Pepsi Thinks "Wordplay" for the Millenials in 09

Pepsi recently launched a viral ad, "Wordplay" with its new agency, TBWA\Chiat\Day (on its website Refresh Everything) to capture the millenials, the generation that includes 80's and 90s babies. What is so powerful about the millenials? We represent pop culture which includes music, fashion, movies, art and ultimately tastes and trends across all products and services. According to Adweek, Pepsi did some research and found that "95 percent of millenials feel that its important for them to maintain a positive outlook on life." So with some feel good vocabulary (optimisim, love, joy), Happy 2009 in several languages and the song "Energy" by indie rock outfit, The Apples in stereo, Pepsi attempts to project our experience. Looks like there are still some great opportunities for artists to get their music heard via ads. Tougher economy just means that we have to work smarter, a lot smarter and we can definitely still grow.

Duffy's On Top of the U.K.

Billboard announced today that Duffy's debut album Rockferry was the U.K.'s top selling album of 2008 beating out Coldplay's Viva La Vida (at 5th place) and Leona Lewis's Spirit (at 3rd place). The Welsh-singer sold 1.685 million copies of Rockferry. The top singles from the album include "Warwick Avenue" and "Rockferry." Duffy not only has a lovely soulful voice but she also writes most of her own material. She partnered with writers/producers Bernard Butler (former guitarist of Suede) and Jimmy Hogarth who supported Duffy's voice brilliantly with the delicate but strong emphasis of the guitar on most of the tracks. I especially love the song "Hanging On Too Long," where Duffy admits her faults of holding on to a somber, guitar-laden, harmony-rich track. I'm sure that we are going to hear a lot more from this Welsh soul singer.

Mark Ronson > Ahead of the Curve

Mark Ronson is undoubtedly ahead of the curve bringing together a sound that I always knew was bound to spawn a new movement - hip hop and rock. Ronson has brought talents like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen to the forefront and has also worked with Rhymefest, Ghostface Killah, Wale, Santogold and Daniel Merriweather. Some of Ronson's productions include Estelle's "Magnificent," Amy Winehouse's "Rehab," and Daniel Merriweather's "Impossible." Most recently, Mark Ronson has a project called Version out that features new takes on old songs (some classics). The idea is Mark Ronson's version of "Pretty Green" (record by The Jam) featuring Santogold, Ronson's version of "Just" (record by Radiohead) featuring Phantom Planet and Ronson's version of "Valerie" (record by The Zutons) featuring Amy Winehouse, just to name a few.

There is something about Mark Ronson, where you can always tell a track is his whether it's the drum switches, brass instruments or just the overall burgeoning soul of it. Ronson is set to bring hip hop, rock, soul and pop to a new level via his producing talents and A&R abilities with Allido Records. Another thing I love about Mark Ronson, is his regard for bringing different kinds of people together...that's what I'm talking about. Check out the article on him in Papermag.com.

nuTsie - Unlocking Your iTunes' Potential

nuTsie (iTunes scrambled), an affiliate of iTunes is a service that allows you to share your iTunes playlist with anyone on the web and listen to other people's iTunes, not just the people on your local network. The service also permits for you to take your iTunes playlist and have access to other playlists anywhere you go via your mobile phone. Signing up with nutsie is free but to get the app on your mobile phone takes a small investment of $19.95. Go nuTsie.

The Digital Evolution: Is it Really Worth It?

It's not surprising that digital track downloads take from traditional album sales. iTunes (est. 2003) allows consumers to sample each song and pick which ones to purchase versus buying an entire album. Instead of bringing in a few dollars in revenue per album, record companies are seeing a few cents per track. But how much is this taking away from the artist and has the digital evolution truly been beneficial? Kid Rock and AC/DC both refused to allow iTunes to distribute their music because they wanted it sold as a whole album. Each act had the third and fourth-best-selling-albums of the year respectively. Everyone listens to albums before they are released via digital downloads and delay consuming the album or never purchase it at all. So is the digital evolution a threat or a mixed-blessing to music and its stakeholders? I would call it a mixed-blessing because while it creates an avenue for music to be heard, it reduces the incentive to purchase music in the traditional way or even buy it at all. In closing, the digital evolution presents a challenge along with stiffer competition because less money is allocated to buying music but it is met with an opportunity to better cater to the desires of music fans (i.e. Kanye putting "Love Lockdown" to stream on his blog for comments and suggestions). Oh and it's worth it, just not in the short-term.

Wale, Mark Ronson, Kid Cudi and Colin Monroe plus Guests at Highline

On a cool Tuesday evening, Hot 97 put on an amazing show at the Highline Ballroom. Colin Munroe opened up the night playing drums whilst singing "Cannonball" and "I Want Those Flashing Lights" among other great songs. Kid Cudi had the crowd hyped with hot tracks off his mixtape, including "Man on the Moon," "Cudi Spazzin," and of course the oh so popular "Day N Night." Mark Ronson delivered us some classics on the 1's and 2's with a whole lot of DJ Premier.

Wale then entered the stage with a full band (trumpetist, trombonist, saxophonist, guitarist, bass guitarist, keyboardist and drummers) and brought along a whole slew of guest performers including Chrisette Michelle (pictured), Jim Jones, Freeway and Ryan Leslie. The band was on point and brought an exceptional energy to the room and all of Wale's tracks sound oh so much better live. Wale performed "Nike Boots" among others and literally had the crowd jumping to "Back In the Gogo." This new wave of hip hop is really exciting me and you all should be on the look out and support these great up and coming artists. For more pictures take a look at my Flickr page.

Marketing, Ad Dollars and its Effect on Music

Earlier this week, Ad Week announced that GM is no longer part of the top 3 global marketers club and now the lineup consists of Proctor & Gamble Co, Unilever and newly number 3, L'Oreal (which owns brands that include Lancome, Biotherm, Mizani, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Cacharel). The expectation for 2009 is a 3.2% decline in ad spending in the U.S. So what does this mean for music? Well, ad spending is expected to go down because companies feel that consumers are not interested in new products (this includes music) and are curbing their spending. If companies are not looking to market their products and services and find new ways to connect with consumers, they are not making new ads and not working with labels and artists for strategic marketing purposes. But just how much do labels and artists rely on corporate sponsorship and strategic marketing opportunities? Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to that, but I do know that it surely limits opportunities for artists and their music and of course revenues for labels. So what can we do in this down market? Staying positive and being hopeful are the only actions that come to mind.

The New 'It' Girl - Janelle Monae

I have been wanting to write about this vivrant, soulful, out-the-box, in your face and lovely musician hailing from Kansas named Janelle Monae and I have finally got around to it. When you hear Monae, you sense some Outkast, jazz, punk, classical, hip hop and bangin' soul with a hint of Gnarls Barkley. Janelle Monae doesn't fit in your usual radio, genre or market format and that's just what I love about her. Bad Boy finally got it right this time but we do have to thank Big Boi (of Outkast) for delivering us Monae and I really will have to go out and pick up this one - Metropolis (in stores now). On the "Many Moons" track (see video below), she drills the words "civil rights, civil world, hood rat, black girl, welfare, breast cancer, lost hope, microphone, one stage, final chapter" among many others, making a bold statement all the while making you rock to her sound. Check out the video and witness, Cindi Mayweather, Monae's androgynous android alter-ego and her space crazed performance.

Jamie Foxx feat. Kanye West and The Dream "Digital Girl"

Jamie Foxx delivers on a futuristic track courtesy of The Dream. Jamie sings "where ever you are I could be" to his digital girl. Take a listen at Prefixmag.com. The beginning of the beat sounds like Erykah Badu's "Love of My Life (Ode to Hip Hop) but then the synth effects take you to outer space or more like through the Internets. Gotta love technology. I'm definitely feeling this one. Go Jamie.

Red Bull Big Tune Pushes Newcomers of Hip Hop

Red Bull knows how to position its brand, I left Red Bull Big Tune last night feeling really great about hip hop and Red Bull's efforts. Red Bull is real f'n cool. The night started out with introductions by producers from Philly, Detroit, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, D.C. and L.A. Each producer then had an opponent to battle and the diverse crowd of hip hop heads was the only judge. The energy was real, the music was bumping and the scenery at the Highline Ballroom was nothing short of magnificent. Digable Planets stepped to the stage performing the hit "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)." DJ Alchemist also did his thing on the turn tables delivering that oh so heavy sound. And last but of course not least was Ghostface who came on with mad energy giving us some Wu Tang classics like "Cream."

The two finalists of the competition were C-Sick and Frank Dukes. C-Sick won the competition thanks to the crowd's firm response and support. C-Sick at only 17 years of age will now have the opportunity to work with Common at Red Bull Recording Studios. While C-Sick took the title because of his heavy, hard-hitting beats, I feel that Frank Dukes remains a strong contender because of his unique artistic abilities. For more photos check out my Flickr page and visit Red Bull Big Tune for additional information.

Sound Recording Revenues Now and in the Future

Like hearing news of the 'R' word yesterday that we are now in an official recession wasn't bad news enough. Now analysts from Jupiter Research are predicting that while digital music sales will grow by 23 percent from 18 to 41 percent, overall music sales will drop from today's $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion in 2013. Therefore, while there is significant growth in digital sales, it will not be making up for the decline in CD sales. Another interesting fact is that by 2013, 75 percent of the U.S. population will own mp3 capable mobile phones, however very few will be purchasing songs via their cell phones. Mobile sales will only contribute about $300 million five years from now. For more information visit Billboard.biz.

So is this cause to cut your losses and get out of the industry now? I wouldn't say so because no one can predict the emerging technologies or talent that will have a major effect on sound recording revenues and the industry as a whole. While we are in a recession and music industry revenues are expected to contract, I know that there is a truly grand opportunity in music and there always will be. Music is the best way to connect and communicate with others and it will always be needed but we will have to do more to convince people to buy. Getting out of a recession will also help tremendously, let's see what this new administration can do.

Jay-Z Feat. Santogold "Brooklyn (Go Hard)"

Jay-Z expresses his international influences via the delivery of his West Indian sorta accent with the help of Santogold's funk-da-fyed edgy U.K. new wave style. Jay says "boom-bye-bye" to the man that tests his "stye." The track is produced courtesy of Kanye West although the music is sampled from Santogold's "Shove It." Check out Fader.com for the full song. I think this is a good strategy for people to discover what Santogold has going on. As far as favorites, I personally prefer "Shove It" - the effects of water streaming, thick rhythms and the overall infectious, reggae sound does more for me. "Brooklyn (Go Hard)" seems to be a more commercialized and simpler version. But different sounds for different audiences...perhaps yes, especially since "Brooklyn (Go Hard)" will be featured in the Biggie biopic soundtrack, Notorious. Nonetheless, you be the judge and take a listen to Santogold's "Shove It."