What Do You Expect From Your Distributor???

[EXXXO]

Damn-i'm lovin this post. Cuda brought up alot of good shit-I'm feelin ya point of view. B-12 -once again lacing me like u always do. Mac-you have personally conversed wit me about tha industry and I thank u for showin me some direction and giving ya boy some insight (ps -still waitin for that single to spin-holla) Lil cs-me and u talk b4 and I'm with u on what u been speaking on.

Like everyone has been saying-create a buzz and please-quality product-theres enough albums out there-give tha consumer something that will leave a mark in they heads when they go back to tha store. Was ya album really worth tha 15.99+? I wish some dist cos were more upfront with saying-this is bootsy-we aint feelin it-go back-hire a ghost writer and try again.

 

[jesse james]

What do i want from them: I just want them to put my folks in the stores............i can do my own marketing and handouts...that's why people should take advantage of sites like the siccness. It ain't shit to me or Warfare dirtys to send out singles to folks.

My local distr. I'm going to be fuccing w/ is BlueSky. They only mess with Streetside, Sound Revolution, Vintage Vinly, and Wherehouse (locals spots. They only go to KC to (I'm in the STL). but my folks already have names in Memphis, Louisville, and alot other dirty south cities. I want them to start connecting me with other distr who could take me to those cities.

 

[jesse james]

@B-12: Could I give BlueSky (local STL) distr. Articles of War album but then say go to Bayside with the same album to get it out in the Bay??????????????????????????

 

[jesse james]

I'm gonna print this out............

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

ONCE AGAIN: TO EARLIER COMMENTS BOUT THE DISTRIBUTOR NOT ACCEPTING A ALBUM IF ITS WEAK...... 1ST OFF, YOU COULD BE THE WACKEST ARTIST ON EARTH, BUT IF YOU A HUSTLA, GOT YA STREET TEAM HUSTLIN, GET A FEW GOOD CONNECTS, THAT SHIT COULD BE THE NEXT BIG ALBUM.... A DISTRIBUTOR IS NOT A TALENT JUDGE..... NOW OF COURSE, IF THE PRESENTATION OF YOUR PRODUCT IS WEAK, AND YOUR SALES PITCH SUCC'S, THEN YES ID SAY THE DISTRIBUTOR SHOULD SEND THEM BACC TO THE DRAWING BOARD..... BUT FACT IS, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT ALBUM IS GONNA FLOP, OR WHAT IS GONNA BE THE NEXT HIT.... AND LIKE 12ER SAID, RADIO CONTROLS WHAT PEOPLE BUY AND HOW STORES ORDER..... IF ALL YA MUZIC IS GANGSTA, THEN YOU JUST LIMITING YASELF TO A CERTAIN (SMALL) CROWD OF PEOPLE WHO BUY GANGSTA RAP.... ALBUMS THESE DAYS NEED SOME VERSATILITY, SHOW YOU CAN DO SOMETHIN ELSE.... BESIDES BLAST ON PEOPLE.... WHENS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD KMEL PLAYIN A SONG WHERE SOMEONE GOT BLASTED ON??? ALSO CLUBS NOW DAYS ARE HARDER TO BOOK, CUZZ THEY SPOOKED ABOUT THE RAP GAME RIGHT NOW.... I KNOW, I BEEN IN DEEP CONVERSATIONS WITH 100'S OF CLUB OWNERS RECENTLY.... THEY ALL ARE TIRED OF THE RAP CROWD, AND SOME HAVE EVEN JUST ELIMINATED RAP FROM THEY AGENDAS ALL TOGETHER.... ITS TO MUCH OF A HASSLE.... SO NEXT TIME YOU PERFORMIN, OR WRITING A SONG THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS, AND WHERE YOU WANT TO BE IN THIS GAME....

 

[NorKoastal]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ True... The clubs and radio could be the best allies and they are moving farther and farther away from Rap in general.

 

[Big C]

Without saying names I'm directing this to ONE cat in particular and if if anyone else can use any of the info good. I don't want to humiliate the dude, but this needs to be waved...
If you're a label and you have a job, kids, WIFE, label and artists you better make sure you have the time to promote your shit. Don't come at me with, "I'm advertising in Murder Dog and Showcase. I have street teams all over Northern Cali and we're pushing this shit everywhere."
Then I look for your ads and you're nowhere to be found. Don't lie to me. We're in the same corner, homie. You ain't gotta lie to me. For some reason you may have been to trying to reassure yourself by feeding me bullshit.
Then to make matters worse, if I'm not here, don't TRY to tell someone here that I agreed on a street date for your second release just 2, count 'em...one...two....weeks after your first one. That's pure unprofessionalism.
True this is independent rap and some cats may think we have more latitude with our releases because we don't have a bunch of 'suites' dictating WTF we're gonna do.....
WRONG! We don't have any room for error. We have just as much to lose.
How much is your time worth to you? How many arguements have you gotten into w/ your lady because you're puttin' in time in the streets?How much time away from your kids have you spent this month? How many disconnect notices have you got?
This should not only be a great, fun and rewarding opportunity in your life. It should be a learning experience that you'll take with into your next release and the release after that.
I want to help, but don't come at me with bullshit and I won't come at you with aggravation either!
Cuda

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

NORCOASTAL: THEY AINT TRYIN FUCC WIT US.... I'LL TELL YOU WHY.... TOO MANY MAFUCCAZ SHOW UP TO THEIR PERFORMANCE LIKE THEY THE MAIN ATTRACTION.... TOO MANY CATS THINKIN THEIR TOES IS GETTIN STEPPED ON.... I MEAN EVERYONE IS TAKIN THIS RAP SHIT LIKE ITS A COMPETITION, AND THEY GOTTA OUT DO EVERYBODY ELSE.... TO AN EXTENT ITS SIMI TRUE, BUT FOLX NEED TO JUST HAVE FUN, THEIR ARE CATS LIKE COOL NUTS, BLACK C, AND A FE OF MY FOLX I SEEN AT SHOWS JUST TRYIN TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, NETWORK, SHAKE SOME HANDS, AND CHILL..... BUT I SEE SOME CATS SITTIN IN A CORNER HOLDIN UP A WALL AND BEIN RUDE TO THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTIN YO ALBUMS, LIKE THE FANS.... PUBLIC IMAGE IS SO IMPORTANT, AND I SEEN AND HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE LOSE A FAN JUST CUZZ THE WAY THEY CARRIED THEMSELVES..... MAN WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS, AND THEY WAY RAP MUZIC IN GENERAL IS GOIN DOWN HILL, WE GOTTA STEP IT UP ON ALL ANGLES... ITS NO DOUBT THE STORIES OF UNDERGROUND RAP ARE HARD AND SOME OF US ARE REAL MAFUCCAZ.... THIS IS STILL A "BUSSINESS".... YOU NEED TO CARRY YOURSELF AS A BUSINESS MAN.

 

[THE D.U.G.O.U.T]

NORCOASTAL: THEY AINT TRYIN FUCC WIT US.... I'LL TELL YOU WHY.... TOO MANY MAFUCCAZ SHOW UP TO THEIR PERFORMANCE LIKE THEY THE MAIN ATTRACTION.... TOO MANY CATS THINKIN THEIR TOES IS GETTIN STEPPED ON.... I MEAN EVERYONE IS TAKIN THIS RAP SHIT LIKE ITS A COMPETITION, AND THEY GOTTA OUT DO EVERYBODY ELSE.... TO AN EXTENT ITS SIMI TRUE, BUT FOLX NEED TO JUST HAVE FUN, THEIR ARE CATS LIKE COOL NUTS, BLACK C, AND A FE OF MY FOLX I SEEN AT SHOWS JUST TRYIN TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, NETWORK, SHAKE SOME HANDS, AND CHILL..... BUT I SEE SOME CATS SITTIN IN A CORNER HOLDIN UP A WALL AND BEIN RUDE TO THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTIN YO ALBUMS, LIKE THE FANS.... PUBLIC IMAGE IS SO IMPORTANT, AND I SEEN AND HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE LOSE A FAN JUST CUZZ THE WAY THEY CARRIED THEMSELVES..... MAN WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS, AND THEY WAY RAP MUZIC IN GENERAL IS GOIN DOWN HILL, WE GOTTA STEP IT UP ON ALL ANGLES... ITS NO DOUBT THE STORIES OF UNDERGROUND RAP ARE HARD AND SOME OF US ARE REAL MAFUCCAZ.... THIS IS STILL A "BUSSINESS".... YOU NEED TO CARRY YOURSELF AS A BUSINESS MAN.

REAL SPIT....REAL SPIT....REAL SPIT.


PR.

 

[LMD1510]

PUBLIC IMAGE IS SO IMPORTANT, AND I SEEN AND HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE LOSE A FAN JUST CUZZ THE WAY THEY CARRIED THEMSELVES.....

As a fan only, I agree with what Tact has said. I have seen some artists think that just because they have distribution that they don't have to take that extra step to be coo with fans, or even cordial. Most of the artists and people in the industry that I have come across have been nothin but appreciative and helpful to me...and that makes me support them even more.

 

[B-12]

Cuda: You are right, we don't have any room for error. We are scrutinized harder by these retailers because we are independent. Thats real shit.

Sometimes I think the chains would rather NOT deal with us and only do because certain shit we have, they need.

 

[THE D.U.G.O.U.T]

As a fan only, I agree with what Tact has said. I have seen some artists think that just because they have distribution that they don't have to take that extra step to be coo with fans, or even cordial. Most of the artists and people in the industry that I have come across have been nothin but appreciative and helpful to me...and that makes me support them even more.

We're well known for keeping close ties with our fans...I think you and Tact are on the money...that is why we make sure we dont slide the other direction.

PR.

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

^^^EXACTLY...... YOU TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE TAKIN CARE OF YOU, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL-ITE.....

12ER: THATS TRUE, BUT FIGGA, JUST LOOK AT THIS BUSSINESS WERE IN, WETHER YOU A ARTIST, A LABEL, A DISTRIBUTOR, WHATEVER.... WERE ALL USING SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING, SOME OF US KNOW IT, AND SOME DONT..... BUT ITS THE TRUTH.... HOWEVER ITS EASY TO IGNORE WHEN YOU MAKIN MONEY...

 

[THE D.U.G.O.U.T]

*still soakin game*

- We have alot to learn.


PR.

 

[servnu151]

MONEY comes & goes............you really cant go nowhere with your pockets tight.

and never burn your bridges.............you might need to lean on that shoulder in the future

as for being rude....LMFAO......ive met a couple of cats in this GAME with that attitude, but you should never let them get to you, why stress of the next man! you only live once........i myself have never been like that.......im the easiest person to approach....

ask your LADY...............J/K...........LOLOL LMFAO

so terrible.......

but as an artist its a must you interact with your fan base.

 

[Tre-8]

I.ve been sitting here reading for a while and have gotten alot of informative information. I Thank everybody for their inciteful comments..
Even though i've been in the business, for years I'm still learning the business.


Now Cuda and B-12 I really appreciate that your both open to discussions on this subject so here's my 38 cents.


Fighting(competition) whatever it is it makes it hard for a record label and its artist to decide which distribution would best suit their company.

As an artist and a label all i want is to be able to say to a person on the street that they can find my product anywhere!

Especially in my own city!!!!


As a label Cuda I've deeply considered arranging the price to the distributor and actually have had meeting about that exact thing, but like b-12 said that does not gaurantee that the store will adjust it's pricing.

but personally i think that is where the distribution comes in and possibly could convince the retailer to adjust.

I'd be more then will to adjust my pricing if I knew i could have enough product for the demand...


Now on to another topic I very much agree with Cuda and b-12 on the fact that record labels must understand that you are a distribution not a record label..

Somewhere along the line these two things have been confused..

Lastly, distributors must understand that if tre-8 has 20,000 people who would love to purchase the record right. He's promoted in the market areas where he is to have been known to sell or where the demand for his product is , if he has created the atmosphere to move product it is now the distributions job to get the product to those areas and again somewhere along the lines that idea has been dropped out the minds off the distributor.(just what i see)


I son't understand why this so many times, time and time again i've watched it happen..

I've seen 5 c.d's sent oversea and just sit 2 in New york sitting growing dust on the shelves but no product at all in denver where there's a demand..


You get my point..


The game is so fucked up and its a catch 22..


Soon where all gonna be fucked for allowing this shit to happen and it'll be back to the trunk for everybody..

It almost seems more realistic now days to come out the trunk and do your own distribution and if that happens alot more of these companies will be filing bankruptcy.

Support your labels work with them help them make money because that where your money lies!(bonuses and what not)


So inclosing label bust your ass and do the work or quit fucking up the game!!!!!!


Distribution if you see labels working hard support them whether they have 15 albums out that moved 1,ooo,ooo copies or if it's their first project, support your label especially the ones that bust their asses tirelessly..


just my 38 cents!




Tre-8

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

^^^THATS REAL AS WELL

 

[Tre-8]

Tactedoutmusic (spelling I've been reading some more and you got good points but one just irritates the hell out of me so I'm gonna say it to you respectfully and to others who may be reading this and could possibly feel this! The muthafuckas that like real music(gangsta shit) is not a small audience its beyond hugh..

The radio plays commercial shit but that does not mean the demand for real music isn't there..

The radio is not the only avenue for music..


Why do you think N.W.A and others had songs like fuck the radio 2 short clowned Kmel the bays biggest station he didn't and doesn't need them.

Before N.W.A was big they didn't need radio play. Quik didn't need it, short didn't, M.c eiht didn't..

But when they saw what the streets wanted they had to give it to them the streets aint changed they still want gangsta shit it's the artist that have changed...


That's the problem!!!!!


Check out who is the # 1 buyers hip hop music and #2 buyers get those # its muthafuckas who want to be able to relate to the cause of muthafuckas like myself and others and since everybodies scaried to do real shit the game continues to fuck itself!


Look at lynch he get's no play on the radio but people all over the country know who he is!


So homie just some game yeah of course there's money in commercial shit they force feed it to you...

But believe me the popular consensus is that muthafuckas miss that real gangsta shit.(thats why everybody goes back and buys all the old albums of gangsta rap)


Just my 38 cents again!




Tre-8

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

I FEEL YOU, I AINT SAYIN THE DEMAND AINT THEIR.... BUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF QUALITY GANGSTA ALBUMS, DUE TO ALL THE RECYCLIN, AND BOOTLEGGIN, AND DOWNLOADING GOIN ON, GANGSTA RAP DONT SELL WELL ANYMORE... YES ITS STILL WANTED.... BUT THE MARKET IS SO SATURATED WITH IT, EITHER FAKE SHIT, RECYCLED SHIT HAS GOT THE CONSUMER UNSURE OF WHAT TO BY OR REALLY SCARED TO WASTE THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY.... THEY RATHER BUY A NELLY ALBUM OR DMX, CUZZ THEY SHIT AINT RECYCLED, ITS GONNA BE A WELL PUT TOGETHER PROJECT... SOME CATS IS JUST SLAPPIN ALBUMS TOGETHER IN 2-3 WEEKS AND THROWIN THEM TO THEIR DISTRIBUTOR, PRESSIN UP 10,000 FLYERS AND CALLIN IT A DAY.... AND THEY SELL 2-5K UNITS, AND THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THAT.... I WANNA SELL MILLIONS, AND WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DO IT, IMA FIND OUT, AND TRY MY BEST TO DO IT... RIGHT NOW, JUST GANGSTA SHIT AINT REALLY SELLIN.... EVEN IN THE HOOD, EVEN THE OG'S I KNOW, ARE BUMPIN LUDACRIS, AND JA RULE, JAY-Z.... MOST COULD CARE LESS BOUT THE HARDCORE SHIT ANYMORE.... TIMES ARE CHANGIN.... YOU RIGHT THO, I THINK SOME ARTIST HAVE BEEN TRYIN HELLA HARD TO CHANGE THEY STYLE AND IT DONT FIT, AND THEY LOSIN THEIR FANS AS WELL.... THEIR IS JUST A GANG OF SHIT WHY THE RAP GAME IS SUFFERIN RIGHT NOW, YOU CANT BLAME ONE PERSON OR ONE THING WHY....

 

[imported_MASTERED_TRAX]

ALSO, LYNCH IS A ONE IN A MILLION TYPE OF ARTIST, SO WHAT HE'S BEEN ABLE TO DO IN THE GAME, WAS REALLY TIMING AND THE FACT THAT THEIR IS NOBODY ELSE LIKE HIM WHEN HE CAME OUT.... HE HAD 2-3 TIGHT ASS ALBUMS RIGHT WHEN GANGSTA RAP WAS PEAKIN, AND SO WAS NORCAL UNDERGROUND RAP.... ITS A NEW ERA.... AND WHY YOU THINK PEOPLE GO BUY OLD RAP ALBUMS?? CUZZ THE NEW SHIT JUST AINT UP TO PAR.... BUT I PUT THAT ON THE PRODUCERS AND ARTIST, AND CEO'S THAT TAKE SHORT CUTS IN THE GAME.... TRYIN TO MAKE THE QUICC BUCC, AND NOT THE LONG LASTING DOLLA!!!

AND LOOK AT ALL THOSE ARTIST YOU NAMED... QUIK, NWA, MC EIHT... ETC.... THEY WERE ALL POPPIN BACC IN LATE 80'S EARLY 90'S RIGHT??? BUT PEEP THEY MUZIC NOW.... IS IT THE SAME???? HELL NAW.... THEY ADJUSTED AND CHANGED THEY GAME WITH THE TIMES.... QUIK AINT BANGIN ON EIHT NO MORE, THEY AINT BANGIN ON EVERY SONG.... ETC...