Focus on the Music!

Ever since I was in high school my best friend and I have wanted to start a record label. We’ve always had ideas for how the music industry should be and were drawn to certain artists that would fit into our perfect label.  (Even though sometimes our tastes in music clash.) We recently had a conversation about starting a label because in our opinion, some of the new artists (specifically hip-hop) are, to put it simply, just not good. It just seems very effortless and like new rappers and the labels that sign them are just out for a one hit song that is usually catchy and commercial. These artists never usually stick around the industry very long, coincidence?

Focusing on money and quick fame is not our priority. It’s the music. David J. Spangenberg aka “Professor Pooch,” author, understands. On Music Think Tank Spangenberg has over 45 years in the music industry and under his main criteria he listed “grrreat songs that grab you and take you away to another land...that has always been, and always will be #1 in my book!!!” YES! I think that is what GREAT music should do. Music that when you hear it 10 years from now, still gives you the same feeling.

As an independent label competing with major labels, it is really crucial to focus on seeking and signing talent that will last and not just one whose success is based on a current trend. Often, indie labels don’t have the finances and resources that the major labels have so they can’t keep running through a roster of artists to keep up based on trends. A great piece of advice from Fortune sums up this idea. “By prioritizing lasting talent over pure marketability – shooting for singles and doubles instead of home runs – indies have organically increased their profits. I believe that if you focus on the music, the money will come.

Principal Big Sean?!

A lesson I’ve learned throughout the

years is that when you are blessed, it is important to bless others. That’s why I appreciate and admire when celebrities are giving back and performing charitable acts, using their celebrity for good.

Recently, one of my favorite rappers, Big Sean, who is signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. label, took over a high school in his hometown of Detroit, MI and became “Celebrity Principal for a Day.”  The school, Bates Academy, had a lot of happy students on Thursday, June 12.

One of the activities Big Sean engaged in while principal for a day was recognizing students who had improved their attendance and who had won other school challenges. According to The Source, Big Sean expressed his thoughts on the experience, “It’s just cool to come back and just see the kids so excited and it all be for a good cause.” The students greeted him with signs and a cheer dedicated to the rapper. Big Sean also freestyled for the students, showing off his rap skills.

At one point during his time as principal, Big Sean, along with TV personality Sway, conducted a Q&A session with the students. One student asked about the best way to study and Big Sean answered with this hilarious advice,  “The best way to study is with your homies. If you got some dumb friends, don’t study with them.” How can you argue with that logic?

Rap-Up mentions that this is not the first time that Big Sean has served as “Principal for a Day.” He surprised students in 2012 at Lincoln High School, located in Detroit as well.

Big Sean founded a charity in 2012 called the Sean Anderson Foundation. The foundation is based out of Detroit as well and ran by his mother, who accompanied him to Bates Academy. The foundation’s priority is to assist with disadvantaged youth. I have a lot of respect and love for Big Sean and I look forward to his next event!