Author Topic: Gear Up to Battle Music Biz (Read 128 times)

themovie · « **on:** July 10, 2002, 10:12:38 PM »

On Tuesday July 9, 2002 I attended a music industry summit in Harlem at the headquarters of the National Action Network. The Summit was called by Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton, Johnny Cochran, Michael Jackson and many other prominent people in the entertainment, legal, and political activist communities. Contrary to what some of the media has been reporting, the Summit was not solely for the airing of grievances by Michael Jackson. As you may or may not know, Michael recently said some very candid, open and straightforward comments about the historical racism and economic disparity that is prevalent in the music industry. This has been extremely detrimental, specifically to the African-American community who has historically been at the forefront of innovation in America. One cannot talk about the history of the United States without talking about the contributions African-Americans have made. Most notably, all recognized popular American musical art forms have been created and developed first from within the African-American community (i.e. Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Soul etc...)

Our music was often called "race music" by white Americans to highlight the fact that as a people, the African-American experience is unique and our expressions culturally rich. Let me emphasize once again that the focus of this Summit was not on Michael Jackson. No. The focus of this Summit was on calling attention to the historically corrupt, exploitative and one-sided business dealings perpetuated by the music industry. The focus was on what particular strategies can be implemented to end the injustice.

Let me clear up some of the inaccurate reporting being done by the larger media outlets.

THE LIES: Michael Jackson is disgruntled because his last musical project "Invincible" only sold 2 million copies and he is desperately trying to save his career.

THE TRUTH: Michael informed the audience that Invincible has actually sold 10 MILLION copies worldwide to date and he is personally satisfied with the numbers.

THE LIES: Michael has gone crazy and this is just another "bizarre publicity stunt" to call attention to himself.

THE TRUTH: The larger media outlets have always been fond of attacking him at random. Michael was in Harlem just 7 weeks ago along side the likes of former President Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and the larger media outlets called him an ICON then. Why is he "Wacko Jacko" now for bringing up some very real issues that directly impact peoples lives?

THE LIES: The idea that racism and economic disparity exists in the music industry is farfetched considering the success of certain individual artists and people like Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Sean "P Diddy" Combs etc...

THE TRUTH: There are absolutely no Black owned public relations firms, travel agencies, advertising agencies etc... that have contracts with any of the major corporate labels. If $20 million dollars is being spent on marketing and promotion of an African-American artist or someone doing a recognized African-American art form, then why have the talents of African-American business men and women been overlooked and not deployed to help facilitate the process? Are African-American businesses unable to effectively market, promote and work in tandem with any of the major labels? With African-American consumers making up a large percentage of the buying public through our extensive spending power, how much of the monies generated from successful commercial endeavors pushed by the music industry goes back into African-American neighborhoods? For every Will Smith who has generated tons of income for his employers you have a multitude of artists stuck in unfair contracts that find them in debt to their label for expensive which they have no control or say of.

THE LIES: Many African-Americans in the music industry do not support this cause.

THE TRUTH: This has been a long-standing concern in the African-American community. A broad based coalition has already been mobilized. Some of the supporters who were in attendance included:

Londel McMillan - the legal mastermind who helped Prince free himself from a horrible contract with Warner Bros. He also represents the Artist Empowerment Coalition which includes members such as Stevie Wonder & Chaka Khan.

Terrie Williams - founded the Terrie Williams Agency in 1988 and is recognized as one of the top public relations and communications firms. She has written a number of best-selling books and has a client roster which includes Fortune 500 companies.

Dave Mays - founder of The Source magazine. One of the more popular and influential publications geared towards Hip Hop music, culture and politics.

James Mtume - Musician and Producer extraordinaire as well as a longtime community activist and spokesperson.

Shakim Compere - Manager of Queen Latifah and Flavor Unit Enterprises.

David Patterson - New York State Senator.

Doug E. Fresh - longtime Hip Hop entertainer and grassroots community activist.

Also in attendance were reps from National Music Distribution, family members of W.C. Handy (credited with pioneering Blues music), the daughter of Otis Blackwell (the man responsible for writing many of the hit records for Elvis Presley) and many others just too numerous to mention. The room was packed and the media turnout was extensive. There are many who support the issues being discussed and are committed to lending support whether quietly behind the scenes or by more visible and public actions. Look for a possible Class Action Lawsuit to be filed as well as an upcoming meeting being called with the heads of the 5 major distributors and their respective label heads (i.e.. Tommy Mottola, Clive Davis, Doug Morris etc...).

In closing, please don't believe the false hype and negative media propaganda tactics deployed by the larger communications outlets. They are only presenting distorted facts in an effort to discredit what is credible. They are trying to put the emphasis on a few people (i.e.. Michael Jackson... who happens to be the best selling artist of all time and has generated BILLIONS of dollars) to fool you into believing that this issue is irrelevant and inconsequential to the lives of the everyday person. If you have any sort of conscious or soul, please don't make snap judgments as to the motives of this movement and the people who are spearheading it. It is really the tip of the iceberg of a long overdue need to reform how big business operates in the United States and globally. It is also tied into the growing Reparations Movement that has also attracted many heavy hitters (i.e.. Russell Simmons). It is time for this generation to pick up the torch and continue to build on what our ancestors have accomplished so far. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". Thank you for reading and Blessed Love!!