Cleveland Rewind 2012

This past year in Cleveland saw many changes to the music scene involving all forms of the industry. Some good, some bad, but in general brought about changes that continue to evolve the industry as we know it. Instead of writing out a 10 paragraph story and boring you with what should be said, we are going to break it down by categories and get right to the point. Yes there were new events and networking functions that provided new opportunities for up and coming artists, but on the negative side there was more grumbling then acceptance Cleveland has ever seen...
-Written By: Johnny Mixxxx

ARTIST vs REAL PROMOTER:
What can I say?  An artist will always blame the promoter and a promoter will always blame the artist.  In 2012 we saw artists continuing to bash REAL promoters who were providing opportunities for them to perform.  Blaming the promoter as to why a show wasn't sold out or making bold statements about paying to play.  Its really simple math.  A promoter not only promotes an event but also takes care of booking the venue, dj, security, host, sound guy, artists, making flyer's, designing tickets, sending tickets, updating websites, booking a headliner, taking pictures and getting video.  The only requirement for an artist is to sell tickets to bring people into the event.  When an artist fell short of selling tickets 98% of the time they would blame the promoter.  To add fuel to the fire, these so called artists wouldn't even show up and would back out last minute via texts.  What these artists didn't understand was by them not holding up to their end of the agreement, the promoter would get stuck having to pay the artists bills.  Artists don't seem to understand that a promoter is the not one trying to get signed, all the promoter does is give an artist the opportunity to perform on stage in front of people who are looking for talent.  What an artist does after being booked is solely on them.

ARTIST vs FAKE PROMOTER:
Ok, we've all had our share of dealing with janky promoters, but in 2012 Cleveland comes in first place for letting them work in the city.  These are typically your promoters who makes false claims and lie about what they are actually doing.  Taking artists money based on promises that they never live up to.  This type of promoter will tell you they have connections all of the globe and will make you famous.  What the artist doesn't realize is that this same promoter could be living out of their car, be homeless, have no money and is an all around thorn in everyone's side.  This is the same promoter who claims they are taking over the music scene yet they are stuck in Ashtabula, Ohio.  Typically these type of promoters will ruin a venues name and make it difficult for artists to trust REAL promoters.

ARTIST vs ARTIST:
Cleveland saw a crop of up and coming artists who generally do not have love for anyone but themselves.  A constant barrage of yelling and screaming "I'm the best in the city!" and "Fuck everyone else!"  This has been a major problem in the scene dating back to when first kids hooked up a $14 radio shack microphone to their pc, thus enabling them to call themselves a rapper.  This type of artist hates the guy who is doing it right and getting more attention.  They are pissed off someone else is stealing their spotlight and will do anything publicly to get attention.  In the end all they are doing is making them self look like an asshole thus making people with connections turn away from even checking out their music.  


PROMOTER vs HEADLINER:
Many people claim to have headliner status just because they have a stage name.  In 2012 we saw more people who have headliner status perform at events with no crowds.  A headliner is supposed to be the main performer who brings in the most people without having to sell any tickets.  But what we found out is that performers who were considered headliners in the past, should not be headliners today.  Just because you have a cool name doesn't mean you have a fan base.

ARTIST vs ?:
As the year continued we saw artists forming there own companies and booking their own shows trying to cut out the promoter.  What they started to realize is that shows cost money to arrange.  As they began booking their own shows it started to click in their minds all of the things that a promoter goes through when dealing with an event.  Artists booking their own shows without a headliner leaving the event empty because people don't want to see locals open for locals.  Artists booking their own shows and having to cover overhead fees because performers they booked didn't sell any tickets or show up to perform.  Artists with no connections thus leaving an event not properly promoted or put together properly.  These artists thought they were smart by cutting out the middle man but what they realized now is that they have nobody to perform in front of and still have to pay bills.  There is a reason why artists who put on their own shows don't book real headliners, they can't afford them because they are broke!

ARTIST vs NO $$$$:
This year alone we saw more Facebook, YouTube and Twitter rappers then in the previous 3 years combined.  A typical artist who has no money to invest in them self but thinks they are going to get a record deal by means of Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.  Then it really started to get worse with artists having an option to purchase likes for their like page, likes for theirs comments, Twitter followers and YouTube views.  Taking the easy way out without actually having to do any work.  What they don't realize is that they are hurting their career more then by helping it.  2012 brought a lot of fake internet rappers.  Fake rappers who have no street credit, no hustle and no motivation to actually get out in the streets and grind.  Then you have the artist who is doing everything right.  Problem is, they have no music talent to back it up.  They invest properly by purchasing 5,000 mixtapes to pass out, but what they are passing out is pure garbage.  If we could take the ones who are doing it right by means of investment with no talent and have them manage the ones who are doing it wrong but have talent might be the key to collaboration as well as success.

OLD vs NEW:
Another year in the books for people who actually did it right and turned a profit.  Another year in the books for the washed up rapper who is in the same spot they were 10 years ago when they started.  Yes, there are real music scene giants who play by the books and follow the rules, but when is time for the ones who have done nothing in their whole career to finally say "Hey, maybe I'm just not cut out to be in this industry."  In all these years of doing music and still nobody has noticed you should be your key to realizing that you just don't have any music talent.  In your many years of doing music and you have never sold more then 20 tickets to any event you ever did should answer your question without asking one.

THE GOOD:
Besides the negativity that is in Cleveland there were still some bright spots to touch on.  The Ohio Hip-Hop Awards celebrated another season and we saw the beginning of smaller award shows starting to form awarding artists who have a strong work ethic and music talent.  New music tours were setup across the mid-west giving artists the chance to perform in cities and states outside of Ohio. Seminars and workshops were formed to give artists the advice on what it takes to be a star.  More opportunities were given to artists this past year then in previous years to actually learn and perform better.   We saw numerous artists sign record deals and have hit singles on the radio.  We saw more people getting involved to actually make a change for the better.  Tuesday nights brought back spit boxing and free styling at its best and the return of the REAL dj is making a comeback.  Not a dj who just stops one song and goes into another without actually mixing, but a dj who can scratch and blend songs flawlessly. 

In conclusion, Cleveland has talent.  There are numerous artists who have what it takes to be a star. These artists need to invest in them self wisely and keep on the straight path.  For the ones who continue to do it wrong they will be in for a rude awakening going into 2013.  Many new faces have entered the scene and new ideas have been expressed on how to grow and better the music scene in Cleveland.  You just might see a School Of Rock opening in a city near you!  Underground shows are on the outs and major events are making the comeback.  If you want to stay underground, stay there, quit yelling at everyone else and most importantly quit complaining.  There are people who are actually trying to do it right on a stage ABOVE ground, ON GROUND!

Earn as you learn...
Pay as you go...
Your Network Is Your Networth!

Stay humble and see you somewhere, I hope.




Comments

mommaslimjim said…
Happy New Year to Starmusicmedia.com

May this 2013 year bring everyone success,and be prosperous for us all.. One love always..