How To Develop Your Songwriting Creativity

Are all songwriters naturally creative? Can creativity be learned?

Anyone can learn how to rap. Some people learn by taking classes. Others like myself learned by trial and error in the school of hard knocks. The quickest way to learn is to take a classes. The best way to learn is through trial and error. It's good to have a bit of both.

How do you spark your creativity so that you can write a hit song?

You can use different methods. The best way to access your creativity is to draw on inspiration. Sometimes inspiration will hit you like a flash. You'll have ideas pouring out of your mind and you won't be able to keep up with your brain's output. Take advantage of moments like these.

Most of the time you won't get a complete song out of these flashes but you will get the foundation for a great song.

There are other times when you may not have a flash of inspiration but you know you need to create. What works for me most of times is when I keep listening to the music over and over until I get something I can write down on paper. Once I have one line written, the next one is easier to write because I have a set the foundation. The song almost writes itself from this point.

I am now what I like to call in the "flow" or "groove".

It's at this point where I usually don't want to be disturbed and I want to finish what I've started. Sometimes this isn't always the case. There are plenty of songs that I have to comeback to finish. As long as the foundation is there I am usually able to reconnect to the energy and feeling (the inspiration ) that I had originally.

We are all different but we all have access to creativity. To be creative means "to create" which is a gift all of us have. Some of us are better as creating in certain ways than others.

All songwriting coaches advise to always keep a pen and paper or voice recorder handy just in case you get one of these flashes of inspiration.

How do you know what will work for you?

Some ways you can stimulate creativity include:

• listening to other genres of music like jazz or classical music
• keeping a pen and paper or voice recorder as suggested previously
• taking a walk in the park or going to the mall
• reading a book
• brainstorm - just start writing whatever comes to mind
• start a random conversation with someone else creative
• collaborate with another writer

These tips should get your creative juices flowing. You'll never know which idea will be your million dollar baby.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.LearnHow2Rap.net

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New Year's Resolutions...Make Better Beats That Pay More Money!!!

Whaddup!!!

This year's almost over. Have you been thinking about how you want to spend 2009?

I know I have!

I would like to encourage you to spend some time reflecting on 2008. Was it everything you expected? Did you want to get more things done? Do less of something else?

Why not make 2009 your best year yet? Let's make it a year where we don't make any excuses. We take responsibility for our actions. We can even take more responsibility and control of our lives by planning our actions.

We might not get everything done that's on our list of plans BUT at least we know we're headed in the right direction.

So take some time out before the end of the year is out and just reflect on 2008. Then look ahead to 2009 with high expectations.

Remember, you don't get what you want. You get what you expect.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Be On The Lookout For The Rap Beat Creator Podcast

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls,

The Rap Beat Creator Podcast is coming soon. It'll have mostly current events in music and some music business tips but it will be entertaining!

I'll send out the first podcast by the end of this week.

Also, coming early 2009, I'll be revamping my best selling audiobook "How To Get Thousands of Dollars Worth of Free Hiphop Advertising" as well as releasing my new book, "Teach Me How To Rap."

You'll be the first to know...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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The Importance Of Having A Winning Team

Have you ever played any organized team sports like football or basketball? I played both in school and what you learn in practice is way more valuable that just how to play a sport.

You learn things like "there's no "I" in Team", "together we stand, divided we fall" and all sorts of lessons to help you build a "team spirit".

How does this relate to the music business?

Well for starters, if you look at the music industry and the biggest power players, you'll notice there are teams. Even a solo artist like Jay-Z has a team. The Wu Tang Clan is a team that can be a football team all by itself! More currently you have crews like The Diplomats, T.I.'s Pimp Squad Clique, and Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace.

When I was touring with KRS-ONE in California, he had a team. There was his personal manager, Simone, his road manager, and several other people who were there to make sure everything went on schedule as much as possible. Everybody knew what they had to do and sometimes they even did another persons job if it was necessary.


A good book to read about building your music business team is Donald Passman's 'All You Need To Know About The Music Business.' In it, he outlines the basic team members for people wanting to be in the music industry.

Here's a loose sketch of your team members:

1. You (The Artist/Producer)
2. Personal Manager
   
3. Entertainment Lawyer
   
4. Booking Agent
   
5. Business Manager

Let's look at each of these in more detail:

You is self explanatory. Without You, none of this is possible and there is no need for the rest of the team. You are the center of the team.

Your Personal Manager is what Passman calls the CEO/General Manager of your team. This person is responsible for helping you direct your career and basically going to bat for you in whatever way to boost your career. They can also be responsible for helping you pick your other team members.

The Entertainment Attorney is, according to Passman, the most important member of the team. They take care of the legal details for the artist, help negotiate contracts and make sure the artist can get what they want with the least amount of legal hassle. They also help shop your music to get a record deal. Their job is generally to protect the artist.

The Booking Agent is the person who is responsible for getting you gigs. They help you get concert dates and public appearances.

Last but not least is the Business Manager. This person handles all of your finances and they are responsible for making sure all of your money dealings are in order. They help you budget, pay bills, make investments, check your royalty statements, etc. In a nutshell they are the ones responsible for helping you make your net worth grow.

Do you now understand the importance of having a team? You can try to do it all alone but you'll make much more money if you have a team of players to help you succeed.

One more thing on the quality of the members of your team. This has more to do with your team members' mindset. Make sure your Personal Manager, who is the CEO/General Manager of your team, is a go-getter. That is worth repeating.

Make sure your Personal Manager is a go-getter.

Your Personal Manager can make or break your career so choose wisely. And don't be afraid to replace your team members if you need to. If you have a weak link, then you need to get rid of the dead weight. In the end, it will be a blessing to your career especially if you plan to be in the music business on a long term basis.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Working On A New Beat

I'm staying persistent with making beats. I started on one a couple of days ago and worked on it yesterday.

I plan on mixing it later today and then putting it up for sale.

You'll be the first to know...

Let's make it happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If you would like to know more about how you can make beats online and make your own beats check out my beat review site at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

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New Beat I Put Together

Here's something I put together a while ago. Don't ask me why I've waited this long to post it.

Click on the link below to hear the track:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/WhereYouBeenBoy.mp3

The track is for sale to the highest bidder.

Bidding ends December 3, 2008 9pm Eastern Time

Starting Bid is $20.00

Holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Make Beats Online With Sonic Producer

There's a new software on the scene that lets you make beats online. It's called Sonic Producer.

Not only does it teach you how to produce music but Sonic Producer lets you make your beat online then export your song as an mp3 file so that you can upload it to MySpace, I-Tunes, Facebook, etc.

For under $30.00, its a good way to start making beats especially if you can't afford more pricey equipment.

For more detailed information on Sonic Producer check my full review at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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WHO DID THAT BEAT? Frequency "Makes It Good" With Snoop & Ghostface : NODFACTOR.COM

Here is another producer who demonstrates that hard work and persistance will pay off in the end. Check out this article on beat maker Frequency from NODFACTOR.COM.

WHO DID THAT BEAT? Frequency "Makes It Good" With Snoop & Ghostface : NODFACTOR.COM

It goes to show you hard work does pay off. Also, if you're not up on NodFactor.com then you're missing out on some good interviews with very successful producers.

If you want to get more placements or sell more beats online, you should check out the review I did on LiveOffBeats.com. There are some other tutorials online but I like the fact that the site host, Postman, starts his training with your mental attitude.

If yo mind ain't right, how can you ever expect to attract opportunities and make money. You have to see yourself getting your beats sold & see yourself actually collecting checks. You are what you think!

Education is the key...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If you're really serious about getting into the production game and making a living from the beats you make, you should check out this review on LiveOffBeats.com. It might just change your life....

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Nothing Spectacular Today

Nothing amazing to blog about today. I wanted to make sure I post. People actually read this thing!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Developing The Habit Of Persistence

One of the keys to being successful in life is developing the habit of persistence. It doesn't matter if you want to be the best beat maker, emcee, football player, doctor, lawyer, etc.

If you want to be the best, you must be persistent.

The legendary basketball champion Michael Jordan is a great example of being persistent. Mike practiced and practiced until he became almost flawless. You know the story. Cut by his high school basketball team, he went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

He won a NCAA Championship in college, 6 NBA Championships, NBA All-Star Trophies, Olympic Gold Medals, and all kinds of endorsements.

The passing of my friend JAX showed me something and it made me take the time to reflect. STAHR The FEMCEE said JAX told her she needed to get in the habit of writing everyday. It didn't have to be much. It could be a couple of bars but as long as it was done everyday it would become a habit.

Last night on WRFG 89.3 on Jay Force's show Rhythm and Vibes, I heard so much music from JAX that I never heard before. That Brother was truly on the grind...

...before it was even cool to say grindin'.

What I came away with was to step up my game. Double my failure rate. Stay focused on what I want to see manifest in my experience. Use concentrated force to overcome road blocks.

I'm already committed to blogging everyday. I would like to add a new commitment of making my own beats everyday and/or working on a song.

This is not hard for me to do because I'm so used to writing. Writing is easy. What is hard is staying focused on the big picture sometimes.

With all the challenges life brings your way, it can be difficult to prioritize and do what really needs to be done but once you put all the excuses to the side and just do it, life gets simpler.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

The Importance of Follow Up

I just got through checking my web stats and I'm glad I did. I recently sent out an email blast to my list with a new beat I made. I wanted to test the response to the beat so I sent it out to my email list and WOW!

I had more people open that email than any other email that I've sent out about the music business.

I was really shocked. I had scanned over these figures a few days ago but I didn't really think about the significance until today.

What I found out is people are still interested in custom beats. After all, I do give away 7 beats just for signing up to The Hot Instrumentalist Newsletter.

My results lead me to try another test using the email and I will soon put another "Beats For Sale" page up at The Rap Beat Creator.

You'll be the first to know...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Who Is JAX?

I just wanted to put this tribute up for my man JAX. I bought his "Observe LP" over 9 years ago and I've been playing it every since he made his transition. I remember giving him the money and him putting the CD in my hand. I think we were at the Yin Yang Cafe which is now called the Apache Cafe.

Tonight was JAX's wake and its always hard to see someone I know in a casket.

What made it easier for me is that he had on some Hiphop gear instead of a suit...

...and the fam is laying him to rest in a B.I.N.K.I.S. Recs shirt.

BTW, B.I.N.K.I.S. stands for Before Ignorant Niggas Killed Intelligent Songs. JAX loved B.I.N.K.I.S. and B.I.N.K.I.S. loved JAX.

Brother, I miss you. It was hard for me to see you lying in state but I know that your body is not YOU. You are with us always and now you've joined the rest of the angels.

I put together this little movie and in the background is one of your songs from your Observe LP, rightly titled, "Who Is JAX?" I hope you enjoy it. Its my first movie and I couldn't think of a better subject.

Rest In Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Barack Obama is President!!! - - Congratulations America!

Well, today is almost over but you know I have to make my daily post and what better thing to talk about today other than the HISTORY that was made in America last night.

Yes World, Barack Obama has been elected as President Of The United States Of America.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has come true! That is the deeper significance to Obama being elected as the Commander and Chief of America. Change has come to America.

Dr. King's stated he might not make it to the promised land but it would happen and it did so last night at 11pm Eastern Time. It has been 40 years since his death and now, his vision has come to pass. Wow!!!

President Barack Obama is the first African-American President of the United States.

America is the land of opportunity and your dreams can come true.

I promise to be the best person I can be. I am so inspired to reach new heights...to live my dreams.

Aren't you?

I can go on but I hope you are just as inspired as I am to be the best you can be and go as far as you can go with your dreams.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Rest In Peace JAX!!!

I was all prepared to talk about how today was so important for America and the world because of the election then I got a text early this morning.

It was from my man ID 4Windz up in Jersey letting me know our friend and die hard Hiphoppa Chris Thurston aka JAX had passed away. He had a heart attack and collapsed on stage doing what he loved to do.

He was about to get married later this month and so many things were going well for him.

This is just unbelieveable!!!

Life is short people. Don't take it for granted.

R.I.P. JAX!!! You will be missed Brother. Flux, Killa, & Mafioso hold it down for Binkis!

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On to the political race...

Today is a historic day for the United States of America. The Obama/McCain show down is center stage for the world to see.

I voted about 3 weeks ago and I'm glad I did!

Let's see how tomorrow's blog is going to turn out....

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com


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Finding The Right People to Buy Your Beats

Now for my continuing rant about marketing. Like I said in a previous post, marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you don't have customers, you don't have a business.

So how do you find the right people to sell your beats to?

You have to identify your target market.

How do you do that?

You identify your target market by doing research such as demographics and psychographics.

What are demographics & psychographics?

Here are the definitions according to AllBusiness.com:

"Demographics are the average or typical characteristics of the people who buy your products or services. Such characteristics include age, income, education, status, type of occupation, region of country, or household size.

"Demographics can also include the age of children, the status of home ownership, one's home value, and whether one's home is located in an urban or a rural location.

"Psychographics take this idea a step further: These include people's lifestyles and behaviors — where they like to vacation, the kinds of interests they have, the values they hold, and how they behave.

"To hone this information to fit your marketing needs, you will need to conduct research — survey people who have bought your products or those who use similar ones.

"You need to know both demographics and psychographics in order to advertise and sell your product effectively. You'll need to match the audience's characteristics of the media you choose with the characteristics of your desired purchasers.

"In that way, you won't loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing."

I couldn't have said it better!

There is really no shortcut to finding out who your customer is. You can try but you'll "loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing"....

....and why would you want to do that?????

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If your primary goal is to make a living by making your own beats, then I would like to suggest you to LiveOffBeats.com. Live Off Beats can help you get sales for your beats so that you can make beats on a full-time basis.

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Are You On The Guest List? I Am!

Here is yet another marketing idea that worked for me back in the day when I was doing street promotions. It worked so well, my homeboy Eddie Meeks adopted it and later, Prophetix made it into a song!

I'm not sure what we were promoting at the time but Dialated Peoples was in town performing and their fans are our target market.

Whatever it was we were promoting, I made sure we always promoted our stuff as well. Since we were getting paid to put out flyers and posters for someone else, it was like we were getting paid to put our material as well...

...but that's another story!!! LOL!!!

Anyway, Eddie and I went there for one purpose: to get in. I told Eddie, "watch this, I bet we get in the show".

What I did next goes down in history...

I walked up and told the person at the ticket booth, "I should be on the guest list. My name is Mello Melanin." I was a guy and a girl and the guy said, "We don't see it. Are you sure?"

I was like, "Yeah, I'm with such and such records and these are our promotional materials. Why else would I be here."

He thought about it for a second then he said, "Oh okay, go ahead on in the club."

Eddie & I went in the club and celebrated where they couldn't see us. From then on the approach was named, "The Guestlist Tactic".

We did our work by passing out flyers and putting up posters then we chilled out and enjoyed the show.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. To use this tactic you must use absolute confidence. You can't go to anybody unsure of yourself but if you are confident this usually works well.

P.S.S. Used properly, you probably won't have to pay to get into another club. In fact, you'll find that you will often be put on the guest list simply by asking.

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How To Get Your Video Played On BET

Here is the video for Gotcha that we did a few years ago. The story of how we got it featured on BET is pretty cool.

We had a friend at a local magazine called Creative Loafing who had done a full spread feature article on Prophetix. That friend, "Hutch" was also an instructor at Georgia State University in media arts.

He provided the facility and storyboard and we provided the camera. The rest is history!

Once Hutch finished editing the video, we begin to send out press kits to different video outlets. BET was on that list.

It took about a month of mailing out these kits but one day we got a return phone call back from a BET representative.

They informed us they wanted to air the video on a show called "The Next". We had a party just to watch it!

Imagine seeing yourself not only on the TV but on BET!!!

Now believe it can happen to you because it happened to me.

Was it luck? Nope. It was down to earth, street smart marketing. See even if BET never played the video, it was still getting plenty of airplay in other markets.

Once again its a numbers game.

But you've got to play the game to win it. It takes hard work, determination, and vision but if you follow the steps it takes to be successful you will be successful.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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New Beat I Made Yesterday

Hey I just wanted you to check out this new beat I made over the last couple of days. Its not finished yet but since I promised you something a while ago then I gotta stick to my word.

I'm going to be changing it around some so you're welcome to listen as it goes through its phases.

Click on the link below to hear the beat:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/The_Ride_Home.mp3

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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More About Marketing Your Beats

Here is a follow up to my blog last week about marketing. Let's blow the lid off of what you think you know about business right now.

How important is marketing?

First, lets define what marketing is. A quick definition is matching buyers to sellers or in our case matching rappers to beats.

A more technical definition by the American Marketing Association is:

"Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large."

Damn, that's too much to remember! BUT...

...it's the key to having a successful business.

Marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you're not communicating with your target market then your business will suffer.

You can be slack in every other aspect but if you slack in marketing, your business will sink!

Why? Because marketing brings in the MONEY. A good marketing plan helps you identify your customer, helps you find out what they like, and creates the situation where you can get the sale.

And a really good marketing plan helps you get the sale over and over again. And ultimately that is what you want in your business: repeat customers and referral customers.

Now you really need to listen to this point. This is what separates the person who makes beats online and makes a fortune and the guy who make beats online and gets few if any sales.

The secret is this:

Your business is really TWO businesses in one. Your primary business is to make your own beats and your secondary business is to market your business.

Once you get this firmly in your mind, you'll change the way you look at the game and...

...you'll begin to make more sales.

Once again, if you're really serious and not just looking for a get rich quick scheme there is help out there for you to learn how to market your beats successfully.

Click on LiveOffBeats.com to get started marketing your beats now because if you don't market, no one will know you exist!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Is There Room For Another Rap Producer?

I read somewhere where someone said the music production game is saturated and there's not enough room for any more producers.

WHAT???

That's krazy!! There are thousands of people searching for beats online everyday. There are also hungry artist looking for beats that are not online.

The Internet has leveled the playing field so even new producers with no names can make a good living. In addition to having your own website there are other ways to make money selling beats online.

Sites like sound Soundclick and RocBattle exist so producers can make money and get global exposure.

If your beat sales are not where you want them to be you should check out Postman's site at LiveOffBeats.com.

There is so much FREE information that Postman gives away that its crazy!!!

The videos are on point too. I've watched the video on using the AIDA system as well as a testimony video on being persistant as you try to sell your beats. They are legit!

Oh yeah...

...None of this is going to happen over night but if you never get started, nothing will ever happen.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Guerrilla Marketing For Music Producers

I had a conversation with DJ Pocket from Serious Knock Entertainment (www.seriousknockent.com) the other day about a new artist he's releasing on his label, DJ Razor Ramon.

http://seriousknockent.com/Store-DJRazorRamon.htm

Our conversation was about how to marketing Razor Ramon to get better exposure & sales. I shot some ideas to Pocket about what he could do because I know he wants his project to be successful. Who doesn't?

We covered everything from flyers to email blast in a short period of time. It was like a crash course in guerrilla marketing in 7 minutes.

One thing I covered with him was how the copy (which is the wording in the advertising) actually sells the product not just the image. The image should enhance what the copy is saying to the reader.

Some people think that they can just put a nice "Photoshopped" picture on a piece of paper, billboard, website, or whatever and think their product is gonna sell like hotcakes.

I got news for you my friends. It ain't gonna happen!

Contrary to popular belief, people do read and its the words on the advertising that do the selling.

The example I gave him is using a flyer with text only on bright card stock paper. Previously, I told you about how I promoted "Da Unfold". I used really bright yellow card stock paper for our flyers with black text ONLY on the front and back and our logo. I put them all over Atlanta everywhere my target market hung out and out of town as well.

They were cheap to produce and we reached alot of people that way. When you don't have a big budget like a major label you have to figure out ways to make an impact.

Remember the music business is still competition and you have to make noise to get noticed.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil

With Hiphop and Rap music being dominated mostly by males, the ego pretty much comes built-in. "I'm so and so, I'm this, I'm that..." is not only a hot line but it is the truth about the music industry.

There are all kinds of colorful artists out here in "the game" but the ones that truly shine are the ones who are not afraid to promote themselves.

I'm talking about the ones who have no shame in promoting themselves to the point that you MUST listen to what they are saying or doing.

My experience in the business world has proven this to me time and time again. I remember when I was promoting Da Unfold EP by my group Prophetix. I was out promoting in the streets and online all the time, every moment I could get. People knew that I was a hustler because of how much they saw me in the street. They bought into the hype I was selling.

Since then, whenever people see me or one the other members to this day, they always ask where the other members are because of the standard we set in the underground Hiphop scene in Atlanta.

What about you? What are you doing to promote your music...

...AND ARE YOU LOUD ENOUGH?????

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If you already make beats online and you would like to learn how to promote your music then click here to check out Liveoffbeats.com. Now go ahead and get your squeaky wheel on!!!

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$700 Billion or Bust!!! Make Beats Or Die Bitches!!!

With all this talk about politics (Obama & McCain), the economy (Big bank takes little bank), and the $700 billion bailout (Um, where's my cut?) , its nice to know that making beats is still a good source of income.

I came across this ad about how to make money selling your own beats and of course I just had to see what it was about (since that's what I preach and teach).

What I found was a great candidate for review at my main site over at www.RapBeatCreator.com.

The site was called LiveOffBeats.com.

This site was not focused on how to make your own beats but it was focused on how to make money off the beats you've already made. I read the sales letter on the web page and I said to myself, "my subscribers might be interested in this."


I checked out the free video that was posted and it was pretty good. So I signed up for the newsletter about 2 weeks ago and I've been getting all sorts of free music "placement" tips.

The producer and webmaster is named Postman and he really has the production game down pat plus the Internet marketing game too. The testimonials are really good and he even list some names you may know of people who've used his system and made money.

So for all those people who are cryin' about not having any money and are too broke to buy a 25 cent Little Debbie Oatmeal Pie, this site is for you.

You already know how I feel about educating your self about the music biz...

....and the bottom line in ANY business is about what? Making money!

Click on the link below and see for your self:

www.LiveOffBeats.com

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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A Much Needed Vacation

Hey I'm back from vacation. I packed up the fam and went to a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA.

When I say I had a GREAT time, you gotta feel it with me. I had a ball. My whole family enjoyed it.

Dope hot tub, mountain view, no phones ringing, no cars. I mean it was perfect!

So I just wanted to say I'm back and be on the look out for more music program reviews. Also you'll find a revamped site within the next 2 weeks. Holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Beats On The Beach Music Seminar Hitting Miami,FL : NODFACTOR.COM

Check this out! For those that are able to check this out...please do it!

Click on the link below for hands on lessons on how to make your own beats:

Beats On The Beach Music Seminar Hitting Miami,FL : NODFACTOR.COM

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Don't Be A Perfectionist!!!

Alot of people always ask what is the route to go when they start buying equipment. They want to wait until every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed before they get started making beats.

The big phrase for this is "paralysis of analysis"... more commonly known as:

Procrastination

• Procrastination ultimately breeds a lot of excuses.
• Excuses are the tools of incompetence and builds monuments of nothingness.
• Therefore, there are no excuses!

Okay now that I got that off my chest...

...you don't have to have every piece of equipment in place before you can make your own beats.

You can get started with a simple beat machine. In fact, that's how I got started. Then I added another piece of equipment, then another. This is how you build a studio.

I don't know too many people who have built a studio right out the gate with everything in it they wanted at one time. It's not an overnight process.

How do you get started? Check out some books on music production. Ask other producers how they started. Make a list of the equipment you want and go for it.

If you don't start now then when. Remember, you don't have to be perfect. You just have to be good enough.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Video Interview: Pete Rock & Green Lantern : NODFACTOR.COM

Anytime you get to hear music legends talk, you should just shut the fuck up! Here are 2 of them together: Pete Rock and Green Lantern being interviewed by Nodfactor.

Click on the link below to check the interview:

Video Interview: Pete Rock & Green Lantern : NODFACTOR.COM

Also, although I consider myself to be a Hiphop historian, I realized I dropped the ball. Yup, I have pie on my face about this one. Here it is: I didn't know Large Professor made beats on the Eric B and Rakim "Let The Rhythm Hit Em" album.

What's funny is that I remember buying the cassette back in the day when it first came out. I really didn't know who Extra P was then but I have a whole new respect for him today.

I felt like a dunce when I found out. Ouch!!!

Just thought I'd throw that lil tidbit in...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Top 20 Hip-Hop Albums of All Time: No. 20 - The Boombox Music Blog

Yo, I came across this while I was fumbling around online. It's the Top 20 Hiphop Albums of All Time compiled by employees of AOL. The comments posted at the end of the list are krazy!!!

Hiphop is so diverse. People were chiming in on their favorite joints and voicing their opinions about what should or should not have been on the list.

There were a lot of mentions about the producers of the albums as well. Some of them might surprise you.

Click on the link below for the full list...according to AOL. LOL!!!

Top 20 Hip-Hop Albums of All Time: No. 20 - The Boombox Music Blog

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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Super Producer Dr. Dre Son Passes Away

As some of you may know, Dr. Dre who's real name is Andre Young, Sr. lost his 20-year old son Andre Young Jr. last week.

It is reported that he passed away at home. My prayers go out to Dr. Dre and his family.

Dr. Dre is one of the greatest producers in the world and his discography is to be admired. I've been a Dre fan since the World Class Wreckin' Crew and I've even tried to make beats like him. Death is never easy. Once again Dr. Dre you and your family are in our thoughts.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

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How NOT To Make Money In The Music Business!

I get all kinds of email regularly asking me about free beats. Okay, I know that my original site was called www.Free-Hot-Rap.com, and I guess I should've saw it coming but damn!

Here's a little business lesson: the reason anybody or any business gives away anything free is to get something in return. At my site I offer free beats as an incentive to my visitors to give me their names and email addresses. Now, if I gave away more than the 7 free beats that are posted on my site, then I wouldn't be in business long would I? In fact, I don't know to many business that offer their product free forever. Many business use the 'free sample' technique. I has been used for years...way before there was ever such a thing called the Internet.

How does this apply to you and the music business?

For starters, sending out demos is giving the recipient a free sample. Most demos have 3 to 5 songs on them. More established artists use their whole album as their demo.

Let's relate this to social networking sites like MySpace.com. If you sign up as an artist on MySpace you get to upload several songs. You can choose to let the visitors of your page download your songs if you want to for free or you can place a link on your site where they can buy your song or album for money. Personally, I like to get paid for my hard work.

Its funny because many artists wonder why they never make a dime and it's because they don't understand the music business is a business. The sole purpose of a business is to make money. Its not so that the owners can have more time and freedom or be more flexible or give people jobs. Its to make MONEY!!!

The sole job of a business owner is to generate revenue and raise capital. Without these, the business will not exist long. I don't care if your selling wigets, CD's, beats, make your own beats services, dance lessons, cooking lessons, toilet tissue, candy bars, ham sandwiches, shoes, computers, etc. The bottom line is how much you've made at the end of the day.

I know this might sound harsh for some of you but its the truth. Anyone who is in business to do anything else is setting himself or herself up for failure.

Listen, I AM Hiphop and a true understanding of the kulture of Hiphop helps you realize what has been called "street entrepeneurship". Its a long term for hustlin'. If Russell Simmons didn't get paid for all his work with Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC, we wouldn't have heard of LL Cool J or even Kanye West. Same goes for Diddy. No Diddy, no Biggie Smalls, no Mary J. Blige, etc. The list goes on.

If you want to be a failure in the music business here is the recipe: Do everything for free. Spend time (and money) getting your songs recorded, put together a press kit, spend all kinds of time (and money) getting exposure for your group, give away your songs and albums for free, do free shows, and give away all the rights to your music. Did I leave anything out?

Now if you want to get money you must do the opposite. Spend some time learning about the music business and figure out ways you can make money in the business. And don't fall under the stupidity of the "Keepin' It Real" idiots. Keepin' it real is keeping your bills paid. Keepin' It real is feeding your kids. Keepin' it real is being able to buy the things you want to buy by earning money from your God-given skills and abilities. Keepin' it real is building enough wealth to last for several generations. If you want to make money, follow this formula. If not, follow the first one.

And as with all things you want to be good at, you must practice. Success is usually not an accident. If you want to be a better Hiphoppa then focus on your chosen craft, whether it be emceeing or street entrepeneurship. You may have to spend some time and money on it but if you don't focus on the end result then you won't get ahead in the game...and believe me it's all a game.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

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The Source Magazine Picks 20 Greatest Producers

In 20 years, there have been some great Hiphop producers. For their 20th Anniversary, The Source magazine has named their top 20. I've put the list below. What do you think about this list? And why the hell isn't my name on it?! Or yours?! LOL!

Anyway, I can pretty much agree with the majority of the producers on this list. Who would you put on the list and who would you kick off? Here it is in alphabetical order:

1. Bomb Squad
2. DJ Paul and Juicy J
3. DJ Premier
4. DJ Quik
5. Dr. Dre
6. Erick Sermon
7. Jermaine Dupri
8. J Dilla
9. Kanye West
10. Lil Jon
11. Marley Marl
12. Mannie Fresh
13. Pete Rock
14. Puff Daddy & The Hitmen
15. RZA
16. Scott Storch
17. Swizz Beatz
18. The Neptunes
19. Timbaland
20. Wyclef Jean & Jerry Wonder

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. Our names should be on this list for the next twenty years. If you haven't check out Music Producer Pro then you might not get on the list. Click here to start making beats for only $39.00!





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The MF Doom Body Double Controversy - Is It True?

Wow! I don't know how many of you are familiar with my man MF Doom but it looks like he's catching some heat. It's been rumored that Doom has been using a body double or not even showing up at all for booked shows.

Now, Doom is my man hands down. I don't know what's going on as far as this body double business but he is a down to earth dude. The fans all see the "metal face" mask but all that aside I don't see Doom hiding anything.

Doom not only produced "Somethin's Gotta Give" on my High Risk album but he also helped me do some lawn work once and didn't ask for a penny. No joke. I put that on my daughter life. This is someone whose crashed at my crib before folks so I don't know about these allegations.

Like I said, I don't know what's going on. Dude wears a mask so it could be some clowns out there just gettin' money by using his name. I've seen Doom perform at clubs where there were only 20 people so why would he dodge a packed house? It doesn't make sense.

Check out the video below. ANYBODY could've done this.




Click the link below for the full story.

CunninLynguists Producer Calls Out MF Doom : NODFACTOR.COM

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: To Beat Or To Blog? That Is The Question

Okay, so it's almost 3AM and I'm just sitting around. I'm kinda exhausted and I'm contemplating should I make a beat or post on my blog. Well, you're reading the results. Do you remember the post I put up a couple of months ago about the 3 essential things you need to make beats? It was The Will, The Way, and The Movement.

Well, I can tell you right now I'm having trouble with The Will and The Movement. I think I took the easy way out and just decided to blog. LOL. I'm such a lazy muthafucker sometimes. And I know my X-Board and Reasons both miss me but I'm just absent today.

Does this mean when you make your own beats you will get these slumps too? Probably so. Why? Because your HUMAN!!! Everyone is entitled to a break. Especially if you make beats using the computer or do any type of computer work for a long extended period of time. You need a break.

I just don't feel like making my own beats right now... Hey, at least I'm honest, right?

Tomorrow will be a different story. I'll holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: Acres of Diamonds Right Under Your Nose

Man, I put together a heater a couple of days ago and I started thinking about my life. One of my co-workers at my day job who encourages me on different ideas that pop in my mind got me to thinkin' bout getting back into music the way I used to be back in the day.

I've tried to do so many other things and I have been marginally successful. I've had enough jobs to last a lifetime. I've even held a real estate license at one time. But the thing that I am most consistent at is the music business. I've been involved with this business in one way or another since 1988 but I always comeback to music.

One story that always guides me the "Acres of Diamonds" story. It's about an African farmer who owned a lot of property. He was facinated about stories of people finding diamonds in far off lands so he sold his property for little of nothing and went searching for untold riches. He searched and searched and finally he died without every finding 1 diamond.

Meanwhile the farmer who bought the property was walking along the farm one day and while he was on the riverbank of his land noticed a shiny stone. Being unfamiliar with the stone he took it his friend who was a rock expert. His friend told him it was a diamond asked him where he found this stone and he replied "my whole farm is full of them".

The moral of the story is don't be so quick to run off looking for wealth some other place. It is usually right up under your nose. Use what you have to get what you want. And like I said before, in my situation, I always keep coming back to music, no matter what!

Here is the beat that I made and it is for sale. It's been tagged so no one can steal it but I'll gladly take the tag line off for the right buyer. I'm open to all offers.

Click on the link below and it will open up your media player and begin to play:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/WhereYouBeenBoy.mp3

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. If you haven't already done so and you think that making your own beats is your "Acres of Diamond" click here to check out Music Producer Pro.

Make Your Own Beats: The Death Of A Legend - Isaac Hayes

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008)

Aw man :-( In 2 days, back to back, we have lost 2 great entertainers. Isaac Hayes who is best know for his work on the movie Shaft passed away one day after one of the Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac. He scored the movie and wrote the theme song as well. That work alone was so phenomenal, he won a 2 Grammys and an Oscar. Ironically, Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac worked together on an upcoming movie called "Soul Man". I strive to have a career as long and prosperous as Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac.

Isaac's career started back in the 1960's with STAX Records. He did much of the songwriting, arranging, and production for the labels artist.

The younger generation may remember him as the voice of Chef from the cartoon South Park. He was probably one of the more popular characters. Chef was always singing love songs and whenever he was asked for advice from the kids at the school, he would break out and sing a love ballad. Too classic!

From writing, singing, playing, producing, composing, and acting, Isaac Hayes was one of the greatest. He will surely be missed. The angels in Heaven have a new conductor. Rest In Peace Isaac Hayes.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: I'm Back In Business Baby!!!

Whew!!! For a minute, I thought I would have to get a new computer. You know I'm a BIG advocate of making your own beats so when my EMU X-Board 25 keyboard wouldn't power up I was wiggin' out. I wanted to put a special audio message on the front of my website http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/. I knew it would help me get more subscribers so when it happened I was trippin'.

I thought it was just something I was doing wrong so I tried it again the next day. Luckily, I knew how to record my message without using the keyboard so I got it done. I checked the drivers and ran a virus scan but still no luck.

I suspected the USB port was the problem because my webcam wasn't working either. So I did a little research and I found out that I needed to get a USB PCI card to install in my computer. I shopped around online and got a couple of prices. Most were $30.00 and up. I even saw some for $100.00!!! So I checked eBay and baammm!!! I found one for $5.98 with free shipping so I ordered it on Thursday. It was in my mailbox on Saturday afternoon and in my computer on Saturday night.









When I hit the switch to the X-Board and the display lights came on, I knew I was back in business. So yeah, there will be more beats in the near future and I'm about to unleash the beast on these cats out here. Make your own beats or die!!! That's whassup!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

Bernie Mac, Rest In Peace

Bernie Mac (1957-2008)
(AP Photo / Tammie Arroyo)

We lost a great soldier today. One of the Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac passed away this morning due to complications from pneumonia. I know alot of people were touched by his passing and I for one am definitely shook up. Even though I didn't know Bernie, felt like I did through his work.

From his many stand-up performances to his movies to his TV show, he proved he was a King of Comedy. I had the opportunity not only to see the Kings of Comedy concert live but I actually promoted it as well so I can alway say I got to work for Mr. Bernie Mac. I'm really gonna miss that dude. He was pure genuine comedy and I thank God that he walked the earth. I had many a laugh due to him. All Hail The King Bernie Mac!!! You will be missed Brother. May you rest in peace...

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: Selling Beats vs. Leasing Beats

I've been thinking about the different business models in which you can sell beats online. There are several different ways that I've seen since I've been actively selling beats online.

There are membership sites where you can pay a one-time fee or monthly fee and have access to a catalog of beats. There are sites where you can buy royalty-free beats for different prices but. If you buy these beats from these sites you also don't have control over who else buys the beat because you're not the exclusive buyer. There are also sites where you can buy beats with full rights that you own straight out and don't have to share with anybody.

I think the best sites that I've seen combine several of these features in one. They are like hybrid sites. They combine being able to buy royalty-free beats and getting a beat custom made. I know one guy that makes over $15,000 a month using this model!

I told your about Base Jase a while ago who makes beats for MTV as well as sells beats online. His beats sell for different prices but once someone buys them, he takes the beat off his site and the buyer is the sole owner.

Both ways have advantages but I think ultimately to keep headaches down a person who is looking for beats should buy them straight out. The downside to leasing or buying beats royalty-free is that somebody else can buy the beat as well and the beat loses it originality.

Anyway these are just some thoughts I had. I hope you think about your business model when you are making your own beats. If you have any questions, hit me up! Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: Old Skool vs. New Skool

There is a big difference between the music today versus the music 20 years ago. The Hiphop Kulture was in its "Golden Era" back then and the music was alot more fun. It wasn't making as much money as it is today but it seemed a bit more pure.

Everyone was working to be different from the competition, not trying to emulate them. I mean Heavy D was different from N.W.A. Public Enemy was different from The 2 Live Crew. Big Daddy Kane was different from Run-DMC. And being in the true spirit of Hiphop, the artists strived to be different from each other. What was cool is that you could hear all these artist on the same radio playlist. There was balance.

Today I can't say that at all. Most mainstream rappers are consistent when it comes to talking about Ballin'. How much they are ballin? How much money they have? How many girls they have? Let's talk about my Phantom and my Bentley and how I got to be this way selling drugs, etc., etc. Yeah right!!! The only ones that sound different now are the underground emcees. There are some who still flex skills like Common and Lupe Fiasco but they are rare and they ain't selling records like the drug dealer/pimp types.

The music is different as well. Some of the music still bangs but since everybody found out that Soulja Boy made his break off of Fruity Loops & MySpace.com, people have been trying to copy that formula.

What???

There are still some producers that sample and there are still some who try to make their music have a signature sound. I applaud these producers for wanting to be different. Make your own beats. Make your own sound. That my friend is Hiphop. Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats? Back Up Your Computer To Be Safe

Here is something that is very frustrating if you are making your own beats using a computer. I made some sick beats and for some reason I didn't get this lesson when it was first put in my face. I'm talking about backing up your hard drive and saving your work on a CD-R.

The first time this happened to me was back in 2006. My motherboard went out in my computer and I had every opportunity to back up my work. There was even a point in time just before it died when I could've saved everything but oh no. I FORGOT that my computer was wiggin' out so I shut it down. It never came back on and I lost everything. The real reason I also lost everything was that my computer guy lost my hard drive which is another reason to back up all of your files.

Fast forward to 2008.

My computer guy built me another computer and it works good enough to for me to make beats and do some basic computing and web surfing. We'll here's a tip: if you have people in your household who use your main computer, then you should back it up regularly. Why? Because people download things sometimes that they aren't sure about and these things can be viruses or programs that don't work well with your computer.

Case in point.

I just moved at the beginning of May and when I moved my computer was working fine. For some strange reason a month later it started locking up. I'd have to reboot my computer every time and I just knew something had been downloaded by my wife that shouldn't have been. Well, I decided I would back up my files because I couldn't afford to lose all of my work. Good thing I did too.

Late in July, my computer started locking up as soon as the Windows logo would come on the monitor. I can't even explain to you how pissed I was. I had been running virus scans and Norton Systemworks scans as well and I kept getting some errors in my temp files that wouldn't go away no matter how many times I tried. Finally, I just decided to track down the location of the temp files and manually delete them. I was a bit nervous but they were temp files so that means it was taking up extra space anyway. This took a little while but guess what? My computer hasn't locked up in a week.

Bottom line: If you're making your own beats and using you computer to run your business, then you absolutely MUST backup your files. You might loose that beat the would've been the million dollar seller. Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Rapper/Producer Daz Dillinger's New Album and What He Thinks About Making Beats

Dogg Pound member Daz Dillinger is set to release his latest album, "Only On The Left Side" next Tuesday, August 12th. I've been a Daz fan before he was called Dillinger in The Chronic and he's been pretty consistent even though he doesn't get a whole lot of publicity.

I liked what he said about making beats though.

“I’m doing a lot of producing, I just don’t be giving my beats out,” he says. ” I can make more money with my beats than the person I give it to. Because I put the records out, I’m seeing the money come in, I’m getting the ringtone money, everything. I can make a song tonight and have it up on iTunes in 2 days.”

I keep telling you cats that making your own beats is the way to go. No, you don't have to be a Daz Dillinger but you do have to be proactive and make things happen for yourself. If you're the writer and producer, you get to keep 100% of your publishing royalties if you know what you're doing.

The traditional music business is dead. I like what he said about iTunes. People are looking for new joints to put on their iPods that not everybody has. People are tired of the same songs being played on the radio 20 times a day. There is a golden opportunity at hand and people like Daz Dillinger are ahead of the game. Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats...Or Else!!!

Hey this is just a thought that I had. If CL Smooth would have been making beats, would his career have flourished as much or greater than Pete Rock's? We all know Pete Rock is sick on the beats and he can flow too. Not as good as CL but he held his own in the group and on his solo joints.

I don't know why Pete Rock and CL Smooth actually broke up. I've heard it was over, you guessed it...BEATS! There was a point in the 90's when Pete Rock was making beats for everybody. Pete was blowin' up and CL was getting blown off. That's just one example of someone who was the beat maker that thrived while others in the group fell by the wayside.

How about Teddy Riley and Guy. Boy, Aaron Hall sure could sing! I mean the ladies were on that dude back in the day even though some said he had a stuttering problem. Teddy was the man though. He coined the New Jack Swing era and made lots of money making beats for other artists besides Guy. I mean from Keith Sweat to Micheal Jackson he made a lot of beats. He produced from countless rap artists too.

Aaron Hall put out some solo albums but so what? I mean the albums were dope but Teddy was collecting checks...FAT CHECKS!!! All from making beats.

Am I advocating that if you are an artists you should take some time to learn how to make your own beats? Hell yeah that's what I'm saying. See you may not always be hot as an artist. And rappers are a dime a dozen. Producers though, producers stand the test of time. Look at Russell Simmons. He even produced a few of Run-DMC's early joints before he became the mogul that we all know. I'll bet he's still gettin' royalty checks too from the 80's.

With that said, I'm out. Tomorrow I'm going to discuss some preventive maintenance stuff to help you in your business as you make your own beats. Until then...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

There's No Magic Pill To Make Your Own Beats

The Blastmaster KRS-ONE & The Hot Instrumentalist, Mello Melanin

In this Hiphop "Matrix" there is no shortcut to being successful. In other words, Neo, there is no blue pill! There is nothing magical about making your own beats. There is nothing magical about being successful.

However there is a formula for luck and here it is:

Luck = Opportunity + Preparation

Let's break that down really quick. You've heard of people being in the right place at the right time. We'll they were lucky. An opportunity presented itself and they were prepared when it happened. No magic necessary.

So the question is how can you be prepared when an opportunity presents itself?

I like to relate my lessons by using my own experiences so here is a perfect example of how I was lucky. At my church, our youth ministry was working on events for planning their youth week. The director of the youth ministry was a friend of mine by the name of Server. Server had seen my group Prophetix perform several times before and he and several other people asked me if we would perform during youth week. I was a bit hesitant at first but I eventually said yes.

About a week later, I was told that KRS-ONE would be performing for our youth week as well. I thought that would be cool because I knew we would be opening up for him. Well, the show went better than I expected and KRS was very impressed with our show. I knew he was giving a lecture to the kids the following day so I went to it because I had heard him speak many times before. He did a History of Hiphop speech that was great!

Later that day, the church had a fish fry and all the kids took pictures with KRS. As we were leaving, I got a "gut feeling" that I should ask him for a contact number. I followed my instinct and asked. He gave me his number but stated it would best if I called him when he got back in 2 weeks from touring in California.

This is were the "luck" comes in...

I asked him if I could come on the tour with him and he looked at me real serious and replied "Word! Are you serious?" My response of course was "YES". He said the he could work it out but he'd have to check on the logistics. I was to call the number he had given me on Sunday evening and you bet I did.

I called the other members of Prophetix and let them know what was going on and they couldn't believe it but I could. Lo and behold, I get a phone call back from KRS and he told me that he wouldn't pay for our trip out to California but he would pay for our trip back, pay for our hotel, pay us $500.00 a piece, and pay us a per diem which is money for every day we were out there in Cali. Sounded fair to me. The total time from me asking him could I go to actually being on a plane to Los Angeles was less than a week!

My "luck" got even better though...

When we got settled in Los Angeles, we had a meeting with KRS where we were debrief on how the shows would go. He explained that he didn't want us to open up for him but he wanted us to actually be on stage with him during his set. No joke. Talk about a trill. Imagine being on stage with KRS-ONE while you perform his classic joints with him in front of packed audiences. It was great! And we got to perform in so many other cities in Cali from San Fransisco to San Diego in the process so that made the 2 weeks even better.

So yes, I do consider myself lucky but I was prepared when the opportunity presented itself. That is the point I'm making.

Are you prepared if someone comes to you right now and asks you for a CD full of beats or a full demo package? What have you done up to this point in your career to say that you are ready for a life changing opportunity? You should alway be prepared for an opportunity. You'll never know if it will be the lucky one that changes your life.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. Get started building your catalog of beats today. Check out Music Producer Pro if you haven't done so already by clicking here!

Did You See Kanye West & Sway On MTV Last Night?

Photo Credit: Justin Borucki

Did anyone happen to catch the MTV special "Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming"? I thought it was great! Here is someone who's been ridiculed for one reason or another who goes out and actually helps someone he didn't know.

Now, I'm not saying that Kanye never helped anyone before this because I'm sure he has. It was just good to see him do this with war veterans from Iraq. The stories that these three people had were very touching. Yep, I said touching.

See even though they were being filmed giving away items, paying off the soldiers debts, etc., the point was that they were helping somebody who thought there was no end in sight to their misery. I give Mr. West a thumbs up fa sho for doing this.

These soldiers are dying everyday just so people like you and I can enjoy the freedoms that we have such as blogging or making your own beats or whatever. The stories of when they joined the military were even more chilling to me. They had joined pre-9/11. They weren't expecting to go to war and now they were living history. One man said he'd never even held a gun before. They were all young people too.

I know he only helped 3 people during the special but how many other lives were touched just by watching it?

Kanye knows what it's like to lose a loved one and I do too. I lost my uncle (R.I.P.) to a senseless murder by some teenagers the same day as his mom died. But those that are living must go on. Thanks Kanye West and MTV! We needed that...

For the full story click on the link below:

Kanye West And MTV Hear Veterans' Stories In 'Homecoming' - News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News MTV News

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com