Hey, Papa SL!
I promise you it's not too different now, really.

 

You seem to be insinuating that there is a nefarious conspiracy at work. It's just the current state of the music business operating within the same frameworks it always has. Promote artist, make maximum profit for company. If artist stops making money, drop artist, find new one.

 

if the industry is not like we say then why at 48 years old can't you compete with signed big names? is it because your music? I bet you make great music. (not being sarcastic, I am being 100% serious.)

Go out and buy a a cinema camera setup and get you boys to be your crew on your rig and get the Hollywood music vid rollin... and really try to steal attention form the top global artist right now on a consistent basis with no help. You will find that your plan would stop on matching the quality of theirs as you won't be able to afford the camera they use. Neither can I..

 

Trust me. Dig deeper and do research. I checked. I am not saying it's a conspiracy but all I am saying is the credits show that its the same production company, promoters, group of people making and in control of all the hottest global artist's we know today content.

 

It has been a pleasure contributing on this thread but I see this thread getting off topic, and too socio-political for me. I am out of here.

 

I prove to you chance the rapper is a plant and you leave.

 

Except there not much of a live music scene. At least not here. And not because of Covid. It's been dead for a long time. I could work seven nights a week. The newspapers gig guide ran daily over two pages. Now there is no live music anywhere.

 

You could make the same argument about Netflix. New platform taking over the old.

 

Whoah whoah! Hang on a minute!?
The industry, and industry in general, is how we are all saying. Fuct. And who is to say I can't "compete with big names"?
I help make money for the "big names". They buy my songs. I have also got "big names" re-established with their record labels and publishers due to my A&R skills!
And yes, your bet is a good one!

I totally get this, but I feel you may be missing the point.
If one was to do this, one would also hire the best storyboarder, best lighting camera-person, the best director, the best editor, the best graphics guys, etc...
Plus, most hire the gear for such projects now, due to the cost. Yes, the deposit is huge!
Just as you would at least finish your tracks in a commercial studio, not at home.

I think you should be looking at the period from around 1760-1840.
Or blame Adam Smith or someone.
This is what industry does to any medium it touches.
That's real.

 

Last edited: Feb 17, 2021

By using their wealth to create massive leverage over the common man or even a large group of the common everyday working man.

These cameras they are using cost well over +$200k

 

17k a project is insane you would agree right? Certainly out of reach for 99% of aspiring musicians wanting to compete in this ballpark.

 

Please, please. Papa Lenny had a deal when I was 8 years old!

Yes, you've awoken to the truth of how everything is and has always been.
I understand you are in shock right now, and it will pass.
I understand you want to share your newfound, personal revelation. We've all been there.
You need to establish within yourself how you are to progress with this knowledge, imo.

 

John Digweed Number 1 DJ Mag 2001

 

My record company spent $120,000 on studio time for me to complete an album. It flopped despite being fought over at MIDEM. Smoove Grooves will know what that is.

 

EVERYTHING about this world is the same. I'm glad you have worked it out.

If you ever sign a 10 year record deal with Warners, you will want to make videos to promote your music.
That money you use will be recoupable unless it is your own money, so you'd have to be happy throwing away money to do what you said here.

 

Depends on what you define “fans” as... But if you want to compete with the industry machine without $250k on up, forget about it... Payola has evolved way beyond getting your name on a local radio station or Spotify playlist...

 

guerilla marketing is interesting and useful. possibilities are endless.

 

Correct.

They are mindless! But it is conscious. No one has lost their minds; they know what they are doing.

I predict this thread will be closed, since it was going in this direction anyway due to the member of the OP.

 

maybe I have to dm and ask smoove here to make a paid course on what plebeians like us should do since he has insight because I can't afford 17k a music video and we all know what type of vibe and brand costately putting out low budget videos will get you.

I really don't know what to do. It's just just as simple as making a good sounding record anymore.

losing hope

 

The thing is, they/we dont! That is the illusion.
This is just programming that you will see through soon, I hope.
I was told the Christmas #1 three years in a row...in September or October.
This is the industry.
It will always need product.
When you are good at what you do, you have your own monopoly.
Don't lose hope. Stay positive and just focus on your writing and recording.
Music is bigger than the industry that abuses it.