If you've been keeping your ear close to the streets I'm sure you've heard the name Jon Geezy fly around. He's been putting in work for years on the music scene delivering that raw gutta music. Jon Jon as he's also called, paints vivid pictures of his life in his music, bringing you live and direct to a place where some of you honestly wouldn't be able to handle in person. He's already been cosigned and featured on songs with some of the souths newest wave of hot artist, Waka Flocka, Lil Hot, Parlae, Kollosus, Supplya and others. If your just now hearing of him...don't worry, I'll give you a quick introduction..but let me warn you..you may want to tuck ya chain......you've been warned.
ATB: First let me start of by saying, welcome home. It’s good to see you back and on your grind.
JG: Its good 2 be home preciate dat bruh!
ATB: Give the readers a little background on yourself. Where are you from? What/Where do you rep?
JG: I'm from Decatur GA, Candler Rd to be exact! Toney MF Valley
ATB: What made you decide to get into music?
JG: The Feds being on my back and seeing people that wasn't livin that life profiting from it
ATB: Wow!..that's the truth right there. So how did you actually get into the music game?
JG: I got in the music game by accident really, I played around and would always freestyle wit my partnas in between packs. I was running around in the streets doin me, met a another MF doin him (Parlae formerly of Da Franchise Boyz) but he just so happened he rapped too and he showed me there was some other money out here to get.. LEGAL Money
Slick Boy Ziggy: Intent To Distribute [Interview]
There are many movements going on in Atlanta and one of them that caught my ear is Slick Boy Ziggy and his S.E.C crew. They are quickly generating a buzz through out the streets and making a name for themselves. I took the liberty to reach out to SlickBoy just to get a first hand introduction to his world. Check him out:
ATB: Wsup SlickBoy!? Give us a quick little background on yourself. Where are you from? What/Where do you rep?
SBZ: I'm born n raised in Atlanta, G.A. -aka- as the dirty south. I rep dat east side all day, I'm not from Zone 6 but a lotta my patnaz from da 6, but I'm not. People get the 2 confused.
ATB: Ok How did you get into the music game and who were some of your influences?
SBZ: Well a few years ago I was signed to a close friend of mine and a producer by the name of Frank Nitti. Some of you all know him as "Nitti Beatz" that's how I would say I got into the music game. I like a lotta old school underground artist like..Mr. Mike, Tela, South Circle, 2 Live Crew (Even tho they went world wide)..of course Ball & G, Goodie Mobb, Top Authority, Jake Da Flake, Spice 1...man I could go on for dayz.
Read more: Slick Boy Ziggy: Intent To Distribute [Interview]
Ghost Producing (Part 1)
I honestly don’t know where to begin with this one. Maybe because I have such mixed feelings about it but let me just jump into the definition and let it fly from there. Ok… Ghost producing is pretty much when one producer (usually unknown to the masses) works under a big name producer. The name producer would take beats from his ghost producer(s) and shop them or get them placed as his own on projects. Name producer of course will get full credit for producing the track and the unknown producer would get percent of the advance money and all of his publishing (depending on what kind of deal you make cause some name producers may want in on that too being it’s a lot of money).
Don't Get Raped - Protect Your Music - Copyright Basics
When you're in the music industry grind like we are, you have to be on top of your business. When you hear people complaining about bad deals, not being paid or even music being stolen, the primary culprit is simply bad business. Either people are ignorant to the process or they simply didn't take the right steps to protect themselves from the people who prey on ignorance in the music business.
Copyrighting your music can be one of the easiest ways to make sure your music is protected. It helps provide leverage if there is a dispute over ownership.
Read more: Don't Get Raped - Protect Your Music - Copyright Basics
Business Never Personal…Or Is It?
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all felt the sting of bad business, some large some small, but bad business none the less. In the music biz sometimes bad biz feels almost…personal. Let me give you an example. You shoot out an email to an exec just to find out what project he is currently working on and he simply reads your email and ignores you. You wonder to yourself, what s that about?
Read more: Motivation 101: Business Never Personal…Or Is It?
Protect Your Brand : Damage Control
Lately a lot of producers just aren’t getting the respect they deserve
in the game. Producers are either getting jacked for their beats,
promo deals(no pay) or just not being credited at all. Especially now
in the mixtape game the rules differ with every project. What ever
situation you work out with the artist one thing for sure needs to be
in stone. Your credit!! Your credit is everything…its your brand, your
name. Your name alone will get you opportunities where money alone
just can’t buy. Not to mention your credit helps build your resume,
portfolio, your stock…it gives you some clout and the ability to
demand a few things..(especially financially) later down the line.
Are Rappers Afraid or Smart To Not Drop An Album?
Ok, so rapper got the song of the day/week/month/whatever.. They have the streets buzzing.. They have like 10 features! They on everything!!!
So when is the album dropping?? Rapper(s) reply.. "I dunno about the album yet, but you can check out my new mixtaape.."
WTF?
Is rapper afraid or just smart to not put out an album?
Some may say they're afraid because they know they're only good at giving mixtapes away.
Some others may say they're afraid if they had to actually sell some records, there wouldn't be too many rapper(s) left standing.
So is that being afraid or just being smart?
Now before you start the Music Industry Bullshit about the internet, downloading and coming up with your own opinions, take a minute to read the different sides.
Read more: Are Rappers Afraid or Smart To Not Drop An Album?
Why YOU Aren't Getting Paid For YOUR Beats - Part 2
We are back for more. In part one we discussed the main 3 issues as to why you weren't being paid.
1. Producers under selling their work.
2. Artists not respecting producers because they're under selling their work.
3. Mixtapes replacing albums as the new medium of music.
We're going to break down the issues and present solutions. Artist and Producers come together to make songs. Magic if you will. It’s a joint effort. What we're seeing is one side isn't respecting the other and the music as a whole is suffering.
Read more: Why YOU Aren't Getting Paid For YOUR Beats - Part 2
So an aspiring artist reached out to me and said they are putting together a demo for this A&R. I Immediately wanted to ask which A&R so I can roll my eyes and tell them without telling them “maaan he got no power over there, try another approach”. No disrespect to A&R’s because at the end of the day, I’m a credited A&R as well. But at the same time the A&R’s of today aren’t like the ones back in the days. I mean there are still maybe a handful left but not much.
Why YOU Aren't Getting Paid For YOUR Beats - Part 1
We get a lot of email from up and coming/new producers asking the same question...
How do you go about getting paid for your beats/tracks, and what should I charge?
This here can pose as a semi tough question. While I can't tell you what you should charge, I can sure as hell tell you what you shouldn’t be charging.
Read more: Why YOU Aren't Getting Paid For YOUR Beats - Part 1
