Approximately the first 34 minutes are about Chris, his book, Ruffhouse Records, and old school hip hop from Schoolly D to the Fugees. The second half of the interview we dive into music business advice for artist.
Ruffhouse: From the Streets of Philly to the Top of the '90s Hip-Hop Charts
The History of Gangster Rap: From Schoolly D to Kendrick Lamar
Coolin in Cali (audio) - 7A3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmBIW-XRs7c
The Piper (Video) - Cheeba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-OEmg0bi7I
Typical American (Video ) - The Goats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_F2FDpU1mM
Chris swiping Schoolly D’s phone number from a rolodex
Schoolly D and Chris become neighbors
The Goats received more fan mail over a 15 year period than all the other Ruffhouse label mates combined.
You can be dropped by the Amercian branch of a label and still have huge success overseas.
Wyclef Jean taking off all his clothes and performing in his boxers during an office audition.
Music Business advice for artist:
In the era of mumble rap, does great song writing still matter?
If you aren’t creating your own market, you’re just following.
The greatest way to perfect the craft of songwriting (or anything really) is to network with other songwriters.
Don’t torture people you want to connect with by spamming them with your music.
His label never got a demo in the mail and signed that artist.
The secret is YOUR NETWORK!
Less is more. Don’t send a demo with 14 or 18 songs. No one has time for that. Send 2 bangers.
Make sure you send a photo or video with the demo.
You have to sell the label before you every sell to the general public.
Major distributors are looking for 20 to 30 million hits on streaming/social media/YouTube.
Get Online to Get Offline. The entertainment business is a relationship business.
We are a singles driven music culture. Singles not albums.
The missing element of A&R. Man artist haven’t developed live show skills in this era.
Touring companies are creating small venues in order to develop artist.
Put together a focus group!
Matthew Knowles holds a grudge.
Will AI put beatmakers, producers, and musicians out of work?
Chris online:
Instagram.com/ruffnationrecordsoffiicial
Side bars into a story about Chuck D sitting outside of Schoolly D’s house for two hours!
Who is coming out on RUFFNATION: