The Hip Hop Cage Match

Its that time of the year again! The BET Hip-Hop Awards are 4 days away. Over the years this awards show has evolved. It was an Awards show that specifically gave tribute to the successful rappers throughout the year. Now it is an award show where all the ex gangsters show up and lets their ignorance hang. So when I say its the point in the year where BET displays ghetto foolery that is what I mean

It’s not just my opinion. This awards show is previously recorded for a reason. You cant even to begin to imagine what ignorance will come about in a live taping so the producers need time to piece together something taste full. I see the hip hop awards as an event that you shouldn’t even dress up for because, you might actually need your tennis shoes to make a run for the gun shots coming.  Being that it is previously recorded news about the fights that occurred has already leaked. BET Hip-Hop Awards shows that the rap game is the new Wrestlemania was a  Headline in the Washington Post. That article was completely on point with my views. Leaked information has told us that rappers Rick Ross of MMG and Young Jeezy had words and physical interactions at the taping. It becomes a problem when the rappers of the game can’t separate art from reality. The swag and the mentality they portray in the music and the videos is not a true lifestyle they live now. It is art a production or image that has been produced. They go to these shows and get so caught up it the image they forget reality.

So from a Public relations and branding standpoint this is ridiculous. Do I want my brand or artist to be apart of this? No. It shows negativity to the young community. When was the last time you saw Beyoncé there or Jay-z? My point exactly they have more important things to do. When the program gets back to the art then maybe I will come around. For now any artist I work with or company I am attached to will gladly watch it in the safety of their home. I watch it for the little attempt it makes to applaud the good rappers of the year. The show last year did display new talent that’s on the platform this year; so that is why I would watch it. In the article it was written “I guess this is what America views as black entertainment in 2012” That Is exactly what I am here to stand against and change.

What is an A&R?

I am on a journey in life right now period. At this point in time I aspire to be a successful A&R repertoire. With that being said, I would have to know exactly what that position entails. So as my first post I will answer one question. What is an A&R repertoire? This position is a lot of responsibility. It takes someone who can handle business as well as creative ideas.  This person signs and develops talent for the label. As and A&R you are completely involved in the recording process. Throughout that process you act as the lesion between the other departments to make sure deadlines are met. You have to be up to date with what is going on in the industry. This job takes some one who can multi task. In a dictionary sense that is what an A&R would be.

On a personal level it’s a deeper deal. It’s the go to person for the label and the artist. More often then not the A&R steers the artist in the right direction to make them a success. This shows how the trust has to be developed to place that much responsibility on one person. It isn’t realized how much of a relationship building position this is. You have to earn and gain respect. The relationships you build and connections you make take you further. The ultimate A&R to employee relationship I admire most is Sean “Puffy” Combs and The Notorious B.I.G.  I know now days it is a lot more work and I am fine with that. The phrase I am looking for that star power is used a lot. Well to look for that star you have to have the star drive period. Today its an over flow or people thinking they can handle something like this. I believe it is not for everyone. The payout is better when you look for quality rater than quantity. That’s where I come in.