November 2008 - FREE PRODUCERS: Drum Compression Tips HUSTLERS: 9 Traites of a Good Entrepreneur FEATURES: Lyrical Threat Pg. 2 MJ The Weatherman Pg. 5 Sir Dezal Pg. 2 Brought to you by Makin’ It Magazine - www.MakinItMag.com
REAL TALK
ANOTHER GENERIC RAPPER!!!
The following article is Applicable to All independent Artists, Producers, Models, Actors, Filmmakers and Entrepreneurs. It is written in the context of a rapper because 68% of our readers are rappers. Live, Learn, Enjoy! Have you ever wondered how you can have two things that are basically the same and one be considered generic? I mean, what’s the difference between a Pepsi and a Faygo? Personally, I’d prefer a Faygo Red Pop any day, but it’s still generic. So what makes two nearly identical products so different? Simple answer… Nothing! A better question would be, “What makes
Artists
us LOOK at two nearly identical products so differently?” It’s not like Faygo is nasty, or Pepsi is the best pop on earth. Truthfully there’s probably only one major thing that separates companies like Pepsi from those like Faygo. Marketing! Ask yourself, “How often do you see commercials or ads for brands like Faygo, XJ900, or Wrangler Jeans?” Now ask yourself how often you see ads for companies like Pepsi, Nike or Sean Jean. Most generic products are just as good as their Name Brand competitors. Some are even better, but if given the option most of us will choose the name brand
SHORT CUT TO A RECORD DEAL
You’ve spent numerous hours writing your songs. You’ve spent countless hours in the studio recording your music. You’ve got your album pressed. You got your single posted on your MySpace page. You know you’ve got what it takes to be successful. Now all you need is a little radio play and you know you could get a deal, right? If you answered ‘yes’, you’re not alone. Believe it or not, almost everyone who’s ever picked up a mic believed the same thing at some point or another- including the artists who did go on to get a major label deal. By now you’re probably wondering how they got a major label deal and you didn’t? I’m glad you asked. The answer is they learned some-
thing you’re about to. Here’s where I reveal a secret that’s going to disappoint a lot of readers. However, if you can fully embrace this fact, you’ll be able to increase your chances of becoming successful. Are you ready? Here it is: THERE ISN’T A SHORTCUT TO GETTING A RECORD DEAL. Well, the shortcut isn’t one you’ll consider a shortcut. I’ll explain why later. I know you’re probably feeling let down. You were probably reading this article hoping to get the secret to landing a record deal the easy way, right? Whether or not that was your reason for reading this, please know this- the time you
spend trying to find the shortcut is time wasted. Nowadays so many artists trying to become the next MySpace and YouTube sensation in hopes of getting a deal the way Soulja Boy and Sean Kingston did that there is less and less real competition out there. When I say real competition, I mean artists that: are actually performing at venues on a regular basis, have street teams circulating their promotional materials, etc. In my opinion, foregoing investing real time and money in your music in exchange for crossing Continued on Pg. 6
product over the generic even if it means paying a little more. As an independent artist, producer, model, DJ or entrepreneur you’re no exception to this rule. In all honesty there are very few artists, producers, models, DJs or products in the entertainment industry that really standout from the rest. So why can artists like Young Jeezy get their albums stocked in Best Buys across the country and they give you a tough time at the record store around the corner? News Flash: YOU’RE A GENERIC RAPPER!! Continued on Pg 6