Payola is back on the Rise – Things New Artists Need to Know

Special Thanks and acknowledgment to Chanel McFadzean

(Posted: http://www.thefoxxfiles.com)

Filed January 7th by Chanel McFadzean in Exclusiveness, Law & Order, Mixtapes, Music, Politics As Usual

Many of us journalists with actual degrees in journalism and communications feel as if our jobs are being taken away by a geek with internet access. This theory is made a reality by various websites having the ability to sustain as much daily hits and unique users as mainstream media outlets; therefore making it hard to determine the credibility of the reporting and posts listed. The end result is amateur “industry” representatives taking advantage of the unsigned talent; payola.

Payola is when a person of influence i.e. a DJ or journalist takes money for “promoting” something as if it is their genuine belief. It is simply a paid advertisement without telling the public it is an advertisement. In short, payola is nothing new to Hip Hop, but with Twitter and the Internet being widely used, it is becoming more accessible than ever. Many website owners, promoters, bloggers and DJs have a much easier avenue to reach their prey; an unsigned artist.

Why is payola a bad thing? It is because you, the public, trust the opinion of a certain DJ/journalist/website. If they tell you something or someone is good for whatever reason, you should believe what they say. But if they really don’t feel that way and are just getting a paycheck, where is the credibility? Then you, the consumer wonder why there isn’t any “good music” out.

The following is an example of a Payola machine sent out to random unsigned acts a few days ago. Both parties deny being the headmaster behind the project.

4daLuvOfMoney Inc. & Blok Entertainment present Sour D & Goose2 hosted by DJ ENVY, co-hosted by Rico Paysos.

DJ ENVY is looking to give exposure to the hottest independent artist nationwide if you have that heat! This is the project for you.

Individual Slot Package: price $175 per slot (max of 3 individual slots) maximum song length 3 minutes and 30 seconds. If over song will be mixed and cut to fit slot allowance. song must be of good quality and original no music! no placement will be given for submissions over mainstream/industry beats! this is your opportunity to shine! take advantage. only mp3 files.

• mixtape will be on DJ Envy Myspace page & www.DjEnvy.net

• mixtape will be on Rico Paysos Myspace page

• mixtape will be receive digital distribution through ITUNES, Napster,Amazon mp3, eMusic, Rhapsody, Spotify, Liquid Digital, Verizon V-cast, Lala, Nokia, Amie Street, Shockhound, Zune, Last.fm, MediaNet (formerly MusicNet), Didlom, Tradebit, InProdicon,GreatIndieMusic, & Limewire!!!!

• mixtape will appear on WSHH.com, Thatshiphop.com, allhiphop.com, & vladtv.com, thisis50.com, wethewest.com, coast2coastmixtapes.com & more!!!!

• Artist receive shoutout drop from host: (submit script w/ fee)

• Mixtape will be a 5,000 physical CD mixtape campaign

• Artist receives 100 hard copies of the mixtape per SLOT so if you get 3 slots you get 300 copies as well as mp3 copy & zipfile! fully packaged jewel cases, cd inserts included!!!

• Artist can all have their photo on inside cover for no additional charge!!! (photos must be 300 dpi high resolution)

• SuperStar Package: Price $750This package includes all items listed above and the following:

• Artist receives 1,000 CD’s mastered & mixed down with jewel case & Cd inserts included

• Artist will be feature artist with picture of Front cover!!!!

• Artist will receive 5 drops from host!!!

• Artist will get 6 slots on the mixtape!!!!!

Payments due by Feb.1 payments maybe paid online via paypal.com & sent to 4daluvofmoney@gmail.com or via western union or money gram.

Google Sour D & Goose Dj Envy and see this is the real deal!!!!

Mixtape is set to release early 2nd Quarter!

DJ Envy denied knowing anything about the project via Twitter . Once Paysos got word he issued the following statement via email, “have some disappointing news. Unfortunately someone lied to DJ ENVY and told him I was charging people $750 to get on the mixtape. He was upset and thought I was ripping people off and without speaking to me lied and said he does not know me. I am very insulted and disgusted; I put together an opportunity for indie artist and a good situation for everyone involved. Due to this, I am no longer doing this project in conjunction with him and will no longer do business with him. As an artist myself, to believe that I did business with this man and he blatantly try to demean my reputation. I do good business, always have always will, and I’m anti a lot of attitudes in the music industry thus the motivation for the project and the cross promotion that is guaranteed by each individual artist and 4daluvofmoney Inc.’s promotion. We will be doing this project with a DJ that genuinely has respect for new talent and not look at us as merely a quick come up. Have a Blessed Day, and I will keep your email and contact you with any promotional opportunities I provide or that I come across. Men Lie, Women Lie, Facts don’t. I apologize for any confusion. I wish you much success in this foul game we playing in!”

Since then, DJ Envy’s management has told thefoxxfiles.com, “Envy hosted a mixtape for him about a year or two ago. Then we look online and see he’s calling himself A&R of Envy’s unsigned mixtape coming out & he’s trying to charge artist $750 to get on it, when Envy had no knowledge of this. Now he’s been calling all day apologizing.”

DJ Envy’s management went further to say directly to Paysos, “When I spoke to u last week, our conversation (if u wanna call it that) lasted 15 seconds. You told me ya name, asked if the price was still for a mixtape hosting, and said that you’d be in touch. At no point did we talk about u gettin ya artist up for the tape or any other details. We don’t do unsigned artist tapes for other people and if I knew that ya first volume was like that, we would have never signed off on that. You just went about it wrong my dude. You didn’t get anyone’s approval.”

They person in reference is Rico Paysos (who denies apologizing), rapper and CEO of 4daluvofmoney Inc. Paysos sells himself completely behind the original mixtape he did with DJ Envy [Envy Drop for Rico Paysos].

Whoever is at fault, the problem is some DJs don’t listen to the music before their label is on the project. Paysos claims that many DJs don’t ask to hear the music, “You simply tell them Yo, I need drops, give me $1500, they don’t ask to hear the music.”

Of course there is nothing wrong with DJs taking money from anyone to be a part of their compilation. It is not until they promote the music to you as a consumer that it should be labeled as such because in reality it is still a paid advertisement.

To unsigned artists:

Never pay to be on ANYONE’s mixtape and/or website. If your talent is that good, they will come to you. If at any time you do decide to pay for placement ask the following questions:

a. Where are the distribution lists/hit counts (for websites)?

b. Who will see this?

(Throwback) What women want?

So I was picking out some fresh threads from "The Closet" for my latest fashion escapade and you know me I'm thinking European, you know 3/4 slide boots that come above the ankle, Italian tailored pants, and a snazzy black top to match the stereo profile on my billboard (The design on the back of my head). Then it happens, I come across an old photo album I've had for many years. This album contains pictures of every girl I've ever dated since the 7th grade, a record if I may, all my old flames sorted and filed for a time such as this one. In going down memory lane I was forced to examine that which lies deep in the recesses of our hearts... love. It caused me to want to address very common trends that men and women seem to be challenged with daily, a trend we should not follow but often find that it is all too familiar territory. I'm speaking to the good guys who finish last, the women who know what they want in love but often choose the alternative to their desires, the emotionally abused, the serial daters, the emotional introverts who can never express their love when needed; I'm talking to a society of complacency when it comes to love. Oh yes! The spirit is moving in me today people; Cupid whispered a song into my heart, and Venus a thought in my mind. I can't contain it, I won't, it must be preached, and I mean preached! There's time a mirror in "The Closet" and it's time to examine ourselves...

What women want...?

Ladies, my beautiful, authentic, well assorted, successful, backbones of civilization; my mothers, sisters, cousins etc., I love you all but oh how the confusion hangs over your heads! Not all but a good amount of you. After doing my homework (because I have to be careful not to talk out my ass on this one) I find that the perception of love and relationships are formed at the age of five. The perfect wedding, the perfect gown, the perfect husband, all seemingly fine when life is perfect. Too many times have I heard women express their desires when it comes to love. A man/women (I'm politically correct) to treat them right, to build with, to laugh with, to cry with, to take care of, or for the more submissive types, to take care of them. This is all fine and I agree, these are key components to a happy relationship after god lays the foundation (I'm a Christian remember?). You deserve it, you have earned that right (some of you), and so why is it that you find yourself in relationships that are far less than what you have asked? Or is it that it is not what you have asked but you have received? How do we know a good gift if it's wrapped? Beautiful wrapping, a nice ribbon stitched from cloth imported from India, simply marvelous. Then you open the box and you find that it is empty, the gift that you have been waiting for is nothing more than a hoax. Shaped, molded, and transformed, women know what they want, they know if they are going to sleep with a guy on sight, they know if a man will just be a friend from the first conversation, women are no fools, they know what they want.

What women settle for?

If this does not pertain to you then by no means take offense! You ever notice that certain derogatory comments are now the latest fad? "My Nigga" is the new "My friend", "Bitch" is the new "Diva", whaaaaaat? A pretty girl walks down the street and a nice, well dressed, well versed man chooses to address her for nothing more than to let her know how blessed in beauty she is. He musters up the courage, steps forward, and says "Hello, I don't mean to bother you but I must say, you look ravishing", and yes some of us do talk like that. She stops, smiles, says "Thank you" and keeps it moving. Later she has a discussion with her friend about how nice this guy was and how she exchanged numbers with him, etc. We are not examining this woman, but we are examining the friend, just as beautiful, successful, but she is bitter. Her history of bad relationships stems from her non-existent father, who not only abused her love but the love of her mother. A string of disappointments have led her to become a serial dater, bouncing from one bad relationship to another. We all know how that goes... I've noticed that many women settle for the glitter without checking to see if it's gold. A man can say he loves you all day long but it is the action which speaks volumes. A good man strives on any level in his life; he has values, morals, and god more than he has excuses, complaints, and pitfalls. Yet because he can some how maneuver through a conversation, and bed (let's be real), his cash flow is right and is good looking, he prevails. Don't get me wrong, Fortune is no hater, I am ranked up with the best of them but I have to give insight. In part 2 we will examine this man... Everything I've stated makes sense right? So why allow yourselves to be degraded, down played, and deceived? Why cling to relationships for the sex? The money? The fact that you feel this is the only man that will ever love you? Why seek comfort in a person who chooses to use your love as a weapon rather than a tool for empowerment? Laziness? Or the fear of trying which is displayed in your whole life? Why do some women settle for a loveless, godless, and empty man? I am asking because it hurts to watch my sisters hurt for no reason other than the wrong decision. What are the criteria in which you base your judgment upon? I ask not because I want to know, I'm not choosing your mate, I ask because in order for you to empower yourself and begin a self-love healing process, you must vocalize that which is in need of change. Good men are not hard to find, we pass you by everyday like ships in the night. The problem is your staring at the yacht when your love could be a dingy...

Ask yourself these questions, answer them, and then share it with me so that I may spread it to others. This blog is not targeted towards anyone; it is an opinion, an observation as my other posts are. I only ask for your feedback, help to shed light on this topic... Speak on it...