Making It In Music Without A Deal

Making It In Music Without A Deal

By Jerome Joyce

In the communication era, and the advancement of technology has made it far more easier to release and promote and album. With the aid of an laptop, a few recording accessories and access to the internet, a new artist can create and self-publish their own music. Artist such as Soulja Boy, D-Low, and Silentó have all “made it” before they had an actual record deal.

Soulja Boy made his debut by creating a YouTube dance video entitled “Crank Dat Soulja Boy originally created in a software called FL Studio and then professionally reproduced. The song was number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and received a Grammy nomination (Daniel Kreps , 2008). Soulja Boy later was signed to Interscope Records.

The D-Low Shuffle, created by D-Low (Darrion Simmons) was another YouTube dance craze in 2014 and was featured on the Steve Harvey Show. After over 9 million views on YouTube, D-Low is now signed to Atlantic Records (Holiday, 2013).

Silentó is the creator of the latest dance song entitled “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”. The song was so popular people were posting their own videos which were later featured on the Ellen Show, creating a unique viral buzz.  The song’s popularity also gained it’s time on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Watch Me peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Charts and spent a total of nineteen weeks on the charts (Billboard, 2015).  

Record companies have the same expectations of a bank loan, banks want to know how and if they can make a return on their investment. Social media gives a new artist a free opportunity to promote their work and build popularity; while doing so an artist can earn revenue through sites such as YouTube, iTunes, Google Play and CD Baby. If the artist can prove their music can generate revenue, then a record label wouldn’t hesitate signing that artist.

Hint: The one thing the above artist all have in common is that they made dance music. DJ’s are the first to play and the key to a song getting heard and popular. Makes songs people can enjoy and party too, they will get shared and become popular.

References

Billboard. (2015, July 18). Watch Me. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/artist/6495286/silento/chart

Daniel Kreps . (2008, January 4). 2007 Nielsen Numbers: Groban, Eagles, Nickelback, Soulja Boy Lead. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from Rolling Stone : http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/final-2007-nielsen-numbers-are-in-with-groban-eagles-nickelback-soulja-boy-leading-the-way-20080104

Holiday, K. (2013, April 7). FSD Feature: DLow Talks Record Deal, Chicago's Bop Scene & DLow Shuffle. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from Fakeshore Drive: http://www.fakeshoredrive.com/2014/04/fsd-feature-dlow-talks-record-deal-chicagos-bop-scene-dlow-shuffle.html/