Radio Play!?

Heres a question for you guys, how do I get my work played on the radio??

I'm talking about getting put in the mix of their normal rotation even if it's only played about once every other day.

I've tried submitting tracks for Home jam battles but I notice some Local artists have songs actualy in rotation (very small rotation) but their on there all the same.

heres what I got:

Ive heard that the "programmer" is the only way to make this happen, I got the guys name and number but I dont know how to approach him to get a song aired, I dont want to sound like Im calling in a song request, more like a buisness man ... or atleast professional.

$$$$ thats how you get into rotation

Money?? ok thats not too big of a problem, how much would you say is a good offering price, mainly how much is too damn much to spend.

I kinda figured I'd have to grease a few pockets, but dropping $1000 just to get played once every other day would be crazy. whats the norm (if any)?

Do your research ... What company owns the station, if it's a clear channel station you will need a marketing team $$$$$$. Most Pop/RnB/Rap stations are controled by one national play list with a mix of regonal artists to fillin the gaps. Thats why you will only here some artits in the south, east or west. Back in the day the program director would create the play list for the station. Now they take orders from the head office. The good news is that there are still lots of station that haven't been bought up by the big machine. I would find out who the late night DJs are and get buddy with them if your *hit is hot you could kill two birds with one stone and get some air play as well as hear your joint in the club. But if you want reguar rotation you need to greese the wheels of the big machine not the radio station

J WALES wrote:$$$$ thats how you get into rotation

lol...thats called Payola, which is very illegal, but still goes on every day.... also believe me dude, it will be more then a $1,000.00, unless u working wit one DJ, he might hit ya for a month for a G, but i doubt if it will be any cheaper, unless he needs to pay his rent, lol
or he just might take some Jordans and play ya song for a day on his show, ya never know

a lil excerpt from the above site:
In discussing a bribe given to a radio programmer in Buffalo, one promotion executive at SONY BMG's Epic Records wrote to a colleague at Epic:

"Two weeks ago, it cost us over 4000.00 to get Franz [Ferdinand] on WKSE. That is what the four trips to Miami and hotel cost . . . At the end of the day, [David] Universal added GC [Good Charlotte] and Gretchen Wilson and hit Alex up for another grand and they settled for $750.00. So almost $5000.00 in two weeks for overnight airplay. He told me that Tommy really wanted him to do it so he cut the deal."

Man VS Machine wrote:Do your research ... What company owns the station, if it's a clear channel station you will need a marketing team $$$$$$. Most Pop/RnB/Rap stations are controled by one national play list with a mix of regonal artists to fillin the gaps. Thats why you will only here some artits in the south, east or west. Back in the day the program director would create the play list for the station. Now they take orders from the head office. The good news is that there are still lots of station that haven't been bought up by the big machine. I would find out who the late night DJs are and get buddy with them if your *hit is hot you could kill two birds with one stone and get some air play as well as hear your joint in the club. But if you want reguar rotation you need to greese the wheels of the big machine not the radio station

i feel ya MVM, thats a thought... u being in music always wanna keep it cool wit the known DJ's

MAVERICK wrote:Heres a question for you guys, how do I get my work played on the radio??

It's not gonna happen on a major station unless you make a hefty (upwards of $10,000) donation to their program fund. It sux, but unfortunately that's the corrupt music biz for ya. I would focus on getting a press kit and college radio promo kits together, and service em to as many college radio stations as you can find info for. If you want the college DJs to pay more attention to your package, pay a college radio promoter to service it for you. This should prob cost you anywhere from $500-$5000, depending on the promoter and the coverage.

First off I wanna thank you guys for all of your time and knowledge.

Looks like my only option is to hit clubs and see about getting buddy buddy with some DJ's, I don't exactly know how. because an excess of $10,000 to me is'nt worth a few spins, for that much bread I wanna be placed in heavy rotation.

Anybody with any more knowledge on this is greatly appreciated.

I would find out who the late night DJs are and get buddy with them if your *hit is hot you could kill two birds with one stone and get some air play as well as hear your joint in the club. But if you want reguar rotation you need to greese the wheels of the big machine not the radio station

Exactly what he said homie. Find out where ya 11pm-to whateva shift Dj's are at when hosting at clubs and get to know them but being up front with them. Just say yo if you got some time can you peep my product, I'm trying to make moves, holla back with a real honest remark for what I need to work on, etc.


If your down to earth with them and not trying to do some ho-ish sales pitch then usually they will check you out and if everything is peace they will host your music and even have you come to the station to let the public know about your material and skills. Nuff said, other from that get ready to get raped by the radio station for big cream to play ya junk and if they play it its gonna be on the back burner rotation if you don't have a real good street rep. Ugly world, but hustle and grind.

one

Quote "Ugly world, but hustle and grind."

Hit up those underground University rap show DJ's. there down for any type of newish ish. Especially if its local and sounds phat. Find out who some local heads are at some shows that spin on air, if you dont allready. Its the radio dont pay to be on that ish. Any true Hip Hop Head that would snatch your product listens to these shows if the radio at all.

"Turn off the radio, turn off tha BullSh$%"
DPrez

B-Sick wrote:Quote "Ugly world, but hustle and grind."

Hit up those underground University rap show DJ's. there down for any type of newish ish. Especially if its local and sounds phat. Find out who some local heads are at some shows that spin on air, if you dont allready. Its the radio dont pay to be on that ish. Any true Hip Hop Head that would snatch your product listens to these shows if the radio at all.

"Turn off the radio, turn off tha BullSh$%"
DPrez

College stations are a great place to start but to get anybodys interest at all you need an overall sales strategy. Payola is not legal and alot of tunes break and / or get played without it. Buying a few lunches is however, a good idea...Something like the following is a small suggestion from the perspective of an indie label or artist manager:

1. Cut and package CD
2. Create Press Kit (Photos, reviews, posters, disks, discography,bio, videos, etc.)
3. Send CD's to all relevant trade Mags, Newspapers, and any other publication you can think of that might give you a review.
4. Follow up your mailing with phone calls and get some reviews
5. Add reviews (the good ones) to your press kit.
6. Get placement in stores in the city you are targeting. (Put 'em in on consignment if you have to or give 'em away at cost but get them in the stores!) Airplay's no good if folks can't find your disk.
7. Get placement with web sellers
8. Include places your CD is available in your press kit.
9. Send the whole package to your target stations.
10. Follow up with phone calls and personal visits.
11. Try to get an interview on the college (or any) station...
12. Have a CD release party. Coordinate with your interview and include dates / times etc in your press kit.
13. Hire teenage girls to scream incessantly at your release party...(if you can get them to throw thier panties at the stage you're halfway home...)
14. The point is....make a coordinated attack on your target city, incorporating press, sales, airplay and live shows. Have merchandise (CD's T-shirts etc.) available for sale at all shows.
15. Sell 20 - 30,000 copies of your disk and provide sales recipts alnog with your most recent press kit to the majors. They WILL take you seriously and you are on your way to a major release....

^^^^Damn good info right there.

Come up with some GOOD MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You cant deny good music, i dont care what anyone says, yeah payola exists, we all know that! HIT THE STREETS! If i really wanted a song on the radio i'd be sittin in front of that radio station with my crew, throwin flyers, cd's, annoy the hell out of them.....they're gonna eventually wanna shut you up!