Are you thinking of starting your very own Hip-Hop independent record label? Do you need help with any or all of the necessary steps required to take on such a task? Are you tired of just dreaming about your own business? In this article I will go through some of the basics of what is needed to start your own independent Hip Hop Record Label.
Nowadays, Hip-Hop is enjoyed all over the world, Hip-Hop artists are still growing in number and Hip-Hop music is sold worldwide in stores and online. In short, Hip Hop is hot.
Owning a Hip Hop record label is a dream of many, from the artist who wants to get his music heard, to the manager or producer that has found the next hot thing. If you want to know how to start your own label, the first thing you will need is information. Not only the information on how to start a record label but also the information needed to make your business a success. It can be very challenging trying to figure out the best way to implement your love of hip hop into a real business.
Before learning how to start your independent record label, you need to create a clear plan for success that anyone with ambition and proper financing can apply. You need to develop a business plan that covers the basics for getting your business off the ground.
Although starting a record label is not as hard as you might think, it is a risky business and you should not venture into it if you are not well prepared. Start off with a bit of research - look at the other releases within your genre and think about what you could be offering that they are not. One of the best things you can do is to plan ahead.
You can begin small and just put out your own music on your own label. A lot of bands and artists start their own record label to have more control of what they release. As with any start up business you will need a lot of patience. You must be prepared to compete against major labels and other independent record label producers.
In the end, running a label just takes a bit of understanding, experience, organization and timing. But to turn your dream of starting a Hip-Hop record label into a reality, you have to take action and you have to start today.
As Wayne Gretzky said: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
When it comes to submitting beats and songs to the music industry, most artists and producers have no idea where or how to get started. The "how" seems to be the more important issue to cover first because once mastered, you'll be ready to submit music almost anywhere. We've created a guide that will help you in mastering the "how to" of submitting music to record labels. Follow these steps and you should be generally successful in your endeavor.
1. Get permission
If you send hip hop and rap beats to any record label or music company without first getting permission from them, they are considered unsolicited materials. Most major and upper independent record labels will reject (trash) them. Part of the reason they do this is to protect themselves from lawsuits. The last thing they want is someone saying that their music was stolen, when the label had "no idea" that they received anything from you. Another reason is that they work hand in hand with credible music industry managers, A&Rs, record producers, lawyers etc... to filter through the junk music. If you really want to get into the music business this way, I recommend you hook up with one of these type kats to walk your beats through the door and into the right guy's hand (remember it's a people's game).
2. Find out the guidelines for submission and follow them to a tee
If they ask for only 3 tracks, send only three tracks. There is nothing more irritating than someone who can't follow instruction. If they give no limit, only send 5 to 7 of your hottest tracks. If they want more, believe me, they will call you.
3. Put your hottest tracks firstLike the saying goes... "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". You have about 30 second to catch the ear of the listener.
4. Know the Addresse (the person, company, or the like to whom a piece of mail is addressed)
When you send in your beat CD, make sure you know who's attention to address the materials to. Otherwise you submission could just end up in the trash.
5. Don't expect to get your material back. (even with a S.A.S.E.)
6. Be patient
Most of the time, the artist will record to the track and let you know afterwards if they decide to use it for their album. If they don't use it then you probably won't here back unless you follow up. Also, if directly solicited, set an "on hold status" typically from 3 to 6 months. This allows you to shop your tracks elsewhere if they don't get picked up soon enough for you. Silly, but I've seen labels hold or buy a track just so another label or artist can't get it. Either way, try not to have your beats tied up for too long in one place. After all, you made them right...?
Both Robert Hill & Mckinley Crawford are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert Hill has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Acupuncture Chiropractor and Cars. For anyone who is serious about starting a hip hop record label and is interested about all the insider secrets, tips and tricks without which it is nearly impossible to succeed, you must read part II of -. Robert Hill's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Mckinley Crawford has sinced written about articles on various topics from Music, Keyboard Synthesizer and Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. M. Crawford is a music industry professional and working specializing in making hip hop. Mckinley Crawford's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.