Life after Death

The trial for Michael Jackson’s death has begun. As, you may know by now Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial facing charges of involuntary manslaughter. Murray was accused of giving Michael Jackson the lethal dosage that killed him. According to Yahoo music, the preliminary trial began on January 4, 2011 were a coroner investigator took the stand testifying about the 12 bottles of anesthetics he found in Jackson’s bedroom. Jackson’s doctor Murray took the stand and pleaded not guilty, his defense is that Michael Jackson killed himself. A little light surrounding the trial is the new game Xbox and Nintendo has distributed entitled Michael Jackson experience where user can portray Michael’s best moves. The game is a dance a-long heart throbbing replica of Michael Jackson performances. Since Michaels passing several sources such as johnhohnsaidit.com among others are reporting that Michael Jackson is worth more dead than alive. With Sony set to release up to ten new albums for Jackson in the next several years and other items like Jackson Mansion being put up for sale, Jackson is set to rank up billions of dollars. This of course doesn’t make it any easier for Jackson parents Katherine and Joe who both stood by and watched prosecutor cross- examine alleged murder of their son Dr. Conrad Murray. From the looks of things this will be a long drawn out trial that hopefully end with justice being served. Michael legacy will forever live on just as Elvis and other great musicians. His money will also forever live on which is evident with all the new productions and monetary things of value he has left behind and that people are creating. The trial alone is also set to create great financial splurges for the Jackson pioneer with potential book deals, movies, media coverage and etc.   

By: Brittney Boston

RIAA importance!

The Recording Association of America is an organization that was created to help companies and businesses in the music industry. Created in 1952, to assist musicians and record labels in administering and monitoring music within the industry RIAA, as since grown into a needed and wanted association in the music industry. According to RIAA's mission it represents record labels and distributors who " create, manufacture and/or distribute 85% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States." This is a vital organization for BCB entertainment because we distribute music, we record music so it important to have a support system in the music industry.

Two key vocal points that this organization contributes is protecting artists rights and monitoring laws and regulations in the music industry. This is very important for BCB entertainment because we assist the artist with production and we want t make sure no uncertified sound bits or illegally distributed productions are released. RIAA protects artist rights by creating Anti-Piracy boards that penalize and confiscate those who illegally download music. What this means for music industry personnel is that more business ventures will open up as illegal downloading declines. The impact RIAA has on the music industry with its organizations and groups that monitor laws and regulations in the music industry are tremendous. Artist rights are important but many times because they just entertain they are not aware of the for ever changing rules and regulations on publishing and distribution.

Furthermore, RIAA board members consist of record label CEO's and chairman therefore they is a direct connection and involvement from each parties. This also allows a better understanding of the entire association for the members because they have significant members of their business or company actively involved in the association. It is important to have an association such as this for BCB entertainment because again when dealing with artist, production and distribution you need a balance to make sure all of you T's have been crossed. Not only that, protection is needed for the artist as well as for the company so RIAA provides the protect and does the research when you may not have the time to sit and do it all yourself. The association is like an added member to your companies team that you will always need.

TED.com blog ( Do you love what you do? By Gay Vaynerchuk

As soon as I played the video by speaker Gray Vaynerchuk entitled Do you Love What you do, I felt his energy and compassion. The video was pretty much a motivational speech challenging others to do what they love just as Vaynerchuck did by overcoming adversity from working seven years in a liquor store to owning his own company and television show called Wine Library T.V. This speech really inspired me because sometimes we as humans need a push from someone else before we actually do what makes us happy. It inspired me because at times I get frustrated because things don't move as fast as I'd like so I doubt my situation. But Vaynerchuck preaches passion and patience in his speech the two things you need to succeed at doing what you love. Although many things Vaynerchuck discussed in his speech I had  grew familiar with but he reiterated them and give a lot more reassurance with his story telling. For example,  he told stories of how he  worked several jobs and time was limited but during the night between 7pm to 2am in the morning he found a way to work on his craft and what he loved. This definitely helped me to stop procrastinating  and making excuses because when you're doing what you love you always find time to do it. Vaynerchuck has really helped me to believe in myself and made me realize you only get one life so you might as well spend it doing what you love. It may not be easy and you may not reap the bearing from the beginning but eventually it will come. Here the link to the outstanding speech by TED.com Gary Vaynerchuck. Enjoy! http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_vaynerchuk_do_what_you_love_no_excuses.html

Planning and Execution

The vocal point leaders in the music industry focus on during an industry project such as the creation of an album are essentially planning and execution according to musicthinktank.com author Peter Ducker. The article entitled “Management In the Music Industry,” goes in depth about what is needed to succeed with long and short-term projects in the music industry in regards to the management of artist and products. Recently, Ducker and his management developed an album for one of their rock groups. Ducker says that every part from budgeting to customer satisfaction is important but says neither of those key aspects will prosper without planning followed by execution.  A quote from Peter Ducker states," long- range planning is necessary precisely because we cannot forecast." My translation of that statement is planning should be thoroughly done just in case things don't go according to plan A or B. According to the article how well you execute (sales, marketing) reflects your planning. So, execution will impact all elements in your project and that will determine how will the planning was done. In order to successfully execute you must strategize efficiently so that value of what you are producing and its creativity is available. Strategizing is something that Ducker and his team rely on heavily while planning. But, the key words are planning and execution the two things Ducker feels are vital in the completion of a successful industry project. Furthermore, the article says how important planning is for the marketing strategy. As you can see planning is involved in each step, especially marketing because you want to market your product or artist to the appropriate audience otherwise you won’t get the response expected and money and value will began to decrease. Again, your planning reflects your execution in the long run, because you have to plan what market, what audience and when the project should be dropped to successfully execute all points discussed in planning. Research should be constantly done during planning and execute says Ducker. In the music industry technology is often changing and that can affect your execution because a method you used in the past that was successful may no longer be an option. For example, years ago before the Internet music could only be purchase on albums or cassettes which made it easier to sell because you could only buy it from the store. Now, in this modern day where the Internet is the main outlet for distribution of music, the planning has to be on target for the artist to sell his/her music successfully. Otherwise, little to no money will be gain from the album which results in your execute. So, this is why planning and execution are the leading factors to a successful production in the music industry.

Team Work

A team effort is always better than an effort of one man alone. Look at basketball it takes five men to win a game or even football, there are multiple players on the field that each produce inadequate effort to gain success. Speaking on sports for a moment, recently Lebron James and Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat. Now many were mad because the Miami Heat already had a super star in Dwayne Wade and felt adding Lebron James and Chris Bosh would be unfair. But, people tend to forget that basketball is a team sport that takes five men to win. The Miami Heat gathered its five best men that would give their team the best production to reach a team championship. Now, it is important to have a team in the music industry as well because each person adds something that the other may lack or may not be knowledgeable about. For example, when it comes to artist relations you need at least five people to assist you if you want to properly give the artist what they need. There has to be someone to handle the booking and scheduling of events, there has to be a tour manager, a road manager, a producer, a media consultant, and etc. According to Rhonda Adams, author of Successful Business Plans, “the quality of people determines the success of the business,” (Adams p 215). Therefore, when putting together my team I will gather the best people I know who contribute the links I need to run my business. Although I want to work in the music industry as an artist manager I want to start up my own record label. Adams also states, that when you are putting your team together you should use an evaluation worksheet to determine who your “ key employees,” will be (Adams p 217). The elements of the evaluation are as follows: Experience- related to the current position, Successes- accomplishments, Education and Strengths- best attributes in a business setting and Areas lacking strength- area where enhancements can be made to make person an effective leader/ manager. By conducting this evaluation I will be able to put together a success team that will help me reach my goals within the business.  I will communicate with my team on a daily business through meetings. Communication is a must to be successful in anything. So, we will conduct daily meetings to discuss business plans, new ideas and etc. Also, I will communicate via phone and email to discuss ideas or anything of importance when I am away from the office.  Finally, has the CEO of this company I would personally meet with my employees often and have talks with them concerning their work and things they need improvement on and compliment what they are doing correctly to help the company succeed.

Hip Hop Producer Power Surge Interview.

POWER SURGE: THE INTERVIEW

by: Brittney Boston                                       

Born, Serge Turnier music producer "Power Surge," moved from Haiti in 2004 to reside in Miami. His move to Miami was merely to have a better living situation and to live out his dream as being a performer. Since a young child Power Surge (his stage name) has been making beats. The move to Miami helped him link up with many creditable artists such as Fat Joe and DJ Khaled to produce some notable tracks in the hip hop industry. I was fortunate enough to have Power Surge following me back on twitter that is how I was able to conduct this interview. Power Surge has agreed to talk about the moves he is making in the music industry.

Me: What do you do as a producer?

PS: " The producer’s job is to take a beat and find the right artist to be featured on the beat, write the perfect melodies for the artist’s vocals [in some cases, you get a songwriter] then you arrange the lyrics, vocals and delivery to express what was envisioned for thesong and beat. I happen to also be a beat maker so I also make beats."

Me: Who are some of your favorite producers in the music industry right now?

PS: "Timbaland is one of the best, if not THE best. The way he works, what he does, the sounds he uses, how he’s always innovating, coming up with new stuff. And I would say Fabrice Rouzier is so talented as a producer.” 

Me: Do you have a unique style that sets you apart from other producers?

PS: "I use a lot of percussions, like congas, congo. As far as a signature sound…I don’t do it purposely, but people recognize my music when it plays cause I have that little jazzy vibe. It’s really freestyle music when you listen to it and you can pick it up easily."

Me: I understand you rap also, will you eventually rap and produce?

PS: "In the future, I would definitely see myself as a producer/rapper/singer, kind of like Diddy. The reason why I do that is because sometimes I hear something in my head and I hear it a certain way and I can deliver it better than certain artists. So it’s like ‘why not’, but it’s not a question of fame, it’s just for fun. And in the future if I can make some money with that, why not?" 

Me: What would be your biggest career accomplishment right now?

PS:" Getting signed in 2008, to XO Management, which is a big management company in Florida. I became a part of this huge family that looks out for me and wants to see me grow." 

Me: What advice can you give a young striving producer/manager like myself?

PS: "Keep working hard and networking with people. You're on the right track just keep getting your music out there and continue to reach out to those helping hands."

Me: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me. I really appreciate that I was able to hit you up on twitter and you responded, that means a lot.

PS: " No, problem. I'm always willing to help those who seek it. Besides, I might need your help one day (laughs)."

Lil Wayne - I'm Not A Human Being (New Verse)