STAN SHEPPARD - Is It Just Me, Or Do I
Smell Some Ish?
Dubcnn is very excited to announce a brand new music column called
"Is It Me.. Or Do I Smell Some Ish?", that will give our readers a behind
the scenes look at the recording industry. Launched by the heavyweight
entertainment industry executive Stan Sheppard, the column will give an
in-depth look at the deals being made across the country, the politics
behind making those deals and their potential for success in the
marketplace. For our readers who are not familiar with Stan Sheppard, you
soon will be, as we chronicle each edition below.
..........................................................................................
Second Edition - September 2nd 2010
By Stan Sheppard
Before I go any further with the information in this column, I must first
take a few moments to tell all the DUBCNN readers that I am "totally
humbled" by the extremely positive feedback I have received concerning the
first instalment of my column. Evidently, the people who read the
information really appreciated what I am doing and they told the staff and
me at DUBCNN to "KEEP THE REALISM FLOWING". Well, I heard you loud and clear
and I won't turn off the faucet any time soon.
This week, I wanted to touch on two important issues that affect us all in
the music industry and I will NOT pull any punches here when I say what I
have to say. The first subject I want to discuss concerns the A&R Directors
who work at the major labels across the country. As we all know, A&R
Directors are the "LIFE BLOOD OF THE RECORDING INDUSTRY" as far as records
are concerned. The decisions they make
affect the lives of artists, producers, writers, managers, musicians etc.
The people who occupy these positions of power are "SUPPOSED TO BE" seasoned
executives who have their ears to the streets and know a hit record when
they hear one. Well, in reality, most of these executives couldn't hear a
hit "IF TWO JUMBO JET AIRLINERS COLLIDED RIGHT ABOVE THEIR HEADS". I would
say from my 30 plus years in this business, 90% of them are FRAUDS and
OUTRIGHT LIARS, who specialize in deception and telling HALF-TRUTHS. During
these past three decades, I have worked with every major label in the
business and I have had production and label deals with them all. Most of
these executives are either frustrated producers or guys who were pushed
around, bullied, beaten up, or ignored by everyone in their neighborhoods
when they were growing up. When you speak with them they want you to THINK
they are FROM THE STREETS and THEY KNOW what the people want when it comes
to music.
Unfortunately, when the truth comes out about their backgrounds, the reality
is that they were NEVER BORN AND RAISED IN THE ROUGHEST PARTS OF THE
INNER-CITY. They usually were raised in the more affluent areas of the city,
or they were raised OUTSIDE OF THE GHETTO'S AND BARRIO'S THEY CLAIM TO BE
FROM. I have had guys tell me they were from the SOUTH SIDE or WEST SIDE OF
CHICAGO, but when I ask them for specifics… the whole story changes. They
say, "well, I'm not REALLY from the South or West SIDE of CHICAGO, but I use
to go there on the weekend to see friends or go to a club. I lived 50-60
miles away, but I still know the area." LOL!!! Why couldn't they just tell
the truth? Who knows, but they take that LYING MENTALITY to the hallways of
the major labels they work at and THAT'S where the trouble begins. In this
day and age, we all know that most A&R people don't discover new acts/music.
These acts are usually discovered by people who are REALLY FROM THE STREETS
and they just license the talent to the major labels. Most of these A&R
folks just latch on to these people like LEECHES and take credit for things
they had NOTHING TO DO WITH. Does this remind you of anybody you know?
Another thing that drives me nuts is when these SO-CALLED EXECUTIVES
outright LIE to these guys from the streets telling them that " I LOVE YOUR
MUSIC" or "YES, YOU'VE GOT A DEAL HERE, BUT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY BUDGET
OPENS UP". (EXCUSE ME WHILE I VOMIT) They know these statements are PURE BS
and they STILL tell these guys from the streets these fabricated stories.
Obviously, as time passes and no deal materializes, these guys know they
have been lied to and that's when things start to get ugly. All of this
could be avoided by JUST TELLING THE TRUTH. You either like it or you don't.
PERIOD.
The next topic I would like to discuss is "WHY DO SO MANY SUCCESSFUL RAPPERS
HIRE THEIR CLOSE FRIENDS TO BE BODYGUARDS FOR THEM?" Why don't these artists
hire these guys to work in promotion, marketing, sales, video production,
etc.? Jobs that won't risk their lives and freedom in the process. We know
you have to have security these days, but why not hire some LICENSED
SECURITY GUARDS THAT ARE ABLE TO LEGALLY CARRY FIREARMS? Let those people be
on the front lines as your first line of defence. Have your TRUE FRIENDS
with you in the BACKGROUND as your SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE just in case
something happens to the licensed security people who are out in front. Am I
making any sense? I know personally, I do not want to risk my true friends
to any unnecessary danger just for a few hundred bucks a night. If you want
to REALLY help your friends out, then finance their education or hook them
up with one of the jobs I mentioned earlier. That's what a TRUE FRIEND DOES.
On the CREATIVE side, I have heard some great music from several new and
developing artists that I want to make my readers aware of. One of my
favorites is an act out of HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA called "THE PULL-EM BOYZ".
Their bangin first single is entitled "JIGGIN OUT MY SHOES". The act is
being released and promoted by TONESTRUCK RECORDS. Also on TONESTRUCK
RECORDS is the 16-year-old artist out of MILWAUKEE WIS. named "QUE". This
new artist was brought to TONESTRUCK RECORDS by MR. K.B. BARRELL of FULL
COURT PRESS MGMT and MR. DeVON DENT of 3D ENTERTAINMENT. "QUE'S new single
entitled "RUN IT BACK" has the potential to be a hit record. Another new
artist out of the WEST COAST that is starting to kick up some dust is the
extremely talented "PIMPDAPEN" aka "MR. JOHN WAYNE". His new single is
called "MONEY IN THE SKY" and the debut album is entitled "HOW YA GET RICH".
This guy has a great voice and a wicked flow to say the least.
On the R&B tip, PLEASE do yourself a favor and check out one of the BADDEST
female vocalists on the market today. Her name is "LENA J" and her debut
album is called "PLEASURE, PAIN & PASSION". This project is simply
"WONDERFUL" and it is sure to touch your soul when you hear her music. "LENA
J" first got started as one of the most
sought after background singers in the business, touring and recording with
LIONEL RITCHIE, ELTON JOHN, LINDA RONDSTAT, AND AARON NEVILLE. Currently she
is touring with the Multi-Platinum artist "TIMOTHY SCHMIT" of the "EAGLES".
Her music was just released in July and she is already receiving airplay in
CHICAGO and LAS VEGAS. Her music can be purchased on iTunes and other
digital outlets.
Until the next time... Stay safe, Stay focused, and Stay with GOD. PEACE.
..........................................................................................
First Edition - July 26th 2010
By Stan Sheppard
First of all, let me say it is a true blessing to have the opportunity to
write my new column for DUBCNN, which is one of the fastest growing
music sites in the world. Hopefully our readers will enjoy the
information put forth in this column and I will do my best to keep you
interested and coming back for more.
The first issue I would like to touch on is that of "WEST COAST UNITY."
It seems like everyday I go to the computer to visit various music web
sites, all I read about are West Coast artist's that are at verbal war
with each other. Now, it's the "New vs. Established West Coast
artist's". Isn't that crap kind of old? First of all, the fans don't
want to hear that B.S.! They think it is either bone-ass stupid or a
promotional/marketing gimmick to try to sell their up-coming projects.
Whatever the case, it's not helpful to anyone involved and it has
nothing to do with the music. The only people who care about this stuff
are the major label rep's who sit back and say… "There they go again-
everybody's acting a fool, no unity and limited sales... let's avoid
them". Please understand, if the L.A. based artist's would UNITE and
HELP one another whenever possible instead of BASHING ONE ANOTHER, it
would be a very positive move that could result in more signings, bigger
budgets and more sales. Cursing one another out isn't solving anything
and it damn sure does not elevate any artist's careers from a sales
standpoint. If someone doesn't want to get down with you, then simply
MOVE ON ! DO YOUR OWN THING ! The new artist's don't need the more
established artists to co-sign for them to sell and the more established
artists don't need the new artists to stay relevant. It's all about the
music plain and simple. Do some hot music and it will move units. Do
some WHACK BOOTY music and you can use your CD for a Frisbee. Nobody
OWES anybody ANYTHING. NUFF SAID !
The second issue I want to deal with is "WHY" most West Coast based
artists don't get much exposure or radio airplay East of The Mississippi
River. Well, the answer is very simple... "LYRICS". Major record
companies will NOT allocate hefty promo budgets to push these artists
because they see big problems down the road if they do. If radio
stations play L.A. based artists music which speak on gang bangin, and
movin weight… they will have protestors outside their stations within a
week's time period. Everyone will be screaming that the station is
advocating and promoting gang violence and the major labels will be
accused of FINANCING this drama. So, if you are an L.A. based artist who
wants to go NATIONAL, then WATCH WHAT YOU SAY ! On the other hand, if
you are satisfied with your Regional/Local sales and don't care about
national sales and promo money… then by all means continue to push what
you push. To each his own. I speak with radio executives and major label
reps each week who are simply amazed that the L.A. based artists don't
modify their sound to try to reach the masses on a larger scale. They
tell me that they love the music, but they can't touch it for the
reasons I mentioned earlier. ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING ? On the real…
do you people making the music REALLY think that people believe your
pumped up stories about you movin major quantities of drugs ? If you do,
you must be the person who put the S in STUPID ! Even the TRUE
GANG-BANGERS I know ( and I know most of the BLOODS & CRIPS shot-callers
) are tired of hearing that B.S. Step up your lyrical content and give
the music buyers what they want. SOME REALISM AND BANGIN BEATS !
Personally, I love the West Coast sound. The artists and producers I
have worked with during the past 12 years have sold over 25 million
units, so I would not guide you wrong on these issues I am speaking
about. I am a MASTER at movin records and establishing artists/producers
who make hits and my track record speaks for itself, so miss me with
your counter arguments. F--K what you THINK, I SPEAK THE FACTS ! I want
the West Coast artists to FLORISH and EXPAND WORLD-WIDE, so please
consider what I have said in this column as you move forward with your
career.
On the creative tip, be on the lookout for a new Rap/R&B label called
"TONESTRUCK RECORDS" which has offices in DALLAS TX. and L.A. The label
is run by the promotional/marketing whiz named MR. LEE FORD and they
have some great music coming out. Up-coming releases are "RICK ROOGA and
THE CANDY HOUSE FAM" out of OAKCLIFF TX. and "DRE JONEZ" out of LITTLE
ROCK ARK. RICK ROOGA'S new single entitled "IF HUSTLIN IS WRONG I DON'T
WANT TO BE RIGHT" is a straight out BANGER that is picking up steam in
the Southwest and "DRE JONEZ" song "ONE"Z & FIVE'Z" is sure to become a
strip-club anthem and radio favourite in the coming months.
One of the most gifted artists I have heard lyrically speaking in many
years is "G-SINATRA", who is being released on the newly formed label
"LETS GET PAID ENT" which is being run by
MR. LEON HOLSTEN JR. and MR. BRAD SUTTON. This street-edged
Inspirational Rap artist is BLOWIN PEOPLE AWAY. His music caught the
ears of DJ BATTLECAT who just completed several songs on his new project
entitled "THE HISTORY CHANNEL". And to make this even more intriguing,
the GRAMMY NOMINATED jazz saxophonist GERALD ALBRIGHT jumped on one of
G-SINATRA'S songs after he heard two songs with his incredible lyrics.
This is a MUST-HAVE CD !
Also on the rise is a WATTS CALI based music/film company run by MR.
FRANK PALMER called "THE THIRD ANGLE GROUP", which features new projects
coming from "THA TRIANGLE", OLETHA FORD, THE S-MAN and the one and only
"FILTHY FRANK". It seems they have the streets on LOCK right now and I
can see them rising up like a new volcano erupting ! We envision nothing
but success from them.
On the R&B front, be on the lookout for "Lena J". Simply put... "She Is
Just Tight"! Recording out of the Las Vegas area, "Lena
J" has a sound that is a combination of Minnie Ripperton meets The
Emotions and it is a beautiful experience to hear her music. Her album
"Love Stories Continued" is being readied for release later this year,
but until then, you can check her out on iTunes. You will not be
disappointed.
Until the next time...Stay Safe, Stay Focused and Stay With God. Peace.
.........................................................................................
Advertisement
......................................................................................... |
