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Many artist and musicians look for ways to invest time, money, and passion into their music. They value the best equipment and software that will produce a high quality sound and song to be distributed around businesses, online, as well as other venues that generate revenue. I have listed three valuable tools that have helped me produce well-rounded tracks.
Pro Tools is a professional digital audio workstation that is used to record and edit music, (Pro tools, 2011). I have been using it since 2003 and it has helped me mix and master tracks that I've recorded within the software. You can also create your own sounds. In the new version of Pro Tools 9, for the first time, it has added aggregate devices, which allows more than one interface to be used at the same time, (Pro Tools 9, 2011). For the complete version of Pro Tools 9, it runs $599.00 (avid, 2011).


Equipment can range on the price depending on how much money is available. Purchasing a top-of-the line keyboard such as a Roland PhantomYamaha Motif, or a Korg Triton can range between $2,300-$3,300 (Guitarcenter, 2011). These keyboards are used to produce sounds, beats, and other instrumental sounds that create tracks and other features such as commercials, soundtracks, and more. 


Having the knowledge to create is the best asset in producing music. Many people are born with an ear for music; others attend college and universities to develop a background in audio engineering and other musical fields. I attended Texas Tech University majoring in music with a minor an audio engineering. Recently I received my Master of Science in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. 


I feel that these three tools have led me to develop a broader technique for producing music. If you (as a producer, artist, or individual) can save money and invest in equipment and software that you need, and invest your time and mind into education, then you will have the knowledge, background, and tools that will help you produce well-rounded tracks. 

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They got Soul… “Dirty Loops”




Dirty Loops is an amazing band located in Sweden. Dirty Loops has become an incredible sensation via YouTube by rearranging and performing pop chart songs with their own originality. The band was formed in 2009 with long time friends Jonah, their phenomenal singer and keyboardist, Henrik their amazing bassist, and Aaron, the perfect pocket player on drums to create this incredible trio. 

"Just Dance," their first video released in November 2010, became a huge success and without any promotion, was viewed over 100,000 times and shared on Facebook by over 10,000 people within two months (Dirty-Loops.com).

Dirty Loops is currently working on material due to be released soon. Their website had this to say about their type of sound:
“Where modern hits get a new soundscape of bouncy beats, interesting re-harmonizations, but still with the hit melody in focus presented by Jonah's incredible, wide ranged vocals. Their unmatched musicianship and unique arrangement skills are a rarity in today's world.”

When I first watched the video below I was blown away by the rearrangement of Justin Bieber’s song Baby. If you didn’t like the song before, I bet you will love it after listening to this.



Due to their enormous sensation on YouTube and all the talk about their musical talents, Dirty Loops has signed with Lifeline Management. Lifeline Management is operated by Lasse Karlsson, the former manager of Swedish sensation Ace of Base and Meja (Dirty-Loops.com).

I really love their website because they interact with the fans a lot. Dirty Talk is a page on their website where they express what they are doing as far as recording, concert touring, as well as connect with their fans on a one-on-one basis. You can also like their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, Tumblr and Soundcloud.  

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Turn your dreams into reality


Most individuals dream about what they want to accomplish in life but never succeed at pursuing it. Unlike them, I've been working my ass off for the past year in graduate school building a successful business plan for my company. I believe a business plan shows the difference between someone who is pursuing a goal, from someone who is creating a career. Previous articles that I've read about entrepreneurs and other businessmen have taught me the valuable lesson of believing in my product even when others don't. As a musician and producer competition is amongst many people everywhere. No matter how many instruments I play or information I take in, there will always be another person who is highly trained and can do the exact things I am capable of doing. Therefore, I have to believe that my product is a valuable resource towards bringing in revenue to my company. Creating music is extremely hard but music is just a sound unless it touches someones heart.
Warren Buffet taught me that patience is a virtue. After reading what Buffet went through when losing money in a long term investment, I've realized that opening a music studio will start out slow, but given time, finances, and commitment put into the equipment, musicians, and engineering, it will gradually gain its ground. Some of the changes I've included in my plan include increasing my Start-up cost to have enough revenue for the equipment and the staff, and downsizing on the available space I need for my company.

When creating a Music Studio Business Plan I feel that investors will take an in-depth look at the start-up cost of the company, and the competition. There are a lot of music studios across the world and to open up another one will only be considered as chaos to an investors eye. By allowing the investor to see how my company is unique and different from other studios within its area will give them more insight of why there is a need to open another studio.
One of the major lessons I've learned from reading about entrepreneurs is that investing money into what a person believes in can increase his or her revenue in due time. With my music studio opening in downtown Miami, Florida,  revenue will be negative in the beginning stages due to clientele within the company, as well as finances for the building, equipment, and software programs. As a brand and a company I will have to invest in advertisement in order to develop a following. If I am able to create a following for my company, continue to network with other studios, and create a well-round background amongst my studio, then my studio will then begin to make its way to the top of the charts.

References:
http://www.acuvuecolorcontactlenses.net/business-plans/
http://www.relativelydigital.com/2010/10/why-advertising-needs-entrepreneurs/ 

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Investing money

Investing money in the right business can turn someones life into a wealthy fairy tale. Here are two entrepreneurs who have invested their time and money wisely into products they believe in and successfully have been rewarded gracefully.



Warren Edward Buffet was born August 30, 1930 and is considered to be one of the most successful investors in the world based on the amount of capital he started with and what he was able to grow it into (collegeinvestor.com). At a young age Buffett was astonished with the business of making money work for him. At 6, he purchased 6-packs of Coca Cola form his grandfathers grocery store for twenty five cents and resold each of the bottles for a nickel, pocketing a five cent profit. At 11, Buffet bought three shares of Cities Services Preferred for $38 dollars. The shares dropped below what he paid and when they rebounded back up to $40 dollars Buffet made a bad decision and sold his shares; little did he know that the shares would continue to increase up to $200 dollars a share. This taught Buffet a basic lesson when investing: Patience is a virtue.


Buffet never intended on going to college, yet his father persuaded him to attend a business college. After attending a couple of colleges and receiving his degree within three years, Buffet was introduced to famed investors Ben Graham and David Dodd who taught him an experience that would forever change his life. Through the years Buffet has made over $60 billion dollars and is known as "Wizard of Omaha," for his investments. "Buffett’s investment focus is very simple…buying companies for a low price, improving them via management or other changes, and realizing long term improvements in stock prices. He looks for companies he understands and keeps it very simple. Many have criticized him for avoiding tech companies and other industries, but by sticking to what he knows, he has been able to realize amazing return," (collegeinvsetor.com).  




Daymond John is also a great entrepreneur who knew that investing money could increase his financial situation. He is best known as the founder, president and CEO of FUBU, and appears as an investor on ABC reality TV series Shark Tank Daymond created distinctive and fashionable sportswear and a host of other related gear. FUBU’s phenomenal success made mainstream apparel companies realize the potential for fashionable sportswear that appeals not just to trendsetting urban youth but to mainstream teens as well (womensconference.com). Daymond and his mother mortgaged the home they collectively owned for $100,000 in start-up capital. Soon, the home was turned into a makeshift factory and office space. Daymond looks for the start-up cost when investing in a business. He determines if the business will progress in a fast manner to receive his funds back with interest. Daymond has invested the most money on ABC's Shark Tank and continues to invest in businesses he feels that will increase his revenue (brain.com). 


References:
http://www.glamoroustrash.com/2010/06/warren-buffett-youre-my-hero-again-you.html
http://goodmenproject.com/good-is-good/stop-coddling-billionaires-says-warren-buffet/
http://blogs.radiotown.com/timewithkim/2010/04/15/daymond-john-fubu-foundershark-on-abcs-shark-tank/
http://www.womensconference.org/daymond-john/

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R.I.P. Heavy D

"R.I.P. heavy D" was what many people were saying when they found out that Dwight Arrington Myers, better known as Heavy D, had pasted away.


Heavy D was a rapper, singer, record producer, and someone who educated fans on Hip Hop. He loved his fashion to be different than most entertainers and had a great personality. He was best known for his hype and performances with his group Heavy D and the Boyz. They had a number of hits over the years, including “Now that we found love,” “Girlz, they love me,” and I got nothing but love.” Their breakout album came with 1989's "Big Tyme," which included the hits "Somebody for me" and "We got our own thang” (yahoo.com).

Heavy D gained even more fame by singing the theme song of the television program In Living Color and also MADtv. He enjoyed the cameras and took on acting in the 90’s as well. Heavy D appeared on shows, including “In Living Color” and “MADtv.” Here he caught the attention of viewers with his fresh smooth style of talking and his relaxing swagger. 

Heavy D had been out the Hip Hop game for a while and was beginning to make a musical comeback. After 15 years of hibernation, he had made his first live performance at a tribute concert for Michael Jackson in London (TMZ.com). Heavy D made his last televised performance October 1st when he performed at the B.E.T. Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia (BET.com).

He was found unconscious in his Beverly Hills home on November eighth and pasted away an hour later at the hospital. Heavy D was a phenomenal performer and will live on through the eyes of Hip Hop forever.


You can watch his last live performance at the “BET Hip Hop Awards” below. R.I.P. Heavy D.  

References:



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Girlfriends and Music

Is it cool to have a girlfriend in the industry? I think so... It's just hard. Many artist write from the affection that they have between a connection with another person. At the same time, many artist write about the break-up of a relationship and what they got out of the experience. Sometimes relationships can end in a good way were the two partners are still friends but, sometimes it can end with a lot of drama.

For Instance, Nelly and Ashanti
Through out the years of hip-hop, people have been confused on whether these two were considered a couple. Even though they never said they were official, fans around the world believed that they had something going on. Both of them have made music about each other and are always seen out together having a great time. Now, rumor has it, Nelly and Ashanti were never officially together and only kept a platonic relationship between themselves


Usher and Chili were considered to be the best couple in the music industry. There love for each other was shown through out lyrics in each others music. But, when the break-up came, the music they shared with their fans changed. Usher came out with an album entitled Confessions, a cd that contained songs about his relationship with chili. One of the songs on the album entitled "Burn," opened up the eyes of fans as they were introduced to Usher not being faithful. Even though the relationship ended pretty rough, Ushers album became the second top best selling album of 2000's decade in the US (ushernow.com).
In my opinion, it just goes to show that relationships are very hard to control in the industry when your entire life is set on pleasing your audience. I believe that if you can find someone that is worth giving your all to, then take the time and build a strong relationship with them. if you can build a strong relationship, then nothing can come between the two of you. Below, are a few couples who are continuing to develop and build their relationship within the music industry.

Jay-Z & Beyonce (above)

Swiss Beats & Alicia Keys (to right)

Timbaland & Monique (bottom right)

Snoop Dogg & Shante (below)












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Music vs. Love vs. life



Life has a way of changing for the good or bad. Through the years, I’ve learned that you have to be able to balance all three. I grew up with music. It’s been a part of my life since age two. The best Christmas present I’ve ever received from my father was a drum-set. Since then, I’ve created music to be my foundation of life. It has molded me into a positive, creative person who enjoys producing and recording music that listeners love. I value everyone I meet because they create music individually without even knowing it. Music helps get me through the good and bad times. I define music as the soul of my heart.  


Love…
I love music as if it were my wife. I see music as a dark-skinned beautiful woman, attractive to the eyes, crazy but sweet, and yet lovable even through the hard times. Music is hard to create at times. The wrong song can get on your nerves, but at the same time be the easiest song to remember. It also has a way of touching your heart with out doing anything except being unique. Its melody can be melodic and smooth like ocean waves that crescendo in your vanes. I define my love (my wife) for music as a dream that’s coming true.








Life...
Life has its ups and downs but you have to be willing to accomplish what you were set out to pursue. I feel that I am pushing towards putting all my goals in place. It’s very hard trying to stay motivated at times because I’m in Orlando with no family. I tend to procrastinate a lot, which causes me to fall short on my grades (sometimes). I am recreating how I advertise myself and hopefully it will pay off in due time. 

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