SEA Panels

The SEA Awards

2008-02-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

Thought you'd like to see exactly where the votes for the 2008 SEAs came
from.

AL: 2%
AR: 2.04%
AZ: 0.29%
CA: 2.4%
FL: 13.56%
GA: 8.44%
IL: 1.82%
IN: 2.25%
KY: 2.73%
MI: 1.16%
MS: 9.53%
NC: 4.51%
NJ: .65%
NY: 2.47%
OH: 1.38%
OK: .73%
PA: .69%
SC: 2.22%
TN: 20%
TX: 11.35%
VA: .80%

2008 SEA confirmed panelists

2008-01-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

The 5th Annual SEA Weekend in Tunica, MS (20 miles south of Memphis, TN)
Grand Casino Hotel (at the Grand Casino Convention Center)

Friday, January 25th, 2008
Noon to 1:45 pm: How To Get A Record Deal
How can a new, unsigned artist attract the attention of a record label? What do the labels look for when signing new artists? What are the different types of deals available to artists in today’s marketplace?

Kaspa, Zone 4/Interscope & HITTMENN DJs
Arthur Mitchell, Urban Network
Memphitz, Jive Records
BloodRaw, Artist (CTE/Def Jam)
Michael “5000” Watts, SwishaHouse Records
Wendy Day, Rap Coalition

2:00 pm to 3:45 pm: Assembling A Killer Team
Putting together a team to propel the artist’s career forward is key. How do you choose a lawyer, a manager, a publicist, and an accountant? Whose job is it to oversee the team?

Trae, Artist (G Maab/Rap-A-Lot)
Bob Celestin, Attorney
Ray Daniels, Manager, Rock City
Kim Ellis, KE Consulting
Chad Brown, Jive Records
Stretch, Manager of Mistah FAB

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Building A Buzz
Since there are so many artists and producers out there, what do you have to do to stand out from everybody else? How do you build a buzz in today’s music industry?

Nick Love, Proving Grounds
Bigga Rankin, DJ & HITTMENN DJs
Tony Neal, Core DJs
Miami Mike, Manager, Soulja Boy
Greg Gates, journalist, Down magazine
Lucky Smith, JUS Promotions
Melvin Street, Street Masters Magazine

Saturday, January 26, 2008
Noon to 1:45 pm: How To Put Out Your Own CD
How does an artist or indie label put out their own CD? Is it better to make $8 a CD independently or sign to a major label and make less than a dollar a CD? What’s the difference between distribution deals and artist deals? This year I have asked the entire TMI Muzic team to discuss how they’ve built the incredible success for TMI Boyz, step by step.

Wendy Day, Label Consultant
Nick Love, Marketing & Streets
Nancy Byron, publicity
Dudella, Artist, TMI Boyz
Huskey, Artist, TMI Boyz
Sayeed, Artist, TMI Boyz
Steven Reese, TMI Manager
DJ Scorpio, Street and Club Promotions
Wes Phillips, Select-O-Hits Distribution

2:00 pm to 3:45 pm: Making Money With Mixed CDs and DVDs
There are numerous ways to make money selling mixed CDs. Has the climate changed since the DJ Drama raid last year? Also, with the large amount of DVD ‘zines that exist today, is there still a way to make money with these?

DJ Bigga Rankin, DJ and & HITTMENN DJs
DJ Vlad
DJ Chuck T
DJ JudgeMental, DJ & HITTMENN DJs
Jason, Raw Report DVD
DJ Michael “5000” Watts
Jacki-O, Artist
DJ Scorpio
Killer Mike, Artist

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Getting Your Song On The Radio
Always the most popular panel at any convention, we will explain how to get your record played at radio, and more importantly, WHY you’d want it played on the radio. Having a plan is a key element to securing spins. Also, is there life to a record that doesn’t get radio play? We will explain why there is…

DJ Impact, DTP Records
Al Weeden, WBLX, Mobile, AL
Wild Wayne, WQUE, New Orleans, LA
Feygens, Hip Hop Friends, internet radio
Lester Pace, Set The Pace
Damon Shields, The Go DJs (Houston)
Amir Boyd, WVEE, Atlanta

SEA Weekend--List of Events

2008-01-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY-JANUARY 24TH, 2008
Demo Listening Clinic
Panelists will listen to song and provide written feedback
This is a perfect opportunity to have your music reviewed before releasing that 1st single
LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center
TIME: 4:00PM-6:00PM

NOTE: Demo's will be accepted from 2-4pm
at the SEA Info Booth (Convention Center)

SEA ARTIST SHOWCASE
LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center (Tunica, MS)
TIME: 7:00PM-9:00PM

Performances by:
Money Green (Plaza World Records)
Camilly (BWP Ent.)
Thadd Williams (Diamond District Ent)
Lady R (Clarksville, TN)
Lady Krush
Rashad (Blaq Pearl Ent)
KC The Gift
Lil Deuce (Overtime Ent)
and more!

NOTE: Showcase will be judged for an opportunity
to perform during 5th Annual SEA ceremony

SEA G-STRING JUMP OFF aka LATE NIGHT CREEP
HOSTED BY: CHALIE BOY / DIRTY 3rd RECORDS & DJ BULL
LOCATION: PLATINUM ROSE- ADULT NIGHTCLUB
4226 S. 3RD ST - MEMPHIS, TN 38109
TIME: 10PM-UNTIL COST: $10
*Exclusive Dj Bull SEA Edition Late Night Creep will be given out!

FRIDAY-JANUARY 25TH, 2008
S.E.A. INDUSTRY INSIGHT CONFERENCE DAY 1
Presented by: Wendy Day (Rap Coalition)
LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center (Tunica, MS)
COST: FREE
TOPIC: How to Get a Record Deal (12pm-1:45pm)
TOPIC: Assembling a Killer Team (2:15pm-4:00pm)
Topic: Building a Buzz (4:30pm-6:15pm)

SEA ARTIST SHOWCASE Pt. II & ALL STAR DJ RECORD POOL
LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center (Tunica, MS)
TIME: 7PM-9PM

Performances by:
Dysko (Presidential Ent.)
Rhino G (G. Entertainment Inc.)
Roc B (Royalty Records)
Drupy & Young Chance (Hunned Spoke Ent.)
Flippa Boyz (Woodyard Ent.)
Flauce & Hypeman Herc (Keep It Moving Records)
Swave
E-Dubb

NOTE: Showcase will be judged for an opportunity
to perform during 5th Annual SEA ceremony

SEA PARTY: "M-TOWN" THROWDOWN 10pm - 2am
PRESENTED BY: 4LIFE ENT / RIPP SQUAD DJ'S / HITTMENN DJ'S / THE CORE DJ'S & PURE PAIN RECORDS

LOCATION: GRAND CASINO CONVENTION CENTER (Tunica, MS)
MUSIC BY: DJ K-TONE, DJ HUSTLEMAN, DJ LIL LARRY, DJ KID JOE & DJ J NICE
HIGHLIGHT EVENT: WHO'S THE FREESTYLE KING?

AWARDS PRESENTED FOR:
DJ CREW/FAMILY/SERVICE OF THE YEAR
RECORD PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
STREET TEAM OF THE YEAR
INDUSTRY EVENT OF THE YEAR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
MIX DVD OF THE YEAR
WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
MIXTAPE WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
MODEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR
ONLINE RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR
RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR
CLOTHING LINE OF THE YEAR
CLOTHING STORE OF THE YEAR

**ADMISSION: FREE THANKS TO YOUR HOST DJ FREDDY HYDRO (NORTH MEMPHIS GORILLA PIMP)
DRESS: KRISPY

LATE NIGHT CREEP II HOSTED BY: CHALIE BOY / DIRTY 3rd RECORDS & DJ BULL
LOCATION: PLATINUM ROSE- ADULT NIGHTCLUB
4226 S. 3RD ST - MEMPHIS, TN 38109
TIME: 12AM-UNTIL COST: $10
*Exclusive Dj Bull SEA Edition Late Night Creep will be given out!

SATURDAY-JANUARY 26TH, 2008
S.E.A. INDUSTRY INSIGHT CONFERENCE DAY 2
Presented by: Wendy Day (Rap Coalition)
LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center (Tunica, MS)
COST: FREE

Topic: How To Put Out Your Own CD or Start Your Own Label (12pm-1:45pm)
Topic: Making Money with Mixed CDs and DVDs (2:15pm-4:00pm)
Topic: Get Your Song On The Radio (4:30pm-6:15pm)

SERATO SCRATCH DEMO ROOM 2pm - 6pm
PRESENTED BY: RANE & HUNID RACKS ENERGY DRINK
LOCATION: GRAND CASINO CONVENTION CENTER (Tunica, MS)

TMI BOYZ MEET & GREET 9pm-10Pm
PRESENTED BY: TMI Muzic (come see exactly why they are the hottest group moving up Billboard!)
LOCATION: GRAND CASINO CONVENTION CENTER (Tunica, MS)

SATURDAY SEXPECTACULAR (Models & Bottles) 10pm-2am
PRESENTED BY: NEW POWER MAGAZINE / LADY MIRAGE MODELS / SHOW MAGAZINE / SO SO DEF DJs / HIT PLAYAZ DJs
LOCATION: GRAND CASINO CONVENTION CENTER (Tunica, MS)
MUSIC BY: DJ SIR SWIFT / DJ RON C / DJ ROB STORM

AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED FOR:
SLEPT ON DJ OF THE YEAR
BEST ART/GRAPHICS ON A MIXTAPE
MIXTAPE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
BEST MIXTAPE (DUO/TEAM)
BEST CHOPPED & SCREWED MIXTAPE
MIXTAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (MALE)
MIXTAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
BEST FREESTYLE ON A MIXTAPE
BEST HOST ON A MIXTAPE
BEST SKILLS ON A MIXTAPE
BEST INTRO ON A MIXTAPE
BEST MIXTAPE SERIES/VOL
BEST REGGAE / REGGAETON MIXTAPE
BEST SLOW JAM MIXTAPE
BEST DANCE / PARTY MIXTAPE
BEST EXCLUSIVES ON A MIXTAPE
SLEPT ON PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
BREAK-THRU PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
OLD SCHOOL DJ OF THE YEAR
ADULT CLUB OF THE YEAR
AFTERHOURS CLUB OF THE YEAR
CLUB PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

COST: FREE *with ticket to awards ceremony ($10 w/o)

LATE NIGHT CREEP III HOSTED BY: CHALIE BOY / DIRTY 3rd RECORDS & DJ BULL
LOCATION: PLATINUM ROSE- ADULT NIGHTCLUB
4226 S. 3RD ST - MEMPHIS, TN 38109
TIME: 12AM-UNTIL COST: $10
*Exclusive Dj Bull SEA Edition Late Night Creep will be given out!

SUNDAY-JANUARY 27TH, 2008
HANG EM’ HIGH PRODUCTIONS
& MADFACE TV PRESENTS
5TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
LOCATION: GRAND CASINO RESORT EVENT CENTER (Tunica, MS)
13615 Old Hwy 61 N
Robinsonville, MS 38664
**SHUTTLES PROVIDED TO AWARDS FROM SEA HOST HOTEL**
TIME: DOORS OPEN AT 2PM

MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND

**CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS**

OFFICIAL SEA AFTERPARTY
LOCATION: CLUB MAIN EVENT
TIME: 10:00pm-2:00am

2008 SEA Weekend

2007-08-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

The panels for the SEA weekend will be announced soon (around October)!!

SEA WEEKEND EVENT INFORMATION

THURSDAY-JANUARY 24TH, 2008

Demo Listening Clinic

Panelists will listen to song and provide written feedback
This is a perfect opportunity to have your music reviewed before releasing that 1st single

HOSTED BY: TBA

LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center

TIME: 4:00PM-6:00PM

NOTE: Demo's will be accepted from 2-4pm
at the SEA Info Booth (Convention Center)

SEA ARTIST SHOWCASE

HOSTED BY: TBA

LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center

TIME: 7:00PM-10:00PM

Performances by:
Money Green (Plaza World Records)
Camilly (BWP Entertainment)
and more!

NOTE: Showcase will be judged for an opportunity
to perform during 5th Annual SEA ceremony

OFFICIAL 4TH ANNUAL SEA KICK OFF PARTY

SPONSORED BY: TBA

LOCATION: TBA

TIME: 10PM-UNTIL

COST: DISCOUNT FOR SEA GUESTS

FRIDAY-JANUARY 25TH, 2008

S.E.A. INDUSTRY INSIGHT CONFERENCE DAY 1

Presented by: Wendy Day (Rap Coalition)

LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center

COST: FREE

TOPIC: TBA (12pm-1:45pm)

Panelists: TBA

TOPIC: TBA (2:15pm-4:00pm)

Panelists: TBA

Topic: TBA (4:30pm-6:15pm)

Panelists: TBA

SEA ARTIST SHOWCASE Pt. II

& ALL STAR DJ RECORD POOL

HOSTED BY: TBA

LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center

TIME: 7PM-10PM

Performances by:
Roc B
Dysko
Hunned Spoke Ent
Flippa Boyz

NOTE: Showcase will be judged for an opportunity
to perform during 5th Annual SEA ceremony

SEA PARTY

THEME: TBA

LOCATION: TBA

TIME: 10PM-UNTIL

COST: DISCOUNT FOR NOMINEES B4 12AM

SATURDAY-JANUARY 26TH, 2008

S.E.A. INDUSTRY INSIGHT CONFERENCE DAY 2

Presented by: Wendy Day (Rap Coalition)

LOCATION: Grand Casino Convention Center

COST: FREE

Topic: TBA (12pm-1:45pm)

Panelist: TBA

Topic: TBA (2:15pm-4:00pm)

Panelists: TBA

Topic: TBA (4:30pm-6:15pm)

Panelists: TBA

SEA PARTY & AWARDS PRESENTATION

If interested in sponsoring this please contact us.

LOCATION: GRAND CASINO CONVENTION CENTER

TIME: 10:00PM-2:00AM

COST: FREE

SUNDAY-JANUARY 27TH, 2008

HANG EM’ HIGH PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

5TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS

LOCATION: GRAND CASINO RESORT EVENT CENTER

13615 Old Hwy 61 N

Robinsonville, MS 38664

**SHUTTLES PROVIDED TO AWARDS FROM SEA HOST HOTEL**

TIME: DOORS OPEN AT 2PM

MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND

**VIDEO TAPING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED**

SEA VIP DINNER/COCKTAIL PARTY

LOCATION: TBA

TIME: 9:00pm-12:00am

INVITE ONLY

2007-01-27T09:28:00.001-08:00

What's Next For The Mixtape World After DJ Drama Raid?

'The movement is stronger than ever right now,' says DJ Sense, one-third of Drama's embattled Aphilliates crew — but others see tough times ahead.

by Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez

ATLANTA — The number of well-wishers who lined up to greet DJ Drama on Wednesday night as he held court inside his VIP booth at Club Havana mirrored the line of those waiting outside the venue to get in.

It was just past midnight at the Buckhead hot spot, and Drama and the rest of the Aphilliates (sans Don Cannon) had just arrived. Young Jeezy's "Get Ya Mind Right," a banger from Drama and Jeezy's collaboration Trap or Die, blasted through the house speakers. And then, as if it were one of Drama's own mixtapes, the DJ behind the tables announced, "Big shout-out to DJ Drama and the entire [Aphilliates Music Group]!"

The club visit marked the embattled mixtape entrepreneur's first public appearance since his arrest Tuesday night (see "DJ Drama Arrested In Atlanta Mixtape Raid"). Drama and Cannon were taken into custody and charged by Fulton County Police with violating Georgia's racketeering laws for the distribution of their immensely popular mixtapes. They were freed Wednesday on matching $100,000 bonds. A court hearing has been set for a later date.

Although the hip-hop community was disheartened by the news of Drama's arrest and subsequent raid (see " 'Play The Game Fair': Lil Wayne Responds To DJ Drama's Mixtape Bust") — which resulted in 81,000 CDs and recording equipment being confiscated, along with other possessions like cars — Drama himself was noticeably upbeat.

He declined to comment to MTV News for this article, but the bottle in his right hand and smile on his face seemed to signal he was in high spirits — a sentiment echoed by DJ Sense, one-third of the AMG triumvirate alongside Drama and Cannon. "Basically, you see the Aphilliates is right here," Sense said on Wednesday. "[We're] not going nowhere. We going strong. The movement is stronger than ever right now."

That may or may not be the case at the moment for AMG. Along with confiscating material from their downtown Atlanta office, their company bank accounts were also frozen by authorities.

Murrow Police Department Chief of Police Jeff Baker told MTV News that the raid wasn't targeting Drama, hip-hop or mixtapes in particular. But after pairing with the Recording Industry Association of America in past efforts, which targeted bootleggers and mom-and-pop shops, the police sought to address the problem at a different level: the distributors who service bootlegs to retail outlets (see "RIAA Speaks On DJ Drama Raid: 'We Enforce Our Rights' ").

"If you funnel it back to the source, to where the [mixtapes] are coming from — 'cause that's what we typically like to do — under the RICO statute [a set of federal laws used to prosecute organized-crime cases] that they were charged with, it dissembles the criminal empire or entity, if you will, by taking away the means of them being able to distribute it out to everyone else," Baker explained. "And that's what we were focusing on."

In other words, according to Baker, as the law is interpreted, Drama and Cannon are allegedly involved with leading an "organized distribution effort." Through their office and Web site, along with the large number of CDs in their possession, AMG may be guilty of pirating material that fails to disclose the name of the owners of the material and fails to obtain permission from the holder of master copies. Repeatedly distributing the material qualifies the operation as racketeering, Baker added.

Attorney Robert Celestin — who's best known for working on record deals for Mary J. Blige and Jodeci — says that in most cases, the sale or simply giving away a mixtape is illegal. "If you look at the black-letter law regarding copyrighting, technically, if you're putting out copyrights, you're infringing on a copyright of whoever's music is on the mixtape."

South Carolina's Chuck T, who also was raided by police a couple of years ago, says the legalities of a mixtape are — in practice, anyway — merely technicalities, because in most cases artists themselves and their labels support them. "Mixtapes were illegal yesterday, they were illegal a month ago, they'll be illegal tomorrow, but I personally feel that what I do is right," T said. "I get my music directly from the labels, directly from the artists. I don't bootleg a n---a's sh--. I don't put nothing out there they asked me not to put out. I don't take advantage of doing a best-of or putting out leaked album tracks."

What's clear is that the RIAA sees no distinction between pirating — selling an unauthorized, often cheaply reproduced copy of an officially released CD — and mixtapes, which are compilations or material usually provided with the consent of the artists and/or labels, who generally overlook any loss in royalties or revenue from mixtapes because of the exposure they provide. "It's just another tool for promotion. I would never say there's anything wrong with them, and I'm an executive," said Block, CEO of Block Entertainment (home to Yung Joc and Boyz N Da Hood). "You can use my music, because at the end of the day, you're helping me."

Some label execs don't like where the RIAA is coming from. "If the RIAA isn't speaking to someone like myself or someone at a label to get an idea ... where problems are, then they're kinda shooting in the dark," said Kawan "KP" Prather, head of A&R at Sony Music.

Block said he had a chance to sit down with RIAA reps recently and found them to be off-base with their goals. "We just had a meeting, and they came to us like, 'If we get on the bootleggers and all these warehouses, then y'all as a record label should try to help us stop the mixtapes.' It's impossible [to stop mixtapes]."

Prather, who has worked extensively with T.I., said Drama in particular was instrumental in launching Tip's career as well as other southern MCs such as Young Jeezy. "If this was a guy with a plant pressing up [bootleg] CDs, I'd be cheering [the arrest]," Prather added. "Because it's Drama, who I know put in a lot of effort and a lot of work to build his name up to be almost an authority on what's next. That's why it hurts. I haven't known Drama to do the bogus compilation playlist mixtapes. That kind of burns me a little bit. But there are some other DJs who I wish would get locked up because they're terrible. They can't mix, they can't scratch."

Although Prather said Drama may have been wrongly targeted, he does say the authorities need to keep their eye out for some other mixtape DJs who are really violating the industry. "There are a lot of mixtapes that go against what we're doing at labels, making money off songs that people spent money to make," he said. "If I go to Drama's house and rap over an original beat Don Cannon made, that's not illegal. The label doesn't have a problem with that. But if I take a guy's single along with a bunch of other singles that are now on the radio, then that's illegal. It's a Now [That's What I Call Music!] compilation. You're wrong then. For one, you're not being creative. It's not that mixtapes are wrong; it's how you do it. It's based on you creating something.

"DJ Drama, most times, is in the studio with the artists and producer doing songs particularly for a mixtape," he continued. "That doesn't hurt. That's why the Gangsta Grillz [mixtape series] is so great because [it's a] platform to get the artists seen. It's somebody I trust saying, 'This is the next guy.' "

Already, hip-hop is seeing a partial fallout from the Drama and Cannon situation. Many Web sites that regularly sell mixtapes have stopped altogether or are not actively promoting the street CDs, and some mixtape DJs are saying they want to lay low for a while.

"I really think a lot of DJs are going to fall back from doing mixtapes," Chuck T said of mixtapes' immediate future. "Thank God it's the first quarter, because not a lot of music is out anyway. A lot of the artists who depend on mixtapes as far as getting exposure who came out in the fourth quarter are going to dodge the bullet. But a lot of artists who are coming out in the second quarter are going to feel the effects. At the end of the day, mixtapes play a key role in getting people's music out. All the n---as I deal with don't watch BET because they're out in the streets. They don't listen to radio, because they're out in the streets.

"The best way to get exposure is through mixtapes or through street DVDs," T continued. "It's going to weed out a lot of people who are not serious about it. They're just in it to make a quick buck. So whenever we do come out of the drip, there's only going to be a few people who survive. Artists are going to suffer the most because they're not going to have that free or inexpensive promotion."

Philadelphia's DJ Wreck actually sees some light at the end of the tunnel, and seems confident that the RIAA will come to understand that mixtapes, in an authorized context, can help the music business. "It's gonna help the game," Wreck said. "I think Drama has big enough clout and respect in the game regarding labels and artists. I believe the RIAA is gonna take a backlash. They're really gonna feel it, and they're going to back away from their raids."

This report is from MTV News.

2007-01-27T09:26:00.001-08:00

January 22, 2007

Cracking Down on Mixtape CDs
By JEFF LEEDS

Not long before Christmas, Jeff Baker, the chief of police of Morrow, Ga., a small town just south of Atlanta, and one of his officers were walking through a local shopping mall when they happened to pass a kiosk hawking rap music CDs. One in particular caught their attention.

The CD was “Tha Streets Iz Watchin,” with songs performed by the rapper Young Jeezy and, as Chief Baker recalled, it did not carry the name or address of the owner of the music copyrights, as Georgia law requires. Rather than arrest the kiosk vendor immediately, Chief Baker said, “We’d rather go after the source of the material. And at that point we had no idea what the source was.”

Any rap music aficionado would; the creator of the album is DJ Drama, whose real name is Tyree Simmons, arguably the nation’s most prominent producer of mixtapes, the name given to popular but largely unlicensed CDs stocked with yet-to-be released rap hits and free-style rhymes.

And many more people now know: last week, local authorities, working with the recording industry’s trade association, stunned fans and music executives alike by raiding DJ Drama’s studio in Atlanta and arresting him and a fellow D.J., Don Cannon, on racketeering charges. Investigators seized more than 81,000 allegedly pirated CDs and say the pair were producing unlicensed recordings and selling them without permission.

The raid sparked an outcry among many rap fans. But it also threatens to throw into public view the recording industry’s awkward relationship with mixtapes, long an integral element of rap culture and now commonly for sale on street corners, Web sites, many independent record shops and occasionally big chains.

Even as industry-financed antipiracy squads hunt for unauthorized recordings, senior executives at the major record labels privately say that they have courted — and often paid — top D.J.’s to create and distribute mixtapes featuring the labels’ rappers as part of efforts to generate buzz.

“It might not necessarily have the label’s logo on it, but they’re the ones cutting the checks for the recording and production” of many mixtapes, said Ian Steaman, a longtime talent and marketing executive who writes for the hip-hop Web site Different Kitchen. “It’s just kind of understood you need that channel of exposure for any kind of real, credible artist. I don’t think this industry’s ready to deal with that conversation.”

The raid also exposes a schism that is taking shape as the industry tries to stanch a slide in album sales, for which many blame piracy. On one side, many label executives and officials at the Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the major music companies, say the mixtape is contributing to the problem. They argue that sales are ultimately undermined when the mixtape leaps from promotional giveaway item to replacement for an artist’s official label-distributed album.

On the other side are a separate faction of label executives and a variety of artists, many of whom privately say they are worried that the chill cast on the mixtape world would handicap labels’ efforts to promote hip-hop sales, which declined roughly 20 percent last year, more than any other major genre, according to Nielsen SoundScan data.

Label executives remained puzzled over the sudden arrest of DJ Drama, whose ascent through the unregulated world of compilations has largely taken place in plain sight during the last couple of years. There has been speculation that the police inquiry into his business affairs was further spurred by tips from a competitor or unhappy customer. Chief Baker of the Morrow police declined to comment on the participation of any informants.

Mixtapes have been part of rap since the genre’s earliest days in the 1970s — back then, D.J.’s who spun records at clubs or parties committed their playlists to cassettes. But the proliferation of CD burners in the last several years has made the production and wide circulation — or sale — of mixtapes easier than ever.

It has also enhanced their role in tastemaking. Particularly since formerly underground mixtape hero 50 Cent broke out as a mainstream rap superstar in 2003, the top producers of unlicensed CDs have been embraced by the industry’s biggest corporations, who wager that the D.J.’s reputations as renegades will translate into the sale of legitimate, licensed compilations, too.

Atlantic Records, for one, hired the mixtape D.J. known as Sickamore as a talent scout and had signed DJ Drama, to its artist roster with plans to release an authorized mixtape-style album this year. Def Jam, Columbia and other big labels have released such CDs in the past.

The labels’ reliance on the D.J.’s is complicated further by the fact that many of the top mixtape creators also double as radio D.J.’s on major rap stations. Many label executives acknowledge that when they write checks to certain D.J.’s to produce a mix CD for an artist, there is often an expectation that the D.J. will play the artist’s music on the air — an arrangement that recalls the industry’s recent radio corruption scandals involving illicit pay-for-play, or payola.

Brad Buckles, the recording association’s executive vice president for antipiracy, said authorities seized about two million unlicensed hip-hop mix CDs last year, and speculated that sales of the recordings through Web sites and other channels could be running to the tens of millions of units annually.

Public performance of certain mixtape material “is probably good promotion,” Mr. Buckles said. “When you start selling them by the tens and hundreds of thousands, I don’t know that anyone is saying that’s of great promotional value.”

Even in the case of DJ Drama, whose mixtapes have been credited with stoking the careers of artists like Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne and last year’s best selling rap artist, T.I., it appears not everyone applauded inclusion on his recordings. The police said lawyers representing an array of artists sent cease-and-desist demands protesting the unauthorized use of their music, though they declined to identify the artists.

Nonetheless, the arrests instantly sent a shiver through hip-hop circles. One prominent Web site, mixunit.com, halted the sale of its usual wares and instead refocused on rap posters and T-shirts. Under a logo that read “Free Drama & Cannon,” the site said only that it was reorganizing with features that are “positive to the artists, D.J.’s and fans of this special element of hip-hop.”

Fans and music executives say the raid will most likely push the production and sale of mixtapes further underground — and encourage more efforts to skirt the edge of laws against the sale of unauthorized songs. At one major mixtape Web site, fans can choose from an array of current mix CDs on display. To get one, though, they must pay $7 for a sticker bearing the Web site’s name. Each sticker comes with a free mixtape.

The business can be tricky for the D.J.’s themselves too, said Mr. Buckles of the recording industry association. D.J.’s creating mixtapes with the intent of offering them free sometimes find that bootleggers then replicate the music and sell it.

“This is a world,” he added, “where everything just careens out of control once it’s created.”

SEA Panels

2007-01-19T16:35:00.001-08:00

The Casino Grand Hotel & Casino—Convention Center
Tunica, MS (30 miles south of Memphis, TN)

Friday, January 26th

Noon to 1:45 PM-
How To Get A Record Deal or A Production DealThis is by far the #1 question everyone wants answered in this industry. This panel will address what labels look for (both indie and major) and what every artist should do to stand out and get noticed by record labels. We will discuss the many different types of deals and the pros and cons of each. In addition to what a label looks for in an artist, we will cover what an artist should look for in a label--all labels are NOT created equal. Panelists will be available to accept demos from artists at this panel, but you will also learn from this panel why a demo is not enough.
-Tonya Butler, Esq.
-Bob Celestin, Esq.
-Wendy Day, Rap Coalition
-Nam Moses, Consultant, Ultra Publishing
-Tangee AKA Ms Blessed

2 PM to 3:45 PM-
Making An Impact: Building A Tremendous Buzz
Nothing in this industry moves without some hype or some degree of buzz behind it. We will discuss what a buzz can do for your career, your company, or your CD. Our focus will be on offering step by step instruction on how to build a strong buzz in the music industry and how to keep it. Whether you are an artist, a producer, a DJ, a company, or just a person trying to work in this business, it is imperative that you have a buzz surrounding you.
-Ray Hamilton, Legion Of Doom DJs
-Matt Verden, Dir of Marketing, Grand Hustle
-Mike Clarke, VP Swisha House
-Nick Love, VP Marketing, Corporate Thugz Entertainment
-Amir, Southeast Rep Interscope Records
-Rovella Williams, Almost Famous Showcase
-Lil Weavah, artist

4 PM to 5:45 PM-
The Digital FrontierUsing the internet to promote your music or to sell downloads and CDs makes sense in today’s economy. The Internet has leveled the playing field for artists allowing them direct access to the fans. Join us to hear how others have used MySpace, websites, internet radio, and digital downloads to build or further their careers.
-Leon Bailey, WordOfSouth.com
-John Lobro, RadioHipHop.com
-Feygens Saint-Joy, Hip Hop Friends
-M Town Luv, MemphisRap.com

Saturday, January 27th

Noon to 1:45 PM-
Indie Labels: How To Put Out Your Own CD or Start Your Own Indie LabelWith the importance of independent music, indie releases, and a do-for-self attitude in the music business today, we will explore how to put out a CD. From pressing and distribution to marketing and promotion, an indie release can mean the difference between $8 a CD or 80 cents a CD for the artist signed to a major label. The bulk of the successful artists in music today started out as artists putting out their own CD or signed to an indie label.
-Kinky B, Corporate Thugz Entertainment (Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla)
-Michael "5000" Watts, CEO Swisha House (Lil Keke, Mike Jones, Paul Wall)
-Wes Phillips, Select-O-Hits
-Killer Mike, artist
-Janie Jennings, Label Consultant
-Wendy Day, Label Consultant
-Rock, Rock Bottom Records (Tango & Cash, Big Herk)
-Khao, Producer/CEO Intaprize Records
-Charm Warren-Celestin, Label Consultant

2 PM to 3:45 PM-
The Mixtape Game
Mixtapes seem to be everywhere today in proliferation. With the recent Federal crackdown on mixed CDs and the stores that sell them, what’s the urban music industry to do? DJs depend on mixed CDs for income, stores depend on them for profits, labels depend on them to break new records, and fans depend on them for new and hot music. If a major label pays a DJ to add a song to his mixed CD, is it acceptable for them to shut the DJ down for selling “illegal” product? We will discuss the legalities of mixed CDs, and why the Feds stepped in and shut down DJ Drama recently.
-DJ Wally Sparks
-DJ Chuck T
-Robert Celestin, Esq.
-Sweetback Tha Mack, The Screw Shop of Memphis
-George Lopez, T Town Records
-Mike Clark, VP Marketing, Swisha House
-DJ Chief Rocka
-Julia Beverly, Publisher, Ozone Magazine
-DJ Freddy Hydro

4 PM to 5:45 PM-
How To Get Your Record Played On The Radio
The most common question in the music industry is answered here by program directors, DJs, label folks, and artists. Covering every perspective of the process, we will discuss how to build a buzz at street level and then graduate to getting radio play. We will discuss the steps, the etiquette, and what NOT to do when you want radio play. We will also talk about the importance of the commercial quality of your single.
-B. Paiz, Program Director, WIBB
-Lester Pace, Set The Pace Promotions
-DJ Lil Larry, K97 Memphis
-Kasper, Hittmenn DJs
-Devin Steel, K97 Memphis
-Michael London
-Big V, Power 106 Cleveland, MS

6 PM to 7:30 PM
Serato Scratch Live!Join the folks from Serato Scratch Live for a live demonstration and a workshop of tricks you can do. You will have the opportunity to purchase Serato Scratch Live here!

2007-01-16T17:51:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 26th

Noon to 1:45 PM- How To Get A Record Deal or A Production Deal
This is by far the #1 question everyone wants answered in this industry. This panel will address what labels look for (both indie and major) and what every artist should do to stand out and get noticed by record labels. We will discuss the many different types of deals and the pros and cons of each. In addition to what a label looks for in an artist, we will cover what an artist should look for in a label--all labels are NOT created equal. Panelists will be available to accept demos from artists at this panel, but you will also learn from this panel why a demo is not enough.
-Tonya Butler, Esq.
-Bob Celestine, Esq.
-Wendy Day
-Nam Moses, Consultant, Ultra Publishing
-Ms Blessed

2 PM to 3:45 PM- Making An Impact: Building A Tremendous Buzz
Nothing in this industry moves without some hype or some degree of buzz behind it. We will discuss what a buzz can do for your career, your company, or your CD. Our focus will be on offering step by step instruction on how to build a strong buzz in the music industry and how to keep it. Whether you are an artist, a producer, a DJ, a company, or just a person trying to work in this business, it is imperative that you have a buzz surrounding you.
-Ray Hamilton, Legion Of Doom DJs
-Matt Verden, Dir of Marketing, Grand Hustle
-Mike Clarke, VP Swisha House
-Nick Love, VP Marketing, Corporate Thugz Entertainment
-Amir, Southeast Rep Interscope Records
-Rovella Williams, Almost Famous Showcase
-Lil Weavah, artist

4 PM to 5:45 PM- The Digital Frontier
Using the internet to promote your music or to sell downloads and CDs makes sense in today’s economy. The Internet has leveled the playing field for artists allowing them direct access to the fans. Join us to hear how others have used MySpace, websites, internet radio, and digital downloads to build or further their careers.
-Leon Bailey, WordOfSouth.com
-John Lobro, RadioHipHop.com
-Feygens Saint-Joy, Hip Hop Friends
-M Town Luv, MemphisRap.com

Saturday, January 27th

Noon to 1:45 PM- Indie Labels: How To Put Out Your Own CD or Start Your Own Indie Label With the importance of independent music, indie releases, and a do-for-self attitude in the music business today, we will explore how to put out a CD. From pressing and distribution to marketing and promotion, an indie release can mean the difference between $8 a CD or 80 cents a CD for the artist signed to a major label. The bulk of the successful artists in music today started out as artists putting out their own CD or signed to an indie label.
Panelists:
-Kinky B, Corporate Thugz Entertainment (Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla)
-Michael "5000" Watts, CEO Swisha House (Lil Keke, Mike Jones, Paul Wall)
-Wes Phillips, Select-O-Hits
-Killer Mike, artist
-Janie Jennings, Label Consultant
-Wendy Day, Label Consultant
-Rock, Rock Bottom Records (Tango & Cash, Big Herk)

2 PM to 3:45 PM- The Mixtape Game Mixtapes seem to be everywhere today in proliferation. With the recent Federal crackdown on mixed CDs and the stores that sell them, what’s the urban music industry to do? DJs depend on mixed CDs for income, stores depend on them for profits, labels depend on them to break new records, and fans depend on them for new and hot music. If a major label pays a DJ to add a song to his mixed CD, is it acceptable for them to shut the DJ down for selling “illegal” product? We will discuss the legalities of mixed CDs, and why the Feds stepped in and shut down DJ Drama recently.
-DJ Wally Sparks
-DJ Chuck T
-Robert Celestine
-Fredrick Moore, The Screw Shop of Memphis
-George Lopez, T Town Records

4 PM to 5:45 PM- How To Get Your Record Played On The Radio
The most common question in the music industry is answered here by program directors, DJs, label folks, and artists. Covering every perspective of the process, we will discuss how to build a buzz at street level and then graduate to getting radio play. We will discuss the steps, the etiquette, and what NOT to do when you want radio play. We will also talk about the importance of the commercial quality of your single.
-B. Paiz, Program Director, WIBB
-Lester Pace, Set The Pace Promotions
-DJ Lil Larry, K97 Memphis
-Kasper, Hittmenn DJs
-Devin Steel, K97 Memphis
-Michael London
-Big V, Power 106 Cleveland, MS

2007 SEA PANELS!!!

2007-01-06T20:54:00.001-08:00

2007 SEA PANELS AND WORKSHOPS

Friday, January 26th, 2007

Noon to 1:45- How To Get A Record Deal or A Production Deal
This is by far the #1 question everyone wants answered in this industry. This panel will address what labels look for (both indie and major) and what every artist should do to stand out and get noticed by record labels. We will discuss the many different types of deals and the pros and cons of each. In addition to what a label looks for in an artist, we will cover what an artist should look for in a label--all labels are NOT created equal. Panelists will be available to accept demos from artists at this panel, but you will also learn from this panel why a demo is not enough.

2:00 to 3:45- Making An Impact: Building A Tremendous Buzz
Nothing in this industry moves without some hype or some degree of buzz behind it. We will discuss what a buzz can do for your career, your company, or your CD. Our focus will be on offering step by step instruction on how to build a strong buzz in the music industry and how to keep it. Whether you are an artist, a producer, a DJ, a company, or just a person trying to work in this business, it is imperative that you have a buzz surrounding you.
Mike Clark, VP Swisha House and VP, SoBe Records (Paul Wall, Mike Jones)
Nick Love, VP Corporate Thugz Entertainment (Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla)

4:00 to 6:00- The Digital Frontier
Using the internet to promote your music or to sell downloads and CDs makes sense in today’s economy. The Internet has leveled the playing field for artists allowing them direct access to the fans. Join us to hear how others have used MySpace, websites, internet radio, and digital downloads to build or further their careers.
Leon Bailey, CEO WordOfSouth.com

Saturday, January 27th, 2007

12:00 to 1:45- Indie Labels: Put Out Your Own CD or Start Your Own Indie Label
With the importance of independent music, indie releases, and a do-for-self attitude in the music business today, we will explore how to put out a CD. From pressing and distribution to marketing and promotion, an indie release can mean the difference between $8 a CD or 80 cents a CD for the artist signed to a major label. The bulk of the successful artists in music today started out as artists putting out their own CD or signed to an indie label.
Kinky B, CEO Corporate Thugz Entertainment (Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla, Blood Raw)
Janie Jennings, CEO Industry Works (Label Consultant)
Wendy Day, CEO PowerMoves (Label Consultant: Cash Money, David Banner, Twista)
Wes Phillips, Select-O-Hits

2:00 to 3:45- The Producer’s Lab
The best way to learn is from those who are successful in their craft. Join us for a frank discussion with the top producers in urban music as we discuss sampling, producing vs beat making, shopping beats, getting paid publishing and royalties, contracts, etc. This is for anyone who wants to produce or is already making a living as a producer.
Khao (T.I., Grand Hustle, etc)

4:00 to 5:45 Radio: How To Get Your Record Played On The Radio
The most common question in the music industry is answered here by program directors, DJs, label folks, and artists. Covering every perspective of the process, we will discuss how to build a buzz at street level and then graduate to getting radio play. We will discuss the steps, the etiquette, and what NOT to do when you want radio play. We will also talk about the importance of the commercial quality of your single.
B. Paiz, Program Director WIBB (Macon) and air personality WXBT (Columbia, SC)
Lil Larry, K97/Club DJ (Memphis)

6:00 to 7:30- Serato Scratch Workshop
Join the folks from Serato Scratch Live for a live demonstration and a workshop of tricks you can do. You will have the opportunity to purchase Serato Scratch Live here!

(Tentative) List Of Panels for 2007 SEAs

2006-05-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

2007 SEA PANELS AND WORKSHOPS
(Rough Draft as of May 2006)

Friday, January 26th, 2007
Noon to 1:45- How To Get A Record Deal or A Production Deal
This is by far the #1 question everyone wants answered in this industry. This panel will address what labels look for (both indie and major) and what every artist should do to stand out and get noticed by record labels. We will discuss the many different types of deals and the pros and cons of each. In addition to what a label looks for in an artist, we will cover what an artist should look for in a label--all labels are NOT created equal. Panelists will be available to accept demos from artists at this panel, but you will also learn from this panel why a demo is not enough.

Noon to 1:45 – Royalty Workshop (for signed artists and working producers)
A complete explanation of how the royalty process works for signed artists. We will cover when and how artists get paid by record labels. We will also discuss how and when producers get paid for their tracks, and what an appearance on another artist’s record means. Are their ways to get paid outside of the record label?

2:00 to 3:45- Making An Impact: Building A Tremendous Buzz
Nothing in this industry moves without some hype or some degree of buzz behind it. We will discuss what a buzz can do for your career, your company, or your CD. Our focus will be on offering step by step instruction on how to build a strong buzz in the music industry and how to keep it. Whether you are an artist, a producer, a DJ, a company, or just a person trying to work in this business, it is imperative that you have a buzz surrounding you.

2:00 to 3:45- How To Lose $1 Million Dollars: Top 10 Mistakes in The Music Industry
Learning what NOT to do can be just as important as learning what to do. We will have a bunch of brave souls explain where they went wrong in their careers and what they could have done better. They offer up this truthful slice of reality so that you will not repeat their mistakes.

4:00 to 6:00- The New Mecca: DVDs in Urban Music
From the new DVD Magazines to labels and artists putting their behind-the-scenes footage on DVDs, our industry has quickly figured out the value of making a profit in DVD sales. We will discuss how to shoot one, market and promote it, and find a distributor--using real life examples from folks who have done it successfully.

4:00 to 6:00- The Digital Frontier
Using the internet to promote your music or to sell downloads and CDs makes sense in today’s economy. The Internet has leveled the playing field for artists allowing them direct access to the fans. Join us to hear how others have used MySpace, websites, internet radio, and digital downloads to build or further their careers.

Saturday, January 27th, 2007

12:00 to 1:45- Indie Labels: Put Out Your Own CD or Start Your Own Indie Label With the importance of independent music, indie releases, and a do-for-self attitude in the music business today, we will explore how to put out a CD. From pressing and distribution to marketing and promotion, an indie release can mean the difference between $8 a CD or 80 cents a CD for the artist signed to a major label. The bulk of the successful artists in music today started out as artists putting out their own CD or signed to an indie label.

12:00 to 1:45- The Importance Of Mixed Tapes And CDs
Mixed tapes and CDs are as important today as they ever were. We will explore how to make an outstanding mixed CD, as well as marketing and promoting it. A panel of mixed tape experts will discuss how they have funded, found sponsors, secured artists, and not pissed of the record labels with their series of mixed CDs. Once and for all, are they illegal?

2:00 to 3:45- Radio: How To Get Your Record Played On The Radio
The most common question in the music industry is answered here by program directors, DJs, label folks, and artists. Covering every perspective of the process, we will discuss how to build a buzz at street level and then graduate to getting radio play. We will discuss the steps, the etiquette, and what NOT to do when you want radio play. We will also talk about the importance of the commercial quality of your single.

4:00 to 5:45 The Producer’s Lab
The best way to learn is from those who are successful in their craft. Join us for a frank discussion with the top producers in urban music as we discuss sampling, producing vs beat making, shopping beats, getting paid publishing and royalties, contracts, etc. This is for anyone who wants to produce or is already making a living as a producer.

4:00 to 5:45 Business Etiquette
One of the challenges we face in Hip Hop is not knowing how to run our businesses properly, and not knowing how to professionally approach companies, radio stations, record labels, and clients. We will discuss skills you can acquire to help you make more money and do better business in the music industry. This panel is for anyone who wants to learn how to be more organized, and interact with others more effectively so you aren’t inadvertently leaving money on the table in your various dealings, or burning bridges that negatively impact your career.

6:00 to 7:30- Serato Scratch Workshop
Join the folks from Serato Scratch Live for a live demonstration and a workshop of tricks you can do. You will have the opportunity to purchase Serato Scratch Live here!

Panels for SEAs January 26 and 27, 2007

2006-04-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the panel topics we are considering for the 2007 SEA conference:
How To Get A Record Deal
So, You Wanna Be A Producer
How To Put Out Your Own CD
Technology: How It Affects Urban Music
Hey Mr DJ--Play My Record On The Radio
Assembling A Strong Team
Hip Hop Models In Videos
The Growth Of DVD Magazines
Million Dollar Mistakes

Here are some of the workshop topics we are considering:

Serato Scratch Live; What and How??
Taking Your Production To The Next Level Creatively
Song Writers Workshop

Annual SEA Awards

2006-03-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

Rap Coalition will be offering two days of panel discussions at the SEA Awards at the Grand Casino in Tunica, Mississippi (30 miles south of Memphis, TN). The panels attracted over 1,000 attendees in January 2006, for two days of discussions with key industry executives and industry insiders who were anxious to share their success stories and experiences.

Panels will be Friday, January 26, 2007 and Saturday, January 27, 2007. Put it on your calendars!!

www.inside-the-industry.com coming soon...

For information regarding the Awards, please see www.southernentawards.com