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