Funkmaster Flex is a gifted storyteller. When asked about meeting Jay Z in the mid 1990s, the legendary Hot 97 DJ must first set the scene. “I want you to imagine Puff and Big and Bad Boy shining bright as hell, like nothing else moving,” Flex’s tale begins. “Roc-A-Fella, Dame Dash, and Jay Z were outcasts.” At the…
5 Reasons Small Music Blogs Can Have A Big Impact
Making music is about expressing yourself. It’s art. You want to tell your story in the most sonically interesting way possible. And unfortunately, many great artists struggle with how to great press and they all-too-often overlook smaller music blogs. In my case, I didn’t even know where to start. The majority of us immediately…
DEF JAM THEN… AND NOW
After Def Jam Recordings was founded 33 years ago, it changed everything. Primarily, that was down to the artists who helped elevate the cultural status of hip-hop around the world.; from LL Cool J to the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Redman, EPMD and Public Enemy. But behind the scenes, an engine room of executive…
Republic President Charlie Walk Explains How a Label’s Role Needs Redefining In the Digital Era
Not many label executives find themselves trending on social media, but Republic president Charlie Walk has come close on several occasions. There was the time Ariana Grande debuted Nicki Minaj’s rap on “Side to Side,” or when Hailee Steinfeld introduced herself as a recording artist — both through snippets on Walk’s Instagram (112,000 followers). His ability to get…
IF SPOTIFY DELAYS ITS IPO INTO 2018, IT FACES SOME SERIOUS FINANCIAL PAIN
Spotify is reportedly mulling over the idea of freezing its plans to float. According to TechCrunch sources, a postponement into 2018 would “give Spotify more time to build up a better balance sheet and work on shifting its business model to improve its margins”. It’s a solid idea in theory… yet one which proposes time is a luxury…
Ways The Music Industry Can Change For The Better
2016 saw a lot of lawsuits and lobbying in regards to changes in the music industry. Here are a few major issues that need to be resolved in 2017 and beyond to help sustain the music business. Higher rates for streaming and YouTube views The rates creators and rights owners earn from streaming and views…
Sampha Process
Sampha Sisay has waited a long time for this. The South London producer has been lending his touch to records by the great and the good for over seven years now: Kanye West, Solange, FKA twigs, Frank Ocean and Drake, to name just a few. His own records, consequently, have been few and far between,…
WHY DID SPRINT PAY $200M FOR TIDAL?
Just over a week ago, US telco Sprint purchased a 33% stake in TIDAL for $200 million. The deal valued the Spotify rival at $600m – which raised a few eyebrows, considering TIDAL’s well-reported struggles and the fact Jay Z only bought it for $56m in early 2015. So why was SoftBank-owned Sprint willing to pay such…
