Mono Yapp: The Investment

It takes a lot to invest in production. Time, money, time, friends, time - and did I mention money? As much as I'd love to deny it, I can't lie to the consumers reading my blogs.

You have to be a real loser to make it in this industry. I mean music is for the ugly people really. Why do you think we make music? Where do you think inspiration stems from? Duhh! If we were pretty we'd be set as far as living in society. But that's just one of my various theories for another day.

Back to this blog....

So you want to make beats, huh? You know- I hear this a lot, from well...a lot of people. But people don't seem to comprehend how much really goes into the final product. Before we can get into that, it's important to compare the two conflicting ideologies here.

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Beatmaking vs. Production

Before it all dawned on me, there were the beatmakers. The guys at the school lunchtable knocking with their pens, forks and fists drawing much attention with their student peers. This was what I grew up idolizing. Being the shy and timid person I was back then, I never knew it was in me and I would never have showcased anyone my talent because I was very held back at the time. Fast forward 2008....

Nowadays, beatmaking is for the lazy amateurs. This is for the guy who borrows his friend's software and adds a drum pattern over some cheap knockoff sample and then can't seem to find the crack to save his project file because of copyright infringement. It's okay buddy, 10 times out of 10 - the beats not poppin.'

The reason why I bring this up is because I'm trying to draw the picture between now and then; what was the ultimate beatmaker and what it is now.

Essentially, all the prime beatmakers from the past are now deemed producers simply because their drive and vision for music was something innate and not something completed in 10 minutes behind a computer.

A lot of craft and vision is associated when it comes to breaking a record. This is when you start to venture into production. As a producer, there are certain intangible qualities that are only gained with time and experience. Aside the technicalities of modern day technology, you really have to have a solid understanding of music in general. You have to familiarize yourself with all types of genres and really study the works. What I mean by study is - listen! Pinpoint specifics as to why this record was orchestrated this way, how notes were arranged and how the artist blended with the instrumental. This is production!

Saying you need a "shorty" to do you a hook is rather - novice. You have to understand how the vocals are going to end up sounding. Do you want someone whose heavy breathed or soft tuned or perhaps high pitched? And does the voice really fit with the theme of the track in its entirety? And more importantly, how you work with those artists during recording time is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect. You can't expect results through enforcement. You have to know how to work with people for better results. Otherwise all the parties involved are wasting their time. There has to be a mutual relationship between everyone - from the engineer to the producer to the artists, managers, execs and so forth.

The producer isn't the guy who just makes the beat - it's the guy who makes the track happen. In other words, puts the gem inside the artist's head and takes that a step forward on his own. The beatmaker is referred as the composer, thus discrediting themselves as producers.

Know the ledge, understand it and classify yourselves accordingly.

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Now...

From my experience over the past (I don't know - 4 or 5 years,) I learned a lot. Burnt down many bridges but at the same token, built a foundation for future development. In other words, there's a lot of risk taking and gambling if you want to make it in this industry. If you aren't willing to sacrifice things you take for granted, this isn't going to work out for you. This not meant to discourage you, more so - I'm giving you the heads up. And that's the purpose of this first editorial blog post.

THE RISKS:

1) There is no such thing as producing part time, sooner or later you will realize it consumes your life as you know it. TIME is key. If you don't have it, you'll never break in.

2) Along with time, Money is at risk. You're going to be too busy handling multiple projects and perfecting your craft that there isn't going to be an option to get a job. True talk. Find ways to get paid through your music, if you can. Otherwise, make sure mommy is paying your bills or something because music money is not going to hold you down if you're still entering the door.

3) Friends. Your best friends are going to be your clients, music equipment, managers, A&Rs and lawyers. Everyone else is just going to "be there." Little by little you will see there is no use for them being around and that they're just wasting god given time in which you could put out a possible classic. Thus, your friends now will be forgotten sooner or later. Sad but true...music will be your new partners. It's an addiction.

4) Music. What I mean by your music being at risk is...you will never be able to enjoy other's music EVER again. As you study music, you will notice that analyzing music will adapt to your knowledge naturally. You will always see how this guy engineered this or that, here and there. And for the really incredible tracks you hear, you will just be agonizing on yourself saying "how can I get that done?" It's not a hate thing, it's just a combative competition. If you ain't competing then you're losing. Bottomline.

Investments folks. Investing.

If you don't put yourself on the firing line to defend your product, who else is going to go to war for you?

Do the losses outweigh what you'll gain? And vice versa? Ask yourself this...

Also keep tab of a timeline as to how you'd like to map out your success. Create an ideal one and a realistic time frame. It's a LONG journey! I'm actually grateful, I was able to score placements at a very young age. There's guys that are in their 40s that are still trying to grind.

So, just sketch out your success and analyze methods to get you where you need to go. Planning beforehand is a MUST.

Not to worry though, my blog editorials will help guide some of you. And hey! Maybe a success story will come about from my pieces.

Till next time, keep 'em plugged!

A-MED