DJ Bugsy Interview with Deja

The Impact of the Hip-Hop Police

The Impact of the Hip-Hop Police

            In recent years well-known rappers, top hip-hop executive, and other rap artists are being targeted by law enforcement. In this stunning documentary “Hip-Hop Police”, by director Don Sikorski during filming the movie he was able to obtain valuable information from the government. The complied dossier was packed with the personal addresses, social security number, and the associates. Moreover, not only did information proved that the cops exist, it also mentioned ties with NYPD, FBI, DEA, and IRS. The reason I feel this document and movie is true because as a hip-hop fan I always see rappers getting arrested for anything. If you look at any other music genre such Rock & Roll, Pop, and Alternative it’s a different story. The hip-hop community is dominant by African-American and other music genres are dominated by Caucasians. Therefore, if law enforcement investigates rappers they should target all music artists. But in my opinion, I feel hip-hop police will always exist and will continue to profile African-American music artists. According to popular hip-hop producer Alchemist, he was questioned about 50cent by hip-hop police before but refused to give up any information. Alchemist believes that all hip-hop police are racist and foul. The hip-hop music has really lost its message after the death of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. The messages about police brutality, racism, equality, and culture awareness are seldom heard in rap music today. During the late 80’s and early 90’s rap artists made music about the realities of being black in America. But in recent years, music been tainted with glorify making money, expensive fast cars, sex, and woman with voluptuous bodies. Lastly, I feel hip-hop culture has lost it’s way in a lot of areas. But also law enforcement and social groups against hip-hop have influenced how the music changed. I hope one day we can bring back the essence of hip-hop and deliver messages that help change people lives. 

The Keys To Optimizing Your Social Presence & Google Ad Words

The Keys To Optimizing Your Social Presence & Google AdWords

The Internet and social media have really begun to be such a force in 2007 for all types of businesses not just in the music industry.  But the keys to optimizing your social presence professionally and personally are as follows. According to searchengine.com, Links on SERP’s are like shelves in a store: the more space you own the more have to offer and it will drive more (clicks) which generate profits. The other way optimizing your social presence is use a brand name in posts. For example, you make a blog post about music but include URLs for the headphone popular company “BeatsbyDre.” This will get visitors coming to your website or blog site because links and Ad Words. Google Ad Words has been the primary way to market and advertise for companies, small business, franchises, etc. But there are alternative ways and very reasonable ways to promote a business online. Google Ad Words can be expensive so Outbrain and Virurl act as distributors for their messages. Supply the message in the form of a link to a piece of content a picture, video, and social media sites like Tumbler and Twitter.  According to my research, the idea to have cheap easily managed ad campaigns is good news for companies especially a new record label like mine Bugsy Music Group. There is a catch with the website like Outbrain there is a screen done to make sure you are logical customer for Outbrain they will consider any company. Lastly, to summarize the keys to optimizing your social presence are very simple. The best way to create great presence on the internet will be learning who is your target market. Once you finalize the products you will be selling make a great Ad Campaign. Finally, promoting heavy on all social media website like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. By implementing some of the key ways the company will stay in eyes of the customers and being competitive with other companies as well.  

Climate Change in the Music Industry and Digital Landscape evolves music atmosphere.

According to Charles Darwin, the music industry is putting his survival of the fittest theory to the test. The change in the music business is forcing artists to become more creative. The new digital era has made artists look beyond just selling records but more about being a brand. In recent years, many record companies have downsized and layoff several employees. The record companies are signing fewer record deals or publishing deals and cutting back across the board. According to the article, climate change in the music industry took place due to Internet and sharing music online. The article also indicated by attorney-manager Dina LaPolt. “Performers must continue to fight for artist’s rights, given the decreasing of major record companies in artist development. “ The Internet allows music to be recorded or distributed far cheaply than major record companies. Therefore, the web has literally put several record companies out of business and many workers unemployed. I feel and agree with the article if music companies and artists work together music industry can be revived. During my research, I discovered cross marketing really boomed after climate change in the music industry. The new trends began with ringtones as another way for artists to make money. Every time digital downloads are purchased its spilt between the label and artist. The cross marketing and e-commerce also generated revenue from pay-per-view concerts cybercasts, which artists gained additional income. Lastly, many positions will be devalued because of new climate of music industry. I feel this change can help our fans, music artists, record companies, and producers. Sometimes change can be great for any type of industry depending on the direction the change is going in. But I believe the digital landscape made a good change and a bright future.

Source: http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1432767/record-companies-must-embrace-changing-digital-landscape 

Business Plans The Experts Part 2

During my research to add insight on how to formulate my business plan, I viewed many business plan experts point of view. Of these experts, I found the advice of Chuck Blakeman and Steve Blank. Firstly, Chuck Blakeman has very different approach to being a businessman. Chuck Blakeman critical acclaimed business speaking has over 100+ speaking engagements and workshops per year, he has been quoted in Entrepreneur Magazine, NYTimes.com and many more. Chuck believes that life just happens no matter if you have plan or not. Life gets in the way of the best plans, and no matter how well we plan how life changes can alter your plans. He indicated other businesses that started without a business for example Apple, Google, HP, 37signals, etc. He mentioned that most successful businesses start having a one vision but end up starting another company. Lastly, I agree with Chuck Blakeman because of life constantly changing individuals may change their business plans. Secondly, Steve Blank theory was business models generate a lot unknowns but a business plans has a set destination. Steve Blank mentioned simplest way to think about is that in a startup no business plan survives first contact with customers. Moreover, even took it a step further indicating business plan competitions are good for school but bad for students. Steve Blank believe that a business plans can be judged for numerous factors. He mentioned that “judging will not include such factors as: market opportunity, reward to risk, strategy, implementation plan, financing plan, etc.” Moreover, he also indicated that most schools have business plan competitions so the school can appear relevant for the students, donors, and faculty. Steve Blank only agrees with business plan competitions with a business model instead of actual business plan. Lastly, I agree with both Blakeman and Blank as it pertains to having a business plan. In most cases many businesses that made it as a top 500 Fortune Company didn’t even have a business plan. My philosophy is if you work hard, stay determined, and  keep God first the sky is the limit.

The Experts On Winning Business Plans

During my research to help grow and develop my business plan for my company, I viewed many business plan experts. Of these experts, I found the advice of Tim Berry and Dave Lavinsky to be sound advice for me. Tim Berry is a business planning expert, software developer and expert, and he also founder of Palo Alto Software. “Tim Berry also founder of bplans.com, and a co-founder of Borland International.” (Source: Tim Berry) Lastly, Tim Berry was business consultant for Apple Computers for 14 years not an employee.

 David Lavinsky is a very successful business developer, and expert business planner for several notable companies. Dave has worked on many business plans and also co-founded his own company, Growthink. Growthink is a firm that was founded in 1999 with screwed business success as the number one priority. The company main objective is to provide best products and services to their customers. In addition to being a successful business owner, Dave is a blogger, he lectures to various Colleges & Universities around country, and runs Growthink University. (Source : Dave Lavinsky)

Tim Berry gives many customers business plan review the deliverable includes marked-up and commented copy of the document plus a long email from him detailing suggestions his view of the plan’s suitability for business management with loan application attached. I feel that Tim Berry gives a comprehensive outlook on how to have a winning business plan and how to mange solid businesses plan. (Source: Tim Berry)

Lastly, I feel Tim Berry and Dave Lavinsky feel that most investors will only invest in companies that are already underway and have stable business plan. Therefore, Dave Lavinsky and Tim Berry believe that investors want to know that a business owner has thought a exit plan. The owner must have a strategy if the company fails, acquired, or goes public. The business plan is one thing but also having plan for the company if business plan fails is just as important.