I strongly believe that local urban music is currently undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Every week I get inundated by music from aspiring musicians, and I have noticed that on the whole, the songs I receive now are much better than the ones I received a year or so ago. That’s not to say they’re perfect- in fact there are more bad than good songs in there – but I can see the overall progress that young musicians are making and I think we are on the right track.
One of the biggest obstacles new artists have is making their music stand out from the plethora of music that is being made and that is out there already. I have a few tips:
1.Sing. Every dude and his dog seems to want to rap these days, and that’s understandable. The music appeals to (mainly) young males and it is comparatively easy to make. If you can talk and keep rhythm, you can rap. (That doesn’t mean you can rap well but that’s a topic for another day). If you want to stand out, do what the majority of new artists are not doing today: sing.
2.Make a press kit. You should, at the very least, send out a short bio and a decent picture with every email of your music. It shows professionalism and it lets the receiver know that you are serious about your music, which in turn will make them take you a little more seriously too.
3.Always always always LABEL YOUR MP3s!!! This one is very important. Fill out the artist, name of song fields in your ID3 tags. Also include a way for the receiver of your music to contact you.
4.Play an instrument. Just like singing, there are fewer musicians that play an instrument. You do not have to be a maestro, but if you can pluck a guitar or play a few riffs on the keyboard, you immediately stand out from your peers.
5.Stop trying to make Nigerian music. Self explanatory.
Jun 11, 2012 @ 10:54:49
massive shout out to Maurice for his brilliant performance this weekend! the revolution IS being televised!
Jun 11, 2012 @ 11:12:43
tip 6. don’t copy beats like Michael Ross and his rip off of the Black Eyed Peas. Shameless.
Jun 11, 2012 @ 13:39:47
Thank you Mister Deejay.
#Tip7 – they should stop asking for ‘beats exactly like some other song’
Jun 11, 2012 @ 13:46:40
Im prity sure mister deejay ths wil ril wk 4 mi thx i v alwayz tried bt it it as alway bin in vainz bt wth ths im prity sure ths wil wk
Jun 11, 2012 @ 13:53:26
agreed there is a lot of good music being made. big up to all the cats in the game you are taking the industry to a brand new level. a country with a growing creative field is a country headed in the right direction.
Jun 11, 2012 @ 15:07:33
Mister Deejay, they should also know how to present themselves, shabby wont gain you respect! though there is a cool shabby( maurice kirya’s hair befor e the hair cut) they should know how to dress themselves up accordingly, and how to talk especially in public…PRESENTATION of the person…
Jun 11, 2012 @ 18:17:57
i agree with ‘heiiaaatheeiiiaaafwaaajust’, shabby ain’t chic!
Jun 12, 2012 @ 15:26:04
Good help DJ. Oba you should charge commision. Have u ever thought to be a music manager? Might be you have good ideas and experience in the industry!
Jun 16, 2012 @ 00:28:15
Big Eye & Rocky Giant should read No.1 bcoz doz 2 dudes suck like hell. They have got wack ass flows, only hyped by da media but they are Not worth it…… Thx Mr Deejay 4 dis.
Jun 18, 2012 @ 12:44:28
i like that bit about nigerian music…if the film makers are gonna copy their movie concepts, musicians should join the bandwagon!