If you keep up with this blog you’ve probably noticed I haven’t updated anything in a while. Over the last few weeks I’ve been working with bands, singers, engineers, and other rappers alike. Some experiences have been pleasant while others I wouldn’t care to forget about. The fact of the matter is people are largely unprofessional. Whether it’s setting up studio time for your engineer to confirm one day then cancel just a couple hours before you’re due in. Or when I’m reaching out to other artists and just days before a performance you can’t get in contact with them.
I know what you’re thinking “That happens to everybody. How long have you been in the game? Get used to it.” Why should I? Why should I be ok with mediocrity and unprofessional practices when I take my career very seriously? Why is it so difficult to find dependable personnel? Maybe I’m just on a totally different wave length. Maybe I just haven’t linked up with the right people yet.
What I do know is what seems like “everybody” who is affiliated with music seems to half step. I’m sure I have somewhere along the way. But what I can say for myself is I always conduct business appropriately. Dealing with all the bullshit that the music industry has to offer was the reason I was ready to walk away from it all just a year ago.
So if there’s any artist who is as frustrated as I am keep this in mind. Surround yourself with people that care about YOU and your career just as much as you do. Weed out all the bullshit that can possibly discourage or distract you. And if certain people sort themselves out the loop…SO BE IT. As a rule, they’re expendable anyway. Lastly, learn to separate personal relationships from business relations. Once you’ve established a rapport with somebody it’s important that you keep that relationship professional. If not, people will think they can just blow you off (PAUSE) whenever they feel like it because “ya’ll cool.” On that note, I think I’ve made too many friends.
All in all, Cleveland has a lot of talent. The city as a whole (producers, rappers, etc.) should be past this point. And we wonder why Chicago and other Midwest cities get looked at before we do. We wonder why artists have left the city and became highly successful elsewhere. In order for the music industry to take us seriously we have to take ourselves seriously. CLEVELAND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!!!!! Everybody should start treating their services and products like a brand name. As well as conduct business in the same nature you would for your employer. This isn’t a shot to anybody although I’m speaking directly to certain people. Instead, consider this a wake up call before another artist up and leaves to pursue his career somewhere else.
