Transformers: The Movie Part 2
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
J Drew Sheard - "Stronger"
This is Kiki Sheard's lil' brother JDS. Dude a monster on production!
Check him out online
J. Drew (JDS) Album Preview
Mixtape Monday's DERT "Talk Strange"
I've been a fan of DERT from the jump with TUNNEL RATS. Dude is mad talented and it never ceases to amaze me how he continues to bang out beats for the entire team and doesn't burn out or run out of creativity. He's been dropping beat tapes for a minute now from "The Fledgling" to "TheShort List". Well he's back with another beat tape inspired by Bjork "Talk Strange"
Download HERE
Chck DERT online HERE
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday Morning Service
Good Morning.
With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble.
Courage is the foundation of integrity. --K. Nair
God is Love
Rev Run
Divine Checkup
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Kevin Powell Shares The Blueprint
(spotted @ Black Voices)
"I've been carrying this book around in my head for several years," he said. "In my work with black males, I often get asked, 'What should we be reading?' and 'What music should we be listening to?' and 'How should we be preparing ourselves for job interviews?' I mean, I would get hit with all kinds of questions from pre-teens to men in their seventies. And I realized that there was this huge void for black males. This book is an attempt to fill that void."
Braille is on Cloud Nineteen
Drops MARCH 3rd!!OFFICIAL TRACKLIST
1. Sky Dive (intro)
2. It's Nineteen featuring Ragen Fykes (vocals) and Rob Swift (cuts)
3. For Life
4. Broken Heart featuring Strange Fruit Project (vocals), Ragen Fykes (vocals) and Thesis (vocals)
5. That's My Word featuring Theory Hazit (vocals) and Rob Swift (cuts)
6. Fill It In featuring Dj Idull (cuts)
7. Skepticold
8. Heart of God
9. Found Her featuring Shawn Lee (piano and strings)
10. From The Pulpit
11. Megaphone Phonics featuring Vursatyl of the Lifesavas (vocals), Rob Swift (cuts) and Tony Cook from the JBs and James Brown band (drums)
12. Work That Way
13. HardRock featuring Lightheaded (vocals), Rob Swift (cuts) and Pataphysics (trupets)
14. Stay Together featuring Ragen Fykes
15. Parachutes and Ladders (outro)
BONUS - "Frankenstein"
Donate to the cause by email or Paypal Braille @ braillehiphop@hotmail.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Daz Dillinger Goes Gospel?
(spotted @ Rap Godfathers.com)Daz Dillinger is set to make a surprising foray into gospel alongside his mother, Dr. Allean Varnado Lang. Dr. Lang is an evangelist who signed last year with Empty Vessel Music, an independent Atlanta-based label.
The video is for the song "I'm Good," which Dr. Lang conceptualized around the premise of children who are neglected and written off as lost causes.
"I want them to know that God made them good, they are valued, and they can overcome their circumstances," Dr. Lang said.
The video shoot with Daz kicks off the pilot EV Music Matters Program.
The community outreach program will focus on free music education for children in underserviced inner-city locations.
The first destination area has been confirmed as Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward.
According Scott Free, a pastor who services the Fourth Ward through the Adopt a Block program of the Atlanta Dream Center, skeptics should look past Daz's gangsta rap persona and commend him on his participation.
"To some it may seem controversial and contradictory but I'm all for it," Pastor Free explained. "Who am I to say? I just know I am in this community everyday to be a different voice on the street and encourage the kids and love the community.
"Daz Dillinger's last album was 2008's Only On the Left Side, his 11th solo album.
The video shoot for "I'm Good" commences on January 31.
DJ Lace Talks to Independent Christian Artists
(One of my favorite people in the world, DJ Lace, wrote some guidelines for aspiring and established independent Christian artists looking to improve their brand and make impact this year. This is a great starting point. I'd refine it a tad bit but this is great advice)
Marketing Opportunities:
@ each performance these should be minimum requirements
@ each performance these should be minimum requirements
1. 8 ft table to sell product: (Table should be filled with the items below)
2. Table cloth (preferably w/ logo) http://www.promo-force.com/ ,http://www.camelbackdisplays.com/ , www.discountdisplays.com/covers/
3. eMail (a laptop will be better) & Cell Phone (text “join” to 123456) sign up. (iContact.com, ConstantContact.com, Mozes.com, scriggleit.com, Broadtexter.com, Redoxygen.com) Give fans a FREE single (on Download card, itunes, Podcast, Website) to join your Fan database!! Put samples on Myspace, make fans come to your website to get the free single, so you can capture their info.
4. CD's & Download Cards for sale: (http://www.e3accesscard.com/, http://www.soundloadmusic.com/ ) I can match their prices!! CALL ME!!! These cards are good for singles (FREE & 99c)!!
5. POP material (flyers, 2x2 flats or posters, side files, FREE mixtapes, Download Cards)
There should always be one-person delegated for this task
Minimum online efforts:
1. Dedicated website (myname.com) Get website up & running, An artists should have his on pages away from the label. (ex. www.xistrecords.com/Sean)
- Needed pages on site: Home (Big artwork links to join email & mobile text list), Community (points to my space or blog), Videos, Photos, Bio, News, Tour/Booking, Albums, Store, Bonus (giveaways). Use blogs to talk to your fans, daily, weekly!!
2. Myspace.com (Facebook if you can find someone willing to deal w/ it) Points back to website (Mywebsite.com)
3. Youtube channel - Points back to website (Mywebsite.com)
4. My_Blog/ Podcast(?) (Links from website, Bonus page)
5. Monthly Newsletter (a detail summery from blob & Podcast)
Minimum offline efforts: (start ATL first, then Region)
2. Cultivate support at churches where you has already ministered (performance opportunities)
3. Cultivate support at NEW churches (performance opportunities)
4. Distribute POP Material & FREE singles (download cards) to all independent retailers, churches & Christian bookstores.
5. Identify performance opportunities @ alternative venues outside the church
Note: You should be busy doing Promo Performances at least 5 per week up to release date.
Contact DJ Lace @ djlace@djlace-online.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Going Mobile – The Future Of Marketing For Musicians
(repost from Ariel Hyatt January 19, 2009)
Many experts say that the #1 way we will all communicate within the next 3-4 years will be thorough our mobile devices. It is no secret that the United States is far behind Europe and Asia in ease of use and advance technologies in the mobile realm but it is never too early to begin looking at a mobile strategy.
With that said I will be exploring how musicians can fully utilize using mobile technologies throughout 2009 but here is a primer. I saw Helen Keegan present in Reykjavik at the You Are In Control conference at Iceland Airwaves 2008 and I was wowed by her presentation.
Helen is a mobile marketing, advertising and media specialist working with a range of clients from media owners to brands and agencies to mobile technology companies. She has been working in mobile marketing for more than 8 years.
I asked her a few questions via email and she was generous enough to answer them for us here
How Can Musicians Effectively Use Mobile For Marketing?7 Questions For Helen Keegan of Beep MarketingUsing mobile phones is now integral to our lives. Artists should be thinking about who their audience is and how to build it—whatever ways are relevant. And that has to include mobile today. Young audiences in particular are technology agnostic and want instant gratification and will use the nearest device or service available to them whether that’s their phone, their laptop, the TV, their iPod, their PSP, whatever.
1. Where is a good place to start for artists just beginning to think about a mobile strategy?
The artist should probably start by using their mobile phone to create and capture content themselves—short video footage, podcasts, moblogging, photographs, Twittering etc. All this can be done instantly and cheaply from a mobile phone and helps the audience get to the real essence of the artist—they feel they’re getting beyond the branding and the manufactured image. Music is about soul after all isn’t it so being able to share what you’re really thinking and doing would seem to make sense to me.
2. How often should artists communicate via mobile platforms once they have one set up?There is no fixed answer to this. It’s about building a community and having a conversation with members of your community and allowing your community to chat to each other. What I would say is that if you’re using SMS, then make sure you have permission, make it easy to opt out at any time, make sure it’s free (or very cheap or sponsored) and don’t overdo it. Think about how much you might tolerate. Also think about what messages those individuals might be getting at that time—Friday night at 6 PM is probably not a good time to promote stuff when a lot of people are organizing their weekend. Similarly, if you have a teen audience then waking them up with a text message at 7 AM on a Sunday morning might not always go down well. We’re talking about real people here and real conversations not just push alerts about gigs and releases.
3. What’s the easiest way for an artist to build a mobile list?
It’s not about building a list; that’s too simplistic. It’s about building a fanbase and community and allowing those people access to you via mobile and vice versa. Permission is a given when using a communication method. Spam is in the eye of the beholder and even if it’s legal, people won’t tolerate it - fans or not. Personal information can be collected in a variety of ways - text in promotions at gigs, fill in leaflets with your information, capture it on websites or mobile websites - all the usual methods. But make sure you have the tick box to opt in and make it easy to opt-out (by replying STOP to a text message for example).
4. What’s the easiest way for artists to deliver MP3s to fans via mobile?
Helen suggested we ask Steve Lawson who coincidentally also writes for Music Think Tank and he generously provided the answer:The MP3s to fans thing is an interesting one - the easiest way if you don't want to make your audience pay for them would be to do an MP3 blog with wordpress, add the Mippin plug-in, and just post the links in blog posts - most mobile phones will just ask where you want to save the file when clicked on...If you want to charge for it, life gets a little more difficult. I had a conversation recently with the former head of Paypal mobile - there's a joke name for a division. He left after paypal failed to do anything sensible for mobile at all, despite him organising meetings with the top dogs at Nokia for them... He did say there is some code that can be used, so I'm going to get onto him, find out what it is, and as soon as I do, I'll post it on music think tank! But at the moment, it's pretty tough to do.The big problem is that most of the online sales apps is that the front end is flash driven, and virtually no mobile handsets can handle flash... iPhone users can obviously use iTunes... I've no idea what the deal is with getting ones music onto the Nokia music store. I've had emails from the head of Nokia music, so will ask him as soon as I can!
This is an answer that seems it will unfold as time goes on….
Helen also comments:
Research tells us that young people are sideloading more tracks than their downloading from their phones. That means they’re downloading tracks to their laptops and transferring the files across to their iPods, phones, whatever. So what I would say is that DRM is a no-no otherwise you’re not able to share the track between devices.
5. I know ringtones have experienced a decline in popularity. Should artists still make their music available as ringtones? If so, what’s the easiest way for them to do that?
Yes, ringtones are still important—short snippets of a track available in the various mobile formats would make sense. There’s plenty software available on the Internet to allow for you to do that cheaply or free.
6. I know you are a twitter evangelist, just like me. Are there any tips on how musicians can use Twitter to create group mobile communication?
I love twitter and for me the most important things are authenticity and joining in. Be yourself and engage with other Twitterers. If Stephen Fry and Richard Branson can do it, then so can an artist!7. Do you have any parting mobile advice you’d like to give a band or an artist looking to learn more?
Yes, check out Paul Brindley’s MusicAlly and read David Jennings’ book Net, Blogs ’n Rock ’n Roll. And get yourself into blogs and google alerts to keep track of what’s happening in mobile and music.
Yes, check out Paul Brindley’s MusicAlly and read David Jennings’ book Net, Blogs ’n Rock ’n Roll. And get yourself into blogs and google alerts to keep track of what’s happening in mobile and music.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mixtape Mondays
"Enjoy this one-click free download of the Kaboose "Bits & Pieces" mixtape. Feel free to share it with everyone.We've had a great year w/ Kaboose from appearing in The Source twice, to being featured on the Nike.com website, and many other wonderful things! So here is a free mixtape to help us celebrate that success!"
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday Morning Service
Good morning.
What's at the top of the list for you this year? Better financial practices? Saving? Spending more time with family? Better relationships with those who work with you?
What ever it is...
Self- discipline is necessary...
John Maxwell said in his book The 21 indispensable QUALITIES OF A LEADER...
"If you can determine what's REALLY a priority and release yourself from EVERYTHING ELSE, its a lot easier to follow through on WHAT'S IMPORTANT. And that's the essence of self-discipline."
God is Love
Rev Run
Kevin Eikenberry on Clear Goals
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Foot Fetish: New Arrivals @ adidas Originals Lenox Mall
Had to make this post before heading to work. I'll be in from 2p-8p today and then I'm @ CENTERSTAGE for the HOLY HIP HOP AWARDS & ARTIST SHOWCASE. So Thursday when I wored we were busy prcessing BOXES of new heat that's starting to come in for Q1. Check it out and then come see me...
Ask for the GOrilla
ZX Series $75-$90
Samba $60- $65
Nizza Hi NBA (yeah I'll be getting it in Slateboard P style this spring with the Bulls joints on the left) $65
Ecstacy Mid Blk $90
NBA Superstar Track Jacket $85
Attitude Hoodie $75
Saturday Morning Cartoons
G.I Joe the Movie- part 2
A 40,000-year-old race of snake people resurface, and with help of Serpentor, Desto, Baroness and Dr. Mindbender, plan to eliminate all of mankind and rebuild Cobrala. Once rulers of Earth, the Snake people were driven underground by ice-age temperatures. While in exile, they developed a plant whose spores turn ordinary men into mindless, weak animals. The key to their plan is G.I. Joe's secret project--the Broadcast Energy Emitter. Only this device generates enough heat so that the spores can mature. Humankind's very existance depends on G.I. Joe, but are they strong enough, smart enough, cunning enough to fight a warrior race with 40,000 years of experience?
Friday, January 16, 2009
We Are Actively Dismantling Your Trusted Marketing Strategies
(Repost from Brian Massey's Blog)
The discussions and conversations offered here and elsewhere seem to focus largely on convincing you that "something is coming." The sentiment is that you need to be aware of some subtle change in preference out there; a slow changing of the tide.
I think we owe it to you to be a bit more clear. The culture, the strategies, and the beliefs that your business has relied on for the past 20 years are being actively dismantled. We have identified the load-bearing walls of your ideology. We know which screws anchor your most contrived messaging, and we are now loosening them.
The Internet is not causing this change in culture. We are changing culture. The Internet is just our weapon of choice, an interconnected wrecking ball being wielded with one purpose: to bring down the false, calculated, posing communication that assaults our sensibilities and clutters our world.
Your skill at communicating powerfully will fail you. Say something powerful, or shut up. Create your logos, but we will decide what they mean. Tell us you're the leader, the innovator and we will make you a liar no matter how good you are.
If you think Barack Obama raised $650 million because he understood the Internet, then you are in danger of making the same mistakes online that you're making in print, radio and TV. If you think he won the election because he raised $650 million, then you will over-pay for your mistakes.
Madison Avenue began its rise about 40 years ago and peaked about the same time that Michael Jackson did. We aren't making that kind of music any more and we certainly aren't buying it. Like Jackson, Madison Avenue will continue to exist in some grotesque form. They will take your money and will continue to paint your face while we knock your legs out from under you.
The tragedy is that you already know how to speak to us. You know how to carry on a conversation, to have a polite discussion about what you believe, and to even be passionate and persuasive.
Once you realize that your message has nothing to do with you, you will understand that it his everything to do with you. If you don't understand this statement, don't worry. We'll explain it to you in no uncertain terms. Here are some clues that will help you along.
TV is not an effective way to communicate, video is.
Radio is not an effective way to communicate, the human voice is.
Print is not an effective way to communicate, words and images are.
Web sites are not an effective way to communicate, solving problems is.
We now have the tools to create messages in each of these media. We will use them for you, and we will use them against you. You only get a vote in the matter if you have something powerful to say. Inform us. Entertain us. Inspire us. We'll listen.
"We" are your prospects, your customers and your competitors. Start the painful process of joining us, or wait for the more painful process of being dragged into the conversation.
The people on this site will translate for you. Tune in.
Holy Hip Hop Awards Is Here!!!
"2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Streaming Live On Internet at 7 P.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Friday, January 16, 2009; and also beginning at 6 P.M. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 (Eastern Daylight Time)"
9th Annual Holy Hip Hop Awards will take place January 16-17, 2009 at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live Arena) in downtown Atlanta, GA. 137 Live Performances will take place, with Supporters, Ministers of the Gospel (Emcees), Pastors, Churches and Labels arriving from over 146 cities and 40 different states, plus international countries: England, Canada, Japan, Bahamas, Sweden and Australia. Tickets available via Ticketmaster (key words: holy hip hop). Hosted by: Minister eDDie Velez and Erica Cumbo. For more information, go to: http://www.holyhiphopweek.com/
Live Internet Streaming/WebCast of 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards (Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17th): 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards, taking place at Center Stage Arena (Downtown ATL), located at: 1374 West Peachtree Street, NW, Atlanta, GA (404-885-1365) on Friday, January 16, 2009, will be able to be viewed via web-cast Starting at 7 P.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) and on Saturday, January 17, 2009 starting at 8 P.M. by clicking here on the following weblink: 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Live Broadcast (or by clicking on any of the Holy Hip Hop Awards Artwork below or by copying and pasting the following weblink below into your web-browser): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/holy-hip-hop
Doors Open (General Public): Friday, January 16, 2009: 5:30 P.M. Holy Hip Hop Artist Showcase January 16, 2009 7 P.M.-2 A.M.(Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live))): Artist Showcase featuring Ministers of the Gospel through Holy Hip Hop, representing North, South, East and West.
2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Honorees:
* LG Wise * Young Prayzr * IROCC * S.O.M. * D-M.A.U.B. * Gospel Gangstaz * The Great Commission * Danny "D-Boy" Rodriguez (posthumous) * Legacy * XROSS * Dice Gamble * Christafari.
Ambassador Award: Kurtis Blow Walker and Josh Niemyjski
Saturday, January 17, 2009: 6 P.M.-2 A.M. (Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live)) Holy Hip Hop Honorees presentation, music and ministry, immediately followed by After Praise Party at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live)), kicked off by Tampa, Florida's - Flavor.Alliance - Live DJ, Breakin', Graffiti.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
TONY STONE BEAT MAKING 101
Tony Stone is an absolute MONSTER
All artists seeking heat check him out here
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
PART 1: 50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009 by Graham Brown mobileYouth.org
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
My Kind of Marketing...
(spotted @ Direct Daily) Remember when BMW did THE HIRE? It was a series of short films made together with some of the worlds best actors and directors. I got a DVD with all 8 films on them! GRAND IDEA!
Well...
"With the luxury car market facing declining sales, it has become more important than ever to attract new buyers rather than just up-selling existing drivers. Unfortunately, BMW's competitors in this price bracket like Porsche tend to have fiercely loyal customers. Previous attempts to contact these conquest prospects had achieved dismal response rates. Subvert the traditional car launch process and ask prospects to review the car ahead of journalists. They sent Porsche drivers a mysterious package containing an mp3 player. There was no branding on the pack - the only clue was the German postmark.
The mp3 message (in authentic German accent) spoke to people individually by name and invited them on a top-secret sneak preview test drive. Respondents were chauffeured one by one to a private airport, where they unveiled the new BMW X6 and recorded their comments on camera. They filmed each person with a dashboard camera as they put the X6 through its paces on the runway, and then edited the footage so that each driver had their own personal review on DVD. The most satisfying result was capturing Porsche drivers on camera raving about BMW.
But the results also stacked up from a numbers point of view. A staggering 72% of these completely cold prospects said YES to a test drive. This was the most overwhelming response BMW has ever had in New Zealand. So overwhelming, in fact, that they had to stop mailing when they were only halfway through the list.
Agency: DraftFCB Auckland, New Zealand."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
T Haddy Motivation Mail Episode 1
Message In The Music will be checking with T Haddy weekly as he gives us a behind the scenes look at his process and progress as an artist stay tuned...
Check T Haddy @ www.thaddy.net
Monday, January 12, 2009
Can't Wait For This Book!!!
Greg Stielstra is abck at it. After penning PYROMARKETING Greg is back this time teaming up with Bob Hutchins of BUZZPLANT to deliver what is sure to be power packed insight into the world of FAITH BASED MARKETING..."Most businesses don’t have a good understanding of the faith community and how to market to this huge audience in effective, culturally sensitive ways. Many attempts to market to Christians have backfired, because the marketers had little understanding of Christians’ values, taboos, and "hot buttons". Yet the size of the opportunity is enormous. Faith-Based Marketing provides everything business leaders need to understand 140 million Christian consumers and effectively reach them. It explains who Christians are, what they want, and provides traditional, new media, and word-of-mouth strategies to communicate with and engage them and their churches. The book also includes a valuable directory of top Christian organizations, churches, and events, to help marketers and business leaders find out whom to contact and how."
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday Morning Service
Good morning..
Here's the partner principle...
Working TOGETHER increases the odds of WINNING together. Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions... ( Remember this!) One person's success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others...
God is Love
Rev Run
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday Morning Cartoons
G.I Joe the Movie- part 2
"A 40,000-year-old race of snake people resurface, and with help of Serpentor, Desto, Baroness and Dr. Mindbender, plan to eliminate all of mankind and rebuild Cobrala. Once rulers of Earth, the Snake people were driven underground by ice-age temperatures. While in exile, they developed a plant whose spores turn ordinary men into mindless, weak animals. The key to their plan is G.I. Joe's secret project--the Broadcast Energy Emitter. Only this device generates enough heat so that the spores can mature. Humankind's very existance depends on G.I. Joe, but are they strong enough, smart enough, cunning enough to fight a warrior race with 40,000 years of experience?"
Friday, January 9, 2009
Not Esily Broken
After years of disagreeing on what true happiness, success, and love really are, Dave and Clarice Johnson have finally reached a breaking point in their marriage. When Clarice is hurt in a car accident, the obvious truth that more than just her injuries need immediate attention is exposed. Their odds of making it worsen as Clarice begins to see a physical therapist, and Dave develops a friendship with Julie and her teenage son Bryson. The acceptance and comfort he finds in them stirs his longing for a family and a passionate partner. As temptation tugs at Dave and Clarice pulls farther away, they must confront whether their vows are or are NOT EASILY BROKEN.
Go to the Official Movie Site.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Kaboose - "Goin' Outta Control" (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
The first single from the new album "Excuse Me" in stores now
Clearing the Air: Behind the DJ D-Lite / Holy Culture Split
(spotted @ Ill Spot)
Breakups suck.
Whether it’s The Hulkster & Macho Man, EPMD, or Shaq & Kobe, inevitably half the fan base aligns with one side while the other 50 percent takes the contrary position.On December 17, 2008 the Internet Christian rap community, never immune to disagreement, learned of a shocking breakup within their own ranks. DJ D-Lite was leaving Holy Culture Radio (and eventually the entire network) – an online hub where he previously held the titles of “Owner” and “President.”This wasn’t a nicey-nice mutual agreement split and, on occasion, things did get ugly. But dust has settled since then and both of the primary players are now back to working together – just not in the fashion and under the same brands as before.In an effort to clear the air and squash gossip, both Damon “DJ D-Lite” O’Brien and Victor “DJ MVP” Padilla agreed to share their stories and help fans and friends understand what truly went down and where things currently stand.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To start, one needs a bit of background information.Although birthed with passion roughly five years ago, the day-to-day managing of the entire Holy Culture brand (the radio network, message board, download store, and record pool) eventually became a burden to Victor Padilla. It was an understandably hefty workload packaged with stress that was starting to impact his health. So, in the first part of 2008, Vic made a decision to turn over his creation to a trusted friend and loyal worker – Damon O’Brien.Although nothing was ever detailed on paper, D rightfully assumed the roles of owner and president and took over operations for every piece of the HCR universe except for the download store. At the time, it was a move that seemed both wise and mutually beneficial.“The whole idea was to give him a jump start for something of his own,” Vic said. “But I have admitted to Damon that it wasn’t very well thought out.”Then, in June of 2008, it was announced that both Holy Culture Radio and Holy Culture Download had forged a cross marketing partnership with ILLSPOT.net.The press release stated that ILLSPOT would be the premier Christian hip hop content and information social networking community “exclusively promoted” by HCR and Holy Culture Radio.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Everything seemed to be cool until Election Day when another gospel rap megasite (DaSouth.com) relaunched to the Internet-loving Christian hip hop masses. Aside from news and reviews, the portal also featured an online streaming radio station with several different shows and DJs. And although the respective owners have always been friendly and share a common goal, it was in many ways a direct competitor to ILLSPOT.Behind the scenes, DJ D-Lite helped the DaSouth.com better organize and load programs into the site’s radio utility. And the November 4 launch day, on the front page was a link to download a free “DaSouth.com The Election” mixtape hosted by DJ D-Lite.Viewing such moves in conflict with Holy Culture’s formal partnership with ILLSPOT, Vic decided he would ask to reclaim ownership of the Holy Culture Brand name and offer the opportunity for D-Lite to continue to operate the sites and services under a different identity.“I expressed to him that I made a mistake and that I should have thought about handing everything over,” Vic said. “I knew this was going to be a difficult decision and a hard pill for Damon to swallow. But I had to at least ask.”D-Lite initially declined the request.Vic recalled, “At that point I said ‘Okay.’ There were no hard feelings. I later called Trig [Vic’s other HCR brand partner] and said ‘I blew it.’ I said I should have thought about how [my decision] would impact things I wanted to do later down the road.”But after a few Instant Messenger conversations later that day, D-Lite decided to give in and return the name to Vic despite his reservations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Even when making peace, feelings can still get hurt. D-Lite resigned himself to renaming and relocating his radio network.“Maybe I took it more personal than I should have, but I felt like I deserved that name,” D-Lite said. “Vic may have founded it, but I worked just as hard and spent my time and money over the last three and half years to build and restore the HCR brand to what it is today.“But I really felt God saying that if [the HCR name] is going to be given with that kind of heart [to give and then ask for it back] then I should let it go. Like ‘Just give it up and know that I have something better for you.’”Shortly after this online exchange, Vic posted a thread about the switch on the HCR message board. It did not include D-Lite’s official joint input and he was not aware of its content until after it was offered online.Such news was obviously of great surprise and interest to the message board regulars. Soon speculation and opinions grew like wildfire.Some sided with D, others with Vic, and some who had past run-ins with Vic joined in the conversation. Instead of a personal matter between business partners, the issue had escalated to full-on message board fodder. Thankfully, the thread was removed from the board and closed to outsiders later that day.And it was then that D-Lite decided to give it all – control of the HCR message board, the radio network, the titles – back to MVP. It wasn’t the response Vic expected.“In my view, he could have still had the platform and we would have assisted with the transition,” Vic said. “And it would have given him an opportunity to start something for himself and not have to ever worry about anyone else questioning his moves or asking why he did certain things. He could partner up with who he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted and this would be his thing.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Both men now realize part of the problem lies in their different personalities. Vic is a visionary, one who sees big pictures and launches new ventures. D-Lite is a team player, a get-the-details-done type of guy, who is more inclined to jump aboard a train that’s already running than to try and lay his own tracks.Vic believed his original gift of the HCR brand and the subsequent request for it back were ways for Damon to start something of his own. D-Lite doesn’t see it the same.“I know God has called me to be a leader,” D-Lite said. “But to me, my leadership is not to build my name, it’s to build His name.“And it’s scary because a lot of times we want to think business minded but we don’t think Kingdom Business minded. And at the end of the day, if we’re building the Kingdom of God then our agenda should be last – period.”The situation has also taught Vic and D-Lite the value of getting an agreement on paper.“Definitely, I should have gotten an understanding [of the initial handover of the brand] in writing,” D-Lite said. “That way, without any confusion, I could have easily gone back and said ‘Look, this is what we agreed on.’”Vic says the same.“Yeah, I’ve had lots of people remind me of that now. But it really wouldn’t have made a difference in this case. I’ve never argued with the fact that he had what he had,” Vic said.“Even if we wrote a contract I would have still would have had to make a decision and say ‘Hey, will you let me out of this contract? Will you understand my angle and my thinking? Will you show me grace in this area and let us write a new agreement?’”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Where things stand now is that Vic and Trig will consolidate their various HCR properties for maximum effectiveness and management. They’re also looking to possibly expand their brand to apparel or other areas where there appears to be a need.Meanwhile, DJ D-Lite has already launched DaSouth Radio Network and established a podcasting link for it via iTunes and other popular RSS feeds.They even worked together on renaming and rebranding the record pool they co-founded.Formerly known as the Holy Culture Record Pool, the venture now carries the name Kingdom Affiliates and sports a logo designed by Vic. The old URL, holyculturerecordpool.com, even re-directs to the new name due to behind-the-scenes work from both parties.“At the end of the day, I love Damon. And if this is what he’s chosen to do then I support him and all power to him,” Vic said.“I’m the same way. There’s no love lost between me and Vic,” D-Lite said. “I wish it hadn’t have ended the way it did but obviously God had a purpose for it and time will tell if it was the right or wrong decision for both of us.”
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sunday Mornign Service
Good morning. People are set up to fail if they envision what they want to do, before they figure out what kind of person they should be... A true champion is KIND and CONSIDERATE... Practice being nice over the holidays... Smile, Be polite, Eat well, Sleep well... (And remember this) There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience. --John Wooden
God is Love
Rev Run
Exodus
What Is The Spirit of Hip Hop?
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Music Strategies Manifesto
Repost from Andrew Dubber
01. The music industry has not changed. It is changing.One of the biggest mistakes music businesses make when trying to adapt to the online environment is to acknowledge the changes that have happened online and then set about adapting to accommodate those changes. In fact, those changes are still underway, and it is a process of navigation, not a process of conversion from an old model to a new one. By the time you have adapted you will be obsolete again. Develop a strategy for keeping up.
02. There is no music industry. There are music industries.The music business is an overlapping collection of distinct forms that range from music production to promotion, manufacture to PA hire, publishing to management, retail to education. When you read of a technology 'killing' the music industry, your bullshit detectors should go off and alarms should sound.
03. The word 'unsigned' should be banned.'Unsigned' has long been used by the record business as a derogatory term to describe artists that are not good enough to be offered a record contract. It suggests that there are successes (those who are 'signed') and failures (those who are not). These days, we realise there are significant benefits to be had in independence — and that it is possible to be a successful independent artist. It is still usually necessary to engage professional services, but it is not necessary to be indentured to a major label in order to enjoy a sustainable career in music. Understanding of new technologies is typically a key factor in this independence.
04. It is better to ask forgiveness than permission.Innovation often requires risk — and yet we live in the most risk-averse of times. Major corporate organisations lock down culture by having an automatic default refusal of any request to appropriate works and reinterpret, recast or reinvent them in new ways — and yet this is the single most natural way for human beings to create. Despite what these large institutions would prefer to have you believe, most often it is better to keep a sense of scale about these things and press ahead. While you may get hit with a multimillion dollar lawsuit, you might also get hit by a falling satellite whilst holding a couple of winning lottery tickets. If someone rightly asks you to stop infringing on their works, then do so politely. But it is more important that you create culture, than it is that they restrict it.
05. Convergence is a myth.'Convergence' is an example of a way of discussing new online technologies by reducing them to a single idea without understanding them in any depth at all. In fact, convergence is the least common effect of digital technologies. A moment's reflection will come up with examples of new technologies that are neither interoperable nor the equal meeting of several older technologies. Video broadcasts on mobile devices are not similar experiences to watching television, and nor are they in any way connected with what we understand as the social practice of telephone use. Take a step back and consider new technologies for what they really are — and then you'll be able to have useful and applicable insights.
06. Innovation requires open systems.The open source software community has it right: innovation comes from encouraging people to take things apart and put them back together in new ways. America's Digital Millennium Copyright Act is profoundly anti-creative, as is any national intellectual property legislation that specifically prohibits reverse engineering. So is DRM for that matter. Leave aside for a moment the fact that these laws make criminals of half of the otherwise law-abiding population, closed systems only benefit the short term financial security of multinational corporations — and not the short or long term interests of human beings and their societies.
07. Copyright is important — and broken.Music industries are, in large part, organised around the exploitation of creative works that are the private assets of the creators of those works — and rightly so. However, the laws that govern how those assets are administered were originally created for the sole purpose of incentivising and rewarding creativity for the benefit and advancement of society. They are not a natural right — they are a property right. As the media environment shifts, the laws need to be amended to reflect the practices and requirements of a healthy and creative society. This has not happened in the Internet age, and the existing copyright laws need to be entirely scrapped and redrafted in the light of those first principles.
08. The internet is like electricity.The World Wide Web is not the internet. It is merely one appliance that plugs into the internet — like email clients, instant messaging platforms and Voice-over-IP software. Not all of the appliances we could plug into the internet have yet been invented, and this is a fertile area for innovation that will benefit the music industries. At present many music businesses are attempting to dry their hair with a toaster, which kind of works — but it's not ideal. What they really should be doing is collaborating with technologists to invent the hairdryer.
09. What's good for consumers is good for business.This is just true of business, fullstop. You want capitalism? Then play by its rules. Nobody ever made money by stopping people from doing what they want to do. You make money by helping people do what they want to do — and by adding value to that process.
10. Technologies are opportunities, not causes.Technological determinism is the idea that we are at the mercy of our technologies. We shape them, and they, in turn, shape us (to borrow from McLuhan). But technologies are not things that happen to us. Media are environments — and we can adapt to those environments in deliberate ways. When the mother bird kicks you out of the nest, there's no point in trying to walk more furiously, cursing the ground for its rapid approach. You have wings — it's time to start flapping them.
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