“Payola is as old as radio. The legalities have also changed most recently allowing legal loopholes. Legal loopholes created playola the creation of corporate america to cash in legally. For decades decision makers were individuals in each marketplace. Payola comes in the way of cash,trips, appliances, drugs, sex and anything of value for today’s marketplace. Payola is as American as prostitution. Radio programmers and Dj’s hands are shaped like cups. Everyone […]

When it comes to touring, I find more musicians focused with the “How,” “When,” and “Where” aspects but not enough of the “Why.” Of course, touring can be an incredibly important step in most artists’ careers but you should definitely take some time out to create solid goals and a definitive strategy before you decide when/where you want to hit the road. Why do we pick the target areas for […]

I saw The Robert Glasper Experiment perform earlier this year at Exchange LA and Bilal was a special guest. I wasn’t up on much of their music at the time, but I’ve been a huge Bilal fan from day 1. Needless to say, I was definitely in for a treat and left a new fan of Glasper. Check out footage below as Bilal performs Reminisce (from his debut album) and […]

Whether they ever choose to regain some of their former financial stature and growth, record companies, majors and indies alike, along with unsigned and unknown independent artists, too, must cultivate and create, as quickly as possible, a SINGLE new digital marketplace.  Here competition will flourish and some semblance of reasonable choice and control over the discovery of new artists with original new music will be exercised by whatever is left […]

#TeamVakseen will be in San Fran next Tuesday at the Rock It Room. I’ll be judging for the iStandard Producer Showcase and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing what the Bay Area has in store. The winner leaves with over $2000 in product, so if you’re a producer in the SF area, you can register here. Major shout out to the fam J-Hatch and Don!  

Much love goes to Incite Magazine for featuring my Audvantgardener, Misplaced Virtue and Blemishes of Love paintings in their very 1st issue. Check out the screen shot below.

Whether or not you think it is the key that unlocks your music career, it is always good to build an army of enthusiastic supporters who will fervently support your music. The best way for any company or new artist to grow their fan base is through referrals. The combined energy from a hardcore fan base can create some serious momentum (just look at the career of Justin Bieber or even the […]

Much love goes out to LA’s Antioch University for featuring my Audvantgardener piece in their literary magazine, Lunch Ticket. Check out the full feature here and the screenshot below.

Six degrees of separation are allegedly all that stand between you and anyone on the planet.  Or, according to my father, “There are not six degrees of separation, there are two; you just have to think hard enough.” Like him, I’m a connector, and would agree that regardless of how many people it takes to connect us, no one is too far removed.  More so, it can be a great joy […]

Major love and congratulations to the 2nd winner of our free monthly giveaway contest, CiCi Farris of Los Angeles, California. Cici received It’s OK, a 20×16 charcoal pencil and chalk drawing on paper. We’re randomly selecting one lucky fan each month to win a free art prize. Prizes include paintings, autographed art prints, art photo books and more. It could be you next month! All you have to do is click here to join […]