UB Round Table Discussion: Part I
In June of 2003 for Black Music Month, TMHxone.com, one of our previous e-zines presented Round Table. A discussion with industry executives regarding the music industry. We went on to do additional Round Tables. This year we decided to bring the Round Table back!
Some of the executives included in our previous round tables were former president of BET Stephen Hill and RCA‘s Russ Jones.
This Round Table we have a variety of music executives from different fields. We reached out to executives that we personal know and who have been supportive of UB over the years. More importantly than anything, executives who know the business in and out.
For the first part, we start with two successful music executives Ra-Fael Blanco and Adrian D. Meeks.
The executives discuss a wide rang of topics; including artists and social media, the importance of the Billboard chart fading, the transition from albums to singles only, the good and bad effects of streaming, the lack of support for black owned music outlets and more!
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2R’s Entertainment & Media PR
Ra-Fael Blanco: VP of Media Relations & Communications – Day to day responsibilities start with waking up in the middle of morning 6:00am to be exact, check your phone for emails, texts and that will guide how your morning starts. – The To Do lists are long, (follow-up, email blasts, return emails, make phone calls and pitch the day away).
Adrian D. Meeks: I am the President/CEO of Song Source Music Group(SSMG), with Distribution through EMPIRE. I am responsible for the day to day operations of the Label, extending from discovering new talent, placing songwriters and producers with such artists, making certain that the administration of materials are properly
handled, to making sure that the artists receive sufficient marketing and promotions, in order to have a successful release.
Ra-Fael Blanco: Honestly speaking, in my opinion long gone are the days of informative conferences where you spent the money and you felt you went back home with informative information of value. Knowledge that you could not wait to get home to implement a new plan of action towards your goals.
Adrian D. Meeks: “Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record
Industry in the Digital Age” by Steve Knapper
Conferences: Launch Music Conference, SandBox Summit, and Musexpo (L.A.)
“Unfortunately Record Execs, Artist Managers, and Talent Scouts of today are more intrigued by an Artist’s numbers, rather than their raw gifts and talents.”
Ra-Fael Blanco: I don’t know if they use it less than before, but I feel now its about a “brand” endorsement and a post about “influencing” their fans to buy something… and really not about their music. I feel once the music is out, in their minds, “the job is done”, and they don’t realize that all your followers, do not see your post at the same time and you must be creative to keep posting about the same thing over and over.
Adrian D. Meeks: Unfortunately Record Execs, Artist Managers, and Talent Scouts of today are more intrigued by an Artist’s numbers, rather than their raw gifts and talents. Therefore more and more Artists feel overlooked and irrelevant in the world of Social Media.
Ra-Fael Blanco: Radio does still matter in my opinion, but its also depending on the type of artist you have. There are still lots of radio stations that are helpful in breaking an artist in various markets. I have to say the SouthEast is extremely helpful in breaking new acts. Charts matter for the sake of “you have something going on”, but when the record disappears then what? But with that said, with charts you can see the growth of an artist that is #45 and as time goes on you can get to see an artist reach top 10. It allows you to see what the growth and as a newbie, that is all you kind of have.
Adrian D. Meeks: First of all, Artists who abandon radio, especially those that write and own their works are making a grave mistake by thinking radio is not important. Radio is the number one way a Songwriter and or Publisher makes money from his or her song, from royalties collected on their behalf by PROs ( BMI, ASCAP, SESAC). For digital/internet radio, these monies are collected by Sound Exchange. I would also like to note that, according to Nielsen, 91% of adults (18 and over) listen to radio every week more than any other means of communication. And 61% of people told Nielsen they discover new music through terrestrial radio.
As for Billboard Charts, it is the benchmark of success for recording artists. Billboard Charts separate those who are amateurs, from those who are emerging to “Superstar” level musicians in the world of music, then and now.
Ra-Fael Blanco: I think full albums are needed, but as a new artist stepping into the game and creating buzz, a few EPs are never a bad thing. The more noise and versatility that you are able to showcase as you are growing your name, the better it is when your full length album is released.
Adrian D. Meeks: I personally look for consistency in an Artist, Producer, or Songwriter. I prefer someone who can create a multitude of great music, over the artists that are hit and miss. Most Artists today are merely trying to “throw something against the wall, hoping it sticks”, whereas real seasoned Artists show-off their abilities in a body of work. Let me hear an Album (laughs).
Ra-Fael Blanco: I think it starts with the target audience. I think it follows back with not posting the
same thing that the same “other black sites” are posting. Be different, be innovative and push YOUR button. Also, have folks that you write about post about your article. Your article is not less informative as a Rolling Stone Magazine if you put in the time and research. I think its’ about holding the labels accountable for that. We need to make the artists post on their socials. That will allow for your “post” to be seen by others that might not be familiar with the site, etc. It’s a team effort!!!
Adrian D. Meeks: Marketing and Promotion unfortunately is not enough within the African American community. Awareness is key. Case and Point, while FUBU was a great brand, it didn’t really explode until we learned the acronym means “For Us By Us”. So, we have to make clear to our community that the publication, the brand, the product was created because of them, for them.
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Stay Tuned for Part II
Keep The Conversation Going on Twitter #UBRoundTable @UrbanBridgez
