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THIS ARTICLE WAS POSTED BY @MSRIVERCITY. MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT msrivercity BLOG TODAY!!
7 tips for more successful media requests (geared toward the music industry).
Research the format of the press you are targeting
If you’re a Rock/Reggae/R&B/Latin artist approaching a Hip Hop publication, your submission will most likely be denied or ignored, unless they have a section designated for your genre. Another mistake often made is models applying to be in magazines that do not hire models for print work. Models should be targeting clothing designers, marketing/advertising personnel at corporations, photographers, etc. If you do land a spot in an ad, CD cover, etc., ask if they’re willing to mention your name on printings that have your image. Also, most people generally seek interviews and reviews when targeting the media. A full feature is difficult to land without having a major buzz already in place. By researching the publication’s format and knowing the various columns and categories featured, you may find other ways to have your name highlighted.
Blogs & Magazines are not the only press
Print features are often difficult to obtain because they are expensive. Blog features are hard to land because many blogs don’t even do full articles; they only post new music/videos, major celeb news, etc. Other media opps come from radio interviews (public, satellite, internet, college, podcasts), television and news shows, red carpet events, and so on. Another industry tip is that being an expert on a subject can get you lots of free press if you are willing to write an article. You will be featured as the author, in other words, free exposure. Hosting a show, especially if you’re an entertainer, is also a way to get your face and voice represented in the media.
Know the publication’s deadline and/or layout schedule
If you contact the press when they are fighting production deadlines, your communication may get lost in the shuffle. Ask journalists, editors, bloggers, etc. when do they usually have downtown to review new music. Mpre than likely it won’t be Monday mornings. You can usually request a magazine’s production schedule info by asking for their media kit or ad deadlines.
Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you pray for
When seeking media coverage, ask yourself what is it about you that the public would want to know. You’ll increase your chances of getting publicity if your story: Is controversial, Related to current events, Affects large numbers of people, Affects people’s pocketbooks, Involves you being a hero, Includes a milestone, record or a first, Discusses new technology or ideas. A secret to getting media coverage is relationships. Offer to assist the reporters with promotion, story ideas, advertising, etc. They will be more inclined to assist you with publicity.
Know a good photographer
If you are selected for a feature, it is a good idea, and sometimes mandatory, to have professional photos on hand. Also know what high resolution means. Many photographers will provide their clients with smaller versions of a photo that are not usable for print. Ask them for the original files and DO NOT resize them without making a copy first. Trying to track down a photographer after the fact is often difficult.
Know a good publicist
A publicist can make sure you have all your ducks in a row before seeking features. They can explain what a press kit and press release are, what the press is looking for, how to present your image; they already have media relationships in place, and can often refer you to a good photographer, graphics designer, etc. Even if you can’t afford to hire a publicist on retainer, many will offer consulting services a la cart.
When to send a press release
Concert/Show & Tour information; Record, Publishing, Merchandising Deal Announcements; CD, Tape, and Video Release Information; Promotional Events/Marketing Plans; Accomplishments & awards; Appearances at community events; Articles by you or about you in publications; Charity Projects; Contests you’re sponsoring or promoting; Mergers & new alliances; Announcement of new facilities; New Website; Workshops you’re presenting or attending. And please, send the press announcement PRIOR to the release of any project, the sooner the better. If the news is old, it will be tossed. Old news to the press usually means anything over a day.
Sources and PR on Web: musicbizacademy.com, www.prweb.com
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Homie is a fool for this one right here. Im definitely still fucking with him tomorrow on that Mic Tyson. Check his announcement out.
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40 Glocc and The Game’s beef came to a head back in early July, when the pair crossed paths at a Hollywood Hills mansion party. When the party ended, an altercation arose between the two outside the party… and it was caught on video.
In the wake of the incident, Game’s camp leaked footage of the rapper beating up 40 while recording it on his iPhone.
Both sides had very different stories as to what happened though — Game said he ran into 40, he beat him up one-on-one and they left, while 40 claims he was jumped by more than a dozen men, many of whom drew guns on him.
This week, TMZ.com reports that 40 Glocc (real name: Lawrence White) has filed a lawsuit against his L.A. rap peer over the incident, claiming he was caused bodily harm and had his rap image tarnished.
In court docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court recently, 40 says he was leaving a party, when he was jumped by Game and his 15-man entourage for no reason… with guns drawn, as he’s maintained since July. He says he tried to escape … but Game pointed the gun at his chest and told him not to fight back or he would “end it right now.”
The lawsuit says 40 was severely injured as a result of the altercation, suffering injury to his right eye, ribs, kidneys, right shoulder and back… as well as his face, head, legs, arms and hands.
40 is seeking unspecified damages, claiming assault and battery, as well as incorrigible damage to his reputation and image as a rapper.
A source close to The Game maintains that the rapper, nor his entourage, pulled weapons on 40 Glocc, insisting it was “a one-on-one fight.”
As reported by BallerStatus
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Draya Michele is everyone’s favorite basketball wive, but shes not actually a “wive”. This Halloween Draya made it clear on her instagram feed that she’s “Married to none. Wanted by many”. Draya enjoyed a night out with her friends and dressed as a sexy bride. I guess after a few drinks Draya thought it was time to bust it wide open:
Draya took it down within an hour, but Meek Mill got a hold of this HAD to repost. Meek Mill deleted the post after he realized Draya did:
Check out more pictures of Draya and her LA crew:
“Married to none. Wanted by many”
“Basketball wife my ass. Waaaaayyyy Badddddeerrr”.
“Me and my Fine ass girls. Love them !”
Draya having fun or asking for too much attention? What you think?
This is really fucked up. Damn.....
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Tragedy has struck in Atl and this time its at Creflo Dollar's megachurch. This is what the Atlanta Journal Constitution is repoting:
A man shot Wednesday morning at World Changers Church International in College Park has died, according to Fulton County police.
Police confirmed earlier that one man was shot around 10:30 a.m. and transported in critical condition to South Fulton Hospital where he later died. Channel 2 Action News said the victim was a member of the church’s production crew.
Creflo Dollar is the pastor of the megachurch.
Police are looking for a suspect who left the scene of the church, which is located at 2500 Burdett Road. Police are looking for a black Subaru in connection with the shooting, which reportedly occurred in the chapel where the church hosts a Bible study every Wednesday.
Karen Webb, who had taken her mother to the church for Bible study, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she was told the victim was shot six times.
“I brought my mother up here to go to church — every Wednesday she attends Bible study. As soon as we get here I’m told someone has been shot,” Webb said. “He was one of the praise leaders.” Webb said she was told the shooter was a 20-year member of the church.
Antonio Wills, a former member who lives near the church, said the incident sends “a shock wave through the city.”
Wills said his thoughts were on the man who was killed.
“Hopefully everybody will pray for the victim’s family,” he said.
Fulton County Police asked to lockdown Bethune Elementary School and McNair Middle, according to schools spokeswoman Susan Hale. She said the lockdown was lifted around 11 a.m. There was no disruption to the schools or testing, she told Channel 2.
Dollar started World Changers Ministries in 1986 with eight members, holding services in the cafeteria of a local elementary school, according to the church’s website. Its campus now occupies 81 acres, with services held in the 8,500-seat World Dome. Dollar is a regular on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
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Earlier today on twitter Gucci Mane seemed to hint around at the fact that why would another artists drop a tape on 10/17 as Yo Gotti is also doing today. All in all it does make sense considering his whole label been 1017 forever sooooooo. IDK about this one tho. What yall think?
Here are Gucci's exact words on twitter "Why would another artist put they mixtape out on 10/17 if they ain't Bricksquad. You ain't me the #TRAPGOD"
Why would another artist put they mixtape out on 10/17 if they ain't Bricksquad. You ain't me the #TRAPGOD
— Gucci Mane (@gucci1017) October 17, 2012 Read more
Raleigh well-known DJ Kool Sheed has been missing since 10 am Sunday morning according to his family. He was last seen walking from home Sunday morning and has not been heard from since. Kool Sheed was a former DJ at K97.5. If anyone has any info on the whereabouts of DJ Kool Sheed please contact The Wake County Sheriff Department or call 919-225-9221.
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Things are heating up in the rap world as Young Jeezy & Gucci Mane re-ignite their decade long feud.
Fresh off the release of Gucci Mane’s “Truth” (listen here) , a diss record aimed at Young Jeezy, producer Lil Lody has insinuated that Lil Boosie will come in to bat for the Trap Or Die rapper.
“When this jeezy feat boosie drop tho lol stay tuned…. Boosie called from jail HA” the producer tweeted.
Young Jeezy and Lil Boosie have had a long documented friendship and the tworeportedly recorded a lot of material with each other, before Boosie checked in to prison.
We can’t wait to hear this record. #FREEBOOSIE
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Mannnnn if this wasnt a Ryu uppercut from Street Fighter I dont know what the hell is. I know Im wrong for posting this because its not hip hop related and its a dude hitting a woman which we dont condone over here. I guarantee this will be on Cnn by 12 tomorrow. My word. Wheeeew
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50 Cent is notorious for his beefs with Rick Ross, Ja Rule, and Fat Joe. Now the G-Unit mogul has set his sights on a new target: French Montana.
The “I Get Money” rapper took aim at the Bad Boy signee on Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday morning. “French Montana you ain’t Sh!t boy,” tweeted 50. “You out your league talking about me you hoe.i read your little interview what the fucx is you high.”
The fiery tweets continued. “French your Sh!t so weak you never had a song by your self fool. Ain’t nobody’s waiting to hear your verse. Girl,” he told him, taunting, “@frenchmontana you mine’s well come catch this fade boy.”
50 then proceeded to retweet insults from his Twitter followers, who joined the crusade against the “Pop That” hitmaker.
The comments appear to be in response to a recent interview French did with Complex where he was asked why he avoids beef.
“You should avoid beef if you trying to make money. People get scared when you try to beef with people. In general, [even in street shit] nobody want to stand next to you if somebody about to shoot you, unless you have a big [hustle],” he said. “They [used to] do that with 50 because 50 was the bank. They knew he was going to win. People ain’t doing that [anymore].”
50 took his remarks personally and responded, “Do you realize this fool @Frenchmontana hasn’t sold one record and talking about sales.”
But he vowed to stop speaking about him until he sees him in person. “Im not tweeting about this little fool No more. I’m a see him and he gonna explain that’s it,” he wrote.
Just last month, 50 and his crew had a run-in with French’s Maybach Music affiliate Gunplay at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Gunplay threatened to take action against anyone who challenged him: “You might get gunned down, you never know!”
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Waka Flocka Flame has cast his vote for the 2012 Presidential Elections and the Atlanta rapper has revealed he has cast his vote for President Barack Obama.
Waka Flocka of is one of tens-of-thousands of people who are taking advantage of early voting in over 30 states.
The majority of the early votes are done through mail, while in person voting is slated to start next week, in a number of states.
“I’ve been voted early,” Waka Flocka revealed on The Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg Show with K. Foxx, on Hot 97. “It’s my first time voting. I’m a taxpayer now, so you know you got to vote for the right guy. They say every vote counts, I had to make sure mines did.”
Although none of the early votes will be counted until after the November 6 election date, that didn’t deter Waka Flocka from making sure he took advantage of his constitutional right to vote.
Waka, who said he has been a homeowner for over five years, has been paying taxes that stretched into the six-figures, since his rap career took off, although he had not voted until this year.
The rapper offered up a very logical explanation for not participating, as well as his change of heart, to take part in this year’s election.
“Not trying to be hard, not trying to be tough, but if you’re from the streets, how can voting hope your life?” Waka Flocka asked. “How can tax dollars help your life?…taxes, medical, insurances, you don’t need none of that. But when you start living like a civilized person, you got to follow the rules.”
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T.I. to the rescue. After saving Creed frontman Scott Stapp from a suicide attempt in 2006, hip-hop’s guardian angel is opening up about his heroic experience.
The King of the South called into VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” and recounted how he and friend Phil entered the Delano hotel in Miami where they heard Stapp struggling on the balcony above them. Upon further investigation, they found a suicidal Stapp who they eventually calmed down.
“We heard groans, moans, and just sounds coming from the ceiling above the balcony,” said Tip. “We didn’t know who he was. We just kind of exchanged a little dialogue. I think soon after that we came to the conclusion that we should call some help.”
T.I. called an ambulance to take Stapp to the hospital. Surprisingly, the Atlanta rapper had no idea that he had saved a fellow musician’s life, no less the leader singer of Creed.
Stapp shared the story for the first time in his new memoir Sinner’s Creed. When asked how he kept the news under wraps, Tip laughed, “We operate on a don’t ask, don’t tell basis.”
Just this week, T.I. launched his #TroubleManTuesdays with a series of new content and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks leading up to the December 18 release of his album Trouble Man. His new single “Ball” featuring Lil Wayne is scheduled to hit iTunes on October 16.
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I guess you cant have two women of that stature on the same stage.... Nicki was goin in tho lmao!!!! S/o to the queen city tho!!!
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The Weeknd and XO have inked a deal with Universal Republic Records and are set to release Trilogy on Novemer 13th. Trilogy will be a collection of the three mixtapes that shot the Canadian crooner to stardom: House Of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes Of Silence. The three tapes will be mixed and mastered for the first time and include three brand new, never before heard tracks.
To prep for Trilogy’s release, The Weeknd will re-release “Wicked Games,” which was featured on House Of Balloons , to iTunes and other digital retailers soon. The Weeknd is currently on tour supporting Florence + the Machine, and will embark on his headlining jaunt “The Fall Tour” at the end of this month. Hit the jump to check out the dates for the upcoming tour.
09/18 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center *
09/19 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion *
09/21 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
09/24 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
09/26 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Event Centre
09/27 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
09/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
10/04 – San Diego, CA @ Cricket Wireless Ampitheatre *
10/05 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Ampitheatre *
10/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl *
10/16 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
10/17 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
10/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Civic Center
10/20 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
10/22 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
10/26 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
10/27 – Bronx, NY @ Paradise Theater
10/29 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
Christian rap has always been looked at as an anomoly. OK, you’re Christian, but you rap?? When most think about rap, imagery of drugs, cars, girls wearing clothes that are barely there .. the exact opposite of what one would visualize when you think of the church or the Kingdom. Christian rap .. the words alone seem to be a contradiction !! Don’t judge quickly because there is a new breed of rapper that is souled out on Jesus, speak the truth and gospel in their rhymes, and have bars and beats that can hold their own next to ANYONE in the secular world.
Houston born Christian rapper Lecrae’s sixth album, Gravity, is beginning to show that not only can the MUSIC stand on its own next to its secular brother, but now has the record sales to make it valid to the marketplace.
Lecrae is definately breaking ground with his sound and bringing strongholds down repping the Crown. Church Clothes, the first ever Gangsta Grillz (hosted by Don Cannon) that featured a Christian rapper, was hugely successful. The Gangsta Grillz brand has helped lauched the careers of rappers like Young Jeezy and is the “Gold Standard” in the mixtape world.
Lecrae’s latest offering, Gravity, is projected to sell 65-70K its first week on Lecrae’s own record label, Reach Records.
Lecrae recently spoke with SOHH and talked about Gravity and its importance to Hip-Hop.
“It’s reality rap. It’s realer than most of the stuff you hear on the radio. What I talk about, I live. It’s real. You listen to a lot of music and there’s a lot of guns being shot but no bodies showing up. So you begin to wonder if any of this stuff is real, all this money people claim to have and then go bankrupt and to jail for tax evasion. I’m not going to lie to you, I’m just going to tell you the truth. I’m going to talk about my life, I’m going to talk about my real relationships, my faith and I don’t have a desire to be accepted by people, I’m already accepted by God. I just want to put it out there as it is.” (SOHH 5 Reasons)
“The fifth reason is because there’s a missing piece in hip-hop right now. Gravity is just an acknowledgement of the weight of life. Most of us realize this but when it comes to music, when you listen to hip-hop, it’s an escape from the reality. It’s about going to the club, getting high or drunk, let’s make a lot of money so I can escape this reality. That’s all good but your man is still dead and there’s still people dying around us. There’s still problems. So Gravity is just embracing those realities because they make us who we are. They cause us to look for hope and that’s what I’m here to do, provide some hope.” (SOHH 5 Reasons)
Impressive numbers for an independent artist and breath of fresh air for those sick of the all too destructive lyrics and visuals readily available from today’s rappers. The Kingdom is on the rise !!
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The Official Back 2 School Bash! FREE EVENT! FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES, $100 FINISH LINE GIFT CARD AND MORE PRIZES, FT DJ SCREAM and Performing Live Sean McGee! OCT 6th De JAVU Banquet Hall!
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Rapper Young Jeezy has been hit with a $5 million lawsuit from a former business partner, who claims he was cut out of millions of dollars in profits earned from the rapper’s career.
Demetrius “Kinky B” Ellerbe filed a lawsuit against Young Jeezy, Def Jam Recordings and UMG, in Fulton County, Superior Court in Georgia.
According to the lawsuit, Ellerbe helped Young Jeezy form CTE Entertainment, which houses rappers like Freddie Gibbs, Tone Trump, Slick Pulla and others.
Ellerbe says he was instrumental in obtaining the label’s distribution deal with Def Jam Recordings, but he was still cut out of millions of dollars in profits.
The lawsuit claims that Young Jeezy redirected millions of dollars in royalties and advances to his own personal account.
“Essentially, Young Jeezy just kind of took over the company, and elected to take all the funds,” Ellerbee’s attorney Mario Breedlove said.
Demetrius Ellerbe is seeking at least $5 million in damages, in addition to interest, punitive damages and legal costs.
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As if Jay-Z didn't need anymore props, now game geeks can thank the god MC for NBA 2K13's latest advancement. Yesterday, 2K Sports announced that the legendary 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team, also known as "The Dream Team," will be in NBA 2K13 and you can thank the game's executive producer for that.
"The Dream Team wasn't going to happen this year for us without Jay's involvement and assistance upon doing it,"Jason Argent, vice-president of marketing for 2K Sports told ESPN, "and we're obviously very happy that he did that."
"Obviously the core of the game is always what happens on the court, but we're trying to bring more of the truer picture of the NBA to what it is as an entertainment product," Argent said. "You've seen some of the things we've done in the past with our soundtracks and the bands, so when we sat down after launching last year's game, that was a primary directive for us, and we said, 'How do we do that?' We started to put that list together of things that helped achieve that, and Jay-Z kept rising to the top of that list."
In a conference call Argent said that Jay-Z influenced 2K Sports to strike a deal with USA Basketball and individually with Charles Barkley, who's not part of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Conspicuous by his absence is Chicago Bulls Hall Of Famer, Scottie Pippen, who couldn't strike a deal with the company. Afterward, the video game company was allowed to return to the creative lab to incorporate not only the '92 Dream Team but this year's 2012 Olympic squad into 2K13. Now the debates can end of who would win in a game, sort of.
" Jay loves the game of basketball. He clearly does as an honor of the Nets, and that's important to us from a credibility and authenticity standpoint. He's also added quite a bit to the game beyond presentation."
Jay-Z also personally handpicked the game's official soundtrack, which should be in stores in the Fall.
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Rapper Blood Raw to Show Hometown Love at His Snap Backs & Backpacks FREE Back to School Event
Former U.S.D.A. Member Blood Raw, with Keep it 100 and Big Cat Records to Furnish Hundreds of Youth with Free School Supplies, Snap Backs, Hair Cuts, Face Painting and More During Back to School Event at Panama City-Area MLK Center
PANAMA CITY, FL, AUGUST 15, 2012-Panama City native Bruce Falson known as hip hip recording artist Blood Raw, Keep it 100 and Big Cat Records will launch a free school supply and hair cut back to school event; Snap Backs & Back Packs on Friday, August 17, 2012 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center (formerly Glenwood Center) at 705 E. 14th Court Panama City, FL from 2pm to 5pm. Open to the 1st 200 boys & girls grades K-12 .
The family friendly event is the vision of the popular rapper who cites the “love for Panama City” as his motivation for Snap Backs & Back Packs. In conjunction with recording labels; Keep it 100 and Big Cat Records, Blood Raw will provide music, back packs, supplies and snap back giveaways and free haircuts by the Corner Barbershop. There will be clean entertainment, artist meet and greet, face painting and a special talk by Raw who aims at reinforcing the importance of education and giving back with his hometown as the backdrop.
Known most for being a member of Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy’s rap trio U.S.D.A., Blood Raw began his music career in Panama City, Florida during the mid-90′s where he earned the “Blood Raw” moniker (a street term for “the truth”). Deflecting interest from T.I.’s Grand Hustle, Asylum, and other labels, Blood Raw joined Jeezy’s U.S.D.A. outfit and signed with his Corporate Thugz Entertainment (CTE) in 2004 with whom Def Jam released the U.S.D.A, mix tape, Cold Summer. He also dropped the DJ Drama-assisted Indictment Papers and The Streets Love Blood Raw with DJ Smallz. After a few years working with Young Jeezy, he decided to pursue a solo career.
This Snap Backs & Back Packs event is one of many promotional initiatives in preparation of the release of Blood Raw’s highly anticipated new CD Raw Redemption (Keep it 100/Big Cat Records) set to drop in early October, 2012. To learn more about the upcoming project or Blood Raw visit www.rawnews.ning. For sponsorship opportunities or media inquires contact Trea Davenport, Sr. Publicist, Trea Day Management & Publicity at 678-327- 8281 or treadaypr@gmail.com.