How Social Media Changed Hip Hop Music According to 50cent

In recent article in Complex magazine and on www.complex.com David Drake conducted an interview with rapper 50cent. The interview began with 50cent absent in the music for three years, According to Complex magazine article, he going through audit process and if you find things where you haven’t been paid, it’s a process for legal to actually write the check. But unfortunately 50cent can’t deliver any records in between that time period. You must wait until all procedures are dealt with legally. The interview further details how producing records in year 2000 has changed dramatically compared to now in 2012. Curtis “50cent” Jackson mentioned the producers of today era make records before artists actually arrives at the studio. He mentioned sometimes it works out good making records that way but some cases you feel no substance in the song. However, one particular song 50cent indicated “Wait Until Tonight” “made me understand why I fell in love with hip-hop culture.” 50cent finally discusses the Social Media and how it changed hip-hop culture. Curtis “50cent” Jackson said “hip-hop has changed so much it can be negative way if were are not willing to make the right adjustments.” “We’re following trends a lot more than we used to.” “Authenticity used to mean a lot in hip-hop music that’s gone.” For example, on Twitter the negative things people may say to a person on Twitter. If you take things people say to you on Twitter seriously it can possible break you down or lower you’re confidence 50cent added. If a person on Twitter doesn’t like a 50cent record another person will agree and follow that person without even listen to the song. Many fans on Twitter keep saying I want the old 50cent. Lastly, 50cent said “It be tragedy if he was same old rapper from 10 years ago. This would mean that he didn’t grow as artist or learn anything to become wiser. I think 50cent has the right ideas and attitude moving forward with his music career.

Philadelphia Rapper Freeway Music and Islam: Balance Music and Religion

The rapper Freeway stated his career with Roc-a-fella Records over decade an ago. In 2003, he released his debut album “Philadelphia Freeway” it landed at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and since then has sold 542,000 copies. In late of 2007 Freeway decided to part ways with his former boss Jay-Z and Roc-a-fella. He decided to part ways due contract disagreement and lack of support with his last album.

In recent article Freeway explained how he is able to balance his religion and making music. Freeway mentioned he is a Muslim and it’s a difference of opinion if music is haraam. Haraam according to the rapper it means something that is not lawful. The majority of all Muslim scholars believe that music is haraam. Freeway had very difficult time coming to grips with still being a rapper and being a good Muslim. After taking time off and leaving the rap scene he made the decision to keep making music.

I feel when you a have serious passion to pursue your dreams no matter what go for it.  The main thing people don’t understand about music industry it hard to make money when you are new artist. Therefore, Freeway made the choice to continue because this how he provides for his family. Every religion has some sort of rules and guidelines. But I feel Freeway thought about how he could take care of family. I agree with Freeway with his points to making your own decisions. Lastly, I feel religion can separate people from all different types of ethic backgrounds. But many times society criticize rappers for violent harsh music lyrics. The best way for Freeway fans to know him is by telling the truth even if its breaking Haraam.

Tune Core Chief Jeff Price wakes up the Music Industry with his own Words.

According to the New York Times article by Ben Sisario Tune Core, “one of the world’s major suppliers of music. Tune Core was founded in 2006 by Jeff Price, “a veteran independent label owner, as a service for artists working under the radar of the mainstream music industry.”  For just a small fee of  $50 a year Tune Core will place any album on I-tunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. Tune Core accounts for 10% of 20 million songs on I-tunes and 4% of all digital sales. Mr. Jeff Price is also very public about the rights of artists being paid fairly from major record companies. Accordingly New York Times, Jeff Price through blog posts aggressively on the company’s blog with titles like “How They Steal Your Money Legally.” In his own words Jeff Price stated “ he started his company that righted a wrong. He believes that music industry typical practices are wrong and he wants to make it right for the artists. Tunc Core last year expanded into music publishing this makes sure artists receive writing royalties. Now that we are in a digital age it’s became more of a challenge for artists. Lastly, with the middlemen and all parties being involved unclaimed royalties Tune Core customers may be owed up to $70 million. I feel this website in the end will give new artists a since of life and hope. Tune Core just like other website such as CD Baby are new vehicles for the music business. I feel with I-tunes and this new digital era the entire music business could operate online be biggest e-commerce in the world. The music business continues to take bigger leaps into this direction then the future of digital marketing, publishing, and distribution looks bright.

Source : http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/business/tunecore-chief-shakes-up-music-with-his-own-words.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 

Industry Expert Blog

Option #2

Lawyers, Libel, Logos and Lollipops

Episode #2

This podcast was about various topics such as UMG versus Vevo sharing

video website. Vevo failed to alert UMG about video used on the website

which caused UMG to fail copyright infringement lawsuit. How do video hosting site suppose know when they can held liable. The case is still pending but they are various aspects of the case being reviewed. The next case deals with Funny Junk/Oatmeal fair use and lawyer use. Matthew Emon an Internet cartoonist and Funny Junk a site that host funny pictures. When Matthew Emon discovered the website Funny Junk there were over hundred pictures taking from his cartoon Oatmeal. He sent a blog post publicly about Funny Junk and the owner of the site took down some of the photos. The Oatmeal and Funny Junk users went back and forth about the images. One year later Funny Junk lawyer issued a letter demanding Matthew Emon pay $20,000 claiming the blog was defamation of character. Mr. Emon had fundraiser able to get the money together and decided to give all the funds to charity instead. The lawyer decided to file a suit against Emon solely by himself. Lastly, the case concluded were in my opinion Emon really won and the lawyer loss.

Episode #18

Beauty Queens and Sandwiches

This podcast was about several topics such as Jimi Hendrix estate is suing Jimi Hendrix merchandising website. The case started as a trademark case but new law writer publicity act was implemented in the state of Washington. The case was converted and new action was added to the existing case. The Judge granted the defendant claimed the publicity writers act rights were violated. Actually the decision came up unconstitutional     because Jimi Hendrix died in New York but he lived in the state Of Washington. Secondly, the podcast Attorney Firemark speaks about Miss San Antonio pageant de-throne files suit. In the Miss America system after you win get a scholarship but most winner still need sponsors. The winner of Miss San Antonio pageant was stripped of her crown failing to show up at appearances. The case has a lot of loopholes as far as a contract with sponsors. There are some unanswered questions in this case. The contract that was signed with sponsor and the director of pageant claimed participating party must make public appearances. If the person failed to do so then that person would be revoke from the pageant contest. Lastly, I feel it the obligation for the person or persons involved the pageant to be a role model and set examples for next model in the future. Therefore, being in the public eye it very important and keeping positive attitude towards your job.

Episode #15

This podcast is about the dispute with the show “Cake Boss.” The Masters software Inc. had software titled “Cake Boss” The Company began to dispute over the very popular show “Cake Boss.” This Texas Company stated getting all these emails made it confusing. But both company decided to keep the same name and try to work it out. Girls Gone Wild lawsuit the plaintiff were all underage during the taping of the show. They are suing for privacy right and violation of their rights. But they want to remain anonymous because don’t want do anymore damage to their self-image. Lastly, I feel this not right for the plaintiff identity to be revealed for many reasons it will cause more banishing in the media. This will always be factor in public eyes and even behind closed doors.