Posted by Kerry for Ryan:
Yo, I just want to let everyone know that I never asked SadClown to take down northen-ridaz.com. I also never said that the site does not help out artists. I never mentioned anything at all about lawyers,suing or anything like that. I didn't come at Sadclown all crazy. I may have been a little upset but I was polite. I like Northern-Ridaz and a few of my own employees use the site on a regular basis. Also I know people go to rapbay via a link from the Northern-Ridaz site because I can see it in my traffic log. Im sure some of those resulted in sales and I want norther-ridaz.com to make money off of that.
But I just feel that northern-ridaz.com should start to work more direct with labels, artists, companies, etc... If the label, artist, company wants NR to put up the whole album up then so be it that is Great. But some labels dont want their whole album up. I would rather Northern-ridaz work together with rapbay or whoever, but more like an info site that has samples of tracks (maybe even 2 full tracks) (full albums if thats what the artist wants), art work, interviews, bios, shows, etc. That would be VERY beneficial for the whole industry not just rap fans. When NR hosts Full length albums up for everyone to enjoy, its not right. It not only affects Rapbay but the whole rap industry. We work hard everyday, just like you, to bring you the BEST rap music in the world. I am not some guy who just decided that putting the entire album up is wrong. If you go to
www.rapbay.com you can see who we are working with, and its more than likely that we are working with the artist directly. Some frustrated artists have called me directly to ask wha'ts going on with northern-ridaz and if I'm the one who is sending them the whole album to post up.
I don't want to make any enemies but if protecting artists rights is wrong to some people then I guess some people are not going to like me. And for rapbay, its a community of Labels, Rappers, Djs, Companies, Etc. that sell on our site. By telling people Rapbay.com (Ryan) shut down northern-ridaz.com (False) and telling people not to buy or support them is not helping out anyone.
A few people have told me Northern-Ridaz does not make any money off of the site and that Sadclown spends his personal time maintaining the site. We appreciate his hard work and our mutual love for the Bay. We strongly feel that the northern-ridaz site should definitely give out music samples instead of hosting the WHOLE album. After I emailed sadclown, he made the choice to take down his site. I then thought it was because he wanted his site to start making money. He knows that by doing this, Northern-ridaz would increase its value. (I could be wrong) Of course rapbay makes money but most of it goes to the artist, labels, companies selling products, advertising, hosting fees, rent for storage, you name it .Trust me, after paying off everyone, theres not that as much money left over as you might think.
I love the rap fans because they are the ones that keep the industry running and more than that, they are family. I appreciate and thank any fan, artist or label that has bought a CD, DVD, T-shirt or whatever it may be on Rapbay.com. I also appreciate the business we receive from being linked from northern-ridaz. I am also appreciative when an artist,label or any other person chooses to bring to me a CD, DVD, or clothing to sell because that what I do best. And if you passed out a flyer that said RAPBAY on it then GREAT and all of you are family. This is my life and every rap fan that buys from RAPBAY or not will always mean a lot to me. I wish i could satisfy everyone but I think if Northen-ridaz does this, it will not only benefit rap fans but help keep the rap industry alive.
I have helped the rap industry since 1992, over 12 years. I worked for Tower Records for over 5 years as the rap buyer, I worked at Music People/ In a Minute Records for 5 years. I also have worked for Sony Music New York for 3 years. I worked for Urbanlife for over 3 years before being the co-owner and I've been co-owner of rapbay since day 1 for 2 years; not to mention numerous promotion companies and shows I've helped out on. Ive definitely done my part and have put my whole life into this game. I am still here and let me tell you, there aren't too many people left from when I first started in the rap game. There is a reason. I'm Honest, Trustworthy and I am always true to the game.
Think what you want, but I'm not in this for myself. You can ask anyone I work with. This is what I do, my life. After I received my first rap tapes( run dmc and LL cool J) back in 86 at 9 yrs old, I fell in love with rap. Since then, I have worked almost everyday to gain my spot in the rap industry.
In conclusion, I would like to see northern ridaz work more directly with Rapbay.com
Peace Out
check our site
www.rapbay.com
Ryan
and from Kerry...Why can't we just all get along...LOL!
and i must add
The industry isn't healthy right now, this is just one example as to why...
Oh, and by the way....What's that cologne you got on????
