Internet Killed the Video Star

Much like "The Video Killed the Radio Star," we have reached a new era in how we receive our entertainment. A couple years ago, a group called The Limousines released an album called Get Sharp only available online. The first single released from the album was "Internet Killed the Video Star." It was a happy song that used electronic music and witty cliches to describe what it feels like to live in the current age of technology in music, like an old man sitting on his porch telling his grandchildren about the good ole' days.

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter, is that the internet is killing more than just the "video star." We now have the ability to stream any and all media to multiple devices whether at home or on the go, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. My 60 year old Aunt watches How To videos on YouTube. My significant other and I stream audio and video to our Chrome Book, Lap Top and IPads. My teenage son streams Vines to his smartphone, and YouTube and Netflix to his PS3. My girlfriends 8 year old daughter streams YouTube to her Kindle and her smartphone. (yes, she has a Kindle and a smartphone; don't judge) Adults do it and now their children and their children's children are streaming music, movies, and television shows. Beyond that, we feed our A.D.D. by watching 10 second Vine videos (because 3-5 minute YouTube videos were much too long). This may be mostly related to video entertainment, but our music entertainment is also just as much impacted, if not more.

By no means am I chastising the beauty and wonder of being able to listen to or watch whatever we want, whenever we want. But at what cost does all of this entertainment convenience come at? I read a couple articles lately discussing the struggles of music streaming companies, Spotify, Pandora, and another about how the video streaming services of Netflix are eating into the number of broadcast television. You would think that since Pandora has been around for 13 years that they would be striving, but actually they are hoping that its mobile ad revenue can offset the revenue it's hemorrhaging in paying artists and record labels. Spotify has 6 million paid users and 18 million subscribers, but they have yet to turn a profit because of greedy record labels still screwing over these companies with royalty fees.

But who is truly getting screwed here? Without musicians, none of these companies can exist. I know as a musician and fellow music lover, I never realized the level of control that record companies have. A musician could sell four million copies of their album and still not make a single cent. I personally use the free version of Pandora on a daily basis and my 6 month subscription to Spotify just expired, but both of those services are a music lovers paradise. Netflix has afforded us the opportunity to watch what we want, when we want. They may have limited programming and movie selections, but at a cost of less than $10 per month, it puts the cable companies to shame. Please try to support the companies that are trying to create new ways for us to enjoy the media we love. But more importantly, support the musicians and artists because without them, their isn't any entertainment.

But keep in mind... 

The last thing that I would like to see happen is that all of our streaming services become monopolized like our broadcast radio and cable television was for so long. Down with corporate greed!

Support independent music!

http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-pandora-rdio-broken-model-2013-12

Warning: Most HIp Hop Inappropriate for Intelligent Individuals

Whether you are a fan of hip hop or not, any music lover can feel emotion from a great song. Unfortunately, a lot of mainstream hip hop is geared to shake booty's and make money.  On the other end of the spectrum, due to the advent of bedroom studios, everybody and their great auntie are now hip hop lyricists these days. Don't get me wrong, there are thousands of talented lyricists gracing the mic in the 21st century, but most need to take a second to appreciate the best.

That brings me to my latest post, where I would like to show my appreciation for a label that has been influential through the last 15 years of my life. Rhymesayers Entertainment is most likely the most popular of all the underground hip hop labels. If you are not familiar with Rhymesayers, you most likely are familiar with some of their artists. Atmosphere (Slug and Ant) and Brother Ali are a couple of the most popular acts on the label, but the label is home to a dozen of the most talented lyricists and beat writers in the hip hop realm. When most hip hop labels spawn, you would expect them to be from a more stereotypical ghetto-esq locale, where, surprisingly, Rhymesayers is based out of the midwest. More exactly Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some of the more recent music that they have released, that I most definitely suggest, if you haven't picked them up already would be Atmosphere, "Sad Clown Bad; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter" albums and"When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold," Brother Ali's "Us," Eyedea & Abilities "By The Throat," and Felt 3: "A Tribute to Rosie Perez," which is Slug and Murs (from the Living Legends; don't worry, I'll discuss them more in a later post) and Aesop Rock. I also must mention, one of the newest additions to the Rhymesayers family, Grieves and Budo. Grieves was previously on Black Clover (also to be discussed in a later post), which is home to a former Rhymesayer's artist, Mac Lethal. Grieves' flow is smooth and his word play is just as imaginative as it is emotional. Budo is quickly becoming one of my favorite beat writers/producers. You can download a 5 song Grieves and Budo remix from the Felt 3 album for free at www.grievesandbudo.com

Give Me 10 Minutes, and I'll Tell You The Best Damn Music You Should Be Listening To

We are so blessed to be living in a time where technology has taken over, especially for us music lovers. Technology has given every musician the opportunity to express themselves to the masses through bedroom recording studios and their computers. The Internet is rapidly destroying the larger record labels right along with many of their independent counterparts. Our generation has witnessed the evolution of music; Evolving from Vinyl, to 8 Track, to Cassette Tape, to Compact Disc, all the way to the present Digital Age. Unfortunately, mainstream radio, FM and Satellite, are still monopolized and offer listeners very limited options when it comes to the music they want to spoon feed us. I'm asked, daily, by friends, colleagues and networking friends, "Who are you listening to, or who is this, or any suggestions on new music?" Well look no further. As a musician, producer and music aficionado, subscribe to Music For Life to give you the incite into the best music acts and independent labels out there. Take away guess work and be the first to introduce new music into your life. I'll report on the best independent, underground and sometimes overlooked mainstream music. Hardcore, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, Folk, Metal and everything in between. If you love music... subscribe.