Coast2Coast Mixtape DJs, KWWK-DB Radio, Symphonic Distribution, WuWorldwide DJ Coalition, Printify, DJ League, Savage Life Entertainment, Voss Water, Miami Heat, Double D, Madonna Nightclub, Mims, Three 6 Mafia, Esham, Lil Jon, Tech N9ne, Brotha Lunch Hung, Ice-T and everyone that weren’t mentioned in this special issue
First I would like to thank Almighty God. Next is my 1st born, Kei’ El… Daddy is gonna be there soon. Next up is my Mom & Pops that made this man that you are reading about. Everybody in Detroit that seen the greatness in me and gave me a chance even when others didn’t This issue was specifically created to inspire those with dreams of achieving excellence With all the doubts that come your way, let it enter one ear and out the other… You are your own being and no one can stop your greatness. Working in the industry under multiple positions (i .e. artist, producer, songwriter, journalist, graphic designer, web developer, software developer, mixtape and radio DJ), I have learned a lot pertaining to the business aspect of music. In this issue, you will see everything that I’ve done so far.
To all my love ones in Ohio, Arkansas, California and Texas. Special shout out to my WuFam: Jimmy, Vega, Mook, Shawn, Jay-U-Ice (The best older brother a man can have), RZA, GZA, Cappadonna, Born Divinci (You’re my brother 4Life G), Journey (Let stack up this money), Timbo, Ali, Hell Razah, SmuvMass Beats, Solomon, Killer & Judah and everybody else I forgot; y’all have always been closer than blood.
ElvenJonesJr
Editor-in-Chief
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Fame will not come overnight, you must prepare yourself. Have all of your ducks in a row. Before jumping in the game head first, make sure that you have funds to put into the career that you would like to have. Either of it’s working a legit 9 to 5 or hustling from dusk to dawn, capital must be made so that you can get the
Photo taken in Wixom, MI
things that you need to be successful. In this game, everything cost such as graphics, beats, music videos, promotions, merch, personal stylists, clothes, shoes, cars, jewelry and the list goes on. Besides the materialistic things, most popular record labels are corporations… They only invest in people and businesses that invest in themselves. It’s like this in the world of business: Money associate with Money. There’s nothing wrong with getting a job until you get to the point where you can do anything that you want to do in life.
Started his journey in 2006 (Cen-Texas) dropping projects with his first group, Welcome 2 Thowd Towd from “Da Boss & Da Engineer” to “Bad Boys 88 89” V Dot Nam began has career as a solo artist in 2007 after coming back to the Great Lakes from Texas That’s where D O T was formed: DETROIT - OHIO - TEXAS It took 3 albums to create his 1st album, the original title of this project is “The Definition ” From “Bonafide Hustla” to “Dead Or Alive” were released under GrindHouse during the active years “Str8 Outta Da ShakeJoint” & ““Ghetto Love Songs” were
compilation albums of certain cuts. Connected with Big ShoDaz again and dropped 2 albums in the 305 (DADE & Miami Fresh) After leaving the Hall Of Fame, he arrouse back on the mic with “Blessed By A Curse” Going into the clubs, Nam hit em off with “Racks & Ratchets” In between, ““The Beginning” & ”“Lay The F Down” were released Prior to coming back home to the D, he dropped “Detroit LickHER” at the same time of “The Retne Effect”, Cut Throat Cartel’s debut album and Welcome 2 Thowd Town’s last album “Legacy Of The Thowd”
Right after leaving Atlantic Records as an in-house producer, it took Vietnam about a few months to come up with this sound. It first started with GrindRap, which was created around the same time as the sound that arose from Atlanta (Trap). While deejaying under Coast 2 Coast, he dropped a Horrorcore mixtape featuring artists such as Brotha Lynch Hung, Esham, Tech N9ne to name a few and merged his beats with it and the sound started to form.
Fading to black, Nam went on a rampage creating 3-8 beats a day and didn’t finished until he reached 6 volumes. Each volume consisted of 15-20 beats per album. The name of this collection is “Lifeless Immortal Instrumentals”.
These are the beats the basics of HorrorTrap.
What makes HorrorTrap different from others is the technique, cadence and instruments Besides 808s and hihats, the snare and clap must be merged causing it to hit as hard as the kick that you used The dark sounds that you might hear in the background come from strings, organs, sound effects such as Hacksaws, Shanks, Screams, etc
The producers and artists that influenced HorrorTrap are as followed: Esham (with the AcidRap), Brotha Lych Hung, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Jon (with the Crunk) and Stitches
Being in the game so long, I’ve learned that a producer should never limit him/herself from listening to today’s current hits There’s many levels in this game Even though, you might not like the stuff that the stations are broadcasting Find at least one thing that you like from it and integrate it on the next beat that you lay down using the keys or MPC.
On the radio and television is Mainstream, while in the streets and all over the internet is Independent. Most people do not make it to mainstream, but it is possible to be independent using mainstream tactics and techniques.
As a producer, you must not stay stuck on 1 ARTIST or PRODUCER style. You must expand your listening ear to different styles Almost like DJs, you must have your collection of favorite music Back in my young days, tapes were converting to compact discs so by the time I jumped off the pourch everybody was on CDs After that era, MP3 players and iPods came out so people were able to store more music while listening to their favorite classics On-The-Go. Now these days, everything is on phones, tablets & SmartTVs and not just on Laptops.
We are in the Ages Of Technology. Trying to release a beat thinking that you going make money from that 1 isn’t nothing to other producers dropping from 20 to 100 beats per day. Stay Grindin!
COMING SOON
GREAT LAKES RULER OF THE TURNTABLES
Before going the name of “V Dot Nam”, the way he started deejaying was in high school, making mixed CDs for the ladies and all of his friends On his own, he started to get his feet wet in 2006 while stationed in Texas It took him awhile to find a home as a DJ but after K-Town Ent, he eventually found Cut Throat Ent
The first independent tape he dropped was called “B4 Da Show” which showcased independent artists from Texas: Tum Tum, SparkDawg, J-Money, Prince Paul, 2Sauve, Green City, Wes Fif & more along with his group “Welcome 2 Thowd Town”. While growing up as a child, there was always a turntable around so he would experiment by scratching and trying to mix vinyl LPs.
In 2008, he joined Coast2Coast DJs and made his debut with his first mixtape “Major In Da Game”, hosted by Mims. After the success of that release, Spider Loc laced him up with his signature tag “Dropping bombs like Vietnam with my nigga V Dot Nam”; following the release of “Revenge of the Realest & Shadiest” Released with the courtesy of Shady Records, this mixtape was for the promo of G-Unit West and its upcoming artist It wasn’t until after the 3rd mixtape that he switched his name to “DJ Vietnam”.
After getting all the way in the game, Vietnam gained his popularity with the series “My Favorite Mixtape” which lasted 19 volumes until he went on to “Hip Hop Empire” and “War In Amerikkka” then he continued back dropping volumes From Volume 20 to 26, you can see and hear the difference from the artwork to the mixing quality and style.
After the passing of his mother in the month of August 2016, WuTang brought him under their wing After taking time out to cypher and educate himself on the lessons & culture, he was sworn in as a DJ for the Wu-Worldwide DJ Coalition. The following month, he joined Supa DJs which is the deejay crew of Savage Life Ent. Now with 3 coalitions under his belt, he leveled up and created a solid platform for artists to push their craft like a heavyweight.
It wasn’t until 2017 that DJ Vietnam finally got his break on the radio as a guest featured DJ. He was picked up by one of the best PRs in the industry, Ms GiGi Capone, to handle the Mid-Day MashUp for KWWK-DB Radio While deejaying for the station, he made sure that all of his mixes were clean just in case young listeners in California and Nevada were tuning in to hear mixes arising from The Great Lakes (Michigan & Ohio)
The fourth week was a dedication and tribute from Nam to Pac to celebrate the music, life and legacy of Tupac Shakur aka Makaveli Da Don. You’ll hear how Nam evolved on his craft, for every week was better than the one that passed.
While on the radio and still dropping mixtapes, Vietnam gain mass exposure in the DJ Pools as well certain projects that he dropped for solo artists to push their upcoming album. It was around the time that Nam started working on Racks & Ratchets, he peaked at number 2 on the TOP 200 for several weeks in the Twerk charts for the song “Bad Bihs”. On those charts was producer, DJ Collipark, he had a few songs in the pool that actually banged In the other charts, that same song reached over 100 clubs and bars in and outside of the United States of America
Vietnam’s Mid-Day MashUp lasted for about 10 to 12 weeks, due to personal mixed with family emergencies that required his care and extra attention
MIXTAPES
VISIT US LINK.ME/HENNYBOYSINC
MUSIC VSTHE BUSINESS
It is easier to put music out these days using digital distribution but the income of a musician has decreased due to the upgrade of technology
Even though, music is easily accessible online; this has caused a downfall in sales of physical CDs. So besides the music, you must present yourself like a brand. Marketing your product, and that product is music. When you include the merch, that adds another product that you have to offer to your fans and potential prospects.
Most record labels and distribution companies do not choose artists based on talent. They choice their artists by their age, sex appeal and able to carry a melody and/or flow no matter if the artist can rhyme. This is what artist development is for Training Time is spent working with artists on style, rhyme schemes, bars, patterns, etc
You can tell the difference from before they drop their demo to after their debut release on how they have evolved lyrically and emotionally
Marketing is the main key to one’s success When you keep on seeing an artist, eventually you are going to give that artists’ song a listen. Music is what brings the people in. As long as you have good unique music, people of all walks of life will not have a problem supporting anything you drop either if it’s music or merch. People buy from people that they like.
It’s not all about dropping the hardest song, you must also have your business in order Anyone can make up a song… but to be respected as a professional, you must have your material copyrighten as well as licensed through one of the 3 PROs (Performance Rights Organizations). Prior to your music being released, make sure your release is also registered correctly with Neilson Soundscan so that you streams and sales count when it comes to the Billboard ranking.
A good way to market yourself is by reaching out to companies seeing if you could do a theme song for them. If they accept, then here is your golden opportunity to shine This builds your catalog and show labels that you are open to doing songs to promote a certain products All companies are connected in some way or form
Music companies are connected to businesses that sell customer goods You will notice that most music corporations are ran by technology or entertainment firms Music is just a small sector inside of the business Money associate with money… For example, you will never see a wealthy businessman hanging out with a bum. That’s why a lot of popular artists do not really open up to every one that they talk to.
BUSINESS & POLITICS
IT IS 10% MUSIC AND ALL THE REST IS
When you get the fame, everyone wants to be in your pressure or around your energy. This is where being humble and appreciative really falls into place. Cockiness comes with the territory. Not all musicians are friendly. A lot of them has dealt with a series of lust and lies that only the power of God and music can heal. Managers are set into place to screen calls from finessers and non-valid individuals using plots & schemes to get over on whoever they see is vulnerable
BUILDINGAN EMPIRE
Although life, I have seen my father work everyday until the day that he retired Even after that, he kept putting in work either if it was doing lawnwork or fixing something around the house He kept me busy everyday with chores, that’s for sure The main thing that taught me was hard work pays off. There was never a time to be bored living under my Pop’s roof. Especially when the both of your parents are disabled, you have to do what’s right under the eyes of God. All Lewis’ responsibility is to stay with their anointed father or mother until thier last days.
The day that I started building Hip Hop Empire was an accomplishment that was worth my blood. That’s how dedicated I was when it came to creating a platform to pay homage to the legacy of the Hip Hop’s greatest legends and pioneers started this genre. I remember the first songs that I heard were “6 In Da Morning” and “Dog In Da Wax” by Ice-T, way before he became an actor on the network TV show “Law & Order”. Created to compliment the HOF he was working for, Vietnam made this platform way more advanced than the last one he left the HOF with Starting this journey off with a magazine, he’d eventually added in the Mixtapes, Radio and Television Network to their broadcasting To promote the magazine, mixtapes were added to handle the audio aspect of the coverage In the midst of developing extra features while promoting, Hip Hop Empire Magazine ended up discussing a merger deal with Dirty South Radio but eventually turned it down due to creative control. “At that time, I felt like no one out of the Empire should have control over what our audience listens to. The thing that made this outlet different was that they let their viewers choice who they want to listen to instead of being told to listen to unlike most dictators.
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CUSTOMDROPS
OPERATES THE BUSINESS MONEY
“If you invest, you will be blessed”. There is nothing better in this world than reaping the rewards for your accomplishments in your career Especially when you’re working hard from day in to night out The excitement is even more greater after benefiting from the hard work that you put in to be able to make things are possible for you and your family as well as your lifestyle
Never let anyone step in front of you handling your business or pushing your product People that are use to not having things in life do not respect other people’s property or feelings. Only time these types of people shows that they care about what you got going on is when they feel like they can benefit from you financially. People can say you that they love you but really be hating on you hard because your success is not theirs. Without a job, you can not invest in the things that you need or want. “Money operates the Business”. Without it, one can be limited in his or her career. There’s only some much that you can without finances being available. Like I said earlier in this issue, “Music is only 10%, all the rest is straight up business”
Operating as a business means that you must surround yourself with like-minded people that shares the same admirations and drive as you. Not everyone is going to share the same goals as you but you can implement their goals with yours if you are serious about having them as a business partner or employee As a musician, your fans to your music is like customers to a store
The product that you release for the public to consume must meet the standards of the RIAA Quality is always better than quantity, and that’s a true-to-life fact It’s proven in history How you think the Big 3 (Ford, General Motors and Chrysler) was so successful with building automobiles in the United States? Quality is what people look for when it come to spending their hard earned cash. No one wants to buy a product that will not last or function like it should. That’s point of people purchasing goods.
You might not use an item on a regular basics; but when it’s time to use it, you can always come back to it at anytime. Most companies have a guarantee or return policy, so if a customer is not satisfied then can get their money back with ease.
Not all of us were born with a silver spoons up to our mouths. A lot of us had to struggle and strive to get to where we needed to be at in life. Therefore, many entertainers hustled their butts off prior to receiving their big break
It’s takes a lot of persistence, hard work, dedication & consistency to reach the level of today’s popular artists Be like the Sun or Moon, only shine when it’s your time To be successful and great in this industry, you must align yourself with the stars, causing a demand for the art that you created in the presence of own comfortably
When you’re doing something right, there will always be someone in your neighborhood or network trying to knock you off your grind. Stay focused and never let them see you sweat. We are all living in the Animal Kingdom, where dogs sense fear and cats sense danger.
Not everyone that you meet is going to love the music that you do or support what you got going. The main goal as an artist operating as a business is to eventually turn those fans into loyal valued customers. People buy from people that they like. With that being said, let’s get to THE MONEY!
