L O N G
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DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3
Introducing
MR. RODNEY BLOCK!
HOG LEG PEAZY BABY Independent 101
EDITOR’S THOUGHTS Issue number 3! Hip-hip hoorah! Many upstart magazines just do make it to see three issues, the work required to bring out the best publication possible becomes clearly defined, advertisers start coming up with excuses to cancel and just that upstart adrenaline starts to wear off. believe me this is the 3rd publication I’ve had the pleasure to work on, and from experience I can tell you its hard work. One thing about the DSMR magazine that’s different from the others is now I’m the Boss! working on putting spotlight on entertainers who are honing their craft to become household names is not work, its a passion. Everyday we receive emails from readers who motivate us to continue to do what we are doing, our mailbox always has a new cd or demo from artist trying to get that big break. Though its hard to get that big break in the entertainment business its not hard to get several little breaks with the right game plan in place. In this issue enjoy insight into the man that is Mr. Rodney Block, a artist who has taken a lifetime of preparation to get to the place here he’s at now, on the verge of super stardom. Also check out info on the upcoming Beach fest sponsored by Dime One Fabulous lifestyle and the Crawfish Festival in Dermott, we will be there passing out this issue and networking with everyone there. We always want to hear from you the reader so feel free to email us (downsouthmusicreview@gmail.com) or www.myspace.com/downsouthmusicreview — we will respond. Let me give a shout out to Alpha Phi Alpha fraturnity at UCA, its a travisty what was done to the End of the World Greek show and the weekend activities. As a alumni of UCA its always something to look forward to in the springtime. hold ya'll head up. As always LONG LIVE THE SOUTH!!!!
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CONTENTS
6
Got Next!
WHATS Happening
8
7
Photos of the Month
Feature Article flip it into a dream
14
9
Album Reviews
18 DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW Ain’t it man!
Volume 1 Number 3
PUBLISHER
Mid South Clothing Company EDITOR
L. Norman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Quincy Jones Kathryn Peterson Mark Wiley Kareem Moody GQ Photography Lnorm The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the staff or publisher of The Down South Music Review. The Down South Music Review makes no implied or expressed guarantee of accuracy in the information included in this publication. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
playazproductionrecords@yahoo.com myspace.com/playazproductionrecords
For Booking Contact Reggie 501.749.2448
GO
NEXT!
RODNEY BLOCK
next to shine and coming on strong
Little Rock, Arkansas
Any time you see a flyer promoting a show or event that has the words, Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers Band performing, let me assure you that its worth the price of admission to go and check them out. The first thing that comes to mind is some promoter or club owner is going to make a profit that night. Ladies and gentlemen love live music, especially jazz with a upbeat tempo and energetic performers. I've never been to a Block event and didn't see smile and joy on the faces of the party goers. That’s what Block and his band bring... A GOOD TIME. Born and raised in Dumas, Arkansas Block has been honing his craft for music since a young age, often having to practice his scales when other kids where running around playing in cotton fields and on the backstreet. “I have to thank my parents for having the foresight, to make us practice our music”, “I couldn't see it then but now it is coming full circle.” says Block. When I asked him what separates what he does from everybody else, Block insists, PRACTICE!!! “I can practice what I do everyday and the band has the same mentality. Right now its about not being satisfied with what we did yesterday, but staying excited about what we will do tomorrow. It’s that kind of drive that makes them one of the most sought after Bands in the mid south, as they can be found performing for political giants at the Clinton library, to one night only gigs at the C & C. Block is the front man and like Denzel Washingtons character in the movie Mo Betta Blues he and his horn transform into one solid unit of musical mastery. Evidence of their rise is the upcoming debut album and a tour later this summer of South America bring that down home Arkansas sound to Latin America. Trust me when we say Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers Band are for real, check them out and see for yourself at www.myspace.com/rodneyblock. Oh did I mention that he’s from Dumas!
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>
What’s HAPPENING
Next month look for a detail of the events happening at Dimeones, annual Beachfest July 10-12. Food, Car Shows, Fashion Shows, Music and More! Expect thousands of people to attend, We'll let you now how to navigate the event so that your sure not to miss a thing.
< I sit down with 607â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest CD, I'll let you know what I think. Down South Music Review
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PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 13
106th and Park auditions in Little Rock
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flip it into a dream BY Lnorm
ANYONE WHO HAS EVER DREAMED of being a famous entertainer will tell you that the dream can be a real adrenaline rush. Money, power and fame are all motivating draws to jump head first at the music business. Many have tried and failed, not because of the lack of talent but because dreams are dreams. Late night studio sessions, practice and rehearsals, performing to disinterested crowd goers and quite frankly the cost associated with the business have all offered stumbling blocks on the road to success. In Little Rock, for example, to book studio time with a reputable producer will average around $40/hr â&#x20AC;&#x201D; add another $60-200 for beats, $10/track to $50/hr for mixing and mastering and
$125 to $300 for album and poster design and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at $1750 to $4000 to put a album together, before duplication. Don't get me wrong, with the right hunger and determination any artist can take those numbers and flip it into a dream come true. To some, those are small number just a drop in the bucket, in large market like New York with millions of people to promote it to, but to a artist in Pulaski County Arkansas where according to 2000 US Census number only 373911 people reside the success of a album has a smaller profit margin. For independent artist the trick is to set proper expectation for success, and find a niche in close smaller markets. Lets take a look at 3 regional markets to consider. >>
MARKET
US CENSUS (2000)
LOCATIONS
ESTIMATED $5/ESTIMATED UNITS GROSS RCPT
CENTRAL AR
839568
LR,JAX,CONWY,PB,BTN,RSLV
3358
16791
MEMPHIS AREA
1499616
MEM,JNSBO,OLBRCH,JAX,FCTY
6000
30000
JACKSON,MS METRO
622774
JACKSON,GRNVL,YAZOO
2490
12450
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Taking in consideration these numbers, with the proper marketing and promotion an indie artist in a 60 day cd release cycle can see some good numbers right in their own home radius. Now of course these numbers are only estimates base on more factors than are listed, but one could see how being able to produce crossover and promote at home and in other areas a artist could create a comfortable living. Now for those of you reading who work that 9-5 job, I know it seems easy enough, I know light bulbs are going off over your heads â&#x20AC;&#x201D; slow down, there are also some other elements to consider. See, blues artists have known for years how to tap into regional markets and make a name for themselves. Performing and doing appearances keep these artists financially stable while keeping cost and expenses low. As we mentioned there are some other factors to consider when maximizing ones potential. Before you quit your day job to pursue the dream make sure these next things are understood and checked off your musthave list.
(A) Management It is difficult to be the artist, manager, booking agent and promoter all at the same time â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sorry, it is just not realistic to be able to think on ten tasks all at the same time, all the time. A good manager/promoter can coordinate 10 |
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schedules, be a second option and work to help you get the word out about you. When your serious about your craft find someone more serious than you.
(B) Legal/bookkeeping Services We live in a world where if you come up with something creative you
can be compensated for it, art is a gift that can keep on giving, knowing someone who knows about copyrighting, patent and trademark laws and procedure can help you create residual returns long after the dream has faded, and you never want to upset uncle Sam so get someone or a service that can
make sure your dream doesn't turn into a nightmare.
(C) Stylist/Publicist again it hard to be the artist, fashion designer, and stage show choreographer. This should be some one who can work closely with your management to make sure that your face looks its best and that as many people, as many times as they can promote the brand that is you.
(D) Internet Expert Look! You are not in the game if fans can't google, search, twitter and download you. Find someone who can create a presence on the world wide web to better maximize your exposure possibilities. My space, facebook, youtube and itunes accounts should sync together like a glove so that all of your product and services will be available for purchase and viewing. Don't leave any money on the table. fans come to shows and are not always impressed the first time but if they can find you on the web they comeback and support you later. Now that we have a better understanding of the foundation of being a professional artist lets look at the number again. $2000 to $3800 to put a album together, another $300 to properly register your music and you as a business, $500 for marketing (posters, flyer,etc.), $200 for standard radio and t.v. commercial promos you are now a bottom of the barrel independent artist. Now everything depends on how much work and determination you and your team put into it. You can apply street
hustle mechanics to it (cope it, sell it and flip that work!) or do like so many have done and get a lot of CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s press up and store then in a corner of the closet in the bedroom. Rest assured every day some one is out there applying these principals and making it work. To learn how to take multiple regional markets and do numbers in all of them at the same time is called Getting your weight up. Of course this analogy is not going to work for every artist â&#x20AC;&#x201D; facts are, the entertainment business is not meant for everybody with artistic talent. Some people are better suited for other things like manager, promoters, stylist and, dare I say, magazine columnist. The one thing this so called recession is doing is making the playing field more level. Large record labels are going out of business making room for more small independent record labels to get their voices heard. A lot of 9-5 people are reading this article and as numbers race in their minds they can't help but wonder, so let me close on this note. Johnny works 40 hours a week at a job for 50 weeks out of the year to earn $30,000. MC Come Up spent $5000 to get his CD ready for sale. He took 30 days to promote it, coming out in Memphis, Little Rock and Jackson, Mississippi. He passed out flyers, went to radio stations and clubs, and he was on the internet everyday sending messages that his album will be the one that changes the game. On day 31 he made his CD available to purchase or download on the internet and sold it in selected stores that he was all ready promoting out of. By day 90, MC Come Up sold units to 1% of the population in these areas combined. You do the math. Down South Music Review
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DOW USIC SOUTHREMN VIEW VOLUME 1 NUMB ER
S O U T H
Introducing
EVERY MONTH IN THE
3
MR. RODNEY BLOCK!
DOWN SOUTH MUSIC REVIEW For advertising rates contact us at
HOG LEG PEAZY BA BY Independent 101
downsouthmusicreview@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/downsouthmusicreview
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 8
BIG KEYS birthday bash, Club Hollywood in Little Rock
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IT IS WHAT IT IS
ALBUM REVIEWS
HOG LEG SWEET 16 NO MERCY MIXTAPE VOL. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ima A_STATE rida, Little Rock resida!â&#x20AC;? goes the hook on the first song on disc and this statement sets the tone for the third installment in the sweet sixteen mixtape saga. I'm predicting this one to be one of the best mixtape of 2009 coming from the A. No doubt this one will ruffle some feathers in the Central Arkansas rap scene, Hog Leg ask or show I say proclaims some statements that many a artist have thought, but didn't have the balls to say on wax. Good People Records CEO steps out on a limb and puts together another 16 tracks that bang and swang. Staying true to his Southend LR roots Hog delivers what is truly his best collection to date. No one brings life in the hood alive like Hog Leg does, as he continues to put in work not only in LR but in Memphis, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Be on the lookout for vol.3 it will truly be a underground classic that you'll kick yourself down the road if you don't have it. Five months into 2009 and this is the best mixtape in Arkansas going into the summer. COPE THIS JOINT, TRUST ME.
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POCKET PETE HUNGER & DETERMINATION Omaha, Nebraska Coming from one of the hardest hustling rappers in the Midwest, the title of the CD tells it all.Hunger & Determination, chronicles the life and times of a aspiring entertainer. 19 tracks executed produced by Pete himself with assistance from camp stable producer Kool Aid, every track give you a clear look into the life, and definitely something to ride to. Guess features are highlighted by the prince of Louisiana Lil Boosie on the track "Topchoppedoff". Look for additional features from All-star Champ the Hillbilly, Headleon and L-Mac'n. Definitely a well put together album, and if you support independent artist this is a must have. now every track on the album won't move you but what CD does.
PEAZY BABY THE VALEDICTORIAN Little Rock, Arkansas As the rap game gets more and more competitive, we're seeing less representation from the ladies. The Valedictorian is the offering of a Cali-born, Little Rock based Peazy Baby. CaliRock Entertainment artist will remind you of the legendary ladies of Hip-hop, Roxanne Shanta and MC Lyte. Minimal guest appearances Peazy carries the load rocking every track and holding her own. Among the female artist in Arkansas she is in a class by herself. "Imma do my thang" is a music video waiting to happen. "Shine" is what Peazy Baby is destined to do. this album is available on-line now.
GLORIFIED PIRATE GLORIFIED PIRATE Little Rock, Arkansas Hip-hop energy is driven by youth, and a rising star is what this album does for Pirate Life Entertainment. 15 tracks showing a nice range of lyrical skills for a new face on the Little Rock rap scene. Lil Zack is the face and his style has alot of swagg and swang. "Squad Up" and "Give me a topic" are two of the best tracks on the album. Before we past the torch to him or crown him the next best thing, There is still some work to be done, a good producer/engineer can make a ok CD good, a good CD/great, a great CD?? well you get the picture. Down South Music Review
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IT IS WHAT IT IS
ALBUM REVIEWS
ROD D SMART MOVES Eldorado, Arkansas There aren’t many artist in Arkansas who have the respect of their own county and get major respect in Pulaski. Rod D is one of those type of artist. Well established in the SW corner and E. Texas border of the region “Smart Moves” is another testament to his grind to crack the glass ceiling eluding AState artist. nineteen songs and a host of features (like a mixtape should) includes Houston and southern rap legend Lil Keke and LR’s own Rickey D and Big Keys. This Cd also features the extended remix to The Country Boys “LITTLE ROCK BOUNCE” featuring DA, Lil Speedie and Rod D himself on the auto tunes. Rod D’s catalog is constantly growing which tells us he's no where close to slowing down. Get It! D's for real.
MUDDY ENT. WELCOME TO THE MUDDY Dumas, Arkansas After a well received first album Muddy Ent releases their 1st mixtape to the game. One thing that will always be said about music from Dumas, is you will feel it. The heat from “Dat'z hitten ’em” jump out at you, “where you from” will have you boppin your head. Shock, Playa P, J-Roc and the mac Man rep it for the Wesside of the D like always. Yes they do miss Ball, but Da Jane is DA Jane. Yung Talent, Soljak and Fonzyrelly offer features that complete 22 tracks of sumthin to ride to.
J-ONE ELECTRIC SOUL Little Rock, Arkansas EP’S are short and to the point. So the review is the same thing. Electric Soul is the debut sampler of producer/writer/singer J-One. J offers 5 tracks and a remix as a teaser of whats to come. All with the ladies in mind, and features from Davi Lawrence, Electric Soul is a cool piecee of work defiantly something to add to your IPOD. It should be available on-line.
RICOCHET RIC RUDE HERE I AM Little Rock, Arkansas One element of a solid CD is production. Its hard to fail when your being produced by Legendary Big Keys at Key ingredient Music. This is the mixtape leading up to the release of the solo album “From a boy to a Man” RRR opens up and offers a peak into his life. “It Is What It Is” is the title to track number three and that statement alone best describes the CD. Features by Big Keys, Waun and Rocofellen give it some zest. We definitely want to hear the Album when it drops.
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THINGS Ain’t
that make you say… 1
Memphis in May!!! pick a weekend its all good.
2
Crawfish Festival in Dermot, AR May 16th
3
Conway cancelling End of the World Greekshow?
4
Lil Speedie on 106 & Park! Arkansas Standup!
5
Southern Entertainment Awards in Tunica, MS
6
Any live Shows featuring Rodney Block and his band
7
Look for the UNDERHOGZ compilation album this summer
8
Where O' Where is Nina James?
9
No EOW in Conway, Look out Pine Bluff Beachfest!
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it Man!
Down South Music Review
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