dontaedynamite's Blog

Music is the universal language of the world.....(pause)when you think about it the word "Universe" simple means "one song". Myself and millions of others have been smitten with the music bug and with some of us it is so important to our being that we decide to create it. So you wanna be a music producer?.... Where do I start? What is it that I need? Who can help me? Why does my music sound lacking compared to my favorite artist's music? How does the music business work? When will I be successful? If you are like me when I first started, I asked all these questions. As time passed I have gained all the answers to these questions. Even though it has taken me over 10 years to gain the knowledge, I will gladly share it with you.

Tip#1: Learn The System

Go to the bookstore or your local library and read at least 3 books on music business. You will save yourself alot of headache and pain if you take the time to do this first. The music business is a business just like any other business. There are people who are honest and fair just like you and there are hustlers and robbers out to take advantage of the naive up and comer. You need to know what a copyright is and how you can legally claim yours. You need to know what publishing is and what it is really worth. You need to know what  royalties are, and may other aspects of the music business.

I had the privilege of meeting multi-platinum producer Nottz who has produced for Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit, Kanye West, R.Kelly, G-Unit, Rakim,Rhymes,Swizz Beatz, T.I., Scarface, and The Notorious B.I.G. (Ok you get it, he's deep in the game, not an amateur) I'm in Master Sound Studios in Virginia Beach VA. He's a cool guy and acknowledges our presence and indulges in a conversation. I eventually tell him that I produce and would like some advice. I'm checking out his array of equipment trying to see what the secret to his sound is. I ask him what piece of equipment he recommends for me to buy. He told me to buy a book and learn the business first. I listened but did not take heed. So my lack of knowing the business translated into being screwed out of money, production credit and good business relationships. Why didn't I pay attention to what he said? (I thought that I could take shortcuts without sacrificing anything LOL!)I now truly understand the quote that says                                                                         

"If you don't know, your rights...You don't have any"  

Here are some books I recommend that you read 

All You Need To Know About The Music Business by David Passman

Confessions Of A Record Producer by Moses Avalon

A Concise Guide To Music Industry Terms by Joel Leach

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