Latron "Asks Dominique" about music

Q: Hello Miss Jackson I am a hip hop artist currently residing in Texas and want to know if I can send u copy of my mix cd and debut cd and how can I get it to college and big stations.

A: Hi Latron, thank you for writing me about your music. Just the fact that you are on the internet reaching out to people about your music is a good sign. As they say "A closed mouth don't get fed" so you HAVE to speak UP to GET yours. Now I am going to say flat out that I am not an expert in music but I do have some ideas of resources for you.

Sending copies to stations you are familar with or can find in the phone book or internet is always a way you can go but if you are a struggling artist it can be costly and not a sure fire guarantee that your music will be heard. Actually radio stations (commercial, independent, internet), deejays, record labels (independent & corporate), and magazines (mainstream & local) get alot of music sent to them so your CD might just get thrown out. If you can afford to burn them or burn them yourself (that is probably cheaper, you just have to buy the blank CD's and have the equipment) then why not do it because that will increase the chance that your music will be heard.

Wanting to start at college stations is really smart because they do actually play alot of independent music. When I used to be the Urban Music Director at my college station I really personally reviewed most of the music we got(all stations might not do this). I reviewed them, marked the songs I suggested or liked and shelved them so that they would be there for students to play in the library. If I liked it I played it! Also the station was really good because they required that you played a certain amount of new music each show so new artists could get a chance. If the listeners liked the music they would request it, the requested songs get played, and the most played songs get charted with CMJ (College Music Journal), the college radio station music journal. If you get charted (charted means that your song is listed on the chart of its genre like billboard record charts) on CMJ then that really helps your visibility and attention which can lead to more opportunities obviously (maybe records deals, and even attention from mainstream press like Rolling Stone magazine). So to find the college radio stations get on the internet and simply find the schools, find their student organizations, then the radio stations & address. You can even send the package ATTENTION: Hip-Hop Music Director to get it straight to the person you want. The more specific you are the better the chances are that your music will get to the person you want. Some of these stations might have websites too like my old station. You also might be able to get station info from CMJ.


Before I go any further let me state that it is crucial that your music is good before you do all this. There is so much competition out these days that you must have good music to even be considered. Even quality music doesn't get attention these days so that is even more reason that your music has to be good. I do understand that as a new artist you might not have really great production and beats but just try to find/make good music or freestyle over instrumentals of already hot/classic beats. Just make sure that your lyrics & flow are sharp, hot, blazin and all that good stuff. When a person hears fire you can't deny that!

The Internet is a GREAT resource for new artists. You can research;
record companies, print magazines, online magazines, conferences, seminars, contests, showcases, record pools, clubs, stores.

You might also want to join some of the websites where you can create a profile for yourself and download your MP3's (make sure to get your songs in MP3 format so you can email them to people) to the site for people to listen to. Actually if you go to google and put "independent music" in the search field tons of resources for new artists will come up.

Getting your music on mixtapes is another way you can get a street buzz going which is always good. Right now all eyes are on Texas and the music. This is really a great time for you to step up your game and try and get some of these eyes on you. So try and holla at the DJ's, artists, your friends and people in your area to see if maybe you can get on some mixtapes. You can get your music, do freestyles, intros for radio (little jingles you hear for deejays), skits and even host them. I am not sure how well known you are in your area but you need to get OUT and start meeting people so that your name, face and music can become recognizable. You need to know who is making moves and you need to align with those people by working together. You do things for them and they will do things for you. Ideas of people or places for you to target are; website designers (websites need music), video games designers (video games need music), clubs, strip clubs (I know that sounds a little risque but alot of
music is tested out there), festivals, carnivals, fairs, schools/school dances, colleges, film producers (films need music scores), magazines, DJ's, restaurants, stores, barbershops, etc. Basically anywhere you hear music, that can be you!

Try going to conferences, seminars, and even school to you can learn about the technology as well as the business that goes long with making music. You need to know what new technology people are using and also the business behind the music. The business behind the music is really important to protect yourself. Enter yourself into contests, showcases, talent shows and get some exposure and experience.

Make sure your friends and family know what you want to do so that if they have connections or hear of anything they can let you know.

Try to get your music into record pools. Record pools are good for distributing music to DJ's, A&R, and other industry folk. Not only does your music get out but they have meetings and discuss what is poppin in all the cities all over the world. This can be your link from your local scene to mainstream.

My last piece of advice would be to do everything yourself. Make your music, promote yourself, find gigs and just be your own company and do whatever you have to do to get where you wanna be! Good luck homie!!!

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/wmhc

http://www.cmj.com

http://www.magcoalition.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com

http://www.hiphoparchive.org/research/conferences.htm

http://www.recordpools.com/pages/1/index.htm

http://www.tjsdjs.com

http://www.majormoneyentertainment.com

http://www.cimsmusic.com

http://www.sonicawareness.com

www.google.com

~dj