Who want's to invest in a record label?

[Kdthelegend]

I am a producer/ artist with 7 albums under my belt. I have alot of material and make at least 5 beats a day. All I need is somebody who can put marketing dollars behind my label Billionaire Music Group. I want to use the money to build a extensive internet marketing campaign.

Listen to some of my music and let me know what route you guys think I should go. I don't want to sign to a label I want to find investors who will invest in my company for a portion of the profits. I want full control of my music and my image. In other words I want to be the owner and not the person getting owned.

Kd The Legend | Toledo, OH | Hip Hop | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos | ReverbNation

 

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[77startup]

Hello. I don't want to waste your time so I'll let you know that your chances of finding someone to invest in anything on this forum is extremely low. Since you are in the creative industry your story is perfect for crowdfunding websites. I suggest you check out Kickstarter as there business model is all about helping creative entrepreneurs gather funding.

 

[Lights]

Hahah, you're a funny joke.

So, here's why you're 27 years old, way pass your prime. They only want you when you're 17, when you're 21 you're no fun. There's truth in that regarding the entertainment field. The last person who made it big pass the prime was Cyndi Lauper... and you're not even close to fame. Drop the dream on the fame lane, unless you can suddenly get famous before 30, which I doubt. I'm not trying to be mean, but totally honest.

I listen to your music, and I know hundreds of thousands of guys who sound that good, and some better than that. You're not striking in your image either, you're not drop dead handsome (attractive I can see) but you're not like "50 cent" or "Eminem", guys who are in your market.

Your music sounds like "2006-too late", your sound is whack, your image is poor, and your not going to find anyone who will fund a "failure" already.

I would fund it, but I wouldn't do it for you. You're not a risk I will take, I will hire someone who was 18-24, who had the sound of 2012 (since that's what matters), who was attractive for stardom, had a following, and had pure genius music.

Sorry... it's reality.

 

[Gymjunkie]

@Lights... man, you're a joke.. haven't seen as negative post in this forum as yours'. Watch the tone I'd say... And your thoughts on age and attractiveness is just BS.. there are people who break these supposed rules you talk about..


@KD, don't mind the age thing, Jay Z released his first album at 26. Age gives advantage in songwriting, because you are smarter and more experienced than 18 year old guy trying to write. As far as your music goes, it isn't original... sounds like most hip hip artists that are on ReverbNation. You need to add something, different genre to the melody, like Dubstep which is coming up in UK now and young people listen to it.


I'm in similar situation you are in the regard that I'm looking for investor for a label, for me and my team, we got beatmaker, two rappers and me acting as manager/marketing guy and raising capital is real tough. But these days you can do a lot for free, like get a website, put some simple videos on Youtube, get on Twitter and start talking with people. Don't expect outside funding til you have fans and you can show that you are gaining momentum.

I would suggest you to become a songwriter for hire and try selling some songs to labels etc, that way you'd get to do what you like (I assume, may be wrong) and you would get some funds to put into your career. Of course it wont happen overnight!

Shoot me a message if you need any more ideas, I can't give you money tho

 

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[Kdthelegend]

The hatred this guy lights gave me just lets me know he knows how talented I am and he secretly wishes he could be me. Thanks for the hate hater I need your hatred to boost my adrenaline.

 

[911Carrera]

Lights is a negative chick. Who puts Bill Gates in the same category as Jenna Jameson who got rich doing porn and pimping sluts? hahah. Case closed.

I'm not going to be easy on you either but I'm giving good advice as in man-to-man talk.

To be honest with you, I don't think anyone smart would invest money into a start-up record label because the market is too saturated, every kid with pro-tools, some monitors and a studio mic thinks he has has a record label.

But do you really need people to invest in you to succeed? With youtube and all the social media providing you with a powerful free marketing platform, all you have to do is come up with something catchy and different that appeals to the mass. Think of Souldja boy, he sucks but he makes catchy songs and creates dances that appeal to the mass (he's crazy rich now). Think of Lil wayne, he's not that good but he sounds different and makes songs that appeal to the younger kids. Heck, think rebecca black, the chick can't sing for shit but the way her people market and deliver her has built her a strong following and even tho most of them are haters, she's getting rich off the 15 minutes. Once you can reach a large amount of people whether they like you or hate you, they will make you rich. Good luck in your career bro.

I listened to a couple of your songs and you sound very generic and your lyrics are what everyone talks about. Rapping is not hard, most urban kids can rap and beatmakers are a dime a dozen. What you need to do to succeed is to stand by being different from the majority.

 

[Gymjunkie]

Very good point about Rebecca Black... she has the market in kids, 10-16 year olds who love that kind of music, for grown ups is stupid and shallow but for a kid thats all he knows so they will be nagging parents to buy Rebecca's record..

Lights is a negative chick. Who puts Bill Gates in the same category as Jenna Jameson who got rich doing porn and pimping sluts? hahah. Case closed.

I'm not going to be easy on you either but I'm giving good advice as in man-to-man talk.

To be honest with you, I don't think anyone smart would invest money into a start-up record label because the market is too saturated, every kid with pro-tools, some monitors and a studio mic thinks he has has a record label.

But do you really need people to invest in you to succeed? With youtube and all the social media providing you with a powerful free marketing platform, all you have to do is come up with something catchy and different that appeals to the mass. Think of Souldja boy, he sucks but he makes catchy songs and creates dances that appeal to the mass (he's crazy rich now). Think of Lil wayne, he's not that good but he sounds different and makes songs that appeal to the younger kids. Heck, think rebecca black, the chick can't sing for shit but the way her people market and deliver her has built her a strong following and even tho most of them are haters, she's getting rich off the 15 minutes. Once you can reach a large amount of people whether they like you or hate you, they will make you rich. Good luck in your career bro.

I listened to a couple of your songs and you sound very generic and your lyrics are what everyone talks about. Rapping is not hard, most urban kids can rap and beatmakers are a dime a dozen. What you need to do to succeed is to stand by being different from the majority.

 

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[77startup]

Please don't take "lights" seriously. Her goal is to become a porn "star" but from her photos it's obvious she doesn't stand a chance of actually getting noticed yet somehow she still thinks it's going to happen.

If her advice was worth any salt she'd realize how screwed she is.

 

[Kdthelegend]

I got so many songs that everybody would have to listen to all of them to see where I stand creatively. The album I just finished is called Face Reality. This is the album that has alot of songs where I talk about issuse's we deal with in this world. Thanks for the advice I am always looking for ways to distinguish myself from all these other rappers. I am about to put together a marketing campaign that will take me straight to the top. The investors will come all I have to do is keep building my buzz.

I need criticism it only makes me work harder. I need it to boost my adrenaline.

 

[Gymjunkie]

I got so many songs that everybody would have to listen to all of them to see where I stand creatively. The album I just finished is called Face Reality. This is the album that has alot of songs where I talk about issuse's we deal with in this world. Thanks for the advice I am always looking for ways to distinguish myself from all these other rappers. I am about to put together a marketing campaign that will take me straight to the top. The investors will come all I have to do is keep building my buzz.

I need criticism it only makes me work harder. I need it to boost my adrenaline.

Well, good luck, you got tons of stuff to do. We all at the music industry have to. You dont have a website yet, so get on that man.. it's a sin not to have one these days. Even a Onesheet | Beautifully Simple, Maintenance Free Artist Web Presences page is very good for start!

 

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[bkypes]

I'm a 18 year old kid who listens to all kinds of music. I love Kid Cudi because the things that he raps about is stuff that he has gone through and it has meaning to it. I listened to a few songs like "Go Hard" or "Say it to my face" and to me it sounds like generic rap. To stand out, like others said, you need to be original. Whatever you decide to do I wish you luck.

 

[JEdwards]

I think you need more than 538 song plays to be a legend... But that is just me..

Good Luck..

 

[77startup]

Btw, word of advice. I'd focus on 3 things

1. Trying to connect with a certain niche group of people. Lady gaga isn't popular because she's talented. She's popular because she focuses on the young gay community. Huge niche.

2. Go where your consumers are. Your todo list is really simple. Get a lot of people to like you, and listen to you.

3. Know when you need to pivot. Don't end up another music statistic by "never giving up". If something doesn't work for a year change your target market, or change your business model. If your goal is to make money you have a lot of options.

Check out the book "lean start up" it will open your mind.

 

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[mkzhang]

I think you need more than 538 song plays to be a legend... But that is just me..

Good Luck..

True that. I used to be a Myspace musician many years ago (when myspace music didn't even exist and I had to use a third party plugin). I was a rapper (lol), and combined with my myspace and soundclick I had over 30k plays and that was a far stretch from even being somebody.

I am still on youtube and someone emailed me and told me that their prom in a Malaysian high school played my song (haha)!

Word of advice... teeny popper love songs will accelerate your fan base and following like no other.

 

[entrepdw]

You might be able to find a group of people with similar interest on Meetup, there's a chance they may be able to hook you up with interested investors.

Or even better, if you can revolutionize the record label industry, you might be able to get VC fundings.

 

[Kdthelegend]

Thanks for all the advice. I just put my reverbnation page up earlier this year. I do need alot more plays tho. I will get them because I am the legend and soon my legacy will be realized. Alot of people say it's generic rap but they only listening to a few songs. You have to listen to the Face Reality album. It's in my reverbnation store. Songs like Blackman, What You Know About That, Get Rich Or Die Trying, G Ride, Dreams, F.E.A.R wich is about overcoming the effects that fear has on us all, Going To Church, Women Of The World.

I have a two disc album that I released. Face Reality part one has the songs with deeper content and Face Reality part two is the disc with songs more for the hood and the struggle{Generic Rap as you call it}

 

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[Kdthelegend]

Can you guys give me some ideal ways I might be able to revolutionize the industry. If I can find a way to be the first person to bring something to industry then I can certify my legacy as a legend. I was thinking if I could come up with a new way for artists to make profits off their music and trademark it or something.

 

[Gymjunkie]

Can you guys give me some ideal ways I might be able to revolutionize the industry. If I can find a way to be the first person to bring something to industry then I can certify my legacy as a legend. I was thinking if I could come up with a new way for artists to make profits off their music and trademark it or something.

Well, if I had that idea why would I share and not do it myself?

Everyone's trying to figure this out but it may not even be there. Future of music is streaming from cloud and/or using subscription radio service like Spotify or Pandora.

Start doing stuff, Reverbnation doesn't count cuz mostly artists use it, not too many fans on it. None of my friends there for sure.. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, PureVolume.com, Jango.com, last.fm - check out those, get profiles. Get website. Show people your best songs mostly, not older stuff. Let people stream them..

Follow hypebot for info on music biz and strategies!

Stop hoping for people to give you stuff too...

 

[ManWithABeard]

Can you guys give me some ideal ways I might be able to revolutionize the industry. If I can find a way to be the first person to bring something to industry then I can certify my legacy as a legend. I was thinking if I could come up with a new way for artists to make profits off their music and trademark it or something.

like someone said above, try experimenting with some dubstep and do some sort of mashup with hip-hop/dubstep. As far as I know that's not really "big" yet here in the states so give that a shot.

Then perhaps hit up Youtube and try to get as many views as possible on your videos. It's crazy to say, but man Youtube nowadays has a big impact on how musical artists get the exposure they need.

Also, I'll tell you this here. My dad and uncle were very skilled musicians. They both probably played about 3-4 different instruments each, just crazy musical knowledge. Anyway, back in the day, my dad was offered to be a part of a very big band at the time. They saw him performing at a club in Atlanta back then. could have been a rockstar.

My uncle however, became a producer. He's done music with Artists overseas, and even has done soundtracks for a couple Tyler Perry movies. He has done quite a few work under his own label. Some while under other record labels. The thing that got them those huge opportunities was that they networked their asses off. My uncle used to kick it at Jermaine Dupri's house and at one time was friends with LA Reid.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, try your best to network and get in good with some industry people and maybe you'll find someone willing to invest in you.

hope this helped, yeah I kinda blabbed on a bit but I felt I'd share the stories with you, I don't really tell people those stories in real life LOL.

 

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[FastNAwesome]

KD, first let me say it to your face - Say it to my face is a hit for me! Keep replaying it.

Go hard or go home also.

If I had $, I'd fund this, but production would have to be fresh and pro, and I'd have to make you mad,
I think they might sound even better if you rapped them MAD, but vocal post production also plays
a role.

But to be of some help, here's a tip: Today you CAN get attention for FREE, but then everything will be up to you and how much audience likes your music. Ready to do it? Ok, pick some of your BEST songs, maybe not your faves, but those to which the audience reacts best, and do this:

Rihanna ft Drake- All I do (NEW SONG!!!! AUGUST 2011!!!! HOT FIRE!!!) - YouTube

and if you succeed, this can happen:

Kwame Katana- All I Do - YouTube


BTW. without any wish to get into everyone vs. Lights beef which happens on many topics, I'd just like to "big up" the girl, and say I respect her honesty and valuable contribution to the forum.

The fact she talks openly about her life and about everything else is in my opinion to be appreciated, not frowned upon. Usually girls are that open with best female friend only.

Yes, she gives reality checks to people, but this is useful, and hurts less on forum than live, and if you truly know where you stand it can only improve you, or make you stronger.

Btw. Lights you're so verbally strong + able to raise controversy, I think you'd be an awesome journalist, PR or bookwriter


That's all I'll say on this beef, over and out.

 

[Kdthelegend]

Thanks for the love. I'm a get say it to my face and go hard mastered. I'm going to experiment with putting alot of different sounds into my production. I want to develop a new sound that hasn't been done yet. I appreciate all this advice. Better believe I'm spending my time trying to implement as many ideas I can.

 

[Spikeroo]

You don't need people to invest for you to succeed. You have a thousand ways to get your name out. There is Youtube, FB, Myspace, etc. to help you. Its all free as well. That way if you do make it, you can say you did it all by yourself, with no ones help. Now days, its all about social media.

 

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[77startup]

One last thought of advice. Remember that musicians don't get paid to have good music they get paid to bring in large crowds.

The only thing you should care about and let me repeat the ONLY THING THAT SHOULD MATTER TO YOU is bringing in the LARGEST CROWD POSSIBLE. If you try and cannot command a huge crowd it is a failure and you must try something different. It doesn't matter if you have to dress up as school teacher, change your name, change your style, partner up or whatever as long as you GET THAT CROWD.

 

[FastNAwesome]

Yo KD, I go now and then to youtube to listen to your songs, and I've noticed they're not tagged really good, which may be the reason there's so few views.

I'm not a pro youtuber, but you may want to look at some videos that have lots of views, and study how they tagged videos.

 

[kraze]

You quite possibly chose one of the hardest possible avenues to wealth. Anyway here's my take on it...there are tons of "youtube stars" out there that get tens or even hundreds of thousands of views on a daily basis.

1. Find those that specialize in hiphop (ex. destorm, timdelaghetto etc...) and network with them. The idea would be for them to do a collab with you or to mention you during one of their shows, but just be sure to have a channel before you approach them so they have a place to refer their viewers.

2. You can even 'ride trends'. So for every major event that occurs in the world, you make a catchy/comedic tune. Ex. if a celebrity dies, a politician has a major goof up on tv, launch of product like snuggy etc. The aim of that would be to get thousands of views, which you can hopefully turn into fans.

The point I'm trying to make is to think more like an entrepreneur than a conventional musician. Having a passion is great, but the last thing you want to do is have it follow you to your grave. Hopefully some of that makes sense

 

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