whats a record deal mean in 2010???

the reason i ask is cos i been listening to j.coles warm up lately and the dudes going on about how he finally got his deal with jay-z and how it was his dream to get signed for so long... but im thinking, a record deal isnt the same as what it was and is it even irrelevant nowadays? with the internet and everything and the ease of going independent, is there anything to be really gained from being 'signed' in 2010? being on a major doesnt guarantee sales like it once may have.

i just found it odd j.cole talking about his record deal all the time when countless other dudes have just as much exposure as him without one. its not like it was in the 80s/90s - yeah i can understand how getting signed mightve been a big deal then.. but i think its a bit irrelevant now. what yall think

Record deals have lost their uumph in the Hip Hop genre.. Unless you are pop it really translates to "I know somebody in the industry".... You have to have mainstream appeal in order for it to translate into anything major.. Being signed really means they own you if you ever pop off. That is all.

The Industry is a joke.. You need to be put on with the right camp so your shit can be played on satelite radio, regular radio, or even the club...

SHWELL wrote:Unless you are pop it really translates to "I know somebody in the industry"....

exactly what i was thinking dude... its just a big fat co-sign to me

Some dabble in what i like to call "Hip Pop"

Nowadays record deal hinder people more than not....

record companies always like "nah"......

Listen, if you can get one, and you own a % of your rights, then you will eanr your cash. if you want to go solo, then you can earn well that way too, but it is a harder road to travel in some ways, yet still very lucrative if done the right way.

Im guessing nobody truely understands what a "deal" means nowadays. The language has changed DRASTICALLY. Alot of the indie labels are owned by the majors, and gettin a "deal" is the same thing as getting a production loan.

Yep, a "loan" is pretty much it...

This has been posted here before so it's nothing new, but it's worth posting here for those that haven't read it:

Steve Albini writes: "The Problem w/ Music"

http://www.mercenary.com/probwitmusby.html


If you think this was true way back when he wrote this, how can we think things are better now?

i think they should change the name cause come on theres no real RECORD dealing going on,its a new media a new way of doing things ,they shouldnt call it what it isnt?

Sinamatik wrote:the reason i ask is cos i been listening to j.coles warm up lately and the dudes going on about how he finally got his deal with jay-z and how it was his dream to get signed for so long... but im thinking, a record deal isnt the same as what it was and is it even irrelevant nowadays? with the internet and everything and the ease of going independent, is there anything to be really gained from being 'signed' in 2010? being on a major doesnt guarantee sales like it once may have.

i just found it odd j.cole talking about his record deal all the time when countless other dudes have just as much exposure as him without one. its not like it was in the 80s/90s - yeah i can understand how getting signed mightve been a big deal then.. but i think its a bit irrelevant now. what yall think

+10

Your better off going independent. Sh1t I would rather drop an album on Koch.

I know some people that have deals, but they also have full rights to their own music, and can write their own lyrics. They also receive a monthly check (not a loan) regardless of they submit music or not. The check amount isn't anything near mainstream money, but it is more than 2 grand/month. They also pay for all expenses (studio time, traveling, hotels, etc). I won't mention any names so don't ask , just know that there are a few labels out there that do pay.
I think labels now are going mainly off show money. If you are marketable enough, why wouldn't a label want to snatch you up? Negotiate an amount for a show and take a percentage. If you really think about it, this is the perfect time to sign artists. No need to print/distribute/market cd's, give the artist stickers with web links to the music. Got a new album, all they have to do is post a few links on some high traffic sites. Need to travel? Make the venue pay the artist ticket..all the do is make a phone call and say," you have a show in Paris in 2 weeks, pack light!"
I don't know what ol boy is excited about signing with Jay-Z, but for underground artists, it can be the ability to travel the world while getting paid for it! Finding gigs is hard work, but finding gigs that pay is rare. Let a label do the work for you!

Based on the brother's statement above me, there is still some hope in getting signed. However, based on the way he broke it down, this is totally contingent upon on the label itself.

I think the recording industry( if we are to generalize) is desperate. This is why I laugh people who buy into this whole 360 deal nonsense they are throwing at cats.

a record deal in 2010 = GOOD LUCK
which pretty much sums it up...

It is like this yal'l


a record label is like a bank, or an investment banker when they go looking for "investments" which in this case is the "artist"/ artist's product.


A record label does not give a god damn about the talent or lack of of the artist etc etc, the only concern is the return on the investment.


An artist who may get signed is an artist who is already showing that they can/ are generating a buzz on their own with their own product utilizing their own money/ promo efforts

it does not matter if unknown artist #2 may be "better" as if they are not putting theirself out there and proving themself able to make a buzz and promote.


If an artist makes a cd or singles at home and promotes it thru internet and local shows etc and attracts and audience / a buzz. maybe by spending 5 to 10 grand on promotioonal efforts (maybe less) but anyway, they are showing the work ethic and actual buzz results from their product.


a label will look at it like


this guy made this buzz in this area with these resources, now if we put x amount of promotional dollar behind them and our promotional engine can we amplify that buzz into this region/ that region/ book shows/ sell product return our investment



in other words, can we invest 1 million bucks into this artist and get a return of 10 million( or whatever worthwhile return on the bottom line) within a (x time period)





that's a record deal, record company = a bank investing money in an artist/product in order to generate a return.




artists who just sit at home and make "the best music nobody has heard" because they do not bother to promote themself or grind at all will NEVER get a record deal/ because it is not about how great or not great the music actually is, it is about is the product marketable... and is the artist already showing that along with their own work ethic/dedication


You can record the BEST song ever and send it to labels but if you are not willing to grind/promote yourself and show results they will go to the next guy who is grinding/showing results/ as it will appear to be a better more solid investment more likely to generate a return

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=126300

the books mentioned here have really helped me on my journey, if anyone is on the tip of the iceberg make sure you buy 'this business of music' and 'all you need to know about the music industry', 'this business...' also covers the U.K. but the other book still helped me out some, too as it has been updated recently.