how will my name ever get know? Thank you for your time and experience-

Frank Femoyer.

Hey Frank,

Before you post anything or start handing out CDs, make sure you music is copyrighted. It is very easy to do and only $30 to do so. Go to www.copyright.gov get the information you need as well as the proper forms and handle your business. This way if anyone uses your song, you will have proof that you created it first and that you control all rights to the music.

It might also be a good idea to get a reputable manager or lawyer. They can put your music in the right hands. Plus, people would think twice about stealing from you if they know that you are properly represented and that there is definitely a chance that they will have to pay and pay dearly for any bad business moves. Another way to get your name known is to try getting your songs on DJ compilations. Thousands of these things come out every year, start networking with some DJs in your area and see what they are up too. If they plan on putting a CD out in the future, you may be able to get yourself a spot.

Good luck,

Connie M. Howell

Is the sale of music CDs (especially hip-hop) going up or down?

Mathew

Hi Mathew,

Since the inception of Napster and the slew of other file sharing programs, CD sales have definitely suffered. This coupled with the high prices of CDs only made it worse. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, 50 Cent & Eminem for example, still sell a significant amount of albums. I also think it comes down to product. A good album is a good album, if the songs are hot, nothing will keep people from supporting an artist. Too many artists today put out garbage (yeah, I said it!) and then they wonder what happened to their sales and fans.

But lately things seem to be changing for the better. With the RIAA suing file sharers and record companies making CDs that can not be ripped and burned, this could be a prosperous year for them. And on top of that, you can buy new CDs for $10 at certain stores, can’t get any better than that.

So to answer your question, I think the sale of music CDs will be going up.

Connie M. Howell

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