This too, 9 times out of 10 the label is stepping on the project. If you're not an indy artist i'm much more interested in what you're doing outside of you major release if you go that route.
THEORY: Mixtapes should only be limited to "Underground/Unsigned" artists
- Thread starter Rominati
- Start date
This too, 9 times out of 10 the label is stepping on the project. If you're not an indy artist i'm much more interested in what you're doing outside of you major release if you go that route.
Mac Casper
@adonnis - pull up, there's refreshments
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
you are DEAD ass wrong... i always bring up eminem's own damn words... after going diamond twice, jimmy iovine would STILL not let him release albums unless he had those cartoony first singles
i remember Dr Dre telling RAKIM that he better keep working and put out hits.. cause jimmy iovine was the one who was shelfing all these artists and dropping him (jimmy owns 60% of aftermath)
99% of artists HAVE ZEROOOOOOOOO CREATIVE CONTROL.
you're signed, you have free reign to make the music you want, so you record 60 songs right??
well first off, 10 of them won't clear samples... can't put them out if god wanted you to. so you're fukked already
second, the label ain't clearing another 10 tracks cause the features would add up to about 500k for them.... so it's out of your budget so scrap those
third, the label ALWAYS HAS FINAL SAY... so you got 30 tracks that YOU think is fire
well the old white jewish guy doesn't like 20 of them, so he's not releasing it with those on there.. Oh AND he wants you to do a song with Drake cause he's hot right now and get a beat from Mike Will cause he's hot. so add that into your budget which is gonna take more of your songs out
that's how it goes..
so then you done everything the label wanted.. you got 17 tracks... but they not hitting like you need them to hit on the radio or whatever... guess what... label ain't putting out your album now cause your buzz ain't hot
so what do you (all these artists) do... they grab up those hot tracks with the samples.. they take the hot joints with the features.. they take a few more hot songs... pay a DJ 5 gs (drama).. slap on a cover and you got a gangsta grillz mixtape.. shoot some videos on worldstar and there you go
you show the label your 1 million downloads and views..... maybe a single jumps off from there and you take it back to the radio and get it played... do some interviews... get twitter talking... and now you got that buzz back to drop that weak ass album the label made you drop anyway
y'all in here act like nikkas is doing this out of the kindness of their heart.. they obviously need to, or have to, do this to get music released..
in the case of a wayne or somebody, he just keeping his name out there.. you don't have 2-3 years to disappear and then come out to the same fan fare... you gotta keep people constantly on your dikk these days.. unless of course you're eminem
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
Quoting myself from another thread about a similar topic:
People don't realize that scarcity creates demand. I know it's an accepted thing to say "If you go away for 6 months or a year, folks will forget you" but there's absolutely NO proof of that.
It's the reason every Kanye or Drake album is an event. It's the reason an Andre 3000 or Jay-Z guest verse is an event. Because they're rationing out what they feed the public. A Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Meek Mill, even a Ross, Wayne, or TI mixtape don't really cause huge waves these days because they're overfeeding the public/streets... Folks are like "no more, let me digest this last meal first!"
That doesn't mean disappear for 5 years, but you don't see the same level of degradation of sales numbers in genres where people don't give their music away for free. shyt, even seemingly washed up orR&B artists like TGT and Jaheim do better numbers than most of these rappers when they drop because they ain't putting their shyt out for free.
That being said, I agree that NEW artists NEED to first offer their music for free, so that there are absolutely no barriers to people discovering/hearing their music... But once they get signed OR even just get a huge buzz after their first free album/mixtape, it needs to be paid-for albums only (Anyone can put an album on iTunes, etc without a label).
The producers of the product need to retrain the consumer to think that their work is worth something. Folks that are going to pirate will pirate, and that's fine, but at least you're not telling them that you're just giving it to them and the work is not worth anything to you.
In off-years and in between albums, artists (rappers) should just focus on features and dropping a single or two that isn't attached to any album/project, but keeps them present on radio/clubs/streets and allows them to maintain their fan-base and continue to make money performing.
This would only work if everybody(artists) bought into it though.
Mixtapes are mainly beneficial for:
Introducing brand new or unsigned artists
Discovering new producers (but on the flip-side it devalues what hip-hop producers get paid and IMO devalues "hip-hop beats" in general)
Putting out songs with samples that are too expensive to clear
Just my 2 cents.
there is plenty proof from the artists being named in this thread
nikkas forget "jigga held you down 6 summers" jay was dropping full albums every year.. if he didn't own the label, he wouldn't do that.. he'd have to drop mixtapes
drake is on every damn feature every month.. so he doesn't ever go away really
look at jeezy.. drops nothing but albums that get plaques... had to fight to get a release date.. had to stay dropping mixtapes to stay around... yet rick ross on his 5th album and went gold one time.. cause he APPEARS to always be around.. you never forget about him.. his buzz is constant
look at luda.. can't even get a release date.. dude was a constant MULTIplat artist... can't buy a buzz... look at busta.. look at wayne even.. dedication 5 came and went... nicki's numbers are fading since her first.. em ain't even doing the numbers like he used to do.. you can say it's the times until you see jay just did double plat.. he's constantly out there
kanye was doing that "whatever it is tuesday" dropping songs every tuesday.. have we forgotten WTT (see what i mean) so he has been constantly dropping... WTT, GOOD music album, YEEZUS.. that was all in a short span and he planned on doing another GOOD music complilation this winter
name the last 3 andre 3000 verses........ most people can't... most people don't care... his last album was an r&b record and not a single person in real life, is walking around wondering when 3000 bout to drop
this is the same for most artists... because the music hasn't gone down and the rapper isn't dropping, you think they don't need to do this... but realize everyone ain't in a message board getting the latest tracks.. there's a whole world out there and 50 states... cause you hot in 6 of the main ones, doesn't mean the other 44 are out there actively checking for you
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
i really believe y'all know absolutely nothing of the record industry
"they should just drop a QUICK EP"
nikka what???????????????????????????????????
that still has to come through the label.. that still would have to count against their contract (you're signed for number of albums).
that would give you
A. an album that the label pays for that you don't get credit for under your deal.. you owe 5.. you drop an ep, you still owe 5 cause it doesn't count
or B. the label just says no
you run into the same damn problems... label has to make a budget for that ep, clear and pay for samples, they not putting it out for their health.. they want to make money.. so you better have some singles on it.. you gotta get some promo.. you gotta do all the same exact things as an album
THE POINT OF A MIXTAPE IS FREEDOM FROM THE LABEL AND PAPERWORK.. you can do whatever you want, sample whatever you want, feature whoever you want, put whatever songs on there that you want... why in the hell would you go back and place it all in the labels hands for an EP?? most likely if you're doing a mixtape, it's because the label wouldn't drop your album or these songs in the first place
"they should just drop a QUICK EP"
nikka what???????????????????????????????????
that still has to come through the label.. that still would have to count against their contract (you're signed for number of albums).
that would give you
A. an album that the label pays for that you don't get credit for under your deal.. you owe 5.. you drop an ep, you still owe 5 cause it doesn't count
or B. the label just says no
you run into the same damn problems... label has to make a budget for that ep, clear and pay for samples, they not putting it out for their health.. they want to make money.. so you better have some singles on it.. you gotta get some promo.. you gotta do all the same exact things as an album
THE POINT OF A MIXTAPE IS FREEDOM FROM THE LABEL AND PAPERWORK.. you can do whatever you want, sample whatever you want, feature whoever you want, put whatever songs on there that you want... why in the hell would you go back and place it all in the labels hands for an EP?? most likely if you're doing a mixtape, it's because the label wouldn't drop your album or these songs in the first place
Plexxx
Return of the G
Quoting myself from another thread about a similar topic:
People don't realize that scarcity creates demand. I know it's an accepted thing to say "If you go away for 6 months or a year, folks will forget you" but there's absolutely NO proof of that.
It's the reason every Kanye or Drake album is an event. It's the reason an Andre 3000 or Jay-Z guest verse is an event. Because they're rationing out what they feed the public. A Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Meek Mill, even a Ross, Wayne, or TI mixtape don't really cause huge waves these days because they're overfeeding the public/streets... Folks are like "no more, let me digest this last meal first!"
That doesn't mean disappear for 5 years, but you don't see the same level of degradation of sales numbers in genres where people don't give their music away for free. shyt, even seemingly washed up or
That being said, I agree that NEW artists NEED to first offer their music for free, so that there are absolutely no barriers to people discovering/hearing their music... But once they get signed OR even just get a huge buzz after their first free album/mixtape, it needs to be paid-for albums only (Anyone can put an album on iTunes, etc without a label).
The producers of the product need to retrain the consumer to think that their work is worth something. Folks that are going to pirate will pirate, and that's fine, but at least you're not telling them that you're just giving it to them and the work is not worth anything to you.
In off-years and in between albums, artists (rappers) should just focus on features and dropping a single or two that isn't attached to any album/project, but keeps them present on radio/clubs/streets and allows them to maintain their fan-base and continue to make money performing.
This would only work if everybody(artists) bought into it though.
Mixtapes are mainly beneficial for:
Introducing brand new or unsigned artists
Discovering new producers (but on the flip-side it devalues what hip-hop producers get paid and IMO devalues "hip-hop beats" in general)
Putting out songs with samples that are too expensive to clear
Just my 2 cents.
speak for yourself. everytime gucci drops its a holiday
I really hate the way words are misused today.
WHAT IN THE ENTIRE FUKC IS A MIX TAPE WITH NO MIXING AND NOT ON A TAPE?
A mix tape is a fukcing DJ blending songs together for 60 minutes.
First question:was in the digital age why release an album at all? I DL albums isten to every song once, pick the four songs I like for the playlist and sh:tcan the rest. Why not just release a new song each month on the first? That way you have material coming out constantly.
I am not gonna listen to your tracks in any particular order or even one after another so why sequence them and group them?
There is no functional difference between a "mix tape" and an album. I do believe Wayne achieved legendary status from "mixtape" series.
Don't get me started on y'all definition of "freestyle". If you composed it beforehand it's not a freestyle it's a written. Period.
WHAT IN THE ENTIRE FUKC IS A MIX TAPE WITH NO MIXING AND NOT ON A TAPE?
A mix tape is a fukcing DJ blending songs together for 60 minutes.
First question:was in the digital age why release an album at all? I DL albums isten to every song once, pick the four songs I like for the playlist and sh:tcan the rest. Why not just release a new song each month on the first? That way you have material coming out constantly.
I am not gonna listen to your tracks in any particular order or even one after another so why sequence them and group them?
There is no functional difference between a "mix tape" and an album. I do believe Wayne achieved legendary status from "mixtape" series.
Don't get me started on y'all definition of "freestyle". If you composed it beforehand it's not a freestyle it's a written. Period.
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
This new young jeezy dillema is a perfect example of what im talking about
YOUNG JEEZY..... 4 ALBUMS... PLAT, PLAT, PLAT, GOLD
AWARDS AND NOMS
Awards
- BET Awards
- 2010, Viewer's Choice Award ("Hard") with Rihanna [Won]
- 2009, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Collaboration ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][37]
- BET Hip-Hop Awards
- 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][38]
- 2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Won][39]
- 2008, People's Champ Award ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated][40]
- 2006, Hip-Hop CD of the Year ("Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101") [Nominated][41]
- 2006, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year [Nominated][41]
- Grammy Awards
- 2009, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Put On") with Kanye West
- 2010, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Amazing") with Kanye West (Nominated)
- 2011, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Lose My Mind") with Plies (Nominated)
- 2013, Best Rap Performance ("I Do") with Jay-Z and André 3000 (Nominated)
- Ozone Awards[citation needed]
- 2008, Best Rap Artist [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Love in This Club") with Usher (Won)
- 2007, Best Rap Album The Inspiration (Won)
- 2007, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Go Getta") with R. Kelly [Nominated]
- 2007, Best Video ("Grew Up a Screw Up") with Ludacris [Nominated]
- 2007, Best Group with Slick Pulla & Blood Raw as USDA [Nominated]
BUT YET...........................
http://www.vladtv.com/blog/178454/young-jeezy-calls-out-def-jam-on-twitter-threatens-album-leak/
Young Jeezy is preparing to drop his latest project, but he took to Twitter to warn Def Jam about "getting it right" with the promotion. If things don't go according to plan with the label, Jeezy promised that he would leak the album, so his fans would "get an early xmas gift."
The "Put On" rapper even directly called out "Lucian and Barry," telling them to "boss up," which he followed up with a tweet to L.A. Reid, who acknowledged Jeezy. The Epic Records CEO tweeted Jeezy, writing "@YoungJeezy #BeEpic."
Check out all of the messages in the above slide:
Source: hiphopnewsmedia.com
DON'T DROP MIXTAPES BREHS.... NOBODY WILL FORGET ABOUT YOU... THE LABEL WILL JUST LET YOU DROP EP'S AT WILL
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
again... rick ross went gold ONE time... working on his 5th album... drops mixtapes and collab albums every week... same label
DON'T DROP MIXTAPES BREHS
DON'T DROP MIXTAPES BREHS
Ineedmoney504
SOHH ICEY...WE EATIN
nas didnt drop the ****** mixtape?
Ineedmoney504
SOHH ICEY...WE EATIN
why u keep making this lie up, every ross album has gone gold
nikka is seriously running wit that shyt
but lets act like jeezy and aint drop 5 mixtape between trap or die 2 and tm103
And Jay dropped "the S.Carter mixtape" I'm just saying using Nas, wasn't the best example. He's dropped ONE mixtape in his career.
That New Nipsey tape made over 100K and he been doing mad interviews off it. It's safe to say that may be the new mixtape formula in the future.