so.. People are bootleging the smash brothers album
- Thread starter classic
- Start date
if u dont have the label nor infrastructure, there is no way people around the globe, except for a few illmuzik heads, would have known you otherwise. so you are paying for free marketing by getting bootlegged. right now thats a good deal for you.
get it out on vinyl and cd, do shows, sell records there, that way youll get your money.
IMO people should stop whining about downloads. most of us wouldnt exist without evaluation copies of software and before the era of homerecording it was only for the truly dedicated to produce and get your own music out.
only thing that changed is, certain people with buzz and a&r's could afford a lifestyle of cocain and paid sex by only releasing a cd. but thats dead
get it out on vinyl and cd, do shows, sell records there, that way youll get your money.
IMO people should stop whining about downloads. most of us wouldnt exist without evaluation copies of software and before the era of homerecording it was only for the truly dedicated to produce and get your own music out.
only thing that changed is, certain people with buzz and a&r's could afford a lifestyle of cocain and paid sex by only releasing a cd. but thats dead
lotta good things being said here on the good , the bad, and the ugly aspects of this..
I gotta concur , going from "WHO?" to being a hot item on the net globally is a good thing, what you need to do is to capitalize on this.
I think with enough publicity and say a tristate tour (recouping money thru cd sales there) that eventually (sooner than you think) you are gonna get that attention you want either by a good indie or a major.
My opinion you could approach either one right now and they would sign you as is, but I know you guys are prolly trying to keep it in house for as long as possible.
Hell I wish you guys were getting paid for every DL too but at this point if any of us, signed or unsigned, release an album and its good enough to create a buzz then this is the reality, from Dre to Smash.
Oh and the evil Relic is right, check that name because having nintendo or activision or whoever owns the name Smash Bros sue you would be ugly. They may not see it as a good thing. Hell in the 80's they would have loved it, now everyone is having to be protective, I guess we can see why.
I gotta concur , going from "WHO?" to being a hot item on the net globally is a good thing, what you need to do is to capitalize on this.
I think with enough publicity and say a tristate tour (recouping money thru cd sales there) that eventually (sooner than you think) you are gonna get that attention you want either by a good indie or a major.
My opinion you could approach either one right now and they would sign you as is, but I know you guys are prolly trying to keep it in house for as long as possible.
Hell I wish you guys were getting paid for every DL too but at this point if any of us, signed or unsigned, release an album and its good enough to create a buzz then this is the reality, from Dre to Smash.
Oh and the evil Relic is right, check that name because having nintendo or activision or whoever owns the name Smash Bros sue you would be ugly. They may not see it as a good thing. Hell in the 80's they would have loved it, now everyone is having to be protective, I guess we can see why.
slik da relic
RS Jedi
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 1
yo... come to tha "End 0f The Weak" at the Pyramid this sunday... get there around 8pm and sign up on the song list to perform... that spot be jumpin on sundays and tuesdays (Mental Supreme's "Trainin Camp"), and u can start there... KRS is supposed to be there this week... i'll be lookin for u heads.
EOW is usually $7-$10... but this sunday is different bcuz of KRS.
http://www.eodub.com/
http://www.mentalsupreme.com/trainingcamp/
da relic
EOW is usually $7-$10... but this sunday is different bcuz of KRS.
http://www.eodub.com/
http://www.mentalsupreme.com/trainingcamp/
da relic
i think its a good thing .. the version i see up is is missing songs anyways. I dont want to turn into the bitter artist that's angry about it, like alot of cats out there that end up sounding like they are blasting their own fans. For a debut project without a label, Im just happy muthafucers are digging it. Selling 500,000 today is like going double platinum 6 years ago. With cd declines like that, its truly foolish to think ur music won't be bootlegged. But as a new and unsigned act, buzz beats dollars, so Im not mad about it either. Shit, i have been handed plenty of cd's in my lifetime for free that i didnt even listen to!! real talk Lol @ class, that post is a lil over the top fam LMAO!
I can understand how this can be very annoying, especially considering the time and effort and not to mention money that you have put into creating the album. I think one of the biggest positives out of this is that like you say, you are now officially worldwide. This can only do wonders for your fan base which could now actually lead to a recording contract from a label. If I was you, I would try to use the viral expansion of your album to get yourselves a recording contract, the fanbase will give you much better leverage when negotiating a deal.
It seems that these days to even be considered for a deal you need to establish a good fanbase that will give the labels a prospect of a good return on investment, with minimum investment from them. That way they can maximise profits for their shareholders, because at the end of the day thats all any deal is about.
I think this piracy can be testament to your marketability/popularity and if you are happy to go under the wing of a label, which I would recommend simply for their expertise and backing in such a competetive marketplace.
Be very careful with any offered contract as Im pretty sure any initial contract will be to your detriment, this is where you pay the money for a music lawyer and get any contract professionally looked over by them, and take the advice they will give you. Do not take any contract without it being looked over by an experienced music lawyer, you will only regret it later on. Also do not be pressured into accepting a contract, because I would assume that there is a reason you would be pressured(ie so you dont have the time to have it looked over professionally)
The bottom line is, its the technological times we live in, I really dont think there is much you can do about the piracy. Except try to use the publicity and fanbase as a bargaining tool to further your professional careers.
Take it as a positive and then make the negatives work in your favour.
I wish you all the best, you are well on the way to success, just keep up the hard work, at least until you can afford to relax and enjoy the payback for your years of hardwork.
EDIT: I would like to add that I actually bought the album, and was very happy with my purchase. The delivery to the UK was prompt, and the album content was far superior to most of what I have heard lately.
It is an album worthy of buying as a whole album and not just downloading 1 or 2 singles. Props to smash for that.
It seems that these days to even be considered for a deal you need to establish a good fanbase that will give the labels a prospect of a good return on investment, with minimum investment from them. That way they can maximise profits for their shareholders, because at the end of the day thats all any deal is about.
I think this piracy can be testament to your marketability/popularity and if you are happy to go under the wing of a label, which I would recommend simply for their expertise and backing in such a competetive marketplace.
Be very careful with any offered contract as Im pretty sure any initial contract will be to your detriment, this is where you pay the money for a music lawyer and get any contract professionally looked over by them, and take the advice they will give you. Do not take any contract without it being looked over by an experienced music lawyer, you will only regret it later on. Also do not be pressured into accepting a contract, because I would assume that there is a reason you would be pressured(ie so you dont have the time to have it looked over professionally)
The bottom line is, its the technological times we live in, I really dont think there is much you can do about the piracy. Except try to use the publicity and fanbase as a bargaining tool to further your professional careers.
Take it as a positive and then make the negatives work in your favour.
I wish you all the best, you are well on the way to success, just keep up the hard work, at least until you can afford to relax and enjoy the payback for your years of hardwork.
EDIT: I would like to add that I actually bought the album, and was very happy with my purchase. The delivery to the UK was prompt, and the album content was far superior to most of what I have heard lately.
It is an album worthy of buying as a whole album and not just downloading 1 or 2 singles. Props to smash for that.
ha yeah .. worst come to worse we could change our name to Smash Enterprise and I dont think anyone would have a problem wth that. but techncally the nintendo name is Super Smash Bros., which is not the same technically.
My opinion on this is that it's great for you. Surely that's what you want, people all over the world to be bumping your shit, enjoying it in the hundreds, thousands even. I know you want to make money from it, but I'd be so happy just to know my shit is out there getting rotation in different countries. At least then when you have got a label behind you etc., you're already gonna have a buzz in the underground.
I can relate to where Class is comin from tho cuz they both invested a lot of time and money into this project and worked hard to make it happen, but like i noted earlier this kinda shit is inevitable nowadays....
Class made a good point earlier tho - its just different when it happens to you and I believe thats true. If this shit happened to me I would be equally as pissed at least in my initial response since im still broke as fuck and could have really used that money to help pay bills and buy food, so i feel u on that shit.
But at the same time, like many have said including myself - its still not all negative since this is essentially free worldwide exposure and even the best of the best get bootlegged even with a record label behind them.
Just gotta keep pushin and promoting yourself through the same and other means and use it to your benefit.
Class made a good point earlier tho - its just different when it happens to you and I believe thats true. If this shit happened to me I would be equally as pissed at least in my initial response since im still broke as fuck and could have really used that money to help pay bills and buy food, so i feel u on that shit.
But at the same time, like many have said including myself - its still not all negative since this is essentially free worldwide exposure and even the best of the best get bootlegged even with a record label behind them.
Just gotta keep pushin and promoting yourself through the same and other means and use it to your benefit.
Document everything! Not to go after anybody but to have something to show the labels on the next album. AND YES...U GUYS NEED TO BE RIGHT BACK IN THE STUDIO DROPING THE NEXT ALBUM. Don't wait a year or two...get on it right now.....yesterday!
Next time save up your doe, or get some investors and get an Entertainment Attorney who can walk your album into record labels. Feed off the piracy....look at it as promotion....just don't let the buzz die down.
Next time save up your doe, or get some investors and get an Entertainment Attorney who can walk your album into record labels. Feed off the piracy....look at it as promotion....just don't let the buzz die down.
I agree with Drama on this, you should already have album number two in the making.... Use this as your ammunition when shopping to labels. That buzz (though it you in the pocket) will benefit you guys in the end. Just take it as more of an investment than a loss.
shadeed
Go Digital or Go Home
ill o.g.
[I guess it just comes with the territory right? your thoughts..[/QUOTE]
Big Picture Approach
In today's musical marketplace/economy, you have to look at your music as a gateway or entry point to the "Smash Brothers Experience".
The truth is: People are gonna download the album, thats not the issue here.
The reality is: The Smash Brothers as a group are an unproven commodity to the music world at this point.
What You Should Do
The goal for you guys is to build a relationship with your target market so that the majority of your market will LIKE YOU and relate to you enough to not steal from you and actually support your album releases.
Perfect Example: If somebody new to Illmuzik says "I can't stand Shadeed, he's a jerk and thinks he knows everything" (lol). You or Holmzini might say "Nah, he's a real cool cat, I met him in person"
It's how we connected that determines how we relate from here on out.
Artists like Necro, Tech N9ne, and even Murs are very, very good in their own way at this and I suggest you look at them as case studies.
Going back to the point about presenting your fans w/ the Smash Brothers Experience: The problem is not "People are downloading the album" - the problem is: the album that they downloaded is not re-directing them to your myspace, blog, merchandise, beats for sale, video channel, fan club etc.
You guys have a LOT to offer the average fan besides and/or in addition to your music, this is the approach you must take.
Your comment:
Man.. we aint got no lable to support us. We dont have the infastructure to book our own tour and recoup the money. In the long term it devaules our music. It kinda sucks to put almost 2 years of hardwork into something and they see chinese and russian teenagers downloaded today and forget about it tommrrow....
My Thoughts:
You knew you didn't have label support going into the making of the project. Your core fan-base (which you must now develop) won't forget about you if you keep working. You live in the Tri-State and are within 5-6 hours of Boston, DC, VA, MD, Philly etc.
I'm not gonna get into your funds and budget or nothing, but if money is an issue, then the solution is that you team up w/ other artists and hit the road to do shows it cuts down costs dramatically and you can make it work. **Underground show promoters LOOOOVE out-of-towners, it makes them look more important.
There's a show going on everyday of the week, you have product to push. Live shows greatly increase direct CD sales.
Start putting together content to keep people interested in you beyond the music - (Web video, photos, freestyles etc.)
If you have questions about specifics, you have the direct "Shadeed Hotline" hit me up over the weekend and we can discuss no problemo. Peace.
Big Picture Approach
In today's musical marketplace/economy, you have to look at your music as a gateway or entry point to the "Smash Brothers Experience".
The truth is: People are gonna download the album, thats not the issue here.
The reality is: The Smash Brothers as a group are an unproven commodity to the music world at this point.
What You Should Do
The goal for you guys is to build a relationship with your target market so that the majority of your market will LIKE YOU and relate to you enough to not steal from you and actually support your album releases.
Perfect Example: If somebody new to Illmuzik says "I can't stand Shadeed, he's a jerk and thinks he knows everything" (lol). You or Holmzini might say "Nah, he's a real cool cat, I met him in person"
It's how we connected that determines how we relate from here on out.
Artists like Necro, Tech N9ne, and even Murs are very, very good in their own way at this and I suggest you look at them as case studies.
Going back to the point about presenting your fans w/ the Smash Brothers Experience: The problem is not "People are downloading the album" - the problem is: the album that they downloaded is not re-directing them to your myspace, blog, merchandise, beats for sale, video channel, fan club etc.
You guys have a LOT to offer the average fan besides and/or in addition to your music, this is the approach you must take.
Your comment:
Man.. we aint got no lable to support us. We dont have the infastructure to book our own tour and recoup the money. In the long term it devaules our music. It kinda sucks to put almost 2 years of hardwork into something and they see chinese and russian teenagers downloaded today and forget about it tommrrow....
My Thoughts:
You knew you didn't have label support going into the making of the project. Your core fan-base (which you must now develop) won't forget about you if you keep working. You live in the Tri-State and are within 5-6 hours of Boston, DC, VA, MD, Philly etc.
I'm not gonna get into your funds and budget or nothing, but if money is an issue, then the solution is that you team up w/ other artists and hit the road to do shows it cuts down costs dramatically and you can make it work. **Underground show promoters LOOOOVE out-of-towners, it makes them look more important.
There's a show going on everyday of the week, you have product to push. Live shows greatly increase direct CD sales.
Start putting together content to keep people interested in you beyond the music - (Web video, photos, freestyles etc.)
If you have questions about specifics, you have the direct "Shadeed Hotline" hit me up over the weekend and we can discuss no problemo. Peace.
^^ That damn Shadeed thinks he knows everything... lol.. And He DOES!!
Good stuff!
What are some good ways to develop an online fan base like this.. I think the Blog is very useful, but what do you think Sha?
As a new age architect this is actually your territory!
Being able to watch all of this unfold is incredibly educational.
Good stuff!
What are some good ways to develop an online fan base like this.. I think the Blog is very useful, but what do you think Sha?
As a new age architect this is actually your territory!
Being able to watch all of this unfold is incredibly educational.
Big Picture Approach
In today's musical marketplace/economy, you have to look at your music as a gateway or entry point to the "Smash Brothers Experience".
The truth is: People are gonna download the album, thats not the issue here.
The reality is: The Smash Brothers as a group are an unproven commodity to the music world at this point.
What You Should Do
The goal for you guys is to build a relationship with your target market so that the majority of your market will LIKE YOU and relate to you enough to not steal from you and actually support your album releases.
Perfect Example: If somebody new to Illmuzik says "I can't stand Shadeed, he's a jerk and thinks he knows everything" (lol). You or Holmzini might say "Nah, he's a real cool cat, I met him in person"
It's how we connected that determines how we relate from here on out.
Artists like Necro, Tech N9ne, and even Murs are very, very good in their own way at this and I suggest you look at them as case studies.
Going back to the point about presenting your fans w/ the Smash Brothers Experience: The problem is not "People are downloading the album" - the problem is: the album that they downloaded is not re-directing them to your myspace, blog, merchandise, beats for sale, video channel, fan club etc.
You guys have a LOT to offer the average fan besides and/or in addition to your music, this is the approach you must take.
Your comment:
Man.. we aint got no lable to support us. We dont have the infastructure to book our own tour and recoup the money. In the long term it devaules our music. It kinda sucks to put almost 2 years of hardwork into something and they see chinese and russian teenagers downloaded today and forget about it tommrrow....
My Thoughts:
You knew you didn't have label support going into the making of the project. Your core fan-base (which you must now develop) won't forget about you if you keep working. You live in the Tri-State and are within 5-6 hours of Boston, DC, VA, MD, Philly etc.
I'm not gonna get into your funds and budget or nothing, but if money is an issue, then the solution is that you team up w/ other artists and hit the road to do shows it cuts down costs dramatically and you can make it work. **Underground show promoters LOOOOVE out-of-towners, it makes them look more important.
There's a show going on everyday of the week, you have product to push. Live shows greatly increase direct CD sales.
Start putting together content to keep people interested in you beyond the music - (Web video, photos, freestyles etc.)
If you have questions about specifics, you have the direct "Shadeed Hotline" hit me up over the weekend and we can discuss no problemo. Peace.[/QUOTE]
the voice of reason .. once again ... good info as always .. we got the blog up and running and its doing im getting alot of positive feedback on it. I def have started to branch out and create a "smash experience" as opposed to the just making it music based.. the approach will grow. our main thing is now to do get shows poppin. Our live show is crazy energetic and we gotta get out and do more of them. look for us all around the city and tri-state in the upcoming months! OH and BTW can we get a review ? lol..
shadeed
Go Digital or Go Home
ill o.g.
I'm glad Holmz and Class are sharing their experiences. I think its beneficial for Illmuzik to have people who are doing big things -AND- sharing them.
What do I think about their blog?? I think its funny, I read it at least once a week - I think a lot of stuff that they post on here about the album and the process, they should post on the blog too. Every artist should have a blog in 2008.
What are some good ways to develop an online fan base like this..
It's all about the connection, Relic. Believe it or not - what you do OFFLINE has a bigger impact than anything you can do online.
That's why I'm not too big on Myspace because it waters down the connection.
What good is 10,000 "friends" if only 200 of them will buy your record when it drops???
Many people find it strange that on the Indie Planet site, that either myself or somebody from the team has at least communicated with (or met) with every member that joins the site.
People find it crazy -BUT- I'm finding that the benefits are endless, when you choose to engage your audience. I travel all over the country and when I arrive to a new city, I always have the option to say at somebody's house, endless passes to parties, people have offered to lend me cars lol.
The basics are simple for artists: Everything you do is news. This means treat you life as a series of events. Record everything, take photos, and find a home for it online.
When a 'fan' reaches out to you, do something for them they normally wouldn't expect from a 'rapper'. Be human.
This could mean "record a freestyle using their name" and post it on the site
Member of the Week
Show tickets
Adding your fans names into live performances
I could literally go on for days, but for anybody reading - just TAKE ACTION is my best advice. Again, look at the bigger picture. It's more than music these days!
Cold Truth
IllMuzik Moderator
i see this as a short term loss that will lead to an EVENTUAL long term gain.
M
monokrome
Guest
I'd release this album for free download, but with a real copy available for purchase. If it's already leaked, then it's already leaked. Add some extra content on the physical copy, and make a web site that can be the main information source for this album.
A) Since this album is being searched for, you're going to be able to easily get traffic.
B) You'll have people that start going to your site to see if there's new info there, so they will know about new shit you make instead of relying on where the hackers put it. Make a newsletter they can sign up for.
C) The people that really like it are going to buy it. Even moreso, put a button on the site for donations to the artists. People donate more often than one might think.
That's what I'd do...
A) Since this album is being searched for, you're going to be able to easily get traffic.
B) You'll have people that start going to your site to see if there's new info there, so they will know about new shit you make instead of relying on where the hackers put it. Make a newsletter they can sign up for.
C) The people that really like it are going to buy it. Even moreso, put a button on the site for donations to the artists. People donate more often than one might think.
That's what I'd do...
StressWon
www.stress1.com
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 68
