Some Good News In These Bad Times In The Bay...Team & Frontline Close To Inking Deals

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Ear2DaStreets

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#1
Dec 5, 2003
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#1
Some Good News In These Bad Times In The Bay...Team & Frontline Close To Inking Deals

Well first and foremost R.I.P too Andre "Mac Dre" Hicks...He was a true Bay legend.

Now congrats are in order...The Team has just inked a deal with a lable who is distributed by Universal Records (it's not a direct major lable deal, but it's a good step). It's the same situation Goaple had with Red Distribution (wich is under Sony) prior to her landing a deal with Sony directly. Now here is the funny part a certain program director with a major Clear Channel station wasn't exactly pleased that they took this deal...He had other plans for The Team. He made sure the single "Hot In Here" was spun like no other Bay record during the post Power 92.7 era and had a deal lined up for them with a different lable. Conflict of interest? Well let's just say most Program Directors don't get on artist cd's and show an allience with local artist and broker record deals with major lables in artist names, but this PD did...What ever the case, good job to the Team. They have done something most artist would love to do and that's use a Program Director, pimp him for all of his favors and then cut him out at the end...classic.
Congrats are also in order to The Frontline...There cd "Who R You" has been buzzing around the industry and from what I understand Universal, J Records and Interscope are all showing serious interest in their project and are really serious about giving these guys an A-Grade recording contract. There album has charted on Billboard twice without the aide of a major lable or distribution and when things like that happen...lables come knocking with big money and major respect.
It is good to see the Bay Area being recognized for making moves again. If these two groups continue to do well it will open up doors for the entire Bay. Good luck guys this industry is shady as hell, but I am sure you already know that. :siccness:
 
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Ear2DaStreets

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#6
Dec 5, 2003
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#6
Well the Federation isn't doing so well. There poor sales nationwide combined with limited support from their lable and the fact that their music isn't researching well across the board is putting the Feds in a situation where their services may not be needed by Virgin Records anymore. And word is that some people from Oakland and Sacramento are not feeling the way they are representing both areas as if they are from there, but they really arn't. It seems petty, but the way it is viewed is that the whole "Hyphee" craze should have been capitolized by an Oakland rapper...since it started as an Oakland thing. Then Sacramento has a problem with the fact that they claim Sacramento when they are out there (that's where Ric Rock lives), but don't mention them at all on the album and they act like (not directly say) they are from Oakland because it's a larger market when they are in the Bay...well except for Mr. Fairfield, Stress. I hope the best for those guys, but think about this Virgin has it's two new rap artist Federation and Gurilla Black...both not doing well...both acting like they from places they arn't to gain a fanbase...that's not a good look.
Big shout out to the ultimate hustler JT Tha Bigga Figga for his Game cd doing well at this moment and having the paperwork to basically say, "fuck you Interscope". This is big and it droped right when Games new single hit the air waves so it's the only thing a Game fan can really get until the album on G-Unit drops. This should be a lesson to all of you rappers and C.E.O's...take that paper work seriously...Artist just don't go sighning shit and C.E.O's get it in writing.
 
Sav Scorcese

Sav Scorcese

Sicc OG
#8
Jul 20, 2002
3,603
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Was this program director Jazzy Jim Archer ? Just asking. My label has some experience and stories regarding Jazy Jim also. We had a singer by the name of Rosalinda (Feel The Love, 2001) that charted and did real well on the dance scene, Jazzy Jim took interest in her andwanted her to sign with his label (A Program Director with a label too hmmmm, conflict of interest ?) when she refused I was told that he wasn't pleased. Some executives at our label believe that he has successfully blackballed us from that particular radio station because of this.
 
5

510

Sicc OG
#11
Mar 30, 2004
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#11
WHAT THA FUCK......who the hell is this ear to tha streets ,you taking a rumor and putting it out there as official word. I talked to The Team personally, you dont even have the story right. Second of all, your implying there was a federal crime taking place (pd's-FCC). If it was true...you fuckin snitch, you'll be blasting it on the internet
 
T

threefoe

Sicc OG
#12
Oct 19, 2004
1,504
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#12
ear2dastreets, cuzzo the federation aint never said they was from oakland or sacamento. Have you ever checked out the album cover? On the inside they standin in front of a street in Fairfield, the city they all say the from except doonie. They aint never hollad out oakland or sacramento and they say Fairfield a gang of times on the album too. And what you mean people feel the whole "hyphy" thang should come from a Oakland rapper. i aint never heard somebody say that shit. It dont make no fuckin sense. The Bay as whole is "hyphy" and they from the Bay so why they cant get "hyphy"?. You pretty much just shitted on anybody that ever made a get "hyphy" "go dumb" get stupid" type of song. And thats pretty much everybody in the Bay including God bless his soul Mac Dre.

And cuzzo The fed aint gettin dropped from virgin either. Them is my niggas and I know for a fact that they have 2 more albums left on they contract. So go somewhere wit these rumors mayne.
 
L

LEFT

Member
#13
Jun 12, 2003
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#13
Don't trust anything unless it's coming from the persons mouth. We made Billboard our first week out, but I don't know about the other weeks. We have gotten calls from some majors and shit but they always do that- I don't believe shit untill those contracts are sighned. I think the bay is doing well. Everybody is handlin they business and it is showing in sales and radio play. End result is Support the bay and the bay will support you.


-R.I.P Mac Dre you will be missed-
 
N

NorKoastal

Moderator
#16
May 7, 2002
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#16
Ear2DaStreets said:
Now here is the funny part a certain program director with a major Clear Channel station wasn't exactly pleased that they took this deal...He had other plans for The Team. He made sure the single "Hot In Here" was spun like no other Bay record during the post Power 92.7 era and had a deal lined up for them with a different lable. Conflict of interest? Well let's just say most Program Directors don't get on artist cd's and show an allience with local artist and broker record deals with major lables in artist names, but this PD did...QUOTE]

Conflict of interest Indeed...
Click to expand...
 
C

cyrus

Fresh
#18
Nov 5, 2004
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Ear2DaStreets said:
Well the Federation isn't doing so well. There poor sales nationwide combined with limited support from their lable and the fact that their music isn't researching well across the board is putting the Feds in a situation where their services may not be needed by Virgin Records anymore.
Click to expand...
None of the new Bay releases are moving the units they should be (no disrespect to their work, but its true). Feds just happen to be the only ones on a major label. Forget all the hype, the biggest reason is marketing & promotion simply aint good enough.

Example: With big albums dropping, why are all these guys still wasting time doing shows in the Bay? They should be out there on the road doin promotional tours, radio tours, album realease parties in the clubs, and guerilla marketing accross the COUNTRY not just the Bay. And a 10 min plug on TRL aint good enough. You dont move units by selling to your loyal base who already bought ur shit. Neither do you do it by tryin to sell to those who oppose it (East coast fans). You move units by selling to the UNDECIDED, by swingin those listeners accross LA, the South, Northwest, Midwest, and even some parts in the East who've been known to pick up Bay rap when its hot.

So you say its the Label's fault that Feds aint doin so well, because its the label's job to market, promote, and distribute? True. But Bay Rappers can't rely on major labels to do this shit. Too Short and E-40 didnt get platinum plaques by doin promo in the Bay and then callin it a day. They rolled all over the COUNTRY with tapes and CD's in the trunk. Big artists from the South did the same thing. Lil Flip and Master P never would've gotten so much support from their labels if they didnt get savage about their marketing first ON THEIR OWN.

All I'm sayin is get fuckin guerilla about the marketing and promo and shit will happen. Dont know much bout marketing? Drop some cash on a professional marketing consultant. Can't afford it $150-200/hr fees? Hire me.
 
HERESY

HERESY

THE HIDDEN HAND...
#19
Apr 25, 2002
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#19
^^^^ MY NEPHEW IS IN THE GROUP AND I BLAME *BOTH* PARTIES THE LABEL AND THE FEDS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY DID A 45 DAY TOUR IN SEPTEMBER AND WRAPPED IT UP IN OCTOBER. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE ROAD AND EVERYTIME GOLDIE CALLS ME HE IS ON THE ROAD. YES IN ORDER TO PUSH UNITS YOU *MUST* USE EFFECTIVE MARKETING AND PROMOTING. HERES AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I RAN BY TWO MEMBERS. VIRGIN IS THE LABEL THEY ARE SIGNED TO (ACTUALLY IT'S A TWO-DEEP DEAL) AND VIRGIN *OWNS* A CELL PHONE COMPANY. WHAT DO YOU SEE ON TV? WHAT DO YOU HEAR ON THE RADIO? BLING TONES, RAPPERS DOING ON RADIO COMMERCIALS ABOUT BLING TONES (VERIZON). WHAT DO YOU SEE ON TV? KANYE WEST, LUDA AND THE GAME PROMOTING FOR A CELL PHONE COMPANY. NOW IF YOUR LABEL OWNS A CELL PHONE COMPANY/DIVISION WHY AREN'T THEY INCORPORATING THEIR ARTISTS?


LASTLY THEY HAVE TO DO SHOWS IN THE BAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO EAT *AND* THE BAY IS WHERE THEY ARE FROM. THE LABEL ISN'T THE ONE GETTING THEM BOOKED ALL THE TIME. SUAVE (FED MANAGER) HAS A DIRECT HAND IN WHERE THEY ARE BOOKED, WHERE THEY PERFORM ETC ETC ETC.


:HGK:


PS I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM AND AGREE WITH YOUR BUSINESS TACTICS.
 
B

B-12

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#20
Apr 25, 2002
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Im not gonna get into all of the particulars but it is true...too many people blame their labels and distributors for their failures and never want to look in the mirror. I am not saying this is the case with the Federation or any of the acts currently out but it is very typical to try to pass the buck rather then get out there and make some things happen.

If you are signed to a label it is their job to blow you up but you have a certain amount of control of your own destiny as well and you should be utilizing every opportunity especially with that major label logo to be out there and making it happen.

Heresy: As for the Virgin statement, Virgin the label is actually owned by Captiol-EMI Properties which is AOL and Virgin the cell phone company is owned by Virgin founder Richard Branson who retained logo usage rights to launch new products even after he sold the label. However, he is back at the company as chairman they are apples & oranges. In a multi-international company like Virgin (or Universal) for that matter, there is very little "synergy" between the departments and they almost never even know what the other one is doing because they all have their own agendas.

At the end of the day my only question is...how come nobody can just accept maybe it's possible their music isn't for the masses? Just a thought.

PEace.
 
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