Feb 27, 2012 by strat - Comments Off on INDUSTRY TALK: Is the Gimmick-Driven, Auto Tune Era in Music Ending?
We’ve all been subjected to the past few years in music. With the emergence of flamboyant, larger-than-life personalities such as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, and the widespread abuse of Antares’ Auto Tune, The music industry has churned out batch after batch of prepackaged, cookie cutter pop stars. Not to say that these people don’t have amazing natural talent, but these days talent is playing second fiddle to an artists ability to keep the media talking with controversy.
That aside, along comes Adele. This juggernaut of an artist is like the organic fruit in a room full of processed snacks. Dean Cramer of http://www.kingsofar.com gives a better rundown in his article which you should read here
This is something indie artists need to take to heart. Maybe it’s better to be who you are, rather than conform to what the industry is dictating as a prevailing trend. Maybe it’s better to continue to buy beats online for low price and sell records independently in your region. Be the hometown hero. Just a thought.
Feb 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off on Helping Artists Buy the Best Beats Online: Rocbattle review
This article is meant as a simple guide to assist independent artists who scour the internet in search of good original beats to buy for their mixtapes, albums, demos and videos. If you are asking the question “how do I get signed?”, right now is the best time in music industry history to be an independent artist. Though you may not have access to the mighty financial prowess of the major label, the internet has become an invaluable resource which can allow you to promote and sell your music by building strong movements on the social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Youtube. More and more these days, the ideal of being signed to a major label, while still alluring, is fraught with danger i.e. the notorious 360 deal. An indie artist can diligently build a fanbase through social media and sell on iTunes or in his/her local area (while booking gigs) and make a comfortable living without having to deal with record label politics.
One site which has become a leader in providing rap and r&b beats for indie artists is Rocbattle.com. The site is hosted by legendary grammy award winning producer Rockwilder and has over 80,000 members. Admittedly it is a very good site in many ways. The biggest feature is the producer battles, which basically gives producers a way to gain visibility (by winning battles) and customers a way of finding the hottest beats (those that win the most battles). The site has a wide selection of producers and beats of all kinds of varying styles and genres, a nice mobile version for listening to and buying beats on the go and a feature which allows customers to send in a request for a specific type of beat to the producers on Rocbattle.
While Rocbattle is a cool site with a good reputation, it is by no means the be all and end all when looking to buy beats online. Here are some potential cons to the pros listed above:
The customer has to join the site in order to buy beats. From checking it out myself, having to go through the entire process of signing up to the forum and setting up a profile seems like to much hassle if you are basically looking to lease a couple of beats.
The large quantity of producers at times takes away from the personalized service a client may need. There is such as thing as too much choice.
The site’s layout is a bit complex and a first time buyer may take a while to get their bearings.
The site seems more geared towards attracting new producers than attracting new beat buyers.
While not taking anything away from Rocbattle, there are alternatives which offer beats that are just as hot while not having the same cons. One such alternative to Rocbattle is StratCarter.com. Here clients get personalized customer service, no need to create a profile, an informative newsletter, special coupon deals for being on the mailing list, instant downloads after purchase, bulk purchase discounts and easy interaction with the producer, where you can email him directly about custom built beats and exclusive licensing. The site layout is very easy on the eyes and navigation is simple. StratCarter.com is very into personalized customer service and the rates are extremely competitive.
In conclusion, Rocbattle is a leading beat selling site with many advantages over others in terms of professionalism and design. However its biggest downfall may be that it has grown too big and complicated in terms of the beat buying process. If you are an artist looking to buy beats online and you want a viable alternative to Rocbattle, click the preceding link(s) and check the vibes!
Please note the song in the video above was produced an mixed by yours truly, Strat Carter!
Feb 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off on Five STUPID Things to Avoid When Becoming a Recording Artist
INDUSTRY TALK: Five STUPID Things to Avoid When Becoming a Music Artist
I come into contact with aspiring artists all the time, as I am a music producer. While i’m not as successful as Timbaland or Dr. Dre in terms of international acclaim and exposure, my experience and associations are rich, strong and go back for many years. Now there are certain things I find to be common among inexperienced artists. The ones I’m about to talk about in particular just PISS ME OFF! These are 5 common ways I’ve seen artists take an epic tumble towards NOWHERE in terms of their music careers:
Claiming to be too broke to invest in your music, yet you always have the latest Jordans. Seriously. What the f*ck. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard an artist say that he/she can’t afford to pay for studio time or even spend $15 to lease beats online. If you don’t show that you are serious and willing to invest in yourself and your chosen career, how can you expect someone else to do it?
Trying to get ‘signed’. In this day and age every unsigned artist should be educated enough about the present state of the industry to know that it is futile to sit and wait for a magical deal to appear simply because simply because they sent in a demo. (A demo? Really? Who the f*ck does that?). Begin to grind on your own and establish your own real movement. Use the social media tools at your disposal and MAKE people notice you.
Creating in your own little bubble. Ok so just because you think it’s epic doesn’t mean the world will always share your view. No man is an island (a cliche but a truth). I’ve found that drawing real inspiration from around you is vital, whether it be other artists music, people around you or just your natural environment. Open and expand your mind and understand what makes things and people tick. That will help make you a better artist.
Procrastination. That’s a no brainer. Seize opportunities and avenues when they show themselves. Makes no sense to sit and say ‘I’ll catch that when it comes around again’ because it just might not.
Last but not least (drumroll please): Using WACK ass beats. Obviously, everyone won’t like the same type of beats and what’s regarded as good can be a matter of opinion. However, there is a certain standard one should adhere to and there are beats that make you go ‘who produced that sh*t? elmo?’ Listen to the trends in music and understand the styles that garner the most positive attention. If you’re into hip hop then you should know what feels hot when you hear it. Now comes the shameless self promotion. You can solve this particular problem by going to the best place to buy beats online, my site Stratcater.com.
This is Strat signing out. Hope this helped at least one person! Blessings coming to you live from the Stratosphere.
