With recent stories about how the music industry is plummeting due to the advancement of internet technology, internet file sharing, and yes I am about to say it…music blogs exposing unreleased tracks weeks before an album even drops… I was recently intrigued by a verse that Andre 3000 spit on Devin the Dude’s “What a Job” from his latest lp Waitin to Inhale.
This song and especially his verse made me stop and think about what we are doing when we expose their songs too soon just to have the latest music. I will admit when I hear commercial rappers talking about how much money they have or how many cars they drive I honestly do not care about downloading music or sharing files with friends because I do not think that it will affect the artist financially. But then you have to remember that there are true artists out there that live for producing good music and do it for reasons way beyond making money. Just like how we go to work everyday making music is a job for artists and while some artists may exploit the fact that “they get money.” when does the time come to draw the line?
For artists that already have a following, such as Mr.3000 or an Alicia Keys or even a Jay Z where piracy may not effect their bank accounts as much -it just makes it extremely hard for a new artist trying to get in the game where they might not reap the rewards of bringing music to the people. But its also fair to say that the Internet helps new artists with You Tube and Myspace since it provides an avenue for exposure, as well as cost efficient promotions.
MMIM would love to hear your opinions on this, since this is a growing debate within the music community. But please listen to “What A Job” found below and read Mr. 3000′s views.
Andre 3000 on “What a Job” (from Devin the Dude’s Waitin’ to Inhale)
We work nights, we some vampires
Niggas gather round the beat like a campfire
Singin’ folk songs, but not no Kumbaya my Lord
You download it for free, we get charged back for it
I know you’re saying, they won’t know they won’t miss it
Besides, I ain’t a thief, they won’t pay me a visit
So if I come to your job, take your corn on the cob
And take a couple kernels off it that would be alright with you
Hell no! Yeah, exactamundo
But we just keep recording and it ain’t to get no condo
And Candy Bentley fanny with no panties in Miami
And that cute lil’ chick named Tammy that you took to the Grammys
See we do it for that boi that graduated
That looked you in your eyes real tough and said ‘preciate it
And that he wouldn’ta made it if it wasn’t for your CD number 9
And he’s standing with his baby momma Kiki and she cryin’ talkin bout
That they used to get high to me in high school
And they used to make love to me in college
Then they told me ’bout they first date, listenin’ to my tunes
And how he, like to finger nail polish
I say hate to cut you off but I gotta go
I wish you could tell me mo’ but I’m off to the studio, gotta write tonight
Hey, can you put us in your raps? I don’t see why not
Devin it’s the Dude you gon’ probably hear him talking ’bout
January 27, 2008 at 5:05 am
This is a great point! But like yesterday’s blog, Music Is a Drug. And us fiends sometimes do crackish type thangs to get that dope! My job pays me a salary to do certain task in a description, but they wind up getting more than their money’s worth out of me? Two wrongs don’t make it right! But this will never be a perfect world. Maybe we should re-evaluate the music we listen to? Because the guys bragging about their money and lifestyles don’t make that music for me. I can’t relate to that money or them bentleys. And I don’t buy those albums. I don’t even burn copies of them. But maybe that is a big reason why they do get bootlegged so much. It’s so much of the same rap music and rappers out here, so why would anyone pay for it all? You are not getting anything different for your money! I mean really, are you? That’s why when new artist, with new attitudes, and different state of minds come into the fold, they garner much success. Success, and they still get bootlegged as well.
Two quotes that I base my life on are: “You are what you eat”, and “You get out what you put in”!
Joe Pesh and JB presents: Fly State of Mind
Coming Soon!
January 27, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Wow, great point made JB! I can relate to the jobs getting more than their money’s worth out of me, but in reality, that’s just life and its hustle. Everyone is trying to make it. And I agree, my hands won’t even touch a CD if it not something that I can relate to. Music is therapy to me and I need to be moved by what the artist is saying. To answer the question, “when does the time come to draw the line?” That all on the preference of the consumer. For my fave artist, Ms. Teedra Moses, it does not matter to me how much her concerts costs or how much her album is – I know she produces quality music. And she is actually an artist that can sing and she writes her own music; which is so rare to find these days. I will pay whatever amount (that I can afford lol) to go and see her. But I really believe that people today don’t value music for what it is. It is an art. These artist have lost their creativity behind that. And a lot of people get lost in a catchy hook and think the song is this sh–. They dont even have to be saying anything on the hook, just as long as they deliver it right and the rest of the song can be some trash and it sells. Real artists will get my money, other artist will just get play on the radio for me.
January 27, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Damn K and JB what more can I say……………………….
January 27, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Wow two valid points made and I second the motion of working and not being compensated for overtime. I do it everyday. I will have to agree with AV, there really is not much to say after that…
January 29, 2008 at 7:16 pm
for every Snoop Dogg and Andre 3000, there is a Devin the Dude; the underrated critically acclaimed artist who has never went platinum or headlined big coliseum shows…The record label signs acts,charges them for promotion/distribution, etc…and gives them the advance on the strength of records selling or associated revenue being made from possibly TV appearences, commercials, ringtones, or etc…so many so-called blockbuster acts have played the game to obtain fortune and fame..only to end up broke and fustrated…watch VH1 Behind music..TLC, Toni Braxton, New Edition, etc…these are Grammy winning Billboard chart topping acts who went double or triple platinum…those videos, clothes for performing, vehicles for traveling to shows, or plane tickets…deejays, band members, security, etc…it all costs money….The digital downloading is a evolutuion of pirated music..I remember during the 90′s with mixtape deejays, the thing was to be the first one to get the unreleased music…tracks from Wu-Tang, Nas, Biggie, or Jay-Z..before they dropped a album…engineers from studios would be giving deejays unmixed masters from recording sessions…ultimately, emcees came to embrace the mixtapes because they saw how it could benefit them…create buzz for the upcoming album..this is how names like Funkmaster Flex, Clue and Kay Slay became big…now the digital downloading is something new for the industry to adapt to…I predict in five years, that there won’t be any more CD’s…you will go to the label site and download…but artists should follow the example of Prince..build their own site, control their own music, and do one shot deals…get money off the top…with youtube, paypal accounts,myspace, and etc..start your own movement…promote yourself at club events, sell CD’s hand to hand, and perform locally…build your own buzz.
Good song here, Andre 3000 rapping here..sounds good..Snoop keeping it humble..
Be on the look out for JB.. I really know dude…he’s got some material bubbling that will put him up there with Raheem DeVaughn and J Holiday…his music is just that good.
January 29, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I want to come in here and third the motion on all comments made on this very valid point made by our man Andre 3000. I agree with JB and want to know when the next meeting with be held for those addicted to “Crack Music” , once referred to by none other than Mr. West. *wink*
No other good comments can really follow such valid points like those preceding me….