barc0debaby
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Easy and Excessive Accessibility
This is an interesting read from hip hop artist Sabac Red. It ties into the discussion that came up a while back about music blogs and being able to
download anything you desire.
http://www.thorprecords.com/boards/viewthread.php?tid=12885&page=1#pid129695
When I was growing up The Wizard of OZ would come on T.V. Once a Year and it was a big event. (Remember That?) The anticipation and excitement grew as
the T.V. commercials announced the showing of The Wizard of OZ. My classmates and I at P.S. 97 in Brooklyn, NY would discuss where we were going to
watch this classic and somewhat creepy film. The next day after it aired, my whole 3rd grade class would talk about it as if it were our first time
seeing it.
I remember going to buy the "All for One" (Brand Nubian) album on cassette. Of course I had purchased tons of music before this album, but for some
reason I remember this one vividly. The anticipation from Video Music Box's live performance of Brand Nubian at Kilimanjaro had me "hyped" for this
album. Everyday I would come home from school and watch VMB in hopes Uncle Ralph McDaniel's would air the live performance and when he did, I was the
happiest kid on the block. The day the album dropped me and some of my people's cut class, bought the album, smoked some weed and rocked it 10 times
in a row. Every one of those people I was with bought the tape. Back then if you didn't have an official copy of an album you were weak! Even if we
had to rob money from kids in school we made sure to get shit. The crazy thing is, it wasn't that long ago. We are moving fast people..
How about ABC's "Late Night Movie", when they aired "Beat Street" I lost my mind. It was those days I didn't take "Entertainment" for granted.
What about going to your favorite artist's web site. Now over 100,000,000 people have their own web site.
Back then we got to "Experience" music and art, not just listen to it or view it.
I was searching youtube.com today when all this came to me. I am beginning to take entertainment for granted. Google, Yahoo, MySpace, I-Tunes,
YouTube, Net-Flix, Lime Wire and the list goes on, you name it and you can find it at your fingertips. How great is that, or is it? I am in no way
"hating" on any of these "Resources" I use them everyday, but has technology gotten out of control?
I remember having a discussing with Ill Bill before the Non Phixion Green CD/DVD. We talked about putting out DVD's with albums because most people
had the knowledge/capability of downloading music, but not video. We figured this was a great way to still have people go to the store and buy our
product. Now people bring/sneak cameras in to shows or use their video cell phones, and the next day your whole show is posted on line. I guess it's
great promotion, but promotion for what? Downloading an album?
We have cell phones that come with Cameras/Video Cameras and MP3 players, we have PSP, an all in one entertainment system, I know people who even
upload porn on their PSP and i-pods, how great and accessible is that? No more hiding the Porn in a secret place.
I can't help but think about the children who are growing up in this "Easy and Excessive Accessibility" world. That feeling of having to search or dig
for something you wanted, that feeling of anticipation while saving money for that album you want real bad is gone. How about the props you got for
being one of the first people to purchase a record or see a movie or video. Those days are gone and will never be back.
I was reading an article recently about the heavy decrease in record sales. They said how in 2000 some N Sync record sold 2.4 million copies in its
first week; now Justin Timberlake can't sell 600,000 in the first week. They even go on to say how Jay-Z, G.A.M.E and Eminem won't sell close to what
they did last album and we know they sold some records. I'm thinking if me, or any "Underground" artist sold even 20,000 copies in one week we'd be
happy like Chad Hurley and Steve Chen after meeting with google. The reality is what affects the major artist's also effects independent artists. We
too can be sure to see a decrease in record sales. Some of us may even sell more than our last album but just think how much more we could have sold
had it not been for "Easy and Excessive Accessibility"
For me it is not about record sales, or how easy it is to find and get something for free as a result of technology, it is about the state of the
world we live in and the conditioning of people as a result of "Easy and Excessive Accessibility". For me it's about value and appreciation, it's
about knowing how to work for something and not take it for granted. It's about knowing how (some) artists work hard for what they create and how you
can make a difference with how you "Experience." music and art.
There is no stopping the ever-growing ways to get product for free with a simple internet hook up, and with the economy the way it is and the amount
of bullshit music coming out, who can blame some people for taking advantage of this evolution.
With all that said, in 2007 a lot of artist (me included) will put out quality Albums/DVD's, etc.. If you like it, I challenge you to support it by
respecting the process it takes to put out music/videos/DVD's and assist in the preservation of authentic creativity.
RIP Tower Records, The Mom and Pop Shops closing everyday and many more to come..
I Thank you for reading my thoughts, for they are just something's I was thinking about today.
UNO
-Sabac Red-
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Discipline
* DRUNKEN MONKEY *
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I remember cutting class on the day an album I really wanted came out. Fuck waiting until after school, I was there when the damn store opened. I do
99% of my music shopping online because it's generally cheaper to buy it from a distro or the label than it is a store. At the same time, I sometimes
miss the time I spent over the years flipping through the record/tape/cd stacks looking for something I liked. Many times I bought an album because
it had a cool cover, or it was recommended by a band. I would buy it sight unseen, sometimes it was great, sometimes they licked balls. Who doesn't
miss the really cool double gatefold lp's? Those were badass. My brother and sister are 16-17, and my niece is 13, and they view music in a whole
different light than I do. They don't think about buying albums, they think more about downloading a track or two from itunes. They don't care about
the artwork, lyrics, thank you lists, etc. I discovered so many bands by looking at who bands I liked were thanking. It's why i don't want digital
copies of everything. I like having the actual item in my hands.
‘Do you know what a love letter is? It’s a bullet from a fucking gun. Straight through your heart.’
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defstarsteve
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growing up the things I was most excited for in relation to entertainment
were Saturday morning cartoons, the Charlie brown specials for each holiday and Rudolf and the like
you see it once a year that’s it over done gone...
my son has DVD’s of all of it and it's like it's played out to him...
he still gets excited for the newest episodes of cartoons or what not, but they will be replayed on cartoon network all week or we can record them on
the dvr and he can watch the whole season at anytime…
this is awesome but weak at the same time
I think however the marketing and production of art as entertainment is about to end...
if you are passionate about your art you are going to create it whether people are going to buy it or not.
you wanna be a pop star, anyone can do it
look at the bullshit tv shows devoted to this… everyone person who tries out for those shows has records out, their own myspace and fans…
anyone can draw thanks to illustrator and photoshop
and every kook has a video camera and editing software…
basically while technology has taken the rock star down a level, it has raised everyone else up…
I am happy about the idea of arena rock stars maybe having to work day jobs like the rest of us
what sets them above anyone else…?
if someone is willing to listen to your music, look at your film or paintings, and enjoy them, that in all reality should be gratification enough.
if you are looking to make a career and be fed grapes by Norwegian lesbian twins, get the fuck outta here with that.
and take the bullshit management, record label executives, lawyers, and mooches all with you down to the unemployment line and wait for your
government cheese.
art is art and does not need to be mass marketed to be good…
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Discipline
* DRUNKEN MONKEY *
Posts: 11900
Registered: 9-8-2004
Location: Over here
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Mood: The Alley Dukes
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I don't think art needs to be mass marketed, but I do think bands deserve to be compensated for their work. Unsigned bands have to spend hard earned
cash to go into a studio to record. Recouping that money gives them some cash to have merch made, and to go out and tour. I'm not saying they all
should be millionaires, but on the DIY level, bands deserve to make money from their music, and fans should be willing to pay reasonable prices for it
rather than downloading a million songs for free online.
‘Do you know what a love letter is? It’s a bullet from a fucking gun. Straight through your heart.’
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upyerbum
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I still remember that smell when I pulled that brand new album out of the sleeve. I'd put it on the turntable, and read through every bit of the liner
notes as I listened to the album for the first time.
The problem is not the technology, the problem is the uses we are putting said technology to.
Well, its this place where nobody works, and the pigs don\'t give you any shit. Everyone smokes weed and gets drunk all day. Its a place where
cunts like me and you can truly take it easy and relax. Know what I mean?
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newbreedbrian
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good read, and i'm sure most of the people from our generation who are really into music can relate. that excitement of going to buy a tape or a
record and bringing it home to listen to it over and over again is really lost on the current generation of kids. i mean it is what it is, and kids
will always be into music but having EVERYTHING at your fingertips with the touch of a button kills what was exciting about it for me as a kid. like
mike said, i really like combing through the artwork, liner notes, thanks lists, etc. it's part of the experience at least to me.
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, ?You know, I want to set those people over there on
fire, but I?m just not close enough to get the job done.? George Carlin
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