The SnapClap

The artist’s of the week, are Kim Hill and Big Shug! I know thats an odd pairing, but so WHAT!

Anyway, you don’t need me to tell you, but mainstream radio is WACK, straight up. I mean, I know alot of ya’ll like 50 Cent; I mean they guy writes catchy songs and there’s a market for that. But its just that there’s a media machine pushing his tunes down your throat, but hey I’m not gonna take anything away from him, he’s the artist. But mainstream radio, . or better yet corporate radio, . . they bear a fair share of the responsibility. It’s Corporate Radio that buys into the media machine that proliferates payola and all the rest of that marketing nonsense, you know?

Anyway, Big Shug just put out an album with DJ Premier and the lead single is called ‘Play it’. I don’t normally agree with bouncers turned rappers, but Shug has a point. He urges DJ’s to play ‘all of the record’ and talks about diversity in the music. SO, . . if you like the single, do like I did and go to emusic and cop, and turn off corporate radio!

Speaking of diversity, how come Kim Hill isn’t on the Radio? I just discovered her music, but I’m totally enamored by her whole situation; she has a fantastic voice. Ms. Hill was one of the original Black Eyed Peas but as a result of creative differences she was replaced by Fergie. Kim Hill Didn’t compromise her artistry and that’s rare to find these days. Everybody trying to sound like everybody else and WE the public lose; ‘casue we get no damn diversity at all, that’s wack, son! Do yourself a favor, go to itunes and download her song ‘Disney’, it explains the whole current music situation AND whats more, it’s just 99 cents, dog, trust me you’ll thank yourself later.

At any rate, I know record sales have been declining over the past few years as a result of bootlegging etc etc; but I don’t know if that’s the whole problem. Part of it I think, IS the lack of diversity in the marketplace. Also, I think the record industries are killing themselves with these lavish marketing schemes, videos and production costs. I mean for real, my cousin has a firewire interface a Mac and Logic and he can put out pretty much industry ready music from his bedroom; isn’t all this technology supposed to make it cheaper to make a record? Aren’t CD’s cheaper to press then records where? Where the hell is all this money going to?

Think about it, did EPMD spend $500,000 on production costs for their album? NO, . but they sold Gold and it was a success, you know? Nowadays you got producers wanted $100g’s per track!?? get outta here!!! Video’s costs upwards of a million! Its no wonder you guys can’t recoup. The record industry needs to return to grassroots. Start developing artists along the way. Make EP’s and lower budgeting projects and let the artists develop a strong fan base naturally. Give away mp3’s as a part of the marketing budget, . you know, factor that loss into the cost of the project before you hire Timberland and the Neptunes and Little X. I think that’s what Prince was doing over in the UK a few weeks ago, just giving mp3’s away, but the record stores were stupid, they refused to sell the music; they’re fools.

I might not buy physical CD’s anymore but I’ve been a member of emusic for years now. I spend money on music! The record industry just has to be more creative and stop relying on their old tried and true marketing schemes; ’cause them joint don’t work no more in a digital era.

Oh yeah buy the way, . . You can hear Kim’s stuff here:

www.kimmykim.com
http://www.myspace.com/iamkimhill (check the tune called ‘Disney’; deep )

http://www.giantstep.net/artists/632

you can buy her stuff here at DustyGrooves