Hip Hop + Internet + Innovation = www.djbooth.net

There are quite a few websites that you visit that have poor presentation. And if they have media available, its never user friendly and it gets to be a hassle to check out the website. But it looks like www.djbooth.net has broken the mold with its updates of new artists and willingness to keep its audience interested.

First thing that you will notice in the toolbar is that the website is obviously connected to the PLN Network. Their facebook currently has 11,309 fans on their page and as for twitter, they currently have 17,610 followers. This is a true testament to how this website has been able to lock down their target demographic. The site itself is complete with a sections for recent updates, new music to download, interviews, website features, and etc. all at the audience's disposal. One thing about the site that I found pretty interesting is site very own media player. Lets take for example an artist (who I actually enjoy listening to), Greenspan, was able to put out his new mixtape, Got Green 2, through DJbooth.net. One thing that DJBooth gives you the option of doing is previewing the mixtape before you download it for free. The downside of it is that you can't share the media player because honestly, its worth doing However, you share the link with options for using email, facebook, twitter, and others.

The independent charts for DJBooth.net says a lot about the artists they support. If it is an artist that is registered to the site, they use this as a promotional tool in order to have fans of the artists support their placement within the charts. However, how these charts are voted upon is still a mystery. Regardless, the charts are very up to date and current within the week's span.




There is also a section for album reviews. Not only can you read the review for yourself but you can also rate the project and give a commentary on the review also. The rating system is based on stars. The features section premieres more so events and upcoming projects that their audience maybe interested in. This is where you can see the overall usage of the site being friendly to the visitor. Beyond just being able to preview the free music they post, DJBooth is dedicated to making sure that the visitors that they have on their site are able to function on the site well.

In conclusion, I frequently visit DJBooth.net as a source of new music and innovative creativity that they put forth. This is one of the very few hip hop sites that does it well with quality and quantity even on the same playing field. Whenever you get the chance, definitely support this website.

Blockhead: The Producer You Need To Support

Known for his heavy hitter production for the Def Jux camp, his releases on Ninja Tune, and his comedic side on the Party Fun Action Committee album, I was able to get a few responses from Blockhead. Currently, he has released his new album "The Music Scene" which has gotten some good response on the PLN network (Twitter, Facebook). Before Blockhead set off to go on tour and promote his new album, he was cool enough to sit down and answer a few questions.

Blockhead. How'd you ever get that nickname? I know you had some other nicknames that were just as funny.

I got the name from my square head. back when I took it on, I was rapping and it was the early/mid 90's. Back when rappers had self depreciating names. As for other nicknames, I actually never had any. I wanted to go by YNOT (cause my real name is Tony) but Common Sense' boy had already taken that.

Ok, cool, so I think I first heard you producing back in between when Aesop Rock put out "Applseed" and when Mush Records put out Aesop Rock's "Float". Breakdown how you got you start in production.

As I said earlier, I was a rapper first. Around late 94 I decided to buy a sampler. Up until that point I had been going over to friends houses and back seat driving with their beats and I wanted to do my own shit. Shortly after that my dreams of being a rapper faded and I realized I was much better suited for making beats.

All of your albums tend to have a heavy visual presence. From seeing your last video, "The Music Scene", you have quite a connection with making sure its done right. How'd that video come about?

Actually, I hod nothing to do with it. My label asked me if it was cool if some dude did an animated video for one of my songs. I said "sure" but didn't really think about it after that. 5 months later , That video came out and I was blown away.


"The Music Scene" from Anthony Francisco Schepperd on Vimeo.

A long time ago, I think you mentioned Willie D was one of you favorite rappers. You ever send him some beats?

HAHA! Nah...I wish. I actually think he still has good verses left in him (when he's not selling bogus cell phones in Abu Dabi or some shit). I simply have no solid connect to him and not enough money to pay him if we did connect. It would be awesome though...

For the beatmakers/producers who drool over their MPCs, what do you use for production?

I rock an old ass ASR-10. Same one I've had since the beginning. Over the last few years I've added Abelton into the mix but I still work primarily off the ASR.

Just recently, it has been clear that Def Jux is either on some sort of hiatus or closing its doors. Being that you were a part of that family producing for Aesop Rock and doing parody music with Party Fun Committee, How do you feel about that?

I'd say it was par for the course. Record labels and selling music are pretty much a wrap unless you're one of those rare, lucky acts that still had crazy fan support. I think Jux pulled out at the right time. It's sad to see it go but , shit, these things happen. Now , more than ever.

Who is the one person you have yet to work with that you are trying to work with?

Hmm...depends. I'll always wanna work with Doom And Ghostface. Willie D. Kool G rap ( for old times sake). As for new guys, Danny Brown, Jay Electronica and Earl Sweatshirt. Basically, cause they're the only new rappers I really check for anyway.


Any final comments?

Eh, Live long and prosper?

Blockhead's new album, "The Music Scene", is out on Ninja Tune.

Downloading is not all black and white. There's some grey areas.

In the field of the music industry, the main topic is always how the average has access to download music. Furthermore, there are online content providers, or also known as bloggers, that have posted such music for free. Take for example, a popular album by a popular artist on Atlantic may drop and the album is leaked online. The labels will do a quick shutdown of the link found that is giving the musical content for free. Most of the time, its major labels who do this but, quite a few independent music labels follow this trend as well. This is very common and nothing really new if you keep with the trend of consumers downloading music more be it legal or illegally online. With that being said, what is the thin line of a legal and illegal download.

In recent news, there is a blog website I visit often called . Which is a very popular hip hop website dedicated to promoting a lot of underground artists and some major label music. From time to time, there have been links uploaded of various remix projects or original sample projects of classic albums on the website. This has has given kevinnottingham.com its standout presence within the blogosphere world of hip hop hop music. Recently, the owner of the site, Kevin Nottingham, just released a statement voicing his frustration of cease and desist letters he has received from lawyers about some of the content he has distributed. The latest cease and desist letter he has received was involving a tribute project to LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out". In all actuality, Mr. Nottingham pointed out a few things wrong with this issue. First of all, the project was free and there no profits being made the project. Second, it was a tribute so, albums that usually tributes do not have to go through the same process as regular albums. Third, the producer of the original album applauded the effort of the tribute album and did not voice an opinion of wanting of taking legal action. There was also an assumption that LL Cool J probably has not heard this album himself. Good points made by Kevin Nottingham but lets hope the legal team of Todd Smith does not go to greater lengths to sue for an album that is not making profits.

One has to question if the issue of downloading is reaching a bit. Its understandable if its an illegal download that has not been paid for. But certain downloads that are free that major labels and legal teams jump feels like they're not reading in between the lines. And also, it can sound like a desperate attempt to salvage money for clients and artists if they're in the wrong. Lets take famous producer of Gnarles Barkely, Dangermouse, for example. He remixed Jay-Z's Black Album with the Beatles White Album and made the Grey Album. If you don't the story here's a summary. This story important always has a few people scratching their heads because, EMI was trying to sue Dangermouse but what could they sue for? Promo copies of the album circulated and continually, the interest in the album grew. Therefore, in the end of all the chaos, the label thought "ok, lets make a deal with this guy". Apparently, they saw the popularity behind what Dangermouse has done and figured an olive branch of peace to be extended was in order.

So, in conclusion, the viral marketing of downloading is not anything easy to explain when it is a promotional tool being used to reach a broader audience. Hopefully, more companies will understand the importance and make wise decisions about downloads. They will know when stop a download from being illegal and know when a download is actually better marketing than some of their usual marketing tools. Its not easy to point out in details but it can be done.

Google Music Is Coming For You.....And You......And You.....

Its like Google will not give up on taking over. And make Apple aware of that in the distance. If you are unware of what I speak, it is the newest installment of what Google is doing. If you are unaware of what I speak of, do yourself a quick favor and do a twitter search or even look up on facebook to find out about Google Music. Or matter of fact, you can google it; pun intended. Funny thing is the timing of when the Google Music application will be launched.

According to this recent article, http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/07/itunes-beware-google-music-coming-soon/, the launch of Google Music will be within the holiday season. Also, it is to be used as an alternative to iTunes. The significance of that is that even though iTunes itself has become a universal tool to use, it definitely has not been the most helpful for consumers who would like to buy music. Even with a Mac computer, the accessibility to iTunes its not always perfect and you take a chance with a PC for access; too bad Windows Media Player hasn't made more of stance in this department.

Now part of this article is asking if iTunes should be worried. Well, its funny that was brought because not only is Google talking to the record labels about their service, there will also be some involvement with the android phone (http://mashable.com/2010/06/22/google-music-android/). Seems like the future of the music business is here and we don't see it. Its not making things cheaper and its not making everything completely easier in the business. Its making everything more accessible than what most people can imagine. However, the way of how it will work seems to be very in general. Will it compete with the newly launched iTunes Ping? Sounds like it will but knowing Google, the search function for Google Music with be remarkable. And with Google Music possible giving an alternative to what iTunes can provide, we can only imagine the endless possibilities.

If you haven't seen what Dr. Dre has been up to, take a look at his latest products at http://beatsbydre.com. And no, the products are not cheap. But apparently worth every cent.

Pretty fancy, right? A producer in the hip hop community who pretty much needs no introduction is going the path of technology in order make up for the delays of his upcoming project, Detox. Or with the help of, Jimmy Iovine (president of Interscope Records), he is taking a new market that has been explored but not at this level. But wait, there is more. Check out what else Dr. Dre is doing:

Now, its getting serious. I have to thank Full Sail for providing me with a Macbook Pro but I cannot get over the crazy specs on this limited edition laptop HP created (http://www.shopping.hp.com/go/beats). Designed with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine's vision, they pretty much created a laptop that can handle multimedia capablities. In particular, its for audio production. The laptop and the headphones both have been out since last year with the price on the products dropping as the product gets more popular.

I might be a little late on posting this but the point of this is to see what is the new trend of the music industry. Will everyone come out with their very own pair of headphones? Lady Gaga apparently did (http://beatsbydre.com/products/Products.aspx?pid=B5596) and oddly enough, it is connection with Dr. Dre's new franchise. Diddy, owner of the successful Bad Boy Entertainment record label, was also convinced (http://www.beatsbydre.com/products/Products.aspx?pid=B5624). Looks like the attachment of a product will be one of the saving graces in the music industry. Well, at least thats what it appears to be on the major labels. Hopefully, the independent industry can experience the same kind of oppurtunities.