By A.Evans
http://twitter.com/AdotEVANS
So I decided to watch 106 and park today, as well as listen to the radio and I find myself not moved or touched by the R&B artist of today. It appears something is missing from the R&B music these days...maybe its soul.
Have you noticed?
The better the R&B artist the least amount of exposure they get in this new era of R&B music. Does more soul equate less exposure? If any of you are familiar with Teedra Moses or Amerie have you ever found yourself asking why don't they receive the amount of exposure that let's say a Beyonce or Alicia Keys receives. What does it take to be considered a successful R&B artist these days? It's obvious the artist has to be marketable or easy on the eye, but what happened to the overwhelming amount of TALENT? The Curtis Mayfeilds, Donny Hathaways, where are the artist who remind us of them? Luther Vandros did not appear to be marketable he was just an amazing talent, his music was amazing and is still relevant today, the SOUL in his music still outweighs the music R&B artist make today. I would throw Stevie Wonder into this discussion but he's such a genius we shouldn't expect to find someone who compares to him. So I ask where is the new Marvin, Donny, AL and Luther? Ruben Studdard was considered to be that, yet it seems his appearance wasn't up to the standard of today's criteria. The dude won American idol and a runner up received more exposure than Ruben. How is that? We have John Legend, Musiq Soul Child, and Raheem Devaugh but are they marketed the way Justin or Robin Thicke is? And if not...Why?
Why?
Why does the criterion for success in the R&B game require appeal as oppose to superior talent. If you look like a playboy bunny and can sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb", congrats you're a star...I'm sure there is tons of talent out there who may not look like Beyonce but can run circles around her as far as singing goes. Jennifer Hudson clearly does, however an unfortunate episode of events drew attention away from her debut album. Teedra Moses is another example her debut album "Complex Simplicity" is outrageous and she is definitely a looker, so what is the problem? Is it because she as not as lean or because her skin isn't as fair that she isn't on top? Where are the dark skinned soulful artists? Back during the Al Green, Marvin Gaye era brown skinned soulful artist where everywhere, now it seems Jazmine Sullivan is all alone. I guess the rest are singing gospel.
Maybe it's me...
Aside from the aspect of appearance the music itself seems to be missing the depth it once had maybe it's because the times were different the struggle was different; or maybe its because artist now are told to make hit records instead of making records that become hits off sheer inspiration. "Stick to the formula". It's because of this formula that all these singles sound the same.
Where are the Soulful Groups?
In this era of Day 26 and Pretty Ricky I have to ask what happened to groups that were on point like the Chi Lites, Stylistics, Rose Royce, New Birth, Commodores, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The closest we got to having groups like that again was Boys II Men probably. I guess times do change and we have to adapt and accept that change, but if the changes doesn't appear to be for the better is it worth it?
What Do You Think?
Marketing Buzz of the Week
By Max Rivers
http://www.Twitter.Com/MaxRivers
Bloggers Be Warned: FTC May Monitor What You Say
Thinking about letting a big-name blogger test-drive your new hybrid in the hope he'll post a glowing review about it, or maybe sending some beverage products to an influencer, hoping she'll spread the word?
You might have to think twice, if the Federal Trade Commission follows through with its proposed plan to start regulating viral marketing and blogs.
As part of its review of its advertising guidelines, the FTC is proposing that word-of-mouth marketers and bloggers, as well as people on social-media sites such as Facebook, be held liable for any false statements they make about a product they're promoting, along with the product's marketer. This could present a significant issue for marketers, including the likes of Microsoft, Ford and Pepsi, who spend billions on word-of-mouth and social media. PQ Media projects that marketers will spend $3.7 billion on word-of-mouth marketing in 2011.
Pepsi, a longtime practitioner of tapping online and offline influencers to promote its products, said it will continue with its "transparent" tack. Bart Casabona, spokesman for Pepsi-Cola North America, said in an e-mail: "Our relationships with digital influencers are completely transparent, and subsequent blog posts tend to be very straightforward."
Some fear that if the revisions are approved, marketers could be scared away from new-media marketing efforts. "It's possible there will be a hangover period, but it will self-correct," said Joe Chernov, VP-communications at BzzAgent. "People get nervous when the government gets involved, and it's possible the blogosphere will influence the trajectory of how brands respond."
| Real Talk: Half Truths & Media Lies By Cedric D. Shine http://twitter.com/NativeNotes |
| Pirates, terrorists, revolutionaries ---- lions, tigers, and bears; it seems like there is always something to be afraid of. Three perfect shots took an American Captain from a hostage to a free man. While I'm thankful that this brave man's life was saved and he is able to return to his family, I'm riddled with the question of why these pirates even exist. Before the U.S. Navy 's standoff with Somalian pirates who wanted a ransom of 2 million dollars for the life of Captain Richard Phillips, what caused the resurgence of myths of pirates from the 1600's to become a part of our reality in 2009? |
| Half truths and media lies; yes there are pirates ravaging the seas off the coast of Somalia but do they come out of a necessity? The necessity to protect their own unprotected waters since the fall of their government in the 1990's. The necessity to protect their coastal waters from nuclear wastes discarded illegally by European cargo ships. The necessity to protect their cash cow; seafood, from the cargo ships who rip off their seafood industry and sell their stolen goods to others illegally, never cutting the Somalian people in on a piece of the pie. Pirates, & terrorists, what do they share. A common history where the American media so convienently neglects that our country has played a part in creating the terror that plagues good people like Captain Phillips. Malcolm X warned that when we planted evil seeds of destruction, those chickens would come home to roost. Now we have angry, Somalian pirates, vowing death on the American people who valiantly serve us at sea. We have a new enemy, yet our blind eye to international corruption helped get us into this terrible mess in the first place. Our corporate sponsored media spits half-truths and media lies, furthering our disdain for our new enemy and recklessly forgetting our own involvement or complicit behavior in helping to create the circumstances we so readily fear. Wake up, help President Barack Obama lead by not following the same yellow journalism that got us into the Iraq War, lead the charge, don't just follow CNN. |
Hip-Hop Icon Interview with Dana Dane
A Think Group Media Exclusive
Think Group Media: How did you get your start?
Dana Dane: I started rapping in the early 80's with Slick Rick, Kool Alski, Lance Brown and Omega the Heart Breaker. We were known as the Kango Crew. When we graduated from High School of Music & Art Slick went on to perform and record with Doug E. Fresh. A classmate of mine Sam Jacobs Jr. aka MC Holiday aka Gucci Man approached me after hearing Rick and Doug's record "The Show and La Di Da Di" and convinced me I should record a record. Shortly after I put down "Nightmares" and got a deal with profile records. That's the abridged version. lol...
TGM: What have you recently been involved in? Projects, campaigns etc
DD: First, thank you for including me in your Publication it is greatly appreciated. Well, where should I start? I have my debut novel on sale now entitled NUMBERS it is under the Nikki Turner presents imprint. NUMBERS is a fiction surrounding the main character Number and the trappings of the street hustle and fast money myth. It also asks if there is an exit plan for drug dealers.
| DD: Other then promoting my debut novel NUMBERS. I have been building my media company, specifically the film division. At present I am the executive producer of a six part mini-series entitled "Da Stuy" (www.ghettoeyezpub.com - FILM link). It is what we like to describe as our Brooklyn version of the HBO series "The Wire". We are also producing a short film "passive Aggressive" for various upcoming film festivals. TGM: What do think of the current state of Hip Hop? DD: Hip Hop is always going through constant change and evolution. It is also been portrayed as a young persons game and that is even evident now. Many people have not been enjoying what has been offered by the new generation of rappers. On the other side I'd like to hear more thought provoking lyrics. These days the new generation of rappers are also becoming discouraged with what they are hearing. With that they are starting to listen to the classic Hip Hop artist who created the culture. I myself am thrilled that Hip Hop continues to grow and expand universally.TGM: Top 5 favorite Artist of all time? DD: My top artist in no particular order are: Whodini, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Notorious BIG and Jay Z. I could actually add more to this list like KRS-1, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane.TGM: What can we expect from Dana Dane in the Future? DD: My short term future projects consist of two novels in 2009. I am producing a short film for the festivals entitled "Passive Aggressive". I am also going to pen three more screenplays this year. I think that should keep me busy for the rest of the year. Oh yeah I almost forgot I will filming episode 5 & 6 of " Da Stuy" bringing that project to a close. |
| TGM: Dana Dane thank you for taking the time out of your busy day for this interview and much success with all future projects. Click on book cover for more details |
For more information and bookings visit DJ Christion at http://www.myspace.com/Djchristion13
Born in the early 80's in Tampa, FL, DJ Christion has been a music lover since birth. Born to Bronx natives, the half Cuban half Puerto Rican DJ Christion has long been influenced by New York culture and music. "I remember the first time I saw a DJ live" Christion looks back, "It was at a graduation party in the Bronx". Young Christion, whose cousin was working on becoming a DJ, began taking an interest in the art form. Listening to Funkmaster Flex & DJ Kid Capri, Christion was set on mastering the turntables. Using his sister's radio, which had a record player on top, Christion would spend hours practicing scratch techniques.
His willingness to try new records and his ear for good music landed Christion at several local nightclubs. Spinning at Studio 7, Club XS and several other Tampa hotspots, Christion was becoming a crowd favorite. Developing a microphone and club presence to go along with his turntable skills, Christion began learning how to move any kind of crowd. Rocking Hip-Hop and Reggae clubs, Christion's diverse style attracted all party goers, but it was Tampa's infamous Club XS where he'd make a great acquaintance. "I met DJ Khaled at [Club] XS when I was 17". Khaled, who was already a member of Terror Squad and a DJ on Miami's 99 Jamz, became a close friend and mentor for Christion.
Tampa's Urban Radio even with the addition of the R&B driven 95.7 The Beat, was dominated by CBS' Wild 98.7 FM. Not wasting time, Christion immediately pursued a position at Wild. After applying for several months, maintaining his club jobs and still putting out mixcd's, Christion finally earned a spot as a DJ on Wild. Using his keen business sense, Christion began marketing himself again. "I was doing every party I could" he remembers. After a solid year at Wild, Christion threw a birthday bash to remember. The party which boasted guests such as, DJ Khaled, Smitty, Acafool, Cool and Dre, and Rick Ross, filled the Ybor City club to capacity that night.
Armed with a grocery list of affiliations, from being a member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad, Turntable Assassins, and DJ Khaled's We the Best team, Christion remains hungry. "Ambition, Loyalty, and the thought of what can be are what keep me moving". Working to expand his number of spots on radio and get booked all over the world, Christion also remains true to his street grind. Gearing up for the release of his new CD series, DJ Christion continues working on being the best at his craft. "I haven't stopped grindin' since I was 16 and I'm not stoppin' anytime soon... I'm blessed to be living my dream and I have to many goals to break!"
For more information and bookings visit DJ Christion at http://www.myspace.com/djchristion13
Don't Waste Ink...Think
Sincerely,
Steve Canal
CEO
Think Group Media, Inc.
www.ThinkGroupMedia.com
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