Recording Contracts and Budgeting for New Recording Artists.

        The music business downside for most new artists is understanding the language of the recording contract. New artists are so happy to be signed they neglect to read the fine print in the contract. Therefore, most new artists sign bad contracts for four albums or more. The contracts keep the artists broke and stagnated for many years. According to article, “How Recording Contracts Work” artists should receive 10% of royalties for the sale of each CD. However, most record companies pay based on wholesale rather the retail price. Therefore, many artists will struggle to make any money back from album sales. According to article, "Label Music Contracts most recording contracts are exclusivity record contracts. This means artist will not be able to record for anyone else other than record company during the “term” of your contract. The music business is designed for record companies to make money. Lastly, the bottom line in this new digital era signing to independent label is an artist’s best option. This allows an artist to have more control of their masters, destiny, and profit sales. I feel personally that independent is best alternative to being happy about your recording career. However, new artists need to inquire entertainment lawyer and be business savvy in terms of budgeting and balance their money. In many cases, record companies issue an enormous advance to new artists with an attached recording budget all in one. Many times artists in the end of contract will owe the record company; the artist’s spent the advance money and album sales were minimum. Therefore artists were unable to recoup the money back from advance or make any profits. Lastly, budgeting your advance money and your recording budget is very important. An artists must really be educated have awareness the music business. The music business is 90% business and 10% talent. 

Melanie Fiona "The MF Life" Album Review

Album Review Melanie Fiona, “The MF Life”

Bio

Melanie Fiona began her music career in 2009 with breakthrough debut album “The Bridge.” The Canadian-born singer roots stemmed from her father who was a guitarist in a band. Also a young Melanie Fiona remembers her mother playing late great Whitney Houston at home. Melanie Fiona indicated, “Whitney Houston is her biggest influence as far as wanting to become a songstress.” In 2002, Fiona was involved in a group called The Renaissance with rapper Drake. Melanie Fiona would perform at nightclubs and local talent showcases. She keeps pursing her dreams for five years with no recording contract. But in 2007, she finally inked a deal with SRC/Universal Motown Records.




The Review

On March 20, 2012 Melanie Fiona released her second studio album titled “The MF Life.” I personally was very excited when I heard that she was coming back out with new material. On March 20, 2012 I went Best Buy to purchase the new album. I also had plans to present Fiona’s new music on my radio show. The first song on the album is titled “This Time” feat J. Cole a rapper signed to Roc-Nation under rap icon Jay-Z. Melanie Fiona is signed to Roc-Nation Management. Therefore, it was very easy for this song to be created due to professional ties to Jay-Z Company Roc-Nation. The song “This Time” is a gritty up-tempo guitar riff with splash of hip-hop. The song is about being a better person in a relationship giving it your all. This song describes if she had a second chance this time would be a different outcome. Hit maker Rico Love produced the first single 4 A.M. released on the album. The song titled 4 A.M. instantly became a hit and peak at the 8# spot on the billboard charts it’s my favorite song. Melanie Fiona “The MF Life” is soulful, sultry, and has so much clarity in her vocals. She just lets all her emotions out into ever song. Melanie Fiona wrote eight out of thirteen songs listed on the album. This new album is a soulful masterpiece by far the best Soul R&B album in recent times. To all DJ and music lovers I advise you right now to purchase “The MF Life” you surely will not be disappointed.

DJ's Are No Longer Recongized In the Hip-Hop Cultural

My goal for this blog was to explain the importance of a DJ and the connection with a MC, as well as to reestablish the DJ within hip-hop music. DJ has been a major part of the entertainment side of hip-hop. But since hip hop tossed aside the DJ a lot of us were forced to turn into something else. Moreover, DJ Kool Herc is an original member of the four fathers of hip-hop music. He is a great part of the people that started it all in the first place! In addition, I feel DJ Kool Herc gave us a platform to allow young black men and woman to feed their families. They’re many DJ’s that don’t work a regular nine to five to support their family.  I feel being a DJ we don’t get the respect that we deserves in the hip-hop community. Moreover, DJ's are lacking recognition unlike the artists and record companies as a whole. Ever since the beginning of hip-hop DJ’s were the faces of the party, concert, or any hip-hop entity. But currently identity of DJ’s in hip-hop world is obsolete. Lastly, I believe in order for hip-hop cultural to be dominating again DJ’s must come back in full swing.