Every Record Label in the game turned us down .......

By: B. Brown (BREG)

I don't know if a lot of artists know this or not, but to become a signed artist, specifically with a major label, the artist has usually down a lot of non-glamorous work and has usually paid some very humbling dues to get to the point of signing a major label contract. Once the ink dries however, the fun really begins. More free shows (promotional shows) and a ton of appearances attempting to get your name & face out there! Oh, did that artist get an advance? Some do and some don't. You might be surprised. I'm sure you have heard the stories. Nonetheless, in most cases, being an artist is not what it is all cracked up to be. Becoming a Superstar and actually becoming Rich helps out tremendously if that artist is one of the Blessed few!

In Jay-Z's book, DECODED, he talks about how every record label in the game turned him down and that's what sparked him, Dame and Biggs to start Roc-A-Fella Records. Here's what Jay-Z says about being a recording artist:

"Being a recording artist on a major label is the most contractually exploitative relationship you can have in America, and it's legal."

*B. Brown: How about that! Artists, times have changed because you can easily produce & release your own records now, but you still have to market and promote yourself and there lies the problem for the overwhelming majority of artists today even with such a powerful marketing and promotional tool as the internet. A plan, work ethic and some type of budget must be in place to play ball!

Click on this link for more information on a business plan, budgets, etc.


One Love!

Tank - Staying true to R&B

*Thoughts by B. Brown (BREG)

My man Tank has always been a beast when it comes to writing and delivering hit songs like one of my favorites "I Deserve!" I take my hat off to this brother because he always seems to bring real-life-situation-music to the marketplace and that's why he has hit songs! Tank is overlooked a lot of times I believe, but I put him right up there with Babyface and R. Kelly in the song writing department.

Tank my brother, keep doing your thing and bringing great music to the ears and souls of many ......


By Melody K. Hoffman (Jet Magazine Dec. 27, 2010/Jan. 3, 2011; pg. 48)

Jet Magazine Website

In regards to his music, Tank says, "I like to call it classic, current R&B. I keep with the basic formula as far as who I'm sing to, what I'm singing about, and even the passion I'm singing it with. I keep that part of it in tact."

"R&B is about love---the good and bad. The stuff when we're together, the stuff when I'm trying to get you, the stuff when we're breaking up, the stuff when we're having fun, the stuff when we're fighting, all of it. I'm not mad at people singing about what they have on and being on their way to the club, that's fine. It just doesn't appeal to me on a substance level. For me, it's about legacy and making my mark in R&B and I want to be as true to the craft as possible."