Jun
29Pay For Play Pollutes
Filed Under (Rants) by FuNkwoRm on 29-06-2010
Tagged Under : Marketing, Promotion
In my city and in others I’ve traveled to, some promoters put on what they call, talent showcases. Most of these lame shows are put together by letting any rapper perform who pays an entree fee. On top of that, the artist is given a number of tickets that he must sell to his friends and supporters. These are the only group of people usually cheering for him during his performance because no one is there to see anyone else but the artist they came to support.
Anybody can get in and perform if they have the money to pay. These showcases are stacked with well over a dozen artists performing 3 songs each sometimes. It’s a good, lucrative hustle because there are a lot a motherfuckers who desperately want an opportunity to perform. After each artists performs, they leave and take their group of friends with them. The crowd thins out as the night progresses, so the last dude is usually performing in front of his friends and the stage crew who are breaking the set down while the rapper is yelling “ya’ll feelin me out there?” If you’ve never witnessed one of these events, trust me, it’s some sad shit to see.
Sometimes the promoter books a headlining act and charges local acts to be the opening performers. I’ve seen these slots start at $700 each sometimes, and artists line up to grab em. I went to see a headlining hip hop group and sat through 12 local acts who mostly sounded like crap before the headliner performed. This is that “get the money, fuck everything else”mentality. Who gives a shit if these artists are good? They paid so they play.
This infectious behavior has spread in other places too. DJ’s have their “pay for a slot” mixtapes. Some of them apply no screening process at all. Hot or not. You pay, you get on the mixtape. There should be an law to force them to put that disclaimer on them so I’ll know not to waste my time listening to it. If you’re a DJ I expect you to put me up on hot music. Not involve yourself in the musical pimp shit, further saturating the universe with bad artists.
Some blogs do the same pay for a post bullshit too. And you get garbage. You can say what you want about the artists I post but know this; I only post artists I like! You may not like my taste, and that’s fine. I get emails reminding me of that sometimes and that okay. But I do not and will not post for pay or favors.
This is what fucked up radio. Now you have these new, small gate keepers or trolls charging you to cross the bridge. Don’t complain that the swimming pool is foul if you’re one of those who are pissing in it.
Magazines are only putting artists on the cover who pay for it. Since when did the cover become ad space? I know times are hard and money is tight but really, you’re poisoning the well you have to drink out of. What would you think of your favorite basketball team if they only let players on the court who had the money to pay to be there, and they were not judged by their athletic ability? That would fuck up everything right? Who would watch that?
I’m a music producer and I make it a practice not to post my own shit here. That just feels like some Source, Benzino shit to me. Remember The Source before he fucked that up? Some of you need some kind of code of ethics also.
We all want to get cheddar. Don’t fuck around with the music though. Try offering advertising. I suggest something like this. Start your mixtape with: “This mixtape was brought to you by Leroy’s Bar and Grill on 43rd street”. Then maybe put a 20% off coupon in the jewel case along with a small packet of Leroy’s special mild sauce . Whatever you do, just stop pissin’ in the pool!!
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Man i ben readin articles off your website since the fall and there all great…but this one was heartfelt when i was younger just startin in this hiphop business they would b doin this pay for play bullshid all the time in city(cleveland) its like everybody tryin 2 hustle you….now this blog and website thing is hot us(new artist) get taxed for that promotion mixtape cover studio beats(sometimes lol) its like wow independent acts have to pay there way in thats not cool man….i used to get mad when i seen wack rappers gettin some were but thats all cuz of the muLa baby all i am sayin is….All I Can Say To These so called hustlers is dont complain about bad hiphop when you putting it on becuz of money..If An Artist has Talent Put em ON!! then you’ll really see somethin bubble byond the money!!
Reply to S-T-R Pimp
True indeed, Pimp, and well put. I appreciate you taking the time to read the posts! Please continue to give your feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Reply to FuNkwoRm
YEAH BRO, THATS HOW THE SHOWS ARE ITS CRAZY, BUT EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS 100% TRUE. BUT ON THE FLIP ITS SO MANY RAPPERS NOW,AND THE LACK OF HUSTLE OF THE GOOD 1′S PLAYS A ROLE TOO. BECAUSE U CAN BOOK A GOOD BUT THEY HAVE NO FOLLOWING AD NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THEM, THEN U WILL HAVE A EMPTY SHOW, ITS HARD TO PROMOTE A SHOW OF INDIE ARTIST AND NO 1 KNOWS WHO THEY ARE.IM A INDIE ARTIST FROM DETROIT AND IVE SEEN IT ALL. SO I STARTED THROWING MY OWN SHOWS, I LISTEN TO PPL MUSIC B4 I BOOK, AND I GIVE SOME PPL I DONT THINK IS ALL THAT A SHOT TO BCUZ I RESPECT THE HUSTLE. ITS A LOT OF JANKY PROMOTERS FASHO, BUT THE ARTIST NEED TO STEP IT UP TOO. I HAVE EVEN PAID ACTS THAT HAVE A FOLLOWING TO ROCK, I BELIEVE U SHOULD GET PAID TO PERFORM, BUT U CANT GET PAID IF U DONT GENERATE ANY MONEY
Reply to PROPHECY313
@Prophecy I feel you and It’s great that you listen before you book. Far too many of these shows are stacked with too many artists doing too many songs in one night. It fuckin wears you out sometimes.
The point you made about the lack of hustle with some of these artist is dead right. Some of them push hard to get a post on this blog and won’t even drive traffic to their own post. Really, how do you not promote your own shit? Damn, get your auntie or cuz to leave a comment on your shit if you have no fans. Even a ‘thank you for the post” would be decent.
Proph, I could really whore this blog out, talk about some gossip bullshit, put a “big booty of the week” chick on here, and quadruple my traffic without a doubt. But I love hip hop and I’m trying to play a part in helping some of these artists who can’t get love anywhere else.
But there needs to be more support for people like you and I who are creating a platform for these artists.
Reply to FuNkwoRm
THATS REAL BRO, I CREDITED U MONDAY IN A RADIO INTERVIEW ON HOW YOU GIVE “FREE” GAME TO INDIE ARTIST…KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BRO IT WILL PAY OFF SOON, AND ILL WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE UR SITE AND POST UR LINKS ON MY SITE AND MY SOCIAL NETWORKS
Reply to PROPHECY313
Much love, Proph! I appreciate it.
Reply to FuNkwoRm
Before the small-time hustlers caught on… Jack The Rapper, CMJ, and The Gavin Convention were set-up the very same way. But there was still a trade-off. Labels, scouting teams, producers and artists themselves would be looking for new talent and it wasn’t a straight jack-move. But even with all of that involved, the thought of paying to be put on a show still didn’t sound right. That’s like paying someone to listen to your music… which to me, is more desperate than paying someone to play it.
“Some of them push hard to get a post on this blog and won’t even drive traffic to their own post. Really, how do you not promote your own shit?”
That’s a rant topic on its own. This was a good read.
Reply to Kid Captain Coolout
Kid Captain, thanks and you’re right. There was at least the “promise” that someone would be at these events looking for acts back in the day. Like some label exec or A&R who you never heard of, but they they don’t even have to do that anymore.
i appreciate your feedback!
Reply to FuNkwoRm
http://prophecy313.com/indiehiphop keep post that good game fam
Reply to prophecy313
one of your best articles to date…you didn’t hold any punches here…article speaks on some real ish…tell ‘em, funkworm!
Reply to kasey
this a great read..i’m up late researchin this pay to play bullshit and i get both sides of the story..your blog gave me dope insight becouse this anti pay to play thing is directed to rock bands but it’s deeper than that…i will read your blog from now on….listen to my music and give some feedback
Reply to B-Line
Hey man, I just gotta say, this is an excellent blog and there is always something very valuable on here. I’ve been fucked over with pay to play a couple times and it is not fun or ethical at all.
Reply to The Professional
Yo, this joint is the truth! I’ve been trying to preach this same shit to my peoples out here in Providence, RI. It’s the smallest state in the country and it’s sooo commercial. Everybody is blind to the truth these days.
Reply to PWNONE
Reply to Trenton Doe Boy
That’s the reason why I created this blog, Trenton. I want to give good indie hip hop artists more exposure and educate them about the music business.
Reply to FuNkwoRm
Respect on that one. The showcase thing is true and yes it is a sad moment at the end of the night when that last act performs for the 5 people that came to support him/her. What did they for for that moment $85-2$00 +. Not good
Reply to @ONEMANBEATS
Okay I work for an internet radio station and I have worked for a terrestrial radio station. In both areas you have pay for play. FM radio calls it advertisement on our station N8tion.com its called a membership.
There are a number of site out that have some type of pay for play business model. Thinking good music gets played just because you and your local crew may think its good music will get you no play. I have been told by numerous FM DJ most artist will not get played on FM radio because of 3 things.
1. The artist has no buzz
2. The artist is not affiliated with a label, or larger entity
3. The music is not quality enough to be played on the air (lyrics, studio quality, or content)
On some levels pay for play equals the playing field because everybody can do it. Paying for radio play puts the music in front of the masses and the masses can deiced if they want to request that artist music.
For example you can come to n8tion.com and pay for promotion. It’s no different than paying money to print up a batch of CD and going to the club and passing them out. Or going to an open mic paying your fee to get up on stage and perform your song. An artist needs some type of feed back from the masses to know weather music is good. By going to a pay for play station is an option an artist can take.
Reply to N8tion.com
@N8tion Most artists trying to break through are clear on what it takes to get played on FM radio. This is why most people think that it sucks. This is also why a lot of artists have issues with some DJs. Just because this is the way the game is played, doesn’t mean that you have to set up your own toll way. People want trusted sources and consistency. With so much music out there, it’s hard to find places that filter out some of the garbage for you. Pay for play doesn’t do this. It does not even the playing field. It puts profit before art. An artist won’t get played on your station no matter how dope he is, if he doesn’t pay for membership. I could fart to a beat and you’d have to play it because i paid for it. This could be worse than FM.
Your comparison to paid open mic nights is one reason why i don’t go to them anymore. They’re usually only attended by other artists and their crews. Your site is an option and I’m not knocking the business, I just don’t agree with your view on this issue.
Reply to FuNkwoRm
Love this article. Finally a blog had balls to call this shit out. I live in NYC and I deal wit this all the time from names ppl might be familiar with. I cant stand it. It’s damn near impossible to build a buzz. I’ve even met with a&rs who dug my live music and then wanted me to pay for a consultation!!! Nigga ain’t it ya job to find talent?! O_o it’s really out of control. And they don’t have a set price neither they will take what ever crumbs you got and serve you according to that.
Reply to Tyler