SOHH ATLANTA
The daily pulse of the Atlanta hip-hop scene
SOHH Gyant Randomness: Where Is The Artist Development??
Posted on May 30, 2008 10:07 AM
[This post got such an overwhelming response that I decided to post it again for those who may have missed it.]
If you haven't noticed a brutha is extremely passionate about the music business. Since I know that a lot of industry people [i.e. producers, music execs and even major label heads] check out my blog, as well as the SOHH.com site regularly I often times do posts that speak directly to them. Well this is one of those posts.
Where in the hell is the artist developer? Not too long ago record labels would force their artists to be developed so that when a buzz started to generate we would all get a chance to take in a damn near perfectly packaged entertainer. No matter if that entertainer was hip-hop or not. However in today's music business it seems that artist development is all but a faint notion rather than a staunch reality. It seems like the idea of "artist development" does not deal with potential. They need to find what is selling elsewhere and grab market share.
As many of you know I include my email address at the bottom of every post that I do. I have a lot of industry connects who send me their artist information in attempts to get them proper online coverage. Almost everyone wants an interview, especially a video one. However, most of the time I usually decline such requests. Call me a conceited bastard, but SOHH Atlanta is the highest rated hip-hop regional blog on the internet [don't hate - check the numbers]. SOHH for me I tend to be extremely picky as to who I select to get the exposure.
But a lot of times when I sit down with budding stars [or at least that's what they think] I can easily pick up on the lack of artist development and media training.
One time I interviewed an extremely successful music producer/songwriter who is aspiring for solo singing success. But as talented as this person is they have absolutely no personality. I remember asking them to "tell me one thing about them that their fans might not know." And their response still makes me die laughing. The response was something along the lines of this:
"that I'm really interested in global warming. Our planet is in a state of emergency and I spend a lot of time focusing on that".
...[Crickets anyone?]
While I too think that global warming is important, how is a new artist who is trying to generate some buzz comes off with some "global warming" sh*t, and it's not even Earth Day is beyond me. What's sexy or remotely interesting about that answer and you're a new artist?
They were about as interesting as of box of hair. To this day this songwriter is striving to get his CD released, which subsequently was pushed back indefinitely by his label.
I have a handful of other situations that have left me scratching my head as to why the labels have scaled back SOHH much in what they do with artists. I'm always getting emails from online media departments of major label companies of songs with no titles, grammatical errors, unprofessional media kits, the works. All the things that fall under "artists development" has become a complete joke.
I remember talking with former TLC member Chilli a few months back and she expressed to me how crazy it is that there is no more artists development. This notion seems to be a common complaint in today's music business.
I guess the point to this post is to express my frustration for how bad things have gotten in the music world. It seems the industry wants to point their proverbial finger at everyone from bloggers, to iTunes. But perhaps they should be blaming themselves for trying to constantly cut corners in this game.
Ever hear the old expression "you get what you pay for?"
Oh, and if you know your artist has no personality then don't get them a video interview. Just call up print publication and have them do a phoner.
Talk to y'all lata,
--SOHH Gyant
Email:sohhgyant@gmail.com
There still is artist devolopment...Auto Tune.
It still exists, they just streamlined the proccess and funding. Auto Tune is the answer for everything.
If you want to hear something passionate, check out Dem Southernfolkz.
myspace.com/demsouthernfolkz
Answer to that would probably be FAST MONEY.........labels tryna catch up with this digital era and all that so its a lot to it but labels not promoting the artist either so its probably a lot of everyone being stuck up they own ass ..forgot team comcepts
managers, artist, producers , dancers, label heads etc ....everyone got to play they part ...
Bone THUG had artist development before they came out ......listen to they demo tape they did not always rap fast
artist development is KEY
YOU HAVE SAID A DECADES WORTH THEIR MY BROTHER!
i totally agree with this blog. record labels have gotten real impatient because now its corporate big business. most of the marketing heads at labels have a pure financial background. they dont understand or respect the longevity of an artist and how it is important to develop that artists' image in the marketplace. and then they have the nerve to promote this 360 deal without providing artist development. that sounds like they are saying, build yourself up and we will just take a percentage of all that is you. thats some real underhanded shit if you ask me.
Good Post, so true
Take it you talking bout Sean Garrett then???
Anyways, u rite Gyant, development in Hip-Hop & R&B has been replaced by ringtone sales and myspace numbers i.e. longevity for immediate impact.
Only person been recently 'developed' is Rihanna
Great Blog Gyant! I wish there were answers to why there isn't artist development anymore. It's a rough situation!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/KeseSopranosPodcast
www.myspace.com/kesesoprano
kesesoprano.com coming soon
Great Blog Gyant! I wish there were answers to why there isn't artist development anymore. It's a rough situation!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/KeseSopranosPodcast
www.myspace.com/kesesoprano
kesesoprano.com coming soon
I completely agree with this post and it's actually really sad that the industry is in the state it's in. The industry is built finding the next hottest thing basically find em, sign em and throw out there with a hot single and that's it. Singles not albums, radio spins and gimmicks. Nevermind being talented or making a quality album anymore.
Damn. Way to tell em Gyant. Nice blog.
Me and my man was talking about that earlier. There is no more artist development, the Labels want the artist 2 create hiw own buzz. Then the Label piggy backs off of your own success. However that can also have a negative effect because the Label is not really putting any insight into the project. Look at Shawty Lo and Rocko, lol. Like watch when G-Unit comes out, they might not go Platinum. Why, I just don't know. However Lil Wayne will go Platinum in 3 weeks, just watch. Artist development 2 the Labels is a waste of money, however if you're a Product of Your Environment. Then the Labels semi-not believing in you is a good start 2 your downfall. If they won't Invest in You, then who will.
Word
Sceeyoo@Yahoo.com
how do you monkeys feel! seriously! I CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND BLACK PEOPLE! I HAVE ALWAYS FELT NOT BLACK NOT ANY RACE! BUT NOT BLACK JUST BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF HATE FROM MY OWN PEOPLE! IT MAKES NO SENSE! YOU UNDERSTAND! THE JEALOUSY ENVY AND JUST STRAIGHT FUCKING IDIODICY! THE NIGGA JUSTIFICATION! THAT JUST SAYS OH WELL! ITS BEYOND REAL! I EXPECT IT FROM THEM! I DO! I EXPECT THE OPPRESSION THE TRICKS THE BULLSHIT! I EXPECT IT FROM THEM! YOU UNDERSTAND! I DO!
I moved to atlanta last year (to do music of course) & out of all the industy connects I have, none of them led me to,or even mentioned artist development(which is one of the things I was looking for) but if yall know one hit me up!
duranmaurice2006@yahoo.com imma lyricist BTW
Like Ice T said hip hop died when rapper had stylist on their team telling them what to look like. You can groom a person all you want but then that person will be fake. make good music. Nobody care that MJ walk around with a monkey?!! Who groom him into that issh? MAKE GOOD MUSIC.
There is no artist development and there hasnt been any for years. Thats why you DON'T see many artists that are ready to take the torch from our 30 and sometimes 40 year old artists. There is such a huge gap between talent that this industry is gonna be even more fucked up then it already is.
i'll take Johnta Austin for that one...he looks like he's lacking personality..you are correct..it's like they just throw them on stage give them a mic and say GO..heaven forbid they do an interview..uhh..umm..it's ridiculous
Artist Development teams in the Labels has declined to near zero, Universal Music Group was the biggest storage tank and has let all there signed Development artist go.
The Music Industry today is jacked-up, to the point were future Artist has to build a brand name own there own through Myspace, facebook and local events to get there name out there just to get heard>
Keep bringing in the Blogs Gyant
-Mr. Wright
Yeah i agree but the funny thing is that most of these artists are from ATL yalls town. Its like everyday I see a new rapper frm ATL or a new R&B singer or producer and they all sound the damn same! I dont mean all of them but the majority of them do.
To answer your question sir, the INTERNET is what happened to Artist Development.
Think about it, why are labels going to waste their funds developing an artist when they can jus flood the internet with the first piece their artists records?. It's basically saying, "Here chew on this while we figure out what to do wit this new artist". It's like a test; if the material succeeds, they don't have to waste the time, and if doesn't...bye bye new artist!
Back in the day, it wasn't like that. Labels were careful on what they presented to the public. Look at Soulja Boy...Artist Development what?????? Labels saw his success and threw the idea of "Developing Artists" right out the window. I mean it didnt just start at Soulja Boy, but he's damn sure the best example!
I think we need to get over the fact that the industry is never going to return to it's normal existence. The golden years have reached their peak......
"SOHH Atlanta is the highest rated hip-hop regional blog on the internet" - This is an incorrect statement. There is no universal way for rating system for hip-hop blogs. We can however analyze traffic to sites that feature hip-hop content regularly with Alexa. Before I show you the data, not a single Atlanta-based rap blog that featured hip-hop ranked above 1Million (which means they are virtually invisible to 99.99% of the planet.) As you look below, remember, the lower the rank the BETTER.
The difference between SOHH and AHH is about 200 points on any given day. Any real website developer will tell you that the BULK of the traffic to both sides is for RUMORS , not actual news. Out of the top five sites only two actually see more traffic for news than rumors – hiphopdx and mtv. In the case of hiphopdx they get most of their traffic for news, album reviews and interviews. - Which would by DE FACTO make hiphopdx.com the most “popular blog†since that is the format they write most content in, trumping AHH and SOHH (which again, focus primarily on rumors, off-color reporting, non-review form critique of people and industry, etc.)
In pure Google searching, AHH DESTROYS SOHH by appearing at the top of page one, while SOHH appears at the very bottom. But again, this is NOT how we determine the most popular blog or rap site! It’s pure traffic calculated by unique visitors each day. Although it would be interesting to compare “longest duration of stay†among these two sites.
Although the SOHH ATL ranks high among Google searches for rap+ATL it doesn’t make an individual dent AT ALL when you search for hip-hop/rap/music/Atlanta etc. It becomes completely invisible. Lol In fact, Nah Right, Bronx Rap are probably the largest “pure regional rap†blogs because they deal in practically nothing else and they focus primarily on east coast music. If you asked any serious hip-hop blogger he would die for a Nah Right link, because it is simply hard as hell to get and will result in tens of thousands of extra hip-hop eyes overnight. SOHH ATL latest traffic spikes are due to SR’s blog, which ironically enough ranks MUCH lower, but, still is ranked higher than other sites like BET and the Source.
Mtv.com has a traffic rank of: 358
Sohh.com has a traffic rank of: 1,309
Allhiphop.com has a traffic rank of: 1,522
Hiphopdx.com has a traffic rank of: 3,257
Worldstarhiphop.com has a traffic rank of: 3,894
Thisis50.com has a traffic rank of: 4,116
Bet.com has a traffic rank of: 4,171
Concreteloop.com has a traffic rank of: 5,004
Rawkus.com (smoking section) has a traffic rank of: 5,424
Xxlmag.com has a traffic rank of: 6,338
Vibe.com has a traffic rank of: 8,264
Nahright.com has a traffic rank of: 9,257
Theybf.com has a traffic rank of: 10,617
Okayplayer.com has a traffic rank of: 11,914
Rapbasement.com has a traffic rank of: 12,752
Nobodysmiling.com has a traffic rank of: 14,473
Realestniggas.com has a traffic rank of: 17,757
Ohhla.com has a traffic rank of: 18,433
Ballerstatus.net has a traffic rank of: 36,399
Sixshot.com has a traffic rank of: 38,802
Missinfo.tv has a traffic rank of: 40,943
Crunktastical.blogspot.com has a traffic rank of: 51,509
Necolebitchie.com has a traffic rank of: 82,564
Prohiphop.com has a traffic rank of: 107,355
Thesource.com has a traffic rank of: 166,558
Themegatrondon2.com has a traffic rank of: 200,057
Technically AOL MUSIC wins with a rank of 21. But I am hoping people don’t use that find music!
Last, but not least, I know SOHH claims to be the oldest surviving hip-hop site, but this is also not true. I won’t burst that bubble quite yet, but if I am taunted I might just get the OWNER of the oldest hip-hop site to weigh in.
Gyant says: While I can appreciate you taking the time to break the information down, you are most certainly incorrect.
Fact One: Sandra Rose did not contribute to the popularity of SOHH Atlanta. I've been here for almost three years, and have been doing the damn thing I started.
Fact Two: You cant compare SOHH Atlanta to Nahright, Hiphopdx, or any other hip-hop site because those respective blogs focus on all forms of hip-hop. East coast, west coast, ATL, everthing.
I only focus on Atlanta. Nothing more. So in that instance according to the weekly numbers SOHH Atlanta constantly pulls in AMAZING numbers and has been for quite some time now.
Fact Three: Rumors DO NOT FUNNEL our site. Sure they help, but that is not what gets the bulk of SOHH.com's hits.
I'm sorry to have to burst your bubble, but you're a little misinformed with your information.
There is a simple answer as to why there is no artist development: the public does not demand it! As long as the public is willing to accept any piece of bullshiit that comes out, the label don't feel the need for artist development. The public does not demand a story, they want a look and a trivial subject over a current beat.
.....I think Artist Development is necessary TO AN EXTENT....but..NOBODY wants a Robot for an interview??? As HORRIBLE as Kanye can be at times during interviews...his none media trained self can lead to some TRULY amazing interviews....and they aren't all about fake answers for the sake of promotion. I think the day and age of the "TRAINED" artist (oxy moron if I've ever heard one) are gone and over. With the power of the internet THESE DAYSSS....anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of YouTube anyway...myspace.com/novatribe....
Rihanna sho' was the only artist that has been developed recently. And boy was her transformation evident. She needed grooming but looks great now.
Actually labels would make more money if their artists were more together.
Finally gyant u got me readin wit a smile...i been talkin bout thys 4 awhile...musik has went downhill..
I agree 100 percent the industry is more into publishing dollars they really dont care about developing new artist....its all about publishing deals every new artist signed to a major can only use certain writers that are in the pockets of the labels or their records wont come out ....once done all the important people get paid and the artist dont get developed and then told the people aint feeling them so how are they feeling the writers of those weak ass song? its all game ....you will never hear a hot new writer of a stars album unless him gives up his publishing.....see the artist isnt important to the label as people think
Djs have turned into the A&Rs, and it's been that way for years. A&Rs were too afraid to go out and seek budding artists with potential and develop them due to the pressure of the major label heads to put out "that next hit record". A&Rs would listen to what was being played in the clubs and on the streets and just jump on the bandwagon. Remember when DJs had to BEG label reps to bring them new product? Now, it is the other way around. Reps are SWINGING ON THE NUTS of DJs in order to get help in finding the new blood.....AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT HAS GONE WRONG IN MUSIC. Remember when Macy Gray got signed? Someone almost lost their job over that! They BOUGHT her success! I know you know that, right? Anyway, Labels should just get rid of the entire A&R position at all labels.....they don't do anything now....but just have their local mix DJ on speed dial. If you think about it....100% of all new Hip Hop that blew up this past year had their projects COMPLETE by the time their were signed---Solja Boy, Hurricane Chris, Young Ralph, Shawty Lo, etc...and the list goes on and on.. Real talk, Greg Street, DJ Jelly, DJ Montay, open mic contest organizers, and myspace are the A&Rs out of Atl. Who are the A&Rs in YOUR city? (p.s. I agree with homie who commented on autotune....hell, I could be the next R&B SENSATION! It worked for Cassie, didn't it? My bad...)
Take it from me....as someone who managed a pretty well known "internet" rapper...I know all about artist development and the pros and cons of it......I think the problems comes from people not being them selves and trying to emualte the dudes that's getting it...from nyc dudes dressing like jim jones or whoever is popping from harlem....or dudes down south tryna to be the next t.I or jeezy...much of the wackness of artist is to blame on artist not being them selves and really developing or sliding more into there own personas....instead of imitating wht is working now.....
Take it from me....as someone who managed a pretty well known "internet" rapper...I know all about artist development and the pros and cons of it......I think the problems comes from people not being them selves and trying to emualte the dudes that's getting it...from nyc dudes dressing like jim jones or whoever is popping from harlem....or dudes down south tryna to be the next t.I or jeezy...much of the wackness of artist is to blame on artist not being them selves and really developing or sliding more into there own personas....instead of imitating wht is working now.....
They need more blogger development too. I think it's called "school".
Well said. The labels want 360's because they have no money(not like they're used to.) Majors now want your tour and merch money too. And what do you get? Well no one has really answered that too well in my humble opinion. Great post though Gyant
Look if you want labels to do artist development again and take time and invest money into artists careers again then get all of your readers to go out and buy fucking music again. I'm not going to sit here and tell you the price is fair all that, but the fact of the matter is if the major labels hadn't lost millions of dollars due to THEFT, then we would still be living in a world where artists were developed. You thank yourself for the current situation.
Gyant, sorry to burst your bubble but if it wasn't for two factors your blog/job would be out the window:
1. MATT HERBZ
2. You getting exposed a number of times
That is all, you prob won't post this but just know that we know you know what's up.
I dont think its all to blame with the labels. Its true all these artists act like others and are not themselves. But the main problem is us the consumers. The people that are themselves dont sell records cuz we dont buy them. We are stuck on the fad whats hot right now and dont branch out. And what is wrong with the environment answer? he was being his true self. What do u want him to say something illegal or something you can get a rumor started? These blogs have a part to do with it too. Yall always talk about the same people over and over again like they are the only ones making music.
shit they here in richmond going a free concert today
Artist development is within the artist in Atlanta. I highly doubt anyone is telling gucci mane or shawty lo how to spit a verse, they do what they want. Is artist developement needed? Nope, I dont think so... theirs so many rappers out there that, labels just need to do a better job of who they sign... they need to "look a little harder"
http://freshatltees.com
The black community needs to wake up! We need to come together and stand against the enemy. We need to focus on more of the positive aspects in life like school and how to get the youth off the streets. Hip hop needs to focus more on how to become more politically active and gain power in this country. Jim Crow is not dead but only his ghost lives w/in AmeriKKKa. Black people should put aside their differences and show more brotherly & sisterly love regardless if your from the hood or burbs. Where your from should not b a reason to hate your fellow brotha. So what if he looks different or talks different he is still your brotha no matter what!! Black people need to man up and quit w/ the crab in the barrel mentality. Stop being so sensitive and killing each other over small menial things like looking at someone wrong. BLACK POWER!!
illegal1 says...
Gyant, sorry to burst your bubble but if it wasn't for two factors your blog/job would be out the window:
1. MATT HERBZ
2. You getting exposed a number of times
That is all, you prob won't post this but just know that we know you know what's up.
May 29, 2008 11:07 PM
I Co-Sign withdude, Mat Herbz is the only part of your blog I like. You have the audacity to say "I have a lot of industry connects who send me their artist information in attempts to get them proper online coverage. Almost everyone wants an interview, especially a video one. However, most of the time I usually decline such requests. Call me a conceited bastard, but SOHH Atlanta is the highest rated hip-hop regional blog on the internet [don't hate - check the numbers]. SOHH for me I tend to be extremely picky as to who I select to get the exposure.
I mean with all of these A&Rs begging you to interview their artisit, i would assume you only pick the quality to interview" , but hmmm when was the last time we seen a quality interview from you? As I look down the past entries section to my right, i only see one interview of killer mike and you didn't even do the interview. The only Artist that you gave publicity or coverage was 9th ward from New Fucking Orleans, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy and Shawty lo. Damn you are quite the picky one, I would hate to see you lose you standards.
Damn Gyant I didn't know you actually had something to offer besides hating on people...wow!
Did Wendy Williams tell you to write this, what website you copy this from?
Btw, you didn't have to throw Jonta under the bus like that. Dude is just keeping it 100.
At the end of the day artist development is secondary, if you got talent then that is what matters. It's not cost effective for a label to spend 500k to develop an artist only have them sell 200k. Plus the industry is already over saturated with bullshit artist who are nothing more than creation of some corporation.
It is what is, profound I know, and it will continue to be that way until the labels adjust to this digital age and learn how to get they money.