First, some noise from the trenches:
Of the 27,000 albums released last year by the recording industry, less than 5000 sold over 1000 units. Since 1988 only 16 classical albums have sold more than a million copies in the United States; five of them were put out by Victoria's Secret. The source of most music listening hours is neither Cds nor radio; it's video games. When pop star Sting needed a marketing partner for his 2000 album release he chose Compaq Computer. "Ten years ago, rock musicians would never listen to dance music and dance musicians would never listen to classical music. Now, most of the rock musicians I know own samplers and most classical composers I know also are listening to dance music." -- Moby
Worldwide entertainment and media spending will reach $1.4 trillion by 2006, (PriceWaterhouseCoopers).
THE NEW MUSIC ECONOMY
The news is good and bad. We're seeing nothing less than a global restructuring of the economy. This isn't a brief shudder; the organizational structures of the last century are being torn apart. Business worlds are deconstructing and reconstructing. Everything is blurred, fuzzy and vague. And the meanings of 'work' , 'career' and 'job' are being re-written. We're also witnessing (and feeling the effects of) the end and beginning of the music business. Like humans, industries pass through developmental stages: birth, youth, maturity and death (or transformation). Our industry grew rapidly, matured, plateaued and is now in the throes of transformation. How successful this transformation will be depends on how creatively the musical industrial complex can dance with the changes.
Unfortunately, so much of the music industry is beholden to corporate owners itchy for corporate-size profits and driven by rigid corporate imperatives. This wrecks havoc with "artist development"; hell, it wrecks havoc with business development, and necessitates high turnover of both artists and employees. Complicating industry maturation is an event no one saw coming: a new distribution channel called the Internet. The big labels are contracting as a vast Web is spinning around them. The Internet is both threatening to take the rug of necessity out from under vast sectors of the traditional music business AND providing musicians and songwriters with direct access to global audiences.
All of this adds up to a picture today where it is no less risky to "go indie" than to "get signed", signed, that is, as an artist or as an employee. Choosing to go indie is exploding across all industries not just music. We need only think of indie film or book publishing. Independence is a mark of the times we're living in. We are profoundly on our own in this milieu.
And that's the rub. We're beginning to accept that we will never return to the more static, less opportunity-rich but also more comforting world in which most of us were raised. The changes we're living through are both permanent and dynamic. The real social revolution of the last 30 years is the switch from a life that is largely organized for us to a world in which we are all forced to be in charge of our own destiny. That's the scary challenge. And also the exciting opportunity. Today we have three different music 'industries' developing side by side: The mainstream pop/rock business, which will continue to market established stars like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.
The chaotic illegal record business, involving at one extreme pirates and bootleggers, at another experimental and political artists refusing to accept the restraints of copyright law; and in between the usual variety of pirate broadcasters, home digital distributors, and so forth. The indie, genre music scenes, local players connected through web sites and digital radio, but commercial in their niche, making enough money to go on making music but not necessarily seeking to play 'the game" of ever-increasing ladder-climbing success.
The first industry is contracting; the second is and always will be present; and the third is poised for quantum development. The lesson: Unless you're seeking Britney Spears-level fame, then avoid the major labels and prove yourself in the independent sphere first. Someday you may want to partner with a major company (record company or otherwise) but, for now, focus on creating your own success, building your value, maintaining control of your career and music trajectories, following your muse and your spreadsheets with utter dedication and focus.
Tapemasta's Top Mixtapes Of The Week
Whoo Kid - Body Snatchers
Rob E Rob - Sex Jams V5
Famous & Doo Wop - Best Of Both World's
LA Luv - Party Ain't A Party V1 & V2
Tony Touch - Hip Hop V83
Tapemasta's Classic Mixtapes Of The Month
Craig G - Fuc Tape V4, Luv Bug Starski - Lost Boyz Live, Clue - Hardcore, Doo Wop - Summer Jam 94, Kid Capri - Birthday Party 2/8
New Mixtapes hitting the streets or Email boxes sooner than you think - see below...
Dj 2Mello aka The RnB Mixtape Boss is back with another heater dedicated to the Justo Mixtape Awards in keeping with the memory of a man who was so iconic in the mixtape game. Undercover Rnb - The Justo Mixtape Awards Edition features as always tracks from your favorite artists and also features tracks from unsigned artists that Mello has featured on previous mixtapes. Justos Legacy lives on in the awards
he created to showcase the talents and accomplishments of the Dj worldwide.
Undercover RnB - Justo Mixtape Awards Edition
1. Intro - Geolani(2008 Justo Mixtape Awards Nominee)
2. Trey Songz feat Lil Wayne - Cant Help But Wait Rmx
3. Natasha Beddingfield feat Lil Wayne and Sean Kingston - Love Like
This Rmx
4. Janet Jackson - Luv
5. Mary J. Blige feat Swizz Beats - Just Fine Rmx
6. Donnell Jones - Cool On You
7. Amir Alexander - VSOP(RnB Insider™)
8. Cherish - Framed Out
9. J Holiday - Sooner You Get To Love
10. JW Speaks
11. JW - Burn It Up(RnB Insider™)
12. Joe Tann feat Jada Kiss - One Way Or Another
13. Remembering Justo Faison R.I.P - Kay Slay and Big Mike 5/05
14. NeYo - Spotlight
15. Dj Cashis Kay Speaks
16. Tyreese feat Ludacris - Comin To see You
17. Nathan Landers Speaks
18. Nathan Landers - Just Cant Go(RnB Insider™ Xclusive)
19. Lloyd feat Hood Fella - Breath(RnB Insider™Rmx)
20. Usher feat Young Jeezy - In This Club
21. Sean Garret feat Ludacris - Grippin On The Bed
22. Q(112) - Never Let You Go
23. Precious - I'm Here For You(Shout Out To RIP CITY!!)
24. Alexis - My Valentine(RnB Insider™)
25. Webbie feat Letoya - I Miss You
Mark Xclusive is back on the scene with 2 of his most popular series on the mixtape scene right now ( Xclusive RnB V19 & Soul Sessions V4 )..
Vote for MarkXclusive @ http://www.themixtapeawardsonline.com/
Xclusive Rnb Volume 19
01. Enur ft Natasja, Pitbull, Lil Jon, & Mims - Calabria 2008(MarkXclusive REMIX)
02. Kat Deluna ft Busta Rhymes - The Show
03. Nicole Scherzinger ft Brick & Lace - Puakenikeni
04. Kanye West ft. R.Kelly - Flashing Lights (REMIX)
05. Snoop Dogg ft Lil Kim - Sensual Seduction (REMIX)
06. Tiffany Evans ft Bow Wow - I'm Grown
07. Jaheim - Keep It 1000
8. Rasheeda ft The Dream - Give It To Me
09. Estelle ft Kanye West - American Boy
10. Latif ft. Ryan Leslie - Legally Down
11. Mario Winans - Lonely Stronger
12. Uness ft Dex Dirty - Taste Your Heartbeat (REMIX)
13. Raheem DeVaughn ft Big Boi - Energy
14. Ashanti - The Way That I Love You
15. Trey Songz ft Plies - Can't Help But Wait (REMIX)
16. Lyfe Jennings ft Lil Wayne - Brand New
17. Steph Jones - La La Means Love
18. Ne-Yo - Go On Girl
19. Pitbull ft Frankie J. & Ken-Y - Tell Me (REMIX)
Soul Sessions Volume 4
01. Estelle - Wait A Minute
02. Estelle ft. Kanye West - American Boy
03. Lilly Allen ft. Busta Rhymes - Oh My God (REMIX)
04. Maroon 5 ft. Mary J. Blige - Wake Up Call (REMIX)
05. Nicole Wray - Stand Up
06. Toussaint - Spacesuits & Starships
07. O'Neal McKnight ft Greg Nice - Check Your Coat0
8. Ne-Yo - Go On Girl
09. Trey Songz - Fades Away
10. Paula Campbell - Dem Girlz Say
11. Mary J. Blige ft. Usher - Shakedown
12. Kismet Brown ft Jim Jones - Over You
13. Jonell - Know Me
14. Jill Scott - Come See Me
15. Bobby Valentino - I Was Wrong
16. Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again
17. Raheem DeVaughn ft. Floetry - Marathon
18. Jaheim - Never
19. Faith Evans - Maybe
20. Mary J. Blige - Hurt Again
NEW RELEASE!
DJ NOODLES & RED CAFE PAPER TOUCHIN'
Mr. Fix Your Face is at it again, as DJ Noodles teams up with Konvict Muzik's own RED CAFE for another classic mixtape- "Paper Touchin". 20+ Tracks of new exlcuisve heaters with guest appearences from Fabolous, Styles P, Remy Ma, Uncle Murda, and More!Download it NOW @ http://www.djnoodles.com/redcafe.html
01. Excellence Intro - Red Cafe
02. Buck Buck - Red Cafe
03. Paper Touchin - Red Cafe
04. Dope Game (Snippit) - DJ Noodles & Red Cafe
05. The Last Thing I Do - Red Cafe
06. Live The Life - Red Cafe
07. On My Grind - Red Cafe
08. I'm Da Man (Remix) - Red Cafe ft. Fabolous, Fred Wrek, Paul Cain
09. It's Movin - Red Cafe & Section 8
10. Red Cafe Speaks
11. Duffle Bags - Red Cafe
12. Gully Side - Red Cafe ft. Movado
13. Since She Met Me - Red Cafe
14. Move Like A G - Red Cafe ft. Styles P & Uncle Murda
15. The Good Life - Red Cafe
16. What It Do - Red Cafe ft. Remy Ma
17. Akon Speaks
18. Like This - Red Cafe
19. New York City - Section 8
20. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - Red Cafe
21. Red Cafe Outro
22. Bonus Track / Live From Fix Your Face Radio
MORE DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE NOW @ http://www.djnoodles.com/
LXG Music Group / Diggers Union Local 1200 Representatives Hevehitta and DJ Unexpected bring you 3 Kings New York. Featuring the top 3 rappers of today,50 Cent, Nas and Jay Z, this CD showcases original unreleased music from the 3, plus give you an insight of what these rappers were about before their mainstream success. With joint's like "Rules", "Hey Papi (Original Version)", and "Life Is Like A Dice Game", New York enthusiasts will appreciate where their favorite rapper started their successful careers.
01. New York Get The Money (Who's The True King?) Produced By DJ Unexpected of LXG Music Group
02. Nas - Hardest Thing To Do Is Stay Alive (Unreleased "I AM" Material)
03. Jay Z Feat. Sauce Money, Jaz O & Tone Hooker-
The Foundation
04. 50 Cent - Rules (Unreleased - 1998)
05. Nas - Understanding (Demo Version)
06. Jay Z - Who U Wit (Part. 1 // New 3rd Verse)
07. 50 Cent - Get Money (Unreleased - 1998)
08. Nas Feat. 50 Cent & Nature - Projects 2 Hot
09. Jay Z Feat. Da Ranjahz - Event Horizon (Unreleased)
10. 50 Cent - Repercussions
11. Nas Feat. AZ - Serious
12. Jay Z - Hey Papi (Unreleased Solo Version // New 3rd Verse) 13. 50 Cent Feat. Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo - Bottom Girl
14. Nas - Stay Chizzled (Complete Song)
15. Jay Z - Only A Customer
16. 50 Cent - Piece By Piece (Unreleased)
17. Nas Feat. Lakey The Kid - One Never Knows (Unreleased)
18. Jay Z - Million And One Questions (DJ Premier Remix)
19. 50 Cent Feat. Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo - I'm Leavin
20. Nas - Life Is Like A Dice Game (Unreleased "Illmatic" Material) 21. Jay Z - Dead Presidents II (Original Version // Different Lyrics) 22. 50 Cent - Stretch Armstrong Freestyle
23. Nas Feat. Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Freestyle (Tim Westwood Radio Show)
24. Jay Z - I Shot Ya Freestyle (Bad Boy Mixtape)
25. 50 Cent - Trackmasters Freestyle (1998
GUESS WHO'S BACK AND READY FOR WAR ?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh yeah, its ya boy DJ G-Spot & He's coming back to rep for the MIDWEST. There's only a few of us left that dares to rep for our region. MIDWEST INVASION VOL 7 Copies available Friday, Feb 15th, so holla now for em !!!!!
1) Block XChange f/Twista – Music (Chicago, IL)
2) DJ Pharris f/Ludacris & Block XChange – Head Noddin’ (Chicago, IL) 3) Al Fatz f/Paul Wall – Main Attraction (Cleveland, OH)
4) Phoenix Jones – Who We Are (Cleveland, OH)
5) Speedknot Mobstaz f/Twista – Money To Blow (Chicago, IL)
6) Trick Trick – Let’s Work (Detroit, MI)
7) Obie Trice – Detroit (Detroit, MI)
8) Phoenix Jones – Beast Within (Cleveland, OH)
9) Rhymefest f/Talib Kweli – Never Can Say Goodbye (Chicago, IL)
10) Bump J f/Avant – What’s The Bizness (Chicago/Cleveland)
11) Kidz In The Hall – Work To Do (The Obama Hip Hop Anthem) (Chicago, IL)
12) DJ G-Spot f/Phoenix Jones – U Still Know (Chicago/Cleveland)
13) Chip Tha Ripper – MOY 2008 (Cleveland, OH)
14) Royce Da 5’9 f/OC & V-Stylez – First To Rise (Detroit, OH)
15) Obie Trice – Ball Out (Detroit, OH)
16) Royce Da 5’9 f/Termanology, Crooked I, Akrobatik & Consequence – The Music Industry (Detroit, OH)
17) Mz Skittlez – Callin Me (Cleveland, OH)
18 ) Bump J – Chevy Fresh Out (Chicago, IL)
19) Hurtn Em Hustlas – We Represent (Cleveland, OH)
20) Diesel Money – Trucka Girl (Chicago, IL)
21) DeMarco – Super Soaker (Dayton, OH)
22) Block Bang Gang – Get Em In, Get Em Out (Cleveland, OH)
23) DJ G-Spot f/Team Tuck – I’m Twisted (Cleveland, OH)
24) Twista f/R Kelly – Love Rehab (Chicago, IL)
COMING THIS
SUMMERMIDWEST INVASION - THE ALBUM http://www.djgspot.com/
You know we gotta hit ya'll with what's new. We are getting bigger and bigger by the minute! DJ Dommystyles is becoming a major player in the game, throwing many parties in the Detroit & Columbus, OH areas, putting out heavy hitting R&B mixtapes and now starting on WHTD-FM in Detroit doing R&B on Sunday Nights. Holla at him at www.dommystyles.com. DJ E-V has dropped "I Run CLE" mixtape. Right now, he's rocking out every club in the city. If you're not familiar, like clinton sparks would say, "GET FAMILIAR"!!!! Also, Coming soon - www.djev.com. DJ Showtime has dropped "Backspin Vol 3". He definitely rocks the old school on this one. THE LEGEND IS BACK !!!!!
DJ G-Spot has dropped "Midwest Invasion Vol 7" mixtape & also has his first single out for Midwest Invasion-The Album. The single is called "U Still Know" and it features Phoenix Jones, being spun on WIIZ, Sirius Hip Hop Nation, KEXP & WCSB.www.djgspot.com. DJ Brother Jules has made it into the final round of the TCNC Club DJ competition!
Please show your love by voting for him at http://www.twincitiesnightclubs.com/dj_contest.asp. Voting ends soon so do it asap!!!!! Also, don't forget to cast your votes for DJ G-Spot, DJ E-V & Jack Da Rippa at www.themixtapeawardsonline.com. For more information on Da Entourage DJ's,
Contact:DJ G-Spotmusic@djgspot.comor Marlo Martin-Jacksoninfo@doublement.com
Tapemasta presents Pushin' Tapes ( You can download these tapes by clicking on the link )
Mista Rello & Jadel
Blendmasters (Double Cassette)
Review by: Tapemasta
Click Each Tape Above To Download
Track list
These guys is still one my favorite Mixtape djs when it comes to the blends..I remember when I first got a rello mix tape back in 1994..I was like who’s this dj & why he’s not killing them in the other boro’s of NY…So I figured let see who did a best of them..Guess what, I found it !! From time to time Rello still do some of these blends on his current Mixtape today..Be honest where do you think that ol skool mix came from..9 out of 10 it came from one of the Queens djs..But Ron G had the people going crazy with his style of blending, which originated the Bad Boy style..Check the history & see for yourself..Sorry Puffy, I tell it like it is…Anyway check for mixes for songs like Encore, The Girl Is Mine, Happy, Twisted, Rock Witcha, Let It Go, I Wish..Now remember these songs was all on tape 1..Just sit back & let the blends flow on your mind..Okay, after you wake up from that 90’s trip..pick up that “Blunt” & show us how you feel after hearing songs like Tom’s Diner, Rock With Ya, No Doubt, Float On, We Can Make It Alright..Guess what people..I’m back !!!
DJ Lazy K
Nonsense Part 1-3
Review by: Tapemasta
Click Each Tape Above To Download
Track list
I had to do this for my girl & to let people know we really enjoy listening to her mixtapes..The first time I put up the first Nonsense tape, people went crazy..So I recently thought about putting the series together & making the people going crazy..How many websites can drop something like this on you !!! They know in their hearts that they can’t compete with this & watch how many people jump on it !!! Bootleggers, if u take it & put it on your sites..I’m going to call u out & let the people know..Don’t take anything, I put up unless u ask first ( I’ ll stop people from coming to your site )…U know V1 had people going crazy with joints like Mic Checka, 900 number, Love Thang, Spread Love..Then Lazy slowed it down on V2 with cuts like Be Happy, Can’t Wait, Cream, Let The Rhythm Hit em..Now on V3 she made you dj’s take it personal with joints Limb By Limb, Shook Ones, How Many Mc’s, Dwyck, Hey Lover..Straight up & down Lazy is better than a lot of you djs’ out there right now..But on the real tip..don’t have me pull out the VHS tape of Lazy doing her set live @ one of the dj battles..Respect this woman when u see her in the street..I’m outta here !!
Dream Team & Funkmaster Flex
Live At The Tunnel
By: Tapemasta
Click the tapes to download
Now let me tell you how I can relate to alot of the mixtapes that I got over the years !! I’ve been talking with Jae Supreme ( Gatekeeper Blend cds & DVD ) for years..Flex I talk with thru Bobby Trends..So believe me, I do get around on the mix tape circuit..Even when Hot Day ( Dream Team Ent ) had the store in Harlem ( I’ve went thru there also ) & he’s even one of the true dj's who had me hooked on instrumentals back a few years ago. So to be able to find this tape & crush the mixtape heads with it - was a honor to show everybody indeed !!
Now you get to see what us young adults ( lol ) was rocking to back in the days..I’m sure you know about joints like Foxy’s Bells, I Wanna Rock, The World Is Yours ( rmx ), Nas Freestyle ( This was a classic joint for alot of mix tapes in the past )…Now remember this was all the Dream Team side !! Can you imagine how Flex rocked joints at a party like Pronto, How About Some Hardcore, The Theme, Where Bklyn At..Once again, here’s where I show everybody how we was able to keep things moving at a certain pace. Now dj’s today need to drop some live mix tapes before we pull out all the old joints & show how they move better than what you drop today !! See ya on the next one !!
Dee Wiz
Funky Fresh Park Jams R&B Mix
By: Tapemasta
Click the tapes to download
We need this like weed heads smoke that shit..It’s over for ya !! Now you’re hooked..Once again, here’s where you get actual skills on the turntables by Dee Wiz & a talented brother on the mic like Luv Bug Starski ( A legend in the dj world & hip hop circles )..If you was at the mix tape awards ( 2007 ) this past year, Starski gave out a powerful message to young dj’s & let’s hope they listened. But away, you get a actual mix tape here, no down loading, no cutting & paste..oops, you do get a lot of cutting on certain breaks..which makes it unique after listening to today’s mix tapes…But people tell me, that they don’t want to hear all that scratching, just the music..but to me that’s boring..i might be a little ol skool, but I do keep my ears to the streets & people know where I’m coming from...
How many of you remember Just Be Good To Me by SOS Band, Must Be The Music by Secret Weapon, Square Biz by Teena Marie..After those 3 songs, old people will be hooked forever now…If you had the moment of being in the park & the djs was playing cuts like Got Ta Be Real, Over Like A Fat Rat, Brick House..Then you might need to down load this mix tape & make sure your kids understand why we go crazy when we hear these songs..Like on a DJ Rukiz cd called That Was My Shit..Believe it, it was the hottest times in NYC..See ya on the next pushin’ tapes…..
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