Who You With?

Never thought publishing and performer rights organizations would be looked at as a gang. Well not really but you get what I'm saying. The primary organizations are the infamous BMI and ASCAP. There's really no difference between the two, however, ASCAP does cater more to the Hip Hop genre while BMI does the same for Pop and Rock. ASCAP has a Song-Writers Conference in Atlanta which features Lloyd, Jermaine Dupri, Kerri Hilson, Bow Wow, and many more. That's usually where all my hip hop heads need to go. BMI would have a conference in New York featuring Willie Nelson, John Mayer, Brittany Spears, Jimmy Buffett and many more. The purpose of these conferences is for networking and learning. Now what these organizations do is record every time your record is played on the radio or on television. They track it and you get something in the mail called a Royalty Check once every quarter, or 3 months. (how much depends on how many times it gets played or performed at clubs or events) Now this is the FIRST thing you want to do when you are taking music more seriously and want to step into the league of professional musicians. Why? Well what if that track you have sitting on Garageband is the next Thriller? Yeah, its real simple. It usually only cost $35 to sign up, so it shouldn't take you long to sign up for it. Now which one to sign up for is totally up to you, you don't have to sign up for ASCAP if you rap. Just do your research and choose the one that you're most comfortable with. But save those quarters, do your research, and go do this first.

Do Your Own

I've looked at all the old music videos of Michael Jackson and realized that this man has set many many trends. From the jackets that Lupe Fiasco wears, the belts that Jim Jones rock, and the hats that you see Mos Def wearing. Even the moves that Lloyd, Justin Timberlake, Omarion, Mario and even Marques Houston perform every night. He has inspired artists such as Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Missy Elliott and countless others. What this man's legacy has brought is something that no one will ever be able to immulate. Its crazy how now I see where the sneaks with the fat tongues, the velcro and studded belts, the vest with the white tees and the suites with the sleeves rolled up came from. The only thing that Michael didn't invent was the fitted hat. But then again, how could you with your hair constantly being wet from giving once-in-a-lifetime performances all the time. I just wanted to take the time out to thank Michael Jackson for not only his constribution to style, innovation, and music, but also to man kind. Michael has done a LOT of philanthropy work in his time and has really been one of the few to really make a difference. I tip my hat to him, and I'm glad to have lived to see what amazing truly is.