INDUSTRY TALK: How To Be a Better Rapper/Singer

Mar 08, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

I run a small recording studio and therefore I come into contact with a lot of artists of all different types. Because the major genres I deal with are Hip Hop and R&B, I interact with a whole lot of rappers and singers. I myself started rapping at an early age went on to win competitions and awards in my home country, on my way to becoming a producer and audio engineer. Over the years I’ve gained some insight into what it takes to become a better rapper (or singer for that matter), and I want to share a few points here:

Read more. Sounds basic but it’s important. The more you read, the more you get familiar with words and the nuances of language, enunciation and cadence. These are essential tools for any vocalist.
This is related to point 1. Expand your vocabulary. Learn more words and what they mean. Especially for rappers, this helps you to have a bigger arsenal when writing or freestyling.
Stay up on current affairs. Again it’s about feeding the mind so that you will have sources of inspiration and knowledge to draw from. Some of the best lyricists in rap are also some of the most socially aware and intelligent members of the community.
Don’t practice in isolation. This is why having a circle of like minded individuals around you is very important. Your crew should be able to keep you sharp via friendly competition and constructive criticism. Don’t stay alone in your corner and not expose yourself to other opinions and stimuli.
Practice a lot and try new things. Don’t settle for doing the same thing over and over again. Challenge your abilities. It’s a good way to grow.
Vocal training (yes rappers need this too). Not only should you have a vocal coach teach you correct breathing techniques and such like, but you should also take good care of your voice since it’s your instrument of choice.
Search for and use beats that suit the type of artist you want to be. There are almost infinite resources to choose from, especially when buying beats online, so listen through your options and choose what sounds and feels right.

I know that was a mouthful but I felt as though it needed to be said. Here’s to better music and better music careers for all of us!

Make Music Outside the Box

Mar 02, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

It’s 2012 and the music industry is in its most interesting state ever, in my opinion. On the one hand, we have artists who are purely about musicianship and raw talent i.e. Adele and on the other we have gimmick artists like Nicki Minaj. Both successful but from two totally different perspectives. One is crafted solely by the engine of the industry and panders to whatever trends are hot while the other has brought back that feel of true artistry.

I want to encourage artists, producers and beatmakers to think. Think not just about what sells currently or what is the next shock value gimmick that can be employed for the sake of remaining relevant, but instead try to craft your songs, beats and videos with a kind of cutting edge creativity. Here are some examples of what I mean, little things that may make a difference:

Song structure. The usual intro, verse, chorus, verse chorus blah blah blah is cool but maybe try switching it up a bit. Try a simpler hook or maybe even verses where the hook line of the song is at the end of each line of the verse. Bridges are cool but try using them in an unorthodox spot in the song, or maybe have the bridge come at 2 points in the song.

Rap groups should try being more integrated on tracks, e.g. in the case of a 3 man crew, instead of 3 verses and a couple hooks, have 2 verses and have each member play parts in both. This creates a real crew vibe and is very interesting to the listener.

Try weird things in your beats. Sample household implements or things that you wouldn’t normally associate with music. For producers who compose more often than they sample (like me), avoid monotonous loops throughout the song. Use your chops to create different movements and mini bridges within your beats. It makes them more appealing to artists who are looking to buy beats online or otherwise.

Look at the success of Odd Future (OFWGKTA). Even though a lot of their music is filled with what I like to call shock value content, which in itself may be seen as a gimmick, they certainly get an A for effort. They are unique and as such have garnered a cult following.

Think outside the proverbial box. Boxes are stifling….and square.

INDUSTRY TALK: Hot New Consequence ft Busta Rhymes (Beat is CRAZY)

Mar 02, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

cover art

Real hip hop seeps back into our lives every once in a while. This Native Tongues reminiscent track (If you don’t know what I mean by Native Tongues, never listen to hip hop again -__-) is refreshing, with the Dungeon Dragon Godfather and the heavily underrated microphone virtuoso showing the younger cats how it should be done! The beat is insane too! Well produced. I’m not totally a fan of the mix but in some cases these things are simply a matter of taste.

If you enjoy hip hop of this nature and/or your are an artist looking for REAL hip hop beats online, visit my beats page. Nuff said

Source for this track and info: Mr. X at Nahright.com

MOVIE NEWS: The Avengers are Coming!

Mar 01, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

I know this is a little off the beaten path for this blog but if you are a big movie buff/comic fan like me you probably can’t wait to get your hands and eyes on this one! Sure to be action packed of course, but sources say the plot should be interesting with the super-sized egos of Hulk, Iron Man and Thor often clashing. Catch me at your local cinema with my 3D glasses on for this one!

PS. I’m sure the sound mixing and music will be awesome! Those are things i’m also heavily into. Anything to do with audio, music production, buying and selling beats and mixing and mastering I’m there. If you want to here what I do visit my main beats page.

Helping Artists Buy the Best Beats Online: Rocbattle review

Feb 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

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!

Five STUPID Things to Avoid When Becoming a Recording Artist

Feb 26, 2012 by strat - Comments Off

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.

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